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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State By Peter Duru Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his directive to security agents to shoot anyone illegally bearing AK47 rifle in the country. The Governor who gave the commendation Thursday in Makurdi said the President’s order would reduce the level of criminality, banditry and militia herders’ attacks on Benue communities as well as in other parts of the country. According to him, “the order would also make the communities safer for displaced farmers to return to their ancestral homes. “I wish to commend Mr. President for his recent order against those bearing AK47 rifles. This I am sure will reduce the high rate of criminality, banditary and militia herdsmen attacks on our farming communities,” the Governor said. He noted that President Buhari had done the right thing by listening to the calls he and other concerned Nigerians made on the need for the Federal Government to act faster and decisively to save the country from degenerating to a state of anarchy. “I don’t only criticise, I also commend where necessary. And I want to say shame on those sycophants who were bashing me for writing to Mr. President because he has finally heeded my advice,” he added. Governor Ortom said Nigeria belonged to all its citizens and only justice and equity anchored on the rule of law could guarantee the unity and stability of the country. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/03/ortom-commends-buhari-on-shoot-at-sight-order-on-ak47-bearing-criminals/amp/

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http://www.newshelm.com/2016/08/photos-president-buhari-femi-adesina.htmlcc

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BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU & EMMAN OVUAKPORIE ABUJA–It was a shocking revelation, yesterday, at the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee probing alleged illegal land allocations and racketeering in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja as the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC, Mr Ekpo Nta testified that his agency had seized a total of 61 houses, 45 plots of land at different locations within the FCT and a duplex from an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC in the course of on-going investigations into land scams in FCT. Nta also revealed that several bank accounts which the official used for the illegal land deals had been traced and frozen by the agency. The ICPC boss, however, disclosed that the 61 houses seized from the Civil Defence Corps topshot was made up of 40 three-bedroom flats, 20 two-bedroom flats and a duplex. He said official letters had been written to the appropriate government land authorities on the status of the seized property and publication made in national dailies for the public to know so as not to fall victims of illegal deals again. According to him, the agency swung into action following a tip-off from the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Dr Ade Abolurin who personally visited him on May 15. He said that Abolurin raised alarm that some officials of the corps were believed to be involved in illegal land deals using the agency as back-up. He also said they operated under a non-existent housing estate scheme in Abuja and Nasarawa State. Nta further said: ”Impressed by the action of the Commandant-General of the Corps by reporting his own officials for alleged wrong-doings and demanding an independent investigation while other heads of agencies or organisations will be covering it up if it were to be in their organisations. I commenced an immediate investigation by directing the Special Squad I set up on land matters to swing into action and the team even started with some officers who came with the C-G. “We made findings, we also made efforts to get additional information from other government agencies and banks which assisted us immensely in the course of our investigations. In the course of the investigation, we established that six different companies were used in the scam, and the bank accounts of certain officers and the companies used were frozen while we seized several property including 61 houses, 45 plots of land and a duplex traced to some of the officers. Interestingly, the 61 houses are made up of 40 units of three bedroom flats, 20 units of two bedroom flats and a duplex were seized from a single officer”. He further stated that the company through which the NSCDC officials carried out the illegal deals were not among the six other companies that were investigated, even as he promised to commence another round of investigation on it. While stating that all the interrogated officers had been released on administrative bail except an official who was on the run, Nta said that investigation had revealed that the affected officers used the NSCDC’s Co-operative Society to swindle members of the public who thought it was a genuine transaction especially when it involved the name of the organization, the transactions taking place within the premises of the FCT Command of the Corps located at Gudu district and the officers wearing NSCDC uniforms during such illegal transactions. Asked if there would be any compensation for the 186 victims of the scam since the property of the perpetrators had been seized, Nta said: “That is beyond our power, the final decision rests on the court. Ours is to arrest, investigate and prosecute, but as we speak, we have established abuse of office against some of the officers investigated, it is the court that will now decide their fate, but the law recognizes the interest of procurer”. Elated by the testimony, the Committee chaired by Hon Bimbo Daramola expressed gratitude to the ICPC boss, saying the revelation will help put an end to land scams in the capital city. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/icpc-recovers-61-houses-nscdc-officer/

Politics

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Eyitayo Jegede and Jimoh Ibrahim By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA – The Supreme Court, Tuesday, gave the Justice Ibrahim Saulawa-led panel of the Court of Appeal in Abuja the nod to deliver judgment on dispute over who should be the flag-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Ondo governorship election billed for November 26. The apex court, in a unanimous ruling by a five-man panel of Justices led by the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, declined to disband the the three-man Special Panel constituted by President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, to resolve the dispute. Aside dismissing motions to stay proceedings of the appellate court, filed by six chieftains of the PDP in the South West led by Chairman of the party in Ondo State, Prince Biyi Poroye, the Supreme Court, awarded a cost of N1million each to the three Justices of the appellate court. Poroye and his group had joined the three appellate court Justices, Salauwa, Igwe Aguba and George Mbaba, as 5th to 7th Respondents in the appeal before the apex court. The Acting CJN, Justice Onnoghen who delivered the lead ruling, ordered that counsel to the appellants, Chief Beluolisa Nwufor, SAN, should personally pay the cost from his pocket. The apex court further ordered the appellants to pay N500, 000 cost to the four other Respondents in the matter among whom included a contender for the PDP governorship ticket, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede, SAN. Justice Onnoghen held that it was wrong for Poroye and his group to drag the appellate court Justices into the matter knowing that they were only carrying out a judicial duty that was duly assigned to them. “The 6th to 7th Respondents who are Justices of the Court of Appeal were constituted by appropriate authority to hear and determine the case were not parties before the lower court and whatever they did was in their official capacity as judicial officers”, Justice Onnoghen noted. He stressed that joining them as Respondents in the matter “was not only an attempt to intimidate and scandalise the judiciary, but to put it in a mild way, an action in bad faith”. Justice Onnoghen also noted that the appellants (Poroye and his group), had also petitioned a previous panel of Justices of the appellate court that handled the case. “If the applicants are allowed to continue with this prank, there will be no end in sight and it will not augur well. In the circumstance, there is no merit in this appeal and it is hereby dismissed”. While concurring with the lead ruling, another member of the apex court panel, Justice Kumai Akaahs, held that action of the appellants was “capable of bringing anarchy”. However, the apex court panel fixed Thursday to hear the substantive appeal challenging leave that was granted to Jegede to appeal the June 29 judgement of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Abuja which recognised Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim as flag-bearer of the PDP for the November 26 governorship poll in Ondo State. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/ondo-s-court-awards-n3m-court-justices-okays-verdict-jegedes-appeal/

Politics

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Mrs. Helen Mark, wife of Senator David Mark, presents gifts to members of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Agatu to celebrate the 68th birthday of the former Senate President. …… as life gradually returns to war ravaged communities Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark yesterday marked his 68th birthday with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Agatu local government area of Benue State rendered homeless aftermath of the massacre that left hundreds of people dead. He was at one of the Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs) camp in Aila community of Agatu local government area where he distributed relief materials , food stuff, clothes and toiletries to them. Senator Mark who distributed the relief materials through his wife, Mrs. Helen Mark said:” I identify with you . I share in your pains and frustrations. But don’t lose hope. Help will come your way.” He said spending time with the IDPs gave him a sense of fulfilment ” because I have devoted the rest of my life to serve God and the less privileged in the society. “Nothing can be more fulfilling for me on my birthday than bringing joy and relief to the IDPs in Agatu. I will do whatever I can to improve their condition. The situation is not palatable. But we must give them hope.” Senator Mark also urged Corporate Institutions as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to come around to assist the IDPs. He specifically pleaded with Benue State government to collaborate with the Federal government in order to initiate an action plan towards rebuilding and resettling the survivors of the Agatu massacre. Mrs. Helen donated several items including thousands of water purifier to arrest rising cases of cholera and other waterborne diseases in the IDP camps. Other items include, but not limited to, Palm oil, bags of rice, assorted drinks, food items, beverages, toiletries, wrappers, among others. Receiving the relief materials on behalf of the people, District Head of Aila community, Chief Michael Magaji expressed appreciation to Senator Mark for the gesture . Chief Magaji however requested the authorities to increase security presence in the war ravaged communities to enable the survivors return to their ancestral homes . The call he said has become imperative now to enable people go into the farming season. Meanwhile, life has started returning to the some communities in Agatu local government. A handful of people were seen in make-shift structures trying to pick their pieces as soldiers parades the communities to guarantee security. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/mark-celebrates-birthday-agatu-idps/

Politics

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INEC boss, Prof Mahmood Yakubu Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman to resign his appointment for attending a clandestine meeting and plotting to compromise the forthcoming presidential election in favour of Buhari through the appointment of Buhari’s neice to oversee the collation of presidential votes even before the first ballot was cast. Frank who gave a graphic detail of how President Muhammadu Buhari’s neice, Amina Zakari was appointed as the Chairperson of INEC’s Advisory Committee and Election Collation Centre Committee, said in a statement on Friday in Abuja that the meeting took place at the Glass House inside the Aso Rock Villa in the early hours of Thursday prior to the announcement of that selection was made by Prof. Mahmood Yakubu – chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He stated that he is in possession of reliable information about how the INEC chair and Zakari were smuggled into the villa at about 12.30am on Thursday after which Buhari, accompanied by few of his trusted aides, joined them inside the Glass House for the meeting. He disclosed that Yakubu arrived for the meeting in a Black Peugeot 508, wearing a blue caftan while Zakari came in a black Prado Jeep, wearing a jalabiya. He said the meeting lasted for 45 minutes. He noted that Amina Zakari was the Commission’s head of electoral operations and logistics before she was redeployed to the department of health and welfare in October 12, 2018, following misgivings about her clear partisan posture in various elections conducted when she held sway as head of operations and logistics at INEC. He added that her relationship with Buhari became suspect as many believed she was working for the re-election of her uncle – Buhari – and the success of the APC, which became obvious in the Edo, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections and other rerun elections that she supervised during the period. He said that the appointment of Zakari to such a sensitive assignment was a culmination of the pressure the Presidency had brought to bare on Prof. Yakubu to return Zakari to the Operations department since October. Frank called on the Chairman of INEC to resign his appointment for attending such a clandestine meeting and plotting to compromise the forthcoming presidential election in favour of Buhari through the appointment of Buhari’s neice to oversee the collation of presidential votes even before the first ballot was cast. He added that Nigerians have lost confidence in him to conduct a free, fair and credible 2019 elections. “A man who can succumb to pressure and brazenly compromise to further the desire of a candidate in an election cannot be trusted to be impartial during a general election with high stakes. I think he needs to undergo a test for codeine and tramadol abuse to think that Nigerians can be fooled that Zakari’s recent appointment is not a back door move to make her relevant in caring for Buhari’s interests during the Presidential elections,” Frank stated. He observed that even though Buhari benefitted from a free, fair and credible elections in 2015, he is not ready to advance the nation’s democracy by sticking to free and fair elections this time. Frank said: “This is largely why he has refused to signed the amended Electoral Act 2010 and has now shopped for his Neice to oversee the hatchet job of rigging him back to power. “Buhari is running away from a free and fair election. He is depending on INEC and the security forces to allocate votes to him. That is why he refused to sign the amended Electoral Act. “As a perpetual law breaker, he has again broken the law by refusing to allow the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to go on retirement after spending his ‘overly doctored 35 mandatory years’ in the service of the country as a Police Officer.” He insisted that Nigerians are hopeful that Buhari’s desperation will not set Nigeria ablaze post elections but lamented that “the way he (Buhari) is going, crisis will definitely engulf the country because the opposition is determined not to accept any rigging or compromised electoral process during the next election. “If Buhari has any iota of integrity, let him demonstrate it now by allowing for a free, fair and credible elections in February and March. We know he has no integrity and the opposition is ready to meet any of his shenanigans with equal and greater shenanigans.” The Bayelsa-born political activist called on all patriotic Nigerians including the NLC, TUC, ASUU, NASU, ASUP, NBA, NMA, traditional and religious leaders to speak up in order to avert Buhari’s rigging plot capable of plunging the country into a bitter and violent crisis. He also called on the United Nations and Nigeria’s allies in the advanced democracies – as members of the international community -working to sustain peace across the world to come to the aid of Nigeria at its most trying times. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/timi-frank-calls-for-inec-chairmans-resignation/

Politics

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By JIMITOTA ONOYUME The Archbishop of the Niger Delta North Diocese of the Anglican Church, Most Reverence Ignatius Kattey, kidnapped by some gunmen, was released Saturday night, according to the police. Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, DSP Angela Agabe, in a telephone chat, said the cleric had been freed. It could not be confirmed if any ransom was paid. Sunday Vanguard gathered that the archbishop was released at Eleme. Kattey was taken hostage about a week ago, minutes after he drove out of his residence at Eleme. The story on page 7 had gone to press before his release. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/kidnapped-anglican-archbishop-freed/

Politics

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By Albert Akpor & Evelyn Usman LAGOS — SEYI Olayiwola Ahmed, the man who attempted to blow up the Superscreen TV on December 22, 2009, yesterday, on his sick bed at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, said his intention was not to hurt anybody, not even staff of the Superscreen TV, but to draw the attention of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers’ Loveworld Church better known as the Christ Embassy. The 30 year-old Oyo State-born film producer and father of one, said he manufactured the explosives himself having learnt it on the internet. He claimed that he had been working for the church for some time now adding that the last job he did was not paid for and that his intention was to actually get the attention of the pastor for financial assistance. Ahmed said: “I am somebody who learnt things by intuition, and so I was always browsing the net and because I have special interest in explosive I learnt how to make them. I actually made three explosives, it was the smallest one that exploded at Logemo House and got me injured. Like I said, I was in a financial mess after the lady in one of the branches terminated my contract with them. The church did not even pay me for the one we did earlier for them let alone the latest. So I was frustrated and wanted something to do to feed my family. My mission at the Superscreen was to ask how much they pay for the shooting of soap operas and other things and not to hurt anybody. But it happened that the man I met said the person who was in a position to give me some of the information was at the seventh floor. It was when I was going up that the explosive went off..†Regretting his action, the failed bomber who spoke flawless English Language quoted some scriptures like “touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm.†The incident which prompted yesterday’s confession, began, December 22, 2009, following an explosion on the fourth floor of the a nine-storey building at Onipanu along Ikorodu express road, where the bomb carrier was affected. The explosives which was neatly wrapped as Christmas gift, was taken to Superscreen Television, on the ninth floor of the building when it exploded mid way, rocking the entire area. At first, no one could give detailed account of the exact cause of the explosion, as there were varying accounts as to how the explosive got to the building. But the following day, the Lagos Police Command boss, Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, told anxious journalists that the victim of the blast was actually the messenger, adding that two additional explosives detonated by policemen from the Bomb Disposal Unit, were also discovered at the scene of the blast. Although Akpoyibo was silent on other salient issues concerning the explosion, he, however, promised to do so at the appropriate time, noting that when the suspect’s abode, which he failed to disclose for what he described as security reasons, was searched, more items that aided the command’s investigation were discovered. Vanguard, however, learnt that the suspect lived at the Fola Agoro area of Shomolu, where he occupied a room apartment on the ground floor of the two-storey building. He wife also was said to have hurriedly left the house, holding two polythene bags and a sac, with a baby strapped to her back two days before the incident. After the incident, security measures such as rigorous search of visitors into any of the companies in Logemo house was carried out. Vanguard gathered that the incident prompted the rejection of wrapped Christmas gifts from unknown persons, particularly by Supercreen Television staff. Meanwhile at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital where the 30-year-old Olayinwola Ahmed was initially admitted at the intensive care unit, security was tightened as only designated doctors were allowed to attend to him. Some police nurses were also detailed to take care of him and also kept an eye on any visitor that requested to see him. Unfortunately there was reportedly none, until last weekend when two visitors who came visiting bolted away before nurses could alert plain clothes policemen. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/01/07/my-target-was-chris-oyakhilome-%e2%80%94lagos-bomber/

Politics

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With the year coming to an end, all teams are fighting to earn good points before the January transfer window. Here are some favourite soccer predictions against the weekend fixtures in various football Leagues. Manchester City v Everton Over HT(0.5) Torino v Juventus No-Goal 15min Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano 1 Hannover 96 v Bayern Munich 2 Borussia Dortmund v Werder Bremen No-Goal 10min Brighton & Hove v Chelsea 2 Watford v Cardiff City 12 Liverpool v Manchester United 12 Booking Number: Z6HTX5Z3 (Bet9ja) Note: Predictions can be reviewed before placing your bet.

https://www.thenewsguru.com/sports/football/article/soccer-bet-prediction-for-weekend-fixtures/

Sports

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I HAVE watched carefully, with high expectation, but also with a tinge of regret, certain national developments since you were sworn-in as the democratically elected President of Nigeria on May 29, 2015. People have accused your government of lethargy. Critics have pointed to a streak of favouritism, if not nepotism, in the precious few appointments you have so far managed. Some, even of your own political party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) – have openly expressed doubts as to whether the change promised to dawn with the inception of your administration is in any way remotely resembled to what is so far self-evident. None of these is of immediate concern to me here. My interest, Mr. President, is more fundamental since it touches on the very soul of Nigerian democracy, which you solemnly promised to nurture and enhance. It was former US President Harry S. Truman who often admonished that, “If you can’t stand the heat,get out of the kitchen.” His context was political, an arena in which blackmail, disinformation, excoriation and scaremongering aggregate as the common fare of partisanship.In that regard, any politician worth the name takes the cue and delivers as much as he receives, if not much more. In my view, however, ournation’s fight against the cankerworm of corruption should, first and foremost, be a patriotic national service, not a schedule for partisan dogfights. Unfortunately, the indiscriminate and groundless invectives currently being spewed by your political apostles are in dissonance with the democratic ethos you promised Nigeria.They boil down to hysteria. And they are guaranteed to be counter-productive because they promote the fallacy that to be of service to one’s fatherland is mutually exclusive with malfeasance. Please permit me, Mr. President, to quote a famous mantra of yours: “If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.” The fight against corruption is many-pronged. But it does not include the demonisation of the innocent. Unfortunately, some of your teammates have been on the rampage, leveling unwarranted and unsubstantiated charges against top functionaries of the administration you succeeded. For instance, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has been vitriolic in his attacks against a Minister in the Jonathan administration whose offence, so far, appears to be her agreement to serve her country of birth. Does Oshiomhole not appreciate the possibility of the truly guilty escaping justice via the highway of distraction he is busily generating by his wild apportionment of guilt with neither concrete evidence nor rudimentary trial in a court of competent jurisdiction? I raise for your consideration,and reversal, the interminable pillorying of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the immediate past Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance by, not the wayward social media, but GovernorOshiomhole and a few others associated with him. Nearly thirty years ago, the inappropriateness of lumping guilt and innocence in a single category of censure and penalty was roundly denounced in circumstances that can only remain vivid in your memory, dear Mr. President. Thefollowing is apart of President Ibrahim Babangida’s inauguration speech of August 27, 1985, the day he toppled your military junta: “While this government recognises the bitterness created by the irresponsible excesses of the politicians, we consider it unfortunate that methods of such nature as to cause more bitterness were applied to deal with past misdeeds. We must never allow ourselves to lose our sense of natural justice. The innocent cannot suffer the crimes of the guilty.” How can we, in all sincerity, find ourselves again at the point of reminding Your Excellency that “We must never allow ourselves to lose our sense of natural justice”? Really, how can we, especially bearing in mind your solemn declaration at your inauguration on May 29, 2015, to wit: “Having just a few minutes ago sworn on the Holy Book, I intend to keep my oath and serve as President to all Nigerians. I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” I crave your indulgence to briefly examine a religious aspect of the dreadful thing that is going on because, it is not at all certain that GovernorOshiomholeand his coterie have looked at all sides of everything. I am not a Muslim. I am a Christian (Catholic). But Islam is a religion I hold in high esteem. I understand that the basic principle of Sharia is that one’s testimony must be based on knowledge, clarity and trust. The Noble Quran [43:86] says ”…But only those who testify to the truth [can benefit], and they know.” The Ninth Commandment of the Christian faith is a compelling injunction: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbour!” Governor Oshiomhole’s smear campaign against the government of former President Jonathan may be down to personal grudge against some functionaries of that administration. His tenancy of the Edo State Government House expires in a year. When he vacates office, would the Comrade-Governor rather prefer a kind of treatment whereby, instead of examining his legacy with a sense of duty and balance, a band of critics would rise and drown out every other sound with incessant and mordant attacks on his name and person? The way things are going, it seems safe to suppose that the profession of faith is rampant among politicians who, nonetheless, consider the upholding of their religious tenets as the tiniest of concerns. The penchant to heap every imaginable sin in the world on Dr. Okonjo-Iweala does not wash. Many Nigerians see this as unwarranted persecution. In so far as definitions go, Coordinating Minister does not mean Supervisory Minister. Ministers in the Jonathan administration did not report to Dr. Okonjo-Iweala. Why, then, is she being asked to account for all the Ministries in the last dispensation when all others who held down ministerial portfolios are alive and available? Anti-corruption fights often fail because people distract themselves chasing shadows. Mr. President, you should please prevent yourself from falling into this trap. The focus should be on priorities. Thank you, Mr. President, and may your administration represent a spell of God’s abundant blessings on Nigeria. An educated and respectable lady, who claimed some presence around today’s corridors of power, averred that you recently said that yourpresidential tenure would be a loadstar and a legacy for the rest of African leaders to emulate. This moved me greatly, to the point that I offered an instant prayer for God to strengthen and direct your hand to the objective of meaningful and purposeful leadership. Now, Mr. President, you will not inhabit Aso Rock forever, even if you served multiple terms. The day will eventually come when you will become former President Muhammadu Buhari. How would it feel, if after you have done your bit and passed the baton, a rabble rises and scripts the lyrics of a scathing swansong for you that is antithetical to your presidential pedigree? We pray, Mr. President, that commentators will not, in the ultimate, have cause to pronounce anathema on your administration. I am one of those persuaded that you mean well for Nigeria. For this, I recall again that the central platform of your campaign for the presidency is the fight against corruption. Is this fight now being prosecuted by the virulent attacks on the personality and integrity of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, by Oshiomhole and company? Oshiomhole has, among many other indiscriminate charges, accused Dr. Okonjo-Iweala of spending $2.1 billion from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) without authorization! How can it be said that there was expenditure without authorization, when the evidence is there that authorization is undeniable? How are we sure that the attacks on this woman is not down to the fact that she published details of the Excess Crude monies paid to the Governors most of whom cannot now pay salaries of their civil servants, or show to what useful purpose they put the funds they readily collected? Isn’t it obvious that there are high costs to pay for shadow chasing – like when wild allegations are concentrated on the innocent, while an expressway is paved for the escape of those who may have some explaining to do? In your inaugural address, you paid tribute to President Jonathan for his statesmanship in “graciously accepting defeat” at the presidential ballot. With the most profound respect, I urge you to keep to that path of rectitude.I put it to you, Mr. President, that the fight against corruption, which you are leading, can do with one imperative, namely, the putting of an immediate end to unwarranted and unsubstantiated accusations that can only divert attention from the real culprits of corruption, if any? Mr. Chuks Iloegbunam, a commentator on national issues, wrote from Lagos. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/open-letter-to-president-buhari/

Politics

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ABUJA—PPRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s run for the 2011 presidency took another major leap, yesterday, with Igbo leaders in the 19 northern states endorsing his candidature for Saturday’s presidential election. At a courtesy call on the President in State House, the delegation of over forty leaders of Igbo community associations in the 19 northern states commended President Jonathan for stabilizing the nation at a critical juncture of its history, noting that his administrative dexterity and egalitarian posture had endeared him to the hearts of not only the Igbo people but all Nigerians nationwide. Mr. Oge Ogechukwu of the FCT chapter who spoke on behalf of others said the President’s detribalized stance has opened a vista of equal opportunities for all Nigerians. While assuring that Igbos in the northern states and nationwide will vote en masse for the President come Saturday, Ogechukwu said: “We will go to the hinterland to mobilise all our people that Mr. President must be made to stay in Aso Rock.” The group urged the President to take more stringent measures to ensure security of lives and property of all Nigerians. President Jonathan thanked the delegation for endorsing him and said his administration in a fresh four year mandate will engender a nation where all Nigerians will pursue their aspirations without fear of molestation or discrimination. The President promised to pursue the unity and development of the country at all times, noting that “development and poverty do not speak ethnic languages.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/igbo-leaders-in-north-back-jonathan/

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http://afrigroove.com/music-yung6ix-the-man-prod-by-disally/

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BREAKING: FG declares Tuesday, Wednesday public holidays By Blessing Olaifa, Abuja The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday July 21, 2021 as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration. The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government. He congratulated all Muslim faithful and Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the celebration. “I call on Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of love, peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) and to also use the period to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, considering the challenges of insecurity we face at the moment. These mainly are bandits in the North West and North Central, insurgents in the North East, kidnappers, armed robbers, ethnic agitators and sundry criminals in other parts of the country,” Aregbesola said. The Minister, in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, assured the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is “committed to the security of lives and property of every Nigerian, and empowering the citizens for successful living, the provisions of social investments programmes and adequate security in the schools, especially with the spate of innocent school children being targets of kidnapping” . Aregbesola, while wishing Muslim faithfuls a happy Eid-el Kabir celebration, advised all Nigerians to take responsibility by reporting any suspicious individuals and criminal activities to law enforcement agencies, especially during this festival. He also called on all Nigerians to observe all Covid-19 protocols, particularly the non-pharmaceutical measures – wearing facemasks, hand washing and social distancing – designed to keep transmission of the disease at bay. “We must all take responsibility for containment of the pandemic during this year’s festival,” he said.

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-fg-declares-tuesday-wednesday-public-holidays/

Politics

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Britain’s Queen Elizabeth (L) and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, standing onboard the Spirit of Chartwell during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames in London. Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II’s 90-year-old husband, was hospitalised June 4, 2012 with a bladder infection and will miss the rest of her diamond jubilee celebrations, Buckingham Palace said. AFP PHOTO LONDON (AFP) – Britain is planning to force visitors from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries whose nationals are deemed to pose a “high risk” of immigration abuse to provide a cash bond before they can enter the country, a report said Sunday. The Sunday Times newspaper said that from November, a pilot scheme would target visitors from those three countries plus Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana. Visitors aged 18 and over would be forced to hand over £3,000 ($4,600, 3,500 euros) from November for a six-month visit visa. They will forfeit the money if they overstay in Britain after their visa has expired. Initially the scheme will target hundreds of visitors, but the plan is to extend it to several thousand, according to the broadsheet’s front-page report. The weekly paper said the move by Home Secretary Theresa May is designed to show that Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservative Party is serious about cutting immigration and abuses of the system. The populist United Kingdom Independence Party has been encroaching on the Conservatives’ traditional core vote in recent months. Cameron wants annual net migration down below 100,000 by 2015. “This is the next step in making sure our immigration system is more selective, bringing down net migration from the hundreds of thousands to the tens of thousands while still welcoming the brightest and the best to Britain,” May was quoted as saying. “In the long run we’re interested in a system of bonds that deters overstaying and recovers costs if a foreign national has used our public services.” A Home Office official said the six countries highlighted were those with “the most significant risk of abuse”. Last year 296,000 people granted six-month visas were from India, 101,000 from Nigeria, 53,000 from Pakistan and 14,000 each were from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/nigerians-to-pay-3000-to-enter-britain/

Travel

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BY DANIEL IDONOR ANKARA, TURKEY — President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, said he has no ambition to stay in office beyond 2015, assuring Nigerians in Diaspora that while he will not contest the 2015 election, he will ensure that this year’s election is free and fair. The President promised that if voted in for the next four years, he would ensure significant improvement in key sectors of the economy — security, power, education, road, health amongst others. “Without security, there is no government. So it is not debatable, it is something we have to addressed and we are working towards that with vigour. But if I’m voted into power within the next four years, the issue of power will become a thing of the past. Four years is enough for anyone in power to make significant improvement and if I can’t improve on power within this period, it then means I cannot do anything even if I am there for the next four years.” Jonathan said this while interacting with Nigerians mainly diplomats working in the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA, and the African Union, AU, in Addis-Ababa. While fielding questions from those present at the interactive session on whether Nigerians abroad will vote, Jonathan said: “I would have loved that the Nigerians in Diaspora vote this year but to be frank with you, that is going to be difficult now. Presently, the law does not allow the voting outside Nigeria and so this year Nigerians in Diaspora will not vote but I will work towards it by 2015 even though I will not be running for election.” On the issue of security, Jonathan said the government was doing everything possible to arrest the situation. He disclosed that all those involved in the October 1 bombing had been arrested and were being prosecuted. He, however, said he ordered the release of the car dealers because they were just businessmen who could not have known that the vehicles were to be used for such heinous crime. On education, the President said, the nine new approved universities were to be specialised and to be headed by at least three Nigerians experts in Diaspora. On the concerns raised of having a database of Nigerian experts in Diaspora, President Jonathan assured that he was working on creating a forum for interaction between them and government and also develop a database, where experts needed to address the various challenges of the economy will be drawn. He hinted that this was why the Diaspora Commission was being set up as the bill was already before the National Assembly. The President also disclosed that the government is looking towards reviewing the country’s foreign policy to ensure that Nigeria gets maximum benefit from its roles and contributions to international organizations like the AU, UN and ECOWAS. He lamented that right now Nigeria’s contributions were not being recognized adding that “there is need for Nigeria to have something in return for our investments. We are investing so much but it is not being noticed and there is need to reverse that trend. On the concerns about road network and transportation in the country, President Jonathan assured that the railway system will be revamp because presently heavy duty vehicles were destroying the roads. “Why we cannot have continuous road maintenance for now because no contractor wants to go into it because of the continuous pressure on the road by heavy duty vehicles. That is why we are working to ensure that we revamp the rail”. The President also assured that Nigerians working in international organization and institutions would be issued diplomatic passports. He directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia to submit the list of those qualified within the shortest possible time to him. On the 35 per cent affirmative action implementation and the domestication of protocols signed, he assured that he will present before the National Assembly within the shortest possible time Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/i-ll-not-contest-2015-election-jonathan/#sthash.TaENhMD8.dpufThat

Politics

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What becomes of Jonathan’s women? In the past few years, the administration of outgoing President Goodluck has given women more voice in government. While some of the women were humble with power, others became burdens to the government. In this piece, YUSUF ALLI, MANAGING EDITOR, NORTHERN OPERATION looks at what next for Jonathan’s women. Disputably, the outgoing government of President Goodluck Jonathan prided itself as having increased women’s participation in government from 10% to above 30 %. In a foreword to a book, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Champion for Women, the controversial Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, said: “This is indeed, not just historic, but something special in the history of Nigeria! Half the world’s population is female but the international average of women in elected office is only around 20%. Look at the top office-holders, and the figure is lower still; in Nigeria, however, one in three members of the Federal Executive Cabinet is a woman. It is a fact of which all Nigerians, male and female, can be justly proud.” Some of the key appointments bestowed on women in the last four years were the Chief Justice of the Federation, ministerial appointments, Directors-General / Executive Secretaries of key parastatals, the first female Rear Admiral, and the enrolment of female regular combatant into the Nigeria Defence Academy among others. But the most contentious had to do with the appointment of female ministers. It was a motley crowd with mixed grill results. From the self-styled mother of the nation, First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, whose grammatical blunders were theatrical, to the untouchable ex-Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah. The women in Jonathan’s team regaled the nation with different scenarios. Miffed by the absurdity of some of the women in government, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo at a point said there were five presidents in Nigeria, referring to President Jonathan, the First Lady, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; ex-Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah; and the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr.(Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Their unexpected disengagement from power leaves a question: what becomes of them? The list includes the first female Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Alison-Madueke; the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala; the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe; Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Zainab Maina; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri; and Minister of State for Agriculture, Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed. Others are Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi; Minister of Environment, Mrs. Lawrencia Laraba-Mallam; Minister of Information, Sen. Patricia Akwashiki; Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs. Hauwa’u Lawan Bappa; ex-Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah; ex-Minister of Environment, Mrs. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia; ex-Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Lady Amal Pepple; ex-Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai; ex-Minister of State for Power, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi; ex-Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Obada. The 61-year old, Minister of Finance since 2011 had occupied the same office between 2003 and 2006. For a brief period, she was also Minister of Foreign Affairs. Her second missionary journey into the Federal Executive Council has been lack luster, riddled with controversies and largely a disaster. Right from the onset, she assumed the unconstitutional status of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy to the consternation of her colleagues in the cabinet. In spite of the constitutional aberration of the office as conferred on her with fiat by the President, she pretended all was well while usurping the position of Vice President Namadi Sambo, who is naturally in charge of the coordination of the economy. Besides most Ministers go cap in hand to her for budgetary allocation, the implementation of the nation’s budget had hardly reached 60 per cent implementation in the last four years. To her credit, the economy grew to become the largest in Africa, following a rebasing exercise, with little impact on the standard of living of Nigerians. Although Okonjo-Iweala serves on the Advisory Board of Global Financial Integrity, it was amazing that under her nose there was fuel subsidy scam and about $20b oil cash could not be accounted for. All manner of consultants were imported to manage the economy in one form or the other. There can be no better verdict on the state of the economy than the 10-page treatise of a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, who said: “Our public finance is hemorrhaging to the point that estimated over N30tn is missing, or stolen or unaccounted for, or simply mismanaged.” Certainly, this her second coming has affected her rating as a development economist. She is likely to return to her NGO, NOI Global Consulting after a troubled tenure. But no one will listen to her shriek voice anymore. Above all, she has a job to clear her name of the financial sleaze in President Jonathan’s government. Born in December 1960, the Queen of the oil sector has set a record of being the most powerful minister Nigeria has ever produced. Her words were law in the Federal Executive Council and no Minister could oppose her memo. Doing so will incur the wrath of the powers that be. Ministers dote on her because that is the surest way to win the hearts of forces at the Presidential Villa. Once at a session of the Federal Executive council (FEC), she banged the phone to the consternation of all. Yet, there was no reprimand because she towers above all. In his bid to get reappointment after cabinet dissolution, a former Minister allegedly once prostrated for Alison-Madueke in her home. A mermaid with her unique beauty, the minister who grew up in Mubi had been a trail blazer with many firsts including the first Nigerian woman to be on the board of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria; the first female Minister of Petroleum Resources; the first female Petroleum Minister to work with five Group Managing Directors of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC); and the first female OPEC President. The fuel subsidy scam under her care led to a nationwide shut down in January 2012 and the protest almost brought the Jonathan administration to its knees. Apart from the local content development initiative, it is difficult to point out any spectacular achievement of her in office. The failures were like anthills: over $20b oil funds unaccounted for; disinvestment in the oil sector by International Oil Companies (IOCs); fall in the sale of crude oil; non-passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB); increase in oil theft; award of N4b pipeline protection contract to ex-militants and militia leaders. Although she still has an assignment in OPEC, it is likely she might step aside as the cartel’s President because the slot is usually for a country and not an individual. What next is being a player in the oil sector. But before she becomes an oil baroness, she may appear before many panels to defend her tenure. She will have rough days ahead but she has the gut to survive the odds. The Minister of Communication Technology was born on June 28, 1963 to the family of the late High Chief Bayo Akinnola, who was the Lisa of Ondo Kingdom. Born into a family noted for its integrity and hard work, she was the Country Director of Accenture (a Management Consultancy Group) before she emerged as a Minister. Though on the quiet side, she has been able to achieve an increase in ratio of mobile subscriptions from 68.49% in 2011 to about 85% in 2015. Also, the mobile phone coverage which stood at 40% in 2012 might increased to about 55 to 60 per cent before the end of the year. Her greatest weakness is the inability of her ministry to address epileptic GSM service by telecoms firms. Though the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) imposed over N1.17billion on some telecoms firms, the sanctions were like mere slap on the wrist. Mrs. Johnson might return to the private sector after leaving office. SARAH RENG OCHEKPE A quiet and highly religious Minister, Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe was born in October 1961. A trained journalist and holder of Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Jos. During her tenure, Nigeria has been able to achieve about 69-70 per cent access to potable water; constructed or rehabilitated 33 dams and 28 earth dams nationwide; and executed 15 irrigation projects which could create two million jobs when fully utilized. The ministry also secured a N2.4billion grant from Japan for water supply to five states. She was also able to address annual flooding in the country by developing Flood Control and Early Warning System (FEWS). For the first time in the history of the Ministry of Water Resources, she ran a trouble or scandal free tenure. Soft spoken and brilliant, Mrs. Ochekpe ran into political storm when she coordinated the controversial campaign dinner for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan where about N21billion was raised beyond the N1billion campaign limit in the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended). Before she could be consumed by the campaign fund crisis, former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana came to her aid by claiming that the funds were meant for the completion of PDP National Secretariat. After May 29, Mrs. Ochekpe will remain a key grassroots player in Plateau State from where she was catapulted into national limelight. She used to be a member of Afri Foundation seeking to tackle poverty in Africa. Definitely, she will return to local politics because she is rated as “loyal”. A product of Harvard Law School, the 56-year old Oloye Jumoke Akinjide is often judged in the shadow of her father, Chief Richard Osuolale Akinjide (SAN) who was known for the controversial 12 2/3 politics at the Presidential Election Tribunal in 1979 which led to the upholding of the election of ex-President Shehu Shagari. Oloye Akinjide’s vision was for the FCT to be “among the top 20 capital cities in the world.” But she is leaving a decrepit city whose master plan has been abused by Abuja land grabbers. All the six Area Councils she superintends are gradually turning into slums where nothing works. She has spent the last two years preoccupied with politics in Oyo State because of her deferred governorship aspiration. She is likely to return to her Newman Legal Office after her tenure has elapsed. But take a bet, she will not stop playing politics in Oyo State because she thinks she is a force to reckon with. A Professor of Biochemistry, she was a shadow minister under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last four years. Her devastating moment in office was when she lost her amiable husband, Prof. Celestine Onwuliri in the DANA Air crash of June 3, 2012. A mother of five and grandmother of three, she was born in June 1956. While as a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, she was in charge of bilateral agreements and the coordination of Bi-National Commission with the United States. She burnt her political fingers recently when she was involved in a protest march with some widows in Owerri, Imo State. With the way she was panting after a raw deal in Owerri, she does not have a strong heart for politics. She has the choice to return to the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Jos or engage in NGO and church activities which have earned her more than 200 recognitions. One of the oldest in the cabinet, Hajiya Maina was born in 1948. A caterer par excellence, she has spent a greater part of her life as an advocate for women. Apart from being a former National President of the National Council for Women Societies of Nigeria, the climax of her career was in 1994 when she was appointed as the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Women Commission. During her administration, she has been able to prevail on 23 states to pass the Child Rights Act; she launched the National Database for Vulnerable Children; promoted Affirmative Action which led to more positions for women beyond the 20% target set by the UN and establishment of skill acquisition schemes in 20 VVF Rehabilitation centres nationwide. She is going back to the grassroots for more women advocacy after May 29. Despite the fact that she is no longer in President Jonathan’s cabinet, Princess Stella Oduah is one of the five mighty hands behind the wheels in the presidency. In and out of office, she remains an unseen hand. While in office, she embarked on the remodeling of Lagos New General Aviation Terminal, and airports in Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto, Ilorin, Katsina, and Akure. She also renovated Hajj terminals in Kano, Kaduna, Abuja and Sokoto. Hardworking but rated as power drunk, the 53-year old ex-Minister was one of the “untouchables” in Jonathan’s cabinet until she was indicted for the purchase of two bulletproof (armoured cars) at a cost of N255million for use as a Minister. The scam led to her unceremonious exit from the cabinet. President Jonathan’s foot-dragging on Oduah’s fate almost created a moral problem for his administration. After sullen period, the princess has regained her track. She is now a Senator-elect from Anambra State. After May 29, she has a date with history because she is still being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Until she was suddenly sacked by President Goodluck Jonathan, she was one of the most experienced female ministers Nigeria has ever produced. Armed with a First Class Bachelor’s Honours from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), she was a Clerk to the Senate, ex-Permanent Secretary in seven Federal Ministries. As a Minister, she developed National Housing Policy and National Urban Development Policy. Her early exit from the cabinet was due to her audacity in telling the President to settle his political differences with Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Not minding her age, she knelt down for President Jonathan in order to avert the inevitability of losing his re-election bid. She was booted out of the cabinet. But today, she can walk tall because she has been vindicated by the defeat of Jonathan. She is a good chorister in church. She might bounce back to power soon. Born on November 2, 1953, Patricia Naomi Akwashiki, once representing Nasarawa North as a Senator. Though she is presently the Minister of Information, she was yet to settle down when her boss was defeated during the Presidential Election. As a Senator, she sponsored a bill to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau Act. As a politician, she had defected from the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She may likely return to politics which has entered her blood. ASABE ASMAU AHMED Before her appointment, she has had a brilliant career in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and what a source described as a “rewarding experience” in the private sector. A reputable town planner, Asabe is also respected for her frankness, honesty and devotion to duty. She will surely go back to the private sector. A former Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Akwa IbomState, she is a nominee of Governor Godswill Akpabio. With the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development proving a hard nut to crack since she came on board, she is likely going back to her state for local politicking. LAWRENCIA LARABA MALLAM Prior to her nomination, she was the National President of Catholic Women Organization (CWO). Her appointment was borne out of political exigency and calculation for the just-concluded Presidential Election. As a grassroots mobilizer, she could however not save Jonathan from defeat in Kaduna. She may return to church activism.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/what-becomes-of-jonathans-women/

Politics

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By Soni Daniel, Regional Editor, North ABUJA — As preparations for the next Presidential election gather momentum, the North has said it will not allow former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, to impose any candidate on the region and its people. The North is still reeling under the pains of the ‘imposition’ of the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua on them in 2007 and the current President on Nigerians by the former Nigerian leader. The Convener of the Coalition of Northern Leaders, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, told Vanguard in an exclusive interview, yesterday, that the North had learnt it bitter lessons and would not allow Obasanjo to dictate to them any longer. According to Mohammed, the people of the North do not believe that Obasanjo still has the necessary influence and power to champion their cause and will, therefore, not allow him to dabble into their political future. The Second Republic lawmaker said those in the North, who believe that Obasanjo has what it takes to make them President, were merely deceiving themselves, as the former President’s era had since lapsed. Reminded that Obasanjo still wields enormous influence and authority in the land given the number of men and women he put in commanding heights, Mohammed shrugged off such influence, saying the man could hardly win a ward election in hisOgunState. He said: “We will not allow what happened in the election of Yar’Adua and Jonathan to happen again in 2015. We must rise as a people and carry our destiny in our hands. “We will never allow somebody who does not have the interest of the people of the North to dabble into its politics in 2015. “In any case, if Obasanjo cannot win a ward in his local government area ofOgunState, is it inKanoor Sokoto that his candidate can win?” Obasanjo is a political liability to the North The political commentator made it clear that those who were being bandied as Obasanjo’s candidates in the North should work hard and win the confidence of the people if they wanted to be elected rather than go to sleep with the erroneous impression that the former leader could guarantee them easy access to the Presidential Villa. He said: “It appears to me that Obasanjo is more of a political liability to the North and anyone who puts his hope in him in 2015 is doing so at his/her own peril. “The irony is that some uninformed persons still believe that Obasanjo has what it takes to put them in certain political offices inNigeria. That is not possible particularly in the North.” The medical doctor-turned politician said the North would devise a more democratic means than zoning to elect its leaders in 2015 to heal the wounds of the past political mistakes and move the people of the region andNigeriaforward. Igbo Presidency not feasible in 2015 Mohammed said Igbo Presidency would not be feasible in 2015 given the penchant of the people of the region to pull down their own rather than speak with one voice to achieve their set goal. He maintained thatNigerianeeded a leader who could pull it out of the present predicament and take the people to a new level of socio-economic and political prosperity. There have been reports that Obasanjo is in support of two northern governors to run as President in 2015. Of the two, Governor Sule Lamido of JigawaStaterecently told Vanguard that he was flattered by the link of his name with the 2015 job. He did not deny nor confirm the claim. The man he was touted to be running with, Gov. Rotimi Amaechi ofRiversState, has however openly denied having any presidential ambition. “I’m not running with Sule Lamido,” the governor was quoted as saying in the heat of the controversy. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/12/igbo-presidency-not-feasible-in-2015-junaid/

Politics

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By Henry Umoru & Joseph Erunke ABUJA—The Cross River State ministerial nominee, Mr. Usani Uguru, drew the ire of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, senators yesterday after he said ‘God forbid’ to claims that he had once belonged to the party. His confirmation was further put in jeopardy after furious PDP senators pointed out gaffes in his documentation, including his tax clearance papers and the lack of an asset declaration certificate. Uguru was one of six nominees screened yesterday at the Senate with the remaining five scheduled to be screened today. One of the nominees, Zainab Ahmed, a foster sister of Governor Nasir el-Rufai, representing Kaduna State, missed one of the lines of the National Pledge when she was asked to recite it, yesterday. Ahead of the conclusion of the screening, PDP senators and their All Progressives Congress, APC, counterparts were last night perfecting their strategies to push forward the two most contentious nominees, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and Uguru, who fell into harm’s way by his utterances. The other nominees screened by the Senate yesterday were Adewole Folorunsho, Osun; Bawa Bwari, Niger; Geoffrey Onyema, Enugu, and Mansur Mohammed Ali, Zamfara. Uguru had in his introductory remark noted how he had traversed the country building relationships. Asked if he had done that on the platform of PDP, to which he was alleged to have been a member, he responded “God forbid,” causing uproar among senators of both parties. While APC senators started laughing, PDP senators were furious. Noticing the agitation among PDP senators, Uguru quickly offered his apologies, but it did not soothe the anger in the PDP benches. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/ministerial-nominees-gaffe-puts-him-in-trouble/

Politics

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APC built Train stations in villages of PDP chieftains – Amaechi The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, on Sunday said that in the course of executing the Warri-Itakpe Rail line, stations were built in the villages of Peoples’ Democratic Party(PDP)’s chieftains. Amaechi disclosed this at the `Next Level Presentation’ at Presidential Villa Banquet Hall to signal the commencement of the campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2019 general elections. The minister who made a presentation titled `What We are Building ’ said that President Muhammadu Buhari, upon assumption of office, directed that old and abandoned projects be completed. “The truth is that the country is compelled to make a choice between good and bad. When I was appointed the Minister for Transportation, the president warned–do not start new contracts, go and complete old ones. “We met Itakpe –Warri Rail line which had been in existence for 34 years uncompleted; it would have been the first Standard Guage line in Africa if it was completed. “Based on the president’s instruction, I did a memo; I thought we will borrow money from China; but the president refused. He said we should use our internal funds to execute the project. “People saw me on social media on Train service from Warri to Itakpe. I got to Warri 8pm because I was going from one station to the other—almost all the villages and most prominent members of PDP made sure that train stations were in their villages. “So, I am compelled to do those stations in villages of members of PDP; it is okay; it is the instruction of the president that you must go and finish the old work.’’ He said that the tradition in the past was that once one was elected, one left the old things for the old people and awarded new contracts. According to Amaechi, the ministry will start commercial service from Itakpe to Warri. On PDP’s argument that it started the projects, Amaechi said that Buhari made it clear on commissioning the Abuja –Kaduna rail project that the project was started by the former government of President Goodluck Jonathan. “We completed it but two things are remarkable—we borrowed 500 million dollars to start that project at the time oil was selling at 114 dollars per barrel. “ We should not have borrowed; you mean this country could not have afforded 500 million dollars? “I will show that we can; when I wrote a memo to the president and to the cabinet requesting that he should allow me borrow 500 million dollars from China to buy locomotives and coaches for Lagos-Ibadan, the cabinet under the directive of the president refused. “He(the president) said 500 million dollars; we can get from here and we are funding it from here; so we did and completed Kaduna to Abuja quickly. “We spend N56million per month and we get N16 million; so we are augmenting for both rich and poor—N40 million per month under the directive of the president because he fears that the poor might not be able to afford it. So, everybody is using it.’’ According to him, Lagos to Ibadan railway is almost complete—a distance of 156kms. The minister said that application had also been made to construct Kano to Kaduna railway as approval for funds is being awaited. “We are about to award the central line from Abuja to Niger to Baru from Baru to Itakpe to Warri; the president had approved a new seaport in Warri. We are negotiating with a Chinese company which will build it. “Do not forget that N2.7 billion dollars is N1 trillion. So, we are looking for money to commence already awarded work on the coastal rail. “The coastal rail starts from Lagos, from Lagos; it passes through Ogun State, Ondo, Benin, Asaba, and Onitsha. From Benin again, it passes through Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, to Bayelsa, in fact, it goes to Utuoke. From Otuoke, it goes to Port Harcourt. “ Then from Port Harcourt, it goes to Aba, Uyo, and ends up in Cross River State. “We are almost ready to award Port Harcourt to Maidugiri. The difference between us and the last award is that the last award was 1500km but under the directive of Mr President, it was extended to 2000 km. “ The last award was Port Harcourt straight to Maidugiri but in order to satisfy everybody at the directive of the President, we must get to every state capital,’’ he said. On his part, Mr Babatunde Fashola, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, said that it would require a long journey into Nigeria’s history to recall when last it had massive investment in infrastructure. “It is no coincidence that we look to the 1970s and the 1980s when we built new airports, new seaports, new refineries, new highways and bridges. “The closest you will have to that era is the 1990s when petrol-money was also being applied to upgrade infrastructure under the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF)incidentally chaired by Buhari. “We lost an enormous opportunity when recently oil money rose to $114 dollar per barrel and stayed there for almost a decade and we have no new airport, refinery, bridges, petrochemical plants, no new seaports to show accountability to how all the money went,’’ he said. The event also witnessed the unveiling of Buhari-Osinbajo 2019—A Basic Guide-The Campaign Manual in Brief.

http://thenationonlineng.net/apc-built-train-stations-villages-pdp-chieftains-amaechi-2/

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Nigeria deploys 700 soldiers to Liberia No fewer than 700 officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are set for deployment for peace keeping operation in Liberia, just as the Army authority has warned the troops to prevent Ebola through hygienic living The troops were warned to avoid any act capable of dragging the image of Nigeria and Nigerian Army to the mud, as the army will not accept a situation where its soldiers are seen as soft targets. General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Kenneth Osuji gave the warning while addressing the troops at the graduation ceremony marking the end of their pre-deployment training in Jaji, Kaduna State on Friday. General Osuji who is the GOC of the 1 Brigade, which is made up of the Nigerian Battalion (NIBATT)36 in the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) said, they must work with the rules of engagement of the mission and respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of Liberia people. According to him, “Be reminded that the Nigerian Army will not accept any situation where its troops are seen as soft targets or conducting themselves in unprofessional manner such as trafficking in illicit substances of any kind including alcohol and drugs. “Additionally, you must respect the cultural and religious sensitivity of the people of Liberia. You must exhibit the highest sense of personal/environmental hygiene as Liberia is just emerging from an EBOLA epidemic,” the GOC stressed.

http://thenationonlineng.net/new/nigeria-deploys-700-soldiers-to-liberia/

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Nigerian Shiite Muslims has issued a statement indicting Nigerian troops of killing 12 of their members and injuring 40 others in a clash between the group and soldiers in Zaria. From reports gathered from eyewitnesses, it was said that the incident happened following the resistance of Shi’ite members to allow a military patrol van to pass through their procession. According to the group, three of the leader of the group, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky’s sons,Mahmud, Ahmad, Hameed, as well as a woman with a baby strapped to her back were among those gunned down were. Ibrahim Musa, the editor of Al-Mizan, the weekly newspaper published by the group, said in a statement, “Reports reaching our news desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened fire on the tail end of the Quds procession held after Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. “The procession, which took off from Sabon Gari Jumaat Mosque, reached Kofar Doka peacefully with no incident. However some soldiers attacked the procession at PZ junction in Zaria. “They shot Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky, but [his body] was taken away by the Muslim brothers. But several [other] Muslim brothers were shot by the security agents. “As at the time of writing this report, there is no confirmation on the number of Muslim brothers shot or killed by the soldiers, but our [sources] say five people were killed. The Quds procession was held today peacefully in more than 10 Nigerian cities. Why the attack on the Zaria procession? “the latest report on the attack by soldiers on Quds peaceful procession is that ten Muslim brothers were gunned down by the soldiers, among them Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky, son of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, and a Muslim sister with her child on her back. There are over 40 Muslim brothers’ casualties with different degrees of gunshots by the soldiers. The story is still unfolding, with reinforcement of soldiers coming from Kaduna, according to our news sources.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/sheikh-zakzakys-son-10-others-died-nigerian-troops-shiite-muslims-clash/amp/

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By Tony Eluemunor One terrible aspect of the Asaba massacre is not only that it actually occurred, but that 53 years after that grim and despicable flaunting of the worst of the human spirit anywhere, Nigeria does not recognise it as a national tragedy. Thus, every 7th of October, only the people of Asaba commemorate that gruesome mass murder, which meets all definitions of GENOCIDE. The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines genocide as “the deliberate and systematic destruction of a group of people because of their ethnicity, nationality, religion, or race. The term, derived from the Greek genos (“race,” “tribe,” or “nation”) and the Latin cide (“killing”), was coined by Raphael Lemkin, a Polish-born jurist who served as an adviser to the U.S. Department of War during World War II. The term was coined in 1943 by the Jewish-Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin who combined the Greek word “genos” (race or tribe) with the Latin word “cide” (to kill). That such an unprovoked gruesome mass murder of hundreds of people took place at Asaba, is not in question anymore. What really happened that October 1967? As Emmanuel Andrew Chukwuedo Nwanze, BSc. MSc. Ph.D. DIS, Professor of Neurobiochemistry and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin said in a lecture: “Asaba people came out from their homes and places of other engagements in response to a call to come out and welcome and receive the conquering Federal troops. When the troops requested them to separate into groups of males and females, they naively complied, never having ever witnessed such an event before. The men were marched away to the more secluded axis of Ogbe Osowe- Ilo-Umuaji-Ogbe Ilo. When the guns started blazing it was too late to escape. The staccato over, only the groans of those on the throes of death could be heard with blood flowing freely: indeed ‘blood on the Niger’. The few alive or not completely dead who had been clobbered to the ground by the falling dead could be heard calling on the soldiers to come on and finish the job. Hence the weak cries of “See me, I never die o” Mr. Chiedu “Cassy” Juwah was about ten years old then. He recalled that “People were dancing in a welcome party at OgbeIlo field. Then soldiers stopped the music and a grim business began. That was how Asaba became a town of landladies. My cousin who had survived the pogrom at Kano, his dad and two elder brothers, were shot. I hid and returned home. The following day, 7th, we were rounded up and shepherded to Oma, opposite today’s Grand Hotel, That’s where we were separated. At Ogbe Osowe, the men were separated from the boys and the women, and I, a boy, joined the women in going to the Convent, now St. John Bosco’s Church at Nnebisi Rd, and Ogbe Osowe became a killing field. My brother, Augustine Juwah, who passed out of St. Anthony’s College in 1964, pretended to be dead and hid among dead bodies there as a machine gun belched fire and death. By 8.pm he made his way home and we started our flight; first to Achala, and from there to Ubulu-Uku. Some people returned home days later and were still killed in the house-to-house combing by the military.” The Federal troops thundered into Asaba on the 5th. The Biafrans had melted away as the immediate commander, the late Col. Joe Achizia (a son of Asaba), opted to retreat to Onitsha as a lorry load of cutlass was all he was given to defend Asaba with. He blew up the Niger Bridge. Then, the indiscriminate killing started. It turned horrendous on the 6th and became hellish on the 7th. About 1, 000 persons died in Asaba in those gruesome three days. Yet, more died later as the town’s folks fled into the bush, trying to escape to the nearby towns and villages. Many were caught outside the town while escaping and were decimated, others died from hunger and unhealed wounds inside the bush. In fact, the killing spilled into Ogwashi-Uku, and several other towns in the Anioma Delta North Senatorial District. In Ishiagwu, a coastal village to which Biafrans would travel to from around Oguta to buy food stuff, having crossed the lordly River Niger by canoe, the Federal troops visited one night and simply killed 400 people who failed to escape and burnt down the village – even as a General Cyril Iweze, a son of Ishiagwu, was fighting on the Federal side. Ibusa suffered genocide and the entire surviving population fled into the bush. READ ALSO: Boko Haram sacks two communities in Borno As late into the war as 1969, the killings were still on. A Benin-City based medical Doctor, Patrick Anyafulu said: In 1969, a company of Federal troops was ambushed and decimated by Biafran troops on the road leading to Asaba from Oko. That incident brought the horrors of war to my sleepy, rustic village. The whole village was razed to the ground. We escaped death through Providence…a heavy rainstorm the previous night delayed their advance from Asaba, and fishermen who had gone to check their nets saw them and alerted the whole village. Shells were already landing in the village and the air was filled with the whine of bullets. We escaped into the forest and lived there until 1970!” So, why has the Federal Government, which has recently acknowledged the evil inherent in denying the late MKO Abiola his June 1993 electoral victory, refused to even recognise the atrocity committed against Asaba and other Anioma towns? As hard as that insult upon injury is difficult to swallow, it is pertinent to remember that for years the Asaba massacre was a totally hushed up topic. A London Times correspondent, Bill Norris, who passed through Asaba in mid-October 1967, sent back photos of hellish destruction there and noted that the town appeared to be largely abandoned. But he said nothing about the genocide. He explained in a 2012 interview that he did not know about the massacre. The first mention of mass killing in Asaba appeared in the London Observer, almost four months later, when Africa correspondent Colin Legum conûrmed that Federal troops took part in the killing. However, his (second-hand) account claimed that a group of ‘implacably hostile’ Igbo attacked troops by surprise as they watched the welcome dance, leading to retaliation. Even both pro-Biafra and pro-Nigeria writers of book on the Civil War left the Asaba massacre well alone. The Nigerian Army made no attempt during or after the Civil War, to investigate the Asaba Massacre. Yet, The London Observer commented on it on 21 January 1968, Le Monde, the French evening newspaper, wrote about it on April 5, 1968, LOOK, the British magazine, did same and even a Canadian Member of Parliament, who served as the UN Observer, Stephen Lewis, was mentioned in the London Observer on October 11, 1968. Yet, the then Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain, Brig. B. O. Ogundipe called the reports “wild rumours”. The Times of London reported in 1968 that Biafran propaganda had instilled fear of federal soldiers in Igbo people, but these fears were unfounded. A year later, the Times reported that an international observer team had “been unable to ûnd one single trace of mass killings of Ibos”. An Asaba indigene, Sylvester Okocha, then senior civil servant in Benin, wrote to the International Committee of the Red Cross describing what had just happened. His letter was intercepted by the military, he was arrested, tortured and incarcerated in Lagos. Now, the truth is out…and it is horrendous. There are only two choices left for Nigeria: to keep ignoring this sordid fact and allow the sore to fester and become food for agents of national disunity or address it so that healing can begin. Yet, the silence has really ended, what continues is national self-deception. An Asaba indigene, and journalist, Emma Okocha published the book Blood on the Niger in 1994 (his father was a victim of that massacre). It lifted the lid off that story and has remained a condemnation on the government’s official silence on the Asaba massacre – that terrible blot on Nigeria’s history. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/10/asaba-massacre-terrible-blot-on-nigerias-history/

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By Ikechukwu Nnochiri ABUJA—The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court will, today, determine whether or not the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio is qualified to be appointed as the Minority Leader of the 8th Senate. The suit, which was lodged before the court by two members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, from Rivers and Imo states, Alaye Pedro and Dr. Okechukwu Ibeh, respectively, has 18 Senators from the South-South geo-political zone as defendants. The plaintiffs are praying the court to restrain the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and members of PDP caucus from the South-South in the Senate from appointing the Senate Minority Leader outside the provision of Order 3(2) of Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended). The aforementioned rule of the Senate prohibits the appointment of a first time Senator as a principal officer. The plaintiffs maintained that whereas PDP is the leading minority party in the Senate and is entitled to produce the Minority Leader, they contended that in line with Order 3(2) of Senate Standing Orders 2015, ranking must be the basis for appointment of such principal officer. They averred before the court that “ranking ensures that principal officers posses adequate experience and avoids promoting junior over senior,” adding that in zoning the position of the Minority Leader to South-South, PDP take into consideration the ranking of PDP senators from the zone. The plaintiffs, however, decried that “a clique within the larger PDP caucus in the 8th National Assembly has concluded plans to subvert the mandatory provision of Order 3(20) of the Senate Standing Orders by selecting or appointing the Minority Leader by a procedure in breach of Order 3(2) of the Senate Standing Orders 2015.” Consequently, they urged the court to intervene by ensuring that the proper procedure was adhered to by the leadership of the Senate with regards to the appointment of Minority Leader. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/senate-minority-leader-court-rules-on-suit-challenging-akpabios-eligibility-today/

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Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has in an unusual fashion invited President Muhammadu Buhari to commission two newly constructed cell blocks at the Makurdi medium correctional centre in the wake of jailbreaks across the country. Ortom disclosed this at a meeting with the people of Ugondo, the host community for the correctional service, warning them against encroaching on land ceded to the service and any other federal agency contributing to the growth and security of the people of Benue. READ ALSO: Wike Invites Buhari, Oshiomhole, Obi To Inaugurate Rivers Projects The invitation is coming amid his disagreement with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar which seems irredeemable. Ortom is also a prominent member of the PDP G5 led by his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike. The group wants Benue-born Iyorchia Ayu to resign as a precondition to support Atiku’s 2023 presidential ambition.

https://www.channelstv.com/2022/12/07/ortom-invites-buhari-to-commission-benue-project/

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By DANIEL ETEGHE Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Thursday arrested a student and four other suspected drug traffickers with 10.255 kilogrammes of narcotics at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos. Speaking on the arrest, NDLEA Airport Commander, Mr. Ahmadu Garba said that the suspects were apprehended for their involvement in smuggling drug hidden in garri adding that two of the drug suspects were coming from Brazil with cocaine while three others were going to South Africa, Dubai and Pakistan when they were arrested. Mr. Garba further gave the names of those apprehended as “26 year old student Okonkwo Daniel Anagor, was caught with 2.810kgs of Tramadol on his way to Dubai, Lawal Monsuru Ademola, 33 year old trader was arrested with 3.310kgs of methamphetamine on his way to South Africa while Ogbonna Donatus Chigozie was caught attempting to smuggle 610 grammes of cocaine to Pakistan. Two other suspects, Okoro Chibueze Augustine and Okpue Ernest Ifeanyi were caught with 2.575kgs and 950 grammes of cocaine from Brazil”. Meanwhile Chairman of NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade while reacting to the recent arrests called on Nigerians to shun drug trafficking and promote peaceful coexistence. “Some of the lessons of Eid el Kabir are obedience and love. Let us love one another and obey the laws of the land by avoiding drug trafficking and abuse. This way we can promote safety and peaceful coexistence”. The NDLEA boss also advised the suspects to turn a new leaf and contribute to nation building stressing further that all the five suspects would soon be charged to court. Narrating his ordeal, one of the suspects, Mr. Okonkwo David Anagor who was to board Rwand Air flight to Dubai told anti-graft investigators that he wanted to spend some time after his secondary school and further his education in Dubai. According to him, “I was travelling to Dubai to spend holiday and further my studies but they called me from Dubai that somebody will give me garri in Lagos. When I got to Lagos, the person called me and gave me the bag of garri. This is my first time of travelling outside the country. At the airport, the garri was searched and 445 sachets of Tramadol were found inside the bag. That was how I was arrested”. Also, Mr. Lawal Monsuru Ademola, a trader selling clothes at Marina Lagos who holds a Diploma in Computer Installations and Repairs at the Lagos State Polytechnic was caught on his way to South Africa with 3.310kgs of crystalline substance which tested positive for methamphetamine that was neatly packed in 26 parcels in a false bottom of his luggage. Similarly, Ogbonna Donatus Chigozie was nabbed with 610 grammes of cocaine while attempting to board an Emirate flight to Pakistan. Okoro Chibueze Augustine who was expecting N2.5 million described his arrest as a bad luck. In his words, “I have lived in Brazil for a year and six months. I have suffered trying to make ends meet in Brazil. I got involved in drug trafficking so as to start a legitimate business. I expected to have made N2.5 million from the deal. Unfortunately, my partner who would have collected the drug in Dubai failed to show up so I had to come to Nigeria with the drug. That was not the original plan. This is a bad luck and I feel so sad”. He is single and hails from Imo State. Okpue Ernest Ifeanyi who had lived in Brazil for a year said that he came to Nigeria for his traditional marriage ceremony. “I work in a restaurant in Brazil. I am 39 years old and I sincerely want to get married and have a family. In the process of trying to make more money, I was given 59 wraps of cocaine to take to Nigeria for N400,000 naira. Now I realized I have made a big mistake. I pray my woman will find a place in her heart to forgive me. I feel I am under a spell” he stated. He hails from Enugu. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/student-caught-at-lagos-airport-with-10-255kg-of-drugs-hidden-in-garri/

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MOSCOW — Russia’s first smartphone – a quirky, dual-screen device with a traditional LCD-color display on one side and an electronic-paper display similar to the Amazon Kindle on the other – began selling in Russia and several other European countries on Wednesday. The Yotaphone, developed by a Russian tech start-up, Yota Devices, will be sold for about $675 in Europe and for $600 in Russia, slightly cheaper than top competitors like the Apple iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4. The Russian phone, which uses an Android operating system, is an attempt by a European company to jump into the handset market, largely dominated by American and Asian manufacturers. Nokia, the largest cellphone maker in Europe, is in the final stages of selling that business to Microsoft for $7.2 billion. Jolla, a smaller Finnish start-up founded by former Nokia engineers, has only recently started selling its own handset aimed at a global audience. At a kick-off event at the popular Garage Center for Contemporary Culture in downtown Moscow, the chief executive of Yota Devices, Vladislav Martynov, said the introduction of dual screens was “a revolution in telephone architecture” and would conserve battery life. Mr. Martynov said that the electronic-ink display on the back of the Yotaphone would show information, including feeds from Facebook and Twitter, even when the phone is not in use. “Before Yotaphone, this space was useless,” he said. While Russian Internet companies like the Yandex search engine are popular in Russia and software companies like Kaspersky Lab, an antivirus developer, have found international success, there have been no breakout leaders among Russian consumer technology producers, a sector where the country has traditionally lagged.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/05/business/international/russias-first-smartphone-goes-on-sale.html?src=recgRussia

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Buhari departs abuja for sochi, participates in Russia-Nigeria Summit By Agency Reporter President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday departed Abuja for Sochi, Russia to attend a three-day Russia-Africa Summit holding from Oct. 23 to Oct. 25. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before leaving the presidential villa for onward journey to Sochi, Buhari carried out some official engagements where he was briefed by some cabinet ministers. NAN reports that the presidential aircraft conveying the president and some members of his entourage took off from the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) at about 2.15 p.m. The presidential aircraft is expected to arrive Sochi International Airport at about 22.30 p.m. (Local Time) with the temperature out at 22 degrees centigrade. An earlier statement by the President’s spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday said the summit would focus on exploring and expanding opportunities in security, trade and investment, science and technology, and gas production. During the summit, according to the statement, Buhari will meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to further strengthen relations between Nigeria and Russia. Shehu said that the two leaders would hold bilateral talks on security, trade and investment, and building partnership that would enhance Nigeria’s huge gas potential following Russia’s remarkable success in gas exportation. “The summit, which will be attended by African Heads of State will bring fresh perspectives on some global issues and challenges like nuclear technology, energy development, digital transformation, environment, technical security, mining and steel, education, agriculture, infrastructure and development strategies. “An African Business Forum, which will bring together African and Russian business leaders will be held during the event to enhance Russian investments in Africa and promote African business interest in the host country,’’ he said. Those on the president’s entourage included governors Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe, Bello Matawalle of Zamfara and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state. Others also on the trip are ministers of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Olamilekan Adegbite and Minister of State, Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.

https://thenationonlineng.net/buhari-departs-abuja-for-sochi-participates-in-russia-nigeria-summit/

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The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on Wednesday in Abuja said the task ahead of the incoming All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government was enormous. This is contained in its congratulatory message to the APC on the emergence of its presidential candidate, Muhammad Buhari, as winner of the March 28, presidential election. The statement, signed by Mr Asishana Okauru, the forum`s Director-General, prayed that God would use the APC and Buhari to bring the desired change to the country. “We congratulate the APC for the emergence of Gen. Buhari at the March 28 presidential election as President-elect, and Prof. Yemi Osibajo, as Vice President-elect. “We pray that God uses Buhari as President working with other stakeholders, to lead the country across party, religious, ethnic and sectoral lines. “This is the level of cohesion needed to meet the yearning and expectations of all Nigerians and move our country forward,’’ it said. It also congratulated the APC, the PDP and other political parties for the success of their various candidates in the National Assembly elections. The statement said the emergence of Buhari at this point in Nigeria`s political history was nothing but the will of the people and the voice of God. This, it said, was so considering the fact that Buhari had previously contested the seat three times. It, however, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for his concession of victory, saying that this was the mark of true sportsmanship. It, therefore, called on all other political party leaders to follow suit. The statement further added that the forum was looking forward to a successful conduct of the forthcoming Governorship and State Assembly elections slated for April 11. Earlier, Mr Myani Bukar of Act Now Nigeria, an NGO, described the emergence of Buhari as Nigeria`s next president, as the most eloquent resolve of Nigerians for a change in every facet of life. “It is the triumph of democracy and it signifies the beginning of a new era of active citizenship in Nigeria. “This is truly the people`s revolution; it is time for nation building to commence,’’ Bukar said Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/governors-forum-congratulates-buhari-says-task-ahead-is-enormous/

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Senate President, Sen. David Mark BY Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief Senate President David Mark’s quest for a vast land where he is said to be planning a university in his native Otukpo, Benue State, has pitted him against peasant farmers in Asa III, who claim that the retired military officer-turned- politician wants to deprive them of their farm land, their only means of livelihood. The move was said to have started in the first quarter of the year when a delegation of the nation’s number three citizen, led by one Chief Obogo Alapa, met some Asa III elders to inform them of the proposed university which, it stressed, would bring development to the area. It was learnt that the villagers told the delegation that they welcomed the development, but that they needed to know the exact size of land and in which area of the village before they could give their terms. Consequently, it was agreed that the delegation should take representatives of the villagers to the area and show them the location and size. This was later undertaken, with a bulldozer setting out what represented the area of interest for the proposed institution. The said land, according Mr. Sam Obochi, measures about “4 x 4” km, covering the farmlands of many families. The area demarcated alegedly extended from Asa III to their boundary with Akpegede village on the one hand, and their boundary with Otobi on the other. However, trouble started when the villagers discovered that bulldozers were sent in to clear the vast farmland without any further discussions with them. “The Alapa delegation that went to show the villagers the area to be taken by the university project did not return to give the villagers any feedback”, the villagers claimed. Some of the villagers went to their farms and asked the bulldozer operators to stop work on the grounds that the said land belonged to their families and that at no time did they hand over the land to anybody for any project. As learnt, the workers ignored the villagers which led to protests during which the villagers blocked the main road that passes through Asa III in their efforts to attract public attention to their plight. If the villagers expected any form of sympathy, what they allegedly got was a rude shock as, rather than coming for negotiations, those taking their land were said to have mobilized persons from Igbanomaje, Otukpo, to attack them. The assailants were said to have invaded Asa III and shot six of the villagers, burnt down houses of those considered as the arrowheads of the alleged land-grab opposition, and looted every store in sight. The villagers ran into the bush and kept away from their homes for four days. Those who ventured into the village were said to have been arrested by gun- wielding vigilante and policemen brought in from Otukpo. 18 persons were allegedly arrested including three minors. 15 were detained in Makurdi Police Station while the minors were detained in the Juvenile Detention Center, Gboko. As learnt, six men were shot by the attackers and had to be rushed to the General Hospital Otukpo. But even at the hospital, the police went after them and attempted to arrest them. It took the resistance of the hospital staff to stop further action against the villagers who then sneaked out of the hospital that night to secret locations outside Otukpo to seek medical help. Two weeks after the attack, leaders of the village, it was learnt, sent an emissary to Alapa, the alleged leader of Mark’s representatives, to express their disappointment over the attack on Asa III. A peace meeting was reportedly held with the Alapa group on June 21. The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Council, Dr. Innocent Onuh, was one of the leaders that attended the meeting. That meeting was held at the palace of the Ad’ Alekwu of Asa III, Mr. Inalegwu Onche, where the villagers claimed to have told Mark’s representatives that due process should be followed if the Senate President wanted to acquire land for his university project. The following day, the villagers said policemen from Otukpo Divisional Police Headquarters invaded the village at about 5.30 am to arrest some youths. Those who noticed the arrival of the policemen were said to have alerted others by phone. Those who could not get the information on time were arrested while those who escaped arrest had their Okadas (motorcycles) taken away. The villagers then mobilized and insisted that every villager must be taken to the police station. Overwhelmed, Sunday Vanguard was told, the police started firing into the air to disperse the crowd. In the process, one of the police constables was shot due to accidental discharge by a fellow police man. This was said to have infuriated the policemen the more as they insisted on arresting as many of the villagers as they could. But the policeman behind the shooting allegedly reported himself to the police authorities in Otukpo. He was said to have declared that he could not bring himself to accuse the villagers of a crime they did not commit. The policeman was arrested and detained, then transferred to the Benue State Police Command headquarters in Makurdi where he was detained, pending his orderly room trial. In spite of truth about who shot the deceased policeman, the team that left the village only reinforced with more officers, soldiers and armed vigilante, and stormed the village later that day. The raid was unprecedented, according to the villagers, as they could not resist the large armed team that stormed their little village. Several villagers were arrested with others running into the forests. At the end of the day, many houses were allegedly burnt down and shops looted, creating a scenario of a village at war. After the raid, Mr. Obochi, a senior civil servant in Makurdi, but whose family land is part of the parcel in dispute, decided to meet the Senate President’s representatives in Otukpo. He was arrested and detained for one week, in Makurdi, along with those earlier arrested. Obochi told Sunday Vanguard, in an interview in Makurdi, that what was happening in Asa III since the beginning of the year was a clear case of intimidation of the peasant farmers. He said he was arrested in the process of trying to resolve the issue between the Mark group and his brothers and sisters in his village. According to him, “my offence was that I bailed those who were arrested by a combined team of policemen, soldiers and vigilante”. Narrating the situation, Obochi said, “The Mark group claims that the villagers are strangers and as such will not receive any compensation for the land and their crops. Rather, they said that compensation will be paid to Otukpo indigenous people. Their informants misled them. They told them that those farming on the land in question are ‘Aalala’”. Those referred to as ‘Aalala’ are those from south of Idomaland, especially Ogbadibo and Okpokwu Local Government Areas. Obochi insisted that those who own the land and even currently own farms on the land in question are aboriginal Otukpo people. He added that most of the houses destroyed and the looted shops belonged to indigenes of Asa III and not strangers which made it difficult for any reasonable member of the society to comprehend. Obochi said the villagers had no intention of fighting Mark but that they won’t allow anyone to forcefully take away the land which they inherited from their ancestors. Effort to see Mark Asked if the aggrieved villagers made any effort to meet the Senate President in person, he said, “I met Adakole Elijah ( an aide of the Senate President) and requested to see Sen. Mark. He promised to facilitate my meeting him. That was before the arrest and that was the last time I saw the man. I also had a chance meeting with one Onyilokwu Ekwo (said to be very close to the Senate President) and I told him that we don’t want bloodshed in our village and that he should arrange a meeting for us to meet Mark. There was no response and I cannot just walk to Senator David Mark’s house”. According to Obochi, the demand of the owners of the farm land is, “the Senate President should follow due process by coming to the owners of the land. If a dirty man has something which you need, the person cannot look dirty to you. “He should come to us and make a request, then we will decide whether to give him the land or not; or give him part of the land; but certainly not the whole land as demarcated. We don’t have any personal problem with Mark He chose the wrong process. Those he is working with are not representatives of the farmers who own the land. He should stop further work on the land in question until the issue is resolved”. Neither the Senate President’s media team nor his family members responded to inquiries by Sunday Vanguard, in spite of repeated calls and text messages. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/07/blood-tears-in-oturkpo-as-david-marks-men-villagers-go-to-war/

Politics

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By Bunmi Sofola WHAT sort of buzz, drives a man to one-night-stand, relationships? Lola had accompanied her friend to her ex-husband’s birthday party, hoping to have the good time she promised. “He has birthday bashes annually”, said Lola, “and my friend has stayed friends with her ex because he was a good provider even when their marriage wasn’t really working. “He is a real clown, more a Jack-the-dad than the successful man he’s turned out to be. The party, apart from its not being a landmark one, was elaborate —good food, good booze and a good crowd. The music was a jazzy mix. Later in the evening, I stood outside the busy toilet when he said I could use the one in his bedroom. I wasn’t there one minute, when he burst in and was all over me. I was shocked. He mumbled that he’d been watching me all evening; that he’d found me attractive for ages, and all those mushy things men say when they are in heat. I was shocked and terribly embarrassed. I had never given him the impression I fancied him. “I tried to beat him off but he was too strong. Unfortunately, my knickers were already round my ankles and he raped me there and then. He was out of the toilet before I knew what had happened! I felt so used and humiliated and when I got back to the party, I thought every-one would know what had happened to me. But they all just carried on enjoying themselves. My rapist didn’t as much as look my way and when we left, he even saw us off telling my friend what a beautiful lady I was. I felt so humiliated, I wanted to blurt out what happened but who would believe me?” Kayode prided himself on being a good one-night-stand man. “I simply love the challenge of bedding a girl the first time I met her, if I find her attractive, that is”, he bragged. “The moment I clamp my eyes on a victim, the possibilities start running through my mind. Will we be sexually compatible? Will I come too quickly or won’t I be able to come at all?” One night stands have a habit of cropping up, if not often, then once in a while, especially nights when there is too much flirting and drinking at parties, giving you too much build-up opportunity. Then you kid yourself that the chemistry between you and your victim is right and then, wham! “Of course, I’ve burnt my fingers from time to time. I’ve discovered, for instance, that my prowess between the sheets— if you call it that— has become topic for conversation at some female get together during the course of their now frequent drinking chin-wags. Women, like men, now freely discuss their sexual escapades and I’ve listened to a few deride the techniques of some really influential men. Makes your flesh crawl at times! ‘They are certainly more brazen than men especially when they’ve had a few drinks. So, it’s not only men that are the predators. Some women offer you sex on the platter when it is the furtherest thing from your mind!” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/drawing-the-line-between-rape-and-a-one-night-stand/

Romance

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Nnamdi-Kanu in court Magistrate of the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, Shuaibu Usman, on Wednesday discharged the Director of Radio Biafra and Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, on all counts of criminal conspiracy and ownership of an unlawful society brought against him by the federal government. After holding that the government had dropped the charges against Kanu, the judge ruled: “The accused person is hereby discharged and the case struck out.” The government through its agent, the Department of State Services (DSS), had elected to withdraw the case at the lower court for a higher court, which has jurisdiction to entertain charges bordering on terrorism, to take over. Usman was scheduled to deliver judgment on the application of the DSS on December 1, but he put it off until December 16, reports TheCable. The DSS has held Kanu for at least 90 days despite an order of the magistrate court granting him bail in October. After the lower court granted him bail, the DSS got an order of the federal high court, Abuja, to keep the leader of IPOB in detention. However, his lawyer, Vincent Obetta, filed a counter application, seeking bail for the accused person. Meanwhile, Justice of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Adeniyi Ademola, is expected to rule on the bail application on Thursday. Since, the arrest and detention of Kanu by Nigeria’s secret Police, in Lagos, on Saturday, October 17, wave of protests, engineered by IPOB, as well as members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) had swept through the South-East and parts of the South-South, demanding an immediate and unconditional release of Kanu. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/12/breaking-dss-drops-charges-against-nnamdi-kanu-in-magistrate-court/

Politics

en

Oyibo Tired As Politicians Beg & Sell Themselves Too Cheap There is an adage that no matter how valuable you are, you get what you negotiate, not what you deserve. You may have heard those stories of Europeans and Americans shaming fellow African passengers on the planes on their way back home: how stupid many African leaders are. They are so stupid, they sell themselves short, too cheap and beg out of what is rightly theirs. The first story was some years ago about an American traveling out of Kenya. Then, there was another one out of Ghana. Later, others stories along the same line have come from Nigeria, Senegal and other African countries. The closest way to relate African politicians’ foolishness is how some school boys conspired with bursars to defraud their own poor hardworking fathers. Another was personal. One of our “small” uncle visited a “big” uncle. Small uncle was served with drinks and a full pack of cigarettes. As the big uncle stepped into another room for a moment, our small uncle stole half of the cigarettes in the pack. When he finished his drinks, he stood up to go. Before he stepped outside, big uncle reminded him that he had forgotten his cigarettes: yepaa, I had been stealing from myself! The embarrassment these oyibo subjected their fellow African passengers to paralyzed most. They did not know whether to laugh or cry at the “jokes”. Some Africans pretended to fall asleep with the hope that these oyibo people would stop since other people were listening. There is nothing these expatriates were bragging about that were not known or discussed in the African communities. It is the glee with which foreign investors expressed the fact that they made a killing in their deals that is both embarrassing and annoying. You cannot fight them on the plane or counter what you know is true. One of them actually summarized African leaders’ negotiation skills to be stupidly selfish and dirt cheap: natural resources, land, royalties, tax-free zones, exorbitant finished imported products eagerly brought in with incredible concessions at tax-free zones and allowed to do whatever they want in Africa. What do these African leaders get back? Peanuts! Gold for mirrors like past century. Everything they get back is usually less than five percent of what is given away. Actually, they know African leaders are so greedily stupid, they usually keep back about one percent because they know Africans would come back to beg for less than one percent more, of the bargain. Once they are thrown the bones like dogs, they would dance and worship their foreign portfolio investors. Please note that Congo is rightly renegotiating cobalt price with foreign investors. The fact is, most leaders have no idea or do not care about the value of what they are negotiating away. They go to their people and brag about how much foreign investments they bring into the country since nobody asks them how much is flying out of the country. When African experts lecture or write about business and economics, it is never from the perspectives of Africans. All their authorities and quotes are from International Monetary Fund, World Bank and of course foreign universities. Any contrary opinion and authority inside or outside Africa like OXFAM that points out the one sided deals they negotiated for their countries is dangerous to their ability to get kickbacks in foreign currencies in their self-interests. African and foreign businesses that generate sales outside each African country, are surprisingly the biggest looters of foreign reserves. If these companies are selling products like chocolates, coffee, beer, automobiles and cement outside their country, they should be a good source of foreign or hard currencies for their own government. No! They dip into limited foreign reserve locally, fighting for it like every Momoh, Emeka and Tunde or small businesses. What they promise is that by the year - when we are all dead and gone - they will be generating foreign cash for their home countries. Think about it. Those selling sugar and water in the name of Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta etc. claim they need our limited foreign reserve to import sugar from our sugarcane and Pierre water that cannot be readily made available at home. So they have to obtain them with our foreign reserve, haba! Though ignoramus when they are negotiating with multinational corporations, when buying their finished products, they know these manufacturers make more money from after sales from maintenance and of course from training their own staff, not African staff on technical details. This was the bone of contention between the British and Americans in the early century when British accused Americans of stealing their innovations. Now it is the turn of American claiming Japan and China are stealing American innovations. When are Africans going to steal British, American, Japanese and Chinese technologies? If these leaders were not so book-educated like a robot, we would think they would play the same game after their Independence in the late fifties and sixties. Sometimes one has to wonder which is more painful, African telling our leaders daily that they are selfishly stupid or Asians, Europeans, Americans, Lebanese and Arabs telling us our leaders are a special case of morons. Someone said Africans are good at diagnosing their problems when writing or out of power. Once they are put in the position of authority, they all mess up big time. This may be true in many cases. But please, give some credit to those that worked tooth and nail to make their countries better than we met it; against all odds. There are hard workers in every African country that will never be given the opportunity to rule, even if they contest. We all know the hard workers, five different types of professors, the sincere and patriotic Africans in each country. It is unfair to claim that people you know and refused to elevate to the position of power are just rogues like the rest of them. You shun them and prefer to celebrate rogues and vagabonds that give you “stomach infrastructure” and foreign motors/bikes while stealing you blind. Do not lump everyone together. Respect the dignity of labor. Even as gutter cleaners and farmers, we all have a role to play in life. Everyone cannot be a politician. When Prof. Soludo said the Paris Club odious loan could have been negotiated better by anyone, it was not out of spite but out of indignation. We had two Obasanjo and two Audu Ogbe we know very well. On their first outing, they worked diligently for the country but left office almost bankrupt and were humiliated by people for going back home broke up to today. The subsequent opportunity they got, they learned their lessons and looted us dry!

https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/266906/oyibo-tired-as-politicians-beg-sell-themselves-too-cheap.html#

Politics

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Former Navy Commodore, Kunle Olawunmi on Wednesday hinted that the Nigerian government knows those behind the decade-long Boko Haram insurgency in the country. He made the comment during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily. “They [government] know. Of course, it is in the news,” Commodore Olawunmi said. “In April this year, the government said they had arrested 400 Bureau De Change (BDCs)-related people that were sponsoring Boko Haram. They told us.” The presidency had earlier said it would publish names of those behind the Boko Haram war with the development generating heated controversy across the country. But months down the line, the long-waited list is yet to be made public, a situation the ex-military officer says does not bode well for the government which he accused of shielding criminals. “Try them, we know them. Why can’t this government, if not that they are partisan, bring those people out for trial?” he asked, corroborating calls from several quarters for the Federal Government to make good its promise. He claimed that the government has developed cold feet in fighting the insurgency because some of those backing Boko Haram are now top-ranking government officials. “I can’t come on air and start mentioning names of people that are presently in government that the boys we arrested mentioned,” he said, referencing his time as a member of the military intelligence team in 2017. “Some of them are governors now. Some of them are in the Senate. Some of them are in Aso Rock.” RELATED: Bandits Attack NDA, Kill Two Officers, Abduct One ‘We Can’t Use Same Strategy’ Olawunmi’s remark is the latest in the continued debates about how Nigeria can end the Boko Haram war which has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions especially in the northeast and some neighbouring countries. While the military says the ongoing onslaught against the terrorists has yielded results and the criminals surrendering in ‘droves’, calls for granting amnesty to some of the “repentant” members of the sect have also divided opinions among stakeholders. Advocates, citing the amnesty programme of the ex-President Musa Yar’Adua to ex-Niger Delta militants, say it will bring peace to the troubled North-East. But Olawunmi has faulted the move. “The challenge we have in this country cannot be solved the same way we solved the problem of the Niger Delta. I told them we can’t use the same strategy for Boko Haram,” he argued, citing when he served a security and intelligence brief at the Defence Headquarters between 2016 and 2017. According to him, fishing out the sponsors is a major way of ending the war. “The centre of gravity of Boko Haram and insurgency in Nigeria are the sponsors of that programme,” the professor of Intelligence and Global Security Studies, added.

https://www.channelstv.com/2021/08/25/insecurity-the-govt-knows-sponsors-of-boko-haram-says-olawumi/

Politics

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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has announced that all sport in the country is banned until September 1. As a consequence, this would mean the immediate suspension of the football season, among other events. The Netherlands, as such, is the first country to decree such a drastic measure at a governmental level. The country’s stadiums will remain closed until September 1, so the 2019/20 season can be considered to be closed. “It’s tough, but we will have to make that sacrifice,” Rutte said. As it is a government ruling, we must now wait for the reaction of the Dutch Football Federation (KNVB), who in principle could give the Eredivisie title to Ajax, the current leader and reigning champions. However, there are a series of other matters that will still need to be resolved, such as the teams that go to the Champions League, those that would be relegated, or even finishing the season in September, although this seems improbable. Read Also: UEFA urges leagues to complete suspended football seasons It is worth noting that the main TV operator in the Netherlands, Fox Sports, announced a few days ago that they would pay the TV rights for this season, regardless of whether the games were completed or not. As such, clubs will receive the money they were due. This decision extends to other sports within the Netherlands, as well as musical and cultural events.

https://sportinglife.ng/dutch-government-shut-down-football-until-september/

Sports

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By Femi Adeniyi Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo of Gombe State is among those who have been tipped to pick the presidential ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2019 general elections. A man of excellent performance and integrity, analysts say Dakwambo could readily appeal to the electorate in the 2019 presidential election. Prior to the loss of the 2015 election by former President Goodluck Jonathan, allegations of fraud and manipulation hung on the neck of the PDP like the sword of Damocles.This was the more reason Nigerians elected to seek an alternative in the All Progressives Congress, APC. Now that the ruling party has demonstrated its inability to offer better governance, many people believe the PDP cannot afford to seek the trust of Nigerians with a candidate who is seen as not to be above board in the poll. It is evident that the long suffering Nigerians have had enough of gerontocracy while majority of them are prepared to do away with this unworkable idea in 2019. What the nation needs at this time of untold economic hardship and insecurity is a young President who is fresh with new ideas and innovative concepts. This appears the only path to tread if the country is to experience true progress beyond 2019. PDP being the major opposition party could not have hoped for a better opportunity and time to return to power than now. Dakwambo, a man of proven record of achievements and who has never had an appointment with any of the anti-corruption agencies, can get the votes of Nigerians in any presidential poll. The great, 55, would have only turned 57 by 2019. Our youths who dominate the nation’s population must resolve never to submit the leadership of this country to any man whose age is above 70 years. The youths need to wake up from their slumber and rescue this nation from retrogression with their votes in the forthcoming election. The ruling class comprising mostly of the elders has held the nation down for too long and there cannot be a better time to rescue her from their firm grip than now. The elders have been given all the chances but they simply cannot give what they do not have. Their lack of modern ideas and innovative concepts has sadly manifested in their archaic policy plans that have consigned the nation’s developmental vehicle to a permanent reverse gear. Aside the fact that Dakwambo is a relatively young man, he is also roundly experienced, exposed and educated. He is educated to the level of PhD and passed through the qualifying examinations of seven professional bodies. He was awarded the membership of the professional institutions after attaining success in their examinations. He is BSc holder from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated with second class upper division in accounting. The result was the best obtained by any individual in then Bauchi State at the time the governor graduated from the institution. He is also a holder of master’s degree in economics from University of Lagos and a post graduate diploma in computer science from Delta State University Abraka. He obtained his PhD from Igbinedion University, Okada. The career achievements of Dakwambo in the private and public sectors is another major attribute that cut him out as the ideal presidential candidate of the PDP. He began his glowing career at the Coopers and Lybrand International, now PriceWaterHouseCoopers, as a chartered accountant from 1985 to 1988. It is on record that he became a chartered accountant at a record time of one year after his graduation from the university. He later joined the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1988 and worked with the apex bank until 1999 when then Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu appointed him as the Accountant General of Gombe State . From there, former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as the Accountant General of the Federation in 2005. Before this, Dankwambo had served in various committees on the Federation Account where his resourcefulness became evident. It was during Dakwambo’s tenure as Accountant General of the Federation the he introduced the Integrated Payroll Personnel Information System (IPPIS). Central payment of salaries of staff in all the ministries, departments and agencies using an automated system was also introduced. He was part of the revolution in the public sector that brought e-payment system.The use of cheques has since been eliminated in the government transactions at the federal level. Courtesy of this innovation, contractors, staff and service providers now get their accounts credited automatically through e-payment. He also ensured that the financial statements of the federal government which were in arrears were brought up to date, prepared, audited and published before he left office. Dakwambo equally completed the Treasury House. The Treasury House stands out today in Abuja as one of the most magnificent edifices. It was against the backdrop of these achievements that he contested the governorship of Gombe in 2011 and the story of the state changed dramatically on his assumption of office. He was recently adjudged the best performing governor in the northern part of the country. In his first four years in office, he revolutionized agriculture in Gombe. He procured 225 tractors and constructed several markets to encourage cotton farming in the state. Dakwambo has practically turned around the fortune of education in Gombe. He constructed over 502 classrooms and recruited well over 1,000 degree and NCE graduates to teach students among other achievements in education. The solid credentials Dakwambo has earned in the public and private sectors will obviously speak for him in the contest for the PDP presidential ticket and it will amount to a disservice to Nigerians who are yearning for effective leadership, after the APC administration has failed them, if the party allows this opportunity to slip away. PDP needs not look beyond Dakwambo if it expects Nigerians to submit their collective destiny to it in 2019. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/pdp-dakwambo-2019/

Politics

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http://anstalk.com/flogging-game-suitor-dies-katsina-marriage/Lalasticlala

Family

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By magnus Onyibe Projecting into the mindset of a potential president of Nigeria that would be the new occupant of Aso Rock Villa in 2023 is what l have set out to do by writing this essay. And l would like to state upfront that I am not by any means engaging in clairvoyance. That is why all l want to do is leverage trend analysis as a tool, and look back into the past and also project into the future to figure out who out of the motley crowd of presidential candidates would end up calling the shots in Aso Rock Villa in 2023 and is savvy in economic and financial matters. Although ,there are at least fifteen (15) presidential candidates that have met independent National Electoral Commission, INEC eligibility conditions and deadline , l have narrowed the number down to mainly two, and to a much lesser degree , a third in the unlikely event that the much hyped youth revolution occurs and only one political party benefits from it. As the saying goes,by their fruits we shall know them. So ,for the purpose of this discourse, fruits can be substituted for antecedents. And relying on their antecedents,l can wager a bet that the three presidential candidates,of which one of them would willy nilly be propelled into Aso Rock Villa seat of presidential power next year, are in the persons of Asiwaju,Bola Tinubu,the flag bearer of the ruling party at the center, APC and Turaki Atiku Abubakar,the standard bearer for the main opposition party, PDP, and mr Peter Obi, LP candidate, in the unlikely event that a miracle happens. At the risk of appearing to be presumptuous, nothing much has changed in Nigerian political space except the current wave of youth activism in the political space triggered by the reformed electoral Act 2022 which has conferred fidelity on our electoral system currently igniting unprecedented political consciousness in our youths. It is amazing and heartening at the same time that 60% of potential voters in Nigeria which the youth demography represents,and who had hitherto been neglected or dormant ,are now the highly charged and motivated members of society anxious to exercise their civic duty of voting with the sole aim of seizing power from those they have branded as old generation politicians that must be shoved aside in 2023,and replaced with their purportedly newly found idol-Peter Obi and his running mate ,Datti Baba-Ahmed,when president Mohammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo exit Aso Rock Villa next year. As l have asserted in previous interventions,such a radical prospect of ousting the old politicians with alacrity by our youths,bothers on,at best,idealism, and perhaps youthful exuberance,if one were to be less charitable. And for the reasons above,my sincere admonishment to our youths,as l had done in my previous media interventions is for them to decode the coded message in the conventional wisdom and idiomatic expression: ‘if wishes were horses ,beggars would ride’ and ‘old horses never die, they just find new horses to win’ To be clear,my point is simply that the 360 degrees change that the youths are seeking would not materialize as fast they would expect. But it would happen if they remain tenacious. So, although the youth generation would make significant impact in 2023 elections ,as l had enunciated in my media intervention widely published on 21 June, 2022 titled:Converting Youth Bulge To Positive Force For Politics in Nigeria,my prognosis then is that either Turaki Atiku Abubakar or Asiwaju Bola Tinubu would prevail in the upcoming presidential contest. And that position has undergone further adjustment. In any case, one of the three of them would be the one to receive the hand over notes from president Buhari on 29th May 2023. And l can fortell what the policies and programs of the duo, perhaps a trio, would look like when one of them takes over the reins of governance. Basically,most of what is known about them and which l will rely on in my analysis are derived from their period of stewardship or time in public office . With respect to Tinubu,he has served for two terms as governor of lagos state from 1999 to 2007 and left footprints with respect to spreading his political tentacles nationally after he co-founded the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and he has made significant efforts at providing infrastructure that has steered lagos state towards becoming a mega city, which remains unsurpassed. Regarding Abubakar that was Vice President to former president Olusegun Obasanjo, who also served from 1999 to 2007, he has giant imprints in both the terrains of politics and economy nationwide. Leveraging the network of People Democratic Movement,PDM,inherited from his mentor,late Shehu Musa Yar’adua, he is easily one of the most widely known political actors in Nigeria. Apart from serving as Vice President, 1999-2007, he has contested for the presidency of Nigeria a whooping five (5) times with significant impart nationwide. For that reason, the PDP candidate is believed to already have in his kitty about 13 million voters which he earned during his last contest for the office of president in 1999 with incumbent president,Mohammadu Buhari who received a couple of millions more votes than him. I will not dwell much on Peter Obi because everything about his service in public office,including documents that are supposed to be classified,plus the ones concocted by the denizens swirling around in his orbit or netizens that have colonized the cyberspace on behalf of Obi are already over exposed in the public domain. So,without further ado,it is pertinent that we get down to the brass tacks by shining the light on the private sector background of the likely candidates that would become president of Nigeria next year. In any case,with the economy and security likely to occupy the left and center of the political debate when Independent National Election Commission,INEC, officially opens the space for campaigning on 28th September,Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar who are thankfully not economic illiterates would be going head-to-head. Remarkably ,the terrific and encouraging thing about the candidates is that both of the APC and PDP candidates, Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar respectively, plus the LP candidate Peter Obi can read the balance sheet because they are all business savvy, having been private sector practitioners. While Tinubu is an accountant, with interest in tax collection,Atiku is an astute entrepreneur with investments in oil/gas as well as education, while Obi is a commodity trader. For lack of space and time , we will not going into granular details about their businesses. Now,Tinubu’s supporters would aver that it is his blue print for the development of Lagos state that has remained the play book that has been subsequently been relied upon by three governors-Babatunde Fashola, Akinkunmi Ambode and Jide Sanwo-Olu-for the advancement of the state. By the same token,the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shares in the credit for the giant developmental strides taken in our country under the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo for eight (8) years . It was during that period that Nigeria’s debilitating debt burden of about $30 billion(which has reportedly sadly tanked up to an estimated $90 billion under the present regime) was substantially written off ($12billion) by the Paris Club of creditors. It was also a time that Nigeria witnessed economic reforms including privatization of public utilities such as the telecommunications sector that ushered in the current mobile telephone revolution. And there are credible reasons to believe that if president Obasanjo had succeeded in serving a third term (as pundits aver that he was desirous of doing) the petroleum sector would also have been privatized. That means that Nigerians would not have been going through the agony of paying for the commodity literally through their nose, and basically going through hell and back to even find the commodity to purchase, an ordeal they are currently grappling with. So inevitably ,the candidates that would likely emerge as president are pro-private sector and therefore likely to be able to pull Nigerian economy out of the abyss where it is currently mired due particularly to the monumental and unprecedented levels of insecurity in the country and poor economic policy decisions ,especially petroleum subsidy which is expected to gulp about four (4) trillion naira in budget 2022 , broken down as approximately N600 billion naira monthly expenditure,and still counting. Before dwelling further on the likely economic policies of the potential Aso Rock Villa occupant after president Buhari exits next year, it is appropriate that we underline the qualities that Nigerians expect in their next president. During the launch of my new book: Becoming President Of Nigeria.A Citizen’s Guide, the keynote speaker, professor Mike Ikhariale, a Harvard University trained constitutional lawyer, outlined some qualities that an ideal president of Nigeria is supposed to posses in addition to the requirements in the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. The expert in constitutionalism laid it bare by leveraging the work of an authority in constitutionalism, James Barber. Here is how he put it: “According to James Barber in his studies generally referred to as “Barber’s Research”, he laid out about 10 essential qualities which a President must possess in order to be successful. They include: a. A strong vision for the country’s future supported by a plan of action. b. He must have the ability to put his own reign in historical perspective. c. A president must be a communicator who knows the importance of the so-called ‘Bullying Pulpit’. d. He must be prepared to make unpopular decisions, someone who is able to move beyond the orthodoxy and purposefully innovative. e. Must have crisis management skills, not passing the puck but accepting realities. f. Must be a person of remarkable character and integrity. g. Even though he has the constitutional power to hire and fire, he must make his key appointments wisely in such a way that he can use his employment prerogative to bolster his own political reach. This in modern times would mean gender balance and in the particular case of Nigeria, the requirements of Federal Character principle. He must avoid cronyism and nepotism. h. Must have the ability to relate with the Legislators, i. Needless to say, that charisma and a welcoming aura are great assets for a President.” Having arrayed the qualities of an ideal president, the question now is: does the antecedents of the two candidates of the ruling party APC – Bola Tinubu and main opposition party, PDP -Atiku Abubakar and the distant third candidate, Peter Obi of LP , who are the front runners in the race to Aso Rock Villa, indicate that they posses most or all of the qualities enunciated in ‘Barber’s Research’ earlier cited by professor Ikhariale? If readers would indulge me, l would like to respond to the forgoing poser against the backdrop of the public office records of the candidates that l earlier highlighted. As l pointed out ab initio, it is Tinubu of APC that successfully steered lagos state into becoming a functional mega city and of which a coterie of his protégé has continued to hold sway. On the other hand , it is Abubakar of PDP that set the agenda for leap frogging the economic growth of Nigeria when during their first tenure in Aso Rock Villa ,then president Olusegun Obasanjo, entrusted him with the management of the economy during which the privatization of the telecommunications sector,(held up as a global model for privatization) led to the introduction of GSM telephony amongst other positive phenomenons that occurred in the Obasanjo/Abubakar era. It is also worthy of note that both Tinubu and Abubakar have the knack for identifying talents, by spotting and reaching out to them, even if they are in the private sector. Hence the duo often achieved commendable levels of success in leadership in their assignments in public office . As for Peter Obi, he attracted a brewery to the Anambra state and took a stake in it as well as saved N75 billion naira which he left behind for his hand picked successor, Willie Obiano in banks, one of which is fidelity bank,where he is a major share holder, and Obiano was once an executive director before Obi made him governor of Anambra state in 2014. While being cognizant of the blithe on the characters of both Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar based on recent scathing reports by Financial Times of London and Bloomberg news that alleged that they have been indicted for corruption in the USA; it is noteworthy that the frontline presidential candidates were never convicted of the crimes that they were alleged to have committed. Nonetheless, there have been a lot of buzz locally about their character flaws which frankly, can not be discountenanced. But at the same time, we must recognize that no man is perfect. Personally, if l am faced with the option of choosing between an economic illiterate who would do nothing to grow the economy because he is not trained to do so,and rather dissipates a lot of energy in chasing perceived corrupt people to no avail ; or save up the income of government in bank accounts instead of investing it in employment and tax generating ventures that would boost the GDP and living standard of Nigerians: l would choose the alternative which is an enterprising personality that would seek out all possible legitimate ways to improve the economy and also make our country a better place, prosperity wise and socioculturally for harmonious co-existence of the multiple ethnic and religion groups. The mindset expressed above is underscored by the parable of the three talents in the holy Bible? Those familiar with the parable would recall that the story is about three servants who were entrusted with talents (funds) by their master prior to embarking on a long trip. And the two who invested their talents wisely, were commended by their master upon his return. But the one who dug up the ground to hide his own talent,so that he would return same to his master was chided and the talent was taken off him and given to those who invested the funds left in their care. In the light of the above,if a personality with the ability and capacity to robustly grow the beleaguered economy of our beloved country and has engaged in the risky venture of trying to stimulate growth via transactions,and have in the process been accused of graft in the past,both here in Nigeria and abroad without conviction,so be it; because regardless of their past, so long as such candidates are not ex-convicts who the Nigerian constitution excludes from running for public office,l would chose the latter than the former. As we all may be aware,by and large,risk is an integral part of business or transactions and graft is always in the mix. Accordingly, the most efficacious panacea to graft is to set up robust institutions to prevent it. Certainly, not of the hue of EFCC and ICPC, thank you very much. Incorporating measures to eliminate corruption is akin to organizations , (particularly banking institutions) building firewalls around their data bases to fend off cyber criminals that are constantly seeking ways to breach the security of corporations in order to gain access and steal vital data of targeted organizations. So it behoves of the legislature and judiciary to enact and enforce laws that would prevent corruption.That is what is obtainable in advanced democracies. And l make bold to state that the position that l have espoused above would not be far from the mindset of private sector practitioners most of whom are already echoing such sentiment because it is in tandem with their belief that the economy should be unshackled especially by ending petrol subsidy. We need not be rocket scientists to figure out that the reason for seeking a president that has business attitude is that the better part of seven years of this administration invested in anti corruption misadventure has pulled, not only the economy of our country into a black hole, but the fabric of unity of our country has also been shredded to the extent that it would take a very long time to mend. And that is not a good thing ,no matter how spin doctors working for government try to white wash the dire atmosphere in our country which is basically comparable to the experience of a patient in an Intensive Care Unit,ICU of a hospital where life is so precarious that it is only a tiny thread separating life and death. So,despite the false claim that our country is better off than what it was seven years ago,majority of Nigerians recognize such revisionism as sheer farce and deceit of the electorate , as such they are resolved to effect change, if the current activism by our youths engaged in Permanent Voters Card,PVC registration and collection, is anything to go by. Although,somehow unorthodox,my non nihilistic or liberal assessment of both Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar as well as Peter Obi ,is guided by the truism and conventional wisdom , ‘ there is no paean without pain’. That broadly implies that sacrifices must be made in order to achieve success. Buoyed by that reality,l am convinced that Nigerians are willing to vote for the candidate who would move the nation forward into the orbit of progress and prosperity,than those that would lead them into a blind alley and quagmire where the ship of state is currently anchored and waiting to ,at the slightest stress test, tip over or remain moored in a cul de sac where it is currently located ,rudderless . In that regard, and for sure ,Tinubu, Abubakar and Obi will receive caustic criticisms when emotions start running high as the campaigns begin from 28 September which is basically a couple of months from today. But one thing we must recognize is that things are never as bad as they first seem or as good as they first seem. So,after the anticipated hurly burly, one of them would end up in Aso Rock Villa on 29 May 2023 and that person will be adept in reading and understanding profit and loss account a skill that is critically needed for the robust management of our country especially at a point like this when it is on the verge of bankruptcy. And l would like to urge skeptics who hold contrary view to the assertion above,to recall the gale of criticisms that was visited on then candidate,Mohammadu Buhari when he was a presidential candidate in 2015. Yet,he won the presidency, simply because there was a pervasive sanctimonious attitude of ‘anyone but Goodluck Jonathan’ prevailing in Nigeria at that point in time. It is trite to state that a similar sentiment is currently prevailing in Nigeria’s political space, as Nigerians are craving a rebirth or reset in 2023. Apart from the candidates of APC and PDP that are besmeared, Peter Obi, candidate of Labor Party, LP, who is a two term governor of Anambra state also had corruption toga tied to his persona .That is if the huge cash running into hundreds of millions of naira (about N250m )allegedly found in a vehicle in the governors mansion Awka during his tenure is taking into account. And it is in addiction to the alleged malfeasance arising from his patronage of an offshore tax heaven that reportedly helped him hide some of his wealth that he failed to disclose, to avoid tax in Nigeria. Similarly ,the presidential candidate of the newly minted party, New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,who is a two term governor of Kano state, ex defense minister and senator of the federal republic of Nigeria has also at one time or the other been tarred with the black brush of malfeasance which was brought to the fore in the course of his duel with his predecessors and successors as governor of Kano state, lbrahim Shekarau and Abdulahi Ganduje. But most of the candidates have gone to the law courts shorn themselves of such moral liabilities. My point is that unlike in 2015,anti corruption will not be the center piece of any candidate’s campaign,since it has been demystified as a campaign rhetoric that would resonate with voters. In any case must of the candidates have shed the negative toga of corruption by discharging themselves of the allegations in courts of law. In short ,right now ,there is fatigue on the fight against corruption because those who are supposed to be fighting it in the current dispensation have become more corrupt than those they are supposed to prevent from dipping their hands into our common treasury. That is reflected by the allegations against lbrahim Magu ,the anti graft tzar who was recently sacked as the EFCC chairman and the immediate past Accountant General of The Federation, AGF, Ahmed Idris who got dismissed on account of bilking Nigeria of N80 billion naira diverted illegally from the treasury that he is supposed to be the custodian. Also in the mix is Abdulrasheed Maina, the jailed chairman of Pension Reform Task Team , PRTT with responsibility for the reforming the corruption ridden pension funds system and he ended up re-looting the multi billion naira funds that he was assigned to recover. Be it Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of Africa Action Congress, AAC, Dumebi Kachikwu , candidate for the presidency on the platform of Africa Democratic Congress, ADC or Young Progressive Party, YPP presidential candidate, Malik Ado-lbrahim , all of whom are running on the platforms of fringe political parties,not one presidential candidates is a saint by any stretch of imagination as they all also have scandals,not particularly of fraud or corruption dimensions,hugging them. And from 28 September, all of them would probably be literally stripped naked simply because muck raking goes with the territory of politics. As salvaging the economy and reining in insecurity are obviously the most pressing needs of Nigerians in these present times , projecting into the development mindset of the next occupant of Aso Rock Villa seat of power as president in 2023, l am pretty convinced that if there were to be a three point agenda as a fulcrum or policy plank of the incoming government;one of them would be pulling our country out of economic doldrums which has seen government borrowing money from local banks to pay public servants salaries and utilizing about 98% of it’s income for debt servicing,and which by some accounts is in excess of ninety (90) billion dollars borrowed from local and international lenders. Also , restoring security of lives and properties by government thus freeing the masses from the rule of bandits such as religious insurgents, herdsmen militias and unknown gun men currently be-spoiling Nigeria from the north, all the way down to the eastern corners of Nigeria ,as precious lives are being decimated with reckless abandon on a daily basis,would be the second in the agenda. The third in the agenda would be to drastically cut down corruption which has become so entrenched in our political space and business environment that it is looking like it is embedded in our DNA and therefore part of our culture. Of course that is a false narrative that must be erased from the psyche of Nigerians. Now, PDP presidential candidate,Atiku Abubakar had picked his running mate shortly after the primaries. Although his choice of delta state governor, lfeanyi Okowa has been tempestuous, largely because the preferred candidate of PDP leadership and follower-ship appears to be governor of Rivers state,Nyesom Wike, who although is the presidential aspirant that garnered the next highest vote after the winner; and a veritable pillar of support for the PDP in the past seven years;got passed over for appointment as Abubakar’s running mate. That anomaly has precipitated the rumble that has culminated into the ongoing resistance by southern governors and key stakeholders in the main opposition party which still persists till date . And that glitch could slow down the otherwise fast moving train that had gathered the momentum for PDP to return to Aso Rock Villa after its unceremonious exit in 2015. PDP’s case is not as bad as that of the ruling party, APC where it’s candidate has taken more or less one month (8th June to 10th July) to pick a running mate. Tinubu took long in choosing his running mate, Kashim Shetima, former Borno State governor and a fellow Muslim owing to the dilemma of being a southern Muslim who must nominate a running mate from the north, where incidentally, Muslims are in the majority. With a Muslim-Muslim ticket ,Tinubu and the ruling party have a monumental and Herculean task of convincing southern and northern Christians to vote for him as president in 2023. That standpoint is simply derived from the fact that Christians have long been feeling marginalized under president Buhari’s watch,which although had a Christian Vice President in the person of Yemi Osinbajo, yet suffered exclusion from governance. How much more worse would it get ,if no Christian would be at the table inside Aso Rock Villa seat of presidential power from 2023,they may wonder. Tinubu seemed to have been left with no better option. The devil or deep blue sea. And it is the type of choice dilemma that Bukola Saraki could have been faced with, if was to have won the presidential primaries in PDP. Of all the major political parties,only the LP and it’s presidential candidate seem to have gotten the ethnic and religious balancing equation right. That is simply because Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the party, a Christian from Anambra state has picked Datti Baba-Ahmed a Muslim from Kaduna state. It is such a perfect combination in the ethno-religious calculus reminiscent of the Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme combination in 1979 that it looking like a de-ja-vu. Much as the pairing of President and vice Presidential candidates of labor party is an ideal combination,it is not really a critical factor, but it matters. That is why a Muslim-Muslim ticket that Bola Tinubu has settled for is rubbing off roughly on members of the other faiths. Applying the analogy of a game of gulf, the APC Presidential candidate, Tinubu’s dilemma can be likened to a player who has hit the ball and it has fallen into a stream in the golf course which is a major bogey ; while Abubakar’s situation is like that of a player whose ball was struck with the club but it has landed in a bunker or bogey; just as LP’s candidate, Obi looks like a player that has made a powerful hit of the ball and it has landed out of the range of the hole, such that it is highly unlikely to be successfully potted into the hole in the number of times required by the rules of the game. In conclusion,my take is that the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar has a better chance of potting the ball out of the bunker into the hole, if he is able to calm the brewing Wike storm swiftly and dexterously. PDP situation is still better than the circumstances in which APC candidate,Bola Tinubu find’s himself. He is highly handicapped as his ball has landed in a stream and he will likely not be able to retrieve it. That simply means that his presidential quest may be in jeopardy of being dead on arrival after choosing his running mate, since a Muslim-Muslim ticket which worked in 1993 when Moshood Abiola,a Muslim philanthropist from the south west,like him, paired up with Babagana Kingibe,also a Muslim from Borno state to win the presidential contest in 1993 that is acclaimed to be the fairest and freest in the annals of Nigeria’s electioneering process. Today, in light of the polarization of the country along ethnic and religious divides in the past decade or so, such a prospect now looks like an anathema in Nigeria where a stanza in the old national anthem “ … though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand … appear to be so quaint and such an anathema due to the elevated level of politics of religiosity and ethnicity that have engulfed the political space and obfuscated the brotherhood spirit of yore. For the reasons above ,APC and it’s Presidential torch bearer, Bola Tinubu have a perfect storm in their hands and Atiku Abubakar and PDP baring any more goofs or gaffes may be on the verge of singing joyfully into Aso Rock Villa. Magnus onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst ,author, development strategist, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA and a former commissioner in Delta state government, sent this piece from lagos. To continue with this conversation, pls visit www.magnum.ng Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/06/i-was-afraid-nigeria-might-be-like-somalia-says-buhari/Thankfully

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The Kwara State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed an amendment bill halting payment of pension to former governors, deputy governors and other officers holding political offices after their tenure in office. The passage of the bill followed the consideration of the report of the House Committee on Establishment and Public Service at the Committee of the Whole House sitting in Ilorin. The motion for the passage of the bill was moved by the Deputy House Leader, Segilola Abdulkadir and was unanimously adopted by members. The Deputy Speaker, Matthew Okedare, who presided over the plenary, directed the Clerk of the House, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina, to prepare clean copy of the bill for governor’s assent. The bill, which was forwarded to the House by Gov. AbdulFatah Ahmed, sought to review the existing law where payment of pension for former governors and deputy governors after their tenures would be suspended. (NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/02/kwara-assembly-passes-bill-stopping-payment-pension-ex-govs-deputies/

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Two policemen were, in the early hours of Sunday, killed during an encounter with a six-man robbery gang that attacked a second generation bank’s Automated Teller Machine, ATM, at Ipaja area of Lagos State. Vanguard gathered that the two officers met their untimely death when a team of policemen responded to a distress call from the bank. The robbers attempted to break open the ATM, when the policemen from Ayobo Police Division arrived on the scene and the robbers opened fire on them, killing the team leader, Longus Amuzie, an Assistant Superintendent of Police and one other. The other policemen were said to have called for backup. The officer in charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Abba Kyari, swiftly deployed a team of operatives to the area and four members of the gang were arrested. Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, while confirming the report, said the robbery was foiled, adding that no money was stolen from the ATM. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/atm-robbers-kill-2-policemen-lagos/

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By Chinedu Adonu, Enugu There was tension in Enugu as gunmen, yesterday, attacked an Army checkpoint at Obeagu-Amodu Road in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State. It was gathered that the hoodlums stormed the checkpoint in two Lexus SUVs and one Toyota Sienna around 7:25 a.m., and reportedly opened fire on the combined team of Police and military. A source confirmed that there was heavy shooting, while two deaths were recorded in the shoot-out. Confirming the incident, spokesman of the state Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, said: “There was an attack on a Joint Operation Team checkpoint at Amodu in Nkanu West LGA, in the morning hours of today (yesterday). “However, I await full briefing on the incident due to ongoing intense manhunt of the masked assailants, most of whom escaped the scene of the incident with fatal gunshot injuries, after the gun duel with the team. Further development will be communicated.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/tension-in-enugu-as-gunmen-attack-army-checkpoint-kill-2-officers/

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Workers excited as Buhari accepts N30,000 proposal Workers were excited yesterday over the coming N30,000 minimum wage. “I am fully committed to having a new national Minimum Wage Act in the very near future,” President Muhammadu Buhari said. He was receiving the report of the committee set up to resolve the wage problem. Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba led the way in hailing the presentation of the N30,000 minimum wage recomendation report to Buhari. He said payment of the new wage might be difficult at the beginning of implementation, but “if there is the will, we are certain that there will be a way out.” He told reporters at the Villa after the Tripartite Commttee submitted its report to the President: “When the N18,000 was actually implemented in 2011, most of the states emptied their treasury. They had difficulty.” Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry Director-General Muda Yusuf said although the private sector was paying above the current minimum wage, “there may be different challenges for the SMEs as they may adopt different models for engagement. Rather than keep all the staff, they may rationalise them by inviting only those that they need at a particular time. The big corporations have nothing to worry about as they are already paying the minimum wage.” He praised the government for working successfully with the private sector and labour to arrive at an acceptable figure and averting a strike. Workers were jubilating over the new wage. In Kano, Ibadan and Abakaliki, they were delighted at the approval of the new pay. A cross section of the workers who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan said the successful meeting of the tripartite committee was appreciated. Mr Peter Ojelakin, of the National Population Commission (NPC) said a good welfare package was the wish of every civil servant, adding that a dedicated worker would not have interest in embarking on a strike. “So, the suspension of the strike that supposed to begin today is a good development,” he said. Mr Rasheed Abdulwahab was happy over the agreement labour reached with the government but noted that increase in wages, might lead to inflation, a development he said called for an improved economy. He, however, called on workers to justify the salary increase by putting in their best to ensure the desired improvement in the social and economic development of the country. Mr Lekan Dojutelegan, a surveyor at the Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, hailed the government for shifting ground on its earlier proposed N24, 000. Dojutelegan urged civil servants to be more diligent and committed to their duties, saying that optimum performance would enable the government to pay the new minimum wage with ease. Kano State NLC Chairman Kabiru Ado Minjibir, praised the national leaderships of NLC, TUC and ULC, “for standing firm on the decision of the Central Working Committee and their resilience to protect the interest of Nigerian workers, especially at this trying period.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/workers-excited-as-buhari-accepts-n30000-proposal/

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Orji: In the valley of decision By Austin Ogwuda SOUTH – EAST caucus of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wednesday, met at the residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in Enugu and resolved to remain in opposition in the emerging new political dispensation to be piloted by the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), effective May 29, 2015. The party’s leadership in the zone made it clear that it had no regret voting en masse for their party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. “As a zone, the South East delivered all their votes to the PDP and we are proud to do so,’’ the party said. In attendance at the meeting were Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, Minister of State for Defence, Col. Augustine Akobundu (retd); Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Gil Nnaji, the host, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, among others. They, therefore, used the opportunity to thank all members of the PDP, including the governors, stakeholders and the people of the zone, for working tirelessly and voting massively for the party during the last elections and urged them to remain loyal and do the same on Saturday. Addressing newsmen shortly after the closed door-meeting, the group’s spokesman who is also the National Vice Chairman of PDP South East, Col. Augustine Akobundu (retd), said they were resolute in remaining in the party and not contemplating defecting to other political parties. His words: “Everything that we need to do to deliver the goodies that our people deserve in the zone, we can bring through a very solid platform of negotiation. ‘’We voted for a party that integrated us into the mainstream of Nigerian politics, elected/appointed our people into strategic offices, and addressed some of our major infrastructural challenges. So, we took a principled position and accept full responsibility for our political choices.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/s-east-pdp-caucus-resolves-to-remain-in-opposition/

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http://kikiotolu.com/inec-colluded-with-security-operatives-to-rig-ekiti-election-lere-olayinka/Lalasticlala

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By Peter Duru MAKURDI — In a bid to seek cure for his HIV status, a 36-year-old man, Cletus Agwu has been allegedly misled by a witch doctor in Makurdi to rape a three-year-old girl (names withheld) who has also been infected with the virus. The bizarre incident which took place, weekend, at 8 Yogbo Street in the North Bank area of Makurdi, only came to the fore when the cry of agony of the three-year-old victim attracted inquisitive neighbours who saw her hold firmly to her vagina as she dripped blood. Upon intense prompting, she informed neighbours of what the alleged rapist did to her and the threat that she must not disclose what transpired or she would be killed. At this juncture residents of Yogbo Street and other concerned passersby went after the suspected rapist, but the quick intervention of the police saved him from being lynched by the angry mob. Vanguard gathered that upon interrogation by the Police, Cletus who claimed he lived in the same compound with the victim’s parents, told the Police that he was HIV positive but acted on the advise of a witch doctor where he was seeking cure for his ailment, who urged him to have sex with a girl of not more than three years in order to get permanent cure for his disease. He further confessed that it was his desperation for cure and his ‘doctor’s’ insistence that led him into committing the dastardly act with the little daughter of his co-tenant. Meanwhile, medical test carried out on the raped girl at the North Bank General Hospital in Makurdi has also confirmed that the girl has been infected with HIV. The Benue State Commissioner of Police Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed, who paraded the suspect before newsmen, confirmed the development. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2009/10/12/36-yr-old-hivaids-patient-rapes-3-yr-old-infects-her/

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By Nwafor Sunday The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has advised the United States President, Donald Trump to reconsider his travel ban on Nigerians and target those in government that have failed in their duties. He said the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to share information and to address issues of terrorism led to the banning of the entire country. The ex-vice president reminisced on Nigeria-UK partnerships, asking Trump not to forget Nigeria’s assistance to United States. His words, “I received with sadness the policy of the government of the United States of America to place Nigeria on its travel ban list. While I understand the reasons given by the Trump administration (the failure of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration to share information and to address issues of terrorism), the ban does not take into account the pro-American sentiments of the Nigerian public and the solidarity previous Nigerian administrations have had with the United States. I urge the government of President Donald Trump to consider the history of US-Nigerian relationships. Nigeria was one of the few African nations that joined the US-led coalition during Operation Desert Storm between 1990-1991 when the United States championed the liberation of Kuwait. The Trump administration may also consider the pivotal role Nigeria, in partnership with the US, played in bringing peace to Liberia, an American sphere of influence, that now enjoys democracy because Nigerian blood and money paved the way for peace in that nation. Nigeria has also consistently voted in support of the United States and her allies at the United Nations and other multilateral world bodies. This is even as we are perhaps the biggest trading partner that the United States has in Africa, even where we had alternatives. Nigerians love the United States and have been a major force for the positive development of that great nation: 77% of all Black doctors in the United States are Nigerians. Nigerians are also the most educated immigrant community in America bar none. Surely, the US stands to benefit if it allows open borders with a country like Nigeria that is able to provide skilled, hardworking and dedicated personnel in a two-way traffic. The current Nigerian administration may have its deficiencies and deep faults, but the Nigeria people ought not to be punished for their inefficiencies. Once again, I call on President Trump to consider adopting measures that individually target those in government who have failed in their duties, rather than target the entire Nigerian population.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/02/atiku-to-trump-leave-poor-nigerians-alone-target-those-in-power/

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Amaju Pinnick, NFF boss A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, and President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick from conducting the NFF executive election scheduled for Sept. 30 in Edo. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on an ex-parte motion moved by counsel for the claimants, Celsus Ukpong, ordered the the minister, Mr Pinnik or any person, acting on their instruction, to maintain a status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. “Counsel for the claimants informed the court that the defendants are taking action that will adversely affect the subject matter of this case. “Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante pending final order of this court,” he ruled. Justice Ekwo then reverted the matter to Oct. 31 for hearing. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, in the motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2021, Harrison Jalla, Chief Victor Rumson Baribote, Austin Popo and National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) are 1st to 4th claimants respectively. In the application dated and filed on Sept. 2, NFF, Pinnick and the minister are 1st to 3rd defendants respectively. In the motion, the claimants’ sought an interim order restraining the defendants, his agent, employees, staff, officials or electoral committee from organising or conducting any election into any executive office of the NFF pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction. In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Fayenengigha Jacob, a lawyer in the chamber of Ukpong, he said the defendants had been served with processes in the case and that NFF and Pinnick had entered appearance in the matter, while the minister, though served with court papers, he had not entered appearance. Jacob averred that one of the complaints in the matter was the undemocratic manner in which the NFF was being constituted resulting in depriving the majority of the stakeholders and members of the NFF from having a say or contributing to the development of football in Nigeria. According to him, the glory of Nigeria football has nosedived as a result of its undemocratic manner of the leadership of the said body. He said the complainants were deliberately excluded from the last congress held in Lagos for no just reason. “That the claimant had legitimately call on the leadership of the said body to set machinery in motion to amend the 2010 NFF statute that was manipulated to deprive the majority of the NFF members such as the Professional Football Association, the league, the coaches body and the players from participating in any election let alone of winning same. “That the said leadership of the NFF, the 2nd defendant (Pinnick), his agents, privies refused or neglected to allow the due process to take place in amending the said 2010 NFF statute,” he said Jacob said while this matter is still pending in court the defendants are going ahead to announce and purportedly try to organise and conduct an election of the said body in September, 2022. He said the defendants had been served with the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain them from conducting any election into the executive offices of NFF until after the hearing and determination of the substance matter, According to him, while the motion on notice for interlocutory order restraining the defendants from disturbing the res in the matter, the defendants have drawn out a time table and set up an electoral committee to conduct an election to the offices in question on Friday 30th September, 2022 in Benin City Edo State. He said the substance of the matter would be defeated should the said election slated for September goes ahead and without hearing of the pending motions and substantive matter.(NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/09/court-stops-sports-minister-pinnick-from-conducting-nff-executive-election/

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Governor Yahaya Bello By Olasunkanmi Akoni At least 600 women groups, drawn from different parts of the country have concluded plans to converge on Abuja next week Tuesday, in a solidarity walk for Governor Yahaya Bello of the Kogi State presidential quest. The solidarity walk is tagged, “One Million Women March for GYB”. Operating under the auspices of Women United For Yahaya Bello (WUYABEL), the women groups, including Non-Governmental Organisations, civil society organisations, religious, professional bodies, women in media, politics, market women as well as top women entrepreneurs, among others, will storm Abuja to drum support for the Governor, ahead of 2023 presidential election. According to the organisers, the women groups, having come to the obvious conclusion that the nation requires one with pedigree, youthfulness and capacity to succeed incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari, have taken it upon themselves to collectively canvas support for Bello, who they said had demonstrated the ability to resolve the myriads of challenges confronting Nigeria. The Global Coordinator of WUYABEL, Dr Hanatu Adeeko who announced this in Abuja, explained that the gathering will be the first of its kind “especially now that the political stage is almost set”. According to the women of a substance across key sectors of the Nigerian economy, “Bello, as governor, has redefined governance in Kogi State with sterling and verifiable performance, especially in the areas of women and youth empowerment, poverty alleviation programs, massive infrastructure development, and health care delivery among others,” Dr Adeeko, a Physician, said, “He (Governor Bello) has empowered and supported women to grow. No state in Nigeria has given more positions to women than Kogi. And sincerely, the state is getting it right in critical areas. We want to encourage other Governors to walk the talk by standing with that one Governor that has made us proud. Governor Yahaya Bello must know that once he has women on his side, he can go to sleep. We believe in his capacity and will make it happen. “This will be the first in a long while that women on their own will come together in their numbers to speak with one voice. “We are coming to Abuja to demand that the status quo must be changed. This is the time for us to yield power to younger people, especially those who have given a good account of themselves in other places they’ve rendered service. “We have observed closely the people that are showing interest in the presidency and if we continue to keep quiet, the change we desire may not manifest. This is the reason different women groups are coming to Abuja to say it loud and clear that it is Yahaya Bello or nobody,” he stated. The organisers further expressed optimism that Bello’s presidency would usher in a breath of fresh air while asking Nigerians from all walks of life to support the project as it would be “a clear departure from the old order.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/01/2023-600-women-groups-to-stage-one-million-women-march-for-yahaya-bello/

Politics

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arrested the duo of Moghalu Maduakonam and Esho Femi David at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja for attempting to smuggle $240,000 out of the country. While Maduakonam was travelling to Dubai, United Arab Emirates with $200,000.00 which he failed to declare; Turkey- bound David declared only $5,000 out of $40,050 in his possession. The arrest of the suspects coincided with identification of another property of the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, by the operatives of the anti-graft agency. The said house, which is situated at No 5, Alpha Beach Road , Lekki, Lagos , is suspected to be one of the proceeds of money laundering for which the ex-governor was convicted in the United Kingdom. The commission describes the property as a mansion with a mini reception at the ground floor and a detached Boys Quarters, adding that two occupants of the house, Moses Abu and Kaycee Kassim, had made useful statements about the house. Meanwhile, the cash courier are to be charged to court as soon as invetigat ion is concluded. Only three days ago, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Justice Adamu Bello convicted one Mallam Abulrasheed Ibrahim for money laundering. He was arrested on Wednesday, November 7, 2013 by operatives of the commission as he prepared to board a Dubai-bound Ethiopian airline, at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport when he declared the sum of $45,000 instead of $143,858 on him. Justice Adamu Bello ruled that 25% of the total sum, which is $188,858 be forfeited and paid into the Federal Government Treasury by the court accountant and the remaining money returned to the convict through his counsel. Last year alone, EFCC arrested suspects with over $9 million as they made effort to ferry out the money. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/01/efcc-nabs-2-with-240000-locates-another-ibori-house/

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By Abdulwahab Abdulah LAGOS — The prosecution told Justice Okon Abang of a Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday, that the fund involved in the case against the Managing Director of Capital Oil and Gas, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba and four others can conveniently settle the monthly allocation of 11 states from the Federation Account. The police prosecutor has, therefore, prayed the court to turn down the bail application of the accused pending the conclusion of investigation, arguing that Ifeanyi Uba can interfere with the investigation, The officials of Uba’s company detained with him are Joseph Orji, Chibuzo Ogbuokiri, Gidfrey Okorie and Nsikan Usoro. In an affidavit filed by the police and argued by Mr Godwin Oblah and Prince Aderemi Adekile to oppose the bail application by the Capital Oil boss and four others, the police argued that releasing him now would jeopardise their on-going investigations, which may truncate their case in court. Uba, through his counsel, Mr Joseph Nwobike, SAN, however, urged the court to discountenance the police arguments, saying detaining him (Uba) beyond 48 hours as stipulated by law was a violation of his fundamental rights. He argued that the alleged offence for which the applicants were remanded did not constitute a capital offence, stressing that the provisions of section 35(4) of the 1999 constitution clearly protect the liberty of the individual which the court must ensure it protects. The police in its counter affidavit argued that contrary to what the applicants filed in their ex-parte application, cogent facts were concealed from the court to the extent that the applicants failed to show that they were detained on the order of a magistrate court, and that it was done deliberately to mislead the court. According to the police, Uba was still being investigated on account of other allegations on money laundering, forgery of shipping documents and stealing by conversion of petroleum products worth about $280 million. The police averred that “the applicants’ fraudulent acts were against the entire Nigerian society and had impacted adversely on the economy and general wel- being of the country. “The total amount wrongfully and fraudulently obtained through the connivance and activities of the applicants is equivalent to the monthly statutory allocation from the Federation Account for 11 states in the federation.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/subsidy-scam-uba-obtained-more-than-11-states-allocation-prosecution/

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Australian negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, and Boko Haram commanders in 2013 after BH reportedly agreed to dialogue By Stephen Davis I read with interest Asari Dokubo’s comments published on September 14 in the Daily Post. Asari is quite correct in saying that he knows me well and has met members of my family. In 2004, the Niger Delta was aflame with conflict. Asari, Ateke Tom and Tompolo were waging a fierce war against the Nigerian federal and state governments. Many people had been killed. Nigerian military were having trouble contending with Asari’s guerrilla warfare. Small, highly mobile and heavily armed militant forces in fast boats struck across the Niger Delta targeting oil installations and military posts. Nigeria’s oil output at one point dropped to as low as 600,000 barrels per day and on average was halved to one million barrels per day. This was a devastating blow to Nigeria’s economy and the operations of the major international oil companies. Apart from the economic impact, communities were suffering from the conflict with many innocent people killed in military efforts to purge the communities of militants. My wife and I were living in Port Harcourt and, in 2004, I explored the idea of a peace deal with an Ijaw friend, Von Kemedi. As an Ijaw, he knew Asari who was also Ijaw. Von was able to make contact with Asari who agreed to meet with me. Von and I subsequently travelled through the swamps in a speed boat to Opurata village to see the damage to villages before transferring to a canoe that we paddled to another village from where we were met by Asari’s men in another fast boat. With a blindfold on we were taken to another island where we waited until another boat escorted us to Asari’s camp. A vigorous discussion took place that night surrounded by Asari’s well-armed fighters. By the end of the night, the foundation of a peace deal has been set down. I subsequently took the peace proposal to President Olusegun Obasanjo and found him ready and willing to support peace and disarmament. The deal also encompassed demobilisation and a programme to reintegrate the militants back into the communities. This required a skills training programme which President Obasanjo supported. A final essential element was weapons surrender and destruction. The protocol used was that set down by the UN and was agreed by both sides. At the Villa I stayed in close contact with Asari by satellite phone each evening around 5pm. We worked out the details of the peace process. The first step was a ceasefire. The ceasefire was set in place on September 8, 2004, but in the following days was broken three times and each time it was the Nigerian military that broke the ceasefire. Even when under fire during a ceasefire breach Asari, honoured his word and withdrew, firing only for self-protection. To complete the peace deal, President Obasanjo directed me to oversee the extraction of Asari and his key commanders in September 2004. I travelled to the Niger Delta with a handful of SSS men headed by Fubara Duke, an Ijaw man known to Asari and trusted by President Obasanjo. At 1am on September 29, 2004 Asari, and his commanders met us at Abonnema Landing in the Niger Delta and we proceeded to Port Harcourt airport where we boarded a plane at dawn to take us to Abuja and direct to President Obasanjo in the Cabinet Room. That day was punctuated with amazing revelations as Asari recounted events that led him and his men to defy the government and launch a guerrilla style campaign. Asari always kept his word to me. He gave me an undertaking on the ceasefire and kept it even in the face of breaches by the military. When it came to time for weapons surrender, he asked me how many weapons I wanted him to surrender. I said, ‘ Asari you have 3,000 men, so I want 3,000 weapons.’ Asari gave a commitment to hand over 3,000 guns, 100 general purpose machine guns and some rocket launchers which were subsequently destroyed in a series of public destructions to UN standards overseen by the Army at Bori Military Camp in Port Harcourt in mid-November 2004. President Obasanjo kept his word and on October 1, 2004 the peace accord was announced and Asari and his commanders returned to the Niger Delta. Asari is correct is saying I never paid him anything. I never paid anyone and no one paid me either by way of funds or favours. President Obasanjo did not offer to pay me for the Niger Delta peace accord and I did not seek payment. The peace deal was built on trust. I went to Asari’s camp unarmed and without any security. Asari and his key commanders travelled with me and the small SSS contingent totally unarmed. We trusted each other with our lives and that built trust. There can be no peace without trust. Without trust, there is merely a ceasefire which will eventually be broken and the fighting resume. Asari said in his interview with the Daily Post that President Obasanjo broke his word. I am not so sure of that. What I think Asari may be referring to is the demobilisation and skills training that did not materialise after the peace accord. Funds were to be set aside to train the ex-militants for employment and to reintegrate them back into their communities. This phase of the work was to be undertaken by the state governors. By March 2005, a full six months had passed without any sign of training and reintegration. It was no surprise then to find 200 Niger Delta ex-militants had been recruited by foreign mercenaries to participate in a coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. The ex-militants were intercepted as they departed Warri in a ship bound for Guinea. They had each been promised $5,000 and an AK47. Had the promised skills training and reintegration been implemented, these young men probably would not have agreed to join the coup attempt in Equatorial Guinea. So Asari is right but it was more likely that the governors were not sincere and not former President Obasanjo. It was the governors that had armed, promoted and used the gangs for political purposes in much the same way that former Governor Modu Sheriff was alleged to have done in Borno State.. It was this failure to honour the agreement to demobilise by providing skills training and reintegration that fuelled discontent and provided the conditions that formed MEND which added bombing and kidnapping to its mode of operation. Contrary to Asari’s understanding, former President Obasanjo did not bring me to Nigeria on my recent trip to seek the release of the Chibok girls or for any other purpose. Nor did President Jonathan or anyone else. I came to Nigeria in April this year to seek the release of the Chibok girls at my own expense and of my own volition because I could see no progress on the release of the kidnapped girls. Girls horrifying rape While Asari may not believe any girls were kidnapped, let me assure you that hearing the stories of some girls who have escaped from Boko Haram camps is a sobering experience. There are many girls who have been kidnapped apart from the girls from the Chibok school. The kidnapping of girls by Boko Haram has been going on for at least a year. Initially Boko Haram kidnapped girls because the fighters could not go back home to their wives. They used the kidnapped girls. Girls tell how they were raped every day, week after week. One girl was raped every day, sometimes several times a day by groups of men. Some did not survive the ordeal. The escaped girls tell harrowing stories of rape and abuse. They are traumatised and require medical treatment and counselling. These girls are testament to the horrifying truth about the kidnappings. But the Chibok kidnappings were only the start of my recent journey to Nigeria. It soon became apparent the (alleged) sponsors did not want any interference in their plan. The “political Boko Haram” which (allegedly) started out as Sheriff’s ECOMOG (so named after the military peace keeping forces operating in Liberia at that time because an SDP – Social Democratic Party- candidate was protected from an angry mob in Bama by a group of youths supporting the SDP) that targeted his political opponents in the 2003 and 2007 elections have since mutated into the Boko Haram we see today that terrorises through beheadings, butchering innocent villagers, bombing innocent people at shopping malls and in churches, raping and kidnapping. It is true that Sheriff fell-out with Yusuf and the allegation stands that when the military captured Yusuf in late July 2009 and handed him over to the police in Borno State, he was allegedly executed on Sheriff’s instruction. Thus the root of the perception that Sheriff cannot be a sponsor but a hated enemy of Boko Haram. But the core of the old Yusufiya is no longer part of Boko Haram. Boko Haram is a mutation of political Boko Haram and Shekau’s Ansaru. The Yusufiya grew out of the Izala movement and had great respect for Izala. Boko Haram now beheads Izala followers. The “slaughterers” work with the political assassins and suicide bombers. The sponsors of Boko Haram do not care how many innocent Nigerians are slaughtered, how many women are raped, how many girls and boys are kidnapped, how many villages are plundered. I have met too many victims to say, “It is not my problem”. We are each diminished if we allow such crimes against our fellow citizens to persist. The Nigerian military is diminished if it uses Boko Haram tactics to address the problem. Evil will flourish and triumph if good men and women do nothing. Many Nigerian politicians have said little and done nothing to curb the slaughter of Nigerians that is being supported by the sponsors. While fathers die to protect their daughters and wives are raped and butchered the sponsors of Boko Haram are accorded privileges and protection. They fly in private jets and are accorded military protection. Are the sponsors of Boko Haram so far above the law? Have the citizens of Nigeria lost the right to bring these men to justice? Who will stand up for the poor and oppressed who are being slaughtered and raped in their hundreds? By the grace of God we trust that good men and women will stand up and justice will prevail. *Davis, an Austrialian, is a negotiator Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/09/when-i-met-asari-and-agreed-a-peace-deal-stephen-davis/#sthash.tBTej3JR.dpuf

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Don’t leave host community in ruins, Tinubu warns lithium investors President Bola Tinubu has advised lithium investors to prioritise environmental protection and community engagement, warning them not to leave the host community in ruins in their exploration activities. Receiving a delegation from Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited and Canmax Technologies led by Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule, Tinubu commended the inauguration of Nigeria’s largest lithium processing plant in Lafia, Nasarawa State. According to a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Sule was accompanied on the visit to the President by Mr. Hi Yongwei, Chairman of Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited, and Mr. Zhenhua Pei, Chairman, Canmax Technologies. Tinubu, however, emphasised the need for responsible mining practices, saying, “You must not leave the community in ruins as you explore for our high-grade minerals. You must be concerned with cooperation and always care for the community.” The President urged the companies to prioritize environmental protection, community engagement, and corporate social responsibility initiatives, ensuring that their operations benefit the local population and minimize ecological damage. Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited has invested $500 million in the lithium processing plant, which produces about 4,000 metric tonnes daily. Canmax Technologies has announced a new investment of $200 million for another lithium processing plant in Nasarawa State. He, however stated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Nigeria becomes a key player in the global lithium market and a solar panel and EV battery manufacturing hub in Africa. ”There are other aspects of lithium that you are exploring in the country, especially in battery production. Nigeria is a huge market for solar panels. Africa is a major consumer of solar technologies. I do not see why these panels and batteries cannot be produced here. “The labour is cheaper. Our youths are vibrant and skilled. Our people are brilliant and adapt to new technology. The economy is increasingly more vibrant, and Nigeria is dependable. We have the consumption capacity and a surplus of steady-handed citizens with gifted minds and an innate drive to work and produce. ”We are caring partners. We want your investments to succeed so that you can expand further. Whenever you call on us, we will help you. You can, in mutually-beneficial collaboration with us, dominate the solar panel market as part of a revolution in Africa and the West African sub-region. ”You can always promote the interest of China and Nigeria as the best place in Africa to do business. We are preparing to produce in this country the solar technologies that the entire continent will use,” the President said. Tinubu also applauded Sule and Minister of Solid Minerals, Mr. Dele Alake, for their dedication to ensuring environmental protection and value addition by mining firms operating in the country. ”The Governor of Nasarawa State and the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, also share in these congratulations. ”It is a great joy to have you (the Chinese executives) in Nigeria. It is part of our campaign that Nigeria is open for business. We congratulate your courage in believing in us and the inauguration of the new factory. ”I can assure you that we will continue to give you the necessary support and encouragement. This is an opportunity for you to help tell the rest of the investment world that Nigeria is solid and open for business,” the President said.

https://thenationonlineng.net/dont-leave-host-community-in-ruins-tinubu-warns-lithium-investors/

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Christ Ambassadors’ College has been awarded the best performing school in Kaduna State. The Award was presented by NAPS (National Association of Polytechnic Students) as part of the Associations Annual Leadership event. The President of NAPS, Mr Adekanbi Sunday Asuku while presenting the award in the school’s premises, said “over the years our association has noticed with keen interest that students from Christ Ambassadors’ College are usually outstanding in the various higher institutions they find themselves. And this may not be unrelated to the school’s zero tolerance to exam malpractice amongst other excellent cultures.” In her message while receiving the award, the School Manager, Dr (Mrs) Tosin Akinpeloye, expressed her appreciation for the award from the reputable Association. She further stated that “This award is an affirmation of Christ Ambassadors’ commitment to excellence and integrity in the educational sector in Nigeria”. Over the years, the college has consistently produced students who are blazing the trail by winning the best student awards in their various institutions around the world. In 2016, the college produced the best student in NECO examinations, Kaduna State. And recently, the Directorate of University Advancement, ABU, Zaria awarded an ex-student of Christ Ambassadors’ College as the best student in medicine with a CGPA of 5.0. Christ Ambassadors’ College, today, is even more determined and poised in their pursuit and commitment to produce graduates who are sociable, innovative, confident and technically empowered to achieve success through hard work, integrity, creativity and persistence. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/08/christ-ambassadors-college-wins-best-performing-secondary-school-award/

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…lawmakers scamper for safety By Levinus Nwabughiogu-Abuja Room 028, the venue of the public hearing on the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB has been thrown into pandemonium following a fight by some attendants. Vanguard is yet to confirm who the individuals are but could say they are members of the oil host communities who had come to make presentations on the bill. The fight broke out exactly 12:10 pm when the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on PIB, Hon. Mohammed Monguno who had been moderating the proceedings called the host Communities to make their presentation. To this end, lawmakers and other participants are scampering for safety. Vanguard could sight security agents currently trying to calm frayed nerves. Proceedings are yet to resume. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/01/breaking-fight-breaks-out-at-reps-pib-public-hearing/

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Calabar – The Golden Eaglets on Saturday inflicted a 9-0 defeat on the Western Rovers FC of Calabar in a friendly played at the U. J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar. The team is camped in Calabar ahead of the Sept. 9 qualifying match against the Nigerien team in the CAF 2013 African Under-17 Youth Championship. Parading the team’s probable, the Golden Eaglets looked sharp and trim with commanding display after taking the kick off. The team scored three goals within 15 minutes of kick-off and followed up with two more goals in the first half. But for Mathias Ekwere in goal for the Cross River State Division Two side, there would have been more goals. The goalkeeper foiled some of the Eaglets’ scoring opportunities. Four more goals were scored in the second half with Ali-Baba Saliu, the former Under-15 skipper scoring his first goal for the Eaglets. Eaglets’ goalkeeper trainer, Emeka Amadi, told NAN that “I am so pleased with the performance of the team which is on the eve of my 40th birthday and I’m confident that the winning streak will continue.’’ The team’s Assistant Captain, Ndidi Wilfred, said the players were dedicating their victory to all the technical crew but especially to Amadi for obvious reasons. “The coaches are like fathers and they have been serious encouragement to all of us. “Coach Amadi is very jovial and generally laughs with us but he doesn’t shy away from scolding us when necessary. We really like him for this. “Though we still have some few lapses but we are going to work on them so that we will not let the coaches and country down. “We are going to put all what we have been learning from them to good use during our matches. “Nigerians should expect victories from us and they should pray for us too as we would be playing our qualifying matches soon,’’ he said. (NAN) Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/08/golden-eaglets-thrash-western-rovers-fc-9-0-in-friendly/

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Aspiring female politicians shouldn’t marry ‘a day soup men’ — House panel chair Akande-Sadipe Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe is the chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora. The lawmaker, who represents Oluyole Federal Constituency, Oyo State, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in this interview with VICTOR OLUWASEGUN, speaks of her person, past experiences, philosophy, committee and other issues. Excerpts: AS the chairperson of the House Committee on Diaspora, what would you say has been your greatest challenge? Diaspora is key to the development of the nation, but we need to align the priorities of the three arms of government. For example, prior to the motion raised by me on the floor of the House on the need to investigate Diaspora remittances, the issue of Diaspora remittances was not given the priority it deserved. My other example of a related challenge is human trafficking with human trafficking, a large number of girls are often trafficked abroad and there is a need for sincere and progressive collaboration between the relevant ministries and agencies – NAPTIP, NIDCOM, Nigerian Immigration Service and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, it is NAPTIP’s sole responsibility to deal with such cases as they have to work closely with immigration to prevent the trafficking at the source. Once these cases are reported, it is the duty of NIDCOM, NAPTIP and Foreign Affairs to bring our fellow citizens back home. The Nigerian police must also investigate, arrest the unscrupulous agents and the judiciary must prosecute on a timely basis. My other key concern is the mode of preparing our country’s budget, who determines the infrastructure priority projects that go into the budget each year? What is the involvement of the local government and each constituency’s representative prior to the envelopes going out? In my opinion as an accountant, constituencies and states need to be carried along in determining the budgetary items for their localities. For example, in a private company, each department sends its requirements to the budgeting unit, which collates and builds a budget around each department’s requirements. You are versed in policy formulation, business analysis, strategy development and implementation. Do you think this government is doing well in terms of Ease of Doing Business? The policies are awesome; the programme is being driven very well by the Vice President’s office, but that is not enough. For the programme to truly succeed, all arms of government must cooperate. The legislators, once they pass value adding laws, need the executive to implement the laws and policies, while the judiciary needs to adjudicate fairly and timely. The onus falls on our civil service; their cooperation is key as each policy or law is a piece of paper; the civil service is utmost for the proper implementation of these laws and policies. You are also an expert in tax/financial management, is the Finance Bill the right thing at this time when most Nigerians are hungry? The Finance Bill, 2019 was presented together with the 2020 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari and has been passed into law. The Bill, among other things, seeks to promote fiscal equity, align local laws with global best practices, introduce tax incentives for investments in infrastructure and the capital market. It also supports small- scale businesses in line with the ongoing Ease of Doing Business reforms and it has its pros and cons, good and bad. Small businesses with turnover less than N25 million to be fully exempted from Companies Income Tax (CIT) & entities with less than N25 million in turnover are exempted from VAT registration. Efficiency must also be built into the system such that VAT paid is completely remitted and in a timely basis to government coffers. We need focus on blocking loopholes that encourage diversion by creating barriers to diversion. Hate Speech Bill, what do you think of it? Should it be passed in the House, especially as your constituency is against it? What does the term hate speech mean to you? Hate speech is an abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a person or particular group. Why do you think we have so much hate speeches on social media platform? This is because Nigerians are disgruntled, Nigerians are unhappy. The platform creates an opportunity for Nigerians to voice out their opinions to be heard. While I condemn any form of abuse against the human race, I cannot say that the social media has not made positive impact; it has given an opportunity for positive news about the country to travel across the world. It is very informative and has aided prompt resolution on national issues raised. Persons are now more than ever being held accountable for crimes committed against humanity and the nation. As legislators, we understand that there are more pressing issues pertaining to the nation that need to be addressed, issues like unemployment, security, power, socio-economic development, infrastructural development Thus, priority in legislation should be to address these key issues and to create an enabling socio-economic environment for citizens of the country. This would resolve the prevalence of hate speeches, as citizens will be less likely to talk ill about the country when this occurs. Not that I am in support of hate speeches, some are malicious and untrue that have resulted in many lives, reputations and marriages etc. being ruined. Hate speech itself is a tort under common law when it results in injury to whom it is targeted. Injury can be either emotional distress, physical or bodily harm or can even lead to death. All any such law does is to only codify it and put what already exists under common law into statutory form. That being said, may I add that if need be, let us think of ways to regulate the social media rather than enacting draconian laws with strict penalties such as death is indicative of a dictatorial regime. Although if death should occur as a result of hate speeches, murder charges then may apply. How useful are Diaspora remittances as a developmental tool for the country? Leveraging Diaspora Resources for National Development is aimed at creating an avenue for prospective, meaningful and sustainable diaspora investments, which if well realised will boost growth and development of our great country. What dictates your dressing? I am not a fashionista; I focus more on what suits my body type. I hardly follow trends not because I can’t afford it but because I find contributing to humanity more exciting. On a lighter note, I remember many friends calling me an ‘Ijebu’ as far back as my 30s as I wouldn’t spend money on frivolous things. Knowing what my income was at such a young age, they couldn’t understand why I wasn’t heavily into designer labels all the time nor could they understand why I wasn’t having shopping sprees on my trips abroad. How do you unwind? What constitutes leisure to you? I love the quietness of nature; unwinding, for me, means spending quality time with my family and friends; a day at the beach;

https://thenationonlineng.net/aspiring-female-politicians-shouldnt-marry-a-day-soup-men-house-panel-chair-akande-sadipe/

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President Buhari addressing the guests during the launch of the National Re-Orientation Campaign “Change Begins with Me” at the State House Conference Centre (SHCC) in Abuja. •Says Nigeria’s democracy is now endangered under a partisan cloud By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor The People’s Democratic Party, PDP has faulted President Muh-ammadu Buhari for quickly congratulating Mr. Godwin Obaseki on his declaration as winner of the Edo State governorship election, saying it is a reversal of his Inauguration Day declaration not to be beholden to anyone. The PDP’s comment came in the face of strident condemnation by the state chapter of the PDP of the declaration of Mr. Obaseki as the winner of the election. The PDP’s candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu in a press conference in the hours leading to the declaration on Thursday had alleged subterfuge on the part of the Independent National Electoral Commission and the All Progressives Congress, APC saying that the results were cooked up ahead of the election. He also asserted that the results did not even reflect the huge turnout of the people on the premise that those who cooked the result did not envisage the huge turnout. Edo PDP in a statement also issued by its spokesman, Chris Enehikare noted several incidents of disruption of collation in places where PDP showed strong dominance, the open inducement of voters with money to vote and the willing collaboration of some electoral officers to allow what the party described as an electoral heist. The assertions were denied by APC officials who challenged the PDP to prove its case in court. Meanwhile, the national spokesman of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye in a statement issued yester-day faulted President Buhari’s congratulation saying the president had not shown himself to be a father of all especially given that he had in the past not congratulated PDP candidates who won governorship elections. He said: “President Buhari’s congratulatory message to Godwin Obaseki has finally revealed his hand in the Edo Guber Election imbroglio. We note with sadness that he had never extended similar congratulatory messages or goodwill to PDP candidates who were victorious in various Elections since he assumed office. “In Bayelsa State where his Party with the support of security agencies virtually declared war on Governor Seriake Dickson and the people of Bayelsa, the President refused to congratulate the PDP Candidate who against all odds managed to survive the APC onslaught. His aides claimed then that the President was not in the business of congratulating election winners. Why the sudden change of heart now if we may ask? The only plausible explanation is that the President was eager to confer legitimacy on an otherwise badly flawed Election in which his Party acted like Shina Rambo, the notorious Armed Robber. Only that this time they were robbing the people of their votes. “The action of the President belies his statement that he belongs to nobody but belongs to everybody . The President has shown where he belongs. We recall that President Jonathan dutifully never failed to congratulate opposition candidates who won elections during his tenure including Adams Oshiomhole. That is what is expected of a statesman. “We did not lose the Gubernatorial Election in Edo State. We can therefore not be described as “bad losers” according to the APC State Chairman in Edo State, Anselm Ojezua. We were robbed by very shameless election riggers. “We fully support the Edo Chapter of the PDP in the total rejection of the election results. We also fully endorse their determination to employ all legitimate means to reclaim their stolen mandate. Finally we wish to warn Nigerians that our democracy is in grave danger. Since the advent of this administration, no election has been free and fair. We go for elections as if we are going to war; and virtually all elections conducted by INEC have been either inconclusive or blatantly rigged. “Today Rivers State has no representation in the National Assembly. No thanks to the powers that be. If we do not collectively rise to resist this anti people onslaught we might as well say bye bye to democracy.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/pdp-faults-buhari-obaseki/

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The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has called on the Federal Government to help in funding the National Sports Festival, scheduled to hold in the state. Obaseki said the state is ready to host the 20th edition of the sports event but does not have the financial capacity to host 11,500 athletes and officials. Obaseki, who received members of the Main Organising Committee from the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development in Benin City on Tuesday, said COVID-19 had taken its toll on the finances of the state. He said: “Since March last year, you know the financial strength of most states, sub-nationals and countries. For us as a state, we are ready to host but don’t have the funds at this point in time to host the Games; this is the plain truth. “If the Federal Government however in its wisdom decides to bring the funding for the Games, we will be too willing to host the country. We have to live with COVID-19 because it has come to stay; even with the vaccination, the virus will still be around. Canceling the Games is not the solution to this issue. We have to sit down and look at all these issues critically before reaching a final decision.” Obaseki added, “Beyond the Games itself, which is an instrument of unity and a way of engaging the youths, there is the Tokyo Olympics to prepare for. But how do we prepare for the Olympics without Edo 2020? Can we afford to expose our young people to the dangers of COVID-19 or would there be other Olympics in the future? We have to balance these things. “We have to make a decision whether we want to go to the Tokyo games. If we want to, how do we prepare Nigeria’s contingent, where are the trials?” However, Nebeolisa Anako, who led the delegation to Obaseki’s office, expressed delight with the facilities inspected by the committee for the festival scheduled to hold from February 14 to 28. “We are here to look at the preparedness of the state and determine how it would be hosted in a safe manner, considering the pandemic. What we saw while inspecting the facilities for the festival gladdens my heart. It shows that the state government is prepared to host the event. We are also looking at the funding for the Games.”

https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/01/27/edo-has-no-funds-to-host-national-sports-festival-obaseki/

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Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja Presidential Candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has again defended his absence from Sunday night’s presidential town hall meeting organized by Arise Television in conjunction with the Centre for Democracy and Development CDD, saying he won’t be railroaded into making media appearances. Describing the town hall as “poorly organized”, Tinubu also berated the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and that of the Labour Party LP, Mr Peter Obi whose presidential ambitions he said were dead on arrival. In a late Monday statement titled “PDP and LP are confused” and signed by Mr Bayo Onanuga, Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council PCC, Tinubu said he already has his campaign plans which he does not intend to alter. The statement reads; “We read with amusement the ridiculous position of Atiku/Okowa Campaign Council and that of Labour Party/Peter Obi on the absence of our presidential candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the poorly organized Town Hall debate session by Arise TV. “The separate press releases from these two dead-on-arrival presidential campaign offices sought to make an issue out of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s well-thought-out decision to follow his own campaign plan. “The more absurd of the two positions was the one canvassed by the spokesperson of Atiku/Okowa campaign. The PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar didn’t also attend Arise News Town Hall Meeting. “Yet his spokesman, out of joblessness and lack of productive venture attacked our candidate, perhaps in pursuit of a media mileage that their campaign badly needs to divert attention from their failing presidential bid. “We believe that even a palace jester should have a moment of self introspection. If this had been done, the statement would have been unnecessary. “Instead of PDP to tell Nigerians why its presidential candidate has not returned to Nigeria after their purposeless visit to United States where he and his other 15 peripatetic adults were given a cold shoulder by US senior officials, the spokesperson is busy chasing shadows. “We want to state again for the attention of both PDP and LP, that Asiwaju Tinubu will not be railroaded into media appearances and debates. “Asiwaju Tinubu and his running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima have their campaign schedule that they are following and they have been holding conversations with Nigerians at Town Hall meetings and other fora. “The Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council has clearly made its position on debates known in a statement issued by our Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN and that position remains. “We recognize that both PDP and LP have to use Asiwaju Tinubu’s name with the hope that their floundering campaign will gain some traction. Nigerians witnessed the show of shame and despicable exchange on live television between, Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of LP and Dino Melaye, one of Atiku-Okowa’s palace jesters. “Nigerians will certainly not vote for candidates and political parties that cannot maintain decorum and basic decency on national television”. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/11/debate-poorly-organised-atiku-obis-ambitions-dead-on-arrival-tinubu/

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By Umar Yusuf BY all definitions, leadership ability is not acquired by chance but out of a conscious and sustained effort for the purpose of building a better and developed society. The qualities of sound leadership are as clearly visible as the negative antecedents and mediocrity of political jobbers that populate Nigeria’s political space. Nigerians have since independence complained because most public office holders lacked true leadership qualities. So, I was genuinely pleasantly surprised when I encountered the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Talban Gombe. This is because for once in a long while, I saw a public office holder who exemplified the real attributes that define what sound leadership is all about in contemporary Nigeria. First I discovered that in all his dealings, he has been able to distinguish himself by his academic, professional, public service and political careers. More remarkable is the fact that he had in the process, exceeded all expectations while shattering all known precedents and records set by his predecessors or peers, be it at the state, federal, regional or international level. His distinguished career began from Coopers & Lybrand and continued at the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, from where he was appointed the Gombe State Accountant- General. And on account of his unrelenting hard work, perseverance, dedication and commitment to duty as well as displaying the highest level of professionalism which translated to notable achievements, he has received numerous awards, laurels and commendations. So, it was not surprising that he was soon after appointed the Accountant- General of the Federation before he answered the call of his people to contest the 2011 gubernatorial election which he won to the joy of his numerous supporters. Particularly worthy of note is the fact that Dankwambo’s commitment to excellence and exemplary performance is only matched by his honesty and sense of integrity. For instance, while most public office holders delight in looting the public till, Talban Gombe continued to demonstrate that he is not in that infamous category. And it is this trait which has endeared him to his peers, colleagues, underlings and political superiors alike. As events continue to play out in the country, his watchword has remained strict neutrality and a rigid stance that did not favour many partisan interests. This adroit posture has earned him tremendous admiration and even grudging respect from all factions of the political class in Gombe State and beyond. Having cut his teeth in turning around the Gombe State accounting system for the better, Dankwambo wasted precious little time in applying the same principles at the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation as he had successfully formulated viable policies and financial strategies that the financial system of the country is today relying on. After this, his next port of call to serve humanity was nearer home, Gombe State, after he succumbed to his people’s pressure and agreed that it was time to change the prevailing status quo for the better. The Jewel of the Savannah was then in the grip of political godfathers, potentates and crown princes who regarded the state as their personal fiefdom and its resources to be squandered and apportioned as they and their acolytes and cronies thought fit. Therefore, armed with his awesome credentials as a highly reputed and tremendously regarded public servant, Talba, had within days of being sworn in as the Executive Governor, kick-started a series of working visits across the state to see for himself the hitherto shambled and dilapidated government structures and abused public service system encapsulated by shady dealings, financial mismanagement and marginalisation of the majority by those who felt they owned the government and considered same as their personal estate by doing and undoing things to favour them to the detriment of the masses. After properly diagnosing the state, Dankwambo had later come up with an 11-sector base committee of relevant professionals with terms of reference centred on formulating a working template and blueprint for the development of the state and rescuing the formerly abused public service. Consequently, following the submission of the various committees’ reports, Dankwambo swung into action and soon executed all the viable recommendations with preferential considerations to the education, health, agriculture, and infrastructural sectors of the state. Today, under the stewardship of the Talban Gombe, the state has turned out to be the most developed and transformed in the whole of the North-Eastern zone as evidenced by numerous state-of-the-art infrastructure made possible by workable administrative policies and strategies. Indeed, a visitor to the state cannot help but notice that thousands of kilometres of roads have been constructed all over the state, including model primary and secondary schools in all the 11 local government areas of the state. At the same time, old ones are fully renovated and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. There have also been notable interventions to upgrade hospitals and other health-related facilities; farmers have also benefited from government interventions as they have been provided with subsidised fertiliser, tractors and other farm implements. At the same time, tens of thousands of women and youths have been trained in different skills acquisition programmes and also provided with start-up capital. Indeed, the giant International Conference Centre, Petroleum Tankers Parking Bay, Gombe Mega Motor Park are projects that can only be found in Gombe State despite the lean resources at the disposal of the administration. In fact, it bears repeating that Dankwambo has transformed Gombe State into the industrial and agrarian hub of the North-East zone, a position that it enviably occupied in the past. In the process, he has changed the infrastructural, developmental, industrial and manufacturing landscape of the state for the better while drastically reducing its poverty, maternal and child mortality rates. It is, therefore, not a surprise that many political activists, leaders of thought and influential pundits have called on Dankwambo to throw his hat in the ring by declaring his interest in the presidential contest so that Nigerians will have the opportunity of reaping the countless democratic dividends that he has been rendering to Gombe State and its people. *Mr. Yusuf, a political analyst, wrote from Damaturu,Gombe State. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/04/dankwambos-eyes-presidency/

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Yuan sale by CBN excites traders The Central Bank of Nigeria sold yuan at a range of N49-51 at its first auction of the Chinese currency last week, traders said yesterday. The auction, which is part of an attempt to encourage the use of an alternative trading currency, particularly given the high level of imports from China, sold the yuan for immediate value and for 15-day settlement, traders said. Some lenders got as much as 60 per cent of the volume they applied for, while one bank got just five per cent. They said the volume sold was based on the price quoted for the yuan at the auction. China is Nigeria’s biggest trading partner after the U.S., with trade volumes between the two totaling $9.2 billion in 2017, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Nigeria runs a deficit, importing $7.6 billion of goods including textiles and machinery from China and exporting just $1.6 billion, mainly oil and gas.

http://thenationonlineng.net/yuan-sale-by-cbn-excites-traders/

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By Kingsley Omonobi ABUJA—Military authorities prosecuting the war against terrorism in the North East states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe have arrested several soldiers, who were discovered to have leaked vital security information on the troops’ strategies and tactics to Boko Haram that led to a series of ambush and killing of over 30 Nigerian soldiers in recent times. Most of the arrested soldiers serve as orderlies or aide-de-camps, ADCs to Commanders of Troops on the field. It was gathered that the alleged moles among the soldiers leaked the information on the deployment of soldiers from Maimalari Barracks in April this year to the terrorists which led to an ambush and killing of so many soldiers of the 101 Battalion that consequently led to soldiers’ mutiny and the shooting at the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Major General Ahmed Mohammed. His armoured official car saved his life. Vanguard further gathered that the activities of these moles may have been responsible for the recent shooting of the Nigerian Airforce Alpha Jet on September 12 which took off from Yola airport and was reported missing until Boko Haram terrorists said they shot it down and killed one of its pilot, which was confirmed by the Facebook account of friends of the military. Speaking under condition of anonymity, a reliable source said Commanders on the field had for long wondered how information on strategies for deployment, type of weaponry and fall back tactics easily filtered out to the terrorists to the extent that soldiers’ movement, timing of deployment, and routes to take, became known to Boko Haram insurgents. “The situation became so bad that there was mutual suspicion among fellow commanders, the Brigade headquarters and even the Division headquarters. But at last, the moles were found out to be some of the orderlies and aides of Commanders. What they do is that after operational briefings and troops take off, these moles immediately pass on the information through calls.” Asked why it was difficult to discover the traitors before now, the source said, “Who will suspect that an orderly or the ADC of a Commander will be the one giving out information. He does everything for the Commander and he is with him all the time. He is the last person that would be suspected. But thank God, they have been exposed; the truth is now known”. Already, the source noted that a Board of Inquiry (BOI) has been set up to carry out further investigations into the activities of the traitors and to try to find out if there were fellow fifth columnists still existing among the troops, after which a General Court Martial will be constituted to try the soldiers for Criminal Conspiracy among others. Also, Vanguard was told at the weekend that six officers taking part in the offensive to flush out the terrorists from the Adamawa axis recently shot themselves in parts of their bodies that were not life threatening with a view to escape being drafted to the battle field to confront Boko Haram terrorists. After allegedly shooting themselves in the arm, hip, foot and making sure that the bullets did not affect any bones in these parts of their bodies, the officers ran to a military hospital and claimed that they were shot by terrorists. Medical experts attached to the hospital in Vintim, after carrying out several checks and x-rays on the gunshot wounds, discovered that the officers had ‘clean gunshot wounds’ which meant the injuries were 99% self inflicted. Vanguard gathered that the Army High Command ordered that further medical tests be carried out to be doubly sure and that the x-rays were sent to Abuja where experts did further analysis and came out with the same results of ‘Clean Gunshot Wounds’ . “In one instance, an officer expertly shot at his arm from the front and the bullet came out from the back without touching any bone neither did it destroy any artery that would endanger the treatment of the hand. In another instance, an officer just opened fire on his foot but made sure no toe or dangerous part of the foot was affected,” a source said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/military-arrests-soldiers-moles-boko-haram/#sthash.N1Pxqwmv.dpuf

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BY GBENGA OLARINOYE OSOGBO — OBAFEMI Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has been rated the first and best university in Nigeria and 14th in Africa by the Webometric Ranking of world universities. In the last rating, the university was ranked eighth in Nigeria and 79 in Africa. According to Webometric ranking released on February 6, 2013, OAU was rated above other universities in the country for its intellectual, academic, research and administrative supremacy. A release by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr. Abiodun Olarewaju, said this latest ranking reflected the success of the current University Administration under Professor Bamitale Omole. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Omole pledged to do all within his administrative power and academic experience to further reposition the institution to meet with the standard expected of a world class University within the context of 21st century intellectual market. Meantime, staff of the OAU have been advised to set a new road map to pursue research effort more vigorously with a view to continually impacting positively on the socio-economic, political and technological landscapes of the society. Professor Omole gave the advice at a one-day retreat organized by the Staff Training and Development Unit of the Institution at Iloko-Ijesa, Osun State. In the keynote address titled: “Moving This Leviathan: New Paradigm, New Strategies: 50 years of OAU and Beyond”, the Vice-Chancellor enjoined the participants not to dwell too much on the past achievements but strive to break new grounds in research and development. Omole reminded the participants not to forget the best practices, ethics and ethos as well as the institutional core values which made the university “past scientific achievements possible and which had made OAU a centre of Academic Excellence.” While expressing serious concern over administrative and academic malpractices which have bedeviled the Nigerian University system, the VC added that vices like admission racketeering, examination malpractices, misuse of research grants, misallocation and misappropriation of funds, sexual harassment, financial or material inducement before services are rendered should be discouraged and eradicated in the University. According to him: “As an Institution, we should, at all times, consider it an aberration to protect and defend our colleagues who are found in indecent behaviours and a variety of corrupt practices. We should not allow the little foxes to spoil the vine.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/oau-rated-best-varsity-in-nigeria/

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Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has bowed to pressure by political parties, especially the ruling All Progressives Congress APC for the extension of the June 3 Primary Election deadline. After twice failing to arm-twist INEC into extending its June 3 deadline for the conduct of political parties’ primary elections, the nation’s 18 registered political parties have now asked the to consider a one-week extension. The parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC had earlier asked for a 37-day extension and when it was not granted, they asked for a two-month extension. However, at a meeting with INEC on Friday, the parties through the IPAC Chairman, Yabagi Sani, requested the electoral umpire to allow them to utilize the one week period of inactivity between the earlier June 3 deadline and June 10 when they are expected to begin uploading the names of their candidates unto the Commission’s Candidate Nomination Portal. The INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu however requested a closed-door session with the parties after which INEC also met as a commission and granted the extension. “Earlier, the political parties had requested for a 37 – 60 days extension of the timeline for primaries and the nomination of candidates. The Commission was emphatic that this request could not be granted because it would disrupt other scheduled activities on the Timetable. This position of the Commission has not changed”, said Barr. Festus Okoye, INEC National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education Committee. He said that based on the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election, the parties have now pleaded with the Commission to use the 6-day period between 4th and 9th June 2022 to conclude outstanding primaries and prepare to upload the list of candidates and their affidavits on the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal. “The Commission did not schedule any specific activity during this period. The idea is to simply give parties time to compile the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates before uploading the same to the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal from 10th – 17th June 2022. “The Commission has decided to allow the request of the political parties since the six-day period does not conflict with the next scheduled activity which is the submission of the list of nominated candidates or any of the subsequent timelines which remain sacrosanct. However, this request is granted in respect of outstanding primaries only without prejudice to those already concluded by political parties. The Commission will not monitor already concluded primaries”, he stated. After the conduct of primaries, INEC said the next critical activity for political parties is the online submission of the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor which shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the candidates indicating that they fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into the various offices via the INEC Candidates Nomination Portal. “In addition, the Commission, based on past experience, has decided to train the political party officials to make efficient and effective use of the portal. The Commission will train four officials from each of the 18 political parties, making a total of 72 in all. “Unfortunately, some of the political parties are still yet to submit their nominees for the training. The Commission hereby reminds such parties to do so immediately. The Commission wishes to reiterate that only electronically submitted nominations will be processed. “Political parties are therefore advised to ensure that their primaries are free of rancour in order to meet the timelines for the remaining activities embodied in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election”, he stated. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/05/breaking-inec-extends-primary-election-deadline-by-6-days/

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Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan handing over reports of the 2014 National Conference to President Muhammadu Buhari By Clifford Ndujihe, Henry Umoru, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu, Gbenga Oke & Joseph Erunke LAGOS—THE Presidency has once again made it clear that it would not consider the 2014 Confab report, despite calls from some quarters that the recommendations be considered and implemented. Mr Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, ruled out implementation of the report, Sunday night, when he appeared on Channels Television’s programme on Nigeria’s 57th Independence anniversary celebrations. Asked why the Federal Government would not consider the report, Mr Shehu said: “It was not an inclusive conference. You very well recall that the leaders of our own party – whether ACN and all of that and the governors were missing from that conference. ‘’To make matters worse, the confab was heavily criticised but the Goodluck Jonathan administration went on with it. This (the confab) was lopsided in terms of representation, ethnically, religiously, regionally; and they were insensitive to all of these things and then they want to force it down the throats of everyone. That is why it’s a problem.” President Buhari and his administration had called on aggrieved people in the country to take their grievances to the National Assembly which it said had the constitutional backing to address such concerns. But there had been concerns that it would be impossible to get the National Assembly to make laws in line with the desires and wishes of Nigerians, especially as such laws may be detrimental to interests represented by the lawmakers. Shehu is not bothered by such concerns. Reason: “The members of the National Assembly are not aliens and they don’t come from the moon. They are Nigerians and they are representing definite constituencies in some of the states. So, they are serving the purpose of representation. Why can’t they be trusted?” The Presidential aide suggested that those behind the agitation in the country were those who had failed the nation in the past. “It is not like I have no respect for older people. But there are people who think that they have messed up this country so much that they now want to resolve the problems that they created and they are in a hurry to do that,” he said. Hard knocks for Shehu Shehu’s views attracted hard knocks from some delegates to the confab and leaders who insisted that the country must be restructured urgently to accelerate socio-economic growth and development. Those who picked holes in the Presidency’s stance were Leader of the National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, Chief Solomon Asemota; Elder statesman and Afenifere chieftain, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; Elder statesman, Chief E.K. Clark; Ogoni activist, Mr. Ledum MitEe, Mr Yinka Odumakin; and former President of Trade Unions Congress, TUC, Mr. Peter Esele. However, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, said the 2014 confab was doomed from the beginning and some of the recommendations were smuggled in. No joining issues on this– Asemota Chief Solomon Asemota, SAN, a member of Presidential Advisory Committee on the 2014 National Conference, said there was no going back on restructuring of the country to ensure justice and equity, adding that the NCEF would not join issues with Malam Garba Shehu on the 2014 Confab recommendations. His words: ‘’The NCEF has a collective view. We are talking about restructuring that encompasses everything. We are not going into any debate with Garba Shehu on the implementation of the confab report. ‘’We have been operating a faulty constitution and those who have gained so much from it will not like to let go.’’ Presidency can’t pull wool over our eyes – Ayo Adebanjo A delegate to the conference, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, took a swipe at the Presidency, saying it would not pull wool over peoples’ eyes on its objection to the 2014 National Conference report. Adebanjo said: “Does he want to organise his own which will be all-inclusive? We have passed the stage where a person can pull wool over our eyes. Is that the reason he is jettisoning the report? What is their objection in the recommendations of the confab? I have told him (President Buhari) that he should stop this talk of throwing away the Confab report. Who are the people that forced the current constitution we are operating now? This is the question. He should stop drawing wool over our eyes. ‘’You can never get the composition in the county that produced the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference. We had quality people there, we had judges there, workers and lawyers; it was all inclusive. ‘’What is the non- inclusiveness he is talking about? It is just pretence because we passed 600 resolutions unanimously. How many people drafted the constitution that was forced on us? Is it not the military? ‘’They gathered about 50 people to draft the 1999 constitution and they put aside the one the founding fathers gave us in 1960, agreed to by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. ‘’The Presidency has not been able to talk about that. If you say the confab is not all inclusive, what is the problem of going back to the 1960 constitution? What do they have against that?” FG must restructure Nigeria – Odumakin Another delegate to the conference, Mr Yinka Odumakin, said though the President could dump the outcome of the confab in the archives if he had issues with the report but he must be committed to restructuring the country. “We are not fixated on the 2014 National Conference as an event but the federal spirit that the outcomes engendered. If the President has issues with the conference, he can leave it in the archives but he must start to steer the country in the direction of true federalism promised in the APC manifesto. We acknowledge his acceptance that agitations for restructuring are legitimate. He must walk the talk.” Garba Shehu should define inclusiveness Also speaking, a former President of Trade Unions Congress, TUC, who was at the conference, Comrade Peter Esele, said: ‘’It is important for Garba Shehu to define what he meant because every section of this country was represented. ‘’We had Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba. All the political parties in the country were also represented except the APC that declined to attend. We even had representatives of the military at the conference. He needs to define inclusiveness. “We are not saying that the Confab report is the panacea to all our problems. But there are certain things this government can take from the report. It does not matter whether it was convened by PDP or another party. What matters is that Nigeria’s money was used to organize the conference in the interest of this country.” Confab doomed from inception – Junaid Mohammed Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, who was also a delegate at the conference, said the 2014 Confab was doomed from the beginning. He said: “Garba Shehu is too insignificant for me to start arguing with but I can confirm that the outcome of the Confab was also rigged because some of the recommendations made after the Confab were not agreed on. “Issues like that of State Police and many others were never agreed on at the Confab yet it is contained in the recommendation. I believe it is within the rights of President Buhari’s government to refuse to implement the outcome of the 2014 Confab.” He said he was not surprised by the stance of the Presidency because “from day one, the All Progressives Congress, APC, dissociated itself and they never sent anyone to the conference. APC also maintained that if they win the elections, they will not implement the report of the Confab. So I am not surprised at their unwillingness to implement the report.” It’s proper to look at the report — Calrk Chief Edwin Clark on his part said: “I am pleading with him (Buhari) to have an open heart. If the party can look at restructuring, it is only proper for the administration to look at the report of the conference because a lot of money was put into the project and everybody was involved. We made over 600 recommendations and we had 20 committees which had the northern delegates chairing more committees than the southern delegates.” It’s a sad day — Anenih Also speaking with Vanguard, former Minister of Women Affairs and a delegate to the conference, Iyom Josephine Anenih, said if government fails to implement the report of the all encompassing conference, the progress of the country will be set backward. Anenih said: “It is a sad day, the day the Presidency will make such a statement that it will not look at the report of the 2014 Conference. We do not know which other conference can be as inclusive as that of the 2014 Confab.” It’s unfortunate — Bishop Bogobiri On his part, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan and a delegate to the conference, Bishop Joseph Bogobiri, condemned moves by the Presidency to jettison the report of the conference. According to him, 2014 conference report contains all the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians, adding that if the present agitations in some parts of the country must be nipped in the bud or curtailed, it has become very imperative for the government to implement recommendations of the conference. His words: “It is unfortunate that we have a government that is doing things its own way; the government should put in place things that will reduce tension and discontent in the land. It is really unfortunate. If the statement had come from the government, it is really unfortunate that the government is listening to a few people.” Govt should look at the report —Ledum Mitee Former President, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP and a delegate to the conference, Ledum Mitee said to throw away the entire report because of the excuse that the composition was not all inclusive was not healthy for the country. He said: “It is more important to look at the content of what came out of the conference and not the number. To throw away everything because of that flimsy excuse is not healthy.” It’s unfortunate, says Salami Former National Chairman of Labour Party and delegate to the 2014 National Conference, Alhaji Abdulkadir Salami on his part, described as unfortunate, the rejection of the report. “It is unfortunate for them to say they will not implement the report of the 2014 National Conference because of it not being all inclusive in participation. ‘Let him set up another one that he thinks is all inclusive.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/why-fg-wont-use-2014-confab-report-presidency/2014

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The embattled Acting Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, was on Wednesday confronted with more allegations. The Justice Ayo Salami-led Presidential panel asked him to account for 380 houses and seven vessels loaded with crude oil. The probe panel also grilled on him on the disposal of assets worth N37 billion. Magu is being grilled, following allegations raised against him by Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami(SAN). The panel started quizzing Magu on Monday after his arrest by detectives in Abuja. On Tuesday, he was grilled on cash discrepancies said to be N539 billion realised from the sale of seized assets and N504 billion declared by the commission. Both issues are part of the over 20 allegations levelled against the anti-graft agency chairman by the AGF. Vanguard also gathered, on Wednesday, that on the ground floor of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Area 10, Abuja, where the EFCC boss is being held, his family members are allowed to visit him. A Presidency source had said, on Tuesday, that the probe was an affirmation that nobody under the present administration was above scrutiny. The source had also explained that the interrogation of the anti-graft boss was being done to give him the opportunity to clear himself of the weighty allegations. Vanguard gathered that Magu was brought to the venue at about 11:14am from the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, building where he had been held since Monday. He was also joined by his lawyer at the panel for interrogation. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/07/magu-quizzed-over-380-houses-7-crude-oil-laden-ships-n37bn-assets/

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The Nigerian authorities on Sunday said they had detained a Russian cargo plane carrying military equipment in the north Nigerian city of Kano. The country’s defence chiefs announced on Twitter that the Antonov aircraft was held pending an investigation into its provenance and what it was carrying. Its unscheduled arrival early on Saturday stoked speculation in Nigeria’s media, given long-standing claims that Boko Haram has had outside support in its five-year insurgency. The came just as the France’s ambassador to Nigeria also said that Nigerian federal and airport authorities, being satisfied with the documents and the genuine character of the flight, have announced that the plane will be authorised to pursue its flight to N’Djamena The issue has become a political issue for opponents of President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been accused of not doing enough to stop the Islamist violence, which has left more than 13,000 dead since 2009. Russia’s embassy in Abuja also initially denied that the plane was theirs, although later confirmed that it was and that it was carrying French military equipment. AFP understands that the 18 Russian crew members and two French military personnel on board were not arrested but questioned about alleged discrepancies in the cargo manifest and flight plan. France’s ambassador to Nigeria, Jacques Champagne de Labriolle, said the commercial charter, run by Russian firm 224 Flight Unit, was carrying two French Army Gazelle light helicopters. Spare parts and maintenance items were also being transported on the flight from Bangui, in the Central African Republic, to Chad’s capital, N’Djamena. The hardware was being transferred as France winds down its military operations in the CAR and reinforces its anti-Islamist regional operation, codenamed Barkhane, in Chad. The Antonov 124, which had Nigerian diplomatic clearance, diverted to Kano 710 kilometres (441 miles) due west because of heavy air traffic in the Chadian capital, said Champagne deI mean, Labriolle. Checks were made because of the aircraft’s nationality and the nature of the cargo and the French Embassy in Abuja supplied information, he said in an emailed statement. “The Nigerian federal and airport authorities, being satisfied with the documents and the genuine character of the flight, have announced that the plane will be authorised to pursue its flight to N’Djamena,” he added. “Contrary to some press reports, there was absolutely no weapon and no ammunition on board the aircraft.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/nigeria-releases-russian-cargo-plane-impounded-kano/

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By Umar Yusuf YOLA — Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has dragged former Governor Boni Haruna of Adamawa State and three others to the Federal High Court sitting in Yola, over alleged fraud, conspiracy, forgery, diversion and laundering of public funds to the tune of N200 million while in office. Also re-arraigned alongside the former Governor were Mr. Mohammed Inuwa Basi, the former Personal Assistant to Haruna, John Elias, his former Commissioner for Finance and Al-Akim Nigeria Limited, a firm allegedly owned by the former finance commissioner. The case was earlier before Justice Bello of the Federal High Court, Abuja, but now transferred to the Federal High Court, Yola, presided over by Justice Bilkisu Aliyu. The four accused persons who have been standing trial before an Abuja High Court since 2008 on a 28-count charge of allegedly defrauding the state of about 200 million when they served as government officials between 2002 and 2003, pleaded not guilty. Counsel to the EFCC, Ofem Uket, said the accused, had within the period in Yola and within the jurisdiction of the court conspired between themselves to perform an illegal act to wit: forgery of bank account opening documents with Guaranty Trust Bank, GTB, Yola branch, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 3 and 6 of the Miscellaneous Offence Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004. He also stated that the offence committed by the accused persons, according to the 28-count charge is punishable under Section 2 of the same Act. In the joint-count charge, the former commissioner of finance, John Elias who doubled as the Managing Director of Al-Akim Company Nigeria Limited, was accused of allegedly using his said company to siphon millions of Naira to facilitate the Bring Boni Back Project, BBBP. Elias and the Al-Akim Company Nigeria Limited who were the third and fourth defendants in the case were absent in court but the court had ordered that they should appear before it during next Thursday’s sitting to accelerate the trial. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/03/efcc-drags-ex-adamawa-gov-haruna-3-others-to-court-over-alleged-n200m-fraud/

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File photo: CPC National leader, Gen. Mohammed Buhari discussing with National Leader of ACN, Bola Tinubu at a meeting in Abuja BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, SONI DANIEL & HENRY UMORU …We agree with S-West on six regions — Ohanaeze scribe LAGOS—NORTHERN leaders, Sunday, spurned Yoruba leaders’ agitation for regional autonomy and a return to the parliamentary system of government, describing the clamour as a recipe for Nigeria’s disintegration. Yoruba elders under the banner of Yoruba National Assembly, YNA, had after a meeting in Ibadan last Thursday, canvassed a return to the parliamentary system of government and granting of regional autonomy to the South-West. They also called for removal of the immunity clause for criminal offences; a new Nigeria consisting of a federal government and six regional governments (based on the current six geo-political zones) operating federal and regional constitutions, respectively; and adoption of Regional and State Police force structure among others. But responding to the development, some prominent northern leaders, who spoke exclusively to Vanguard, kicked against YNA’s call, saying that the agitation would plunge the nation into incalculable crises and hasten her break-up. However, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya, said the demands of the Yoruba leaders were in tandem with the position of Ndigbo, which had been sent to the National Assembly for inclusion in the on-going constitution amendment exercise. Former Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, said the call for regional autonomy and a return to parliamentary system of government was self-serving and had the semblance of secession. Kaita said: “I do not really understand what they mean by regional autonomy. They should be bold enough to say that they do not want to be part of Nigeria any longer and stop talking about what does not make sense anymore in the country. No longer ideal — Kaita “Regional autonomy and parliamentary system of government can no longer serve a complex society like Nigeria and our founding fathers were wise enough to jettison the system and adopt the present Presidential system, which to all intent and purposes, remains the best for a country like ours,” he noted. According to the founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, neither the granting of autonomy to any region in the country nor a return to parliamentary system of government would solve the socio-political problems of the nation. Kaita said that all that was needed to make the presidential system more useful was to strengthen the institutions of government to serve the citizens better and reposition the country as a strong, united nation in the world. Adding his voice to the debate, National Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Buba Galadima, described any call for regional autonomy as an invitation to the dissolution of the country. “If they make the mistake to allow the kind of regional autonomy requested by the Yoruba, it is a recipe for the country’s disintegration because of the kind of politics being played in Nigeria. Our political immaturity would lead to dismembering the country as soon as any region is granted autonomy,” the politician noted. Galadima warned that the country could disintegrate if urgent steps were not taken to address the growing sense of injustice and marginalisation of sections of the country by the government. He maintained that demands for autonomy and other issues were borne out of perceived injustice and inability of the administration to provide the basic needs of the people. It’s retrogressive — Haliru Mohammed In his submission, immediate past Minister of Defence, Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed described calls for a return to regional structure as retrogressive. According to him, states replaced the regions because of demands by ethnic nationalities for self-determination, adding that a u-turn to the old structure would be a repeat of the scenario where major ethnic groups like Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo were in total control of the regions and marginalised other groups. The former Acting National Chairman of the PDP said rather than advocate regionalism what was required of the country now was to sit down and work out the modus operandi of our federation to accommodate all the ethnic diversities without any section feeling dominated. His words: “Going back to regional structure is going to be retrogressive because states were created because of the demand by ethnic nationalities for self determination. To go back to regional structure where the major ethnic groups like Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo were in complete control of the regions is dangerous. “General Yakubu Gowon responded to the demands of the minority groups and created states to allow for some level of self-determination for ethnic nationalities. Going back will make major ethnic groups to continue to dominate the minorities. Now, there is some level of equality between the nationalities regardless of the number and size. “What Nigeria needs now is to sit down and work out our modus operandi of a federation that would accommodate all our ethnic diversities without one section feeling a sense of domination by others. Federating units should be different ethnic nationalities as we have in states. If there is need for creation of more states like in the case of South-East and also to break some of the larger and more populated states in the North and South, that can be accommodated rather than going back to regions.” However, a former Senator from Kano State, Usman Kabiru Umar, stated that he would support any political restructuring that would bring about a strong, united and progressive Nigeria, where every citizen would have a sense of belonging. “Now, if they say that autonomy and return to parliamentarism would guarantee the promotion of peace, development and a united Nigeria, so be it,” Indeed, Eya, who spoke in his personal capacity as a public commentator, said the South-West clamour for six regions was sound. “Before the Presidential system was introduced, we had four regions. The North accepted the regions and we had Parliamentary system. The presidential system is very expensive; if we continue with it, we will soon go bankrupt. The parliamentary system worked for us. Then, if you did not win an election you cannot become a minister. Now the president appoints ministers from everywhere and they are not accountable to the people. Noting that Ohanaeze had prepared a document on the constitution amendment, he said: “We agree with the South-West on six regions, which should become the federating units. The Federal Government should have nothing to do with state or local government creation. “There is constant demands for new states and local governments because the military made them avenues for getting more allocation from the centre. Local governments should be states’ creation; they are not federating units. We stand for equity, fair-play and justice. The military gave North undue advantage and they do not want to relinquish it,” he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/09/north-tackles-yoruba-leaders-on-autonomy/

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Kogi 2019: Wada rejects outcome By James Azania, Lokoja Even before final announcement of the results of Saturday’s governership election in Kogi State, the candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Musa Wada has rejected the likely outcome. Addressing a press conference, in Lokoja on Sunday, which coincided with the collation of results from the 21 LGAs of the state at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in capital, Wada alleged that the results were all false. He said that what happened in the state over the weekend was neither democracy nor a reflection of the wishes of the electorate. He said that the wishes of the people did not prevail at the polls. He lamented that the police colluded with INEC to undermine the will of the people of the state. He said there is no need allowing for election, “if Okene that had forty thousand accredited voters, now came up with a hundred and twelve thousand.” He described it as a sad day for Kogi people, who he said are in mourning mood. Read Also: BREAKING: APC’s Yahaya Bello leads in Kogi “Do you see anybody rejoicing? Is this how it is the day after a true victory? It is not about me here. It is about the long suffering people of the state who have been under bondage in the last four years. “I won this election free and fair. Just imagine that they leave out the rigged election of Okene, Okehi and the several cases of brutality meted on our supporters, and the widely reported cases of ballot snatching, I would have won neatly,” he declared. Seated by his running mate, Hon. Sam Aro, Wada said that as the party’s flagbearer together with the party, will seek redress at the tribunal. According to him, the APC has taken Nigerians back to the dark days. “The governorship election is not about me, but about another four years of misgovernance that would be midwifed by the APC. The results were already written, and is not a reflection of the people’s wishes,” he asserted.

https://thenationonlineng.net/kogi-2019-wada-rejects-outcome/

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Fasanmi to Afenifere: ignore Obasanjo Afenifere chieftain, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, yesterday urged leaders of the socio-political organisation to avoid former President Olusegunn Obasanjo. He noted that the former President’s agenda was at variance with the objectives of the Pan-Yoruba group. The elder statesman said Obasanjo was seeking relevance, having outlived his political usefulness, adding that it is time for him to really go on political retirement. Fasanmi, who spoke on phone, objected to the invitation extended to Afenifere by the former President to team up with him in his plot to frustrate the second term ambition of President Muhammadu Buhari. Warning the group to beware of the antics of the General, the Afenifere chieftain recalled that Obasanjo once cajoled the group in 2003 to support his second term ambition, only to turn his back against the organisation after his victory. He frowned at the disposition of Obasanjo to Yoruba affairs, regretting that he once described the late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawle (MKO) Abiola as “not the messiah we want”. Fasanmi doubted if Afenifere would embrace Obasanjo with open hands, recalling that one of its leaders described the former President as evil in his book. He said if a section of Afenifere decided to team up with Obasanjo for next year’s elections, it would create fresh divisions in the larger fold. Fasanmi said: “As far as I am concerned, Obasanjo has become a spent force. He wants to be recognised as the one directing the affairs of the nation at every stage: from the time he was military Head of State, civilian President, through (the late President Umaru Musa) Yar’Adua’s time to (former President Goodluck) Jonathan’s period. He has the feeling that he knows it all. “I cannot recognise any invitation from Obasanjo. He described Abiola as not the messiah we were looking up to. Is Obasanjo the messiah now? I think he should retire. I know Obasanjo well. He cannot enjoy my support.” The former Federal legislator advised Yoruba to be steadfast and support President Buhari in next year’s poll. Urging the Afenifere leader, Chief Rueben Fasoranti and Ayo Adebanjo to ignore Obasanjo’s antics, Fsanmi said the former President was trying to sow new seeds of discord in the group. He added: “Fasoranti and Adebanjo are my good friends. We were in the Jos convention of the Action Group (AG) together. We were followers of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Obasanjo is not sincere. We should not allow Obasanjo’s politics to divide us. “We should be careful about Obasanjo. I have my reservations about him. Yoruba must come together, but not behind Obasanjo; Obasanjo can’t lead us. He was a minister, military Head of State and civilian President. The honour that was conferred on Abiola by President Buhari should have been done by Obasanjo. He did not do it. “We thank President Buhari for doing this. We should support him and not Obasanjo’s agenda. Obasanjo should go into retirement. He only wants to be seen and heard.” Fasanmi also lauded the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the success of its national convention. He said: “Contrary to expectations that things would fall apart at the convention because of the rancour that attended the earlier congresses at the ward, local government and state levels. There was also the issue of the complaints by the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) members that had dominated the media for some time. “So, all eyes were on the party last Saturday as it went into the convention. But the leaders were able to manage these issues maturely and the convention ended well. This is highly commendable. “President Buhari, APC governors, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and some other leaders of the party particularly deserve commendation for displaying sagacity in successfully managing those tough issues. It is hoped that the party will build on this feat as it faces the 2019 elections.” Senator Fasanmi also congratulated Adams Oshiomhole, saying: “The ‘no losers’ attitude of the chairman (Oshiomhole) is the way to go.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/fasanmi-to-afenifere-ignore-obasanjo/

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Desmond Eliot…makes a u-turn By Ben Njoku As the protest over fuel subsidy removal rages, many Nigerian entertainers who initially supported Goodluck Jonathan during his presidential campaign last year have eventually dumped him to his fate. Top on the list of these entertainers is actor Desmond Elliot. He was one of the many Nollywood stars that endorsed Goodluck Jonathan months before the April 2011 polls. Surprisingly, the same actor on Wednesday, made a U-turn on his support for the president, while speaking at the mass protest against the fuel subsidy removal, in Ojota, Lagos. The baby-face actor said the action is not only meant to inflict untold hardship on the innocent masses but also, it is a harsh decision on the part of the government. He took to his Twitter account to express his disappointment in the incumbent administration. He tweeted: ‘We have lost everything we met on the land. Cocoa, palm oil, groundnuts, cotton, cashew and rubber have been forgotten and are better produced by nations who came to learn from us. We have lost our moral compass, our society is fractured, our statehood is threatened. “Our citizens are in all prisons around the world. Some of them prefer foreign prisons to coming back to Nigeria. Our passport is treated with disdain everywhere you present it. Why should our government be this big with special advisers on cassava and beans affairs. Do we need 36 ministers? Why would our president spend close to a billion on food while close to eighty percent live on less than a dollar a day? Why should he budget a billion for generators and diesel when he is urging us to believe in his power sector reform? Why should we believe the government when it says the subsidy gain will be properly reinvested. Bad leadership and coruption must stop. Also Dickson Iroegbu who campaigned for Jonathan has equally dumped him. A notable film maker cum writer, Iroegbu last year relocated to Abuja, all in the bid to campaign for GEJ. “Goodluck for Nigeria” and “It’s Possible” was his slogans then. Lending support to the President last year, Iroegbu said “like many actors, we have seen Jonathan improve by the day. I personally trust him. I can fight for him to shine like a star. He said he will ensure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry, it is not about crying, he has started taking actions already. Mr. President is in dire need of all of us to drive away the hawks in power, and as our leader, he has shown the right direction so far. A little benefit of doubt can solve the “Ifs” theory in film making. If he continues this way, then soon, very soon we shall be united.” Ironically, speaking against the fuel subsidy removal, the notable film maker accused President Jonathan of being insensitive to the plight of the poor masses. His words “I have said it before, it is an insensitive action. It is anti-masses. Personally, I don’t care what government thinks they are doing in the name of palliatives. First and foremost, government should go back to status quo. I feel aggrieved. I feel sad. This deceit must stop.” This government is losing credibility too fast. The price of goods, transportation, medical, and everything else has skyrocketed. People who traveled to various places can’t return to base, we can go on and on. It is quite disheartening. I am also suffering it. People have called me names I don’t deserve, just for supporting President Goodluck Jonathan.” On his own, Segun Arinze urged the president to listen to the voice of the masses and do well to revert the fuel price. He faulted the government for not building trust in the Nigerian citizens before implementing such policy. Arinze whose faction of the Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) recently organised a “Nollywood Roundtable on Deregulation” at Eko Hotel and Suites to drum support for the federal government on the removal of the controversial fuel subsidy was speaking at a television show monitored by HVP. Other Nollywood stars who should bury their faces in shame included Francis Duru who co-ordinated Naija Artistes for Goodluck project with an umbrella body called Goodluck Campaign last year alongside Richard Ossai, veteran actor Olu Jacobs, Monalisa Chinda Ramsey Nuoah Susan Peters, Genevieve Nnaji, Ufuoma Ejenobor, Ngozi Nwosu, Nonso Diobi, Clem Ohameze and Femi Brainard. Others are; Linc and Yul Edochie, Yemi Blaq, Mercy Aigbe, Ejike Asiegbu, Uche Iwuji, Chinyere Winifred, Uche Obodo, Emmanuella Njudigbo, Maureen Solomon, Tony Umez, Emeka Enyiocha, Benita Nzeribe and several top Northern based actors who trooped into the audio visual of the MSquad crew to shoot a video for a song, which was produced by Asuquo. Today, these entertainers are singing a different song. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/nollywood-stars-who-dumped-gej/

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MY father was kidnapped in Nigeria on a Saturday morning in early May. My brother called to tell me, and suddenly there was not enough breathable air in the world. My father is 83 years old. A small, calm, contented man, with a quietly mischievous humor and a luminous faith in God, his beautiful dark skin unlined, his hair in sparse silvery tufts, his life shaped by that stoic, dignified responsibility of being an Igbo first son. He got his doctoral degree at Berkeley in the 1960s, on a scholarship from the United States Agency for International Development; became Nigeria’s first professor of statistics; raised six children and many relatives; and taught at the University of Nigeria for 50 years. Now he makes fun of himself, at how slowly he climbs the stairs, how he forgets his cellphone. He talks often of his childhood, endearing and rambling stories, his words tender with wisdom. Sometimes I record his Igbo proverbs, his turns of phrase. A disciplined diabetic, he takes daily walks and is to be found, after each meal, meticulously recording his carbohydrate grams in a notebook. He spends hours bent over Sudoku. He swallows a handful of pills everyday. His is a generation at dusk. On the morning he was kidnapped, he had a bag of okpa, apples and bottled water that my mother had packed for him. He was in the back seat of his car, his driver at the wheel, on a lonely stretch between Nsukka, the university town where he lives, and Abba, our ancestral hometown. He was going to attend a traditional meeting of men from his age group. A two-hour drive. My mother was planning their late lunch upon his return: pounded yam and a fresh soup. They always called each other when either traveled alone. This time, he didn’t call. She called him and his phone was switched off. They never switched off their phones. Hour after hour, she called and it remained off. Later, her phone rang, and although it was my father’s number calling, a stranger said, “We have your husband.” Kidnappings are not uncommon in southeastern Nigeria and, unlike similar incidents in the Niger Delta, where foreigners are targeted, here it is wealthy or prominent local residents. Still, the number of abductions has declined in the past few years, which perhaps is why my reaction, in the aftermath of my shock, was surprise. My close-knit family banded together more tightly and held vigil by our phones. The kidnappers said they would call back, but they did not. We waited. The desire to urge time forward numbed and ate my soul. My mother took her phone with her everywhere, and she heard it ringing when it wasn’t. The waiting was unbearable. I imagined my father in a diabetic coma. I imagined his octogenarian heart collapsing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/31/opinion/sunday/chimamanda-ngozi-adichie-my-fathers-kidnapping.html?_r=1

Politics

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Order of elections: Bribe claims rock National Assembly Lawmakers may have dumped their agreement with party chiefs to pull the brakes on their plan to override the President’s veto of the Electoral Amendment Bill reversing the order of elections, The Nation learnt yesterday. Unless the National Caucus meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) slated for today at the Aso Villa and the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting billed for tomorrow can convince Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara to get their colleagues to back off; the Senate and the House of Representatives are likely to proceed with the plan, a source said. Supporters of the bill have alleged that “some powerful individuals sympathetic to the President” at the weekend perfected a plan to bribe National Assembly members. The allegation is that pro- executive senators might receive $50,000 each. House of Representatives members sympathetic to the President will each receive $30,000 to “kill the amendment”, which was initiated by the lawmakers. This could however not be independently confirmed. Pro- Buhari senators described the allegation as “hogwash”, saying if there was any such move, those pushing that the National Assembly should override the veto were plotting to induce “ those in their camp financially.” “They are diverting attention from their plan, “a pro- Buhari senator said at the weekend. Lawmakers in support of the bill said the plot to bribe National Assembly members was perfected at “some high profile meetings “in Abuja at the weekend. The meeting was also said to have resolved that “anti-executive lawmakers who have cases with anti-corruption agencies should be threatened with prosecution in days to come”. Those said to have attended were some pro-Buhari governors from the Northwest , the Northcentral and the Northeast. A “minister from Southsouth” was also said to be present. They said they learnt that “some key members of the executive who have been spearheading strategies for President Buhari’s re-election in 2019 were unequivocal that the National Assembly must be stopped from going ahead with plans to veto the President on the electoral bill as amended by us, particularly the order of the 2019 national elections. “ In withholding assent to the bill, the President argued that the amendment by the lawmakers infringed on the constitutional powers of INEC. The President also said that the passage of the bill could lead to a situation where the National Assembly would be seen as legislating for the states on local government management. The Legal Department of the National Assembly, however, faulted the points raised by President Buhari to withhold assent to the bill. It advised the lawmakers to go ahead with overriding the veto if they so wished. The President’s action has further polarised both chambers of the assembly, with those in his support claiming that 54 out of the 109 senators have indicated their intention to vote against overriding the veto. An anti – Buhari senator rejected the claim that 54 senators might vote against overriding the veto. “But for the death of Senator Ali Wakili (Bauchi South) the Senate would have voted on the veto last Thursday. And all this would have been laid to rest, “ he said. A source at the weekend insisted that the plan to override President Buhari’s veto was “still very much on”. The National Assembly has continued with mobilising for signatures in support of a possible override of the President’s veto. The source claimed that 67 senators had signed “a pro-Senate register to override the President’s veto. The number, said to have been in a register kept by a Northeast senator, the source claimed, swelled to 67 from last week’s 63. According to the source, “the number of senators might rise far beyond 80 if the more than 20 others said to be sitting on the fence sign up this week”. It was also learnt that pro-Buhari senators are unrelenting in their push to stall the plot to override the President. The source said: “The Pro-Saraki group has encouraged some of its members to infiltrate the rank of the Pro-Buhari group to give them a false sense of hope that they are greater in number. That makes the pro-Buhari group have a false sense of improvement but the senators know where they really belong. ”A meeting of the pro- Senate group held in Lagos after the wedding party of the daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, at the weekend. The meeting afforded the Pro-Senate Senators the opportunity to review the register and it was affirmed that 67 senators have so far signed,” the source said. He noted that about 20 senators believed to be sitting on the fence who had been neutral in the meetings of the Pro-Senate and Pro-Buhari so far are set to sign the register. It was learnt that three Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) joined the Senators at the Lagos meeting. The Lagos meeting, it was gathered, adopted the interpretation of the law that the two-thirds majority required to override the President’s veto are “those present in each chamber and not two-thirds majority of all members of the Senate or the House”. The source noted that baring last-minute changes, “the plan to over ride veto may start this week because the Senate leadership is sure of sufficient number to act and get the desired results”. Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim insisted that the Electoral Act amendment 2018 is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agenda aimed at frustrating the APC during the 2019 election. The Katsina South lawmaker, who spoke in Abuja, insisted that those plotting to override the President’s assent on the Bill will fail. To him, it is practically impossible for those plotting to override the assent of the President to secure two-third majority on the floor of the upper chamber. Ibrahim described the adoption of the conference report which placed presidential election last in reordered sequence of elections as an afterthought that will be defeated on the floor of the Senate. He said: “I am sure there is no way we can override the President on the floor of the Senate. They cannot get the two-third required to override Mr. President. I am against the Bill. You cannot just come now and say you want to change the election sequence. I will not for vote for it. I will stand up to oppose it even if it is only me alone. I will oppose it. I am from Katsina State. Whatever happens, I will oppose it.” “Even if the National Assembly has the power to reorder election sequence, it remained an afterthought coming when it did. “The PDP has no president, APC has. From the totality of the Bill, this Bill is working for the PDP, not APC. The Bill is PDP agenda.” On the legal advice which dismissed the premise upon which President Buhari withheld assent to the Bill, Ibrahim noted that whatever the legal advice might be, it will still come to the floor of the Senate for consideration. Ibrahim asked Nigerians not to worry about the Bill since “it will die a natural death”. Nigerians, he said, should rather worry about the inability of the National Assembly to pass the 2018 budget months after it was presented. He also said that Nigerians should be worried about the inability of the Senate to confirm many nominees forwarded to it for consideration and approval. On the insinuation that the leadership of the National Assembly is divided on the Bill, Ibrahim said that might not be far from the truth since the leadership has not spoken openly about the Bill. He said: “As an experienced senator, I can see there is a problem somewhere, which we have to address. Part of it is what the President did the other day by meeting the leadership of the two chambers to find a meeting point.” Ibrahim insisted that Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara must, at all times, be mindful of what their members wanted “because we are the people who put them in office”. The lawmaker who described the National Assembly as the melting pot of different realities noted “everything we do, there will be differences because individual, ethnic, religious and political affiliations”. The differences, he said, remained the live wire of the National Assembly, which should not surprise anybody.

http://thenationonlineng.net/order-elections-bribe-claims-rock-national-assembly/

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By Johnbosco Agbakwuru GOVERNOR Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state, Monday prayed that God should give Nigeria a president “who has good heart like President Muhammadu Buhari for the good of this country.” The governor also said that the people of South East are grateful to President Buhari for what he described as mega projects the President was doing in the zone. Governor Umahi, who spoke to State House correspondents after meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, condemned the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, describing it as the worst thing to happen to the economy of the area. He said those observing the IPOB’s sit-at-home order even when the separatist group had cancelled the order were doing so out of fear. He advised those holding federal positions from the zone to always visit their states and identify with their people so in order to help to determine whether the people are marginalized as claimed in some quarters. The governor commended President Buhari on some landmark projects in South East especially the Second Niger Bridge which he said was becoming a reality, the award of the eastern corridor of the railway line which he said would fast track commercial activities in the area. On why he was at the State House, he said, “I came to see, Mr. President. One is to thank him very highly for a number of mega projects that he is doing in the southeast. The second Niger bridge is fast and fast becoming a reality. Each time we visit that bridge location it is always like a dream. “So we the people of South East are very grateful to Mr. President for this. We also thank him for the award of this Eastern corridor of the railway line. This is a project that is going to fast track the commercial activities of our people. “I recall that when I was in school, I used to join train from my state, Ebonyi, and then get up to Maiduguri where my brothers were staying for my holidays. “Mr. President is about restoring that hope. We are deeply very grateful. But I also reminded Mr. President that one of his cardinal objectives is to integrate in South East or the state capitals, but in putting together the project through South East that the capital of Ebonyi state, which is Abakaliki, and capital of Anambra state, which is Awka, were omitted. “And I reminded, Mr. President that the South East governors had requested that I write which I did, but not yet approved by the Honourable Minister of Transport, which Mr. President said he will find out why they were omitted in the first place. “I am very, very hopeful that Mr. President is going to give approval to those two locations. And also the limestone grants to fast track the fertiliser presidential initiative, which has helped the country Nigeria so much in food sufficiency. “Let me point out that without the effort of Mr. President, through this fertiliser initiative and other programmes in agricultural sector, it would have been a very difficult time for this country. And so that project is supposed to produce a large set of granules to enable us produce fertilisers to serve the South-South, South East, and part of North Central. “Mr. President has already approved the funds and released to Solid Mineral Development Fund. But part of the requirement is that there must be SPV integration or private sector initiative. They have applied to Mr. President for approval through the Chief of Staff. So we had to remind Mr. President. “Lastly, four years back, Mr. President was in Ebonyi state about November to commission a number of projects and lay foundation stone to others. I reminded Mr. President that we are expecting him four years later, which would be November for him to come to Ebonyi State. The last time he spent one night but this time we are asking him to spend three nights. “We have over 20 different projects that we consider good enough for Mr. president to commission. We have completed the Muhammadu Buhari light tunnel bridge complex, the first of its kind in Africa. for Mr. President to commission. “We have gotten to the stage of completing the best medical center, King David University of Medical Sciences, the best in Africa. We have completed the largest mall, the most beautiful mall you can see anywhere in West Africa. “We have completed additional six twin flyover bridges, well decorated and beautiful. We want Mr. President to commission it. We want Mr. President to commission the St. Margeret international market, the largest market in West Africa. “We have over 200 kilometre concrete roads in Ebonyi state, some of them federal roads, some concrete roads. We have over 1000 kilometre road completed, since my first tenure. Of course, the list can be unexhaustive here. Even the three agric Industrial clusters are ready for Mr. President to commission. “We also have a number of ongoing projects. Most of them will terminate at the end of the 2021. Like the International Airport, which Mr. President two years ago gave approval. Now we are the first in the whole Nigeria to build a an international airport runway with concrete that is going to be ready for Mr. President to lay the foundation stone. I will invite him next year to commission it. “We have the first flight about May 29 2022. We also have a number of road projects, especially the 199 kilometre of Abakaliki ring road, of which the state government has completed with 53 kilometre of it. “And of course, the limestone granules is Mr. President project and he has to lay the foundation stone. “But I think after Lagos and Abuja, Ebonyi remains, another state with the highest numbers of flyover and Ebonyi Airport remains the largest after Lagos and Abuja. “So this is why we came and I’m happy that Mr. President, is quite disposed towards visiting us again.” Asked the South East leaders were working together to make sure that the two major political parties have one candidate from the zone for presidency in 2023, he said, “Well, for me, I’m very much entrenched in completing my projects. And I will look into politics when my tenure is remaining one year, which is from May 29 2022. And I think it is the same thing with other governors of South East and by extension, governors of APC. “My position about what you ask is that our people that are in those political parties are making the efforts in selling the need for south East to produce the next president. But I think both the governors and Mr. President should not be distracted, when the elections are done and won, it should be governance. “But in this country, the moment the election is completed, the next one starts. It is the masses that are being cheated. So those whose job are politics and who are not into elected position, or appointed position have all the time and the opportunity to do this conversing. “But I continue to say that power rest in the hands of God. And God, will also give us the next president who has good heart like President Buhari for the good of this country. “We need God’s own anointing for our own anointed President for the interest and unity of this country.” Fielding question on the position of the regional security network, Ebubeagu, he said, “Talking from Ebubeagu position, it’s quite formidable and doing a great job in synergy with all the security agencies. And if you read through the newspapers, you see a lot of exploits that are being done in the South East. It is quite tasking, security wise, and we are tackling it.” On the promise to address the grievances of the youths over the alleged marginalization the Federal Government, he said, “In terms of the issue of youth protest and my asking as the Chairman of South East Governos to give the leaders six months, well, we are on that matter. We have met with Ohaneze and other Igbo leaders and they have set different committees to articulate the goal. We also as leaders, we want to hear from the masses and hear from those in political offices and appointive offices and, the civil service both at the federal and states on the areas of marginalization. “Some of them might be illusions, you know, but I continue to insist that our people that are occupying political offices at the federal level, and the civil service should also identify with our people, because a lot of our people in these places don’t identify with their people. And so we continue to shout marginalisation, we should start from them, they should be able to tell us what they have done. We need to see their faces, we need to identify with them so that the people will appreciate the level of marginalisation so to say. So, this is our position. We are still going to come with some points, if there are merits to meet with Mr. President, then have data to have a tet-a-tet over the matter, but I think things are getting better in South East. “ Asked what he was doing on the continued Monday sit-at-home even though IPOB has suspended it, he said, “Well, I think it is not more or less complying to the directive of IPOB or no IPOB, suspended or not suspended. It is a question of fear. “You know, the easiest thing to do is to carry weapon and kill somebody, and that’s what happened in the past. And that’s why some people in South East are afraid of coming out. Even if you go now to the street and say that… or you hold AK 47. You see everybody will desert the street. So it’s not a question of compliance. It’s a question of fear. “If the security agencies can have enough personnel in the South East, you’ll find out that no South East man wants to miss a day of work. They like to work, they are into trade, commerce, and they want to earn their daily living. “So this is something that the nation Nigeria must know. And it’s something that security agencies must know. Security agencies must know that they owe south East people the duty to protect their lives. And this is the reason why it appears that in some states, there is a compliance of sit at home, even though like you said, IPOB has said, it’s suspended. “But it’s the worst thing to happen to south East because it will destroy the economy of South East. And so I’ve been singing and I have been shouting that South East people should take into knowledge not to allow such thing to happen, because it will cripple the economy of South East.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/09/2023-god-will-give-nigeria-president-with-good-heart-like-buhari-

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VP Yemi Osinbajo, SAN …Orders for overhaul of squad VP Yemi Osinbajo, SANBy Johnbosco Agbakwuru ABUJA- WORRIED by the plethora of complaints over human rights abuses by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria police, otherwise known as SARS, the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo has directed the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris to commence investigations on the allegations. The Acting President has also ordered the Police boss to overhaul the squad with immediate effect to make it strictly intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more. Osinbajo in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja signed by his spokesman, Laolu Akande further directed that the operatives should henceforth bear proper identification anytime they are on duty. The statement read, “Following persistent complaints and reports on the activities of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that border on allegations of human rights violations, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to, with immediate effect, overhaul the management and activities of SARS and ensure that any Unit that will emerge from the process, will be intelligence-driven and restricted to the prevention and detection of armed robbery and kidnapping, and apprehension of offenders linked to the stated offences, and nothing more. “The Acting President has also directed the IGP to ensure that all operatives in the emerging Unit conduct their operations in strict adherence to the rule of law and with due regard to International Human Rights Law and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of suspects. “The operatives should also bear proper identification anytime they are on duty.” He also directed the National Human Rights Commission to set up a Special Panel that will conduct an investigation of the alleged unlawful activities of SARS in order to afford members of the general public the opportunity to present their grievances with a view to ensuring redress. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/08/osinbajo-directs-igp-to-investigate-human-rights-violation-by-sars/

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By Perez Brisibe NIGER Delta activist and traditional Prime Minister of Tuomo Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, Chief Mike Loyibo, has advised the state governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to address the alleged deprivation of the Ijaw people in the state stating that, “Ijaws are fast losing their patience” with him. Loyibo explained that having contributed immensely to the emergence of Okowa as governor, it is only fair and just in the spirit of equity, to position the Ijaws strategically in his cabinet. Puncturing claims that Ijaws have benefited immensely from the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration, having occupied the position of Deputy Governor and Chief of Staff, Loyibo said, “That is not enough to be blindfolded.” Loyibo made his position known in a statement yesterday while reacting to the approval of 70 roads in the state by the State Executive Council. He said: “The patience of the Ijaw people is fast running out having been shortchanged in this administration despite their political contributions. “We as Ijaw leaders, are being constantly harassed by our people on the level of political abandonment the Okowa administration has meted out on the Ijaw people. “Only yesterday, my attention was drawn to the approval of 70 roads by the State Executive Council to be constructed in various parts of the state. “In as much as we would want to commend the state government for its developmental efforts in the state, it is with utmost sadness that we found out that not one of those road project is cited in an Ijaw community. “We all know that the Ijaw areas of Delta State are bedeviled with underdevelopment despite their contribution to the state treasury and we feel this should be addressed as soon as possible.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/05/opc-ijaw-leader-meet-avoid-avengers-threat-lagos/Ijaws

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By Joseph Erunke ABUJA – A group of Nigerian youths not favourably disposed to going ahead with this month’s general elections,due to the inability of many registered voters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards,PVCs, protested to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, yesterday,to demand postponment. The group, under the aegis of Forum for Democratic Change,FDC, led by its National coordinator, Solomon Chuks, said going ahead with the election this month,will disenfranchise Nigerians. Chucks,who presented the group’s protest letter to the INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, insisted that going ahead with the polls will deny many Nigerians their constitutional rights to choose their preferred leaders through ballot. “The PVC which is supposed to be one of the instruments of votes has not been fully separated around Nigeria. “Those people who actually remain under scorching sun to sign their names for these PVCs have not gotten these things, yet elections are fast approaching,”he said. He said the action of the group was the demonstration of its anger against the commission to effectively and successfully distribute the items to their legitimate owners before the commencement of the polls,asking INEC to shift the elections so that it can take care of the situation before the elections commence. He said: “I want to correct one impression. This is not a protest. It is a procession to register the grievances of the Nigerian masses as regards the coming election. The Nigerian masses believe that what is worth doing is worth doing well.” They chanted for the polls postponement citing the challenges in the Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) distribution and avoiding injustice to the large number of Nigerians who could not get their PVCs. The group, which met at the Unity Fountain, in Abuja, matched to the INEC headquarters, holding banners and placards that advocate for the election postponement. Some of the placards raised by the marching youths had inscriptions such as: “An injustice to one is an injustice to all; “INEC do the right thing”; “We demand for the extension of election to allow Nigerians exercise their franchise”; “Election is for general participation, not for selective few”;Don’t disenfranchise Nigerians” among others. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/protesters-storm-inec-office-demand-election-postponement/

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If men were God, I won’t be Governor-elect, says Abiodun Winner of the March 9, governorship election in Ogun state, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, on Sunday declared that if some “men were God,” he would not have become the Governor – elect of the state. Abiodun who revealed that what had kept him going in the journey of life despite daunting challenges is his absolute and unshakeable faith in God, saying such faith was anchored on the message of Christ in Mark 11:23, which assured that an unwavering faith could relocate a mountain from one point to another. The successful entrepreneur, oil magnate and real estate player made this known at St. James Anglican Church, Iperu, his home town, during a Thanksgiving Service to appreciate Almighty God for protection and victory at the gubernatorial poll in the Gateway state. Prominent personalities at Thanksgiving Service include former Ogun and Ekiti State governors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Kwara state Governor-Elect, Alhaji Abdulraheem Razaq, Senators Buruji Kashamu, Gbenga Kaka, Gbolahan Dada, Biyi Durojaiye, Senator Solomon Adeola (aka Yayi), Prof Toyin Ashiru and Otunba Bimbo Ashiru. Also in attendance are Dr Femi Majekodunmi, Prince Segun Adesegun, Chief Toyin Okeowo, Ogun West Senator-elect, Chief Tolu Odebiyi, Otunba Rotimi Paseda, Hon Kayode Oladele, royal fathers, among others. The Governor – elect on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recalled that he was pained and heartbroken in 2015 when he lost in the contest for the Ogun East senatorial seat but kept pressing forward undaunted because an inner voice was telling him he still has a vision yet to be accomplished. He pledged to run an equitable, just, accountable and a transparent government which would create a public, private partnership for the benefits of Ogun state, the citizens and residents. Abiodun said: “my victory has a hand of God. My friends and people around me were asking, “Dapo, what has kept you going ahead in your ambition? What has propelled you? But I remained focus in God and unshakeable. For you to succeed, you don’t have to have doubts in your mind. Read Also: OPC greets Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun “In my spirit, I have a mission for my country. I didn’t give up. For you to succeed, you should learn to get up and go. Also, you should have convictions. “I always refer to the book of Mark 11:23. Honestly if men were God I wouldn’t have been here. In the 90s when I came back from the university, I offered to serve the people of Ogun state but I came second in that contest. “Immediately after the primaries I joined Otunba Gbenga Daniel and campaigned for him, eventually he became governor. “Again, In 2011 I joined hands with the incumbent governor(Ibikunle Amosun) to win the election. In 2015 I offered to become the senator but I wasn’t successful in that race but I was pained and heartbroken but I didn’t give up because something continued to tell me that I have a vision which is yet to be unaccomplished. “Today, what I want you to take home from here is that we should never give up because many times when we meet disappointment, it is just an avenue to close a window for a double door to be opened. “I want to assure you that we would lead an equitable and a transparent government which will create a public , private partnership for all, so help me God. “I want to thank you all for been here today. We would have postponed this thanks given service until after inauguration but we want to quickly acknowledge the fact that this is an act of God. “Few days ago, I was with one of the paramount rulers in the state to thank him for his support and that which was rendered by his people and he said to me that, even the leafs are singing and dancing over your victory. “I pray may all of us enjoy this kind of victory in our individual homes in Jesus name.” In his sermon, the Archbishop Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Olusina Fape, said it is God that made Abiodun Governor – elect for a purpose in Ogun state. Fape said Abiodun’s value could only be determined when he begins to effect real and positive changes in the lives Ogun people and the state. He advised the Governor – elect to shun sycophants and surround himself with people of integrity when assembling members of his cabinet, praying that God would help him to succeed. Fape also advised him not to allow himself to be carried away by the excitement and euphoria of electoral victory, lest he forgets those who God used to help him to the position of a Governor after being sworn – in. The Archbishop who also doubles as the Bishop of Remo diocese of Anglican Church, urged him not to turn his back on the structure of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state as it provided him the vehicle on which he rides to power. Fape said: “A stream that forgets its source will definitely go dry. It is not that we don’t have people with credible character in this country, but our problem is nepotism. “And I will advise you to select able people of Faith to be able to be a ruler over hundreds and thousands of men and women. “There are many things yearning for attentions at this auspicious time you are coming in as governor. Your father and mother are your first destiny helpers. So, in your own case, as governor, you have become parent to all and sundry in Ogun state. “Ask God for destiny helpers to work with you to be able to take Ogun State to a greater height. “As a consumate entrepreneur, we know your antecedent, you have not come to steal the state funds to build your house, but have been blessed already. You are already loaded. “You need destiny helpers to fulfil all your electoral promises”, said the Bishop. God has appointed everyone to succeed. You and your wife (Bamidele) will not fail. Whatever you lay your hands upon, you will succeed.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/if-men-were-god-i-wont-be-governor-elect-says-abiodun/

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to a call by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asking for the impeachment of the state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. APC in a statement by its spokesperson in Lagos, Seye Oladejo, Alleged that the main opposition was plotting to govern the state from the back door. Also, the party accused the PDP of playing a condemnable role during the #EndSARS protest. READ ALSO: 'We Can No Longer Trust A Governor Who Denies Conspiracy', PDP Asks Sanwo-Olu To Step Down “PDP wants to govern Lagos state through the back door after persistent rejection at the polls remains a nightmare”. “The call for resignation remains the wish of a frustrated opposition battling its permanent implosion. “The PDP in Lagos State that suddenly came to life in the past week owes the innocent members of the public detailed explanation about its ignominious and condemnable role in the mayhem. “The intermittent falsehood about governance in the state fed to the unsuspecting public fanned the ember of the unprecedented violence which has left in its wake sorrow, tears, and blood. “The daylight murder of police officers and the razing of several stations across the state has no doubt taken its toll on our security architecture, but the state government is working assiduously to provide temporary accommodation to forestall the breakdown of law and order. We are persuaded by the firm assurance of the governor to revamp our losses in no time,” the statement by APC read. It will be recalled that PDP earlier had earlier asked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to relinquish his position as the governor of Lagos State. According to the PDP, the people no longer had trust in a governor that could conveniently deny a conspiracy.

https://allnews.ng/news/endsars-pdp-wants-to-govern-lagos-from-the-back-door-apc

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Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday said the Supreme Court judgment dismissing his appeal to stop his probe over an alleged N96 billion fraud has vindicated him. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had earlier described the judgment as a vindication of his administration’s decision to probe Mr Amaechi. “Nigeria’s apex court today ruled on the Appeal filed by Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi against the Rivers State Government on the Justice Omereji Judicial Commission of Inquiry,” a statement released by Amaechi’s media office said. READ ALSO: Rivers Leaders Will Decide If We Prosecute Amaechi – Wike “The Supreme Court in dismissing the Appeal however pronounced that the function of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry was mere investigative, that nobody, neither Amaechi nor anyone else, was on trial before the panel. “The Supreme Court ruling clearly vindicates the former Governor of Rivers State. The apex court was categorical and clear that Amaechi was not on trial. The implication of this is that any indictment from the Commission is null and void and cannot stand. “With this judgment, Amaechi has been vindicated and cleared him of all purported or alleged indictment by the Governor Wike’s Commission. It has been further settled that the decisions/recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry and subsequent White Paper issued by the State Government is not a conviction or indictment and cannot stand. “From the onset, it was obvious to any discerning mind that the Commission was set up to embarrass, denigrate and humiliate Amaechi. The apex court judgment today, further buttressed this stance. A Commission purportedly set up to investigate past financial transactions was actually a Commission to personally witch-hunt Amaechi.”

https://www.channelstv.com/2022/05/27/alleged-n96bn-fraud-supreme-court-judgment

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arrested former Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos. Obiano, who has been on the Commission’s watchlist for months, was arrested at about 8.30pm. He was reportedly on his way out of the country to Houston, Texas in the United States after handing over to his successor, Governor Charles Soludo. Channels Television had reported last November how the EFCC had placed Mr Obiano on a watchlist. READ ALSO: Soludo Sworn In As Anambra Governor In Low-Key Event The EFCC had requested the Nigeria Immigration Service to inform it anytime the Governor is travelling out of the country from any of the international airports, as well as other points of entry and exit. It is, however, not yet clear why the anti-graft agency placed the governor on a watchlist. Sources told Channels Television that the move was an indication that the agency may have been discreetly investigating the governor and possibly have intelligence that he was planning to escape after handing over power to his successor, Professor Charles Soludo, on March 16, 2022. Former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Don Adinuba, had, at the time, condemned the EFCC watchlist reports, claiming that they were politically motivated. “Governor Obiano has a whole four months to remain in office as the Anambra State chief executive,” Adinuba said. “Nobody in Nigeria can circumscribe his constitutionally conferred immunity which shields him from both criminal and civil prosecution. “The EFCC went too far to announce in November that it is observing him. We are not aware of any state governor who had up to four months to be in office and the EFCC went on to sponsor media reports that he was being investigated.”

https://www.channelstv.com/2022/03/17/just-in-efcc-arrests-willie-obiano-at-lagos-airport/

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Chief Willie Obiano By Chimaobi Nwaiwu THE All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in Ihiala Local Government Area, has called on former beneficiaries of the goodwill of the party to stop antagonizing the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano. Chairman of APGA in Ihiala Local Government Area, Chief Cyprian Obi, who said this, frowned at what he called the ingratitude of those who benefited from the party. He said: “A situation where the greatest beneficiaries from the party, who made name, money through elective and appointive positions in the state, will leave the party only to create unnecessary bad blood and malice against the incumbent governor is bad. “Those who have occupied political offices in elective and appointive capacities courtesy off APGA, should shut up their mouths, as no amount of smear campaign from them will make the people of the state not to re-elect Willie Obiano for a second term.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/stop-berating-gov-obiano-apga-warns/

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The Court D’Appal of Cotonou has decided to detain Yoruba Nation agitator Sunday Igboho, in prison custody, pending further investigation. The court rejected Nigeria’s request for his immediate extradition of Igboho. The Court, which was expected to start hearing the case at 10:00am, began sitting at 5p.m after the police ejected Igboho’s supporters and journalists. According to reports, the session lasted till about midnight, when the court decided to hold Igboho in prison. The BBC reported that the police had brought Igboho to court as early as 7 a.m to beat Igboho’s crowd of supporters. Igboho spent over 15 hours inside the prosecutor office as lawyers and the state argued whether to release him or further detain him. After long hours, the court decided to detain him further. Many supporters had jammed the court early today, in expectation that the case would come up at 10 a.m. But the police moved in to disperse them from the court. This prompted fears that the court was preparing grounds to extradite him to Nigeria. The Buhari government accuses Igboho of trafficking in arms, inciting violence to disrupt the public peace and agitating for secession. It wants him sent to Nigeria by extradition, though lawyers said Nigeria and Benin have no extradition treaty. Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested at the Cardinal Bernardin International Airport, Cotonou, last Monday while trying to catch a flight to Germany. However, Ropo, who is a German citizen was set free by the court on Thursday. Igboho was remanded in the custody of Brigade Criminelle in Cotonou. Igboho was placed on the wanted list on July 1 by the Department of State Services (DSS) after its operatives raided his Soka residence in Ibadan. They killed two of his aides and arrested 13 others during the operation.

https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2021/07/27/just-in-benin-court-sends-igboho-to-prison-rejects-extradition/?utm_source=&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=just-in-benin-court-sends-igboho-to-prison-rejects-extradition

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Adamu announces Lawan as Buhari’s choice Crisis has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) after national chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu announced Senate President Ahmed Lawan as President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice to fly the party’s presidential flag. Adamu made the announcement at the meeting of National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja. Other aspirants including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Dr. Kayode Fayemi and David Umahi, among others will however be allowed to contest the primary at the convention holding tomorrow at the Eagle Square, Abuja. Read Also: APC Primaries: Tinubu tipped to win The NWC members insisted other aspirants must be given a level playing ground to compete. Adamu’s announcement of Lawan as Buhari’s choice is against the position of 11 APC northern Governors, who endorsed that power must shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure. Adamu told the National Working Committee that he arrived at the choice of Lawan after consultation with President Buhari.

https://thenationonlineng.net/breaking-adamu-announces-lawan-as-consensus-candidate/?utm_medium=Social

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Suspected herdsmen ‘annex’, hoist flag near Fayemi’s hometown By Rasaq Ibrahim, Ado-Ekiti Some suspected herdsmen have reportedly taken over some areas covering about 8km in Orin-Ekiti, Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti State near Governor Kayode Fayemi’s hometown, Isan-Ekiti. The Nation gathered that the herders hoisted a red flag at the ‘annexed’ farmlands where they warned farmers to keep off or face death. Residents told journalist on Wednesday during a protest that the herders occupied and destroyed crops planted on the abandoned 2500 acres of land at Orin Farm settlement. The protesters, comprising old and young men and women, chanted derisive songs against the invaders with placards bearing their thoughts and agitations including ‘What is our sin?’; ‘Enough is Enough’; ‘Save Orin Ekiti from herdsmen invasion’; ‘We are tired of molestation by herdsmen’; ‘Government must relocate Fulani Herdsmen’, among others. While addressing journalists, the Onikare of Orin-Ekiti, Chief Bamidele Fasuyi, alleged one Emmanuel Ilori had been allegedly killed by suspected herders while the Tiv people farming in the town were chased away. He regretted that the suspected herdsmen, had destroyed crops worth over N50million belonging to 70 farmers. “What they wanted is to invade our land and chase us away. They even killed one of our able bodied men this year. They are imposing some curfew in this town, because our youths can’t go to farm freely and government has not been doing something. Several hectares of land had been destroyed. They used to operate at night with AK 47 rifle. “Over 70 farmers were affected in our record. Crops worth N50 million have been ravaged . They ate up their products like Coco yam, yam, cassava and others and made them to incur debts. “We appeal to government to use the 2500 acres of land for farming. The state and federal government as well as private bodies should come to our aid. There were facilities like electricity, buildings and equipment that can aid farming if they want to invest “. A youth leader, Mr. Omotoso Mathew Kayode, alleged that the suspected herders had hoisted a flag at the farm settlement, where they warned the farmers to keep off or face death. “They wrote keep off with a picture of a cattle rearer on the flag. This is a serious threat. The police , NSCDC and soldiers removed the flag last year but they had hoisted another one. READ ALSO: Suspected herdsmen destroy rice farm “We used to do night guard to ward off attack,because the police had found it difficult to arrest them. Our graduates who have no jobs were going into farming but they are suffering losses because of destruction by cows. “They must vacate the place. Governor Kayode Fayemi must relocate them. From our findings, they used to enter into this place from neighbouring towns like Isan, Ayede and Ido and we are suspecting conspiracy .There may be famine in the land with the way things are going . “We are not compromising our stand on this relocation. Chief Obafemi Awolowo-led government in the old Western region acquired the land in 1958 for arable farming and not for cattle ranching”. Omotoso, however, appealed to Fayemi to assist them in getting back their farmland and compensate the farmers. He further urged the state government to provide adequate security in the community, noting residents could no longer sleep with two eyes closed as they all live in trepidation. The Oniwaro of Orin, Chief Mathew Oke, said Fayemi should comply with his promise to build a police station in the town and rejuvenate the farm settlement to ward off herdsmen invasion in the area.

https://thenationonlineng.net/suspected-herdsmen-annex-hoist-flag-near-fayemis-hometown/

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By Chuks Iloegbunam SOMEONE recently placed on the table an impossible proposition. She said to do a comparative analysis of President Goodluck Jonathan and General Muhammadu Buhari! Among her interlocutors, the suggestion instantly elicited an argument. How does one compare day and night? Is not the former resplendent light and the latter pitch darkness? The conversation should actually be one of contrastive analysis, beginning with how both men appropriated political power. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was elected President of Nigeria in a ballot declared by both local and international observers to be, in every respect, better and more credible than the ones that led Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to Aso Rock, the Nigerian seat of the presidency. In contradistinction, Major General Muhammadu Buhari toppled the Nigerian Constitution on the last day of 1983 in order to become the Military Head of State. The common denominator here is that both men attained the political leadership of the country, Jonathan by the people’s mandate and Buhari through the barrel of the gun. This makes Buhari a very lucky man indeed, given what obtains in other countries whose historical circumstances are afflicted by the aberration of military dictatorship. Take the example of the Greek Colonels who seized power on April 21, 1967 and made an elongated mess of the cradle of democracy until July 24, 1974 when, utterly discredited, they were forced from office. Less than a year later, the elected government of Konstantin Karamanlis had the members of the sacked junta arrested, detained and put on trial for high treason and insurrection. Four ring leaders of the Colonels’ Coup – Papadopoulos, Pattakos, Makarezos and Ioannidis were sentenced to death; the sentences were later commuted to life imprisonment. Hundreds of other officers were equally handed long stretches behind bars, to teach them that “the head is bigger than the body!” But, what do Nigerians have? The longest streets in the major towns and cities are named after those who toppled the constitution, who went on to enjoy two pensions – one as retired military brass and two, as retired heads of government! That explains why Buhari is today running to be President of Nigeria – for the fourth unprecedented time. But to return to the contrastive analysis. In March 1976, General Olusegun Obasanjo, as head of the military junta, appointed Buhari the Federal Commissioner (Minister) for Petroleum and Natural Resources. That same year the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was created with Buhari as its Chairman; he held both positions until 1978. During his tenure, however, $2.8 billion allegedly went missing from the accounts of the NNPC. The allegation set off a major national controversy that, in 1980, prompted President Shehu Shagari to inaugurate the Crude Oil Sales Tribunal of Inquiry, headed by Justice Ayo Gabriel Irikefe, to establish the veracity or otherwise of the story. Although the Tribunal could not substantiate the allegation of the missing billions, its limitation lay in the unexplained failure to summon Generals Obasanjo and Buhari, who as Head of State and Oil Minister/NNPC chairman respectively, controlled oil sales during the period in question. Following that missing billions saga, Buhari had it in for the national media which he held responsible for introducing the story, using it almost to the pointof turning the country into something of a tinderbox. He got his pound of flesh back when he seized power in December 1983 and enacted the notorious Decree Number 4 of 1984 which comprehensively circumscribed and emasculated press freedom. President Jonathan, on the contrary, reacted with enlightenment and vision to negative press. During Buhari’s dictatorship, the social media did not exit. Not even in fictional works. But both the orthodox and social media descended on Jonathan with extreme prejudice, abusing, calumniating, castigating, denigrating, disparaging, lambasting and pillorying him on 24/7 basis. Further, they homed in on the President’s wife, ceaselessly and incessantly ridiculing her, claiming that her English was not only atrocious but also rendered in accents unbecoming of a First Lady. Her traducers didn’t depose any reasons why Dame Patience should speak English with cadencies and tonal inflections of Queen Elizabeth ll. They were wrong on her English because content analysis of the spoken English and grammar of her predecessors did not confirm that any of Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Mrs. Ajoke Muhammed, Mrs. Sefinatu Buhari, Mrs. Maryam Babangida, Mrs. Maryam Abacha and Mrs. Stella Obasanjo excelled her in those departments. Yet, not one of these blessed First Ladies was ever subjected to any disrespect or obloquy on account of perceived diffidence in diction and elocution. How did President Jonathan react to all of the bad faith? Wearing a smile, he carefully skirted around the howls of execration to hand Nigeria its first and only Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. General Buhari told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that “If Nigeria does not kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.” How have both men been tackling the cankerworm? Buhari tried politicians in military tribunals and handed then sentences that ran into hundreds of “Calendar Years”! Not one of those afflicted with such Draconian backlash served up to a year in jail. They were all set free. Not a single one of them is perceived to be corrupt on account of their trial by Buhari’s kangaroo courts.All that may be three decades ago. Today, a key Buhari supporter is reported to own the following on account of having served as Governor: two massive hotels, many shopping complexes, an airline, a concession company, an amusement park, numerous estates and countless media organizations. What does Buhari have to say on this score, given that non-tolerance of corruption is a cardinal pillar of his electoral campaign? Nothing! But President Jonathan has been fighting corruption with institutional reforms. His government introduced the Integrated Payroll System which employs the use of biometrics to check the scourge of ghost workers, 66,000 of whom had been fished out as at the last count,thereby saving the government some N139 billion in annual,phantom paychecks. The Jonathan government ended the 40-year old corruption in the fertilizer sector. The government halted the corruption by resolutely removing government from direct procurement of fertilizers. In January 2012, President Jonathan also moved to wipe away the corruption tied to oil subsidies. But a very well-known opposition character fuelled daily protests in Lagos, paying and feeding vagrants and professional agitators to mass at the Freedom Square, to engineer instability. Many opposition voices claimed there was monumental corruption at the NNPC. They mentioned sums ranging from $10 billion to $50 billion as having been plundered. This immediately led to a national uproar. The Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, investigated the allegation and, despite being people by many APC members, concluded that it was devoid of truth as no money was missing at the NNPC. The Committee described the allegations as “misleading and highly destabilizing.” Heedless, the APC ran with the narrative, generating so much pointless heat. Unlike Buhari who flew off the handle when $2.8 billion allegedly disappeared under his watch at the NNPC in the late 1970s, President Jonathan ordered a forensic auditing of NNPC’s books. Dr.NgoziOkonjo-Iweala, the Finance Minister, appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the biggest and most renowned auditing firms in the world, to carry out the forensic audit of the NNPC. Like Makarfi’s Senate Committee, PwC also found that there was no truth whatsoever in the allegations of missing money at the NNPC, lending further credence to the Jonathan administration’s fight against corruption through reforms ! What about the other contrasts – including those in the areas of the economy and national security – between Dr. Jonathan and Alhaji Buhari? They would be discussed in the second half of this effort to separate the wheat from the chaff. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/02/between-jonathan-and-buhari-1-2/

Politics

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By Kingsley Fanwo LOKOJA—The campaign train of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, hit Igalamela/Odolu and Ofu Local Government areas, weekend, with the governor and the candidate of the party in the November 21 governorship poll, Idris Wada, assuring the people of continued delivery of democracy dividends. At Ofu Local Government Area, the home base of the candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Abubakar Audu, 12,700 APC members officially defected to PDP from All Progressives Congress, APC. One of the defectors, Simeon Adejoh, told Vanguard that their decision was hinged on the transformation agenda of Governor Wada. Speaking on behalf of the people of the local government, the member representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly, Elder Friday Makama, assured the governor that PDP would win over 80 percent of the votes in the area. He said: “I will continue to say it that APC cannot penetrate Igalamela/Odolu. All our political leaders here are PDP and our people have asked me to tell his Excellency that on November 21, they shall show their appreciation for all the governor has been doing in the constituency.” Speaking at the rally, the governor assured the people that he will do more for them if elected on November 21. He enumerated the projects he had executed in the two local government areas to include roads, healthcare facilities among others. Former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, said the leaders of Kogi East had made it clear that Wada deserved another term, enjoining the people of the area to turn out en masse and vote for the PDP candidate. PPA promises revolution in education Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, Enesi Ozigi, has assured the people of Kogi West of his commitment to infrastructure development in the state. Ozigi gave the assurance while addressing a zonal rally in Kabba on Saturday, saying the time for real transformation was now. He said: “It is not going to come in 2019. It will come now when men and women of goodwill decide to salvage our dear state from underdevelopment. “I thank all the women, youths and artisans who have taken possession of this campaign. “Our message to all Kogites is that we represent the hope of a better and brighter Kogi State. Education is key to development and that is why we are making it the driver of our development goal. “Teachers will be paid well under my administration and we will improve school infrastructures to create a conducive environment for learning. “Health and social security will also be a major concern for our government. With the poverty level in the state today, there is no way our rural women and children can have access to quality healthcare without government intervention. “I stand before you today to pledge that the satanic joint account between the state and Local Government areas will be abolished by our government. A vote for PPA on November 21 is a vote for credible leadership and development.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/12700-dump-apc-for-pdp-in-kogi/

Politics

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BY ROTIMI AGBANA In a matter of days, if not hours from now, founder, Mountain of Liberation and Miracle Ministries (MLMM) aka Liberation City, Dr. Chris Okafor may find himself engulfed in a cauldron of controversies orchestrated by a group of detractors hell-bent on tarnishing his image and bringing down his ministry. The plot was allegedly concluded a few days into 2017, by a splinter group of the church, made up of individuals revolting against certain steps taken by their General Overseer, Dr. Chris, last year. According to reliable inside feelers, the dramatic episode kicked off when Dr. Okafor embarked on a “house cleansing” exercise due to alleged “pastoral misdemeanors” by some ministers of the church. Sources in the church claim some pastors affected by the shake-up were either transferred or re-assigned, including one minister who was recalled back to the headquarters from South Africa. This strange and sudden ministerial shake-up did not go down well with all the affected ministers, making relationships in the church nosedive to a point where the aggrieved ministers reportedly openly ganged up against the popular Televangelist in the latter part of 2016. The plotted conspiracy which is in the final stage is allegedly led by one Pastor Tony Obaseki, and may soon hit the social media. Sources confirm that anxiety in the church has risen to a deplorable level, putting everyone on their toes and further complicating reports of threats by the rebels that they are not only out to assassinate the image of the Dr Chris, but to bring the church to ruins. The last one week has been one of uneasy calm as church members are on tenterhooks waiting for the bubble to burst. If the storm eventually breaks, it would not be a bolt from the blue, thanks to one of the rebellious pastors who unexpectedly broke ranks with his conspiring colleagues and spilled the beans, alongside another conspirator who opted out of the plot when those who conscripted him to give false testimonies against the prophet failed to honour the monetary terms of the engagement. Despite these setbacks, feelers from the camp indicate that the showdown will go on as planned. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/angry-pastors-plot-church-general-overseer/

Religion

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File photo; Tinubu and Buhari – leaders of ACN and CPC By Femi Aribisala ONE month ago, the APC had whipped its supporters into frenzy in believing it is bound to win an election it really has no chance of winning. In truth, if the election had been conducted then for chairman of the EFCC, Muhammadu Buhari would have been declared winner by a landslide. However, with postponement of the election, a lot of water has passed under the bridge. Even Buhari’s self-styled credential as Mr. Integrity has unraveled. Buhari’s entire campaign posture for the 2015 presidential election stands on two shaky grounds. He fashions himself as Mr. Integrity; the implacable enemy of corruption in Nigeria. He is the one who reportedly is going to ensure that corruption is a thing of the past in Nigeria. He is also the one who is going to destroy the Boko Haram in the twinkling of an eye; even though a number of months ago, he was negotiating for amnesty and golden handshakes for the insurgents, and they nominated him as their preferred middleman in any truce negotiation with Nigeria. Things have not gone too well for the Buhari campaign since the postponement of the election. He did not help things by disappearing off the political radar for virtually two weeks. By the time he re-surfaced, Boko Haram was toast. We no longer needed Buhari’s vain promissory notes to deal with the insurgency. One after another, town after town were recovered from the Boko Haram. In many respects, they have been routed as the Nigerian army came into its own after having received its new consignment of weapons. As a result, we are no longer hearing anything from Buhari about whipping Boko Haram. All he had left was his anti-corruption mantra. But that one also came to grief with the airing of AIT’s tripartite documentary entitled: “The Lion of Bourdillon.” This alleged that Bola Tinubu, the self-styled national leader of the APC, is steeped in corruption. It claims Tinubu is the biggest landlord in Lagos, and maintains he has acquired so much property through very sharp practices. While the veracity of these allegations is yet to be ascertained beyond reasonable doubt, the documentary has brought to the fore the flies in the anti-corruption ointment of Buhari. The truth is that corruption in Nigeria is not the exclusive preserve of the PDP. It is also the chronic ailment of the APC. Neither is corruption only the malaise of the Federal Government; it is equally the malaise of state governments, including those ruled by the APC. Indeed, Murtala Nyako of the APC was impeached and removed as governor of Adamawa State partly because it was alleged that he had corruptly enriched himself with government funds. The question then is this: Does Buhari’s so-called zero-tolerance for corruption extend to his APC colleagues? Will Buhari, in the unlikely event that he becomes president, go after APC thieves as well as PDP thieves? Or will he turn a blind eye to APC thieves and molly-cuddle them? Suddenly, the anti-corruption searchlight turned on to Buhari and his friends, and just as suddenly, we discovered what some of us have always known: that Buhari, the Emperor of Anti-Corruption, has no clothes. Buhari’s response to the issue of corruption in APC ranks reeked with sheer hypocrisy and double-standards. Like charity, Buhari’s anti-corruption must begin at home in the APC if it is to be credible. However, Buhari is not inclined to prosecute his friends. Instead, he came up with a pronouncement that virtually rubbished his anti-corruption posture. He said: “Whoever that is indicted of corruption between 1999 to the time of swearing-in, would be pardoned. I am going to draw a line, anybody who involved himself in corruption after I assume office, will face the music.” Insurance for corrupt supporters This means as long as you steal money between 1999 and 2011, you have nothing to fear under a Buhari presidency. This is, of course, an insurance policy for his corrupt supporters, assuring them that they would have nothing to fear by giving him their vote. Buhari did not come out in strident support of Bola Tinubu. He did not come out to tell the world that, contrary to the AIT documentary, the Bola Tinubu he knows is a man of unimpeachable integrity. Instead, he told the world that if there are thieves among his friends, they can rest assured that he would pardon their thievery. When President Jonathan pardoned the former governor of Bayelsa, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a man who had been convicted of corruption and was a refugee from justice from Britain, Nigerians were incensed. This was rightly seen as the president condoning corruption. One would have thought this kind of thing would not occur with a man who talks anti-corruption day and night. However, in the case of Buhari, he would not only pardon one corrupt associate, he would pardon them all. When asked how he was going to get funds to revitalise the economy, Buhari stated that he was going to get all corrupt past leaders and officials cough out their stolen money. This was nothing but a nonsensical policy. It is bizarre and odd for Buhari to think he can run Nigeria, revamp the educational system for example, by recovering stolen money. Where will he get this money from? Who will give it to him? Would such recovered money not amount to a storm in the teacup? But now that he has dumped this anti-corruption charade in favour of a blanket pardon for the corrupt, it is clear that political reality is beginning to erode Buhari’s highfalutin campaign grandstanding. It is equally significant that Buhari’s new stance on corruption comes coincidentally after AIT documentary on “The Lion of Bourdillon,” where one of his most important allies was accused of corruption. Clearly, it is high time Buhari stopped deluding Nigerians that he is genuinely anti-corruption and that he can eradicate corruption in Nigeria by sending corrupt politicians to jail. Buhari was Nigeria’s head-of-state for a period of 18 months in the 1980s. At the time, he ran so rough-shod over the Nigerian judicial system that the Nigerian Bar Association proscribed Nigerian lawyers from appearing in any of Buhari’s kangaroo courts. Buhari sent both corrupt and non-corrupt politicians to jail, sometimes for up to 300 years. Nevertheless, corruption was not eradicated. It continued unabated because it was not addressed structurally. Even the practice under Obasanjo of shooting armed robbers by firing squad in Bar Beach failed to stop armed robbery. All it did was to brutalise the Nigerian public. Jonathan’s effective approach Surely, the more reasonable and effective method is to remove the avenues for corruption. This is what Goodluck Jonathan has been doing. He has sanitized the payroll system by removing some 50,000 ghost-workers, saving the country a whopping N200 billion in the first instance. He has removed the fertilizer middlemen; saving Nigeria hundreds of billions of naira. He has sanitized the electoral register. Over three million ghost voters have been removed; one million in Zamfara State alone. He is going after corruption in the oil sector with the Petroleum Industry Bill. In the vainglorious case of Buhari, it did not help matters that he fought corruption with corruption. He interfered blatantly in the judicial process. The judge who sent Fela to jail later went to apologise to him in hospital afterwards that he did it under government duress. Nevertheless, some members of the Nigerian public, baying for the blood of corrupt politicians, hanker back to the high-handed days of the Buhari era, when the human rights of innocent Nigerians were violated on the altar of anti-corruption, and some Nigerians were even judicially murdered under heinous retroactive decrees. What Buhari is not telling them is that he has no power to do this under today’s democratic dispensation. Buhari goes on the stomp and says: “When we come into power, anyone who steals Nigerian money will end up in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons. We are going to make sure that Nigeria’s wealth belongs only to Nigerians.” But the truth of the matter is that, in a democracy, the president does not have the judicial power to send anybody to Kirikiri. If the EFCC does not prosecute, the president cannot become the chairman of the EFCC. If the judges do not convict, Buhari cannot transform himself into a judge. All those who have been deceived into believing that Buhari will just become president and begin to lock up corrupt politicians left, right and centre are dreaming. In the unlikely event that Buhari becomes president, he will neither have the power to do so, nor the inclination to do so. The reason is simple: many of the thieves are his friends and allies in the APC. Buhari talks change, but he is running around with the old breed of politicians. You can always tell a lot about a man by the composition and character of his friends. Buhari fashions himself as Mr. Integrity, nevertheless, he was not averse to serve under Sani Abacha, one of the most corrupt heads-of-state in the history of Nigeria. Even more significant, Buhari insisted that Abacha was not corrupt at all. On the 10th anniversary of Abacha’s death, Buhari told incredulous Nigerians that all the allegations of looting the treasury leveled against Abacha were “baseless.” He said: “ten years after Abacha, those allegations remain unproven because of lack of facts.” Buhari held this position in spite of the millions of dollars of Abacha’s loot recovered from banks around the world, and in spite of the fact that the Abacha’s family signed a formal agreement to return over $1 billion of such monies to the Nigerian government. We can see therefore that, from the point of view of Buhari, only the PDP has the copyright on corruption. Every allegation of corruption leveled against his friends and financiers must surely be “baseless.” It is this kind of double standard that prompted Buhari to jail Vice-president Ekwueme while only putting President Shagari under house arrest. Fela Anikulapo-Kuti poked fun at this in one of his songs. He said: “Driver commit accident Buhari lock conductor.” Given the many corrupt drivers that abound in Buhari’s APC’s, we can anticipate that he will only be interested in locking up conductors in the unlikely event that he ever becomes president. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/03/buhari-and-the-lion-of-bourdillon/

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By Ben Agande A major disagreement has erupted between the special adviser to the President on Media and Publicity,Dr. Reuben Abati and the Senior special assistant to the president on Public affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, as the former, yesterday, publicly disowned the later, over the reason for the establishment of the 176 Special Forces Battalion of the Brigade of Guards. While the senior special assistant to the president on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe said the establishment of the battalion was because of the threat posed by the fundamental Islamic sect, Boko Haram, the special Adviser to the president on media said the establishment of the Battalion of the Brigade of Guards was not established to protect President Goodluck Jonathan alone. It would be recalled that Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, told journalists that the battalion was established to protect the president from the Boko Haram sect. But speaking with Journalists yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that the new battalion, though part of the Brigade of Guards saddled with the responsibility of presidential protection, was not meant for Jonathan alone. According to him, the approval for the creation of the battalion preceded Jonathan’s Presidency adding that it was to meet the provision of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle which recommends that Brigades must have three battalions. “The approval by the Nigerian Army Council to establish that battalion was given on May 4, 2010. I am sure President Jonathan was not the President then. “What President Jonathan did was only to give the go ahead much later in 2012. “At the inauguration of the battalion’s barracks in Kuje today (Wednesday), it was made clear that the battalion will be in charge of security in Kuje, Gwagwalada up to Niger State. “Even the barracks’ location in Kuje very far away from the Presidential Villa is enough proof that it was not meant to protect the President alone. “It is also apt to say that the Nigerian Army Order of Battle recommends that a Brigade should have three battalions. “Since the Brigade of Guards was relocated to Abuja over two decades, it has been having only two battalions. “So, the establishment of the new battalion was in accordance with the provisions of the Nigerian Army Order of Battle.” Jonathan had on Monday during the presidential change of guards as part of activities to mark the Independence Day celebration, had formally inaugurated the new battalion at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa by presenting the regimental colours. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/boko-haram-abati-okupe-differ-on-establishment-of-new-battalion/

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By Lari Williams Stage and Screen can spearhead the campaign of Re-Branding Nigeria but should be keenly guarded by the knowledge and wisdom of active Censors Board. Also reviewing, reconstructing the Arts and Culture ministry, will ginger fresh interest in Arts and give the Industry the credibility and vitality it needs to invite Government and Private Sector support in giving the necessary service to Re-Branding Nigeria. It is not all about cultural dances to welcome Guests and Dignitaries at Air Terminals; or Home Movies recycling stories of fallen Pastors preaching ‘Christ is the answer’ to the converted, Home video traders have overtaken the Entertainment Market. Now we have film makers without Film Industry, in fact most of our indigenous and pioneer film makers have been forced to retire to other forms of art. Thanks to Ben Bruce for keeping the cinema culture going, with the showing of foreign films, which seem to be exempted from Nigeria’s Films Censoring. The Ministry of Arts and Culture, the Censors board, Nigeria Film Corporation and all the Stake Holders of the Nigerian Entertainment Industry, should find out and be in compromise about the existence of this one tribe Home Video click named Nollywood, Branding Half Baked actresses “Nollywood Actresses” as Nigerian Movie Stars. I have never heard of “Hollywood actresses”, nor Elstree or Pine Wood Actress, yet those places exist in America and England as studios, but here we don’t have studios or reserved areas called Nollywood yet we name exposed bossom displayed on newspaper spread “Nollywood Actress”. Most of such characters on set, take ten shots before we get a good one. They piece them together to a make a movie and they become stars. None of such girls have the nerve or voice to project on stage through a 500 capacity auditorium. How do we build an Industry with no good stories, no impressive camera shots and no good actors. Our Universities are churning out unemployable graduates. They should be advised to train more actors, not just theatre historians who end up looking for bank jobs and ‘Personal Assistant’ jobs or increasing the queues of jobless graduates. The industry needs them for production. Every Stage Production needs a good number of Actors, Stage Managers, Directors, Producers, Prop. Managers, Lights, Sound Men, etc, To every movie Production, but where do we get them from, if they tell you they are majoring in Arts Criticism, Script Writing, Theatre History Etc. The Arts Ministry needs to turn attention to some of these tips to build a force that can serve this nation in producing movies of our Universities Theatre Art’s departments. Films like Oyenusi, Cry Freedom, Aiye etc. have more meaning and make more meaning to our History and Society. The Government should support the Industry to serve the Nation. This is one Industry that is so disorganized, it has no rules. It is free to admit all, touts or traders, no quality controls, no endowment funds, and no retirement benefit. Yet the Minister find time to propose Five – Star Hotels. It is now more than any other time in history of Nigeria for the Government to mobilize the Entertainment Industry to render this all time service to the Nation. Yes, Nigeria needs re-branding and it could best be done through Stage. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/10/ak-47-wielding-herdsmen-revisit-nimbo-hack-woman-to-death-on-her-farm/https://www.alltimepost.com/2016/04/bloodbath-in-enugu-as-fulani-herdsmen-kill-40/Show

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Ado Ekiti — A legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has advised the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to take the six southwest governors to court over the creation of the joint security network codenamed ‘operation Amotekun’, rather than constituting himself to a Court dishing out judgement. The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, (ABUAD), said it would be gross abuse of court process for the FG to expect the southwest governors to file an action against the FG on operation Amotekun. Babalola, who spoke in Ado Ekiti on Sunday on the Southwest security initiative, which is currently eliciting reaction across the Country, said, the FG should be the one to approach the court to seek redress, since it waited until after the formation of Amotekun before making its position known. According to the legal Icon, “In my opinion, the act has been done, Amotekun had been launched, let them go on. Anybody that feels what they have done is wrong can go to court. They will meet the governors there. All the govs would have to do is to show them the law, the constitution, sections 24, 40, 45. That is it. “What the state governors have done is legal, so why should they bother? Let the FG try to go to court. It is a case that must fail if they go to court. They have not set up a parallel police outfit. No. the constitution says it is your duty to protect the interest of yourself and others and join together in doing so. So simple. The case will be so easy to win. “The Amotekun outfit is a protective and supportive outfit established by the governors of the Southwest. It has its roots in the 1999 Constitution and the previous constitutions before it – 1960, 1963. “Section 24 of the constitution provides that ‘it shall be the duty of every citizen to make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides’. Well-being means security of life and property. How many Nigerians realise that they have a duty to assist and to protect the interest of the community and themselves? “Section 40 goes further that ‘every person shall be entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons, and in particular, he may form or belong to any political party, trade union or any other association for the protection of his interests’. “When you put these two together, it shows that all of us have the duty to associate whether as Yoruba people or as state people to ensure that lives and properties are safe. The Amotekun outfit has its roots in the constitution. It is constitutional, it is legal, it is proper”. Babalola, said he was confidently sure that if the outfit had been established about 10 years ago, the issues of killings, kidnappings and other banditry actions could have been reduced drastically. “What I have just said is that it is to support the police, support the government in their duty to ensure that there is peace, there is safety of property, safety of lives. It is a good idea. It is belated but it is lawful and constitutional. “All that the AGF said is that Article 45 of the constitution, second schedule gives to the FG the exclusive power to manage the police, he did not say that sections 20, 40 and 45 are abrogated. They cannot abrogate it. “The sections I have quoted are superior to the schedule he is talking about and in any event, the governors have not set up a parallel police outfit, what they have done is to set up a supportive and protective organ to assist the police and in their communiqué, they said it would report to the police. “The law says you can join together in association to assist the police. How can the police or any government be angry about this? In fact, the FG should really thank the governors and blame them for coming too late because if this outfit has been on in the last 10 years, we would not have all these kidnappings, crimes. They should immediately thank these people for what they are doing”, he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/you-are-not-court-of-law-take-the-govs-to-court-afe-counsels-malami/

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By Idowu Bankole Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo state, has spent the holiday interacting with social media users, especially those from Imo state. The governor who stated how he relished all the beautiful engagements of Imolites and Nigerians at large, on the social media vowed to “process applicable ones for integration into our series of programs and policies geared towards a greater Imo State.” In his post on Twitter, obtained by Vanguard Digital, Uzodimma noted he “was elated reading directly, pure expressions from Imolites and well-wishers.” “During the holiday, I spent some time on social media; from the banters on Twitter to the entertainment on Instagram and the discussions on Facebook, relishing all the beautiful engagements of Imolites and Nigerians at large. “My DM on all the platforms were filled with messages and I was elated reading directly, pure expressions from Imolites and well-wishers. “In all honesty, I welcome the numerous suggestions, proposals and complaints with respect to impactful governance. These are expressions of genuine concerns by patriotic citizens and I shall continue to entertain as much that comes through. “Rest assured that I am appreciative of your continued support and the desire of an Imo State we will truly be proud of. “Having digested your opinions and suggestions, I shall process applicable ones for integration into our series of programs and policies geared towards a greater Imo State. “We will continue to improve on the security architecture of the State, upliftment of infrastructures and implementation of economic policies that are people-oriented while upholding our mandate on the recovery of our dear State.” He said Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/05/twitter-banters-instagram-gist-gov-uzodimma-interacts-with-social-media-users-thrilled-by-suggestions-opinions/

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Igbo World Assembly, World Igbo Congress condemn arrest By Emeka Aginam, Chidi Nkwopara & Francis Igata ENUGU—Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kalu,who was arrested at Golden Tulip Hotel in Lagos by the Department of State Service,DSS, after he returned from the United Kingdom has been granted bail by the Abuja Municipal Council Magistrate court where he was secretly arraigned by the DSS. He is, however, yet to fulfil his bail conditions. According to the Indigenous People of Biafra’s lawyer, Mr. Egechukwu Obetta, “Nnamdi was put in the same cell with terrorists. He has a health challenge which is life threatening. He is sensitive to delicacies. He told us that he will never eat any food served by the Federal Government of Nigeria.“ But midway into Vanguard‘s chat with the lawyer, a call came in indicating that Kalu has been granted bail in the sum of N2 million or with surety of N2 million with a civil servant of grade level 16. “The DSS secretly arraigned him before the magistrate’s court and he was granted bail. He is, however, yet to meet the bail conditions and that is holding him still in detention. “Last week, the Afenifere threatened to secede, but nobody was vilified. I am talking about the recent Olu Falae’s kidnap case. The militants in the Niger Delta have done same and at all times, the political gladiators have appealed to the FG to douse the tension instead of using political brigandage and executive lawlessness.” Meantime, the arrest of Nnamdi Kalu by the Directorate of State Security, DSS, has continued to elicit diverse opinions. The apex Igbo organization in Diaspora, Igbo World Assembly, IWA, condemned the arrest of the Director of Radio Biafra, weekend, by the Nigeria secret police, the Department of State Services, DSS. The President of the Diaspora Igbo group in a telephone interview with Vanguard, yesterday, said that every Nigerian has freedom of speech, adding that the Nigerian government should tell the whole world the offence Kanu hadcommitted. Similarly, the World Igbo Congress, WIC, has condemned the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu, saying that the Federal Government should explain the reasons for his arrest. The Public Relations Officer of WIC, Jimmy Asiegbu told Vanguard, yesterday, in a telephone interview that the reasons for the arrest should be made clear. “While we are yet to know the reasons for his arrest, we pray that it does not have anything to do with his exercising his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and association. We call on the Federal Government to explain the reasons for his arrest and allow due process to take its course,” Asiegbu noted. In Imo State, while some citizens were of the opinion that the pirate radio station was over-reaching its bounds, others commended Kalu for unearthing a number of things that were largely unknown to the public. Speaking to Vanguard, yesterday, on the issue, Mr. Okorie Kalu, described Mr. Nnamdi Kalu as “a freedom fighter.” In his considered opinion, “the arrest of the freedom fighter by operatives of the DSS, would rather strengthen the resolve of Ndigbo to continue angling for the Republic of Biafra.” He advised the Federal Government against tampering with Kalu’s cherished freedom, adding that it was best for the government to avoid doing anything that would heat up the polity. While denying that he had blood relationship with the embattled citizen, Mr. Kalu also said that “nobody can destroy the Biafran spirit.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/arrested-radio-biafra-boss-nnamdi-kalu-granted-bail/

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Nigeria’s union non-negotiable, Jonathan insists President Goodluck Jonathan has insisted that the unity of Nigeria is non-negotiable. Many Nigerians had kicked against the no-go area preventing discussions on the divisibility of Nigeria in the forthcoming National Conference. In a twenty minutes National Broadcast on the Centenary celebration, Jonathan Wednesday said that the national dialogue should strengthen Nigeria’s union. He also promised that all will be done by his administration to eradicate terrorism in the country. Jonathan said: “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. “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 fulfillment of our globally acknowledged potential for greatness.” Stressing that nation-building is not only for great leaders and elites, he said: “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. “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. He hoped that the conference will not result in parochial bargaining between competing regions, ethnic, religious and other interest groups but an objective dialogue for the way forward of Nigeria boost harmonious balance among the three tiers of government. On terrorism he said: “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. “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. “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. “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. “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.”

http://thenationonlineng.net/nigerias-union-non-negotiable-jonathan-insists/

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SPECIAL REPORT: How Disobedience of Court Orders Weaken Rule of Law, Human Rights In Nigeria NEWS DIGEST – Nigeria is most populous black nation in the world and has the largest economy in Africa. With independence gained in the year 1960, Nigeria has gone from one successive government to another , notably the uninterrupted democratic government enjoyed between 1999 till date. Since the return of democracy, there have been core issues regarding governance in the country and chief among the issues are respect for human rights and respect for the established and set-up constitution of the country. In this report, Olanrewaju Oyedeji takes a look at how disobedience of court orders by government authorities has weakened the rule of law and also threatens human rights in the country. Chief among the agencies often found wanting in the disobedience of court orders is the State Security Service, established on June 5, 1986, before coming the state security service, it was known as National Security Organization. The security service is also a department of the Ministry of Defence. One of the popular cases of such abuse is that of the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement of Nigeria. The incident started after altercation members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Soldiers escorting the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai. The incident led to a reported death of over 300 Shiite members . After the incident, Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah were detained on charges of murder, the Kaduna state government stated that during the incident that led to the massacre, a soldier, Corporal Yakuku Dankaduna, was killed. However, in 2016, a federal high court ordered the release of El-Zakzaky and his wife while ordering payment of N50m to Shiite leader and his wife for ‘violating their rights by being held in unlawful custody’ , this pronouncement was made by Justice Gabriel Kolawole. The SSS however failed to obey this court order, the basis for such was that keeping El-Zakzaky was for his own safety. It was not until after about five years of illegal detention that El-Zakzaky and his wife were acquitted and discharged by the Kaduna state high court on 28th of July, 2021. Another instance of disobedience of court orders is with Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and democracy activist, was held in detention despite a November 6, 2019 bail order by an Abuja Federal High Court. The Department of State Security Services (DSS) should promptly release him. The detention led to public outcry and condemnations , the state security service had charged Sowore for treason after planning a protest tagged “#RevolutionNow”. The police said it already deemed the planned protest an act of terrorism . Mr Sowore and other organisers of ‘RevolutionNow’ movement also condemned the federal authorities for lying against them that the protest, would be violent. In Sowore’s case, the court had threatened to imprison the Directorate of State Security Director General. “In a “notice of disobedience to order of court” issued by the court and addressed to the DSS DG, the Federal High Court directed the boss of the secret police to comply with its directive or face grave consequences, which includes “commitment to prison”. Amnesty International also reported that the Nigerian Attorney General defied an Abuja Federal High Court order to hand over the soldiers who were allegedly responsible for killing three policemen in Taraba state in August 2019. Another prominent case of such disobedience has to do with the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki. Mr. Dasuki is accused of diversion of $2.1 billion and illegal possession of fire arms. Although Mr. Dasuki was granted bail on at least six different occasions by various courts, the Nigerian government has persistently refused to comply with the court orders. In 2015, the SSS failed to release Dasuki despite court order stating same. After over four years in detention, Dasuki was eventually released by the Buhari’s administration. The court of appeal in Abuja, noted that the DSS and its Director-General acted outside their constitutional powers on the long period of the detention of a Nigerian citizen and imposed a fine of N5 million on them to be paid to Dasuki as compensation for breach of his fundamental right. The Nigerian government have also disobeyed other court others, in case of a human rights lawyer, Charles Ogbonna, a human rights lawyer held by the State Security Service. Ogbonna, a lawyer was arrested for posting articles criticising the Okezie Ikpeazu-led government in Abia State, via his social media page. Shortly after the arrest, he was arraigned alongside another person at a magistrate court in Umuahia for alleged cybercrimes and for allegedly publishing false and threatening messages through the internet against Mr Ikpeazu. Five ‘Buhari-Must-Go’ activists commenced a contempt suit against the director-general of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi, for disobeying the court order for their release from custody. The activists commenced the contempt suit with the filing of a ‘Notice of Consequences of Order of Court, also known as Form 48, on July 30, to push for the jailing of the SSS boss. On August 4, 2021, two days after filing the contempt case, the protesters were released by the SSS after the earlier disobedience of court orders by the secret service. The spate of disobedience of court orders have continued unabated leading to tensions about the respect for democracy in the country. The Nigerian Chief Justice, Tanko Mohammed in 2019, had vowed to resist disobedience of court orders, although the situation continues without any sign of dwindling. A report by Amnesty international noted that the Buhari’s administration has disobeyed 40 court orders as at November, 2019. Kolawole Olaniyan, legal adviser to Amnesty International, opined that President Muhammadu Buhari has shown “stunning disregard for the rule of law and human rights, ignoring Nigerian judges on at least 40 occasions”. The London-based lawyer, who also accused the President of treating judges with disdain. The Human Rights Measurement Initiative noted that Nigeria’s score for economic and social rights falls within a ‘very bad’ range. Judicial Activism, the Only Way Out- Lawyer A lawyer and public affairs analyst, Awosusi Kehinde while weighing on the issue noted that the country is drifting towards dictatorship and the only way out is for those who are responsible for such decisions to be held responsible. He opined that there is a need for judicial activism if the menace will be curbed. “There is a need for judicial activism such as punishing heads of agencies that flout court orders. The disrespect for courts does not naturally portray the country well, and does not also portray them as a respecter of human rights, we are fast drifting to the era of authoritarianism, should things continue like that” he noted.>Disobedience of court orders not in interest of Nigerians-SERAP The deputy director of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Kolawole Oluwadare, while weighing on the issue noted that disobeying court orders is not in the interest of Nigerians. He urged judges to be decisive in holding the sanctity of the judiciary. “Disobedience of court orders is not in the interest of Nigerians, whether as regards human rights, socio-economic rights or other rights as it were, you would understand that the 1999 constitution has concept of separation of powers and checks and balances. When government decides to disobey the court, they are not only disobeying the constitution but also disrupting the balance of a constitutional democracy.” Kolawole posited that the judiciary must rise up to the occasion by ensuring that there are punishments for disobeying court orders, according to him, this will help in serving as a deterrent to others. “Judgment of the court must be obeyed, if the law is continually disobeyed, it means that the essence of the law has been lost” he stated. Despite the concerns on abuse of court decisions, the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration has continued to restate commitment to rule of law and respect for human rights.

https://newsdigest.ng/special-report-human-rights/

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By Dapo Akinrefon LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the South West, yesterday, insisted on producing the national chairman of the party ahead of its forthcoming national convention, saying it is based on equity and fairness. The leaders, who gathered at an extraordinary Summit of the South West PDP, including former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Erelu Obada; Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Senator Bode Olajumoke, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja; former House of Representatives Leader, Mulikat Akande- Adeola; Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Dr. Doyin Okupe, among others, said the zone was adequately prepared for the coveted seat. In a 14-point communiqué read by Chief Olateru Olagbegi, the leaders declared that the South West zone was equally well qualified to lead the party, “given our rich antecedents of history, knowledge and culture.” They also resolved that a powerful delegation of “Yoruba people should be mustered to demand for the position of the chairman of the PDP.” The PDP leaders, argued that the region would no longer be relegated to the background adding that they will not be treated as orphans within the PDP. While they faulted the Senator Buruji Kashamu- led group, which said the South West was not interested in the national chairmanship of the PDP, they said, “those who renounce the position of the National Chairmanship of our party, do not speak for the Yoruba people.” Addressing leaders at the parley, former deputy national chairman of PDP, Chief George, said it was time the national chairmanship of the party came to the South West zone, contending that the zone had a lot of qualified that could occupy the seat. In his speech entitled: “The State of Our Party,” George, said “We will never accept a situation where the Yoruba people are shoved aside to play a subservient, insignificant role in the restructuring and the remoulding of our party.” he added that “there have been some nauseating, and very disturbing noise from some peripheral and provincial characters who claim to speak for our people. That is not true. How can any well-meaning Omoluabi say that our people don’t deserve the chairman position of our party? It is unheard of! It is almost tantamount to cultural treachery. It is sad and sickening. It is absolutely improper and immoral.” Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/04/s-west-pdp-leaders-insist-natl-chairmanship-position/

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Barcelona's head coach, Ronald Koeman has replied to Griezmann's statement during the International break about his usage out of position after the 29-year old scored for France in the UEFA Nations League. AllNews understands that Antoine Griezmann appeared to take a swipe at his Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman when he said that France manager Didier Deschamps 'knows where to play me'. This statement was not left unanswered when the former Dutch Boss said in a pre-match conference before the resumption of the Spanish La Liga that the "the Coach is in charge". The Dutchman spoke extensively about Griezmann when he said, "I spoke with Antoine on Thursday and I told him that I'm looking out for the best for the team, and I think he's best on the right for us." He added, "I have no problem with him, I can only play one No.9, one No. 10, one No. 7, etc. Griezmann can play wide coming inside on his left foot if he has another position that he likes more, that is how it is, but we can not have 10 players in the No. 10 role. I decide based on what is best for the team, the coach is in charge and the players must be at their best when they play". This could all be strange to Griezmann who was promised by Ronald Koeman on the appointment that he would be used in his favourite position. The difference then and now is that Messi was on the verge of leaving Barcelona, which could be why the 57-year old promised him the No. 10 role. But with Messi staying, Griezmann will have to play on the left and as the coach said "be at his best". Barcelona faces Getafe in La Liga on Saturday and later on Wednesday play Ferencvarosi TC in the UEFA Champions League.

https://allnews.ng/news/the-coach-is-in-charge-barca-coach-digs-at-griezmann

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Bamidele and Fayemi By Rotimi Ojomoyela Prominent APC governorship candidate, Opeyemi Bamidele has urged the electorate to fully accept the apology rendered by Dr. Kayode Fayemi over perceived infractions while he was in office between 2010 and 2014. Bamidele who was also an aspirant spoke with newsmen following a meeting with his canvassers in a post-primary consultation at Iyin-Ekiti during which he urged all other aspirants to fully throw their support behind Fayemi’s candidature. Bamidele who had a brutal fallout with Fayemi before the 2014 election and subsequently campaigned on the platform of Labour Party in that election urged all aspirants to put aside their differences in the interest of the APC and the state saying that he was very confident on Fayemi’s capacity to redress what he lamented as the perceived failures of the PDP administration. “Dr. Fayemi in the full glare of everybody apologized to the teachers, civil servants, artisans and those who might have been affected by his policies as a governor; I beg our people to accept his apologies. “We have resolved to align Ekiti State and her good people with the progressive transformation being championed by the APC-led government of President Buhari, and no stone shall be left unturned in ensuring that this dream is achieved,” he said. Bamidele warned that the PDP was already latching on the existing cracks in the party to destabilize the party. “This is a calculated plot to destabilise and demonise the APC and give victory to their party in the July 14 election through the back door, but I am certain that the desperate and mischievous agenda of the PDP will fail on a final note”, he said. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/07/breaking-news-many-feared-killed-female-suicide-bomber-attacks-kano-poly/Please

Politics

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Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday in Akure signed Memoranda of Understanding with two firms on agricultural projects and appealed for speedy take off of the projects. Akeredolu signed the MoU for the construction of a powderised egg factory with Greenfield Poultry Ltd. The second MoU with Adventum Global Inc, USA, was for the construction of a factory for cultivation and processing of large scale agricultural products. The governor thanked the managements of the companies for their interest in the state, adding that construction work at the project sites should begin in no distant time. He said that his administration would do everything possible to establish an independent power station to service all industries in the state. Earlier, Mr Paul Obanua, Team Leader, Greenfield Poultry Ltd., commended the commitment of the state government to the egg factory project. Obanua said that the factory to be sited in Emure Ile, Owo Local Government Area of the state, would be the first powderised egg factory plant in West Africa. He said that the ground-breaking ceremony would be on Nov. 20 and added that the firm was partnering with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the project. The team leader said that the company was fully committed to helping in industrialising the state. On his part, Mr Isaac Oghogho, Chairman, Adventum Global Inc, USA, said the firm would invest more than $40 million in the 4,000 hectare project. Oghogho said the primary objective of the project was to set up an integrated agriculture value chain from cultivation to processing, marketing and distribution. He said that more than 3,000 indigenes of the state would be employed by the scheme within the first three years of its commencement. Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vanguard newspapers or any employee thereof.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/10/ondo-state-signs-mous-2-firms-agric-projects/

Politics

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