WHY I DROPPED PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION – RIBADU SPEAKS

Former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has given reasons  why he abandoned his presidential ambition to contest the governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Adamawa     State governorship poll.

Mallam Ribadu, speaking  after he submitted his nomination form  with journalists at the national headquarters of the PDP in   Abuja on Monday, said that his desire to be of service at any level propelled him to drop his ambition of presiding over Nigeria.

Mr Ribadu, who was a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, said, “Everything in my life has been about public service. I’m prepared to serve in any capacity.

“If you ask me to come and be a sweeper of any street in any part of the country, I’m ready to do that. I don’t even have power of my own in any part.”

Asked if he was worried that the PDP was yet to grant him and other defected aspirants waivers needed to contest the primary, he categorically said no.

”I am not worried about the waiver. I have followed the rules. I am a law and order person. I have done my own bit and I will wait for the party to do their own. That part is not my responsibility,” he said.

Under the constitution of the party, new members and returnees are not qualified to seek elective positions until after two years, except they get a waiver.

Section 50 (9) of the PDP constitution says, “There shall be a minimum of two year membership span for a member to be eligible to stand for election into any public office, unless the appropriate executive committee gives a waiver or rules to the contrary.”

Meanwhile, other aspirants have insisted that the party must conduct proper primary to choose the party’s candidate for the October 11 election.

The aspirants spoke when they came to also submit their nomination forms to the party’s national leadership, which was received by the National Organisation Secretary, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha.

The aspirants included the former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Alhaji Mohammed Modibbo; Acting Governor of the state, Ahmed Fintiri; former Presidential Adviser, Ahmed Gulak; and the former ACN governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Marcus Gundiri.

Others are  Dr. Umar Ardo, Senator Ahmed Girei, Gen. A.A.Kana (retd.), Buba Marwa , Awwal Tukur and Aliyu Idi-Hong.

Modibbo said, “People soul d be allowed to contest. We should not pay too much attention to consensus. Our tragedy in the state was that we did not do the proper thing when we chose the past leader he added .

EBOLA OUTBREAK – GROUP CALLS FOR MORE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The Civil Society Awareness Response on Epidemic Diseases (CARED) is asking the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health to help curb the spread of the virus to other parts of the country. After the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in some parts of Nigeria. The civil society organization wants the ministry to fumigate public places such as hotels and worship centers and also organize an air spray in the country as a means of containing the virus to avoid furthr spread .

This call was made known by the coordinator of CARED, Stephen Aremu. “He said the government to consider hunting and using air sprays to kill animals which could be carriers of the virus such as bat and the various forms of bush meat. The group also pleaded with the government to deny foreigners who have a history of the virus in their countries from gaining access to Nigeria to avoid a repeat of Mr. Patrick Sawyers case of visiting Nigeria reoccuring .

He also expressed disappointment at reports which states that health officials have turned back some Ebola patients for fear of them contracting the virus themselves:

“We are amazed at reports of several patients being refused treatment when they present with such symptoms when the right response should have been to notify the relevant authorities about such suspicions than to send them back into the community.”
“The consequences of sending such persons back to the communities untreated and uncared for are best imagined if any of the persons affected are truly infected with Ebola virus”.

Read more http://newswirengr.com/2014/08/26/ebola-outbreak-group-urges-government-to-fumigate-public-places/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Di Maria arrives man utd for British record transfer

Argentine winger Angel di maria has arrived at manchester uniteds training ground ( carrington) ahead of his record breaking transfer to the club.  Di maria 26 arrived england last night and was shown around the clubs training facility.

Medical officers have been on site since early on Tuesday morning and Di Maria will now be put through his paces before finalising the biggest deal in British football history.

The Argentine will be the club’s new No.7 and a replica jersey with his name and new number has been prepared for photo opportunities following the conclusion of the medical.

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The 26-year-old will then be officially confirmed as a United player after putting pen to paper on a massive contract which could earn him more than €376,000 per week, including a €6.3m signing on fee and bonuses.

United have been closely monitoring Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal all summer, and have been linked with a formal bid in Tuesday’s newspapers after manager Louis van Gaal mentioned him by name following Sunday’s draw at Sunderland.

Angel Di Maria has been a key factor of Madrid’s recent success and was named man of the match in May’s Champions League final triumph against Atletico Madrid.

He scored one goal at this summer’s World Cup as Argentina reached the final, only to be beaten by Germany in Rio de Janeiro.

And he is now set to move ahead of Fernando Torres, who moved to Chelsea for €62m in 2011, to become the most expensive footballer in Britain.

French oil giant speaks on high cost of oil and gas projects in Nigeria

French oil giant Total has spoken on the large cost of projects in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, identifying long contracting cycle, security and community issues as factors that prompt contractors to inflate the cost of projects in the country The new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Total Upstream Companies in Nigeria, Mrs. Elisabeth Proust, who confirmed this development , said Nigeria was the worst country on the issue of complexity of getting approvals for the execution of oil and gas projects

 I have to say that one of the major causes of increase of costs is duration of approval phase. Of course, this involves the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and this is why we need their cooperation. If we succeed to accelerate the time for tender to be approved from two years to four months, we will save money.

Today, when we launch a project, we do tender and by the time we get the approval, we have to renegotiate the contract. So, the contractor will just increase the cost. This is the first point. The second point is that there is what I call premium on Nigeria. There is premium because there are many issues such as security, flooding and we have problems with the communities sometimes and the contractor put extra money to cover these problems. Whether it happens or does not happen, does not matter but we have to pay,” she highlighted 

She said her company would prefer a PIB that would reduce bureaucracy and the complexity of getting approvals for projects

According to her, Total inaugurated new projects with the conviction that the terms and conditions would remain the same and that there would be improvement in the PIB.

She further stated that since the last public hearing on the PIB, the company had not officially accessed the draft and the terms of the current reform bill that is on circulation.

What we seek as Total is for the new PIB is to reduce bureaucracy. It is very complex to get approvals. The duration of tender – of course, Nigeria is the worst country for that.  There is long duration of tender. The complexity of getting approvals is because of the number of agencies we have to face – National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), NNPC, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and others,” she added.

“The PIB, I have to say that we don’t know exactly what the terms are now on the draft that is circulating because the last time we accessed the draft was during the public hearing. Since then, we have never officially accessed the draft and the terms. So, what we hear and what we understand could be a big worry because for Total, we have sanctioned and we have launched all these projects on the basis of the economies; on the basis of the existing terms and conditions on our contract. We took the risk. I mean, we are here to take the risk but when you take the risk, you take the reward,” she added.

Proust said Nigeria was the worst on the issue of long duration of getting approvals for projects, stressing that the complexity is due to the number of agencies involved.

Why 480 Nigerian Soldiers Defected, Cameroon’s Role – JJ, Omojuwa reports

?The BBC reports that some 480 Nigerian soldiers have fled into Cameroon following fierce fighting with Boko Haram militants. This has since been confirmed by the Cameroonian Army spokesman Lt Col Didier Badjek who said said the soldiers have been disarmed and were now being accommodated in schools.

The Nigerian Army was planning to court martial them and send them to firing squad over what it deemed as mutiny. The soldiers decided to cross over. They have been disarmed and put in a classroom in the Maoua Area of northern Cameroon. The Cameroon information minister has confirmed it. They are the soldiers who refused to fight last week until they are better equipped. All 480 of them. They were stationed in Borno state. Cameroon’s role appears to be a form of diplomatic support because they could have rejected their appeal to defect. Cameroon closed its borders last week but is now allowing defectors into its territory.

Nuhu Ribadu Paints Abuja Red (See Pictures) – Dinah Adams

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This is how you know someone means business. It is evidently clear and glaring that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was not blabbing as regards his recent defection to PDP. While others are saying their defection to PDP can only happen if Satan becomes religious, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s flyers are already parading the streets of Abuja with young people chanting “Sai Ribadu, Sai Ribadu!!!”.

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We spotted supporters  in front of the PDP Secretariat in Wuse Zone 5 carrying flyers, billboards and even wearing Ribadu’s customized Tshirts. Word is out; His intention to run for the position of Governor for Adamawa State is made public and his new found Party(PDP)  is no blabber.

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Dinah Adams @didiyargata for Omojuwa.com

Dr. Ameyo Adadevoh’s Report On Patrick Sawyer Tells Us More [REPORT]

“In the interest of our patients, staff, the general public the nation at large we state the following:

A 40-years old gentlemen came into the hospital with symptoms suggestive of Malaria (Fever, headache, extreme weakness) on Sunday night (20th July 2014). He was fully conscious and gave us his clinical history and told us he is a Senior Diplomat from Liberia. Laboratory investigations confirmed malaria whilst other test for HIV, Hepatitis B&C were negative. He was admitted and treatment commenced.

However, due to the fact that he was not responding to treatment but rather was developing haemorrhagic symptoms we further questioned him. He denied having been in contact with any persons with EVD (Ebola Virus Disease) at home, in any hospital or at any burial.

In spite of this denial we immediately decided to do the following:

1. To conduct further tests for possible Infectious Haemorrhagic Disease, especially EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE, based on the fact that he was a Liberian citizen and the recent ourbreak of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE in that country

2. We immediatrly isolated/quarantined the patient, commenced barrier nursing and simultaneously contacted the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Health to enquire where furthe laboratory tests could be performed as we had a high index of suspicion of possible EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE

3. WE REFUSED FOR HIM TO BE LET OUT OF THE HOSPITAL IN SPITE OF INTENSE PRESSURE, AS WE WERE TOLD THAT HE WAS A SENIOR ECOWAS OFFICIAL AND HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY AT THE ECOWAS CONVENTION IN CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE.

4. The initial test results from LUTH laboratory indicated a signal of possible EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE, but required confirmation.

5. We then took the further step of reaching out to Senior Officials in the office of the Secretary of Health of the United States of America who promptly assisted us with contacts at thecentres for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organisation Regional Laboratory Centre in Senegal.

6. Working jointly with the State, Federal Agencies and Internaional Agencies, we were able to obtain confirmation of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE (ZAIRE STRAIN), (W.H.O. Regional Center Lab-Senegal/Redeemes lab/LUTH Laboratory)

7. The gentleman subsequently died on Friday at a 6.50 (25th July, 2014)

8. All agencies were promptly notified and in consultation with W.H.O, Regional EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE Centre in Conakry, Guinea and Best Practices, the following was commenced:

a. Orderly temporay shut down of the hospital with immediate evacuation of in house patients

b. The appropriate professional removal of the body and its incineration wunder W.H.O. guidelines witnessed by all appropriate agencies.

9. Having concluded the above, it is now appropriate to give this Press release in the interest of our partient, staff, the general public and the nation at large.

10. In keeping with W.H.O, guidelines, hospitals is shut down briefly as full decontamination exercise is currently in progress W.H.O. Guidelines

In conclusion working with the STATE, FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL AGENCUES, we were able to identify and confirm the diagnosis of the EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE. We hope that by our action of preventing this gentleman from being extracted from our hospital and traveling to Calabar we have been able to prevent the spread of EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE in Nigeria.

The Board and Management of the Hospital wish to thank all our staff members for their diligence and professionalism.

Thank You.

Signed

Dr.B.N.OHIAERI

DR.A.S.ADADEVEOH

First Consultants Medical Centre Limited

16/24 Ikoyi Road,

Obalende,

Lagos

Laughter Is Good for the Soul… Ebola Survivor Causes Commotion in Church

One of the health attendants that attended to the Liberian Patrick Sawyer, but survived the ravages of the disease, went to the church last Sunday to testify to the goodness of God in her life.

Those giving testimonies were 10 in number and she was number four on the queue. When it was her turn to share her testimony with the congregation, she testified that she survived the ailment and had tested negative to Ebola. When it was time for her to return the microphone to the pastor to call the next person, this is what transpired:

Pastor: Don’t worry, give the microphone to the next person. Next person: (shifts back) Nooo, give it to pastor. Ebola testifier: Pastor, take your microphone, he is not collecting it. Pastor: Give it to the sister behind him.

Sister: Shuuooo! I don forget my testimony, may be next week. Ebola testifier: Pastor, if you are not ready to collect the microphone, I will put it on the floor (heading back to her seat)

Before she could turn back to return to her seat, everyone in the church had jumped outside for dear life.

News Credit: This DAY

21 Reasons Why the Government Must #BringBackOurGirls Now! – Darasimi Oshodi

Four over months now, more than a hundred schoolgirls have been abducted from a school in Chibok, Borno State and there are no signs of them returning anytime soon. Some parents of the girls have died, with other apparently going through untold pains but the government seems to be at a loss as to how to secure the freedom of the innocent girls. What the girls are going through in captivity is best imagined. The deprivations they must be experiencing and the reality of being forcefully separated from their loved ones must be overwhelming for the girls and this is the reason I am giving 21 reasons why the government must #BringBackOurGirls NOW:

  1. It is long overdue.
  2. The girls have done nothing wrong by going to school.
  3. The girls’ morale would have been totally destroyed
  4. The girls may become brainwashed and dangerous to the society.
  5. The temptation to abuse or rape the girls by the abductors increases every day.
  6. It will show that the government still places some value on human lives.
  7. It will demonstrate that the government is still in charge of every part of Nigeria.
  8. The parents of these girls have been through serious emotional turmoil and psychological stress.
  9. The parents of the girls (and even the girls) can enjoy sound sleep.
  10. Girls in the Northern part of Nigeria will not be afraid to go to school.
  11. Failure to secure their release will have negative consequences for the Peoples Democratic Party.
  12. It will save the president’s face a little in the forthcoming presidential election.
  13. It will send a strong signal to Boko Haram that they can’t get away with abductions.
  14. Everyone who has been involved in the agitation for the release of the girls will be able to divert their time and energy to thinking about ways to move our country forward.
  15. It will restore our pride before the international community.
  16. Government will stop spending money on efforts geared towards securing the release of the girls.
  17. Malala’s visit to Nigeria would have been a success.
  18. The First Lady’s tears would not be in vain.
  19. The president and his wife will no longer be bound by their promise not to sleep until the girls are found.
  20. Government spokespersons will have no reasons to misinform Nigerians about the girls’ situation.
  21. Law enforcement officers will no longer have a crisis of conscience since they will no longer be asked to arrest innocent #BringBackOurGirls campaigners.

What are the other reasons why the government should #BringBackOurGirls now? Please advance them in the comment section. Thank you.

Darasimi Oshodi is a blogger. Read his blogs at darasimioshodi.blogspot.com

Follow him on twitter @Aristotle274

The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

Text Of The State Broadcast On The Ebola Virus Management Delivered By Babatunde Raji Fashola, San To Lagosians On 17th August 2014

Dear Lagosians,

As you must now be aware, we are facing perhaps our biggest challenge to public health and the safety of human lives at this moment with the discovery of the Ebola virus in our state.

This poses a threat to the primary purpose of our Government which is to save lives.

This address has become necessary to respond to a series of text messages, e-mails and telephone calls that I have received in order to reiterate some of what you may already know, to share information about what you may not know, and to keep everybody safe.

This has become the moreso in the light of allegations that are making the rounds, either that victims are being neglected, or that a useful drug or vaccine is being rejected or that there is a shortage of funds.

I wish to state very categorically that none of these is true.

What is true is that we should perhaps never have been in this situation, but we are now in it.

What is true is that the Ebola virus did not break out from within Nigeria, it was imported into Nigeria.

What is true is that we have followed all the contacts that we know who have had primary and secondary contacts with the patient who imported the virus into our state, or with people who had contact with him.

Because we had to react to an unexpected situation, we had to react in a proper and methodical way, according to acceptable global health standards.

I can now tell you that in the last one week, with the help and advice of our technical partners, such as the World Health Organisation, the Centre for Disease Control and the Medecins Sans Frontiers, who have tracked this virus and studied it for decades, our response is a lot better than when the news first broke; and our capacity is increasing daily.

Although we have suffered very painful losses of lives, I think it is fair to say that we are not yet at an epidemic stage and we are determined to do everything not to get to that stage; because of the grave consequences to the safety of human lives.

We have provided information to the public on all state-owned media, while the private media have commendably joined in this effort. There is also information available on the social media platform.

Since Monday last week, precisely on the 11th of August, I commenced meetings on an almost daily basis with stakeholders in our society, religious leaders, traditional rulers, market men and women, community development associations, to brief them of the risk, to re-assure them that we are daily gaining control, to advise them and all of you to be cautious but not to panic.

My view of the fact that we are gaining control, is informed by verifiable facts that I receive daily from our health workers that all the cases of those who have either unfortunately died, or those who are sick, and those who are contacts under surveillance are directly traceable to the imported case.

There is also now the news that a confirmed victim has fully recovered, which reinforces the advice from our experts that it is not an automatic death sentence.

This is encouraging news from which our containment strategy can profit greatly; because it means that we do not have any case of unknown origin, which will raise the risk of an epidemic.

Dear Lagosians, the challenge of managing the Ebola virus is big but our resolve to contain and defeat it is bigger.

That resolve is demonstrated by the courage shown by the first set of health workers at state and federal levels who stood up to be counted, and the leadership of the state and federal Ministries of Health with the support of our international partners.

In spite of fear, they stood up to be counted at a time of grave danger.

We should salute their courage, professionalism, patriotism and humanitarian disposition.

They are the heroes and heroines that we have looked for for a long time. I cannot thank them enough.

While we are doing everything to assure their safety and to give them confidence to proceed; I want to passionately appeal that we must not do anything to distract them or demotivate them.

What they need now is our encouragement and support to gain even stronger control of the situation.

What they do not need are rumours and the distractions that they can bring with them.

I appreciate the concerns and anxiety that friends and relatives of sick victims must be going through. I assure you that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

I understand that you expect special care for your loved ones, and this is to be expected.

I assure you that they are receiving the best care that the experts have recommended to us, given the circumstances; because they say that this is the best way to proceed especially because experienced personnel in Ebola containment and management have always been a challenge.

What will be helpful to the situation now is additional medical personnel, who are willing to volunteer to join hands with those on the frontline.

But the experts also caution that those who sign up cannot immediately start to participate in the isolation ward, where sick people are being treated, no matter how qualified and experienced they are.

They must undergo a few days of training by our international body of advisers and understand the protocol for operation in the isolation ward for their own safety, and the sustenance of the containment plan to stop the virus from spreading.

To those who are seeking to do brisk business from this situation, I offer a word of caution and re-assessment. This is not our way.

I must also say to those who are seeking to raise funds that we appreciate your concerns but we are not yet at a fund raising stage and I cannot foresee that eventuality.

For now, the state has enough resources to fund everything that is needed. This is what your taxes can do in emergencies. Our House of Assembly has thankfully approved a request for any needed expenditure.

The President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Honourable Minister for Health have shown the appropriate level of concern about the national and global risks that this poses and I am sure they will provide funds should we be unable to do so, if we ask for it.

The combined team of State and Federal personnel, our international partners, are daily sharing information with the public and the Federal Government about the status of the patients and contacts in a transparent way, and we should all please listen to them. They are the ones who have the facts.

What all of us must do is to follow all their advice, especially about reporting any suspected cases and about increasing our personal hygiene by constant washing of our hands with soap and water.

We should stop unhygienic practices of urinating in public and defaecating in public because those are body fluids and waste through which the virus is known to thrive.

This new week, starting from today and the next one, will be the sharpest part of the curve that we expect to negotiate.

Last week we cleared a total of 61 (SIXTY ONE) contacts after the 21 days surveillance which is the known lifespan of the virus.

These people were not sick. They were persons who needed to be monitored because of real or suspected contacts to be certain that they did not eventually fall sick.

We cautiously wait to see how many more people will be cleared and hope that there will be no new cases.

Nevertheless, our strategy is to prepare for the worst by making plans to expand the facility to take any new cases, while we hope for the best.

There is a lot to do, and we need your collaboration to remain focused on containment and treatment.

Finally, I will like to say that this is the first time that the virus has infected people in an urban centre. It is a steep learning curve for everybody but it presents a huge opportunity for us as a people to show the world how to overcome it.

With your support and understanding, we will do no less, because we intend to overcome and defeat this threat.

Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN

Governor of Lagos State

Solidarity with Oppressed Nigerians

Gentlemen of the press,

Today we join our voice with millions of Nigerians who have become victims of cancerous, cruel, luciferous and oppressive rulers in our country.

We as fellow bereaved countrymen cannot claim ignorance of the ineptitude of our elected and appointed public office holders who by virtue of their craze for greed, taste for corruption and distaste for communal prosperity have continually mortgaged the development and betterment of our once glorious country on the altar of nepotism, corruption and dishonesty.

It is more aggravating that insecurity has now become a signature note of our country around the globe. The unending massacre of innocent men and women in the North is a pointer to the negligence and carefree attitude of politicians in and around power who have continuously paid lip service to curbing terrorism in our country.

We wish to state without any iota of pretence that the rescue of the adopted Chibok girls and marked improvement in the security situation in the country will be a big beaming light towards a higher rating and a possible reelection of President Jonathan and we will only plead with Mr. President to intensify efforts into bringing back the girls alive and find a lasting solution to the our security challenges.

ABEL recognizes the health challenge presently rocking our country as a result of the Ebola Virus Disease; kudos must be given to the Federal and Lagos State Government for promptly standing up to the challenge against all odds. However, it must be said that the directive of the Federal government to ‘sack’ all resident doctors is ill-thought and unhelpful. What our nation need at this moment is cordial relationship between the government and all stakeholders in the health sector.

Finally, we condemn in strong terms the high handedness, cruel and dictatorial manner the government of Ogun state dealt with students of Olabisi Onabanjo University during their recent protest against hike in school fees. We wish to state clearly that the right to peaceful protest is non-negotiable and no government, no matter highly placed has the audacity to order assault on students exercising their constitutional right. Elected politicians must be deeply warned that it is nothing but grave insult and the zenith of deceit to dance around Nigerians and students during election only to turn against them afterward.

Every Nigerian should continue to keep a healthy and clean environment and ensure that every information on how to stay healthy is confirmed and acted upon.

Signed

Seun Adenekan

Scribe

Advocacy for Better Leadership (ABEL)

The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

Sweat 4 Peace – International Day of Peace 2014

Galaxy 4 Peace, a youth-led non profit organization concerned with the promotion of peace culture in Nigeria announces her forth coming project tagged #Sweat4Peace scheduled to hold on Saturday, 20th September 2014 with #PeaceMeal ?Date to commemorate International Day of Peace .

About the Event

All across the cities of Lagos, concerned individuals will embark on a walk to commemorate International Day of Peace and to lend their voices on the need to promote the culture of peace in Nigeria, Africa and world over. 

International Day of Peace was established as a result of United Nation Resolution in 1981 for people to strengthen the ideals of peace among all the world ‘s inhabitants.

Join Team Galaxy4Peace, Peace Cause Fans,Families, Friends, CSOs and Corporate Bodies, at the first walk with Galaxy 4 Peace to observe 2014 World Peace Day. 

Enjoy face-painting, free giveaways,fun & tips on “Rights of People to Peace” which is United Nations Theme for this Year’s event.

The event will commence at 7:00 am (CAT) with registration.

Walk T-shirts will be given to the first 100 walkers who registered and checked in before walk commenced. Walkers who actively participate in the activities will receive tickets for the #PeaceMeal ?Date taking place on 21st September at one of the luxurious places in Lagos.

“Now more than ever our communities,  private/ public sector’s support are essential because the awareness raised will bring us one step closer to peacebuilding and the funds raised will aid our efforts to further execute peacebuilding projects in communities and schools by building the capacities of in/out of school youths, and women” said Galaxy 4 Peace CEO, Precious Ajunwa.

Why should you participate in Sweat4Peace?

  • To join the rest of the world to celebrate International Day of Peace
  • To promote the culture of peace
  • To support Peacebuilding efforts in Nigeria & Africa.
  • To be part of a statewide community effort
  • For great exercise.
  • It’s fun and easy!

What do you need to do?

Join us and walk! Participants are to register on http://www.eventbrite.com/e/sweat-4-peace-tickets-12276735045?aff=es2&rank=1 to get ID numbers and subsequent communication on the slated event.

Come with shoes you are comfortable on, placards and balloons with your message of peace on it (it’s an event for all to get involved) and paints for your face-painting activity.

G4P is calling on the corporate bodies, civil society organizations for Partnership to execute the project because we believe in synergy.  

Get Inner Peace. Get fit. Get walking. And help us get one step closer to promote #Peacebuilding in Nigeria!

For more information on how to get involved contact a representative on 08130779939, or email galaxy4peace@gmail.com.

Signed: G4P Publicist

Email: galaxy4peace@gmail.com

Website: www.galaxy4peace.org 

Twitter: @galaxy4peace

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The so-called statement is baseless, malicious and fictitious – Nuhu Ribadu

Our attention has been drawn to a purported statement circulating in the social media and other online platforms allegedly made by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu on the persons of President Goodluck Jonathan and Governors Rotimi Ameachi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The so-called statement is baseless, malicious and fictitious whose origin is only the walls and timelines of those promoting the obviously sponsored smear campaign. We have had cause to confront some people at the forefront of posting and tweeting those fictitious statements over the last 12 hours to prove the origin of the said statement or provide link to any credible news outfit that published the purported statement. No one could provide any. Instead, the people involved, understandably acting the script of their sponsors, have continued to shamelessly spread the lies.

I want to reiterate that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was not at any public function yesterday and he did not speak to anybody about the issues being attributed to him. Ribadu has no cause to speak ill of anyone because he has changed his platform. He is still in good terms with his friends in the APC just as he was relating well with his friends in the PDP that were hitherto divided by political parties.

Abdulaziz Abdulaziz

Media Assistant

abdulazizfagge@gmail.com

@AbdulFagge

Controversy surrounds Ribadu’s defection to PDP

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party has said it is not aware that the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial a Crimes Commission, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu has defected to the party from the All Progressives Congress.

It said that though there were rumours that he had defected to the party, Ribadu was yet to formally defect to the ruling party.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Ibrahim Jalo, who spoke with our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said because of this, there was no way the party would react to the rumour of his defection or not.

He said, “We have not been told that he has defected. There are rumours here and there, but as I speak with you, we have not been told he has moved.

“It is after the official defection that we can be able to say whether he had moved or not and whether he will get waiver or not. Even at that, he has to ask for the waiver.”

Ribadu is under pressure from the national leadership of the party and the Presidency to defect and contest the governorship election of Adamawa State under the platform of the ruling PDP.

The former chairman of the EFCC was the presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011.

Our correspondent learnt in Abuja that those who have so far indicated interest to contest the election under the platform of the PDP are the former Military Administrator of Lagos State, General Buba Marwa, former Senator representing Adamawa Central, Abubakar Girei, a former Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak, and former Minister, Idi Hong.

Others include: Dr. Umar Ardo, former Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Ahmed Modibo, Mr. Markus Gundiri and the son of former PDP national chairman, Mr. Awual Tukur.

The acting Governor, Bala Ngilari has also announced his intention to contest following the pressure he received from 13 of his colleagues from the State House of Assembly.

Credit: Punch News

Group Writes Petition Against The DSS’s Conduct During Osun Polls

CENTRE FOR RIGHTS AND GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE (CRGI)?1A Fadeyi Street, Ikeja, Lagos.?Email: centreforrightsgi@gmail.com?Telephone: 07033853232, 08078012999

13th August, 2014.

The National Security Adviser (NSA),?Office of the National Security Adviser,?Abuja.

Dear Sir,

PUBLIC PETITION

PUBLIC PETITION AGAINST THE CONDUCT OF PERSONNEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE SECURITY SERVICES (DSS) IN THE OSUN STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION AND CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF THE ALLEGATION OF CORRUPTION RAISED BY MRS. MARILYN OGAR

With due regards Sir, I have the authority of the governing board of the Centre for Rights and Grassroots Initiative (CRGI) to intimate you with this civil society organization which is at the vanguard for strict observance of the tenets of rule of law and due process in our national life.

Sir, once again, we are being forced to draw your attention by our patriotic zeal to anomalies observed in the conduct of personnel of the DSS in the recently conducted Osun state gubernatorial election that are inimical to professional ethics, oath of allegiance, national security, unity and our democracy.

Sir, if you will recollect, we petitioned your office prior to the election about the indiscriminate shootings by officers of the DSS on street patrols in towns in Osun state as well as the wearing of masks. We were also worried that a revered security institution like the DSS which is our own secret police in the mould of KGB in USSR, CIA in USA was breaching its constitutional responsibility of being secret by its public display of naked force.

We hoped that by petitioning your office then, that this anomalies would be corrected before, during and after the election, but to our greatest dismay, the conduct of the DSS during the aforementioned period, left much to be desired as it was a disservice to our national image. We observed how security agents inclusive of DSS clothed operatives in mask and without identification tag, violated the rights of people with impunity through harassment, intimidation, assault and even arrested people on queue to accredit and vote on election day, journalists and observers.

Once again sir, we would want to know, if its within the schedule of operations for security operatives to wear mask and without identification tags when on electoral duty?

We also wish to bring to your notice for urgent investigation and ensure prosecution, the latest allegation of attempted bribe of DSS directors by an unnamed politician as raised by the deputy director of information of the DSS, Mrs. Marilyn at a press conference she granted in Abuja, recently.

Sir, our concern for your urgent intervention stems from the fact that her statements at the said press conference portrays an institution of the state of which she is the spokesperson as heavily biased and compromised in utter violation of its constitutional responsibility.

Sir, read below, what was ascribed to Mrs. Marilyn Ogar at the press conference by the media,

“On Tuesday, spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS), Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, accused “a certain political party” of offering two SSS officials a combined bribe of N14million to influence the Osun State gubernatorial election, won by Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Ogar, who was speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, an SSS director was offered N4million while another was offered N10million. “A director in charge of election duties (security) was offered N4 million for himself and N10 million,” she stated.

“It is because the money was declined, that is why the ‘certain political party’ is having a running battle with the DSS. Thank God the APC won the election; its loss could have been blamed on the DSS”

Sir, in view of the fact that the DSS is an institution of the state that is very conversant with the workings of the law, one is therefore at a loss, why it chose to make a public show of this criminal act and an attempted violation of the electoral Act instead of reporting it to the police for prosecution?

Therefore, sir, we are using this medium to demand an immediate investigation and prosecution of this matter for the sake of the integrity of the DSS, justice, national security and our democracy.

We are also demanding that you use your good office to immediately put in place machineries for the re-orientation and refocussing of our security agencies in line with global best practices for the sake of our democracy and national unity.

Thanks,

Nelson Ekujumi,?Executive Director.

Osun: Is our democracy developing? – Ayisha Osori

The Osun gubernatorial election was like life – part good, part bad and part ‘results-uncertain’. Looking strictly at the democratic process and the expected natural progression of deepening democracy, there seems little to celebrate, and plenty that is troubling and puzzling. In using last Saturday’s elections to assess the state of our democracy and the preparations for the 2015 general elections, there are several factors to consider.

The first is the role of security in elections. It is a relief that the elections were peaceful and this gives some hope for 2015. However, it is still not clear if this was in spite of or because of the 73,000 security operatives, including 15,000 soldiers. To put this in perspective, as of May 2014, Borno only had about 20,000 soldiers deployed. Depending on who answers, the role of security agents during elections is to secure, facilitate and/or intimidate. The FG’s position is that there is a need to keep the peace and protect our votes. Others argue that security is there to facilitate rigging while the opposition – building on the experience in Ekiti, avow that security is there to intimidate and illegally incarcerate people who are considered a threat to PDP’s agenda. Whatever the case, this trend is alarming and has no basis in the Constitution or Electoral Act and it is vital that those who suffered from forced incarceration during Ekiti and Osun sue the relevant agencies and give the courts the chance to protect Nigerians from growing abuse of power. Does this show of force make people feel safe or frightened? If INEC distributed 986,117 permanent voters cards (PVCs) in Osun, and the results released by INEC for 5 parties (PDP, APC, AD, Labour & SDP) adds up to 698,845, then this means that Osun recorded 70.86% voter turn out and we could be excused for thinking more security equals voter confidence. But if that is not the case, what does this number tell us considering that voter turnout is up 20 percentage points from Ekiti and for the gubernatorial elections in Anambra we had less than 30% voter turnout?

This takes us to the second factor: the numbers. Transparency around numbers is crucial. How many registered voters and where, how many PVCs distributed and what do the past voting patterns tell us about elections in certain places? This helps us see more clearly through the murky unknown world of returning officers, collation centers and the transportation of ballot papers to collation centers. If we had 53% and 63% voter turn out for gubernatorial elections in 2011 and 2003 respectively, then do the numbers in Osun merely testify to the success of the parties in mobilizing voters?

Historically and anecdotally, the successful mobilization of voters is based on cash, which introduces the third factor in our elections: money. The amounts that were allegedly spent on mobilizing wards and local governments for the Osun election are staggering. Few Nigerians can come up with the funds now required to mobilize voters with fluid sociological leanings and even those who donate generously are those with secure pipelines to government patronage and do so in flagrant disregard of the limits set by the Act. Where does this money come from and what needs to be done for INEC to effectively monitor campaign spend as provided for under the Electoral Act?

Finally, there is scale. INEC’s logistics management and communication is definitely improved, but these are in one off cases with less than 1million voters at a time. What happens in 2015 when the entire country is voting? If indeed massive deployment of security is a factor for increased voter turnout – will we have 73,000 security agents in each state? Also if the lack of violence was considered a factor in the results of the Osun elections, will the merchants of violence decide to do things differently in 2015?

These are by no means the only factors making it hard for us to practice a democracy that will meaningfully impact on our lives and it is easy to be glib and say ‘these factors are common all over the world’ but the world does not have our problems. It is hardly democratic or fair for the president or the governors (if they ever get state police) to use state funded security officers as their personal army…who then can challenge them without signing a death warrant of sorts?

Osun was clearly about 2015 and the opportunity for PDP to provide Nigerians with a sense of inevitability regarding President Jonathan’s re-election and for those who consider a strong and effective opposition to be one of the corner stones in a democracy, Osun was the chance to show that the full might of the federal government can be managed and to give a glimmer of hope of what could be. Holding elections every four years does not automatically translate into a democracy where people wield the ultimate accountability mechanism by voting in promise and track record and kicking out those who will not and cannot deliver on basic social services expected from any government. As we look forward to 2015 and to deepening our democracy we need to consolidate the positives and make plans to mitigate the factors outlined above.

$20 Billion Missing Oil Money: I Did Not Sign Senate Committee’s Report – Senator Bukola Saraki

The attention of office of Distinguished Senator Bukola Saraki has been drawn to a publication made in today‘s Thisday Newspaper publication of 11th August, 2014, particularly on pages lX to XV wherein the Distinguished Senator was listed as one of the signatories to the report of Senate committee on  Finance on the investigation of the alleged un remitted US$49.8 Billion oil revenue by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation NNPC.

While we are not denying the fact that Senator Saraki is a member of the  Senate committee on Finance, and whereas we also acknowledges that Senator Saraki participated actively in almost all of the committee’s assignment as it affects the investigation of the unremitted US$48.9 Billion oil revenue by NNPC, the office of Senator Saraki wish to state  categorically and further deny that the  Senator Bukola Saraki, representing Kwara central Senatorial District of Kwara State did not SIGN any committee report as it affects the said investigation contrary to the impression given in the said Thisday publication . This is totally not correct.

It is pertinent therefore to correct the erroneous impression and insinuation that such publication might portray to the general public. The names  listed in the report as published by Thisday newspaper report are just the list of members of the Committee and nothing more.

As of today as a result of  the said publication, our office has inundated with many  phone calls, sms and emails.

In view of the above, this correction which is for record purposes , is equally necessary for the attention of  the editor/publisher of the newspaper and by extension, the general public who might have been misled in the circumstance.

Signed

Bamikole Omishore
SA Media And Advocacy

 

#BringBackOurGirls: @Obajeun . com Blogging Contest – N50,000 up for grabs!

On the night of Tuesday, April 15th 2014 (approximately 100 days ago), about 300 school girls were abducted from Chibok Government Secondary School – Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. This barbaric and dastardly act of crime was perpetuated by the notorious terrorist group – Boko Haram.

A powerful media campaign tagged #BringBackOurGirls was launched to voice out the grief of the world on the issue, and bring the attention of the Nigerian Government to the pain and sufferings of the abducted young girls. The whole nation and indeed the world at large have been expectant and positive; but till this moment, the girls have not been rescued.

Do you think that the #BringBackOurGirls campaign has outlived its relevance?

At Obajeun.com, we don’t think so! This is why we are calling on YOU to participate in this one-of-a-kind blogging contest – #TheBuzz

If you are a passionate and creative Nigerian youth and you have a valid twitter account with at least 20 followers, then this is for YOU!!!

How to Participate

– From 12:00am on Sunday 27th July – 11:59pm on Saturday 16th August 2014, buzzers would then compose one unique tweet – summarily expressing their own thoughts about #BringBackOurGirls, untold stories about the girls or proffering workable means that we as a nation can employ to bring our girls back home in no time – safe and sound. To capture your unique thoughts, your 140 characters tweet may include words, graphics/cartoons or self-designed and thought provoking pictures! Tweets have to mention@Obajeun and contain the hash tag #TheBuzz.

For example, tweets should look like this – “@Obajeun The Nigerian Army has failed us!!! 300,000 able bodied and armed civilians need to unite & march to Sambisa forest to save our girls. #TheBuzz“

– The 30 most inspiring tweets would be selected to move on to the next round!!! N.B – Retweets by your followers, increases your chances of being selected!!! The 30 buzzers would be announced on Sunday, 17th August, 2014.

– Subsequently, the 30 selected buzzers would then proceed to write 500-600 worded articles, reports, fiction, poems, cartoons, pictures and graphics/design to further explore their individual unique thoughts on the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, unheard stories about the girls, or unexplored means to rescue our girls and send for posting from August 18th to 23rd. They would send in their entries to:obajeun.ja@gmail.com

– A competent panel of experienced and objective artists/writers/bloggers would then decide the fate of the 30 buzzing semi-finalists, to determine 15 buzzers who would move on to the last and final round. The 15 buzzers would be announced on Sunday, 24th August, 2014.

– The final 15 would proceed to get public support. They would have their unique links shared with them and they would be expected to use their social media influence to garner support through: facebook blog likes, facebook blog comments, twitter shares, google+ shares, etc. This would happen from August 25th to September 6th. Winners would be announced on Sunday 7th September, 2014.

Why YOU Should Participate

This is a rare opportunity for you as a dynamic Nigerian youth to stir up the #BringBackOurGirls conversation once more, make it #TheBuzz of 2014 and contribute to standing for justice for these abducted and defenceless young girls who are a significant part of the future of our Nation.

Again, it is an outlet to explore your blogging, writing, artistic and poetic abilities for the world to listen. In all, it is all about ventilating your creativity.

Most interestingly, Exciting prizes would be carted away by outstanding buzzers including -:

N50,000 up for grabs

Books

Buffet sit outs/Movie hang outs with Obajeun.com crew

Automatic tickets to participate in the next season of Tolerance Academy – A national peace-building & leadership development certification training.

Winning articles, cartoons and pictures also stand a chance to be featured on award winning blogs & websites as well as popular national dailies.

Also, winners in western Nigeria would get an opportunity to physically present their work at one or more glamorous literary events.

For more info, please log on to: www.obajeun.com

Senator Bukola Saraki Congratulates The Osun People For ‘Defeating Federal Might’

CONGRATS TO AREGBESOLA AND PEOPLE OF OSUN FOR DEFEATING FEDERAL MIGHT
 
In spite of the overwhelming pressure mounted by the unnecessary influx of over 70,000 armed personnel across the state of Osun; the illegal arrest and harassment of opposition members, and; the propaganda from the PDP, the great people of Osun have spoken with their votes. Osun has decided to give Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola another four year mandate.


I heartily congratulate my brother, Ogbeni Rauf on his sweeping re-election on the people-centered platform of  the ALL Progressives Congress (APC).

From every nook and cranny of the State of Osun, people came out en mass to send a clear and loud message: we will not be bullied into submission; we will not cower until we get the change that we rightly deserve; and we will remain united in the firm belief that we can? rescue our nation from the failed governance of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Osun has shown those seasonal politicians, that come out few months before election to claim a mandate from the people that no federal might can defeat the will of a powerful people. I know there are many out there that believe its time for a change but are held back because they believe “federal might” can’t be defeated or the people wish or voice doesn’t count , fellow Nigerians the good people of Osun has shown how that is such a fallacy in today’s Nigeria  

Despite the clear-cut democratic victory that we have witnessed today, now that the dust has settled, we must get back to building strong precedents for our nation.

I commend Nigerians especially the youth of Osun state, who followed the electoral process all day long to ensure results were not tampered with at any stage of the electoral process. A job well done  
 
The 2015 General Elections are only months away, therefore, before the single most important democratic contest of our time, we must bring those that choose to trample on the tenets of our democracy to justice. We must begin to investigate the new trend of arresting opposition leaders prior to elections. We must also begin to honestly question the restrictions placed  on many of our fundamental Constitutional freedoms when elections come around.

Osun is not only a victory for Ogbeni Rauf and the people of his state, it is a victory for the future of this nation. So, as we celebrate this monumental achievement, I urge Ogbeni Rauf to keep doing the will of his people. I also urge all changemakers, pacesetters,  and progressive minded Nigerians to come on board and join us in the battle to reclaim the mandate of our nation.

We can rescue Nigeria, however, like Osun has demonstrated today, we have to work hard and work together.

God bless the great people of Osun. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


Signed Bukola Saraki

#OsunDecides: The Arrest And Brutalization Of Student Union Leaders – Comrade Olawande Ajayi

The gubernatorial election in Osun State has come and gone but the dusts it raised has yet to subside. The incumbent governor and the aspirant of the All Progressive Congress has been declared winner by the Electoral umpire, INEC. In the build up to the election, the Federal Government announced the stationing of over 65,000 security agents within the State of Osun to “curtail the breakdown of law and order and to ensure a hitch-free election”.

However, on the 8th day of August, we heard with dismay and shock the brutalization and arrest of various student leaders in different locations around the state. It is disgusting to report that a combined mission by the men of the Nigerian Army and the Directorate of Secret Service in a commando style that would have been very useful in the Sambisa forest, stormed the Osun State College of Education, Ilesha, beat and then took the Joint Campus Committee(JCC) Chairman of National Association Nigerian Student(NANS), Osun Axis Comrade Awowole Samuel and eight(8) other comrades of ours to a destination that has remained elusive to us up to this moment. These comrades have been rendered incommunicado since Friday.

Just as if that was not enough, Comrade Safety was again arrested. This is nothing but an attack on the student structure in the state that has done nothing but to campaign for a free and fair election in the state devoid of chaos and crisis. The irony of it all is that they’ve been made to suffer from what they preached against. The brutality of the student leaders by government agents who swore to protect us is very absurd and unfortunate. It is quite disheartening that what we thought was behind us after the return to the democracy rule in 1999 has resurfaced.

These developments has prompted us ask ourselves if truly we are safe when those who are to protect us has taken the other side? Who ordered the arrest of these comrades? On what ground were they arrested? Is it wrong for them to ask for a free and fair election? Questions beggining for answers.

The leadership of the NANS in the South West hereby writes to request the immediate release of these comrades and a panel of inquiry set up to answer the questions we asked earlier. We also use this medium to beg the leadership of Nigerian Army to please and please engage the commando-like tactics they used in arresting our comrades to free the over 250 girls abducted from Chibok High School over a 100 days ago instead of wasting it on our powerless and harmless comrades. We might be forced to take actions which might be drastic if they are not released immediately. They’ve been disenfranchised and their civil and human rights trampled upon. It won’t go unchallenged.

Amandla Ngwethu…nothing shall discourage us.

God bless NANS

God bless the State of Osun

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Signed:

Comrade Olawande Ajayi

NANS Zonal Treasurer.

The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

Democracy Is Still Gravely Endangered in Nigeria, Our Country Is In Political Bondage, Says Victorious Aregbesola In Acceptance Speech

AUGUST 10,2014

ELECTORAL VICTORY   SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OSUN, HIS EXCELLENCY, RAUF AREGBESOLA

DEMOCRATIC  VICTORY OVER THE TYRANNY OF POWER

After an unnecessarily tense, tortuous and even traumatic process, the Independent National Electoral Commission this morning declared me as the winner of the Osun state governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC). On behalf of my party, we are delighted to claim victory for our hard work, focus and dedication in this election. I thank the Almighty God for our triumph at the polls, against all odds.

To the good people of Osun State goes our unflinching gratitude. We salute your steadfastness, courage, loyalty, commitment and fierce determination to defend your sovereign rights and the integrity of our nascent democracy. You have demonstrated in this election that in a democracy, power truly belongs to the people. I am humbled and honoured by your trust and abiding faith in me and my party. I pledge that your confidence in us shall never be betrayed or taken for granted.

Ordinarily, this should be a moment of joy and celebration consequent upon the hard earned triumph of the people’s will. However, this election shows that democracy is still gravely endangered in Nigeria. We witnessed gross abuse of power and, of due process before, during, and even after the actual voting process. It is so sad and unfortunate that what should be a normal, routine process was maliciously allowed to snowball in to a needless virtual war by the Federal Government and the PDP.

Osun state was unduly militarized in an unprecedented manner through criminal intimidation and psychological assault on our people. This election witnessed an abuse of our security agencies and amounted to a corruption of their professional ethics and integrity.

The security agencies were unprofessionally utilized in Osun state to harass, intimidate and oppress the people whose taxes are used to pay their salaries and provide their arms. Hundreds of leaders, supporters, sympathizers and agents of our party were arrested and detained. Also, hundreds of other innocent citizens including women and the aged were harassed, brutalized and traumatized. In spite of this condemnable repression and abuse of human rights, the unflagging spirit of our people triumphed.

Our victory is due to the steadfastness and resolute determination of our people to assert and defend their rights. The PDP obviously did all it could in a most desperate manner to steal the people’s mandate. A critical analysis of the elections shows a trend of general low voter turnout largely because of the atmosphere of deliberate tyranny and fear caused by the excessive militarization of the state. Despite our victory, it is pertinent to condemn and also point out the fact that the number of accredited voters in most local governments was less than half of registered voters. Against this trend, it is curious that the bulk of the PDP  candidate’s votes came from only four Local Governments- namely Ife Central, Ife East, Ife North and Ife South. This suggests an inexplicable large turnout in his stronghold which is a curious departure from the general trend of voting across the state.

The outcome of this election, once again, shows the unswerving determination of our people to ensure that democracy triumphs in Nigeria. We have sent a strong signal to all and sundry that no might is powerful enough to thwart the will of the people. This should always strengthen our resolve to ensure that as from now on, every vote must not only be counted but must count in this country. Nobody or party must ever exercise power unreasonably at any level except in accordance with the will of the people to whom sovereignty belongs.

Let me assure the good people of Osun state that I appreciate that this victory is a reward for our hard work and commitment to the welfare of our people. I promise that we shall not rest on our oars but shall be spurred to work even harder with all well meaning people of the State of Osun and the generality of Nigerians to continue to enjoy your trust and support. You can be assured that we will leave no stone unturned in our continued effort to transform Osun into a land of progress, prosperity and peace for all with renewed fervour. I realize that this victory and the challenges we went through is a call to greater service and sustained commitment to our people. I pledge a rededication of myself to the service of our people and the strengthening of democratic values in Osun and Nigeria generally. Our country remains in political bondage and we must set her free.

Press Release: Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro for Down syndrome

Six Nigerian professionals are embarking on a 6-day hike to the peak of Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain. This is happening as part of a fundraising drive for the Lagos based Down Syndrome Foundation.  The Charity climb tagged Climb for Down syndrome, the brain child of Inspired by Charity, a social enterprise, is scheduled to take place 16th-23rd August, 2014 in Tanzania.

The hiking party hopes to use the climb to raise awareness about Down syndrome and help to raise 10,000,000 naira for the Down Syndrome Foundation (DSF). DSF is a renowned charity that works to provide leadership, support and advocacy in all areas of concern as it relates to persons with Down syndrome in Nigeria.

Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest freestanding Mountain at 5,895m high, attracts over 40,000 people every year who seek to climb the mountain. Of the seven summits, it is the easiest to climb, requiring no ropes, or special mountaineering gears or previous climbing experience.

The Climb for Down Syndrome Party will be climbing through the Machame route, one of the seven routes to Uhuru summit. The choice of the route according to Dotun Eyinade, the convener is to ensure that everyone acclimatizes quickly and to increase the chances of success. “Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro remains a physical and mental challenge and for many of us it will be one of the most physically exacting things we would do in our youth” he added.  Inspired by Charity views the experience as more than an adventure but a purposeful intervention insupport of the Down Syndrome Foundation, as it executes its charitable mandate in providing critical succor to a vulnerable community. Eyinade, a Fellow with Acumen Fund said the team would leverage the media, especially new media platforms to raise awareness about Down syndrome and the Foundation. As socially minded professionals, we consider the hike a transformational experience, one which requires courage, grit and determination; we are excited about the prospect of using the hike to fundraise for Down syndrome foundation and help to place down syndrome on the front burners of public discourse again.

The professionals are drawn from the KPMG, Seven Energy, Generation Enterprise, Acumen Fund amongst others. Accordingly, Climb for Down Syndrome has received the endorsement of the Down Syndrome Foundation.This is a worthy and unique concept which I believe must be the first of its kind in our country. We would love to thank the team for believing in our cause and finding our Foundation worthy to benefit from this unique event,” said Mrs Rose Mordi, President, Down Syndrome Foundation.

Donations in support of the Climb can be made directly to the bank accounts of the Down Syndrome Foundation as well as on www.234give.com, a crowdfunding platform.

The climb is supported by Premium Times, The cable news, Development Diaries and the One Life initiative

Adedotun Eyinade

For Inspired by Charity

+2348124773457, +255687317182

info@inspiredbycharity.com

It Is Clear Aregbesola Won Convincingly, There Was No Rigging – Femi Fani-Kayode

For the last two weeks I have been in the field in Osun state campaigning for my friend, brother and kinsman and my party’s candidate in the governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore. It has been a grueling yet wonderful experience and I am very proud to have been part of the team and so deeply involved.

It is now 7.00a.m in the morning and the final results of those elections have just been formally announced by INEC. They are as follows. Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the APC polled 394,684 votes whilst Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP polled 292,747 votes. It is clear from the foregoing that Aregbesola has not only won but he has also won convincingly.

I hereby congratulate him and his party on their victory. I commend INEC for conducting a free and fair election in which there was no rigging. I commend the security agencies for maintaining law and order and ensuring that no one was killed or maimed.

I salute the courage of my friends and colleagues in the PDP in Osun state for putting up a good fight. I thank my kinsmen and the good people of my district, zone and hometown Ile-Ife particularly for standing by the PDP in this election and delivering virtually all the votes in their four local government areas to our son and candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore.

This is democracy and the will of the people must be respected. You win some and you lose some yet the struggle continues. Though we lost this one we are not deterred. As a matter of fact the battle has just started and we are deeply encouraged and touched by the massive suppport that we received from many quarters.

We shall continue to proudly fly the flag of the PDP and we shall continue to work and fight for a better Nigeria. God bless the good people of Osun state. God bless Nigeria.

Views expressed are solely the author’s

U.S. to Seize U.S.$480 Million of Abacha’s Loot

The United States of America has won the right to seize and redistribute nearly half a billion dollars hidden in bank accounts around the world by the late Nigerian military dictator, General Sani Abacha, the Department of Justice said yesterday.

Officials said the forfeiture of $480 million, which was authorised by a federal judge in Washington, DC, Wednesday, sets a record for so-called “kleptocracy” actions, US-based television network NBC reported yesterday. The US froze the assets in March.

“Rather than serve his county, General Abacha used his public office in Nigeria to loot millions of dollars, engaging in brazen acts of kleptocracy,” said Assistant Attorney General, Leslie Caldwell. “With this judgment, we have forfeited $480 million in corruption proceeds that can be used for the benefit of the Nigerian people.”

The forfeited assets, from banks in France, Ireland, the U.K. and the Channel Islands, represent the proceeds of corruption during and after the military regime of Abacha, who became president via military coup on November 17, 1993, and held power until his death on June 8, 1998.

According to a Justice Department press release, “The ultimate disposition of the funds will follow the execution of the judgment in each of these jurisdictions.”

Credit: http://allafrica.com/stories/201408080629.html

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No Ebola patient died in Abuja says Abuja Doctor who treated suspected patient

Rumours have been flying around that an Ebola patient died at the Garki National Hospital in Abuja but that’s very far from the truth. We spoke to one of the doctors at Zankli Hospital, the hospital reported to have started treatment on the patient suspected to have contracted Ebola. The patient was eventually transferred to Garki National Hospital. According to the doctor, the patient in question had had issues with diabetic coma and had background retroviral infection. The patient’s kidney shut down, he was eventually transferred from Zankli to Garki hospital where he eventually died. This had nothing to do with Ebola whatsoever. The public will do well to confirm issues concerning Ebola, it causes and other related information before spreading them. We owe it to ourselves to spread the facts on Ebola and not misinform the public. Check @EbolaFacts for more facts on Ebola, visit www.ebolafacts.com for quick facts.

Apply For The African Students for Liberty Leadership Programme, Application Closes 10th August

The US-Africa leadership summit holding in Washington from its theme, investing in the next generation, is suggestive of the need to engage and equip the next generation for Africa’s development. The consensus is clear: No one will develop Africa except us.

Some Africans are rising up to the challenge. Mo Ibrahim, the Sudanese billionaire, speaking at the summit submitted that without good governance there is no hope. Some Africans youths are rising up to the challenge.

African Students For Liberty sprang out from the efforts of young Africans to stand up against the negative heritage of tyranny and totalitarianism that has plagued the continent for so long. These young individuals are dedicated to spreading the ideas of human dignity, individual and economic freedom and the ability to pursue one’s happiness without coercion. African Students For Liberty therefore provides a platform for African students to generate and share ideas that will lead to a prosperous and liberated Africa.

The organization is presently recruiting leaders who are committed to the advancement of liberty on the continent.

The Local Coordinator program provides a community of like-minded people who feel that making Africa more peaceful and more prosperous is a business serious enough to be done professionally.  In the program, participants will learn not only what makes individuals and societies free, you will also learn how best to do it. What is more, youths will be able to teach others through their efforts in promoting liberty in their local communities what works and what doesn’t.

In the Local Coordinator program, participants will undergo a virtual two-month management-training course that will open their eyes to the challenges facing their respective communities, and the best tools to address them.

 Speaking of his experience, Ajibola Adigun, an Executive Board Member of the organization said: “ The training the program afforded me was a pivotal experience; my experience as an African Students For Liberty leader and my commitment to promoting the ideas of liberty isn’t over; I now serve on the executive board of African Students For Liberty after completing a four-month internship at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation in the United States. These experiences have been critical in my personal and professional development.”

This is an opportunity to contribute to helping our continent become a freer and more prosperous place. If you have a passion for liberty and have the energy and commitment to spread these ideas to a broader audience, the Local Coordinator program is for you. Through the Local Coordinator program, African Students For Liberty is looking for pro-liberty students who have an unrelenting drive and want to dedicate part of their time to making this world a freer place, but aren’t sure exactly where and how to begin. The organization is also looking for students who are already organizing or interested in organizing for liberty but would like to elevate their activities to a higher level and professionalize their work and their organizations. In general, the willingness to work hard on the subject of social change, show an entrepreneurial spirit to go out and take initiative is required.

Applications can be found below and are open till August 10.

Apply Here

#FactsOnEbola: The Facts versus The Nigerian Merchants of Misinformation – JJ, Omojuwa

This is 2014 but going by the ease of gullibility and Nigeria’s ignorance per capita, this might as well be 1714 in Nigeria. Many reasons account for why we are such a gullible people but two main factors trump everything; our governments’ penchant to leave information gaps and the desperation of most of our religious fathers to be our all in all. It’d be fine if such realities were confined to private matters where people are privately fooled but misinformation has become a macro issue, it has gained commercial strength and as it is today, it has become a matter of life and death. Ebola is here and misinformation could end up killing more people before Ebola does.

First it was bitter kola, now it is salt and water (plus pepper and palm oil) but a search through google would clearly show that none of these cure Ebola. Even the ‘secret serum’ being tested by the United States has had a more effective use on Ebola than anything else but the Americans are not even daring to say ZMAPP cures Ebola. They live in 2014 unlike us so they know that until something is clinically proven to cure an ailment, it remains nothing but an experimental solution. We are not even close to calling our salt and water solution an experimental one because we have never tested it against Ebola. The age of social media, phones and BlackBerry/Whatsapp broadcasting has now meant that word of mouth, which used to be the most effective marketing tool in Nigeria has now gained technological power and has become even more powerful. Sadly though, these broadcasts are often not true.

On its day, Google is quite fast but no matter how fast Google is, it really does appear the spread of ignorance in Nigeria would always be faster than Google. Ignorance seems to spread at the speed of light in Nigeria. One moment it is bitter kola, then you are up the next morning, faced with a battle to kill another round of misinformation; boiled water and salt.

According to the World Health Organisation, Ebola at the moment has no cure, no specific treatment and no vaccine. Even if you drink a river full of water mixed with 100 bags of salt, if you come in contact with the body fluids of an infected person, you are in danger of contracting the Ebola virus. As you can see, it is not such a difficult thing to prevent Ebola from spreading. Vigilance and obsessive attention to your personal hygiene, coupled with a clean environment prevents Ebola. As a people, we love difficult solutions but it doesn’t have to be. The Ebola virus cannot survive disinfectants, heat, direct sunlight, detergents and soaps. Just make sure to always clean up your body and your environment.

Bush meat may be carrying the virus, avoid bush meat and suya for now. Restrict yourself to food prepared at home. Avoid unnecessary contact with people at the moment. Rodents can be carriers of Ebola. Fumigate your environment and dispose of the carcasses properly! Dead bodies can still transmit Ebola. Don’t touch them without protective gear or avoid them altogether. Protect Yourself. Use protective gear if you must care or go near someone you suspect has Ebola. Report any suspicious symptoms in yourself or anyone else IMMEDIATELY you notice them. Don’t delay! Educate Everyone. Tell your neighbours, colleagues and domestic staff. You’re safer when everyone is educated about Ebola.

Ebola has no cure, its fatality rate is as high as 90%. Bitter kola does not cure Ebola, boiled water and salt do not prevent nor cure Ebola. No other solution does too. Nothing the Nigerian Misinformation Committee (NMC) comes up with in the next coming days cures Ebola. With Ebola, your best ‘cure’ is prevention. There is no known cure for now. The closest ‘cure’ is still at an experimental stage and it is not yet in Nigeria. Please save this country from the merchants of misinformation, broadcast this message on your phones and tell your friends and family. Visit Ebola Facts to learn more on Ebola and follow #FactsOnEbola on Twitter. If those of us who know better refuse to be committed to informing the people, merchants of misinformation will bridge that gap with misinformation. It could be costly. With Ebola, everyone deserves to know the facts now! The Lagos State Ebola helplines are live and they are free. This is the easiest to remember, Call 0800-EBOLA-HELP (0800326524357) to know more or to report suspected cases.

Ebola: President Jonathan urges all Nigerians to remain Vigilant

President Jonathan has called on Nigerians to be vigilant and express their civic duty by reporting any suspected case of Ebola promptly to Health Ministries or hospitals close to them. He reiterated that every Nigerian has a responsibility to protect their families and the great country of Nigeria from this unfortunate disease.

The disease is spread by direct contact with an Ebola patient’s blood or other bodily fluids like urine, saliva, and sweat. The highest concentration of virus is thought to be in blood, vomit and diarrhea. The most vulnerable people are health care workers, family members or people who care for the sick. Symptoms are similar to diseases like malaria and cholera.

The President has stated his commitment to work with all arms of government and as well as international health agencies to curtail the spread of the virus across the country. He has also approved the procurement of additional protective gear for health workers and border staff who would need to be protected as they carry out their tasks. Mr. President commended the oil and gas sector who have stepped-up to commit to funding the procurement of these vital protective gear. Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke in a statement said “no expense can be spared to protect the precious lives of Nigerian healthcare workers and border staff as they risk their lives daily to save millions of Nigerians. We are grateful to them.”

The President expressed deep sadness over the loss of the lives of medical staff, who cared for the Liberian patient that entered the country two weeks ago with the virus. He commended their bravery and duty of care, which cost them their lives. He encouraged all health workers, and staff at border points to remain vigilant in the execution of their duties. He called them “Nigeria’s protectors, the soldiers fighting the war that threatens the freedom of the Nigerian people.”

He called on the media to avoid scare mongering and to disseminate information on practices to help Nigerians identify and prevent the spread of the virus. The National Orientation Agency has been tasked by the Presidency to ensure all Nigerians are aware of practical steps to protect the lives of their families.

The President assured Nigerians that he will personally monitor the situation and has called on international medical organisations such as the Centre for Disease Control  (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to assist Nigeria. The President also had a meeting with Vice President Mr. Joe Biden on Wednesday at the White House to explore areas of collaboration to halt the spread of the disease.

Ebola: President Jonathan Instructs The National Orientation Agency to Educate Nigerians on Clear Safeguards

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has been instructed to educate Nigerians on the necessary actions and preventive measures to be taken against the deadly Ebola virus. President, Goodluck Jonathan, made this call as an important and urgent precautionary measure to halt the spread of the deadly virus in Nigeria. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan stressed that awareness is key and every Nigerian needs to be armed with the right instruction to protect themselves and their families.

The virus, which has plagued Africa for a while recently infiltrated the Nigerian borders through a Liberian, killing two doctors and infecting 5 more medical personnel who came in contact with the carrier.

NOA has been charged with embarking on a nationwide enlightenment campaign to generate and disseminate messages across various mediums – Radio, TV, Print and online in the key traditional languages including English. The objective will be to raise public awareness in an effort to forestall the disease and save more lives. While a few are already aware of the dangers of the disease, acquainting them with strategic information and an increased knowledge of personal hygiene will certainly help curb the spread of the infectious disease.

However all hands have to be on deck to ensure that all and sundry are armed with these information. The World Bank have showed their support by pledging the sum of $200 million (N32 billion) to help contain the disease across West Africa. The media has been mandated to get involved, making sure that through live broadcast or dailies, vital knowledge is passed around. The President emphasised that the media should avoid scare-mongering and urged them to report on the facts while providing Nigerians with vital information that will keep them safe. Federal health workers are presently working together with both foreign and local counterparts to treat those infected and to make sure others do not contact the Ebola virus.

The nationwide enlightenment campaign will help all Nigerians to adopt preventive measures as laid down by the Federal Ministry of Health as well as according to international best practices and guidelines. It will help the populace to clearly identify symptoms of the virus; understand what to do when a suspected infectious person is identified; learn how to maintain safe hygiene standards; understand how the virus spreads and live healthy lives.

With accurate dissemination of information, individuals will understand how to protect themselves adequately and know how to remain calm to deal with any situation they encounter. Nigerians are urged to be on the lookout and report any suspicious cases or symptoms displayed by other individuals around them.

Ebola: Jonathan orders purchase of protection equipment for health and border officials

President Jonathan has moved quickly to arrest the threat of the Ebola virus by ordering additional protective equipment for health and border officials.

The Ebola Virus came into Nigeria two weeks ago via an infected Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, and quickly spread to seven Nigerian health officials who took care of the now dead patient. The Federal Government has since been on alert to prevent the further spread or influx of the deadly virus.

The oil and gas sector is leading the effort to galvanise funding for the purchase of the protective wear. The special gear will reduce risk of infection to those who, by virtue of their jobs, may come in contact with victims of Ebola virus, and will be distributed to all federal hospitals beginning with border states like Lagos, Cross River, Kano, Rivers and Borno. Following presidential directives, health workers and border officials will also be educated on the use of said gear, along with adequate information about the Ebola virus and instructed on how to handle suspected cases of the virus.

The Lagos State government has been quick to move by securing its borders better to check all incoming persons. President, Goodluck Jonathan, commended the State’s efforts, and has urged all other state governments to follow suit. He has also taken things a step further by approving the purchase and distribution of extra protective gear for the country’s border officials who are usually the first to come in contact with passengers coming into Nigeria. This includes containment equipment to quickly and safely isolate anyone that tests positive to the symptoms of the virus.

Health workers, who are also at high risk of contracting the disease from patients being tested or treated, would also be given the proper protective gear, the President directed when he approved the purchase of the items. This is to prevent further contamination and possible deaths.

Meanwhile President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday met with the Vice President of the United States, Mr. Joe Biden, at the White House as part of the just concluded US-Africa Leaders Summit to discuss the spread of the virus in Nigeria amongst other issues. Both leaders agreed that the Federal Government and its American counterpart should join forces to combat Ebola threats in West Africa. Mr. Joe Biden told President Jonathan that the US government would be fully involved in the quest to totally eradicate the spread of the deadly disease in West Africa.

#OsunDecides: Snapping of Ballot Paper is Legal – Gbajabiamila

The Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has described call by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega urging Osun voters to ignore earlier advise made by APC Gubernatorial candidate, Rauf Aregbesola as “unlawful and bias”

Aregbesola during APC mega rally last Tuesday in Oshogbo implored Osun voters to copy serial number of their allotted ballot paper and capture image of their ballot paper in order to truncate any attempt to rig the forthcoming election in the state.

The APC leader in the House of Representatives in a statement signed his research and media aide, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, on Thursday said , ” Professor Jega is not to interpret the provisions of any law passed by the National Assembly. Our courts constitutionally continue to enjoy and exercise that exclusive preserve. What is more worrisome is that the instruction was meant to make rigging more difficult for the PDP. PDP has not said a word (at least not yet) about this but instead it is a supposed unbiased electoral umpire that comes out firing from all cylinders. It sounds like a case of one crying more than the bereaved.”

Gbajabiamila said contrary to the position by INEC, the commission should embrace the lawful advise made by Aregbesola since it would help the commission achieve it objective of conducting a free and fair election. “Indeed INEC in the converse should applaud this development because it reduces the stress on it and the burden of proving that an election was regular and fair.”

The lawmaker also said the intent of the legislature in drafting the electoral act is to ensure transparency. “when we drafted this section of the law, it was to ensure that voters were not intimidated or induced whilst casting their votes. If after you cast your vote you take a picture of it for the records, posterity, and transparency, you cannot be said to have violated section 125 of Electoral Act (as amended).”

“Even a cursory look at the Electoral Act from the beginning to the end shows a clear intent on the legislature to ensure transparency. That is the theme of the Act. Now the section 125 of Electoral Act quoted copiously by the chairman is very clear as to its applicability and the meaning of secret voting. The section refers to third persons and not to the voter.”

“Moving beyond the law,  one question I would want the chairman of INEC to answer is this, what harm would it cause for a voter to take a picture of his ballot paper with his phone  and keep same in his pocket for future? What harm ? What does the system or INEC lose ?

“It’s only an offense for the voter, to disclose who he intends to or voted for to any other person and not to himself. Surely, secrecy does not extend to oneself. The APC charge tells the voter to take a picture of HIS one vote and keep it for the records. He need not disclose it to another person until such is necessary perhaps in an electoral or judicial dispute.”

To further drive home his legal argument, Gbajabiamila stressed that, “stretching the commonsensical meaning of secrecy to include oneself makes a mockery of our electoral law. The intent is to ensure transparency and credibility of the process. There is a sharp difference between secrecy and cultism. INEC should not make our electoral system assume the nature of a cultist process.”

“If we were to concede to the INEC chairman’s strange interpretation, how then do we count the votes in public view after the election? How then does a court or tribunal subpoena ballot papers for examination? Surely, these two instances would also violate the secrecy of the votes.”

Gbajabiamila concluded that law of evidence in Nigeria places much premium on photographic evidence in unleashing truth and serving justice.

“INEC must also understand that our laws of evidence admit and give high probative and evidential value to photographic copies if and when it will serve the cause of justice.

Finally our constitution (I believe section 67) allows every Nigerian who is above the age of 18 and who resides in Nigeria to register, vote and be voted for. There is no point in mouthing this constitutional provision if that vote cannot be guarded and protected. Intrinsic in that constitutional provision is the right to photograph your vote so it can count.  Mr Chairman, the end justifies the means. It can no longer be business as usual.”, the lawmaker added

Signed

Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart

Research and Media Assistant to

Minority Leader, House of Representatives

Abuja

wasiusmart@gmail.com

August 7, 2014

#BringBackOurGirls : 115 days of Waiting for Results from the Rescue Operation of over 200 Abducted Chibok Girls

Today marks day 115 since the abduction of over 200 girls from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, while they were sitting for their final exams. The world seems to have moved on, as we note with concern the lack of evidence to back the statements by the Government that all is being done to rescue our girls. We also note statements credited to the US Government over sighting of the girls in July 2014. Knowing the location of the girls is a positive development but this is not the first time Nigerians have been told that the location of the girls is already known. We also note the ambiguity in the statement credited to the President in Washington DC that efforts to negotiate with the insurgents are ongoing even though the earlier position of the government had been that it would not negotiate with Boko Haram. It is this ambiguity and double talk which gives our movement great cause for concern about the sincerity of the effort to rescue the abducted girls.

At its meeting on July 30, 2014, the Council of State promised that the insurgency in the North East will end by December 2014. We call on the Government to provide adequate information on how this is to be achieved considering that the insurgency in the North East has only escalated in the past several months and previous assurances  by the Government and its functionaries have not produced any results.

We urge the Government to scale up its efforts in the rescue operation, to ensure that this debacle comes to an end because of the separation of the innocent girls from their grieving parents. Their education has come to a stand still, as they remain in captivity with the insurgents. Worse still, their continued stay in captivity has given room for unfounded speculations about the role the girls are purported to have played in recent suicide attacks. We should all bury our heads in shame that 115 days since their abduction, we have not produced any visible results. Instead, the girls are being victimized further by associating them with heinous crime.

These girls are our collective trust. Every additional day they spend in captivity testifies to our collective failure as a people, even more so, the failure of our government to discharge its obligation to them. It is bad enough the true condition of these girls is unknown. It is worse to begin to associate them with unspeakable and despicable crime. Our sense of decency and propriety is taking leave of us.

While we continue in our resolve to remind Government of its obligation to rescue the Chibok Girls, it is imperative that we inform the general public that the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja family is in possession of credible information about an imminent attack on the daily sit-out organised by our Movement. We have taken necessary precautions to avoid any planned attacks, but are openly calling on Government and its security agencies, especially the Nigeria Police and the Department of State Security, to provide adequate security for our daily protest as we are not planning to give our protest up. We will persevere in the demand for the swift rescue of the abducted Chibok girls until they are brought back to us, safe and alive.?We are immensely grateful to all our members, Nigerians, friends of Nigeria all over the world and the media for supporting our Chibok Girls. We must all continue to demand #BringBackOurGirls Now and Alive!??We shall not stop #UntilOurGirlsAreBackAndAlive!

Thank You.

Maureen Kabrik & Aisha Yesufu

For: #BringBackOurGirls Campaign Abuja

Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Dr. Leke Pitan, Senator Mamora, Others Praise Governor Aregbesola’s Work

These videos are about Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s commitment to freedom for the people of Osun. A sincere man, motivated by helping the poor and vulnerable, is mischievously characterized as a religious fanatic. His former colleagues in the Lagos State Cabinet debunk this lie. From Pastor Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN to Dr. Leke Pitan, Wale Edun and Senator Mamora; they fortify the widely-held view that Ogbeni is really a rare gem and one for the people.

Gbenga Olorunpomi

#FactsOnEbola: Nigerian Ebola educational website receives over half a million hits in one week

In the wake of West Africa’s most recent and deadly ebola outbreak, Lagos-based publishing house Big Cabal Media has curated and launched an educational website called Ebola Facts (www.EbolaFacts.com) warning of the symptoms of ebola, explaining what the virus actually is, dispelling myths, as well as the means of the virus’ transmission in a manner that communicate effectively to a local audience. The launch comes as the virus continues to ravage communities in West Africa, and is creeping across international borders at an alarming rate.
The site, designed and built in 24 hours, is targeted specifically at the West African market, an increasingly tech-savvy market that is using the internet as its first point of call when searching for information about the deadly disease  and how to protect themselves.  This community often plays the role of influencer and information provider in their local communities.
Since launch, the site has received over 600,000 hits and has been seen on Facebook about 850,000 times.  There have also been requests for it to be printed for wider distribution to communities without the internet.  Content from the site has also been developed into a flyer, newspaper ads and digital billboards.  Work is now ongoing to translate the site to French, Swahili, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa and Pidgin to cater to a growing regional audience.
Dr. Seyi Taylor of Big Cabal Media says, “With the launch of Ebola Facts, we’re tackling an age-old problem of containing a deadly virus with 21st century technology. Millions of Africans are now regular internet consumers and see it as a first point of call for medical information. Ebola Facts was designed to be easily accessible, on all tech platforms – mobile being the no. 1 platform here on the continent – and, importantly, free. We’re hoping that people share this potentially life-saving information as part of the global effort to contain and kill this ebola outbreak.  We are also very grateful to all the individuals and organizations that have stepped up to support this effort.”
“Technology is a great enabler, for commerce, for social interaction and we hope, with Ebola Facts, for healthcare. We’re been contacted by government officials and medical professionals, who are very excited about the fact that young Africans are finding new and innovative ways of reaching out to as many people as possible to help save lives.”

President Jonathan Calls For More Effective International Action Against Boko Haram, Other Terrorist Groups

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CALLS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST BOKO HARAM AND OTHER TERRORIST GROUPS

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Wednesday in Washington DC called for more  effective global action and implementation of all existing international protocols against terrorism and violent extremism.

In Nigeria’s country statement presented to the ongoing US-African Leaders Summit, President Jonathan also demanded a more effective international sanctions regime against countries, organisations and  individuals that sponsor terrorism in any part of the world.

The President observed that some of the security problems now faced by Nigeria and other  African countries were transnational in scope and could not therefore be solved by any country acting alone.

He said that because terrorism, piracy and transnational organised crimes had become global in scope, greater regional and international collaboration was needed to combat them.

“Several African countries, including Nigeria, are now challenged by terrorism and violent extremism.  For several countries in the continent, terrorism has become a real threat to social progress, peace and security.

“The violent and criminal activities of Boko Haram in my country have captured the world’s attention.  This has been especially so since the terrorist group abducted some girls from their school dormitory in the North-Eastern Nigeria in April.

“Nigeria may be the epicentre of Boko Haram terrorist activities at the moment, but its affiliation with international terrorist networks, dramatically increases its capacity and reach beyond Nigeria’s borders.

“Nigeria is doing everything possible to combat Boko Haram and violent extremism. While we continue to enhance our intelligence and military capacities, we are, at the same time, working on political and socio-economic solutions. We are also building partnerships, both at the regional and international levels, to combat the threat posed by terrorism in our sub-region.

“In this enterprise, we are pleased to acknowledge the supportive role of the United States.  The assistance that we continue to receive from the United States and our other international partners is proof indeed that partnership can multiply our strengths in addressing  common challenges.

“We call for an effective international sanctions regime that would hold accountable any country, institutions and individual that finances terrorism in any part of the world. This inaugural Africa-US Summit must also call for effective action and implementation of all existing international protocols on this critical issue.

“Because terrorism, piracy and transnational organised crimes are global in scope, greater  regional and international collaboration is required to combat them.  We must act in concert,” President Jonathan said.

The President had conveyed the same message at a bilateral meeting with Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday, saying that Nigeria, the United States and the global community must work with greater synergy and unity of purpose to overcome Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.

At the meeting which took place in the Roosevelt Room in the West Wing of the White House, Vice President Biden described Nigeria as an “extremely important” ally of the United States.

He reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to working with Nigeria to overcome the Boko Haram insurgency, adding that his country was also willing to give Nigeria any assistance it may require to contain the more recent threat of Ebola.

President Jonathan and Vice President Biden also discussed further joint cooperation to boost trade and investments, agricultural development and access to electricity in Nigeria.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media &  Publicity)

August 6, 2014

Nigeria: Gruesome footage implicates military in atrocities – Amnesty International

Gruesome video footage, images and testimonies gathered by Amnesty International provide fresh evidence of war crimes, including extrajudicial executions, and other serious human rights violations being carried out in north-eastern Nigeria as the fight by the military against Boko Haram and other armed groups intensifies. 

The footage, obtained from numerous sources during a recent trip to Borno state, reveals graphic evidence of multiple war crimes being carried out in Nigeria. 

It includes horrific images of detainees having their throats slit one by one and dumped in mass graves by men who appear to be members of the Nigerian military and the “Civilian Joint Task Force” (CJTF), state-sponsored militias. It also shows the aftermath of a Boko Haram raid on a village in which the armed group killed nearly 100 people and destroyed or badly damaged scores of homes and other buildings.

“This shocking new evidence is further proof of the appalling crimes being committed with abandon by all sides in the conflict. Nigerians deserve better – what does it say when members of the military carry out such unspeakable acts and capture the images on film?” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General. 

“These are not the images we expect from a government which sees itself as having a leadership role in Africa. The ghastly images are backed up by the numerous testimonies we have gathered which suggest that extrajudicial executions are, in fact, regularly carried out by the Nigerian military and CJTF.”

More than 4,000 people have been killed this year alone in the conflict by the Nigerian military and Boko Haram, including more than 600 extrajudicially executed following the Giwa Barracks attack on 14 March in Maiduguri.

In recent months, the conflict has intensified in north-eastern Nigeria, spreading to smaller towns and villages which are now increasingly on the front line. In July 2014 Damboa in Borno state became the first town to fall under the control of Boko Haram since President Goodluck Jonathan declared the State of Emergency in May 2013.

The heavy-handed behaviour of the military also caused shock waves in Kaduna state in July. Twelve people from a mostly-Shia sect led by Sheikh El Zakzaky appear to have been killed in custody by the Nigerian military. They were arrested after taking part in an apparently peaceful protest, in which 21 other protesters, including two children, were also killed after the military opened fire on them.

Amnesty International is calling on the Nigerian authorities to ensure that the military stops committing human rights and humanitarian law violations. All reports of extrajudicial executions and other war crimes and serious violations must be investigated promptly, thoroughly, independently and impartially, with those responsible – up the entire chain of command – brought to justice.

“Members of Boko Haram and other armed groups are responsible for a huge number of heinous crimes – like the abduction of the schoolgirls in Chibok more than three months ago – but the military are supposed to defend people, not to carry out further abuses themselves,” said Salil Shetty.??

“A state of emergency must not give way to a state of lawlessness. Sadly, the same communities are now being terrorized in turn by Boko Haram and the military alike.”

Grisly extrajudicial executions 
The footage obtained by Amnesty International includes a gruesome incident that took place near Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, on 14 March 2014. It shows what appear to be members of the Nigerian military and CJTF using a blade to slit the throats of a series of detainees, before dumping them into an open mass grave.

The video shows 16 young men and boys seated in a line. One by one, they are called forward and told to lie down in front of the pit. Five of them are killed in this way; the fate of the remaining detainees is not shown on video, but eyewitness accounts confirmed that nine of them had their throats cut while the others were shot to death.?

Additional footage featuring some of the same perpetrators, taken earlier that day at the same location, shows two detainees digging a grave under armed guard before the killing is carried out. One is told to lie down in front of the pit, where his legs and head are held by what seem to be CJTF members. The individual who appears to be the commander of the group puts his right foot on the man’s side, raises his knife, kisses it and shouts “Die hard Commando” and cuts the throat of the restrained young man. All other military and CJTF shout “Yes oga [boss], kill him”.

Amnesty International spoke to several military sources who independently confirmed that the armed captors in the video were indeed military personnel, and according to two credible sources, they may be part of the 81 Battalion, which is based in Borno State.

No buildings, roads or other infrastructure can be seen in the video but the noise of cars confirms that it is near a road. Several of the armed captors are wearing military uniforms, one of which has the words “Borno State Operation Flush” emblazoned on the front. The ID number on one of the guns is also clearly identifiable (81BN/SP/407). According to military sources, the rifle belongs to the Support Company of the 81 Battalion and it has not been reported missing.

Eyewitnesses also confirmed to Amnesty International that the videos were taken on 14 March 2014, the day of Boko Haram’s attack on the military detention centre in Giwa Barracks in Maiduguri. Boko Haram forces reportedly released their members and told all other detainees to either join them or go home. After Boko Haram had left the town, more than 600 people, mostly recaptured detainees, were extrajudicially executed in various locations across Maiduguri. The detainees in the video were rearrested by the CJTF in Giddari Polo, near the Barracks, where various sources have confirmed that a number of other recaptured detainees were shot and killed by soldiers after being handed over to the military. The military then took the corpses and the detainees to a location outside Maiduguri, near Giddari, where the executions are reported to have been carried out and recorded on camera.

Military roundups in Bama
Further video evidence obtained by Amnesty International reveals serious violations carried out in Bama, a town 70km south-east of Maiduguri.

Bama is one of the many communities that has been a focal point of the violence over the past two years. It has frequently been targeted in armed raids by Boko Haram and has also been singled out at least twice by the Nigerian military for mass arbitrary arrests of people whom they allege are Boko Haram members. 

Residents told Amnesty International about a “screening” operation which took place on 23 July 2013 when scores of Nigerian military and CJTF from Maiduguri arrived in the central market around 11am and told all the adult men to gather in one area and take off their clothes.

According to eyewitnesses, the men were then lined up and, one by one, told to close their eyes as they were pushed in front of a man seated in a vehicle. The man then indicated left or right. Up to 35 men who were sent to the left were alleged to be Boko Haram members. The remaining 300 or so were sent to the right, deemed to be innocent. ??

The video evidence obtained by Amnesty International corroborates multiple eyewitness accounts of what happened next. The Nigerian military and CJTF members ordered those alleged to be Boko Haram members to lie down side by side on the ground, and then beat them with sticks and machetes. One eyewitness told Amnesty International the military officials shouted: “You have to beat, even kill these; they are Boko Haram.” 

The footage shows how during this “screening” operation, the military and CJTF fired celebratory shots in the air. Up to 35 detainees were then loaded onto a single military vehicle and taken away to the local military barracks in Bama.?? 

Several days later, on the afternoon of 29 July, military personnel took the men out of the barracks and brought them to their communities, where they shot them dead, several at a time, before dumping their corpses. One local resident told Amnesty International how the gunshots rang out from around 2pm into the evening as soldiers shot and deposited the bodies in different places around the town. ??

A relative of one of the extrajudicially executed men described the aftermath: “At that time everyone was aware that these people [had been] killed, [and] started running to look. We found [our relative] near Bama bridge. Plenty of people were with us. They [had] shot five of them [in that location alone]. There were five bodies including [my relative]. He had a bullet hole in his chest and no clothes, only trousers. We took the body and buried it. There is no death certificate; Bama hospital is not functioning. There is no place to complain; the town has restricted movement. Everybody left what happened to God.”

Deadly Boko Haram raid 
??
Like many other communities in north-eastern Nigeria, Bama’s residents have been living in constant fear of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups. These are sometimes believed to be in retaliation for what the armed groups deem to be the local residents’ co-operation with the Nigerian military. Many of the attacks are met with little resistance by the military. 
?

Boko Haram staged its most deadly assault on the town over the course of several hours early in the morning of 19 February 2014, which locals report left almost 100 people dead and more than 200 injured. Improvised explosive devices and grenades were used to destroy huge swathes of the town.

“The insurgents had a field day, killing, burning and demolishing,” one Bama resident told Amnesty International.

Video footage taken in the aftermath of the attack shows the charred remains of numerous cars and buildings, including fire damage to the top floor of the local Emir’s (Shehu’s) palace. Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that schools and other administrative buildings were also bombed or torched, and more than 100 residents’ vehicles were destroyed. 

The footage from the aftermath shows scores of corpses wrapped for burial. 

Amnesty International is calling for an immediate, independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the pattern of serious and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by all sides that is emerging in north-eastern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must publicly condemn such acts, including reports of arbitrary arrests, incommunicado detention, enforced disappearances, torture and other ill-treatment, and extrajudicial executions carried out by the Nigerian military. 

On a recent research mission to north-eastern Nigeria’s Borno state, Amnesty International interviewed dozens of eyewitnesses to abuses and relatives of the dead.

The mission unearthed dozens of videos and scores of images that are circulating widely in the region (but have not been widely seen outside the region), which support allegations of extensive human rights violations committed at the hands of Nigeria’s military and the “Civilian Joint Task Force” (CJTF). Eyewitnesses and relatives of victims consistently claimed the military perpetrated arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and other ill-treatment, deaths in custody and extrajudicial executions. The allegations have been independently verified by Amnesty International.

Other footage shows the aftermath of a deadly raid on Bama village by Boko Haram in February 2014 – one of many reported in the region that have resulted in hundreds of deaths and abductions as well as destruction on a massive scale.

The Nigerian military response in the aftermath of the Boko Haram attack on Giwa Barracks in March 2014 was first highlighted by Amnesty International in a briefing issued in the same month. The organization has expressed its concerns to government authorities and called for an independent investigation into the incidents. The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wrote to Amnesty International saying that the government has set up a committee to investigate the incidents. However, other public authorities, including the Defence Headquarters and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have subsequently denied the military’s involvement in these incidents. No details of the investigation have been made public.

Later this year, Amnesty International will launch a report which will document human rights abuses and humanitarian law violations committed by both parties to the conflict and the increasingly dire humanitarian situation in north-eastern Nigeria.

Public Document
****************************************
For more information please call Amnesty International’s press office in London, UK, on
+44 20 7413 5566
email: press@amnesty.org
twitter: @amnestypress
International Secretariat, Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW, UK

 


Osun Election: APYF Stages ‘One Million’ Youth March for Aregbesola [Photos]

Ahead of the August 9 governorship election in Osun State, youths under the auspices of the All Progressives Youth Forum (APYF), the largest and most formidable youth group in the All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday staged a ‘one million’ youth rally in Oshogbo to drum up support for the re-election of the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola.

The youths who wore T-shirt with the inscription “1,000,000 march 4 Aregbe” and the APYF logo pasted on the front and “RAUFOMANIA” at the back walked through major streets of the state capital to show their support for Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

The motorcade with music in support of Aregbesola blaring from speakers mounted on trucks rented the air as it moves from Orita- Elelede to Abaaku- Ayetoro- Igbona- Ajegunle and the convoy later stopped at the Nelson Mandela Freedom park.

The march tagged “one million march for Aregbe”? had members of the forum from all the 30 local government areas of the state and well as people from all works of life in attendance.

Also in attendance was the State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, his Deputy, Titilayo Tamori, Senator Babafemi Ojudu (Ekiti State), National Chairman of the forum, Barrister Ismail Ahmed as well the Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti and Oyo State chapter coordinators of the forum.

In his address, the National Chairman of the orum, Barrister Ismail Ahmed, said the APYF decided to come to Osun to remind the people that the governor deserves another term in office.

“We are here today to remind the good people of Osun that come Saturday no amount of intimidation or falsehood should deter them from exercising their democratic franchise and keeping the State of Osun with the best Governor in Nigeria.”

“Rauf has done well for the Youths and younger generation in this great state. His scholarships, his reduced tuition fees for students, his employment opportunities scheme, his emotional patriotism in building a wonderful camaraderie with the people”

“So we will be at attention at every polling station,  in every ward, every local govt. We will win this election by a landslide. We will keep this state away from the clutches of the inept, Ahmed said.”

Governor Aregbesola while thanking the youths of the All Progressives Forum (APYF), for staging the march stressed that what he has done in his 4years in office is just a tip of the ice-berg.

He held that he will be launching a mini bus assembly plant among others that he has done is enough for him and that he is happy that people is happy with the development in the state.

In his words, ”I am very happy that youths actually identify with us, any government who do not recognise the important of youth is a government that has no reason to be in government. My own understanding of power is responsibility.

“All what we are doing in Osun has not been done before now, God through us has brought a lot of industries to the state. What we’ve done in our first term that you are happy about, will not be able to compare what how second term will witness in ter?ms of development”. The governor told the gathering.

More Photos:

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President Jonathan Felicitates With Chief Anenih & Dr. Stella Okoli On Their Birthdays

PRESIDENT JONATHAN FELICITATES WITH CHIEF ANENIH AND DR. (MRS.) STELLA OKOLI ON THEIR BIRTHDAYS

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has reiterated his immense appreciation of Chief Tony Anenih’s steadfast dedication and commitment to peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

Writing to felicitate with Chief Anenih on the occasion of his 81st birthday tomorrowAugust 4, 2014, President Jonathan also applauded the elder statesman’s leadership qualities, courage and forthrightness.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I extend very warm felicitations to you as you turn 81.

“Your uncommon leadership qualities, courage, forthrightness, and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of our dear nation have seen you remain one of Nigeria’s most highly respected political icons over the years.

“You have constantly given unstinting support to our Administration and  patriotic service to the Fatherland. For this, we remain eternally thankful,” the President wrote.

He prayed that God Almighty will continue to bless Chief Anenih with many more years of fulfillment and enduring well-being.

The President has similarly written to congratulate Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli on her 70th birthday, extolling her courageous life  of uncommon accomplishments and selfless service to others.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I extend very warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your landmark 70th birthday anniversary.

“Your life of uncommon accomplishments, lived with unwavering commitment to the highest ideals of diligence, selfless service, courage, and abiding faith, is an enduring source of pride and inspiration to generations of Nigerians – male and female.

“I join your family and friends in thanking Almighty God for your life and praying that He continues to protect and prosper you, even as He blesses you with robust health and many more years of abiding fulfillment,” President Jonathan wrote.

He wished her very happy birthday anniversary celebrations.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 3, 2014

President Jonathan Mourns Late Prof. Alkali

PRESIDENT JONATHAN MOURNS LATE PROF. ALKALI

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with sadness, news of the passing away of eminent academic and National Conference delegate, Prof. Muhammad Nur Alkali.

On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Jonathan commiserates with the Alkali family, the leadership and delegates to the National Conference, as well as Nigeria’s Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, which the late Prof. Alkali represented at the National Conference.

As they mourn the highly respected Professor, President Jonathan urges his  family, friends,  associates and colleagues at the National Conference to be consoled by the knowledge that he lived a very fulfilled life of patriotic service to his community and country.

The President believes that although Prof. Alkali has sadly passed away before the conclusion of the work of the National Conference, the nation will always owe him  a debt of gratitude for his worthy contributions to the conference, as well as for his distinguished service on several other national assignments,  including: Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri,  Director-General, National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and member, Presidential Committee on Insecurity in the North East.

He prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Prof. Alkali and grant his soul peaceful eternal  rest.

Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 3, 2014

APC Says It Has Proof Of PDP’s Plans To Rig In Osun #OsunDecides

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has alerted Nigerians to a devilish plan involving an unscrupulous INEC official and PDP stalwarts to rig the Aug. 9th gubernatorial election in Osun State.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said under the plan, some INEC IT staff has allegedly handed over the entire electoral register for the state to a Special Assistant to a top PDP national official, with a view to manipulating it to disenfranchise many voters.

”For those who may see this as outlandish, they should recall that an INEC official tampered with the voters register used during the last gubernatorial election in Anambra State to remove the names of many voters,” it said.

APC said the plan to tamper with the electoral register for Osun, coupled with INEC’s delay in issuing Permanent Voters Register to registered voters, especially those who are APC members in the state, highlight the desperation of the PDP to win the forthcoming governorship election at all cost.

”The truth is that the PDP knows it cannot win a free and fair election in Osun state. Everything so far points to the fact that our party will win by a landslide if the election is free, fair, credible and transparent. In fact, a highly-credible opinion poll carried out by the globally-recognized TNS-RMS shows that the APC leads among voters in the state by 73%, compared to a paltry 19% for the PDP.

”Apparently stunned by the reality on the ground, as against the propaganda by the PDP, the party’s candidate, Iyiola Omisore, quickly conjured his own opinion poll, purportedly carried out by USAID, showing that he is leading the APC candidate and incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

”Fortunately, USAID has denied carrying out any opinion poll in Osun State, thus putting a lie to the PDP’s claim. There is no better indication of desperation than this,” the party said.

It called on all the good people of Osun state in general and APC members and supporters in particular to be very vigilant in other to thwart the evil machinations of those who are averse to credible and violence-free elections.

”As we have said repeatedly, we ask for nothing beyond a level playing field for all the candidates in the Aug. 9th election in Osun State. Also, we want all registered voters to be able to exercise their franchise without hindrance, since popular participation is the bedrock of democracy.

”If the voting is done in the best tradition of free, fair and credible elections, whoever wins or loses will have no problem accepting the outcome,” APC said.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed

National Publicity Secretary

All Progressives Congress (APC)

Lagos, Aug. 2nd 2014

President Jonathan Appoints New CEOs For NNPC & NPDC

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPOINTS NEW CEOs FOR NNPC AND NPDC

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the following appointments and changes in the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC):

  1. Dr Joseph Thlama Dawha – Group Managing Director, NNPC
  2. Mr Anthony Ugonna Muoneke – Managing Director, NPDC
  3. Ms Aisha Mata Abdurrahman – Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment, NNPC
  4. Dr Attahir B. Yusuf – Group Executive Director, Business Development, NNPC

The new Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Dawha hails from Borno state. He has served previously as the Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production, NNPC and Managing Director of Integrated Data Services Ltd (IDSL), a subsidiary of the NNPC.

Mr Anthony Muoneke, the new Managing Director of the NPDC, hails from Anambra state. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985, he has over 29 years’ experience at both local and international levels in the oil and gas as well as the energy and power sectors, including serving as Executive Director, Finance & Admin, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Ltd. (NDPHC).

All the appointments are with immediate effect.

 Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 1, 2014

Youth Organisations Host Televised Debate for Osun Elections #OsunDecides

YOUTH ORGANISATIONS HOST TELEVISED DEBATE FOR OSUN ELECTIONS

“Of all the institutions of a democratic society, there’s none as formidable as an awakened and conscious citizenry.” – Shehu Sanni

Osun’s governorship election on Saturday August 9, 2014 is the second election in the 2014/2015 election season.

Osun Pro-Democracy Youth (OPDY), LYNX Nigeria & Enough is Enough Nigeria (EiE Nigeria), will host a televised debate on Sunday, August 3rd at the Leisure Spring Hotel, Iwo/Ibadan Expressway, Osogbo.

There are 20 candidates vying for the position of Governor and four candidates were invited to participate in the debate based on the results of an online poll: incumbent governor Ogbeni Rauf AREGBESOLA, of the All Progressives Congress (APC); Senator Iyiola OMISORE of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Alhaji Fatai AKINBADE of the Labour Party (LP); and Social Democratic Party (SDP) flagbearer, Elder Segun AKINWUSI. A fifth candidate, Mr Ibrahim ADEOTI of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) was invited on the basis of being the youngest of the 20 candidates at 42 years old.

At this time, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP is the only candidate that has not formally responded on his participation.

Describing the critical importance of the debate, the Executive Director of LYNX said, “Youth represent 70% of Nigeria’s population yet their issues are not adequately represented in the national and local agenda. Youth development issues are integral to the development of a community and a nation.”

The host organisations are committed to growing the culture of debates in Nigeria because issues-based politics is essential to a leadership that serves its citizens. Candidates are expected to make public their plans for Osun youth with special focus on education, employment, enterprise & empowerment. The debate provides an opportunity for candidates to engage the audience on these issues, which are of critical importance to young people in the state. In addition to prepared questions on these topics, questions will also be taken from the audience as well as via SMS, Twitter and Facebook.

“This is the first debate in Osun’s 23 year-old history and Osun residents, especially young people are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity to decide their own fate based on the facts.” Said Maruf Adewole, the Secretary of OPDY.

Responding to concerns about safety, ‘Yemi Adamolekun, the Executive Director of EiE Nigeria said, “Security will be provided with the support of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Security (DSS), Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and private security to ensure that fears around security are unfounded.” In addition, as a non-partisan event, political party clothing or materials will NOT be allowed in the venue.

The debate is endorsed by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) and will be broadcast in partnership with Channels Television and Osun State Broadcasting Service (OSBC). It is also supported by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA Osun), Leisure Spring Hotel and YNAIJA.

The debate is free and open to the public.

###

The Osun Pro-Democracy Youths (www.pdynigeria.org) , which include youth representatives at the Nigerian Youth Parliament, the State of Osun Youth Parliament, Voluntary Youths and other youth-focused Organizations and NGOs. OPDY is a coalition of youth organisations, associations, societies and NGOs with a common interest on how to reshape our democracy in terms of encouraging active youths involvement in democratic process, ensuring free, fair and credible elections, educating the youths against election violence with a view to promoting good governance and enhanced leadership at all levels.

This coalition is also aimed at deepening young people’s knowledge about democracy. We are committed to persuading youths towards positive political participation and value reorientation towards having the Nigeria of our dreams.

Linking the Youth of Nigeria through Exchange (www.lynxnigeria.org), founded in 2004, is a child and youth development organization with a mission develop socially responsiblie citizenship among Nigerian children and youth through civic and human rights education, financial education and economic empowerment community service learning.

LYNX-NIGERIA aims to reverse the trend of youth disengagement from society by increasing their self-esteem through critical reflections on history, building a sense of democratic consciousness and practicing the art of servant leadership. Participants in our programs learn the values of tolerance and respect and the importance of individual and collective contributions to the development of strong communities and a more developed nation.

EnoughisEnough Nigeria (www.eienigeria.org) is a coalition of individuals and youth-led organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through advocacy, activism and the mobilization of the youth population as responsible citizens.  The coalition includes The Future Project; Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN); Education as a Vaccine (EVA); Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND); LYNX Nigeria, Budgit, RISE Networks; Chocolate City Group and EME.

EiE Nigeria created the RSVP (Register|Select|Vote|Protect) Campaign to leverage technology, especially social media to mobilize significant participation from citizens in the 18-35 age bloc in the 2011 elections and beyond.

This debate continues EiE’s tradition of hosting youth-focused debates, having co-hosted the first youth-focused presidential debate in the country in 2011 and gubernatorial debates in Cross River, Anambra (in partnership with Channels TV) and Ekiti.

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Aregbesola Tops Opinion Poll, Omisore 54 Points Behind

OSUN GUBER POLLS: AREGBESOLA IN CLEAR LEAD ON ALL CRITICAL INDICATORS

 

-73 PERCENT OF OSUN VOTERS CHOOSE AREGBESOLA

 

-OMISORE BEHIND BY 54 POINTS

 

-CONFIDENCE IN INEC DROPS BY 10 POINTS

With less than two weeks to the Osun governorship elections, the latest survey conducted by the reputable firm of TNS-RMS (a member of Gallup International) has confirmed the domination of the Osun political landscape by the All Progressives Congress (APC) on all critical indicators.

“The APC continues to dominate the political landscape in Osun State

judging by its performance on all key indicators evaluated: it scored highest and also increased in rating on first mention, sympathy, and voting intention,” the research firm said in its final report.

According to the study, the incumbent governor, Rauf Aregbesola, is the

candidate of choice by Osun voters with a 73% lead over other candidates.

This is a clear indication that the choice of Osun voters in the next governorship race is Governor Rauf Aregebsola.  Meanwhile, Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP comes a far distant second, polling 19% representing a 2% decline from the earlier survey.

“The incumbent (Governor Rauf Aregbesola) remains (the) main voting choice. Voting choice for Senator Omisore declined by 2% and seem not to pose a threat to the incumbent’s chances of re-election as he remains firmly ahead of the race,” TSN-RMS said in its report.

The two phased survey was conducted over a period that stretched from June 2014 into the third week of July 2014.

“Not only is APC currently the most preferred party in Osun State, it has

largely retained this goodwill from way back in the past. It was the party

that most people claimed to have voted for in the last election and it is still the party with the highest chances of winning the election again.

More importantly, the gap by which it outperforms opposition continues to widen and more convincing in the current survey,” the report added.

The APC also rates very high in the survey as its top-of-mind and awareness increased from 75% to 78% over the two polls, followed by a very far distance by the PDP with 18%, a drop of 3% from 21% in the first study. The Labour Party maintains third rank with a negligible 1%. Furthermore, electorate choice for APC is now 70% – boosted by 1% increment. 19% say they would vote for the PDP, another 3% drop. Electorate choice for Labour Party remains 1%.

The report goes further to say, “While Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is more known than his party, Senator Iyiola Omisore (PDP’s candidate) is less known than his party. Top-of-mind awareness of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola increased to 85% (from 79%), affinity increased from 72% to 74% and chances of being re-elected increased from 71% to 73%.”

Conversely, it is a tale of decline for the man in second place, Senator Omisore. For top-of-mind awareness, the PDP candidate toppled to 13% (from 19%), affinity fell to 19% (from 21%) and chances of being elected declined to 19% (from 21%).

While the affinity of Osun electorate towards the APC increased by 4%, PDP

failed to maintain its connection to the people. The favourable perception

of Osun voters towards the All Progressive’s Congress, APC stood at 83 per

cent while on 17 per cent viewed APC as unfavourable.

 

According to the polls, 98% of the electorates in Osun State have said they

would participate in the August 9th gubernatorial election. This indicates

that the people are prepared for all eventualities in election.

The survey also revealed the strength of the candidates and their parties

in the local government areas across the state; “Repeat of APC high chance

to win in all the LGAs seem to play out again in the next election, APC is

poised to repeat this feat except in Ife Central and Ife East; the PDP

seemed well positioned to win these two LGAs. The Labour Party’s weakness

is imminent across all the LGAs.

 

“The incumbent’s chances of being reelected remain same across the LGAs

except in Ife Central and Ife East. The incumbent’s chances of re-election

remain high and leads his closest rival by a good margin of 54%-an

increment of 4% over last survey.”

The voters’ confidence in Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Election

Commission (INEC) took a 10% hit, dropping to 57% to 67%.

THE MARGIN OF ERROR FOR THE SURVEY IS PLUS OR  MINUS 5 PER CENT WITH A 95

PERCENT LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE.

 

–         1. APC continues to lead top of mind awareness, increased to 78%.

Spontaneous aware of PDP dipped by 3%. The third contender remains almost

unknown at 1%.

–         2. Although the gap closed up significantly, APC still maintains

a healthy lead over the PDP and other opposition power on overall awareness.

–         3.Voter sympathy is expressed more firmly in favor of the APC,

more than 2/3 voters express sympathy to  APC compare to 1/5 voters who

show sympathy to PDP

–         4.Overall,  All Progressive Congress (APC) enjoys and maintains a

comfortable assessment  over other parties

–         5. Overall, the electorate speaks favorably about APC and have a

positive perception towards the party. Adduced to be a grass root party, a

party that has proven record of performance and party for the masses.

–         6.Spontaneous awareness  of Ogbeni Aregbesola seem to increase as

party awareness increases, PDP top-of-mind awareness declined and still

trail far behind APC

–         7. Awareness of the incumbent-Ogbeni Aregbesola increases

marginally to 98%. His incumbency, among other factors is a key source of

awareness. Senator Iyiola Omisore  has gained some awareness through ‘Word

of Mouth’.

–         8. The incumbent governor is highly rated and he continues to

lead other candidates in all the stated attributes. Senator Omisore seem to

drop marginally in all the  stated attributes

–         9. The incumbent remains main voting choice for the voters.

Voting chance for Senator Omisore declined by 2% and seems not to pose a

threat to the incumbent’s chances of re-election as he remains firmly ahead

of the race.

–         10. Influence of candidate’s personality has increased to be main

driver of voting choice. This is followed by the appeal of individual

candidate’s track record. Influence of party platform continues to diminish.

–         11.Confidence level in INEC’s ability to deliver, both as an

umpire generally and in the Osun State elections have drastically reduced,

and now tend towards average.

– Research Contact Person : Mr.  Razaq Animasaun. 08169704223.

Razaaq2000@yahoo.com

Chibok Community Speaks On Alleged N100 Million Largesse From Presidency

KIBAKU AREA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (KADA)

 

PRESS RELEASE ON JULY 30, 2014       

 

 

Gentlemen of the Press,

We are highly disturbed and disgusted by the recent information circulating in the media over alleged receipt of money by the leadership of Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) from the Presidency. It is with deep sadness that we are addressing you today to state that the claim is completely false, malicious and unfounded. Our primary priority has and remains the rescue of our abducted 219 daughters. Our Association has been at the forefront of calling for decisive measures to secure their release.

We took the moral high ground as a Community Association that represents the Chibok people in Abuja to facilitate the recent visit of parents of our abducted daughters and 51 of the 57 that escaped. We helped make that visit possible despite our misgivings that it was a poor substitute to our expectation that Mr. President should have visited Chibok even before the visit of our people for a tragedy that is now 107 days old.

When the Presidency requested us to invite parents and escaped Chibok girls against 22nd July, 2014, we accepted the responsibility on the condition that we shall facilitate by way of contacting and mobilizing the parents and escaped girls thereby playing the sole role of facilitators.

We clearly spelt out to the Presidency through the office of the Chief of Staff that we shall not be involved with any financial transaction whatsoever, including payment of transportation from Chibok to Yola, flight by air from Yola to Abuja, hotel accommodation and feeding in Abuja, intra-city transportation while in Abuja.

We specifically conveyed our stand in that regard by a letter dated 18th July, 2014 of which copies are available for your perusal. The Presidency agreed to our request and made the arrangements for the conveyance of the parents and escaped girls from Chibok to Abuja, accommodated them and was responsible for their feeding and local transit.

It is noteworthy that our primary and only goal is the safe return of the girls that are still in captivity. It is sad that we are losing sight of this to the allegation of sharing of money.

We therefore want the world to understand that we, KADA stand by our earlier position and DID NOT DEMAND, RECEIVE OR HANDLE ANY FINANCES throughout the process of the visit.

We therefore make public our findings as follows:

  1. On the night of the 22nd July, 2014 at about midnight, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties who had been co-ordinating the visit on the side of the Presidency, visited the hotel and told the 51 escaped girls who came that the Presidency sent them a token of N100,000.00 each and accordingly gave them the said sum without prior discussion with any KADA official or any other person in the community.

  1. He equally gave the sum of N200,000.00 each to 61 parents out of the 122 parents that came on the visit. 51 Parents were given N100,000.00 each on the basis that the money given to him was not enough to go round at N200,000.00. The remaining 10 parents were not given any amount of money.

  1. As for the money given to some parents back home in Chibok, it was the sum of N1,000,000.00 given to them by the Hon. Member of the House of Reps representing Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza Federal Constituency which is the source of the alleged N7,000.00 given to parents in Chibok that were not part of the visit.

While we acknowledge that any well intended support for our suffering population which has lost means of livelihood since the events of April 14 and subsequent attacks could be welcome; however the approach that the Presidency adopted has brought reproach and dishonor to our community in the eyes of the public that has supported us since the abduction of our daughters.

We hereby state categorically that NO AMOUNT OF MONEY whatsoever was given to KADA leadership to share among the parents and escaped girls or for whatever reason and therefore the allegation is completely baseless, false and malicious to say the least.

Thank you.

Signed:                       KADA Abuja

Date:                           July 30th, 2014

Tinubu commiserates with El-Rufai

National leader, All Progressives Congress,APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called  Mallam Nasir to commiserate with him over the tragic death of his son, Hamzat.
Tinubu offered soothing words from the Holy Quran and prayed Allah to grant him the strength to bear the very painful loss.
“The news of your son’s death came to me as a shock. It must have been most wrenching for you.  I feel your pain as a parent myself. I can only offer you words of consolation from Allah. He is the one who gives and takes away. Be assured that my family and I and the APC family are with you in prayers during this very sad and painful period. God will keep you all that are left behind in his full protection and prevent further danger and deaths in your family. You must never let this put you down. Please accept my heartfelt condolences,” Tinubu said.

Nigeria Will Overcome Its Present Challenges – Bola Tinubu

As we celebrate Eid-el-Fitri, I hereby congratulate all Muslim faithfuls for enduring the rigours of fasting and hope the lessons of the last one month will forever remain in our hearts. The teachings of the Prophet (SAW) will not stand against us on the day of judgement.  Amin.

We must not give up on Nigeria particularly in the face of  our current security and political challenges. We shall overcome if we all remain steadfast in our patriotism and prayers. We must at all times imbibe the spirit of unity, no matter our religious or political affiliation or ethnic grouping. Nigeria belongs to us all and all must come together to defend our togetherness. Those that insist that they are more patriotic than other Nigerians based of different political or religious affiliations must desist. They do this country great harm by seeking to exploit our present circumstances to gain political space and advantage. At the end of it all, no one is greater than Nigeria as we will guide our unity with a singularity of purpose and superiority of vision.

I call on all well-meaning Nigerians of all faiths to seek the face of God at this most trying of times. Insurgency is an unwanted and dangerous guest in our midst; we must be resolute and consistent in confronting it. We can only do this with a united front.

May Allah’s blessings and peace be unto us all.

Bola Tinubu

Omojuwa is hiring #DigitalJobs

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

Deadline for application: 1st August, 2014

 

Editorial Assistant: Omojuwa.com | Editorial Assistant NaijaTeenz.com

 

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Required skills:

 

  • Blogging and Social Media
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Who can apply:

 

Preferably fresh graduates. Not later than 3 years since graduation from 1st degree. Please do not apply if you don’t already run a twitter account.

 

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It’s a full time job. Attendance at work on Fridays is not compulsory on the last Fridays of each month. Offsite (from home or wherever) work required on weekends.

 

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Send your CV and a 400 word essay on Why I want to work with Omojuwa to articles@omojuwa.com . This must be written by you. Your CV must not exceed 2 pages and your essay must not exceed 400 words. Both must be attached in the same MS Word document.

 

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#FreeMarket: When Two Elephants Fight, The Consumers Enjoy – @Lanre_Olagunju

Capitalism as a natural economic order has a huge semblance with the human nature. I say so because basically it is designed to thrive based on competition and individual self interest, which are both natural phenomena to man.

Self interest is the reason why you have done or engaged in many of the most productive activities of your life. Check it, your education – did you go to school because you just love college? Did you save your money with your bank because you simply love your banker’s face or new advert? Even when it concerns love issues, love and intimacy are premised first on elements of attraction that are specific to different individuals.

The point where the self interest of two parties are duly met during an agreement or transaction of any sort is where the idea of free market is celebrated. It is at that point that conscious actions begin to birth many originally un-intended benefits and outcomes.

If you doubt the fact that competition is natural to man, then why does the world stand still to the excitement of the Olympics or the intrigue of the World Cup? To take competition out of man is to reduce his essence.

More interestingly, the market system sees to ensure that both concept – self interest and competition – add up to common good.

 The motivation of every producer is profit. And many think that that by itself can be detrimental to the primary interest of consumers which is to get utmost satisfaction at the most sensible price. But the self-regulating nature of market capitalism is that the system by itself is constantly readjusting to reach equilibrium. From another perspective, it’s a democratic system, where the greatest good for the greatest number is the guiding principle.

This is how it works, when demand rises, the price rises until the supply of good meets the demand where equilibrium price will be reached. When supply increases beyond demand, prices at this point will have to go down. The producers won’t be taught that they have to sell at a lower price. The beauty, in fact, is that at this point the producers start competing to sell at a lower price. And anyone who doesn’t comply or who is not innovative enough will be kicked out of the market. Anyone who denies that this kind of competition is healthy for market growth and economic prosperity would deny anything!

A commentator recently said the price war between producers of the same commodity is an exceptional case that reverses the saying that when two elephants are fighting, the grass suffers. The opposite is the case in the free market economy. When two production giants are at war, the consumers appetite for satisfaction gets all the benefits.

KFC & Chicken Republic War

KFC & Chicken Republic War

From the above illustrations it would be less stupid and counterintuitive to say that competition is cooperation. At least from the point of Adam Smith’s invisible hand theory, one can easily understand that competition will aid the collective good of the market. It’s like cooperation in the long run.

It is actually not the role of the government to stiffen or encourage competition, the free market system by itself will take care of that.

I like the way one of the economic analyst on stlouisfed.org put it when he said “The bread you buy at the store arrived as the result of hundreds of self-interested people cooperating without a government bread agency managing production at each step along the way. The farmer grew the grain, the mill prepared the flour, the bakery produced the bread, the truck driver delivered the bread to the grocery store, the grocer stocked the shelves and sold the loaf to the consumer all without a Government Secretary of Bread Production telling any of them what, where, when, or how much to produce.”

The essential role of the government should be centered on punishing those who involve in market activities with unscrupulous tendencies. In fact it is a lot safer to curb such activities before the materialize. Else, they give the free market system a bad name which makes it easier for the antagonists to hang it.

It’s clear that producers won’t agree to the essence of competition since it keeps them on their toes. But the bright side to it is that many producer don’t have the slightest idea of why and how they should up their games in terms of innovation and   market strategy, if they are not forced into competition.

Therefore, competition is the driver for innovation, productivity and consumer satisfaction. And the truth is, with these great qualities, a country’s economy will always thrive towards prosperity which is the overall significance of market competition.

Many economies world over have benefitted from market privatization which opens market to greater competition. If African nations really want to stand a better chance to prosperity and economic well being, African governments should cease from coming up with regulations and policies that does not aid free market or the healthy competition that free market needs to thrive.

I am @Lanre_Olagunju on Twitter.

The views expressed  are solely that of the author. 

#BringBackOurGirls : Ban Ki-moon to support vigils for kidnapped Chibok girls

Ban Ki-moon to support vigils for kidnapped Chibok girls

Ban Ki-moon has repeated his call for the immediate release of the kidnapped schoolgirls of Chibok – 100 days after their abduction.

The United Nations Secretary General has given the vigils taking place tomorrow his full support. The schoolgirls, taken by Boko Haram on April 15th, have now been in captivity for more than three months.

He said: “I stand in solidarity with all those taking part in vigils today to demonstrate that the world has not forgotten the girls who were so cruelly abducted from their school 100 days ago in Chibok, Nigeria.

“I repeat my call for their immediate release and for an end to discrimination, intimidation and violence against girls whose only wish is to gain an education.  Only by shielding them from harm and enabling them to realize their full potential can we usher in a better future for all.”

Around the world supporters will light candles and stand in solidarity in Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States.

The ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ group are leading the charge with events organised in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

In New York at 17:30 supporters will assemble outside the Mission of Nigeria to the UN and walk to the UN.

Vigils are also scheduled to take place in Lahore, Lome, Togo, Dhaka, Jaipur, Bradford, Pedroucos and Illinois.

Groups including The Global March Against Child Labour in Africa, Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi in Pakistan and Bachpan Bachao Andolan in India are marking the 100 days by holding vigils.

Girls Not Brides are also asking their supporters to stand in solidarity on Wednesday and A World at School’s Global Youth Ambassadors are spearheading the campaign across the world.

A new online petition by A World at School www.aworldatschool.org/100days will also call for the safe return of the girls and all messages of support will be passed to Chibok community leaders and families of the girls.

The petition will also be sent, by UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown, to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Ban Ki-moon. The Chibok Girls’ families are also expected to sign the petition and offer their full support for the Safe Schools Initiative.

The Safe Schools Initiative – a fund set up to pilot 500 safe schools in northern Nigeria – is a programme that brings the Nigerian Government and Nigerian business leaders together with the international community to ensure that all children are secure when learning. The fund total currently stands at $23million.

Mr Brown, who will start his second term as Education Envoy this month, said: “We, of course, hope that the Chibok girls will be released earlier. However, by marking the 100th day of the abduction of the girls, kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists and by pledging never to abandon them, we are reminding people that we are in the midst of a global civil rights struggle.

“Girls’ rights should be taken seriously and they should be at school free of intimidation and violence. We will mark the 100 days by pledging to rebuild their Chibok school and by calling for international support for safe schools across Nigeria.”

Attack On Buhari And Innocent Nigerians – Tinubu

Attack on Buhari and Innocent Nigerians

The multiple bomb attack today on General Buhari, one of the national leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and innocent Nigerians confirms that our county is In the grip of terror. Sadly, we are  in the hands of a bungling, buck passing and blackmailing presidency.

I condemn in the strongest terms the attack on General Buhari and his convoy. And the innocent Nigerians that suffered untimely deaths. I thank God that  Gen. Buhari’s  life was spared for greater service to the fatherland. Under an increasingly incompetent and incoherent PDP- government, Nigeria slips into a low intensity war. We are all marked people under a government that prefers to label and attack opposition rather than apply itself to providing security and good governance.

Today’s multiple attacks are a bad omen that signposts a future filled with danger and uncertainty. Unfortunately, Nigeria is saddled with a leadership totally intolerant of ideas, suggestions and advice that do not emanate from them. We in the APC has put forward concrete suggestions which have been consistently rejected and snared at by the PDP led Jonathan government. Instead of reaching out and paying attention to our suggestions, they have turned the guns on us and are manipulating and doctoring reports and stories to label us. It is a label that is false. It is a label that will not stick. We are patriots and stand united against anyone who wants to do this great country harm.

This government has raised the art of scapegoating to a new level. Rather than govern, they have politicized everything to the detriment of Nigerians and Nigeria.

There can be no justification for the continued loss of innocent lives and the unending attacks. I call upon those with the power, the resources and in charge of the security apparatus of this country to get up and do something before we all are consumed.

Bola Tinubu

President Jonathan Condemns Kaduna Bombings [Read State House Statement]

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDEMNS BOMBINGS IN KADUNA

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan condemns the bombings in Kaduna today which appeared to have targeted former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and prominent Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi.

President Jonathan denounces the dastardly targeting of the prominent political and religious leaders by terrorists and enemies of the nation in an odious attempt to inflame passions and exacerbate disquiet, fear, insecurity and sectional divisions in the country.

While thanking God Almighty for sparing the lives of General Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the President extends sincere condolences to the families of those who were sadly killed by the bomb blasts.

President Jonathan also commiserates with all those who were injured in the twin bombings in this Holy Month of Ramadan which defy the tenets of Islam, and provide further proof that the terrorists are nothing but blood-thirsty extremists bent on undermining the unity and progress of the nation.

The President assures residents of Kaduna and all other Nigerians that the Federal Government will continue and further intensify its ongoing efforts to effectively curb the menace of terrorism in the country.

He has specifically directed the Police and other national security agencies to take all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators of today’s attacks on Kaduna and urges all residents of the city to give them the fullest possible cooperation and support as they work to bring the terrorists to justice.

 Reuben Abati

Special Adviser to the President

(Media and Publicity)

July 23, 2014

It Was Clearly An Assassination Attempt – Gen. Buhari Releases Statement on Suicide Bomber

The Press statement has been attached below but the text can also be read unedited below:

“I was personally involved in a clearly targeted bomb attack today along Ali Akilu Road, Kawo – Kaduna about 2:30pm on my way to Daura.

The unfortunate event, clearly an assassination attempt, came from a fast moving vehicle that made many attempts to overtake my security car but was blocked by my escort vehicle. We reached the market area of Kawo where he took advantage of our slowing down and attempted to ram my car and instantly denoted the bomb which destroyed all the three cars in our convoy.

Unfortunately, when I came out of my vehicle I saw many dead bodies littered around. They were innocent people going about their daily business who became victims of mass murder.

Thank God for His mercy, I came out unhurt but with three of my security staff sustaining minor injuries – they have been treated in hospital and discharged.

Signed: General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) GCFR”

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PDP, APC and the Nigerian People – JJ, Omojuwa

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, may appear to be two different entities but they definitely drink from the same river of delusion. The PDP on its part sees every dissenting voice against its misrule as sounds produced by the APC. The APC assumes that dissent against the PDP is assent to it. They are two entities blinded by privilege and power, corrupted by their distance from modern reality and seemingly permanently deluded by their assumption that Nigeria is a sum of their collective lack of vision and depressing combination of their lack of ideas for national development. How both parties cannot see what average Nigerians see is not only depressing, it comes at a huge cost for our country. While what both parties suffer from does not essentially affect all the members of the parties, the most powerful people in both parties are the worst affected. Take President Goodluck Jonathan who, obviously under the daze of the paranoia that comes with power immediately, sees dissent as nothing but sponsored by his political enemies. The President unashamedly summed up Occupy Nigeria as a movement sponsored by the opposition. As if that was not awkward enough, there is nothing to say the opposition on its part hasn’t been seeing popular dissent against the ruling government as some form of support for itself. Both parties need to smell the coffee.

Of the two, the APC is easily the most disappointing; only a person who is capable of being disappointed by an entity s/he has no expectations in will today feel disappointed by the PDP. It is like a wife saying she is disappointed in a man who has consistently cheated on her for the last 15 years of a 15-year marriage. That they are not divorced must definitely have been because she somehow could not do it, certainly not because she expects the man to change. Nigerians can no longer be disappointed in the PDP, the party has consistently been a disaster, a destroyer of our common hope in what our country can be and the greatest locust to have ever descended on our people. When it comes to the PDP, our people know that as a collective, it is the worst thing to have happened to our country. You’d find Nigerians scream, “PDP!” when a referee takes the wrong decision. The PDP is our national synonym for cheating, corruption and failure. There is nothing to say this will not change sometime in the future but the past 15 years, the PDP has been as much a disaster to our country as Boko Haram has been the last few years. Nigerians are disappointed in the APC for the same reason they had given up on the PDP.

Virtually everyone who cared about Nigeria agreed there was a need for a credible alternative that’d challenge the PDP’s hegemonic hold on power. The PDP’s arrogance was by now sky high. They knew that irrespective of performance, they’d always win elections. This explained the people’s desperation for another party of a different kind. The APC appeared on the scene under this atmosphere last year. It had taken years to form but it had finally formed. At the beginning, the Heavens seemed to put everything right for it. The PDP was soon in disarray as Bamanga Tukur, the then national chairman, was doing his best to help it implode. The PDP has since survived that storm but it didn’t without the APC gaining from its losses. Idealistic citizens frowned upon the APC taking in these disgruntled PDP members but it was what it had to do to not only continue to get strong but to weaken the PDP. What cost the APC’s the people’s goodwill was not as much about what the party did as it is about what it did not do. As its big players went on a tour of the country meeting up with old power brokers like Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (who later joined), Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and the rest, it appeared to the people the APC was not about them after all, it was about the same old gang. There was a people-movement waiting to be roused, a movement that had been bred by the current administration’s nonchalant attitude to corruption and the people’s welfare. That harvest was left to rot as the APC looked away. In the end, the APC, at least in the eyes of the people, had become the new PDP. Whether or not the perception is right or wrong does not matter because elections in Nigeria are based on perception more than anything else anyway. Logic is not a popular candidate in these climes.

As for we the people, we are the reason our country is the mess it is. We have allowed politicians set for us the bar of mediocrity, which we now wallow in as a collective. We are quick to praise governors for building roads, we don’t even mind dancing to their songs of shame when they cut tapes for the launch of transformers that are likely to see more days of darkness than light. We have had our brains transformed by TV ads that compare one of our worst leaders ever, Goodluck Jonathan, to some of the best leaders the world has ever produced. Only in Nigeria can such an insanity pass. We claim we want corruption to stop but we will not vote for those who don’t share bags of rice. We have now turned the two main political parties into some of West Africa’s major distributors of rice. Pretending we haven’t been part of the problems of our country is to deceive ourselves. Not only have we been part of the problems, we are essentially the problem. We have valued money over character, we have valued rice over competence. Our low threshold for leadership has now meant that men who should be rotting in jail are not only campaigning to be governors, some have even won. Even in the historically enlightened South-West, we have men who if they dare enter the United States will be arrested and jailed. Men who have had crime movies made just for them. If in doubt, just Google “Orange is the new Black” to see how one of such men is now a kingmaker here in Nigeria.

It is easy to say poverty is responsible for why we no longer care about anything but money, but no one has scientifically proved that poverty erodes the human sense of value. There are poor people who will not compromise their values for cash let alone cooked or uncooked rice. That is not to say some people who collected bags of rice chose their candidates based on who gave the bigger bag or who didn’t give at all. Ekiti State, for instance, has had ‘stomach infrastructure’ debated against conventional infrastructure. No one seems to speak about human development.

There will be no Peoples Political Party, at least not one that’d be started, funded by and run for the Nigerian masses. Expectations for a Youth Party are over-ambitious but were that to even happen, youth has not been proved to mean the same thing as sound character or competence. In fact, we have seen young people replay the songs of ethnicity and some of the young people pretending to want to run for office have themselves been seen defending corruption openly. If being a young person is one’s argument for political power, that argument will not stand against the fact that leadership is about capacity, ability and antecedence. In the end, there is nothing to say we Nigerians want good governance anyway. We just want to ‘hammer.’ Prosperity is the gospel!

Simply put, between the PDP and the APC, the difference is not clear. This is the sad reality confronting us as a nation.

This was initially published in the Punch Newspapers. Published here with permission from the author. Views expressed are solely the author’s

Is Jonathan Master of the Game? – Ayisha Osori

It seems the lines are falling in all the right places for President Jonathan. At the beginning of the year the All Progressive Congress had control of sixteen states while the Peoples Democratic Party directly controlled eighteen with two held in trust. Seven months later, APC is down to fourteen and two more, Osun and Nasarawa, are in play. This is not insignificant considering the role of governors during elections.

All is quiet in PDP, the cabinet is battle ready with the addition of Gusau, Shekarau, Obanikoro, Adesiyan et al. And despite the President’s well-kept undeclared intention to seek reelection in 2015 he has received the endorsement of the PDP governors and members of the House of Representatives and currently enjoys millions of naira worth of free advertising on prime time television through shadowy organizations such as Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, as is to be expected as a fall out from a mega merger of egos and interests, APC seems to be struggling and with only 208 days to the Presidential elections there is no clear indication of who the key contender for the presidency will be. While it might be strategic for the APC to play cards close to their chest until closer to the election, there are disadvantages with regards to public perception because unlike the PDP who have the President as a rallying point, APC currently has no similar symbolic leader.

Against all odds, despite incessant jibes about shoes and clues, President Jonathan’s grip on political affairs of the country is tightening. On one hand he seems to take forever to make decisions: cabinet positions have remained vacant for months and calls for increased accountability and responsibility around fuel subsidy, pensions, security and many other national issues have fallen on deaf ears. Yet, when it comes to releasing Al-Mustapha, granting Alamieyeseigha a pardon, negotiating a deal with the Abachas or kicking out kitchen cabinet members when they have served their purpose, he strikes hot and fast.

Is Goodluck Jonathan master of the game, a disciple of Machiavelli’s art of war as statecraft or is he merely the current beneficiary of one of the most abuse-prone offices on earth?

There is little that Nigeria is currently witnessing that is new. From the combined Rule Nigeria books of Babangida, Abacha and Obasanjo, we have seen it all. Shuffling cabinets as a way of dispensing with patronage and preparing for elections? Complete opacity regarding the affairs of the NNPC and the Ministry of Petroleum? The use of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as a blackmailing whip? Selective impeachments? Arbitrary use of public holidays to thwart courts and processes?

Even when it comes to politics and elections, despite the miracle of the merger of several parties into a close carbon copy of the ruling party, little has changed. If we believe that “the degree of rigging is proportional to the ability to mobilise funds and support from law enforcement agents”, what does that tell us? There is no need to change a winning formula. And President Jonathan is smart enough to know this.

While there have been a few master strokes from him which will earn special mention in the Rule Nigeria guidebook – particularly the creative interpretation of legal provisions around public offices which were once deemed inviolable, the truth is that with our current political culture nine times out of ten we will have the scenarios currently before us. This is how the structures have been set up and all one needs is to appear humble, unthreatening and unambitious. It is really very easy – something like the trick the devil pulled convincing the world he did not exist.

People worry that we are not building strong institutions in Nigeria – we are. We have built ironclad impenetrable extractive, undemocratic and abuse prone institutions; so strong that whoever gets into the Presidency immediately absorbs the elements for abuse of power. If the ‘end justifies the means’ what is the end we can expect from a Jonathan reelection? Do the last four years provide any indication that after the successful application of ever widening ‘means’ which weaken our democracy that Nigeria will be better of?

Until we realize that the dangerous precedents set and accepted over the years make it easier for our dysfunctional institutions to continue to thrive we will continue down the path we have been on since independence. The longer it takes to retrace and change track, the more difficult it will be to get on the path of a more inclusive, accountable and democratic political system.

 

Nigerian Government Detains Oby Ezekwesili, Seize Passport

The State Security Service (SSS) has detained the main figure in the quest to have the abducted Chibok Girls rescued, Oby Ezekwesili. The former World Bank Vice President (Africa) and former minister, who was on her way out of the country. Her passport was also seized. See tweets indicating her detention.

Oby Ezekwesili has in the past few weeks faced several forms of blackmail and attack from the Nigerian government but this is the first time she is being detained.

She has now been released and was able to make her British Airways 8am flight to London as she boarded as the last passenger at 7:55am. See more tweets below.

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“I NEVER Conceded The Election To Fayose” – Gov. Kayode Fayemi Bares It All

Kayode Fayemi, the governor of Ekiti state, was widely hailed and praised when he chose to “concede” to Ayo Fayose, the PDP candidate who defeated him in last month’s governorship election in the state. Fayemi was hailed as a different breed of politician.

His party however was not too impressed with his move. It has been making statements condemning the Ekiti election and now Fayemi, in an interview – the first since his loss – which he granted to Dapo Thomas, a journalist and university teacher who also writes for Sunday Sun, Fay­emi said that he never conceded the election to Fayose and asked doubters to read the transcript of his post-election broadcast again.

“Anyone who understands the English lan­guage well would know that that speech was not the concession speech that many people are talking about. Yes, I have said I won’t chal­lenge the election in court and congratulated Mr Fayose, but that’s not tantamount to accept­ing the result. That’s about saving Ekiti.”

The full interview, which is quite a long one, shows the complete metamorphosis of the governor. You can read it below:

The outcome of the June 21 elec­tion in Ekiti shocked the entire na­tion and even the international com­munity. To what extent were you disturbed by the result?

Very disturbed indeed and worried for the future of elections in our country. Nobody goes into an election to lose especially when you have put a lot into it. When you have worked hard and earned the trust of the people, you should have every rea­son to feel confident you are going to be rewarded for the hard work and performance. I said in the course of the campaigns that this election, in my own view, would be decided on the basis of char­acter and performance. On those two grounds, majority agree that we were heads and shoulders above every other candidate in the race. Leaving that aside, no candidate campaigned the way we did – touching every nook and corner of the state, towns and farmsteads alike. Most of the time we were on the field campaigning, PDP was nowhere to be found. We actually didn’t campaign like an incumbent.  We campaigned as if we were the challenger, the underdog.

But I must also say we were not unaware of the desperation of the PDP hierarchy to ‘win’ Ekiti by every means possible. We saw the federal forces at play in the election and they were undisguised in their desperation. Election is a process. An elec­tion is not just rigged when you snatch ballot box or when you change result at the collation centre. Election could be rigged by the processes leading to that election itself. When security agents that are supposed to be neutral for example go round pick­ing party leaders the night before an election and party anchors on the day of election in a coordi­nated and choreographed manner with no charge levelled against them, clearly you had a pre-deter­mined end that you are seeking. It is not time to go into any great detail about what we found to be unacceptable about the process which is why I was reluctant to give this interview in the first place. But we have also promised that the infrac­tions will be documented and exposed because we owe Nigerians that.

You don’t want to accept the fact that something went wrong with the APC in the Ekiti election?

The election was not about Ekiti, it was turned to federal forces against APC in the state. If it was performance, head and shoulders we won the election and in terms of mobilization, in terms of campaign, in terms of issues. As a matter of fact, the PDP candidate had no issues. He was reactive throughout. No issues, no agenda, no manifesto. The only manifesto was I am opposed to any policy issue Governor Fayemi has raised or is implementing. I even give some credit to the La­bour Party candidate who, even though at the last minute, still came out with a manifesto of what he would like to do in office. That clearly did not happen in the case of the PDP so we were really the only ones with a tested programme that had been implemented across the state. I have heard and read all sorts of “pepper soup joint” analysis about stomach infrastructure and people voting for rice and all that.  Attractive as the analysis may be to some people, I don’t think it fully does credit to the Ekiti people. Really, yes there are tendencies of instant gratification that crept into Ekiti politics – particularly in the early days of PDP government in the state-but those tendencies are not so deeply ingrained as to imagine that our people depend on what they can eat here and now in order to deter­mine what happens to their future. It just offers these elements a convenient explanation for the abracadabra that they inflicted on Ekiti State. But again, as I said, time will tell. We may find the op­portunity now that the party has gone to court, we would find out from their own side.  But I think it is important, as I said in my broadcast, to docu­ment all these extraneous elements; the siege on Ekiti by the military and other security agencies, the role they played in instilling fear in the state. There are of course a lot of arm-chair pundits who have argued that the security siege was insufficient to explain the loss of APC. Many of these pundits were not even in Ekiti during the election and had no idea what actually transpired. Two days to elec­tion, my colleagues who were coming for my final rally were stopped from taking off in some cases, mid-air in other cases and actually at the boundar­ies coming into Ekiti state. Ten days before then, my party people were attacked on account of the traditional sweep after the PDP rally. I was tear-gassed and ordered to be attacked on the instruc­tion of the Vice President who was in Ekiti on the fateful day, the same Vice President who had boasted that Ekiti and Osun elections will be war front. Even after I lodged a complaint with the Na­tional Security Adviser and the Inspector-General, it was my own people who were charged with ter­rorism. So, this was a very carefully orchestrated agenda driven by the forces, federal forces who have been saying to everybody’s hearing that they must take Ekiti because Ekiti, for them, was the gateway to taking the South-west. So there is noth­ing that happened that cannot be explained.

But you conceded defeat

Did I really? We were left with two obvious choices following the announcement by INEC on the morning of the 22nd of June. One was to reject outright what we considered was clearly a blatant manipulation or to accept it. There were a lot of grey areas in between those outright choices. It is convenient to many who want to re-write history to say Fayemi accepted the result. But all you need do is read the transcript of my broadcast and you would come to a very different conclusion. With over 30,000 security agents in the state with clear instructions from the Presidency to do everything to place Ekiti in the president’s corner, it was a critical moment for the state and I believe it was more important to rescue Ekiti from bloodbath than to plunge it into one. I believe it was impor­tant to turn a new leaf and fight our cause with­out resorting to violence. That’s what the Federal government and the PDP had planned for.  That’s the verifiable intelligence I received. And as the Chief Security Officer of the state, I had to decide whether to allow Ekiti to be turned into a killing field by trigger-happy security agents already on instruction to mow them down for protesting the abracadabra inflicted on them. Under the circum­stance, my decision was clear: peace now, justice later. And really, do we want bloodbath in Ekiti? Do we want our people to be slaughtered? Do we want Ekiti to become the trigger for truncating Nigeria’s fledgling democracy? We felt we have a role to play in protecting this democracy no matter how flawed it is and that’s why I did what I did. Anyone who understands the English language well would know that that speech was not the con­cession speech that many people are talking about. Yes, I have said I won’t challenge the election in court and congratulated Mr Fayose, but that’s not tantamount to accepting the result. That’s about saving Ekiti. Anyone who heard me throughout the campaign would recall my consistent remarks that I won’t go to court for any reason, genuine or otherwise over the election. I was only ensuring that my word remains my bond. When Chief Oba­femi Awolowo decided he was not going to court over the ‘moonslide’ victory of the NPN in 1983, was that acceptance of the election? In any case, now that my party has gone to court to challenge the election, the various infractions in the election would be subjected to scrutiny.

Even at that, was the decision not too hasty and are you saying you did not regret doing this?

I don’t know what you mean by “too hasty”. I have always argued that for me, my politics is without bitterness. It is politics of principles and politics of service. No sacrifice is too much to make for Ekiti people and I have always said it, from 2006 that I became active in Ekiti politics, I have always said that I would not govern over dead people and I would not allow the blood of Ekiti people to be spilled on the altar of politics. The choice was simple, I could have done other­wise and my supporters were ready. I could simply say to them, you can see the manipulation because everybody was shocked that this was not our vote.  Don’t forget, we have 226,000 registered APC members in Ekiti State. We completed our party registration barely two months before the collection of INEC permanent voters’ cards and the continuous voters’ registration exercise was done. We used the same INEC polling units for our party registration. The simple argument that is being made which defies logic is that at least 100,000 of APC members did not vote for their own candidate. If as INEC says, we have 120,000 votes in the election and we have 226,000 mem­bers in APC, I am not talking of sympathizers, I am not talking of outsiders who love Fayemi, who are not card carrying members of the party, I am talking of party members who registered in Ekiti State, 226,000. So, you are either saying that out of those 226,000 members, 100,000 among them did not collect permanent voters cards or they col­lected but they did not vote for their candidate. That is simplistic analysis of what you are saying and these people when they got to the field, when they got accredited, they knew one another, they knew who was APC, who was PDP, we were get­ting feedback on how many of our members were in each polling unit and yet the results in most cases were at complete variance with the evidence before us. So, it’s not enough to take the result de­clared at face value. We need to dig deeper into what happened and those alleging ballot fraud and so called Zimbabwean option are probably talking about that. However, on the basis of the declared result, it would simply have amounted to sour grapes and being seen as a bad-loser if we didn’t take the initial step we took to calm frayed nerves but with sufficient caveat that the last has not been heard on the election. Here is the simple answer to your question. If I had triggered a crisis by reject­ing the result, if I had made a different broadcast, a broadcast that simply says Ifaki people, they said you voted against Segun Oni and me; Oye local government, they said you did not vote for your son, are you going to let this daylight robbery go? It might have been the beginning of the end of Ni­geria’s fledgling democracy and a lot of Ekiti peo­ple on both sides PDP, APC, non-partisan people, innocent souls would have been lost, what would be my gain in that? I am not hungry. I didn’t come into politics as someone who doesn’t have alter­native. I did what I did by making that speech to save my people. So there was nothing hasty about it. I knew the plan that the military had, I knew the plan that the police had, don’t forget I am the chief security officer of the state and I get to hear from all these people. I knew the instructions they had given the soldiers because some of them were relating with me and they were not happy that they were being given instructions like the ones they got in Ekiti. As one of them told me, if they keep bringing us into these matters that are not our business, then they cannot complain if something totally negative happens. One of the soldiers told me that and it is an elementary principle of civil-military relations that the more you drag the mili­tary into civilian matters, you never know how it’s going to end. So it wasn’t hasty and I don’t want you to see it as if it was an acceptance speech…it wasn’t an acceptance speech. Please read it, if you read it, you would know that it was very condi­tional in very many ways.

…..But in all this why didn’t you carry the party along?

Who told you I did not carry the party along? You know there is a lot of myth and a lot of sup­positions that people make.  I did not just make the broadcast, I sat with party leaders. Who is who in our party in Ekiti were all with me when I went to make the broadcast. We all sat down and agreed on even the format it would take. This was not a broadcast I decided to make out of the blues. We knew we had not lost an election freely or fairly and we knew the agenda was to annihilate and maul down our people. We love our people more, and our interest is to secure them, to protect them than to just protect our office. It was a carefully calibrated speech.

You mentioned something about “a new sociology of the Ekiti people evolving” in your historic broadcast. Can you elucidate more on this?

It was just an honest reaction that if indeed this was your will, then it runs counter to what we know politics is about. In politics, performance is rewarded more often than not. Yes we have had instances, of Winston Churchill losing an election after he came back as a hero in the Second World War or Pierre Trudeau of Canada. It happens but the fact that it happens does not confer correctness on it. If you say oh, this is the view we have of this governor, he has performed, he has demonstrated competence, his acceptance profile is very high, everybody loves him, yes there are things we may not like about him, he is detached. He is not a social animal. But it still will fly in the face of logic unless there is a new sociology. Because once you say performance is not rewarded then all you are say­ing, the message you are sending to politicians is, you know what, you better don’t behave like Fay­emi. You better get there and take care of yourself and your family and when it is election time, go out there and start sharing rice and boli and mouth organs and jump up on okada and say you are the peoples politician and I think it is a very dangerous message that we are sending about what politics should mean to our people. And that is why I said before that I didn’t even accept that that is what has happened because it is those who are hard put to explain their own success, this moonslide success, they are the ones saying you know it is because he is an elite governor, it is because we are on the street with the people. It is a very simplistic, a his­torical explanation. You will need to dig deeper and that information would come in due course.

Your defeat in your ward and your local government was disturbing. One writer said this was because people were angry that you built an “imposing structure” in your home town Isan Ekiti in the midst of poor people that you never took care of? What is your reaction?

I think whoever wrote that was ill-informed. One, I don’t believe anyone would say that I was defeated in my unit and my ward. The result is there they should go to INEC and check. As far as I am aware, in my unit, I think PDP had one vote, Labour had 0 and I believe of the 168 people that voted there, I had 167 that voted for me in my unit. In my ward, I had 2022 votes to PDP’s 261 much less for Labour. How anyone would describe this as a defeat is a way of calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it. And to now talk about impos­ing structure, it is so disingenuous, I don’t even want to comment on it. The building that I have in my community, I mean my house, was built long before I became governor. It was declared in the assets that I declared on October 16, 2010. This can be googled, I am one governor who is proud to say I have led an accountable, transparent life as governor. Anyone who can come out and say I have added one block to any part of my house around the world since I became governor, I chal­lenge the person to come out with evidence. I live a very modest life and there is no need for me not to. I have a small family and I have only one child.  My politics is not politics of materialism but in Ni­gerian politics everybody opens their mouth and say whatever they like about you because that is the way Nigerian politics is. You must malign oth­ers in order to try and get some kind of foothold. I wonder what is massive about my house. So when I hear about this imposing mansion, I ask myself is he writing about me or writing about someone else and here was a journalist who said he had never been to Ekiti, because I read the piece. So, you then ask yourself, you write this and you have never been to Ekiti, where is your credibility? So this is where hatred blinds credibility. How would anyone take such a journalist who regards himself as a serious columnist serious when you write that. The same person you are talking about wrote that I have a university in Ghana and said that I have not denied that my wife has a univer­sity in Ghana. This is part of the misinformation that people spread even when they know it is a lie. A university is not what you put in your pocket. I have denied this at every opportunity I get and challenged the peddlers of the rumour to provide evidence, the university authorities in Ghana have denied this. They have come out to say that give us the evidence of this university. We know the universities that are in Ghana, we know those they belong to, yet you keep this Goebbelsian lie hoping that if you keep repeating it, it would stick. With time, somebody would now say oh, I read it somewhere and when somebody read it some­where, what is the name of the university, who is the Vice Chancellor or president of this university, how many students are there, who exactly gave you this information, where is it written. But you know why they would go for a university, it is Fayemi now, he is an intellectual, an academic, you can’t say he has an oil rig or an oil refinery. That may not be believable, you can’t say he has a power plant. But if you say he has a university, they would say you know he is one of these elitist academics so that is the kind of thing that he would like. Quite frankly, for me there is nothing wrong in having a university, but I do not have a univer­sity anywhere in the world. But you then ask your­self, why do people lie? What does it advance? It diminishes them more.  Like that columnist, he is greatly diminished now, at least in my eyes, and in the eyes of many others. Those who used to take him seriously before would think twice about any­thing he writes from now on because they know that his writing is not based on any objectivity. It is personal, hate-mongering, disingenuous lies that define him and it is unfortunate because we don’t need that for the growth of this democracy. There are some people that you take serious. This is not something you are reading in a junk publication, if you are reading it in one of those funny rags that they call soft sell, it is understandable but not in a mainstream newspaper in which this person is a respected columnist, it is not just done.

Was there any connection be­tween your defeat and the fact that you were never in control of the par­ty structure in the state?

What do you mean by not being in control of the party? What is wrong in having collective lead­ership in which other party leaders have a say in the party structure? Don’t forget we are in a party where there are former governors, senators, House of Representatives honourable members etc. Why should a single individual aim to control a party of several thousand members? My position as the leader of the party is not challenged by anybody. The party chairman and the executives are not necessarily new people to me. In fact, I played a critical role in the installation of the party chairman way back in 2006 when I was not even a governor, I was not even the candidate of the party because we had just formed the AC from the amalgama­tion of AD and ACD. When Jide Awe became the party chairman, and he had been party chairman for 8 years since then, he is somebody I have a great deal of respect for; he is committed; he was a student union activist like me before getting into politics and he has done reasonably well in the position of chairman of the party and I don’t in­dulge in self- aggrandizement. The party machin­ery works for the state. I don’t know what anyone means if they say that we were not in control of the party machinery. Who is then? Who is in control?

Do you regret any of your actions, policies, utterances, behavior and programmes considering the out­come of the election?

There is nothing we have done that we don’t think it’s the right thing to do. I have always said that governance is different from politics. When election ends, governance starts and you must be able to, yes, mix both, but at the same time you have a duty as a leader to take firm decisions when necessary in the best interest of the people. Gover­nance is not a popularity contest, election may be a popularity contest but governance is about deliv­ering the greatest good for the greatest number of the people and to that extent there is nothing that we did that we cannot defend in terms of their im­pact on the people. Whether it is our free education programme, we know what has changed now, we know what our hospitals used to look like, people can go there and see what they look like now. We also know what the infrastructure in the state used to be like and we know the quality of infrastruc­ture we have since put in place. In Education, in healthcare, in agriculture, in rural development and community empowerment, in social security and women empowerment as well as provision of jobs, there are indelible marks of our administra­tion.

However, there were a number of policies that many deemed controversial and as I said, you hear so many pepper soup analysts who go around say­ing, ‘Oh, it’s because Fayemi was doing test for teachers and was looking for ghost workers in lo­cal governments and putting biometrics integrated pay roll system for the civil servants and all that.’ You know vision is always 20/20 after the fact. In all the steps I took, my primary interest was to bet­ter the lot of my people. Though there are aspects of some of our reforms that might have been han­dled differently, there is none we would have jet­tisoned. There are also aspects of our reforms that might have been communicated differently to the people particularly those affected because change is always difficult to swallow. People don’t like change. Sometimes, the price to pay for leadership is to be firm in your approach to change particu­larly when you know that that change would be in the ultimate best interest of the majority of the population. So, sequencing you can argue about and say timing, sequencing of the reform, players, path, processes are issues that we deal with when we are talking about effective and efficient gover­nance. But the reality is that some of what we had to do we did and there is no need to regret anything we did because it was in the best interest of our people and I believe that posterity would judge us right on those policies.

The Governor-elect, Ayodele Fay­ose has described himself as a grass­roots politician and you as an elitist politician. Did this make any differ­ence in the outcome of the election? Was there really a disconnect be­tween you and the grassroots?

Well you know, I don’t want to comment on anything that Mr Ayodele Fayose says. He is, as I have said to Ekiti people, my brother. I have a duty to weld together everybody who had been fortu­nate and privileged to occupy this very important position and they are not many. In a substantive manner, we are only talking about four: Niyi Ade­bayo, Ayo Fayose, Segun Oni and me. So, I would love a situation in which the office would not be desecrated no matter who occupies it and the peo­ple who have occupied it would have to display sufficient maturity to always come together in the interest of the Ekiti people. But some of the things that people say must be analyzed, again in the in­terest of those who are gullible enough to believe these simplistic soundings; grassroots, elitist and other nonsensical terms.  These are terminologies, which have been bastardized by those who do so for reasons best known to them. No government can be more grassroots than the government we run in Ekiti. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, a governor does not do budget until he has visited communities and I have done this thrice now, for 2011-2013 budgets. So, it is not by accident that over 1200 projects dot various communities in Ekiti, which were specific requests made in those town halls and village meetings held in those com­munities. What could be more grassroots than that? I don’t make budget by sitting in Ado Ekiti. I go to various communities, in spite of the fact that I have a plan, I have an agenda, everybody knows the agenda, it’s something the people can recite and they recite it all the time. The eight-point agenda, the road map to Ekiti recovery. It was like a man­tra. I don’t just stand on my agenda, I also go into communities and discuss objectively with them; what are your priorities for next year? What would you like me to do? There is hardly a single com­munity that you can get to today that you would not find five, six or more projects determined by the people not imposed on them from Ado Ekiti.  When people talk to you about grassroots and elite they are talking about somebody eating roast corn on the roadside or hi-fiving an okada rider. Excuse me, that is bastardization of governance, that is not grassroots politics. Grassroots politics in my view means affecting the lives of people at the grass­roots in a fundamental way and improving their lot. The 25,000 elderly people that are collecting #5,000 every month in an institutionalized manner live in the grassroots, they don’t live in the air. The youth in the volunteer corps, the ones in the peace corps and youth in commercial agriculture, they are not urban-based, they are mostly in the grass­roots. I ask people, how many times did people see Chief Obafemi Awolowo eating boli on the road just to demonstrate that he was a grassroots man. The person who used to do that then, of course, quite popular in his own sense, Adegoke Adelabu, the penkelemesi man. Yes, very popular, a rabble-rouser. He knew how to rouse the people but he also genuinely loved the Ibadan people. For him, it was a two-love engagement because he was an in­tellectual. S.L.A Akintola too. Awolowo was seen as standoffish, an intellectual not a social animal. I am proud to follow in that footstep. I have actu­ally no regret if that is what it means to be elitist because the policies that we implemented affected people in the rural areas more than people in the urban areas positively. But honestly, I don’t want to engage in any political brickbat over the defini­tions of elitism and grassroots.

Some have suggested that some of the agenda you set for your first term should have formed part of your second term agenda – the assess­ment test for teachers, the search for ghost workers in local governments and the civil service and demolition of some houses etc. Do you have any regrets for your actions?

For me, objectively in politics of theory and practice of governance, one standard feature that crops up all the time is what we call sequencing. Yes, there are things that you may choose to do at a particular time but you also have to ask yourself, are we God? How can you plan for a second term when you have not even demonstrated to people what you can do with the first term. That’s an as­pect people leave out when they are talking about sequencing and timing in governance. What if I leave all these legacies out and not do anything throughout the first term, simply because I don’t want to hurt a fly, I don’t want to rock the boat, I don’t want to demonstrate leadership. Leadership is not about not taking decisions particularly hard decisions. I believe people know where I stand on governance now, if you were to ask people. I was very touched when I read The Economist and the first line in the report read thus “one of Nigeria’s most reformed minded governors has been ousted from office”. We are all writing our own history, I do not accept the logic that oh, you know don’t rock the boat. What I have done is a measure by which others would be judged now and they would have their own time to demonstrate what they can do in the interest of the people. Are people saying that ghost workers must be entertained, are they suggesting that people must have loopholes to steal government money? Are they saying that the future of our children is not important to us and the quality of teachers should be ignored? Is that what we are saying? I am sorry, I don’t come from that school of thought. The school of thought that I come from stipulates very clearly, this is what I would do when I get to office, it was an agenda. I shared the agenda with people all over Ekiti state. It would be disingenuous on my part, to now get into office and not revive Ikogosi that I promised to bring back and not revive Ire Bricks Factory, one of key pegs of our industrialization agenda in the state and not revive the quarries in Igbemo or not fix the roads that I promised to fix. Or not get the health centers and the schools reconstructed. Ditto, I couldn’t have left the teachers the way they were. Now, Ekiti teachers are the best paid teachers in the country. Because I promised that I was going to put them on a pedestal that would im­prove the quality of the pupils produced by them. So when they get core subjects allowance and they get teachers pecuniary allowance and they get ru­ral teaching allowance, is it just for nothing? They must also fulfill their own part by demonstrating dedication and commitment to the children. My interest is in those children and when I do the same in the university, it is not accidental that Ekiti has moved to number 17 out of universities in Nigeria from almost number 200 on the Webometric index in the space of three and a half years. The record is there for all to see. So if they like, because Fay­emi is no longer there, let them return to the era of miracle centres and let them start selling handouts again in the universities. Let the lecturers abandon peer review in the appointment process. All the in­novations that we brought even whoever occupies the seat would find out that these are things that should not be reversed in the larger interest of the people of the state. So, I have actually no apology, I’m sorry.

Is this why people say your ap­proach to governance is too theoreti­cal or you think it’s not true?

Of course, it is not true. Everything that we did was informed by analysis, deep-thinking of the Ekiti condition and what will take us speedily to sustainable development. If we do road infrastruc­ture in a landlocked state, rural place, it is because we are very clear in our mind that those who want to bring the proceeds of their farms to the urban centres would be able to do it in a relatively seam­less and painless manner. So if we connect our state with a network of multiple roads, it is not an accident when people care and set up facili­ties there. When I became governor, you can only refer to one standard hotel in Ekiti, maybe two: Fountain and Pathfinder. Since I became governor in Ekiti, not fewer than 10 standard hotels have sprung up. That’s a measure for you because they are providing jobs, facilities, leisure for people. There is nothing elitist about that or theoretical because for me, I am clearly convinced that hand­out is not what would make development real in Ekiti. Instant gratification does not bring develop­ment to any society, it is the enabling environment that you create for jobs to grow, for investment to come that would create opportunities to develop a sense of self-worth, and to begin to focus on how to earn a living, not to depend on crumbs from the table of politicians. So we have a fundamen­tal approach to our politics and it is a very clearly defined social democratic agenda and we believe that the strong must provide for the weak and they must be in a position to pull up the vulnerable in the society. So we have a very clear social welfare programme that everybody commends. But at the same time we have what you might call a fiscally conservative program, which some people don’t like because we go after those who want to reap where they did not sow. We fished them out of the system, we blocked all the corruption loopholes in the system particularly in the civil service. Some are not happy about that. We demand accountabil­ity and transparency of ourselves and of others and that was why I declared my assets as the governor publicly and not privately. So, in our government what you see is what you get but if people are now saying that is theoretical then what is theoretical about opening yourself to scrutiny and expecting that to happen of every other public officer.  What is theoretical demanding of people to pay appro­priate tax whether they are lecturers in universities or commercial okada riders because the resources gathered from this would be used in the overall interest of everybody. Of course we have to pay for the free education, we have to pay for the free health care, we have to pay for social security and we cannot depend completely on what is coming from Abuja. You know I am not fazed by some of the resentment to this. Anybody who knows Western Nigeria’s history would remember what happened to Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1954. Because of one pound tax imposed for free edu­cation, he lost a regional election. The same free education, 50 years later, is what everybody is praising him for. So, those who say it is theoretical, fine. Others have also said Fayemi is years ahead of his time. I don’t know whether that is true or not because there is nothing we are doing in Ekiti that is extraordinary. These are policies and pro­grammes that have been tested elsewhere and they have worked in the overall interest of the people. For me, it is about our people, it is not about self.

The Governor-elect referred to you as an honourable man, yet he said your achievements and performance were media hype because you built on his previous projects. He also said the Pavilion and the government house were of no economic value to the people. Are these comments befitting of a person described as an honourable man or was this used as a sarcasm?

You have tried as much as possible to make me talk about Mr Ayo Fayose and I have tried as much as possible to avoid desecrating the office because there is no way I am going to talk about him or some of the remarks he makes that I would not have course to question the extent of his readi­ness for the office he wants to occupy. Honestly, I find it strange that anyone could say that a pa­vilion that has a sitting facility for 12,000 people, in a state where people come to do crusades, concerts and so on, and occupy secondary school pitches, would not find use. This is something that is bound to generate funds for the state if well managed. And I would be surprised if my brother said he could not see the economic impact of that. There is nothing that we have put in place that is not regenerative whether you talk of Ikogosi, the Pavillion, the Civic Centre or Oba Adejugbe Hos­pital. I don’t expect him to come now and see what we have put in Ikogosi and say he wants it to go back to the Ikogosi of his earlier period in office. I would hope not. Ditto, the Government House, the Civic Centre, Oba Adejugbe Hospital, Ire Clay Factory, the 700kms of road. So if he says I have built on what he did, well that’s what government is all about. It is a continuum. He should come and build on what I have also done now.

The Governor-elect Ayo Fayose thanked the Labour Party candi­date, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele for helping him to win the election. Do you regret not having Opeyemi Bamidele on your side?

Opeyemi Bamidele took his own decision, he is an adult and I think we should respect his de­cision. But likewise he would have to deal with the consequences of his decision, that’s all I can say about him. I would like to have everybody on my side. There is no politician who wants to have enemies. I will continue to say this, my politics is not politics of opportunism, it is politics of prin­ciple and I am not afraid to stand alone as much as I would want to have people on my side. I am one politician who is not afraid to stand alone for my beliefs. So if there were people who chose not to be on my side for whatever reasons, I can only wish them well.

How do you explain the allega­tions of perfidy and nonchalant at­titude leveled against most of your appointees?

In politics, people always level allegations, in every political struggle, you would never find a 100 percent commitment, you would never find people acting in almost the same fashion. We ran a campaign, a hugely successful campaign. We would have people who will have their issues. There is no government in office that would have the groundswell of support that I had before it got to office. No government can maintain that be­cause politicians being who they are, somebody who wanted to be a commissioner and ended up being a senior special assistant, he would continue to eye that position of a commissioner and would continue to feel under-utilized and unhappy for whatever reason. Somebody who feels he wants to be chairman of a board or a local government who ends up being given a supervisory councillor position will also have his bones to pick with the governor and of course all complaints stop at the desk of the governor. I am not going to say that all my appointees and political leaders performed ex­cellently but I don’t think perfidy is an appropriate word to use to describe non-performance.

Some people said your govern­ment was being run from Bourdilon. Others said you alienated Asiwaju Bola Tinubu from your government. Can you tell us the true version or what kind of relationship you had with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

One version says I am being micro-managed from Bourdilon, the other says he is his own man; he thinks he is an intellectual, he is independent, he has distanced himself from Bourdilon, from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.  Asiwaju is my leader, I have never denied that, he has done a lot for me personally and politically and I owe him a great deal of gratitude for that. But our relationship is also based on mutual respect because it is not a relationship that started in politics. I was never a member of the Lagos crowd as you know. I was never a commissioner in Lagos, I was never a senator or even a resident in Lagos. I knew him way back, I knew him in exile and we forged a common bond that was dedicated to the removal of military rule in Nigeria and that relationship continued. He played a critical role when I was asked to run for the governorship position in Ekiti. He supported it with everything he could muster and when we went to the election and I won, we ran into road blocks that eventually led to the tri­bunal.  He was also very central and supportive of all that we achieved. But what many people didn’t give him credit for, for those who don’t know him well, is that they expect him as our party leader to send them my way all the time and for many people he refused to do that. He said look, let these people run their government, if you have any ad­vice to give them, you go to them directly but if you pass it through me, I would endeavor to de­liver your message to them. But no matter what steps he takes, he would be analyzed, analyzed and analyzed. Whatever steps I take, I would be analyzed and over-analyzed.  Therefore, it’s a no-win situation. They will say he is running Ekiti.  The truth of the matter is that when it comes to specifics, I have enjoyed a great deal of advice from him because he was a governor before. There were things that I have done that if I asked him for advice, he would give it. That, this is how I did it during my time but you know your area is different, it is not as cosmopolitan as Lagos. You may need to manage some tendencies much more carefully. He was always willing to give us advice. You would always have this and all my colleagues also faced the same issues. But the same people would say that oh, he has abandoned Tinubu, he has embraced Adebayo. I don’t run my life on a zero-sum game basis.  I have several leaders, and I have a lot of respect for them and they have a role to play both in my emergence and in the suc­cess of our administration. I just consider it “Beer parlour” talk when they say all these things and I know that Asiwaju himself knows that that is what it is.  When these people sit down and concoct stories, and peddle rumors you can’t stop them. You can’t legislate against rumors unfortunately, particularly against political leaders. There would always be all manner of things being peddled. Am I my own man? Of course I am my own man. Do I have leaders I respect? Absolutely, I have a lot of leaders I respect and they need not be mutually exclusive. I can be my own man and still have leaders I can take wise counsel from.

People, I mean, public analysts and politicians, have singled out your Chief of Staff as the major cul­prit for your defeat. Why did you al­low him to have such massive influ­ence on you?

It is very funny but I find it interesting. Chiefs of staff by their very nature, they are seen as the attack dogs of their principals. Go into history, chiefs of staff are almost always hated. Chief of staff is traditionally an American-created office. In British politics, you probably would have cabinet secretary, principal private secretary and all that. The chief of staff is the person who coordinates the governor’s office. That automatically makes you an object of hate. The way you now manage it will define how you are seen. Most chiefs of staff are not liked at all.  When Tunde Fashola was chief of staff in Lagos, I know what some of his colleagues in the cabinet used to say about him… so that’s the first thing to say. So if you are the chief of staff who is seen to be close to the governor…but the truth of the matter is that the chief of staff in any government is only as powerful as the gover­nor wants him to be. So when people build myths around any government official, you are just providing an excuse and cover for the governor because the chief of staff is a shield.  How many people want to see the governor? The governor’s office is a very busy office, part of the duties of the chief of staff is to manage expectations of people. On a normal day, if you get to Yemi Adaramodu’s office, he has more crowd there than you can ever find in my office because he has to manage a lot of people who are desirous of seeing the governor. Those who are unhappy that they are unable to see the governor don’t blame the governor even though it was the governor who would have been the one to give the instruction that “Mr chief of staff. I’m busy, I don’t want to see any one’. They put the blame on the chief of staff and in a situation like this, the blame game continues. I think it is unfortunate and I don’t think people should indulge in that, I think all of us have put in our best. There may have been lapses here and there but a lot of what they say about the chief of staff is unfounded and untrue. My chief of staff is not the most diplomatic person I can tell you that, that is his major problem, and it is also because he knows everybody very well and people don’t like to be exposed for their perfidy or their untoward act. There are things I would really not say about any politician, Yemi would say it and they would hate him for­ever for saying it. The governor rarely says anything that is negative or bad about anybody. But the chief of staff feels that it is his duty to protect the governor and to expose you if you are not working in the larger interest of the party. I recall when I came into politics, I knew what they used to say about a gentleman called Biodun Oyebanji who was chief of staff to governor Niyi Adebayo, I knew what they used to say about Alhaji Lai Mohammed when he was chief of staff to my leader, Asiwaju. It is the same story, so nothing new.

You were accused of importing contractors from Lagos to do what local contractors can do. Why did you do this?

This is rubbish. It is not even worth responding to because every­one knows the local content policy of our administration. I would rather my roads are constructed by contractors that I can hold their feet to fire and I can get sound warranty from them. We have had governors in this state who constructed roads that barely lasted six months because they just poured…so I believe that every naira that belongs to Ekiti should be utilized well for the Ekiti people. People can go and see the roads I have constructed and compare them to roads that have been constructed in the past. They should look at the drainages and yet some of the roads were constructed by Ekiti indi­genes, the street lights were done by Ekiti indigenes, the evidence is there for all to see. So I am not going to apologize for using those who would make our money last. We dont have limitless resources in Ekiti, so whatever we are spending money on, must be worth our while and it must be quality products that would be used rather than just the typical “shagbe loju yoyo” work. It’s something you would hear from those who are not really serious. What I would not accept is to give a job to a politician or local person who would not deliver and then he feels like what is wrong with that, that’s my own share of the cake. I am sorry there is no share of any cake in my government. This is the commonwealth of the Ekiti people, if you don’t do it, go and face maximum consequence. Yes, I have offended a lot of local contractors for that but again I do not have apologies for that

Why did you create LCDAs when you have only few more days in office?

Again, that is a distortion. The process leading to the creation of the LCDAs has been on for one year. I set up a committee that took memoranda from various communities and I also invited them to come and defend their memoranda. This is a process and we are just getting to the end of the process. And what do you mean by few more days in office? I still have three months left in government. So there is nothing that says we should not do something that our people are very desirous of and that is why I am creating the LCDAs.

INEC, the Police and the Federal Government are all contemplating adopting the ‘Ekiti Arrange­ment’ as a template for elections in other states. Do you share this sentiment?

Well, I do not know what they mean by ‘Ekiti arrangement’. What is the ‘Ekiti arrangement’? Is it the harassment? Is it the siege? Or the intimidation? Oh yes, they don’t even have to contemplate, that is what they want to do.  Their arrangement is in top gear for Osun too. That ‘arrangement’ allows them to impose their will on the people. I think the country is in for a long and tortuous journey because once the will of the people is discounted and you do it in a seemingly ap­propriate manner, then it becomes a fait accompli that would halt this democracy and I think that is what we all must be careful about. The abracadabra in Ekiti is not a template that can endure. It is a template that they would love to use but it is a template that would drive the country into perdition because people would wake up to the reality sooner rather than later that a government that has not demonstrated any capacity to make a difference in the lives of the people, a govern­ment that has desecrated everything that is decent about Nigeria yet wants to keep itself in office by hook or by crook can only be asking people to resort to other means to rescue the country.

What lessons can be learnt from the Ekiti elec­tion by you as a victim, APC as a party, Ekiti peo­ple, governors of other states and politicians gen­erally?

The jury is still out on that

Will this defeat not have negative impact on other elected officers of APC in Ekiti in the 2015 election? By this, I mean the Senate, House of Representatives, state house of assembly and the local government.

Well you know the reality of that is going to be defined by the ex­tent to which we are able to arrest what happened and all I can say to you there without going into too much detail is that the Ekiti story is not over. There are many people saying it is over but it is not. I don’t want to talk about what would happen to elected officials in 2015.

What next after office? Where do you go from here?

I am a politician, I have to continue to tend my sheep and Ekiti remains my theatre of operation. First, I am still the governor of Ekiti State and I have a lot of work to do to complete the agenda that I set for myself and that I set for Ekiti people. So that is what next. And I would always remain in the service of my people, my country and humanity at large.

Gbajabiamila Rejects $1 Billion Loan Request, Proffers Alternative

The Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has advised the Federal Government to explore trade by barter option in its effort to step up military hardware and train military personnel instead of piling up debts for the country.

The APC and Leader of Opposition in the green chamber through a statement issued by his research and media aide, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart on Sunday in Abuja expressed dismay at President Jonathan’s penchant for loans when the country has sovereign wealth fund, reserve and excess oil revenue.

He stated that, “the federal government by setting an illegal benchmark has been creaming off about $ 30 per barrel of our crude oil sales which it puts in an illegal excess crude account. If it insists on cash it should reach into that illegal account. Again it also set up the Sovereign Wealth Fund, a component of which it described as future generation account. Well Madam Minister, the Chibok girls represent the future generation, go into that account if you must. Assuming the National Assembly will allow that. But to incur a further $1billion loan at whatever interest rate, that is one loan too many for our future generation to pay off and the answer is a CAPITAL NO!!!”

Gbajabiamila also said, “the request for $1 billion loan by the President after 3trillion Naira allocated to Defence in 3 years with nothing to show for it, it’s evident that the President and his advisers regard Nigerians as imbeciles (which they are not). For sake of clarity an imbecile is defined as a blockhead or a dunce.”

The lawmaker advised his colleagues in National Assembly to restrain themselves from granting the “perfidious request” and implored the federal government to try exchanging oil for military hardware like other needy countries have done in the past if truly Nigeria has weak military equipment considering the country’s previous budgets for Defence.

“I personally do not think any more cash should pass through government at this time. If indeed more money is needed for the training of our men and women in uniform which I doubt, then we should resort to the time tested trade by barter. This means of commodity exchange continues between countries all over. We can exchange oil for arms if need be.”

“The AL YAMAMAH arms deal between the Saudis and UK wherein a large amount of British military hardware was sold to the Saudi  government for 600,000 barrels of crude oil a day comes to mind. So does the oil for arms deal between China and Venezuela and the deal struck by the US in 2011 when over 80 F15 fighter jets were sold to the Royal Saudi Airforce. The deal included training, logistics and maintenance.”

In Gbajabiamila’s further advise to his colleagues in National Assembly to reasons why they should rebuff any move to plunge the country into another debt and elevate corruption, he listed six posers they must consider before taking a stand on the request of executive.

“Firstly, a comprehensive audit of what has happened to all the money allocated by the National Assembly to Defence in the last 3 years must be done immediately. This must be a condition precedent before a kobo is ever approved again.

“Secondly, we have the MTEF which laid out government expenditure framework for the next 3 years. We must stack this alongside this recent request and see if there is any place for such.

“Thirdly, what was the amount of debt forgiveness or forbearance given to Mohammed Abacha? That amount if any must be stacked against the loan sought to determine whether granting same makes any sense.

“Fourthly, what are the conditions for the loan? What is the repayment schedule and who bears the burden? ( rhetorical question)

“Fifthly, what did the recently held world economic forum in Abuja cost government and what were the economic derivatives for government to now turn around months later to ask for a $1billion loan.

“Sixthly, it was reported that government had set up a forensic audit to investigate the alleged missing $20billion from government coffers. This inspite of the fact that the finance minister whilst disputing the quantum of the money admitted she could not account for 10billion.  Where are we with the investigation?

“These are questions begging for answer and the National Assembly must get clear answers to them before even considering the request not to talk of rejecting it.”

The House Minority Leader concluded in the statement by cautioning foreign donors from colluding with the executive arm of government in encouraging corruption, “Anyone who accedes to this request and any foreign country that actually gives such a loan in my opinion will be guilty of aiding and abetting corruption. An accessory before and after the fact.”

Signed

Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart

Research and Media Aide to

Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Abuja

wasiusmart@gmail.com

Press Release From The Students Union President Of Tasued (Ekeyokpa Sunday Osas)

16th July 2014

Greatest Nigerian students, distinguished TASUED community and good people of Ogun state.

My attention has beng drawn to the slanderous report issued by Vanguard newspaper on June 16th 2014 in lieu to the students protest that transpired at our campus on June 10 2014, it was so sadden that the interest, future and lives of the entire TASUEDITES can be used as a tool in playing politics which was orchestrated by one Daud Olatunji (vanguard newspaper correspondent in Ogun state), who said that I am mentally sick due to the injury I sustained in the protest

I humbly seize this opportunity to officially address the whole world particularlly the media and concerned TASUEDITES, I EKEYOKPA SUNDAY.  OSAS is mentally fit and sound, Ogun state Hospitals Management Board has also carried out series of Tests on me ,where I was issued CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS.

I believe the Press should serve as the voice for the voiceless not a means to satisfy the need of a Politician who find joy in causing chaos among the students populace.

The whole of TASUEDITES frowned at unscruplous attitude of Vanguard correspondent ( Daud Olatunji) and we are convinced he is being sponsored against our just course

He is a biased and baseless Reporter because a professional journalist will surely seek for the truth before wangling Pen on paper.

The court of law will soon see to it because this is nothing but a blackmail, slander and assassination of character.

The spirit of struggle will never die in us.

Long live TASUED
Long live NANS
Long live Ogun state
Long live Nigeria

Signed:
EKEYOKPA SUNDAY O
SUG PRESIDENT TASUED

 The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

See The Original Levick PR Contract Signed Between The Federal Government And Levick Strategic Communications

The Federal Government has repeatedly denied signing any PR contract to repair its deservingly battered image especially in International circles. The government had taken every wrong step imaginable in the wake of the Chibok Girls abduction prompting the New York Times to refer the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as “callous and incompetent” amongst other acerbic condemnations across the global media and even by respected political figures such as Senator John McCain. The signed contract is attached. Mr. Ima Niboro signed on behalf of the government (News Agency of Nigeria).

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The Malicious Statement LEVICK sent out to Nigerian media on the meeting with the Chibok Parents & Girls

Please attribute the following statement to President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria (but delivered by Dr. Doyin Okupe, Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs) –

STATEMENT REGARDING THE CANCELLATION OF MEETING WITH THE PARENTS OF ABDUCTED CHIBOCK CHILDREN AND FIVE ESCAPEES

“It now appears that our fight to get the girls of Chibok back is not only a fight against a terrorist insurgency, but also against a political opposition.

“It is with great regret that I announce the cancellation of the meeting with 12 parents of the abducted Chibock children, as well as five of the brave girls who escaped from the terrorist organization Boko Haram. I scheduled this meeting, which was to be open to the media for coverage by Nigerian and international press, to listen to their stories and to privately brief the parents and the girls on our efforts to rescue the abducted girls.

“My priority is not politics. My priority is the return of these girls.

“Unfortunately, political forces within the Nigerian chapter of Bring Back Our Girls have decided to take this opportunity to play politics with the situation and the grief of the parents and the girls. They should be ashamed of their actions.

“Those who would manipulate the victims of terrorism for their own benefit, are engaging in a similar kind of evil: psychological terrorism.

“I want to be clear, this government stands with complete solidarity with the girls and their parents. We are doing everything in our power to bring back our girls. Despite the shameful and disgusting games being played by the Nigerian chapter of Bring Back Our Girls, as a father of girls, I stand ready to meet with the parents of our abducted children and the truly brave girls that have escaped this nightmare through the grace of God.”

Tolu Ogunlesi’s Blog

PS: Nigerians are responding to LEVICK on social media with #someoneTellLEVICK .Join the conversation

#OsunDecides: Osun Belongs To PDP, Those There Never Got There Through The Poll – Jonathan

As preparations continue ahead of August 9 gubernatorial election in Osun State, President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP would reenact what it did in Ekiti State last month, as the party was set to reclaim the state.

Jonathan maintained that those presently occupying the Government House, in Osun state did not get into office through the poll.

Speaking on behalf of the president during a meeting of PDP national campaign organisation for Osun State at Legacy House, Maitama, Abuja, chairman of the Committee, Vice President Namadi Sambo said the forthcoming election in the state would be free, fair and credible.

Sambo, said President Jonathan had promised that in Osun State, the election would be free and fair, adding that it would be “one man, one vote, one woman, one vote and one youth one vote.

“We all know Osun State belongs to PDP, people there now never got there through the poll”, he said.

Also at the meeting were Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Chairman, Board of Trustees, BoT, Chief Tony Anenih; Chief Bode George; Chief Ebenezer Babatope; Erelu Olusola Obada; Minister of State, Works, Adedapo Adeyeye; Minister of State, FCTA, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Political Adviser to the President, Prof. Rufai Alkali; Political Adviser to the Vice President, Alhaji Abba Dabo; Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan, Chief Olusola Oke; and some members of the National Working Committee, NWC.

Red Friday Against Increases In Fuel Prices: Concerned Ghanaians for Responsible Governance

Focus: RED FRIDAY AGAINST INCREASES IN FUEL PRICES

Group: CONCERNED GHANAIANS FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE

On Monday, the 14th of July 2014, the faltering Ghanaian economy was hit with another body blow in the form of yet one more hike in fuel prices, with the price of petrol going up by 23%. Concerned Ghanaians For Responsible Governance (CGRG) raised the issue of petroleum prices in our 1st July, 2014 petition presented to His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama.

Ostensibly a technical decision made by the independent regulator, the National Petroleum Authority, it is clear that this damaging price hike has been occasioned by the mismanagement of both the monetary and fiscal environments, principally by the Mahama Administration. Ghana’s deteriorating fiscal situation has had a direct impact on the cedi, now considered one of the worst performing currencies in the world. By failing to practice sound fiscal policy, the government has given us a cedi exchange rate now considered among the worst in the world.

CGRG has concluded that the government’s current approach to dealing with this crisis, an unprecedented levying of taxes, raising of fees, and other forms of revenue increases will only worsen the economic outlook in the short and medium term for the Ghanaian economy, meaning that the Ghana Cedi will continue on its downward slide, perhaps declining to four Ghana Cedis to the US dollar before the end of this year. For an economy that will be import dependent for the foreseeable future, the government’s lack of prudence will spell for the average Ghanaian (Daavi Ghana and Idrissu Ghana) increases in food and transportation prices, all part of the lessening of our purchasing power. For transparency, Government should publish a breakdown of all levies paid per litre of fuel.

CGRG believes that it is time for President Mahama to face the reality that his government’s actions have dramatically worsened the outlook for Ghana and all Ghanaians, and to quickly come up with a plan that assures Ghanaians that he understands the gravity of the situation. A presidential address, not pronouncements by a staffer, is what Ghana needs to start repairing this damage. Not another Senchi, nor a cosmetic reshuffle. CGRG is patiently counting down the days when the President shall officially respond to the Petition and the issues we raised therein.

This Friday, July 18th 2014, we will be clad in red, preferably in made in Ghana (Friday wear), but it is important to signal your commitment to change by wearing whatever item of red you have. We particularly encourage the wearing of visible red accessories – scarf, shoes, bags, wristbands, and the like. Our hardworking traders could consider hanging a red item in a prominent place in their shops. All commercial vehicle operators are encouraged to hang an item in red visibly on their vehicles.

The protest theme for this Friday is the Increased Cost of Living (specifically the increase in the prices of fuel, transportation, food, water, electricity). Let us make our voices heard loudly and peacefully this #RedFriday.  All Ghanaians are encouraged to take photographs of themselves in their red attire or accessory and post them on social media (Facebook and Twitter etc), especially on the CONCERNED GHANAIANS FOR RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE or OCCUPYGHANA Facebook pages along with their concerns and what you want government to do.

The #RedFriday events are non-partisan and are meant to involve Ghanaian citizens everywhere. All posts/reposts and/or tweets/retweets should bear the following: #RedFriday, #OccupyGhana, #OccupyFlagstaffHouse,  Our Ghana must work and we must all make sure we play a role to make it work!

SIGNED

George Kojo Anti

Executive Secretary

0572666256

Response to Malicious Falsehood on Chibok Parents Visit to President Goodluck E. Jonathan GCFR

In the last 24hours, the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja family has observed with consternation the escalation of the pattern of the campaign of calumny by Government officials on our Citizens movement advocating for the rescue of the 219 school girls of abducted from Chibok Girls Secondary School, 93 days ago. The latest in this trend is emanating from the visit facilitated for the 11 parents and five escaped girls who were visiting Abuja to interact with girl-child education advocate Malala Yousafzai.

During the public speech by Ms. Malala she declared that she had received a promise by President Jonathan to meet with the 11 parents and five girls. The movement was not aware and neither was it part of the discussion of the said visit to our President.

However, at the BBOG daily sit out, our movement was informed by the Chairman, Abuja Chibok community of the outcome of a meeting held with officials of the Presidency in Malala’s suite (immediately after her speech). He conveyed that they were informed at that meeting of a the scheduling of the visit to the President for the eleven parents and five girls at 4.00pm on Tuesday 15th July 2014.

Although some members of the movement were surprised at the sudden invitation to meet with the President, our leadership concluded that session by emphasizing that it was the absolute right of the Chibok community to decide on the matter. It is instructive to note that majority of those at the Unity Fountain on that day were visiting from the Chibok community and were mostly the ones who vehemently expressed dismay at the information from the Chairman. He then clarified on the manner the invitation was conveyed to him and the parents at that meeting and reassured his community that he would schedule an emergency meeting to discuss the matter further.

On Tuesday 15th July 2014, the leadership of our movement were invited to a meeting by the Chibok Chairman and the leadership of their development association with the eleven parents in attendance. At the meeting they conveyed to us their unanimous decision to request for a rescheduling of the Malala facilitated meeting with the President. They further informed us of their intention to reach out to the Malala team and officials of the Presidency to request for an expanded meeting within a sufficient time frame for necessary planning with the rest of their community in Chibok.

We want to repeat for the avoidance of doubt that we are not responsbile for the cancellation of the meeting with the President by the 11 Parents and 5 escaped girls from Chibok as been insinuated by some Government officials

As a movement, we wish to seize this opportunity to express our gratitude to Malala who helped amplify the advocacy for concerted efforts towards the rescue of our girls.

Meanwhile, it is pertinent to firmly state that since the inception of our movement in April 2014, we have remained steadfast and adopted all means and channels of civil engagement in the advocacy of our singular issue, which is #BringBackOurGirls NOW and ALIVE

Signed

Hadiza Bala Usman & Obiageli Ezekwesili

State House Letter Exposes Presidency Over Chibok Parents’ Visit

The attached letter sent from the State House to parents of the Chibok girls clearly shows the State House was aware the parents couldn’t attend the meeting with the President because they wanted more parents of the abducted girls represented. Today’s Press Release by the Chibok parents corroborates this position. The Press Release can be accessed here http://omojuwa.com/2014/07/chibok-community-takes-full-responsibility-for-not-meeting-jonathan-explain-why-in-press-release/

This puts paid to the claims by officials of the government that advocates of Bring Back Our Girls Abuja were behind the insistence of the parents not to meet President Jonathan. This appears to be another attempt to smear the Bring Back Our Girls group gone wrong.

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Chibok Community Takes “Full Responsibility” For Not Meeting Jonathan, Explains Why In Press Release

KIBAKU (CHIBOK) AREA DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (KADA)

PRESS RELEASE DATED 16TH JULY, 2014

We the members of the Kibaku (Chibok) Community and representatives of the 12 fathers and 5 escaped girls who were hosted by Malala during her visit to Nigeria hereby speak on their behalf to offer to Nigerians the facts as they are and to put the records straight and correct the erroneous impression making rounds in the media on the botched meeting with the President:

1. The logistics and meeting between the twelve (12) fathers and five (5) girls and Malala was facilitated by the Abuja Chibok Community and the Citizens platform of BringBackOurGirls with our consent and on TRUST considering their sustained and focused advocacy to Bring Back our daughters.

2. These parents and escaped girls did not come to Abuja at the instance of government or its representatives for a meeting with Mr. President but on the full understanding that they were coming to meet with Malala; an advocate of girl child education and most importantly one who has suffered a similar fate as their daughters’.

3. That in the course of the interactions with Malala, NEITHER the parents nor the escaped girls asked for a meeting with the President or any government functionary, rather the narrative back home was to persistently ask why the President has not visited them in Chibok since the abduction.

4. It is obvious that their numbers of 12 fathers and 5 girls is about 2% of the parents of the 219 abducted girls still with their abductors and the 57 girls that escaped. Therefore, these parents DECIDED on their own accord to review the announced visit, which they FIRST heard of like every other person during Malala speech in Hilton.

5. That consequent to their decision to revert to other family members in order to incorporate every stakeholder on the matter as well as avoid discord and suspicion on a change of plans from the original mission to Abuja, they reached out to the Malala team and through them to the Presidency; to request for a new date for an expanded and more representative meeting that has a legitimate mandate to meet with the President.

6. That their request is also in recognition of the huge opportunity of a meeting with the President for the first time and after over 90 days of the tragic abduction of their daughters, and therefore required better consultations, structure and formality as against an instant advocacy request.

7. That it is totally misleading, unjust and without foundation to hold the Citizens’ platform BringBackOurGirls responsible for the decision made by the 12 parents and our community. We therefore take full responsibility for our decision and welcome the formal invitation by the Presidency as a follow up to Malala’s visit which we received this morning.

Thank You.

For Further Inquiries, contact the PRO on 08055606677

Views expressed are solely the author’s

Press Release; We will welcome every change seeking group to our fold- Ogun Labour Party Chairman?

It is common knowledge that the Leader of our Party, the Labour Party in Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel was also the main builder of the PDP in Ogun State with the cooperation of other Leaders. It is on record that the PDP carried out aggressive grassroots campaign in all the 236 wards in Ogun state in 2002/3 and was elevated to an election winning machinery. The Party won all

elections in 2003 and 2007 until the intra Party crisis of 2009, which consequently weakened the election winning machinery. The rest, as they say, is now history. It is also a matter of fact that nearly 90% of the current PDP and the current Labour Party machinery were part and parcel of that formidable structure; the common denominator being OGD.

Regrettably, the people of Ogun State got hoodwinked by the lies and manipulations of the then ACN and voted the current APC Administration into office. Having realized their mistake, the people have kept appealing to all Stakeholders of our old structure to come together again to flush out the current government in Ogun State.

It is against this framework that we view the current visit of the Governor Elect of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose to our Leader asking both the Labour Party and PDP to join forces to change the ‘Change’ in Ogun State. It is also in line with the express mandate the LP gave to our leader to discuss with ALL across party lines. More of such meetings will still happen in the weeks to come.

The Labour Party Ogun State wishes to reiterate our mutual believe in the “AMOSUN MUST GO” (AMG) project and therefore wish to open its doors to discussion with any Party that shares this philosophy and the ideology of making life better for the good people of the State particularly the workers and the oppressed masses who have suffered terribly in the hands of the draconian APC led government in Ogun State headed by Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

It must however be noted that, today in Ogun State, the Labour Party has become the strongest political force and the last hope of the masses. We assure our teeming supporters to be resolute in their support for LP and jettison any statement or speculation. While our members statewide and in diaspora should remain resolute and stand firmly.

Signed
Comrade Niyi Osoba
State Chairman, Labour Party

The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

Mara Mentor Poised For Premier One-on-One Business Mentorship Event

Mara Mentor an online tool which connects entrepreneurs to business leaders and their peers, is organising a first of its kind One-on-One event that will provide an opportunity for young Nigerian entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas to top business leaders in the country.

Mara Mentor, an initiative of Mara Foundation, will send invitations to 90 ambitious entrepreneurs (three to each mentor) who would have unique opportunity to pitch their business ideas to leading entrepreneurs who serve as Mara Mentors.

The mentors will in turn select the best pitches and entrepreneurs which they will mentor for six months.

Mara Foundation would facilitate the subsequent six-month mentorship period at time of the mentor’s convenience.

In addition, the Foundation, which is the social enterprise unit of Mara Group, will provide the mentors with further support during and after the event.

 Top business leaders who have confirmed attendance include: Prof. Pat Utomi, Jimi Agbaje, Yewande Zaccheus, Chris Ubosi, Subomi Plumptyre, Lami Tumaka, and other leading Nigerian entrepreneurs from a range of sectors.

The event is scheduled for the 30th of July 2014 in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Interested applicants should click here {https://mentor.mara.com/one-on-one-mentor/} to register.

WATCH: Boko Haram claims Lagos, Abuja attacks in new video

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ipwr3Myz-Q]

LAGOS (AFP) – The head of Nigeria’s Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for a bombing in the capital Abuja and an attack hours later in Lagos which the authorities tried to cover up, in a video obtained by AFP Sunday.

In the 16-minute video, Boko Haram chief Abubakar Shekau also voices support for the extremist Sunni Islamic State (IS) militants who have taken over large swathes of territory in Iraq and Syria.

He mocks the social media and protest campaign Bring Back Our Girls, which emerged after the Islamists kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls on April 14 from the remote northeastern town of Chibok.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0iOgAHDorQ]

The girls, whose abduction has drawn unprecedented attention to Boko Haram’s five-year rebellion, are not pictured in the video, which was given to AFP through similar channels as past messages.

One previous recording showed more than 100 of the hostages, some of whom are Christian, reciting Muslim prayers.

Shekau also said his loyalists carried out twin car bombings in May in the central city of Jos and a June attack at a public health college in the northern city of Kano.

– Claims Abuja, Lagos attacks –

“We were the ones who detonated the bomb in filthy Abuja,” he said, referring to a June 25 attack on a popular shopping centre in the heart of the capital that killed at least 22 people.

Later that day a huge explosion also rocked the Apapa port district of Lagos, which the authorities blamed on a cooking gas explosion, with no casualties.

An AFP investigation has revealed the blast was a deliberate attack involving high explosives.

The government has since conceded it was too soon to determine if the Lagos blast was a bombing, and says investigations are ongoing.

“A bomb went off in Lagos. I ordered (the bomber) who went and detonated it,” Shekau says in the video, which shows him flanked by at least ten gunmen in front of two armoured personnel carriers and two pickup trucks.

“You said it was a fire incident,” he added. “Well, if you hide it from people you can’t hide it from Allah.”

Analysts have said the Lagos attack was likely carried out by a local militant cell with loose or perhaps no ties to Boko Haram’s core leadership in the northeast, the group’s stronghold.

Prior to June 25, Lagos, sub-Saharan Africa’s largest city, had not been hit by Islamist militants.

An escalation of violence in the city, Nigeria’s commercial capital, could have devastating consequences for the government of President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been fiercely criticised for his handling of the insurgency.

Shekau, in boasting about the Lagos attack, incorrectly identifies the Governor of Lagos State, taunting Adams Oshiomole, who is in fact the Governor the southern Edo State.

Lagos State is led by Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The error is consistent for Shekau, who has regularly appears out-of-touch and unhinged in his messages. He has previously threatened ex-British prime minister Margaret Thatcher months after her death and the deceased pope John Paul II.

– Extremist ‘brethren’ –

Declared a global terrorists by the United States and sanctioned by the UN Security Council, Shekau is thought to have previously claimed credit for attacks that he did not directly order.

Near the beginning of the video Shekau calls several of the world’s most prominent Islamist extremists his “brethren”.

“May Allah protect you” he said, listing IS chief, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Al-Qaeda head Ayman al-Zawahiri, Taliban leader Mullah Omar and several others.

Speaking in English, Shekau recited the Bring Back Our Girls slogan used by activists to pressure for the release of schoolgirls.

“Bring Back Our Girls… bring back our army,” he says, in what may be reference to a previous offer that the hostages could be freed if Nigeria releases Boko Haram fighters held in custody.

Boko Haram’s uprising, aimed at creating a strict Islamic state in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, is estimated to have killed more than 10,000 people since 2009, and Shekau vowed more bloodshed.

He said he will continue to be “a huge problem” for the West and people across Nigeria.

News Credit: http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2014/07/13/boko-haram-claims-lagos-abuja-attacks-in-new-video/

UI set to host Continent-wide Conference – Oluwafemi Ogunjobi.

Barring any last-minute decision, the stage is set to hold the First African Students For Liberty Conference at the expansive multipurpose Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan, between July 25 and 26, 2014. This was contained in a statement released by the group’s African Programs Manager, Mr. Olumayowa Okediran, who said the decision to hold the conference was borne out of the fact that Africa is faced with myriad of problems. According to him, ‘Africa has been a case of charity for too long, the narrative has been about a continent so poor that it cannot by itself break free from the shackles of poverty; it has been about a continent struck with the pestilence of corruption and horrendous economic situations,’

African Students For Liberty is an offshoot of Students For Liberty; a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a unified, student-driven forum of support for students and students organizations dedicated to liberty. The body also seeks to empower students to become leaders and agents of change in their communities, particularly within their university.

By attending the conference, participants will hear from top speakers in the freedom movement, network with other pro-liberty students, discover countless opportunities for jobs, internships, conferences and seminars. The event will also feature tremendous speakers and panels on the ideas that lead to a free society and the actions necessary to implement them. Among the Speakers that will grace the occasion include; Alexander McCobin, Ms. Ida Nganga, Calvin Burgess, Japheth Omojuwa, Dr. Wale Okediran, Frederick Roeder, Ayo Sogunro, Wale Ajetunmobi, Kofi Bentil, Mike Rotich, Peter Goetler, among others.

Alexander McCobin is a Co-founder of Students For Liberty, in 2008 and till date serves as the Executive Director of the organization. He has sinced his high school participated in debates on liberty and spreading the message through it.

Ms Ida Nganga is currently the outgoing Director in charge of promoting Leadership Development and Entrepreneurship in Africa for the Global Peace Foundation. Under her leadership, the Global Peace Foundation is currently rolling out character and entrepreneurship programs in Africa, as well as pilots in Brazil, Paraguay, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. She has also helped identify and helped sponsor young Africans for the Harvard Mentor Program.

Calvin Burgess is the founder and CEO of Dominion Group of Companies. He is a graduate of British Columbia Institute of Technology. The origin of the dominion group dates back to 1977 when Mr. Burgess founded a general contracting firm. That business expanded in 1986, since which year the Dominion Group has sited, designed, built and financed over 3.2 million square feet of public and commercial properties.

In Kenya and indeed Africa, Dominion Group have had its footprints in the Dominion Farms. Dominion Farms Kenya Limited was chartered in Kenya 2003. Since then, Dominion Farms has turned over 4000 acres of previously un-accessible farmland into productive and sustainable farmland. Today, Dominion Farms is the Single Largest Producer of rice in Kenya, and employs over 800 locals. He is active in a number of faith-based operations on the education training, and motivation of citizens of poor and developing nations.

Japheth Omojuwa is the curator of omojuwa.com and contributor of numerous articles on African and Nigerian socio-economic development. His works have appeared in local and interationl media including Thisday, Financial Times and regular articles on Punch Newspapers. He is a regular commentator on radio and television platforms on Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges and opportunities. Japheth has been an International Election Observer too while also working as a philanthropist in raising funds for terminally ill young Nigerians. He believes that the revolution of Africa needs more than anything else is that of ideas and walking the talk of our productive beliefs. He uses social media to good effect for advocacy, business and social commentary.

Dr Wale Okediran is a qualified Medical Doctor from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1980. He had worked in government and private hospitals for several years before he went into private practice in 1987.He remained active in private practice until 1999 when he went into active politics and was appointed Chairman, Oyo State Hospitals Management Board. He later contested for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives, where he represented his constituency from 2003 to 2007.He is the author of the book ‘’Tenant of the House’, a skillful fictional delineation of the ugly colours of Nigerian politics with its seeming intrigues, base motives, ‘win-at-all-cost ’ motivations, and money as the great leverage. A fictional account of his tenure at the Nigerian House of Assembly, the book exposes the intricate web of corruption in the House of Assembly. As a social critic, his views have been published in both local and international media. Okediran is a past President of Association of Nigerian Authors [ANA].

Wale Ajetumobi bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Ilorin in 2010, he is currently pursuing a Post-graduate degree in journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, he was a Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Trainee in 2010 and a participant at the Students and Young Professionals African Liberty Academy (SYPALA), Nairobi, Kenya -2013. He was Editor-in-Chief, National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS),UNILORIN chapter-2009 to 2010 and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Students Chemical Sociey of Nigeria (SCSN) UNILORIN chapter,2009 to 2010.

He was a Finalist at the Nigerian Breweries Golden Pen Award for Brand Reporting-2012, was Assistant Editor, CAMPUSLIFE, The Nation newspaper 2010-2012 and is presently Editor, CAMPUSLIFE, The Nation newspaper 2012- till date.

Alexander McCobin

Alexander McCobin

Olumayowa Okediran

Olumayowa Okediran

Press Release: Attacks on #BringBackOurGirls from Security Agencies Must Stop

For over two months, security agencies have harassed and sought to intimidate our movement incessantly. The latest was the statement yesterday accredited to the Deputy Director of Department of State Security, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar who described the #BringBackOurGirls campaign as a franchise. She made the comment in Abuja while responding to questions from journalists at the press briefing of the National Information Centre (NIC). This is a dangerous and unprecedented attack because as is well known in security circles, the term “franchise” is used to refer to inter-related terrorist cells. She is reported to have said that if indeed our movement “was a protest group it would not need to force members to register and wear tags.”

Mrs. Ogar also affirmed “security forces know about all the activities of the group. We know that they have a bank account,” she said. “We know that they visit prominent individuals to solicit funds; we know that they have split themselves into groups; we know that they want to simulate a protest march in Abuja to make it look like they went to Chibok.” There is a clear attempt to smear our work with a link our work with Chibok and Sambisa forest. It is clear from these comments that the security agencies are setting up the movement for a crackdown based on trumped up accusations.

Our activities are open and our meetings are in a public space, the Unity Fountain. There is no compulsion to membership and our symbols such as the red t-shirts, face caps and pins are donated voluntarily by members. We are motivated by empathy and the need to search and rescue these girls. We are shocked that all we get from our security agencies is harassment, vilification, innuendoes and threats. This must stop. Security agencies have the responsibility to protect rather than intimidate citizens trying to do a good turn.

It will be recalled that on 8th May, the Director of Defence Information of the Defence Headquarters had alleged that we distorted the report of what was for us constructive engagement with them two days previously. He claimed that we were trying to pitch public opinion against the armed forces and to project the Nigerian military in bad light and further heat-up the polity. The release further claimed that we were trying to drag the military into politics. The statement by Mrs. Ogar yesterday was escalating this accusation to a higher level.

We wish to state unequivocally that our objectives were and remain to engage constituted authority in Nigeria and our security agencies as allowed by our Constitution.  We are simply engaged in civic action that is constructively seeking pathways towards achieving what we consider to be the collective objective of bringing back our girls.

For the avoidance of doubt, we have always been and remain a single-issue coalition without any political, religious, ethnic or regional dimensions to our struggle. We are conscious of our rights and responsibilities as citizens and we are exercising them to remind government of their own responsibilities to provide security to citizens and rescue those in distress. We cannot be stopped from exercising our citizenship rights through intimidation. Far from seeking to undermine the efforts of the security agencies, we seek to enhance it and make it more robust and effective. Our concerns about the lack of results so far, 87 days after these girls have been abducted, are aimed at motivating the security agencies to more effective action.

Finally, rather than see our civic action calling on the government and its security agencies to do their work as enemy action, we urge them to take action against the real enemies who are the terrorists who have abducted and kept in captivity for almost three months over two hundred innocent Nigerian girls.

Signed

Oby Ezekwesili

 Hadiza Bala Usman

Abuja, 10th July 2014

Brazil’s worst nightmare comes true in 7-1 defeat to Germany in World Cup semifinals

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – If you saw the game on television, no, you didn’t imagine it. If you didn’t watch it but heard about it, the rumors are true.

Brazil really did concede five goals in the first half hour of its World Cup semifinal against Germany. It really did get dumped out of the tournament 7-1. The dream really did end in little more than a heartbeat because of a devastating burst of brilliant attacking and utterly inept defending to form the most extraordinary outcome of all.

The World Cup is magical, the sort of thing that everyone should sample at least once in their lifetime. But not like this. Unless you are a diehard Germany fan you were lucky not to be here at the Estadio Mineirao as perhaps the proudest soccer nation of all was humiliated and had its heart shredded.

Everywhere you looked there were tears. They rolled down the faces of small bespectacled boys and anguished old ladies and through the face paint of the hopeful masses who dreamed – no, expected – so, so much more.

[Related: World Cup Angel of Doom Mick Jagger attends Brazil-Germany match, Brazil lose 7-1]

Losing is one thing. Losing at home is another. Brazil could have, just about, handled either of those things. But this was another level of suffering. This was torture. This was being smashed out of sight in your home World Cup and being powerless to stop it.

View gallery

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Brazil fans grieve after the World Cup semifinal match. (AP)

Brazil fans grieve after the World Cup semifinal match. (AP)

The crowd, which before kickoff had given the most spine-tingling rendition of a national anthem that you could imagine, was first silenced, then outraged. The positive and patriotic songs and chants stopped, replaced by jeers and whistles.

An elderly man cradled a replica of the World Cup trophy in his arms, knowing it was gone, knowing he would have to give it up. Minutes later, he walked over to a surprised German supporter and gave it to him with a solemn nod.

A woman with yellow- and green-painted fingernails, a Brazil jersey, Brazil phone case, Brazil scarf and Brazil flag wailed as she spoke on the telephone at halftime.

A man stamped his feet and screamed. He picked up his Incredible Hulk mask, a tribute to Brazil winger Hulk, and threw it on the ground.

“My message is for the Brazilian people and to Brazilian fans. Please forgive us for this negative mistake,” said Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, who took the blame for the embarrassing defeat. “I am sorry we weren’t able to get to the final. This is a catastrophic, terrible loss, the worst loss. We have to deal with that.”

This tournament is not done, of course, and Germany’s seven goals here will count for nothing in Sunday’s final, where it will have to produce something special all over again against either Argentina or the Netherlands.

But it is done for Brazil, even with a third-place game that no one ever much cares about still to come. They might as well call the game off. This country, of all places in the world, wants to forget about soccer for a while and focus on getting angry at a president it doesn’t like and social problems it is sick of.

[Gallery: Brazilian fans and players brokenhearted over World Cup exit]

The last and only previous time Brazil hosted the World Cup, in 1950, it created a scar that has lingered to this day. Losing to Uruguay in the final game is still considered a stain on its soccer history, a blot on the national identity. That result was 2-1 and goalkeeper Barbosa spoke in his old age of having served a life sentence of torment because of it, having been shunned and ridiculed to his dying day.

Goodness knows what they will make of this. Tragedy and disaster are words that should be reserved for real trauma, not those that take place on a field of sporting endeavor.

View gallery

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Brazil fans embrace as they watch their team lose to Germany. (AP)

Brazil fans embrace as they watch their team lose to Germany. (AP)

But make no mistake, there will be a sense of mourning in this country that will be slow to dissipate. For all of Brazil’s great economic strides, it is not, or at least not yet, a major world power. This is a country that prides itself on its soccer. It is not just known for it but revered for it. Or was.

The Samba beat was crushed by a machine of such efficiency that it defied belief. But Brazil was also the architect of its own demise, and that was the hardest part for the locals to bear. There was David Luiz‘s negligent defending. Luis Gustavo’s midfield stumbles. Julio Cesar‘s unsure hands. Fred’s clumsiness. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s lack of any answer.

The occasional lapse can sometimes be the sacrifice for flair and productivity. Given that, there was none of the latter, there was no forgiveness. The thousands of gold-shirted attendees started to deride every mistake, lambasting those whose faces adorn billboards all across this land, who just a little earlier had been the sons of a generation and the hope of a nation.

Right near the end, there was a different noise, one of mocking and irony, with the Belo Horizonte crowd snidely cheering any positive play, even the most simple of passes. Then it stood to applaud Germany and chant “Ole” for each of the clinical Germans’ passing maneuvers.

It made you blink to check it was real. It was. It made you question whether this was really happening in Brazil. It was.

It was painful and raw and gut-wrenching. It was carnage and every emotion you can think of, from regret to pity to anger to fear. It was understandable and inevitable and embarrassing.

And finally, it was over, the clock having ticked to 90 minutes. Meanwhile, the timer was set on a new clock, one that will measure the years of pain and sorrow until this is forgotten. It might run forever.

Credit: Yahoo!News

President Jonathan’s address at the World Pension Summit, “Africa Special”, Abuja, July 7

Remarks by

His Excellency, President GoodluckEbele Jonathan, GCFR

At the

Opening of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’

Monday7thJuly, 2014

PROTOCOLS

  1. Let me warmly welcome you all to this historic first edition, of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’. I am particularly pleased to address this distinguished gathering, on an issue of overriding importance to people and families; governments and nations.

  1. Pension, it is globally recognized, occupies a strategic place in national socio-economic development. It is not only a vital component of social security; it is also a veritable vehicle for nation building.

  1. Indeed, investment in pension has profound impact on the well-being of pensioners, society and the economy at large. As such, it is imperative that stakeholders in this life-shaping industry engage constantly in dialogue to bolster management frameworks and practices in their respective jurisdictions.

  1. It is therefore heart-warming, that this Summit brings together highly accomplished pension practitioners and experts from Africa, and around the world, in discussion of various aspects of this subject, with emphasis on African perspectives and realities.
  2. There is no doubt that the experiences of other countries in pension issues would offer valuable lessons that would assist participants in review and adjustment of their systems and practices, in line with global standards. Indeed, there will be broad lessons that could be drawn from specific history, priorities and dynamics of various pension jurisdictions.
  3. For us, here in Nigeria, this meeting is taking place at a time of pronounced transformation in all facets of our national life. In the pension sector, we have also made considerable progress in defining and implementing reforms, and instituting governance structures based on best global practices.

  1. In 2004, the Pension Reform Act was enacted by the Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, to address the recurring challenges experienced in the administration of pension and to enhance efficiency in the system. This reform initiative established the Contributory Pension Scheme, for the public and private sectors.

  1. In ten years of sustained policy innovation and meticulous management, these have facilitated confidence and credibility in our pension system and administration. It also strengthened our pension institutions, as we transited from a deficit of about N2 trillion (USD 12.9b) in 2004 to accumulate pension assets of over N4.21 trillion (USD27.2b) by March this year.
  1. Furthermore, as provided by the Act, we have restructured the system of administration of the defunct Defined Benefits Scheme in the public service, by setting-up the Pension Transitional Arrangement Department (PTAD) and appointing its substantive Head, in order to improve the scheme. Our goal is to digitize pension payments and streamline payment procedures to ensure prompt and ease of payment of pension benefits.
  2. 10 Six days ago, I signed into law, the new Pension Reform Act 2014, which repealed the 2004 Pension Reform Act. The new law seeks to consolidate the gains of reform, address the identified implementation challenges and provide the enabling legal environment to facilitate the creation of quality instruments through which pension assets could be best invested for infrastructure and real estate development.
  3. I am confident that these fresh initiatives will assist us to consolidate the remarkable achievements recorded by the National Pension Commission (PenCom) in the implementation of the Contributory Pension Scheme, over the last ten years, for the benefit of contributors, and the entire economy.
  4. It is our expectation that PenCom would put in place the necessary regulatory and supervisory framework to facilitate and accelerate the objectives of the reform. Most especially, ensuring the safety of pension assets and hence, workers’ security in retirement.
  5. I believe that other African countries share similar experiences, and reform zeal, as Nigeria and it is encouraging that a number of African countries have visited Nigeria, to understudy our pension reform and share ideas which we believe can be useful to the entire continent.
  6. As we commit to share experiences and seek growth, let me conclude by emphasizing that the protection of pension assets for the payment of retirement benefits, as and when due, should always be our paramount objective.
  7. I am confident that participants will seize the ample opportunity offered by this inaugural World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’ to reflect and share experiences on how best to fine-tune African pension systems to globally acceptable standards, while retaining tailored and unique adaptations.
  8. On this note, it is my honour to declare open the inaugural edition of the World Pension Summit ‘Africa Special’. I wish you very fruitful deliberations.
  9. I thank you.

How injustice spurs Boko Haram – Ayisha Osori

“It is hard to envisage an end to Boko Haram violence while government forces employ violence with impunity.” Zenn & Pearson 

With each passing day of horror in Nigeria, as terror on citizens escalates and the body count mounts, it is becoming increasingly clear that injustice and the disregard which characterizes our relationship with rule of law is at the heart of our problem.

As Boko Haram wages war and others take advantage of the insecurity, paranoia is rising and so is the pressure on security agencies and state governments to address the fears of Nigerians. One result is that we are becoming dangerously accepting of the infringement of the rights of thousands of Nigerians. There is no justification for incarcerating innocent people, torturing and maiming them, impoverishing them and destroying their homes and property all in a bid to fight terrorism. This only makes it harder for Nigerian authorities and the rest of us to secure peace and hardens the terrorists’ position towards us.

The unfortunate truth is that the wide social injustice that we have generally accepted has come home to roost. All the years of passively receiving information about police and military brutality, extrajudicial killings and even rape, child abuse and domestic violence has left us morally weak and open to exploitation by the terrorists and those in authority. This weakness is compounded when we are selective about what injustices we choose to focus on and unfortunately with the rising insecurity; we are called upon too frequently.

For those who have carefully tracked the evolution of Boko Haram from a relatively non-confrontational sect talking about political and social injustice albeit with radical theories to a murderous, depraved group, one message comes out consistently: that the violent impunity with which the security agencies have dealt with the members of the sect and their families is part of the reason for the escalation in violence. It is generally accepted now, that the extra judicial killing of the sect leader, Mohammed Yusuf in 2009 along with many other members, sparked the campaign of terror which has now engulfed us all. However, while there was mild condemnation, the majority ignored the news and maybe a few thought the killings were justified. Now we are paying for our silence and acceptance.

Screen grab of the video showing the abducted school girls | credit: AFP

Screen grab of the video showing the abducted school girls | credit: AFP

Zenn and Pearson, in Women, Gender and the evolving tactics of Boko Haram, provide insight about Boko Haram’s escalation of the war to include the kidnap of women and young children. As far back as January 2012, Shekau allegedly threatened to kidnap the wives of government officials because the government was imprisoning and purportedly sexually abusing the wives of members of the sect. No one came to the defense of these women for whom there was no evidence that they were implicated in terrorism; now Boko Haram is inflicting their rage at this injustice on other innocent women, young girls and children.

As we grapple with the large-scale democratization of violence and the almost total relinquishment of the monopoly over the use of force by our Federal Government the accusations are pouring in and sadly they are not directed where they should be. “Why don’t people care about those being held in Abia as suspected terrorists?” “Why isn’t anyone talking about the attack on churches, on the deaths of soldiers in Borno?” The counter questions are: Where have you been all these years when the police routinely incarcerates innocent young men in place of the big man’s son who has committed a crime which needs to be atoned for? Where were you when young men were gunned down in Apo and the story was being framed as a victory over terrorism? In fact, where do you stand when the mother who worships in your church or mosque cries about her child(ren) arbitrarily kept from her by her husband?

How do we decide what to care about?

As a society we cannot pick what injustices to fight – we must fight them all. We must adhere to rules and allow for process to take its course. We cannot ignore the fact that thousands are being held and persecuted and we must not think that the cries of the innocent which we have blocked out will not find other ways of reaching us. How can we continue to live glibly in a society where it is okay for the police to waste people at will even if they are guilty? Blackstone’s Rule states that ‘it is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer’. All over Nigeria, millions of innocents are suffering and we must heed the warning that ‘justice is the only route to enduring peace and security because injustice breeds insecurity’. We must change the tide and start putting the pressure where it truly belongs – not just on each other as citizen advocates but on the institutions and the people within them who must be held accountable for the powers they hold and wield in trust for us. If we don’t, then we must also accept that we have set the perfect stage for increased insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria.

 

A Neglected people – ANSSIR

A Neglected people

(The plight of Nigerian federal scholarship students)

On behalf of all federal scholars, I will like to bring to the public’s attention the current challenges facing students studying under the Nigerian Bilateral Education Agreementscholarship scheme with various countries, including Ukraine, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco, Cuba and especially Russia.

The BEA scholarship scheme is a good initiative that has existed for more than 30 years in various forms. It is sad that the same problem that beset this scheme 30 years ago still rears its ugly head today. The Nigerian government has shown complete disregard for the welfare of its scholarship students.

This year, Nigerian government scholars have not been paid for 6 months. It is important to note that all scholars solely rely on the government stipends. Majority of the students are from humble backgrounds. They were awarded this scholarship based on their excellent academic achievements. Due to laws governing the rights of foreign students in the above listed countries, these students are not permitted to work and in cases where they can, culture and language barriers make it almost impossible for them to be find employment.

As a result of the above factors, delays associated with the payment of stipends often lead to a humanitarian crises.

The existing arrangement is that the students will be paid every quarter. This means that students would be paid their stipends for the next quarter at the end of the last quarter. For example, the stipends for April-June will be paid at the end of March. Unfortunately, for the past 7 years, this has never happened. Not even once.

At best, payments were made for the previous quarter at the beginning of a new one. For example, the stipends for Jan-March paid at the end of March or mid-April. Over the last seven years, the situation has deteriorated to a point where students were owed for 3 months, 4 months and last year, a little over 6 months and currently, 6 months in arrears.

Every kind of explanation has been given: from delayed budget approval by the Senate to Central Bank verifications, delays associated with the Ministry of Education’s budget implementation to release of funds to the Nigerian Embassies in the respective countries. Even when the budget (allocations?) was released early and the allowances for the year were expected to have been made available, it was always a battle to ensure payments were made on time. The students were often made to wait for months before they were paid.

Today, students on the program, with no rich family to help them, with no rich friends around to help them, wait and starve as they hope that someday, their stipends will be paid. Many students defended their Bachelors and Masters’ theses in June but for the whole year, they have not received a dime for their upkeep or feeding, or accommodation or research. Some cannot even go to school, as they do not have money for transport. In this period of examinations, motivation is low and spirits down as the students feel like they have been abandoned and neglected to starve to death. Graduating students are at risk of overstaying their visa, as they do not have the necessary funds to buy tickets to go home after 7 years of study. In countries like Russia and Ukraine, this comes with a heavy penalty (imprisonment and deportation).

Despite these issues, we have continued to uphold the pride of the nation by refusing to engage in criminal activities to sustain ourselves. It is unfortunate that scholars, who have continued to excel in their academics in spite of their nation’s disregard for their welfare, have had to resort to begging in order to fend for themselves.

In addition, these patriotic citizens of Nigeria have been unwilling to engage in any form of demonstration at the Nigerian embassy in Moscow to press home their demands. The leadership of the students’ association (The Association of Nigerian Scholarship Students in Russia) has explored several diplomatic measures to bring an end to this injustice but all efforts have proved futile.

You would recall that the students on the amnesty program had a violent demonstration at the Nigerian Embassy in Moscow a few months ago. Their stipends were only delayed for a couple of days! Since that incident, their money has been paid regularly with no delays. However, after 6 months, the scholarship students are expected to be on their best behaviour and represent the nation in the best light. That is a baffling expectation. Must we wait for a student to starve to death or do something disgraceful, before the right thing is done? The BEA students are truly suffering in their different countries.

Even as threats of war and political instability loom in Ukraine and Russia, there has been no measure to ensure that these citizens of Nigeria are adequately protected and taken care of. Not only are these poor students starving and sick, the government is taking no effective measure to ensure their safety in event of a breakout of war or escalation of the current crisis.

In light of these, we demand:

i)                   That our stipends (January-September) be paid within a fortnight.

ii)                That the annual accommodation allowance of $800 promised by the Federal Scholarship Board be included in our package from this year onward.

iii)              A compensation payment of $1000.

iv)              An upward review of our existing allowances in concordance with current economic realities.

v)                That a structure be established to ensure prompt and timely payment of scholars’ allowances.

vi)              Adequate evacuation and airlifting measures be put in place in case the current political tension escalates.

If the conditions listed above are not met within a fortnight, the whole student body will commence peaceful sit in protests at the premises of the Nigerian embassy in Moscow. Embassy activities shall be disrupted and we will meet daily at the embassy premises until our demands are met.

It is our hope that we will not have to undertake such extreme measures but if the federal government, the Federal Scholarship Board and the Nigerian embassy in Moscow fail to put an end to this injustice, we are willing to do this and explore other extreme measures to fight for our rights.

Executives ANSSIR

The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

Resource for Rape Victims in Lagos State – @EstherIjewere Kalejaiye

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted and you don’t feel like talking to a friend or family member because of confidentiality, here’s where you can break the silence and talk to someone about what has happened (they’ll treat your case with full confidentiality and fight for justice):

LASUTH Complex
Help lines : 08029000007, 08120006333, 08120006444, 07013491769
Email : talk2hellolagos@gmail.com
Twitter account – @YFS_Hellolagos

The Mirabel Centre
LASUTH Complex
Helplines: ?08031230236, 08155770000, 01-2957816
Email: sarc@pjnigeria.org

Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Ahmadu Bello Way, Central Business District,
Abuja,
Tel.: +23495237112
Email: enquiries@womenaffairs.gov.ng
Website: http://www.womenaffairs.gov.ng

Lagos State Government
Ministry of Women Affair and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA)
Block 18,
The Secretariat,
Alausa, Ikeja,
Lagos State.
Email: wapa@lagosstate.gov.ng

HELP LINE:
Child Abuse – 0808 575 3932, 0810 267 8442
Women Affairs – 0808 575 4226, 0810 267 8443

WALK AGAINST RAPE NIGERIA (W.A.R)

Rubies Ink Initiative
51 Abayomi Owulade Street,
Magodo GRA,
Lagos State.
Tel.: 0805 786 1285, 0806 865 3263
Website:http://www.walkagainstrapenigeria.org
Blog: http://www.walkagainstrapenigeria.blogspot.com
Twitter: @walk_rapeng
Facebook: Walk Against Rape

You can also go to any Police Station close to you and ask for the ‘Human Right Desk Officer’ to make your report?.

For those living outside Lagos, you can seek help from your State’s Ministry of Women Affairs or a recognized NGO that is dedicated to this cause.

Read More  Here

Sahara Reporters, As You Know It, Is No More – Platform Unveils New Website And Rebranding

At 5pm EST, Sahara Reporters on Wednesday launched the new Saharareporters.com, a move that predicates the news platform’s rebranding.

The new site, which features a slick minimalist design, is visually engaging. A featured stories carousel showcases news, reports, and opinion across a breadth of new content categories: business, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, education, finance, technology, and more. Such media as videos, photos, and documents (which are now downloadable), also have their own dedicated categories.

Below this, each story is now highlighted with a featured image, enriching the story it accompanies. An infinite scroll allows readers to effortlessly view all stories right from the homepage.

Outside the aesthetic advancements, the launch also features several new elements designed to enrich user experience.

Unwaveringly committed to its mission of citizen journalism, the platform now allows you, the reader, to submit stories directly to the editorial team for review and possible inclusion.

The site’s comment platform is now powered by the social engagement element Disqus, providing a drastic modernization to the comment platform. Users will now get notifications via email for replies and likes on their comments.

As Sahara Reporters continues to grow, the brand continues to promise its readers a premium experience, a wide reach of engaging and relevant content, and the opportunity to “Report Yourself.”

#BringBackOurGirls ABDUCTION: DAY 80, TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE

Tomorrow, 3rd July 2014 will be 80 days since the abduction of the Chibok girls. It will also be 37 days since the Chief of Defense Staff informed the nation that they knew where the girls were and that rescue plans were at an advanced stage. We called this press conference today to express our deep concern that in spite of numerous assurances, the Chibok Girls have still not been rescued. We believe that our entire nation has been in great pain since that night of 14th April when the girls were abducted. It will be recalled that Nigeria woke to the troubling news of the abduction on April 15th, the day after the Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja. The Nigerian Army had at some point shortly thereafter reported the successful rescue of the girls, except for eight (8) girls; but it later recanted that claim of a successful rescue by the Military.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we called this press conference this afternoon because of our fears given the frightening silence from our government on the rescue operation. We have noted the no-progress report recently ascribed to a Pentagon spokesperson, Rear Admiral John Kirby, who spoke on the US support to our government: “We don’t have any better idea today than we did before about where these girls are, but there’s been no let up of the effort itself.” Also, Ambassador Phillip Carter of the U.S. African Command (AFRICOM) reminded Nigerians that the U.S. government is only assisting the Nigerian government on the kidnap that has sparked protests across the globe, stating: “Fundamentally, the question of what this is achieving, that is a question you should pose to the Nigerian government and not AFRICOM.”

This has always been our position in the #BringBackOurGirls movement that the responsibility for this rescue rests with our government and our security agencies. For the past six weeks, no substantive communication on the issue has come from the Federal Government or the Presidency. The Nigerian people need and expect credible information from Government.

Since the 30th of April march to the National Assembly, our movement has steadfastly sustained a daily sit-out at the Unity Fountain (64th daily sitting as of today) to keep the grave issue of the abduction of the Chibok girls as a priority focus of the Federal Government. The Nigerian public and the international community became more aware of the tragedy that had befallen the Chibok girls as a result of the symbolism of the daily sit-out of the Abuja #BringBackOurGirls movement. It was in response to the pressure emanating from our movement that official reactions to the matter started to emerge from the Federal Government including the Presidential Media Chat and the subsequent establishment of the Presidential Fact-Finding Committee. We recall that hopes had been raised following the declaration of the President in Paris that: “Wherever these girls are, we’ll get them out, apprehend, and punish the culprits.” A few weeks after, on May 26th, the Chief of Defense Staff informed the public that they had located the abducted Chibok girls reiterating that the Army would do everything necessary to #BringBackOurGirls, further boosting our hope.

What we have seen however is the escalation of persistent attacks on Nigerians with more mass killings, more abductions and mass destruction of property in Chibok, surrounding villages, and the rest of the country. Our movement is therefore making the following demands:

  1. An accurate assessment of the effectiveness of the ongoing rescue operation and more credible communication of progress to the public by our Federal Government on its mission to #BringBackOurGirls without compromising sensitive operational information. This should include conveying substantive targets and milestones attained so far in the rescue operation.

  1. Reassure Nigerians on the adequacy and effectiveness of the Federal Government’s counter insurgency strategy especially in responding to the worsening insecurity condition in Chibok and other parts of Borno State where the Federal Government reported that it had deployed about 20,000 Nigerian soldiers earlier in May as well as intensifying attention to the most vulnerable zones of the North East and the rest of the country in that order.

  1. Review of the financing of our security operations by the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure adequacy and value for money especially with regard to:
    1. allocation of resources for adequate compensation and welfare of security personnel in the Military and other security agencies;
    2. equipment, weapons, intelligence tools and systems; and
    3. base support facilities.

  1. Convene a government-citizens’ national forum on national security as a pathway to rebuilding trust. This should help mobilize and unite the Nigerian people especially communities and families affected by terrorism, against our common enemy: the insurgents currently destabilizing our nation.

The membership of the #BringBackOurGirls movement remains resolute in our advocacy for the rescue of the abducted Chibok girls until there is success and closure. In standing with members of the Chibok community, directly affected and who are part of our movement, we daily demonstrate the spirit of a unified Nigerian society devoid of the divisions of ethnicity, culture, religion, politics, language, and other divides. We wish to convey our gratitude to our security personnel in the frontline of the rescue operation and to encourage their gallant effort. We again repose confidence in our Federal Government that with absolute focus and dedication to the rescue operation, it can #BringBackOurGirls in the shortest possible time.

Bola Tinubu’s Friends Created Boko Haram – Nigeria’s Minister of State For Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro

“The Boko Haram mess we are dealing with was created by Tinubu’s friends who promised to make Nigeria ungovernable for this Government” – Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence

The minister of state for defence, Senator Musiliu Obaniko just minutes ago alerted Nigerians to the fact that APC chieftain and former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu is behind the Boko Haram menace in Nigeria. The minister made the comment via his Twitter page. Tweets by the minister himself are marked #MO, an indication that this is the position of the minister and pointedly could be assumed to be the position of the government he represents.

Nigerians will now expect that the Federal Government will go ahead to arrest Senator Bola Tinubu and the friends mentioned by the minister. At this point, it appears minister of state Obanikoro will be very useful to investigations around finding those behind Boko Haram. One can expect the government to make arrests soon, a failure to do so would indicate a continued state of cluelessness on the part of the authorities.

photo-31

Ramadan: Aregbesola asks Muslims to pray for the nation

As the holy month of Ramadan begins, the Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has charged Muslims all over the country to pray for peace and security. In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Governor said Ramadan is a month in which Muslims redouble their spiritual efforts for the attainment of piety.

Aregbesola tasked the Muslim ummah to use the holy month to pray fervently for peace and security in the nation and the State of Osun. He reiterated that Islam is a religion that promotes peace and it’s adherents have no choice but to peaceful and peace-loving in their behaviours and conducts. The statement said in part: “this is a month that comes once in a year. It is a month designed by Allah to open the door of mercy, favour and forgiveness to His creatures. “We should seize this opportunity to pray for the country to overcome all the socio-political upheaval and insecurity it has been battling with.

“Our dear state is also going through a historical political journey as the day of election draws near. It is our duty to pray for free and fair election on August 9 election.

“We must extend hands of fellowship to both Muslims and non-Muslims; use the month to share, care and show love to others.

“Above all, we must strive to be agents and promoters of peaceful and harmonious co-existence in our communities as well as resolve not to revisit whatever anti-social vices that Ramadan has prevented us from engaging in.”

Stop Deceiving The People – LP warns Gov Amosun

The Ogun State Labour Party has described the hurriedly convened meeting by the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, with the Public servants as pathetic and most unfortunate in that the APC controlled government is just awakening to the reality that the people are the centre of governance and that their collective will cannot be taken for granted. The construction of roads that leads nowhere, unnecessary flyovers and totally irrelevant pedestrian bridge that have been rejected by the pedestrians themselves because of it meaninglessness do not translate to electoral victory rather than ameliorating the living conditions of the masses that is central and key in a democratic process. Hence,the renewed  relationship with the workers is a desperate attempt to hoodwink them as the 2015 election is fast approaching.

The Labour Party finds  this laughable and inconsistent that the loss of election in Ekiti State by the All Progressive Congress has driven the governor to such desperate concessions, which he is not in any way ready to redeem, just as in many other failed election promises since he assumed office.

The labour Party is worried because Governor Amosun has demonstrated lack of capacity for competence and to be honourable in circumstances bordering on fulfilling promises and redeeming pledges. The latest promises which he made to the public servants in Ogun State to wit: Housing Loans, Car Loans, Employment of children of civil servants and payment of 13th month salary etc, we consider another attempt to hoodwink the respected workforce in Ogun State only to secure their votes in 2015. It should be noted that promises made under duress can be mere fantasies.

As part of the policy summersulting of this administration, the governor has directed that all those whose appointments were terminated by his administration in 2011, but employed by the administration of the former governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel are to be reabsorbed. It will be recalled that the former governor at the Commissioning of the Labour Party Secretariat stressed that those whose appointments were terminated by the APC led government will have their jobs back if Labour Party is voted into power.

Therefore, the great people of Ogun State should know that the reabsorbtion of the sacked workers is nothing but deceit in the name of politics viz a viz re -election. Why sack them in the first place?

Experienced political administrators would want to ask, how does Governor Amosun intend to fund the Housing Loan promised the Public servants? At what rate of interests? How and from which budget is he planning to draw the fund to finance the car loans? At what rate of interest? Were all these captured in the 2014 budget? Especially, because it was clear the people of Ogun State have taken a resolve and determined to vote out Senator Amosun in 2015. Could these promises not amount to just merely trying to buy more time or extending the lifeline of a poorly run political and economic regime?

In case Governor Amosun does not know these few basic and fundamental workings of government, State governments often times work with Federal Government Mortgage institutions to access Housing Loans, and the modalities for these are usually worked out spanning across months and years. Could there be some monies of the public servants in this respect which Senator Amosun has been sitting on ever since, and now see the need to release to the original owners in order to pacify them for elections?

While urging our people in Ogun State, and especially our reverred public servants, not to fall for this deceit of a governor who has demonstrated his capacity as a pathological liar over the years, we of the Labour Party promise a more Worker-Friendly administration which we would jointly own in common patrimony when elected into office in 2015.
Experience all over the world shows that the welfare of the people, and workers are more positively attended to under a government run by the Labour Party.

Deji Kalejaiye
Publicity Secretary,
Labour Party, Ogun State.

 

The views expressed above are solely that of the author and not of Omojuwa.com or its associates.

The Future Africa Awards & Summit unveils new identity… new website also launched #ThisIsAfrica

The Central Working Committee for The Future Africa Awards & Summit (TFAAS) has today announced its new identity, and also unveiled its new logo and web portal.

“The brand has always focused on evolving alongside Young Africa,” said Mfon Ekpo, a member of the committee, and Fellow with President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. “After a year of work with our global brand support team, we are excited to unveil this new identity which puts the focus on our African reach, and reflects our commitment to a bold new vision for the continent’s future.”

The new logo has Africa in its centre, outlined to reflect a guided vision. Its strength is in its simplicity and clarity. This simplicity is also mirrored in the official web portal www.thefutureafrica.com/awards.

The 2014 edition was launched in May during the World Economic Forum on Africa; expanded in scope to The Future Africa Awards & Summit, a 2-day ideas-fest, where the continent’s most influential leaders and institutions with portfolios on youth will gather to chart immediate action-points for expansion of jobs and opportunities, as well as good governance and citizen engagement.

The committee, in May, also unveiled the ‘Have you met Africa?’ campaign with brand ambassadors Ashish J. Thakkar (Rwanda), Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Nigeria), Chude Jideonwo (Nigeria), Jason Njoku (Nigeria) and Saran Kaban Jones (Liberia).

TFAAS 2014 is supported by Microsoft, the US Consulate and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Official Media Partners are EbonyLife TV, AfricaMagic, Bloomberg TV Africa, Ventures Africa, and Y! Africa. Official Online Partners are MemeBurn, BellaNaija, Premium Times and 360nobs.

The official bloggers for 2014 are Linda Ikeji, Omojuwa, LadunLiadi, Olorisupergal, Ameyaw, NigeriaNewsDesk and GidiTraffic. Country partners are The Cable, Ladun Liadi Blog, The Trent, Information Nigeria and News Wire.

Cool FM is the host radio station. Channels Television is the host TV station.

For more information, visit @TFAAfrica on Twitter or the website www.thefutureafrica.com/awards.

The official hashtags for 2014 are #ThisIsAfrica and #TFAAS2014.

TFAAS LOGO-1

Graphic Video Of The Chaos And Devastation After The EMAB Plaza Blast (Viewer Discretion)

After several attempts at avoiding videos like this, I finally made myself watch this. One does not need to watch this sort of video to know the horrible realities of terrorism but watching this helped one to see the news beyond the statistics and ‘we are on top of the situation’ press releases that come after each blast.

Video is courtesy Adeola Fayehun via Youtube

Global Spotlight: House of Tara CEO; Tara Fela–Durotoye tells the Nigerian story at New York Forum Africa, France24 and Africa24


The chief executive officer of House of Tara International, Tara Fela-Durotoye has begun taking the message of Nigeria’s massive business opportunities across the globe – making premium appearances on several global platforms including the New York Forum Africa (NYFA), France24 and Africa 24 by Reuters.

Mrs. Fela-Durotoye was a panelist on the Entrepreneurship Taskforce at the New York Forum Africa, which took place between 23 – 25 May in Libreville, Gabon alongside Madeline Berre, Managing Partner, Deloitte (Gabon), Jon Gosier, Founder, D8A Group and Appfrica (United States), and Dan Shine, Curator, The Innovation Hangar (United States).

The panel moderated by Dr Martyn Davies, Chief Executive Officer, Frontier Advisory (South Africa) discussed issues including the growth of Africa’s economy across countries, support and sustainability for enterpriser and the long-term benefit of keeping African entrepreneurs on the continent.

“There is no real African beauty brand that can be exportable; we want to build a beauty brand that can be exported to the world,” Mrs. Fela Durotoye said on NYFA TV. “I think that our story is amazing; I think it’s a story the world wants to hear, I think it’s going to play a role in rebranding the whole of the continent.”

She also spoke to Stephanie Antoine of The Interview on France 24 about the global brand House of Tara is now building. She shared on the challenges of first developing a career in beauty in Nigeria and then securing funds to establish an enduring business. “For us at House of Tara,” she said. “Creating a business that impacts and generates income, developing micro entrepreneurs who will grow their business and employ more people so as to make the Nigerian economy better is what’s most important.”

Mrs. Fela–Durotoye was also asked about the threat from Boko Haram and insecurity in Nigeria. She talked about developing empowerment centres in Maiduguri with a pool of different trades to teach them skills and build their capacity, so that they can boost self-esteem and regain hope in country and the future.

Above all, she was upbeat about the huge potential for growth of business in Africa. “If you start to see more successful businesses that are playing on a global level, the story of Africa will begin to change,” she said.

It will be recalled that in February, House of Tara had announced plans for its international expansion with rollout of 20 studios across Nigeria and presence in Kenya and Ghana by the end of 2014.

Watch the videos here:
Tara Fela-Durotoye on France24’s ‘The Interview’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVycpYgTJMo

Nigeria; House of Tara for International exposure on Africa24: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhYmPs2oAoU&app=desktop

NYFA TV: Interview with Tara Fela-Durotoye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHoTdeL2WXk



About House of Tara

Set up in 1998, House of Tara is a pioneer in the beauty and makeup industry in Nigeria and Africa as a whole and a trailblazer in the areas of retail, distribution channel management and education. Known also as an industry enabler, the brand; being the first to set up a beauty school in Nigeria has over 3,000 reps spread across the country and 14 stores to its name.

No Blast At FEL

Folawiyo Energy not connected to Apapa Explosion

There was an explosion on Creek Road by Burma Road junction this evening, Tuesday, 25 June 2014.

The blast has nothing to do with Folawiyo Energy Limited, whose facilities were unaffected and are functioning as normal. The site of the explosion is 200 metres away from FEL premises.

While the police and the appropriate authorities are conducting an investigation, the company urges the public  to avoid speculation.

Signed

Muyiwa Adekeye
08038532638

Press Release: OKFestival, 15th-17th July: Open Minds to Open Action

The Open Movement comes to Berlin

From July 15 to 17 takes place in Berlin this year’s Open Knowledge Festival, the largest Open Knowledge and Open Data event in the world. Approximately 1500 participants from all over the world are expected to share in the German capital ideas to code each other, and to strengthen the community through their coming together behind one of the fastest growing global movements on the Internet. The community of Open-Knowledge enthusiasts sees itself as a dynamic driving force is to use data and information as a base material for social and societal change and innovation.

This year’s theme of the OC Festival 2014 Open Minds to Open Action. Open Knowledge’s Events Manager Beatrice Martini says: ‘Our chosen topic says it all: We provide a forum for approaches on how to bring about real change in the world with data skills and innovative thinking. The strength of Open Knowledge as an organization is the community that we are connecting to our network, and OK Festival is a fantastic opportunity. ‘

In this sense, the program is OK Festival has been created by crowdsourcing in the community and reflects the participatory and inclusive nature of the event [2]. The conference combines three themes: knowledge, tools, and society. In these three subjects a wide range of topics is covered, from climate change to online privacy, of budget transparency in government administration to cultural issues.

This year’s festival OK builds on the success of OK Festival 2012 in Helsinki, which was the first global event of its kind and had the spot over 1000 participants, with another 12,500 who participated online. More Open Knowledge events are OKCon, held since 2007, and the Open Government Data Camp, who were involved in 2010 in London and 2011 in Warsaw leading efforts Open Data in the central element in the center of thinking about transparency in the political and public employment 21st century to anchor [3].

END

For more information: Telephone: +44 (0) 1223 422 159 , email: press@okfestival.org , Twitter @ okfestival

Notes

[1] http://2014.okfestival.org/about-okfestival-2014s-vision-mission/

[2] http://2014.okfestival.org/festival-programme/

[3] https://okfn.org/get-involved/events/

  • Open Knowledge Festival will take place from 15th-17th July 2014 in the Culture Brewery, Nice Allee 36, 10435 Berlin. The complete conference program is available at http://2014.okfestival.org/
  • Information for press registration can be found at http://2014.okfestival.org/press . Interviews can be arranged upon request.
  • Open Knowledge Festival is organized by Open Knowledge. Open Knowledge is a global non-profit network that develops open data projects, campaigns and training to make accessible information in one place to a wider public, and to encourage the creation and sharing of knowledge. https://okfn.org /
  • You can find pictures of OKFestival 2012 here on flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/okfn/sets/72157628319216831/ .

Nigerian Government Pays Young People On Social Media To Take On Dissenting Voices

If you have noticed an increase in the number of people that attack folks Facebook and on Twitter because of their views on politics & governance in Nigeria, let me assure you that these people are not doing it because they hate or because they necessarily disagree with such views, they are paid to do it.

One of the people they approached to abuse me on social media just reached out now to tell me about how she was offered money to attack myself and some other named people on social media. Don’t even mistake the desperation of those who are oppressing our people as something focused strictly on the contemporaries in politics alone, they are paying up fellow young people to take us on for our stand.

You will notice how these paid young people are not tweeting or posting about issues, they are obsessively dedicated to abusing individuals pointed out by agents of the government. They are very easy to identify on Twitter, you just note how all of a sudden, people with a sizeable number of followers who were never interested in politics, suddenly pick interest, not in the issues or politics itself, but in those deemed to be anti-government.

So expect an increase in the number of paid government agents attacking other young people simply because they do not sing the praises of government. They are doing a paid job. May God help Nigeria.

Nigerian Soldiers Detain Speaker House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal

Lawlessness in Nigeria took a new turn when soldiers this morning in Kaduna detained the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, insisting his official car must be searched before he could be allowed into an international conference he was due to deliver a speech. 
Angered by the conduct of the soldiers,  the Speaker came out of the car and trekked into the venue. 
The incident occurred at Hotel 17, venue of an  International conference on security and development challenges of pastoralism in West and central Africa organised by the office of the National Security Adviser. 


The Speaker,  who arrived the venue of the gathering at exactly 9.16 am for the 10.00 am opening ceremony, had his convoy stopped by soldiers who insisted they must search his official car before he could be allowed into the venue. 
Despite much entreaties by security details attached to the Speaker, the soldiers refused, with some saying they have orders from above to search the Speaker. 
Incidentally, other VIPs, especially Governors,  who attended the conference were allowed access into the hotel without hindrance 
The Speaker is the Number Four in protocol hierarchy in the Federation,  after the President, Vice-President, and the Senate President.

When contacted for his reaction, Tambuwal’s spokesman,  Malam Imam Imam, decried the conduct of the soldiers, saying their attitude undermines the institution of the legislature.

“It is not about the person of the Speaker, but the office he is occupying. What we expect is for the security agents to show respect for the office of the Number 4 citizen of the country, ” he said.

 

Ekiti Government Cup: Stomach Politics 1 Idealism 0 – Ayisha Osori

This is a time for reflection for those convinced that there is an art to leadership and governance. That a man of Fayose’s well-known antecedents can beat a man of Fayemi’s pedigree is incredulous. Not just because of what we think we know about the generally accepted qualities of a leader but because of the belief that the incumbent was developing Ekiti.

Despite the high voter turn out of 71% (369,257 votes cast from a pool of 476,870 eligible voters with permanent voters cards), the election observer missions agreed that INEC’s performance improved and the results, reflecting the will of the majority, were credible. It is not yet clear how or if the excessive deployment of security agencies, the denial of entry into the state of some APC supporters and the 3-day detention of most of the 16 local government caretakers made a difference to the end results.

Many went into the elections knowing that Fayemi would not win re-election. At least 3 polls predicted his loss in the run up to the elections and even from those polls some of the reasons he would lose were clear. The snaking queues of stoic determined voters evoked battle formations – these were people with something to say and their voices would carry their issues through the ballot.

One issue was wide spread unhappiness with some of Fayemi’s policies: testing teachers, refusing to hold local government elections and no local content provision for government contracts which Lagosians allegedly handled. Now we know why some politicians flip flop on election promises or campaign vows. Sometimes, the cost of implementing is too high and some things are better left for the second and final term.

Another big issue was accessibility between Fayemi and the people – the recurrent elite versus masses struggle. The people of Ekiti, supposedly some of the most educated in the country, want a back slapping, roasted corn chomping buddy – someone they would have fun drinking a tepid beer with (who needs electricity when the governor or president is a friend). Connecting with voters on a personal level is crucial and matters more in some cultures than others and Fayose connected more.

Then there was the perceived generosity of Fayose, a cheerful giver to people unconcerned with the source of funds. Not for them smooth roads opening up their state to commerce, they are more concerned with stomach infrastructure. There were many complaints about money not being circulated locally and the paltry tips and handouts from members of the Fayemi administration. There are at least two insights here to the issue of voter incentives that traditionally come in the form of food – channeling hunger from impoverishment. It is beyond ironic that people occupied with what to put in their mouths, think the style of governance that caused their hunger and keeps them in perpetual poverty is the preferred one. It is clear though from comments of voters on Saturday that transactional incentives alone are not enough. When the Fayemi campaign realized how badly it was going to go, they tried to reach the people with incentives but it was too late because the voters took the money but voted Fayose anyway.

As the results were announced at polling units across Ado-Ekiti, people jubilated with songs and okada riders displayed acrobatic skills. Elsewhere, intellectuals stared into the bottom of their glasses with glazed eyes. How did we come to this gap in understanding what governance is supposed to be about? Not everything was Fayemi’s fault.

democrazy

Years of corrupt manipulative governments that have played up our insecurities and gotten us hooked on immediate gratification of the most basic temporary kind have taken a toll. Maybe people think the best way to govern is to take the budget every month and distribute it arbitrarily. Maybe after years of kleptomaniac megalomaniacs in authority, who fear being tainted with decency, people no longer want leadership they can look up to, they want leadership they can look down on.

It is clear now that change advocates must embrace effective communications around policy changes to ensure the buy-in of the people and must be content with a slower pace of development. They must be prepared to balance advancement with spending part of the budget on those things voters understand as governance. It is only with time and a deliberate policy that we can ensure the next generation of Nigerians are weaned from government patronage.

Finally, the dynamics within APC also played a role in Ekiti. Just how much though, is something we will only learn in time. There were clear references to ‘Bourdillion’ by celebrating voters on Saturday that indicate growing resentment with godfathers. It is time for those whose stranglehold is killing what they have nurtured to read the poster signs and take a leaf from Fayemi’s graceful concession speech.

For some it is hard to understand the victory of Fayose and for others the defeat of Fayemi is simple. Whatever the case, the results express the wishes of the majority however difficult it might be to accept that. What is clear is that democracy is messy and imperfect and in Nigeria we are still struggling to appreciate the responsibilities that come with it.

How I Received A Death Threat From One Osita Duru, A Supporter Of Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan – JJ, Omojuwa

photo-29

Wednesday, 18th June, 2014: It looked surreal so I laughed through it all but it was real; I got a death threat from a member of Nigeria’s President Jonathan campaign team called GEJITE group. I had gone to the Unity Fountain, FCT Abuja venue of the daily #BringBackOurGirls sit-out. I got there quite late so most of the Bring Back Our Girls advocates had departed the fountain.

When I arrived the fountain, another group was meeting there. I told the young man who had driven me there to wait while I checked to see if the group in question was indeed the Bring Back Our Girls group because it didn’t feel that way from afar. I got down from the car and immediately identified a young man who had been with the Bring Back Our Girls group. I went back to the car to collect my bag and told the young man driving the car he could leave to pick me up later. I had mistaken the President’s campaign group for the globally renowned Bring Back Our Girls group. I soon realized my mistake just metres from the group so I took a detour. I had since noticed a remnant of the real Bring Back Our Girls group just sitting by the fountain so decided to share a few minutes with them before leaving the fountain altogether.

photo-30

I had not been there a few minutes when the thug pictured here walked up to the fountain, from the direction of the president’s campaign team. Standing some 10 or so metres away from me, he shouted, “Omojuwa! Omojuwa! Are you the one? Na you be that?” I sensed trouble and was immediately alert to what to do. I made up my mind immediately not to react. He had another man by his side, obviously to serve as a form of support were I to physically react to his threats. The other man looked like he’d rather be somewhere else as he appeared uninterested in what his partner was playing out. The thug continued, “see as you small reach and you go dey abuse government. I go kill you for here! You dey mad! Omojuwa, you dey mad! See this Omojuwa o. we go kill you.” He sounded like someone who had minutes earlier been given shots for mental issues.

I was wondering what could have drive such a man to the point of insanity, enough to lose control and to openly threaten a fellow citizen like that. At the time, I didn’t know who the man was. He was dressed in a poor version of the president’s signature outfit. He looked scared and unsure of himself. His face looked worn out from poverty, beaten by the sun and years of lack. He stayed on one spot while he continued to threaten me. I told my friends to help get him on video. The latter seconds of his threats were recorded. He continued, “Na God go punish o, idiot. I still dey come back o.” *(God will punish you, Idiot. I will be back for you) He then turned away. I laughed through it all, he stopped and made to return, “wait, na me you dey take laugh? You dey mad? Na me you dey follow laugh? *(Wait, are you laughing at me? Are you mad? Are you laughing with me?)

He walked like a poor man who had been handed some cash to keep in his pocket. You could sense that rush of confidence that came from either a shot of heroine or a sudden realization of reward if the threat could be carried out appropriately. He looked very much pitiable, hence my laughter. You could see his forced attempt at walking confidently but he was betrayed by the exaggeration in his steps. He looked like a dump of dirt wrapped in poor clothes. He spoke very poorly so you could see he’d never rise through the ladder of power, certainly not beyond being a future supervisor of other thugs.

He then left to organize more people from the meeting group. I weighed my options; I had just about 7 friends with me, they were at least 70 of them. The same group had physically attacked the #BringBackOurGirls group in Abuja so I knew a physical attack was not beyond them. I decided to leave.

Minutes later, one Osita Duru claimed responsibility for the attack. The young man had been a very harsh critic of the President until help came his way from one of the President’s men, popularly called Wendell Simlin. He once eloped to Ghana over an alleged pregnancy issue but has since been brought back to Nigeria, obviously as one of the thugs seen to be useful to foment chaos as the 2015 elections close in on Nigerians.

I was advised to report to the authorities but that’d be pointless. You report such issues to the authorities where the power of the law is above the influence of men. Only yesterday, soldiers on the order of the President detained an elected Governor, held his convoy and stopped him from moving. It took the intervention of other Governors going in the same direction (Ekiti State) to have the Governor released by the military men who claimed they could shoot him if the need arose. This was an attempt to disrupt the electioneering process in Ekiti State.

Nigeria’s former Head of State and President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo only months ago alleged President Jonathan had a killer squad. Very few people doubt that claim. Those critical of the government and its continued display of lawless, incompetence and callousness must take their security very serious. It may look like civic responsibility to you but they see it as an affront on their birthright to destroy our collective humanity. Over the last few weeks, I have been exposed to a joint arrest by the Police, the Civil Defence and the State Security Service. I have been repeatedly blackmailed. The public threat is off the same page of looking to have people like myself look on in silence while the country gets plunged into darkness, unprecedented impunity and gross insecurity.

PS: My friends captured the images posted here via their video recording. The pictured man had no idea he was being recorded. This post is just for the records and nothing more.

Nominations for The Future Africa Awards have been extended – See the Categories; Nominate before 21 June

Nominations for The Future Africa Awards have been extended – See the Categories; Nominate before 21 JuneThe Central Working Committee for Africa’s biggest youth event, The Future Africa Awards & Summit (TFAAS) has announced an extension of nominations – young, inspiring Africans can be nominated until 21 June, 2014.

Nominations can be done via the website www.thefutureafrica.com/awards or via SMS on +234 802 2222 6712. Nominees must be aged 18 – 31.

This year’s categories are:

The TFAA Prize in Education
The TFAA Prize in Agriculture
The TFAA Prize in Advocacy
The TFAA Prize in Technology
The TFAA Prize in Public Service
The TFAA Prize in Community Action
The Tony O. Elumelu Prize in Business
The TFAA Prize in Entertainment
The TFAA Prize in Enterprise Support
The TFAA Prize for African Young Person of the Year

TFAAS has also been expanded to The Future Africa Awards & Summit, a 2-day ideas-fest, where the continent’s most influential leaders and institutions with portfolios on youth will gather to chart immediate action-points for expansion of jobs and opportunities, as well as good governance and citizen engagement.

The Future Africa Awards & Summit 2014 is supported by Microsoft, the US Consulate and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Official Media Partners are EbonyLife TV, AfricaMagic, Ventures Africa, Bloomberg TV Africa and Y! Africa.

Official Online Partners are MemeBurn, BellaNaija, NigeriaNewsDesk, GidiTraffic, 360Nobs and Premium Times. The official bloggers for 2014 are LindaIkeji, Omojuwa, LadunLiadi, Olorisupergal, Gidi Traffic and Ameyaw. Cool FM is the host radio station. Channels Television is the host TV station.

Last week, the committee announced a global expansion for the Brain Trust of The Future Project – with a Global Board of Advisors, Board of Judges and Independent Audit Committee of leaders from across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.

For more information, visit @TFAAfrica on Twitter or /TheFutureAwards on Facebook. The official hashtags for 2014 are #ThisIsAfrica and #TFAAS2014

Arisekola Alao dies at 69

Prominent businessman and Islamic leader, Alhaji AbdulAzeez Arisekola Alao, died on Wednesday at the age of 69.

The eldest daughter of the deceased, Khadija, confirmed the death of Alao, who is the Deputy President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland.

A family source told our correspondent that the religious leader died in his London home yesterday where he had been since last week Thursday. He died on the day he was expected back in Nigeria.

The source said the Deputy President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria did not show any sign of ill health, although he was said to have embarked on the journey on medical grounds.

“On the day he was going, he told us that he would be back on Wednesday so we were expecting him. Unfortunately, the news of his death was all we heard,” said the source who pleaded anonymity.

Another source at the family house in Oluwo Nla, Basorun Ibadan, said Arisekola died in his sleep after breakfast on Wednesday.

President-General SCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, was said to have flown to London and due to return with Arisekola’s corpse for burial on Thursday.

Some of the early callers at the house included the Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and his wife, Florence; Head of Service in the state, Tajudeen ARemu; Chairman of First Bank, Ajibola Afonja; Chief Imam of Ibadan, Sheik Suara Haruna; former deputy governor in the state, Azeem Gbolarumi; former Congress for Progressive Change governorship candidate in the state, Bayo Shittu; Chief Lekan Alabi, Rasheed Adesokan, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, religious leaders, among other sympathisers and government officials.

Ajimobi described the death of Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, as tragic, disheartening and a big blow to the entire nation.

He said, “Aare cannot die as those who lived the kind of life he lived, with imprints in the lives of millions of people, never die. He lived a life that was devoted to the lives of others. It is indeed the end of an era for us in Ibadan and Nigeria in general. Uncle Arisekola-Alao was an upright, consistent and principled man. He called a spade by its name without minding whose ox was gored.”

First son of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Samuel Odulana, Prof. Femi, told our correspondent that Arisekola’s death was a tragedy to Ibadanland.

“Arisekola was a leader in Ibadan, who stood by my father. He has left us too early. He contributed immensely to the development of the city and Nigeria. With my father, they brought peace to Oyo State.

“He knew Bible so well that he offered to read the first reading during the centenary celebration of my father at St. Peter’s Church Aremo on April 14.

“That showed that he was a balanced religious leader. It’s a big loss to all of us and I don’t know how to break the news to Olubadan, who is like a father to him,” he said.

Brother to Arisekola, Alhaji Abu, said he was too shocked to comment on his brother’s death.

Credit: Punch News

Paid Interns Wanted Urgently At GLEEHD

Are you social media savvy and ready to use your social media presence and skills for development, then you need to reach out to us at GLEEHD as fast as you can.

GLEEHD as an International Foundation, works in partnership with public institutions, regional and international development partners to promote the development of Africa and Africans, and our Interns are an integral part this work.

For more details on the interview scheduled for interns this afternoon 18/06/2014 in Lagos by 2pm kindly Call Stephen Oguntoyinbo via 08078686167.

Venue for the interview ;

Gleehd Foundation International Secretariat, The Dream
Center, 8 Gbagada Expressway, Beside TREM Headquarters, Opposite Hotel
Newcastle, Anthony Oke, Lagos.

 For More details on GLEEHD Click Here

Can APC really bring change? – Ayisha Osori

 

I know. It is easier to criticize than to create. I can hear the comments already but I can’t lie…the All Progressive Congress (APC) make it so easy to pick them apart.

First, as a supporter of change I have been miffed by how unprogressive they are. Progressive in any language means to want change, to reform, to want to buck the trend and what better way to do that in Nigerian politics than with (1) new faces and (2) more women and young people? We took the flaccid manifesto and party constitution and the mainly lackluster interim leadership and crossed our fingers for more. Here and there since the merger last year there have been a few flashes of inspiration to keep the torch of change alive. That is, beyond the symbolism of several parties taking the step to present a united front to present a viable opposition to PDP. But, if we are honest there have been disappointments and worry about the conduct of the party’s member registration, the acrimony around the ward and state congresses and now the APC National Convention that has ushered in a new national executive council.

At the convention last Friday, many of the party leaders spoke to the delegates, party members and Nigerians. I was struck by Bola Tinubu’s speech titled “the Great Change Arrives”. The words and sentiments expressed were noble and rousing but we cannot accept them at face value because at this time of Nigeria’s trajectory, it is critical for citizens to stop accepting platitudes and start being more discerning. Actions do speak louder than words; and the actions around the Convention as well as the results of the APC Convention could easily turn these words to cold ash blowing into the wind.

“Our country needs a new beginning.”

We would love to wipe the slate clean and start all over. However, to do that, we must identify and accept the mistakes that we have made and resolve not to repeat them. While the top hierarchy of party officials and politicians today, cut their teeth in national politics as young as 30, today these 70 year olds refuse to mentor and provide a more conducive environment for young people. Would a party that yearns for a new beginning select a 40+ year old as the National Youth Leader? Nigeria has so many engaging young men and women with the ‘bright ideas’ Tinubu also mentioned in his speech so why not let them come up with their representative or help them pick a worthy one? As for the decision to ‘zone’ the positions when juxtaposed with ‘new beginning’, the irony is too great to get into.

“Nigerian needs men and women who can be the change that we want so badly.”

Okay. So where are the women? Starting from the sub committees to prepare for the convention, APC made poor use of its women. With over 400 positions across 12 sub-committees, only 44 were women were appointed and about 30 of them were in the entertainment committee. And now that the Convention is over, not a single woman holds a position outside ‘nation woman leader’ or zonal women leader’. Is that the great change?

“We are not about violence, but about equity, justice and fairness.”

The case of Zuwaira Sani Bakori, a dedicated party member from Kaduna who secured the highest number of votes at her ward to become a delegate to the national Convention puts complete lie to this statement. This is a woman who was prepared. Who took the time to understand the process and followed it. She had her eyes on the Deputy National Organizing Secretary which had been zoned to her state. Despite the difficulties, she secured the nomination form, paid the fees and was screened for the position. She expected to be unopposed or at the very least to have a fair contest. Instead, the name of Sulaiman Hunkuyi who was chilling in China was announced at the convention ground as the ‘consensus candidate’. How is this just or fair?

 

It might be news to APC but Nigerians are asking harder questions and focusing more on separating the wheat from the chaff. We are making progress in identifying hollow words because when actions do not match rhetoric, the hole threatening to swallow us all gets wider. And despite the attempts of politicians to convince us that there is only one way to play politics…we’ll know change when we see it.

 

URGENT CALL FOR INTERNS

As an International Foundation, GLEEHD works in partnership with
public institutions, regional and international development partners
to promote the development of Africa and Africans, and our Interns are
an integral part this work.

Seasonally, GLEEHD offer 6 – 12 month internship opportunities for
young professionals at our offices globally. The objective of our
internship program is to enable emerging leaders and young
professionals to enhance their professional practice and/or research
skills as well as contribute to the development of Africa.

In spring 2014, we are seeking qualified candidates for internships in
the following areas; Administration, Web Development, Content,
Programs and Logistics.

Available Internship Positions:

INTERESTED APPLICATION SHOULD FILL OUR ONLINE APPLICATION FORM ON
WWW.GLEEHDFOUNDATION.ORG/INTERN.HTML AND BRING THEIR CV FOR INTERVIEW
ON TUESDAY 17TH JUNE 2014 @ 10AM.

LOCATION: GLEEHD FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT, THE DREAM
CENTER, 8 GBAGADA EXPRESSWAY, BESIDE TREM HEADQUARTERS, OPPOSITE HOTEL
NEWCASTLE, ANTHONY OKE, LAGOS.

CONTENT

The Content Interns will work with our communications team in shaping
and developing the foundation’s message.

The Interns will compile weekly reports on foundation-related news
articles and report on them. Additionally, interns will draft and edit
relevant communication such as media pitches, program reports,
proposals, press releases, inquiries and invitations, identify new
media opportunities and assist with other designated aspects of media
and communications. The role will offer incredible exposure to media
monitoring and strategy.

He/She must have creative/business writing skills, should be able to
handle in-depth research, and excel under tight deadlines.
Organizational skills will be necessary for the handling of press
requests and management of incoming correspondence. Excellent
interpersonal skills are required as this position involves
contributions to varied levels of communication for press, delegates
and members of the public.

Interns would also be involved in drafting and editing of documents
for internal or external use, and database support.

*Familiarity with basic code and Photoshop is a big plus

EVENTS & LOGISTICS

The Events and Logistics Interns will have the opportunity to
coordinate world-class events for donors, partners and members of the
public.

The interns will offer support on all facets of groundwork for events
and their logistics including creation and organization of event
materials, handling travel and lodging itinerary, attending meetings
with team members and reporting on event-related communication with
attendees, speakers and partners, as well as volunteer recruitment.
The Interns will also be required to assist in day-to-day
administrative duties as needed, as well as offering assistance to
other teams. Research and presentation skills are a must. Research
subjects include, but are not limited to, delegates, invited guests,
hosts and other topics.

We are seeking an interns with the ability to be proactive and
interest in our Foundation’s vision. Strong interpersonal and
organizational skills are required. Foreign language skills will be
valued highly.

CREATIVE DESIGN

The Design interns will work with the design team to create graphics
for the website, event brochures and communications materials.

Such individual must possess working knowledge of typography and
layout. A basic understanding of Adobe Creative Suite is preferred.
This role will present opportunities towards preparation of outreach
strategies tailored to specific audiences, including donors, partners,
and the general public.

The interns must demonstrate an understanding of how to use digital
content to build a community, possess the ability to work within a
fast-paced environment alongside a team. He/She will be required to
assist other teams as needed and brainstorm on joint interns projects
that will be aimed at meeting the goals of the foundation.

WEB DEVELOPMENT

The Web Development Interns will work with web designers and
developers to develop and maintain web pages on our websites in
partnership with select teams. Candidates should possess either or
both front-end and back-end skills.

Candidate will be required to research and initiate new web
technologies as well as drawing attention to innovative social media
prospects.  This position is an exciting one that will involve
highlighting fundraising messages and promoting events through social
media channels like YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

Familiarity with HTML, CSS, web programming or content management
systems is preferred but not required. Above all else, the interns
must be interested in the design, and application of web technologies
and a desire to work with our foundation to achieve its objectives.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

The Administration interns would contribute to managerial
responsibilities and report to the Operations team.

Responsibilities include directing calls and taking notes while doing
so, monitoring letters for the foundation, attending to guests and
other administrative duties given. It will require handling of
in-house conference details and ensuring that the office runs smoothly
at all times.

These interns must have strong communication skills (including
writing), organizational skills, professional office skills, and the
ability to multitask. This is a front-office position that requires
resourcefulness, professionalism and full attention at all times. The
female gender is preferred.

N.B.

Compensation: This is a paid internship position.

For consideration, candidates must submit a portfolio or resume to
info@gleehdfoundation.org or CLICK HERE

We also have internship positions available in other areas such as

MultiMedia
Finance
Fundraising
In-House Operations
Special Duties
Advocacy
Data Management
Information Technology
Exchange Programs
The Dream Center
Library Services
TDC Membership Interns
Fundraising, Grant and Donor Relations
Faith Based Relations
Training and Development
Human Resource
Research
Outreach
Book Reading and Conversation Club
Fitness Program
Media and Public Relations
Policy Research and Development (APREDEC)
Teens Club
Educational Programs
Special Interest group
ESARO (East and Southern Africa Regional Office)
WCARO West and Central Africa Regional Office
MENA (Middle East and North Africa Regional Office)
NARO (North America Regional Office) Liaison
UKERO (United Kingdom and Europe Office) Liaison

To apply for any of these additional positions, visit
www.gleehdfoundation.org/intern.html  or email
info@gleehdfoundation.org

The Rockefeller Foundation invests $500,000 in Paradigm Initiative Nigeria’s Social Inclusion Projects

The Rockefeller Foundation has announced a grant of $500,000to Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) for the expansion of PIN’s Ajegunle.org Project.

Since 2007, the project has worked from Ajegunle, an underserved community in Lagos State, to connect Nigerian youth with Information and Communications Technology (ICT) enabled opportunities. It employs a ‘train-the-trainer’ capacity building model that uses a positive peer pressure concept to transform Ajegunle as a model for intervention in other underserved communities across Nigeria.

The Rockefeller Foundation grant will enable PIN to design and launch an awareness campaign to inform high potential but disadvantaged Nigerian youth about online work and provide training to help these youth access online jobs.

Online work provides a low-barrier-to-entry opportunity for young jobseekers to earn an income, while building their skills and digital work experience. Through this support, PIN will also expand their successful training program beyond Ajegunle to cover other locations across Nigeria, beginning with the South-East and North-East regions.

“Unemployment is a major challenge in Nigeria. Each year, tens of thousands of students graduate from tertiary institutions but only 10% of them are gainfully employed two years after graduation. Disadvantaged communities account for a majority of these unemployed youth. The digital jobs campaign presents an opportunity for Nigerian youth to generate income and build their digital skills, while preparing themselves for future work in the digital economy,” said PIN Executive Director Gbenga Sesan.

The online work sector is estimated to grow to become a $5 billion global industry by 2018. The Nigerian government has identified the potential to create online employment at scale for the country’s youth and launched an initiative in May 2013 that resulted in an additional 10,000 Nigerians registering on online work platforms.

The partnership between Paradigm Initiative Nigeria and the Rockefeller Foundation will build on this momentum by developing an awareness raising campaign and tools that will help connect thousands of Nigerian youth to online work.

“Nigeria has the second highest number of online workers in sub-Saharan Africa, and the major international online work platforms see potential for significant growth in the country. A lack of awareness about online work has been identified as one of the most significant barriers to the growing of this opportunity. We anticipate a significant change in this with PIN’s undertaking to increase awareness and build skills for youth to connect to online work, and consequently earn an income to improve their lives,” said Mamadou Biteye, Managing Director, the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office.

This grant comes under the Foundation’s Digital Jobs Africa initiative which seeks to impact the lives of 1 million people in six countries in Africa by catalyzing sustainable Information and Communications Technology-enabled employment opportunities for African youth who would not otherwise have an opportunity for sustainable employment. Launched in 2013, Digital Jobs Africa is being carried out in six countries: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa.

About Paradigm Initiative Nigeria

Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) is a social enterprise that connects underserved Nigerian youth with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) opportunities; with specific concern about the ill effects of unemployment and cybercrime, among other vices that limit the potential contribution of young Nigerians to the nation’s economy. Having worked with government, civil society, private institutions and international organizations including the United Nations agencies, PIN has worked in ICT education, telecenter support, ICT applications in rural areas, etc. PIN’s projects include Ajegunle.org; Internet Safety, Security and Privacy Initiative for Nigeria (ISSPIN) and Techie.Entrepreneurial.Nigerian.Talented (TENT). PIN opened an ICT Policy Office in the Nigerian capital city of Abuja, in April 2013, to focus on Internet Freedom and other ICT Policy-related issues. Over the next year, PIN’s Ajegunle.org program will be extended to locations in North East and South East Nigeria.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world. Today, The Rockefeller Foundation pursues this mission through dual goals: advancing inclusive economies that expand opportunities for more broadly shared prosperity, and building resilience by helping people, communities and institutions prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. To achieve these goals, The Rockefeller Foundation works at the intersection of four focus areas – advance health, revalue ecosystems, secure livelihoods, and transform cities – to address the root causes of emerging challenges and create systemic change. Together with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation strives to catalyze and scale transformative innovations, create unlikely partnerships that span sectors, and take risks others cannot – or will not. For more information, please visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org

For more information please contact:

Tope Ogundipe, +234 1 741 5625/+ 234 (0) 803 538 4144, tope.ogundipe@pinigeria.org

Achieng’ Otieno, Communications Officer, the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office aotieno@rockfound.org, +254 704848792

 

The Future Africa Awards & Summit announces its Global Board of Advisors, and African Jury … Full List of Independent Audit Committee and Board of Judges released

The Central Working Committee for The Future Africa Awards & Summit (TFAAS) 2014 has today announced the formal expansion of its brain trust across the world – with the announcement of its expanded jury consisting of the Board of Judges and Independent Audit Committee, as well as its Global Board of Advisors.

“As TFAAS has expanded in scope and become both a global brand and to reach countries across Africa, we are excited to present the distinguished leaders from across the world who will serve on the Independent Audit Committee and the Board of Judges, and the Global Board of Advisors for The Future Project,” said Mfon Ekpo, a member of the committee and a Fellow with President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative.

The Independent Audit Committee consists of leaders from across government, civil society and business from across Africa. Members include Katja Schiller Nwator (Leadership Development and CSR Manager, The Tony Elumelu Foundation), Mahamadou Sy (Founder and Executive Director of the Institut Supérieur de Développement Local (ISDL), Senegal), Wendy Luhabe (Author, accomplished public speaker and thought leader), Abiola Alabi (MD, MNet Africa), Tonye Cole (Executive Director, Sahara Group), Ndidi Nwuneli (Founder LEAP Africa), Mo Abudu (CEO, Ebony Life TV), Gbenga Sesan (Founder Paradigm Initiative Nigeria), Eikem Nutifafa (Founding Partner, Oxford and Beaumont, Ghana), Chi-Chi Okonjo (Publisher, Ventures Africa), Victoria Trabosh (Founder, Ithafari Foundation), Taa Wongbe (Managing Partner The Khana Group), Ayo Ajayi (MD, PATH Global) and Jennah Scott (Director, Liberia Philanthropy Secretariat, Office of the President).

The committee also announced the Board of Judges, a peer review committee formed of African media leaders below 40. Headed by Forbes’ Mfonobong Nsehe, the judges include Belinda Otas (Assistant Editor, New African Woman), Brenda Wendo (Deputy Features Editor, The Star Newspaper, Kenya), Billie Adwoa McTernan (Ghana correspondent, The Africa Report), Adam Bouhadma (Editor, 9rayti.com, Morocco), Michelle Atagana (Managing Editor, Memeburn).

“Africa is at a stage where its young population is needed in order to secure the continent’s future,” said Belinda Otas. “I am excited about this generation of young Africans, for their hunger, their pursuit of purpose and their passion to see a better Africa. This is what The Future Africa Awards is about and I am honoured to be a part of it.”

The Global Board of Advisors is made up of some of the world’s most influential leaders from Europe, North America, and Africa. They include Bruno Kone (Minister of Post, Information and Communications Technologies, Cote d’Ivoire), Mteto Nyati (Managing Director, Microsoft South Africa), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria), Dr. Frannie Léautier (Partner and Chief Executive Office, Mkoba Private Equity), Salem Mekuria (Professor, Wellesley College), Barbara Lethem Ibrahim (Founding Director, the John D. Gerhart Center for Philanthropy and Civic Engagement, American University, Cairo), Mutiu Sunmonu (Country Chair and Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited), Jamie Drummond (Co-founder, ONE), Federico Sarica (Editorial Director, VICE Italy), John Momoh (Chairman, Channels Television, Nigeria) Prof. Pat Utomi Utomi (Director, Center for Values in Leadership), Obiageli Ezekwesili (Senior Economic Advisor, Open Society Foundation), and Anne Kabagambe (Director of Cabinet and Chief of Staff, Africa Development Bank).

“I am delighted to join the board of advisors for this important project,” said Leautier, who is also a former Vice-President with the World Bank. “I have been very pleased by the impressive achievements of the platform.”

Profiles are available on www.thefutureafrica.com.

This announcement follows the launch of 2014 edition of the awards during the World Economic Forum on Africa. The platform has also been expanded to The Future Africa Awards & Summit, a 2-day ideas-fest, where the continent’s most influential leaders and institutions with portfolios on youth will gather to chart immediate action-points for expansion of jobs and opportunities, as well as good governance and citizen engagement.

Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala

Nominations end on 12 June, 2014 via the website thefutureafrica.com/awards/the-future-awards-africa-2014-nomination-form/or via SMS on +234 802 2222 6712.

The Future Africa Awards & Summit 2014 is supported by Microsoft, the US Consulate and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. Official Media Partners are EbonyLife TV, AfricaMagic, Ventures Africa and Y! Africa.

Official Online Partners are MemeBurn, BellaNaija, NigeriaNewsDesk and Premium Times.

The official bloggers for 2014 are Omojuwa, Olorisupergal and Ameyaw. Cool FM is the host radio station. Channels Television is the host TV station.

For more information, visit @TFAAfrica on Twitter or the website www.thefutureafrica.com/awards. The official hashtags for 2014 are #ThisIsAfrica and #TFAAS2014.

Dr Frannie Leautier

Dr Frannie Leautier

The Emir Of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Escapes Being Arrested By The Nigerian Federal Govt. In Latest Witch-Hunt

Premium Times is reporting that the Federal Government is making serious attempts to arrest the new Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to stop him from being turbaned. It took the intervention of the Kano State Government to prevent the new Emir’s arrest. The former Central Governor in February 2014 blew the cover on one of the continent’s biggest scams, a $20 billion heist by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and individuals with strong links to the Nigerian President. Read more here New Emir Escapes Arrest by Federal Government – Premium Times

#BringBackOurGirls : We Must Stay Focused On #ChibokGirls – JJ, Omojuwa

One must thank God for the kind souls that gather in Abuja everyday or so for the Chibok Girls. But for them, Nigerians and indeed the Nigerian government would have forgotten about the Chibok Girls altogether.
http://omojuwa.com/wp-admin/post-new.php
Asked about the point of a sit-out that has more or less failed to bring back the girls, since the government had already heard our grouse, one was quick to tell the journalist that the government heard the uproar about stolen subsidy funds in 2012, the government and the people have since moved on.

The government was privy to the uproar that greeted the minister of aviation’s N255 million cars, but the people and the government have since moved on. Nigerians never cared to ask what became of the cars and the government never cared to tell the people what became of its committee set up for that purpose. This is Nigeria, where, no matter how bad or heinous the crime, we move on and more often than not, we forget.

We cannot afford to move on from the Chibok Girls. If we do, we will be as responsible for whatever happens to them as those who abducted them and as the government that has seemingly abdicated its responsibility to rescue the girls. When the government started sponsoring protesters to call on Boko Haram to ‘Release Our Girls’ was the point a wise onlooker would know that the government was more or less shifting the responsibility of having the girls returned home alive to their abductors.

Our government expects a group of insane men who put all the plans and logistics in place to abduct over 200 girls to have a rethink and return them home just like that. It is like expecting a group of armed robbers who have successfully raided a house and carted away its most prized possessions to return same without being under pressure from the authorities. That is delusional. If our government does not do something about bringing back our girls, the girls will be gone.

Today is the 56th day since their abduction President Goodluck Jonathan has been everywhere for the most mundane reasons but has yet to visit Chibok to at least stand with the parents of the girls. Everything points to a government either desperate to shift responsibility or desperate to have the issue of the girls out of the minds of Nigerians.

Media houses are being clamped down. That way, apart from suppressing the press and intimidating its stakeholders, the government will be able to shift the issue of public discourse away from the Chibok Girls. Banning the Abuja advocates of Bring Back Our Girls from protesting earlier last week was another effort at killing the advocacy calling on the government to do something. People like Doyin Okupe weeping all over social media over a handshake that was rightly not returned is another way to distract from the girls.

Nigerians must understand that whether now or later, Nigeria will happen to most of us. That Nigeria has not reached your doorstep does not mean you should be disconnected from the unwholesome realities of our country faced by other citizens. As long as this country continues on this path, it will get to you. Our job is to remember that as a people, we are one. What touches one, touches all.

We cannot  afford to forget the Chibok Girls. We cannot afford to be silent about their plight. Several abductions have since happened since then as Boko Haram continues to unleash terror on Nigeria but we must remain resolute in making the Chibok Girls the focus of our campaign to get our government to take responsibility for its primary essence: the security of lives and property.

I tweet via @Omojuwa

Views expressed are solely the author’s. This piece was first published on Metropole.ng http://metropole.ng/index.php/component/k2/item/1633-bringbackourgirls-we-can-t-afford-to-move-on

It should be personal! – Ayisha Osori

Last week Doyin Okupe, an Adviser to the President shared on Twitter his thoughts on an encounter he had with Obiageli Ezekwesili where she declined his offer to shake hands.  According to him,we may disagree but it ought not be personal’.  If the number of retweets is anything to go by, many agree with him but under current circumstances, maybe that is the problem. We don’t take things personal.

Surely it is personal when those in government use the security apparatus which belongs to all Nigerians to intimidate those who share a different perspective from them or disagree with their policies and politics? Surely it is personal for those whose sons are mindlessly murdered in a school which should be well protected by a One Trillion Naira security budget and a state of emergency? Can it be business as usual when daughters and sisters are kidnapped by terrorists and held as sex and domestic slaves?  Some would prefer to see these harsh realities as isolated to only those it is happening to, after all, in a country of 160M maybe it is not important that over 2000 have been killed by Boko Haram this year alone. But this thinking is flawed because when a corner of a roof is on fire, the inhabitants of the house would be making a serious mistake to think only those directly under the fire are to worry.

Thousands of Nigerians have been killed and maimed by our broken health system, with hospitals where the catalogue of patients experiences range from the criminal to the unbelievable. We fail to see the irony of so many public officials dying in foreign hospitals. Are the financial and emotional costs to the families of the late Emir of Gombe and Dora Akunliyi not personal? How many have wept from the loss caused by the death traps which serve as our planes and our roads? Too many senseless deaths caused by our governance and political structures, thousands living with extreme injustice and the impact of corruption and many more denied their human rights because of the raw misuse of power in Nigeria and our inability to hold those in government accountable. Yet we should not take anything personal?

I can’t lie, right up there with corruption; sycophancy ranks high as a debilitating national disease. It is this demeaning obsequiousness that creates a bubble of lies around those in power and prevents them from understanding how their actions personally affect us as citizens and as humans. There are too many current and past government officials whom we should all shun in public and in private. Around dinner tables and newspaper vendor reading clubs we all complain about the excesses of our public officers, but the minute they walk into a room we jump to attention and almost wet ourselves for our delight at proximity to power and the possibility of favour.

We must not confuse good etiquette with taking the affairs of our country seriously. To loose gracefully in any competition and to act like a good sports woman or man is important, but we are not talking about debates and races here. Ruining our country, making life untenable for millions and squandering the future of our children is not something we should take lightly, shrug our shoulders and shake hands gamely with those who are responsible.

okupe-640x360 (1)

In referring to his role as one of the official spokespersons for the President who have been vociferous about discrediting and disrupting the #BringBackOurGirls campaign as a disagreement, Okupe shows us that those in government consider our lives a game. The message is ‘everything is justifiable as just business or just politics.’ But we must ignore this bulletin. This is our country that is being shredded and pillaged and we must show those responsible that we hold them accountable for their contributions to the outrage that threatens and endangers us all. Besides, as Chinua Achebe warns, when you shake hands with a leper, the leper will expect an embrace.

By refusing to take issues around governance and abuse of power personally, we have embraced those who should be outcasts. And if we continue to swallow the poison of politeness out of a misplaced duty to honour the office of those who have no respect for us, we will continue to be complicit in our own ruin and suffering. Taking Nigeria seriously means, we take the abuse and misuse of power personal and match our words with our actions. Today.

Siege on newspapers: President Jonathan fighting a battle he can’t win – APC


 
 The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unreservedly condemned the unreasonable siege on newspapers across the country by security agencies, warning that the Jonathan Administration, by tampering with press freedom, has taken on a battle it cannot win.
 
 In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the President failed to learn the lessons of history that the Nigerian media can neither be intimidated nor suppressed by anyone, and that all those who tried to do so in the past lived to regret their actions.

 It wondered why a government that is being asked to diligently prosecute the war on terror is instead vehemently waging a war on the media and using the security agencies to interfere with the country’s democracy.
 
 ”Had the government pursued the insurgents who are killing and maiming Nigerians with the same vigour with which it had descended on the media, the war against terror would have been long over,” APC said, wondering what kind of weapons that the small newspaper distribution vans could be used to ferry that cannot be conveyed by other, bigger vehicles that move around the country undisturbed.
 
 The party described as disingenuous and ridiculous the explanation that an intelligence alert was responsible for the shameful and unacceptable clampdown on the media, and the platitude that the Jonathan Administration holds the media in high esteem.

 ”Even if one believes the Administration’s babble that President Jonathan holds the media in high esteem, how can that be justified by the indignities being meted out to the media under his watch? How does the so-called intelligence report justify the arrest of media workers, detention of distribution vans and the impounding of newspapers? How does it justify the restriction of newspaper circulation? How does it justify an Administration’s efforts to tamper with fundamental rights guaranteed by the nation’s constitution?

 ”With the clampdown on the media, the Jonathan Administration has opened a new but dangerous flank in its war against Nigerians. First. It was an attempt to stifle the freedom of assembly and the freedom of speech when a yeoman Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, tried but failed to ban peaceful protests in Abuja. The outcry against the obviously-orchestrated ban on peaceful protests had barely died down when the government moved to stifle press freedom. But it is a lost battle,” APC said.
 
 The party said a government that has failed to provide security for its citizens, 12,000 of whom have died in the hands of Boko Haram since 2009, and a government that has pauperized its citizens rather than empower them is suddenly acting like someone pumped with steroids and wasting its artificial energy on tackling the media, simply because it does not like its fierce independence and highly professional disposition.

 ”President Jonathan gave a hint of what’s to come when he blamed the media for over-reporting Boko Haram, forgetting that the media is only a mirror of the society. Our advice to the President is to immediately call a halt to the war on the media which his Administration has launched because it is one battle he cannot and will not win,” it said.
 
 Alhaji Lai Mohammed
 Interim National Publicity Secretary
 All Progressives Congress (APC)

How To Win Your Favourite Club’s Jersey On #FansConnect With @Omojuwa

Our hashtag during the World Cup is #FansConnect. We have prizes lined up for Team #FansConnect apart from our usual recharge card gifts. Only our Top tweeters will compete for jerseys and other souvenirs.

  • Use #FansConnect in your football related tweets as much as you can. The first competition is to ensure you are amongst the top 50 people tweeting #FansConnect. Our techies will present the result of the top 50 tweeters after a one week period or less.
  • The handles of the Top 50 Tweeters will be tweeted before the final competition for shirts and souvenirs start proper.
  • Our Top 50 Tweeters will compete for jerseys and souvenirs, while some others win recharge cards.
  • The winner will be reached to ascertain his/her jersey preference and size. The winner’s name will be printed on the back of the jersey if the winner prefers it. You can start tweeting with #FansConnect now. It is simple; the more you tweet #FansConnect, the more your chances of being in the top 50 to compete for our jerseys. Have our best wishes.
  • Follow @omojuwa and tweet with #FansConnect to ask questions/participate

Professor Dora Akunyili is Dead

Prof. (Mrs.) Dora Nkem Akunyili, former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and former minister of Information,  is  dead

According to a family source,  Isaac Umunna, Media Advisor to Prof. Dora Akunyili confirmed that Akunyili died in an India Hospital where she has been receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment.

– See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/06/professor-dora-akunyili-dead/#sthash.fL13NexM.dpuf

Iconic African Star, Simphiwe Dana @SimphiweDana Releases Poignant Single, NZIMA [WATCH]

Iconic South African artist Simphiwe Dana, has released her first single, ‘NZIMA’ off the highly anticipated – and as yet untitled forthcoming album – through Sony Music Entertainment Africa.   Although inspired by the Marikana tragedy – ‘NZIMA’ –  which is being released as a single to broadcast stations today – the song is drawn from centuries of pain and violence, and is essentially a prayer for a people that have had a history of violence inflicted upon them” says Simphiwe Dana.   “’A prayer for Marikana. The wretched of the earth will one day rise and offer their lives as a covenant written in blood. For their children to see the sun again.”   Reflecting on the poignancy of ‘NZIMA’ ahead of Freedom Day, Simphiwe Dana emphasises the importance of being reminded – “… reminded of what the past 20 years have been about and to point out whether we are meeting or failing Madiba’s vision – a reminder of the cost of freedom, and for ongoing freedom to be translated to a better life for all”.   Watch video here 

@Funmilola Iyanda, @Chude Jideonwo, Humphrey Hawksley and Ikenna Azuike to lead discussions at Nigeria Dialogue town hall meeting in London this July

Humphrey Hawksley

Humphrey Hawksley

Nigeria Dialogue holds a town hall meeting featuring Funmi Iyanda, Chude Jideonwo, Humphrey Hawksley and Ikenna Azuike titled “The new generation of leadership in Nigeria” on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at The Cruciform Building, Lecture Theatre 1, University College London, Gower Street London, WC1E 6BT between 11am and 4pm.


“With statistics revealing that 70% of the Nigerian population is below 35 years old and almost half of the entire population between 0-14years old , the need to start the discussion about finding new leaders for our country Nigeria starts now .” said Nigeria Dialogue’s Chief Operations Officer Bankole Eniola.

Funmi Iyanda

Funmi Iyanda



At the event; The Future Africa Awards and Summit (TFAAS) co-founder Chude Jideonwo will read excerpts of his recently released and critically acclaimed book “Are We The Turning Point Generation?”. A panel discussion involving notable personalities like Funmi Iyanda; an award-winning broadcaster, journalist, columnist and blogger, Humphrey Hawksley; an experienced and notable foreign journalist working for the BBC, Ikenna Azuike; creator of What’s Up Africa and co-founder of Strawberry Earth, taking questions from members of the audience and a key note address by a guest speaker are also activities lined up at the event.

Chude Jideonwo

Chude Jideonwo


Speaking about the decision behind organising this Town Hall meeting; Bankole Eniola said “it is every Nigerian’s responsibility to start a process of finding, nurturing and empowering new leaders to bring Nigeria to its rightful position in the world.”

The free town hall event is open to members of the general public in central London and will be anchored by Kayode Ogundamisi.

For more details including Special guest attendees please visit www.nigeriadialogue.org

Nigeria Dialogue

Re: Purported Ban on All Protests on the Chibok Girls in FCT by Police Commissioner #BringBackOurGirls

We are members of the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Family, a citizens movement advocating for the speedy rescue of the over 200 girls abducted from Chibok Secondary School, Borno state. Ours has been a single-issue campaign for the safe return of the abducted girls. In the last 34 days we have done so through peaceful daily sit-outs, and some marches to key governmental actors urging them to act swiftly to rescue the girls from the terrorists.

Earlier today we received with shock the statement credited to the FCT Commissioner of Police Joseph Mbu that “…All Protests on the Chibok Girls is hereby banned with immediate effect…”

We wish to remind the Commissioner of Police Mbu that he cannot take any action that violates our Constitutionally guaranteed rights as citizens, particularly our rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, amongst others as enshrined in Chapter Four (Section 40) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

We are puzzled about the inconsistencies in the communication emanating from the Nigerian Police. We recall that on 12th May, 2014, the Nigeria Police Force on its website published a news item with the title: “Police Not Against Peaceful Assemblies” in which the Inspector-General of Police, M.D. Abubakar restated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection and enforcement of the fundamental rights of citizens.

Over the last 34 days, we have been widely acknowledged, including by the Police and the Federal Government delegation, which represented President Jonathan at one of our meetings for the peaceful, disciplined, and decorous manner we have always conducted the activities of our movement. In consonance with our approach, we shall tomorrow be in court with our lawyers, Femi Falana SAN to file a suit challenging this purported ban by C.P. Mbu.

In the interim, we shall not hold our sit-out tomorrow 3rd June, because we shall be accompanying our lawyers to the Court where we hope to obtain an immediate restraint on this unconstitutional, undemocratic and repressive act. Our Movement is legitimate and lawful and cannot be arrested by the police whose responsibility is to enforce, not betray the law.

We, the members of the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Family, remain   resolute and will persist in using all lawful means to sustain our peaceful advocacy for the safe rescue of the Chibok Girls. We therefore encourage all those in Nigeria and other Nations that have similarly taken a stand for the cause of the girls to continue to do so with the clarion call: BRING BACK OUR GIRLS, NOW AND ALIVE!!!

Signed

Oby Ezekwesili and Hadiza Bala Usman

For the #BringBackOurGirls Abuja Family

For Media Enquiries Contact

Rotimi Olawale

+2348057704111

media@bringbackourgirls.ng

This Is For You, Our Friends – Omojuwa

Save for when I was arrested by the Nigerian authorities, I haven’t received as many calls as I have in the last two days. Friends and supporters expressing their support in the face of the continued obsession of the Nigerian government and its poor minions to blackmail my likes. Let me reiterate that no amount of blackmail can stop me nor my likes. We have a country to save and those who get in our way must be ready to give way to change or have themselves become objects of oblivion. In their shameless state, they believe every Nigerian is there to be bought, in their naivety, they believe all they need to tarnish a great name is to throw mud at it. In their cluelessness, they forget that mud does not stick on a stainless surface. In their shamelessness, they will try again and again but as they have come to know, they will lose again and again. We are the ones that will be found standing at the end of the day. God bless Nigeria and may God bless those who defend us and our integrity in the face of our country’s degraded state and unwholesome corruption. Thank you!!!

What’s strangling democracy in Nigeria? – Ayisha Osori

 

Democracy day has come and gone. The euphoria, if any, of 15 years of ‘uninterrupted democracy’ has long since faded in the harsh realities of our lives. The ravages of corruption lay waste to everything from the efficiency of our security forces to the lack of power and basic infrastructure. Millions have no access to pipe borne water and education and the grip of terrorists on our collective throat continues to tighten. Yet, politicians and those in government want a pat on the back for maintaining civil rule and executing the latest Aso Rock fad, the transformation agenda. But as laudable as kilometers of roads-soon-to-be-washed-away and the whitewash of aviation renovations may be, our assessment must go beyond the bricks and mortar of infrastructure to the soul of our democracy and our institutions.

The legislature and our political parties stand out for assessment because during military rule these key democratic institutions were banned. This meant that lacking the necessary growth through friction, trial and error these two institutions are more stunted than others. But 15 years is long enough to begin to see meaningful progress in the development of our political parties and the legislature and to ask: is our democracy deepening and maturing or are we treading water or maybe even sliding backwards?

The legislature is supposed to be a check on the excesses of the executive, providing oversight through the budget and law making with members of the opposition party working furiously to protect us. But in Nigeria the legislators are in the pockets of the executive. At the federal level, they sway to the tune of the president or governors, and in the states, their raison d’etre is to rubber stamp bills put forward by the executive as in the case of Akwa Ibom. If legislators were truly a check on the excesses of the executive then it is unlikely that the Akwa Ibom Governors and Deputy Governors Law would ever have been passed.

But that is not all. It is not enough that our legislators pass few bills of real relevance to addressing the high social injustice and inequality that millions of Nigerians live with. No, they are also known for shaking down the executive and other stakeholders– as the allegations of the Securities & Exchange Commission’s Arumeh Oteh and the Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison Madueke suggest. Few if any of the investigative committees that have been set up in the last 15 years, from the Elumelu Committee on the $16B allegedly spent on power to the Farouk Lawan fuel subsidy probe Committee have resulted in a prosecution, firing or even clarity on the issue which was supposed to be under investigation in the first place. The cost of the National Assembly continues to rise though with the Senate gradually becoming the retirement home of ex-governors and tyrants. As for the states, loyalty and thuggery are the key qualifications required, lending a tragically ironic truth to Fayose’s alleged pledge to okada riders that as governor of Ekiti, he will make some of them legislators.

Nigerian Flag

This state of affairs is possible in large part because of our political parties and the lack of internal party democracy within them. Our parties are less about vision, programs, and like minds and more about platforms for getting into office to join the extractive system of government we practice. The main rhetoric of politicians in Nigeria shows that we are still largely trapped in pre-independence ethnicity and religion focused politics. Parties still operate the opaque membership system which forbids knowing how many people are members and who they really are, the better to not collect dues from them and have to rely on those in government who can amass public funds for party use. Time and again the parties prove that what they want are not people of ideas and principles but people who understand the way politics works in Nigeria: rigging, bribing, intimidation and increasingly by finance induced judicial activism.

Once dormant trains might be slowly chugging across the country but the pillars of our democracy were never set right and are now crumbling. Every election and every constitution review provides the opportunity to make changes which will dismantle current structures and build new, more inclusive ones. However, the quality of participation must improve. Until we get the legislature and political parties working the way they should, the type of change we want might never emerge.

Maku is right, 90% of Nigerians belong to APC – Gbajabiamila



The Minority Leader of House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed satisfaction with remarks made by the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku last Wednesday where he alleged that about 90 per cent of protesters campaigning for the release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State, are members of the All Progressives Congress.

Gbajabiamila in a satirical statement signed by his Research Aide, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart on Sunday in Abuja said “Mr Maku the information minister is damn right!”.

Gbajabiamila believed that remarks made by the Minister of Information is a tactical admittance of leadership failure and federal government is only losing confidence of many Nigerians it has failed to protect.

“I am particularly chuffed that the PDP government has finally woken up to smell the coffee and has admitted that APC is a movement and that 90 percent  of Nigerians are APC because as far as I know that is the exact percentage of Nigerians that are criticizing government over the handling of the terror crisis”, he said

The lawmaker advised the federal government to retrace it step on handling of insecurity in the country and face reality . “Conscience is like an open wound and only the truth can heal it. Good job Mr Maku”.

@PraiseWorld_ Radio Marks 2nd Anniversary

As a climax to celebrations marking her 2nd anniversary, Praiseworld Radio, Africa’s number one online gospel radio station hosted her fans and family to a Praise Party nextSunday June 1, 2014.

Christened “Praise Party: The Birthday edition”, the event was billed to gather listeners of Praiseworld Radio, OAPs/DJs and the entire Praiseworld team, as well as various gospel artistes to celebrate God’s goodness in the past two years.

“God has been so faithful to us in the last two years. He has used us as a tool to bless lives of people across the world, and we are grateful for this.

I believe it’s a good time to celebrate God’s glory along with the dear Praiseworld family, hence the Praise Party” – Olutola Omoniyi, Head of The Praiseworld Team

Praise Party makes a return to Lagos after the last history-making edition held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

 

The event featured great  DJ mixes churned out by Praiseworld Radio’s in-house DJs and guest DJs, a lot of dance, social networking with members of the Praiseworld team and a hang-out with a host of your favorite gospel artistes and celebrities.

The event held at THE MANIFOLD PLACE, 85, IKORODY ROAD, FADEYI BUS STOP, LAGOS. The event kicked off at around 3PM with a red carpet special.

Praise Party (Birthday Edition) is powered by Praiseworld Radio and sponsored by The Manifold Place, X2D TV and SumptiouslyUrs. 

 

Further details for this event can be obtained via Twitter @PRAISEWORLD_, Facebook –Praiseworld Radio and instagram @PRAISEWORLD_.

Praiseworld Radio, Africa’s #1 Online Gospel Radio station based in Lagos, Nigeria was officially launched on June 1, 2012 and is dedicated to broadcasting pure urban gospel content round the clock.

 

You can tune in to PRAISEWORLD RADIO from anywhere around the world by logging on towww.praiseworldradio.com/tune-in with any internet enabled devices – Laptops, PCs, as well as mobile smartphones by downloading the mobile app from your app store.

 

Committee on Finance did not absolve NNPC or Minister – Senator Bukola Saraki

Committee on Finance did not absolve NNPC or Minister
The recent media reports claiming that the Senate Committee on Finance has cleared NNPC of any unaccounted revenue fund is not true.  Though I could not attend the last meeting of the committee, I have been very active in the investigation, nothing significant has changed to suggest clearing anybody. I can say on behalf of the Committee that these media reports bear no correlation to the content of the Senate Committee report and I would urge the public to disregard it in its entirety.
The Committee is yet to receive the report on the forensic audit and independent analysis on the subject clearly indicate we have a lot of grounds to cover in order to determine the level of culpability or otherwise of agency on the alleged non-committal, so to suggest any clearance for anybody at this stage is out of the question.
I will further advise that the media should wait for the senate to release the details of the Committee report to the public before they jump into spurious conclusions.
Senator Bukola Saraki.