₦airaland Forum

grafikii: Ebonyi, Ekiti very synonymous

Ekiti state, the one with the Master acreage of marijuana plantation? Oh, that place must be the maternal home of Fela or the other Jamaican legendary reggae artists.

NDLEA arrests 95, seizes 350kg illicit drugs in Ebonyi
October 22, 2013 by NAN



The Ebonyi State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on Tuesday said it had arrested 95 drug suspects from January to date.

The Commandant of the agency in the state, Mr Raph Igwenagu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abakaliki that it also seized 350 kilogrammes of illicit drugs during the period.

“The NDLEA in Ebonyi State, also during the year, counselled, rehabilitated and discharged 40 drug users while six drug dependent persons are still undergoing rehabilitation,” he said.

Igwenagu said 10 suspects were convicted while 30 cases were undergoing prosecution and 15 cases still under investigation.

According to him, the prevalence of illicit drug use among the youth is on the increase as a result of their being susceptible and more vulnerable than adults.

He urged parents and guardians, whose children and wards had become victims of drug abuse, to bring them to the agency for care, treatment and rehabilitation.

Jonathan sends Kuku to confer with Pastor Bakare on National Conference
By Wale Odunsi on October 22, 2013



The Special Adviser to Mr. President on Niger Delta, and Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Kingsley Kuku yesterday visited the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare in Lagos.

The closed door meeting which lasted over an hour, is seen as part of government’s efforts to reach out to prominent people across the six geo-political zones on the planned dialogue.

DailyPost learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan, in a bid to secure the support of influential Nigerians, has dispatched some of his aides to meet with them, to convey his sincerity on the conference.

Those on the mission are also expected to seek the advise and input of their hosts on what must be done to ensure the dialogue is a success.

A source close to the Presidency told DailyPost in Abuja on Tuesday that Mr. Jonathan is determined to secure the backing of majority of respected citizens and elders before the schedule for the dialogue is announced.

“The president is trying to mend fences. He is aware that the support of his party and his loyalists is insufficient.

“With this in mind, he has delegated a number of his aides, associates and friends to go and talk to those that command respect and admiration of Nigerians.

“The visits began a week ago. A number of emissaries are also on the same mission across the country.

On the expectations of the presidency, he said “These leaders are all humans. I am sure those of them that are currently against the idea will eventually see reasons with Mr. President.”

After Monday’s meeting, neither Kuku nor Bakare disclosed the details of the agenda.

The presidential aide, however, expressed satisfaction with the kind of response and suggestions he got, which he said would help in no small dimension to facilitate fruitful outcome of the national conference.

Kuku also said he apologised over the harsh statement he made against the cleric during January 2012 national protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.

He said: “I must confess that Mr. President personally scolded me for attacking the personality of Pastor Bakare in my attempt to defend government position on the removal of subsidy from fuel. We have discussed it over.”

Responding, Bakare asked rhetorically: “Who am I not to forgive?” As a matter of fact, I see him as one of my sons in the Lord.

“All we are doing is in the interest of our country, the younger generation, the born and the unborn ones.

The head of Latter Rain Church added that “I cannot pretend over the fact that I love this country.”

eGuerrilla: Governor Jang has merely echoed the sentiments expressed by so many other commentators.

The proposed national conference has all the makings of yet another charade (YAC), with its attendant payload of more bickering and eternal hand-wringing.



Source

Trust me, even Amaechi himself will not want an SNC. Sometimes when some people talk about SNC they forget that the call for SNC is only made by those who're out of power because they understand the entire political implication of an SNC.

SNCes are usually held prior to nationhood when people come together to make preliminary agreements on the terms on which they're to belong together as one single nation.

By SNC, the entire political structure of gov't as we have it now will be dismantled. There'll no more a president, no governors, no judiciary, and no lawmakers. Everything will be dismantled, and there'll be 100% RESOURCE CONTROL as it'll be believed that all men are coming from no known gov't. Now, in the light of these are more, in your own intelligence, do you think Nigeria can call for an SNC?

If you ask me, I'll tell you that I personally have nothing to fear in an SNC. It'll benefit the Jonathan and his kinsmen the more. But tell me, will those of them up there who don't even have a spoon of elu-aki running in their backyard but have made all their wealth from the oil in the ND agree to let go of the oil resource for an SNC? Hope you still remember the subsidy crisis?

So, don't be hysterical about what you hear them say.

[quote author=icekid-jten]they shud b wearin bullet proof n bomb proof cuz boko boys ar nt smilin[/quote]lol

dustydee: Hope they have adequate security for the lecturers and students.

The cost of running that school now will more than double due to the cost of overhead on both salaries of foreign lecturers and security of students and lecturers. What BH has caused.

Jang disagrees with Jonathan over national dialogue
October 22, 2013 by Jude Owuamanam



Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang on Monday told the Senator Femi Okurounmun-led Presidential Advisory Committee on the Convocation of a National Conference to ensure that the outcome of the conference reflect the wishes of Nigerians.

Jang, who spoke when members of the committee visited him in his office in Jos, said the final outcome of the national dialogue should not be left to the lawmakers.

President Goodluck Jonathan had said that the conclusions reached during the national dialogue would be sent to the National Assembly for further debate and ratification.

Jang expressed regret that previous national conferences had not helped in solving the various problems facing the country but said he hoped the current exercise would meet the yearnings of the people.

He said, “The National Assembly should not have the final say on the document that will be produced at the end of the conference, but let it be one that will fulfil the yearnings and aspirations of all Nigerians.

“Members of the National Assembly should not feel that the national conference is taking over their job and I am also saying that the outcome of the conference should not be the subject of final ratification by them”

The governor said that too much power had been concentrated at the centre and called for power to be devolved to states, stressing that one of the reasons the Nigerian federation had not worked was because of the glaring imbalance in development.

In one of the presentations at the interactive session, the National Leader of Middle Belt Forum, Prof Jerry Gana, suggested that the conference should be postponed till after the 2015 elections.

He said that the zone applauded the initiative of the national dialogue and is ready to make quality contributions towards its success.

Gana said, “With reference to timing of the conference, middle belt has two proposals: if the ongoing preparations can be concluded by December or January this year, the conference can sit for six months from February to July 2014 and submit its report in August. However, in view of preparations for the national election early 2015, it may be wiser to convene the conference after 2015 elections. As such, preparations for the conference could be perfected in 2014, but the actual convene for February/March 2015 and allowed to sit for the rest of the year 2015.

“With reference to the mode of representation, middle belt is also proposing a basket of selection or election criteria, namely, each ethnic nationality should be represented at the conference to ensure equity, social justice and self-determination.

“People should be allowed to elect the participants, government should not select delegates for the people; it should be purely a people-oriented programme if it must achieve its desired result.”

The stakeholders meeting was attended by some states in the North-Central zone as well as major ethnic and interest groups in the zone

Yobe recruits foreign lecturers despite security concerns
October 22, 2013 by Agency Reporter 4 Comments



Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam

Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam

The Yobe State Governor in north-east Nigeria, Ibrahim Gaidam, has approved the employment of 35 professors from India and the Philippines. They were recruited to teach and research desert encroachment, which is threatening the environment in parts of the state.

Although the government says it is committed to building a 21st century university, it has been unable to recruit any competent Nigerians due to security fears and ideological challenges posed by the Boko Haram, an Islamic sect opposing so-called ‘western’ education, including academic programmes in the state-owned university.

Observers believe the governor is taking a risk, and at some stage will have to confront extremists who have vowed to impose Islamic education, based on the strict tenets of the Koran and the Hadith, in north-eastern Nigeria.

According to reliable sources, Gaidam recently met Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan about the reluctance of lecturers from other parts of the country to work at the Bukar Abba Ibrahim University, in the Yobe capital Damaturu.

Gaidam apparently told Jonathan that Prof. Musa Alabe, BAIU’s vice-chancellor, had advertised for university teachers and researchers to tackle the problem of desertification spreading southwards at 600m per annum, a worrisome development for the state.

As there was no response to the adverts, he pleaded with the President to facilitate the arrival of 21 Indian and 14 Filipino professors, who had been interviewed in their countries and found suitable. The President instructed the education minister to liaise with the National Universities Commission and ensure the expatriates were allowed to undertake research at BAIU.

The first batch of foreign lecturers recently flew into Lagos, accompanied by tight security all the way to BAUI. The second batch will arrive before the end of the year.

There is currently a battle for supremacy between two schools of thought on education in the country – which has 130 public and private universities – particularly in north-eastern Nigeria, home to BAUI, among others.

The ongoing feud will eventually determine whether people in the region will sink further into abysmal poverty or apply formal education to raise the standard of living.

Culled from: http://businessnews.com.ng/2013/10/22/bpe-clears-40093-phcn-workers-terminal-benefits/?wt=2

BPE clears 40,093 PHCN workers for terminal benefits
By BusinessNews Staff on October 22, 2013

A total of 40,093 workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria have been cleared to receive their terminal benefits preparatory to the handover of 14 PHCN successor companies to private sector investors.

The Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Benjamin Dikki, said this in a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday by the agency’s Head, Public Communications, Mr. Chigbo Anichebe.

Dikki also stated that the privatisation agency had remitted N342.8bn to the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation for the payment of the workers’ entitlements.

The cleared workers, whose names have also been forwarded to the AG’s office, represent 84 per cent of the workers of the company numbering about 47,000.

Dikki said the schedules of payment, which were transferred to the OAGF by the BPE in six batches, cut across workers at the PHCN headquarters, the generation companies, distribution companies and the Transmission Company of Nigeria.

According to him, the OAGF has confirmed the payment of three schedules, totalling 26,899 persons.

He said, “The payment covers the severance benefits and Retirement Savings Accounts components.”

The DG said the OAGF had given an assurance that by next week, another two batches (four and five), totalling 11,716 workers would be paid their entitlements.

On union dues, the BPE boss said that the OAGF had confirmed the remittance of N3bn to the two PHCN unions – the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies and National Union of Electricity Employees, deducted from the PHCN workers’ benefits.

Dikki said the Federal Government had demonstrated a great commitment to resolving labour issues in the power sector.

Apart from committing the entire proceeds realised from the sale of power assets to the payment of the workers’ terminal benefits, the government had, at the initial stage of the transaction, released N57bn to take care of the workers’ pension, he said.

He added that all the benefits came after the government had increased the workers’ salaries by 50 per cent and regularised the employment of some of the casual workers.

I hope APGA is not thinking that all those who 'closed down' their shops to welcome them in Lagos will also close down their shops to come and vote on Nov. 16 in Anambra?

If they're truly interested to win they must go beyond this Road Show because Nigeria does not permit electronic voting system which will enable one to vote from anywhere they are.

anselm791: Yup both helplessness and hopelessness. I'm a student in a fed university. Go figure. And you do realise we're saying the same thing right? Just that yours has some cool words like calumny.

I do figure, bro. While in the university here in Nigeria I had my own (unfair) share of the pains of incessant labour actions. I think, however, that after this most strangulating and torturous experience, Nigerian higher education should receive that final healing balm that makes all things right. Ghana went through this rugged path and came out strong. Maybe we're also going thru it ourselves, albeit the harder way.

blacksta: wake me when he is ready to fight corruption . First step Jail any one involved in Aviation Car scandal.

I might come by here now like a GEJ media aide. Am just enjoying a free period in the office after my launch and that's why I have all this time on my system.

I think Jonathan is the president with the most effective and effectual solution to corruption. Like you pointed out, Jonathan doesn't fight corruption. He prevents corruption. And that's the reason for all this noise you hear in our country against him. While fighting corruption will be more sensational and win him more public affection, it'll be more distracting and frictional and consequently, counter-productive. While prevention will be less sensational, less galleria, less noisy. But more productive. The power to prosecute corrupt office holders does not lie only with the presidency. Have you wondered why no state governor has toed that path? It'll totally veer him off the track and even remove from the office in a split second.

One of the conditions given by the G7 governors for reconciliation was that the president must ask the anti graft bodies to withdraw all charges against their (corrupt) members! If Jonathan spends all his energy in chasing, or 'fighting' corrupt politicians everybody will scream, HE'S WITCH-HAUNTING HIS PERCIEVED POLITICAL ENEMIES. Have you forgotten that his face-off with Amaechi stated when Amaechi was reported to have bought two private jets?!

Now you see Nigeria.

blacksta: I am confused but it was under GEJ that fuel importers ballooned from just under 10 to about 100. THe more you look the less you see.

Trust me, that assertion isn't altogether true. Try and verify the official list because those who would want us believe this are the very ones who are culpable of the corruption in that sector.

Although the number at some point arrowed so high, and that was because people saw that open channel to siphon our collective wealth recklessly. And that is exactly what, I think, this gov't is trying to plug.

bloggernaija: There is/was no subsidy.
I repeat
There is/was no subsidy
Crude thieves.

Your argument is germane, and this is the reason why I think it should be fully and officially removed so that people are not double charged. But, we both know that the pain it'll inflict on our people would be horrendous since we're not refining our own oil. But, then, painfully enough those who make enterprise out of the status quo will never refine or let us refine our oil as long as the subsidy remains.

ballabriggs: Plus or minus the ones she and Oga Jo stole?

Ok, now let's check. Before her appointment in 2007 as Transport Minister by the late Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, she was a staff with SPDC. 2007 to 2013 is 13 years. She was made Petroleum Minister by Jonathan upon assumption of office as President. This was barely 3years ago. Are we saying she stole all that money as she got there. And, if she's actually complicit, do you think she'll come public with this info? While not attempting to hold brief for her, I think you're judging purely from hate here and not quite rationally.

eduson33: okokobioko

Heard that exclamation last when i was still a kid living in a countryside dominated by Igbos!

[quote author=mr.ceo63]GEJ till....2019*
NO VACANCY IN ABJ...[/quote]Well, by normal administrative procedures, and according to our Laws, there's never allowed a vacancy in the seat of power. There shall not be a vacancy in Aso Rock even after 2019 if Nigeria continues to exist as a single sovereign national entity

anselm791: Honestly pdp, we don't have any other option until 2015.

I don't understand. Is it out of helplessness or out of hopelessness? People always have a choice in a matter that concerns them. Your choice is, if you don't like Jonathan then campaign against him (but not with calumny) and vote against him come 2015 election. If you prefer him to other options that may surface, campaign for your conviction and vote according. That is how citizens partake in deciding their destiny.

Linked from: http://businessnews.com.ng/2013/10/21/nation-wasted-n5-27tr-petroleum-subsidy-six-years-allison-madueke/?wt=2

Nation wasted N5.27tr in petroleum subsidy in six years – Allison-Madueke
By BusinessNews Staff on October 21, 2013

The minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Allison- Madueke has said the amount of the annual subsidy expended has been reduced by 59.05 per cent to N850 Billion.
The Minister said in a statement at the weekend that the quantity of PMS consumed per day has also reduced by 34.17 percent to 39.66 million litres.

“As at December 2012, the Nation had spent N5.27 trillion on products subsidy since the commencement of the Scheme in 2006. But the comprehensive reform programme put in place under her leadership as the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources, yielded outstanding results as the amount of annual subsidy expended was reduced by 59.05 percent to N850 Billion, while the quantity of PMS consumed per day was reduced by 34.17 percent to 39.66 million litres.”

Speaking on her reform programs, she said the initiatives also resulted in investment in the downstream in excess of N50 billion, creating thousands of employments opportunities.
She added that the ministry introduced Double-Three-Two (3-3-2) inspection system to monitor products imports which allows PPPRA to confirm vessel arrival quantities; vessel discharged quantities, and the quantities physically trucked-out of the depots.

She however stressed that the significant achievements made in 2012 by the initiative and in order to ensure reasonable cost savings on operational activities, the inspection system was revised to Two- One-Two (2-1-2) in 2013.

In order to further eliminate the risk of round-tripping which was common before her coming on board as a minister, Madueke said a ban on cargo from storage tanks in West African Coasts, except refineries and blending plants, had been imposed.

The Minister said the first in history products stock-taking exercise carried out January 1 and 16, 2012 was to determine the 2011 end-of-year closing and 2012 opening stock, for the purpose of accurate calculation of national product consumption figures.

She said requirements for import documents such as Letters of Credit, Bill of Lading, Form-M, DPR License, Shore Tank Certificates, etc, have been tightened thereby eliminating risks of Bill of Lading manipulation, and ensuring integrity of products discharge data to justify subsidy payments.

The monthly import performance review meetings to resolve marketers’ complaints through mediation has helped greatly to restore marketers’ confidence in the light of the subsidy removal debate and budget approval uncertainties, thus ensuring seamless product supply to the nation, she said.
To meet government aspiration of achieving 40 billion barrels of oil reserves and 4 million barrels of oil per day production, the Minister said there have been increased exploration activities in the Offshore, Onshore and Inland Basins. A total of 19 exploration wells, 93 developmental wells and 33 walkover wells are being drilled to various degrees of successes under Joint Venture (JV) or Products Sharing Contracts (PSC) arrangements. Intense exploration activities in Anambra, the Chad Basins, Benue, Bida and Sokoto are on-going, she stated.

“Also growing the NPDC operated SPDC divestment and transfer of government equity to NPDC. This divestment in the upstream by SPDC/Total and Agip created an opportunity for participation by the Nigerian upstream players. These are not the hallmark of a lazy Minister or one who does not have the grasp of her Ministry. She needs the support of all well meaning Nigerians to do more.” He stressed.

Demdem: keep faith on Jonathan
What a huge joke.

I should think that by now you should've learned not to use foul words when disagreeing with people or their opinion. I wish I knew how old you are. Well, I know that NL is peopled by Jambites and a lot undergraduates under the savagery of ASUU.

By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- NATIONAL leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday pleaded with Nigerians to keep faith with President Goodluck Jonathan in his determination to achieve his set goals as the nation was on a sure path to economic prosperity, just as the party boasted that the President has delivered on the economy.

The PDP however hailed the President for not allowing himself to be distracted from what it termed his avowed commitment towards the development of the nation and the welfare of Nigerians, even as it said that President Jonathan has remained resolute in meticulously and calmly driving his Transformation Agenda, adding, “and for this we are highly impressed.

In a statement signed yeaterday by PDP national Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, he said, “The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for the milestones so far achieved in the critical sectors of the economy through the Transformation Agenda of the PDP-led administration.

Metuh who noted that the President has vigorously pursued his economic reforms and however expressed happiness that they have started yielding results, said. “We are indeed highly impressed that the reforms initiated by the President has started yielding very high dividends resulting in a massive leap in the nation’s economy which has also been acknowledged by the world community; the latest being the Fitch Ratings which affirmed Nigeria’s long-term foreign and local currency IDRs as well as senior unsecured bond and Short-term foreign currency IDR ratings respectively at ‘BB”s.

“It is heart-warming that at a time other economies of the world are having a downward trend, Nigeria’s economy on the other hand is experiencing stability and growth.”

Listing some of the factors that led to the positive rating to include massive developments in the power, agriculture and road sectors as well as reforms in finance, commerce and industry, the PDP commended the President for “initiating the New Automobile Industrial Policy Development which is focused on promoting investments in affordable made-in- Nigerian vehicles” even as it “noted the conclusion of arrangements to kick-off passenger service on the Eastern railway route before the end of December.

“We are happy that the New Automobile Industry Policy is already yielding results. Direct foreign investments are already flowing in from leading vehicle manufacturers including Nissan and Stallion Group which have entered into an agreement with the Federal Government to establish auto plants in Nigeria.

“This policy which also promotes the manufacturing of spare parts of vehicles used in the country will not only generate massive employment for our people but will guarantee technology transfer, reduction in cost of vehicles, increase in ancillary investment opportunities and a boost in medium and small scale enterprises. This, no doubt will contribute in transforming our country into a manufacturing hub in Africa.

“In the power sector, President Jonathan has shown resilience in ensuring the achievement of production targets. We note that acceleration of works that led to the commissioning of the Geregu Power Project in Kogi state on October 4, 2013 as well as the Omotosho 2 Power Station in Ondo state which was commissioned last Saturday. The party also notes the acceleration of works in other power plants including Calabar, 630MW; Egbema, 378MW; Ihorvbor, 504MW; Gbarain 252MW; Sapele 504MW; Omoku 252MW; Alaoji 1076MW and Olorunsogo 750MW.

“We commend President Goodluck Jonathan for not allowing himself to be distracted from his avowed commitment towards the development of the nation and the welfare of Nigerians. He has remained resolute in meticulously and calmly driving his Transformation Agenda and for this we are highly impressed.

“The nation is on a sure path to economic prosperity, the party urged all Nigerians to keep faith alive and continue to support the reforms initiated by the PDP-led administration so as to consolidate on the gains so far achieved”.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/keep-faith-jonathan-pdp-begs-nigerians/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.A8nL93Hl.dpuf

Shen Teh: 'Ahwuzzubillah! Zhe tricycle oferatar I decided to go bck zhe same way he come. Shege! Return ticket zhings kenan.

Zhe oferator didn't akchuwali gwo zha sem way he kem, he went fru anozha way because he was refused to gwo zha sem way he kem...lol

Danhumprey: Some guys just can't accept "No" for an answer. Come on! The gal has a right that you as a man must respect,so long as you both are just dating and not yet married!


The gal too was heartless. Why would she have rejected the man passing the night with her even when he threatened to commit suicide? The gal obviously don't love him anymore and maybe politely trying to dump his sorry a.ss.

In the interest of charity, please don't let someone invest so much emotions into you and the relationship you're in with them only to come half way and call the shots. It hurts like die! Am not supporting the guy's action, but you might not understand all that the guy has invested in the girl--both material and emotion.

My take is this, for as long as they stay at home, their salaries and other emoluments should be kept on hold pending when they resume work. Then their full arrears should be paid to them.

Secondly, when they return, they should be slammed a heavy law suit by the students who pay their fees and never get any service whatsoever for their money, and no apologies. Labour must have some power/voice in every clime but this our own are simply acting like MOST HIGH. Or, is their no laws protecting the rights of students from such infringements in Nigeria?

dvdon: Please What Time is it?...

Do you mean to END this thread this TIME when it seems THINGS are just still unfolding?
Just take your time oo.

emmysenior: The trauma of rejection I guess.

You don't want to sleep with him, don't collect his money and material gift.

You know you don't like him, don't accept him in the 1st place.

If you know you are gonna leave him someday, don't ever tell him you love him.

But that guy f*cked up.
There are over 80 million girls in Nigeria, a single wh0re is not worth it na.

My people say, 'Echichie dimkpa chere gbuo onwe ya O cheghi ya ofu abali.' Which loosely translates as, ' Before a man commits suicide he didn't consider it in just one night'. That girl might have sucked off the guy like a periwinkle and thrown his empty shell away. This pitiable young man haven been left to dry outside maybe because the girl has put him in an unsolicited competition with a fellow guy decided to put the entire story to a terminus! This is also a grave stain to the girl's marriageability. If for any reason her new found love refused to marry her in the end, she might as well bid farewell to marriage.

Well, in my tribe suicide is a taboo. The guy himself, sef no try.