₦airaland Forum

Kobojunkie: I have questions for you . .. .

a) How does he report his friend? I mean I am curious if it is something that can be done. We have so many people in Government who buy land like it is water and build eyesores mostly all over the place. What do we report them for? Making more as employees of Government?

b) Share whatever information you have abeg!

Clerverly: Corruption! Corruption!! Corruption!!!
A friend of mine who just got appointment as a level 8 Officer in one of Agencies is already buiding a duplex in my village with several landed properties in Abuja. When queried on how they make such a huge money in a shortwhile, he confessed that all the Agencies of Govt are all cash cows.
That u Just need to meet with your supervisor to arrange a phantom seminar and pronto your bank account will be smiling! My fear is that, the rate by which they drain this our common purse, the case of Greece would be a child's play when it sets in
Thanks GEJ.

andyanders: Make the woman and her daughter go and look for the husband of the child.

KINGwax: and i guess u haven't been seeing much of the chinese, japanese or russian movie subtitles.

bigboy3: Fashola's govt is trying but he has to chk the lg chairmen. They are bunch of crooks and thieves.

oiseworld: try royal exchange, they've been around for long. They are also well established with branches across the federation. I believe they'll pay.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, is not a smooth-talker. But at the inauguration of the party’s campaign committee for the governorship election in Edo State, Tukur shocked those who gathered at the party’s National Executive Committee hall in Abuja when he saw a member of the 49-member committee. Unexpectedly, the septuagenarian swiftly regained both his voice and energy as he singled the member out for special commendation. Tukur said, “I believe in the capacity of people like you, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. As a former administrator, you did well. We are proud of you. As a soldier, you were there. In this task, we also know that you would do well.”

In return, the former governor of Bayelsa State stood up, smiled, took a bow, and the pleased audience, which included the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo clapped in enthusiastic approval. Even, Sambo’s reverberating clapping lasted longer than that of most of the people at the event.

Another member of the Edo squad, who would have probably, drawn such deafening ovation or even more from Sambo and his co-travellers, Chief Olabode George, was unfortunately not in attendance during the inauguration. George, who was also in the military, was a former military administrator of Ondo State. Though he was not around to receive his fatherly blessing from Tukur on this special day, he was physically present when the party’s chairman inaugurated the 50 wise men and women, who are saddled with the responsibility of advising him, (Tukur) on how to move the party and the country forward.

Beaming as he sat on the high table with the likes of the former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and others, George must have been happy to bounce from his sojourn at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison.

At the end of the inauguration of the go-and-win Edo State at all cost committee, one of the guests walked to a member of the National Working Committee of the party and demanded to know why the party did not include the name of the former Governor of the state, Chief Lucky Igbinedion on the list. He also demanded explanation for the party’s decision not to wait for the arrival of the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori from London, or at least, be allowed to have a representative on the committee.

It did not dawn on the official that the question could ridicule the party, as it gave the impression that its leadership was comfortable dealing with people who have been convicted for corruption at one time or the other. The officials who first disagreed openly, later came to the guest who made the observation and said he agreed with his observation.

After keeping quiet for some time, he shook his head, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, “Truly, we are not fighting corruption in this party, where we ought to show good example. Are we saying the integrity of these men will win election for us? Definitely, we have a long way to go.”

Our correspondent learnt that both Alamieyeseigha and George have unrestricted access to the Presidential Villa.

Apart from the conviction of Alamieyeseigha, George, Igbinedion and Ibori, some members of the party are currently being prosecuted at various courts in the country for corruption.

In this category are former governors such as Mr. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), Orji Kalu(Abia), Jolly Nyame (Taraba), Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu). Others include Michael Botmang (Plateau), Boni Haruna (Adamawa), Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo) and Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa). Also facing prosecution are former governors such as Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), and Aliyu Akwe-Doma (Nasarawa) — for the alleged misappropriation of public funds totaling N101bn. Is the PDP bothered about its image at all, being the ruling party in the country?

The Action Congress of Nigeria answers in the negative. Its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said so while reacting to PDP’s condemnation of its attack on President Goodluck Jonathan for poor performance. The PDP asked the ACN to re-focus its attention to what it called the “deficit of character involving some of its leaders who are currently facing allegations of sundry offenses.” The ACN said it was an irony that the PDP could be talking about morality when some of its past chairmen were currently being tried for corruption. Apart from this, the ACN added that it was pitiable for the PDP not to be worried when some past governors elected on the platform of the party had been convicted of corruption-related cases. He also reminded the PDP that one of its former governors was recently jailed outside the shores of Nigeria.

He said, “The PDP should realise that a sizeable number of its past governors have either been to prison or are facing trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Also, some past chairmen of the party are also facing criminal charges while some past leaders of the party, both at the national level have either returned from prison or are also facing corruption charges. Nigerians and indeed genuine members of the PDP know that it is wrong to compare the ACN with the party when it comes to issues of morality.”

The Congress for Progressive Change did not think less. Its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin said happenings involving members of the party at different state levels and the National Assembly portray the party as Nigeria’s major problem when it comes to tackling corruption. He particularly queried the welcome party organised for George when he left jail, after serving his jail term for corruption.

Fashakin said, “In a genuine society where morality counts, people like George and others like him who are being celebrated for corruption will be isolated. But in a country being governed by the PDP, such thing is a taboo. The party, knowingly, is telling others to go and steal, that they are not alone in the business of pilfering. Look at what is happening in the House of Representatives where $620,000,000 dollars was received as bribe. Who are those involved? PDP members! This party is a curse to the country and until it purges itself of corrupt tendencies, Nigeria may not move forward.”

Besides, some actions of the PDP may indicate that the party is also alien to honesty. For example, the party is already planning to acquire oil and telecommunication licences by proxy. This was part of the revenue generation and investments strategies of the party, which was prepared by its National Financial Secretary, Chief Bolaji Anani. In his memo to Tukur, Anani said it would be easy for the party to get the needed concession and operator’s licence (from the government).

With the subject titled, “Revenue Generations and Investments,” Anani wrote under the sub-head “Major Sectors” that, “We can venture into the Oil and Telecommunication sectors through ‘friendly’ operators. With a high degree of anonymity, we can earn reasonable short and long term returns if the venture is properly structured. We should be able to get (the) needed concession and operator’s licence with some measure of ease.”

It is not clear those that the party are targeting as fronts in this regard. But sources said the party was already talking to some known oil markers, especially those known to be its financiers. A member of the NWC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the party was very serious about this aspect in its desire to raise funds. He said, “We are not unmindful of our desire to raise funds through people that can be trusted. In this regard, it is the people who we can trust and who have been helping us to win elections that we will use.”

Is this shady way of raising money not portraying the party as haven for corrupt people? The Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, thinks otherwise. He says it is unfortunate that Nigerians refer to the party as the party of thieves. He adds, “People in the National Assembly, Government Houses, and Armed Forces are products of the Nigerian environment. So, when we speak of corruption, are we upright? It is a very serious problem, it is not a case of only Farouk Lawan, it all Nigerian crisis. Why don’t we find time for some kind of self reflection, are you upright? It is a general Nigerian problem. The matter is gradually getting out of hand.”

Asked why the party would not stop associating with corrupt men and women, a senior member of the NWC of the party told our correspondent that it was wrong for Nigerians to discriminate against ex-convicts. He says since politics is a game of number, even the corrupt are always with large followings. “Since we want to win elections, we should not be seen to be asking people not to come near us, no matter their past or present status,” the member added.

Though it has yet to fall like the Biblical Babylon, many Nigerians still see the PDP as the same Babylon, which was described as the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The leadership of the party may have to prove Nigerians wrong on this postulation.

By Ugochukwu Eke, Umuahia 17/06/2012 00:00:00
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THIRTEEN bills have been passed into laws by the 5th Abia House of Assembly in its first year.

The Speaker, Ude Oko-chukwu, told newsmen yesterday that the Assembly received 24 bills, 13 bills of which have been passed into law.
He disclosed that the outstanding 11 are at various stages of legislative considerations.

Oko-chukwu, who said the House also entertained and passed 8 motions and 61 resolutions on topical issues affecting the lives of the residents, attributed the success recorded by the legislative arm to the support, diligence and transparent deliberations adopted by his colleagues.

The Speaker explained: “The peaceful way we have been conducting our affairs have made some people in the state to think that we have not been working, simply because they have not been hearing or seeing us quarrel and no scandal to arouse their political interest.

“The maturity, liberal outlook, consistency, tenacity, consensus building skills and collective cooperative encouragement of members no doubt constituted the bench mark for nurturing the House and strengthening it to discharge its constitutional responsibilities as a legislative arm of government”.

He added that the Assembly has embarked on construction of a new 34- room storey building office complex to ease the challenge of office accommodation facing members.

The Speaker said that the House has started the re-roofing of the Assembly complex, which houses the chambers, offices of the speaker, his deputy and the clerk, stressing that the building will have a new look and reduce constant renovations.
The Nation

alj harem: About time, welcome development. Ride on Fashola

LAGOS ASSEMBLY PASSES 9 BILLS, 42 RESOLUTIONS

As Lagos State House of Assembly celebrates its first year of 7th Assembly the House has passed nine bills and 42 resolutions with 21 motions.


The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bolaji Yusuf Ayinla, disclosed this while giving account of his stewardship to his constituents at the village square meeting at Mushin.

According to him, “Part of the bills passed were Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Law, 2011, Lagos State Public Procurement Law, 2011, Lagos State Tenancy Law, Appropriation (Amendment) Law, Re-Ordering of priorities in 2011 Budget among others.

He said, “I have raised a motion on the floor of the House urging it to pass a resolution to give a helping hand to Mushin Local Government Council saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the security of lives and property of the people.

“This motion has since been adopted and passed as a resolution of the House.”

The lawmaker stressed that the House had passed bills that would ensure the safety of lives of the people in Lagos and its environs.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker, who used the opportunity to unveil his quarterly in-house journal, The Ambassadors, told his constituents that he had ensured the employment of some of the people of the constituency into the civil service and empowered some others to be financially independent.

Highlighting other dividends of democracy he had brought to his Constituency, Ayinla said that there was an on-going construction of portable water borehole projects in all the 10 wards of the Constituency some of which he would commission by next week.

Meanwhile, the National Legal Adviser of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Muiz Banire has urged politicians in the country to ensure effective representation of their people while calling on the electorates to always demand accountability from their representatives.

•624 students get bursary at third Town Hall meeting


Amid fanfare, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande yesterday inaugurated the Lagos Central Constituency Office of Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

The ceremony, which preceded the senator’s third Town Hall meeting at Rock View Hotel, Apapa, was part of her first year anniversary programmes.

Senator Tinubu is representing Lagos Central District, which has 13 local government areas and local council development areas (LCDAs).

Six hundred and twenty four students received N10,000 bursary each from the senator under her Post-Primary School Scholarship Scheme (PPSSS) to defray the cost of textbooks.

The gesture was applauded by ACN leaders in the district. Twenty thousand naira each was given to 624 traders under the senator’s Petty Traders Empowerment Capital Scheme (PETECS).

While disbursing the cash, the senator urged the youths to work hard to succeed in life.

Statesmen, foremost politicians, monarchs, religious leaders and numerous admirers defied the downpour to attend the event, which started at 10.30am with an opening prayer by Pastor J. F. Odesola of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

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Akande noted that the constituency office, which Senator Tinubu christens ‘Rehoboth House’, will serve as a meeting point for her and her constituents to examine ideas, articulate senatorial interests and collate constructive suggestions for her [size=13pt]legislative[/size] duty.

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He emphasised the importance of the parliament in democracy, saying the setting up of the constituency office is in tune with modern practice of establishing a link between the legislator and constituents.

Mrs. Fashola, who was the Mother of the Day, hailed Mrs. Tinubu for her activities at the National Assembly and her poverty alleviation programmes in Lagos Central District.

She said: “Mrs. Tinubu has been a good senator to emulate. She has given scholarships to many youths and she has been holding Town Hall meetings regularly in her district. I urge the constituents to lodge their complaints and make good suggestions in aid of her legislative activities through this constituency office.”

Olusi, a member of the House of Representatives in the defunct Second Republic, noted that Mrs. Tinubu has justified the confidence reposed in her as a politician and senator.

He said she has not let the people of Lagos Central District down.

Senator Tinubu thanked God, party leaders and constituents who gave her the mandate a year ago.

To Akande, who she said had steered the party in an exemplary way, she said: “By the grace of God, we will berth on the shores of that great harbour in 2015.”

The senator told her constituents that the inauguration marked the fulfillment of one of her responsibilities as a senator representing the district.

She said: “We are open to you five days in a week; Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5pm. I will personally be attending to some requests every two weeks on Fridays, between 10am and 2pm.”

Mrs Tinubu said she was motivated to inaugurate the office on “June 12 Day”.

According to her, the day reminds ACN members of the price paid for the restoration of civil rule 13 years ago.

Senator Tinubu added: “Our struggles and commitment hold true to the saying by Thomas Paine that ‘if there must be trouble, let it be in my day that my child may have peace’. June 12, 1993 was a day that those of us who experienced it would never forget. Our nation rose as one to speak with one voice through an election adjudged as the freest and fairest ever in Nigeria’s political history. Sadly, the result was annulled by military fiat on June 26, 1993, bringing the entire nation to a standstill.”

She noted that despite its inherent weaknesses, democracy has remained the best framework for representative and accountable government. The lawmaker urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the protection of popular rule.

Mrs Tinubu added: “On my part, I will continue with my relentless pursuit of those [size=13pt]policies[/size] on education, gender rights and social security for the aged and free and fair elections that will be of benefit to the great number of the people.

“The opening of this office will aid us better in understanding the position and agitation of our people. I promise again to do my best to serve and uphold the ideals of our great party, especially our populist democratic objectives, as entrenched in our great party’s manifesto, at the federal and state levels.”

At yesterday’s parley, where the senator gave account of her stewardship, Ibeju Lekki/Eti-Osa ACN Leader, Prince Murphy Adetoro, praised Mrs. Tinubu for living up to expectation as a senator and role model.

He noted that if she sustains the tempo, she may become the first female governor in the state.

The wife of the party chairman, Mrs. Toun Ajomale, advised women to participate in politics to prove the point that they can make a difference.

She said: “Senator Tinubu has shown that women can make a difference in politics and administration. Women are not supposed to be on-lookers but stakeholders who should participate effectively in politics.”

Tendering her scorecard, Mrs Tinubu spoke of her activities as a member of eight committees in the Senate. They are those of Employment, Labour and Productivity, of which she is Vice-Chairman; Education, Marine Transport, Trade and Investment, Millennium Development Goals, Womens Affairs and Youth Development as well as Constitution Review.

She said in furtherance of her commitment to women empowerment, she has sponsored a Bill to affirm the rights of women to employment by expunging Section 57 of the Labour Act, 2004, which “potentially limits the participation of women in certain ventures and industry”.

The senator also said she has submitted the names of 50 constituents to the National Directorate of Employment for vocational training, adding that another constituent’s name has been submitted for consideration in the NIMASA Seafarers Development Programme.

Mrs. Tinubu added that as a member of the Education Committee, she has objected to the “casualisation of teachers” by advocating that casual teachers should be given full employment, if they meet stipulated requirements.

The senator said Lagos Central District would benefit from the Millennium Development Goals’ (MDDGs’) programmes of climate change, skill acquisition and street lighting.

stepo707: I learnt farouk has been suspended.Channels news

r231: account info sent

thanks

kokoA: One thing I know is that buhari is not afraid of anybody that is why he has no friends.. This is the kind of person we need as a president because he has nobody to shield from justice. Under Buhari, there will be no sacred cows..

acidtalk: You people always think because someone's father is a governor, minister or president, the person is automatically a billionaire. If not because Nigeria has drowned in so much corruption, these public office holders are ordinary civil servants that should earn basic salary and allowance the way its done in developed countries.

Ojukwu's wealth surpassed her father's stolen government wealth over and over again.

Hope I have managed to educate you a bit?

dasparrow: As for the homosexuality part, when the time comes, the same way God intends to deal with mystery babylon (america) and her ungodly culture which she tries to force down people's throat around the world is the same way God will deal with those nations who adopt ungodly cultures into their countries.

owobokiri: You dont put the cart before the horse.
You first try to have a "manufacturing base" before you devaleu your currency to energise export. You devaleu before putting up a manufacturing structure, you end up a net importer like Nigeria after SAP. The Chinese manufacturing ability is huge and fervently protected by the state. So your chinese example is not on. Maybe she is trying to entice the sex-tourists as somebody earlier mentioned. . Again her views on same sex marriage was mentioned in the original post and thats why it is an issue to MANY Africans.

gtrust: I'm sorry but did I hear you say 'saves'
She just devalued their National currency 3times over!