₦airaland Forum

I support the impeachment, Oya carry on. This might finally bring peace to the landmass called Nigeria.

It's the End of the World as We Know It

Nigeria is drifting toward political violence that may result in disputed February elections and authorities need to take action to avert such an outcome, International Crisis Group said.

An Islamist insurgency and a polarizing campaign for the presidency pitting candidates from the mainly Muslim north against an incumbent from the largely Christian south point to “a very perilous contest whose results may also be disputed,” the Brussels-based group said today in an e-mailed report.

“Boko Haram’s insurgency makes these elections particularly fraught, but it is only a microcosm of the country’s deepening political, religious and ethnic divides,” Nnamdi Obasi, ICG’s senior analyst for West Africa, said in the report. “With only three months to the polls, mitigating bloodshed requires urgent improvements in security and electoral arrangements, as well as in political mind-sets.”

President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the southern oil region, has said he wants to be the ruling-party candidate to seek re-election in the Feb. 14 vote. Former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are both vying for the opposition All Progressive Congress ticket. The People’s Democratic Party, in charge of the country since the military relinquished power in 1999, is facing its strongest challenge yet from the APC, formed through the merger of three leading opposition parties.

Africa’s biggest economy and most populous country of more than 170 million is almost evenly split between Christians and Muslims.

A victory for Jonathan may spark protests and clashes in the north, while a loss would increase the risk of violence in the oil-rich Niger River delta, his home region, according to ICG.

To contact the reporter on this story: Dulue Mbachu in Abuja at dmbachu@bloomberg.net


http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-11-21/nigeria-campaign-tone-signals-violent-vote-crisis-group-says

It is always funny to read, people calling Jonathan a sectarian leader. I wonder what country they grew up in. How dare Jonathan practice his faith in their supposedly Islamic country. Yet, most of these town criers want to die for their united Nigeria. United doing what?

jmaine:
Just imagine the futile foolishness of these localized legislooters . . . .

An expose has raised a furor over a self-styled prophet's exploitation of poor people. While such cases are not new, this latest has prompted a sharp reaction.



He is a self-styled modern-day prophet, a "miracle healer" who has attracted thousands to his Nairobi "church" with claims of being able to cure everything from childlessness to HIV/AIDS.

But last month, the investigative news program "Inside Story" here exposed Victor Kanyari, who ran the Salvation Healing Ministry, as a charlatan. The program revealed elaborate playacting by Mr. Kanyari and a group of devoted followers who helped perpetuate his claims by making false testimonies and staging "healings" in front of the congregation.

Such cases are not new – but the blowback this time is significant. Many Kenyans are outraged that Kanyari easily exploited widespread trust in church institutions and targeted the poor, many of whom are desperate and willing to pay small fees to get the aid Kanyari promised. The case has spurred a bid for new regulation, with the attorney general announcing last week an indefinite ban on registering any new churches. And for mainstream Christians, it raises concerns that faith in the honesty of most religious outlets will decline.



“A person like me is not going” to someone like Kanyari, says John Masinde, a Pentecostal pastor in Nairobi – rather, he says, it’s someone living in a slum who is struggling to get by.

“In an economy like this one, you’ll find there are millions of people who live on a meal a day who cannot afford good medical care, who have gone to school but don’t have a job," he says. "Those scenarios are fertile for people to come up and offer a miracle cure."

All religious institutions in Kenya are supposed to register with the government, but the process described by church leaders is lax. And while the mainstream Christian, evangelical, and Catholic churches each have umbrella organizations to represent their members, they count only a fraction of the churches in Kenya as members, and the leaders have no authority to enforce standards or stop malpractice. There has been little to stop the proliferation of the “miracle healers.”

In this case, Kanyari denied the allegations, saying soon after the piece aired, "Why are people believing so much in Mohamed Ali [the journalist] and not prophet Kanyari?... Mohamed Ali is against the church, how do you see?"

He hasn’t been legally charged, and seems to be practicing as usual, although police have said they will soon begin interviewing people who say they were conned by Kanyari. The TV expose revealed deep deception: In one of the most damning parts of the program, a former assistant contends that Kanyari used the chemical compound potassium permanganate, which turns red when it comes into contact with water, when washing the feet of congregants to convince people that his prayer was causing blood – and the illness carried in it – to leach out of their bodies. His assistants also hid needles in their hands, which they then dumped into the foot baths to add to the illusion.

DESPERATION

Both tough circumstances and someone who appeared to have solutions attracted people to Kanyari, according to some observers.

“People are in poverty and they are looking for quick solutions,” says Oliver Kisaka Simiyu, the deputy general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, the umbrella organization representing mainstream Christian churches.

“They don’t know that he has put needles in his hands, potassium [permagnamate] in his fingers. They just see needles coming out [of the foot baths where his assistants had been bathing their feet],” he explains. “What is a miracle? It’s an unusual occurrence!” And Kanyari, as seen in the documentary, was good at making the unusual happen.

It’s not just about desperation, though, says Rev. David Oginde, the vice chairman of the Kenyan Evangelical Alliance and the presiding bishop of Christ is the Answer Ministries, a Pentecostal church in Nairobi. Kanyari gave people answers, or at least the sense that someone was in control, he says, in an increasingly hectic world with too many questions.

LEVERAGING THE CHURCH

But for many Kenyans, despite the occasional incident of fraudulent behavior, churches remain in high esteem – unlike government, media, and unions.

“That high name becomes an asset, and it is this asset that crooks would use,” Mr. Kisaka says.

“If you wanted to get things across or you wanted to access certain things, if you came in the name of the church you attracted less questioning,” Kisaka says. “No one expects someone coming in the name of the church to do this.”

Kisaka argues that it is the government, not Kanyari, that is ultimately to blame. He calls him a product of the official culture, and says the corruption so prevalent in government leaves everyone looking for their opportunity to make money.

“Kanyari is an ordinary Kenyan, hungry, looking for food, wanting status and power. If the fellow with whom he was in class has become a member of parliament and can pass by him driving a four-wheel, he wonders, ‘What is in my power to drive that same car?’ ” Kisaka says. “Talking about Kanyari is minimizing the problem. The real problem is that there is a culture of misuse of opportunity and power in this country in almost every sector, and that culture is taking advantage of the powerless.”

This story was reported with support from the Ford Foundation.

That lawmaker probably lost his ticket from PDP come the primary election. He is better off, decamping to APC now. . The man rough handed the Senate President, though I never saw a slap...

Nevertheless, the old soldier in David Mark has shown himself again. Give your enemy enough rope to hang themselves.

Some eCommerce stores don't ship to Nigeria period, don't make a big deal about it. Find one willing to ship to Nigeria.

NgeneUkwenu:
Advise Oliseh Metuh

Ota Mi Dehin Lehin Mi

Police did their job yesterday, based on information available to them. If you think the police crossed any line, you are free to seek justice in court.

Can't see the slap. I see an angry man, having a temper, dressed in white moving hands that touched mark's shoulders/body, Is that the slap.

Your sufferings will continue. How can a people be so out of touch with their own realities. I want government to sell fuel to you all for N5.00. You are a born Nigerian and you deserve it . Useless bunch of animals.

While APC is trying to set Nigeria on fire at every junction, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is keeping the transformation agenda on course.

By Gabriel Ewepu

In actualisation of the Federal Government’s cassava transformation agenda and the cassava inclusion policy in bread flour, the minister of Agriculture, Dr. Adesina Akinwumi, launched the first commercial 10 per cent composite cassava flour products in the country during the week.

Dr. Akinwumi Adesina said at the launchthat government’s goal is to ensure Nigeria becomes the largestcassava processor as it has occupied the position of the largest producer of the commodity in the world.

Adesina said: “This government is determined that Nigeria will unlock the potential of our agriculture and reverse decades of dependency on food imports. The results are showing.

“The agricultural transformation agenda has added N 780 billion to the economy within the past three years. And our aggressive approach to ensure that we process and add value to all our crops is beginning to open up new income streams for our farmers. A good example is the case of cassava. Today, we have turned cassava into gold for our farmers.

“Today we are gathered to launch the first commercial 10 per cent composite cassava flour product, from Nigeria’s number 1 and number 2 flour millers, Flour Mills of Nigeria and Honeywell, and to commission equipments that will enable our bakers raise the bar of inclusion to 20 per cent and beyond.

Speaking at the Occasion, the Group Managing Director of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc., Mr Paul Gbededo said the company as the leader in the industry has significantly and strategically invested in some food and agro-allied value chains to align with Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda.

Gbededo explained that the launch of Golden Penny Multi-purpose flour, which is a combination of wheat flour and 10 per cent high quality cassava flour is a testimony to the government’s agenda.

“ The new Golden Penny Multi-Purpose Flour will complement Flour Mills other baking flour products like Golden Penny Prime Flour, Golden Penny Confectionery Flour and Eagle Wheat Flour.”

He added that a good instance of this group synergy is the acquisition of Thai Farms in Ogun State by Flour Mills of Nigeria, for the cultivation and production of cassava tubers.

“Thai Farms has the capacity to process 300 tonnes of cassava flour per day which is about 75 tonnes of high quality cassava flour. We also have 10,000 hectares of farmland at our Kaboji Farms, Niger State and 5,000 hectares in Shao, Kwara State among others for the cultivation of cassava to supplement our food business.”

Mr Gbededo said that FMN continues to be one of the largest promoters of Government’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda with on-going investments in agro allied initiatives that support their concept of integrated food basket of products with home grown produce, “that is designed to maximize local content in our final products as we remain committed to our policy of being involved at all stages of the food value chain from ‘Farm to Table’.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/fg-launches-commercial-10-composite-cassava-flour/#sthash.sdQnfgJW.dpuf

Aloralord1:
Lolz. What happened when Ken Saro wiwa was killed? Stop bluffing bro! Though I dont see it sailing through but stop hiding behind a computer to make empty threats. Can u even operate a pistol? Never pray for war my brother!

The same thing that happened after Abiola and Shehu Yaradua's deaths

okiezman:
Stories from stupid northern law makers I dare you to try it and see where Yall go end....mtchew rubbish...if una like collect 500 signatures...jokers

donphilopus:
As usual, defending the indefensible. Are you not ashamed of yourself?! Even after you were called out by Nairalanders when you asked Keyamo to write to Tompolo?! Guy, there are stuffs you shouldn't celebrate because it'd only make you look foolish!

Dumbasss ediot like you, thank your God Jonathan is President. Obj would have ordered shoot at sight today. Rats like you will be running under the chair. Your lawlessness in this country must be contained, before parasites like you set this country on fire.

You take yourself serious enough believing,you can call someone out on NL . What a midget you are. Keyamo knows where Tompolo resides, let him come and show face.

IG job well done. We cannot condone lawlessness.

Says the scenario is unfortunate
By Henry Umoru
ABUJA- THE Presidency Thursday backed the Inspector – General of Police, Suleiman Abba who ordered heavily armed security operatives to block the National Assembly Complex where Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and other lawmakers were prevented from gaining access to the House to preside over the deliberation on the extension of emergency rule in the North-East.
According to the Presidency, the Inspector- General of Police was not only carrying out his constitutional functions in his capacity as the number one police officer, but also carried out the assignment to protect lives and property, just as it described Thursday’s incident as unfortunate.
Addressing Journalists Thursday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe who noted that Suleiman Abba never invaded the National Assembly, but barricaded it said, “Assumption (on whether the police boss was acting on instruction from the President) should stop. The IGP is a very senior officer of the government and his duties are to enforce the law.
“He doesn’t need to get the villa to enforce the law. He is not a house boy. Though he works under the government but he is expected to defend the law. IGP has the duty to enforce the law. He acted in the discharge of his duty. The IGP didn’t invade the assembly. It is wrong to assume that.”
” The whole scenario at the National Assembly today as we witnessed is rather unfortunate. We wish that at all times; national interest should supersede all other interests including personal and political interests.
“From Government perspective, the overriding concern today is the issue of insurgency which necessitated the request by Mr President that the National Assembly considers an extension of the State of Emergency to give the Security forces the needed legal framework and space for a successful prosecution of the war against Boko Haram terrorists.
“It is our hope that the Honorable members of the House of Representatives will use the period of adjournment to resolve all matters so that they can resume to deliberate and act on issues of National importance.”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/nass-siege-presidency-backs-police-ig-says-carried-constitutional-functions/#sthash.87GwrP1y.dpuf

The is a video clip for the ages.

IGBOSON1:
Nice try altwireles!.....But this one you've just posted is not the coastal railway route in question!

1385 track-km and $13B is more than the coastal route. That's my guess.

Frankenstein:
70% of these lines will be abandoned or go uncompleted before GEJ leaves office in 2019.

ok

[s]

Trailblazer1:
I hope the rails and trains won't be the sloppy-sluggish-rickety-crawling types I see at Oshodi? If it is, then they better use the money to buy us bicycles.

But if the deal is for a speed train, like the ones that ply the American subways then we are actually moving FORWARD.

I can't wait to ride in it.

[/s]

Sincere9gerian:
So southeast is not covered. When is the Lagos-Benin-Onitsha railway going to take off

Some parts of benin-Onitsha project, is already incorporated into the 2nd Niger bridge design. The Coastal route incorporates the rest.

Sincere9gerian:
So southeast is not covered

This is the full design

Francis5:
It should go as close to the ocean as possible (like a few 10s of kilometers to it) so that we can harness that feature more.

Will cost too much, the coastal areas are mainly swampland.