₦airaland Forum

I dont need to tell them anything positive or negative.  They know Nigeria more than you.

I dont get it. Is it that we are all saying that the ills that befalls this country are all caused by IBB even before he became President and even the ones we are having now 17 years after he stepped aside? Will all our problems go away if he decides not to contest anymore. Someone help me out.

@poster - you seriously mean you need Tinubu to present a candidate to you before you make your choice. I pity you.

I am not too sure, but I think the momentum is sleeping away from Johnathan (not too sure the momentum was ever with him). Why has he not still declared? At the last count 3 (SERIOUS)people have declared their interest to contect for the presidency next year and they are all NORTHERNERS. Southerners just want the pie to fall from above

We just showed GREEN HORNED WEST BROM the BLUE SIDE of life.

It appears Goodluck Jonathan is actually scared of putting his hat into the ring. If he is so sure of winning and we are wont to believe, why the delay? I tell you he has made the greatest mistake by allowing Northerners to officially declare their ambition FIRST.

Here we go again.  N55B just register voters?  How much to conduct the entire elections?  Iwu will soon be a saint

www.thenationonlineng.net/web3

Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Mohammed Abba Aji yesterday said that former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida would not contest the 2011 presidential election with President Goodluck Jonathan.


According to him, Babangida would step aside from the race any moment from now.


Abba Aji, who is the chairman of Friends of Democracy, a coalition of groups drumming support for President Jonathan for the 2011 presidential race, spoke to journalists in his office Thursday.


He maintained that there were good reasons why Babangida will not contest the election with Jonathan.


According to him, Babangida understands what is at stake in Nigeria today and that he would not do anything that could jeopardise the unity and stability of the nation, stressing that the former military leader had made similar personal and political sacrifices in the past, by sacrificing his personal interests for the good of the country.


“Former President Babangida is not just a member of the PDP but also a well respected leader of the party. We respect him a lot because he has made a lot of political sacrifices before. He has also made a lot of personal sacrifices too,” Abba Aji said

Yes you must my friend. If I genuinely misplace my ring I can bet you my wife will buy another one same day and I must wear it same day. Marriage is a trap and I am loving every bit of it. Make up your mind fast.

What if she chats with a female who teaches her forex?  would that be ok with y'all.  Why is everybody telling her to quit the pc and start using the typewriter?  My problem at home is that my wife is not computer literate and can barely send an email. My take is that it is ok for the guy to spend eternity online and not for the babe. why is that people.

People, its not a question of joining him in the sitting room. Its not a easy as that. I sleep in the sitting room MOST times. It all started when I started watching TV late into the night. You'd think a solution would be to watch the TV in our living room together but the same woman will complain that the TV disturbs her. So? what to do? I bet you the woman will only complicate matters when she joins him in the sitting room because he might wan to listen to the news and he wants nollywood and another chapter is introduced into the feud. In my own case I shuttle between the living room and the sitting room and thus far my wife is no longer complaining. Come to think of it we sleep at different times and I know no one wants to disturb the other. Its all about understanding. Its only FULL TIME housewives that bother about where their husband sleeps in the house. A career woman who has had a hectic and challenging day will be too tired at night to know where her husband is sleeping as long as she knows they are under the same roof.

http://tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/front-page-articles/864-senate-to-debate-ex-govs-marriage-to-minor.html

THERE are strong indications that the Senate will on resumption from the Easter break debate the recent marriage of Senator Sanni Yerima to a 13-year-old girl from Egypt.
Speaking with Sunday Tribune on condition of anonymity, a source at the Senate disclosed that  “the upper legislative body will soon deliberate on the marriage recently contracted between Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State and  serving Senator to an underage girl from Egypt.

“The development is very very wrong and lacks any sign of morality. It is a clear case of child abuse which we have been fighting against. It is illegal and should be condemned by well meaning and right thinking Nigerians,” the highly influential Senator declared.

The lawmaker noted that “the law of the land frowns at this kind of marriage which is a clear case of child abuse. It is embarrassing to the Senate and indeed the National Assembly and that is why the issue would be tabled before the Senate and decision will be taken.”

Condemning the marriage, the federal lawmaker stated that, “the development becomes more embarrassing considering the calibre of the Senator involved, who should know better  as a former state chief executive and a serving lawmaker.”

Former governor of Zamfara State and a serving Senator, Alhaji Sani Yerima, few weeks ago got married to a 13-year-old girl from Egypt.

Sunday Tribune reliably gathered that the marriage ceremony between the senator and the  minor was not allowed to take place in Egypt because of an existing law which bars minors from getting married, hence, the ceremony was shifted to Nigeria.

In 2003, the National Assembly passed a law on child rights which supercedes the provisions under the Sharia legal code. The law clearly forbids marrying girls under the age of 18.

How low and lower can the apostle of Sharia go?  Does sharia law actually support his choice of a kid as a wife?

+ bluetooth + infra red

www.thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/43083/1/Babangida-I-wont-buy-my-way-to-presidency/Page1.html

Former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida yesterday vowed not to buy his way to power in next year’s presidential election.

Speaking on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Focus on Africa programme, Babangida said he had the experience to be president.

The popular thinking is that his wealth is the driving force in his bid to return to power.

Gen. Babangida, who annulled the June 12, 1993 election – Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever – is one of the country’s wealthiest men.

"You’ll be glad to know, I’m the most investigated Nigerian living today," he said.

"Perhaps after 17 years it (report of investigation) ought to have come out by now, unless somebody is not doing his job."

He spoke of his determination to run for president for a second time even if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) does not select him as its candidate.

PDP has zoned its presidential ticket to the North.

"What I am sure of - I can always find one party out of 51 that I can pitch my tent with," he said.

Gen. Babangida took power in 1985 in a bloodless coup, but was toppled by mass protests after he annulled the election, which was won by his friend, frontline businessman Chief Moshood Abiola. He has refused to apologise for that action which plunged Nigeria into turmoil.

The former military ruler defended his democratic credentials and said he could offer Nigerians "leadership and experience".

"I have conducted the freest and fairest and this is attested to by the international community - elections in the history of our country," he said.

"The fact that it was annulled is a different story altogether."

He pulled out of the 2007 presidential election when then-President Olusegun Obasanjo declared supported President Umaru Yar’Adua’s candidacy.

Mr Yar’Adua has not been seen in public since last November last year because of his ill-health and is considered unlikely to seek re-election.

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan would not be a candidate under the PDP policy of alternating power between North and South, with each region having two terms.

At an international conference on "political stability and democratic imperatives in dynamic international environment" in Abuja organised by National Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (NIPSS), Babangida said next year’s election would determine the future of democratic governance in the country.

Represented by former Chief of Army Staff Maj. Gen. Alwali Kazir, he said: "Nigerians and indeed the international community have concluded that Nigeria should by now have learnt a lot about democratic practices such that the 2011 elections should serve as the transitional threshold between democratic naivety and the practice of rational, intelligent, nationalistic and people focused democratic governance, starting with the conduct and outcome of election itself. All stakeholders are keenly watching the development. All eyes are on Nigeria. Many feel that ‘it’s now or never.’

"I am convinced that we all recognise the enormity of the task ahead of us. The huge enthusiasm evident in each of us and the air of readiness that is palpable across the various strata of the country is indicative of our acceptance of this challenge and the collective determination to engage the issues squarely. With this mindset and giving the unfolding events in Nigeria’s political arena, I am optimistic that we shall not fail to deliver on expectations."

Babangida said political stability could only be guaranteed in a democracy if those elected to serve govern in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution.

He said: "There can only be political stability in a democracy if those freely elected rule in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution.

"Nigeria is still a state in evolution. It needs commitment on the part of the political leadership to do the right thing for the people and to put national interest above self, sectarian and ethnic interest. Leadership is the most important element in need to build a nation.

"Nigerian politicians must demonstrate the seriousness of purpose needed to build a virile nation. For now there is still too much emphasis on religion and ethnic origin and little respect for merit and competence. Our country needs clear headed public spirited leaders at every level to propel this country to a higher stage of development than is presently the case.

"If we have the right calibre of people at the helm of affairs then it will be much easier to practise democracy in truth and in deed. The meaning of democracy is no longer in doubt. Democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people. So there is no midway house to democratic governance."

Babangida blamed the various ethnic and religious crises in the country on poverty.

"We need to move away from the incessant religious and ethnic confrontations sometimes leading to mutual manslaughter of our people. What is behind these eruptions is largely poverty. Idle hands are the devil’s instrument. If people are fully engaged they would hardly have time for seeing other as enemies. Religion should be a personal affair. Each person would answer for his or her misdeeds before the Almighty," he stated.

The guest speaker and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Bola Ajibola, urged Iwu to resign now in his own interest.

Ajibola added that the Justice Muhammadu Uwais Electoral Committee’s report is germane to credible elections.

Speaking on the theme of the conference: "Political Stability and Democratic Imperatives in a Dynamic International Environment", the former Judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, said: "Let me quickly chip it in here that as we have proclaimed to the world that we are embarking on electoral reforms, we should conclude that process honourably by fashioning out a more credible system from the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Uwais Panel.

"Otherwise, the recommendations of that panel would have amounted to another waste, not only of resources but more importantly of time… We should avoid the mockery of another election. In my view, if I were Prof Maurice Iwu, I would honourably resign my appointment as the Chairman of our Independent national Electoral Commission (INEC)."

According to Ajibola, democracy presumes an atmosphere where elections are free and fair and where legislative seats are based on votes scored in an election, not by "cross-carpeting; and where there is no clear majority in the legislature, several parties may come together to form a coalition government."

"That was the system with which our country was midwifed; the parliamentary system," Ajibola said. "But we have since changed to the more expensive, winner-takes-all presidential system, irrespective of its suitability to our needs and yearnings."

He noted that corruption has become "terribly endemic" within Nigeria and "fast pushing us into unstoppable backwardness … if we can stop the rate of alarming corruption, definitely poverty will be drastically reduced in our society."

Ajibola added: "There is a widespread tendency in this country to limit the issue of corruption to financial matters alone. In as much as that remains a big problem for us in the country, corruption hinged on time, is weightier and has probably cost this nation.

To Ajibola, said Nigerian politicians are among the most-highly remunerated in the world.

He said: "It is an open secret that the Nigerian political class probably ranks among the most highly remunerated in the world. It is logical, therefore, that to whom much is given, much is expected.

"Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in our country. Reports abound on the internet and the general press of primitive acquisition of stupendous wealth and its unabashed flaunting by some politicians.’’

He said the situation highlights the emerging picture of a lack of deterrence, in spite of the giant strides recorded over the years in the administration of justice.

"The equation is quite simple. If A commits a crime and was able to mitigate his punishment or bought his freedom outrightly, `B’ may be tempted to commit the same crime and `C’ will surely not be deterred in anyway from committing the same crime.

"They will all continue to revel with their ill-gotten gains in the society as criminis participens,’’ he added.

"If we can stop the rate of alarming corruption, definitely poverty will be drastically reduced in our society," Ajibola said.

The former minister added: "The wealth of the country is still locked in the vaults and bank accounts of a few, very few indeed, in the society.

"The average Nigerian knows that a 1.969 GDP per capita is a far cry from being truly representative of the conditions of the proletariat in the actual sense of it."

He commended Acting President Goodluck Jonathan for his open abhorrence of time corruption and determination to deal decisively with same.

On the recent Jos crisis, Ajibola urged all the key figures involved in finding a lasting solution to the problem to expedite action on it and ensure a just and equitable resolution of the issues.

He said that the sad experience of the Niger Delta would have been avoided, if the recommendations of the Willink Commission set up in 1958 had been implemented.

On the fight against terrorism, Ajibola said governments and international agencies should, among other measures, organise orientation for youths.

The Special Guest of Honour and former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, who was represented by retired Maj.-Gen. Alwali Kazir, said the 2011 elections should serve as the transitional threshold between democratic naivety and the practice of people-focused democratic governance.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, said that to ensure a stable democracy, there was the need to harness the resources of women.

She called on women to participate in the 2011 elections.

The Director-General of NIPSS, Prof. Danfulani Ahmed, had earlier said that the conference marked the beginning of another strategic window of intervention to shape the course of the nation’s resolute march to greater destiny.

Women get jealous over anything and everything. Kids'd naturally have affection to any person that pays them attention more. Is it the husband's fault that the wife pays more attention to her clothes and outlook than the children?

OLD TRAFFORD IS NOW OLD TOILET

Are you surprised or you just think its impossible?

April 6, 2010 05:05PM http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5551073-146/barkindo_removed_as_nnpcs_head.csp



The Presidency today announced the removal of the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo.

A statement from Ima Niboro, Senior Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Acting President read, "The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has appointed Alhaji Shehu Ladan as the new Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. He replaces Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo."

Ladan retired from NNPC April 6th, 2009, as Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment. He was also former Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, Executive Director of NETCo as well as NPDC, both subsidiaries of NNPC.

Ladan is expected to execute the administration’s vision of transforming the NNPC into a global brand and player.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/04/02/ibb-amaechi-root-for-true-federalism/

ABEOKUTA – FORMER Military President Ibrahim Babangida, speaking yesterday, On his ambition to take another shot at the Presidency next year, the former leader said he was still consulting with his political associates on how to prosecute the 2011 presidential election.

He warned that for the Nigerian nation to make any appreciable progress, it must practise true federalism saying “true federalism is the issue for this country.”

Affirming that the country needed to implement the report of the Muhamadu Uwais report on electoral reforms, Babangida said the report was the way forward in resolving the country’s myriad of political challenges.

In apparent reference to the new cabinet being put together by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, the former President said that he believed in small governments and not big ones.

Also, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State who was the guest of honour at the Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel’s birthday lecture in Abeokuta harped on the issue of true federalism

Babangida on true federalism
Babangida who spoke in Abeokuta as chairman of the Governor Gbenga Daniel’s birthday lecture series said the issues creating problems for the country must be addressed urgently.

He said: “Some people have tagged me an advocate of confederalism. True federalism is the issue for this country. We have lived together for 50 years and there are issues that must be addressed. Some of them are settled: Presidential system and whether we remain a republic; those are settled.

“But we must try to look at those creating problems. I believe in small governments, not big governments. We do not have to say government must do everything. Some of the best brains in the world are Nigerians, so why can’t we make use of them. I want to say that whoever believes in true federalism will have my vote in 2011.”

Babangida who was heralded into the auditorium with a huge applause said that his coming to Abeokuta was like homecoming, noting that when he lived in Abeokuta 44 years ago, he established an ancestral home there with people who make Ogun State including the traditional rulers.

He then charged some media personalities including Chief Mrs. Doyin Abiola, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Chief Taiwo Alimi who were present at the lecture to establish a media outfit that would try to change the thinking of the people positively.

He said: “You should set up a media outfit to change the thinking of the people. When I was a young boy, I read Tai Solarin Column and it impacted on us as young people. That is what we are lacking. I will be there as usual as a patron.”

Babangida on 2011 ambition

Babangida who also spoke to reporters on departure to Minna at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos said as a former military president and dictator, he was anxious over the clarion call for him to offer his contributions to national development.

The former military leader who flew into Lagos aboard a private jet with registration number ZS-KBS was dressed in a blue agbada. He rode into the expansive presidential wing in an 18 car convoy amid tight security. He rode in grey colour Toyota Land Cruiser 2009 model, with no number plate.

After a few minutes of prayer, which he joked over as supplication to God to save him from the problems of journalists, IBB as he is fondly called said: “As far as the 2011 presidential elections are concerned, I am still doing consultations. I am still doing wide consultations with my political associates, I will give you feedback very soon.

“There is no such thing that I am the only solution to Nigeria’s problems. I am not the absolute solution to Nigeria’s problems, but I can only make my contributions.
“Nigeria is the only country I have, at least I have a contribution to make.”

On whether he was convinced about his role in bringing about socio-economic re-engineering of Nigeria, IBB said: “That is your own opinion which I very much appreciate, and if it is the general opinion, I will be dictating by the general opinion.”

On his assessment of the quality of leadership in Nigeria, IBB said: “What I want is for all of us, politicians, to be very tolerant. If we are tolerant we will be able to move the country forward.”
On the clamour for the removal of the INEC chairman, Maurice Iwu, IBB said: “At the level of Babangida who was the former military president, dictator, I do not comment on individuals, I comment on national issues. Change is permanent in the world.”

On the Uwais electoral reform report, he said: “I read it, I think it is a good job, done by very credible Nigerians. If you see the list of people who produced that document, they are very credible.”

On the solution to the ethnic crises in the country, Babangida said: “ True federalism is the solution. “

The Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who was guest of honour, also harped on the issue of true federalism and lamented that the country was bereft of productive economy because everybody was relying on government patronage.

Confused federal structure

Noting that the nation was “a dependant confused federal structure,” he insisted, adding that Nigeria was not practising federalism.

He said: “In Nigeria, power has been personalized, instead of the structure being institutionalized. The political space should belong to the people. When men begin to play god, God should reassert Himself. I am a product of conflict between some people playing god and God.

“The rich is a non-productive rich depending on oil. Once you grab oil, you have made it. This is evident in the number of people struggling to be governors of oil- rich states and Lagos. How can there be free and fair elections when the rich know that a village man can become President. These are contradictions of realities in Nigeria.

“Nigeria is not a federalism. We are a dependent confused federal structure, a marriage of convenience. The next election would be determined by issues. Questions would be raised. Why do we produce the oil and the Federal projects go elsewhere. We run a government of servitude, leader-servant relationship with the President.”

In the lecture titled “The Personalities, the Institutions and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria,” founder and president of Salem Communications in the United States of America, Dr. Don Kroah said that until Nigeria could get credible executive leaders in both the executive and legislature, the future of its democracy will always be at stake.

“Credible executive leaders and credible legislatures made up of qualitative personalities can sustain democracy. Until Nigeria has such personalities, the future of its democracy will always be at stake.”

Tout
Thug
Conductor

You can hold something called a Diploma or Degree for a better chance to advance in life. Make your choice. Cheers.

www.mynlsp.com. Most Applicants are not posted to any campus yet. They are just given full admission.

@aieromon

CNN, BBC, AIT, TBN, Cartoon Network, Child, MTV Base, Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, MBC2, MBC4, MBC Action, MBC Max, Star World, Starmovies, Showsports2, showsports4, aljazeera Sport2 and aljazeera sport3.

Is cheating on you. I think in our culture here in Africa men dont give it a thought whereas it is the preoccupation of women even if the man is the POPE.

April Fool. Let's be reminded that the April Fool prank terminates at 12 noon but ttrust Nigerians, they never know when to stop.

April Fool

@princekovo

Not on NL. Maybe in politics section. There are other fine spirited ladies in other section e.g Chaircover in family section et al.

The main reason they will harrass and harangue the man is because they suspect his gonna land the finance portfolio and will not play ball.

An old senseless and retarded Senator from Katsina who was Yar'Adua's a.s.s licker before his ailment.

I still need someone to tell me why we must remain as one indivisible entity called Nigeria. What is wrong with splitting?

You all need to have watched the live telecast of the screening and see how God confounds the counsel of the ungodly. The northern agenda was thoroughly nullified by Dora's calm mien and disposition. I am sure the northern senators will be angry with Kanti Bello for his premature onslaught that proved fatal to their devilish cause. For those who say Dora was once pro-Yar Adua and has no business been a latter day saint, read your Bible very well (if you are a Christian) and you will find out the ALL the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ were once found wanting. Your past does not matter. What matters is now and the future. Your past only matters if you go back to it. Dora is looking ahead.

Senator Kant Bello from Katsina state threw all decorum to the dogs as he attacked the person of Prof Akunyili saying she was "cooking for madam" obviously referring to Turai. He was however hushed by David Mark. Akunyili's screening ended dramatically as the Northern Senators angling for a show down played into the hands of Dora's supporters when her screening ended abrubtly and she took a deserved bow. Up Dora!!!

When the "mad man" said we should split along religious lines, we complained and said we have over 250 ethnic entities in Nigeria. Now the "mad man" has reviewed his position and said "split along ethnic lines" and we are still complaining. What do we want? Do we even agree that there must be a split somewhere?