₦airaland Forum

Looks like the governors are going hard. First the the Northern governor now the SE governor.

[size=18pt]2011: All elections now to hold in April[/size]

Written by Jacob Segun Olatunji, Abuja Tuesday, 26 October 2010




BARRING any last minute change, all elections are now to be held in April next year, Nigerian Tribune can now authoritatively reveal.

Both the National Assembly and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reportedly agreed to the new arraignment in Abuja on Monday when chairman, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, led other INEC national commissioners to appear before a public hearing organised on the amendment of the Electoral Act.

The INEC, under Professor Maurice Iwu, had earlier fixed January for the conduct of the elections but on assumption of office, Professor Jega requested for an extension of time to allow for adequate preparations, especially the compilation of a new voter register and procurement of the Direct Data Capture Machines (DDC) for the conduct of the elections.

An impeccable source at the INEC headquarters, Abuja, told the Nigerian Tribune that the National Assembly summoned Professor Jega to appear before a public hearing committee on Electoral Matters and INEC on Monday to thrash out the matter in the proposed electoral amendment Act.

The proposed amendment to section 25 (1) of the 2010 Act would give INEC the power to determine the dates and sequence of elections at both the state and national levels.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the issue would be brought for debate at plenary session any time this week for final approval to enable the commission to commence its assignment.

Following this development, Nigerian Tribune learnt that Professor Jega is expected to meet with other national commissioners any time from now to fix dates and sequence of the election pending the final enactment of the law.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/12623-2011-all-elections-now-to-hold-in-april

[size=18pt]Shake-up in NAF: New AOC, PSO, others appointed[/size]
From MOLLY KILETE, Abuja
Tuesday, October 26, 2010



The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has announced a major shake-up in the service with the appointment of new Air Officers Commanding (AOC) and Principal Staff Officers (PSO) to head the various command of the service.
Under the new arrangement, Air Vice Marshal E. J. Aprekuma becomes the new AOC, Training Command, Kaduna; AVM, H. A. Na-Shehu, Air Officer Commanding, Logistics Command; AVM. G. B. Odesola, Air Officer Commanding, Tactical Air Command.

Also appointed is a new commandant for the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Air Vice Marshal A. T. Muazu while AVM. C. E. Aririode, is the new commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi, and AVM W. A. Ogujiofor, takes over as the new Managing Director of the Nigerian Air Force Foundation.
Air Vice Marshal A. S. Badeh, is the new Air Officer Policy and Plans; AVM. G. A. F. Adekunle, former principal general staff officer to the CDS, takes over as the Air Officer Operations.

AVM Kure, former director in charge of public relations and former Air Secretary, is now the Air Officer Administration while AVM I. Salihu, is the Air Officer Inspection. Others are Air Commodore J. C. Ifemeje, Air Secretary; Air Commodore A. Mamu, Managing Director, Aeronautical Engineering and Technical Services Limited; Air Commodore A. A. Ogunaike, Director, of Policy; Air Commodore H. R. Mohammed, Director, of Air Engineering; Air Commodore A. Maisaka, Director, Medical services; Air Commodore, O. A. Morgan, Director, Evaluation and Air Commodore O. A. Idowu, Director of Safety.

Also appointed are Group Captain G. Truman, Director of Air Intelligence; Group Captain S. A. Yushau, Director of Finance and Accounting; Group Captain S. S. Adamu, Director of Works; Group Captain S. J. Wukanga, Director of Administration and Group Captain A. Shehu-Othman, Director, Legal Services.
The newly appointed commanders are, Air Commodores O. T. Oguntoyinbo, Commander 99 Air Combat Tactical Group; U. J. Atiku, Commander, 81 Military Air Maritime Group; M. Magaji, Commander, 88 Military Airlift Group; S. O. Abosede, 301 Flying Training School; I. M. Pawa, 204 Wing; J. M. Gbum, Logistics Group, A. J. Bolajoko, 45 NAF Hospital, among others.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/26/national-26-10-2010-0022.htm

[size=18pt]Don’t come to S’east, Gov. Elechi tells PDP presidential aspirants[/size]
From Goddy Osuji Abakaliki
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/images/elechi-politics.jpg


Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state has advised presidential aspirants milling around the South-east that President Goodluck Jonathan has been adopted by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the zone for the 2011 polls. He, therefore, advised that aspirants on the platform of the party need not waste their time, efforts and money, coming to the zone.

The governor made the declaration when members of the State Home of Assembly paid him a courtesy call at the Government House, Abakaliki yesterday to present the House’s resolution, adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate for the presidential election. The resolution was for onward presentation to the presidency

His words, “It is true that the issue of zoning has come and by zoning and rotation, Dr. Jonathan deserves to be considered as a candidate for the presidential seat. We had in the past alluded to the eminent reasons why he should be so considered. There is no doubt that Nigerians appreciate the quality of the man; Nigerians appreciate the difference between him and other aspirants.

And by this resolution, the people of Ebonyi State are saying and implying, that the other aspirants have no business coming here because there are no extra votes for them to pick,”
Elechi expressed happiness that the legislature thought it wise to pass the resolution, adding, “the initiative shows that Ebonyi was leading the nation”.

He observed that the adoption of Jonathan as tpresidential candidate and ultimately as the president of Nigeria is not a favour done either to the Niger Delta region where he comes from nor to himself, rather “It is an act of wisdom and an act of favour to all Nigerians for having the courage that this time around Nigeria deserves nothing but the best,”the Governor reasoned.

Elechi disclosed that on weekly basis, he receives campaign materials from different parts of the world in favour of Jonathan from people he doesn’t even know and alluded Nigeria is now about to get it right. He promised to transmit the resolution to Mr. President, immediately.


Earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barr.Augustine Nwankwegu recalled the meeting of Speakers of the House of Assembly in the South east states, and hosted by the Ebonyi House during which several issues were deliberated upon among which was on who to fly the ticket of PDP as presidential candidate in the 2011 general elections.

He said it was after their departure, that the house domesticated the resolution as its own too and it was argued exhaustively in the chambers and later granted. Nwankwegu argued “It was not just a mere resolution, or a mere motion, it was a motion founded on thorough examination of the performance of Mr. President so far in office, since he assumed office as the president of this country,” the speaker who was accompanied by members of the House stated.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/26/national-26-10-2010-0030.htm

[size=18pt]Stirke: ASUU, Benin zone calls on South east govs to resign[/size]
From TONY OSAUZO, Benin
Tuesday, October 26, 2010



The Benin Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday called on South-east governors to resign from office for failing to resolve the academic crisis in the region’s state-owned universities. The call came on the heels of a one-week warning strike embarked upon yesterday by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universites (SSANU) to compel defaulting state governors to implement the 2009 agreements reached with the Federal Government to reposition the Nigerian university system.

Addressing journalists in Benin, the Zonal Coordinator of the Benin Zone of ASUU, Dr. Sunday Ighalo called on the people of the South east to hold their governors responsible for the collapse of education in the South east if they fail to resign and pave way for visionary leaders who appreciate the role of education in the development of human societies.

He observed that the crisis plaguing the universities in the South east was a manifestation of the failure of governance on education and a direct admittance that the governors cannot manage the affairs in their respective state universities.
Ighalo blamed the governors’ failure to resolve the crisis in the state-owned universities on the insistence of the governors to convene a meeting on October 1 with Igbo academics only, as well as hold the meeting in Igbo language which led to its collapse.

“The Benin zone of ASUU is extremely disturbed by the continuing paralysis in the state universities in the South east, resulting from the recalcitrant posture of the State Governors to implement the year 2000, FGN/ASUU Agreement,” Ighalo said.
, adding, “the zone particularly took exception to the strange action of the Governors in the South East for their insistence to hold the meeting only with Igbo academics and to conduct the meeting in Igbo language, which led to the collapse of the October 17th meeting called to resolve the lingering crisis.”
He however, told journalists that the zone which earlier went on a-two-day sympathy strike with their colleagues in the affected South Eastern states, has no plan to go on another strike.

The Benin zone of ASUU comprised the University of Benin, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Delta State University, Abraka, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island and the Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Effurun.
Meanwhile, the UNIBEN branch Chairman of SSANU, Comrade John Osaretin Alile in a statement he read on behalf of the National President of SSANU, Chief P.A.K. Adewusi yesterday explained that the one week strike action was in solidarity with its branches where the state governments are yet to implement the 2009 agreement reached with the Federal Government.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/26/national-26-10-2010-008.htm

[size=18pt]You’re all hypocrites[/size]
Gov. Lamido lambastes Northern presidency advocates
•Says PDP must defend Goodluck/Sambo ticket


From ANDY ASEMOTA, Katsina

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/images/home-images/lami-26.gif


Politicians insisting that the North must produce the next President come 2011, yesterday came under the hammer of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, who stated that the advocates had no moral justification to pursue their agitation.
Lamido also insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family must defend the Goodluck/Sambo ticket, which is a fallout of their hard-earned 2007 electoral victory.

Speaking yesterday when he received the Goodluck/Sambo Campaign Organisation in his office in Dutse, the governor explained that the proponents of the Northern presidency never supported their own in office, noting that the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was among the best ever leaders Nigeria produced, but faced serious opposition from the region.

“What is that thing you called northerner more than Yar’Adua. We had him, Nigerians believed in him, he restored the confidence of governance because Nigerians saw in him a very honourable person and yet, it is us here who were undermining him. And God took him away, so when you are talking about a northerner, which northerner are you talking about,” he queried.

According to him, the ranting and the noise about northern presidency is myopic thinking and hypocritical of the northern politicians, who do not wish the region well.
The same people kept fighting him up to the Supreme Court, so the crisis was purely a northern crisis; it was a northerner fighting a northerner from his own home state, in Katsina,” he declared.

“God gave you a northerner, you didn’t support him, what else do you want? We have to be very honest.
Lamido explained that the Jonathan/Sambo ticket was part of the PDP victory of 2007 and therefore, Nigerians must defend that fortune and the victory, saying no one should use any primordial sentiment to deny Nigerians the best.

“So to me, what I see in Jonathan/Sambo is a PDP victory of 2007, a PDP fortune which we must defend,” said the governor, pointing out that politics of ethnicity or religion is very dangerous to the survival of the country as one indivisible nation.
He said for the country to grow and prosper, there must be internal cohesion, noting that the North or South politics must be discarded if the country was to move to the next level.

“We shall not allow this kind of division; the North, South, Christian, etc. and other debates. It is dangerous for us. First, we need to come together because if we do not unite, there is no way that Nigeria can grow.
Lamido frowned at the agitators of the northern presidency, who he said abandoned the party (PDP) in 2007, fought it up to the Supreme Court and now because of their personal interest, they were calling for a northern presidency.
Those talking of the North, where were they in 2007, even those who were in the PDP in 1999, by 2007, they had abandoned it and now out of double standard they are making.”

Earlier, the Director-General of the organisation, Senator Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, had commiserated with the people through their governor over the flooding that ravaged some parts of the state recently.
He also lauded the governor for numerous developmental projects which he said were exemplary on how business of governance should be conducted.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/oct/26/national-26-10-2010-001.htm

kcjazz:
^^^^ Yes they could be a part, I myself have 2 native names but there are different reasons why people might choose not to go with them. That doesn't make them any less a part of their African culture. Like I mentioned, I would prefer my kids know the language and understand their roots and that can be achieved without the name.

You should be ashamed of yourself!

Ileke-IdI:
My first name was American, had it legally changed recently to my Yoruba one

Beautiful

kcjazz:
Different reasons some are the influence of missionaries, TV or ease of pronunciation.
I would prefer an African with an English name who knows and understands his culture and language than an African who doesn't know the meaning of his/her name nor language. That for me is a sad reality


"Many of you know that I got my name, Barack, from my father. What you may not know is Barack is actually Swahili for 'That One.' And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I'd ever run for president" ~ Barack Obama


Its not the name its the character that matters

This is where you are wrong. Also, you fail to state that when obama was told by his white surroundings during the election to use an english name i believe it was "Barry" he refused, and let it be known that he is proud of his african heritage and will not sell out to please anyone.If it is not the name that matters arabs and white people would have been using the names of the Africans that they first came in contact with during the expedition days.

miqos02:
how will this benefit the average nigerian?

why are you still breathing?

ebere1712:
It looks very bad to me when I see all or most Africans with English or foreign names but you never see others with African names. Are we being silly or can someone explain to me why it is necessary for an African person to immediately be given a foreign name. Can someone explain to me why a person from Nigeria, for example would be named edwin clark, john coles, goodluck johnathan, abdudalem abubaka? This is ridiculous. When wud my african peepz wake up . Have a good day yall

Im glad you opened this thread because i find it such a shame for Africans to continue giving their children or themselves these european and arabic names. Are Europeans and arabs giving their own children African names?No. This is just a slave mentality. Then they will you an excuse of "It is in the Bible" or "It is in the Quran".Whether it is or it isn't it is jewish and arabic and not your people's name. Why not find out the meaning of those names and translate it into you native language. I'm glad i only have my native names.

Kobojunkie:
Whose Parents? Aren't you making a huge leap there in your assumption that their parents have farms somewhere?

ROFLMAO!!!

Kobojunkie:
I am glad someone gets the message!

ROFLMAO!!!

Ileke-IdI:
^^^ Interesting.

So the roads in Ekit state could have easily been fixed/built by Federal handouts? [Sorry, had to mention it].

Ekiti---------censored . Well depends whether those roads are federal roads or state roads and how the former governor was in carrying out work on the state roads.

Ileke-IdI:
And has the East been the only region neglected? So the East is only made of Igbos? I can't think of any Nigerian region [except fro lagos] that can boast of "lack of" Government neglect.
Pick up the guns and that will get you more than N1t. . . . you ppl are still complaining about the millions of life wasted during the Nigerian/Biafran war, yet you still wanna boast of starting another one.

If the S'east gets it's money, then they better be ready to distribute the Yoruba communities up North their money because they will not relent.

Ileke-Idi read all of the stuff that were written down and then tell me if his case is unwarranted. No zone has faced federal neglect as the SE. When you see alot of those good picture of establishments or good areas in the SE most of that comes from the sweat and hard work of private investors and indegenes from overseas. Its a shame that other zones get federal hand-outs but we have to work for our own and without hand-outs.Imagine we have how we have the lowest poverty rate and our states look pretty decent compare to others and this is without federal hand-outs. Imagine what it would be like if we got our rightful federal attention as the other zones are given. Imagine how long this niger bridge was suppose to be rebuilt its ridiculous.Its on the verge of collapse. The minister that is incharge of handling the roads,bridges and things like that is from the north and has always been,that is the problem. If you go to Katsina today, you would believe who a state that produces nothing and be so equip to the T. Any time the north needed a new bridge or one needed to be fixed it was done right away.Dones that make sense?. Long story short every region has governmental neglect but We Igbos would rather exchange your neglect with ours.

And as far as boasting about starting another war,you done here about Igbos trying to start another war in nigeria,this is just people on the internet.

And that last line you typed is similar to what awolowo said.

df2006:
jason i hope you see the disclaimer, you see where the blame has been shifted to? anioma igbos, not igbos. expediency at it,s best.

Don't be a little girl about the way you look at things.Read the advise from the other posters and listen. I you wasnt a pointless debated go join you school's debate club.

Onlytruth:
Again, do I believe that 1966 can happen again in Nigeria?  ABSOLUTELY YES!

All the signs are there.

The main issue for me is, how should Ndigbo react to it?

I can say now with every emphasis that Ndigbo will do well to look southwards FIRST before even looking up north.

I dare any southern slowpoke to try us next time. 

They key is to not look at it in a way of "who to to watch out for first". There is nothing like friendship but interest,diplomacy, and freedom of choice for a people to have or make its own options should be what you thrive for. Tread softly and be humbled and think smart never say never especially if every corner is not mastered by you or your people.

jason12345:
the idea is mainly about regional government

There's no need of a regional government.itll only cause suppression of the minority tribes and fighting. It can never happen again.

jason12345:
what war!!! lol. don't deceive yourself

i asked if the country would be split along the rivers (its the only sensible way) and if it would. then bayelsa would be part of western region.

the east is not just for the igbos so as the west is not just for the yorubas.

If each state gets 60% of procedes fro their natural resources then whats the need of talking about dividing nigeria into 3 regions?

EzeUche0:
Igbos have been West of the River Niger for centuries and are indigenous to the land. We Igbos will not cede Anioma, Ika, or Ukwuani land to the Southwest.

If that would happen, there would be war.

Seconded

excanny:
Ohakim still ranks as one of the best performing governors of the South East, only that he lacks manners and public relation.

Very true.

Ileke-IdI:
. . . .and what happens if MEND does not comply?

He's going to beat them up.

[size=18pt]Steer Clear Of South-West, Jonathan Campaign Group Warns MEND[/size]

Written by Stephen Gbadamosi, Ado-Ekiti Saturday, 23 October 2010


Presidential Campaign Committee of the Goodluck/Sambo in the South-West has warned the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) over threat of bomb explosion in President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign rallies, saying; “the group should, in its own interest, steer clear of the South-West.”

Spokesperson of the campaign organisation, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, in a release made available to journalists on Friday, said MEND should not take its campaign of terror to any part of the Yorubaland.


http://tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/2355-steer-clear-of-south-west-jonathan-campaign-group-warns-mend.html

[size=18pt]Boko Haram Confirms Link With Osama’s al-Qaeda •Threatens Fresh Attack In North[/size]

Written by James Bwala, Maiduguri With Agency Report Saturday, 23 October 2010



The Muslim Fundamental group, Boko Haram, on Thursday evening threatened to carry out further attacks in some state in the North while also invoking the al-Qaeda’s North African branch.

Al-Qaeda is the group established by Osama bin Laden which claimed responsibility for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Centre in the United State.

According to an online news agency, the Boko Haram group involked the North African branch of the al-Qaeda group and pasted posters in some areas in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, declaring loyalty to the group.

Posters by the sect appeared at key intersections in the city of Maiduguri bearing the name of Imam Abubakar Shekau, the group’s de facto leader.

The two top corners of the posters bore a symbol of an opened Quran, flanked on each side by Kalashnikov assault rifles and a flag in the middle — mirroring the logo of al-Qaeda in the North Africa.

The message warned the public against assisting the police or going near soldiers guarding the town at night.

The message also acknowledged a recent reward offered for information leading to the arrest of suspected sect members.

“Any Muslim that goes against the establishment of Sharia (law) will be attacked and killed,” the message read.

Boko Haram,  which means “Western education is sacrilege” in Hausa language,  has campaigned for the implementation of strict Shariah law.

The poster said it was from Shekau on behalf of “The Group of the People of Sunnah, Call and Jihad.”

Police officers began removing the signs late Wednesday, according to the agency.

“These publications and messages on Boko Haram activities are seditious and could jeopardise our investigations into the four-month serial attacks and killings in the state,” Borno State Police Commissioner, Mohammed Abubakar, was quoted as saying on Thursday.

Saturday Tribune, which was in Maiduguri, learnt that such massages, which were seen around Shehuri, Jejeri, Bullumkuttu and other areas of the state, were also shown on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

Saturday Tribune also learnt that the new Commissioner of Police, Muhammed Abubakar, had made a statement on the position of security in that regard.

In a telephone chat, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mai Mamman, told Saturday Tribune that he was not aware of such message contained in the posters or aware of any statement made by the commissioner, who had just arrived the state to that effect.

Saturday Tribune, however, gathered that about two weeks ago, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, reported an interview with an unidentified person claiming to be the sect’s spokesperson.

It would be recalled in that interview that the sect gave conditions, which according to an unidentified spokesman of the religious sect, must be met before members of the sect could sheath their swords.

Saturday Tribune recalled that while claiming responsibilities for the serial attacks and killings, including the recent bombing of Gamboru police station, the spokesperson said: “We deserve similar treatments accorded to the Niger-Delta militants by the late president, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, rather than being treated like second class citizens of Nigeria.”

He added that they were responsible for all that had raised tension in the Borno and neighbouring states of Bauchi, Yobe, Kano and Jigawa.

He said the serial attacks and killings since July were, however, caused by the state government which trampled on their rights and those of citizens of this country by killing their leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in August, 2009. 

He said that besides the killing of their religious leader, the state government also destroyed their places of worship.


http://tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/front-page-articles/2367-boko-haram-confirms-link-with-osamas-al-qaeda-threatens-fresh-attack-in-north.html