Dewale2k's Posts
Nairaland Forum › Dewale2k's Profile › Dewale2k's Posts
 Politics › I Can Use Constituency Allowance As I Want – Hon Baba Ibaku by dewale2k(op): 6:53am On Aug 26, 2013 |
Following the Nasarawa governor’s claims that one percent enjoy 90 percent of the state’s revenue, in an interview with International Centre for Investigative Reporting, clarification was sought from Mohammed Baba Ibaku, chairman, Committee on Media and Information, Nasarawa State House of Assembly. Here are his responses. How do you react to allegations that you and other legislators collect N10 million every quarter for constituency allowance and there is not much to show for it? Who told you that they assigned N10 million to us? I am not a first timer. I was in the assembly in the last legislative tenure. So, my people should be the ones that will ask me what I am doing with the money. By the way, what is N10 million? Go to my people and ask them about what I am telling you, I may be lying. If possible, let them show you what I have been doing with money. Do you know what this constituency allowance is meant for? Constituency allowance is meant for anything that you may not even know. Go and get a definition of constituency allowance then I will tell you what I have been doing with my people for the past six years and they are still happy with me. What do you use N10 million for? What is the money for? What is this money for? If your wife is sick and I carry her to the hospital, how do I quantify that? If I take people to hajj, how do i quantify that? For the past six years, how many people have I sponsored to Jerusalem? Will I use my father’s money to do that? If maybe I decide to buy a vehicle for somebody, is it bad? I am into construction of class rooms in my constituency. Go and ask them I am a teacher, I am an educationist. I built class rooms and exam hall in many places. I am not the type that will do project and call people to come and launch it. Go to my area and ask them what I have been doing, they will tell you. But, what I am telling you is just a little of those that I can remember. So you confirm that, indeed you get N10 million every quarter which you spend the way you want? What is N10 million? If I want to spend money for my people, i can spend nothing less than N100, 000 in a day. N100, 000 in three days is N3 million. N3 million in three months is N9 million. So, what are you saying? If you want to balance your story, ask the governor from January to date, how much has the state received and what has he done with it? Go and ask the commissioners how much their ministries have received and what they have done with it. You put these questions to Honorable Muluku and he referred you to me. Were you not on earth when Muluku bought motor cycles and distributed? (After the phone interview ended, Baba Ibaku called back to pose a question) What has he (Governor Al Makura) done with the N400, 000,000 given to him for flood mitigation? Where is the money? Let them answer this question. What is the money doing in account now that rain is falling? Which account? Let them give you the account because i am in a better position to go to the account and inquire. Yes, the law permits me to ask them this question, let them give me the account. And what is the money doing in the account when people are suffering. I hope they are not saying we should shave their hair without touching it. I want to read that story about the N400, 000,000. This Interview was first published by International Centre for Investigative Reporting Source premiumtimesng.com/news/143438-i-can-use-constituency-allowance-as-i-want-hon-baba-ibaku.html |
| Politics › Suspected Boko Haram Members Kill 44 In Borno Village by dewale2k(op): 8:15pm On Aug 23, 2013 |
About 50 armed men stormed the village on Tuesday. At least 44 persons were killed Tuesday in a village near Baga Village of Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State, emergency health workers said. Baga was the scene of an April attack that led to the death of about 200 people, mostly civilians, with many of them believed to have been killed when soldiers allegedly set hundreds of houses on fire in retaliation at the killing of soldiers by suspected Boko Haram members. An official of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, said officials of the agency counted at least 44 corpses in Tuesday’s attack by suspected members of the Boko Haram. Residents told aide workers who visited the troubled area that about 50 armed men stormed their village and embarked on a killing spree using knives. “Those who did not die were left with their eyes gorged out with knives, and several others seriously injured,” said the NEMA official, who doesn’t want to be quoted as he was not authorized to speak to the press yet. “Many people were displaced because the Boko Haram set their houses ablaze, though we cannot say how many. We are going to Baga village on Saturday to set up camps for the displaced,” the official added. “As I am speaking to you now, Red cross officials and the Medicine Sans Frontier are attending to the injured victims. The village has been deserted and the people are now taking refuge at the Baga central primary school.” Journalists have been unable to confirm the incident since Wednesday due to lack of communication networks, which has been grounded in the state in the last three months. The spokesman of the Joint Task Force, JTF, Sagir Musa, could also not be contacted. The Media Coordinator of the Multi National Joint Task Force, MNJTF, in Baga, Haruna Sani, told journalists in response to an email sent to him seeking confirmation of the incident that he had no knowledge of the attack, as he was away from his base. “I am right now in Adamawa State for an assignment and due to the network problem, I have difficulty in reaching my Headquarters. I suggest you find out from Defense Headquarters, may be they are in the picture of the incidence. Thanks for your effort,” he said. But a security source, who doesn’t want to be quoted, as he is not allowed to speak to press, confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES. “There was an attack on Tuesday in Baga that I am aware of but I have no detailed information on it because this is not under the purview of the JTF; it is the MNJTF that can speak on that,” the source said. The Boko Haram has embarked on attacking softer targets outside Maiduguri after the vigilante (Civilian-JTF) joined forces with the JTF to apprehend them. The JTF recently announced the death of top leaders of the sect including that of its overall leader, Abubakar Shekau, who is believed to have died from gunshot wounds. The terrorist are believed to use knives as gunshots often attract Civilian-JTF or soldiers to the scene. Many of such attacks on isolated villages and hamlets are reported by victims and residents, but verification has been difficult due to the state of emergency and network shutdown in the state; while security operatives often do not confirm the attacks. Source premiumtimesng.com/news/143369-suspected-boko-haram-members-kill-44-in-borno-village.html
|
| Politics › Rivers Officials Ought To Have Visited Abuja, Not Port Harcourt, Says PEJ by dewale2k(op): 11:22am On Aug 22, 2013 |
The drama of the alleged failure of the Rivers State government officials to pay the First Family a condolence visit continues after the First Lady issued another statement, Wednesday, insisting that the state ignored her during her moment of loss. In her second public statement in less than 72 hours, Patience Jonathan, wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, reiterated that several groups and individuals from across Nigeria paid condolence visits at the State House, Abuja. “Many of us claim to serve God. God whether as Christians or Muslims, is compassionate in nature. If truly we serve Him, this should reflect in our actions,” Mrs. Jonathan said in the statement by Ayo Adesugba, Director of Information, Office of the First Lady. “We restate, for the avoidance of doubt, that neither the Rivers State governor nor his wife has come to the State House, Abuja, like so many other people from all walks of life, to condole with the First Family. “This is a gesture of compassion, which comes from the heart. The First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, therefore, holds no resentment towards anyone who does not wish to come to the State House or to her home in Port Harcourt to extend the act of commiseration,” she added. Mrs. Jonathan lost her mother, Charity Oba, in a ghastly auto accident along the East-West Road in Rivers State, on July 22. Since her bereavement, no official of the Rivers State government had paid the president and his wife a condolence visit, according to the First Lady. In her first statement, late Monday, Mrs. Jonathan described the action as a ‘disrespect’ to the First Family. “It should be noted that while several groups and individuals from across the country came to condole the first lady and Mr. President on the death of her mother, no official of Rivers state government deemed it fit to pay the first family condolence visit, yet they claimed the first lady is a daughter of Rivers state,” Mrs. Jonathan had said. “He who must go to equity must go with clean hands. They should learn to give respect to those who deserve respect so that they too can earn respect,” she had added. However, less than 24 hours later, photographs of Judith Amaechi, the First Lady of Rivers State, signing a condolence register at Mrs. Oba’s residence surfaced. PREMIUM TIMES checks also revealed that in addition to Tele Ikuru, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, and other state functionaries accompanying Mrs. Amaechi on the visit in Port Harcourt; Rotimi Amaechi, the State Governor, had also issued a statement commiserating with the First Lady on her bereavement. In her statement, late Wednesday, Mrs. Jonathan said that was not enough. “It is instructive to note that since the death of Mrs. Charity Oba, the mother of the First Lady, several groups and individuals from across the country have come to condole the First Family at the State House, Abuja,” Mrs. Jonathan said. “They include Executive State Governors and their wives from all the political divides; Nigeria’s former Presidents and Heads of State and their wives, captains of industry, female Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Nigeria, other members of the diplomatic corps, royal fathers and traditional leaders – the list is too numerous to call. “However, the Governor and the wife, from the state the First Lady hails, have not paid such a visit,” Mrs. Jonathan added. Reacting to the photographs circulating in various media, the First Lady stated that they were taken in Mrs. Oba’s home, and that the she did not receive condolence guests in her late mother’s home. “All those who paid condolences and commiserated with Dame Patience during her visit to Rivers State, came to the First Lady’s home in Port Harcourt, where arrangements were made and facilities were made available to receive sympathizers. “We can borrow a leaf from His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who went to Lagos State with some members of his Executive Council, to commiserate with Governor Babatunde Fashola on the demise of his father, Alhaji Ademola Fashola. “Death does not know age, gender or political party affiliation. Neither should compassion.” Source premiumtimesng.com/news/143244-condolence-visit-rivers-officials-ought-to-have-visited-abuja-not-port-harcourt-says-patience-jonathan.html |
| Politics › Bamidele Upfront: APC, Buhari And Theelectoral Map, By Bámidélé Adémólá-olátéjú by dewale2k(op): 9:13am On Aug 20, 2013 |
The political albatross of opposition parties in Nigeria is their inability to transcend personal, regional and ethnic divisions for meaningful cooperation and handshake across the Niger. Ethnic considerations used to be the major issue in Nigerian politics with religion being a secondary factor but the debacle caused by Nigeria’s purported induction into Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) , relentless Evangelization by pentecostals, Muslim radicalization and introduction of political sharia changed everything. Since the 1990s, Nigeria lost whatever innocence it had left and allowed religion to be the defining and dominant fault line in the country’s socio-political landscape. Then came the Yar’Adua effect – the reinforcement of the “born to rule” attitude, unguarded statements, wanton acts of impunity and unconstitutional usurpation of powers when President Yar’Adua became terminally ill sent very wrong signals to the southern electorate. The largely Christian South saw the actions of the Yar’adua cabal as an affront, a final assault and a kind of in your face insult to its collective psyche. It forced a reflective fall back into the realization that all four Southern Christian Heads of State or Presidents the country has produced owed their inaugural ascension to accidental factors. The undisguised humiliation of Goodluck Jonathan during those uncertain times was the break point, it brewed a simmering discontent among Southerners which any politician aspiring to the presidency ignores it at his own peril. The lessons learned is reflected in the election of Jonathan and the shut out of Buhari in the South. Those lessons must never be lost on any Northerner interested in presidential politics going forward. The results of the 2011 presidential election exposed an electoral map showing hidden undercurrents of increasing regional, ethnic, and religious polarization, the like of which we have never seen. Many politicians, opinion leaders and pundits will like to downplay the inconvenient truths and hidden realities of religion and ethnicity as demonstrated by the voting pattern and demographics of the 2011 election. However, the realities and truths of our ethnic and religious chasms remain obvious to discerning minds regardless of the Orwellian exercise in political correctness and rhetoric of dismissal that has become fashionable. Arguably, the middle belt (North Central States) has always been the political bellwether region of Nigerian politics. The core determinant of where the power pendulum swings in presidential elections, is in the political leaning of the North Central states. Before the formation of APC, any presidential candidate who wins the middle-belt wins the election because the Southwest always vote for its own regional party. With the merger of opposition parties to form the APC, the equation is about to change. Jonathan’s election, on his own accord is a watershed in the annals of Nigerian politics. It puts paid to the notion of Northern hegemony and even if it ever existed, it has run its course and outlived its usefulness. Despite the massive discontent over Jonathan’s violation of the PDP zoning agreement and the political structures set up to wrestle power from him and return it to the north, he won in a landslide. T he outcome of the election signals an emergent ethno-religious consensus stoked by the likes of Ayo Oritsejafor for the Christian South and Mallam Adamu Ciroma under the umbrella of Northern Political Leaders Forum (NPLF) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). The activities of these Northern groups heated up the already fragile polity, it served as a rallying point for Northerners and achieved the outcome of galvanizing the Middle Belt and Southern States for Jonathan. This dichotomy led to bigotry by religious leaders – instructing their member to vote candidates of their respective religious affiliations. The powerful Christian leaders of the South instructed their followers to vote their faith at the elections. Source premiumtimesng.com/opinion/143069-bamidele-upfront-apc-buhari-and-the-electoral-map-by-bamidele-ademola-olateju.html |
| Politics › Amaechi, Other Rivers Govt Officials Failed Topaid Me Condolence Visits, Says Pa by dewale2k(op): 7:10am On Aug 20, 2013 |
The First Lady, Patience Jonathan, has expressed unhappiness with officials of the Rivers State government for failing to pay the “first family” a condolence visit after the death of her mother. Mrs. Jonathan lost her stepmother, Charity Oba, in a fatal car crash last month. In a statement issued by Ayo Adesugba, Director of Information, Office of the First Lady, Monday, Mrs. Jonathan noted that only people from outside her home state paid them condolence visits. “It should be noted that while several groups and individuals from across the country came to condole the first lady and Mr. President on the death of her mother, no official of Rivers state government deemed it fit to pay the first family condolence visit, yet they claimed the first lady is a daughter of Rivers state. “He who must go to equity must go with clean hands. They should learn to give respect to those who deserve respect so that they too can earn respect,” Mrs. Jonathan said. Mrs. Jonathan also reacted angrily to media reports claiming that she snubbed Tele Ikuru, the Rivers State Deputy Governor, at the Port Harcourt International Airport on her arrival on Sunday. Mr. Ikuru had reportedly gone to welcome the First Lady at the airport but was barred from getting near her. “The reports, by all indications, represent a contrived motive of some gladiators in the Rivers state crisis to continue to paint the first lady as an aggressor,” Mrs. Jonathan said. “Ordinarily, the wife of the state governor receives the first lady whenever she visits any state. That is why the wife of Bayelsa State Governor travelled from Yenagoa to receive the first lady,” the statement said. Mrs. Jonathan’s visit to Port Harcourt, last June, generated public outrage after security officials blocked major streets in the city during her seven day stay, grinding the city’s vehicular traffic to a halt. Also, President Goodluck Jonathan’s widely publicized and protracted power tussle with Rotimi Amaechi, the Rivers State Governor, which had thrown the state into crisis, had done little to mend fences between the state and the presidency. “In addition, as a daughter Rivers state, the first lady is free to visit the state any time she desires. But we are forced to ask: why the presence of the first lady in Rivers state always generate rumpus?” Mrs. Jonathan further stated that she had deliberately refrained from commenting on the Rivers State crisis. “It should be clear to all that for quite some time now, the first lady has refrained from commenting on issues relating to the Rivers state crisis while these gladiators have continued to use every media at their disposal to fan the embers of disharmony and hatred,” Mrs. Jonathan said. “By now, every right thinking person should know those genuinely interested in peace and those who claim to be democrat and committed to peace, but who have continued to heat up the polity. “It is for this reason of the intrigue at play that the first lady would want to be left out of Rivers state crisis, hence making her visit to the state as quiet as possible, so as not to give room for mischief makers to succeed in their pla ns,” Mrs. Jonathan added. Source premiumtimesng.com/news/143068-amaechi-other-rivers-govt-officials-failed-to-paid-me-condolence-visits-says-patience-jonathan.html
|
| Politics › Gowon Asks Nigerians To Stop Blaming God For Nation’s Woes by dewale2k(op): 6:04am On Aug 20, 2013*. Modified: 8:35am On Aug 20, 2013 |
The former head of state called for prayers to uproot bad leaders. A former Military Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, has called on Nigerians to stop blaming God for the crises plaguing the country. Mr. Gowon, who was speaking during an official visit to the Gethsemane Prayer Ministry presided over by the national coordinator of Nigeria Prays, Moses Aransiola, also urged Nigerians to intensify their prayers for God to uproot all the leaders with evil intentions against the country. “Nigerians should stand up as one and intercede on the crises rocking this nation; that is when God will uproot all the leaders that have evil intention against this country. Nigerians needs to desist from creating problems which they cannot solve and stop blaming God for their shortcomings,” he said. The former Head of State also dismissed the prediction that the country would break up by 2015. He pointed out that France had earlier predicted 2014 but the prediction was currently falling apart. “Every Nigerian should stand against the claims. If every one of us believes that it will not happen, then it will not. I believe God will not allow such to happen. Nigeria Prays is really praying against such and that was the reason why this group came into existence,” Mr. Gowon said. Commenting on the conduct of politicians in light of the 2015 elections, Mr. Gowon said Nigerians should not take most of them seriously, referring to the politicians as “over-ambitious.” “They should be ignored, they spell doom for the nation. Politicians should not be selfish but should protect the interests of the people to ensure equitable development of the country.” He preached love for the nation as the only way for every citizen to play his role effectively in the polity. “Nigerians at home and abroad are very concerned about the crisis that is rocking this nation and we believe that only prayer can solve it. If you love Nigeria the way I love Nigeria and if I love Nigeria the way you do and we have faith then we shall overcome,” he said. Source premiumtimesng.com/news/143047-gowon-asks-nigerians-to-stop-blaming-god-for-nations-woes-2.html http:///n3qFJq |
| Politics › Tell Nigerians Why You Failed, APC Challenges Jonathan by dewale2k(op): 9:28pm On Aug 18, 2013 |
The new opposition said presidential spokespersons should leave muckraking and face issues. The All Progressives Congress, APC, has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the presidency to tell Nigerians why the ruling party has failed to lift the country in the 14 years that it has been in the saddle, ‘instead of peddling concocted tales about the opposition’. In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party also asked the presidency to tell Nigerians why it has defied INEC rules by continuing to campaign for the 2015 elections. “Issues, issues and issues. These are what Nigerians are interested in, not continuous muck-raking about opposition leaders like Gen Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For example, Nigerians want to know why the country can still not feed itself after 14 years of endless promises by the PDP; Nigerians want to know why they cannot be protected by their government when the security of lives and property is the rason d’etre of any government,” APC said. “Nigerians want to know why over 40 million youth cannot get a job under a government that gleefully touts a 6% GDP growth; Nigerians want to know how 400,000 barrels of oil are being stolen daily and who the thieves are’ Nigerians want to know why the country is more divided than ever under the watch of President Goodluck Jonathan, and why corruption has become a bigger monster in the years under the PDP. “The 2015 elections will be fought on the platform of issues, not meaningless attacks on personalities and attention-diverting tales like how Gen. Buhari wants to stage a comeback or how Asiwaju Tinubu wants to expand his imaginary empire,” it said. What we intend to do APC said its eight cardinal programmes, which shall be articulated in the days ahead, represent a summary of how the party intends to reposition the nation. These are War Against Corruption, Food security, Accelerated Power Supply, Integrated Transport Network, Free Education, Devolution of Power, Accelerated Economic Growth and Affordable Health Care. “Our Guiding Philosophy will derive its impetus from these seven principles: Belief in, and the fear of God; Upholding the rule of law; Preserving national unity; Pursuit of a just and egalitarian society; Building of strong institutions; Commitment to social justice and economic progress; and Promoting representative and functional participatory democracy. “These are the issues we will be enunciating in the days ahead as we steer the politics of our nation away from jejune matters that are at the core of the PDP misrule to serious issues of relevance that will benefit our people under an APC federal government,” the party said. It said a party that defies rules and lies through its teeth cannot be trusted to rule over a people who are eager for their country to join the comity of developed nations. “While one of the PDP gong-bearers, Okupe, was telling Nigerians that President Jonathan has not informed anyone that he will contest in 2015, his wife was coercing hundreds of hapless women, including those in uniform, into a show of shame tagged a ”Peace Rally”, but in essence a campaign for President Jonathan ahead of 2015. “Defying INEC, this brazen campaign featured women clad in specially-made ‘ankara’ that bore the picture of President Jonathan and reminds one of the disgraceful days of the late despot Mobutu Sese Seko of former Zaire, and the late clownish leader of Uganda, Idi Amin. What a company to keep in the 21st century!”! Source premiumtimesng.com/news/142985-tell-nigerians-why-you-failed-apc-challenges-jonathan.html
|
| Politics › How A Report On Harry Akande Cost Me My Job In PUNCH — Kehinde Bamigbetan by dewale2k(op): 6:16pm On Aug 18, 2013 |
In this interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Kehinde Bamigbetan, veteran journalist, former chief press secretary to the Lagos state Governor and current Chairman of Ejigbo local council in Lagos, talks about his life as a journalist, the challenges in his council, and his plans at the expiration of his term. He describes his recent ordeal in the hands of kidnappers as “a nightmarish experience. I’m still trying to heal myself and would rather not discuss it.” You are in the second year of your second term in office, when you look at what you have done, do you think you could have done more? Bamigebetan: If you look at what it took for us to get this far, you will realize that we have actually overstretched ourselves. The four roads that we are building right now, for example, we had to get a loan to do them, and for us to get the loan, it took us over a whole year for negotiations. That means of course that money is an issue here. We would love to do so many things, we have so many plans. We have around 36 roads that are priority that we believe needs to be done. But you can see that so far now we have taken only about five of the roads as a local government. So in terms of resource availability, we don’t have enough. If we have more than this, I’m quite sure that we could do much much better than what we are doing, and that’s basically why we are trying to now encourage the residents to pay what they ought to pay to the council. There are laws that say you need to pay a Development Levy if you are above 18. If you are running a canteen you need to pay food and premises levy, if you are running a bar, you need to pay for your licence, all these have been neglected over the years, and now we are going house to house talking to people of the importance of…. If you don’t pay how do you want the local government to be able to provide services to you? Because, note also that the local government does not have direct access to federal funding, it is an LCDA that relies on subvention from the Oshodi-Isolo local government. So that in effect means that our money cannot be as much as Oshodi local government. That is why I say that many Lagosians who are bothered about performance of local governments should actually support us by insisting that we should be given LGA status, so that we can have direct access to federal funding. That would dramatically improve our capacity to deliver on many of the complaints that they are having against the local government system. So I think that if I had more resources, I will definitely be able to do more than this because we are not talking of lack of ideas now, or lack of plans but the money to make those plans a reality. You’ve talked about the issue of taxes and development levies, and residents have always complained of multiple and over taxation. How have you been able to address this issue? Bamigbetan: Many of them have not bothered to look at what the law says. The government operates at three tiers…because before the taxes were designed, there was a national constitutional conference where they called all of us, everybody came together and said “how do we fund our local government system?” Our people must pay so-so number of taxes. How do we fund our state government? So it has been agreed and it is what is in the constitution that is being implemented. So what they call multiple taxation, somebody has said that once he has paid his tax to the state, he will not pay to the local government… The same tax? Source premiumtimesng.com/news/142959-interview-how-a-report-on-harry-akande-cost-me-my-job-in-punch-kehinde-bamigbetan |
| Politics › Fashola Is The New Dictator – PDP by dewale2k(op): 3:49pm On Aug 18, 2013 |
The party condemned the governor for sealing Orji Kalu’s property over the deportation controversy. The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lambasted the Babatunde Fashola-led APC government of Lagos state for sealing off a property belonging to former Abia state governor, Orji Kalu, after Mr. Kalu criticized the Lagos government for expelling more than a dozen alleged vagrants to Anambra state.” The party, in a statement signed by its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Tony Okeke on Sunday described the development as “reminiscent of the infamous decree No. 4 of 1984 promulgated by maximum dictator and supreme leader of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, with which he clamped down on the freedom of speech and victimized anybody that criticized his government.” The PDP noted that it is not surprised at the development, describing it as a clear signal of the dictatorial and inhuman treatment to be expected from the government controlled by the APC. “Fashola, a lawyer, has allowed his dalliance with dictators and bigots like his masters General Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to substantially impair his reasoning and actions. Instead of accepting that it erred in expelling innocent Nigerians in total breach of their constitutionally guaranteed right of residency in any part of the country, the APC-led government of Lagos state has ignobly resorted to clamping down on those who criticized its evil deed,” the party said. “We are indeed not surprised. After all, what would one expect from a government controlled by a party established by dictators with a penchant for unlawful actions and dehumanization of the citizenry? If the APC would approve the unjust detention and flushing of helpless citizens from a state where they have immensely contributed just to be dumped at a place like Upper Iweka Bridge at the dead of the night without any form of care, clamping down on its critics is only a signal of the draconian rule which Nigerians must rise against.” It also said that although Mr. Fashola was forced to release Mr. Kalu’s property, the sealing of the property in the first place had only succeeded in betraying the reason for which the APC is desperate for power, the PDP said, is to broaden the execution of the dictatorial, corrupt and oppressive agenda of its leaders. “The APC leaders should borrow a leaf from President Goodluck Jonathan who as a true democrat and statesman has continued to maintain dignified calmness in the face of daily vituperations and unwarranted media attacks by the opposition,” the PDP said Source http:///9M9R95 premiumtimesng.com/news/142970-fashola-is-the-new-dictator-pdp.html 1 Like |
| Politics › How Abuja Administration Officials Extort Bribes From Petty Traders by dewale2k(op): 12:47pm On Aug 18, 2013 |
Various petty traders narrate their experiences. Officials of the Abuja Environmental and Protection Board, under the guise of keeping the city clean, routinely extort money from street traders; forcing the helpless victims to either part with their meagre income or lose their wares, a PREMIUM TIMES investigation reveals. These officials, who go around the Nigerian capital in marked buses, harass the traders in the presence of gun wielding security officials usually police men. The officials do not only commit their atrocities within the city centre, they also regularly extort money from street traders in the satellite towns. Sometimes, the environment officials, whose agency is saddled with protecting and maintaining the environment, carry out their nefarious activities close to government buildings. In trying to execute part of their mandate of stopping street trading in the Nigerian capital, the officials also make illegal money for themselves. The Abuja secretariat incidence On June 12, hawkers in front of the Federal Secretariat in Abuja were harassed by officials of the AEPB who arrived in a marked white bus with the number 50 printed on it.  Abuja Environmental Protection Board Bus 50 after the operation A PREMIUM TIMES reporter, who witnessed how the hawkers, mostly women selling perishables ranging from carrots, groundnuts, fruits, and corn ran away clutching their goods as the task force officials arrived. Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES after the task force had left, many of the hawkers said similar incidents occurred everyday with the officials giving them two condition: either give them bribe or have their goods confiscated. “They used to collect bribe here, every blessed day different faces come, we will give them money and the next day another set will come and say if we don’t give them they’ll pursue us. After sometime you’ll see another set of people with different faces. If you stay here small their motor will still come with different set of people,” Happiness a groundnut seller, said Another banana hawker, who identified herself as Grace, also narrated her ordeals in the hands of the officials. She said the hawkers at the secretariat contribute money which is given to the task force officials for them to allow the hawkers sell their product. “I sell Banana. This people (AEPB officials) come here every day. It’s been happening for long and we are told they are the Abuja task force,” Grace said in Pidgin English. The middle aged banana seller said the traders usually contribute money for the officials. “After we’ve given them the money, another set of officials would come in a similar bus to seize our goods into their vehicle; or demand their own bribe,” she added. Another trader, Esther, told PREMIUM TIMES that most times the traders contribute between N100 and N1, 000 to pay as bribe to the officials. “All of us here contribute N100 each for each set that comes here. One time, one particular set came and said we will give N1, 000 each before we can stay here for our business, we gave them; and before you know it another set came with a different bus and different faces. Sometimes they come three times in a day and we ‘settle’ them on each occasion,” she said. When a PREMIUM TIMES reporter approached the AEPB officials at the secretariat to ask questions on their activities as well as the bribery allegations, they became aggressive and almost started a fight. The officials queried the reporter’s reason for asking questions and taking photographs of their activities. They eventually drove off in their mini bus!!! Source premiumtimesng.com/news/142965-how-abuja-administration-officials-extort-bribes-from-petty-traders.html http:///O2dHRz
|
| Politics › Ribadu: How Gani Fawehinmi Mentored Me by dewale2k(op): 10:09am On Aug 18, 2013 |
Meeting late fiery human rights activists, Gani Fawehinmi was a morale booster for the former presidential candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Nuhu Ribadu, he admitted yesterday adding that Mr. Fawehinmi’s mentorship helped him in shaping his ideological stance. Mr. Ribadu, who spoke at a mentoring programme organised by the Group of Patriotic Corpers (GPC) and #AdoptATweep in Abuja at the weekend, said he meet the reputable lawyer while serving as a pupil lawyer at the military Special Investigative Panel during the short-lived Buhari/Idiagbon regime. Late Mr. Fawehinmi, according to Mr. Ribadu, provided him with critical advices and mentorship lessons that continue to serve as his guiding lights to this day. He said it was from Mr. Fawehinmi that he renewed his resolve to continue to fight the cause of the poor and subsequently join the Nigerian Police Force. He therefore underscored the importance of mentoring young ones which, he said, could surpassed what one can learn from formal school. “A Chinese saying has it that discussing with an experienced person is worth more than 10 years of education. It is therefore good to always relay one’s experience to the younger ones,” Mr. Ribadu said. The former EFCC chairman admonished the youth to make right choices at early stage of their career by choosing to live a humble and exemplary life than a life of material accumulation which, he said, does not guarantee eternal happiness if acquired through corrupt means. He also asked youths not to lose hope of rebuilding the country but said they required strong will and incorruptible life to salvage the nation, adding that the resolve has to be made at an early age. ” My success at the EFCC, especially in resisting all tempting offers and calls to bend the rules was a direct result of my bow from when I was like you that I will never be corrupt. “I resented corruption not by lips of mouth but by personal conduct. I refused to be bribed or compromised throughout my public service career. Yet, I am ever happy with myself. I have no regrets that I don’t have mansions all over the world or own a private jet. I derive happiness from contentment and the feeling that what I possess are things I genuinely earn. You can make similar resolve today,” he said.  Late Lagos Lawyer and fiery human rights activist, Gani Fawehinmi Mr. Ribadu charged the youths to conduct an audit of their abilities before making career choices, which is a life time decision. “Therefore, if you really wish to be a home-builder, one possessed by a desire to change our realities, then you have to conduct a self-assessment. Look into your strengths and weaknesses and then take decision on whether to follow the left or the right path that leads to integrity, self-satisfaction and reputation that could outlive generations.” Source http://premiumtimesng.com/?p=142957 2 Likes |
| European Football (EPL, UEFA, La Liga) › Re: Arsenal Vs Aston Villa (1 - 3) On 17th August 2013 by dewale2k: 4:45pm On Aug 17, 2013 |
Arsenal in trouble 3 1 1 Like |
| Education › Two Unilorin Students Construct Aircraft Prototype by dewale2k(op): 9:35am On Aug 14, 2013 |
The students created the prototype as their final year project. Two 500-level students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ilorin, Ali David and Patrick Effiong, have constructed an aircraft prototype. The duo told journalists in Ilorin that they had nurtured the passion to construct the aircraft when they were in 100 level, adding that it was now their final year project. Mr. David noted that many of his colleagues were skeptical when they first broached the subject, adding that they were not deterred by the challenges they faced. “What we are actually working on is a machine that will lift up itself through the law of aerodynamics and having an engine, a propeller and the fuselage,” he added. Mr. Effiong, on his part, said: “With some of our lecturers backing us, we were motivated; we decided that we can carry out the construction. “Ali brought the idea to me that he had the dream of constructing an aircraft, but I didn’t really buy the idea then and I thought he had forgotten about it. “So when we got to 400 level, he raised the idea again.’’ Also speaking with newsmen, the project supervisor, Tajudeen Ajiboye, said the students had demonstrated a high level of intellectualism inspite of the challenges they faced. Mr. Ajiboye, who said the students were faced with the problems of materials and manpower at the initial stage, commended them for their tenacity to accomplish the project. (NAN) premiumtimesng.com/news/142696-two-unilorin-students-construct-aircraft-prototype.html |
| Education › Protest To Save Public Education Ongoing In Lagos by dewale2k(op): 12:13pm On Aug 13, 2013 |
The protesters say education in Nigeria has been commercialised. A protest aimed at forcing government to salvage public education in Nigeria has begun in Lagos. The organizers of the protest say it is a kick-off to a nationwide campaign targeted at shutting down the nation. The protesters say they are waging war against what they described as commercialization of education in the country. The march, organized by the Joint Action Front, also has, as participants, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, National Association of Nigerian Students, Concerned Students Against Education Commercialization, Education Rights Campaign, among others Source premiumtimesng.com/news/142657-protest-to-save-public-education-ongoing-in-lagos.html Details later!!! |
| Politics › Jonathan Warns Bisi Akande To Respect His Age, by dewale2k(op): 8:43pm On Aug 11, 2013 |
The presidency has reacted to Mr. Akande’s comment that Mr. Jonathan is a “kindergarten president”http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142588-respect-your-age-jonathan-warns-bisi-akande.html 7 Likes |
| Satellite TV Technology › Re: New Aljazeera HD Decoder Frequencies by dewale2k: 9:53pm On Aug 10, 2013 |
How much did u get the HD decode and where? |
| Politics › FG Has Declared Aug. 8 And Aug. 9 2013 Public Holidays To Mark EID I'll FITRI by dewale2k(op): 6:40pm On Aug 05, 2013 |
The federal Government has declared Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 public holidays to mark the 2013 Eid-el-Fitri celebration. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, on behalf of the Federal Government. The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Fatima Bamidele. It urged Muslim faithful to use the spiritual benefits of Ramadan to contribute to the development of the nation. The statement also urged Nigerians to exploit the spiritual benefits of love, joy and peace in their daily living and to use the opportunity of the holidays to reflect on the imperative of peace in nation building. It wished all Nigerians a rewarding and peaceful celebration. . |
| Politics › Fg Has Declared Aug. 8 And Aug.9 Public Holidays To Mark The 2013 Eid I'll Fitri by dewale2k(op): 6:20pm On Aug 05, 2013 |
The federal Government has declared Aug. 8 and Aug. 9 public holidays to mark the 2013 Eid-el-Fitri celebration. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, on behalf of the Federal Government. The statement was signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Fatima Bamidele. It urged Muslim faithful to use the spiritual benefits of Ramadan to contribute to the development of the nation. The statement also urged Nigerians to exploit the spiritual benefits of love, joy and peace in their daily living and to use the opportunity of the holidays to reflect on the imperative of peace in nation building. It wished all Nigerians a rewarding and peaceful celebration. |
| Politics › President Jonathan Lied On Awka Uninterrupted Electricity Claim, Residents Say by dewale2k(op): 8:49am On Aug 04, 2013 |
President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent Facebook claim about three weeks of uninterrupted electricity supply to Anambra state capital, Awka, is nowhere near the reality, residents of the town have told PREMIUM TIMES in a quick rebuttal that again casts doubt on the president’s public claim about his achievements. Residents from several streets of Awka said while power supply had improved in their areas in the past couple of weeks, the difference was fairly minimal to be regarded as “steady” since interruptions have continued. “They give us light mostly in the day time and take it during the night when we need it most,” said Mike Nweke, who lives along Zik Avenue, and runs a shop at Eke Awka market. “In spite of the fact that our NEPA credit finishes within days of recharge. There is nothing to celebrate. Four other residents of the area corroborated that claim of improved power supply over the past three weeks, but they all added that the usual power failure persisted. At Ifite Awka, mostly habited by students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, residents said the only difference they witnessed in recent weeks has been the stoppage of the power rationing called “One day ON, one day OFF”, which makes light available to different areas on alternate days. “Before they use to share light for us and that made us to be having light once in two days but now that has become history because they are now giving us light everyday though the power supply has never been stable as claimed by the president,” one student said. The responses, randomly drawn from several parts of Awka, particularly refuted the president’s claim about “uninterrupted public power” in a Facebook comment on Thursday. In the unusual post, which the president said was meant to “drown out the unacceptable negatives in the polity”, Mr. Jonathan highlighted the appointment by telephone company, MTN, of its first Nigerian Chief Executive, as the proceed of his administration’s resolve to build local content; and spoke of steady electricity in Awka, and the registration of the new party, All Progressives Congress, as a reflection of the success of his government’s reforms. “The second occurrence is the celebration by the city of Awka, in Anambra state of three weeks of uninterrupted public power supply and counting,” Mr. Jonathan wrote. “More cities will soon be able to have such celebrations because the Roadmap to Power Sector Reforms is having the desired effects with almost all of Nigeria’s electricity Distribution companies (Discos) and Generating companies (Gencos) now in private hands as I promised on the 26th of August 2010 in Lagos when I launched the Power Roadmap.” For a president whose past claims on achievements, particularly about power supply had all turned out fictitious, and were roundly refuted by Nigerians, his remarks about Anambra state immediately stirred swift reactions from Nigerians. Readers who responded to PREMIUM TIMES’ call on Facebook, asking Awka residents for response, provided mixed opinion of the situation in the commercial state. While a majority denied the president’s claim, a few admitted the situation had improved. A respondent, Oraneto Ndubuisi, affirmed, “For real, four weeks now”, while another, Toby Obaji, interjected, “Wait a minute, are you guys trying to say three hours or three weeks. Well, if its three hours …yes, sometimes. If you actually mean three weeks, then it’s not this Awka, might be the Awka in Japan.” Other residents from different parts of the town, interviewed by our reporter in Awka, returned a verdict that largely disclaimed Mr. Jonathan’s. At Ogechuckwu Street, five people interviewed said there was no difference in power supply in the area over the past three months because they still used generators at night. At Emma-Nnaemeka Street, residents also denied there was stable power supply in the area as claimed by the president. “Enough of that lie and those people presenting those lies to Mr. President should stop it,” one man, visibly angered by the question, said. http://premiumtimesng.com/?p=142187 |
| Sports › Re: Brazil Vs Spain - Confederations Cup Final (3 - 0) On 30th June 2013 by dewale2k: 12:35am On Jul 01, 2013 |
They beat spain from june to july! 2 Likes |
| Sports › Re: Brazil Vs Spain - Confederations Cup Final (3 - 0) On 30th June 2013 by dewale2k: 12:11am On Jul 01, 2013 |
Ramos miss plenty! |
| Sports › Re: Brazil Vs Spain - Confederations Cup Final (3 - 0) On 30th June 2013 by dewale2k: 11:45pm On Jun 30, 2013 |
Spain in trouble! |
| Politics › Nigeria Sets Up Three Committees To Fast Track Sale Of Power Generation by dewale2k(op): 9:19am On Jun 08, 2013 |
The Federal Government has set up three committees to fast-track the privatisation of 10 power generation plants and 11 power distribution companies under the National Independent Power Plants (NIPP) project. The National Council on Privatisation (NCP) and the Niger Delta Holding Power Company (NDPHC) set up the committees on Friday. Presenting the joint memo from NDPHC and Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), the Managing Director of NDPHC, James Olotu, sought the ratification by the joint Board of NDPHC and NCP of the divestment of 80 per cent shares of the company and the list of nominees for the road shows in Lagos, London, Hong Kong and New York. The joint memo also sought the approval of some committees that will handle the sale of the power plants in line with due process and laid down procedures. http://premiumtimesng.com/news/138059-nigeria-sets-up-three-committees-to-fast-track-sale-of-power-generation-distribution-plants.html The three committees formed are the Joint Evaluation Committee whose work is to evaluate the expression of interest for the NDPHC power plants; the Joint Transaction Committee of Niger Delta Power Company headed by the Managing Director of the Company; and the Joint Technical Committee headed by Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State. This is even as the Federal Government commended the management of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) for successfully completing the building of National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) power plants across the country. Presiding over the joint meeting of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and National Council on Privatisation (NCP) today at the State House, Abuja, Vice President Namadi Sambo gave the commendation, saying “the manner in which the management of the NDPHC handled the successful completion of the ten power plants is commendable.” Mr. Sambo said President Jonathan will from henceforth commence the commissioning of the power plants, noting that the issue of gas availability has been resolved, remaining transmission. He also noted that before the end of 2014 the power sector is expected to generate 20,000MW of electricity. He advised that everything should be done in accordance with the law and guidelines by the experts, adding that the sale of the produce would be used to bridge the gap in transmission and distribution in the sector. In his remark, Governor Suswam noted that the Lagos Raodshow was very successful and marked a good beginning as many investors indicated interest in the power sector. He said the aforementioned joint committees have prominent personalities. He also said a final approval of what the three committees had done would be given by a board of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company and National Council on Privatisation.
|
| Jobs/Vacancies › Re: Post Abuja Jobs Here by dewale2k: 11:52pm On Jun 06, 2013 |
KPMG will hold a regional test on Saturday, June 8th in Abuja and Port Harcort. Candidates must meet the following criteria; - Minimum of 5 credits SCCE result (including Maths and English) at one sitting. - Minimum of second class upper division (2.1) at the undergraduate level - Must not be above 26 years of age; and - Must have completed NYSC before 9 September, 2013 To Still be a part of this exercise send resume to careers@ng.kpmg.com today. |
| Jobs/Vacancies › KPMG Will Hold A Regional Test On Saturday, June 8th In Abuja And Port Harcort by dewale2k(op): 3:29pm On Jun 06, 2013 |
KPMG will hold a regional test on Saturday, June 8th in Abuja and Port Harcort. Candidates must meet the following criteria; - Minimum of 5 credits SCCE result (including Maths and English) at one sitting. - Minimum of second class upper division (2.1) at the undergraduate level - Must not be above 26 years of age; and - Must have completed NYSC before 9 September, 2013 To Still be a part of this exercise send resume to careers@ng.kpmg.com |
| Sports › Re: Kenya Vs Nigeria - W-C Qualifier - (0 - 1) On 5th June 2013 by dewale2k: 3:27pm On Jun 05, 2013 |
FT malawi 0 nambia o!Go For win nigeria! |
| Sports › Re: Kenya Vs Nigeria - W-C Qualifier - (0 - 1) On 5th June 2013 by dewale2k: 3:13pm On Jun 05, 2013 |
86 malawo 0 nambia o! |
| Sports › Re: Kenya Vs Nigeria - W-C Qualifier - (0 - 1) On 5th June 2013 by dewale2k: 3:01pm On Jun 05, 2013 |
73 malawi 0 nambia 0!Go for goal nigeria |
| Sports › Re: Kenya Vs Nigeria - W-C Qualifier - (0 - 1) On 5th June 2013 by dewale2k: 2:42pm On Jun 05, 2013 |
andyanders: Any one here know about Malawi game?54 mins malawi 0 nambia 0 |
| Sports › Re: Kenya Vs Nigeria - W-C Qualifier - (0 - 1) On 5th June 2013 by dewale2k: 2:34pm On Jun 05, 2013 |
granteze40:DSTV nairalandTV! |
| Sports › Re: Kenya Vs Nigeria - W-C Qualifier - (0 - 1) On 5th June 2013 by dewale2k: 2:13pm On Jun 05, 2013 |
Khayordhe: Abeg,i don press all d pressable on mah dstv.....i no see d station whr i go take watch diz match odey follow update 4 here! |
Pls which channel on DSTV is showing the match,am tired of changing dis sss channels oo[color=#006600][/color]