₦airaland Forum

Tribune had, in the recent past, exclusively exposed how the South-West zone had been downgraded and marginalised in the scheme of things under the Jonathan-led administration.

''Exlusively exposed'' ke?

But he inflicted the self wound on his people. Dos he expect to eat his cake and have it? You can't be both opposition and opposed at the same time.

Jonathan moves to pacify South-West *Over marginalisation *President meets Gbonigi, Adebayo, Falae, Adefuye, Awolowo-Dosumu, others

Written by Jacob Segun Olatunji, Abuja
Sunday, October 14, 2012



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President Goodluck Jonathan, at last, has resolved to address the issue of the much-touted marginalisation of the South-West zone in the scheme of things under his administration.

Sunday Tribune learnt that already, President Jonathan had directed one of his top aides to arrange a strategic meeting with notable Yoruba leaders immediately.

At the meeting, the issue of marginalisation would be critically looked into and neccessary adjustments made to correct all perceived injustice against the region.

A Presidency source, who revealed this to Sunday Tribune on Saturday, said President Jonathan took the decision during an impromptu closed-door meeting he held with some prominent Yoruba leaders on Thursday night at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja, shortly after his meeting with some select leaders from the South under the umbrella of Southern Peoples Assemly.

According to our source, some of the Yoruba leaders who attended the impromptu meeting with the president included Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, General Adeyinka Adebayo, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Ambassador (Dr) Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu, Senators Tony Adefuye and Femi Okunroumu, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Dr Kunle Olajide and others.

Our source hinted that though the meeting was never planned, the Yoruba leaders only approached President Jonathan to remind him about the marginalisation of the zone in the scheme of things, the recent one being the appointment of the servce chiefs in which the zone was not in any way represented.

According to the source, "immediately after the scheduled meeting of the president with the Southern People's Assembly, the Yoruba leaders approached him and reminded him about their earlier complaint of marginalisation of the zone and he graciously met them and at the end agreed for a strategic meeting to address the issue which he directed one of his top aides to facilitate immediately.

"The Yoruba leaders were in high spirit with the express manner in which President Jonathan received their complaints and his readiness to meet with them soonest to address all their grievances."

Tribune had, in the recent past, exclusively exposed how the South-West zone had been downgraded and marginalised in the scheme of things under the Jonathan-led administration.

http://odili.net/news/source/2012/oct/14/616.html

Nigeria Should Expect Fiercer Boko Haram Insurgency Unless Northeast Gets More Money From FG-Ibrahim

From the former Governor of Yobe State in the Northeast has come a threat to the rest of Nigeria-give us more money or experience more Boko Haram Insurgency!

Amazingly, Buka Abba Ibrahim, now a senator, made the remarks publicly and unashamedly.



Complaining about the amount budgeted for the Northeast by the Federal Government, Ibrahim said “Other geo-political zones got N79 billion or N80 billion. But the North-East has only N50 billion; a difference of N30 billion. Go and check the budget figures or ask the Director-General Budget Office.”

He then issued the threat by saying “Boko Haram is a product of poverty. It is a product of unhappiness. We are unhappy with Nigeria. Unless something is done to address it, Nigeria should expect bigger Boko Haram insurgency, Insha Allah."

Mr. Ibrahim did not complain of the fact that of the amount voted for the Northeast, more than 95% is sourced from the Southern half of Nigeria rather he was bitter that his zone has not got more money.

Many pundits within Nigeria and outside the nation believe that the Boko Haram insurgency is a political strategy unleashed on Nigeria by many who feel left out of power as a result of the emergence of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as President after the 2011 election. Indeed, a member of the Northern Elders Political Leaders Forum, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, had said that the "North would make Nigeria ungovernable" for President Jonathan or any other Southerner that emerges!

http://www.naijapundit.com/news/nigeria-should-expect-fiercer-boko-haram-insurgency-unless-northeast-gets-more-money-from-fg-ibrahim

usmanyaro17: What are u trying to gain from this useless thread?

You can call it useless, but to discerning minds it is an interesting observation.

When southern robbers are routed by the police, vigilante or other individuals, they simply go home to sulk or relocate to another area to operate. These ones from the North are so daring that they returned to their routers base and wiped out those who routed them. This is serious. Armed robbers behaving like Boko Haram. Everything North is always different.

Killings of worshippers in Kaduna, reprisal attack – Defence Hqtrs
On October 15, 2012 · In News
4:48 am
0

ABUJA— Against the backdrop of weekend’s killing of about 20 Muslim worshippers by unknown gunmen in Dogo Dawa area of Kaduna State and claims by the CNN and Aljazeera network’s report alleging that the killings were the handiwork of the military, the Defence Headquarters, last night, clarified that the killings emanated from reprisal attacks.

A statement signed by Director of Defence Information, Col. Mohammed Yerima, reads: “The attention of the Defence Headquarters has been drawn to the unsubstantiated claims by CNN and Aljazeera alleging that the Nigerian military carried out an early morning attack on Muslim worshippers in a mosque at Dogo Dawa, a village near Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, where 20 people were allegedly killed by unknown gunmen.

“This is contrary to reports by other local and international media organisations, who reported that the attack was carried out by unknown gunmen.

“Investigation revealed that the killing was a reprisal attack by a gang of armed robbers who lost some of their members after a recent raid of their hideout through the combined effort of the villagers and the vigilante group in that community.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to state categorically in the interest of the larger society that no member of the Nigerian Armed Forces was involved in the said attack which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, October 14, 2012.

“We wish to reassure the general public of our readiness to offer assistance to the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies whose primary responsibility is the maintenance of law and order in the society.

“We are committed to the defence and protection of our country’s hard earned democracy and more importantly, the Nigerian Armed Forces belong to the Nigerian people.”

“We urge members of the public to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear of molestation from any quarter, and to also report any breach of peace and security in the society to law enforcement agencies”.

Boko Haram: Yoruba move against incursion of sect into S/West *S/West impregnable for terrorists - Gani Adams

Written by Olayinka Olukoya and Dare Adekanmbi
Friday, August 24, 2012



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THE Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), the umbrella body for all Yoruba sons and daughters, has moved against possible incursion of the dreaded Boko Haram sect into the South-West region of the country.

Rising from its general meeting, on Thursday, at the Efunyela Hall, in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State, the forum bemoaned the state of insecurity across the country in general and Yorubaland in particular.

The meeting, in a seven-paragraph communique jointly signed by its coordinators, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi and Senator Femi Okurounmu, noted that efforts should be put in place to ensure that the zone was not caught unawares.

"The meeting examined seriously the security situation in Yorubaland, the possibility of Boko Haram incursion into the zone and took proactive steps to ensure the zone is not caught unprepared," the communique stated.

The meeting also promised to find means of bringing prominent sons and daughters of the Yoruba nation, who have not identified with the mission of the forum to the fold.

The meeting, held under the leadership of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, had in attendance, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Bishop Ayo Ladigbolu (retd); deputy governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Alli Onanusi; former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande; former deputy governor, Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and former Head of Service of the Federation, Professor Oladipo Afolabi.

Others are, former judge of the Court of Hague, Prince Bola Ajibola; former National Chairman of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa; former Minister of Health, Professor Adenike Grange; Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Anisulowo and traditional rulers from Osun State, among others.

The meeting also endorsed and ratified the report on the visit of the forum's delegation to Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, while the draft constitution of the Southern Nigeria People's Assembly was distributed to members.

The communique reads in part: "The meeting was convened primarily to report on the visit of the forum's delegation from South-South and the South-East and where they jointly set up the Southern Nigeria People's Assembly.

"The meeting unanimously endorsed the report of the Uyo meeting and ratified the decision of the meeting.

"The draft constitution of the Southern Nigeria People's Assembly was distributed to members for detailed study and comments , along with the earlier distributed draft of the contribution of the Yoruba Unity Forum. These constitutions will be ratified at the future meetings after accommodating the various submissions and comments on them."

Earlier in a welcome address, the convener, Chief (Mrs) Awolowo, stressed that the unity of the Yoruba nation was necessary for the progress and development of the race in all spheres, adding that the security of the zone is a joint responsibility.

"Without mincing words, the insecurity in the nation horrifies an average Nigerian. When you go in and out of your home, it is apprehension about widespread insecurity that ceases your heart.

"A lot of bombings go on unabated in the northern part of the country and we pray it will not get to the South-West here. This is why we called this meeting. The Yoruba must unite against this terrible trend of insecurity. It is a collective responsibility," she said.

Just as deliberations on the spreading activities of the Boko Haram sect began, a cleric in attendance, Reverend (Dr) Justus Latunji, intimated the gathering to what he said was a revelation from God that the deadly sect had perfected plans to strike in the South-West in October.

The cleric charged the six governors in the region to beef up security in their states, while urging the residents and the people of the region to pray fervently to avert the spread of the bombings and killings to the region.

However, the national coordinator of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, who attended the meeting, allayed the fear of Boko Haram striking in the region.

"This is a public gathering and we do not want to reveal our strategies here. But we can assure you that the South-West is impregnable for Boko Haram. Those of you who are elders will recall that the Yoruba people, in history, were never overrun in any battle. OPC is battle-ready for Boko Haram.

http://odili.net/news/source/2012/aug/24/617.html

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with Kingsley Ozumba
Mbadiwe and Mazi Mbonu Ojike at the African Dance Festival held at the Carnegie Hall Art Gallery in New York on December 14, 1943
— with Hugh Okoro, Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe, Emeka Amanze, emeka smanzze, 'Kanayo Ede, Mbonu Ojike and Nick Nwauda.
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14 people like this.
4 shares
Don Pedro Okojie Sir Ambrose this is a million dollar picture. Looking at their dressing, you will never dispute that they were kings in their days. Its beautiful(am lost for words to describe them)
31 October 2010 at 03:23 · 4
Tobechukwu Justice Ehirim
These Orlu men dreamt dreams, they did their bests to lead Nigeria out of Colonialism they had plans for the future of the country and diretion but unfortunately, the Real Leaders of the Nigerian Independence Struggle were shortchanged in the scheme of things and their good ideas, patriotic dreams and aspirations for a Greater Nigeria never took effective root in the Nigeria that eventually emerged because Vagabonds highjacked the country the laboured for, Greed,Treachery, Nepotism, Brigandage, Tribalism took over, Mbonu Ojike lost out,his homeboy and associate, K.O. felt betrayed and as a result, till the end, played a Rebel to the mainstream NCNC......
31 October 2010 at 04:47 · 2
Ambrose Ehirim
@Oga Pedro: Are you telling me? Take another closer look at the picture and imagine how bold and fearless these guys took the situation at a particular time Japan was tearing up the Pacific states and United States still not sure of the battle in Europe and a broke Britain from trying to defeat Hitler in what Hitler had begun by invading Poland. And these bold and fearless folks were in their 20s at a time we barely knew what civilization was all about...See where Britain panicked?. Here K. O. Mbadiwe was the President of the Academy of African Arts and Research which presented the festival while Mbonu Ojike was visiting from the University of Chicago, representing African students.
31 October 2010 at 10:19
John Nwaobi Undisputed truth of leadership....oh Britain!
31 October 2010 at 11:04 · 1
Moe Ene ‎@Ambrose: What did you expect; they learnt from the master: Zik. They were great American Africans of the Second Coming.
31 October 2010 at 12:19 · 1
Ambrose Ehirim ‎@Dr. Ene, Without question, Zik was the architect of Nigeria's national state despite the flaws which is what most of us, if not alll, haven't been able to address appropriate terms.
31 October 2010 at 14:00
Ambrose Ehirim Meant most of us haven't been able to address in appropriate terms...
31 October 2010 at 14:04
Nick Nwauda This were men who were both patriotic and visionery, make me sick to my stomach today when i read all thing people singing the praises of pretenders like goodluck Jonathan to be president of the Country this men gave their sweat for, or for Mbonu Ejike who gave his own blood for Igbo Unity.they must be turning in theirs grave when he see some of the socalled Igbo leaders of today who are nothing but pretenders and money bags.
31 October 2010 at 14:10 · 1
Ambrose Ehirim Nnamdi, I weep for Nd'Igbo and the entire Nigeria!
31 October 2010 at 14:20
Etim Eyo Ambrose... Ok just one question; When were you planning to share this photo with the Nostalgia Group? Please O I am begging you now ..we need to learn about these individuals - Thanks
22 November 2010 at 17:55 · 1
Ambrose Ehirim Oga Etim abeg no vex...I go shoot to you quick quick oo before una declare man MIA...
22 November 2010 at 18:56
KC Emeagi Great Pix! Thanks for sharing.
16 April 2011 at 11:10 · 1
Gene Moweta Where in the world can i get this outfit ?I''ll pay a million dollars 2 get one.
21 May 2011 at 21:40 · 1
Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe Focused, Determined, Purposeful... The resource and opportunity to transform Igboland, Africa, to an advanced civilisation for ourselves and the world at large are firmly within our hands - not anyone else's. We will surely achieve this goal. Yes, this generation will achieve this goal. This is the enduring message of this poise of the Mbadiwe-Ojike duo!
22 May 2011 at 12:44 · 1
Moe Ene Prof, I want to hold on to "the enduring message"; but, sixty-seven years after that photo.. (67!), we are still sitting on our hands. NOTE: The incumbent First Lady has Igbo blood flowing through her veins!
23 May 2011 at 09:45 · 1
Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe Odogwu, you've indeed inserted the Fanonian imperative in the proceedings! 67 years... Our generation cannot but take note... Daaaa luuuu o
23 May 2011 at 12:59 · 1
Uzodinma Atuanya Ponder on this: SOUTH EASTERN REGIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL. Merging all the igbo state economies into one with rail networks traversing the entire igbo land. Tinubu has set something similar and has appointed a planning commission to roll out plans for the next century.
6 August 2011 at 01:19
Uzodinma Atuanya Asiwaju bola ahmed tinubu!.
6 August 2011 at 01:20

United States former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe and Mazi Mbonu Ojike at the African Dance Festival held at the Carnegie Hall Art Gallery in New York on December 14, 1943

ishmael: They can't churn out quality graduates again when u allow them to still teach at the age of 65+ when their brain cells are already dead. Now we are asking them to still teach up to 70 years. I hope GEJ knows the implications of this bill he just signed.

WTF. There are professors of 65- 70 still teaching in the best universities in developed countries. Some old folks are smarter than the young ones especially when it comes to having a good grasp of basic concepts and principles of a subject. How many young people can do maths these days without a calculator? Some old academics may be lacking in the current infotech wave but that is where it ends. It is not a case of age, it is a case of era.

Another interesting facebook response http://www.facebook.com/Utomi/posts/229379333844682

Kizito KJ; If the problem of the north is a southern president, then let them support a Christian northerner then we will c how sincere they are
about an hour ago · Like · 1

Pat Utomi · 171,271 like this.
about an hour ago ·

I must say that it will be a mistake to repeat the 'Northern Candidate' misadventure of 2011 in 2015. Right from June 12 1993 to last year's elections, Nigerians have consistently shown that they would not vote a regional candidate. What Nigeria needs today is to focus on good governance and what Nigeria needs in 2015 is a Nigerian candidate. PU

This below was a Yoruba responding to the above facebook post on Prof Pat Utomi's (Patitos gang) facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Utomi/posts/229379333844682

Elder Obawusi Obafemi: Nigeria problem is complex but clearly spelled out. With some exceptions, here lays the problem. The North East and North West Islamic doctrination means nobody can rule this country in peace except the individual is a Muslim fanatic like former Governor of Zamfara Ahmed Yerima , Islamic General Mumuhead Buhari, ACN smokesperson Liar Mumuhead. For the SouthWest, ethnic bigotry that is in their bloodline, means rejection of anyone that is not Yoruba by blood. South-South is confused as what alliance is better for them, unable to stand united, and face the enemy, they are generally taking for granted by others (Hausa and Yoruba). The North Central-mostly minority is a victim of circumstance who belong in the North but thinks and act like the South, and they do not want to belong or dine with Hausa -Fulani, it is an open warfare. As For the people of South-East their "Everlasting"message and quest for National Unity, Equity, Fairness, and Justice for all, has not changed and has sort of make them political victim in a country filled with non-egalitarianism societies where regional interest surpasses that of national unity and cohesion. OJUKWU(S.A.W)'s prophetic (Aburi Accord) SOLUTION TO NIGERIA may not after all be wrong or far fetched, 2015 may BALANCE the EQUATION. After all the STONES REJECTED BY BUILDERS ALWAYS END UP BEING THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE- I MEAN -ABURI OJUKWU(SAW)
about an hour ago · Like · 6

''Forget Northern Christians In Your 2015 Presidential Bid'', NOSCEF Tells Arewa Elders

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/forget-northern-christians-your-2015-presidential-bid-noscef-tells-arewa-elders






2015: ''Don’t ask for our votes'', Northern group tells Northern politicians

http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/39192.html

Babangida to Northern Governors:North Must Unite Against Any Southern Candidate in 2015

Written by Culled From Vanguard on 18 May 2012.
3 Comments and 0 Reactions
KADUNA – Ahead of the 2015 elections, the 19 Northern Governors, yesterday, expressed determination to sink their differences and unite to produce the president from the region in 2015. This was the outcome of their quarterly meeting held in Kaduna.

Speaking the minds of his colleagues at the opening session of the meeting, chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, and Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu said the northern governors, this time around, will not allow what happened in 2011 to repeat itself in 2015 as they will unite against candidates from the south.

According to Governor Aliyu, “we must be united more than ever to go into the 2015 elections as one entity with the aim of producing the president”. He then advised all governors and politicians in the north to remain focused and pursue issues of development rather than trivial issues that have led to the retrogression of the region in recent years.

alt



L-r: Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State with chairman, Northern Governors Forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State at the Northern Governors Forum meeting in Kaduna, yesterday. Photo: Olu Ajayi.

Meanwhile, following the war of words between former head of state, and presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari and the presidency over the general prediction of a bloodbath should the 2015 election be rigged, the forum admonished political leaders in the country to be cautious about their comments on important national issues that may polarise the country.

In a communique issued after the meeting, the forum said, “we want to caution eminent Nigerians against inflammatory statements capable of affecting our fragile unity and security. We must be concerned about the unity and development of the country in all ramifications”

Chairman of the Forum, Babangida Aliyu who was asked by newsmen after he had read the communiqué to state the position of the forum on the comment credited to Gen. Mohammed Buhari had this to say: “May be those who may be too concerned have not looked at what other eminent Nigerians have been talking about. I saw one that said Nigeria is going to be Somalianized; I saw another one who has been talking like there would be war tomorrow. So, for me, that statement should be taken on its own value - do not go and do bad election.

“ I think that is the whole thing I will take there. All of us who are involved in elections, political parties, contestants and voters themselves, we must all be careful about what we say. But, again, like I said certain people in that position, certain vocabularies they use should be chosen carefully. So, both ways let’s take it on our own stride and ensure that future elections are seen to be transparent and are seen to be good”, he said.

On security in the North, the communiqué reads: “The level of insecurity in the northern states is alarming. The forum resolved to intensify efforts to find lasting solutions to the problems by reaching out to all stakeholders”.

On the major economic issues affecting the northern states, the communiqué said various committees have been set up to address them accordingly. The committees have been set up on agriculture, Textile industries and the New Nigeria Newspapers whose workers have been on strike for more than three months.

Speaking before the commencement of the meeting, Muazu Babangida Aliyu stated that the Northern governors would stake their mandates together as a united team in 2015..

He however noted that 2015 was still too far to become the main topic of discussion among serious elected leaders.


http://www.naijapundit.com/news/north-must-unite-against-any-southern-candidate-in-2015

^^^^^

Elombah Perspective 16 May 16:05
BOKO HARAM:
We are looking to find at least One Nigerian with American Citizenship who has suffered an attack on his person, property, hotels, businesses or relatives from Boko haram. If you know Anyone who has suffered any loss from Boko haram should please contact me if the person is also an American citizen.
http://www./igboville/350771711644339/

[/quote]Contact info


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