₦airaland Forum

Nigerian Security Force has done a great job! Pls let it not be only for rich people alone but for all Nigerians that are in problems..... Nice one

Nigeria's finance minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, released a statement today shortly after the release of her mother from kidnappers in Delta state. The statement below did not offer much detail about Professor Kamene Okonjo release from kidnappers 5 days after the 82-year woman was kidnapped from her home in the state.

However, the statement praised President Goodluck Jonathan, security agencies and some state governors for their support throughout her ordeal. Family sources told SaharaReporters that the minister refused to negotiate directly with the kidnappers throughout the saga.

Security sources earlier told SaharaReporters that Mrs. okonjo had been released from kidnappers but details of her release from kidnappers remains sketchy.

“We are highly appreciative of your support” – Okonjo-Iweala

I can confirm that Professor Mrs Kamene Okonjo, wife of the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, Professor Chukuka Okonjo and mother of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was released this morning, five days after her abduction.

The Okonjo Family is full of thanks to the Almighty for this happy development. The family is also highly appreciative of the support and encouragement of President Goodluck Jonathan; the Country’s security services for their excellent operations; Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta, Peter Obi of Anambra, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and other Governors as well other friends and well wishers within and outside government for their prayers and encouragement during a very difficult period.

May God bless you all.

Paul C Nwabuikwu
Special Adviser to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy/Minister of Finance.
Source:saharareporters.com

jodeci: Our security forces can work if they are determined to do so.

This is a cheering news.

Very true and we thank them but this fire for fire work should not only be when V.I.Ps are in arms way but rather it should be for every one abi no be dem talk say Police is your Friend.. Security forces thank you once again but please sit up

That prayer of yours will not come to pass and rather failure will hunt you since you think you and your wat ever army thinks your stronger than Baba God who has said it is well with us all because GEJ was put there by him to rule and lead us to a better Nigeria..

nifemi01: I don't really know much about law and stuffs like that so am just gonna ask pple to enlighten me here.
Does d speaker of the house have d authority to sign arrest warrant?
Shouldn't that be done by a judge?

Yes the LEGISLATIVE HOUSES has POWERS AND PRIVILEGES TO ACT... may i suggest 2-3 sites so as you widen your understanding about the Nigerian LEGISLATIVE HOUSES: http://speakersoffice.gov.ng/house_leadership.htm and http://www.placng.org/lawsofnigeria/node/145

Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday signed a warrant of arrest on heads of 16 revenue collecting agencies over their refusal to appear before the House Committee on Finance on non-remittance of N1.3 trillion revenue.

Committee chairman Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (PDP, Kano) had moved a motion on matters of urgent public importance informing the House of failure of affected agencies to honour their several invitations and provide details of their Internally Generated Revenues (IGR) as part of the 2013 budget revenue frame work.

Tambuwal then directed Jibrin to write to him and list the erring agencies.

A copy of the arrest warrant signed by the Speaker indicated that CBN governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, NNPC Group Managing Director Engr. Andrew Yakubu are among those listed.

To face arrest also include heads of AMCON, FCT, FAAN, Pension Commission of Nigeria, NIMASA, NPA, among others.

Meanwhile, the police head-quarters in Abuja said no warrant was transmitted to it from the National Assembly for the arrest of anybody, police spokesman said.
http://news.naij.com/16817.html

Strikes Loom in our Universities again as FG’s Meeting with SSANU, NASU, NAAT Ends in Deadlock.
A move by stakeholders to avoid another strike by staff of the nation’s tertiary institutions has once again hit the rocks. A meeting between the Federal Government and the non-teaching staff unions in the universities to resolve the pending crisis and planned strike over the Earned Allowance and the report of the committee on NEEDS Assessment in universities ended without any meaningful agreement.

The meeting was held at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation late Friday night. The unions — Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) — have, therefore, resolved to commence a seven-day warning strike on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, president of SSANU, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, President of NAAT, Comrade Sani Suleiman and the General-Secretary of NASU, Comrade Peter Adeyemi, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, said the meeting, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, with the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqquatu Rufai, in attendance, could not reach any meaningful conclusion hence the warning strike would go ahead as planned.

On his own part, NASU general secretary said his union had invited its members to a meeting at the University of Ibadan on Tuesday to deliberate on the outcome of the meeting with the government and decide on the way forward; SSANU President declared that the union would use Monday (today) to mobilise members across the country for the commencement of strike on Tuesday. However, the NAAT President said the decision to go on strike remains, and that the union had directed its branches to hold congress meeting and embark on the strike.

DMainMan: USA wil b happy now. De wont even hesitate to come. Their strategic plan is now yielding dividends. De and prominent nigeria politicians have been sponsoring bokoharam to destabilise Nigeria in order to penetrate her government and steal oil. No wonder y they refuse to label this dreadful organisation as terrorist. USA will eventually give those politicians that aid there cause massive wealth.

De av successfully used dis method to steal oil from Iran, Venezuela, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Palestine and many more. De ar not after our development but rather for selfish interest. De hate us and do not want us to grow. They hypocritically assist us with finance because of huge interest rate so dat we wil b bowing for them. Then de wil use this opportunity to command and control us just like fuel subsidy and devaluation of our currency.

War is not gud at all. America wil use dis opportunity to usurp all Nigeria's wealth and control it. I really pity Niger delta peeps. i really do. One of my freind said dat he dreamt that dere wil b drone flown around wit people running helter skelter. I think his dream might come true o .

Former US president, Bill Clinton said there wil b no Nigeria in 2015 when he came to Nigeria in year 2000. US c us as threat to dem in governing Africa just like Venezuela to South America. De ar working towards it through bokoharam and d likes. GOD PUNISH USA, THE KING OF TERRORIST. because U ARE WORLD POWER, U KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR SELFISH INTEREST. HELPING TERRORIST NATIONS LIKE ISRAEL IN KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE FOR THEIR POCKET. D ONLY THING CONSTANT IN LIFE IS CHANGE. U WIL SOON FALL AND VENGEANCE WILL B MADE UNTO U[size=12pt][/size]

Am sorry that you logged into this site to make a fool of your self with such a stupid comment, Israel is a terrorist nation while Iraq,Iran,Afghanistan,Yemen,Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan are saints. No offence but issues you have no idea about please let it pass and try to know more before coming out to say trash to the general public......

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) headquarters in Lagos on Monday, came short of a war front, as Motorcycle (Okada) riders encountered armed policemen, causing gridlock on the Yaba-Ojuelegba road

Apparently acting on orders, the policemen surrounded the NLC building, take-off point of the protest. This however did little to deter the organisers, Joint Action Front (JAF), as they remained adamant, saying they needed no permit to hold a peaceful rally. As tension grew, the police who were already overwhelmed by the gathering, called for reinforcement from nearby stations. Four of the people distributing leaflets among the crowd were later arrested, an action which further angered the protesters. Protesting further against the obstruction of the rally, JAF Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, told the police team thus “If Fashola still smokes despite warnings that tobacco smokers are liable to die young; motorbike operators also have a right to continue their operations with provided warnings that bike passengers are liable to be injured in an accident”.
http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/12/if-fashola-still-smokes-despite-warnings-then-okada-riders-have-a-right-to-operate.html

i can't wait for that time to come!!!!

Tee_Seven: What exactly does Mr Jonathan want? The US says, 'let's label these guys as terrorists so we can go after them', our govt says 'NO'. And now Mr president wants help in tackling them.

Lets look this other way round, we Nigerians are tired of Boko Haram, forget the self pride its clear we can't push the fight to the level the govt would have love to. So additional hands won't be a bad move so far as it will clear this terrible situation once and for all so as we can benefit from the good governance of GEJ has he moves the country forward in every aspect.....

autumn.flower:
Wrong move, Wrongest move.. Ask iraq, libya, egypt, and every other place they have been.

Nice observation but note also that this paces you just mentioned are not in the kind of situation we are in, like Iraq was at war with the world while the people of Libya with Egypt were at war with either governments.... This is Naij and we are used to shinning our eyes in every thing we do not withstanding how cunning the US can be we are also capable of playing that game with them if the tend to play it with us......

Walexz02: Source... Abi na u form the news?

Here is the source http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/12/jonathan-seeks-us-support-to-tackle-boko-haram-oil-theft/ what else do u have to say than a make up story!!!

President Goodluck Jonathan has solicited the support of United States of America (USA) government to fight the Boko Haram menace as well as crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

He made the call when he received the Commander of the United States’ Africa Command, AFRICOM, General Carter Ham, who paid a courtesy call to the State House,Abuja, yesterday.

The President called on theUnited Statesto assistNigeriato find lasting solution to the security challenges, such as Boko Haram, policing the nation’s extensive maritime borders, crude oil theft and kidnapping.

While commending the global role of theUSAin promoting global peace and security, Jonathan said the role played by theUSAhad engendered a safer and more secure world.

According toJonathan,Nigeriadeeply “appreciates the commitment of theUnited Statesto assist in ensuring that the world is safe and secure.”

He also briefed General Ham on his visit toMaliand the efforts by ECOWAS to resolve the conflict in that country, adding that the situation could still be contained if the right steps are taken quickly.

Earlier, Gen. Ham had revealed that he had taken advantage of his paper presentation at theNationalDefenceCollegeto hold talks with security agencies on ways to strengthen the partnership between Nigerian and American forces.

He promised that theUSAwas ready to cooperate withNigeriain areas such as maritime security, communications, development of civil-military capabilities, and resolving the conflict inMali.

Gen. Ham commendedNigeria’sDefenceCollegefor the harmonious working relationship between military personnel and civilians with participants from neighbouring countries on security issues.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/12/jonathan-seeks-us-support-to-tackle-boko-haram-oil-theft/

Hong Kong (CNN) -- North Korea surprised and angered the international community Wednesday by launching a long-range rocket that may have put an object in orbit.

The secretive North Korean regime said the rocket had successfully blasted off from a space center on its west coast and claimed the satellite it was carrying had entered its intended orbit. The launch followed a botched attempt in April and came just days after Pyongyang suggested it could be delayed.

Initial indications suggest the rocket "deployed an object that appeared to achieve orbit," the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the joint U.S.-Canadian aerospace agency, said in a statement.

North Korea has previously claimed that two other rockets fired in the past 15 years had successfully launched satellites, but other countries say they fell into the ocean before completing the task.
Read: Why launch the rocket now?
Many nations, such as the United States and South Korea, consider the launch to be a cover for testing ballistic missile technology. The nuclear-armed North has insisted its aim was to place a scientific satellite in space.

Countries around the world quickly condemned Pyongyang's move on Wednesday, saying it breached U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The South Korean government said the launch was confrontational and a "threat to the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the world."

The United States called it "a highly provocative act" that is "yet another example of North Korea's pattern of irresponsible behavior."

Washington will work with other countries -- including China, Russia and other Security Council members -- "to pursue appropriate action," said Tommy Vietor, a U.S. National Security Council spokesman.

The launch came as a surprise to the United States, which did not expect it to take place Wednesday, a senior U.S. official said.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he deplored the fact that North Korea "has chosen to prioritize this launch over improving the livelihood of its people."

Read: Launch driven by political pressures

Neighboring countries said the rocket had taken off Wednesday morning and flown south over the Japanese island of Okinawa.

The Japanese government said it believed one part of the rocket came down in the sea off the Korean Peninsula, a second part dropped into the East China Sea and a third fell into waters near the Philippines.

Read more: What does North Korea's planned rocket launch mean?

"It is extremely regrettable that North Korea forced the launch despite our protest," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Osamu Fujimura said at a news conference in Tokyo. "It is not acceptable, and we strongly protest against it."

South Korea's semi-official news agency Yonhap reported that President Lee Myung-bak has convened an emergency security meeting in Seoul.

A launch had seemed unlikely to take place so soon after North Korea announced Monday that it was extending the launch window into late December, citing technical issues in an engine.

Previous launch attempts by the North in 1998, 2006, 2009 and April this year failed to achieve their stated goal of putting a satellite into orbit and provoked international condemnation.

Pyongyang had said this rocket launch would be "true to the behests" of Kim Jong Il, the late North Korean leader and father of Kim Jong Un, head of the ruling regime.

Kim Jong Il died on December 17 last year, so the first anniversary of his death falls within the launch window that North Korea has announced.

Experts had also speculated that Pyongyang wanted this launch to happen before the end of 2012, the year that marks the centenary of the birth of Kim Il Sung, the founder of North Korea and grandfather of Kim Jong Un.

May God bless Mr. President for this wonderful development..

The Corruption is way above what the President can handle, go to Federal Government Ministry's today, the facilities there are all grounded, even in Head of Civil Service of the Federation's building, the unthinkable are happening, the toilets are all locked for 'no water'

Ask me what happen to the money?
Your answer is as good as my.
Merit has been sacrificed for long in the alter of 'your tribe and who you know'.
The BIG question is how do we save Nigeria.
It pains me to know that this is the only country will have and yet, citizens will totally refuse to do the right thing.
We think first of our pockets first, our families, our friend and no room for others.
We cannot afford to continue this wrong part.
I could had personally started the match for the emancipation of Nigeria from greed and stupid accumulation but my children are very young, who takes care of then when I take to the street peacefully asking for change of our attitude.
Change that will make us achieve our goals irrespective of state, tribe or beliefs.
Please, the Change we seek should start from us, I, you, we and us.
God bless all who will agree to change from today.

LAGOS — FROM a disturbing position of 16, four years ago, Nigeria has sank deeper into the abyss of terrorism and is now the seventh most-terrorised country in the world, according to the latest ranking of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI).

From the 16th slot in 2008, Nigeria went down to 11 in 2009; 12 in 2010; and now seven with a GTI of 7.24. According to the report, Nigeria recorded 168 incidents of terrorism in 2011 from which 437 persons died, 614 persons sustained injuries and 33 property were destroyed.

Nigeria is worse than Sudan, which is ranked 11th and Mali (34th).

Ahead of Nigeria on the index are Iraq (9.56), Pakistan (9.05), Afghanistan (8.67), India (8.15), Yemen (7.30) and Somali (7.24)

Of the 158 countries, 43 are free of terrorism. They include Burkina Faso, Brazil, Congo Republic, Gabon, Ghana, Jamaica, Gambia, Liberia, North Korea, South Korea, Poland, Uruguay, Singapore and Zambia.

Produced by the Institute for Economics and Peace, the GTI maps and analyzes trends in terrorism over the last 10 years and systematically ranks and compares 158 countries according to the impact of terrorism. The index is based on data from the Global Terrorism Database (GTD) from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism, START, at the University of Maryland.

The GTI uses four indicators to measure the impact of terrorism: the number of terrorist incidents, the number of deaths, the number of casualties and the level of property damage.

These indicators are used to create a weighted five year average for each country, which takes into account the lasting effects of terrorism. The score given to each country therefore indicates the impact of a terrorist attack on a society in terms of the fear and subsequent security response.

According to the report, from 2002 to 2011, North America was the region least likely to suffer from terrorism. Other findings include:

• While more terrorist attacks are being recorded, the number of fatalities has declined by 25 per cent since 2007.

• Only 31 out of 158 countries ranked have not experienced a terrorist attack since 2002

• Most terrorist attacks occur in the context of a wider conflict situation

• Since the start of the Iraq invasion the number of terrorist incidents occurring each year has increased fourfold, globally

• In 2011 Iraq was the country that was most impacted by terrorism, followed by Pakistan and Afghanistan
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/12/nigeria-now-7th-most-terrorised-nation-in-the-world-gti/

Mavor: If they can't obey Nigerian laws, then they should take their business elsewhere. The Chinese or Indians will gladly replace them. This shows a recurring trend in this country of lack of respect by a lot of foreign companies for Nigerian laws. They can fu<k off. For every GE, there are plenty more who can replace them. Arrant nonsense!!!

Am really disappointed in your remarks, if you can't use the medium to help fight corruption in this country of ours then you have no biznes here... U sound like a person if responsibilities are handed to you mismanagement will follow you all the way and we don't need people like you any longer again in this our lovely country... You have been school my Nigerians who still care for their home land, please if you have any thing positive to the growth of the nation stay away from this site maybe go to @go or their kinds and open your empty mouth there, no this respect but its the truth.......

Dis Guy: the SSS give them more publicity than anyone else

if they are not announcing the capture of one 'commander' they are telling us they know their sponsors or one of their captives escaped

its not every thing you hear from the media that is true!! You can blame the Nigerian secret police why because their activities are done in secret and the media has overblown the Boko Haram evil that's just the fact..

I just have to admit it because its very simple our judiciary sucks... Every thing written in this report is true!!!!!!!!!

Declaring open a workshop for media professionals at the Institute for Security Studies,Bwari, Abuja on Monday, Ita explained that the objective of terrorist groups was to maximise publicity for their attacks in order to have a larger than life reputation.

He said, “Publicity is the oxygen craved by terrorists. When they carry out attacks, they want as much publicity as possible and when the media sensationalise such an attack, the terror groups have achieved their objectives of getting wide media publicity which is aimed at intimidating and installing fear into people.”

He therefore urged journalists to avoid sensationalism as they provide information to the public.

The DG, who said many terrorist groups pursue the interests of their sponsors, noted that nobody knows the interests being pursued by Boko Haram members “as they do not represent Muslims.”

According to him, terrorists often get more attention from the media than security agencies that strive to protect the nation from the evil machinations of such violent groups as Boko Haram.

He added, “Acts of terrorism are over-covered by the media while the activities of security agencies were under-covered. Terrorists strive to project the interests of those they are acting for but we don’t know the interest Boko Haram members are fighting because they don’t represent Muslims.”

The Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority, Alhaji Musa Maiyaki, on the occasion called for a cordial relationship between the media and security agencies.

Nigerians at the end of the day these people who claim to be for the masses are actually anti people!!! Their activities over the years have shown that 80% of their movement is for personal and selfish interest... Why should we suffer scarcity because their members have been drop from work? can't another person take that position or is it their right to die there and pass it on to their children!!!! We are preaching about corruption but this is corruption in its highest level of intimidation.... If dats the case job seeks should no longer search for jobs because unions like this have people in various private organization and can't be sacked because its their right and no other Nigerian has a say..... If am Shell i won't answer you clowns and lets see the final out come.....

LEADERS of National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association, PENGASSAN, yesterday, announced that beginning today, members of both unions would commence a nationwide strike should the management of Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, fail to reinstate sacked members as directed by the Minister of Labour and Productivity.

PENGASSAN disclosed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Zaid Kolawole.

Worried by growing reports on acts of terrorism in Nigeria, the Directorate of the State Security Service (SSS) has invited reporters covering security in Abuja to undergo a week-long “training” on how to report terrorism in the country.

SaharaReporters learnt that the invited journalists were already in Bwari, a suburb of Abuja, where they are being taught the dos and don’ts of reporting on terrorism, according to the dictates and rule book of the Nigerian secret police.

The training is being coordinated by officers of the SSS led by its Director-General, Ekpeyong Ita.

The SSS had told the reporters that they should remain in the school throughout the duration of their training, which started on Sunday.

A senior official of the SSS told our correspondent that the agency was not happy with the way reporters were exposing security problems facing the country and blaming the security agencies for poor intelligence work. “We are worried about the image of the Service, which is being adversely affected by negative reports by journalists,” said the official. He added: “We need to partner with [the media] so that they will know the type of stories to be sending to their headquarters concerning us.”

The SSS and other security agencies have been blamed for failure of intelligence gathering, which has been identified as a factor in several successful bombings carried out by members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect in the country.
http://saharareporters.com/news-page/nigeria-secret-police-moves-censor-media-reports-terrorism

Youths Shutdown Africa’s Largest Indomie Factory In Kaduna South

Information reaching 247ureports.com through security sources in Kaduna indicate that youths from five communities in Chikun local government area [LGA] shutdown and sealed off Africa’s largest indomie factory located in Kaduna South. The factory was sealed today at 6am.

According to information received, the youths are reported to be demanding for the industry to extend employment opportunities to the members of the host communities – as previously agreed.

The youth protesters arrived at the factory facility at 6am with placards to seal off the facility. The youths comprised of a mix of Christains and Muslims from the five host communities.

The area police control post manned by DPO Oliver Eze addressed the youths pleading with them to allow the staff of the Indomine factory to enter the facility. In response, the youths were said to allow the staffs to gain entrance into the facility.

But talks between the facility managers, the police and the youths – according to our source – remain ongoing.

http://247ureports.com/youths-shutdown-africas-largest-indomie-factory-in-kaduna-south/

I am disappointed with the NPF, has solving crime now become a competition? No professionalism in handling issues. This report looks more or less a sponsored article to degrade an active security agency to boost the failure of the NPF.... Shame on themmmmmmmmm

Obasanjo wants Jonathan to apply the same approach he used in Odi and Zakibiam. This approach entails ordering military personnel to shoot any living creature on sight, and level down troubled area. Invariably, the call is for soldiers to invade states like Bauchi, Yobe, Borno, Kano, and the rest. just imagine the damage that will be incurred if such inhuman, order is giving. Most of these states are center of economic and agricultural activities. Imagine also the lives of innocent people that will be lost. That GEJ hasn't ordered the destruction of these states doesn't make him a weak leader, it only shows that he is sensitive, and committed to the ideals of democracy.

As part of efforts at assuaging aggrieved consumers of Digital Satellite Television (DSTV), the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has advised Multichoice Nigeria Limited, the owners of the cable television to introduce pay-as-you-go subscription for its subscribers.

CPC, at a recent meeting with top managers of DSTV, said the time was ripe for the introduction of the pay-as-you-go subscription in the interest of millions of subscribers of the satellite television.

The agency sought to know the reason why this form of subscription could not be introduced in Nigeria as it has been done in other climes for the economic well-being of consumers.

According to the Council, the pay-as-you-go subscription would allow consumers get value for their money, give them an option of choice as well as enable them control their consumption.


Besides the suggested introduction of the pay-as-you-go subscription, the Council also canvassed for some form of compensation to subscribers for loss of transmission signals, usually experienced by them during adverse weather conditions, particularly rainy season, known as “rain fade”.

Other issues discussed at the meeting included proper and adequate supervision of DSTV dealers and agents and seeming delay in resolution of consumer complaints by the company.

Responding, the delegation from Multichoice Nigeria Limited disclosed that the firm did not have the platforms to implement pay-as-you-go system of payment but promised to look into it.

The delegation explained further that Multichoice is an access-to-content selling company and could not determine what it could purchase or sell to the smallest unit which would allow a pay-as-you-go payment system to function.

On the issue of compensation for down-times for signals, Multichoice explained that loss of signals during the rainy period is a natural occurrence, which could hardly be curtailed, promising, however, to look into the Council’s position that some form of compensation should be given to subscribers for this occurrence pending the development of a new technology that may solve the problem.

The company pointed out that it has always been committed to speedy resolution of consumer complaints, stating that there may, however, be slight delay in resolution if the problems were technical in nature.

While giving Multichoice the opportunity to further deliberate on the issues discussed at its management level, the Council was insistent that the Nigerian consumers must be given choices and options available in other countries and mandated the company to look into the above issues with despatch.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201211160598.html

Not again!!