₦airaland Forum

tpiah:


are nigerians getting more frustrated or has this always been the lifestyle.


far too much rage here and has the politician ever thought to beat up the armed policemen collecting bribes at checkpoints.

Nigeria is case study of so many unimaginable things

i hope our dead police go get sense too, like wen a politician will just beat them up or slap them
like,
http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/1180-federal-legislator-beats-up-police-constable-.html

I feel they should have given him other disciplines, like to apologise to his wife within a specified period or face this banishment, or to even compensate her in cash, or a temporary suspension.
I honestly feel the disgrace and punishment is just too much, considering that he is a traditional ruler
I am not in any way trying to say what he did was right.
This issue will go a long way in reducing the respect and loyalty state governors have for traditional rulers; I am very sure of this.

Going by the time –honoured tradition of the Yorubas and palace culture,the former Minister for Information, Chief Alex Akinyele says the only option left for the deposed Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina is to commit royal suicide . According to him, a Yoruba oba must not be disgraced.

In an interview with Sunday Sun in Lagos, he said that the Deji should have just opened a calabash in his palace and die quietly: “The calabash contains a parrot egg. When he opens and looks at it, he will die. That’s royal suicide. It’s better than the show of shame and disgrace he is facing now”, chief Akinyele said.
He went on and outlined the things a Yoruba Oba must not do:

Next to God
In Yorubaland, the oba is above everyone else. He is revered – everybody respects him. From his traditional cognomen, you will know how he is regarded. We say ka-bi-yesi. It means nobody can question you. Whatever you do, you do it with impunity.

The oba in Yorubaland is also called ‘orisa keji’, meaning second in command to the supreme deity. When you say God, the second person is the Oba. You can see how highly placed he is.
We go on to say Iku baba yeye- the person who can pronounce death on his father and mother. That’s how the Yoruba’s esteem their kings. Being in that super- mundane situation, so much are expected of the oba.

Must not eat out
In the first place, an oba must not eat in public. For instance, in Ondo we
Say, ‘Eruo oji mama’, the mouth that pronounces death and honour, is not the type of mouth that will be seen by anybody. That’s why their crown covers their mouth.

Must not offend his subjects
An Oba must not engage in an activity that will make people around him to raise eyebrows. You can’t abuse an Oba. The only way you can accept what the Kabiyesi has done is ‘mmh’. It may mean approval or disapproval. You must not show that the Kabiyesi- the man who cannot be queried that you resent what he has done. But an oba must not offend his subjects. The reason is that he is basically above them. He must therefore not go out of his way to annoy or offend them.

Must not commit adultery
An Oba must not commit adultery. The reason behind this is that there’s nobody so bold to come close to the Oba’s wives. To reciprocate this, the Oba must not commit adultery .We keep Udeso (eunoch) in the palace. An Udeso is a castrated man. He is the only man who can see the Oba’s wives.

Must be groomed in the palace
An oba must not do things, which common men can do. Oba’s grow up in the palace. With this, an Oba must be groomed in the ways of the Yoruba tradition. And as the tradition goes, Obas must grow within the palace. Living in the palace, they will be groomed in the culture, tradition and ways of the palace. So when they become an oba, they know how to behave . In Yorubaland, unless you are an Omo n’oba, you cannot become an Oba. You must know these things from the beginning.

Must not expose his head
An Oba’s head must not be exposed. Even in the churches- Catholic, Methodist and so on, they grant them the indulgence of covering their head with a white cap. Their head must never be seen, they don’t have to wear their crown to church. They dare not leave their hair open.
When an oba cannot eat in public, expose his head, offend people or abuse them, how then can he engage himself in public brawl? It’s a sacrilege.

Royal suicide
But if the Deji of Akure were like other obas in the South- west- even Benin, there’s a calabash in the palace, once he opens the calabash, he will die automatically. An Oba is not supposed to see disgrace like the Deji of Akure. In our history, a lot of Obas have taken that way to exit and avoid disgrace.

You can’t take an Oba to court or sentence him to serve jail term, if you try it, before you say Jack Robinson, he will go into the palace, open the calabash and die. So, they prefer dying honourably. Nobody will querry them and they must not see disgrace. It’s more honourable to commit suicide and go.

And when an oba dies like that, he is buried with full traditional honours. There was a time an oba was sent to exile. Yes the case of Oba Olateru Olagbegi of Owo. He was more of a political oba. As a result, he clashed with his people- the opposition. The opposition sent him on exile. He knew it was temporary. He later came back to rule in Owo.

He died on the throne. By returning and dying on the throne legitimizes his royal descendant and lineage. But even if he had died in exile, his children might still become kings. For instance, the father of the current Alafin of Oyo died in exile here in Lagos. His son Lamidi Adeyemi is there now. By reference, Lamidi: Adeyemi is an epitome of what a Yoruba should be – in dressing, behaviour and so on. He’s an awesome kabiyesi. He will not do any that will make anyone to look down on him.

He inherited all these from his father. When Yoruba obas get involved in politics, they can experience any disgrace. I remember the Odemo of Isara. The government of Awolowo reduced his salary to 1 kobo per annum. He didn’t die. He knew it was temporary. That’s why our Obas are very careful about being politically active. They know that the government of the day will rubbish them. Wise Obas don’t go into politics. When they get involved in politics, people in the opposition can abuse them. But an Oba must not be abused by anybody.

Role of Oba’s wife
The role of Oba’s wife, the Yeye Oba is to coordinate the activities of women in the city. She is the only one who can quietly correct the kabiyesi. As his wife, all the domestic responsibilities expected of her, she will do them. She is the domestic head of the palace.

In Ondo, when an oba dies , his wives remain in the palace. So, there are so many women in the palace. The Olori , the wife of the kabiyesi is their head. She looks after them, makes sure they eat well, wear good clothes and so on. But these days- in some Yoruba setting, when an oba dies, and if the women are still young , they can leave the palace. When they go, they are no more the responsibility of the reigning monarch.

But if the Olori is angry and leaves the palace, the oba will send some chiefs to go and bring her back. There are high chiefs who will go and bring her back. Infact when they are going, they will go with the Oba’s horsetail. Once they give it to her and tell her the oba sent them to bring her back, she won’t dare refuse. The horsetail does not sleep outside. So, she or anyone so compelled must come and see the kabiyesi. This is the way, the Deji of Akure should have been able to reach his Olori Bolanle and not that shameful public display.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/newsonthehour/2010/june/13/newsbreak-13-06-2010-001.htm

Iranoladun:
@evil666 you mis-spelled Nairaland and your sarcastic response to the correction was with another spelling blunder "reflcted"look at your spelling.

Nairaland is a fun place to be!

Don’t be myopic, why dint you say the “thanx” was wrongly spelt!
"reflcted" was abbreviated ok?

ndu_chucks:
which kind party leaders be dis wey no sabi spell. Nairaland no be de same as Niaraland, if una wan succeed una go need to be more meticulous than dis. olodo

Thanx 4 your advice, it has been reflcted
but always use your senses

Lets form our political party
Nairaland Democratic Party (NDP)
We can nominate a vibrant person here to represent us
I believe we can win the whole youth in the country and present a vibrant leader who will have the youths and Nigerians at heart
Dont laugh it out, we can force those old, retarded, archaic, unrepented, devilish and barbaric so-called leaders out of the game.

Let’s go there!
NDP, power for naija

Beaf:

Oh boy! Dis one no be small tin o! Maybe dem swear for kidnappers because jass no de affect politicians.

Guy jass fit affect them oh, at least e go scare them

Seven days after he returned from a 17-month exile, the immediate past Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has revealed that his aspiration before he was prematurely retired from the Nigeria Police Force was to become the Inspector General of Police.



Ribadu, who disclosed this in an exclusive interview with our correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, also said that he would not reject an offer from President Goodluck Jonathan to serve in his government, because doing so would amount to disrespecting the President.



Commenting on his retirement from the police, Ribadu said that he was saddened by the development, adding that he had committed 25 years of dedicated service to the police as an avenue for societal development and had nursed what he called “a natural aspiration to become the Inspector General of Police.”



He dismissed the argument in some quarters that the restoration of his rank was causing disenchantment in the force because his mates were still Deputy Commissioners of Police.



Ribadu said it was inconceivable for anybody to suggest that rewarding hard work in an organisation was wrong, arguing that if the former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, could be promoted from the rank of a Commissioner of Police to the position of a Deputy Inspector General of Police, there was nothing odd in his own promotion to AIG.



Although he stated that he had not received an offer to serve in the Jonathan administration in any capacity, the pioneer EFCC boss said that he was ready to serve his fatherland.



Even before one of our correspondents could finish asking him if he was ready to work in the new government, Ribadu said, ”That is not a fair question. I don‘t think I would even allow you to finish, because I have not been given (an appointment) yet. And what do you expect me to say now? That if the Federal Government gives me a job, I will say no? I am not that disrespectful. And for me, I am not begging for any job, and I don‘t want to show any sign of disrespect.”



Ribadu‘s comments followed the growing speculations that President Jonathan had concluded arrangements to appoint him as a Special Adviser on Anti-Corruption, as part of the efforts of the Federal Government to strengthen the fight against corruption in the country.



It was gathered that the appointment would put the retired Assistant Inspector General of Police in a position to supervise the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and related agencies in the country.



Although the former EFCC boss, whose earlier dismissal from the police was converted to retirement recently, refused to assess the state of the campaign against corruption, he bemoaned the slow pace of development at the foremost anti-corruption agency, stressing that the tempo of improvement he initiated was not sustained by those who took over the reins of leadership at the agency.



For example, he decried a situation whereby a good number of the things that were put to test and which delivered results were subjected to systemic reversal, explaining that some of the best operatives of the commission who were exposed to the best trainings and were among the best in the world, and who were indeed adequately prepared to prosecute the assault on corruption were thrown out.



”I feel sad when all the things that worked, that delivered results, are systematically and gradually being undermined and reversed. We spent so much money to train these chaps and they were some of the best you can get, not in Nigeria alone, but in the world, because we really have that chance to learn the best.



”We brought in the best instruments and tools. We got them the best training and they were fully prepared to continue with the job and majority of them were taken out of the system. That is very, very sad,” he said.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100612454490

These juju people lay curses on kidnappers
This pic is scary, I truly think our politicians commit more havoc than the armed robbers and kidnapper.
What if these people (Asigidi, Ayelala, Osokpekan, aimuehimwindede )e.t.c and other strong juju priest/native docs come out and lay curses on any politician that will steal public fund.
I think it will really deters them of stealing and corruption if 5 die in office within a year
Just reason with me

see the pic they put in home page

ObamaUS:
If this is true,i better go for NYSC the second time,

lol

group, Concerned Peoples Democratic Party Elders, has asked President Goodluck Jonathan and his deputy, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, to contest the 2011 presidential election.



The group, in a statement on Monday, said it was in support of the position taken by a former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others like Alhaji Maitama Sule and Senator Abba Aji that Jonathan was free to be a candidate in the poll.



It said its position was in tandem with the one expressed by Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda on the issue.



The Deputy National Coordinator of the group, Dr. Godwin Adzuaa, who signed the statement, said there was nothing in Nigeria’s constitution that disallowed Jonathan from contesting the 2011 poll.



The statement said the sole aim of the group was to ensure that Jonathan and Sambo participated in the PDP primaries.



The statement reads in part, “It is our conviction that nothing in the PDP constitution or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria prohibits Jonathan from contesting the 2011 presidential election.



“We urge all Nigerians who are members of the PDP to individually and collectively support the Jonathan/Sambo 2011 presidential ticket from July 2010 until the elections are held in 2011.



“This is because from all that happened before their dramatic emergence on their current joint ticket has divine ordination.



“We want to state that, any Nigerian who is a member of the PDP that is opposing the presidential ticket of Jonathan/Sambo is challenging the Almighty God.”


The group added that Nigerians must realise that it was only the South-South geopolitical zone that was yet to produce President.



“It is here that equity should be called upon to give this ‘precious’ region the opportunity to feel it also belong to the nation,” the group said.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100610155373

Following government’s directives and subsequent sealing off of some religious buildings in Lagos State, over the blaring of their loud speakers, some religious bodies still disturb residents through their activities.

The disturbances usually occur whenever they have services. This is because they place their loudspeakers outside and the noise that emits from them disturbs residents. More annoying is when they hold vigils and they increase the volume of the loudspeakers, thereby denying residents their sleep.

For instance, Al-Afis Muslim Society at Saala/Arejogbo road in Ishaga area of the state and Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries in Isheri/Berger area of the state, are culprits of this offence. Whenever they hold services, the noise that emanates from their speakers disturbs residents.

In Ishaga, the Islamic body would also increase the volume of the speakers when it plays only cassettes while the MFM in Isheri/Berger has turned every other day to vigil.

Residents therfore appeal to these religious bodies to consider them since the areas where they operate are residential.

“We are not saying they should not carry out their religious activities but they should understand that this is residential area. Sometimes when you want to rest after the day’s work it becomes abortive because the noise from the loudspeakers would not allow you.”

“In my area, the noise is so bad that you will think the loudspeakers are placed inside my room. In fact, what they say has now become everyday music used by my children in the house. I’m not canvassing for any religion body to be sealed up but they (religious bodies) should caution themselves. They should view themselves as residents who wanted to rest in their own home but couldn’t just because some people must carry out their religious activities,” lamented residents.

http://independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=15096

THE Bayelsa State government has given President Goodluck Jonathan the mandate to contest the 2011 presidential election.

Also, the immediate past chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area of the state, Mr Robinson Etolor, has described at unconstitutional, the idea of zoning formula, adding that what happened in 1999 was not zoning but a round table agreement on the need to appease the people of the South-West.

Speaking the minds of the people of the state, Governor Timipre Sylva mandated President Jonathan to contest the 2011 election, saying that “you have our support, go and run.”

He added that “President Jonathan has proved himself as capable of leading the country. His antecedent as the governor of the oil rich Bayelsa State in terms of his numerous achievements and his stint as acting president was a living testimony.”

Speaking in the same vein, Etolor stressed the needs for Jonathan to contest the election, adding that this would afford him the opportunity to implement the seven-point agenda.

Etolor said the death of former President Umaru Yar’Adua should not be a premise to jettison his good ideas to transform the country, adding that this assignment could only be carried out by President Jonathan, since, according to him, they conceived the idea together.

Going by the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said the late President Yar’Adua’s term would be completed in 2015, adding that now that he was no more, President Jonathan should be allowed to complete his term.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/6626-2011-you-must-contest-bayelsa-govt-indigenes-tell-jonathan

THE Director-Genral of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Maharazu Tsiga, has assured that the Federal Government will look into better welfare and security for corps members posted to various states of the country.

The NYSC boss, speaking with journalists after the opening ceremony of the NYSC 2010 Batch “B” pre-orientation course workshop which was held on Wednesday at Maiduguri International Hotel, Borno State, on the need for increase in corps members allowances, assured that whatever he took to the president, in terms of welfare and security, would be looked into.

“When I observed this issue of welfare particularly, I wrote a letter to Salary and Wages Commission. I wrote a letter to them and not only the letter, I recommended that corps members’ allowances should be looked at, as Grade Level 7, Step 1, which is equivalent to about N28,000 to N29,000.

“I am assuring you that by the special grace of God, as the federal workers are getting increase in their salaries and allowances, the corps members are also going to gain more than even the workers,” he said.

The state governor, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, also promised to improve on the welfare of corps members posted to various councils in the state.

Governor Sheriff said during his tour of the 27 local government areas of the state, he observed that corps members were doing well in their places of assignments, adding that he saw them everywhere, rendering services to the people in their locality.

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Baba Jidda, at the workshop, said the corps members deserved the best in return for their service in the state.

Governor Sheriff said he would continue to appreciate the achievements of the scheme in the state, while he also called on the Federal Government to reposition the scheme by ensuring better remuneration or allowances for corps members.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/6627-fg-ll-ensure-better-welfare-security-for-corps-members-nysc-dg

The governor of Nigeria’s central bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has criticized the Federal Government’s continued spending on reducing fuel cost, renewing the call for the removal of a subsidy programme that has gulped trillions of naira but has failed to reach ordinary people as intended.

Mr. Sanusi was speaking on Monday at a meeting of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on Nigeria’s local and foreign loans. He said he supports a full stoppage of the “immoral” subsidy because its intent has been diverted from the target masses to a “cabal of elite.”

“This subsidy is going to a small group of people. The greater Nigerian people are not benefitting from it.’’ Mr. Sanusi said.

According to him, ‘‘the subsidy is creating a pool of funds for a cabal. These are the same people who borrow from banks and do not pay; the same people who are rigging elections.”

Mr. Sanusi is the latest in line of a number of government officials who have made it clear they would like to see the removal of the oil subsidy but the first such public declaration by a member of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.

Recent governments have complained of channelling huge finances that could have helped develop infrastructure, into minimizing domestic fuel cost, and have proposed a deregulation programme which is severely opposed to by the Labour union.

The CBN governor said the continued existence of the subsidy has significantly raised Nigeria’s debt profile.

According to Mr. Sanusi, “last year, we spent over a trillion of which we are borrowing,” he said. “Why should we be paying a N570 billion subsidy that small elite are enjoying at the expense of the Nigerian people?” he said.

The sort of borrowing Mr. Sanusi referred to, internally and externally, including those applied for other purposes, have soured to a peak figure, raising federal debts to the highest level in four years. According to the Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, who also attended the event, the country’s debt profile stood at $35.94 billion before the exit of Nigeria from the Paris Club.

At the end of 2006, the amount was $3.54 billion; by December 2007 it had risen briefly to $3.67 and hovered at $3.72 at the end of 2008.In 2009, the figure stood at $3.62 and has already clocked $4.3billion by ending of March 2010.

Mr. Aganga, however, said the current debt level of the country was below the international debt sustainability ceiling if it is compared to compared to Nigeria’s peer countries. This is more so since over 85 percent of the total debt was obtained from concessionary sources, and with a long repayment period, he explained.

But the two officials both warned against a relapse into unbridled borrowing.

“The problem is not about borrowing but what the monies are being applied for,” Mr. Sanusi said.

“There’s a limit to which you can cut down on expenditure; salaries have to be paid, roads, hospitals and other infrastructures must be done. What we should focus on is an increase in government revenue,” he added.


http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5577321-146/story.csp

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State has restrained a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), from holding the office of AGF or any other similar public offices in future in Nigeria.



It, therefore, advised government to always consider Aondoakaa unfit and incompetent to hold public offices because of his conduct while serving as AGF in the administration of the late former President Umaru Yar’Adua.



A copy of the certified true copy of the Tuesday judgment by Justice Adetokunbo Ademola obtained by our correspondent in Calabar on Sunday , also referred the ex-minister to the Nigerian Bar Association for appropriate disciplinary action.



The judgment was on a suit filed against Aondoakaa by the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Uyo Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Emmanuel Obot.



Obot had challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission and PDP for substituting him as the party’s candidate for the 2007 election with Mr. Bassey Etim.



The Election Petition Tribunal in Uyo had in its ruling sacked Etim and asked INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Obot. The judgment was affirmed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar.



The Court of Appeal had before its ruling ordered that a new panel should be reconstituted to retry the petition, but Aondoakaa, in a letter dated January 8, 2008 to the President of the Court, asked him not to comply with the directive.



Aondoakaa also used his position as the AGF to volunteer a letter on February 16, 2009 to the former Chairman of INEC, Prof. Maurice Iwu, begging him not to issue a certificate of return to Obot.



He also wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, imploring him to allow Etim to remain in the House despite the Court of Appeal judgement.



Obot had, therefore, approached the Federal High Court to determine whether or not the conduct of Aondoakaa in the three separate letters did not constitute abuse of powers conferred on him by section 150(1) of the 1999 Constitution.



He also sought to know whether the conduct of the former AGF did not undermine and subvert the administration of justice, the rule of law and the independence, authority and integrity of the judiciary established under Section 36(1) of the constitution.



He asked the court to determine whether or not in the circumstances of the said letters, Aondoakaa was a fit and proper person to hold the office of the AGF in conformity with Section 149 of the 1999 Constitution.



The plaintiff also urged the court to award him damages of N100m jointly and severally.



In his ruling, Adetokunboh, observed that there was no counter-affidavit filed by the defendant to deny the letters and challenge depositions in an affidavit filed by the plaintiff.



He said, “It is also settled in law that the documents tendered and admitted in court are like words uttered and do speak for themselves. They are more reliable and authentic than words from the vocal cord of man as they are neither transient nor subject to distortion or misinterpretation but remain permanent and indelible through the ages.”



He also noted that the conduct of Aondoakaa was a desecration of the office of AGF, adding that the position as created by law was meant for learned and eminent members of the Bar and not for political charlatans, jobbers or latter day praise singers.



While addressing the present AGF and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke, he regretted that a matter that was decided since February 12,2009 by the Court of Appeal was yet to be implemented because of the spurious letters written by the former AGF.



He said, “A declaration is hereby made that Aondoakaa undermined and subverted the rule of law, the due administration of justice and the independence, authority and integrity of the judiciary in the letters of 8th January 2008, 16th February 2009 written by him in the capacity of the AGF.



“A declaration is hereby made that Aondoakaa is not a competent, fit and proper person to hold office as AGF having regards to the Oath of Allegiance and Office. N50m exemplary is hereby awarded against him and the office of the AGF in favour of the plaintiffs.



“A perpetual injunction is hereby made restraining Aondoakaa from occupying the office of the AGF and Minister of Justice and such other similar offices in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100607338164

The face off between the Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole and some of his colleagues turned grim yesterday when the Speaker, and his media aide, Ebomhiana Musa received death threats from yet unidentified persons.

Mr Bankole has reportedly faced stiff opposition from lawmakers who were relieved of committee leadership positions last Thursday.

A statement from the speaker’s office said Mr Musa, the Speaker’s special adviser on media and publicity, had received a text message on his phone on Saturday threatening to eliminate him (Musa) and Mr Bankole.

The statement, signed by the Speaker’s chief press secretary, Idowu Bakare, did not, however, give the name of the person who sent the text message although it had been sent on GSM No 07039828940.

It reads: “The alleged face off in the House of Representatives between a few members and the leadership took a dangerous dimension over the weekend as the lives of the Speaker, Dimeji Bankole and that of one of his aide was threatened by some unknown person.

The threat, which was sent through a text message on Saturday morning to the telephone of Mr. Ebomhiana Musa, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media read thus: ‘ Mr. P.A, you & your boss are nothing but dead bodies but you wl be firstly face the consequences shortly, prepare your will now’. The text message was sent through GSM No.07039828940.”

The statement also said that attempts by Mr. Musa to identify the sender of the message through repeated calls to the sender’s number proved abortive as the owner of the telephone line refused to answer, switching it off eventually.

“The incident has been reported to security aides of the Speaker and relevant security agencies in Abuja while aides of the speaker have been advised to take some preventive security measures to safeguard their lives as they have no officially assigned security,” it added.

Mr Bankole had on Thursday effected a minor reshuffle of the standing committees in the House. In the exercise, two members from Ogun State, Bankole’s home state, lost their chairmanship and deputy chairmanship positions.

Gbenga Oduwaiye and Kayode Amusan lost their positions as chairman of Inter/Intra Relations and deputy chairman, Housing and Habitat respectively. Others who lost their positions include Asita Honourable (deputy chairman, Poverty Alleviation) Gbenga Onigbogi (deputy chairman, Ministry of Niger Delta) and Shettima Shehu (Army Committee chairman).

Other chairmen were redeployed to other committees, while a few others emerged as chairmen in the exercise, which Mr Bankole said will continue at a later date.


Probe the car scam

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reopen investigation into the N2.3 billion car scam in the House.

The group also condemned the interrogation of a member of the House, Independence Ogunewe by the State Security Service (SSS) over his face-off with the Speaker last week.

A statement signed by its coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko yesterday, described Mr Ogunewe’s interrogation as a ‘selective justice’ because Mr Bankole with whom he had the brawl was not questioned.

It argued that the action of the security agency is a breach of the fundamental principle of the Rule of law and fair hearing as enshrined in section 36 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The recent quizing of the member of the Federal House of Representativesrepresenting Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State Independent Ogunewe by the State Security Service [SSS] in Abuja for alleged involvement in a brawl with the embattled Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole is the manifestation of the highest level of selective justice, because of the failure of the security agency paid with tax payers’ money to also quiz the Speaker Mr. Bankole who was also involved in the near-fisticuffs inside the hallowed chambers of the Federal House of Representatives,” he said.

“We also call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to immediately begin investigation into the widely reported allegation that some principal members of the hierarchy of the Federal House of Representatives were involved in the N2.3 billion car scam.

“The call became necessary because the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences commission [ICPC] has failed to commence prosecution of the indicted high profile officials of the lower chamber of the federal legislature after it reportedly carried out an investigation.”

HURIWA said it was shocked to learn that because Mr Ogunewe insisted that an inquest be launched to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the widely reported allegation that principal officers were involved in inflating the purchasing prizes of some vehicles, amounting to N2.3 billion, Mr Bankole had dropped him (Ogunewe) from the chairmanship of the House Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5577071-146/bankole_gets_death_threat__.csp

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo is set to take his campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan to have a shot at the presi-dency in the 2011 general election  to world leaders.

Only recently, Oba-sanjo was quoted to have told President Jonathan that he must contest the next election without any hesitations, saying “ you must contest, don’t tell me you’re thinking about it.”

Impeccable sources close to the corridors of power told Sunday Tribune that as a first step to realize the objective of a Jonathan Presidency in 2011, Obasanjo  might have begun a diplomatic globe-trotting to win support of key political leaders in the Western world for President Jonathan.

His main campaign instrument, it was learnt, is to sell Jonathan to them on the premise of stability and the need for continuity in governance at this crucial time in Nigeria.

The frequent presence of Obasanjo in the Villa and his more visible presence at every spot where the President is having one thing or the other to do is  said to be part of the plot to ensure close marking on him not to have a change of heart on the matter.

Another aspect of the campaign strategy is to have the president himself visit some countries in Europe and the Americas to meet with the leaders one-on-one, while he will also visit strategic states in the country to show to the outside world that he is a popular choice in the country.

As a matter of fact, the President’s visit to some states in parts of the country and his recent visits to the United States and France were said to be part of the agenda.

Only on Thursday, the President paid a one-day visit to Oyo State, having paid similar visits to Zamfara, Rivers, Bauchi  and Bayelsa States.

Political pundits obser-ved that the visits were strategically picked to be widespread across the country and to tell the watching members of the international community that he has a large following in the country.

The President, it was also learnt, will set aside time to receive foreign leaders as his guests.

There have been various groups rooting for President Jonathan to contest the next election, describing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party’s zoning arrange-ment as a mere working paper in the party with no constitutional backing.

Some groups and individuals loyal to former military President, Gen-eral Ibrahim Babangida and Alhaji Atiku Abuba-kar have been calling on the PDP to respect the zoning arrangement by allowing a northerner to carry the party’s flag for the next election.

However, Senator Jubril Aminu and some others have opposed the move, insisting that Jonathan has the right to contest.

Indications have started emerging now that the 2011 general elections in Nigeria would be conducted with technical assistance and other logistics support to be offered by the international community.

MORE : http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/front-page-articles/1245-as-uneu-china-set-agenda-for-2011-elections2011-obj-woos-leaders-for-jonathan

THERE is a strong indication that the Presidential Advisory Committee on Jos Crisis set up by President Goodluck Jonathan has completed its assignment and billed to submit its report to the President this week with far reaching recommendations on how to end the sin assembly of killings in Plateau State.

A source close to the Committee chaired by Chief Solomon Lar and other eminent citizens of the State, revealed that the three-month assignment was quite tasking considering the composition of the committee made up of people of diverse backgrounds and ethnic affinities.

It was gathered that the Committee revealed that the contentious issues bordering on the ownership of Jos North local government, its creation, non-implementation of the past reports of the commission of inquiries into the previous crises in the state dominated the report of the Committee.

Sunday Tribune learnt that the Committee discovered that the indigeneship question was one of the problems that led to the recurring crises in Jos and observed that the matter had been settled by all the past reports of the Judicial Commission of Inquiries and the Plateau Peace Conference Report of 2004 gazetted by the State Government during the six months of General Chris Ali (rtd).

It was gathered that the Committee recommended that the Federal Government and the National Assembly should expedite action to give practical effect to the constitutional provision regarding citizenship rights as enshrined in the constitution.

It was learnt that the Committee deliberated extensively on the creation of the Jos North Local Government in 1991 by the administration of the former President Ibrahim Babangida in furtherance of its policy that every local government that had two federal constituencies be split into two.

It was learnt that the Committee observed that it was created by military fiat and brought with it problems of suspicion, adding that some stakeholders in Jos North were not consulted before the creation of the local government.

The committee recommended that the creation of Jos North should be revisited by the Federal Government in consultation with the relevant stakeholders and communities, to create additional local government taking into cognisance the tradition, geographical contiguity and affinity of the area.

The Advisory Committee also observed that the following reports on the past crises in the state had not been implemented: White Paper on Justice Fiberisima Reports, 1994, White Paper on Justice Nikki Tobi Report, 2001, Plateau State Peace Conference Report, 2004, Report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into inter-Communal conflicts in Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Taraba States, Report of the Presidential Peace Initiative Committee on Plateau State, 2004 and the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Jos Civil Unrest of 2008.

It was discovered that non-implementation of the reports and the role played by some individuals and groups indicted  had been the reason for frequent occurrence of crises in the state and therefore recommended that the reports should not only be released but should be processed and implemented to the letter.

The Committee however, added that adopting the option of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission might enhance peace process, adding that it would provide an avenue to reinforce peace process in Plateau State and complement the gains of the recently concluded peace conference.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/1232-jos-crisis-fgs-committee-blames-ibbrecommends-truth-commission

NOTWITHSTANDING the clamour among some Northern leaders that President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest the 2011 election in deference to the zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), groups canvassing for a Jonathan Presidency in 2011 are already flooding the 19 northern states of the federation.

The groups, according to sources, have been formally established in each of the 19 states of the North with coordinators.

However, while some of the groups are still operating from the background, two of them, Goodluck 2011(G-2011) and the Goodluck Solidarity Movement (GSM) have been operating openly in the states of the North.

Officials and coordinators of the G-2011 in the 19 Northern states were said to have held a crucial meeting at the Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi on Saturday.

It was gathered that the groups, which claimed not to have direct links with the Presidency so far are being funded by members and some politicians who believed that their efforts at installing Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as Nigeria’s President in the next general election will yield fruits.

Sources in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno, Platueau and Kaduna states confirmed that different pro-Jonathan/Sambo groups are already operating in the states.

It was gathered that the GSM group is strongly operating in Pateau/Bauchi/Benue axis, while the Goodluck 2011 is firmly operating in Bauchi and 11 other states.

A source who has been monitoring the operating of the groups said that they are presently at the level of recruiting members and setting up the organizational structures.

It was gathered that the groups are of the view that Jonathan should contest the 2011 election, notwithstanding the said zoning arrangement.

A leader of one of the groups, who confirmed the existence of his organization in the 19 states of the North, said that the operations will soon be replicated in the southern states.

He said that he could not speak officially to the press for now because the organization was still “setting up.”

“We have our presence in all the 19 states of the North as at present. We are soon moving to the states of the Southern West and South East as well as South South. Though, we have the micro-teams of our members in all the 36 states as we talk, we are still setting up,” the group’s leader said, adding that their objective is to deliver a Jonathan/Sambo presidency in 2011.

“We don’t believe that a gentleman’s agreement within the PDP should deny Nigerians of a good material as President. We also believe that the said zoning arrangement has never worked.

“Take for instance, in 2003, former President Olusegun Obasanjo deployed his political wizardry to disarm the then Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had rallied the governors to his side. Obasanjo went ahead to win his second term because of his tactical moves.

“In 2007, former Governor Peter Odili was poised to win the PDP Presidential ticket but he was prevailed on by Obasanjo to allow Yar’Adua emerge. All these years, candidates from the North have never left the scene to those from the South in line with the said zoning arrangement. So, we are calling on Dr. Jonathan to contest the next election. He has started well and Nigerians are impressed,” the group’s leader said.

It was also gathered that top opinion molders from the North have been consistent in their message to President Jonathan, since he emerged acting President in February.
A team of leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) was said to have told Jonathan in January that the North would back him for Presidency in 2011 if he performs in office.

It was, however, gathered that the North is seeking a forum which will enable it extract a commitment from Jonathan that he will only stay in office till 2015.

A source said that the calculation in the North is that since Jonathan has been sworn-in as President in May 2010, he can only be sworn-in only once more as the constitution guarantees that a person can only take the oath of office of president or governor only twice.

It was gathered that Northern leaders who were mandated to liaise with Jonathan are already seeking avenues to meet him over the matter.

“Once he agrees to return power to the North in 2015, the zone will not hesitate to back him for 2011, afterall, that would have afforded the South South the opportunity of tasting power at the highest level,” a source  said in Abuja on Saturday.

Sources also confirmed that loyalists of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua are falling over themselves to support the presidential aspiration of President Jonathan in 2011.

It was gathered that the politicians have read the situation that only a Jonathan Presidency can guarantee them some measure of relevance in 2011.

It was gathered that loyalists of the late president have realized that their war against Jonathan’s emergence as acting president was needless as it later became clear that the incumbent President was never planning to disgrace the late leader out of office.

Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mike Aondoakaa had said in an interview that the best material for the presidency in 2011 is Goodluck Jonathan.

He said that zoning was unconstitutional and that it would amount to an infringement on the constitutional rights of individual citizens.

“Those you call members of the old cabal  appeared to have realized that their fear over Jonathan was unfounded and that the man was never planning to disgrace Yar’Adua from office. Now they have each sent words to him that they would back his presidency in 2011,” a source said.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sun/index.php/news/1231-2011-jonathans-campaign-kicks-off-in-the-northtwo-groups-emerge-north-plans-crucial-talks-with-president-yaraduas-loyalists-fall-in-line

Following the worsening security situation in Bayelsa State, many members of the State House of Assembly have taken refuge at the Government House.



Many others SUNDAY PUNCH learnt have also escaped to such places as Port Harcourt and Lagos.



Since last December, disagreements between the state governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, and his deputy Peremobowei Ebebi, had plunged the state into an orgy of violence.



Allegations that the lawmakers had been given N50m each to impeach Ebebi had also heightened the crisis which peaked last Tuesday when bomb explosions rocked Yenogoa.



The chairman of the House Committee on Information, Mr Konbowei Benson, who was among those who took refuge at the Government House, on Saturday, said the spate of these bomb blasts forced the lawmakers to relocate from their private residences.



He said the explosion that rocked the state on Tuesday had happened very close to the official quarters of the lawmakers in the state capital.



Our correspondent gathered that the lawmakers had also taken their families into hiding.



Benson denied that the lawmakers had been induced to pass an impeachment notice on the deputy governor, Mr Peremobowei Ebebi with a sum of N50m.



He said the lawmakers were compelled to call for the impeachment of Ebebi because he had turned against the administration.



It was gathered however that the alleged bribe which was negotiated down to N20m to each lawmaker had been disguised as funds for constituency projects.



But Benson denied the allegation
MORE http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201006062204850

A cart pusher, Ismaila Jafaru, who allegedly impersonated a police officer, was on Friday brought before an Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos.

The prosecution had alleged that the accused impersonated a chief superintendent of police in a bid to secure the release of a colleague in police custody.

Mr. Jafaru, 40, who is facing a two-count charge of impersonation and unlawful possession of police identity card, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, Raymond Odion, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 13 at the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad at Adeniji Adele, Lagos.

Mr. Odion alleged that a police identity card belonging to Enoch Omega, a corporal, was found on him, an offence which, he said, contravened Sections 109 and 430 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State.

The magistrate, Makanju Oshodi, admitted the accused to bail in the sum of N100,000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to July 12 for further hearing.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5576766-146/cart_pusher_arraigned_for_impersonation_.csp

Ayobami Adele scored 274 points in her university matriculation examination, the test organised by the Joint Admissions and Examinations Board (JAMB). But this high score did not guarantee her admission into the higher institution of her choice. She still needed to sit for a post-UME examination conducted by the University of Ado-Ekiti. On her journey from Lagos to Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, she got caught up in the chaotic Lagos-Ibadan traffic and this ultimately prevented her from writing the examination.

“The hold up started at the Redeemed church side on that Friday and I was going to Ado-Ekiti with my brother for the Post-UME,” she said. “They said some tankers were burning and that we cannot not pass. By the time we got there on Saturday, they had finished the exam and they started laughing at me asking me to go and take another form next year. I cried and cried, but nobody cares.” Ms. Adele’s added.

Her case is just one out of many hopes that the controversial post-UME examination has dashed since it was introduced in 2006. That year, following pressure from the Nigerian Universities Commission and the Committee of Vice-Chancellors, the Federal Ministry of Education gave universities permission to conduct their own post-UME examinations as way of further screening applicants .

The scheme quickly ran into opposition, with some critics saying the schools are more interested in the money made from the examination, than the tests themselves. With over one million candidates enrolling for the Universities and Polytechnic Matriculation examination yearly, tertiary institutions are believed to be making more than N10billion a year from the exams. The universities charge students fees ranging from N2000 to N10,000 for the exams.

Two weeks ago, the House of Representatives gave a directive for the abolition of post-UME examination in universities. The lawmakers, after a debate on May 27, in Abuja, ordered the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission to abolish the examination,which they said is illegal, corrupt and substandard. The assembly also urged its committees on education and ethics to ensure that directive is obeyed and the exams stopped.

Authority to decide

A NEXT investigation however shows that schools continue to process applications for entry into the 2009/2010 academic session using scores from the internal exams they conducted. The council of vice-chancellors, which met shortly after the lawmakers issued their directive had made it clear that they were ready to flout the directive and would not comply.

According to Lagos-lawyer and human rights activist, Jiti Ogunye, the House of Representatives does not have the power to cancel the Post-JAMB examination. “My argument is that the House of Representatives alone, or in conjunction with the senate, cannot by a mere resolution declare that the Post-JAMB examination is forbidden. I am aware of the JAMB Act which says that it shall be the sole body to conduct examination and to place suitable candidate into the Universities. But that Act preceded the advent of private universities in Nigeria. The question now is that since these private universities are subscribing to University matriculation examination, something has changed and what are those things that should still change. In other words, that Act is largely anachronistic. It ought to have been revised a long time ago by this National Assembly. So instead of the House of Reps crying wolf by now passing a resolution that Post-JAMB examination has been cancelled, what it ought to do in conjunction with the senate is to revise that JAMB Act,” Mr. Ogunye said.

However, the registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Dibu Ojerinde, disagrees with Mr. Ogunye and says it is no longer desirable for universities to continue to organise private tests for applicants. “As of now, government says there must be a screening, so, we would still comply with the directive.’’ But according to Mr. Ojerinde, the fact that candidates can now select up to six institutions makes the idea of writing internal exams untenable. ‘‘ Are they going to go through six institutions for screening’’, Mr. Ojerinde asks rhetorically?

A Test and measurement specialist from the Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Mufutau Aminu, said the conduct of the internal exams are a huge challenge to intending students. “I do not think that it is bad for universities to conduct examinations, but I think there should be caution when you discover that the tests are not actually for ensuring standards but to rather allow double standards, or what do we call a situation where they do it to make money or boost relevance, Mr, Aminu asks? He then goes on to raise the issue of oversight which he says is dismal. “Another issue is that, I am not sure that government is also doing enough to monitor the examination bodies and also the schools. The same mistakes that the universities accused JAMB of making are also what they are doing now. It should be checked.”

Neglected NUC directive

The controversy surrounding the tests came to a head in 2007 when the National University Commission ordered the stoppage of the examination and also a refund of the money collected from students. In the memo, titled ‘Refund of Post-UME Screening Fees’ and signed by the executive secretary of the commission, Julius Okojie, the National Universities Commission (NUC) referred to an earlier advertorial that informed the universities of its decision on what it called government policies on the Post-UME ‘screening’.

The memo said, in part: “The screening exercise should not involve the administration of any formal text or examination; It should be at no cost to parents and their wards. For those who had concluded the exercise, all fees collected in respect of the exercise must be refunded to candidates. A comprehensive report on the post UME screening exercise must be forwarded to the Executive Secretary National Universities Commission, Abuja. NUC has received the reports from only a few universities. To reassure all stakeholders of Government’s concern on the matter, the Minister of Education has further directed that the issue of refund of the post-UME fees be addressed soonest.

Consequently, the NUC invites all candidates that paid any fee for the post-UME screening exercise to visit the NUC web site (www.nucnigeria.info) within two (2) weeks from the date of this advertisement to provide the relevant information that will be collated and cross-checked with the universities submissions/reports before such refunds can be made.”

At the time, none of the universities and polytechnic complied with the directives. According to Joseph Oke, the Rector of Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State, scrapping post-JAMB is actually not the right decision. His understanding of the directive, Mr. Oke said, was that it was meant to cap the sum charged for the internal exams. According to him, some of the schools actually abided by the instructions.

Commenting on the allegation that the exams have become means of extorting money, Mr. Oke insists this is wrong, “it is not exactly so. JAMB screening fully incorporates JAMB performance in the final examination criteria. It is meant to compliment what JAMB is doing. It is not to repeal it. That is why its scores cannot be detached from the internally conducted exams while collating the scores. So, it is like an improved mode of screening more or less restricted to the institutions, put in place to be able to tailor the process of admission to the need of individual institutions. That is exactly what it is all about, Mr. Oke said’’

Parents and students rejoice

Tola Taiwo, a 21-year-old student said the suspension of the university organised tests was long overdue, claiming that he had written the examination three times without success. “Most of the post-UME examinations are cumbersome and exploitative in nature, but with the abolition, candidates can now have easy admission into universities,” he said. “I am happy with the development because it was an obstacle in gaining admission into the university. I scored above 200 marks in my last UME examination, but in the post-UME result I scored below 200 and because of this I was denied admission.”

Another student, Wuraola Sanni, said the suspension of the examination was a relief to candidates seeking admission into universities while Florence Olabanji, a civil servant,said the suspension of the examination would reduce stress on parents of students seeking admission into universities, adding that the directive would also reduce the double expenses of paying for UME and post -UME separately. “The suspension of the examination is a welcome development,” she said. “Students would not need to travel far distances at great risks to sit for the examination and many eligible candidates that are routinely denied admission would now have hope of gaining admission.’’ However, a former student activist, Akin Iwilade said that the examination should not only be abolished, but all those involved in the venture of using it has a corrupt means of raking money should also be probed.

Just A business

When NEXT visited some private educational centres in Lagos, it was clear that the examinations are already a business avenue for educational contractors who have pasted posters around town promising students success in the tests.

Taiye Dolapo Yakub, a manager of one of the centres said he believes nothing would come out of the lawmakers’ directive. “The legislators always like to pay lip service. You will see that nothing will happen. Some schools will still conduct their own exams this weekend,” he said.

metal-gong:
I'm in support of the group.

Jonathan should abide by the PDP zoning arrangement . . . . If he thinks otherwise, then he can decamp to an opposition party like AC and contest the presidential election.

You must be lame.
They said they want to strategize on how to ensure that the presidential flag bearer of all the major political parties emerge from the north.

evil666:
“The G15 held a meeting in Abuja to discuss and strategize on how to ensure that the presidential flag bearer of all the major political parties emerge from the north.

These people are sickly mad, they dont even know what we mean by democracy!

Ahead of the 2011 presidential election, some prominent northern leaders under the auspices of the G15 Northern Leaders Forum met in Abuja yesterday to discuss President Goodluck Jonathan’s purported presidential ambition and alleged plan by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party to dump its zoning arrangement.


Investigations revealed that the G15 members met in the home of former vice president Atiku Abubakar in Abuja and after several hours of deliberations agreed to have a wider consultation before taking a position on both issues.
“The G15 held a meeting in Abuja to discuss and strategize on how to ensure that the presidential flag bearer of all the major political parties emerge from the north. The meeting was emphatic that the presidential candidate of the PDP must remain in the north till 2015,” a source at the meeting said.


The source also said the politicians from the north were worried about “plans to rubbish” the gentleman agreement reached on power rotation between the north and south.Specifically, the northern leaders are unhappy that the gentleman arrangement, which produced former president Olusegun Obasanjo for eight years and now zoned to the north by the PDP till 2015 is about to be dumped.


“Article 7(2) (c) of the PDP is clear on our party’s rotation policy. It says in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices and shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all level,” said one of the northern leaders who attended the meeting.
Participants at the meeting, it was gathered, said they would galvanize all resources within their means to ensure that the north does not suffer from some “hawks that want to deny it of its constitutional provision since the south has taken its eight years under Obasanjo.”


It was gathered that the group plans to meet the National Working Committee of the PDP and also take their complaints to the National Executive Committee of the party for “justice and fair play.”
Sources said five members represented each of the three geo-political zones in the north.


The Northwest members that attended the meeting were Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Gen Aliyu Gusau, Magaji Dambatta, retired General Mohammed Magoro and Alhaji M.D Yusuf.
Those from the North-central were General Ibrahim Babangida, Dr. Solomon Lar, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, and Dr. Tom Adaba who stood in for retired General David Jemibewon.Adamu Ciroma, Bello Kirfi, Dr. Shettima Mustapha, Prof. Sa’ad Abubakar, and Atiku represented the Northeast.


There have been intense speculations about the presidential ambition of Jonathan in 2011, though he has not come out to say that he would contest.
Obasanjo had during a visit to the United States denied being aware of the rotational policy of the PDP, urging Jonathan to contest if he so desires.
A presidential aide, Cairo Ojougboh has also recently come out to say that his boss is free to contest.

Twelve years after former Head of State, the late General Sani Abacha died, his bosom friend and associate, Lieutenant General Jeremiah Useni, has said that what he was alleged to have looted from the treasure is not close to what ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s aides took from the national treasury.

According to Useni, who was the Minister of Federal Capital territory in the Abacha government, “I don’t think Abacha looted the treasury the way they have painted it.

Abacha had money before he even became head of state. His father was a businessman and he (Abacha) was very careful with money. I worked with him and I know how stingy he was when it comes to spending money. He held on to money properly. Despite all the things they say about Abacha, nobody has ever said that this is the money Abacha took and this was where he took the money.

“They will be talking about the children or some associates of the children. Every time, Abacha family, Abacha family, Abacha family and now we are seeing that what they said of Abacha family cannot be compared to even some aides that worked under Obasanjo. These are aides, not even head of state, not even ministers.”
Useni defended Abacha, who died on June 8, 1998, saying that he was a good leader. “Abacha was never a dictator. I think people are just trying to rubbish him. If he were a dictator, what will you say of Obasanjo?”
Speaking on the nation’s development, Useni said: “Obasanjo brought misery to many people and spoilt democracy. Obasanjo moved the nation backward at a very high speed. Yar’Adua slowed the speed and now, Goodluck has been able to stop it and trying to move forward now.”
He spoke on these and many other thought-provoking issues.

MORE: http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/june/05/national-05-06-2010-001.htm

Graduates(BSC & HND) are posted to remote area, they serve the govt under very difficult conditions and are paid just about #9500/month.
These tauts, illiterate criminals collect #60,000 monthly for doing nothing at all.
All they do is to use the money for okpo, iigbo(weed) gambling and collect another one next month.
Nigeria is a terrible country!