₦airaland Forum

There is an ominous sign that the post-amnesty programme of the Federal Government may have run into fresh crisis, with many of the ex-militants threatening a return to the creeks and possible resumption of vandalism of oil facilities.



Saturday Punch gathered authoritatively that at issue is the change in the mode of payment of the ex-militants’ N65, 000 monthly stipends.



It was gathered that the young men are thinking about revolting against the stoppage of payment through their individual bank accounts and a return to cash payment through their former commanders.



As a result, there is a sharp disagreement between the commanders of the militant groups and their boys over the payment of stipends to the 20,700 documented repentant militants.



Disagreement was said to have arisen between the ex-militants and their former leaders at the end of April over a change in the pattern of payment of the monthly stipend.



The Federal Government was said to have acceded to the demand of the former warlords to stop the payment of the stipends to the militants through their individual accounts in various banks.



One of the boys, who pleaded anonymity because of fear of a backlash, told our correspondent that the current arrangement started with the decision of Oceanic Bank Plc to close the ex-militants‘ Amnesty Accounts, after which the boys were asked to open new accounts with some banks without success.



The ex-militant further alleged that since then, the government had been paying the stipends into the accounts of their commanders, who made the withdrawals and paid them cash. In the process, he said, the commanders paid them N45, 000 instead of the approved N65, 000.



He said the boys had already accused the coordinator of the post-amnesty programme of conniving with their leaders to short-change them.



It was gathered that as a result of the growing ill-feeling among the ex-militants, most of them have started threatening to go on the rampage in the states of the Niger Delta.



Many of the boys were said to have threatened that they would henceforth resist the alleged deductions from their monthly stipends.



A source said, ”I think there is a big crisis waiting to erupt in the Niger Delta if steps are not taken to address the issue concerning the payment of allowances to the boys.



”This allowance issue is becoming a very big scam. The money is being paid into the accounts of the warlords instead of the former arrangement where the boys were paid by the banks. The boys are complaining bitterly about the situation.



”It could backfire. It could lead to a situation where some of the boys might want to go back to the creeks. It portends a lot of danger for the post-amnesty programme.”

MORE ON: http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100605224860

Unemployment in Nigeria is running at around 19.7 percent on average, but almost half of 15-25 year olds living in urban areas are jobless, Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga said on Friday.

Aganga, a former Goldman Sachs executive who took over as finance minister two months ago, said Nigeria was also looking at using financial instruments to hedge its exposure to volatile world oil prices but gave no further details.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5576802-146/nigerian_unemployment_around_19.7_percent_finance.csp

A non-political organization, known as Goodluck for Good Governance (3G), comprising mainly of youths from Northern extraction, spread across the three geo-political zones in the North have backed calls for President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2011 presidential elections.


The group said one year would not be enough for the completion of the projects which will transform the lives of the downtrodden in the country, hence the need for president Jonathan to continue beyond 2011.


Speaking with journalist in Kano, the chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Kabiru Wada Kura, promised that the group would mobilise support for Jonathan in the forthcoming general elections, saying they are satisfied with his display of leadership qualities, particularly in the energy sector which has led to a boost in power supply in the country.


Kura argued that his group, with the motto: “Vision 2011 Goodluck Nigeria, ” is championing the campaign for Jonathan to contest the presidential elections in 2011 to enable him execute laudable human-oriented programmes he has introduced.

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/1246-northern-group-okays-jonathan-for-2011.html

lagerwhenindoubt:
I shall make a prophecy here on Nairaland that
1: President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is a wolf in rabbit's fur he will show his true color after he contests and wins the election
2: President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will be consumed by the clique of Governors who are just waiting for him to slip up on all his recent appointees in different sectors of the economy
3: American support will wane when they discover the Mobutu Sese Seko reborn in President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

I just hate the guy, seriously. I hate the guy

Na iigbo(weed) dey give u all these inspirations so
why beefing the man?

I just pray it doesnt happen, i believe so much in GOD
we have so many pastors and prayer warriors in this country
i am very sure it will be averted

The House of Representatives, yesterday, rejected moves to investigate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for disbursing N500 billion to airlines without seeking approval of the lawmakers.

Femi Gbajabiamila (AC, Lagos) had sought to move a motion of urgent of public importance for the next legislative chamber to investigate the disbursement.

“In the last to three months, CBN has released subsidy of N500 billion to private airlines. I feel this is a matter we should discuss dispassionately. We should guard jealously the powers of the institution,” he told the House.

Mr. Gbajabiamila noted that, last year, the CBN “in its wisdom and unilaterally gave out N600 billion to some ailing banks in violation of the law of the land.”

He said in order to assert its legislative powers, the House should look into the matter.

However, when the deputy speaker, who presided at the session, put it to vote, members voted against it.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5575790-146/reps_reject_move_to_probe_cbn.csp

A British geology and earth education expert, has said that there is scientific evidence that Nigeria may be in danger of disastrous occurences of earthquake and tsunami, the type which had taken place in some parts of Asia.
The Director from the Earth Science Education Unit, Department of Education, Keele University, Mr. Chris King, yesterday said Nigeria could be in danger of major natural disasters including earthquakes and a tsunami.

King, who made the assertion in an interview with newsmen after a lecture at the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) in Abuja, however did not state exactly how and when the catastrophe would strike.
He said to guard against the usual huge impact accompanying the disaster, a geological training session for school teachers and students as well as intensified education of the populace on these natural disasters and ways of surviving them should they occur is recommeded.
He further disclosed that towns and villages along the coastal areas,especially in the Niger Delta region of the country, are exposed to greater hazards in the event of the Atlantic overflowing its shores and waves like that of the tsunami that occured in South-East Asia.

Speaking on the threat of volcanic eruptions, King said one of the islands in the Atlantic Ocean could set off a volcano that could
produce a tsunami that can sweep across the South Atlantic coastal areas of the Niger Delta, which could be really devastating if it happens; it is not very likely, but it could happen.

“There is also a possibility that a tsunami could hit Nigeria; the type of tsunami that hit South East Asia. So, it is important for
children and their teachers to know how to deal with these natural disasters when they occur, so they can make plans that could save their lives.”

“In the Camerouns, people have died from volcanic lakes in the past, and Cameroun is not very far from Nigeria. I don’t think we are going to see volcanic eruptions in Nigeria, but certainly we are going to have earthquakes. Even in the middle of plagues, you can have major earthquakes which can be very devastating.”, he said

“You can train the population what to do when tsunami is possible. The biggest problem today is that we know tsunami could hit Nigeria but we don’t even know what to do. So you need to train the population, to move to island, to move away from the coast and this could save lives if there is a tsunami. We need to train teachers on how to train this effectively. This is to educate more science teachers in Nigeria.”

He advised that the lectures on geology as it affects these major natural disasters be incorporated into schools’ curriculums at all
levels. “I teach them about earthquake and tsunami. And the lecture I gave two days ago was whether earthquake or volcanoes could affect Nigeria. And the truth is that earthquakes has happened in Nigeria back in the geological past and we do have minor earthquakes today. There has also been major volcanic eruptions in Nigeria in the past and it is possible in the future as wel".

"There is a possibility that a tsunami could hit Nigeria because there has been in South East Asia. Scientists and teachers know how to deal with this natural hazard then we make plans to save their lives. What we are teaching about can help us to understand how the earth works and how to save their lives", said.

According to King, however, the possibility of natural disasters occurring may not pose as much challenge as the capacity and ability of the country to manage them when they occur. King said the disaster resulting from these natural occurences can be
averted by training the populace to migrate from coastal region.

“The problem we have today is that if we knew a tsunami were to hit the country, no one will know what to do. You can have a tsunami warning system as they have in the Indian Ocean and in the Pacific Ocean.

“Also, you need to train the population in the coastal areas what to do in case a tsunami happens. You need to train the population that if a tsunami were to hit that they need to move to the highlands and move away from the coast: that will save their lives,” he noted.

While commenting on the benefits from mining sector, Director General, NGSA Prof Siyan Malomo noted that there have been foreign investment in the country’s mining sector but the nation would realize the impact in the next three to five years.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=174841

sjeezy8:
ooo shiot I thought the title said PUPPET- I was like yea no doubt.

Hey what are you insinuating, hope you are not sick!

yes, our prophet

Fhemmmy:
If the policeman refused to sue him, then, he is a fool, we shd all go and beat him

Thats true, we should all go and beat him to death

Senator Barigha Amange yesterday added a new dimension to the zoning arrangement, which some members of the party had complained, would be undermined, if Jonathan contests the 2011 presidency. Speaking yesterday during the meeting of the steering committee and zonal coordinators of the Bridge Builders Frontiers, a new platform canvassing for Jonathan presidency, held at Bolingo hotel, Abuja, Amange told journalists that the mandate that threw up Yar’Adua/Jonathan presidency is what is being exercised by president Jonathan, while the 2011 mandate, if achieved by Jonathan would be the product of power rotation.

“Yar ‘Adua unfortunately didn’t finish his tenure and Goodluck is going to finish his [ Yar ‘Adua’s ] tenure . After that, since Yar ‘Adua isn’t there to take second time automatically, the northwest has completed its tenure. That’s what it means. It should go to another area that hasn’t produced a president before. That’s what it means. That’s the rotation we are talking about’

The senator from Bayelsa State allayed the fears that if Jonathan contests for the presidency would lead to mutual distrust in the country and precipitate a crisis.

‘Why would it cause crisis? Is it against the constitution? It will only cause crisis, if it is against the constitution. It isn’t in the PDP constitution that we should rotate position and that’s what we are saying.
Amange wondered whether the north that is insisting on picking the PDP presidential ticket would have conceded to the southwest, if the former president Olusegun Obasanjo had died while in office.

“If what happened to Yar Adua had happened to Obasanjo, the south west wouldn’t have got eight years. Would anyone have prevailed on Atiku not to contest? What we are saying is that everybody should be free to run; Jonathan should be free to run. Our position is that everybody should be free to run, whether it is Goodluck, or Senator Amange

Presidential hopeful, General Ibrahim Babangida, has vowed not to back down on his ambition to be president in 2011 notwithstanding the challenges he might encounter in the process.

IBB, as he is popularly referred to, said he had weighed his decision to feature in the next presidential election and hence had seen no reason to back out from the race.

The former military president made the submission during the week at a meeting he held with some members of the National Assembly who paid him a visit, as he told the legislators that he never had phobia for losing election, contrary to general impression.

Babangida told the legislators, led by Honourables Ibn Na’ala, Philip Aduda and Fatima Raji Rasaki, that he had a genuine reason for withdrawing from the 2007 presidential election and that he made his reasons known to the public.

He said he would not dare to contest the 2011 presidential election if he was not sure of his chances, urging the lawmakers and his supporters nationwide to ignore insinuations against his ambition.

The lawmakers, on the aegis of Fix Nigeria 2011, had sought audience with the former military president as part of its search for the next president of Nigeria, as indications are rife that they would make contacts with other presidential aspirants with a view to determining their preparedness to give Nigeria quality leadership in 2011.

However, the former military president stormed Abuja last Friday, seizing the opportunity of a book written on his eight years of administration to sell his candidature for the 2011 election.

Hand bills, car stickers, souvenirs, campaign posters, all bearing Babangida’s imprints, were freely distributed at the book lunch, an indication that IBB supporters had mobilised fully to the venue.

A group of academics, headed by Dr. Abubakar Sidi Muhammed, had produced the 9-chapter book entitled: IBB: Impressions And Facts, which dwells on the soujourn of Babangida in power as a military president, with the authors giving an impression that the book was never meant to launder IBB’s image, but to state the facts meant to explain the myth around him.

Muhammed noted that the myths being created round Babangida were a diversion from the real nature of the former head of state and what he stood for in national politics.

He said it was unfortunate that Babangida, over the years, had been wrongly portrayed in the media as an evil-genius through stereotypes borne out of untruth, deliberate falsification of facts around him.

A federal legislator from Niger State (names withheld) during the week beat up a police constable deployed to control traffic on the Broadcasting Road in Minna, Niger State.


Saturday Tribune gathered that the federal legislator, representing one of the constituencies in Zone A, was said to be driving to his residence when the incident occurred.


It was said that the legislator, who personally drove in a jeep, was irked that the police constable flagged him down on high speed and he parked his car and descended on the policeman.


He was said to have slapped, kicked and boxed the constable before other motorists intervened to save the law enforcement officer from further assault.


The politician, who raged and cursed the policeman as he left the scene, according to eyewitnesses, later entered his car and drove away while good Samaritans took the constable to a nearby clinic for medical attention.


Saturday Tribune learnt that the case was reported at one of the police stations in the town and the legislator was invited for questioning, but he did not show up.


“When we called him to explain what happened, he told us he travelled out of town and that he would come when he returns next week” a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity.


When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Richard Oguche, confirmed the incident, saying that “we will invite the politician for questioning and if we find out that he has committed any offence, he would be charged to court.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/news/1180-federal-legislator-beats-up-police-constable-.html

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has apprehended two men and two women, including the pastor of a church in the Aba area of Abia State for operating illegal maternity homes between November 2009 and February 2010.

Also apprehended were some of the men who were paid heavily to impregnate the young girls, including children of those allegedly running the different illegal homes in the state.

Saturday Independent was also told that the raid led to the release of about 72 young girls ranging between the ages of 13 and 21, who were kept as ‘baby machines’.

Investigations conducted by Saturday Independent showed that some of the young girls were almost at the point of giving birth, while others had to be rushed to hospitals where they eventually gave birth.

Furthermore, it was gathered that those who came in with some few months old babies were also sent to the hospital where mothers and children were taken care of by officials of the civil defence corps.

Competent sources said that even though all the suspects were taken to court for prosecution, some of them were shielded from standing trial by highly placed individuals in the society.

Saturday Independent discovered that some of the homes included 2, Nwankpa Street, off Faulks Road, Aba called Divine Mercy Maternity and Child Care home allegedly owned by Mrs. Ebe Felicia, where 13 girls were released, and another at Amaoji Ukwu in Obingwa Local Government Area called Daughters of Zion Rehabilitation Centre, allegedly run by Pastor (Mrs.) Praise Ngo, where 18 girls were released.

The others include Iheoji Mgboko in Obingwa Local Government Area called Double Research Medical and Diagnostic Centre, allegedly owned by Onyemachi John, where four girls were released, as well as 14 Nicholas Street, Aba said to belong to Dr. Orikara Ndudim, where 37 young girls were released.

Some of the girls, who stated their ordeal, while in the different camps said they were lured into the business due to hardship, while others insisted that they had no choice than to head for the homes after being thrown out by their parents for getting pregnant.

“We were taken care of by the people and assured that we will be paid money after we give birth and hand the baby over to them. But some of us did not receive any money from our madam and we never see our babies again. When we try to ask, they will tell us that the baby died and had been buried,” they lamented.

One of those who had to be rushed to the hospital after she gave birth and refused to hand over the baby before the arrival of security operatives acting on a tip off, said “they took my baby and told me he was dead. But I knew that my baby was not dead so I had to go to where they kept him and took him. They said they will deal with me and then these men and brought us out.”

Spokesman of the corps in Abia State, Soji Alabi, said the illegal homes were sealed permanently, but that there were still many of such homes operating, especially in the rural areas and shielded by the communities, adding that they were able to make some headway because individuals gave them information.

He insisted that the corps was ready to curtail the activities of the operators, but explained that because of the huge profit, which ranges from N500,000 for male babies to N150,000 for a female baby, many would continue to indulge in it.

Alabi advised the people to assist the corps with information on the operation of such illegal homes in the state with a view to freeing the girls being held hostage and putting the operators out of business, adding also that some bottlenecks had been encountered while trying to prosecute the suspects, as they regain freedom immediately after arraignment because of their connections.

However, he explained that some of the girls and their abductors were handed over to National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and that issues relating to such incidents remained top on the activities of the NSCDC, especially since the posting of Nathaniel Ubon as commandant.

http://independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=14392

Why cant the universities just assist JAMB in conducting the UME/UTME
In all centre, there will be:
Universities staffs
Police
Mopol
Soldiers
Army
Navy
Airforce
SSS
Nigeria security and civil defence corp

Then I will see the person that has 3-heads that wants to impersonate
Instead of the universities to help jamb with such recommendations they are using the avenue to make millions
A school will sell form for over 35,000 thousand students and later admit just less that 5000.
The admitted and non-admitted will still buy scratch card to check result
What s shame

The political crisis in Cross Rivers State reached new highs Friday, when police, acting on the instructions from "above" disrupted the ceremony for the inauguration of the Women and Children Hospital built in Calabar by wife of former governor of the state, Donald Duke, Onari, taking him away for interrogation midway into the ceremony.

Mr Duke was driven away in his car, sandwiched between some senior police officers, to the state police headquarters at Diamond Hill where he was interrogated and afterwards released. He returned to the venue of the ceremony just when it was over to the palpable relief of his wife and admirers. He did not witness the cutting of the tape at the reception of the hospital.

A detachment of anti-riot policemen, led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police [operations], arrived at the venue and went straight to the master of ceremony and demanded to know who were the organizers and upon being referred to Mrs. Duke, engaged her in a discussion which attracted the husband's attention.

The former governor was told in clear terms that they have orders from above to stop the ceremony and would want him to follow them to the state headquarters of the force to answer some questions. The drama between him and the police took place beside the Murtala Mohammed Highway, where the hospital is located.

There were two version of Duke's arrest. One version has it that the police were acting on a court order stopping the ceremony from taking place while the other said the law enforcement agents swooped on the venue because it was an unauthorized political meeting summoned by Mr Duke.

MORE ON: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5574305-146/police_arrests_donald_duke.csp

Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian government of not doing enough to reduce the level of human rights violations in the country.

The human rights organisation revealed this today with its launch of the ‘Amnesty International Report 2010: State of the World’s Human Rights’, a publication which documents abuses in 159 selected countries, between January and December 2009.

In the report, the organisation stated that some governments are blocking advances in international justice by violating the law on human rights, shielding allies from criticism, and acting only when politically convenient.

“Repression and injustice are flourishing in the global justice gap, condemning millions of people to abuse, oppression, and poverty,” said Claudio Cordone, interim secretary-general of the organisation.

“Governments must ensure that no one is above the law, and that everyone has access to justice for all human rights violations. Until governments stop subordinating justice to political self-interest, freedom from fear and freedom from want will remain elusive for most of humanity.”

Police brutality: Nigeria’s albatross

Extra judicial killings by the Nigerian police officers featured prominently in the country’s assessment in the report. The human rights organisation, which sent its team of investigators to Nigeria, identified numerous cases of killings by the police, as well as torture and enforced disappearance of suspects.

“The police continued to commit with impunity a wide range of human rights violations, including unlawful killings, torture and other ill-treatment, and enforced disappearances,” stated the report. “Some people were targeted for failing to pay bribes. Several people were tortured to death in police detention. Prisoners were held in appalling conditions, many of whom had been awaiting trial for years.”

Suppressing freedom of expression

The human rights organisation also revealed that the right to freedom of expression continued to suffer significantly in Nigeria.

The various cases of assassinations of journalists, and repeated efforts to suppress or influence media practitioners were also highlighted in the report.

“Human rights defenders and journalists critical of the government faced increased intimidation and harassment. At least 26 journalists were arrested by the State Security Service or police. Some were released after a few hours, while others were detained incommunicado for up to 12 days. In addition, media offices were raided, TV stations shut down, and journalists threatened and beaten by police and security forces,” the report stated.

Amnesty International also pointed out that the legislature in Nigeria has hampered the promotion of press freedom by enacting unfavourable laws, and ignoring the Freedom of Information Bill.

Faulty judiciary too

Despite the repeated assurances by the government to reform the country’s judicial system, Amnesty International has faulted the progress made. The organisation, however, highlighted the efforts of states like Lagos in reforming the magistrate court system, but delivered a damning verdict on the federal government’s judicial reforms performance.

“Seven out of 10 inmates in prison were pre-trial detainees”, stated the report. “Many had been held for years awaiting trial in appalling conditions. Few could afford a lawyer and the government-funded Legal Aid Council had fewer than 100 lawyers for the whole country.

“A review of the Police Act (1990), started in 2004, had still not resulted in a new law. The vast majority of recommendations made in previous years by two presidential commissions: the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, were not implemented.”

The international human rights organisation also identified issues like the high rates of violence against women, forced evictions, and inadequate housing, retention of the death penalty, and discrimination of the people of the Niger Delta, as other issues which the country must tackle if it desires to promote human rights.

“The need for effective global justice is a key lesson from the past year,” said Mr. Cordone. “Justice provides fairness and truth to those who suffer violations, deters human rights abuses, and ultimately delivers a more stable and secure world.”

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/Metro/Politics/5573508-147/amnesty_international_indicts_nigeria__.csp

The House of Representatives has mandated the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission, to promptly discontinue the post-University Matriculation Examination conducted annually in Nigerian universities.

In a sweeping decision yesterday, lawmakers voted to support a resolution put forward by a member, Samson Positive, who argued that tertiary schools have abused the post- screening tests, applying it rather as a fund raiser.

“The problems of prospective candidates for university admissions have been further compounded with the introduction of this test and rather than good, our educational system has been worsened by it,” said Mr. Positive, who represents Kogi state.

The lawmakers also faulted the incoherent organization of the examinations which have had candidates placed for tests the same day at separate schools they listed as first and second choices during application.

The decision had been expected after the House Rules Committee, listed the matter for discussion earlier the week but failed short of adopting a position after repeated rescheduling.

In the days building up to Thursday sitting, many lawmakers have spoken in similar vein against the admission test which has run in the institutions for more than five years.

Cash cow

They argued yesterday that institutions in the country have converted the test, earlier introduced as a supplement to the conventional UME, to a quick source of raising funds from students and parents alike.

“This has become a very worrisome issue today- serving as an avenue for extortion and exploitation,” said three-term member Farouk Lawan, who heads the House committee on Education.

After its introduction in 2006, subscriptions for the test in universities and polytechnics across the country have been independently decided by different institutions with some charging prospective students as much as N10, 000 for the one-day aptitude.

The charges continued after the NUC directed in 2009 that such payments not exceed N1000, if they should be made.

The decision, the representatives said is to be enforced immediately, and have mandated the House Legislative Compliance Committee to ensure the education ministry and the NUC, carry out the directives without delay.

LAGOS, Nigeria — It appears as though Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan's luck might have rubbed off on his wife.

A spokesman for Union Bank says First Lady Patience Jonathan has won a motorcycle in a drawing the bank held for its customers.

Union Bank spokesman Francis Barde told The Associated Press on Friday that officials have informed the first lady that she won and invited her to claim the motorcycle, known throughout Nigeria as an "okada."

Chance has played a large part in putting Jonathan into the presidency of the oil-rich nation. Jonathan formally assumed office after the May 5 death of the elected president.

Previously, Jonathan became a state governor after the elected governor was indicted on corruption charges.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jo3g7M2KIYGljGeXX9q9FpXPWfywD9FVT36O0

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday said it was doing everything possible to extradite the former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, to Nigeria to face corruption charges.

Residents of Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom State woke up to see posters of President Goodluck Jonathan pasted at strategic positions in major streets of the city on the same day former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida was visiting the city for a function he chaired.

Babangida is believed to be still consulting and strategising towards his ambition of emerging an elected president of Nigeria by 2011, but a group that identified themselves as moment for positive change sponsored the campaign posters of President Goodluck Jonathan, urging the public to support the president in the 2011 race.

The occasion chaired by General Babangida in Uyo was the formal inauguration of the “Governing Board of The Initiatives”where some youths had adorned themselves in T-shirts and face caps having the inscription, “IBB for 2011.”

snowdrops:
Why must the first solution to apparently not so complicated problems be ban this ban that.

Bad english, who comprehends what you say?

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Justice Emmanuel Ayoola (retd.), on Wednesday said that Nigeria had lost more than $300bn to corrupt leaders since independence News Agency of Nigeria reports .



Ayoola, who spoke at a sensitisation lecture on corruption at the Federal College of Forestry, Jos, said the amount could have made lives ‘much better’ for ordinary Nigerians.



He said, “The sum of $300bn is enough to build many standard schools equipped with all facilities.



“We now send our children to private schools and universities and that is why when they come out of these schools, they have no love for their country.”



Ayoola who was represented by the Head, ICPC Zonal Office in Makurdi, Mr. Hassan Mohammed, said the fight against corruption was a tedious one.



He said, “The ‘no’ you can say to someone can go a long way in ensuring that we have books in our schools, drugs in our hospitals and also make our votes count during elections.



“That ‘no’ can also build motorable roads to many Nigerian villages.”

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201005272351975

Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, representing Anambra North Senatorial District had subtly indicted the Senate leadership for conniving to pay Mrs Joy Emordi the sum of N45 million being second quarterly allowance that would have been due to him.

Igbeke who was sworn in on Tuesday to replace Emordi after a protracted court battle served the Senate leadership in March 2010 orders from the Appeal Court, Enugu that he be sworn in, but the Senate leadership snobbed the court orders till Mr. Bello Adoke, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, adviced the Senate that unless there was a court injunction restraining the Senate from admitting Igbeke, there was no legal grounds to refuse him the oath of office.

It was gathered that the Senate leadership while admitting the advice and obeying it, however decided to pay the second quarter allowance of about N45 million to Mrs Emordi instead of Igbeke.

In his reaction to the development, Igbeke told journalists that “I’m putting everything behind me. I’m not bothered about whatever money may have been collected, but I do know that the Senate is a law making body that believes in law and I know that they will be honourable enough to give me my supposed entitlement when I ask for it.”

Igbeke, a businessman who is faced with the option of whether to get judicial interpretation on his tenure during a reception he organized for his followers hinted that the Senate leadership erred by handing over the second quarterly allowance to Mrs Emordi, arguing the money would been kept in an escrow account until the matter was resolved

http://www.thetimesofnigeria.com/Article.aspx?id=2646

pro01:
Thanks to Sanusi we now know that politicians are not the biggest thieves, but bankers/private sector people. For example:

Madam Cecilia Ibru, according to EFCC, stole approximately N500B! That's = $3.4b!!!

'Pastor' Erastus Akingbola, according to EFCC, stole approximately N345b! Thats = $2.3b!!!

How many politicians stole that much? Certainly NO governor. Maybe only folks like Obj, IBB, Abacha.

So we thank Sanusi and his 'reform' for exposing these biggest of all looters.

dont be myopic!
Has any of them been convicted for that crime?
Ask yourself and re-think

toba:
Unemployment, massive retrenchment etc

The benefits? na wa oh!

Some comments I read on Nairaland, i know most of you guys are really really myopic.
I just wanna ask you guys that claim to be supporters of what I am yet to see the effect on the economy
What have we really benefitted from The CBN banking reform lead by Sanusi?
I know banks don’t laon no more and I hear business men going as far as other countries to get load,
Dangote approach a south African bank to get loan?
Gusau says the reform is damaging the economy!
Emir cautioned him of the reform!
Oceanic and intercontinental bank workers have become jobless and have taken to kidnapping and ATM card cloning!
Inflation rate still increase continuously!
Please and please, you guys should just be honest and say what we have really benefitted from this so-called reform because its supposed to be for good

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar III, yesterday cautioned the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to stop exposing Nigerian banks to the world.


The Sultan, who also warned Nigeria's economic leaders against exposing the country's economic problems to the world, said there were security dangers inherent in exposing the country's banks and economy to the outside world.

The Sultan gave this warning at his palace in Sokoto yesterday when the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Otei Arunma, paid him a courtesy visit to inform him of the Capital Market Club for secondary schools, which was launched in the state yesterday

He said, "When we have problems in the economy, we should not expose it for the whole world to know. We can go ahead to correct our banks without the knowledge of other countries.”

According to the Sultan, "The economy depends on security. Economy is a very important factor in the security of any nation. We must be careful on how we reshape our banks and economy."

He admitted that the country's financial institutions, especially the banks, don't do what they ought to do and engage in roundtripling, foreign exchange and declare billions of naira on paper.

He said the authorities must be careful on how they reshape the nation’s banks.

On the capital market, the Sultan noted that Nigeria's economy is very bad and people cannot invest what they don't have. He, therefore, enjoined the government to do all it can to improve on the economy and assist Nigerians.

He assured the director general of SEC of his support.

Ms Arunma had earlier said the capital market was very critical to the economic and social progress of Nigeria.

She said SEC was currently seeking ways to raise funds so that the huge developmental needs of the nation can be addressed.

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