₦airaland Forum

Music producer K-Solo and his estranged wife, Kikelomo Oyeniyi, welcomed a son yesterday October 26th. Kikelomo announced the arival of her son on Twitter yesterday, just a few days after KSolo announced his engagement to another lady on Facebook. Big congrats to them!

This one no be story story o, the River State commissioner for information, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has confirmed the purchase. The state bought a brand new $45million Bombardier Global 5000 (N565RS) jet for Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

According to the commissioner, the jet was paid for two years ago, and they bought it for 'safety reasons'. She said the governor consulted the Rivers state House of Assembly and they approved the purchase.

SaharaReporters reported that the jet was primarily purchased from Bombardier in Canada for $45.7 million through the Bank of Utah Trustee account, and was delivered to the state government on October 7th 2012.

Meanwhile, the Rivers state commissioner said the old aircraft, an Embraer Legacy 600, will be sold.

Source>>>>>>>>>>>>>http://lindaikeji..com/

Try this game with just $10. England league 2: Chesterfield vs Barnet Pick Barnet to win first half and chesterfeid to win Full time. Odds =25

The presidential ambition of the Ekwuemes may not be over yet, as a member of the family has decided to continue from where the former vice president, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Stopped. He clocked 80 years last week.

Dr. Ada Ekwueme-Onuora, is the Chief Medical Director, Kalva Clinic, Lagos, and a trained psychosocial rehabilitation practitioner at the University of Toronto, Canada, and former deputy chairman of the Democratic party (PDP) Surulere Local Government Area of Lagos State. In this interview with Daily Sun, Ekwueme said the failure of Dr. Alex Ekwueme to clinch the PDP presidential ticket in 1999 and 2003 was a great political setback for Ndigbo.

While declaring her interest to run for the presidency in 2015, Dr. Ekwueme called on Ndigbo to forget individualistic acts but work collectively by giving her the necessary support towards the actualisation of president of Igbo extraction in 2015.

The princess of Oko, as her political loyalists fondly call her, stated that Nigeria was ripe for a woman president.

According to her, Nigerians are yearning for effective and good leadership, which she said she could offer, hence her reason for offering herself to serve the nation.

She noted that the name, Ekwueme, was a great legacy, which the family valued above all things and ready to protect.

She pointed out that Nigerians were looking for someone, who had the ability to fight corruption and must be seen to be transparent. She also spoke on her NGO and other issues.

Excerpts.

The name Ekwueme as a legacy, how has it helped you?

Right from my childhood, my father, His Royal Highness, Igwe J.A. Ekwueme, was the traditional ruler of Oko. When he died, my uncle, Prof. Laz Ekwueme, succeeded him.

He had always told us that a good name was better than gold and silver. So, we are guided by that and we have always maintained that.

For instance, there are certain things you do, my father will ask: “Are you an Ekwueme or not?” So, you’re conscious even when you want to tell little lies.

My uncle, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, the former vice president made it more obvious that as an Ekwueme, integrity, sincerity and good conduct must be your watch words and guiding principles, to keep the name stainless.

How has the name affected you?

I don’t know how to answer the question. If you mean whether the name has earned me political appointment, I will say no. But people accord me recognition some would ask if Iam his daughter, and I would say no, I am his niece even though we are both cousins because we are from the same grandfather. However, the name has not opened political doors for me. Rather I have been striving and that is what my cousin believes in. He believes you should have good and sound education, then, go out there and fend for yourself.

Did he at anytime recommend you for political appointment?

Not to my knowledge. But as a matter of fact, it’s only the two of us in the family; Mike Ekwueme and I who are really out for politics. We are grassroots politicians going through campaigns and rallies.

So, he has not recommended any of us for political appointment.

What role did you play when he aspired to be President of Nigeria?

Then, I lived in Surulere and I still do. So, I rose from the grassroots and I belong in ward H Aguda as the publicity secretary of PDP.

Later, I was voted to become the deputy chairman of the party in Surulere, Lagos.

Then, it was a great honour that my uncle was nominated to fly the party’s flag as its presidential candidate. So, everybody was working together towards achieving that until suddenly, the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo came in and divided the whole system.

I saw myself schemed out of politics. We didn’t know where we belonged anymore.

Ekwueme campaign organization in Anambra State was a strong force then, so I came back to support him from the home front because it was obvious that the south west including Lagos had adopted Chief Olusegun Obasasnjo.

The whole thing affected my political career and it’s really bad because I was of the opinion that having lived in Lagos for so many years, I was discriminated against by Lagos state PDP.

In Canada, where I lived, if you are qualified to be a citizen, you have the right to vote and be voted for. So it would be nice where one is domiciled he or she continues to hold position there.

When finally my uncle lost the party’s ticket, coupled with the humiliation meted to me by PDP Lagos, I had to travel to Canada for further studies.

What lesson did you learn from that experience?

Women should wake up.

Why didn’t Nigerian women vote Sarah Jubril during the PDP Presidential Primary?

It’s because she did not create the much desired awareness. Women should rally together instead of fighting each other. Poverty is another thing working against the political interest of women.

Sarah Jubril, meant well for Nigeria but hadn’t the financial strength as most women at the convention came there for money.

Through my NGO, Kalvac Human Development Initiative (KHDI), we plan to begin sensitization and awareness drive for Nigerian women to brace up and take over the leadership of the country.

So, if that awareness had been created, it would have been a different story for my sister Sarah Jubril.

But a good number of women are in government. Why are you sounding as if women are marginalized?

How many of them are politicians? There is something about politicking. Forget about the underhand politics being played some times.

When I say politics, I mean, you read wide about what is happening globally. You become aware, you become knowledgeable by also attending seminars; strive to know what is happening in other countries and how countries get developed. Let women learn and get Nigeria developed.

I mean women should join hands to put Nigeria in the global map of developed countries by being knowledgeable politically.

I did not read political science, but I got myself educated politically. I read about it, attended both local and international seminars and not just how to get A down so that B will go up, that is not the type of politics that can grow our democracy.

Anambra PDP is in crisis. As a party member, what are you doing to resolve the crisis?

I am more interested in women participation in politics. Anambra women should come together and form a focal point to unite the party.

This I have started few months ago because that is my primary constituency.

All efforts to resolve Anambra State PDP crisis failed because, women have not come to say “enough is enough”. Remember the crisis is caused by men and these men have mothers and wives, and must always listen to us.

Can the Bamanga Tukur led Executive unite the party?

As I said earlier, the survival of PDP lies with the women.

We must rise and make the desired change as mothers. We are stabilizers in time of crisis.

Women can and will play major roles in bringing peace to PDP if we come together and form a formidable force.

How has the failure of your uncle to rule the country affected your political career?

That goes to the roots, which is where we come from, the Igbo.

We must revamp our heritage because I believe that the dissention came from the roots, from our own root before it goes to the entire nation.

I am sure Nigerians love Dr. Alex Ekwueme even outside this shores, and they wanted him to be their president. He would have carried everybody along like the architect he is.

So if our people, the Igbo were united enough, he would have won the PDP primaries.

You have just declared your interest to run for the presidency in 2015. Do you see your dream coming to reality?

The dream of an Ekwueme to become Nigeria’s president is realizable, because the former vice President has laid a good foundation.

I am not saying it is our birthright. No, Nigerians yearn for good leadership. If elected, I will implement my uncle’s manifesto, in addition to mine.

I will run an all inclusive government, an assemblage of men and women of integrity and authorities in their chosen field of human endeavour.

My education policy will turn out job creators and not job seekers and reduce unemployment. We all know that lack of steady power is the bane of industrial growth. Under my administration, the power sector will be totally overhauled, not just privatizing it, but making it to be more efficient. As a medical doctor social service is the anchor of developed nations and that will be the key of our medical system.

I will introduce effective medical system in line with international standards. The society, especially the grassroots would be enlightened. If the grassroots has basic amenities, then the country will be on the track of development.

Nigeria is a country where we run clinics, and most people find it difficult to come to the clinics but if the medical system functions like an NGO, the medical personal goes to the people wherever they are.

Medical personnel would leave their comfort zones to talk to and treat the people. Awareness will be created for the people to know how their body function especially girls.

I am appealing to Ndigbo to support me and stop looking further for a saleable candidate for the presidency in 2015, I posses most of the qualities required for job.

We should avoid the mistake of 1999 and 2003 when we had the opportunity to grab the PDP presidential ticket but sold out.

Another opportunity is here. Who says Nigeria is not ripe for a woman president? Nigeria is over ripe for a woman president and I am ready to be the first Nigerian woman president in 2015.

Source =================http://sunnewsonline.com/new/politics/why-i-want-to-be-president-by-ekwueme/

"Senate President, Senator David Mark, on Monday said that time has come for the country to shift from the syndrome of state of origin and embrace state of residence.

He said that immediate elimination of state of origin and enthronement of state of residence would go a long way to cement relationship in the country.

Mark spoke to journalists in Quebec, Canada, after the opening ceremony of the 127th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, with the theme Citizenship, identity, linguistic and cultural diversity in a globalised world.

He noted that one of the issues that would be addressed at the on-going constitution review is a shift from state of origin to state of residence.

He wondered why a person who has lived in a particular place for 20 years performing all necessary civic responsibilities could not become an indigene of the area.

He said, You should know that one of the issues weve been discussing in Constitution amendment is shift from state of origin to state of residence because it is an important issue.

You are resident in a place for 20 years and still, they dont take you as part and parcel of that place.

I think its a difficult task but in my candid opinion, I think if we have an open mind and we approach it from a nationalist perspective, rather than a small, clannish perspective, I think we would get it right.

Lets forget the business of state of origin and go to state of residence.

Once you are resident in a place and you perform your civic responsibilities for the period, theres no reason why you shouldnt benefit, provided of course you dont claim dual residency.

Some Nigerians may be very clever. They would come from Ondo State and are resident in Benue, when the benefits of Benue are not commensurate with their expectations, they shift to Ondo State.

We cant have that. Once you take a particular area, you should just be a part and parcel of that particular state.

He described the theme of the conference as extremely relevant.

The theme of the conference, he said, is not just international, it is also national because that is the only way we can domesticate and implement the theme.

A commercial motorcyclist, identified simply as Ifeanyi, has been arrested for allegedly handing over a nurse, Mrs. Helen Ilonge, to ritual killers after collecting N10, 000.

PUNCH Metro learnt that Ilonge had on Tuesday last week took Ifeanyi’s motorcycle on her way to Igoli along the Ogoja-Ikom Highway in Ogoja LGA.

Ilonge, the coordinator of Primary Health Care in Bekwarra Local Government Area of Cross River State, was coming from a programme at the Assemblies of God Church, Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, and had alighted from a vehicle at Okpongrinya junction before taking the bike.

It was gathered that Ilonge (51) was beheaded while her other vital reproductive parts such as breast and vagina were removed for ritual purposes.

Ilonge’s neighbour, Mrs. Theresa Idagwu, on Sunday said, “Ifeanyi took the lady from Okpogrinya Junction on the pretence that he was taking her to the village, which is 10 minutes drive from the point. But along the way, he stopped and handed her over to kidnappers at Ukpe.

Meanwhile, the woman had called her daughter, Victoria, around 9pm that she had taken a bike at Okpogrinya Junction on her way to Igoli. She said when she gets to her destination; she would call again so that Victoria would boil water for her to take her bath. That was Ilonge’s last call.”

Repeated calls made to the woman’s line, according to Idagwu, indicated that it was switched off.

She said Ilonge’s family became worried when the woman did not return home. “We went everywhere- police stations, hospitals and even her friends in Igoli, thinking that may be an accident had occurred along the road but we got nothing,” Idagwu added.

Two days later, Idagwu said someone called Victoria on her phone and informed her that her mother had been kidnapped. The caller demanded a ransom of N50, 000 to be remitted in form of recharge cards.

She said, “Since her daughter could not raise the money, she rushed to the Bekwarra LGA headquarters where the head of administration, Mr. Bisong Bogbo, and the chairman, Mr. Linus Edeh, provided the money with which she bought recharge cards and sent to the caller.

“The voice claimed that he needed the recharge cards so he could sell and run away from his master who is a ritual killer. He claimed that he had been serving his master for a long time and wanted to run away. He said once he gets the cards, he will break the door where the nurse is being kept and release her.”

The LGA’s head of administration, Bogbo, confirmed that the cards were sent to the kidnapper through Victoria’s telephone.

He said immediately the alleged kidnapper confirmed receipt of the cards; he switched off his telephone.

Luck, however, ran out of Ifeanyi. Policemen tracked his telephone line and discovered that he called Victoria from Abuochiche.

Further investigations, it was gathered, showed that Ifeanyi had been selling the cards in the village immediately he got them.

When he was arrested, Bogbo told our correspondent that Ifeanyi led the police to one of the ritual killers identified simply as Elvis.

Elvis, according to Bogbo, confessed that the nurse had already been killed and some of her vital organs removed before Ifeanyi asked for the recharge cards.

Elvis also said the remains of the woman were buried in a swamp.

At the council headquarters, one of the late nurse’s colleagues, Mr. Gabriel Ogar, said she was probably the kindest woman he ever worked with.

Ogar said, “I have worked with five coordinators, but I know that she is just the best so far. She worked to the admiration of Governor Liyel Imoke and now she has been killed leaving her five children without a helper.

“Her husband died 12 years ago and since then she has been the one taking care of the children and only one has graduated. Please let the government do something for those poor children.”

When contacted on Monday, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Osita Ezechukwu, said the police were still investigating the matter.

He said four suspects had been apprehended by the anti-homicide unit, adding that when the investigation was completed the suspects would be prosecuted.

“We have taken confessional statement from them. Those who are not involved have been allowed to go while those who are involved are still in detention,” Ezechukwu said.

Hello all, somebody please help me answer this question... Why do Nigerians support Obama?

In his four years of presidency, what has Obama done for Nigeria? NOTHING.
What has Romney done for Nigeria? NOTHING.

What has Obama done for Nigerians abroad, Africa, or black people in America? NOTHING
What has Romney done to help poor people anywhere? NOTHING.

What is Obama promising Nigerians in America? NOTHING
What is Romney promising Nigerians in America? NOTHING

So what the hell is the attachment to this guy? WHY ARE NIGERIANS CRAZY ABOUT HIM?

Nollywood sensation, Nse Ikpe-Etim, is one actress that you can’t ignore. Whether it’s her impeccable diction or her sense of humour, Nse is a sweetheart that gets you cracked up each time you come across her. Witty and assertive, her profile continues to rise steadily in the midst of innumerable talents springing up in the highly competitive Nigerian movie industry. From Reloaded, which was her first movie, Nse has continued to endear herself to more fans and attract major nominations within the industry. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the actress speaks on sundry issues. Excerpts:



EGO Boyo named you as one of her favourite Nollywood personalities. Coming from a senior colleague, how does that make you feel?

Can you see the smile on my face? It’s an honour for Ego to mention my name. I will tell you that much because it is not easy for your name to be dropped as anything. It means you did something right, even if it is in one scene. So I’m thankful. I don’t know what it is. Should I say it is the directors that bring out something in me? Apart from the grace of God, the director brings something out and then the people you play with as well matter. They help you and if that doesn’t happen then you just rely on the art itself. Honestly, with what you just told me, I’m going to be smiling for days.

What is it you’re doing right?

I always say that people should never rest on their oars. If you are told you cook well, you should know that you have to keeping making that food so that the recipe doesn’t change. You have to get use to it. And then you start adding little spices here and there. You learn to add these things to make your food stay sweet. It is not that you cannot cook but you need the staying power. I don’t know what it is but I cannot run away from the fact that I’ve got God’s grace on my life. I can’t run away from that. But as I said, you must learn not to rest on your oars. When I see something I’ve done before, I look at it, I find fault in the way I’ve reacted and I say I could have done this better. If I get a role that I think is similar, if this person was an Aquarian, I will make her a Libra the next time because everybody is different even if they live the same life. There is always a difference, even if they were born of the same mother.

One thing will make the difference. For every role you play, you must find one little thing with which you connect. In The Meeting for instance, Bolarinwa, which was the role I played, was a cameo. When they give you that kind of thing, you know that it’s ok, you are trying. Looking at the character, I’m like this chic, she was stupid. She was a silly person. Everybody has stupidity somewhere in them so I brought it out. My director cannot get over it and with my co-actors, they brought it to forefront. She’s very silly. Honestly, it was stupid. I can’t even talk about it.

Can you recall a particular scene you wish you had played differently?

There is a scene in Reloaded where Femi, the character played by Ramsey Nouah, walks into the living room and I am with the girl. My character dropped for a second or two there. People might not notice but I saw it. These are things I’m trying to work on. Sometimes we just have to learn not to over heighten our emotions.

Of the roles you’ve played, which will you say has challenged you the most?

Everyone has been challenging but I think the most recent is the one I just shot in Abuja. It is called Broken. That broke me. Mr. and Mrs. broke me to a point. Phone Swap broke me physically. Bolarinwa, having to be stupid like that, even I kept asking, is this how I want people to know me? Broken made me; see the strength of a woman from a different stand point. Having a family, yet not having one; trying to look for love, being able to tie your love and yet you have abandoned others. It was crazy but I was thankful for the cast I played it with, Bimbo Manuel and Kalu Ikeagwu.

What was it like acting alongside Bimbo Manuel?

It was amazing. They were two people I always said I hoped I get to work with, so working with them, I liked it. Everyone had their breaking point in it because the movie will pull you and then you will break. A man cried on set and the camera wasn’t rolling. He will kill me if I say it but I will say it. Can you guess who it was? It wasn’t Bimbo. It was Kalu that broke. And he doesn’t look it.

You’ve been off and on set in recent times. How do you cope?

I always give myself a break, no matter what. I do not go from one set to the next. I don’t have the power. If I have a script, I dedicate everything to it. When I’m done I rest. I cannot do that because I won’t give you what you want. I cannot pretend. If I lie, directors like Mildred Okoh will catch me in myself.

Do you hope to delve into other parts of the art like producing and directing in the latter part of your career?

I’ve always said I’m predominantly an actor. I want to stay that way and milk this cow (laughs).

So, are you saying it’s a no, no for you?

Because change is constant, I don’t know; but for now, I am loving my work in terms of loving the people I’ve been working with and loving the directors I work with. I just love putting a smile on people’s faces because we need something to remind us of who we are. That is what the art does for you. Acting reminds you that things have happened and things can happen. It is a constant reminder. Sometimes, these are the only things that people have to put a smile on their faces. So for me, that’s it.

Everyone has had one good thing to say about the movie, The Meeting. Let’s have your take on it?

There have been romantic comedies but this one is satirical. There is no character you will not identify with because there is always a Makinde in someone’s office, there is always an Ejira, that girl that is very around. She’s playful, she’s almost innocent yet she knows what she wants. Then, there is always a Bolarinwa, check all these offices, there is always that Bolarinwa that will come in, there is always that Clara Ikemba, there is always that receptionist that will either make or mar your life. There is always a big man. The Meeting was like the man in the mirror. You look at it and you go like, ‘Oh! That’s me. I should change.’ It will make you laugh. It doesn’t condemn you because we are not saints, yet it says this is what we are doing. Let’s look into ourselves and make the right decision, make it right but with a laugh basically.

Before now, you had your perception about up-comers. Did it change after working with Femi Jacobs and Linda Ejifor?

I will be very honest with you, I saw Ejira as different from Bimbe, the role she plays in Tinsel. Makinde plays the psychedelic lawyer in Tinsel. I saw him then, I saw a guy play a 40′s role. He walked in a funny way, he reacted in a funny way and I said, ‘Aunty May, where did you get him from?’ I had to ask. I’d watched him literally just blow out of proportion. You see intensity and you are like wow! Good! Our industry needs it. We need faces. We need new people because work is coming. It’s a new Nollywood so there has to be a lot more than we have, because the truth is, we’ve got talents in Nigeria. The question is, do they have a platform to be recognised? Who is willing to take that risk? Rita took that risk and no matter what, I am thankful for them. I was given a chance literally in Reloaded but I was supported by all the A-listers. I came out and there it was, Reloaded. Now, they’ve come out. They have all the other actors, Basorge, Kate Henshaw, Rita Dominic, Chinedu Ikedieze, Chika Chukwu, and then there is poor me there. We all worked and it was amazing.

Do you think that the fact that they had a platform like Tinsel did the magic?

You will never lock talent up, no matter who you are. Talent will rise above everything. What makes it shine is attitude but you can’t lock talent up. You see it, you know it is talent. Even if they had not been in Tinsel, even if I had not seen them anywhere, I would have being wowed. For Linda, she’s willing to learn. She doesn’t think she knows it all. If people who have been there before don’t think they know all, then they will learn a lot more than they know. It is the same with Femi.

So I’m happier than they are for what they have because I literally come from that kind of thing. I was born of that. I know what it is like. When you have the support of the cast, you have a support of the director and the producer, the sky is just your limit.

Unlike TV, we don’t get to watch movies all the time. I’m sure your fans are waiting to see you on soap…

One day, maybe one day, you will get to see more of me. There are talks but when the talk sweet we go do am.

Tell us your experience in Phone Swap

I played Mary (laughs). You know, you have these girls who come to school but you know they are local. They have a degree but they are local. They do not even know how to use fork and knife because that is not how they were brought up. You know those girls, Agaracha. They don’t know anything. That was Mary. Now, Mary now sees the other side. She’s now trying to form like I can use fork and knife. She was exposed to these things but she didn’t know it. It wasn’t her way of life. Yes, I liked it.

On those days when you are stressed out, what calms you?

Cooking calms me a lot. When I can’t sleep at night, I cook. I read a lot. I think that no knowledge is ever lost and reading brings a wealth of knowledge. If you constantly go there you can never lack. One thing I pray for is that our generation, the one after me actually, I’m hoping, will tell our kids to read.

My parents did that. They helped me to do that. I remember someone saying that I speak well. Them no dash me. I read a lot. I see a word I don’t know, I mark it down. I say to myself what does it mean. What’s its origin? Is it Greek? Is it French? Those are the questions I ask myself. So when you know these things when you are pronouncing it, it’s as if your father is a professor. Sometimes, I hang out with my friends. It’s therapeutic when I talk to my friends and let go of my fears. I also like to be alone a lot of the time, which is funny. I can just lie on the bed and just stay there.

What makes someone earn your friendship?

Honestly, you know friendship is two ways but I always say for you to be able to be my friend and I your friend, I must be able to make excuses for you. It means I will not judge you ever. No matter what you do, I will see why you did it from your stand point. Even if it’s wrong, I will understand why you did it because you had told me. I will trust you for it. For instance, I might not see you all the time but we are very close. Some people will take offence; our friendship will cease to be. I have friends I don’t see, the day we see, we continue where we stopped.

They do not judge. They do not feel bad. As my friend, if you feel I’ve done wrong, do not judge, call me to ask me and I will explain why I did it. That’s what I owe you and that’s what you owe me. Friendship is not about getting up and shouting, ha na my paddy then tomorrow I go away. I don’t like to have surface friendships. I like to have friends and if they are my friends I will keep the circle small. That’s fine! But I can have acquaintances. I have people I talk to. I can laugh with anybody. At the same time I don’t have to laugh because not every day is okay for laughter.

As regards marriage, do you have reservations about certain tribes?

No, I don’t. I just think a good man is a good man.

There was a time you said it’s difficult to get a good man; do you still have that notion?

Is it not hard? I’ve checked it; all the good ones are taken. All the ones that have light shining on them are not the ones I’m looking for. I’m just waiting for the one that God will pop up and I will just say, hey! I’m right here. I think a relationship starts with having a friend. It starts with friendship, you get to know someone eventually something can happen or will not happen. You cannot force anything. You cannot say because society says it, then I must be married. What dirty respect? What if the man doesn’t even respect me? I want the society to respect me. Which one is more important at this point in time?

We know a lot of them are taken, but is that to say you haven’t seen any good one?

So I should go and collect somebody’s boyfriend now?

Exactly what are you looking for in a man?

You know when I find that thing I will tell you. I’ve said all sorts in different interviews but I think over the years I just streamlined it, I want a man who I can feel safe with. It’s not about money. But a man that you know has your back. That’s enough.

What about the biological clock…?

My biological clock is not ticking anymore. I stopped it from ticking and when I want it I will tell it to start (laughs). I’m in control of this thing men.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday congratulated Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State for earning a second term in office through his victory in the governorship election on Saturday.

Mimiko is a member of the Labour Party. He defeated the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olusola Oke; the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); and others.

President of the Senate, David Mark; his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, also congratulated Mimiko.

While the PDP commended the people of Ondo State for voting Mimiko for a second term in office, the ACN said it would make its position known after its post-mortem of the election.

Akeredolu, however, faulted the result of the election, saying it was not “a reflection of the people’s wish.” Spokesperson for his campaign organisation, Idowu Ajanaku, on Sunday, said through a text message to our correspondent, “The election was rigged in conjunction with security agents. There was no election in Idanre. The election in strongholds of ACN were cancelled.”

Ajanaku said that despite the cancelled areas, ACN’s outing on Saturday was impressive.

“The good showing of ACN in the election shows we are back in this state for good,” he said.

Congrats galore

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Returning Officer for the state, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola, officially declared the election result at the INEC Office, Alagbaka, Akure at exactly 1.21pm on Sunday.

According to the final result by INEC, the ruling Labour Party candidate won the election, having polled 260,199 votes. The PDP and ACN candidates scored 155,961 and 143,512 votes respectively.

The ACPN candidate had 1806 votes; All Nigeria Peoples Party, 1,461; APS, 751; PNPP, 2949 and the CAP candidate polled 735.

The Congress for Progressive Change candidate scored 1931; NCP, 823; NSDP, 1103; PDC, 21,361; and PPA, 1652.

Jonathan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also commended Ondo electorate, INEC personnel and security agencies for ensuring that the election was peaceful and successful.

The statement reads, “President Jonathan assures Mimiko that the Federal Government will continue to engage constructively and positively with the Ondo State Government in collaborative efforts to achieve faster socio-economic development and better living conditions for people in the state and all other parts of Nigeria.”

In separate congratulatory messages on Sunday, Mark and Tambuwal described the election as free and fair, saying it was democracy at play.

Mark, in his statement, said Mimiko “should be magnanimous in victory and should carry all along. The mandate is a challenge for greater service delivery to the people.”

He expressed satisfaction that Nigerians had come to appreciate democracy through free and fair elections.

Tambuwal, who pledged the cooperation of the House of Representatives to the governor, said Mimiko’s victory was a manifestation of the people’s trust in his leadership abilities.

Urging those who have grievances to pursue their cases according to the law, he stressed the need for them to accept the result in good fate and cooperate with the winner in the interest of the people.

Ekweremadu described the re-election of Mimiko as “people’s verdict and democracy in action.” He noted that the Ondo election, in many ways, indicated that the electoral reforms carried out by the 6th National Assembly through constitutional amendment was yielding greater results by the day.

He said, “In the end, it is not just about who won, but about a democratic, violence-free and mature electoral process where the people freely express themselves and realise their will that count above everything else.”

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, on Sunday said, “How better do Nigerians say no to the drumbeats of tribalism and political narrowness than what the people of Ondo State have just done with their votes?

“It is a quantum forward leap for those who understand the dangers of undue manipulation of national diversity for narrow political whims and a huge set back, utter rejection for the champions of ethnic politics.”

Metuh said though the PDP was not declared the winner of the election, the party was still happy with the performance of its candidate who, he said, joined the race late.

He also commended INEC and the security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the poll and urged them to learn from any observed loophole so as to continue improving in future elections.

ACN reacts

But the ACN, in a statement by its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said it was scrutinising the result of the election.

The statement reads, “As a party of democrats, we in the ACN have always known that the choice of who governs has always been that of the people in situations where the electoral process is transparent and credible.

“Therefore, all politicians worthy of their salt must always expect victory or defeat.

“We recognise that it is the sovereign right of the people to decide what kind of government they want. This is the challenge of democracy.

“Our party believes that there was and still is need for change in Ondo State. Thus, our party will study carefully the general details of the result with a view to taking a final position.

“Our party will continue this post mortem analysis of the lapses in all the institutions involved in the conduct of the Ondo election.”

National Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said Mimiko’s victory had established the fact that the LP had done well for the people of Ondo State in the last three-and-half years.

Governors speak

Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan(Delta); Seriake Dickson(Bayelsa); Peter Obi(Anambra); and Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara) also congratulated Mimiko for retaining his position.

Uduaghan said Mimiko’s victory was a testimony that free and fair elections were possible in our democracy.

He said, “He (Mimiko) should strive to continue to build on the path of development he started in his first term.”

In a statement, Governor Dickson described Mimiko’s victory’s as a clear reflection of the tremendous support, confidence and goodwill he enjoys from his people”.

Obi, who is the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum as well as the Vice-Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said, “The victory of Mimiko is yet another testimony that democracy is taking root in our country. The people have spoken; the best candidate has won.”

Ahmed in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, described Mimiko’s re-election as a demostration of steady but sustainable growth of Nigeria’s democracy.

He urged INEC to apply the lessons it learnt from the Ondo State election to deepen ‘its impressive records’ in the conduct of subsequent elections in the country.

Mimiko, who dedicated his victory to all lovers of democracy, described the election as free, fair and highly credible. He said the poll conduct had raised the hope of a better future for the country and urged his fellow contestants to join hands with him in the task of building the state.

Rigging claims

When contacted on the ACN’s allegation of rigging using security forces, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Ndabawa, said the party should challenge INEC in court on the matter.

Ndabawa, who spoke with one of our correspondents on the telephone, said, “I am a commissioner of police; that is not my problem. They should direct their question to INEC and challenge the result in the court.”

The returning officer in Saturday’s governorship poll, Daramola, said that while 1,638,950 people registered as voters, 624,659 votes were cast.

Giving the analysis of the votes, the returning officer said that 594,244 votes were the total valid votes while 30,415 votes were invalid.

He said, “I, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola certify that I was the returning officer for the Ondo State governorship election. That the election was contested and that the candidates received these result (stated above).

“That Dr. Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby certified as the winner and he is hereby returned as the governor.”

The LP candidate won in a total number of 13 local government areas. The PDP, which came second, won in Ilaje and Okitipupa LGAs and the ACN candidate won in Owo, Odigbo and Akoko South West LGAs.

Earlier, the Collation Officer for Ilaje LGA , Dr. Olayinka Oladele of the Federal University of Technology, said the results from 32 pooling units in the council were cancelled for various reasons, including mutilation and alterations on result sheets.

Mimiko, was first declared the governor of Ondo State on February 24, 2009 by the Appeal Court in Benin City, Edo State, which was presided over by former President of Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulahi Umar.

Mimiko had contested the April 14 governorship election of 2007 with former Governor Olusegun Agagu of the PDP, but Agagu was declared the winner by the INEC.

But Mimiko headed for the election petition tribunal. He was declared the lawful winner of the poll which the appeal tribunal also upheld.

We all know iroko is the Father of all trees. Only a fool will Think that Acn would win. Tinubu is a Failed Man Shm

Oshobaba has done well. Chai imagine someone in prison since 1997" he would have seriouly learnt a big lesson. I only spent 3days in Cell for assaulting a police and is like my world is coming to an end. So i believe thats a gud development. Bravo Osho

Hmm I have always had lots of Passion to The Igbos. I respect them for who they are. But with the Current event of things i think they Need to re adjust and claim their Respect Back. But the Truth is am Proud of them even as a Yoruba Man

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"Chinua Achebes long awaited book on the Nigerian Civil War has turned the Internet into a battleground between supporters of the famous writer and the admirers of the late Yoruba sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The fight started on Tuesday after excerpts of Achebes memoirs, There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra, was published in the Guardian of London.

The book focuses on the octogenarian authors experiences during the war and explores the roles played by some of the major actors, including Awolowo.

However, it was Achebes claims that the late revered statesman used his position as the Vice Chairman of the wartime federal cabinet to decimate the Igbo as a race that stirred the hornets nest.

Achebe wrote, It is my impression that Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself and for his Yoruba people. There is, on the surface at least, nothing wrong with those aspirations.

However, Awolowo saw the dominant Igbos at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity arosethe Nigeria-Biafra warhis ambition drove him into a frenzy to go to every length to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case it meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation eliminating over two million people, mainly members of future generations.

The controversial excerpts has since spawned passionate debates on the social media, especially on Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

Writing to support Achebe on Facebook, Frank Fabian accused Awolowo, who also served as Nigerians finance minister during the Civil War of masterminding an economic blockade that crippled Biafra.

Kalu Kalu also wrote that Awolowo backed the policy of starvation as a tool of war. How could you say that a man who made and implementated these policies against a people does not hate them? Chinua Achebe is right but the truth is always bitter.

But those who spoke up for Awolowo, however, described Achebe as biased.

Mayowa Akinsola wrote, I consider this statement from the highly revered literary icon an attempt at sectional revisionism. Awolowo was perfectly right when he said that everything in war is fair.

It is shameful that we are putting this type of argument forward, how reasonable to blame our enemies for making policy that will give them victory. It is childish to expect your enemy to feed you during the war. Both of you are looking for victory, and whatever you do to give you victory is fair. If at all there is something that is unfair during the war, not given your enemy food is certainly not one of it.

Bankole Shakirudeen Adeshina wrote that Knowledge is an awareness over existence of a subject, but wisdom is the ability to rightly interpret/analyse collections of information without damaging its objective and original intention. The motive of the writer (Prof Achebe) was clearly borne out of hatred on the alleged character.

Writing in one of the popular yahoogroups, Toyi Adepoju argued that Awolowos position was misunderstood.

He wrote, He (Awolowo) stated that the food could get into the hands of soldiers. I am adding that not only is that true, but that the line between soldier and civilian in Biafra was not always clear cut.

Meanwhile, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has reacted to Achebes remarks on Awolowo, describing it as an abomination.

Secretary General, Afenifere, Bashorun Seinde Arogbofa, said, He has the right to live anywhere he likes but to start denigrating one of Nigerias founders and builders like the Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo is not only unfortunate but a great abomination especially when he knows that the man is dead and cannot defend himself.

The things that bind us together in this country are already undergoing a great stress due to the economic downturn, poor management of resources, ethnic clashes, religious intolerance, unemployment, and nepotism among others.

All peace loving Nigerians should talk with restraints, trying to find solutions to our problems and ignore if truly he had said all those things.

source: http://www.punchng.com/news/achebes-att ... ntroversy/

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I heard From A Source that Tinubu is a Bastard that he was picked in a gulter. That his Real Adopted Mum is the Iyalaje of Lagos. Is that True? Just Asking

Sky Blue: This is one thing I don't like about this nation. What healing process are these people talking about? It is like they can't understand that it is in the absence of a national discourse on the issue and dealing with the issues of that era that side talks have gained prominence. Some people say natur abhors a vacuum and in this particular situation such is the case. Ostriching has never solved any of our problems.

And then to follow such with talks of marginalisation is simply laughable. There are over 150 million people in Nigeria, the three main ethnic groups only account for about sixty percent of the population. Any talk of marginalisation without consideration of the merit of who is appointed DOES NOT help the Unity of the country (and is a tad insensitive). Unless you can provide proof that ongoing restructuring in the aviation industry is INTENDED to scheme out a region just shut up because such calls DO NOT help unity. If people are invested in Nigeria then such people need to start seeing the country as a whole system, not just one starting and ending at the boundaries of whatever region or state they come from. Federal character is something we should be trying to entrench. If you are attacking attack it should be based on incompetence, or else you just look like a group of people vying for political appointments.

You Are Right Man .

The parents of Lucy Ukpong who was reportedly shot dead by policemen in Abuja on Friday will on Monday (today) visit the Federal Capital Territory Police Command to demand justice for the killing of their daughter.

The Ukpongs, who reside in Akwa-Ibom State, were scheduled to arrive in Abuja on Sunday to meet with their relations in the city before visiting the police.

Our correspondent learnt that the couple would demand to know what the police authorities were doing to bring their daughter’s killers to book.

Lucy, a salesgirl at a photography shop in Apo area, was reportedly hit in the chest by bullets allegedly fired by policemen from the FCT Special Anti-robbery Squad. Three others sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

The 20-year was said to be inside the shop when she was killed by policemen who had come to enforce the demolition of illegal structures by officials of the FCT Development Control Department.

The deceased had only spent a month on her job before she was killed, according to her employer, Emeka Ani.

The residents of the area had resisted moves to demolish their structures, leading to a confrontation and sporadic gunshots by the policemen.

Ani told our correspondent on Sunday that Lucy’s parents were expected in Abuja to find out what happened and also to make arrangements for the release of her body for burial.

“We are expecting Lucy’s parents in Abuja today(Sunday); they are already on their way and we believe they will get here before nightfall. My boy who was injured in the hand by gunshot is recovering,” Ani said.

The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Doris England, said the Criminal Investigation Department had commenced investigation into the incident, adding that the policemen on duty at the demolition site would be interrogated to know what transpired.

She said, “By Monday or Tuesday, the CID would have interrogated the policemen and the development control officials to know what happened on that day. I cannot give any update until the conclusion of investigation.”

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A group within the Peoples Democratic Party, the Afenifere Independent Group, on Sunday urged Nigerians to move beyond the current controversy about the 1967-1970 Civil War and build a new nation.

In a statement by a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, the AIG said it was worried that 40 years after the civil war, a large number of Nigerians still engaged in bitter reminiscence instead of letting old wound heal.

The AIG said, “The ongoing war of words over comments made by Prof Chinua Achebe in his latest book, ‘There was a Country’ against the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo that the sage intended to exterminate the Igbo race, is not helpful in the course of nation building and likely to cause a setback in the healing process and overcoming the trauma of civil war.

“The counter remarks from the Yoruba people and their leaders show how fragile our unity is and we must not continue to take for granted the unity of the country.

“Presently the Federal Government is being attacked on many fronts such as the Boko Haram in the North. Flood is ravaging most part of the country. The West is alleging marginalisation in President Goodluck Jonathan administration. And also, there is a massive outcry against the brutal killings of students in UNIPORT and in Mubi and series of kidnapping going on in the country.

“The Federal Government has a lot on its neck and does not need additional problems like the one Achebe is causing with his comments.

“The comment could cause disaffection among the populace and re-ignite the long forgotten divisive tendencies. Nigerian should ignore such controversy.”

The group also urged Jonathan to address the issues affecting the Yoruba people interest in the country.

It said it appeared that there was a systematic relegation of the people of the South-West from the central governance, urging the president to address it to avoid a setback to the gains that had been achieved in nation building.

“The recent appointments of the Service Chiefs overlook people from South-West. We also learnt that the ongoing re-structuring in the aviation industry is intended to scheme out the South-West.

“Leaders of the zone have met with the president to seek redress. But its response and actions has been lacklustre,” the AIG said.

Guys,

I have been reading comments on Nl and other forums and I have noticed that so many people just dislike Senator Bola Tinubu. I am not a supporter of the senator and I have no interest in promoting him but I just want an objective argument for the widespread criticism. Let's not mention that he was corrupt as a governor because we all know that EVERY single one of our governors are corrupt but I can tell you that I know what Lagos looked like before Bola Tinubu became governor and I know what Lagos looks like today. How come the rest of the other governors who stole money from their people cannot achieve what Bola Tinubu has achieved in the southwest with ACN? He set the stage for Gov. Fashola and look at Lagos now under his watch. I don't get it, what is the "Bad Belle" about?

Guys I Think Mimiko Should Be Given The Mandate. Looks Like He Will Perform Or What You Think?

"The Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko has promised to provide a seaport at Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje local government area in his second term in office.

The seaport when completed, Mimiko explained, would serve the whole western part of the country and also provide jobs for thousand of people of Ondo State.

Mimiko who was in Ilaje at the weekend in continuation of campaign tour of his re-election bid, disclosed that his administration had succeeded in bringing in a lot of foreign technical partners some of whom he said had been shortlisted to partner with the State government for the execution of the seaport.

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Mrs Olukemi Mimiko, Governor Olusegun Mimiko addressing supporters at Igbokoda, the headquarters of Ilaje Local Government Area of the State during his re-election campaign tour of the Local Government at the weekend

The governor who is contesting on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) for the October 20 Governorship Election enthused that the seaport project would turn the economy of the riverine community and that of Ondo state around for good.

The Governor also disclosed that he had used the first three and a half years of his administration to put in place indexes that would fast track the development of the entire State saying that what remained now was for him to be given the opportunity to continue in office by the people so that he could complete all that his administration had put in place for a better Ondo State.

source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/mimi ... st-region/

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