₦airaland Forum

Nigeria is one of the biggest recipients of US aid in Africa. Last year the US gave Nigeria about $226m in development aid and is expected to spend $600m this year.

I was with my predecessor one day when an elder came, I was telling him that if you tar all the roads, even if you air-condition the entire environment, and the stomachs of the people, of members of the party are empty, they will not appreciate what you have done. So I want to join them to tell us to ensure that their stomachs are filled so that they will appreciate what we have done,” Uduaghan pleaded.

Governor Akpabio speaking after Governor Uduaghan said: “Well, my brother governor, Uduaghan said you are hungry. So I will give the state chairmen from the six states N1 million per state for Mr. Biggs right now.

EFFORTS at mending the fractures in the workings of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-South region fell short Sunday as dignitaries left the special zonal meeting before itwas over.
Governors Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Rivers, Delta states respectively, along with several other senior political office holders on the platform of the PDP left the Alfred Diette-Spiff Civic Centre, venue of the PDP 2013 South-South Special Zonal Executive Committee Meeting while the Akwa Ibom state governor, Godswill Akpabio, was making his speech.
The crux of the disturbance, it was learnt, had to do with GovernorUduaghan’s speech and Governor Akpabio’s reaction to it.
Earlier, the Delta State governor, Dr Uduaghan, had called on the party to ensure that more is done for the people than just social infrastructure, stressing that they should be financially empowered.
“Governors of the South-south are committed to ensuring that the PDP continues to maintain a strangle on the South-south. There is no doubt that if the PDP is strong here in the South-South and not strong in other parts of the country, there will be a problem.
“So, I want to join others in urging you that what ever problems there are, either at the state, zonal or national levels, let us resolve them quickly so that we can move forward as a party.
“Mr Chairman, there is also an issue I want to raise; I know I am a governor but it also concerns me and others who hold positions in the party. I was with my predecessor one day when an elder came, I was telling him that if you tar all the roads, even if you air-condition the entire environment, and the stomachs of the people, of members of the party are empty, they will not appreciate what you have done. So I want to join them to tell us toensure that their stomachs are filled so that they will appreciate what we have done,” Uduaghan pleaded.
However, Governor Akpabio speaking after Governor Uduaghan said: “Well, my brother governor, Uduaghan said you are hungry. So I will give the state chairmen from the six states N1 million per state for Mr. Biggs right now.
“All the state chairmen should see me immediately after my remarks so that at least I will drop N1 million each for Mr. Biggs’ sothat PDP can chart the course for empowerment”, the governor said.
Explaining the reason for the action of the governors and other dignitaries who left the meeting, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said Amaechi left the hall to see off one of his guests, the Delta state governor, Uduaghan, who was leaving the event.
“You noticed that the governor of Delta State was leaving at the same time, Governor Amaechi had to be a proper host so he had to see off his colleague, the governor of Delta State. I do not see any reason Governor Amaechi would feel insulted by the comments of Governor Akpabio because Governor Akpabio was responding to the comment of Governor Uduaghan.
“The people were obviously the ones who responded, the governor of Rivers state had no interest in that, Governor Akpabio thought it necessary to dole out some charity to the various states visiting and as chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, that might be one of the ways he felt like reaching out to the people.
“The governor of Rivers state is the host governor, Governor Uduaghan is his brother governor, Governor Akpabio is his brothergovernor and Governor Ududaghan, his brother governor was leaving, it was the responsibility of the host governor to see him off. I’m sure you noticed that Governor Akpabio came late to the event, it wasn’t an issue that he came late, why is it an issue that the governor had to see off his brother governor?” Semenitari asked.
An aide to Governor Uduaghan said that he had to leave the meeting because the Asaba Airport closes at 5.30 p.m. and was seen off by Governor Amaechi who, it was learnt, did not return before the meeting was over.
Special assistant (media) to the Delta State governor, Sunny Areh,said no such thing happened. He said the governor had taken permission to leave early.
The leaders of south-south of the PDP led by the state governors including Chibuike Amachi, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Godswill Akpabio, as well as National Assembly members from the zone, had drummed support for the party while maping out strategies for the party to win more states in 2015.
The aggregate view by speakers during the ceremony was that the National Headquarters of the PDP should do everything possible to reconcile aggrieved members, while also making sure that all litigations filed by aggrieved members should be withdrawn mostly in Rivers state.
The National chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur in his remarks expressed gladness on the sense of solidarity among members of the party in the south-south as he assured members of the party of efforts by the PDP to assist the warring factions in each of the states to come together.
Bamanga Tukur said the reconciliation meeting embarked upon by PDP across the geo-political zones of the federation has been bearing fruits, noting that the efforts recorded tremendous success in the south-west and the south-east as well as the south-south, where the reconciliation team had so far visited.

Alfamann: chai! the cowards are still attacking igbos.

please face north for once.

Three times. He did it as a military. He came back twice as civilian. Is that not three times? That is the man who fought the civil war, defeated Biafra, arrested the Biafra Commander of the Armed Forces, General Effiong, brought him to Lagos, presented him to his Commander-in- Chief, General Yakubu Gowon and he signed the article of surrender. What kind of sacrifice do you want somebody to do again?

slimghost: Bros, there is something called sense, Do you have it?

That is the man who fought the civil war, defeated Biafra, arrested the Biafra Commander of the Armed Forces, General Effiong, brought him to Lagos, presented him to his Commander-in- Chief, General Yakubu Gowon and he signed the article of surrender. What kind of sacrifice do you want somebody to do again?

That is the man who fought the civil war, defeated Biafra, arrested the Biafra Commander of the Armed Forces, General Effiong, brought him to Lagos, presented him to his Commander-in- Chief, General Yakubu Gowon and he signed the article of surrender. What kind of sacrifice do you want somebody to do again?

By DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA-The Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has explained that the rationale behind the construction of a Yoruba village in London was part of the efforts to ensure that, the language does no go into extinction for those in diaspora.
The Council’s Public Relations Officer in Diaspora, Gabriel Aramide said this weekend, in Abeokuta,that the body has concluded arrangements for the launch of the Village to serve as educational centre, where the language would be taught.
He further disclosed that, YCE had also decided to hold Yoruba Day Celebrations for their kinsmen in diaspora , who, according to him, were about 200 million.
Aramide, who was accompanied by YCE National Executive member, Kadree Adebisi and Ogun State Chairman, Muizi Omonayajo, said eminent traditional rulers in the region have given their support to the progamme.
According to him, the building of Yoruba village and the events were would be held so as to re-unite Yoruba sons anddaughters that live abroad.
“We are launching a Yoruba Village,a centre for learning of Yoruba!language and to also serve as the meeting point for Yoruba sons and daughters in some part of the diaspora. All Royal fathers and dignitaries will converge on the Village .
“To make visa essence possible, the council has contacted a firm of Solicitors in London, who are now in contact with the British Embassy,while the Yoruba Governors have also been contacted to send cultural troupe for performance.
Also speaking at the conference, the Council National Officer, Kadree Adebisi affirmed that, the programme was with the approval of the national headquarters.
He added that, the body had contacted the coordinator for the establishment of the diaspora chapters, which according to him has spread globally.
“The Council was established far back in 2001,with late Pa Alayande, Thompson and Bola Ige, while the mission and vision were for the welfare of the race, wherever they may beresidents.

Bingel jr: The is no local govt area that is call wamakko in kaduna state pls check

The controversial pardon granted some ex-convicts by President Goodluck Jonathan has sparked a diplomatic standoff between Nigeria and the United States,  with the Americans threatening to punish Nigeria over Mr. Jonathan’s action.
Nigeria has in turn accused the United States of “meddlesomeness”.
The U.S. had through its official twitter handle @USEmbassyAbuja on Friday condemned Mr. Jonathan’s action, saying, “the #USG (United States Government) is deeply disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by GON (Government of Nigeria).”
 It added, “We see this as a setback in the fight against corruption.”
A State Department official has now said the American government is not taking the matter lightly and might apply sanction as appropriate.
Speaking at the U.S. Department of State’s daily press briefing in Washington D.C. late Friday, Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said the development in Nigeria might jeorpardize the governance projects America is executing in Nigeria.
The U.S. is the world’s top donor. In 2012, it spent about $226 million on health and governance programmes in Nigeria. And about $600million has been requested for 2013, according to U.S. government data.
In response to a question on whether aid to Nigeria might be cut, Ms Nuland said, “We see this as a setback for the fight against corruption, and also for our ability to play the strong role we’ve played in supporting rule of law and legal institution-building in Nigeria, which is very important for the future of the country obviously.”
She added, “We have made clear to the Nigerians that this puts a question mark on the kinds of work that we’ve been trying to do with them.
“We haven’t yet taken the kinds of steps that you’re suggesting Matt (the reporter who asked the question), but we’re continuing to look at what’s appropriate.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s foreign ministry has summoned a top U.S. diplomat to explain why its embassy posted critical comments on Twitter over a presidential pardon given to the Nigerians convicted on corruption charges, the Associated Press reports.
Quoting a statement issued on Friday night, the report said Nigerian officials filed an urgent request to speak to the U.S. deputy chief of mission over what it described as “meddlesomeness.”
President Jonathan and the National Council of State had granted ex- Bayelsa Governor, Mr. Alamieyeseigha and ex-boss of the defunct Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama pardon in a move condemned by civil society and other interest groups.
Both men had been convicted for corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mr. Alamieyeseigha, who chose Mr. Jonathan as his running mate for the Bayelsa Governorship election in 1999, pleaded guilty to financial misappropriation and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Some members of the Council of States had told PREMIUM TIMES that it was clear from the president’s mien and actions at the meeting that the pardon was targeted at Mr. Alamieyeseigha with the others only used as smokescreen.
The ex-Bayelsa Governor’s name was the first on the list of the pardon beneficiaries read by the president to attendees at the meeting including three former Nigerian heads of state.
Mixed reactions
Nigerians have, however, reacted differently to the U.S. reaction. While some say the U.S. has by its actions showed that it would not support the seemingly pro-corruption action of the government, others accused the American government of meddling in Nigerian affairs especially when its former presidents also pardoned similar ex-convicts.
“Who condemned USA when they pardoned Oliver North and the then president over Iran contra,” a commentator by the name Ben Growp posted on PREMIUM TIMES website.
“Various American presidents have pardoned individuals, the most controversial being Marc Rich, whose wife Denise is a contributor to the Democratic Party. Clinton’s actions were done a few hours to leaving office in January of 2001,” another commentator by the username Lanre posted.
Others like Odusanya Seye commended the U.S. statement.
“As a patriotic citizen of Nigeria, I find this retarded move to pardon a convict shameful for a country whose inhabitant cry for justice,” he said.

Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday rose in stout defence of his controversial wedding gifts to hip pop musician, Tuface Idibia, saying the gesture was to reward the musician’s wife for standing by her husband in the face of difficulties.

Igwe.:
Waiting to hear what ogas at the top of CAN and CPC NL affairs will say on this!
Btw, congrats to him.

idirect: How on earth can any government pardon two people for a crime that they had already been pardoned for 13 years earlier? This man has proved to be the greatest eediot yet to rule this country

kamdyjenny: Hmmm who is dis ugly woman...

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State on Thursday rose in stout defence of his controversial wedding gifts to hip pop musician, Tuface Idibia, saying the gesture was to reward the musician’s wife for standing by her husband in the face of difficulties.
The governor had come under heavy criticism after he, on Friday, announced a gift of two brand new Toyota Prado SUVs to Tuface and his wife. He also reportedly promised to bankroll an all-expense paid trip for 29 delegates from the state to attend the white wedding of the couple fixed for Dubai, the United Arab Emirate on March 23.
Besides, he also hosted a lavish state dinner in honour of the couples and promised to rehabilitate the Eket-Ibeno Road ahead of the child dedication of Tuface and Annie.
But in a statement by his commissioner for information, Aniekan Umana, on Wednesday, Mr. Akpabio said he only approved a car, and not two, for the couple. He also said he only promised to sponsor 20, and not 29, wedding guests to Dubai for the couple’s white wedding.
The statement reads, “Following spurious and false speculations in the social media concerning the wedding gift by Governor Godswill Akpabio to Mrs. Annie Innocent Idibia, née Macaulay, I wish to state as follows:
“That the Governor of Akwa Ibom State Chief Godswill Akpabio, donated ONE Prado jeep to Mrs. Annie Innocent Idibia, nee Macaulay a daughter of Akwa Ibom State and renowned artist during her traditional marriage at Eket.
“That the State Governor as a token of support for the couple promised to fund the travelin expenses (economy return tickets) for ONLY TWENTY relatives of Mrs. Annie Idibia Macaulay to Dubai, where the couple have chosen to wed.
“That looking carefully at the surrounding events in perspective, Mrs. Annie Idibia, nee Macaulay is a daughter of Akwa Ibom State and the gift of a Prado SUV from her governor is only a gesture of love and goodwill. Her resolve to stand by her husband on his journey right from his days of youthful beginnings to stardom even in the face of challenges was commendable and a true attribute of the Akwa Ibom women.
“That It is however unbecoming that mischief makers and enemies of progress have decided to inflame the social media with incongruous reports that the State Government is sponsoring an
entourage of party supporters to the wedding in Dubai, when in fact the Government is only sponsoring the travel expenses of twenty of her family members at an estimated cost of roughly Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00) only.
“I wish to therefore urge members of the public to discountenance the misrepresentations made out of a well intentioned act of the governor.”
 A self-serving ego trip
The governor had come under a hailstone of condemnation after the donations, and it is unclear whether anyone is impressed by  his explanation.
In our earlier story on this matter, many Nigerians believe the gifts were ridiculous.
“This is absolute rubbish”, an apparently angry Mary Udom said. “These (Tuface and wife) are no poor people. I don’t see why Akpabio is doing such a thing. If it were an ordinary man’s wedding, he (Akpabio) won’t even send a gift, talkless of giving cars.”
For Obo Effanga, Governance Manager, Action Aid Nigeria, the governor’s action is embarrassing, as it defeats the purpose for good governance, particularly in the allocation of resources.
“This is very embarrassing indeed! If governance is about being in a position to take decisions in the interest of the people of the state, when a governor allocates public resources to individuals because of their closeness to him, how does this enhance that purpose and the interest of the ordinary citizens in the state, on whose behalf the governor claimed he was making the donation?,” Mr Effanga said.
“This amount could have been enough to do something more useful to the society. It could buy several volumes of books for University of Uyo that has been crying of funding challenges. That amount could sponsor a lot drugs that could be dispensed to citizens free,” he added.
Spokesman for the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, said it is such profligate and reckless spending of available resources at their disposal by governors from the Niger Delta region that has made the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, to suffer a long delay at the National Assembly till today.
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