Selective Use of Anti-Corruption Institutions

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was set up by the Obasanjo government in 2003 to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, including fraud and corruption. The EFCC earned plaudits from many Nigerians and from the international community in its first few years for aggressively pursuing corruption allegations against a range of prominent government officials including several sitting governors. One of the EFCC’s greatest and most unprecedented successes came in securing the conviction of former Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun on charges of corruption in 2005.
In the months leading up to the 2007 elections, however, the Obasanjo government manipulated the EFCC into selectively pursuing opposition politicians and opponents of President Obasanjo within the PDPhis was done so openly that it destroyed much of the institution’s credibility and effectiveness as both a deterrent and a mechanism of accountability.
Most controversially, the EFCC sought to bar a long list of candidates from standing in the April elections by cooperating in government efforts to issue so-called “indictments” on charges of corruption that made no pretense of adhering to basic standards of due process. Almost all of those on the EFCC’s now-infamous “list” were members of the opposition or well-known opponents of Obasanjo within the PDP.
Entrenching Impunity: Federal Government Complicity, Human Rights Abuse and Corruption

“Many people have been killed in this system and no one has been held to account for it.”
—Hon. Ben Chuks, Anambra State
During its eight years in power the Obasanjo administration made little significant effort to ensure that government officials and members of the security forces implicated in violations of civil and political rights, including election-related violence, were held to account. While only a small minority of the human rights abuses documented in this report were directly carried out by federal government officials, the federal government’s failure to combat widespread impunity for abuses orchestrated by government and PDP officials at the state and local level has fostered the unabated continuation of those abuses.
Impunity and Governance in Nigeria

Throughout Nigeria there exists a deeply entrenched culture of impunity that developed at all levels of Nigeria’s government under military rule and remains as a source of the country’s worst human rights abuses since the return to civilian rule in 1999. On several occasions since then, the Nigerian military has carried out misdirected reprisals against civilian populations, destroying entire communities and murdering hundreds of Nigerian civilians
No one has been held to account for ordering or participating in those atrocities. The Nigerian police routinely torture criminal suspects and others who fall into their custody. President Obasanjo’s rhetorical acknowledgement of the problem of police torture in 2005 was not followed up by any meaningful action to bring those responsible to account or prevent future abuses.
More than 11,000 Nigerians were killed in hundreds of separate outbreaks of intercommunal and political violence during the Obasanjo administration. Many of those deaths came about in large scale and apparently highly organized massacres along ethnic and religious lines. No one has been held to account for their role in organizing or inciting those massacres. During the same period several high profile Nigerians were assassinated in attacks widely believed to be politically motivated, including Attorney General Bola Ige in December 2001.No one has been held to account for any but one of those killings—and the government’s claim to have “solved” Ige’s murder days before Obasanjo left office provoked widespread skepticism.
Nigeria’s police force has the reputation of being a notoriously corrupt and ineffective institution whose failures lay at the heart of government failure to take effective action against impunity. In one recent public opinion survey carried out across Nigeria, respondents overwhelmingly voted the police to be the country’s most corrupt public institution. At the same time, the police’s capacity to carry out criminal investigations is extremely lacking. As the director of one civil society organization that works to monitor police conduct in Nigeria put it: “The police do not have the capacity to move forward with a case unless they were there when it happened. If you say you saw someone hanging around an armed robbery, they will get that person and torture him. If not, they suspect no one.”
These failures are tremendous, but in fact the Nigerian government has done far worse than simply fail to address the problem of impunity effectively. Through many of its actions the federal government has encouraged the commission of human rights abuses at the state and local levels and has thereby undercut its own limited efforts at promoting reform and accountability. In many cases federal institutions have worked actively to prevent individuals accused of human rights abuses from being held to account.
Rewarding Abuse and Corruption

Many individuals facing credible allegations of human rights abuse and corruption have been rewarded with positions of influence and power by the government and the PDP. Anambra State political godfather Chris Uba—whose alleged crimes are detailed in the Anambra case study of this report—remains a member of the PDP board of trustees. Chris Uba’s brother Andy received the presidency’s political support for his bid for the governorship of Anambra State despite his implication in corrupt activities and his campaign team’s open recruitment of cult gangs to intimidate his electoral opponents. Oyo State political godfather Lamidi Adedibu has retained his position of political power within the PDP and Oyo politics as a whole despite his open involvement in fomenting political violence in the state. The situations in Oyo and Anambra States and the roles of the Uba brothers and Adedibu are discussed below in this report.
Corruption at the top

Top-level government officials have not only failed to rein in the corruption at lower levels; they have repeatedly been implicated in scandals themselves and escaped any form of sanction. Sunday Ehindero, Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police until June 2007, had publicly stated his commitment to combat corruption within the police force and address serious police abuses. When he stepped down as inspector general some of Ehindero’s aides were reportedly caught trying to smuggle N21 million in stolen money ($161,000) out of police headquarters and many reports indicated that the money was being taken on Ehindero’s behalf. No charges have been brought against him as of the time of writing and no public response to the allegations has been forthcoming from any federal government institution.
President Obasanjo himself was implicated in a number of scandals during his last years in power, including an alleged attempt by his aides to bribe members of the National Assembly to support Obasanjo’s bid for a third term. Days before leaving office, Obsanjo controversially sold off two of Nigeria’s three troubled oil refineries to a consortium of investors including Transcorp, a corporation that has purchased a number of high profile government and other assets since its formation in 2004. Transcorp has itself been a target of controversy since it became known that Obasanjo had acquired 200 million shares of its stock by unknown means. The Obasanjo administration’s last-minute sale of the refineries to Transcorp aroused such controversy that it played a minor part in triggering a nationwide strike in June 2007.
Impunity and the 2007 Elections

Nigeria’s fraudulent 2007 elections provided a vivid illustration of the unshakable confidence many Nigerian public officials and politicians have in their own impunity. Just as remarkable as the massive scale of the fraud that characterized the polls was the openness with which violence, vote theft and other abuses were carried out. Human Rights Watch and election observer groups reported ballot box stuffing, intimidation and other abuses carried out in the most public manner possible.
In some cases political leaders openly bragged about their plans to rig elections and unleash violence on their opponents. In the town of Funtua in Katsina State, for example, residents complained that their local government chairman gave a public address several days before the elections during which he bragged that the elections would be rigged in favor of the PDP. One woman present at the event told Human Rights Watch that:
The chairman was stating publicly that people should just burn ANPP posters and that even if they cut ANPP supporters nothing will happen…He said Funtua is PDP and any other party is inconsequential and the PDP will win no matter what happens. He said whether through hook or by crook he had taken a promise to do whatever it takes to deliver Funtua. He said, “INEC is ours, the police is ours.” The hoodlums follow him wherever he goes.
The PDP won the statewide elections in Funtua by a landslide and after the first round of voting the town erupted into violence between PDP and ANPP supporters. Several buildings including the local government secretariat were burned to the ground.
No one has been investigated, let alone held to account for the systematic rigging of Nigeria’s 2007 elections. Addressing this failure depends upon President Yar’Adua and those around him. The dilemma, however, is that they all owe their offices to those same fraudulent elections.
The Nigerian Police and Impunity for Political Violence

The Nigerian police often lacks the capacity to work effectively and is riddled with corruption that dilutes its effectiveness further still. But just as important as the police’s shortcomings as an institution are political pressures that often prevent the police from investigating abuses connected to politicians or other prominent allies of the ruling party. As one prominent politician from southwestern Nigeria said to Human Rights Watch, “Political crimes are not ordinary crimes. In such cases the [state’s] Commissioner [of Police] becomes a messenger from above—he requires a nod from higher authorities to function effectively…so what needs to change is the mindset in Abuja.”139 One Lagos-based activist noted that “there is a lot of second-guessing also. Even if the president does not issue a directive [not to investigate someone], people try and guess what he would and would not like.”
The effects of the police force’s equivocal commitment to accountability were clearly evident during the months surrounding the 2007 elections. Rather than attempt to investigate and bring to account sponsors of election-related violence, the leadership of the police force largely fell into a pattern of refusing to respond to incidents of political violence orchestrated by leading politicians or influential members of the PDP.
Human Rights Watch interviewed then-Inspector General of Police Sunday Ehindero, an appointee of President Obasanjo, during the run-up to the election. Asked about the police response to scores of widely publicized instances of election-related violence, Ehindero said that he knew of “only one” incident of election-related violence that had taken place during the entire pre-election period—an incident that happened to occur in his physical presence.That level of public unconcerncoming from Nigeria’s top police official was remarkable, especially considering that lower-level police officers had promised robust investigations of many other clashes and attempted murders at the time.
Similarly, after the elections had come and gone the Commissioner of Police in Oyo State at the time, Jonathan Johnson, insisted to Human Rights Watch that “there was no violence in Oyo State” during the entire electoral period aside from “a few areas of ballot-box snatching” on the days of actual voting. In fact, Oyo was one of the bloodiest theaters of political violence in the whole of Nigeria before, during, and after the elections and the architects of much of that violence were widely known.
In several cases, police officials interviewed by Human Rights Watch lamented these problems but said that they were helpless to overcome the political resistance to investigations of prominent politicians responsible for violence and other abuses (see box 3 below). The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in one town in Rivers State told Human Rights Watch that he witnessed a mob led by a local politician attack his police station on election day, destroying or stealing all of the election materials that had been stored there and driving off the officers inside. Human Rights Watch interviewed him hours after the incident at his home, where he had shed his uniform and was drinking beer in the early afternoon to calm his nerves. Asked if he would make any arrests since he knew some of the individuals involved, he replied, “No, it’s impossible. The thing has come and gone. The only thing to do is to pray.”


Box 3: A Commissioner of Police Discusses Impunity

The following is an excerpt from an interview with the Commissioner of Police in a state in southern Nigeria, conducted in advance of the April 2007 elections. The name and other identifying details of the commissioner have been withheld to protect him against possible reprisal:
Definitely cult members will be used by politicians [during the elections], without question. They know how to get at them… There are even policemen and soldiers who can be used by people in power to do what thugs would normally do…
One should expect by now that issues like cultism should have been taken seriously, very seriously, by the government…but the reverse appears to be the case…From what I can gather they have accepted cultism as a normal thing that should be expected in the universities. This is in spite of the fact that some of these cultists are murderers and armed robbers and they can be recruited easily by politicians to commit violent acts—they are like a cheap market, they are there in large numbers at all times to be recruited. So there is nothing actually to deter students from continuing to enlist in these various cult groups.
We learned that some politicians—I don’t want to mention names— have empowered one of the cult groups—[name withheld]—and they were used in one of the recently concluded party primaries as touts to ensure that certain candidates were elected.
Law enforcement must be empowered to do the proper thing. If government is serious it is not that difficult. But where a policeman has not fed since the previous day, what can he do? In the past year the police in [this state] have lost 42 men, 28 of them killed violently. And it’s nothing. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s not news that policemen are dying on a continuous basis.
If I had a way of paying my children’s school fees I think I might just put in my resignation letter and retire.146
Selective Use of Anti-Corruption Institutions

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was set up by the Obasanjo government in 2003 to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, including fraud and corruption. The EFCC earned plaudits from many Nigerians and from the international community in its first few years for aggressively pursuing corruption allegations against a range of prominent government officials including several sitting governors. One of the EFCC’s greatest and most unprecedented successes came in securing the conviction of former Inspector General of Police Tafa Balogun on charges of corruption in 2005.
In the months leading up to the 2007 elections, however, the Obasanjo government manipulated the EFCC into selectively pursuing opposition politicians and opponents of President Obasanjo within the PDP.This was done so openly that it destroyed much of the institution’s credibility and effectiveness as both a deterrent and a mechanism of accountability.
Most controversially, the EFCC sought to bar a long list of candidates from standing in the April elections by cooperating in government efforts to issue so-called “indictments” on charges of corruption that made no pretense of adhering to basic standards of due process. Almost all of those on the EFCC’s now-infamous “list” were members of the opposition or well-known opponents of Obasanjo within the PDP.
At the same time, prominent and notoriously corrupt members of the PDP have been left untouched by any sort of EFCC investigation. Many of the individuals who have escaped the attention of the EFCC are faced with credible evidence of precisely the kind of corruption that fuels many of the abuses described in this report. To cite just a few of many examples:
Christopher Alao-Akala, then the PDP nominee for governor in Oyo State, was reportedly put on the EFCC list of candidates deemed “unfit” to run in the 2007 elections but then taken off in response to political pressure. The same allegations were made regarding current Nigerian Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, then serving as governor of Bayelsa State.

An investigation into allegations of corruption by PDP chieftain Olabode George during his time as head of the Ports Authority was allowed to die without any convincing explanation on the part of the EFCC.

The EFCC refused to investigate widespread allegations of corruption against Andy Uba, a powerful aide to President Obasanjo and ultimately the PDP candidate for Governor of Anambra State, even after he was caught by US customs officials attempting to smuggle $170,000 in cash into the United States on board Nigeria’s presidential jet.

The EFCC made no real attempt to investigate credible allegations that officials in the presidency attempted to bribe members of the National Assembly into voting in favor of Obasanjo’s abortive attempt at changing the constitution to allow himself a third term in office.

Where the EFCC did exercise its power under Obasanjo, it was often for the purpose of coercing individuals into acquiescing to the will of the presidency. In Anambra State, for example, PDP officials combined bribery with the threat of EFCC investigation to coerce legislators into impeaching opposition Governor Peter Obi. One of the legislators involved, who ultimately yielded to the demands being made of him, said “The way we see it, the EFCC, it has nothing to do with whether you have committed any offense or not. They will come and arrest a person for any reason and keep him behind bars until he succumbs to what they want him to do.”155 Similar situations reportedly surrounded the impeachment of Bayelsa State governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and attempts at impeaching several other PDP Governors seen as hostile to the Presidency......http://nigerians4change.com/2014/11/27/the-obasanjo-era-selective-use-of-anti-corruption-institutions/

Former Governor of old Kaduna State Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to investigate the eight year tenure of former President Olusegun Obasango as demanded by the latter.
Obasanjo had at the weekend during dared Jonathan to probe him instead of harassing the people that served as ministers under him.
Reacting to Obasanjo’s statement, Musa appealed to President Jonathan probe Obasanjo’s eight years tenure which he described as the most corrupt regime in the country.
“There is a popular demand by Nigerians that the government should investigate Obasanjo’s regime because of the numerous financial atrocities committed by him. No government can be more corrupt than the government of Obasanjo. His eight years reign exposed us to the present challenges bedevilling us,” he said.
Musa, who also doubles as chairman of the Conference of Nigeria political Parties (CNPP), recalled that the CNPP two years ago filled a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja praying it to compel the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Obasanjo.
“The case was filed about two years ago and we are still in court. Many other organizations have called for the investigation and prosecution of Obasanjo because his tenure was the most corrupt one. So I think the president has to do the right thing. If EFCC cannot investigate and prosecute Obasanjo, let Jonathan do it. He will be doing a national service,” he said.
The former governor however added that the purported face-off between President Jonathan and Obasanjo was because of the way the latter has been criticizing his administration.
http://www.informationng.com/2013/05/obasanjo-administration-the-most-corrupt-in-nigerian-history-balarabe-musa.html

1) Power Sector Reforms

- Successful privatisation of power generation and distribution companies.

- On-going 450MW Azuza Power Plant in Edo State.

- Resumption of 700MW Zungeru Hydro-Power Plant.

- Prospective 3,050MW Manbilla Hydro-Power Plant construction.

2) Environmental Hazard Protection Scheme

- On-going environmental protection and climate change vulnerability programme e.g Africa Great Green Wall Programme with #16m already disbursed.



3) Water Resources Development

- Completion of 37 dams and rehabilitation of 10 more.

- Reformation of National Urban Water Supply programmes in 12 states.

- 385 formal and informal irrigation projects.



4) Rehabilitation of Railyway Systems

- Lagos-Kano railway

- Port Harcourt-Gombe railway

- Kafanchan-Kaduna railway

- Abuja-Kaduna railway

- On-going Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway



5) Road Rehabilitation

- 2,500km road now motorable out of the total 35,000km Nigeria Federal Roads.

- Prospective plan to reconstruct and expand Murtal Muhammed International Airport Road in Lagos.

- On-going construction of 5 new airport terminal buildings and air-field facilities.

- On-going dualization of Kano-Katsina road.

- On-going rehabilitation of Lagos-Ibadan road



6) Housing

- Nigerian Mortgage and Refinance Company (NMRC) Program enabling citizens of low income bracket become first time home owners.

- 66,000 mortgage applications for the benefit of Nigerian youths.

- Development of ultra-modern world trade centres.



7) Provision of Employment

-Youth employment in the Oil and Gas sector



Oil and Gas Sector intervention

- Successful elimination of the constant long queues previously characteristic of our filling stations through regular and sustained product supply.

- Installation of 450KM gas pipelines nationwide.


9) Agricultural Sector Reforms

- Successful implementation of various corruption counter measures in the Agricultural sector.



10) Corruption counter measures

- Integrated Payroll and Personal Information System (IPPIS) which weeded out 56,000 ghost workers from the Federal Civil Service saving the country #162m



11) Education Improvement

- Construction of 14 new universities

-150 Almajiri schools across the northern states



12) Health Improvement

- Successful containment of Ebola Virus Disease



13) Youth Empowerment Programme

- YOUWIN, TETFUND, SURE-P, Graduate Internship Scheme Nagropreneurs Initiative

- #220bn Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise



14) Economic Growth

- Increase in cement production

- Advancement in economy. Nigeria now the top destination and the largest economy in Africa



15) Ensuring free and credible elections

- Conducted free and fair elections in 5 different states e.g. Edo, Osun, Anambra, Ekiti, Ondo



16) Women Empowerment

- Giving opportunities to women in politics to hold vital positions in his cabinet.

- Empowering women in Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) to rank higher in military service up to the rank of army general.



17) Promoting freedom of speech



18) Respect for Judiciary

- Immediate order to reinstate Adamawa State Governor, Ngilari.....http://nigerians4change.com/2014/11/27/president-goodluck-jonathans-achievements/

The heart of a true and fair president, President Jonathan

Jonathan is not evil as you Atiku, you are just feeling insecured by your own act. We all know its APC is the grand sponsor of Boko Haram but have delightly chosen it as a political propaganda to their various aspiring posts. Jonathan cant extend is term in office to the country's insurgency created by you and your party. No matter how you manage to soil his name. He is the God and reasonable Nigerians' chosen. Jonathan 2015!!!!

This is a clear joke and blackmailing on the part of FG

NgeneUkwenu:
This is what we saw on our arrival at Jos Airport yesterday!

Transformation Indeed!

Jonathan Till 2099!
Archi
barcanista
neenar
ngeneukwuenu
ayukadaboss
gbawe
obiagelli
ibnsultan
egift
koboko69
demdem
kel4soft
sirniyeh
laykorn
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Omenka
Donphilopus
Sweetlemon
size38
pendy97
PassingShot

and all

Thats why you have to vote in back to promote constitence, He can do it much more better

chamboy:
GEJ tried tho, but what is d security of Wat he had done... Wat d assurance dey won't spoil again

A great remarkable achievement indeed this administration and Nigeria Health Workers have done that was enough to wipe out human race from the face of earth if not by God's and their interventions, they should be applauded for that

Delydex:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has formally declared Nigeria free of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) brought into the country on July 20 by Liberian-American Patrick Sawyer.

Ruiz Gama Vaz, the WHO country representative, made the declaration on Monday morning at the Shehu Musa YarAdua centre in Abuja.But while making this declaration, Gama Vaz said Ebola remained a threat to the country because some west African countries were not free of the disease yet.Today October 20, 42 days after the last case of Ebola was reported, which is twice the incubation period, the chain of transmission has been broken, he said.WHO officially declares that Nigeria is now free of Ebola.

The outbreak in Nigeria has been defeated.This shows Ebola can be defeated in West Africa. However, the battle has been won but the war is not over yet since Ebola is still in West Africa & Gama Vaz thanked the Nigerian government for its effort to contain the Ebola, adding that the country had shown that the disease could be contained.He also declared that guinea worm had been eradicated from Nigeria, noting that polio was on its way out of the country as well.Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Paulina Harvey, a director at the Centre for Disease Control of the United States, applauded Nigeria for its successful fight against Ebola, describing it as a remarkable achievement

In history, even among many socially advanced nations of the world, the status of women was always seen as inferior to that of men. Not only were women's role secondary, women were, in several cases, totally excluded from participation in certain activities.

This has been the case with most administrations in Nigeria prior to the ascension of President Goodluck Jonathan. He has set significant milestones in empowering women in terms of political appointments and gender friendly policies, hence, portraying him a lover of Nigerian women.

His administration did not only opportuned Nigerian women but has empowered them to contribute their quotas and discretions to the development of the nation in various capacities and diverse sectors of the economy. A few of the Women in his Administration are listed below:
Mrs Akon Eyakenyi- Minister of Lands and Housing
Mrs Laurentia Laraba Mallam- Minister of Environment
Hajia Asaba Asmau Ahmed- Minister of State for Agriculture
Ms. Olajumoke Akinjide- Minister of State for the FCT
Mrs Ngozi Okon-Iweala- Minister of Finance
Professor (Mrs) Viola Onwuliri- Minister of State1- Foreign Affairs
Mrs Sarah Ochekpe-Minister Of water Resources
Mrs Deizani Alison -Madueke- Minister of Petroleum Resources
Mrs Omobola Johnson - Minister of communication Technology
Hajia Zainab Maina- Minister of women Affairs and Social Development
Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi- Minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs

Mrs Roli Bode-George-Director General of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)

It is however commendable for his true democratic governance giving Nigerian women the chance for their voice to be heard and listened to.

Introduction

Boko Haram, a diffuse Islamist sect, has attacked Nigeria’s police and military, rival clerics, politicians, schools, religious buildings, public institutions, and civilians with increasing regularity since 2009. Some experts view the group as an armed revolt against government corruption, abusive security forces, and widening regional economic disparity in an already impoverished country. They argue that Abuja should do more to address the strife between the disaffected Muslim north and the Christian south.

The U.S. Department of State designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization in 2013. Boko Haram’s brutal campaign includes a suicide attack on a United Nations building in Abuja in 2011, repeated attacks that have killed dozens of students, burning of villages, ties to regional terror groups, and the abduction of more than two hundred girls in 2014. The Nigerian government hasn’t been able to quell the insurgency.



The Road to Radicalization

Boko Haram was created in 2002 in Maiduguri, the capital of the northeastern state of Borno, by Islamist cleric Mohammed Yusuf, who led a group of radical Islamist youth in the 1990s. The group aims to establish a fully Islamic state in Nigeria, including the implementation of criminal sharia courts across the country. Paul Lubeck, a University of California professor studying Muslim societies in Africa, says Yusuf was a trained Salafist (an adherent of a school of thought often associated with jihad), and was strongly influenced by Ibn Taymiyyah, a fourteenth-century legal scholar who Islamic fundamentalism and is an important figure for radical groups in the Middle East.

Boko Haram is so diffuse that fighters associated with it don’t necessarily follow Salafi doctrine.

The sect calls itself Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, or “people committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and jihad.” It is widely known as Boko Haram, which is colloquially translated as “Western education is sin” for the group’s rejection of Western concepts such as evolution and the big bang theory.

Before 2009, the group did not aim to violently overthrow the government. Yusuf criticized northern Muslims for participating in what he saw as an illegitimate, non-Islamic state and preached a doctrine of withdrawal. But violent clashes between Christians and Muslims and harsh government treatment, including pervasive police brutality, encouraged the group to radicalize. Boko Haram’s hundreds of followers, also called Yusuffiya, consist largely of impoverished northern Islamic students and clerics, as well as professionals, many of whom are unemployed.

In July 2009, Boko Haram members refused to follow a motorbike helmet law, leading to heavy-handed police tactics that set off an armed uprising in the northern state of Bauchi and spread into the states of Borno, Yobe, and Kano. The incident was suppressed by the army and left more than eight hundred dead. It also led to the televised execution of Yusuf, as well as the deaths of his father-in-law and other sect members, which human rights advocates consider to be extrajudicial killings. In the aftermath of the 2009 unrest, “an Islamist insurrection under a splintered leadership” emerged, says Lubeck. Boko Haram carried out a number of suicide bombings and assassinations from Maiduguri to Abuja and staged a prison break in Bauchi, freeing more than seven hundred inmates in 2010.

Attacks continued to escalate, and by 2013 some analysts began to see greater influence by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in Boko Haram operations. Terrorist acts against civilians, like the murder of sixty-five students while they slept at the agricultural college in Yobe state in September 2013, chainsaw beheadings of truck drivers, and the killing of hundreds on the roads of northern Nigeria raised doubts about the central government’s ability to control territory and amplified fears of protracted violence in the country. Violence returned to Abuja in April 2014 with the bombing of a bus station that killed nearly one hundred people, followed by the abduction of more than two hundred schoolgirls in northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau said he planned to “sell” the girls in the market.

Nigeria assembled a joint task force (JTF) of military and police units to battle Boko Haram and declared a “state of emergency” in three northeast states—Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa—in May 2013. The move pushed the militants out of cities, but attacks in rural areas continued [PDF]. The JTF, augmented by vigilantes who were folded into officially sanctioned civilian JTF units, have been implicated in extrajudicial killings of militants and civilians, which may have galvanized support for the insurgents.

Boko Haram is so diffuse that fighters associated with it don’t necessarily follow Salafi doctrine. Many foot soldiers are drawn from impoverished, religiously uneducated youth, according to Jacob Zenn, an African affairs analyst at the Jamestown Foundation. Some fighters claim to have been trained in Iran and are part of a Shiite Muslim group, Zenn writes, while others were involved in other conflicts in Nigeria and the Sahel region and are now caught up in the latest violent extremist group.


Rising Against the State

The Nigerian government’s assessment that Boko Haram was an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist movement left it with few options other than using force to deal with the group. Analysts say the focus on a link to international terrorist organizations ignores the context in which Boko Haram emerged and emphasizes security issues that may only radicalize the group further.

“The problem with understanding Boko Haram is definitional. What do we mean by Boko Haram?” says.........complete the story at: http://nigerians4change.com/2014/08/the-terror-group-called-boko-haram/

What do you think could be the biggest problem facing Nigeria among the below in the near future?

1. Religious violence 6. Kidnapping
2. Sectarian war 7.Armed banditry and general insecurity
3. Urban violence 8.Severe unemployment
4. Political instability 9.Boko Haram conflict
5. Economic crisis 10. Infrastructural decay

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has described President Goodluck Jonathan as a listening leader, saying he demonstrated this recently with the reduction of tuition fee at all the federal institutions to a maximum of N15,000.
George said this yesterday, while receiving the Mandela Icon Award bestowed on him by the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS and the fund raising for the flag off of Students and Youth Coalition for Jonathan 2015 in Lagos.

He said: “It is the leadership that listens to the voice of the people that is invariably etched in progressive relevance. It is the leadership that gauges the moral bearing of the people that endures in transformative energy and purposefulness.”

On the award, which he is the first recipient; George said that he is passionately swayed by the Mandela Philosophy of forgiveness and reconciliation, saying it is a healthy, fruitful vision of leadership.

George said the great Mandela sought neither vengeance nor retribution for the forces of evil, saying in the same vein, though he was not detained by the virulent evil of those who sought to destroy him but he is not hindered by the bitterness of the past.

He said: “We must continue to exist in harmony and friendship across cultural and ethnic lines. We must frown upon bitterness and ethnic prejudice. We must continue with the remarkable spirit of accord and reconciliation which was achieved at the recently concluded national conference.

Speaking on the choice of George for the award, the NANS Coordinator for South West, Comrade Adio Kayode Odunjo said like Mandela, George suffered incarceration unjustly.

He also commended George, describing him as a source of inspiration for students and the younger generation.

Co-chairman of the occasion and former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, commended George for his spirit of forgiveness, saying that under his leadership, the PDP will produce the next governor of Lagos State.

He said President Jonathan remain the candidate to beat in next year’s presidential election, saying he has done greatly well.

The occasion which was chaired by Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, also had in attendance former governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and the South-West Vice Chairman of the PDP, Chief Ishola Filani among others.

World’s largest political risk advisory, Eurasia Group, has released its forecast for the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. The report predicts the election outcome in favour of President Goodluck Jonathan, stating that he would be re-elected with a landslide victory.

The Eurasia Group report warned that a “desperate” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), “facing the potential loss of its power (which dates back to 1999), would worsen profligacy, policy politicization, oil theft, and regional/sectarian tensions”.

Eurasia predicted a 75% chance for the PDP winning at the polls, but said APC, with 25%, still had a chance “if it can mobilize behind a strong northern presidential candidate that has Buhari’s backing and a vice president who can deliver votes and high turnout in the southwest.”

That means PDP is three times more likely to win the election than APC. The group said the defections that affected PDP have stopped and have even been reversed in some cases, noting that the biggest opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), was in “disarray”.

The report was obviously written before the Osun governorship election, which was won by APC, as it only made reference to the Ekiti poll which saw the opposition party lose in every local government. The Africa Director of Eurasia, Philippe de Pontet, wrote that the six months leading to the presidential election “will be tense”, forecasting “constant politicking, attacks by Boko Haram… and policy stagnation” ─ and a possible outbreak of riot in northern Nigeria if Jonathan is re-elected.

Pontet wrote: “A Jonathan win could feed political unrest in the north, but makes it less likely that rebels in the Niger Delta re-ignite their attacks on oil infrastructure and personnel.” Nigeria’s political risk was upgraded from “negative” to “neutral” in what he described as “a positive net for political stability”.

Pontet said it was unlikely there would be fiscal or monetary policy “upheaval” and that the campaigns may not completely upend the investment climate or reverse Nigeria’s economic momentum. Eurasia Group has offices in New York, Washington, DC, London and Tokyo.

[quote author=Delydex]Give a list of Non-Active Ministers and reasons to drop them for the next administration come 2015

CURRENT NIGERIA MINISTERS

Name Of Ministers, Portfolio. State.

1. Mohammed B. Adoke(SAN) Justice

2. Bar. Emeka Wogu Labour and Productivity

3. Hajia Zainab Maina Women Affairs

4. Prof.Ita Okon Bassey Ewa Science And Technology

5. Mrs Stella Oduah Ogeimwonyi Aviation

6. Mrs Diezeni Alison Madueke Petroleum

7. Comrade Abba Moro Interior

8. Prof. Bart Nnaji Power

9. Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan Police Affairs

10. Dr. Tamuno Danagogo Sports

11. Mr. Edem Duke Culture and Tourism

12. Dr. Shamsudeen Usman National Planning

13. Arc. Mohammed Musa Sada Mines and Steel Dev.

14. Boni Haruna Youth and Development

15. Mr. Labarab Maku Information and communication

16. Mrs. Omobola Johnson Olubusola Communication Tech.

17. Sen. Idris A. Umar Transport

18. Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi Lands and Housing

19. Lawrencia Laraba Mallam Environment

20. Dr Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina Agric and Natural Resources

Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed Agric and Natural Resources(State)

21. Sen. Bala Mohammed FCT

Mrs.Olajumoke Akinjide FCT(State)

22. Elder Godsday Orubebe Niger Delta Affairs (state)

Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi Niger Delta Affairs

23. Prof. Oyebuchi Chukwu Health(State)

Dr. Mohammed Pate Health

24. Arc. Mike Onelememen Work(State)

Amb Bashir Yugudu Work

25. Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru Foreign Affairs (State) I

Prof.Mrs Viola Onwuliri Foreign Affairs(State) II

Ambassador Aminu Wali Foreign Affairs


26. Prof. Mrs Ruqayyatu Rufai Education(State)

Mr. Nyesom Wike Education


27. Gen. Aliyu Gusau Defence

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro Defence(State)

28. Mr Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga Trade/Commerce Invest.


Dr. Samuel Loraer Ortom Trade/Commerce Invest(State)

29. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala Finance(State)

Dr. Yerima Lawal Ngama Finance

Bisi Akande and Audu Ogbeh are the favourites for the chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress Board of Trustees (BoT).
The consideration for the BoT top job comes in the wake of the rejection of its membership by the former interim Vice-Chairman of APC for the South-south zone, Chief Tom Ikimi, who from all indications has concluded plans to leave the party this week.

Among the leading contenders for the chairmanship post are the past interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Alhaji Kawo Baraje.

A top party source informed THISDAY that although consultations are ongoing among the leaders of the party to decide which of the zones will produce the BoT chairman, the strong consensus is in favour of either Akande or Ogbeh.

He said the issue could not be conclusively decided because of the absence at the meetings of some key members, including the former Lagos State Governor, Senator Bola Tinubu, who is said to have gone abroad for medical treatment.

Give a list of Non-Active Ministers and reasons to drop them for the next administration come 2015

CURRENT NIGERIA MINISTERS

Name Of Ministers, Portfolio. State.

1. Mohammed B. Adoke(SAN) Justice

2. Bar. Emeka Wogu Labour and Productivity

3. Hajia Zainab Maina Women Affairs

4. Prof.Ita Okon Bassey Ewa Science And Technology

5. Mrs Stella Oduah Ogeimwonyi Aviation

6. Mrs Diezeni Alison Madueke Petroleum

7. Comrade Abba Moro Interior

8. Prof. Bart Nnaji Power

9. Alhaji Abduljelili Adesiyan Police Affairs

10. Dr. Tamuno Danagogo Sports

11. Mr. Edem Duke Culture and Tourism

12. Dr. Shamsudeen Usman National Planning

13. Arc. Mohammed Musa Sada Mines and Steel Dev.

14. Boni Haruna Youth and Development

15. Mr. Labarab Maku Information and communication

16. Mrs. Omobola Johnson Olubusola Communication Tech.

17. Sen. Idris A. Umar Transport

18. Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi Lands and Housing

19. Lawrencia Laraba Mallam Environment

20. Dr Akinwunmi Ayo Adesina Agric and Natural Resources

Hajia Asabe Asmau Ahmed Agric and Natural Resources(State)

21. Sen. Bala Mohammed FCT

Mrs.Olajumoke Akinjide FCT(State)

22. Elder Godsday Orubebe Niger Delta Affairs (state)

Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi Niger Delta Affairs

23. Prof. Oyebuchi Chukwu Health(State)

Dr. Mohammed Pate Health

24. Arc. Mike Onelememen Work(State)

Amb Bashir Yugudu Work

25. Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru Foreign Affairs (State) I

Prof.Mrs Viola Onwuliri Foreign Affairs(State) II

Ambassador Aminu Wali Foreign Affairs


26. Prof. Mrs Ruqayyatu Rufai Education(State)

Mr. Nyesom Wike Education


27. Gen. Aliyu Gusau Defence

Senator Musiliu Obanikoro Defence(State)

28. Mr Olusegun Olutoyin Aganga Trade/Commerce Invest.


Dr. Samuel Loraer Ortom Trade/Commerce Invest(State)

29. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala Finance(State)

Dr. Yerima Lawal Ngama Finance

Statesmen in Nigeria are a big influence on who becomes the president of the country. The 2015 presidential election is a few months away and while several factors such as region, ethnicity and party affiliation are key factors that would determine who is elected, the influence of statesmen is also crucial.

Below are some of the statesmen in Nigeria and how they stand.

Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida – Goodluck Jonathan
Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar - Jonathan
Chief Alex Ekwueme - Jonathan
Chief Olu Falae - Undecided
Gen. Alani Akinrinade - any APC candidate
Alh. Maitama Sule - any APC or northern candidate
Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi - Jonathan
Chief Ernest Shonekan - Jonathan
Emeka Anyaoku - Jonathan
Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo – Undecided

We all know those that have contested for presidency in the past, some of whom are gearing up for the upcoming 2015 presidential elections again. These personalities include the incumbent President of Nigeria in the person of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Others are former military Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso; former Governor of Kwara State, Sen. Bukola Saraki. The rest, some of whom we do not expect to see in the upcoming elections but are still considered good candidates, are Prof. Pat Utomi; Pastor Kris Okotie, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and Chief Dele Momodu.

Who are the ten Nigerians that you consider good candidates to run for presidency in 2015. Please list your 10 candidates.

Among the governors that would be going out in 2015, that is the class of governors that have spent the maximum of two terms of four years and are no longer eligible for re-election, which one of them would you consider the best governor?

Give a list of ministers President Jonathan should drop for a better administration come 2015 if eventually he is retained in the office for the next 4 years and reasons he should drop them?

What do you think the ten point agenda for Nigerian youth development should be?

Lagos state government claims it has a monthly revenue of #29bn (http://www.punchng.com/news/records-n29bn-monthly-revenue/ and yet it still remains the most indebted state in Nigeria.Though rigorous developments have been done but yet why are minor problems like inefficient supply of water corporation, untiled inner street roads(Trunk C Routes), improper waste management et etrca still existing. With such an huge monthly revenue, should these minor problems still persist?.

The Federal Government has announced a direct assistance of N200 million to Lagos State government, to enable it to successfully curtail the spread of Ebola virus disease in the state.

Government had recently set aside the sum of N1.9 billion for the 36 states of the federation to combat the disease, following its importation into the country by the index case patient, the Liberian-American, the late Patrick Sawyer.

Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, on Wednesday.

Chukwu, who briefed FEC on the progress of the move to halt the disease in the country, assured that comprehensive efforts had been deployed to eliminate the virus with the support of the president.

He said as of Wednesday, Nigeria had a total number of 12 cases of Ebola, which include the index case, adding that out of the 12, the the total number of successful cases stood at five and the total number of dead is also five.

Speaking on the death of Dr Ameyo Adadevoh, who handled the index case, the minister regretted that she succumbed to Ebola.

“Indeed, she had to physically restrain this infected person (Sawyer) from escaping from hospital when the latter attempted to do so, having been communicated that he was Ebola positive.

“If that index case had escaped hospital at that stage, it would have spelt disaster for Nigeria, as many more persons who would have been very difficult to track could have become primary contacts.

“There is no doubt that Dr Adadevoh was not only a dedicated, committed and competent doctor, but she showed rare courage, rare sense of duty, service and patriotism to her country,” the minister said.

He revealed that he had met with the family of the late doctor in Lagos and had been able to clear the misconceptions which followed her treatment in isolation.

The minister pointed out that Ebola survivors did not pose any danger to the society and, therefore, advised against stigmatisation.

Meanwhile, Mr Atedo Peterside, through his foundation, has donated N100,000 per bed per day to Ebola affected private hospitals in the country.

The American Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwistle, on Monday said his country was not yet in a position to make the Ebola Disease experimental drug, Zmapp, available to Nigeria.

Mr. Entwistle said during a visit to the Nigerian Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, that the drug was not yet available in sufficient quantity to go round all the countries requesting it.

The ambassador did not say when the drug would be available for Africa’s most populous country.

He only advised the Nigerian health ministry to focus on isolation, screening and prevention.

Mr. Entwistle commended the efforts of the Federal Government in curbing the spread of the Ebola virus in the country.

He said the aim of the visit was to discuss further on the anti-Ebola cooperation between the U.S government and the Nigerian government.

The ambassador also praised the work done at the emergency operation centre and the isolation centre, saying he understood that they were working hard.

“You have all seen the headlines over the weekend, this is an issue that we have to keep working hard on, it may be with us for a while but there are some encouraging signs.

“Your government is doing a good job on contact tracing; I noticed when I flew back here on Thursday night into the country, before I left the plane I filed in the questionnaire.

“I was very impressed because I had to put in my seat number which is a very good idea, so that if you have to trace the guy who was seating next to me you will know where I am.

“I have been very impressed by this thing so I encourage the government of Nigeria to keep at it, which I know they will,” he said.

Mr.Entwistle said the two countries had a broad partnership to keep collaborating, cooperating and working hard to make the world a better place.

He said he could not think of a more important example of cooperation than the Ebola cooperation.

Speaking during the visit, the Minister of Health, Onyebuchi Chukwu, said the Nigerian Government was withholding its approval for the Anti-Ebola drug Nano-Silver produced by a Nigerian because it did not meet the requirements of the National Health Research Ethics Code. He said that the Nano Silver drug, which was made available to the

Emergency Operations Centre in Lagos on August 14, did not meet basic research requirements.

“The experimental drug, Nano Silver did not meet the requirements of the National Health Research Ethics Code.

“Accordingly, the approval was withheld by the National Health Research Ethics Committee,” Mr. Chukwu said.He said the ambassador’s visit was an opportunity to share ideas and information on Ebola virus.

“He is the spokesperson for the United States’ government here in Nigeria, and so he came to me as the Chief Public Health Officer of the country to exchange views with me,” Mr. Chukwu said.

The minister said Mr. Entwistle also visited to know if there was any new development that recently cropped up on the Ebola virus.
(NAN)

The Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, on Monday vowed to make startling revelations that will shake the country after the 2015 general election.

Akiolu’s outburst at the public presentation of a book: “Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa,” authored by Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan was in response to a statement credited to the Ooni of Ife, ‎Oba Okunade Sijuade, that only two out of the country’s renowned monarchs are free of corruption.

Akiolu said he would reveal top secrets that cannot be disputed by those who think their hands are clean, but refused to give further details when approached after the event.

He lambasted the monarch who alleged that he lifted oil and collected contract during the late Gen. Sani Abacha regime, noting that he was a serving policeman in that era.

On the issue of corruption, Akiolu said over 90 percent of Nigerians are corrupt, adding that the way out was for all hands to be on deck.

“I will shake this nation after the election in February. The man who made the statement that I lifted oil should cover his face in shame because I was still a serving police officer. Those who collected Abacha money know themselves and I will quote witnesses.

“Let us stop apportioning blames, forget the past and work towards a better future for this country.

“Do not put 100 percent blame on President Goodluck Jonathan because the person who caused the problem knows himself,” said Akiolu.

Continuing, the monarch reassured that elections cannot be rigged in Lagos, adding that Lagosians were fully prepared to ensure that their votes and good governance count‎.

“Nigeria’s problem is not caused by one person. We should be closer to God and make things better. We must assist the government to end the challenges of insurgency and Ebola,” he said.

Meanwhile, chairman of the occasion, Femi Falana (SAN) and All Progressives Congress’ (APC) spokesman, Lai Mohammed, accused President Jonathan of fuelling corruption by romancing his appointees accused of corrupt practices.

Falana while acknowledging that the present administration has recorded a milestone in recovering over $2.9 billion of Abacha’s loots, noted that the government was yet to account for the whereabouts of the funds.

‎Commending the author for a great job, Falana said corruption has crept into all facets of national life, noting that the government has not treated the issue of Ebola or insurgency in accordance with the law.

“The author ‎looked at the issues of corruption and human rights in Africa and wonderfully linked them. Human rights are not respected because of massive corruption on the continent.

“The government is not addressing the Ebola crisis under the law. There is a Quarantine Act‎ enacted in 1926, which says carriers of dreadful diseases should be fished out and quarantined.

“But at the moment, we do not know how many people are affected in the country.

“Also, Boko Haram is being fought in a corrupt way. All dead soldiers’ names are unknown, immediately a soldier dies, his family is ejected from the barracks within two weeks.

“Jonathan’s administration has killed the good works against corruption. It is only the Abacha family that has been harassed of all those accused of corruption and it is because he is no longer alive.

“No country has succeeded in receiving loot like Nigeria. We have done well in tracing the over 140 Abacha bank accounts across the world and we have recovered $2.9 billion although we cannot trace the recovered money,” said Falana.

The privilege for Nigerian Youths' potentials be showcased has just be permitted, this was made known by President Jonathan on 11th of Aug.,2014 in Abuja where he advocated on behalf of Nigerian Youths the removal of the constitutional age limit to 40 years for qualification to Presidency and equally promised of due supports.But, it has come to my understanding that some set of people claim the idea is'nt best enough and that it could lead to CONFUSION.

My Fellow Youths isnt it high time we stood to our ground,fight for our right to rule most especially when we already have the support of the President to actualise our Youthful progressive ideas and quotas to the development of Nigeria.

Is'nt it high time we refused to be onlookers not anymore!
Isn't it high time we rejected being continued followers, i mean we all have more sophisticated and jet world ideas that would turn Nigeria to a better place soon if permitted.

Fellow Nigerian Youths, lend out your voice aloud, take up the challenge and choose to be leaders from now onward!-Our Call!!!

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Abuja advocated the removal of the con­stitutional age limit of 40 years for qualification as president of the country.

Jonathan described this provision as discrim­inatory against young Ni­gerians, who he said have the energy, ideas and whatever it takes to lead the country to greatness.

Jonathan spoke at an international youth sum­mit organised by the Ni­gerian Young Profession­als Forum (NYPF) with the theme, “Capacity for Change for a New Nige­ria’’.

He challenged the youth to forward a con­stitution amended bill to the National Assembly for the removal of all dis­criminatory provisions in terms of age, with a promise to support them.

The president differed with the Chairman and Founder of NYPF, Mr. Moses Siasia, who earlier in his speech, called for 35 per cent youth affirma­tion.

He noted that asking for a percentage amount­ed to self limitation as the youth have what it takes, especially the numerical strength to ascend the highest office in the land.

On July 23 2014, One can easily assume that Mr Patrick Sawyer was contracted on a disposal mission perhaps, after been handsomely settled and financially insured for 'life' and was used as life weapon for the dissemination of Ebola in Nigeria. What with his uncanny journey to seek better medical attention in Nigeria.
With the unwitty connivance of a very loose and corrupt gate-keepers at the airport - of course, they're all presently, paying so hard for it, who would lick a decomposing corpse even for $40, the Liberian, was left to slip through and the rest is history. Nigeria is now on global red alert for Ebola virus.

The fear of ebola has turned family members against each other. They no longer share towels et ce tera, because of the Idiot and the grossly inefficient dum-heads at the entry point. Everyone is on the RED button. School children, market women and traders are confused, alarmed and suspicious.

But what baffles me now is that some set of people claimed President Jonathan's statement that 'Patrick Sawyer, the carrier of Ebola to Nigeria was mad' isn't called for and shouldn't be heard of an Head of state.

Please,tell me: -Should President Jonathan be faulted for his statement over a man who dared to wipe out you and I from the face of the earth?

-Should terrorist(Patrick Sawyer) be pet with words despite his suicide mission on the Nation?

In April, Prof. Akin Oyebode made a proposal at the National Conference that Nigeria should change its name to United States of Songhai (USS). The professor said that it was obvious that Nigeria has outlived its usefulness. He said, “I propose that we change the name of Nigeria to United States of Songhai just like Nkruma changed Gold Coast to Ghana,” adding that the country is operating caricature federation. Oyebode noted that the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, aptly said the country is running ‘feeding bottle’ federalism. The conference, he added, should consider the issue of fiscal federalism, true federalism, resource control or self determination.

What is your plight about this suggestion?

Recent comments by the governor of Kano State, Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso in the media is beginning to reveal sublime motives that may put the final nail to the coffin regarding the identity of Boko Haram sponsors. Remember how he chastised Nassarawa State Governor, Al Makura, stating that he suggested introducing his "foot soldiers" to foment violence in Nassarawa just about the time the latter was being threatened with impeachment in his state. The unguarded statements and threats by the Northern Elders Forum that President Goodluck Jonathan should release the kidnapped girls has also confirmed the suspicion that powerful elements in the north may be responsible for the terrorism over there. No doubt, we all know Kwankwaso has his eyes on the presidency, but should he put the nation at risk because of his selfish ambition?
(Quote) (Report) (Like)

The Nortrhern Elders Forum recently gave conditions to President Goodluck Jonathan, asking him to "produce" the kidnapped Chibok girls or risk losing the 2015 elections. While I applaud their grouse about the need for the president to make more efforts towards returning the girls, the northern elders should, as well, make efforts on their own part. Asking GEJ to "produce" the girls makes it seem as if the president is the kidnapper. Instead, the Northern Elders Forum should ask their own children and brothers (Boko Haram) to return their children. A Yoruba proverb says that "agba ki wa l'oja ki ori omo tuntun wo", which means that the elders cannot be around and things go awry. What were these so called Northern elders doing when their children started carrying guns, killing and kidnapping. Now, they're beginning to use the situation as a political pawn. I will advise they better go back and speak senses into the heads of their people instead of making threat on the governance.

1. The Credibility of Its Founder: Peter spoke for Jesus' closest followers when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

2. Reliability of Its Book: The integrity of this historical and geographical record is supported by archeology. The Bible continues to speak not only with spiritual power but with convincing prophetic accuracy.

3. Explanations for Life: It is the Christian faith that reflects a caring attention to detail so evident in the species and ecosystems of the natural world. It is Christ who clothed himself in our humanity to feel what we feel and then to suffer and die in our place.

4. Its Continuity with the Past: The Christian faith offers continuity with our deepest ancestral roots. Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, and Solomon.

5. Its Foundational Claim: The first Christians were witnesses. They risked their lives to tell the World that with their own eyes they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them 3 days later.

6. Its Power to Change Lives: Not only were the first disciples dramatically changed but so were their worst enemies. Paul was transformed from a killer of Christians into one of their chief advocates (Galatians 1:11-24)

7. Its Analysis of Human Nature: The Bible says that society's real problems are problems of the heart. In an age of information and technology, failures of character have scandalized institutions of the family, religion, and the arts.

8. Its View of Human Achievement: Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We have conceived technologies that will deliver us from the oppressive slavery of work. Yet we are as close as ever to what the New Testament describes as the end times. (Matthew 24:5-31)

9. Its Impact on Society: From roof tops to necklaces to earrings, we see the sign of the cross, bearing visible witness to Christ's death. Social relief agencies have been fueled by the direct or residual values
of The Bible.

10. Its Offer of Salvation: No other faith offers everlasting life as a gift to those who trust the One who has overcome death for them. No other system offers assurance of forgiveness and adoption into the family of God.

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