₦airaland Forum

Why we sued Alison-Madueke over her NYSC status’

by olu jacob

July 6, 2011 12:50AM
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As controversy over Diezani Alison-Madueke’s NYSC status rages, a non-governmental organisation has gone to court to challenge her over the matter. Their lawyer, George Oguntade, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, says in this interview that in rushing to appoint Mrs Alison-Madueke as Minister of Petroleum, President Goodluck Jonathan showed scant regard for the rule of law. Excerpts:

Motive of the suit

The suit is in furtherance of an ideal; that all Nigerians abide by the same law. You cannot have one law for a group of people and another for another group in the country. Everybody in this country should be bound by the same laws.

And the law says every Nigerian graduate must undertake a compulsory year of National Youth Service Corps deployment before he/she could be eligible for employment, especially if they are under 30. How do you explain a situation whereby a minister twice over did not undertake this exercise? It is clearly wrong. And it is to ensure that due process is followed that we have instituted the suit.

It is simple really. If she has done the service, let her present her certificate. And if she was exempted from service, let her present the certificate of exemption.

Her clearance by State Secret Service

A valid question indeed. To my mind, the idea was to ensure that people who hold the position of minister have been thoroughly screened. Such a security check was to determine if she was eligible for appointment to the position or if there were reasons why she should not be made a minister. Yet she was apparently cleared by them. So it raises questions about the quality of the screening exercise.

Look at the National Assembly. The Senate screening lasted only 30 minutes. You all saw what happened. Did they ask her the salient question? Of course not. They were aware of our suit before the screening, yet not a single Senator of the Federal Republic asked the vital question. In America, congressional hearing sometimes takes three working days. Look at the one held over Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State. But here, they just say come for 30 minutes and take a bow.

Relevance of suit after swearing-in

The president clearly disappointed Nigerians. What the President has done amounts to a slap on the judiciary. With all due respect, it shows clear disrespect for court process. He knew that there was a pending suit against the woman, yet he rushed and swore her in on Saturday. Why the rush? It suggests that there was something fishy about it all, that they have something to hide.

However, we are very optimistic. We would not have filed this action if we did not have substantial facts, if we didn’t have adequate evidence. So the case will go on and if at the end of the day the court agrees that we were in the right, then it can give its ruling and right the wrong.

You must have read the suit. We are asking the court to determine if the woman is qualified to be made a minister in the light of our charges. The consequential relief we sought was that if it was proven that she never participated in the NYSC, then she should not be made a minister.

Anger with president’s action

It is a very damning testimony to the President’s so-called respect for the rule of law. He came in and swore to uphold the rule of law, but his actions so far show quite the opposite. The President had clear knowledge that we have instituted a case against this woman. It is shocking that the President would behave in this manner. Nigerians should take serious interest in what is going on in this case because it will have serious consequences for our democracy.

nice! Naija.
the thread started about Dr Ngozi,
moved to whether she is better than others,
moved to sacking CBN Gov.,
moving to GEJ powers,
moved to presidency of Sanusi,
moved to fashola
moved Rochas
and now Regional politics.We never talk straight.Naija i hail thee!!!
We always resist everything and fight over useless things.
I wonder how the President copes!!!

cold:
Islamic Banking: CBN rejects Al Qaeda request for banking licence

     
…Says Islamic banking politicized
…Asks antagonists to go to court

Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief
Amidst fears that the proposed Islamic banking system, may create an avenue for terrorist financing in Nigeria, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Monday revealed that a group had earlier in the 1990s, applied for licence to establish an Al Qaeda Bank in the country but was not approved

The CBN chief who disclosed this at the opening of an international conference on Islamic Banking in Abuja, said that the group’s application was turned down for failing to meet requirements for banking licence.

Another group that applied for licence to establish another Islamic  Al Barka Bank, was equally turned down, Mallam Sanusi said.

His words, “in the early 1990s two applications were received and processed for Islamic banking licence: Al Barka Bank and Al Qaeda Bank.  However, those two banks could not meet the requirement for the grant of a final licence”.

But the governor insisted that he would pursue the current move for the establishment of Islamic banks in the country unless stopped by a law court, as according to him, the history of Islamic banking dated back to 1991.

“The history of Islamic Banking in Nigeria dates back to 1991 with the promulgation of BOFIA, Banking and Other Financial Institutions Act which provided the legal guidelines for the regulation of non-interest of profit/loss sharing banking in the country”, he said.

Mallam Sanusi added that by  1996, the then Habib Bank sought and obtained CBN approval to operate Islamic banking model.

Also Jaiz, a company that has been promoting Islamic banking in Nigeria, “got an approval in principle in 2004 but could not take off due to lack of capital”.

He said that the CBN under his administration was not promoting Islamic banking but only doing its duties of providing necessary guidelines to ensure adequate regulation for its operations.

His words, “we have the responsibility to continue to explain that the CBN is neither promoting nor establishing an Islamic bank.  The CBN is licensing and regulating Islamic banking and that is under the law”.

Mallam Sanusi said critics of Islamic banking were politicizing the issue based on religion rather than looking at it from the economic perspective.

“I think it is because of Nigerian politics- highly divided, highly sectarian.  I think we are in the habit of using every opportunity to exploit religion or ethnic difference for political ends”, he said.

The governor said that the CBN was acting within the Provisions of the Banks and Other financial Institutions Act, BOFIA, and that those who felt otherwise should go to court.

“Anybody who feels Islamic banking is illegal should go to a court of law because it is only the court that decides if something is illegal or not.  If a court says it is illegal, we will stop it.

“But we don’t think the court will say so because we know it is within the realms of the law.  It is only a court of law that can make a pronouncement on the legality of anything”.

In his welcome address, the CBN Deputy Governor , Financial System Stability, Dr. Kingsley Moghalu made effort at convincing the audience that Islamic banking was not a ploy to Islamize the nation.

He said the banking model existed in countries with Muslim minorities such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom.

He said the risk sharing principle would lend the bank’s resources for huge infrastructure projects in the power and transportation sector.

He said that Nigeria had become an Executive member of the Board of the Islamic Development Bank, IDB, and would benefit from the near $ 1 trillion assets of Islamic banks across the globe.    Mr. Isamil Toure who represented the President of the IDB, Dr. Ahmed Ali said that with the population of Nigeria, it would become the largest market for Islamic banking as well as IDB financing

[url]http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/07/islamic-banking-cbn-rejects-al-qaeda-request-for-banking-licence/
[/url]

Is it right for this Dr. Kingsley Moghalu a christian in Nigeria to be defending the system?
Is it right for Soludo a christian in Nigeria to approve the license?
Is it right for Joseph Sanusi a christian in Nigeria to suggest the Idea?
Lastly all the Noise makers are you better than them ? or do you the Know the financial terrain better than them?
STOP THE HATING AND PROPAGANDA !!!!! without a fact i say all people say is cheap rumour
I rest my case.Like Sanusi said go to court!!!!!Shikena

^^^

^^^^^^ :d :d :d :d ;d ;d ;d ;d

@rhino
That is funny .
I doubt what you say is true sha.I doubt he would bare a name that insults him.Usually Hausa bare names that are middle eastern and things(natural occurring or actions or events or items or area or tools or profession or hausa days etc) around then.Eg Dan-gote - would literally mean "son of porridge" also like they refer to police as Dan-sanda meaning "son of stick".Mai-gari "owner of a town".Danladi- "son of sunday" (male) while "Ladi" (female) or Jummi and danjuma (son of friday).MaiRago (ram owner)

New states ‘ll be created on merit – Tambuwal
On July 5, 2011 · In News

By LUKA BINNIYAT

KADUNA—Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, said the National Assembly, would create new states based “on merit”, as well as review the present revenue allocation formula and assign constitutional roles to traditional rulers.

He added that the Reps would re-introduce the controversial Internal Party Democracy Bill, which seeks to make all National Assembly members automatic members of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of their parties.

The Speaker said this in Kaduna at a Post-Election Violence Roundtable organised by the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

Tambuwal said he had set up a committee to review the relevant sections of existing laws to make the job of amending the relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution easier.

On the occasion, the former Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said the Sheik Ahmed Lemu-led Presidential Panel on Post-election Violence was preparing the ground for more crisis by creating the impression that government would give monetary compensation to victims of the violence, even as urged those he described as old politicians to give way for the younger generation to take over from them.

The Speaker was represented by Godfrey Gaya, representing Zangon Kataf/Jabba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.

On his part, the paramount ruler of Bachama, in Adamawa state, the His Highness the Hamman Bachaman, Asaph Zadok, lamented that the introduction of monotheism by Arabs and Europeans into Nigerian religious space was responsible for the unprecedented level of hate, intolerance and violence in the country, adding that, in the past Nigerians did not kill themselves over the deities they worshipped.

“The Speaker has inaugurated a Constitution Review Committee and we want to look at the Electoral Act and those laws that divide us instead of uniting us; those laws that tend to devalue us instead of empowering us.

“For example, we still have a Constitution that does not provide a definite role for traditional rulers. We would amend the constitution to provide a definite role for our traditional rulers.

“There is no doubt that if the constitution is not reviewed, it will affect the states. Right now, states are finding it difficult to pay the N18,000 new minimum wage.

‘’We go to the same market and I can assure you that if N18, 000 is the only wage we can pay our workers, it is definitely not fair.

“So, we are looking at how to amend the Revenue Sharing Formula. There is no way the Federal Government can continue to enjoy 52 % of all our revenue while the states and the 774 local governments that we represent have about 42 percent.

“We are looking at the issue of states creation. Of course the Sixth NASS tried its best but was unable to do anything.
“Of course this time around, we are starting early and I am sure that before the middle of our tenure, we will be talking of new states; feasible states and those that are not feasible.

“We will also be looking at amending the Electoral Act and matters that relate to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

‘’There are certain things for which you could not have blamed Mahmud Jega, INEC Chairman, because some of those bills were signed few weeks to the election and it was not possible for INEC to take total control of all that happened.

“So, we are going to look at it and give Nigerians a correct version of the Electoral Act that will guide us in the next dispensation so that Nigeria can have an election that can be truly free and fair.

“In the last assembly, we started a bill that talk about internal democracy.

“This time around, we are revisiting that bill that will introduce internal democracy within the set up. If that can be done, it is our belief that the rampant cases of going to tribunals on election matters would have been minimised because the political parties who are the bastion of democracy will now ensure that only candidates that are acceptable to the people are presented for election.

“We are going to embark on aggressive oversight function this time around by ensuring that the demand of the Nigerian people are met.

“In a country of 140 million, it is a shame that we are still generating only 4000 megawatts of electricity instead of at least 45,000 megawatts.

“ In a country where several infrastructure are decaying, there is much to be done. This time around, we are determined to get it right by making sure that every kobo that has been appropriated is well utilized”, he said.

Baba-Ahmed who was the guest lecturer at the Round-table, said that by making petitioners to the Lemu Panel believe that government would offer them money for burnt places of worship, homes and business places, the panel was setting up a dangerous path that could lead to more crisis if at the end, government failed to do so.

“In my entire civil service carrier, I have never seen where government gave compensation to victims of riots to cover the worth of their property.

“People are coming out claiming to have lost assets worth hundreds of millions and are expecting to be paid. I am sure that government cannot pay”, he added.

North-east rejects PDP chair
By RAZAQ BAMIDELE
Tuesday, July 05, 2011


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Since the removal of the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo from the South-east, and his replacement by Alhaji Haliru Bello Muhammed from the North-east, the zoning permutation of the party has suffered hiccups.

The nomination of Bello Muhammed from Kebbi State for a ministerial appointment has also thrown up a fresh challenge for the PDP, which is now torn between the South -east, the original owner of the current slot and the North-east, the zone which is expected to produce the substantive national chairman at the next convention.

If Muhammed’s nomination is ratified and confirmed, the post of the chairman would become vacant and would warrant filling up with another acting chairman pending the party’s national convention next year where a substantive national chairman would be elected.

As it were now, the slot was supposed to reside in the South -east before it would move to the North-east at the next convention.
The problem now is that the South-east, the natural owner of the slot, wants it back at least to complete its term, which was started by Nwodo.

Daily Sun reliably gathered that some top chieftains of the PDP from the South-east rose from a caucus meeting at the weekend and decided to work towards occupying “the about-to-be-vacant post that is naturally our birthright in the interest of justice and fair play.”

A source close to the meeting revealed to Daily Sun that “to underscore the seriousness attached to the project, the meeting had in attendance political bigwigs like the former vice-president Alex Ekwueme, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, national vice chairman (South-east), Chief Olisa Metu and his predecessor, Chief Fidelis Ozichukwu, among others.

The fear of the South-east PDP leaders and party elders is that if the North-east candidate is chosen for the post in acting capacity now, tendency is that the favoured candidate may be confirmed as substantive national chairman during the national nonvention and thereby putting the chance of the South-east to complete its term in total jeopardy.
It is against this background that South-east elders put heads together to demand for their political right in the PDP scheme of things. Daily Sun further gathered that the concerned leaders have put machinery in place to work out modalities on how to lobby the relevant power brokers within the party to achieve their goal.

Interestingly though, no name has come up as the candidate to complete the term for the zone, it was gathered authoritatively that the zone would, this time, work harmoniously together to present a candidate that would be acceptable to the generality of the South-east caucus.

“The consensus this time is to reclaim the lost position for the zone. It will amount to double jeopardy if we cannot reclaim it now and at the same time we will not have opportunity to contest the post in the next national convention,” one of the leaders in attendance pointed out.

The fear was confirmed by a chieftain of the party and former minister for works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe who said “the party has decided to pick a North -east candidate to hold the post in an acting capacity pending the party’s national convention coming up next year March.”
According to him, the zone had lost out severally in the present dispensation, revealing that “they did not get speaker, they lost the deputy speaker slot and so, there must be re-arrangement to accommodate and compensate both the North-east and the South-west.”
He further revealed that the post of the secretary wouldgo to the South-west exuding confidence that there would not be any crisis in the arrangement.

Home | News Update | SSS shelves plans to arraign el-Rufai
SSS shelves plans to arraign el-Rufai
By Yusuf Alli 7 hours 36 minutes ago
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The State Security Service (SSS) may have shelved plans to arraign a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai for sedition, it was learnt yesterday.

But el-Rufai has said that he will not relent in engaging in discourse that promotes democracy.

Investigation by TheNation revealed that el-Rufai, who arrived at the SSS headquarters at about 9am, spent about an hour with the Director-General of the agency, Mr. Ita Ekpeyong.

At the session with el-Rufai were his wife, Hadiza; his counsel, Mr. A.U. Mustapha; the President of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, who is also the Publisher of ThisDay, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; the Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi and the Media Advisor to the ex-Minister, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye.

After a brief stay at the waiting room, el-Rufai was ushered into the office of the SSS DG accompanied by Obaigbena and the counsel.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The session was cordial and the former FCT Minister and his team appreciated why the SSS had to act to avert any threat to the nation’s security.

“The SSS is not out to breach the rights of any citizen or freedom of expression but whenever such a right is exercised, it must be based on facts and figures.

“Following the mutual dialogue, the SSS decided to drop charges on sedition against el-Rufai and this decision was communicated to the ex-Minister on the spot.

A statement by the Media Advisor to the former Minister reads in part: “Mallam Nasir el-Rufai visited the SSS headquarters today. This was at the instance of the security agency which requested that he report to them at 9am today, following his arrest on Saturday.

“Mallam el-Rufai had a chat with the SSS Director-General, after which he returned home. He was accompanied by ThisDay publisher, Nduka Obaigbena, and AU Mustapha, El Rufai’s lawyer.

“El Rufai wishes to thank Nigerians for their support and kind words following the arrest. He intends to continue to play a robust role in promoting the type of informed discourse that promotes democracy.”

Good idea but make it six!!!I have always thought of this.Just wondered if it would be acceptable to our kinda leaders.For me i would say even make it rotational.After every 8yrs another new set of six should be taken again for meaningful development.Until all meet an average development rate.
One for each geopolitical zone.so that people can throne there for Urban life style and also the capitals can funnel modernization easily to environs.
I will suggest 6 new capitals every 8 years.Starting as follows.

NC- Abuja
SS-PH or Cross river
NW-Kano
SE-Anambra
SW-Lagos or Ogun
NE-Gombe or Maiduguri

I go die wit laugh!!!! Abeg pray for the nation and GEJ.We need to stop the condemnations and deal with it together.

Party leader blames PDP crisis on impositions

By Chimezie Enyiocha

July 4, 2011 01:35AM
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President Goodluck Jonathan's success in upturning the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last election was a sign that democracy is yet to take firm root in the country, former chairman of the party in Kaduna State, Yaro Makama Rigachikun has said.

Mr Rigachikun, who is also an ex-officio member of the national working committee of the PDP, said he was not surprised that there was crisis after the national election because people, especially in the north, were not happy that the president failed to respect the constitution of the party. He asserted that Mr Jonathan imposed himself against the wish of the party and the people of the north in particular, which the zoning arrangement had favoured.

"The crisis was a signal that Nigerians want change, because PDP as a party has not provided the much expected change since the inception of democracy in 1999," he said. "Since 1999 to date, I expected us to be growing and not retrogressing." The party leader said if Mr Jonathan had respected zoning of the presidency, it would have created an opportunity for himself and PDP to provide an example for other political parties to emulate.

He, however, expressed fear that there may be an imminent revolution that might lead to chaos and anarchy by 2015 if Mr Jonathan decides to run for second term as president.

The Kaduna politician said the president should take heed from what happened during the election of the speaker of the House of Representatives, when an insurgent candidate, Aminu Tambuwal defeated the candidate of the party. He said this was an indication that those elected, especially PDP members, were no longer willing to be guided by any external forces.

"If this could happen at the House of Representatives, then what are we expecting in the years ahead? Any attempt to impose Jonathan on PDP in 2015, the opposition will join forces with some prominent PDP members from the north to collapse PDP," he said. "By 2015 , the Southwest led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in alliance with some northern politicians will collapse PDP if the zoning arrangement is not maintained."

He said the decision of the opposition, led by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), to scuttle PDP's move to impose the speaker on the House members was laudable.

"It is unfortunate that at the time Nigeria is supposed to have advanced democratically, PDP allowed religious sentiment to encroach into the polity," he said. "A situation whereby majority of Muslims voted for Buhari and Christians voted for Jonathan was a creation of PDP."

Rivalry in Kaduna

He was, however, proud of his contribution to the victory of Patrick Yakowa as the first democratically elected Christian governor of Kaduna State. Mr Rigachikun explained that the reason himself and some other PDP members supported the candidacy of Mr Yakowa in the last April elections is because they wanted to solve the problem of marginalisation in the state.

He said it was a shame that the southern Kaduna area, where Mr Yakowa comes from, has not produced a governor of the state since its creation.

"We had to support Yakowa for balance of power," he said. "Don't forget that the people of southern Kaduna have always supported PDP candidates from the northern zone in every election and it is therefore wrong not to support them." The outspoken PDP official also said the reason why the party lost two senatorial seats in Kaduna State to the opposition Congress for Progressive Change was because of internal squabbles, whereby some aggrieved members of the party who felt short changed by Jonathan's candidacy, voted against PDP.

On the controversy over who represents Kaduna at the federal executive council, Mr Rigachikun blamed the situation on the differences between Mr Yakowa and his predecessor and vice president, Namadi Sambo.

NEXT reliably gathered that whereas Mr Sambo is pushing for the former executive secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Trust Fund (PTDF) Hammisu Yusuf Abubakar,

Mr Yakowa prefers Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi, who worked for his victory at the last election.

The sources said the presidency seem not to be comfortable with Mr Sambo's nominee, particularly due to some alleged security report against Mr Abubakar when he was at the helm of affairs at PTDF.

‘We are disappointed by Jonathan's leadership style'

By Festus Owete

July 4, 2011 07:59AM
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A group, Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC), on Sunday criticised President Goodluck Jonathan over the manner he has run his administration in the last one month, saying it was anchored on a "transaction agenda" and not his much-touted transformation agenda.

The group also faulted the arrest of some critics of the administration argued that they would have not suffered the fate if they had remained in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

It stated the foregoing in a statement by its national coordinator, who is also a leader of the Coalition of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Osita Okechukwu, in Abuja.

"Indications have emerged that President Goodluck Jonathan is wittingly or unwittingly running a transaction agenda rather than his publicly acclaimed transformation agenda," it said.

"CNC is of the candid view that the business of government with the go-slow attitude of Mr President is stagnated and the scant business is only negotiated with Mr President on a ‘man-know-man' basis." They described as "untidy" the manner adopted by the president in constituting the Federal Executive Council (FEC), insisting it negated the urgency and expectations of Nigerians on the imperative of fixing the country's decayed infrastructure, adding that there was no iota of transformation on the cards."

Lead us aright

Recalling that late US president Ronald Reagan knew little but accomplished so much in power, the CNC said it thought that having been in the saddle for over one year, Mr Jonathan would have become primed to be his own man and not fall into the viselike grip of the hawks in PDP.

"A transformational agenda-prone president," it noted, "would have submitted the list with their portfolios and in the same view persuaded the Senate to stand down Senate rules and use Friday to conclude the screening e xercise. Mr President lost the urgency appeal, more so when the list of ministers is still incomplete."

The group also expressed worry over what it described as the witch-hunt of opposition politicians in the country, especially with regards to the arrest of a former minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir el-Rufai, and one Hassan Lawal, both of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

According to the group, both men would not have suffered that fate if they were still in the PDP.

Babangida advice

Former military president, Ibrahim Babangida also said yesterday that a suspected hounding of opposition leaders could derail the focus of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration.

Mr Babangida, who stated this in a statement signed by his media aide, Kassim Afegbua in Abuja, said the minimum wage crisis, petroleum subsidy debate, crisis over ministerial nominees and the proposed Islamic Banking should worry President Jonathan more than fighting perceived political enemies.

He said that many Nigerians are not happy with some events taking place in the country and therefore called for the process of moral and political healing rather than arrest perceived enemies of government.

"The arrest and release of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai is a deliberate distraction which the President must run away from. He must avoid gambling with decisions and he must be willing to seek a third opinion on issues before he takes his decision," he said.

The former president advised Mr Jonathan to listen to voices of the opposition and or dissent, as he stands to gain experience and knowledge from theirwell-informed criticisms rather than build hostilities around them.

"If his body of advisers do not understand the temperament in the country and decide to embark on arresting and releasing people on very questionable allegations, they will be making enemies for the President instead of friends. The prerogative is that of the President and no one else," he said.

0lumide:
mehn you are sooooooo daaafffftttttt!!! OMG!!! IS THAT A WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM I RAISED?


Yes Europe doesn't have aN islamic minority forcing islam on them AND the Islamic banks in europe doesn't require sharia compliance [/b]OLODO FOOL!! Are you this blinded by your love for foreign philosophy? lie

[b]The only countries where the banks worked to a state of influencing the economies are Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. STOP SAYING IT IS BEING PRACTICED WORLD WIDE lie

OF the top ten biggest Islamic banks, IRAN HAS 7     Yeah right, it is a global phenomena that will help Nigeria!

Iran has 40% of the global islamic bank asset, Saudi has 30%, Malaysia has 15% while Pakistan and the rest of the world has 15% yeah it is a big global bank! And the asset is only $400b globally the rest trillions goes to wise banking!

The World Banks interest rate problem doesn't mean a thing to you does it? PHUCKING OLODO!!!

The ones in Europe and America are not SHARIA COMPLIANCE. lie

`

Back at you. while you are at it check this one out  "http://www.islamic-bank.com/" then admit your being ignorant and daft.I could get you more if you want chairman OLODO!!!!Phucking Daft goat Please read more about Islamic bankings because you are still exibiting gross ignorance and stupidity.Islamic banking has more than $400 billion world wide! Ode

Katsumoto:
They won't be short-changed but non-muslims will be obtaining credit with interest rates in double digits while the Muslim friends of Sanusi will be obtaining interest free-loans. Then when the Islamic Banks fail, the Nigerian Government will step in to bail it out.

Are you another fortune teller I hear or what?You don't have any fact or obvious backing to prove its failure other than sentiments.I would even say, its prospect for survival is good.Looking at its track record in other countries.Comparing its record to your baseless conspiracy and misguided theories.I choose to ignore you.
c'mon as if Muslims don't have monies in the existing banks that the CBN keeps bailing out after your xtians bank exco steal the monies despite huge benefits and making cash with there monies.
Did you see the list of companies and peoples loans during the bank probes.they are your southern brothers predominantly.We rarely patronize to avoid interests.Won't you say you guys use our monies to sustain or start your business while the banks make cash on intetrest.Who is benefiting more?
Last i check Ibru refunded over 190 billion naira of Nigerians money and lying to share holders of significant profits.I remember your xtians/southern buddies shouting its a witch hunt.A grand northern conspiracy.until the courts got a conviction!
shame catch una.don't always let sentiments drive you.

koruji:
The NSCIA has spoken? Meaning what? This is simply a reply to the CAN's comments. These organizations do not make public policy, but are mere commentators, perhaps influential commentators.

So we have heard them, but this resolves nothing - absolutely nothing.

Right about that!If only CAN had known that and left the CBN and policy makers deal with it.The NSCIA would ordinarily be quiet and have no need to suggest its uses.You say means "absolutely nothing"?You have no idea or you simply being naive
    Beats me sometimes the way people think of CBN.Considering that CBN is made of xtian and Muslim workers!How come the CBN comprising all are not claiming foul play.
      About public policy you can be sure the policy in place is for CBN of FGN.Some may like it,some may not.Its about variety.so we can choose or ignore.Just like other services and products in the country.We can go where we want and render/accept services of such.Public policy is done for the people.If atleast 70mill Nigerians say they want something then its only fair to listen.

playmode:
Oh please ,enough of the BS already.Cameron and Obama please just go ahead and build your Africom base on Nigeria soil and spare us all the lame excuses.You already have your house boy GEJ by the balls we know that it is a done deal.Stop using propaganda to ease your way into Nigeria.

You never helped us to evict our corrupt leaders but you want to help us deal with boko haram

You must really think Nigerians are daft,why would al qeada use Nigeria as it HQ,it is a no brainer.Pakistan still remains the safest place for al qeda operatives.All these talk about Nigeria is just hog wash to scare Nigerians into thinking that they need the help of the west to checkmate Boko haram.It is all a ploy to get foreign boots stationed on our soil indefinitely.

Gbam Gbam Gbam !!!!

I Couldn't have said it any better.I won't be surprise they know everything and the solution but would prefer it looks helpless.so that we can run back for help and behold they suggest there intervention and effectiveness will require a military base/missile base/presence.They are so obsessed with a base in Nigeria.Why! first they suggest a military base in Maiduguri to check mate Gaddafi and the North Africans(during Clinton and OBJ tenures).
After some protest in Kano they went quiet with northern base suggestion when Clinton came and later suggested peace keeper training.Which the CDS Gen. Victor malu later raised an alarm of there information gather and suspicious intents.Obj kicked him out after he went to the media with the story.
secondly instead of supplying the navy patrol boats as requested by our Navy,they suggested they brought in there a navy to support with patrol in there own naval ships,when the ND militants objected they went to sao tome for a silly military exercise. with a nation like sao tome!Now they are back again!!!Three civilian presidents and they always come back asking for a sort of military presence.What is it that they can't tell us.

Yes Islamic banking will be.For people saying that it will discriminate.The NSCIA has spoken.You should hold them responsible or the bank if anything of its kind happens.That's the assurance of its tolerance to other non-Muslims and also the issue of its merits in other countries before Nigeria.Also you've being told that Sanusi was not the person who initiated or licensed it.
You can't deprive Muslims what they want.Especially where it is not proven such has caused any problem.Islamic banking is just coming to Nigeria. Since its never being in Nigerian,you can't associate it to negative vices in the country and the fact that it has worked successfully/peacefully outside Nigeria speaks for it. There is no reason denying us the services period!

^^^Then is Europe or America predominantly Muslims? Your point is full of ignorance

ZnO:
How can there not be Igbo beggars?
It is a matter of numbers
10 Igbo:1000 Yoruba:10000 hausa fulani. That will be the ratio of beggars from the 3 major groups in any Nigerian city

I don't know the ratio nor figures sha!I hope yours is based on facts and not sentiments or false assumptions.

EzeUche:
I have never seen Igbo beggars. Hawkers. . . Yes but never begging.

Igbo man has no time to beg. There is no money to be made, because the Hausa already control that "market."

Used to be so.Not any more! I started seeing Igbo beggars in Abakalili road after Nkalagu.After which they became more obvious around Ogbete market and Polo park Enugu.Then we would just say,That is an indicator things have become worst in Nigeria.Thats around 1999 to 2006 while i was there.Then while around ceddi recently a beggar came up to me asking for money to buy drugs.He was obviously Igbo.In wuse market and Banex i saw some ladies singing with some other person guiding them.They come to Igbo shops specifically and sing until they give them money and they hip praises and prayers.Then move to the next shop.

SSS, Intelligence Agencies In Fresh Offensive Against Boko Haram

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Written by Taiwo Adisa Saturday, 02 July 2011

Intelligence agencies in the country including the State security Services (SSS) and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency(NIA) were said to have flagged off fresh offensives against the operations of the Boko Haram sect during the week.

It was gathered that as a follow up to the last operations carried out immediately after the June 16 bombing of Police Headquarters , Abuja, the agencies have begun fresh actions against the sect.

The government had during the week deployed soldiers to the streets of Borno state following incessant bombings being carried out by the sect in Maiduguri and parts of Borno state.

Recent security meetings had arrived at the conclusion that the task of combating the Boko Haram sect was beyond the police, especially in view of its lackadaisical nature of handling the sect.

Sources said that while the operations by the SSS and NIA appear separate, they are also part of the inter-agency action against the Boko Haram sect approved by the security council.

For the Igbos it is also likely they are prostitutes.
On the other hand slums were raided by law enforcement agents.Such can result in expelling squaters.While i can tell you yes,there are Igbo beggars.Met one last week around Ceddi.I have met some in various cases too.Then i know also in wuse market some go round singing in Igbo(mostly religious songs).
Compared to the North,I would say the North has more beggars.while Prostitution,Igbos and ND offers more than the North.
So do Igbos have beggars in Abuja ?Definitely.
I don't mean to insult anyone.I think the Government rather has failed its citizenry in terms of welfare and employment.They made Abuja expensive and also made Employment difficult.With policies that hardly considered the larger block of Nigerians.What ever policy they have should accommodate most Nigerians!
Those slums could have civil servants.Since salaries i tell you can not pay for anything good in Abuja.

,

^^^^

finally !!!!!

^^^ Beats me. PDP is use to old crap and ex-corrupt goons.Imagine the likes of Prof. Jibril Aminu !!!!

Islamic banking not a ploy to shortchange non-Muslims, says NSCIA

    Sunday, 03 July 2011 00:00
    Lateef Ibrahim
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NIGERIAN Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly pleaded with the critics of Islamic banking to be objective and desist from seeing the initiative as a ploy to short change Nigerian Christians or any other religious group. The Secretary-General of NSCIA, Dr AbdulLateef Adegbite, who made the appeal in a statement in Abuja, condemned negative reactions from certain non-Muslim quarters to the decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

According to Adegbite, “We assure non-Muslims that Islamic banks will not discriminate nor operate as a closed shop. Ownership of the banks will not be restricted to Muslims only.”

The Secretary-General of NSCIA said that non-Muslims interested in buying shares in the banks are free to do so as it was in the Jaiz case where many non-Muslims are already shareholders and therefore co-owners of the company.

According to Adegbite, “Non-Muslims, who so desire, would be free to be customers of any Islamic Bank in Nigeria.

“This new financial facility as represented by Islamic banks and other non-interest banking products, is certainly poised to usher in a new era of economic well-being into our country.

“It is certain to throw up new opportunities for ordinary Nigerians who would benefit immensely from the new development as they would enjoy access to less intimidating banking system that is ethical in its operations, and guaranteed attractive returns on their investments by way of profit sharing as supposed to interest taking,” he said.

The Secretary-General of NSCIA described the critics of non-interest banking in Nigeria as, “uninformed, un-objective and smack of religious intolerance.”

According to him, “Islamic Banking has become a global phenomenon. It has been adopted in more than 75 countries across the World.

“Some of these are Christian states or with predominantly Christian population such as United States, United Kingdom, Germany and France.

“In Asia, many countries, including Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia are operating the Islamic Banking System,” he said.

While pointing out that African countries like South Africa, Egypt, Senegal, The Gambia, Niger, Kenya, Tanzania, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia and Benin Republic have also embraced Islamic Banking, Adegbite said, “Why should Nigeria, the sixth largest Muslim population in the World, not partake in the benefits of a global financial product?.

The Islamic leader said that Islamic banks provide an alternative banking facility to Muslims and interested Non-Muslims who do not want to patronise conventional banks principally for the avoidance of interest (usury).

His words, “The current introduction of Islamic Banking into Nigeria is constitutional and legal. It is purely an economic exercise and has no hidden religious agenda.

“It is not correct to situate the new development wholly to the tenure of the present CBN Governor Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. On the contrary, the effort to establish Islamic Banking system in Nigeria predated Lamido Sanusi by several years,” he declared.

He explained that the move was first made during the tenure of Chief Joseph Sanusi when Jaiz International Plc lodged its application for a banking license.

“It was, however, under the governorship of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo that an approval in principle was issued to Jaiz. Governor Lamido Sanusi merely took over the processes on assumption of office,” the Islamic cleric said.

Adegbite said the recent CBN reforms and restructuring of Banks afforded Jaiz the opportunity to qualify for a license as a regional bank.

National Chairman: Fresh zoning crisis hits PDP
By Yusuf Alli 9 hours 15 minutes ago
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President Goodluck Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan

• Stakeholders Forum petitions Jonathan, recommends Nwachukwu, Ohakim, Mbadinuju, Metuh, 11 others



A fresh zoning crisis has erupted in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following latest demand by some stakeholders in the party that the South-East ought to produce the new National Chairman.

The stakeholders who recommended 15 candidates from the South-East have sent the list to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and all PDP governors.

The development has caused a twist in the race to succeed the out-going acting National Chairman of the party, Dr. Mohammed Haliru Bello, who has been nominated as a Minister.

About 23 likely candidates may now vie for the office of the National Chairman of the party.

Before the renewed interest of the South-East, the party had initially conceded the slot to the North-East leading to the emergence of eight aspirants.

The eight aspirants from the North-East are Nigeria’s former Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha. ASlso in the race are a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and ex-Governor Danjuma Goje, who was recently elected a Senator from Gombe State.

But in a petition to the President and top leaders of the party, PDP Stakeholders Forum insisted that the slot should go to the South-East, which has no single representation in the party’s National Working Committee at present.

In the petition, signed by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (a former member, PDP Presidential Campaign Council); Ambassador Adamu Mustapha; and Chief Segun Babalola, the Stakeholders Forum asked the party to choose its next chairman from 15 potentially good candidates for the slot.

Those recommended are: Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Mao Ohuanbuwa; Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chief Olisa Metu; former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju; Jerry Ugokwe; former Governor Sam Egwu; and Senator Emma Azu Agboti. Others are Senator Sylvanus Ngele; former Governor Jim Nwobodo; Enugu State PDP Chair, Chief Vita Abba; former Minister Frank Nweke Jr.; former Governor Ikedi Ohakim; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Jeff Ojinika.

The petition of the stakeholders reads in part: “As you are already aware, an emergency NEC meeting of our great party is about to be summoned in the days ahead for the purpose of addressing crucial party matters, especially the appointment of an Acting National Chairman for our great Party.

“The South-East is the only zone in Nigeria that has the legal and political right to continue to produce the acting National Chairman of PDP till the expiration of its four-year tenure and that of the other members of the present (PDP National Working Committee) NWC on March 8, 2012.

“It must be noted here that the National Chairmanship of the PDP was zoned to the South-East in 2008 for a four -year tenure that will terminate in 2012, which led to the election of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor as the National Chairman and other PDP NWC members in accordance with Article 14 and 16 of the PDP Constitution at the March 8, 2008 National Convention.

“The constitution of PDP in Article 14(5) has made provision that any vacancy in this NWC must be filled in acting capacity by the same zone which produced the former elected national officer and this was the same reason that made the PDP NEC to appoint Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo who was later removed as the acting National Chairman of PDP to replace Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, who is equally from the South-East.

“The issue of which zone that should produce the next acting National Chairman of PDP should not raise any controversy because the PDP constitution made express provision that the acting Chairman must emerge from the South-East.”

The stakeholders cited Article 14(5) of the PDP Constitution to back their demand.

The said article reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the NEC shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originated pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy”

“It must be shamefully noted here that the South-East since the removal of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor and Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo as National Chairmen of the PDP is the only zone in the country that has no single representation in the PDP 12-member NWC up till today as a result of the inability of the PDP NEC to appoint an acting Chairman from the South-East to replace Nwodo because of electioneering and closeness of the 2011 General election then.

“This situation is illegal and it is unfair that a whole region which massively voted for the PDP can be denied its legal and constitutional position in the PDP NWC, while a zone like the North-East has been enjoying its three positions in the NWC uninterrupted since 2008 up till now.”

They urged the President and NEC members to ignore the agitation for the office of PDP National Chairman by the North-East.

They said: “It is embarrassing that majority of our party leaders are not aware of any single provision in the party constitution because if they do, the unnecessary lobbying and campaigns for the appointment of an acting chairman from the North-East would not have arisen because it is a blind agitation backed by political illiteracy and ignorance of the inner workings of the PDP and its constitution.”

Ministers’ list: Women express shock over nomination

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Written by Christian Okeke, Abuja Sunday, 03 July 2011

Nigerian women living abroad have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to consider appointing two women from the Diaspora as Ministers of Women Affairs and Health.

When appointed, they believe the women will bring freshness and newness to the country’s democratic life.

The Diaspora national coordinator, Women for Change and Development Initiative, Dr. Stella Alhassan, told Sunday Tribune from the United States of America that Nigerian women abroad were shocked that the list submitted by the president for ministerial consideration fell short of the 35 per cent minimal representation being canvassed by women.

Their concerns were heightened by the fact that not only that the Beijing Declaration of September 1995 upheld elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, the National Gender Policy had been formulated to promote a 35 per cent affirmative action for them.

Dr Alhassan disclosed that Nigerian women were reassured by President Jonathan throughout his campaign that their lots would change for better this time through greater involvement in governance.

Expressing fear that women may never get it right if they fail this time, the women’s coordinator sincerely appealed to Jonathan to renew the faith which women across the country and beyond reposed in him and accord women a place of pride in his government.

She said, “The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs need to have a seasoned Diaspora woman with background in social work/services if the reform and change we seek can be attainable during your tenure.”

Cabinet shocker! Jonathan returns 12 ministers to old offices
On July 3, 2011 · In News

*We’ll hit the ground running – President

By DANIEL IDONOR

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday disappointed lobbyists for portfolios in the Federal Executive Council, FEC, as he returned all the reappointed ministers to their former offices.

The president, who only recently expressed dissatisfaction with frequent changes in the ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, ordered 12 of the returnee-ministers to go back to their respective ministries and resume duties immediately.

This is an indication that most of the former presidential aides may be reappointed and reassigned their former offices and duties.

Jonathan, however, said that two new ministers, Zainab Maina, Adamawa, and Stella Ada Ogonweinyi ,Anambra, will have their portfolios communicated to them on Monday (tomorrow), by the Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.

The 14 ministers took their oath of office in three batches of five, five, four.

The re appointed ministers are Emeka Wogu, Abia, who returns to Labour and Productivity; Bala Mohammed from Bauchi, Federal Capital Territory; Deziani Allison-Madueke, Bayelsa, to return to Ministry of Petroleum Resources while Godsday Orubebe, Delta, is to return to Niger Delta Ministry.

Others are Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu (Ebonyi) to return to Education, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade (Ekiti) to return as Minister of State FCT, Prof. Ruqqayyatu Rufai’a (Jigawa) to Ministry of Education and Shamsudeen Usman (Kano), to National Planning Ministry.

Others are Musa Sada (Katsina) to return to Mines and Steel; Bello Adoke (Kogi) returns as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Labaran Maku (Nasarawa) returns as the Minister of Information and Communication and Yusuf Suleiman (Sokoto) to Ministry of Transport.

Special guests who witnessed the ceremony included the Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Acting Chairman, Haliru Mohammed; PDP chieftain, Tony Anenih; Governor of Adamawa, Murtala Nyako; former governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieseigha; former governor of Nasarawa State, Akwe Doma and some family members of the ministers.

Jonathan, in a brief remark, said the ministers were sworn-in in batches so that they will hit the ground running having lost a month after his inauguration.

While congratulating the returnee-ministers for scaling through both the security and Senate screening, he expressed hope that they would lived up to the expectation of Nigerians.

While the likes of Ibori usually go in and out!!!

I knew it,the Igbos made contact with the aliens !!!!

^^^Is it Nigeria?If so you then are in deep crisis.Not violent ,but the intolerance.Nigerians hardly have tolerance for interfaith marriages.It may look simple but very difficult except in rare cases.Whether it is workable?Sure it can work.Whether its possible?You need alot of luck.She may want to impress her people by complying with there religious settings.She may look happy and loving but strongly against anything not in her faith.Its hard to bring the two together.Not impossible.Just know if you two have good tolerance and thick skin for peoples interferences from both faiths.People will keeping flooding her thoughts with all that is wrong about you to keep her away.