₦airaland Forum

Only the progressive minds can support GEJ'S Transformation Agenda. The NASS has succeeded in revealing itself as the people's enemy. No wonder OBJ said NA ROGUE FULL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Now that I know, I give up my case

Dino Melaye is also an ABORTION ACTIVIST. HE IS FORCING BISI IBIDAPO TO ABORT HER PREGNANCY

Every man has a weakness. Dino has finally revealed his deficiencies: lies, womanizing and consumption of alcohol irresponsibly. Today, irresponsibility defines his person. A married man with three children jumping from bed to bed with different women without N50 gold circle. Haba Dino. and now he is denying. I now understand why Dino was against FG approved fund for condom and contraceptives. Thief in activist clothing

It is unfortunate that people who ordinarily should commend GEJ for the measures emplaced to cushion the effects of floods in some parts of the country, and to also prevent similar occurrence in the near future are criticizing him on this platform becos of party, ethnic and religious affiliation. Rational and objective thinkers are aware that flooding is a natural disaster; a disaster that has snatched lives out of hundreds, while rendering millions homeless and without means of livelihood. Haba! Isn't this enough for the president to address the nation, raise fund for relief materials and condole with affected persons? Those against this speech have revealed themselves as dogmatic critics who see nothing good in an admin that has decided to priotised human welfare and well being. Those who have the interest of the nation at Heart should rather monitor the disbursement of the approved money, for the interest of the victims. Critics should carry on with their baseless argument.

The much celebrated and publicized alliance between the ACN and CPC appears to have crashed, as chieftains of both Parties have engaged themselves in war of words over who wins the Ondo state governorship election. Last week, Pastor TUNDE Bakare reportedly prophesied that Mimiko will win the oct 20 poll, maintaining that ACN would lose in the south west, with ondo as the starting point. He accussed the leadership of ACN of corruptly enriching themselves, buying Jet they cannot account for and selling their presidential ambition to the ruling party.
In a swift reaction to Bakare's prophecy, the ACN maintained that Pastor Bakare is a false prophet whose prophesy has never come to pass. Bakare according to them masquerade as a prophet while in reality he is a desperate politician seeking political relevance. The statement further claims that his uncontrollable ambition was the reason behind Buhari's failure.
Is Bakare really a man of God? Will his prophesy floor Tinubu's political strength in the south west? Between TINUBU and who will emerge victorious?

http://believeafrica.net/tunde-bakare-pushed-buhari-to-failure-with-ambition-acn-p215-94.htm

If this self acclaimed social crusader turns around to create social problems for the country by increasing the number of children in orphanage homes, then he must be checked. Condom thank you ooooooo

This man a sniper. Shooting aside all girls on skirt. I wonder why people are surprise, this is a definitive characteristic of an Agbero man.

Nigeria has earned for itself an image of a respecter of the rule of law and promoter of peace on the continent and beyond; all of this happened after the Green Tree Agreement was signed.
“Why now? (the u-turn) This is clearly an afterthought which will not favour your country.
This man is Not aware that the move by the FG to review the ICJ judgment is in line with ICJ provisions. Our action doesn't violate UN or international Convention. Who even told him we don't need papers to visit Cameroon? Have u forgotten that gerndames call papers waka book? Go to camerroon without waka book and u Will receive the worst treatment in the hands of their security agents. We are not chasing shadows, we are reclaiming Bakassi

Siffer dogs of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have detected three consignments of heroin hidden inside various sizes of balls as well as woollen carpets.
The estimated street value of the drug is N351m.

SUNDAY PUNCH gathered that the heroin, which was imported from Pakistan through the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Shed, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, had a total weight of 29.260kg.
The rug consignment of 14kg came as cargo on KLM flight while the other two consignments of balls weighing 10.230kg and 5.030kg were imported on Saudi, Arabia Airline.

According to the Airport Commander, Mr. Hamza Umar, the importers of the goods abandoned.
He said, “The drug was factory packed in the cartons containing the balls. The rug concealment was also factory packed because we had to tear and unfasten to recover the drugs. Four rugs were found to contain heroin. So far, no arrest has been made but the cases are under investigation.”

The spokesman of the anti-drug agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said the chairman of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade, has vowed to incapacitate drug trafficking syndicates in the country through counter measures.

“Every drug seizure is important to us because of the value of the drugs and the fact that every seizure made advances the anti-drug campaign. This seizure is important to the country because the damage the drug would have caused cannot be quantified.
“Drug trafficking cartels may be sophisticated in drug concealment, but the seizures are indicators of Nigeria’s counter efforts. We will not relent in protecting the country from the activities of drug traffickers,” Giade stressed.

The NDLEA boss added that the agency would continue to scuttle the plans of drug barons and stop them from using Nigeria in drug trafficking.


http://www.punchng.com/news/ndlea-sniffer-dogs-detect-n351m-heroin-in-footballs-rugs/

Cameroon has condemned Nigeria’s decision to appeal the Judgment of the International Court of Justice ceding the Bakassi Peninsula to it, and cynically said they felt “sorry for Nigeria.”

Top diplomatic officials at the High Commission of Cameroon, Wuse II, Abuja, told SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday, that Nigeria’s fresh initiative was an afterthought.
The officials warned that the latest move by the Federal Government could jeopardise cordial relations between Nigeria and its South-Eastern neighbour.
The diplomats at the embassy who pleaded not to have their names mentioned because of the sensitive nature of the case said, “We feel sorry for Nigeria because it is chasing shadows; this matter is capable of having a negative impact on the positive image it has earned for itself in the eyes of the international community.

“Nigeria has earned for itself an image of a respecter of the rule of law and promoter of peace on the continent and beyond; all of this happened after the Green Tree Agreement was signed.
“Why now? (the u-turn) This is clearly an afterthought which will not favour your country. I just think some smart lawyers and their friends in government just want to make money out of the system.”

The officials explained that Nigeria and Cameroon share an uncommon bond that had served both nations well in “very trying times.”

They added that it was because of this special bond that “Citizens of our two countries do not require a visa to visit one another even though Cameroon is not a member of Economic Community of West African States.”
The High Commissioner, Mr. Salaheddine Abbas-Ibrahima, was however, reluctant to talk to our correspondent as he said he needed to get clearance from his home government.

He said, “I suggest you write down your questions and bring them on Monday. I will send it to headquarters for an appropriate response.”
At the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry, a highly-placed diplomat who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the metter told SUNDAY PUNCH that the country’s long wait before deciding to  appeal was unlikely to work in its favour.
“You know, even the lawyers know what an afterthought means. The mistake has been made and I am afraid Nigeria may have to live with it.
“Nigeria’s chances of winning this appeal are slim if they exist. Worse still, win or lose, the relationship with Cameroon is not likely to remain the same again. Nigeria started off on the wrong footing; it ought not to have gone to court in the first place.

“Britain and Argentina are still feuding over the Falklands, China, Japan, the Philippines and others still have issues over the South China Sea.

“Why were former leaders and our legal luminaries so much in a hurry to give away Nigeria’s patrimony?
“What about the people who are predominantly Nigerians? Why was a plebiscite or a referendum not held for the people to choose where they wanted to be as was done for the Southern Cameroons earlier?”

Some Senior Advocates of Nigeria had earlier told SUNDAY PUNCH that Nigeria’s chances of repossessing Bakassi was “very narrow.”
A professor of law, Itse Sagay, who faulted the court’s judgment for excluding the interests of the people in the community, however described the review plan as a fallacy, saying the sponsors of the plan did not understand the associated factors.

He said, “The judgment of the ICJ was a faulty one because most international laws respect the self-government right of the people. By applying the international law, the most superior factor is to allow the people to vote and determine where (which country) they want to belong.
“As it is now, the case appears incurable. You cannot appeal the judgment; you can only review it if there is a new fact that was not known to the court at the time of the judgment. This can only be done within six months and this is 10 years after.

“The situation is miserable and hopelessly difficult; it is technically impossible.”
Similarly, Yusuf Ali, SAN, said only the presentation of new facts and circumstances could enable the government make headway in the process. He added that the duration of the review could not be determined, as it was a judicial process.
He said, “Under the convention that established the ICJ, its judgments cannot be appealed but can only be reviewed. However, new facts and circumstances that rose up during and after the judgment was delivered, which are unknown to the court, may be presented before it for a review.

“The case would not be treated from the beginning all-over again but from the judgment level. However, it remains a judicial matter, its duration in the court may not be determinable.”

Meanwhile, the Cross River State Government said the FG’s new stance was a welcome development.

The state’s Commissioner for Information, Mr. Akin Ricketts, said any move that could reverse the situation would be encouraged by the state government.

“Any step taken, no matter how little, to address the ceding of Bakassi is a welcome development. As it stands, the Federal Government has decided to go on appeal, it is a good move and we will encourage it.

“Bakassi has always been part of us and their plight is ours. We never voluntarily ceded a part of us to Cameroon. I do not want to believe that President Goodluck Jonathan would be part of any kind of deceit on this matter. I believe he meant what he said.”

A former Special Adviser to President Olusegun Obasanjo on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, also stated that although the idea of an appeal was a good one, the decision of the FG might be coming rather late.

Ita-Giwa said, “I do not know how this latest position of government will work because of our way of doing things at the last minute. It is rather too late in the day but if it will work, it will be good. I have not moved away from my position which is proper resettlement of my people in Dayspring. My people will be happy if the Federal Government looks into their needs.

“An earlier plebiscite would have solved these problems. My people would have been asked where they wanted to belong to 11 years ago. I am appealing that the position of my people should not be politicised.”

A former chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Mr. Bassey Edet, however, said the new posture on the matter was just to appease stakeholders and members of the National Assembly that had passed a resolution on the issue.

He said, “I do not want to discuss the issue of appeal because I am convinced that the Federal Government will not appeal, but if they do, it is a welcome development. We believe if they wanted to appeal, they would have done that long ago.

“If that was their position, President Goodluck Jonathan would not have gone to the United Nations General Assembly to say something to the contrary. We do not really believe the Federal Government. They are trying to be diplomatic over the National Assembly resolution.”

The Federal Government had in 2006 signed an international treaty, known as the Green Tree Agreement, with Cameroon to formally cede the territory to the latter in compliance with the ICJ judgment without the approval of the National Assembly.
Lawmakers however, argued that the decision of the government was in breach of Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution, which required that such treaties must be ratified by the legislature to have the force of law in Nigeria.

The Senate had last week resolved that Nigeria should appeal the ICJ judgment.

Based on this resolution, President Goodluck Jonathan last Thursday set up a panel to consider the possibility of an appeal.

The Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, explained that every agreement entered into by Nigeria must be ratified by the Senate for it to take effect. This, he said, was not done in the case of the ICJ judgment.
He said, “What was forwarded to the 6th Senate was the Green Tree Agreement for ratification. To the best of my knowledge, that agreement has not been ratified till date.

“As far as the Constitution is concerned, the treaty is an incomplete Act.”


http://www.punchng.com/news/bakassi-nigeria-chasing-shadows-cameroonian-diplomats/

Mallamabdul: i didn't vote GEJ in that last election, but he has proven himself as a good and matured leader, despite all the issues and the oppositions by his fellow politicians. i would vote for him,if he comes out for 2015 presidential elecetions. GEJ, you have my vote.

me too

Fellow Nigerians, the Senate of the country has begun the process of amending the 1999 Constitution. However, the interesting thing about the process so far is that the Bill which seeks to reduce the powers of the Federal government has scaled the second reading.
The Bill, which was sponsored by Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido (DPP), Delta Central, wants the transfer of more responsibilities from the central government to the states, as the Federal Government is believed to have become too strong for a federal system of government which we claim to practice in Nigeria.
An implication of this particular Bill, if it eventually becomes a law, is that states will be able to make certain laws by themselves, and a good example is the issue of the state police which has generated a lot of controversies recently – with this law, whoever pleases may go ahead and create their own Police! Also, Lagos State has just announced plans to restrict the use of plate numbers from other states within the state. This, too, has raised a lot of eyebrows.
Generally, a law like this will help each state develop at their own pace – a situation which should normally lead to healthy competition among the states. The sponsor of the Bill sums it up best, saying the Bill will “allow the various states to develop and protect their core values, cultures and resources within their spatial sanctity and acceptable global practices.”
Well, that is his own idea. If YOU had the opportunity to change something in Nigeria’s constitution, what would that be?

http://www.informationnigeria.org/2012/10/senate-begins-constitution-amendment-what-would-you-change-add-or-remove-have-your-say.html?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Me too oooooo. The man don do well

floriana: People criticise GEJ more for his dumbness than for his lack of performance or his corrupt nature

WRONG. PEOPLE CRITICIZE HIM MORE BECOS HIS ADMINISTRATION IS A CLEAR DEPARTURE FROM FORMER GOVTS. PEOPLE ARE USE TO THE OLD AND FOX METHOD. THEY HATE TRANSFORMATION EVEN WHEN THAT IS WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS. THEY HATE TO SEE POWER INPROVE, FOI BILL SIGNED, ELECTORAL REFORMS INSTITUTED, N5000 NOTE POLICY REVERSED, ICJ JUDGMENT REVIEWED, RAILWAY IN TOP SHAPE, AND SO ON. THESE JONATHAN'S ACHIEVEMENTS AND HIS PLANS ARE THE BANE OF CRITICISM.

Demdem: They want to but the resources needed to achieve such (e.g Police) isnt in their hands. why should they be blamed when they are not even empowered to have their security forces. Infact they should be praised for even buy gadgets and vehicles for the police. thats FG responsibility not even states or LG. By the way, our democracy is already a unitary form of democracy IMO

Is IMO a paradigm? Maybe you don't know that some LG go home with several hundreds of million every month. Go and find out. What is this money meant for, if you cannot gurantee your people the basic needs that will make them enjoy commodious living? LG chairmen are regarded as chief security officers of their various council, while the Govs are regarded as the chief security officer of the state. The chairman being closer to the people connects with them, sometimes through th councillor. If this chain is truly activated and made effective, crime could be easily detected. As a security chief of your immediate environment, you should know what's happening, know the good ones and the bad ones. You should know criminal hideouts, and be able to identify intruders or new faces. Where he fails, should we still celebrate him? Abi make jonathan go dey do village policing?
Truth be told, if these people perform their functions responsibly, the country will notice geometric change.

Nigeria’s oil production ends in 41 years - World Bank

Written by Abdulwasiu Hassan Friday, 05 October 2012 05:
Nigeria’s oil reserve will be depleted in 41 years, according to a World Bank Group’s twice-yearly analysis of the issues shaping Africa’s economic prospects called Africa’s pulse.

The report which was presented by the World Bank’s chief economist for Africa, Shantayanan Devarajan, yesterday said Nigeria’s and Angola’s oil reserves will be depleted in 41 and 21 years respectively.

“Nigeria, the largest regional producer, can keep supplying at 2011 levels for another 41 years, while Angola, the second largest producer in the region, has about 21 years remaining at current production levels before its known reserves are depleted.

“Given the size of these reserves, it is likely that the dependence on oil resources in these countries are likely to continue in the near to medium term. Production in newly oil-rich countries such as Ghana and Uganda could also last for several years.”

According to the World bank’s chief economist, Mineral wealth in African countries including Nigeria don’t translate to prosperity because the money accruing from it doesn’t pass through the citizens, and the citizens don’t see the wealth as theirs.

All the same lets pray and hope that this becomes law. This will make them develop and upgrade our schools to international standards.

torkaka: next time before you post an article to support your claim ensure that you have a proper understanding of the issues at hand!
how can state governors and local government chairmen be blamed for the nations poor security when they don't even control an ordinary recruit?

[size=24pt]my friend, because an article appears in the papers doesn't mean it is right or correct! haven't you been learning from the lecturer with p.hd in fisheries?[/size]

I laugh at your flagrant display of ignorance. When Plato, an ancient Greek philosopher said the state is an individual writ large, he was saying that it is from the minute that you can arrive at the whole. For instance, if there is peace in 774 LG Councils in Nigeria, it translate to Nigeria being a peaceful Nation in the world. Consequently, if the local and state Govt judiciously deliver on their mandate, the country would be a better place. The idea of looking up to the FG for everything diminishes that status of other tiers. Or should unitary system be introduced? Use your head

Na them talk am, e go beta

FOUR days after the killing of 25 people, mostly students of the Federal Polytechnic Mubi in Adamawa State, about 40 military pickup vans and two articulated trailer vehicles yesterday conveyed no fewer than 500 soldiers to increase security in the area.

Our correspondent, who was in Mubi yesterday, saw a motorcade of the military going into the town even as stop and search operations have been beeped up along the 200 km Yola -Mubi road. When contacted on phone, the commander of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, Yola, Brigadier General John Nwoaga told Daily Trust that the deployment was meant to “support the security operatives that are already on ground in order fish out the criminals that killed innocent people.”

Also yesterday, Dr. Sadiq Yahaya, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Mubi in Adamawa State, said the killings, most of whom were students of his institution, was the worst thing that ever happened to the polytechnic in its over 30 years of existence.

The rector stated this when he granted audience to Mr. Bala Ngillari, the deputy governor of Adamawa State, who paid him a condolence visit in his office.

Meanwhile, contrary to claims that the Mubi  killings were sparked by the outcome of students’ union election which gave victory to Muslim northerner against a Christian southerner, Mallam Ahmed Baba Karewal, the Dean of tudent affairs told pressmen yesterday that the attack had nothing to do with students’ union election.

Karewal, who was also a member of the electoral committee said, “The issue of election and what has happened does not correlate. Again, I have been here (in Mubi Poly) for the past 19 years and we don’t have reported cases of cultism,” he said.

Some of the students that escaped the Monday’s onslaught with injuries have been treated and discharged from the State Specialist Hospital in Yola.

Michael John and Isma’ila Yusuf, final year students of the department of management studies told our correspondent that three of their colleagues were killed.


http://www.dealdey.com/?gclid=CK2Z3vvu6bICFdG5zAodQnoAeQ

Diversification of ones economy must also find fruition in railway system, and Gej's admin appears to have everything under control. Previous Govts abandoned the railway system, giving rise to an increase in number of trucks, with corresponding high rate of accidents. This has however changed in recent times. GEJ deserves commendation. The rails are working again

stupid boy

Good for GEJ'S admin

The nation’s foreign exchange rose further to $41.3 billion even as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, sold $177 million at the bi-weekly Wholesale Dutch Auction System, WDAS, session.
According to the CBN, foreign reserves rose to $41.33 billion on Tuesday from $41.186 billion at the end of last month. This represented a 0.3 per cent increase and a 26 month high when compared with its level  of $38.59 billion as at August 10, 2010.
Meanwhile, the CBN sold $177 million at the WDAS session, while the naira appreciated in official market and interbank market.

Result of the WDAS showed that the official exchange rate dropped to N155.77 per dollar from N155.78 last week, representing one kobo appreciation for the naira.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the naira gained 10 kobo following foreign exchange sales by two oil firms.
Consequently, the interbank exchange rate dropped to N157.15 per dollar from N157.25 the previous day.

On the international scene, the dollar rose against most of its major peers as investors seeking a refuge from signs of slower global growth ignored U.S. reports showing the service industries and private employment expanded more than forecast.

Australia ’s dollar slid to the least in almost a month after the nation had its widest trade deficit since 2008 and data showed China ’s services industry expanded the least in more than a year.
The euro was little changed versus the greenback after a report showed the region’s services and manufacturing shrank.
The U.S. jobless rate rose, a report may show Oct. 5. “The overall backdrop is still that of weak data around the world,” Vassili Serebriakov, a currency strategist at Wells Fargo & Co. in New York, said in a telephone interview. “There’s also probably some caution around more subdued market trends ahead of key events later this week.”

The dollar gained 0.5 percent to 78.57 yen at 11:58 a.m. New York time and touched 78.59 yen, the highest level since Sept. 19. It traded at $1.2913 per euro. The 17-nation currency advanced 0.5 percent to 101.45 yen.
Implied volatility, which signals the expected pace of currency swings, was at almost a five-year low. It was 7.80 percent, after touching 7.73 percent on Sept. 28, the least since October 2007, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. index for the currencies of Group-of-Seven nations showed. Lower volatility makes investments in currencies with higher benchmark lending rates more attractive because the risk in such trades is that market moves will erase profit.

The Dollar Index  , which tracks the U.S. currency against those of six major trading partners, rose 0.2 percent to 79.899, snapping a two-day decline.
“The dollar is being bid up to some degree on the back of uncertainties that maybe perhaps be emanating from the euro zone,” said Jack Spitz, Managing Director of foreign exchange at National Bank of Canada in Toronto.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/nigerias-foreign-reserve-rises-to-41-3bn/

The nation’s foreign exchange rose further to $41.3 billion even as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, sold $177 million at the bi-weekly Wholesale Dutch Auction System, WDAS, session.
According to the CBN, foreign reserves rose to $41.33 billion on Tuesday from $41.186 billion at the end of last month. This represented a 0.3 per cent increase and a 26 month high when compared with its level  of $38.59 billion as at August 10, 2010.
Meanwhile, the CBN sold $177 million at the WDAS session, while the naira appreciated in official market and interbank market.

Result of the WDAS showed that the official exchange rate dropped to N155.77 per dollar from N155.78 last week, representing one kobo appreciation for the naira.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the naira gained 10 kobo following foreign exchange sales by two oil firms.
Consequently, the interbank exchange rate dropped to N157.15 per dollar from N157.25 the previous day.

On the international scene, the dollar rose against most of its major peers as investors seeking a refuge from signs of slower global growth ignored U.S. reports showing the service industries and private employment expanded more than forecast.

Australia ’s dollar slid to the least in almost a month after the nation had its widest trade deficit since 2008 and data showed China ’s services industry expanded the least in more than a year.
The euro was little changed versus the greenback after a report showed the region’s services and manufacturing shrank.
The U.S. jobless rate rose, a report may show Oct. 5. “The overall backdrop is still that of weak data around the world,” Vassili Serebriakov, a currency strategist at Wells Fargo & Co. in New York, said in a telephone interview. “There’s also probably some caution around more subdued market trends ahead of key events later this week.”

The dollar gained 0.5 percent to 78.57 yen at 11:58 a.m. New York time and touched 78.59 yen, the highest level since Sept. 19. It traded at $1.2913 per euro. The 17-nation currency advanced 0.5 percent to 101.45 yen.
Implied volatility, which signals the expected pace of currency swings, was at almost a five-year low. It was 7.80 percent, after touching 7.73 percent on Sept. 28, the least since October 2007, a JPMorgan Chase & Co. index for the currencies of Group-of-Seven nations showed. Lower volatility makes investments in currencies with higher benchmark lending rates more attractive because the risk in such trades is that market moves will erase profit.

The Dollar Index  , which tracks the U.S. currency against those of six major trading partners, rose 0.2 percent to 79.899, snapping a two-day decline.
“The dollar is being bid up to some degree on the back of uncertainties that maybe perhaps be emanating from the euro zone,” said Jack Spitz, Managing Director of foreign exchange at National Bank of Canada in Toronto.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/10/nigerias-foreign-reserve-rises-to-41-3bn/

The presidency, on Wednesday, said it was on track towards winning the war against terrorism, given the resilience of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Police and the State Security Service (SSS), who have been deploying sophisticated technology to track down terrorists.
It said the consistent arrest of members of Boko Haram in some states in the North and the limiting of their operation to a section of the northern zone were manifestations of the smart equipment already deployed to monitor activities of terrorists across the country.

The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Public Matters, Dr Doyin Okupe, disclosed this in Abuja, stating that some of the anti-terrorism equipment, which had just been acquired by the Federal Government, were enabling security operatives to detect plans and moves by terrorists before they strike.
Okupe said he saw some of the equipment and marvelled at their sophistication, adding that with consistent proper use, more terrorists would be smoked out from their hide-out with a strong prospect that the war on terrorism would eventually be won.

He appealed to Nigerians to shun the negative propaganda by opposition groups, most especially the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), on the issue of terrorism.
He stressed that the  issue of insurgency in Nigeria was not different from what countries like Britain and some countries in the Middle East had witnessed years back.


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/48614-end-to-terrorists-activities-near-in-nigeria-okupe

CTOBER 11, 2012 has been agreed upon by President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the National Assembly for presentation of the 2013 budget proposal to the joint session of the legislature.

The new date was reached at the meeting held between him and the National Assembly yesterday in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He was to present it October 4 but the exercise was put off due to the insistence of the House of Representatives that issues bordering on the implementation of budget 2012 had to be sorted out first.

It specifically said that it was embarking on oversight of projects to ascertain the level of implementation of this year’s budget by ministries and agencies.


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100582:jonathan-presents-budget-october-11-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Admittedly the House of Reps doesn't like Femi Otedola, the businessman who was the driving force behind the disclosure and subsequent disgrace of one of it's old shining star, Farouk Lawan. In a display of sentimental grudge, the House of Reps has decided that it will constitute a committee to investigate the payment of about N141billion debt by Otedola to Assest Management Company of Nigeria( AMCON). Recall that barely 48hours ago, CEO of AMCON Mustafa Chike-Obi announced that "we have observed with interest the payment of 140.9billion, being outstanding debts of a businessman, Mr. Femi Otedola, to AMCON. The question now is, is the HOUSE ON REVENGE MISSION?

http://ipad.ynaija.com/ynaija/#!/entry/revenge-for-farouk-gate-house-of-reps-to-probe-otedolas,506a95f587443d6c8e268588

President Jonathan Told the Truth on Nigeria's Corruption Rating

An opposition site whose candidate lost out in the last presidential election has challenged the Independence Day speech of President Jonathan in which he said  “In its latest report, Transparency International (TI) noted that Nigeria is the second most improved country in the effort to curb corruption.”


Accusing the President of lying, the site claimed to have contacted Transparency International to put the lie to the claim.

However NaijaPundit's investigation shows that the President was correct in his claim and in evidence we reproduce a story from BusinessDay  from the 12th of September. To read the story directly from BuusinessDay click here or read it below;

 

The Federal Government’s fight against corruption is paying-off in the global arena as a survey by Transparency International (TI) shows Nigeria’s corruption perception has improved.

The survey on global corruption perceptions for 2011 versus 2001 showed that the third best improvement in the world was in Nigeria, with its score improving by 1.5 points. In the scoring, Nigeria follows the United States of America, which scored 2 points, while Bangladesh scored the  highest by 2.3 points.

Also in the survey, the corruption perception score showed that Nigeria displaced Zambia, Mauritius, Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Senegal, Cote d’Ivore, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Egypt, Namibia, and Tunisia.

Barely one year ago, the Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, had vowed to tackle corruption in the country, saying the move would help the ministry to effectively deliver on its mandate.

Okonjo-Iweala was  appointed last year by President Goodluck Jonathan to restore some order to Nigeria’s public finance. A former World Bank managing director, she is battling to reform one of the world’s most corrupt nations, without support from the shadowy “godfathers” who wield power from behind the scenes.

Nigeria scored higher than countries like Poland, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, Belgium,  Romania, Latvia, Bolivia, Estonia, Slovenia, Germany, Turkey, Hong Kong, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, India, Norway, Azerbaijani, Ecuador, Australia, France, Sweden, Costa Rica, Slovakia, Vietnam, and Kenya.

Other countries Nigeria scored higher than are Taiwan, Ukraine, Thailand, Pakistan, Russia, China, Croatia, Nicaragua, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Ireland, Kazakhstan, Austria, Singapore, Lithuania, Denmark, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Luxembourg, Portugal, Moldova, Brazil, Canada, the Philippines, Chile, Columbia, Jordan, Panama, Finland, Argentina, the Dominican Republic,  the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Bulgaria, Malaysia, Peru, Mexico, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Venezuela, Iceland, Uzbekistan, Italy, Israel, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The survey further showed that nine Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries have seen improving scores against five SSA countries that saw a decline (Namibia and South Africa) from high scores previously.

Two North African countries saw a big decline – and that may have contributed to the regime change which saw autocrats deposed in those countries. “The middle class in Tunisia was particularly incensed by the corruption in their country,” said Charlie Robertson, Managing Director, Global Chief Economist, Renaissance Capital.


http://www.naijapundit.com/news/president-jonathan-told-the-truth-on-nigeria-s-corruption-rating

President Goodluck Jonathan has said the country’s Gross Domestic Product, driven mainly by the non-oil sector, has grown by 7.1 per cent, while the economy attracted N6.8tn investments in nine months.
Jonathan, who disclosed this in his 52nd Independence Anniversary broadcast on Monday, said that Nigeria recorded this feat in spite of the global financial crisis

He was quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria as saying, “Over the past five years, the global economy has been going through a weak and uncertain recovery. During the same period, and particularly in the last two years, the Nigerian economy has done appreciably well in spite of the global financial crisis.
“Nigeria’s real GDP has grown by 7.1 per cent on average. It is also significant to state that the GDP growth has been driven largely by the non-oil sector.”

According to him, the nation has improved on its investment environment as more corporate bodies are now investing in the Nigerian economy.
“Our Investment Climate Reform Programme has helped to attract over N6.8tn local and foreign direct investment commitments,” he said.

The President said Nigeria had become the preferred destination for investment in Africa.

“It is ranked first in the top five host economies for Foreign Direct Investment in Africa, accounting for over 20 per cent of total FDI flows into the continent, Jonathan said.

The President said his administration had streamlined bureaucratic activities at the ports to ensure greater efficiency in the handling of port and port-related businesses.

“Specifically, we have drastically reduced the goods clearing period in our ports from about six weeks to about one week and under. We have an ultimate target of 48 hours,” Jonathan said.

He said in pursuance of the main goals of the transformation agenda, a number of reforms and initiatives were being pursued in key sectors of the economy with a view to consolidating the gains of the economic growth.
The President said that the new visa policy had made it easier for legitimate investors to receive long stay visas.
Jonathan said, “We have achieved a 24-hour timeline for registration of new businesses leading to the registration of close to 7,000 companies within the second quarter of 2012. The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has disclosed that as at July 2012, 249 new members across the country had joined the association, and that capacity utilisation had also improved.

“The multiplier effect of this development on our job creation programme cannot be over-emphasised.’’

On the country’s power supply situation, Jonathan expressed delight that electricity supply nationwide was gradually improving.
He said, “We are successfully implementing a well-integrated power sector reform programme, which includes institutional arrangements to facilitate and strengthen private-sector-led power generation, transmission and distribution
“We have also put in place a cost-reflective tariff structure that reduces the cost of power for a majority of electricity consumers. I am pleased with the feedback from across the country, of improvements in power supply.”

The President also noted that the country had continued to improve and stabilise its crude production volumes.

He said the 12-month gas supply emergency plan put in place earlier this year had produced more than the targeted volume of gas for power generation.


http://www.punchng.com/business/business-economy/economy-attracted-n6-8tn-investment-in-nine-months-jonathan/

It is disheartening that people lie even in the face of truth. Oct 1st, a day that requires critical self examination, ethical reorrientation, value reassessment and reorganisation of approach to the realisation of national goal has been used by many to play the blame game, and to further interests inimical to national growth and unity. Gej in his characteristic humility has come out to Say U voted me into power, I still need ur support for the country to grow and realise the Trans. Agenda, pls Come and join me let's do it together; and people are here misrepresenting him, peddling falsehoood,n hoodwinking shallow minded people. Is that wat is required for national transformaation?
Ok let's assume he has failed, he is simply saying alone I Can do nothing. Come let's work together. In Civilize Nation, Citizens celebrate when invited to Participate in nation building, alas, here we are abusing, cursing, lying, defending and projecting heinous idea.
The truth however must be told, the listening president, the people's president, 'our own' has tried and is poised to do more, this is a Clarion call, those who love the country should come out and work. Criticism isn't wat gurantees development.