₦airaland Forum

SaharaReporters has learnt that a team of doctors attending Nigeria’s ailing First Lady, Patience Jonathan, have ruled out the possibility of her joining President Goodluck Jonathan when he travels next week to New York City. Mr. Jonathan is on his way to New York to attend this year’s session of the United Nations General Assembly.

A presidency source told our correspondent that the president and his wife had hoped to be in New York together in order to quell speculations that Mrs. Jonathan’s health condition had turned dire. However, the source revealed that the president’s wife went through two relapse episodes during the week and had to be put under intensive care. “The doctors in Germany have informed us that she cannot – and should not – go on a long trip at this time,” said the source.

Another source also indicated that Mrs. Jonathan was unlikely to return to Nigeria this weekend as the Presidency had hoped.

Our  sources disclosed that it was now unclear how long Mrs. Jonathan would remain in a hospital in Wiesbaden, Germany. “The plan was to take her on the trip to the United Nations in order to silence critics and reporters that revealed that Madam was not on vacation but in a precarious medical state,” said one of the sources.

So far, the Nigerian Presidency has not made any official pronouncement on Mrs. Jonathan’s condition. President Jonathan, who last week cut short a state visit to Botswana, has maintained stoic silence since the story broke.

Meanwhile, Mr. Jonathan will be accompanied on his New York by 11 ministers as well as the governors of Bauchi, Delta and Akwa Ibom. Mr. Jonathan and his delegation are expected to arrive in New York on Monday.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/ailing-patience-jonathan-cant-make-it-un-general-assembly-doctors-say

This is another international conspiracy. What a contradiction, recall that recently US president declared that Nigeria is the fastest growing economy, and argued that our economy may dominate Europe in the nearest future. His speech triggered the US to move in with investment proposals. The US for instance has begun the process for the building of Six refineries, Bill Gate just moved in his company and charity organization, US has invested $2billion in Nigeria Agric Sector and are interested in developing Small and Medium Enterprise. http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/284-breaking-news/43606-us-injects-2bn-into-sme-development-in-nigeria
Don't be deceived, our economy has since picked up and we are growing geometrically

This is another international conspiracy. What a contradiction, recall that recently US president declared that Nigeria is the fastest growing economy, and argued that our economy may dominate Europe in the nearest future. His speech triggered the US to move in with investment proposals. The US for instance has begun the process for the building of Six refineries, Bill Gate just moved in his company and charity organization, US has invested $2billion in Nigeria Agric Sector and are in the rested in developing Small and Medium Enterprise. http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/news/284-breaking-news/43606-us-injects-2bn-into-sme-development-in-nigeria
Don't be deceived, our economy has since picked up and we are growing geometrically

This call should touch well meaning Nigerians. If it doesn't, then our enemies will be revealing themselves.

This man has always been at the forefront of human development. Militancy was a push for regional emancipation. It was a cry for help, in the face of exploitation. It was a cause for the true heartbeat of the nation. For when the heart is troubled, the whole body suffers.
Now that that ugly phase has ended, he has taken up another project aimed at impacting on his people. He may not be a fully baked Academician, but he has recognized the importance of Education. I think other prominent citizens should toe the same path, in giving back to the society.

The success of any administrations lies in the ability of such Govt to adequately publish their mission, vision, and efforts in meeting the needs of the people. All objective analysts including oppositions too know that GEJ has tried, his short spell in office notwithstanding . So many projects have been initiated, some completed, some ongoing, while policies with humane character are being continually formulated. Famously, the Issue of Improved Power supply, FOI Act, Electoral reform, New Universities, alimajiri schools, exposure of Corrupt officials and so on standout. But how well has Govt information Agencies published Gej's efforts. I think this will serve as a wake up call to Govt media units.
Secondly, on National Good Governance tour, this is novel. It means dismantling Govt at the centre and bringing it to the people. During this tour, Govt will know the completion stages Federal projects are at, it will know Contractors that are working and those that are not. Govt will meet one on one with the rural and urban communities, know their needs and act appropriately. GEJ deserves commendation again on this. Recall that recently the FED exco signed the performance evaluation Pactand the result is already manifesting. Goodluck to Goodluck.

“If there is no security, there is no liberty” – John Kufour says conflict will not make Nigeria great
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Former President of Ghana, John Kufour, had averred that Nigeria’s major obstacle towards becoming a giant nation was conflict. John Kufour who made this statement while speaking at the 52 Independence Anniversary Lecture in Nigeria identified insecurity as one of the greatest challenges to Nigeria’s continuous growth and development.

According to him, “Naturally, imbalanced development that involves horizontal inequalities is an important source of conflict and that is costing Nigeria the opportunity to be the giant nation that it can and should be.”

Kufour said, “The challenge is to accelerate the pace of development by using the Nigerian Constitution as a nursery ground for producing leaders who are national in outlook and with a missionary zeal to transform this nation.

“This will help to mold the contending ethnic and religious groups into harmony and help to remove the perceived mutual distrust among them.

“Leaders so emerging would not be limited to championing the causes of their home state, tribe or religious group, but rather focus on deeds and pronouncements which convincingly and positively impact on the entire citizenry of the federal republic.

He added that, “Nation building is the systematic evolution of the political, economic, social and cultural well-being of all the component parts of the state.

“Indeed the transcendent factor should be the common citizenship of all the stakeholders no matter the tribe, gender, religion, economic or social status as your Constitution stipulates.”

Kufuor identified history, tribe, and religion as factors that conspired to put a major obstacle in the path of Nigeria’s destiny.

He maintained that, “If there is no security, there is no liberty and if there is no liberty, life is not meaningful and society reverts back to the law of the jungle i.e. the survival of the fittest and man’s primary objective of forming a state is defeated.”

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/09/19/if-security-liberty-john-kufour-says-conflict-will-make-nigeria-great/

As part of his effort to improve on the standard of education in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo, has established an education trust fund for indigent pupils in the oil producing communities.

The ex-militant leader said the gesture would allow children from the region to have access to qualitative education.

Tompolo spoke through the Foundation’s Director for Education, Mr. Job Bebenimibo, during a visit to Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to him, beneficiaries in public schools would be supplied school uniforms, sport wears, books and playground equipment, such as swings, adding that teaching aids would also be supplied to teachers.

Commending the gesture, the Education Secretary, Mr. Oyabrinbride Godspower, said the foundation would assist the less privilege parents to give their children quality education.
He particularly said that Tompolo’s effort in eradicating illiteracy from the region would complement the effort of South South Governors towards providing standard and qualitative education for the people of the region.

Godspower had stressed that Tompolo’s effort was in line with the education agenda of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration.
He said that government alone cannot meet the needs and expectations of the less privileged pupils and urged individuals and organization to thread Tompolo’s path.
It will be recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan pays some ex-militants billions of naira annually including Tompolo in order to curb criminal activities in the oil-producing region.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/09/19/tompolo-sets-up-education-trust-funds-for-niger-delta-region-pupils/

In the last 10 days, at least 10,000 job seekers have besieged the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa  in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria for the few vacant positions advertised by the government in the state  civil service.
The number may hit 15,000 before the close of submission of application this Friday.
It  was gathered that government may not employ up to 100 job seekers to fill the few vacant positions  advertised, yet the number of application speaks volume of the high rate of unemployment in the country.
The number of people submitting their Curriculum Vitae, CV, on daily basis since some positions were declared  vacant by the government on 6 September, 2012 has been increasing, as thousands report on daily basis to  submit their CVs.
Applicants besiege the Civil Service Commission, CSC, to submit their application between 8.00 am and 4.00  pm. The place is busy throughout the day while officers collecting the applications struggle to cope with the  large number of applicants.
Permanent Secretary, CSC, Mrs. Eniola Yonwuren, said an average of 1,000 applicants submit their resumes on  daily basis.
In the first few days, no staff could gain entrance into the CSC, as thousands of job seekers blocked the  entrance in the bid to submit their applications.
As a result of the rowdiness, applicants were asked to file out in queues before their applications could be  collected and the queues were very long.
A top government functionary, who craved anonymity, told P.M.NEWS that government would only employ a few  individuals and that he was surprised to see thousands turning up daily to submit their applications even  when government had not declared the whole positions vacant at Alausa.
Positions advertised are librarians, historians, instructors in technical fields, photographic assistant,  auditors, film production assistants, dubbing theatre projectionist and principal executive officers.
According to Yonwuren, “we will sort out the entries and the eligible ones will be short-listed; thereafter,  they will be expected to sit for a written examination. On the average, we receive about 1,000 application  forms in a day.”
She stated that the exact time for the employment is subject to the decision of the State Governor and  members of the Executive Council, adding that the commission’s job is to conduct examination and short list  the eligible candidates.
One of the applicants, Oresegun Fatai, a Higher National Diploma graduate from the Lagos State Polytechnic,  who studied Accountancy, told P.M.NEWS that he was ready to face the challenge of having to write an  examination to determine who to be selected among the thousands of applicants.
He decried the bad government policy in the country, which he said did not encourage entrepreneurship, saying  that he had no choice than to seek for employment to make ends meet.
Another applicant, Mr. Mosaku Israel, stated that he acted on a friend’s advice to apply for the job.“I  learnt from the application form that there is going to be a written test and then an oral interview.
“Well, I am prepared and I am sure I will do well. I do not believe in lobbying or trying to get somebody to  manipulate things for me. I know Lagos State takes transparency seriously in all that they do. I will try my  best and leave the rest to God,” he said.
Also, Segun Fadaisi said he was ready to seek for employment despite the thousands of people who had applied,  while Mr. Bolaji Samuel said he applied for a job in the state’s civil service in the hope of getting  something better than his present marketing job.
“At present, I work as a marketer but I must confess it is not better than a menial job as it is strenuous  and hardly gives me any reward or satisfaction.
“When I saw the job advertisements of the state government in the newspaper recently, I decided to apply  immediately because I believe that the salary of a civil servant is better than what is obtained in the  private sector,” he said.
—Kazeem Ugbodaga
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http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/09/18/thousands-besiege-alausa-for-jobs/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PmNewsNigeria+%28PM+News+Nigeria%29

Police in Kano State are detaining two people, including a chieftain of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, following alleged plot to bomb the state Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The suspects have been in detention since last week at the Bompai headquarters of the state Police Command where investigation into the alleged plot was being conducted.

It was learnt that the arrest of the opposition party member followed the confession of a cameraman who was arrested earlier while allegedly filming the PDP Secretariat on Maiduguri Road.

A source said the cameraman implicated the ANPP chieftain in his confessional statement to the police, adding that he was apprehended by PDP officials while filming the secretariat and was subsequently handed over to the police.

It was gathered that the development, which has created disagreement between the PDP leadership and the ANPP following claims by the former that the idea behind the filming of the secretariat was to attack it with explosives.

The ANPP leadership in the state has made unsuccessful attempts to get its member out of trouble following PDP’s insistence that there was a hidden agenda in the action.

The PDP told the police that it was convinced that there was a plot to blow up its secretariat.

ANPP, according to investigation, has viewed the action of the PDP as another form of intimidation and blackmail against the opposition party by the government in power.

It added that the filming of the secretariat was sponsored by aggrieved and factional PDP leaders in the state, using the suspect.

It was also learnt that intense pressure is being piled on the police by influential ANPP leaders to set the suspect free.

The state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Idris, confirmed the incident, adding that it was still under investigation.

But the state Secretary of ANPP, Alhaji Rabiu Bako, said he was yet to receive details of the incident as he just returned from Saudi Arabia where he performed this year’s lesser hajj.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/51708.html

Working presido

Despite the sluggish performance of major economies in Europe, Asia and Americas due to a debt crisis and other fiscal problems in the past months, Nigeria’s economy, when measured by Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 6.28 per cent on an aggregate basis in the second quarter of 2012.
The growth rate, however, is slower than the 7.61 per cent in the corresponding quarter of 2011.

The latest reports by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, on the overall performance of the economy in the quarter under review, indicated that the nominal GDP for the threemonth period ended June this year, which was estimated at N9.84trn, was still higher than the N9.17trn recorded during the corresponding period of last year.
A breakdown of the contributions to the healthy growth rate showed clearly that the non-oil sector was growing faster with activities in the building and construction sector spurring the growth while the oil sector’s contributions shrank, as overall output from crude oil production dipped during the review period compared to what was the output in Q2, 2011.
According to the NBS, the oil sector with a total 2.38 million barrels per day of oil production, with associated gas components, recorded a real term growth rate of -0.73 per cent as against the 2.45 million barrels per day, in the corresponding period of last year.

Overall, however, the non-oil sector experienced a slower growth rate in Q2, 2012 with a growth rate of 7.50 per cent in real terms compared with 8.85 per cent in the corresponding period of last year. The NBS attributed the slower growth rate to a decline in activities in the wholesale and retail trade, telecommunications and agricultural sectors.

The bureau added that the agricultural sector, which is the largest contributor to the GDP growth also showed significant decline in performance as in terms of output, as real agricultural GDP growth in Q2, 2012 dropped to 3.97 per cent as against 5.95 per cent in the Q2, 2011.

It linked the decline in the sector’s output largely to persisting constraints including, hindered movement of farm inputs and produce in major agricultural producing states especially in the Northern part of the country as well as high rainfall during the quarter, which resulted in flooding and invariably, output levels in some parts of the country.

An appraisal of the performance of other sectors in terms of their contributions to the real GDP indicated that the manufacturing sector fared well with an increase in growth rate from 7.34 per cent in the second quarter of 2011 to 7.45 per cent in the review period in 2012.

The telecommunication sector recorded a real GDP growth of 29.77 per cent in the review period compared to 33.70 per cent recorded in Q1, 2011.

The wholesale and retail trade sector grew by 8.61 per cent in Q1, 2012, representing a decline of 2.86 per cent over the 11.47 per cent recorded in the corresponding quarter of last year compared with the real sector growth rate, which stood at 10.87 per cent in Q2, 2012 compared with 10.48 per cent in corresponding period of last year.

Meanwhile, the composite Consumer Price Index which measures inflation rose to 11.7 percent year-onyear in August compared with the 12.8 per cent.

The statistical agency attributed the moderation in the index partly to relative slower rises in both the ‘Food’ and “Core” indices as a result of aggressive monetary policy initiatives by the CBN, base effects and a much lower rise in several food prices such as yam tubers and vegetables due to the prevailing harvest season.

Although the report indicated that despite the fact that most classes under the food index increased during the month, the implications of the increase on the CPI was moderated due to the fact that the Food index exhibited a sharp increase in August 2011. Overall, the NBS report reflected that on a monthly basis, the CPI was higher by 0.67 per cent when compared with the preceding month.

On the urban and rural indices, the report stated that in the month under review the urban inflation rate stood at 14.4 per cent year-on-year compared with Rural index, which indicated a 9.7 per cent yearon- year increase. It added that the ‘Urban All Items’ index increased by 0.69 per cent month-on-month, while the corresponding Rural index increased by 0.66 percent, when compared with July’s trend.

“The percentage change in the average composite CPI for the 12-month period ending in August 2012 over the average of the CPI for the previous 12-month period was 11.8 per cent. The corresponding 12-month year-on-year average percentage change for urban and rural indices was 12.4 and 11.4 respectively

“The composite Food Index increased year-onyear by 9.9 per cent to 135.9 points in August 2012, down from 12.1 per cent in July 2012. On a year-on-year basis, the relative moderation of food prices over the month of August could be attributable to a significant base effect. During the same period last year, the food index increased sharply by 2.7 per cent partially as a result of higher fish, and tuber prices, as well as fruits due to the fasting period.

“As this was rather uncommon, the year-on-year percentage change in August 2012 reflects a lower year-on-year estimated due to the sharp increase in August 2011. The Food Index was also higher than levels recorded in July of this year by 0.7 per cent. The rise in the Food Index was largely across all major classes led by higher prices in fish, oils and fats, and meats. The increase in the Food sub-index were also partially driven by increase in imported foods price,” NBS added.

It reported further that the “All items less Farm Produce” index rose by 14.7 per cent year-on-year in August 2012, compared to 15.0 per cent in July, adding that on month-on-month basis, the core index increased by 0.6 per cent during the same period.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/news/51561.html

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) has commended the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan for initiating fresh attempts at finding lasting solution to the Boko Haram insurgency currently affecting the northern part of the country.
In a communiqué signed after NGE’s 8th conference held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, by the NGE President, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, and the Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr. Femi Adesina, the body acknowledged that Boko Haram insurgency in the Northern part Nigeria had impacted negatively on the nation.

The NGE acknowledged the effort of the security agencies to combat terror and advised they take more proactive steps to check the activities of the insurgents.
The Guild stressed the need for openness and transparency by the security agencies with the rules of engagement in anti-terror activities while the editors were advised to be fair, balanced and accurate in the presentation of stories.

During the five-day conference, the editors seized the opportunity to listen to the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, who spoke on the currency restructuring of the bank.

The editors noted other threats to national security to include illegal oil bunkering, kidnapping, armed robbery, poverty, illiteracy, injustice, unemployment, religious intolerance, porous borders and proliferation of arms while urging President Goodluck Jonathan and other elected officials to take extra measures to tackle the challenges as well as give succour to Nigerians.

The NGE acknowledged that national security was the duty of every Nigerian, adding: “We must strive at all times to preserve the safety of lives and property of everybody.”

Other resolution of the conference that took place between September 12 and 16, 2012 include underscoring the agenda-setting role of the media and tasked editors to live up to the responsibility as it affects national security.

The Guild also sought continuous engagement between the security agencies and the media on how to tackle insecurity, while urging the media to improve on its capacity tom report conflict situation.

The editors decried the absence of inter-governmental cooperation in delivering democracy dividends to the populace and advised the three tiers of government to collaborate as well as dialogue on the best ways of meeting the demands of the citizens.

Also, the communiqué tasked editors to continue to be in the vanguard of promoting national unity and integration as well as to be wary of people who seek to use the media to champion issues that divide the nation.

The NGE acknowledged the giant strides of Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who, during the opening session, tasked editors not to sacrifice national unity on the altar of breaking news.

The dignitaries who attended the conference included the Senate President, Senator David Mark; the National Security Adviser, Colonel Sambo Dasuki (retd); former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku; Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State; his Plateau State counterpart, Jonah Jang; and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Tele Ikuru.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/nge-lauds-fg-on-boko-haram/

The President of Committee 21 (C21), Southeast’s non-political organisation, which was established to push the Igbo agenda, Senator Annie Okonkwo, has said the Igbo would settle for nothing less than the presidency in 2015. 
The Senator who spoke with The Nation in Lagos  noted that the purported moves by some prominent Igbo politicians to adopt  President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 poll was against the overall interest of the Igbo people.    
He said: “The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has already made it clear that it will present a candidate for the 2015 election. The chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, expressed this in strong terms. If the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) decides to adopt Jonathan, let it be; that is a party affair, but as for the people of the Southeast, we are determined to push for Igbo presidency.”
The Senator said that despite  moves by some divisive element in the actualisation of the Igbo agenda, it will come up stronger because the people are behind the dream. “The C21, market women, Okada riders, elders, all religious groups and every Igbo man are involved in this struggle and they are all connected to C21. And the membership of C21 cuts across political lines and our objectives are very clear.”  
Reacting to Governor Peter Obi’s alleged support for Dr. Jonathan, Okonkwo said Obi was merely playing his role as governor and did not express the stance of the Southeast: “With due respect, he is a governor and he, as an individual, has his own views. The way it is today, everything is decided by the party; he is not in control of the party, he is not in the party machinery and of course he is not in control of any organisation that he will speak for the Igbo. He is just there in that capacity as the governor. And of course, if he decides to go and support Jonathan, that his is own wish.” 
Explaining further, he said as governor of a state with his function and responsibilities, he was playing his role. “That he is the governor does not mean that he will forge the path for the Igbo people. He is not the chairman of a political party which should put him in the position of speaking for the party. The chairman of APGA has made it very clear that the Igbo would field a candidate for the 2015 election. APGA has been adopted as a political party for all the Igbo.”
The former senator who was until recently a member of PDP maintained that APGA was capable of coming up with credible candidates who can conveniently run the affairs of the country in presidential capacity. “We have credible candidates and people with high integrity who are interested in occupying the number-one position. And as far as we are concerned in respect of the presidency, the Igbo people are still consulting in respect of the kind of candidate we are going to present. The candidate we will present will be acceptable by Nigerians,” he said. 
Though APGA has its stronghold in the east, this, according to the senator, is not a major threat; rather, it would throw up new friendship through alliances with those who share Igbo agenda. He said: “As far as I am concerned there are going to be some alliances, and of course the Igbo are everywhere. They are spread all over the country; it is the only tribe that is fully spread everywhere. They are well numbered in Kano, Kaduna and other parts of the country. But still, I believe there are going to be alliances with people who share the same vision with us.” 
Given previous alliances which have always offered the Southeast the position of Vice President or other lesser position, the senator stressed that it was not going to be business as usual because 2015 is a project that all the kith and kin of Igbo stock are committed to. 
Okonkwo said further: “As far as I am concerned today, the Igbo have made it clearl they will not play second fiddle. The truth of the matter is that today, we are nowhere; we are not even the second or third. The truth of the matter is that whatever anybody is telling you, we want to make our position very clearly to demonstrate that we have the capacity and we are united for this purpose.” 
Drawing from the spread advantage of the Igbo who are  resident in every community in Nigeria, he said that would give it a lead to make the Presidency aspiration realistic. “Despite this advantage, the position we have found ourselves is not right, but we are going to correct this.” 
President Jonathan who recently commissioned some projects in the Southeast and promised to complete the Second Niger Bridge was applauded for paying attention to the infrastructural development of the zone. 
Though it was said this would ensure support for the president’s bid, according to the senator, this will not make them change their position: “That is democracy; do for the east what is due for them. The east has been neglected for quite long. Even if the president goes beyond what government is supposed to do, that does not change our mind. We are set to achieve what we want to achieve, even if he puts all the gold and how are we sure this will not go like one of those promises others had made in the past?
“Many presidents have come to make promises. They had come with promises of sea port and other projects, but the moment they realise their ambition, the Igbo are neglected. This time around, we are not going to fall for those white elephant projects and empty promises. I do remember the talk about sea port which has been on right from the Shehu Shagari regime. The roads are in terrible condition, so we want to see a practical development.”

God help us o!

THE Federal Government, on Thursday, came down hard on those attempting to agitate and seek reconsideration of the controversial onshore-offshore dichotomy and allocation of derivation proceeds.
Northern political establishment, governors and commentators had called for the reconsideration of the allocation of derivation proceeds, especially the monthly allocation going to the Niger-Delta region, comprising littoral states of Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Edo, Bayelsa and Delta.
Making the position of the government known in Abuja, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Bello Adoke, said the position of the Supreme Court in 2005 in the matter of A.G Adamawa & 21 others vs A.G Federation & others remained sacrosanct, warning against unnecessary politicisation of the allocation of revenue in the country.
He spoke at the valedictory court session in honour of a retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Fedode Tabai, who, in turn, urged the executive arm of government to look for ways of settling issues that could be more problematic with judicial intervention.

According to Adoke, “it is due to the necessity to preserve the institutional integrity and constitutional role of the Supreme Court as the apex court in our polity that I now find it most imperative to appeal to all Nigerians, particularly commentators and legal practitioners, to avoid overheating our polity through the current debates on the desirability or otherwise of re-opening the issue of the abrogation of the onshore-offshore dichotomy in the allocation of derivation proceeds.”
He said it was worrisome, the recent attempt to resurrect the debate and elevate it to the level of an urgent national issue.

Adoke further added that “in the light of the unanimous position of the Supreme Court on the issue, expressed since 2005, it behoves on us all to promote the sanctity of our judicial system, by recognising that the pronouncements of this court should neither be treated with levity nor be subjected to undue politicisation in the name of politics or the pursuit of particular interests.”

In his valedictory speech, Justice Tabai called for special arrangements by the executive arm of government to cater for cases where judicial intervention would not do the real justice.

He cited the example of a judgment of the apex court in a land matter which led to communal crises, because the pronouncement of the court did not resolve the ownership tussle.

President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Okey Wali, at the event, called for the repeal of the law banning former judges from practising law.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/47625-fg-forecloses-debate-on-derivation-allocation-warns-agitators

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday evening met behind closed door with state governors from the Northern part of the country.
The meeting which started at about 9.30pm was held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja and had Vice President Namadi Sambo in attendance.
Northern governors who attended the meeting included Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Idris Wada (Kogi), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), and Babangida Aliyu (Niger).

Others are Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarrawa), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Jona Jang (Plateau), Isa Yuguda, Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Kashim Shettima (Borno), (Bauchi) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).

Adamawa, Kwara, Zamfara, Gombe and Katsina State governors were represented by their deputies.

Our correspondent gathered that issues relating to amendment of the Constitution would take a centre stage at the meeting.

Specifically, a source said the meeting would look at the call for the abrogation of the  onshore/offshore dichotomy being spearheaded by the northern governors.

Issues bordering on the agitation for state police was also said to be on the meeting’s agenda.

Apart from the constitution ammendment, another source said the President might use the meeting to test the water ahead of the 2015 presidential election.  Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadomhe; and Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Ahmed Gulak, also attended the meeting.

I just dey laugh. So Mallam wants to take advantage of the vacancy in power ministry to smuggle himself into the federal cabinet? Him for talk since rather than tweeting and posting rubbish.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar has assured Nigerians that the prevailing security challenge facing some part of the northern states of the country will soon be over.

Abubakar, however, lamented the shortage of equipment for his officers and men to confront the security challenges facing the nation.

The IGP said this when he paid a courtesy visit to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso on Tuesday in Kano.

He added that the Police under his command, would continue to do whatever was necessary to ensure that sustainable peace and stability returned to the region.

Abubakar said he was in Kano as part of his on-the-spot assessment of security situations in some parts of the country, stating that his observations had shown some level of encouragement.

He said he was delighted that commercial activities were picking up in Kano.

“From the look of things, peace and stability is gradually returning to Kano state. Security situation is improving and the situation is returning to normalcy.

“We are now putting additional measures to ensure that Kano State remains calm and secure and thank God, commercial activities are picking up in state,” he said.

Abubakar told Kwankwaso that most of the police stations at the grassroots level were in dire need of operational vehicles and equipment.

He said lack of it had hampered police operations.

The IGP emphasised that if the police had the required equipment, it would not only boost the morale of  the personnel, but promote efficiency in the discharge of responsibilities.

He said, “It is when this equipment are available that we can make predictions and we strongly believe that when they are in place, it will equip us adequately to face ongoing and unforeseen security challenges in the country.

Kwankwaso noted that inadequate equipment, particularly operational vehicles and logistics, had hampered the effective performance of the police in the country.

He pledged that his administration would continue to collaborate with the police to ensure that sustainable peace returns to Kano.

Cleric unmasks Boko Haram sponsors •Names prominent Nigerians, top govt functionaries •Forwards list to Senate President, supports claims with video clips •Mark orders investigation •UK charity group accused of funding Boko Haram


A Maiduguri, Borno State-based cleric, Pastor Kallamu Musa Ali Dikwa, has unmasked those behind the activities of the dreaded Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram and forwarded their names to the Senate President, Senator David Mark, for necessary action.

The Nigerian Tribune authoritatively learnt that the cleric chronicled the activities of the sect in an open letter to the Senate President entitled, “Open letter to the Senate president: My Suggestion on how to tackle Boko Haram,” dated 17th June, 2011 but was received by the office of the Senate President on November 2, 2011.

Further investigation by the Nigerian Tribune showed that alarmed by the claims of the cleric in the open letter, which was supported with five DVD-CDs containing video clips of the activities of the sect and their sponsors, the Senate president reportedly referred the matter, along with the five DVD-CDs, to the appropriate Senate committee for a thorough investigation on February 29 this year but nothing was heard since then, because of the names of the prominent Nigerians and top government officials mentioned.

In the open letter, the cleric suggested that the Freedom of Information Act should be used to extract the phone numbers of the leaders of the Boko Haram group from journalists who had been receiving text messages and press releases from the group from time to time.

He advised that the government should start the crusade of ending the Boko Haram menace in the country by fishing out its officials and security agents supporting the terrorist group since it had now been established that the group was being supported by prominent Nigerians, top government officials and decurity personnel.

The cleric, who identified the head of one of the prominent Federal Government agencies as the financial secretary of the group, alleged in the letter that the “Islamic Revolution has a security committee” with a former principal officer in the Senate, as well as a former governor from the North as members, saying that the main aim of the group was to Islamise the country through Jihad.

Pastor Dikwa also revealed all his interactions with the now late leader of the group, Mohammed Yusuf, since 2006 till he was killed and why he was killed and why the group continued to attack churches, security personnel and installations.

When contacted, the Special Adviser to the Senate President (Media), Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, said that he was not aware of the said sensitive letter but promised to find out from the appropriate quarters.

However, another top aide to the Senate president told the Nigerian Tribune in confidence that the office received the letter and, as usual, passed same to Senator Mark and that he immediately sent it to the appropriate quarters for a thorough investigation because of its sensitivity.

According to the source, “it is true, a letter like that was received from a cleric. I can't remember his name again but the Senate president acted on it. Maybe the investigation is still in progress, I don't know. But now that you are raising it [the issue], we will find out. The claims of the cleric are nothing that can be overlooked; something will have to be done.”

Meanwhile, a London-based charity organisation, Al-Muntada Trust Fund, has been accused by a British member of parliament of funding Boko Haram in Nigeria, according to a report released by British newspaper The Guardian on Sunday.

David Alton, a member of the House of Lords, raised concerns about the Al-Muntada Trust Fund’s activities with Foreign Office minister, Lord Howell, in July, as well as with the United Kingdom’s Charity Commission and the Metropolitan police.

However the charity commission stated that while it was aware of concerns regarding Al-Muntada’s affiliations with Boko Haram, it was unable to confirm whether those concerns were directly related to the London-based Al-Muntada, since there were several other charity organisations registered under the same name, according to The Guardian.

Nevertheless, the London-based Al-Muntada is notorious for being a platform for radical clerics, The Guardian reported.

Nigerian state security also has concerns with Al-Muntada allegedly funding Boko Haram, according to Nigerian media reports.

Boko Haram has been conducting violent activities in Nigeria since 2009, usually by blowing up churches. The Nigerian Army announced on Friday the killing of seven suspected Boko Haram members and the arrest of 13 others, according to BBC news.

BBC news quoted Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa who said the killings and arrests took place after “a group of gunmen suspected of being Boko Haram,” attacked a military checkpoint.

The attacks came a day after Boko Haram released a statement claiming responsibility for attacking a number of mobile telecoms installations, according to Reuters.

In their statement, Boko Haram explained their actions, accusing the mobile installations of giving security personnel information about them, vowing to “continue attacking them until they stop,” Reuters reported.

Boko Haram also vowed not to “leave any correspondent or staff of the Voice of America (VOA), alone”, according to VOA. The Islamist group accused VOA of having taken “the task of harming our religion.”

Boko Haram, a term which means that western teachings are prohibited, is an organisation seeking to impose Islamic Shari’a law in Nigeria, especially in the Muslim-majority North. It is affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/lead-stories/47305-cleric-unmasks-boko-haram-sponsors-names-prominent-nigerians-top-govt-functionaries-forwards-list-to-senate-president-supports-claims-with-video-clips-mark-orders-investigation-uk-charity-group-accused-of-funding-boko-haram

The leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, at the weekend in Abuja, said that the group had not supported reprisals against killings of Igbo in the North because of the consequences the action would have on Igbo population in the region.
Chief Uwazuruike spoke at a meeting of traditional rulers of Igbo extraction from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT.) The meeting had as part of its agenda discussions on important national issues, including how to promote national unity and development.
The meeting was also attended by other prominent Igbo sons, including His Royal Majesty Eze Nri and custodian of Igbo culture and tradition, Eze Obidiegwu Onyesoh; His Royal Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya of Obinugwu in Imo State who is the chairman of South-East Council of Traditional Rulers; chairman, Eze Ndigbo in the 19 northern states, Eze (Dr) Nwosu Ibe as well as former governor of old Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife.

Uwazuruike, however, stated that it was important for Igbo leaders to appraise the situation, synergise and evolve solutions to the predicament faced by Ndigbo residing in the region.

He said, "we have not supported reprisals because of its dire consequences considering the number of Igbo in the north and their calibre

"Our people won't go for reprisal attack. We will continue to advise our people to refrain from reprisal attack but government must continue to ensure our lives and properties are protected," he added.

The MASSOB leader accused South- East governors of pushing their people out to their enemies unlike other state governors, especially those in South- West, who he commended for protecting their people.

He equally lamented lack of cooperation and unity among Igbo.

He said, "the fact that we are talking about MASSOB does not mean we shouldn't get our fair share. Any day Igbo speak with one voice, every challenge they face will melt.

“It is God who will pay us for our sacrifices not men and that is why we shouldn't relent,” he said.

Speaking in an interview at the event, the chairman of Ohaneze Nd'Igbo in Kano State, Chief Tobias Idika called for the abolition of all forms of militancy in the north as well as re-invigoration of the country's security sector.

The Ohaneze leader made case for authorities to send non-muslim commissioners of police to the troubled-northern states and insisted that it is the turn of Igbos to produce the president in 2015.

Speaking also, the former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife called for public education on religious matters as one of the ways of tackling the current insecurity facing the country.

Although he answered, "If I know I would have told them long time ago" when asked what he would suggest as solution to the country's security problem, Chief Ezeife stated that, "We want education to make it certain for muslims and christian faithfuls to know the limit of what the scripture is saying

"This suicide bombing thing, a person signs off to die, if you commit suicide, you are going to hell straight and the person who brainwashed you also."

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Dino Melaye, one time House of Reps member reputed for fighting on the floor of the National Assembly, and self acclaimed Activist has called on Nigerians to adopt Egyptian and Libyan approach to effect change of Govt. it would be recalled that Mubarak and Gaddafi were forced out of power by rebels owing primarily to foreign influence, and the killing of innocent citizens by Govt troops. Rebels with foreign support engaged Govt troop, bringing about a change in Govt.
Melaye made the call in his recent tweet, arguing that Nigeria needs change.
The question is do Nigerians want to go to war to effect a change? When Dino Melaye was in Govt why didn't he effect the change? Is the call for rebel and it's attendant implications ranging from destruction of lives and properties what Nigerians need? Is this what a well meaning Nigerian should call for? How patriotic is Dino Melaye?Dont we think Melaye is a sponsored agent of some enemies of Nigeria who want to see our dear country crumble by all means?Abeg Nairalanders help me analyse this issue.

So you have agreed that the man carried out fraudulent transactions abi? Thank you. But remember that becos the law didnt convict him doesn't make his deeds righteous. Public poll has condemned his already.

Recall that during the last election, IBB made a declaration that angered many youths, prompting many to believe that reason had left him. IBB with all vigor argued that governance is'nt a childs play, and therefore requires experience, and age. He placed a ban on youths aspiring to occupy the no1 seat. In a swift reaction, many alluded to Obama who currently supritends over the most powerful country in the world. Elrufai for instance disqualified Buhari on the basis age, highhandedness, corruption, etc and concluded that Buhari remained perpetually unelectable.
Today, people are already jostling for 2015 elections, the question is, can you vote for an old man, or a man that is above 68-70yrs? If yes, when will youths achieved the age long saying that youths are the future leaders of tommorow? If no, why?

This box is often found in court rooms, and often reserved for accussed persons. The man inside this one was accussed of operating 16 foreign accounts, stealing public funds and so on. Today, he Walks freely because Nigeria courts hardly jail corrupt officials. Recently We heared that he is behind the Loan facilities the Western region has Plunged itself into. Tinubu for instance is executing a 4km road construction project. For a whooping 5.7bn. ;Djudge for yourself

LEADERS of the South-south geopolitical zone who met yesterday under the aegis of the South- South Peoples Assembly (SSPA) in Effurun, Delta State agreed to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan to run for a second term in 2015.

Nearly all the six states of the region were duly represented.

The leaders have not met since the Calabar declaration of 2004 when the region was clamouring for the Presidency to be zoned to it.

Yesterday, the speakers were unanimous about Jonathan’s re-contesting in 2015.

They therefore endorsed Jonathan to complete his eight years tenure when they echoed ‘yes’ to a call by Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark if they wanted Jonathan in 2015.

The convener, Clark said the northern political leaders were being unduly antagonistic to the south-south especially since  President Jonathan assumed office in 2011.

He specifically noted that some leaders of the north, like Alhaji Lawal Kaita had threatened prior to the 2011 elections that unless a northerner emerged as president, they would make  the country ungovernable and more so had recently threatened that except a northerner succeeds Jonathan, there would be “no Nigeria.”

He said that the threats by the northern leaders was fuelling the insurgency by Boko Haram, stressing that until these northern leaders rose above sectional interest and the governors lived up to the challenges of insecurity, the threat to the northern economy and peace of the country, the quest for peaceful co-existence and development would remain futile.

Clark said that the North was doing everything possible to shut down the South-South hence they were calling for the abrogation of the 2004 Act which ended the onshore/offshore dichotomy so as to cripple the South-South region.

The leaders discussed the convening of the national conference  of  all  ethnic  nationalities  in the country to trash out  issues of  national co-existence.

At the venue, Delta State  Governor  Emmanuel Uduaghan urged  those agitating for the abrogation of the onshore/ofshore dichotomy to abandon it, saying that would adversely affect the nation.

He said : “I’m worried when some leaders overlook the obligation placed upon them in not applying restraint in the position they take, such as on this issue of derivation.

“I say so because, the tension and crisis over derivation, in particular over on-shore/off-shore dichotomy, is too recent in our collective memory to be reopened by anyone for debate.

“The fear in many quarters is that if they succeed in reopening and reversing this settled issue, then we can be sure that before long they will ask for the reduction of 13 per cent derivation.”

Others present at the well-attended meeting were first civilian Governor of Edo State and National Chairman of the Assembly, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, erstwhile Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyesegha, and former Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro.

Chief Whip, Sen. Roland Owie, Senator Lee Meiba, Senator Tara Sikibo, former Minister of Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, Senator Francis Osakwe, Senator Cairo Ojugbo, Prof. Saliba Mukoro, Senator Francis Nwajie, environmental activist, Annkio-Briggs, Mrs. Monica Akiri, Dr. Brown Adasan, SSPA National Secretary, Whiskey Ayakeme, Chief Francis Dongbonlagha, Gen. Anthony Etukudor (rtd), Chief Isaac Jemide, Prof Solomon Okobia, Brig-Gen Idada Ikponmwen (rtd),  Julius Okojie,  K.B Omatseye, Chief Godwin Ogbetuo, Chief Moses Odibo, Chief Lucky Esigie, Chief Samson Mamamu  and  Adora Giwa-Amu.

Others present were first civilian Governor of Delta State, Olorogun Felix Ibru, ex-Military Administrator, Air-Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Senator Francis Spanner Okpozo, former Chief Whip, Mrs. Stella Omu and former Minister of Information, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire.


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=98020:south-south-leaders-endorse-jonathan-for-second-term&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

IBADAN—The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  in the South West has called on well-meaning Nigerians to warn the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, governed states not to plunge the zone into unnecessary debt saying the loans that they are accessing  may take about 50 years to repay.

Specifically, the opposition party in the zone alleged that two states in the zone-Osun and Ekiti states,  are now indebted to the tune of over N150 billion  with Ogun State on the verge of allegedly taking N100 billion bond.

Speaking through its National Vice-Chairman, South-West, Chief Segun Oni in statement by his media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, the party said except the governors in the ACN governed states were checked, people in the zone would have to face the dire consequences of the huge debt the ruling party would incur.

The party also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, and other financial clearing houses to put a stop to the rate at which the states are obtaining loans.

Describing the action as alarming, Oni said: “This regime of taking loans and bonds and giving promissory notes on multi billion naira contracts to execute questionable projects like building new government houses” must not be taken with levity.

Giving the breakdown, he alleged that Osun State alone now owes over N120 billion, Ekiti is owing over N30 billion “planning to take another N30 billion while Lagos State government was said to have, as at June 30, 2012, accumulated an external debt profile of more than half a billion dollars, despite having a monthly revenue of about N23 billion.

“We wish to alert all well-meaning Yoruba sons and daughters on the dangerous trend of obtaining frivolous loans by the ACN governors in the South-West, and call on the CBN and other financial regulatory agencies to put a stop to it. As at today, Osun State has taken N60 billion bond, N25 billion loan from the First Bank, N17.8 billion from Infrastructure Bank (to construct Oshogbo-Kwara Boundary road), N17.5 billion road project (six inter-township roads) to RATCON on contractor financing and another N7.6 billion for Ilesha and Oshogbo township roads to RATCON on contractor financing. Contractor financing means you are borrowing from your contractor at a cost higher than even bank term loans, “ he said.

“In Oyo State, a 4km road project around Challenge area in Ibadan was awarded for N5.7 billion to Hitech Construction Company, allegedly owned by ACN leader, Bola Tinubu on contractor financing basis while the same practice is going on in Ogun State, and one begins to wonder where the States incomes (federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue) are going into, he alleged.”

Perhaps they feel With the few available horses they can easily dispatch their mails, and consequently have no need for technology. These people are unrepentantly backward. I'm happy I'm not a core Northerner

These Aboki better think again, if not we shall NIPOST to the north when GSM providers finaally cut them off. Why bomb GSM installations for Allah sake? Ok o

The Bank of Industry has stated that about 250,000 jobs were created in 2011 as a result of the sharp rise in the volume of loans and advances.
The chairman of the Shareholders Committee of BOI, Mohammed Dikwa, made this known at the 52nd annual general meeting of the bank in Abuja.
Dikwa stated that the bank would continue to accord priority to the promotion of projects that had very high potential for development such as employment generation and wealth creation.
He noted that the bank made highly impressive strides towards delivering on its mandate by recording a phenomenal rise in the volume of loans and advances to N73,478,308 billion in 2011 from N41,709623 billion in 2010.

Dikwa said that the leap in loans and advances contributed to the 45.97per cent increase in gross income in 2011 to N16,886482 billion from N11,568,450 billion in 2010.

He, however, noted that the provisions for bad and doubtful debts rose to N2,986,168. He added that the provisions were based on more stringent and conservative finacial reporting requirements contained in the Central Bank of Nigeria's Prudential Guidelines.

We pray and hope that this man will continue from where Nnaji stopped. Power generation has to increase, this all we ask for