Under fire frm who? Dr kperogi would called this prof. a highly credentialed ignorant like his compatriot GEJ -who claims that he obtained a Phd frm a certain university - because they are both symbols of mediocrity. We(northerners) knw he is hired by GEJ to do a hatchet job (just like prof Nwabueze) for him. We are waiting 4 him to tell us how much he had allocated to these individuals that he mentioned when they held sway as chief executive officers of some northern states. Abj was dubbed the 'fastest growing capital in the world' because of El-Rufai's efforts. All others he mentioned piloted(or some still piloting) the affairs of parastatals bar Shehu sani- head of a civil society group which receives no allocation frm government. Southern states that he didn't criticise their leaders are no match for those gulf nations.I will stay on the sideline watching promoters & supporters of mediocrity purring.

Al-Baqir:


Salam dear sister,
Sorry gannn if you are hurt. "Truth is better" and the holy prophet (saws) has enjoyed us to say it even if our destruction lie within. If I can open 100 thread on Ashura, by Allah I will.

The first thing Allah gave human being was "Aql" (intellect). Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s) said even if Allah did not send prophet to mankind, his aql would have been used against him on the day of Judgment. Somebody else's knowledge starts where your own ends.

Fasting on the day of Ashura with the belief that its a Sunnah of the prophet on the platform that a JEW for that matter directed him is A MYTH and not reality. In fact its a LIE. Only Allah command and direct Muhammad al-Amin (saws)!

If you fast, Allah will reward or reject you (your acts) according to your intention.

Dear sister, the rate at which the agents of Banu Umayyad continue editing books of hadiths and many valuable books is alarming. I am fond of buying and collecting books, both Old and new editions. Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation has been edited where many information erased. Tafsir Ibn kathir do not escape from editing. Sahih al-Tirmidhi is not left out. And so on.
And this evil people deliberately do this in order to establish and justify their so-called beliefs.

During the time of Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi sufy'an as the "Sultan(khalifa)" of the time, he hired many hypocrites among the companions of the prophet (saws) (do not raise eye-brow sister, there were many Munafiq among the sahaba -some known and some hidden to the prophet, read Sura al-Tawba and sura Munafiq and several other verses of the holy Qur'an). Mu'awiyah hired them in which they continue fabricating hadiths upon hadith. When he died, his evil son, Yazid continued in his shoes and after the killing of Imam Hussain (a.s), they manage to fabricate several hadith to hide their heinous crime of killing the grandson of their prophet. Among such hadith were hadith on fasting on Ashura.

Have you ever ask yourself what you know about Hussain? In fact many thought he was a twin with Hassan who died at infant. What about her whom the prophet described as "Leader of ALL women past, present and future times", sayyida Fatima (a.s)? Personalities who if you fail to salute and pray for in your salat at every obligatory salat, your salat is void. They deliberately erased them from our memory and substitute them with those...they elevated.

"O ahl al-bayt of the prophet! Your LOVE has been made obligatory in the holy Qur'an...it is enough among your many exalted virtues that if anybody prays without sending blessing on you, his prayer is void" ~Imam Shafi'i (R) commenting on the holy verse:

"Say (O Muhammad)! I do not ask of any reward from you except for the love of my nearest kindred"

No wonder why the holy prophet exclaimed 3 times in the hadith where he said he h
as left two weighty things for us in "the book of God and his ahl al-bayt"; he concluded saying:

"I warn you concerning my ahl al-bayt"
(3times he said).

Today many have been brainwashed to the extent that if you raised objection against sahih al-Bukhari, they will nearly crucify you as if sahih Bukhari is infallible. Such is the act of the Nasibi.

Thanks for your time. May Allah guide us to the right path.

Salam

tnx. Mr shiite

Al-Baqir:


Salam dear sister,
Sorry gannn if you are hurt. "Truth is better" and the holy prophet (saws) has enjoyed us to say it even if our destruction lie within. If I can open 100 thread on Ashura, by Allah I will.

The first thing Allah gave human being was "Aql" (intellect). Imam Jafar as-Sadiq (a.s) said even if Allah did not send prophet to mankind, his aql would have been used against him on the day of Judgment. Somebody else's knowledge starts where your own ends.

Fasting on the day of Ashura with the belief that its a Sunnah of the prophet on the platform that a JEW for that matter directed him is A MYTH and not reality. In fact its a LIE. Only Allah command and direct Muhammad al-Amin (saws)!

If you fast, Allah will reward or reject you (your acts) according to your intention.

Dear sister, the rate at which the agents of Banu Umayyad continue editing books of hadiths and many valuable books is alarming. I am fond of buying and collecting books, both Old and new editions. Abdullah Yusuf Ali English translation has been edited where many information erased. Tafsir Ibn kathir do not escape from editing. Sahih al-Tirmidhi is not left out. And so on.
And this evil people deliberately do this in order to establish and justify their so-called beliefs.

During the time of Mu'awiyah Ibn Abi sufy'an as the "Sultan(khalifa)" of the time, he hired many hypocrites among the companions of the prophet (saws) (do not raise eye-brow sister, there were many Munafiq among the sahaba -some known and some hidden to the prophet, read Sura al-Tawba and sura Munafiq and several other verses of the holy Qur'an). Mu'awiyah hired them in which they continue fabricating hadiths upon hadith. When he died, his evil son, Yazid continued in his shoes and after the killing of Imam Hussain (a.s), they manage to fabricate several hadith to hide their heinous crime of killing the grandson of their prophet. Among such hadith were hadith on fasting on Ashura.

Have you ever ask yourself what you know about Hussain? In fact many thought he was a twin with Hassan who died at infant. What about her whom the prophet described as "Leader of ALL women past, present and future times", sayyida Fatima (a.s)? Personalities who if you fail to salute and pray for in your salat at every obligatory salat, your salat is void. They deliberately erased them from our memory and substitute them with those...they elevated.

"O ahl al-bayt of the prophet! Your LOVE has been made obligatory in the holy Qur'an...it is enough among your many exalted virtues that if anybody prays without sending blessing on you, his prayer is void" ~Imam Shafi'i (R) commenting on the holy verse:

"Say (O Muhammad)! I do not ask of any reward from you except for the love of my nearest kindred"

No wonder why the holy prophet exclaimed 3 times in the hadith where he said he h
as left two weighty things for us in "the book of God and his ahl al-bayt"; he concluded saying:

"I warn you concerning my ahl al-bayt"
(3times he said).

Today many have been brainwashed to the extent that if you raised objection against sahih al-Bukhari, they will nearly crucify you as if sahih Bukhari is infallible. Such is the act of the Nasibi.

Thanks for your time. May Allah guide us to the right path.

Salam

tnx. Mr shi'a

I remember Farooq Kperogi christened him highly-cridentialed ignorant!

Afam4eva: This just supports the notion that Billionaires hate neigbours. We remember how Bill gates bought an estate in Washington state and chased all the neigbours away by using money to slap them. The same with Ellison of Oracle that bough a whole beach front in Malibu, California and payed of all his neigbors to have his privacy. I intend doing the same too. The whole Bannana island will be mine. Yuzedo should look for alternative accomodation cos i'm buying everything

. I don't know how u understood the whole story but the reason behind the purchase is clearly stated.

Please anybody that sat for toefl(ibt) test & has obtained his score certificate should try & upload a scanned copy of it for me. I need to clarify one or two things that's why.Tnx guys

U no go know.till wen dey use am bomb u then u go underrate am.

This story shouldn't make the front page because it lacks credibility.so many contradictory issues are raised that are not on par with the polity at the moment.For instance,you don't need to think twice to know that house leadership matter is not exclusive to only the PDP lawmakers because they are not the only ones involved in electing the speaker.It's logical to say the issue of old & new PDP is an internal PDP matter but it is naive to say house leadership is exclusive to PDP(remember they must be involved in both election & impeachment procedures).you can imagine the level of incuriousness of the writer.It's a no-brainer.

The Clown: He has no doubt achieved some personal feats, his people would definitely call him a hero but he is no hero of mine.....

But a pace setter for u & ur like.U re only playing catch up.

Class is permanent!

Boko Haram’s highest decision-making body, also known as the sect’s Shura committee, has accepted to dialogue with the Federal Government, according to a 30-minute video clip released yesterday by the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Conflict and Security Challenges in the North.

In the video, played for journalists at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Boko Haram members said though Allah enjoins them to fight enemies and infidels, He also enjoins them to accept dialogue whenever requested. The video was in Hausa and Arabic languages but was subtitled in English.
The spokesman of the sect’s Shurah committee, Muhammad Lawan dan Sulaiman, said it had become pertinent for the sect to “bend towards dialogue with the government as a reference to Allah’s injunction”.
He said continuing to fight under the prevailing condition would amount to arrogance as that would neither make the weaker stronger nor make the stronger weaker.
According to him, “it is permissible to reach peace accord and lay down arms with reparation to or against us because of the Allah’s saying when you turn to peace, turn to it with completeness and depend on Allah”.
He said: “Thanks to Allah the Most High who enjoined us to fight enemies and the infidels who also enjoined us to answer the call to dialogue with the infidels and the enemies whenever they request for that. Praise also to the Noble Prophet of Allah Muhammad whom peace is upon him and his companions and those who fellow them in good faith up to the day of resurrection.
. “We are indeed surprise with the visit paid to us by a dialogue committee set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria. More surprised, the committee met us in prison custody and explained to us reasons for their visit and also asked four fundamental questions. First, is it possible to dialogue and reach peaceful resolution of the conflict between our brothers and the federal government who are engaged in fighting? Second, which way is the dialogue going to follow?
Third, which assistance those of us in detention would give in realisation of that? Fourth, what assistance do the detainees need to facilitate the dialogue?
“My response is as follows, with the hope that it is in accordance with Allah’s injunction: Indeed, dialogue between the jihadists and the government is possible. This is because dialogue is well rooted in Islam as Allah says in the chapter of Anfal in the Quran that “if they turn to peaceful coexistence, you also should follow suit, you should also depend on Allah. Indeed, He is all-hearing and all-knowing. Alhafiz Ibn Kharhik said if they turn to dialogue, you should accept to do it’. It was based on these that when the pagans sought ceasefire for 10 years with the Holy Prophet in the year the treaty of Hudaibiyyah, the Prophet accepted to their terms, and that it was.
“Ha’ad said there are lots of benefits in heeding to call in the verse which instructed the prophet to positively respond to other party’s call for dialogue as quoted above. Some of the benefits include forgiveness is desirable at all times. So, if they approach you first, is better up to the point where he said: ‘what is feared in dialogue is treachery’. But in this, Allah went on to say it is sufficient for the Muslims and if the infidels embark on any deceit, it will boomerang. Abdullahi Bin Mas’ud said, ‘you regard the conquest of Markkah from infidelity as the greatest achievement and is considered the treaty of Hudaibiyya as the key that opens Makkah’.
“Jibrin bin Abdullahi also said a similar thing. Raka’u bin Malik also said the treaty of Hudaibiyya is key to conquest of Makkah. In view of the authorities quoted and several others similar to them, it is pertinent for brothers, the Jihadists, to bend towards dialogue with the government as a reference to Allah’s injunction. In the verse mentioned earlier, moreover, also, Allah said it is not proper for the believers to follow their desire if Allah and his apostle decide on matter. May Allah help us.
“Here are opinions of scholars on the matter of the questions. Imam Ibn Kayyum Al-Auza’I, in his book Zadul-Ma’ad Fi Hadyi Khairil Ibad, after espousing a chapter on the treaty of Hudaibiyyah set a new chapter on the benefit of the treaty. Among them include its validity. The fact that the pagans and transgressors ask for any matter which remains within the domain of the creator, the believers should accept the request even if they stood on the way to the realisation of their goal, so long as it will not lead to the greatest sin. This is one of the most difficult moments for the companions of the prophet.
“Ibn Kayyum also said it is incumbent on a leader to take advantage of any window that will bring peace for the people. He should not even wait to be approached. Reaching peace with non-believers is lawful so long as it will bring relief to believers. Peace accord, he said, has multiple advantages to believers. Also, the treaty of Hudaibiyyah which legalised repatriation of believers who migrated to the unbelievers as well as the class which prohibited repatriation of deserters excluding women was accepted though unfavourable to Muslims. Further benefit of treaty Hudaibiyyah which followed the conquest of Makkah was the cessation of hostility for 10 years and cessation could go beyond the 10 years if the need arose particularly when the people are at weak point.
“Al-Sheik Yusuf Alqadawi said in his book, Fiqh al Jihad, is foolhardy for Muslims to wait until when they are offered powers by enemies before making conciliation particularly when it is imminent that the enemy is far stronger and that they cannot match them. It will amount to arrogance that if when continues fight under the prevailing condition, a situation which will not make the weaker stronger, nor the stronger weaker. If the Muslim leadership reviews the situation and foresees the danger in the continuation of the war, then it has to be stopped even without the prompting of the enemy. This is exactly what our leader, Muhammad Yusuf, did when he saw the situation deteriorating then. Allah is the best of judges.
“Finally, I hope my fellow brothers who claimed to align themselves with the movement of Muhammad Yusuf will come to reason with the citations made from the scriptures. They should also see beyond their eyes, the condition of the religion and the people under the present circumstance and embrace peace. It is indeed evident enough. Praise is to Allah and His messenger and peace be unto you all.
“Your brothers in Islam, Muhammd Lawan dan Sulaiman, Abdul-Auza’i, Al-Darnawo, Al-Maliki.”
Addressing State House correspondents after the video was seen, the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, Tanimu Turaki, said the two-week-old video was showed to prove to Nigerians that indeed there had been dialogue between his committee and the Boko Haram’ shura committee.
Turaki, who is also the Minister of Special Duties, said: “Boko Haram is a very disciplined group which respects seniority” and it is strongly believed that upon watching the video and hearing the Shura members in their own words, field operatives of the group would recognise their leaders and be bound to embrace dialogue. It is incumbent on all true muslims to accept dialogue. They (Shura members) have called on their members and Muslims to give peace a chance.
Turaki said his committee was still making efforts towards meeting another set of senior leaders of the sect, and a splinter group - Ansaru.
On the reported death of the leader of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, Turaki said his committee had not confirmed it, noting that there was no clear nexus between the sect’s shura committee and the second-in-command with whom the government reportedly secured an earlier peace deal, “or with Shekau who is yet to be personally reached.”
He however stressed that even if Shekau had been killed, “dialogue continues”.
The minister also noted that his committee had no mandate to pay compensation to victims of the terrorist attacks, but would advise the government on how to bring succour to them (victims).
Turaki, who said a list of the victims as well as the circumstances surrounding their loss would be compiled, maintained that the extension of time-frame given to the committee (November 24, 2013) would be met.
According to him, it may not be possible that dialogue with every single leader will have been reached by the end of the committee’s work, but a framework for further work will be handed over to the government.
Turaki said: “We are just coming in from visitation in furtherance of our civilities from Gombe and Bauchi States. We just heard like every other Nigerians about the alleged death of Shekau. Now, we know Col. Sagir Musa very well and we’ve a lot of interactions with him in the course of our visit to Borno State. When the information was broken by members of the press, we tried to get in touch with, but we’ve not succeeded yet. Of course, quite understandably, there is no network service in the state and we are just coming in. So, we have not been able to take time from where we are to make inquiries as far as that issue raised is concerned.
“What you watched is a video clip of some members of the Jama’atul Ahli Sunnat Nida’atul Waljihad who have sat down in Shura, the highest decision-making body, and analysed from purely Islamic perspectives, taking into account the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Holy Qur’an and taking also into account, the teachings and fundamentally, the practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) on the issue of dialogue and peaceful reconciliation, strengthening submissions again with the works of other Islamic scholars globally who have had cause in their lifetimes to also make research and came on with a lot of literature supporting the cause on dialogue and stating the parameters ad condition under which dialogue can take place.
http://weeklytrust.com.ng/index.php/top-stories/13777-boko-haram-accepts-dialogue-in-fg-s-video

The 400 billion naira released by GEJ is for infrastructural development over the course of the next four years in our universities.Atleast there other demands/issues that need to be addressed before this whole saga ends.

I Don't Regret Leaving APGA For APC - Okorocha By: Stanley Nkwocha on August 4, 2013 - 9:38pm Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, said he has no regret leaving the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) which brought him to power for the newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC).

APGA chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, had last Friday announced the expulsion of the Imo governor over alleged anti-party activities.

Reacting to the expulsion while at a town hall meeting of the Imo State Congress of America 2013 national convention in Atlanta, USA, Okorocha said the wellbeing of Ndigbo remained paramount in all his actions, as the APC remained the reputable platform for the actualisation of the political dreams of Ndigbo.

“APC remains the best vehicle to promote the interest of our people. PDP has marginalised the southeast and has nothing to show for all its years in power,” Governor Okorocha stated.

While urging Igbos to embrace the APC as it guaranteed equity and political opportunities denied by the ruling party, Governor Okorocha said the action of a faction of APGA was of little political consequence as the party lacked the national spread to give the Igbos a political headway. - INEC Detects 93,526 Multiple Registration Cases In Anambra - Jega... http:///oFsvDq9lce

The conversion to Islam of 25-year-old Charity Uzoechina, daughter of Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of Redeem Christian Church of God, Kwankwashe, Suleja, continues to generate controversy.

Her father accused the Estu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubukar, of hypnotizing his daughter, who has since changed her name to A’isha, to embrace Islam. A’isha, who hails from Asaba, Delta State, came to Abuja at the age of 10 when her father relocated from Lagos. After her secondary school education at Army Day Secondary School Asokoro, Abuja she got admission into Federal Polytechnic, Bida to read Public Administration. She, however, withdrew from the course in her first year. She embraced Islam on February 15, 2013. A’isha said since her family relocated to Suleja, Niger State, she has been in the midst of Muslims, which accorded her the opportunity to have several Muslims friends and learnt a lot about Islam. The travails of A’isha began when she ran to the Estu Nupe’s palace in Bida on March 1, this year to seek protection against any aggression she may face should her family know about her conversion to Islam. This led to a controversy that is still ongoing, with her father accusing the traditional ruler of kidnapping his daughter. Along the line, several meetings were organized between A’isha and her father Pastor Uzoechina and his daughter at the instance of the Estu Nupe, who also involved some members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). But despite that, A’isha refused to follow her father, alleging that he has threatened to deal with her by taking her away to a place that she will not be able to practice her new religion. A’isha has taken the matter to a Shariah court in Bida and the court is expected to rule on August 1, 2013 whether or not the 25-year-old should be released to her parents or not. She speaks exclusively to Weekly Trust. Excerpts:

Weekly Trust: What is your name?
Aisha Uzoechina: I was formerly known as Charity Uzoechina and now A’isha Uzoechina.
Why the change of name?
I changed my name because I have accepted Islam.
What brought you to Bida?
I came to Bida in 2012 to read Public Administration at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida.
Are you still a student of Federal Polytechnic Bida?
No, I am not. I have withdrawn from the school.
Did you go back home?
No, I did not go home. At the beginning I was planning to go back home, because I wanted to tell my father that I have converted to Islam. When I converted, I was afraid to tell my parents, because of the way my father would behave. I know he will not take it lightly with me. So, for that I refused to go back home.
Did anybody force or enticed you to join Islam?
I joined Islam on my own. Nobody enticed me with anything to join Islam.
What informed your decision to join Islam?
I converted to Islam because I love the character of Muslims, particularly the way they behave. You know Muslims believe in God. I have Muslim friends and I watch what they do, that enticed me to join Islam. I used to read Qur’an when I was a Christian. I always join them to read Qur’an and through that I found out that it is the same one God they worship. So I embraced Islam.
How did your father come to know about your change of faith?
When I ran to the palace, I told you, it was very difficult before I could see the Emir. When I saw him, the emir refused to accept me, because my father did not know about it. He, therefore, collected my father’s number from me and called him. The following day my father came and said he wanted to see me. When we met we talked one on one.
What did you tell him?
Well the emir told him that I have converted to Islam. When my father talked to me, he said let’s go home, but I refused. I told him that I will not change my faith, because I have already accepted Islam and this is where I want to stay. He, therefore, threatened me so much so that I became scared of him.
What did he do to you amounting to a threat?
In the first place you know, I put on Hijab (veil), he said I should remove the Hijab. He was angry and used some harsh words on me, directing that I should remove the Hijab, but I refused. He threatened to take me to a village where nobody will set his eyes on me. So I became scared of him, therefore I refused to follow him. That is it.
Did the emir intervene?
The emir gave him one week to come back, but he came back even before it reached one week. He said he must take me home. He will not take me to our house, but he’ll take me to somewhere that nobody will set his eyes on me. I quickly ran back to the emir and to the Shari’a Court for protection. I don’t want to go back to my father, because he is threatening me.
How did you come to know about the Shari’a Court?
I found out from people. I went to them on my own to formally lodge my complaint.
Why Shari’a Court?
They have to protect me. You know when you take a case to court over life threatening issue, the court must protect you. That is it.
Did your father come back after you refused to follow him?
He came back. He kept on coming back. The other time he even threatened to bring some people to kidnap me.
Is it true that at a time your father came with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) officials to you?
Yes.
Is it true that you also went to the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI)?
Yes.
Why did you go to JNI?
I told you and I’ll still repeat it, though I don’t want to repeat my words again. I want them to intervene on my behalf, the threat is too much. Now I can’t go anywhere, I cannot even continue with my schooling. I cannot do anything because of the way he has been threatening me. He is still bringing people up till now to keep watch on me.
How do you know that your father has assigned people to keep watch on you?
There was a time that I wanted to go out, information came to me that my father was around and I had to stay back since I don’t want him to take me away. I know that if I gout anytime,I he’ll pick me up.
How did you come to know about JNI?
I have been reading about them. That is why I went to them.
How did you present your case to JNI?
I wrote to them seeking for their intervention, because I do not know how to go about convincing my father. I also learnt that the emir wanted to hand me over to my father, because the burden of my case is becoming too much for him to bear.
If your father should promise to allow you to practice your new faith, will you go with him?
I’ll not. In a family that you are the only Muslim, how can you practice in that house? You know when he (my father) came along with my mother the other time, his actions and the harsh words he used, even if I go back home, my life will not be secured in his hand. That is why I said I’ll not go.
Did you start learning anything about Islam?
Yes, I started learning how to perform ablution. I have learnt how to recite Surah Al-Fatihah, I am now in my second surah.
Do you pray five times a day?
Yes I do. I am even fasting now. I have been fasting since the beginning of the month of Ramadan.
What is your massage to people wanting to join Islam?
I have only one massage. Islam is good. Muslims are truthful, everything they say, they believe in God and they carry people along. Once a person converted to Islam, he’ll be carried along until he is strong to stand on his own.
What is your appeal to your parent?
I am appealing to my parents not to be angry with me. My conversion to Islam will not separate us. I still love them, even though I am here. They can come and visit me and I can also visit them. They shouldn’t think my new faith will take away the love I have for them. It will not. I am very sorry.

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No 4 for sure!

Job well done Mr Yarima!

Is she superior to others that were killed before or after her death?scores have been killed & the culprits were not identified.

Read and understand what Buhari said:http://www.farooqkperogi.com/2012/05/idioms-mistranslation-and-abatis-double.html

All this is happening because we have a fearful parliament(frm state to fed level).If not, this is purely an impeachable offfence because this is a leader that lacks vision and has lost focus already.Hw many couples are out there married $ u can tell the story of how the bride stood by the husband's side during the cause of there struggle?.why didn't he send a gift together with even a representative to them?

azeeza: Which kain talk be dat, im take dat one cover werrin im talk before.( we cant lose to nigeriak)

. we cant afford 2 lose to Nigeria not we cant lose 2 nigeria.

Is ur own language included in Malaysian's ATM?

CAPTAIN T: Ghosts doesn't exist

. Simple!

All this bishop bishop wey dey this list na where they get the money from?

ekt_bear: So I'm sure you've heard already about this ancient text that supposedly quotes Jesus referencing his wife (see this if you aren't aware of it: http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Five-big-questions-about-the-Jesus-wife-papyrus-3881424.php)

So my question is, why aren't Christians in the US, Nigeria, Europe, South America, Asia etc rioting, protesting, murdering people, blowing up buildings and committing other acts of terrorism, etc?

Shouldn't they be deeply offended? And if so, isn't violence a legitimate way to express displeasure?

. This is a believe not blasphesmy.so please take note sir!

ekt_bear: So I'm sure you've heard already about this ancient text that supposedly quotes Jesus referencing his wife (see this if you aren't aware of it: http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Five-big-questions-about-the-Jesus-wife-papyrus-3881424.php)

So my question is, why aren't Christians in the US, Nigeria, Europe, South America, Asia etc rioting, protesting, murdering people, blowing up buildings and committing other acts of terrorism, etc?

Shouldn't they be deeply offended? And if so, isn't violence a legitimate way to express displeasure?

. This is a believe not blasphesmy.so please take note sir!

DailyNews: If a blasphemous film is made against Jesus Christ, Christians will never, I repeat, never react violently or wage war against the makers or people connected with the film making, u know why? Because Christians believe that no human can or should fight for God. And if such should occur, the highest thing Christians can do is to call on all Christians all over the world to pray & fast for God to touch the hearts of the perpetrators or to reward them according to their evil deed, but its so unfortunate that Muslims always prefer to fight for their god instead of allowing their god to fight for itself & to also fight for them; which indirectly tells that they do not have faith in their god being able to defend itself.


Muslims need to embrace peace & stop telling the whole world that their religion teaches only violence & destruction of lives & properties. OP, how I wish all muslims would understand things the way u do, nice post, kudos to u.

. A true muslim will never insult or speak against Jesus.the real truth is that u are not even a complete muslim if u do not believe in jesus (as the messenger of Allah).

bilms: Those Muslims, who kill other people in the name of protesting a blasphemy against our noble prophet (Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W) are indeed worst than those whom they are supposedly protesting about. Those who created the blasphemy films are probably enjoying themselves,while they stupidly kill innocent people in the name of defending the prophet and islam. Even if they were to kill the real actors
being the blasphemy film,it is still sinful and wrong for them to take such action,only Allah is the ultimate judge who would repay the deed of all human. point of note: those who kill other people for what ever reason would face the wrath of the Almighty,for they have taken a life they can not create,this is the message preached by the noble prophet of Allah. I strongly condemn this act of cowardice,stupidity,ignorance and destruction of both life and property. I hereby advice all Muslims to defend Islam with good action,knowledge,teaching and practice of act of righteousness.

Be kind to your neighbors,friends and even your enemies for Allah is powerful enough to through your kindness,turn your assumed enemy to become your friend.

. Who re ur scholars that taught u this? Pls if u re not a scholar stop discussing issues that even among them(scholars) there are those that dont gve fatwa(verdict) on this kind of issue.

You can’t ignore these 10 awardees of national honours
Written by Theophilus Abbah   
Sunday, 16 September 2012 05:03

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Jelani Aliyu
Boyish, lively and smiling, Jelani breezed into  Media Trust Ltd’s office last Friday, few hours after he flew into the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja from the United States. It was not the flight that excited him. It is the honour that will be conferred on him by President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, September 17, 2012.  Jelani’s name appeared as number 136 on the national honours list published last week by government. He will receive an award of the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) for his ingenuity. This young lad, who had a diploma from Nigeria, is making waves in Europe and America as a car designer. His story can be interesting.

With the exception of one or two names that featured on our ‘unusual lives’, the story of several others resembles that of Jelani. For instance, Professor Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade distinguished herself for her commitment to the prevention of breast cancer among African women. She has made discoveries. So genuine that the United States government has appointed her as a member of its cancer prevention board. Also, Professor Adenike Abosie was selfless, devoting her life to the cause of fighting blindness in the north, from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria to the National Eye Centre in Kaduna. Her products are professors today. From the South East comes Chief David Nnochironye Onyenweaku, who committed his life to cocoa farming since he was a teenager. Today, he is the best cocoa farmer in Nigeria, and Abia State government cannot ignore him. Though barely educated, he is an employer of labour and has left a legacy for his children, who are now managing the cocoa plantation.
 

This is not to say the national honours have not lost its lustre, because over the years it has attracted a lot of criticisms. A measure established via the National Honors Act No. 5 of 1964 to recognise Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various endeavours has since been bastardised, because dishonourable Nigerians have been conferred with such honours. Perhaps, this is because of the selection procedure. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sees this award as a way of rewarding its members who have been ‘loyal.’ A case in point in this year’s award is the story of the deputy governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Danladi, who is on line to receive the fourth highest award, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). His government in Taraba State has served him an impeachment notice, alleging that he had been engaged in some dishonourable activities.  He is of the PDP and may have been nominated either by his governor or the party.

Some recipients are nominated from among the business class, regardless of their integrity, while those who are lucky to hold some political positions are automatically conferred with some of the honours. For instance, the GCFR and GCON are bestowed on former Presidents and Vice President. The GCON is awarded to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the Senate President, while the CON is awarded to Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

As long as these awards will be conferred on Nigerians, so also will they continue to attract criticisms. The side effect of it, therefore, is that some of those who merit the awards and are duly nominated may have their happiness contaminated by the indiscretion of those who choose awardees. This is why it is very vital for government officials to be circumspect in carrying out this national service.

Jelani Aliyu:  Doing Nigeria proud as a young car designer

He is a master at what he does. He designs cars. And he is Jelani Aliyu, the Nigerian prodigy who designed the Chevrolet Volt, a state-of-the-art electric car, for General Motors.

Next week, President Goodluck Jonathan will confer a national honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) on this extremely talented Nigerian, who has blazed the trail for African engineers in the global field of automobile design.

Considered by many to be the super star of the General Motors renaissance, Aliyu’s chronicle is an exceptionally brilliant true Nigerian story.

Born in 1966 in Kaduna into the family of Alhaji Haidar Aliyu, a public servant from Sokoto State, Jelani Aliyu studied at Capital School, Sokoto before going to Federal Government College in the same town. He graduated in 1983 and received an award for Best in Technical Drawing. He then studied design at two other tertiary institutions in Nigeria before moving to the United States. He received his diploma in Architecture from Birnin Kebbi Polytechnic in 1988, where he was recognized as the Best Student. He had a brief stint at the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where he initially planned to study architecture, but later got a scholarship from the Sokoto State government to study in the US. In 1990, Aliyu moved to Detroit, Michigan to enroll at the College for Creative Studies where he received his degree in automobile design in 1994 before beginning his career with the design staff of General Motors. He worked on the Buick Rendezvous and was the lead exterior designer of the Pontiac G6. He also worked on the Astra with General Motors’ Opel Division in Germany in 1999. During his studies he received two awards from Ford Motor Company and Michelin, US.

Indeed, Aliyu recorded a major breakthrough in the automotive industry, with the design of “Chevy Volt”, described as an “American Revolution.” It was made possible by the brilliance of a Nigerian genius after a 10-month marathon sprint to bring the Volt to reality.

A statement issued by the US-based world`s largest automaker at the unveiling of its product in 2007 stated: “GM`s most electrifying advanced technology vehicle is the Chevrolet Volt concept, a battery-powered, extended-range electric passenger vehicle. It uses a gas engine to create additional electricity. The technology behind the Volt concept, GM`s E-flex System, allows electricity to be produced from gasoline, ethanol, bio-diesel or hydrogen, helping to provide a global solution to diversifying transportation energy sources.”

According to GM, the marathon started with tough competition amongst eight designers and their concepts that were developed in two short months, with 7 of the 8 scale model concepts reviewed and eliminated.  But “Aliyu`s model design incorporates many design elements to complement the electric technology driving the car as well as his love of nature and the ergonomics of a vehicle one can enjoy nature in”.

The soft-spoken, unassuming Aliyu explained during an exclusive interview with Sunday Trust his love and long-standing relationship with art and design, stressing that he started drawing as a toddler.

“Well, I started drawing as far back as I can remember, I have been drawing probably since I was able to pick up a pencil and hold a paper. I started drawing things, people, cars and anything around me. And I got a lot of support from my parents, my brother. I know that my father and brother whenever they would travel away they buy a lot of magazines and other materials that helped me and helped my imagination.”

As often is the case, Aliyu, 46, reiterates the need for young people not to accept dispiriting limitations on their dreams.

“The key to success is to understand what your talent is and do all you can to develop it. Secondly, try to identify people in your family, in your community that can help you get there. Really, put all your effort on things you are good at...The things you are not so good at let someone cover that area, so that together each person will play his or her role to bring the society or the nation up. But concentrate on what you are good at, usually it is the things that you find yourself wanting to do without anybody pushing you to do them. And then never give up, no matter what he challenges are,” he said.

On the national award to be conferred on him soon by the President, Aliyu uttered: “The way I see it this is an award not just on an individual, but it was recognition of a story that began a long time ago. So, this is a culmination of a story that began quite awhile back. It was an award to my family and all the people that have contributed to making it possible for me to have come this far.”

- Ismaila Lere & Sanusi Hamidu Babagoro


Angya: First Tiv Lady to bag PhD and V- C Benue State Varsity

Professor Charity Ashimem Angya is one of the few females among the long list of those designated to receive this year’s national honour tomorrow.  She will be conferred with the Order of the Niger (OON) award. Today, the buck stops on her desk, being Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, Makurdi. Professor Angya is the first female chief executive of the institution. She also scored first as the foremost woman of Tiv extraction to bag a doctoral degree.

Her journey to educational stardom began at the NKST Primary School, Gboko in 1968 after her birth into the family of Pa and Ma Gideon Pever Ge in the commercial town of Gboko on January 5, 1963. Young Angya completed her secondary education in 1979 and proceeded to the University of Jos to acquire a degree in Theatre Arts between 1979 and 1983. In 1985, after completing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), she continued her educational pursuit by enrolling for a Master’s degree in Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan. In 1988, she was awarded a doctoral degree of the University of Ibadan after three rigorous years of studies and research. She became the first Tiv woman to bag a PhD.

In between her academic endeavour, she engaged in employment as a lecturer.  She worked as a part-time lecturer, teaching assistant and graduate assistant in the University of Ibadan between 1985 and 1987. Professor Angya also lectured in the University of Calabar in the Department of Theatre Arts until 1990. She was appointed as a senior lecturer in the Benue State University’s Theatre Arts Department in 1993 and rose steadily through the ranks to become an Associate Professor, and later as a professor, before her appointment as the Vice chancellor of the state-owned citadel of learning in 2010.

Commenting on the honour being bestowed on her by the federal government, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the Benue State University, James Aan, commended her efforts in transforming the institution within a short period of coming on board.

Aan said, “She deserves the national honour. She is a role model to many people, even to us, men. She is very composed; she knows Nigeria very well and knows how to go about her business to get results. I can tell you, that’s why we are here today.”

The lecturer expressed optimism that the honour would go a long way to spur the younger generation of ladies to do challenging jobs.

Another female lecturer in the Department of Psychology, Mrs Chinelo Ogwuche, told our correspondent that Angya had successfully restructured the university’s environment to a befitting standard.

“She has changed the face of this environment since she came on board. The things we see now were not there before. Through her efforts, more lecture halls have been built; toilets have been constructed for students; roads have also been constructed within the campus and the girls hostel now wears a new look, among others,” Ogwuche stated.

Also speaking, a final year student in the Mass Communication Department, Attah Ede, noted that he was impressed by the performances of the Vice Chancellor since she came on board.

According to Ede, Angya has succeeded where her male counterpart who held the office before her could not: “She has done what other male V-Cs before her could not do. You could see her handiwork right from the entrance gate. You will see new structures all over the campus. Cultism is dead and a forgotten issue now, just as the rigour of manual registration has been eliminated,  to give way for easy online registration,” he opined.

Corroborating Ede’s view, Charity Okpe of the Political Science Department said Professor Angya had displayed a motherly attitude in her quest to transform the institution, adding that the woman deserved the national honour for bringing sanity to the university community.

Nonetheless, Angya, a mother of five children, is happily married to a legal luminary, Barrister Paul Angya and holds a pet title of Tiv culture “Wan Amududu u Tiv,”  interpreted to mean an elegant and well-endowed endomorphic figure.

- Hope Abah, Makurdi

 

Onyeishi: A bus conductor who now owns Peace Mass Transit


One of the many distinguished Nigerians to receive this year’s national award, has described the Member, Order of the Niger (MON) award to be given to him as a “call to more national service.”

the Chairman/Chief Executive of Peace Mass Transit Limited, Chief Samuel Maduka Onyeishi, who spoke in an exclusive chat with Sunday Trust inside his Emene, Enugu office last Wednesday before leaving for Abuja, said the MON award is a mark of recognition by the federal government.

“The MON award is a call for more service and I’m happy that government has finally remembered us. And I’m also happy that, at last, things are being done on merit -  that someone is being  nominated and given national honour without even anybody talking to you previously about it.  It’s a good development in our country. I thank God for that,” he told our reporter.

Onyeishi used to be a bus conductor, way back in the 1980s after he completed his secondary school education, before going into full-time motor transport business. Now he’s an employer of over 4,000 workers.

According to him, his transport company currently has in its fleet more than 2,000 buses that convey over 24 million passengers in a year.  The transporter narrated his life’s story, beginning from his humble background soon after his father passed on when he was just 13 years old.

“I was a bus conductor in the early 1980s after I finished my secondary school education. I was a bus driver and spare parts dealer in the early 1990s. And in bid to further my education, I returned to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to study in 1994. As a student, I used my savings from my motor spare parts business in Kano to buy two buses. I was driving between 1994 till 1998, and I stopped driving when I had about 15 buses.

“And after my university education in 1999, I concentrated on the road transport business and one thing led to another; in 2005, I had about 500 buses, and today by God’s grace, we have over 2,000 and over 4,000 workers and we are at present in 26 states of the federation with about 34 terminals.

“We move about two million passengers every month which is about 24 million passengers in a year, and we have about seven other affiliated companies, although they are independent and they are in Nigeria and in China.

“My father died early during my first year in the secondary school, and I was the first out of seven children. So we suffered lack in my family. In the bid to help my mother and to support my younger ones, I started working early in life, and I became used to working. Our mother had to take us to a church in search of protection because when you lose your husband and your first child is about 13 years, you have a lot of issues.

“Since then I’ve kept working, and today, I have known nothing more than work. And God has been so faithful. God has blessed me. He has secured my business and given me good health. I’m married and I also have seven children now. I think we are still working and making exploits in new areas, and God is still blessing us.”


ON WHAT DRIVES ME ON:

Well, the first thing was to support my mother and secondly, I decided to eliminate poverty from my home and around me. But what is driving me today is that I had seen myself as a man being favoured by God, and I think God didn’t do it just because of me. I believe He did it because of me and those around me. So, my effort now is to keep the business going so that I can keep on taking care of those that God has given to me. I have about 4,000 staff, and it’s no longer about me; it’s now about us. There are a lot of people to take care of, and I also enjoy employing people. I am happy when I create jobs.

Yes. I have the Peace Foundation. Samuel Maduka Onyishi West African Enterprises Foundation. We give scholarship to about 100 undergraduates every year. And we have also started businesses for other people who are not in any way related to us, and things like that. I am also into sports programmes, church programmes and so on.

By the special grace of God, I am also an evangelist; God said I should speak about him where ever I go to. I said but I didn’t go to a Bible School; He said, no; wherever you go to, if you don’t know what to say, tell them what I have done in your life. People call me evangelist and God said I should be talking about Him, and so I have no choice.

But beyond all these, a certain transporter in Enugu who pleaded anonymity criticised Onyeishi for asking young men (drivers) to put their lives on “firing line” by engaging them through the hire purchase system of running his transport organisation. “When you engage a driver and give him a deadline when to deliver the cost of buying the vehicle, you are not being fair to such driver; you are only toying with the driver’s life which has no replacement,” said the transporter.

However, Miss Chika Ani, who said she is studying in one of the tertiary institutions in Enugu on the scholarship foundation of Onyeishi, prayed God to always bless and protect her benefactor. “I can’t say much but that the prayers of the saints are helping the young transporter,” she remarked. “If all wealthy people in Nigeria will emulate him, then poverty will reduce meaningfully in this part of the country,” she said.

-  Tony Adibe, Enugu

 

Abiose: A commitment to the prevention of blindness in the North and beyond

Professor Adenike Abiose, who is being given a national honours award has a long history in the North. Professor of Ophthalmology at Ahmadu Bello University, she was also the Director of the National Eye Centre in Kaduna. Apart from being a lecturer, she has been involved in the work of the Nigerian National Blindness Prevention Programme, National Onchocerciasis Control Programme, the Onchocerciaisis Control Programme in West Africa, the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

In 2003, she was awarded the Mectizan honours for her commitment to onchocerciasis control at the national and international level. She graduated in Medicine from the University of Ibadan in 1967, was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in1974 and Fellow of the West African College of Surgeons in 1975. She has been the chair of the Neglected Tropical Diseases Committee of the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria.

Dr Abdullahi Mohammed, a Consultant Pathologist and Associate Professor at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika, Zaria and ABUTH’s Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), which is equivalent to Assistant Chief Medical Director, paid a glowing tribute to Professor Abiose.

In an interview with Sunday Trust, Dr Mohammed said he had known Professor Adenike Abiose personally because she was one of the lecturers that taught him during his undergraduate days at ABU.

“Yes, of course, I know her. She was my lecturer at ABU. I know that she worked in ABU in the early 1980s and she diligently served for over 25 years. I know her to be a nice person who is simple and hardworking. In fact, I know she made a lot of contributions to the growth of ABU, especially the Ophthalmology Department.

“I know that she has trained over 2,000 students at the undergraduate level, apart from those she trained at postgraduate level. I know she trained many doctors to become consultants. In fact, most of us that she trained are now at the ranks of professors. Therefore, her contributions to development of humanity are enormous and most of us are still reaping the benefits of her training,” Dr Mohammed said.

Apart from training of students, Dr Mohammed said Professor Abiose has left a legacy at the Ophthalmology Department of ABUTH, which is still being used by doctors and students.

“She set up the once famous Guinness Eye Clinic, with the help of some people. It was formerly sited at the ABUTH, Kaduna. It was a famous eye clinic and I know she worked hard in developing that clinic to become one of the best in Nigeria, if not the best. When ABUTH was moved to Shika, it moved along with the clinic, but it was transformed to the Ophthalmology Department and it is still there, serving both patients and students.

“In fact, that woman has contributed a lot to the development of the medical profession in the North to the extent that one would begin to think whether she is a northerner. This is to further tell you the type of person she is. For now, I know she is one of the leading eye doctors in Nigeria and Africa. For me, she deserves this national honour on merit and in my own opinion the honour was long overdue,” Dr Mohammed said.

- Isa Sa’idu, Kaduna


Olopade: Fighting to put a smile on faces breast-cancer victims


Dr Olufunmilayo Olopade was born in 1957. She earned fame as a highly-skilled haematology oncologist with proven expertise in cancer risk assessment. She is a member of American National Cancer Advisory Board.

She conducts comprehensive evaluations of family history and other risk factors for patients in the Cancer Risk Clinic. Once she identifies a person at high risk, Dr Olopade designs an individualized prevention plan that may include periodic screening, preventative drugs or other options for risk reduction. She is the director of the Center for Clinical Cancer Genetics at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she has been on the faculty since 1991.

She is married to Christopher Olopade (a physician), they have three children.

In 2005, she partnered with colleagues in Nigeria, Senegal and North America to compare the tumors of hundreds of breast cancer patients of African and European descent. The study found, among other things, that the African women’s tumours don’t depend on estrogens to grow and will not respond to drugs such as Tamoxifen. This groundbreaking report, along with her years of research, earned Dr Olopade a $500.000 MacArthur Foundation award, known as a genius grant. Her work has confirmed that breast cancer isn’t a one-size-fits all disease.

Olufunmilayo Olopade received an M. D. (1980) from the University of Ibadan, and served as a medical officer at the Nigerian Navy Hospital. She completed an internship and residency (1986) at the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, and trained in haematology and Humanncology as a postdoctoral fellow (1987-1991) at the University of Chicago.

During the 1990s, cancer specialist Olufunmilayo Olopade became perplexed when she realized that breast cancer tended to hit women of African descent earlier—and harder—than their United States and European counterparts. Since then, Olopade has dedicated her career to finding out why in hopes of discovering a cure. Along the way, Olopade has made many groundbreaking discoveries about the disease and in 2005 was awarded a $500,000 MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” to continue her research.

Speaking to Kelli Whitlock Burton of Medicine on the Midway, Olopade discussed her drive to find out more about the disease. “Part of our work as scientists is not only to study biology and science, but also to engage society. If we can’t translate our research to help people, then why are we doing the work?”

The fifth of six children, Olufunmilayo Falusi Olopade was born in1957 in Nigeria. The future physician-scientist, known to friends as Funmi (pronounced FOON-me), was the daughter of an Anglican minister. Doctors were scarce in the Nigerian villages where Olopade was raised so her parents decided that one of their children should become a doctor; Olopade was the first to express any interest. After earning her medical degree in 1980 from Nigeria’s University of Ibadan, Olopade worked as a medical officer at the Nigerian Navy Hospital in Lagos to fulfill her country’s requirement that university-educated young adults put in a year’s service with the National Youth Service Corps.

Olopade then relocated to the United States to complete an internship and residency at Chicago’s Cook County Hospital, where she ended up chief resident in 1986. Olopade left the hospital in 1987 to study hematology and oncology as a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Chicago. Meanwhile, a military coup had overthrown the Nigerian government, so she decided to stay in the United States. In 1991, she joined the University of Chicago faculty as an assistant professor in hematology and oncology.

Along the way, Olopade married fellow physician Christopher Sola Olopade, whose specialty is treating asthma and sleep disorders. They have two daughters and a son. They live in the Hyde Park-Kenwood neighborhood near the University of Chicago.

In 2006, she was first recipient of the American Association for Cancer Research’s Minorities in Cancer Research-Jane Cooke Wright Lectureship. The award is given to an outstanding scientist who has made “meritorious contributions to the field of cancer research and who has, through leadership or by example, furthered the advancement of minority investigators in cancer research.

- Culled from the website of Transparency for Nigeria


Onyenweaku: Honour for the best cocoa producer in Nigeria


Chief David Onyeweaku started his cocoa business as a teenager, when he found a cocoa nursery plantation in his amazon plantation of Abia State. As a result of his resilience, he receive assistance from the state’s Ministry of Agriculture who gave him some farm inputs, including tractors.

Sunday Trust gathered that Chief Onyenweaku, now in his 80s, was born in Ahieke Iboku in UmuahaNorth Local Government Area of Abia State. He went into full-scale commercial farming while in his 30s. Due to his achievements in the business, cocoa farmers who have no capacity to manage their farms contract then out to him for an annual fee. A very religious man, Chief Onyenweaku is a devoted member of the Faith Tabernacle Church in his Ibeku clan in Abia State.  Now that age is not on his side, one of his sons, Mr Uche Onyenweaku, has taken over his father’s trade in order to sustain the efforts the aged man has made. He’s popular in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture as the Best Cocoa Farmer in Nigeria.

According to Abia State Government, which made comments on the award being given to the cocoa veteran, Chief Onyenweaku has made the State proud with his 30 metres tonnes of cocoa harvest recently. It is for this reason that the Abia State Government nominated him for the national honour award.

The Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Mr Ugochukwu Onyewika told Sunday Trust that Chief Onyenweaku’s farm has created employment for many youths, as much as the farm is a source of revenue for the South-East State government.

The CPS said further that the state government had continued to support the farm complex, and vowed that the government would not relent in its effort to assist those involved in food production in Abia State.

Hardworking Onyenweaku lost his wife last year. Not very social, he keeps to himself. On the other side, his cocoa produce, known as the amazon specie, is in high demand in Nigeria and beyond.  On Monday he will became a Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).

- Alozie Ogbonna, Umuahia

 

Okonkwo – Honour for a distinguished preacher

Dr Mike Okonkwo was born on September 6, 1945 to the family of Pa and Ma Okonkwo of Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State. He started his primary education at Salvation Army Primary School Enugu, but later moved to Ijero Baptist Primary School in Ebute Metta, Lagos. He however completed his primary education at St. Marks Primary School, Offa in Kwara State. He started his secondary education at Mayflower College, Ikenne and completed it at Merchants of Light Grammar School, Oba Anambra State in 1963.

Dr Mike Okonkwo joined the Nigerian Ports Authority in 1964 where he worked only for 3 months before crossing over to the banking industry with African Continental Bank (ACB) with the mind of making a career in banking. He was a pioneer member of staff of the Martins street branch, Lagos from 1964 to 1966. Dr Mike Okonkwo was deployed to the eastern branch of ACB during the civil war, which eventually interrupted his banking career.

During the war, he underwent the military training but had no opportunity to practice what he had learnt because the war ended the very night he was deployed to the warfront. After the war, he continued with his banking career at the Ogbete road branch of ACB where he was a pioneer staff.

Dr Mike Okonkwo had an encounter with Jesus in November 1970 and for the 1st time, he started attending Church services regularly in the United Church of Christ, (UCC) which has her headquarters in Enugu. The call of God upon his life was evident and so he was ordained into the ministry in 1971. He took up his first pastoral responsibility in Lagos in November 1972 with UCC. He was released as an Evangelist on the 20th of June 1976 and was instrumental in establishing most branches of the Church in Lagos.

He served faithfully in UCC under the leadership of Apostle Egbo from 1971 to 1980. It became obvious due to circumstances beyond his control that he had to leave UCC, because God has a plan for his life.  The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM was founded on the 4th of January, 1981.

In 1980, Dr Mike Okonkwo received a certificate of license from International Deliverance Churches, Dallas, Texas. In 1981, he graduated with a diploma degree from the Morris Cerullo School of Ministry, San Diego, California, USA. By 1982, he earned diploma with International Bible Institute and Seminary, Orlando, Florida. The same year, he bagged a Bachelor of Bible Theology in the same university. The Covington Theological Seminary, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, USA gave him a waiver for Masters Degree and he went in for a Doctorate degree program in Divinity which he successfully completed and was conferred with Doctor of Divinity degree with all rights and privileges pertaining thereto. In 1984, the Board of Directors of International Bible Institute, Orlando, Florida, USA, upon recommendation by the Faculty conferred on him a Doctor of Letters Degree. In 1987, the United Christian International Bible Institute, Cleveland, Tennessee, USA awarded him a Doctor of Divinity certificate.

Dr Mike Okonkwo is a holder of the ordination certificate and the certificate of fellowship of World Ministry Fellowship Shreveport, Louisiana, USA. He is also a holder of ordination certificate from the National Christian Fellowship Conference, (NCFC) USA, the Church of God Mission International Nigeria, United Christian Church & Ministerial Association, USA. On Monday, he will be conferred with the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).

Culled from the Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM)

 

Danladi: Receiving an honour with mixed feelings

Alhaji Sani Danladi Abubakar the current Deputy Governor of Taraba State will receive the fourth highest honour in Nigeria on Monday. That is the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON). However, he will be receiving this honour with mixed feelings. This is because the Taraba State House of Assembly has served him impeachment notice bordering on allegations of misuse of funds. For instance, it is alleged that he diverted the Federal Government/World Bank Millennium Development Goals (MDGs projects meant for the state to Yagai Academy, his own private school in Jalingo. Also contained in the impeachment notice are allegations that solar power stree lights and motorised boreholes were situated in the Yagai Academy, thereby denying the other underprivileged people of Taraba State the opportunity to benefit from those projects.

Among the allegations are that he may have used his office to acquire a large expanse of land to build the Yagai Academy and other multi-million naira business ventures, including Yagai water, Yagai printing press and Yagai Restaurant. According to the lawmakers in Taraba State, the lawmaker’s salaries would not be able to accommodate so much business ventures.

It is believed that Alhaji Danladi was nominated for this award by Governor Danbaba Suntai. Perhaps, the deputy governor’s current travail may be political, and may border on loyalty to the party of his principal. However, this brings to question the integrity of the award, which is bestowed, not based on genuine achievements, but another honour for the boys.

 

Augie: From Deputy Governor to District Head

Alhaji Muhammed Sani Aliyu Augie, in his early seventies, was a career civil servant in the then North-Western state comprising of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states before joining politics to become the first democratically elected deputy governor during former military President Ibrahim Babangida’s NRC/SDP experimental democracy. On Monday he will be conferred with the national honours award of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR).

With the ouster of civilian governors, following the June 12 crisis and subsequent Chief Ernest Shonekan’s interim government, Augie was saved the crunch of the labour market. He was given the traditional title of district head of Augie, with the title of Lamnen Augie. He was yet again pushed by the wind of succession to the position of Kundudan Kabi, the deputy to the present Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Muhammed Mera in whose council he stands as the senior councillor. He will be bestowed with the OFR on Monday.

-Sanusi Hamidu Babagoro


Mohammed Indimi…A man with midas touch

A suave and reputable businessman, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi is a Nigerian success story. He is known to be one the richest men in Africa.

Born in Maiduguri, Borno State in August 1948, Alhaji Indimi, a self-made multi-billionaire, is the founder and Chairman of Oriental Energy Resources Limited. He is a humanitarian and a philanthropist.

Though little is known about his background in western education, Indimi started his career early in life and was able to carve a niche for himself in the business world. Today, he sits on the board of several multinational companies encompassing all sectors of the economy and is a notable presence in the international business arena. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Nigerian Upstream Oil and Gas sector.

His business flagship, Oriental Energy Resources, currently has three offshore Nigerian oil and gas projects with daily production of 35,000 barrels.

In an interview he granted the Voice of America (VOA) Hausa Service in November last year, which he gave a rare insight into his life and career, Alhaji Indimi attributed his accomplishments to sheer providence, hard work and perseverance.

“I have always been a businessman. I have never been to school before, but I thank Allah for His mercies, everything that one gets in this world he’s destined to obtain it,” he said.

As the Chairman of M & W Pump Nigeria Limited, which has partnered with MWI Corp of Deerfield Beach, Florida, Alhaji Indimi is spearheading the introduction of new technology into oil exploitation and operation in the country.

“This new technology is called Mobile Production Unit and it’s a ship specifically designed to scoop oil from the wells and refine it and transport it to an oil tanker. It has the capacity of refining up to two million barrels a day.

“You see, instead of bringing ships to the ports and paying huge sums as demurrage as we use to do before, now with this technology we are able to avoid detention or delay of a cargo carrier due to its loading or unloading process,” he said in the 20-minute interview.

The Maiduguri-based head of diversified conglomerate with interests in oil, transportation and construction also hinted that he would soon diversify into agriculture.

“Of course, I will soon start large-scale farming. It’s imperative,” declared.

The 65-year-old Indimi who started oil business over 20 years ago has eight of his over twenty children working with him at Oriental Energy Resources.

Although, Indimi is notably close to Nigeria’s political establishment and has been a business ally of former US President George Bush, he has ruled himself out of partisan politics.

Indimi has received numerous awards as well as honorary doctorate degrees from notable Universities in Nigeria, Ireland and the United States. He will be conferred with the OFR on Monday.

- Ismaila Lere

 culled from sunday trust

Maxymilliano: According to the Acting Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the NNPC, Mr. Fidel Pepple, a shuttle bus belonging to the Corporation was involved in an accident which eventually led to the death of the Pilot Newspaper Staff and has nothing to do with the convoy of the Minister.

Please, learn to hear both side of a story before making blind attempt at criticism.



Http://saharareporters.com/news-page/nnpc-diezani's-convoy-did-not-kill-newspaperman-pm-news-lagos

. The NUJ FCT chairman lamented that the minister has not demonstrated any concern and human feeling for the deceased by reaching out to his relatives. He said she was rather more bothered about protecting her image.I think thats our(we the opposition) response.

gunuvi: He who fights and runs away, will live to fight
another day. Babangida didn't waste no time to let the ball out of his bag and you are postponing your reply. Who told you we are even interested in both of you?

. Ibb is yet 2 expose buhari.so point of correction he didnt let any ball out any bag