₦airaland Forum

Four members of the Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification, who allegedly received gratification from a company owned by the former Minister of Interior, Emmanuel Ihenacho - Integrated Oil and Gas Limited - Wednesday appeared in court on a three-count charge.

The Presidential Committee on Fuel Subsidy Verification was headed by the Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the committee members were arraigned at a Tinubu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos, along with three executives of the oil company, who allegedly offered them N1.5 million as gratification.

The committee members are: Buhari Ganiyu (37), Alalade Abioye (30), Oni Oluwanishola (34) and Chukwujekwu Akabueze, whose age was not stated. Alalade and Akabueze are women.

Those from Integrated oil and gas are the Managing Director, Anthony Ihenacho, 57; Assistant General Manager, Humphrey Nwosu, 44; and Financial Controller, Akinwusi Julius, 50.

All the defendants are standing trial for alleged conspiracy, offering and receiving of gratification.

They, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, SP Asuquo Effiong, said the company executives, had on August 30 at the company’s office at Marine Road, Apapa, given the money to the committee as gratification.

He said that the committee members were being prosecuted for receiving the money in order to refrain from exercising their duties according to the rules.

Effiong said the offences contravened Sections 409, 64, and 63 (1)(a)(b) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

The magistrate, Mr Martins Owumi, earlier turned down their bail application on personal recognition, and later granted each of them bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum. He adjourned the case till November 10 for further hearing.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/subsidy-c-ttee-members-arraigned-over-alleged-gratification-from-integrated-oil-and-gas/126805/

Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola yesterday revealed the reasons why the Action Congress of Nigeria is interested in ruling Ondo State.

The Governor spoke at the second day, Senatorial Redemption rally organized for ACN governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu [SAN] at Ondo town.

He said ACN, as the only majority party ruling in the South West wants all states in the region to be under the same political platform in order to strengthen the unity of Yorubas, which according to him, would bring about rapid development to the region through economic integration.

He noted that ACN was doing this because the unity of the country was now sitting on a time bomb because of the security challenges and the failure of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party [PDP]’s government to fulfill its electioneering campaign to the electorate.

Aregbesola recalled that the progressive party originated from Owo in Ondo State through the Action Group [AG], stressing that they would never allow a non-progressive to rule the state.

His words, “This is not the time we Yorubas should be separated because the unity of this country is under threat. We appealed to Mimiko, we gave him the necessary support to be a successful man, we stood behind him during his struggle by allowing him to have access to all our machinery, but in return, he betrayed us.

“He claimed that he preferred to be working alone, someone who works alone, will die alone. When you know you can do it alone, why do you run to us? He betrayed our leaders, particularly Asiwaju Tinubu. He is a traitor; a responsible Yoruba man will never betray people. Late Baba Ajasin, Ibrahim Adesanya, Bola Ige never betrayed late Awolowo, they stood by him and also loyal and accepted him as their leader.

“In order to deceive other people, particularly the ACN political rival, Mimiko lied to them that Asiwaju is after his money. That on several occasions he had invited him to bring the state’s fund for sharing because that is how he is doing to other ACN governors and that is why they want to remove him from power at all cost”.

“With God on my side, Tinubu never collected money from me since I have been sworn-in as governor of Osun State; I have been the one running to Lagos to get money from him. I was the one who appointed my commissioners, nobody impose on me.

“Tinubu gave me a car which I used for three months before I was given my own official car. I will continue to be grateful to him because he is the last man standing who is fighting the Yoruba cause in the country”

The Osun State governor urged the electorate to cast their votes for ACN, stressing that it is the only party that would bring developmental projects to the state.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/04/why-acn-interested-ruling-ondo-state-aregbesola/

The killing of students of Federal Polytechnic Mubi at Yelwan Tsamiya (an off campus accommodation area) in Wuro Patuji area of Mubi North Local Government of Adamawa state, has caused an exodus from the town by both students and staff of the institution.

A lecturer from the school on condition of anonymity told Daily Trust on phone that he learnt that about 40 bodies had been deposited at Mubi General Hospital Mortuary.

Some of the fleeing lecturers of the polytechnic, who are not authorised to speak for the school, told Daily Trust that they saw, at least, 10 truckloads of soldiers and mobile police men moving in to the troubled North-Eastern town.

After the killings, which were said to have been carried out around 10pm by gunmen that stormed the students’ village in Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs), angry students stormed the school carrying leaves and branches in protest, stopping the second semester exams that was schedule to take place today.

Some of the students were said to have converged at the resident of the rector of the school with their luggage as early as 7am.

As a result of the mass movement of people from the town, the vehicles in the town’s motor  park have been exhausted, with those not lucky to board the polytechnic’s buses ferrying people to Mararaba area, trekking the 15-20 kilometres distance to get vehicles that will move them out of the town.

The BBC had earlier reported that, “at least 20 students have been shot dead by unknown gunmen in Mubi, north-eastern Nigeria,” a police source has told the BBC.

“The attack happened at a student hostel away from the Federal Polytechnic Mubi campus,” the source said.

A lecturer told the BBC that more than 40 students had been killed but there has been no official comment.

The reported killing comes days after a major operation against the Boko Haram militant group in the town.

The lecturer, who did not want his name to be used, told the BBC's Hausa service that the students were asked to say their names after lining up.

He says it is not clear why some were killed and others spared - some of those killed were Muslims.

“Everybody is scared and staying indoors now,” he said.

He added that students were now leaving the town, many with tree branches over their cars- a traditional sign of neutrality in Nigeria.

Mubi is in Adamawa state, which has a mixed Muslim and Christian population and borders Borno state, where Boko Haram came to prominence in 2009, staging an uprising in the state capital, Maiduguri.

Boko Haram has not yet commented on the Mubi attacks.

It is fighting to establish Islamic law in Nigeria and has killed more than 1,000 people in numerous attacks across northern and central areas this year.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/news/177996-mass-exodus-from-mubi-after-gunmen-kill-scores-of-students

According to the bible, if your eyes will lead you to sin, pluck it out! and that is exactly what Egyptian, Ali Afifi did only he didn’t pluck out his eyes but cut off his hands from his wrists.

Ali took the severe decision following his inability to stop stealing and the feeling of guilt that comes over him after every act of theft.

In a situation he described asa ‘battle pitched’ against the devil, Afifi, 27, went to the main train station in the western Egyptian town of Tanta four years ago and waited for the train to approach where he was before dipping his hands under its wheels as hundredsof other train passengers watched in horror.

Following the shock of what happened, Afifi’s father sent him to an assylum. Following his release, Afifi sought the help of a local Islamic scholar to assist in chopping off the other wrist but the man refused citing the fact that he was not a ruler nor in a position to make that decision.

Rather, the Islamic scholar advised him to repent and seek God’s help. Left with no other choice, Afifi decided to carry out the act by himself.
According to him(Afifi), “when I was finally released from theassylum a few months ago, I cut the other hand off to make sure I’ll never steal again.

 http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/10/02/27-year-old-man-cuts-hands-stop-stealing-photo/

Nigeria as a member of Africa Union and the most populous black nation in the continent is committed to upholding democracy, rule of law and peace in the continent, minister of Foreign affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru said.
Speaking in Abuja yesterday during dinner organised by the ministry in honour of just elected Nigeria Ambassador to Guinea as the African Union commissioner for political affairs, Ambassador Aisha Laraba Abdullahi, Ashiru said her election will enable Nigeria offer her democratic experience to the union in order to assist member states.

“For the past ten years of membership in the African Union, this is the first time Nigeria nominates a candidate for election in the Union commission and to be successful in getting our candidate elected. Getting her on the seat I must say is a daunting task as the operation of the commission is very competitive with over 51 nations.

“Apart from being one of the five major contributing countries to the African Union, We believe Nigeria has a lot to offer in the A.U and this is why we feel it is important for us to contest for the post of the political affairs so we could share our experience on democracy and the rule of law. The post of the Commissioner for political affairs handles all issues relating to democracy, elections, rule of law and governance within the African Union Commission,” the minister said.

In her remarks, Ambassador Laraba said her election was part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda especially in bringing women to the fore. “My nomination to the AU and unwavering support from the ministry to the appointment as the ambassador still remains a source of wonder and pleasure to me having transmuted from the academic environment at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, University, Bauchi to the diplomatic service,” she said.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/news/177234-nigeria-committed-to-upholding-democracy-in-africa

Yesterday, ‘Underneath your clothes’ singer, Shakira, confirmed that she and her fiancé, Spain international Gerard Pique, are expecting their first child. As a result of this, she has announced a change in her schedules.

The 35-year-old wrote on her website: “As some of you may know, Gerard and I are very happy awaiting the arrival of our first baby! At this time, we have decided to give priority to this unique moment in our lives and postpone all the promotional activities planned over the next few days.”

“But I’m sure this weekend in Las Vegas will be spectacular and I will be closely following everything that happens there!” she added.

“I’d like to thank Clear Channel and my fans for their constant love and understanding. Big kiss! And will see you very soon!”

The Colombian pop star, has been dating the Barcelona defender since last year.

 http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/09/20/its-goal-shakira-confirms-expecting-first-child-pique/

Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Rotimi Akeredolu has dismissed Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s achievements in the last three and a half years as cosmetic.

He described as untrue the governor’s claim that the state’s tertiary institutions paid the least tuition fees in the Southwest and that its workers earned N22,000 minimum wage.

In a statement in Akure, the state capital, Akeredolu said: “For us at ACO, this is another cheap propaganda by the drowning Labour Party (LP) to hoodwink Ondo State to vote for its candidate.

“When ACN governors reclaimed their mandates in Ekiti, Osun and later won in Ogun and Oyo states from the reactionary Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), what they did was to slash the high tuition fees imposed on the students.

“For instance, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi slashed tuition fees by 75 per cent, irrespective of the course being pursued by the students. This has been applauded across the state. It is equally on record that Governor Rauf Aregbesola did the same in Osun State when he assumed office, apart from the massive infrastructures provided in the institutions. Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) has promised not to increase tuition fees in Ondo State-owned tertiary institutions.

“Besides, it is a notorious fact that while Mimiko was locked up in a battle of wit with Ondo State workers, the governors of ACN-controlled states had started paying minimum wage. It is, therefore, curious that a government that failed to pay N14,000 relativity salary could wake up to pay N22,000 minimum wage.

“It is on record, based on the pay slips of workers in Ondo State, that after deducting taxes, an average worker goes home with less than N14,000. Therefore, where is the payment of the so-called N22,000 minimum wage?

“It will also be interesting to note that the Mimiko administration has shortchanged teachers when he cleverly claimed that he had paid them the 27 per cent increment agreed with them, whereas he only paid two per cent of it.

“How could Mimiko claim that his education sector is the best in the Southwest, with the collapse of primary and secondary schools, as a result of the poor condition of the structures of these schools?

“Mimiko’s government is yet to employ a single teacher in the last three and a half years. Infrastructure at the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAU), the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic in Owo (ROGIPO), among others, are begging for attention while the workers of both institutions have been protesting non-payment of their salaries and allowances in the last 28 months.

“Mimiko claimed that ACN asked for his blueprint. Which one is he talking about? Is it the abandonment of N1.5 billion Doom-dome? Is it the inability to construct a single road, among others?

“Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State has been transforming the state, continuing where Asiwaju Bola Tinubu stopped. Even before he reclaimed his mandate, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole was on the same path. Where did Mimiko develop the so-called blueprint that ACN governors are asking for?”

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/akeredolu-to-mimiko-your-achievements-cosmetic/

“If there is no security, there is no liberty” – John Kufour says conflict will not make Nigeria great

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 protests against the “anti-Islam” film continues in many Muslim countries, the Republic of Germany Monday urged governments across the globe to take extra steps to protect its citizens and embassies. 
 
It would be recalled that the protests, which first broke out in Libya, resulted in the death of the United States Ambassador, Christopher Stevens and three other consular officers.

Some of the countries where protests have taken place are- Egypt, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Philippines. 

In a statement issued by the German Embassy in Nigeria yesterday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Guido Westerwelle, condemned the video and the violence it is causing in the Muslim world.

He expressed grave concern about the violent unrest, which has targeted the German Embassy and diplomatic missions in Sudan, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and a number of other countries.
He said: “We appeal to the governments of these countries to provide the diplomatic missions there with comprehensive protection. Diplomats need to be able to carry out their work without fear.”

“We understand the indignation which many faithful Muslims feel towards the anti-Islamic film which has been circulating. We share that indignation at this abhorrent online material.”

“However, we are convinced that not even this horrible video, which really is devoid of all good taste, can be used to justify violence, not to mention murders such as we have just seen.”

“We unequivocally distance ourselves from this kind of defamation of the Prophet and of Islam,” Westerwelle added.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/germany-seeks-protection-for-embassies-in-nigeria-other-countries/125266/

2015: CPC guns for Sanusi as presidential candidate •May persuade Buhari to drop ambition

CBN Governor, Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd)


INDICATIONS have emerged that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) may have settled for Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, as his presidential candidate in the 2015 elections, just as the party presidential candidate in the 2011 elections, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has started having a rethink about the 2015 presidential race.

Sources in the political circles told Nigerian Tribune that Buhari, who had given his word ahead of the 2011 elections that the election would be his last presidential contest has decided to keep his word, notwithstanding the pressure from some members of his party.

It was gathered that some members of Buhari’s caucus highlighted issues of age and reach of the CPC, which is limited to parts of the North as major impediment to his participation in the 2015 race.

  While the former head of state agreed with that submission, initially, pressure from within his party and the opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) apparently informed a turnaround some months back.

 Sources said that the leader of the ACN, Senator Bola Tinubu, had met with Buhari and reiterated the need for them to work together so as to capture power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sources said that Buhari became so convinced about the Tinubu proposal that he practically took over the job of the CPC/ACN alliance talks committee.

Some members of the CPC, who were said to be wary of entering into a “blind” agreement with the Tinubu-led ACN, had cautioned against wholesale acceptance of the merger option and had insisted on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) before the merger agreement between the two parties  could be reached.

Sources further confirmed that the confused state of things within the CPC first informed the delay in signing the MOU, with a section of the party believing that Buhari should not join the 2015 contest, while others who believed that the party cannot survive without Buhari’s father-figure felt that he should still contest election in 2015.

While the confusion lingered, sources said that unfolding developments appeared to have convinced the Buhari camp that the merger plan with the ACN would worsen the party’s woes.

For instance, a source said that leaders of the CPC had reinvented the fear of Tinubu, which informed the collapse of the merger talks between the two parties ahead of the 2011 elections.

The fear, according to sources, had to do with the belief that Tinubu’s ACN was double-dealing and that while they were holding meetings with Buhari’s CPC, some of the key men were also reaching out to the camp of President Goodluck Jonathan.

It was confirmed that Buhari appeared to have accepted the advice that he anoint a successor to the CPC presidential ticket in 2015 and that the party had settled for the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Though Buhari and Tinubu made a show of the CBN governor’s chieftaincy event in June, the CPC is said to have decided to adopt Sanusi as its own candidate in view of the distrust between the two parties.

It was also gathered that Sanusi has decided to give the contest a trial, while leaving his acclaimed interest in the Kano emirate stool in the cooler.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/lead-stories/47740-2015-cpc-guns-for-sanusi-as-presidential-candidate-may-persuade-buhari-to-drop-ambition

Self employed Nigerians and small business owners with less than ten staff can now access subsidized quality health care under the voluntary contributors social health insurance programme launched by the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

At the media launch in Lagos at the weekend, the acting Executive Secretary, NHIS, Mr. Abdulrahman Sambo, said the scheme will commence in Lagos, but will eventually spread to other parts of the country.  He said Lagos was chosen for the commencement of the scheme because of its strategic importance in the economic life of Nigeria.

The voluntary contributors social health insurance programme (VCSHIP) is a prepayment arrangement where contributors would pay an annual premium of N15,000, adding that it will guarantee them access to health care in any NHIS registered hospital across Nigeria. According to Mr. Sambo, the scheme only covers the contributor without other beneficiaries ,but allows him or her access same quality health care with those under the regular health insurance scheme.

Those to benefit he said include artisans, entertainers, media professionals, students, retirees not covered by the NHIS programme, political office holders, foreigners and other informal sector players.  Sambo said to make the process easier, interested persons who wouldn’t want to visit NHIS offices for registration can purchase the voluntary contributors vouchers from the 11 participating health management organisations and register online.

He said NHIS is talking with five banks to be able to facilitate online payments.  “We are also partnering five banks to enable subscribers pay the N15,000 online to ease the transaction rather than buy a scratch card. We are targeting individuals who can afford to pay something so they can also benefit. We are also giving them the same benefits with what the Federal Government employees are getting – primary, secondary and tertiary health care.” he added.

He said the contribution is N15,000 per annum, and that it covers only the individual that contributed.

http://dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/news/176923-nhis-introduces-voluntary-health-insurance-for-self-employed-small-businesses-

Mr. Ibu earns his living clowning. For over 2 decades, he has remained one of Nigeria’s first-class wits. Slapstick or sitcom, any genre of comedy is right up his path. He is best of the best in an ‘overflowing world of comedians’; a Katt Williams and Lee Evans rolled into one. But unknown to many, Mr. Ibu, whose real name is John Okafor has a burning desire.

The Enugu State-born thespian in a recent interview gave what many would tag ‘Soccer Shocker when he said he would not mind to be interred at Stamford Bridge, the home ground of European Champions, Chelsea Football Club. He said: “Yes of course, blue is the colour of my blood. It runs in my blood stream. I will remain a Chelsea fan until I die. When you love something, you must be addicted to it. A typical example is Indian hemp smokers. They only understand languages relating to Indian hemp. When an Indian hemp smoker is talking, his spirit can automatically tell him to shut up and he will obey. The same Indian hemp spirit can equally order him to pull off his clothes and go naked. The message I am passing to you is that I am completely addicted to the affairs of Chelsea as a football team. I love Chelsea so much that I don’t care if I’m buried at Stamford Bridge.

“Funny enough, all Chelsea victories are magical. If you want to know whether I am a true fan of Chelsea ask me the names of all their players and the positions they play. I can also tell you the best player in every position. Anelka was a roving player that helps other strikers when he was around. The only problem he had was inconsistency. He does well, sometimes he functions well, and some other times he does not. My problem with Mata is that he is a one legged player. Hulk is supposed to be with us but I do not know what happened. I call him Incredible Hulk because he wears the look. I am happy that Hazard is now with us and has been doing very well since he came on board.” He added.

The full interviewed was published in the current edition of Entertainment Express Newspaper.

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/09/15/i-want-buried-stamford-bridge-nollywood-actor-mr-ibu/

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday dismissed the suit against Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom seeking to invalidate his nomination as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, flag bearer in the April 2011 gubernatorial primaries in the state.
The suit, filed by Frank Okon, one of the aspirants in the primaries, sought the decision of the court to nullify the re-run primaries held January 15, 2011. Mr. Okon said his fundamental human right was breached as he was not given the mandatory seven days notice ahead of the exercise, which paved way for Mr. Akpabio to be returned as the party’s flag bearer.
Mr. Okon had also contested the conduct and outcome of the primaries, claiming that the PDP committed fraud by forging the signature of its former National Chairman, Okwesilieze Nwodo, on the result sheet submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite that Mr. Nwodo was removed from office by a court in Enugu more than 72 hours before the primaries.
After considering the applications and arguments by all the parties, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the PDP, Justice Abdul Kafarati in a judgment that lasted over 45 minutes held that the plaintiff, having accepted that that he never participated in the re-run primary elections, was unknown in law to possess the legal capacity to challenge its outcome.
Mr. Kafarati based his ruling on the provisions of Section 87 (7) of the Electoral Act, which defines an aspirant in an election as someone who contested a primary election conducted by a political party for the purpose of nominating a candidate.
He said since the plaintiff did not participate in the rescheduled January 15, 2011 primary election conducted by the PDP, he lacked the locus standi to challenge both its conduct and outcome.
“It is clear that the plaintiff was not a candidate or aspirant in the re-run primary election conducted on 15th January, 2011 by the Second respondent (PDP),” Mr. Kafarati said, citing the ruling by the Supreme Court early this year in the case filed by Timipreye Silva, the former governor of Bayelsa state, against the PDP.
“The main complaint of the applicant were not against the conduct of the primary election, but on the actions preceding the conduct of the election, which this court has no jurisdiction to entertain, because they are the internal affairs and domestic rights of the PDP,” the court ruled.
Consequently, the court dismissed the case for lacking in merit and want of jurisdiction. The court also awarded N50 thousand each, to the first and second respondents (Akpabioand PDP respectively), and N100 thousand to the third respondent (INEC), against the plaintiff as legal costs.
While Mr. Akpabio’s legal team, led by Dominic Okon, hailed the ruling as profound, Mr. Okon’s legal team
rejected it, alleging an “obvious miscarriage of justice” against its client. They have already given an indication to proceed on appeal.
After hearing the final briefs by all parties on May 3, Mr. Kafarati adjourned judgment to July 12.
The judgment was postponed indefinitely, until Friday, when it was announced on July 12 that the judge travelled out of the country for undisclosed reasons.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/100166-court-dismisses-petition-against-akpabios-election.html

US-based Nigerian Christians have decided to form a pressure group in America to advance the interests of the Nigerian immigrant community and their homeland-Nigeria. And their first concern is how to bring an end to the Boko Haram violence in parts of the country.

“Our lights will no longer be hidden again,” according to Dr. James Fadele, a senior pastor and the Chairman of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in North America, which denomination alongside several others in the United States is now mobilizing other Nigerian churches, pastors, leaders and Christians to come together.
 
Empowered Newswire reports that already about 10 Nigerian denominations in the US have either registered their support for the group, or indicated same. An impressive meeting was held during the week in New York where it was agreed that all Nigerian Christians in the US should form an association to be called Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN.
 
The denominations and their heads in the US, apart from Fadele of the RCCG in North America, who were at the New York meeting are New Covenant Church led by Archbishop Joseph Alexander, Jubilee Christian Church led by Dr Olabisi Tofade, and Dr. Olufemi Alabi of the Bethel of Praise Ministries.
 
Other denominations with senior pastors and leading church members at the meeting include the Catholic Church, Christian Apostolic Church, CAC, Celestial Church of Christ, CCC, while the Nigerian Anglicans, Winners Chapel and Christ Life Ministries pastors and leaders have also indicated their support for CANAN. Outreach efforts to bring in more Nigerian Christians and churches are said to be ongoing.
 
In fact CANAN now plans to go and form regional chapters across the US in leading cities until the entire America is covered.
 
Sources close to the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN also disclosed that the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is already aware of the new group and has already conveyed his delight to the promoters of the idea, which include leading Nigerian pastors and overseers.
 
Indeed, it was learnt that during Pastor Oritsejafor’s presentation in July before the US Congress on Boko Haram, he was asked by some of the American law-makers whether there were Nigerian Christians in the USA, since their voices have not been heard regarding the violence and terrorism being meted out against fellow Christians and other Nigerians especially in the northern part of Nigeria by Boko Haram.
 
On return home the CAN president reported the situation to some of the very prominent Nigerian heads of denominations, who in turn decided to actively support the plan that has led to the formation of CANAN.
 
Calling it “a heart-warming proposal,” Archbishop Joseph Alexander, of the New Covenant Church in New York, perhaps one of the longest surviving Nigerian pastors in the US, noted that time was very ripe for such an association to be formed to represent Nigerians here in the US and influence the progress, peace and unity of Nigerians at home.
 
At the inaugural meeting of the association in New York a substantial amount of money was raised and pledged on the spot to support the organization, while additional plans and resources had also been set aside to take care of the renumeration of the secretariat staff of CANAN, now based in New York.
 
According to CANAN vision statement, the association is “to be the leading voice of Nigerian-American Christians and their immigrant communities within and outside the United States of America, advancing their interests, views and causes.”
 
In its mission statements, it was noted that CANAN will pray and advocate vigorously “for the upliftment of Nigerian-Americans and their immigrant communities in the US and work to marshal their influence in a widely diverse nation and the world for the purpose of promoting peaceful co-existence among all people regardless of religious convictions.”
 
Members of the Association at their New York inaugural meeting said CANAN’s first assignment is to start a campaign on the Boko Haram violence, working with the US  and Nigerian governments to seriously consider strong and effective measures that will bring the killing and terrorist activities to an end.
 
Already some US Congress members have set appointment with the leaders of the new association.
 
CANAN sources say plans are ongoing to complete the formation of a board of trustees to govern the association. While the process for electing trustees for the association has not been completed, some of the Board have already been elected at the New York meeting earlier this week.
 
Those already named include Pastor James Fadele, who will chair the board, Archbishop Joseph Alexander, Pastor Olabisi Tofade of the Jubilee Christian Church, Pastor Timothy Agbeja from the CAC, former World Bank Vice President for Africa, Oby Ezekwesili, leading Nigeria professor in New York, Prof Ebere Nduka and Beatrice Hamza-Bassey, a Nigerian partner at a one of the oldest American and international law firm based in New York, and Pastor Joe Takon and Enefaa Korubo, among others.
 
A leading US-based journalist and pastor, Mr. Laolu Akande is also among the elected trustees and has been named the Executive Director of the association.
 
Several US-based Nigerians at the New York meeting expressed the readiness to “speak up ” on behalf of the Christians who were being persecuted in Nigeria. It was clear that most of them had reached the point where they believe that enough is enough, according to Emma Ogebe, a US-Nigeria law expert who was also at the meeting.

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/nigerian-church-groups-us-form-anti-boko-haram-lobby

In what appears an indictment of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, the United Nations, has released a report saying Nigeria’s unemployment rate has increased in the last two years under Mr. Jonathan’s watch, from 21.1 per cent in 2010 to 23.9 per cent.
The report shows that about one in four Nigerians are currently unemployed. Nigeria also has one of the worst youth unemployment rates in sub-Saharan Africa, at 37.7 per cent – which means two in five Nigerian youth are unemployed.
These damning verdicts are contained in a 291-page publication called ‘The African Economic Outlook 2012’ jointly published by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNECA; the United Nations Development Population, UNDP; the African Development Bank Group; and the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.
The publication, launched on Thursday in Addis Ababa, was presented by the Director, Economic Department, NEPAD division of UNECA, Emmanuel Nnadozie.
The publication, which is in its 11th year, however, described Nigeria’s economic growth in 2011 as “robust.”
The robust growth recorded in Nigeria’s economy, according to the publication, was driven mainly by the non-oil sector, and in particular, telecommunications, construction, wholesale/retail trade, hotel and restaurant services, manufacturing, and agriculture.
Policies are failing
The report showed that Mr. Jonathan’s policies, despite leading to a “robust” economic growth, are spreading poverty in the country.
The Nigerian economy has failed to generate decent jobs as poverty is widespread, the publication revealed.
“Poverty is also very high and persistent. Social indicators in health and education remain weak,” Mr. Nnadozie stated in his presentation of the report.
“To mitigate the negative impacts of the global economic crisis, the government pursued an expansionary fiscal policy to maintain growth and social sector spending that led to pressure on consumer prices,” he said.
The publication showed that dilapidated infrastructure particularly in power, road transport and railways; and the overdependence on the oil and gas industry, impede Nigeria’s economy and the country’s absorptive capacity.
The findings of the report are not too far from that of the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics.
The Bureau, in a recent report, said the number of Nigerians living below the poverty level of $2 per day has increased since 2007. Over 100 million Nigerians now live below the poverty line, the Bureau had stated in its own report.
Agric Sector is getting better
The report also showed that in spite of the dominance of the oil sector, agriculture played a significant role in the national economy, accounting for the largest single share of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“Sustained growth in the agricultural sector is a principal factor in promoting inclusive economic growth, reducing poverty and ensuring the nation’s food security,” Mr. Nnadozie said.
The publication gave a country by country economic performance of 54 African countries and was themed “Promoting Youth Employment”.
Mr. Nnadozie said the Republic of Somalia was exempted from the outlook because of the prevailing security situation in the country.
He, however, said with the current positive political process, Somalia would feature in the 2013 African Economic Outlook.
The central message of the publication is job creation for African youth by African governments.

http://premiumtimesng.com/business/100084-nigerias-economic-policy-failing-two-in-five-nigerian-youth-unemployed-un.html

A woman threw caution to the winds in Imo State as she set her 85-year-old stepmother ablaze, after splashing her two grandchildren with hot water.

The natives of Ndiokwu Lorji, Aboh Mbaise area of the state, would not forget the fateful day in a hurry as the devil, metaphorically, took control of one of them and she caused tragedy within her own family.

People wept uncontrollably at the sight of the old woman and the two kids who were writhing in pains following the alleged action of the suspect.

Gladys, 48, mother of many children, was said to have splashed hot water on Emeka Ukaegbu, 4, and Nzube Ukaegbu, 6.

Daily Sun gathered that the children were viewing a film in the family parlour when Gladys appeared with the hot water and before anybody knew what she was up to, she had poured the hot water on the two kids.

Their uncle, Chukwuma Ukaegbu, 32, told Daily Sun in Lagos that the kids screamed as they were running out from the parlour in agony.

Chukwuma said his mother, 85-year-old Mary Ukaegbu, staggered as she ran to inquire what had happened.

The woman was shocked to see her grandchildren with their body peeled .

The children kept shouting the name Gladys to their enraged grandmother who moved in haste to see Gladys.

Upon sighting the old woman, Gladys allegedly poured a substance suspected to be fuel on her and immediately set her ablaze.

Mary, Emeka and Nzube were rushed to the hospital but only the two kids were admitted while hospitals rejected the old woman.

Chukwuma said the incident began at about 1.30pm, adding that his mother (Mary) gave up the ghost at 11 pm same day, August 20.

Chukwuma said the kids are still in hospital receiving treatment as at the time of filing this report.

He explained that Emeka sustained injury from his head to the back.

He said Nzube was the worst hit as his body peeled completely from head to toe.

He said it took some days before the eyes of Nzube could open.

Chukwuma could not fathom what could have been the cause of Gladys’ anger.

According to him, there used to be minor quarrel over sundry issues like “your goat ate my leaves or yam.”

He alleged that there was nothing very serious that would have warranted such wicked act.

He further alleged that his elder brother, Nnabuihe, told him that Gladys had several times threatened that she would kill his (Nnabuihe’s) children, kill him (Nnabuihe) and their mother, Mary.

He said Nnabuihe waved her threat off as one of those empty ones.

They never knew evil thought was brewing in the heart of the suspect until the fateful day.

Policemen from Aboh Mbaise Division arrested Gladys the following day and later transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri, Imo State.

While Chukwuma insisted that the name of his half sister is Gladys, the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Vitalis Onugu, a deputy superintendent, while confirming the story to Daily Sun, said the name police recorded in the file was Clarene.

Onugu said the suspect had an altercation with the two children and as she wanted to pour petrol on them, she allegedly poured it on the old woman, Mary, and she went up in flames.

Onugu also said the suspect later poured hot water on the children.

The police spokesman said the suspect would soon be arraigned in court.

http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/woman-sets-85-year-old-stepmother-ablaze/#!prettyPhoto

OBJ .......the ota farmer.....another bomb shell

Hmmmmmn, .........

Join dem in prayer and wish madam quick recovery

Good job...... Great strides

Operation let there be light in Naija or ops light naija

Written by Isa Sa’idu (Kaduna), Ahmed Mohammed (Bauchi), Lami Sadiq, Hassan Ibrahim (Jos) & Misbahu Bashir (Abuja) Friday, 14 September 2012 05:00


inShare
SocButtons plugin

Prominent Islamic clerics yesterday urged Muslims in Nigeria not to resort to street demonstrations over the blasphemous film made in the US, as violence spread in the Middle East and North Africa.
 

While the clerics condemned the movie, which presented the Prophet Muhammad in ways that angered Muslims around the world, they said street protests could only worsen the security situation in the country.
 

Chief Imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheikh Balarabe Daud, described the film as provocative and insulting but urged for restraint.

“Such actions are orchestrated by the enemies of peace to bring about chaos which must be condemned by religious leaders all over the world,” he said.



Another prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Alhassan Sa’id said the only way Muslims can be appeased is for the United States to take measures to arrest and prosecute these behind the movie.

But he urged for restraint among the Muslim community in Nigeria.

In Kaduna, security presence was beefed up yesterday, apparently in efforts to avoid eruption of violence following the security alert issued on Tuesday.

Public buildings where there was no security presence before yesterday are now guarded by either policemen or soldiers.

An armoured tank was stationed at the entrance of the Arewa House, aside the presence of security personnel.

When contacted, the Kaduna State Commissioner of police, Olufemi Adenaike, said his command has put his men on red alert to avert any attempt to breach the peace.

“In the first place, what we want the public to know is that there is no link between what happened in other countries and Nigeria,” he said.

“Those who did what they did are not Nigerians, therefore we shouldn’t allow crisis that happened in other countries to spill over to Nigeria. I know Nigerians are peace loving people and for that I know they would not allow anybody to use them to breach the peace that we are enjoying in Kaduna and other parts of the country.

“However, I have put all my divisional police officers and area commanders on red alert to forestall any attempt by individuals or groups to breach the peace of the state.”

In Kano spokesman for the Joint Task Force, Lt Ikedichi Iweha, told Daily Trust troops have been briefed about the situation. He, however, said there is no sign of trouble.

“Troops are on ground and ready to act in case anything happens,” he added.

Our correspondent reports that many people in Kano did not appear to be aware of protests elsewhere over the controversial film.

In Bauchi, the state Police command said they also took measures to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

A Daily Trust correspondent who went round Bauchi metropolis observed that security has been beefed up, as soldiers and policemen patrol the streets and conduct stop-and-search.

Spokesman for the Police in Bauchi, Hassan Mohammed Auyo, said, “We have now taken more proactive measures. We have identified all flash points; we have deployed our men there and we opened our ears where ever we heard something we will be there to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.”

He appealed to parents to warn their children against participating in any activity that will cause the breach of peace.

US embassy issues warning

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Nigeria yesterday warned Americans about the threat of attacks by extremist groups following the violence in Libya and Egypt, urging extra caution.

The “emergency message” issued to Americans living in Nigeria came after militants attacked the US consulate in Benghazi, killing the US ambassador and three other Americans, hours after a mob attacked the US embassy in Cairo.

“Extremists may attempt to target US citizens and other Westerners in Nigeria,” the embassy said in a statement.

“The situation in Nigeria remains fluid and unpredictable,” the statement said, urging Americans “to consider their personal security.”

Filmmaker identified

A U.S. law enforcement official says a man named Nakoula Basseley Nakoula is behind the anti-Islam film being blamed for mob attacks in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia and Yemen.

A man who calls himself Sam Bacile has said he created the film, but The Associated Press on Wednesday connected Nakoula to the Bacile persona.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation.

In an AP interview, Nakoula says he managed logistics for the company that produced the film, which mocked Muslims and the prophet Muhammad. He denies that he was Bacile.

http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/other-sections/lead-stories/176785-us-blasphemy-moviemuslim-clerics-advise-against-street-protest

A group of Muslims in the troubled tin city of Jos, Plateau State, yesterday evening held a demonstration over an America-produced film that purportedly blasphemed Prophet Muhammad.

The protesters, who defied security agents, said they would rather die than to watch their Prophet insulted, and will submit only to the laws of Allah which, to them, are supreme to any other law.

The mostly youth and children protesters, who numbered almost 100 were led by one Malam Mansur Sani Adamu in the demonstration, which took place on Bauchi Road.  They carried placards condemning the United States, Israel, Denmark and Holland, accusing them of plotting against Islam and Muslims.  Before they dispersed, they chanted, “Allahuakubar, Allahuakubar, they have touched our Prophet....”

Malam Adamu said, “We are doing this to express our anger against enemies of Allah and Islam led by America and her allies like Israel, Denmark and Holland because they are plotting against Islam. These days they have also produced another depicting film; this is what is troubling us.

This denigration of Prophet Muhammad is very sad and we are against it. With this it is better that it is death that consumed us for our Prophet to be denigrated. All Muslims in the world should come out and protest and those who cannot should pray.”

According to our source, security agencies urged the protesters to disperse since they had not secured permission, to which leader of the demonstration responded, “If our Prophet is blasphemed we will not wait for any law, Islam supersede any laws of the country.”

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/muslims-jos-protest-film-prophet-mohammed

The burial ceremony of Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, the late Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), who died in the 3 June, 2012 Dana air crash, begins today, with the burial fixed for 14 September 2012.
This was disclosed in a statement by Mr. Fidel Pepple of the Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation.
He explained that the funeral ceremony will commence by 3 pm today with a service of songs at Harbour Point, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, while the final burial rites and interment will take place on Friday, 14 September, 2012, by 12 noon in his home town, Awalla autonomous community near Isiekenesi in Ideato-South Local Government Area, Imo State.
The late Dr. Levi Ajuonuma was born on 2nd December 1959 in Enugu.
He had his early education in Enugu before proceeding to the United States of America for further studies.
Ajuonuma was for many years host of the popular Saturday night programme, ‘Open House Party’ – a variety entertainment show which hosted mostly comedians and music acts on Ray Power FM.
He was also host and executive producer of the equally popular ‘The Sunday Show’, ‘Levi Ajuonoma Live’ and ‘Showtime’ on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and other television channels before his appointment as General Manager, Public Affairs Division of the NNPC in November 2003.
He is survived by a wife and children.

http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2012/09/13/finally-levi-ajuonuma-goes-home/

Army GOC Batters Truck Driver, Impounds Truck


In what appears a throw-back to the Chioma Okere-Nigerian Navy assault and battery saga, a truck driver, Felix Nkemdilim, was last Friday brutally assaulted at Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, by armed soldiers allegedly on the orders of General Officer Commanding (GOC) Commanding 81 Division, Major General Keneth Minimah.

Minimah, who survived last month’s shake-up in the Army, is one of the officers favoured to take over from Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika as Chief of Army Staff later in the year, when the later moves over as Chief of Defence Staff.

Witnesses told Pointblanknews.com that trouble began for Felix, a truck driver, when his MAN truck accidentally hit  an American-used unregistered Chrysler 300 car ostensibly just cleared from the port for General Minimah.

According to the witnesses, no sooner had the truck grazed the General’s car than the soldier-driver and his colleague pounced on Felix, giving him a thorough beating.

The soldiers thereafter reportedly put a call through to their boss and hordes of soldiers stormed the port causing pandemonium.

The truck driver was consequently whisked away and has not been seen or contacted since then. A colleague-driver  of Felix who did not want to be mentioned, said he overheard the soldiers talking about Obalende barracks.

He told Pointblanknews.com that the soldiers towed away the MAN truck, amidst curse words for Felix and Good Samaritans who attempted to intervene.

He claimed that the agitated soldiers freely used such words as “bloody civilian, bagger and idiot” on Felix, as they hauled him in their truck.

The hapless driver’s wife and family have reportedly been unable to see him let alone know his condition. Military sources, however confirmed that he was being detained in the guardroom, a detention facility for erring soldiers.

Attempts to get General Minimah’s side of the story were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls and text messages.

The Nigerian military is loathed by the public partly for the decades they clung to power and their scanty respect for human rights.

A few years ago, a Lagos High Court ordered the Nigerian Navy to pay N100 million as compensation for the assault meted on a certain Chioma Okere by Naval Ratings attached to their Flag Officer.

There have been several reported cases of deaths stemming from military brutality, particularly in Lagos.

Recently, the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola arrested an Army Colonel for driving against traffic in broad daylight.

Ironically, the same Minimah recently court- martialled several Army officers for driving on BRT lanes.

Army Chief General Ihejierika has constantly urged men and officers of the Nigerian Army to obey democratic tenets and submit selves to the rule of law.

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/army-goc-batters-truck-driver-impounds-truck/

The man is only trying to seek relevance ahead of 2015.......... He needs more money joooo...

El rufai has the prerogative to serve his fatherland in whatever capacity whenever he is called to do so, so please let him keep lobbying for d post jooooo.......hmmmm politicking biz

The Niger State government has said it will not stop or reverse its planned sale of government houses in Minna, the state capital.
Government’s stand was restated at a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House conference hall in the Niger State capital on Monday.

A statement by Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu’s Chief Press Secretary, Danladi Ndayebo said that the decision was in the best interest of the people of the state and in line with government existing policy on monetisation.

Ndayebo stated that all those present at the meeting, including commissioners, special advisers, directors general, heads of boards and parastatals and selected senior special assistants as well board members gave their backing to the move to sell off the government buildings.

The buildings to be sold, constructed as far back as 1978, housed commissioners and state lawmakers.

The meeting, according to Ndayebo, took note of the monetisation policy of the government and resolved that only the governor, his deputy, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Chief Judge and the state Grand khadi were entitled to live in government houses.

He, however, said the meeting resolved that occupants of the buildings would be given the first opportunity to purchase or reject the buildings.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/34780/2012/09/13/no_going_back_sale_govt_houses_aliyu.html

The Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Abubakar has cautioned men of the Lagos State Police Command to stop sleeping and wake up to the challenge and task of proper policing in the state and in the country, noting that the job is no longer a tea party.

This strong warning came from the police boss on Monday at the presentation and inauguration of 114 security patrol vehicles, 40 motorcycles and other security items by Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, and also supported by other local government areas in the state.

He said: “It is no longer a tea party. There is no doubt that policemen in the state are sleeping. You must wake up from your slumber.

 

“The story of yesterday (the robbery incidents) should not happen again. We must not fold our arms and allow miscreants to take over the state.

 

“I have ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, and the state Commissioner of Police to sit down and re-strategise and find a new way of fighting crime in Lagos.

 

“You have mobility, you have support, you have allowance from the state government; you must not allow people of Lagos to be terrorised by robbers. It can never be accepted anymore.”

While cautioning the policemen in the state not to turn the patrol vehicles to personal or private property, the Acting IGP said they were meant to protect lives and property, stressing that the ban of road blocks did not give the police the freewill to ignore their jobs in any way.

He said, “You must be seen and felt everywhere.”

 

Speaking further, Abubakar who will be honoured alongside 149 eminent Nigerians at this year’s National Awards said, “The CP will talk to all the unions and after a week, start arresting them and charging them to court.”

Lagos State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola while presenting the vehicles said it was the states own way of contributing towards a perfect security in the state and in the country just as he urged them to be committed towards ensuring a crime-free Lagos state.

On the Sunday robbery attacks, he lamented thus, “Our work in securing the state has been challenged. But those who threaten us must be ready to run faster, to hit harder and spend more money than us, because we will win.

“I challenge policemen in the state to find those men who dare to attack us. Yesterday success is history. Today challenges live with us. It is our duty to provide solution. There is no margin for error. We have to be right everytime.”

In related development,  Abubakar  had promised the five  policemen  who are currently on admission   at the Military Hospital, Yaba, Lagos that they will be compensated for the injuries they sustained during the peacekeeping operation in Darfur .

http://dailypost.com.ng/2012/09/11/wake-slumber-igp-abubakar-tells-lagos-policemen/

Dino is only seeking for more relevance by indulging into the minds of his gullible followers for his own benefits.........

Unless religious intolerance and social injustice are addressed in the northern part of the country, the region will never record significant development politically, socially and economically like its southern counterpart.

Prominent academic and legal practitioner, Barrister Solomon Selcap Dalung, made this assertion while delivering a paper entitled ‘The Quest for Peaceful Co-existence in Northern Nigeria’ at a seminar organised by the National Council of Muslim Youths Organizations (NACOMYO) in Bauchi.

Dalung, a lecturer at the University of Jos, lamented the endemic security challenges and economic backwardness faced by the north, ascribing  them to the current disunity among the people of different  religious and ethnic groups in the region. He called  on the northern elite to go back to the drawing boards and work patriotically to save the area.

He particularly blamed northern politicians for the present crises bedeviling the region such as that of the Boko Haram and ethno-religious clashes in some states, saying their failure to eradicate poverty and high rate of unemployment had escalated the problems.

The university teacher therefore urged northern leaders to set up a poverty eradication commission with head office in Kaduna and branch offices in all the states of the north so as to  introduce human empowerment programmes that can address the current restiveness and insecurity confronting the region.

On the agitation for power shift to the north in 2015, Barrister Dalung advised the northern political elite to shun selfishness and produce a credible person of integrity to be the candidate of the region.

http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/34581/2012/09/10/why_north_lags_behind_all_sectors_dalung.html

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was at the just-concluded convention of the Democratic Party held in Charlotte. Glossy pictures are already circulating in social media. There is one of him clapping excitedly in the audience. There is another of him in an outside pose with one of his men Friday, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state. On the surface, this is a good development. When a man of such enormous influence decides to come and observe and learn from the best democratic practices, the idea – only the idea – should be lauded. But observing and learning from the best practices in the world is an area in which Nigerian leaders and socio-political élite are not in good standing. Therefore, we need to know what Asiwaju and his entourage saw, heard, and learnt in Charlotte.

What did he learn about internal party democracy? What did he learn about the power of ideas over money? What did he learn from the zero violence in back to back conventions? What are his concrete plans to translate such lessons into concrete, verifiable results in his southwest fief in particular and in Nigeria at large? In the same vein, Nigerians should also be interested in the things Asiwaju did not see and did not hear in Charlotte. The list is endless but I’ll limit myself to three:

1. Asiwaju did not hear that any Governor of the states controlled by the Democratic Party is in permanent financial bondage to Bill Clinton.

2. Asiwaju did not hear that Governors of the Democratic Party have ever collectively used taxpayers’ money to fund Bill Clinton’s birthday celebrations.

3. Asiwaju did not hear that companies owned by Bill Clinton or in which Bill Clinton has substantial interest somehow manage to corner most of the contracts in states controlled by Governors of the Democratic Party. He did not hear that Bill Clinton’s companies are operating concessions and toll gates in any state controlled by the Democrats.

Now, over to you. What else do you think Asiwaju did not see or hear in Charlotte?

http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/articles-opinions/asiwaju-goes-to-charlotte/