₦airaland Forum

The FG announced a token compensation of N5m for the families of the 10 corpers killled in the recent post-election violence.

It seems to me that the corp members killed in Suleja on the eve of botched NASS elections of April 9 2011 have been fogotten so soon.

When the news of the death of these corps members filtered around the country, there was grief all around and the INEC chairman amongst others acknowledged the sacrifice of the corpers.

Now that the Bauchi 10 are being honoured, shouldn't the Suleja corpers be similarly honoured?

------------------------------------------------

NASS election eve bomb blast kills 25 in Suleja
By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa, Niyi Odebode and Emeka Ezekiel, Abuja
Friday, 8 Apr 2011



No fewer than 25 persons, mostly National Youth Service Corps members, were feared dead and several others seriously injured after a bomb explosion rocked Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, on Friday.



The event created panic in the entire state ahead of today’s rescheduled National Assembly election.



The incident occurred at the Suleja office of the Independent National Electoral Commission at about 5.30 pm.



Bombs had exploded on March 3, 2011 at a rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party at the Government Secondary School, Suleja, killing several people and injuring many others.



A bomb scare had also rattled another PDP rally at Sarkin Pawa, Suleja LGA as people abandoned Governor Babangida Aliyu’s event and ran to safety.



SATURDAY PUNCH gathered that the INEC office located at Kumba area of Suleja, where Friday’s blast occurred, was a beehive of activities as officials of the commission and ad hoc employees consisting mainly of youth corps members were getting ready for today’s election.



The corps members were reportedly checking a list containing their areas of assignment when the explosion happened.



A source told our correspondent that there was a loud blast, which threw some people up and created a thick ball of smoke.



The source, who identified himself as Mallam Bisala Baba-Sule, said, “When the bomb exploded, most of the victims were dismembered and their bodies littered the office complex. I saw people with their hands cut off and their bodies charred.”



It was gathered that most of the corps members, who were caught unawares by the explosion, were not killed instantly by the blast.



They were said to have died after much groaning and writhing in pains because they could not get urgent medical assistance from onlookers, who reportedly maintained a reasonable distance from the scene of the incident.



The police reportedly fled the scene to join others, who were not ready to move close to render assistance.



Our correspondent gathered that those who escaped the blast were panic-stricken and could not immediately go back to the scene of the incident to assist the victims.



Those residing close to the INEC office and others doing business in the area were said to have fled to safety, abandoning their homes and shops.



It was gathered that the injured victims were later taken to the Suleja General Hospital and other private hospitals in the town for treatment.



The source said he saw bodies of both the dead and the injured litter the premises of the Suleja General Hospital with a few medical personnel on hand to attend to them.



It was gathered that many residents of Minna, the state capital, had become apprehensive of the security situation in the state.



Many people were seen in clusters folding their hands and discussing the incident.



It was learnt that the state headquarters of INEC at David Mark Road was immediately deserted as workers and other corps members abandoned their duty posts and fled for the fear of another explosion.



The incident was said to have rendered the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, speechless.



Onucheyo, however, was not disposed to speaking to our correspondent as he refused to answer calls to his cell-phone.



But the governor of the state, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, condemned the incident, saying it was unfortunate that people had resorted to violence instead of playing the political game by the rules.



Aliyu, who spoke through his Director-General, Media and Publicity, Alhaji Abdulkadir Baba, offered to offset the bills of the victims in the hospitals.



He, however, called on the people not to be discouraged by the blast, asking them to come out en masse to cast their votes today.



Inhis initial reaction, Mr. Kayode Idowu, the spokesman of INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said, “We have received news of a blast in one of our offices. We’re in touch with security agencies trying to get the details of what happened.”



The spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Yishau Shaibu, said, “Some people were seriously injured. The situation is horrific. Because of the high number of casualties, the NEMA Director-General has ordered that those who can’t be treated in Suleja be transfered to Abuja hospitals.”




http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20110408232246

enyojo:
Middle-beltans generally. We are like the Belt that binds Nigeria together.
Thank God for making me an Igala

I think you are giving too many details about yourself on NL.

I also suggest you remove your profile picture.

oyb:
are we already making excues for the same GEJ

Is this person also making excuses for Fashola?

enyojo:
I feel your pain. However the entire Ikorodu will never lack portable water again. [b]That is if and when the Water Scheme by Fash is completed. but frm the look of things, it will take a long time say in 4 years time since there are cabals against speedy completion. May God help Fashola to squash them squarely.[/b]

Mind you, she says if the project is completed.

How is this thread "politically correct?"

I remember when I lived in one of the suburbs of Lagos in the 80s. At the time public water supply had not been extended to the area.

Those who sold water from wells with water pumps attached actually contributed money to government officials regularly to frustrate the efforts of community (residents' association) leaders who vigorously campagined for the extension of the water supply to the area.

Thank God that one of the military governments was able to break the back of the cabal or maybe it was just that it was a change that its time had come, public water supply was eventually extended to the area and is still available today.

Everytime I remember the suffering thoe people caused us, the face of one the water sellers pops up in my head and I wish I could give him a piece of my mind.

I have followed two recent and very interesting threads on Nairaland that have do with infrastructure developement.

1.    Lagos Earmarks N102 Bn To Build Lekki Int’l Airport   
       https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-661845.0.html#msg8273628

and

2. Is The Fg Really Serious About Improving Power Supply?
    https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-663363.0.html#msg8286327


A fear that people have about the delivery of projects that are supposed to alleviate the suffering of the masses, propel development and engender economic prosperity is that there are cabals who would allow these projects to succeed.

Take two examples (posts):

1.
A water project being handled by the Lagos State government:

enyojo:
I feel your pain. However the entire Ikorodu will never lack portable water again. That is if and when the Water Scheme by Fash is completed. but frm the look of things, it will take a long time say in 4 years time since there are cabals against speedy completion. May God help Fashola to squash them squarely.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-661845.192.html#msg8290355

2.  The power projects of the FG:

Abiodun234:
I guess this might help you answer your questions

-Another major question is this: is this government ready to fight the cabals that profits from generator and diesel import? I am not sure except the president changes after may 29th.

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-663363.96.html#msg8292316


I have picked these two projects and the comments of other NLanders to show that the problem is not peculiar to one political party, level of government.

If you mention any other project, you would probably find that there is one cabal or the other working against the success of the project.

The question then is this:

WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT THESE CABALS?

Crownvilla:
^^^^^^^

@Enyojo,

I understand your predicament, you love Nigeria, but find yourself caught in the middle. Maybe, you should create another ID which will give you the opportunity to spill the beans without jeopardising your position.

Enyojo, please stop using your current ID if you think it is not safe for you but please let's get our inputs.

Technical lapses threaten 1,074 mw power plant

Tuesday, 10 May 2011 00:00 By Obiora Aduba (Lagos) and Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia

STARTLING revelations that the N1.3 billion ($8.5 million) gas pipeline being laid to the Alaoji Power Plant in Aba, Abia State, is not suitable for the facility may compel the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to review the project.

The Guardian learnt that both the size and nature of the pipeline to transport gas to the plant cannot effectively convey the product because the pressure level is very low.

Senior officials, especially engineers at the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the (NNPC), confirmed this when they told The Guardian that they were worried about the workability of the pipeline to the plant located on the outskirts of commercial town of Aba.                    

The contract started on a shaky note when the Federal Government last year discovered that due process was breached in the award of the contract.

Consequently, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) issued a query to the NNPC, demanding explanation on why the contract award did not follow due process. The query was issued last September with a reminder written three months later.

According to the NGC officials, “it is technically not feasible for the new 18 inches pipeline, measuring 2.5 kilometres to carry gas efficiently from the existing 12 inches pipeline, which was built in the 1960s by Shell.”

The engineers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, further described the existing pipeline as obsolete and of questionable integrity.

“It is a low pressure pipeline,” one of them declared, claiming that NGC engineers advised strongly against “this bogus project.

“It can transport gas to manufacturing companies and others in Aba, but not a big power plant, which requires a high pressure pipeline of 24 inches.”

When contacted on the experts’ claims, NNPC Group General Manager (Public Affairs Division), Dr. Levi Ajuonuma, said the safety of Nigerians is paramount at every point in time in projects of such nature, adding that the corporation would give the NGC engineers the needed support to keep the project going.

Ajuonuma said: “Nobody has a monopoly of knowledge. If the engineers have alleged this, then we have to work towards it. We will also need independent confirmation from other sources, then render all the necessary support.”

[b]The contract for laying the new gas pipeline was awarded last August to an indigenous firm without competitive bidding following a meeting two months earlier of the NNPC top management in Abuja where an executive director, now retired, described the need for the award as “a national emergency in view of its capacity to help generate considerable electricity.”

The NNPC management, it has now been learnt, was told that the old 12 inches low-pressure pipeline could carry enough gas for the first two units of the 1,074 megawatts Alaoji plant, which were scheduled to come on stream in November 2010.

Five months after, neither the plant nor the gas pipeline is ready, thereby threatening national electricity growth projections.

The new 18 inches pipeline is supposed to supply gas to the first two turbines of the Alaoji plant to generate 240MW pending the time the main pipeline measuring some 25 kilometres by 24 inches is completed, thus availing the nation of 1,074MW.

“ If it is proved,” a retired NNPC Group General Manager said in an interview, “ by the time the new 18 inches gas pipeline to the plant is handed over to the NGC that it is technically incongruous for it to take gas from the old 12 inches low pressure pipeline built in the 1960s, the nation will have to demand an explanation from those who awarded the N1.3 billion contract without competitive bidding because it was thought to be a national emergency.”[/b]


http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47467:technical-lapses-threaten-1074-mw-power-plant-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Enyojo, let's have your inputs here, please.

@enyojo

Let's have your inputs here:

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria?topic=663363.0;wap2

Thank God!

@lawyer,

I feel your PAIN!

What is the N102 billion ($ 650 million) for? Provision of infrastructure or construction of the airport?

The reporters ought to clarify.

There is a contradiction between the  news headline and first paragraph of the story on one hand and the comment of the governor's adviser on the other hand. The former claims that the government is to spend N102bn of tax payers' money while the adviser says that the government will only woo private investors:

The Lagos State Government is to spend N102 billion ($ 650 million) on the construction of the Lekki International Airport which is expected to commence operation in May 2012.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Adeniyi Oyemade, a Public Private Partnership projector told reporters in Ikeja that the proposed airport would handle 5 million passengers annually.

“The state government has obtained the site approval for the airport from the Federal ministry of Aviation and completed the master plan on the 3500 hectares of land for the project.

The Governor has also approved the conduct of the topographical and geotechnical survey of the 3500 hectares of land allocated for the Airport,” he said. Its construction will engage over 2,000 direct and indirect workers.

Also speaking on the project the Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Olusola Oworu, said “the state government believes that this is an investment that can be run only by the private sector because it is commercially viable to have the second international airport in Lagos state which will be running at maximum capacity.

“What the state government will do for the private companies is to create an enabling environment for the investors.  And as we speak today, the state government has appointed a commercial adviser who will assist the state government in putting the data’s that will be sent out to prospective investors who will send in their codes for the project,” she added.

The state government has appointed Mace Group, a United Kingdom based firms International Development Unit (IDU) team as the project manager for the preparation of a master plan for the new Airport   which will be built next to the 16,500ha Lekki Free Trade Zone.

In the past one week, the vice president has visited two of the National Integrated Power Plants (Olorunsogo and Sapele).

It is reported that two hundred megawatts from the first phase of the Olorunsogo plant have already been injected into the national grid. The second phase is expected to generate 750 megawatts on completionin November 2011.  However 375 megawatts from three turbines of the plant would be ready for injection into the national grid within the next two months.

Briefing newsmen after the inspection of the Sapele plant , the vice president said about 250MW of the project is being  test-run and ready to be added to the national grid this month, while the remaining 200MW would be ready by July.

The Olorunsogo and Sapele projects are in addition to other ongoing NIPPs which are Omotosho, Ondo State; Ihovbo, Edo State; Alaoje, Abia State; Egbema, Imo State; Gbaran, Bayelsa State; Calabar, Cross River State; Omoku, Rivers State; and Geregu, Kogi State.


What strikes me is that these visits came after the elections. If they had come before the elections, I would have thought they were  mere publicity stunts.

What do you think?

News Sources:   http://www.independentngonline.com/DailyIndependent/Article.aspx?id=33319&print=1

http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/news/93654-fg-to-deliver-additional-750mw-of-electricity-in-nov.html?print

http://www.nigerianews24.com/articles/sambo-assures-on-power-projects

How much is the house?

Newly built? I thought the houses in the estate were built by the government over a decade ago?

How much is the house?

Monthly income of N250,000.00? Do you mean repayment or annual rental income?

Please explain.

Very interesting question.

But some pertinent questi would help us analyse better:

When did we begin to put emphasis on foreign policy?
I think it was soon after independence because I have read somewhere where some of the South African greats (Mbeki, Tambo, etc) mentioned that they received support from Nigeria.

I think it was during Murtala Mohammed's regime that we took it to the next level. That was when Nigeria started giving support to black South Africans (ANC). We also got involved in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), Mozambique (MPLA) , Angola and Namibia (SWAPO).


Why did Obasanjo continue with it when he took over?
It was natural that he would continue from where Murtala left off

How about the Babangida-Abacha days
I believe that Nigeria got involved in ECOMOG and other peace-keeping operations primarily to keep the boys (soldiers) busy and not to think of coups as well as to make some change along the line. The recent debable over payment to soldiers that led to the convition of some returnee soldiers for mutiny shows shat had been happening all along- some top officers (rank) "chopping" the pay of the file.

For the top brass, it allowwed them to expand their business interests into some of the countries they sent soldiers to. There are alegations that some of out top brass have refineries along the coast of West Africa and that they have also been involved in the "blood diamond" trade and rubber.

These are my initial thoughts on the matter.

I hope to get back to this soon.

Any other takers?

For laughs. This was published before the elections:

Baba Iyabo and his bitter-leaf soup .
Tuesday, 01 March 2011 00:00 Nigerian Compass
________________________________
BABA IYABO: Ha! Goodluck, IBB and even you Atiku visiting me together?

IBB: You know old comrades always come together no matter what!

BABA IYABO: You are right IBB, but what about these civilians… especially you Atiku

GOODLUCK: It’s the same matter that brought the three of us to visit you sir!

BABA IYABO: Ehen? When am about to eat pounded yam and my favorite bitter-leaf soup? Okay o! As long as you guys don’t disturb me when am eating

ATIKU: We will try not to disturb when the food is served

IBB: But you have not even asked us what brought us here

BABA IYABO: Eh! It’s because my mind is on the bitter-leaf soup, you should know I don’t joke it with. By the way it was prepared by my new catch! She is just 25, you
should see her. You know my wife is dead shey?

ATIKU: Yes we know, but the problem that brought us can’t wait it is very urgent!

BABA IYABO: And I should forget the bitter-leaf soup because of the problem shey?

IBB: Of cause not, we know you don’t joke with bitter-leaf soup

BABA IYABO: So what are you waiting for Goodluck? Spill it!

ATIKU: It’s about the new phenomenon sweeping the country?

BABA IYABO: Mogbe! That is impossible I mean Japan is so far from here so how could the radiation get into this country?

GOODLUCK: Not Japan sir, I mean the tsunami sweeping across the country

BABA IYABO: Apart from Japan, there has not been any recent tsunami that I know of

ATIKU: He is talking about the BB tsunami spreading like plague at an alarming rate!

BABA IYABO: Buhari? Bakare? And that’s why you came to disturb me when am about to eat my special bitter-leaf soup prepared by my sweet 16!

GOODLUCK: Sixteen? Is that not illegal? I thought you just said she was 25?

ATIKU: She is 25 quiet alright, but we call young girls sweet sixteen!

BABA IYABO: I never believe I will say this, but THANK YOU Atiku! By the way IBB are you also afraid of BB?

GOODLUCK: Sorry sir, but at the rate they are going they might,

BABA IYABO: Don’t ever interrupt me again when I am speaking or I will ask IBB to give you some military training right now!

IBB: its not like I am afraid of them, but if BUHARI becomes president don’t you think he will come after us for corruption?

ATIKU: That is what I am afraid of.

BABA IYABO: Of cause, you should be afraid Atiku! You stole too much money ke!

ATIKU: No just me alone!

BABA IYABO: Oh! So you want to compare yourself with IBB and myself abi? Now tell me, were you in the military? And are you a general for crying out loud

GOODLUCK: He was in the Customs sir!

BABA IYABO: And that makes him a military man shey? Olodo! Oya tell me if he also fought in the War?! I should have known the first time I saw your face, you are not
smart at all Goodluck I truly regret installing you, because you are not smart at all
GOODLUCK: Tunde Bakare’s SNG helped too sir!

BABA IYABO: When Queen Turai was treating you like her houseboy shey? All these happened because you are not a strong man! I should have installed an ex military
man! Nigerians love strong people! The other day you were shaking because a little girl from CNN was interviewing you. Didn’t you see my own interview? I told the British boy straight to his face that his questions were silly! Same with IBB, nobody can intimidate us. Anyway as your father, I will still make sure you retain your post after the elections but you must be strong shogbo?

ATIKU: But what if BB wins, what are we going to do?

BABA IYABO: Has Mr FIX-IT left our dear party? I said we will take care of it!

GOODLUCK: But how is that going to be possible if BB wins? They have instructed their supporters to go to the pooling stations with petrol and matches and if JEGA
boys try to rig in our favor they should light them up!
BABA IYABO: Action man! I trust BUHARI, you see we military men don’t take nonsense, we are ready for war at any time and that was why nobody dared me when I
was ruling. Anyway now that you know all these, what have you done to convince the people that you are the best man for the job?
GOODLUCK: Ermmmm!!!! Emm! Em!


IBB: But they gave you opportunities to sell yourself to the public through debates

BABA IYABO: I hope you didn’t take that your EMBLERA wife with you to the debates?

ATIKU: Actually he has not attended any debates yet and he is not planning to attend any

BABA IYABO: Goodluck, are you also afraid of talking to your own people? I mean this is not the CNN little girl o!

GOODLUCK: They will ask what I have done since I became the president, especially on corruption and I am afraid I don’t have any answer for,

BABA IYABO: So why haven’t you arrested anybody for corruption? During my time I arrested IG Tafa Balogun, I had the NafDac Woman working hard on fake drugs,
Okonjo Iweala was on board working hard too. What have you been doing Goodluck? I mean why didn’t you arrest that Charge and bail Lawyer called Anakonda self!
GOODLUCK: Aondoakaa sir!

IBB: This is not time for names correction, you should be listening to Baba’s advice

BABA IYABO: Leave him IBB, I don’t blame him at all. He has big mouth when it comes to me, yet he is afraid to even speak to his own people and has nothing to show
for one year of ruling
GOODLUCK: I speak to them on Facebook sir!

BABA IYABO: Are you the one writing those things? You were given opportunity to speak directly to them but you ran away

ATIKU: I wish you had installed me instead!

BABA IYABO: You ke? so that you can loot our treasury dry! No thank you! I prefer a clueless Goodluck to you Atiku.

GOODLUCK: Thank you sir! …, But I am still afraid that if BB wins, and we steal their votes all those angry Abokis will burn up the North and instead of the army to allow
the country plunge into civil war, they will take over and we will be back to the military days

BABA IYABO: Then you better think of attending the remaining debates, and arresting some people like Anakonda so that Nigerians will know you have Balls, because if the military takes over, IBB and I will be safe. We take care of our own but as for civilians like you and Atiku it will be hell… Anyway my pounded yam and bitter-leaf soup is ready… IBB please join me, Atiku and Goodluck wait for us here. By the time I finish eating I will have enough strength to think of a good strategy for your problem… Shey it is good to have a godfather that you can cry to eh? OYA LAUGH SMALL Jare!




http://www.compassnewspaper.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2828:baba-iyabo-and-his-bitter-leaf-soup&catid=63:jokes&Itemid=570

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, my priority –Senator-elect
By Olalekan Adetayo, Ibadan
Friday, 6 May 2011


The Senator-elect, representing Oyo South, Chief Olufemi Lanlehin, has said that his first task in the Senate is to ensure that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which is currently in a deplorable state, is repaired within a short time.

He said it was his desire that the road be repaired and brought to world standard.

Lanlehin made his position known during an interview with journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State capital on Thursday.

He said it was appalling that the road, which he described as the busiest in Africa, could be in such a deplorable state.

He said the present state of the road is having negative impacts on the economy of the people of his constituency and the country in general.

He observed that the effect of the bad road was more felt because the nation lacked functional railway system.

“The number of lives being lost on that road is mind-boggling. As a senator, I will network with other senators to make sure that the road is put in shape.

“I am passionate about it and I will do everything possible to ensure the repair of that road within the shortest possible time,” he said.

Lanlehin also made a case for true federalism, saying that the amount of money at the disposal of the Federal Government was too much.

“For the Federal Government to have over 52 per cent of Nigeria’s revenue is not fair. There should be a re-appraisal of the duties and powers of the Federal Government vis-a-vis the duties and revenues of state and local governments,” he observed.

http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201105062264248

FASHOLA REITERATES CALL FOR A REVIEW OF PRESENT REVENUE ALLOCATION FORMULAR

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday reiterated his call for a review of the existing revenue allocation formula to increase the funds available to the States and the Local Governments.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the 31st Synod meeting of the Diocese of Lagos Anglican Church held at the Anglican Church in Lagos added that the Nigerian economy can only grow if the present revenue formula is revisited.

He explained that the present formular which gives 52percent to the Federal Government, 26 percent to the 36 States and 20 percent to the 774 Local Governments in the State will prevent many States from paying the new minimum wage for workers.

The Governor reiterated that one of the compelling reasons why the formular should be revisited is that the Local Governments that presently get only 20percent of the revenue are saddled with responsibilities for primary health, antenatal care, vaccination and primary education.

He added that presently, many of the States and Local Governments are unable to pay the new minimum wage which the workers actually deserve, adding that the State Government has been assisting one of the Local Governments in the State to pay its salaries because it does not have the capacity.

Governor Fashola said even in terms of spreading risks, concentrating 52percent of the nation wealth in a single arm is not advisable because if by chance that arm fails, the effect will permeate all other arms and the country.

While congratulating all Nigerians for the breakthrough made with the last elections which ensured that the votes did count in some places, he said the elections have sent messages about the readiness to lead and that of stability.

He said just as Nigerians voted and were resolute that their votes must count, they must also participate in ensuring that the revenue formular is changed to reflect the possibility of positive developments nationwide.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the gathering on behalf of the Action Congress of Nigeria and other members of his team for restoring all flagbearers of the party with their votes.

He reiterated his call on everyone to keep the peace and respect each others’ tribe, faith and religion by dwelling on things that strengthen us as a people than those which divide us.

He explained that government has always taken decisions based on what will bring the greatest benefit to the greatest number of the people and not on faith or ethnic reasons.

He commended the church for its efforts in keeping the peace, saying it is only in an atmosphere of peace that development can take place because when law and order breaks down, every developmental effort takes back stage.

Earlier, the Archbishop of the Lagos Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend (Dr) Ephraim Ademowo congratulated the Governor on his re-election and described him as a great achiever.

He said Governor Fashola is a humble leader that is taking Lagos to new heights and urged all other Governors to come to Lagos and learn from him.

The Governor also received an Episcopal award from the Lagos Anglican Diocese presented to him by the Lord Chancellor, Rtd Justice George Oguntade for the wonderful job he is doing in Lagos State.


http://www.lagosstate.gov.ng/index.php?page=news&nid=1014

At last!

A thread that is not about "it is only in Nigeria that this can happen."

And please let no one make it about Nigeria.

Jonathan goes on 7-day retreat at Obudu

Written by Leon Usigbe
Friday, 29 April 2011

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan will today embark on a seven-day working retreat to the Obudu Resort in Cross River State.

A statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, in Abuja, on Thursday, said that he would be accompanied by some senior government officials and his aides but was silent on the exact nature of the president’s engagement.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) has presented to the president a blueprint of the issues it considers important for the president to focus on when starting his new administration next month.

The party’s leadership, led by its national chairman, Dan Nwanyanwu, was at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, where Nwanyanwu also explained the rationale behind LP’s decision to endorse Jonathan for the presidential election.

According to him, “the Labour Party is a very serious political party. We are from a very strong background. We consider Nigeria and Nigerians; we look at things that will benefit the greatest number of people and we are always talking about common goals. So, we have submitted those documents to him and he assured us that he would look into them and we are going to send another one next week.”

The party leader, who described the endorsement of LP as very significant, said the party did not just endorse Jonathan, but “we met with him, we put our manifesto on the table, critical issues the Labour Party felt must be addressed and he had no problems with those issues.”

He added: “Those issues have to do with tackling unemployment both for the educated and the uneducated of this country, building infrastructure, education, power, Niger Delta, the Nigerian worker and industrialisation of the country.

“So, these were the issues. Before the elections, we took up with the president in the course of our interaction with him. These are the critical issues he must tackle as he resumes office next month.”


http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/news/21168-jonathan-goes-on-7-day-retreat-at-obudu

Gambian Opposition Leader Critical of Bid to Make President Jammeh 'King'

Ousainu Darbo of the United Democratic Party says those leading the campaign know President Jammeh cannot win re-election in 2011

James Butty | Washington, D.C. November 09, 2010

The leader of Gambia’s opposition United Democratic Party told VOA no leader can change Gambia from a republic to a monarchy without first going to a referendum.

This comes as reports say a number of tribal chiefs are rallying support throughout the country to give President Yahya Jammeh the title of king.


Opposition leader Ousainu Darbo said those seeking to make President Jammeh a king are doing so because they know the president cannot win next’s election.

“There’s not a single government official who has condemned their so-called campaign to convert the president of The Gambia to king of the Gambia or to convert the Gambia from a republican state to a monarchy. The majority leader (of the Gambian parliament) did say that the constitution is not the holy Koran; it can be changed. But, we know that this is not possible without going to a referendum,” he said.

Darbo described as averted thinking that, in this age and time, an African leader can be thinking of converting himself from president to an absolute monarch.

The Gambian president’s current titles include “His Excellency the President Sheik Professor Alhaji Doctor Yahya Jammeh.”

Darbo said if President Jammeh is allowed to get his new title of king, or His Majesty, it would lead to a Jammeh family dynasty in the Gambia.

“Obviously, when that happens, you will have a dynasty, a ruling dynasty and it would be from Yahya Jammeh to his son, and it is a pathetic. First of all, the sycophants in this country could say that, ‘Mr. President, we want you to rule until at such time when you are ready to hand over power to your son who is not even six years old,’” Darbo said.

The chiefs reportedly said they wanted to give President Jammeh the title of king to reward him for bringing development to the Gambia.

But, Darbo said President Jammeh has given nothing but hunger and poverty to the people of the Gambia

“What he has done is to deprive the Gambians of what they deserve. He is everything. He’s into butchery, he’s into poultry, he’s into animal husbandry, he’s into all sort of business that should be left to ordinary Gambians, and he has killed economic activity in this country. And now, he is trying to kill political plurality in this country,” Darbo said.

Darbo criticized the Gambian leader for also assuming the title of university professor.

“I have never heard in my life of somebody being made a professor. I think people work hard to become professors in universities,” he said.

He said those seeking to make President Jammeh a king are doing so because they know the president cannot win next year’s election.

“I strongly believe that President Jammeh knows that there’s every likelihood that the opposition will get together and that he will be flushed out of power in 2011, and he thinks that this a way of keeping himself in power,” Darbo said.


http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Butty-Gambia-Jammeh-Seeks-New-Title-Darbo-09november10-106938983.html

Do you know that the official title of Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia is:

“His Excellency the President Sheik Professor Alhaji Doctor Yahya Jammeh.”?

Do you also know that he is currenty working on adding "king" to the title?

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/africa/Butty-Gambia-Jammeh-Seeks-New-Title-Darbo-09november10-106938983.html

I am impressed by the gale of congratulatory messages blowing across the political landscape from the 'losers' of the recent elections to the 'winners.'

We are all winners when such spirit of sportsmanship is exhibited after such a keenly contested race.

Ladoja has also congratulated Ajimobi:

Ladoja said he was prepared to work with Ajimobi to provide the change the people desire.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Lanre Latinwo, Ladoja said the challenges facing Oyo State are great and prayed that God should give Ajimobi the wisdom, patience and strength to face the challenges. He thanked his numerous supporters and all Accord members for their support and hard work within the past four months of launching the party in Oyo State.

The former governor assured the people that all elected Accord members would not betray the course of oneness and progress for the state.

Ladoja praised the security arrangement during the election, saying whatever success was recorded in the general elections should be credited to security personnel.
(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/4502-pdp-candidate-dosunmu-to-fashola-i-surrender.html)

I was impressed by the congratulaory speech of Ade Dosunmu, PDP's candidate in Lagos:

LAGOS Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Ade Dosunmu played the good sportsman yesterday.

He conceded victory to Governor Babatunde Fashola of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who won last Tuesday’s election with 1.509million votes. Dosunmu scored 300,450.

At a press conference in Apapa, Dosunmu said he accepted that Fashola won the race and disbanded his campaign team. He thanked members of the team for a job well done.

Dosunmu said: "I hereby congratulate His Excellency Babatunde Fashola, who has been declared winner of the 2011 governorship election in Lagos State. I wish him a successful tenure of office as he pilots the affairs of the state for another four years."
(http://www.thenationonlineng.net/2011/index.php/news/4502-pdp-candidate-dosunmu-to-fashola-i-surrender.html)

Some have misread Daniel's statement to mean an admittance of failure whereas what he said was a change of platform.

Meanwhile, Governor Gbenga Daniel has congratulated the governor-elect on his victory, in what he described as an epic gubernatorial contest in Ogun State.

Daniel said Senator Amosun’s victory actualised the yearnings of the people of Ogun State for a change of political platform in the governance of the state.

The outgoing governor, in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Sina Kawonise, also used the opportunity to congratulate candidates of the three parties (ACN, PPN and PDP) that stood for election and won the senatorial, House of Representatives and the House of Assembly seats in the state.

“While wishing all the victors well and a successful tenure, I pray that the Almighty God will grant all those who have won the mandate of our people the right spirit and ability to consolidate on the achievements of the last eight years and take Ogun State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to greater heights. To those who did not excel in the elections, I say tomorrow is another day,” Daniel said.

He also expressed special gratitude to the people of the state for the support which his administration enjoyed in the last eight years and for the peaceful and orderly manner in which they conducted themselves in all the elections.

The governor commended  INEC for conducting  free, fair and credible elections in Ogun State.

The PDP gubernatorial candidate, Chief Olurin, also congratulated the governor-elect, admitting that he had fought a good battle and had lost gallantly in his quest to serve the people of the state.

“I congratulate all those who emerged victorious in all the elections held in the state in this year’s general election, particularly Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the candidate of the ACN who has emerged the new governor of the state. As a good sportsman, I bear no grudge against anyone. It is God and He alone, who has control over destiny in life,” he added.

The gubernatorial candidate of the PPN, Isiaka, also sent a congratulatory message to Senator Amosun.

Isiaka, in a statement personally signed by him and made available to the Nigerian Tribune, said the challenge of moving the state forward brought all contenders into a battle, which, he admitted, that a winner must emerge.

He described the election as one well fought by all candidates, saying that the people of the state had spoken through their votes.

“I sincerely congratulate my brother and governor-elect for his victory. The challenge to move Ogun State forward brought all of us into this battle, a winner must emerge and he has won.

“For me, politics is just a vehicle to serve the people and make society better; it is not a do-or-die affair. The wish of the people must be respected and they have spoken with their votes. I wish Senator Amosun well in the tasking job of making Ogun State greater than he met it,” he said.



(http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/21115-gov-election-the-winners-are-ajimobi-fashola-amaechi-amosun-abdulfatah-akpabio-aliyu-dakingari-orji-chime-kwankwaso)

The more things change, the more they remain the same!

I expected this all along.

Let's see how Gbemi is 'settled' in this whole arrangement having 'relinquished' her senate seat to her brother, who I suspect is gunning for the seat of Senate President.

I suspect that Tinubu will also want to pull a Saraki on Lagosians in 2015.

Now seeing that Lagosians will revolt against him by not voting any candidate he imposes in 2015, he is likely to present two candidates like the Sarakis have done.

I insist that Tinubu is completing his 'third' term on May 29 2011. He himself admits that he is in control of the machinery of government in the state!

Isn't it tragic that while Obasanjo was heavily resisted and stlll villified for the 'third term project', Tinubu has surreptitiously succeeded in achieving his 'third term' and if care is not taken (that is if Fashola cannot shake Tinubu off his back), may achieve an unprecedented 'fourth term'.

Also noteworthy is the path Gbemisola Saraki has taken to reach where she is now:

First she was in the House of Reps
Then moved to the Senate
And then contested the gubernatorial seat.

Are we going to see the same transition for Remi Tinubu (Legislature to Executive) in 2015 or beyond?

Lagosians, Shine your eyes!

Kwara Governor- elect Dedicates Victory To Elder Saraki,
By Hammed shittu

29 Apr 2011
Views: 0


Kwara state governor-elect ,Alhaji. Abdulfattah Ahmed, Thursday said he has dedicated his victory at the polls to the strongman of Kwara Politics and Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki and the people of the state.

He however promised to carry everybody along in the task of turning around the state.

Ahmed who stated this in Ilorin in his acceptance speech on Thursday said “Without Waziri of Ilorin, Dr Olusola Saraki’s political prowess, I would not have gone far”.

According to him, “I wish to express my deep gratitude to our father, Dr. OlusolaSaraki whose victory is this. He has beaten the path and charted the course for us to follow”. He said “Without his political energy, we wouldn’t be celebrating this victory and I also thank the people of Kwara State for their abiding faith in our great party”

Ahmed also used the occasion to thank the incumbent Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki for his success in eight years of his administration and for his vision, courage and creative leadership which he noted set the stage for his victory.

He described his victory at the poll as an eloquent testimony that PDP in the last eight years had not disappointed the people.

He promised to carry everybody along in the task of turning around the state.

The governor-elect also solicited for the cooperation of journalists in the state towards the new administration and called for adequate

reportage of event in the interest of the public.

He assured that “Kwarans will feel the impact of our administration in less than one hundred days in office; the victory will not be winners take all'', he added.

He said priority would be given to the provision ofinfrastructural facilities, water, road, electricity, povertyeradication and education towards accelerating the development of the state.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/kwara-governor-elect-dedicates-victory-to-elder-saraki-/90481/

Highly insensitive.

Post-polls violence in North pre-planned – Soyinka

On April 28, 2011 · · In News

BY GBENGA OKE

NOBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Thursday took a critical look at the 2011 polls, the attendant mayhem and controversies and issued a series of point blank verdicts: President Goodluck Jonathan won the presidential polls; the outbursts of violence in some northern states after the April 16 elections were pre-planned and targeted at Youth Corps members and the 2011 polls were better than other elections.

At an interaction with newsmen at his Victoria Island, Lagos residence, Soyinka, who congratulated President Jonathan on his victory, lamented that the killings were based on speculations, lies and fabricated stories and urged aggrieved presidential candidates to seek redress in the law courts.

According to him, “in the North, I think a lot of wild speculations were going on which have led to an unbelievable carnage and waste of human life in this nation and this is the reason why I intend to speak.

“I have been getting reports from what is going on in Gombe, Bauchi, Kaduna on hourly basis and what you will come to realise, at the end, is that most of those cases where such killings were carried out were on the basis of nothing and often based on lies or fabricated stories. And most often, most of these killings had been planned well before hand and anybody that says this carnage is not planned is naive.

“I am convinced that these killings were planned before the election and it is, therefore, the responsibility of not only the government but also all citizens.”

Soyinka decried a situation where youths who are serving their fatherland would be targeted for annihilation, noting that the scheme introduced by Gen Yakubu Gowon in 1973 was a model and akin to America Peace Corps.

His words: “I have also been contacted to rescue some Youth Service Corps members and one of them I spoke to, said she was taking refuge at the SSS training quarters in Bauchi. When I spoke to her, she said she has a machete cut on her back and on her head and some on her legs.

In fact, I learnt that Youth Corps members were actually targeted. One of the greatest achievements of General Gowon was the creation of NYSC and I have always credited him for that; it is visionary and it represents what America peace corps is all about during the John Kennedy days.

“This NYSC should be a symbol of unity and any corps member is supposed to be under the protection of the citizens of the state. My own children served in the North and if by any means any of my children had cause to serve in any Northern state, I will tell that child over my dead body.

The Nobel laureate linked the rising wave of violence, the Boko Haram saga to failure of past governments. He canvassed convening of Sovereign National Conference (SNC), reduction of wages of lawmakers among others to address the multitude of problems afflicting the country.

He said: “The conduct and behaviour of successive governments towards massacres in the North have been very worrisome. When you talk about the National Sovereign Conference, like the in-ordinate salary of the National Assembly, also we have spoken about the kind of system we are running.

“Does this nation really require full time legislature, which we are running now? Is it really what this nation requires with such an unbelievable amount?

“We need to reduce the process of legislation and making laws in this nation be reduced to those who are actually coming out not because they want to represent themselves but because they want to serve. A part time legislature, is it not about time we consider such?”

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/04/post-polls-violence-in-north-pre-planned-soyinka/