On December 12, 2013, I woke up to Olusegun Obasanjo’s ‘Before it is too late’; a caustic letter to former President Goodluck Jonathan. In the 18-page missive, Ebora Owu diced Jonathan like a sushi chef.

Obasanjo delineated 10 reasons he chose to drag Jonathan before the public square for some good spanking. He said the former president ‘’must move away from advertently or inadvertently dividing the country along weak seams of north-south and Christian-Muslim’’, and that ‘’nothing should be done to allow the country to degenerate into economic dormancy, stagnation or retrogression’’.

He also said, ‘’some of our international friends and development partners are genuinely worried about signs and signals that are coming out of Nigeria’’.

Really, Obasanjo said something profound in the letter – profound for its appositeness in the current administration.

He said: ‘’Those who advise you to go hard on those who oppose you are your worst enemies. Democratic politics admits and is permissive of supporters and opponents. When the consequences come, those who have wrongly advised you will not be there to help carry the can. Egypt must teach some lesson.’’

Arguably, that mordant letter to Jonathan sealed the coffin of the administration nail by nail for it handed the opposition the mortar for combat and mobilised mass consciences against the government.

However, I have observed that Ebora Owu may be losing prolificacy, or perhaps, he has cowered to intimidation by the Buhari administration. Could this Orisa be afraid?

Although he wrote a less virulent open letter to President Buhari on the parlous state of security in the past and did not dither in bellowing the president’s incompetence, he suspended the pastime and even stopped making critical comments on the administration after agents of the regime went for Atiku Abubakar’s in-law.

Obasanjo supported Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the last election.

In August, the EFCC arraigned Abdullahi Babalele, Atiku’s son-in-law, for allegedly laundering $140,000 in the build-up to the election.

Obviously, Obasanjo is the target of this case.

Now, here is the story.

On November 12, Bashir Mohammed, an associate of Babalele, told a federal high court in Lagos that Atiku’s son-in-law gave Obasanjo the naira equivalent of $140,000.

Mohammed, who was the first witness of the EFCC, described himself as a “close friend” of the accused.


While being led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, EFCC prosecutor, Mohammed detailed how he delivered the money to the former president at his residence in Ogun state.

He said Babalele called him sometime in February, asking him to deliver a message to “an elder statesman”.

He said on Babalele’s request he supplied two bank accounts, which were credited with the said sum.

“When I got to the gate, somebody came and took me inside where I met former President Olusegun Obasanjo and delivered the message.”

If my hunch is right, this case and other devices of the regime are what is obstructing the voice of the Orisa from rebuking the evil in the land.

I believe, Obasanjo now has an assuring experience of how lethal and ruthless the Buhari administration can be. In fact, Buhari once vowed to investigate the ‘’$16 billion’’ Obasanjo allegedly spent on power.

He said: “The previous government mentioned on their own that they spent $16bn on power but you are better witnesses than myself. Where is the power? Where is the money? We will follow them; eventually God willing, we will catch them and get our money back.”

The government was reported to have spent $16 billion on power projects between 1999 and 2007 when Obasanjo was president.

The Buhari administration brooks no opposition. It employs scare artifices and threats to win submission, and most times, it dispatches violence to coerce surrender.

Strong critics of the government are either held in DSS custody against an order of the court or they are threatened, scandalised and harassed. More vigorous voices are needed in the face of this relentless assault on the collective hull.

But really, it now appears the ‘’wailing’’ days of Obasanjo are over; the few comments he has made on the Buhari administration recently are complimentary.

In Yoruba cosmology, the Orisas are a fount of power, justice, order and balance. I do not think Sango will run away from a fight. Obasanjo should not be an Orisa that whimpers.

Source: https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/29/reason-why-obasanjo-has-stopped-criticising-buhari/

APC Finally Speaks On Buhari Seeking Third Term



The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to legal action taken by a self-proclaimed member of the party, Charles Enya, seeking an amendment of the constitution to allow President Muhammadu Buhari run for a third term in office.

Lanre Issa-Onilu, APC National Publicity Secretary, in a statement Thursday night, said at the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Party, President Buhari didn’t mince words about his intention.

The spokesman recalled that Buhari pointedly said he would abide by and uphold the oath of office he took, swearing by the holy book he believes in.

He added: “The NEC meeting highlights released to the media by the party equally quoted the President admonishing APC members, leaders and elected officials to reposition themselves in their respective constituencies so as to sustain the administration’s landmark legacies beyond 2023 when the President’s constitutionally permitted terms end.

“The president said history would not be fair to members if the APC collapses after his second term. What better proof is required of the President’s resolve to abide by the constitution on term limit?

“The Party is, however, by this statement sending a strong signal to such other busybodies like Charles Enya who may be contemplating testing the resolve of our government on our mission to work for the best for our country to be ready to face the law.

“We would follow this new enemy of our country, who is most likely being sponsored by the desperate and misguided opposition, every step of the way, using all legal means to thwart his devilish efforts to create chaos in our country.

“As a party, we would not take kindly to anyone or group causing unnecessary distraction for this administration through anti-democratic actions. As a country, we are several years behind where we ought to be.

“The President Buhari-led administration is focused on the onerous responsibility of delivering good governance. We are focused on revamping our moribund infrastructure, growing the economy, fighting corruption, creating the right environment for our teeming youths to deploy their creative energies, and providing adequate security for all of our people.

“We have tried to find out the status of this character claiming to be a member of our party. If he turns out to be our member, we would ensure the party organ that has the responsibility to act on this matter promptly commence the process of expelling him. We are a progressive party and we do not have space for anti-democratic forces and charlatans.”

Source: https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/29/apc-finally-speaks-on-buhari-seeking-third-term/

Sokoto state Gov. Aminu Tambuwal on Friday inaugurated a Ten-member committee to investigative alleged killing of two persons by men of Nigerian Air Force in Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto on Thursday expressed concerns over the proposed fake news and hate speech bills saying Nigeria’s democracy cannot be operated like a military dictatorship.

He said the bill sets fear and scary impact adding that” the bill on the social media and hate speech is quite scary.”

Tambuwal made the remark in Sokoto at the ongoing of 15th Conference of All Nigeria Editors on the platform of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

According to the governor ”Draconian legislation has no place in our democracy. Nigeria must be returned on the path of constitutionality and development.”

While noting that the media occupied a special and top most position in the fight for the country’s independence as well the return of the nation to democracy as well in fighting the excesses in power positions it has an impeccable role of putting leadership at all levels on their toes and be account able to the governed.

Though, Tambuwal noted that the country was fast demonstrating commitment to finding solutions to the irking socioeconomic challenges.

He further noted that the emerging security challenges occasioned by conflict, banditry and kidnappings were continually holding communities in parts of the country hostage, adding that” there should be in place an urgent mechanism to holistically overhaul the security architecture which will further provide avenue for the economy to regain its grounds amidst dwindling resources”, he pointed out.


Tambuwal also noted that the media like other organs of development was feeling the heat of the harsh economic, assuring that sooner or later the difficult times would pave way for a prosperous and vibrant economy.

"Based on riding to the one time House of Representatives Speaker” the media houses, most especially, the radio and TV will have to be repositioned to favourably and aggressively compete in the best manner of practices as a search light of our polity to renew the hope of citizens against the gradual erosion of our democracy tenets and gains as dividend of good governance.

In his brief but inspiring remarks at the conference hall of the Sokoto International Conference Centre, former Ogun state Governor, Chief Olusegun Aremu Osoba stressed the need to fight against all media abuses by non professionals just as he frowned at attempts to punish conventional media for the wrongs of non professionals on the social media platform.

”They are not part of us by professional practice hence , such laws should not be used to deny us our constitutional rights to practice”, the veteran journalist pointed out.

He therefore urged media practitioners at all levels not to allow the bill on fake news and hate speech see the light of the day, adding that” even if it will take lobbying to resist the move, I offer myself for he struggle against its passage. We are the members of APC and I belong to this noble profession constituency and will have to make it survive”, he vowed further.

Source: https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/29/nigeria-democracy-run-like-military-dictatorship-governor/

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has declared that there will be no salary for political office holders and civil servants who do not have Bank Verification Numbers (BVN).

Governor Umahi made the declaration on Wednesday in Abakaliki while receiving a delegation of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the state, led by its Branch Controller, Mr Adayi Onah.

The governor said that the measure would also affect those who provided incomplete and wrong BVN.

“Some of you that have not opened account for the first time in your lives will now open account.

“They said that Ebonyi is the least in account opening, it shouldn’t be, as all these money flowing everywhere should go in and out of banks,” he said.

He thanked the branch controller for the visit and his commendation of the state government’s modest achievements in all sectors.

“We also thank the CBN governor for his support to the state especially in agriculture which has made it rank among the leading rice-producing states in the country.

“We also thank you for the several social services you provide to the people which we are aware of,” he said.

Earlier, Onah, the CBN Branch Controller said that the financial access performance across the geo-political zones showed that southeast zone has an average exclusion rate of 29.3%.

“Out of this percentage, Ebonyi has 43.6% which is above the national average of 36.8% and regional average of 29.3%.

“States in the zone are recording an average of between 25.40% and 28.7 % with Ebonyi still very far at 43.6% exclusion rate.

“The state has therefore been selected in the southeast zone for a pilot exercise for account opening starting from December 2nd to December 7th in all the thirteen Local Government Areas (LGA) of the state,” he said.

Onah pointed out that aside from the banks’ statutory role, it has been able to evolve business practices that incorporated sustainable development into its business model that has impacted positively on the social, economic and environmental factors of the people.

“This has resulted in the renovation and construction of school blocks, water boreholes, payment of hospital bills for persons awaiting payment at Mile 4 hospital Abakaliki, aside other social responsibilities of the bank,” he said.





Souce: https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/28/no-bvn-no-salary-governor-umahi-warns/

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that the Bakassi Boys established by the Ebonyi State Government is targeted at fighting its members and if overwhelmed will give way to RUGA settlements which it has been fighting against.

IPOB said denials on the contrary not withstanding, it has declared Bakassi Boys as enemies of progress and henceforth enemy of the people.

In a press statement signed by the media and publicity secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, the group warned the Ebonyi State Government and all those unfortunate and foolish enough to be recruited into their supporter of APC Bakassi boys to fight IPOB, that henceforth they will be treated as agents of RUGA and enemy of the people of Biafra.

“We view them as one and the same with those enemies of Biafra hell-bent on bringing Fulani RUGA settlements to our land”, the statement warned.

IPOB claimed that its Intelligence units on the ground reported that the Bakassi Boys outfit was formed to provide “grass-root logistical support and local Intel to hoards of invading Fulani terror herdsmen in Ebonyi State” and vowed that inviting the Nigerian Army, Bakassi Boys or any other groups of informants will not deter its members; rather it will embolden IPOB resistance to this blatant ambition to grab Ebonyi land.

The group added: “When we said no inch of Biafraland will be conceded to the terrorist Miyetti Allah group (Fulani herdsmen) we meant every word of it. Any person foolish enough to join Ebonyi State Government’s effort to bring RUGA to the sacred land of Biafra through this illegal Bakassi Boys will pay dearly for it.

“We want to let the world know this secret formation of Bakasi Boys in Ebonyi State was solely designed to confront and attack any individual suspected to be supporter or family member of IPOB because of our refusal to allow Fulani Ruga settlement in Biafraland particularly in Ebonyi State.

“Gov. Dave Umahi and his Fulani masters in Aso Rock have perfected their arrangement to eliminate more of our people because of our total rejection of the establishment of this land grabbing Fulani Life Stock Initiatives Program in the state.

“It is imperative we openly let the general public be aware that Dave Umahi commissioned this group called (Bakassi Boys) in Ebonyi state to kill and attack anybody who openly deemed it necessary to support IPOB family members in the strong efforts to stop Dave Umahi and Fulani community from establishing Ruga settlement in the state.

“It is on record that IPOB is not fighting for anything else other than the preservation of the territorial integrity of Biafraland and we shall continue to do until Biafra is fully restored and beyond.

“Anybody foolish enough to sign up to Fulani sponsored security outfit in Biafraland like Bakassi Boys have effectively signed their death warrant.

“No amount of charms, reassurance from a native doctor or amulets will save any of them. We are waiting for them”, the statement read.


Source:
https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/27/bakassi-boys-formed-to-fight-us-pave-way-for-ruga-in-ebonyi-ipob/

Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of LEAP Africa and co-founder of Sahel Consulting, has been appointed to the board of trustees of The Rockefeller Foundation.

According to a statement released by the foundation, Nwuneli was appointed on the board alongside Agnes Binagwaho, the vice-chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity in Rwanda.

Their tenures as members of the board began on November 21.

Commenting on the appointment, Richard D. Parsons, the board chair said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Agnes and Ndidi to our board of trustees. As the foundation works to lift up the most vulnerable people in communities around the world, their deep global development expertise and longstanding commitment to improving lives will be invaluable to the organization”.

“Agnes and Ndidi have demonstrated and been recognized for their dedication and leadership in global health and agriculture, respectively, which are core areas of the foundation’s work. I know I speak for the entire board in saying we are thrilled to welcome them to The Rockefeller Foundation.”

Rajiv J. Shah, president of The Rockefeller Foundation said: “I feel extremely fortunate to have Agnes and Ndidi join our Board of Trustees. Agnes has helped change the national health landscape as a member of the government of Rwanda and is an important leader in the field of global health.

“Ndidi has worked with the public and private sectors to champion solutions that have improved the lives of vulnerable people in Nigeria and around the world. Their deep personal commitment and extensive experience will make them invaluable to our efforts to advance The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission to inspire and foster large-scale human impact that promotes the well-being of humanity throughout the world.”

In her words, Nwuneli says it is an honour to join the board to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable communities across the world.

“The Rockefeller Foundation’s efforts to scale innovations that help meet the needs of the most vulnerable communities around the world are just as important now as they were when the foundation was founded.

“I am honoured to join the board of trustees to support the foundation as it continues to build on its legacy of leveraging data, technology and innovation to improve the well-being of humanity,” said Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli.

With more than 23 years of experience in international development, Nwuneli was recognized as a young global leader by the World Economic Forum, received a national honour (Member of the Federal Republic) from the Nigerian government and has been listed as one of the 20 Youngest Power African Women by Forbes.

The Rockefeller Foundation was established in 1913 and was ranked the 39th largest foundation by total giving in the United States in 2015.

Source: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thecable.ng/ndidi-nwuneli-appointed-board-member-the-rockefeller-foundation/amp

Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) Enugu chapter had their general principle officers meeting on Saturday 23 day of November 2019 with the present of the National coordinator.

The national coordinator expressed his happiness over the increasing numbers of members in IPOB Enugu family, saying that IPOB Enugu is one of the fastest rising state in Biafra land, as far as the Biafra restoration project under the leadership of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is concerned. The medium was also used to preach love amongst all the principle officers from UNIT-ZONE-L.G.A-DISTRICT AND STATE.

Eastern Times gathered that at least, Five hundred (500) members were present in the meeting venue despite absence of some members who could not attend the meeting, this will indict that some Biafrans who are slumbering in Enugu province as a result of fear are not waking up from their slumber.


We are now putting the world on notice about our nation Biafra, and after that will be the restoration of her glory, IPOB national coordinator said.

Source: https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/27/biafra-enugu-ranked-fast-rising-state-in-biafra-land-notional-coordinator/

The United Nations and the United Kingdom have opposed the death penalty clause in the proposed National Commission for the Prohibition of Hate Speech Bill introduced by Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi.



The UN described the death penalty as barbaric, noting that its inclusion in the bill was unacceptable.



According to the bill, any person who violates the law shall be liable to life imprisonment and where the act causes any loss of life, the person shall be punished with death by hanging.



But the spokesman, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Mr Olusola Macaulay, in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Thursday, said the global body would not support the bill, noting that a UNESCO advocacy group, Media and Information Literacy Coalition, would soon meet with the National Assembly over the proposed legislation.



He said, “We are trying to pay an advocacy visit to the government and do some lobbying. There is a coalition working already, it was formed with the support of UNESCO.





“They are working to meet with the National Assembly to express their mind and possibly advise the government to have a different narrative to the issue of hate speech and fake news.”



Macaulay also said the UN would lobby the Federal Government on the legislation, adding that what was needed is public enlightenment and education about hate speech and not a law stipulating the death penalty for violators.



He said, “I’m not sure what the government needs now is a bill or an idea to shut down people or prevent people from being able to express themselves or express their freedom of thought or information. What I think the government should do more is to enlighten the people.”



The UN agency said most Nigerians were ignorant of issues relating to media and information literacy, noting that a harsh law was not the solution to the challenge.



The global body noted, “Every human being has the right to life and you cannot cut off people’s lives just because someone has expressed his opinion. Nobody is saying hate speech is good.



“Hate speech and fake news have been there from time immemorial and it is barbaric to say now that we want to hang people because they expressed their feelings or what they had in mind. So, censoring people or limiting people from participating in politics might not be the correct thing. As I said, the best thing to do is to educate the people.”



Macaulay queried the government for not holding politicians engaging in hate speech to account, noting that many of them had said things that could destabilise the country without being held liable.



The British Government said it supports the right of individuals to express opinions and peacefully challenge authority as an essential part of a free and open society, noting that it was following discussions around the proposed legislation closely.



Commenting on the bill in an emailed response to inquiries by The PUNCH on Wednesday, Her Majesty’s Government said while it takes a strong stand against hate speech which could incite violence and damage relationships within the society, it supports “the right of individuals to express opinions and peacefully challenge authority as an essential part of a free and open society.”



The statement signed by the Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, British High Commission, Abuja, Chris Ogunmodede, said, “The UK government is following discussions around the proposed Prohibition of Hate Speech bill closely.”



It added, “We take a strong stand against hate speech, which can incite violence and damage community relationships within society. We also strongly support the right of individuals to express opinions and peacefully challenge authority as an essential part of a free and open society.



“The UK strongly opposes the inclusion of the death penalty in any piece of legislation, as a matter of principle.”



Source: https://www.easterntimes.co/2019/11/22/un-uk-slams-nigeria-reject-death-penalty-for-hate-speech-bill/

old pictures

According to Obasanjo, if there is no peace in Nigeria, it is not God's doing but that of the people

As the 2019 gubernatorial poll is fast approaching, The former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo have urged Nigerians to keep working for peace.
The former president in a statement by his special assistant (media), Kehinde Akinyemi, said national peace is very important in view of the growing insecurity in the country.
Speaking on Sunday, 23rd of December 2018, during the Christmas Carol and Service of 6 Lessons organised by the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King (CCKG) which is located inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Obasanjo said if peace eludes Nigeria, the people should be blamed and not God.

“If peace eludes us, it is not an act of God, but our making. That is why I am happy that our Bishop in his sermon also talked about peace. This is the appropriate time to talk about peace; this is the season of peace ,” he stated.


He went further to express his utmost concern over the uprising conflicts and insecurity in the country, revealing that the situation is uncalled for, and might lead to severe damages if not taken care of on time.

“The situation is reallybgetting worrisome by the day. I was in Kaduna and I thought that the story would be different. The people there said insecurity, kidnapping and killings are happening in daily bases," the elder statesman said.


The ex-president, however, expressed hope that 2019 will be a year of blessings for all and sundry in the country.

“It will be a year of blessings for each one, and particularly for Nigeria. When people come to me and say they are giving up on the country, I tell them no and that next year is a year of blessings for all.
“With right statements and right actions, people will be trooping back into the country. We had it before; there is no reason not to have it again, ” Obasanjo added.

During the program, the Archbishop of Ogun Province, the African Church, Abeokuta Most Revd. S.O.B. Ojumu, requested that Nigerians should embrace the spirit of peace during the festive period and as the general elections is fast approaching.

He commended Obasanjo for his contributions to peace-building globally.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, has said that owners of yachts and private jets in the country will begin payment of luxury items from 2019.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, the minister said excise duties would be introduced in some areas while taxes would be reduced for small and medium scale enterprises.

“We are exploring ways to increase taxes as well as reduce taxes in some sectors. For Small and Medium Enterprises, government would reduce taxes. But there are some special taxes that we will be looking at imposing,” she said.

“For example, luxury taxes. If you have a private jet, we will be taxing you specially for that. If you have a yacht, we will be charging you for that and also in terms of excise duties, there are also some new areas where excise duties will be introduced.

“We haven’t got all the approvals but one of the major areas might be that of carbonated drinks produced in the country,” the minister said
According to Ahmed, the Whistleblower Unit has recovered over N8.5 billion and $465 million among others from the 1,051 investigations conducted from tips received.

“Based on verification outcome by the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), we have also paid over 2,000 former workers of our defunct national carrier – Nigeria Airways Limited,” she said.
Patience Oniha, director general of the Debt Management Office; Mary Uduk, acting director general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Babatunde Fowler, executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) were also present at the briefing to give an account of the activities of their agencies.