₦airaland Forum

BAYELSA CRASH: Aliyu lampoons those rejoicing over former gov’s death

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/bayelsa-crash-aliyu-lampoons-those-rejoicing-over-former-govs-death/

Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State has condemned those rejoicing over the death of former Governor Kaduna State, Ibrahim Patrick Yakowa, in a military helicopter last Saturday.

According tom, whatever belief a person holds, its teachings admonish the followers to sympathise with the dead and the bereaved by praying for the repose of the departed.

The governor said it was wrong for the people to pray for the death of their leaders, adding that rather than praying against them, the people must go back to the teachings of their religions as laid down.

He said: “This development shows that we as parents are failing in the duty to train our children. We must talk to our children. We must be involved in the moral and religious education of our children and wards.”

Aliyu also stressed the need for leaders to ensure equity, fair play and justice in all they do so as to carry everybody along.

He described the late governor as a bridge builder, who brought followers of Christianity and Islam together which led to the restoration of peace in Kaduna State.

Earlier, the Speaker, Hon. Adamu Usman, told Aliyu that the news of Yakowa’s death came during the Speakers’ meeting.

Usman also said that legislators were happy with the humility exhibited by the former governor when he was alive that endeared him to a lot of people.

He said: “The late governor has left an indelible mark in the sands of time.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/bayelsa-crash-aliyu-lampoons-those-rejoicing-over-former-govs-death/

One of the oldest commercial airlines still operating in Nigeria, Chanchangi Airlines yesterday recommenced flight operations after months of closing shop due to inadequate aircraft.

National Mirror observed a Boeing 737-300 painted in the airline’s colour took off from the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA2), Lagos.

At MMA2, our correspondent also observed that ticketing officers of the airline were selling Abuja and Kaduna airports tickets to willing passengers.

Although, the queue was scanty when compared to other airlines, however few passengers patronised its services.

Our correspondent gathered that the airline recommenced operations with only aircraft as against tens of aircraft it had in its fleet I’m the past.

When our correspondent contacted the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the issue, the industry regulator confirmed the return of the airline to commercial operations.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/chanchangi-airlines-recommence-operations-months-after-suspension/

The spokesman for NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye said that the airline returned to flight services last Friday with its own aircraft.

He said, they have actually resumed operations since last Friday with their own aircraft. Prior to that time, they have been using leased aircraft for their operations while their routine maintenance lasted.”

Besides, a source close to the airline confided in National Mirror that the airline was expecting additional three aircraft in the next couple of months, adding that a Boeing 747 would soon be acquired for hajj operations.

According to him, Chanchangi is acquiring these aircraft through its agreement with Inland Bank, which is now under Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), that now handles the bank.

AMCON continued with the facilities of Inland Bank and thus the rejuvenation of Chanchangi.

Many activists, including Dr Dipo Fashina, Messrs Abiodun Aremu, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Usman Oloyede, Segun Oladunni were arrested this morning for leading commercial motorcycle riders (okada) on a peaceful protest against the traffic law in Lagos.
The motorcyclists, alongside some civil society groups, are protesting the new Lagos Traffic Law which bans them from plying over 400 roads in Lagos.
Earlier, scores of police officers armed with AK 47 rifles were stationed near the Nigeria Labour Congress secretariat, Lagos, in anticipation of the protest.
The police stopped a similar protest by the motorcyclists a week ago.
So far, the Lagos state police command has seized over 7000 motorcycles in the last six months.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/activists-arrested-during-okada-riders-protest/

Read this interesting interview with the founders of Nigeria’s leading online retail portal, Jumia.com

With professional backgrounds in investment banking, agricultural services, e-commerce and acquisitions, Raphael Afaedor and Tunde Kehinde, have also brought knowledge garnered at the Harvard Business School to bear in launching Nigeria’s leading online retail portal, Jumia.com. In this interview with ADENRELE NIYI and KUNLE AZEEZ, the co-founders reveal the practical business template which has got Jumia off to a flying start and share the bigger vision for the business. Excerpts:

How did the business merger happen between both of you?

(Tunde answers) We were at Harvard Business School, but our time didn’t overlap. As Raphael was leaving, I was coming in and therefore, he was a year ahead of me. He was also appointed number one at Jumia and after a couple of months before Jumia launched, he reached out to me through mutual friends explaining to me what we were going to do here. I bought into the vision, joined him in Lagos and we started working together.

Give us an overview of what Jumia as an online store does.

What we are trying to build is organised retail in Nigeria and you find out that if you organise retail, you generate a lot of employment, both directly and indirectly. You find out also that people have money in their pockets and they want to spend the money buying stuffs. Without organised retail here, they travel abroad and spend the money there. This is what we are trying to build in Jumia. It is a fundamental part of the economy and I think it is as big as fixing electricity or water; if we are able to organise retail, you generate work for a lot of people.

The mode we are trying to run is the organised retail offering a variety of products and services ranging from mobile devices, fashion, beauty items and books. I think we have about 15,000 books for sale online and aside that, we sell a lot of electronics and mobile phones. For us, the general idea is that when it comes to shopping in Nigeria, you think of Jumia first instead of travelling abroad.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/were-ready-for-nigerian-retail-business/

The Ministerial Committee on the Reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) administrative structure has canvassed the appointment of a civilian director general for the scheme.

To facilitate the proposed leadership policy for the scheme, the seven-member committee recommended that NYSC directorate level officers should be trained over the next five years to prepare them for effective competition for the post of the director-general.

Committee’s chairman, Dr. Adegoke Adegoroye, made these submissions yesterday while presenting copies of the report to the Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, in Abuja.

Adegoroye, a former permanent secretary, said the committee’s recommendations were based on rigorous consultations with experts and other stakeholders who believed that the appointment of the director-general for the scheme should be internalised in order to stop perceived frustration of officers who would have liked to end their career at the top most position of the scheme.

He said: “A critical issue identified by the committee is the conventional practice of appointing the NYSC chief executive from a unit of the Nigerian Army, without the law expressly stating so.

“This practice as the committee gathered from widespread consultation and observed from the general attitude of the staff has not only bred frustration among the top Directorate Officers but makes feel shut out from rising to the pinnacle of their career and also denying the scheme from benefiting from the experience of its pool of officers.”

While accepting the report, the Youth Minister expressed satisfaction that it came at a point that the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration was serious about reforming every sector of the nation.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/committee-advocates-civilian-dg-for-nysc/

The wife of President Goodluck Jonathan broke down in tears today at Kaduna State Government House over the death of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa .

Mrs Jonathan said the late governor was a true patriot who was devoted to the welfare of his people.

In her condolence message, Mrs Jonathan commented, “Our dearly beloved Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, we received with rude shock news of your sudden and painful departure. We, however, give God praise that you lived a worthy life full of honour and integrity. We are also gladdened that you were a true patriot who was devoted to the welfare of your people without respect for the divides and differences. Our prayers is that God, almighty will receive you into His peace and grant your sweet repose”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/patience-jonathan-weeps-over-yakowas-death/

Why I still want to be president – Buhari
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/why-i-still-want-to-be-president-buhari/

There were indications yesterday that Dana Airlines, which was recently reissued Air Operators Certificate, AOC, may recommence flight operations in the next 48 hours.

A source close to the airline confided in our correspondent that the management of the airline had been meeting on the appropriate day to return to flight operations after the crash at the Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos, which killed about 163 people on board and on ground.

It was gathered that the management staff would hold the last meeting tomorrow and discuss the return of the airline, which may be Wednesday.

The only proviso which the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, gave the airline when re-issuing the AOC last week was to first commence the last payment of $70,000 compensations to the victims’ families, which the airline met last week.

The airline had last Thursday paid some bereaved families the final compensation of $70,000 after the submission of letter of administration, which was authenticated by the probate registry.

The Head, Corporate Communications of the airline, Mr. Tony Usidamen, had said that to verify full compensation due and payable, it was necessary for claimants to produce the required grants of probate or letters of administration, which would then have to be authenticated by the probate registry.

He said this was necessary to ensure that the compensation was paid to the right next-of-kin.

When our correspondent contacted Usidamen on the resumption of flight operations, he refused to make a categorical statement.

He, however, said the airline would commence operations very soon, adding that the resumption date could only be confirmed at the management level.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/dana-may-resume-flight-operations-wednesday/

Lagos Traffic Law: Police halt Okada riders’ protest

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/lagos-traffic-law-police-halt-okada-riders-protest/

Read her complete profile here:
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/the-amazon-on-global-radar/

Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, is an interesting personality. An octogenarian highlife music star, who returned to stardom at old age after many years of personal and professional setbacks, Rolling Dollar comes as an enigma. He exudes verve and agility as he does not look drawn by old age. According to him, he doesn’t drink, eat kola nuts or inhale snuff, habits which are common with old men. But he loves two things dearly: cigar and women. In this interview with ADAEZE AMOS, this husband of three wives professes his undying love for women. “Women are special creatures. If you want to do well in life, just love women,” he says. Excerpts:

How did you hit the limelight?

I started from my youth, when I was much younger than this. When I passed out of school in 1944, and I lost my dad during that year, the next thing for me to do was to get ready to make people happy. That was why I made it a point of duty to go into music because I know my future is tailored towards music. I went to learn music. I didn’t just rely on the fact that my mother used to sing in the church. That wasn’t enough for me. I went to acquire the skill. I was under someone who taught me music. It took me a lot of years to learn music. In fact, I spent five years trying to acquire that skill.

What is your impression about today’s youths who just start singing just because they have got the voice?

That is why their albums are not selling. In our time, you give them what is going to happen through songs. We had messages in our songs. But today’s musicians don’t have messages.

So, you prefer your early days’ type of music to what today’s musicians are churning out?

Yes, our own type of music is better. Ours was the time of highlife. And without highlife, there was no music. Reason being that highlife was the root of music in Nigeria. If you hoped to be a sound musician that would be recognised all over the world, then you must go and learn it.

For how long have you been in Lagos?

I was born and bred in Lagos. I was born on July 22, 1926.

Could you compare Lagos of those years with what it is today?

Lagos of yester-years was indeed nice, yes, very nice. Not minding the fact that it wasn’t as developed as it is now but it was better to me. Maybe because we had easy life then. There was no armed robbery, no police harassment; you walked freely from 9pm till dawn. And if per chance you were hungry, you would get something to eat from the roadsides. You could have Amala (cassava or yam flour meal) or Iyan (pounded yam) at any time. They start to sell food by nine in the night till the morning of the next day.

What was it about life then that you are missing dearly now?

Peace! The peace we had then in Lagos State, we don’t have it now. I’m missing the peace we used to have then. We don’t have steady light now. During the British colonial rule, even in the heavy rain, or thunder storms, light would still be on. In fact, it never blinked. Amazingly, we didn’t have much dam. We were using Ajele dam. That was the only dam controlling the whole Lagos then.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/women-are-my-major-problem-fatai-rolling-dollar/

Toni Payne is the ex-wife of a popular artiste fondly called 9ice. Though blessed with a son, Zion, their marriage crashed after 20 months. A diva, artiste manager and a publicist, she tells Adaeze Amos in this interview that she wouldn’t mind remarrying if the right man comes. Excerpts:

Many know you as the former wife of 9ice and the mother of Zion, his only son, but how do you see yourself?

Yes, they are right. I have a son known as Zion. I see myself as a diva and an entrepreneur.

Can you reach out to ladies whose marriages are not working even after being submissive?

Marriage is meant to be enjoyed and not to be endured. That is my own philosophy. You are meant to enjoy your marriage. If you are in a marriage and you are not enjoying it, why are you there?

Should they leave their kids?

Oh well, if your kids are seeing you unhappy, that means you are raising kids that are not going to be happy adults. When your marriage is not working, maybe there is no communication. A lot of times, men are busy doing their thing and women are busy accepting it because they want to be submissive. Talk to your man and tell him what he is doing to you that you frown at. When he refuses to change, then check yourself; you are doing something that he doesn’t like and he just keeps seeing you do that. Communication is key. I think there are lots of marriages that are not sweet. It is because the communication is not there. I always say if you want to be married to somebody in life, he should be your husband; you, his wife, mistress, girlfriend, sugar mummy, his everything.

Don’t you think people would see you as someone who couldn’t practise what she is preaching, especially as your own marriage crashed?

But they also say it takes two to tango. You can force a camel to the stream but you can’t force it to drink water. If you have two parties that are willing to make something work, it would work but if you have just one willing party, there is nothing that you can do. Even God can’t come and knock you on the side of your head for it to work. It takes two to tango, honestly.

Does this mean that you made extra efforts to save the marriage?

I tried my best.

Why then did it crash? What happened?

I won’t answer this question please.

Do you hope to remarry?

Definitely. Everybody knows that about me that I’m definitely trying to remarry. I’m hopelessly romantic, I believe in the institution of marriage. I grew up in a family and my family was very close. I grew up with family morals. I want that for my kids.

I believe my kids should grow up in a home, not a house. Definitely, I do plan on getting married again, one day, very soon, yes, hopefully. If I find the right guy, I would definitely be doing that.

What lessons have you learnt from that botched relationship?

Now, I’m going to be a little bit more careful. I would watch carefully and instead of just following my heart, I would do so with my brain. When you are younger, you are likely to make mistake, but I have realized that life doesn’t work like that. Now, I would look at the basics. What do you want? Five, 10 years from now, where do you see yourself ? I would ask all those questions. Anybody that tries to talk to me today, maybe, telling me ‘I love you’ and all that, I will ask the person some questions. If you don’t love me, don’t say that to me. If you are able to answer those posers and your answers tally with mine, then we can go ahead; if not we call it quits.

Having learnt your lessons, what are now the qualities of your ideal man?

I think a person that has very strong family orientation. You have to be a strict family person with the strong spirit of wanting your marriage to work. That is what I’m looking for, someone whose visions are same as mine, so much that when I’m 80 years old, we are still holding hands and our kids are happy and our grand kids are happy.

What is the most scandalous story about you?

They have written so many scandalous stories about me. None is true. I’m a very level-headed person. I see myself as being intelligent enough not to do stupid things. There have been a lot of scandalous stories about me. I must say those stories weren’t fair on me.

Were there some stories that made you shed tears?

Oh yes. The most popular one was that I cheated on my husband. But did you do it? I didn’t do it honestly. I read it and for me it was a little bit painful because I know the kind of person I am. I’m hopelessly romantic. If I decide to marry somebody, I’m definitely not going to cheat on him regardless of anything. I’m not materialistic. It’s not as if I’m looking for one moneybag or so.

what do you have for mothers-in-law who poke their noses into their children’s marriages?

To mothers-in-law, I always say try and be your daughters-in-law best friend. It is the wisest thing to do. I have a son and when he decides to get married, I would try as much as possible to be his wife’s or girlfriend’s friend. I will try to be as lenient as possible. It is not easy letting go of your son because I know that feeling. But you just have to know that this is what it is.

What was your childhood like?

My childhood was beautiful. I grew up partly here and in America. I grew up around my family. There is nothing better than the family.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/after-my-experience-with-9ice-i-wouldnt-mind-another-marriage-with-the-right-man-toni-payne/#!prettyPhoto

The security agents at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, yesterday foiled attempts by an unidentified person to gain access into the private ward of the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), at the hospital.

It was learnt that the strange man had beaten the security about noon, and was about entering Babalakin’s private ward when some nurses trailed him to the door of the ward and enquired about his mission.

A source said the man’s explanation was unconvincing, prompting the LUTH officials to invite policemen attached to the hospital to the scene.

It was gathered that when the security men arrived, they were in the process of rough handling the strange man and he quickly identified himself. The source said the man claimed to be a plain cloth operative with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The source added that the EFCC and other armed men later accosted the strange man and led him away. It was learnt that nobody could ascertain the mission of the yet-to-be identified operative, who claimed to be an EFCC official.

The hospital authorities could not be reached for comments. At press time, attempts to speak with the EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwajaren, failed, as his two phone lines were switched off.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/luth-foils-attempt-to-break-into-babalakins-private-ward/

The chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, yesterday said that the lack of good lawyers committed to fight its battle may its dream of getting justice over the deregistration of political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). INEC, on Thursday, deregistered 28 political parties few months after it wielded its axe on some political parties for not meeting the requirements of the electoral law.

According to INEC’s Secretary, Abdulahi Kaugama, in a statement made available to journalists on INEC’s action conformed with the powers conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

It is believed that INEC premised its action on the fact that the de-registered political parties had not won a seat in either the state House of Assembly or the National Assembly in past elections.

But speaking to Saturday Mirror in an exclusive interview yesterday, Balarabe Musa said it would be difficult for CNPP to get a good lawyer like the late human rights activist and lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Fawehinmi made a lot of sacrifice to fight for registration of more political parties in Nigeria in 2002.

His words: “We have been in court over the matter. So the action of the INEC amounts to contempt of court because CNPP went to court and got injunction stopping INEC from deregistering political parties. We would still go back to court because it is the court that facilitated the registration of many political parties in 2002 when the case was decided at the Supreme Court. So, now, it is expected of us to go to the court again.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/de-registration-of-parties-i-wish-gani-were-alive-balarabe-musa/

Some state governments which are seeking foreign loans were at the National Assembly yesterday to lobby lawmakers for the approval of such facilities.

Some of the states that were at the National Assembly to defend their requests before the Senate Committee on Foreign Loans and Debt include Abia, Imo, Plateau and Gombe.

This was as Chairman of the Committee, Senator Uzamere Ehigie threatened to shut the door against the state governments that have not appeared before the committee to defend their loan proposal. He set Monday December 10 as deadline for such states or their requests would not be processed.

Most of the states that have appeared so far before the committee were represented by their finance commissioners and attorneys general and commissioners for justice.

The states seized to opportunity to complain about their inability to get disbursement of the loans approved for them last year despite that they had met the all laid down procedures.

Uzamere however assured that the legislature would do justice to the matter pointing out that there is communication gap between the Ministry of Finance and the state governments on the issue of the loan.

The Chairman urged the Minister of Finance to look into the issues raised by commissioners with the view of reconciling them.

Those states that have not appeared to defend their own loan proposals are Ondo, Rivers and Delta states.

A breakdown of the loan proposals waiting approval revealed that all states in the country applied for loans totaling $3.39bin while the Federal government applied for $4.8bn. as well as for Continuation of Eurobond Issuance worth $1bn, Diaspora Bonnd of $100m putting the total at about $9bn.

The Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Yerima Jigama, explained that the repayment period of the loan is about 40 years and it is concessional loan which is quite different from the one Nigeria has taken previously.

He added that all states in the country have been banned from negotiating for loans individually in order to ensure that the interest rates of the loan are the same.

President Goodluck Jonathan had requested the National Assembly to authorize the borrowing of the sum of $7.9bn external loans (for the federal and some state governments) under the Medium Term expenditure profile (2012–2014) external borrowing plan in October.

Last month, the president also sent a request for an additional $500m to fund some projects. Out of the $500m the sum of $300m was to be used for the federal government’s housing projects while $200m was for the provision of water for Rivers State communities.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/governors-storm-nassembly-lobby-for-foreign-loans/

As the 18th National Sports Festival, Eko 2012, ends in Lagos this weekend, residents, participants and enthusiasts have more than the various categories of medals to look forward to. This is coming on the heels of several arrangements that have been put in place by the Local Organising Committee, LOC, and other partners to showcase an array of entertaining performances to make the event a memorable one.

Friday Flavour gathered that one of such events being put together is Nigerian Sports and Entertainment Village Nite, NISEV, coordinated by Heartlinks Events. It comes up today at the Eagle Club, Surulere, Lagos at 4.00 p.m. NISEV, whose primary motive is to showcase ‘Nigerian talents through the generations’, will be presenting sessions like ankara competition, ewii rendition, dance, drama and the Nollywood surprise act.

Some notable artistes who would be part of the Nollywood surprise act event are: Fred Amata, Benita Nzeribe, Chico Ejiro, Charles Novia, Bunmi Nelson (Sexy Choco), Segun Arinze and Saidi Balogun. Dejumo Lewis of the Village Headmaster fame will also be available in a special appearance where he would talk about Nigeria today, yesterday and the future. Paul Adams and Bukky Wright would anchor the event as hosts. Highpoints of the evening include prizes for the Best Dressed Guest in ankara and the Best Dancer.
The event, which is endorsed by the Eko 2012 LOC with support of the Lagos State Judo Association, is also being sponsored by Indomie noodles, Eagle Club and Dansa Juice.

“Indomie is providing a mobile kitchen where guests will be served their favourite meal in different flavours sizzling hot”, said Heartlinks’ representative, Kemi Otegbade who also confirmed to Friday Flavour that getting into the arena for this event is free, so long as the person is dressed in green ankara in the spirit of patriotism. “Yes, it is free, so long as the person is well-dressed in ankara fabric that reflects our national colours, which is green and white.

The person has to be creative about the way he or she would appear because prizes would also be given to the best-dressed people as well. But essentially the idea is to promote what holds us together as a nation. The sports festival was conceived to promote unity, and the NISEV has the same objective. It is always done whenever there is an event of this nature.

I guess it is in this spirit that some of the partners have been supportive, which we are generously grateful for”. On Sunday, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, the LOC will also be showcasing an array of performers, to thrill the audience who would be converging to herald the end of the fiesta which kicked off nearly two weeks ago.

According to a statement from the Local Organising Committee, so much has been put into the fiesta to make it part of the annals of sports history. Save from calisthenics, a carnival is expected at the closing ceremonies which will start at 5.00 p.m. Kweku Tandoh, secretary general of the LOC, disclosed that 2face, Wizkid, Wande Cole and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K-1 de Ultimate) are some of the reigning Nigerian musical acts that would also be on hand to entertain the guests.

“The opening ceremony, like closing ceremony of such event is usual a bit more carefree in terms of it being more fun, more of a party, more of a carnival atmosphere that notwithstanding, the LOC is putting together a closing ceremony. That would remain in the mind of Nigerians and even the rest of the world”, he said.

According to Tandoh, the closing ceremony is being packaged to highlight the tourism potentials of the state. “In the history of sports festivals in the country, Lagos has been able to retain the scheduled date, without any postponement and beginning preparations in just one year. I believe we have been able to break new grounds and set new standards that subsequent festivals and hosts will build upon to take Nigerian sports to where it is supposed to be”.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/entertainment-meets-sports-at-eko-2012-finals/

Senator Akin Odunsi, representing Ogun West Senatorial District at the National Assembly has thrown his weight behind the demand of the Awori people in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State to join Lagos State.

In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, Odunsi said there was nothing wrong in the demand of Aworis, whom he said have been deprived of basic amenities despite being the largest contributor to Ogun State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for many years.

He also added that the decision of the Awori people to join their kinsmen in Lagos is a position that has been presented to other ethnic clans in the state and was reflected in the communiqué issued at the end of the joint sitting of the three senatorial districts in the state, recently.

He was, however, quick to add that it is not the decision for other groups to make but for Aworis in Lagos and Ogun states. Odunsi said: “The demand by Awori in Ado- Odo/ Ota Local Government Area in Ogun State to join their kit and kin in Lagos State is not a new agitation but what has been on for many years because of the contiguity the area shares with Lagos.
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/ogun-senator-backs-kinsmens-plan-to-join-lagos/

The Presidency has said that it could not sack any of its officials on mere allegation of corruption without any concrete proof.

It also said that in Nigeria’s history, no government had confronted corruption as the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, who spoke with journalists in Abuja yesterday, said the system the administration put in place in the last one year had exposed massive grafts in pension office, fertiliser, power, oil and gas, elections, ports and judiciary, etc.

He said that the insinuation in some quarters that President Jonathan lacked the political will to fight corruption was false and that the President could not just sack ministers because of unsubstantiated allegations.

Okupe was reacting to calls for the sack of the Minister of Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe, and his Labour and Productivity counterpart, Chief Emeka Worgu, over allegations of corruption while in office.

Orubebe was accused of benefitting from a palatial house gift allegedly donated by a construction company where he currently resides while Worgu’s company is said to be connected to oil subsidy fraud.

But Okupe said these allegations were far from the truth.

He said: “These are allegations, if the President fires every minister and any government officials that people allege, I doubt whether 50 per cent of the officials will remain. You know how Nigerians are, I am not indicting anybody, I am not saying anybody is wrong or right but on allegation, the onus is on the person who is alleging to prove and the President cannot just act based on allegation; government does not work that way and the President is not also deaf.

“These are events in the last one month and some mechanism must be taking place to internally verify these claims and to actually come up with something. You know that a minister has been sacked in this administration and investigations took place and decisions were taken.”

Cataloguing the numerous victories Jonathan’s government has won its war against corruption, Okupe said before the administration came on board, the pension fund regime was one of the major channels through which public funds running into hundreds of billions of naira were misappropriated by corrupt officials.

He said: “Problems associated with the pension management system include embezzlement, falsification of records, ghost pensioners, obsolete administrative structure and denial of pensioners their due entitlements. This was what necessitated the setting up of the Presidential Pension Reform Task Team.

“Since June 2010, the activities of this important task force resulted in the following: Detection and deletion of over 73,000 ghost/fake pensioners from the Head of Service/Police Pension Office; recovery and saving of over N225 billion from two pension offices; capturing biometric details of over 170,000 pensioners; and stoppage of a monthly theft of over N4 billion from the national treasury.”
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/corruption-why-jonathan-cant-sack-orubebe-worgu-others-presidency/

First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, made her first public appearance few days ago when she declared open the eight edition of the Abuja Carnival at Eagle Square after her return from Germany for medical treatment. During the weeks she was away in Germany, her absence was felt at public functions and other social events in Abuja, particularly those relating to issues concerning women and children.

Though she is yet to attend other public functions after the Abuja Carnival, her return to the country in October has changed the mood amongst workers at the Presidential Villa. Before her return, there were apprehensions about her state of health and uncertainty as to when she would come back to the country but with the presence of Dame Patience at the Villa, most of the workers are in joyous moods and happy that she returned safely.

On her arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, she was received by some top government functionaries, wives of governors, some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party and other well-wishers. There, she took the opportunity to express gratitude to God for bringing her back while denying that she went to Germany for cosmetic surgery.
She also expressed her appreciation for the love, concern and prayers of many Nigerians for her safe return. For residents of the Federal Capital Territory, the return of the First Lady and her appearance at the Abuja Carnival was a welcome development. Speaking with Inside FCT, Ngozi Ezechukwu who was at the opening of the Abuja Carnival said she was happy to see the first lady again at public function after her medical trip abroad.

“Her presence at the carnival added colour to the event because it was her first public appearance after her return from Germany; I was happy to see her and I wish her well”, Ezechukwu said.

Daniel Emmanuel and another resident who simply identified herself as Tochi also said they were excited the First lady was around to declare open the Carnival, saying that, “it is just a matter of time before she starts attending other public functions”.

At the Carnival, the First Lady urged Nigerians to live together in peace and continue to promote and imbibe the good values of the country’s culture and tradition, stressing that the country’s diverse cultural values were too rich to be ignored and allowed to go into extinction. She promised to use her position to ensure that culture and tourism create employment for Nigerians, particularly women and youths
http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/first-lady-bounces-back/

The All Africa Students Union (AASU) has picked former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George as the winner of its 15th edition of the Africa Leadership award.

George’s nomination was based on recommendations by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the ratification by the executive council of AASU.

Disclosing this was the Nigerian representative at AASU and Project Co-ordinator of the award,

Olufemi Lawson, who said that George was selected from among the many nominees for the 2012 award based on his commitment to youth development and his defence of democratic institutions.

The award would be conferred on him on December 12, during which a distinguished leadership lecture would be delivered.

AASU is a regional students organisation, headquartered in Accra, Ghana with over 54 African countries as members.

Past recipients of the ASUU bi-annual Africa Leadership Award included former Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Kofi Anan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Afe Babalola, a former minister from South Africa, and Nobel laureate, late Prof Wangari Maathai among others.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/bode-george-wins-african-leadership-award/

A 16-year-old girl (name withheld) who was allegedly raped by Lt. Col. Nzidee William, of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), wept yesterday as her rape case was struck out by the Magistrate’s Court for lack of jurisdiction.

When the case came up for hearing yesterday at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Barnawa, Kaduna, presided over by Sa’adatu Sambo, the accused was absent in court, but was represented by his counsel, Mr. Odogiyon Lanke, who disclosed that they had reached an out-of-court settlement with the counsel to the complainant.

Lanke said, “We held a meeting and we shared with him the correct position of what happened earlier and had the privilege of the other side of the story and he offered to terminate it, and we told him we rather wish the case go to the police for investigation so that the name of the accused person can be cleared, but he insisted on terminating it today, so I am rather surprised by the turnaround of the story” he said.

However, counsel to the complainant, Dyagas Ezeliel, argued that there was no out-of-court settlement reached by the two parties.

“We insisted that service should be effected on the Chief of Army Staff and processes should be followed, because if we are talking of settling a matter out of court, you have to make sure that you hold something at hand of what you want to do because I cannot let the accused be a freelancer.

“So if the magistrate court is referring us to the high court, fine, that is still a good one but if we are settling out of court if we are able to resolve between now and that time and the family feels they are okay, we will resolve the matter out of court,” he said.

Chief Magistrate Sa’adatu Sambo, in her ruling struck out the case saying; “This court will not start what it cannot finish, so the case should be taken to the high court or the Nigerian Police for proper investigation and prosecution.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/16-year-old-girl-weeps-as-court-strikes-out-rape-case/

An Islamic organisation, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, yesterday rejected the removal of Commandants of Armed Forces and Staff College, Air Vice-Marshal Adullahi Kure, and the Corps of Infantry, Maj.Gen. Muhammad Isa.

The group said that their replacement by non- Muslims as heads of the military formations was suspicious.

But the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in 19 northern states and Abuja yesterday called on President Goodluck Jonathan and the military authorities to disregard JNI stand on the removal of ex-Jaji military commandants over the blasts that killed 15 Christian worshippers.

cIn a statement entitled, “The removal of the two Jaji officers” by JNI Secretary- General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, and made available to our correspondent yesterday, the organisation said the removal of the two officers were “rushed against the nature of military known to be careful in handling sensitive issues of national interest.”

The former commandants were removed by the Defence Headquarters following the recent Sunday’s twin-car bomb attacks at St. Andrew’s Military Protestant Church in the military base, killing at least 15 worshippers with scored of injured victims.

The Defence Headquarters had in a statement on Saturday named Maj.- Gen. K.C. Osuji as the new Commandant of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps and Air Vice-Marshal E.E. Osim as the new Commandant of the Command and Staff College.

But JNI said the attempt to politicise the security breach along religious and ethnic divides would cripple not only the military but the nation’s security system.

The JNI statement reads: “The fact that the two officers who were swiftly removed were Muslims, and were replaced by two officers who are non-Muslims makes any discerning observer to be suspicious of the motives behind the whole exercise.

“It is our sincere concern to which we make bold to state that any attempt at politicising the issue of security in Nigeria will not only worsen our security situation but will also continue to polarise the military family and the entire security system along religious and ethnic divides, something that would not augur well for the future of our dear nation.

“While reiterating our condemnation of the blasts and emphasising the need for the immediate thorough investigations into the matter, we want to state that the immediate removal of the two officers does not speak well of the military who are hitherto known to be careful and objective in dealing with sensitive issues of national interest.

“We cannot comprehend why the use of two different approaches to addressing the same issue. Nigerians may not understand why the two Jaji officers be removed in connection to the blasts even before any proper investigation, while no immediate posting out could follow the bombings at the 1 Mechanised Division and the Police Headquarters which preceded it.

But the Northern CAN’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Sunday Oibe, blamed JNI for dragging religion into the ongoing war against terrorism.

CAN said: “If truly the respected Muslim organisation, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, said the removal of Jaji military commandants has religious motive is unfortunate because we should not drag religion into the security situation in this country.

“When former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Charles Soludo, tenure ended who is in charge now, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi? Who is the Inspector- General of Police now? Is it not Mohammed Abubakar?”

CAN added that the JNI statement on the removal of Jaji commandants was divisionary because the same group said that Boko Haram was not a religious group.

CAN, however, called on security agencies to monitor religious leaders closely.

“Those military officers posted to Jaji are they not qualified? President Goodluck Jonathan, the military should not be distracted in their efforts to end Boko Haram.

“Christians are being killed on daily basis that does not disturb JNI. JNI should tell Nigerians if they are behind Jaji military church blast if not they should focus on their religious activities for the good of humanity rather than telling military what to do,” CAN stated.


http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/jni-can-clash-on-removal-of-army-commandants/

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday stoutly defended his recent decision refusing the request by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to reinstate suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami into office.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/why-i-didnt-reinstate-salami-president/

Lagos governor inhuman, says PDP

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/lagos-governor-inhuman-says-pdp/

The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to re-introduce and re-construct toll gates on federal highways to guarantee their regular maintenance and sustainability. Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, disclosed this to journalists yesterday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, while on tour of the North/ South road from Lagos- Ibadan Expressway linking Ibadan-Oyo-Ogbomoso-Ilorin Roads extending to Jebba, Mokwa, Kaduna, Kano and other northern states. He said the government is ready to go ahead with its plan for the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy of sustaining existing infrastructure nationwide.

The minister, who addressed journalists shortly after touring the 52-kilometre Oyo-Ogbomoso Road, which is the second section of the Ibadan-Ilorin Road being handled by Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) and is expected to be completed by December 2013, said toll gates would be introduced on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as soon as the on-going reconstruction and expansion works are completed by both the RCC and Julius Berger.

He said the move to reintroduce toll gates on highways nationwide was basically to have funds to “sustain and maintain this road so that it would not go back to the sorry state we met it and similar others across the federation.”

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/toll-gates-back-soon-on-federal-roads-onolememen/

The trio of the Chief Missioner of Ansarud- deen Society worldwide, Sheikh Abdur- Rahman Ahmad; former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede and the Secretary- General of the Conference of Islamic Organisations (CIO), Ustaz Shuaib Abdullahi, have been tipped as the likely successors of Dr. Lateef Adegbite as the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). NSCIA is shopping for a Secretary-General following the death of Dr. Adegbite. In the quest to fill the position, the candidates involved were being tipped based on their antecedents in their various capacities.

A close source at the NSCIA, who would not want his name in print, revealed that a huge void was created at the NSCIA with the death of Dr. Adegbite. When Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki became the Sultan of Sokoto in 1988 and President- General of the NSCIA, Adegbite was appointed Secretary-General of the Council.

Under the leadership of Adegbite and Dasuki, the NSCIA, which was established in 1974, was said to become more active, with the late scribe virtually becoming the face of the organisation. Adegbite, 79, who held a doctorate degree in Law, was a reputable Islamic cleric famed for his bridgebuilding efforts between Christianity and Islam.

As secretary-general of the nation’s foremost Islamic body, whoever emerges must be vast in religious tolerance, selfless service, personal piety and humility. As the NSCIA shops for a candidate to fill the vacant position, many Muslims said yesterday at the Muharram get-together organised by the Muslim Congress in Lagos that though the late Adegbite’s shoes would be difficult to fill, God would guide the NSCIA aright in selecting his successor.

A Muslim cleric, who did not want his name mentioned, believes that the would-be successor must have vast knowledge of Islam and Islamic jurisprudence. He must also demonstrate ability to insulate himself from the murky waters of politics, the source said.

The cleric said: “The new scribe of the NSCIA must be a man of sound temperament, who must not be given easily to anger as a result of the very volatile nature of religion in this country.”

National Mirror, however, learnt that a subterraneous succession move has broken out in the South-West and North-Central regions where some leading Islamic clerics have expressed their interest in the job.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/nscia-ex-vc-others-jostle-to-succeed-adegbite/

Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has denied the allegation that he spent N4 billion on the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, just as he said there was no vacancy in the Osun State Government House in 2014.

Aregbesola spoke at the weekend in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, while answering questions from journalists during a special interview programme tagged: “Ogbeni Till Day Break.”

He said there was no truth in the rumour that he spent N4 billion public fund in his bid to ensure that the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate in Ondo State, Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, won the election.

According to him, his involvement in the election did not go beyond being a member of the ACN, who desired victory for his party.

Aregbesola said: “I did not use Osun State resources to fight Ondo governorship election. If I had used Osun resources to fight Ondo election, where then did I get the resources to pay workers’ salaries in my state and still able to execute those projects?

“What I did in Ondo State is what any democrat all over the world would do. I went to Ondo State to campaign for candidate of my party and I don’t have any apology for anybody for doing that and now that the result had gone that way, I have put that behind me and I am moving forward.”

According to him, it was high time that the Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State ended its bragging season and face how to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.

http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/i-didnt-spend-n4bn-on-ondo-election-aregbesola/