₦airaland Forum

francizy:
The news here also applies to other states. Many of these greedy PDP and APC governors should be arrested and made to pay or be jailed or better still, have them pay and afterwards thrown in jail. This is not about the Yorubas, it's about the foolish greedy ones and we have to fighht against them. Think outside the tribal box.

Gbam!
Strongly seconded...

Oildichotomy:
While there is every reason to try and correct the past ills and forge a common front.

I will settle for no witch-hunting please.

Rotimi stole and funded APC campaign , we all know that, the same way Wike probably embezzled some cash from the education ministry.

Corruption runs in the DNA of an average Nigerian talk more of a politician.
"Let he without SIN cast the first stone"

This is not a story of casting first stones. So that means because everyone has stolen something, there shouldn't be any accountability...

abdul123:
Wicked flat headed govenors

PassingShot:
Gradually we're entering a new dawn of purposeful leadership.

Yes ooo...let cluelessness vacate sharp sharp.

How can workers not get paid for six months?

All these visionless people..

Tanoids are here again...

Backwardness...

Groaning under crushing economic hardship caused by unpaid salaries, workers in Oyo and Osun states have embarked on strike.

Specifically, labour unions in the two states directed their members to embark on strike in order to press home demands for the payment of owed salary arrears.

In Osun, the state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr. Jacob Adekomi, who addressed a news conference in Osogbo, on Monday, called on workers to begin a strike today after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to the state government.

Adekomi, who read from a text said, “That the 14-day ultimatum issued to the government expired today (Monday, May 25, 2015).

“That an indefinite strike action be commenced by all the workers in the State of Osun as from Tuesday, May 26, 2015 due to the failure of the government to accede to our legitimate demands, as contained in our letter to the government dated May 12, 2015.

“The indefinite strike action will be total. Workers are advised to stay at home while pressing home our demands. That no worker should resume work until an anouncement is made by the labour bodies to that effect.”

The labour union leader said that apart from the salary issue, the state government had refused to remit the contributory pension deductions from workers’ salaries to their respective retirement saving accounts.

A factional state Chairman of the NLC, Mr. Gambi Yusuf, when contacted said his faction was in support of the strike since it was aimed at fighting for the right of the entire workers in the state.

He said, “I am in support of it provided it is to fight for the welfare of workers. It is okay by me. But these are the same set of people who said before that the government did not owe them.”

But the state Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has appealed to the workers to show understanding with him on the issues.

Speaking through his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said he had tried to ensure a prompt payment of workers’ salaries despite the decline in allocation to the state before the issue degenerated.

Okanlawon said, “At the heart of all these issues being raised is insufficient fund. And regardless of the terrible revenue crisis that has led us to this state as a country, we must bear in mind the very prudent manner the Aregbesola’s government has managed the affairs of Osun.

“Therefore, workers can be certain that once the revenue complications are solved, all these issues will vanish. And as a responsible government, we still appeal to workers to show understanding – bearing in mind that at times when even other states had started experiencing delays, Osun used all it had to ensure workers did not feel the pang of the national revenue crisis.”

Other unions present at the news conference included the NLC, Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Nigeria Senior Civil Service Union, Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others.

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress on Monday said that in line with the directive of the national leaders of NLC, all workers in the state should begin an indefinite strike on Tuesday (today).

Chairman of the union in the state, Waheed Olojede, stated after a meeting of the state executive that the action became necessary after the state government owed months of workers’ salaries and retirees’ pensions. Olojede revealed however that the state council had been in negotiation with the state government for some months on the issue and that an agreement had yet to be reached when the national body of the NLC directed that the strike should commence.

He said, “You are all aware sufficiently that in the last few months in Nigeria, many state governments have owed salaries and pensions of their workers. Oyo State is one of those states. In the last few months, we have commenced negotiation with the state government on how best to pay outstanding salaries and pensions of the workers and retirees.

“We were on the process until last Friday when the national headquarters of the NLC issued a directive, instructing all state councils of NLC where governments are owing salaries and pensions to begin industrial action as from today, Monday 25, 2015. We have got in touch with the national leadership of the NLC to make clarification on the action.

“Even when we notified them that the state NLC had commenced negotiation with the state government, the directive from the national headquarters insisted that notwithstanding our local arrangement, we must comply and begin industrial action. Because of this and the fact that no state council has the power to defy the authority of the national NLC, we immediately called a meeting of the state executive to review the directive and our process of negotiation.

“We therefore resolve that because of the law that established the NLC, no state congress is higher than the national body. Arising from this position, we have therefore resolved that we are left with no other option but to direct all workers in Oyo State to respect the national directive and stay at home from Tuesday (today).”

While expressing the optimism that the negotiation with the state would still resolve the issue, Olojede called on the state government not to abandon the negotiation, adding that as soon as a resolution was reached, the state council would approach the national headquarters of the NLC with a view to getting the permission for the workers to resume work.

“We appeal to the state government to show understanding on this directive. The only condition that can make us appear before the leadership of NLC is to have with us a mutually agreed Memorandum of Understanding spelling out how best and quickly salary and pension arrears can be paid and how the state will continue to pay them promptly,” he added.



NUT begins strike in FCT

Meanwhile, primary and secondary school pupils in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, were on Monday sent home following an indefinite strike called by the Nigeria Union of Teachers.

The union went on strike over some policies adopted by the FCT administration that were not favourable to teachers.

The chairman, FCT Wing of NUT, Mr. Hassan Jibir, told The PUNCH that the union had directed its members “to remain at home and schools closed definitely until their demands are met by the FCT administration.”

The contentious issues include reinstatement of 27.5 per cent Teacher Salary Structure allowance; non-release of promotion for teachers for years 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and non-payment of 100 per cent rent allowance to teachers.

He said, “Some categories of teachers and supervisors and those working in the offices were affected by the TSS. In 2012, six secondary schools were affected while for 2013/2014, all primary, junior secondary and senior secondary school teachers were affected.

‘‘For 2015, they are supposed to start the process but have not done that till now.”

Jibir also called on the Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed, to do the right thing so as to avert a crisis in the FCT.

According to him, the minister did wrong with the policy on the rent allowance for teachers which has been in line with the Federal Government’s policy.

He said, “During the administration of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai’, teachers on Grade level 1 to 6 received rent allowance of 50 per cent of their basic salaries while those on level 7 to 14 got 60 per cent of their basic salaries. Also, level 15 to 17 were receiving 75 per cent of their basic salaries.

“But when he discovered that the 50 per cent can’t pay rent in FCT, el-Rufai made it 100 per cent. Former Ministers of the FCT who succeeded him, Adamu Aliero and Abdulkahi Moddibo, continued from where el-Rufai stopped.

“But Bala Mohammed came and reverted it to 50 per cent, 60 per cent and 75 per cent whereas rent in FCT has increased tremendously since then. Instead of increasing it, he reduced it.

“We are, therefore, asking for a reversal to the 100 per cent that was started by el-Rufai, even if he can’t increase it. This is our grouse.”

When one of our correspondents visited some schools in the FCT, many parents were seen taking their children home.

In a similar development, workers under the aegis of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees have threatened a showdown against state governments owing salaries in the country.

This decision was reached at the 19th plenary session of the association held in Akure, on Monday.

Speaking at the meeting, the National President of the association, Solomon Adelegan, said the non-payment of salaries to workers had increased the poverty rate across the country.

http://www.punchng.com/news/unpaid-salaries-oyo-osun-workers-begin-strike/

I smell trouble...

Vice President Namadi Sambo on Monday told members of the Transition Committee set up by the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, that he and ministers that served under President Goodluck Jonathan were open to questioning.

He said members of the Federal Executive Council were ready to respond to queries and questions that might be directed at them on how they had administered the country between 2011 and 2015.

Sambo made the promise while presenting the handover note prepared by the transition committee he chaired to the Ahmed Joda-led Buhari’s transition committee.

He told Joda and other members of the committee that the report captured all government activities in the last four years.

He said, “The handover notes of the Federal Government of Nigeria of this administration between 2011 and 2015 have been properly articulated and printed.

“The permanent secretaries of each ministry have signed each page of this report to authenticate it and it is our pleasure to present it to you and pray that it will guide you, guide the incoming administration towards the achievement of positive objectives, development and progress of Nigeria.

“I want to add that all of us are always available, after this report between now and May 29, anytime you need to meet with us, we are ready to come and sit and clarify.

“All the ministries, departments and agencies will also be ready to meet with you, give you any additional information or clarifications that you would want to have on this report that we are presenting.”

In his response, Joda said his committee would study the report before final submission to the incoming Buhari’s administration.

“It is my honour and my privilege to receive this comprehensive set of the reports from the government transition committee which was chaired by the Vice President.

It appears that nothing has been left out. It is now our challenge to do a careful study and examination of what is contained in these volumes,” he said.

It will be recalled that Buhari and the All Progressives Congress had at different times accused the Sambo committee of not co-operating with the committee led by Joda.

Joda himself had, while presenting his committee’s report to the President-elect last week, accused the Federal Government of hiding useful information from them.

Buhari was widely reported to have said that he had so far been kept in the dark regarding the state of the nation which he is taking over on Friday.

http://www.punchng.com/news/transition-fg-team-submits-report-to-buhari-committee/

THE Rivers State Governor-elect, Chief Nyesom Wike, has indicated his readiness to probe the Rotimi Amaechi administration after being sworn in as the chief executive of the state.

Wike, who gave this hint while receiving the interim report of the Transition Committee in Port Harcourt on Monday, declared that his administration would carry out a forensic audit of all government accounts.

He explained that the measure would enable him to recover funds that might have allegedly been stolen by top officials of the outgoing administration in the state.

Wike specifically said that those who participated in the use of N4.5bn to conduct a local government election by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, even when the court had stopped the exercise, would be made to account for their actions.

The governor-elect maintained that RSIEC embarked on an illegal local government election despite the court’s position on the matter.

Explaining that the days of impunity and corruption were over, Wike noted that Rivers would be a test case in the fight against corruption.

He added that his administration would adopt a comprehensive approach in fighting corrupt elements in the outgoing administration in order to entrench fiscal discipline in the state.

“I am not going to be intimidated. The only way we can work together is to check the ills of the past. The right thing must be done. Those who have stolen the resources of the state must be made to account for them.

“I have the political will to drive the process to its logical conclusion. The massive stealing of government resources was a deliberate attempt to create problems for the incoming administration,” Wike said.

The governor-elect declared that all backdated appointments and certificates of occupancy being hurriedly issued by outgoing governor would be set aside.

“All the top officials of Amaechi administration who have refused to cooperate in the interest of Rivers State during the transition period will soon cooperate whether they like it or not.

“Those who have closed the courts will be the same persons rushing to the courts when we open the courts,” Wike further declared.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Transition Committee and state Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, had recommended that the new administration should carry out forensic audit of all accounts in view of an alleged looting by officials of the outgoing administration.

Ikuru pointed out that Amaechi and top officials of his (Amaechi) administration refused to cooperate with the committee for a smooth transition.

The deputy governor urged the governor-elect to work towards restoring basic services in the state.

Reacting, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, told our correspondent that Amaechi was not afraid of probe and added that the governor had been transparent and sincere in governing the state.

Okocha argued that there was nothing wrong in probing any administration, but stated that the exercise would only becoming a vice should it (probe) be done with mischief in mind.

“No government that is transparent and sincere like that of Amaechi will be afraid of probe. It (probe) is good to do except if it is originally intended to be a witch-hunt,” Amaechi aide said.

On Wike’s claim that N4.5bn was used to conduct the council election, Okocha disagreed with the governor-elect, saying, “He (Wike) should also understand that he who lives in a glass house should not throw stones.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/ill-probe-amaechi-says-wike/

Troops of the Nigerian Army have found a large amount of Euro on a terrorist commander, who was killed during an encounter with the insurgents at Mafa, near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.

The Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, said in a statement on Monday, that the Boko Haram Commander was killed when the Special Forces repelled an attack by the insurgents on Mafa on Saturday.

Olukolade said the terrorist, who was a member of the highest Amir cadre of the Boko Haram, was among 30 terrorists, who were killed in the Mafa battle.

The Defence spokesman said several other militants fled the scene of battle with bullet wounds.

He added that the soldiers also captured a number of arms and ammunition, tubes of Rocket Propelled Grenades, a buffalo vehicle and other equipment from the insurgents.

According to him, the military lost a faulty equipment in the operation.

He stated further that the troops had commenced a mopping up operation while the battle against the insurgents was continuing in several fronts in the operation.

He said, “Thousands of Euro currency were found on the body of a terrorist commander after troops successfully repelled a terrorist attack on Mafa towards the border.

“The terrorist, who is also an Amir by status, and believed to be of foreign descent, is among about 30 terrorist fighters, who died in the encounter while many others fled with wounds.

“The terrorists also lost a number of weapons and equipment, including the captured 13 rifles, a machine gun, rocket propelled grenade tubes and several other assorted ammunition.

“A Toyota Buffalo (vehicle) was also recovered from the terrorists. Two of their armoured vehicles were also destroyed in the battle.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/killed-boko-haram-commander-carrying-foreign-currency-dhq/

Kashamu continues to claim innocence. Why can't he just go to US and clear his name? What is so difficult in that to do? In this case, he is not even required to pay for flight ticket, he has been offered a free ride through extradition. Surely this man has so much to hide...OBJ, abeg continue to fuel d situation joor...

D guy never realize wetin hit am...he is in big bowl of hot soup.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has advised the Senator-elect for Ogun-East senatorial district, Mr. Buruji Kashamu, to concentrate his effort on defending himself before the Federal High Court where he is expected to appear on Monday (today).

The agency reiterated that the decision to drag him before the court followed a formal request for his extradition by the United States.

In a statement by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Ofoyeju Mitchell, on Sunday, the NDLEA urged Kashamu to save his energy for the hearing of the extradition application.

Kashamu is the Chairman, Organisastion and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP in the South-West and he was a staunch supporter of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

He fell out with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and teamed up with President Goodluck Jonathan during the battle for the control of the party in Ogun State.

The agency said it was wrong of Kashamu to finger Obasanjo and a leader of the PDP in Lagos State, Chief Bode George, as being behind his present travails.

According to the NDLEA, Kashamu had been on the wanted list of both the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

The statement read in part, “According to an official report, Kashamu has been on the wanted list of both the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security.

“Kashamu was indicted in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, on charges brought against him by ICE.

“According to the United States court documents, Kashamu in his days as the leader of a prolific heroin-trafficking ring based in Chicago, Illinois, was known as ‘god,’ ‘Daddy, and ‘Kasmal.’ He is wanted to stand trial for charges of conspiracy and importation of controlled substances, namely heroin, into the United States dating back to 1994.

“Kashamu, who holds dual Nigerian/Beninoise citizenship, has taken multiple pre-emptive actions to thwart US extradition efforts such as claiming that he was being mistaken for his deceased brother whom he claimed committed the alleged offences in the US.”

The statement also said that Kashamu had filed injunctions at courts in the Northern District of Illinois, United States, and in Nigeria to prevent his arrest and prosecution.

The NDLEA said, “These are issues that Kashamu should prepare to address rather than point accusing fingers at eminent elder statesmen who have no connection with the ongoing investigative process. The senator who was placed on house arrest at the weekend is expected to appear in court in less than 24 hours.

“We expect Kashamu, as a distinguished senator-elect, to demonstrate ample confidence in the Nigerian judicial system and stop the blame game.”

Meanwhile, armed NDLEA operatives have gained access into the residence of the embattled politician, where he has been confined to his bedroom.

His lawyer, Ajibola Oluyede, who spoke with our correspondent near the residence, on Sunday, said Kashamu had not been allowed to leave his bedroom since Saturday.

Oluyede said, “He has been locked inside the room while about 15 armed operatives are in the house. As I speak to you, I have not even seen him. We have only been talking through the door.

This is disheartening because his little children and his pregnant wife are all in the house with him.”

When asked to comment on the allegation that Kashamu threatened suicide, the lawyer said, “He is obviously traumatised but I wouldn’t say he is suicidal.”

Oluyede alleged that the NDLEA had no plan of taking Kashamu to court on Monday (today) but only later decided to do so because the media got involved.

“Their plan was to get him as early as 4am and put him on the plane to the United States. It was never their plan to take him to court. It was when the media reported the incident that they decided to take him to court,” he said.

About 15 patrol vehicles were seen blocking all entries that lead to Kashamu’s home while over 20 security agents were seen patrolling the street.

Residents of the estate were made to take alternative routes as all roads leading to Kashamu’s home were blocked.

In his reaction, the media aide to Kashamu, Austin Oniyokor, however, berated the drug agency, accusing it of being the mouthpiece of Obasanjo and George.

The statement said, “We do not know when the NDLEA becomes the spokespersons for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Bode George. We do not need them to tell us to address our issues.

“We are addressing our issues. We had told the court of the planned abduction of Kashamu and the NDLEA was represented. The court had given an order asking all the parties to stay action, pending the determination of the suit which had been fixed for Wednesday.”

Oniyokor explained that Kashamu refused to hand himself over to the NDLEA operatives, who stormed his Lagos residence on Ladipo Street, Lekki Phase 1, on Saturday, because they could not produce a warrant of arrest.

He said if the NDLEA provides a warrant of arrest against Kashamu, the PDP chieftain would “hand himself over to them but if not, he will not.”

But a member of PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, described the allegation by Kashamu that George was behind his travails as sad and ridiculous.

A statement by Babatope on Sunday said, “It is sad and ridiculous of Senator-elect, Chief Buruji Kashamu, to accuse Chief Bode George of being behind his current ordeal with the men of the NDLEA.

“This allegation is not true. I have known George for over 46 years and I know him never to go on a witch-hunt of anyone as a result of personal differences or disagreements. Though the wife of George is the Director-General of the NDLEA, he can never attack the person of Kashamu.

“I call on Kashamu to look somewhere else in locating those who might have been involved in his travails.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/get-ready-for-extradition-hearing-ndlea-tells-kashamu/

OREMUSSANCTUS:
If devil(apc) give u gift wif rite hand, dem go collect am wif left hand
I hate fake "change"

Dis guy, with ur comment on apc dis days, u will just develop hypertension and ...

bettercreature:
Beside Nigeria of 1985 is better than Nigeria of2015,prove me wrong if you have anything to back it up

Gbam

efilefun:
Those who got GEJ's control button are leaving power finally

True talk...

morereb10:
Don't insult or criticise anybody cuz they aired their opinion. ur own opinion cannot be the best. say wat u tink and let others say there's.

Guy, there's no insult in my post. The last time I checked, this is a public forum and when you choose to air an opinion, don't be scared or troubled to receive criticism. It is allowed and that doesn't make it an insult...
Need further clarity, do not hesitate to let me know...

youngalex:
Yeah

His threat to probe the NNPC, subsidy payments, jail this and that fuelled this scarcity.

I am in support of him probing and punishing anybody that dipped his/her hand in our treasury but he should have held it to his heart till next week.

Marketers are scared of loosing their investments and subsidy claims ..and the APC never agreed that subsidy existed.

If subsidy is removed after May,29 the price of PMS will increase by at least 30% and some marketers are already hoarding the products..Dumkem12

One can only be left to imagine the content of some people's brain. If not for emptiness upstairs, how can a normal thinking person type this jargon. Hear yourself well, does this make any sense to you? I no blame u sha, na person wey push dis com frontpage i blame. Pure rubbish....mtccchhheeeeewwwww

...

Mogidi:
[size=15pt]WELCOME TO 1985[/size]
GEJ promoted women and for a good reason too, 60% of Nigerians are women.
Seems Buhari's govt won't have any woman minister, meanwhile the president elect has been told by his supporters not to shake women's hands.

Its back to square one for Nigerian women under Buhari, back to marrying women/girls off once they turn 9yrs.

Your sentiments are clearly understood. Very soon, people like you will be shamed...

President Goodluck Jonathan’s government had a number of women but none of them wielded as much power as that of an elite class often referred to as ‘the untouchables,’ GBENRO ADEOYE writes

As President Goodluck Jonathan takes a bow on May 29, 2015 following the expiration of his tenure, so will some women who helped define his government, unless the new administration finds use for them.

Whatever is said about President Jonathan’s government thereafter will not likely leave out the roles played by these powerful women. However, an assessment of whether their roles were noble or otherwise would largely depend on the assessor.

The public have been busy though, tagging the women various names including ‘the untouchables.’ Interestingly, some people believe the women wield more power than the President himself. It is also believed that these women could get away with almost anything in President Jonathan’s government and his will to protect them was never found to be short.

Five women initially occupied this elite class, all occupying key positions in government until events led to the exit of two of them: former Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah and former Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh.

The last three standing are the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan; the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke.

Oduah’s power as the then Minister of Aviation was attributed to the active roles she played in President Jonathan’s 2011 campaign as its Director of Administration and Finance, where she reportedly garnered huge donations in support of Jonathan’s bid. She was also instrumental to the establishment of Neighbour-to-Neighbour outfit, which reportedly spent billions of naira on adverts and media propaganda in favour of Jonathan.

Oduah, who hails from Anambra State, was however relieved of her duties as Minister of Aviation on February 12, 2014 after a series of scandals, lots of public pressure and some heavy foot-dragging by Jonathan.

Her numerous scandals included the comments she made after the Dana and Associated Airlines crashes which occurred during her time as Aviation Minister, purchase of highly inflated BMW bullet-proof cars without following due process and allegations that she lied about obtaining an MBA degree from St. Paul’s College.

President Jonathan’s foot-dragging before eventually relieving Oduah of her duties laid claim to the kind of influence she had in the government and how indebted Jonathan allegedly was to her.

Although, Oduah is still being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, she has claimed a place in the next government after winning Anambra North Senatorial seat at the last parliamentary election.

As for Oteh, who graduated with a first-class degree in computer sciences from the University of Nigeria in Nsukka and earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, even the members of the House of Representatives felt her influence during a power tussle they had with the Abia State-born British citizen. After the dust settled, it was one of them who got his hand burnt.

Nigerians are not likely to easily forget the clash Oteh had with the House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market, which accused her of fraud and misappropriation of funds.

She fired back, accusing the chairman of the committee, Mr. Herman Hembe, of demanding bribe from SEC and failing to return some money meant for travel expenses which he did not undertake.

Harambe was investigated by the EFCC and also had to step down as chairman of the capital market committee.

On the other hand, Oteh was suspended by the SEC board in order to investigate the findings of the lawmakers, which indicted her. But that didn’t last for long as she was returned to her position by President Jonathan two months later following the auditor’s report that said her offence amounted only to ‘administrative lapses.’

An intense battle between President Jonathan and the House of Representatives subsequently ensued with the House demanding the sacking of Oteh. President Jonathan refused. As a result, the lawmakers delayed the passage of the 2013 budget and later insisted on zero budget for SEC, all because of Oteh, but Jonathan refused to budge and SEC managed to get funding up until her tenure ended in January 2015.

PATIENCE JONATHAN

Mrs. Jonathan wields enormous influence in her husband’s government. She has never been shy to make comments even in areas where the presidency has been silent.

For instance, at the peak of the battle between the Presidency and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, when speculation was rife, Mrs. Jonathan admitted to the feud and went ahead to say she was angry with the governor for his refusal to follow her directive. She scolded the governor in public over his plan to demolish some structures in Okrika area of the state to pave way for school buildings, even though the position of the First Lady is not recognised by Nigeria’s constitution.

Also, when the Presidency was silent on the whereabouts of Mrs. Jonathan, when she was on medical trip abroad, put paid to the speculations by admitting that she was ill and had been abroad to get treatment.

In June 2014, in apparent violation of the electoral act, Mrs. Jonathan reportedly started campaigning for her husband ahead of the 2015 elections, and when she visits any city in the country, she locks it down as she does so with a long motorcade, including bulletproof limousines and scores of security operatives.

Mrs. Jonathan, 57, has often been accused of interfering in state party politics and sometimes imposing her candidates on party members.

And during her husband’s campaigns ahead of 2011 and 2015 elections, Mrs. Jonathan organised rallies across the country, making defamatory statements about her husband’s political rivals.

She holds a National Certificate of Education in Mathematics and Biology from the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, and a Bachelor of Education degree in Biology and Psychology from the University of Port Harcourt.

In spite of such qualifications, Mrs. Jonathan was often criticised by a cross section of Nigerians for lacking the articulation and composure so required by the office of the First Lady. Her action after the abduction of over 200 Chibok girls, who are still missing, has also been described by the public as arrogant and insincere.

Although, her position was an unelected one, Mrs. Jonathan had no qualms summoning ministers and other public office holders.

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA

Okonjo-Iweala is on her second stint as Minister of Finance; she occupied the same office between 2003 and 2006. She left the position as a hero at the time because of her contributions to the debt relief Nigeria enjoyed during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. She also served as foreign minister for a brief period in the same government.

Under President Jonathan, Okonjo-Iweala was given more power with her position as coordinating minister for the economy in addition to her position as Finance Minister. This was criticised by some members of the public who described it as a constitutional aberration of the office as conferred on her with fiat by President Jonathan, saying the office of the Vice President should be in charge of coordinating the economy.

Okonjo-Iweala has called the bluff of the National Assembly and many state governors without any consequence.

Many governors called for her removal but nothing came out of such calls. When the Head, Media and Information Unit of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Shuaib Yushau, wrote what was considered a critical article titled, ‘Still on Okonjo-Iweala over Controversial Appointments’, against Okonjo-Iweala, he got the boots.

The article had called on the minister “to ensure that appointments into important positions should be done in credible and transparent manner that can withstand public scrutiny,” but there has been no record that his allegations were investigated. The incident only showed how much power Okonjo-Iweala wields in Jonathan’s government.

When the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, alleged that about $20bn was unaccounted for and purportedly missing under Okonjo-Iweala’s nose, it was the whistleblower who paid for it with his job. As for Okonjo-Iweala, who also serves on the Advisory Board of Global Financial Integrity, her position was safe as she continued to assure Nigerians that all was well with the economy.

In January 2012, Nigeria witnessed one of its worst organised protests tagged ‘Occupy Nigeria.’ Against the opinion of the majority of Nigerians, Okonjo-Iweala and Alison-Madueke were reportedly the ones who insisted on the removal of fuel subsidy, and literally ordered that it be done at the beginning of that year.

In spite of the opinion of many Nigerians that Okonjo-Iweala has failed in her second stint as Minister of Finance, the Presidency has continued to assure that the country’s economy is in safe hands.

Okonjo-Iweala graduated from Harvard University in 1977, and earned her Ph.D. in regional economic development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981.

DIEZANI ALISON-MADUEKE

Nigeria’s oil sector queen, Alison-Madueke has been the first woman to achieve some feats. She was the first Nigerian woman to be on the board of Shell Petroleum Development Company, Nigeria, the first female Minister of Petroleum Resources and the first female President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

If there was a poll for the minister with the highest number of calls for resignation or sacking, Alison-Madueke would easily win the contest.

The oil sector is Nigeria’s biggest and revelations of massive fraud in the sector have continued to fuel calls for her removal. With the alleged corruption in the sector, the opinion of many Nigerians is that the person who supervises such rots cannot be said to be clean.

In spite of various allegations against Alison-Madueke and calls for her resignation, the Presidency has refused to probe her.

Meanwhile, several panels, including those headed by Nuhu Ribadu, Farouk Lawan, and Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede as well as the Nigerian Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative have indicted departments under her watch.

In 2014, the House of Representatives investigated the alleged squandering of N10bn over a two-year period on the arbitrary charter and maintenance of a Challenger 850 aircraft for unofficial use. She refused to cooperate with the lawmakers’ investigation and the President defended her on national television, saying his ministers would have no time for work if they were summoned by lawmakers for every allegation against them.

It is said that her words were law in the Federal Executive Council and that no Minister could oppose her memo.

Various controversies under her watch include the oil subsidy scam by some cabals yet to be brought to book, alleged missing $20bn oil funds unaccounted for, oil theft and the award of pipeline contract worth billions of naira to ex-militants and militia leaders.

In the league of ‘the untouchables’, it is believed that Alison-Maduaeke leads the pack.


http://www.punchng.com/politics/at-last-jonathans-untouchable-women-bow-out/

The petition to withdraw an honorary doctorate granted to Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has now gained 5,090 signatures.

The petition was started by Sunday Iwalaiye, a Nigerian resident in the US, who believes that Okonjo-Iweala is undeserving of the award.

Yale said on its website that the minister "had tackled corruption, created a vision and path to long-term economic stability, and worked to build a culture of transparency” during her tenure.

Iwalaiye however said that this description of the minister’s achievements does not reflect the truth about what happened “under the watch and the supervision of the Nigerian economy by Ngozi Iweala as the nation's finance minister.”

A spokesperson for Yale exclusively told Pulse via email that the university has no intention of revoking the award because it has never revoked an honorary degree since its inception.

Another petition has also been started to urge Yale to ignore revocation calls and it has so far gotten 1,731 signatures.


http://pulse.ng/local/ngozi-okonjo-iweala-petition-to-revoke-minister-s-doctorate-gains-5000-signatures-id3788879.html

I don tire for dis case sef. Make dem free dis guys abeg...

Bunch of unserious elements...

Luck ran out of a three-man kidnap gang that have been terrorising innocent people in Imo and Anambra States within the past few months when they were gunned down by sharp-shooting men of the Nigeria Police Force.

The suspected kidnappers had engaged security operatives in a fierce gun battle at Nnewi in Anambra State and were killed in the process. The suspects were said to have been responsible for the abduction of one Mr. Lazarus Ezuka and Mrs. Livina Nweze in Akatta, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State on April 28, 2015 and May 3, 2015 respectively.

It was gathered that the kidnap gang had established contact with their victims’ families and demanded ransoms ranging from N30m and N50m. The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, who spoke on the incident, explained that security operatives were on the matter with a view to apprehending the hoodlums and rescuing the victims.

Parading the lifeless bodies of the kidnap suspects in Owerri, Enwerem said the bandits’ hideout was stormed by the police before the shootout, adding that three of the kidnap gang later fell to the superior firepower of the police.

“The three men engaged our men in a gun duel and they later fell to the superior firepower of the police. The Anti-kidnapping Squad of the Command, acting on a tip-off, stormed the kidnappers’ den at Nnewi. On sighting the police, the kidnappers engaged the policemen in a gun battle where three of the criminals were later killed,” the state police spokesman said.

Enwerem, however, disclosed that none of the policemen that went on the operation was killed or injured, adding that the victims were rescued unhurt and without the payment of any ransom.

Narrating his ordeal in the hands of the hoodlums, Ezuka described the kidnappers’ den as hell and disclosed that they were starved of food and water. The 60-year-old victim identified one of the dead suspects as Cosmas Odogwu, his family relation.

The female victim, Mrs. Angela Nweze, was, however, full of praises to God for her rescue and said that she was blindfolded from her home in Akatta, Imo State, to Nnewi in Anambra State.

http://blog.avacubes.com/three-kidnappers-killed-in-gun-duel-with-police/

No mind dem....

Osyxcel:
Don't even know what they read these days. There are lots of them now...

Whatever they read now can't be real fun than this set of memorable books...