By Odidi Omoaka


It is reasonable to conclude that whenever the All Progressives Congress (APC) holds up the mirror to look at itself, the image that comes up is that of a once-in-an-age progressive entity created to remedy our national defects.

Hard evidence, however, declines to support this distorted image. By 11 June, if the ruling party’s desire comes to fruition, the control of three arms of the country’s government will be in the hands of Muslims, the first time since the return to democratic rule in 1999.

President Muhammadu Buhari is already the leader of the Executive arm. The Judiciary has Justice Tanko Mohammed in place as the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), following the chicanery that ousted Justice Walter Onnoghen, a Southern Christian, as CJN. The President of the Federal Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, like the CJN, are both Muslims.

The Senate, should things pan out as the APC has them planned, will have Senator Ahmed Lawan as President, with a strong possibility that his deputy will be Kabiru Gaya, who has been everything but coy about his ambition. The House of Representatives, by APC’s design, is expected to produce Femi Gbajabiamila, a Muslim, as Speaker. The Gbajabiamila camp has already settled for Idris Wase, a Muslim from the North-Central zone, as Deputy Speaker.

The design is similar to the APC adopted in 2015, which had the same candidates for both positions. But it was outwitted by Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Aminu Dogara, who halted the plan for Muslim headship of the two chambers by restoring religious balance.

What this indicates, uncomplicatedly, is that the APC views Nigerian Christians, especially those in the South, as children of a lesser god, who deserve no more than political crumbs. Hints that the APC was designed as a special purpose vehicle to foist an Islamic domination agenda on Nigeria were there from when it emerged in 2013 as a fusion of disparate and desperate political interests.

It could not have been otherwise. The party’s totem, General Muhammadu Buhari (now President), is a die-hard Sharia advocate who, justifiably, also merits that tag of a sectional champion. Early in 2014, an Islamic cleric, Ambassador Yusuf Garba, likened the APC to Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and accused it of harbouring plans to Islamise Nigeria. Garba, a member of a group named Religious Equity Promotion Council (REPC), arrived at his position just by looking at the APC Interim National Executive Committee, which was chock-full with Muslims.

Appointed as National Chairman was Chief Bisi Akande, Aminu Bello Masari as Deputy National Chairman, Tijani Musa Tumsah as National Secretary, Nasir el-Rufai as Deputy National Secretary and Lai Mohammed as National Publicity Secretary. The party also appointed Sadiya Umar Faruq as National Treasurer, Shaibu Musa as National Financial Secretary, Abubakar Lado as National Youth Leader, Muiz Banire as National Legal Adviser, Bala Jubrin as Deputy National Auditor and Sharia Ikeazor (a convert to Islam) as National Woman Leader.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other groups, particularly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), also warned that hints of bias in favour of Islam carry the potential to uncouple the country, as they were bound to reboot sectarian tensions. Their voices were, however, drowned out by the powerful APC propaganda machine, abetted by undiscerning Nigerians and power-seeking desperadoes.

Further hints of the APC’s indifference to the country’s religious plurality manifested after General Buhari had emerged as presidential candidate and was shopping for a Southern running mate. It emerged that the party was considering Tinubu to run on a Muslim-Muslim ticket with Buhari, news of which provoked widespread disapproval, including from former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The APC back-tracked, picking Yemi Osinbajo, a Pentecostal pastor, and momentarily selling itself as a thoughtful entity.
But old habits are notoriously tough to shake. Following its victory in the presidential election, the APC rebooted its agenda-with Buhari at the wheel. Among his first appointments, even while it took him six months to constitute a cabinet, were Lawal Daura, a retired officer recalled to head the Department of State Security (DSS); Hammid Ali, a retired Army officer as Comptroller-General of Customs; and Abba Kyari as Chief of Staff.

The agenda proceeded with the appointment of Ibrahim K Idris, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, to replace Solomon Arase as Inspector-General of Police. That particular appointment induced, in one fell swoop, the retirement of 21 Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, who were Idris’ seniors. It equally manifested in the President’s decision to replace Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with Dr. Miakanti Baru, a Northern Muslim; and refusal to appoint, in substantive capacity, Mr. Matthew Seiyefa, as DSS Director-General, after serving in acting capacity when Daura was sacked by the Vice President. Instead, Buhari appointed Yusuf Magaji Bichi, a Muslim from Kano State. The same pattern could be seen in the replacement of Kemi Adeosun, a Yoruba Christian, who resigned as Minister of Finance. Her replacement turned out to be Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, who was said to have been the candidate of Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State.

As such, it was not much of surprise when el-Rufai, with breathtaking insensitivity to the tinder-box religious situation in Kaduna State, settled for a Muslim running-mate, a decision he said had the approval of President Buhari with whom he consulted.

Bad as the situation is, there is a huge chance that it could get worse. Much worse, especially for Southern Christians. The conduct of the APC in the last four years does not inspire hope that the next four will drip with sensitivity to religious or sectional balance. By 2023, Nigerians will have another chance to elect a president. There is very little, if any, chance of Buhari’s successor being a Christian or Southerner. Rumoured to be keen on the job is el-Rufai, whose indifference to the plight of Christians in his state has seen communities explode with violence, one after the other, like firecrackers on a string. Tinubu, the Southerner, who is allegedly being pressured to run, is a Muslim.

The APC, it is safe to assume, will not hand its presidential ticket to a Christian, Northern or Southern. It is not wired to be balanced in anything it does. The chances of a Christian emerging Nigeria’s president in the near future, I believe, are wafer-thin. The Northern political/religious establishment is ceaseless in saying politics is a numbers game. A recent study released by the US fact tank, Pew Research Centre, projects that Nigeria will be home to 9.5 per cent of the global Muslim population by 2060. As at 2015, it stood at 5.1 per cent. The projection is that local Muslim population would have grown from a little over 90million (50 per cent) in 2015 to 283.1million (60.5 per cent). Conversely, the Christian population (86.6million in 2015) is projected to climb to 174.2million in 2060. While the 2015 figure (48.1 per cent of local population) gave Nigeria 3.8 per cent of the global Christian population, the projected 2060 figure will have Nigerian Christians making up 37.2 per cent of local population and 5.7 per cent of global Christian population.

Islam continues to spread globally. Figures show that 31 per cent of children born worldwide between 2010 and 2015 were Muslim and babies born to Muslims, whose faith allow polygamy, are expected to outnumber those born to Christians by 2035. In Northern Nigeria, non-Muslims have been known to convert or risk being frozen out of socio-political benefits. These conditions are to the advantage of religious supremacists such as the APC and reduce the possibility of a Christian Nigerian president.


A public affairs analyst, Omoaka writes from Abuja and can be reached through deereno75@gmail.com

Linda Nneji, Dallas Texas, USA

In the bid to return the Imo State Capital Owerri to her place as one of the cleanest Cities in Nigeria as witnessed 9-12 years ago, the present administration under the watch of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has, as one of her policies, THE GO GREEN, STAY GREEN INITIATIVE. This initiative, no doubt, was kick-started on June 1st, 2019 with a visit to one of the major refuse dumps around the Nekede Mechanic village where the Governor berated what he saw on ground and directed the State Ministry of Environment to ensure a speedy evacuation of the dumpsite towards making the environment conducive for the occupants. This initiative of the Government which is expected to encompass conscientious integrated waste disposal and management methods, is indeed very commendable given its health and comfort benefits to the Citizenry. It is also commendable that the administration perfectly understands the “waste to wealth” philosophy whereby waste recycling is expected to get a serious boost under the watch of the present administration.

Be that as it may, as wonderful as this initiative is, it can only succeed to a far greater extent with the conscientious co-operation of the Citizenry. We first owe it to ourselves to understand that a clean environment goes a long way to ensure our safety and comfort hence, the need to take regular clean-up seriously starting from our various homes to streets, business places, worship places, etc. We should also learn that, apart from cleaning our immediate environments, how we dispose our wastes goes a long way to ensure that the aim of such clean-ups is not defeated. Hence, there is need for us to dispose our wastes in a manner that makes for easy evacuation and to make sure that our wastes are disposed at the approved places rather than indiscriminately within our environments.

For instance, sorting our wastes into various categories like plastic, can , paper, etc, putting them into plastic bags and disposing them into provided larger containers or any other approved disposal bin or site, will go a long way to make for easy evacuation. Apart from this, it would help reduce to a greater extent the menace of flies perching on decomposing wastes and transmitting dangerous bacteria within our neighbourhood. Also, the discomforting odour from the decomposing wastes pending evacuation would be highly reduced as well as a reduction of the eyesore that comes with beholding a decaying waste. The benefits of that little sacrifice of properly packaging our wastes before taking them out of our homes or business places cannot be overemphasized for it goes a long way to make things easier for everyone even as we are the very first beneficiaries of that little act of conscientiousness. This practice is the same in those Civilized societies we admire; the people help the Government to manage their wastes through sorting, proper packaging and dumping in designated bin/places.

Businesses, Markets, Churches, Estates, “yards”, etc also have vital roles to play towards helping the present Government succeed in this very commendable initiative. As places of public gathering where majority of the wastes are generated, it is imperative to take proactive measures towards checkmating the menace of indiscriminate refuse dumps within these environments. Provision of large waste disposal bins and/or mapping out areas where wastes can be disposed as well as setting rules to ensure compliance on the part of those using the bin and/or places mapped out, will go a long to make for easy evacuation of such wastes. Apart from ensuring comfort for everyone, it will also go a long way to enhance cleanliness in the various properties as well as ensure longevity of properties to a very large extent. It is indeed a ” win, win” for everyone.

Pained by very bad leadership, we all joined hands together to say, “no more” and we no doubt recorded a resounding success. However, our journey to a greater State just began with that collective Statement of ours. We all must be active participants in the various policies of the present administration towards achieving our dream of a greater State. For instance, the State Orientation agency taking it upon herself to ensure massive and intensive enlightenment of the people towards proper waste disposal is a way to help the Government succeed in this very policy. Our various creative Engineers and Welders coming up with the construction of large waste disposal bins, is a way to help the Government succeed. Various agencies and organizations with in-depth knowledge of waste disposal and management teaming-up with the Government to tackle the menace of refuse dumps in the State is also a way to help the Government succeed. Indeed, there is no limit to being active participants in the rebuilding of our dear State.

Be a patriotic Imo person by making those little sacrifices that ensure our collective comfort and safety. Help the Government to rebuild!! May God bless our State and her present Leadership!!

By Lancelot Obiaku

Reading the reactions of Facebook users over the reported attempted demolition of the often talked about Akachi monument built by the immediate past administration of Gov. Rochas Okorocha in Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, it has been a mixed bag. Those who have bared their minds on this development are divided into two categories- those who believe the newly inaugurated government of Gov. Emeka Ihedioha ordered the demolition and the other category of persons who actually think that the exercise was masterminded by the original owner(s) of the piece of land where the structure is situated. The former category is further divided into those who feel the statue represents no tangible value to the state and should therefore go down. The other group is comprised of persons who have adjudged the demolition a waste of resources.

Whichever side of the coin you belong, it is instructive to take in that the government of the day has not responded to the allegation of its direct involvement in the said destruction. But the intervention of security agents who stopped the rampaging bulldozer and its operators from flattening the structure should be an indication that when the government issues a statement on the allegation leveled against it any moment from now, it is likely going to be in the negative than in the affirmative. If Gov. Ihedioha who was only sworn in yesterday had a hand in the demolition, security agents ordinarily would have supervised the process instead of halt it.

However, beyond the argument on whether or not Akachi moment should go down, the truth is that today in Imo, it is still unclear what the monument actually represents. It is hard to name it a tourists site as some persons averse to the idea of its demolition have projected. Throughout its over four years of existence, there is no record anywhere that the monument has attracted one tourist, neither have it earned the state a kobo from tourism. Therefore, the appellation of tourist site is only the fantasies of those who think it is.

In the same vein, the Akachi statue is neither a pilgrimage nor an adoration ground as agents of the last administration want us to believe. Not even a single soul, whether a clergy or not, have ever been seen praying or meditating at the ground. The only time the ground played host to sane humans was when Gov. Okorocha invited the Vice President to commission the project. One also expects that if Akachi monument was actually an adoration ground, the pinnacle should have at least been fitted with the image of the cross which is symbolic of the faith of imolites who are predominantly Christians, other than the inexplicable heavenwards hand on it. If this is anything to go by, then, it falls short of an adoration or pilgrimage ground.

Gov. Emeka Ihedioha may decide to keep the Akachi monument, and may go further to transform it from being useless to achieving some usefulness. He could also demolish and use the ground for some other thing that will benefit the state. As it stands, no one can be too sure of what will happen to the notorious Akachi ground, but it is governor Rochas Okorocha who still have a lot to do to convince people of Imo State what he actually gave them in the monument, as no inhabitant of the state can confidently determine what it is.

Imo shall rise again!

The Women Wing of the All Progressive Congress has asked President Mohammadu Buhari and other members of the party to disregard the purported call for resignation of the party's National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

In a statement signed by Hajia Zainab Mamud, Chairperson of APC Women Ambassadors, fingered Gov. Yahaya Bello, working with Former Gov. Owelle Rochas and Yari to cause disunity amongst the ranks and file of the APC.
The Woman leader described the plot by the Kogi Governor as wicked and mischievous, pointing out that rather than concerning himself with good governance in his state, he prides in the game of wasting state resources on frivolities which best be described as wishful thinking.

The woman leader asked the President to call the Kogi State Governor to order, pointing out that his efforts at recruiting former governors to cause disaffection amongst party ranks is unacceptable and uncalled for.
The woman leader described the leadership of Comrade Oshiomhole as one that has been rewarding in stabilizing the party, culminating into winning the Presidential election.

The woman leader urged the APC Deputy National Chairman not to allow himself to be used by those who do not mean well for the party. She lamented that the Deputy National Chairman is only acting the scripts of the Kogi Governor, and to further justify the monies he collected, said his role and that of the governor's in the resignation plot is in the public domain.
You could recall that Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, called on the party’s National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole to resign due to alleged incompetence.
The group also accused Governor Yahaya Bello’s Chief of Staff Edward Onoja of misleading the Governorby not allowing him to stay in Lokoja to perform his official duty. The group stated that one of their members who attended a meeting at Life Camp in Abuja at the instance of Edward Onoja informed them that the Chief of Staff to Bello has vowed that Oshimhole will not be in office before Kogi state APC Governorship Primary. The Chief of Staff insisted that Kogi State will not spare one Naira in ensuring the removal of Adam Oshimhole before the August primary in Lokoja, Kogi State .


Hajia Zainab called on the Kogi state governor to channel his energy into appealing to Kogi people for his return ticket, wondered why he puts his non acceptability by the Kogi APC as a product of his failures in providing good governance and not the problem of the National Chairman. She posited that Governor Bello failed the State through non payment of salaries, non execution of projects couple with creating insecurity within the State.

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State said his administration will continue its industrialisation drive, giving priority to Ibom deep seaport and industrial city projects in his second term.

Emmanuel disclosed this in his second term inaugural speech on Wednesday, May 29.

"We will aggressively industrialise this State and continue to attract foreign investors, ensuring that the environment is made ferment for investments. We hope to make Akwa Ibom the industrial hub of Nigeria. Ibom industrial City and Ibom Deep Seaport will be our signature projects this second term."

Emmanuel and the deputy governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, were sworn-in by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Godwin Abraham, at the nest of champions.

The governor said his administration will raise the bar of performance in all areas and lift Akwa Ibom State to an enviable height, to be the pride of the nation.

"Akwa Ibom in my second term will move from a fast industrialising society to a great and rich society, and will witness an unprecedented growth in all spheres of development and capacity enhancement."

Giving insights into his priorities for the second term, the governor said his major policy thrusts will be hinged on a- eight point agenda, which are, industrialisation, aviation development, security, infrastructure, small and medium scale enterprises, human capacity development, agriculture, and rural and riverine area development.

He said his administration's development agenda were expanded from five points in his first term to eight in the second term to allow proper consolidation on the achievements made in the first term.

The governor stressed that remarkable achievements have been made under the five points agenda laid out in his first term.

"To date, we have established over 16 industries, most are fully operational, while others are at various stages of completion. Our youths have been gainfully employed in those industries and the value-chain has ensured steady income to our people. Our State remains the destination of choice for foreign investors and comes second, only after Lagos in attracting the most Foreign Direct Investments."

"We have invested heavily in infrastructural expansion and renaissance as promised in our five-point agenda. To date, over 1000 kilometres of road have been constructed and commissioned while some are on-going. Areas long cut off have been linked, and these roads criss-cross the three senatorial districts."

"We have diversified our economy and placed a lot of premium on agriculture. Produce such as onions, tomatoes, and others which were thought not to be suitable for our soil have been produced in large commercial quantities."

The governor called on his opponents in the last general election to join him in building the State.

"The elections have come and gone and the people have made their choices known on whom to govern and represent them. The time then has come for the healing of our land. I extend again my hands of fellowship and bond of friendship to my brothers and sisters on the opposite side of the political divide. I call on them to join me in building a State that we all, irrespective of political affiliations, will be proud to call our home", Emmanuel said.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by some former governors of the State including, Obong Victor Attah, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, Mr. John Ebiye, and Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga, Rtd.

MotivateUrself:


Make it your life goal to mind your business and you'll become a madam in real life.

If only you can stop being childish you would have been successful in motivating yourself

MotivateUrself:
It's no surprise, their phones are a joke to us adults !
I hope they share the phones to the kids!
The only thing okay about Itel is their battery power!

you talk too much!

More

This is lovely from itel

More

...

OP make I EPP you with pictures

THE NEED FOR CITIZENS’ REORIENTATION TOWARDS A GREATER IMO STATE

Linda Nneji, Dallas Texas, USA

A prosperous society is one in which the Leaders and the Lead work harmoniously together towards achieving a set of developmental goals. While the onus lies on the Government to come-up with ideas that would help ensure the development of the State as well as effectively manage any resources there is to this effect, it also behooves the Citizens to consciously key into these ideas towards a seamless transformation. This may not be far from the reason behind the magnificent progress of the developed Countries; consciously working together for the good of all.

Come May 29th, 2019, a new Government under the watch of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha would take over in our dear State, Imo. This Government coming from a background of verifiable and commendable public service rooted in the Rule of Law and Due Process, have been described as a “New Dawn” for our dear State. Truly, well-meaning Imo people are not only excited but hopeful of conscientious leadership where the Government pays honest attention to the various challenges facing the State and her people rather than unforgivable white-washing and lip servicing as witnessed in the outgoing Government. Simply put, Imo people are looking forward to a responsible leadership.

However, the issue of responsibility towards the affairs of our State is not for the incoming Administration alone rather for all of us as Imo people who wish for things to done positively different and that our State takes back her pride place in the comity of States. There must be a re-awakening of the patriotic consciousness in each and everyone of us and this is the vital preparation we all need to embark on ahead of May 29th. A change of attitude towards work, our environment, health and life in general, is needed for we cannot do things the same old ways and expect any change.

Be that as it may, while the incoming Administration prepares for the onerous task of leadership ahead, that preparation should include the re-awakening of the spirit of patriotism among the Citizens as well as a conscious reorientation of the people towards working concordantly with the Government for the prosperity of the State. Truth remains that most of the decays witnessed in our societies are not really the direct makings of the Government but the lackadaisical attitude of the Citizens towards their affairs and environment. However, the failure in this regard could as well be attributed to the Government if such a Government failed in her Citizens’ orientation or reorientation as needed.

Let this, therefore, serve as a call for a redefinition of the currently moribund Imo Orientation Agency towards serving the crucial need of Citizens’ enlightenment and redirection. From engaging men and women of impeccable character and patriotic zeal to serve as Ambassadors of this Agency, engaging qualified Counsellors, Psychologists, Philosophers, Tech Experts to involving opinion moulders, etc; there should be a total overhauling of this Agency towards living up to the essential responsibility of re-awakening the responsiveness of the people towards the activities of the Government and the demands of their immediate environments using the various modern methods of effective communication. This would, no doubt, help in the revitalization of this very important Agency towards achieving the desired goals for not just the Government but the people.

May God bless our dear State!!

dollarspender:
I met someone who removed alert because of 4 naira SMS bank charges... Till they would wipe the whole account, she no go know!

You must be kidding

Cutefergieee:
FTC of the year 2019.. It can only get better going forward... Grateful Heart,
This space is not for sale..
Thank you

How much is FTC worth?

Aboki and scam

queendoreez:


Mine took about 2 weeks and still came out negative. So i'll honestly not advise you to appeal.

On what ground were you denied?

queendoreez:


This is mostly the generic response they give when they chose to deny visas!

how long does appeal take?

Akemmi:
If my governor does one tenth of what the media paints him to be, it would have been good. But he has failed woefully. It pains me so much to see him waste the opportunity and trust Akwa Ibom people gave him.

Wee you kip kwayet

So Udom is working and the useless APC think they can stop him?

salsera:


They usually put the reasons and the method for appeal I the refusal letter. If its in German then translate and provide proof or evidence to address the appeal reasons

Thank you. I will

992finland:
The more reason they feel u won't return. You never marry''''as a single guy dey fink u will not return back to us wife ..meanwhile some coy can help u with presentable bank statement ..

Hmmmm this

dany5:
It should be hand written.It is better to submit yourelf.Google how to write one i m sure you will get something.I wish you the best.

thanks sis. Do you have idea on how long it will take for decision to be reached?

dany5:
1.Your account statement wasnt convincing enough.You needed to provide proof that you have enough money to take care of yourself during the trip or your company would have given you a letter with the company's acc statement if they were sponsoring the trip.

2.If you had provided something like a land document or something to show you have a tie here cos most times,marriage aint that convincing

Please can I remonstrate via mail or hand submission (as I'm flying to Lagos tomorrow). Also, how long does remonstration normally take?

larrybabanla:
go to German embassy

Pls is this the confirmed email;
info@lago.diplo.de