₦airaland Forum

Pls help check this and paste full details ;35267781ig.Thanks in advance.

VanTee20: Please sir help me check dis one 35362052CI

35362052CI=eng=37,=econs=46,maths=43,acc=44 agg=170

Odigie26: Pls Check it again 35386572JB nd 35386685ED

35386572JB=eng=57,econs=43,maths=46,phy=38 = agg=184
35386685ED=eng=42,econs=42,gov=34,maths=43 = agg=161

Simple! GEJ shd just set up a committee to look into the issue.

.....First pic was in my already dressed for church dis morning.

..Second was at Shoprite Ikeja, yesterday.

MEND Resumes Hostilities, Kills 13 Policemen In Bayelsa

By Emmanuel Uzodinma on April 7, 2013

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, on Friday night made real its threat of resuming hostilities by killing 13 policemen in reaction to the sentencing of its leader, Henry Okah by a South African Court.

Okah was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by a South African court over the October 1, 2010 bombing.

Although, it was still unclear the major reason behind the brutality in Bayelsa, it was gathered that heavily armed militants killed the twelve policemen along the waterways of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

Sources put the death toll at 13 while others said 12.

The policemen drawn from the security pool of the Bayelsa State Government House and the state Police Command were on a special duty to Azuzuama in Southern Ijaw local government area where an aide to the state Governor, Mr Kile Selky Torughedi, was burying his mother, when they were ambushed.

Torughedi was recently appointed a Senior Special Adviser to Governor Henry Seriake Dickson on Marine Waterways Security, as part of the State government’s efforts to curb the spate of pirate attacks in the riverine area of the state.

It was learnt that 15 policemen were in the boat providing escort to dignitaries attending the burial when their boat suddenly developed a fault and while they were trying to fix it, a speedboat conveying some armed men opened fire at them killing 13 of them on the spot while the other two jumped into the river.


http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/04/07/mend-resumes-hostilities-kills-13-policemen-in-bayelsa/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=mend-resumes-hostilities-kills-13-policemen-in-bayelsa

Later, some Ibo boys will come to Nairaland and call d Yorubas cowards..This post has let us all know that d real cowards are Ur Ogas @ d top.

Just saw this on facebook and want some of our Bayelsa peeps here to confirm for us. Looking forward to ur responses.

lrguru: Maybe it was photoshopped

Is that a photo.Are u a learner?

.

By Wale Odunsi on March 10, 2013

DailyPost investigation has revealed that the political bigwigs of the All Progressive Congress are on the search for a vice-presidential candidate who will be the running mate of the party’s consensus candidate during the 2015 presidential election.

We have gathered that stalwarts of All Progressives Congress are keen on having a popular serving governor in the south, whose image can attract massive votes, and also with the view that the presidential candidate will come from the North.

APC is made up of the Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party, Congress for Progressive Change and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance.

Already, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; his Edo State counterpart, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole; and Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, are on the shortlist, though they have not been approached yet.

A source within the APC said, “It is true we are looking for a suitable vice-presidential candidate from the South, particularly the South–West, because unless something dramatic happens, our flag bearer is coming from the North.

“The overwhelming thinking among members of the coalition is to have a young progressive, preferably one that has a track record of performance, for the post.

“As for the presidential candidate, everything being equal, we should know who the candidate is soon.



“For now, we have not yet agreed on who it should be, but I can tell you, Fashola is one of them, however, we cannot take a final decision on this until we are able to get leaders of his primary constituency to agree.”

Just last week, the Convener of the Concerned Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, on Friday evening, also confirmed that the North was seeking a vice-presidential candidate in the South.

According to him, “In the event of the presidency returning to the North, the issue will be who will deliver the votes from the South for the prospective candidate from the North.

“As I see it, the only person I see who can do it is from the South-West even though the South-West has its own challenges. Challenge number one will be to bring out a candidate from the Christian North who will now peer up with a likely candidate who will be from the South-West. Fortunately or unfortunately, the South-West is not terribly obsessed with matters of religion,” he added.

APC has said it would hold its national convention in the coming weeks. Presently, the party is in the process of filing for registration.






http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/03/10/apc-fashola-oshiomhole-okorocha-tipped-as-vice-presidential-nominees/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=apc-fashola-oshiomhole-okorocha-tipped-as-vice-presidential-nominees

omo_to_dun_6: I have noticed that fewer and fewer songs are appealing to me. Jesus Christ, I am getting old! I am not feeling this at all. Maybe I will, after constant replay.


In the meantime, 11th to...

You took ur time to count d number of comments above urs and said u're getting old for wizkid's song. R u kidding me?

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The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has congratulated First Lady Patience Jonathan for her miraculous return from the dead, while slamming the presidency for losing whatever is left of its credibility over its handling of the First Lady’s illness saga.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, the party said the revelation by the First Lady on the extent of her illness, especially the fact that she passed out for seven days before she said God miraculously brought her back to life, cannot but elicit joy among Nigerians, irrespective of their political leanings.

However, Nigerians must be wondering why the government they elected into office chose to lie to them that the First Lady was holidaying abroad when indeed she was gravely ill in a foreign hospital.

”While we felicitate with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on her recovery from whatever illness it was that afflicted her, we will be remiss if we fail to recollect how the presidency denied ‘rumours’ of the First Lady illness and poured scorn on the media and the imaginary enemies of the government for fuelling the ‘satanic rumours’.

”We will also like to remind the presidency that its denial, instead of full disclosure that would have elicited nothing more than fervent prayers from Nigerians, fuelled the rumours that the First Lady suffered from sundry afflictions or the consequences of tummy tuck!” ACN said.

The party said that in one of the many rebuttals, the First Lady’s Spokesperson, Ayo Osinlu, was quoted to have said she (Mrs Jonathan) travelled abroad to take a ‘moment’s rest’, given that she had not taken a rest since President Jonathan’s election.

Osinlu had told Nigerians in the heat of the illness saga: ”If you look at her itinerary in August (2012), you will be wondering how she was able to accomplish that. In the course of this week, she will be back home. But remember, it all depends on her plans.”

ACN also recalled that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, dismissed Mrs. Jonathan’s reported illness as a rumour, saying ”there is nothing like that.”

It said that amid all the denials, the President himself maintained a stoic mien and carried on with his duties as if all was well, thereby lending credibility to the lies and deceit.

”The issue here is simple If the presidency can so shamefacedly lie on an issue of such public interest as the health of the First Lady, why should we not believe it can lie on any other issue, whether it is economy, politics, social development or any other matter? For how long has this presidency been misleading Nigerians on critical issues, since we now have reason to doubt its credibility? Does it occur to this presidency that it has turned Nigeria to a laughing stock by its now routine denials of the truth?

”Like we have said time and again, any government needs to be credible to win the trust of the citizens, without which it cannot govern effectively. With the revelation by our back-from-the-dead First Lady, it is clear that the Jonathan Presidency has egg on its face, and must apologise to Nigerians for lying to them. Also, the spokesmen for this government have lost total credibility, hence their words will henceforth be taken with a pinch of salt,” the party said.

It reiterated its earlier stand that the health of public officials cannot and must not be a closet affair, because it is of public interest. While it may be argued, though not conceded, that the First Lady is not a public official by virtue of her position, she is a public official by virtueof her being a Permanent Secretary in Bayelsa State!

”It is sad that despite what we and many Nigerian groups and individuals have said on this issue, the Jonathan Administration took its script directly from the Yar’adua group’s book of deceit when the late President was ill and flown abroad. Now, Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu, Danbaba Suntai of Taraba and Liyel Imoke of Cross River are all playing according to the Jonathan script.

”We are therefore renewing our call for openness and full disclosure on the state of health of public officials. Life itself is transient, not to talk of positions. And as a spiritual leader of the calibre of Pope Benedict has shown recently, no office is more important that life itself,” ACN said.



http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/02/18/first-ladys-illness-revelation-presidency-has-lost-credibility-acn/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

FEBRUARY 17, 2013 BY KEMI LAWAL LEAVE A COMMENT

Most people have been wondering when she married former President Olusegun Obasanjo. For the eight years Obasanjo spent in the presidential Villa, nothing was heard of her. Except for his first wife, Remi, not many Nigerians knew about Bola.

Now, you can hardly see the statesman fondly reffered to as Baba without Bola. They are like siamese twins and attend almost all occasions together. When there was a fire at his hilltop mansion in Abeokuta last year, it was reported that Bola was with the grandchildren at home when the fire started.

Said to shun the press, Baba’s new ‘First Lady’ is dark skinned, does not appear extravagant in her dressing and she is always smiling.  She is the mother of Oba, one of Baba’s sons who live in Abeokuta. It is said that Oba’s wife is Baba’s favourite of all his daughters-in-law.
http://www.punchng.com/spice/society/obasanjos-first-lady/

Premium Times - 21 mins agoARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC

Flamboyant Nigerian singer, Goldie Harvey, died last night. The musician, who was a contestant at the last Big Brother Africa reality show, is said to have died at Reddington Hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Her record label, Kennis Music has issued an official statement on her tragic passing.
Read the statement below.
“With a deep sense of loss, we announce the shocking death of our darling music star, Goldie Harvey. Goldie, 31, died on Thursday after she complained of a severe headache shortly after her arrival from the United States where she went to witness the Grammy Award. She was rushed from her Park View, Ikoyi, Lagos residence to her official hospital, Reddington, Victoria Island, Lagos, where doctors pronounced her dead on arrival at exactly 7:30 p.m. in the evening. We consider this period a gloomy moment forus and the entire Nigerian music industry in view of the circumstance in which she passed away; the abundance of talent she exhibited in her short but eventful music career and the various opportunities her trip to the United States of America would have availed her.
“She is survived by her father, step- mother, brothers and sisters. We deeply sympathise with her family and fans all over the world and very grateful to all and sundry, especially, the vibrant Nigerian media for their concern and prompt reportage. We shall keep everybody informed as events unfold as we are devastated by the sudden loss.”
Meanwhile, the remains of Goldie who hails from Ekiti State has been deposited at the mortuary of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos.
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/120391-how-goldie-harvey-died-kennis-music.html

Posted by: Tolex on February 14, 2013 in Entertainment Leave a comment



We all know most of our celebrities are extremely talented in their craft. However, friendships are usually formed amongst themselves, which in turn leads to romance.
Just like they are skilled in their craft, they have also developed the ability to deny their romance…especially when it involves a fellow colleague. This mystery makes “showbiz” very exciting as it adds to the razz matazz of the whole celebrity ish.
Most of them may have moved on (with the exception of a diva with powerful pipes and her “friend”), but there was that special someone our tatafo minds told us they had in their lives, which they denied with every fibre of their bone. Not that I blame them, especially the ladies, “mama told us not to flaunt any man until they put a ring on it”. Besides, work and romance hardly ever mix well.
Anyhoo, let’s countdown the list of celebrities who allegedly dated in a past. I’m using the word alleged because most of them have never admitted that they dated, but we know, we know.*winks*

1.Fred Amata and Ibinabo Fiberesima
Shortly after Fred Amata moved on from his wife, talk show hostess Agatha Amata, and before he dated his current boo, he once found love in the arms of the current president AGM Nigeria, Ibinabo Fiberesima.
Even though they tried as much as possible not to dwell on the status of their relationship, people in the know swear that they indeed dated.

2. D’banj and Genevieve Nnaji
      Before Jennifer Obayuwana came into the picture, D’banj allegedly dated talented actress Genevieve Nnaji. People swear that their onscreen chemistry in his music video “fall in love” was a reflection of how they felt about each other. Like the others before them, they have never admitted that they dated although they have never denied the fact they were/are good friends.

3.Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz
Apart from the alleged relationship between Genevieve and D’banj, no other Nigerian celebrity couple has caused as much media frenzy over their romance like Tiwa Savage and her manager Tee Blizz.
Even when she was asked in an interview the physical attributes of her dream man, her answer tallied perfectly with Tee Blizz, but this talented diva, she maintained that her relationship with her manager was strictly professional.
But alas her fans were not convinced by her denial. The couple who initially had to contend with rumours that they were dating suddenly found themselves denying stories that they tied the knot. Something most people including this writer believed( come on after seeing the pictures of the couple on a yatch and in a 5 star hotel in Dubai, you can’t blame me for believing) .
But alas they proved the whole marriage theory wrong when Tee Blizz proposed to her on her 33rd birthday.

4. Uche Jombo n Uche Ikechukwu 
Even though Uche Jombo denied this affair, people who know this Nollywood actress swear that she indeed dated footballer Uche Ikechukwu. They were even talks at a time that they were going to walk down the aisle, something most people were not comfortable with, as they felt Uche Jombo deserved better word has it that the the love was mostly one sided. You can imagine how shocked her fans were when they found out that Uche Ikechukwu had moved on to another woman. Uche Jombo however had a special secret of her own. While people were trying to recover from their split, they did not know she had found love in the arms of an American, Kenney Rodriguezwho she later got married to. They may have moved on, but we can’t forget that 2 Uches once fell inlove but did all they could to keep their romance on the downlow.

5.D’banj and Ini Edo 
Once upon a time, before Genevieve, before Jennifer, there was once a special female celebrity in the Koko master’s life and her name is Ini Edo. They were madly inlove way back . Gist has it that they were inseparable during one of their trips to Calabar. Ini Edo was even allegedly spotted driving his cars then. Dare I say, they were the first “cross carpet couple” that I can think of (i.e a musician dating an actress, vice versa, ). They never admitted to that they were dating but people in the know swear they were. They broke up later, but Ini moved on to her boo Phillip Ehiagwina who wasted no time in putting a ring on it, while the Koko Master moved on to a slew of other beauties.

6. Don Jazzy and Tonto Dikeh 


Unlike the other celebrities before them, these celebrities have never denied that they were once an item back in the day. As a matter of fact, Tonto credits Don Jazzy for being very instrumental to her success. She opened up about their business behind closed doors recently when, she alleged that she lost her virginity to the powerful producer, an allegation he stylishly brushed over.

http://www.informationng.com/2013/02/list-of-nigerian-celebrities-who-allegedly-dated-but-denied-they-ever-did-pt-1.html

toykathy: wetin come concern me? Nonsense!!!

Reading this from a woman make me sing in Fela's voice..Na real craze world we dey.

FEBRUARY 14, 2013 BY FRIDAY OLOKOR 11 COMMENTS

NYSC Director-General, Brig. General Nnamdi Okore-Affia
| credits:
The National Youth Service Corps on Wednesday said  only eligible graduates, who pass through duly accredited, full-time courses from higher institutions, would be mobilised for participation in the forthcoming 2013 Batch ‘A’ scheme, scheduled for between March 6 and 26.

Already, the NYSC has started collaborating with relevant regulatory organisations of corps producing institutions, such as the National Universities Commission for universities and degree-awarding institutions, and the National Board for Technical Education for monotechnics/polytechnics and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board.

A statement bythe Director-General of the NYSC, Brig. General Nnamdi Okorie-Affia, in Abuja said any prospective corps member, whose admission status was not known to JAMB, would be deemed to have been improperly admitted.

He said, “Accordingly, the data of all prospective corps members, as submitted for mobilisation by their respective institutions, are subjected to screening for conformity with the requirements of these regulatory/examination bodies.

“In this regard, all prospective corps members whose admissions are not known to JAMB will be deemed to be improperly admitted. The admission status of such students will require the affected CPIs to regularise same with JAMB. Similarly, all CPIs have been advised to abide by the  extant admission quota approved by the NUC and NBTE respectively in making submission for mobilisation.

“Any submission in excess of quotas approved will not be accepted.  Graduates of courses not duly accredited by these regulatory bodies will not be mobilised for service.”

The NYSC noted that “the regularisation of admissions with JAMB is the duty of the CPIs; the confirmation of approved admission quota for each course and the determination of their accreditation status is the prerogative of the regulatory bodies – NUC and NBTE”.

Okorie-Affia added, “It is imperative to state that the NYSC will not act as a liaison office between the CPIs and these regulatory/examination bodies.”

http://www.punchng.com/news/corps-members-call-up-now-tied-to-jamb-admission/

Pls move on with your life, I know Change is the only constant thing in life but I can bet that man can't drop all of those bad attitudes in his lifetime So pls find a better life for u and ur kid from a God sent.

Confederations Cup: Nigeria grouped with Spain, Tahiti and Uruguay – See full fixtures

By Phillip Eta on February 11, 2013

Nigeria will represent Africa at this year’s Confederations Cup, after winning the Nations Cup on Sunday night in South Africa.

The Super Eagles, have been drawn in Group B, where they will face European champions Spain, Tahiti and Uruguay.



The tournament will be held in Brazil from June 15 to 30 and will be a prelude to the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Brazil are the defending champions.

 

Group A: Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Italy 

Group B: Spain, Uruguay, Tahiti, Nigeria 

 

17 June 2013: Tahiti vs Nigeria (Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte)

20 June 2013: Nigeria vs Uruguay (Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador)

23 June 2013: Nigeria vs Spain (Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza)

 



http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/02/11/confederations-cup-nigeria-grouped-with-spain-tahiti-and-uruguay-see-full-fixtures/?wt=4

Five Nigerian players have been named among the best 11 players from the Africa Cup of Nations 2011.

They are Vincent Enyeama (goalkeeper), Efe Ambrose (defender), John Mikel Obi (midfielder), Victor Moses (winger) and Emmanuel Emenike (striker).

The ‘dream team’ includes man of the tournament, Jonathan Pitroipa and his compatriot, Bakary Kone, Mali’s Seydou Keita, Ghana’s striker Asamoah Gyan, amongs others.

 

AFCON 2013 best XI:



Keeper: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria) Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Nigeria), Bakary Kone (Burkina Faso), Nando (Cape Verde) Siaka Tiene (Ivory Coast) Midfielders; John Obi Mikel (Nigeria), Jonathan Pitroipa (Burkina Faso), Seydou Keita (Mali) Strikers:  Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Emmanuel Emenike (Nigeria), Victor Moses (Nigeria).

http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/02/10/mikel-obi-moses-emenike-enyeama-ambrose-named-in-afcon-2013-best-11/?wt=3

AFCON Final: We have sent 113 members to support Eagles – Association of Nigerian Prostitutes

By DailyPost Staff on February 10, 2013

As the Super Eagles of Nigeria lock horns with the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Sunday in the final match cracker of the 29th edition of the Orange African Cup of Nation, South Africa 2013, DailyPost can authoritatively reveal that over 113 commercial sex workers otherwise known as prostitutes have stormed the city of Johannesburg to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

In a brief chat with one of the top ringleaders of Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (ANP), in Abuja on Saturday, it was learnt that the prostitutes left for South Africa Friday night aboard a popular airline (name withheld).

According to the source, the prostitutes were ready to do anything in other for the Super Eagles to return home with the trophy after 13 years.

“Our initial plan was to fly at least 500 members down there but along the line some of our sponsors disappointed us. We were not discouraged by that anyway, we made a promise and we must fulfil it.” She said.



When asked if the one week free sex as earlier promised by the association would still hold if the Nigeria carries the day, the optimistic source directed us to general secretary of the Association of Nigerian Prostitutes (ANP), Jessica Elvis.
Her words: “See bros, I’m not in the right position to talk about that, I would advise you to call Jessy (referring to Jessica Elvis) who is our gen-sec, she would tell you all you need to know about that.”

When our correspondent contacted Jessica she told this reporter to keep his finger cross for the big show.

“Yes, our members left Nigeria yesterday (Friday) night for South Africa to cheer the Super Eagles to victory and we pray and hope for Nigeria to carry the day.”

Asked how many of them left for South Africa Jessica said, “Just wait for the big show or you can come down to Lagos for our pre victory party tonight.”

Asked if the pre victory party would be gated, she angrily said, “My president directed me not to talk to the press until after the match, we’ll address the media after the match,” she added.

The association had earlier promised to declare one week of free sex if the Super Eagles emerge winner of the competition.




Subscribe to DailyPost by Email
To contact DailyPost: newsdesk@dailypost.com.ng




http://dailypost.com.ng/2013/02/10/afcon-final-we-have-sent-113-members-to-support-eagles-association-of-nigerian-prostitutes/?wt=3

pinky21:

#In Iyanya's voice#...all I want is a yes . Your eyes, my fantasy.

Mali is a no go area for Nigerians 4-1 reason but Burkinafaso wud be 4-2 reasons. Naija will win dis time without extra time..Quote me.

pinky21: hmmMmmmmmmm. Speechless

Pls don't be speechless beautiful. I need u to say something positive..Can't wait.#fingers crossed#.

saaed_lee: Em, em, em, dunno yet, cuz no one has actually asked me out!

#in the sexiest voice u've ever heard# Will u be my val?

pinky21: I don't know anybody here. So who do I even pick. ve neva celebrated val

I like ur eyeballs..#now on my knees# wil u be my val?

Wow, So touching..Mali is a No go area for now 4-1 reason and Dis the spectacular display of Same Victor Moses against their team..All I wish Victor Moses is to continue to be Successful.. RIP to d Dead.

Posted by Y! Associate Editor


by Akan Ido

Football takes fans to different heights but a female football fan in South Africa took it to another level when she stripped off her clothes and walked around the stadium.

This reportedly happened during a football match in South Africa. Why she did this, no one can really say. What do you think?

http://www.ynaija.com/did-this-female-football-fan-strip-naked-because-of-her-team-photos/

Iyfe Namikaze: i wonder how this made it to front page
Just because una manage win cote d' vore,person no go hear word again. Smh.. Imagine ''why do goalkeeper spit on their glooves'' made it to front page.. But me don dey post better thread that can enlighten and inspire nairalanders but it never made it to even backyard page.
I'm soo tempted to say ''thunder fire all this mods'',but i will refrain from writing such.

Sorry bro, just left ur page here on Nairaland and found almost nothing there, Or do u have another account here that u posted all those enlightening topics on

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Elephants Of Ivory CoastGoodluck JonathanReuben AbatiSUPER EAGLES
President Goodluck Jonathan today thanked the Super Eagles for the “masterly and superlative performance” in their quarter final clash with the Elephants of Ivory Coast.

In a tweet by the Special Adviser on Media to the president, Reuben Abati, he said “President Jonathan thanks the Super Eagles for their masterly and superlative performance in the just-concluded AFCON encounter with CIV”.

Nigeria were tagged under dogs as soon as it was clear whom their next opponent will be after the group stage of the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

However goals by Emmanuel Emenike and Sunday Mba gave Nigeria a 2-1 victory over tournament favourites Ivory Coast. Newcastle midfielder Cheikh Tiote scored for the Ivorians minutes after the second half resumed.

A social media mockery began with Ivorian defender, Emmanuel Eboue, labeling the Eagles #SuperFriedChickens that will be devoured by the Ivorians.

Nigeria will now face Mali in the semi final on Wednesday, 6th February 2013  at the Mombela Stadium by 20:30 Central African Time.

Mr. Abati can be reached on his Twitter handle @abati1990.



http://www.channelstv.com/home/2013/02/03/jonathan-thanks-eagles-for-masterly-and-superlative-performance/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

As the dust over President Goodluck Jonathan’s embarrassing outing in a recent CNN interview is yet to settle, PREMIUM TIMES can report that the presidency actually spends thousands of dollars in public funds to arrange interviews with foreign media outlets.

Mr. Jonathan’s penchant for foreign media has fetched him criticism, with citizens often bashing him for what they consider his unpresidential poise and bad grammar on camera.

Commentators on social media ranked his performance in the interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour two weeks ago amongst the president’s worst yet.

While this newspaper is unable to determine how much was spent in procuring the late January CNN and Aljazeera interviews with Mr. Jonathan, we are in possession of documents suggesting that the presidency has retained the services of an American lobbying firm, Fleshman-Hillard Inc. to help arrange these interviews.

The firm, which reports to the presidency through Enyi Odigbo, Chairman of Lagos-based advertising and public relations company, Caser’s Group, was hired in 2010, without any formal agreement and budget.

The lobbying firm submits bills to the presidency as it pleases.

In at least one of its bills seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the company requested $59, 200 from the Nigerian government for arranging an interview for President Jonathan with the CNN Nigerian affiliate in late 2010.

The interview, anchored by Isha Sesay, held in Aso Rock in Abuja on September 30, 2010, in preparation for the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Nigeria Independence.

Fleshman-Hillard was also to contact other foreign media outlets such as Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Reuters as Mr. Jonathan planned at the time to announce his intention to run for president in the 2011 presidential election.

But the firm was only able to deliver on the CNN interview. It was unable to get interviews for the president on the other platforms.

It is not known why the President needed to hire a lobbyist to procure interviews for him even when he has a Reuben Abati, a Doyin Okupe, and a Reno Omokri among his numerous media aides.

Since taking office in early 2010, some of the president’s key decisions and pronouncements have been made public via foreign outlets, mainly the CNN.

Mr. Jonathan delivered his first public comments on late President Umaru Yar’ Adua’s health, in an interview with Ms. Amanpour in 2010, where he spoke of how the ailing president’s family blocked him from seeing Mr. Yar’adua.

He would not force himself to see Mr. Yar’adua, he said at the time.

Regardless of the channel through which he opened up, the interview was well-received as the president also spoke on governance, promising improved electricity supply (which he enjoys calling POWER) and security.

Mr. Jonathan has yet to grant exclusive interviews to Nigerian channels. The closest to that is the occasional presidential media chat on the state-run Nigerian Television Authority.

But the president’s preference for the foreign networks has not gone without knocks, with critics often rebuking him for his unassertive demeanor before the camera, and poor quality responses to questions.

Critics say the last interview was even worse.

Fleshman-Hillard was also mandated to hire a trainer to work on the president, to help improve his delivery. The firm was yet to deliver on that as at the time the document seen by this newspaper was filed.

A presidency source said the presidency has continued to retain the company for the foreign interview arrangement.

But Fleshman-Hillard could not be reached for comments Friday. Sarah Vellozi, who was the company’s contact for the project was not available on her desk the two times PREMIUM TIMES called her New York office. She is yet to return the calls.

Presidential spokesperson could not also be reached for comments.

http://premiumtimesng.com/news/118430-exclusive-jonathan-spends-60000-to-arrange-cnn-interview.html