₦airaland Forum

JOHANNESBURG (AP)—It should have been a moment of triumph—Nelson Mandela, basking in the cheers as Africa’s first World Cup opened.

Instead, South Africa’s beloved anti-apartheid icon stayed at home with his family Friday in northern Johannesburg during the opening ceremony and game, mourning his 13-year-old great-granddaughter Zenani, who died in a car crash on the way home from a tournament-eve concert in Soweto.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy “made it inappropriate” for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr. Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy,” the foundation said, adding that Mandela “will be there with you in spirit today.”

Johannesburg Metro police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said the driver of the car had been arrested and charged with drunk driving. Mamonyane said the driver, whom police didn’t identify, could also face homicide charges.

“The Metro police found that he was drunk,” Mamonyane said. “He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade.”

Police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo, who earlier said the driver would appear in court for a preliminary hearing Friday, said that had been postponed for more investigations, and that the driver was not being held. Mariemuthoo said that was not unusual.

“It’s a decision of the prosecutor,” he said.

The Mandela foundation denied reports that the former president’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was in the car, but said she was treated in hospital for shock after being told of the fatal accident. She was discharged after a few hours.

She later attended the opening ceremony, with her two daughters.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who was in South Africa to lead his country’s delegation to the opening ceremony, and South Africa’s governing African National Congress party were among those who offered condolences.

“The nation shares your loss and mourns with you, especially on the day on which our dreams and hopes come alive in the opening of the first FIFA World Cup on African soil,” President Jacob Zuma said in a message of condolence to Mandela, who has achieved glory as a politician and human rights campaigner, but suffered many personal tragedies.

In 1969, three years after arriving on Robben Island to serve a life sentence for sabotage, Mandela received a telegram from his younger son, Makgatho, informing him that his eldest son, Madiba Thembekile, had died in a car crash.

Prison authorities refused to allow Mandela to attend the funeral.

“I do not have words to express the sorrow, or the loss I felt,” Mandela wrote in his autobiography. “It left a hole in my heart that can never be filled.”

Thirty-six years later, Makgatho died. Mandela announced his last surviving son had died of AIDS-related complications, saying the only way to fight the disease’s stigma was to speak openly.

Mandela’s family life suffered during years devoted to politics, as an underground anti-apartheid fighter and in prison. Two marriages fell apart, the second to Winnie. He began his 27-year imprisonment only four years after marrying her.

Mandela was freed in 1990. Four years later, his lifelong battle over apartheid won, he became South Africa’s first black president. He served just one term, then devoted himself to international causes, including fighting AIDS.

He has announced his retirement and desire to devote time to his family several times. Increasingly, those close to him and other South Africans have said the reward for all he has done for his country should now be freedom from the public’s demands.

On his 80th birthday July 18, 1998, he married Graca Machel, a veteran of the anti-colonial struggle in her native Mozambique, former education minister, noted international child rights advocate and widow of Mozambique’s first president, Samora Machel.

Graca Machel once told a television interviewer she helped Mandela reconnect with his family. Family photos released by his foundation Friday showed a relaxed and smiling Mandela with Zenani and other great-grandchildren.

Zenani was one of the anti-apartheid icon’s nine great-grandchildren.

Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State has begun the implementation of the newly approved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure for its academic staff.



The Chancellor of the university, Dr. David Oyedepo, told journalists in Ota on Tuesday that the implementation of the new salary structure was facilitated by a special grant from the proprietors of the university, the Living Faith Church Worldwide Inc., and would therefore not translate into students paying higher tuition.



The CUSS was part of the agreement reached by both the Federal Government and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities in October last year, following a protracted strike by the union over welfare issues.



Apart from the new salary structure, Oyedepo, who is also the Presiding Bishop of the Living Faith Church worldwide, said that Covenant University had approved a special stimulus package for members of the academic staff, to advance its quest of attaining world-class status.



These incentives, according to him, include a special publication allowance, patent allowance, book contributions, incentives for forging quality linkages and special mentoring incentives.



Under the special publication incentive, the university chancellor said, “Publications in high impact journals shall attract generous financial incentives; publications in Grade A international journals shall attract $1,000; while those in Grade B attract $500; and Grade C attract $200. Grade A local journal attracts N50,000; Grade B, N30,000 and Grade C, N15,000.’’



He explained that authors of books published by the university would be entitled to royalties, provided the publication policy requirements of the institution were met. He added that such publications would attract special grants of N200, 000.



As for inventors with duly registered patents, he said such inventions would attract a cash reward of N300, 000 outside royalties.



Identifying lack of character and capacity as the major factors working against good governance in Nigeria, Oyedepo said, “Most of our leaders bought their way to leadership, so there is a major capacity problem. Our leaders lack capacity and character, and the combination of these problems is responsible for our crippled economy.”



http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art20100602561193

The original report of the Pius Okigbo Panel on the $12.4billion Gulf War oil windfall surfaced– unofficially – yesterday 17years after it was submitted to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

The unearthing of the report may pave the way for the trial of former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida as demanded by some rights’ groups for alleged mismanagement of the fund.

A signed copy of the report, which allegedly indicted Gen. Babngida, has been sent to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, by the activists.

The groups had been asked by Adoke to produce the original report to enable him act on their request.

The groups are: Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Women Advocates and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Access to Justice (AJ), Committee for Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Partnership for Justice (PFJ), Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Nigeria Liberty Forum (NLF), Nigeria Voters Assembly (VOTAS) and Centre for the Rule of Law (CFR).

Adoke’s Special Assistant (Media) Chuks Akuna told The Nation yesterday that when his principal gets the report he would not waste time in acting on it.

Said Akuna: “He’s (Adoke) been out of the country since Monday on an official trip. If anybody claims to have sent any report, that is not to my knowledge and definitely couldn’t have been to the knowledge of the Attorney-General. He has promised to work without fear or favour.

“If he gets an authenticated copy of any document that would help the course of justice, be assured he won’t spend a minute more than necessary. He has assured that, in the fight against graft, there will be no sacred cows. If you know him well, you will know he’s a man of few words.”

In a statement in Lagos, the groups said they had fulfilled Adoke’s condition and they expect him to act immediately on the report.

They said: “Now that we have gone the extra mile to fulfil the request by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, we expect that you would now move swiftly to prosecute former president Babangida on the basis of the Okigbo report, and ensure justice to the victims of the mismanagement and corruption documented in the report. Time is now of essence; any further delay would be justice delayed, which as you know, is justice denied.

“As you will note on pages 208 to 234 of the signed original report, we are now sending to you, there are clear and strong statements, which constitute an indictment that cannot and should not be swept under the carpet for the sake of justice, and in the interest of the present and future generations.

“We believe the report was never missing but has remained in the custody of the government for years. We note that it was the government of former president Olusegun Obasanjo that first used the word ‘missing’ – apparently to cover up the outcome of the diligent investigation carried out by the late Dr Pius Okigbo Panel.”

“We, therefore, state that what has been missing is not the Okigbo Report but the political will by successive governments to act decisively on the report and, by so doing, demonstrate to the international community that when it comes to the fight against corruption in this country, there will be no sacred cows.”

The statement was signed by Adetokunbo Mumuni, Executive Director, SERAP; Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, WARDC; Joseph Otteh, Executive Director, AJ; Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director, CISLAC; Kayode Ogundamisi, Convener, NLF; Olanrewaju Suraju, Head, HEDA; Olasupo Ojo, President, CDHR; Itoro Eze-Anaba, Managing Partner, PFJ; Moshood Erubami, President, VOTAS; and Tejumade Oke, Programme Director, CFR.

,
And Operation Stop IBB waxes stronger.

Nigerians, Nigeria and our problrm. We sabi criticise sha. A wise saying goes by 'Despise not the days of humble begining' [b][/b] At least other nations are not sleeping.

This means more job losses. Departments will be phased out.
Good Lord, Help us.

@okeymadu
You are missing something. New opportunities will emerge for those who want to open new banks. At least new jobs will be created.

Thank God, No be Mala/Hausas get the crude oil, ,,.,
I wonder what would have happened.!

Another #500 yesterday.

fortroubleforpeace, hardtalk in mask of gbengapro.
OPEN ya FACE.

chosen04:
Please guys,

Be careful. Dont be carried away with this 'so called mtn website' yahoo yahoo guys can design it. My relation lost N500 to this trash.

She had N500 deducted from her account when she applied. But, every other numbers she tried to register afterwards was described as not 'qualified'.

This yahoo guys can be very smart.
Moderators, kindly delete this post.

OK
If your relation followed the steps i described above, she will surely get through.
You cant introduce someone whose #500 has not been deducted, Get it Right.

It is like a Multi Level Marketing(MLM).

Do you know that even if A litre of petrol is legally sold for #10 tommorow, people like
@jcross19, chosen04, & co will never believe.
Thanks to the witnesses in the House. That's why I love NL.
While some people will get an info , investigate and convert it to their own advantage, Some will keep blabbing till the opportunity is closed against them.
He who has Ear let him Hear!!!!

When you send 720 to 131, #500 will be deducted from your account.
    You will then receive a welcome msg & rewarded with #100 in your SUB ACCT i.e for calls to mtn numbers.
    You then need to be introduced by a subscriber who has been introduced  b4 u. So the person will be credited with #500 in the main acct for calls to any network.

     This is how it goes. Suppose your nunber is 07033322111. I that has been on the platform b4 u will just send a msg    MGM(space)07033322111(space)James i.e if your name is James. The msg is sent to 298.
     Then my phone will be credited with #500. The more people that you introduce, the more you receive #500.

Now I've received #1000, 'cos i've introduced two people.

So, now once you load #500 and send 720 to 131, Just call or flash me on 0803.,.,.,., for me to send a msg to 298 for you.    No HIDDEN SECRET, I DON REVEAL ALL.

Don't blame him It is REal and not fraudulent but let me shed more light
    When you send 720 to 131, you are migrating to EXTRA PRO package, so #500 will    be deducted from your account.
    You will then receive a welcome msg & rewarded with #100 in your SUB ACCT i.e for calls to mtn numbers.
    You then need to be introduced by a subscriber who has been introduced  b4 u. So the person will be credited with #500 in the main acct for calls to any network.

     This is how it goes. Suppose your nunber is 07033322111. I that has been on the platform b4 u will just send a msg    MGM(space)07033322111(space)James i.e if your name is James. The msg is sent to 298.
     Then my phone will be credited with #500. The more people that you introduce, the more you receive #500.

Now I've received #1000, 'cos i've introduced two people.

So, now once you load #500 and send 720 to 131, Just call or flash me on 08035421237 for me to send a msg to 298 for you. No HIDDEN SECRET, I DON OPEN ALL.

The National Coalition for Greater Nigeria on Tuesday described the alleged roles of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, in the President Umaru Yar’Adua saga as unfortunate.


The group accused the speaker of pursuing his personal ambition at the expense of national interest. It also said that the alleged selfish interest, which it said had beclouded Bankole and some members of the House, could have been the reason the House was against the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill which has been with the National Assembly for several years.


Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, the leader of the group, Mr. Taiye Garrick, therefore called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party from Ogun State to sanction Bankole for his alleged anti-people policies and posture.


But the Speaker, in a swift reaction, described the group as faceless.


Speaking through his Special Adviser on Communications, Chief Kayode Odunaro, Bankole said that he was too focused to begin to reply a group which ”had no fixed address.”

http://www.punchontheweb.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art2010030217435295

Tension rose to a boiling point yesterday as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole blocked moves to bring to the floor, the issue of the whereabouts of President Umaru Yar’Adua. When the House was becoming too hot to handle, Bankole called for a closed door session, which lasted over two hours.

At the end of the session, a one-paragraph statement urging Nigerians to concentrate on matters that would promote the unity, stability and progress of the country was read by House Leader, Tunde Akogun as the resolution of the House.
Hiding under the order of privilege to move a motion of urgent national importance, Hon Samuel Whesu Sejoro, (AC) Lagos State, argued that his privilege had been breached as a member of the House, who was supposed to know the whereabouts of the nation’s president.
Trouble started when he stated that “we are all aware of the return in quote of our president who has not been seen by anybody.”

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/mar/03/national-03-03-2010-001.htm

To me, Bankole seems to be working with the cabal in order to establish himself in politics, and knowing fully well that he has a cover up case of the inflated car prices which could be used against him, So BAD.  Abi wetin u think?

Forpeace=Hardtalk = Failures.
U go get tired soon.

Northern Senators Forum and members of the National Interest Group (NIG), have turned down overtures from the First Lady, Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua to maintain the status quo and not disgrace President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua out of office.

In the same vein, feelers from the Presidency indicate that recuperating President Yar’Adua who was hurriedly brought into the country last week may no longer be fit enough to withstand the rigours of the office of President. Members of the NIG in the Senate have in the mean time, resolved to press for the physical appearance of President Yar’Adua either through television broadcast or by addressing the National Assembly.

A Senator from the North East zone who attended the meeting of Northern Senators Forum told Daily Sun that from the entreaties of the First Lady, it was clear that she was no longer campaigning for her husband’s continuation in office as President but merely wanted his interest protected by the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said, “I can tell you for sure that the First Lady Turai is lobbying to get one of their loyalists nominated and approved as Vice President to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan since it is now clear that President Yar’Adua can no longer continue in office.”

He further opined that those on the card of the First Lady for the position of the Vice President are the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Saiyadi Abba-Ruma, his FCT counterpart, Senator Adamu Aliero and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ibrahim Ida from Katsina State.

The Northern Senators Forum members, majority of whom are members of the National Interest Group led by Senator Bala Mohammed (ANPP Bauchi), politely turned down the request of Hajiya Turai insisting that they would rather be guided by national interest and not that of an individual or a group working against the overall interest of Nigeria, adding that they do not see how the Yar’Adua’s Presidency has been of any advantage to the Northern region.

First Lady Turai, Daily Sun gathered, is of the strong view that the Senate which ought to be less radical in nature has gone too much to the left on the matter concerning her husband’s health thus has moved to get members of the House of Representatives to key into her demands as part of the compensation she believe her family deserves.
The First family is believed to have come to the conclusion that the Senate President, Senator David Mark unlike the Speaker of the House of Representatives is not in control of the Senate that is now believed to have been taken over by the radical group.

Daily Sun also gathered that explanation by some of the emissaries of the First Lady that President Yar’Adua was brought in to assuage their feelings did not scale through as the Senators pointedly told the conveyers of the message that if it was true, they would have been taken into confidence before Yar’Adua was brought in a commando action.

Daily Sun equally gathered that spirited attempts by Senators from Katsina State, led by the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Kanti Bello to get their colleagues accept the overtures of Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua owing to what they described as a heavy burden on them were rebuffed by majority of the Northern Senators Forum.

The Katsina Senators were said to have pleaded with their Northern Senators to assist them by accepting the plea of the First Lady in order not to have their positions jettisoned as well as save them the difficulty of facing their people back home.
Inspite of the arrival of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Northern oligarchy has intensified efforts aimed at getting a formidable candidate to work with Acting President Goodluck Jonathan as Vice President.

Following the not too impressive outing with the Northern Senators Forum, Turai is believed to have extended her tentacles to Senators from other zones to sell her position to them even as majority of the Senators are yet to give her fronts any serious listening ears as they are believed to be analyzing the development as an attempt to reduce and personalize issues of State.

Meanwhile, a powerful group from the North including those from the ailing President’s home state of Katsina has commenced vigorous shopping for the nomination of a strong and acceptable candidate to serve as Vice president to Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Northern group believed to be headed by elder statesman, Alhaji Mamman Daura, Alhaji Wada Maida former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and one time Chief Press Secretary to General Muhammadu Buhari when he was Head of State and Mallam Adamu Adamu a columnist are believed to have zeroed in on former Chief of Army Staff and later Minister of Defence, General T. Y. Danjuma for the position.

The choice of General T. Y. Danjuma (rtd.), Daily Sun gathered was based on the understanding that he is highly connected, understands the dynamics of power with a good grip on the military, in addition to his enormous wealth and most importantly as one that would be in a position to checkmate the influence of former President Obasanjo on the Dr. Jonathan’s presidency.

It was also gathered that the Northern oligarchy made up of Emirs and former Presidents are working behind the scene while putting some of their foot soldiers to commence the campaign for the choice and acceptance of Gen. T. Y. Danjuma (rtd.).

Daily Sun sources further revealed that the choice of General Danjuma, a Christian to work with Dr. Jonathan also a Christian is aimed at erasing and correcting the impression that Christians from the Northern part of the country are not acceptable to the core Northern Muslims.
It is also part of the message by the Northern oligarchy to the rest of the country that a Christian/Christian ticket is also acceptable to the North like it was acceptable to the Christians community during the election of late Chief M. K.O. Abiola and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe that was a Muslim/Muslim ticket in annulled 1993 presidential election.


http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/mar/01/national-01-03-2010-01.htm

I've been saying it that this Turai is been elevated than what she is supposed to be by the media. She is as powerless as anything when Yaradua is not well.
Bankole will suffer after the end of the drama. I know it, the show will soon end.

hollandis:
Who is Turai

An old foolish woman that claims to be what she is not and can never be.
Publicity makes her popular than whom she is. Fooooool!!!

It is not enough to be called a 'president' whether acting or the real thing.
It requires for you to be on top of events.
How can a security detail prevent Goodluck from sitting on a chair, or how can the SSS go ahead to search his office.
If he knows nothing about power, at least he should align himself with those who know and are sympathetic to his cause.

otawa:
Afterall, Nigerians voted for Yaradua and not GoodLuck!

Error!!! This is fallacy of Ignorantium Adomine

@ otawa, No presidential candidate without a vice presidential candidate, So the two of them were elected together.

The North has ruled Nigeria for forty years out of fifty (both millitary & Civilian). Their long years of millitary (illegal) rule is no joke. They errected some fake structures that will take much time to uproot. I know with time, things will adjust.

He could be back truly, but is he dead or alive? Let's confirm first.

ola4yinka:
Simple Question,
Why did FASHOLA go to Court to stop the PROBE ?,

The simple answer is that He needs time to package himself for it since you may not know what oppositions are planning for him?

My own questions are (1) Why is ALPHA BETA not mentioned in the allegations?
                                   (2) Projects handled by Hi Tech construction company in which Tinubu is one of the directors was never mentioned at all in the allegations. Why?
                                    (3) I believe no variation of old contract can be done without the consent of Tinubu because he is always there when Fashola is commisioning any completed project. Doesn't the whole thing look like a trap for the man?

SOURCE: THISDAY newspaper

This is a good development. Ngige doesn't have to accept defeat just like that. If he can prove his case in court, Good luck. 
I wonder why people would not find their names on the INEC register on election Day. If this election is not challenged, next time, INEC will remove 99.99% of people's name from their register and call it a mistake.

No comment, because i'm just

seunspice:
@Mogentle, i don't believe in speculative reportage.

Know this pls! i stand to defend this with huge amount of evidences, SR can never be compared to common Nigerian media, they are into High powered investigative journalism and not speculative.
Maybe i can change my mind when you give me an untrue story they've ever carried.
Note this, they recently updated their news wn a new development came up.
Andoaka has been given the post of Minister for special duties.

seunspice:
I dont believe anything i read on sahara reporters. but i would wait until someone has confirmed it.

I am an ardent believer of saharareporters.

@seunspice, can you give me a report from SR that has so far been proved wrong. Oya now now , I'm still waiting.

deor03:
Turai ? Who is that?

I like that,  Who is that?  One unknown almanjiri woman whose tenure just expired.

Toooooooo Late Madam, excuse me.

We respect this Turai than who she is. slowpoke.

jay bee:
any other source?

It's better you believe Saharareprters inside out. I dont need any other source again.
Dont you know that saharareporters is a Source for sources? Real news, real time.

Well, something must cause something to happen. All i know is that Jonathan is now the Acting president.

enohj2ee:
Hello Bros eha, let not fool ourselves from what is going on Goodluck can never sack any minister now.

Turn on your Radio, One is down already. Andoakaa the AGF is a gonna. If he is your relative, then your feeding allowance is suspended.

Good Report!!!!
I'll be back.

slimghost:
bla bla bla bla, Ngige wasn't the only candidate affected. Peter Obi's wife and his children were also not able to vote and so were thousands of his supporters. Ngige should accept the defeat in good faith and stop menstruating.

Abeg, stop that nonsense. Is it a must for Ngige to overlook such a crime commited by INEC in connivance with politicians?
Are you saying that because others that were affected had accepted defeat, it means they were truly defeated?
Do you think Oshiomole will be the Edo State Governor today if he had accepted fake defeat?What of MImiko in Ondo State?
Ngige will be my Hero if he can challenge this seriously in court.
In fact, I can now believe that Nigeria is a place where anything is possible.In Nigeria, you can eat your cake without reservation and still have it, simply because we dont know our right even if it resides at the next door.