₦airaland Forum

Nigeria will not be sending an official government delegation to the Olympic Games in London, Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi has said.

The move was to cut costs and stop the jamborees of the past, he said.

The BBC's Oluwashina Okeleji in Lagos says official sporting entourages are usually huge and have come in for much criticism recently.

The officials often have little or nothing to do with the sport they are travelling to support, he says.

The sports minister said the unprecedented move was also intended to keep athletes focused.

"What we are doing is that we are taking all reasonable measures to ensure that every single person going to the Olympics has a business in the Olympics," Mr Abudallahi told reporters.

Any Nigerian state governor spotted in London between 27 July and 2 August would be at the Olympics in a personal capacity, he said.

Our reporter says an anti-corruption investigation was launched after the 2010 football World Cup because of the exorbitant bill for officials who travelled to South Africa.

When Nigeria's football team travels, the delegation is often much larger in number than the team and it expands several times over if the Super Eagles progress in the competition, he says.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18720212

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has announced he will not be extending his contract at Emirates Stadium.

Speculation has been rife over the future of the talismanic captain, who is entering the final year of his contract in North London.

Manager Arsene Wenger stated the importance of keeping Van Persie at the club earlier this month but the 28-year-old Dutchman has decided against prolonging his deal.

The frontman told his official website: "I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract.

"You guys, the fans, have of course the right to disagree with my view and decision and I will always respect your opinions."

Disagree

The striker had previously kept quiet over his future and refused to commit to a decision until Wednesday.

Van Persie says he has chosen not to extend his deal following talks with Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis over the club's plans for the future.

He added: "I have kept quiet all this time out of respect and loyalty for the club and as agreed with Mr Gazidis and Mr Wenger, but since there is so much speculation in the media, I think it is fair for you guys to know what's really going on at the moment.

"As announced earlier this year I had a meeting with the boss and Mr Gazidis after the season. This was a meeting about the club's future strategy and their policy. Financial terms or a contract have not been discussed, since that is not my priority at all.

"I personally have had a great season but my goal has been to win trophies with the team and to bring the club back to its glory days.

"Out of my huge respect for Mr Wenger, the players and the fans I don't want to go into any details, but unfortunately in this meeting it has again become clear to me that we in many aspects disagree on the way Arsenal FC should move forward."

More developments

Van Persie, who joined Arsenal from Feyenoord in 2004, added: "I love the club and the fans, no matter what happens. I have grown up and became a man during my time with Arsenal FC.

"Everybody at the club and the fans have always supported me over the years and I have always given my all (and more) on and off the pitch. I am very proud of being part of this fantastic club for the last eight years.

"As soon as Mr Gazidis is back from his two-week holiday in America further meetings will follow and I will update you if and when there are more developments."

Van Persie ended last season as the Premier League's top scorer with 30 goals, helping the Gunners to a third-placed finish.

Reigning champions Manchester City have been linked with a move for the prolific frontman, while European heavyweights Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are all thought to be interested.

The Gunners would be loathe to lose their star striker but could sell to avoid losing him on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/7868741/RVP-snubs-new-Gunners-deal

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has announced that he will not be signing a new deal at the club.
The 28-year-old, who has a year left on his current contract, confirmed that he had met with manager Arsene Wenger and chief executive Ivan Gazidis.
But he revealed that they disagree on the way the club should move forward.
"I've thought long and hard about it, but I have decided not to extend my contract," the Dutchman wrote on his personal website.
More to follow.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18712651

Meanwhile. According to THISDAY, the 'TJ' mentioned in the first taped conversation between Lawan and Otedola is Mr. Tijani Yusuf, one of Lawan's personal aides since 1999.

I agree, completely, entirely with Festus. I have nothing to add

From the various reports, Press releases and statements made by all the actors involved in this saga, certain undisputable facts have emerged:

(1) There was definite communication between Farouk Lawan and Femi Otedola (both by telephone and face-to-face) in respect of the offer and acceptance of bribe money concerning the investigation by the House Committee probing the fuel subsidy scam. The question of who initiated a relationship is completely irrelevant when determining the guilt or otherwise of the giver and taker of bribe money.

(2) The sum of $620,000 dollars out of a grand total of $3million price tag actually exchanged hands between Otedola and Lawan. No party is disputing this fact.

(3) Otedola involved the State Security Service (SSS) and the scene was recorded when the money was handed over to Lawan to prove that he was pressured to part with the money.

(4) Even though Lawan claims he collected the money to expose Otedola, he (Lawan) did not involve any law-enforcement agency when collecting the money. QUESTION: So how on earth did Farouk Lawan ever hope to later convince anyone that those dollars came from Otedola when Otedola’s name is not written on the dollars? How did he ever hope to “expose” him?

(5) A few hours after collecting the dollars, Farouk Lawan stood up on the floor of the House and, instead of exposing Otedola, he was actually shielding him by convincing his colleagues to remove Otedola’s company name from the list of indicted companies in the Report. That was the point that Lawan was expected to tell the world that he just collected bribe money, and like has been done in the past, spill the money on the floor of the House. He did not do so.

(6) It was not until the scandal broke out in the Press that Farouk Lawan did something. He first denied ever collecting money and said he did not go to Otedola’s house and that if there is any such video, it must have been doctored.

(7) Less than 24 hours later, Lawan sang a different tune. He now said he actually went to Otedola’s house to collect money, but it was to “expose” Otedola.

( The only “expose” Lawan claimed he did was to write a hand-written note to Honourable Adams Jagaba, Chairman House Committee on Narcotics and Financial Crimes, to purport to hand over the bribe money to him. Honourable Jagaba has since denied that this ever happened. QUESTION: WHY DID FAROUK LAWAN NOT APPROACH ONE SINGLE LAW-ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WITH THE BRIBE MONEY?

(9) The bribe money that is the all-important evidence to “nail” Otedola cannot be produced by Farouk Lawan now despite repeated demands by the Police. QUESTION: How come Farouk Lawan treated his all-important evidence with so much levity that he did not make Honourable Jagaba to acknowledge receiving the dollars in writing when he purportedly handed it over to him?

(10) On the other hand, it has since emerged that Femi Otedola kept all his audio and video evidence intact and has decided to release them piecemeal to the public.

From the above sequence of undisputed facts, it is only a hired goon, mischief maker, or a complete fool that will not easily come to a definite conclusion in this on-going disgraceful and shameful episode rocking the National Assembly: Farouk Lawan collected bribe purportedly on behalf of his Committee to doctor his report but somewhere along the line the operation, like most robbery incidents, went terribly wrong. All the drama playing out now cuts the picture of a destroyed, disgraced and thoroughly embarrassed Farouk Lawan clinging on so desperately to anything to save his finished image and political career.

I use the phrase “National Assembly” advisedly because, even though it had sought to distance itself from the whole episode, it is undisputable that the bribe was solicited for and was offered to a Committee of the National Assembly which was doing an assignment of the National Assembly. Farouk Lawan only collected the money on behalf of the said Committee. Whether he gave to other members is another matter altogether.

However, the taped conversations between Otedola and Lawan only confirm what both parties actually agree took place: that they negotiated payment of bribe money several times by telephone. The only point of divergence is that both claim the negotiations were sting operations on the other. But while Otedola has evidence of his sting, Farouk Lawan has none.

By denying his obvious voice on those tapes, Farouk Lawan has made another u-turn: he is giving the impression that he never spoke to Otedola on telephone whereas he had earlier confirmed that there were several phone conversations between them and that he has call-logs to prove this. So, question to Lawan: during those phone conversations, what were they talking about? Was it about girlfriends or politics?

I thought the only honourable thing Lawan should have done is not to deny the obvious, but to say those taped conversations were part of his plan to “play along” and catch Otedola red-handed. So Farouk Lawan needs to now come up with his own version of those conversations between himself and Otedola because Otedola has provided to the public his own version.

In any case, the endless search for dollars or the debate about voice on those tapes are most unnecessary. The law says what has been admitted needs no further proof. In other words, what the recovery of the dollars and the voices on the tape seek to establish has since been established by the confessional statement of Farouk Lawan himself; i.e. he had several discussions with Otedola on phone over the bribe money and he actually collected it.

I am aware that many Nigerians are not happy with the way Femi Otedola hobnobs with all governments in power (and perhaps gets undeserved business concessions by so doing), but in this instant case, whether you like Femi Otedola or hate him, by reporting the matter to the SSS (the law says the SSS has all the powers of Police Officers too) and going ahead to record the transaction between him and Lawan, Otedola did all that a responsible citizen under the circumstances should do. Whether the sting was thorough or not is no longer his business. By the way, the purpose of arresting someone whilst collecting bribe is to establish the fact that the suspect actually collected it. But the video has already established that fact.

Farouk Lawan has confessed to that fact. And in any case, no Nigerian would have believed the SSS or the Police if Farouk Lawan was arrested for any reason a few hours to the presentation of that report. If, for instance, Farouk had claimed he was forced at gun point to go to Otedola’s house and then was arrested there, Nigerians would have believed him. In addition, Farouk Lawan would not have had the opportunity to perform the act for which the bribe was collected on the floor of the House the next day. But as it is, the

SSS allowed him to roast in his own stew. In my view, the SSS did perfectly well in this case.

The bare-faced denial by Farouk Lawan of his voice on those tapes, and the denial of his complicity despite these overwhelming evidence, gives the clear impression that we are dealing with a hardened, unrepentant crook who is like a thief caught with his hand in the cashbox, but still claims he was only checking the color of the money.

In Japan, such persons like Farouk Lawan would have committed what they call “hara-kiri”.

In America and Europe, he would have resigned immediately from public office in shame and begged for forgiveness.

Unfortunately, here in Nigeria and aided by dubious hired goons, he continues to deny the obvious. What a shame!

As for the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, their so-called investigation of the scam is nothing but a laughable sham, a diversionary and disgraceful enterprise with a pre-determined end, an unconstitutional and illegal exercise and Nigerians must ignore it.

I issue this statement out of a deep love for my country over and above personal relationships. If we do not say things as we see them truthfully and honestly at such times when patriots are required to stand up and be counted because of friendships, personal or professional benefits, then we should not complain if our country and its critical institutions continue to collapse. In fact, after the oil subsidy probe and before the presentation of the Report, I was with one of the Committee members in London when Farouk Lawan called and the phone was handed over to me. We chatted a few minutes on the phone during which time I encouraged him to do a thorough job and thanked him for his efforts so far. But alas! He has let everybody and himself down.

Farouk Lawan must stop this dance of shame and save that House of whatever is left of its credibility by resigning from office immediately and face his criminal trial squarely. It is, indeed, himself and his hired goons that are turning this episode into a theatre of the absurd, and not the other way round.
Thank you.

FESTUS KEYAMO, ESQ.
http://saharareporters.com/article/otedolalawan-bribery-saga-and-their-recorded-conversations-festus-keyamo#comment-form

Transcript:

Lawan: ...Secondly, please thin that we are doing, keep it to yourself otherwise you will make it difficult for us
Otedola: ok
Lawan: you will make it difficult because somebody called me now and said that we said we are going to address it. so, so please keep it..
Otedola. Ok. I am now
Lawan: because if it is already out that we are going to do something, when we do it, people will think that we are doing it because we had compromised. And you know that is something that err... and if my colleagues get to hear about it. I won’t be able to convince them. So keep it to yourself. Let it not be like anybody is aware of what is happening. If anybody asked you, simply explain that this thing you know from your record. You have all the records and you have made a case to the committee. You have sent your documents to the committee
Otedola: Yea , Yea Ok
Lawan: It’s left for the committee...
Otedola: God bless you.
Lawan: It’s left for the committee to decide what to do. Please keep it that way.
Otedola. Ok. Ok
Lawan: The moment it gets out now we are going to correct it, then it means we have already haaa...so let it be. I want to spring a surprise on the floor and that is the only credible way I can do this..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUnWDgEMDa8&feature=plcp

Channels TV has just aired an unedited version of Otedola - Lawan conversation. Farouk na real thief!

I'm happy to hear that NCCF is doing very well. I was in NCCF, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state in 2002/2003 and I am still benefiting from the the very positive impact it had my life - ministry, family and career.

one week to go!

One week to go!

one week to go!

One week to go!

One week to go!

Have you completed the UK Governments consultation on G.A.Y marriage? The consultation finishes on the 14th June so the time to make your voice heard is NOW!

It will only take 2 or 3 minutes to complete it, and you do not need to be a UK resident!


http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

Excellent comment!

TV01: No.

Thanks for the link. I filled out the online form and commented as follows;

I belive marriage as a civil or religious ceremony should retain its religious and historical context as being between a man and a woman and not be varied in any way to accomodate "same-sex" couples.

If an arrangement is made for same-sex couples, it should be distinct from "traditional marriage" and only exist legally, with no overlap - be that discretionary/voluntary or mandatory - with religious/faith based ceremonies between a man and a woman.

I would also prefer that any such accomodation for same-sex couples was not "termed" marriage" either in part or whole. Just to be clear.


Reading the form and some of the back-up documentation only helped re-affirm myposition. The "authorities" are intent with pressing on with this and the consultation is only with regard some of the detail.

Any variation of the traditional/historical concept of marriage to accomodate same-sex couples I would consider a perversion. Likewise any variation of the religious - Christian in my case - template, i.e. more/different reasons for divorce and the de facto assumption that divorce even if permitted - in the case of adultery - pressuposes remarriage if chosen, I would consider likewise.

Thanks
TV

Do you support g.a.y marriage?

The UK government wants to know what you think about g.a.y marriage.

Make your voice heard now by responding to the consultation.

The first two questions are most important. If you support gay marriage, tick 'agree'. If you oppose gay marriage, tick disagree.The second question allows you to give reasons (if you wish) for your position.

Respond now by clicking the link below or forever remain silent!
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

Do you support g.a.y marriage?

The UK government wants to know what you think about g.a.y marriage.

Make your voice heard now by responding to the consultation.

The first two questions are most important. If you support gay marriage, tick 'agree'. If you oppose gay marriage, tick disagree.The second question allows you to give reasons (if you wish) for your position.

Respond now by clicking the link below or forever remain silent!
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

Do you support g.a.y marriage?

The UK government wants to know what you think about g.a.y marriage.

Make your voice heard now by responding to the consultation.

The first two questions are most important. If you support gay marriage, tick 'agree'. If you oppose gay marriage, tick disagree.The second question allows you to give reasons (if you wish) for your position.

Respond now by clicking the link below or forever remain silent!
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

Do you support g.a.y marriage?

The UK government wants to know what you think about g.a.y marriage.

Make your voice heard now by responding to the consultation.

The first two questions are most important. If you support gay marriage, tick 'agree'. If you oppose gay marriage, tick disagree.The second question allows you to give reasons (if you wish) for your position.

Respond now by clicking the link below or forever remain silent!
http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/about-us/consultations/equal-civil-marriage/

76Naira:
Is this not an exclusive Yoruba party detailed below?

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-861138.0.html#msg10102496
Another Nigerian Jailed For Sham Marriages In The Uk

Ring leader Nigerian-born Phillips Onikoyi, 34, was jailed for five years after admitting conspiracy to breach immigration law.

His former partner Olajumoke Ikoyi, 27, was convicted of the same charge at Leicester Crown Court.

Esther Idowu, 32, Isaac Onikoyi, 22, and Olushola Oshingbade, 41, admitted at the same hearing to conspiring to breach immigration law.

Naija issues are not about tribe, We all need to change our ways.

Stop the lies & cheats & start creating good names for yourselves.

Well said!

Air stewardess jailed for cocaine smuggling

02 February 2012

An air stewardess who was caught trying to smuggle cocaine into the UK has been jailed for five and a half years.

Chinwendu Uwakaonyenma Ogbonnaya, 29, from Lagos in Nigeria had flown into London's Heathrow airport as a member of crew on an Arik Air flight from Lagos on 18 December 2011.

During searches by UK Border Agency officers at the airport's crew clearance facility, searches of her luggage revealed that she was carrying a rucksack with a false back.

Officers discovered packages of cocaine hidden behind the false back.

Forensic tests later showed the packages contained approximately 2kg of high purity cocaine, which if cut and sold on the UK streets would have had an estimated value of £250,000.

Ogbonnaya claimed that she had been given the bag by a friend and that she was unaware it contained drugs. She later pleaded guilty to attempting to import a class A drug, and a judge at Isleworth Crown court in west London on Thursday 2 February 2012 sentenced her to five and a half years in prison.

She will also face deportation at the end of her sentence.

Assistant director Pete Avery, from the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team, said:

'The cocaine found here was of a very high purity and there is no doubt that had this woman not been stopped it would have ended up being cut and sold on the streets of London.

'Ogbonnaya sought to abuse her position as a crew member by bringing these drugs in. As a result she now faces a long time away from home and behind bars.

'UK Border Agency officers are on constant alert to keep class A drugs and other banned substances out of the UK and take them out of the supply chain before they reach the streets.'

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/february/11stewardess-cocaine

A gang used "day return" flights from the Netherlands to carry out up to 20 sham marriages, a court has heard.

The Dutch nationals would arrive in Nottingham, take part in ceremonies and fly home within 24 hours.

Ring leader Nigerian-born Phillips Onikoyi, 34, was jailed for five years after admitting conspiracy to breach immigration law.

His former partner Olajumoke Ikoyi, 27, was convicted of the same charge at Leicester Crown Court.

Five Dutch nationals were all jailed for 18 months for their parts in the scam. Three Nigerians were also sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Onikoyi, formerly of Stanley Road, Nottingham, was jailed at Leicester Crown Court on 19 September 2011. However, his sentencing could only be reported after the conclusion of Ikoyi's trial on Wednesday.
'Aggravating feature'

In sentencing, judge Robert Brown told Onikoyi: "A message needs to go out that behaviour like this will not be tolerated.

"Your case has the aggravating feature that you systematically made trips to Holland to bring people back for sham marriages."

Nigerian nationals Esther Idowu, 32, Isaac Onikoyi, 22, and Olushola Oshingbade, 41, admitted at the same hearing to conspiring to breach immigration law.

Dutch nationals Wensley Quirindongo, 38, Shamazaira Castillo, 27, Ediselle Barrimond, 26, Charlton MaCaay, 30, and Ulrich Toppenberg, 41, admitted the same charge.

The court heard the scam allowed Nigerians to stay in the UK because they married a European with a right of residence, who were all Dutch nationals, many originally came from the Dutch Antilles in the Caribbean.

Andy Ratcliffe, from the UK Border Agency, said: "They were flying over for 24 hours, basically overnight, and then going back to Holland.

"After the wedding they would never come back to the UK."

Twenty suspected marriages took place at St Aiden's Church in Basford, Nottingham.

The UK Border Agency said addresses were raided in Birmingham, Nottingham, London, Devon and Kent in March 2011 as part of the investigation, which was the largest carried out by its immigration team in the East Midlands.

Dutch police also raided addresses in Rotterdam and Tilburg as part of the operation.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-16789080

If the story is true, then the govt should be commended for doing the right thing!
You cannot reject a national honours from a govt on grounds of the non - performance and still rely on the same govt to sponsor an event in your honour. Indeed, if Achebe was aware that funding was to come from the govt and did nothing to stop it or withdraw from the event, then his decision to reject the national award is political and not based on principle.

biggybig:
Restore normalcy with soldiers? Is that how advanced democracies restores normalcy in their own countries? with soldiers, tanks and not police? Normalcy? Where people were dancing, jumping, laughing, making speeches, even selling with police having fun too? Its GEJ that needs his head to be restore to normalcy.

Have you witnessed a protest in 'advanced democracies' before? I'm sure you have not otherwive you would not expect the FG to deal with Nigerian protesters the way they deal with protesters in Western nations. In other words, you can't protest in an undemocratic manner and with an undemocratic aim and expect the govt to treat it with kids glove!
Bt the way, have you ever wondered what happened to the Occupy protesters in 'advanced democracies'?

Wily1Wily:
Gospel according to Fake Prophet KeKere Bakere  verse Full page.

, and Chapter 'Still trying to look relevant'.
I thot they said with or without NLC, they would protest? Now dem wan go court. Fear fear people!

[quote author=na_so link=topic=847281.msg9983716#msg9983716 date=1326798569]I coverted a 27 year old 2-lane road which was free to 3 lanes and put tolling points there.

I originally planned to toll this road before the elections but sensed that the political consequences could be damning hence i pushed it to december 18 during the festive christmas period.

Although i knew that "The people" i begged for votes were overwhelmingly against the tolling i still went ahead because i had clear instructions from my boss/sponsor

When people protested i sent my armed thugs and armed mobile policemen to beat and maim them. I also arrested a few of them.

WHAT IS MY NAME?[/quote]

Rad1cal:
[img]http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQpfsoZTcZ_fFdJ7TGRdz0yTh-WkMan41JlHh-_WRUwNaW6gKc2[/img]

BABATUNDE FASHOLA

Just saw on Channels how one gun shot by made all the noisemakers in Lagos to take off!

canuck:
In response to the unilateral and barbaric astronomical increase in pump price of fuel, President GEJ, Ministers, PDP chieftains and govt supporters have been repeating a word over and over again - The word is Palliative.

E.g. "The government of Goodluck Jonathan has lined-up several palliatives for the Nigerian people due to the hardship that is faced by Nigerians by the new pump price of PMS"

Here is the dictionary meaning of the word:

Palliative n. adj.
– Relieving or soothing the symptoms of a disease or disorder without effecting a cure (www.thefreedictionary.com)
– Serving to palliate; relieving without curing (www.dictionary.com)

Do these guys in government think at all?  

Why are you displaying your ignorance.?
Is it not obvious to you that the 'disease' is the increase in fuel price and since the 'disease' cannot be 'cured' i.e  govt cannot revert back to the original price, he only way is to sooth/relieve  the pain?. Mumu

Hope say dem break at least one of him leg?