₦airaland Forum

Just six months into their marriage with no visible sign of being pregnant, her husband feels like calling it quit
. This is premised on the fact the she wants it all the time and he could no longer forebear as he drains off. TJ as he is fondly called confided in a close pal that his wife is a horse. She doesn't drink nor smoke but her sexual desire is unsatisble. How can this young guy cope with this nympho. Your candid opinion is needed. Thanks.

He graduated with a second class upper degree from a federal university ten years ago.Presently he works with a multinational company with a very good pay. His cross is that no lady wants to marry him despite the fact that he is handsome in his mid thirties. Reason is because he has a very small joystick which has cost him five relationships. What should he do cos his friends are mocking him and ladies who don't know his predicament keep coming to him.

For those who could read in between the lines, come 2015 this may be the true pix of Nigeria if yes the APC sets up a parrarel govt. They are telling Jonah that they will resist any form of rigging. With the recent Tambuwal saga, am afraid that jona may not win in the north. We must pray for peace and if the unexpected happens we shall go.

The fact remains that Good luck must not win and Buhari must not lose.Remember that he took loan to purchase the form and this is last time to contest. War looms. The nor th will vote massively for oga buhari likewise the southwest.

What about stomach infrastructure. That is the hardest.

He is a gallant officer who did great exploit in Liberia and Sierra Leone in the 90s.

i STRONGLY BELIEVE IN THIS PERMUTATION. ITS A VERY POSITIVE ONE.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, said residents should "acquire what they need" to protect themselves.

The BBC's Will Ross, in Nigeria, says such an intervention is very unusual.

A police spokesman said the Emir's comments were a "call for anarchy" and should not be acted on.

The emir, who until earlier this year was governor of Nigeria's central bank, normally stays silent on political matters.

He made the comments at a prayer meeting, following several further attacks in recent days blamed on Boko Haram.

Jihadists from the group continue to cause havoc in parts of north-east Nigeria, capturing towns and villages where they have been imposing their own strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Primary schools in one of the worst-affected areas have begun reopening after being closed for the past eight months.

Boko Haram, which means "Western education is forbidden", often attacks educational establishments.

Some of the schools are to be protected by self-defence groups.
Deserting soldiers
Policeman at the scene of a suicide bomb attack in Kano A suicide bomb attack near a petrol station in Kano killed several people on Friday

The emir, who strongly criticised the government when he was a banker, said people should not be afraid of the militants and should prepare to defend themselves.

"These terrorists slaughter our boys and abduct our girls to force them into slavery," he said.

"People should not sit idle and say prayer is the only solution. People should be made aware of the importance of being in a state of preparedness and make sure they acquire what they need to protect themselves. We should be ready to give our lives."

The emir said residents should not wait for help from the military. There have been numerous reports of soldiers deserting, saying they are not as well equipped as the militants.

Police spokesman Emmanuel Ojukwu said: "Any call for citizens to arm themselves is a call for anarchy and lawlessness. And this is not allowed under our laws. Such a call should be disregarded. The police [force] is living up to its duty to protect lives and property."
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Analysis: Will Ross, BBC News, Lagos
Lamido Sanusi, in 2010 before he came Emir of Kano

Civilians have already played a key role in fighting the insurgency by forming local vigilante groups (known as civilian joint task forces) and this is now a wider call for everyone to stand up and be counted.

The emir may not have mentioned the group known as Boko Haram by name but this was a strong condemnation of the insurgents. It is highly unusual for the emir of Kano to be so outspoken on this issue.

Muhammad Sanusi was a persistent critic of the government when he was central bank governor and some of his detractors may criticise him for speaking out now but there is no denying that the situation in north-east Nigeria is deteriorating.

The emir's strong message contrasts sharply with the government, which has stayed almost silent on the conflict except for the oft-repeated promise that the insurgents will be defeated.
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Over the weekend a local vigilante group helped the military recapture the town of Chibok which Boko Haram had seized 48 hours earlier.

Boko Haram fighters kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the town in April, sparking global outrage.
Schools reopening

Boko Haram, which says it is fighting to create an Islamic state in Nigeria, has repeatedly targeted villages in Borno state in recent months.

There are reports of many Boko Haram members being killed in Sunday's raid.

Schools in Borno state were shut down eights months ago because of security concerns after attacks by the militant group.
Displaced people at a school in Maiduguri Some secondary schools in Borno have become temporary refuges for those who have fled their homes

State officials said 450 primary schools were expected to reopen on Monday in a staged process intended to lead to the reopening of almost 1,400 schools in the state.

The BBC has confirmed that some primary schools in the state capital, Maiduguri, have already reopened.

The chairman of a state committee on education, Mohammed Dongel, said fencing had been erected around schools and security guards were ensuring "24-hour surveillance".

Secondary schools in Borno are due to remain closed until internally displaced people sheltering in them can be moved to alternative accommodation.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30080514

May his soul rest in peace.He was a mentor in his writings and even in death the voice of Achebe still speak through his works like the voice of biblical Abel.He imparted positively on his generation. For Achebe it was a mission accomplished.Indeed there was a country.

just woke up from sleep.The time is 2.45am and I can still see clearly to type on my laptop. I had a sweet dream. I contested for the presidency on the platform of APC and WON.I also gave gave out contracts to fellow NL. Should I contest though I am not a politician.Will you guys contribute money for me to buy the form cos I don't have collateral to get a bank facility like oga Buhari did.I hope to get their membership form and card by Monday.Pls advice without any insult.

n this interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL, 82-year-old Olurike Shomuyiwa, talks about her life

When and where were you born?

I was born in October 10, 1932 in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Where did you have your primary school education?

I wasn’t fortunate to go to school. My parents didn’t have the financial capacity to send my brother and me to school. I came from a really average home. Growing up, I used to stay at home helping my mother cook and do other household chores.

Is your brother alive?

Yes he is. He is based in Abeokuta. We talk on phone once in a while.

Do you regret not going to school at an early age?

Till today, I wish I went to school early, it pains me. I know I would have been better than what I am today. Though, after I got married. I enrolled for adult education, but I couldn’t complete it because of my children; I had to stay at home to take care of them.

Nevertheless, I thank God. If I was educated early, I would have loved to be a banker. I like their mode of dressing and the type of shoes they wear. I like the way they walk; they walk elegantly.

How was life as a child?

It was good. At least, I had fun going with my father to wherever he went including the farm. We were very close because I lost my mother at a young age.

Back then, marrying more than one wife was the norm, how many wives did your father have?

My father had four wives, but only two of them bore children for him. I was raised in a polygamous home.

How was it like growing up in a polygamous family?

I didn’t experience any challenge, I think it was because my mother, who was the first wife, was close to the second wife. Thus, we the children didn’t have any problem relating with ourselves. We behaved as if we all had the same mother and father.

What is your view on men marrying more than one wife?

I don’t like the idea, my children won’t even marry more than one wife, I will not allow it. To be honest, I’m a woman, but I think a man has more problems when he marries a second wife.

As a child, what type of activities did you enjoy?

I used to enjoy singing and dancing. Till today, I still sing and dance especially when I’m in church. I like singing gospel songs.

Was that what you used to win your husband’s heart?

Yes, I’m a good singer. I loved to sing and dance for him; I know this was one attribute he loved in me. I can never get tired of singing and dancing.

When did you meet your husband?

We met in 1952. We courted for two years before getting married. We got married in 1954.

Did you have admirers before you met your husband?

Every lady has admirers, but I knew I had my mind fixed on one man, which was my husband, thus, I didn’t allow myself to get distracted.

What did you love about your husband?

I was attracted to his kind and caring nature. When I first met him, I knew he was the one for me, I didn’t need anyone to tell and we just clicked. It was love at first sight.

What is your view on keeping the matrimonial bed pure before marriage?

I think it is good because it strengthens marriages. I don’t support the idea of a lady getting pregnant for the partner before marriage. I didn’t do it; I waited till my husband married me before getting pregnant for him. He married me as a virgin

How was your marriage?

It was sweet. I had a good marriage, my husband and I understood each other very well. We were compatible. I’m not saying we didn’t encounter challenges; we did, but when we were faced with any of these, we managed to overcome with God’s help.

How did you handle disagreements with your husband?

We used to try to resolve issues before going to bed. And he was someone that was apologetic. I also studied my husband to know his likes and dislikes. I trusted him too. When he committed an offence and then apologised, I believed him. I knew that his yes was yes, and when he said, no, he meant it. We were also both honest with ourselves. The last thing couples should do, is to pretend to themselves. Pretence kills relationships; be open with your partner, let him or her know your strengths and weaknesses.

How long were you married?

We were married for 38 years, my husband died in 1992 and we got married in 1954. His death really affected me; he died after a brief illness. When he died, it was as if a part of me was gone, he left a void in my heart.

Did the decision to remarry ever cross your mind?

Never, I couldn’t have remarried. I was already old and besides I wasn’t looking for anything. I had my children to keep me busy. What more does a woman want in life?

How did you manage without your husband?

It was by God’s grace, it wasn’t easy. I had to rely on the little profit I made from my business. That is what has sustained me till date. There were times things were very tough for me, but I’m thankful to God that I’m alive today, strong and healthy.

How many children do you have?

I have seven children but just five are alive. Two of them died some years ago.

Where are they?

Some of them are here in Lagos while the others are in Abeokuta.

What type of business did you do?

I used to sell garri, rice, majorly dry foods. I started business since I was 10 years old. Then, I used to sell stuffs for my mother. Sometimes; I would be the only one in the shop all day. My mother groomed me to be business-conscious and I’m glad she did.

How much did you use to start your business?

I used N20,000 which I saved over time.

How do you manage simple calculations concerning your business since you did not go to school early?

I may not be well educated but I’m very good in calculations. I don’t know how to use a calculator and I wouldn’t even use it because my brain works faster than a calculator. Even my children can attest to that.

Did you train yourself in that area?

It comes naturally, probably because I started handling money at a young age.

Describe how business was during your days compared to business of today?

In my days, we made profit quickly, I think it is because there wasn’t so much competition. Nowadays, business owners have to wait a while before they can make profit. Things were fast in my days.

Before your husband died, did you support him financially?

Yes I did, because I wanted peace in my home, and I advise women to support their husbands. If you love your husband, supporting him wouldn’t be a challenge for you. I hear people say it isn’t right for women to support their husbands but I feel it isn’t true.

You were married for 38 years, what is the secret?

I loved him and he loved me. We also understood each other. A woman must know her husband in and out. If not, she is in for trouble. They will be having unnecessary arguments

In the early days of your marriage, were you faced with women competing for your husband’s attention?

I didn’t have any problem with that, though my husband had more than one wife. I didn’t let it disturb me. He kept my children and I in a separate flat and that was all that mattered to me. As long as my children had a roof over their head, I was fine. I couldn’t have prevented him from marrying other women.

Why did he marry more than one wife?

He just loved women, maybe that was his weakness.

Will you say you are fulfilled in life?

Yes, I am happy and fulfilled. I have children and grandchildren, which alone makes me happy. I’m also strong and healthy at my age. I have so many reasons to be thankful to God.

Do you still have dreams?

Yes, if God blesses me with money I want to build a house and buy car. I want to enjoy life too, I want to sit at the passenger side and have someone drive me around.

Do you have a favourite car?

Yes, I like Sport Utility Vehicles called Jeeps. When I see people driving the car, I admire them. It’s the car in vogue.

How do you maintain a good health?

I eat god food and drink tea. I also sleep when I want. I don’t stress myself.

How old do you hope to live in life?

It depends on God, I pray to live long. But I wouldn’t want to be a burden to my children. God should determine when He thinks it is time for me to die.

Do you have regrets in life?

Yes and my only regret is when my son died. He was sick, his death affected me emotionally, I was hurt. Till today, I miss him. When I think of him, I cry.

Do you still advise your children and what do you tell them?

I tell them to love themselves; there is no greater commission from God than for us to love ourselves. And when there is no love in a family, there would be hatred, envy and jealousy.

You look fit for your age, do you exercise?

Yes, I like taking long walks. Sometimes, I walk from one bus stop to the next. I do this twice a week. I also watch what I eat.

What is your best food?

Amala and ewedu.

And what is your best drink?

It is malt.

Do you listen to the news?

Yes I do but it is once in a while, when my neighbour puts on his radio.

What do you feel about the activities of the Boko Haram sect?

Whenever I hear about all that they are doing, killing people here and there, I cry silently. I think they are a wicked set of people. I just pray that God will not let them have power over us. One day all this would be over.

How should the government deal with them?

It is only God that can lead the government on how to deal with them in the right way. As the adage goes, everyday for the thief, but one is for the owner. One day, God will intervene. I’m also still sad about the Chibok girls, I pray God brings them back someday.

How do you keep yourself busy?

I don’t have much strength like before, but I try to do little house chores daily. I also have a small business — I sell sachet water and other small items. I don’t like sitting at home idle. I used to be energetic when I was young.

Do you attend parties?

I don’t, not at my age. Though, I know of people of my age who still attend parties, I can’t. I have lost the strength. I stopped attending parties a long time ago.

Do you still have friends?

I don’t have friends outside my home whom I visit. My friends now are my children and my neighbours. They keep me company. I have lost contact with my former friends.

Are you temperamental?

No, I’m calm in nature and I don’t enjoy talking too much not to talk of getting angry. Even when people damage my property or try to hurt me in some ways, I don’t get upset. I inherited this nature from my mother. She was a calm and very loving woman.

What is your advice to young couples?

They should love themselves and learn to forgive. Husbands are bound to upset their wives and vice versa, but when they both learn to forgive, there will be peace in the home.

Do you think there is any problem with a woman being more buoyant financially than her husband?

I don’t think there is any problem with that. If God says it should be that way, who are we to challenge God? However, the woman must still remain submissive to her husband.

Before you die, what do you hope to achieve?

I pray that God gives me the opportunity to visit my family house at Abeokuta, Ogun State. That is my only wish; I want to see everyone for the last time before I’m called home. However, I know I may not be able to travel because of my age.

What do you do every morning when you wake up?

I pray that God keeps all my children. I say this prayer even before I sleep. A woman’s child is her pride and joy. I may not be able to watch over them, but I know God can do it.
http://www.punchng.com/feature/octogenarian/i-will-like-to-buy-a-jeep-before-i-die-82-yr-old-trader/

Former senior military officers have asked President Goodluck Jonathan to declare total war on Boko Haram.

The retired senior officers, including a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH in seperate interviews, insisted that there was the need for the Federal Government to cut off food and fuel supplies to the insurgents to weaken their strength. They said government should engage the sect head-on to end the insurgency by the group .

To prosecute the war, they also advised the Federal Government to consider other alternatives to the United States on arms procurement.

Although President Jonathan had, in his nationwide Democracy Day broadcast in Abuja on May 29, 2014, directed the armed forces to launch a full-scale military operation against Boko Haram, the Generals expressed the belief that the war against the insurgents was not full-scale yet.

To clarify what total war implies, a retired Colonel in the Nigerian Army, Paul Ogbebor, told SUNDAY PUNCH it was distinct from other types of war.

He said, “There are many types of war. We have insurgency and the operational mode is internal security operations; that is what we have been doing. There is the guerrilla warfare, which the terrorists are using; they hit and melt away.

“We also have the conventional warfare, which the President and Commander-in-Chief must declare and determine the mode. It could be a police action, which is the lowest level of warfare. He could say he is fighting a war of invasion on enemies encroaching on our territory. That is the type of war we should be fighting now to uproot the enemy.”

Ogbebor, who is one of the first Nigerians to be admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, stressed that the country had yet to begin a full war as it had not applied its national might.

“When you say you are fighting a war, it means that the federal troops are the friendly forces, while Boko Haram should be the enemy forces. It also means that the friendly forces must do everything to defeat the sect.

“As of now, we are fighting insurgency. It is not a national task because, if it were, everything would be directed towards it,” he said.

He, however, said that with less than 200,000 military officers, the country lacked adequate forces to engage in full-scale fighting. He stated that adequate recruitment of both new and retired officers (reserves) to fill up the loopholes was required.

Ogbebor said, “The army of 150,000 should be quickly built up to a minimum of about 500,000 so that we can capture the ground and occupy it sufficiently. Retired officers should remain in their places and join the police for internal security. Internal security should go side by side with total war. What happened in Kontagora or Yobe should not happen; we should have men on the ground for surveillance.”

Citing the Nigerian Civil War, also referred to as the Biafran War, Gowon told SUNDAY PUNCH the purpose of the war was to defeat the insurgents who decided to take up arms against the state.

He said if the aim of Boko Haram was to divide the country, then all efforts must be geared towards crushing the sect.

“We are not fighting the people; we are fighting these insurgent groups. Just like during the civil war, I did not fight all the Igbo people, I only fought those who took up arms against the authorities. There was the order that whatever you do, you should not harm the ordinary people: women, children and old people. It is only those who took up arms against you. That is really the meaning of all-out war — not against the people.

“If the people are backing them (Boko Haram), then they have to contend with the fury of government to restore law and order. I think this is the way it should be understood. It is not fighting a war against the ordinary people, who, in any way, would be running away from the war.

“If anyone takes up arms against you and decides to establish what they call an Islamic state, then I think you can deal with them, because they are really trying to break the country and that must not be allowed,” Gowon said.

On the implications of the war on civilians in the affected areas, Ogbebor said the effects could be managed by the Federal Government as was done during the Nigerian Civil War.

He said, “There is always such a situation in the enemy’s territory where we have to find a way to cut off supplies to the enemies — food, water, communication and electricity — in order to stop things that will encourage them to continue with the war. We had that in the civil war and it was effective.

Similarly, a former Military Administrator of Bauchi and Osun states, Col. Theophilus Bamigboye (retd.) said he was in support of the Federal Government declaring a full-scale war against Boko Haram.

He told one of our correspondents on Friday that the menace of the insurgents and their occupation of territories in Nigeria were taking a long time and it was bad for the image of the country.

Like Gowon and Ogbebor, he expressed his support for any measure taken to flush out the insurgents and return normalcy to the troubled areas.

Bamigboye stated that there was the need to adopt high-powered intelligence to know the actual location of the insurgents and the most appropriate approach to adopt to end their menace.

He said, “You can imagine the strategies adopted (by Nigerian forces) so far and the insurgents are still occupying some Nigerian territories; the issue is still on. I will advocate for a full-scale war so that we can finish the insurgents. It is no longer a local thing.

“We should declare a conventional warfare so that we can deal with this situation and forget about it because the pain and the destruction are going on for too long. I will support a full-scale war against the insurgents.”

In the same vein, a former Military Governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (retd.), said “total war” had begun in Nigeria since 2009, when Boko Haram began its attacks.

He said, “Nigeria has been at war with Boko Haram in the last four and a half years. The President simply made an emphasis in his speech, perhaps out of anger concerning what had transpired two or three months before, where Boko Haram had been torturing one town after another.

“He was simply trying to emphasise that Nigeria was indeed at war and that all hands must be on deck in this war against Boko Haram. Many politicians have considered the Boko Haram attacks as insurgency happening in a distant corner of Nigeria.”

The former military administrator pointed out that Boko Haram was to Nigeria what ISIS was to the Middle East, adding that they both threatened global peace and security.

Efforts to get the Presidency to comment on the calls for total war were unsuccessful. A presidency source, who would not have his name mentioned, simply asked SUNDAY PUNCH to direct its enquiries to the Army.

But attempts to get the reaction of the Defence Headquarters on the issue did not yield any result as calls made to the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, indicated that his phone was either switched off or out of network coverage area.

However, findings by our correspondents indicated that Olukolade was out of the country.
http://www.punchng.com/news/ex-military-chiefs-to-fg-block-boko-haram-food-supply/

By Umar Yusuf, Wole Mosadomi, Johnbosco Agbakwuru & Joseph Erunke
ABUJA—THE Nigerian Army, for the first time, yesterday, admitted that some of the country’s territories have fallen into the hands of Boko Haram terrorists. It, however, assured that in no distant time, its troops in the North-East would overrun the insurgents and retake the lost areas.

The Army made the admission on a day Governor James Bala Ngilari of Adamawa State announced that Mubi, the commercial nerve centre and second largest town in the state has been reclaimed from the terrorists by local militia assisted by the troops.
Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosu

Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Adesola Amosu

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah, admitted loss of the territories when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Defence and Army, headed by Senator George Sekibo, PDP, Rivers East to explain the role of the military in curbing Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

He said: “We had a setback in Bassa that resulted in loss of territories up to Mubi which was painful though, but we are working very hard to retake those territories. Very soon we will reclaim those territories and indeed other territories that the insurgents have taken.”

Assuring that the Army would soon retake the lost territories from the insurgents, Minimah said:

“I want to continue to rekindle the confidence of Nigerians and particularly the ordinary Nigerians who have suffered the pains of this insurgency. The Nigerian Army will continue to do its best and strive to win this war and reclaim the lost territories.”

The assurance by Lt. Gen. Minimah came as the Senate expressed displeasure over the inability of the Federal Government through the various security outfits in the North-East to arrest the insurgency in the area.

Nigerians deserve explanation — Sekibo

Senator Sekibo told the Army Chief that “Nigerians are getting impatient and irritated not only with the military but also with the government and those who represent them at various levels.”

He added: “I believe that we are trying our best but is our best the best we can offer? What is happening is becoming increasingly difficult to explain to Nigerians. We want to be told what is happening. The insurgents are having a field day.

“We are aware that the government is releasing your funds to you because you have not complained. We also approved $1billion for the President to purchase arms and ammunition to fight Boko Haram. We are aware that your budget is being released to you. If you have difficulties, you should tell us.

“The spate of insurgency, the way and manner the insurgents are taking areas is getting worrisome. We want to know what is happening. We also want to know the issue of the reported cease-fire. We want to know whether there was actually any cease-fire.

“We want to know whether there was a dialogue, the stage of the dialogue, if any, because few days after the announcement of the cease-fire, the insurgents struck and have continued to strike.

“At the last meeting we were told that the insurgents have captured seven local government areas. The CDS confirmed that and asked that they should be given some time to liberate the captured areas.

“We want to know where we are. We are approaching election year; are we going to conduct election in the North-East under the dire security challenge? These are our concerns and the concerns of Nigerians.”

The meeting between members of the committee and the Army chief which started at about 1:20pm and lasted for two and half hours, almost ending in a shouting match between the committee members and the Army boss when the committee insisted that he should disclose the Army’s operational issues so far in the full glare of journalists against his will.

Minimah insisted that he would not discuss military operational matters before the press.

The Committee had invited the Service Chiefs including the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adeola Amosu, to brief its members on the state of affairs in the North-East with regard to the fight against Boko Haram.

Others also invited to the meeting included the Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and the Director General, Department of State Service (DSS) Mr. Ekpenyong Ita.

But only the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Minimah appeared for the parley to represent the Chief of Defence Staff, Badeh.

Senator George Sekibo, at the start of the meeting, told the Army chief that the agenda of the parley was “very loaded.”

He regretted that while politicians were busy positioning themselves for the 2015 election, insurgents were killing and maiming innocent Nigerians in the Northeast. He then asked Minimah to throw light on the issues he highlighted.

Minimah took a measured breath and said: “I came to interface with the Senate Committee on Defence, can the press leave us because the operational issues were not meant to be discussed on the pages of the newspapers”.

Sekibo, however, asked Minimah to “just reassure Nigerians that the military is on top of the security situation in the affected areas.”

The Army Chief insisted that he would not discuss security matters in the presence of the press. A member of the committee, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, intervened by reminding Minimah that the press was an important stakeholder in the fight against insurgency. He told Minimah that Nigerians could only get to know how the security agencies were prosecuting the fight against insurgency when it is reported by newsmen.

But Minimah stood his ground, thus prompting another member of the committee, Senator Abdul Ningi, to persuade Minimah to reassure Nigerians on what the military was doing to win the war against insurgency. Minimah again refused to comply.

Following his insistence, reporters were reluctantly asked to leave the venue of the meeting by the committee’s chairman, Senator Sekibo.

Troops-assisted local militia recapture Mubi

Meanwhile, a combined team of the Army, Anti-Terrorist Squad of the Nigeria Police, local hunters and the Civilian JTF has recaptured Mubi town from the Boko Haram insurgents.

A combined offensive by the groups which began Wednesday night paid off, yesterday, when the insurgents began to withdraw to the hinterland after suffering deadly blows from the troops.

Reports from Mubi indicated that wild jubilations rented the air as scores of the insurgents were killed, while thousands of others have been arrested.

The reports also confirmed that the hunters have recaptured the 234 Army Battalion as well as other strategic security formations in the area which fell into the hands of the insurgents when they seized the town.

Similarly, all the flags hoisted by the insurgents have been uprooted and replaced by Nigerian flags.

Also, residents said the palace of the Emir of Mubi which has been converted to the spiritual headquarters of the dreaded insurgents have been taken over while the Boko Haram flags have been destroyed.

With the situation, the insurgents have retreated into the bush as the hunters gave them a hot chase. The governor of Adamawa Sate, Bala James Ngilari confirmed the development in Yola, saying that “the insurgents have been flushed out of Mubi and are on the run.”

Governor Ngillari said that the insurgents are now on the run heading towards Mubi South while some have followed the tracks to Askira.

Another suicide attack averted in Minna

In a related development, 24 hours after a female suicide bomber attacked Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State, there was another attempt by two male suicide bombers at the Maryam Babangida Science Girls College, Minna yesterday, morning.

However, the mission of the bombers was foiled through a female teacher of the school who raised an alarm over the suspicious movement of the suspects near the gate of the school.

It was reliably gathered that the two male suspects were seen close to the gate of the school around 7.30am when the students were preparing for their early morning Assembly.

The female teacher, Mrs. Bezet Doma who was directed to share her experience with our correspondent said, “On my way to the school, I saw one of these suspects who pretended as if he was defecating but after a close watch, I saw him wearing a trouser which is the colour of our school and later saw him bring out a hijab which he eventually put on to disguise as a female.”

“As I was approaching him, my phone rang and this alerted him and he confronted me asking where I was going and when I told him that I was going to school, he ordered me in Hausa to go back home and that there won’t be classes and that I should not even risk my life going to the school today,(yesterday),” she explained.

At that moment she said out of fear she quickly removed her shoes, took to her heels and headed for the school and raised an alarm immediately, while the school authority swung into action.

The Principal of the school, Hajiya Fatima Madugu who also spoke with our correspondent simply said,”just help us thank God for the alertness of our staff and intervention from God. The mission of the suspect was to disguise as one of our students and sneak to the Assembly ground to carry out their dastardly act but God just intervened and before we could mobilise to the scene, the two men disappeared but we immediately alerted the police and other security Agents who mobilised to our compound immediately.”

The state police spokesman, DSP Ibrahim Gambari confirmed the incident but said the attempt should not be seen as an invasion by Book Haram.

He said security has been beefed up in all schools in Minna, the state capital with the officers of the command giving security tips to the Proprietors, principals,headmasters and provosts and Vice Chancellors of tertiary institutions in the state.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/army-admits-loss-territories-bharam/#sthash.ilMRSKHh.dpuf

The United States has defended its refusal to sell cobra helicopters to Nigeria, saying the Federal Government is free to buy fighter jets from any other country.

“Nigeria has purchased helicopters that originated in countries other than the US and nothing in our decision prevents Nigeria from obtaining weapons and equipment from other sources,” its State Department spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said on Wednesday.

Psaki was responding to questions from journalists on the allegations by the Nigerian Ambassador to the US, Prof. Adebowale Adefuye, that Washington declined to sell lethal arms to Nigeria.

Adefuye had also told members of the Council on Foreign Relations on Monday that Washington was not doing enough to assist Nigeria in combating the Boko Haram insurgency in North-East zone of the country.

He said, “The U.S. government has up till today refused to grant Nigeria’s request to purchase lethal equipment that would have brought down the terrorists within a short time on the basis of the allegations that Nigeria’s defence forces have been violating human rights of Boko Haram suspects when captured or arrested.

“We find it difficult to understand how and why, in spite of the U.S. presence in Nigeria, with their sophisticated military technology, Boko Haram should be expanding and becoming more deadly.”

But Psaki said that the US refused to sell the helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about the ability of the military to use and maintain them.

The cobra is a combat aircraft with the ability to climb at the rate of 8.2metres per second. It is equipped with a 20 mm M197 3-barrelled Gatling cannon in the A/A49E-7 turret (750 rounds ammo capacity).

Psaki said there were ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations, adding that these had been discussed with the Nigerian authorities.

The State Department spokeswoman added, “Earlier this year, we denied the transfer of some cobra attack helicopters to Nigeria due to concerns about Nigeria’s ability to use and maintain this type of helicopter in its effort against Boko Haram and ongoing concerns about the Nigerian military’s protection of civilians when conducting military operations. We shared those concerns with Nigeria before this decision and subsequent to it.

“We’ll continue to look for ways to deepen our cooperation with Nigeria to help it acquire the systems and skills needed to restore peace and security. But obviously, we’ve provided a great deal of assistance over the past several months.”

Psaki said Washington would not have raised concerns on human rights abuses by the Nigerian military “if we didn’t feel and others didn’t feel that they were warranted.”

She assured the Nigerian government that the US was ready to help Nigeria train and improve the effectiveness of its military.

Urging the Federal Government to investigate allegations of abuses by the military, Psaki stated that the US valued its long standing relationship with Nigeria.

She said that Washington had been offering various forms of assistance to Nigeria, including sharing intelligence with its armed forces .

Psaki said, “Let me just lay out the facts of our assistance: Over the past six months, the United States has started sharing intelligence with Nigeria, began training a new army battalion and held numerous high-level discussions with Nigerian authorities on additional measures to best address the Boko Haram threat.

“We have also provided and approved sales of military equipment to its armed forces. These decisions are made, of course, after careful scrutiny to ensure they conform with the US law.”

Our correspondents could not get the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, to speak on the issue as calls to his mobile telephone did not connect.

Also, Olukolade did not respond to a text message sent to him.

When contacted, the Director, Communications Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ogbole Ahmedu-Ode, said, “I am in transit right now and I am hearing about this from you for the first time, I can’t comment on it. You may ask the Defence Headquarters.’’
http://www.punchng.com/news/we-wont-sell-fighter-helicopters-to-nigeria-us-insists/

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Thursday said the country would this month begin to feel the impact of the falling global oil prices, which started in June.

Consequently, she said the country needed to brace for tougher times ahead by reviewing its expenditures and building economic buffers through budgets that would be based on modest oil prices.

According to her, sound macroeconomic management is crucial to Nigeria at this time, while also emphasising the need to plug all revenue leakages.

The minister spoke in Lagos at the Africa Financial Summit organised by the Institute of International Finance and Access Bank Plc.

“We have not seen the impact of the falling oil prices in Nigeria; it will start this month. We have to drive the non-oil revenue base to be able to weather the storm that is coming,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

She, however, said Nigeria was not alone in the coming economic storm, pointing out that a large number of African countries that relied on commodity export as the mainstay of their economies would also be affected by the global fall in the prices of such commodities.

The minister said the global fall in the prices of export commodities such as gold, iron ore and agricultural produce such as cocoa, cotton and coffee was bound to affect most African economies, which relied on commodity export as the major source of revenue.

Quoting from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Okonjo-Iweala said the ratio of export commodity to total merchandise was very high in a large number of African countries.

According to her, it is 60 per cent in South Africa; 89 per cent in Zambia and Ghana; 96 per cent in the Democratic Republic of Congo; and 83 per cent in Nigeria.

She said based on the 2013 data, 70 per cent of sub-Saharan Africa’s merchandise exports went to regions that were currently facing slowdown.

Ten per cent of commodity exports from the sub-Saharan Africa go to the US; 26.5 per cent to Europe; three per cent to Japan; 21 per cent to China; and three per cent to Brazil, according to the minister.

Consequently, Okonjo-Iweala said there was an urgent need for Nigeria and other African countries to explore other means of shoring up their revenues in the face of the falling prices of export commodities.

She said borrowing to fund annual budgets would not be a better option for most African countries.

“I strongly urge other African countries to look into other directions. We need to build our economic buffers. Of course, there will be pressure to borrow in the face of falling commodity prices, but we cannot afford to borrow. There is a need to drive domestic resource mobilisation,” the minister added.
http://www.punchng.com/news/tougher-times-ahead-says-okonjo-iweala/

We should stop using their dollar to determine d strength of our naira and if possible it shld be one naira to a dollar.They are doing this to us because of our anti-gay stance.

It is morally wrong.our society forbids it.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was absent at President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration to contest the 2015 presidential election in Abuja on Tuesday.

Also absent was a former military dictator, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. Both are members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Babangida was among those who sought the party’s ticket in 2011, but lost to Jonathan.

Obasanjo was a former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, who later resigned his position over some disagreements with the way he said the party was being handled.

There were speculations that the former President was against the second term ambition of the President because of the alleged agreement he (Jonathan) had with the leadership of the party, including the governors in 2011, that he would only be in office for one term.

Meanwhile, there were mixed reactions to the President’s self assessment at his declaration for the 2015 election.

Jonathan, who admitted that the Boko Haram issue had been a big challenge to his administration, listed his achievements in various sectors.

A former chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Monday Ubani, said Nigerians could not be carried away by the list of achievements reeled out by the President.

Ubani said, “Nigerians are already used to this road; the road of leaders coming out to tell Nigerians about their achievements that are not seen. Leaders at state and local government levels during the period of elections come out to say a lot of things.

“We are used to it but we are not carried away by their claims.”

Financial analysts also expressed divergent views on the economic performance of the Jonathan administration.

Those who spoke to our correspondent on the matter were the Lead Director, Centre for Social Justice, Mr.Eze Onyekwere; the Registrar, Chartered Institute of Finance and Control of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Eohoi; and a former President of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association, Mr. Peter Nwabuzor.

While Onyekwere rated the performance of the economy under Jonathan low, Eohoi and Nwabuzor were of the view that the economy had witnessed massive transformation within the last three-and-a-half years.

Onyekwere said, “I will assess him as a student who want to get let my people go, which is about 40 per cent. We can afford to do more than two times as better as we are doing now in terms of uplifting the standards of living.

“He promised refineries he has not done that. We are still importing fuel and spending about a trillion naira in importing fuel and the electricity he promised is not there yet.

“To whom much is given much is expected and we have abundant resources but we are yet to fully get to utilise that resources for the benefit of Nigerians.”

But Eohoi said that when considered from all economic indicators, the Jonathan administration has performed well.

“He had done well in boosting the economy since he assumed office. Look at the work so far carried out in key sectors of the economy which had resulted in creating wealth, reducing unemployment and ensuring macro economic growth,” he said.

Eohoi, however, said there was still more work to be done in boosting power supply in order to increase the capacity of manufacturing companies.

Also in his assessment of the current administration, Nwabuzor said, “He is a president that has performed credibly well in spite of all the challenges facing the nation.

“I have to mention that Mr. President has made tremendous achievements in all sectors of the economy, and in realisation of the fact that he has positively touched all relevant sectors of the economy by making tremendous achievements.”
http://www.punchng.com/news/obasanjo-shuns-jonathans-second-term-declaration/

The writing is clear on the wall that all is not well for APC in Lagos.you may not believe this but come 2015 it may become a reality.Lagosians are not happy with the anti-people policies of this administration. In the pursuit of a mega-city many of the citizenry found themselves at the receiving end. Alot of houses were demolished without due compensation to their owners.The issue of multiple taxation has forced many companies to relocate from Lagos to Ghana.The unwholesome and inhuman treatment meted by KAI, LASTMA,LASAA and a host of other agencies set up to make difficult for Lagosians still linger in their memories.Am sure that okada riders used to garner votes for Fashola will never want to make another mistake again.Students of higher institutions in the state know fully well that the recent reversal of their fees is nothing but a political game.Even within the party the issue of imposition of people that failed at the polls on the electorate has generated alot of rancor that may see mass defection of party faithfuls to the opposition. The opposition too has strategised with the recent disenfranchisement of voters by INEC.The people of Lagos are crying and earning for a change.

Truecaller, an app that is said to make people take the right call, has announced the global introduction of Truedialer on Google Play.

Truecaller’s 85 million users trust the app’s service to provide them with the contact information they need and protect them from unwanted calls.

The company said it wasing using its expertise to replace smartphones’ standard bare bones dialing interfaces with their new app, Truedialer.

It said Truedialer brings an experience that goes beyond a phone’s standard dialer. Unlike a standard dial pad, the company said Truedialer gave instant access to relevant information about contacts that users were trying to dial.

It said, “If users are dialing a number for an individual or business outside of their phonebook, they’ll be able to see the name, and even a profile photo of whom they’re about to dial before they place the call.

“The integration of the Truecaller technology works in conjunction with Truedialer so users can have the best experience when they make or receive calls.”
http://www.punchng.com/business/technology/truecaller-to-replace-smartphone-dial-pad/

By Clifford Ndujihe, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Dapo Akinrefon, Charles Kumolu & Gbenga Oke

LAGOS—FOR the third day running, the polity was awash with complaints over the unending hitches trailing the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in some states of the country especially in Lagos.

The main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, threatened to embark on a mass protest against what they called INEC’s “deliberate” plan to rig 2015 general polls for the presidency.

The hiccups elicited mixed feelings from some prominent Nigerians. While many chided the electoral umpire for shoddy handling of the exercise, others said the commission was trying all it could to make the process better.

Residents of Sebiotimo street, Agege, checking for their Permanent Voters Cards at ward 5, Agage Local Government in, Lagos state, yesterday [08-11-14]. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

Residents of Sebiotimo street, Agege, checking for their Permanent Voters Cards at ward 5, Agage Local Government in, Lagos state, yesterday [08-11-14]. Photo: Bunmi Azeez
To cover lost grounds, Lagos INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr Adekunle Ogunmola, told Vanguard, the exercise will continue in the 11 local councils which cards are available today. In the 11 councils, he said there are 4611 polling units. And of this figure, he said 1072 polling units have severe problems. He advised those who could not find their names in the register to come out for the Continuous Voters Registration exercise on Wednesday.

For the remaining nine local councils, which have 3861 polling units, the cards will be distributed between November 28 and 30. In these councils, he said 731 units have serious problems and the CVR will hold between December 3 and 8.

According to him, INEC is making efforts to ensure that all eligible voters get their PVCs.

Hitches are deliberate –Tinubu

Senator Tinubu, who doubted INEC’s sincerity described the exercise as a “failure,” because field reports, personal experiences and observations from different parts of Lagos showed that the exercise “has failed and is unacceptable.”

His words: “INEC is responsible for awarding contracts for the production of the cards to whomever. Do not forget that in 2011 we sympathized with the cry of (Professor Attahiru) Jega, apologizing to Nigerians on the presidential election result that was aborted because they failed to bring materials on time. Now they have enough time for four years to have learnt their lessons. This is deliberate as far as I and APC are concerned. Just as we merged to form a formidable opposition party, they (INEC) have merged with Jonathan to form a formidable rigging body.”

Tinubu who vowed that the party would resist all plans by the presidency through INEC to disenfranchise the electorate, said the party would soon take to the streets to condemn the exercise and demand for a proper distribution exercise.

It’s programmed to rig in PDP – APC

Speaking in like manner, the APC alleged that the process was intentionally programmed to fail in order to disenfranchise voters in the 12 states with the highest number of voters.

In a statement issued in Lagos, yesterday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the fact that most of the 12 states in which the process has been largely botched in the past three days have the highest number of voters and are under the control of the APC point to a clear collusion between INEC and the (Peoples Democratic Party) PDP.

It said most registered voters were unable to collect their PVCs because INEC engaged in a programmed incompetence to swing the elections in favour of the PDP, in what is a clear case of rigging at source.

“There is no doubt that this programmed incompetence has emanated from just one source, the ICT unit of INEC, with the intent of sabotaging the PVC distribution process in key states, hence we are calling on INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega to institute an internal inquiry into the botched exercise with a view to fishing out the fifth columnists who are behind the sabotage, and meting out the necessary punishment to them.”

The party said it is curious that most of the affected states (Kaduna, Kano, Edo, Plateau, Ogun, Imo, Borno, Rivers, Lagos, Nasarawa, Katsina, Niger) are either opposition strongholds or harbour the highest number of voters.

INEC has uncovered APC’s rigging game plan –Lagos PDP

Lagos State Chairman of the PDP, Mr Tunji Shelle reacted to the accusation levelled by the APC that INEC was collaborating with the Presidency to rig next year’s election in Lagos, saying: “This is the first time I am seeing the APC complaining, especially the governor. When they were allegedly doing multiple registration, they did not complain. Now that INEC has discovered their game plan by blocking all the loop holes of multiple registration, they are now crying foul. INEC has discovered this but the INEC is not trying to rig the elections neither will the president interfere with INEC.

“I pray that INEC harmonises themselves to ensure that people get their PVCs. It was discovered that some people are hoarding the card but I think INEC should do something about it to ensure that people are not disenfranchised.”

No registered voter has been de-listed in Lagos —INEC

Reacting to the complaints and allegations, the INEC, in a statement by Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu (Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman) said no duly registered voter was de-listed in Lagos, noting that the commission was committed to ensuring that every properly registered voter got his / her Permanent Voter Card (PVC) for the 2015 general election.

His words: “Contrary to allegations in some quarters, no duly registered person has been de-listed from the Register of Voters; neither will any be denied his/her PVC. This reassurance is against the backdrop of temporary challenges that have been experienced in the third phase of the distribution of PVCs in some states, which the Commission has been making vigorous efforts to re-mediate.

“INEC has since Friday, November 7, been distributing PVCs to registered voters in nine states across the country under the third phase of the exercise. Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) is scheduled to hold in the same states from Wednesday, November 12 to Monday, November 17, 2014. Similar exercises have already been conducted in 24 other states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the first and the second phases of the programme. The Commission deferred the distribution of PVCs in four other states it had earlier listed for this third phase because the cards for those states have not been fully delivered by printers.

“In particular, it is completely false that INEC has removed the records of 1.4 million persons from the Register of Voters compiled in 2011 in Lagos State. It is true that at the end of the 2011 general registration exercise, the Commission announced a figure of 6.1 million registrants in the state. But when that data was subjected to the Automated Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) software, 82,892 multiple registrations were eliminated. Also, there was the technical challenge of loss of data and incomplete data affecting about one million records – mostly in 1,792 polling units that were identified and made public before the present exercise. That was why the Post-Business Rule figure for Lagos State (on the basis of which PVCs were printed) came down to about 4.6 million registrants.

“For avoidance of doubt, a pre-acknowledged data loss and incomplete data of some registrants is not a ‘conspiracy’ issue as has been alleged by some notable persons. It is a back-end technical challenge that is far from sealing the fate of affected persons, and for which INEC has already put in place measures to ensure redress. The Commission has made provision for eligible persons for whom PVCs could not be printed due to data loss or defective data to come out from Wednesday, November 12th to Monday, November 17th, 2014 for their data to be recaptured during the CVR. In special consideration for the 1,792 polling units in Lagos State where the challenge of data loss is much pronounced, the CVR will take place at the polling unit level, as against the Registration Area (RA) level in other parts of the state.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/lagos-plans-mass-protest-voters-card-distribution/

By Ndahi Marama, with Agency reports

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau yesterday dismissed claims about ceasefire talks between his group and the government, even as Federal Government officials are now trading blames over the phantom ceasefire deal brokered by the President of Chad, Idriss Déby.

A new Boko Haram video obtained by AFP yesterday showed militants on an armoured vehicle parading down a road in an unidentified town they apparently control and the group’s leader Abubakar Shekau preaching to the residents.

Boko Haram had already renamed Gwoza in Borno as Darul Hikma or House of Wisdom and Mubi in Adamawa as Madinatul Islam which means City of Islam.

In the 44-minute video, Shekau, who is pictured in close-up shots dismissed government claims about ceasefire talks and threatened to kill the man who presented himself as Boko Haram’s negotiator.

The video, which was delivered through the same channels as past messages, shows armed men lined alon
A screengrab taken on November 9, 2014 from a new Boko Haram video released by the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram and obtained by AFP shows the leader of the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau preaching to locals in an unidentified town. Shekau again dismisses government claims about ceasefire talks and threatens to kill the man who has presented himself as Boko Haram’s negotiator. AFP PHOTO

A screengrab taken on November 9, 2014 from a new Boko Haram video released by the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram and obtained by AFP shows the leader of the Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau preaching to locals in an unidentified town. Shekau again dismisses government claims about ceasefire talks and threatens to kill the man who has presented himself as Boko Haram’s negotiator. AFP PHOTO

g a well-paved road, with three pick-up trucks, with heavy weapons also visible.

Black crested flags associated with the Islamist group are also shown.

In the video, Shekau restated a call he first made in August, saying, “We have indeed established an Islamic caliphate. To everyone living in Islamic Caliphate, we convey our greetings,” he said, specifically mentioning “brethren” in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Shishan (an Islamist term for Chechnya), Yemen, Somalia and “The caliphate in Iraq and Syria.”

A graphic shown later includes a picture the IS group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as well as a portion of the message his group issued on July 1, proclaiming a caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

How Chadian President fooled Nigeria on phantom Boko Haram ceasefire

Meanwhile, it was gathered yesterday how the Federal Government was taken for a ride by the president of Chad, Idriss Deby over the phantom ceasefire deal with Boko Haram

A source, who was involved in the negotiations told online news medium, TheCable that the Federal Government was still uncertain if the dummy was deliberately sold to Nigeria by Déby or if the Chadian president himself was hoodwinked into believing it was genuine.

Déby was said to be working for Boko Haram as he has refused to communicate with Nigeria since the insurgents renewed their attacks.

“Nigerian government officials no longer have access to Déby, who is now said to be sick. It appears he set us up to drop our guard and allow Boko Haram to gain ground,” the official said.

A man claiming to be the general secretary of Boko Haram named Danladi Ahmadu, had told the Voice of America on October 17 that the government was negotiating with representatives of the group.

Alex Badeh, an air chief marshal and chief of defence staff later addressed the media asking Nigerians soldiers to cease fire because of the “agreement”, which he said included releasing the 219 Chibok schoolgirls in Boko Haram captivity.

TheCable also reported how Déby put the deal together, revealing how he said Boko Haram got in touch with him, how he authenticated the message and how he got the Nigerian government involved in the negotiations. A journalist with links to the group had however described the claim as “shadows and bubbles” and warned Nigerians not to believe it.

Not long after that, Boko Haram became more ferocious in their attacks, taking over more Nigerian towns, including the country home of Badeh.

A government official, who spoke with TheCable pointed accusing fingers at Déby, accusing him of setting a trap for Nigeria.

According to the source, “The period of the phantom negotiations gave the terror group time to regroup, reinforce and restrategise, which is the intent of Déby for asking the Nigerian government to negotiate a ceasefire with Boko Haram. As soon as Nigeria began to make a lot of gains in the war against Boko Haram, owing to the efforts of the military and President Goodluck Jonathan, who has been discussing with regional leaders to halt the insurgency, and at a time the commanders of the sect were being rounded up, that was when the Chadian president approached the Nigerian government asking that it mediates between the parties in the conflict.

“The discussions between the government and the Chadian president on Boko Haram started in September. However, Déby said he was already talking with Boko Haram.

“The government was trying to verify the authenticity of Boko Haram’s representatives in the supposed negotiations, but Déby asked the Nigerian government to take a chance that he had done the verification already. He affirmed that Boko Haram’s representatives were truly standing in for the group in the negotiations.”

It was at this stage the government nominated the principal secretary to the president, Awwal Tukur, to be part of the negotiations in N’Djamena, the capital of Chad.

“Tukur was the one spearheading the dialogue with Boko Haram on behalf of the Nigerian government. He had the first contact with group. It was still in the middle of the supposed negotiations that Danladi Ahmadu announced on Voice of America that the group had ceased fire. Following the announcement of ceasefire by the group, the Nigerian government equally announced a ceasefire on October 17 for the supposed negotiations to continue.

“A Nigerian delegation left for Chad on October 21 for talks with Boko Haram, but the Chadian president became evasive. The Nigerian delegation was told that Déby was sick and that the meeting be rescheduled for October 23.

“However, on that date, the delegation was told that the Chadian president was still sick after waiting for six hours. The delegation made visits to Chad a number of times, but met a brickwall.

“As Boko Haram’s resumed attacks grew in intensity, the Nigerian government became worried. Many attempts were made to inquire from the Chadian president, who was supposed to be mediating between the Nigerian government and Boko Haram, but the attempts were all futile.

“France was privy to the botched negotiations, but said nothing just like the Chadian government.

“It became clear to the Nigerian government that Déby was working for Boko Haram. The government of Chad has not said a word to the Nigerian government since Boko Haram’s resumed onslaughts. It has simply refused to make any comment or communicate with the Nigerian government.

“The Nigerian government has also ceased to speak with the Chadian government on the matter since it is now clear that Chad is working with Boko Haram.”

Monarch of captured town appeals to Jonathan

Meanwhile, the emir of Gwoza in Borno State, Alhaji Mohammed Timta has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to redeem his pledge on the recapture of his chiefdom being occupied by Boko Haram insurgents for over three months.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/shekau-denies-ceasefire-deal-fg-new-video/#sthash.AM9KyJzv.dpuf
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/shekau-denies-ceasefire-deal-fg-new-video/

I love Jonathan but its rather unfortunate that he goofed.He damned the bridge he cross and bit the finger that fed him. He insulted elders that midwifed him to aso rock with impunity. From the look of things it seems the man is afraid because the writing is clear on the wall that he has overstayed his welcome in aso rock.Seven years was enough for him to transform Nigeria but rather corruption has become a national anthem in his administration. Must he serve another term?

I posted this thread around 12am in the politics sections but am surprised to find mine deleted while another person posted same and got the frontpage. Very unfair please. Seun take note.

Like a scene from a horror movie, a police corporal, Lucky Ikharia, on October 30, allegedly used a bus to crush the legs of his wife, Dupe. Having left her for dead, Lucky went home where he allegedly stabbed his baby, David, to death, ripping out the toddler’s intestines.

Still in a rage, the policeman turned the knife on himself in an attempt to take his own life.

PUNCH Metro, however, learnt that Lucky and his wife survived but both were in critical conditions.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident occurred at the family’s rented apartment in Kale Close, Mafoluku, Oshodi last week.

Our correspondent gathered that four days prior to the incident, 34-year-old Lucky, who hails from Sabon Gida Ora, Edo State, had a quarrel with his wife, Dupe over N2,000, after which he reportedly sent her packing.

The policeman, who is attached to the Makinde Police Division, Oshodi, Lagos had also ‘seized’ their only child from Dupe as a means of ‘punishing’ her.

PUNCH Metro learnt that around 8pm on the day of the attack, Dupe, a 30-year-old indigene of Abeokuta, Ogun State, was heading for her mother’s house in Mushin unknown to her that Lucky was waiting in a bus to attack her.

It was learnt that on getting to Olorunshogo junction, Lucky pursued his wife with the bus, crushing her legs in the process.

Leaving her for dead, Lucky was said to have fled the scene while passersby initially thought the attack was random.

However, after Dupe was rushed to a nearby hospital on same evening for treatment and had regained consciousness the following morning, she explained that the man who drove the bus which crushed her legs was her own husband.

Unknown to Dupe, after her husband attacked her, he reportedly drove back to their apartment where he stabbed their child, David, in the belly, before fleeing the residence.

Our correspondent learnt that Lucky’s co-tenants and Dupe’s relatives who discovered the baby’s corpse on Friday morning, reported the incident at the Akinpelu Police Division. It was also gathered that the knife and the bus had both been recovered.

When PUNCH Metro visited the hospital where Dupe was receiving treatment on Monday, the woman, who could hardly speak. She said the cause of the fight was a sum of N2000 which Lucky claimed she stole.

She said, “We got married and started living together around October 2013. We usually had quarrels and that was not the first time he would beat me up, and send me out of the house. But this incident started on Sunday, October 26. Lucky had initially kept N15,000 with me.

“Then, on Sunday, he collected N5, 000 to repair the bus. Later I gave him the rest, only to realise it was N8, 000. So, he began to question where I kept the remaining N2000. But I knew that it was his nature to stir up trouble because he had a habit of keeping money with me and going again to take it.

“So, we began to fight, and he asked me to leave the house. He did not allow me to take the child with me that day. I was sleeping in friends’ places until Thursday when I decided to go back home. I did not find my baby, and when I asked him, he threatened that if he met me in the house by evening, he would kill me, kill the baby and himself.”

Dupe said she was then called by her mother to come to their family house in Mushin, adding that as she got on her way, and was at the Olorunshogo junction, a commercial bus swerved to her path and hit her several times.

She said, “The commercial bus was his bus. He was the only man inside. He hit me and I fell. Then he reversed and came over my legs again. I lost consciousness. That was the last thing I knew.”

Our correspondent learnt from one of the nurses that Dupe might be admitted in the hospital for about two months and might spend over N600,000 for treatment owing to the severity of the attack.

One of Dupe’s relatives, Mr. Segun Akiode, told our correspondent that the family had yet to inform Dupe of her son’s death. He added that the family also did not know Lucky’s whereabouts.

He said, “I was called on the phone on Thursday evening that my sister was knocked down at Olorunshogo junction. When I got there, I met her in a pool of blood. So, we rushed her to a hospital. It was already around 9.30pm.

“On Friday, when we went to their apartment, we found the baby boy, stabbed in the belly and already dead on the floor. We have not told Dupe about his death yet. So, we went to report at the Akinpelu Police Division, and we were asked to describe the bus which hit Dupe. When we did, they said the bus was with them in the station, but the whereabouts of Lucky were still unknown.”

When our correspondent got to the couple’s rented apartment in Kale Close, Mafoluku, it was learnt from neighbours that Lucky had not been seen at home since the day of incident.

At the Makinde Division, a police source told our correspondent that the suspect was one of the patrol van drivers, but he had not come to work since the day of the incident.

The source added that Lucky, who was believed to have also stabbed himself, was in an undisclosed hospital receiving treatment.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, when contacted promised to get back to our correspondent on the matter, but he had yet to do so as of press time.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Metro learnt that the corpse of the baby had been deposited at a morgue in Yaba, Lagos
http://www.punchng.com/news/n2000-palaver-policeman-crushes-wife-kills-baby/

ABEOKUTA—Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the problems ravaging the power sector in the country to his successors, saying, they abandoned the sector.

Obasanjo said he had tried to ensure stable power supply since 1979 when he was Military Head of State and when he returned as civilian President in 1999 but, his successors abandoned the sector thereby making it moribund.

The former President stated this yesterday at a programme tagged First Green Legacy Moment with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Leadership and Human Security in Africa, in Abeokuta.

powerpix-newObasanjo who submitted that part of the problems facing the country is lack of political will by Nigerian leaders, warned that power should not be privatised to friends.

He said: “Part of our problems is lack of political will on the part of the leaders.What does a leader understands about development, any leader worth its salt should know that power is very important. It is the driver of all development be it social, economic, and even political.

“When I was military head of state, I developed the Jebba dam, I developed Shirroro, I started Egbin. Shagari came and completed Egbin and commissioned Jebba and Shirroro.

Between Shagari in 1983, until I came back in 1999, there was no single dime invested in power generation. If anything, the ones that were there were allowed to go down.

“A country like Nigeria must be adding not less than two thousand mega watts if we are to be moving on the path of development.

“If you will remember, when I came back in 1999, my first Minister of Power was late Bola Ige. I won’t say Bola didn’t know what he was doing and he said publicly that he would fix the power problems in six months.

“After one year, Bola with his capacity couldn’t fathom what was wrong with power. It was riddled with corruption. Then we had no money, people have forgotten that in 1999/2000, the price of crude oil was US $9 per barrel. So, I wanted the oil companies; Mobil, Total and they wouldn’t go along.

“When we started having money, we started the National Integrated Power Plant . When we said the money we had should be invested in power, my successor didn’t understand, he stopped it.

“If for almost 20 years we did not achieve anything in power generation, then we may not be able to get it again.

“Let me give you an example: the population of South Africa is 55 million and they generate 45,000 megawatts. Our population today is about 180 million people and could not generate 4,000 megawatts. And South Africa is an industrialising country and not an industrialised nation.

“For us to say that we are industrialising country, we must be generating much more than what South Africa is generating, say 100,000 mega watts. What year will Nigeria get there if we are adding 2,000 mega watts each year? For us to get to 100, 000 mega watts, I leave the mathematics to you. It sounds very discouraging but that is the reality”, he said.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/successors-abandoned-power-sector-obasanjo/

ABUJA—The nation currently needs a $14 billion annual investment in its infrastructure facilities, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has said.
Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Speaking at the Public Private Partnership, PPP, stakeholders’ workshop organized by the African Development Bank, AfDB, in Abuja, yesterday, she said the Federal Government could not afford the entire funding requirement, therefore, making private sector investment in infrastructure inevitable.

According to her, “To fund infrastructure, Nigeria needs about $14 billion every year, out of which $10 billion should come from the federal level. And this estimate is not comprehensive because it is likely to be higher when the total financial outlay needed to fund the Infrastructure Master plan is calculated.

“Currently the country’s spending on infrastructure is about $6 billion, so there is a big gap that needs to be filled. We are talking about something in the region of $8 billion. That is why PPPs are very important to Nigeria at the moment”.

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala noted that some of the PPP arrangements of the past were bogged down by certain inadequacies in the frameworks of the deals, making them unable to progress as successfully as anticipated.

She, therefore, stated that there was need for a review of the PPPs in such a way that the government and the Nigerian public could derive the desired benefits under a legal framework that would be fair to all parties.

Past arrangements, she pointed out, were skewed in favour of private investors, leaving the Nigerian government to bear virtually all the risks, with private investors, sometimes, asking for as much as 30 per cent return on their investment.

Her words, “We need to improve the PPP model to ensure that it suits the country’s needs, delivers clear benefits without leaving us with difficult problems.

“One of the problematic areas is the amount of time needed to complete a PPP project. On the average, according to studies, it takes seven years to complete a PPP project in Africa. This is too long! For policy makers and political leaders who are operating on a four-year term, seven years to deliver a project which they have promised the people is not very attractive.

“The difference in time horizon between policy makers and technical partners needed to be reduced. PPPs need to be processed faster. In other words, we need better financial, legal and regulatory capacity to achieve faster results.

“Another issue, which we have observed is that there is s tendency to make legal requirements too complicated and load every risk on government to the benefit of investors who walk away with rewards at virtually no risk. Government alone can’t bear all the risk. The risks need to be shared to make the project fair and sustainable.

“Besides, the rate of return expectation of investors tends to be too high and this is reflected in unsustainably high costs of PPP projects. Sometimes it is as high as 30%. The consequence is that tolls are too high and the public understandably becomes hostile to the project and this leads to all kinds of problems.

”There is therefore a need to have a right financial and economic framework which will ensure that investment is profitable but also benefit consumers and the economy. “

The minister said the country was already utilizing PPPs in projects such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Onne Port in Rives State, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, adding, “We need much more because our needs are so great”.

The AfDB Director in Nigeria, Dr. Ousumane Dore, explained that his organization decided to establish a PPP Hub in Nigeria to assist the nation and others in the West-African Sub-Region in their efforts at attracting private funds to infrastructure investment.

According to him, the bank has access to a team of experts who could assist in drafting necessary legal frameworks and other agreement details for successful PPPs and would deploy them to the benefit of member countries.

The organization had earlier established such a Hub in South Africa.

PPPs represent a dynamic form of inter-sectoral cooperation that is being rapidly adopted and exploited by many jurisdictions worldwide.



Globally, PPPs have become a sustainable mechanism for financing infrastructural and other development projects.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/nigeria-needs-14bn-infrastructure-annually-says-okonjo-iweala/

Will govt compensate cement dealers who commits suicide as a result of this development? The reason is because some are contemplating this and who will foot their funerals? In my area alot of these dealers has hoarded hundreds of tonnes of these commodity.

No fewer than 300 Nigerian soldiers fled to Cameroon when Boko Haram insurgents overran Mubi, the second largest city in Borno State from security forces on Wednesday, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

Cameroonian military sources told our correspondent that Nigerian soldiers fled the north-eastern part of Nigeria, where the insurgency launched by the sect was raging, and crossed the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

The sources also said more Nigerian troops might have fled to other border towns in Cameroon after the Mubi attack. However, he added that their number had yet to be ascertained.

SUNDAY PUNCH also learnt that the deserting Nigerian soldiers would be moved away from the border areas to more secure locations, where they would be disarmed, fed and eventually repatriated to Nigeria.

The insurgents had taken over Mararaba Hildi, some few kilometres to Mubi town, on Tuesday, prompting a mass exodus of residents.

Hundreds of soldiers were said to have fled Mubi, which hosts two universities, as insurgents made advances to take over the town on Wednesday.

Speaking to SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday under the condition of anonymity, a senior Cameroonian military officer involved in the provision of welfare materials to the deserters, said, “They (Nigerian soldiers) are mostly around Boucla village in Bourha sub-division.

“So far, we can estimate the number of arrivals to be at about 300. These are the ones who arrived in uniform but we know that there are several others who shed their uniforms for civilian attires.”

The Mubi rout also forced thousands of Nigerian civilians to hit border villages in Cameroon in Benoue and Mayo Louti Divisions, and around Gachiga town.

It was, however, learnt that Cameroonian government was worried about the increasing number of refugees and where to keep them.

The relocation of Nigerian refugees was said to have become necessary as insurgents had previously attacked locations where fleeing Nigerian soldiers were housed.

Protests by indigenes of the border towns over attacks on the camps were said to have forced the Cameroonian government to adopt a policy of moving deserters far away from the border and out of the reach of Boko Haram.

It was further learnt that Cameroon had begun screening of deserters and refugees to prevent infiltration by insurgents.

“This time around, we are conducting a more thorough screening to avoid letting in Boko Haram infiltrators, who are known to inhabit the ranks of the Nigerian military,” an official of the Cameroonian government had told our correspondent in confidence.

Another Cameroonian military officer, who insisted on anonymity, expressed fears over possible infiltration of the country’s system through the refugee camps. He declined to give further details on how the screening was being conducted.

He said, “Taking them in is not something to make noise about. You and I know that we are in a military situation here. This is a war zone with Boko Haram spies crawling all over the place.

“The number we take and where we take them are obviously a military intelligence affair and nobody can give you that information, even if you were to approach the authorities in Yaounde.”

In a related development, SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that Boko Haram had been cultivating and recruiting local fighters among Cameroonian youths.

The sect is operating cells that have been in operation in Cameroon for over three years, recruiting through what a source described as “financial enticement and intimidation.”

Community leaders in the Far North region says thousands of Cameroonian youths had joined the ranks of Boko Haram since the beginning of the year.

“These are mostly young unemployed Cameroonians lured by handsome financial proposals by Boko Haram point men. Other Boko Haram sleeper cells are run by senior Islamists intimidated into doing the bidding of the sect,” one of the traditional leaders in the area, who refused to have his name in print, told our correspondent.

Recruitment of youths by the sect is said to be gaining ground in Cameroon and other neighbouring countries, raising fears that the activities of the insurgents might spread to other parts of West-African sub-region.

The sect had abducted seven members of the Fournier family from France in Cameroon in 2013. They were later released after a huge amount of money was reportedly paid as ransom.

Senior military sources confirmed that some high-ranking Boko Haram members arrested in Cameroon were exchanged for the release of the wife of the Cameroonian Vice-Prime Minister, Ahmadou Ali, and 16 members of his family who were abducted in Kolofata on July 27, as well as 10 Chinese road workers abducted in Waza in April, 2014.

In another related development, top Cameroonian military officials have insisted there is a close cooperation between the Nigerian and Cameroonian armies.

Information on the total number of Boko Haram insurgents detained in Cameroon has been classified as military intelligence.

However, it was learnt that the Cameroonian military had invited their Nigerian counterparts to interrogate Boko Haram suspects, Abakar Ali alias Mustapha Umar, Mahamat Ali and Issiaka Guere, who were arrested on September 23, 2014.

Other suspected members of the sect in detention, who include Cameroonians, will be tried by a special military tribunal in Yaounde, Cameroon, it was learnt.

“We cannot tell you their numbers now because investigations are still going on. When the investigations will be completed, there is the possibility that some of the people being held now on suspicion of being members of Boko Haram might be found to be innocent.

“Others would surely be finally identified as Cameroonians. The decision as to the fate of those found to be foreigners will be taken after the conclusion of the investigations. But I must tell you that besides Cameroonians and Nigerians, there are also members of Boko Haram from other neighbouring countries, which names we cannot cite now”, an official involved in the investigation disclosed.

However, the Cameroonian authorities are said to be reluctant on the repatriation of suspected leaders of the sect in their detention, as they might return to the battlefield should they escape

When our correspondent contacted the Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen Chris Olukolade, for his reaction to the issue, he said he would not comment on it.

“I won’t comment on that,” he said.

In August, the Cameroonian Army Spokesman, Lt.-Col. Didier Badjek, had said Nigerian troops had fled to Cameroon after intense fighting with Boko Haram.

But Olukolade, had refuted the desertion claim, saying the soldiers merely strayed into Cameroon.

While Cameroonian authorities said over 700 Nigerian soldiers fled Boko Haram advances into Cameroon, Nigerian authorities had insisted that only 480 went into Cameroonian territory on “technical manoeuver.”

In recent times, Nigerian military have been battling with mutiny and have set up court martials to try soldiers who fled from battle.

On August 27, the military leadership arrested several soldiers, who deserted the army. The arrested soldiers came from different battalions.

A month after, the Defence Headquarters announced that another set of 60 soldiers would be arraigned before a General Court Martial by military authorities in Abuja on October 2 for mutiny. The soldiers allegedly committed mutiny on August 4, 2014 by refusing to join troops in Maiduguri for “an operation.”

Their arraignment which was to take place at the Sani Abacha Barracks in Abuja came as some of the 12 soldiers convicted on September 15, 2014 by the GCM notified the Court of Appeal of their intention to challenge their sentences.

The GCM headed by Brig. Gen. C. Okonkwo had sentenced 12 out of 18 soldiers found guilty of mutiny among other offences to death. Five of them were discharged and acquitted and one sentenced to 28 days’ imprisonment with hard labour and reprimand.
http://www.punchng.com/news/mubi-battle-300-nigerian-soldiers-flee-to-cameroon-again/

Pls spare me this time. Why has pastor Adeboye become a controversial issue on NL? Did he own RCCG? Was the church not handed over to him by God? Will God leave His church to disintegrate when daddy goes home or have you become God's surrogate? God owns the church and not Adeboye. Pls leave God to do His thing as it pleases Him.You salvation is God's concern and not Adeboye. He is saved. Are you>

What about
Funeral Engineering
Funeral Mourner
Political thiefing
insurgency?

A friend of mine once convulsed because his wife kissed him.Her mouth odour was diagonalized in the lab as extremely offensive. Have you ever heard of EBOLA KISS?