₦airaland Forum

Shildren school fees dey to pay, remaining on twitter and face book no go commot shi shi. Na it Mallam decide come to huzzle so o! Na Labour market him dey. Him go soon humble

The Executive Director of the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Rev. David Ugolor, was yesterday released from the Oko Minimum Prison in Edo State. 
Ugolor was arrested on July 27 by the police after he was named by a suspect, Garuba Usman Maisamari, as the sponsor of the murder of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, the former Private Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
Maisamari alleged that Ugolor paid him N200,000 of the N20 million agreed on to kill Olaitan.
He said he hired four others, who killed Oyerinde.
An Edo State High Court presided over by Justice Esther Edigin had earlier ordered Ugolor’s release from police custody, but the order was not obeyed. 
In August 31, Ugolor and nine others were arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded in Oko Minimum Prison.
Ruling on the bail application filed by Ugolor’s counsel Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, Justice P. Imodemhe said beyond Maisamari’s statement, the police could not prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ugolor was involved in the murder.
Justice Imodemhe said the report in the counter-affidavit filed by the police showed that they are still investigating the matter and are not ready to prosecute Ugolor.
He granted Ugolor N1 million bail to a surety with landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.
Ugolor was released from prison about 4:30pm. 
He was wearing a dark green t-shirt, blue jean trousers and a brown jacket when he walked out of the prison .
Ugolor was received by members of civil society organisations. They sang solidarity songs. Some of them carried him on their shoulder while others powdered his face. 
Ugolor said he was grateful to God for everything.
He said: “Good will always triumph over evil. This has shown that when you are good to humanity, humanity will be good to you.”
His wife, Ngozi, who was at the court, said her husband is a life giver and not a life destroyer.
She said justice would prevail.

In Nigeria, Govt critics are basically those who are not enjoying appointment, or losed in an election, or are not recognized by the Govt. These descriptions best describe Melaye and his so called activism. A man who behaves like SUG secretary in Aluta convention. Each time his account can no longer sustain his extravagant lifestyle, he stages a protest just to pick light cash from sponsors. Last time, the same oil marketers indicted for subsidy scam hired Dino and his cohorts to protest subsidy removal, and they were paid heavily. Ordinary Nigerians were made to suffer in the sun, while they ended the day chilling and sharing their proceed at Hilton. For instance, where did Dino get money to buy these cars with customize plate numbers, and houses? Check these pictures and focus on the plate numbers
https://www.nairaland.com/1014092/dino-melaye-human-right-activist

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Oyo State chapter, has said that it had serious doubt that a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Segun Oni, ever attended any engineer-ing school, tasking the Nigerian Society of Engi-neers (NSE) to critically conduct an enquiry into his claim of being one of them.

The ACN spoke against the backdrop of the former governor’s criticism of a road dualisation contract recently awarded by the Oyo State government.

Oni had queried the government’s decision to award a 4 kilometre  road contract for N5.8 billion, while calling on the people of Yorubaland to task ACN governments in the region on what he called the “spate of loans” in the ACN-controlled states.

However, in a swift reaction, the PDP in the South-West accused the ACN governments are plunging the region into huge and embarrassing debts, saying; “It is only in ACN-controlled states that 1kilometre of road is being executed for outrageous amount ranging from N400 million to over N1billion.

Reacting to the comment by the Oyo State chapter of the ACN an Oni’s Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka said; “It is ridiculous that a road that already has an existing one-lane will be called dualisation, while in actual fact, what is being added is another lane.”

Speaking in a release signed by the Publicity Secretary of the ACN in Oyo State, Honourable Dauda Kolawole, the ACN said it was amazed by what it called the former governor’s “engineering illiteracy” as well as his “infectious mischief” which, it said, were the PDP’s stock-in-trade over the years.

According to the party, the PDP was apparently bothered by the rate at which the South-West, which it left in a state of ruins, was developing and as such, the need to draw back the hand of its “developmental clock.”

“That is the only plau-sible explanation we can find for this pull-him-down tactic of Segun Oni. Unfortunately, however, this tactic was executed in the most illiterate and uninformed manner that beggars the question. In addressing the question of loan, Oni got it so bad that one cannot but wonder if he understood elementary economic; on road con-struction, he went so much off the mark that we cannot but ask NSE to look into his claim of being an engineer,” the ACN said.

The party said it was surprised that a man, who claims to be an engineer, would rush to the press to criticise a road project that has received the applause of the citizenry, simply because he needed some advertorial comment to conclude his circuit of criticising ACN governments.

But Oni’s media aid, Mr Olayinka, said further that “even assuming but not conceding that the road in question is actually 9.25km, isn’t it scandalous that a 9.25km of road was awarded to Bola Tinubu’s Hitech Construction Company at N5.8 billion?  Even in water-logged Niger-Delta area, is one kilometre of road being constructed for over N600 million as being done in ACN-controlled states?

“When Segun Oni was governor of Ekiti State, he awarded dualisation of 19km Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki, a near virgin road for a little above N6 billion. The contract was inclusive of street lights from Ado to Ifaki. It is also on record that apart from Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki dualisation, the average cost per kilometre of road awarded by the Oni-led government was N37 million. These roads are still being used up till now and they are in very good condition,” he maintained.

Former Plateau State Governor  Solomon Lar insists that Maj.-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) acted in ignorance overthrowing   the Shehu Shagari administration on  December 31, 1983.
Lar and other governors later faced military tribunals which tried and jailed them for corruption.
However, the  defunct National Party of Nigeria governor   has  forgiven Buhari, hoping  that the Congress for Progressive Change candidate for the 2011 presidential election  had learnt that political crisis should be resolved politically and not through military coup.
He spoke with journalists on Tuesday night in Abuja after attending a crusade organised  by the Deeper Life Bible Church where the General Superintendent of DLBC, Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, advocated that dialogue remained the best solution to the current challenges facing the nation.

Lar said, “I have forgiven Buhari. He did  it in ignorance. I know that he has realised what he did and that is why he is participating actively in politics.

“I am very happy with him that he is participating in politics and he has discovered that it is better to solve any political problem by the way the politician do.

“We were put in the prison in 1984 by  the Buhari and (Tunde) Idiagbon regime under the pretext that some of us ‘chop money’, but I never chop a penny. In spite of that, we were  left there. But the military was just trying to make some excuses to interfere with the political administration, something that they don’t have business with.

“But I am glad that the current crop of military don’t have that kind of ambition and I hope they will concentrate squarely on their own training or profession.”
Lar backed Kumuyi who had stated that Nigeria would not disintegrate.
Kumuyi has called on the Federal Government to priotise youth development in order to develop the country.
Kumuyi stated this in Abuja on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the ongoing three- day nationwide youth success camp.

According to the cleric, Nigeria needs to invest more in its youths because they are precious assets to the nation.

He noted that the church had done its best to ensure the success of the youths.

He said the church was out to help the youths discover and develop their God-given talents and potential.

http://www.punchng.com/news/buhari-coup-was-done-in-ignorance-lar/

Ofcourse TINUBU can never be trusted. They had better look elsewhere.

Aluta Chorus : All we are saying
Give us more light(3*)

Buhari's party may have begun to make other plans inn case the wily Tinubu disappoints them in their merger plans with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). They have concluded plans to also enter into merger talks with the All Nigerian People's Party (ANPP) and the Labour Party (LP).

It may be recalled that  Tinubu, who manny refer to as the 'owner' of the ACN, took the steam out of Ribadu's Presidential ambition at the last minute after allegedly making a deal with the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Fearing the Ribadu experience, the CPC is playing it smart by not putting all it's eggs into one Southern basket.

The party said in Abuja on today that it was working on multiple alliance ahead of 2015 general elections.

In a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria, CPC National Secretary, Malam Buba Galadima, said the multiple alliance had become necessary aimed at effecting change of baton at the federal level in 2015.

``CPC is doing this in collaboration with many political parties and stakeholders because there is urgent need for change and Nigerians must make concerted efforts to ensure that there  is a change of baton in 2015,'' he told NAN.

Galadima said CPC was in alliance with All Nigeria Peoples Party, Action Congress of Nigeria and the Labour Party with a view towards creating an understanding and form a unified block to promote transparent, free and fair elections.

He said series of lessons had been learnt ``from our failure in the last merger before the 2011 elections therefore all the progressive forces are treading carefully.''

He said the party had set up a think tank committee that had met with various groups from Kebbi, Zamfara, Katstina and Gombe States seeking their opinions and strategies for the move.

He told NAN that renewal, finance, negotiation, reconciliation and restructuring committees had been set up by the party in more than 24 states as part of the measures to ensure success.

Galadima said it was the outcome of this various meetings that would lead to the next line of action on whether either to create an alliance or merger as a single party in 2015.

http://www.naijapundit.com/news/fearing-the-ribadu-experience-cpc-widens-merger-talks-to-include-anpp-lp

Managing Director of Jaiz International Bank, Alhaji Mohammed Mustapha Bintube, says the bank’s capital base is inching towards N12 billion.

Bintube, who heads Nigeria’s first Islamic bank, said in an exclusive interview with the Economic Confidential magazine, said Jaiz would soon spread its branches to other parts of the country.

He said over 80 per cent of the targeted capital base had been met, adding that the bank would be operating from 10 branches, up from three in Abuja, Kano and Kaduna.

The bank was given a regional licence last year by the Central Bank of Nigeria to operate in the North.

He said, “Our migration plan is to grow from a regional bank to a national bank and to Sub- Sahara Africa. After 10 branches within the year, we will then have additinal  branches in major commercial cities of all the States of the Federation.

“Specifically, we would have branches in Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar etc.”

He explained that in the few months since its commencement of operations, the bank had extended facilities to manufacturing, trading, oil and gas, real estate, and consumer loans sectors like finance of generators, cars etc.

“And am also pleased to say we have very big corporate customers like the Dangote Group, and his major dealers and distributors, and we also have high networth individuals. People come. We have customers that have average balance of over N300 million,” he explained.

Bintube revealed that Jaiz customer base was not limited to Muslims alone as the very first beneficiary of the bank’s facility was a Christian.

He said, “Right now, we have non-Muslims and Muslims who are benefiting from our services. As a matter of fact, our first ever credit was to a Christian.

“Besides him, there are other Christians that we have provided financing for and they actually got the largest share of the initial investment for facilities that we have provided.”

Jaiz Bank, he said, does not finance anything that is harmful to society, like weapons of mass destruction, gambling, tobacco, and anything that involves speculation.

“First, let me assure our customers and other stakeholders that our license is not under threat of revocation, our licence is intact.

” In fact, I can say we are a very liquid bank. It is very unfortunate these messages are coming from some detractors that are deliberately de-marketing the bank.

“It is not in their interest or our interest. There are also genuine sympathisers and friends of the bank, who mean well for the bank.

“Unfortunately, they are encouraging it by spreading it round, but they are not helping the bank because the main message there is that our licence is under threat, which is not correct, so we appeal to those people who are doing this to desist from that.

“If they have concerns about the safety of this bank, we have the Central Bank of Nigeria, we have the NDIC (Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation). These are the regulators; they can go and ask them, they have our records. So, I assure all our customers and stakeholders, shareholders that the banks is safe and sound,” he said.

http://www.punchng.com/news/jaiz-bank-targets-n12bn-capital-base-branches-in-lagos-onitsha-calabar/

THE Presidency, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and governors elected on its platform have accepted to play down the ongoing debate on state police and the onshore-offshore oil dichotomy.

The Guardian learnt after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday night at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, that the party leadership and the governors agreed to consult widely with their constituencies before making further comments on the two issues.

Participants at the talks disclosed that the meeting also agreed to reach out to some of its aggrieved members, who have dumped the party, with a view to bringing them back to the PDP.

The sources said that the meeting charged the PDP leadership and the governors to work more in the area of confidence-building among members as well as reaching out to some of the big-time members, such as former national chairman, Audu Ogbeh.          

The calculation, according to sources, is that the next election would be tougher than the 2011 general elections for the PDP unless the party puts its act together.

Some party members allegedly expressed fears of disunity and stiff opposition within the party, citing the apparent inroad of the opposition, especially the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into predominantly PDP states as indication that all was not well within the ruling party.

“It was agreed that there is need to do more and ensure cohesion among party faithful so that we can all support the President to deliver on his transformation agenda. This is one of the ways we can work towards future elections. The opposition is doing everything possible to discredit our party and we should not give them the room,’’ a source told The Guardian.

It was also learnt that the party leaders agreed to raise a reconciliation panel next week with the sole objective of reaching out to some prominent members of the party, who left for other political parties due to one reason or the other.

“We are going to raise a reconciliation panel out of the advisory committee headed by former Vice President Alex Ekwueme to embark on reconciliation of members of the party because the PDP is one large family,’’ the source added.

According to sources at the meeting, the issue of constitution amendment and the discordant tunes of the PDP governors on some national issues were raised and the position of the President, which flows from the consultation with the Council of State, was stated. It was therefore reiterated just as President Jonathan announced at the recent conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja: That he had been advised that the country was not yet ripe for state police.

On the vexed issue of onshore, offshore oil dichotomy, The Guardian learnt that the meeting, which also had in attendance some principal officers of the National Assembly, who are members of PDP, decided that some enlightenment campaign be done because most of the comments on the matter did not capture the essence of the matter.

National Chairman Bamanga Tukur, it was learnt, would speak on the matter during the inauguration of the reconciliation panel next week in Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, confirmed that in pursuit of unity and harmony in the PDP, its leadership is prepared to put machinery in motion to ensure the realisation of the dream of the founding fathers of the party.

“I can tell you that in line with the vision and mission of the party led by Bamanga Tukur, we have started putting things together to put the party on the path envisioned by the founding fathers. That vision is to have a people-oriented party that will take Nigeria to the next level where the country will command global respect.  In subsequent weeks and months, you are going to witness activities that will convince Nigerians and the world that the new PDP means well for the country. We are certain that even the opposition will rise to join us as we rally behind the President to transform the country,’’ he said.

Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Lateef Fagbemi, has accused state governors of stalling the planned review of the nation’s constitution.
Fagbemi, who was a guest speaker at the Ibadan Network Centre of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the proposed review of the 1999 Constitution will continue to meet a brickwall as long as the nation fails to prevail on state governors to allow the move sail through.
In his lecture titled: “The essence of political leadership: The Nigerian Situation,” Fagbemi said Nigerians might need to “worship at the feet of the governors” to achieve the dream of amending the constitution
“There is no hope of amendments of the constitution in this dispensation. This is the third attempt. People were deceived into submitting memoranda but it ended nowhere. The only area they touched was the area that concerned the political leaders. Unless a more serious move is made, but I have not seen one now, the amendment of the constitution cannot be achieved.”

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97833:presidency-pdp-govs-opt-for-dialogue-on-state-police-oil-revenue-crisis-&catid=1:national&Itemid=559

Hahahaha. See wayo man. He will deceive these aboki and go back to his mansion. You see! All these cars carry MELAYE as PLATE NUMBERS. Maybe Melaye 1 to 50. Hmmmm and he claims to be an activists. Even though I don't support the new note, I think he is looking for more bribe and political appointment.

Federal Government  has agreed  to open the third phase of the Amnesty Programme with 3,642 ex-militants, the Special Adviser to Nigeria President on Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Kingsley Kuku,  has said.

Kuku, who is also  Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, said  this in Arogbo, Ese Odo Local Government Ondo State on Monday while addressing  members  of the Peoples Democratic Party at a rally  for the  PDP’s candidate for the October 20 governorship poll in the state, Chief Olusola Oke.

Kuku said 3,642 persons would join the  26,368 beneficiaries  of the programme,  bringing  the total number to 30,000.

He said, “The expansion was sequel to the agitation from those that were not considered in the first phases of the programme.
“There is agitation going on in the Niger Delta and I have always being at the fore front of the clamour that the amnesty programme has to close, the boys are unrelenting and the security agencies have collected their arms.

“The only option opened to us is to return their arms. So if we are not going to return their arms, they should be included in the programme one way or the other.
“My office and that of the National Security Adviser have met and forwarded a memo to the President to consider the final inclusion of 3,642 persons to the  current  26,368 to make it 30,000.”
He said the programme was also being expanded to include those people that did not carry arms during the Niger Delta militancy but that were working for the ex- agitators.
Kuku said, “The militants were assisted by informants and other helpers; so the armed ones will not do anything without those helping them.We are talking of a process that even when we have dealt with these categories of people we still have problem, hence the extension.
“We have to include law-abiding citizens of these communities in the programme. Unless we do this, we will be telling the communities that they can only be empowered if they carry arms.
“In order to cancel that message which has been backfiring in this programme, it is important to include these people who are close to some forms of restiveness in their communities.”
He said  the Federal Government had awarded   projects valued at over N10bn in the Ijaw speaking area of Ondo state.
He said the  Niger Delta Development Commission  had awared the N6.1bn Agadagba-Obon-Arogbo bridge, while the contract for the construction of a  three- kilometre road in Arogbo town has been awarded
He also said the NDDC  had awarded the N4.7bn shore protection job,  including   a drainage  system to be constructed in the community.
He said the projects were part of the 2011 capital projects of the commission in the state, adding that the leadership crisis in  the agency last year delayed their execution.

Omo see vex! But for the records, regional administration was a European invention. It was introduced basically in recognition of our ethnic diversities that culminated in us using different languages. After independence, this system gradually paved way for a federal system, which bothers on concentration of power at the top. No federal Govt has a weaker center. If the Yorubas are calling for regional autonomy, they are invariably calling for confederal system. They should write to the constitution review committee period. It's not something you grant on newspaper or communique.

Simply a show of shame

“I don’t think that can be misrepresented for a call for secession, which is not what Ogoni struggle is about.  What we are saying is that the Ogonis have rights, there are issues of justice and there is also the question of people having an interest in what happens in their own area, those are the things the Ogonis are canvassing.”

Hmmmm, the media should report issues the way there are presented. Misrepresentation of facts leads to deception, and consequently, a wrong course of action

Nigeria has protested against the delay in the issuance of Canadian visa which takes a minimum of 45 working days to process.
Foreign Affairs Minister Olugbenga Ashiru, in a statement on Sunday in Abuja, described the delay as “unacceptable’’, and called for a review of the long wait period.
Ashiru, who had earlier summoned the Canadian High Commissioner Chris Cooter over the issue,also suggested the use of photocopied passport data page rather than holding applicant’s passport during the waiting period.
The minister said, “Rather than holding on to visa applicant’s passports, the Mission should make do with photocopies of the data pages and to sight the passports.
“Thereafter, the passports can be surrendered to the Mission only at the point of the issuance of visas.
“This will allow passport holders the opportunity to use their passports for other travels, pending the approval of their visa applications by the Canadian Mission.’’
The minister, who stressed the cordial relations between Nigeria and Canada, said the Bi-National Commission between the two countries had paved the way for a deepened relations, especially in the economic sector.

In his response, Cooter pledged to report the concerns expressed by Ashiru to the appropriate authorities in Ottawa.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Canada and Nigeria have maintained diplomatic relations for over 50 years and share a commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Finance to set up an inter-ministerial committee to fashion out modalities for raising financial support for indigenous oil companies to bring in modular refineries.
 This support will be for firms that are ready to invest, not only in production but also in refining to add value to the crude oil and gas produced  locally before exporting in order to generate employment for the youth and earn more revenue for the country, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison- Madueke, has  said.
Alison-Madueke, who stated this at Aguleri-Otu during the inauguration of Orient Petroleum Plc’s Anambra River Production Facility in Anambra State, the first oil production from an inland basin in Nigeria, pledged government’s support for indigenous oil companies  willing to invest in every area of the value chain of the oil and gas sector.

She expressed satisfaction with the project, explaining that the significance of the event was not just in the discovery and production of oil from an inland basin but in the fact that the feat was achieved by an indigenous company.

The Petroleum minister said, “This shows the way we want to go in the industry; we want to encourage more indigenous oil companies to emulate Orient Petroleum Resources in investing not just in production but also in refining.

“We are working with the Ministry of Finance to set up an inter-ministerial committee to work out ways to give financial support to indigenous companies to bring in modular refineries.”

The Managing Director of Orient Petroleum Resources Plc, Mr. Nnaemeka Nwawka, who spoke earlier, had explained the challenges the company faced in raising funds for the projects, adding that banks had not been too keen in funding the refinery project, which is capital intensive.

He said it was the financial challenge that drove the company into developing its Oil Prospecting Leases 915 and 916, first to guarantee crude supply to the refinery, which he said would be completed by 2013.

In the same vein, Reuters had quoted the Chairman, Orient Petroleum, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, as saying that, “Our expectation is that the refinery will be up and running by the end of next year.

“We expect that by the end of next year, we should be refining 20,000 barrels of oil every day and gradually after that we will build up to 35,000 then 55,000 and possibly higher.”

Nigeria is among the world’s top 10 crude oil exporters but has to import most of its refined product needs due to the dilapidated state of its refineries. Previous efforts to build new refineries had often been delayed or cancelled.

The country currently has a  refining capacity of 445,000 bpd from its four plants but the refineries process around 30 per cent of this amount.

Orient is exploring for oil in Anambra state, which sits north of the main oil producing Niger Delta region, but there have been no official oil reserve figures published.

VP north, CBN Gov North, house of rep speaker north, NSA North, HOS North, PDP chair north, and they are still complaining. They want tobe the president abi?

VP north, CBN Gov North, house of rep speaker north, NSA North, HOS North, PDP chair north, and they are still complaining. They wanttobe the president abi?

Just ranting, tear Gas will make them scamper for safety

FORMER Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has finally visited Kano state to commiserate with the state government and the Emir of Kano on last January's coordinated attack on the state by Boko Haram. His commiseration strangely enough comes seven months after the attacks, which occurred in January. It may be recalled the President Jonathan visited the state immediately the attacks occurred, but Buhari, who has never categorically condemned Boko Haram,never visited, until now.
Buhari lamented the harm done by the Boko Haram insurgency in the North to commercial activities in the region.
Buhari, who on Monday blamed Nigerian leaders for growing insecurity in the country, regretted that traders from neighbouring countries, who thronged the North for various goods, no longer show up because of the spate of violence in the area
The Congress for Progressive Change candidate for the 2011 presidential election spoke when he visited Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Wednesday.
He said, “It is on record that over 200 articulated truck vehicles left Kano every day for Maiduguri and in Maiduguri, traders from Cameroon, Chad, Niger Republic would be waiting to receive their goods from Kano.
“Now, that situation has virtually gone because of the security threat in Kano and other northern states.
“How many Nigerians; because of this dastardly act are now forced and pushed into poverty, since it was no longer business as usual in Kano.”
He sympathised with the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and the state government over the coordinated bombings and gun attacks in Kano on January 20. Over 180 persons were reportedly killed in the attacks by suspected Boko Haram members.
Buhari said, “I am here to commiserate with them over the bombing incidence that rocked the state, and for the extra security being provided. It is sad and I hope we would get over it as soon as possible.
“I am also here to open the CPC’s new office in the after several legal battles fought by the CPC.”
Kwankwaso said the leaders of the country should come together to find a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the nation.
While commending Buhari for visiting him, in spite of their party differences, the governor advised other politicians to emulate Buhari’s kind of politics.

http://www.naijapundit.com/news/seven-months-after-boko-haram-attacks-kano-buhari-visits-to-condole-with-state-govt

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on youths and elders from the Niger Delta region to rise up to the challenges of nationhood, saying it is only when the country is secured that there can be unity.
Obasanjo said this when he hosted the leadership of Amalgamation of Niger Delta Youths For Peace Initiative (ANDYFPI) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.  Obasanjo said the best that can happen to any nation is when all hands are on deck to move it forward.
“If the elders sincerely work for a better Nigeria, all the challenges threatening the very fabric of our unity will be a thing of the past,’’ he said.
He urged Nigerian youths to make love for the country their watchword.

“Whatever achievement I might have recorded was basically due to my love for Nigeria. It is not for me to take the glory. My plea is for all youth organisations, elders and stakeholders in this country to come together and work for the unity and progress of this great country.
“That way, we will be able to achieve the desired development. My appeal goes to the elders; let us work together for a united and better Nigeria. If we are untied for that purpose, we will be able to surmount all our problems,’’ he said.

Earlier, the president of ANDYFPI, Henry Nwabueze, briefed the former president of the group’s aims and objectives, which include the National Annual Achievement Awards (NAAA).
http://dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/news/175655-obasanjo-holds-peace-talks-with-niger-delta-youths

53 suitecases of tax payers money, or our oil money. This man must be mad. 53, not even 1 or 2. EFCC should look into that matter.

Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday summoned the Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the President, Dr. Doyin Okupe, to explain his roles in a contract with the Benue State Government.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this in Abuja.
President Goodluck Jonathan had been asked to sack Okupe because of the contract, which opposition parties had accused him of abandoning after collecting huge sums of money.
Metuh said, “We invited Dr. Okupe because this matter is in the court of public opinion.”
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Okupe said he had presented relevant documents to the party, claiming that the state was still owing his company.
He said his company, Value Trust Investment Limited, had executed the contracts above the money it got for the job.
Okupe said Benue State was still owing his company over N358m for job done.
He challenged the former governor of the state, Senator George Akume, and Governor Gabriel Suswam to speak the truth on the terms of the contract.
He insisted that his company asked for variation on the contract, since its terms had changed, but that the state refused to pay.
Okupe said the variation was made by his company in April 2007.
He said, “The cost of equipment had increased and there were provisions for variation, but the Benue State Government ignored the request.

“Having done an approved 40 per cent of the job of N2.3bn and only paid N545m after deductions of VAT, after an additional N358m was done, the Benue state government refused to pay.
“The price of diesel, one of the major raw materials of the ingredient has gone up to N90 litre from N20.”
“The non-payment of the IPC 4 certificate of N358 million was the major reason why VTIL, failed to complete the roads as scheduled, though, the certificate is for work already done.”
He threatened to sue the state government for “defamation of character”.
Okupe also said the state executive council said the only way the matter could be resolved was through arbitration as he said both the Economic and Financial Crime Commission and the Federal Ministry of Works had all inspected the work done.

The Action Congress of Nigeria has condemned the nonchalant and callous attitude of the Federal Government over the Lagos surge which claimed the lives of not less than 16 citizens.
The party made the declaration in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday.
The party wondered why President Goodluck Jonathan had not deemed it fit to visit the areas affected by the ocean surge of August 18, 2012.
It said this would have been the case “in civilised climes which put a huge premium on the lives of its citizens.”
It said it was regrettable that more than 10 days after the surge, neither the President nor any representative of the Federal Government had deemed it fit to visit the scene or condole the families of the victims.
The party in particular condemned the failure of the Minister of Environment to visit the scene of the disaster, “which was clearly a consequence of climate change.”
It said it was “especially against the background that this same minister has spent several millions of naira junketing all over the word to attend all manners of conferences on climate change.”
It added that contrary to “the uninformed comments by some people seeking to score cheap political points, climate change is a global phenomenon. But it is quite unfortunate that despite the huge sums the country has expended on attending international conferences on the impact of climate change the Federal Government has yet to come up with concrete adaptation and mitigation measures to tackle its impact which has now started manifesting in several parts of Nigeria.”
The ACN called on the Federal Government to show more concern for the plights of its citizens all over the country by coming up with mitigation measures to avert further natural disaster as a result of climate change and respond more robustly and timely to such natural disasters whenever and wherever they may occur in Nigeria.

http://www.punchng.com/news/acn-flays-federal-government-over-lagos-ocean-surge/

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Anyim Pius Anyim has asked all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to respect the nation’s anthem and stop using tattered national flags and Coat of Arms.
He also asked all the MDAs and their staff members to honour the country when the national anthem is being played.
Anyim, who gave the warning in a circular, which was obtained exclusively by our correspondent last night, said disrespect for national symbols is an offence against the state.
The circular said: “It has been observed that some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as public officials are not according the deserved respect to Nigerian National Symbols (Flag, Coat of Arms, National Anthem and the Pledge).
“It has therefore become necessary to re-emphasise that it is a civic responsibility of all citizens to show respect to all such National Symbols. 
“All MDAs are accordingly reminded that the National Symbols are signal of Authority and Instruments of State that should be respected as acts of patriotism and national duty.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 5 of the Flag and Coat of Arms Ordinance No. 48 of 1960 stipulates that “any person who flies or exhibits the National Flag in a defaced or bad condition shall be guilty of an offence against this Ordinance”. 
“Similarly, Chapter 2, Section 24 (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, enjoins all Nigerians to “respect the National Flag, the National Anthem and the National Pledge.
“The purpose of this Circular is, therefore to request all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to henceforth ensure that respect for the National Symbols are sustained and enhanced and to guard against inappropriate (a)Flying tattered/faded/defaced National Flags; (b) Hoisting and flying smaller sized National Flag along with bigger corporate flags; (c )Using the National Flag for trade adverts; (d) Hoisting and flying National Flag at the same height with non-National Flags; (e) Burying a deceased person with the National Flag except when duly entitled; (f) Inappropriate positioning of the Coat of Arms in offices; and (g) Lack of respect when the National Anthem is being played at officials functions
“All MDAs are further reminded that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has enough standard National Flags modern fibre glass poles with accessories Coat-of-Arms and National Anthem to meet their demand. You are therefore, free to contact the agency.”

Former Head of State Maj-Gen Muhammadu Buhari (retd) said on Monday that the security challenge facing the country should be blamed on lack of sincerity on the nation’s leaders.
He also alleged that former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and President Goodluck Jonathan destroyed the country’s oil industry.
The Congress for Progressive Change candidate for the 2011 presidential election added that corruption and the destruction of the petroleum industry began from the administration of the Babangida.
Buhari spoke while receiving leaders and members of his party led by a member of the House of Representatives from Funtua/Dandume Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Dr. Mansur Abdulkadir visited him in Kaduna.
He said for the country to move forward, Nigerians must entrust its affairs on trusted leaders.

Following the denial by Boko Harm that it is in dialogue with the government, the Presidency now appears to be in a dilemma, insisting at the weekend that it is indeed in talks with the sect.
"The true situation has already been stated by the Honourable Minister of Information on two different occasions,” said the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. “First in an interview, second through a press release, namely that the Federal Government is involved in dialogue with Boko Haram.

The Presidency also based its position on the fact that the denial had come only from one of the “factions” of Boko Haram.

It will be recalled, however, that it was Abu Muhammad, who is the second in Command to sect leader Abubakar Shekau, who expressed the denial of any dialogue between Boko Haram and the government.

Dr Abati explained that the “dialogue” does not mean that both sides are sitting at a table—contrary to the ordinary understanding of the term—but only that President Goodluck Jonathan is tackling the issue through multi-faceted levels.

"When government says it is already talking to Boko Haram, the form of that dialogue must be properly understood,” he noted.  “I think a lot of people are under the impression that the dialogue involves a situation whereby government officials are sitting on one side, Boko Haram persons are sitting on the other side in an air-conditioned room and there are negotiations across the table.”

Trying to clarify what is going on, the spokesman said, “The form of the dialogue is that back room channels are being used to reach across with the sole objective of understanding what exactly the grievances of these persons are, what exactly can be done to resolve the crises, in the overall best interest of ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria and the security of life and property.”

Drawing attention to the fact that the sect had made it clear that it wanted to ensure that persons who are using the name of Boko Haram for political and criminal purposes are identified and checked, Dr. Abati said that particular point is an indication that Boko Haram has many faces, calling the sect a “multifaceted” phenomenon.

"You will recall that what led to this is that a spokesperson for Boko Haram issued a statement confirming that government and some leaders of Boko Haram were already discussing; in that particular statement the issues being looked at were clearly identified.”

He said that the available option, according to the President himself, is not solely one of military action or police action and that it is on that basis Mr. Jonathan reached out to leaders of political thought in the parts of the country affected by the actions of Boko Haram.
In a convoluted explanation, Dr. Abati said as follows:

"It is on this basis that President Jonathan held a lot of meetings with politicians from the Northern states. Because his position is that look, this people, yes they may not come forward but they are not ghosts, they live in communities. They are members of the Nigerian community, there would be persons who know them. There would be leaders in these communities, in these villages, in these towns who may have an idea and such persons needed to be carried along to assist in addressing the Boko Haram issue. When government adopts this approach, it does not mean government is abdicating its responsibility to ensure that persons who go against the law are sanctioned.”

He said there is even a third level of intervention, the economic and social, in which many of the efforts of the government in the affected parts of the country are targeted at creating jobs and engaging the young people more effectively.  

It was learned that the Presidency decided to react to Boko Haram’s no-dialogue claim because it paints the government as a liar in the eyes of Nigerians who are losing hope in the ability of the government to protect them. that it is in dialogue with the government, the Presidency now appears to be in a dilemma, insisting at the weekend that it is indeed in talks with the sect.

"The true situation has already been stated by the Honourable Minister of Information on two different occasions,” said the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati. “First in an interview, second through a press release, namely that the Federal Government is involved in dialogue with Boko Haram.

The Presidency also based its position on the fact that the denial had come only from one of the “factions” of Boko Haram.

It will be recalled, however, that it was Abu Muhammad, who is the second in Command to sect leader Abubakar Shekau, who expressed the denial of any dialogue between Boko Haram and the government.

Dr Abati explained that the “dialogue” does not mean that both sides are sitting at a table—contrary to the ordinary understanding of the term—but only that President Goodluck Jonathan is tackling the issue through multi-faceted levels.

"When government says it is already talking to Boko Haram, the form of that dialogue must be properly understood,” he noted.  “I think a lot of people are under the impression that the dialogue involves a situation whereby government officials are sitting on one side, Boko Haram persons are sitting on the other side in an air-conditioned room and there are negotiations across the table.”

Trying to clarify what is going on, the spokesman said, “The form of the dialogue is that back room channels are being used to reach across with the sole objective of understanding what exactly the grievances of these persons are, what exactly can be done to resolve the crises, in the overall best interest of ensuring peace and stability in Nigeria and the security of life and property.”

Drawing attention to the fact that the sect had made it clear that it wanted to ensure that persons who are using the name of Boko Haram for political and criminal purposes are identified and checked, Dr. Abati said that particular point is an indication that Boko Haram has many faces, calling the sect a “multifaceted” phenomenon.

"You will recall that what led to this is that a spokesperson for Boko Haram issued a statement confirming that government and some leaders of Boko Haram were already discussing; in that particular statement the issues being looked at were clearly identified.”

He said that the available option, according to the President himself, is not solely one of military action or police action and that it is on that basis Mr. Jonathan reached out to leaders of political thought in the parts of the country affected by the actions of Boko Haram.
In a convoluted explanation, Dr. Abati said as follows:

"It is on this basis that President Jonathan held a lot of meetings with politicians from the Northern states. Because his position is that look, this people, yes they may not come forward but they are not ghosts, they live in communities. They are members of the Nigerian community, there would be persons who know them. There would be leaders in these communities, in these villages, in these towns who may have an idea and such persons needed to be carried along to assist in addressing the Boko Haram issue. When government adopts this approach, it does not mean government is abdicating its responsibility to ensure that persons who go against the law are sanctioned.”

He said there is even a third level of intervention, the economic and social, in which many of the efforts of the government in the affected parts of the country are targeted at creating jobs and engaging the young people more effectively.  

It was learned that the Presidency decided to react to Boko Haram’s no-dialogue claim because it paints the government as a liar in the eyes of Nigerians who are losing hope in the ability of the government to protect them.
http://saharareporters.com/news-page/presidency-dilemma-over-boko-haram’s-denial-dialogue

There cannot be overseas travel  for  now for three men standing trial in connection with the alleged oil subsidy scam, a Lagos High Court ruled yesterday.
 Justice Lateefat Folami turned down  applications by  Mahmud Tukur, Abdullahi Alao and Felix Ochonogor to  travel out of the country for business or hajj.
Tukur is the son of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur  while Alao is the son of prominent Ibadan businessman,Alhaji Azeez Arisekola-Alao.
The duo had last Wednesday sought leave of the court to travel out of the country.
In their Motion on Notice before the vacation Judge, Justice  Folami, the applicants, through their counsel, Olaniran Obele, said they needed to travel to Paris and London for  business.
Specifically, Mahmud, the 1st applicant, asked to be allowed to travel  to attend the   board meeting of a company of which he is a director and thereafter to perform this year's hajj.
Ochonogor, the 2nd applicant, applied to  travel to Paris to enable him attend a business meeting on August 27, which would enable him  explain his present situation to his associates.
 Justice Folami  directed the three applicants, who are members of the Oil Marketing and Trading Companies (OM&Ts), to apply afresh to the trial judge for permission to travel.
She said  there was no compelling reason why they should not wait until the trial judge's resumption from annual vacation to apply for permission to travel.
Justice Folami also declined their  applications  for a change of the next hearing date for the case.
She told the applicants, who were recently granted bail, that she could not overrule the earlier order granted by the trial courts which  adjourned their trial to November 13, 2012. 
She said Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, who ordered the seizure of their travel  documents  did so to ensure that they appear for their trial on the fixed dates.
According to her, allowing them to travel for the pilgrimage which  begins in October will clash with the November dates earlier fixed for trial by the trial Judge.
She added  that their business meetings abroad have already been overtaken by their arraignment.
In arguing for the court's permission for the accussed persons to travel, their counsel had told the court that they would not abscond.
Obele's submission was however opposed  by the EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, who told the court that Justice Onigbanjo's order asking the applicants to drop their international passport could not be reviewed.
He said there was nothing in the exhibits tendered by the applicants  showing or suggesting   that the meetings they were to attend had been rescheduled.

North’s governors  yesterday mandated some eminent personalities to launch a peace drive in the region.
   The Committee on Reconciliation, Peace and Security is to open dialogue with identified groups behind the violence that has held the region down.
The panel of 40 members inaugurated in Abuja by Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu is recommend a permanent resolution to the security challenge and ethno-communal crises in the region.
Aliyu, who is also the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, gave the committee 90 days to submit its report.
Three governors attended the ceremony at which some of the committee members were absent.  
They are Governors Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Idris Wada (Kogi) and Tanko al Makura (Nasarawa). Some members of the panel, however, did not attend.
A notable absentee was Sokoto Catholic Bishop Hassan Matthew Kukah. But he was represented.
Aliyu urged aggrieved groups to allow peace to reign in the region.
The committee, which is to find a lasting solution to the incessant killings and wanton destruction of properties in the region, is headed by Amb. Zakari Ibrahim. Nde Joshua Dimlong (Ngolong Ngas) is Deputy Chairman. Iliya Ithuve is secretary and Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, Deputy Secretary.
The panel will also look at religious extremism, intolerance and mutual disrespect which are creating more ethnic and religious cleavage that have further separated the people.
Other issues  include the virtually collapsed northern economy, including the poor Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile; mechanisms for peaceful co-existence and integration; youth and women empowerment; ethnicity and indigene/settler syndrome; insecurity, kidnappings, murders and bombings; the almajiri syndrome and integration of Islamic and Western education systems; infrastructure deficits; as well as the entrenchment of democratic values. 
Aliyu said: “The inauguration of this committee is consistent with the commitment of the Forum to the general welfare of the people who have given us the mandate to serve them. Undoubtedly, the primary and fundamental  responsibility of leaders is the security and welfare of the people which to us in the forum is sacrosanct. Hence, our focus has remained the promotion of the peace, unity and progress of all the Northern States within the wider national interest of Nigeria. 
“ It is against this background that the Forum views the recurring insecurity challenges in the Northern States and around the country as serious threats to national stability, unity and development.”
The Committee was also asked to: 
•liaise with stakeholders in the Northern states, particularly the affected states, and get to the root of the security challenges and proffer solutions; 
•dialogue with any identified groups with a view to negotiating the way out of the menace;  
•liaise with the Federal Government and deliberate on the best approach to resolving the security challenges; 
•work out modalities for reconciling warring parties/communities in the North; 
•organise meetings and have interactive sessions with stakeholders across the States; Engage experts from the Society for Peace Studies & Practice [SPSPI West African Network on Peace building [WANEPJ and other relevant organizations for further discussion and strategic inputs; 
•recommend mechanisms for peace building and entrenchment of enduring democratic values at the ward local government and state levels; and 
•design mechanisms to address youth restiveness and unemployment in the region. 
The committee was also asked to look at White Papers to extract actionable recommendations. Such reports include those of the Wammako-Ied Northern Governors’ Committee on Security; Northern States Attorneys-General;  Sheikh Ahmed Lemu’s on Post Election Violence Probe;  Galtimari Report on Security Challenges in North Eastern Nigeria; General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Maitama Sule Report, among others.
But, the Association of Northern Youths for the Advancement of Peace, Harmony and Development has described the 41-man committee as a right step in the wrong direction.
National President of the group Comrade Melvin Ejeh spoke in Jos yesterday said: “The 41-man peace committee inaugurated by the Northern Governors’ Forum to tackle the Bokko Haram threat is no doubt a laudable concept but the composition of membership is problematic.
“How can you compose a 41-man committee with only five women and no youth represented in the committee? All the bomb-bearers and gunmen in the Boko Haram insurgency are youths of under-30. I have never seen a man of 50 years in active participation in Boko Haram.
“But going through the list of the committee, you will realise that it is made up of elite who are above 50. What result do you want them to achieve?
 “The committee is timely and is composed of people of high integrity but I doubt if they can do anything meaningful without representation of northern youths.”

NUPENG SEES REASON WITH FG, SUSPENDS NATIONWIDE STRIKE
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has withdrawn its threat to go on strike today in order to dialogue with the federal government at a meeting in Abuja today.
The union, which met with a federal government delegation behind closed doors in Lagos yesterday agreed to reconvene in Abuja to continue negotiations to resolve the dispute over non-payment of subsidy arrears to some fuel marketers.

But the situation in Abuja remains unchanged as the strike embarked upon by NUPENG is biting hard and no filling station was selling fuel to motorists yesterday.
President of the union, Comrade Achese Igwe, told media in a telephone interview yesterday, that NUPENG is willing to dialogue with the government and the outcome of today’s meeting will determine whether the union would go ahead with its nationwide strike.
He said, “We will attend the meeting and the interest of the masses will be considered first in our decisions. The interest of the masses has always been our concern whenever we want to take any action.”
NUPENG had earlier signified its intention to begin a nationwide strike today if the Federal Government failed to remit subsidy money to some fuel marketers.

TUC dissociates from NUPENG strike
Meanwhile, the President of the Trade Union Congress, Comrade Peter Esele, has condemned the proposed strike by NUPENG.
Esele, a former president of PENGASSAN had condemned what he called a baseless strike by NUPENG and disassociated the TUC from the strike.

Describing NUPENG’s conduct as disgraceful, the TUC President called on the government not to bow to the cheap blackmail by fraudulent oil marketers who he claimed are bent on milking the nation dry.

He further urged the federal government not to hesitate to take every measure to punish the culprits, saying there was the need to ensure that indicted oil marketers pay every kobo back to the government.