₦airaland Forum

OVER three years after the death of Bishop Victor
Chikwe of the Catholic Diocese of Ahiara, Mbaise,
Imo State, tension has continued to mount over
the appointment of a replacement. The
development is currently tearing the Catholic
Church apart.
Trouble started May 21, 2013, when Fr. Peter
Okpaleke, from the Diocese of Awka, Anambra
State was consecrated bishop for the Ahiara
Diocese, but Clergy and Laity of the diocese
rejected the appointment. The two groups opted
for an indigenous priest to be made bishop of the
diocese.
Their argument is premised on the fact that
Ahiara has the highest number of Catholic priests
in Africa who are eminently qualified to be made
bishop. They contend that Awka, with a small
number of priests, has more than six bishops,
allegedly because of the influence of Francis
Cardinal Arinze at the Vatican. They therefore
decried what they termed the subtle colonization
by Awka, whose bishops have taken over most
dioceses in Imo and Abia states.
The furore generated by the rejection of Okpaleke,
Sunday Vanguard learnt, got to the ears of Pope
Francis who promptly appointed John Cardinal
Onaiyekan as Apostolic administrator of Ahiara
Diocese, with the mandate to get a bishop
acceptable to the people and the Catholic Church.
Onaiyekan appointed Fr. Louis Asiegbu, a
professor, as the Vicar General to oversee the
day-to-day running of the diocese pending the
appointment of a bishop.
Nine months after his appointment, Asiegbu
resigned, allegedly because he didn’t have a
smooth relationship with the cardinal. There were
allegations that Onaiyekan neglected and rebuffed
all his advice. The diocesan priests, as a result,
accused Onaiyekan of having a personal agenda,
as he has completely abandoned his pastoral and
spiritual responsibilities to the flock of the
diocese, such as the ordination of deacons and
priests, religious professions and confirmation.
They reason that the cardinal is deliberately
pressuring the diocese to submit to his planned
installation of the rejected Bishop Okpalaeke; but
they are unrelenting. The Cardinal in November
last year, told the people that he had reached a
dead end and had nothing more to do apart from
installing the bishop. He recently appointed Fr.
Clement Ebii, his protégé, as the new Vicar
General, which has also been rejected by the
diocesan clergy and the laity.
To further show their displeasure, the people
gathered on June 21, at St. Brigid’s Catholic
Church, Nnarambia, Ahiara in Ahiazu Mbaise, for
a prayer rally against what they described as
injustice to the church and people by Nigerian
church leaders.
Speaking at the event, the parish priest of St.
Gregory’s Parish, Ihitteafoukwu, Fr. David
Iheanacho said the Ahiara Catholic Diocese
parades over 600 priests and 500,000 faithful,
noting that before the imposition of Okpaleke, the
late Bishop Chikwe, an indigene, spent 23 years
and 10 months in the diocese and produced
several priests adjudged to be amongst the best
in Africa.
“Before his death also, he (Chikwe) sent over 21
names of worthy priests to be considered at his
demise. The process of making a bishop is very
clear in the Canon law,” he said, explaining that
bishopric selection begins from the local people
(priests), and thereon to the Papal Nuncio who is
expected to forward his choice candidates to
Rome out of which one would be appointed
bishop. But in the case of Ahiara Diocese, the
process was neglected.
Iheanacho argued that the church hierarchy went
into all manner of things to manufacture an
excuse for an imposition of a pre-ordained person
chosen from Awka in Onitsha Province.
“Our people started asking the question: if we
have up to 600 priests, is it conceivable that none
of them is qualified to be a bishop? If we have
that number of indigenous priests and they are
seen as unqualified to be appointed bishop, have
they not succeeded in destroying the credibility of
those priests before the people?” he asked,
maintaining that the appointment of Bishop
Okpaleke to Ahiara Diocese contradicts natural
justice.
“I say this because the Pontiff cannot knowingly
recommend what is unjust. Pope Benedict, under
whose pontificate, Okpaleke was appointed, is
perhaps misled into regarding Ahiara Diocese as
not having competent priests to be appointed
bishops. That is to say that we are nincompoops
or good for nothing people. We have been asking
the Pope to send down some impartial observers
to look into our agitation,” Iheanacho added.
On the way forward, he said he had told the
Nigerian Catholic Bishops Conference, when they
came to Ahiara to stop pushing Bishop Okpaleke
to the diocese. “Let Okpaleke remain where he is
while they go ahead to give us what we want.
The church has many options,” he noted,
recounting a similar incidence that happened in
Enugu in 1978, the first time there was a
resistance over an elected bishop.
“Fr. Albert Obiefuna (then Rector of Bigard
Memorial Seminary) was nominated to become
the bishop of Enugu but the people refused
because they said Fr. Obiefuna is from Onitsha
Province. Instead of causing trouble in the
Church of God, Catholic Bishops immediately
(with approval of Rome) created Awka Diocese
without any preparation and fanfare and
appointed Obiefuna as the bishop, while Eneja
(son of the soil), was made the bishop of the
already existing Enugu Diocese”.
He noted that if they (present Catholic Bishops)
had handled the case of Ahiara like their
predecessors did in 1978, Okpaleke would have
been a bishop somewhere, while Ahiara Diocese
would have been in peace and the Church of God
booming.
Also speaking, the parish priest of St. Joseph’s
Catholic Parish, Otulu in Ahiazu Mbaise and
president, Ahiara Diocesan Priests Association, Fr.
Austin Ekechukwu emphasised the need for Ahiara
Diocese to have a bishop from among the
indigenous priests in the diocese. “My impression
is that all these troubles are the handiwork of
some senior ecclesiastical persons, who have
vested interests in denying Ahiara Diocese their
rights and privileges. No due process could have
produced Okpaleke in the midst of Ahiara
presbyterium in particular and Owerri Province at
large.
“What has happened is a conspiracy for which,
according to him, certain eminent personalities
within the church should be investigated and
brought to book,” he stated.
On the impact of crisis to the diocese, the parish
priest of St. Paul’s Catholic Parish, Egbelu Umuhu
Enyiogugu, Fr. Benedict Ogu said the inability of
the hierarchy to proffer immediate solution to the
problem has caused much harm than good,
stressing that the crisis is adversely affecting
seminarians and the entire church in Ahiara
Diocese.
According to him, the impasse is prolonged
because Cardinal Onaiyekan refused to perform
his pastoral responsibilities including ordination
of priests, administering sacrament of
confirmation and other sacramental functions.
“He reasons that by so doing Ahiara people would
succumb and accept the injustice. One thing is
clear: As it is negatively affecting the diocese, it
is also affecting the Holy Spirit, because biblically
it is said that as you are persecuting My Church,
you are also persecuting Me. This therefore brings
to fore the question: ‘Should the people of Ahiara
Diocese be punished because they rejected an
imposed bishop on them?” he questioned.
He further said that before Ahiara people rejected
Okpaleke, he was already rejected by his people
and fellow priests in his bid to become the sitting
bishop of Awka Diocese, “Since he was rejected
by his people and insisted that he must be made
a bishop, they packaged him for a place they
think they can maneuver,” Ogu added.

In 2014 the Nigerian music scene witnessed a lot
of groovy hit songs and stunning music videos
that shaped both the fortune and terrain of the
entertainment industry.
These inventive works won the heart of the fans,
epitomize ingenuity and unveil showmanship at
its peak. We sang these songs endlessly,
downloaded their videos on our phones, and
danced to them whenever we hear them being
played. As a special end of the year treat, we take
a look at the top songs and music videos that
ruled the airwaves in 2014.
Dorobucci- The Mavin crew
How did a word that no one knows its exact
meaning suddenly becomes a hit song? The
Mavin crew, led by the innovative Don jazzy will
be able to do justice to this question. The
harmonious Afro pop tune hit 1 million views on
YouTube this year and has developed into a life of
its own , becoming a movie titled called
‘Dorobucci Love’ .Even Nollywood couldn’t resist
the mainstream appeal of this song.
Aye- Directed
by Clarence Peters
Whether you like or hate him, Davido is a young
man whose work ethic is inspiring. When he
released Aye February this year, naysayers
thought its just another conventional song till it
started stealing the number one spot on music
countdowns. Davido created a sound that
became a reference point for other Nigerian
artistes. Google in it’s list of most-watched
Nigerian Music videos in Nigeria, named
Davido‘s Aye Nigeria’s most watched video on
YouTube for 2014. In the visuals, Davido plays
the role of a peasant which is stimulating, as
opposed to his silver-spoon upbringing.
Double Wahala-Oritsefemi
Afro pop act, Oritsefemi has been one of the
best revelations of this year- all thanks to the
success of his hit single Double Wahala. From
the streets to the club, the crossover appeal of
this tune cannot be resisted. Inspired by the late
Fela Kuti, perhaps what makes the song enticing
is the freshness of the sound and the way the
lyrics and the instrumentals reach the heart of
the listeners.
Toh Bad - Directed by
Kemi Adetiba
Kemi Adetiba brings her creativity to bear in the
video of Niyola’s love ballad,Toh bad. Though the
video was shot outside Nigeria, its quality, story
line, camera angles, and cinematography is top
notch. Toh Bad tells the story of a couple – an
elusive actor boyfriend with a tolerant and ever
believing partner, Niyola longing for his attention.
Johnny -Yemi Alade
No one knows if Yemi Alade has finally found her
Johnny , but the pop star has garnered loads of
positive rave reviews for this melodious sound.
Though Yemi Alade lost out at the Headies this
year, that doesn’t take out the fact that
Johnny ruled the airwaves making her one of the
most sought after music divas in 2014. This
highlife song produced by Selebobo is
undoubtedly Yemi Alade’s biggest song ever.
Johnny video recorded over 10 million views on
You tube.
Eleda mi - Olamide
Olamide might not have come into the industry
with all the clout needed, but the youngster has
four albums under his belt that shows his
dexterity and versatility. Eleda mi is not a typical
Olamide kind of song it’s an highlife track, where
the self proclaimed ‘Badoo’ makes use of his
catchy sing-along hooks ,indigenous vocals,
blending with his charm. It has become a must
play in parties ever since.
Shoki -Lil Kesh
2014 is the year the Shoki dance became the rave
among youngsters. Budding indigenous rapper, Lil
Kesh took advantage of the craze and made a
hit song out of it .These days it is not strange to
find celebs like Funke Akindele , Kaffy trying out
their Shoki dance steps. Though, Davido
recently laid claim to making Shoki a massive
hit, Lil Kesh deserves to be given the kudos for
creating two distinct versions of the song.
Wanted- Directed by
Moe Musa
When the visuals of Wanted was released, it
generated a lot of media frenzy not for its
cinematography , but more for Tiwa’s erotic
dance moves, the sexy body suit she was clad in,
and the provocative lyrics of the song. Directed
by Moe Musa, the video is part of the most
watched music videos on YouTube this year.
Girlie O -Patoranking
featuring Tiwa savage
No doubts, Patoranking deserves to be crowned
the surprise of the year, not just for the
collaborations he did with other artistes , but for
the success of his dancehall song Girlie O. His
unique delivery, harmonizing with Tiwa Savage’s
seductive vocals and charm makes this song a
must have on music play lists.
Taste the money (Testimony) Directed by Jude
Okoye
Psquare has over the years gained the reputation
for producing good videos. After enjoying massive
airplays, Taste the money video was released
generating loads of positive reviews. The video of
this song would probably make the top ten of any
credible music video chart. It was shot in South
Africa and directed by Jude Okoye. The visuals
captures the talented duo hosting a band of girls
for a lavish house party which was brilliantly
interpreted.

The holiday season is upon us and as always, we
all are scrambling to get the best deals online
and in stores. However, a few wrong clicks this
season could land cybercriminals topping your list
of people who will be receiving presents this year.
This year has witnessed lots of significant
breaches ranging from a $40m cyber-heist by a
Nigerian bank IT worker to the huge data leakage
at Sony, just about a week ago.
Information Security expert, Rotimi Akinyele of
PhynxLabs said online users can easily put
themselves and their devices at risk, unless they
take precautions and avoid the common mistakes
highlighted below that could compromise their
security.
Beware of the Bank Verification Number (BVN)
Scam
The ongoing Bank Verification Number (BVN)
introduced by the CBN as a means of uniquely
identifying bank customers across the Nigerian
Banking industry has provided a fertile ground for
cyber criminals to defraud unsuspecting bank
customers.
Scam emails purportedly sent from Banks/CBN
are in circulation urging bank customers to visit a
website to activate their BVN online as failure to
do so would result in their account(s) and debit
cards being deactivated.
Please note that BVN registration can only be
done physically at a bank’s branch. There is no
technology now to replace the physical capture of
your biometric data which the BVN seeks to
achieve
Do NOT access your accounts from Public WIFi
Just because a WiFi is free doesn’t mean you
should connect to it any time it’s available. When
you’re banking or making other online payments,
it’s better to connect with EDGE or 3G, even if it’s
slower. It might only be 45seconds of doing an
online bank transaction, but if the wireless
network has been compromised, that is more than
enough time needed for a cyber-criminal to collect
your data.
Use a secure password
It’s crucial to always use strong passwords as
passwords are the first line of defense against
cyber crooks. Try not to use names of your
family, pets, first car, mother’s maiden name, etc.
as all these can be easily guessed, brute forced or
even available on social media sites like facebook,
twitter or instagram. Make sure to use a mixture
of characters, numbers, and letters of at least 8
characters when choosing your password; as only
this will add a high level of difficulty for any
attempted password theft.
Also, do not reuse your passwords as a
compromise on one would translate to a
compromise on all.
Stay safe on social networking sites
Social media sites are increasingly becoming
targets for spams, scams and other online
attacks. Asides mining data from tons of “status
updates” for targeted attacks, cyber criminals
have mastered the act of baiting unsuspecting
users with well-crafted short but compelling posts
offering free entry to a Christmas competition
with a fantastic prize. The general rule is “there is
no free lunch or freebies on the internet – if
you’re not buying a product then you are the
product”. Users who click the links then
inadvertently act as accomplices to the cyber-
criminals because the malicious scripts would
automatically re-post the links, images or videos
on their contacts’ walls or timelines. If an offer
looks too good to be true, it probably is. Do NOT
click.
Protect yourself from fraudulent emails
If you receive an email urging you to download an
unknown tax payment attachment or an email
informing you of an urgent pending transaction
and you need to login with your details to verify,
DELETE that email. Such emails usually trick
users into visiting the site, and once you do,
viruses and spywares get downloaded on your
device which automatically joins you to a network
of enslaved computers that have been
programmed to carry out malicious deeds. No
reputable organization would send emails to
collect user names, passwords, token keys or
Debit/Credit card details.
The threats to your online accounts increase
daily, however, the tips above can help you stay
protected online while still providing the
convenience online access offers you this holiday.

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3^x=9x

magiciansilva:
add me 60134590182

mine is 08137356822

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The Department of State Services (DSS),
has vowed that it will serve justice to all those
who sponsor or partake in the publication of
subversive reports against the country.
Ms Marilyn Ogar, spokeswoman for the service,
made the promise when she showed seven
suspects to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday.
She said the suspects colluded with Steven Davis,
an Australian, to negotiate with Boko Haram sect
members.
She named the suspects as Junaid Khadi,
Abubakar Yusuf, alias Baba Sani, Saleh Ibrahim,
alias Liman Ibrahim, Abdullahi Saleh, a.k.a
Babadale, Nurudeen Ibrahim, Mubarak Adamu,
a.k.a. Molo and Mustapha Maidugu, a.k. Musty
Small.
Ogar said Davis and the suspects were among
several other local and international group
members who had made mechandise of the Boko
Haram insurgency through concocted and
fabricated stories.
She added that Davis, through such subversive
campaigns, intended to shape political discourse,
challenge the nation’s security integrity and stir
discontent among Nigerians and her allies in the
war against terror.
“We will not rest on our oars until our country is
rid of all unwholesome activities’’, she said.
Ogar recalled that Davis had on Aug. 29, 2013,
alleged that former Gov Ali Modu Sheriff of Borno
and ex-army chief, Lt.-Gen. Azuibike Ihejirika,
were among chief sponsors of Boko Haram.
“Davis premised his findings on discussion with
several field commanders of the sect who
allegedly expressed willingness of the sect to
negotiate with the Federal Government if Davis
would spearhead the dialogue.
“Based on the allegation, this service initiated an
in-depth investigation into the matter.
“Consequently, seven associates of Davis were
arrested and it has been established that they
were part of a well orchestrated plan to spread
falsehood, undermine and discredit efforts of
government to end terrorism’’, she said.
All the suspects, except one, admitted that they
met with Davis at a five star hotel in Abuja, to
arrange for the negotiation with the Government.
One of them, Abubakar Yusuf, alias Baba Sani,
admitted that he was a former member of the
sect and was forced during the meeting to
publicly indict Ali Modu Sherif as a member of the
sect.
He said he got N500,000 for the deal. (NAN)

19 APC members absent as party disapproves
presentation
*Tell your runaway lawmakers to return, Fayose
tells APC
I’ll never leave PDP, says Ebonyi Dep Gov
By Leke Adeseri, South West Regional Editor &
Gbenga Ariyibi
Ado Ekiti—Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayo Fayose
has presented N80.774 billion budget estimate to
seven Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members
of the House of Assembly for the 2015 fiscal
year.
However, the Chamber was parked full of non-
legislators.
Christened “budget of reality” yesterday’s
presentation represents 77.7 per cent of the 2014
budget of N103.8 billion by the immediate past
Governor of the state,Dr Kayode Fayemi.
During yesterday’s budget presentation which
took place at the floor of the state House of
Assembly, members of the All Progressives
Congress, APC, lawmakers were absent.
The assembly’s gallery was, however, filled up to
the brim as politicians, traditional rulers and
captains of industries were in attendance.
Fayose on the occasion said the state
government decided to reduce the budget to a
more pragmatic and realistic one that would bring
possible results to the people of the state.
Ekiti APC disapproves the presentation
Meantime, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in
the state has condemned the attitude of the Ekiti
State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for presenting
the 2015 Budget to seven of the 26-member of
the House of Assembly in less than 20 minutes.
According to Ekiti State Publicity Secretary of the
APC, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the manner of the
presentation of the budget by the Governor was
constitutional breach, illegal and absurd.
The APC therefore counselled the governor to
follow legal steps in the governance and financial
management of the state.
‘’Seven members of PDP in the Assembly had
earlier sat to illegally confirm commissioner-
nominees and approve the dissolution and
reconstitution of the local governments, among
others.
‘’Monday’s illegal sitting with a full house of
thugs was a new dimension to the constitutional
breaches and lawlessness by the Executive.
“We never knew that Ekiti people could be brought
to this low record in decency and respect for the
Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by
herding thugs to the House of Assembly to join
seven members to present state budget.
“The standard practice is for the governor to
present the state budget to members in full
session while the public sit at the gallery to
watch proceedings. But in this instance, thugs
intermingled with the lawmakers in a plenary in
such a way that you cannot differentiate a
lawmaker from a thug,” Olatunbosun said.
‘’The APC spokesman further criticized the barring
of journalists, including the in-house
correspondents, from covering the event, even as
he berated the governor for rallying reporters to
the Assembly after presenting the budget at the
illegal sitting for a press briefing. He asked
journalists to be professional in their duties to
save democracy.
Olatunbosun’s words: “What is the use of calling
reporters you intentionally barred from covering
the main budget presentation to a post-budget
presentation briefing if not to cover up the thugs
that sat with the seven members to conduct that
illegal sitting? This is time for activism in
journalism. Reporters must begin to ask
questions on the abnormality and breaches of the
Constitution in governance process.”
To this end, Olatunbosun called the attention of
Nigerians and lovers of democracy around the
world to the reign of impunity in Ekiti State. He
urged all organs and agencies of government
responsible for budget processing not to get
themselves involved in any financial transactions
based on the “illegal budget”, saying all actions
on the budget and transactions involving the
features of the budget are illegal until it is legally
presented to a legally constituted House of
Assembly composed of 19 members of APC and
their seven colleagues in PDP.
In like manner, he urged the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC,
to beam their lights on government financial
transactions in Ekiti State in the face of mindless
plot to defraud Ekiti people through illegal
conduct in the financial management of public
funds.
Tell your runaway lawmakers to return, Fayose
tells APC
In a swift reaction, Governor Ayodele Fayose has
told the All APC in the State to bring back the
party’s runaway lawmakers to the State, saying;
“No individual, group or political party can hold
the State to ransom.”
Reacting to the party’s condemnation of Governor
Fayose’s presentation of the 2015 Budget to the
House of Assembly, Special Assistant to the
Governor on Public Communications and New
Media, Lere Olayinka said: “It is shameful and
wicked for the APC and its leaders to think that
they can hold the entire people of Ekiti down just
because they lost power.”
Olayinka, who warned the APC lawmakers of the
consequences of losing their seats should they
continue to abdicate their legislative duties, added
that; “by the rule of the House of Assembly, each
member must attend the House sittings for 181
days in a year.”
He said the sitting of the House in which the
2015 Budget was presented was lawful.
“The court of law is there for the loud-mouth in
the APC to approach if they have any genuine
complain to make.
“Today is December 15 (yesterday) and the APC
lawmakers know that 2015 Budget must be
presented as provided by the 1999 Constitution.
Yet, some of the APC lawmakers refused to
report in the House of Assembly, except three of
them, who are interested in the progress and
development of the State.”

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trust me....dey are

-- If you think you are tech savvy all
because you know what "LOL" means, let me test
your coolness.
Any idea what "IWSN" stands for in Internet
slang?
It's a declarative statement: I want sex now.
If it makes you feel any better, I had no clue, and
neither did a number of women I asked about it.
Acronyms are widely popular across the Internet,
especially on social media and texting apps,
because, in some cases, they offer a shorthand
for communication that is meant to be instant.
READ: Chances are, your teen has sexted
So "LMK" -- let me know -- and
"WYCM" -- will you call me? -- are
innocent enough.
But the issue, especially for parents, is
understanding the slang that could
signal some dangerous teen behavior,
such as "GNOC,'" which means "get
naked on camera."
And it certainly helps for a parent to
know that "PIR" means parent in room,
which could mean the teen wants to
have a conversation about things that
his or her mom and dad might not
approve of.
Katie Greer is a national Internet
safety expert who has provided
Internet and technology safety training
to schools, law enforcement agencies
and community organizations
throughout the country for more than
seven years.
She says research shows that a majority of teens
believe that their parents are starting to keep
tabs on their online and social media lives.
"With that, acronyms can be used by kids to hide
certain parts of their conversations from attentive
parents," Greer said. "Acronyms used for this
purpose could potentially raise some red flags for
parents."
But parents would drive themselves crazy, she
said, if they tried to decode every text, email and
post they see their teen sending or receiving.
"I've seen some before and it's like 'The Da Vinci
Code,' where only the kids hold the true meanings
(and most of the time they're fairly innocuous),"
she said.
Still, if parents come across any acronyms they
believe could be problematic, they should talk
with their kids about them, said Greer.
But how, on earth, is a parent to keep up with all
these acronyms, especially since new ones are
being introduced every day?
"It's a lot to keep track of," Greer said. Parents
can always do a Google search if they stumble
upon a phrase they aren't familiar with, but the
other option is asking their children, since these
phrases can have different meanings for different
people.
"Asking kids not only gives you great information,
but it shows that you're paying attention and
sparks the conversation around their online
behaviors, which is imperative.
Micky Morrison, a mom of two in Islamorada,
Florida, says she finds Internet acronyms
"baffling, annoying and hilarious at the same
time."
She's none too pleased that acronyms like "LOL"
and "OMG" are being adopted into conversation,
and already told her 12-year-old son -- whom she
jokingly calls "deprived," since he does not have a
phone yet -- that acronym talk is not allowed in
her presence.
But the issue really came to a head when her son
and his adolescent friends got together and were
all "ignoring one another with noses in their
phones," said Morrison, founder of BabyWeightTV.
"I announced my invention of a new acronym:
'PYFPD.' Put your freaking phone down."
LOL!
But back to the serious issue at hand, below are
28 Internet acronyms, which I learned from Greer
and other parents I talked with, as well as from
sites such as NoSlang.com and NetLingo.com ,
and from Cool Mom Tech's 99 acronyms and
phrases that every parent should know.
After you read this list, you'll likely start looking
at your teen's texts in a whole new way.
1. IWSN - I want sex now
2. GNOC - Get naked on camera
3. NIFOC - Naked in front of computer
4. PIR - Parent in room
5 CU46 - See you for sex
6. 53X - Sex
7. 9 - Parent watching
8. 99 - Parent gone
9. 1174 - Party meeting place
10. THOT - That hoe over there
11. CID - Acid (the drug)
12. Broken - Hungover from alcohol
13. 420 - Marijuana
14. POS - Parent over shoulder
15. SUGARPIC - Suggestive or erotic photo
16. KOTL - Kiss on the lips
17. (L)MIRL - Let's meet in real life
18. PRON - Porn
19. TDTM - Talk dirty to me
20. 8 - MouthAction
21. CD9 - Parents around/Code 9
22. IPN - I'm posting naked
23. LH6 - Let's have sex
24. WTTP - Want to trade pictures?
25. DOC - Drug of choice
26. TWD - Texting while driving
27. GYPO - Get your pants off
28. KPC- Keeping parents clueless

culled from cnn

atiku was already destined for failure

Gov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State
has described the recently concluded
presidential primaries of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) as a model for democracy in
Africa.
Fashola spoke on Friday night at a State Dinner
held in honour of the immediate past Chief
Judge of Lagos State, retired Justice Ayotunde
Phillips and the incumbent Chief Judge, Justice
Olufunmilayo Atilade.
He said that the primaries, which was won by
retired Maj.-Gen. Muhhammadu Buhari was
free, fair and credible.
“As we celebrate these women, we are also
sending out a statement to the whole of our
nation that in this state and in this city, that
our integrity is more valuable to us than all of
our personal lives.”
“We are building a country that our children will
be proud to inherit from us and that one day
they can look back and say thank you for
helping us build this country.”
“From this city, we have sent a strong message
about the politics that we will also play. If I am
not mistaken, our gubernatorial primaries had
the largest number of aspirants but we
conducted it without rancour.”
“None of the candidates who contested have
come out to say that the primaries were rigged
or that there were more voters than those who
were accredited. A candidate has emerged and
we are moving on.”
“From Lagos, against all the odds, we played
host in the last 48 hours to a party's national
convention and primaries that were a model for
democracy for the whole of Africa.”
“They are very strong statements that we are
sending out that we can live by example. They
are statements that make us stand tall.”
Fashola commended the honourees, who are
children of the late Justice James Williams, for
their contributions to the advancement of the
justice sector.
He announced that the National Judicial Council
had approved the appointment of three more
judges for the state barely a month after four
others were inaugurated.
Ade Ipaye, the Lagos State Attorney-General and
Commissioner for Justice, said the succession
of Phillips by Atilade was historic.
“It is a first that sisters will succeed each other
as chief judge in the history of the judiciary in
Nigeria.”
Other speakers including Justice Bode Rhodes-
Vivour of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Alex
Mouka, the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association,
Lagos branch also lauded the sisters.
In her response, Phillips said her achievements
during her two year tenure as chief judge was
the result of the cooperation given to her by all
stakeholders in the justice sector.
“I pray for my sister who has taken over from
me, that she will do 10 times better than I did
because that is how the Lagos State Judiciary
will continue to improve,” she added.
On her part, Atilade said her administration
would be focused on improving the justice
delivery system.
She therefore sued for more cooperation
between the judiciary and the other arms of
government to achieve the objective.

I don’t know how the organisers of Big Brother
Africa (BBA) have to redeem their image, but a
greater number of their audience who are
mostly West Africans believe the show has been
tainted with bias and prejudice, to the detriment
of West Africa.
And their submissions are not far-fetched.
First, we are in Africa, a continent of diversity
where there are as many tribes as there are
different people. Everything in Africa is tainted
and painted in the shade of tribalism, ethnicity,
nationalism or regionalism. For this reason, a
contest like Big Brother Africa which brings out
nationals of various countries to compete ought
to create a balance in representation because
there are deep-seated regional ties which
ultimately influence voting patterns and
determine who wins the contest.
East Africans traditionally see themselves as
one unit. They all belong to the East African
Community (EAC), which comprises Burundi,
Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. The
motto of the EAC is “One People One Destiny”.
In this year’s BBA, East Africa has four
representatives: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and
Uganda.
Southern Africa has never been hegemonic of
sort. It’s basically acepalous in form and
shape. That is why even though there is the
Southern Africa Development Commission,
(SADC) which has 14 member-states including
South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana,
Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, the people
here cannot be termed as a unit, unlike the East
Africans. By the way, Tanzania from East Africa
is also a member of the SADC. That is how
fragmented, diluted and watered down the
SADC is! In this year’s BBA, SADC produced
seven representatives: Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and
South Africa.
West Africa has ECOWAS, and they are a very
strong and compact unit like the EAC. Nigeria,
Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Gambia are the
Anglophone arm of ECOWAS. ”. In this year’s
BBA, West Africa has only two representatives:
Nigeria and Ghana.
The other member-states of ECOWAS are
French and Portuguese-speaking. Save for the
Anglophone parts, the other ECOWAS states
have never been involved in BBA.
May be due to the language barrier. But Angola
and Mozambique, two Portuguese speaking
nations in the SADC often make it to BBA. Why
can’t Portuguese Guinea Bissau situated in West
Africa come to the BBA party too or even
Anglophone Gambia, after all Multi-Choice also
operates in these countries?
Or why can’t we get the French-speaking West
African nations of Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast,
Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, or even Cameroun,
- where Multi-Choice also operates - to
participate in the BBA party, after all more than
60% of the educated young population in these
countries write and speak English language?
This year’s BBA did not give a fair
representation to West Africa even though
Multi-Choice has more customers in West Africa
than any other region in Africa. With only two
slots (Nigeria and Ghana) allocated to it, the
odds were stacked against it as it slugged it
out with East Africa, four slots, and SADC - a
whopping seven slots!
Since voting was now tended towards regional
blocks, it was almost always going to be
seemingly impossible nay very difficult for a
country like Ghana or Nigeria to win the BBA
contest. And it showed clearly in this year’s
contest because West Africa was seriously
under-represented. And it will continue to be so:
no West African nation can win BBA contest
again!
Geographical, the SADC states are contiguous
to the East African states, and are often
blended as one. For instance, a Zambian or
Botswanese has closer ties to Kenya and
Tanzania than to Nigeria or Ghana. To these
SADC and EAC folks, West Africans are like
aliens! This is not surprising because West
Africa is thousands of miles away and
separated from SADC and East Africa.
And given the regional divide and awareness
the BBA programme created this year, where
citizens of particular regions gravitate towards
each other, it was no surprise that the whole of
East Africa voted for the East African candidate
left in the fray, Idris. The youngster was lucky
that Ugandan beauty, Ella was sent home
before the finals, paving way for him as the
sole East African candidate.
West Africa had two slots – and unfortunately
two contestants in the finals, Tayo and
Mam’bea. Therefore, the vote was split. If West
Africa has had four slots, like East Africa, Tayo
or Mam’bea would have easily won over Sierra
Leone and Liberia. And if BBA has included
neutrals like Ethiopia in this year’s game, may
be Tayo may have won there. That would have
given him 5 country votes as well. Or may be
less. But it would have been a keenly and
closely contested race, rather than this lopsided
race that favoured East Africa and SADC right
from Day 1, to the detriment of West Africa.
SADC did not utilise or enjoy their numerical
strength, as they did last year when Namibian
beauty, Dillish won. This year they have 5
contestants in the finals – Sipe (Malawi),
Macky 2 (Zambia), JJ and Butterfly (Zimbabwe)
and Nkhlakhla (South Africa). The stage for
self-destruct was therefore set. And at the end,
the 5 contestants battled for the 7 country
votes of the SADC. Macky 2 got the rest of
Africa plus Zambia, Nklakhla got SA and
Botswana, JJ piped Butterfly to clinch the
Zimbabwe slot and Sipe won her Malawi slot.
Namibia opted out of the SADC, and voted East
Africa’s Idris.
In all of these, it is clear BBA needs to be
retooled and reshaped to make it look like a
fair, balanced and equitable contest. Truly, if
the programme wants to enjoy credibility and
good rating in West Africa, it must tread the
path of inclusiveness and give more slots to
West Africa. We want to see more participants
from this region. My suggestion is, rather than
two per country, let each country produce only
one candidate. For West Africa, let’s give
representation to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia,
Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Nigeria and
Cameroun. The French countries here are all
bilingual now.
This way, Multi-Choice will be freeing itself
from the pangs of bias and favouritism
currently chocking its neck in West Arica. It will
also be saving its business interests too
because most of the advertisers and sponsors
of BBA are from West Africa.

The web is becoming less free and more unequal,
according to a report from the World Wide Web
Foundation.
Its annual web index suggests web users are at
increasing risk of government surveillance, with
laws preventing mass snooping weak or non-
existent in over 84% of countries.
It also indicates that online censorship is on the
rise.
The report led web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee
to call for net access to be recognised as a
human right.
The World Wide Web Foundation, led by Sir Tim,
measured the web's contribution to the social,
economic and political progress of 86 countries.
Other headline findings from the report include:
74% of countries either lack clear and
effective net neutrality rules and/or show
evidence of traffic discrimination
62% of countries report that the web plays a
major role in sparking social or political
action
74% of countries are not doing enough to
stop online harassment of women
The index ranked countries around the world in
terms of:
universal access
relevant content and use
freedom and openness
empowerment
Four of the top five were Scandinavian, with
Denmark in first place, Finland second and
Norway third. The UK came fourth, followed by
Sweden.
"The richer and better educated people are, the
more benefit they are gaining from the digital
revolution," said Anne Jellema, chief executive of
the World Wide Web Foundation, and the lead
author of the report.
"Extreme disparities between rich and poor have
been rightly identified as the defining challenge of
our age, and we need to use technology to fight
inequality, not increase it."
One of the best starting points would be to put
net access at the top of the agenda, she added.
Sir Tim said: "It's time to recognise the internet
as a basic human right.
"That means guaranteeing affordable access for
all, ensuring internet packets are delivered
without commercial or political discrimination,
and protecting the privacy and freedom of web
users regardless of where they live."
Describing the web as a "great leveller" he said
that rights to privacy, freedom of expression and
affordable access should be "hardwired" into the
basic rules of net use.
For the first time, the report looked at net
neutrality, the principle that all web traffic should
be treated equally.
It has been the focus of fierce debate in 2014,
with the US mulling new laws that could create a
two-tier internet - fast lanes for content providers
prepared to pay for their services to be delivered
faster.
The World Wide Web Foundation is calling on
policy makers to introduce a raft of measures to
fight net inequality.
They include:
Accelerate progress towards universal access
by increasing number of affordable net
services
Prevent price discrimination in internet traffic
by treating the internet like an other public
utility
Invest in high-quality public education to
make sure that no-one is left behind with
technological progress
Use the web to increase government
transparency and protect freedoms of speech
and privacy
Invest more to overcome key barriers in
health, education, agriculture and gender
equality

The archbishop of Jos in central Nigeria has said
more must be done to protect ordinary people,
after at least 30 were killed in twin bomb attacks.
Archbishop Ben Kwashi told the BBC that most of
the victims were poor and defenceless.
The Islamist group has previously targeted
churches and mosques in Jos, which has a mixed
population of Muslims and Christians.
The Anglican archbishop said the bombers would
not succeed in fomenting religious divisions in the
city, as it was clear they did not represent
Nigeria's Muslim population.
But he said ordinary people needed more
protection.
"Government must step up, to show that it cares
about the weak, about the poor, about those who
have no means at all in the society"
The blasts targeted Jos's commercial district,
near the Terminus bus station.
The first explosion took place at an outdoor food
stand. The second blast hit the marketplace.
A similar attack in the same area of Jos in May
killed more than 100 people.
Boko Haram militants are suspected of being
behind the attacks. It has not yet commented.
The group has killed more than 2,000 people this
year.
It has taken over several towns and villages in
the north-eastern states of Borno and Adamawa,
declaring the area under its control to be a
caliphate.
On Wednesday, at least four people were reported
killed and seven hurt in attacks by two female
suicide bombers in Kano, the biggest city in
northern Nigeria.
Thousands of people have died and more than a
million have been forced from their homes in the
Islamist group's five-year insurgency.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
said on Thursday that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari
ran a spirited campaign and fully deserved the
victory he got at the All Progressives Congress
(APC) presidential primary.
“You ran a spirited campaign, and since the
delegates have spoken, you fully deserve the
victory,” Atiku said in his concession speech after
losing to Buhari in the election.
He said that he was confident that Buhari would
provide the needed leadership to turn the country
around.
“My dear friends, we have voted; a winner has
emerged.”
“I pledge my commitment to this party, and to
campaign vigorously for our candidate, Gen.
Muhammadu Buhari, and all APC candidates to
ensure victory in the 2015 elections.”
“I call on all other contestants and our party’s
rank and file to unite behind our candidates at all
levels to ensure that the PDP is defeated,” Atiku
said.
He said that he had no doubt that Buhari would
work with dedicated and qualified Nigerians to
protect citizens, improve the nation’s economy,
create jobs, improve education, reform
governance and fight corruption.
Atiku also congratulated the other contestants:
Governors Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Rochas
Okorocha as well as Sam Nda-Isiah.
“You have all demonstrated your commitment to
democracy by participating in this transparent
process and by campaigning vigorously across
this country,” he said.
Atiku thanked the delegates for their sacrifices
and commitment to democracy, urging them to
rally behind Buhari to help him prevail in the
coming presidential election.
He thanked the Convention Committee for putting
together a hitch-free convention.
“The APC has demonstrated, through the
transparent process, the party’s commitment to
democracy and rule of law.”
“It has demonstrated its respect for people and
their choice through the ballot box,” he said.
Okorocha, who also congratulated Buhari for the
victory, said the APC had shown that internal
democracy could be achieved within a political
party.
Kwankwaso equally congratulated Buhari for
becoming the winner, saying the aspirants had
earlier agreed to work together with whoever
came out victorious in the primary.
Meanwhile, some people at the Teslim Balogun
Stadium venue also spoke on the outcome of the
presidential primary.
Ireti Ojekhoa, Head, Electronic Unit, Buhari
Support Organisation (BSO), said that she was
elated that Buhari emerged the winner of the
primary.
Ojekhoa said that all the candidates were credible
but Buhari was the most credible to occupy such
a position and lead the country to greatness.
“Looking at his history, Buhari is the best man for
the job,” she said.
Okelo Madukaife, a delegate from Anambra, told
the media that the organisation of the convention
was orderly and free of bias.
According to Madukaife, there is no loser in the
election, and the only real winner is the APC.
“APC has thrown open its doors and given every
aspirant the opportunity to contest fairly in an
election for a good cause,” he said.
Jacob Meduteni, a delegate from Kogi, said that
he was happy about the outcome, adding that he
did not expect anything less.
“Buhari is first among equals. We have all seen
the fairness in conducting the election. So, there
is no cause for other contestants to decamp
because they lost.”
“They should embrace the flag bearer and support
him to reach the presidency,” he said.
Sample Onyemuru, a delegate from Abia, said
that it was a very successful convention.
“The quality of people that came out for the
convention shows that there is value added to it,”
he said.

Hon. Noble Eyisi, a Political Science undergraduate
of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK, has
emerged the new president-elect of the university's
Students' Union Government (SUG). Hon. Eyisi
polled a total of 594 votes to defeat other
contestants in an election that took place today.
Also, Ozems Amarachi Precious of the department
of Accountancy emerged the the SUG Vice-
President Elect. Ozems Amarachi polled a total of
521 votes to defeat other contestants.
The law faculty suffered a great set back due to
the inability of the faculty's students' leadership to
support a single candidate. Five of the presidential
contestants are undergraduates of the law faculty.
Another faculty that was punished by the poll due
to their inability to produce a single candidate to
contest for the post of Vice President is the
Education Faculty.
Even if the total number of votes polled by
presidential and vice presidential contestants from
law and education faculties are less than the total
number of votes polled by respective winners of
those positions, they would have been more
mobilised to get more votes if they unanimously
supported one candidate each from their faculties.
They should learn some lessons from social
sciences. The faculty technically produced two
candidates for presidential contest but
unanimously supported one candidate (Eyisi Noble)
at the poll.
Below are full breakdown of the results including
the departments of the contestants:
1. Eyisi Noble-594 votes (Political Science)
2. Oguguo Obinna Henry-363 votes (English)
3.Amarizu Genius-79 votes (Mass Communication)
4.Obi Fabian Nnamdi-13 votes (Law)
5.Nwudo Lawrence Foster C-211votes (Law)
6.Ejikeme Benedict-53 votes (Philosophy)
7. Ifechukwu Promise-61votes (Law)
8. Obiagazie Emmanuel-180 votes (Law)
9. Eze Ihechukwumere-35 votes (Law)
10. Ulu Humble Obinna-196 votes (Marketing)
VICE PRESIDENT:
1.Eze Praise-256 votes (Science Edu)
2. Onianwa Success-514 votes (Psychology)
3. Okonkwo Onyeka Christiana-215 votes
(Chemical Engineering)
4. Ozems Amarachi Precious-521votes
(Accountancy)
5. Nwafili Nkemjika Jennifer-137 votes
(Adult Education)
SECRETARY GENERAL
1.Anolue Arinze Anthony-825 votes
(Chemical Engineering)
2. Okafor Chidiebele-813 votes (Law)
ASST. SEC GEN
1.Onyeji Ada Nancy-1250 votes (Mass Comm)
2.Obayuwana Ann-480 votes (Bio Science)
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
1.Martin Beck Nworah-872 votes (Law)
2.Gabriel Goodluck Chima-623 votes (Estate
Management)
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
1.Mbeledeogu Chinonso-448 votes (Polymer
Engineering)
2.Okonkwo Joseph-785 votes (Estate Management)
3. Eke Chinedu Biggie-408 votes (Cooperative
Economics)
TREASURER
1.Idenyi Chinedu-769 votes (Accountancy)
2.Idigo Joseph-888 votes (Cooperative Economics)
DIRECTOR OF SOCIALS
1.Alexander Nzeadi-1113 votes (Law)
2.Wabara Kelvin-506 votes (Linguistics)
DIRECTOR OF SPORTS
1.Ameh Joseph-356 votes (Business
Administration)
2.Elike Livinus-456 votes (Human Kinetics)
3.Okeke Kingsley-401votes (Cooperative
Economics)
4.Odo Casmir-416 votes (Human Kinetics).
All the elected officials shall be inaugurated on
Monday 15th December 2014.

president.
1. Eyisi Noble-594
(Political Science)
2. Oguguo Obinna Henry-363
(English)
3.Amarizu Genius-79
(Mass Communication)
4.Obi Fabian Nnamdi-13
(Law)
5.Nwudo Lawrence Foster C-211
(Law)
6.Ejikeme Benedict-53
(Philosophy)
7. Ifechukwu Promise-61
(Law)
8. Obiagazie Emmanuel-180
(Law)
9. Eze Ihechukwumere-35
(Law)
10.Ulu Humble Obinna-196
(Marketing)
VICE PRESIDENT:
1.Eze Praise-256
(Science Edu)
2. Onianwa Success-514
(Psychology)
3. Okonkwo Onyeka Christiana-215
(Chemical Engineering)
4. Ozems Amarachi Precious-521
(Accountancy)
5. Nwafili Nkemjika Jennifer-137
(Adult Education)
SECRETARY GENERAL
1.Anolue Arinze Anthony-825
(Chemical Engineering)
2. Okafor Chidiebele-813
(Law)
ASST. SEC GEN
1.Onyeji Ada Nancy-1250
(Mass Comm)
2.Obayuwana Ann-480
(Bio Science)
PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
1.Martin Beck Nworah-872
(Law)
2.Gabriel Goodluck Chima-623
(Estate Management)
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
1.Mbeledeogu Chinonso-448
(Polymer Engineering)
2.Okonkwo Joseph-785
(Estate Management)
3. Eke Chinedu Biggie-408
(Cooperative Economics)
TREASURER
1.Idenyi Chinedu-769
(Accountancy)
2.Idigo Joseph-888
(Cooperative Economics)
DIRECTOR OF SOCIALS
1.Alexander Nzeadi-1113
(Law)
2.Wabara Kelvin-506
(Linguistics)
DIRECTOR OF SPORTS
1.Ameh Joseph-356
(Business Administration)
2.Elike Livinus-456
(Human Kinetics)
3.Okeke Kingsley-401
(Cooperative Economics)
4.Odo Casmir-416
(Human Kinetics)
...details later.
EVAREST..

The Lagos State Government has
reiterated its commitment to the protection of
children's rights.
The administration urged parents and caregivers
to safeguard the minors against all forms of
abuse and violence.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for
Justice, Ade Ipaye, made the call in his address at
this year’s World Human Rights Day celebration.
He re-affirmed the state’s readiness to continue
to uphold the rights of every Lagosian, including
that of children.
Ipaye recalled that as far back as 2007, the state
had seen the need to address and protect the
needs of children which culminated in the
passage of the Child Rights Law of Lagos State
2007.
He stressed the law was to safeguard the welfare
of a child and eradicate various forms of abuse
on children in the society.
“Prior to the enactment of the Law, the issue of
abuse and domestic violence against children was
perpetually on the back burner of public policy,
but with the promulgation of the Law, the issue
has been brought to consciousness of Nigerians,”
Ipaye said.
He explained that the theme of this year’s
celebration “The Rights of the Child” was a call
for involvement of an all-inclusive legal and
socio-economic framework to cater for the
welfare and well-being of our children.
He said efforts by the state to ensure that every
child’s rights are protected and given equal
opportunity included the establishment of a home
and clinic for the physically challenged children,
the setting up of a Domestic Violence Response
Team to provide supports to victims of abuse and
signing of an Executive Order that establishes a
sex offender register as well as the compulsory
reporting of suspected and actual child abuse
cases.
Ipaye said the success of the law and other
policies of government, however, depended largely
on the cooperation of every member of the
society.
He enjoined stakeholders to partner with the
government in ensuring that the rights of the
children were safeguarded.

Carlo Ancelotti's record-breaking
Real Madrid side are sweeping aside all before
them with a brand of counter-attacking football
that could see the Spanish giants eclipse the
achievements of Pep Guardiola's Barcelona.
Ahead of the Champions League final in May,
Ancelotti's position at Real was far from secure
after the side finished third in La Liga, but
beating Atletico Madrid to claim their 10th
European crown cemented his place in the club's
history.
With the pressure off, Real have sparkled and
their 4-0 victory over Ludogorets Razgrad on
Tuesday saw them become the first Spanish
team to win 19 matches in succession, going one
better than Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona side in
2005-06.
"The results have been achieved by hard work and
professionalism," Ancelotti told reporters.
"It is not easy to maintain the motivation and
desire but we will continue this way and prepare
for games in the best way."
Real qualified from Group B with a 100 percent
record and now have nine consecutive victories in
the Champions League.
Ancelotti has forged a winning mentality and
through his affable nature, healed the rifts that
were part of life in the Real dressing room under
predecessor Jose Mourinho.
"The relationship with my players is very good.
They are very important to me and I take every
opportunity I can to thank them," the Italian
added.
"Our present situation can only come about if all
components come together. I have felt a lot of
support from the club also in September when
things were not going well for us."
Guardiola's Barcelona will go down in history for
their success and the way that they played the
game. With their short-passing football, they won
two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles
in a four-year spell.
However, playing a counter-attacking style based
on pace and the remarkable skills of Cristiano
Ronaldo, this Real team has the potential to be
one of the all-time greats and possibly surpass
the achievements of Guardiola's side.
"At the moment, we need to concentrate on
continuing to win," fullback Alvaro Arbeloa told
reporters.
"It is important to keep this run going and we
have some difficult matches ahead. We are
relaxed about these kinds of records and we know
that at the end of the season people may or may
not remember them depending on what we
achieve."

Funny but true.
IN NIGERIA
*Vice President -North.
*Senate President -North
*Speaker House of Reps - North.
*PDP National Chairman - North.
*Head of Service - North.
*INEC Chairman - North.
*Inspector General of Police -
North.
*Chief Justice of federation - North.
*President Court of Appeal -
North.
*EFCC Chairman - North.
*President Federal high court -
North. *National Security Adviser -
North.
*Chief of Defense Staff - North.
*Chief of Naval Staff - North.
*Controller, Customs
Service - North. *Defence Minister-North.
*Education Minister- North.
*MD Port Authority- North.
*MD NDIC - North
*Controller Prison Services -
North. *Richest man in Africa - North.
*85% of Petroleum Marketers
in Nigeria -
Northerners.
*80% of Oil Block Owners in
Nigeria - Northerners.
*99% of beggars in Nigeria -
Northerners
*Boko Haram - North.
Yet, the Poorest states in
Nigeria and Educationally
backward areas in Nigeria are
in the North.
Now, ask yourself, what is the
problem of the
Northerners? Keep forwarding till it get to all
their leaders may be they will
have to re-
think....
CAN YOU IMAGINE?

Management and staff of Boko Haram,
It is with a heart full of sadness and pain that we
write to you today dated 2 December, 2014. We
are fully convinced that you will see, read, and
reflect over the content of this letter. I stand in
the gap for ALL Nigerian Women representing
every female baby, child, girl and adult. We could
as well pass for your mothers, sisters, wives and
daughters because we know for sure that you
have women in your individual lives.
It is a well known fact globally that woman bears
the brunt of violence and terrorism and this has
been the glaring case in Nigeria since you came
on the scene with your violent strategies that has
practically rendered our Northern States
incapacitated. We have suffered exorbitantly from
the venom of your anger and violence that we are
left in awe of what you really want from all these.
You have maimed, murdered, slaughtered and
killed our children, husbands and relations like
rams in the abattoirs. We have been thrown into
consistent mourning, weeping and gnashing of
teeth from the deep seated wounds you have
engraved in our hearts and in this moment of
despair we silently wish we had you aborted when
you came into our wombs as fetus.
We do not communicate this wish but that is how
we feel. Sure, if we had you aborted when we
received the test results of your pregnancies, we
would have had a society without Boko Haram.
How happy we were when we were told that we
were pregnant for you? We were so happy and
our joy knew no bounds when we announced your
presence to your fathers. We celebrated, danced
and made merry at your birth because we thought
we were blessed with male children who used to
be the pride of our nation. We were proud to be
called Uwar, Mama, and Iya - Shekau,
Mohammed, Sani, Murktar, Obere etc.
Today, the sadness in our Spirit has deleted the
happiness and curiosity we felt when we carried
you in our wombs for 9 months. We are even
deeply saddened when we see your age groups
who have made Nigeria proud by standing out in
the crowd like the shining amour. Now, you will
want to defend your actions by saying you were
not given equal grounds. You could even argue
that that is one reason why you are fighting, but
the truth is that they faced their own challenges
as well but refused to succumb to the dark
terrorism path which you have chosen.
You even said you are fighting for God but any
God who cannot fight for him/herself is definitely
not qualified to be God. The God we serve is
meant to fight for us not the other. How can you,
a mere mortal fight for an immortal God?
Your actions against us are far hurting than the
pain and labour of child birth. Remember, when
you kidnapped the CHIBOK girls? We went crazy,
many of us died imagining what our daughters
were going through in your hands. We walked the
streets of Nigeria calling for their release. Some
of us even walked naked with tears streaming
down our eyes but all fell on your deaf ears.
The whole world joined the campaign but mercy
did not touch your hearts to release the girls. We
can’t believe, we gave birth to you. Till today, the
girls left in your custody will continue to be the
memories of the carnage of your destruction
forever. You boldly told us that you have married
them off. Married them off to whom? Many of
them are already pregnant with your breeds that
definitely will carry on your nefarious acts.
Will you truly rejoice when those children are born
knowing you have sacrificed their lives in the altar
of darkness? How happy will you be when
someone else kidnap your children and marry
them off without your consent?
At will, you bombed the market places being fully
aware we are always at the markets struggling to
make a living for our children. You bombed the
schools at will being fully aware that our children
are there. At will you bombed the churches and
the mosques being fully aware that we are always
there praying for our families which includes you.
You have destroyed our homes and made us
refugees in our own country and we now live off
charities. The war you have declared on Nigeria is
actually war against WOMEN. What did we do to
deserve these?
What really is your intention? We know. Yes, you
thought that by declaring war against us that the
government will surrender to you? You are
absolutely wrong. Do you not see that irrespective
of your nefarious acts that the government hardly
pays attention other than send few words of
condolences to us? Do you not see that their
main preoccupation is their campaign for 2015
elections? Do you not see that their lives are filled
with luxury and numerous trips abroad? Do you
not know that their children are all away from
Nigeria? You see, you can never get their attention
by putting us through sleepless nights because
you are not priority to them at all.
We actually thought that the worst you could do
was the kidnap of the CHIBOK girls but alas! You
came along with another strategy – using women
and girls as suicide bombers! Using our
daughters to destroy us? Oh how evil can you
get? This is the final straw!
The only offence we committed against you is
giving birth to you. We wish we can turn back the
hand of time to when you were in our wombs, we
wouldn’t have thought twice about aborting you
regardless of what the law and religion say.
However we wish, we cannot change the time but
you can change because we know that deep down
your heart lies those cheerful and loving sons we
had and are proud of. It is time to sheath your
swords! It is time to label correctly and address
the issues of your grievances accordingly! It is
time you stop this violence against women! It is
the 16 days of activism! It is your time for
change!

President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday
paid glowing tribute to the nation's Armed Forces
for their courage and sacrifices in the war against
insurgency in parts of the country.
The President was speaking at the inauguration
of the emblem and appeal fund for the 2015
Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at
the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Jonathan restated the Federal Government's
commitment to the welfare of military veterans
and families of the nation's fallen heroes.
"We salute and appreciate the courage and
sacrifices of men and women of our armed forces
in grappling with the wave of terrorism in some
parts of our dear country.
"They have displayed unalloyed loyalty and
commitment to Nigeria. In their demanding task
to keep Nigeria one and united, some of our
gallant officers and men have lost their lives.
"To these officers and men we pay tribute and
pray fervently for the repose of their souls," he
said.
2015 edition has as its theme, "Appreciating the
Nigerian Armed Forces".
The President called on all Nigerians to identify
with the Armed Forces by procuring and wearing
the emblem with pride as well as donating
generously to the appeal fund.
He took responsibility for the yet-to-be-redeemed
financial pledges made by individuals and
corporate bodies to the fund during the 2014
celebration.
Jonathan said that his office was to blame for
not contacting those who made the pledges and
directed his Chief of Staff to compile their names
with a view to reaching out to them.
"After this emblem launch, I encourage all
Nigerians to procure and wear the emblems with
pride throughout the remembrance period - that is
from today till January 15 next year.
"This will symbolise our appreciation for the
sacrifices of our fallen heroes and veterans and
also assure those in service that their fatherland
will never forsake them and will continue to
remember them.
"Last year, I instructed that all should identify
with our armed forces, and this year is no
exception.
"I, personally, will put on the emblem from today
till Jan. 15, and in the State House it is a
tradition from tomorrow that for you to come in,
you must wear the emblem," Jonathan stated.
The President said that as part of efforts to
improve the welfare of ex-service men, the
government recently implemented an increment in
the military.
He noted with delight that the Military Pension
Scheme was now running efficiently.
Jonathan said that the Minister of Defence had
been directed to initiate programmes that would
improve the living standard of veterans in the
country.
He commended the Nigeria Legion for introducing
the Nigerian Legion Humanitarian Day as part of
activities marking the Armed Forces
Remembrance Day celebration.
He said the legion was using the event to reach
out to the society through social works,
humanitarian activities as well as empowering
women and dependants of the nation's fallen
heroes.
He also lauded the efforts of state governors who
are patrons of the Legion in their various states
and urged them to continue to lend their support
to the veterans.
Earlier, the National Chairman of the Nigerian
Legion, Col. Micah Gayya (rtd), said that out of
the N105 million pledged last year, only N30
million had been redeemed.
He said the pledges were made in public, leaving
the legion with no avenue to tell the world that
they had not been redeemed.
While calling on all those concerned to redeem
their pledges, Gayya urged Nigerians to pledge
amounts they could redeem.
On his part, the Minister of Defence, Lt. Gen. Aliyu
Gusau (rtd), attributed the continued unity and
corporate existence of the country to the
patriotism and sacrifices of the Armed Forces.
Gusau also lauded the commitment of the military
to the fight against insurgency in the north
eastern part of the country and urged Nigerians
to continue to support their efforts.
Jonathan and former Head of the Interim National
Government, Ernest Shonekan, were decorated
with the emblems.
Also decorated were the Inspector -General of
Police, Suleiman Abba, the three Service Chiefs
and other top government functionaries.

Nigerian cities with greater potential than Japan
and Dubai exist, but have been quarantined and
bogged down in the orgy of lamentation. These
cities, such as Aba, Onitsha, Lagos and Kano,
need to be urgently negotiated, renegotiated and
revisited from their very foundations.
Aba, one of the ancient cities in Nigeria is
nicknamed “Japan of Africa”. In Aba, more than
50, 000 hand-made shoes are churned out daily.
In little corners of this ancient city, hardworking
men of giant minds are known to replicate the
kind of creative imagination for which the three
Japanese cities of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are
known today. Most important are the ingenuity
and the industry of its people in handcrafts
including manufacturing, fashion and design,
steel works, fabrication etc. Virtually every street
in Aba has its own fair share of businesses.
However, the city is fast ebbing into oblivion,
with the sanity of inhabitants becoming severely
strained. Total government negligence and
blatant attitudinal degeneration of inhabitants
have transmogrified Aba into a slum, where
sewage flowed down the dirt filled streets with
putrid sewage from the garbage piles – turning
the roads into putrid smelling mud slides that
folks just walk through like it was nothing.
The original Japan is a country “in the moon”.
It’s presently the world’s third largest economy
by nominal GDP and the world’s fourth largest
economy by PPP. It’s the second largest
producer of automobiles in the world. It’s a
leading nation in scientific research and has
produced 16 Nobel Laureates in physics,
chemistry and medicine. It leads the world in
robotics production, possessing more than half
of the world’s industrial robots. It’s the third
largest free market economy in the world; and it
has the longest overall life expectancy at birth of
any country in the world. In Japan, persons born
between 2010 and 2015 are expected to live
above 83.5 years.
From the foregoing, do Aba, Onitsha, Kano and
Lagos cities of Nigeria in any way replicate the
Japanese cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka etc?
One of the colossal causes of the geometrical
retrogression of these Nigerian cities is
indiscipline. In his book, “The Trouble with
Nigeria”, late Achebe wrote that “Indiscipline
pervades our lives so completely that one may
be justified in calling it the condition par
excellence of contemporary Nigerian society”.
Why would Onitsha Main Market, Ariaria Market
Aba and Balogun Market Lagos brag about being
among the largest open air markets in West
Africa? Are they not aware that open air
marketing is a brainchild of indiscipline and not
abreast with the 21st century strategies of
efficient marketing?
In Onitsha and Aba for instance, there are no
marked distinctions between markets, industrial
layouts and residential areas. In these cities, you
can live anywhere, trade anywhere (even in the
middle of a highway) and build anything
anywhere – people even attach petrol stations to
residential houses and no one makes a noise.
Something must be done with the speed of light
to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on
behalf of all notable Nigerian cities. Apart from
rebuilding the foundations of these cities and the
provision of basic amenities, something must be
done to encourage the patronization of ‘made in
Nigeria’ products by Nigerians.
In Aba for instance, clothings and wears better
than those from Europe and the UK are produced
daily but with ‘made in Italy’ and ‘made in
England’ tags. The reasons given by the
manufacturers were that if the products were to
come with ‘made in Aba’ labels, nobody will buy.
In most cases, to make these ‘fake’ products
more original, the producers are tempted to first
export them to nearby African countries were
most unsuspecting Nigerians will now go and
smuggle them into the country as foreign goods
and sell them as such.
The Japans and Dubais in Nigeria; Aba, Onitsha,
Kano and Lagos juggle trillions in gross domestic
output daily, and so has the potentials to
develop this country and make it prominent just
as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka did to Japan, and
Dubai to the UAE, especially in this period that
the contribution of crude oil to the GDP is
expected to reduce. But first and foremost, a
determined government must brace up to
adequately invest and harness these potentials
just as Japan and UAE did.

This village deep in the rugged
mountains of southern Japan once was home to
hundreds of families. Now, only 35 people remain,
outnumbered three-to-one by scarecrows that
Tsukimi Ayano crafted to help fill the days and
replace neighbors who died or moved away.
At 65, Ayano is one of the younger residents of
Nagoro. She moved back from Osaka to look
after her 85-year-old father after decades away.
"They bring back memories," Ayano said of the
life-sized dolls crowded into corners of her
farmhouse home, perched on fences and trees,
huddled side-by-side at a produce stall, the bus
stop, anywhere a living person might stop to take
a rest.
"That old lady used to come and chat and drink
tea. That old man used to love to drink sake and
tell stories. It reminds me of the old times, when
they were still alive and well," she said.
Even more than its fading status as an export
superpower, Japan's dwindling population may be
its biggest challenge. More than 10,000 towns
and villages in Japan are depopulated, the homes
and infrastructure crumbling as the countryside
empties thanks to the falling birthrate and rapid
aging.
In Japan's northeast, the massive earthquake and
tsunami that struck in March 2011, killing more
than 18,000 people, merely hastened along the
decline.
First the jobs go. Then the schools. Eventually,
the electricity meters stop.
Neither Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal
Democratic Party nor any of its rivals have
figured out how to "revive localities," an urgent
issue that has perplexed Japanese leaders for
decades.
But some communities are trying various
strategies for attracting younger residents,
slowing if not reversing their decline. In
Kamiyama, another farming community closer to
the regional capital of Tokushima, community
organizers have mapped out a strategy for
attracting artists and high-tech companies.
Nagoro is more typical of the thousands of
communities that are turning into ghost towns or
at best, open-air museums, frozen in time — a
trend evident even in downtown Tokyo and in
nearly or completely empty villages in the city's
suburbs.
The one-street town is mostly abandoned, its
shops and homes permanently shuttered.
The closure of the local elementary school two
years ago was the last straw. Ayano unlocks the
door and guides visitors through spotless
classrooms populated with scarecrow students
and teachers.
When she returned to her hometown 13 years
ago, Ayano tried farming. Thinking her radish
seeds may have been eaten by crows, she
decided to make some scarecrows. By now there
are more 100 scattered around Nagoro and other
towns in Shikoku.
Like handcarved Buddhist sculptures, each has its
own whimsical expression. Some sleep, their
eyelids permanently shut. Others cuddle toddler
scarecrows, or man plows and hoes.
Ayano brings one along for company on her 90-
minute drive to buy groceries in the nearest big
town. But most remain behind, to be
photographed and marveled at by tourists who
detour through the winding mountain roads.
"If I hadn't made these scarecrows, people would
just drive right by," said Ayano, who greets a
steady stream of visitors who wander through the
village.
The plight of Japan's countryside partly a
consequence of the country's economic success.
As the nation grew increasingly affluent after
World War II, younger Japanese flooded into the
cities to fill jobs in factories and service
industries, leaving their elders to tend small
farms.
Greater Tokyo, with more than 37 million people
and Osaka-Kobe, with 11.5 million, account for
nearly 40 percent of the country's 127 million
people, with another 10 million scattered in a
handful of provincial capitals.
"There's been this huge sucking sound as the
countryside is emptied," said Joel Cohen, a
professor at Columbia University's Laboratory of
Populations.
Japan's population began to decline in 2010 from
a peak of 128 million. Without a drastic increase
in the birthrate or a loosening of the staunch
Japanese resistance to immigration, it is forecast
to fall to about 108 million by 2050 and to 87
million by 2060.
By then, four in 10 Japanese will be over 65 years
old.
The government has a target of preventing the
population from falling below 100 million, but
efforts to convince Japanese women to have
more babies have yielded meager results. Young
Japanese continue to drift from the countryside
into big cities such as Tokyo, where the birthrate
is a mere 1.13 children, thanks to long working
hours, high costs and killer commutes.
The population of Miyoshi, which is the town
closest to Nagoro, fell from 45,340 in 1985 to
about 27,000 last year. A quarter of its population
is over 75 years old. To entice residents to have
more children, the town began offering free
nursery care for third children, free diapers and
formula to age 2 and free health care through
junior high school.
"The way to stop this is to get people to have
more babies," said Kurokawa, whose own three
children and seven grandchildren still live in the
area. "Apart from that, we need for people to
return here or move here. We need them all."
But it's not an easy sell, despite the fresh air and
abundant space.
"You can't just grab people by the necks like
kittens and drag them here," Kurokawa said.
"They have to want to live here."
To match potential occupants with empty homes,
towns like Miyoshi are setting up "empty house
banks." Across Japan there are 8.2 million such
"akiya," or empty homes, more than a tenth of all
residential buildings.
But getting residents of half-empty towns to
accept newcomers can also be a challenge. In
Kamiyama, to the east, the town still struggles to
convince owners who are often relatives living in
distant cities to open up abandoned homes for
rent or renovation, said Shinya Ominami,
chairman of a civic group that has led efforts to
revive the town.
Kamiyama, a town of about 6,000, set up an
"Artists in Residence" program in 1999. The
installation of fiber optic cable enabled the town
to begin marketing itself as a location for IT
satellite offices with rents as low as 20,000 yen
($200) a month. Eleven companies have come so
far.
In a briefing for potential investors and visiting
officials from other areas, Ominami shows a slide
of the town's shopping street, dotted with houses
that are empty, and then another with some of
the buildings filled with new businesses — a
bistro, a design studio, an IT incubation hub.
"In Kamiyama, 50,000 yen rent gets you a really
luxurious property," Ominami said. "Extremely
high class."
By drawing in younger new residents and
encouraging businesses that cater to them, like
an organic foods pizza parlor and a gelateria, the
community can actually breathe new life into
older, traditional industries like farming, he said.
"People think of decline as something pathetic.
That's too vague. We need to think more clearly
about this," Ominami said. "Once we accept this
is the reality, we can figure out how to cope with
it."

1. It is dangerous to use a cellphone at a gas
station
This misconception came about due to a bunch of
emails being spread around the Internet describing
cases of explosions caused by cellphone use. The
emails were purported to have been sent by Shell
Oil. When questioned, Shell denied sending the
emails. Furthermore, not only has there never been
a case of a cellphone causing an explosion at a
gas station, no one has been able to prove that it
is even possible in scientific testing. According to
Snopes: “News reports routinely attribute gas
pump fires to cell phone use whenever a fire
occurs at a service station where such a phone
was in use at the time, and police and firefighters
at the scene often simply assume the connection
between the two to be valid.” Despite this
complete lack of evidence of likelihood of accident,
Australia and New Zealand both display signs at
gas stations telling people to turn off cellphones
and the city of Cicero in Illinois has made the use
of cellphones at gas stations illegal.
2. Charles Lindbergh was the first man to fly the
Atlantic Ocean
Charles Lindbergh was not the first man to fly the
Atlantic Ocean, although he was the first to have
flown across it solo. The first flight had been done
first in stages between May 8 and May 31, 1919,
by the crew of the Navy-Curtiss NC-4 flying boat
which took 24 days to complete its journey. The
first truly non-stop transatlantic flight was made in
1919 by John Alcock and Arthur Whitten Brown in
a modified Vickers Vimy bomber.
3. The US Highway system was designed to allow
planes to land in emergencies
The United States Interstate Highway System was
not designed with airplane landings in mind.
4. Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press
or movable type
Johannes Gutenberg was not the first to invent the
printing press or movable type; these were in use
in China and Korea centuries before. Gutenberg
was the first European to use movable type, and
he probably invented it independently.
5. Web cookies are dangerous and should be
avoided
In fact, cookies are plain text files which a website
can store on your computer with information to
manage your browsing. Unless there is a security
flaw in your webbrowser.
6. Apple Macs don’t get viruses
While it is true that Macs almost never get viruses,
it is also true that there are some in existence.
7. Hitler created the autobahn
Many people believe that Hitler and the Nazis
conceived of the idea of the first Autobahn
(essentially a large motorway) in Germany (and the
first laned free public motorway in the world). But
in fact the autobahn was built in 1931 and opened
by Konrad Adenauer, the Mayor of Cologne.
8. Planes dump their toilet waste while up in the
air
Not only do planes not dump their waste mid-
flight, it is also impossible for them to do so short
of some kind of catastrophe which causes the
waste tanks to explode open (because the valve is
on the outside of the plane). When toilets are used
on a plane, the waste is dumped into a special
tank. The waste remains in the tank until the plane
lands, and then special ground crew members
pump the tanks.
9. Pong was the first video game
Pong was invented in 1972 by Atari and it was an
arcade style game that featured two opposing
paddles and a ball with which you played virtual
tennis. It was the first commercially successful
video game and it launched the video game
industry.
10. The web is the Internet
This is a very common misconception, most likely
brought about due to the fact that most people
use the web as their almost exclusive method of
using the Internet.

Nigeria on Friday said that a decision to
cancel US training of its soldiers to fight Boko
Haram was a logistical, not a political decision.
The US Embassy in Abuja announced on
Monday that the Nigerian government had
halted a training programme of an army
battalion, which would have developed into a
unit to take on the militants.
The cancellation came after Nigeria's
ambassador to Washington last month criticised
the United States for the "scope, nature and
content" of its support for the counter-
insurgency.
In particular, he said Washington had failed to
provide the weapons required to deliver a "killer
punch" to Boko Haram.
But Nigeria's national security spokesman, Mike
Omeri, played down talk of strained diplomatic
ties, saying it did not affect the countries'
existing military cooperation.
"This is just a training component for one
battalion of the Nigerian Army," he told AFP.
"We have had the first and second phase of
that training, so it is not as if the whole
bilateral military agreement has been
suspended. The suspension is logistical and not
political."
Omeri was quoted as saying in the Nigerian
media on Friday that the cancelled third phase
required military equipment to be withdrawn
from current operations to be used for training.
The US Embassy had said it regretted the end
of the training programme, which had been
offered in the wake of Boko Haram's abduction
of 276 schoolgirls in northeast Nigeria in mid-
April.
A number of foreign powers sent surveillance
and intelligence specialists to Nigeria to assist
the military with the search for the 219
teenagers who are still being held.
The military has been unable to end the five-
year Islamist insurgency, which has left more
than 13,000 dead and displaced more than one
million people.
The main opposition has alleged that the
government has been playing politics with the
insurgency, as the worst-hit areas are unlikely
to vote for it in next year's elections.

HumbledbYGrace:
Source?

sahara reporters

while Nigerians wait for closure on the
$15 million arms money seized by
South African prosecutors, authorities
in the two countries appear to have
agreed on an unholy barter to exchange bodies
of South Africans who died in the Synagogue
Church collapse in Nigeria, for South African-
made arms needed by Nigeria to fight Boko
Haram, The Mail and Guardian, one of South
Africa’s most respected newspapers, has
reported.
South Africa confiscated the money from arms
brokers who travelled there to procure arms for
the Nigerian military.
Mail and Guardian said it saw two letters written
by Jeff Radebe, the South African special envoy
in charge of facilitating the repatriation of the
bodies, to JP “Torie” Pretorius, of the Directorate
for Priority Crime Investigations, also known as
the Hawks, and Dumisani Dladla, head of South
African National Conventional Arms Control
Committee, NCACC, secretariat, seeking to assist
the Nigerian government to get the weapons,
despite two court orders freezing the money and
continued probe into the dubious deals by
investigators.
On November 16, with the supervision of Mr.
Radebe, 74 bodies were repatriated to South
Africa following the September collapse of the
Synagogue Church in Lagos, Nigeria.
Majority of the dead were South Africans who
visited the church hoping to receive miracles
from the founder, T. B. Joshua.
Many in South Africa hailed Mr. Radebe as a
hero for being able to secure the release of the
bodies.
But the news that he might have entered into a
sinister swap agreement with Nigerian officials
to accelerate the return of the bodies has cast a
pall over that heroic persona.
The South African government has dismissed the
Mail and Guardian’s account as an attempt to
“discredit the collaborative efforts of the South
African and Nigerian governments to repatriate
the bodies of South Africans that died in
Nigeria”.
But the paper, in a follow-up report, said it stood
by its findings, as they were backed by
documents and confirmations from government
officials.
“It includes correspondence from Minister
Radebe to the Hawks and internal emails from
senior government officials,” Mail and Guardian
editor, Angela Quintal, said. “The email trail
clearly shows that these officials were
discussing the minister’s request that the
investigation be halted and that they were
concerned about this.”
In the letters Mail and Guardian quoted, Mr.
Radebe, who is also the Chairman of NCACC
and a minister in the South African presidency,
tried hard to whitewash the deals as legitimate.
“(It) was, in fact, a legitimate requirement from
the government of Nigeria,” he was quoted to
have written. “Although the required
administrative processes were not adhered to at
the time, the government of South Africa deems
it a bona fide error.”
He told Mr. Dladla to “laise” with Mr. Pretorius to
“obtain all relevant information in order to assist
the parties involved to apply for the necessary
authorisations in compliance with the National
Conventional Arms Control Amendment Act (no
73 of 2008);” adding that “Upon receipt of the
required permit applications, the national
conventional arms control committee will
favourably consider ex-post facto approval
thereof.”
Though Mr. Radebe claimed that the attempt to
help Nigeria clean up the arms deal was
collectively agreed at an NCACC meeting, other
members of the committee are distancing
themselves from the agreement.
Also, while he claimed, through his
spokesperson, that the committee agreed to help
Nigeria legitimise the deals at its October 30
meeting, the letter seen by Mail and Guardian
was dated October 6, three weeks before the
meeting was held, the newspaper said.
Mr. Radebe also said that the repatriation of the
bodies lay under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
Lagos State government and “had no relation to
the arms matter.”
He said he drafted the letters to Hawks and the
directorate for conventional arms control “after
consultation with the Federal Republic of
Nigeria”.
Mail and Guardian quoted a cabinet minister,
who is also a member of the arms committee,
as saying that Mr. Radebe singlehandedly wrote
the letter without consulting other committee
members. He said Mr. Radebe merely sought
their approval after the letter had been delivered.
“Jeff cut this deal all by himself. He wanted to
claim credit for cracking this matter [securing the
return of bodies,” said the government official.
“His colleagues who serve on the arms
committee are distancing themselves from the
whole thing. They are refusing to back him on
this one. If we allow Nigeria to get away with
this, it means any country can come and do the
same.”
Mr. Radebe appeared to be completely isolated
on the matter as prosecutors said they are not
relenting in their effort at getting to the bottom
of the matter. Paul Ramaloko, a captain with the
Hawks said his organisation is forging ahead
with its investigation and that he knew nothing
about the attempt of Mr. Radebe to withdraw
the charges.
Mail and Guardian said Mr. Radebe’s letters are
being discussed within the country’s diplomatic
circles with officials wondering what to do with
it.
An email the newspaper claimed it saw read:
“What concerns the NCAI [National Arms Control
Inspectorate] about this case is that there are no
documents … end-user certificate, or otherwise …
from the Nigerian government that they had
ordered the arms and ammunition. Thus far,
there is no proof that has been provided that the
Nigerian government ordered these goods or is in
any way involved in this deal.”
The officials who wrote the email added that,
having bought arms from South Africa before,
“the responsible officials in that country
understand the administrative and legal process
that South Africa requires”.
Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Sambo
Dasuki, could not be reached for comments. His
spokesperson, Adebisi Adekunle, could not also
be contacted as calls to his telephone were
unsuccessful.
A spokesperson to President Goodluck Jonathan,
Reuben Abati, did not also respond to calls to
his phones.