₦airaland Forum

My criticisms of the excesses of the online phenomenon in terms of its brazen abuse in an unregulated environment has often made me the target of attacks, with many insisting on quoting the opening paragraph of a piece I once wrote along these lines as if it is a memorial verse, but further developments have shown that indeed, liberal, accommodative, useful and open as the growth of the new media may seem in Nigeria, we may well, if care is not taken, be dealing with a dangerous tool in the hands of the unscrupulous which could drive society towards the lunatic fringe. The beauty of the new media is its democratic temper. With any electronic device, anyone at all, can set up a communications unit, using a phone, a tablet, a laptop, a desktop, and simply occupy the social space and broadcast information which in a matter of minutes may go viral and condition public opinion. It grants the person involved absolute freedom, even anonymity, dangerous anonymity of self, space and location, but the worst part of it is the freedom from decency, responsibility and conscience. And so while so much good can be done by persons exchanging information, and as has turned out, creative jokes and skits which entertain and amuse, a lot of evil can be committed through resort to blackmail, abuse, and mischief. This dangerous dimension is beginning to grow in different directions and the latest that I have seen is what seems to be the emergence of cartels, or perhaps cabals in the online industry, with various persons organizing themselves into groups, and if this were to be a sign of freedom of association exercised by like minds, it would be commendable. But rather what is emerging is bitter rivalry among the various groups, a fierce struggle for territory, unhealthy, cut- throat competition, and a desperation to out- do each other. The group warriors are not necessarily fighting for any great ideal, but ego, power, privilege and access to the corridors of power. I happen to have suddenly become a victim in the midst of this turf-fighting, as my name this week was drawn into a cat fight between two groups: the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the Online Publishers Association of Nigeria (OPAN). These are two of the emerging groups but there are others: Association of Online Bloggers, Association of Nigerian Online Publishers (ANOP), the Online Magazines Publishers Association (OMPA). And who knows, there may well be the Association of What’s App Users, the Nigerian Association of Twitter Voltrons, Association of Nigerian BBM Users, National Association of Chat Group Administrators, all of them fighting over influence, space, and patronage. This politicization of the online business can only in the long run diminish its influence and promote opportunism. The case that I refer to was triggered by a meeting in Lagos, between the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and a group of online publishers under the umbrella of GOCOP. This prompted a rival group, the OPAN to issue a statement accusing Alhaji Mohammed of meeting with the wrong group and ignoring the main stakeholders. There has been serious “blood- sharing” since then. GOCOP issued a rejoinder in which it attacked OPAN. And my name was brought in. I was accused of being the spirit behind OPAN, and an attempt was made to set me up against Femi Adesina, my successor as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of Nigeria. Femi was given special praise, he being a Trustee of GOCOP, so the whole thing is projected as OPAN being pro- Jonathan and GOCOP being pro-Buhari. I was also accused of having influenced the Corporate Affairs Commission to block the registration of NOPA, the first name that the other group had chosen when it sought formal registration. I was alleged to have used the powers of the Presidency to victimize members of then NOPA, who eventually adopted a new name and got registered. But obviously, the aggrieved were looking for an opportunity to go after me. And they believe the time is now right and that their facts are right, hence they threatened to release “documents”. They are wrong. Here are the facts: I was invited to be a Trustee of OPAN in 2010 when I was still Chairman of the Editorial Board of The Guardian. I was at the time involved either as a Trustee or contributor to many social causes – motherless children’s homes, special children, book reading clubs, girl child education projects, and hence, adding to that list a group that defined its objective as developing standards in the emerging online space was not a problem for me. I agreed to be a Trustee of OPAN and I made inputs into the drafting of the philosophy of the group. It had become clear by then that the online space was bound to grow and that there was a need for an articulation of ethical and professional standards, which may not be officially imposed but which could provide a basis for the insistence on a responsible use of the internet to promote serious issues. OPAN secured registration with the CAC, but it remained in a formative stage throughout the period I was in office, and was only formally launched late 2015. I did not even attend the launching ceremony. Having seen that the group had finally found its rhythm and its objectives properly defined, I offered to step down from the Board of Trustees. I got to know of the bitter fight over CAC registration between GOCOP and OPAN in the press release issued by the former. Let me make this clear: I could not have been involved in that fight. The CAC is a statutory body and I believe it is in a position to defend its integrity. Anyone knows that the CAC conducts name-search before registering any organization and where any conflict in identity is subsequently reported, it has its own mechanism for resolving such. If NOPA and OPAN were fighting over nomenclature, it was the job of the CAC to resolve that, not the Presidency. In any case, my office could not have supported one group of online publishers against another, because that would have been counter-productive. My assignment required me to relate regularly with website owners, bloggers, and all categories of journalists and they all published our materials. I have made it clear privately that I probably received more support from members of GOCOP, many of whom I had always known and with whom I had shared happier moments, particularly at the St Bottles’ Cathedral in Lagos: our hang-out in those days. But I see that twice in the past eight months, there have been curious attempts to pitch me against my successor, Femi Adesina. In the imagination of a dubious minority, I am supposed to be fighting him and make his work difficult. I can imagine the kind of stories that may have been going back and forth, invented by persons looking for what to eat. I have been there and I know how it is. But Femi and I have never fought over anything and we have absolutely no reason to fight. I am out. He is in. Life goes on. I have nothing against him or the PMB government. In 2015, the Nigerian people made a choice and spoke. It is a choice that we respect. But as if all that is not plain enough, the latest that I have seen is a 2012 private e-mail “document” purportedly leaked to Sahara Reporters giving the impression that I worked with an online group to undermine Sahara Reporters in defence of the Jonathan Government, and of course the sub-text is to link me with the current war of the online publishers. This has to do with an e-mail, which the Association of Nigerian Online Publishers (ANOP) sent to a third party which was forwarded to me. I was then hearing about ANOP for the first time. I forwarded the mail to the main promoter of OPAN, the only one of such groups that was known to me then and I only wanted to know if this was the same group, given the striking similarity. The leaked mail is one of many such unsolicited proposals and suggestions that came to my desk. Nothing came out of it thereafter, and I had no reason to worry about that innocuous incident until now. I took an oath of office to defend the interests of the people, President and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I did my bit, but it was not the style of that administration or my office to intimidate, gag, frustrate or undermine the free media. I had direct access to Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters. Throughout my four years on the job, he used every single press release that we issued and always listened to my many protestations. He always insisted however, that he had his facts, and that he knew more insiders than I could ever imagine. I was always shocked how State House documents and inside stories regularly found their way to his desk, and how on the day the President’s brother died, he had published the story even before anyone in Aso Rock knew. If the leaked e-mail proves anything, it is that he and his own colleagues are involved in a bitter rivalry, and that there is indeed a war of online operators and this can only get worse with everyone these days, becoming a blogger or online publisher. This poses a serious challenge for media, reputation, and perception managers who must continuously swim in an ocean of sharks, alligators and piranhas. If you relate with A, you could offend B. And if you receive a mail from C, you could get into trouble, not knowing which cartel or cabal you are dealing with. The truth, if we must say so, is that the social media in Nigeria has become a battle-ground for survival. It is no longer about young people playing with a phone or a laptop, it is big business, and where the stomach or sheer rivalry, is involved, we can see that persons are ready to shed blood, shred reputations and break jaws. It is most unfortunate that this positive force that could be used for the good of society is finally going the way of all things. The other truth is that the big war of communications is no longer fought on the pages of newspapers, but online and all the bad habits of old have been transported, without any ethical restraint. This is where the real danger lies. The challenge is to insist that online journalists, publishers, bloggers and tweeters must be held down to certain prudential standards of practice. The in-fighting is unnecessary. The various associations can be useful as vehicles of self-regulation, and for promoting values and best options. They should not become special purpose mechanisms for patronizing politicians and political office holders.

saintkel:
Wots all dis abt Fp n Ftc? Una just d bore me

because nor be you first comment nau, bad belle

Nice one Op. This deserves FP

modified:
ftc - first in history, i made it.
I dedicate this to my Jamb exam am gonna write. I must make it.
God take over.

Egbon #saintkel you want my ftc come and take it.

sammyj:
Fat mouth egoat governor always misfiring. How could the clueless governor know how much has been returned since his domain is not beyond EEkiti state.

what is "EEkiti"
END TIME SPELLING

OKWU Nnabuike, Secretary General of Ohaneze Youth Wing in this interview, wants the Federal Government to consider the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a matter of urgency. He believes that doing so would give room for dialogue, even as he wants the country restructured in accordance with the recommendations of the Confab.
By Charles Kumolu
Asa youth leader of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, what is your impression about the ongoing protests by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB?
Looking at the protests in the context of the position of Ndi Igbo in the polity, you will know that we are marginalised. And it is difficult to beat someone and ask the person not to cry. Anyone, who does not feel comfortable about his plight, is naturally entitled to speak out.
The protests were triggered by Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest. Agitations by ethnic associations are not peculiar to IPOB alone. There are various forms of agitations in Nigeria. We the Ohaneze Youth Wing, wants the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu to pave way for dialogue.

Doing so will give us the opportunity of talking to the leadership of the IPOB. If he is released, there will be room for interface with the group.
The Federal government should listen to pleas by Nigerians to release Kanu. The Inspector General of Police recently pleaded that Ohaneze should plead with the youths to stop the protests. We are also appealing to the Federal Government to address the salient issues regarding the marginalisation of the South East. The restructuring of the country in line with the report of the Confab, would go a long way in assuaging the people.
There is an impression out there that the various leaders of Ndi Igbo, are finding it difficult to speak with one voice on the matter. What is your reaction to that?
That is not true. The Ohaneze Youth Wing is studying the situation. And Ndi Igbo are one of the most united tribes in this country. We are our brother’s keepers and thus take everything affecting the Igbo nation very serious.
Those ascribing such to Ndi Igbo are not being fair, even if there are areas of disagreements, would such be said to be peculiar to Ndi Igbo alone? Does the Yoruba, Hausa’s and other tribes speak with one voice on every issue? During the last general election, some Hausa and Yoruba people endorsed Goodluck Jonathan. Ndi Igbo also did same too, while others did not endorse him. The cry over Igbo marginalisation is real.
The detained leader of the IPOB is being accused for broadcasting hate messages against the state, but some also feel all he did was to bring to the fore, the alleged marginalisation of the South –East geopolitical zone. What is your take on that?
There is freedom of speech in this country and manners of doing so differ. His criticisms were not restricted to the Federal Government. He criticised Ohaneze, the British government and those he chose to lampoon. I have listened to Radio Biafra and heard his criticisms based on his beliefs. I am not a part of IPOB, but I want the federal government to handle the matter in a manner that it would not lead to damaging consequences.

Source - http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/11/biafra-kanus-releasell-give-room-for-dialogue-nnabuike-ohanaeze-youth-leader/

The film will be screened at the 2015 Africa
International Film Festival.

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"The Encounter" (YouTube)

A new short film titled “The Encounter” is set to make its screen debut this month. The film is set in 1967 at the time of the Nigerian civil war.

In the moving picture, Emmanuel Ifeajuna, a prisoner of war is called for by the Biafran Commander-in-Chief for a conversation that could be Ifeajuna’s last discourse ever.

The film directed by Tolu Ajayi is an adaptation of a short story with the same title by historian, Henry Chukwuemeka Onyema.

“The Encounter” will be screened at the 2015 Africa International Film Festival » , which kicks off in Lagos on November 8, 2015 in Lagos.


This is historic piece is not Ajayi’s first short film. He directed a thriller titled “Blink” starring ‘Deyemi Okanlawon and Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi. In 2013 he directed romantic comedy “A New You” for Ebony Life.

This film featured Okanlawon and Chioma ‘Chi Gul’ Omeruah.

Watch “The Encounter” trailer below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z9F4XRvBd8

Absent for the performance were Mavin
Records Boss, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Di'ja and
D'Prince.

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4325481/8691851664-w640-h640/Screen-Shot-2015-11-03-at-6.png

Leading record label, Mavin Records have once again serve fans with a pleasant surprise.

Performing at Oga Madam Live on Stage with Lolo 1 which held at Muson Centre on Sunday November 1, Mavin all stars group Reekado Banks, Korede Bello joined Dr Sid on stage to perform their chart topping gyration new single, ‘Jantamanta'.

They delivered a highly energetic performance to the delight of fans. Absent for the performance were Mavin Records Boss, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Di'ja and D'Prince. Watch the full performance below.

http://www.m.youtube.com/watch?v=9VfUjsUsmlw

The 78 men and five women were detained in
a motorpark in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa
state.

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4333625/4221859811-w640-h640/Biafra-protests-Pulse-Nigeria-5.jpg
Pro-Biafra supporters (Olori Supergal)


Nigerian police said they arrested more than 80 members of a Biafran separatist movement on Friday during one of a series of protests across the oil-rich southeast against the detention of the group's leader.


The 78 men and five women were detained in a motorpark in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state, "because they want to foment troubles and unleash mayhem" said Bayelsa police spokesman Anisim Butswat.

Witnesses reported other rallies in at least four other areas, and one activist said police fired tear gas at marchers from Imo state walking to Bayelsa state border, though there was no independent confirmation.

Secessionist feeling has continued to simmer in the region since the Biafra separatist rebellion tipped the country into a 1967-70 civil war that killed an estimated 1 million people.


The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra group called for a "million man march" on Friday after their leader Nnamdi Kanu was arrested in Nigeria on charges relating to broadcasts by his Radio Biafra station.

It was not immediately clear if the group had attracted anywhere near that number of people onto the streets.


Source - http://pulse.ng/local/in-bayelsa-police-arrest-over-80-members-of-biafra-group-id4334759.html

Bolade005:
OP, you're one of the few reasonable Nigerians out there. It amazes when I see educated people and most especially graduates yearning for 5k when they should actually be demanding for job creation. It's quite disheartening.

seems you are not in nigeria when he made those promises?

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Governor Okorocha (Daily Post)

The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha to stay away from the state.

The Rivers PDP gave the warning after Okorocha reportedly said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was determined to take over the state.


The party’s position was conveyed via a statement by its Chairman, Felix Obuah. It reads: “Governor Okorocha’s revelation is an eloquent collaboration of a similar recent pronouncement by the APC Chairman in the State, Davies Ikanya that the APC-led federal government cannot afford to lose Rivers State.”


“Governor Okorocha who blew the lead off the bottle while addressing newsmen after the meeting of APC Governors’ said the desperation of the party to take over the two South/South States is because they won the April 11, 2015 governorship elections in the two States but were robbed by the PDP.”


“Even though Okorocha who has allegedly converted Imo State to a family estate did not explain how his APC intends to actualize the plot, the PDP State Chairman warned him and his fellow plotters to steer clear of the State as the Rivers people are prepared to resist any unlawful means to snatch the mandate given to Gov. Wike.”

“To before warned is to be armed, the PDP State boss stressed, calling the whole world to take note of those to hold responsible for any eventual mayhem that may befall the State and defenceless Rivers people.”


“Even though the Rivers people are more than ready to defend their mandate willingly and fairly given to Governor Nyesom Wike, the PDP State Chairman wants the entire Nigerians to take note of the grand plot to cause crisis in the polity and demand to know whether such witch-hunt, forceful usurpation of power and executive lawlessness are what the CHANGE mantra of President Buhari is all about.”


“While we place our trust in God and believe that the truth will prevail in the face of the unprecedented plot against the will of the people, we make bold to say that the Rivers people are waiting and cannot be intimidated.”


Wike had earlier said that there would be no rerun election in the state despite the October 24, 2015, tribunal decision nullifying his victory in the April 11 polls.

Source - http://pulse.ng/politics/rochas-okorocha-stay-away-from-rivers-pdp-warns-governor-id4326679.html?utm_campaign=art-rochas-okorocha-stay-away-from-rivers-pdp-warns-governor-2015-11-04&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_content=

https://punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Map-of-Nigeria.jpg


Issah Aremu

Posing a question with an obvious answer is at worse rhetorical and at best academic.

Nigeria is broke. And the information is official. President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that Nigeria is indeed broke, citing the fiscal crisis of payment of salaries as an evidence. The President spoke at a press conference after the recently concluded India-Africa Summit. My reflection on a question with an implicit answer would not have been necessary if the President had not sounded seemingly helpless as to where Nigeria’s money is. First, he would not reveal to us “offhand how much we have recovered” from stolen funds. Secondly, to the pointed question that his administration government is “too slow” in addressing infrastructure, the President not in denial asked in return; “Where is the money?” Haba! Where is the money? The President was elected to look for money, (actual or potential) not to ask where the money is? If the President does not know where the money is (just as much as he knows where our votes are), pray who else will know? The latest presidential revelation that the country is broke has inadvertently thrown some search light on what Buharinomics is all about.


Without explicitly saying so, this administration defines economy as the recovery of stolen public wealth and management of oil revenue, period, failing which life stops. This administration seems to favour what the late Paul Baran, the great American political economist, defines as “Actual economic surplus” which with falling oil revenue is no more in surplus in Nigeria. With rampant corruption and declining oil revenue,
President Buhari might be right feigning helplessness in meeting up to the challenges of development.


Nigeria’s actual economic surplus is certainly nowhere to be found. But even at that, at $48 per barrel with as many as two million plus barrels of crude oil per day, President Buhari cannot ask where the money is. Oil price fell as low as $9 in 1998 during the regime of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

I recollect Nigerian journalists once
asking the late president of Tanzania, Julius Nyerere, visiting Abuja for the transition lecture in 1999, about his reaction to the then global falling oil prices. His reaction mixed with humour was that; May God give Tazania oil at any price, saying he would be contented with having oil at the lowest price instead of agonising on how to import petroleum products which according to him Nigeria had in abundance.


The point cannot be overstated that Nigeria is still not short of actual oil money, if only we learn to leave within our means.


President Buhari must think outside the box of oil money (whether stolen or declining due to falling price). The President must think of Baran’s Potential Economic Surplus being denied due to lack of clear cut economic agenda of growth and development. Buhari’s government must spell out how it wants to unleash the energy of Nigerians for development. The people are more than ready for positive change.


This government must stop agonising but must organise human and material resources for urgent production of the much needed goods and services. According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, the country spent a total of N1.18tn (about $7.4bn) on the importation of toothpicks, fish, milk, textiles, rice and furniture between 2014 and May 2015.

That is almost the amount Indian Prime Minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, unacceptably threw at 52 African heads of states including Nigeria last week as a so-called grant. The Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, recently revealed that the Federal Government spent $2.41bn on rice importation between January 2012 and May 2015.


With these serial financial leakages, on frivolous imports, is President Buhari doubting where Nigeria’ s money is? Can we with these luxury imports including petroleum products we have in abundance, say Nigeria is broke? Is Nigeria broke or simply wasteful? I suggest President Buhari’s administration must put its weight behind the CBN in enforcing the Bank’s decision to ban foreign exchange for importation of rice, fish and other items which can and must be produced at home.


The case of rice is double jeopardy for Nigeria. We export scarce foreign exchange for imported rice putting pressure on naira value while as the CBN put it, “…this trend has resulted in huge unsold stock of paddy rice cultivated by our farmers and low operating capacities of many integrated rice mills in Nigeria.” President Buhari and his deputy,


Yemi Osinbajo, commendably cut their salaries by half as part of the gesture in reducing costs of governance. Pray, how many state governors have
joined? The two also made their assets public. How many public officers have followed the example of the President and his deputy? I bet if public assets of all public officials are made public, President Buhari will know where Nigeria’s money is! Our legislators’ salaries and allowances do not still reflect that the nation is broke. Top government officials still charter private jets to places they should have gone on roads they left their citizens with, commandeer presidential jets for wedding of their children, travel business class and first class-endless global conferences. We even
subsidise trips (which for many are endless) to pilgrimages at preferred exchange rates. Is Nigeria really broke? This government must stop agonising, and get organised for good governance.

Aremu is the Vice-President of the Nigeria Labour Congress


source - http://punchng.com/2015/11/3641

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Acting Chairman, PDP, Uche Secondus

Olusola Fabiyi

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party said on Tuesday that the party did not prepare for defeat in the last general elections.

The defeat was the first to be suffered by the party, which had been controlling the government at the centre since the country returned to democracy in 1999.

Apart from losing the Presidential election to the All
Progressives Congress, the PDP was also defeated in many states which it had been controlling for 16 years.

Speaking in his office in Abuja on Tuesday when the Resident Country Director of International Republican Institute, Mr. Senten Barnes, paid him a courtesy call at the party’s national secretariat, the Acting Chairman of the now opposition party, Prince Uche Secondus, said the defeat came to the PDP as a surprise.

He said, “We were so used to winning in the past 16 years. We never prepared for defeat and so when it came, we were surprised.

“Now, we should know that money is not everything. Then, we were wrong. Selling of documents (by workers of the party) should stop.

“The party will train members of staff in collaboration with IRI, and our workers must be careful against the sale of documents to outsiders.

“The party must now go to the people. We need serious training and we would work with the IRI for the training.”

The chairman also stressed that the era of automatic tickets for aspirants vying for elective positions was over.

Secondus said that the decision to embark on biometric membership registration had shown that the era of few moneybags controlling the party had become a thing of the past. He urged members to pay their dues as the party leadership had decided to take the PDP back to the people. He said, “The era of ‘automatic tickets, no vacancy’ is over as this is not in our constitution.


“We want to eliminate influence or what is called moneybags. In Kogi, the governor was threatened by other aspirants.

There would be no automatic tickets for anybody.” He vowed that the national leadership of the opposition party would return the party to the people by organising error-free primaries. He also said that the party would not be financed by individuals anymore. Secondus said, “Our intention is to make our primaries zero expensive so that nobody will induce anybody.


“My agenda is to revolutionise the party so that the idea of moneybags controlling the party will be eliminated.

“We want every member to participate in the party activities by paying their dues. Through this, we can eliminate the class syndrome and bring the party to the people.”

source - http://punchng.com/2015/11/3727

https://punchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Rivers-State-Governor-Chief-Nyesom-Wike.jpg
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike


Chukwudi Akasike

RIVERS State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has told the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2015 governorship election,

Dr. Dakuku Peterside, not to delude himself on the possibility of a rerun of the poll in the state. Wike, who said Peterside embarked on an illegal campaign on Saturday, explained that the APC leader’s action could heat up the polity.

The governor, who spoke on Tuesday through his Media Assistant, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu, disclosed that his lawyers were concluding the appeal process to challenge the ruling of the Justice Suleiman Ambrosa-led Rivers State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

He noted that the ruling, which was premised on card reader accreditation and hearsay testimonies, had already been expunged from the tribunal’s records by the Court of Appeal.

“The defeated Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Mr. Dakuku Peterside, should desist from self-deceit and unnecessary political campaigns as there will be no re-run of the governorship election in Rivers State.

“We understand the desperation of Mr. Peterside as
he is merely dancing to the tunes being played by external forces who want their filthy hands on the resources of Rivers State like they did under the failed administration of Rotimi Amaechi.

“The people of Rivers State voted overwhelmingly for Governor Wike on April 11 and 12.

The earlier Mr. Peterside comes to terms with this fact, the better for him and his political party. “The use of falsehood and propaganda will not take Peterside anywhere near the Government House, Port Harcourt. Governor Wike has the mandate of the people of Rivers State and this will be reaffirmed in the appeal process.” Reacting, the state Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mr. Chris Finebone, said Wike should stop playing God, adding that the governor should allow the Appeal Court to do its work. Finebone explained that Wike had been boasting that he (Wike) would win the governorship election even if it was held a hundred times, adding that the governor appears to be afraid of a rerun.

“If he (Wike) says that Dr. Peterside is deluding himself on the possibility of any rerun, it shows that Wike is unstable because it is Wike that said that he would win the governorship election even if it were conducted 100 times.”


source - http://punchng.com/2015/11/3731

rexkexmilan:
OP, Can you Define The Word "Idiot"

& Can you categorically state the Factors that Make One an "Idiot"

Thank You .

idiot -
/ˈɪdɪət/ noun
1. a stupid person.

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs3930545/3331854940-w640-h640/arguing-in-a-relationship.jpg


1. Don’t Compromise Beyond Reason:
Almost every relationship involves some kind of compromise. But there are difference between compromises that help the make the relationship better and those that make you lose yourself.

If you have to lose your identity to keep the relationship, it’s not worth it.


2. Give Yourself Time To Heal From Your Last Relationship:
You think you already healed from your last relationship but you really need more time. Don't be quick to jump at the first person who shows even the slightest interest in you so you can feel loved again. Give yourself time between serious relationships to heal.

That way you’ll be better prepared to go after what you want. And you’ll be less likely to compare your new beau to your ex, too.


3. Enjoy Being Single:

Enjoy the life of the 'single pringle'. It helps you understand yourself and look withing to reach your innermost self.

By the time someone comes along, you already understand yourself well enough not to lose yourself.


4. Know The Kind Of Person You Want To Be With:
Learn from your past relationships. You know the things that didn't make the last one work.

Don't think it'll be different with this new person. Relationships are definitely work, but it doesn’t have to be hard work.


5. Just Stop Looking
This is the very important. Make the process as natural as possible. Don't force it.

Barring any last minute hitch, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will
formally arraign the former governor of Benue
State,Gabriel Suswam before an Abuja Court
tomorrow, November 4, 2014.


https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4246238/2141851213-w640-h640/Gabriel-Suswam.png
Gabriel Suswam (Sondiata Post)


Reports say the EFCC has finalised plans to arraign Gabriel Suswam in court today, Tuesday, November 4, 2015. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) slammed the former Governor with a nine count charge, in relation to the allegations of
money laundering.


Vanguard Newspapers reports that the arraignment is in connection with the alleged
N3.1bn diverted by Suswam and his former
finance commissioner, Omodachi Okolobia.


An EFCC source who spoke to Vanguard, said
"Barring any last minute hitch, the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will formally
arraign the former governor of Benue State,Gabriel
Suswam before an Abuja Court tomorrow,
November 4, 2014.


“The anti-graft agency had on Monday, October 2,
2015 filed a nine-count charge bordering on
money laundering to the tune of N3.1 billion at a
Federal High Court, Abuja.”

source - http://www.pulse.ng/politics/gabriel-suswam-efcc-to-arraign-former-benue-governor-in-court-over-n3-1bn-fraud-id4323708.html

Fat people in Kenya are so rare, they have

become mineral resources #KenyansVsNigerians "





Someone said oyinbo value the lions in kenya

than the people. Bros why? #KenyansVsNigerians "





Kenyans beefing Nigerians on Twitter.

LMFAO..Alaba international market alone

generates more money than Kenya per

annum.#KenyansVsNigerians





When Coca-Cola arrived in Kenya for the first time #KenyansVsNigerians

[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSgNPw3WIAEsuqW.jpg:small[/img]





Stephen Ayere @iRealAyereID Oct 29 #KenyansVsNigerians it's only in NG movies where the devil looks right, left, then right again

before crossing the road



Private Developer ®™ @Crazy254n Oct 29 #KenyansVsNigerians Ogaah! These Nigerians will finish us oooooooh



[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSgFC9QUcAA7NBQ.jpg:small[/img]





Chidi Okereke @Chydee 21h For those who don't know, this is what Kenyan

Jollof actually looks like. Roadside Sacrifice
[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSgyJKaWsAAja_i.jpg:small[/img]




PerfectGentleman @akpancino 20h A Kenyan woman's womb is like an oven, that's
why they give birth to burnt babies #KenyansVsNigerians

[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CShFJ17W4AECz7a.jpg:small[/img]


♠BEAU Armani♂♠ @Viral_Trend 20h When you eat Kenyan's burger. #KenyansVsNigerians


[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CShIrAXWoAANI8h.jpg:small[/img]


Madmatician❎ @Mr__Johnn 20h A Kenyan Trying to Explain what brought up this
issue #KenyansVsNigerians
[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/ext_tw_video_thumb/650701700072804353/pu/img/hZauTL74i6CPm1by.jpg:small[/img]

Show Love guys !!! There's no need for Hatred,
Jealousy and ignorance WTF ....last time I checked
were all black #KenyansVsNigerians smh


VICTORIA KIMANI @VICTORIA_KIMANI 19h Show Love guys !!! There's no need for Hatred,
Jealousy and ignorance WTF ....last time I checked
were all black #KenyansVsNigerians smh


#AWEEKAGO Djevamic @swagnito 19h Kenyan flag looking like HERBAL DOCTOR
complimentary card #KenyansVsNigerians
[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CShT1AdUAAAZoWb.jpg:small[/img]


Thomyladey @iam_tomilade 17h #KenyansVsNigerians Kenyans so dumb they knock before entering elevators.
[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CShn9TbWEAAEOjy.jpg:small[/img]


LaughorYawn @LaughorYawn 15h Kenyans stripers all na for money. #KenyansVsNigerians
[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSiN_1hWoAAat5b.jpg:small[/img]


Chairman @ebuka_akara 13h lmaoooooooo @HEAD_MASTA : Kenyans are so skinny, in fact, they can Dodge rainfall. #KenyansVsNigerians


LaughorYawn @LaughorYawn 11h A Kenyan just mentioned Me.I couldn't Read his
tweet Till I increased My Phone's Brightness #KenyansVsNigerians


Akpos The Comedian @AkposTheComedia 10h Someone said oyinbo value the lions in kenya
than the people. Bros why? #KenyansVsNigerians


Chidi Okereke @Chydee 10h LOL. Why are all these Kenyans following me?
Please stop, I'm not a Zoologist. #KenyansVsNigerians


AdForumCo @AdForumCo 10h #AdFSports Barak Obama is the greatest Kenyan athlet, He ran away from poverty. #KenyansVsNigerians

akposjokes.com @AkposJokes 7h Kenyans steal everything! Their capital 'Nairobi'
was gotten from the words 'Naira' & 'Obi' #KenyansVsNigerians
akposjokes.com @AkposJokes 8h The only mineral resource Kenya has is the gold
medal they won in Olympics. #KenyansVsNigerians

[img]http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CSi_M4ZUEAAGGAH.jpg:small[/img]


When Kenyans heard that Dangote is coming to build a
cement factory in their country. #KenyansVsNigerians

Similarly, I never solicited for appointments or
special placements for any of my children or
relations in any government or private
concern on account of my relationship with
President Jonathan.

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4263600/9181853242-w640-h640/Former-President-Goodluck-Jonathan.jpg
Former President Goodluck Jonathan


Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, seems to be mending fences, judging from his recent comments about former President Goodluck Jonathan.


According to Vanguard Newspapers, Chief Clark blamed the media for sensationalising his comments and quoting him out of context.

He also added that he is very proud of the former President, and his achievements, while in office. Clark also debunked comments about him, trying to seek for favour from President Buhari.

He said “With all modesty, I am at this age contented. I state publicly therefore, that I never sought nor obtained any contract, oil block, oil lifting allocation or financial gratification from the ministries, departments and agencies, MDAs, during his years of administration.


“Similarly, I never solicited for appointments or special placements for any of my children or relations
in any government or private concern on account of my relationship with President Jonathan.

“It is, therefore, ludicrous and totally ill-motived for these wicked and mischievous persons to sell to the public that my decision portends a plan to seek any special favours from President Muhammadu Buhari and his government, or to protect those gains which I acquired from Jonathan’s government, which never
existed."

Chief Clark was scolded by Reuben Abati for saying that Jonathan lacked the political will » to fight corruption.


Source - http://pulse.ng/politics/goodluck-jonathan-i-didn-t-get-anything-from-ex-president-clark-id4300503.html

Nko-Tariah added that legal steps to defend
Wike's mandate are in motion.


https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4115972/0671855378-w640-h640/wike.jpg
Governor Nyesom Wike

Following the verdict of the Rivers election tribunal, which nullified Nyesom Wike's election, the Governor has said that the judiciary ganged up against him.


In a statement released in Port Harcourt by Wike's Special Adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Mr Opunabo Nko-Tariah, he alleged that there had been shady moves to remove the Governor.


“What is going on right now can best be described as judicial gang-up against Governor Wike, nay, the people of Rivers State. It is an affront on democracy and a blight disregard for the will of the people as evinced in the April 11 general elections.


“The courts are setting pernicious precedents by hinging their verdicts on inane points. Rivers people overwhelmingly gave their mandate to Governor Wike but a microscopic few want to wrest that mandate from him through the back door”.


Nko-Tariah added that legal steps to defend Wike's mandate are in motion.


Source - http://pulse.ng/politics/wike-judiciary-ganged-up-against-me-governor-alleges-id4300425.html

WARRI—THE Itsekiri ethnic nationality of Warri,
Delta State, has dissociated itself from the calls for
creation of a Biafra Republic out of Nigeria as being
drummed by some Igbo interest groups in the
South-East.


The Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILT, expressed the
group’s concern over the Igbo agitation
yesterday in a statement by its Chairman, Pa
Johnson Ayomike and Secretary, Edward Ekpoko.


The body is disturbed that the proposed Biafra
Republic as widely reported in the social media
includes the whole of Delta State.


The statement stressed: “We recall with pains the
day the defunct Biafran Army invaded Warri and
Benin in the then Midwest Region on August 9,
1967.


Never again will the Itsekiri tolerate such
invasion. The Itsekiri nation is committed to the
unity of Nigeria and will do all it can to promote and protect it as one indivisible country.


As Major
General Philip Effiong said on January 14 1970, the
Republic of Biafra ceased to exist. We, the Itsekiri,
wish it to be eternally so for the peace and
development of our great nation.”


source - http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/10/itsekiri-nation-disowns-calls-for-creation-of-biafra-republic/

https://thenationonlineng.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Ifeanyi-Okowa.jpg

The Governorship election tribunal sitting in Delta
state has upheld the election of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


The tribunal also dismissed petition filed by the
Labour Party and its governorship candidate, Chief Great Ogboru.


Details later…

source - http://thenationonlineng.net/delta-tribunal-upholds-okowas-election/

https://cdn.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/image114.jpg?dbe2a5
Foremost constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze,
has stated that corruption is not Nigeria’s primary
problem.


Speaking on behalf of his group, the Igbo Leaders of
Thought, the elder statesman warned President
Muhammadu Buhari to be careful in the fight against
corruption.


Nwabueze made the group’s feelings known after
an extensive meeting in Enugu. The group noted that other vital issues like poverty,
illiteracy and security should not be neglected
because of the campaign against corruption.


Speaking to journalists, Nwabueze, however,
observed that the current preoccupation with the
anti-corruption campaign had unfortunately
relegated other serious national challenges to the
background.


The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said, “Everybody is
thinking that all that we need is to fight corruption; it
is important, but it is not our primary problem. “There are other issues that are even more
important than corruption.


“We have the question of illiteracy, the question of
poverty, the question of security. “As important as the war against corruption is, we
are of the view that there are other issues that
overshadow corruption. “Another issue is what we call the national
question.” Shedding further light on the ‘national question’,
Nwabueze said Nigeria was not a nation. He said, “The national question means the problem
of evolving Nigeria into a nation.


“Nigeria is not a nation; it is a state.


“We all want to belong to that state but we deceive
ourselves always by thinking and painting the picture
that we are already a nation; we are not.”


source - http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/23/corruption-not-nigerias-major-problem-nwabueze-tells-buhari/

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4284191/3811854694-w640-h640/Amaechi-screening-2.jpg
Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi


Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi was today, October 22, 2015, screened by the Senate following his ministerial nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.


Amaechi’s screening was the centre of attention in the country due to the controversy that had surrounded it.


Here are 10 important things he said while facing the Senate:


1. ‘Corruption is difficult to define.’


2. 'If they send a girl to you to do something for her and you sleep with the girl, you are corrupt.'

3. 'I have never collected bribe in my life.'

4. 'We must also invest in Education; Some of our youths are unemployable'.


5. 'Why people don't invest in Nigeria is because the cost of investment is higher than the profit'


6. 'We must improve on the Social Rights of the people; if you have peace you'll have investors.'


7. 'If you invest in Agriculture & invest in Technology, you will hire as many workers as you can get'


8. 'I believe there is Change in the air, that is why I joined @APCNigeria '


9. If I become the Minister for Niger Delta, the East - West Road will be first to be completed'.


10. 'I believe there are resources in the Niger-Delta, that is why there is Militancy

An American man who lived a lie and got
married to 17 women will likely spend 973
years in prison. 24/7 Live - Subscribe to the Pulse Newsletter


https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4281170/7731857170-w640-h640/Benjamin-Smith.jpg
Benjamin Smith being taken to the court


A 43-year-old Detroit, USA man, Benjamin Smith, faces the likelihood of being sentenced to a total of 973 years in prison after he was arrested in connection with what the police call 'one of the worst case of polygamy in the history of the country', after it was discovered that he secretly married » 17 women in different parts of the country and had 29 children in total, reports World News Daily.


Smith who used fake identification cards while going on his web of lies for the whole of 15 years, had wives across the states of Utah, Wyoming and Colorado, without any of them being aware, and would probably had gone unnoticed until he got entangled with a 26-year-old lawyer, Jane Wilson, who hired private detectives and his cover was blown open.


"Mr. Smith could probably have continued his fraud for years, if he hadn’t chosen to marry Jane Wilson, in June. The young lawyer turned out to be a lot more skeptical and investigative than his other partners, and she rapidly discovered the truth about his secret lives.


Wilson hired a private investigator to follow her husband because she doubted that he was really the secret agent he told her.


The detective followed him for two weeks and discovered everything about his secret lives," the platform reports.


Smith reportedly used a large number of false identities, which allowed him to marry the women without the authorities noticing.


A search of his vehicle and of a storage space that he rented, revealed hundreds of legal documents and cards, including social security numbers, birth certificates, driver’s licenses and credit cards, linked to a total of 27 distinct identities.


Smith who has been unemployed since 2003, told his multiple wives that he was either a corporate executive, a trucker, or even a secret agent, to justify his many absences and instead of working, he was actually spending most of the time visiting his various families and was living mostly by stealing his wives’ money.


He now faces a total of 233 criminal charges before the Utah State court, including polygamy, » fraud, forgery, theft and felony and if found guilty, he could be condemned to a maximum of 973 years in jail.


Source - http://pulse.ng/gist/serial-husband-american-man-who-married-17-women-faces-973-years-in-jail-id4281248.html?utm_campaign=art-serial-husband-american-man-who-married-17-women-faces-2015-10-21&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook


cc: Lalasticlala

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs3447039/1811857687-w640-h640/onuwa.jpg

Simon Ado wants to add to his 58 wives and 300


A Nigerian man with 58 wives and 300 children has revealed that he wants more children. According to a report on Worldwide Weird News, Chief Simon Ado from Aji community of Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State wants to even build a separate village for his descendant The 68 year-old herbalist also known as Onuwa, African Solomon or Satan is Sleeping, believes that such a massive family should be able to form a village on their own which he intends to name Onuwa.


With 58 wives, Chief Simon Ode is not yet done. According to the report, he wants to marry more and have more children because he is sexually active.


He also said that women find him so attractive that some married ones in the community are contemplating leaving their husbands to marry him.

Source - http://pulse.ng/gist/father-of-many-nations-nigerian-man-with-58-wives-300-children-wants-more-kids-id3447078.html
cc: Lalasticlala

My news made front page for the first time

oyem4u:
https://cdn.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/image118.jpg?dbe2a5


Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is
currently leading a delegation of Commonwealth
election observers to Tanzania, has urged those
vying for that country’s presidential election to
promptly accept the outcome should they be
defeated in the October 25 election. “If you lose, accept defeat,” he admonished them,
warning that any attempt to reject the will of the
people will only lead to chaos and affect the peace
and unity of Tanzania.


Jonathan, who has been speaking with election
stakeholders in Dar es Salaam, comprising the
chairman of the electoral commission, leaders of
political parties, journalists, youth organizations and
the civil society, said it was imperative for them to
realize that all stakeholders must play their part for the election to be free and fair.


He told them that he immediately accepted defeat
after losing his re-election bid early this year because
he did not want personal ambition to derail
democracy in Nigeria, stressing that he was not
ready to allow his “personal ambition to scuttle a
democratic system I had helped to nurture.”


“In any election, there are winners and losers. The
presidential candidate who loses on Sunday should
gracefully concede the election to avert a political
crisis.”


Tanzania’s two leading national newspapers, The
Guardian and The Citizen, which have been
celebrating the former Nigerian leader since his
arrival on Monday, quoted him as saying: “If all
parties, including the national electoral commission,
political parties, and police force will play their role, nothing will stop Tanzania to record a free and fair
election this year. “Successful elections will depend on how each
stakeholder plays his or her role to ensure a
peaceful, inclusive and transparent electoral
process…I’m confident Tanzanians will achieve
this.”


He assured the public that the Commonwealth
Observers Group would perform their observation
role with impartiality, independence and
transparency. He also said the group would issue an
interim statement on the preliminary findings shortly
after the elections, while a final report would be prepared in Tanzania. “We will also submit the report on the Tanzanian
elections to the Secretary General of the
Commonwealth and subsequently share with
relevant stakeholders and the public. The group is
scheduled to depart in Tanzania on 31st October
2015,” he stated.


Source - http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/21/if-you-lose-the-election-accept-defeat-jonathan-tells-tanzanian-politicians/

https://cdn.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/patric.jpg?dbe2a5

Former member of the House of Representatives, now chief of staff to Edo State governor, Patrick
Obahiagbon, has described the show of solidarity by 80 senators who accompanied the Senate
President, Bukola Saraki to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Wednesday, as ‘’Political Hallelujahness
of the highest order’’. The senate president is currently facing a 13-count
criminal charge bordering on false declaration of
assets preferred against him by the Code of Conduct
Bureau before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.


Reacting to the development via his official Twitter
handle, @PObahiagbon, the former lawmaker, who is
known for his jaw breaking words, noted that while
the executive arm of government led by President
Muhammadu Buhari had witnessed a positive change,
the legislature under the leadership of Bukola Saraki appears to be a different matter.


The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu led 79
other senators to the tribunal in a show of solidarity.


Source - http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/21/this-is-political-hallelujahness-obahiagbon-blasts-senators-for-accompanying-saraki-to-cct/

https://cdn.dailypost.ng/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/image118.jpg?dbe2a5


Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is
currently leading a delegation of Commonwealth
election observers to Tanzania, has urged those
vying for that country’s presidential election to
promptly accept the outcome should they be
defeated in the October 25 election. “If you lose, accept defeat,” he admonished them,
warning that any attempt to reject the will of the
people will only lead to chaos and affect the peace
and unity of Tanzania.


Jonathan, who has been speaking with election
stakeholders in Dar es Salaam, comprising the
chairman of the electoral commission, leaders of
political parties, journalists, youth organizations and
the civil society, said it was imperative for them to
realize that all stakeholders must play their part for the election to be free and fair.


He told them that he immediately accepted defeat
after losing his re-election bid early this year because
he did not want personal ambition to derail
democracy in Nigeria, stressing that he was not
ready to allow his “personal ambition to scuttle a
democratic system I had helped to nurture.”


“In any election, there are winners and losers. The
presidential candidate who loses on Sunday should
gracefully concede the election to avert a political
crisis.”


Tanzania’s two leading national newspapers, The
Guardian and The Citizen, which have been
celebrating the former Nigerian leader since his
arrival on Monday, quoted him as saying: “If all
parties, including the national electoral commission,
political parties, and police force will play their role, nothing will stop Tanzania to record a free and fair
election this year. “Successful elections will depend on how each
stakeholder plays his or her role to ensure a
peaceful, inclusive and transparent electoral
process…I’m confident Tanzanians will achieve
this.”


He assured the public that the Commonwealth
Observers Group would perform their observation
role with impartiality, independence and
transparency. He also said the group would issue an
interim statement on the preliminary findings shortly
after the elections, while a final report would be prepared in Tanzania. “We will also submit the report on the Tanzanian
elections to the Secretary General of the
Commonwealth and subsequently share with
relevant stakeholders and the public. The group is
scheduled to depart in Tanzania on 31st October
2015,” he stated.


Source - http://dailypost.ng/2015/10/21/if-you-lose-the-election-accept-defeat-jonathan-tells-tanzanian-politicians/

https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs4282057/3351859489-w640-h640/Da-grin.jpg
Dagrin


Today is the post humous birthday of late Nigerian rapper Dagrin.


It's the been five years the enigmatic rapper who touched a nerve in the music scene has passed on. In remembrance of his achievement as indigenous rapper we have listed five things Dagrin would have done in 2015.


https://static.pulse.ng/img/incoming/origs3693667/8711856704-w640-h640/IMG-3192.jpg

Late Zara Gretti, Late Dagrin, and Toolz (Plastiq)

Happy reading.


1. Dagrin would have released fifth album, cementing his status as legendary Nigerian rapper. The Yoruba speaking rapper would have pushed out his fifth album sometime this year, and helped make him an unarguable legend in the
rap music scene. Dagrin made indigenous rap viable in Nigeria, and it is most likely would have continued his impressive run for five more years at least.


2. Would have had one or two baby mamas. Every Nigerian male act has one or two baby mamas. You could bet that Dagrin would have been on that trend. His female fan base was growing rapidly before his untimely demise. Surely the 'Pon Pon Pon' rapper would have had one or two kids before saying 'I do'.


3. Cult following on social media - Till today Dagrin still has cult status on the streets. He is still revered in many hoods. By the time of his death, social media was just popping. His Twitter account was gradually becoming famous before he died. If he was still around Dagrin would have had a huge following on social media right about now. Going viral would have been too easy him.


4. Had beef with an indigenous rapper - It's inevitable in Hip-Hop music. With the plethora of indigenous rappers we have today, Dagrin would have dropped a few diss tracks directed at some new comers challenging his throne.


5. Collaborated with an international rapper - No doubt, Dagrin would have collaborated with an international rap act. His death was reported by the BBC which goes to show his rising influence.


cc: Lalasticlala