₦airaland Forum

I know for sure that American are just trying to find a way of controlling the Niger Delta that is why they want Ibos to join their army, so that they can be used to get what they want.

They are developing their way forward to 2nd Biafra

2007: MEND Demands N500m Unpaid Rigging Fee From Agagu

By Yemi Akintomide , Correspondent, Akure

Olusegun Agagu, whom the Appeal Court sacked last Monday as Ondo State Governor, was on Sunday slammed with a N500 million bill by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) as the fee for helping him to rig the election in 2007.

The court itself ruled that he rigged the election, fired and replaced him with Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP), to the jubilation of voters statewide who said Agagu failed to perform.

A text message sent out on Sunday by MEND Spokesman, Ajija Bounanawei, demanded the N500 million as "unpaid rigging fee," and saluted the Appeal Court for getting rid of Agagu.

Bounanawei said the claim by the MEND has been vindicated that it rigged election in Ese-Odo Council in favour of Agagu and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

To him, the verdict confirmed the role played by the MEND when the court concluded that there was massive rigging and violence in the council, which led to the death of Wahidi Idepe, a 300-level communicative arts student of the University of Ibadan (UI).

He congratulated Mimiko for reclaiming the mandate freely given to him by the electorate.

Bounanawei insisted that the N500 million was the contract sum agreed by Agagu and the MEND before the election, in a deal signed on his behalf by the former Secretary to State Government, Isaacs Kekemeke.

He alleged that Kekemeke, who is from Ese-Odo Council, was the link man between the MEND and the Agagu government until both sides fell out when Agagu refused to pay the fee.

Agagu has been ousted, Bounanawei noted, but he is still liable to pay the N500 million "or the MEND will go ahead and enforce payment in the usual MEND's style.

"For the fact that Agagu has enjoyed the spoil of the office of the Governor of Ondo State he occupied illegally for about two years, it becomes necessary that he pays up the debt on the purported election that brought him to power.

"The MEND will not rest on its oars until Agagu pays up the last kobo of the said fee, as we will employ every weapon in our arsenal to ensure he pays the money we have already worked for by rigging election for him and his cohorts in Ese-Odo Council."

Nonetheless, the MEND apologised to the people of the state, especially those in Ese-Odo Council, for helping Agagu to rig the vote on April 14, 2007.
http://www.independentngonline.com/news/tfpg/article04


I know that Agagu has just begin to face his death.
After this, EFCC will knock on his door.

2007: MEND Demands N500m Unpaid Rigging Fee From Agagu

By Yemi Akintomide , Correspondent, Akure

Olusegun Agagu, whom the Appeal Court sacked last Monday as Ondo State Governor, was on Sunday slammed with a N500 million bill by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) as the fee for helping him to rig the election in 2007.

The court itself ruled that he rigged the election, fired and replaced him with Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP), to the jubilation of voters statewide who said Agagu failed to perform.

A text message sent out on Sunday by MEND Spokesman, Ajija Bounanawei, demanded the N500 million as "unpaid rigging fee," and saluted the Appeal Court for getting rid of Agagu.

Bounanawei said the claim by the MEND has been vindicated that it rigged election in Ese-Odo Council in favour of Agagu and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

To him, the verdict confirmed the role played by the MEND when the court concluded that there was massive rigging and violence in the council, which led to the death of Wahidi Idepe, a 300-level communicative arts student of the University of Ibadan (UI).

He congratulated Mimiko for reclaiming the mandate freely given to him by the electorate.

Bounanawei insisted that the N500 million was the contract sum agreed by Agagu and the MEND before the election, in a deal signed on his behalf by the former Secretary to State Government, Isaacs Kekemeke.

He alleged that Kekemeke, who is from Ese-Odo Council, was the link man between the MEND and the Agagu government until both sides fell out when Agagu refused to pay the fee.

Agagu has been ousted, Bounanawei noted, but he is still liable to pay the N500 million "or the MEND will go ahead and enforce payment in the usual MEND's style.

"For the fact that Agagu has enjoyed the spoil of the office of the Governor of Ondo State he occupied illegally for about two years, it becomes necessary that he pays up the debt on the purported election that brought him to power.

"The MEND will not rest on its oars until Agagu pays up the last kobo of the said fee, as we will employ every weapon in our arsenal to ensure he pays the money we have already worked for by rigging election for him and his cohorts in Ese-Odo Council."

Nonetheless, the MEND apologised to the people of the state, especially those in Ese-Odo Council, for helping Agagu to rig the vote on April 14, 2007.
http://www.independentngonline.com/news/tfpg/article04



I don't think MEND Declares Ceasefire In Niger Delta.

Nigeria is becoming worst.

Corruption is now a way of living in Nigeria, stopping it is just like trying to stop eating, it is only God that can help.

The simple fact is that Nigeria is not developing compare to other countries.

The person I can blame is the current president Ya'radua (aka baba go slow).

OBJ develop Nigeria only based on international respect but he make Nigeria sucks more

olanajim:
Obj is the best among them and is still the best so far, his shortcomings notwithstanding!

Thank you and please tell Fhemmmy

@ Fhemmmy

I'm not from Ogun State but compare OBJ and Ya'radua (baba go slow)

Source

[quote author=Okija_juju link=topic=235988.msg3524504#msg3524504 date=1235754176]I am an annoited spiritual healer, spiritual consultant, spiritual intercessor and prophet.[/quote]Who anoint you?

The question you never ask yourself is that
(1) Why Igbos

[quote author=Okija_juju link=topic=240348.msg3526472#msg3526472 date=1235813921]Like Ichie redsun rightly said

If you believe that prayers can land you your dream job, why not juju?? All those doubting juju as a means of securing a job yet believing in prayers are nothing short of hypocrites.[/quote]I know that you will be among

Jarus:
I think wahala is originally Hausa/Arabic word borrowed by Yoruba?

Prove it or your Source

OBJ is better than IBB and he is still be the best President we will ever have till today.

DRANOEL:
ibb by far better than obj-no comparison here

With what fact?

@Okija_juju

Your profile name sound traditional like

But you are quoting bible

So what is behind that?

Naija Yahoo Yahoo

I dey fear una ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh

Can't think of anyone but Nigeria word in dictionary is good.

Phemzy:
Yar'Adua May Yet Happen Again!

Gradually, President Yar'Adua's health condition is becoming an item for very debilitating blackmail. And it seems to be working effectively! Just wonder aloud why the president of such a critically sick and sinking country cannot allow himself to be roused from crippling inertia to seek with clear vision, focus and vigour the nation's healing and revival, and the next accusation that would be laid at your doorstep is: "Oh, there you go again, making fun of the president because of his ill-health."

If you guys go too far, you will be arrested by the SSS, finally landing in kirikiri - max prison in Lagos State.

This

Phemzy:
The Obasanjo Administration and the Nigerian Economy

Although, on assumption of office in May, 1999, the Obasanjo administration immediately took decisive steps to put in place an enabling environment for the thriving of democracy, regaining international respectability. and credibility and
putting the economy on the path to sustainable growth and development. However, these measures have not had significant impact on the economy, rather life has continued to be miserable for an average Nigerian.

Also, the Naira exchange rate was stable the as dollar exchanged for N92.00 to a dollar as at the last quarter of 1999. However, the later part of year 2000 witnessed a drastic increase in the exchange rate. At this period up to the second half of year 2000, a dollar wasexchangedforNI35.00. This shows a decrease of about 50 percent in the value of the Naira.

He gave Nigeria an international respect which thereby increase corruption. He was able to plot some money into his pocket.

This

Phemzy:
The Obasanjo Administration and the Nigerian Economy

The increase in agriculture production in the preceding five years (i.e. from 1995) was sustained in 1999. During this period, the aggregate index of agricultural production rose by 3.3 percent, compared with 3.1 percent recorded in 1998 while the performance has been highly unimpressive in the later part of year 2000. Consequently, this shoot up prices of agricultural commodities. Also, while the prices of agricultural commodities went up at home, the prices of Nigeria' s major agricultural commodities in the world market declined substantially in 1999 relative to their levels in 1998. According to Central Bank of Nigeria' s report, the dollar prices of all the commodities recorded declined during 1999. The decrease in prices ranged from 16.9 percent for soya beans to 30.8 per cent for cocoa. (CBN Annual Report, 1999). This was attributed to increased supply and reduction in demand.

The education sub-sector on the other hand, experienced deep crises for many years. The schools, at all levels lacked teachers and basic infrastructure. They suffered from over-crowding, poor sanitation, poor conditions of service for teachers resulting in poor quality of teaching and poor quality of products. This sub-sector has equally been burdened by frequent industrial disputes and strikes actions. It suffered from poor management, manifested in poor intra-sectional allocation, multiplicity of agencies with duplicated functions and inadequate coordination. Prior to 1999,
teachers at both the primary and secondary school levels were owed up to six months salaries while those who have retired were not getting their pensions as at when due. However, by 1999 adult literacy had increased to 57 per cent from 53 percent in 1998 (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2000). Also, the Universal Basic education scheme was launched in September 1999 with enlightenment campaigns to elicit support, by the Obasanjo's administration. At the tertiary institution level, visitation panels were inaugurated, reports of which led to some crucial decisions of Government. Also, cultism, which had eaten deep into the structure of the Universities, was drastically dealt with as judicial panel of inquiry on secret cults in tertiary institutions was instituted. The vice-chancellors of different Universities were compelled to tackle the menace of secret cults.

There was a good development in agricultural sector and education sector compared to that of IBB



The only good thing about IBB administration is that, there is little gap between the rich and the poor.

RichyBlacK:
Let me give you one:


The Plight of Minority Groups in Nigeria and the United States: Can Nigeria Find Her Obama?

Feel free to rephrase it however you like, but you get the picture. The key terms may be:
1. Ethnic minority
2. Political minority
3. Race relations
4. Ethnic differences
5. Democracy
6. Obama
7. Civil Rights
8. Niger-Delta
9. Comparative study
10. Nigerians in America


Hope you get my drift. Goodluck!

That's a good topic for you
So I think you can develop a good topic on that.

The Obasanjo Administration and the Nigerian Economy

The morning of May 1999 witnessed a turning point in the political history of Nigeria as civilian political leaders were sworn in. The birth of the Fourth Republic became a reality after a prolonged military rule. The newly born fourth republic became highly instructive considering the scope and array of economic and political problems bequeathed to the country by the prolonged years of military rule and which the newly elected civilians have to cope with.

It is interesting to note that the performance of the Nigerian economy in 1999 was mixed. Inflationary pressures eased especially during the second half of the year. At this period, inflationary pressures had decreased to 6.1 per cent. This was a great decrease as it had risen up to 70 percent in 1995 and 1996 (Masha, 2000: 36). This coincided with a period of expansionary fiscal deficit and money supply growth. Also, the Naira exchange rate was stable the as dollar exchanged for N92.00 to a dollar as at the last quarter of 1999. However, the later part of year 2000 witnessed a drastic
increase in the exchange rate. At this period up to the second half of year 2000, a dollar wasexchangedforNI35.00. This shows a decrease of about 50 percent in the value of the Naira.

Although, on assumption of office in May, 1999, the Obasanjo administration immediately took decisive steps to put in place an enabling environment for the thriving of democracy, regaining international respectability. and credibility and
putting the economy on the path to sustainable growth and development. However, the se measures have not had significant impact on the economy, rather life bas continued to be miserable for an average Nigerian. The analysis of the Nigerian economy shall be done further by examining certain significant sectors and aspects of the economy in order to show the extent of deterioration in the economy.

The increase in agriculture production in the preceding five years (i.e. from 1995) was sustained in 1999. During this period, the aggregate index of agricultural production rose by 3.3 percent, compared with 3.1 percent recorded in 1998 while the performance has been highly unimpressive in the later part of year 2000. Consequently, this shoot up prices of agricultural commodities. Also, while the prices of agricultural commodities went up at home, the prices of Nigeria' s major agricultural commodities in the world market declined substantially in 1999 relative to their levels in 1998. According to Central Bank of Nigeria' s report, the dollar prices of all the commodities recorded declined during 1999. The decrease in prices ranged from 16.9 percent for soya beans to 30.8 per cent for cocoa. (CBN Annual Report, 1999). This was attributed to increased supply and reduction in demand.

The manufacturing sector is another important sector in this analysis. Although the manufacturing sub sector recorded a moderate recovery in 1999 and 2000 from what it experienced in 1996. However, the sector still finds it difficult to change the taste and orientation of the people for imported goods. According to a nation-wide survey conducted by the CBN which covered 560 manufacturing establishments, the weighted average capacity utilization rate of the sub-sector rose from 30.3 per cent in 1998 to 34.3 per cent in 1999. The total cost of operations also increased by 14.2 percent over the level in 1999 owing mainly to high costs of raw materials, machinery and spare parts. The value of imported raw materials rose significantly by 34.7 percent and accounted for about 47.5 per cent of the total value of raw materials used, while the value of locally sourced raw materials, accounting for 53.5 per cent of total, increased by 5.8 per cent (CBN Annual Report, 1999).

Further growth in the manufacturing sub-sector was impaired largely by low demand for locally manufactured goods occasioned by the influx of cheaper products into the country . Other constraints include the poor state of social and economic infrastructures, including erratic power and water supply, as well as poor performing transport and communication systems.

Social Services

The performance of social services in the economy was highly unsatisfactory in 1999 and 2000. Service delivery by key institutions designed to mitigate the living conditions of vulnerable groups was hampered by deterioration of basic facilities, poor funding, the unprecedented high incidence of industrial strikes especially in the education and health sub-sectors as well as civil strife and disturbances. The health system deteriorated to the extent that hospitals were described as "mere consulting clinics". The situation was compounded by the mass exodus of experienced Nigerian health experts to other countries in search of better conditions of service and greener pastures. The hospitals were poorly equipped. Infrastructure remained poor, inadequate and fast deteriorating. As a result, there was high infant, under-five and maternal mortality, and the prevalence of many diseases, several of which were of epidemic proportions.

However, by 1999 the population per physician had improved slightly from 4,977 to 4,479 in 1998 while population per hospital bed improved from 1,738 in 1998 to 1,564. It is important to stress that the impact of the Petroleum (special) Trust Fund (PTF) in the supply of drugs is important in this regard. Also, the administration of Obasanjo accorded high priority to the health sector, which accounted for the rehabilitation works in health institutions. There was an increment in the budget of the health sub-sector by 21.7 per cent from #10,756.3 million in 1998 to # 13,737.3 million in 1999. This represented 4.6 per cent of total Federal Government budget (Ibid.). However, this still fell short of the 5.0 per cent minimum standard recommended by the World Health Organization.

The education sub-sector on the other hand, experienced deep crises for many years. The schools, at all levels lacked teachers and basic infrastructure. They suffered from over-crowding, poor sanitation, poor conditions of service for teachers resulting in poor quality of teaching and poor quality of products. This sub-sector has equally been burdened by frequent industrial disputes and strikes actions. It suffered from poor management, manifested in poor intra-sectional allocation, multiplicity of agencies with duplicated functions and inadequate coordination. Prior to 1999,
teachers at both the primary and secondary school levels were owed up to six months salaries while those who have retired were not getting their pensions as at when due. However, by 1999 adult literacy had increased to 57 per cent from 53 percent in 1998 (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2000). Also, the Universal Basic education scheme was launched in September 1999 with enlightenment campaigns to elicit support, by the Obasanjo's administration. At the tertiary institution level, visitation panels were inaugurated, reports of which led to some crucial decisions of Government. Also, cultism, which had eaten deep into the structure of the Universities, was drastically dealt with as judicial panel of inquiry on secret cults in tertiary institutions was instituted. The vice-chancellors of different Universities were compelled to tackle the menace of secret cults.

That's Obasanjo Administration

[quote author=Okija_juju link=topic=235988.msg3522840#msg3522840 date=1235734107]Father forgive phemzy for he knows not what he is saying. [/quote]What do you mean?

Yar'Adua May Yet Happen Again!

Gradually, President Yar'Adua's health condition is becoming an item for very debilitating blackmail. And it seems to be working effectively! Just wonder aloud why the president of such a critically sick and sinking country cannot allow himself to be roused from crippling inertia to seek with clear vision, focus and vigour the nation's healing and revival, and the next accusation that would be laid at your doorstep is: "Oh, there you go again, making fun of the president because of his ill-health."

And so political correctness now dictates that we all enlist in the confused choir of incurable optimists who seem to derive peculiar animation from continually chorusing the hope that a heavy truck trapped in the middle of a collapsing bridge, because its driver was having a good, refreshing nap, would not soon disappear into the deep waters even though the bridge is already down and about to be washed away. I think it is sad and most unfortunate.

Now, why would somebody make fun of anyone because he or she is sick? Can the person accurately predict what the state of his or her own health would be tomorrow? I think what most people are trying to say is that there are too many sick persons in the country and Mr. Yar'Adua just happens to be one of them. What we owe all of them are our sincere sympathies, prayers, and help if we are in a position to offer any. There is definitely no justification for turning anyone's personal health challenges into a national burden. In other words, Nigeria cannot continue to just sit still, fold its hands and do nothing in the face of threatening devastating global economic crises on the unpardonable excuse that its president is sick - as if there are no capable and healthy persons in the country?

For goodness sake, this state of inertia has gone on for too long. Let the president wake up, think, roll out his plans and work? If he is unable to perform, as seems to be the case, let him excuse himself from the throne, instead of holding everyone else to ransom. I am quite sure that not many people would object to Nigeria undertaking to pay the president's medical bills for life, as compensation for the "invaluable sacrifice," if he decides today to let go and retire to the serenity of his family house in Katsina. But will the leeches and parasites feeding fat on the nation's carcasses allow him to make up his mind?

For a nation as badly run as Nigeria is, where decisions and actions that determine the direction and future of the country are mostly inspired by acute selfishness, Yar'Adua would never lack a formidable army of self-serving loyalists hailing his special capacity to sleep through the worst crises, as we are witnessing at the moment. It is not impossible, too, that a President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua may reappear in Abuja in 2011. I think that should not shock anyone who has been watching the course of events in the nation's political horizon for the past few months. This is one nation where people are continually drinking and eating poison with utmost relish, and yet wanting to live; yes, a country where people continue to assure and reassure themselves that no matter how long they keep stabbing their nation and drinking its blood, they would still wake up every other morning to see it standing on its feet and flourishing.

Well, all these acts of self-delusion would in no distant time be forced to evaporate by the grim realities that would soon dawn on the nation. For so long now, Nigeria has remained the best example of how a richly endowed country could look like in the absence of any of form of government. People who found themselves at the seat of power merely looted the treasury pale and retired at the expiration of their tenures to enjoy their unearned wealth. So long as there was still oil pumping out crispy dollars for the next regime to loot and put away in coded accounts abroad, no one complained; and no one was asked to give account. Only those foolish enough to die, like Gen Sani Abacha, were branded corrupt, and their loot diligently looted.

And so, at a time world leaders are spending sleepless nights with their economic managers and experts, devising ways to save their nations from the looming global economic calamity, we, in Nigeria, are busy debating about our president's vacation, which, if we must be sincere to ourselves, he has enjoyed with little or no interruptions since May 29, 2007. I once heard that the motto of an association of pensioners was: "Rest Is Sweet After Labour." Which responsive president would allow himself to be caught dropping the slightest hint about a vacation at time oil prices, his country's sole revenue earner, was crashing from near $145 to about $30?

The earthquake in the nation's stock market is an economic tsunami that ought to have kept any president alert and worried, but our own man could not just be bothered. He would rather go on vacation, even as major multi-national companies are closing shops in Nigeria, and relocating to functional countries like Ghana, causing countless Nigerians to be dumped in the unemployment market. Mind you, Nigeria remains the biggest market for these companies; they produce in Ghana and sell in Nigeria. What an unlucky nation.

Despite Yar'Adua's repeated promise to declare a state of emergency in the power sector, power supply has worsened beyond what anyone would have imagined was possible in a nation ruled by human beings. I doubt if there is any community in Nigeria today where anyone can walk to a public tap, fetch healthy water and confidently drink it. Indeed, no one with the means to afford alternatives in Ghana, Cameroon or any of our tiny neighbours, takes the risk of enlisting his children in Nigerian schools any more. I challenge the president or any governor to prove that his children are in Nigerian public universities - where many public officials had attended. Nigeria's health institutions are only patronized by those willing to take a risk with their lives, because they are too poor to fly out for medical treatment; not even the president of Nigeria receives treatment in Nigerian hospitals.

But the worst is yet on the way, in fact, very close to the door. By the time the devastating effect of President Barack Obama's New Energy Policy reaches home to us here in Nigeria, there is no doubt that the price of oil may go down to 50 cents. At that time, there won't even be enough public funds to steal. Maybe, then, and only then, would Nigerians be forced by very unbearable conditions to seek authentic leaders, people with a mind and clear ideas to move society forward, and not bankrupt creatures occupying offices where they are not even qualified to be cleaners. Today, we are complaining about the rise of violent crime. At that time, it would degenerate to almost an open war. But till then, some empty fellows can still afford the luxury of campaigning for a Second or even Third for Yar'Adua, so he could stay back to "continue the good work he is doing." What a nation!

Attention of Nigerians will, once more, be riveted to the National Assembly, or precisely on the House of Representatives, this week. The lower chamber (or is it equal chamber) of the National Assembly is set to commence debate on the controversial report of its Committee on Power and Steel that strove to unravel the expenditure in the power sector in the eight years of Olusegun Obasanjo presidency.

The probe itself was full of drama. It was supposed to be. The amount involved is colossal, ranging from $3 billion to $6 billion to $13 billion (depending on who you want to believe - Obasanjo, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, etc). Even if we take the least amount as the actual total expenditure on the power sector within the period under review, the fact remains that it is still massive. But that is not the only reason why the probe generated a lot of interest.

The major reason for the uproar is because the massive investment, ironically, resulted in colossal failure, at least to the extent that Nigerians are still made to hug darkness.

And the questions are legion. Why, after such huge investment has there been no seeming commensurate improvement in the power situation? How long more do the long-suffering masses of this country have to wait to enjoy what people from most other countries, including some of the poorest African countries, are taking for granted?

Nigerians are disconcerted because they quite appreciate that regular power supply is central to any effort aimed at achieving the country's developmental goals. And yet, they watch helplessly as their leaders grope in the dark, obviously flustered by the problem. To appreciate the precariousness of the situation it bears restating that experts say that Nigeria, a country of 140 million people, needs at least 60,000 mw of electricity. Today, our generating capacity hovers between 1,300 and 2,000mw, with an ominous promise to deteriorate further if nothing urgent and drastic is done.

So when the report comes up for debate, tempers are bound to flare up again as they did during the public hearing. Many Nigerians who are beginning to believe that their country is, indeed, jinxed will become more despondent. Their frustration may be further worsened by the fact that, like most things in the country, nothing will come out of all the noise; it will be yet another circus.

But it is only logical that having come this far, the debate must go. It is only hoped that at the end of the day, the lawmakers will muster the political will not only to recommend sanctions against those found wanting but also the grace to commend those that did their jobs well.

Otherwise, Nigerians will be left with no option than to finally conclude that all the noises being made by the lawmakers are no more than ploys to extort money from those at the helm of affairs in the various ministries, government departments and agencies.

The lawmakers owe this generation of Nigerians and indeed generations yet unborn the patriotic duty of ensuring that all funds which the country must have lost through any shady deal in the past are recovered.

But the outcome of the probe in itself is not a solution to the debilitating power problem, not even if all those found guilty are sent to jail. To be fair, the power problem did not start today. It didn't even start with the Obasanjo administration in 1999. What we are suffering today is the consequence of the almost four decades neglect of the power sector resulting in monumental decay of infrastructure. Matters came to a head when in March 2000, the entire country was thrown into an unprecedented six-day darkness.

So, the probe in itself will not give Nigerians light.

What is required is a deliberate and concerted effort by the government to find out what went wrong and remedy the situation quickly.

Unfortunately, the administration of President Umaru Yar'Adua is not one known for making haste while the axiomatic sun shines. For a government that "threatened" to declare emergency in the power sector from the outset, it is regrettable that almost two years down the road, the battle to salvage the power sector, seems practically lost. The promise to generate 6,000 mw by December remains forlorn.

While it is good to plan in order not to make the very mistakes that brought us to this sorry pass again, the fact of the matter, all protestations to the contrary notwithstanding, is that we are actually planning to fail. As things stand now, the National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) that is supposed to be at the heart of all efforts to salvage the power sector is endangered as the Yar'Adua government romances with the policy somersaults which continue to remain the cause of the country's underdevelopment.

The 2005 Power Sector Reforms Act which provided for the creation of the Nigerian Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC), charged with the responsibility of developing the regulatory framework necessary for the creation of an environment conducive to private sector participation in the industry and the unbundling of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) did not envisage the appointment of Executive Vice Chairman of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

The idea of unbundling NEPA into 18 autonomous business units is to have organisations that are commercially sensitive and alive and to attract private capital in a sector where the government seems to have failed woefully. By appointing Alhaji Suleiman Ibrahim as the helmsman of the PHCN, in violation of the Reforms Act, the unbundling programme seems to be systematically dismantled. If this is done, it will tantamount to turning the hand of the clock back and can only confirm the widely held view that some interest groups in the country are ill at ease at any attempt to straighten out sectors such as power which they perceive as their honey pot. If this tendency is not checked, private capital in the sector can only beat a retreat and Nigerians will be worse off, power wise.

What is needed in the power sector now is to build on whatever is on ground. What the government ought to have done in the last two years which it claims to have used in planning is to ascertain how much funds have been committed to the power projects so far, who was paid what and for which job; how much work was done and what is left to be done and by who?

If it is true that all the 21 gas turbines needed for NIPP phase 1 have not only been procured but are indeed in the country, where are they? Is it true that most of the equipment are decaying at the Nigerian Ports? What is stopping their being delivered to where they are needed? Can the country afford to terminate any of the projects at this stage? If we do, is there a guarantee for refund? If the answer is no, shouldn't we then insist on completing all the NIPP projects, even as we ensure that those found guilty of any misdemeanor will be adequately punished?

In any case, has this government any choice? Even if it is found out Obasanjo or any other person actually defrauded the country in the course of executing the power projects, has this government the political will to bring them to trial? If the answer is no, as it obviously is, then why don't we take the bull by the horn by ensuring that in next year's budget, the presidency and MDAs do not vote another N2 billion for generators?

What are you guys doing?

Predictions, Prophecies or what is the meaning of this nonsense

Yar'Adua Can't Sack Iwu - Senators
By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi (Abuja), Wale Igbintade and Tunde Opeseitan (Lagos)

Senators of all political hues on Thursday gave kudos to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Maurice Iwu, and reiterated that President Umaru Yar'Adua is not empowered by the Constitution to fire him.

That responsibility, they noted, rests on two-thirds of the 109 members of the Senate.

They insisted that Yar'Adua can only act after the resolution of the Senate has been passed to him as stipulated in Section 157 (1) of the Constitution.

The Section says: "Subject to the provisions of Subsection (3) of this Section, a person holding any of the offices to which this Section applies may only be removed from that office by the President acting on an address supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed for inability to discharge the functions of the office (whether arising from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct."

The Senators passed a vote of confidence in Iwu, saying the political elite should be held responsible for lapses in the electoral system.

INEC Committee Chairman, Isiaka Adeleke (PDP, Osun), who spoke to journalists on the matter, was accompanied by his colleagues Grace Folashade Bent (PDP, Adamawa), Joy Emodi (PDP, Anambra), and Joel Danlami (PDP, Taraba).

Also with him were Tawar Wada (PDP, Gombe), Satti Gogwim (AC, Plateau), Ayo Arise (PDP, Ekiti), Gyang Dantong (PDP, Plateau), Osita Izunaso (PDP, Imo), Otaru Ohize (AC, Kogi), and Ikechukwu Obiorah (PDP, Anambra)

Adeleke recounted that "there have been numerous calls both in the print and the electronic media for the removal of (Iwu).

"As the Chairman of the Committee overseeing the affairs of INEC, I and some of my colleagues thought we should clarify certain issues regarding the appointment and how a person appointed to some federal bodies can be removed.

"The removal of the INEC Chairman is a Constitutional matter.

"We are working assiduously in the Senate INEC Committee to ensure that the 2011 election is better as there would be no ballot papers or boxes to snatch.

"The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is one of those bodies established by Section 153(1) of the Constitution. Section 157 (1) is very clear as to how such a person can be removed from office.

"We want to educate all those calling for (Iwu's) removal that it is a Constitutional issue. If the President so desires, he can, but subject to clarification by a two-thirds majority of the Senate.

Emodi narrated how she was a victim of electoral malpractice during the tenure of former INEC Chairman, Abel Guobadia, when her Certificate of Return was withdrawn but has since had her confidence restored with the present leadership.

"We should not crucify Iwu. Nigerians should commend him rather than crucify him. I wonder why the JAMB Registrar or the Education Minister are not being recalled since there have been incidences of examination malpractices," she said.

Bent added: "Nigerians must look at the political elite in the conduct of the elections and INEC. Iwu is not the problem. He must be given a lot of kudos for ensuring that the elections took place."

Danlami maintained that "elections are not conducted in Abuja but at the wards," while Obiorah argued that "asking (Yar'Adua) to sack Iwu is to confer on him the powers that he does not have. We are not running a military government."

The Senators said Iwu has been consistent in his duties, and almost 80 per cent of the elections conducted under his watch have been upheld by the courts.

But the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Rotimi Akeredolu, described the Senate's support for Iwu as a "huge disappointment."

He noted that all Senators are beneficiaries of the fraudulent election conducted by Iwu.

Human rights lawyer, Fred Agbaje, said the vote of confidence is "not a surprise because (Iwu) is a Senate member, and all of them were involved in the fraudulent mandate, all of them are affected. I think it is just a way of telling Iwu thank you."

Action Congress (AC) National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, noted that with integrity and sense of propriety becoming rare attributes in Nigeria, "it neither surprised nor shocked to read about Iwu's ranting on why he remains indispensable to Nigeria's electoral process and why he can neither be fired nor forced to resign.

"If you help to rig into office majority of those who are Constitutionally empowered to remove you from office, can they summon the moral courage to move against you?"

http://www.independentngonline.com/news/tfpg/article01

@Poster

Nothing is bad for you to love him, but you have to use your head because Nigerian are corrupt and always greedy, may you don't know what he is up to. He may want to ruin you and get away with it leaving you to be a beggar. So just use your sense.

In Nigeria, there is noting like speed limit and 90% of Nigerian did not go to driving school before driving.

Come to Port Harcourt and see how those foolish Ikwerres are driving, reaching 100-120 within the street, and they will be yabing that na their land oh!.

Nairaland is going to higher level.

Source?

HE EVEN VOWS TO PROBE HIS PREDECESSOR

The newly sworn in Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on Tuesday vowed to probe the administration of the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, especially in the last two years of his administration.

Governor Mimiko who said this during his maiden address after he was sworn in as the fifth elected governor of the state stated that his government would review with utmost sincerity, the administration of Dr. Olusegun Agagu with a view to exposing the misdeed of the past administration.

“We shall review every commitment that our state was led into in the past five years, especially over the last two years of stolen mandate, to ensure that only the most patriotic ones are retained.”

To witnessing the swearing in ceremony were former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former South-West chairman of PDP, Chief Bode George, National Chairman of Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), Chief Olu Falae, former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo and a host of other notable dignitaries.
Mimiko also vowed that his government would step on many toes as a conscious and deliberate effort to bring the names of some disgruntled elements that pretended to be loyal to the people of the state but instead are enemies of the state.
According to him, the step would become imperative, “if truly we want to develop the state to greater heights.”

He said he had forgiven those who worked against the interest of his ambition and the collective interest of the party but added that despite the forgiveness, his administration will find it necessary to probe some people so as to develop the state.
“No doubt, the forces arraigned against us had been formidable. It, therefore, behooves us in utmost deference to the almighty to forgive those who, either out of misguided conviction or deliberate mischief, stood against us,” Mimiko said.

Mimiko said the party agenda tagged: Divine agenda, would be implemented to the letter, saying his government would work round the clock with the sole aim of embarking on people-oriented projects that would go a long way to alleviate the suffering of common people in the state.
He disclosed that his administration would provide qualitative education at all levels while primary education to the senior secondary school students would enjoy free education, adding that scholarship scheme would be merit-driven.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2009/feb/25/national-25-02-2009-01.htm