₦airaland Forum

he former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu, today almost personally closed down Thisday newspaper.

Kalu won a libel lawsuit against the newspaper, which is published by Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, along with an award of N500 million in damages. He jubilantly and immediately procured the services of a large number of police and court bailiffs and proceeded to the newspaper to shut it down.

Kalu who himself publishes a soft-sell tabloid, The SUN, has several libel lawsuits against Thisday.

Saharareporters learnt that when a woman friend of Mr. Kalu’s died recently at his Maryland, United States residence, he took umbrage at the gleeful and detailed reporting of the event by Thisday, and strengthened his legal team to push the cases against Thisday. One result was today's judgment.

The police activities around Thisday headquarters heightened tension in Nigeria as many interpreted it to mean that the federal government was clamping down on the newspaper over its reports on the Abuja bomb blasts.


Read More: http://saharareporters.com/news-page/orji-kalu-invades-thisday-newspaper-police

Dokpesi arrested over Friday’s bomb-blast

Less than 24 hours after Goodluck Jonathan announced that the nation’s security forces were closing-in on the sponsors of the Friday’s twin bombings in Abuja, there are indications that the Director of the Ibrahim Babanginda Campaign Organisation; Raymond Dokpesi may have been arrested in connection with the bomb blast that almost marred the Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

NEXT gathered that he may have been picked up in the early hours of today, following a text message sent to the smartphone of one of the suspects in police custody asking “if Dokpesi has paid the balance” and another “inviting another suspect to a meeting at IBB Campaign office.”

It was learnt that the alleged arrest of Mr Dokpesi may be one of the nine people already arrested by the State Security Service, who at the briefing yesterday had refused to mention the names of those in its custody for security reasons.Dokpesi arrested over Friday’s bomb-blast

Read More: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5626699-146/dokpesi_arrested_over_fridays_bomb-blast.csp

Babangida all the people u are killed you should have known you cant escape going unpurnished

Ibime:
I seriously can't believe that FG expects us to believe that boys who set and operate remote control bombs would be texting Dokpesi saying "Na we do am. Make we go meet for IBB officem"

Mugun if una no know say na una do am, why una dey communicate with each other?

Sounds to me they have picked up a bunch of youths using the bomb blast as a joke among them, because none of those texts seem like anything that can be sent to dokpesi rather just btw a bunch of clowns

I really hope im wrong so this can be the end of IBB

tomialph:
and why do you they can't arrest IBB? if they have overwhelming evidence that he's directly or indirectly involved,I can assure you that he will spend the rest of his life behind bars,

Once they have enough evidence we are talking about the death of 16 citizens of the FRN, its not life in jail its a death sentence if found guilty

Plus GEJ has given 7days that all people involved be arrested, this is going to get interesting soon

youngmonie:
some ppl are taking this thing as a joke, u all r jus shouting last day or end for IBB without knowing the implications, the north willl see it as a political  gamee of which it wont go down well wiv them, nd i fear jonathan might jus end up like obama (if u know whts happning to him)

If IBB was in power what do you think will happen to the person that does this, its death so he that liveth by the sword will surely die by the sword!

IBB is not the only northern running for President

Beaf:
^
Do you actually believe the cabal disappear if PDP goes, or are you just being naive?

IBB's pig is finally done. 10 innocent lives for a fcking ambition to steal? Lets bury the bastar'd!!!!

I think IBB will run or else he is seeing his last days! i doubt Dokpesi will take the death sentence

Either Dokpesi takes the fall (death sentence) which i doubt, or he speaks and his oga IBB gets the death sentence

IBB's last days are close, unless he runs!

SSS Drills Dokpesi, IBB, Campaign DG

ABUJA- THE Director- General, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB 2011 Campaign Organization, Chief Raymond Dokpesi was Monday whisked by men of the state Security Service, SSS.
Investigation by Vanguard revealed may have been picked up in the early hours , following a revealing Short Message Service (SMS) text message sent to the Smartphone of one of the suspects in police, asking “if Dokpesi has paid the balance”, and another SMS “inviting another suspect to a meeting at IBB Campaign office”. The arrest as gathered may not be unconnected with recent political developments in the country and as at press time, the Chairman, African Independent Television, AIT was still being drilled by them.

It would be recalled that the country on Friday witnessed a black day during the celebration of Nigeria at fifty at the Eagle Square following bomb blasts which took place about some metres away from the venue of the event, where over sixteen persons were reported dead, and well over fifty were injured. Attempts to reach the Director, Media and Publicity, IBB Campaign Organization, Prince Kassim Afegbua to comment on the development proved abortive.

Meanwhile, former commanders of the Ex-militants of the Niger Delta yesterday arrived the nation’s capital city, Abuja.
The ex-militants who arrived late yesterday went straight to Bolingo Hotel where they were lodged, they are billed to visit the scene of the bomb explosions and they will there after address a world press conference to denounce the bombing.

The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chief Executive Officer of the Amnesty Programme, Mr. Timi Alaibe, had said on Sunday through a statement signed by Mr. Henry Ugbolue, an aide to Mr Alaibe that “Former militia leaders expected at tomorrow’s event include: Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), Mr. Victor Ben (Boyloaf), Chief Ateke Tom, Fara Dagogo, John Togo, Gen. Shoot Asight, Pastor Reuben, Gen Eziekel, Gen. Joshua Miccaival, Bonney Gawei, Gen. Aboy, Gen. Ogunbos, and Gen. Africa”.

Read More: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/10/sss-drills-dokpesi-ibb-campaign-dg/

Guess the News has been confirmed now, guess if it looks like a dog its a dog

all signs point towards IBB. GEJ should get solid proof and get this guy locked up

Just heard the news again on NTA news!

The State Security Service (SSS) today detained Raymond Dokpesi, the campaign manager of former dictator Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, over the bomb blasts that rocked Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Friday, October 1.

Mr. Dokpesi’s detention comes as South African authorities today charged Henry Okah, the exiled leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), with plotting the attacks that marred Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary.

Dokpesi’s arrest and Okah’s arraignment signify an escalation of tensions between Nigeria’s ruler, Goodluck Jonathan, and Mr. Babangida. The two events also raise questions about the nature of the information that the Jonathan administration has concerning relations between Mr. Okah and aides of the former dictator.

Last week, Mr. Jonathan had declared that MEND was not responsible for the bomb blasts, blaming them on an unnamed terrorist group.

“It seems as if the government is now implying that the blasts were a joint effort between MEND and the Babangida camp,” said a civil society activist in Abuja. He asked, “If President Jonathan believes that MEND did not execute the assaults, then why did his government pressure South Africa to arrest Okah?” He added, “If the MEND leader or some faction of MEND is now working for Babangida, then Jonathan’s campaign to emerge the PDP flag bearer would seem to be troubled.”

Saharareporters has also learned that the Nigerian government invoked all diplomatic and economic threats against South Africa in order to force the South African authorities to arrest Mr. Okah and charge him for terrorism offences relating to the death of more than 25 Nigerians in the October 1st explosions. “President Jonathan threatened to nationalize MTN if the South African government failed to pick up Henry Okah,” a senior government official in Abuja told our correspondent.

Saharareporters had broken the news about the early morning raid on Okah’s Johannesburg home last Wednesday. A source told us that the South African police did not find any incriminating evidence during their search.

Nigerian security officials now claim they have arrested nine people who are directly linked to Mr. Okah.

In a rare press release obtained by Saharareporters, the SSS claimed that Mr. Okah and several others had planned to explode car bombs in Abuja on September 29 2010, but that Nigeria’s intelligence officials had foiled the attacks by towing away two abandoned vehicles from areas near the Eagle Square venue of the Independence Day anniversary. The press release, riddled with grammatical errors, appears to have been hastily written. It does not explain how or if the security agency found any explosive devices in the towed vehicles.

The SSS merely blamed the attacks on Mr. Okah and unnamed individuals described as his sponsors.

However, a top security official told Saharareporters today that the office of the National Security Adviser claimed that they had intercepted some 400 phone calls from Mr. Okah made to several individuals including Mr. Dokpesi, the proprietor of Africa Independent Television (AIT). Also an SSS source further disclosed that they have obtained text messages between Dokpesi and some of the suspects in their custody, some of the messages were sent to Mr. Dokpesi requesting payments and some arranging meetings between the suspects and Babangida.

Mr. Dokpesi recently accepted an offer to be Babangida’s campaign director. His detention by the SSS confirms widespread speculation that the Nigerian authorities are linking the bombing to Mr. Babangida

Read More: http://saharareporters.com/news-page/abuja-bomb-blast-ibbs-campaign-director-raymond-dokpesi-arrested%E2%80%A6fg-threatened-nationalize

Abuja Bomb Blast: IBB's Campaign Director, Raymond Dokpesi, Arrested…FG Threatened To Nationalize MTN Over Henry Okah

The State Security Service (SSS) today detained Raymond Dokpesi, the campaign manager of former dictator Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, over the bomb blasts that rocked Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, on Friday, October 1.

Mr. Dokpesi’s detention comes as South African authorities today charged Henry Okah, the exiled leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), with plotting the attacks that marred Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary.

Dokpesi’s arrest and Okah’s arraignment signify an escalation of tensions between Nigeria’s ruler, Goodluck Jonathan, and Mr. Babangida. The two events also raise questions about the nature of the information that the Jonathan administration has concerning relations between Mr. Okah and aides of the former dictator.

Last week, Mr. Jonathan had declared that MEND was not responsible for the bomb blasts, blaming them on an unnamed terrorist group.

“It seems as if the government is now implying that the blasts were a joint effort between MEND and the Babangida camp,” said a civil society activist in Abuja. He asked, “If President Jonathan believes that MEND did not execute the assaults, then why did his government pressure South Africa to arrest Okah?” He added, “If the MEND leader or some faction of MEND is now working for Babangida, then Jonathan’s campaign to emerge the PDP flag bearer would seem to be troubled.”

Saharareporters has also learned that the Nigerian government invoked all diplomatic and economic threats against South Africa in order to force the South African authorities to arrest Mr. Okah and charge him for terrorism offences relating to the death of more than 25 Nigerians in the October 1st explosions. “President Jonathan threatened to nationalize MTN if the South African government failed to pick up Henry Okah,” a senior government official in Abuja told our correspondent.

Saharareporters had broken the news about the early morning raid on Okah’s Johannesburg home last Wednesday. A source told us that the South African police did not find any incriminating evidence during their search.

Nigerian security officials now claim they have arrested nine people who are directly linked to Mr. Okah.

In a rare press release obtained by Saharareporters, the SSS claimed that Mr. Okah and several others had planned to explode car bombs in Abuja on September 29 2010, but that Nigeria’s intelligence officials had foiled the attacks by towing away two abandoned vehicles from areas near the Eagle Square venue of the Independence Day anniversary. The press release, riddled with grammatical errors, appears to have been hastily written. It does not explain how or if the security agency found any explosive devices in the towed vehicles.

The SSS merely blamed the attacks on Mr. Okah and unnamed individuals described as his sponsors.

However, a top security official told Saharareporters today that the office of the National Security Adviser claimed that they had intercepted some 400 phone calls from Mr. Okah made to several individuals including Mr. Dokpesi, the proprietor of Africa Independent Television (AIT). Also an SSS source further disclosed that they have obtained text messages between Dokpesi and some of the suspects in their custody, some of the messages were sent to Mr. Dokpesi requesting payments and some arranging meetings between the suspects and Babangida.

Mr. Dokpesi recently accepted an offer to be Babangida’s campaign director. His detention by the SSS confirms widespread speculation that the Nigerian authorities are linking the bombing to Mr. Babangida

Read More: http://saharareporters.com/news-page/abuja-bomb-blast-ibbs-campaign-director-raymond-dokpesi-arrested%E2%80%A6fg-threatened-nationalize

this is an unconfirmed report!

but IBB is written all over this incident, so wont be surprised

The death of Damilola Agbede, a son of the ex-chief registrar of the Ondo State judiciary, Sola Agbede has brought the family to a collision course with the police leadership in the state, as the family fights what it said was another attempt by the police to cover up what is said to be the extra-judicial killing of their child.

There are different accounts to how Mr Agbede, a former Political Science student of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, was killed. The man, who was allegedly killed on September 25, 2010 inside his car by policemen at Ijapo Estate, Akure, was said to be returning from a popular hotel in Ijapo where he had gone clubbing, early Saturday morning.

He was said to have refused to stop for the normal police checking when he was ordered to park his car, around 2 am. This action, according to this version of events narrated by the family, allegedly enraged the police and this made one of them shoot at the car Damilola was driving from the back. The bullet pierced through the glass and the edge of the driver's seat to hitting the mans head. He was said to have died instantly and his remains were deposited at the mortuary at the state specialist hospital, Akure by the policemen.

Another version states that the man was escorted out of the party, led into his car and was shot when he had driven some ways from the party.

But the Ondo State Police command has asked the public not to blame the command for the killing. They alleged that Damilola was shot because he was a robbery suspect. The Spokesperson of the State Police command, Adeniran Aremu confirmed that Damilola had been on wanted list for series of armed robbery cases in Akure metropolis.

"The police did not frame up Damilola, he had been on the wanted list of our command for series of offences," Mr Aremu said. "He is a criminal. On the fateful day, there was a distress call which made the police and some other outfits of the police to rush to Ijapo area of Akure metropolis.

The information received by the police was that he was there to rob the people of the area. Go outside and investigate, and members of the public will tell you the kind of person Damilola was. The family is not being straightforward."

Insisting on justice

Mr Agbede's family has, however, vowed not to allow the case to be swept under the carpet by the police. The family, through its lawyer, Ayotunde Ologe, in a 13- paragraph petition written to the Inspector General of Police alleged that Mr Agbede was murdered unjustly by policemen in Akure.

The petition reads, in part, "actually Damilola left his parent in the evening on Friday, September 24, 2010 for a party at Ijapo in Akure. While the party was going on, Damilola was excused out of the party by one police officer attached to the SARS office under the guise that the presence of Damilola will be needed outside the venue.

"Damilola was escorted into his own car where the impression was created that he would only be allowed to drive his own car, to the SARS office along Oda road, Akure. It became the greatest surprise that despite the fact that Damilola was escorted into his car, it was in the same car that his lifeless body was found after an hour on that night."

The dead man's father, Olusola Agbede said his son was not an armed robber as claimed by the police. The former state judicial officer, said: "My son is not a robber.

The police are just trying to cover up their inadequacies. The police should stop lying and tell the truth, about how my son was killed. They should not be allowed to go scot free."

In order to get the root of the matter, the Ondo State Government has charged the state security services (SSS) to conduct in-depth investigations into the death.

Read More: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5626371-146/family_challenges_police_account_of_mans.csp

Alxmyr:
what is breaking in the news.

the fact that MEND is not involved

A small terrorist group based outside Nigeria not militants from the oil-producing Niger Delta carried out last week's car bomb attacks in the capital Abuja, President Goodluck Jonathan said on Sunday.

Two car bombs exploded near a parade marking Nigeria's 50th anniversary of independence in the capital Abuja on Friday, killing at least 12 people. [ID:nLDE691054

The attacks were claimed by Nigeria's main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).

A MEND statement signed Jomo Gbomo -- the pseudonym used by the group to claim previous attacks on Nigeria's oil industry -- was emailed to media warning the area should be evacuated an hour before the Abuja bombs went off.

But Jonathan said investigations had revealed MEND members knew nothing about the attacks and they had been carried out by a small group based outside Nigeria, sponsored by "unpatriotic elements within the country".

"It is a small terrorist group that resides outside Nigeria that was paid by some people within to perpetrate the dastardly act," Jonathan said, according to a statement from his office.

"We are on their trail and I promise Nigerians that the matter will be investigated to the last and until everybody is brought to book, we will not rest."

Jonathan said on Saturday those responsible had used the MEND name to "camouflage criminality and terrorism".

Read More: http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/National/5626490-146/foreign-based_group_behind_bomb_attacks_-.csp

I hope the "Leaders" will wake up now with all that is going on,

thats if some of them have not started moving their remaining family out of Nigeria

By the way he just heard about the bomb blasts then and death, guess u didnt notice how sad he was looking too
neways im not a supporter of GEJ, but i notice he tries to give Nigeria a 21st century President but thats not wat we need, we need serious changes internally

man people are really upset with this government, guess we all expected way more than we are getting
its all spending upon spending and the Nigerian people are not seeing any change, looks like our Mr. President might be clueless, his wife is not any better with her constant lavish spending and travelling

Looks like things are about to get really nasty in this country, the lack of an effective policing has really started to take its toll on us, because all we see now is complete lawlessness, something needs to be done fast, pls vote wisely!, vote Ribadu!

rebranded:
Oh God of Creation, direct our noble cause.
Guide thou our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow, and living just and true
Great lofty heights attain, to build a nation
Where Peace and Justice shall reign!!

Things on ground shows that the dream of our founding fathers for Nigeria is completely opposite to where we have found ourselves
Our youths are growing far from living truthfully, while our leaders have guided the country in the wrong direction
unfortunately after 50yrs justice and peace is still a dream, God help us!

Arise, O compatriots, Nigeria's call obey
To serve our fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labor of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and
unity

Oh God of Creation, direct our noble cause.
Guide thou our leaders right, help our youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow, and living just and true
Great lofty heights attain, to build a nation
Where Peace and Justice shall reign!!

Fellow Citizens.Today, 1st October, 2010 marks the 50th Anniversary of our independence from Britain. It is with a deep sense of humility and gratitude to the Almighty that I address you this morning. On this day in 1960, the heroes of the nationalist struggles and all Nigerians were full of hopes and dreams.

The citizens of the new country danced in colourful celebration of the newfound freedom. Nigerians were filled with expectations as the Union Jack was lowered and the green-white-green flag was raised in its place. A new country was born. A new journey had started on a road never taken before. The future was pregnant with promise.

With patriotism and pragmatism, our founding fathers charted a course for the greatness of this country. While there were differences and disagreements, they did not waver in their desire to build a country that future generations would be proud of. They made compromises and sacrifices. They toiled night and day to build a viable country where progress and peace would reign supreme.

Our independence was gained by men and women who envisioned a land of freedom and one of opportunity.
Our founding fathers sought a government of character, that seeks justice to her citizens as our national anthem so eloquently describes: One Nation Bound in Freedom, Peace and Unity. However, today, the opinion of many Nigerians is that these dreams and expectations have not been fulfilled. Not only have people despaired about the slow pace of progress, some have in fact given up on the country. Some believe that if the colonial masters had stayed longer, Nigeria may have been the better for it.

All these postulations, we must admit, are borne out of a somewhat justifiable sense of frustration. Our troubles and failures are well catalogued. For a country that was, in terms of development, on a similar, if not better level with many countries at independence, it is discomforting that we are lagging behind as the economic indicators among nations now show.

In the midst of these challenges, it is easy to forget our unusual circumstances. We have actually been moving from one political instability to the other such that we have barely been able to plan long-term and implement policies on a fairly consistent basis.
This instability has also impacted negatively on institutional development, which is necessary for advancement. The structures of governance had barely been developed when we ran into a series of political obstacles shortly after Independence.

While we were at it, the military took over power and this fuelled a different kind of political instability which ultimately led to the unfortunate 30-month Civil War. This was certainly not the dream of our founding fathers who sacrificed so much to give us Nigeria. They did not dream of a country where brothers would be killing brothers and sisters killing sisters. They did not dream of a country where neighbours and friends would exchange bullets in place of handshakes.

Military rule and the Civil War were major setbacks for our nationhood. They produced a polluted national landscape. This did not offer the best atmosphere for national development. It impacted negatively on Nigeria socially, politically and economically, a situation which further undermined our aspiration as a stable nation. Without political stability, it has been very difficult to plan and build our institutions like other countries that were our peers.

Dear compatriots, despite the serious challenges that we have been living with; we cannot ignore the fact that we have cause to celebrate our nationhood and even a greater cause to look forward to a brighter future. This is a historic occasion when we need to pause and appreciate who we are, what we have, and to reflect on the encouraging possibilities ahead. There is certainly much to celebrate: our freedom, our strength, our unity and our resilience.

This is also a time for stock-taking, to consider our past so that it will inform our future. This is a time to look forward to the great opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for Nigeria. In fifty years, we have in several respects, attained heights that we should be very proud of as a nation.
In the fields of science and technology, education, the arts, entertainment, scholarship, and diplomacy, Nigerians have distinguished themselves in spite of the enormous hurdles they encounter everyday. If we could achieve so much under tough conditions, we are capable of achieving even much more in our journey to the Promised Land.

Our strides in medical science are hardly celebrated. Recently a team of Nigerian scientists led by Dauda Oladepo of the International Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) discovered CD4 Lymphocyte baseline for testing people living with HIV/AIDS. The effort is all the more remarkable because it was funded by the Federal Ministry of Health and its findings are particularly useful to the Nigerian environment. The discovery is very vital to monitoring and managing the disease progression in infected people.

Also, a Nigerian scientist, Dr. Louis Nelson, has made significant progress in his research to find a permanent cure for diabetes, which afflicts over 123 million sufferers worldwide. The vaccine that has made Yellow Fever disease manageable was developed in our shores! While we may not have landed a spaceship on the moon or developed nuclear technology, our inventors and innovators have made globally acknowledged contributions. Clearly, these are indications that within us are potentials that can be harnessed for greatness.

Nigerian writers have won numerous awards on the global stage. Professor Wole Soyinka gave Africa its first Nobel Prize in Literature. Professor Chinua Achebe pioneered the most successful African novel in history. Ben Okri won the Booker prize. Helon Habila, Sefi Attah and Chimamanda Adichie, among several others, are internationally renowned. In the movie industry, Nollywood is rated second biggest in the world. Nigerians have by themselves defied all that is negative around them to build a billion dollar film industry from the scratch. This is a major landmark worth celebrating.

Today our actors and artistes are household names in Africa and parts of the world. The future can only be brighter as competition in this sector breeds improved quality and better creativity. Our leading professionals – lawyers, scientists, economists, doctors, diplomats and academics are celebrated all over the world. They occupy prestigious positions in the leading institutions across the developed world. Most of them were born and bred in Nigeria. Most of them schooled here before they travelled abroad. This should tell us something: that daunting as our circumstances have been, we are still full of ability and capability. We are blessed with talented and patriotic Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, many of whom are willing and ready to return home to be part of the drive to turn Nigeria around for good, so that the country can take its pride of place in the comity of nations.

My brothers and sisters, as we begin the journey to another fifty years of nationhood, we have two choices to make. We can choose to focus on the imperfections and problems that easily beset us as a nation or we choose to focus on the unlimited possibilities that we have. I urge us all to choose the latter. I prefer to see the silver lining in the dark cloud rather than the dark cloud in the silver lining. Today, we need to celebrate the remarkable resilience of the Nigerian spirit. We need to appreciate, that even though the road has been bumpy; we have trudged on, in hope. We may not have overcome our challenges, but neither have our challenges overcome us. Whenever we are completely written off, we always bounce back from the edge to renew our national bond for the benefit of our progress. That is the Nigerian spirit. This is what has kept us together as a country even when other countries with far less challenges have fallen apart.

Our recovery from the scars of the Western Region Crisis, the Civil War, and the June 12, 1993 election annulment has convinced me more than anything else that Nigeria is destined for greatness. It has proved that in our differences, tough circumstances and diversity, what binds us together is far stronger more than what divides us. We have a glorious future awaiting us. I am convinced that North or South, East or West, Muslim, Christian or other faiths, majority or minority, we are all bound by our common humanity and mutual aspirations. We are not sworn enemies. We are not irreconcilable foes. We are neighbours who sometimes offend each other but can always sit down to talk over our differences. We are one people and one family. There are clear examples across the country where, in one family, you have people of different faiths and convictions living peacefully under the same roof.

The father could be a Muslim, the mother a Christian and the children professing different faiths. Yet, they do not draw the sword against one another in the name of religion. Fellow compatriots, one of the greatest achievements of our union this past fifty years is our togetherness. The late Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello once said: “Let us understand our differences.” I identify fully with these words of wisdom. Our faith may be different. We may not speak the same language. We may not eat the same kind of food. But we are in a plural society where we have continued to accommodate one another and integrate without reservations. This we must build on! This we must strengthen! We have the opportunity of imitating our forefathers by envisioning a new society where our children and children’s children will live in peace and harmony and enjoy good quality of life comparable to the best the world can offer.

Today marks the dawn of a new era. It is in our hands to decide what we want to make of it. We must reawaken in ourselves the hunger and aspirations of our founding fathers for a strong, united and prosperous nation that shall be the pride of future generations. To do this, we must change the old ways of doing things. The core values of patriotism, hardwork, integrity and commitment to good governance must henceforth take precedence. It seems to me that the consensus of most Nigerians is that the time has come for us to break from the past and progress into a better future. We should not allow Nigeria to be pulled back again by those who believe it is either they have their way or the country should fall to pieces. The new Nigeria ahead of us, the new Nigeria we have to build together, is a society where everybody must feel at home. It must be a place we can all be happy, comfortable and confident to call our country. It is not just enough for us to talk about how Nigeria can be great; it is our duty to make Nigeria great.

We can change Nigeria from our communities, cubicles and desks. The task to make Nigeria great is a task for everyone.
My fellow citizens, we stand at a cross road. Our forefathers did not achieve our freedom by doing what was easy or convenient. We have not sustained our independence and built our democracy by wishful thinking. We must not allow our future to pass us by. We must grasp it and shape it, drawing on the same spirit and vision that inspired our founding fathers fifty years ago. On my part, I promise visionary and committed leadership. I promise to give my all, my best, to our great country. I am committed to ensuring public safety and security. Government is fully aware of the ugly security situation in Abia State. We are determined to confront it with even greater vigour. For our present and our future, I am committed to improving the quality of education and to give Nigeria the edge in human capital development. We will rebuild our economy by continuing the implementation of the reforms in the banking and other sectors to ensure economic progress.

I will fight corruption and demand transparency so that we can all take pride in our government. Through various policies, we shall continue to seek ways to grow the economy further, give our citizens greater opportunity so that we can compete better in the global market place.
I am committed to the implementation of a national fiscal policy that will encourage growth and development. We will give priority to wealth creation and employment generation. I am focused on addressing our infrastructure needs, especially power, as this is the biggest obstacle to our economic development and wealth creation.

I am determined to implement to the letter the recently launched power sector roadmap, and I am confident that we will soon be able to provide the power that we need today as well as the resources to meet the needs of tomorrow. All the issues bordering on peace, justice and stability in the Niger Delta are being addressed and will continue to receive attention as we consolidate on the Amnesty Programme. When God gives you an opportunity, you must use it to His glory and to the glory of His creations. I promise to use the opportunity given to me by God and the Nigerian people to move Nigeria forward. We must therefore pay special attention to the advancement of our democracy through credible elections. I have said this and I will say it again, with all the conviction in me: Our votes must count! One man, One Vote! One woman, one vote! One youth, one vote!

The future of Nigeria and generations yet unborn is at stake. We must start the journey to the next fifty years with credible elections, with a clean break from the past. We must show the whole world that we can do things the right and the equitable way. This is my pledge and I will never deviate from it. The Nigeria of the next fifty years must be a land of delight. The signs are not difficult to see. We have a hardworking population, a growing sense of Nigerianness and a new generation of leaders with new ideas. We must have a new sense of purpose and a determination to make things work. WE MUST COLLECTIVELY TRANSFORM NIGERIA.

The ultimate result of all these, Fellow Citizens, is that a new Nigeria is in the making. The worst is over. Our latest democratic dispensation has defied all the odds. Since Independence, we have never had 11 years of unbroken civilian rule as we have today. This is a new experience for us. With this comes stability. With this comes the building of strong institutions. With this comes the ability to plan and pursue our plans.
The great people of Nigeria, I implore all to join in the renewed efforts to remake Nigeria. It is a task for everyone. Pray for our country; wish our country well; do things that will make our country great; see and tap into opportunities for greatness that are everywhere around you and take pride in Nigeria. These are the ideals that I embrace. These are the issues that I am committed to.

In conclusion, I will like to speak to Nigeria’s greatest resource: our young men and women. I say you have the greatest stake in transforming our nation. It is time for this generation of Nigerians to answer the call and contribute to Nigeria’s foundation of freedom. That is how this generation will make its mark. That is how we will make the most of these opportunities. That is how we will ensure that five decades from now, as our children and grand children celebrate our nation’s independence centenary, we will be remembered as having contributed to the great history of Nigeria.
On my part I commit myself to doing my very best and to call on your intellect, wisdom and commitment to bring this dream to fruition.

May God Almighty bless you all!
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATIONS OF UNITY AND PROGRESS: BEIGN AN ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN ON THE OCCASION OF THE NATION’S 50TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS TODAY 1ST OF OCTOBER 2010.

Up Federal Executive Criminals (FEC) you dont dissappoint, any way to spend steal that money must be found!

Please drain the account and lets go and look for foreign loans, its all in the interest of creating a "clean and healthy environment" shameless pigs!

[quote author=@labiyemmy link=topic=518748.msg6810450#msg6810450 date=1285272275]So whats all your argument about then? If wheelie bins are of such in consequential nature - why is it generating all the noise? 1 billion Naira![/quote]what the noise is about is, these guys are only using this to steal money!

Kaiser5000:
Why is the president and the executive council involved in a meeting to discuss the purchase of trash cans? Is this not something that should be handled at the local level (not saying getting trash can are not important). I mean if the president has to be there to make decisions on such inconsequential stuff no wonder they never have time to deal with the "real" problems facing the nation.

I agree with you 100% such trivia matters should not be discussed at the executive council but lack of ways to steal money, they bring themselves low to do anything bunch of thieves. I just hope next year this so called party packs their load and get out of our lives

[quote author=@labiyemmy link=topic=518748.msg6810196#msg6810196 date=1285269638]You havent realy understood that any aspersion you throw at me doesnt get to me?

@Kaiser - I like those comments of yours, honestly. I think it may be so that such contracts are scrutinised properly b4 it goes for execution, i may be wrong.[/quote]Are u kidding labiyemmy? the president meets to scrutinise that waste bins are procured properly, i now believe u have been joking all along

Nigerian Govt dont scrutinise anything unless the leaders involved are going to benefit financially

[quote author=@labiyemmy link=topic=518748.msg6809548#msg6809548 date=1285263163]927, 000,000 / 60000 = 15,450: 00

To be paid back by users within two years.

What is the argument here?

Save your abuses. But be reasonable and point the issue out - apart from they are foreign - designed to be used with the trucks for carrying them.

Have people who live in the UK seen how the truck lift the bins with the specialised truck-  abeg. No abuse me- abuse yahself.

Just point out the issues here. Maybe i am too blind to "see"[/quote]You talk like you dont understand how Nigerian Govt works, so you think they just told you the truth, what they mean is they will charge houses for refuse collection and receive an estimated revenue of the amount back in 2years not profit, does it not make sense to u that they could have reduced the purchasing cost drastically by sourcing locally, for God's sake its only a waste bin, why buy from abroad

confetti:
Am sorry to say this but truly speaking, if this is the level of your reasoning, you are really dumb. What has my buying one single shoe or shirt got to do with govt importation of foreign waste bins?
To me, the issue is not even the amount involved even though it is outrageous but why importation when they are asking us to patronize made in Nigeria goods? This is not automobile for God's sake neither is it a technology we do not have. How can a right thinking human approve such purchase in the 1st instance, are u trying to say that the most important thing in Nigeria now (Abuja is waste Bins) Assu is going on strike 1st October, Workers are embarking on strike soon cos of minimum wage, Boko Haram harrassing pple everywhere with such killings as we see in Aba and other states. Do you know how many graduates 1B will change their lives for ever here in Nigeria? In fact, I do not want to continue because reading your post is very annoying.

Do u know that if the government takes the 1B and decides to start a small business loan scheme for citizens, they can give out N100k to 300 people in each state to help start small businesses.

but their mentality that they must have things exactly like those abroad, up to waste bin, has made their rat brains decide to approve such project

Do they need a rocket scientist to tell them how to save the country some money and make use of local manufacturers

yadyas4LV:
WHEN DO WE BE TRULY GUIDED IN THIS COUNTRY?

When u have an opportunity to get rid of the evil party called PDP LIKE NOW!

ladi02:
“Studies have shown that locally-produced plastic waste bins are very low in quality and not compatible with the lifting devices of the waste compacting trucks.

"I wont mind making Bins that are high quality and compatible with the lifting devices of the waste compacting trucks" if 2 more states will be ready to pay me this amount, will be a billionaire instantly Jokers thieves!

What i cant understand is why would anyone vote for PDP again!

for me i dont care who it is, as far as you are asscociated with PDP cant vote for you