₦airaland Forum

Agbakoba is obviously off the mark here. How does one court claim superiority over another court when they both appeal directly to the same higher court?

2 great songs by 2 talented singers.

Timi has a slight edge in the area of vocal depth and range in my opinion.

rolchi:
The import of his message is simple: He doesn't want to appoint ministers. He doesn't need them. Thank God for the Constitution. PMB has just informed us that his ministers' opinion will be irrelevant after 30th September 2015.

The import of the message is that technocrats will make better ministers than politicians. The import is that a lot of thot needs to go into the selection and appointment of ministers over and above the federal character principle of the constitution and the desire by politicians to nominate ministerial candidates as a reward or incentive rather than on their capacity to do the work.

TonyeBarcanista:
I'm compelled to write this piece not to spite President Muhammadu Buhari but to cure his misconception of ministers. Earlier today, Mr President was quoted to have made a statement that suggest that ministers are not to relevant in the running of government. According to President Buhari


UNDERSTANDING Ministers and Civil Servants Roles:
Ministers:
Firstly, we have to appreciate the purpose of ministers of the federation. We all we agree that all political parties and candidates standing for elections come with their own program and agenda. These programs are highlighted in their respective document called their Manifesto. The Manifesto is usually in concordance with the overall ideology of the respective parties. When a party's Presidential candidate get elected, he assemble a team of men and women of intellectual standing and believers of his vision to help formulate policies, supervise implementations and defend these policies before the public to actualise the vision and fulfil the President's electoral programs. These group of people are called Ministers. The loyalty of the ministers are to the occupant of the President's office, the country and in most cases the ruling party. Ministers sit and deliberate on policy issues and strategy with the president

Civil Servants:
Every country have a workforce that carry out day-2-day activities of the government in power. We all agree that it is impossible for every government to come on board with their own workforce every 4-8years, hence the country provide for a 'permanent' workforce that will work with every administration. This workforce is called the Civil Service. They are non-partisan career people. They are not to help any political party or candidate formulate policies but are to work with every ruling party and administration to IMPLEMENT policies. They are technocrats and bureaucrats. Their loyalty is not to the ruling party or individual in power but to the "Office of the President" and the Country. They have NO business deliberating on policy issues and strategy with the president or his party. They only take instruction. Let's see a case study...

Case Study: Petroleum Ministry
In the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, there is the Minister, the Permanent Secretary and career Civil Servants, and other agencies and department (eg NNPC, PPPRA etc) under the ministry.

The Minister sit with the President to formulate policies and programs for the sector in line with the President's agenda. S/he prepares budget for the ministry, see to the implementation of this program/policies (supervision) and is answerable to the President, the party and the public. Statutorily, S/he is the Chairperson of the NNPC. She also supervises other department and agencies under her ministry on behalf of the President.


The Permanent Secretary is the Account officer of the ministry and most senior civil servant(rank) in the ministry. S/he is responsible for the implementation of the Minister's policies/program. S/he is the head of the ministerial tender board BUT any contract approved by the board has to be countersigned by the minister (to ensure that they are in tune with the Minister's/President's agenda). He/she is not a member of the Cabinet, neither can S/he replace the minister as the Chairperson of NNPC except S/he resigns and is appointed minister thereafter.


The roles of the minister and permanent secretary are distinct and straight forward. The importance of ministers cannot be over-emphasised. It is instructive to note that Nigeria is not an isolated case when it comes to ministers/permanent secretaries. The United States for instance have Under-Secretaries, which is Nigeria equivalent of Permanent Secretaries, and Secretaries which is ministers equivalent.

Contraty to Buhari's perception, ministers are not for 'noisemaking', neither are they meant to 'fill space' except the incompetent and clueless ones. Without cabinet ministers, a country will be likened to one on 'Auto-piloting'. More importantly, our constitution provide for offices of Ministers just as it provide for the offices of the President and Vice President.

To be fair with the President, his perception of Ministers is inappropriate. I wonder what prompted him to utter such statement when he was a former minister under the General Olusegun Obasanjo military regime between 1977-79. Is he trying to say that he was a 'noisemaking' minister in General Obasanjo cabinet?


May God Bless Us All

Please what exactly have you said in this very long essay that is new and could not have been expressed in 5 sentences or less?

What PMB was saying simply is that the civil servants and technocrats do most of the heavy lifting while politicians as ministers are merely figureheads. The Adesina you spoke about for instance, was a technocrat as was the lady who headed the communications sector under President GEJ's government. He may not have expressed himself quite clearly but I am sure that the import of his statement was not lost on you.

I just wonder when you will quit this pointless and unnecessary crusade of criticizing every action or speech just to appear intelligent to your cheering band of hallelujah boys.

it is becoming very old.

TonyeBarcanista:
Cc: Truckpusher Rozayx5 bomsilaga exxel erunz dunsman Nigerianvenom Phockphockman, nwadiuko1, ibokUtoroh, Koded, Ecoterrors, iPrinz20 Aprokoman, OcheJoseph, Dearpreye, Firefire, Francizy, Temitemi1, Hinwazaka Ecoterrors, Dumkem21 Biafranqueen, Mogidi, Mizmycoli, IsraeliAirforce, Candyrain, Ambivert, Rose2014, Provacateur, Opiaoku, NDPVF, Anonimi, Engineerboat, Talktimi, ahaika23, coolestrogue APCSucks Emperortj93 DebateNigeria and all patriots

Here we go again...calling on the Voltron team...

TonyeBarcanista:
The action of Hell Rufai is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void! The Kaduna state government does NOT have jurisdiction over the internal matters of religious organisation. Only the Court has the power to order for shut-down and decide on the matter under dispute. This is an infringement on the Church and is highly condemnable.

Just a lot of pseudo-intellectualism going on as usual.

PMB just stated the obvious in his usual blunt manner.

I also like the fact that he stated that in spite of his reservations about the necessity of having ministers, he intends to abide by the provisions of the constitution that says he must have ministers.

Brilliant!

AllNaijaBlogger:
Sir, you are a professional spin-doctor.

But you can't cover up a mountain of corruption and arrogance.


However you want to remix it, the private jet was bought with money that could have been used wisely. A private jet is a luxury and it fulfills no travelling purpose efficiently. A private jet is for those who want to waste money. It is not a solution to anything, it is purposeless except for those who want to waste money. Diplomats, international PRs and even the pope travel a lot more than your pastors without owning a private jet.

Furthermore, maintaining a private jet is costly. You claim that the cost of maintaining the plane is covered by leasing it out. Really? You can't make profit from a plane you use and lease out at the same time. How do you then do maintenace repairs in between?



There are so many things I want to say but as a christian, I will hold my tongue.

The pope does not own a private jet. But when he travels, he and his entourage travel on an Airbus A320 operated by Alitalia. The aircraft is usually set aside for the Pope's use whenever he needs to travel...which is a lot of times. So technically, the Pope does fly privately on a jet. Just saying.

Onyejiuwaokoh:
I love the way Anambrans shuned Buhari and buried they son chukwuma. It is a mockery for a government that does't see you as part of its term to be more interest only in buring your son.

So "Anambrans" shunned Buhari and buried their son.

The also shunned HRH Obi Achebe in whose palace the deceased served as a high chief, and his cabinet chiefs.

Nice.

People like the OP will have us believe that anything positive this government has recorded so far, like the recent improvement in power supply, is as a result of foundations laid by the previous government.

Going by that logic, is it not only fair to conclude that the perceived parlous state of the nation's economy is also a harvest of the foundation laid by the previous government?

I just hope Fayose realises that making unsubstantiated claims against a "presidential candidate" is totally different from doing same against a President.

Na so e take try Obasanjo wey dem nearly finish em political career

Paraphrasing the immortal words of the infamous Idi Amin, freedom of speech is guaranteed; freedom after speech however, is another matter entirely

I am not an economist. but I do not need a degree in economics to know that whatever is responsible for this current situation did not happen in the last 100 days of the current government assuming power.

When some of us were saying that Mrs. Okonjo Iweala's "prosperous Nigeria" only exists on her powerpoint slides and dashboards as there isn't a clear connection between the so-called "steadily growing economy" and the increasing poverty on the streets, we were labelled haters.

May God grant the current government the wisdom and tenacity to steer Nigeria out of this current situation to the path of true economic prosperity.

C. I'd rather he take his time and get things right than rush and waste another 4 years.

staymore:
That is not his campaign in Kano.

Oh, my bad. This must be a video of his campaign in your village

Even when you have been caught in a lie, you are still talking kak!

I have videos of most, if not all of Buhari's campaign stops in various states and even outside the country. I did it for the sole purpose of countering fallacious claims like yours.

Provide a link to Buhari claiming he lives in a rented apartment in Abuja during any of his campaigns or be honourable enough to admit you lied.

staymore:
Go and get his campaign video in Kano. While others were listening to his fake campaign speeches you were busy chanting 'sai baba'.

I will ignore the subliminal jibe in your response.

This is a link to a video of Buhari's campaign in Kano. He spoke for a little over 6 minutes at the event in hausa. I speak hausa fluently having grown up in the north.

Where, during this campaign did he claim he lives in a rented apartment in Abuja


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsgCVru8AfE

brightmexy:
since Buhari did not say it withhis mouth then it will be better we wait for him to declare the asset by himself because tomorow u and Buhari will deny this declaration as u are denying this one

Yesterday's statement was issued by the president's spokesman in response to all the "100 days miracle" proponents. It was clearly stated that the full asset declaration will be published by the CCB after all verifications are completed. The full CCB document should contain the finer details of the assets that everyone wants to see. If it doesn't, then we can shout.

Till then however, I do not see the point of all the unnecessary debates and i will not be dragged into one.

All I asked for was a proof that Buhari claimed he was living in a rented apartment in Abuja during the campaigns. Provide one if you have it, or move ahead in peace.

staymore:
GEJ never did because he was not ready to deceive the same people he was leading as a President.

During the APC campaign Buhari publicly said he is leaving in a rented apartment in Abj, now he has declared one.

The questions is "did he just buy it after becoming the President?

Do you have a video of Buhari saying he lives in a rented apartment in Abuja? Or can you at least state what state he was campaigning in when he made that claim?

Thank you for posting this video. I have the full video of his session at Chatham house and I have been looking for a way to crop it to this portion that is relevant.

What the President tried to do in this interview was to manage the overtly high expectations of Nigerians that all of Nigeria's issues will be resolved as soon as he gets into office.

He was saying that Nigeria's issues will be resolved...but not with the wave of the hand and definitely not within 100 days. He went as far as describing the 100 days target as a fraud that he would not like to be involved in.

I think we all should exercise some patience and give this government some time.

Lagos = Eko = Oko (Farm)

Benin = Bini = Binu = Ile Ibinu (Literarily "Land of Anger) = Ubinu

I leave the rest to the discerning mind.

Suffice to say that Nnamdi Kanu is either ignorant or deliberately twisting history to suit his agenda.

This is another allegation in Fashola's ongoing trial by media and as usual, Nairaland has ruled him guilty until proven innocent.

Hate him or like him, one thing I know about the man is that he is too intelligent to award fraudulent contracts and then have them published on a publicly accessible website.

I wait for Fashola's usual well worded explanation of the latest allegations.

Like Buhari's pre - election travail, if Fashola's hands are clean, God will see him through these trying times. He will come out clean and his detractors will only have succeeded in making him more popular.

Only silly mischief makers like the writer of the article will claim they are unaware that the BBOG campaign is still alive and well...but then we all know there are a lot of silly mischief makers in our country nowadays.

"PDP Nomination Form" you mean?

@ Barcanista

Sometimes in your attempt to sound very intelligent to your adoring fans, you come across like one of those half educated village teachers who mouth off grandiose words whose meanings even they don't know, to the awe, cheers and adulations of the village maidens. You pen these really long essays which end up proving or saying very little if anything at all.

With all due respect to Bishop Kukah, what is the difference between a Probe and and an Investigation I have taken the liberty to research both words and found as follows...and I do apologise ahead for the length of this post.

Probe[/size][size=8pt]
prəʊb/

noun: probe; plural noun: probes; noun: space probe; plural noun: space probes

1. 1.
A blunt-ended surgical instrument used for exploring a wound or part of the body.
o a small device, especially an electrode, used for measuring, testing, or obtaining information.

2. 2.
A thorough investigation into a crime or other matter.
"A probe into city hall corruption"
synonyms: [b]investigation, enquiry, enquiry, examination, scrutiny, inquest,exploration, study, research, analysis, scrutinization
"a probe into alleged financial irregularities at the club"[/b]

3. 3.
an unmanned exploratory spacecraft designed to transmit information about its environment.

4. 4.
a projecting device for engaging in a drogue, either on an aircraft for use in in-flight refuelling or on a spacecraft for use in docking with another craft.

verb
verb: probe; 3rd person present: probes; past tense: probed; past participle: probed; gerund or present participle: probing

1. 1.
explore or examine (something), especially with the hands or an instrument.
"hands probed his body from top to bottom"
synonyms: examine, feel, feel around, explore, prod, poke, check
"hands probed his body from top to bottom"

o enquire into someone or something closely.
"what right had he to probe into her personal life?"
synonyms: investigate, conduct an investigation into, enquire/enquire into, look into, study, conduct an enquiry/enquiry into, examine, scrutinize, go into, carry out an inquest into, research, analyse, dissect, search into, delve into, dig into; More



Investigate[/size][size=8pt][size=8pt][/size]

ɪnˈvɛstɪɡeɪt/

verb

verb: investigate; 3rd person present: investigates; past tense: investigated; past participle: investigated; gerund or present participle: investigating
1. carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth.
"police are investigating a claim that the man was beaten unconscious by a gang"
synonyms: enquire into, look into, go into, look over, probe, explore, scrutinize,conduct an investigation into, conduct an enquiry into, make enquiries about, try to get to the bottom of; More
o carry out research or study into (a subject or problem, typically one in a scientific or academic field).
"future studies will investigate whether long-term use of the drugs could prevent cancer"
synonyms: enquire into, look into, go into, look over, probe, explore, scrutinize,conduct an investigation into, conduct an enquiry into, make enquiries about, try to get to the bottom of; More
o make inquiries as to the character, activities, or background of (someone).
"everyone with a possible interest in your brother's death must be thoroughly investigated"
synonyms: enquire into, look into, go into, look over, probe, explore, scrutinize,conduct an investigation into, conduct an enquiry into, make enquiries about, try to get to the bottom of; More
o make a check to find out something.
"when you didn't turn up I thought I'd better come back to investigate"[color=#000099][/color]


Please notice how both words are used recurringly as synonyms of each other.

Seeing therefore that both words can and are often used interchangeably, why then do Bishop Kukah and the OP want us to believe that one is supposed to occur before the other just so as to cast doubts on the war against corruption embarked upon by the government of the day?

engineerboat:
Sometime one begin to wonder how we reason, The question is did GEJ government purchase this Jet or Not

Ok hold it bros. Those jets are Alpha jets and the NAF has had them like forever. Those weren't procured by the GEJ administration.

GEJ's government indeed procured some choppers for the NAF as stated by the former NSA. He also procured some tanks and such other hardware. The navy also got a look in with the delivery of 2 ships donated to us by the Americans. Then there were 2 or so locally built gunboats for the NN also.

Still far from desirable given Nigeria's global status...but definitely not "Zero"

atlwireles:
This is the Buhari we know, so no surprises. Only the facebook generation , will be worried by the statement. Unfortunately for him and his almajiri sai chanters this is not 1984.

Even you?

The DIA at no time in the past or present had anywhere near 100,000 operatives on its pay roll.

That false claim already calls into question the credibility of the other claims.

The next few months will tell if General Monguno's appointment was a masterstroke or not.

Until then, I say kudos to the President for taking his time to effect the change of guard at the Defence headquarters.

FAYOSE DRINKING PALMWINE AT APATA GANGAN JUNCTION!!!

FAYOSE RIDES OKADA TO FOOTBALL VIEWING CENTRE!!

FAYOSE EATING BUSH MEAT AND ROASTED YAM WHILE PLAYING DRAFT WITH HIS PEOPLE!!!


Please is this governor working at all or just faffing around? When will we begin to see headlines of Fayose commissioning roads and other public infrastructure?

I admit I know very little about the progress the state may have made under Fayose so please correct me if I'm wrong: Is Fayose running a government of "feferity" in Ekiti State??

Good to probe the past...provided it is done with a view to mapping the way forward. If that is not the case, then the probe is nothing more than a witch hunt and a bloody waste of time.

Governor Wike is known for his brash tactics....but I doubt if even he would go this far or be this petty. This is probably the handiwork of a senior official of his cabinet or the party out to settle personal scores with Madam ex commissioner.

It would be a great shame if the governor actually ordered this unlawful act.

I was quite taken aback by WS' write up on the bill. It was clear to me that he'd either not read the bill at all or had read a distorted copy. I'm happy the ex - senator has respectfully responded and I hope the Professor will retract that article with full apologies.

Between churches, mosques and beer parlours, Lagosian are slowly going deaf....

Mosques are no better. There is one right behind my house with horn speakers facing every direction. They make so much noise even very early morning.

The annoying thing is that if you peep into the mosque, you will see only a handful of worshippers inside the mosque so I always wonder why they need such a loud PA system.

Used to be quite a bother but I have lived dere now for so many years that I've kinda gotten used to the noise.

LASG needs to enforce the law against noise pollution.