₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday assured Nigerians that no amount of pressure that could be mounted on him would make him stop his regime’s war against corruption.

Buhari, who was represented by his Special Adviser Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said this while addressing some protesters who stormed the Presidential Villa to encourage him to continue his ongoing corruption war.

The placard–wielding protesters under the aegis of the Nigerians Against Corruption group were led by Aisha Yesufu.

They were stopped at the gate of the Presidential Villa close to the Supreme Court by security operatives.

Buhari thereafter dispatched Adesina and his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, to address them.

While promising that he would not relent in the prosecution of the war against corruption, the President however promised that he would give due regard for the rule of law while carrying out the task.

The President said that all persons charged with stealing the nation’s resources would be prosecuted.

He added that upon conviction, their ill-gotten wealth would be seized and returned to the government coffers.

He said, “I believe it is time for Nigeria to change course. That is why I sought election as President and got elected. As President, I am determined that Nigeria must move away from a course of endemic corruption that is leading us to perdition.

“There can be no question of our willfully allowing anyone to get away with corruption.

“No matter the pressure and entreaties, the anti-corruption war will continue and all accused persons will have their day in court.”

The President also reiterated his commitment to curbing insecurity in the country and boosting employment opportunities for Nigerians, especially the youth.

He called for the continued support and solidarity of Nigerians as the present administration works to correct the wrongs of the past.

The protesters assured the President that majority of Nigerians supported his ongoing efforts to curb corruption.

They urged him not to be deterred by the antics of those who did not share his laudable vision of a fairer, more equitable, corruption-free and progressive nation.

Inscriptions on some of the placards carried by the protesters read, “I voted Buhari to fight corruption,” “Governors and their deputies must declare their assets,” NASS, epitome of corruption,” and “President and VP must declare their assets,” among others.

Also, President Buhari on Monday promised officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs that part of the money his administration would recover from looters of the nation’s commonwealth would be used to fund the ministry.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Ezekiel Oyemomi, disclosed this to State House correspondents shortly after he briefed Buhari of his ministry’s activities and challenges at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Oyemomi said his team briefed the President of all its activities at the end of which he realised that his ministry was demanding.

He said, “When you look at what the ministry is set up to do, we cut across 70 per cent of the population dealing with the issues of women, children, the vulnerable, people with disabilities, the distressed, distressed families and the lot.

“He (the President) gave his word that once government can recover some funds, he will make sure that such funds are introduced into boosting the budget of the ministry so that we can be well-funded, especially on areas of empowerment, empowering all the stakeholders.”

Oyemomi said one of the challenges being faced by the ministry was that some establishments that were supposed to be under his ministry had been absorbed somewhere else.

He said the President had promised to look into the matter and bring such establishments back under the ministry.

“Part of the challenges are that some establishment should normally be under our control, but they have been absorbed somewhere else especially the NNPC.

“We have exposed this to him and believe that the President will look at it and bring them back under us.

“He didn’t give a definite response but our document that have been presented certainly would be reviewed so that the right thing can be done,” he added.

Source: www.punchng.com/news/anti-graft-war-i-wont-succumb-to-pressure-says-buhari-2/

wristbangle:
Then Y are u saying man city and arsenal builds d career of a player?

I never said said that (please refer to my earlier post). What I said is Aduritz would be better managed by Arsenal and Man City for several reasons.

1. A former Spanish manager is presently managing Man City, he would be able to work with Aduritz better and help him attain the heights he would love to attain.

2. Other than Spanish familiarity, Wenger of Arsenal is well known for managing upcoming players better than any other coach out there. For Aduritz to work under Wenger would mean that the former would be tipped to fill the boots of the likes of Van Persie and other young players who made names for themselves.

3. Man United may look desperate for players but putting a player like Aduritz under LVG is suicidal to the player's future. LVG's strong headedness and his ITK would injure the player. LVG is not all that good at handling "unmade" players (remember, Aduritz is still an average player whose future away from Bilbao would look like a Sardine thrown into an ocean.

4. Chelsea? No! The manager (Mourinho) has tons of issues. He buys strikers for keep and not for use. He prefers to vault them and kill their career by 'benching' them for as long as he remembers.

Man CitY does not build players, they don't have the energy to. Aduritz needs a man who understands Spanish football and a good handler, which in my opinion would be Manuel Pellegrini and Arsene Wenger respectively.

wristbangle:
U sold fabregas to barca and could not hold the midfield well. Same is happening to him @ chelsea.

Meanwhile ur wayward vermalean is destroying barca's reputation.

Ozil, a high calibre playmaker from Real Madrid is now a nobody @ arsenal.

Tevez, a world class player from man utd was nothing to write home about @ Man city but jeventus resurrected that boy.

You've digressed greatly. For the record, I'm not an Arsenal fan, but a Madridsta.

chidexxy007:
are u answering that guy?.... he should list all the talents man city has nurtured in their life time.

Man City may not boast of a track record of developing players for one reason; they're wealthy enough to buy any player. This is perhaps the greatest damage money has caused in the footballing world. You hardly see Real Madrid grow players that would eventually graduate into a starter of the first time. Madrid USED to pay attention to academy players in the past, not anymore. Barcelona's attention is presently shifting from La Masia into signing big names, Man City's lust for European recognition has made them care less for grooming academy players.

Bayern has joined, the same goes for Chelsea. Arsenal, Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Marseille, and some few others are the only ones turning attention to their academy players.

The pressure for dominance does not give room for mediocrity. This is why the "biggest" clubs will prefer to sign an already "established" player from the academy growing clubs. Such is the effect of money on football in this dispensation.

sameer1212:
Yeah u have point there. But man u or arsenal really need th guy up front.

I agree with you. They both need a striker as effective (if not clinical) as Aduritz. I don't see United bouncing back to the way it was anytime soon. LVG has no clue, the man is just trying hard to impress. Man United will not make proper use of him. Arsenal will suit him better and offer him more playing time.

IceDude:
Which Man City are u refering to?

Is there another Man City

wristbangle:
What can u say of CR7? Huh!

Mancity Whey dem finish dzeko life

I knew somebody would mention Ronaldo. Ronaldo is highly competitive and one cannot say he got his abilities from Man United. CR7 had a name at Lisbon, and although it was not a household name because of the League's viewership all over the world. Man United gave Ronaldo the proper avenue to "sell" himself to the rest of the world.

Former Man United Captain, Rio Ferdinand admitted he facilitated Ronaldo's move to the Old Trafford. CR7 is one in a million kind of player, the ability to subject his body to personal training is what has caused him to excel over the years.

We sold Di Maria to United ans what happens in just one season.

Has anyone seen this

sameer1212:
Can man u sign this Aduriz of a guy ot replace that mumu rooney plesss

Man United is a talent killing club same as Chelsea, abeg. Mention Arsenal or Man City when it comes to managing players. Man United and Chelsea are just not it.

Hehehehehe! I'm back now. Barcé fans, how market

Honestly, the aggregate is disturbing! Bilbao thrashed Barcelona 1-5 on agg. Reminds me of the 7up they received from Bayern

Hala Madrid!

Captainswag225:
we have 10 ucl titles, how many do u have?

You even have time AC Milan no talk, na Barce fans dey shout.

A. Bilbao's defence is containing the virus

mukina2:
you think he is coming to LVG's philosophical institute?

See wickedness!

Captainswag225:
hala madrid! Hala madrid! Friends of athletic bilbao, lets go!

I see you! Hala Madrid!

FruityLass:
This is S T A L E

It could be but I believe a plight could re-occur in the lives of different persons, regardless of how twisted or crooked the plot is.

OP, sorry, the handwriting, I believe, is obvious.

MarvellousGod:
Not going to watch the match abeg, it's useless. .

There's no way we're going to get 4 goals back...

Besides, I don't want further heartbreak


Nevertheless, Long live BARCELONA! !!!!

La midget may score two hat tricks, you know?

Barcelona will hear it today

shineureyes:
Many nairalanders are silly & inhuman, this boy was like a younger brother to me & I know what he was going through. The news of his death spoilt my day but suicide was not the best option..RIP Ugo

You knew him in person? Why didn't you find time to counsel him? From what I was able to pick out, he acted after he couldn't stand bullying. It seems he was not close to his parents. This is perhaps the reason for the first and eventual second attempt on his life. It was obvious he needed counselling.

ibkgab001:
Setup nah fuckup



Go by the name I think people of that region must have cast spell on him ... Just because of thier normal way of life #money rituals


RIP afinn(albino)

I wonder why the mods have not hid your post. It's obvious they enjoy tribal bigotry on the forum. If you think a time to be sober is the best time to display your stupidity then I pity you.

The property belong to the Nigerian people. We are not trying to humiliate anyone by asking them to return their cars or houses.

To most of these looters, this is what they believe. If only they understand that it is better to surrender than go about the process the hard way.

The President has concluded plans, I pray we stop hearing "Buhari to probe Jonathan's Aides, Ministers" afterwards.

President Muhammadu Buhari has concluded plans to recover all government property still in possession of government officials who served under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The government assets including vehicles, buildings, generator sets and others were said to still be in the possession of the former government officials weeks after they left office. 

Irked by the development, Buhari was said to have set up a committee made up of civil servants and security agencies to identify and recover the unreturned public assets from the former political appointees.

The development is in continuation of ongoing efforts of the President to reclaim as much of Nigeria’s stolen resources as possible. 

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, confirmed the development to journalists on Sunday. 

He said, “That is precisely the case. Even here at the Presidential Villa, there are cars and other property belonging to the government which are yet to be returned.

“The property belong to the Nigerian people. We are not trying to humiliate anyone by asking them to return their cars or houses.”

The presidential spokesman however did not disclose the identities of former government officials said to be still in possession of government property. 

But he expressed the conviction that the committee set up by the President would recover all the government assets. 

When asked whether the state and local governments were facing similar challenges with retrieving government property from their predecessors, Shehu said he was not in a position to confirm or deny this. 

He added, however, that he would not be surprised if that was the case, as this attitude of holding on to government property even after leaving office must be a natural outcome of the culture of impunity that has prevailed in Nigeria over the past years of the Peoples Democratic Party’s rule. 

“But change has come. That is why we have to do things differently now. Imagine how much Nigeria will save by retrieving and re-using these government properties instead of purchasing new ones for new government officials,” he said.

Source: www.punchng.com/news/buhari-to recover-govt-assets-from-jonathans-men/

“Nigeria belongs to all of us and no one can
intimidate me or the good people of Ekiti state
who freely and overwhelmingly gave me their
mandate."

I told a friend today that Fayose is still scared of the APC government, hence his reason for buying pomo in the market. He's trying to establish himself in the hearts of Ekiti people who already love him. His fear The Ekiti gate scandal! Fayose knows this to be a stumbling block and would choose to attack as his best form of defence.

Activa:
Do you know that organs of popes used to be removed after their death?

Never knew this... Do you know the motive behind this?

ZACHIE:
What is the purpose of this meaningless article that is rich on speculations poor on the side of investigating journalism?
The speculations running wild are capable of ruining homes were they to be believed.
Do these things happen in government houses? YEZ.
Has this article done justice to exposing this rot? NO.
Punch is too serious a National Daily for this trash.
I'm disappointed.
If there are serious about this, let them focus on just 2 states and write with details not this scattered ego massaging rubbish.

SATURDAY Punch as well as SUNDAY's are often entertaining than the regular news week prints. True, the reportage is a surface one but picking just two out of 36 states would be unfair. Our e-warriors would brand it propaganda and the handiwork of their detractors.

RickRichards:

Quite harsh but true. In the Yoruba culture, when a prominent Oba dies, some parts of his body are avulsed for ritual purposes. It may not apply to alll Obas though.

The late Oba had been dismembered before the burial, hence the reason he was not "showcased". Period.

I once met Olori Odunola sometimes back in Osun

The source said those who saw the bodies of the previous Oonis were attacked by smallpox and did not survive the ailment.

This part though. A flimsy excuse if you ask me.

Omisore has finally been rendered powerless in Osun, particularly Ife

The final burial rites of the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, was performed on Friday, but his wives, children and family members were unable to pay their last respects as they were barred from the programme.

Some other people who had expected to see the body of the monarch lie in state were also disappointed as his remains were neither brought out for people to see nor was any casket displayed during the burial service.

The event was attended by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo (retd.), Gen. Alani Akinriande (retd.), Senator Babajide Omoworare, Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko and many other dignitaries and government representatives.

Traditional prayers were offered for the late monarch by Tadimole Awo Ilare, Chief Faloba. The event was conducted in less than three hours.

A source at the palace told one of our correspondents that no member of the royal family was allowed to see the remains of the monarch since he was brought back to the palace.

He said, “As we are holding this interdenominational service here, those concerned are performing their own rites inside the palace where the body is kept.

“You can see that the gates of the palace are locked and nobody is allowed to go inside. Nobody can see him again except those who will bury him.

“The wives and children were not even supposed to see his corpse at all but tradition was broken this time around because he (Sijuwade) died in London. But no family member can see him again. Those performing the rites are there now and they will complete it today (Friday). He will be buried in the middle of the night, but nobody will be there apart from those who will lower him into the grave.”

The source said those who saw the bodies of the previous Oonis were attacked by smallpox and did not survive the ailment.

A monarch in Osun State, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, disclosed to one of our correspondents that traditional rulers of the town went to various shrines, including the Obalufon shrine in Ife to perform some rites for Sijuwade on Friday.

He said the traditional rulers later went into Ooni’s palace shortly before an interdenominational burial service for the king commenced on the palace premises.

The monarch said, “Nobody can see the Ooni, not even the US President, Barrack Obama. We are with him. It’s only the initiates who can see him. His wives and children cannot see him.”

During the service, the Preacher, Bishop of Ife Diocese of Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Oluranti Odubogun, said despite his riches, Oba Sijuwade died when it was God’s time to take him away.

The bishop, who was represented by the Very Rev. Olusola Akanbi, said the Ooni brought fame and popularity to his domain.

His said the monarch’s demise demonstrated that every mortal man would die no matter their status.

He said, “Baba has gone. He will stand before the King of Kings who will judge what he did while here on earth.

“Some persons have started jostling to succeed him now but we must all remember the judgement day when we will give account of all that we did on earth.

“I urge you to make today a memorable one and give your life to Christ. Jesus is the only way, accept him today.”

But as the interdenominational service was about to take off, there was a mild drama as worshippers of Oro cult in Ife, also called Isoro, stormed the venue and attempted to stop the service. The worshippers claimed that it was a sacrilege to hold an interdenominational service for the departed king. And as the service went on outside the palace, the traditional worshippers sang and danced inside the palace.

Women barred

Also, our correspondents learnt that as part of the palace tradition and custom, women are forbidden from entering the palace while traditional rites are being performed for a passing monarch.

As the interdenominational service was going on, sounds of gunshots suddenly rent the air, making some of those present at the service to scamper for safety.

A reliable source told Saturday PUNCH that more gunshots would be fired later in the day, as from 5.00 pm, adding that curfew to last for seven days would start by 4.00 pm on Friday.

One of the palace chiefs, Sooko Adelugba, told one of our correspondents that many parts of the town had already been deserted by residents who were eager to comply with the curfew as announced by the palace.

One of the initiates told one of our correspondents who had tried to interview him that it was an abomination to speak publicly of traditional rites offered for a departed Ooni.

His final resting place

Meanwhile, fresh facts have emerged as to why the monarch would be buried beside the immediate past Ooni, Oba Adesoji Aderemi.

It was gathered that the cemetery inside the palace, where other Oonis were buried, was full, which informed the decision to build a mausoleum inside the palace for Oba Aderemi.

The mausoleum is said to be located at the rear end of the palace.

A palace source said the final resting place of Sijuwade had been constructed in the mausoleum, adding that the cemetery inside the palace is called Ile Nla (mighty house).

Traditionalists clash with residents

The worshippers of Oro cult in Ife, also called ‘Isoro’, clashed with residents who were erecting tents for the interdenominational burial service at the frontage of Enuwa Palace.

A prominent chief in Ife, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the ‘Isoro’ descended on the people who erected the tents because they (initiates) wanted to observe a seven-day burial rites for the departed king.

The chief said, “The ‘Isoro’ saw the erection of tents for an interdenominational burial service as a sacrilege against custom and tradition.

“They descended on the people erecting the tents and flogged them heavily. They destroyed the tents and swore never to allow anybody do any interdenominational service at the palace.”

The chief revealed that the state government had to wade into the crisis before the service was allowed.

He said, “It took the intervention of officials of the state government, who appealed to the ‘Isoro’ to allow the people to hold the interdenominational service before the issue was resolved. If not for the intervention of the state government, the interdenominational service would not have been allowed.”

Meanwhile, Saturday PUNCH learnt that Sijuwade’s family members flew to see his body immediately after he transited in a highbrow hospital in England.

Investigation by Saturday PUNCH revealed that Sijuwade’s eldest son, Tokunbo, and some other family members flew to England immediately the monarch breathed his last to join the king’s three wives, Morisola, Ladun and Odunola – who were already there.

Morisola is the eldest wife, Ladun is the second wife and Odunola, who is the daughter of the immediate past Orangun of Ila, is the youngest wife.

It was learnt that the family members flew down to England to pay their last respect to the departed monarch.

The Araba of Osogbo land, Chief Yemi Elebuibon, who spoke with one of our correspondents on Friday, disclosed that the corpse of the Ooni belonged to Ile-Ife and not his family.

He said, “The traditional burial rites of the kings of Ile-Ife and Oyo are strictly complied with and they are comprehensive.

“When the Ooni dies, the body becomes that of the town. The ‘Isoro’ cult group will take over. The ‘Isoro’ initiates are the ones who worship the ‘Oro’ deity.

“It is the ‘Isoro’ people that would inform the various deities, who were worshipped and appeased when the Ooni was crowned, that he (the monarch) is no more.

“It’s a rite. Nothing must stop it.”

The Araba dispelled the belief that the heart of the late king would be fed to the next Ooni.

He said, “The eating of the heart of a departed King by an incoming one belonged to the past. It no longer exists. People still make this insinuation because many are barred from witnessing the burial of a king.

“What the incoming king will eat is the heart of an animal and not that of a human. Nobody would be buried with the Ooni. Nobody would be killed for any form of sacrifice.”

Elebuibon explained that animals are now used for the burial rites of Yoruba Obas because of modernisation, noting that Christianity and Islam also stopped the use of humans for sacrifice when God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac.

Let Sijuwade rest

As the guests who attended the interdenominational service departed, a man in white robe and a white cap appeared at the palace entrance and told some of the people around the gate to leave the vicinity of the palace and allow the monarch to rest.

He said, “The service is over, it is time for you all to start going. Leave the palace and let Sijuwade rest. You are warned to leave.”

Meanwhile, a cleric, Evangelist Toluwase Akeredolu, had disputed insinuations that Sijuwade, as a prominent monarch, was in the cult. Akeredolu had said that Oba Sijuwade died as a born-again Christian.

Akeredolu said this on July 29 after the transition of the monarch was announced by the media.

The cleric, an evangelist with the Christ Apostolic Church, said the monarch had few weeks before his transition, confessed all his sins to God after he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.

Akeredolu said he was privileged to have ministered to the monarch few weeks before his death.

He said, “Oba Sijuwade told the congregation at the last crusade we organised in Ile-Ife that he had forsaken sins and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and personal saviour. He confessed publicly that he would live the rest of his life to serve the Almighty God.

“During the revival, Oba Sijuwade said he had committed the rest of his lifetime to Christ, the saviour of all and had sung the popular song ‘All to Jesus, I surrender.’”

It will be recalled that the late monarch dropped the title of ‘Oluaye’ (owner of the universe) in 2010 in deference to the Almighty God.”

Source: www.punchng.com/news/drama-at-oonis-palace-wives-children-barred-from-oonis-burial/

Cc
Lalasticlala
Ishilove

alaoeri:
Am not a Barcà supporter but they play games more than any other team last season besides majority of their players are just back from Copa America if Barca wins this season laliga shame on Madrid & other laliga's team.

Wrong! Real Madrid played more games than any other European club last season. Please Google this.