cc; mynd44

Guys, this is totally depressing. However, let's not take a partisan view to this report. Rather, lets collectively learn how we need to begin to hold our governments accountable
Bleep

British armed forces offered to attempt to rescue nearly 300 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, but were rebuffed by Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s president at the time, the Observer has learned.

In a mission named Operation Turus, the RAF conducted air reconnaissance over northern Nigeria for several months, following the kidnapping of 276 girls from the town of Chibok in April 2014. “The girls were located in the first few weeks of the RAF mission,” a source involved in Operation Turus told the Observer. “We offered to rescue them, but the Nigerian government declined.”


How Nigerians took Boko Haram’s victims to their hearts
Read more
The girls were then tracked by the aircraft as they were dispersed into progressively smaller groups over the following months, the source added.

Chibok is located in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state. Today 195 of the girls are still missing. Those who have managed to escape from their kidnappers have told of a life of torture, enslavement, rape, and forced marriages in captivity.

Notes from meetings between UK and Nigerian officials, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, also suggest that Nigeria shunned international offers to rescue the girls. While Nigeria welcomed an aid package and assistance from the US, the UK and France in looking for the girls, it viewed any action to be taken against kidnapping as a “national issue”.

“Nigeria’s intelligence and military services must solve the ultimate problem,” said Jonathan in a meeting with the UK’s then Africa minister, Mark Simmonds, on 15 May 2014.

A document summarising a meeting in Abuja in September 2014 between Nigeria’s national security adviser and James Duddridge MP, former under-secretary of state at the Foreign Office, shows Operation Turus had advanced to the point where rescue options were being discussed. Minutes from a meeting the following month between Major-General James Chiswell and Jonathan hinted at the frustration felt by those trying to prompt some action from Nigeria.

“[President] Jonathan was still focused on ‘platforms’. General Chiswell said again we could offer advice on what equipment might make sense and how weapon systems might be best deployed,” the October 2014 document stated.

The Nigerian government did not respond to a request for comment. The Foreign Office said: “We wouldn’t comment on specific operational details, which are a matter for the Nigerian government and military.”

Jonathan has drawn criticism at home and abroad for a lack of action and perceived apathy over the kidnappings. The government was slow to mount any response in the weeks after the girls were taken. The governor of Borno, Kashim Shettima, also publicly criticised Jonathan for failing to even call him or any other state official for 19 days after the kidnappings. Jonathan also hit out at the worldwide #BringBackOurGirls campaign, branding it a “manipulation” of the victims of the attack.

Boko Haram had raided the dormitories of the government secondary school at Chibok. The girls staying there had braved warnings of an attack to sit their final examinations. Boko Haram looted the school and then burned it to the ground. The kidnappings also blighted the lives of the girls from the town who were not taken away, as many have been too scared to continue their education.

In addition to Nigeria, Boko Haram is active in regions of Cameroon, Chad and Niger. According to Unicef, more than 1.3 million children have now been displaced. Some of those taken by Boko Haram have been forced to become child soldiers: one in five suicide bombers in Nigeria are believed to be children, and three-quarters of those are girls.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/04/nigeria-declined-uk-offer-to-rescue-chibok-girls

cc: seun, lalasticlala

This is the classic example of "Taking the Piss". Arik is so unbelievably useless and they have the cheek to blame the passengers rather than apologise and compensate them? Smh...

Adesua Etomi...what a beautiful and super talented actress!

This made me lol....happy valentines day dear nairaland brothers and sisters!

Dear all,

We're currently seeking the services of a creative designer/graphics artist to work with us to work on all our creative briefs and projects. Salary very attractive! Please send your portfolio/CV to obasi.ursula@gmail.com.

afonomics:
serious gender inequality...

Never mind that sir: "Lagos is on the verge of greatness"

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has sworn in 23 commissioners and 14 special advisers to constitute his cabinet, with a charge on them to be accountable and be loyal to the people .
The swearing in ceremony was held on Monday at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa in Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria. The event was attended by well wishers of the cabinet members and government officials.
Speaking at the event, Ambode said the event represented a milestone as it afforded him the opportunity to choose his 37-member cabinet that would help in moving Lagos to greater heights
He said Lagos State is the fourth largest economy in Africa with a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $131bn, equaling that of 42 other countries in Africa.
“Lagos has a rapidly growing middle class of presently over 4 million people with youths constituting Sixty Per Cent (60%) of its population. Not only is Lagos the nerve centre of Nigeria’s economy, it bears more than Ninety Per Cent (90%) of all the Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria in the last few months.
“The challenges that come with the boisterious profile of the state as one of the world’s fastest growing cosmopolitan City-States are as many as the opportunities that abound in it. Lagos is a magnet for many Nigerians who want to pursue the Nigerian dream. The dream that wherever you are from, regardless of tribe or creed, you can achieve what you wish. This is the Lagos dream,” he stated.
The governor explained that developing befitting infrastructure to cope with the exponential growth in Lagos population and its rapid urbanization required hard thinking and ingenious solutions.
He said despite that one-fifth of Lagos is covered in water, Lagosians today relied almost entirely on land transportation system as the addition of thousands of new people and automobiles to Lagos demography on daily basis, inevitably puts unbearable pressure on road networks and traffic situation.
Ambode stated that relying on traditional modes and methods for protecting the people in an age in which men of the underworld use sophisticated weapons and transport to commit crimes and escape from crime scenes left the people vulnerable, saying that leaving the potential of the teeming youths unutilized would severely undermine the economic well-being of the state and its people in the long-run.
The governor, therefore, said as Commissioners and Special Advisers, Lagos charged them to develop ingenious means of transporting its people across the land as well as implement decisions that would combat crimes and secure the people.
“Lagosians call on you to create job opportunities for our youths. As with most nations with a mono-economy, Nigeria is going through an interesting time. The continuous fall in crude oil prices means vastly dwindling revenues for Nigeria. In turn, states will have less and less money to fund capital projects and face enormous challenges in catering for their people.
“The future of any modern state to provide infrastructure and effectively cater for its people lies critically in its ability to generate stable revenues and resources to drive growth. In the last four months, our government has worked hard to lay a solid foundation to drive effective governance.
“Our decisions have stabilized the financial economy of the state despite inherited heavy financial liabilities. We have vastly reduced the cost of governance without bail-outs from the Federal Government and our reforms will be continuous,” he said.
Ambode added that his administration would demand absolute loyalty from the cabinet members as their primary allegiance was to the people of Lagos, irrespective of creed or colour.
“You must dedicate yourselves to the service of Lagos State. Your work must reflect what Lagos stands for: leadership, accountability, good governance, opportunities and service.
“Lagos is on the brink of greatness and you have all been given this platform to write your names in gold. You must work to leave a legacy that will be spoken of in glowing terms in years to come. Lagos is the most promising emerging City-State in Africa today. We have all the ingredients to compete globally in all sectors; and we must.
“We owe it to the people of Lagos and to ourselves. You are today, being handed the reins to the government of Lagos State and together, we must fulfil the massive potentials of our state. I look forward to working with you to deliver, a cleaner, safer and more prosperous Lagos State,” he charged them.
The Commissioners appointed and their portfolios include: Gbolahan Lawal, Commissioner for Housing; Dr. Jide Idris, Commissioner for Health; Folarin Coker, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture; Seye Oladejo, Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations; Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure; Mr. Oluwatoyin Suarau, Commissioner for Agriculture; Mr. Rotimi Ogunleye, Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives; Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget; Dr. Babatunde Adejare, Commissioner for Environment; Mr. Olawale Oluwo, Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources; Dr. Benson Akintola, Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions; Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, Commissioner for Finance; Dr. Abdul-Hakeem Abdul-Lateef, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Commissioner for Information and Strategy.
Others are Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, Commissioner for Justice; Alhaji Muslim Folami, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs; Townplanner Wasiu Anifowoshe, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, Commissioner for Science and Technology; Dr. Ekundayo Mobereola, Commissioner for Transportation; Engineer Adebowale Akinsanya, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development; Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment; Lola Akande, Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Commissioner for Youth and Social Development.
The Special Advisers and their portfolios include: Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu, Special Adviser Sports and Chairman Lagos State Sports Council; Mr. Ganiu Okanlomo Sanni, Special Adviser, Food Security; Mrs. Yetunde Onabule, Special Adviser, Urban Development; Mr. Kehinde Joseph, Special Adviser, Civic Engagement; Adebimpe Akinsola, Special Adviser, Arts and Culture and Dr. Olufemi Onanuga, Special Adviser, Primary Healthcare.
Others are Mr. Obafela Bank-Olemoh, Special Adviser, Education; Adeyemi Olabinjo, Special Adviser, Commerce; Prince Anofi Elegushi, Special Adviser, Transport; Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, Special Adviser, Environment; Professor Ademola Abass, Special Adviser, Overseas Affairs and Investment; Mrs. Aramide Giwanson, Special Adviser, Housing; Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Special Adviser, Community and Communications and Mr. Agboola Dabiri, Special Adviser, Central Business District.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule was also assigned to oversee the Ministry of Education.

Zellie:
Akpabio: I wasn't able to talk to the minister of petroleum for over 3 years

Saraki :From what period to what period?

Akpabio : are we not talking about change

LMAO

This totally cracked me up! PDP governor under a PDP administration couldn't reach a PDP minister...How thoroughly interesting.

meforyou1:
Fashola didn't answer the first question by Abaribe. Did he use 72 million naira to build website? Did he drill 320 million naira borehole?

I agree. I think he said, yes, he built the website and sunk the borehole at the price...but it was passed through "the process". Is that a good enough answer? Is it justifiable? I'll reserve my comments.

Finally! The 300m borehole and 78m website question. We can hear his side. Hope it will make sense. Baba Fash, please enlighten us.

When some people in Lagos were slinging mud all over the place about (perhaps) their most effective administrator, they didn't think it would affect their chances of serving in the kitchen cabinet of our dear President. I don't care where these people come from. They are as Nigerian as you and I. I just want them to deliver. Simples

I'm not a huge P-Square fan, but this song isn't bad at all. Well done boys.

Excellent call for reflection. I just wish people will focus on the real issues and vote based on the records of the candidates or their political parties.

Voting based on sentiments, ethnicity, religion or stupid statements from mischievous 'leaders' won't take us anywhere. There is only ONE Nogeria and anyone that tries to divide us is doing so only for his/her own interest.

God bless the judiciary for not causing the death of Nigeria...at least for now.

Sad news but:

No shaking... In FeBuhari, collect your PVC and #March4Change!

Clark’s group asks Jega to resign

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 BY OLUSOLA FABIYI

Supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan has called for the resignation of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

The supporters, under the aegis of Southern Nigeria Peoples Assembly led by Chief Edwin Clark, made the demand at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Among those at the briefing were a former Minister of Information, Walter Ofonagoro; a former Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chuwuemeka Ezeife; a former Commissioner in Bayelsa State, Chief Whisky Ayakeme; Dr. Cairo Ojugboh and Sen. Femi Okunronmu.

Members of the group, who are staunch supporters of President Jonathan, also demanded the postponement of the February elections.

They accused Jega of conniving with northern leaders to rig Jonathan out of office.

They threatened that elections won’t hold in southern part of the country if the commission should decide to go ahead with the scheduled elections.

http://www.punchng.com/news/clarks-group-ask-jega-to-resign/

Flash: Edwin Clark, Alex Ekwueme And Femi Okunrounmu Just Addressed The Press In Abuja Calling For The Arrest Of Jega For Refusing To Postpone elections.

More details to follow presently...

robinsoncrosoe:
What I hav learnt from this stoning is dat......m

Northerners especially the northern muslims are barbarians,intolerant fools and always there to be used as violent tools.this is the major reason boko thrieves there.

When buhari came to the south,he was left to do his campaign.we would hav stoned him.bt the religion in the south(christianity) and the peaceful nature of southerners stopped dat from happening.

Most northerners are illiterates so they are easy tools for violence
Northern fools,stop stoning people coz this can start a war.

Your comment would have been much more powerful without the generalisation and insults. We must try to speak our minds without allowing emotions to render our thought process weak.

Some of your comments are very valid. Your anger is felt by many. But please let's try to be civil and be different from those who are hell bent on destroying our country. Lets not become part of the problem.

God bless you bro.

zicoraads:
I pray we survive this and the aftermath of this. We have been divided along religious and ethnic lines; it's so frightening. On my way back from work the other day, I saw truck loads of belongings with luxurious buses leaving town; along with their owners. Most Igbos and Southerners have left the North. Who would blame them? It's crazy in my office too. A place where you would think ordinarily we should rise above religion and vote for who we believe in. The other day, a colleague I respect and admire accused me of supporting Jonathan cos am a Christian. He is a Muslim. I was very disappointed and made sure he knew it even though he subsequently apologised, the damage had already been done. I have reasons why I defend this government and it is not religious. Unfortunately, that is the position we have found ourselves in today. Most people are supporting either GMB or GEJ cos of religion.

I haven't been to the East or the South since the campaigns opened but a poster with Jonathan's picture doesn't last one full day in most Northern states. It is quickly torn to shreds. Inshort, it is even dangerous to openly declare your allegiance to him. Some of these PDP governors are not even campaigning for him. The Governor of Niger state is running for Senate and his lacky; Nasko for Governor. Their billboards don't carry their Presidential candidate's picture. Unlike that of the APC where you would find Buhari's picture on most of their aspirants billboards and posters found the state.

That is why I have consistently said that Buhari's certificate issue is of no consequence. Especially to a die hard Northerner who doesn't even care if Buhari attended Creche. All he knows is that the man is one of us and a Muslim.

I belong to the PDP mind, body and soul. And for any true member of that party (not the jobless trolls on Nairaland) FFK is doing a very bad job at that campaign HQ. Surely he can do more than continously over flogging an issue that is of no Consequence just to justify his pay, while alienating Jonathan more in these parts.

Still, this country is bigger than all of us. A Democrat or a Republican, when it comes down to it will tell you we are Americans first. The APC are not shouting on TV like those thugs from the South (whom I believe Jonathan should call to order) but, people are being intimated and harassed in the North and the APC must call their members too to order. We wouldn't want a repeat of the post election violence in 2011.

We should be careful though. I belong to the PDP. My brother would rather see change in the APC. It doesn't mean we are suddenly enemies. If this country eventually goes up in flames, we would wish we did things differently. But it would be darn too late.

This is such a fantastic comment. I wish more people would think like this. Although I do not support GEJ, I think some of the things being said and done against him are reprehensible.

The country is so divided and that cannot be to anyone's advantage. Not the APC nor PDP.

God help us all. God bless you bro.

Vessi:
eye for eye, tooth for tooth.

Sad. Really sad.

And thus continues the cycle of violence until it gets to you and I. Where does that leave us?

AlphaGentleman:
Why didnt they smash ur head? Chaii!

Anyways,do u rememba president of Nigeria was stoned twice in 2 diff pdp rallies?

There really isn't any reason to be rude with comments, you know. Its so unnecessary.

There also is no reason to support violence under any guise. I deplore the incredible disrespect shown to our president and the brazen attack on him andevery other person, just as I deplore harassing people in the name of elections.

Violence is unacceptable. During elections or otherwise.

Pic

Pics

Guys, I've never seen anything like this in real life. We had just approached Fadeyi when these guys came out of no where with massive clubs and sticks and totally smashed the windscreen of some guys in Danfo buses in front of us holding brooms.

There was a bus behind us branded APC and they attacked them and even stabbed one of the ladies in the bus!

I don't care what anyone says, what party or religion you belong to. This is unacceptable and very dangerous! I'm so shaken by what I saw...

This is ridiculously insane... Or insanely ridiculous. I'm so ashamed on Fani-Kayode's behalf. With people like this around our President and Commander-in-Chief, people still want to continue with this administration? Only God can deliver this country. Nothing makes sense anymore.

Guys, the myth has been sufficiently dealt with. Lets move on.

My sincere advise to President Jonathan's fans is, I honestly think you guys should concentrate more on what he has accomplished. I don't know who the strategists for PDP are but I think they're doing the PDP a disservice.

Every time they rally round a personal campaign against General Buhari, they always tend to give the opposition (APC) too much power and then with power comes momentum.

If Jonathan has enough to run on in terms of what he has done for the country and its people, then personal attacks would be most unnecessary. Take Buhari on on real issues and not trivial, petty personality based debates.

Having said that, Im riding the wave of change...Like somebody said, not change from imperfection to perfection (because no man is perfect), but movement from the current position we are, where regardless of a leaders performance, they get re-elected into office. Its movement in the right direction in my humble opinion.

God bless Nigeria.

Election time is really "silly season" in Nigeria. In Jimi Agbaje's mind, he's already governor of Lagos. Incredible

You know, I honestly don't think the problem is what GEJ has achieved. I think the problem is that there's so much he could have done with the resources we had that he didn't do.

If his performance/achievements were impactful, then we the people would be the ones ticking these off our list. You wouldn't have to aggregate and remind us of his "achievements".

In my opinion, he hasn't done enough.

For the six years he's been in power, he hasn't justified the goodwill he got back when he was VP, nor shown that he has the capacity to lead a nation as diverse and complex as this. Perhaps a change in leadership would help? It might not be the best option, but it would be a step away from this mediocre government.

Link?

The crowd at the Lagos Countdown was more than this sef... #GEJ until FeBuhari. Nuff said

The Punch Nigeria is reporting this...

The Department of State Services has said that its investigations indicated that the All Progressives Congress had plans to hack into the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The service explained that the confessions from the staff arrested at the APC office at 10,Bola Ajibola Street, Ikeja, and the items retrieved from the building showed that the party had an elaborate plan to hack into the commission’s database and inflate the number of its membership.

The Deputy Director, Public Relations, DSS, Marilyn Ogar said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Details later…

http://www.punchng.com/news/apc-planned-to-hack-into-inec-database-dss/



I may be a bit slow oh, but pray tell, what did they want to do to this database? Are we now voting electronically? What a mess of a country!