At the end of June 2019, #MeToo became #ChurchToo in Nigeria.

BUSOLA Dakolo, a mother of three who grew up a gifted child was the unlikely heroine in this script. She first laid bare her claims in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, lawyer and co-founder of the digital platform, YNaija. These claims later became the basis for her civil claim filed at the Abuja High Court on 6 September 2019, detailing harrowing allegations of rape perpetrated against her by Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo, best known as the Senior Pastor of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA). The acts took place on 23 and 26 September 2002.

To be clear, this was not the first time allegations of sexual predation had been made against this Pastor. Mrs. Dakolo’s allegations, however, felt different. They were detailed; as a married mother, she had very little to gain from making these allegations public and an awful blowback was both predictable and to be expected from partisans and propagandists of the alleged perpetrator.

The first incident of sexual assault allegedly took place when she was 17 in her parents’ house in Ilorin, Kwara State. Neither parent was at home and the Pastor knew this. She had never experienced sexual intimacy before then. She looked up to the Pastor as her “Spiritual Father”. The facts would suggest that the alleged perpetrator probably groomed her for this moment. After the sexual act, he reportedly gave her a bottle of “Krest”, a lemonade-flavoured soda and forced her to drink it. There was a second incident which reportedly took place in or on a car. As a young Christian girl from a polygamous home, Busola Amupitan, as she was when these sexual assaults reportedly took place, initially was unable to confide in anyone about these crimes.

Expectedly, these allegations set off a firestorm across Nigeria and beyond. The alleged perpetrator initially issued a statement offering a general denial of the allegations and threatening both civil and criminal proceedings. For the first time, Pastor Fatoyinbo found himself issuing a public response to such allegations. In the past, he had not dignified similar allegations with an acknowledgment. Pastor Fatoyinbo’s threat of criminal proceedings sounded like bluster. He did not have a plausible path to criminal proceedings against her.

In the end, Mrs. Dakolo sued before the civil courts. A mere nine weeks after her case was filed, Justice A.O. Musa, sitting on the outskirts of Abuja in Bwari, delivered a ruling on the outskirts of the jurisprudential season, holding on 14 November that it was statute-barred. Under the applicable laws, he ruled, such cases must be filed not later than 75 months (six years and three months) after the act complained of. Having dismissed Mrs. Dakolo’s action, the judge then added: “…what we are now left with in this suit is sentiment. This suit is soaked in emotions and ferried into this court by the claimant riding on the thick clouds of bourgeoning sentiments”, claiming that it will “occasion grave miscarriage of justice” to ask the pastor to answer to these claims after 16 years.

This ruling raises many questions about the state of both law and procedure concerning sexual assaults in Nigeria, especially, one reported so many years after it happened. As the world marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, it is important to return to these.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/26/in-praise-of-the-soft-vengeance-busola-dakolo-by-chidi-odinkalu/

I was recently sent (by a reliable source) a copy of the Hate Speech (Prohibition) Bill, 2019 going through the National Bill popularly known as the “Hate Speech Bill”. The website of the National Assembly does not have a copy of the Bill for download (I checked again today); so I am going by the version sent to me by this previously reliable source. Let me be clear from the start that I am opposed to this Bill. It will cause more confusion and it is unnecessary. But rather than simple emotional outbursts; I will instead like to explain some of the problems with the Bill in a constructive way.

Do we have some problems with Incitement to violence in Nigeria? YES we do. So this bill is not completely unfounded. But I believe we have enough laws to deal with these matters,included the Cyber Crime Act signed by GEJ few years ago. Lack of enforcement of extant laws cannot simply be replaced by new laws. Is there really a need to produce a new law specifically for Hate Speeches? I don’t think so.

Hate speech does exist and freedom of expression may sometimes be curtailed whenever there is an epidemic of the uttering of hate speech whether verbally or in print that might endanger public safety, unity and national security.

Hate Speeches is even more dangerous in a society full of illiterate population like Nigeria where falsehood can be easily weaponised. Legislation can be passed and prosecutions initiated as a last resort and in a proportionate way.

In Nigeria; there are enough existing legislation to deal with these concerns if enforced by Government.
Due to previous feedback on length, I will make this Thread as brief as possible. So here are some of my salient observations.

1. The Bill fails to take notice of the global Jurisprudence on this kind of legislation. The criminalisation of “Insulting and Abusive” statements is an affront to free speech. It is one thing to criminalise “Threatening” statements, but Abusive and Insulting statements are difficult to define in Law, because like beauty it can be in the eye of the beholder. What is abusive or insulting to one may not be to another. So how can the court in a consistent way determine if a statement is Insulting? It is such a subjective concept.

2. The Bill focuses on Victimisation of complainants or officials of the new commission as well as Harassment of Nigerians on the basis of Ethnicity and Race; BUT it DOES NOT make any mention of several other globally accepted basis of harassment & discrimination such as:

a. Religious Harassment
b. Harassment on basis of Disability or Disfigurement
c. Gender-based Harassment and so on.
So simply focusing on Race & Ethnicity is meaningless & inchoate. If u want to deal with Harassment; then do so in ALL its manifestations & not such a narrow scope

3. While it explains that Individuals and Corporate Bodies can be liable under this proposed law; the Bill does not include the Government itself or State Agents as liable. Why should there be one rule for Nigerians but a different one for government bodies.

The EXPRESS mention that the Government ( who can be the biggest culprit) is included in liable parties will be needed to satisfy Equity. What is good for the goose, is good for the gander. The Government should be able to be sued for discrimination and harassment too.

4. With punishment from FIVE years imprisonment to Death Penalty; I believe this is an overkill. The punishment in this case does not fit the crime. Establishing Causation will be a challenge even with Vicarious liability imposed by this Bill. This needed to be toned down.

If you are charged with Theft of N1Billion, the maximum sentence is 7yrs; yet you can be sentenced to 5yrs for insulting a Person. This is madness and legislative recklessness.

5. The Bill looks like another gravy train to bleed our commonwealth with the establishment of yet another Agency. 85% of the Bill is spent on the Agency itself. More attention should have been paid to define terms properly. It seems the attention is less on the crimes it is to investigate

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/26/analysing-the-proposed-hate-speech-bill/

My husband and daughter call me the “Manager”! They do so in jest. Why? I love sales. I hate paying full price on anything. I clip coupons and lay ambush for anything I want until I can get at least 20% off.

In the last few years I couldn’t check some big retailers offerings online from Nigeria. Initially I wasn’t bothered because I actually shop from a few stores. Before September 2019, I could see my preferred retailers websites, monitor the things I wanted for price drops and put stuff in my shopping cart. Usually, they do not allow me to pay because of credit card fraud.

Uncle Demi knows my password, he always help complete the transaction. Since September, all the stores I buy from have denied access from Nigerian IP addresses.

The sites are no longer visible from Nigeria. I missed out on a lot of sales. To shop and get good bargains henceforth, I have to physically be in America. Imagine that!

Amazon with all its powerful technologies had to authenticate me using three layers to make sure my credit card was not stolen before I could order a book. The financial world attention is on Nigerians. Nigerians are not trusted at all.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/24/financial-distrust-is-hurting-nigeria-by-bamidele-ademola-olateju/

‘Nigerian Christian are the most afraid creature on earth’, writer says in reaction to witchcraft conference UNN venue cancellation

Writer and social commentator, Immanuel James Ibe-Anyanwu has said Christians in Nigeria are the most afraid creature on earth.

Ibe-Anyanwu said this in reaction to public outcry and condemnation by the Christian Association of Nigeria and other religious who opposed the conference.

The conference on witchcraft has generated controversy since it was announced that it would take place in University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The International Witchcraft conference was scheduled to hold on the 26th of November, 2019, but the management of the school said the witch conference should choose another venue.

Immanuel in a Facebook post, titled in defense of witches, said even the law hates witches, though it doesn’t properly define it.

He post read, “Witches have lost again. In prayer houses, Nollywood and, finally, on campus, they always lose to Christian Talibanism. But be sure they will be back. The war on witches never ends, nor do those urchins stay vanquished long on the ground.”

“The University of Nigeria has said the “witch conference” should choose another venue—and that is an unfair phrase, witch conference, as headlines call it. Witches have always had bad reportage, yet they rise.”

“Never mind having a Supreme Father, never mind all the assurances of safety in the Bible by that Father, the Nigerian Christian is the most afraid creature on earth.”

“Sleepless in his fear of something he declares has no power, suspicious of every noise within range. “Killing”, casting and binding in a tautology of chants against an agency whose apparent immortality never compels a rethink.”

“What if there are no witches? Maybe witches, alongside the devil in that binary of good and evil, were invented to keep spirituality perpetually on course? Or perhaps they exist, but not in the touted sense.”

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/23/nigerian-christian-are-the-most-afraid-creature-on-earth-writer-says-in-reaction-to-witchcraft-conference-unn-venue-cancellation/

Sterling Bank Plc is a full service national commercial bank licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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Let me make myself clear from the onset. There is no mistake in the combination of the two words above. I am not concerned here about buyers but readers. So, readers, beware! That is the difference between “emptor” and “lector”.

What brought about my asking readers to beware? It is my gentle call on readers to note the change in my status. It does appear that, going to five years since I left the Senate, many still assume that I am still in the upper chamber with the allowance warts and all.

Yes, it’s true I was a Senator. I stopped being one since 2015. Yes, 2015! We are in 2019, marching on to 2020. It is four years now since I stopped being a senator. When you stop being a senator, your salary and allowances cease. What is left is the title which the creators of that position graciously leaves you with, to massage your ego for the rest of your life.

Yes, sometimes, the ego needs massaging. The title gives you access to protocol or VIP lounges at the airport; a few benefits and respect here and there. It also looks good as a handle to your name on your call card. Yes, it is good to do with some of these.

Often times, it also doesn’t help. It could act as one of those privileges that far remove you from reality, from real people and real situations that define life.

You enter into the economy class in a plane and everyone begins to look at you as if you have missed your road. That look of what is he doing here with all the money he earns or he has stolen. You are suspended in the cloud; your feet never touching the ground. It gives that attitude of, if rice is expensive, why can’t they eat noodles?

Like our governors who move around in chartered planes and do not know the roads in their states are no longer passable, you are shielded from the majority and imprisoned with the minority who continue to lose touch and inhabit the dizzying height.

For me, Babafemi Ojudu, this title is becoming an albatross. It seems no one wants to believe that that innocent reporter who went on adventure to the Senate is no longer a member of the Red Chambers.

Everyone I deal with, from the mechanic who repairs my car, to the laundry man, the one who want to help carry my bag at the airport, friends and acquaintances on social media, relations, the ubiquitous local politician, all still want to take that pound of flesh for having, as they say “made much money from the Senate”.

Yes I have a lot of flesh left in my body, thanks to the culinary indiscipline of the past, but the flesh has since left my bank account. If you don’t believe, ask my bank manager and I’m willing to supply my BVN, the three-letter albatross of the covetous.

Now I am pleading, when you offer me services, please charge me as you will people who never bear that title – “senator”. Look at me more like that reporter or editor of yesteryears who you take pity on. I am back on the beat.

In stores, on the streets where I want to buy roast corn or plantain, at mama put, at Iya Oyo, the amala joint, or Ojuelegba in Gwarinpa, the one issuing me a boarding pass at the airport, security men, messengers at offices, colleagues, drivers, the gatemen in their homes, farm workers I have had to hire, work men carrying out repairs in my home – I mean the electricians, plumbers and sundry others, area boys and girls, everyone I encounter and have to deal with one way or the other, think wrongly that this income I last earned many years ago is still very much there and they must take their own share by hook or crook. I beg your pardon!

Accept a request on social media, innocuously wish someone a happy birthday and then the torrents of requests; my house rent is due, mum is in the hospital and could not pay bills, school fees is due, wedding requirements not yet complete for lack of funds, visa in the kitty but no money to buy traveling ticket, daddy is dead and in the mortuary and no money yet for funeral expenses, fibroid surgery recommended but no money, children have not returned to school for lack of money to pay fees. All of these, for me who Baba Buhari only pays a survival wage for giving advice now? Haba! E s’aanu mi. E de b’eru Olorun!

I have had to instruct my wife to resort to her maiden name, when engaging in any transaction. Many at times, she has had to be surcharged for bearing my name. The pressure on my adult daughters who still carry around my name with pride is enormous and one almost broke down crying, relating her experiences to me.

For my son, who is into music, I have admonished him to pick his own identity. He made a mistake thinking that by being the son of a senator, things will get easier for him and doors will be opened. Na lie, as we say in pidgin. Who sai!

Virtually everyone he has had to deal with him tried to skin him on account of his being a senator’s son, albeit a former one.

For those who may still not believe me after going to this length to make this caveat, let me inform that yes there was much money made in the course of the four years in the Senate, I won’t deny that, sugbon, bo se wa lo se lo.

As we received so did we give back to the constituents who sent us there via their constant and unending demands and pressures. If the pressure could be this much, five years after, imagine what it was when one served.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/22/caveat-lector-by-babafemi-ojudu/

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode has said Nigerians will suffer greatly if it allows the Social Media bill championed by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed and the Hate Speech Bill introduced by Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Sabi Abdullahi,

The bill is openly supported by the controversial Senator involved in the Abuja sex-toy fracas, Elisha Abbo and Former Minister of Interior, Senator Abba Morro, who supervise the deadly Immigration recruitment scandal that led to the death of 15 Nigerians in 2014.

According to Fani-Kayode, the Social Media Bill and the Hate Speech Bill are the greatest threats to democracy and freedom of expression in the history of Nigeria.

He said, “The Social Media Bill and the Hate Speech Bill are the greatest threats to democracy and freedom of expression in the history of Nigeria.”

“If the National Assembly makes the mistake of passing either or both of these two Bills Nigerians will suffer the consequences for many generations to come and human rights, liberty and freedom will be a thing of the past in our country.”

“I would urge Nigerians not to view this matter with their usual indifference, complacency, docility, stoicism and lily-livered cowardice because the whole thing is an insidious attempt to silence their tongues, cage their spirits, capture their souls, break their ability to resist tyranny and evil and finally turn them into a nation of pliant little quislings, slaves and errand boys.”

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/22/nigerians-will-suffer-if-nass-pass-the-social-media-bill-hate-speech-bill-fani-kayode/

There was an air of certitude to the DSS’ call for Omoyele Sowore’s sureties to come and pick him up.The Buhari administration has never hidden its intention to hold onto him and one ordinarily would expect his lawyers,former PDP youth leader and activist, Deji Adeyanju and others that went to pick him up to begrudgingly be told so.But the DSS instead came to the media to relay its ‘predicament’.

By the time its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya said they couldn’t release him to a mob and asked “What if he got hit by a car?”, my suspicions had reached a crescendo.The man appeared to know those sureties won’t come forward and was using that to taunt Sowore’s people.

Everyone supporting Sowore believes he is being punished for nothing other than wanting the best for his country and it is mind-boggling that when the power to free the man finally leaves Buhari and his DSS,those clamouring for his release duck and refuse to at the very least,urge his sureties to visit the DSS.You can’t be screaming ‘Free Sowore’ when you haven’t gotten his sureties to visit the DSS and shut down the one excuse they so confidently put forth.

The first thing the DSS said was that ‘no one came to pick him up’ and now they have said ‘he will only be handed to sureties’.While it is perfectly understood that the Buhari administration has over the last 4 years and 6 months,exhibited an unprecedented disregard for the rule of law,it has never publicly promised to release a person upon the fulfilment of a condition and failed.It at least deserves the benefit of the doubt.

To be realistic,no sane person would insist on fighting the propriety of the authorities insisting he must be handed over to sureties instead of rescuing him from detention.So what really is the problem; are Sowore’s sureties high profile politicians or businessmen that wouldn’t want to risk offending Buhari?.Well,the odds are he knew their identities from the very moment they presented themselves to the court.Were they threatened?.

As part of Sowore’s bail conditions,he was to deposit the sum of N50M to the court.Sowore may not be poor but that is a hefty sum for a man like him.Okay,say he scrapped that up,one also has to consider that for his co-accused,the lesser known and affluent Olawale ‘Mandate’ Bakare to fulfil his (which he did),he was required to put forth N20M.That is N70M altogether.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/22/umar-saad-hassan-why-have-sowores-sureties-not-come-forward/

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) is a multinational professional services network with headquarters in London, United Kingdom. PwC ranks as the second largest professional services firm in the world.

PwC Nigeria pioneered the unsecured micro-lending space in Nigeria and are positioned to be the dominant market leader in the Country and beyond. Their services are hinged on a partnership with employers and customers to provide friendly innovative loan and investment products while their various repayment options give customers the freedom, flexibility, and confidence to enjoy their lives.
Responsibilities

Develop the innovation masterplan for the organisation and drive its implementation.
o Lead the organisation to become innovation-driven by setting the innovation agenda and implementing same across the various systems.
o Champion and develop creative thinking in employees and find ways to nurture innovative thinking across all areas of the company.
o Revamp the business by instituting innovation for the following (but not limited to): digital, technology, business improvement, business expansion, cost optimisation, and customer management.
o Formulates effective new ideas and innovative strategies for product development, marketing, branding, or business opportunities.
o Strategises with product development teams to transform general ideas into workable solutions that contribute to the organization’s bottom line.
o Analyses existing practices to isolate areas ripe for improvement or enhancement.
o Evaluates the progress of innovation and adjusts the pace or direction of new projects in accordance.

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Minimum of 18 years relevant experience and at least 5 years of relevant work experience in an African/Nigerian market.
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Nestle Nigeria Plc is a publicly listed food and beverage specialty company headquartered in Lagos. It is majority owned by Nestle S.A. of Switzerland.

The company was founded in 1961 and conducted trading under the name of Nestle Products Nigeria Limited.

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Corporate Communications Specialist

Location: Head Office

Company: Nestlé Nigeria

Position Type: Full-time

Minimum Educational qualification: Bachelor’s Degree

Minimum Relevant work experience: Minimum 8 years of relevant experience.

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Joining Nestlé means you are joining the largest food and Beverage Company in the world. At our very core, we are a human company driven by our purpose to enhance the quality of life and contribute to a healthier future.

Nestlé Nigeria is currently looking for a Corporate Communications Specialists who will be responsible for ensuring the planning and execution of the Corporate Communication strategy and for providing expertise to build trust and raise Nestlé’s profile while managing the media and internal audiences.

Roles and Responsibilities

Define and ensure the execution of the annual communication plan for our Creating Shared Value/Nutrition Health and Wellness initiatives across the country/cluster (external/internal audiences)
Manage relationships with Media (local, international) while identifying opportunities to amplify our positive story and strengthen Media relationships
Write and edit press releases, articles, position statements and other content
Draft and edit Social Media Posts
Deliver briefing materials for interviews
Provide communications expertise to internal stakeholders for internal and external engagements
Manage the media database (journalist, editors, bloggers)
Coordinate with agencies to ensure consistency of messages in all communications materials (newsletters, brochures, etc.)

Human Right Lawyer, Abdul Mahmud has said that Nigeria is in an abusive marriage of militarists and the civil- a kwashiorkored diarchy.

He said this in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle, in reaction to the violence that characterise the November 16, 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State governorship election.

According to the Legal luminary, the institutions of state that have made elections bloody and forceful selections, should be blamed for the state of elections in the country.

He said, “What would any sane citizen do in the face of the armanda and apparatuses of violence arrayed against him? Return home and not vote or collect eggroll and N3k and vote?”

“If you stay away, votes will be manufactured in your PU. If you stay away, the coronated candidate will be sworn by law, by fire and by force.”

“There’s a Hobson choice to be made: choice the rock, your life will be hard; choose the hard place, you will be rocking between misery and poverty. Or just choose the devil instead, your fate forever lies on the cross. Choose the deep blue sea, you drown.”

“Citizens are never meant to make the Hobson choice in a democracy. Never. Their choices are meant to define mandates, freely given. But, we aren’t in a democracy.”

“What are we in? In an abusive marriage of militarists and the civil- a kwashiorkored diarchy!”

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/16/kogi-bayelsa-election-nigeria-in-an-abusive-marriage-of-militarists-expert/

By, Dr. Charles Omole

The activities of the State Security Service (SSS) is now a daily news headline in Nigeria. This is a shame because a security outfit, setup to be most discreet is now itself in the news every week.

This fact already goes to show the SSS is no longer fit for purpose as presently constituted. I will like to give some background information to contextualise my thesis.

This thread is not just about PMB as the excesses of the SSS predated the PMB administration.

Although the style and body language of a President can shape the attitude of the SSS as history has shown. This thread is also not about SSS-Bashing per se; but a critical examination of how its current setup promotes abuse, lack of accountability and potential lawlessness.

IT’S ORIGIN
The Nigeria police had an Intelligence wing named the Special Branch. Prior to the 1976 coup, internal security and intelligence was handled by the police Special Branch, a Secret Police, while external intelligence was conducted by the Research Department (RD), a unit of the External Affairs ministry. The Special Branch was the intelligence brain-box of the NPF. First after its failure to intercept any information about the coup against Gowon the military head of state was losing confidence in the Special Branch and the RD.

But after d coup that killed Murtala (few months later); d Junta no longer trusted d Military intelligence operations, Special Branch or RD; so they decided to create a new Civilian Intelligence outfit exclusively reporting to Head of State. MD Yussuf d IGP looked on helplessly.

So; the Special Branch was carved out of the Police and formed into a new outfit under the direct control of the Head of State. This new outfit was named the Nigerian Security Organization (NSO). The NSO was created by Decree number 27 of 1976 by the military regime of Gen. Obasanjo, after the failed Dimka coup which claimed the life of Gen. Murtala Mohammed. The NSO was given a mandate of co-ordinating Internal Security, Foreign Intelligence and counterintelligence activities. It was charged with the detection and prevention of any crime against the security of the state, with the protection of classified materials, and with carrying out any other security missions assigned by the president. The main focus of the NSO was Regime Preservation. At inception; the NSO, was staffed by a mix of military intelligence officers, some fresh recruits, officers of the RD and former police Special Branch officers.

During the time of the military regime, and continuing through the Second Republic, the NSO was accused of carrying out systematic and widespread human rights abuses, especially of those seen to be critical of the government. So the abuses are not new.

In June 1986, IBB issued Decree Number 19, dissolving the NSO and re-structuring Nigeria’s security services into THREE separate entities.

The State Security Service (SSS) was made responsible for domestic intelligence, with Director General Ismaila Gwarzo. The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) handled external intelligence and counterintelligence. The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) was responsible for military-related intelligence outside & inside Nigeria. So SSS became d primary domestic intelligence agency of Nigeria. It’s primarily responsible for intelligence gathering within d country & for d protection of senior govt officials, particularly d President & governors

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/16/the-sss-and-law-enforcement-in-nigeria-its-origin-excesses-and-solution/

(Africa prefers aid and loathes to compete)

Africa has an opportunity to use Fintech as a significant, offensive and, commercial tool and become a more potent global competitor

Africa is poor partly because it missed out on two transformational global events- the Agricultural and Industrial revolutions.

But it now has a unique opportunity to participate fully in the Digital Revolution.

However, its regulatory authorities are thwarting its chances

Why is Fintech (broad sweep of digital financial services) so important to Africa? Well, for one its demographic is young (~60% of pop under 30).

This digital generation knows nothing but a digital world. Digital permeates the way they live, transact and experience the world.

Fintech also refers to one of the major avenues wealth creation in the 21st Century and presents a unique opportunity even for smaller countries to create competitive global enterprises

For example, Estonia with a pop of 1m boasts 2 $Bln coys-Transferwise and Bolt.

Its regulatory approach is laisser-faire and it was the first European country to legalize/regulate ride-sharing.

It’s E-Residency program permits foreigners to open/operate a company remotely

Singapore presently is aggressively growing globally competitive Fintech companies by actively seeking global connections for them.

It actively organizes “meet and greet” events for its Fintech coys – Kenya (the Afro-Asian Fintech festival), Vietnam and the US, etc

In September, I received the WhatsApp message below from one of its Fintech companies: (MAS is the Monetary Authority of Singapore or the Central Bank of Singapore)

The US OCC recently opened up the “business of banking” including the 3 core banking functions- receiving deposits, paying checks, or lending money- to Fintech.

“Smart regulation”, i.e, Regulation that considers the national interest before the well being of commercial banks.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/13/why-africa-is-poor/

Human Rights and Lead Counsel for Endsars campaign, Abdul Mahmud has said President Muhammadu Buhari is not interested in trying incarcerated SaharaReporters Publisher, Omoyele Sowore.

Rather Mahmud said he want to stall the trial process and keep him as his trophy.

He said this in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle.

Recall that Sowore was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, August 3, 2019, after announcing his plan to stage a nationwide protest tagged #RevolutionNow.

Sowore was subsequently flown to Abuja where he has been detained.

The refusal of the DSS to release Sowore as ordered by the court, has prompted nationwide outrage and protests at the agency’s headquarters.

The DSS on Tuesday, November 12, assaulted some protesters who were demanding Sowore’s release.

According to Mahmud, who is part of the Sowore legal team, said attempts have been made to commence trial without respect for the procedural rights of the accused persons.

He said, “It sheer folly for anyone to think Sowore’s legal team, comprising 3 SANs- Falana, Fusika & Adegboruwa- and other senior counsels- Mahmud, Ogunye, Aborisade, Yesufu, Yusuf, Kazeem – and 7 other young counsels- don’t understand the law and practice on bail.”

The team ably led by Falana and comprised of activist-lawyers understand what the trial of Sowore is about and the intention of Buhari: to jail two citizens who are considered threats

We discerned in the attempt by the prosecution to arrange a secret trial of Sowore and Bakare. An arrangement Falana scoffed at and forced the judge to address. She washed her hands off it in open court

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/15/all-buhari-want-is-to-keep-sowore-as-trophy-activist/

South Africa firebrand politician and President of the Economic Freedom Fighter, (EFF) Julius Malema has said Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy is welcome to perform in South Africa.

Malema said he is welcome to perform in the country.

Burna Boy in the wake of xenophobic attacks in September that affected mostly Nigerians said he would not visit South Africa unless the government resolves the issue.

Some South Africans on social media had had reacted to the news that Nigerian Afrobeats star Burna Boy would be performing at an anti-xenophobia theme concert “Africa Unite” in South Africa.

The backlash reached a climax when an open letter written by musicians and organisers under the umbrella of Tshwane Entertainment Collective, to the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture raised objections against the concert and called for the department to pull its sponsorship of the event.

The petition letter particularly objected against Burna Boy’s inclusion in the concert.

The latest development in the mix, South African rapper AKA has demanded an apology from Burna Boy. AKA challenges Burna Boy to prove that he is indeed the African Giant:

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/14/no-mascot-can-stop-burna-boy-from-performing-in-south-africa-malema/

Social Commentator and Strategy & Business Transformation Expert, Ayo Bankole has advised Nigerians to invest some portions of their money into building a home.

Bankole said this in a series of tweets in reaction to tweets credited to Dr. Tayo Oyedeji that “home ownership is mostly a bad investment.”

He said, "My father died when I was 16, my mother was newly retired, had invested her terminal benefits in Dad’s business (amongst other stories which made everything die with him). Less than 3months, we were thrown out of the house by the Landlord, even though we could afford it."

"I read Robert Kiyosaki’s book as a young boy, even before my experience, I knew, that his views were too narrowed on western realities than African realities. As I thought then, so I still think now. As he wrote then, so do people like Dr Tayo Oyedeji still write now. Wake up!"

"Some principles in advanced societies cant be applied here. You can lose your job overnight because your Boss woke up on the bad side, or lost money to 419. no social safety nets, healthcare, etc. If Devil wants to finally get you, no house. You’ll be in the rain with your family."

"We left our rented house in Isolo, moved to Meiran. Then I was always in a Jakande estate with my friends. A few of my friends’ parents lost their jobs to the bank failures then. Those who owned their flats were safe, tenants had their properties in the sun & rain in no time."

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/14/you-could-lose-your-job-overnight-invest-in-building-a-home-expert-says/

A Nigerian United Kingdom based Oxford-educated entrepreneur with business interests in technology and advertising,
Dr. Tayo Oyedeji says home ownership is mostly a bad investment.

He said this in a series of tweets on his official and verified twitter handle, stating that home purchase for living is a bad investment.

Renting is wiser for most people. Don’t buy a house unless: 1. Mortgage is < 8%, 2. You can pay cash, 3. You plan to live in it for 10 years, 4. You need the psychological comfort of home ownership.

Rental/investment property is great. Home ownership is mostly a bad investment.

I’ll share the math on home ownership sometime next week. The home you live in is your worst investment. For some of us, it’s not even an investment. Don’t buy the hype, do the math. Home purchase for living is a bad investment.

Rental property is a great investment. Do the math. An average property in Lagos is N40m. Treasury bill rate is about 12%. Your N40m will yield N4.8m a year.

You can rent a good home for N1.5m and still have N3.3m left over. Your house is costing you N3.3m per year. Do the math.

Psychological comfort, societal expectations, and cultural norms are valid reasons for home ownership.

But when it comes down to the math: it just doesn’t work. I own a couple of homes for the reasons stated above. They’re not good investment.

https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/14/home-ownership-is-mostly-a-bad-investment-says-expert/

United States of America based Nigerian academic, media scholar at Kennesaw State University, Georgia, Professor Farooq Kperogi has raised an alarm over alleged plot by one Dr. Bello Inua Anka to harm him in bid to silence his criticism of the administration President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Prof. Farooq said he was being threatened over a video he shared on his facebook wall showing Buhari’s uncle, Mamman Daura celebrating his 80th birthday with (more than 30!) family members and government officials in a posh London hotel while people starve to death in Nigeria.

Titled “A Buhari Relative is Threatening Me Over the Mamman Daura London Birthday Video”, “I didn’t shoot the video. It isn’t exclusive to me. In fact, it had already done the social media rounds before I shared it on my social media handles.”

See his statement below…

A man by the name of Dr. Bello Inua Anka, who is married into the Muhammadu Buhari family, is threatening me over the PUBLICLY available video that I—and thousands of other Nigerians—shared on social media showing de facto president Mamman Daura celebrating his 80th birthday with (more than 30!) family members and government officials in a posh London hotel while people starve to death in Nigeria. (See screenshots of his threats).

He asked me— and reached out to a valued friend of mine to prevail upon me— to take down the video on the excuse that his children are in it and that they’re being endangered. How? As I told him, I haven’t seen anyone say anything about any child in the video. Everyone’s focus is on the hypocrisy of closing the borders at home, insisting that traumatized, poverty-stricken people live within their means, using security agencies to physically humiliate and harass poor people for eating foreign rice, etc. while Buhari’s family members, and a few favored ones, live off the fat of the land at home and abroad, even going so far as to celebrate the birthday of Buhari’s nephew in London— with ministers and senators in tow. Not even Jonathan was this insensitive and hypocritical.

https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/14/buharis-critic-kperogi-raises-alarm-over-threat-to-life/

PMB call for mass action in 2003 is more insidious than Sowore’s call for revolution – Political Analyst

Political Analyst and fixer, Matthew Chima Amadi says President Muhammadu Buhari call for mass action in 2003 when he lost the presidential election to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is more insidious than to incarcerated SaharaReporters Publisher Omoyele Sowore call for revolution.

He said in a series of tweets on his official twitter handle, in reaction to Buhari’s administration continue incarceration of Sowore despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court for a second time, but he is yet to regain his freedom despite fulfilling his bail conditions.

Recall that Sowore was arrested in the early hours of Saturday, August 3, 2019, after announcing his plan to stage a nationwide protest tagged #RevolutionNow.

Sowore was subsequently flown to Abuja where he has been detained.

The refusal of the DSS to release Sowore as ordered by the court, has prompted nationwide outrage and protests at the agency’s headquarters.

The DSS on Tuesday, November 12, assaulted some protesters who were demanding Sowore’s release.

He tweets read, “As I sauntered towards the lifts at the Hilton around 1am late April in 2003, I wondered what was so urgent that warranted Baba summoning me that late. I knocked at his the door of his Suite and he personally ushered me in.I walked in to see Chief Tony Anenih also seated.”

“I bowed and greeted Chief Anenih and as was customary with me,I sat on the floor very close to Baba’s feet and looked down trying to avoid making eye contacts(my late godfather, Alh Garba Koko was like a father to me). Both men were pensive.”

“For a brief 60 seconds nobody spoke, then Baba said to me, “Amadi, Buhari wants to throw this nation into a crises. We need to have a ready troop of demonstrators to repudiate this his disgusting call. How fast can you put it together”.

I told him that was not a problem. I waited for Chief Anenih to say something but “Mr Fixer” kept mute. I then spoke again. “Baba, with due respect, can I express a difference of opinion?”

“Immediately, Chief Anenih who looked disinterested before this time became animated. Baba asked me to speak. I told both revered men that organizing a team of demonstrators to my mind was walking into Buhari’s trap.”

“I told them that one of two things could happen:a counter force would confront ours on the streets which could lead to violence or they would arrange theirs on another day & may have a larger crowd to surpass ours.”

“We have no right to prevent theirs from holding without being accused of stifling free speech. I advised that we should rather put in place a forum or an event organized by an independent organization but that would attract influential Nigerians and opinion leaders who would repudiate Buhari’s call and ask him to tow the path of constitutional order.”

“I argued that no political, religious,business or academic leader in Nigeria would openly back a losing candidate so there won’t be the possibility of a pushback from Buhari’s camp thereby leaving ours as the predominant narrative.”

“I also argued further that if our plan was successful, Buhari would be firmly on the defensive and would take the only honorable way out for him:approach the courts. I stopped speaking and bowed my head again looking at the floor. There was quiet.”

Then Chief Anenih spoke for the first time but only with a question directed at my godfather. “Can he be trusted to pull it off?” Baba answered him immediately.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/14/pmb-call-for-mass-action-in-2003-is-more-insidious-than-sowores-call-for-revolution-political-analyst/

By, Fredrick Nwabufo

The senate marshalled by Ahmad Lawan has been convincing in confirming the stereotypes and assumptions about the institution.

In July, I wrote about Lawan’s obsequiousness and desperation to please President Buhari whom he described as his ‘’close friend’’.

I say again, Lawan has been dutiful in his obligation of inking ‘’rubber-stamp’’ on the senate. Soon after he became senate president, he assumed the ‘’role of unofficial spokesman’’ of Buhari and saddled himself with ‘’interpreting maladies’’.

And as a matter of fact, he has not relented in rising to the occasion as an ‘’interpreter of inefficiencies’’. Though he once vowed he would never be a ‘’rubber stamp’’.

Hear him: ‘’During my campaign, I was called a potential rubber-stamp senate president to the executive; maybe because I am close to the president, or because I believe in his cause. There is no time that I will ever be a rubber stamp. Yes, I believe in President Buhari as a person.’’

Really, Lawan has been effortless in maintaining the ‘’label’’.

Last week, the senate passed for second reading a bill to increase value-added-tax (VAT) without a ‘’debate’’. Some senators protested not knowing the content of the bill because they were not given copies of it; so, they cannot debate what they do not know.

Binos Yaroe, senator representing Adamawa south, raised a point of order, calling the attention of Senate President Lawan to this embarrassment.

Yaroe said according to the senate’s rules, every senator is meant to have copies of the bill.

“Our rules say that printed copies of the bill shall as soon as possible be sent to every senator,” he said.

“We are at the stage of the second reading of this bill. I don’t know for others but I have not received the bill, I don’t know how we can debate a bill that we have not received.”

But Lawan insisted that the vacuous debate would go on.

I wish the senate will apply the same dispatch on critical bills that will address poverty, the parlous education and infrastructure, and executive corruption.

How can the legislature perform its function as an institution of check when its leadership is a consort of the executive?

I believe the legislature and the executive must work together in the interest of Nigerians, but this does not imply succumbing to the influences of each another. That will be a confutation of the principle of separation of powers.

As I see it, the Buhari administration is employing Lawan’s senate as a contrivance for legitimising unpleasant policies. This senate, as a bedfellow of the executive, is the greatest danger to our democracy.

On October 29, Lai Mohammed, minister of information, said the government would regulate social media.

In his words: “I can assure you that we are also working on how to inject sanity into the social media space which, today, is totally out of control. No responsible government will sit by and allow fake news and hate speech to dominate its media space, because of the capacity of this menace to exploit our national fault lines to set us against each other and trigger a national conflagration. That is why we will continue to evolve ways to tackle fake news and hate speech until we banish both.”

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/13/hate-speech-bill-how-do-we-exorcise-ahmad-lawans-senate/

In 2015, Buhari warned his family members to steer clear of his government. He lied. His relatives, many of whom wallowed in grubby poverty before 2015, not only now work as his official assistants, they’e now multi-millionaires.

Some are billionaires. Here are 4 blood relatives of his that I know for a fact work for him. There may be more. I’ve confirmed these names from multiple sources in Daura and the Presidential Villa:
1. Abdulkarim Dauda. He is Buhari’s Personal Chief Security Officer (PCSO).

Like Mamman Daura, he is Buhari’s nephew. His father, Dauda Daura, is Buhari’s half-brother from the same father. He is de facto president Mamman Daura’s full biological brother.

I exposed a recent secret memo Buhari sent to the Nigeria Police (where Abdulkarim is officially employed as Commissioner of Police after 3 unnaturally rapid promotions in three years) instructing it to circumvent time-honored public service rules & extend his service till 2023 even though he should’ve retired this year on account of being in d police for 35 yrs.

2. Sabiu “Tunde” Yusuf. He’s Buhari’s Private Secretary. Don’t be deceived by the “Tunde” in his name. It’s just a nickname, probably inspired by Tunde Idiagbon, Buhari’s deputy when he was a military dictator.

Sabiu is the son of Mamman Daura’s full biological sister by the name of Hajia Halima (more popularly known as “Hajja Madam” in Daura) who died last year.

As you should know by now, Mamman Daura’s sister is Buhari’s niece since their father (Dauda Daura) is Buhari’s much older half-brother. Sabiu, who is in his 30s, is one of the most powerful people in Nigeria today. He determines who sees and who doesn’t see Buhari.

Only Mamman Daura and Abba Kyari can overrule him. By several accounts, he is now a billionaire, although he had no formal work experience before Buhari became president. He used to sell recharge cards in Daura until 2015!
3. Dauda “Zeze” Habu.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/11/four-blood-relatives-of-buharis-who-officially-work-in-aso-rock-by-prof-farooq/

The old Muhammadu Buhari was very reserved and easy-going.There is no record (factual or speculative) of him initiating political alliances or of him going the extra mile to consolidate his political ties other than attending marriage ceremonies and a few other social events.He was the most loved political figure in northern Nigeria and the politicians jumping over themselves to associate with him badly needed to tap into his clout.Buhari with the leaches aside,is a recluse.

When Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu kick-started the process of building a mega opposition party,it was him who reached out to Buhari and an agreement was reportedly struck for Tinubu to ‘lead’ the party and for Buhari to get the 2015 Presidential ticket.

Now as President of Nigeria,a deficiency in managing existing relations may eventually turn out the greatest undoing of the new Muhammadu Buhari and sadly enough,he may not even realize till its too late.Goodluck Jonathan may have rallied the right people and gotten them to prevail on President Buhari to grant ‘amnesty’ to himself and his wife,Dame Patience whose properties and monies the EFCC keeps seizing without charging her to court.Diezani Madueke too,whom EFCC boss,Ibrahim Magu has been promising to extradite for more than 2 years now.I doubt if Buhari can pull that off with a PDP government in 2023.

There are very few people he can bank on to stick their necks out for him if at all he tries to reach out.The only people that have forced themselves on him over the years are those that stand to gain from him politically and at the rate Buhari is going,he may not only lack anyone in his APC to depend on,he will become a target there too.

At the commencement of President Buhari’s 2nd term in office,most political observers said whenever the issue came up, that it wasn’t safe to think a Bola Tinubu 2023 bid would resonate with Buhari.He would rather have his loyal Vice-President run instead.

A politically naive Buhari in 2015 set about making the APC more democratic and ensured the Tinubu-installed party chairman,John Odigie Oyegun had a louder say.That essentially meant Tinubu had to shed a large degree of control in the party.When a war erupted between Tinubu and Oyegun his former stooge in the build-up to the Ondo gubernatorial election,Oyegun floored Tinubu hands down by ensuring his preferred choice,Rotimi Akeredolu emerged as the APC’s flag bearer over Tinubu’s candidate.

It was so bad the word then was that Tinubu was planning to leave with Atiku and a handful of other people to start a new party.Buhari has always hated Tinubu’s guts and it is a testament to Asiwaju’s patience and political foresight that he has stuck around,sucked it all in and focused on how best to co-exist with his bully ‘friend’ in power.When his annointed candidate for the APC ticket in Lagos state,Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu won the party primary, a ‘committee’ was sent from Abuja to Lagos and their first point of duty was spreading the word that the just concluded Lagos primary was not recognized by the party and that a valid one would hold the next day.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/08/osinbajo-buhari-cant-keep-friends-and-his-making-enemies/

Human Right Lawyer, Abdul Mahmud says Nigeria should adopt a conscious policy of openness that will allow for the registration of confraternities in institutional.

Mahmud said this in a series of tweets on his twitter handle in reaction to cult-gang related killings and violence across the country.

He said, “Don’t get the Great Oracle wrong. Cultism has always been with us, at least since confraternities changed from their initial lofty and progressive ideas to killing machines. That change happened sometimes in 1983.”

“When changes in our larger society began to take roots in the campuses: the military took over and our society became heavily militarized; vice chancellors became like military commanders.”

The politicization of students relations which the 2nd Republic politics brought didn’t help. Our confraternities became fraternities- secret cults, armed, deadly, playing NPN/UPN/NPP politics in campuses

Perhaps one clear indication of all of this was when authorities of UI banned all confraternities that were previously registered as clubs in 1984. It was a mistake. They went underground and became deadlier.

While all of this happened, vice chancellors like Chimere Ikoku (UNN) & Alele-Williams saw them as weapons against progressive students unionism. The military cashed on them. The dangerous spread began.

From Benin, Ekpoma, Abraka, Awka, PH, Nsukka and Owerri (Alvan Ikoku). Between 1988 and 1992, they were more pronounced in South-south/south eastern institutions, killing and maiming.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/04/nigeria-should-allow-for-the-registration-of-confraternities-in-institutional/

United Kingdom based Nigerian Medical Doctor and Social Commentator, Harvey Olufunmilayo says smoking shisha or cigarette can cause the normal vagina bacteria to overgrow and cause fishy smell.

He said this in a series of tweets on his official and verified twitter handle.

See his tweets below…

Smoking cigarette or shisha, Changing (or many) sexual partners, Receiving head from different people, Washing inside the vagina, Using vagina pearls, Sticking things inside the vagina, Wearing tight/nylon underwear

That terrible fish smelling vagina is medically called Bacteria Vaginosis.

It is a Vagina infection. But to clarify, it is NOT considered an STD- even though it is almost exclusively seen in sexually active women and almost never seen in virgins.

Good news is It can be treated. So what causes Bacteria Vaginosis (BV)?

BV happens due to overgrowth of normal vagina bacteria that helps to keep the vagina healthy. It can also happen because of activities that upset and destabilise the vagina environment.

That’s why ALL those activities I listed cause it.

So if a woman has unprotected sex with different people or has a new sexual partner or she starts inserting all sorts of things into her vagina like yoni pearls, soap, perfumes, dirty dildos or trying to wash inside the vagina- this upsets the vagina environment and can cause BV.

How common is BV? I saw a recent article that says about 1.5 million nigerian women have BV every year. Every single year.

It is the COMMONEST vagina infection in women between the age of 15 and 45 years old. Almost every sexually actively young woman has had it at least once.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/04/why-some-vagina-has-terrible-fishy-smell-by-expert/

Social Commentator, Ademola Adigun says the Nigerian economy can’t sustain subsidies on petrol, dollars and electricity.

He said this in a post published on his Facebook page, stating that the country is closer to Venezuela than it care to admit.

See his post below…

When I was about 39, I undertook a medical for a job at a bank. The Doctor said to me that my blood pressure reading indicated I was pre-hypertensive. I was alarmed. How come? Why?

I went for a second reading and a third, numbers indicated the same. I was borderline. So, I needed to make lifestyle changes to avoid being drug dependent for life.

Our President said that he does not believe WB figures. He does not agree that the poverty numbers are true. Like many think kidnap numbers are exaggerated until it happens to one they know or to them.

You see when you visit a doctor and he gives you readings, you can decide to “reject” “bind” or whatever. Who do you think will suffer a stroke? Who will be impacted if no action is undertaken? You!

The Govt is playing with numbers. The new system to lie. Inflate recovery. Inflate seizures. Put falsehood out. But our reality stares all of us in the face. The budget performance shames the projected revenues and amounts recovered.

The state of insecurity a direct correlation to joblessness and poverty.

We can decide to tell ourselves the truth and act. Or we can pretend blindness and die.

Our economy can’t sustain subsidies on petrol, dollars and electricity.

We are closer to Venezuela than we care to admit!!

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/03/nigeria-is-closer-to-venezuela-than-it-care-to-admit-expert/

By, IFEMOSU MICHAEL ADEWALE

OPEN LETTER TO THE VICE- CHANCELLOR, FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, PROFESSOR SALAKO ON THE LINGERING TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM AND THE INDISCRIMINATE ARREST OF STUDENTS BY SARS AND EFCC OFFICIALS.

I am Ifemosu Michael Adewale and am dissatisfied and saddened by the Looming Calamitous Implosion rocking Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta students day to day activities over the lackadaisical attitude and unprofessional management decisions.

Real education means transiting from a level of unconsciousness to a level of consciousness till you hit the highest level.

This is what is expected of a School like Funaab but intentionally she is not doing that; It could have been Worse!

I have decided to wade into the recent imbroglio militating against Funaabites and share my thoughts unbiased, relating to some personal and General outcry of the students.

Transportation has been one of the Problems Funaabites face Day In…. Day Out but the non-challant attitude of the University management can be grossly seen because the chaos has been lingering for over Two(2) Years and nothing seems to change.

Students lectures starts 9am and it is no more news that Funaabites queue, fight, and struggle to attend classes and also leave the school premises, however The Vice chancellor and the entire University Management team is seen with one or two official car(s); this makes transportation easier for them while student remain stranded and languishing in an unending tragedy.

The Funaab Bureau of Transport (FUNAABOT) has performed below expectations despite millions of naira allotted and allocated to the department for the purchase and renovation of MANCOTS but all went down the drain.

Those monies remain carpeted till this moment.
Again! I read in the News that the Vice-Chancellor of Funaab wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) that they are free to arrest students found wanting and guilty of cybercrimes.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/03/the-article-that-got-ifemosu-adewale-rusticated-by-funaab/

Social Commentator, Ademola Adigun says President Muhammadu Buhari has no ill will towards Nigerians and governing to the best of his ability.

Rather Adigun said the President is doing what he feels is good.

He said this in a post published on his Facebook page.

He said, “President Buhari has done us no wrong. He has done what he feels is good. He is governing to the best of his ability. There is no ill will.”

“Those that worked with Obasanjo will tell you it took a period to wean him of thinking Nigeria of 1977-79. He would refer to that period as the golden era..”

“Our president might still be caught in 1984-85 years. Ban this, ban that. Tighten controls on all things. Close border. Revamp textiles and all that.”

“Expect more centrist economic decisions. Who knows, the Naira might just decide to take orders on its value. That’s what we voted for. Or the majority voted for!! Let’s enjoy this period!”

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/03/buhari-is-governing-to-the-best-of-his-ability/

Human Rights activist and lead campaigner for #EndSars, Segun Awosanya, has dismissed the demand for an apology and N3 billion in damages from him by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, over some of his tweets.

The NAN reported that Jibrin, representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State, had on Oct. 31 through his lawyer, Mr Wole Olanipekun, gave Awosanya popularly known as Segalink 14 days to pay him N3 billion for damages over libellous and defamatory tweets.

He also demanded that Awosanya publish a public apology on his twitter handle for seven days to serve as atonement for the tweets published on Oct. 17.

Jibrin said that the allegations were untrue, unfounded and meant to tarnish his image.

Jibrin’s demand comes on the heels of Awosanya’s call on his twitter handle for investigation into 17 local and foreign bank accounts allegedly operated by the lawmaker in spite his contrary position at the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

Olanipekun in his letter of demand had noted that Awosanya’s action could be traced to his client’s refusal to compare notes with him because according to him (Awosanya), “the masses will believe effectively the system than from an internal whistle blower”.

“Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which is the body statutorily imbued with the powers to investigate and prosecute matters in the character of your allegations would still have afforded our client a fair hearing after a petition is duly presented to it.

“Your approach therefore smacks of utter bad faith; you made these allegations without recourse to their veracity or our client’s reputation.

”In other words, you did not care at all about any negative repercussion generated by your intentional and deliberately mischievous allegations against our client.

”Specifically, you set out to destroy him,” Olanipekun said.

But Awosanya through his lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbensi in a response letter made available to NAN, however, said his client would not be intimated to drop his call for Jibrin’s investigation.

Olajengbesi wondered the image and reputation Jibrin said his client tarnished having raised an alarm of budget padding in the National Assembly in 2016 against the leadership of the House of Representatives which he could not prove.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/03/activist-dismisses-jibrins-demand-for-n3bn-damage-says-suit-as-an-empty-threat/

I do not know much about sports, but I know what good sportsmanship is. Diego Maradona, the Argentine football shaman, was a great player, but he is not celebrated as much as Pele of Brazil. One fatal flaw detracts from Maradona’s genius – hubris.

Maradona is known to be a sore loser. He curses, barks and brawls in defeat. As a matter of fact, his ‘’legend’’ is stymied by his repulsive foibles and deportment.

Politics is like football. It is a game. One side wins and the other side loses. It should not have to be a hara-kiri – ‘’it is victory or death’’.

Nigeria has been good to Atiku Abubakar. He has thrived and flourished on the backs of the country. He was a former chief of customs; he was elected governor, and then, he became, perhaps, the most powerful vice-president in Nigeria. Atiku has seen it all, and he has had it all.

I had expected the former vice-president to react to the judgment of the Supreme Court, which dismissed his appeal against President Muhammadu Buhari’s election victory, as a statesman. I was disappointed by his barb.

He did a ‘’maradona bawl’’.

‘’The Nigerian judiciary, just like every estate of our realm, has been sabotaged and undermined by an overreaching and dictatorial cabal, who have undone almost all the democratic progress the Peoples Democratic Party and its administrations nurtured for sixteen years, up until 2015,” he said.

“Today, the nail has been put on the coffin and the gains we collectively made since 1999 are evaporating, and a requiem is at hand.’’

Really, even if the judiciary has been ‘’sabotaged’’ as he said, Atiku has been a beneficiary of the good, the bad and the ugly in this supposedly flawed institution.

I recall in 2007, the Supreme Court was on the ‘’side’’ of Atiku in his mortal combat with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The same court that Atiku vilifies today held that Obasanjo cannot declare his seat as vice-president vacant.

We are a nation in dire need of statesmen and not hangmen or agents of disruption. But I must contrast my view on Atiku’s bearings with the fact that Buhari would have said much worse or even done much worse if he had lost at the apex court.

When the president lost the 2011 election, he issued threats which led to an outbreak of violence across the north. I was in Kaduna at that time, and I witnessed the unrest — stoked by a man who has sponged off the country all his adult life.

There is victory in defeat.

President Jonathan conceded the 2015 election to Buhari before the final collation of results was done. He called Buhari to congratulate him on winning the election despite pressure from ‘’devious elves around the throne of power’’ to pervert the will of the people.

Really, no matter how some persons may try to trivialise what Jonathan did, defeat is a bitter pill to swallow. It takes strength of character to concede to another.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/03/what-atiku-can-learn-from-president-jonathan-in-defeat-by-fredrick-nwabufo/

Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano says there are evil spirits in the State House distracting the government from providing service to the people.

Prof. Solo Chukwubelu, secretary to the state government, who spoke on behalf of Obiano at an Anglican Prayer rally in the capital, attested that there are evil spirits in the State House.

According to , he did not indicate which rooms they occupy, but pleaded with Bishop of Ogbaru, Rev. Prosper Amah, who presided over the Prayer Rally to pray for the ejection of the evil spirits permanently, to allow government focus in providing service to the people.

“In the government House, the evil spirits come and go. We urged the church to pray hard to let them leave the government for good,”Chukwubelu said.

The prayer rally with the theme “The Righteous shall Flourish like Palm Tree”, was held at the Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, under the auspices of the Province of the Niger, Anglican Prayer Rally of Anambra State (APRAS) 2019.

Rev. Amah, in his sermon had said there are evil beings in the society and also in the Government House, that come and go.

READ MORE: https://thebelltimesng.com/2019/11/03/evil-spirits-distracting-us-at-anambra-govt-house-obiano/