The Nigerian Election Debates Group (NEDG) has concluded arrangements to stage issue- based debates for all the candidates that have been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 16, 2013 election.
Altogether, 23 governorship candidates and their running mates are expected to participate in the debates.
Chairman of NEDG, Mr. Taiwo Alimi told reporters in Awka yesterday that 11 Non Governmental Organizations, NGOs, under NEDG, which include Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria (BON), Nigeria Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Election Reform Network and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) are involved in organizing the debates.
According to Alimi, the debates, which will be in two sessions are scheduled for October 22, 2013 for the running mates, while the governorship candidates would have theirs on October 29 and 31.
He said: “The coalition of media and civil society groups seek to set agenda and provide for the people of Anambra State an opportunity to get relevant information about each of the persons aspiring to rule them. What we are trying to do is to provide a platform at which everybody will have the opportunity of telling the people what they can do”.
Alimi said that those who would take part in the final debate on 31st October would be determined by the outcome of opinion poll of the registered voters in Anambra State, as conducted by credible researchers
He explained that as part of the debate, a non participating audience that would not clap or eulogize any of the candidates would be allowed into the hall, adding that the idea is to provide a level –playing field for all the candidates.
He said that NEDG had successfully conducted similar debates in Edo and Ondo states and hoped that Anambra governorship candidates would participate effectively.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/candidates-deputies-square-debates-oct-22-29-31/

BeraBera:

See her photo here. But I don't think she's a match to Marylin Ogar of the SSS at all!
Marylin is better in terms of comportment, professional and ethical approach to issues, diction (choice of words), good and cordial relationship with gentlemen of the press, knowledge and versatility. Besides, the organization she even represents has a better public image than Ngozi's own. I've heard someone say that the only NPF Officer he respects is Ngozi Braide, that others are "babash" (his exact words).

hmmn...not bad but her influence is confined within Lagos plus she is a young officer,i have not heard her speak before so i cant tell how vocal she might sound especially as regards national issues... She doesn't look bad but we are not judging on looks are we? We are judging in terms of media presence, influence and competence in addressing pressing public issues as they evolve.

Hmmmn....my person is topping the chart o.... and she is the only lady and they say wat a man can do, a woman can do better...

This apology must come with something tangible to express the fact that it wont repeat itself...make them show commitment jor...is it easy to be big brother...dobale well jor

At the end of it all...we are all hiding something.... so you have what to expose to make this strike go away and u are hoarding it and calling yourself NANS smh

@ henry120.... I dey feel you, u wont be a bad PRO for one of the nation' institutions.... u try

King George: For now SSS and the Army r d only org with PRO, but in order of who sabi work pass, the sss come 1st,follow by the army and d police but if the police sit up n also make that lagos pro babe their main PRO then I will give it 2 them cuz am thinking of proposing 2 her.

Who is this lagos police pro u guys have been talking sbout....una no get her foto make we see?

Sherlock Holmes: Your review on the civil defence cracked me up....nutty babe

Am a learner o

Henry120: Marilyn ogar is the best of the pack. She is really a tough, articulate and strong nigerian woman. Once on tuesday live on NTA, she told the viewers, she used to be "field agent",not your behind the desk kind of person. that was before been promoted to her current position.


Brig chris olukolade is another person worthy of note. A veteran from the wars in sierra-leone and liberia, he is an exemplary soldier and a top professional. His job as the army spokesman ain't easy though.


The NIA is an intelligence agency, nigeria's version of the CIA. As such you would never see any spokesperson from them.

Same thing for the DIA. The defence intelligence agency.

Although the DSS is also an intelligence agency, the reason why they have a spokesperson is because they operate storm-troopers who are heavily involved in different operations across nigeria.

Better person. ...thanks for adding spice to the thread with ur comment....luv ya.

Nigerian Security Agencies have been faced with a host of security challenges which has brought their public relations officers to do the job they are being paid for because as Nigerians, we have a right to know ....however in the course of doing such, some have been exposed to ridicule, namecalling and tantrums as is expected on the job, BUT some of them dont even appear in the media to interface with the public or journalists and the few who have appeared have also paid the price as some clowns have called for their head. Some of these agencies dont even bother to send their public relations designate to the media..they simply ignore Nigerians cos they dont think we matter, talk more of the decency of entertaining questions of public significance.
A few of those i know are listed below,i dont know them all so pls help me to add those you know and we can make a pick of our best....ofcourse wit good reasons why they are your best:


NIGERIAN ARMY: Chris Olukolade; he seem like a gentleman,fluent and addresses military issues as they come however, of late i think he has been overtaken with events (i stand to be corrected). The Defence headquarters has taken over the media, and at a time, i think Sagir Musa of the JTF was even more popular than him.

NIGERIAN NAVY: Lt. Cmdr. Jerry Omodara; Forgive me but as a matter of fact, i really dont know this man, i cant even find too many details about him online...and he is the Public affairs person? How many media appearance has he made or is there nothing to report of public importance in the Navy?

NIGERIAN AIRFORCE:Air Commodore Yusuf Anas: I have nothing to say about this man media wise, he might be a fine officer on the job but he has no media presence as far as i am concerned.

STATE SECURITY SERVICE: Marilyn Ogar; hmmn, permit me to be sentimental abit cos am a lady cos she represents an epitome of discipline and tenacity in her firm stance on issues as it relates to national security so she is my favorite pick any day ( U are entitled to yours o)

NIGERIAN POLICE: Frank Mba; He appears like a young gentle man but i once heard his response on a radio programme when the presenter called him and since then i changed my opinion about him cos he was kinda rude on air. (The programme was brekete family radio show, for those of you in Abuja, u will be familiar with the 7:30am daily programme on 104.5) He represented the idea of a typical Nigerian policeman in the eyes of a typical Nigerian, (U know what i mean)


NIGERIAN SECURITY AND CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS: Emmanuel Okeh; Hmmn, i barely know this one too but i believe from the last episode with their lagos commandant by Channels TV which sent the whole nation on a laughing spree, they have been working behind the curtains and keeping their interface with the public media on the minimal.

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: Sorry i cant even find the person's name online just as we cant find their input in helping to resolve the nation's security challenges.

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: sorry, same as the NIA above.... but if you have meaningful input about these, i will deeply appreciate ur contributions...


Its obvious that some are working and we are working for some because they just sit and eat tax payers money....I have made my favourite pick...pick yours jare..

LoveAmaka88:
Harem pants that look like this

Are they meant to collect poo?

I am the FTC on my thread...yeepee!

The Federal Government plan to unveil a new national carrier on October 1 – in commemoration of the country’s 53th independence anniversary – is under attack from analysts.

photo

They say the development is a step back to the dark ages, in view of the current global sentiments towards divestments.

The new airline would come out of the merger of Aero Contractors and Air Nigeria airlines, which are indebted to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), according to BusinessDay findings.

This is coming on the heels of refusal of some international airlines to partner with the local airlines due to the enduring crisis in the sector.

Bismarck Rewane, chief executive, Financial Derivatives company in the recent release observed that the last national carrier – Nigeria Airways – was plagued by mismanagement and therefore ceased operations in 2003.

“Back to the dark ages. Governments are divesting from airline business globally, but Nigeria is unveiling a national carrier officially to the public on October 1, which will comprise airlines indebted to the government via AMCON, Aero Contractors and Air Nigeria.”

Reports say the new airline will be funded through a private sector public offering of about N200 billion with government retaining 25 percent stake, and remaining percent controlled by yet to be disclosed private investors.
http:///?p=4669

Two of the rebel Governors, Kwara’s helmsman, Abdulfattah Ahmed, and Niger States’ Babangida Aliyu, are alleged to be involved in some multi Billion naira deals running into over N81 billion.

Pointblanknews.com gathered that While Ahmed is alleged to have used a Bureau de Change owned by his brother to move N60 Billion through about 40 bank accounts, Aliyu is yet to account for the N9 billion he got through the capital market and another N6 billion the state got from Zenith Bank for ‘infrastructural developments’

It was learnt that this is one of the reasons why the breakaway Governors had insisted the President asked the anti graft agency to back off them and their commissioners as part of the deal for peace.

When the G7 Governors met with President Goodluck Jonathan, they raised four issues:
That he should stop EFCC from” harassing” Governors and their aides, resolve the Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF) impasse, help return the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Rivers and Adamawa structures to Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Murtala Nyako respectively, among other issues

Some Governors especially Gov. Jonah Jang asked his colleagues not to drag Jonathan into the NGF issue. Jang insisted that Jigawa’s Sule Lamido and other Northern Governors asked him to contest the NGF election and that they all caused the fighting within the NGF.
When the issue of the EFCC came up, sources privy to the goings on hinted that Akpabio asked the Governors to find individual ways of resolving any issue with the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
He gave an example of how a petition against his sister had caused her to be stopped from entering Germany for medicals. He said when the German Government investigated the petition, they found it to be false and then gave his sister entry permit.
EFCC Sources said the reason why the G7 Governors are afraid is because their immunity ends in 2015 and they want to be protected against any EFCC probes which is key to their freedom after office.

Pointblanknews.com sources hinted that Governor Ahmed is in a very deep mess and has complicated former Governor Bukola Saraki’s case.
Sources hinted that EFCC found out that Ahmed’s younger brother runs a Bureau De Change which they use in laundering money. EFCC sources said over N60 Billion in about 40 accounts have been traced to the Governor’s younger brother. The Bureau the change is used as the front. The money according to EFCC dates back to when Saraki was Governor.

The EFCC has been on the trail of Saraki before Jonathan became President. In fact, sources said because of Saraki and Ex Delta Gover, James Ibori’s roles in the appointment of Farida Waziri as EFCC chairman, his( Saraki) probe was stopped. Yar’Adua ensured that he was protected. Sources said at no time did the Attorney General cleared Saraki of any wrong doing.

This, it was further learnt, is the reason why Saraki has been a regular visitor to the EFCC recently. Pointblanknews.com learnt that the EFCC stumbled on the Ahmed/Saraki deal when the commission was perusing the books of defunct Societe Generale Bank owned by the Sarakis.
This is the link: Governor Ahmed was Saraki’s Commissioner for Finance and Planning. Gbemi Saraki was the preferred candidate of late Olusola Saraki for Governor. But sources said because Saraki has a lot of deals with Ahmed as his Commissioner for Finance, he insisted that he took over from him as Governor to cover his tracks. Late Olusola Saraki considers Gbemi as a more grass rooted politician but lost out when her brother used money to bribe his way into reckoning.

As for Aliyu this was how the N6 Billion bond deal from Zenith was tidied. a document entitled HR.NO.10 2008/2009-Resolution Granting Approval to the Executive Governor Of Niger state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu,OON, To Enable him obtain N=6billion bond facilities in favor of Niger state Government” Dated Tuesday,11 Day of November, 2008. Signed by Pharm.MM Alkali., Honourable Speaker and Mohammed A. Rijau, Permanent Secretary/ Clerk, partly stated Thus; “Whereas: The Government of Niger State is committed to the provision of infrastructural development for the purpose of enhancing the welfare and well being of our people, the state Government after due consideration and consultations with the stakeholders and indeed purposeful deliberations by the state Executive Council came into conclusion that the available source is to seek for loan facility from the capital market through a bond; after the conclusion therefore, the state Government in partnership with Zenith Bank PLC arranged to obtain a loan facility of N=6billion from the capital market”
A year earlier the state had gotten N9 Billion from the capital market for same infrastructural development but till date nothing is on ground.
On December 12 2008, the Niger state Ministry of Finance, wrote to the Minister of Finance informing the Ministry of the deductions from the monthly Federal allocations to the state.

In the letter entitled “Irrevocable Standing order, for deduction from the Account of Niger state Government in respect of N=6billion infrastructural Development Projects Bond” signed by Aminu Yusuf, Commissioner for finance, Abubakar Tukur, Accountant General, Engr. Sani Ndanusa, commissioner for Transport and infrastructure and Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, the state Government instructed the Federal Ministry, to make a monthly deduction of N=142,377,502.73. With commencement date of January, 2009, with tenor of 60 months.
The letter further directed thus “The Niger state Government hereby gives to the Federal Ministry of Finance an irrevocable standing payment Order (ISPO) to deduct from the state statutory Allocation the principal sum and interest (COUPON) as per the attached scheduled and pay same to the Account of Zenith Trust Company Ltd/ Niger state infrasture Development Bond Account No. 6013808602.
Aliyu had also in 2010 approved the sum of N23,269,890.00 for a medical trip to the United Kingdom for the state Chief Judge, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo. He was to be accompanied by his wife Ashta, but the trip never was.

The state Government claimed the Niger state House of Assembly received an invitation to the 56 CPA international and the CPA regional conferences holding in Nairobi Kenya on September 10-19, 2010 and South Africa July 24-31 2010 respectively. The House submitted a bill of over N=49,000,000,00 for the two trips


http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/govs-babangida-aliyu-ahmed-in-n81-billion-naira-fraud-the-saraki-connection/

This guys just keep working regardless of what the media say about them... I wish most of our government agencies follow their footsteps, naija go better in no time!

guass: SOURCE PLS

http://saharareporters.com/news-page/niger-delta%E2%80%99s-most-wanted-kidnap-kingpin-arrested-port-harcourt

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/09/dss-army-arrest-mike-ozekhomes-kidnapper/


U no dey watch news or read dailies?

Gorrbachev:

you've been banned. check your profile.

what i do na? Now its back with only 2likes ...so sad.

Both of you are circumverted LIARS. GERROUT OF MY FACE!

Ask Dino Melaye and Atiku that have been campaigning for a protest and Investigation on the matter....let them start the investigations by answering these question... plasters! They have no idea of wat an incident like dat of the Kenya mall can do to individuals and children that were affected. The psychological effects alone on those kids would last a life time....and the funny thing is, these guys hardly go to the malls but their wives and kids do...I pray such events don't catch dem with chocolate bars in their mouths.

Mod. Pls why is my "Liked Post" icon missing?

Bad Attitude:


Really? then this brings a new twist to the whole panorama, cos if you are truly a legit keke Napep operator without anything to hide or any terrorist linkage, the best place to run to for safety would be ur chairman's place especially now that he is openly campaigning for ''justice'' for you.
The 1998 Attack on American Embassy in Nairobi Kenya; these terrorist guys blended into the environment for over 14months engaging in fishing business and some humanitarian services and at the same time observing their target and planning the hit which was a success for them. That incident was a major reason why i did not doubt the DSS side of the story...

I did not want to comment about this thing o.... I just googled ur Nairobi claims and it turned out true... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_United_States_embassy_bombings Abeg I am tired of thinking.... Just stay away frm big malls my good people of NAIJA...or better still make it a quick one .... Prevention is better than cure.

Bad Attitude:


Pls who has an idea of what this chap is trying to say

He was in Danbaba Suntai's plane when it crashed but nobody knew he also survived.

Pukkah: Someone should please prove this news item to be untrue because it makes no sense at all.

Pray, why should Nigeria that's still struggling to provide basic infrastructure add the pension bill of some very old folks to its already humongous recurrent expenditure?

Why should Nigeria that is yet to properly cater for its pensioners strut offshore to pay pension to uninvited colonialists?

Why should Nigeria with a scary rate of youth employment be paying pensions to British citizens of 81 to 106 years old?

Why should Nigeria that has no well-articulated social benefit system in place for its citizens pay pension to citizens of Britain which has a robust social welfare package in place?

Why should Nigeria reward colonialists that were uninvited and worked in the interest of Britain?

Why should Nigeria add to the loot and plunder the colonialists went away with?

Why should we be reminded of colonialism in such a rude manner?

At this rate, even kidnappers, militants, Boko Haram terrorists, oil theft thieves, etc will soon be on pension.

Nobody will throw stones at a tree without fruits. As long as there are fruits on the tree, stones would be hauled at it. End of discussion.

Mstcheeeew!

albiol: Y'all should stop this End time tinz comments it looks lame and childish if are u not matured enuff to be in nairaland kindly go back to the chatting forums for the younger minds

But u don take style ignore the main post come dey major on the minor...smh Relax jor...

The raid on suspected insurgents hideout is ongoing.
The 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, on Monday said it raided a hideout of suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Sunday night and arrested a suspect, Mubarak, alias Dan-Hajiya.
Captain Yahaya Musa, spokesman of the brigade, said at a news briefing in Sokoto that the operation was jointly conducted with operatives of the State Security Service (SSS).
He said the operation was in continuation of the series of raids by security agencies to rid Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states of some fleeing insurgents from volatile states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
“Troops of the brigade have in the past few days intensified raids on the hideouts of these suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
“We have also made several arrests and investigations are ongoing; so this is the only one we can authoritatively confirm now.
“But I can, however, authoritatively confirm that there were no deaths recorded either on the side of the insurgents or the military and SSS,’’ he said.
Mr. Musa said that arms and ammunition were recovered from the house of the suspect at Nakasari area of Sokoto. He said that items recovered included three AK-47 riffles, one riot gun, 153 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunitions, explosives, three cartons of acid, knock-outs, chemicals and thermometers.
He appealed to the residents to shun rumours and urged them to sustain the tempo of support and cooperation with the security agencies.
(NAN)


http://premiumtimesng.com/news/142608-again-nigerian-army-raids-suspected-boko-haram-hideout-in-sokoto.html