barcanista:
It is shameful that some people think we should fold hands and smile to watch how some hypocrites run us down. I won't call any tribe but I shall vigorously pursue this course and shut down every enemy within. Our major problem are those enemies within that must not be allowed to have their way. We must resist them with all we have,

barcanista:
this is just it! We all know that beyond APC Propaganda, non-PDP prominent Yoruba leaders like Afenifere, OPC, Rasheed Ladoja, Olu Falae, Segun Osoba, Seyi Makinde etc along with their large supporters are for Goodluck Jonathan. The good people of Yoruba nation will reject APC at all level.

aresa:


Would you have voted for GMB with the same brother label uttered by him?

The answer is NO.

How sad to even know that calling you brother was all it took to took for you to follow and FAIL.... smh...

redsun:
His candidacy would have set labour back another decade if he had been chosen. Britain is not ready for a black leader yet,not even a Jew affiliated leader one like milliband. It is still .u h steeped deep class state.that operates silently unhindered.

Buhari, where did that come from?

Written by Garba Deen Mohammad,
22-06-2008

Sigh! At the last count there had been at least three powerful , damning editorial comments (THISDAY, Guardian, The Nation); and perhaps three times that number of scathing opinion articles on the statements credited to three former heads of state on the late General Sani Abacha, also a former head of state. Two weeks ago, June 8, exactly ten years since the sudden, mysterious death of Abacha, the trio of Generals Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and Abdul-Salam Abubakar, travelled from their respective bases in Kaduna and Minna to join the Abacha family in Kano for what they called the "10th year anniversary prayer" for the late head of state. For the record such period ceremonies are frowned upon in Islam and therefore have no spiritual value for the deceased.

[b]At Gidado Road, where the Abacha family residence is situated, the three former military leaders, joined by the Kano state governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau among others, duly assembled at the ten-year old grave of Abacha (another sacrilege) and offered prayers for him. That, for lack of a better word, is blunder number one. If those three truly wished to help a fallen comrade, they didn’t need to be so unnecessarily flamboyant about it. The best and purest way to help him would have been for them to remain in their houses, wake up at about 2.30 in the middle of the night, offer at least two Rak’at of prayers and then solemnly beseech God to forgive their friend. That would have been much better for them and for their friend. They know, or at least they ought to know, especially with people like Shekarau, who is supposed to be Sharia compliant among them, that Islam abhors both the ritual of honouring the grave of a perceived or real good man, and other ostentatious attitudes even by the living, less so for its deceased, whose only need is for prayers, and not gaudy political gatherings.[/b]

On the other hand, if they wished to make political capital out of their friend’s death, they could do so; after all, despicable as it is, it is an ‘acceptable’ practice in politics. Once, I was in the company of a well known politician when the news of the death of an important community leader was brought to him. This politician then looked at me, then at his hangers-on and then declared matter-of-factly: "I got to be seen at this funeral"; to which he dragged me. To this day I’m not sure if either of us would get any reward for attending that funeral. So if the trio of IBB and co wished to make a political statement, as it can very well be argued that they did, they ought not to have camouflaged it as a spiritual absolution. Now they reap neither political, nor spiritual benefits.

And if that was a blunder, what followed afterward, by way of their speeches, was a disaster. According to the Daily Trust of Monday, June 9, Buhari was quoted as saying: "All the allegations leveled against the personality of the late General Sani Abacha will remain allegations…" It is true that Buhari did not say, from this statement, that Abacha was a saint, but that was clearly and heavily implied. In any case his ‘loud’ silence over the way the media have chosen to interpret his remark says it all. IBB on his part was reported to have said, in the same publication cited above, ‘that the allegations leveled against the former head of state are "unfounded and baseless". General Abubakar more or less echoed his two predecessors.

Since the remarks were reported many people have wondered what triggered both this strange ceremony that is unwelcomed in Islam and what political objective the trio had hoped to achieved by their unusual and indeed unpopular utterances. Apart from this, one obvious question that comes to mind is this: if Abacha did not steal Nigeria’s money, where the hell did all the billions of dollars his family are sitting on come from? At the last count, the family and some of his cronies had returned about a billion dollars, which is said to represent only a small percentage of what they actually control. What business were they engaged in, before and after their father became head of state that they were able to accumulate so much money in so short a period of time? And what about those who were closely associated with Abacha, either as friends or close aides; all of whom came out of his regime reeking of staggering amount of wealth? Above all how did Buhari allow his reputation, which he had spent a lifetime nurturing to be so cheaply endangered? Does he realize the incalculable damage he’s done to his political fortunes by getting involved in such self-destructive unnecessary mess?

There are two possible explanations, either of which, or a combination of both, is likely. The first has to do with the history of the so-called Abacha loot, as told to me by an insider, a participant and a beneficiary, seven years ago in far away United States of America. About seven years ago, while on a working trip to the U.S., this writer ran into one of the most prominent figures in the Abacha clan. It was in the thick of the persecution of the Abacha family by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and this particular Abacha man was in self-exile in the US. Having made his acquaintance in Nigeria long before Abacha’s death, I sought him out in the States and asked him the true story of the Abacha money, and why he himself was in exile. This was what he told me.

[b]That sometime in 1996/7, when it became obvious to all at home and abroad that Abacha was set on holding unto power through an election in which he would succeed himself, the West, led by US and Britain deiced to impose very stringent economic and political sanctions on the country. In anticipation of that sanction which was designed to turn Nigeria into what Zimbabwe has now become, Abacha gathered his kitchen cabinet and think tank group and challenged them to fashion a way out.

After heavy deliberations, the group decided to look up to Libya for solutions. In 1996 Libya had then spent nearly two decades under excruciating sanctions which it had borne bravely but barely. According to my source, the Libyan leader Col. Muamar Gaddaf gave them his recipe for surviving western sanctions. He advised Abacha to transfer huge amounts of resources to trusted individuals within his political group. Since sanctions are imposed on government institutions, they do not affect individuals. These enriched individuals can then engage in economic activities with corresponding individuals and corporate organizations in other countries, including those from even the countries that have imposed those sanctions.[/b]

Thus this was how Abacha’s children, namely Mohammed, Abba, and some of his ministers and other top aides came to be in control of so much money. Then suddenly Abacha died, and those ‘anti-sanction’ slush funds became the de facto inheritance of Abacha’s erstwhile trustees. I was inclined to believe my friend, not least because his story made sense to me. How else could Apartheid South Africa, Libya, Burma, North Korea and a few other hapless countries that had run afoul of the West have been able to survive western sanctions? And just as important was the fact that such sharp practice actually tallies with the cynical attitude of the West, which pronounces sanctions in the day and business as usual by night, in order to save their multinationals.

If this line of reasoning had anything to do with why the trio made their infamous assessment of Abacha, then either age is finally catching up with them, or else we should ask them, as did Ibrahim Dangabas, a fellow satirical columnist with this newspaper: "Did they go to school, or does corruption have a different meaning in the army?" By whatever name it is called, corruption is corruption. Whatever his motive, Abacha had no right whatsoever to hand over to his children and cronies monies belonging to millions of people without any kind of security or collateral in the name of some dubious scheme for surviving sanctions. Thanks to him and his clique, now the country stands the risk of loosing all that money for good; not even their fellow Kano people stand to benefit from any of it, as the Abacha family are said to be extremely mean when it comes to social responsibilities.

A second explanation is that perhaps the three former military leaders felt stung and indicted by some of the comments of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, made during his recent media outing which has generally been adjudged to be a big success by his critics, and therefore felt compelled to respond in kind. To the question of probing former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Yar’adua had responded by saying that as far as he was concerned, Obasanjo had tried his best; that he (Obasanjo) inherited a country that was on the verge of collapse and he deserved credit for rescuing it. Effectively Yar’adua had put paid to any possibility of probing his mentor—and tormentor.

Whether we like it or not what Yar’adua said about Nigeria’s problem and about Obasanjo doing his best is substantially correct. The daunting problem of corruption, the intractable problem of the power, health and education sectors, the decayed infrastructure and many more did not start in1999; those problems took over 30 years to retrogress to their present level and it would be unrealistic to expect solution in just eight years . If Yar’adua should add the enormous political, social and even moral problems that are bound to accompany any probe of Obasanjo, to the great responsibility of trying to solve the problems he inherited he would end up distracted, if not crushed. I believe the past leaders also read between the lines the implied threat and the heavy sarcasm, from the President that as probes go, Obasanjo is not, and should not be the only one to be targeted.

For those of us in the Northern part of the country, we do have even a greater need for demanding that our past leaders be probed more than the rest of the country. And believe me; we have far less grouse with Obasanjo than we have with IBB, Abacha and Abdul-Salam. We should demand to know, for instance, exactly what Obasanjo has done to the North that our own leaders had not done worse during their own tenure. The greatest act of injustice you can ever inflict on a man is to keep him in ignorance. While they ruled Nigeria for most of its 48-year political history, northern leaders of various shapes and sizes have watched sheepishly while the public school system in the region fell apart faster and more appallingly than that of other parts of the country. The result is that the North now has the highest illiteracy rate and poverty incidence in the country. Surprisingly, it is the same northern leadership that still looks at Obasanjo and say, nauseatingly that "HE IS THE WORSE THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO THE North". And this is the same man who on two different occasions and against all expectations, actively supported and personally handed over power to the same North!

It is painful to admit, but this our so-called leaders certainly have a very low opinion about our ability to sort out the grain from the chaff; to understand where we are coming from, where we are and where we might end up if we continue to swallow up every garbage they feed us. (To be continued)

queensmith:


can you give us a reliable source for this supposed statement?

Clearing his name: Gov. Aregbesola’s son gives PDP chairman seven-day ultimatum

May 16, 2015



Kabiru Aregbesola, the eldest son of the Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has given the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa, a seven-day ultimatum to retract the publication linking him (Kabiru) to money laundering.

Ola-Oluwa had claimed earlier in the week that Kabiru was arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The governor’s son promptly denied the allegation but has now asked for an unreserved apology.

[b]In a letter sent to the PDP chairman by Kabiru’s lawyer, Barrister Ajibola Basiru, the chairman was threatened with a lawsuit if he fails to do the needful.

“The retraction and apology must be done in at least two national dailies with wide circulation, and failure to publish the retraction with an apology within the said period may leave the client with no option but to seek legal redress with its attendant consequences.

“Your orchestrated lie had reduced the image of our client in the estimation of every right thinking member of the public and has also injured our client’s reputation and that of members of his families as you have portrayed him falsely as a money launderer.

“My client was never arrested at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport for the offence of money laundering and was nowhere near the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He was not arrested at the airport or anywhere in the country at any time whatsoever.

“It may also interest you to know that our client has never been arrested anywhere in the country or outside the country for any offence since he was born. Our client is a young professional with a brilliant career,” the letter said.

The letter pointed out further that, “our client informed us that he received numerous calls from families and friends directing him to check a news publication in two national dailies with captions: “Osun Govt, PDP bicker over alleged arrest of Aregbesola’s son for attempted money laundering”, and “Osun denies Kabiru Aregbesola’s alleged arrest.”

“In the said publications, you (Ganiyu Ola-Oluwa) issued a statement on behalf of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) emphatically stating that our client was arrested at the departure wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport with a lump sum of money that was not cleared but stocked in his luggage.”[/b]

ShymmexOBE:

I agree with you. I believe they all know he stands no chance (if most voters know). However, they wanted to push him into early career suicide and Blair endorsement is definitely the last thing anyone in the UK wants...that's a political curse.

Ralphlauren:


Spot on!

I'm surprised he fell for the bait.

Good thing he realised his folly

...
...
... ...

He outlined his passion to The Independent back in 2011, saying that his DJing was “strictly vinyl,” and that he was into ragga, jungle, hip hop, soul, and then US house and UK garage in the mid-90s “before it became really big.” Expanding on his love of the genre for DJ Mag last month, he said that what appealed to him about it “was that there was no element of us seeking to mimic what people were doing in the US — it was a very British sound, and it just completely captured my imagination.”

“I first started writing about it on a freelance basis for Touch Magazine, which was the offshoot of Kiss FM,” he continued. “Then when I was at university, I bought some decks — they were very old skool decks, belt-driven.”

Umunna ran his own UK garage nights with friends when he was at university in Manchester, and was a fan of Sweet Female Attitude’s ‘Flowers”, MJ Cole and Karl ‘Tuff Enuff’ Brown. However, as he explains, he was more into the US side of the scene, and soon migrated to soulful US house, favouring records from Talkin Loud, Erick Morillo’s Subliminal Soul, Defected, and his favourite label, Soulfuric.

“I moved on, I felt it was a bit of a shame that everybody got greedy, and it got too aggressive, the whole garage scene, which is why I slightly fell out of love with it. We allowed the MCs to take over, and it went from being quite a kind of happy, uplifting vibe to something that was a bit more aggressive — that I didn’t like. People just wanted to make money too quick, and as it became more mainstream people were just selling out, I felt. A lot of the guys migrated to the UK soulful house scene, and that’s what I did,” said the man who was a solicitor in Blair’s boom years before he became an MP.

While Umunna doesn’t have much time to play out any more, he’s still engaged with nightclub culture. He attracted the ire of the Daily Mail in 2013 for comments made in 2006 on a social networking site bemoaning the lack of “decent” clubs in London, suggesting the West End establishments were “full of trash and C-list wannabes, while other places that should know better opt for the cheesy vibe.”

...
But Umunna was not prepared for Fleet Street's intrusiveness. Aides say that in recent days his mother was followed home by the Daily Mail (a claim categorically denied by the paper) and his girlfriend's parents and 102-year-old grandmother were doorstepped by the media. "Nothing can prepare you for what that is actually like," an aide said. Umunna was also disturbed when the pregnant Rachel Reeves, walking beside him, was elbowed by the press pack before Monday's shadow cabinet meeting. His decision, sources say, is a reflection that politics alone is not his life. Just as Reeves and Dan Jarvis have chosen not to stand in order to put their families first, so Umunna has done the same.

Khd95:

i will do as u have said sir

bt next time if u must lie,make sure u do ur home work very fine b4 u qo about dishing half-baked lies evrywhere

m nt interested in d newspaper ok,m particular interested in d story u sef told us

'....I FLEW FRM LONDON-BOSTON, AND WHILE ON THE TRAIN......'
there is no where under dis sun dat trains flys...nt even d china's trains can do dat magic.

Modify ur story pls
Gudmorning

I flew into London last night from Boston, and while on one of the London trains, I saw this!

mandax:
But Muhammadu Buhari said Abacha was not corrupt, long after Buhari even saw that Abacha's stolen millions of Dollars and Pounds sterling were being returned to Nigeria.

Last presidential election, Yoruba-controlled Nigerian media covered all the Buhari gaffes, polished Buhari the saint, and SW/north voted Buhari president of Nigeria.

Elxandre:
If my memory serves me well, such arrangement was also made by the OBJ administration which enabled hundreds of millions be recovered from this family.

Anyone criticizing GEJ on this must be suffering from amnesia.

HzRF:

By a man that is yet to tell us where $2.8bn missing under him went

Yeye dey smell

History repeats itself. In 1977, the military head of state, Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, set up a Crude Oil Sales Tribunal to investigate the operations of the Nigerian National Oil Company (NNOC, which metamorphosed into NNPC same year). The tribunal found out that in three years, NNOC had failed to collect its equity share of oil produced by Shell, Mobil and Gulf. As a joint venture partner, NNOC was entitled to 182.95 million barrels of oil production. But given the laid-back attitude of public companies, NNOC did not find buyers for its own share. At the market price then, it would have grossed $2.8 billion if it had done the right thing.

The tribunal's report was leaked to the media, but by the time it was reported, it was something else. A Lagos-based newspaper reported that $2.8 billion oil money was missing! Although the newspaper later corrected itself and apologised, up till today it is the original story that has stuck. In fact, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti recorded an album years later, called "Army Arrangement", in which he insinuated that the $2.8 billion was actually missing but the panel of inquiry was only working to an answer. He sang sarcastically: "Dem say money no loss o!" The story in town up till today is that $2.8 billion oil money was stolen by the Obasanjo administration.

The Senate Leader, who described the report as “sensationalism, tokenism, scapegoatism and diversionary tactics”, noted that those who talk about jumbo pay for lawmakers forgot that the budget of the National Assembly is only N150 billion or three per cent of the country’s annual budget.

Letter from Africa: Nigeria's internet warriors

23 September 2014

...
...
... ...


I spoke to a 28-year-old chemistry graduate who patrols the online war front for one of Nigeria's popular politicians.

Every morning, he gets dressed and embarks on a 20-minute drive to work, where he sits in an office with dozens of other young people on the same mission as himself.

With a burst of laughter, he summarised his job description in three words: "Distort public opinion".

He and his colleagues have about 10 different pseudonyms each for news websites and blogs, but fewer for Facebook and Twitter.

They bombard articles about their politician with positive comments, and blast those of his opponents with negative posts.

"I usually use corruption and ethnicity to attack," he said.

Some months ago, he was engaged in the exact opposite: Maligning his current employer.

At the time, he was working in an enemy camp, but the pay and conditions were not as favourable as those offered him now.

"They had promised us jobs," he said, "but when the time came, they offered all the positions to people from their constituency."

barcanista:
Will he probe those people? Spare me the sermon and answer the question or STFU

Khd95:
[center][/center]Op na lier oooo

he said he flew from london-boston nd he went ahead nd say'while on d train'

ogbeni shey london trains dy fly ni

I tink d CEO of nairaland should introduce E-flogging 2 plank Op like dis one

The Metro is a free newspaper published in tabloid format in the United Kingdom by DMG Media (part of Daily Mail and General Trust).It is distributed from Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) on many public-transport services in selected urban centres across the United Kingdom, and at other outlets such as cafes, workplaces, bus stops, etc. Distributors have also been employed to hand out copies to pedestrians.

6. The administration should re-establish and elevate the broken military relationship with Abuja.

This will require some sensitive diplomacy and the White House should send the Chairman or the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to demonstrate a strong commitment by the U.S. to get this important relationship right. Once this is done, the Africom commander can take the lead, but given the harsh feelings toward Nigeria at Africom headquarters and by some in the Pentagon, the Chairman or the Vice Chairman should go first.

7. The State Department should revisit the establishment of a Consulate General in northern Nigeria, probably in Kano.

Nigeria has Africa's largest Muslim population, concentrated in the northern region, and has the fifth largest Muslim population in the world. The United States has very little presence, access or influence in the north. Secretary Clinton approved the opening of a consulate in the north in 2009. The effort should be revisited as quickly as possible.

8. The United States should help Nigeria with access to reliable, inexpensive and readily available power.

Lack of power is the most serious impediment to growing Nigeria's economy. A country of 180 million people produces less power than New York City and its surrounding suburbs. President Jonathan's inability to improve the situation is one the reasons he was thrown out of office. Power Africa has been one of the Obama administration's most significant initiatives and it needs to double down on its efforts to assist Nigeria in addressing its energy needs by bringing together major American power producers to work with, partner and invest in Nigeria's power sector.

9. The administration should encourage an early trip to Nigeria by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack.

Leading American agro industry companies and the deans of some of America's leading agricultural colleges should travel with him to help Nigeria revitalize and grow its agricultural sector. Once self-sufficient in food and one of Africa's largest exporters of groundnuts, cocoa, cotton and palm oil, Nigeria is now a major food importer. Support for its agricultural sector offers another opportunity for serious and sustained engagement with a country whose population is expected to grow from 180 to more than 400 million by 2035.

10. The administration should also consider revamping the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to support state governments.

In the past, the MCC has helped only national governments. Given the growing influence of states and the important work being done at the state level, the administration should seek changes in the MCC statute in order to help progressive, honest and forward thinking state governors whose states are performing well, implementing sound development projects and providing improved services to their people.

Nigeria is so important, and the administration should not miss this opportunity to engage with Nigeria's new government. Strong support for Nigeria will help strengthen its democracy, support its economic growth and enhance its security and stability.

An economically vibrant and democratically robust Nigeria is in the interests of Africa, the United States and the broader global community.

Ambassador Johnnie Carson, who served as assistant secretary of State for Africa during President Obama's first term and as U.S. ambassador to Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, currently is a senior adviser at the United States Institute of Peace and a visiting senior fellow at Yale University.

Nigeria: Top 10 Ways to Repair U.S.-Nigeria Ties – Ambassador Carson

15 MAY 2015



GUEST COLUMN

By Johnnie Carson
Washington, DC — Senior diplomat/analyst outlines a program to mend frayed American relations with Africa's most populous nation and largest economy.

As Nigeria prepares for a democratic transition of presidential power on May 29, the United States needs to act fast, wisely and comprehensively to strengthen relations by reaching out to the new government of President-elect Muhammadu Buhari.

Nigeria's elections were a political triumph for its people and for the future of democracy across sub-Saharan Africa. There was widespread apprehension that the elections would undermine stability, that there would be violence, that Boko Haram insurgents would disrupt voting, that those displaced by violence would not be able to vote and that new voting technology would lead to chaos and confusion at the polls.

None of these things happened. Nigeria probably conducted the best elections in its 55 years of independence.

Although Nigeria faces a number of challenging problems, it is by far the most important country in Africa and the continent's leading economic and commercial powerhouse. With an output of more than 2.2 million barrels of petroleum a day, Nigeria is Africa's largest oil and gas producer and the sixth largest global oil exporter. In West Africa, Nigerian companies dominate the banking, insurance, transportation, telecommunications and manufacturing sectors. Its seaports in Lagos, Calabar and Port Harcourt serve large parts of West Africa.

The success of the elections has also raised Nigeria's political profile. It has now held five successive multi-party democratic elections and is enjoying the longest period of civilian rule since independence. It has a vibrant civil society, which helped ensure the success of the recent elections, a free and lively media and a rich blend of Muslim and Christian cultures.

More importantly, with a population of 180 million, it is Africa's largest democracy -- and the sixth largest democracy in the world.

Relations between Abuja and Washington have frayed over the past two years, largely over security issues and differences over the handling of Boko Haram.

Nigerian officials were deeply upset when Washington refused to permit the sale of American-built Cobra helicopters from Israel to the Nigerian military. They also complained about lack of intelligence sharing and U.S. reluctance to supply training and equipment. Earlier, the Nigerians felt snubbed by President Obama's decision not to visit Nigeria during his July 2013 swing through Africa.

On the U.S. side, officials at both the State Department and the Defense Department were exasperated with President Goodluck Jonathan for his reluctance to appoint competent military commanders, to deal with growing levels of corruption in the army and to adopt a more effective and comprehensive security and economic revitalization strategy to deal with Boko Haram.

American officials were also concerned about growing levels of corruption across government, especially in the oil sector, as well as the government's failure to move forward with a new law sought by American energy companies to help jump-start new international investment in Nigeria's energy sector.

President-elect Buhari has already indicated that he wants to establish a better relationship between Abuja and Washington, especially in the security arena. In an editorial page article in the New York Times on April 14, Mr. Buhari said: "My administration would welcome the resumption of a military training agreement with the United States, which was halted during the previous (Jonathan) administration."

Now is the time for the United States to move fast to reciprocate. Over the next six months, here are 10 ceremonial and substantive actions the United States should take.

1. President Obama should stop over in Nigeria when he visits East Africa in July.

Strengthening democratic institutions has been the administration's number one priority in sub-Saharan Africa. President Obama is slated to visit Kenya, a longstanding economic, democratic and security partner, and Ethiopia, an important security partner whose democratic and human rights performance has been strongly criticized in the international community. It would be deeply troubling for many Nigerians to see Africa's largest democracy snubbed at this important moment in its history.

2. President Obama should send a high level delegation to President Buhari's inauguration in Abuja on May 29.

Ideally, this delegation should be led by Vice President Joe Biden, who engaged with both President Jonathan and with president-elect Buhari in the run-up to the presidential election. If he is unable to go, Secretary of State John Kerry, National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson or Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack should lead the delegation, which should include senior officials from several cabinet departments, including the Department of Defense.

3. President Obama should formally invite President Buhari for an official visit soon.

If the White House does not send an appropriately high delegation to the inauguration in Abuja, an official visit takes on greater urgency.

4. Washington should reinvigorate and elevate the U.S.-Nigerian strategic dialogue established by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

This dialogue should be placed on the same plane as those with India, Brazil and China, with Secretary Kerry leading the U.S. meeting in Washington and Deputy Secretary Antony Blinken leading subsequent meetings.

5. The administration should deepen commercial and trade ties between Nigeria and the U.S.

It needs to build off of the successful U.S.-Africa business summit of 2014, and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, who has shown great interest in Africa, should be encouraged to travel to Nigeria with American business leaders and investors. Americans and Nigerians should organize high-level trade and investment conferences in Nigeria.

ShymmexOBE:
Too early, too green, and lacks the charisma/eloquence/brain to win the people over, anyway.

Who will vote for a Blairite that's more or less ToriesLite in his outlook, especially with how messed up the Labour Party is right now? The party's traditional base is in disarray, while they also need to appeal to more English voters - since they have lost Scotland completely. Ditto how confused the whole party is right now with no direction and no ideas on what to actually embrace - traditional left or ideals of new Labour which is ToriesLite. And minorities in the UK are inconsequential in determining election (esp black people who make up just 3% and over 60% of eligible/registered black voters don't even vote).

Even if he were to win Labour's leadership, white people out here won't vote for a nyggah. They don't even want a black person to read prime time news, why would they want a black person to be the PM? Folks don't even know how racist the UK is. Yes, they smile with you and act all fake, but once you turn ya back, these folks might actually be the most racist folks on the planet. They already gave folks London, everything else is non-negotiable and they will always remind you in a subtle way. Chuka was just wasting his time before and Labour was also about to self-destruct. Good that both woke up at the right time.

Concerning the primary focus of this thread; I would have absolutely no qualms supporting his candidacy if he was contesting certain other offices (my local constituency or as member of the shadow cabinet). For reasons of self-preservation, however, his current foray does not have my support.

Lest I be misunderstood; it would not matter to me if it were David Lamming, Diane Abbot, or any of the other long standing BME MPs, who put themselves forward. Britain is not the USA - so the idea of nominating a party leader drawn from an ethnic minority group, is premature at this stage.

Mogidi:
No attempt at answering the questions eh?
Here they are in case you missed it first time.

Why can't we have new leaders in this country?

Why can't we have fiscal federalism?

Why can't this country be regionalized?

Where do you see yourself in this country tomorrow?

Whynotthetruth:


I just spoke to your spirit now...Yes, I may not react simply the way he reacted but beyond that spontaneous reaction lies the pains of injustice, marginalization, treachery and blackmail.... Look at the other side of that event bro

2015: Why I’m Not Supporting Jonathan- Amaechi…Blasts Uduaghan, Okonjo-Iweala

September 19, 2013

[img]http://ireports-ng.com/wp-content/themes/goodnews47/framework/scripts/timthumb.php?src=http://ireports-ng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Amaechi-being-decorated.jpg&h=275&w=599&zc=1[/img]

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum(NGF), Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has fired back at the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan over their comments on the nation’s economy and South-South support for President Jonathan, respectively.

Governor Amaechi stated that the Nigerian economy is battling to survive contrary to the rosy picture been painted by the Finance Minister. According to him, the Federal Government is yet to pay fully the Rivers State allocation for the month of July.

Amaechi spoke at a programme organized by the Rotary International, District 9140 for young future leaders at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Thursday.

On Governor Uduaghan’s remarks that opposition to President Goodluck Jonathan should not come from the President’s South-South region, Governor Amaechi stated that he considers Nigeria’s national interest far and above any other (regional) interest.

This was as he challenged young men and women to become interested in governance issues and demand and get responses from those in government.

He bemoaned the fact that those fighting a just cause were being maligned on the altar of public criticism, stating also that Nigerians suffer from not asking relevant questions.

“When you are principled in Nigeria and you stand on your principles, what do they call you? ‘Stubborn’, the audience chorused. “They expect you to compromise at a point but when you refuse to compromise, you are a very stubborn man”.

“We(NGF) asked the Minister for Finance to resign if she is not able to manage the economy and she replied that ‘I dey kampe’. As at now, we are yet to receive complete, the federation allocation for July. How strong is an economy that cannot fund its statutory state government federal allocation? Our entitlement as Rivers State Government in July was N19 billion, they have paid us only N14 billion, you get the point? Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) published receipt of N1.05 trillion in July, so why do they say that there is no money? If we receive N1.05 trillion by July, why are they saying there is no money”? , he queried.

“Now, why am I saying this to you? I am saying it because as potential leaders, you must learn to ask questions. If you think that the youths spur me, you don’t, you don’t inspire me. Why don’t you inspire me? Because you are learning to be like us. Let me paint the image of us – corrupt, poor leadership, that’s what you are copying…”

“We produce oil and we are one of the poorest nations in the world, are we not? Which nation would allow a Commissioner of Police like (Joseph) Mbu to continue to be Commissioner of Police other than in Nigeria? ‘Iraq, Syria’, the crowd chorused. “Maybe, Syria. So, you see our peers: Syria, Iraq, Pakistan. I am sharing experiences with you before I talk about the issue of leadership.”

“Now, I read today’s paper and my friend (Governor Emmanuel) Uduaghan (of Delta State) says anybody who is from South-South should not oppose our President, should not have a different view from our president. Did you read it? I will reply him but let me start replying him from here. First, I am a Nigerian… The reason why you have South-South, South-West, South-East, South this, North-West, North that, is because in Nigeria what you have in leadership is a wreck culture. I would have brought you a book titled ‘It’s our turn to eat’ in Kenya. In Nigeria, it should be what, ‘It’s our turn to chop’.

“Now the reason why you have this South-West, South-East, North-West, North this, North that and all that is because you have a wreck culture where all we care about is how to share the till… So, South-South has shared for four years, how many of you have benefitted from the sharing for four years, raise your hand, how many of you, ‘none’, ” the crowd again chorused. “So none. How many of you passed through East-West road, how was the road”. “Bad”, they again chorused. “And our President is from South-South, so you see why I should support the President? ”No ooo”, the crowd chorused again.

“So, the basic rule is that none of us should oppose our President if you are from South-South, that is what the man(Uduaghan) tells us…”

He urged the youths to arm themselves with education to revive Nigeria which is comatose, expressing sadness that the country’s poverty rate has risen to an unbearable level where many Nigerians hardly get enough to eat.

“Now for you as young men and women, we present you a nation that is yearning for repair. For me, the nation does not only need repair, it requires change.”

“In 1970, the poverty rate in Nigeria was 30 per cent. How many of you know the poverty rate now? I was in a meeting where I said it was 70%, the Minister of Finance said it was 68%. What’s the difference between 68 and 70? So, we are giving you a nation that is in the state of comatose, that’s what we are handing over to you.”

“If it is a nation that is progressing, from 30% in 1970, we should be talking about 15% now. So you have work to do and the first step to that work is education”, Amaechi said.

He explained that his administration introduced free education in the state to afford everyone, particularly poor parents the opportunity of sending their children to school, lamenting that the cost of education in the country had denied education to most Nigerians. Governor Amaechi also used the occasion to commend Rotary International for complementing state governors in the fight against polio.

Earlier, the District Governor of Rotary International District 9140, Dr Charles Oniawan said Rotary unites people from all nationalities and backgrounds, saying that the programme was designed to give the youth leadership skills to serve the people and humanity. Among those present at the event was former Rivers State Deputy Governor in Dr Peter Odili’s administration, Sir G.T.G. Toby who is a former District Governor of Rotary International.

Whynotthetruth:



I don't actually get your point at all...because in all you never answered my question...
I don't know you and I am not here to make friends par say but to rob minds on cogent issues...I am not here to discuss persons either...
Anybody can claim anything online...lots of e-billionaire, e-professors, e-musicians etc...I am not bordered nor interested...

so bro, grow up and learn to concentrate on issues of discussion not persons...

Go back and discuss the topic of thread or if you don't see the need; then kindly take your leave quietly...that's maturity... thanks

Whynotthetruth:

What's the correlation between that post now and his insistence on justice for all?...Did he say that corrupt officials should not be probed?...those rejoicing and dancing this mad dance of shame would cry tomorrow...those who train the tiger most times ends in its belly too....selective justice will hurt you too...

PassingShot:


Except you're in control of the archive. If not, he will soon delete the remaining of his previous posts as he did in the past.

francizy:
Are you guys naturally childish or just born to never grow sense? Face topic and stop attacking the guy for once in your life. It's not a must to comment and then show rhe whole world how ill-manered you are. Same thing you goons called Orubebe names for is what you're doing here.

**spits**

Demdem:


Protection seeker is obviously shameless

barcanista:
Superior information modifies ones conviction and shape position. Your allegation holds no water...

Face topic!

barcanista:
As a pro-GEJ, this needs thorough investigation. I implore Goodluck to appoint independent foreign auditors of proven track records to investigate NNPC's books.

I also appeal to Nigerians not to heat up the polity but patiently wait to see what action Mr President will take.


This is not about PDP/APC/Amaechi/Goodluck, this is about our common wealth and our future.

barcanista:

Prior to July this year, the PDP and Jonathanian goons led by sincere9gerian held sway on this forum. They were infamous for posting annoying and propaganda pro-Jonathan articles , they deceived forumites to believe that the country is progressing under Jonathan's administration. They abused freely The APC and General Muhammadu Buhari with tales and propaganda. Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not spared, neither was Amaechi and Fashola spared. In fact, their propaganda articles made frontpage to the disgust of the Progressives and patriots.They abused Mallam Sanusi for exposing the missing $20 billion, and even condemned Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Kano Emirate for crowning Sanusi Emir. They are known with their GEJ till 2019 slogan. Led by the once vibrant Sincere9jerian, Taharqa, Tomakint, banega, gboliwe and others. As at their time of reign they seem untouchable, indefatigable and unshakable.

There came a time when they surrendered to the sincerity and intelligence prowess of the APC Nairalanders. The Progressives not only exposed their principal Jonathan and the PDP to be a fraud, but also successfully cut them to size. Hardly will you find Sincere9gerian comment on a thread, taharqa have gone exile, Tomakint is on guest mode, Mogidi and phockphockman are trolling, Idumose is confused so is descartes.

The APC forced the admin to fire Ngwakwe from his mod position. Thanks to the Progressives, Visitors, Nigerians and other forumites are now aware who the APC is and what the party represents. Thanks to the progressives that brought to light the cluelessness and fraud of the PDP led government. Today, General Buhari's popularity on this forum is soaring. Thanks to the progressives for bringing the Christians, Muslims, pagan, yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Fulani, Ijaw, Berom etc under one family- APC. The APC forced the some of the loud Jonathanians to be hiding under the cloak of "neutrality".

Together we silenced those fraudulent Jonathanians, together we shall send the President and his PDP packing in 2015 and together we shall return General Muhammadu Buhari to Aso Rock in 2015. Yes! We Can.

Special Thanks to: Gbawe Donphilopus Omenka Berem Omoreminder101 Obiagelli Arewanationz caseless egift keneking Rawani koboko69 ibnsultan neenar/neena anago90/900/90000 and every other progressive-not forgeting the one and only demdem


Long Live The APC
#Barcanista

owobokiri:
If he is put under house arrest for being a big threat not just to the economy but the state with all his uncouth outbursts (and you know he did reaa damage with those open letters) and his deputy told to take over till june, what will your likes do other than to go to premium times and sahara reporters to moan and whine as usual? ACN memebers of APC would even abandon their suport for him pronto since his deputy might be from the sw as clannish traits take over. His fulani royal heritage is getting into his small brain but who cares apart from those who want to? Two sitting sultans were disgraced in this country and nothing happened. Before then, tales have it that the sun wont set if you do as much as look into the face of a sultan.. Go figure. Blame GEJ for his calm approach otherwise this guy would have gone by now if a tougher character is at the helm..