jay bee:

Another tales by moonlight. They should perhaps start concentrating on the far much important 7 point agenda

Erstwhile National Vice Chairman (South) of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Olabode George, was picked up from his Asokoro, Abuja, home, in the early hours of today, by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

When our reporter contacted the spokesman of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, he confirmed the arrest. According to Babafemi, “Bode George was arrested this morning, following his return from an overseas trip in connection with the investigation by the anti-graft body of his tenure as chairman of the NPA board.

George had boasted last weekend upon his return from overseas trip that nobody could arrest him and that he was not wanted by any anti-corruption agency.

zillaxy:

I am not suprised at your comment. But surely you sound more inteeligent than that Governor Nyarko not minding whether or not he has been a Naval or Airman officer. Most in the The Nigerian Armed forces including officers got to where they are historically because of contacts and connections.

I will let ordinary folks on this forum try to listen to that Governor from Adamawa, you will be shocked. A friend actually calls me yesterday at this Northern Governors meeting on AIT. He should have been speaking his local dialects rather than English. He is pathethic, infact an illiterate and quite frankly a disgrace to Nigeria. If that is your Governor that makes you an idiot for calling southerners idiot

Compare that to Aliyu banbangida, he doesn't speak Queens English but very coherent, intelligent and thoughtful. Although I am not surprised because he went to proper school and got a PHD.

For the North to progress, you need a lot of Aliyu babangida- Niger state Governor.

You will find that your comment is the one that is stupid once you have the opportunity to watch Gov. Nyarko speaks like a drunkard. He is the one with  2 'first ladies' attending diffrent functions.

That smarts isn't it.
***
Vigasimple,

unfortnately your reply makes me believe (by your own criteria) that you are pathetic, speak like a drunkard and should be speaking your local dialect rather than English. your english in that reply simply cannot be judged by any to be up to standard.

if you knew anything about the armed forces, you would know that no kind of connection would get you to the most senior rank. secondly, Nyako joined the military long before Nigeria succrumbed to the politics of 'i know who'. (At this point i would also like to add that you and everyone in your town only got your jobs because of connections,  see how silly that sounds?)

what, i have to say, i have always found curious about southerners is their belief that one's ability to speak english is somehow a determinant of their ability to govern or even prosper in life (now, that really IS the definition of pathetic).

you speak so highly of the Niger state governor, do you realise that about two months ago he awarded Nyako with the highest award bestowable by a state governor for Nyako's 'outstandable performance as a former governor of Niger state'?

Nyako does not speak english so your 'super-charged, southern intelligent brain' could never comprehend that.  

But remember my friend, those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. when you learn that 'very coherent, intelligent and thoughtful' way of speaking english after you attend 'proper school and get a PHD' come back here and critisize.

In the mean time, can you please tell us what makes Nyako a bad governor rather than why his english is such a disgrace to this country?

(by the way, i have heard him speak english several times on TV and other than his very thick fulani accent, it sounded a HELL of a lot better than yours,  no offence meant). not that it was (or would ever be) my criteria for voting in a governor.

idupaul:

nothing mysterious there, any off the shelf bulk SMS client application will pull of that stunt easily, they all have the ability to clone or replicate any number or logo inserted. so twas even a cheap scam, please for us to avoid such we only need to know that ANY THING 2 GOOD 2 BE TRUE AIN'T TRUE. chikena.

Wave making musician, D’banj, is one of the hottest musicians in the country today. The crooner seems to have a lot of fans and followers who would give an arm and, even, two legs to touch him.

Everywhere he goes, it seems as if the Koko master is always drawing attention. And indeed, the crooner drew more than enough attention in Lagos recently during a courtesy visit to the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riwan Akiolu.

As D’banj was leaving the palace, fans were already waiting for him. They didn’t give him a breather at all.

Probably to identify with them and to appreciate their love, D’banj stood in his chauffeur driven jeep and brought out his head from the open roof car.

The crowd almost ate him raw, but the crooner didn’t seem to mind as he started distributing his CDs to the over excited crowd.

But even as some people wanted to get a copy of the CD, more of them wanted to help themselves to the expensive accessories the crooner adorned himself with.

The crowd intensified, D’banj kept sharing his Cds. It was not up until his expensive designer sunglasses was snatched off his face that the crooner stopped being ‘Father Chritmas.’

“Wey my glasses? They have taken my glasses!” Was all he could say as one of the passengers of the jeep quickly pulled him down and they zoomed off

Armed robbers invaded the palace of the paramount ruler of Okuku community in Odo-Otin area of Osun State, Oba Oyebode Oluronke II, early on Friday, carting away property valued at over N1 billion.

The attack underscored a rise in the number of attacks on monarchs in the state as some palaces, which included that of the Olobaagun of Obaagun in Ifelodun Local Government Area, have been attacked lately. It was gathered that the king was wounded on the hand during the attack, even as he was said to be receiving medical treatment when our correspondent visited the palace on Friday.

The Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who is from one of the royal families of Okuku, has promised an undisclosed reward for anyone with information that could help track down the invaders. Oyinlola, who spoke through his Special Assistant and Chief Press Secretary, Mr Lasisi Olagunju, described the attack as unfortunate. Oluronke, who expressed shock over the attack, said the value of the cash and properties stolen by the hoodlums was above N1 billion.

A palace source told our correspondent that the robbers, numbering 12, gained access into the palace through the gate and a window in the toilet overlooking the road. It was gathered that the hoodlums tied the security guards at the gates before storming the king’s apartment, where they carted his staff of office, traditional costumes, 10 beaded crowns, ancient beads, feathers, cowries, and several other artefacts. Two new cars belonging to the king were stolen by the hoodlums but one of them, a Toyota Camry, was recovered in neighbouring Inisa after the car’s security device had immobilised it.

The police have taken custody of the car, which was recovered at the Railway Crossing in Inisa, on Friday morning. An indigene, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “They (armed robbers) came in a convoy of four vehicles. After gaining entry into the king’s apartment, the robbers descended on all the artefacts in sight. They stole the ancient robe worn by Okuku kings during coronation. We, indigenes, have decided to invoke the spirit of our forebearers on the robbers because they have come to desecrate our land. They shall all perish in seven days. The robbers came around 2.30a.m and they operated for more than an hour before they left the palace and headed for the Inisa – Ikirun route.”

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun State Command, Mr Joshua Olayemi, said no suspect had been arrested but assured that detectives were working round the clock to track down the robbers. It was gathered that the attack on the Olokuku had sent fears into the circle of traditional rulers in the state.

Central Bank (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has blamed northern elites and their leaders for the crippling poverty ravaging the northern states, just as the Minister for Special Duties, Elder Godsday Orubebe, said that the problem in the Niger Delta should be blamed on lack of political will on the part of past leaders.
Prof Soludo, who spoke while delivering a lecture entitled "Banking Reforms in Nigeria" at the 2008 Arewa Inspirational Leadership award in Kaduna yesterday said that with the level of affluence in the north, the region has no reason to lag behind other parts of the country in terms of developmental efforts.

He said that the lack of interest displayed by northern elites towards the socio-economic development of the region is largely responsible for the "crippling poverty" and acute under development in the area.

The CBN governor, whose utterances drew loud applause from the audience at the lecture, argued that this lackadaisical attitude of the Northern elites and their lack of interest towards investing in viable economic ventures is responsible for the region trailing others in almost every aspect of life.

He said Nigeria has become a Northern phenomenon as each of the 19 states in the region exhibited incidences of poverty ranging between 60 and 95 percent, adding that the crippling poverty in the region had assumed the dimension of a national crisis just like the problems in the oil-rich but troubled Niger Delta region.

He stressed that only an inclusive developmental process in which the North could compete favourably with the other parts of the country on the same pedestal would ensure that Nigeria realized its dream of being part of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020.

While urging Northern elites to pick up the challenge by striving to bring the region to same level of development with other parts of the country, he also asked them to pull resources together to enhance development in the north.

"You’ll realize that I have not talked about banking sector but just one last word on that. I will not talk about the universal, national or global bank. Within this hall, I can see some members of the elite from the North and I throw this as a challenge.

"The poverty in your respective villages, what have you done about it? How many micro-finance banks have you set up in your states? Don’t say it’s N25billion, it’s just N20million.

"With N20million, you set up one microfinance bank and this can empower hundreds of people within your community. What I do say to people when they approach me and talk about banks, I ask the person, first do you have a microfinance bank in your village? N20million is all it takes.

"You mobilize other people around, not only one person. But if you want to set it up alone, you can. I know there are people who can bring say about one billion naira and set up microfinance banks with branches throughout the state.

. "But if you put together about 12 to 15 states in the North, they are not up to a number that you find in one state in the South. There is something that is in that for you the elite.

"We must take the issue of poverty reduction very seriously. Government can only do little but the bulk of it remains with the rest of us, the elites.

"There is probably no better time for us to declare, if you like, I don’t want to call it an emergency, but to say that we really need to focus attention on the Northern economy.

"I’ve said this because if you look at the entire country, by the last census, if you put the entire North together, it constitutes over 50 per cent or thereabout, a higher percentage of people because development is about people.


"But if you look at all the indications of development, what constitutes today the North seems to be lagging far behind that the gaps seem to have even widened.

"I have also listened to the presentation on the Niger Delta which is a major national challenge but permit me to argue that crippling poverty in the North is as much a national crisis as that of the Niger Delta.," Soludo said

In his remarks, the Minister of Special Duties, Elder Godsday Orubebe blame the nation’s past leaders for the rising crisis in the Niger Delta.

He said the current crisis in the Niger Delta got to the worsening level it was now due to the lack of political will on the part of the past leadership of the country to frontally tackle the problem and address the agitations of the people of the area.

Also speaking, former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu wants more allocation to Lagos state from the federation account, as the most populated state in the country to enable her cope with the challenges imposed on it by such a situation.

Executive Director of the Northern Development Initiative (NDI) organisers of the lecture, Abdul Ahmed Isiaq said that it purpose for organizing the lecture/ awards was "informed by a deep sense of history, a balance view of the present and a clear perspective of what the future ought to be."

McKren:

Guys this is not about anybody being afriad of anybody

Soludo has been under attack from all those who want to oust him by all means merely because he is doing his job right. Now that they are having difficulties beating him down professionally, they have resolved to misconstrue what Soludo said that was rather an honest economic statement to have ethinic connotations.

And unfortunately people are simply fanning the flames that makes this cladenstine objective worthwhile. The current administration is a northern administration. Pitting Soludo against the North might just be very effective at removing him from office, this is what this is all about.

Central Bank (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has blamed northern elites and their leaders for the crippling poverty ravaging the northern states, just as the Minister for Special Duties, Elder Godsday Orubebe, said that the problem in the Niger Delta should be blamed on lack of political will on the part of past leaders.

Prof Soludo, who spoke while delivering a lecture entitled "Banking Reforms in Nigeria" at the 2008 Arewa Inspirational Leadership award in Kaduna yesterday said that with the level of affluence in the north, the region has no reason to lag behind other parts of the country in terms of developmental efforts.

He said that the lack of interest displayed by northern elites towards the socio-economic development of the region is largely responsible for the "crippling poverty" and acute under development in the area.

The CBN governor, whose utterances drew loud applause from the audience at the lecture, argued that this lackadaisical attitude of the Northern elites and their lack of interest towards investing in viable economic ventures is responsible for the region trailing others in almost every aspect of life.

He said Nigeria has become a Northern phenomenon as each of the 19 states in the region exhibited incidences of poverty ranging between 60 and 95 percent, adding that the crippling poverty in the region had assumed the dimension of a national crisis just like the problems in the oil-rich but troubled Niger Delta region.

He stressed that only an inclusive developmental process in which the North could compete favourably with the other parts of the country on the same pedestal would ensure that Nigeria realized its dream of being part of the 20 largest economies in the world by the year 2020.

redsun:

The Ehimea chap should be used as anti theft and fraud analyst for banks and financial institutions instead of been thrown in jail.He will play more useful parts in helping to check subsequent financial crimes than languish in nigeria HELL houses,called jails.

He is a product of the corrupt system,all he did was just try to be like the elders in his own ingenious ways,illegitimately getting rich and flaunting it legitimately without fear or reproach from the society,he is better than the politicians that directly sulk the people's blood.Some times people tend to forget that somebody like lucky igbinedion is a crude blood sucking thief,they are the kingpins,but when people see them,they start praising and shivering,dobale,alaye,bullshit.

Pepeye:

Well spoken Sky blue but you seem to be missing the point here, when we place city beautification side by side with healthcare, food, housing, job creation and so on there should be a scale of preference; l sincerely think that city beautification is secondary. Now let’s assume Fashola actually succeeds in turning the city into Paris- investors ain’t going to still come down when there is still high crime perpetuated by the displaced people.

Fashola should be advised to embark on wealth creation for Lagosians, and then beautification will easily come on with an empowered person. He ought to first delve into the root of the problem of Lagosians, One thing leads to the other; abject poverty obviously led to the squalor. Fashola should address the root of this problem, Let him stop chasing shadows, he should create value for the system, ensure that people-oriented programs are embarked upon; and then this his much-touted beautification exercise will naturally fall in place.

Of course no one is quarrelling with city beautification exercise, but just as Wole Soyinka posited; “A Tiger does not need to proclaim its Tigeritude!”

So much for his “Eko O ni Baje!” -That is not all, how is Fashola to address the crime rates of the displaced populace, bad roads, education, healthcare delivery.

Prioritization is the issue here. The question is what place does he have for the poor, and vulnerable in his state in the scheme of this beautification exercise. A lot of these people are yet still groaning under the weight this administration. What is Fashola’s blue print for their welfare and well being. Please l am yet to know of a good leader who made it without putting the people’s welfare and interest first.

Finally Sky Blue it is cronies like you who turn leaders into tyrants. Why get so easily swayed away by the pretentious moves of maverick politicians-

Truequest:

Even with no money in the pocket some of us like to play the big
shots aside that why shouldn't Nigerians be using coins, rather,
we round off every transaction to the nearest note.

Kobojunkie:

I believe Ow11 is right.

vigasimple:

As I predicted yesterday, there was plenty peppersuyaing and big stouting at david mark's residence.

In the next few days and weeks we shall be seeing 'solidarity' visits from ghana must go bag carriers for 'blessing monies' for spiritual and traditional mentors

The bible said that ' when the foundation is shaky what will the righteous do'


As things stand it appears that there are very few righteous men remain in Nigeria let alone in the political system.

diggler:

Even Rule of law has limits

As u all should know.

Besides i wouldnt say it would be good 4 d polity as it were if mark was booted out.

Cos in my opinion he seems to be handling d senate quite well (based on some warped standards sha)

Depilot:

@poster, where did you get the info from

desgiezd:

What happened to the two disputed local governments areas where elections were ordered to be re-conducted by the tribunal. I hope they havent done their wuruwuru again.