₦airaland Forum

Are there not worse looking viewing centers in Lagos. Poor people no dey watch football for your place. Stop insulting them as if the southwest is better. A lot of cities in the SW will lag behind jos.

President Goodluck Jonathan has presented the proposed 2012 budget that excludes allocations for fuel subsidy to the joint session of the National Assembly in a brief presentation ceremony on Tuesday afternoon. 

Jonathan described the proposed budget as "a stepping-stone to the transformation of our economy and country in our walk to economic freedom".

The proposed 2012 budget stands at N4.749 Trillion, six percent higher than the 2011 N4.48 trillion budget.

Although he avoided mentioning the planned fuel subsidy removal, insights into the budget indicate that Jonathan has overruled the House of Representatives’ objection to the subsidy removal.

There was no allocation in the budget for fuel subsidies, indicating that subsidies paid by the FG on petrol will end with 2011.

I listen to the man. That guy is good. We need people like that in this country.

The Middle Belt is a human geographical term designating the region of central Nigeria populated largely by minority ethnic groups and stretching across the country longitudinally. The Middle Belt is indeterminate in that it lacks designated "borders" and is charactized by a heterogeneity and diversity of peoples and cultures. The eminence of manifold minority groups to some degree constitutes an ethno-linguistic barrier in the country, drawing a separation between the principally Islamic North and the more secular, Christian/animist south. The region is a convergence of these cultural domains and maintains a tremendous degree of ethno-linguistic diversity, with languages of the Afro-Asiatic, Nilo-Saharan, and Niger–Congo families, three of the primary African language groups, all being spoken.
Minorities in Nigeria tend to be dominated by the three largest ethnic groups, the Hausa of North and the Igbo and Yoruba of the South; the result in the Middle Belt is occasional political unity and solidarity amongst these highly differentiated peoples, an example being the United Middle Belt Congress that emerged following Nigeria's independence from Britain in 1960.
Areas of Nigeria which are generally referred to as belonging to the Middle Belt are: Kwara State, Kogi State, Benue State, Plateau State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Adamawa State and Taraba State. Also included are the southern parts of Kaduna State, Zuru area of Kebbi State, Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro areas of Bauchi State, Tangale and Waja areas of Gombe State and the southern parts of Borno State (Biu area).
However, the definition of the Middle Belt areas are subject to great debate due to the presence of significant number of ethnic Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri groups. In addition, the Yoruba of Kwara and Kogi have a strong affinity with the larger Yoruba body and frequently prefer not to be associated with the Middle Belt identity.

The civil war was unfortunate.It was not the fault of the MB.it was not a war btw Biafra and MB. Ojukwu thought he could fight the entire country, it was unnecessary and a futile attempt. Wars generally are either won or lost. Biafra lost. Accept it and stop replaying it. MB has emerged. Even if Nigeria stops to exist the MB will make a prosperous and a beautiful country.

Senate President David Mark has quietly become a heavy political weight, thanks to the recent political history of Nigeria. Therefore, to say that the Idoma ex-military general has been eyeing the presidency is an understatement. The man was said to have come very close to his goal while in Khaki. He is presently the longest serving senator in the nation’s history. The presidential bid of the Senate President is now an open secret within the political landscape. It has become the major topic of gossip and low tone discussions at all important gatherings across the country.  But, Mark doesn’t look unaware of the situation.

In     recent times, the Senate President makes comments that are only expected of activists or those that lean a bit to the left. For instance, unlike Mark who was always     perceived as being pro-establishment, he is slow in giving absolute support for the removal of fuel subsidy. To show his solidarity with the people, Mark willingly allowed for a probe into fuel subsidy management, rather than cajole senators to support an outright removal of the policy. Labour leaders are becoming more comfortable in dealing with the nation’s number three man rather than the Aso Villa on issues of fuel subsidy removal.

Another popular issue of recent was the N18,000 minimum wage for civil servants. At a time when governors were battling labour leaders over payment of the new wages, Mark decided to take sides with labour, insisting that government must honour the new law. At several fora the Senate President spoke in support of the position of the organized labour on the matter, at some point Mark almost justified a looming strike. This show of solidarity may not be coming free because support of the labour organisations is key in running a successful presidential campaign in the country.

More than all the comments, Mark’s recent display of the country’s sovereignty in the face of western attacks on anti-gay law has endeared him to many Nigerians.

It’s been long since the people were reminded of the importance of independence from western neo-colonialists who poke their noses in our affairs. The statement by Mark that Nigeria cannot be forced into dumping its norms and traditions by some western donors have raised his profile as a public office holder. In a rare show of resonance, Mark told England and America off over the gay right issue.

As if that wasn’t enough, Mark did not leave anyone in doubt that he possesses the experience and character to deal with national issues when he took the stage at the recent Arewa Conference for Peace and Unity. He challenged his northern brothers on why they had been silent on the Boko Haram crisis.   Many now recall his days as that no nonsense military officer that made things work in Niger State. The Senate President’s actions and comments in recent days have succeeded in sustaining the discussions of his possible bid for presidency by 2015.

Aside comments and actions, Mark is also beginning to correct one of the major lapses that many observers said were going to be his albatross, in case he decides to run for president. More than ever before, Mark is forging closer ties with politicians from all over the North. As an indigene of one of the ‘peripheral’ northern states, Mark requires close ties with politicians in the ‘core’ northern states to be able to achieve his dream.

To actualise that, the Senate President recently appointed two politicians to occupy important positions in his office. Senator Anthony Manzo from North East is made Chief of Staff while Senator Mujitaba Malam from North West is now the Political Adviser to Mark. This is perceived by several political observers as moves by the Senate President to entrench his structures all over the North.

Senators have since begun to strategise for the Mark 2015 project. A senator recently told this reporter that the majority of the lawmakers are only waiting for the right time to commence campaign for their ‘boss’.

According to him “as far as we are concerned in the Senate, we already have a candidate to support for president in 2015. The Senate President is most experienced politician now in the country and sentiments aside, I think it is time we have somebody that can do the job.” It is, however, not going to be a smooth sail for the veteran senator.

His biggest challenge will come from a possibility of President Jonathan seeking a second term. Though the President is said to have agreed to a single term agreement, in politics no accord is sacrosanct. The 1999 Constitution doesn’t bar President Jonathan from contesting. Another obstacle will come in the mode of zoning. Coming from North Central, the ruling PDP may favour one of the two other northern zones for the presidency.

Then there is the question of religious balance. The incumbent President is a Christian and there is likelihood that a Muslim is considered in order to avoid suspicion. But as a master strategist, Mark is likely to have a plan on how to tame the state chief executives. Apart from strategy, Sunday Trust learnt that former President Obasanjo is urging him on, assuring him of his support. This makes the Senate President the most formidable contender for the presidency.

Calling for urgent solutions, Mark raised puzzles on the failure of Northern leaders to openly take a stand on the Boko Haram menace and the continued backwardness of the region in education.

His words: “Will this conference avoid what may be regarded as sensitive issues and not discuss them? Will we be able to condemn current degree of insecurity in the North occasioned and heightened by Boko Haram? Are we afraid to openly condemn Boko Haram either for political reasons or out of fear of possible attack by the sect? How can we keep quiet when a group begins to propagate the ideology that Western education is Haram? Western education today remains the pivot of development.

“Have we forgotten that evil thrives when good men are silent? A Northerner killing a Northerner, a Northerner maiming a Northerner, a Northerner disrupting business activities in the North, a Northerner destroying properties in the North and so on and so forth cannot be helping the North by any stretch of imagination. Can this help Northern cause?”

He continued: “When is the North truly North? Is it when the interest of a few but vocal group is met? Is it when the interest of a select religious group is met? Is it when a section of the North is satisfied? Or is it when the interest of the common good of the North is addressed?

“Why has the North continued to lag behind in education? All available statistics show that in both literacy and numeracy, the North lags behind the South, and even within the North, there is much disparity between the zones and between states.

Is it that the states are not investing much in education? Is it that we are not providing basic infrastructure? Is it that we are not encouraging and mobilising the pupils to go to school? I am dwelling so much on education because I seriously believe that there is a linkage between education and development on the one hand and between peace and development on the other.

As a people who desire to live together, we are bound to have problems but we can overcome these if we are sincere. Sincerity of purpose, consistency, transparency and honesty are all necessary ingredients to ensure peace and coexistence in the North; sincerity on the part of our religious leaders. We must demonstrate this in words and in deeds, and we must show that we are serious about this. As leaders, we sometimes have to take decisions that are painful but necessary. We must be courageous even if we are threatened. Can we truly say that we have done this?”

Simple logic will help some of you who claim to be ignorant of the composition of Nigeria:
Is Nigeria divided in to North and South? No!
The civil war was it about the north and the south? No!
If Niger delta could carve an identity for themselves, why not middle belt.
The coup plot by Gideon Okah and the intended cutting-off of some northern states out if Nigeria indicates that the MB struggle has always been there.
The marginalization of the MB by the Core North indicates that the old Arewa no longer exist.
The case of kaduna north and kaduna south points to the same direction.
Would you consider David Mark, T. Danjuma, Jonah Jangling, Patrick Yakowa, Zamani Lekwot,Jerry Gana, Labaran Maku,Dumkat Bali, etc core northerners? Absolutely and obviously not.

The case the MB youth are trying to make is that whatever deal that brought us together as northerners has been broken.
We, just like the Niger delta believe that we have a unique identity different from that of the core north.

So call us names if you want. Both Gowon and OBJ fought against Biafra.and yet they are not all northerners. Just because Gowon was the head of state did not make him a core northerner.

When one is given birth to in aba, goes to school in aba and attends Abia state university and served in Enugu. That person can not claim he understands the complexity of the entity called Nigeria.

08034946427 and nitel 052256676

@ musiwa,
Let me take you back history lane:

The great man we know today as General Dr. Yakubu Gowon GCFR, PhD was born on 19th October 1934; the fifth of eleven  children born to a devout Christian Pastor and Preacher, Mallam Yohanna Gowon and Mama Saraya Kuryan Gowon, who  took pride in having been married on the same day as Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth the Mother, spouse of King George  VI.

But when it became absolutely clear and certain that it was impossible to save the corporate existence of his beloved Nigeria  without a fight, he went to war. Moving from Police action to full-scale war. The slogan: "To keep Nigeria One Is A Task That  Must Be Done" encapsulated the purpose of the struggle. By sheer act of Providence, his very name translated to the acronym  for the Nigeria Enterprise and Objectives -- GOWON -- GO ON WITH ONE NIGERIA.

When at the end of the war he pronounced "No Victor, No Vanquished," he truly meant it. It is to his
eternal credit that in spite  of great pressures, he stood his ground and refused to be vengeful. There were no trials, no executions. No legal encumbrances, and no political disabilities were imposed on any one, or on any parts of the country. Such magnanimity, such large heartedness  is unprecedented in the history of civil wars.

His reaction to those events showed his unique strength of character and fortitude, and his love of peace and country. In a  portion of the brief statement he made to the world press in Kampala, he said:
"From all indications, a new government had been established in Nigeria. I wish to state that I on my part have also accepted the  change and pledged my full loyalty to my nation, my country and the new government.

 · If General Gowon had been a duplicitous leader rather than a clean honest leader of true transparency in words, thought and  deed, a leader who is known to be incapable of dissembling, how would he have earned the trust of millions of his country men  and women who fought with him to save the country from disintegration?
 · If General Gowon had been a vengeful, unfeeling, unforgiving, malicious man, what colossal and irreversible mischief could he  not have unleashed against reconciliation and national togetherness in this country at the end of the civil war?
General Gowon is worthy of emulation and he merits our deepest and undying appreciation.

If the middlebelters were a single tribe, the battle line would have been drawn more clearly. But unfortunately, they are mostly minorities but put together, constitute a very large number. The Hausa Fulani community are one, on the other hand. It will be difficult for the middlebelters to be free without the help of southerners.Infact, it is the case of the Hausa fulanis against the entire country.

@nchara,
How is that a laughing matter. Do yo really understand the Nigerian Issue at all? Do you even knownthe real enemies of the igbos? The civil war was unfortunate.people fought without a clear understanding of what they were fighting for. Not just Gowon, middle belt, or hausas.Niger deltans, yorubas and the whole of Nigeria fought the igbos. But today, there is a new challenge before us. It is not Gowon that is the problem or his people. You need to find out who the real problem is from your history.I won't tell you who it is, but it is definitely not Gowon my friend.Shine your eyes.

Ibb did not even respond to the issues raised but started attacking the person of the minister. Such discourse should be issue- based and not be taken personal.

But objectively speaking, I think Labaran has some valid points. Nigeria actually started going down since IBB's time.

The federal government has blamed the nation’s economic woes on Ibrahim Babangida’s military administration.

The government said the country was yet to recover from the naira’s first devaluation in 1986, when former president Babangida introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP).

Information minister, Labaran Maku, who revealed this, said the country had since the devaluation faced high unemployment rate, crises in its educational sector as well as collapse of industries.

But in reacting to the accusation, Mr Babangida said the minister was suffering from “hallucination,” and was too “carried away with his saxophonist job to remember simple history.”

Mr Maku, who spoke at the flagship interview programme of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), tagged ‘NAN Forum,’ insisted that unemployment and falling standards in education, which began in 1986, have continued till date, leading to de-industrialization and social tensions.

He said the 1986 devaluation was also responsible for the problems in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country where unemployment has given birth to youth restiveness.

“Why has youth unemployment mounted? Because over the last 20 years, the economy has not grown, there has not been any manufacturing.

“Following the devaluation of the naira in 1986, by 1990, almost all the factories closed down in several places because Nigeria was a capital goods-importing country. So the moment you devalued the naira, the capacity to import the goods that we stored in our industries failed and so we entered a period of what I call de-industralisation.

“And de-industralisation means that all those that have been leaving school in the last 20 to 25 years have no jobs, because that devaluation of mid 1980s, in my opinion, led to the crisis in industry.”

Maku said prior to the devaluation, Nigeria was manufacturing goods, and had the Peugeot and Volkswagen assembly plants and was then moving towards local production.

He noted that with naira devaluation, the cost of capital goods went up and as such local manufacturing was no longer profitable as companies could not even sell at the value of manufacturing.

“So because we devalued our naira, the cost of capital goods went up, our industries crashed. Since that period up till now, Nigeria has been struggling, struggling; that is why we became a ‘Tokunbo’ nation.

“We were affording new cars before, but we have become a ‘tokunbo’ nation since that time because of this development,” he added.

“You had what we call the huge brain drain that has continued up to this moment and that brain drain affected the quality of education in our universities, in our polytechnics and higher institutions as well as other levels of education.

“That again created a new graduate class that no longer had the qualities of the 1970s in terms of training, in terms of capacity because the schools suffered also devaluation, so this compounded the problem.

“The entire workforce of the federal government, including the police, the paramilitary is not more than one million people and we are talking of a population of 167 million people, so the rest, where will they go,’ he queried.

The minister said, “In every country of the world, they (the unemployed) go into the private sector; into manufacturing, into industries; into the informal and formal sectors of the economy.”

But Babangida, through his media assistant, Kassim Afegbua, dismissed Maku as an unserious person with whom he would not join issues.

He asked: “Maku is just hallucinating. Did he (Maku) not criticise the proposed removal of fuel subsidy in 1988 as a student at the University of Jos?

“Does he maintain the same position today? Has he not shamelessly been saying removal of subsidy would be the best for the country against popular public opinion?”

Babangida said, “He can’t be serious. He is a product of double-speak just to keep his lousy job. We will certainly not join issues with him. He is too carried away with his saxophonist job to remember simple history.”

Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the former leader of Republic of Biafra passed away yesterday in a London hospital at the age of 78. Sahara reporters have confirmed with family members that he passed last night. More details to follow.

@kobojunkie,
You really got the scope. It was expected of book haram to denie their own or even eliminate them for obvious reasons.

It is the only way they could appear strong and still relevant.

Meanwhile, a volunteer counsel to the accused persons, C. I Nnemeka orally applied that Ndume be granted bail.  He also asked that he be allowed unhindered access to both accused persons. Ndume, who told the court that he is suffering from a prostrate illness, said he will require constant medical attention and medication. Prosecutor Osagie however said the SSS has adequate medical facilities and none of the accused persons had informed it of any medical ailment that was not treated.

Adjourning the case till December 6 for hearing, Magistrate Oyebola said it is expedient that the sentencing be put on hold until the determination of the other charges. She ordered that both accused persons be remanded in SSS custody, be given unhindered access to their counsel and be given appropriate medical attention.

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South Senatorial district, who was alleged by the State Security Service as a financier of the Boko Haram sect, has pleaded not guilty to the breach of official trust by disclosing information to unauthorized persons and criminals.

Ndume was arraigned today at a Chief Magistrate Court at Zone 2, Abuja, where he pleaded not guilty. While his accuser Sanda Umar Konduga the alleged Boko Haram spokesman pleaded guilty to a two-count charge of criminal intimidation and anonymous calls. Konduga has been convicted and sentenced to a nine-year jail term. He had allegedly confessed to having, on the orders of the Senator, sent threatening messages to different individuals in the past.

The Joint Task Force reportedly arrested 13 suspects in connection to the attacks that held in Damaturu and Maiduguri, the Yobe and Borno State capitals.

Nigerian Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, Arraigned On Terrorism Charges

The Nigerian senator detained in connection with links to islamic militant group Boko Haram appeared at an Abuja Magistrate court today to face terrorism charges.

The Peoples Democratic Party Senator, Mohammed Ali Ndume from Borno earlier confessed to knowing the spokesperson of the dreaded Boko Haram sect operating in the northeastern parts of Nigeria.

Senator Ndume represents Borno South Senatorial District at the Nigerian senate.




The Boko Haram spokesperson, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga, aka, "Usman Al-Zawahiri" was arrested and paraded in public yesterday by the Nigerian secret police, State Security Services (SSS).
He spoke openly about Senator Ndume's support in helping the group frame threat messages to various politicians and Nigerian officials via text messages.

The embattled senator was arraigned alongside the self-confessed spokesperson of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (A.K.A) Usman Al-Zawahiri at magistrate court Abuja.

 The court was still in session as at the time of filing this report, but state prosecutors said they will oppose any bail application for the senator.

http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/headlines/121973-nigerian-senator-mohammed-ali-ndume-arraigned-on-terrorism-charges.html

Niger State Governor, Dr.  Muazu Babangida Aliyu, on Saturday  warned  Muslims that  allegedly  engaged in suicide bombings in parts of the country  that they stand the risk of going to hell if they did not desist from the dastardly act,  because  Islam  forbids the taking of another person’s live  for unjust cause.

Aliyu , who gave the warning  the  at the 1st Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu  National Literary Colloquium with the theme “Building Intellectual Power to Fix Nigeria”, held  by the  Association of Nigeria Authors in Minna,  said that all disputes should be resolved in a peaceful manner instead of  embarking on ungodly  acts.

http://tribune.com.ng/sun/news/5626-suicide-bombers-will-go-to-hell-gov-aliyu

It is very likely that the girl is dead. we can't judge him, but the way he handled the rape saga suggests that he was part of the propaganda to protect the pepetrators. May we that are alive make peace with God before it is too late.

Sokoto. Took me a long search to locate an eatery ( Mr Biggs). An old State capital but has got nothing to show for it.

24hrs curfew has been imposed in kafanchan.Situation is under control.May God save this country from evil. Amen.

The statement reads: “The Tarraya Ekklisiyoyi Kristi A Nigeria; (Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Nigeria- TEKAN) has observed with deep concern the devilish activities of the dreaded Islamic sect called “Boko Haram” whose activities are gearing towards total elimination of Christians and Christianity in the northern part of this country, being the reason for incessant attack and killings of innocent law-abiding Christians in the North, particularly Christians of TEKAN family.

“Therefore, the TEKAN wishes to condemn the continuous killings of our members and other Christians in the North, especially North-East region. TEKAN may no longer accept the smooth talk show by both the respective states and federal government without any measurable political will to treat this evil virus that’s capable of tearing this country apart.

“TEKAN is calling on well-meaning Nigerians ahead of 2014 when Nigeria will be 100 years of her amalgamation to decide the possibility of our remaining together in the face of the Boko Haram activities that are no longer acceptable to many peace-loving Nigerians.

“TEKAN may no longer tolerate any further killings of her members and destruction of churches, properties by any agent of murder and destruction. TEKAN is calling on her members to remain calm and prayerful.

“We will follow events and whatever needs to be done will be done in coordination with the heavenly host under the captainship of our lord Jesus Christ. Christians may appear docile but when the time comes, even docile people may stand up like a mighty rock. Enough is enough.”

Meanwhile, the Yobe State branch of CAN has called on President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Ibrahim Geidam to work towards restoring normalcy to the state and ensure the protection of life and property of citizens, particularly of those who came to earn a living in the state.

The group said thousands of non-indigenes were relocating from the state to where they could be accommodated and accepted as Nigerians.

The state chairman of CAN, Reverend Garba Idi, said this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune in Damaturu, Yobe State capital.

According to him, since the crisis began, particularly in Jerusalem ward which is dominated by Christians and non-indigenes, many of them had chosen to leave the state.

The CAN chairman said 10 churches, 11 vehicles, seven motorcycles and one bicycle were burnt during the attack.

“So many Christians were killed and as I am talking to you now, some people are still calling us to say that they discovered the bodies of some of their missing relatives who were killed in the bush. We are not too comfortable with the security arrangements here,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Tony Ogah, a businessman in Damaturu, said he had been nursing the idea to leave the state because of so many issues which have to do with his faith as a Christian, adding that the crises in Yobe left him with no option but to leave and settle somewhere else.

While narrating her ordeal, Mrs Patriash Okoli said when the people came, “they shouted  Arne, Yanmiri, shege and they started shooting and burning, and before the police could come, they had killed so many people. I don’t know how I survived, but my friends were killed before my eyes. I was running into the bush on Bukar Abba University road and somehow I escaped.”

http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/30904-boko-haram-can-convenes-emergency-meeting-enough-is-enough-tekan-warns

@ AKambi,
You no get respect at all.That is CAN speaking and you know that they are right. Hope you are not a religious bigot?

Speaking in Lagos, yesterday, at the annual symposium on Christian unity, CAN National President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said the decision to remove oil subsidy was an inevitable painful pill to swallow. He argued that if the government can assure Nigerians that this exercise will not go the same way of past ones, then the country would be better for it.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/can-backs-fg-on-fuel-subsidy-removal/

Let's mark this Mark. He is going somewhere and I support him!

Any selection process conducted for nnpc by a consultant like phillipps consulting will usually bring out the best candidates as successful. The problem with that is that some of the top mgt people will not like it. They would want to be able to bring in their wards without merit.
I ask you all to pray so that the final results are not manipulated.
All this talk about mass failure is rubbish. The questions were easy enough for any true graduate or even ND graduates to do well.

''I have read with acatalectic disgust, governments asinine and puerile ratiocinations attempting to justiceate the proposed removal of subsidies from petroleum products.
It has asseverated that it's intentions is guided by the need to checkmate the odoriferous excesses of a machiavellian and mephistophelean cabal
and I have said to myself, , What a shame? What a self indicting admittal of the failure of governance?
What an hocus-pocus? What an anathematous disdain for it's citizenry?
Must the people now bear the brunt for governments ineptitude, inefficiency and pusillanimity in squaring up with these economic philistines and fat cows?
I feel even more nauseated and vexed that the Governors Forum has posthaste conferred an apocalyptic imprimatur on this genie.
Let's not forget that majority of these same Governors had earlier called for this state of affairs as a condition sinequanon for paying the minimum wage.
What an opprobrium? What a deprecable descent from the sublime to the ridiculous!"