₦airaland Forum

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has explained that his administration named an estate after Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in order to appreciate him for freeing the State’s APC from the hands of a ‘tyrant’ who made frantic efforts to hijack the party’s machinery ahead of the 2015 Governorship, National and State Assembly elections in Borno but was resisted by forces led by Tinubu in favour of the Governor and majority of his associates.
The Governor’s explanation is in relation to Tinubu’s two-day visit to Borno on Monday and Tuesday during which he commissioned 432 houses, 13 primary and junior secondary schools and a fully furnished estate with 26 apartments in 5 sets of three-storey buildings for medical doctors, named ‘Bola Tinubu Court’.
Shettima recalled that he succeeded in taking control of the Borno APC in 2015 largely because Tinubu refused to support the game plan of a wealthy tyrant (whose name he didn’t mention) that fought hard to seize the Borno APC as his personal estate.
“For us in Borno State APC, I must confess, that we owe our political freedom and independence to not only our firmness but importantly, to the wisdom and sincerity of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Someone has asked me yesterday and sort to know our reasons not for inviting the Tinubu for commissioning of projects but for naming a project after him in Borno State. I replied the person in five words by saying, it’s our show of gratitude. Naturally, the person asked me, gratitude in what sense.
“I explained that after the APC was created in the build up to the 2015 elections, we firmly resisted serious attempts by someone who wanted to completely hijack the entire party machinery with total disregard for our existence. But despite our resistance, that person would probably have had some oxygen if he had secured the support of Asiwaju. From day one, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was opposed to political tyranny in Borno State and was in support of our political freedom and democratic liberty.
“Asiwaju showed clear support for the APC machinery in Borno State to rest with us because he knew that our commitment to the APC was genuine and not for the sake of trading the party, the APC with the then President seeking re-election under PDP.
“I always told people that yes, politics is a local affair; yes, we carried out the fight and deployed different strategies for our freedom but then, the truth of the matter is that there two people whose contributions to us were master strokes. We had President Muhammadu Buhari’s electrifying popularity to our advantage which significantly helped us during the elections.
“Before the elections, we had the wisdom and sincerity of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who supported us to remain in control of the APC in Borno State, secured our primaries and deployed energies to winning not just the Governorship but also all the 3 Senatorial, 10 House of Representatives and 28 State Assembly seats in Borno State. Your Excellency, we are grateful to you for your leadership and for your sincere support in our battle of freedom from political tyranny, freedom from a one-man-show, and freedom from politics of being APC in Borno and PDP in Abuja” the Governor said.
Shettima also paid tribute to Tinubu for his humility, noting that the attitude of his wife, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu reveals the man in him.
”There is an African saying (I think from Ethiopia) that often times, the true nature of a very powerful man, is easily seen from the character of hisfavourite wife. I recall that on Wednesday, 25th of November, 2015, about 10 Governors, mostly of the APC attended the funeral of Mama H.I.D Awolowo in Ikene, and after that funeral we all drove to Lagos in a bus straight to the residence of our National Leader, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ikoyi.
“We actually went to see him off since he was inside the bus with us to the funeral. I noticed that as soon our bus reached the house, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu started rushing, in fact she was practically running to enter the house. She was completely acting in a true fashion of an African Woman. I kept wondering why she was in such a rush.
“As the wife of our National Leader, I was expecting the usual slow and proud walk of wives of powerful men. She had every reason to show pride after all, her husband is our leader and most of us, the Governors were all holding back ourselves in submission to the aura of Asiwaju.
“To the shock of all of us, by the time we entered the residence of Asiwaju, his wife had moved straight into the Kitchen in the midst of cooks, and you could see how free and friendly she was with the cooks. She began to bring food to our table by herself and some of us were not comfortable but she insisted. To our greater shock, she insisted on dishing out the food to each of us and members of our delegation.
“She served not less than 30 persons and also picked dishes herself to convey food to some of our aides seated outside. I must confess that my experience that very day was my closest contact with extraordinary humility in a wife of a very powerful man.
“The cooks didn’t look surprised with how she was behaving, which strengthened the fact that she was just being her normal self; you could tell from the atmosphere in the house that she wasn’t pretending. I was listening to my aide discussing Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu personally served him and his colleagues water to drink. And Your Excellencies, when somebody takes a look at that house in Ikoyi, it is a small house that other persons far less important than Asiwaju would ordinarily see as being small for their status. Some women married to powerful men like Asiwaju would insist onliving in mansions made up of 20 living rooms and 100 bedrooms.
Mrs. Tinubu’s humility, her kindness, her dutifulness and her Africanness all go to reveal one thing, and that is the character of the man she is married to. There are exceptions but generally speaking, most women try to borrow the characters of their husbands, they relate with others based on how their husbands relate.
“If their husbands have no respect for human dignity, women even go the extra mile by being brutal. From 2011, I have seen you relate with Governors you helped to install. I have seen you treat them with courtesy and mutual respect. You call most Governors by the title of Your Excellency, when other godfathers address Governors by their first name.
“In Borno here, we had a Governor who never used the prefix of Your Excellency in addressing his own Deputy Governor. In public, he called his his Deputy by his first name ‘Adamu’.But Your Excellency, in your case, you have demonstrated uncommon humility.
“Rather than applaud you, I want to instead, congratulate you for being humble in the midst of enormous influence. I congratulate you because humility in the midst of power is a rare gift that God gives to a few. Nothing destroys a powerful man like contemptuous arrogance.
“Before God and before man, arrogance is distasteful. Even those who are arrogant don’t like fellow arrogant persons. Those who are far from your kind of influence see themselves as creators of life. In your case, Your influence is not limited to Nigeria but spreads toother countries in Africa, and your connections are across the length and breadth of this world.
“For those who may not know, your influence wasn’t by accident. You fought for democracy and stood against dictatorship while many of us were still looking for our bearings in life. You earned your reputation, earned your political pedigree, and earned you standing in theAPC.
“What I find very attractive is your pragmatism in politics and your very good sense of judgment in identifying and nurturing exceptional leaders.Over time, there is hardly any of your political godsons whose capacity isquestionable. I want to thank you for your leadership role and for being a guide to the young and old” the Governor said.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/named-estate-tinubu-shettima/

Zonacom:
These politicians are a very funny bunch. From Atiku to Saraki and the others. You guys think you can play a fast one on we igbos once again. DOA! Our mumu don do

unner be mumu before? just asking oooo.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/nigeria-needs-ndigbo-now-saraki/ wahoo two ftc in less than two hours oga let me send my account num sp that yiu can do needful things.

ABUJA—SENATE President, Bukola Saraki yesterday said that what Nigeria as a country needed at the moment, is full recognition of the Igbo as a people. Saraki said the country needed the people of the South East geo- political zone of the country more than ever.
The Senate President spoke yesterday in Abuja while declaring open the 4th Made-in-Aba Trade Fair holding in the nation’s capital city and facilitated by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia South.

The Made-in-Aba Trade Fair in Abuja is a zonal intervention project of Senator Abaribe.

The Senate President, who was represented by the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah said the ingenuity of the Igbo would have enhanced Nigeria’s production capacity over the years, adding that Nigeria as a country was paying the price for neglecting the creative prowess of the Igbo.

He said: “If there is anything this country needs now, it is the Igbo. Nigeria needs the Igbo’s technological advancement now. We are paying the price of ignoring the creativity of Ndigbo in the past.”

According to him, the decision of governments over the years to neglect the productive instinct of the Igbo had led to the backward state of the economy, adding that “In God’s wisdom, recession has come to force us to look inwards.”
Speaking on the Made-in-Aba trade fair, Senator Saraki, who noted that the Senate would continue to do everything to promote made in Nigeria goods, said that the upper chamber had taken it upon itself from last year to amend the Procurement Act to ensure that the local manufacturers benefit from the over N2 trillion government expenditure on procurement.
Saraki said: “With the amendment of the Public Procurement Act, which has passed final reading in the Senate, and is making its way through the House of Representatives, we are in the process of making it easier for manufacturers and entrepreneurs around the country to benefit from the over N2 trillion in government procurement contracts.
“Through this challenge, which is still ongoing, we hope to identify goods, services and other products that can be matched with investors and government agencies, to further the plight of our homegrown businessmen and women.
“On our part, we in the Nigerian Senate, and the National Assembly as a whole, will continue to do everything within our mandate and power to ensure that our domestic manufacturers and service providers have the enabling environment that they need to thrive. I believe in Made- in- Nigeria, I believe in Made- in-Aba. The possibilities ahead of us are endless.”

Local manufacturers export 1m shoes to Europe weekly — IKPEAZU

Also speaking at the event, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, who disclosed that local manufacturers of shoes and leather products export at least one million shoes to Europe on a weekly basis, said that the state is happy that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has approved the garment making industry of the Made- in- Aba sector.

According to the governor, there are 15,000 shoe makers in Aba, who produce 300,000 shoes per day, while one million of these shoes find their way to Europe and other parts of the world on a weekly basis, just as the exports are estimated at about N1 billion weekly.
In his remarks, the initiator of the Trade Fair, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who explained that the project is designed to promote Nigeria and to grow the country, expressed his joy that the idea was spreading across the country like wild fire, adding that it was a no-go area in 2013 when he floated the idea.

He added: “When we started in 2013, it was not fashionable to promote Made- in-Aba or Made- in- Nigeria goods. I thank the Senate President and my colleagues who supported us to stage last year’s edition after which we passed a motion to encourage local manufacturing and then, we also passed an amendment to the Procurement Act.”

He also thanked the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) for remaining steadfast to the idea of promoting made-in-Nigeria, just as he encouraged other lawmakers to situate their zonal intervention projects in SMEDAN.

‘SMEs responsible for 84% of NLC workforce’
Speaking also at the event, Director General of SMEDAN, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda who noted that small and medium enterprises are responsible for 84 percent of the Nigerian labour workforce, said: ”In Nigeria, SMEDAN/NBS survey, 2014 estimated a total of 37 million MSMEs.

”These contribute total employment of 59.7 million persons (or 84%) of Nigeria Labour force, 48 % to nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 7.3% to exports respectively.”

According to him, 98 percent of the MSMEs are micro enterprises, employing less than ten persons. The SMEDAN has taken it upon itself to help grow its capacity to enable Nigeria realise her economic aspirations.

He also thanked Senator Abaribe for pioneering the effort aimed at promoting Made-in-Nigeria, adding that trade fairs like the one being flagged off, easily facilitate direct customer-to- contacts as well as sales.

He said that so far, over 400 enterprises have showcased their products in the trade fair, adding that with an average of 200 persons visiting per day, the fair was adjudged good and successful.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/nigeria-needs-ndigbo-now-saraki/

TonyeBarcanista:
He will still be booted out in 2019 along with his oga

TonyeBarcanista, we all knew who you are, you anti-good government i think people should stop taking you seriously.

Trut:
As you can see these people don't believe in the Buhari they sold to Nigerians, they elected the man not because they saw a man of vision or principles nor because they were patriotic but simply because of primordial tribal sentiments that he dies in office and their tribeman sworn in as President. Where are the "Sai Baba" crew now?

Since Buhari fell sick/incapacitated and Osibanjo became Acting President the Afonjas have seized their support for Buhari, they no longer defend him. They've started showing their hand again, this time by accrediting every positives to Osibanjo while blaming Buhari for incompetence, something they didn't agree to in the past. Buhari isn't dead yet but they're already projecting Osibanjo as the best thing after sliced bread - A capable, educated and a better President to be. They have started their media hyping of Osibanjo, praising him to high heavens, same thing they did with Buhari before his incompetence was exposed to the world.

Afonjas have "CHANGED". What a treacherous set!!!

you're a bigot not just a bigot but a tribalism check the source of this news and the writer before you start spew nonsense smh.
*Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri is HOD, Mass Communication, Delta State University, Abraka’.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/acting-president-osinbajo-not-nigerian/

After watching the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo in Benin City, Edo State, on TV live during his fact finding meeting with the good people of Edo state, I realised that he is totally not a Nigerian.

He listened to all speakers with rapt attention and concentrated interest. One could see him practically and personally experiencing the pains of the abandoned and raped people of the Niger Delta. Even when there was a mini riot in the hall he remained calmed and probably prayerful as an ordained man of God.

If the mild drama of mini riot that played out in the hall had happened in a situation where even a local government chairman was in charge, the chairman would have ordered the security men to shot at sight. If the person in charge was a state governor or a President, he would have ordered a massive arrest and inglorious shot at perception and at sight, but the learned and erudite scholar and legal luminary of international acclaim did not do any of that. Rather when he responded he said he equally shared the grievance of the aggrieved Niger Delta people.

This is un-Nigerian. For a leader to share in the pains of the people and not to deal with them for daring to engage in mini riot in his presence shows that the goddess of pride, the delusion grandeur and megalomania tendency usually associated with the average Nigerian leader at virtually all levels are not in the Acting President. For him to order all the oil companies to move their headquarters to the Niger Delta is a wonderful act of justice and healing of the age long injury inflicted on the Niger Delta people.

That he visited the Niger Delta states differently and interacted directly with the people and even visited the creeks to personally access the horrible situation is worth more than commendation.

No Nigerian leader at his level has acted like this. This is the reason I doubt if Acting President Yemi Osibanjo, SAN, is a Nigerian.

Probably he is a Moses in the making to the Niger Delta people.

*Dr. Emmanuel Ufuophu-Biri is HOD, Mass Communication, Delta State University, Abraka’.


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/acting-president-osinbajo-not-nigerian/

CROWNWEALTH019:
If its not a southerner, it must be a CHRISTIAN NORTHERNER cheesy


BUHARI would rot in h***

Bigot sighted.

sekundosekundo:
Fayose is not sick like your president.

his a psychopath and self-centered..

rollybest:
https://www.thecable.ng/call-prove-healthy-fayose-tells-buhari

Fayose, president Buhari is not as foolish as you are, so therefore stop this mind game you're playing cos it can never work.

ABEOKUTA —The Retired Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Mbang has declared that former President Olusegun Obasanjo remains the best President Nigeria has ever had.
Mbang insisted that no President since independence has been able to match Obasanjo’s achievements.
The cleric also lamented that the country would have been better than it is currently, had successive governments implemented Obasanjo’s policies on agriculture.
The retired Methodist Prelate, who was once President of Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN, stated this yesterday in a sermon titled; The quality of our gratitude to God, he delivered at the thanksgiving service organised to round off activities to mark the 80th birthday of Obasanjo.
Olusegun Obasanjo
The service was held at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The thanksgiving was also well attended by dignitaries including; President of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Joyce Banda, former Secretary of United Nations; Emeka Anyaoku and former Chairman National Interim Government , Chief Ernest Shonekan.
Others at the event were: state governors, Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Victor Ikpeazu (Abia).
Also at the service were: former governors, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Alao Akala (Oyo), Segun Oni (Ekiti)and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun).
Those who also graced the service were; Senator Goodswill Akpabio, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanbi, Osile of Oke-Ona, Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Dr Christopher Kolade, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Senator Andy Uba,
The Guardian Publisher, Mrs Maiden Ibru, former Minister, Sarafa Tunji Ishola and Gbenga Nasir Isiaka, among others.
Mbang, who commended Obasanjo for his achievements in and outside government, said the good deeds of Obasanjo would outlive him, urging leaders across the country to emulate his leadership qualities.
He said majority of government institutions created by Obasanjo while in government are still functioning well, citing the example of the Economic and Financial and Crimes Commission, EFCC.
He submitted that no government after Obasanjo had added to what he created.
He said: ”Obasanjo is the best President Nigeria has ever had whether we like him or not. Everything he did while in government, the successive government did not add to it. EFCC and fight against corruption is an example.
“Obasanjo is a man I love so well, I was in love with him when I discovered he was holding a morning prayer service at the seat of power everyday. The service was not only for members of his family but also for other Christians in Aso Villa at that time.
“This man within three months of getting to office built a chapel in the Aso Villa. I remember that at that time when Obasanjo came into the Villa, there were 12 mosques there and there was no single church but Obasanjo built a chapel for Christians to worship.
“If other administrations that succeeded Obasanjo had followed his agricultural plan, the country would not be where it is today.”
The clergyman also described the former President as a God fearing man who has neither been ashamed nor felt too big to serve God at all times, saying Obasanjo serves as a good example of a leader others should copy.
“There are people who are so self-centred and when they are successful, they believe they are the ones responsible for it and they fail to show gratitude to God. All of you, go and show your gratitudes to God.
Mbang also described Obasanjo as a ”unique and special gift to Nigeria by God.’’
Meantime, the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Supo Ayokunle in his brief remark disclosed that the Christian community in the country could never forget what Obasanjo did for them, saying “he gave us symbol of unity.”
He explained that Obasanjo and the former Head of State, late Murtala Muhammed in 1976 called all the Christians together to form the CAN.
The cleric who also deviated from the topic chided politicians who he described as chameleons.
He said “Politicians change their minds like chameleons, today they are in PDP, tomorrow, they go to APC and before you know it they are back in PDP. They are always fighting war without end. Shame on you all.”
He also came hard on greedy pastors, saying, “Shame on the pastors who collect money from armed robbers. When the money is big, they announce the donation to the congregation but when the money is small, they do not announce to the congregation.”
The clergyman urged Nigerians leaders and all well meaning Nigerians to go back to their various communities and develop them by replicating what the former President had done for his community.
The CAN President commended the celebrant for also initiated the fund raising for the building of the National Ecumenical Centre now called National Christian Centre, stressing; “We (Christians) will continue to celebrate you (Obasanjo)”.
Obasanjo in his brief response, commended the guests, the OOPL Board of Trustees, Clerics, Children as well as his family members, saying “Thank you all and I pray God will honour us all”.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/obasanjo-best-president-nigeria-ever-mbang/

UYO-Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has directed the International Oil Companies operating in the Niger-Delta region to relocate their headquarters to their States of operation to mitigate tension in host communities.
Osinbajo, gave the directive at a Town Hall meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday during continuation visit to the region to dialogue with stakeholders.
The Acting President urged the Minister of State, Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu to begin the process of engaging the International Oil Companies on the way forward to actualize the directive, saying “I think it is the right thing to do”.
He disclosed that, the Ministry of Petroleum is also working with major oil companies on several initiatives including; working on illegal refineries to establish modular refineries to achieve the desired result.
On the Federal Government amnesty programme for ex-agitators, Osinbajo re-iterated the federal government stand noting that, the Ministry of Petrolum and Amnesty office are working with the state governments of the region on providing the benefits to young people in the states.
He emphasized on the importance of the Ibaka deep Sea port project, saying that, the Federal Government is seriously committed to its realization.
According to him, “Indeed as a matter of fact, in the 2017 budget there is already a provision for the Ibaka port. There is already N1billion provision. It is a matter we take seriously to partner with the Akwa Ibom State Government”, urging state governments in the region to attract private investments in their domain in order to create employment opportunities for the youths.
Earlier, Governor Udom Emmanuel appealed to the Federal Government to integrate Akwa Ibom indigenes who were left out in the amnesty programmes, as well as stressed the need for the reactivation of the Aluminum Smelter Company (ALSCON) at Ikot Abais local government area of the state to create more opportunities for the people.
He said, “With facilities we have in ALSCON, we cannot see it anywhere in Africa; from the services, communication to power generation you can create seven profits centres”.
Governor Emmanuel, while commending Prof. Osinbajo for the visit, further solicited the support of the federal government for the completion of the maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) facilities at the Akwa Ibom International airport to assist repairs of aircrafts assuring that, any financial assistance for the completion of the MRO will be refunded in no time from revenue generated from the repairs of aircrafts.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/fg-directs-oil-companies-relocate-headquarters-niger-delta/

The National Assembly delegation to South Africa over the xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa has continued to raise dust as many have queried the rationale behind such move when the executive arm of the government was in a better position to handle such diplomatic conflicts.
Would our lawmakers compel South Africans to make new laws on violence, looting or assault which are all the hallmarks of the Xenophobic attack which the South African laws have already covered as criminal offences? Couldn’t our lawmakers have compelled the Nigerian government to take strong action against their South African counterparts than rushing to South Africa to possibly look beggarly?
Haven’t they portrayed Nigeria as a weak state?
The Senate and House of Representatives sent their members to interface with their South African counterparts on the ceaseless attacks on Nigerians. The deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, led the delegation of both Chambers. No Nigerian was killed in the latest attack that occurred last week. Public Affairs analysts, commentators and Nigerians have bared their minds on the issue with many berating the lawmakers for wasting tax payers money on the needless trips to South Africa, saying that the issue would have been better handled by the Ministry of Foreign affairs.
One of such analysts is Jimi Disu who reacted to the development on Classic FM (Thursday) and Lagos Talks with several other Nigerians barring their minds on the issue.
According Jimi Disu, “Senator Ike Ekweremadu, leading a delegation of lawmakers to South Africa is completely unnecessary. I learnt the House of Representatives delegation left a day before. This is a job for the executives and not the lawmakers.
Our Foreign Minister should go there and resolve this issue. Even if the lawmaker had to go, couldn’t the Senate President and the Speaker have met and sent may be two or three lawmakers. That is one of the reasons we are not respected because we don’t do things in a tidy manner. Our reaction to issues, apart from being slow is completely disorganised.
“It is also ironical to have Nigerian lawmakers fly to South Africa while we attack and kill ourselves at home. We pretend as if everything is going on well here. Have they gone to Southern Kaduna to see what is going on there? About seven people in all expenses paid trip to South Africa with tax payers money to resolve xenophobic attack while hundreds are being killed in their own country is ridiculous.
“Whilst we can make noise about South Africans attacking our people, which in itself is bad, but there is apartheid in our own country. Tell me, how many murder cases have been resolved? An Attorney General was killed and a host of others, how many of them have been investigated, unearthed and solved? People are killed daily like chickens in Nigeria here.
Sometimes, it is the way you present your self that others take you. What is the value of a Nigerian’s life? It is known all over the world that you don’t toy with an American’s life. Have we placed value on our own lives? But there is a general African problem, across board, you go to Uganda, Gambia, and others, our leaders have almost turned us into animals. Look at how people rationalise crime, corruption, the kind of explanation they will make when a man is caught with 57 vehicles. We need to do a lot of self examination in Africa, Disu stated.
Another commentator said: “They are doing what the leadership in South Africa is doing. They try to divert people’s mind from the real issue. Now they have gone to South Africa as if they have a lot of concern for Nigerians. But the problems they have created for Nigerians themselves have not been solved. They are not addressing those issues.
Nigerians react
Dan Baba: “Nigeria operates a bi-camera legislature, the National Assembly as an entity, sent the two chambers. what does this portend for the image of Nigeria to South Africa? What does it also portend on our finances and how we waste public funds, especially during this harsh economic period? How do you convince people that there is unity in the National Assembly when you send members from the two chambers separately? Does the development not portend power tussle in the National Assembly? Or is it that the lower house does not recognise the supremacy of the upper chambers in dealing with national matters?
Adeola: “It is a sheer waste of money. They are just wasting tax payers money. It is unfortunate that the masses don’t have the mind of their own, or else, we should have risen against this sheer waste of resources. That is why they just do what they like at all times.
Olaolu: “What are they going to south Africa to do? Many of our youths are involved in crime, over there. Even here, with the aid of police and other law enforcement agents, they perpetuate all kinds of crime, money laundering, 419, fraudulent activities.
When the youths travel out of the country, they carry out all these crimes and you expect South Africans to sit back and watch? I was just discharged from hospital, and the first drug I bought outside was fake, produced by Nigerians. What are we turning this country to? Our leaders should lay good examples to follow. Let us all change our mindset and go the normal way to make money.
Anthony: “I know some Nigerians are bad, you cannot go to somebody’s house and act foolishly and expect him not to react.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/xenophobic-attack-nigerians-blast-lawmakers-trip-south-africa/

ABUJA – THE Majority leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has been mandated Wednesday by the leadership of the House to lead a delegation of some members to South Africa over the xenophobic attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa.
The House in a resolution on Tuesday at the plenary presided by the Deputy Speaker, Yussuff Lasun said the majority leader will be joined by the Chairman House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Nnena Okeje, Rep. Sadiq Ibrahim, Henry Nwawuba, Nasiru Zango Daura, and Shehu Aliyu Musa.
Xenophobic Attack
The House also resolved that the delegation of legislators and officials from the ministry of foreign affairs should engage the parliament of South Africa and Nigerians in South Africa on the xenophobic attacks with a few to stopping the attacks and any further occurrence in future.
Recall that the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Matters, Rep Rita Orji had recently condemned the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government towards the protection of Nigerians outside the country saying that the government paid more interest in remittance from citizens abroad and not their welfare.
Orji said she was not going to be part of the “conspiracy of silence”, adding that Nigerians in Diaspora were only dear to the government of Nigeria because of the funds they remit to the country.
She also accused the government of over-protecting the businesses and interests of South Africa to the detriment of Nigeria. The government, she said, is not “taking a critical look at what Nigerians in Diaspora face in the countries that they are.
She said, “Have we taken any bold steps to make sure that incessant killings of Nigerians abroad unlawfully are being taken care of? These are pertinent questions that any Nigerian that loves life would ask. And why would this conspiracy of silence linger while blood is being shed, while Nigerians are being killed like chicken in various countries, while Nigerians are becoming endangered species.
“Must we protect the foreign interest to the detriment of Nigerians. Now NCC is hellbent on reviewing upwards the price of data and voice calls in Nigeria to the detriment of Nigerians, even with the intervention of National Assembly, NCC is bent on doing that on their own, just to protect the interest of the foreigners.
“The South African Government should bear in mind that Nigerians know that they have interests, they have businesses here, they have South Africans here, they should not put their people in jeopardy.”
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/xenophobic-attack-gbajabiamila-leads-delegation-south-africa/

Abeokuta – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says that the current Nigerian leader, Muhammadu Buhari, has not disappointed him since he assumed office in 2015.
Obasanjo stated this in an interview at his hilltop residence in Abeokuta.
While reflecting on the Buhari administration since 2015, Obasanjo said that the president had done his best to move the country forward.
Buhari and Obasanjo
“Whatever anybody says, President Buhari has not disappointed me from what I know of him,’’ he said.
He said the president had delivered on his core areas of strength and ability, particularly in the anti-corruption crusade and the war against insurgency.
“In my book, I have said that Buhari is not strong on the economy and I did not write this to run him down.
“I also used to think that he is not strong in the area of foreign affairs, but I have realised that he has improved very well.
“He has actually done his best in the areas where we know him to be strong,” he said.
The elder statesman urged Nigerians not to relent in their support for Buhari and not to give up on Nigeria.
“Whatever you might see as bad in Nigeria, other societies have gone through the same at some period in their history.
“It is not for us to begin to condemn but to begin to join hands together and consider how we can make the best out of our present.
“”Our present situation is a passing phase and we need to be resilient to ensure that we are not consumed by it.
“I will be the first to admit that we have not been where we should have been, but note that we have also been far from where we could have been because it could have been worse.
“It is the height of ingratitude for people to say Nigeria has not achieved anything or much as a nation.
“The generation before mine fought for Nigeria’s independence, that is great.
“My own generation, which is the next, fought to sustain the unity of Nigeria.
“Since 1999, Nigeria had enjoyed 18 years of unbroken democracy.
“We witnessed in 2007 a transition of power from one individual to another in the same party.
“We witnessed in 2015 a transition of power from an individual in the ruling party to another individual in the opposition party.
“All these should not be taken for granted,” he said.
Obasanjo also decried the call for national conferences or assemblies to negotiate the continued unity of Nigeria.
The former president who, described such conferences as distractions, said he did not bother to read the report of the last one organised by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
” We Nigerians need ourselves and if anyone thinks he does not need another person, good luck to him.
“What I see in all those groups trying to break away is that they want more of the national cake.
“The fact that you want more of the cake means that it is good and you like it, else you will not be asking for more of it.
“I do understand the agitations of the youths in that the increased facilities that now exist as against our own time have not translated to adequate opportunities for them.
“But I think that rather than engage in violence, they should think of how to build on the sacrifices of the generations before them,” he said.
The elder statesman, who would turn 80 on March 5, said he had no regrets at such an age.
He said that his hope that Nigeria would still be a great nation was still intact.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/buhari-not-disappointed-says-obasanjo/

Actress cum producer, Seyi Hunter, has advised Tonto Dikeh-Churchill and Lilian Esoro to get a legal separation from their estranged husbands if they are not willing to resolve their lingering marital crisis. In an exclusive chat with
Potpourri, the Hunters Media CEO, condemned the manner in which female entertainers take a walk out of their marriages instead of coming to terms with its realities.
According to her, there are lots of single ladies ready to jump at Ubi and Churchill immediately they decide to put an end to their crisis-rocked union. In her opinion, she believes it is wrong for a woman to walk out of her marriage all because her husband had a romantic affair with another lady.
“It isn’t right for any lady to walk out of her marriage for any reason, except domestic violence is involved. I am not talking about occasional slaps here and there. If he beats you like he’ll beat a thief, my dear sister you need to run for your life because he might kill you one day or disfigure you.
But if you leave because of cheating, then you’re the most foolish person alive and you’re not going by the Holy Bible. The Bible says man shall not live by bread alone. You don’t expect him to eat Egusi soup the rest of his life; he has to eat Afang, Ogbono, etc, once in a while.
Let’s not forget men are polygamous in nature, it’s been there right from the days of Abraham and it cannot be changed”, she said. She continued “The way entertainers are ending their marriage is alarming. Is it that Ubi Franklin is a wife beater or Lilian Esoro left because he’s a chronic womanizer? Same goes for Tonto Dikeh and Churchill. If these ladies left their marriages for the latter, it means this generation is worse than I thought, because we’ve lost it.
“No patience, understanding or endurance to allow the man test the waters once in a while. I hope they settle their issues, but if they won’t, let them hurry with the divorce, so that single girls can make their moves on these guys. Before the women eat me raw, women are not allowed to cheat.
The men are to love us, care for us, support us in everything and provide for us, while we do all these and more for them. Every smart woman will provide her man with condoms and lubrication and pray that the Holy Spirit guides them to use it on their side chicks, so they don’t bring infection home to us.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/man-cheats-buy-condoms-instead-walking-marriage-seyi-hunter/

CATHOLIC Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos Archdiocese and Vanguard’s 2017 nominee for a Lifetime Achievers Award, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, had never hidden his disdain for misconduct of political leaders as he had always criticised them, sometimes at great risk to his personal life.
The fearless cleric has persistently admonished politicians to repent from their profane and sinful behaviours, which were at variance with the commandments of God.
Speaking when managers of Vanguard Media Limited visited him at his Lagos residence, the retired Cardinal defended the success story of schools that were returned to the original missions.
Okogie argued that the tragedy of the Nigerian situation was that very often square pegs are put in round holes, noting that “once you get the right people, this nation must change overnight.”
Continuing, the retired Prince of the Catholic Church averred that the nation was yet to witness progress within the education sector, wondering why politicians cannot emulate the efforts of missionaries and revamp the nation’s education system for the benefit of millions of Nigerian masses.
“For example, look at what Gov. Willie Obiano has been doing in Anambra State, but because some people know he is eligible to contest for a second term, they are now calling for his impeachment. You see Nigerians!” He frowned at the recent attempts by some Anambra citizens to instigate the state House of Assembly to impeach the governor as another election approaches pointing out that Nigerian politicians should play by the rules of engagement.
“It’s obvious to all now that this is not the kind of change people like Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, campaigned for. The man who was talking about change, change, change, this is not the kind of change they preached. At the inauguration of APC government, President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech was about change, but they have now played on his intelligence. This is my own view. They saw that this man who put him there may try to turn the table, so they looked for those who Tinubu doesn’t seem to like, and made them his enemies. When they now saw where he was going, they are now trying to bring the man back. If it’s not too late, I don’t know!”, Okogie further argued.
He noted that the focus of those who were supposed to herald the gospel was on money and wealth which had given rise to pride.
According to him, “Our heavenly father, when He was sending each and everyone of us to this world, didn’t send us empty handed. Every creature, human being especially was given talents right from our mother’s womb and in His infinite kindness directs it, otherwise you will not be what you are. Some people who think they know better than God, unfortunately try to jump into what God didn’t make them to be.
“Let’s take Nigeria for instance, 2019 is coming, there will be election, those who are not meant for it will go into it. Why? Not to improve the nation, not for the glory of God, but because of money,” he stressed. He commended the Vanguard Management for his nomination but noted, “I’m not worthy of this honour. Who am I?
“If you look at the wall there, you will see my motto; Faith, Courage and Love. That’s what guides me. Faith in God, courage, even if they want to take my life, I don’t mind, provided I’m speaking the truth, and then to love everybody. I don’t care whether you are an Atheist or a Muslim or whatever you are, as long as you are a child of God. That’s my principle in life,” the accomplished advocate of the oppressed masses, who once volunteered to die in place of a Muslim woman who had been condemned to death by stoning by an Islamic court for adultery, contended.
Okogie, a friend and companion of the voiceless, the marginalized, the helpless, and the poor thanked the management of Vanguard Media Limited in advance saying “I pray that God will continue to guide you because it’s not an easy thing to do. Journalism is not as simple as it sounds. It’s a very delicate job which most people don’t know. You can lose your life anytime. You can be made to say what you don’t want to say even by your proprietor.
“So, I think these days, we have to be very careful in Nigeria . When you look at the way things are going now, you know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Bible, that’s where we are heading to and may we not end there in Jesus name. Look at the way people are dressing. I took up a newspaper this morning, about four or five people killing themselves without any fear. One said I cut my wife into pieces because she annoyed me. And yet you go around the city representing churches. What are you portraying to the world? That you are holy? That you are a good nation?
According to the retired Cardinal who is not tired, “we (Nigeria) have lost our bearing. Giant of Africa, but we are nothing. Look at what happened to the Falcons. Look at the way they were treated because of money. The love of money is the root of all evil. That’s what is ruining Nigeria today.”
Proliferation of churches
Okogie, an infectious and charming personality with strict drive for perfection and zero-tolerance for mediocrity, very often tries his hands on humour. Continuing in his discussion, he told the Vanguard delegation: “In those good old days, I’m not that old though, I may not look my age, (laughter) when I heard that Pastor Enoch Adeboye said that his joy would be to have churches all over. Number one, does he think about traffic situation? In those days, in this same Lagos, you couldn’t have two churches on a street; but today, somebody will rent this house and the next thing you will see is church.
“Where are we heading to? It’s because of money. People are now gullible. I remember the trouble between Chris Okotie, Chris Oyakhilome and T.B Joshua. One was accused of dining with T.B. Joshua and the other said you are wrong, if you are a real Christian, you shouldn’t have done that and so on. Love of money.
“I’m not criticizing anybody please; because God can send anyone. Each and every one of us has the spirit of God. This body we are carrying is God’s own. Whatever you may be, whatever religion you may say you are professing, why must you be so wicked?
“Can you imagine a man who is being catered for, given everything he needs but he is still lying on the road begging for money. It’s not a laughing matter, it’s madness, first class madness. Now you are talking of corruption; I’m just speaking in general, were we not corrupt before, right from the time of Hubert Macaulay and co? But today, they don’t care anymore. Today it is Diezani, tomorrow it is someone else.
“These are things we have to be talking about. What kind of nation are we building? That’s why I’m comparing it to Sodom and Gomorrah. Look at the way we are going, there is no fear anymore. Look at Kaduna, are you trying to tell me that the name of Kaduna is no longer Kaduna as we all know and that it’s now Southern Kaduna? Why is the emphasis on Southern Kaduna? Is it because of certain group of people there that have now popularized the whole of Kaduna?” he added.
Continuing, Okogie said some people are not doing their jobs well in Kaduna, quote and unquote me. The mere fact that everyone in the world or Nigeria today is laying emphasis on Southern Kaduna, shows there’s something wrong there. How can you be hearing of one side, what of the other side? Why must the whole nation be focusing on Southern Kaduna every time? It’s wrong.
Our problem is not Boko Haram
“Listen to what the Sultan of Sokoto said. When we talk of herdsmen, who are the herdsmen? Are we talking about the herdsmen of those days? How come they have now become so notorious? This is not the age of a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye. No. We are just trying to destroy this nation.
“I am telling you Boko Haram is not only our problem; our problem is self centredness. We don’t care. Anything can go on as long as I’m not touched, that’s the kind of thing that is going on now. How many of our senators and those in the House of Representatives are ready to sacrifice their lives for this nation?” he said. “Tell me, how many of our leaders can make sacrifices for our country?”
In his random assessment of the state of the nation, Okogie also wondered what has happened to the recent 40-foot container seized by men of the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, who intercepted 49 boxes of 661 pump-action rifles along the Mile 2 Apapa Road of Lagos State which was cleared at the Lagos port.
“Where are 661 rifles today?” he queried, They said they seized thousands of bags of rice, where are they? We only read these news in the papers. We have to sit down and think. You are saying you have seized these guns, where are the guns till today? They have to give us progress report,” he noted.
Okogie also recalled the murder of a female evangelist of the Divine Touch Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Eunice Elisha, by suspects while she was preaching around the pipeline area of Kubwa, a satellite town of the FCT in July 2016. Reports said that Eunice, a mother of seven, was cut in the neck and stabbed in the stomach.
“Look at the poor woman who was preaching and was killed, then they said the suspects were arrested, the next thing we heard was that they were freed. Is that justice? It’s wrong,” Okogie lamented.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/this-is-not-the-change-they-preached-to-us-cardinal-okogie-laments/

Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, on Saturday, said he spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari who is currently on medical vacation in London.
Adesina confirmed this development on his twitter handle on Saturday in Abuja.
The presidential spokesman said Buhari acknowledged his (Adesina) efforts“ for holding out against mischief makers”.
Adesina said on his twitter handle: “Spoke with President Muhammadu Buhari a short while ago. Glad to hear his voice. Told me he was resting, but no cause for worry. Said I should greet my family.
“Thanks for holding out against mischief makers’, PMB tells me during a phone call today. Said he would call again soon. Gave him best wishes.’’
Newsmen report that Adesina is the latest person the President spoke to from his London abode in the last few days.
The President had similar phone conversations with governors of Kano and Katsina states, Abdullahi Ganduje and Aminu Masari respectively, this week.
Many Nigerians have also embarked on prayer sessions in mosques and churches for the quick recovery of the president, who is on bed rest in London.
The President, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle in a statement, urged Nigerians, especially Christians not to cease praying for the president, acting president and the country “until he (President Buhari) returns in good health and sound mind.’’
President Buhari had earlier in a statement issued by Adesina thanked millions of Nigerians who had been sending good wishes to him.
He revealed that the results of the test conducted on him indicated that he needed a longer period of rest, necessitating his staying longer than originally planned.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/buhari-adesina-thanks-holding-mischief-makers/

chris4gold:
Oju wetin?

oju iku!

Lalasicala watin dey happen nau?

jennifer22:
I am getting there I must make FTC today

you're already there, congratulations..

na wa ooo,just because of some bad eggs our name keeps diminished.

South African Government has assured that it will continue to collaborate with major stakeholders in Nigeria to find lasting solution to xenophobic attack of Nigerians in South Africa.
The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja when Sen. Shehu Sani, the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs visited him.
Mnguni, who condemned recent attacks on foreigners, particularly Nigerians in South Africa, said there was need for the two countries to work together to bring an end to the problem.
According to him, it is important for Nigeria and South Africa to bring strategists to discuss the issues at stake to find appropriate solution.
He said “we will look for ways to contain the tension and come up with measures to encourage interaction between the two countries and other African nations.
“South Africa cannot stay as an island; instead, it will continue to work toward peace building and integration.”
The high commissioner added that the South African Government had always pushed for respect for human rights, stressing that there was no justification for the attacks.
He, however, urged foreigners to always abide by the laws of the countries where they live.
He said there were concerns among South Africans that a few foreigners, including Nigerians, were involved in drug peddling.
“We are not condoning violence, but it will be wrong not to reflect the concerns of South Africans, especially with regard to drug trafficking.
“We must not look at one side even though we are not condoning it. People must not take laws into their hands.
“When people go to other countries, they must respect the laws of the country,’’ he said.
He explained that a few foreigners involved in drug trafficking and other crimes were giving false impression of other people in South Africa.
He said that “in spite of this, the South African Government had benefited immensely from the economic activities of foreigners.
“There are foreigners, including many Nigerians that are law abiding and are contributing to the economic development of South Africa.
“However, there are few people who give wrong impression of foreigners.”
Earlier, Sani had expressed concern over recurring xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa. He said it would portray the continent in bad light if allowed to continue, adding that
it was time for major stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the problem.
He said “Nigeria’s relationship with South Africa dates back to the time of Apartheid.
“Nigeria is a major component in the struggle against apartheid.
“Should these attacks continue, relationship between the two countries might be weakened.
“The problem is a concern to the whole of Africa because the two countries are respected global players.”
Sani also expressed concern that the attacks were perpetrated by a few persons whose actions did not reflect the position of the South African Government, in view of its bilateral relations with Nigeria.
The lawmaker urged aggrieved Nigerians who were protesting the attacks to do so within the confines of the law, as the two countries fashioned out ways to tackle the problem.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/02/xenophobia-nigerians-involvement-drug-peddling-break-south-african-law-south-african-commissioner/

Damilare5882:
I am too addicted to Nairaland.. ... Making first to comment while in church

naiarland is addictive if yes click like if no click share

africanusvu:
,Whoeva said it dnt mater.it made things worse 4 APC.Igbos cant eat at same table wit buhari for nw.solv d hate problem firrt then market ur party to them.no one buys wat he gate wit his mney

stop contradicting yourself my guy, so anyone that go against you is now anti-igbo na wa ooo....

africanusvu:
,I nw beliv dis Rochas guy isnt real igbo.he didnt grow up in d east hence didnt undstand who an igbo man is.imaging threatning an igbo man who is a Republican in nature to join a party they see as dia worse enemy? so far Buhari heads d APC gvt.forget it.also.rochas is dead already in d mind of av igbo man.dnt 4get igbos ar apolyticaly succesful peple.dia suces dnt com frm politic.when they see APC THEY SEE BUHARI

and who told you is rocha that says these words? i suggest you reread the article again