Lol....it's cooked tomatoes oo

I followed a friend to their church for a child dedication service yesterday. The periphery of the church was nicely adorned with beautiful flowers; the aesthetics of the inside of the church was breathtaking. The choir was made up of pretty cleavage-baring ladies. In fact the church has swag. I was impressed.

When I first saw the presiding pastor coming out with panache for the service, I had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn’t in a cinema; I wanted to be like him. He was nothing short of a Nollywood celebrity – clean-carved fried greasy hair, Armani shirt and suit, St. Michael’s tie, Cartier wrist watch, Wrangler belt, and…ermm…I don’t remember the designer of his shoes. No doubt he has taste.

Later in the service, I guess the Pastor realized that he was unto a big game that Sunday because they were so many new faces, most of them women with well arranged booties that were neatly tucked away in pencil skirts or trousers – I couldn’t help but notice it. My friend works at a top new generation bank.

During what appear like a sermon, the tongue speaking, feet stamping, Bible thumping and iPad browsing Pastor was in no mood to have anything less than the demands he was commanding God to provide. He sounded like he was the boss while God his houseboy.

We have severally made God a liar, a business-like God that asks for money before giving out blessings and favours. We have become so thoughtless that we now believe our scam – that the only way we can attract God’s blessings is by bribing and enticing Him with money. The men of God had made us to give in anticipation that we will receive back a bigger measure from God. We now only measure God’s blessings in terms of cars, houses, jobs, vacations, travel visa, school admission and sugar daddies/mummies.

We have succeeded in making God in our own image. A god that has time to watch and predict football matches, a god that asks for young girls to be sold, a god that assures of miracles on posters and billboards, a god that asks people to kill for him, a god that enforces and receives only money as tithes, a god that blackmails and seduces women during deliverance, a god that travels in private jets, a god that must kill our enemies by fire, a god under our command and control.

Let’s beware of this our new god!

Read more: http://hardballz.com.ng/making-god-image/

I always see them run to the school farm at the back of our classroom, I didn’t quite get what they were up to. But because Kizito was involved, I knew they must be up to something mischievous. Out of curiosity, I tracked them to the school farm one day. In what appears to be a small clearing in the farm, I saw the five of them, pants pulled down, measuring ruler in their hands, as I drew closer, I observed that Kizito was measuring the length of their joysticks.

We were in JSS 1, but we already recognized the enormous ego that comes with the size of one’s phallus. The next time I saw Kizito leading another set of boys to the farm, I followed them with betted anticipation with my ruler in my back pocket. I was glad when mine was measured and proclaimed to be “standard” size (LOL…whatever that means.) Kizito advised me to be applying some spatter of local gin or alcohol on my pubic areas to facilitate the growth of hairs around that patch. An advice I ignorantly heeded.

As the years roll by, and we become sexually active and the penis becomes more than a urinary tool or an object of childish obsession, it becomes imperative that we understand the risks we face as men. The most common questions I hear guys ask about their dicks are: How do I make it bigger? Does size matter? What size of penis do women want most? Good questions, but there are more important questions that matter.

Prostate cancer is the single most common cancer in men. It’s also the second deadliest cancer, behind only to lung cancer. So, if you’re a man — and a Negro for that matter — you should be aware of how to prevent this malignant menace. 2014 projections for Nigeria indicate that there will be 233,000 new cases and 19,000 deaths!

Unfortunately, however, proper prevention might mean denying yourself of things that you as a man enjoy: red meats, beers and fried foods. However, it is consoling to note that studies conducted in the past few years indeed suggest that ejaculation achieved by either sex or masturbation protects against prostate cancer. Ejaculation does this by allowing the prostate to clear itself of carcinogens. Thank me later for this info.

Again, endeavour to eat plenty of cooked tomatoes with garlic. Cooked tomatoes are full of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer in men.

It’s no secret that aerobic exercise is one of the most powerful preventers of disease. As human beings, we are meant to be active. Exercise improves fluid circulation, boosts the immune system and increases energy levels. So ensure you find a means of working-out.

Guys, we should stop putting off getting our prostate checked, it may be too late before we realize it. Heed this advice like I heeded Kizitos!

Read more: http://hardballz.com.ng/prostate-cancer-matters-arising/

My take:

I met her at one of the major government Hospital in Abuja yesterday; she looked very distraught, dis-shelved and disoriented. The only son of her mother, her only brother who had a fatal auto accident on Friday last week and had been in the ICU of that hospital had just been discharged.

She was at a complete loss on how to proceed; she told me that she practically went to beg for assistance from people she never thought she will talk to. In the end, she manage to raise the sum of N300,000 deposit required for surgery on her brother. The money was paid on Monday to the hospital cashier in preparation for the surgery on Tuesday. Yesterday (Tuesday), she was asked to take her brother to a private hospital because the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for a nationwide strike.

She was having a lot of difficulty getting a refund of her deposit from the hospital due to bureaucratic bottle necks. In a rage of anger, she swore loudly in front of people (including security agents) that if her only brother dies because of lack of the surgery that she has duly paid for that she will dedicate the rest of her life hunting down the leadership of NMA and the family members. Looking into her eyes while she sobbed and made this declaration, I have no doubt in mind that she intends to keep that promise.

I didn’t sleep well last night, my mind keep darting to and fro what ordinary people are facing in this our dear country. NMA can rationalize their 24 point demand on government all they want, but in my books I hold them accountable to their sacred vows. Medical doctors are among the most ‘taken care of’ by our faulty system aside the politicians. (I will like someone to prove me wrong). They work hard but NOT harder than all other professions, yet they are the most hypocritical.

Most of them that work for government also run their private hospitals and clinics; diverting time, patients , drugs and other public resources to their private businesses. I don’t know of any other profession that has effrontery to do this and still make claims.

Our government is utterly irresponsible! A government that cannot be trusted on its words, a government that severally and repeatedly reneges on agreements. A government that its officials embark on foreign medical trip to treat hiccups, yawning, toothache, rubber bullet wound, dislocation and even sneezing.

I have no more words, but I can assure everyone that if nothing is done urgently, in the coming days, the tag team of this government and NMA will cause more grievances and deaths of Nigerians on a scale that will be more than Boko Haram.

Read more: http://hardballz.com.ng/many-troubles-country/

I met her at one of the major government Hospital in Abuja yesterday; she looked very distraught, dis-shelved and disoriented. The only son of her mother, her only brother who had a fatal auto accident on Friday last week and had been in the ICU of that hospital had just been discharged.

She was at a complete loss on how to proceed; she told me that she practically went to beg for assistance from people she never thought she will talk to. In the end, she manage to raise the sum of N300,000 deposit required for surgery on her brother. The money was paid on Monday to the hospital cashier in preparation for the surgery on Tuesday. Yesterday (Tuesday), she was asked to take her brother to a private hospital because the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has called for a nationwide strike.

She was having a lot of difficulty getting a refund of her deposit from the hospital due to bureaucratic bottle necks. In a rage of anger, she swore loudly in front of people (including security agents) that if her only brother dies because of lack of the surgery that she has duly paid for that she will dedicate the rest of her life hunting down the leadership of NMA and the family members. Looking into her eyes while she sobbed and made this declaration, I have no doubt in mind that she intends to keep that promise.

I didn’t sleep well last night, my mind keep darting to and fro what ordinary people are facing in this our dear country. NMA can rationalize their 24 point demand on government all they want, but in my books I hold them accountable to their sacred vows. Medical doctors are among the most ‘taken care of’ by our faulty system aside the politicians. (I will like someone to prove me wrong). They work hard but NOT harder than all other professions, yet they are the most hypocritical.

Most of them that work for government also run their private hospitals and clinics; diverting time, patients , drugs and other public resources to their private businesses. I don’t know of any other profession that has effrontery to do this and still make claims.

Our government is utterly irresponsible! A government that cannot be trusted on its words, a government that severally and repeatedly reneges on agreements. A government that its officials embark on foreign medical trip to treat hiccups, yawning, toothache, rubber bullet wound, dislocation and even sneezing.

I have no more words, but I can assure everyone that if nothing is done urgently, in the coming days, the tag team of this government and NMA will cause more grievances and deaths of Nigerians on a scale that will be more than Boko Haram.

Read more: http://hardballz.com.ng/many-troubles-country/

Pope Francis today suspended the free spending German Bishop Franz Peter Tebartz-van Elst -- known derisively as Bishop Deluxe or the Bishop of Bling -- and ordered him to vacate the Diocese of Limburg, at least temporarily.

The pope, who has declined to live in the Vatican's opulent papal residence, has been urging prelates to adopt a more humble lifestyle and today's actions were the strongest yet to reenforce that message.

The pope's decision was released in a short statement from the Vatican press office stating that the actions of the bishop had created a situation "where in the present moment he cannot exercise his Episcopal ministry."

"Pending the results of this examination and the related investigations on the responsibilities in this regard, the Holy See considers it appropriate to authorize Bishop Franz -Peter Tebartz-van Elst a period of stay outside the Diocese," the statement said.

The pope's decision to expel the "Bishop of Bling" – as he has been dubbed in the international media – takes effect immediately.

A final decision on the future of the big spending priest will be determined only after the German Bishop Conference has finished a detailed report on the cost of the construction remodelling of the bishop's official residence. The pope was reportedly told last week that the final costs may reach $55 million, $13 million over the already substantial price tag.

After a week of waiting, Bishop Tebartz-van Elst met with Pope Francis in a 20 minute closed door meeting last Monday. No official statement was released, but German media reports that after the discussion the bishop was upbeat, calling it "an encouraging conversation."

He has not been seen in public since the meeting. The bishop continues to insist that the cost were in part because of the need for historical preservation of the 10 buildings on the property.

Bishop Tebartz-van Elst also is under investigation for false claims in the use of church money for travel to India. A prosecutor's office is deciding whether to pursue perjury charges.

The Limburg diocese has about 650,000 members. Some have taken to protest daily in front to the area's main cathedral. Last summer, before the news of the spending scandal, 4,000 people in diocese had signed an open letter to complain about the bishop's leadership.

In Germany, the family of the ostracized bishop have reportedly been intimidated, according to media outlets.

"We get daily death threats by phone or in letters," the brother of the priest, Johannes, told the Bunte newspaper. His 87-year-old mother told the same paper that family is standing behind her son despite of the criticism.

It could take up to three months to finalize the Bishop Conference report. In the meantime the Diocese will be run by a substitute vicar general. One of the most senior members of the German church had already suggested that the bishop should use this time to examine his conscience over the crisis he has caused.

"I am convinced that the bishop of Limburg... will confront this situation in a spirit of self-criticism," Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of the German bishops' conference last week.
Read more at: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/5375-pope-francis-suspends-extravagant-bishop-#sthash.2kvsfT9H.dpuf

Recommended to be read ONLY if you want to have a good laugh about the crossroad we have found ourselves in Nigeria.

Watching Mike Ozokhome on Channels TV, with his disheveled appearance and desperate mien, I began to wonder what those kidnappers may have done to him and may still be doing.

As he addressed the press, I was struck by the urgency in his voice and the way his eyes shone and darted about like those of a frightened and trapped rat. He read with a fit of violent mental excitement, as if someone wrote that speech for him, perhaps before releasing him and maybe threatened to pick him up again if he fell short in that delivery.

We would never know why the kidnappers choose him. Maybe he was just one unfortunate random pick. We all are in jeopardy after all. Maybe they still hoped he'll release some of those dollars his client, Farouk Lawan allegedly stuffed in his cap. Maybe they were trying to send a clear message that all those who defended our thieving politicians, obtaining all sorts of injunctions that clogged the wheel of justice would be held responsible for the decay in our polity and the attendant poverty and unemployment. The only way to find out would be to ask the Kidnappers and I am not about to volunteer.

Mike Ozokhome looked terrible but when he began to advocate amnesty for kidnappers, his appearance paled in comparison. By the time I was done listening to him, all I could think about was AMNESTY.

When I got to the National hospital for my baby's immunization, the man at the cash point was so uncourteous to all who would not leave their change with him. By the time I left him, I was thinking....perhaps he needs amnesty. On my way back, there was so much chaos at one of the busy roundabouts while some policemen stood idly by. I thought....perhaps they need amnesty. Two men who had bumped into each other's cars were shouting at each other. I just glanced in their direction and thought.....maybe they need amnesty. My son kept crying, distracting me as I drove, insisting I held him and I finally screamed 'do you need amnesty?' when I did that, I paused to wonder if I was also going crazy. Maybe I need amnesty.

Amnesty here we come. Armed robbers, terrorists, kidnappers, corrupt politicians, drug peddlers, corrupt policemen, bad teachers, bad parents, bad clergy, rapists, pedophiles......the list goes on. We are all competing for your attention.

- See more at: http://www.channelkoos.com/index.php/news/5254-amnesty-galore-a-satire-by-nneka-aroh#sthash.pKm7Kkr1.dpuf

Rice smugglers in Katsina State during last Friday, held special prayers to seek divine intervention against the Customs Service for stopping them from bringing in the product.

Comptroller of Federal Operation Unit of Customs in zone B, Mr. Amade Abdul, who disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Kaduna yesterday, said report reaching them indicates that the smugglers during the prayers asked God to intervene on the ban of the commodity.


“Reports had it that they organised prayers during Juma’at prayers that God should touch the minds of Customs officials who are trying to stop food from entering their town. No, we are not their enemies and we are not trying to stop food from entering their area. We are only implementing government policies on the illegal smuggling of rice. This is in the interest of all of us because it will allow farmers in our country to do well,” he said.


He urged clerics and traditional rulers in the areas to educate their people with their sermons and preaching and not to mislead them.


“The prayers showed they are ignorant of government policies, especially as its concerns rice importation. There is a laid down procedure for anyone willing to import rice into the country. If you follow the procedures, nobody will challenge you,” he said.


He lamented that rice smugglers have now resorted to the use of motorcycles to ferry their commodity into the country through border towns in Katsina.


“Motorcycles operators are now trooping from Yobe, Borno and all other parts of the North to Katsina State to join in the business of rice smuggling. This is not good because we don’t know the kind of persons that are riding the bikes, aside from the fact that their activities is against the ban of rice”, he said.

- See more at: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/5045-smugglers-hold-special-prayers-against-customs-in-katsina#sthash.qLZGxX7M.dpuf

eGuerrilla:

How do you impeach a state governor who not only has an unlimited financial war chest but also the entire local legislature in his back pocket?

That was exactly my point. If we strengthen both the national and state legislature with financial autonomy and capacity, the financial war chest of a governor will be of no effect if he contravenes the law. He will be impeached regardless and prosecuted thereafter

take dat: Why should duly elected political office holders lose their immunity, therefore subjecting them to civil and criminal prosecution? Removal of immunity clause will generate a lot of distractions and would impermissibly interfere in the discharge of their duties. We cannot afford to have leaders whose energies are diverted by concerns with lawsuits thereby neglecting the effective functioning of government.

We already have an impeachment clause in the constitution, Impeachment should precede prosecution. Whenever an elected official is found wanting most especially in the areas of financial impropriety or misuse/abuse of power, such person should be impeached by the House of Assembly or the National Assembly and then face prosecution. What we should rise against is legislative docility, they should be alive to their statutory duties of scrutinizing the activities of the executive, check the profligacy and recklessness of the executive arm, and not to serve as an appendage to it. Removal of immunity clause will leave room for agents of the pull-him-down syndicate to hamstring the operation of government apparatus.

I do not support the removal of immunity clause for the reasons already canvassed above by take dat

All we need is to strengthen our legislative arm of government to do their work the way the constitution envisaged. Their is no kind f misconduct under the sun that legislature does not have the powers to impeach the president or the governor.

Impeachment MUST come before criminal proceedings and NOT the other way round

Rangers may have been sold out, no doubt, but they caused it.

The critical technical question that those who are planning to appeal the decision should answer is: "was Emmanuel Daniel a registered Rangers player as at December 24, 2012 when Rangers was registering for the CAF competition?

@shdemidemi started this thread with an arrogant condescending attitude believing that he knows it all and has direct access to God in determining who worships Him or not.

Alas, all his so called positions have fallen flat on his face.

Try again next time

babyosisi: The two mrs rolling dollars should go and roll on the ground for Fashola to dash them money

Don't you realize that Oga Fashola is Muslim and shouldn't be seen looking at women rolling on the floor, perhaps with nothing under their wrappers

FOLLOWING attempts by fleeing members of the Boko Haram terrorist sect to regroup in a bid to fight back, the Defence headquarters, yesterday, said that communication equipment used by the group for shooting and posting online video messages of their leaders have been recovered.

The disclosure was made just as Special Forces of the JTF commenced night and day patrols to dislodge remnants of terrorists still hibernating in the camps and hideouts of the hilltops and forests where the terrorists had made their den.

The equipment recovered including laptops, mobile communication equipment (GSM phones) and others used for shooting and posting online videos, as well as locally made rockets and rocket launchers were among several items seized by the JTF from the arrested terrorists. They were displayed for a nine man Defence Headquarters Assessment Team that visited Borno and Yobe states, weekend.

A statement by Brigadier General Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information said: "As a follow up to scheduled assessment visits to troops in the North East of the country, a nine member Defence Headquarters Operational Assessment Team has returned from Yobe and Borno States to brief the Chief of Defence Staff with updates on the situation in the operational area of the Special Forces operating in the North East.

"The force which has been tasked in support of the implementation of the State of Emergency is conducting operations to stop terrorism and to restore normalcy to the security situation in north eastern part of the country. The team visited troop's location in various parts of Borno and Yobe States. Interacting with the troops inside Sambisa forest, the team leader and Director of Operations in the Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Olatunji Faloyin, conveyed the greetings and commendation of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), whom he said was very proud of the troops".

He expressed the CDS satisfaction with the high level of successes so far recorded in the operation and thanked them for a job well-done, urging them not to rest on their oars until the entire region was fully sanitized and cleared of all terrorists activities. The team also assured the troops of regular logistic supplies while the mission lasts.

Earlier, the team was briefed by commanders, on conduct of the operation to rid the forest of the insurgents who had made the location their sanctuary. They were told that some notorious leaders of the terrorists have been captured while some materials recovered in the camp have also provided useful intelligence for subsequent operations.

- See more at: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/4890-jtf-seizes-boko-harams-online-video-equipment-computers#sthash.fhfpdesA.dpuf

Greatness of soul and practical wisdom commonly seen as key virtues of 'statesmen', appear to have taken flight from the ranks of Nigeria's fractured political intelligentsia. This clearly portends danger for the stability and unity of state. The scenario pre-supposes these preeminent assets indispensable for visionary nation building were resident in Nigeria in some bye-gone era. It is conceivable some political historians could stick out their heads and affirm that indeed some aspects of the formation of the Nigerian state benefited from statesmen and statesmanship.

This legitimate, if debatable position would readily cite the contemporaneous quartet of Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo and a handful others as icons and statesmen - of that era. Indeed, they may have their point. Statesmanship also conveys a quality of leadership that organically brings people together and of 'eldership', a spirit of caring for others and for the whole. This enlightened mindset of statesmen can actually go as far as considering certain victories as evil as former German Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck stated in one of his remarkable insights: "I consider even a victorious war as an evil, from which statesmanship must endeavor to spare nations."

But as job descriptions go, 'statesmanship' is certainly not one, despite how much we wish it were. But using the term implies recognition that someone has the character and understanding to exercise certain virtues in political or state affairs. In the evolution of nation states and movement of time, especially as it affects the affairs of state, statesmanship is seen as a critical safety factor. These considerations may explain the new urgency on the home turf of turning the spotlight on personalities who general perception peg as statesmen but are seen as crossing the line.

On the spot currently is retired General Muhammadu Buhari, former head of state and currently leader of the opposition Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He is also a key arrowhead of the proposed merger of the nation's opposition political parties who plan to wrest power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Currently, the key reason why Buhari attracts the spotlight is on account of his controversial public pronouncements on sensitive national issues. This focus is even sharper also on account of his track record as a disciplined, principled man of perpendicular integrity.

The high point of the controversy trailing Buhari's recent public pronouncements is perhaps the call by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ayo Oritsejafor, that the ex-head of state be arrested on account of his alleged incendiary and inciting public comments. While Oritsejafor's call may verge on the extreme, the stature of Buhari ought to have informed more circumspect public utterances by the lanky Fulani prince, especially at moments of national tension like this.

A good example of Buhari's curious offensive could be gleaned from his interview recently in Kaduna with Liberty FM's Hausa Service Programme, 'Guest of the Week.' As reported in the Punch newspaper, Buhari blasted the ongoing military campaign against Boko Haram, claiming that they are getting harsher treatment than the Niger Delta militants. Moreover, he attributed the rise of Islamic militancy to the Niger Delta insurgency.

It would appear Buhari conveniently forgot that the Joint Task Force that was deployed in the Niger Delta to combat the militancy there included jets fighters, naval gunboats, and armoured vehicles. From an ex-soldiers perspective, Buhari correctly states in the interview under reference that arming of Niger Delta youth by politicians who were running for office played a major role in the militarisation of the region. But again, he he conveniently skips how that provoked the bloody ethno-religious campaign being waged by Boko Haram, a body which has gone as far as giving impossible pre-conditions to the state for peace.

The Niger Delta militancy focused their military campaign against the oil industry and infrastructure. They did not target Muslims or Northerners or Christians per se for that matter. Their demands, woven around the environmental insensitivity of the oil majors were logical and attracted international sympathy. In sharp contrast, Boko Haram is demanding the impossible: the Islamisation of all of Nigeria and bombing churches and killing Christians to advance that cause.

Is Buhari losing the mental acuity with which he built an impeccable career in the army and defined his hard-to-beat credentials of a passionate nationalist? Is this fine soldier crossing the line, becoming churlish and courting infamy? Perhaps a recourse to Aristotle's Ethics, within the context of this write-up will aid proceedings.

According to Aristotle, greatness of soul means judging rightly that you are capable of doing great things and worthy of the greatest responsibilities, which can only be the case if you have complete virtue. Practical wisdom requires having the virtues that enable you to desire the right end in every kind of decision and choice, in addition to the understanding of how best to attain those ends not only for yourself but for a community for which you exercise responsibilities.

- See more at: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/daily-columns/lewis-chukwuma-thursday-column/4855-buhari-statesman-in-retreat#sthash.eX6RmU4G.dpuf

Reports reaching us indicates that the Igbariam campus of Anambra State University experienced students some riot this morning. We heard things have died down a bit.

The cause of riot may not be unconnected with an incident of armed robbery attack that happened last night. We gathered that the robbers invaded the students' lodge last night to rob and they ended up shooting quite a few students. One student died last night, while another one who was shot died early this morning in the hospital.

Some students decided the best way to respond to the incident was to riot against the school and state government, blaming lack of security for their fellow students' deaths.

Read more: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/4766-riot-at-anambra-state-university-after-two-students-were-killed-by-armed-robbers

^ Certainly many of 'us' suffer from selective amnesia

Reading the interview Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) gave to Daily Trust which was published on Wednesday the 22nd of May 2013, I am compelled to raise historical issues that put the former military Head of State's words in perspective.

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) blamed President Jonathan for the insurgency occasioned by the militant sect, Jamā'a Ahl al-sunnah li-da'wa wa al-jihād, commonly referred to as Boko Haram and asked President Jonathan to resign saying "Jonathan should vacate and give way to competent hand to govern the country".

Buhari further said "When the Niger Delta militants started their activities in the South-South, they were invited by the late President Umaru Yar'adua.

An aircraft was sent to them and their leaders met with the late President in Aso Rock and discussed issues. They were given money and a training scheme was introduced for their members. But when the Boko Haram emerged in the north members of the sect were killed".

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) may wish to note that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan never supported militancy and criminality in the Niger-Delta at any time in his political career. Furthermore, the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua used a combination of carrot and stick to end the militancy in the Niger-Delta.

Stick was used in the form of heavy military intervention by way of the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) which routed the militants by way of ground attacks and aerial assault with the use of Nigerian Air Force Jets and helicopters. After this initial pacification, the carrot was introduced whereby the administration offered an olive branch for those wishing to embrace dialogue. Those who accepted the offer to dialogue came out of the creeks and dialogue took place leading to the conditional amnesty (militants were made to surrender their weapons and renounce violence before they could benefit from the amnesty).

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) may or may not be aware that these same steps were taken by the current administration with regards to the insurgency occasioned by Jamā'a Ahl al-sunnah li-da'wa wa al-jihād or Boko Haram.

This administration in fulfillment of its constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order and enforce the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria empowered Nigeria's security forces to check the insurgency. As a democrat and listening leader, President Jonathan's ears were opened to the cries of the people in the affected areas and after meeting with different informed groups agreed to employ the dialogue option and called for the leaders of the Jamā'a Ahl al-sunnah li-da'wa wa al-jihād or Boko Haram to show themselves.

In furtherance of his desire to peacefully resolve the insurgency, President Jonathan inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North on Wednesday the 24th of April 2013 at the Presidential Villa Abuja under the leadership of a cabinet minister, Tanimu Turaki, Minister of Special Duties.

A week after the President's initiative, Jamā'a Ahl al-sunnah li-da'wa wa al-jihād or Boko Haram rejected the amnesty proposal yet the President kept faith with the Committee and met with them as recently as a week ago and in furtherance of that meeting he issued orders for the release of certain classes of detainees held in connection with the insurgency.

With the detailed historical TimeLines provided above, it is my considered opinion that Major General Muhammadu Buhari's (rtd) statement castigating President Goodluck Jonathan for not treating the Jamā'a Ahl al-sunnah li-da'wa wa al-jihād or Boko Haram as others were treated are not factual and are borne out of insufficient study of historical facts.

Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) also accused the President of using undue force on the Jamā'a Ahl al-sunnah li-da'wa wa al-jihād or Boko Haram saying "In Bama and Baga towns, military personnel were reported to have been engaged in extortion and sometimes raping of women. And because a soldier was killed in Baga the whole town was sacked by military. This is not the best way military should have acted when they were sent to restore law and order in a town. How can a responsible government allow its people to be killed in this way".

Let me say that I appreciate Buhari's concern for the victims of the Boko Haram attacks on Bama and Baga. However, Buhari should be reminded that the President ordered an investigation into the incidence at Bama. The investigations are being carried out by qualified persons and Buhari ought to wait for the results of those investigations before apportioning blame. Members of the Nigerian armed forces are sacrificially laying their lives down to protect Nigerians and they deserve more loyalty from us all, particularly from one who was once their Commander-in-Chief.

But going back to history, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is reminded that this is not the first time that terrorists have unleashed mayhem on Nigerians.

[b]Buhari is reminded that in February and March of 1984, the Maitatsine sect unleashed violence in Yola under the leadership of Musa Makaniki. A conservative estimate is that 1000 people died during those riots and half of the residence of Yola in present day Adamawa state were rendered homeless. The military was unleashed on the sect by the military administration of Major General Muhammadu Buhari. Similar charges as the ones made today by Buhari were made against the soldiers sent by his government to quell the Maitatsine riots of 1984. They were accused of undue force, destruction of property, raping women and killing civilians. Many human rights groups and activists including J. Peter Pham, the Director of the Michael Ansari Center at the prestigious Atlantic Council whom I have personally met and who is alive today have documented what took place during those riots. In putting down the Maitatsine insurgency, the military incurred collateral damages. Yet Nigerians understood with Buhari. Did anyone call for his resignation as military Head of State because of the incidence?

Also, it is a historical fact that Maitatsine riots again flared up more than a year after this in April of 1985, while Buhari was still Head of State, this time in Gombe in present day Gombe state. Hundreds of people were killed and the military again was called in. There were collateral damage and Musa Makaniki, the arrowhead of Maitatsine escaped to the Cameroon and was not caught until 2004 when Obasanjo had ascended to power. To the best of my knowledge, nobody called on Buhari to resign even though he could not apprehend the leader of the sect.

Is it too much to ask that Buhari show the same level of understanding that Nigerians showed to him in 1984-1985 to the President?
[/b]
Some issues should be beyond politics. Anytime an elder statesman calls into question the abilities of our armed forces it goes a long way to weakening their morale and resolve which is precisely what should not be weakened when we face an insurgency such as the present one.

http://www.punchng.com/opinion/on-buharis-call-for-the-presidents-resignation/
http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/4659-on-buharis-call-for-the-presidents-resignation-reno-omokri

All may not have been fully heard about the incident of May 7 2013 which unofficial reports claim over sixty officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force as well as men of the State Security Services were killed at Alakio village, Eggon land, in Nasarawa state. One of the members of the Omba'atse group, which fought the policemen, says the group is not violent.

The old man, on condition of anonymity, said in Alakio Friday, that the policemen sent to the village provoked the attack by indiscriminately killing the natives. According to him, over thirty innocent locals were shot dead by the police, and more would have been shot if not the quick intervention of the Omba'atse group. He said the group is the movement in the area with the sole mandate of protecting the common heritage and aspirations of the natives of the area, mainly from external aggression.

It was gathered that the village has an ancestral deity called Azhili, upon which members of the Omba'atse group get initiated. Members of the public are also said to seek protection and success from Azhili.

The man, who is in his late 1960's, said, "Eggon people generally are peaceful. We live peacefully with other ethnic nationalities. We don't engage in crimes and we don't tolerate such. Our forefathers worshipped their gods with fear.

It was the coming of the white men that changed the tempo of our ancestral worship. Presently Eggon natives still live in peace and serve this country very well in every capacity they find themselves. We are also patient people. We only react when we are pushed to the wall."

He said the protracted marginalisation and oppression upon the Eggon race by successive administrations in Nasarawa state and beyond informed the people's quest to unite and have a common front on issues that affect them.

"We decided that we should be together otherwise we will be annihilated.

A particular reference is the 2006 governorship election in Nasarawa state. The climax of the race was between Senator Solomon Ewuga and former Governor Abdullahi Adamu. Ewuga is from Eggon. Ewuga won the election with a greater margin but it was rigged in favour of Abdullahi Adamu.

This provoked Eggon people and it also brought us closer as one. We have Christians, Muslims and traditional African worshippers in our fold. It is our quest for unity that prompted the formation of Omba'atse, which means 'the time has come for Eggon man or woman to stand and claim our right'.

For your information, the majority of people in Nasarawa state are from Eggon. We have been marginalised maybe because our forefathers were not educated or the reasons best known to the authorities concerned."

He defends the group, saying it is not an occult group. In his words, "The doctrines of Omba'atse are according to our common deity Azhili, which go hand in hand with those of the Bible and the Holy Quran. Principal among them are that one must be holy, should not steal, should not commit adulatory, among other vices. In a nutshell, the practice is against evil and man's inhumanity to fellow man. Any person who is not holy cannot worship this deity."

On whether the group is a militant association, the man said, "Omba'atse serves as a movement of our people. The objective is simply to defend our collective aspirations from the enemies. The group does not look for trouble, but to protect according to the dictates of our ancestral gods. Adherents of Azhili know that it does not condone shedding of blood, and anyone who spills human blood without any concrete reason is always severely punished by the deity.

The members are not occultists as some people have come to say. They only uphold the tenets of our tradition. An occultist goes about killing people to fulfil his obligations but Omba'atse does not kill to fulfil any mission rather to protect the land when the need arises. Members do not use guns to fight. They have cutlasses called AK 49, which were given to them by their god for self-defence."

On the actual attack that took place at Alakio village where many policemen were killed, he said, "Information came that armed men were going to attack the village to arrest the traditional chief priest of the deity, who is seen as the spiritual head of the Omba'atse group. This information came to us about a week before the police launched the attack about two weeks ago. When the police eventually came, they were initially asked their mission before they got to the main village. They answered that they were going to arrest some people.

It marvelled everybody because we wondered the kind of arrest that would make the deployment of troops in twelve vehicles. On their way, by a village along Alakio, called Agabija, the policemen began to shoot indiscriminately. When they eventually got to Alakio, they began to shoot people. In fact more than thirty innocent villagers were killed.

That provoked the Omba'atse group who rose for self-defence. They only use cutlasses to fight."

He said there was an open confrontation between the police and the group. "The police fired the first shot. But the bullets did not enter the bodies of the Omba'atse members. The Omba'atse retaliated and inflicted pains on them."

More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/4631-we-used-ak-49-cutlass-to-fight-police-ombatse-member

OP, source please

white dove: ..My Fiancé is a young lieutenant. I remember him (n oda Officers) always n most especially at this time. D fear n unrest in my heart is indescribable. Every day n night I pray for their safety. I remember d last time I saw him bfr he left dis assignment...he was so positive they will help restore peace back to this country n dat he will come back home safe! I hold on to dat always n pray dat God Almighty will see all dis young officers dat have deprived themselves comfort through!!! I just don't know wat to type anymore! I miss u so much honey, I miss ur smile too! N I sooo miss our night gossips!! I know u'll come back!! am ryte here waiting!!

This can make a grown man cry. I have already shed a tear and a prayer.

God protect and guide our troops alright.

@Jakumo has sent Musiwa in search of satellite pictures to show that he is a born again and will very soon become the Baale of Canada.

SEE MAP

GENEVA — Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists could face charges of crimes against humanity, the UN's human rights office warned Friday, also urging the government to ensure civilians are not swept up in an army counter-offensive.

"Members of Boko Haram and other groups and entities, if judged to have committed widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population -- including on grounds such as religion or ethnicity -- could be found guilty of crimes against humanity," said Rupert Colville, spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

"Deliberate acts leading to population 'cleansing' on grounds of religion or ethnicity could also amount to a crime against humanity," he told reporters.

Nigeria's military has launched an offensive against Boko Haram strongholds, after President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in three northeastern states following the Islamists' seizure of territory and declaration of war on the government.

Colville underlined that UN rights chief Navi Pillay had repeatedly slammed the "cowardly attacks" by Boko Haram against civilians, politicians, the security forces and foreign nationals.

But with Nigeria's military accused of massive rights violations in the past, including indiscriminate attacks on the ordinary population, there are warnings of a risk of high number of civilian deaths.

"We also call on the Nigerian government to make sure its efforts to achieve security are in full compliance with human rights principles," said Colville.

"We urge security forces and the military to respect human rights, and avoid excessive use of force when conducting operations, as these can all too easily feed local resentment, especially when civilians are killed or have their property damaged," he added.

More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/4606-boko-haram-could-face-war-crimes-charges-un

So many semi-illiterate kids on Nairaland these days.

lecturerdabo: Another pdp ploy.

Don't be naive!

Politicians are ready to go to any length to grab state power. It could be either way APC or PDP

We are compelled by the highest sense of patriotism and responsibility to alert peace loving Nigerians, authentic patriots; heroes of our democracy and friends of Nigeria, of the existence of a vast conspiracy hatched by opposition forces to unleash anarchy on the nation through well oiled media propaganda machinery.

The purveyors of this destabilization plot are prominent citizens acting in cahoots with their new found friends including a disgruntled governor from the South-South region who has in recent times been used by the opposition as beach head to fan embers of acrimony, hatred and instability in their fruitless attempt to bring down the God-ordained administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan at all cost in furtherance of their narrow selfish agenda.

Some of the agendas of the opposition, as we can confirm includes:

1. Sponsoring editorials on corruption
2. Commentaries on insecurity
3. Extra judicial killings and calls for international probe of human right abuses
4. Editorial focuses on monumental wastage power sector

It is in deference to Professor Wole Soyinka that we have decided to alert the nation of this vast conspiracy for "The man dies in him, who fails to speak out in the face of tyranny". This dictatorship of the media procured and oiled by filthy lucre should not be allowed to succeed since we do not have any other nation.

We hereby make the following assertions on the issues they have raised:

THE CORRUPTION GAMBIT

Already, these political predators have procured the service of paid hacks to project the patriotic, focused and visionary administration of President Goodluck Jonathan as inept and corrupt. This gambit is premised on the claimed genuine concern of the patriotic Nigerians for the curtailment of corruption in our polity. This monster has eaten deep into the fabric of our nation and only an unwavering committed attack on it will salvage the nation from the throes of insipient moral decay.

The Jonathan administration has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to the fight against corruption. It is however instructive that the profile of those who want to tar him with the brush of corruption is riddled in paradox.

The legacy left behind by the chief sponsor of this vile propaganda as governor of Lagos State reek in monumental corruption. His transformation from grinding poverty after his exploits as NADECO Chieftain to that of the richest Nigerian qualifies as one of the cesspit wonders of the world. Apart from the heartless rip off of Lagos State through his nominated company in the collection of the states Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), there is iron clad evidence that the Governors in the States where he holds sway make refunds to him for up 30 percent of their revenue. Nigerians should beware of this emergent "anti-corruption crusader"!

SECURITY

Cardinal to their destabilization plot is to continuously question the commitment of the Jonathan administration to tackling the lingering security challenges besetting our nation. But the question on the lips of all well meaning citizens is; who are the sponsors of this muster called Boko Haram.

The way and manner these self professed critics are gloating over the chaos and needless bloodletting by the Boko Haram raises the question of the existence of an incestuous relationship between them and this dreaded band of killers. It is also instructive that the sponsors of this destabilization had at various times threatened to make the nation ungovernable if they fail to have their way.

We call on the relevant security agencies to beam their searchlight on them as the federal government continues to work assiduously to bring this threat to an end. We also use this medium to commend the Jonathan administration on its unwavering commitment and determination to stamp out the Boko Haram insurgency. It is also worthy of mention that the new opposition have found a new and a beautiful bride in the person of the former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sherrif. Nigerians know who the governor is and what his relationship with the dreaded sect is.

Nigerians cannot be fooled by this gambit; we are wiser now!

POWER

In the history of Nigeria, we stand to be corrected on our assertion that it is the Jonathan administration more than any other government that has shown unprecedented commitment towards solving our endemic crisis in the power sector.

It is an incontrovertible fact that the Jonathan administration has taken the boldest step yet by supporting the full privatization of the power sector in line with the international best practices in the overriding national interest.

Nigerians cannot be fooled by the tantrums and antics of this power hungry desperate bigot. We recall vividly that why this architect of chaos was the governor of Lagos State, he entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Yinka Folawiyo Power Limited and Enron Corporation of the United for improved power generation and transmission in Lagos State.

He promised Lagosian of 290megawatts of electricity by 2003, after committing $225 million to the project in 1999. It is indeed sad that this white elephant project did not generate even a megawatt of electricity. And these are the same men that want to make the unsuspecting Nigerians believe they will perform magic when they wrestle power? So much for these self styled apostles of integrity!

Nigerians, be wise!



Signed
Simeon John
General Secretary, Youth Alliance For One Nigeria
anwuroku@yahoo.com

More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/4537-exposed-oppositions-plot-against-nigeria-a-call-for-vigilance

It was reported that cases detected in Japan indicated a new strain of gonorrhoea, with the American National Coalition of STD Directors claiming it was “an emergency situation”.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention denied reports that any new strain of gonorrhoea was detected.

The bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae has become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Professor Cathy Ison, head of the National Reference Laboratory for Gonorrhoea in Britain, told the BBC last month that “there is a possibility that if we don’t do something then it could become untreatable by 2015”.

Dr Derek Freedman — who founded of the Society for the Study of Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ireland and is a founding member of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology — said the “overuse” and “inappropriate use” of antibiotics was behind the current health scare: “Gonorrhoea has become resistant to a lot of the antibiotics previously used.

“There is now only one antibiotic that is fully effective against gonorrhoea. It is given by injection.

“There is definitely [a] need to be worried about the development of antibiotic resistance: if antibiotic overuse and misuse continues, we will be left with nothing to treat these simple infections.

“We are seeing an emerging epidemic of gonorrhoea in this country, especially with men having sex with men, but there are a lot of heterosexual cases as well. Girls carry it silently.”

Dr Freedman said gonorrhoea in the throat or back passage typically remained “completely silent” and may not be detected through a urine screening test. He said blood tests should be part of all STD screening.

“There is always a need for awareness of STIs. The main risk factor is casual encounters, particularly men who have sex with men. Alcohol is usually a co-factor: it inhibits the inhibitions.”

He said overindulgence in alcohol had played a “significant role” in between 60% and 70% of cases seen in both private and public practice.

More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/health/4530-a-new-virulent-strain-of-gonorrhoea-that-is-worse-than-aids-emerges-expert

odumchi:

They're both Aro dialect. 'Asiboko' really means peanut but I guess it can be applied to cashews as well.

Okpokoro in my dialect is an empty vessel or shell