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 Politics / Nigeria Is 39th Largest Economy - FG by youngies(m): 9:21am On Sep 04, 2012 |
The Federal Government, yesterday, said that the domestic economic performance has improved, to the extent that it is now ranking 39th among the leading economies in the world. Inaugurating the Central Working Committee on the review of the implementation of the 1st National Implementation Plan (NIP) for the Vision 20-2020 in Abuja, the Minister of National Planning, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, explained that the development showed clearly that the ongoing Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, particularly its three-phased National Implementation Plan components, is achieving the desired results. With the new ranking, the minister projected that the performance would get better if the ongoing GDP rebasing exercise is concluded. The minister described the work of the committee as crucial to government’s efforts to reposition the nation’s economy as one of the biggest globally by 2020 and therefore assured them of necessary support that would help them accomplish their assignment. Usman said: “What gets measured is done. By setting a target and measuring the progress that we are making we are more likely to achieve, not just sitting back. Like I used to say during the opening exercise, we may wake up by 2020 if we don’t do anything systematic and find out that we are now number 50 from 44. “But from the way we are tracking and really pushing, we are already. “I think, unfortunately the Statistician General is out of the country but is represented and I have not cross-checked with the latest GDP growth rate, but the last time I checked, we have actually climbed to about 39 from the 44 we have been. “So you can see we are making progress there in terms of GDP Per Capital and we are going to make another big progress when the GDP rebasing figures come out.” According to him, the first NIP, which commenced in 2010, is scheduled for completion next year and it provides a strong foundation for the implementation of subsequent plans in the next eight years. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2393-fg-nigeria-now-39th-worlds-largest-economy |
| Politics / Re: How Buhari Failed Nigerians - PDP by youngies(m): 7:41am On Sep 03, 2012 |
PDP should shut the pho'k up already. Brood of vampires! Kettle calling pot black. #Hippocratic  |
| Politics / How Buhari Failed Nigerians - PDP by youngies(m): 7:05am On Sep 03, 2012 |
THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend considered the place of former Head of State, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, in the polity and arrived at this verdict: He has failed Nigerians and inflicted pain on them. The PDP took this position against the backdrop of a statement credited to Buhari that the only thing that the PDP government had not tampered with was the Holy Koran. In a statement issued yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party expressed shock that Buhari could make such a statement despite huge efforts being made by the PDP government to transform the country. The party said: “There is still room for improvement no doubt, but Nigeria under the PDP has recorded tremendous gains in terms of advancing the rule of law and the fundamental rights of Nigerians, indeed, in other indices of good governance which democracy is usually expected to guarantee. “We are shocked that an elder statesman could paint such an ugly picture, laced with tissue of lies, of his dear nation just to advance his political fortunes. We shudder that a former head of state under whose watch freedom of expression landed many Nigerians in detention on account of his obnoxious decrees, and who now enjoys such freedom, is utterly ungrateful to the efforts of our great party in advancing the cause of democracy. “If the CPC leadership does not understand what the rule of law is, let’s oblige them with little details. “Today, criticisms, even destructive ones are hurled at the PDP-led Federal Government and no one is harassed because we uphold the inalienable rights of the people which are at the heart of democracy .We throw our doors open to criticism so that we accommodate alternative views. “Today, the PDP loses elections and winners are sworn-in and we do not use our incumbency at the centre to truncate the democratic wishes of the people. However, in the states held by the opposition parties, local elections are massively rigged as witnessed recently in Lagos and Ogun states and where we defy the odds to emerge victorious like in Imo State, machinery of government is used to frustrate the expressed wish of the people. “The rule of law if we must state further is that in our drive for transparency and accountability, some leaders of our party have been caught by the long arm of the law and we never obstructed the course of justice. “Do we need to add that the PDP-led Federal Government does have deference to the rule of law and that is why we enacted the Freedom of Information Act so that every Nigerian will not be in the dark as to how the nation is run, and so that they can be armed to demand for what is right?” PDP also said that it had demonstrated rule of law in congresses and national conventions. “Must we also tell the leadership of the CPC that in our congresses and convention, deference to the rule of law is the word? And that notwithstanding our size, we successfully manage dissenting views and establish strong leadership not dogged by factions like the CPC? “And for Gen. Buhari, the evangelist of rule of law, Nigerians wish to know if unlawful incitement of the populace to violence and attack on the institutions of democracy are part of the rule of law? “Is the imposition that marked the congresses of the CPC in 2011 which is still hunting the party till date an act in rule of law? “We wish to advise Gen. Buhari to concentrate in giving Nigerians his alternative ideas and plan of action to what the PDP has at present or even engage us in a public debate on the values of good governance. We pray that his party or whatever alliance they are negotiating presents Buhari once more as a presidential candidate so that Nigerians will make their choice”, the statement added. It was alleged that while on a visit to Kano State last week, Buhari attacked the PDP, saying: “Under normal circumstances, we are supposed to work strictly within the provisions of the constitution, but this is Nigeria and nothing is perfect and the only thing they have not tampered with from 1999 to date in Nigeria is the Holy Koran.” More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2380-how-buhari-failed-nigerians-pdp |
| Politics / 2015: PDP Will Take Over South West – Jonathan by youngies(m): 10:07am On Sep 02, 2012 |
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Osogbo said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would deliver all the six states of the South-west in the next general elections, saying the party has all it takes to rule the zone. President Jonathan spoke at a civic reception organized by the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the National Secretary of the party and former governor of the state, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. The president, represented by his Special Adviser on Inter Party affairs, Senator Ben Obi, said the PDP has capable members who could serve well in the South-West, adding that the party is made up of knowledgeable individuals in the zone and other parts of the country. The ceremony, which drew the attention of eminent personalities and leaders of thoughts from across the country, was also used to canvass for support for the state chapter of the party in its bid to return to power in the next general elections. Meanwhile, the governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has urged the people of Osun State to rally round the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the stage is set for the party to form the governments in the South-west and the state would not be an exception. Akpabio stated this in his address at the reception in honour of Oyinlola. Speaking through the Secretary to the Akwa-Ibom State Government, Obong Umana Okon Umana, Akpabio, who was the chairman at the occasion, stated that Osun was blessed with capable politicians, who were also ready to take the state from the woods. “Let me state here without mincing words that the state and the good people of Osun are looking up to you for leadership and it is my hope that with the calibre of people in the party the stage is now set for the party to form government in this state and other South- west states,“ the governor said. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2377-2015-pdp-will-take-over-south-west--jonathan |
| Politics / Ohanaeze Denies Alleged Pact With Jonathan Over 2015 by youngies(m): 1:21pm On Aug 31, 2012 |
CONTRARY to speculations that it entered a pact with President Goodluck Jonathan to relinquish power to Ndigbo in 2015 should they vote for him in the 2011 general election, Ohanaeze Ndigbo said yesterday that there was no such agreement. It said that her quest for a president of Igbo extraction in 2015 was based on the promise by Jonathan that he would rule for four years, explaining that the four years he craved for would elapse in 2015. Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya, in an interview in Enugu, said that the massive support Ohanaeze mobilised from the Igbo people for Jonathan during the 2011 election was based on the belief that the South-South where he hailed from was part of the country and deserved a shot at the highest political office in the land. He stressed that it was in the spirit of justice, equity and fair play to allow the South-South zone, which had not tested the Presidency to do so, especially when by providence they were nearer to power than any other zone of the country. He said, “this is the trouble with Ndigbo, they are always speculating on the wrong issue. Ohanaeze didn’t have any agreement with Jonathan. The support of Ndigbo for Jonathan is based on the fact that if we are running a federation and master key should be tested by all concerned. The argument of Ndigbo and for which we supported Jonathan is that we are now working on six geo-political zones and going by the rulership for over 50 years, the South-South which produces the golden egg has not had a test of the number one slot in the country. This man (Jonathan), we didn’t make him, he became a Vice President, his principal died, he acted as the President and the Senate came up with the conditionality of necessity. Asked what will happen to Ndigbo should Jonathan refused to quit by 2015, he said the Ohanaeze had a way of doing things and would certainly go back and review the situation with a view to taking a stand on it. He stated that what was obvious now was the fact that nobody could remove from the Igbo people the fact that they worked and was instrumental to the election of President Jonathan, stressing that it could be difficult for him to win an election without the support of the zone. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2361-ohanaeze-denies-alleged-pact-with-jonathan-over-2015 |
| Health / Re: FG Approves N1.8bn For Condoms Procurement by youngies(m): 1:18pm On Aug 31, 2012 |
Callotti: Who is gonna use all these condoms? Nigerian men cannot function with condoms o! Even from behind. . .bases!Callotti, you dey craze fa  Nigerian men dey use condom wella. If in doubt, visit Empress hotel (by ASG Complex, Wuse II, Abuja) in the morning when they are sweeping their compound  |
| Health / FG Approves N1.8bn For Condoms Procurement by youngies(m): 1:03pm On Aug 31, 2012 |
The Federal Government has approved the sum of N1.8 billion ($11.3 million) for the procurement of condoms and family planning commodities, as part of its efforts at reducing maternal mortality and promoting planned parenthood. The Director of Family Health in the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr. Bridget Okoeguale, disclosed this in Abuja during the 47th National Council Meeting of the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria. According to her, the amount is for the purchase of condoms, implants and other necessities. She said that some states do not have a budget line for family planning, despite the global campaign. “Last year, in order to reduce the maternal mortality rate, the Federal Government proclaimed that reproductive health commodities and family planning commodities like condom and implants would be free. Now that it is free, people will have to be rushing it," she said. “So, the government, along with the partners, made a forecast as to what we need in the country, and contributed $3m in 2011 through a Memorandum of Understanding which we implemented. But this year, globally, on July 11 to be precise, in London, there was a family planning summit organised by DFID and other partners to increase the commitment of governments all over the world to family planning. “Nigeria came in a big way, and Mr. President, through the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, announced the Federal Government’s commitment to the world with an additional $8.3m reproductive health commodities." Okoeguale said that FG was appealing to states to key in, because health is on the concurrent list. "The Federal Government has a plan and policy but we cannot force states to key in. We can only advocate for them; they make requests to us as regards what they need but it is for them to ensure that these commodities reach the grassroots," she said. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2360-fg-approves-n18bn-for-condoms-procurement |
| Politics / $15m Ibori Bribe: Arrest Andy Uba, Ribadu — Keyamo by youngies(m): 7:41am On Aug 31, 2012 |
Human rights lawyer, Mr Festus Keyamo, has called on the federal government to arrest, immediately, the former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Senator Andy Uba, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Chibuike Achigbu and charge them for money laundering, conspiracy and bribery. The call followed an application filed by Achigbu before a Federal High Court in Abuja in which he claimed that he gave the money to Andy Uba for the purpose of financing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2007 general elections. In a press statement signed by Keyamo and made available to journalists, the lawyer urged the federal government to arrest Ribadu, interrogate him and charge him to court for conspiracy to pervert justice. [b]According to Keyamo, it is either Ribadu on the one hand is lying that he was offered $15million as bribe or Andy Uba, Ibori and Achigbu on the other were all lying that it was not bribe. "Arrest Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, interrogate him and charge him to court, if necessary, for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and perjury as regards the proceedings in Asaba when he swore on oath or procured another to swear that he was given a bribe. "This is because, it is either Ribadu on the one hand is lying that he was offered $15million as bribe or Andy Uba, Ibori and Chibuike Achigbu on the other are all lying that it was not bribe. "Both versions cannot be correct and any version that is false amounts to a crime under our laws. [/b]However, Keyamo urged the federal and Delta state governments to immediately withdraw their suits for forfeiture of the bribe money from court. He asked all other parties to back off from pursuing cases for the possession of the bribe money and said that it was a national embarrassment. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2354-15m-ibori-bribe-arrest-andy-uba-ribadu--keyamo |
| Politics / Nnaji Committed No Offence – Jonathan by youngies(m): 7:19am On Aug 31, 2012 |
Bart Nnaji Didn’t Commit Any Offence – Jonathan PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan spoke yesterday on why former Power Minister Barth Nnaji threw in the towel. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2356-bart-nnaji-didnt-commit-any-offence--jonathan |
| Politics / Blame Adamawa Flood On Our Negligence - Minister by youngies(m): 7:27am On Aug 30, 2012 |
Last weekend’s flood disaster in Adamawa State that led to loss of human lives has been blamed on the failure of federal government to build a buffer dam on the Nigerian side. The flood was as a result of an over-run of water from Lagdo dam constructed by the government of Cameroon. The minister of water resources, Mrs. Stella Ochekpe, who dropped this hint while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, said that successive Nigerian governments had failed to construct the buffer dam in Adamawa. She, however, gave the assurance that the President Jonathan administration was ready to conduct a feasibility study prior to constructing the buffer dam. Ochekpe said that she had visited the affected area in the company of other top government officials and lamented that flood disaster had been a recurring issue since Cameroon built its own Lagdo dam. Nigeria was expected to build a similar buffer dam to check the flooding whenever Cameroonian authorities decided to release water from their own dam. She said, “We were expected to build a buffer dam on our own side. Already, pre-feasibility study has been done. We are seeking approval now to go ahead to do full feasibility study to construct our own dam that will help to reduce the effect of likely flooding that would occur resulting from future release of water from the Lagdo dam in Cameroon”. She said that the release of the water was something that had to be done regularly especially in the peak of the rains, and added that if they did not release the water regularly, what might even befall us was much more than what we saw because the whole of Yola, Jimeta and Numan would be flooded. “We also discovered some other human activities being under taken which are not right”, She said. Ochekpe said that land was also being allocated to people in the area by the government in the state in waterways hence exposing the lives of innocent Nigerians to danger. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2347-blame-adamawa-flood-on-our-negligence-minister |
| Politics / Re: Power Reform: I Resigned To Protect Jonathan - Nnaji by youngies(m): 7:24am On Aug 30, 2012 |
Spill the bean or shut the pho'k up. Your greed level is exceedingly embarrassing |
| Politics / Power Reform: I Resigned To Protect Jonathan - Nnaji by youngies(m): 6:56am On Aug 30, 2012 |
Former power minister Prof. Barth Nnaji who was forced to resign Tuesdy has said he opted out of the government to protect President Goodluck Jonathan from “attacks” by certain vested interests. In a press statement he issued in Lagos yesterday through his special assistant on media, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe to clarify the circumstances of his resignation, the former minister alleged that he was the victim of scurrilous attacks in recent days by powerful vested interest that were hell bent on besmirching the integrity and reputation he had painstakingly built over the years. “This resignation is also to ensure that there is no spillover of these attacks to the president who is working very hard to transform the nation,” the statement declared. There were reliable reports yesterday over the resignation that he had an altercation with the president over insinuation that he was creating the impression of acting as a front for the president while occupying the ministerial position despite the apparent conflict of interest in allowing companies linked to him to seek contracts in the power sector. According to him, “I am confident enough to allow history and the Nigerian people to judge my performance on the task that I accepted from the president. I feel particularly proud of the fact that my exit comes at a time that the administration has been able to generate and supply an unprecedented quantum of steady, reliable electric power in the history of our nation. “In addition, I publicly declared the participation in the privatisation process of a foreign company that did business with a company that I had interest in. This fact came to my knowledge only during the course of evaluating the consortia that were bidding for PHCN successor companies,” Nnaji said adding that he voluntarily recued himself from participating in the selection process in line with the finest traditions of transparency and accountability in governance. Nnaji said that his resignation gives him the opportunity to go back to his integrated power projects which have been designed to accelerate the development of the nation. The former minister who paid a glowing tribute to the staff of the Ministry of Power, Power Holding Company of Nigeria and other agencies for their “dedication to duty, hard work, patriotism and commitment to the common good” urged them to ensure the process was not derailed and to remain focused on the objective of delivering reliable, steady power to the nation. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2350-power-reform-i-resigned-to-protect-jonathan-nnaji |
| Politics / Presidency Defends N5.6bn Paid To Ex-militants by youngies(m): 9:32am On Aug 27, 2012 |
The Presidency on Sunday defended the yearly award of about N5.6bn contracts to former Niger Delta militants to protect oil pipelines. It said the contract was in the interest of the nation. Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent, the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said Nigeria had benefited immensely from the exercise. He said that the volume of crude oil being produced in the country had increased tremendously since the exercise commenced. A Wall Street Journal report last week focused on the yearly payment of about N5.6bn to former Niger-Delta war-lords for guarding the oil pipelines in the restive region. The report gave a break-down of the militants involved in the contracts as ‘General’ Government Tompolo Ekpumopolo,N3.6bn; Asari Dokubo, 1.44bn; ‘General’ Ateke Toms,N560m and ‘General’ Ebikabowei Boyloaf Victor Ben, N560m. While defending the government action, which Okupe said was done by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, he said, “Since this exercise began, the crude oil production has jumped from 1.8mbpd to 2.6mbpd. “That is an increment of over $700m income per day to the government. So, when you compare what was paid to get this benefit, it pales into insignificance.” He said the issue of pipeline and their safety were matters of national security and should not be politicised. Okupe said it was on record that oil majors were already engaged in community protection of pipelines and there was no better way to secure the pipelines than to employ members of the community within the community were built. Moreover, he said the transaction for the contracts were “with NNPC and corporate organisations who have the abilities to protect the pipelines and the nation is enjoying the benefits.” But the Congress for Progressive Change in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, argued that the Jonathan regime had earlier in the year, awarded the contract for the nation’s maritime security to Global West Vessel Specialist Agency, a private firm owned by Ekpumopolo. It said that the reason given by the Federal Government for its action “is the inability to ‘source’ the $103m needed to invest over a 10-year period on a Project expected to garner N124bn into the nation’s coffers, generate 1,375 direct jobs and 1,620 indirect jobs.” More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2320-presidency-defends-n56bn-paid-to-ex-militants |
| Politics / Al-qaeda Plots Fresh Attacks On Nigeria, Others by youngies(m): 11:35am On Aug 26, 2012 |
As the country struggles to curb the violent activities of the Islamic fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram, international intelligence agencies have uncovered plans by al-Qaeda, to launch fresh attacks on Nigeria, Ghana and two other African countries. Al-Qaeda, which was founded by the late Osama bin Laden, has launched attacks all over the world. Investigations by showed that the targeted countries were receiving help from Western nations on how to prevent the onslaught. However, it was not clear if the attacks would be launched by al-Qaeda in the Maghreb or the main terrorist organisation in the country. The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the al-Qaeda plot to our correspondent. Mba, however, noted that such threats were received in the past, and added that security agencies were determined to ensure the group’s plan did not succeed. According to him, the police are receiving immense support from developed countries that have counter- terrorism expertise. Mba said, “That al-Qaeda and similar groups want to attack some certain countries is not new. As security operatives, we treat information at our disposal with uttermost care. We test their veracity and analyse them. “Here in Nigeria, we stop most of the domestic attacks before they take place. We defuse more bombs than they detonate. We save thousands of lives daily but we do this discretely and quietly. “More than ever, we have so much support from the international community. We are getting help from both ECOWAS and western countries. We are doing our best with the resources we have and we will continue to do so. “We have stepped up security everywhere but we won’t disclose how we are doing that and the specifics of our mechanisms. “I want to assure Nigerians and the international community that government is irrevocably committed to its mandate of providing adequate security in the country.” Ghana, another country on the radar of al-Qaeda, last Tuesday stepped up security at its Kotoka International Airport, Accra, with heavy deployment of soldiers, who frisked passengers using metal detectors. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2316-al-qaeda-plots-fresh-attacks-on-nigeria-others |
| Politics / Re: Over 1,000 Illegal AK 47 Rifles In Private Hands In Okene - Police by youngies(m): 9:46am On Aug 25, 2012 |
Hmmm, no boko haram in Okene? Very re-assuring indeed  |
| Politics / Over 1,000 Illegal AK 47 Rifles In Private Hands In Okene - Police by youngies(m): 9:45am On Aug 25, 2012 |
NO fewer than 1,000 illegally acquired AK 47 rifles are in the hands of private individuals in Kogi Central Senatorial District of Kogi State. The Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammed Musa Katsina, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday while parading more suspects arrested in connection with the recent killings at Deeper Life Bible Church and the killing of the two military officers in the district. Those paraded included a pastor who assisted the suspected leader of the gang that led the attacks, Sadiq, also variously known as Yekini and Sani, from whom two rifles belonging to the slain soldiers were recovered; his wife and the owner of his rented apartment, located near the attacked church. The police chief said the young wife of the suspected mastermind of the attack, whose name was given simply as Ajara, who was arrested on Sunday, 19 August, lied to the police that she met her spouse in January 2012 and that they had been living in the apartment since October 2011, after seeing the landlady who was arrested separately. Katsina noted that [b]“there is no Boko Haram in Okene” [/b]and what was witnessed in the state in the past few weeks were “pure cases of armed robbery and political attack.” He lamented that 99 percent of perpetrators of the crimes in Okene were Ebira. “In fact, they are calling from Kano State that most of the arrests made there had to do with people from Okene and we should come and pack them.” He hinted that some of the people had mastered the art of bomb making, which they sell to armed robbers in other states. He, however, said efforts were being intensified to ascertain the motive behind the Okene attack. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2302-over-1000-illegal-ak-47-rifles-in-private-hands-in-okene-police |
| Politics / $40m Yearly Payment: We Worked For It – Tompolo by youngies(m): 9:18am On Aug 25, 2012 |
Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND),High Chief Government Ekpumopolo known along the creeks and waterways of the Niger Delta as ‘General Tompolo’ yesterday admitted that his group and other ex-militant groups were being paid the sum of $40 million annually by the federal government. A United States’ Wall Street Journal had on Wednesday, disclosed that the federal government paid a whopping $40 million in the past 12 months to keep the Niger Delta warlords; Dokubo Asari, ‘General’ Ateke Tom, ‘General‘ Ebikabowei Boyloaf Victor Ben, and ‘General’ Government Tompolo Ekpumopolo to guard the country’s oil pipelines. The breakdown showed that Government Ekpumopolo got the lion share of $22.5 million yearly, while former warlord, Dokubo Asari, collects $9million every year to keep his estimated 4000 soldiers at bay. Ateke Tom and Ebikabowei Boyloaf Victor Ben collect $3.5million apiece. Tompolo who spoke yesterday through his media aide, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo stated thus; “Whoever is making the claims should come out with a proper breakdown and evidence of such payments that were not proper and not backed up.” The Wall Street Journal in its report tagged, ‘Nigeria’s Former Oil Bandits Now Collect Government Cash’, said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pays the warlords a princely sum of $39.5 million annually. The payment includes the contract awarded to former warlord Tompolo to protect oil pipelines by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). Asari Dokubo had also confirmed receiving the sum of $9 million a year to pay his estimated 4,000 ‘foot soldiers’ to guard oil pipelines was quoted by the the Journal as saying, ‘I don’t see anything wrong with it’. Two other former warlords, ‘Gen.’ Ebikabowei ‘Boyloaf’ Victor Ben and ‘Gen’ Ateke Tom get $3.8 million each under the arrangement. Meanwhile, the development has drawn the ire of the Northern socio-cultural organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) as they maintained that Nigerians reserved the right to know how they are governed and how their resources are allocated. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2304-40m-yearly-payment-we-worked-for-it--tompolo 1 Like |
| Politics / Re: Subsidy Fraudsters Return Illegal Funds To Federal Govt by youngies(m): 8:32am On Aug 24, 2012 |
I am worried about going to bank with this statement, especially coming from Gov. Peter Obi. Why not Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala? |
| Politics / Subsidy Fraudsters Return Illegal Funds To Federal Govt by youngies(m): 8:31am On Aug 24, 2012 |
Some oil marketers who were wrongly paid money as fuel subsidy payment have started refunding the funds they fraudulently collected to the federal government. Anambra State Governor Peter Obi disclosed this yesterday to State House correspondents after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja but refused to disclose the amount recovered so far. He added that the NEC also commended the federal government over its present stance on the prosecution of those who fraudulently collected subsidy money and the demand for refund. Obi said, “From the report we got today, some of the marketers have started refunding. It is a serious case that people were paid for vessels that were not anywhere near the Nigerian waters, and I think when the Federal Government does a thing that is courageous and right, it should be encouraged and given the necessary courage to do more. We support the Federal Government in its effort to clean up the entire value chain and process in the petroleum industry. Obi said the NEC also reviewed the interest free $500million Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) from a joint presentation on the Erosion Control Fund, a medium term soft loan with a 40 years duration and 10 years moratorium, made by the coordinating minister for the economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the minister for environment, Dr. Hadiza Ibrahim Mailafia. He said, “The ministers explained that the medium term soft loan is meant to check gully erosion in the South -East and other parts of the country which is increasingly threatening lives and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. “On the issue of pending loans, the NEC directed the Ministry of Finance and the Governors Forum to hold further discussions, beginning from today to facilitate states’ access to such facilities, considering their benefits in reducing vulnerability to soil erosion, promoting agriculture and infrastructural development as well as creating employment opportunities,” the governor added. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2295-subsidy-fraudsters-return-illegal-funds-to-federal-govt |
| Politics / Re: Nigeria One Of The Most Christian-populated Islamic Nations - Minister by youngies(m): 11:13am On Aug 23, 2012 |
Surely, Dr. Mohammed Nurudeen is a product of our failed education system. What a goof! What a r-etard! |
| Politics / Nigeria One Of The Most Christian-populated Islamic Nations - Minister by youngies(m): 9:09am On Aug 23, 2012 |
THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) yesterday urged President Goodluck to sanction the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Nurudeen, for allegedly stating that “Nigeria is one of the most Christian-populated Islamic nations in the world.” The National President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, who spoke in Akure, Ondo State capital yesterday, urged the Federal Government “to sanction the minister who should not be a member of the Federal Executive Council in the first instance.” Oritsejafor, who was in Akure for the National Executive Council meeting of the association wondered where the minister got his statistics that showed him that there are more Muslims in the country than Christians. According to him, “there has never been an opportunity to have a demographic assessment of the population of Nigeria in terms of religions and anybody that pretends he has the data is deceiving himself. “When we were about to hold the last census exercise, we insisted that Nigerians should indicate their religion in the form but these people argued against it and the then President Obasanjo appealed to us to abide with their desire. Otherwise the matter could have been settled once and for all.” The cleric stated further: “Moreover, Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution affirms the secularity of Nigeria and the Nigerian government or any of its officials should respect that aspect. That is why I wonder where the Minister got the basis for his statement.” On the insecurity in the country and the vulnerability of Christians and their churches to attacks from Islamic fundamentalists, the CAN president urged restraint on the part of Christians. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2288-nigeria-is-one-of-the-most-christian-populated-islamic-nations-in-the-world-minister-of-foreign-affairs-ii |
| Politics / Re: 2-Okene-Church Killing Suspects Die In Police-Custody by youngies(m): 9:18am On Aug 22, 2012 |
. . . And the cover up continues  1 Like |
| Politics / 2-Okene-Church Killing Suspects Die In Police-Custody by youngies(m): 9:17am On Aug 22, 2012 |
The police in Kogi say additional eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the killings of 19 worshippers at a Deeper Life Bible Church, Okene, on Aug. 6. The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Katsina, who disclosed this to newsmen in Lokoja on Tuesday, however, said two of the suspects had died in custody. Mr. Katsina did not provide details of who the dead suspects are and under what circumstances they died. Key suspects, who could help resolve a crime, are often pronounced dead by the police. The commissioner however said the police arrested two of the eight new suspects in a bus on Murtala Mohammad Bridge, Jamata, Lokoja, on their way to the state from one of the neighbouring states. Mr. Katsina said that the arrested persons were suspected to be among the attackers of the church, who were re-grouping after the attack. The police commissioner also said that the attackers hatched their plot to attack the church and Okene Local Government Secretariat at their hideout in the Eyika Adagu area of the local government. "Three persons each were detailed to attack the church and the soldier respectively; the pastor was the target of the attack but because of confusion as they entered the church, they were shooting sporadically.'' He said that the gang also confessed that they had planned to launch another attack on Aug. 19, to disrupt the services and the Eid-el-Fitri celebration before the arrest of its leader. The police in the state had announced on Aug. 13 that 16 suspects had been arrested in connection with the Okene church killings. But Mr. Katsina did not say what has become of the 16 initial suspects and where they are being held. The commissioner also said that two bomb-manufacturing factories were discovered on Tuesday in Abu Limit Estate and Eyika Adagu in Okene and Okehi Local Government Areas respectively. Conducting journalists round the factories, Mr. Katsina said they were discovered following information provided by the arrested leader of the 21-man gang who masterminded the church attack. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2276-suspects-in-okene-church-killings-die-in-police-custody |
| Politics / Enugu-Women Protest Mysterious Deaths Of Sons by youngies(m): 8:48am On Aug 22, 2012 |
In recent times, Aji community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State has witnessed an unprecedented upsurge in crime. Since December 2012, three youths of the community have been killed by suspected ritualists. The worrisome thing about the killings was that the vital parts of the victims were removed by the unknown killers raising apprehension among the villages that ritual killers are on the prowl in their community. http://sunnewsonline.com/new/national/day-of-rage-as-enugu-women-protest-mysterious-deaths-of-sons/ |
| Politics / Idol Worshippers Blame Nigeria’s Problems On Christianity, Islam by youngies(m): 10:25am On Aug 20, 2012 |
A traditional chief in Badagry Local Government Area in Lagos State, Possu Awarawuru, has identified the advent of foreign religions as a bane of the country’s social problems. Mr. Awarawuruis is one of the seven White Cap Chiefs of Akran of Badagry, Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1. Mr. Awarawuru made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Badagry during this year’s anniversary of the ancient town. “Before the coming of Christianity and Islam, our fore-fathers worship in their traditions and the society was peaceful and crime-free,’’ he said at the festival with the theme “Reconnecting with the Root. ’’ He explained that before the coming of the two religions, Nigerians worship traditional religion and was guided by the values, morals and various injunctions, laid down by the divinities. According to him, without the two religions, the society will be crime-free, since traditional religious worshipers don’t chase materialism. “If you get to the prisons, Christians and Moslems are always there but you can hardly see an idol worshipper being imprisoned. ’’ He advocated the return to African ways of worship, saying that worshippers of the various divinities including Ogun (God of Iron), Olokun (God of the River) and Sango (Thunder), always abide with the norms and injunctions of the deities. Mr. Awarawuru, who is also the head of the Possukoh Quarters, urged followers of foreign religions to stop calling traditionalists idol worshippers. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2259-idol-worshippers-blame-nigerias-problems-on-christianity-islam |
| Politics / Re: FG And Boko Haram Hold Talks In Saudi Arabia by youngies(m): 10:47am On Aug 18, 2012 |
All the parties involved have started to show their hands gradually. |
| Politics / FG And Boko Haram Hold Talks In Saudi Arabia by youngies(m): 10:25am On Aug 18, 2012 |
There are indications that the spate of bombings in parts of the country may soon come to an end if ongoing talks between a Federal Government team led by the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki and leaders of the islamist sect, Boko Haram, do not hit the rock. A deputy leader of the sect, Habu Mohammed had on Monday in far away Mecca, Saudi Arabia announced that the group is engaged in direct talks with the Federal Government on ending violence in the country’s north. Mohammed, who claims to be a deputy to the sect leader, Sheikh Abubakar Shekau, said the militant group decided to initiate the peace moves in response to numerous public appeals for peace in the country. Pressed for details about the peace talks, a top contact in Boko Haram told Saturday Sun that the NSA has been holding discussions with some appointed representatives of the sect at designated venues in the North in recent weeks. The source added that an appreciable progress was, however, made last week when the sect signified its intention to send some of its leaders to an Arab country where a government team was asked to hold direct talks with the Boko Haram leaders. According to the source, “the direct contact meeting has now been held and we have stated our grievances and tabled our demands before the government team. The government delegation has promised to return to Nigeria and brief the president before returning for further discussions.” The sect’s source, who would not disclose what the demands presented to the government delegation were because the two parties were yet to reach concrete agreements on them, however, said: “It is left for them (government) to act now so that we can all move on.” The source revealed that the government’s delegation to the talk was a six-member team but declined to disclose who they are. No government official was ready to react to the claim but a senior official involved in the process, who would not want to be named, urged Saturday Sun to “accept what the sect told you as the truth and don’t probe for further details, please.” Quite a large number of Nigerian government officials, including Vice President Namadi Sambo and muslim faithful travelled between last week and now for the lesser hajj (Umrah) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia where the deputy leader of Boko Haram, Habu Mohammed had announced the ongoing talks with the Federal Government. The Islamist militant group has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Nigeria, including church bombings and the bombing of a United Nations building. The group has threatened international media organizations, including VOA’s Hausa service. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2242-fg-boko-haram-hold-talks-outside-nigeria |
| Politics / JTF Attacks: Genocide In Borno, Yobe - Elders Cry Out by youngies(m): 10:02am On Aug 17, 2012 |
Faceoff between security forces and gunmen in Borno and Yobe states has caused the death of “hundreds”, a forum of elders said yesterday, urging both sides to agree to a ceasefire so as to end the bloodshed. Joint military teams in the two restive states have upped their activities in Maiduguri and Damaturu in the past weeks to root out attackers from the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, aka Boko Haram, but residents say more innocent people than gunmen were killed in the process. The Borno Elders Forum, which had severally called for the withdrawal of the military, issued a statement in Maiduguri yesterday saying that the killings looking more like genocide and must be stopped. “The killings run into hundreds, and it seems the people are facing genocide,” said the statement, which was titled ‘A Passionate Appeal for Restraint,’ and signed by former minister Shettima Ali Monguno. But the Joint Task Force (JTF) in Borno State said there is no genocide in its activities and that it was operating with “utmost respect to the constitution.” The elders’ statement said, “Nobody seems to care even as the fasting Muslims were killed, maimed, robbed, or displaced. It is indeed pathetic and unfortunate that such a situation will be allowed to happen to innocent Muslims. The blood of the innocent flows and they are on their own.” It added: “The plight of the thousands of the victims of this crisis is horrendous. Thousands were displaced and thousands others are fleeing their homes, even in this Holy month of Ramadan.” Yesterday’s call by the Borno elders came in the wake of allegations by some residents of Maiduguri that security forces were secretly burying corpses of civilians killed in the crisis in mass graves because hospital mortuaries are overstretched. There have also been killings of civilians blamed on the Boko Haram sect itself, as well as criminal activities apparently by people who are exploiting the situation to engage in robberies. “The Borno Elders Forum will not be tired or frustrated and will continue to call on all sides to restrain themselves. We are therefore calling on the aggrieved sect to respect and honor this Holy month of Ramadan, lay down their arms, embrace peace and dialogue, and as well consider retracing their steps back into the society,” the statement said. “They need to reflect on the consequences of their actions on the larger society. They need to take pity in the plight of their own people in their own land. “We equally call on the JTF and all security operatives to respect the rights of innocent Muslims. It is their duty to protect all Nigerians. They also need to honor this Holy month of Ramadan in which all Muslims observe fasting. Fasting Muslims need help, need assistance, need care and not harassment and violence. “In the spirit of this Holy month of Ramadan we are calling for an immediate truce, an immediate cessation of hostilities which would lead to a permanent solution. “We are equally calling for the return of the fleeing masses to their homes. We wish to request the JTF and the government to quickly facilitate their return to enable them celebrate the forthcoming Eid el-Fitr Sallah in their homes, happily with their children.” The JTF yesterday dismissed the allegation of genocide by the elders’ forum. “There is nothing to respond in the appeal by the Borno elders. In my understanding, it is just a passionate appeal to concerned citizens to do what is right,” spokesman Lt-Colonel Sagir Musa said. “It is a move in the right direction which is welcomed by the JTF. Be that as it may, let me reiterate that there has never been a recorded or an established case of genocide against the JTF in Maiduguri. “We operate and will continue to operate within the mandate and powers approved by appropriate superior authority with utmost respect to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” ‘Secret burials going on’ Residents of Kaleri, Gaidamari, Budun and Bulabulin areas in Maiduguri alleged it is common to see corpses of civilians immediately after confrontation between gunmen and JTF operatives. “Last week, I personally saw a tipper loaded with dead bodies heading towards Baga road…it was very early in the morning but I don’t know their destination,” a trader, who gave his name as Muntari, told Daily Trust. When our correspondents visited the morgue of the State Specialists Hospital in Maiduguri on Wednesday, it was found that the mortuary was filled up with corpses. Mortuary attendants claimed they were still receiving dead bodies, most of them being dropped by security agencies without explanation. A mortuary attendant who spoke on condition of anonymity told our reporter that between Sunday and Wednesday morning, 19 corpses were taken to the hospital from different parts of the town. “We are still receiving corpses but the freezers inside the mortuary are filled up already and relatives are yet to come for claim,” the attendant said. “Right now, the 19 corpses which were brought to the hospital are lying on the ground because the freezers are already filled up.” A bad odour was oozing out from the mortuary even though the power generating set was functioning. Another source said the smell was from the decomposing corpses lying on ground inside the mortuary since on Sunday. No hospital official was willing to speak on the record yesterday on the number of dead bodies taken to the mortuary in the last ten days. More: http://channelkoos.com/index.php/news/2233-genocide-going-on-in-borno-yobe-borno-elders-cry-out |
| Politics / Re: Kogi Governor’s Aide Arrested Over Okene Killings – Police by youngies(m): 7:54am On Aug 17, 2012 |
Government Boko Haram! This country is irredeemable, so this is all about politics. |
| Politics / Kogi Governor’s Aide Arrested Over Okene Killings – Police by youngies(m): 7:48am On Aug 17, 2012 |
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Mr. Muhammed Katsina, on Thursday confirmed the arrest of a Special Adviser to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Karaku, in connection with the recent violence in Okene area of the state. http://www.punchng.com/news/kogi-govs-aide-arrested-over-okene-killings-police/ |
| Politics / Re: We Will Negotiate With Subsidy Cabal - Okonjo-iweala by youngies(m): 8:51pm On Aug 16, 2012 |
This is a pointer that most of the subsidy cabal may go scot-free after all |
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