Friday 28 February 2014
Justin Bieber faces hard time in Atlanta
Justin Bieber will face some very angry neighbours if he decides to move to an affluent Atlanta-area community.
As word spreads that the legally-challenged pop star may be shopping for mansions in Buckhead, its community group staged a protest last Monday.
“Justin Bieber’s relocation to Atlanta can be nothing but bad for our children, as well as the community,” the Buckhead Neighbourhood Coalition wrote on Facebook.
It continued, “Some can’t even let their children play in the driveway without fear; he has raced vehicles under the influence, before. What’s to say he won’t do it again? As a home owner down the street from this residence, one can assume many people will be contacting real estate agents soon enough.”
At the time this article was posted, more than 120 people signed on to attend a protest Monday morning in front of a property that’s currently for sale and possibly being eyed by Bieber.
It’s tough to argue that Bieber would be a good addition to the community. He’s reportedly charged with a felony after throwing eggs at a neighbour’s home in Calabasas, Calif., which caused more than $20,000 worth of damage. He’s also battling DUI charges in Florida.
But, a few Atlanta residents are sticking up for the pop star.
“This is ridiculous. Leave him alone, he’d be a fine neighbour,” wrote David Lilenfeld in response to the Facebook posting. “I’m a resident of Buckhead, and he is welcome here. I know (unfortunately) plenty of neighbours with DUIs, they just aren’t famous so it doesn’t make the news and so you don’t know about them.”
Atlanta resident Adam Gibson pointed out, “Rock Band the Black Crowes lived on Blackland, bothered no one and they were potheads. Bieber won’t bother anyone.”
Since appearing on the cover of Forbes last year, the Canadian crooner has toured the world, picked up another 20 million Twitter followers and earned another $58 million (that sum would have been even higher if he hasn’t been credited with a double-digit million-dollar merchandise advance last year). With stakes in startups including Enflick, Tinychat and Spotify, he shows no signs of slowing down.
Bieber’s profile
Justin Drew Bieber, born March 1, 1994, is a Canadian pop musician, actor, and singer-songwriter. He was discovered in 2008 by American talent manager Scooter Braun who came across Bieber’s videos on YouTube and later became his manager. Braun arranged for him to meet with entertainer Usher Raymond in Atlanta, Georgia. Bieber was later signed to Raymond Braun Media Group and then to an Island Records recording contract offered by record executive L.A. Reid.
Bieber has received numerous awards, including both Artist of the Year Awards, at the 2010 American Music Awards, and the 2012 American Music Awards, and was nominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards. With a global fan base, termed as “Beliebers”, and over 40 million followers on Twitter, he was named by Forbes magazine in 2012 as the third-most powerful celebrity in the world.
$55 million net worth
He had earned an estimated $55 million in the previous 12 months. As of May 2012, Bieber had sold 15 million albums.
Justin Bieber, an 18-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter has built incredible name and fortune of more than $100million, that too in just three years. Bieber, a singing sensation spotted on YouTube, is now honoured as the most successful child star since Michael Jackson.
The female teenage population affected by Bieber fever, gets ecstatic on seeing Justin’s floppy hair and listening to the sound of his charming youthful voice.
Justin now earns an estimated $300,000 per concert, in addition to hefty cash from record sales. This baby face heartthrob was paid whopping $1 million to don space-age suit and for uttering a few words in a 30 seconds ad for technology retail giant Best Buy, transmitted during the US Super Bowl.
He is accumulating wealth by endorsing his name for headphones, a bed linen range and scented children’s jewellery and even for a nail varnish brand called One Less Lonely Girl.
He has even launched his first prestige market fragrance named ‘Someday’ in an ultra girly bottle, aiming at teenage girl fans of Bieber.
This teenager loves luxury
A ‘fashionista’ to millions of teenagers, Justin leads a lavish lifestyle; he drives some of the most luxurious super cars, including the $100,000 Fisker Karma Hybrid car gifted by Usher. The singer now lives and works in Atlanta, and is in a relationship with 19-year-old actress and teenage singing sensation Selena Gomez, and both are often spotted holidaying and publicly spending intimate moments together.
Los Angeles mansion
Justin Bieber who turned 18 years two years ago gifted himself a lavish mansion worth $10.8 million. He has been investing his big bucks in real estate since last year. The lavish mansion is located in a posh locality of Los Angeles.
The house is built in three stories and boasts 5-bedroom and 8-bathrooms. The property comes with an exclusively designed gourmet kitchen, bar area, private theatre personal gym massage room and a stunning infinity pool.
The house also boasts a breathtaking view of lake that can clearly be seen from the glass walls of the house. Situated on the Hollywood Hills, the house has a floating dining room area that opens to stunning views.
New York mansion
Apart from gifting himself a luxurious mansion on his 18th birthday, Justin Bieber also owns a luxury condo in New York. This bachelor’s pad was a perfect gift from his grandmother and mother for his 16th birthday. At $1.7 million, the house is not the priciest but still a luxury for a 20-year-old.
The house is spread in the area of 2,400 square foot and boasts three-bedroom and four-bathroom. The house is lavishly decorated and is decked in shining white marble flooring all over. The modern kitchen with all the facilities is designed by using ebony hardwood. The bachelor’s pad also has a built in wet bar with wine fridge. The living room of the house overlooks the view of the entire city.
Also, Bieber has recently closed a deal in which he bought a 1.28-acre Hacienda-style home in Calabasas, California. The singing heartthrob bought the property for a hefty sum. The pricey estate once belonged to actor Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife “Nicole” and was listed in market for $6 million.
Featuring a Hacienda-style, the beautiful home includes six comfy bedrooms, seven exotic bathrooms, a well equipped spacious kitchen, a mammoth living room and two separate garages. The home also includes marvelously designed staircases, a detached casita, six fireplaces, an elevator, a gorgeous pool and a spa. Bieber has plans to add up a private theatre and game room for recreation at his plush home.
Bieber’s collection of supercars
The teen sensation owns some of the most luxurious cars and is often spotted in his Porsche 997 Turbo. The car is the internal designation for the Porsche 911 model and was sold between 2005 and 2011. The car is powered by 3.6-litre boxer engine, can reach 200 km/h mark in 12.8 seconds, and is the most commercially successful 911 of all time which is treasured by many rich and famous.
He also rides a stylish Ferrari F430 that he bought when he was just 16. The sports car that was produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari from 2004 to 2009 is a successor to the Ferrari 360. Bieber’s car is metallic brown in colour and runs on 4.3L V8 petrol engine derived from a shared Ferrari/Maserati design. The F430’s standard 19-inch wheels wore different sizes of rubber front-to-rear for enhanced stickiness.
Last year, he dished out over $160,000 on a customised Range Rover Evoque. This is a complete customised car fitted with a sound system worth over $80,000. The interior of the car has been designed by the singer himself. Right fromleather interior to crazy paintwork and a hi-po Cosworth engine, everything has been chosen by the pop star himself. His electric blue colour car has convenience of five-door form.
This 18-year-old pop sensation stops at nothing less than what he exactly wants. So what if it meant putting the Cadillac to the extreme torture of being repainted from red to all black and getting suicide doors, personal logos and crystal-blue LED headlights.
To the disappointment of auto aficionados, the Cadillac which is considered America’s best ass-kicking luxury coupe looks more like another Batmobile gimmick. However, the ‘Biebermania’ ensures that whatever he does becomes a national obsession, whether for good or bad. However the car’s specs have been left untouched. Customised by West Coast Customs for their show on the Velocity cable network, Bieber’s Cadillac doors open themselves by touching a special “JB” badge with a black-crystal version on the dash. The interiors have been reworked in purple which is Bieber’s trademark colour. Ryan Friedlinghaus, the CEO of West Coast Customs, has called the end result “the sickest CTS-V on Earth.”
Bieber also owns a white Ferrari 458 Italia. The 458 Italia is one of the most exotic vehicles from Ferrari and it sports a top speed of 214 MPH.
The interior of the vehicle features detailed use of leather with broad yet sober stitches and the vehicle sports all the latest gadgets that boys like to play with, including Satellite Navigation, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cell phone connectivity, etc.
Sources: wikipedia.org, yahoo.com, bornrich.com
Homosexuality: Court discharges corps members without merit
An Ibadan Chief Magistrate’s Court sitting in Iyaganku on Tuesday discharged two corps members charged with engaging in oral sex with one of their male students.
The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kehinde Durosaro-Tijani, said the two accused, Daniel O’ Tega and Sulaiman Abari, were discharged but not on merit.
Durosaro-Tijani said, “This is based on the withdrawal letter and affidavit deposed to by the father of the victim.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that this followed the withdrawal of the case by the victim’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hammed Sulaimon, of 65, Avenue Street, behind Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan.
In the affidavit, father of the victim, said he had forgiven one of the accused, Sulaiman, whose father, Mr. Dauda Abari, intervened in the matter.
The father of the victim told the court that the guardian of O’Tega, the other accused person, Mr. Michael Edewhosa, also intervened in the matter.
Sulaiman, a graduate of Lagos State University, Ojo, and O’tega were serving at St. Louis Secondary School 2, Molete, Ibadan.
The prosecutor, Inspector Oluyemi Eyiaromi, had told the court that the two accused persons conspired to commit the offence.
Eyiaromi said O’tega took the male student to a room, laid him on a bed, caressed and sucked his manhood until he ejaculated.
He also said that Abari committed the same offence on the victim in November 2013 at Osungbade, Odo-Oba area of Ibadan.
Eyiaromi said the offences contravened sections 217 and 516 (A) of the Criminal Code Cap.38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
Greed pushed me into robbery –Medical doctor nabbed for robbing ATM
The saying that the love of money is the root of all evil seems to be true with the ordeal of a medical doctor, Tajudeen Dosunmu, who was recently arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Lagos State.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the 62-year-old had been practising medicine for over 30 years without a licence.
The suspect, who was paraded alongside four others, was accused of being part of a gang which specialises in breaking and robbing Automated Teller Machines.
It was learnt that during the gang’s last robbery in November 2013, three policemen were killed.
SARS men, led by Abba Kyari, were able to apprehend those behind the robbery in February after months of investigation.
Dosunmu, who spoke to our correspondent amid tears, blamed his foray into robbery on the devil.
The suspect said he was pushed into robbery by greed because he was very comfortable prior to his arrest.
“I have eight children from three different women. As a doctor, I made about N100, 000 a week. I specialised in paediatrics and I was a consultant for several hospitals. I was comfortable but greed pushed me into robbery,” he said.
When asked how he was able to practise medicine for so long without being caught, the suspect said he had a forged certificate from Obafemi Awolowo University.
He said, “I attended Obafemi Awolowo University, then University of Ife in the 70s. I had a problem so I could not finish my programme. I was already in my final year so I had basic knowledge of medicine.
“I approached some people in the university who helped me to get a certificate and attestation letter. With the documents, I started working at Ikeja General Hospital. I worked there for more than 10 years and I later specialised in paediatrics.
“No one ever suspected anything because I was good at my job. After leaving the government hospital, I set up a small clinic and later started consulting for other private hospitals and I was making good money.”
When asked what pushed him to join a robbery gang, the suspect said he was tricked into it by the robbers.
He said he never carried arms but only gave them his vehicle which they used in driving to crime scenes.
He said, “A youth that I know very well in the area approached me, pleading that I should lend him my car. When I asked him what he wanted to use the car for, he said he had some goods he wanted to bring in from Cotonou, so I lent him my car.
“Some days later, he returned the car to me and gave me N10,000. On another occasion, after I lent him my car, he told me to come to a filling station around Igando at 10pm to come and collect my car.
“When I got to the filling station, I saw him and about five others sharing a lot of money. It was then that I found out that they were armed robbers. They gave me only N10, 000 and I left.”
The suspect said when he discovered that they were robbers, he attempted to stop dealing with them but was scared that the robbers would turn against him since he knew their identities.
He said the robbers promised to increase his pay if he continued to cooperate with them.
He said he became interested when he realised that each robber made nothing less than N350,000 after each operation.
“I had to succumb to the saying that if you cannot beat them, join them. That was exactly what I did,” he said.
Narrating what happened during the last robbery that led to the killing of three policemen at Access Bank, Ayobo branch, the suspect said he was at the scene but did not participate in the shooting.
He said, “In November, the gang contacted me saying they would need the car. I was asked to drive the car near the bank in the evening so that they would use the car to escape. I drove there late in the afternoon because I don’t see very well at night.
“When the robbers arrived, three of them went into the bank with guns, three others hid in a bush with me. We were waiting for the ones inside the bank to give us a signal when suddenly, we started hearing serious gunshots.
“I jumped into my vehicle and sped off. It was later that I read in the newspapers that three policemen were killed during that operation. I swear to God, I did not kill anyone and I cannot kill.”
The suspect said he had let down his family by his behaviour and begged them to forgive him.
“I have a child in the United States and another one in Germany and they are successful. I hope they don’t get to read all this,” he said.
Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, identified other members of the gang as Daniel Onuoha also known as Find Money; a dismissed soldier, Sgt. Eyo Bassey, a welder, Tairu Kareem; a pastor, Isiah Willie; and one Confidence Saviour, also known as Confi.
Manko explained that Find Money and Bassey were killed during a shootout with the police.
Manko said, “On November 16, 2013, around 1am, a gang of robbers stormed Access Bank Plc, Ayobo branch in order to rob an ATM. Policemen from Ayobo Division led by ASP Longus Amuzie, responded to a distress call but they were ambushed by the robbers. Three policemen including Amuzie, were killed and their rifles stolen.
“On November 20, 2013, SARS commander, Abba Kyari, led a team of policemen to Ilasamaja where the robbers were accosted and a gun battle ensued. Two of the robbers were killed, their phones and guns were recovered.
“The operational base of the robbers was traced to a rented apartment at Ajibode Close, Iyana Ipaja where four AK47 rifles, 19 AK47 magazines fully loaded; police walkie talkie, 300 rounds of AK47 ammunition and eight G13 gas cylinders were recovered.”
Manko said on February 9, 2014, the house of one of the deceased robbers was searched where another seven AK47 rifles, two K2 rifles and one pump action rifle concealed in a plastic drum in the kitchen were recovered.
The CP said the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Copyright PUNCH.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the 62-year-old had been practising medicine for over 30 years without a licence.
The suspect, who was paraded alongside four others, was accused of being part of a gang which specialises in breaking and robbing Automated Teller Machines.
It was learnt that during the gang’s last robbery in November 2013, three policemen were killed.
SARS men, led by Abba Kyari, were able to apprehend those behind the robbery in February after months of investigation.
Dosunmu, who spoke to our correspondent amid tears, blamed his foray into robbery on the devil.
The suspect said he was pushed into robbery by greed because he was very comfortable prior to his arrest.
“I have eight children from three different women. As a doctor, I made about N100, 000 a week. I specialised in paediatrics and I was a consultant for several hospitals. I was comfortable but greed pushed me into robbery,” he said.
When asked how he was able to practise medicine for so long without being caught, the suspect said he had a forged certificate from Obafemi Awolowo University.
He said, “I attended Obafemi Awolowo University, then University of Ife in the 70s. I had a problem so I could not finish my programme. I was already in my final year so I had basic knowledge of medicine.
“I approached some people in the university who helped me to get a certificate and attestation letter. With the documents, I started working at Ikeja General Hospital. I worked there for more than 10 years and I later specialised in paediatrics.
“No one ever suspected anything because I was good at my job. After leaving the government hospital, I set up a small clinic and later started consulting for other private hospitals and I was making good money.”
When asked what pushed him to join a robbery gang, the suspect said he was tricked into it by the robbers.
He said he never carried arms but only gave them his vehicle which they used in driving to crime scenes.
He said, “A youth that I know very well in the area approached me, pleading that I should lend him my car. When I asked him what he wanted to use the car for, he said he had some goods he wanted to bring in from Cotonou, so I lent him my car.
“Some days later, he returned the car to me and gave me N10,000. On another occasion, after I lent him my car, he told me to come to a filling station around Igando at 10pm to come and collect my car.
“When I got to the filling station, I saw him and about five others sharing a lot of money. It was then that I found out that they were armed robbers. They gave me only N10, 000 and I left.”
The suspect said when he discovered that they were robbers, he attempted to stop dealing with them but was scared that the robbers would turn against him since he knew their identities.
He said the robbers promised to increase his pay if he continued to cooperate with them.
He said he became interested when he realised that each robber made nothing less than N350,000 after each operation.
“I had to succumb to the saying that if you cannot beat them, join them. That was exactly what I did,” he said.
Narrating what happened during the last robbery that led to the killing of three policemen at Access Bank, Ayobo branch, the suspect said he was at the scene but did not participate in the shooting.
He said, “In November, the gang contacted me saying they would need the car. I was asked to drive the car near the bank in the evening so that they would use the car to escape. I drove there late in the afternoon because I don’t see very well at night.
“When the robbers arrived, three of them went into the bank with guns, three others hid in a bush with me. We were waiting for the ones inside the bank to give us a signal when suddenly, we started hearing serious gunshots.
“I jumped into my vehicle and sped off. It was later that I read in the newspapers that three policemen were killed during that operation. I swear to God, I did not kill anyone and I cannot kill.”
The suspect said he had let down his family by his behaviour and begged them to forgive him.
“I have a child in the United States and another one in Germany and they are successful. I hope they don’t get to read all this,” he said.
Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, identified other members of the gang as Daniel Onuoha also known as Find Money; a dismissed soldier, Sgt. Eyo Bassey, a welder, Tairu Kareem; a pastor, Isiah Willie; and one Confidence Saviour, also known as Confi.
Manko explained that Find Money and Bassey were killed during a shootout with the police.
Manko said, “On November 16, 2013, around 1am, a gang of robbers stormed Access Bank Plc, Ayobo branch in order to rob an ATM. Policemen from Ayobo Division led by ASP Longus Amuzie, responded to a distress call but they were ambushed by the robbers. Three policemen including Amuzie, were killed and their rifles stolen.
“On November 20, 2013, SARS commander, Abba Kyari, led a team of policemen to Ilasamaja where the robbers were accosted and a gun battle ensued. Two of the robbers were killed, their phones and guns were recovered.
“The operational base of the robbers was traced to a rented apartment at Ajibode Close, Iyana Ipaja where four AK47 rifles, 19 AK47 magazines fully loaded; police walkie talkie, 300 rounds of AK47 ammunition and eight G13 gas cylinders were recovered.”
Manko said on February 9, 2014, the house of one of the deceased robbers was searched where another seven AK47 rifles, two K2 rifles and one pump action rifle concealed in a plastic drum in the kitchen were recovered.
The CP said the suspects would soon be charged to court.
Copyright PUNCH.
FRCN probe may implicate Sanusi –Investigation
Despite the assurance by President Goodluck Jonathan that Mallam Lamido Sanusi remains the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria irrespective of his recent suspension, investigation has revealed that the embattled banker is not likely to return to his duty post.
Investigations by Saturday PUNCH showed that the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria currently investigating the tenure of the suspended governor had concluded plans to indict him for some alleged financial infractions.
Sources at the FRCN and the Presidency told our correspondents on Thursday that details of the findings made so far had shown that Sanusi could not escape being indicted at the conclusion of the investigation.
The sources, who pleaded anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the issue, said that the council might likely indict the former CBN governor for alleged financial infractions and acts of recklessness. These infractions, it was learnt, were seen in the CBN’s audited financial statements for 2012.
They added that the suspended CBN boss would be nailed for bank’s failure to comply with the Public Procurement Act in its procurement practices over the years.
A source close to the investigation explained, “The CBN under Sansui’s watch has deployed huge sums of money without appropriation and outside the CBN statutory mandate. This is contrary to the CBN Establishment Act 2007. The 2012 audited financial statement is also characterised by inexplicable increases in some overheads of expenditures during the year, including those spent on security, currency issue expenses and some promotional activities.
“All these are aside the various infractions the CBN committed in its procurement practices. The long and short is that the suspended governor will be indicted for financial recklessness, disregard for due process and accountability as well as unprofessional conduct.”
Saturday PUNCH also learnt that Sanusi would be nailed for allegedly approving the CBN’s acquisition of shares of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation of Malaysia in 2010 without either the consent of Mr. President or the CBN Board.
This, the source said, was contrary to sections 34 and 31 of the CBN Act 2007, which forbids the CBN from acquiring the shares of any corporation or company, unless an entity set up by the approval of the Federal Government.
“Sanusi also utilised funds under the Banking Resolution Sinking Fund without the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The reason is that the BOT for this fund has not been constituted since 2010 when it was established. It is against the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CBN and Deposit Money Banks on the Fund,” the source alleged.
It was learnt that the issue of alleged tax evasion by CBN workers and the central bank’s failure to prepare its financial statements using the International Financial Reporting Standards would also be used against the suspended CBN boss.
Copyright PUNCH.
Investigations by Saturday PUNCH showed that the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria currently investigating the tenure of the suspended governor had concluded plans to indict him for some alleged financial infractions.
Sources at the FRCN and the Presidency told our correspondents on Thursday that details of the findings made so far had shown that Sanusi could not escape being indicted at the conclusion of the investigation.
The sources, who pleaded anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the issue, said that the council might likely indict the former CBN governor for alleged financial infractions and acts of recklessness. These infractions, it was learnt, were seen in the CBN’s audited financial statements for 2012.
They added that the suspended CBN boss would be nailed for bank’s failure to comply with the Public Procurement Act in its procurement practices over the years.
A source close to the investigation explained, “The CBN under Sansui’s watch has deployed huge sums of money without appropriation and outside the CBN statutory mandate. This is contrary to the CBN Establishment Act 2007. The 2012 audited financial statement is also characterised by inexplicable increases in some overheads of expenditures during the year, including those spent on security, currency issue expenses and some promotional activities.
“All these are aside the various infractions the CBN committed in its procurement practices. The long and short is that the suspended governor will be indicted for financial recklessness, disregard for due process and accountability as well as unprofessional conduct.”
Saturday PUNCH also learnt that Sanusi would be nailed for allegedly approving the CBN’s acquisition of shares of the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation of Malaysia in 2010 without either the consent of Mr. President or the CBN Board.
This, the source said, was contrary to sections 34 and 31 of the CBN Act 2007, which forbids the CBN from acquiring the shares of any corporation or company, unless an entity set up by the approval of the Federal Government.
“Sanusi also utilised funds under the Banking Resolution Sinking Fund without the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Fund. The reason is that the BOT for this fund has not been constituted since 2010 when it was established. It is against the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CBN and Deposit Money Banks on the Fund,” the source alleged.
It was learnt that the issue of alleged tax evasion by CBN workers and the central bank’s failure to prepare its financial statements using the International Financial Reporting Standards would also be used against the suspended CBN boss.
Copyright PUNCH.
Kiss, kissing and kisses BY FUNMI AKINGBADE
Healthy sex may need a lot of efforts but there are a few things that can be very effortless as well as good for couples’ sex life. Kissing is one of those wonderful things that can have several benefits. Kissing releases endorphins which make one feel happy. A kiss can be the most effective way to express your love for your spouse. When you kiss someone, you make them feel loved; you tell them how much you love them. Kissing can be a handy pain killer; it releases adrenaline which can reduce the feeling of pain. A kiss can help take away one’s mind from pain and experience something good. A kiss at the right time can boost relationship or even take it to a new level. Never miss a chance to let your spouse feel special and know how much you love him/her with a kiss.
When we kiss, both men and women produce the hormone oxytocin that causes us to bond. A kiss a day boosts immunity against viruses. Kissing works wonders; it helps get couples closer. A good kiss is a stress buster. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is not only dangerous to our immune system, it also decreases endocrine hormone in the system and brain but sex therapists have observed that kissing can lower the cortisol levels. So kissing your spouse often helps you fight stress. Nothing can be a better option for foreplay and intimate moments than kissing. Kissing ensures that both partners are on the right track to some wonderful private moments. Lip locking, another word for kissing, is one gesture couples overlook and pay less attention to simply because they do not know its benefits. Did you know that we have different kinds of kiss?
Have you heard about butterfly kind of kiss? This is not only delicate but cute. To do this, make sure your faces are less than a breath away. Then open and close your eyelids against your spouse’s cheek and you would feel your heart fluttering with joy. Then we have the cheek kiss which is one of the best. This was actually the type of kiss you shared with your spouse while you were still dating or in courtship. With this type of kiss, your heart skips when your crush comes over and bends to plant a kiss on your cheek.
You would recall that as you kissed your girlfriend then, you were at the same time putting your hands around her shoulder [ a sign of possession] and softly touching her cheeks with your lips over and over again.
Another type of kiss which couples enjoyed while still dating but have now almost neglected is the Eskimo type of kiss. The kiss is an expression of subtle intimacy. It involves two people standing so close to each other. Nothing works more romantically than altering the tune of breathing by rubbing each other’s nose. This is most recommended for couples, but unfortunately bad breath most times makes this very difficult.
The eye kiss is another type that many couples are missing especially when they are not used to body contact or open display of affection. With this type of kiss, such challenge can be easily worked upon. This is not the eyeball kiss that will put you or your spouse at risk of infections, but one that is many times tender and soulful. Hold your spouse’s head with your hands. Slowly move their head in the direction that you want to kiss and when your lips have reached the eyes, plant a kiss. I personally think that couples have fewer secrets to hide when they look into each other’s eyeball regularly. If you are a spouse that seldoms have time because of busy schedule, then what you need is the eyelid kiss. With eyelid kiss, you will not need to feel guilty anymore. All you need do is just plant one on the eyelid. This is a very intimate kiss that your partner would probably never come to know of unless they are awake.
How about the earlobe kiss? All you need do is gently plant kisses on the cheeks of your partner and move towards his or her earlobe, then gently sip and suck on the earlobes.
The finger kiss, you may already have done this with your partner without really knowing that it is a type of kiss in itself. The finger kiss involves gently rubbing the partner’s fingers and sucking on them. This can be surprisingly seductive and deeply passionate. This is actually recommended for couples of all ages. A good kiss is that subtle expression of intimacy. A good kiss dropped on the cheeks of one’s spouse is like refreshing morning dew but it takes two to experience a good kiss.
When we kiss, both men and women produce the hormone oxytocin that causes us to bond. A kiss a day boosts immunity against viruses. Kissing works wonders; it helps get couples closer. A good kiss is a stress buster. Cortisol, the stress hormone, is not only dangerous to our immune system, it also decreases endocrine hormone in the system and brain but sex therapists have observed that kissing can lower the cortisol levels. So kissing your spouse often helps you fight stress. Nothing can be a better option for foreplay and intimate moments than kissing. Kissing ensures that both partners are on the right track to some wonderful private moments. Lip locking, another word for kissing, is one gesture couples overlook and pay less attention to simply because they do not know its benefits. Did you know that we have different kinds of kiss?
Have you heard about butterfly kind of kiss? This is not only delicate but cute. To do this, make sure your faces are less than a breath away. Then open and close your eyelids against your spouse’s cheek and you would feel your heart fluttering with joy. Then we have the cheek kiss which is one of the best. This was actually the type of kiss you shared with your spouse while you were still dating or in courtship. With this type of kiss, your heart skips when your crush comes over and bends to plant a kiss on your cheek.
You would recall that as you kissed your girlfriend then, you were at the same time putting your hands around her shoulder [ a sign of possession] and softly touching her cheeks with your lips over and over again.
Another type of kiss which couples enjoyed while still dating but have now almost neglected is the Eskimo type of kiss. The kiss is an expression of subtle intimacy. It involves two people standing so close to each other. Nothing works more romantically than altering the tune of breathing by rubbing each other’s nose. This is most recommended for couples, but unfortunately bad breath most times makes this very difficult.
The eye kiss is another type that many couples are missing especially when they are not used to body contact or open display of affection. With this type of kiss, such challenge can be easily worked upon. This is not the eyeball kiss that will put you or your spouse at risk of infections, but one that is many times tender and soulful. Hold your spouse’s head with your hands. Slowly move their head in the direction that you want to kiss and when your lips have reached the eyes, plant a kiss. I personally think that couples have fewer secrets to hide when they look into each other’s eyeball regularly. If you are a spouse that seldoms have time because of busy schedule, then what you need is the eyelid kiss. With eyelid kiss, you will not need to feel guilty anymore. All you need do is just plant one on the eyelid. This is a very intimate kiss that your partner would probably never come to know of unless they are awake.
How about the earlobe kiss? All you need do is gently plant kisses on the cheeks of your partner and move towards his or her earlobe, then gently sip and suck on the earlobes.
The finger kiss, you may already have done this with your partner without really knowing that it is a type of kiss in itself. The finger kiss involves gently rubbing the partner’s fingers and sucking on them. This can be surprisingly seductive and deeply passionate. This is actually recommended for couples of all ages. A good kiss is that subtle expression of intimacy. A good kiss dropped on the cheeks of one’s spouse is like refreshing morning dew but it takes two to experience a good kiss.
Boko Haram: Adamawa gov, guards flee, abort trips
Adamawa State Governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd), and state officials in his convoy on Friday fled Shuwa in Madagali Local Government Area of the state upon learning of the advancement of Boko Haram members in the area.
Nyako, who was on condolence visits to victims of Boko Haram attacks in Shuwa, Gulak and Michika, was at his first town of call when he was alerted to the advancement of insurgents in the area again.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the governor scampered to safety upon hearing what was suspected to be an exchange of gunfire between soldiers and members of the Islamic sect. The governor, it was further learnt, was immediately whisked into the vehicle by his security details, who advised that all other visits should be cancelled.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, explained that the governor and his entourage were in Shuwa to commiserate with victims of recent attacks by members of the Islamic sect.
One of the aides of the governor, who spoke to journalists, said the incident happened about 12pm when the governor went with his team to visit the victims of the insurgency.
The aides, while disclosing that the plan was to visit all the areas attacked and condole with the victims of Wednesday evening attacks by the insurgents, which left more than 30 persons dead and properties worth several millions of Naira destroyed, said the governor was alerted to the advancement of the insurgents at Shuwa village and had to return to Yola immediately.
He said: “The governor was addressing the victims at Shuwa when a military truck appeared from the blues and the soldiers started shouting ‘they (insurgents) are coming.’”
He explained that the soldiers had blocked the road with a truck and were shooting sporadically into the air and instructed the security details of the governor, who had approached them, to turn back because of the advancement of the insurgents.
He said that following the sudden U-turn, some of the vehicles on the governor’s entourage ran into each other, denting some vehicles in the process
He, however, revealed that there was no casualty recorded as there were minor dents on the cars involved, which “were even driven back to Yola.”
Recounting his ordeal to journalists in Yola on Friday afternoon, the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Nyako to have said that he was in the community to commiserate with the people over gunmen’s attack in the area on Wednesday.
He said, “After addressing the villagers, some soldiers approached me as I was about to enter my car and said that Boko Haram members were coming.
“The soldiers were shouting: ‘they are here, they are here.’ So, I asked them: ‘who?’ They said Boko Haram members are around.
“After that, one of the soldiers started shooting. So, the first thing we need to do, naturally, is to get out of the scene.’’
While explaining that his convoy was not attacked, the governor said he had to return to Yola on learning that the sect was advancing towards some of the areas he had scheduled to visit.
NAN said that four shots were fired by the soldier, prompting the security personnel to take position while others drove off with the governor. It added that the villagers also ran to different directions for safety.
On the entourage of the governor were the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Abakasangha, Secretary to the Government, Chief Kobis Thimnu, and some commissioners.
Another eyewitness, who was part of the convoy, narrated the governor’s ordeal to Saturday PUNCH.
He said, “We went to Shuwa with the governor to commiserate with the victims with the intention of going to Michika to do same.
“However, the situation took another turn when, just before we left the venue of the first attack in Shuwa, we heard a staccato of gunfire.
“We had to scamper into our cars and the brave security details took the governor to their car leaving the staff car empty.
“We left the place in confusion and proceeded to Yola without stopping at Michika.”
Another source explained that the gunfire followed an attempt by gunmen to infiltrate the town but their efforts were thwarted by soldiers who were on patrol.
However, a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, denied some media accounts of the incident.
He said the claims that the governor’s convoy came under attack were untrue.
The statement partly read: “The truth is that the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, visited Michika and Shuwa areas of the state to sympathise with the communities that were attacked by terrorists recently.
“While returning, the convoy came across a noticeable pandemonium which resulted from the alarm raised by some people who had mistaken a convoy movement of troops on patrol at Kirchinga village, for another impending attack by terrorists.
“In the ensuing stampede and confusion, people scampered into the bush ostensibly to escape from those mistaken for terrorists.”
The military high command said it was constrained to “set the records straight” because earlier reports about the incident were capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and heighten tension. It called on residents to go about their activities while remaining vigilant.
The statement also said the operations in the North-East were being consolidated and every effort was being made to stop the terrorists from continuing their atrocities in that part of the country.
Copyright PUNCH
Nyako, who was on condolence visits to victims of Boko Haram attacks in Shuwa, Gulak and Michika, was at his first town of call when he was alerted to the advancement of insurgents in the area again.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the governor scampered to safety upon hearing what was suspected to be an exchange of gunfire between soldiers and members of the Islamic sect. The governor, it was further learnt, was immediately whisked into the vehicle by his security details, who advised that all other visits should be cancelled.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media, explained that the governor and his entourage were in Shuwa to commiserate with victims of recent attacks by members of the Islamic sect.
One of the aides of the governor, who spoke to journalists, said the incident happened about 12pm when the governor went with his team to visit the victims of the insurgency.
The aides, while disclosing that the plan was to visit all the areas attacked and condole with the victims of Wednesday evening attacks by the insurgents, which left more than 30 persons dead and properties worth several millions of Naira destroyed, said the governor was alerted to the advancement of the insurgents at Shuwa village and had to return to Yola immediately.
He said: “The governor was addressing the victims at Shuwa when a military truck appeared from the blues and the soldiers started shouting ‘they (insurgents) are coming.’”
He explained that the soldiers had blocked the road with a truck and were shooting sporadically into the air and instructed the security details of the governor, who had approached them, to turn back because of the advancement of the insurgents.
He said that following the sudden U-turn, some of the vehicles on the governor’s entourage ran into each other, denting some vehicles in the process
He, however, revealed that there was no casualty recorded as there were minor dents on the cars involved, which “were even driven back to Yola.”
Recounting his ordeal to journalists in Yola on Friday afternoon, the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Nyako to have said that he was in the community to commiserate with the people over gunmen’s attack in the area on Wednesday.
He said, “After addressing the villagers, some soldiers approached me as I was about to enter my car and said that Boko Haram members were coming.
“The soldiers were shouting: ‘they are here, they are here.’ So, I asked them: ‘who?’ They said Boko Haram members are around.
“After that, one of the soldiers started shooting. So, the first thing we need to do, naturally, is to get out of the scene.’’
While explaining that his convoy was not attacked, the governor said he had to return to Yola on learning that the sect was advancing towards some of the areas he had scheduled to visit.
NAN said that four shots were fired by the soldier, prompting the security personnel to take position while others drove off with the governor. It added that the villagers also ran to different directions for safety.
On the entourage of the governor were the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, Commissioner of Police, Mr. John Abakasangha, Secretary to the Government, Chief Kobis Thimnu, and some commissioners.
Another eyewitness, who was part of the convoy, narrated the governor’s ordeal to Saturday PUNCH.
He said, “We went to Shuwa with the governor to commiserate with the victims with the intention of going to Michika to do same.
“However, the situation took another turn when, just before we left the venue of the first attack in Shuwa, we heard a staccato of gunfire.
“We had to scamper into our cars and the brave security details took the governor to their car leaving the staff car empty.
“We left the place in confusion and proceeded to Yola without stopping at Michika.”
Another source explained that the gunfire followed an attempt by gunmen to infiltrate the town but their efforts were thwarted by soldiers who were on patrol.
However, a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, denied some media accounts of the incident.
He said the claims that the governor’s convoy came under attack were untrue.
The statement partly read: “The truth is that the Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, visited Michika and Shuwa areas of the state to sympathise with the communities that were attacked by terrorists recently.
“While returning, the convoy came across a noticeable pandemonium which resulted from the alarm raised by some people who had mistaken a convoy movement of troops on patrol at Kirchinga village, for another impending attack by terrorists.
“In the ensuing stampede and confusion, people scampered into the bush ostensibly to escape from those mistaken for terrorists.”
The military high command said it was constrained to “set the records straight” because earlier reports about the incident were capable of causing unnecessary anxiety and heighten tension. It called on residents to go about their activities while remaining vigilant.
The statement also said the operations in the North-East were being consolidated and every effort was being made to stop the terrorists from continuing their atrocities in that part of the country.
Copyright PUNCH
E.K.Clark’s time has gone –Dokpesi
High Chief Raymond Dokpesi has become a household name for his pioneering efforts in private broadcasting in Nigeria. In this interview with JOHN ALECHENU, he sheds light on his relationship with Nigeria’s past leaders and the controversy surrounding his rumoured nomination for the post of Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan
You have been described as the Ted Turner of Nigeria by pioneering private broadcasting in the country, how do you feel about this description?
I have had the privilege and opportunity of meeting Ted Turner 20 years ago; that was 1994 in Atlanta. I had the privilege of inviting him to Nigeria although I didn’t have the privilege to be part of the delegation that formally received him thereafter. That was in 2010, 2011 when he came to Nigeria but then, I was very instrumental to it. I took the letters myself to Atlanta to get him to come to Nigeria. But straight to your question, Ted Turner has been a great mentor; he has been a great visionary. He has been a strong achiever, somebody who pioneered global distribution of television broadcasting on satellite. I made an effort to do same for Nigeria and for the black race, so, a description of me as the Ted Turner of Nigeria or the Ted Turner of Africa, is only a recognition of my tremendous efforts in spite of the difficulty, hardship and challenges that we are confronted with in achieving that feat. I believe that Ted Turner was more successful. Looking through his biography over and over and for those that have had the opportunity, they would have found a lot of similarities between us in terms of character traits, habits and in the push to attain excellence. I think the only difference between us is that he is a white man while I am a black man.
Why did you venture into private broadcasting?
Let me say that when I came back to Nigeria, I worked at the Federal Ministry of Transport where I was a director of water transport and later moved to the Nigerian Ports Authority. Originally I trained as a seaman, I later went to Gongola State, (the present Adamawa and Taraba states), for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s governorship campaign. I had the privilege of coming back to set up the first indigenous ship company-the African Ocean Lines together with Chief MKO Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. I built the only shipping company on the whole continent of Africa that owned ships built directly from the shipyard. At the height of our operations, we were running close to about 180 ships a day across the whole world, it was quite a successful enterprise. It was after I finished that that I had the opportunity of coordinating Mallam Adamu Ciroma’s presidential campaign and then later Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s presidential campaign. It was when I was going round the country that I discovered the gap that existed between Lagos which was both the electronic and print media headquarters as of that time, and other places. I felt that it was necessary to bridge that gap. I thought that it was necessary if democracy was really going to thrive. I felt it was incumbent on us to make sure that people had first-hand information to be able to make up their minds.
With your experience so far, would you describe the venture profitable?
Let me say that profit can be measured in different ways. If you are talking of financial profit, I will tell you that in my earlier years, my years in shipping were much more exciting and much more creative; it was much more rewarding. All the resources I had, all the monies that I made in shipping in those days, I invested in broadcasting. In Nigeria, broadcasting is perceived as a social service. It is about the people; it is protecting and projecting the interest of the people. But the determination and the will to sustain it has carried us on, the sacrifices of the entire members of staff of DAAR Communications have carried the organisation on since 1994 when we started formally. Since when we went on air up till today, it’s been a great rewarding experience, full of challenges.
Have you not been compelled to use the platform to curry favour from government because of these challenges?
The records are there and Nigerians are free to check. I have never gone to government to look for any contract or favour from people that are in government. This is out of the fear that in Nigeria, it is very easy to blackmail and label people. The moment AIT or Ray Power takes a stance on an issue, people can easily say oh, it is because he bid for this contract and didn’t get it. That is why I have kept my cool and stayed off. I have been contented and satisfied with the efforts, the sacrifices and the insistence by my news department to be independent. They have enjoyed complete independence and I have had to live and stand by their editorial judgement irrespective of what side of the divide I personally feel I believe in. To answer your question directly, I have never had cause to go and curry or seek any favour or award of any contract from anybody.
How do you cope with broadcasting in the face of the country’s poor power supply?
I have not been able to weather the storm. I can tell you that with almost about 28 stations across the whole country where power is poor, where power is almost not available, we have had to depend on generators and diesel. If you look at the high cost of running generators in 28 TV stations and 30 or 32 radio stations, then you can imagine the heavy burden. Power supply has been an agony and we have been looking forward and praying and hoping that this challenge of power supply in Nigeria will be resolved for the good of all.
People have alleged that staff welfare and salary are very poor in DAAR Communications, what is responsible for this?
I do not know if the staff are now poorly remunerated. I do not know what the salary structure is between AIT and Channels or NTA or anybody right now. But at a time, NTA and others in the industry depended on AIT salary structure to be able to structure their own salaries. This much I know. From the last salary review, I am very much aware that even the members of staff themselves claimed that the salary structure of AIT was commensurate and competitive with all others in the industry. The challenge we have is the backlog and the inability to pay those salaries when due which is not peculiar to us. This is the major challenge of the industry affecting both electronic and print media. The fundamental issue that still needs to be cleared and which I have continuously championed over the years, is how to really differentiate public broadcasting from private broadcasting in terms of funding. If you take Britain, United States of America, Poland or Russia, what stands very clearly is that public broadcasting is funded from tax on radio and television sets, from the treasury but they steer clear of commercial broadcasting. But here, in Nigeria, the government-owned stations collect subventions, get monthly allocations and so on and still come to the market to compete with the private ones.
But the battle to correct this has been very daunting and tortuous and people are not looking at the industry. If you are looking at DAAR Communications, people don’t say it is DAAR Communications Plc, they just see Raymond Dokpesi. But service to the people is important, somehow we have been able to continue and take care of that. That is why I said perseverance and belief in the growth of the industry had sustained us. In spite of all the challenges that we have had, nobody has the kind of spread that we have in this country, not even the NTA or the FRCN can challenge us. FRCN has 26 stations across the country whereas Ray Power has 32. Nobody has invested in ultra modern, first class equipment like DAAR Communications. We’ve given top priority to that. We’ve given priority to training and retraining of members of staff. But having provided all that, the economy has not helped matters. It is easy for the station to be only in Lagos or Abuja and transmit via satellite and be attending to 400,000 people. But if I want to touch say one million persons in all the states, we are territorially available.
At a time, you cut salaries of workers. Was it as a result of poor returns?
I am not aware of that.
Before the appointment of the new chief of staff to the President, your name was prominent among those touted for the post. Did you lobby to be appointed?
It was news to me because I never lobbied, I never applied to be Chief of Staff. I never asked anybody under the sun, including the President. I never requested to be made Chief of Staff, never. I was not in the country anyway. I was outside the country when all that controversy arose but I was very conscious of the fact that Chief E. K. Clark made some unacceptable remarks about me which I said should be replied to, accordingly.
What is the origin of the problem between the two of you?
We belong to different generations and we have different understanding and perspectives about the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria. I believe that I am a bridge builder. I believe that he belongs to a generation whose time has come and gone. I think that somebody aptly said that he (Clark) had spent his own time, he has spent the time of his children, he has spent the time of his own generation. He is spending the time of his grand children and he still wants to be relevant. We want to do away with his parochial and divisive concept about Nigeria. We want to build a new and united Nigeria. I don’t care where any Nigerian comes from as long as he is a Nigerian. If I am in Britain, I don’t ever ask a Briton ‘are you from Southampton or are you from Glasgow?’ It is the quality of what a Nigerian contributes that makes me respect him. It is not because he is a northerner or he is a westerner or an easterner or a southerner. I am an unrepentant believer in Nigeria, he is not.
Are you a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party?
I have never denied the fact that I am a card-carrying member of the party. I registered in my ward in Agenebode as a card-carrying member of the PDP. I have always been a member of the PDP since inception.
How do you manage to separate your media business from your politics?
I think my colleagues will be better placed to really explain that but the truth of the matter is that the editorial board and the newsroom are absolutely independent. It is very clear that DAAR Communications must report all sides all the time. It must be very balanced but Raymond Dokpesi is just only an actor. There is a very clear demarcation between the person of Raymond Dokpesi and AIT news and AIT reporters and Ray Power, they are totally independent. They discharge their duties according to the ethics of the profession.
Why did Bamanga Tukur take interest in you?
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is my father. I grew up literarily with him. Everything that I can say I attained academically and in life, apart from Almighty God, I can say I owe to him. He supported and encouraged me and was with me all the time. He did not pick me; my mother took me to him. I am telling you that I am the first son in Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s home. I met him for the first time in Lagos as a port manager of Apapa Port. I was an indigent student. My mother who had her roots in Numan, Adamawa, cried to him. That was the beginning. Apart from God, I owe Alhaji Bamanga Tukur first and foremost for what I have become in life. From that moment, I grew up in his house, he supported me all through. I went abroad on scholarship, came back to work at the Nigerian Ports Authority and went ahead to the ministry. I went with him to Gongola for elections and we have been very close since then.
How did you feel when Tukur was forced to leave as PDP chair, being one of your benefactors?
As a family, we spoke to him to leave the PDP chairmanship for the younger generation. We told him not to allow anybody to rubbish what he had achieved in life. In the history of the PDP, there is no chairman that had gone without some form of blemish; Myself and Awwal, his biological first son discussed with him and asked him not to stay on but then, he had a superior argument to the effect that the way PDP was drifting, the younger generation didn’t appear to understand what they, the founding fathers, wanted to achieve. He said he needed to organise things properly and leave. I had my fears and I expressed my fears to him. Tukur is a committed patriot, a detribalised Nigerian but I was sure he would be messed up by the people he wanted to help and I was in agony. I was in pains because I believe he didn’t deserve it. I went to him and pleaded with him again to leave the position. When I had the privilege of going round to meet all former heads of state, all the governors that have now left the PDP for the APC and prominent leaders from each of the zones and so on, what they told me was, ‘Why don’t you ask your father to leave this thing?’ It was very painful to me.
At a time, you described former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, as your mentor, why?
He is not only a friend; he is a brother. We have come a very long way. He is somebody that is highly disciplined, a strong intellectual, a great patriot, a believer in development and a man who has a large heart.
Some people believe he played a big role in financing your media business.
Very far from it. I started this business in 1994. I believe that those that were grown up at about that time would know that I had been in the Nigerian public scene since 1976/77. I became a multi-millionaire at the age of 26 and a half.
People say you are a specialist when it comes to campaigns, what is the magic?
It is very easy for me because I am a bridge builder. I have at least five, 10 persons across the 36 states of the federation and all the 774 local government areas whom I can call upon to say this is how I think we should be able to go. Over the years, we have sustained a positive and good relationship.
Did you get close to ex-military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, because of your license for private broadcasting?
Unfortunately no. May the soul of Admiral Aikhomu rest in peace. You know, we are both from Edo State. Thank God Peter Pan, Mr. Peter Enahoro, who was chairman of the National Broadcasting Commission is alive, Dr. Tom Adaba, pioneer Director-General of the NBC is alive; they will confirm the fact that at the very beginning when TV broadcasting licences were allocated, I was supposed to be in Abuja. I applied to be in Abuja just as Triple Heritage, which was suspected to be owned by IBB at that time. Aikhomu struck out AIT licence on the grounds that it should not compete with Triple Heritage. That’s not the only aspect of it. You will probably get to know that I was to be appointed the first Director-General of what is today the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
I was invited to Abuja from the UK to be sworn in. But on the very day, General Babangida said because he was involved in ECOWAS matters, we should go to Lagos and wait for him. We went to Lagos and I was seated waiting to be invited and sworn in when B.U Ekong was announced as the director-general. My kinsman, Aikhomu, said I would become the DG over his dead body. We became very close thereafter. That’s life. I will also tell you that I brought the first set of tankers to carry crude oil, got two ships in. General Babangida had given approval. Thank God Professor Aminu Jibril, who was Minister of Petroleum at that time, is alive. Approval had been given for me to bring the vessels in, I brought the vessels in and made down payments and we were supposed to lift oil over an eight-year period. The two vessels came to Nigerian waters but my kinsman, Commodore Tony Ikhazobor, who was Minister of Transport at that time, went to President Babangida and cancelled it. I ran into serious debts. I struggled to pay because they didn’t want any Nigerian to penetrate into the carriage of crude oil. That was why I left shipping and chose broadcasting. It was my life’s entire resources that went down the drains. So, I am used to disappointments and frustrations.
Ray power and AIT are household names in Nigeria today; are you satisfied with the reach so far?
There is nobody that is stronger in reach than our outfit but whether I am satisfied? Yes, the vision is good but the quality of the content and the things I wanted to see out of the stations, I am not quite satisfied. I wish I was younger, I wish I had more energy. There is still a lot of room for improvement but the infrastructure to be able to attain it is already on ground.
As the only son of your mother, would you say you were pampered by your parents to the point of being a spoilt boy?
Pampered by my father? Or pampered by my mother? Or pampered by the Nigerian environment? No, I think I was inspired. I was encouraged by the difficulties I had at that time to attempt to succeed in life. Life at that level was quite challenging. Don’t forget the fact that unlike my contemporaries, I could not talk at an early age. A lot of children talked but I was not talking until I was almost 12 years. I only tried to write. I was very sick so, you could say I was pampered by my parents because they were never sure that I was going to survive anyway. In my biography, I stated very clearly that I sat down beside my father in 1957 or 1958 when a good friend of my father said he was wasting his time and money on me because I would eventually die. Well, if that was pampering, yes I enjoyed it. I was not spoilt.
You said it is natural for you to like women, but do you have the time?
I made that comment in the context of the fact that I am born amongst women. I am surrounded by women and therefore the love and passion for women must be there. But, do I have time for women? I crack jokes with my drivers, asking them how they still have the time to impregnate their wives with all the tight schedule of driving around. They tell me that oga, where there is a will, there is a way.
Why did you choose to be a polygamist?
Obviously, I am an unrepentant one. I am an unrepentant polygamist. The reason why there was polygamy in the past was because of life expectancy. You were not sure of which child would fall ill or die. You were not sure of the number of hands you were going to have in the farms to be able to run errands for you to get things going on. People had the tendency to want to have as many children as possible. But in my own case, I was an only male child and for my mother, there was nothing sweeter and better than having more children and seeing more boys and I am very proud of them today.
Copyright PUNCH.
You have been described as the Ted Turner of Nigeria by pioneering private broadcasting in the country, how do you feel about this description?
I have had the privilege and opportunity of meeting Ted Turner 20 years ago; that was 1994 in Atlanta. I had the privilege of inviting him to Nigeria although I didn’t have the privilege to be part of the delegation that formally received him thereafter. That was in 2010, 2011 when he came to Nigeria but then, I was very instrumental to it. I took the letters myself to Atlanta to get him to come to Nigeria. But straight to your question, Ted Turner has been a great mentor; he has been a great visionary. He has been a strong achiever, somebody who pioneered global distribution of television broadcasting on satellite. I made an effort to do same for Nigeria and for the black race, so, a description of me as the Ted Turner of Nigeria or the Ted Turner of Africa, is only a recognition of my tremendous efforts in spite of the difficulty, hardship and challenges that we are confronted with in achieving that feat. I believe that Ted Turner was more successful. Looking through his biography over and over and for those that have had the opportunity, they would have found a lot of similarities between us in terms of character traits, habits and in the push to attain excellence. I think the only difference between us is that he is a white man while I am a black man.
Why did you venture into private broadcasting?
Let me say that when I came back to Nigeria, I worked at the Federal Ministry of Transport where I was a director of water transport and later moved to the Nigerian Ports Authority. Originally I trained as a seaman, I later went to Gongola State, (the present Adamawa and Taraba states), for Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s governorship campaign. I had the privilege of coming back to set up the first indigenous ship company-the African Ocean Lines together with Chief MKO Abiola, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. I built the only shipping company on the whole continent of Africa that owned ships built directly from the shipyard. At the height of our operations, we were running close to about 180 ships a day across the whole world, it was quite a successful enterprise. It was after I finished that that I had the opportunity of coordinating Mallam Adamu Ciroma’s presidential campaign and then later Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s presidential campaign. It was when I was going round the country that I discovered the gap that existed between Lagos which was both the electronic and print media headquarters as of that time, and other places. I felt that it was necessary to bridge that gap. I thought that it was necessary if democracy was really going to thrive. I felt it was incumbent on us to make sure that people had first-hand information to be able to make up their minds.
With your experience so far, would you describe the venture profitable?
Let me say that profit can be measured in different ways. If you are talking of financial profit, I will tell you that in my earlier years, my years in shipping were much more exciting and much more creative; it was much more rewarding. All the resources I had, all the monies that I made in shipping in those days, I invested in broadcasting. In Nigeria, broadcasting is perceived as a social service. It is about the people; it is protecting and projecting the interest of the people. But the determination and the will to sustain it has carried us on, the sacrifices of the entire members of staff of DAAR Communications have carried the organisation on since 1994 when we started formally. Since when we went on air up till today, it’s been a great rewarding experience, full of challenges.
Have you not been compelled to use the platform to curry favour from government because of these challenges?
The records are there and Nigerians are free to check. I have never gone to government to look for any contract or favour from people that are in government. This is out of the fear that in Nigeria, it is very easy to blackmail and label people. The moment AIT or Ray Power takes a stance on an issue, people can easily say oh, it is because he bid for this contract and didn’t get it. That is why I have kept my cool and stayed off. I have been contented and satisfied with the efforts, the sacrifices and the insistence by my news department to be independent. They have enjoyed complete independence and I have had to live and stand by their editorial judgement irrespective of what side of the divide I personally feel I believe in. To answer your question directly, I have never had cause to go and curry or seek any favour or award of any contract from anybody.
How do you cope with broadcasting in the face of the country’s poor power supply?
I have not been able to weather the storm. I can tell you that with almost about 28 stations across the whole country where power is poor, where power is almost not available, we have had to depend on generators and diesel. If you look at the high cost of running generators in 28 TV stations and 30 or 32 radio stations, then you can imagine the heavy burden. Power supply has been an agony and we have been looking forward and praying and hoping that this challenge of power supply in Nigeria will be resolved for the good of all.
People have alleged that staff welfare and salary are very poor in DAAR Communications, what is responsible for this?
I do not know if the staff are now poorly remunerated. I do not know what the salary structure is between AIT and Channels or NTA or anybody right now. But at a time, NTA and others in the industry depended on AIT salary structure to be able to structure their own salaries. This much I know. From the last salary review, I am very much aware that even the members of staff themselves claimed that the salary structure of AIT was commensurate and competitive with all others in the industry. The challenge we have is the backlog and the inability to pay those salaries when due which is not peculiar to us. This is the major challenge of the industry affecting both electronic and print media. The fundamental issue that still needs to be cleared and which I have continuously championed over the years, is how to really differentiate public broadcasting from private broadcasting in terms of funding. If you take Britain, United States of America, Poland or Russia, what stands very clearly is that public broadcasting is funded from tax on radio and television sets, from the treasury but they steer clear of commercial broadcasting. But here, in Nigeria, the government-owned stations collect subventions, get monthly allocations and so on and still come to the market to compete with the private ones.
But the battle to correct this has been very daunting and tortuous and people are not looking at the industry. If you are looking at DAAR Communications, people don’t say it is DAAR Communications Plc, they just see Raymond Dokpesi. But service to the people is important, somehow we have been able to continue and take care of that. That is why I said perseverance and belief in the growth of the industry had sustained us. In spite of all the challenges that we have had, nobody has the kind of spread that we have in this country, not even the NTA or the FRCN can challenge us. FRCN has 26 stations across the country whereas Ray Power has 32. Nobody has invested in ultra modern, first class equipment like DAAR Communications. We’ve given top priority to that. We’ve given priority to training and retraining of members of staff. But having provided all that, the economy has not helped matters. It is easy for the station to be only in Lagos or Abuja and transmit via satellite and be attending to 400,000 people. But if I want to touch say one million persons in all the states, we are territorially available.
At a time, you cut salaries of workers. Was it as a result of poor returns?
I am not aware of that.
Before the appointment of the new chief of staff to the President, your name was prominent among those touted for the post. Did you lobby to be appointed?
It was news to me because I never lobbied, I never applied to be Chief of Staff. I never asked anybody under the sun, including the President. I never requested to be made Chief of Staff, never. I was not in the country anyway. I was outside the country when all that controversy arose but I was very conscious of the fact that Chief E. K. Clark made some unacceptable remarks about me which I said should be replied to, accordingly.
What is the origin of the problem between the two of you?
We belong to different generations and we have different understanding and perspectives about the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria. I believe that I am a bridge builder. I believe that he belongs to a generation whose time has come and gone. I think that somebody aptly said that he (Clark) had spent his own time, he has spent the time of his children, he has spent the time of his own generation. He is spending the time of his grand children and he still wants to be relevant. We want to do away with his parochial and divisive concept about Nigeria. We want to build a new and united Nigeria. I don’t care where any Nigerian comes from as long as he is a Nigerian. If I am in Britain, I don’t ever ask a Briton ‘are you from Southampton or are you from Glasgow?’ It is the quality of what a Nigerian contributes that makes me respect him. It is not because he is a northerner or he is a westerner or an easterner or a southerner. I am an unrepentant believer in Nigeria, he is not.
Are you a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party?
I have never denied the fact that I am a card-carrying member of the party. I registered in my ward in Agenebode as a card-carrying member of the PDP. I have always been a member of the PDP since inception.
How do you manage to separate your media business from your politics?
I think my colleagues will be better placed to really explain that but the truth of the matter is that the editorial board and the newsroom are absolutely independent. It is very clear that DAAR Communications must report all sides all the time. It must be very balanced but Raymond Dokpesi is just only an actor. There is a very clear demarcation between the person of Raymond Dokpesi and AIT news and AIT reporters and Ray Power, they are totally independent. They discharge their duties according to the ethics of the profession.
Why did Bamanga Tukur take interest in you?
Alhaji Bamanga Tukur is my father. I grew up literarily with him. Everything that I can say I attained academically and in life, apart from Almighty God, I can say I owe to him. He supported and encouraged me and was with me all the time. He did not pick me; my mother took me to him. I am telling you that I am the first son in Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s home. I met him for the first time in Lagos as a port manager of Apapa Port. I was an indigent student. My mother who had her roots in Numan, Adamawa, cried to him. That was the beginning. Apart from God, I owe Alhaji Bamanga Tukur first and foremost for what I have become in life. From that moment, I grew up in his house, he supported me all through. I went abroad on scholarship, came back to work at the Nigerian Ports Authority and went ahead to the ministry. I went with him to Gongola for elections and we have been very close since then.
How did you feel when Tukur was forced to leave as PDP chair, being one of your benefactors?
As a family, we spoke to him to leave the PDP chairmanship for the younger generation. We told him not to allow anybody to rubbish what he had achieved in life. In the history of the PDP, there is no chairman that had gone without some form of blemish; Myself and Awwal, his biological first son discussed with him and asked him not to stay on but then, he had a superior argument to the effect that the way PDP was drifting, the younger generation didn’t appear to understand what they, the founding fathers, wanted to achieve. He said he needed to organise things properly and leave. I had my fears and I expressed my fears to him. Tukur is a committed patriot, a detribalised Nigerian but I was sure he would be messed up by the people he wanted to help and I was in agony. I was in pains because I believe he didn’t deserve it. I went to him and pleaded with him again to leave the position. When I had the privilege of going round to meet all former heads of state, all the governors that have now left the PDP for the APC and prominent leaders from each of the zones and so on, what they told me was, ‘Why don’t you ask your father to leave this thing?’ It was very painful to me.
At a time, you described former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, as your mentor, why?
He is not only a friend; he is a brother. We have come a very long way. He is somebody that is highly disciplined, a strong intellectual, a great patriot, a believer in development and a man who has a large heart.
Some people believe he played a big role in financing your media business.
Very far from it. I started this business in 1994. I believe that those that were grown up at about that time would know that I had been in the Nigerian public scene since 1976/77. I became a multi-millionaire at the age of 26 and a half.
People say you are a specialist when it comes to campaigns, what is the magic?
It is very easy for me because I am a bridge builder. I have at least five, 10 persons across the 36 states of the federation and all the 774 local government areas whom I can call upon to say this is how I think we should be able to go. Over the years, we have sustained a positive and good relationship.
Did you get close to ex-military leader, Ibrahim Babangida, because of your license for private broadcasting?
Unfortunately no. May the soul of Admiral Aikhomu rest in peace. You know, we are both from Edo State. Thank God Peter Pan, Mr. Peter Enahoro, who was chairman of the National Broadcasting Commission is alive, Dr. Tom Adaba, pioneer Director-General of the NBC is alive; they will confirm the fact that at the very beginning when TV broadcasting licences were allocated, I was supposed to be in Abuja. I applied to be in Abuja just as Triple Heritage, which was suspected to be owned by IBB at that time. Aikhomu struck out AIT licence on the grounds that it should not compete with Triple Heritage. That’s not the only aspect of it. You will probably get to know that I was to be appointed the first Director-General of what is today the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
I was invited to Abuja from the UK to be sworn in. But on the very day, General Babangida said because he was involved in ECOWAS matters, we should go to Lagos and wait for him. We went to Lagos and I was seated waiting to be invited and sworn in when B.U Ekong was announced as the director-general. My kinsman, Aikhomu, said I would become the DG over his dead body. We became very close thereafter. That’s life. I will also tell you that I brought the first set of tankers to carry crude oil, got two ships in. General Babangida had given approval. Thank God Professor Aminu Jibril, who was Minister of Petroleum at that time, is alive. Approval had been given for me to bring the vessels in, I brought the vessels in and made down payments and we were supposed to lift oil over an eight-year period. The two vessels came to Nigerian waters but my kinsman, Commodore Tony Ikhazobor, who was Minister of Transport at that time, went to President Babangida and cancelled it. I ran into serious debts. I struggled to pay because they didn’t want any Nigerian to penetrate into the carriage of crude oil. That was why I left shipping and chose broadcasting. It was my life’s entire resources that went down the drains. So, I am used to disappointments and frustrations.
Ray power and AIT are household names in Nigeria today; are you satisfied with the reach so far?
There is nobody that is stronger in reach than our outfit but whether I am satisfied? Yes, the vision is good but the quality of the content and the things I wanted to see out of the stations, I am not quite satisfied. I wish I was younger, I wish I had more energy. There is still a lot of room for improvement but the infrastructure to be able to attain it is already on ground.
As the only son of your mother, would you say you were pampered by your parents to the point of being a spoilt boy?
Pampered by my father? Or pampered by my mother? Or pampered by the Nigerian environment? No, I think I was inspired. I was encouraged by the difficulties I had at that time to attempt to succeed in life. Life at that level was quite challenging. Don’t forget the fact that unlike my contemporaries, I could not talk at an early age. A lot of children talked but I was not talking until I was almost 12 years. I only tried to write. I was very sick so, you could say I was pampered by my parents because they were never sure that I was going to survive anyway. In my biography, I stated very clearly that I sat down beside my father in 1957 or 1958 when a good friend of my father said he was wasting his time and money on me because I would eventually die. Well, if that was pampering, yes I enjoyed it. I was not spoilt.
You said it is natural for you to like women, but do you have the time?
I made that comment in the context of the fact that I am born amongst women. I am surrounded by women and therefore the love and passion for women must be there. But, do I have time for women? I crack jokes with my drivers, asking them how they still have the time to impregnate their wives with all the tight schedule of driving around. They tell me that oga, where there is a will, there is a way.
Why did you choose to be a polygamist?
Obviously, I am an unrepentant one. I am an unrepentant polygamist. The reason why there was polygamy in the past was because of life expectancy. You were not sure of which child would fall ill or die. You were not sure of the number of hands you were going to have in the farms to be able to run errands for you to get things going on. People had the tendency to want to have as many children as possible. But in my own case, I was an only male child and for my mother, there was nothing sweeter and better than having more children and seeing more boys and I am very proud of them today.
Copyright PUNCH.
Borno bows to Boko Haram
Despite the declaration of an emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno State, bloodshed, violence and destruction by the Boko Haram sect has escalated, writes Kayode Idowu
The National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, stirred the hornet’s nest when he said next year’s general election might not hold in the crisis-prone states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Many people accused him of acting the script of the Peoples Democratic Party, which had never won an election in Yobe and Borno states. The defection of Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, to the All Progressives Congress has changed the political equation in the state, which was, hitherto, controlled by the PDP.
Of the three, only Yobe showed an ability to conduct election in the geographic area by holding local government council election in its 17 councils. The situation in Borno has shown the porosity of security with Boko Haram insurgents killing, maiming and destroying properties at will. The consistence and impunity with which the insurgents carry out their dastardly acts were reminiscent of bloodbath unleashed in the state before and during the 2011 general elections.
The Boko Haram insurgence volcano suddenly erupted in Borno in 2009 when Islamic fundamentalists, declared fatwa on western education and held the state hostage for five days before the military repelled them. The sitting governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, had become a target of political assassination just as innocent persons and security officials were felled by Boko Haram bombs.
The general belief was that the insurgence would abate if the governor and his party were sent out of office. This belief affected the fortunes of the defunct ANPP in the 2011 election with the party scraping a win by the skin of its teeth. The ANPP in Borno lost two of the three senatorial seats. It will be recalled that the party had swept the stakes in 2007 general elections.
Sheriff was until 2011 seen as a political giant with a record of political victories. He had been elected a senator thrice and had been a two-term governor. Sheriff was seen as upturning the political dominance of the then Governor Mala Kachallah in 2003. It was believed that he forced Kachallah out of the ANPP into the little-known Alliance for Democracy. Sheriff was gaining popularity by the day and was virtually dictating who becomes what in the ANPP and the entire state. With his burgeoning powers came more political enemies.
The Boko Haram insurgence has whittled the powers and influence of Sheriff considerably. Sheriff is, however, still seen as wielding power and influence in the state, albeit, at a reduced rate – having installed his godson, Kashim Shettima, as governor. Shettima has been intricately torn between repositioning his government and reducing the Boko Haram scourge without losing touch with an electorate that feel strongly that the insurgence was a reflection of the government’s ineptitude. The Boko Haram issue, many believe, was responsible for the too close to call result of the 2011 election which saw Shettima in a narrow win.
Insurgency has made it almost impossible for election to hold in the state. The activities of the sect have threatened the very essence of living, commerce and governance. The sect had unleashed attacks on the central part of the state before moving on to the north even as it has now moved to the south of the state. Indeed, the state capital, Maiduguri, is on the altar of despair and confusion, daily cringing in fear.
Politicians have fled their bases, appointed local government caretaker chairmen have moved their offices to hotels in Maiduguri; members of the State House of Assembly do not go to their constituencies any more. Federal legislators do not even come to the state any longer. When those who are bold enough come and escape insurgents’ gunshots, they may not escape military missiles as was the case of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, whose entourage was alleged to have been attacked by a military jet although no life was lost in the incident.
A member of the House of Representatives for Gwok, Chibok and Damboa federal constituency, Peter Biye, whose house was attacked in his village, lamented the breakdown of law and order in the state. He said, “With the current happening, all of us that were elected, whether as members of the House of Assembly, House of Representatives or as senators, cannot boast of going to our people to say what we have done today so that they can re-elect us.
“That is the truth about it. For two good years now, I have been in the office, but I have never visited my constituency because I cannot go. And today I cannot go to Damboa, Chibok, Gwoza, because this constituency, on a daily basis is under attack and today, if you cannot go to your people, there is no message you send that would reach them successfully.
“For example, I just bought materials for the electorate and they (insurgents) went and burnt them. That is what you should know about politics. Two, constituency projects cannot be carried out. There are a number of projects that I have for my constituency. They include construction of three blocks of classroom; construction of a clinic at Atagara, construction of a clinic in Chibok, construction of a clinic in Damboa.
“The one in Gwoza, the insurgents asked workers to bury the foundation the day they started work there. Some materials were still left there, so, there is no project that is going on politically in our area. The last time I bought grains of about 500 bags, one of the drivers that were taking the grains to the people in Damboa was kidnapped; he is still with the insurgents. Five hundred bags of grains, 300 pieces of water pumps, 300 sewing machines, 30,000 packets of chalk, 30,000 packets of exercise books, 30,000 packets of pens, 30,000 packets of pencils were all burnt to ashes in my house.”
Another prominent politician in the state, Saina Buba, who is a member of the APC said, “Honestly speaking, we may have to agree with Professor Attahiru Jega’s statement as regards 2015 if these issues are not resolved. The story is not good at all. Boko Haram has multifarious dimensions.
“I’m calling on politicians, irrespective of party affiliations, to reason because we can only play politics when there is peace. Without peace there would be no APC or PDP. Without peace there would be no politics. So, let’s come together, join hands and form a forum to make sure we rescue our dear state because our people are suffering and I would like to call on Mr. President to please look at our sufferings in this part of the country. Imagine, the last time, Mr. President gave N2bn for the six states in this zone. I am a member of PDP and I feel ashamed to associate myself with this announcement because even this N2bn naira they are talking about is too small for one state not to talk of a zone. The last time Mr. President visited Borno and slept over, we were thinking that bedevilled we would have time to discuss our problems.”
The situation of Borno is aptly painted by the Chairman of the Northern Youth Unity Forum in the region, Usman Mustapha, who said: “It is public knowledge that Borno, our state, is today bedevilled by a seemingly intractable security situation. We have, in the last five years, been experiencing intermittent attacks by insurgents at different points in time and locations. The pursuit of livelihood and other socio-economic realities have, unfortunately become unstable. Night life in the state has become a thing of the past. Fear has engulfed all homes and public institutions.”
Copyright PUNCH.
The National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, stirred the hornet’s nest when he said next year’s general election might not hold in the crisis-prone states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
Many people accused him of acting the script of the Peoples Democratic Party, which had never won an election in Yobe and Borno states. The defection of Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, to the All Progressives Congress has changed the political equation in the state, which was, hitherto, controlled by the PDP.
Of the three, only Yobe showed an ability to conduct election in the geographic area by holding local government council election in its 17 councils. The situation in Borno has shown the porosity of security with Boko Haram insurgents killing, maiming and destroying properties at will. The consistence and impunity with which the insurgents carry out their dastardly acts were reminiscent of bloodbath unleashed in the state before and during the 2011 general elections.
The Boko Haram insurgence volcano suddenly erupted in Borno in 2009 when Islamic fundamentalists, declared fatwa on western education and held the state hostage for five days before the military repelled them. The sitting governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, had become a target of political assassination just as innocent persons and security officials were felled by Boko Haram bombs.
The general belief was that the insurgence would abate if the governor and his party were sent out of office. This belief affected the fortunes of the defunct ANPP in the 2011 election with the party scraping a win by the skin of its teeth. The ANPP in Borno lost two of the three senatorial seats. It will be recalled that the party had swept the stakes in 2007 general elections.
Sheriff was until 2011 seen as a political giant with a record of political victories. He had been elected a senator thrice and had been a two-term governor. Sheriff was seen as upturning the political dominance of the then Governor Mala Kachallah in 2003. It was believed that he forced Kachallah out of the ANPP into the little-known Alliance for Democracy. Sheriff was gaining popularity by the day and was virtually dictating who becomes what in the ANPP and the entire state. With his burgeoning powers came more political enemies.
The Boko Haram insurgence has whittled the powers and influence of Sheriff considerably. Sheriff is, however, still seen as wielding power and influence in the state, albeit, at a reduced rate – having installed his godson, Kashim Shettima, as governor. Shettima has been intricately torn between repositioning his government and reducing the Boko Haram scourge without losing touch with an electorate that feel strongly that the insurgence was a reflection of the government’s ineptitude. The Boko Haram issue, many believe, was responsible for the too close to call result of the 2011 election which saw Shettima in a narrow win.
Insurgency has made it almost impossible for election to hold in the state. The activities of the sect have threatened the very essence of living, commerce and governance. The sect had unleashed attacks on the central part of the state before moving on to the north even as it has now moved to the south of the state. Indeed, the state capital, Maiduguri, is on the altar of despair and confusion, daily cringing in fear.
Politicians have fled their bases, appointed local government caretaker chairmen have moved their offices to hotels in Maiduguri; members of the State House of Assembly do not go to their constituencies any more. Federal legislators do not even come to the state any longer. When those who are bold enough come and escape insurgents’ gunshots, they may not escape military missiles as was the case of Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, whose entourage was alleged to have been attacked by a military jet although no life was lost in the incident.
A member of the House of Representatives for Gwok, Chibok and Damboa federal constituency, Peter Biye, whose house was attacked in his village, lamented the breakdown of law and order in the state. He said, “With the current happening, all of us that were elected, whether as members of the House of Assembly, House of Representatives or as senators, cannot boast of going to our people to say what we have done today so that they can re-elect us.
“That is the truth about it. For two good years now, I have been in the office, but I have never visited my constituency because I cannot go. And today I cannot go to Damboa, Chibok, Gwoza, because this constituency, on a daily basis is under attack and today, if you cannot go to your people, there is no message you send that would reach them successfully.
“For example, I just bought materials for the electorate and they (insurgents) went and burnt them. That is what you should know about politics. Two, constituency projects cannot be carried out. There are a number of projects that I have for my constituency. They include construction of three blocks of classroom; construction of a clinic at Atagara, construction of a clinic in Chibok, construction of a clinic in Damboa.
“The one in Gwoza, the insurgents asked workers to bury the foundation the day they started work there. Some materials were still left there, so, there is no project that is going on politically in our area. The last time I bought grains of about 500 bags, one of the drivers that were taking the grains to the people in Damboa was kidnapped; he is still with the insurgents. Five hundred bags of grains, 300 pieces of water pumps, 300 sewing machines, 30,000 packets of chalk, 30,000 packets of exercise books, 30,000 packets of pens, 30,000 packets of pencils were all burnt to ashes in my house.”
Another prominent politician in the state, Saina Buba, who is a member of the APC said, “Honestly speaking, we may have to agree with Professor Attahiru Jega’s statement as regards 2015 if these issues are not resolved. The story is not good at all. Boko Haram has multifarious dimensions.
“I’m calling on politicians, irrespective of party affiliations, to reason because we can only play politics when there is peace. Without peace there would be no APC or PDP. Without peace there would be no politics. So, let’s come together, join hands and form a forum to make sure we rescue our dear state because our people are suffering and I would like to call on Mr. President to please look at our sufferings in this part of the country. Imagine, the last time, Mr. President gave N2bn for the six states in this zone. I am a member of PDP and I feel ashamed to associate myself with this announcement because even this N2bn naira they are talking about is too small for one state not to talk of a zone. The last time Mr. President visited Borno and slept over, we were thinking that bedevilled we would have time to discuss our problems.”
The situation of Borno is aptly painted by the Chairman of the Northern Youth Unity Forum in the region, Usman Mustapha, who said: “It is public knowledge that Borno, our state, is today bedevilled by a seemingly intractable security situation. We have, in the last five years, been experiencing intermittent attacks by insurgents at different points in time and locations. The pursuit of livelihood and other socio-economic realities have, unfortunately become unstable. Night life in the state has become a thing of the past. Fear has engulfed all homes and public institutions.”
Copyright PUNCH.
Centenary dinner unites Jonathan, Obasanjo, Buhari
For the first time in recent times, all living former heads of government of Nigeria on Friday gathered under the same roof to join President Goodluck Jonathan in celebrating the 100 years of the nation’s amalgamation.
The venue was the Presidential Villa, Abuja where the centenary anniversary presentation and award night/dinner was held.
100 persons, both living and dead, believed to have contributed meaningfully to national development, were honoured at the colourful event.
The well-attended programme was witnessed by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), former President Sheu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Buhari, Babangida, Abdusalami and Obasanjo were on Thursday absent at the international conference tagged “Human Security, Peace and defelopment Agenda for 21st Century Africa” held in Abuja as part of activities marking the centenary anniversary.
The tone for the night was set by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reviewed a book, “The reforms that have transformed Nigeria 2010-2013.”
According to her, the book contains the various achievements the present administration had made in making the lives of Nigerians more meaningful.
Such feats, she said, included massive road construction and rehabilitation, intervention in the power sector, repositioning of the aviation sector and the reforms in the agriculture sector among others.
Jonathan later presented the book.
The President apologised to Nigerians who he said were eminently qualified to be honoured but were not captured in the list. He said over 500 persons were in that category.
While saying it was not an easy task for his government to arrive at the list of 100 honourees, Jonathan promised that his administration would continue to look for other ways of honouring deserving Nigerians.
The awards were segmented into three major categories: Governance, Politics and Leadership; Entreprenuership and Endeavour; as well as Personal Sacrifices, Patriotism and Activism.
Under the first category, recipients who were recognised included contributors to the making of Nigeria, heroes of the struggle for Nigeria’s independence/pioneer political leaders, promoters of democratic transition in Nigeria, accomplished pioneer public servants and outstanding contemporary public servants.
Under the second category were pioneers in professional callings/careers, pioneers in commerce and industry, heroes in global sports competitions, accomplished contemporary entrepreneurs, distinguished academics and internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists.
The last category had outstanding bravery and public spiritedness, outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national development as well as exemplary service in the promotion of peace and moral values as sub-categories.
Highlight of the presentation was when Jonathan presented the the nation’s former leaders with their awards amidst standing ovation and loud applause from the audience.
All award recipients were presented with medals and certificate.
No representative was available to receive the awards on behalf of Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti; Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Chinua Achebe.
Wole Soyinka was also absent at the event despite the fact that he was nominated under the internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists category.
Ransome-Kuti was nominated under the heroes of the struggle for Nigeria’s independence/pioneer political leaders category for being a Nigerian teacher, politician and woman activist who pioneered women activism in modern Nigeria.
Anikulapo-Kuti was nominated under the internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists.
Fawehinmi was nominated under the outstanding bravery and public enterprises.
Copyright PUNCH.
The venue was the Presidential Villa, Abuja where the centenary anniversary presentation and award night/dinner was held.
100 persons, both living and dead, believed to have contributed meaningfully to national development, were honoured at the colourful event.
The well-attended programme was witnessed by Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), former President Sheu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Buhari, Babangida, Abdusalami and Obasanjo were on Thursday absent at the international conference tagged “Human Security, Peace and defelopment Agenda for 21st Century Africa” held in Abuja as part of activities marking the centenary anniversary.
The tone for the night was set by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who reviewed a book, “The reforms that have transformed Nigeria 2010-2013.”
According to her, the book contains the various achievements the present administration had made in making the lives of Nigerians more meaningful.
Such feats, she said, included massive road construction and rehabilitation, intervention in the power sector, repositioning of the aviation sector and the reforms in the agriculture sector among others.
Jonathan later presented the book.
The President apologised to Nigerians who he said were eminently qualified to be honoured but were not captured in the list. He said over 500 persons were in that category.
While saying it was not an easy task for his government to arrive at the list of 100 honourees, Jonathan promised that his administration would continue to look for other ways of honouring deserving Nigerians.
The awards were segmented into three major categories: Governance, Politics and Leadership; Entreprenuership and Endeavour; as well as Personal Sacrifices, Patriotism and Activism.
Under the first category, recipients who were recognised included contributors to the making of Nigeria, heroes of the struggle for Nigeria’s independence/pioneer political leaders, promoters of democratic transition in Nigeria, accomplished pioneer public servants and outstanding contemporary public servants.
Under the second category were pioneers in professional callings/careers, pioneers in commerce and industry, heroes in global sports competitions, accomplished contemporary entrepreneurs, distinguished academics and internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists.
The last category had outstanding bravery and public spiritedness, outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national development as well as exemplary service in the promotion of peace and moral values as sub-categories.
Highlight of the presentation was when Jonathan presented the the nation’s former leaders with their awards amidst standing ovation and loud applause from the audience.
All award recipients were presented with medals and certificate.
No representative was available to receive the awards on behalf of Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti; Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Chief Gani Fawehinmi and Chinua Achebe.
Wole Soyinka was also absent at the event despite the fact that he was nominated under the internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists category.
Ransome-Kuti was nominated under the heroes of the struggle for Nigeria’s independence/pioneer political leaders category for being a Nigerian teacher, politician and woman activist who pioneered women activism in modern Nigeria.
Anikulapo-Kuti was nominated under the internationally acclaimed artists, literary icons and journalists.
Fawehinmi was nominated under the outstanding bravery and public enterprises.
Copyright PUNCH.
Nigeria, Cameroon may clash over Boko Haram
There are strong indications that Nigeria and Cameroon may clash over Boko Haram as the Federal Government accuses Cameroon of harbouring members of the militant Islamic sect.
Saturday PUNCH learnt on Thursday that the Federal Government was becoming increasingly frustrated by the refusal of Cameroon to cooperate with Nigeria in its efforts to combat the militant Islamic sect.
A top source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who confided in one of our correspondents in Abuja, said that President Goodluck Jonathan would report Cameroon to relevant agencies in the United Nations.
Part of government’s strategy is to adopt the policy of hot pursuit, whereby Nigeria’s military will chase the insurgents into their hideouts and flush them out while those in the diplomatic circles will continue with diplomacy.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that this was one of the reasons why Jonathan canvassed that countries should be allowed to chase fleeing terrorists to other nations while addressing fellow African leaders during Thursday’s International Conference on Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for 21st Century Africa, in Abuja.
He had asked his colleagues to, as of necessity, change their collective approach and work closely together to confront and defeat the purveyors of hate who do not respect borders and boundaries.
He said, “Our architecture must recognise the fact that trans-border criminals don’t respect boundaries while law enforcement agencies are compelled to respect our international boundaries,’’ adding, “There must be compromise on this if we must wipe out criminality and trans-border crimes.
“While we respect our national boundaries, terrorists move in and out of our borders, it’s now time that we should agree as African leaders that an act of terror against one nation is an act of terror against all nations.”
In a veiled reference to Cameroon, the President said, “We must not allow our countries to become safe havens for terrorists; we must cooperate maximally beyond political boundaries and adopt protocols that allow other countries to pursue terrorists to their safe havens in other nations.
“While we cannot redefine our borders we can redefine our collective approach in fighting trans-boundary insurgencies.’’
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Federal Government was of the view that since the joint commissions had not yielded any positive fruit, it should start looking towards a new direction.
“The best option is to involve the military and use the policy of hot pursuit,’’ a foreign ministry source noted.
The Federal Government believes Cameroon has a history of harbouring criminals that use its territory to destabilise Nigeria.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Federal Government was aware of Cameroon’s unexplainable indifference to Nigeria. One of the sources said that as early as 1906, northern Nigeria suffered from violence orchestrated by religious leaders whose roots were in northern Cameroon.
It was further learnt that the Federal Government was disturbed that Cameroon, unlike Niger and Chad, had been providing a safe haven for fleeing Boko Haram members in northern Cameroon.
Nigeria’s frustrations were echoed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who during the last presidential media chat, made a veiled reference to contacts being made with Cameroon over Boko Haram.
According to a source, the 1906 Mahdist rebellion in Kano has an imprint of such pseudo Islamic teachers.
The source recalled that Mallam Muhammadu Marwa, better known as “Maitatsine” a Fulani native of Marwa, in northern Cameroon, was driven from the northern commercial city of Kano back to Cameroon by the Emir of Kano in 1962.
He further noted that Maitatsine returned to Nigeria in 1966 as a Quranic teacher. “Marwa remained in the country recruiting and indoctrinating gullible young men until he led an insurgency in the 1980s,’’ he added.
Commenting specifically on the Boko Haram insurgency, the source said, “From all indications, there appears to be an unwritten understanding between the sect members and Cameroonian security forces that they can operate from bases within their borders as long as they don’t launch attacks within Cameroon.
“Cameroon has a history of harbouring criminals who use its territory to destabilise Nigeria. You may wish to recall that the leader of the Maitatsine Islamic sect operated from Marwa, a Cameroonian border with Nigeria’’
Also, a retired diplomat who pleaded anonymity, expressed disappointment that Cameroon had failed to reciprocate Nigeria’s generosity, especially after giving up the Bakassi Peninsula.
He, however, said the situation was not hopeless if Nigeria could leverage on its healthy relationship with western powers like the United States and the United Kingdom to put pressure on France who in turn would call Cameroon to order.
Investigations by Saturday PUNCH further showed that Nigerian diplomats were at their wits end after several diplomatic entreaties through the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Commission which sought to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighbours failed.
The source made reference to America’s war in Afghanistan which he said was part of US strategy of taking the war on terrorism to insurgents outside US borders.
Military sources, who also pleaded anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the issue, confirmed the agreement between Cameroonian gendarmes and Boko Haram operatives to Saturday PUNCH.
Copyright PUNCH.
Saturday PUNCH learnt on Thursday that the Federal Government was becoming increasingly frustrated by the refusal of Cameroon to cooperate with Nigeria in its efforts to combat the militant Islamic sect.
A top source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who confided in one of our correspondents in Abuja, said that President Goodluck Jonathan would report Cameroon to relevant agencies in the United Nations.
Part of government’s strategy is to adopt the policy of hot pursuit, whereby Nigeria’s military will chase the insurgents into their hideouts and flush them out while those in the diplomatic circles will continue with diplomacy.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that this was one of the reasons why Jonathan canvassed that countries should be allowed to chase fleeing terrorists to other nations while addressing fellow African leaders during Thursday’s International Conference on Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for 21st Century Africa, in Abuja.
He had asked his colleagues to, as of necessity, change their collective approach and work closely together to confront and defeat the purveyors of hate who do not respect borders and boundaries.
He said, “Our architecture must recognise the fact that trans-border criminals don’t respect boundaries while law enforcement agencies are compelled to respect our international boundaries,’’ adding, “There must be compromise on this if we must wipe out criminality and trans-border crimes.
“While we respect our national boundaries, terrorists move in and out of our borders, it’s now time that we should agree as African leaders that an act of terror against one nation is an act of terror against all nations.”
In a veiled reference to Cameroon, the President said, “We must not allow our countries to become safe havens for terrorists; we must cooperate maximally beyond political boundaries and adopt protocols that allow other countries to pursue terrorists to their safe havens in other nations.
“While we cannot redefine our borders we can redefine our collective approach in fighting trans-boundary insurgencies.’’
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Federal Government was of the view that since the joint commissions had not yielded any positive fruit, it should start looking towards a new direction.
“The best option is to involve the military and use the policy of hot pursuit,’’ a foreign ministry source noted.
The Federal Government believes Cameroon has a history of harbouring criminals that use its territory to destabilise Nigeria.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the Federal Government was aware of Cameroon’s unexplainable indifference to Nigeria. One of the sources said that as early as 1906, northern Nigeria suffered from violence orchestrated by religious leaders whose roots were in northern Cameroon.
It was further learnt that the Federal Government was disturbed that Cameroon, unlike Niger and Chad, had been providing a safe haven for fleeing Boko Haram members in northern Cameroon.
Nigeria’s frustrations were echoed by President Goodluck Jonathan, who during the last presidential media chat, made a veiled reference to contacts being made with Cameroon over Boko Haram.
According to a source, the 1906 Mahdist rebellion in Kano has an imprint of such pseudo Islamic teachers.
The source recalled that Mallam Muhammadu Marwa, better known as “Maitatsine” a Fulani native of Marwa, in northern Cameroon, was driven from the northern commercial city of Kano back to Cameroon by the Emir of Kano in 1962.
He further noted that Maitatsine returned to Nigeria in 1966 as a Quranic teacher. “Marwa remained in the country recruiting and indoctrinating gullible young men until he led an insurgency in the 1980s,’’ he added.
Commenting specifically on the Boko Haram insurgency, the source said, “From all indications, there appears to be an unwritten understanding between the sect members and Cameroonian security forces that they can operate from bases within their borders as long as they don’t launch attacks within Cameroon.
“Cameroon has a history of harbouring criminals who use its territory to destabilise Nigeria. You may wish to recall that the leader of the Maitatsine Islamic sect operated from Marwa, a Cameroonian border with Nigeria’’
Also, a retired diplomat who pleaded anonymity, expressed disappointment that Cameroon had failed to reciprocate Nigeria’s generosity, especially after giving up the Bakassi Peninsula.
He, however, said the situation was not hopeless if Nigeria could leverage on its healthy relationship with western powers like the United States and the United Kingdom to put pressure on France who in turn would call Cameroon to order.
Investigations by Saturday PUNCH further showed that Nigerian diplomats were at their wits end after several diplomatic entreaties through the Nigeria/Cameroon Joint Commission which sought to strengthen bilateral ties between the two neighbours failed.
The source made reference to America’s war in Afghanistan which he said was part of US strategy of taking the war on terrorism to insurgents outside US borders.
Military sources, who also pleaded anonymity because they were not authorised to speak on the issue, confirmed the agreement between Cameroonian gendarmes and Boko Haram operatives to Saturday PUNCH.
Copyright PUNCH.
The Bitter But Simple Truth By Femi Fani-Kayode
Stop telling me to pray to God for the destruction of Boko Haram. Americans did not pray to God for the destruction of terrorists, they simply conquered them with all the resources God has given them!”- DAVID KING
Mr. David King has spoken the bitter but simple truth. When I said that Boko Haram should be ruthlessly crushed three years ago and that GEJ should take a firm hand and drastic measures against them I was subjected to ridicule and condemnation by many.
They said that I was being too extreeme and too harsh. Many were instead saying that there should be dialogue and amnesty for the Boko beasts. I predicted that all that is happening today would eventually happen if a very firm hand was not taken as far back as 2010 and I have the essays to prove it.Sadly no-one listened and we are where we are now.
The worst thing about it is that we are a saddled with a President for at the very least the next one year and possibly for the next five years who just doesn’t care how many people are killed and who has no clue about what to do in the face of this challenge.
The truth is that many more people will be killed by BH in the coming months and years and nothing can be done to stop them any more. It is just too late and the cancer and evil will spread. Worst still unlike others the Nigerian people and their political elites just dont have the resolve, the fortitude, the will or the stomach for a good fight and, like the ostrich, they are mostly in denial about what is going on.
The truth is that Nigeria is almost finished as a nation unless there is some kind of miracle or divine intervention simply because our leaders are ill-equipped and completely unprepared to fight a group of people who are ready to die for their cause and who are ready to commit the most unspeakable atrocities at the drop of a hat.
If only our government had acted with a firm hand at the beginning of the crisis it could have been nipped in the bud. Now it is simply too late and the cat is out of the bag. Whether we like it or not Boko Haram is a reality and it is here to stay. Nigeria will never be the same again.
Whilst some are still attending centenary balls and award ceremonies and wallowing in blissful ignorance and self-denial other have come to recognise the bleak fact that what we are witnessing today is the beginning of the end of an artificial nation-state that was hurriedly hobbled together by the British 100 years ago.
Mr. David King has spoken the bitter but simple truth. When I said that Boko Haram should be ruthlessly crushed three years ago and that GEJ should take a firm hand and drastic measures against them I was subjected to ridicule and condemnation by many.
They said that I was being too extreeme and too harsh. Many were instead saying that there should be dialogue and amnesty for the Boko beasts. I predicted that all that is happening today would eventually happen if a very firm hand was not taken as far back as 2010 and I have the essays to prove it.Sadly no-one listened and we are where we are now.
The worst thing about it is that we are a saddled with a President for at the very least the next one year and possibly for the next five years who just doesn’t care how many people are killed and who has no clue about what to do in the face of this challenge.
The truth is that many more people will be killed by BH in the coming months and years and nothing can be done to stop them any more. It is just too late and the cancer and evil will spread. Worst still unlike others the Nigerian people and their political elites just dont have the resolve, the fortitude, the will or the stomach for a good fight and, like the ostrich, they are mostly in denial about what is going on.
The truth is that Nigeria is almost finished as a nation unless there is some kind of miracle or divine intervention simply because our leaders are ill-equipped and completely unprepared to fight a group of people who are ready to die for their cause and who are ready to commit the most unspeakable atrocities at the drop of a hat.
If only our government had acted with a firm hand at the beginning of the crisis it could have been nipped in the bud. Now it is simply too late and the cat is out of the bag. Whether we like it or not Boko Haram is a reality and it is here to stay. Nigeria will never be the same again.
Whilst some are still attending centenary balls and award ceremonies and wallowing in blissful ignorance and self-denial other have come to recognise the bleak fact that what we are witnessing today is the beginning of the end of an artificial nation-state that was hurriedly hobbled together by the British 100 years ago.
Pope emeritus Benedict’s resignation hastened by World Cup
(AFP) – The soccer World Cup taking place in Brazil this year indirectly prompted Benedict XVI to bring forward his resignation as pope by a year, his private secretary told a German newspaper Friday.
Archbishop Georg Gaenswein was asked whether Benedict’s historic resignation in February 2013 was influenced by the moving up of a major Roman Catholic festival to last year because the World Cup was also set to be held in Brazil in 2014.
“Pope Benedict presented his decision to me exactly as you now said it,” Gaenswein responded in an interview with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung’s weekly magazine.
Now Pope emeritus Benedict wanted his successor to be able to attend the religious World Youth Day gathering in Rio, he added.
“My spontaneous reaction was ‘no, Holy Father, you can’t!,” Gaenswein said, recalling the moment when Benedict confided his decision to him in December 2012.
He added that it had not always been easy to keep the planned resignation secret.
And he recalled the reactions among cardinals when the German pontiff announced his shock resignation in Latin, saying “some faces looked like stone, others disbelieving, perplexed, shocked”.
“People looked at each other, asked themselves ‘Did I understand that correctly’?”
Gaenswein was asked if preceding pope John-Paul II’s suffering had influenced the decision of Benedict, who became the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign when he said he could no longer carry on because of his declining health.
“To carry on in the same manner as the predecessor ended, or even to copy him, he didn’t see as his way,” the archbishop said.
Archbishop Georg Gaenswein was asked whether Benedict’s historic resignation in February 2013 was influenced by the moving up of a major Roman Catholic festival to last year because the World Cup was also set to be held in Brazil in 2014.
“Pope Benedict presented his decision to me exactly as you now said it,” Gaenswein responded in an interview with the Sueddeutsche Zeitung’s weekly magazine.
Now Pope emeritus Benedict wanted his successor to be able to attend the religious World Youth Day gathering in Rio, he added.
“My spontaneous reaction was ‘no, Holy Father, you can’t!,” Gaenswein said, recalling the moment when Benedict confided his decision to him in December 2012.
He added that it had not always been easy to keep the planned resignation secret.
And he recalled the reactions among cardinals when the German pontiff announced his shock resignation in Latin, saying “some faces looked like stone, others disbelieving, perplexed, shocked”.
“People looked at each other, asked themselves ‘Did I understand that correctly’?”
Gaenswein was asked if preceding pope John-Paul II’s suffering had influenced the decision of Benedict, who became the first pope since the Middle Ages to resign when he said he could no longer carry on because of his declining health.
“To carry on in the same manner as the predecessor ended, or even to copy him, he didn’t see as his way,” the archbishop said.
The perceptions of a 16-yr old Nigerian By Tiola
I promise you this is a true story, and I have not, did not manipulate the conversations recorded herein in anyway. I was actually minding my business, trying to decide on a theme for this week’s article – I am seriously tired of commenting on the state of the nation —when my nine year old, the baby of the house walked in to relay a conversation she had just with her older brother, who is 16.
She said she was telling him about her mid-term home assignment in which she was asked to research the most recent natural disaster to occur in Nigeria to which he quipped “Jonathan Goodluck”.That was last night… I’m still cracking up as I write this several hours later!
Chai! Where did that come from! She said she asked him why he would say that and his response was that he was born naturally (??) and he seems to constantly bring disaster to Nigeria!
Let’s not even go there! I have raised my children to respect their elders and also have a healthy respect for authority. At the same time they have been raised to be thinking people, to explore, observe, examine, and based on sound analysis come to certain conclusions in line with their level of thinking. So if a 16-year old boy has gone against the grain to form such a strong and negative opinion of a leader he has experienced only ‘peripherally’ I’m curious to find out why.
So I asked him. And his response was that he assumed Jonathan was ‘the reason for most of the problems in Nigeria’. I asked how he could hold one man responsible for all the things happening to which he responded “he’s the President; he’s supposed to be in charge”. Selah.
When asked to zero in on some of the things that irked him the most, he said for one, considering that most Nigerian are hungry all those millions allocated for food in Aso-rock was inconceivable. Then he couldn’t grasp the amount set aside to buy petrol to power the generators in Aso-Rock “why?” he asked. “Didn’t they realise that if they fixed the power problem, they won’t have to waste all that money?” I’ve been wondering the same thing too…
“Why are we still a mono-economy?” He demanded. The study of Economics has opened his mind and eyes to a lot of things. Honestly, I have asked that same question many times myself… started asking when he was a little baby… now the baby is grown and those questions still remain unanswered.
He said as far as he knew Jonathan has done nothing of significance – at least none that he is aware of. He says he stands to be corrected. And then he proceeded to break my heart…
He said he was born believing that epileptic power supply and blackouts were a normal global phenomenon. He said for many years he never understood why people became so belligerent when NEPA struck, after all. Wasn’t that the norm? They will soon bring it na! Maybe not just today, but sha, dem go bring am! Not until he stepped out of these shores… thank God for the wherewithal to provided our children with alternate experiences.
By that I take it that we have succeeded in raising a generation, with the exception of those who will have the privilege of an alternate experience; who will go through life with very low expectations believing that this hard, unproductive way of life is the norm… God forbid!
As it stands he says he’s not proud to be called Nigerian and his response to the Presidents 2nd (or is it 3rd) term bid was a slow, cynical chuckle, disconcerting to see in one so young and he said… “I assume that when a president wants to come back, it is because he has done something that has affected the country positively and wants to come back and do more… technically speaking, him (sic) asking for a 2nd term is like saying he wants to return and continue to do nothing…. Selah.
She said she was telling him about her mid-term home assignment in which she was asked to research the most recent natural disaster to occur in Nigeria to which he quipped “Jonathan Goodluck”.That was last night… I’m still cracking up as I write this several hours later!
Chai! Where did that come from! She said she asked him why he would say that and his response was that he was born naturally (??) and he seems to constantly bring disaster to Nigeria!
Let’s not even go there! I have raised my children to respect their elders and also have a healthy respect for authority. At the same time they have been raised to be thinking people, to explore, observe, examine, and based on sound analysis come to certain conclusions in line with their level of thinking. So if a 16-year old boy has gone against the grain to form such a strong and negative opinion of a leader he has experienced only ‘peripherally’ I’m curious to find out why.
So I asked him. And his response was that he assumed Jonathan was ‘the reason for most of the problems in Nigeria’. I asked how he could hold one man responsible for all the things happening to which he responded “he’s the President; he’s supposed to be in charge”. Selah.
When asked to zero in on some of the things that irked him the most, he said for one, considering that most Nigerian are hungry all those millions allocated for food in Aso-rock was inconceivable. Then he couldn’t grasp the amount set aside to buy petrol to power the generators in Aso-Rock “why?” he asked. “Didn’t they realise that if they fixed the power problem, they won’t have to waste all that money?” I’ve been wondering the same thing too…
“Why are we still a mono-economy?” He demanded. The study of Economics has opened his mind and eyes to a lot of things. Honestly, I have asked that same question many times myself… started asking when he was a little baby… now the baby is grown and those questions still remain unanswered.
He said as far as he knew Jonathan has done nothing of significance – at least none that he is aware of. He says he stands to be corrected. And then he proceeded to break my heart…
He said he was born believing that epileptic power supply and blackouts were a normal global phenomenon. He said for many years he never understood why people became so belligerent when NEPA struck, after all. Wasn’t that the norm? They will soon bring it na! Maybe not just today, but sha, dem go bring am! Not until he stepped out of these shores… thank God for the wherewithal to provided our children with alternate experiences.
By that I take it that we have succeeded in raising a generation, with the exception of those who will have the privilege of an alternate experience; who will go through life with very low expectations believing that this hard, unproductive way of life is the norm… God forbid!
As it stands he says he’s not proud to be called Nigerian and his response to the Presidents 2nd (or is it 3rd) term bid was a slow, cynical chuckle, disconcerting to see in one so young and he said… “I assume that when a president wants to come back, it is because he has done something that has affected the country positively and wants to come back and do more… technically speaking, him (sic) asking for a 2nd term is like saying he wants to return and continue to do nothing…. Selah.
Jonathan’s cousin abduction: Kidnappers demand N500m ransom
The kidnappers of Chief Inengite Nitabai, cousin to President Goodluck Jonathan, have demanded the sum of N500m ransom to set him free.
Nitabai, aged 70, was abducted last Sunday by ten armed men at his Otuoke residence in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State and taken away in his private Sports Utitlity Vehicle after collecting N400,000 from his wife.
The vehicle was later recovered at Unuegbum waterfront where it was abandoned, an indication that the gunmen escaped through the creek.
The victim, his wife, his wife’s sister and three of his children were in the house when the gunmen struck.
But that respite it was learnt came the way of the family when the kidnappers contacted them to make the ransom demand Thursday.
It was learnt that the outrageous demand unsettled the family members who had since resorted to prayers for divine intervention.
Though his children had declined media enquiries on the matter so as not to jeopardize police efforts, a security source told Saturday Vanguard that the abductors threatened to kill their victim if the family failed to accede to their demand..
The security source who spoke anonymously said the family had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate his release.
The kidnappers, according to the source, as usual warned against the involvement of security operatives in the matter.
“The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded a whooping sum of N500m. It is believed that the family of the victim has begun negotiations with the hoodlums,” he said.
The troubled family members had shortly after the incident chose to maintained silence on media enquiry on the matter for security reason in spite of growing anxiety following the refusal of the kidnappers to establish contact with them.
The state police spokesman, Mr. Alex Akhigbe could not be reached for comment but there had been massive security presence in the community with operatives combing the creeks and waterways of the state in search of the kidnappers.
Nitabai, aged 70, was abducted last Sunday by ten armed men at his Otuoke residence in Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State and taken away in his private Sports Utitlity Vehicle after collecting N400,000 from his wife.
The vehicle was later recovered at Unuegbum waterfront where it was abandoned, an indication that the gunmen escaped through the creek.
The victim, his wife, his wife’s sister and three of his children were in the house when the gunmen struck.
But that respite it was learnt came the way of the family when the kidnappers contacted them to make the ransom demand Thursday.
It was learnt that the outrageous demand unsettled the family members who had since resorted to prayers for divine intervention.
Though his children had declined media enquiries on the matter so as not to jeopardize police efforts, a security source told Saturday Vanguard that the abductors threatened to kill their victim if the family failed to accede to their demand..
The security source who spoke anonymously said the family had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate his release.
The kidnappers, according to the source, as usual warned against the involvement of security operatives in the matter.
“The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded a whooping sum of N500m. It is believed that the family of the victim has begun negotiations with the hoodlums,” he said.
The troubled family members had shortly after the incident chose to maintained silence on media enquiry on the matter for security reason in spite of growing anxiety following the refusal of the kidnappers to establish contact with them.
The state police spokesman, Mr. Alex Akhigbe could not be reached for comment but there had been massive security presence in the community with operatives combing the creeks and waterways of the state in search of the kidnappers.
National Conference: Civil society groups nominate Agbakoba, Ayo Obe, Onumah, 21 others
The organisations listed their core demands and values
A former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Olisa Agbakoba; a former President of the Civil Liberties Organisation, CLO, Ayo Obe; and a PREMIUM TIMES Columnist, Chido Onumah; are among 24 members of Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in Nigeria that have been nominated to represent the civic groups at the National Conference.
According to a statement on Friday by the Pro-Democracy Civil Society Organisations, a body of the various civic groups, other nominees are Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chima Amadi, Isaac Osuoka, Ezenwa Nwagwu, Samson Itodo, Ayelabola Babatunde, Faith Nwadishi, Nnimmo Bassey, Jaye Gaskia, Olarenwaju Suraj, Uju Agomuo and Steve Aluko.
Naseer Kura, Y. Z. Yau, Dudu Paloma, Ngozi Obiorah, Abiola Akiode, Tor Yorapu, Ene Ede, Idayat Hassan and Jibrin Ibrahim were also nominated as delegates.
The nominees were drawn from different thematic groups in the CSO community in Nigeria.
The Federal Government, while unfolding the modalities of the confab last month, allocated 24 slots to the CSOs.
President Goodluck Jonathan will inaugurate the 492-member conference on March 10; though its three principal officers will be named on Monday.
The Pro-democracy CSOs statement signed by Ezenwa Nwagwu and Jaye Gaskia said the 24 persons were picked after a series of nationwide consultations initiated after the government released the modalities for the conference.
“We had first welcomed the proposed National Conference as an opportunity to engage with all the contentious issues facing our people and nation; and we had promised a robust, frank, but also critical engagement with the National Conference as a process,” it said.
“We reiterate our firm commitment to continue and deepen the pace and intensity of our engagement with the conference as process, that is with the processes leading to its convening; with the processes and deliberations during its duration; as well as with the processes post conference with respect to the mode of validating [through a referendum] and implementing its outcome.”
The group said it had, about three weeks ago, announced its engagement with the National Conference process and had insisted and laid historical claim to the right to provide the nominees for the Civil Society slot in the conference.
It also said that as a demonstration of its seriousness, it would establish a Pro-Democracy Society Engagement Coordinating Secretariat for the National Conference.
The secretariat, it stressed, would be hosted centrally by Social Action in Abuja.
“The secretariat will be decentralised with Geo-political zonal Pro-democracy CSOs coordinating secretariats established in each geo-political zone and hosted by a Pro-Democracy CSO or network in each zone,” it said.
The groups summarised the CSOs positions and demands as follows:
A justiceable and enforceable chapter of the constitution, including a comprehensive listing of Human Rights, including civil and political, social and cultural, as well as economic rights of citizens. This indeed is our social program for the engagement with the National Conference, and our minimum irreducible demand.
We reaffirm our demand that a minimum of two-thirds of delegates to the National Conference should comprise of non state actor delegates.
The National conference must resolve in unambiguous terms the question of citizenship of Nigeria. All Nigerians must have a uniform, common single citizenship of Nigeria; the only qualification for purposes of representation being determined minimum residency status.
Only a national Referendum can validate the outcome of the National Conference. We are insistent that sovereignty resides in the people of Nigeria not in any state institution.
The basic foundations of a road map to participatory political advancement and socio-economic development must be agreed and in such a manner as it can be articulated into a 5 year comprehensive integrated National Development Program, that will address and tackle unemployment, homelessness, and poverty.
A Bipartisan Approach to Fighting Boko Haram, By Bukola Saraki
Once again, Nigerians faced further attacks in the northern part of the country that has left over 43 school children dead. This is another great loss of innocent lives at the hands Boko Haram in the Federal Government College in Buni Yadi.
This month alone, we have lost more than 300 lives to the activities of these militant attacks. As a father, I feel every condolence message that is sent to grieving mothers, fathers or siblings on this wanton spate of killings personally.
As with all insurgencies, fighting Boko Haram is not just for the military to tackle. The success for Nigeria in fighting Boko Haram and terrorism in general is largely dependent upon two other key issues: leadership and political cooperation.
The first, leadership, lies squarely in the hands of the President. President Jonathan says the situation will improve but this isn’t instilling confidence in the rest of his countrymen. He must now urgently provide all the necessary resources allocated by our Government to help ensure our nation’s security. The President must also work together with the Governors of the State to ensure a unified approach to combatting this menace.
The second, political cooperation, is the responsibility of all politicians. We all must understand our duties as elected representatives of our people and cooperate politically to bridge region and religion. We must also appeal to the Governors of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe, to all leaders from the region and to all opposition leaders to cooperate with federal Government. We have to fully support the military and provide all funds required by the security agencies. This must be a priority for both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
I believe that with the continued attacks in northern Nigeria, the support from each and every Nigerian is vitally important for combating violent extremism.
Nigeria will soon be approaching a Presidential election period but in my humble opinion the fight to protect people should be prioritised over domestic politics. Disputes between the central Government and local Governors will not help the already desperate situation.
As the scale of the problem in northern Nigeria is only just being grasped, we should welcome the offers of support and expertise for outside of Nigeria. The United States and other international partners have pledged support and assistance, but this will only work if we are unified. For the sake of the innocent lives our political resolve must be as strong as the military option.
The demands of Boko Haram can never be met because Nigeria is a multicultural, open and welcoming country. The military can fight them but defeating them will take more than guns and bombs. Success will only happen when every leader, Governor, Senator and the President sit together and combine their political will to put an end to these senseless killings.
Dr. Bukola Saraki, two-term governor in Kwara State, is a senator in the National Assembly. He contributed the article from Abuja.
Ogun picks Pastor Bakare, Fola Adeola, others for National Conference
Delegates plan to correct “serious error” caused by 1914 amalgamation
The Ogun State government on Thursday announced its delegates for the National Conference.
The list, as announced by the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, included Olanihun Ajayi, Olabiyi Durojaiye, Titi Filani, Tunde Bakare, Iyabo Anisulowo, Bisi Adegbuyi, Fola Adeola, and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Kehinde Olugbenle.
According to the governor, Mr. Durojaiye, a former Senator, is the team leader, while Mr. Ajayi would be the elder statesman to the delegates.
Many of the appointees are known politicians with two of them being vice presidential candidates in the 2011 elections. Mr. Bakare, a pastor, was the running mate of Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct CPC, while Mr. Adeola was the running mate of Nuhu Ribadu of the defunct ACN.
At the presentation of the delegates to journalists at the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Amosun said they would bring up issues such as the devolution of power, decentralisation of office, fiscal federalism and the unity of the nation.
Responding on behalf of the delegates, Mr. Ajayi said it was important for him and his colleagues to realise that they were going to the Conference to correct the serious error committed by Nigeria’s colonial masters, the British.
The elder statesman remarked on President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech marking Nigeria’s centenary celebration where the president called the 1914 amalgamation of the North and South, a blessing.
“Today, I remember the mistake of 1914. That’s the cause of our problems and that mistake has been with us quite a long time. The problem really and truly is that Nigeria was constructed contrary to political geometry. That is why we have not arrived as a country because if we live together for 100 years and yet there’s no stability, there’s no concord, there’s no harmony, there’s no progress – Those other countries like Brazil, Indian, China and Russia who were in the same bracket as we were in 1960 are now far, far above us and we are far below them, why?,” he asked. “It is because of failure to observe political geometry. But we pray and hope that when we get there, God being our helper, we will, as Nigerians unitedly and in the spirit of give and take, arrive at a solution that will bring peace and progress to this country.”
The Ogun State government on Thursday announced its delegates for the National Conference.
The list, as announced by the state governor, Ibikunle Amosun, included Olanihun Ajayi, Olabiyi Durojaiye, Titi Filani, Tunde Bakare, Iyabo Anisulowo, Bisi Adegbuyi, Fola Adeola, and the Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Kehinde Olugbenle.
According to the governor, Mr. Durojaiye, a former Senator, is the team leader, while Mr. Ajayi would be the elder statesman to the delegates.
Many of the appointees are known politicians with two of them being vice presidential candidates in the 2011 elections. Mr. Bakare, a pastor, was the running mate of Muhammadu Buhari of the defunct CPC, while Mr. Adeola was the running mate of Nuhu Ribadu of the defunct ACN.
At the presentation of the delegates to journalists at the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Mr. Amosun said they would bring up issues such as the devolution of power, decentralisation of office, fiscal federalism and the unity of the nation.
Responding on behalf of the delegates, Mr. Ajayi said it was important for him and his colleagues to realise that they were going to the Conference to correct the serious error committed by Nigeria’s colonial masters, the British.
The elder statesman remarked on President Goodluck Jonathan’s speech marking Nigeria’s centenary celebration where the president called the 1914 amalgamation of the North and South, a blessing.
“Today, I remember the mistake of 1914. That’s the cause of our problems and that mistake has been with us quite a long time. The problem really and truly is that Nigeria was constructed contrary to political geometry. That is why we have not arrived as a country because if we live together for 100 years and yet there’s no stability, there’s no concord, there’s no harmony, there’s no progress – Those other countries like Brazil, Indian, China and Russia who were in the same bracket as we were in 1960 are now far, far above us and we are far below them, why?,” he asked. “It is because of failure to observe political geometry. But we pray and hope that when we get there, God being our helper, we will, as Nigerians unitedly and in the spirit of give and take, arrive at a solution that will bring peace and progress to this country.”
EFCC arrests lawyer for attempting to bribe anti-corruption officials
Lawyer offered investigators N1.2 million
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday said it arrested a Nigerian lawyer, Ayodele Owoka, 47, while trying to bribe operatives of the commission.
A statement by the Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren said Mr. Owoka was arrested at the commission’s office in Ikoyi, Lagos State while he attempted to bribe a team of investigators.
Mr. Uwujaren said the team were investigating a case of contract inflation, abuse of office, stealing, embezzlement and misappropriation of funds at the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, in Owo, Ondo State.
Mr. Owoka is said to have confessed to offering the team N1.2 million; allegedly given to him by the Medical Director, FMC, Owo, O.A Omotosho to coerce the team into soft pedaling on its investigations.
Mr. Uwujaren noted that the accused confessed that Mr.Omotosho, gave him N1.5 Million out of which he kept N300, 000 for himself.
“The suspect would be arraigned in court as soon as investigations are concluded,” Mr. Uwujaren said.
Kogi University lecturer accused of terrorism to know fate March 7
The ruling on the bail application was postponed.
The ruling on the bail application by a Kogi State University lecturer, Muhammad Nazeef, who was accused of terrorism, was on Friday postponed to March 7.
Mr. Nazeef was arrested by the Department of State Security Service, SSS, over links with the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
He had applied for bail with the ruling initially scheduled to be delivered on Friday.
The ruling did not hold at the Federal High Court, Abuja as scheduled by the presiding judge, Gabriel Kolawale, because of a valedictory service.
A court clerk who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES at the court said Friday’s ruling was rescheduled for March 7 because most judges at the Federal High Court attended the valedictory service of retired judges.
Mr. Nazeef and two others, Salami Abdullahi and Umar Musa, are being prosecuted by the SSS on terrorism charges.
After a hearing on the bail applications by the three accused persons on February 10, Mr. Kolawole had adjourned ruling on the bail application till February 28.
He also ordered that the accused persons be held at the Kuje prison, Abuja.
The counsel to the accused persons had prayed the court to use its discretion to grant bail since there were no evidences that the applicants would abate justice, interfere with investigations, or jump bail.
Mr. Nazeef, a lecturer in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies at the Kogi State University, was on November 20, 2013 paraded alongside four others by the SSS, at its headquarters in Abuja.
On the day of the parade, the university lecturer denied being a member of the Boko Haram. He said he believed he was being set up by Boko Haram following his consistent preaching against the sect’s activities.
His daughter, Summayya Muhammad, also stated later that her father had always condemned the Boko Haram’s activities and that tapes of his messages could prove that.
PREMIUM TIMES EDITORIAL: Mr. President, Sack Reno Omokri Now!
“Aides of the president cannot indulge in political contestation, so long as they are paid by the public.”
Many Nigerians are understandably agitated by the slaughter of their compatriots in the northeast states, a trail of murder and mayhem that most recently consumed dozens of children at FGC, Buni. The outrage is directed at both the terrorists, and a federal government that is evidently failing to provide security for its citizens. The conversation has been dominated by a sense of shock at the failure of the government to deliver results in the field and the casual indifference with which it treats the victims of this tragedy. Suspicions have lingered that the Jonathan government sees political advantage in the Boko Haram insurgency, a reason critics cite for its unwillingness to competently assert the prerogatives of the state to contain terror, stabilise the restive northeast and secure its people.
Amidst the shock at the killing of school children, in a federal school in Yobe, a presidential spokesman could only apprehend an opportunity for mindless propaganda. Reno Omokri, a presidential assistant on new media, got caught as he indulged in the dark arts of blaming the Boko Haram resurgence on ousted CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Mr Omokri, was exposed as he tried to pass off his specious views using the alias Wendell Simlin. This level of insensitivity to the victims is mind-boggling. From an ordinary citizen, it would be an unwelcome reflection of barbarity. It is a sacking offence for an official paid by the public.
Mr. Omokri personifies the bumbling incompetence of the Jonathan government. It has been as unable to properly orientate its spokespersons as it has been deficient in projecting any sense that it can govern for the whole country. Aides of the president cannot indulge in political contestation, so long as they are paid by the public. Presidential spokespersons ought to be restricted by considerations of best practices to only explaining or clarifying policy. They are not paid to abuse, antagonise or smear citizens they perceive as hostile to the government. That is a province for party officials, who not being paid by the public, are able to embrace the rough and tumble of politics. But even party officials are expected to be guided in their conduct by civilised ideals and recognise moments of calamity as occasions to respect the humanity of victims, survivors, and their relations.
Mr. Omokri’s tactics are reminiscent of the official attitude during the wanton killings and bombings under General Sani Abacha. When Abacha’s goons shot and failed to kill Afenifere leader Abraham Adesanya, the government blamed the aborted assassination on the old man’s NADECO colleagues. When Chief Adesanya sued Wada Nas, Abacha’s most notorious spokesman, for libel, all Nas could offer as defence was that it was all political banter! An elected government is expected to do better than a military dictatorship in respecting human life, dignity and reputation.
President Jonathan should act now to demonstrate that, though weak and ineffectual, his government is not totally bereft of virtue. He should relieve Mr Omokri of his duties promptly, and cause an apology to be made to the people that were traduced. It is time to set out a clear code of conduct for special assistants and advisers that is unambiguous in removing them from the political fray. The president should do a better job of injecting into his administration the qualities of inclusiveness, sensitivity and empathy. Without these values, no government can be truly responsive.
After weeding out characters like Mr. Omokri from his government, the president must act decisively to check the ongoing insurgency. The northeast states have been under a state of emergency for nearly 10 months. After a momentary retreat as soldiers poured into the region, the terrorists seem to have mastered the situation. Boko Haram have attacked security and military installations, including barracks and airbases at will. They have pummeled schools, towns and villages unchallenged and have ransacked highways. As the litany of atrocities lengthened, the silence from the president has been ominous. The president will rather felicitate or party with supporters, and very visibly so, even as the victims of the latest outrage are being ferried to the morgue. Nigerians have learnt that is a vain hope to expect prompt official acknowledgement of casualties or a display of empathy from their government. The president is failing both as commander-in-chief and as comforter-in-chief, and there is every need to condemn this leadership failure.
It is this leadership deficit that has transformed a crisis into a deepening tragedy. When indifference and incompetence merge during a tragic event, the victims are robbed of their human dignity, and they are treated as little better than fodder. Mafia clans can get away with this crude view of life, but much better is expected of a government. It is an abdication of responsibility when a government is so unable to command a challenge that it permits its sense of helplessness to ossify into callous unconcern for the human toll. This impunity must end now.
Many Nigerians are understandably agitated by the slaughter of their compatriots in the northeast states, a trail of murder and mayhem that most recently consumed dozens of children at FGC, Buni. The outrage is directed at both the terrorists, and a federal government that is evidently failing to provide security for its citizens. The conversation has been dominated by a sense of shock at the failure of the government to deliver results in the field and the casual indifference with which it treats the victims of this tragedy. Suspicions have lingered that the Jonathan government sees political advantage in the Boko Haram insurgency, a reason critics cite for its unwillingness to competently assert the prerogatives of the state to contain terror, stabilise the restive northeast and secure its people.
Amidst the shock at the killing of school children, in a federal school in Yobe, a presidential spokesman could only apprehend an opportunity for mindless propaganda. Reno Omokri, a presidential assistant on new media, got caught as he indulged in the dark arts of blaming the Boko Haram resurgence on ousted CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Mr Omokri, was exposed as he tried to pass off his specious views using the alias Wendell Simlin. This level of insensitivity to the victims is mind-boggling. From an ordinary citizen, it would be an unwelcome reflection of barbarity. It is a sacking offence for an official paid by the public.
Mr. Omokri personifies the bumbling incompetence of the Jonathan government. It has been as unable to properly orientate its spokespersons as it has been deficient in projecting any sense that it can govern for the whole country. Aides of the president cannot indulge in political contestation, so long as they are paid by the public. Presidential spokespersons ought to be restricted by considerations of best practices to only explaining or clarifying policy. They are not paid to abuse, antagonise or smear citizens they perceive as hostile to the government. That is a province for party officials, who not being paid by the public, are able to embrace the rough and tumble of politics. But even party officials are expected to be guided in their conduct by civilised ideals and recognise moments of calamity as occasions to respect the humanity of victims, survivors, and their relations.
Mr. Omokri’s tactics are reminiscent of the official attitude during the wanton killings and bombings under General Sani Abacha. When Abacha’s goons shot and failed to kill Afenifere leader Abraham Adesanya, the government blamed the aborted assassination on the old man’s NADECO colleagues. When Chief Adesanya sued Wada Nas, Abacha’s most notorious spokesman, for libel, all Nas could offer as defence was that it was all political banter! An elected government is expected to do better than a military dictatorship in respecting human life, dignity and reputation.
President Jonathan should act now to demonstrate that, though weak and ineffectual, his government is not totally bereft of virtue. He should relieve Mr Omokri of his duties promptly, and cause an apology to be made to the people that were traduced. It is time to set out a clear code of conduct for special assistants and advisers that is unambiguous in removing them from the political fray. The president should do a better job of injecting into his administration the qualities of inclusiveness, sensitivity and empathy. Without these values, no government can be truly responsive.
After weeding out characters like Mr. Omokri from his government, the president must act decisively to check the ongoing insurgency. The northeast states have been under a state of emergency for nearly 10 months. After a momentary retreat as soldiers poured into the region, the terrorists seem to have mastered the situation. Boko Haram have attacked security and military installations, including barracks and airbases at will. They have pummeled schools, towns and villages unchallenged and have ransacked highways. As the litany of atrocities lengthened, the silence from the president has been ominous. The president will rather felicitate or party with supporters, and very visibly so, even as the victims of the latest outrage are being ferried to the morgue. Nigerians have learnt that is a vain hope to expect prompt official acknowledgement of casualties or a display of empathy from their government. The president is failing both as commander-in-chief and as comforter-in-chief, and there is every need to condemn this leadership failure.
It is this leadership deficit that has transformed a crisis into a deepening tragedy. When indifference and incompetence merge during a tragic event, the victims are robbed of their human dignity, and they are treated as little better than fodder. Mafia clans can get away with this crude view of life, but much better is expected of a government. It is an abdication of responsibility when a government is so unable to command a challenge that it permits its sense of helplessness to ossify into callous unconcern for the human toll. This impunity must end now.
East-West Road may not be completed this year -Minister
Supervising Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta, Mr. Darius Ishaku, on Friday doubted the earlier assurance given by his immediate predecessor in office, Mr. Godsday Orubebe, that the 338km East-West Road project, which started in 2008, would be completed by the end of this year.
He told the Senator James Manager-led committee on Niger Delta Affairs while defending the ministry’s 2014 budget estimates at the National Assembly that completing the project this year would be a mirage.
Orubebe had in February, shortly before his removal as minister, told the Senate Ad-Hoc committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme, that the East West Road would be completed and inaugurated by December this year.
The former minister however, hinged his assurance on the release of the N113bn to the ministry which was needed to complete the project.
But his successor declared before the senate committee, saddled with the oversight functions of his ministry that “with just N46bn allocated to the ministry for capital projects execution in the 2014 Budget out of which a paltry sum of N8.73bn is allocated for continuation of work on the East West Road project, completing the project this year, would be a mirage”
The minister insisted that “for the project to be completed and inaugurated this year, N111bn would be needed to be sourced elsewhere or extra fund added to the N8.73bn already earmarked for continuation of work on the project in the approved 2014 budget of the ministry.”
Ishaku said, “Out of the N349.8bn estimated for the project, a total of N238bn has so far been expended on it by the ministry and other intervention agencies like Sure-P and loans sourced from the African Development Bank leaving the balance of N111bn to be sourced for completion of the project.
“We would not be able to commission (sic) this project by December 2014 as earlier promised by the former Minister unless we get additional funding from all available sources to the tune of N111billion”
A member of the Committee, Senator Nurudeen Abatemi (PDP Kogi Central) had asked the minister why the ministry had not collapsed its entire capital votes in the 2014 Budget for the project alone.
But Ishaku said “even if the total budgetary allocation of N49.193 bn proposed for the ministry in the 2014 budget estimates had been spent on the project alone, it cannot complete it.”
He said, “The entire N49.193bn 2014 budget profile of the ministry was made up of N46.8bn for capital projects, N1.183bn for overhead costs and N1.130bn for personnel expenditures.
“Apart from the N8.73 bn allocated for continuation of work on the East West Road project, another N8.7 bn was set aside for continuation of work on other roads being handled by the ministry in the Niger Delta Area and N6.15bn for completion of work on the Skills Acquisition centre.”
Manager and other committee members nevertheless, berated the ministry for not been able to complete and inaugurate a single project since 2008 when it was established and described the development as very disturbing.
Specically, Manager Said, “It very worrisome that your ministry has not completed and commissioned (sic) a single project since 2008 when it was established.
“Yes, going through the records, your allocations have been reducing on yearly basis since 2010, but that is not enough for the ministry not to be able to complete a single project since it was established about six years ago.
“The little money you have available, it is my utmost view that you use it to complete those projects that are about 70-75 percent completed so that you can have credit for that.”
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