Ways to curb corruption, by delegates

Delegates at the National Conference yesterday urged the Federal Government to adopt more stringent measures in the fight against corruption.

Most of the contributors to the debate on the report of the Conference Committee on Public Services frowned at the pervasive nature of corruption in the country.

Yinka Odumakin suggested that the Federal Government should strengthen and enforce anti-corruption laws.

He said: “I have gone through the Code of Conduct Bureau law and I think that the provisions for sanctions against corrupt officials are not stringent enough to deal with the kind of corruption we have in Nigeria today, especially in the public service.

“It is on record that in this country, a public official in charge of pensions was caught with N32 billion of pension funds.

“In a place like Abuja, there are no industries; yet, you have mansions all over the city. And there are whispers that when you investigate most of these mansions, you know those they belong to…

“I think we have to be more stringent in applying the laws meant to check corruption in public service and other sectors in Nigeria.”

Chief Mike Ozekhome said corruption is not only “gargantuan and monstrous, it is also worse than a plague”.

US stops importing Nigerian crude oil

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke yesterday disclosed that the United States (US)  has finally stopped the importation of crude oil from Nigeria.

The US has recently begun stepping up its utilisation of shale oil and this might be the main reason for the shift away from Nigerian oil.

Following the development, Alison-Madueke says Nigeria has begun the search for new markets.

Represented by the Group Executive Director (GED), Corporate Strategy and Planning, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),  Dr. Timothy Okon, at an Interactive Enlightenment Workshop on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in Abuja, the minister urged the country to adopt sustainable economic policies in line with the changes in global economy.

She said that the situation at hand calls for a change of current policies which may cause future economic stress no matter how dearly Nigerians hold them.

She said:“The global economy is changing and Nigeria must  adopt sustainable economic strategy. I know many of you must have heard the Shale gas and the Shale oil revolution.

“This has literally knocked-out Nigeria from the export to the US. So Nigeria must adopt (new policies to confront the change). We must change our ways and policies that we may hold dear which may cause us economic stress in the future.

“So, this market called the Shale oil and gas has resulted in Nigeria seeking new markets for its oil.”

Mrs Alison-Madueke called for competitiveness in the sector, noting that there is need for new policies to strengthen the industry.

She stressed the importance of natural resources in economic transformation, stressing that  it was high time the government diversified her economy.

Source: http://www.thescoopng.com/

US stops importing Nigerian crude oil

The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke yesterday disclosed that the United States (US)  has finally stopped the importation of crude oil from Nigeria.

The US has recently begun stepping up its utilisation of shale oil and this might be the main reason for the shift away from Nigerian oil.

Following the development, Alison-Madueke says Nigeria has begun the search for new markets.

Represented by the Group Executive Director (GED), Corporate Strategy and Planning, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),  Dr. Timothy Okon, at an Interactive Enlightenment Workshop on Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in Abuja, the minister urged the country to adopt sustainable economic policies in line with the changes in global economy.

She said that the situation at hand calls for a change of current policies which may cause future economic stress no matter how dearly Nigerians hold them.

She said:“The global economy is changing and Nigeria must  adopt sustainable economic strategy. I know many of you must have heard the Shale gas and the Shale oil revolution.

“This has literally knocked-out Nigeria from the export to the US. So Nigeria must adopt (new policies to confront the change). We must change our ways and policies that we may hold dear which may cause us economic stress in the future.

“So, this market called the Shale oil and gas has resulted in Nigeria seeking new markets for its oil.”

Jonathan may be the last president Nigeria will have — Igbo leaders warns

Group under the aegis, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Wednesday declared that President Goodluck Jonathan might become the last president of a united Nigeria.

This is coming few weeks after a former governor of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu sounded same warning.

Their reasons were founded on the ground that if a politician from the Northeast and Northwest continue to sponsor the activities of Boko Haram, the country may seize to exist.

The group is of the opinion that the activities of Boko Haram sect was an ethno/religious war being waged by unnamed northern political leaders, who seek to take control of the presidency.

The group, which is led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze spoke in a statement signed by its Deputy Secretary, Evang. Elliot Uko, and the Leader of the Igbo Women Assembly, Chief Mariah Okwor.

However, the Igbo leaders warned that, rather than succeed in their quest, the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect would only succeed in ensuring that Jonathan becomes Nigeria’s last president.

Part of the statement reads: “We wish to draw the attention of the international community, especially the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS, that the ongoing daily attack on the foundation of the Nigerian state by a ruthless, barbaric and well oiled Islamic jihadist killing machine, is a political war funded and waged by ethno/religious bigots who believe that they are born with divine right to rule others perpetually.

“The fact that they are gradually axing the root that holds this country still standing, while at the same time stubbornly opposing the wishes of the vast majority of other ethnic nationalities for a restructured Nigeria, simply means that they are inadvertently tilting the country towards a dissolution whereafter they can have their “religiously pure” Islamic nation, comprising the north-east and north-west zones of present Nigeria, but certainly without the central zone of Nigeria as their cannon fodder.

“Now that evidence has confirmed through the ongoing military court marshall that disgruntled senior army officers recently retired from the army in cahoots with a large pool of political leaders of a particular section of the country are the ones directing and influencing certain serving senior, medium-level and even junior army officers to subvert, undermine and bring down the government by feeding Boko Haram with intelligence, what more does anybody need to see that this is clearly a religious and political war for the very soul of Nigeria.

“For these evil people, we have only one message: you will never seize central power by making Nigeria ungovernable through senseless insurgency. Rather, if anything, you will only succeed in confirming Jonathan as the last president of one united Nigeria.

The New Nigerian Structure:

The Igbo leaders equally insisted on the restructuring of Nigeria along six regional federating units.

They described the current 36-state structure as a “contraption for lion share of war booty” imposed on the country by northern generals, an arrangement, which enabled them to exercise absolute control over the country’s resources.

It reads further, “After wide consultations with broad spectrum of Ndigbo, we hereby reiterate the position of the Igbo nation on the ongoing National Conference.

“If Nigeria is not restructured along the lines of six regions as federating units, with each unit maintaining its powers as democratically provided under the 1963 Constitution, the ongoing conference would have served no useful purpose in the struggle to save Nigeria.”

Jonathan may be the last president Nigeria will have — Igbo leaders warns

Group under the aegis, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Wednesday declared that President Goodluck Jonathan might become the last president of a united Nigeria.

This is coming few weeks after a former governor of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu sounded same warning.

Their reasons were founded on the ground that if a politician from the Northeast and Northwest continue to sponsor the activities of Boko Haram, the country may seize to exist.

The group is of the opinion that the activities of Boko Haram sect was an ethno/religious war being waged by unnamed northern political leaders, who seek to take control of the presidency.

The group, which is led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze spoke in a statement signed by its Deputy Secretary, Evang. Elliot Uko, and the Leader of the Igbo Women Assembly, Chief Mariah Okwor.

However, the Igbo leaders warned that, rather than succeed in their quest, the sponsors of the Boko Haram sect would only succeed in ensuring that Jonathan becomes Nigeria’s last president.

Part of the statement reads: “We wish to draw the attention of the international community, especially the United Nations, African Union and ECOWAS, that the ongoing daily attack on the foundation of the Nigerian state by a ruthless, barbaric and well oiled Islamic jihadist killing machine, is a political war funded and waged by ethno/religious bigots who believe that they are born with divine right to rule others perpetually.

Vote against bad leaders , Gov. Amaechi tells Nigerians

The governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, Wednesday, urged  Nigerians to  vote against bad leaders  at all levels  in the country ahead of the 2015  general elections.

Amaechi also advised Nigerians to resist all forms of  tyranny and dictatorship currently manifesting in the polity.

The governor stated this at the 3rd annual lecture of the Ogun State Correspondents’ chapel held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, Iwe Irohin, Abeokuta.

Amaechi who was the guest speaker condemned  the current form of federalism, saying that  the situation whereby the federal government determines what allocation should accrue to states must be reviewed.

The governor who was represented by the state commissioner for information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, spoke on the theme: Nigeria: The Leadership Question , said that unless Nigerians rise against bad leadership and instal leadership that was passionate about the country, the country would not make a headway.

He said, “Leadership is an extremely important factor, if we are going to build a nation. Unless and until we have leaders with ability, integrity, commitment and vision, we cannot succeed as a country. We cannot succeed by leadership that is not functional.

“It is in your hands to choose and to change the leadership. Nigerians must begin to insist that they deserve better than they are getting. We believe that Nigeria of our dream is Nigeria with leaders who are not only consistent, transparent but also passionate about our country.

“Can we say that the crop of leadership at various levels is passionate about us as a country? Can we say that the current crop of leadership at the federal level is transparent in their dealings? Can we say that the present crop of leadership at the federal is consistent with policies that will build the nation. I think that the answers to that is the reason why some of us left the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.”

Citing another form of unconstitutional act, the Rivers state  governor however, lamented  that  the National Judicial Council  had foisted the  chief judge on him contrary to the constitution.

He also condemned the  banning of  people from holding a peace rally describing it as unconstitutional.

He said, “Nigerians must say no to tyranny. Nigerians must say no to dictatorship. The people get the kind of leadership they deserve.
“It appears that Nigerians have been docile. Nigerians should insist that they deserve more than they are getting.”

“It is in the Constitution that the governor should be the one to appoint the chief judge, but this was not the case in Rivers. It was the National Judicial Council that appointed the chief judge. This is unconstitutional.”

In his remarks,  the state  governor , Senator Ibikunle Amosun, who  was  represented by the state commissioner for Information,  Yusuph Olaniyonu  commended  the correspondents ‘ chapel for the lecture and currency of the topic.

Source: Vanguard

Vote against bad leaders , Gov. Amaechi tells Nigerians

The governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, Wednesday, urged  Nigerians to  vote against bad leaders  at all levels  in the country ahead of the 2015  general elections.

Amaechi also advised Nigerians to resist all forms of  tyranny and dictatorship currently manifesting in the polity.

The governor stated this at the 3rd annual lecture of the Ogun State Correspondents’ chapel held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat, Iwe Irohin, Abeokuta.

Amaechi who was the guest speaker condemned  the current form of federalism, saying that  the situation whereby the federal government determines what allocation should accrue to states must be reviewed.

The governor who was represented by the state commissioner for information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, spoke on the theme: Nigeria: The Leadership Question , said that unless Nigerians rise against bad leadership and instal leadership that was passionate about the country, the country would not make a headway.

He said, “Leadership is an extremely important factor, if we are going to build a nation. Unless and until we have leaders with ability, integrity, commitment and vision, we cannot succeed as a country. We cannot succeed by leadership that is not functional.

“It is in your hands to choose and to change the leadership. Nigerians must begin to insist that they deserve better than they are getting. We believe that Nigeria of our dream is Nigeria with leaders who are not only consistent, transparent but also passionate about our country.

MKO Abiola is a greater man than you – Hafsat Abiola tells Obasanjo

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election, Moshood Abiola has stated that her late father was greater than former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that the late business mogul was never in need of the ex-president’s recognition.

She was reacting to a recent statement credited to Obasanjo that Abiola made sacrifices for the nation and deserved to be honoured.

Obasanjo made the remark in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the 4th founder’s day of Nobel-house College, and 85th birthday of an industrialist, Chief Olatunde Abudu.

“Ogun State would have produced three presidents if not for ‘bad belle.’ I want to agree with him (Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo) that Abiola sacrificed for the nation,” he said.

Reacting to OBJ’s assertion, yesterday, at the Kudirat Abiola’s 18th anniversary organised by Campaign for Democracy in collaboration with Women Arise and Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, the daughter of the slain politician said Obasanjo’s recognition of Abiola’s contribution was uncalled-for.

“I feel that if he wanted to recognise MKO Abiola now, it’s good for him. But, MKO Abiola was always the greater man. And you cannot recognise somebody that is more than yourself. MKO Abiola did not require General Obasanjo to recognise him,” Abiola-Costello said.

Source: Dailypost

MKO Abiola is a greater man than you – Hafsat Abiola tells Obasanjo

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, daughter of the acclaimed winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election, Moshood Abiola has stated that her late father was greater than former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that the late business mogul was never in need of the ex-president’s recognition.

She was reacting to a recent statement credited to Obasanjo that Abiola made sacrifices for the nation and deserved to be honoured.

Obasanjo made the remark in Abeokuta, Ogun State, at the 4th founder’s day of Nobel-house College, and 85th birthday of an industrialist, Chief Olatunde Abudu.

“Ogun State would have produced three presidents if not for ‘bad belle.’ I want to agree with him (Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo) that Abiola sacrificed for the nation,” he said.

Reacting to OBJ’s assertion, yesterday, at the Kudirat Abiola’s 18th anniversary organised by Campaign for Democracy in collaboration with Women Arise and Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, the daughter of the slain politician said Obasanjo’s recognition of Abiola’s contribution was uncalled-for.

“I feel that if he wanted to recognise MKO Abiola now, it’s good for him. But, MKO Abiola was always the greater man. And you cannot recognise somebody that is more than yourself. MKO Abiola did not require General Obasanjo to recognise him,” Abiola-Costello said.

Source: Dailypost

Clark Blames Army Generals for Oil Theft

A former Minister of Information and Ijawl leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday blamed both retired and serving army generals for the continued oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Clark passed the blame on them as delegates to the National Conference yesterday continued with their committee report on public revenue, calling for the building of more oil refineries in the country as a solution to the importation of petrol and the reduction of the price of the product.

This, they argued, would stop the funding of importation of fuel and also automatically remove fuel subsidy by the federal government.

Clark, who spoke during the debate on the report of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue, chaired by Alhaji Adamu Aliero, said the military officers were neck deep in illegal crude oil bunkering in the region.

He said he reported his discoveries to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo who directed his Minister of Defence,  General Theophilus Danjuma, to investigate the issue.

According to the Ijaw leader, “The military officers in Niger Delta region are connected with crude oil theft. I made this point to President Obasanjo and he asked Danjuma, who was the minister of defence then to look into the allegation and he went and found out that it was true.

“So, because of these military officers, either retired or serving, I will suggest that the troops in the region be changed from time to time. In doing so, you will find out that crude oil theft will be reduced.”

Clark who called for the total removal of fuel subsidy, explained how in 1972, as the Commissioner for Finance in the defunct Mid-Western State, travelled with former President Shehu Shagari who was then the Federal Commissioner for Finance to Forcados terminal where Nigeria crude oil was being exported, and discovered that government officials were just interested in what comes to them than protecting the interest of Nigeria.

The Ijaw leader who said it was not known what quantity of crude oil was produced in Nigeria said: “We discovered in 1972 that the government officials, who were there, were more interested in what they could get than protecting the interest of Nigeria, which made it hard to know how much oil was taking away from our shores. It was published in the newspaper; till today, I believe that if you go to Forcados terminal the same story will also be told.”

The Delta State-born elder statesman who noted that the youths of the region only embarked on ‘bucket bunkering’-a small scale bunkering-because they don’t have the technical know-how required for such operation, said the real crude oil thieves are those who came from oversees.

“Secondly, we are talking about crude oil theft, I have always said our young men at home do bucket bunkering. They have no facility and they also lack the technology to operate, but those who steal large quantity of the crude oil are people who come from abroad. Have we forgotten the case where three naval admirals were involved in the deal and were court marshalled?” he asked.

Clark also advocated the inclusion of youths in the communities to protect oil pipelines, saying he once approached President Obasanjo with such proposal.

SOurce: Thisday

Clark Blames Army Generals for Oil Theft

A former Minister of Information and Ijawl leader, Chief Edwin Clark, yesterday blamed both retired and serving army generals for the continued oil theft in the Niger Delta region.

Clark passed the blame on them as delegates to the National Conference yesterday continued with their committee report on public revenue, calling for the building of more oil refineries in the country as a solution to the importation of petrol and the reduction of the price of the product.

This, they argued, would stop the funding of importation of fuel and also automatically remove fuel subsidy by the federal government.

Clark, who spoke during the debate on the report of the Committee on Public Finance and Revenue, chaired by Alhaji Adamu Aliero, said the military officers were neck deep in illegal crude oil bunkering in the region.

He said he reported his discoveries to the then President Olusegun Obasanjo who directed his Minister of Defence,  General Theophilus Danjuma, to investigate the issue.

According to the Ijaw leader, “The military officers in Niger Delta region are connected with crude oil theft. I made this point to President Obasanjo and he asked Danjuma, who was the minister of defence then to look into the allegation and he went and found out that it was true.

“So, because of these military officers, either retired or serving, I will suggest that the troops in the region be changed from time to time. In doing so, you will find out that crude oil theft will be reduced.”

Australian Government offers to rescue abducted girls with special force

Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop

The Australian government has offered to provide its special forces to help Nigeria to rescue the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram.

The schoolgirls were abducted by the Islamic sect on April 14. The abduction attracted international outrage and led to the birth of the BringBackOurGirls campaign.

Australian television website, abc.au.net,reports that the country’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Sky News that Australia had offered to lend its support but Nigeria had not responded.

Britain, France and the United States had also offered to help Nigeria.

Bishop reportedly said, “Australian troops, the SAS, are always on standby for contingencies. We have made an offer to the Nigerian government to provide whatever support they need to release the girls. We’ve made a specific offer to our UK and US allies … that we are ready to assist in whatever way we can.

“We have not had a response from the Nigerian government. They’ve thanked us for our willingness to be involved in trying to rescue the girls but we haven’t had any specific acceptance of the offers that we’ve made.”

The story also quotes the leader of the country’s Green Party, Christine Milne, as calling on the Nigerian government to provide more details before Australia could get involved.

Milne said, “The Greens want to see the schoolgirls in Nigeria rescued. It is shocking to think all those young women have been dragged away and we don’t know the circumstances in which they find themselves but I think the PM needs to inform Australia fully as to what Australia would be getting into if we sent troops into Africa.

“Is this just about rescuing the schoolgirls or is this about joining a coalition to take on another terrorist war in sub-Saharan Africa?

“Australians deserve a full explanation of what the PM’s thinking is before we can make any comment about it but I would be remembering that we went into Afghanistan … and look where we ended up.”

Source: Punch

Australian Government offers to rescue abducted girls with special force

Australian Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop

The Australian government has offered to provide its special forces to help Nigeria to rescue the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram.

The schoolgirls were abducted by the Islamic sect on April 14. The abduction attracted international outrage and led to the birth of the BringBackOurGirls campaign.

Australian television website, abc.au.net,reports that the country’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told Sky News that Australia had offered to lend its support but Nigeria had not responded.

Britain, France and the United States had also offered to help Nigeria.

Bishop reportedly said, “Australian troops, the SAS, are always on standby for contingencies. We have made an offer to the Nigerian government to provide whatever support they need to release the girls. We’ve made a specific offer to our UK and US allies … that we are ready to assist in whatever way we can.

“We have not had a response from the Nigerian government. They’ve thanked us for our willingness to be involved in trying to rescue the girls but we haven’t had any specific acceptance of the offers that we’ve made.”

The story also quotes the leader of the country’s Green Party, Christine Milne, as calling on the Nigerian government to provide more details before Australia could get involved.

Pension Act: Akpabio asks Assembly to remove controversial sections

Governor Godswill Akpabio 

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has said the state government has sent a bill to the state House of Assembly requesting that a section of the controversial state Pension Act be expunged.

He also asked the lawmakers that the act reverts to the status quo, according to a statement by the government on Tuesday.

The statement said Akpabio stated this while speaking with journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

The part of the pension law, which was passed by the House and assented to by the governor last week, approved N100m medical allowance for former state governors and N50m for their deputies annually in retirement.

The Act also made other generous financial and accommodation provisions for the state’s ex-governors and their deputies, including a five-bedroom mansion in either Abuja or in the state.

In his letter to the House, Akpabio said, “It is my hope that with the excision of these sections from the amendment, the agents of falsehood would lift their siege on truth and not distract the good people of this state from the task of the Uncommon Transformation of our dear state.

“Let them remember that I am not a governorship candidate. Instead of firing brickbats at me, let them tell the good people of Akwa Ibom State their plans for Akwa Ibom State.”

Akpabio added, “Because of the sponsored media comments and misinformation of the members of the public on the good intentions of Pension Act by the few opposition elements in the state, and because this government is a product of the people, we have, as a government, decided to forward a request to the House that those areas, which the opposition has capitalised on to misinform the people be expunged and the former law that had been in existence be made to remain the law.”

Source: Punch

Pension Act: Akpabio asks Assembly to remove controversial sections

Governor Godswill Akpabio 

Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State has said the state government has sent a bill to the state House of Assembly requesting that a section of the controversial state Pension Act be expunged.

He also asked the lawmakers that the act reverts to the status quo, according to a statement by the government on Tuesday.

The statement said Akpabio stated this while speaking with journalists in Lagos on Tuesday.

The part of the pension law, which was passed by the House and assented to by the governor last week, approved N100m medical allowance for former state governors and N50m for their deputies annually in retirement.

The Act also made other generous financial and accommodation provisions for the state’s ex-governors and their deputies, including a five-bedroom mansion in either Abuja or in the state.

In his letter to the House, Akpabio said, “It is my hope that with the excision of these sections from the amendment, the agents of falsehood would lift their siege on truth and not distract the good people of this state from the task of the Uncommon Transformation of our dear state.

Chibok girls… Parents’ cries linger 50 days after

It is 50 days today since over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents. 

The insurgents have offered to swap the girls with their members in detention. The Federal Government is not buying the idea, which the United States adopted some days ago to free its soldier in Talibans’s custody, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

When Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video of the girls his men kidnapped in a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, their parents  were a bit relieved. At least they were sure their children were alive. Shekau called for a swap of the girls with detained insurgents.

Shekau made the claim in a video obtained by AFP showing about 130 of the 276 girls, saying: “We will never release them (the girls) until after you release our brethren.”

Mrs Rachel Daniel, 35, mother of one of the abducted girls, Rose, 17, heaved a sigh of relief when the video was released.

Mrs Daniel, like other family members of the abducted girls, daily think about reuniting with their children.

Even Nigerians, especially the vanguards of #BringBackOurGirls campaign believed that the days of their protests on the streets are numbered.

But they were damned wrong! The Federal Government vowed not to bow to the insurgents’ demand.

Interior Minister Abba Moro told AFP that the government would not do Shekau’s bidding.

“The issue in question is not about Boko Haram… giving conditions,” Moro said.

A British newspaper reported that the girls would have regained their freedom a fortnight ago but President Goodluck Jonathan called off a prisoner swap deal with Boko Haram at the last minute.

The Mail said a Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida – who reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates last year following threats to his life on account of his closeness to the insurgents – was said to have been appointed by both the government and the extremists to broker an agreement for the release of the girls in exchange for Boko Haram members in detention.

“Sources in Abuja described how Shekau had agreed to bring the girls out of their forest camps in the remote northeast of the country in the early morning and take them to a safe location for the prisoner swap,” the paper wrote.

“They would have been dropped off in a village, one group at a time, and left there while their kidnappers disappeared. There was to be a signal to a mediator at another location to bring in the prisoners.”

The Federal Government was only expected to release 100 “non-combatant, low-level sympathisers” of Boko Haram, rather than commanders and foot soldiers, the newspaper reported.

About 2000 Boko Haram members are said to be in detention. Accused of being a Boko Haram sympathiser, the Borno-born journalist has always insisted he only maintains a “professional relationship” with certain members of the group whom he knew long before it became violent. 

However, he was reportedly persuaded by the president’s aides to embark on a “secretive and dangerous” trip home to meet Shekau, after the president “personally signed a letter of indemnity” protecting him from arrest by security agents. But while attending the May 17 summit in Paris, France with leaders of four African countries and representatives of the European Union, United Kingdom, and the United States, Jonathan called home to halt the deal, the paper said. The action, it is believed, angered Shekau, raising fears that the girls might now be endangered.

Source: The Nation

Chibok girls… Parents’ cries linger 50 days after

It is 50 days today since over 200 pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS) in Chibok Local Government Area of Borno State were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents. 

The insurgents have offered to swap the girls with their members in detention. The Federal Government is not buying the idea, which the United States adopted some days ago to free its soldier in Talibans’s custody, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO

When Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video of the girls his men kidnapped in a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, their parents  were a bit relieved. At least they were sure their children were alive. Shekau called for a swap of the girls with detained insurgents.

Shekau made the claim in a video obtained by AFP showing about 130 of the 276 girls, saying: “We will never release them (the girls) until after you release our brethren.”

Mrs Rachel Daniel, 35, mother of one of the abducted girls, Rose, 17, heaved a sigh of relief when the video was released.

Mrs Daniel, like other family members of the abducted girls, daily think about reuniting with their children.

Even Nigerians, especially the vanguards of #BringBackOurGirls campaign believed that the days of their protests on the streets are numbered.

But they were damned wrong! The Federal Government vowed not to bow to the insurgents’ demand.

Interior Minister Abba Moro told AFP that the government would not do Shekau’s bidding.

“The issue in question is not about Boko Haram… giving conditions,” Moro said.

A British newspaper reported that the girls would have regained their freedom a fortnight ago but President Goodluck Jonathan called off a prisoner swap deal with Boko Haram at the last minute.

The Mail said a Nigerian journalist, Ahmad Salkida – who reportedly fled to the United Arab Emirates last year following threats to his life on account of his closeness to the insurgents – was said to have been appointed by both the government and the extremists to broker an agreement for the release of the girls in exchange for Boko Haram members in detention.

Why I left APC — Femi Fani-Kayode

I declared for the APC in June last year in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State well before the party was registered by INEC.        

 I formally joined the party, amidst great fanfare, on 7th February, 2014 in my hometown, Ile-Ife and I registered my membership on that day. 

The registration was done outside the Ooni’s palace and it was done in the prescence of the media, numerous party leaders in the state, including Hon. Rotimi Makinde, who represents Ile-Ife at the Federal House of Representatives, and all the other key leaders of the APC in the state and Ife-Ife including Chief Akantioke and Alhaji Soko Adewoyin the former  Deputy Governor of Osun state.

After registering we proceeded to pay a courtesy call on my traditional ruler, the Ooni of Ife, and from there I went to spend a few days with Governor Rauf Aregbesola who, together with Governor Kayode Fayemi, I am close to and I consider to be friends. I have stated these facts and set the record straight due to the fact that Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the spokesman of the APC, had the effrontery to say in an interview with Premium Times magazine earlier today, that I was never a member of the APC and that I never joined them formally.

He also went further to say that had if I had been a member of the APC the party would have sanctioned me for expressing my opposition to the idea of a Muslim/Muslim ticket.

The truth is that Mohammed is not only a liar but he is also a coward. If he wanted to know the truth he and those that sent him to issue the statement could have called me and asked me. 

He ought to have done his homework before speaking out. I was not only a member of the APC but I was also a leader of that  party and a foundational member. Yet once I joined I began to see things as they really were.  I have never been and will never be part of a cult and the fact that people like Mohammed and those he represents within the APC are not comfortable with any form of admonition or criticism from senior party members like me speaks volumes. 

I have nothing but the fondest thoughts and memories for the majority of APC leaders including all the governors and most of the Presidential aspirants but today I have an important announcement to make. I wish to inform the general public that as at today, 2nd June 2014, I have left the APC and gone back to the PDP. I wish the APC well in all their endeavours, but as at today, we have parted ways forever and my spirit has left them.

My reasons for leaving the party are because I consider nation-building as being far more important than party politics, party affiliation or party formations. I am a devout and committed Christian and I cannot remain in a party where a handful of people that have sympathies for Boko Haram and that have a clear Islamic agenda are playing a leading role. This is made all the more untenable when some of those people are working hard silently and behind the scenes to impose a Muslim/Muslim ticket on the party for the Presidential elections next year.

I believe that religion ought to play no part in politics but a situation where members of the Christian faith are not treated as equals and where all the substantive positions of the National Executive of the party are made up of almost exclusively Muslims is unacceptable to me.

In fairness to the members of the party there are many leaders within it’s ranks who share my views and who are also opposed to the religious agenda that the few have but I am not prepared to stay and fight from within because the very presence of any closet Haramites on the same political platform as me is something that I find utterly repugnant.

I have raised these issues privately with virtually every key party leader including most of the governors but nothing has changed. I cannot be in a party in which the spokesman, Lai Mohammed, only last year said that it was wrong and ”unconstitutional” for the Federal Government to proscribe Boko Haram.

 This is the same Boko Haram that has killed no less than 15,000 Nigerians in the last three years. I cannot be in a party where the leading Presidential candidate, only last year said that Boko Haram ought not to be killed but ought to be treated like the Niger Delta militants, granted amnesty without any conditions, pampered and paid and who said, in 2011, that Muslims should only vote for people who will protect their faith. I cannot be in a party where a number of leading people question the secularity of the state and yet those people are not called to order by the so-called party leaders and where such people seem to hold sway.

 I cannot be in a party which appears to have politicised the whole of the Chibok issue and who are not sincere in trying to get the girls back. I cannot be in a party where a few of it’s leaders are more interested in playing politics with the whole Chibok issue and hurling bricks at our military for not doing a better job.

 I cannot be in a party in which the role of one of it’s governors is not clear on the Chibok issue: this is a governor that has not been able to explain to the world why he insisted that the girls should do their exams in that school and remain in Chibok for the night even though WAEC and the Federal Government had warned them about the dangers of doing so.

I cannot be in a party in which dissent and a differing opinion with others on fundamental issues is seen as an offence and something to be frowned upon or to be queried or expelled for. I have been in politics for the last 24 years of my life and all along I have taken monumental risks and been guided by my principles. I have also exhibited that I have the courage of my convictions and more often than not I have dared to say what many others are thinking but dare not to say.

It is clear to me that such sentiments are not appreciated in the APC under it’s present leadership and consequently I have chosen to move on. I believe that every religion and every ethnic nationality in this country ought to be treated with the greatest respect even within the context of a political party. I believe that we are all equal before God regardless of our religious differences.

A situation whereby, as a Christian, I am made to feel that I am a second class citizen in any association or political party which I am part of and for which I have taken risks  for is unacceptable to me. In order for any political party to move our country forward you need the input, support and confidence of the adherents of ALL religious faiths and not just that of the Muslims.

This is something that some in the APC do not seem to appreciate.  As a christian I feel deeply offended by some of the rhetoric and behaviour of some of the APC leaders and I cannot be expected to remain silent in the face of such expressions. 

These are the main reasons why I have left the APC. I wish them well in all their endeavours and like I said earlier many of their key leaders and governors remain my personal friends and will continue to do so even after this.

Thanks and may God guide and bless Nigeria.

Fani-Kayode is a former Minister of Aviation.

Source: Vanguard

Why I left APC — Femi Fani-Kayode

I declared for the APC in June last year in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State well before the party was registered by INEC.        

 I formally joined the party, amidst great fanfare, on 7th February, 2014 in my hometown, Ile-Ife and I registered my membership on that day. 

The registration was done outside the Ooni’s palace and it was done in the prescence of the media, numerous party leaders in the state, including Hon. Rotimi Makinde, who represents Ile-Ife at the Federal House of Representatives, and all the other key leaders of the APC in the state and Ife-Ife including Chief Akantioke and Alhaji Soko Adewoyin the former  Deputy Governor of Osun state.

After registering we proceeded to pay a courtesy call on my traditional ruler, the Ooni of Ife, and from there I went to spend a few days with Governor Rauf Aregbesola who, together with Governor Kayode Fayemi, I am close to and I consider to be friends. I have stated these facts and set the record straight due to the fact that Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the spokesman of the APC, had the effrontery to say in an interview with Premium Times magazine earlier today, that I was never a member of the APC and that I never joined them formally.

He also went further to say that had if I had been a member of the APC the party would have sanctioned me for expressing my opposition to the idea of a Muslim/Muslim ticket.

The truth is that Mohammed is not only a liar but he is also a coward. If he wanted to know the truth he and those that sent him to issue the statement could have called me and asked me.