Exclusive: Escaped chibok girl confesses to being raped 15 times by 15 men every day

More chilling revelations have emerged to shed some light on the agonising experience of the missing Chibok girls, based on the account of one of the escapees.

Three of the girls have so far escaped from the terrorist group, Boko Haram, who abducted over 200 girls from a government secondary school in Chibok, Borno State on the night of April 14, 2014.

A clergy and expert on counter-terrorism, Oladimeji Thompson, of The Omoluabi Network, who has been working with other groups to assist victims of the abduction overcome their pains, gave a chilling narration based on an account of one of the escapees.

He said, “One of the girls I interviewed was being raped 15 times by 15 men every day.” He said the girl was traumatised and confused.

“It’s obvious this girl needs to be managed. She looked confused. She found it hard to talk to me but after much prodding, she confessed to me that she was raped 15 times by 15 men throughout the time she was with the Islamic insurgents before she could escape from their den.

“A girl who has been raped by 15 men every day, you say you negotiate and gave her back and release a terrorist who will go out and kill more. What negotiators do is to say that they must not tell their stories, they blanket all the information. In a situation like this, it is the Boko Haram that wins more.”

Asked if the girl was not pregnant after her ordeal in the hands of the insurgents, the pastor, probably in an attempt to protect the schoolgirl, declined further comments asking our correspondent to move to other issues.

Many of the mothers confirmed to our correspondent that against all trumped up figures in the media, only three girls have since managed to escape from Boko Haram’s den.

The Omoluabi Network is working with other groups such as the Unlikely Heroes, a United States based trauma management specialists and the Gabasawa Women Initiative, a coalition of women across Northern Nigeria led by Kucheli Balami, to provide psychological and emotional support for the escaped girls and their grieving parents.

He called on government not to negotiate with the terrorist group but explore every other option in rescuing the missing girls.

“The people who are talking about dialogue in the first place don’t understand that this thing is a merciless, unrelenting, non-negotiating monster. Those who have studied it globally and locally know that anybody who says negotiate is likely a mole that really belongs to the Boko Haram, pretending not to be part of them.

Source: Punch

Exclusive: Escaped chibok girl confesses to being raped 15 times by 15 men every day

More chilling revelations have emerged to shed some light on the agonising experience of the missing Chibok girls, based on the account of one of the escapees.

Three of the girls have so far escaped from the terrorist group, Boko Haram, who abducted over 200 girls from a government secondary school in Chibok, Borno State on the night of April 14, 2014.

A clergy and expert on counter-terrorism, Oladimeji Thompson, of The Omoluabi Network, who has been working with other groups to assist victims of the abduction overcome their pains, gave a chilling narration based on an account of one of the escapees.

He said, “One of the girls I interviewed was being raped 15 times by 15 men every day.” He said the girl was traumatised and confused.

“It’s obvious this girl needs to be managed. She looked confused. She found it hard to talk to me but after much prodding, she confessed to me that she was raped 15 times by 15 men throughout the time she was with the Islamic insurgents before she could escape from their den.

“A girl who has been raped by 15 men every day, you say you negotiate and gave her back and release a terrorist who will go out and kill more. What negotiators do is to say that they must not tell their stories, they blanket all the information. In a situation like this, it is the Boko Haram that wins more.”

Sanusi, Hashim, others battle to succeed Emir of Kano

The battle for the next Emir of Kano has begun. The rat race kicked off following the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero on Friday.

Bayero, the longest-serving Emir in the history of Kano state joined his ancestors on Friday after battling an undisclosed ailment.

Those jostling to take over the throne of leadership include the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, who holds the traditional title of Dan-majen Kano; his uncle, Sanusi Abbas, who holds the title of Wamban Kano and Sanusi Ado Bayero, the late Emir’s first son, who is the District Head of Gwale.

Others are the Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim as well as two other princes, Aminu Bayero and Nasiru Bayero.

Sources said kingmakers in the state are currently having closed-door meeting to pick three names out of the eligible contenders for Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to endorse as Bayero’s successor.

Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali, who holds the traditional title of Walin Kano, read a formal obituary notice on the state radio to announce the death of the respected Monarch.

He said “From Allah, we come from and to Allah we return. The Emir of Kano passed away this morning. His burial will be conducted at 4:00pm.”

The late Emir ascended the throne in 1963 and ruled for 50 years until his death and was buried in Kano few hours later in accordance with Islamic rites.

Source: Dailypost

Sanusi, Hashim, others battle to succeed Emir of Kano

The battle for the next Emir of Kano has begun. The rat race kicked off following the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero on Friday.

Bayero, the longest-serving Emir in the history of Kano state joined his ancestors on Friday after battling an undisclosed ailment.

Those jostling to take over the throne of leadership include the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, who holds the traditional title of Dan-majen Kano; his uncle, Sanusi Abbas, who holds the title of Wamban Kano and Sanusi Ado Bayero, the late Emir’s first son, who is the District Head of Gwale.

Others are the Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim as well as two other princes, Aminu Bayero and Nasiru Bayero.

Sources said kingmakers in the state are currently having closed-door meeting to pick three names out of the eligible contenders for Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to endorse as Bayero’s successor.

Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali, who holds the traditional title of Walin Kano, read a formal obituary notice on the state radio to announce the death of the respected Monarch.

Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero is dead

Paramount traditional leader, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero is dead.  A family source has disclosed that the Emir died early Friday morning in Kano, the state capital.

Alhaji Dr. Ado Abdullahi Bayero (CFR, LLD, JP) was born on July 25, 1930. He has been the Emir of Kano since 1963. He was a former Ambassador to Senegal. He was the son of Abdullahi Bayero dan Muhammad Abbas.

Ado Bayero is the Emir of Kano and the son of Abdullahi Bayero, the former emir, who reigned for 27 years. Muhammadu Sanusi who was Ado Bayero's half brother ruled after their father from 1953-1963. Following his dethronement in 1963, Muhammadu Inuwa ruled only for three months. 

After his death, Ado Bayero ascended the throne in October 1963. Bayero is one of the longest-serving emirs in the emirate's history. During his tenure, the emirate has been transformed from a powerful native authority into a custodian of Hausa language and Islamic traditions.

 Bayero's palace plays host to official visits by many government personnel and foreigners, but in 1981 Governor Abubakar Rimi restricted traditional homage paid by village heads to Ado Bayero and excised some domains from his emirate. 

In 1984, a travel ban was placed on the emir and his friend Okunade Sijuwade. Although the military are sometimes seen as relying on traditional rulers for support, many military regimes in the past reduced the powers of traditional rulers such as Bayero.

Bayero is a former chancellor of the University of Nigeria and currently the chancellor of the University of Ibadan. He has served as the chief of the Kano police. He was installed the Emir of Kano on October 22, 1963, becoming the 13th Fulani emir of Kano and the 56th ruler of the Kano Kingdom.He died on the 6th of June 2014.

Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero is dead

Paramount traditional leader, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero is dead.  A family source has disclosed that the Emir died early Friday morning in Kano, the state capital.

Alhaji Dr. Ado Abdullahi Bayero (CFR, LLD, JP) was born on July 25, 1930. He has been the Emir of Kano since 1963. He was a former Ambassador to Senegal. He was the son of Abdullahi Bayero dan Muhammad Abbas.

Ado Bayero is the Emir of Kano and the son of Abdullahi Bayero, the former emir, who reigned for 27 years. Muhammadu Sanusi who was Ado Bayero's half brother ruled after their father from 1953-1963. Following his dethronement in 1963, Muhammadu Inuwa ruled only for three months. 

After his death, Ado Bayero ascended the throne in October 1963. Bayero is one of the longest-serving emirs in the emirate's history. During his tenure, the emirate has been transformed from a powerful native authority into a custodian of Hausa language and Islamic traditions.

 Bayero's palace plays host to official visits by many government personnel and foreigners, but in 1981 Governor Abubakar Rimi restricted traditional homage paid by village heads to Ado Bayero and excised some domains from his emirate. 

Chibok Girls’ Mothers Storm Lagos, Appeal for US Assistance

The traumatised mothers of the school girls abducted students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, yesterday wept profusely before United States Congressman Louie Gohmert, in Lagos, urging him to prevail on his government and indeed the world to urgently rescue their children.

They also pleaded with Gohmert to prevail on his government to seek an end to the reign of terror in the country.

The US Congressman, who condemned the evil being perpetrated by the insurgents as unacceptable, encouraged the agonised women not to give up hope on their children, expressing the hope that the US would prove to Nigeria to be a friend indeed in the circumstances.

Gohmert was in the country on the invitation of the founder of Omoluabi Network, a non-governmental organisation, Pastor Ladi Thompson, in conjunction with Chibok-based Gabassawa Women led by Kusheli Balami, and the Erica Grieve-led Unlikely Heroes, based in Los Angeles, California.

Thompson emphasised that his organisation decided to invite Gohmert, into the country to feel the plight of the mothers and appeal to the US government to help Nigeria in this dark hour.

“Unless the federal government and indeed, the world quickly separate religion from the work of the devil that is casting darkness over the country, Nigeria may cease to be in the next 18 months,” he said.

Gloom descended on the gathering when Balami fought tears while begging the US Congressman to pressurise his country “and the entire world to come to the aid of the abducted girls, their mother and our terrorised country.”

The mothers, who wore mostly black attires, were moved into spontaneous tears.

The gathering was overwhelmed with bitter emotions when one of them, Esther Yakubu, recounted her nightmares since April 14, when the insurgents seized her only child.

“They broke into the school’s premises with a rocket launcher. I passed through there into the premises. They set everything on fire. I got to the hostel; it was empty. It was at that point that it dawned on me that they had kidnapped my first baby. Then, I asked God repeatedly:  “Why me … why me?” She could not continue with reeling off her agony as she broke down in tears, begging government and all concerned people of the world to rise to the situation and recover their children.

Another traumatised mother, Ruth Bitris, who spoke through a pastor resident in Chibok, Philip Madu, said she had occasions to weep until she could no longer walk before Thompson and his co-caregivers came to bring them to Lagos for therapy.

“I cannot explain what has kept me alive this far since the devil’s agent invaded our children’s school, carting them away. Before then, we had lived together as our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. Our religious beliefs never meant anything to us. No one knows what these people (the insurgents) want.  They just came and seized our joy. We are begging government to see to this situation. We are helpless; we are as good as dead for now,” she said.

Mrs Monica Sitover who spoke after Bitris caused a stir when, after about two minutes, she suddenly landed on the floor, rolling as she urged God and her fellow human beings to ensure that her child is rescued and brought back to her in sound health.

Rising to her feet, she said: “When I was told that our girls had been packed away by the gunmen, I lost control of myself. That I am still breathing today is by the grace of God; It is a miracle. For two days, I was roaming the bush to see if I could set my eyes on my child.

“I am in pains; we are in real trouble. I am pleading with the world to help us find our children and bring peace back into our community and our country … (she broke down in tears, leaving virtually everyone with the task of consoling her).

Congressman Gohmert took time off to hug and shake hands with some of the mothers, urging them to take heart and assured them that their children would be found and brought back to them. He also encouraged the three veiled schoolgirls who were said to have escaped from their abductors in the Sambisa forest.

“The hate, the callousness of the terrorists, their willingness to kill fellow human being and the abduction of the innocent girls are condemnable in the least. It is an evil that must stop. The evil being inflicted by Boko Haram is unacceptable. I have come here with a message of hope. I hope the US will prove to be the friend they are to Nigeria and be part of efforts to find solution to this problem.

“The federal government in Nigeria must realise the fact that Christians and Muslims have, over the years, been living together without any problem. It must realise the gravity of the pains that the Boko Haram has inflicted on Nigerians and stop them forthwith,” Gohmert added.

Likening the ordeal of the abducted girls to that of the Biblical Joseph, the congressman expressed the hope that the girls would be brought back safely to re-unite with their parents.

Source: Thisday

Chibok Girls’ Mothers Storm Lagos, Appeal for US Assistance

The traumatised mothers of the school girls abducted students of Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, yesterday wept profusely before United States Congressman Louie Gohmert, in Lagos, urging him to prevail on his government and indeed the world to urgently rescue their children.

They also pleaded with Gohmert to prevail on his government to seek an end to the reign of terror in the country.

The US Congressman, who condemned the evil being perpetrated by the insurgents as unacceptable, encouraged the agonised women not to give up hope on their children, expressing the hope that the US would prove to Nigeria to be a friend indeed in the circumstances.

Gohmert was in the country on the invitation of the founder of Omoluabi Network, a non-governmental organisation, Pastor Ladi Thompson, in conjunction with Chibok-based Gabassawa Women led by Kusheli Balami, and the Erica Grieve-led Unlikely Heroes, based in Los Angeles, California.

Thompson emphasised that his organisation decided to invite Gohmert, into the country to feel the plight of the mothers and appeal to the US government to help Nigeria in this dark hour.

“Unless the federal government and indeed, the world quickly separate religion from the work of the devil that is casting darkness over the country, Nigeria may cease to be in the next 18 months,” he said.

Gloom descended on the gathering when Balami fought tears while begging the US Congressman to pressurise his country “and the entire world to come to the aid of the abducted girls, their mother and our terrorised country.”

The mothers, who wore mostly black attires, were moved into spontaneous tears.

The gathering was overwhelmed with bitter emotions when one of them, Esther Yakubu, recounted her nightmares since April 14, when the insurgents seized her only child.

DR Congo prisoners in mass jailbreak in Bukavu

At least 250 prisoners in the Democratic Republic of Congo have escaped in a mass jailbreak at dawn in Bukavu, an official has told the BBC.

Three people died, including a guard who was overpowered as the prisoners made their escape, the official in the South Kivu governor's office said.

Police are patrolling Bukavu, which is built on the shores of Lake Kivu in eastern DR Congo, looking for them.

A resident told the BBC that people were hiding in their homes terrified.

The BBC's DR Congo correspondent Maud Jullien says jailbreaks are fairly common in DR Congo - at least 240 prisoners escaped in another eastern town less than a year ago.

A police officer told the AFP news agency that prison wardens were overcome by the inmates who "took weapons and managed to open the prison door".

Residents say gunfire rang out in the early morning across the city.

Civil society activists say the number of escapees could be higher as more than 1,500 inmates were inside at the time and officials estimate 80% of the prisoners escaped.

DR Congo's prisons are often overcrowded and living conditions for inmates are poor.

Source:BBC

DR Congo prisoners in mass jailbreak in Bukavu

At least 250 prisoners in the Democratic Republic of Congo have escaped in a mass jailbreak at dawn in Bukavu, an official has told the BBC.

Three people died, including a guard who was overpowered as the prisoners made their escape, the official in the South Kivu governor's office said.

Police are patrolling Bukavu, which is built on the shores of Lake Kivu in eastern DR Congo, looking for them.

A resident told the BBC that people were hiding in their homes terrified.

The BBC's DR Congo correspondent Maud Jullien says jailbreaks are fairly common in DR Congo - at least 240 prisoners escaped in another eastern town less than a year ago.

A police officer told the AFP news agency that prison wardens were overcome by the inmates who "took weapons and managed to open the prison door".

Residents say gunfire rang out in the early morning across the city.

Civil society activists say the number of escapees could be higher as more than 1,500 inmates were inside at the time and officials estimate 80% of the prisoners escaped.

DR Congo's prisons are often overcrowded and living conditions for inmates are poor.

Source:BBC

Nigerian women now sell their wombs, ovaries for money — Catholic Bishop

Some Nigerian women now sell their private parts, including wombs, ovaries and human eggs, as commodities at the global bio-technology market, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has said.

The President of CBCN and Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, made the revelation in his keynote address on Thursday in Abuja during the International Family and Pro-Life Conference, with the theme, “Witnesses to the dignity of every human life.”

The Bishop, who spoke on the topic, “The Catholic church in Nigeria and the imperative of scaling up pro-life activities across the country”, stated that “some scientists and dubious businessmen use members of the National Assembly to gain legal access to the wombs and ovaries of women and young girls.”

He said, “It is becoming increasingly clear to us that even in Nigeria, our women have become the target of all manners of intrigues, especially as their fertility is concerned.

“Personal private parts of women, ranging from wombs, ovaries and human eggs risk being put up as commodities for sale at the global biotechnology marketplaces.”

Kaigama also decried the spate of killings in Nigeria and other parts of the world, adding that human life has become cheaper than a loaf of bread.

He added, “Throughout the world today, human life and the enduring values of human dignity, sanctity of marriage and family life have become grossly diminished by ideologies, politicians, religious extremists and businessmen and businesswomen.

“In Nigeria, we have lately become overwhelmed by the spate of reckless killings and spilling of human blood, where ritual murders, unresolved assassinations, kidnapping, cultism and terrorism have become part of our daily news and life experiences.

“Regrettably, human life has become cheaper than a loaf of bread. From hijacking and loss of airborne planes to the avoidable mishaps of sinking of ships and ferries loaded with passengers, to the mindless wars and avoidable military conflicts, human lives are wantonly wasted everywhere, everyday.”

He, however, recommended peace, saying the absence of peace endangers human life and denigrates human dignity.

Kaigama urged delegates to “support activities that help families to be functional, loving and stable. Learn more about the teachings of the church on human life, family and family planning. Parents must take more interest in the contents of the curricula used for teaching their children in schools.”

Source:Punch

Nigerian women now sell their wombs, ovaries for money — Catholic Bishop

Some Nigerian women now sell their private parts, including wombs, ovaries and human eggs, as commodities at the global bio-technology market, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria has said.

The President of CBCN and Archbishop of Jos, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, made the revelation in his keynote address on Thursday in Abuja during the International Family and Pro-Life Conference, with the theme, “Witnesses to the dignity of every human life.”

The Bishop, who spoke on the topic, “The Catholic church in Nigeria and the imperative of scaling up pro-life activities across the country”, stated that “some scientists and dubious businessmen use members of the National Assembly to gain legal access to the wombs and ovaries of women and young girls.”

He said, “It is becoming increasingly clear to us that even in Nigeria, our women have become the target of all manners of intrigues, especially as their fertility is concerned.

“Personal private parts of women, ranging from wombs, ovaries and human eggs risk being put up as commodities for sale at the global biotechnology marketplaces.”

Kaigama also decried the spate of killings in Nigeria and other parts of the world, adding that human life has become cheaper than a loaf of bread.

He added, “Throughout the world today, human life and the enduring values of human dignity, sanctity of marriage and family life have become grossly diminished by ideologies, politicians, religious extremists and businessmen and businesswomen.

“In Nigeria, we have lately become overwhelmed by the spate of reckless killings and spilling of human blood, where ritual murders, unresolved assassinations, kidnapping, cultism and terrorism have become part of our daily news and life experiences.

“Regrettably, human life has become cheaper than a loaf of bread. From hijacking and loss of airborne planes to the avoidable mishaps of sinking of ships and ferries loaded with passengers, to the mindless wars and avoidable military conflicts, human lives are wantonly wasted everywhere, everyday.”

He, however, recommended peace, saying the absence of peace endangers human life and denigrates human dignity.

Kaigama urged delegates to “support activities that help families to be functional, loving and stable. Learn more about the teachings of the church on human life, family and family planning. Parents must take more interest in the contents of the curricula used for teaching their children in schools.”

Source:Punch

Jonathan: Clueless Or Calculated? By Peregrino Brimah

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he didn’t exist. - Roger "Verbal" Kint

Yes, Verbal said that in ‘Usual Suspects.’ Unlike the legendary Femi Fani-Kayode did with his ‘quote’ from ‘The Iliyad,’ I am not going to falsely claim the movie quote is from some medieval literature and a quote I took to heart from childhood, no, it was from a movie I heard it – Usual Suspects.

It is official: the Nigerian army is jeopardized, sabotaged, underfunded and under supported. Serial mutiny events of the soldiers drafted to the conflict northeast; serious complaints of low quality and scarce equipment, defunct drones, scrounge numbers of bullets, poor habitation conditions, even meals; and international including US expert reports have all verified that despite a huge portion of the nation’s budget being allegedly set aside to fund and support Nigeria’s military, the service is being wholesomely undermined.

It is easy to overlook this as simply corruption in Nigeria, another day, another sector. It is also convenient to classify the failures of properly supporting a military hitherto recognized as one of the best in Africa, as simply being due to the ‘cluelessness’ of the Nigerian president. But are we being too simplistic?

 Is there possibly more behind the way Nigeria’s military are easy prey for Boko Haram and how Boko Haram conveniently raids military posts and barracks and seizes tanks, Armored Personnel Carriers, APC’s, and sophisticated weaponry which they use without recourse on the farmers of the northeast?

When one analyzes issues in such simplistic fashion, one tends sometimes to overlook what might otherwise be glaring. It will be naïve to assume the decisions of Nigeria’s governance are made by President Jonathan, who we say is clueless, alone. Decisions are made by many in his regime who are as smart as the smartest of us. Jonathan may be clueless, but the people around him, his cabinet and service chief’s are not. 

Thus, perhaps the underfunding and undermining of the Nigerian army is not an inadvertent error or accident but a deliberate plan and strategy. Perhaps the maintenance of this war with both sides just kept strong enough to continue fighting and inflicting losses on each other, but the Nigerian army never being given the necessary land and air tools to finally terminate Boko Haram in their open hideouts, is no accident, but a strategy to cripple – the army of Nigeria, that is.

There is little question that if President Jonathan declares to contest in 2015, he will not get up to 10% of the electorate to vote him. His messages and those of his spokespersons have been clear on this – a victory for any opposition… as Dokubo says, ‘if Jonathan does not do his ‘rightful’ two or three terms, get ready for war.’ 

What is the confidence of the Niger Delta who supposedly turned in their arms in the amnesty program, to wage war against Nigeria? To answer this question, one has to look at Nigeria’s first private army; the army of Tompolo. Nigeria’s President has officially transferred billions of naira to fund a Tompolo private army to supposedly ‘protect Nigeria’s Niger Delta from vandals. Oil theft from the creeks has risen since this private army was constituted to levels not seen in recent history, this spells out the fact that the Tompolo army is not serving the supposed function for which it is paid handsomely. So we must ask; what is the true aim of the Government Tompolo Niger Delta private army?

Is it possible that Nigeria’s president has a plan to undermine the capacity of Nigeria to defend itself from a war to be waged by his loyalists in the Niger Delta in the event of his defeat come 2014, or in 2019 after his tenure expires if by some mad miracle he does win? Should we continue to ignore the rumors of arms build-ups in the Niger Delta and not weigh this in light of the sabotage of the nation’s military?

As our soldiers and civilians die in the northeast in this meaningless, unduly protracted war, we must start to ask ourselves the other, uncomfortable questions.

Clueless or deadly calculated?

Jonathan: Clueless Or Calculated? By Peregrino Brimah

The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to convince the world he didn’t exist. - Roger "Verbal" Kint

Yes, Verbal said that in ‘Usual Suspects.’ Unlike the legendary Femi Fani-Kayode did with his ‘quote’ from ‘The Iliyad,’ I am not going to falsely claim the movie quote is from some medieval literature and a quote I took to heart from childhood, no, it was from a movie I heard it – Usual Suspects.

It is official: the Nigerian army is jeopardized, sabotaged, underfunded and under supported. Serial mutiny events of the soldiers drafted to the conflict northeast; serious complaints of low quality and scarce equipment, defunct drones, scrounge numbers of bullets, poor habitation conditions, even meals; and international including US expert reports have all verified that despite a huge portion of the nation’s budget being allegedly set aside to fund and support Nigeria’s military, the service is being wholesomely undermined.

It is easy to overlook this as simply corruption in Nigeria, another day, another sector. It is also convenient to classify the failures of properly supporting a military hitherto recognized as one of the best in Africa, as simply being due to the ‘cluelessness’ of the Nigerian president. But are we being too simplistic?

 Is there possibly more behind the way Nigeria’s military are easy prey for Boko Haram and how Boko Haram conveniently raids military posts and barracks and seizes tanks, Armored Personnel Carriers, APC’s, and sophisticated weaponry which they use without recourse on the farmers of the northeast?

When one analyzes issues in such simplistic fashion, one tends sometimes to overlook what might otherwise be glaring. It will be naïve to assume the decisions of Nigeria’s governance are made by President Jonathan, who we say is clueless, alone. Decisions are made by many in his regime who are as smart as the smartest of us. Jonathan may be clueless, but the people around him, his cabinet and service chief’s are not. 

Stop seeing Boko Haram as conspiracy against your government, APC tells Jonathan

The interim national Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed has advised the PDP-led federal government to forget the thought that Boko Haram is a grand conspiracy against it.

According the him, the sooner government sees the sect as an enemy of the world, the better for national peace and stability.

Speaking yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) students’ week in Lagos, Mohammed said APC believes that only a non-partisan approach can help the country to forge a common front against Boko Haram, “hence we offered our hand of support to the government which by the way, is yet to respond to our offer. The offer remains on the table, nonetheless.

The chieftain, who on the topic ‘The Role of Opposition, Media and Youth in Sustaining Democracy’, added that “We believe the government should summon a national stakeholders’ security summit as against an all politicians’ gathering to help fashion out measures that can act as ‘quick wins’ against Boko Haram and show the world that Nigeria is united against the terrorist group.

“Democracy is imperiled without a virile opposition; a robust, responsible and credible opposition is a sine qua non to an enduring democracy and a ruling party or government can only wish the opposition away at its own peril”.

The APC spokesman recalled that his party had put forward a number of suggestions which PDP rejected.

“We asked the government to develop a holistic counter-insurgency programme. Rather than tackling the problem piecemeal, we advised the government to align its military strategy with political and economic measures, since terrorism is hard to defeat and 1 million troops may not be able to defeat Boko Haram.

“We asked the government to de-radicalise the North-east, which is worst hit by the insurgency; among other things but our suggestions were thrown into the dust bin”.

Source: Dailypost

Stop seeing Boko Haram as conspiracy against your government, APC tells Jonathan

The interim national Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Lai Mohammed has advised the PDP-led federal government to forget the thought that Boko Haram is a grand conspiracy against it.

According the him, the sooner government sees the sect as an enemy of the world, the better for national peace and stability.

Speaking yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) students’ week in Lagos, Mohammed said APC believes that only a non-partisan approach can help the country to forge a common front against Boko Haram, “hence we offered our hand of support to the government which by the way, is yet to respond to our offer. The offer remains on the table, nonetheless.

The chieftain, who on the topic ‘The Role of Opposition, Media and Youth in Sustaining Democracy’, added that “We believe the government should summon a national stakeholders’ security summit as against an all politicians’ gathering to help fashion out measures that can act as ‘quick wins’ against Boko Haram and show the world that Nigeria is united against the terrorist group.

“Democracy is imperiled without a virile opposition; a robust, responsible and credible opposition is a sine qua non to an enduring democracy and a ruling party or government can only wish the opposition away at its own peril”.

Tambuwal lamblasts Abuja Police boss, Mbu, over protest ban

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has lambasted the Commissioner of Police for Abuja, Joseph Mbu, for ordering a ban on protests urging increased government action for the release of abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.

The ban, imposed by Mr. Mbu on Monday, was reversed a day after following widespread condemnation.

The police high command denounced Mr. Mbu’s action, saying protesters were free to hold daily sit-in, provided they remain peaceful.

The protests have held for more than a month since more than 200 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Borno State.

In a speech marking the end of the third legislative year, Thursday, Mr. Tambuwal said Mr. Mbu’s “audaciousness” in ordering the ban showed Nigeria’s “descent into the pits of reckless disregard for the rights of citizens”.

The speaker said the ban was “unacceptable” and vowed that the House will treat the police commissioner’s order with the “seriousness that it deserves”.

“To buttress our descent into the pits of reckless disregard for the rights of citizens, the nation recently woke up to the sad dawn of a Commissioner of Police acting on his own initiative, without clearance from his superiors and in flagrant contravention of the clear Constitutional guarantees of the right of citizens audaciously purporting to ban the peaceful assembly of Nigerians,” Mr. Tambuwal said.

“This is an unacceptable abridgement of the rights of Nigerians to freedom of speech, association and peaceful assembly, and this House must treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”

A controversial figure, Mr. Mbu was drafted to Abuja as police chief after a turbulent run in Rivers State where he maintained a testy relationship with the governor, Chibuike Amaechi.

While in Rivers State, the police commissioner repeatedly clamped down on protests and meetings defying widespread criticisms of his conduct.

Mr. Mbu has been accused of being unprofessional and doing the bidding of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Mr. Tambuwal said the “fact that the office of the Inspector-General of Police felt compelled to deny the action of the Police Commissioner only goes to underscore the audaciousness of the conduct of the Police commissioner.”

“As important as all our duties and functions as the legislative arm in a democratic government are, none is more important than our duty to protect and preserve the rights guaranteed to all Nigerians by our Constitution. Any attempt by anybody to infringe on the rights of Nigerians is a direct affront to this House. This House must therefore take necessary measures to ensure that such sacrilege does not repeat itself anywhere in Nigeria.

The culture of impunity at the highest levels of governance in Nigeria must be brought to a halt,” he said.

Source: Premiumtimes

Tambuwal lamblasts Abuja Police boss, Mbu, over protest ban

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has lambasted the Commissioner of Police for Abuja, Joseph Mbu, for ordering a ban on protests urging increased government action for the release of abducted schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.

The ban, imposed by Mr. Mbu on Monday, was reversed a day after following widespread condemnation.

The police high command denounced Mr. Mbu’s action, saying protesters were free to hold daily sit-in, provided they remain peaceful.

The protests have held for more than a month since more than 200 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Borno State.

In a speech marking the end of the third legislative year, Thursday, Mr. Tambuwal said Mr. Mbu’s “audaciousness” in ordering the ban showed Nigeria’s “descent into the pits of reckless disregard for the rights of citizens”.

The speaker said the ban was “unacceptable” and vowed that the House will treat the police commissioner’s order with the “seriousness that it deserves”.

“To buttress our descent into the pits of reckless disregard for the rights of citizens, the nation recently woke up to the sad dawn of a Commissioner of Police acting on his own initiative, without clearance from his superiors and in flagrant contravention of the clear Constitutional guarantees of the right of citizens audaciously purporting to ban the peaceful assembly of Nigerians,” Mr. Tambuwal said.

“This is an unacceptable abridgement of the rights of Nigerians to freedom of speech, association and peaceful assembly, and this House must treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves.”

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”.

He said: “We need to kill corruption before corruption kills us. Indeed, some people have suggested that corruption has become the 37th state and obviously the biggest and wealthiest state in Nigeria.”

Chief Sergeant Awuse blamed low remuneration for the massive corruption in the country.

He said civil servants can hardly survive with N18,000 minimum wage.

The delegate suggested that taking a second look at the paltry N18,000 minimum wage package would likely curb corruption in the civil service.

Prof A. B.C, Nwosu, a former Education Minister, said there is need to right-size the civil service.

He said the government should right-size the civil service to enable the nation have an effective work force.

Source: The Nation

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”.