Presidency Admits Chief of Naval Staff Retires Next Week, But That He’s Not Yet Replaced

December 12, 2016

Nigeria Presidency has confirmed that the nation’s Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas is due to retire from service next week but that the government has not picked his replacement.
Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement reacting to media report that the retiring Chief of Naval Staff has been replaced by the President along with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, Adesina described it as a fictitious story.
“General Olonisakin is due to retire from the Army next week, having satisfied the official number of years in service. He is yet to be replaced. But the Chief of Naval Staff has a short while more, and President Buhari could, therefore, not have approved his replacement yet.
“This administration has repeatedly pledged commitment to transparency and accountability, and one of the hallmarks of that is making information available to the media.
“But when some sections of the media would rather speculate, than cross-check and double check information, then it borders on deliberate mischief. That, surely, is not the way to go, for national cohesion and development.” [myad]

African Union Interfaith Forum Elects Steering Committee To Fight Religious Extremism

Greenbarge Reporters

December 12, 2016

The 2nd African Union Interfaith Dialogue Forum has elected a 12-member Steering Committee, representing the different regions, religions, including African Traditional Religions, to build partnerships among Africa’s interfaith and faith-based organizations to prevent religious extremism and promote harmony on the continent.
A statement by the organisers of the event, the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) of the African Union Commission and the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID) that is based in Vienna, Austria said that the 12-member committee will partner with the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and other peace-building organizations.
It will develop a 10-year interfaith development agenda for all African Union member states based on Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 and a five year strategic plan; create an evaluation strategy for the Steering Committee, among others.
The delegates who were elected to serve on the AU Interfaith Steering Committee include Dr. Kamal Boraiqa (Al-Azhar University, Egypt) (Prof) Eale Bosela (AACC, Kenya), Rev. Sr. Agatha Chikelue (African Women of Faith Network, Nigeria, Mr. Yassine Mohammed Da Costa Ali, Civil Society, Mozambique, Pastor Zerihun Degu (Inter-religious Council, Ethiopia) and Deolinda Dorcas Teca (Council of Churches, Angola).
Others are Ms. Saydoon Sayed (African Women of Faith Network, South Africa), Imam Kone Ibrahima (National Religious Forum, Cote d’Ivoire), Imam Kobine Layama (President of Islamic Community, Central African Republic), Mr. Belall Maudarbux, (Inter-religious Council of Mauritius), Pastor James Wuye, (Interfaith Mediation Centre, Nigeria) and Amb. Ezzedine Zayani (Tunisia)
The Forum acknowledged the important role of the media in the promotion of peace among adherents of various faiths in the continent, and called for enhanced media awareness of religious issues through training for journalists that are reporting on religions affairs.
It also stressed the need for different media in Africa to be encouraged promotion of inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and good practices in the African countries, among other strategies.
The statement said that apart from creating engagement directed specifically to family, children, youth and women and taking concrete steps to address hate speech and to counter hate, bullying and discrimination through positive speech, tolerance and constructive dialogue in Africa, the forum calls for a stronger partnership among interfaith and faith-based organizations.
The Forum also called upon religious and traditional leaders in Africa to work together with the African Union, its member countries, and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in order to promote a culture of peace and inter-religious and inter-cultural constructive dialogue.
The Forum also declared its commitment to the promotion of peace and reconciliation through the teachings of the different Holy books in churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and all Worship places; introduction of peace education as part of the school curriculum, university programmes and theological institutions to promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among human beings in all their diversity of religion, belief, culture and language, among others. [myad]

Magnus Abe Asks Governor Wike To Congratulate Him On His Electoral Victory

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Magnus Abe of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has just been declared winner in the Senatorial election of the Rivers State South East Senatorial District, has called on Governor Nyeson Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to congratulate him on his victory, as he promised.

“I want to call on the governor to keep his words and send me his letter and words of congratulation because I have won.”

Magnus Abe, in his acceptance speech today, Sunday, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him winner, said that his victory is a reward for faithfulness, even as he extended a hand of friendship to Governor Wike, reminding him of his promise that there was nothing personal in this contest.

“And he (Governor Wike) has said that if I win he will congratulate me. The only barometer for measuring success in an election in this country is the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the commission has declared me the winner. I want to call on the governor to keep his words and send me his letter and words of congratulation because I have won.”

The Senator-elect acknowledged that Rivers State has suffered enough and that it is time for the contestants to bring this contest to an end by facing the task of correcting the mistakes of the past.

“I have been faithful to my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). I have been faithful to my people, the people of the Rivers South East Senatorial District and I have been faithful to my leaders and I think God in his infinite mercies has rewarded me with this unprecedented victory. There is no victor, no vanquish.”

He thanked the APC leaders, President Muhammadu Buhari, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the people of Rivers South East Senatorial District, whom he said have spoken loud and clear with their votes, adding: “we should respect your views. We should work together to make this district a better place for Nigerians to live. [myad]

2017 Budget Will Get Nigeria Out Of Economic Woods, President Buhari Assures

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

“The 2017 Budget proposals which I will lay before the National Assembly on Wednesday, will contain measures that we are confident will get the nation out of its economic woods.”

These were the words of President Muhammadu Buhari in his Eid-El-Maulud celebration message to the nation. The festivity, which marks the Birthday of Prophet Muhammad, will commence tomorrow, Monday for which public has already been declared.

Buhari called on Nigerians not to lose faith in the ability of his government to make a difference in their lives.

“The reality of the temporary challenges should not undermine our hope, reverse our collective will to succeed, or divide us; rather it should remind us of why we need to stay together, fight together and succeed together. We all share a vision of a better Nigeria, and we will all share in the responsibility of building the country of our dreams.

“As we look forward to 2017 with hope and huge expectations, let me assure you that with collective dedication and hard work, we will overcome the mountain of economic difficulties, and return our country to the path of prosperity.”

Part of the speech goes thus:

Dear Compatriots,

Again the calendar of life has brought us into another period of celebration, and deep reflection. Celebration, because we are marking the birth of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and deep reflection, because it is another opportunity of pausing, taking a deep breath and reflecting on the current realities before us.

First of all, I wish all Muslims a happy and memorable celebration of the birth of the great Prophet, through whose teachings, particularly on peaceful living, tolerance, sobriety, generosity, sacrifice and honesty, and wisdom, the nation has gained immensely in building a harmonious and prosperous society. The universal truths of the Prophet’s values remain unchanged.

Against all odds, we have used these pillars of strength in securing a just and fair society, and our efforts are beginning to yield dividends in curbing terrorism, militancy, corruption and other crimes that devalue our humanity.

As we celebrate and reflect, I wish all Nigerians a peaceful Eid-el-Maulud. [myad]

Politics Of Self-Alienation Won’t Get Ndigbo Presidency In Nigeria, Ngige Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Former governor of Anambra state and currently Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, has warned his fellow Igbos that politics of self-alienation would not make way for Ndigbo to have a shot at the Presidency when their time comes.

Ngige disclosed that there was an understanding that the presidency would go round the major ethnic groups in the country, stressing that Ndigbo could get their turn by embracing other parts of the country with open hands and not politics of alienation.

Speaking with journalists at the weekend during the annual convention and 2016 graduation ceremony of Skill Acquisition Students of Bina Foundation, Enugu, Ngige further warned Ndigbo against politics of alienation. He asked them to embrace other parts of the country with open hands.

Reacting he statement made by the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Nwaorgu that President Muhammadu Buhari was promoting politics of exclusion against the people of the Southeast, the former Anambra strong man dismissed the allegation, saying that Buhari loves Ndigbo.

“I am sure the statement did not emanate from Ohanaeze. It is the personal opinion of the Secretary General, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, my personal friend. Ohanaeze has a means of expressing its views in a press statement by the President General and such a statement must emanate from Imeobi (inner caucus).

“When you go to Buhari’s antecedents, you see his love for Igbos. His Brigade Commander was an Igboman. After the war, he did not kill Prisoners of War. He brought back his classmates, J.C. Ojukwu and the other man from Ojoto in Anambra State. He is a good man. He keeps to himself. He is disciplined in office.

“He doesn’t drink. He doesn’t smoke. He is a man who does any work efficiently. He has Igbo friends. It is wrong to say that Igbos didn’t vote for him in 2015. There was no voting across Igboland. It was vote allocation.

“I don’t want to join issues with him (Nwaorgu). I have held various positions in Ohanaeze before him. I championed Aka Ikenga. His Igboness is not stronger than mine. It is still very early. We should stop crying over spilt milk.

“We got 20 pounds after the war. We should leverage on our prosperity, industrial spirit, ingenuity and propensity for work to forge ahead. We need political fitness and diplomacy and we will not be left behind.

“Former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme has done a lot in successive constitutional conferences on the zoning structure and regional cooperation. I have always espoused that at Aka Ikenga. We do it and the rest shall be added unto us.” [myad]

Catholic Priest Rises Against ‘Imported’ Christianity, Wants Polygamy, Others Incorporated

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Catholic Priest of Akwangwa Catholic Church in Nasarawa State, Rev. Father Gabriel Ngbe has spoke against what he called imported Western culture of Christianity and called for the Church to incorporate some good aspects of African culture in its Doctrine.
The Catholic Priest who was celebrating the Acculturation Mass at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Akwanga in Nasarawa state, insisted that the Catholic doctrine must be amended, especially in the African Catholic Churches in order to accommodate every member of the Church.
“The Whiteman that brought Christianity to us, mixed the religion with his culture and Africans just accepted it like that at the expense of our culture. If we do not incorporate parts of our culture into the way we worship God, our culture would in no distant time go into extinction.”
Gabriel Ngbe said that local foods should henceforth be used for communion in the Catholic Church instead of using products imported from Europe.
The priest also said that meaningful local names should be given to people during Baptism and Confirmation in Catholic Churches as against using “English names.”
The priest called on members of the Church to imbibe the habit of wearing local dresses during weddings as well as using local languages for Mass.
He said that anybody who practices polygamy before accepting Christ should be given equal treatment in the Church with those that have only one wife, adding: “It is better to have many wives at home than to have only one and yet have many girl friends and lovers outside.”
Gabriel Ngbe commended the Yoruba people for incorporating their culture in the way they practice both Christianity and Islam and asked others to emulate them. [myad]

Abe Of APC Floors Nwogu Of PDP For Senate In Rivers Re-Run Poll

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Rivers South-East senatorial district , Senator Magnus Abe has been declared winner of the Legislative election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Announcing the results, the Returning officer for Rivers south East senatorial district, Professor Onukwuisi Gideon said that Senator Abe polled 125, 938 votes to beat Senator Olaka Nwogu of PDP who polled 25394. Others were kingsley Onyekwere Okechukwu of the Labour Party (LP) with 549 votes, Comerade Oke Ude of NNPP with 96 votes and Efrida of UDP scored 99 with votes. A total of 2,627 votes were rejected out of the 154, 703 total votes cast.

In other results from Rivers South-East; Barry Mpigi of the APC was declared winner of Tai/Oyigbo/Eleme Federal Constituency with 48,760 votes to defeat PDP’s Jacobson Mbina who polled 11,737 votes.

Maurice Pronen of the APC was also declared winner for the Khana-Gokana Federal Constituency seat with 68, 219 votes while Dum Deekor of PDP scored 20, 329 votes.

Friday Nkeeh of the APC was also declared winner for the Rivers State House of Assembly seat, Khana Constituency 2 with 15,000 votes to beat his closest rival, Dinebari Loolo of the PDP who polled 4,000.

Dr. Innocent Barikor of the APC was declared winner of the election for Gokana state Constituency with 24,624 votes, defeating PDP’s Israel Ngbuelu.

Results are still being collated in Ahaoda-East for the results from Rivers West Senatorial district while results for Rivers – East Senatorial District are still being collated in Port Harcourt.

Meanwhile, INEC has said that only results announced by its returning officers will be accepted. [myad]

Abdulkarim Albashir: Exit Of A Great Journalist And Patriot, By Emmanuel Yawe

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Early in 1988, the Gongola State government under the leadership of Group Captain David Jang had some problems on how to manage its media.
Mallam Abdulkarim Albashir, a veteran journalist at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in Kaduna had been loaned by the state government to start its own newspaper in 1985. He was expected back at the radio station the following year. When 1986 came, the State government wrote to the station explaining that Albashir was still needed for another year and requested for an extension of his stay. This was given. Then 1987 came and the government was not ready to let Albashir go. Again an extension of one year was made, again the request was granted. By 1988 when the government still demanded another extension, the radio station shouted “ENOUGH” from Kaduna. The request was refused.
Albashir had performed the impossible task of starting a newspaper- he called it the Weekly Scope- for the state government a few weeks after he assumed duty in Yola in 1985. With no staff, no infrastructure and no facilities, he nurtured the Weekly Scope to an enviable status in 1988: it was the only newspaper in the whole of the north east sub region. At that stage, the Gongola state government felt it could not find a replacement for him if he left for Kaduna. The refusal of FRCN Kaduna to extend his stay thus created a big problem.
The solution was provided for the government by Albashir himself. One fateful day, he walked into Governor David Jang’s office and argued that he was not indispensable and he had found a replacement for his office. ‘Who is that?’ The perplexed governor asked; ‘Your Chief Press Secretary Sir’. Albashir replied.
I joined the government of David Jang as his Chief Press Secretary in 1987 after he wrote to the Kano State Government led by Mohammed Ndatsu Umaru requesting that Emmanuel Yawe be seconded from the Kano state owned Triumph newspapers where he was working as an Editor. Albashir’s solution created yet another succession problem. The governor was not ready to let me go. But he could not keep Albashir in Yola either.
In the event, the most unusual thing happened. After Albashir’s departure, I was appointed as his successor even as I remained the Chief Press Secretary. It remains an oddity in my rather turbulent career as a newspaperman. Here was I: one man with two offices – Chief Press Secretary to the Governor and Managing Director of the state’s newspaper.
In order to sort out the oddity, I did frequent shuttles to Kaduna. Albashir was coming back to Kaduna but he had no intention of staying long with the FRCN. He had been with the station since 1974 when he completed his NYSC stint. His transition from electronic to print media in 1985 was rather seamless and he made up his mind to remain in print. The Democrat newspaper in Kaduna had offered him the job of Editor and he was going to take it up. Mal Abba Kyari who was Editor of Democrat then (current Chief of Staff to President Buhari) was appointed Managing Director of UBA and was waiting impatiently for Albashir to come and relieve him. I travelled to Kaduna frequently to reassure him and also scout for my replacement as Chief Press Secretary. Eventually, we had a breakthrough: Kingsley Hunohashi took over from me and Albashir took over from Abba Kyari.
The Albashir I knew was a giant physically. Beyond that, he was endowed with prodigious intellectual vigor and physical energy. His radio commentaries and newspaper columns were backed up with facts and figures that were products of painstaking and diligent research. He spent sleepless nights to make sure that what he put out in public space must stand the test of close scrutiny.
Albashir did not only have a seamless transfer from electronic to print media. As his health deteriorated in later ears and his movement became impaired by the amputation of his leg, he went digital. He gave the young men and women who think the social media is meant for them exclusively a good run for their money. We were friends on facebook and I followed him and his informed commentary daily.

The Albashir I knew was a free minded Nigerian, a patriot who loved humanity. He mixed freely without care of religion and ethnicity. He was a Muslim, yes. But every Christian that came close to him will never say he discriminated against him. When I took over from him at Gongola Press Limited, I did not inherit any form of religious or ethnic tension. He blazed the trail of religious and ethnic harmony in a heterogeneous state institution. I tried my best to step into his oversized shoes.
Here was one Nigerian who had all the opportunities to amass filthy wealth but did not. He valued knowledge and invested heavily in it. His personal library was well stocked. His children received the best education. In retirement, he returned to his rural roots, investing all he had in his modest farm in Kaduna.
We had a wonderful working and personal relationship. But Gongola was a state of complex contradictions. We almost parted ways after he came back to Gongola Press, appointed in 1989 by the state government as Board Chairman and a serious board room crisis erupted. Happily we got over it all.
We remained more of brothers than friends, often sharing our hopes and frustrations until he died. I will miss him greatly. [myad]

Gambian President Goes Recalcitrance, Asks ECOWAS Chair To Keep Off

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Gambian President, Yahya Jammeh has asked the chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf not to step into his country for any kind of political solution to the problem that may arise from his rejection of the result of the December 1^st Presidential election which the opposition candidate, Adama Barrow won.

The announcement of this on state television yesterday, Saturday, threw Gambia’s future into doubt after the unexpected election result ended Jammeh’s 22-year rule and was widely seen as a moment of democratic hope. He had earlier last week, conceded defeat publicly.

But, on Friday, he called for another election in the tiny West African country.

ECOWAS had hoped to put back on track Gambia’s first democratic transition of power in over 50 years, but those plans appeared thwarted on Saturday when her plane was denied landing access at Banjul.

“Johnson Sirleaf was supposed to fly in today, but Jammeh said ‘not at the moment,’” Senegal foreign minister, Mankeur Ndiaye told Reuters. It was not clear if the plane had already taken off.

Sirleaf’s camp was not immediately available for comment. A spokesman for Jammeh’s government could not be reached.

As Gambians brace for a tense standoff, international criticism of Jammeh’s claim came in fast. Following the United States and Senegal, the African Union on Saturday weighed in, calling Jammeh’s statement “null and void.”

“The Chairperson of the Commission strongly urges President Yahya Jammeh to facilitate a peaceful and orderly transition and transfer of power,” said Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, who also called on Gambia’s security forces to remain neutral.

The UN Security Council on Saturday has also asked Jammeh to quit.

The Council told Jammeh to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition of power to the President-elect, Mr Adama Barrow.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, the 15-member Council “strongly condemned the outgoing Gambian President’s rejection of the official election results proclaimed by the country’s Independent Electoral Commission.”

The Council asked Jammeh “to respect the choice of the sovereign people of Gambia, as he did on Dec. 2, and to transfer, without condition and undue delay, power to the President-elect, Mr. Adama Barrow.” [myad]

Buhari To Akwa Ibom Gov: Thank God You Didn’t Die In Church Collapse

Greenbarge Reporters

December 11, 2016

Governor Udom Emmanue of Akwa Ibom state

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed gratitude to God that the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel did not die in the Church building which collapsed yesterday in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state, killing about 200 worshipers.
The President, who spoke to governor Udom on his mobile phone last night, congratulated the Governor and his family on their lucky escape from the tragic collapse of the building of the Reigners Bible Church, Uyo.
The President also conveyed to the Governor and the People of Akwa Ibom State, the deep sorrow of his family, the government and the entire people of Nigeria over the many deaths and injury recorded following the incident.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died and the quick recovery of the injured.
President Buhari implored the people of the state, especially those in the catchment area of the incident to rally around the victims of the tragedy to help ease their sorrow and pains.
He commended the Government of the state for the way it handled the situation, so far.
Meanwhile, the state government has declared today, Sunday, December and tomorrow, Monday, as days of mourning in honour of the victims of the collapse of The Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo.
A statement from the state government said that all flags will fly at half-mast within the state.
“The 2-day mourning period will be rounded off with a Solemn Assembly at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Uyo on Monday December 12, 2016 by 4.pm prompt.
“The Government urges all citizens and friends of the state to continue to pray for the speedy recovery of those injured in this incident.” [myad]

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