Governor Yahaya Bello Floors Faleke As Court Dismisses His Petition

June 6, 2016

The Kogi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has ruled that the running mate to late Prince Abubakar Audu in the last year’s Kogi state Governorship election, James Faleke has no locus standi to file any petition against the election of Yahaya Bello as Governor of the State.
The Tribunal, therefore, dismissed Faleke’s petition against Bello.
Faleke had gone to the Tribunal seeking his declaration that he was the valid candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the election and that he should be declared as Governor.
Faleke said that with the death of Prince Audu on the day the results of the initial election was being announced, he should have stepped into his shoes.

Faleke also asked the tribunal to declare that the election was already conducted and concluded on November 21 before Audu’s death, and that he had already emerged as the deputy governor-elect.

He therefore asked the tribunal to declare him as the valid substitute for the late Audu and should be returned as the governor-elect.

But delivering its judgment on Faleke’s petition, the Justice Halima Mohammed-led three-man panel held that Faleke lacked legal right to file the petition after upholding Bello’s preliminary objection against it.

The tribunal upheld the objection but still went ahead to decide the petition on merit.

It upheld Bello’s objection to the effect that Faleke lacked locus standi to file the petition having not been the governorship candidate upon the conclusion of the election on December 6, 2015.

It held that it was clear that Faleke was not nominated by its party, the APC, but instead the party nominated Bello as Audu’s replacement.

The tribunal said it lacked the jurisdiction to question internal process of the party leading to the nomination for Audu’s replacement.

It held that contrary to Faleke’s contention, the election had the November 21 poll had not been concluded and thus the right to challenge the outcome of the poll had not accrued to him going by the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Meanwhile, the tribunal is still considering the merit of the entire petition. [myad]

We’ll Launch Missiles At Aso Rock, National Assembly, Others, June 11 – Niger Delta Militants

Greenbarge Reporters

June 6, 2016

The Joint Niger Delta Liberation Force (JNDLF) has vowed to unleash six missiles that will destroy key buildings like the Aso Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, the Defence Headquarters and 12 others on June 11 and that before doing that it will shut down Nigerian Communication Satellite Orbit so that launching of missiles will not cause electronic radiation to human lives.

The militant group advised the occupants of the targeted buildings to vacate them so as to avoid loss of innocent lives. It also called on the international community to remain neutral as the militants battle the Nigerian Government.

A statement jointly signed by General Akotebe Darikoro, Commander, General Duties; General Torunanaowei Latei, Creeks Network Coordinator; General Agbakakuro Owei-Tauro, Pipelines Bleeding Expert; and General Pulokiri Ebiladei, Intelligence Bureau, reads further:

“The followings occupants of these buildings should as a matter of urgency vacate in them immediately IN THEIR OWN INTEREST to save their lives because our fight is not for ANY HUMAN BLOOD but to destroy all those infrastructures that were built with our oil and gas monies in this country.

“We will make federal government and oil companies to suffer as they have made the people of Niger Delta region suffers over the years from environmental degradation, and environmental pollution.

They include:

STATE HOUSE, VILLA- ABUJA
DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
DSS HEADQUARTERS
POLICE HEADQUARTERS
NATIONAL ASSENBLY
NNPC TOWERS
CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA
SUPREME COURT/APPEAL COURT
AGIP HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA
SHELL HEADQUARERS, LAGOS
CHEVRON HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS
EXXON MOBIL, LAGOS
NLNG, LAGOS & ABUJA OFFICES
KADUNA REFINERY
ALL MILITARY FORMATIONS IN ABUJA, LAGOS, KADUNA, BENUE, ETC.

“We shall fire these Missiles’ simultaneously at the night, as this will enable every Nigerians to see the movement of the MISSILES and equally to believe us of our seriousness attached to the final breakup as predicted by the United States of America (USA).

“We equally advise the Diplomatic Community to be neutral on this issue as wrong comments against us will be seen as saboteurs. Where they are staying presently will not be affected which is not part of our targeted areas of destruction in the country.

“We shall embarrass the self acclaimed Nigerian Air Force with their recent deployment of fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft when at this digital age, countries are talking about Missile development, and they still condescend so low of their present obsolete equipment. This is sad indeed!”

“Note, we are going to destroy the ones they have deployed to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State if they fails to remove them before time. Our crack team has taken inventory of their equipments. Even the present suffering from a rare ear disease known as Meniere’s disease by President Muhammadu Buhari will not win any sympathy to save our action against the federal government. The name Nigeria as a country will come to an end this week.

“The so called military operations code named ‘OPERATION PULO SHIELD’ in the Niger Delta region who our partners in the oil bunkering activities, because presently without been told the former JTF Commander, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe who was arrested by the EFCC last week over pipelines surveillance contract amounts to N8.2 billion in the region, is an eye opener to the federal government that the military are fully involved in illegal bunkering in the area.

“They only destroy those who could not afford their bidding and further lobby to come to the Niger Delta region because of what they are gaining from the area.

“Imagine, an Army private’s and corporals from the North could build business plaza of 3 storeys with several estate and other buildings including exotic cars to the detriment of the region? The Pharaoh of Nigeria (Buhari) should take the counsel of sycophants and jesters around him of the region especially Mr. Ayiri Emami and Professor Ita Sagey who are presently in our searchlight. The founder of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, Israel Akpodoro, is a dead man and that he should not hide for linking former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson with the Avengers. We are not in ANY community, the Military can’t locate Tompolo but we have identified where he is now.

“Presently, Tompolo is in Libya and we’ll get him dead or alive for betraying us in supporting the federal government against us.

“Nigerian Military has weak intelligence gathering mechanism hence they could not identify our modu oparandi. Nigerian military is only good in carrying AK47 to harass innocent people and raping young girls and women.

“If the oil companies especially Shell and Chevron spents billions of naira to only undertake repairs of damaged oil and gas pipelines in the region, when such funds were better channeled for the payments of Bonga oil spill in 2011 and Chevron gas explosion in Koluama, Bayelsa state in 2012 would have saved them from these bombing and their present predicament would have been a thing of the past. Since they don’t want to hear, we’ll continue to break the pipelines until they do the needful for our old parents at home because that is the only language the companies and federal government hears in the country from the region.”

The Niger Delta Avengers have in the past couple of weeks bombed several oil installations, raising fears that Nigeria’s economy might soon collapse as zero oil production is imminent. [myad]

Atiku Asks Muslims To Be Good Ambassadors Of Their Faith, At Ramadan

Greenbarge Reporters

June 6, 2016

Former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has asked Muslims in the country to observe the Holy month of Ramadan which begins today, with soul-searching and deeper commitment to family.

He also asked the Muslims to be good Ambassadors of their faith, “because our humble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) himself attracted adherents to Islam through personal examples of love, tolerance and justice. The best service we can to do Islam is to live by its teachings.”

In a goodwill message to Muslims, the former Vice President said that Ramadan should be a unique opportunity for Muslims to demonstrate greater self-discipline and compassion for the weak, the poor and the suffering.
He said that the 30 days period of fasting should be a reminder to Muslims that they should appreciate what it means for the poor to go without eating from morning to evening, and thereby appreciating the conditions of millions of ordinary Nigerians that go without eating daily.
He asked Muslims to use the Holy Month to increase their love and compassion for the less fortunate members of the society, saying that they should take the spirit of compassion beyond Ramadan by making it a permanent feature of our everyday life.
Atiku who also asked Muslims to pray for Nigeria and its leaders at all levels to overcome the challenges confronting the country, appealed to them to use the spirit of the Ramadan fasting period to promote tolerance, love and peaceful coexistence to higher and more enduring levels.
“The best public relations for our religions is our conduct towards others in terms of love and tolerance. We must be good Ambassadors of our faith, because our humble Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) himself attracted adherents to Islam through personal examples of love, tolerance and justice. The best service we can to do Islam is to live by its teachings.”
Abubakar enjoined Muslims to give support to one another, and give even greater support to the political authority in our country and various localities. [myad]

Etisalat Opens Entries For 2016 Pan-African Prize For Literature

Greenbarge Reporters

June 6, 2016

A few months after the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila won the 2015 edition of the Prize with his first novel, Tram 83, the Etisalat has opened another entries for the 2016 edition of the Pan-African Prize for Literature.
Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made this known in Lagos, also announced the Judging Panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize.

The panel comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila, as the Chair of Judges, South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige Rene Dro as members. The Chair of judges was present at the briefing as well as two of the Prize Patrons: renowned literary icon, Prof. Kole Omotoso and awards-winning author, Dele Olojede.
Mr. Willsher spoke about the uniqueness of the Etisalat Prize, adding that it is designed to serve as a leading platform for the discovery and encouraging of creative writing talents as well as the celebration of literary arts by African writers.
“We are delighted to champion the cause for celebrating the richness and strength of African literature. Etisalat Prize for Literature is about discovering and bringing to the world stage, the many creative talents Africa boast of. The Etisalat Prize is about creativity, excellence, empowerment and reward; it is about celebrating our African diversity in very innovative ways through various forms of art, literature being one of them”, he said.
Willsher added that only books by debutant writers published not later than 24 months before submission, will qualify for entry. “They must also be by registered publishing houses not less than six years as incorporated publishers with registered ISBN Number or the equivalent, and who must have published a minimum of six authors. All entries should be accompanied by seven copies of the book entered along with an acceptance of our publicity terms. A publisher may submit a maximum of three books. The rules and guidelines for entry are available at

About the Judging Panel
Nigerian-born Helon Habila is a writer, poet, author and an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at George Mason University, USA. His novels include, Waiting for an Angel (2002), Measuring Time (2007), and Oil on Water (2010). He is the editor of the Granta Book of African Short Story (2011).
Habila’s novels, poems, and short stories have won many honours and awards, including the Commonwealth Prize for Best First Novel (Africa Section), the Caine Prize, the Virginia Library Foundation Prize for fiction and most recently the Windham-Campbell Prize.
Habila has been a contributing editor for the Virginia Quarterly Review since 2004, and he is a regular reviewer for the Guardian, UK.
Elinor Sisulu is a Zimbabwean-born South Africa writer and human rights activist Elinor Sisulu combines training in history, English literature, development studies and feminist theory from institutions in Zimbabwe, Senegal and the Netherlands.
She is the author of the award-winning children’s book The Day Gogo Went to Vote. Her biography on her parents-in-law, Walter and Albertina Sisulu: In Our Lifetime secured her the prestigious 2003 Noma Award for publishing in Africa.
Elinor’s involvement in book promotion and literary development efforts for many years has culminated in her work with the Puku Children’s Literature Foundation. She has been a judge for the Commonwealth Writer’s Prize, the Sanlam Youth Literature Prize and the Penguin Africa Writer’s Competition.
Edwige-Renée Dro is an Ivorian writer and a translator. She is one of the 39 most promising voices under 40 from Africa, south of the Sahara as decided by the Africa39 project. She was the 2015 PEN International New Voices award judge.
Edwige-Renée currently works as the director of Danbé Collection, a new imprint of l’Harmattan Editions with a focus on the promotion of Ivorian literature in Abidjan. Her short stories have been published in anthologies and literary journals.
About Etisalat Prize for Literature
The Etisalat Prize for Literature is a Pan African prize that celebrates debut African writers of published fiction. Previous winners include Zimbabwe’s NoViolet Bulawayo (2013), South Africa’s Songeziwe Mahlangu (2014) and Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila (2015).
The winner receives a cash prize of £15,000 in addition to a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, U.K. under the mentorship of Professor Giles Foden, the award-winning author of The Last King of England.
The Etisalat Prize also incorporates an award for Flash Fiction; an online-based competition for non-published African writers of short stories. [myad]

Why Buhari Did Not Announce The Names Of Looters, By Femi Adesina

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2016

The spokesman for President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina has said that the President failed to announce the names of those from whom funds and properties were recently recovered as a result of the legal implications and in order not to discourage others who might later return the loot to the government.

Adesina who spoke on Channels Television programme on Sunday, said that some of the recovered funds were in the country’s kitty while others were under interim forfeiture, asking: “do you go releasing the names of people from whom those funds were recovered but they are still interim forfeiture.

“At the end of the day, we will lose monies that would have been recoverable for the country but because the government has been precipitate in mentioning names, those funds will not be returned to the coffers again.

“What if at the end of the day the court decides that those people are not guilty and that the money should be returned, then you will have legal cases on your hands and that will constitute distraction to the government.

“I think it is better to err on the side of caution and that was why eventually the President agreed with those who said the names should be withheld.”

The President’s spokesman said that the government had high quotient of integrity and expressed confidence that Nigerians also knew the current administration had integrity.

He said that mentioning the names would discourage persons who had the intention of returning funds from bringing the funds forward, adding that the recovered funds could be used to make up for the deficit in the 2016 budget. The budget has over N2 trillion Naira deficit.

President Buhari had earlier promised to release the names of the persons from which funds were recovered but a released interim document containing the financial recoveries had no individual mentioned. [myad]

Daily Times Celebrates 90 Years Of Operation

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2016

One of Nigeria’s oldest newspapers, Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN), incorporated in 1925 is set to celebrate its 90 years in operation.

The new owners of the medium, Folio Communications Ltd., announced on Sunday noted that DTN was the nation’s flagship in news, media human capital development and professional path driver.

Folio Communications, a holding company and owners of Daily Times and six other titles, said in a statement in Lagos that the celebration would go beyond the niche, newspaper.

The company said that the 90th anniversary was an exciting milestone in Nigeria’s media history as the activities for the celebration had been scheduled to last between June and July 2016.

The Chairman, Folio Communications Ltd, Mr. Fidelis Anosike, said that the anniversary remained the celebration of Nigeria’s media industry, adding that the anniversary would be used to re-evaluate the contributions of Nigerian media practitioners to nation building and galvanization of the more than 250 constituent ethnic nationalities.

“We are not only celebrating Daily Times of Nigeria as a newspaper, we are celebrating great Nigerians like the late Chief Adeyemo Alakija, Ernest Ikoli and Alhaji Babatunde Jose.

“The others are Dr Patrick Dele-Cole, Chief Segun Osoba, Uncle Sam Amuka, Mr Peter Pan Enaharo, Dr. Yemi Ogunbuyi, Chief Innocent Oparadike and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu.

“Some of the Daily Times celebrated media professionals also include Mr. Tony Momoh, Mr Edwin Baiye and Dr Onukaba Ojo, among others.

“We have quietly reinvented and reinvigorated the newspaper toward providing leadership in quality news dissemination for Nigerian youths and the political and business elite,’’ the statement quoted Anosike as saying.

“Our focus drawing from the vibrancy of the then young Nigerians that managed Daily Times in the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s is Nigerian youths.

“The emphasis on youths is to help them to chart their career path with added impetus and faith in the Nigerian polity.’’

According to the statement, the repositioning of Daily Times in the coming months with skilled and quality personnel will be followed by the refloating of other titles within the stable.

It noted that the other titles include Business Times, Sunday Times and Lagos Weekend, among others.

It commended Nigerian journalists and other media practitioners for their commitment to the profession and nation building.

The statement added that the national economic and financial challenges called for understanding and suggestions to sustain the newspaper industry.

“Most of us publishers appreciate the challenging environment under which we operate and will do everything possible to maintain the industry,’’ it said.

The statement indicated that activities for the two-month celebration would be kicked off with a visit to media houses, governments and corporate organisations.

The visits by the board and mangement would be led by the publisher of Daily Times.

The two-month long 90th anniversary celebrations will also feature a world press conference where the chairman will unveil the new roadmap for the sustained growth of the newspaper conglomerate.

The anniversary celebrations will be rounded up with a dinner at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The Daily Times Nigeria was incorporated on June 6, 1925 by Richard Barrow, Adeyemo Alakija and others.

They printed the first copy of The Nigerian Daily Times on June 1, 1926. [myad]

Ramadan Fasting Begins Monday

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2016

Muslim Ramadan Fasting begins on Monday following the sighting of the crescent of the Moon on Sunday night.

The moon was sighted in parts of Katsina and Zamfara State as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It was also sighted in Saudi Arabia and other Islamic countries.
The Sultan of Sokoto and head of the Muslim community in Nigeria, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, confirmed the sighting of the moon and officially declare Monday as the commencement of the Fasting.

Ramadan is the holy Islamic month when a 30-day fasting is observed.

Local media in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, also said Muslims there would begin fasting on Monday, as will Muslims in Singapore, Yemen, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and the Palestinian territories, among others.

Following these announcements, a mosque in Tampa, Florida announced to its followers that they too would celebrate the first day’s fasting on Monday.

Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart. By Sunday evening, Pakistan and Iran had yet to officially announce Monday as the first day of Ramadan. Traditionally, countries announce if their moon-sighting council spots the Ramadan crescent the evening before fasting begins.

The faithful spend the month of Ramadan in mosques for evening prayers known as “taraweeh,” while free time during the day is often spent reading the Qur’an and listening to religious lectures. The month is marked by intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts

Each day for the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset. Even a sip of water, coffee or a cigarette can invalidate one’s fast. There are exceptions to fasting for children, the elderly, the sick, women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating, and people travelling.

Many break their fast as the Prophet Muhammad did around 1 400 years ago, with a sip of water and some dates at sunset followed by prayer. It is common for Muslims to break their fast with family and friends and charities organize free meals for the public at mosques and other public spaces.

The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to God and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, along with the Muslim declaration of faith, daily prayer, charity and performing the hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

Non-Muslims or adult Muslims not observing the fast who eat in public during the day in Ramadan can be fined or even jailed in some Middle Eastern countries, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which is home to large Western expatriate populations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with a three-day holiday called Eid al-Fitr. [myad]

Buhari Goes On 10-Day Leave, Flies To London For Medical Check-Up

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari begins 10-day leave from Monday during which time he will fly to London for medical check-up.
A statement by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said the President will be expected to treat what was described as a persistent ear infection.
The statement reads in full: “President Muhammadu Buhari will take 10 days off and travel to London on Monday June 6 to rest.
“During the holiday, he will see an E.N.T. specialist for a persistent ear infection. The President was examined by his Personal Physician and an E.N.T Specialist in Abuja and was treated.
“Both Nigerian doctors recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution.” [myad]

Sokoto Government To Provide Free Feeding To The Poor In Ramadan Fasting

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2016

Sokoto state government said it will provide free feeding and other forms of assistance to less privileged members of the society during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan which begins on Monday, June 6.

A statement by Malam Imam Imam, spokesman of governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said that the state government would partner with the rich individuals and charity organizations to ease the burden of the poor ones in the month of Ramadan.

“Agreed we are all feeling the effect of the economic crunch, but government will partner rich individuals and charity organizations willing to step in to help extremely vulnerable persons and groups to ease the burden on them during Ramadan,” Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said in Sokoto.

Governor Tambuwal described the intervention as part of the state government’s social contract with the people, and that adequate machinery has been put in place to ensure that it reaches those in need at the appropriate time. This was even as he asked members of the public to increase their acts of worship and assistance to those in need.

“As Muslims, we must redouble our commitment to God’s work and increase our prayers for the nation. We must ensure that the aim of this holy month, which is spiritual cleansing, promotion of brotherhood and assistance to the needy, is realized.

“Our businessmen and women should please note that this is not a period of exploiting innocent customers by increasing prices of goods in the market. It is a period of compassion and we urge them to be compassionate to all members of the public.” [myad]

Buhari Describes Late Eze Njemanze Of Owerri As A Monarch Of Character

Greenbarge Reporters

June 5, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has paid a glowing tribute to the late Owerri Monarch, Eze Emmanuel Emenyonu Njemanze, describing him as a monarch of candor and character, qualities that are rare today.

In a condolence message, made available to the media in Abuja by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, the President said that Eze Emmanuel Njemanze was an outspoken traditional ruler who was not afraid of telling truth to power despite the risks involved, especially when it concerned matters of public interests and the wellbeing of ordinary people.

“As an outstanding pharmacist with a public service career that flourished till he ascended the throne of his ancestors in 1989, Eze Njemanze knew the appropriate use of power and the meaning of public office. This was why he did not hesitate to condemn the abuse of public trust and highhandedness by political office holders whether during the military or the civilian administration whenever it occurred.”

President Buhari said that the Nigerian nation knew the contributions of the late royal father to the peace that is common in the city of Owerri and the support and cooperation that were mutual between Eze Njemanze and his people of Owerri in particular and Imo State in general.

He said that such effort enabled them to restore the dignity of Owerri as a land of decency and character when fraudsters violated it and attempted to turn it into a land of ritual killers and dubious men in the mid 1990’s.

While praying to God to receive the soul of the departed monarch, the President urged the family he left behind and the people of Owerri and Imo State to mourn their late king with dignity and solemnity, as he was a man of peace whom it pleased God to reward with a long and fruitful life.

President Buhari urged the Imo State government and the royal family to ensure peace in the kingdom and to work for a peaceful, orderly funeral and succession of the traditional ruler. [myad]

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