A luxury 63-storey Dubai hotel has gone up in brazing flame, just when people gathered to watch New Year’s Eve celebrations. No fewer than 16 people have been reported injured so far.
Dubai’s government media office tweeted that a “fire has been reported in the Address Downtown hotel. Authorities are currently on-site to address the incident swiftly and safely.”
The cause of the blaze was not immediately known.
The building, which is close to Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, was engulfed in flames across several floors as sirens wailed and helicopters hovered overhead, witnesses said.
Dubai’s police chief said that all the hotel’s residents had been evacuated from the scene of the blaze, which had still not been extinguished some two hours after it broke out.
“All the residents are out,” General Khamis Matar al-Mzeima said.
“Until the fire is put out, we will not have information on what caused it,” he added.
“At least 14 people have been slightly injured, along with one medium injury, and a heart attack case registered due to people pushing” amid the smoke, the media office tweeted.
Witness Raphael Slama said that the fire started at around 9:30 pm (1730 GMT) and rapidly spread upwards across dozens of floors.
The government tweeted that the fire erupted on the 20th floor and affected only the outer facade of the building.
“Four firefighting teams have been deployed” to fight the blaze, it added.
Authorities said earlier Thursday that they had deployed thousands of security personnel to ensure visitors and residents could enjoy the New Year’s festivities safely.
The emirate had promised a “spectacular” fireworks display that was set to kick-off at midnight from the Burj Khalifa before spreading to various locations across the city.
A spokeswoman for the government said the planned festivities would go ahead despite the fire.
“New Year’s celebrations will proceed according to schedule,” Mona al-Marri was quoted by Al-Arabiya as saying, before confirming on her Twitter account. [myad]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh against issuing inciting and insulting statement on President Muhammadu Buhari.
The national chairman of APC, Chief John Oyegun, in a statement today, expressed regret that Metuh and his PDP are carrying opposition too far beyond political situation.
He made it clear that Metuh’s statement referring to President Buhari as an “unrepentant tyrant” and “fascist” was an unwarranted abuse of the President, warning that APC would not condone such act anymore.
The party specifically told the opposition party and its members that being in opposition or critic should not be taken as a licence to denigrate the president or his office.
The APC’s statement which was signed on behalf of the chairman by the party’s Assistant Director of Media and Publicity, Edegbe Odemwingie, condemned what it called the PDP’s unprovoked insults and unguarded statements on President Buhari and other members of the APC.’”
The statement reads: ‘”In the aftermath of Wednesday’s widely-acclaimed presidential chat, PDP’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh in a statement issued on Thursday amongst others called President Buhari an “unrepentant tyrant” and “fascist”. In other baseless allegations, the PDP accused ministers and APC members of corruption while further accusing the president of a selective anti-corruption fight.
“APC’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun: “The APC is worried by PDP’s inciting statements. Respect for the office of the President or heads of government in any clime is not a matter of choice but a civic obligation sanctioned by laws. Being an opposition party or critic is no license to issue abusive, intemperate and slanderous statements on government officials; most especially the President of the country.
“The PDP has proven that it is not a party to be trusted or taken seriously. Only recently, the PDP said in a December 24, 2015 statement: ‘we urge that Nigerians should not recourse to hauling insults on the President’.
“For the umpteenth time, the APC urges Nigerians who see merit in the war that the President Buhari-led administration is waging against corruption, not to be distracted by the PDP and their agents of corruption to discredit the war. For the records, the ongoing war against corruption is not selective. Anybody guilty of corrupt practices will face the law.
“If the PDP has any proof of corruption against any APC member or minister as alleged, we advise that they approach any of the anti-graft agencies constitutionally mandated to handle such cases.
“PDP’s rant suggesting a selective anti-corruption fight by the present administration should be seen as a plot meant to distract the citizenry from the successful ongoing war against graft.” [myad]
The Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, has sacked the Governor of Abia State Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governor of the state. The embattled governor quickly responded that he will challenge the judgment in the Supreme Court.
The Appeal Court in its judgment today, announced the main rival, Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as winner of the election held on March 28, 2015.
Dr. Ikpeazu had been declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the verdict was upheld by the Abia State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia.
Otti, dissatisfied with the judgment of the Tribunal headed for the appellate court, which upheld his appeal and declared him winner of the ballot.
Dr. Ikpeazu said he will proceed to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment.
The verdict of the Appeal Court has already sent the camp of Otti into a frenzy of jubilation throughout the state even as Governor Ikpeazu’s legal team is said to be working to head to the Supreme Court. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has admitted that there is still a lot of work to be done to completely eliminate Boko Haram from Nigeria. In a New Year message which he personally signed today, the President said that there is still a lot of work to be done in the area of security. “Our Armed Forces will maintain, consolidate and build on their successes in the war against Boko Haram and violent extremism. “The government will not consider the matter concluded until the terrorists have been completely routed and normalcy restored to all parts of the country that have been adversely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency,” President Buhari assured. He further assured Nigerians that they will in due course, begin to enjoy the fruits of all the ongoing work, especially the contents of the 2016 budget. He stressed that the effective and efficient implementation of the budget proposals will address many of the socio-economic issues that are of current concern to Nigerians. He noted that one area in which Nigerians, especially those in the northeast, have already begun to experience major change is in the war on terror. “I commend our Armed Forces for significantly curtailing the insurgency which has ravaged the northeast of Nigeria over the past few years.” The President said that he is aware that Nigerians have experienced a number of significant hardships over the past months. “Living in the State House has not alienated me from your daily sufferings. I am aware of the lengthy queues at fuel stations and of the difficulties businesses have faced in acquiring foreign exchange.”
Buhari said that these challenges are only temporary, adding “we are working to make things better. “When I presented myself to you as a presidential candidate and asked you to vote for me, I wanted to be a leader who keeps his promises. I wanted to be a leader who restores the people’s hope in those elected to serve them. I wanted to be a leader who initiates positive and enduring CHANGE. “I am still totally committed to being that kind of leader. Unforeseen circumstances and other distractions notwithstanding, I shall still do my utmost best to keep every promise I made to Nigerians during my election campaign.” He said that on the past seven months since his government was inaugurated, he has focused on laying the right foundation for the CHANGE Nigerians voted for during the nation’s historic presidential election, adding that they would not regret the confidence they repose in him. The President insisted that the ongoing crackdown on corruption will be vigorously intensified even as he urged the courts to support the efforts and help in the recovery of stolen funds by speedily concluding trials to show that impunity no longer has a place in this country. “There is much work to do in other areas as well and I have charged all my ministers and other appointees to ensure that Nigerians experience positive changes in their lives in 2016. “We must reduce our country’s reliance on oil. We must diversify our economy. And we must do all we can to promote job creation. “Our challenges are many but our determination to succeed is strong and unshaken. So too is our confidence in God.” [myad]
Every year is heralded by a theme for the Nigerian Christian, especially the Pentecostal community which I proudly identify with. You will find these themes inscribed on Car stickers, lapel pins and various merchandizes to remind the faithfuls of what the year holds or has in stock for them.
We often times feel a deep connection and resonance with these themes from the sacred lips of our Priests often times backed with a scriptural reference. This becomes our reality.
As the New Year draws nigh, I decree thus: 2016 is Nigeria’s “Year of Prayer”. The 60th chapter and 2nd verse of the book of Isaiah says; “For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples;”
You need not go far for interpretation or commentary, just study the full text of President Buhari’s presentation of Nigeria’s 2016 budget. The text contains the words; ‘Problems’ 4 times, ‘Hard’ 4 times, ‘Tax’ 4 times and ‘Oil’ a whooping 11 times! There was no mention of ‘solution’, 2 mentions of ‘Create’ and same goes for the word ‘Change’.
Ancient wisdom shows us that the Nigerian government has always been optimistic when it comes to budget presentations; optimism is on two levels, the first is that oil sells above the enacted above the benchmark, and second is that the budget is an open approval to spend and in the case where the funds are delayed, borrow. Little wonder the optimism that greets every Nigerian Budget cycle; friends of friends and relatives of politicians to the 5th degree are particularly most excited. And what we have seen in the past week is no different. The budget has been Christened Budget of ‘Hope’, ‘Jobs’, ‘Change’, ‘People’ and all sorts.
But the devil is in the details, He is somewhere out there on a mission to kill, steal and destroy – our joy. Nigeria’s monolithic economy read a budget that contains as much Oil as conjunctions within the text! The government seeks to diversify the economy but still can’t stop obsessing over Oil.
And this is the first prayer point, May God give them the vision to see beyond Oil and may they not be limited by the idea that taxation is an alternative. In the words of President Buhari: “We have focused on non-oil revenues by broadening our tax base and improving the effectiveness of our revenue collecting agencies.”
The proposal to expand the tax net as well as reduce tax rates for certain group is laudable, at least on paper. It is my prayer that it works out. However, along this line of thought goes the misconceiving that expanding the tax net will cushion the Oil revenue projections of the 2016 budget. This remains to be seen, as the Federal Government of Nigeria may not easily accomplish this at least in 2016. Increased Economic activity and Service delivery are major factors that influence tax increase or compliance.
The reduced rate of Economic activity, which President Buhari acknowledged, is closing down more companies than the tax net will ever expand to trap. Yes, to pay taxes in Nigeria – I say this with all honesty as a voluntary tax-paying individual and corporate citizen – is a trap.
Goldman Sachs and the IMF projected a barrel of sweet Crude at $20 in 2016 from around the present price of $34. Lying between GS, IMF and the Nigerian government projection is a wide gulf of around $10, which there are no plans to bridge besides the plan to incur debt.
The second prayer point concerns the proposed debt component of the budget; I don’t necessarily have a problem with government debt. I have always held the view that the Nigerian economy requires an adventurous stimulus plan. I believe Nigeria is a credit worthy nation by all standards but presently considered high risk by most lenders. The reasons are obvious to all; state controlled economics, foreign currency rigidity and restrictions in trade is hardly magnetizing in this gloomy days of glut in crude oil and other commodities. But President Buhari is yet to be convinced on the need to let market forces prevail.
This makes one question the terms and conditions that will govern this facility the government seeks. We need to pray about how Nigerian debt will be utilized. I don’t share the optimism that greeted the budget presentation; a look at a purported budget breakdown document had me totally perplexed.
I have no doubt that debt finance will be used to purchase the ridiculous items, I glanced over on that budget document; Executive Furniture, German automobiles, Gourmet presidential catering, exotic wildlife for the Aso villa conservancy, renovation of recently renovated edifices and much more.
Whether or not there are capital projects, my simple conclusion is that we are not serious. I bind this spirit!
Herein is prophecy; Your expectations will not be cut short. 2016 will usher in so much prosperity. Your barn will be full of grain and new yams.
Our country’s 2016 budget promises to spend, spend, spend and share the money (on welfare schemes), that which isn’t exactly ours.
The key point of this prayer is for you to wisely use this prosperity because as things look, I see no future. President Buhari expressed his hope for Oil prices to rebound at $50 per barrel and any hope of Nigeria having a 60% Capital component of a Budget before 2019 is hinged on this. I repeat there is no future after 2016. At this rate we have to pray about War and this is the third prayer point.
Nigeria is still technically at war. I have made deliberate attempts to filter off stories of terrorism, rustling and ethno-religious conflicts from my news board but I have seen so much in the past week. This is sequel to the premature declaration of victory by spokespersons of the Nigerian government. This has to be the most serious prayer of all; increased insurgent activity in the North East and North Central food producing belts of Nigeria is a threat to our belly. And the threat has been computed, data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reveal that over 700 billion Naira was spent on food imports in Q3 2015 an astronomic rise in comparison with the stats provided at about the same time last year. This is why we need to pray Dambazzau, Ali, Burutai, Daura and Arase find needed solutions to bring back our peace.
The bible says ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’, because a man from the South West needs beans to go with it. And we love the honey, red colored ones we get from Yobe state.
We may not need FOREX to purchase Corvettes and Courvoisier, vacation on Turks and Caicos Island, or even school at Hult and Harvard but we will have to on food. And may we not empty our reserves consuming our future.
Nigeria is a great country and I am excited about the New Year and the accompanying promise of prosperity, jobs and remembrance for the poorest and the vulnerable amongst us espoused in President Buhari’s budget presentation, May God grant us the unstaggering Faith, unruffled Patience and chill. Pessimistic as my writing seems, the Christian faith has taught me that it’s beyond what I see and how I feel. So the concluding part of my opening scripture Isaiah 60:2 reads; “for the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee”. Happy New year to you all, especially Wailers! [myad]
National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has asked Nigerians to rise up and resist the alleged total disdain with which President Muhammadu Buhari has been treating the nation’s laws and judicial institutions before it festers. “This extremely shocking dictatorial tendency being brazenly exhibited by the President in total disdain for our laws and judicial institutions portends great danger for our democracy and constitutionally-guaranteed rights of the people, and should be resisted by the citizens before it festers.” Metuh reacted, through a statement he issued today, to the Presidential media chat by President Buhari, on Television and Radio stations yesterday. Metuh said that President Buhari’s responses at the Presidential Media Chat were not only embarrassing but also further exposed his undemocratic character as an unrepentant tyrant who has no regard for the rule of law and the self-worth of Nigerian citizens. The PDP spokesman said that the President confirmed his partisanship in the much-vaunted war against corruption by openly absolving his ministers and party members of corrupt practices. “Whilst we restate our respect for the person and office of the President, we note that President Buhari bared his true colours to the world as an unrepentant tyrant. Today, the world is no longer in doubt as to who is behind the prevailing recklessness, abuse of rights of citizens and outright flouting of judicial pronouncements by security agencies. “A situation where the President openly pronounced persons facing trial guilty and sanctioned their continued incarceration despite being granted bail by the courts, presents a dangerous fascist practice obtainable only in totalitarian societies like Mussolini’s Italy, Hitler’s Germany, Idi Amin’s Uganda and General Than Shwe’s Burma. “The scorn for the principle of separation of powers, especially the independence of the legislature, is further manifested in the declared craving to regulate the funding and running of the National Assembly, a matter constitutionally vested outside the jurisdiction of the executive. We are most uncomfortable about his attempt at trying to whip up public sentiments against an independent arm of government, especially the one vested with the constitutional power of appropriation. “Following from the foregoing, therefore, it may be necessary to suspend the application of our Constitution and allow the President to operate as maximum ruler for four years after which the nation can return to a democracy. “On the issue of the Chibok girls, President Buhari’s embarrassing declaration of seeking information on the whereabouts and state of the girls betrays an obvious insincerity which is in total conflict with his campaign promises in that regard. Thus by this declaration, our dear President has accepted failure on this issue and should therefore apologise to Nigerians for all the insults, abuse and aspersions cast on the past administration by himself and the leadership of his political party. “On the issue of devaluation of the naira, there is an obvious conflict between the budget speech wherein the president stated that the government is assessing the foreign exchange rate with a view to attracting foreign investments and his categorical pronouncement during the media chat that the naira would not be devalued. “We invite Nigerians to note that the president obviously does not understand the currency that applies in the devaluation of the naira (laugh out loud). “Furthermore, Nigerians were shocked by the President’s labeling Nigerians as ‘very difficult lot’ while responding to questions on the strategy to be adopted in implementing his promised N5,000 social welfare package. “This unhealthy portrayal of the citizens by the very father of the nation, who has remained unrelenting in de-marketing his country through unguarded statements, is indeed a great disservice to Nigeria and its international image. Consequently, we reject this negative labeling of our citizens and reiterate our confidence in them, especially the millions who remain honest, hardworking and credible. “Finally, Nigerians must take copious note of the fact that the President gave no inspiring answers to questions pertaining to his campaign promises, the fight against insurgency and rescue of the Chibok girls, the poor state of the naira, sudden plunging of the economy under his watch, and the gradual loss of democratic rights and freedom.” This was even as the PDP acting national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus said that President Buhari is on vengeance mission by using the anti-corruption war as a vendetta against members of PDP and associates. He said in a statement that the President’s target is to harass and intimidate members of the opposition with his anti-corruption war. The acting national chairman asked Nigerians in this new year to remain focused and not be despaired even as he accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of feeding Nigerians with false propaganda and that it is not prepared for governance. “Nigerians have watched in bewilderment as the so called change agenda of the APC has deepened the socio-economic problems in the country instead of building on the successes bequeathed to them by the PDP.” Secondus reminded Nigerians about APC,s electioneering propaganda, which demonized the PDP and its achievements in government and even went ahead to make gargantuan promises to the Nigerian people. “Today the APC has governed for seven months and PDP can confidently say without any fear of contradiction that the APC was not prepared for governance. The APC is just a gang-up of aggrieved people to take over the relms of power. “To date, APC does not have a CLEAR AGENDA as to how to bring about the change they promised. As a result, Nigerians have seen the APC for all it is worth, ‘an ill prepared party with an ill prepared agenda for governance.’ “Nigerians have seen the chaotic situation at hand orchestrated by the incoherent policy initiatives of APC led government. Yes, this is the reality we face. “From the confusion in the subsidy question to the insurgency conundrum. From the discredited anti-corruption fight to the confusion in the government’s economic policy! “Yet the government has by its own acts of omission and commission presented itself as non-inclusive and sectional. “Consequently, we are now faced with worsening fuel crisis; free fall of the naira; job losses; worsening insurgency; the Shiite/military clash; renewed Biafran agitation and general insecurity. “In the middle of all this, it is clear that the APC government is pursuing a one -party state agenda considering its inordinate schemes to ‘take over’ PDP controlled states. “To worsen this state of misgovernance, the only active policy of this government, the anti-corruption fight, is being mismanaged. The PDP supports this policy wholeheartedly because it is fundamental to our drive towards national development as a country. But it becomes counter productive if it is pursued without following the rule of law and at the same time selectively targeting members of the opposition party. “For instance, some former PDP members who defected to the APC few months ago, some of them, former governors, who were indicted in their states, are not being investigated. Rather, they are appointed into cabinet positions.” The PDP chairman said that Nigerians have become despondent as they asked in dismay, “IS THE APC ON A VENGEANCE MISSION?” He however advised that Nigerians must not lose hope “as we boldly march into 2016,” saying: “we must repose our faith in God, the only one that can guide the leadership of this country to take actions that would genuinely correct past mistakes, rebuild our economy, give all Nigerians a sense of belonging and secure our country. “Our prayer is that in 2016 Nigerians will live in peace, love and brotherhood and would be alive to their citizenship responsibility of engaging the government so that it can work for national reconciliation, reconstruction and development. “The PDP will be at the vanguard of this movement. We are already reforming our Party in order to put us in good stead to play this role effectively.” [myad]
The recent violent confrontation between soldiers and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) should not come as a surprise to anyone who understands the Nigerian state. It was bound to happen. In a country where truth is a scarce commodity and where impunity (whether by state or non-state actors) is the norm, it will be difficult to know exactly what happened in Zaria on December 12, 2015. Since nobody takes responsibility for anything in Nigeria, that egregious crime – committed by both parties – will go unpunished. Of course, there will be an enquiry, perhaps a white paper, and that will be the end of the story; well, until the next crisis. It is not for nothing that events like the “Zaria Massacre” have become a dominant feature of our socio-political life. To understand that event, we must understand the psychology of the Nigerian military which explains its actions since 1999 – whether in Odi, Zaki Biam, Gbaramatu or other internal theatres of war it has been pre-occupied with in the last 16 years. So, how did we get here? The Nigerian state has been essentially a military state since 1966. Nothing has changed; never mind the fact that the country returned to civilian rule in 1999. The 1999 constitution that passes for the supreme law of the federal republic – just like that of 1989 and 1979 before it – is a military decree writ large! The inheritors of the military-induced transition of 1999 didn’t see – neither were they interested in seeing – the constitution they were inheriting. They were too eager to move the country forward, to borrow their clichéd expression, to see that the road to their inheritance was laden with booby-traps. Even when it was clear, the desire not to be left out of the gravy train of national despoliation was too much of a temptation to resist. Even though the president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federal republic, there is no effective civilian control over the military enshrined in the constitution or any other law of the country. For almost five decades since it first emerged on the national scene, the military with the support of its civilian collaborators has managed to contrive a nation in its own image and it doesn’t want to let go. One glaring example of this is the continuous ugly spectacle of military officers still featuring as ADCs, standing like zombies behind our elected presidents at every public function. This can only happen in the kind sham democracy that Nigeria and some other African countries practice. Unfortunately, ours is not a political but a deeply politicized military, often reserving loyalty not to the Nigerian state but to the ruling party. It was the late military leader of Burkina Faso, Thomas Sankara, who once remarked that, “A soldier without any political or ideological training is a potential criminal.” If Nigeria had a political or ideological military, the country would not be in the sorry state it is today. With all due respect to our gallant men and women of the armed forces, the Nigerian military, as an institution, has done more than any other group to destroy the social fabric of this country. Whether we are talking about the desecration of our democracy, undermining the rule of law, making corruption the national ethos or creating structures that weaken the principle of federalism on which this country was founded, our military is complicit in what Nigeria, a country full of potential, has become. Yet, it is ironic that the military has put itself in a position that it has become the bastion of our unity, the perfector of our national dreams and aspirations. We may not like it, but that is the reality. Clearly, that is why the military gets away with murder every time it assaults our national psyche by its overbearing presence. Evidently, the only way the military can sustain the defective structural template it has created which is set to consume all of us is through force. The action of the IMN and the attendant “massacre” is, therefore, understandable if not excusable. The IMN has been described as an “armed” group that sees itself as being above the laws of the land; the military says the attack on the group was carried out according to “rules of engagement” (rules of engagement in a war or civil disturbance?) and the president described the tragedy as a “military affair”. He is right. It is in the character of the Nigerian state, a state that has lost the capacity to self-correct. But it didn’t start today. This phenomenon is rooted in corruption which has weakened the social fabric of the country; but more important, it is the fallout of the structural dysfunction engineered and sustained by the military. For Nigeria, the chickens have come home to roost. After five decades of military-inspired malfeasance, including the orchestrated destruction of the principles of federalism, it is clear that we need to go back to the drawing board. The impunity that is on display in Nigeria today, whether by the IMN and similar organisations or the military, can’t simply be wished away. The Nigerian state has long abdicated its responsibilities to citizens. Of course, with that abdication comes utter contempt for everything the state stands for. Quality public education, health, basic infrastructure and security of life have all disappeared. It is only natural, therefore, that Nigerians have shifted their allegiance from the state to religious groups and all manner of contrivances that have provided them succor. The Nigerian state has all but collapsed, often inducing violent self-help and pockets of states within the state. Much of this is attributable to corruption, the erosion of the productive relationship between the central government and the federating units in a federation and of course the unholy alliance between the state and religion manifested, for example, in the state’s support for pilgrims, building of religious institutions, patronizing so-called imams and pastors for special prayers and affiliation to religious groupings, undermining the secularity of the Nigerian state. Expectedly, this alliance finds expression in politics since whoever controls power, particularly at the centre, also controls how the asymmetric relationship between various religious groups in the country is defined. Prayers have become central to state functions in Nigeria. Public offices have become extensions of worship centres. If the president/governor is a Muslim, the vice president/deputy governor necessarily has to be a Christian and vice versa. In May 2013, Premium Times reported that Niger State “subsidized” pilgrims to Mecca and Jerusalem in six years to the tune of N5.1 billion. Add another billion to cover the fraud that will trail the process, that would amount to an average of N1 billion a year. In defence of that mindless waste of public fund, the then governor, the chief servant, Babangida Aliyu, noted that, “it was the only benefit residents were getting from government.” According to figures by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the internally generated revenue (IGR) for Niger State in 2014 was N5.7 billion. Imagine that Niger State has to depend on its IGR to sustain the state, chances are that it wouldn’t spend N1 billion a year to “subsidize” pilgrims. It would be interesting to know how much the state spends a year on primary education and primary healthcare. Today, religious institutions and groups of every hue hold us hostage and there is no recourse. I agree with the notion that violent religious extremism of any kind is the greatest existential threat not just to Nigeria but to the rest of the world. While it is true, in some cases, that the internal schism within religious groups can lead to violence that threatens us all, the lethal cocktail of state and religion in Nigeria has ensured that this schism plays out in the political arena. For me, the carnage notwithstanding, the most troubling aspect of the “Zaria Massacre” was listening to our military high command pontificate about its commitment to keep Nigeria united; “one Nigeria; one destiny,” as they described it. By its admission, the military is saying Nigeria is a country at war with itself if every civil disturbance must warrant military intervention. But let us not forget for once that the military brought us to this sad end. So, how do we build a nation not held together by military force? Nigeria is sleepwalking to disaster. Now is the time to reclaim the country and the starting point would be to put in place a people’s constitution that not only serves the interest of the mass of our people but advances the principles of federalism. That is the only way to save Nigeria and put an end to the messiah complex of the Nigerian military.
This piece is excerpted from a forthcoming book: We are all Biafrans: A participant-observers interventions in a country sleep-walking to disaster. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he would sack any of his ministers who is found to be corrupt by the competent court of justice in Nigeria, even as he asked Nigerians to take any of them to court if they have evidence of corruption against such minister.
He also indicated the possibility of banning the use of Hijab by Muslim women if Boko Haram continues to use women in Hijab to launch attacks on innocent people.
The President, who spoke today during his first presidential media chat said: “if I picked anyone guilty of corruption, then it wasn’t intentional. But if anyone is found guilty, you (referring to one of the interviewers) should take the person to court.”
Asked what he would do if any of his appointees is found guilty of corruption, Buhari responded: “I will sack such persons and also ensure they are prosecuted.”
President Buhari who expressed anger at the renewed spate of bombings, said he was considering banning the hijab to check attacks.
“I was in Chad and the ban is one of the measures they have adopted.
“We will have to take that option here in Nigeria if these senseless bombings go on,” the president told his interviewers.
Hijab is a veil that covers the head and chest and worn by some Muslim woman beyond the age of puberty in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has announced that his government is considering closing down some unproductive foreign missions and merging of parastatals very soon. He disclosed that already Boards of government’s companies have been abolished.
The President spoke today during the first Presidential media chat aired by the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), other private television stations across the country and was broadcast by Radio stations.
President Buhari said that his government would look critically at the foreign missions to determine which ones to close down to cut the cost of running them, adding that some parastatals too would be merged while others would have to go.
He said that the cost cutting in the running of government began with the cutting of the number of ministries and ministers from 42 to 24, and that the exercise would carried out down the line.
The United States comedian, Bill Cosby has been charged with sexual assault which allegedly took place in 2004. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Pennsylvania later today.
Assistant district attorney for the state’s Montgomery County, Kevin Steele told reporters: “Mr. Cosby is charged with aggravated indecent assault. This is a felony of the first degree.”
The development marks the first criminal charges to be filed against the actor after dozens of women claimed abuse. A warrant of arrest is said to have been issued for Cosby earlier.
The comedian allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted former Temple employee Andrea Constand at his mansion – Elkins Park – in Pennsylvania in January 2004.
“A prosecutor’s job is to follow the evidence wherever it leads and whenever it comes to light. Upon examination of all the evidence, today we are able to seek justice on behalf of the victim.”
Constand’s allegation is one of dozens of allegations leveled against Cosby by over 50 women. The allegations which date back to the 60s revolve around rape, sexual battery, child sexual abuse and drug-facilitated rape.
Over the years, the 78-year-old Cosby had declined to comment on the allegations, which have more recently forced him to cancel shows.
In July, US President, Barack Obama, said in response to a question about whether a Medal of Freedom awarded to Cosby by President George W. Bush in 2002 would be revoked, that there was no precedent for revoking a medal.
He, however, said: “if you give a woman, or a man for that matter, without his or her knowledge, a drug, and then have sex with that person without consent, that’s rape. And I think this country, any civilized country, should have no tolerance for rape.”
The embattled legendary comedian has received up to 10 Grammys, four Emmys and over 50 honorary doctorate degrees, many of which have been rescinded because of the sexual assault allegations. [myad]
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A luxury 63-storey Dubai hotel has gone up in brazing flame, just when people gathered to watch New Year’s Eve celebrations. No fewer than 16 people have been reported injured so far.
2016: Nigeria’s Year Of Prayer, By Adewunmi Emoruwa
We often times feel a deep connection and resonance with these themes from the sacred lips of our Priests often times backed with a scriptural reference. This becomes our reality.
As the New Year draws nigh, I decree thus: 2016 is Nigeria’s “Year of Prayer”. The 60th chapter and 2nd verse of the book of Isaiah says; “For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples;”
You need not go far for interpretation or commentary, just study the full text of President Buhari’s presentation of Nigeria’s 2016 budget. The text contains the words; ‘Problems’ 4 times, ‘Hard’ 4 times, ‘Tax’ 4 times and ‘Oil’ a whooping 11 times! There was no mention of ‘solution’, 2 mentions of ‘Create’ and same goes for the word ‘Change’.
Ancient wisdom shows us that the Nigerian government has always been optimistic when it comes to budget presentations; optimism is on two levels, the first is that oil sells above the enacted above the benchmark, and second is that the budget is an open approval to spend and in the case where the funds are delayed, borrow. Little wonder the optimism that greets every Nigerian Budget cycle; friends of friends and relatives of politicians to the 5th degree are particularly most excited. And what we have seen in the past week is no different. The budget has been Christened Budget of ‘Hope’, ‘Jobs’, ‘Change’, ‘People’ and all sorts.
But the devil is in the details, He is somewhere out there on a mission to kill, steal and destroy – our joy. Nigeria’s monolithic economy read a budget that contains as much Oil as conjunctions within the text! The government seeks to diversify the economy but still can’t stop obsessing over Oil.
And this is the first prayer point, May God give them the vision to see beyond Oil and may they not be limited by the idea that taxation is an alternative. In the words of President Buhari: “We have focused on non-oil revenues by broadening our tax base and improving the effectiveness of our revenue collecting agencies.”
The proposal to expand the tax net as well as reduce tax rates for certain group is laudable, at least on paper. It is my prayer that it works out. However, along this line of thought goes the misconceiving that expanding the tax net will cushion the Oil revenue projections of the 2016 budget. This remains to be seen, as the Federal Government of Nigeria may not easily accomplish this at least in 2016. Increased Economic activity and Service delivery are major factors that influence tax increase or compliance.
The reduced rate of Economic activity, which President Buhari acknowledged, is closing down more companies than the tax net will ever expand to trap. Yes, to pay taxes in Nigeria – I say this with all honesty as a voluntary tax-paying individual and corporate citizen – is a trap.
Goldman Sachs and the IMF projected a barrel of sweet Crude at $20 in 2016 from around the present price of $34. Lying between GS, IMF and the Nigerian government projection is a wide gulf of around $10, which there are no plans to bridge besides the plan to incur debt.
The second prayer point concerns the proposed debt component of the budget; I don’t necessarily have a problem with government debt. I have always held the view that the Nigerian economy requires an adventurous stimulus plan. I believe Nigeria is a credit worthy nation by all standards but presently considered high risk by most lenders. The reasons are obvious to all; state controlled economics, foreign currency rigidity and restrictions in trade is hardly magnetizing in this gloomy days of glut in crude oil and other commodities. But President Buhari is yet to be convinced on the need to let market forces prevail.
This makes one question the terms and conditions that will govern this facility the government seeks. We need to pray about how Nigerian debt will be utilized. I don’t share the optimism that greeted the budget presentation; a look at a purported budget breakdown document had me totally perplexed.
I have no doubt that debt finance will be used to purchase the ridiculous items, I glanced over on that budget document; Executive Furniture, German automobiles, Gourmet presidential catering, exotic wildlife for the Aso villa conservancy, renovation of recently renovated edifices and much more.
Whether or not there are capital projects, my simple conclusion is that we are not serious. I bind this spirit!
Herein is prophecy; Your expectations will not be cut short. 2016 will usher in so much prosperity. Your barn will be full of grain and new yams.
Our country’s 2016 budget promises to spend, spend, spend and share the money (on welfare schemes), that which isn’t exactly ours.
The key point of this prayer is for you to wisely use this prosperity because as things look, I see no future. President Buhari expressed his hope for Oil prices to rebound at $50 per barrel and any hope of Nigeria having a 60% Capital component of a Budget before 2019 is hinged on this. I repeat there is no future after 2016. At this rate we have to pray about War and this is the third prayer point.
Nigeria is still technically at war. I have made deliberate attempts to filter off stories of terrorism, rustling and ethno-religious conflicts from my news board but I have seen so much in the past week. This is sequel to the premature declaration of victory by spokespersons of the Nigerian government. This has to be the most serious prayer of all; increased insurgent activity in the North East and North Central food producing belts of Nigeria is a threat to our belly. And the threat has been computed, data from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reveal that over 700 billion Naira was spent on food imports in Q3 2015 an astronomic rise in comparison with the stats provided at about the same time last year. This is why we need to pray Dambazzau, Ali, Burutai, Daura and Arase find needed solutions to bring back our peace.
The bible says ‘Man shall not live by bread alone’, because a man from the South West needs beans to go with it. And we love the honey, red colored ones we get from Yobe state.
We may not need FOREX to purchase Corvettes and Courvoisier, vacation on Turks and Caicos Island, or even school at Hult and Harvard but we will have to on food. And may we not empty our reserves consuming our future.
Nigeria is a great country and I am excited about the New Year and the accompanying promise of prosperity, jobs and remembrance for the poorest and the vulnerable amongst us espoused in President Buhari’s budget presentation, May God grant us the unstaggering Faith, unruffled Patience and chill. Pessimistic as my writing seems, the Christian faith has taught me that it’s beyond what I see and how I feel. So the concluding part of my opening scripture Isaiah 60:2 reads; “for the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee”. Happy New year to you all, especially Wailers! [myad]