Today Is Arafat Day

September 23, 2015

Today, the ninth day of Muslim Zul-Hijja, is Arafat Day, described in Muslim world as a mini resurrection day. It is a day that precedes the Eid-el-Kabir where Muslims slaughter rams and other recommended animals as sacrifice in honour of Allah, the way Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) did it. It is a day in which everyone is for himself and Allah is for all. It is a day of prayers, difficulties, cries, tears, tribulations and joy.
Over three million Muslims are said to have arrived in the Holy land and are from the dawn of today, Wednesday, taking part in the great movement from Minah to the Arafat plain in vehicles, on camels’ backs, on foot and other forms of movement. They will remain on Mount Arafat until early evening (Maghrib) prayers from where they would move en mass to Muzdalifah. The distance between Mina and Mount Arafat is about 20 kilometres.

Taking place roughly 70 days after the end of Ramadan, Arafat Day marks the second day of Hajj. The occasion marks the day when a verse of the Holy Quran revealed that Islam was perfected, and when Allah’s blessings were completed.

To complete the Hajj, Muslims must stand on Mount Arafat, or the pilgrimage becomes invalid. Muslims who have completed the Hajj have their sins expiated.

Those who are unable to travel to Mecca for Hajj may fast instead.

Mount Arafat is the site where Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) spoke his Farewell Sermon thus:

After praising, and thanking God, the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: “O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has Judged that there shall be no interest, and that all the interest due to Al-Abbas ibn Abd’el Muttalib shall henceforth be waived…

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, perform your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and offer Zakat. Perform Hajj if you have the means.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me, and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O people, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and it may be that the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

Thus the Prophet completed his Final Sermon, and upon it, near the summit of Arafat, the revelation came down:

“…This day have I perfected your religion for you, completed My Grace upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion…” (Quran 5:3)

Even today, the Last Sermon of Prophet Muhammad is passed to every Muslim in every corner of the world through all possible means of communication. Muslims are reminded about it in mosques and in lectures. Indeed the meanings found in this sermon are indeed astounding, touching upon some of the most important rights God has over humanity, and humanity has over each other. Though the Prophet’s soul has left this world, his words are still living in our hearts. [myad]

Nigeria Boundary Commission Underfunded To Carry Out Its Mandate, Director-General Tells Vice President Osinbajo

Greenbarge Reporters

September 23, 2015

Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Dr. M. B. Ahmad has lamented that the Commission has been underfunded for a long time, thus limiting its capacity to carry out its constitutional mandate. Dr. Ahmad, who briefed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday said that the Commission also faces the challenges if straddling settlements, re-establishment of destroyed/missing boundary pillars as well as demographic movements with the emergence of new settlements, among others.
He told the Vice President that the Commission has been able to intervene in many internal boundary disputes in the country. They include states like Jigawa/Kano, Kaduna/Kano, Kaduna/Katsina, Kaduna/Plateau in the North and other areas in country.
The Director General said that the Commission is in-charge of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission (NNJC); Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission (NBJC); Nigeria-Benin Joint Technical Committee on Delimitation; Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC); Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and the ECOWAS/Cross River Initiatives (CBI).
Other function of the Commission, Dr. Ahmad said, include intervening and dealing with any boundary disputes that may arise between Nigeria and any of her neighbours with a view to settling it.
The Commission also intervenes, determines and deals with boundary dispute that may arise among states, local government areas or communities in the federation with a view to settling them, he added.
Meanwhile, Professor Osinbajo said that the federal government will explore ideas on how relevant agencies can collaborate and coordinate effectively to deal with smuggling activities along the borders of Nigeria and its neighbouring countries.
The Vice President gave an indication that the Boundary Commission, the Nigeria Customs and the Immigration authorities could work together to tackle the problem of smuggling.
Such coordination, he added, would be useful “identifying actual points where smuggling is taking place.”
He expressed appreciation to the work and the detailed presentation of the Commission, even as expressed the desire to see more collaboration among relevant government agencies and called for a plan in that direction.
Vice President is the Chairman of the Boundary Commission’s Board. [myad]

HID Awolowo Foundation Scheduled For Launch

Greenbarge Reporters

September 23, 2015

by Bassano, half-plate film negative, 21 July 1972

The Obafemi Awolowo Foundation has announced that an HID Awolowo Foundation will be inaugurated soon to celebrate and commemorate in perpetuity the outstanding contributions of Mama, HID to family values, entrepreneurship and perseverance in the face of adversity.
A statement from the Office of the Executive Director, Dr O. Awolowo Dosumu said that the Foundation is being instituted under the aegis of the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation.
The statement said that though the details and fine points of the initiative are being worked out, but that it would focus on the synergy between the values that Mama HID stood for and exemplified and the legacy of the sage, Chief Awolowo, from which the Foundation has derived its core mandate and competencies.
“It is pertinent to recall Mama’s fortitude and exemplary forte in keeping the faith both at a time when her husband was unjustly persecuted by political authorities and in the years since the sage passed on. It ought to be remarked that her business acumen, organizational intelligence and hard work stood her in good stead throughout her remarkable life. It is in recognition of these virtues and the need to underline the careers of role models and visionaries in a morally adrift generation that the HID Awolowo stood for.”
HID Awolowo, who was until her death, Chairperson and moving spirit of Oodua, died on Saturday, 19th of September at the age of 99. [myad]

Buhari Goes To America Tomorrow To Attend UN General Assembly Summit, Confer With World Leaders

Greenbarge Reporters

September 23, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Nigeria for New York, the United State of America tomorrow, Thursday for a series of meetings and interactions with notable world leaders within and on the sidelines of the main events of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
A statement by the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina said that while in America, President Buhari will hold talks, deliberations and interactions with the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, President Barack Obama of the United States, President Francois Hollande of France, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, President Vladmir Putin of Russia, President Xi Jinping of China, Prime Minister Narenda Modi of India and others.
The discussions with various leaders, the statement said, will focus on domestic developmental issues, bilateral relations, the war against terrorism, countering violent extremism, the enhancement of global security, peace-keeping operations, climate change and the adoption of a post 2015 global development agenda.
“President Buhari, who will be accompanied by the Governors of Sokoto, Kaduna and Niger States, the National Security Adviser and the Permanent Secretaries in the Federal Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Health, Industry, Trade and Investment, will deliver Nigeria’s Statement to the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday, September 28.
“President Buhari is also scheduled to address the World Leaders Summit on Violent Extremism to which he was personally invited by Mr. Ban Ki Moon during the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Nigeria.
“Also on the President busy schedule in New York are a meeting of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, a High-Level Roundtable on South-South Cooperation organised by President Xi Jinping of China and the United Nations, and participation in the launching of an updated global health strategy for women and children.
“On President Buhari’s schedule too are meetings with former President Bill Clinton of the United States, Mr. Bill Gates of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which is assisting Nigeria in several areas including polio eradication, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown of Britain, the United Nations Special Envoy on Global Education who is one of the main drivers of the Safe Schools Initiative.”
The statement said that the President will concluded his visit to New York on Tuesday, September 29 and return to Nigeria on the same day. [myad]

Defamation: Amaechi Takes Rivers PDP To Court, Demands N300 Billion Damages

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2015

The immediate past governor of Rivers State, Chief Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has gone to court to seek for N300 billion from the Rivers state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, its chairman, Felix Obuah, and two others for general damages done to him and defamation of his character, reputation and person.

In a suit filed at an Abuja High court today, Amaechi complain of an allegations of foreign accounts ownership and embezzlement against him.

The PDP had in a statement in August alleged that Mr. Amaechi stole $757million (N80 billion) of Rivers State public funds and stashed them away in an account in his name in Bancorp Bank in Minnesota, United States of America.

In the suit, Amaechi said that each of the said publications by the PDP and its officials “are untrue, false, motivated by ill-will and without any foundations in truth whatsoever.”

He said that they “made the said libelous publications after the party failed the March 28 presidential election and with a view to rubbishing him in the eyes of right thinking members of the society and the persons to whom the said libellous publications have been made.”

In his statement of claims in the suit, Amaechi said he did not steal the state’s funds neither did he stash them away in Bancorp Bank in the US or in a Swiss bank.

According to him, the US bank did not at any time reveal that he embezzled or misappropriated or connived in the embezzlement and misappropriation of monies meant for Rivers State people and stashed them away in his name.

“The Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, United States did not write and did not communicate President Muhammadu Buhari over any said sum of $757 million dollars allegedly looted by the Plaintiff (Amaechi) that is kept with it and in Switzerland since no such money was ever looted by the Plaintiff (Amaechi),” he said.

“There exists no letter which the Defendants (PDP, Felix Obuah and two others) had seen written to President Muhammadu Buhari, by Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, United States confirming the existence, lodgment or transfer with the said Bancorp Bank and in Switzerland of the said sum in the name of the Plaintiff (Amaechi) since no such monies were ever looted by the Plaintiff.

“The Plaintiff (Amaechi) did not steal monies belonging to Rivers State and did not lodge them in any private foreign accounts. The Plaintiff did not admit that he lodged and domiciled in his name in an account in Bancorp Bank, Minnesota, United States any monies as alleged by the Defendants. The Plaintiff did not lodge any sum of $757 million or N80billion in the said bank account belonging to him and none was revealed or blown open by Christiane Amanpour of CNN.”

The former governor further stated that ever since the said invidious, insidious and vitriolic malicious libellous publications by the PDP and Mr. Obuah to the general public, he had been inundated, bombarded and confronted by several persons who expressed lack of respect, loss of faith in him and who no longer regard him as trustworthy and now view him as a common criminal.

He said he had been confronted by persons who disrespected him because of the false accusations, even though he denied committing the several heinous offences which the PDP and its chairman falsely and maliciously accused him of committing.

He said, “By the several said publications the Plaintiff (Amaechi) has been seriously injured in his credit, character and reputation and has been brought into public scandal, odium, contempt and his person, character and integrity lowered in the estimation of right thinking members of the society; the said publications are false and most disparaging of the person of the Plaintiff.

“The Defendants (PDP, Felix Obuah and two others) have widely further circulated the said malicious publications to the general public in the internet; these wide and general circulations of the said malicious publications have exposed the person of the Plaintiff (Amaechi) to very heavy and irredeemable ridicule, public odium, contempt and disparagement in the eyes of right thinking and reasonable members of the society including the persons already pleaded and other persons yet unknown and who will also be called upon to testify in this proceedings.

“The Defendants (PDP, Felix Obuah and two others) have continued with the republication, recirculation and widespread republishing and distribution of the said libelous publications to the general public through the internet leading to deluge of inquiries from the general public and well wishers who have severally confronted the Plaintiff (Amaechi) with the very wild allegations of the Defendants and to which Plaintiff denied any looting or ownership of any looted funds or looting of public funds of Rivers State.”

Amaechi also stated that he served Rivers State with distinction, initiated and completed numerous public projects and undertook other public infrastructure projects. He said he had never been convicted by any court with either stealing or embezzlement of public funds anywhere in the state or Nigeria or anywhere in the world. [myad]

Reps Raises Eye-Brow Over N222.1 Billion Fuel Subsidy By Jonathan Government

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2015

The House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on the Non-Implementation of the 2015 Capital Budget has raised eye-borw over N222.1 billion fuel subsidy expenditure by the government of former President Goodluck Jonathan between January –July, 2015.

Chairman of the Committee, Aliyu Pategi (APC Kwara), expressed the committee’s position during a public hearing in Abuja, today. He said that the money was neither appropriated nor approved by the National Assembly.

He noted that such extra-budgetary expenditure had more often than not become a source of concern for legislators.

“Appropriation is an Act, and we insist on its implementation. We want to know where there are challenges, but to spend monies such as the N222.1bn without recourse to the parliament, is not acceptable to us.”

The committee also queried a loan of N615.96bn taken from the Ways and Means Account at the Central Bank of Nigeria, without recourse to the National Assembly.

The committee chairman directed the Ministry of Finance to provide details of these transactions in a position paper which should be submitted to the Clerk of the Committee within two days.

On the issue of the Treasury Single Account, Pategi said the National Assembly would consider a review of the Acts establishing some revenue generating agencies, so they can retain a portion of their revenue.

He cited an example of the Nigeria Customs Service which retains seven percent of its revenue and remits 93 percent to the Federation Account.

“For instance, last year the Nigeria Ports Authority collected N161bn, they spent all of it and remitted only N1bn. These agencies belong to the people; you cannot spend these monies without recourse to Parliament.”

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Mrs. Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia in her presentation to the committee, revealed that the Federal Government spent N222.1bn on fuel subsidy between January and July, 2015.

She admitted that the money was neither appropriated for in the 2015 Appropriation Act nor was it approved by the National Assembly.

Daniel-Nwaobia who was represented by the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Mr. Aliyu Gusau, said he did not have sufficient information on the expenditures. [myad]

Oodua Peoples Congress Organizes Search Party For Olu Falae And His Kidnappers

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2015

Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), a Yoruba ethnic militia has organized itself to search for the former Nigeria Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, who was kidnapped by unknown persons on Monday in Akure, Ondo state.

Founder of the OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, who announced the search party stressed that he had ordered OPC operatives to immediately launch a manhunt, combing all nooks and crannies of Ondo State and beyond, for the abducted politician.

Dr. Fasehun who accused the Federal Government of being silenct 24 hours after the kidnap described the kidnap as an assault and insult on the Yoruba people, and challenged security operatives and agencies to produce Falae within 48 hours.

This was even as he summoned all members of the group in the country to attend an emergency meeting on Sunday.

“OPC is not interested in crisis but it was founded primarily for the protection of its own and for building bridges in Nigeria. All lovers of Nigerian unity like OPC, communal peace and national progress must rise up to this challenge.”

Fasehun warned against the possible consequences of the kidnap of Falae, even as he alleged that that Falae had been taken by strangers.

“At my turning 80, the entire world would expect me to be a bridge builder. And I have prepared myself to be just that. But if any missile is thrown at you, and it is likely to affect your eyeball, you must avoid it at all costs. This is my view of the insult now being unleashed, being flung at Nigeria by the enemies of Nigeria’s unity.”

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded a ransom of N100 million.

Recalling that Falae had rendered “impeccable” service to the country as a Permanent Secretary, then Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Federal Government, Fashaun described the victim’s current ordeal as uncharitable.

“When we heard that Falae was kidnapped, we thought it was impossible, as kidnappers would not be mad enough to kidnap a man of peace, a man who has selflessly served Nigeria.

“Falae is by any standard a leader of the Yoruba people, a leader of Nigeria and a significant leader in Africa. He is a leader of Afenifere. He was a leader of NADECO. And any assault on him is an assault on Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

On the Federal Government not officially reacting react to the incident, Fasehun said: “Over 24 hours after this disruption of the life of a dignitary, government has not issued any statement; rather what we hear is a loud silence from the Federal Government. It is a shame; it is a big shame.”

According to the OPC President, the kidnapping of the top-flight politician portended ill for his fellows.

“We believe this is a political issue. And any politician in Nigeria must make sure that Chief Olu Falae is released immediately. Otherwise OPC will take any step available to defend its own.” [myad]

Buhari Turns Back Trailer Load Of Rams To Friend Who Gave Them To Him As Sallah Gifts

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2015

Information reaching Greenbarge Reporters has indicated that President Muhammadu Buhari has turned back a trailer load of rams brought to him as Sallah gifts by aBottom of Form

prominent Katsina elder statesman who has been his long time friend.

The friend was said to have been shocked when his trailer load of rams arrived Abuja from Katsina and the President immediately asked that the trailer and the rams init be returned to the sender.

According to sources in the Aso Rock, President Buhari, a native of Katsina, was highly embarrassed by such gesture, though presentation of rams as gifts to leaders has been the norm in the government circle for a long time.

This development is believed to have further confirmed Buhari’s statement during his swearing-in ceremony, where he said he belonged to everybody and to nobody.

Just recently, Washington Post adjudged President Buhari as the least corrupt leader in Africa. [myad]

Saraki’s Trial Is Purely Criminal, Tribunal Chairman Rules, As Saraki Pleads Not Guilty

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2015

“I hold that the trial before the tribunal is purely criminal.” This was the verdict of the chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Justice Danladi Yakubu when the trial of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki got underway today in Abuja.

This was even as Senator Saraki pleaded ‘not guilty’ to a multiple charges of fraud brought against him by the Code of Conduct Bureau. He was subsequently granted bail on self recognition.

The Senate President is facing a 13-count charge bordering on corruption and alleged false declaration of assets.

As the case opened, Saraki’s lawyers argued that the matter was not a criminal case, and challenged the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

The prosecution opposed the argument even as the tribunal ruled that the matter was criminal and directed Saraki to go ahead with his plea.

On jurisdiction, the prosecution counsel argued that according to section 2 of the Administration of Justice Act, 2015, the matter could be heard alongside any preliminary objection regarding the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

The new law was signed by former President Goodluck Jonathan in March 2015, as part of a major reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The Act is expected to speed up corruption cases before the courts, by dealing with issues of preliminary objections, adjournments, and jurisdiction.

The law says such objections must be addressed by the courts concurrently with the corruption charge, unlike the past when interlocutory injunctions could go to the Supreme Court and return, before the main trial begins.

Asked to take his plea, Senator Saraki said: “I believe that I am here as the Senate president to indicate my respect for the tribunal. I am puzzled why I am being compelled.”

He pleaded not guilty.

On the various assets he acquired, which the Code of Conduct Bureau said his earnings did not qualify him to acquire, Saraki said he got them through his investment in rice farming.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge concerning his failure to declare his assets when he was Kwara State governor. He also denied making false declaration of assets.

He pleaded not guilty on the charge regarding his alleged use of foreign bank accounts while serving as a public officer in Nigeria.

The matter was adjourned to 21st, 22nd and 23rd October for hearing. [myad]

Falae’s Family Raises N2 Million For Kidnappers, As Kidnappers Reduce Ransom To N90 Million

Greenbarge Reporters

September 22, 2015

Information reaching Greenbarge Reporters has indicated that the family of the kidnapped of the former Secretary to the Federal Government, Olu Falae, has been able to raise the sum of N2 Million even as the kidnappers have reduced the ransom demanded for his release from N100 million to N90 million.

A special aide to the politician, who would not want his name mentioned said in Akure today that the abductors called the family on Monday night and agreed that they could bring N90 million if they could not afford N100 million demanded.

The source, however, said the family has only been able to raise N2 million.

The septuagenarian was kidnapped in his farm on Monday by gunmen who were also said to have wounded some of his workers.

Although the Police in the state insisted the incident was a ‘’mere attack by some Fulani herdsmen. When they called us on Monday night, they said they could only reduce the ransom to N90 million, but we cannot afford that.

“We begged them to take N2 million but they rejected it; they said they would call us back today but as at this moment, they have not called,” the source said.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wole Ogodo, said the command was still making effort to ensure that Mr. Falae, also a former Minister of Finance, was released unhurt.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Isaac Kekemeke, has called on the Ondo State Government and security agencies in the state to ensure that the abductors of the former SGF are brought to book.

Mr. Kekemeke, in a statement, urged the government to regulate the activities of Fulani herdsmen ‘’just as it regulates citizen’s use of public utilities’’.

“These lawless herdsmen, if they must live in Ondo state, cannot be law unto themselves,” he said. [myad]

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