President Buhari Gives Reason Why He Will Not Appoint Ministers Until September

July 20, 2015

President Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that he would appoint his ministers in September because he still needs time to make the right choices..
The president who made this known in an article published in Washington Post to coincide with his meeting with US President, Barrack Obama, justified his action by making reference to his United States counterpart, Barrack Obama who also for several months after taking oath of office, did not have his full Cabinet.

“When cabinet ministers are appointed in September, it will be some months after I took the oath of office. It is worth noting that Obama himself did not have his full Cabinet in place for several months after first taking office; the United States did not cease to function in the interim.

“In Nigeria’s case, it would neither be prudent nor serve the interests of sound government to have made these appointments immediately on my elevation to the presidency; instead, Nigeria must first put new rules of conduct and good governance in place.

President Buhari acknowledged that Nigerians elected him because they needed change, adding that the change cannot be achieved overnight due to the rot in the system, adding: “I was elected on a platform of change. I know this is what the people of Nigeria desire more than anything else. I know they are impatient for action. I realize the world waits to see evidence that my administration will be different from all those that came before. Yet reforming my country after so many years of abuse cannot be achieved overnight.

“In our campaigns against both Boko Haram and corruption, we should remain steadfast and remember, as it is said: “Have patience. All things become difficult before they become easy.” [myad]

President Buhari Came To Power With Reputation Of Integrity – President Obama

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2015

Nigeria President, Muhammadu Buhari and His US Counterpart, Barack Obama Meeting at the White House — Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari and His US Counterpart, Barack Obama Meeting at the White House

President Barak Obama of the United States of America has confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria came into office with a reputation of integrity and a clear agenda and preparedness to bringing peace to Nigeria.
He said also that President Buhari came into power with clear vision of curtailing Boko Haram insurgency and rooting out corruption.
Welcoming the Nigerian leader to the Oval Office of the White House, Washington DC today shortly before the start of the bilateral meeting between officials of both countries Obama said: “on both issues of tackling insurgency and corruption in Nigeria, we look forward to how the United States can partner Nigeria to become an outstanding role model for developing countries.”
The American strong man described Nigeria as one of the most important countries in Africa, even as he commended the peaceful election and transition that brought President Buhari to power.
He also lauded Nigeria’s track record in tackling Ebola and polio, adding that the United States looked forward to engaging Nigeria in improving its electricity challenges.
President Buhari, who is on the second day of the visit to the US, acknowledged the outstanding role the US played for the success of the March/April general elections in Nigeria.
According to President Buhari, the continued pressure on the immediate past administration by the United States and some European countries made the general elections in Nigeria to be free and fair.
He emphasised that without the external pressure, “we would not be where we are today” in Nigeria, recalled that the pressure started from the visit of the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry to the past Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega.
“Nigeria will be ever grateful to President Obama and the United States for making Nigeria consolidate its gains on democracy.”
The President said that he looked forward to a fruitful visit and engagement with his host government, even as he expressed delight that the United States government had indicated interest in partnering and helping the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration to bring to fruition its goals of tackling insecurity, corruption and youth unemployment.
The governors of Edo, Oyo, Imo, Borno and Nasarawa states and other top Nigerian government officials joined Presidents Buhari and Obama in the bilateral talks.
Meanwhile at a breakfast meeting hosted today by American Vice President, Joe Biden, President Buhari compare notes with his guest, especially on the terror war.
America had been beleaguered by terrorists, who launched massive attacks that killed thousands in September 2001, while Nigeria battles the Boko Haram sect causing carnage in the North-eastern part of the country.
At the meeting, which held at the Naval Observatory, official residence of the American Vice President, Biden shared with his guest what the U.S had learnt from the terror war, counseling that victory cannot come from military option alone. Military option must be combined with strong socio-economic support programmes, VP Biden said, promising that the U.S would work with Nigeria in that direction.
VP Biden assured of the goodwill of the United States in rebuilding the Nigerian economy, but observed that corruption and weak institutions must be tackled, if Nigeria was to benefit from reforms. He added that seasoned technocrats must manage key sectors of the Nigerian economy, and only then would investors be attracted to the country.
The American Vice-President congratulated President Buhari on his victory at the March 2015 elections, adding that it was obvious that the President enjoys the confidence of the Nigerian people.
Responding, President Buhari thanked the U.S for standing by Nigeria in the run up to general elections early this year, noting that the visit of the Secretary of State, John Kerry, was critical as it sent home the message that America would not brook the subversion of the people’s will.
On oil theft, the Nigerian President estimated losses at between 10 and 20 billion dollars, stressing that such income could have been deployed with salutary impact on various spheres of national life like education and healthcare, among others.
Both America and Nigeria pledged renewed commitment to work as partners at the very insightful meeting. [myad]

Chief of Army Staff To Fighting Soldiers: Boko Haram Is A War We Must Win Quickly

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2015

The Nigerian Acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai has made it clear to the soldiers on the field fighting Boko Haram insurgents that this is a war that must be won as quickly as possible to restore the country to peace, even as he launched what he called: “Operation Lafiya Dole” which replaces the former “Operation Zaman Lafiya.”

Major General Buratai who was addressing troops of the 103 Battalion in Konduga, headquarters of Konduga Local Government Area of Borno remarked: “It is the wish of the Federal Government to end this terrorism quickly in this part of the country and indeed some other challenges in the South South and other parts of the country. This will make us to have a very peaceful country free from any insecurity.

“Operation Lafiya Dole is derived from the belief that we must end this insecurity. We must restore peace to all parts of the North East and other parts of the country that are affected by insurgency.

“We are going to carry this as a war and I appeal to all and sundry to give this operation maximum cooperation.”

The new code name is derived from Hausa language, which literally translates “Peace by All Means.”

The Army chief said that the objective was to transform the army professionally as well as fast track the war against the Boko Haram terrorists, even as he lamented that the fight against terrorism had lasted for a very long time without much results.

“Consequently as from today July 19, we are here to bury the `Operation Zaman Lafiya’ and give birth to what we will henceforth call Operation Lafiya Dole.

“We will carry the civil population along, we wil also observe the principle of human rights and respect human dignity. We will not trample on anybody’s right.

“As the insurgents have refused to understand and come to the right way we must force them to make sure that peace return to all parts of Nigeria,” Buratai said.

The Army chief also visited the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai at his palace in Maiduguri where he assured the traditional ruler that that “the peace associated with Borno is about to return by the grace of God.

“Borno has of recent been badly affected by the Boko Haram terrorism, I want to assure you that all that is going to be a thing of the past soon.”

Buratai assured the Shehu that the military will introduce renewed vigour in its anti-insurgency approach in the next few weeks.

“By the grace of God you will start seeing some changes in our operations soon,” he said.

Buratai said that the people of Konduga, displaced by the insurgents, would be allowed to return home in the next one week.

“Government is not happy at the level of displaced persons living in camps.

“The people of Konduga will start going back home in the next one week so that they can start rebuilding their homes,” he said.

Buratai promised to deploy additional troops to provide enough security in the area.

He said that his main goal was to build an army that was professionally sound to perform its constitutional role.

“My goal is to have a professional Nigerian Army that can adequately perform its constitutional role in all ramification.

“I intend to pursue this goal of transforming the army into one of the best in the world.” [myad]

Lagos Pastor To Buhari: Beware Of Obama Over Same-Sex marriage

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2015

The Area Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Calvary Parish, Oshodi, Lagos, Pastor Jeff Agambi, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of President Barak Obama’s trick in luring him to accept the concept and practice of same-sex bill on Nigeria in the course of his current official visit to that country.

Agambi who spoke during the church’s free medical outreach in the Oshodi area during the weekend, insisted that same-sex marriages were against biblical doctrine and that Buhari should not bow to pressure and compromise Nigerians’ stance on the matter.

“Men having sexual affection for fellow men are not natural. God did not create man and man, but man and woman. Same-sex marriages are basically against biblical belief. I enjoin the president to hold Nigeria dear in his heart and not bow to the pressure of the world.

“President Buhari should not compromise. He should not look at what he alone stands to gain. He should stand by what the majority of Nigerians want.”

On the medical programme he said: “The directive for this programme is from our General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye. We must impact our society. We believe we must also give back to the society we live in. This is the 16th anniversary of the church, which is also the number of the years that we have been having this programme.”

The doctor at the outreach, Cosmas Odoemena, advised Nigerians to imbibe the culture of regular medical check-ups.

“This programme is also a public health enlightenment. We were supposed to have breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings. Medical check-ups are supposed to be six months, which translates to twice a year,” he added.

The programme, which included HIV test, Blood Pressure test, Sugar Level test, and the distribution of free drugs, had about 100 participants. [myad]

Katsina Emir Rallies Stakeholders Over Rising Illicit Drugs Consumption In The State

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2015

Emir of Katsina, Abdulmumini Usman, has called on the state government and other stakeholders to take immediate measure to curb what he called the rising incidences of illicit and narcotic drug consumption by youths in the state.

The traditional ruler who spoke during Sallah festivities at the weekend while paying homage to the Governor Aminu Masari, said that the state is currently leading others in the North in the area of illicit and narcotic consumption of drugs.

Usman, who described the situation as disturbing, called on parents and other stakeholders to monitor their children and wards even as he noted that recently, about 17 trucks loaded with illicit drugs meant for distribution in the state and beyond, were seized by Customs officials in the state.

He said the drug situation was a disturbing trend that needed urgent intervention by the state government among other stakeholders.

He called on the state government to set up more centres for training of youths in different handcrafts to minimise unemployment.

Responding, Governor Masari said a meeting between state government and management of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, had been held on the issue. [myad]

US Reopens Diplomatic Tie With Cuba, Open Embassies

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2015

The United States of America has formally renewed diplomatic ties with Cuba, as the two nations opened embassies in their respective capitals. This was seen in diplomatic circle as a powerful move toward burying decades of enmity between the Cold War foes.

A foreign policy legacy for President Barack Obama, the historic turnaround between two bitter foes has come about at breakneck pace, in just a matter of months since the two sides agreed to bury the hatchet and work together as equals.

The shift came after Washington acknowledged that its policy of trying to affect change in tightly controlled communist Cuba through isolation and trade restrictions had failed, and that engaging Havana directly was a better way to nudge it towards democracy and prosperity.

For the first time since 1961, the Cuban flag will fly over Havana’s newly upgraded embassy in Washington, just a stone’s throw from the White House.

The standard with a white star inside a red triangle against white and blue stripes will also take its place among a row of flags from around the world adorning the State Department’s imposing marble entrance in the US capital.

In yet another historic gesture, US Secretary of State John Kerry will formally receive his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez for talks Monday, before holding a joint press conference around 1:45 pm (1745 GMT).

Earlier, Rodriguez will preside over a ceremony to mark the upgrading of the Cuban interests section to a full embassy.

The rapprochement was announced on December 17, as Obama and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro agreed to end their countries’ estrangement and put them on track towards a full normalization of ties.

After a series of negotiations in Havana and Washington, the restoration of diplomatic relations has come about just seven months later. [myad]

Oodua Peoples Congress Kicks, Threatens Court Action Against NNPC Over N1.9 Billion Debt

Greenbarge Reporters

July 20, 2015

Founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Fredrick Fasehun has threatened to drag the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to court over what he called, its failure to pay it members the sum of N1.9 billion as debt accruing for the protection of pipelines contract terminated over a month ago.

Although report indicated that NNPC under the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had cancelled the contract but Fasehun said the decision to take legal action against the oil corporation came on the heels of breakdown in communication by NNPC to reach out to the OPC after series of letters sent to it.

According to him, the contract was awarded to the OPC to keep surveillance on the NNPC’s pipeline from Mosimi in Ogun to Oyo State to prevent acts of vandalism.

He however debunked the claim that the contract was awarded to the OPC for political reasons by the immediate past government of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The contract was drafted by the NNPC and both parties signed it. We began on March 16, 2015 and the contract was for three months. I put 4,020 youths on the pipeline and for three months, we did the job with utmost integrity and righteousness. There was no complaint of pipeline vandalism. We were not mobilised but we went ahead to do the job because we felt concerned that the lifeline of the country was being threatened.

“While the contract was on, there was a change in government but I believe government is continuum and any contract signed on behalf of one government should be honoured by its successor.” [myad]

Jonathan’s Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua, In Trouble With Secret Security Organisation

Greenbarge Reporters

July 19, 2015

Jonathan's Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua — Jonathan’s Chief Security Officer, Gordon Obua

The Chief Security Officer (CSO) to immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan for five years, Gordon Obua is been arrested and detained by the State Security Service (SSS).
Reports have it that he was arrested on Thursday in connection with ongoing investigations by the secret police on the alleged movement of large sums of “security money” in the last administration as well as oil theft in the Niger Delta.
It was gathered that he went on hunger strike since Thursday to protest the conditions of his detention, including a lack of access to lawyers and his family members.
He was arrested after honouring an invitation from the agency.
Obua, appointed CSO by Jonathan in 2010, left his position at the end of the former president’s tenure on May 29, although he remains in active service at the security agency.
It was learnt that Obua is being detained at the Abuja headquarters of the SSS, also known as the Department of State Services (DSS).
The specifics of the investigations were not immediately known but an insider said Obua “is not co-operating” and could spend a longer period in detention.
Obua is best remembered for expelling a German radio correspondent from Aso Rock in the dying days of Jonathan’s administration.
The reporter had sought to verify from the visiting Chadian president, Idriss Derby, the truth of claims that South African mercenaries were helping in the fight against Boko Haram.
President Muhammadu Buhari has promised to recover monies believed to have been stolen in the last administration as part of his anti-corruption campaign.
The investigation is being led by the SSS, whose leadership was changed early July with exit of Ita Ekpenyong and the appointment of Lawan Daura as the DG in acting capacity. [myad]

Political Killings In Benue, Emmanuel Yawe

Yawe Emmanuel

July 19, 2015

David Atoza Ihindan was my primary school teacher at Harga, his home village. Trained at a Teachers Training College, TTC, established by Christian Missionaries at Mkar, he was one teacher that made an indelible impact on me at that formative stage. I often told him that he taught me things that no other techer taught me even at Nigeria’s premier university in Ibadan where I later earned a degree. And I meant it.
He was a man of extraordinary intellectual courage and ambition. He went to school late in life and the teachers college he attended never offered French as a subject. Still, in his ambition to study French, he taught himself the language while teaching us in the village primary school where there were no French speakers. Unbelievably, he took the entrance examinations to study French at the Advanced Teachers College (ATC) in Zaria and passed.
After his studies at ATC Zaria, he gained admission into Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), again to study French. By the time he graduated in 1976, he was far above the age of participating in the NYSC scheme so he took a teaching job. With the return of politics in 1978, he joined the NPN and was elected into the Benue State House of Assembly. He and Audu Ogbe were few of the articulate and active members of the house.
We shared political beliefs and were often collaborators in politcal causes. During the Abacha government, we formed the movement for the creation of Katsina Ala State out of some Local Governments in Benue and Taraba – he was the National Chairman while I was National Secretary. Our movement believed that the new state would bring to an end the perennial Tiv/Jukun ethnic wars in Tarba. We were somehow alone in our thinking because the popular thinking amoung the Tiv and Jukun did not share our optimism.
We fought on regardless, appearing before the Mbanefo panel set up by Sani Abacha at it’s sittings in Makurdi and Jalingo. Atoza Ihindan was an excellent debater; few Nigerian politicians are gifted with his oratorical skills. At the Mbanefo sittings in both Makurdi and Jalingo, he made powerful representations that moved everybody, including Mbanefo himself who was visibly shaken. But the creation of additional states in Nigeria, especially the kind of controversial state of our dream called for more than strong arguments and excellent speech delivery which were the only things going for us. We did not have the political clout. When Abacha announced his new states, we were left in the lurch.
In 1999, Nigeria returned to democracy. In 2001, the Jukun/Tiv wars in Taraba that motivated our demand for a Katsina Ala state broke out in full force. This time, the carnage spread from Tarba into Benue, leading to the brutal butcher of some soldiers in Zaki Biam and the even more brutal and unjustified massacre of innocent civilians by the army in a whole senatorial zone of Benue state, erroneously reffered to as the Zaki Biam massacre by the media.
Somehow, Atoza Ihindan believed that this was an opportunity for us to press ahead with our demand. I felt we were doomed to fail again. His interest in the Katsina Ala state project got a boost with the election of Gabriel Suswam as governor of Benue State in 2007. Suswam and Atoza Ihindan come from the Shitile clan of the Tiv tribe, half of whom are trapped in Taraba and have been persistently subjected to ethnic cleansing. He felt Suswam was in a position to find a solution to the problem and sent endless messages to me to revive our movement since as the National Secretary, I had in my custody all the relevant documents of our demand. I balked, watching Suswam.
By December 2009, I drove to his village for a meeting on the way forward. It was a stormy meeting as for the first time in my life, I took a strong stand against my former teacher whom I had all along held in awe. He repeated his demand that we should work with Suswam. I replied that in my short experience with governance, I have been associated with some governors beginning from Adekunle Ajasin of Ondo state, Bamanga Tukur of Gongola, some military governors in Kano and David Jang in Gongola. I told him that I was happy to be associated with these governors because they possessed clarity of thought and their governments had set objectives which were pursued. I told him I had watched Suswam’s government for two years and he was a very elementary man whose reasoning did not go deeper than his pocket. Working with Suswam would not get us anywhere.
But my teacher was too far gone. He went to etxraordinary lenghts in his relationship with Suswam, a relationship I believed was wrong headed and unproductive. In this years election, he staked all to support Suswam who had Barnabas Gemade as a formidable opponent. Atoza Ihindan was married to Dinah – a sister to Gemade. Now parading himself as Suswam’s ‘father’, he mounted the soap box several times to denounce Gemade in very vitrolic terms.
I felt this was wrong and even if every voter in Benue was against Gemade, Atoza Ihindan should have stood by him. We met at public functions but I avoided him because I did not want to talk to him in a way that will be construed as disrespect. But I was hoping to meet him one day and ask him where he placed Dinah and her children who are cousins to Gemade in his vitrolic attacks on the Senator.
This will never be. Atoza Ihindan is the latest political victim of an assassins bullet in Benue State. Many others a being killed in a senseless wave of political killings that his hit Benue. While he was alive, we disagreed politically. Still I believe he and the other victims do not deserve the extra judicial killings. [myad]

We Found Lethal Weapons, 5 Bullet Proof Cars In Dasuki House – State Security

Greenbarge Reporters

July 19, 2015

Nigeria secret security organisation, the State Security Services (SSS) has come out with damning revelation of how the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki stocked his house with five bullet proof cars and various lethal weapons of destruction for the purpose of allegedly committing treason.
At a new briefing to explain why its men and officers last week, stormed the residences of Dasuki, who was appointed NSA by the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, a senior officer in the Service, Tony Opuiyo said that among the items recovered from his house were some incriminating items.
“These include seven (7) high calibre rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.
“The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA? These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.
“The Service would want to state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt. The Service decided to move at this time in line with current Management resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days.”
The text of the news briefing titled: “Preventing Attempts To Commit Treasonable Felony: The Search On The Residences (s) Of Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (Col Rtd), Immediate Past National Security Adviser (NSA),” reads:
“On 16th July, 2015, about 1650 hours, based on credible intelligence linking the immediate past NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd) with alleged plans to commit treasonable felony against the Nigerian State, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) conducted a search on the properties belonging to the former NSA, Mohammed Sambo DASUKI (Col Rtd). The properties are on Nos. 13, John Khadya Street, Nos. 46, Nelson Mandela Street, both at Asokoro, Abuja, and Nos. 3 Sabon Birni Road, Gwiwa Area, Sokoto, Sokoto State.
The search operations was planned to be simultaneously conducted, but DASUKI, refused the operatives entry into his main residence located at No. 13 John Khadya Street, Asokoro, despite being presented with a genuine and duly signed search warrant. Consequently, what was to last not more than two (2) hours, lasted more than ten (10) hours, up till the early hours of 17th July, 2015. Indeed if not for the sense of maturity and professionalism of the officers and men assigned this task and the very good understanding and timely intervention of the new Chief of Army Staff, Tsukur Y. BURATAI (Maj Gen), there would have been a clash between the Army operatives guarding the house and Service operatives, as SAMBO directed the soldiers on duty not to allow any movement into his house, despite the subsisting court order. SAMBO thereafter raised a false alarm to the military authorities to come to his aid as he failed to correctly tell the military that his property was about to be legitimately searched.
Gentlemen, please recall that SAMBO retired from the Army as a Colonel, and therefore not entitled to have military guards, if not for the fact he was NSA. Even as NSA, such guards should have been withdrawn after his removal as NSA since he would not have been entitled.
The search was thoroughly conducted, and several items recovered, among which were some incriminating items. These include seven (7) high caliber rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears.
The team also recovered twelve (12) new vehicles, out of which five (5) were bullet proofs. These vehicles which are all exotic vehicles were retrieved from SAMBO’s residence having failed to produce evidence of ownership. For instance, what could he be doing with five (5) bullet proof cars as a retired NSA?. These cars which from all available evidence were purchased with tax payers money, were being kept for possible sinister enterprise.
The Service would want to state categorically that this search operation is not a witch hunt. The Service decided to move at this time in line with current Management resolve to be proactive and pre-empt individuals with penchant for impunity and lawlessness from putting back the nation to the dark days. The Service is also aware that the lethal arms and the vehicles recovered were not reflected in SAMBO’s handover notes or what could a former NSA be doing with destructive weapons and bullet proof cars which put together could disrupt the peace of any city in Nigeria for a while.
On the search of his three (3) properties, including the Sokoto residence, the Service is aware that in his capacity and given his antecedents, he might decide to use any of his residences for such diabolical plans, rather than his main residence.
Gentlemen of the press, the Service Management would want to assure members of the public that it would not trample on the freedom of individuals or groups as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and emphasized by the current administration’s position on transparency, and probity underlined by justice and equity for all Nigerians. This is the driving force for all DSS operations. However, the Service would not hesitate to go after any person or group of persons, no matter how highly placed once such individual (s) breach or attempt to breach the laws of the Federation. The days for impunity and indecisiveness in the face of unpatriotic acts by individuals operating against the State are over. The Service hereby appeal to all Nigerians to be law abiding and partner with it in ensuring a peaceful and secured nation. In the same vein, those that are bent on breaking the rules governing our peaceful co-existence due to either the huge ill gotten wealth they have acquired or imaginary hold they think they have on our nation’s survival, are being warned to rethink. The DSS will use all constitutional means as defined by its mandate to deal decisively with such unpatriotic individuals.
The Management want to seize this opportunity to appreciate Nigerians for the tremendous acts of goodwill that is being extended to the new dispensation. The Management also wish to assure Nigerians that the gesture and confidence being expressed will be reciprocated with more dedication and service to our dear country Nigeria.
Happy Eid-el-Fitri to you and indeed, all Nigerians.
Thank you.
sgd Tony OPUIYO.” [myad]

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