President Obama To Nigerians: Keep Nigeria One After The Elections

March 23, 2015

President of the United States of America, Barack Obama has asked Nigerians to keep the country united before and after the March/April general elections.

Obama said: “I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done.” Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one.

The US President who gave the advise in his video message to Nigerians ahead of this Saturday’s Presidential election further asked Nigerians to reject “those who call for violence.

“I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence. And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.

Obama said that successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges it faced today which include Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped.

“Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families. Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes. Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build.

“By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress. Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve made. Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions.

“You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength. You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.

“Now you have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections. For elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful.

“All Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.

The US President called on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted.

He gave assurance that Nigeria’s quest to advance the frontiers of security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, would continue to have the support and “a friend and partner in the United States of America.”

[myad]

Don’t Vote For Jonathan After His Wife Had Insulted You, Mrs. Buhari Urges Northerners

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

General Muhammadu Buhari's Wife, Ayishatu Buhari — General Muhammadu Buhari’s Wife, Ayishatu Buhari

The wife of the All Progressives Congress (apc) Presidential Candidate, Aisha Buhari, has asked women and men in the Northern part of the country not to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan whose wife, Dame Patience had earlier insulted them in the open.

Dame Patience Jonathan had allegedly described the region as an enclave of beggars and unwanted children which Hajiya Aisha condemned and asked people of goodwill to condemn it too.

Aisha insisted that for Dame Patience Jonathan to describe the Northerners as a bunch of Almajiri that give birth to children indiscriminately, she had shown that Jonathan regime has a hidden agenda.

She added that the people of the North should, therefore, reject the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate even as she promised Kano women that her husband and the APC will be faithful to their electoral promises, and also will initiate programmes that will make women self-reliant.

“With General Buhari in power, the spate of kidnapping and reckless assassination of innocent people will be history in Nigeria. With General Buhari in power, the nation’s depressing economy will be rebounded in line with the expectation of the citizens and world best practices.”

Hajiya Aisha said she was in Kano to canvass the support of women knowing their role as important pillars in winning election the world over, saying it would be a disaster for any politician to ignore the vital role of women.

She stressed the need for women to exhibit courage and fighting spirit, just as she urged them to make themselves available as foot soldiers during the election.

Hajiya Aisha Buhari called for more freedom for women in the North so that they would be able to engage themselves in productive enterprises like their counterparts in the Southern part of the country.

She commended the Kano State Government under the leadership of Rabiu Kwankwaso for its giant developmental strides, particularly in improving access to education.

She said that governor Kwankwaso’s administration took children out of streets to schools.

[myad]

We Support Jonathan Because He Gave Us Contract, OPC Leader, Gani Adams Says

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

National Coordinator of a Yoruba group, Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), Gani Adams has said that the Congress is supporting President Goodluck Jonathan because he approved a contract for its members to protect pipelines across the South-West.

Adams said the contract would provide at least 5,000 jobs for his boys and 10,000 jobs for other youths in the South-West.

Reacting to the allegation by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Jonathan bribed ethnic militias with N9bn to scuttle the elections, Adams, who led thousands of youths to protest against the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, in Lagos last Monday, said supporting Jonathan is in the interest of the Yoruba nation.

He said the APC should be commending Jonathan for approving contracts for the OPC because only the Niger-Delta militants were benefitting from the oil money before now. Adding: “the allegation is that the Federal Government gave us a contract: Pipeline security. What is the security of pipeline to the OPC? We have been running this organisation without getting a dime from any government but most of the security agencies saddled with the responsibility of protecting the pipelines have failed; people were dying every day.

“Nigeria was losing more than N3bn everyday to the activities of the vandals and the agitation of that contract started from Dr. Fredrick Fasehun one and a half years ago and you know the bureaucracy of Nigerian ministries. It was a long process and it was just granted and it will empower nothing less than 5,000 youths from my side.

“Altogether, that is about 15,000 jobs for Yoruba land. Will you deny Yoruba youths the opportunity of getting 15,000 jobs because of politics?”

Adams said the APC was only being hypocritical because most of its leaders had oil licences. He said the major reason they were against Jonathan was because their licences were due to expire in September and they feared he would not renew the contracts.

[myad]

Cardinal Onaiyekan Wants Change In Nigeria, Says People Are Hungry

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan has said that things must change for the better in Nigeria after the March/April general elections in the country.

Cardinal Onaiyekan who was the former President of the Nigerian Christians’ umbrella body, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said in Abuja today: “there has to be change” in the country’s direction.

“I do not care who wins, but whoever wins, there has to be change, because people are not happy with what is happening; people are hungry, people are suffering.”

Cardinal Onaiyekan asked Nigerians to pray for peaceful elections.

Jonathan’s Trumpeting Of Perfidy! By Rotimi Fashakin

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

Ex American Envoy, Richard Grenell has said electing Buhari as President of Nigeria will be a disaster for Africa because of Buhari’s sharia credentials according to him.
The PDP press has been agog with this news since it came out on March 19.
In their desperation to discredit Buhari, Jonathan and PDP will go to any depth to use even the lowliest of persons to attempt to achieve their objective.
Who is Richard Grenell? According to Wikipedia, Richard Grenell (born September 18, 1966) is an American media commentator and former diplomat. He is the longest serving U.S. Spokesman at the United Nations and briefly served as national security spokesman for Mitt Romney in his 2012 campaign for president of the United States. HE BECAME THE FIRST OPENLY GAY SPOKESMAN FOR A REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE, after being hired by Mitt Romney. He resigned after pressure from social conservatives and gay liberals alike.
The PDP that has accused Buhari of going abroad to say he will repeal the anti-gay law has now hired a gay consultant to attack Buhari. So Jonathan has set another record, HE IS THE FIRST NIGERIAN PRESIDENT TO HIRE A GAY CONSULTANT to promote his campaign. What a callously hypocritical leader!
Richard Grenell lives in California with his partner of nine years, Matthew Lashey, a media and entertainment company executive. This gay man “married” to another man is the PDP consultant telling Nigerians not to vote Buhari because he is pro-sharia. It is a nauseous impudence that the utterly irresponsible Jonathan regime is forcing on Nigerians
Besides, was it not these unconscionable Republicans that manufactured intelligence and falsely asserted that Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)? Was it not the basis of the war on Iraq that unseated Saddam Hussein? Is the unseating of Saddam Hussein not the cause of the massive disequilibrium of Iraq and the Middle East that is now disrupting world peace? Is this not what has brought about the rise of the murderous ISIL?
That a ruling party bought judicious media space for trumpeting the views of an amoral, and foreign interest is an attestation of the unworthiness of Jonathan for the votes of Nigerian people. For today alone, this profligate President spent about N250million in propagating this hogwash.
Having hired a gay man, we await the lesbian adviser of President Jonathan! For all we care they can hire Lucifer to threaten fire and brimstone against Nigerians. We will still vote Buhari. PDP and Jonathan have lost this battle.
Sai Buhari/Osinbajo.

Rotimi Fashakin.

[myad]

Court Orders Nigerian Government Not Use Soldiers In Election Monitoring

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Nigerian Federal Government not to use members of the Armed Forces for election monitoring in the Saturday Presidential election and that of April 11.

The court which relied on a recent Court of Appeal ruling that barred the use of soldiers in the conduct of elections said that soldiers have no role in the conduct of elections in the country.

The court said that the use of in election monitoring is a violation of Section 217(2)(c) of the Constitution and Section 1 of the Armed Forces Act.

The appellate court had also relied on a judgment by a Federal High Court in Sokoto last January also barring the use of armed forces in the conduct of elections.

The latest ruling says the Nigerian government should not deploy soldiers at polling units, a plan that had generated controversy between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

[myad]

Why We Are Concerned About Saturday’s Election In Nigeria – ECOWAS Chairman

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

The Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), John Draman Mahama has said that the Saturday’s Presidential election in Nigeria means more to members of the regional body and other parts of the world than what Nigerians expected.
Mahama who is also the President of Ghana, in a speech at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja said: “as you know, Nigeria is a very important member of ECOWAS. The largest economy; the largest nation in the ECOWAS region and so Nigeria’s safety and security is the safety of and security of the whole of ECOWAS region. So, I stand on behalf of all the Presidents of ECOWAS and wish that all Nigerians will come out and express their votes and their votes would count towards electing who becomes the next leader of this country.”
Mahama said that he was in Nigeria in hid capacity as the Chairman of ECOWAS on election visit, saying “as you are aware, our sub- region this year, has five countries that are going through elections and ECOWAS has been involved in ensuring that this elections are held in peaceful and transparent environment.
“And so, ECOWAS has undertaken in all these countries that are facing elections, long term electoral observer missions. These missions have been monitoring the electoral process in the lead up to the elections not just before the elections, but from a longer period. “We have received several monitoring reports and we are working together with the electoral commissions of the countries and the authorities of those countries
“We have tried to ensure that obstacles to free and fair elections are removed to ensure that election are free and fair. People would accept the results of those elections. As chairman of the authorities of Heads of State of ECOWAS, I have extended my solidarity to the Nigerian people through my brother President Jonathan, to see that the whole of ECOWAS, not only ECOWAS, but the international community is in solidarity with Nigeria to have a very transparent election so that the democratic process in Nigeria will be better entrenched.”
The Ghaninan President said that ECOWAS would continue to monitor the situation and would do everything possible to stand in solidarity with Nigerian people to ensure that this election pass on successfully and Nigerian continue in the role that it plays in the sub -regional bodies.

[myad]

Uduaghan Gives Out N500 Million Scholarship To First Class Graduates, Stresses Importance Of Proper Upbringing Of Children

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has given out the sum of N500 Million to 100 first class graduates of universities in various discipline for the year 2013, under the First Class Graduate Scholarship Scheme. This was even as governor Uduaghan challenged parents to ensure proper upbringing of their children.
He emphasised that parents owe it as a duty to ensure that their children and wards are properly brought up in order to achieve a better family unit and better organized society.
Speaking at the presentation of the scholarship awards in Asaba, the governor said that it is impossible for a cultist to bag a first class degree in the university.
“Please let us build a better society by properly bringing up our children at the family level; generally, a child who is properly brought up is an asset to the society. No matter the position we attained, personal attention to our children is very important and what we call insecurity starts from the home.”
According to him, the principle behind the scholarship scheme is that the IQ of the child who makes first class is very high and the society should not put an impediment to the child who have such IQ to proceed to have a doctoral degree, adding that this is the driving force behind the introduction of the scholarship scheme.
“You have to be hard working; you have to be disciplined to be able to make a first class degree and to qualify for the scholarship as you know there is no cult member who makes first class because they do not have time to study.
“Before today, we have given our scholarship to one hundred and thirty three graduates and today, we are giving scholarship to one hundred persons, and since each student is entitled to five million naira, we are giving out five hundred million naira today.”
He appealed to the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the State and urged parents to always allow their children to choose what to study stressing.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Miss Oke Diateke lauded government Uduaghan for sponsoring the programme, saying that it has challenged Deltans in the universities to strive for excellence, and first class degrees in particular.

[myad]

First Prime Minister Of Singapore Dies, Jonathan Grieves

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

Singapore’s first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, one of the towering figures of post-colonial Asian politics, died today even as President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria expressed shock ovdr the death.

Lee’s son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said in a statement that he was “deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore.”

“Mr. Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18 am,” the statement said. He was 91.

The elder Lee, who dominated Singapore politics for more than half a century, had been in hospital since February 5 with severe pneumonia.

Two years before he died, he disclosed that he had signed a medical directive instructing doctors not to use any life-sustaining treatment if he could not be resuscitated.

Lee was prime minister from 1959, when colonial ruler Britain granted Singapore self-rule, to 1990. He led Singapore to independence in 1965 after a brief and stormy union with Malaysia.

The widely revered patriarch’s death is likely to cast a pall over preparations for the city-state’s 50th anniversary of independence on August 9.

Prime Minister Lee also announced his father’s death on his Facebook page and was immediately flooded with messages of condolence.

On Lee’s watch, Singapore became a sea trade, air transport and financial hub as well as a high-tech industrial centre, prospering despite its compact size and lack of basic natural resources.

“I have to say his success is in taking advantage of Singapore’s natural assets, by which I particularly mean using its geography at the end of the Malay peninsula and on the end of the Malacca Strait,” said Michael Barr, an associate professor of international relations at Flinders University in Australia who wrote a book on Lee’s career.

On the diplomatic front, Lee’s counsel was often sought by Western leaders, particularly on China – which Lee identified early as a driver of world economic growth – as well as more volatile neighbours in Southeast Asia.

“It cannot be denied that Lee Kuan Yew gave Singapore an international profile completely disproportionate to the country’s size,” said Singapore-based political analyst Derek da Cunha.

“It could be argued that Singapore would probably have been an international irrelevancy if not for Lee Kuan Yew.”

Lee stepped down in 1990 in favour of his deputy Goh Chok Tong, who in turn handed the reins to the former leader’s eldest child Lee Hsien Loong in 2004.

The People’s Action Party (PAP), which was co-founded by the elder Lee, has won every election since 1959 and currently holds 80 of the 87 seats in parliament.

Lee retired from advisory roles in government in 2011 after the PAP suffered its worst poll result since it came to power, getting only 60 percent of votes cast amid public anger over a large influx of immigrants, the rising cost of living, urban congestion and insufficient supply of public housing.

He rapidly began to look feeble after his wife of 63 years, Kwa Geok Choo, died in 2010, and has rarely appeared in public in the last two years.

In his last book ‘One Man’s View of the World’, published in 2013, Lee looked back at his remarkable career and concluded: “I am not given to making sense out of life – or coming up with some grand narrative on it – other than to measure it by what you think you want to do in life.

“As for me, I have done what I had wanted to, to the best of my ability. I am satisfied.”

In a condolence message President Jonathan commiserated with the government of Singapore on the death of Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, assuring Prime Minister Lee Hsein Loong and the people of Singapore that Nigeria stands in full solidarity with them as they mourn his legendary father who transformed Singapore from a small port city into a highly developed and prosperous centre of global enterprise.

“The President and people of Nigeria, for whom the globally acclaimed achievements of Singapore under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew have been a great source of inspiration over the years, join his compatriots and many admirers across the developing world in paying very well deserved tribute to the late Prime Minister who moved his country “from the third world to the first world” with immense wisdom, courage, resilience and perseverance.

“In doing so, the late Lee Kuan Yew set a magnificent and enduring example for present and future world leaders to follow and President Jonathan believes that the iconic leader’s accomplishments in the service of his nation will continue to inspire positive development across the world for many years to come.

“As they mourn the beloved architect of their nation’s rapid development and prosperity, the President urges the people of Singapore to take solace in the knowledge that Lee Kuan Yew will be remembered and honoured forever as a celebrated global citizen whose leadership style, writings, speeches and glorious example will eternally motivate leaders in government and private enterprise.”

The President prayed to God to grant Lee Kuan Yew’s soul eternal rest and comfort his family, people of Singapore and admirers in other countries of the world. [myad]

2015: Ikwerre Youth Leader Says The Battle For Rivers State Is Between Christianity And Occultism

Greenbarge Reporters

March 23, 2015

President-General of the Ikwerre Youth Movement and member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Azubuike Wanjoku, has described the political battle in Rivers State as a clash between Christianity and occultism.

Wanjoku said this at praise, prayer and worship conference organised by Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM) and Ikwerre Women Forum (IWF) in honour of all the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside. The ceremony which held at IYM International Secretariat, Alimini, Isiokpo brought together, Ikwerre sons and daughters, including Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and friends of Ikwerre like Dr. Peterside.

Wanjoku who decried the intimidation and senseless killing of APC members in the state, said they are praising and worshipping God because He has promised freedom for APC.

“We are here because God is on our side. We will not vote for a man without religion. And we must inform the world that the battle in Rivers State is between Christianity and occult but we shall be vindicated because we are children of God.

“Many of you know that Nyesom Wike is my in-law but he is not fit to be a governor. He formed Grassroots Development Initiave, GDI which means Go and Destroy Ikwerre. We are praying here today because PDP has increased killings in Rivers State and we are asking God to liberate us from this power of darkness. And in Jesus name, we will overcome.

“In this battle, Peterside is on the side of God while Wike is on the side of the devil. Surely, God will win”.

Wanjoku described Wike as a traitor who has chosen to bring death and destruction to his own people instead of development and progress. He called on Ikwerre people to reject PDP and their candidates because like Wike, they represent darkness and death. He added that Christians cannot afford to mortgage their freedom of worship and association for anything, warning that everybody must be vigilant and vote for APC which is freedom.

The prayer session also featured goodwill messages and praises from Dame Judith Amaechi, wife of the governor; Hon. Vicky Nyeche, President, IWF; Chief Tony Okocha, Secretary-General, IYM and others. The speakers who described APC’s candidates as forthright and visionary, called on the Ikwerre and people of Rivers State to turn out en mass and vote massively for the APC on March 28 and April 11.

Responding on behalf of all the candidates, Peterside commended Ikwerre youths, men, women and professionals for supporting APC even in a season of persecution.

“I want to thank Ikwerre people for their exceptional love for us. Standing up for truth, I must say, is not always easy but we know the Ikwerre are courageous. You have once again confirmed my earlier endorsement by the Supreme Council of Ikwerre Traditional Rulers in Isiokpo.

“Again, let me use this medium to thank Ikwerre traditional rulers, Ogbako Ikwerre, Council of Ikwerre Professionals and Ikwerre in Diaspora. We will bring development and empowerment here. I will not disappoint you, I promise”.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dakuku Peterside has called on Nigerian students to take their destiny in their hands by demanding for capable and purposeful leadership.

Peterside made the plea at Onne, Eleme Local Government Area when members of National Association of Eleme Students paid him a solidarity visit during Ward 7 mega rally at State School.

APC candidate told the students that it is in their interest to demand answers from any incompetent, corrupt or visionless leadership, adding that failure to do so amounts to either complacency or conspiracy. He described the political struggle in Rivers State as essentially a battle for the youth and their future. He therefore called on them to vote for APC so as to secure that future.

“Let me remind you that you are the future of Eleme. The entire struggle we are engaged in today is because of you, so that you can get employment opportunities and live well after graduation. We also want you to have proper identity as an Eleme person so that you will walk with pride in Nigeria and in Rivers State. You are old enough to challenge oppression in your land, you are not too young to defend your fatherland. I want to see a renaissance and a new vision in Eleme.

Peterside thanked the students and his supporters in Ward 7 for the warm reception and their door-to-door campaign which is already yielding huge dividend in the area. He also commended party leaders for persevering even in the face of persecution. Goodwill messages also came from supporters, candidates and leaders like Oji Ngofa who spoke on the successes of the party so far.

Responding, Peterside expressed delight over APC’s popularity in every nook and cranny of Eleme.

“I must say that this rally can pass for a local government rally in the other party. Who again will vote for them? Eleme people, you will be appropriately rewarded. People can take everything from you but don’t allow them take your identity. If you allow them, your children will never forgive you.”

He pledged to work very hard to bring Onne to where it should be as a strategic town in Rivers State but pleaded with the people to use the coming election to liberate themselves. He said APC remains the only medium of that liberation, insisting that he is convinced God wants to use General Muhammadu Buhari to liberate Eleme and Nigeria. [myad]

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