The 219 Chibok Girls Are Still Alive In Captives, Parents, Ezekwesili Insist

April 9, 2015

Chairman of the Chibok Community in Abuja, Mr. Hosea Abana and the Coordinator, BringBackOurGirls group, Oby Ezekwesili, have expressed optimism and strong conviction that the 219 female students of Chibok Secondary School who were abducted from their school by Boko Haram on April 14, last year are still alive, contrary to speculations that they might have been killed during military raid of the Zambisa forest.

The duo who spoke in separate interviews with journalists today when the BBOG group staged a walk round major streets of Abuja being their second day of global activities in commemoration of Chibok girls said: “as parents, we believe that our children are still alive and well. Zambisa forest is a large expanse of land that even extended as far as Bauchi so I don’t believe that the military has combed everywhere. Our daughters are still being held by their captives.”

Also, Ezekwesili said her group would never give up hope on the safe return of the girls even as she insisted that they had not been killed by the solders inside the forest.

“Our Chibok girls are somewhere on the surface of the Earth and for as long as we are a country, we have the military, we have the intelligence, we have collaboration, we have cooperation with other nations of the world, we must find our Chibok girls.

“How can our country move on without 219 citizens that can still be rescued. It just doesn’t make sense. No society grows by abandoning the citizens.

“We are not going to speculate. We refuse to speculate as to whether they are alive or dead. People want to think about the possibility of them being dead. We know we must bring back our Chibok girls, their parents are waiting, they have not lost hope. They are holding on to even a slimmer of hope that their girls would be rescued.”

“It would be exactly one year that the girls were taken. We started our countdown to the April 14 yesterday (Wednesday ) and today (Thursday ) we are working across the city to remind the people that 360 days and counting, the girls have not been rescued.

“We believe that these girls can be rescued, we believe that even beforeMay 29, our Chibok girls can be rescued.

“So during this week of global action, we have cities all over the world reminding everyone that the girls we began to call for 360 days ago, are still not back with their parents.”

She explained that tying the ribbon in strategic places across the city was a reminder to everyone that the Chibok girls were still not around.

“People want to move on but we can’t afford to move on. We must find our Chibok girls and bring them back home,” she added.

[myad]

9ice, The Musician, Gets Political Job In Ajimobi’s Government In Oyo

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

A prominent Nigerian musician, Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, has gotten a plum political appointment as Special Adviser to the governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi, who is seeking a re-election on Saturday.

The Gongo Aso crooner joined All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested for the ticket of the party for the Ogbomosho Federal Constituency but was defeated at the primary.

His appointment was announced on Twitter, although, his primary assignment to the governor is unknown as at now.

[myad]

As Table Turned: PDP Now Complains Of Nigeria Becoming A One-Party State

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

With All Progressives Congress (APC) taking the centre stage in the changing political arrangement and mass defection from the once largest party in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party is now complaining that Nigeria may become a one party state.

It’s National Auditor, Alhaji Adewole Adeyanju, who said this in a statement today in Abuja, made it clear that APC would be held responsible in Nigeria turns to a one party state, adding that a one party state is dangerous for the nation’s nascent democracy.

Adeyanju said that rather than dumping PDP for the APC because of its brilliant performance in the last elections, “members should go back to the drawing board, put on their thinking caps and plan ahead of future elections. That is what is expected of a good politician, who really wants to serve his or her community.

“Our nascent democracy needs strong opposition, which will spur any ruling party to work hard for good governance. Rushing to the APC by PDP members, especially the so-called bigwigs, is not the answer to the current predicament of the PDP and it is dangerous to our nascent democracy. Rather we should come together to review our poor outing and look for a way forward.”

He expressed optimism that if PDP leaders could come together and put their acts together in a proper perspective once again, the party would surely bounced back having being in power for almost 16 years and based on its achievements.

[myad]

Despite His Bragging, Fayose Gets Closer To Impeachment

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

File photo: Ekiti state Governor, Ayodele Fayose standing at the court premises in Ekiti state

In spite of his initial bragging and show of bravado, the Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose inched towards impeachment as the 19-member All Progressives Congress (APC) state House of Assembly members moved one step forward today with a resolution directing the Chief Judge to set up an impeachment panel to look into the allegations of gross misconduct against the governor.

The resolution was signed by the speaker, Wale Omirin and two other members of the “G19”, the 19 majority members of the APC who want the two-time governor removed from office.

The House membership was saide to have met at an undisclosed location in Ado-Ekiti to discuss the way forward following the notice of impeachment they served against Fayose on March 3rd 2015.

Appearing on a live radio and television show on Tuesday, Governor Fayose bragged: “I’m like Israel that is in the midst of enemies but will always prevail. Whoever wants to remove me will first have to impeach God.”

In October 2006, Fayose and his first term deputy, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi, were impeached on corruption charges. If impeached in the ongoing drama, he would become the first man in Nigerian history to be impeached twice from the same elected position.

[myad]

Ahead Of Buhari’s Regime: Petroleum Minister, Diezani, May Have Gone On Self-Exile In London

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

Nigeria's Minister of Petroleum Diezani Allison-Madueke speaks at a media briefing on a new gas price regime in the capital of Abuja

As General Buhari, Nigeria’s President-elect under the umbrella of All Progressives Congress (APC) awaits his inauguration next month, the nation’s minister of petroleum resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Maduekwe may have gone on self-exile in London under the pretext of seeking for medical attention.

Information reaching us shows that other ministers who might have soiled their hands in corruption in the current regime are also thinking of taken off, out of Nigeria before the May 29 handing over.

It is on record that General Buhari has declared that the fight against corruption will be a major drive of his in-coming administration.

It was gathered that Mrs. Diezani Alison Madueke, believed to be one of the ministers that had been fingered in many corrupt allegation, especially within the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) left the country through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday aboard a British Airways flight.

A source said: “Madam (Diezani) had to take off far ahead of the inauguration of the government of General Buhari because she is scared he may turn his searchlight on the oil sector.”

The minister who is believed to be in the habit of travelling around in private jets had to travel this time, in the first class cabin of the British Airways flight.
When contacted to confirm the Minister’s whereabouts, one of her aides who pleaded anonymity confirmed that the minister left the country on Monday morning but said that she went to take care of her health because she has been down medically and she needs proper medical attention.
Asked when the Minister will be back in the country, the aide said: “no one can say when she will be back. That depends on her health and the advice of her doctors. She may come before May 29. She may decide to stay back with her children over there till anytime to take care of herself.”
It was however learnt that the once powerful woman feigned sickness and actually pretended to be seriously sick while going through immigration at the airport departure lounge over fears that she might be stopped from fleeing the country.
It would be recalled that Mrs. Diezani had been variously linked to the $20 billion which former CBN governor and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has continued to insist was diverted from the federation account of her cronies in NNPC.
Apart from this, a group of whistleblowers against corruption has accused Diezani Alison-Madueke, of squandering millions of dollars of public funds to rent private jets for the conduct of her official activities.

In a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the group, known as Crusader for Good Governance, demanded that Mrs. Allison-Madueke be investigated for her habit of spending extravagant sums to rent private jets for her official hops.
In 2010, President Jonathan appointed Mrs. Alison-Madueke to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the nerve center of the Nigerian economy and traditionally the vortex of corruption in a country that is widely regarded as one of the most corrupt in the world.
Since being appointed minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Alison-Madueke has become one of the most powerful Nigerian government officials. Several reports have linked her to sleazy oil deals and a penchant for wastage of public funds.
She has spent some N2 billion on private jet rentals, according to the petition submitted to the EFCC by Enugu-based “Crusader For Good Governance.” The petition was signed by Okechukwu Obiora Nnamdi, the group’s leader.
The group accused Mrs. Alison-Maduekwe of spending $300,000 on an average international trip outside of Nigeria. She reportedly spends as much as $500,000 on trips to such destinations as China, Malaysia and several North American countries, according to the petition. The petitioners listed some of the minister’s most lavish trips.
During Easter break, she flew a private jet to Dubai with members of her family at the cost of $300,000.
During President Jonathan’s visit to South Africa, she flew in a private jet that cost Nigeria $300,000.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), a government agency she oversees, maintains a Challenger 850 Visa jet which serves the minister’s needs as well as those of her family. The cost of running the jet is $500,000 per month.
In addition, the petitioners alleged that, in the last two years, the Petroleum minister has never attended any meeting outside Nigeria in a commercial jet or in any of the jets maintained by the Nigerian Presidency. They stated that she had wasted more than N2 billion on the maintenance of aircraft in the last two years. They accused her of being the only minister who consistently uses private jets to arrive at destinations when the Nigerian president travels abroad.
The petition also carpets Mrs. Allison-Madueke for often doing official jobs out of her house, which means that she is frequently absent from her official desk at the ministry.
As alleged in the petition to the EFCC, Mrs. Alison-Madueke also frequently uses the services of Vista Jet, a Swiss luxury aviation company that provides jets to wealthy businessmen around the world. Vista Jet has done deals with such Nigerians as Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Nduka Obaigbena, the flamboyant publisher of Thisday newspaper.
Curiously, Vista Jet has a Nigerian businessman, Kola Aluko, on its board. Mr. Aluko, who once acted as Vista Jet’s West African representative, is known to be close to Ms. Alison-Madueke. “(Kola) Aluko and Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke are neck deep in the oil business,” said a source at the NNPC.
“She helped him (Mr. Aluko) to land a choice allocation of pricey oil blocks through a company called Seven Energy,” added the source.
In a petition sent to the Nigerian Senate by the Delta Producing Communities, Mrs. Alison-Madueke is accused of transferring the ownership of four oil mining licenses (OML), 30, 34, 26 and 42, to Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept which belongs to Mr. Omokore.
The US-educated minister was long known for her interest in wealth and social climbing. During Nigeria’s last years of military dictatorship, she was linked to several military officers, including one-time Foreign Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd.) and Rear Admiral Allison Amaechina Madueke (rtd.), her current husband who was once Nigeria’s chief of naval staff.

[myad]

Italy Promises To Help Buhari Cleanse Nigeria Of Boko Haram

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

The Italian President, Sergio Mattarella, has sent a message of goodwill to the Nigeria’s
President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari with a promise to deploy the country’s historical success in fighting terrorism to help wipe off Boko Haram and other terrorists from the surface of Nigeria.
In a congratulatory message he sent through Ambassador to Nigerian, Fulvio Rustico, the Italian President emphasised that having successfully managed the country’s internal terror in the 1970s and 1980s, it would not find it difficult to similarly manage Nigeria’s domestic terrorism.
The Italian President congratulated General Buhari on his victory and commended Nigerians for the peaceful conduct of the elections.
This was even as General Buhari commended Italy and other members of the European Union (EU) for standing by Nigeria in the challenging period before and during the ongoing elections.
Buhari noted that the European Union (EU) nations and the United States of America played key roles in the stabilization of Nigeria in this critically important and challenging period.
The President-elect promised to pay attention to areas that will enhance the existing bilateral relations between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian community in Oman has welcomed General Buhari’s victory in the presidential election, describing the outcome of the election as one that has brought happiness to everyone in their community.
In a congratulatory letter to the President-elect by, Dr. Ben Nnamdi Emenyeonu, Chairman of the Community, the Nigerians in Oman said, “the overwhelming mandate you received through the ballots speaks volumes about the magnitude of the trust Nigerians reposed in you, and we believe your leadership will mark the beginning of an era in which safety, sanity and probity will make a return to governance and the general way of life in our dear nation.”

[myad]

Buhari Sympathises With Jonathan Over The Death Of Oronto Douglas

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari has sent a sympathy message to President Goodluck Jonathan over the death of his Special Adviser on Strategy and Documentation as well as personal friend, Mr. Oronto Douglas.
In a condolence message to the President and made available to the media by Garba Shehu, the Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign in Abuja, General Buhari said: “I received the news of the death of your long-standing and key Aide, Oronto Douglas with sadness.
“I appreciate how close he had worked with you and considers him (Oronto), a young and dynamic individual who still has a lot to offer our country as we build on our democracy.
“I urge you, Mr. President, to take heart and to convey my condolences to his immediate family as we pray for the repose of his humble soul.”
Meanwhile, President Jonathan personally visited the Abuja residence of late Oronto Douglas today to commiserate with his immediate family.
During the visit, described the death of his long-standing aide as quite a sad.
He narrated that he and Douglas are from the same local government in Bayelsa state and that he knew him first when he was doing his Ph. D research work at the time Oronto was environmental activist.
“I was doing some aspects of the ecology of the Niger Delta and my supervisor then was one Canadian, Professor Powell who introduced me to him and we met in his house.
“But when I came into politics as a Deputy Governor, he was the commissioner for information then and we were very close. He came with me as my adviser as vice president ‎on research, documentation and strategy, a post he held until this morning.
“He was a very dedicated young man: very committed. I was here last Saturday even though he knew, because the doctors told him in America that he was going to die in three weeks but he was still very passionate about his work. I have never seen such a person with such a strong will. “Oronto was a good man. He left us too early but God knows the best. I only pray that God should provide for the family and pray that his soul should rest in peace.”
Also Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo who accompanied the President to his residence said today is a very sad day for the government, adding: “we have lost a very good friend, a brother and a patriotic Nigerian.
“He is a person of integrity, a patriot and we pray to Almighty God that his soul shall rest in perfect peace. We pray that the family he left behind will have the fortitude to bear this great loss. “Nigeria has lost a very good man, a person that has contributed positively to the development of this country.”
Some of the early callers at Douglas’ house were former Bayelsa State governor, Dipreye Alamieyesigha‎, who described him as someone who never slacked in any assignments he was given.
“We have been praying and trusting God for miracle. There are a lot of things we did behind the scenes together to strengthen this government, he never slacked on any assignment given him. When he served as Commissioner for Information during my government, he was always meticulous and turned in his assignments on time.”
‎The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, said Douglas was a great thinker, adding: “he was a great man whom we will miss. He was very celebral and respected in the entire international community. He was a great thinker a environmental rights activist‎.
Others who were at his residence were the Managing Director News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ima Niboro, and prolific writer, Ike Okonta: Senator Nenadi Usman, Executive Secretary National Christian Pilgrims Board, Kennedy Opara‎.
His younger brother, Otonye Douglas, said the family will meet in Bayelsa as tradition demands to draw up the burial programmes.
In a statement, the Douglas family of Okoroba, Nembe Local Government of Bayelsa State, said he is survived by a wife, two sons, family and friends.

[myad]

Impeachment: APC Laughs At Fayose For Resorting To Judiciary He Once Assaulted

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has mocked the embattled state governor, Ayo Fayose for approaching the court which he once desecrated by leading thugs to beat up judges and tear court records in the Chief Judge’s office to now protect him against the impeachment damocle that hangs on his head.
The party who reacted to the ruling of the Federal High Court rejecting his request to stop the House of Assembly from going ahead with the impeachment proceedings against him, expressed surprise that the governor could approach a Federal High Court in Abuja for protection over a matter that happened in Ekiti after lampooning APC for approaching same court in Jos Division while seeking protection from the governor’s harassment and attacks.
It added that the governor contradicted himself by challenging the legality of his impeachment proceedings when he had earlier claimed that he was not aware of any impeachment move by the lawmakers.
A statement by the APC state Publicity Secretary , Taiwo Olatubosun said the governor is confused on how to handle his cases in court, having desecrated Ekiti State judiciary and instigating the state judiciary workers to refuse resumption of duties.
‎
“Fayose didn’t allow Ekiti courts to function and he declared the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Olajide Awe, wanted over a phantom murder charge, Chief Awe obtained an injunction against arrest from a Federal High Court in Jos, which the governor referred to as a ‘black market injunction’. He has now run to Abuja to get an injunction to restrain the 19 lawmakers from impeaching him but the court in its wisdom has turned this request down,” the APC spokesman noted.
He expressed delight at the court ruling, saying the gesture was a warning to the governor and his ilk that the rule of law had come to stay in Nigeria.
“Bye bye to impunity and flagrant trampling on the nation’s constitution. The governor should get set for his impeachment and we advise him to assemble his legal representatives. The Assembly is prepared to give him a fair hearing in the matter and he should be assured that he has nothing to fear.
“Mr. Fayose must respond to the impeachment notice from the House of Assembly and stop looking for an easy way out,” the Olatubosun added, stressing that the emergence of General Buhari as the President-elect marked the end of impunity in the country.

[myad]

Oronto Was My Loyal Servant From Day One, President Jonathan Mourns

Greenbarge Reporters

April 9, 2015

The death, early today, of Mr. Oronto Douglass has certainly unsettled President Goodluck Jonathan who as a loyal and dutiful aide during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State and as Vice President, Acting President and finally President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Oronto Douglass died today at the age of 49, after battling with cancer for a long time while still serving as Special Adviser to the President on Research, Documentation and Strategy.
The President described his deceased aide who served him for close to a decade as “one of the most distinguished who served his country, state and the Niger Delta region, passionately and diligently, during his very impactful years on earth.”
He said, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, that he will continue to remember Oronto for his passion for work, excellence, inspiring creativity and outstanding commitment to his duties, believing that Oronto will remain a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian who seeks a life of service and achievement.
President Jonathan prayed to God to grant Oronto’s soul eternal rest, and the Douglas family and everyone who knew him, the fortitude to bear the pain of his death,

[myad]

Rivers State Cannot Afford To Play Opposition Politics, Dakuku Peterside Warns

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2015

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has called on the people of the state to take advantage of a new dawn created by the emergence of president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari by voting massively for the APC.
Peterside who spoke in Port Harcourt during a campaign stop, warned that Rivers State cannot afford to play opposition politics at the centre, especially at this time because of the dire consequences.
According to him, everybody, including his opponents, agree on the futility of opposition politics because of the danger it portends for the state.
He therefore asked the people to leverage on Buhari’s victory for a greater and more prosperous Rivers State, emphasising: “as Rivers people, we are minority. Other people can find their ways around things but ours is a bit challenging. My friend, Nyesom Wike, when he was campaigning said, the last thing that can happen to Rivers State is for it to be in the party that is in opposition. I am sure many of you heard him when he said Rivers State should never be in opposition. According to him, opposition is bad because we will lose out completely in the power equation.
“Now the party in power at the centre is APC. Do we now use our own leg and walk into opposition? This is the time to align with the centre and ensure we reap maximum benefits from the centre.
“And if you put the two governorship candidates on a scale and look up to God for direction regarding choice, when you eventually make that choice, I know you will never choose PDP. “And there are many reasons why your choice will never be PDP. You know between us the person who is a tout and the person who is decent. You cannot also vote for a man who will bind you and throw you into a raging fire. So make a wise decision.
“Therefore, on Saturday go out early, make sure you are accredited and ensure you vote for APC. There is nothing more to campaign, you know what the issues are, you also know the person who will protect your interest. There is nothing more to say.
“They may give you the impression that your vote will not count, just like the Presidential and National Assembly elections but tell them it will not work this time. I promise you that this time around, from INEC office, people will monitor result sheets to the local government, ward level and to your unit.
“Nobody has written any result, nobody can write any result so come out and vote because your vote will count. Come out and vote for APC, we cannot afford to give our state to hooligans, touts and thugs. If we were looking for a tout, a man who can fight very well, we would have gone for them. But now we are looking for governor.
“A man who is competent, honest, God-fearing, that is what I will offer you. We don’t believe in rigging, we believe in law and order. They believe in killing people, we believe in protecting the people. They believe in hatred, we believe in love. They believe that by force, they can get whatever they want; we believe that by placing reason before the people, they will go with us. And as you vote for me, also remember to vote for our Assembly members.”
Meanwhile Dakuku Peterside has assured every adult of voting age of maximum protection during the April 11 gubernatorial election in the state.
He gave assurance in Abuloma during a town hall meeting that all forms of persecution, intimidation and threat to their lives to the law abiding citizens of the state will soon be a thing of the past because Nigeria has changed for the better.
He said that those who unleashed violence and mayhem on the people of Rivers State during the March 28 Presidential and National Assembly elections are already aware of a new Nigeria that abhors lawlessness and impunity.
The APC candidate therefore called on the people to come out and participate fully in the all-important process of electing the next governor of the state come Saturday April 11.
“I am sure everybody remembered what happened on March 28. They used the army, police, SSS and militants, seized result sheets and hijacked ballot boxes. They also arrested many people all to favour PDP.
“But God had a different plan. Despite the intimidation and stuffing of ballot boxes, God said it was not time for Goodluck Jonathan to continue in office. God said he wanted Buhari, can any of us challenge God?
“After that election, the spirit of Commander-in-Chief changed. Everybody now looks forward to a new Commander-in-Chief, a new person who will command the Army, Navy, Air force, SSS and Police. If anybody today calls the Army and gives instructions to intimidate innocent people, there are chances that they will not obey because if they obey, in two months time, they will answer questions.
“If anybody calls the police now to arrest you unjustly, the police will not obey because they know that there will be consequences in two months. This is so because we have a new president who will protect every Nigerian. So be rest assured that nobody can harass or intimidate you again.
“Therefore the first assurance I want to give you today is that for the election of Saturday 11 April, there will be adequate security, nobody can harass you. There will be enough soldiers, SSS and police protecting you so that you can cast your votes.” [myad]

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