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

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]

April 11 Poll: Uduaghan Lectures Traditional Rulers On How To Ensure Peace

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2015

Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan

Ahead of Saturday, April 11 governorship elections in Nigeria, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has met traditional rulers in the state to show them how the election should be held in peace.
He asked them to instill in their subjects, the need for them to be peaceful before, during and after the elections.
Governor Uduaghan who met the traditional rulers from Delta North Senatorial district, advised them to prevail on their subjects not to do anything that would breach the prevailing peace in the state.
“To the glory of God, the Presidential and Senatorial elections were peaceful in the state, this is due to your support in sensitising your subjects on violent free elections.
“In this April 11 elections, please appeal to your subjects to maintain the peace. Let them know that violence is not the way to go during the elections. He who kills to get a position will never attain such position because no position is worth someone’s life.
“Let them know that any property destroyed cannot be recovered. We desire a violent free election.”
Governor Uduaghan stressed the importance of traditional rulers making their domains peaceful throughout the election period even as he said that adequate security measures have been put in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Traditional rulers from different Kingdoms, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Professor Amos Utuama (SAN), Chairman South South zone of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Cairo Ojougbo, Chairman of the PDP in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor, among others, attended the meeting. [myad]

How Late Ojukwu Would Have Saved Igbo From Prolonged Civil War – General T. Y. Danjuma

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2015

Former Nigeria Defence minister and war veteran, General Theophelus Yakubu Danjuma has taken a look at the Nigeria-Biafran civil war in the sixties and concluded that if the leader of the Biafra, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu had conceded defeat at the early stage of the war, lives of thousands of innocent Igbos would have been saved.
He said specifically that if Ojukwu had conceded defeat after the fall of Enugu, when his government had to flee into the bush, “if he had conceded victory to the federal troops, he would have saved the nation one full year of bloodshed.”
Danjuma spoke today when he received in audience at his Abuja residence, President Goodluck Jonathan, who has embarked on such consultative consultations with stakeholders ahead of the May 29th handing over of government to General Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC).
General Danjuma, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the closed door meeting with President Jonathan said that Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat to Buhari has set a record in the history of the country.
“President Jonathan has set a history; a record as something to be emulated by Africa and indeed the whole world. Its an excellent thing he did”
Since losing the March 28th Presidential election to General Buhari, President Jonathan has been having private consultations in preparation to the handing over.
The President had had similar meeting with the President elect, General Buhari at the Presidential Villa. [myad]

Lagos Court Stops DStv From Increasing Subscription Fees

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2015

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has restrained Multi Choice Nigeria Limited, operators of the Digital Satellite Television, otherwise known as DStv, from implementing its new rates and increase in tariffs for its subscribers across board.

The restraining order was given by Justice C.J. Aneke sequel to a suit filed by two Lagos-based legal practitioners, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji.

In the class action suit, with number FHC/L/CS/404/2015, Aneke granted the interim orders till the hearing of the Motion on Notice for Injunction on April 16, 2015.

He also ordered for the Suit and the Interim Injunction to be published in national newspapers.

Adebayo and Adeniji are challenging the arbitrary increase in tariffs.

The legal practitioners had begged the court to order the second defendant, the National Broadcasting Commission, to also implement Pay-Per-View where subscribers choose the programmes they want and pay as they watch, which is being implemented in some other parts of the world.

In the order given on Thursday, Aneke ruled: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the parties to maintain the status quo restraining the 1st defendant (Multichoice/DSTV) from giving effect or enforcing its planned increase in cost of the different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“That an order is hereby granted certifying the plaintiffs’ claim as a class action for themselves as individual subscribers, other corporate subscribers, distributors and retailers of the 1st defendants’ services.

“That an order is hereby granted restraining any other person whether individual or corporate from instituting any other action as may be related to the action against the defendant to prevent multiplicity of lawsuits pursuant to the appointment of the plaintiffs in the class action but may instead opt in or out of this action.”

In March, MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv, announced a 20 per cent price increase for all its satellite pay TV bouquets in Nigeria to take effect from April 1, 2015.

Thus, the subscription fee of DStv’s Premium, Compact plus, compact, access, Family and extra view bouquets were all set to increase, as is the price for GOtv Plus and GOtv bouquet.

MultiChoice explained that the price increase was necessary for it to continue offering the best in local and international entertainment to its subscribers. [myad]

Igbo Women In Diaspora Hand Out 11-Point Agenda To Buhari, As African Bar Sets 8

Greenbarge Reporters

April 8, 2015

The UmuadaNdi-Igbo in Diaspora, an umbrella organization of Igbo women, abroad, has handed out 11-poin agenda to the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC) even as the African Bar Association (ABA) identified eight critical areas that the new government must address when he takes the rein of power in Nigeria

In a congratulatory message signed by its Founder/National President, Grace Agude, the group advised the President-Elect to compose a cabinet of skilled, experienced and trusted men and women for a better Nigeria.

She said that the new government should take urgent steps to encourage women participation in government and national development, since women are mothers of the nation even as she made a case for re-organization and better funding of the Nigerian army so as to bring back the lost pride and glory of the country’s military that was once the pride of Africa.

She further called on the incoming Buhari government to take steps to wipe out Boko Haram insurgents currently terrorizing Nigeria, adding that it must also take all necessary steps to bring back our kidnapped Chibok girls.

The UmuadaNdi-Igbo leader said that there is an urgent need to stamp out 419 and other forms of fraud in Nigeria, for Nigeria to attract both local and foreign investors.

The group is also pushing for improved funding for Nigerian universities, teaching hospitals, and other institutions, so as to encourage research and development.

“We want the incoming government to make plans to diversify the Nigerian economy. This way the Nigerian economy will not continue to rely heavily on oil like is currently the case.”

For the country to be one, she said that there is urgent need to unite the six geopolitical zones of the country so as to reduce tension among different ethnic groups.

She further urged the incoming government to encourage foreign investment which will go a long way in creating employment and growing the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP.

She gave assurance that UmuadaNdi-Igbo in Diaspora will give their unalloyed support for the new government to work, adding: “the People of Nigeria have spoken very loud and clear. We needed a change, and you are that change. Thank God, that much anticipated political change has come in the most peaceful manner ever imagined in our beloved country that has a long history of post-election violence. This victory was definitely not a smooth ride.

“However, you met the challenge with determination, strength, and total confidence. The people of Nigeria saw how determined you have been to provide solutions to the most troubling problems facing our great country widespread corruption, insecurity, poverty; deteriorating standards of education, healthcare delivery and non-existent utilities.

“It has simply been very difficult for Nigerians and the world at large to understand why there has been so much poverty and chaos in a country well blessed with abundance of natural and human resources.

“The proud and hard-working people of Nigeria have, through the ballot box, identified you as the man who can be trusted with bringing that much needed change to Nigeria , Africa’s last hope.

“There is no doubt that the task ahead is a huge one. However, with good focus, determination, hard work, dedication to office, and above all, with God’s guidance and blessings, it can be done. Yes, it can be done.”

And in a statement by its President, Hannibal Uwaifo , the ABA pledged its support for the incoming government “in the bid to deepen democratic values and ensure improved economic fortune for the citizenry.”

Top on the list of the issues, according to ABA is official corruption, which the association advised Buhari to decisively deal with by “setting up a code of conduct of government affairs and handling of public funds for public officials.”

The body also urged Buhari to review salaries of public officials “to reflect the poor purse of Nigeria and to make more finances available for social services.” The statement read in part: “Deliberately welfare policy must be put in place as a priority to cater for the vulnerable and less endowed in Nigeria. Unemployment of our youths must be tackled decisively.

”The rule of law must be strictly adhered to and extrajudicial activities of the security agencies must be checked and severely punished.

”True independence of the judiciary must be ensured and wrongdoings promptly and satisfactorily investigated and punished.

”Government and social services must be improved to deliberately bridge the gap between the zeal and determined quest to conduct a credible election exhibited by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and his team is very commendable and exemplary.

”Free enterprise must be encouraged though deliberate government policies and programmes, especially agricultural technology and small and medium scale business.” [myad]

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