Man U Thrashs Tottenham Hotspurs 3-0
Manchester United, today, halted their run of losses by handing down a comprehensive defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Traford, beating the North London club 3-0.
Detail later. [myad]
Ghali Na’Abba Quits PDP, Says Party’s Leadership Has Failed To Lead By Example
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and foundation member of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ghali Na’Abba has tendered his resignation from the party, effective from today, March 15, 2015.
In his resignation letter dated March 15, Na’Abba, who led the legislative chamber during the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency, accused President Goodluck Jonathan of reducing governance to a ridiculous level and splitting the country along ethnic and religious lines.
The ex-lawmaker’s letter was sent to the chairman of the PDP Sharada Ward in Kano Municipal Local Government Area and titled “Notification of Resignation from PDP, each organs and committees.”
The letter was also copied to the PDP chairman in Kano, North West Zone National Vice Chairman, National Chairman, and Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees.
Na’Abba blamed President Jonathan and other previous leaders of the PDP, which has ruled Nigeria since 1999, of putting the country in a bad situation.
“In the sixteen years the Party has been ruling at the center, the Party’s leadership has failed to lead by example,” he said.
He, however, had the harshest criticism for the current president, saying, “No administration has used religion and ethnicity to divide Nigerians more than the current administration under the leadership of Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.”
The former lawmaker did not state if he was joining any other party but told PREMIUM TIMES on phone that he was being lobbied by other parties to join them. His supporters in Kano, whose governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, also dumped the PDP for the All Progressices Congress, APC, however expect the ex-lawmaker to also join the main oppostion party.
Read excerpts of his resignation letter below.
“You are no doubt aware of the abysmal level to which the leadership of our great Country under President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party have reduced governance to, as a result of which our great Party has been losing its sons and daughters including so many of its founding fathers and members by the day,” the Kano-born lawmaker stated.
“All efforts of critical members and fathers of the Party to offer advice remain always unheeded. It pains most of us that majority of the founding fathers that had died like Chief S. M. Afolabi, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Rimi, Chief Solomon Lar, Professor Osammor, Chief S. B. Awoniyi etc all died as a result of their frustration by and with the Party.
“Those living like Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Malam Adamu Chiroma, Dr Shettima Mustapha, Alhaji Asheikh Jarma Dr. Victor Odili, Mr. Isaac Shaahu and many others are equally living with such frustration. While others like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alhaji Isyaku Ibrahim, Alhaji Musa Gwadabe, two former National Chairmen, Chief Audu Ogbe and Chief Barnabas Gemade etc had since left the Party.
“The Party and the administration clearly possess neither compassion nor empathy.
“The Country’s and the Party’s leadership have become cabalised to the extent that while Nigerians are aware that they have a President in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, they are at the same time at a loss as to who governs their Country. Both Nigeria and the PDP are left to drift. In the sixteen years the Party has been ruling at the center, the Party’s leadership has failed to lead by example.
“Instead, it has left us with the conventional wisdom that people cannot succeed in life unless they are ruthless and unprincipled. The Party has become characterized by corruption and impunity in the way and manner candidates for elective positions are being selected to the extent that in almost twenty states, crisis has engulfed the Party over the Gubernatorial primaries and the manner other candidates for other elective positions emerged.
“In short, the Party and the Country’s leadership have failed to consolidate democratic gains for sister African Countries and other transition Countries to follow. Instead, under the current leadership, Nigeria is suffering from loss of esteem, as we are now most often consigned to the back seat of international relations. Most worrisome is the current anxiety of most Nigerians as the regime wobbles and tumbles toward the oncoming election.
“It has today become incontrovertible that cartels and shady characters are becoming visible, important and indispensable factors in Nigeria’s governance. It appears those at the helm of affairs are more comfortable with such characters of easy virtue than with patriotic and altruistic Nigerians. No doubt, in our Country today, the quality of governance is going down by the day.
“Critical National Institutions that unify and wield Nigerians together have been dragged into politics, contrary to wise counsel and political correctness. No administration has used religion and ethnicity to divide Nigerians more than the current administration under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan. The ultimate test of any leader is looking at what has remained after he is gone.
“You will agree with me that such pervasive political behavior should under no circumstances be tolerated by all who subscribe to decent and conscionable political practice. I have relentlessly pushed for reform of the internal policies of the PDP individually and collectively, without success. In fact it is common knowledge that all critical members of the Party have been made irrelevant by the Party.
“Members who are pliant and who lack principle and who stand for nothing are always more trusted by the leadership to carry out Party assignments. Such members are said to be “loyal”. Such loyalty is nothing but a euphemism for people who stand for nothing. Because no one is trusted by the leadership both at governmental and party levels, only a handful of party men and women are always entrusted with such party tasks as National Conventions, fund raising. Such men and women are now fully re circled.
“Their faces are today so familiar to the eyes of Nigerians. As a politician with political science background, it is obvious to me that PDP is both self-destruct and irredeemable. Coupled with the regimes divisive and unpatriotic disposition, Nigeria has become a bye-word for “touch and go”, if examples of contemporary nations are anything to go by. The challenge before Nigerians today, in order to secure a new lease of life therefore, is how to get out this inept leadership that has neither allure nor inspiration.
“In its place, Nigerians deserve not just a good President, good governors, and other political office holders, but true and exemplary leaders. And within this context, leadership that is more truly both transactional and transformative and which have more competence and capacity to govern. Nigeria needs leaders with a clear vision for the future. Leaders that will lead not from the back, side or front but from within. Leaders that will provide courageous and moral leadership the dearth of which has led to the weakening of political and economic institutions throughout Nigeria.
“For the above and many reasons, effective today 15th March 2015, I hereby tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, it’s organs including the Board of Trustees and all other committees to which I belong at National and State levels.
“I pray that your mind and those of other Patriots would also be illuminated with truth so that you may also act wisely and accordingly. This comes with the renewed assurances of my highest consideration and personal respect.” [myad]
Pope Francis Gives Hint Of His Resigning In 4 Years Time
Pope Francis has given a hint of that his time at the Vatican may be short, saying he would be ready to resign rather than ruling the Catholic Church for life. He said this as he marked the second anniversary of his election.
He said: “I have a feeling my pontificate will be brief. Four or five years, I don’t know. Two years have already gone by. It is a vague feeling I have that the Lord chose me for a short mission. I am always open to that possibility.”
The first pope from Latin America has hinted in the past that he could retire, emulating his predecessor Benedict XVI, who became the first pope to resign in seven centuries when he stepped down in February 2013, saying that his decision is “courageous”.
“I share the idea of what Benedict did. In 2013, former Pope Benedict became the first head of the Roman Catholic Church in 600 years to resign instead of ruling until he died.
“In general, I think what Benedict so courageously did was to open the door to the popes emeritus. Benedict should not be considered an exception, but an institution,” Francis said.
The Pope also said he was opposed to the idea of an age limit for leaders of the Catholic Church.
“To say that one is in charge up to 80 years, creates a sensation that the pontificate is at its end and that would not be a good thing,” he added.
A papal conclave elected Pope Francis as Benedict XVI’s successor on March 13, 2013.
Pope Francis admitted that he was “surprised” by the decision and had only carried a small suitcase to Rome, with the expectation he would return to Buenos Aires. [myad]
A Toast To Mothers
Nearly 40 years after Nigerian-Cameroonian musician Prince Nico Mbarga released Sweet Mother; the classic song remains as popular as ever. Why wouldn’t it be? Named Africa’s favourite song by the BBC in 2004, Nico’s melodious tune is adoration to the most phenomenal personage in humanity — the mother.
However, as fresh as the song still is, one cannot but notice that it is now, in several ways, limited in its expression of the role and responsibilities of mothers. They no longer just console their crying babies; mothers now contribute so much more to their children’s overall wellbeing. Thus, it’s not that Sweet Mother has lost its taste, it’s just that our mothers have gotten sweeter.
It is no coincidence that global development has come at a time of greater empowerment for women. Successful corporations, business ventures, public and private institutions are populated with mothers nursing their organizations to greatness. Our mothers are not just managing homes, they are handling the welfare of nations.
Our mothers have also taken to socio-political leadership with the same fervour that they have demonstrated in caring for their children and family. Political leaders such as Hillary Clinton, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and renowned social activists like Aung San Suu Kyi and Oby Ezekwesili exemplify the empathy and endurance intrinsic in every mother. Botswanian Mom, Dr. Matschidiso Moeti recently became the first female head of WHO African region, a vote of confidence on the ability of mothers to take care of not just their offspring but the society at large.
While there are real difficulties in merging increased societal involvement and devotion to family, mothers around the world are rising above the challenge. By tending us– their offspring, they make great people, and by tending our society they make greater nations.
As we celebrate them today, let us appreciate their contributions, support their efforts, and most importantly fight with and for them against the challenges that continue to limit them. How better to fight for our mothers than to always remember their sacrifices.
Happy Mothers’ Day. [myad]
On Mothers’ Day, President Jonathan Promises Nigerian Women Better Tomorrow
President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to do better things for Nigerian women even as he wished them a happy Mothers’ Day celebration as they mark the day set aside worldwide to commemorate mothers and their great, unique and indispensable service to humanity.
In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati today, President Jonathan assured women that his government will continue to do all within its powers to further empower them to play their immense, God-given role for the greater glory of the dear nation.
He reaffirmed that his administration will continue to progressively strengthen its affirmative actions in favour of girls, women and mothers while intensifying its actions aimed at promoting gender equality in the nation.
The President who attended a special service at the Presidential Villa to commemorate Mothers’ Day with his mother, Madam Eunice Jonathan and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, prayed to God to bless all Nigerian mothers and reward them for the immense love and care with which they continue to nurture and raise worthy children on whom the future prospects of the great nation will depend. [myad]
Mothers Are Special Gifts To Humanity, Says Peterside On Mothe’s Day
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, has described mothers as God’s special gift to humanity and that by their nature and responsibilities, they guide society’s direction either for good or otherwise.
He spoke today in Port Harcourt as the Anglican World marked Mothering Sunday.
Peterside who spoke at St. Paul’s Cathedral Diobu; St. Thomas Anglican Church Diobu District and St Andrew’s Church Rumuola praised mothers for sacrificing selflessly for their respective families and society.
“I am here to honour our mothers and our children. As I entered the church, I saw Lady Hannah Agunma, she reminded me of my childhood. Today’s event therefore reminds me of what mothers mean to all of us.
“I celebrate you our esteemed mothers because of who you are and the sacrifices you make for us. I pray that God will remember you. You will age gracefully and the anointing will not leave you. And you children will also remember you.
‘In this season of elections, I call on you to continue to be our mothers in words and actions because you have a role to play. We have to make choices, the choices regarding those who will lead us. As we choose our leaders, we must decide to make the right decisions by agreeing to walk out of the bondage of violence, insecurity, joblessness and incompetence. We have to decide where to go.
“I have offered myself to serve, make a choice that reflects the will of God. Anybody who wants to occupy the office of the governor must be God-fearing, humble and compassionate so that he can feel what mothers and widows feel. We must not vote for aggressive, conceited, hostile and disrespectful people because their reign will not glorify God.
“But you must play your part. You must guide your children aright because when you guide them right, you guide the entire society. Though God chooses leaders, as mothers, God has given you an understanding to make decisions and your decisions will put society either on the part of peace or violence.
He charged women to be courageous and to remember the roles slavery and freedom played in the history of Mothering Sunday, adding that Nigeria is in another kind of bondage today. Peterside called on mothers to join hands with progressive minded people who are working to free the country from the bondage violence, unemployment insecurity, corruption, cultism, underdevelopment, and impunity.
He asked mothers to preach peace, love and good neighbourliness, and to also remember that the greatest gift today is the gift of the Good News.
Responding, Venerable John Adubasin, Archdeacon of St. Paul’s Cathedral prayed for Peterside and his wife. “May God guide and protect you throughout this campaign. He has already started a good work in your life. In Rivers State, we want a governor after God’s heart and we are hopeful. No man of violence will rule this land. So may the will of God be done,” he said.
Similarly, Venerable Eugene Nicholas and Reverend Cannon Sullivan Odike of St. Thomas and St. Andrews respectively also prayed for Peterside and wished him the very best in his political journey. [myad]
APC Kogi State Governorship Aspirant Dies In Auto Crash
All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship aspirant in Kogi state, AbdulAziz Omeiza Aliyu has been reportedly died in a fatal road accident at Jere town along Kaduna-Abuja federal highway yesterday. He was said to have died along with his younger brother, Salmanu Adeiza Aliyu.
A family spokesman, Abubakar Aliyu said the 36 year old politician was returning from Abuja to Kogi with his younger brother when the chattered vehicle they were riding in got involved in the accident. All occupants in the car died.
According to the family spokesman
“Omeiza spoke with his father around 1.30pm Saturday few minutes into the ill fated journey and barely half an hour, we received the shocking and sad news of his demise from a samaritans from the scene of the accident. From the report we received none of the passengers on the ill fated Sharon car survived and they have been given mass burial at location at Jere town.” [myad]
Which Way Modern Mothers At Mother’s Day?
Today, March 15, the whole world stands for mothers in commemoration of the Mother’s Day, observed all over the world to honour mothers and indeed, motherhood. The celebration of Mother’s Day began in the United States in the early 20th century. The Day is set aside across the world to reflect on the roles, and above all, the influence of mothers in the societies across the worlds.
Of course, the modern celebration is widened to include honouring mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds.
Though Mother’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the months of March or May but the message it carries remains the same everywhere.
In some countries, Mother’s Day has become synonymous with the older traditions that occurred throughout the world over thousands of years, such as the Greek cult to Cybele, the Roman festival of Hilaria, or the Christian Mothering Sunday celebration (originally a celebration of the mother church, not motherhood).
Of course, the general thread that primarily runs in all mothers is tenderliness towards their children, whom they brought forth after about nine months of pregnancy: with all the discomforts, sickness, anxiety and so on.
Nature also thrusts on Mothers the responsibility of being gentle, fair, loving, caring, peace-making and many other positive traits.
God, from the beginning of creation, probably intended to make mothers the central point for the positive development of humanity, and that was why he endowed them with such attitudinal postures as earlier enumerated. For, as God says Himself, train a child the (right way) so that when he grows up he would not depart from it.
Come to think of it, the Holy Qurán says that after Allah and his Messenger, the most beloved and respected person to a Muslim should be his MOTHER! Allah has given the mother such status that He says: “Paradise lies under the feet of mothers.”
Obedience and respect towards your mother is a very important duty in Islam and is similar to performing Salaah and keeping fast. To hurt your mother in any way is the second biggest sin and those who commit this evil sin will be harshly punished by Allah in the hereafter or maybe even in this world!
Only Allah knows what your mother does for you, He sees your mother feeling pain whilst she tries to give you whatever you want. He sees your mother’s love and kindness. Pleased by your mother’s actions, Allah has given her a very high status and many virtues and rewards.
Allah also sees that many of us are not thankful to our mothers. He sees many of us being disobedient towards them. Therefore, Allah has ordered us to be good towards our mothers; he has not advised us but ordered us; we have no choice; therefore we have to be good towards our mothers! To encourage us to do this, Allah Taa’la has promised paradise for those of us who are obedient towards our mothers. At the same time, Allah has threatened to severely punish those of us who do not listen to our mothers or hurt them in any way.
And in the Holy Bible, Proverbs 31:25 says: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you (Holy Mary) surpass them all.” … this is even as Isaiah 49:15 says: “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
Indeed, if mothers play the roles God Himself assigned to them naturally: humility, fairness, caring, peace-making, loving and affection, the society would develop into a beauty to behold, where everyone is his own brother’s keeper, where love permeates, where everyone cares for and treats fellow human being with respect, humility, fairness and justice resulting in an ideal society where peace and tranquility reign.
Of course, where the society becomes disorganized because the people in it hate one another, insult one another, cheat, steal, pursue wealth with all the indices of corruption, does it follow that mothers in such society have abdicated the finest roles God bestowed on them naturally?
Does it follow, in the specific case of Nigeria that disrespect for elders, irrespective of the circumstance, which now dominates the way life is conducted is as a result of the failure of mothers to influence the lives of their children positively?
As a matter of fact, it is not enough for the modern day mothers to join in the pursuit of the worldly things just so that they would keep up with the Jones, but it is still very important that they return to their original roles as ordained by God, so that the drift of the society to the precipice is halted.
There is no denying the fact that today’s challenges of living have thrown up women that have to jump into men’s world to support or even keep the families going in some form of comfort, which of course brings the society into a dilemma: for you cannot eat your cake and have it. It is too bad that the original concept of motherhood, from God Almighty, has been turned up-side-down either by the accidental incidences or challenges facing many homes or by the new concept of equality thrown at the world by the western culture or both. There has to be a way out, which today’s celebration of Mother’s Day should address. Happy Mother’s Day, all the same. [myad]
My Husband Must Complete Two Terms, Dame Patience Jonathan Insists
The wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience Jonathan has made it clear that her husband would remain in office for eight years to complete his two terms in office.
Dame Patience Jonathan who spoke during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) women rally under the auspices of Women for Change and Development Initiative in Benin, Edo State today, said that the Presidency had been occupied for eight years by other geopolitical zones and wondered why the South-South should be denied the opportunity.
She claimed that the Jonathan-led administration had performed creditably in various sectors such as in transport and education, and by her assessment, the president’s performance had been satisfactory.
Dame Patience described the present administration as a gender-sensitive government, which has prioritised women development through the appointment of several women in key positions, the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme and the YouWin Initiative.
She stressed that re-electing her husband was an opportunity for Nigerian women to appreciate his good performance, adding that the opposition party was not dependable and had nothing to offer.
The President wife was accompanied by national and state leaders of the party. Women, drawn from different support groups across the state turned out for the event as early as 9am.
Some had left the stadium at about 1.30pm when Dame Patience. Jonathan arrived at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the rally.
Unable to bear the scorching heat, two women fainted but were later revived by a medical team provided by the party.
A mild drama ensued shortly before the President wife’s address when two men, said to be aggrieved PDP youths, tore down some banners bearing the image of the President’s wife.
They were, however, whisked away by some security operatives at the venue. [myad]
Kano Pillars Bounce Back From Robbery Incidence To Beat Bayelsa United 2-0
Nigeria league champions, Kano Pillars who were robbed a couple of weeks ago, bounced back to defeat Bayelsa United 2-0 in their first game of the season today.
Pillars, which began its title defence began the math today with some measure of caution resulting in goalless first half. Both teams were unable to find the cutting edge needed to score.
However, Adamu Mohammed gave Pillars the lead in first minute of the second half when he connected Rabiu Ali’s cross.
Ubong Ekpai doubled the lead for Pillars with a powerful shot off Promise James pass in the 50th minute. [myad]
