A Nigerian Professor of Equality at the University of Bradford, Professor Uduak Archibong and the recently-appointed Director of the Nigerian Community Association Bedfordshire, Dr. Pamela Bernard have been made Members of British Empire (MBE) Their names appeared in the Queen of England’s New Year Honours List that was released yesterday. The list contains the names of some exemplary Nigerians in Britain. Professor Uduak was honoured with an MBE for services she renders to higher education and equality while Dr. Pamela was honoured for the services she rendered to the African and Caribbean community in Bedford.
The only time I got worried about my marriage was when I acted in the movie “Prostitue” with Segun Arinze, an ace Actress, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, popularly known as Omosexy, has opened up.
Omotola who has been acting in the Nollywood for over 20 years now said: “to be frank and candid, until my husband told me he wasn’t bothered, then I had peace.”
In an interview, the actress revealed that her role in “The Prostitute” really scared her, confessing “the only time I would say I worried about was when the movie, The Prostitute came out. And that was the first major fresh shaking I had.
“It was like a kind of controversy. From the movie poster to the sex scenes, whatever in that movie that was shot after I left there but was shot as if I was the one who did it.
“And you know, Nigeria was not ready for that, so there were a lot of controversies around that. So, that was the only time I really worried about my marriage.”
The Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has emerged the Man of the Year of the Silverbird Group. The emergence of Uduaghan was announced today, January 1 by the Silver Bird Group. Part of the consideration for his emergence was his sterling performance in health, signposted by the free medical care for children and the elderly as well as the free maternal care for pregnant women. There is also the micro-credit scheme where over 111,000 Deltans have been empowered to set up their own businesses. According to statement from the Silverbird Group, owners of Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM, Uduaghan’s massive investment in infrastructure and his success at restoring and sustaining peace and security in the state won the admiration of Nigerians who voted for him. The award was decided through popular vote open to all Nigerians and is the latest in the critical appraisal of Uduaghan’s administration by the media. The award is coming as an addition others similar awards which he won in the final weeks of 2014. They were the BusinessDay Governor of the Year award in health category, State Competitiveness Award; the Pilot newspaper Governor of the Year award; the BEN Television award in micro-credit and job creation; and Africa Independent Television’s award as Governor of the Year. Speaking on the latest award, the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah, said it is a just reward for a man that has devoted his energy to creating a new national mentality on development through his Delta Beyond Oil initiative. “While others concentrate on projects that would have immediate impact, Uduaghan looks at the big picture with an eye on the future. “Without losing sight of the need for short term projects, he has given Deltans a new belief in their ability to venture into profitable businesses through the Delta State Micro-Credit Scheme. “Many of the beneficiaries have become employers of labour and with the N500 million recently pumped into the scheme through the collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria, more ventures will be set up in various parts of the state. “Young budding entrepreneurs are very upbeat about this because Dr. Uduaghan has paid the interest on the entire amount upfront. “In effect, beneficiaries will get the loan interest-free.” The commissioner said that having superintended a crisis and rancour-free primary in the state, Uduaghan will continue to work assiduously in delivering the dividends of democracy to Deltans until the final day of his tenure. Past winners of the prestigious Silverbird Man of the Year Award, which is now in its 10th year, include late Professor Dora Akunyili, former Minister of Information; Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, one-time Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State; Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Globacom; and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Others are Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
The Nigerian Army appears to have began a major purge as it reportedly dismissed 203 soldiers for allegedly disobeying a direct order from their commanding officer even as many others have been sentenced to death while others are awaiting trials. The dismissal of 203 came after what was believed to be a secret court martial that was held late last night, One of the sacked soldiers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the soldiers were dismissed for asking for support equipment, following the army’s plan to convey them in a tipper for an operation in Bama and Gwoza, two strongholds of Boko Haram insurgents. The soldier, who is originally of the 19th Battalion in Okitipupa in Ondo State, but attached to the 7th division in Maiduguri, said the army detained them for over 90 days before dismissing them after a midnight trial. He said that authorities were owing them five months salaries. The soldier said that his unit reconvened in Maiduguri last August, after they were dislodged by the insurgents in Damboa in an operation where their commanding officer and several other soldiers were killed. He said they were given two weeks pass and that at the expiration of their pass, they were issued new uniforms, boots and 30 rounds of bullets each as opposed to the statutory 60 rounds. According to him, they were going to be conveyed in a tipper lorry to Gwoza and Bama for an operation but that majority of them argued that the operation would be fierce, and therefore requested support equipment. “So we asked for support weapons. No support weapon was provided. Our CO (Commanding Officer) said he would discuss with the GOC (General Officer Commanding) of the 7 Division at the headquarters. When he came back, he said we should stand down. We thought all was well.” But the next day, their new CO, a lieutenant colonel from 195 battalion, Agenebode, ordered them to submit their weapons and uniforms or be charged with mutiny. “In the morning of 16 of August, after the GOC briefing, our commander started calling our names and he said anyone whose name is called should submit their uniform and weapon. He added that anyone who failed to do that would be charged for mutiny. We were surprised at what was happening. “He started from the most senior soldier among us, a warrant officer who had served for almost 30 years. They asked us to go back to the barrack. It is a war zone and our weapons had been taken from us. Staying around was of no use so we left Maiduguri back home.” The next order from the army hierarchy was for the soldiers to report to the 4th Brigade headquarters in Benin where they were detained for three months. “They kept us in the fenced field at the officers’ mess in 4th battalion headquarters. When we first arrived at Benin, they took statements from us and took it to Maiduguri. The original charge against us was for deserting but after our statements were taken they changed the charge to disobedient to particular order. “They said we disobeyed the CO’s order. They seized our phones, we couldn’t communicate with our families for the 90 days we were kept in detention.” After they were released on December 24, they were conveyed to their various units. The soldier said on getting to their units, a court martial was set up at about 11.30 p.m. where they were tried and dismissed. He said the next morning, they were evicted from the barrack with their families. “It was dismissal without benefits. After 17 years in service. Even people that served for 30 years were dismissed without benefits. We had no legal representation.” Army spokesperson, Olajide Laleye, a Brigadier General, could not be reached for comments today. Calls and messages to his telephone were not answered or returned. The dismissal of the 203 soldiers followed a wave of court-martialling of other soldiers for mutiny and other offences. On December 24, a military court-martial that sat in Abuja sentenced four soldiers to death by firing squad for alleged mutiny. That judgment came just about a week after another batch of 54 soldiers were condemned to death for refusing to fight the deadly Boko Haram sect. The 54 soldiers belonged to the 111 Special Forces battalion attached to the 7 division of the army in Maiduguri. They are to die by firing squad, the military court ruled. The soldiers were accused of disobeying a direct order from superior officers to take part in an operation aimed at dislodging Boko Haram terrorists from Delwa, Bulabulin and Damboa in Borno State. The soldiers said they refused to take part in the operation because the Army did not provide them with the required combat and support equipment needed for such operations. Earlier, in September, 12 soldiers were sentenced to death for allegedly shooting at a car conveying their commanding officer, Ahmed Mohammed, a Major General. The attack occurred May 14 at the army’s 7 Division, Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri, headed at the time by Mohammed. Others were also sentenced to life in jail for criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit murder. The soldiers revolted after some of their colleagues were ambushed and killed by Boko Haram extremists, an attack they blamed their commander for. Yet, more soldiers remain on trial for their conducts in the fight against the extremist sect, and face being sentenced to death. On December 23, another batch of 118 soldiers were transported from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to face charges in Abuja, the nation’s capital. It is not clear when the troops would be arrainged before the military court, but our sources said unlike their colleagues who were convicted December 17, the 118 soldiers are accused of offences less than mutiny. Also, 22 top officers, including a brigadier general, are being held at the Ikeja Military Cantonment in Lagos, preparatory to being arrainged for yet unclear offences. They could not be arrainged on December 22 because the court was not properly constituted. Their arraingment has now been scheduled for a date in January. The convicted soldiers, apart from the four that were sentenced December 24, have been moved to Lagos to await appeal, pardon or execution.
President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Muslims in Nigeria to emulate the fine qualities of Prophet Muhammad in their every day conduct. In a message today, to felicitate with Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud (birthday of Prophet Muhammad) President Jonathan asked Muslims to seize the opportunity of the New Year and Eid-el-Maulud holidays to reflect deeply on the need for a greater application of the Prophet Muhammed’s teachings. He listed such teaching as including piety, charity, tolerance, justice and peaceful co-existence with others which he said Nigeria need in the effort to overcome current national challenges. Jonathan assured Muslims and other Nigerians that his administration will continue to be guided by the ideals of fairness, equity and justice for all in its leadership of the country. He added that on his watch as President, “no Nigerian will ever be discriminated against on the basis of religion, ethnicity or social standing.” The President reaffirmed his personal commitment to working diligently and tirelessly to ensure the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s agenda for national transformation even as he asked Muslims and all other Nigerians to support the continuation of the present administration’s efforts to build a better nation. President Jonathan who wished Nigerian Muslims a happy and peaceful Eid-El- Maulud asked them to offer special Jumat prayers, tomorrow, for successful and peaceful elections in Nigeria next month. This even as he reassured Nigerians that the Federal Government will do all within its powers to ensure that the general elections in February are free, fair, credible and violence-free. President Jonathan believed that this is essential to guarantee that Nigeria remains politically stable and continues on a steady path to the fulfilment of its peoples’ collective vision of a strong, united and prosperous nation.
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has declared his personal support for the creation of Gurara state to be carved from the present Kaduna state. Namadi Sambo who spoke today at the annual Afan Festival in Kagoro, Kaduna state said: “the federal government recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizens to operate within the confines of the law for self-determination, promotion and harnessing the potentials of its people. “Therefore, the socio-political emancipation of a people lies in their conscious effort to champion a cause that will progressively move them to the next level.” The Vice President expressed the sympathy of the federal government to the victims of the recent communal clashes in which lives and property were lost. He assured the people that as a way of forestalling and securing the area against unwarranted attacks and killings, the government would soon set up a military formation, adding that they would ensure the provision of adequate security. He also assured the people that “we shall defeat the evil of this insurgency and terrorist acts. God willing, we shall have peace and development in our dear country.” Namadi Sambo congratulated the people for the New Year 2015, adding that 2015 is an important year, being an election year. He made it clear that government is committed to delivering on free and fair elections. He called on the people to be peaceful during the period, saying: “no ambition of any Politician is worth the blood of any Nigerian. I want to draw our attention to the fact that this time around no act of violence shall be tolerated. Decisive actions will be taken against any person participating in any violent act before, during and after the elections.”
Former Nigeria information minister, Labaran Maku, has formally confirmed that he would still contest the governorship of Nasal state but not on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He stressed that his ambition to contest in the 2015 governorship election intact, saying that in spite of losing out at the recent PDP governorship primary election, he is still moving on with his ambition to contest in the 2015 governorship election. The former minister under President Goodluck Jonathan spoke today at St. Williams Cathedral, Lafia. He delivered his New Year Message. Maku said that the PDP appeal panel had not yet respond to the petition he submitted to it on the outcome of the state’s governorship primaries conducted by the PDP, adding: “I want to assure my supporters that no amount of conspiracy by a few people will stop me from contesting the 2015 general elections.” He called on his supporters to remain law abiding, even as he said that he would, in a matter of days, unveil his new platform to the public. He advised the electorate not to vote for candidates on religious or ethnic basis, but to choose those with disposition to tackle the challenges confronting the state.
God has once more carried those of us that are extremely fortunate across from 2014 to the much talk-about 2015. We are fortunate because, God, in His infinite mercy, had seen us through the turbulence, the tempest and fury of the 2014. We survived the 2014 in which hundreds were killed through man-made and unnatural causes, including Boko Haram’s bomb blasts which is now the cross the nation has been carrying, armed robberies; even the short-lived Ebola disease that was imported by wicked doctor from Liberia, kidnapping, different forms of accidents etc. In short, for many Nigerians, surviving the year 2014 was no fun at all considering also the near collapse of the nation’s economy that virtually grounded many people: those who could not embark on the usual annual chores of travelling to their villages for the Christmas and end of the year breaks. There were, of course, many more life-threatening dangers which were not visible immediately, but loomed in the dark. Launching into the year 2015, which turns out to be even another year of its own special expectation is a complete story on its own. 2015 has been described in different quarters as the year of election trepidation and uncertainty. America was alleged to have predicted, a couple of years ago, that it is in this year, 2015, that Nigeria would go asunder, given the fact that the election, scheduled for February, would be contested, at Presidential level, by two giants that are in diametrically opposition to each other in every respect. The picture that is emerging as the candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and that of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari hit the road campaigning, does not provide any hope of staying off the disintegration hooks. The big masquerades and their foot soldiers are pretending it would just be all well. What appears to be missing amidst the hot-tempered campaign and do-or-die scheming, is lack of sincerity amongst the contending forces and their surrogates or the boot-leakers. It has become known that the politicians in the leadership positions who constitute a very negligible percentage of the nation’s population are feeding fat on the pains of the majority of the citizenry but pretending to be concerned. As a matter of fact, leaders are forcing Nigerians to live purely on lying: lying about the economy, about the insecurity (remember the cease-fire agreement between the government and members of Boko Haram into which billions of Naira was sunk; the cease-fire that turned out to be a hoax?); about the argument as to whether billions of Nigerian money, either in Naira or in Dollar was missing, about the subsidy regime and even about who donated what money to what project or programme; about the position of Nigerian army fighting Boko Haram, about the status of the nation’s economy and about even who are corrupt and who are not. As a matter of fact, truths are now so scarce in the process of governance that a few ones told by some truly patriotic Nigerians are being ignored or given a different names to provide leeway for authorities to “deal” with the messengers who convey the messages: just so that lies would continue to thrive. Entering 2015 with such attitude that seems to be growing bigger every day does not give any hope of making America’s alleged prediction of disintegration a lie. The political leaders need to urgently change their negative attitude in the manner they govern the country. The way the nation is going, there is no other magic that can bring about unity after the general elections other than truth, especially by the leaders. Like the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III said, it is only when the leaders go by the truth and, of course, fairness to all sections of the country that Nigeria would be truly be on the path to salvation. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has vowed that his government will not allow the repeat, in 2015 general elections, of 2011 general election violence in which those he called ‘unpatriotic elements’ embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property.
In his New Year broadcast to the nation this morning, President Jonathan made it clear: “that will not be allowed to happen this time around. This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.”
He assured Nigerians that as the country enters an election year, his administration will remain fully focused on providing good governance and the delivery of better public services to our people.
He reminded his fellow politicians once again that none of their political ambitions should be considered as worth the blood of any of the countrymen, women and children.
“The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.
“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents. Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.
“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.”
President Jonathan assured that the campaigns and elections will not distract him from the ongoing work to significantly improve the living conditions of Nigerians even as he advised all tiers of government not to be distracted as well.
He acknowledged that elections are very important for Nigeria as a country, adding that the successful conclusion of such elections will further strengthen the nation’s democratic institutions and place the country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.
“Given the challenges that have characterized some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.
“I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.
“Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch. We will continue to do so for the coming elections.
“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the Commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.
“National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free. The Nigeria Police has already established an Elections Security Planning and Monitoring Unit.
“I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualized.”
The President called on Nigerians to enter the New Year with renewed zeal and patriotism and to serve the country with love, honesty, faithfulness and hope for a greater tomorrow.
He maintained that none of the challenges before his government is insurmountable, adding: “we must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.
“Nigeria is a key country in Africa. We must work together to maintain our strategic position and collaborate with others to move the continent forward. I call for peace in Africa and an end to all conflicts in our continent. I urge all Africans to promote democracy in their respective countries to ensure faster development of the continent and faster economic and political integration.” [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening his government’s efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.
He said that the budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect the nation’s development plans and the economy too adversely.
“We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy. We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.”
President Jonathan who addressed the nation this morning in a New Year broadcast emphasized that his government would, in 2015, continues to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that would attract significant Foreign Direct Investment and promote policies that would ensure economic stability.
“We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.
“We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers. We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.
“We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system.
“We are introducing a broad spectrum of financial instruments to boost sector-specific enterprise areas in agriculture, Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), manufacturing, and oil and gas to enhance our aggregate supply capacity, reduce poverty, promote job creation and increase the general well-being of our people.
“These efforts and other measures being spearheaded by relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, are geared to ensure a secure future for Nigeria and create a much more prosperous country, where people live more peaceful and fulfilled lives.” [myad]
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A Nigerian Professor of Equality at the University of Bradford, Professor Uduak Archibong and the recently-appointed Director of the Nigerian Community Association Bedfordshire, Dr. Pamela Bernard have been made Members of British Empire (MBE)
