What Makes Nigerians Corrupt – ICPC Boss

January 21, 2015

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta has said that poverty, inadequate government infrastructure and other related issues often lead many Nigerians to steal from government coffers.
According to him, in countries where corruption is less, things such as electricity, smooth educational system, adequate security and others are in place.
The anti-corruption boss, who hosted a delegation of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers who paid his a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja on Tuesday, said that his commission attacks corruption from the roots and doesn’t make much noise about it.
He therefore sought not only the understanding of Journalists and media owners but a partnership to strengthen the anti-corruption campaign in the country.
Ekpo Nta said that the partnership would entail the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Guild of Corporate Online Publisher, to for the training of its members to enhance effective investigative reports on corruption.
“A look at some publications on corruption clearly shows that reporters of such news lack basic understanding of corruption and the mandate of different agencies in the fight against corruption.
“We will work out modalities to have an MoU with your association, to establish a working relationship that will entail discussions on ways to fight corruption in the country in 2015.”
Nta noted that the role of online media in information dissemination was enormous, stressing that the coming together of the publishers would address frivolous publications online.
Nta urged the publishers to ensure adequate training for journalists reporting on corruption issues.
Earlier, Salami Semiu, the leader of the delegation, said the Guild was established a year ago to regulate the activities of online media publishers.
Semiu said the visit was to formally introduce the Guild to the commission as well to canvass partnership in business to sustain the organizations. [myad]

I’ll Create Young “Dangotes” For Kano, Jonathan Assures, As He Seeks Emir Sanusi’s Blessing For February Election

Greenbarge Reporters

January 21, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured the people of Kano state that he will create young “Dangotes” in the Nigeria’s economy if he is voted back to power in the February election, even as he sought the blessing of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.
“When you talk of Kano, you talk of the Aliko Dangotes. We will work with the incoming government in Kano to produce young Aliko Dangotes, enhance commerce and create jobs.”
President Jonathan told the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor that he was in his palace to formally introduce himself, Vice President Namadi Sambo and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the election.
“I am here to seek your royal blessing and to reassure the people of Kano that PDP is totally committed to developing the country.”
Jonathan, who was in the state in continuation of his nationwide campaign, also assured the emir that his government is committed to improving the welfare of Kano people and Nigerians in general.
He expressed condolences on the passing on of the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and congratulated the new emir for his installation as the royal father.
The President said that his government had virtually eliminated polio and should soon be officially declared polio-free by the World Health Organization (WHO).
He added that his administration’s success in wiping out Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), even as he also spoke of the place of Kano in commerce and industry.
According to him, his administration would work with the people of the state to enhance agriculture value chain to give more priority to processing and export.
In his remark, Alhaji Sanusi expressed appreciation to the President for the visit and hoped that his campaign would go on smoothly even as he called on politicians to conduct their business in peace and avoid bloodshed as he noted that democracy was all about choice.
“Democracy is all about giving people the chance to make their choice and so, there is no need for violence,” he said.
Sanusi urged the people to accept the verdict after the election and rally around whoever emerges the winner.
He expressed delight that government is doing the necessary things to provide Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) so that all eligible Nigerians could exercise their franchise.
He however urged government to redouble its efforts at ensuring security before, during and after the election as he prayed for peace.
He prayed for the emergence of leaders that would move the country forward and provide for tranquility, assuring that he would continue to pray for peace to reign in the country.
The royal father said that he would make himself available to give advice to government at any levels.
At the rally which attracted large crowd, in Polo Ground, President Jonarthan said that he would continue his effort to create young millionaires out of Kano through innovative measures being implemented by his administration and commended Northern Youths for donating the sum of N2million to his campaign.
Vice President Namadi Sambo told the supporters to ignore the religious campaign against Jonathan and the PDP, saying that as the vice president to Jonathan, nobody could claim to be bigger Muslim than himself who observed all injunctions of Islam.
He said that contract has been awarded to extend various railway lines in the North to enhance the business and commerce in the area and beyond.
The Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, who is the North West zonal coordinator of the PDP presidential campaign told the gathering that the All Progressive Congress (APC) government of Kano State is a government of deceit.
He recalled the achievements of former Kano governor and Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, advising Kano people not give in to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso’s false pretenses but to vote for all PDP candidates.
The National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Adamu Muazu, highlighted the achievements of the Jonathan’s administration and stressed the need for Kano people to vote for him.
He said the mammoth crowd at the rally was an indication that the negative propaganda of the opposition had failed.
The Director-General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organization and former National Chairman of the party, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, said that Governor Kwankwaso stole the mandate of the PDP and had since been lying to the people of the state.
The wife of the Vice President, Hajia Amina Sambo, in her address, observed that the Jonathan administration had given priority to women and youth through appointments and empowerment and therefore urged the people to vote for the President and other PDP candidates in the election. [myad]

Buhari Sees Evil Motives In Controversies Over His Certificate, Says His School’ll Produce Soon

Greenbarge Reporters

January 21, 2015

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has made it clear that the issue in the ongoing campaign over his school certificate which he obtained 53 years ago is more of a design by the ruling Peoples Democratic party (PDP) to divert attention to the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of young Nigerians, the state of insecurity and the pervasive official corruption.
Reacting to the controversies that have been raging on over his school certificate when he addressed newsmen in Kano today, General Buhari said: “although the ruling party may want to wish this away, the issue in this campaign cannot be my certificate which I obtained 53 years ago. “The issues are the scandalous level of unemployment of millions of our young people, the state of insecurity, the pervasive official corruption which has impoverished our people and the lack of concern of the government for anything other than the retention of power at all costs.”
The APC flag bearer who said that he would not have responded to the controversies which he said he would have dismissed as sheer mischief that did worth the nation’s while, explained that he actually attended Provincial Secondary School, Katsina.
“I graduated in 1961 with many prominent Nigerians, including General Shehu Yar’Adua, former chief of staff at the Supreme Headquarters, and Justice Umaru Abdullahi, a former President of the Court of Appeal.
“We sat for the University of Cambridge/WASC Examination together in 1961, the year we graduated. My examination number was 8280002, and I passed the examination in the Second Division.”
General Buhari said that he had formally requested his old school, the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina (which is now known as Government College, Katsina) to make available the school’s copy of the result of the Cambridge/West African School Certificate, adding that the certificate would be made public as soon as the it is released.
The former military General Officer Commanding (GOC) and former Nigerian Head of State regretted that the military which he served diligently turned its back on him at this moment of his need, saying: “I had assumed all along that all my records were in the custody of the Military Secretary of the Nigerian Army. “Much to my surprise, we are now told that although a record of the result is available, there are no copies of the certificates in my personal file.” [myad]

Whoever Says I Endorsed Jonathan For 2015 Is Blatant Liar, Shehu Shagari

Greenbarge Reporters

January 21, 2015

The second Republic Nigerian President, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu Shagari has made it clear that he had never pronounced any endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for the February election, saying “the report is nothing but a blatant lie and I have condemned it in strong terms.”

In a statement released by one of the ex-president’s sons, Muhammad Bala Shagari, Shagari said that the media claiming he had endorsed the incumbent president and condemned Muhammadu Buhari’s candidature as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was in bad taste.

“I’d like to inform the general public and concerned citizens of this country that the speech that was credited to His Excellency, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, GCFR (Turakin Sokoto) by some media agencies and online news blogs in which His Excellency was reported to have endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and commending his government for some achievements is nothing but a blatant lie. And we’ve condemned it in strong terms.

“It is pertinent to note that Alhaji Shehu Shagari is not a card-carrying member of any political party neither (does he) support the candidature of any politician. Alhaji Shehu Shagari was for long retired from partisan politics, he’s known for his proven integrity and distinguished nationalist and elder statesman who treats every Nigerian/politician equally irrespective of his/her political party, tribe, ethnicity or religion.

“Therefore Alhaji Shehu Shagari has never ever issued any press statement [or granted] audience [to] any media agency to comment on the forthcoming elections or to speak of any politician, be it president or not.

“We therefore urge the general public to regard such publication as mere fabrications and concoctions aimed to tarnish the good image of Alhaji Shehu Shagari.” [myad]

EFCC Sets Traps For Some Governors, Top Nigerian Government Officials Over Corruption

Greenbarge Reporters

January 21, 2015

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and the United Kingdom’s Metropolitan Police have begun the monitoring of many of Nigeria’s serving governors, ministers and other top public figures, who have been siphoning public funds abroad. It has been revealed that their movements are being monitored and would soon be exposed to Nigerians and the international community.
Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde said in Abuja while receiving a top official of the London Metropolitan Police, Jonathan Benton, who was in his office to share ideas on the ongoing investigation involving the two organisations that the two agencies are pursuing corruption cases involving top Nigerians politicians who have been discovered to be committing graft in the course of their service to the nation.
Lamorde said that investigation into the financial activities of some unnamed serving governors, ministers and other top public officials in Nigeria is going on with a view to establishing credible evidence that would lead to inescapable prosecution.
He said the commission, having learnt from the mistake of the past, would not name the affected high profile suspects so as not to put them on the alert but would arrest and charge them to court once the agency was through with investigations.
The chairman, who did not also say how much the affected suspects might have stolen from the country so far, maintained that top officials of the government use proxies, family members and third party companies registered in tax havens to steal public funds thereby making it difficult for them to be tracked and punished for graft.
“We are pursuing several cases involving top politicians with the Metropolitan Police of London and we are mindful not to talk about them until investigation is concluded.
“We are also reviewing the cases and will soon make them public when we are ready to go to court. We are not in a hurry to name them. Any Nigerian in public office who steals public funds should know that there will be no hiding place.
Probe of serving govs
“Investigation of serving governors is ongoing but we won’t name those involved. Some of them will lose immunity in five months. We don’t want to arrest and release suspects anymore but to be armed with incontrovertible evidence to charge them to court once arrested.”
The chairman said the Metropolitan Police which has been working with the agency for the past 10 years, had helped Nigerian significantly in stemming the tide of corruption by public officials.
The chairman said it was the agency that made it possible for the arrest, trial and imprisonment of former governors DSP Alameyeisegha, Joshua Dariye and James Ibori for corruption.
He said because of the collaboration between the two anti-graft agencies, Nigeria would soon have some assets forfeited from Nigerian public figures returned to the country but did not say how much the country is expecting from the forfeiture.
And the London Metropolitan Police Detective Chief Inspector, Jonathan Benton, said while meeting with Lamorde that his organisation is willing to do more work with the EFCC and repatriate Nigeria’s wealth stolen and hidden abroad by its officials.
Benton assured that any stolen fund by Nigerians, which passes through London, seen as the financial capital of Europe, would be traced and repatriated by the organisation as long as they continue to work with the EFCC and Nigeria.
“If we find evidence of financial crimes in UK we will assist Nigeria and the EFCC in repatriating the money,” Benton assured. [myad]

From Buhari’s Principal To Army Selection Board In 1961

Greenbarge Reporters

January 21, 2015

Reproduced below is the testimonial written by the Principal of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina, on Muhammadu Buhari, a form six student then, to the Army Selection Board in 1961

BUHARI MOHAMED
Date of Birth: 17 Dec 1942. Date of leaving school: Dec 1961
Date covered by report: From Jan 1956 to Dec 1961.

“Entered Jan 1954. Taking normal 6 years to WASC. Head Boy of the School. Played for 1^st Soccer XI on occasion. Reserve for 1ste Hockey XI. Plays House Soccer and Hockey. Member Red Cross Junior xxxx. Vice-President of the Debating Society. Active and Alert, physically and mentally. Took WASC 1961. Predicted a Grade 2 Certificate for him. This is a reasonable hope. Wants a career in the Army. A fine boy of honest and open disposition. A trifle gentle in dealing with his Juniors. Loyal. Polite. Well mannered. Consciencious. Went to UK 1961 for a short visit sponsored by Elder Dempster Ltd.

Highly recommended as potential officer material” [myad]

How Federal Government Defrauded Nigerian Unemployed Of N800 Million, Oshiomhole Laments

Greenbarge Reporters

January 20, 2015

The Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has lamented that the Nigeria Federal Government has used the Immigration job recruitment to defraud unemployed Nigerian youths of over N800 million.

The governor, who was addressing a rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Etsako Local Government Area of the state, said that despite the huge amount of money collected from applicants seeking for the ill-fated Immigration recruitment “no Nigerian can point to any of their relations who have benefited from the job and even government’s policy on job creation.

“The PDP Federal Government cheated unemployed people, poor youths. They used a private consultancy firm to ask people to pay one thousand naira to an account. Nigerian rules are clear; you cannot collect money from unemployed people looking for jobs.

“PDP wanted to make money even from people who cannot take three square meals a day. They collected over N800 million from unemployed youths in the country. Nigeria has to change. Have you ever heard where you do interview in a stadium?”

The governor lamented the deaths at the Nigeria Immigrations Service (NIS), employment saga and queried the government for failing to punish those who were involved in the bloody scam.

He expressed surprised that even the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who was in the centre of the scandal later received an award of excellence after conducting the fatal interview that claimed the lives of Nigerian youth.

In saner climes, Oshiomhole argued, the minister should have resigned and turned himself in for prosecution.

Governor Oshiomhole who said that President Goodluck Jonathan administration’s claim of creating three million jobs was phony, insisted that the administration had not been able to deliver on promises made to Nigerian electorate in 2011.

After spending over $30 billion on power, he said Nigerians still live in darkness while the promise of constructing a second bridge across the River Niger has not started despite billions already spent on the project.

“They claim to have created three million jobs. Among you people that are here, how many of your brothers have got Federal Government jobs. Over the years, government employment is done based on rules,” Mr. Oshiomhole said.

He urged Nigerians not to support a government that impoverishes the citizenry and destroys the productive sector through criminal importation policy that enriches a few people.

He said, “They will import kerosene and distribute it to their friends. We are supposed to be buying kerosene at fifty naira. They have spent over N200 billion subsidizing kerosene for their own pockets.

“So when we say they must go you need to understand why we must vote out Jonathan. The issue in this election is that we need a President whose word is binding. As we speak, we don’t have any pride when you say you are a Nigerian.”

He called on Nigerians to demand explanations from the Federal Government on how it spent over $30 billion in the power sector without a concomitant improvement in the sector.

Oshiomhole urged the people to vote for the APC presidential candidate, Muhmmadu Buhari, and APC candidates at all levels, saying an APC Government will fight corruption, indiscipline and insurgency. [myad]

American International Studies Invites General Buhari To Speak On Nigeria’s Future

Greenbarge Reporters

January 20, 2015

Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) may be travelling to the Washington DC in the United States of America towards the end of January to honour an invitation by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

A letter of invitation, signed by the Director, African Programme of CSIS, Jennifer Cooke, requested Buhari “to give a major public address on Nigeria’s future as it stands on the edge of a pivotal national elections.”

Ms. Cooke gave Buhari the liberty to choose a convenient date for the proposed lecture.

“We propose to hold this event on a day of your choosing on either the week of January 5th or the week of January 26th, 2015 but will of course do our best to accommodate your schedule should you have other preferences.”

Ms. Cooke who said the event is expected to attract a large number of United State policymakers, academics, business leaders and members of the diaspora, also told Mr. Buhari that he would be expected to take part in a private off-the-record briefing with a small group of senior US government officials and U.S Congress.

“The event would be on-the-record and given the importance of Nigeria’s elections would be certain to attract a large audience of U.S. policymakers, academics, business leaders, and members of the diaspora. In addition, we invite you to take part in a private, off-the-record briefing with a small group of senior officials from the U.S. government and U.S. Congress. This will be an excellent opportunity to develop contacts and articulate your key messages to an influential audience of foreign policy decision-makers.”

“The CSIS Africa Program has long been engaged in research and analysis on the African continent, and Nigeria specifically. For the past year, we have hosted a conference series analyzing various dimensions of Nigeria’s forthcoming elections and their implications for peace, security, and prosperity in Africa’s most important country. These conferences have provided a platform for Nigerian statesmen to interact directly with Washington policymakers and we wanted to extend this opportunity to you. We hope that your schedule permits your participation and look forward to receiving a positive reply.”

[myad]

Large Crowd Welcome President Jonathan In Gusau

Greenbarge Reporters

January 20, 2015

Large crowd attended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential campaign rally in Gusau, capital of Zamfara state where President Goodluck Jonathan spoke about the necessity for the people to vote him back into office for a second-term as President of the country. [myad]

Buhari Had Credits In 5 WASC Subjects In 1961, Nigeria Army Clears The Air

Greenbarge Reporters

January 20, 2015

Director of Army Public Relations, Olajide Laleye

Nigeria Army has finally cleared the air on the controversies surrounding the school certificate of the Presidential candidate candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, saying that he obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects: English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a pass in English Literature.
At a press briefing today, the Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Olajide Laleye said that records available indicate that Major General M Buhari applied to join the military as a Form Six student of the Provincial Secondary School, Katsina on 18 October 1961. He said that Buhari’s application was duly endorsed by the Principal of the school, who also wrote a report on him and recommended him to be suitable for military commission.
“It is a practice in the NA that before candidates are shortlisted for commissioning into the officers’ cadre of the Service, the Selection Board verifies the original copies of credentials
that are presented. However, there is no available record to show that this process was followed in the 1960s.
“Nevertheless, the entry made on the NA Form 199A at the point of documentation after commission as an officer indicated that the former Head of State obtained the West African School Certificate (WASC) in 1961 with credits in relevant subjects: English Language, Geography, History, Health Science, Hausa and a pass in English Literature. Neither the original copy, Certified True Copy (CTC) nor statement of result of Major General M Buhari’s WASC result is in his personal file.
“I hope this explanation will put to rest the raging controversy surrounding the secondary school credentials of Major General Mohammed Buhari as it affects the Nigerian Army.”
Major General Olaleye made it clearly that the Nigerian Army holds the retired senior officer in very high esteem and respect and would not be a party to any controversy surrounding General Buhari’s eligibility for any political office.
He said that Buhari rose steadily to the enviable rank of Major General before becoming the Head of State of Nigeria in December 1983, adding that the media hype on retired Major General Buhari’s credentials as well as the numerous requests made by individuals and corporate bodies to the Nigerian Army on this issue necessitated that the provision of the facts as contained in the retired senior officer’s service record.
Meanwhile Buhari has scheduled to speak to Nigerians and the world tomorrow, about the controversies that have dogged his educational certificate and health status.
A statement from the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garab Shehu which described Governor Ayodele Fayose as errand boy of the power-that-be in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that General Buhari will address a press conference tomorrow morning in Kano to address the issue of the certificate.
Also the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has dismissed the rebuttal by the Peoples Democratic Party over the distasteful front page newspaper advertorial by Governor Ayo Fayose, promoting a death wish on General Muhammadu Buhari.
A statement from the Directorate of Media and Publicity of the APC presidential campaign today said that the denial of PDP advertorial signed by Governor Ayodele Fayose by Femi Fani-Kayode, is “merely a case of a master dissociating himself from the errand boy after the message had backfired.”
According to the APC Campaign, the response of the ruling party is “too casual and off-handed to impress anyone. It doesn’t sound convincing. The PDP needs to take this issue more seriously to underscore its commitment to the sustenance of Nigeria’s democracy and the non-violence pact entered into by the party and its presidential candidate.”
The statement, signed by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu says further that: “It is very irresponsible for the PDP to want to distance itself from the death threat to General Buhari, made by not only a sitting governor of the PDP but also a high ranking member of the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee.
“Just in case the PDP had forgotten, what was Fani-Kayode thinking in his mind when he challenged General Buhari to make a jog round a field? Was it to put him through a body fitness workout or to plant a sniper somewhere around the field?
“Whatever the intention of the PDP was, about the health status of General Buhari, we in the APC Campaign believe in the exclusivity of the divine role in the matters of life and death.
“It is not difficult for Nigerians to discern what the PDP odd intention towards the APC and its presidential candidate is. The PDP’s uncivilised death plot only exposes the mindset of the party and their cohorts.
“That the PDP can place such noxious campaign advertorial into the public domain, in a desperate attempt to promote an incompetent incumbent president is tantamount to PDP’s tradition of violence and victimization, as well as an eloquent commentary on how President Goodluck Jonathan runs his administration.”
The APC Presidential Campaign Organization restated its request for an independent investigation into the PDP threat against its presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the safety of Buhari and a free and fair election on February 14. [myad]

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