President Goodluck Jonathan, today, paid a surprise visit to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital where Boko Haram has been wreaking the most havoc. His visit, according to his spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, was part of the activity to mark Nigeria’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
While in Maiduri, President Jonathan met with officers and men of the Armed Forces who are currently in the frontline of the war against Boko Haram.
The President was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency. President Jonathan visited officers and men of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri to thank them for their patriotic and courageous service to the nation.
Jonathan was said to have told officers and soldiers of the Division that the nation was very proud of them and grateful for their dedication and commitment to the defence of the civilian population against terrorists and violent extremists.
President Jonathan also assured the troops that the Federal Government will continue to do everything possible to ensure that they get the weapons, equipment, welfare and logistics support they require to completely rout the insurgents and restore full security and normalcy to affected parts of the country.
Describing the troops as a special breed of men who were undertaking a great assignment for their fatherland, the President assured them that all necessary action was being taken to address challenges facing them in their operations against Boko Haram.
“In terms of equipment and logistics, we have already made considerable progress since the insurgency started and we will continue to improve in that regard until your operations are successfully concluded.”
President Jonathan also toured wards of the 7 Division Hospital and Medical Services Centre where he met with soldiers recovering from injuries sustained in operations against Boko Haram. He wished them speedy recovery.
Before leaving the Borno State capital, President Jonathan visited over 900 displaced persons from Baga at a camp in the city.
The President commiserated with the displaced persons on the losses they suffered during the attack on their town by Boko Haram.
He promised them that the Federal Government will strive to make their stay in the camps more comfortable while it continues to do all within its powers to restore peace and security to enable them return to their homes soon.
“Terrorism and insurgency have been very traumatic for all of us. I feel particularly disturbed when I hear of our people being displaced within their own country.
“I assure you and other displaced persons that Government is working very hard to ensure that you do not remain in these camps for too long.
“I know that many of your houses have been destroyed. We will assist you financially so that you can rebuild your homes and return to them gradually,” President Jonathan told the displaced persons.
The President thanked the Red Cross and other international organizations who have been assisting in the provision of relief materials to the displaced persons.
He also charged local, state and federal government officials to work with greater harmony and cooperation in rendering support to the displaced persons.
“I do not want to be hearing conflicting reports on support being given to them. Government is one and we must all work together to assist our people whenever the need arises.
“We must cooperate maximally and work together at the local government, state and federal levels to ensure that our people who are unfortunately displaced from their homes get the best possible treatment.” [myad]
These days, I hear people say that president Jonathan has done “nothing” to fight corruption in Nigeria.
When I hear this, two things come to my mind. It’s either…They don’t know the truth or… They are lying For Nigeria to “beat” 8 countries to become the 136th most transparent country in the world is not accident. It happened for a reason.
Below are 7 things the Nigerian President did to reduce corruption…
1. 40 Years Of Corruption In The Agricultural Sector Ended Within 90 Days
Before President Jonathan (and his team) came on board, this was how fertilizers and seeds were distributed to government (and farmers)… – Fertilizer and seed suppliers will collect money from the government – Some bagged and supplied sands; others supplied under sized bags. Seed suppliers bought grains from the market and supply as seedlings. As a result, their supplies were useless. They collected government money and supplied fake products. To make matters worse, distribution was another problem. If the government gives distributors fertilizers and seeds to share to farmers for free, they’ll sell it. So how did President Jonathan solve the problem? Common phone. Yes! COMMON PHONE. The federal government distributed e-wallet installed phones to farmers. And how did these phones do the magic? Simple! Instead of getting supplies from the suppliers, the federal government pays the money directly into the farmers’ phone. The farmers buy the fertilizers themselves – after all, they know the original and fake fertilizers better – It’s their line of business. The Result? N50 billion Naira has been blocked from fertilizer money thieves. Also, local farmers started producing in full capacity. As a result, Nigeria has saved more than N700 billion on food import. 2. President Jonathan Organized The Freest, Fairest And Most Peaceful And Credible Elections EVER “Electoral corruption is the mother of all corruptions” – President GoodLuck Jonathan When President Jonathan was sworn in as the acting president in 2010, he vowed to fight electoral corruption to a stand-still. How did he go about it? – He enacted electoral laws and guidelines that were beyond manipulation – He created an electoral system that is manned by qualified, competent and efficient personnel – He conducted free, fair and credible elections The Result? Governorship elections were acclaimed by both local and international observers and free, fair and credible in… – Edo state – Ondo state – Anambra state – Ekiti state – Osun state In these 5 elections, only one was won by the president’s party (A.k.a the ruling party), the PDP. The major opposition the APC won in 2 states and 2 other parties APGA and LP won the other 2. As a result, the confidence of most Nigerians in the electoral process has increased dramatically. No wonder more Nigerians are now interested in getting the permanent voters card. 3. 60,000 “GHOST” Workers Exposed Between 2007 – 2010, the federal government built a new system for paying salaries, the IPPIS system. In 2012, President Jonathan (and his team) took it a step further. They used it to expose “ghost” workers. By October 2014, they’ve discovered over 60,000. For years, these fake workers has been collectively carting away N160 billion every year. Impressively, the case has been transferred to ICPC for further investigation and prosecution. 4. N1.4 Trillion Worth Of Public Sector Theft Blocked Through Import-Waiver Reforms What’s import waiver? Simple! It’s the tax (A.k.a import duty) that the government removes on economic boosting goods – goods that boost the economy. Eg. Raw materials, machinery and spare parts. Before Jonathan (and his team) came in, corrupt public officers heavily abused this system. They gave and received waivers on unapproved goods. Between 2011 – 2013, over N1.4 Trillion was lost. As a result, the importers whom the waiver was meant for hardly got it. With the Jonathan reform in the sector, loopholes have been blocked. 5. Stealing Money Through Government Contract Is Now Harder Than Ever In 2007, the federal government made a law that made it difficult for government contractors to steal money. It is called the public procurement act. As a result, they’ve (between 2009 – 2013) blocked N558 billion from getting to contract thieves. They even went as far as fishing out 180 contract stealing companies. The case has been forwarded to the anti-corruption agencies. 6. Ongoing Sanitization Of The Oil And Gas Sector Already Yielding Results When President Jonathan came on board, he primarily focused on fighting corruption in 3 key areas… – Electoral corruption – Fertilizer distribution corruption – Corruption in the oil and gas So far, war on “electoral corruption” and “fertilizer distribution corruption” has recorded tremendous success. But the oil and gas has been the hardest. Nevertheless, this is what he has achieved so far… He exposed the biggest scam ever in Nigeria’s history. In 2011, he told us (Nigerians) that there was huge corruption going on in the fuel subsidy sub-sector. So, he took the subsidy money and put it in places where it will yield more dividend. Well, nobody understood him. So in January 2012, we all went on strike. To prove his point, a probe panel was set up. What did they discover? USD6.8 Billion (N108.8 Billion) has been stolen in just 3 years. Let’s put things in perspective. What really is subsidy? If a cup (Aka. De Rica) of garri is N300 and I pay N100 for you, then I’ve subsidized the garri – that’s garri subsidy. What is subsidy scam? If the garri seller sells 1 cup of garri to you and then lie to me that he sold 10 cups, that’s subsidy scam. The Result? The subsidy money was used to create the sure-p programme. Below are the achievements so far… – Used to support road construction. As a result, 17,000km out of the 23,000 km of bad federal road completed. It’s just remaining 7,000 km and the entire federal road in Nigeria will become good. – Support for maternal health 600 health centers (mostly in rural communities) already built – and equipped. 700 still under construction. Consequentially, maternal death has been reduced by 60%. Half a million women now give birth under the care of trained midwives. – Increased water access – Over 620 boreholes built nationwide. – Supported the fight against unemployment Sure-p has been helping in the struggle to get jobs for the 22 million unemployed Nigerian youths… It’s been working with (and paying) 2,000 youths across the country. 3,000 graduates has gotten jobs under the “graduate internship scheme (GIS)” 5,075 youths undergoing vocational training. Furthermore… He created and sponsored the most controversial bill in Nigeria’s history, the “Petroleum Industrial Bill (BIB)” In 2008, the federal government created and sent the petroleum industrial bill (PIB) to the national assembly. It is a bill that will block all the corruption loopholes – and solve every other problem – in the petroleum industry. What happened to it? It was vehemently rejected. On 18th July 2012, President Jonathan resent the bill. But up till now, legislation on the bill has not gone half way. In May 2015(barely 4 months from now), this current national assembly will be dissolved. A new one will be set up and everybody will go back to square one. Hmm… You never knew corruption could fight back? Now you do. As if that is not enough… He has commissioned – and never stood on the way of any – probe in almost every sector of the industry… – Aig- Imoukhuede Presidential committee on verification and reconciliation of subsidy claims and payments – Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force Committee – The Dotun Suleiman committee – The Kalu Idika Kalu committee – The 20 Billion Naira Scam probe – Etcetera… 7. EFCC Has Prosecuted 427 Cases In 3 Years The Jonathan led federal government strengthened the EFCC and allowed them do their job. As a result, 427 cases were prosecuted between 2012 – 2014. The Result? Fraud in Nigeria reduced from N495 billion to N300 billion. Hence, EFCC saved the country N195 billion. Sadly, most of the successfully concluded cases are… – Advanced fee frauds – Internet frauds – Commercial cases Cases involving top government officials have dragged on for years. The EFCC has blamed this on the Judiciary. These officers (and politicians) frustrate the process. They manipulate the judiciary with the wealth and influence they’ve acquired. Unfortunately, the federal government (A.k.a the executive) has very limited power over the judiciary (the 3rd arm of government). Despite that, President Jonathan has continued to use “advocacy” to push for the sanitization of the judiciary. When he finally succeeds, then every Nigerian – including the very high and mighty – will become truly subject to the law, irrespective of who is president. President Jonathan’s approach to fighting corruption looks radically different. He has focused on strengthening institutions and blocking loopholes in the system. Where possible, he used technology. Funny enough, this is how Denmark, New Zealand and Finland (the 3 most transparent countries in the world) rooted out corruption from their country. [myad]
The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, is obviously angry with contractors handling various projects across the state, warning them “any contractor that has plotted to abandon its project(s) because this administration is winding down, will be blacklisted.” The governor represented by his commissioner of Works, Funkekeme Solomon and Director of Communications for Okowa Campaign Organization, had summoned the contractors to the board room of the Ministry of Works in Asaba yesterday. He drew their attention to a time-table of unscheduled visit to project sites. Governor Uduaghan, who had since early last year vowed to finish all the contracts, said he would not allow any contractor to tarnish his record. He urged the contractors, including the ULO Consultant Setraco, CCC Construction Company and over 20 others, to make use of the dry season period, he said he would spend the remaining four months of his administration to monitor and repudiate tepid ones. The threat Uduaghan handed down forced contracting firms in the state to hurry back to site. He warned that he would not hesitate to drag any failed contractor to court. Uduaghan he said the fly-overs in Asaba and Warri and construction of bridges across the state must be completed before May 29. He hinted that the state would soon categorize its projects in their stages of performance by marking them Poor, Average, Good and Excellent, with the names of the contracting firm handling them attached to it. He added: “We are in the dry season, just as we have four months to go. “We invited few of you here because we have realised that you have projects you need to fast track. “Those of you working on the fly-overs and bridges have to redouble your efforts. “His Excellency, the Governor, has directed that he wants to go into massive project commissioning in the next three months. “We have planned to embark on unscheduled visit to project sites. “Your work must be qualitative so that your reputation will not be damaged. “We won’t handover uncompleted projects to the incoming administration of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa because there is no other party yet in this state to confront the Peoples Democratic Party. “If you want to tarnish your official engagement with the state, then work for failure. “Let me just advice and warn that any contractor that has plotted to abandon its project(s) because this administration is winding down, will be blacklisted.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation has asked the federal government led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to explain to Nigerians what it called the phantom ceasefire it reported to have struck with members of Boko Haram which has obviously collapsed. APC said that the Jonathan administration has decided not to talk about it, pretending that the passage of time would automatically make the issue die a natural death. A statement by the Directorate of Media and Publicity of the campaign and signed by Mallam Garba Shehu said that the Jonathan government got it wrong on the curious silence over the botched deal. “A democratic government should be open and accountable to the people. Accountability is the dividing line between a dictatorship and a democratic government, but the Jonathan administration is behaving as if it owes Nigerians no explanations over the failed ceasefire deal. “For the sake of Nigerians who may have lost their recollection of this epic national scandal called a “ceasefire deal” with Boko Haram, it is important to quote the government officials and remind them of the promises they made to free the Chibok girls under that phantom truce. “On October 17, 2014, the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh excitedly told an expectant nation that a deal had been reached with Boko Haram, which included not only a ceasefire, but also the immediate release of the kidnapped Chibok girls within a week. He said: “…I wish to inform this audience that a ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ahlul Sunna Li Daawa Wal Jihad (Boko Haram). I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.” Garba Shehu said that a previously unknown man called Danladi Ahmadu was widely reported by the international media as being the contact person between Boko Haram, Chad and Nigeria, but that within 24 hours, the Boko Haram putative leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a video message through the French news agency (AFP), denying any ceasefire deal and repudiated Danladi Ahmadu, the so-called Boko Haram representative at the ceasefire talks. “Ironically, while Air Marshal Badeh was directing service chiefs to enforce the “ceasefire immediately,” the Boko Haram terrorists launched simultaneous attacks on towns and villages, including Badeh’s hometown. The Boko Haram had not only discredited the “ceasefire” but also vowed to continue their terrorist campaigns. “This purported “ceasefire” had brought instant ray of hope to the families of the Chibok girls, currently being held hostage by the terrorists. Sadly, their hope had evaporated after it became evident that the “ceasefire” was a hoax after all. There were also reports that Nigeria had lost millions of dollars to the fake peace deal. “What is more shocking, however, is that since the collapse of the so-called truce with Boko Haram, the federal government has maintained sealed lips, despite repeated reports that Nigeria had been conned into the “ceasefire” deal. “Rather than coming clean to tell Nigerians what happened, the Jonathan administration feels it owes the citizens no explanations. Is this the character of a democratic government? Why the government did announce a unilateral ceasefire without any assurance of the workability of the deal (if it had ever existed)? Does the government think the issue will die a natural death with the passage of time, hoping that the citizens don’t have the right to know? Should a democratic government be run like a cult when matters of public importance are shrouded in secrecy? Does greeting every issue of public importance, including the missing $50 billion and the millions of dollars allegedly lost to fake ceasefire deal with deliberate silence reflects the character of a serious and accountable government?” [myad]
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Organisation has asked the federal government led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to explain to Nigerians what it called the phantom ceasefire it reported to have struck with members of Boko Haram which has obviously collapsed. APC said that the Jonathan administration has decided not to talk about it, pretending that the passage of time would automatically make the issue die a natural death. A statement by the Directorate of Media and Publicity of the campaign and signed by Mallam Garba Shehu said that the Jonathan government got it wrong on the curious silence over the botched deal. “A democratic government should be open and accountable to the people. Accountability is the dividing line between a dictatorship and a democratic government, but the Jonathan administration is behaving as if it owes Nigerians no explanations over the failed ceasefire deal. “For the sake of Nigerians who may have lost their recollection of this epic national scandal called a “ceasefire deal” with Boko Haram, it is important to quote the government officials and remind them of the promises they made to free the Chibok girls under that phantom truce. “On October 17, 2014, the Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh excitedly told an expectant nation that a deal had been reached with Boko Haram, which included not only a ceasefire, but also the immediate release of the kidnapped Chibok girls within a week. He said: “…I wish to inform this audience that a ceasefire agreement has been concluded between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Ahlul Sunna Li Daawa Wal Jihad (Boko Haram). I have accordingly directed the service chiefs to ensure immediate compliance with this development in the field.” Garba Shehu said that a previously unknown man called Danladi Ahmadu was widely reported by the international media as being the contact person between Boko Haram, Chad and Nigeria, but that within 24 hours, the Boko Haram putative leader, Abubakar Shekau, released a video message through the French news agency (AFP), denying any ceasefire deal and repudiated Danladi Ahmadu, the so-called Boko Haram representative at the ceasefire talks. “Ironically, while Air Marshal Badeh was directing service chiefs to enforce the “ceasefire immediately,” the Boko Haram terrorists launched simultaneous attacks on towns and villages, including Badeh’s hometown. The Boko Haram had not only discredited the “ceasefire” but also vowed to continue their terrorist campaigns. “This purported “ceasefire” had brought instant ray of hope to the families of the Chibok girls, currently being held hostage by the terrorists. Sadly, their hope had evaporated after it became evident that the “ceasefire” was a hoax after all. There were also reports that Nigeria had lost millions of dollars to the fake peace deal. “What is more shocking, however, is that since the collapse of the so-called truce with Boko Haram, the federal government has maintained sealed lips, despite repeated reports that Nigeria had been conned into the “ceasefire” deal. “Rather than coming clean to tell Nigerians what happened, the Jonathan administration feels it owes the citizens no explanations. Is this the character of a democratic government? Why the government did announce a unilateral ceasefire without any assurance of the workability of the deal (if it had ever existed)? Does the government think the issue will die a natural death with the passage of time, hoping that the citizens don’t have the right to know? Should a democratic government be run like a cult when matters of public importance are shrouded in secrecy? Does greeting every issue of public importance, including the missing $50 billion and the millions of dollars allegedly lost to fake ceasefire deal with deliberate silence reflects the character of a serious and accountable government?” [myad]
Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has declared that re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan for another term in office is non-negotiable for the people of the South-South geo-political zone. Governor Uduaghan who addressed supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the State rally in Koko, Warri North local Government Area, stressed that the President deserved another four years in office because he has a listening ear to the plight of the Niger Delta region. “The biggest fish in this 2015 election is President Goodluck Jonathan who is re-contesting again as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is not just a son of this area, it is significant that we re-elect him because he understands our problems, when we cry to him, he listens. “It is our responsibility to vote for him (President Goodluck Jonathan), we did it before and we shall do it again.” Dr. Uduaghan said that all the candidates of the PDP in the February general elections deserved to be elected because they are masses-oriented in their thoughts and actions. Speaking on the choice of Barr. Kingsley Otuaro as running mate to the PDP Governorship candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Uduaghan explained that the decision was a strategic move aimed at consolidating on the peace in the Warri area. According to him: “we have had our fair share of conflicts in this area, we have tried to manage the peace and security in this area, it has not been easy, nobody should take the peace and security we are enjoying for granted because a lot of persons contributed to it. We have a lot of youths who are today living peacefully together. “To continue with that peaceful process is not going to be easy but I believe if people in this area continue to be active in politics, we can continue to maintain that peace and even take it higher. “There is a young man who was involved in ensuring that we actively and seriously maintain peace in this area. I am saying this because I can give testimonies of his activities for us in achieving peace in this area. He was a community leader, he was involved in most of the activities we carried out for us to have peace…and today, our governorship candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has chosen him to be his running mate and that is the person of Barr. Kingsley Otuaro. “For me as an individual, the duo of Dr. Okowa and Barr. Otuaro as Governor and Deputy Governor is a divine blessing for us because even as we are enjoying the peace, there are also things that can cause insecurity, fortunately, he (Barr. Otuaro) is an evangelist and he is praying, and through his experience in achieving peace in this area, Delta State will continue to enjoy peace. “This is because, the truth is that when there is sneezing in this area, not only Delta State will shake but, the whole of Nigeria will be affected. We are going to ensure and give him the responsibility to ensure that there is no sneezing in this area.” Senator Okowa, at the occasion thanked Governor Uduaghan for encouraging him and also commended the people for believing in him. He promised to embark on programmes that will better the lives of the people of the state, noting that the PDP Government has transformed Delta since it assumed power in 1999. Chairman of the party in the state, Chief Edwin Uzor urged Deltans to vote massively for PDP Candidates, stating that there is no other political party that has better ideology and has empowered the people through the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people like the PDP. [myad]
Rev. Father. Ejike Mbaka, the young, fiery Catholic priest of the Adoration Ministry Enugu fame is a well talented man of God and quite combative in his evangelism. He is most importantly known in these parts for his outspokenness and fearlessness in interrogating power. In fact any memoirs of erstwhile Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State that is devoid of at least a substantial mention of his encounter with Fr. Mbaka will obviously suffer a literary and historical flaw and hiatus. The revered and often loquacious priest sufficiently engaged the former governor and kept him on the edge for a good while. After years of the practice of his brand of evangelism, Mbaka has come to master the art. With a creative combination of the solemnity and compelling meditation attendant to the liturgy of the catholic church; the combative and sometimes aggressive prayers of the Pentecostal mode with its occasional lapse into a staccato of strange, seemingly cacophonous language together with the fear-inspiring, masquerade-invoking sensationalistic features of native African religion using the gong, Mbaka has been able to achieve a mass appeal and has become an asset of legendary proportions raking in money, men and materials to the catholic church. He has also dispensed much in charity to the less privileged in his native Enugu state. So, when during his New Year message, this formidable man of God took to what amounts to a harangue on the person of the president of our country, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the message, understandably got viral with amazing celerity. Mbaka is a priest whose influence and importance lie in the sheer quantum of his flock, admirers etc. If he says something silly, he would definitely lose sleep because this flock, the source of his power may get thin. He does not seem to have stirred the hornet’s nest among his flock with his new message and that should worry the president and his team and the communication infrastructure attendant to such issues. To pretend that Mbaka cannot influence anybody is to take a trip in self delusion because he obviously can, not a few but many. That this priest can rise above religion and geography at this time in our nation’s history to entreat his followers and everybody to vote for Buhari, against Jonathan is both instructive and revealing. The major discount in Mbaka’s call was his inability to tell what Buhari can do better and the means of achieving them in order to help comparative analysis and informed voting. But whether Buhari loses or wins, a number of very germane lessons, instructions emanate from his candidacy namely that there can be times when Nigerians can genuinely afford to rise above religious sentiments; that the very divisive animosity, if not outright hatred that exists between the rich and the poor in our country is still deep-seated and growing; that there are very few Nigerians whose wealth cannot be traced to government either through direct robbery from government via politics, inflated contracts or favored waivers that violate all known anti-trust laws. That military rule is after all not the type of evil it has been painted to be and that somewhere in the corner of the minds of Nigerians is the possibility that military leadership is still viewed as a lot better than the practice of democracy. Otherwise, from where did Buhari garner all the attributes upon which his present popularity is soaring? Buhari is by far, the most naturally popular living Nigerian leader. An expression which compels a definition, that he is one leader who can attract a genuinely enthusiastic crowd without hiring or paying for them. If after 16 years of uninterrupted democracy, many Nigerians are quite enthusiastic in placing Buhari as the messiah of the nation, then it is clear that any kind of democracy cannot be better than all military rules. It means that the ordinary citizen needs at all times a leader who can by sheer force of his personality infuse in the polity, the required discipline for the restoration of rectitude in at least some important spheres of life. There is need for deep introspection on what has gone wrong. The disturbing clue is that an autocrat or a military dictator who champions the cause of a better society where rule of law, equity, justice and discipline are prime values is a lot better than a ‘democrat’ who stays in his office and makes a list of those he thinks can represent the people. Little wonder all military coups in Nigeria except that of Abacha were heralded by transports of tumultuous joy all over the country. The very idea of democracy is founded in the logic that consensus is better than command. But when the latter remains a substantial feature of democracy, the difference is then lost. The 2015 presidential election promises to be interesting. There are those who believe so much in the president; so many of them moneyed and somehow scared of the puritanical posture of a Buhari but ready to spend embarrassing sums of money to stop him. There are others who feel so cheated and often times annoyed that the nation’s patrimony has been so brazenly coveted under the Jonathan presidency by men and women who have grown above the laws of the land that they need a man like Buhari, a former military leader who neither owns a house in Abuja nor an oil bloc and who it seems have been able to tame his greed to come around to institute a regime of laws and ethics to the land. Mbaka, perhaps, more, through this last line of thinking than any revelations has opted for a Buhari. There are yet those who unconvinced by Mbaka’s posture, will still throw up the sectarian card which accuses Buhari of potentials for undiluted zealotry against other religious persuasions. But whatever strength a Buhari is bringing to the table, including the seemingly sure calculation of securing the south west vote, he is sure to battle the untoward influence of the sheer armada of resources of the president’s men. Few weeks are away to know how far, the message of the Padre of the Enugu based Christ the King Parish, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka sank into the psyche of the people. May God bless our country, this year and always. [myad]
The Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio, has made it clear that the only solution to Nigeria’s search for peace is the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office. The governor, who spoke in Uyo today at an interdenominational Church service, urged Nigerians to allow the continuity of President Jonathan’s administration in the country. “As a PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) chieftain, I have found the solution to the peace we are seeking in Nigeria. That solution is the election of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for a second term in office.” “When you do that, you would show that you are not a religious bigot. When you do that, you would show that you are not an ethnic jingoist and that you believe in the unity of this country.” Akpabio, however said that he did not share the sentiments that the February elections would divide the country along religious lines, saying that the exercise would rather unify the country and usher in brotherhood and brotherliness between Christians and Muslims “Because God did not make a mistake in creating over 280 tribes and putting all of them together as one, the next election will be about love, not religion. It will help unite the plurality of Nigeria and not allow religion to tear us apart.” According to him, re-election of Jonathan would not divide the South and the North, adding that since he was elected by both Muslims and Christians, his re-election would equally not allow religion to divide the country. “I want to plead with all Nigerians to join hands together to allow the continuity of this administration. I want to urge the media to focus on those good things so that Nigerians will see the need to allow continuity of the current administration to complete the good works already started by the president.” On the achievements of his administration, Akpabio said the pace of development of the state under his leadership has been so fast that not many people even noticed that most Akwa Ibom citizens were no longer doing menial jobs on the streets of Lagos. Most of those citizens, the governor said, have since returned to Akwa Ibom schools on the basis of the free and compulsory education under the uncommon transformation programme of his administration in the education sector. “No one can completely analyse the efforts of the administration to transform the state, because, just like they cannot understand the ways of God, it is extremely all encompassing.” Governor Akpabio said his administration was born of God, in line with his campaign slogan in 2006 for God’s will to be done. Criticizing the media for the poor perception of the achievements of the government, the governor said irrespective of the achievements recorded in various sectors of the economy, the newspapers have continued to churn out falsehood daily and circulate on the internet. According to him, when the entire media are owned by the opposition, even if an entire power sector was transformed or the railways made to work, nobody would know or see, because nobody would publish it. He said that even when roads are built, like the second Niger Bridge now being constructed, or power plants and dams were being built and power supply improving, nobody would either notice, because they are not being reported. [myad]
Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has pledged his commitment to return Nigerian armed forces to its place of pride among the comitty of nations if he is elected in the february election even as he promised to make a new deal for the nation’s women and youths.. “I wish to assure you of my un-alloyed commitment to returning the Armed Forces to its place of pride among committee of nations.” A statement issued by the Director of Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential campaign organisation, Garba Shehu to mark the armed forces remembrance day today, said that General Buhari sympathised and condole with the families of members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in various military operations to keep Nigeria secured. He equally sympathised with the men and officers that are currently battling with insurgents in North Eastern part of Nigeria. “An APC government will provide the necessary military equipment and personnel to prosecute the battle effectively and efficiently as soon as we are voted into power in the forthcoming elections,” Buhari assured and added that APC is fully aware of the sufferings of the military retirees whose pension arrears and gratuity have remained a serious problem. The APC flag bearer made clear that his government, is he is voted into power, would correct the Problems even as he advised the armed forces to remain apolitical and focus on the ethos of discipline, which is the hallmark of their profession. “I am aware of the neglect of the military over the years and assure you that everything will be done within available resources to train and equip the military to the level comparable with other developed militaries of the world in the shortest possible time.” He acknowledged that the Nigerian Military had accomplished a lot of feats in building and ensuring global security and peace in conjunction with the armed forces of other great nations of the world as was experienced in the Congo, Sierra-Leone, Liberia, Lebanon and other areas. “Therefore, I call on all Nigerians to join us in the APC in our quest to making Nigeria a better place for all.” General Buhari promised that he would initiate policies and programmes that will impact positively on the lives of youths and women when he is voted into office in the February 14 presidential election. He said that the APC manifesto contains several innovations and legislative proposals that will promote the manpower development and social participation of women and youths in the country. “Drawing extensively from the information contained in the APC’s manifesto, a federal government under the leadership of Buhari promises to offer women and youths in Nigeria a new deal. “We are firmly committed to the value that women are the backbone of the Nigerian society, especially in our rural communities. Therefore, issues that matter to the average Nigerian woman cut across the spectrum of policy areas, such as agriculture – where they predominate as farmers and farm labour – to health and education, where their concern for their children are paramount. “Our policy position for woman takes into cognisance the fact that in spite of several rights outlined in the 1999 Constitution, many women do not enjoy the same freedom as men, particularly in the fields of education, economic empowerment and political participation. “No society can progress where half of its population suffers systemic discrimination. An APC government will seek to end all forms of gender discrimination in both public and private sectors, in education, employment and housing and also protect equal property and inheritance rights.” Buhari said that the core policy objectives of the APC for women and youths to include, “improving anti-discriminatory legislation and instituting merit-based affirmative action in employment; injecting gender as a component of federal character and appointing a Minister for Women and Gender in the Office of the President; enforcing legal protection for the fundamental rights of the girl-child in all areas of religious, social and economic life.” Other policy concerns according to him include, “providing women with greater legal protection from domestic violence and sexual harassment; empowering the Police with specialist training on handling of domestic violence issues; strengthening coordination between women and youths’ agencies at state and federal levels cutting across ethnic and religious barriers.” Other policy initiatives which Buhari promised to implement include “improving and strengthening support for women and youths’ participation in all sectors of the economy through training and skill acquisition; develop innovative ways of encouraging women and youths participation; encouraging local governments to combat female adult illiteracy with education programmes in local languages and provide incentives for the private sector to support these initiatives.” [myad]
They got married on September 3rd, 1998 and had their first child on December 29th, 2014. Excited 60-year old Tunrayo Alagbe who christened her first child on the 5th of January, 2015, says God is never too late.
It was a sunny afternoon on Monday, January 5, 2015, and the atmosphere was radiantly purpled by the stylish outfits of many who had come to witness the naming ceremony of the lovely daughter of the Alagbes. The crowd was surprisingly large, even for the African setting, as many braced the burning rays beating down on the premises of the Women Missionary Union (WMU) headquarters of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Total Garden area, Ibadan, just to show their solidarity with the couple.
As the President of the NBC, Reverend Dr Supo Ayokunle, affirmed during his address at the naming ceremony, “This child has, from the beginning, started breaking records. I have never seen a naming ceremony that attracted this kind of crowd. Also, no naming ceremony has been conducted on the premises before now. This goes to show that God can do anything, anytime, anywhere and anyhow, pleasantly, for his own people. For those who wait upon God, it is never over until it is over. This is an occasion for us to understand that God’s ways are not our ways.”
The Retired Executive Director, Women Missionary Union, Nigeria, and a close friend of the family who anchored the naming of the baby, Reverend Mrs Yemi Ladokun, took the audience through the time of waiting. She showed to the crowd some flowers from the bouquet used during the wedding and stated that she had kept the flowers thinking she would use them during the year after the wedding during the naming ceremony of a child but she was wrong as she had to wait for almost 17 years.
The child was given close to 40 names including, Halleluyah, Testimony, Esther, Jesulayomi, Ileri-Ayo-Mi, OkikiJesu, Adepate, Oluwatoyin, Omoronike, Ibiyemi, Oluremi, Motunrayo, Mo-F’Oluwa-ke, Aderonke, Odunola, Eri-Ipe, Ewa-Iyin, Itan-iyanu-ife, IturaOluwa, Favour, Oluwadamilare, Titilayomi-niwaju-Oluwa, among other significant names.
‘A childless woman has no honour, no respect, no place’
Speaking with Sunday Tribune on the experience during the years of anxiety, Mrs Alagbe noted that the many years of worrying, coupled with the delay before marriage, contributed to making the experience quite worrying. According to her, “I wouldn’t say we were not worried, but God wascomforting and encouraging us. It was not a pleasant experience at all. We experienced delay before marriage but this one was more excruciating. However, God sustained us.”
On the most nagging worry during the times of trial, the couple notes that the African tendency to look down on a childless couple was a constant source of concern. According to the mother, “InAfrica, having children is very important. If you’re married and childless, it’s like you have no honour, no respect, no place. You’re nobody, so to speak.”
The father, Paul Alagbe, further stated that “She would sometimes say if she had known that it would be like this, she would not marry me as it seems like she is a problem to me.” His wife affirmed this by stating that “Medically, I was told he has no problem, but I was the one whose fallopian tubes were blocked. I felt like I was a burden to him, like I shouldn’t have come his way and instead allowed him to live his life.”
‘Childlessness does not mean you are married to the wrong person’
The president of the NBC, Reverend Ayokunle, who spoke on challenges and godly responses noted that nobility and godliness does not immune an individual from trials. According to him, “Childlessness is not a modern-day challenge. The fact that your family is childless does not mean you are married to the wrong person. Some couples who do not have the problem of childlessness have other problems. Would you rather exchange childlessness for blindness, for instance? A problem is a problem but God is always there.”
On her general outlook during the period of not knowing how things would turn out, Mrs Alagbe, whom many describe as cheerful, warm and always ready with a smile, narrated “I kept hoping. I cherished my personal relationship with God because I know that the day you die, this issue of having children no longer has meaning. So, I was jealously guarding my personal relationship with God, especially in relation to eternity. I tried to enjoy other things God has blessed me with.Although, I was often disturbed by that one thing he had not done, I tried to enjoy what he has done and in my own little way, I served him, hoping He will do it. I thought that if He doesn’t do it, He knows why and knows how to sustain me. That’s also why I didn’t visit all sort of places because I know that if I eventually get a child from the wrong source and I end up in hell, what use will it be? Besides, God encouraged me that He will do it and I trusted in His promise.”
‘There was pressure on me as the only surviving male to have a child’
Her husband, Mr Alagbe, was not also without his own troubles. According to him, he was constantly reminded about the need to take the alternative option by getting a second wife. This was further hinged on his position as the only surviving male child of his family. As Mr Alagbe puts it, “We were six in my family; four of them died and it was just me and my sister left. All my siblings who died did not have any children and there was pressure on me as the only surviving male to have a child. However, I was convinced by my faith not to do anything negative.”
God never comes too late –Mother
Mrs Alagbe, who started treatment in early 2014, was confirmed pregnant in April 2014 and the reaction of the couple when the news first broke is too much to sufficiently capture in words.
“I didn’t believe it. It didn’t have much meaning to me. It was like I was dreaming. However, as time went on, I saw it becoming a reality. I just kept thanking God because He said He will do it according to his promise in Psalm 40. I know that this miracle is for God’s name to be glorified and for the hope of people to be reawakened so that they believe that God still works miracles. God never comes too late,” Mrs Alagbe stated.
For Mr Alagbe, his reception of the good news was almost unbelievable. In his words, “It was like a dream. I kept asking myself if it was true.”
While echoing the joy of motherhood, Mrs Alagbe stated that “I just praise God. I’m delighted that God kept his word. In January 2013, there was a prophecy in our church that God will do it. Several people came to me and told me to hold on to that prophecy because it was for me. In addition to what others had been telling me, and the support I received, especially from my church, El-Shaddai Baptist Church, Pastor Mrs Olateju and many people, I am happy that God has been faithful to His word.”
‘You can still help people even in your own sorrow’
While acknowledging that going through childlessness is no trivial task, Mrs Alagbe advises couples in this situation to guard their relationship with God whatever the eventual outcome. As she points out, “Even if at the end of the day, God doesn’t do it, it is to the advantage of the couple. I reached that stage where I told God that if He doesn’t do it, I’m okay with His decision because He knows what is best for me. My advice is that they should hold on to God and ensure that their personal relationship with God stands. They should also do other things to serve God because when you serve God, you are not likely to be too sorrowful and you’ll be happy to meet the needs of others and minister to people. Couples should not aimlessly trust God but anchor on a verse on the Bible and trust the eventual manifestation of God’s word. They should also help others. You can still help people even in your own sorrow. When you minister to the needs of people, your burden is lightened. The couple shouldn’t become so averse to others as if barrenness is the only problem in the world. Afterall, God has done other things that they can enjoy and appreciate. Let them hold on to God.”
Mr Alagbe, affirmed by friends and church members to be a friend of children and who also teaches children in the church, advises couples in the situation to ensure that they are not hostile to people, especially children, no matter how hard it seems.
Taking more wives is causing more problems –Father
In his advice for men who are currently undergoing the challenge of childlessness and who, like him, had been advised to take a second wife, Mr Alagbe encourages them to fear God, stating that “If they go for more wives, they are asking for more problems. The best thing is to hold on to God and see beyond the immediate situation. Right from time, I knew there was a problem but I also considered what the situation would be if I was the one who had the problem.”
The couple attempted to relive the priceless memory of viewing the child for the first time. For Mr Alagbe, “There was anxiety at the time of delivery. I read Tribune newspapers a lot and I had read something about a similar case in which the operation was not successful and I kept thinking about it. But when I saw the baby, I almost cried. I was very happy.”
For Mrs. Alagbe, “I was just happy. I don’t know the words to use. I was excited. I was thrilled that the baby had come at last. I had her through Caesarian section at Vine Branch Medical Centre and at the theatre, when they told me ‘this is your baby; it’s a perfect baby,’ I wanted to scream and say ‘Wow! So this is what was in my womb!’ I lack words to explain. Even though I was in pains, I couldn’t sleep throughout that day. I was just looking at her and I kept saying to myself, ‘So this is you I have been waiting for. Where did you hide?’ I was really very happy.” [myad]
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, has said that nobody can become a governor of a state without the support of the incumbent governor.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) campaign organisation in Uyo yesterday night, the governor said that he was a part of former Governor Victor Attah’s succession plan, adding that he has never seen himself as someone who was not supported by Attah.
He said Attah encouraged him contest the governorship and that he had wanted him to be his deputy so that he could take over from him in 2007.
Akpabio alleged that the grouse of some of the 22 aggrieved PDP governorship aspirants in the state was that a sitting governor had never produced a successor in the state and that his case should not be an exception.
“I have never seen myself as someone who was not supported by Attah, I was part of his succession plan. You emerge from a system where the incumbent governor also supports you. An incumbent governor supported me; that is the simple truth.
“Some of them in Abuja, their anger is that after all, a precedent had been set: the incumbent governor should not produce a successor. I told them they do not understand.
“It is not easy; it was the incumbent governor that produced me. I was a commissioner for five and a half years. I stayed until it was time for me to resign like the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Udom Emmanuel, resigned and I contested. Attah gave me his blessings. I went with my wife. I gave him drink, I said, sir, ‘I am now coming out to contest your position’.
“So, if I was not part of his succession plan, would I stay with him until I finish as commissioner, up to the point of resigning, up to the point of accepting my drink? These are things that people don’t know; I don’t like to talk about issues.”
Akpabio added, “It was Obong Attah who encouraged me to be the governor. Right from 2002, he wanted me to be his deputy and take over in 2007. This is the secret you people do not know.
“For me in Akwa Ibom, with all these elders that are present during the inauguration of this campaign organisation, the election in Akwa Ibom is over.” [myad]
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7 Impressive Ways President Jonathan Fought Corruption By Anthony Obuegbe
These days, I hear people say that president Jonathan has done “nothing” to fight corruption in Nigeria.
When I hear this, two things come to my mind. It’s either…They don’t know the truth or…
They are lying
For Nigeria to “beat” 8 countries to become the 136th most transparent country in the world is not accident. It happened for a reason.
Below are 7 things the Nigerian President did to reduce corruption…
1. 40 Years Of Corruption In The Agricultural Sector Ended Within 90 Days
Before President Jonathan (and his team) came on board, this was how fertilizers and seeds were distributed to government (and farmers)…
– Fertilizer and seed suppliers will collect money from the government
– Some bagged and supplied sands; others supplied under sized bags. Seed suppliers bought grains from the market and supply as seedlings.
As a result, their supplies were useless. They collected government money and supplied fake products.
To make matters worse, distribution was another problem.
If the government gives distributors fertilizers and seeds to share to farmers for free, they’ll sell it.
So how did President Jonathan solve the problem?
Common phone. Yes! COMMON PHONE.
The federal government distributed e-wallet installed phones to farmers.
And how did these phones do the magic? Simple! Instead of getting supplies from the suppliers, the federal government pays the money directly into the farmers’ phone. The farmers buy the fertilizers themselves – after all, they know the original and fake fertilizers better – It’s their line of business.
The Result?
N50 billion Naira has been blocked from fertilizer money thieves.
Also, local farmers started producing in full capacity. As a result, Nigeria has saved more than N700 billion on food import.
2. President Jonathan Organized The Freest, Fairest And Most Peaceful And Credible Elections EVER
“Electoral corruption is the mother of all corruptions”
– President GoodLuck Jonathan
When President Jonathan was sworn in as the acting president in 2010, he vowed to fight electoral corruption to a stand-still.
How did he go about it?
– He enacted electoral laws and guidelines that were beyond manipulation
– He created an electoral system that is manned by qualified, competent and efficient personnel
– He conducted free, fair and credible elections
The Result?
Governorship elections were acclaimed by both local and international observers and free, fair and credible in…
– Edo state
– Ondo state
– Anambra state
– Ekiti state
– Osun state
In these 5 elections, only one was won by the president’s party (A.k.a the ruling party), the PDP. The major opposition the APC won in 2 states and 2 other parties APGA and LP won the other 2.
As a result, the confidence of most Nigerians in the electoral process has increased dramatically.
No wonder more Nigerians are now interested in getting the permanent voters card.
3. 60,000 “GHOST” Workers Exposed
Between 2007 – 2010, the federal government built a new system for paying salaries, the IPPIS system.
In 2012, President Jonathan (and his team) took it a step further. They used it to expose “ghost” workers.
By October 2014, they’ve discovered over 60,000.
For years, these fake workers has been collectively carting away N160 billion every year.
Impressively, the case has been transferred to ICPC for further investigation and prosecution.
4. N1.4 Trillion Worth Of Public Sector Theft Blocked Through Import-Waiver Reforms
What’s import waiver? Simple!
It’s the tax (A.k.a import duty) that the government removes on economic boosting goods – goods that boost the economy. Eg. Raw materials, machinery and spare parts.
Before Jonathan (and his team) came in, corrupt public officers heavily abused this system. They gave and received waivers on unapproved goods. Between 2011 – 2013, over N1.4 Trillion was lost.
As a result, the importers whom the waiver was meant for hardly got it.
With the Jonathan reform in the sector, loopholes have been blocked.
5. Stealing Money Through Government Contract Is Now Harder Than Ever
In 2007, the federal government made a law that made it difficult for government contractors to steal money. It is called the public procurement act.
As a result, they’ve (between 2009 – 2013) blocked N558 billion from getting to contract thieves.
They even went as far as fishing out 180 contract stealing companies. The case has been forwarded to the anti-corruption agencies.
6. Ongoing Sanitization Of The Oil And Gas Sector Already Yielding Results
When President Jonathan came on board, he primarily focused on fighting corruption in 3 key areas…
– Electoral corruption
– Fertilizer distribution corruption
– Corruption in the oil and gas
So far, war on “electoral corruption” and “fertilizer distribution corruption” has recorded tremendous success.
But the oil and gas has been the hardest. Nevertheless, this is what he has achieved so far…
He exposed the biggest scam ever in Nigeria’s history.
In 2011, he told us (Nigerians) that there was huge corruption going on in the fuel subsidy sub-sector. So, he took the subsidy money and put it in places where it will yield more dividend.
Well, nobody understood him. So in January 2012, we all went on strike.
To prove his point, a probe panel was set up. What did they discover? USD6.8 Billion (N108.8 Billion) has been stolen in just 3 years.
Let’s put things in perspective. What really is subsidy?
If a cup (Aka. De Rica) of garri is N300 and I pay N100 for you, then I’ve subsidized the garri – that’s garri subsidy.
What is subsidy scam?
If the garri seller sells 1 cup of garri to you and then lie to me that he sold 10 cups, that’s subsidy scam.
The Result?
The subsidy money was used to create the sure-p programme. Below are the achievements so far…
– Used to support road construction.
As a result, 17,000km out of the 23,000 km of bad federal road completed. It’s just remaining 7,000 km and the entire federal road in Nigeria will become good.
– Support for maternal health
600 health centers (mostly in rural communities) already built – and equipped. 700 still under construction.
Consequentially, maternal death has been reduced by 60%. Half a million women now give birth under the care of trained midwives.
– Increased water access – Over 620 boreholes built nationwide.
– Supported the fight against unemployment
Sure-p has been helping in the struggle to get jobs for the 22 million unemployed Nigerian youths…
It’s been working with (and paying) 2,000 youths across the country.
3,000 graduates has gotten jobs under the “graduate internship scheme (GIS)”
5,075 youths undergoing vocational training.
Furthermore…
He created and sponsored the most controversial bill in Nigeria’s history, the “Petroleum Industrial Bill (BIB)”
In 2008, the federal government created and sent the petroleum industrial bill (PIB) to the national assembly.
It is a bill that will block all the corruption loopholes – and solve every other problem – in the petroleum industry.
What happened to it? It was vehemently rejected. On 18th July 2012, President Jonathan resent the bill.
But up till now, legislation on the bill has not gone half way.
In May 2015(barely 4 months from now), this current national assembly will be dissolved. A new one will be set up and everybody will go back to square one.
Hmm… You never knew corruption could fight back? Now you do.
As if that is not enough…
He has commissioned – and never stood on the way of any – probe in almost every sector of the industry…
– Aig- Imoukhuede Presidential committee on verification and reconciliation of subsidy claims and payments
– Petroleum Revenue Special Task Force Committee
– The Dotun Suleiman committee
– The Kalu Idika Kalu committee
– The 20 Billion Naira Scam probe
– Etcetera…
7. EFCC Has Prosecuted 427 Cases In 3 Years
The Jonathan led federal government strengthened the EFCC and allowed them do their job. As a result, 427 cases were prosecuted between 2012 – 2014.
The Result?
Fraud in Nigeria reduced from N495 billion to N300 billion. Hence, EFCC saved the country N195 billion.
Sadly, most of the successfully concluded cases are…
– Advanced fee frauds
– Internet frauds
– Commercial cases
Cases involving top government officials have dragged on for years.
The EFCC has blamed this on the Judiciary. These officers (and politicians) frustrate the process. They manipulate the judiciary with the wealth and influence they’ve acquired.
Unfortunately, the federal government (A.k.a the executive) has very limited power over the judiciary (the 3rd arm of government).
Despite that, President Jonathan has continued to use “advocacy” to push for the sanitization of the judiciary.
When he finally succeeds, then every Nigerian – including the very high and mighty – will become truly subject to the law, irrespective of who is president.
President Jonathan’s approach to fighting corruption looks radically different.
He has focused on strengthening institutions and blocking loopholes in the system. Where possible, he used technology.
Funny enough, this is how Denmark, New Zealand and Finland (the 3 most transparent countries in the world) rooted out corruption from their country. [myad]