Academics across the globe, under the aegis of Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) is organizing a symposium in conjunction with PREMIUM TIMES, Nigeria’s leading online investigative newspaper to address issues of campaign funding in political parties and its link with corruption. This is coming on the heels of the February general elections in Nigeria. The inaugural symposium would have as its theme: ‘Political Campaigns and the Looming Tsunami of Poverty’ and Akin Oyebode, a Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence is expected to deliver the keynote address at the event which will hold on January 27th at the University of Lagos. According to the Co-Chairman of ASAP, West Africa, Ismail Ibraheem, the discussion would be backgrounded on corruption that has been plaguing the nation and the forthcoming general elections. “As a matter of fact, corruption has become endemic in the nation’s body politics,” said Ibraheem, adding: “needless stressing the fact that political corruption which can be traced to the iniquitous need to satisfy the urge of political godfathers and sponsors who bankroll the campaigns of candidates that eventually get elected into political office, is another major problem of Nigeria. “The end result of political corruption is the diversion of public funds meant for developmental purposes into private accounts.” Ibraheem noted that such political misdemeanor had not only set Nigeria backward but had largely contributed to the increasing level of poverty of its citizens. “In the 15 years of this on-going democratic experiment, the only visible growth in the country is the democratization of poverty.” ASAP is an organization established in the United States of America by Thomas Pogge, Professor of Philosophy, Yale University, to bring together academics from various institutions across the globe with the vision to fight poverty and aid development. Speakers at the one day event include Rahman Ade Bello, the Vice Chancellor of University of Lagos; A.M Ninalowo, Professor of Sociology, University of Lagos; Mr. Pogge; and Ralph Akinfeleye, Professor of Journalism and Communication, University of Lagos. Other speakers include Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES newspaper; Femi Aribisala, scholar and international affairs expert; Femi Fani-Kayode, Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s presidential campaign; Femi Falana, human rights lawyer; Innocent Chukwuma, Regional Representative for West Africa, Ford Foundation; and Hussein Abdu, Director, Action Aid, Nigeria. Ibraheem said the symposium would serve as an opportunity to lend a voice to the looming inequality and tsunami of poverty threatening the structural foundation of the country. “ASAP believes that one of the ways to tackle poverty is to attack the root cause of poverty which is corruption.”
President Goodluck Jonathan has complained that his administration would have since ended the activities of Boko Haram but that external intersts and forces have been thwating such efforts, even as he swore bedfore the Borno state monarch that will, in a matter of few days, bring the insurgency to its knees. Jonathan, who was in Maiduguri, capital of Borno state in continuation of his Presidential campaign told the Shehu of Borno, Alh Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El Kanemi and other traditional rulers in Shehu’s palace, assured that his administration has mapped out plans to rebuild the state after defeating Boko Haram. He made it clear that his administration is committed to the rescue of the missing Chibok school girls The President promised to extend the ongoing railway rehabilitation to the state and accelerate ongoing work on the Kano- Maiduguri expressway. Jonathan said that with the use of initiatives like Victim Support Fund, Presidential Initiative for Northeast and Safe School Initiative as well as increased budgetary allocation, his administration will rebuild and redesign the entire Borno state in such a way that children will have access to education and better future. “We feel the pain of Borno people. I personally feel more pained when people accuse me of of being involved in the problem for some political advantage. I have said it many times that my ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian. And I don’t think any president or human being can do what they accuse me of doing. “The Boko Haram problem is what I thought we would have ended long ago but may be external influence or interest is affecting us. I am assuring you however that it won’t take us more than a few months to end this insurgency and restore peace in Borno. “Our people must return to their communities. Insha Allahu, we will get our Chibok girls back. After recovering our lost territories from Boko Haram, we will increase the budget for this area to fast-track the rebuilding process. The Safe School Initiative, the Presidential Initiative for Northeast and Victim Support Fund will also assist us to raise funds for the rebuilding process.” Earlier, the Shehu of Borno expressed pain over the state of security and infrastructure decay in the state, adding: “Your Excellency, we are made to understand that most federal progress in Borno state are stalled due to insecurity, e.g the railway line project, the Kano- Maiduguri expressway, the 330 KVA power line from Gombe, the abandoned federal housing projects, the Biu dam project, etc. “We are made to understand that regional headquarters of most federal establishments have been systematically relocated from Maiduguri to the so called safe areas, we are not happy with these developments as Borno shall soon regain peace and restore its lost glory insha Allahu with the security efforts put in place by government and prayer. ” He told the President that about five emirs in the state are currently resident out of their terrains because Boko Haram members had taken over their palaces. The monarch called on the President to reopen the Maiduguri airport for passenger flights, complete the railway project leading to Maidugiri and extend it to Baga and Mallam Fatori as well as connect northern Borno to national grid. The monarch appealed to President Jonathan to reconstruct the Maiduguri- Bama- Uba- Askira as well as Kukawa- Baga road and extend it to Mallam Fatori even as he also appealed for the completion of of the rehabilitation of the Maiduguri – Dikwa- Gamboru Ngala road which he said are all in a state of disrepair. The Shehu advised President Jonathan to comb and clear the Sambisa forest before insurgents re- occupy it and continue to use it as a base. Speaking later at the Ramat Square, venue of the rally, President Jonathan who ordered a minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives since the beginning of Boko Haram terror. The President noted that with the irrigation facilities that the Federal Government is doing to support dry season farming in the state, Borno state can feed the nation in the near future. The President also pledged to harness the solid mineral riches in the state so that it can support the Federal Government. Also speaking at the rally, the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, an indigene of the state, appreciated the people for turning out en masse for the rally, saying it demonstrated the love they have for the President.
National chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has asked the people of Ekiti state to get ready to get rid of the government of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that cannot keep its promises. Oyegun who addressed the APC supporters today in Ado Ekiti, the state capital during the Presidential campaign rally held in Ado-Ekiti Parapo Square, said that on 14 February 2015, Nigerians will enthrone righteousness and that they will experience rebirth. He said that General Muhammadu Buhari’s government will rebuild and restore Nigeria to its eminent position amongst nations, adding: “he will make you proud as Nigerians wherever you go around the globe. Get ready to say good bye to bad governance, corruption, and a government that cannot keep its promises.” Chief Oyegun described General Buhari as the revolution Nigeria needs, adding: “this is a common sense revolution.” The APC chairman also called General Buhari “an apostle of change,” even as General Buhari promised to build his government on three vital pillars: corruption, insecurity and unemployment. Buhari asked the people of Ekiti state to “make sure your votes count!” The rally was attended by General Buhari’s running mate, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; national leader of the party, John Oyegun; APC party elder, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu; Senator George Akume; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his wife; former governor Segun Oni and his wife; first executive governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; and Senator Abike Dabiri. Asiwaju Tinubu, who connected to his rapt audience by speaking both English and Yoruba said: “you cannot continue with a government of fake promises and failed ideas… the need for wisdom is now, the need for Buhari is now, because he is coming to rescue Nigeria.”
Nigerian minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau has confirmed that he was a school mate of General Muhammadu Buhari who is currently the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the February 14 election. “You know that I’m not a politician but the truth needs to be told that I know Buhari since 1960. He passed through the school that I also attended. He sat for his Cambridge/ WASC examination and came out with Division 2. He then joined the Army, rose to become Major General and Head of State.” General Gusau, who reacted today to the lingering controversies dogging the secondary school certificate of General Buhari when he spoke to newsmen, wondered why uptil now, the Old Students Association which was formed years ago had not come out to defend its member, in the person of General Buhari. “We had just formed an association of old students of Katsina Provincial School, right from when it was a Middle School till date. And His Royal Highness, the Emir of Katsina, as an ex student of the school, invited some of us as the representatives of different sets, to his palace and we decided to even form a secretariat. I thought that the secretariat of our association should have clarified the status of Buhari’s certificates long before it took this dimension.” General Gusau said that he met General Buhari in the Katsina Provincial Secondary School when he was enrolled into the School in January 1960, the year of independence. “General Buhari, at that, was in form five. I stayed two years with General Buhari at the school. They passed out in 1961 and we passed out in 1964. Buhari had leadership qualities since secondary school; in form five, he was a House Prefect. “Their set went up to form six but we were the first set that finished school at form five. Normally, out of those in form five, the school authorities used to pick House Prefects and when they get to form six, House Captains were chosen from those who were House Prefects. In Buhari’s case, he was a House Prefect in 1960 when we joined. By 1961, when he was in form six, he was chosen to be the Head Boy of the School. “There were four Houses during our time in the school; Magaji House, Kaura House, Alkali House and Durbi House. Buhari was the House Prefect of Magaji House in 1960, Justice Umaru Abdullahi was the House Prefect of Alkali House, the late Mamman A Zango who became a policeman, was House Prefect of Kaura House while the late General Shehu Musa Yarádua was House Prefect of Durbi House. By 1961, all of them became the House Captains of their respective Houses but Buhari became the Head Boy.”
I will expose Buhari! This was the word by which the former Nigeria minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode made an entry into his new office as Director of Media and Publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organization a couple of weeks ago. Many people did not take it serious that Femi Fani-Kayode had prepared strong ground not only to “expose” the Presidential candidate of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, but also to embarrass him and probably push him out of the Presidential contest. As a matter of fact, Fani-Kayode was sure that the home-work he had done on his “projects” would eventually get General Buhari out of the contest for the February 14 Presidential election, which his principal, President Goodluck Jonathan, would easily clinch on platter of gold. One is right to now imagine that as a precursor to the “expose” projects which Fani-Kayode promised, was for him to make sure that his team worked on the Nigeria Army for the system to carefully remove the certificate of General Buhari from his file in the Army which he served meritoriously for more than four decades. The second method of “expose” projects was for Fani-Kayode to dispatch his hatchet men and perhaps women to the field, to design a medical report from his own version of Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital which was cleverlessly done (as the real thing is Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital), “exposing” the prostate cancer ravaging his victim, General Buhari. He got his gullible fellow travellers, including the overzealous governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, in the excitement, to the extent that the governor was already imagining that Buhari would be dead in matter of days. He went public, paying thousands of Naira, the public fund, to feature advertisement of the impending death of the General in national newspapers. Other foot-soldiers, like what one writer called “the internet warriors” went wild on the net and social media, echoing Fani-Kayode’s imaginary sickness on Buhari. It is strange and frightening that a man, who is healthy and knows that he is healthy, would be declared sick by another person, morbidly pursuing and being committed to the course. Fani-Kayode launched, simultaneously, the war on the secondary school certificate of General Buhari. This was irrespective of the fact that the General had since sworn an affidavit in a nation’s court of law, declaring the original of his credentials, including the secondary school certificate missing. This was irrespective of the fact that General Buhari contested the same Presidential election in 2003, 2007 and 2011 with such affidavit, which is recognized in the Nigerian statute book. Tragically, the army where he spent the major part of his youth and adult life serving, kowtow to the forces of plot to shoot down General Buhari who rose through the ranks by a dint of hard work, loyalty, discipline and above all, trainings in various countries. Indeed, in executing the projects, Fani-Kayode and his team or sponsors succeeded in helping the Nigeria Army to throw its age old integrity into the mud. This becomes obvious when one looks at the bare-faced, transparent lie built into the manner the spokesman of the Nigeria Army; Brigadier General Olaleye addressed the issue of Buhari’s certificate. Even a three year old kindergarten boy or girl would cry in scorn, at the statement by the Nigeria Army that General Buhari filled a form, as he was being commissioned into the service in 1961: that he had five credits in the relevant subjects and a pass in English Literature but that “neither the original nor the photocopy of the certificate was in his file.” Having been so embarrassed and left almost in the cold, General Buhari had to ask his Alma Mata, the erstwhile Katsina Provincial Secondary School to oblige him the original of his 1961 certificate, which the Principal of the school issued within 12 hours. Beyond that, the former Nigeria Inspector General of police, Ibrahim Coomasie and other Nigerians who had held respectful positions and served the nation diligently testified to the fact that General Buhari was their class mate at the Katsina Provincial Secondary School; that they completed their studies in the school in 1961. And that while he, Coomasie went to join police force, General Buhari went to join Nigeria Army and others went their different ways. What the Nigeria Army, Fani-Kayode and his foot soldiers implied by insisting that General Buhari’s certificate was forged was that while the school issued genuine certificates to ex-IGP Coomasie and others, it went ahead to issue General Buhari forged certificate or did not issue him the certificate at all. Another implication is that Nigerians should not have confidence in affidavit issued by court to anybody. In all these, what Fani-Kayode had displayed was pure impunity, political dis-ingenuity, and dangerous fixation, medieval knowledge, mixed with ignorance. In fact, from the picture Fani-Kayode drew in his mind which has remained indelibly fixed, irrespective of other evidences that defeated such picture: these two projects, if they were to work his way, would have successfully made rigorous campaign a non-issue for his employer, President Jonathan. The success of the projects would have cleared the coast for him to ride back to Aso Rock. Of course, no one denies the fact that Fani-Kayode was able to recruit some people, especially, “the Internet Warriors” to launch the two frontal attacks that really shook the Buhari campaign boat and even the nation. The projects, in all sincerity, were crafted with the background of medieval civilization but, for some days, they put the nation on the edge. However, seeing that he has lost out in the kite he flew, and fearing the bigger loss awaiting him if General Buhari wins the Presidential election on February 14 (Barrister Keyamo reminded him recently that his case, of criminal money laundry was still pending in court) from where he was appointed by PDP, not to launder the image of President Jonathan and PDP, but to destroy General Buhari, Fani-Kayode continues to fight Buhari, long after everybody has turned back in shame. Fani-Kayode needs to be woken, by those who still admire him, especially those who followed him to the battle ground, from his nightmare or day-dream, of pulling down General Buhari or even anybody.
Award-winning musician and producer, Sammie Okposo has today taken to his Twitter page to apologize to All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, for his recent remarks accusing Buhari of perjury and of forging the school certificates needed to become President of Nigeria.
During the controversy, which was dispelled by the publishing of the retired general’s school documentation, Okposo stated that Buhari should be ‘flogged’ for perjury and forgery.
But, today, on Twitter, the gospel artist changed his tune: “I deeply apologise to GMB 4 joining to accuse him of perjury&Forgery. I’m sorry GMB,” Okposo tweeted. [myad]
The governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima has made a strong appeal to his supporters and all citizens of the state not to throw stones and other objects at the entourage of President Goodluck Jonathan who is due to be in the state capital tomorrow, Saturday in continuation of the campaign, seeking the votes of Nigerians that would return him to the Presidential seat for his second term.
Governor Shettima’s appeal which was contained in a statement by his media aide, Mallam Isa Gusau, came today, on the heels of the stoning of Jonathan’s campaign convoy in Katsina and Bauchi states, early in the week.
The governor confirmed that the appeal became necessary because of recent incidents in Bauchi and Katsina states during which irate youths reportedly went wild, pelting the President’s convoy with various objects. He described the act as disrespectful, show of intolerance and extremely bad politics.
“From what I have read or heard in the media, so far, there has not been any issue of such in any APC-controlled states visited by the President and Borno should not be an exception. We have political differences and our differences are legitimate and based on the principles of our political parties and what we stand for.
“But we must remember that His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and as citizens of this country, we have an obligation to respect his office and his person.
“Our millions of citizens, who support the APC in Borno State and our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari, and anyone that supports me or any of our National and State Assembly candidates in the state, should shun any act of violence, intolerance and unlawful political behaviour before, during and after the President’s visit and should remain law abiding citizens of Borno State as our laws, norms and values demand.” [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed gratitude to God that his younger sister, Mrs. Nancy Olei-Jonathan who died on January 4, lived above the golden age.
Mrs. Olei-Jonathan died at the age of 52 of a heart-related ailment, according to President Jonathan.
Jonathan and his wife, Patience, led other members of the family to a funeral service in honour of the deceased at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Otuoke, Bayelsa State today.
“Nancy’s ailment started during my tenure as the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. She was my younger sister from another mother and had undergone several treatments both locally and abroad. We thank God she was able to live above the golden age of 50,” Jonathan said.
Until her death, Nancy was a member of staff of Ogbia Central Medical Centre, Otuoke. She was married and blessed with six children.
A biography by the family said Nancy was described to be a hardworking and a devout Christian, who never took the things of the Lord for granted.
She was also described as a great weaver, greatly endowed with craftsmanship.
“In her days, priority in education was given to male children and being a child from a polygamous family, she did not have the opportunity to acquire a higher education,” the book read.
According to the biography read by Lamawal Jonathan, the deceased excelled greatly in craftsmanship which was her hobby.
Earlier in his sermon, the Bishop of Ogbia Diocese, the Rt. Rev. J. A Oruwori, said death was an end that awaited every man. [myad]
President Goodluck Jonathan has announced his approval of N26 billion for the 2015 annual dry season farming programme aimed at producing more food for Nigeria.
The President who spoke today at the annual agricultural show in Abuja, tagged AgriFest, explained that the N26billion is to appreciate the contribution of rural farmers to massive food production in the country and to encourage the farmers to plant thrice a year to boost food production and eliminate hunger and poverty.
“As crude oil prices decline, we must create new wealth from the richness of our soils, the vastness of our rivers and the abundance of our cheap labour,” President Goodluck Jonathan said at the Agric Festival, in Abuja on Friday. “We will produce more, and we will industrialize the agricultural sector.”
President Jonathan said “we have transformed the face of agriculture. Our country is producing more food than ever before. Our national food production has expanded by 21 million metric tons “within the past three years. Our food import bill declined from N1.1 trillion in 2009 to N634 billion in 2013 and continues to decline; this is progress and we must continue to move forward.”
He said that the number of seed companies had also increased from 11 to 134 within the past three years, increasing access to high quality seed from 4,252Metric tons in 2011 to over 149,484metric tonnes in 2015.
According to him, with N900 Billion ($5 billion) of new investments in the fertilizer sector, Nigeria would soon become self-sufficient in fertilizer production, and turn into a net exporter of fertilizer.
As this happens, the price of fertilizers will decline, and farmers will be able to afford more fertilizers to boost their food production, Mr. Jonathan said.
The President also directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to henceforth provide, annual financial support for the Argungu festival to further spur the traditional fishing competition in Argungu and promote fishing eco-tourism, in the country,.
The Agriculture festival which held at the Eagle Square Abuja, tagged “AgriFest,” was organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with farmers and agribusiness operators across the country. [myad]
The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), an offshoot of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted the Presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari as its Presidential candidate in the February election. This decision was taken at the end of the meeting of the PDM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) held at the National Headquarters of the Party in Abuja. The meeting was attended by members of the National Working Committee, State Chairmen of the Party from across the federation and invited Party Elders. Later. The NEC also met with its candidates for various elective posts from across the country. In a communique signed by the party’s National Chairman, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim and the National Secretary, Ifeanyi Igwe, PDM said the NEC and the party’s candidates “unanimously resolved to support the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari for President of Nigeria and called on all members and supporters of PDM across Nigeria to vote for him in the presidential election of February 14, 2015 “NEC reviewed the Party’s preparations for the February 2015 General Elections and NEC noted that the Party has no candidate in the presidential election of February 14, 2015. It considered and accepted the need to support a candidate in order to save Nigeria from imminent collapse and give it a new lease of life. It also noted that the Party had registered close to six million members both manually and online and resolved to deploy this voting strength for good and in the best interest of Nigeria at this very critical time. “NEC observed that of the available presidential candidates, two clearly stand out and the two represent a clear contrast and reference point for making a clear and informed choice. On the five critical issues which NEC believes constitute the nation’s top and urgent priority at this material time, namely, National Unity, Public Security, Job Creation, Fight Against Corruption and the Economy, it is the opinion of NEC that the incumbent who has been at the helm of affairs of the nation in the past six years had failed. In contrast, his opponent had a track record of achievement in these areas as a former Head of State and, later, Executive Chairman of Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund. NEC believes it is time for Nigerians to give him a chance. “NEC also reviewed the State of the Nation and expressed concern with the deteriorating state of insecurity in the country, especially in the North East where insurgents appear to have a free reign killing and displacing innocent citizens and taking over the nation’s sovereign territory. It commiserated with the victims of insurgency in the affected states and called on the Federal Government to discharge its responsibilities to Nigerians by guaranteeing the safety of their lives and property and retrieving the nations’ lost territory within the shortest possible time. “NEC noted the rising level of corruption, unemployment and impunity in the country and condemned the campaign of calumny and hate by prominent citizens who are desperate to win election at any cost, including plunging the nation into chaos and anarchy. It called on Nigerians to reject desperate politicians who have been given a chance to prove their worth but failed. It noted that Nigeria’s democracy had come to stay and would not be undermined by the desperation of those who are afraid to lose election in February 2015.” [myad]
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