Nigeria’s Federal Capital Minister Says Nyanya Is A Notorious Slum That Must Go

November 23, 2014

The Minister of the Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed has described Nyanya Labour Camp, a suburb of Abuja, as a notorious slum that is habouring dangerous criminals operating around the capital city. He vowed that the slum will soon be cleared of the hoodlums and moved to Gidan Daya.
The Minister who was speaking during an interactive session with some newsmen at the weekend in his office in Area 11, Garki District, Abuja, said that the present condition of Nyanya was an eyesore and not befitting.
Nyanya, located less than 10 kilometers from the Abuja city centre, was built about 30 years ago for early construction workers that were involved in the building of the new Federal Capital City.
Senator Bala recalled that the builders of the camp planned it as a temporary camp, which symbolized the kind of structures that were erected in the area.
According to the minister, the current security challenges in the country caused by Boko Haram have made the relocation of the Nyanya Labour Camp even more compelling.
He said that the FCT Administration has taken several measures recently such as demolition of some buildings to enhance security and environmental sanity in Nyanya, adding that the situation can be salvaged without relocation.
The Minister said that Gidan Daya, the chosen relocation site for Nyanya is a new district located within the same Abuja Municipal Area Council on the Karshi axis.
He said that his administration is committed to the provision of affordable and decent housing for Nigerian workers and that the recent flag off of the construction of 40,000 housing units for workers in Abuja is part of such move.
The minister said that the land swap policy which he introduced in FCT about two years ago has helped to accelerate development with the opening, in the next four years, of over 10 districts.
He said that in addition to the acceleration of physical development, other benefits of the land swap initiative to include the curtailing of sharp practices in land transactions, creation of jobs and employment opportunities for thousands of youths, solving of resettlement and compensation challenges and elimination of the problem of land freezing among others.
He said that the administration is considering the option of funding the Gitata-Abuja road project through land swap system, and that with such system, contractor would be given land in exchange for road construction.
The road, when completed, he added, would help to reduce pressure on the ever busy Abuja-Nyanya-Keffi express road by serving as a diversion. [myad]

Ex INEC Boss, Prof. Iwu, Identifies 2015 Election Pitfalls

Greenbarge Reporters

November 23, 2014

Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu has listed pitfalls that need to be avoided if the 2015 elections must be held without hitchs.
Professor Iwu, in a statement today by RealNews magazine, was quoted as saying at the second anniversary lecture of the online news magazine in Lagos that the 2015 doomsday predictors need to be put to shame by all means.
The former INEC boss, who was the guest lecturer at the event, expressed confidence that those who predicted Nigeria’s collapse in 2015 will fail but that it is not good enough for the country not to take urgent steps to address such issues as electoral violence, influence of money politics, the negative mindset of Nigerians, internal democracy within the political parties and the reluctance of women to participate in politics and elections.
Professor Iwu insisted that everything must be done to ensure that violence does not mar the elections, even as he observed that already, there are signs that some Nigerians who are desperate for power at all costs would do just anything in the bid to achieve their aims.
He said such people are those giving the doomsday prediction that Nigeria would break up in 2015 more grounds to spread.
He said that following closely on the heels of the issue of violence is the mindset of Nigerians that the country can never do anything right.
According to him, such a negative mindset does not even enable Nigerians to celebrate the feats that were achieved by the country in the past.
He cited the 2007 elections that culminated in the transition from one democratic government to another as a major watershed that was not valued by Nigerians.
He noted that when Pakistan achieved similar feat, the country celebrated it, while Nigerians rubbished it.
“INEC is made up of human being. They can make mistakes.
“We should encourage the correction of those mistakes rather than throwing the system into chaos.”
Professor Iwu wanted the influence of money in politics to be curbed, even as he wanted discipline internal democracy in parties to flourish.
According to him, it is with such political behavours that those with great ideas who are not moneybags can freely partake in the political process.
He said that the multiplicity and jumping of parties in Nigeria was because politicians believe that they cannot get justice in one party or the other.
On the involvement of few women in politics, Professor Iwu said that Nigeria cannot make the giant leap forward until more women are involved in the political process.
He said that if the environment becomes right, there would be very little need for the involvement of the police and military in the electoral process.
“Political parties are becoming the preserve of an exclusive few. We exclude our best and brightest and this should not be so.
“The electoral environment has its own peculiarities, which must be addressed. The prospect for future elections are very bright.
“We should have faith in ourselves, but note that mistakes must be made.”
The Managing Director of Nigerian Export-Import Bank, Roberts Orya, said that Nigeria must continue to improve on its leadership.
Orya, who spoke on the topic: “Economics implications of getting the right leadership” noted that leaders leverage on the quality of people around them, adding that good leaders are those who are capable of managing the people and resources available to them.
He said that it is better for leaders to make a decision that is unpopular than not to make one, adding that the notion that a leader must know it all is wrong.
The Publisher and Editor of RealNews, Maureen Chigbo, described the lecture as the online portal’s contribution to the development of Nigeria.
Chigbo said the magazine hopes to do more in the years ahead. [myad]

Flood Threatens Britain Tomorrow

Greenbarge Reporters

November 22, 2014

Britain has been placed on alert on 10 days worth of rain that is set to fall in the next 24 hours before widespread frost and freezing fog threatens Monday’s rush-hour.

The Met Office, the official British weather expert, has issued a yellow weather warning for the South East of England as ‘persistent and locally heavy’ rain is expected to cause surface water flooding and travel disruption.

London, Surrey and Kent are among the areas on high alert as up to an inch of rain – 10 days’ worth – is predicted to fall over the next 24 hours.

The ‘be aware’ warning is from 3am to 9pm on Sunday and could also affect West Sussex, Brighton and Hove, Medway and East Sussex.

‘A waving front will lie across the area for much of the day, with more than 20 mm expected in places. Given the wetter than average weather of late, these totals bring the risk of surface water,’ according to the Met Office. [myad]

Fatima From Tunisia Wins 2014 Muslim Women Beauty Contest

Greenbarge Reporters

November 22, 2014

A 25 year-old Computer scientist from Tunisia, Fatma Ben Guefrache has won the 2014 Muslim women beauty contest in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and received a prize, which includes a gold watch, a gold dinar, and mini pilgrimage to Mecca.

The pageant, which was exclusively for Muslims, seen as a riposte to Western beauty contests, had 18 finalists, who include a doctor and a computer scientist. They paraded in glittering dresses against the backdrop of world-renowned ancient temples for the contest in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.

The winner, Fatma Ben Guefrache, had as her runner up, Nazreen Ali of India and Miss Muslimah 2013 Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola.

An eclectic mix of women from around the world competed in the final of a pageant

Fatima said after she was announced the winner: “May almighty Allah help me in this mission, and free Palestine, please, please, free Palestine and the Syrian people,” the tearful beauty woman said.

The 18 finalists were required to wear the Muslim headscarf and judged not only on their appearance, but also on how well they recite verses from the Koran and their views on Islam in the modern world.

“We want to see that they understand everything about the Islamic way of life — from what they eat, what they wear, how they live their lives,” said Jameyah Sheriff, one of the organisers.

The World Muslimah Award first drew global attention in 2013 when organisers presented it as a peaceful protest to Miss World, which was taking place around the same time on the resort island of Bali.

While it remains popular in some countries, British-run Miss World has faced frequent accusations that it is degrading to women, and a round in which contestants pose in bikinis has been a lightning rod for criticism.

In an effort to appease hardliners, Miss World organisers axed the bikini round for the Bali edition, but the event still sparked demonstrations from Islamic radicals who dubbed it a “whore contest”.

British contestant Dina Torkia said she hoped this year’s World Muslimah Award would not only provide a contrast to Western beauty pageants, but would also dispel prejudices against Islam.

“I think the most important thing is to show that we are really normal girls, we are not married to terrorists. This scarf on my head isn’t scary,” she told AFP.

However the 2014 pageant has faced challenges, with seven finalists dropping out and others struggling with Indonesia’s complex bureaucracy to obtain visas.

Most who pulled out did so because their families did not want them to travel alone, Sheriff said.

The Indian contestant missed her initial flight as she was being questioned by officials who were suspicious of a woman travelling alone and wearing a headscarf, although she managed to get on a plane later.

Others have gone to great lengths to take part in the fourth edition of the event, with Masturah Binte Jamil quitting her teaching job in Singapore after her employer would not give her time off to participate.

Organisers hope to present positive role models for Islamic women around the world and the contestants, who are aged between 18 and 27, include a newly qualified doctor from Bangladesh.

But not everyone was enjoying the final rounds, with Britain’s Torkia saying her initial optimism had turned into disappointment.

“I came into this competition hoping that I would leave with my faith increased, but so far it’s been a lot about promotion and media and looking nice,” she said.

Friday’s finale caps a lengthy process, which included an online audition followed by two weeks of events in Indonesia.

During their time in Indonesia, contestants have visited orphanages and nursing homes, and had their pictures taken at Borobudur, a famous Buddhist temple close to Yogyakarta, Java’s cultural heartland.

The finale takes place on a stage against the backdrop of Prambanan, a ninth-century complex of Hindu temples on the island of Java that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hosting the event at a Hindu site was a conscious decision to show that Muslims are accepting of other religions, organisers said. [myad]

I Jumped Fence To Save Nigeria’s Democracy, Says Reps Gbajabiamila

Greenbarge Reporters

November 22, 2014

“I never thought I would see the day when I would be forced to go over the assembly gates where I work to gain access into the chambers. But then our democracy has to be saved.”

These were the words of the Minority Leader of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and the Caucus leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

In a statement by his research and media assistant, Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart, Gbajabiamila said: “What happened in the National Assembly will forever live in infamy, expressing sadness over events that led him and other members into scaling the National Assembly gate to gain entrance into their duty post.

The lawmaker expressed surprise that the Presidency through its agents could undermine a court injunction restraining them from acting against the Speaker, “it was pretty clear the presidency in spite of a court injunction wanted to do something sinister and illegal.

“They perfected the plot to stop the Speaker and the opposition leader from gaining entry. My members were already in chambers waiting for me to come in so as to provide leadership and direction. Most of them had gone over the fate too. I had to do the needful to save our democracy. We thank God we foiled their evil machinations. We will continue to be vigilant.”

The police and other security agencies on Thursday, blocked Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and many other APC lawmakers from entering the National Assembly complex while their counterparts in the PDP had easy access to the legislative building.

The House was reconvened by the Speaker to deliberate on a letter from President Goodluck Jonathan requesting for approval of the House to extend state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa. [myad]

Window Cleaner In US Falls From 11 Storey-Building, In Critical Condition

Greenbarge Reporters

November 22, 2014

A window cleaner is fighting for life in hospital after falling from a 11 storey building and landing on a passing car in San Francisco, America.

Passersby looked on in horror as the unnamed man fell, screaming from a height believed to be around 150ft. He was said to be preparing to wash windows at the Sterling Bank and Trust building in downtown San Francisco, California, when he suddenly slipped and fell

Onlookers told the San Francisco Fire Department that he appeared to be dangling from a rope before he fell from the building and landing on the roof of a Toyota Camry, shattering the back windows.

A Twitter user, Maa-Becca Tucker said that the man looked lifeless, adding: “his fall was as if another car came from above and fell on top of the car.”

Bystanders helped to divert traffic while calling the emergency services.

The man suffered life-threatening injuries and is currently in a critical condition at San Francisco General Hospital. He underwent surgery on Friday night. [myad]

2015 Elections: INEC Prepares, Sets Up 15 Standing Committees

Greenbarge Reporters

November 22, 2014

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is preparing fully for the 2015 general elections in the country with the setting up of 15 Standing Committees to ensure the success of the elections.

This is contained in the commission’s bulletin issued in Abuja on Friday.

The committees include: Appointments, Promotion and Discipline, Board of Survey and Technical Equipment Acquisition, Board of Electoral Institute and Election Observation and Party Monitoring.

There are also Estate, Works and Transport, Finance and General Purpose, Health and Welfare, Information Technology and Voter Registration, and Information and Voter Registration committees.

Others are Legal Services, Clearance and Complaints, Electoral Operations and Logistics, Outreach and Partnerships, Planning, Monitoring and Strategy, Security, and Tenders Board.

The bulletin quoted a memo signed by the Secretary to the commission, Mrs Augusta Ogakwu, dated, Nov.13, as saying that the committees came into effect on Nov.17.

It added that the commission had in 2010 set up 14 standing committees for similar purpose. [myad]

Presidency Queries Police Boss Over National Assembly Security Siege

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2014

The Nigerian Presidency has asked the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, to explain what led to the security siege at the National Assembly yesterday, during which the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was prevented from gaining access to the Assembly’s premises.

Policemen and women had blocked the entrance of the National Assembly complex to prevent lawmakers from accessing their offices and chambers. Most of the lawmakers, who scaled the fence, were tear-gassed by policemen acting on order from above.

The Inspector General who arrived at the office of the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo at the State House, Abuja to answer the query later emerged looking sullen.

When he was confronted by newsmen who wanted to know what actually led to the police people’s action at the National Assembly, the police boss kept repeating the same thing: ““Who did what and who didn’t do what will be disclosed to you later. You know we work with investigations, investigations are going on and the press officer will address you.”

Another question thrown at Suleiman Abba was: are you saying you are not aware of this operation?

IGP: “I still repeat who did what, who didn’t do what you will hear later, it is subject to investigations. We just don’t talk anyhow.”

Is it true that some of your police officers were injured?

IGP: “Everybody has seen that somebody was even beating somebody, somebody was pushing a policeman from the car. Somebody was removing road blocks mounted by police. We have never seen this kind of thing in the whole world. So we will talk to you later.”

What action are you going to take?

IGP: “Just wait, our findings will reveal.” [myad]

Taraba Deputy Governor, Impeached In 2012, Bounces Back As Acting Governor

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2014

Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Sanni Danladi, who was impeached by the state House of Assembly in October 2012 has bounced back to a better position. The Supreme Court has just ordered that he should be sworn-in as acting governor as it sent the current acting governor, Garba Umar packing.

In a unanimous judgment today, the Court held that the impeachment panel set up by the House of Assembly to investigate the allegations against Danladi violated his rights to fair hearing, even as it said that the impeachment panel failed to hear Danladi and snubbed his court papers which he served on it to challenge its composition.

Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, who delivered the lead judgment, set aside the judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Taraba State High Court, which had dismissed Danaladi’s suit.

The apex court held that the two lower courts ought to have resolved the issue of fair hearing in favour of Danladi.

Danladi was impeached about a month before the governor of the state, Dambaba Suntai, was involved in an air accident.

Garba Umar, who was appointed to replace Danladi, was later elevated as the acting governor, following Suntai’s ill health that resulted from the crash. [myad]

Don’t Believe In Nigeria Media, President Jonathan Tells The World

Greenbarge Reporters

November 21, 2014

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has asked investment world not to believe in the news being carried by Nigeria media to the effect that members of the outlawed Boko Haram are winning the war they declared on Nigerians.

“The impression being created by sections of the media that the situation is worsening is not true. I can assure you that it will never get worse.”

President Jonathan spoke yesterday at the opening of the meeting of Nigeria’s Honorary International Investment Council (HIIC) in London.

He stressed that the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces and security agencies are working very hard to ensure that the ability of Boko Haram to capture and hold any Nigerian territory is ended very soon.

“We are improving on security. For about a week now there have been no reports of Boko Haram seizing more territory. Rather, we are steadily pushing them back.

The President called for the greater support from the National Assembly for the Federal Government’s efforts to curb terrorism, insurgency and insecurity.

He told members of the council, headed by Baroness Lynda Chalker that he had offered himself as a candidate in Nigeria’s next presidential elections because he was convinced that with four more years in office, he will be able to further consolidate the positive national reforms initiated by his administration and take them to a point of irreversibility for the good of all Nigerians.

“As you already know, I have indicated my willingness to carry on for another four years if I am given the opportunity so that we can carry forward some of the reforms we have been talking about,” the President said.

He cited the expansion of transportation infrastructure, improvement of local content in Nigeria’s oil industry, more inclusive economic growth, job creation and national security which are on the agenda of the meeting as some of the areas in which his administration still hoped to achieve further improvements.

“We cannot move the economy forward without good infrastructure. We have been working very hard in that area. We have improved our road network significantly. In the next three to four years, we should be able to resurface almost all federal roads in the country and begin new ones.

“We are improving our airport terminals and aviation security. Reforms are also ongoing at our ports to drastically reduce the time required for import clearance formalities.

“In the rail sector, we may require private sector funds to quicken the pace of development. Our goal is to link all state capitals by rail. It may not be an objective that can be achieved by a single administration, but we want to lay a solid foundation that others can build on.

“We are also promoting the increase of local content in our oil industry, because that is the only way in which our people will benefit more from the industry and begin to see themselves as true stakeholders who need to protect and help in the development of our oil and gas resources.”

He thanked Baroness Chalker and other members of the council for their valuable advice to the Federal Government over the years.

“To be successful, leaders must take decisions based on adequate information and sound advice. Having had the personal benefit of interacting with you all as Vice President and President since 2007 has helped me a lot,” the President said.

The meeting later went into a closed door session to receive briefings, updates and presentations from relevant ministers and council members. [myad]

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