Campaign Stress: President Zuma Of South Africa Lands In Hospital

June 8, 2014

South African President, Jacob Zuma has been admitted to hospital for tests, the presidency said in a statement on its website.

The announcement came two weeks after President Zuma was inaugurated for a second five-year term following the election victory last month of the ruling African National Congress party.

“Yesterday, President Zuma was advised to rest following a demanding election and transition program to the new administration,” his office said in a statement.

No further details were given.

In a separate statement on Friday, President Zuma’s office said the president would take a few days off from public engagements while continuing to perform official duties from home.

President Zuma, a former anti-apartheid activist, was inaugurated May 24 in a ceremony marked by dance, prayer, a 21-gun salute and air force fly-overs.

In a speech, he said South Africa was a better place to live in than it was in 1994 but that poverty, unemployment and other problems persist.

[myad]

Fernandao, Ex Brazilian Striker Dies In Air Crash

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

Thirty six year old former Brazilian striker, Fernandao has died in a helicopter crash in Brazil along with four of his friends when the aircraft in which they were flying crashed in Aruana, about 500 km northwest of the capital Brasilia.
Fernandao’s career included spells with French Ligue 1 clubs Marseille and Toulouse. But it was his time with Porto Alegre’s Internacional most remembered by Brazilians.
The 190 cm forward scored 42 goals from 100 appearances for the club and helped them win the 2006 Copa Libertadores, South America’s premier club competition.
Brazil striker Fred was among those to pay tribute to Fernandao, with whom he played for Brazil against Guatemala in 2005.
“This is a sad day for all Brazilians,” Fred posted on Twitter, alongside a photo of his late former teammate.

[myad]

Editor-In-Chief Loses Mother Inlaw, Princess Marian Iraoya

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

The death has been announced, of an 83 year old Sabo Gida Ora Princess, in Edo state, Maria Iraoya. She died in Kaduna, where she was being taking care of by her eldest daughter, Mrs. Florence Iriri, at about 1.45am on Friday, June 7, 2014.
Princess Maria Iraoya died after a protracted illness which saw her leaving Okpa in Afuze, Edo state, her matrimonial home for Abuja where her second eldest daughter, Mrs. Mariam Yusuf took care of her for over seven months.
Late Princess Maria, who lost her husband in 1998, was survived by Mr. Robinson Iraoya (her eldest child), Mrs. Florence Iriri and Mrs. Mariam Yusuf (wife of Editor-In-Chief/Chief Executive Officer of Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited), Publishers of Greembarge Reporters at www.greenbreporters.com). Mrs. Yusuf is a staff of the Government Girls’ Science Secondary School, Kuje Abuja and student of University of Abuja.
The deceased was also survived by daughter Mrs. Justina Sunny in Benin, sons: Bolaji Iraoya of Nigerian Navy in Lagos, Ajayi Iraoya of Nigeria Police Mobile Force in Lagos, Miss Bose Iraoya and Mr. Richard Iraoya (her step son) among others.
Burial arrangements are being put togather by members of the family, led by Mr. Robinson.

Ado Bayero Was A Royal Colossus, Says Federal Capital Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

Nigeria Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has described the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero as a royal colossus who touched on the lives of Nigerian positively.
In a condolence message issued by his special assistant on media, Nosike Ogbuenyi, the minister said that late Ado Bayero was a shining example in building bridges of unity and peaceful co-existence not only in Kano but Nigeria.
“We are all quite abreast of the strong belief of this fallen hero in making sure that peace, harmony and tolerance reign supreme in Northern Nigeria’s ancient and most populous city. The exit of this royal colossus is indeed a great loss to the nation particularly its royalty.”
The FCT Minister who attended the burial of the late Emir in Kano on Friday with a large entourage from the Nation’s Capital, said late Ado Bayero would for a long time be remembered “for his deep wisdom, counsel, goodwill, thoroughness, patriotism, fatherly affection and perseverance.”
He called on those the exemplary natural ruler left behind to take solace in the fact that he lived a good life worthy of emulation, adding that it is on record that he contributed his quota to the development of Kano, Northern Nigeria and the country.
He prayed that to Allah to grant his soul Aljanatu Firdausi and give those he left behind the strength to bear the great loss.

[myad]

EDITORIAL: Emir Ado Bayero, Professor Akunyili: Two Of A Kind

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

Nigeria unfortunately lost two great Nigerian nationalists: the Emir of Kano for over 40 years, Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero and former minister of information and communications, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili within 24 hours this week. While Alhaji Ado Bayero died in the early hours of Friday, Professor Dora Akunyili gave up the ghost in the early hours of Saturday.
Of course, it is an incontrovertible reality that there would always be death when it comes, but nevertheless, leave us, the mortals, to be imagning the cause of such death. The cases of these two great personalities were not different from this partern.
Beyond the search for reasons for their deaths is also the reality that they were, in the calculation of human being, opposite in many respects: Ado Bayero was a male while Dora Akunyili was a female. Ado Bayero was a Muslim as Dora Akunyili was a Christian. Ado Bayero was a Royal father (a Monarch) while Akunyili was a politician. Ado Bayero was from the far North as Dora Akunyli was from the far East.
But, in reality and physical dispositions, the two personalities have a lot of positive traits in common. They were, in their different callings, selfless, committed to excellence in service, conscious of their input to the societal growth and happiness of others over selves. They lived so that others would find joy in living, so to say.
Alhaji Ado Bayero, popularly called by his admirers as “Sarkin Zamani” (translated roughly as modern monarch) was in love with humanity, not just his immediate family or emirate but across the country and the world.
There has always been the fear that Kano might not be the same again, in terms of cohesion, peace and above all, comfort for the non indigines, from the very moment he died. With his death on Friday, that fear needs to be carefully put into focus.
In deed, it is no child’s play for Alhaji Ado Bayero to rule Kano, the largest emirate in the country, for over 40 years, interspersed by Nigerian civil war, series of Maitatsine crises, “June 12” political imbroglio and now, Boko Haram.
His uprightness in the defence of truth, even if such truth would adversely affect his relations, and his commitment to national unity nearly cost him his life last year when he was attacked by members of Boko Haram, who ovbiously were at war with his type. They have said it again and again that they would attack and kill anybody who have sympathy for democracy and anything western system. And Alhaji Ado Bayero, being the Sarkin Zamani, became their chief enemy because of his belief in equality of man before God, his upbringing as an administrator and manager of man and material and above all, as a believer in the indivisibility of this country called Nigeria.
The Emir never wavered from the ideals of national cohesion even when he returned to the country after undergoing medical treatment overseas.
Just like Alhaji Ado Bayero, Professor Akunyili displayed a great pashion for the advancement of Nigeria and gave her all for the country to be safe from the dangers inherent in adultrated and fake drugs across the country; an action that exposed her to the danger posed by drug barons.
One of her numerous admirers had this to say of her: “May the legacy left by Professor Akunyili rekindle our hope for better Nigeria. I am personally inspired by all her great achievements throughout her period of office in the government and afterwards, driven by her strong purpose in life. She established a fact that as a woman, her voice should be heard and that she could fight and win a war of injustice, inequity, misappropriation, unfairness etc. Her strong commitment towards her purpose was just extraordinary.”
So it is that the world of similarity between the two giants that quit this world on Friday, June 6 and Saturday June 7 is the indefatigablity of action for the purpose of making life comfortable for their fellow human beings, and even animals and other living things. They were here with the purpose, in their own unique ways, remaking the world where everyone and everything run in harmony according to the will of God.

[myad]

Army Siege On Media: Nigeria Newpaper Proprietors Association Kicks

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

The Newspaper Proprietors Association Of Nigeria (NPAN has kicked against the Siege on major newspapers in the country by soldiers who said they were acting on instruction from ‘above.’
“The NPAN unequivocally condemns this attack of FREE SPEECH by soldiers, in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Ibadan amongst other cities, claiming to be acting on “orders.”
These were contained in a resolution, signed by the association’s President, Nduka Obaigbina, after its meeting on Saturday in Abuja.
Full text of the resolution goes thus:
“Following the harassment of newspaper vendors/distributors and the seizure of large volumes of newspapers by soldiers who initially targeted the following newspapers: LEADERSHIP, DAILY TRUST, The NATION and PUNCH, but later extended the siege to all major newspapers in the country for the second day today, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) held an emergency meeting in Abuja on June 7, 2014 with representatives of vendors and distributors and resolved as follows:
1. The NPAN unequivocally condemns this attack of FREE SPEECH by soldiers, in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jos, Maiduguri, Ibadan amongst other cities, claiming to be acting on “orders”.
This assault on FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION through the stoppage of distribution of newspapers is inconsistent with the values of any democratic society and the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria. We therefore call upon the military authorities to lift the siege immediately and call the soldiers to order.
2. The NPAN notes the statement issued on Thursday, June 6, by the Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, that newspaper distribution channels may have been infiltrated by some persons to transport “materials with grave security implications.”
As citizens and businesses, we take the security of our nation very seriously, and especially condemn the continuing daily destruction of human life by a mindless, cruel and criminal insurgency. We have, at our own instance, engaged various security agencies in the past to find ways of dealing with the security challenges we all face. We shall continue to do so. It is, however, deeply troubling that a siege has been laid to the media for two straight days on a suspicion over which no one consulted the NPAN. We stand ready, able and willing to work with all relevant security agencies to ensure the integrity of the newspapers’ distribution process.
3. The NPAN wishes to reassure its readers, partners and the public at large, that it will continue to work to promote peace and unity in The Federal Republic of Nigeria, while defending its constitutional role to hold governments at all levels accountable.
4. Finally, we do not believe that given the already tense situation in the country the government or any agency acting in its name, will engage in acts that can only stifle free speech and encourage rumors to fester. We, therefore, welcome the assurances to NPAN leadership by senior security officials to end this unnecessary siege.”
Signed
Nduka OBAIGBENA

[myad]

Professor Akunyli Died ‘Standing,’ Says President Jonathan

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has said that the death of former Nigeria minister of information and communications, Professor Dora Nkem Anunyili came at a time she was still helping to sustain and strengthen the unity and stability of the country in her capacity as a member of the on-going National Conference.
The President, in a tribute on Saturday said that he received with shock and sadness.
The President believed that Professor Akunyili will live long in the memories of those who were privileged to know her as a diligent professional, a public-spirited and forthright public officer, and as a person of great convictions.
President Jonathan considers her contributions to nation-building while she served as the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and as Minister of Information and Communications, particularly invaluable.
President Jonathan commiserates with the Akunyili family, the government and people of Anambra State, members of the National Conference and all her loved ones.
He prayed to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss “of this truly distinguished citizen and patriot.”

Atiku Describes Army Clamp Down On Media As ‘Reckless,’ Says It Threatens Democracy

Greenbarge Reporters

June 8, 2014

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the Friday and Saturday Army clampdown on media houses, vendors and seizures of newspapers in transit for delivery nationwide as reckless.
In a press statement issued by his media office in Abuja on Saturday, the former Vice President said: “since the military is not above the law in any democratic society, they should not be the law onto themselves and recklessly infringe on the rights of citizens.”
Atiku is actually worried at what he called “the humiliating treatment metted on media houses and vendors in the course of conducting their legitimate businesses nationwide by the military personnel.”
He reminded them that Nigeria is a democratic nation where freedom of the press is not negotiable and that such freedom is the vital component of democratic government.
According to him, there are various avenues of dealing with situation where newspapers are suspected to be engaged in any illegal activities that breach national security.
“Such avenues can be explored without brazenly violating the rights of citizens.”
Atiku, who his a chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) educated the media attackers on the fact that thousands of Journalists, drivers, distributors, vendors and other supporting staff make a living from the newspaper industry.
He asked the rampaging military personnel not stop those who depend on media work from earning a legitimate earning.
He said that the willful violations of citizens’ rights by military and other security personnel breach the tenets of democratic system, even as he warned that by attacking the press, and arresting journalists, the country may inadvertently be slowing edging back to the dark days of military dictatorship, which took a lot of sacrifices by many including the Press to end.
While condemning the excesses of the military, Atiku however advised media organizations to also demonstrate the highest degree of responsibility by ensuring that what they publish don’t endanger national security.
“In the face of the grim security challenges currently bedeviling Nigeria, I wish to caution Journalists and media practitioners against abuses.”
According to Atiku, the war on terror needs citizens’ and press’ cooperation, which may be hampered by the harassment of the press.
“The military and other security personnel should work harmoniously together in times of national crises. Security require sacrifices and understanding from all Nigerians, and the Press are no exception.
“Our media men and women should at every turn, weigh the implications of everything they intend to publish, especially sensitive stories that could undermine national security.”

Nigerians Stand Up For Professor Dora Akunyili

Greenbarge Reporters

June 7, 2014

Nigerians have been expressing great sentiments over the death, today, in India, of the former Nigeria’s minister of information and communications, Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili.

Amongst the prominent people that have expressed great loss in Professor Akunyili is the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who expressed shock over the news of the passing away of the former Minister of Information.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the deceased as a patriot whose tenacity and commitment to duty saved millions of Nigerians from untimely deaths due to effect of fake and substandard drugs.

He said her tenure as the Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will be remembered as a glorious moment for Nigeria.

The Speaker described Akunyuli as a brilliant pharmacist whose compassion and concerns for the general wellbeing of the people was paramount.

Also, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze expressed shock and sadness over her death, saying: “the news ranks as possibly one of the saddest pieces of news I’ve heard since the death of my mother last year.”

Eze who represents Enugu North senatorial zone said: “A core professional and one who can easily be ranked as a top Nigerian patriot, she shone on the Nigerian scene like a meteor, leaving her inimitable footprints on the psyche of Nigerians.

“Professor Akunyili brought her unmistakable energy to bear on everything she set her mind to.

“As DG of NAFDAC she left a big shoe that all her predecessors have been struggling to come to terms with.”

Similarly, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State expressed profound shock and sadness over her death, describing it as a serious blow to the nation.

Chime, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Chukwudi Achife, said her death has robbed the nation of one of her finest breed of patriots.

He described the deceased as a towering amazon of excellence whose public service record was as exemplary as it was inspiring in that she epitomized the rare values of integrity, diligence, dedication, courage and selflessness in the various capacities that she served the nation.

Governor Chime noted that even in her last days, Professor Akunyili underscored her undying love for the nation by defying her pains to serve as a delegate to the national conference. [myad]

Kidnappers Release Kogi Speaker’s 2 Kids

Greenbarge Reporters

June 7, 2014

Kogi Speaker — Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Jimoh Lawal

The two children of the Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Jimoh Lawal who were kidnapped about 53 days ago have been released.

The children, Ogirima aged seven and Hafiz, aged three years, were abducted from their father’s residence, in Okengwe, Okene Local Government Area, since April 15.

That the children were set free about 7.00pm yesterday and were reunited with their parents. It was however not clear whether ransom was paid before they were let off the hooks.

The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Felix Udebu, confirmed the release of the children even as the state Government, Captain Idris Wada has described kidnapping as an unacceptable act, and has warned culprits to desist and run away from the State.

The Governor spoke when he visited Lawal, who had been reunited with his kidnapped two children. He was represented by his deputy, Yomi Awoniyi.

Captain Wada said that the safe return of the children is a testament to the ruggedness of the support the present administration in the state has given the security agencies.

He assured of continued logistics support that will enable security agencies carry out their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties and for the citizenry to sleep with their two eyes closed. [myad]

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