President Jonathan, His Deputy, State Governors, Security Chiefs, Religious Leaders In Crucial Meeting

April 24, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan is currently presiding over an all-inclusive security meeting with Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, governors from all the leading political parties, security chiefs and religious leaders in attendance.

The meeting which started at about 12.10pm today, is still in session at the Presidential Villa, Abuja as at the time of publishing this report, at 5.30pm.

The National President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who are in attendance, offered the opening prayers before the meeting commenced in a closed door.

State governors in attendance include, Willie Obiano (Anambra), Theodore Orji (Abia), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Martins Elechi (Ebonyi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Aliyu Wamako (Sokoto), Ramalan Yero (Kaduna ), Garba Umar (Taraba), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Lyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi).

Governors of Jigawa, Imo, Oyo, Rivers, Kano, Ogun, Edo, Plateau and Yobe states were represented by their deputies.

The National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.), led the Minister of Defence and heads of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Police, Nigerian Customs Service, Nigerian Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps as well as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to the meeting.

Ministers in attendance included those of Interior, Defence, Police Affairs, Foreign, Agriculture, FCT and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

Detail later.

Governor Nyako Hits Back At Maku, Says He Is Tragedy For Nigeria

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2014

Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State has hit back at the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, describing him as “a tragedy for Nigeria.”
Reacting to Maku who, yesterday, described his memo to his colleagues Northern governors as “irresponsible and divisive” through his spokesman, Ahmad Sajoh, Nyako said that people like Labaran Maku represent the tragedy that has befallen Nigeria as a Nation.
Nyako had, in his memo, accused the Federal Government of carrying out genocide in the North East and asked his colleagues to investigate it.
The information minister, who fielded questions from newsmen shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday, asked people like Governor Nyako to shut their mouths up instead of fanning the embers of disunity.
Governor Nyako swiftly reacted by saying that his views on governance and manifest actions “clearly prove the gutter level public policy has descended to in today’s Nigeria.”
He said that for anyone given the responsibility of managing information to advise that people should keep their mouths shut means that under such leadership, sycophants and sundry charlatans are the only citizens required.
“An information Minister calling on people to keep quiete in the face of wanton lies, serial deceptions and series of unanswered questions is undoubtedly a tragedy.
“We pity the likes of Labaran Maku who choose to feather their nests on the graves of their compatriots while calling on others to keep quite even when innocent blood is shed.”
Governor Nyako insisted that the opposition would not keep quiet until those who danced while we were mourning answer for their insensitivity.
“Labaran Maku and all the pretenders in the corridors of power will one day account for their deeds, good or bad and that they should be reminded of both the inevitability of an end to their positions and the vanity of power. These facts will catch up with them sooner than later.”
On the abducted girls, he reminded Maku, “that anyone in this Government with a sense of shame should hide his face and not make useless and vain statements that mean far worthless and valueless as made by him.
“The lies they told on the matter and the deceptions they wove around it will one day haunt them to their graves. Hiring attack dogs to pour insults on people will not save them from the judgment of history and ultimately that of God Almighty.
“Let him be assured that our vigilante groups and hunters will surely rescue our daughters, God willing.
“We shall not be silent like the Labaran Maku’s did when innocent citizens were gruesomely murdered in Kiyana Nasarawa State or scores of security personnel were gruesomely butchered by his kinsmen.
“We shall not keep quiete when a convoy of marauding murderers pass through military checkpoints and operate for many hours unchallenged at night during curfew hours in states that are supposed to be under emergency rule.
“We shall not keep quiete because of threats of removal, arrest or prosecution. “We shall not keep quiete because of blackmail and insults from court jesters and sycophants.
“We shall not keep quiete even in the face of open threats to our lives. We shall only keep quiete if those who danced while we mourned provide answers to the question.”

Talent Is Not Enough, Add Education, Omotola Advises Colleague Actors, Actresses

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2014

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde has advised her colleagues in the entertainment world not to rely solely on talent but to seek for more education.

Ekehinde said at this year’s Nigerian Entertainment Conference, held at the Grand Ballroom of Eko Hotels and Suites, said that Nollywood stars should not to be satisfied with the level of exposure they currently have.

“Education is not compulsory but will take you farther. Your talent is not enough,” she emphasized.

Ekeinde who kicked off the Social Responsibility Session with her speech ‘Why We Should Care’ also made a call to Nigerian entertainers to take up the roles of leaders in the society because, according to her, entertainers are the real leaders.

“Entertainers are the true leaders. We have been the sleeping giant for too long. Let’s wake up and leads. Let’s use our influence right.”

She warned people who have accused her of politicking with ‘people in high places’ not to mention her name in such discussions.

“Somebody on a blog a few days ago wrote and said Nollywood personalities are friends with politicians and spending the money together. I, Omotola, have never campaigned or partied with any Government, so don’t mention my name among those who do that. I have suffered enough for refusing to party with them and take Ghana Must go backs, so don’t let me suffer more.”

She added: “if as an entertainer you want to be friends with politicians, do so without aligning your brand with whatever the politicians stand for.”

Editorial: President Jonathan, General Buhari, Our Stand

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2014

This week looks beautiful, hopeful and indeed, fulfilling for lovers of serenity, peace and tranquility, away from the madness that hems-in the humanity today.
It was General Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military Head of State and chieftain of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) who first flew the kite. The General obviously threw personal and if you like, group pride away, to wear the toga of father, yes, father.
He came out into the open to condemn in strong term, the bomb incidence at Nyanya in Abuja and kidnap of over 200 female students in Chibok in Borno state, declaring: “while we are engaged in tight political competition against the ruling party, we shall not play politics on this issue so vital to our national survival and wellbeing.
“We pledge ourselves to the unity and safety of this nation and shall do nothing to undermine national security. We seek no political advantage from this calamity and wish the present administration success in fighting it.
“We stand ready to help in any meaningful and productive way to fight this battle against evil. We extend our hand and earnest offer of cooperation in this regard.
“Nigeria and Nigerians have suffered enough. Those who now lead the nation and those who would lead her must overlook political differences to find whatever ways we can cooperate to make this a safer, more secure nation for all.”
As gladdening as this Buhari’s write up was, came also President Goodluck Jonathan’s prompt reaction, which increased the joy and beauty in politicking and oppositing.
The President commended Buhari for his statesman-like views on terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria, believing that the position taken by General Buhari “is that of a true patriot, respected former Head of State, revered elder statesman and nationalist.”
He acknowledged Buhari’s call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and work in unity to overcome terrorists and other merchants of death who currently threaten national security.
The President shares Buhari’s recommendation that the nation’s counter-terrorism strategies be further fine-tuned and considers as kind, Buhari’s offer of support and co-operation in dealing with the challenge of terrorism.

Jonathan assures Buhari of his Administration’s sincere commitment and dedication to the successful prosecution of the fight against terrorism and all other threats to national security, including his preparedness to work with him and all other patriotic Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to strengthen national security and end the scourge of terrorism.
From all indications, there did not seem to be any form of compulsion on General Buhari to write and take the stand he took, neither was there any indication that President Jonathan was under any obligation to respond positively the way he did.
Clearly, in an ideal situation, this is the kind of scenario that should play out whenever Nigeria is faced by common enemy or challenge. The current confusing and frightening security situation that we are all contending with requires all Nigerians to rally round one another. However, Nigerians, especially the leaders, had never recognized, appreciated and treated an ideal situation whenever it rears its head.
Either that those who are not in the leadership position are in the pull-him down struggle or that those in the leadership position see themselves as Alpha and Omega. Those in the leadership position are also wont to see every good and genuine action of those outside there with a kind of suspicion.
Either way, Nigeria has often been thrown into helpless danger as politicking and finger-pointing take the centre stage.
We in Greenbarge Reporters, published by Greenbarge Media and Communications Limited, are exhilarated therefore, by General Buhari’s initiative to unleash his anger on the agents of divisiveness and his open declaration that his party, APC, would not play politics with the issue that is clearly threatening the unity and peace of the country, the same way we are exhilarated by the response of the President.
The beauty ensconced in the position of the two sides is in the voluntariliness and frankness. It is obvious that General Buhari volunteered to write and express his sadness over the slide of Nigeria into security morass, the same way, telepathically, President Jonathan was quick enough to get the message, responding, on his own volition, in equal terms.
To us in Greenbarge Reporters, yesterday, April 23, was a day of Nigeria’s renewal; a day of reunification; a day of understanding; a day that calls for celebration. We did celebrate, because we found happiness in such unity of purpose, which reinvigorates our faith in the oneness of this country.

It must be stressed that in conducting our online media practice, we have sworn to always be on the side of the truth and not to take side. May the new spirit in the polity, stoked by General Buhari, be productive and above all, may it last!

180 Palestinian Prisoners In Israel Go On Hunger Strike

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2014

180 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, today, began hunger strike in protest against what they called indefinite administrative detention.

Ziad Abu-Ain, Palestinian Deputy Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs said today that the prisoners had insisted they would go on with their hunger strike until they are released.

He said a data from the Prisoners’ Affairs Ministry said Israel had recently extended the detention orders of 60 per cent of Palestinian inmates under administrative detention.

Abu-Ain said 180 of the 5,000 prisoners in Israeli jails were Palestinians being held in administrative detention.

Last year, the case of Samer Essawi, a Palestinian prisoner who went on the longest hunger strike against Israel, after more than 17 months in jail, garnered international publicity and condemnation which helped lead to his release in December 2013.

The Prisoners Affairs Ministry said Israel had issued 23,000 administrative detention orders since the outbreak of violence in 2000, during the second Palestinian uprising.

It said in 2012, around 1,500 Palestinian prisoners ended their 28-day hunger strike after Egypt brokered an agreement between the prisoners and Israel to improve day-to-day prison conditions.

However, Palestinian officials have accused Israel of failing to implement the agreement.

Man, 63, Sentenced To Death For Raping Girl 13, In Kano

Greenbarge Reporters

April 24, 2014

A 63 year old man, Ubale Sa’idu Dotsa has been sentenced to death by stoning by an Islamic court in Kano, the largest city in northern Nigeria, after he was convicted of raping a 13 year old girl and infecting her with the virus that causes AIDS.

Ubale Sa’idu Dotsa was convicted on Tuesday by Justice Faruk Ahmad of the Shariah Court in Kano last month.

The state governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso is being expected to approve the sentence before it can be carried out.

Kano is one of the 12 states in the country’s mainly Muslim north that adopted Shariah, or Islamic law, from 2000 to 2002.

Three previous death-by-stoning convictions for adultery in the past decade, involving two women and a man, were overturned on appeal.

Jonathan To Buhari: You Are A Revered Elder Statesman, Nationalist

Greenbarge Reporters

April 23, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan, obviously excited by the stand taken by former Nigerian military Head of State and chieftain of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari on the deadly activities of Boko Haram, has described him as a reverend elder statesman and nationalist.
President Jonathan, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said: “the position taken by General Buhari is that of a true patriot; respected former Head of State, revered elder statesman and nationalist.”
Jonathan commended General Buhari for his very statesman-like views on terrorism and insecurity in Nigeria as expressed in his article which was published by the media over the past two days.
In the article, General Buhari had condemned Boko Haram whose members bombed about 72 Nigerians to death at Nyanya motor park in Abuja, saying that those that died lived anonymously and died the same way.
Buhari said that those who died were part of us and shared the same aspirations we all do. “We seek an improved fate for our children and hope to leave them a better life. We want to work and live in dignity and respect. We want a life of peace and harmony with our neighbors regardless of religion, ethnicity or background. We seek prosperity not poverty. We seek brotherly understanding not strife. We seek peace, not bombs.
“It was not just 72 people who were taken in this depraved assault. Each of us lost something that day. Yet, despite the loss and suffering, we must not cower in fear, and let the purveyors of death believe they have scored a victory over us.
“Those who committed this act have declared war on all that is decent and good. They have declared war not against the state or even the government. “They have declared war on Nigeria and all Nigerians because this murder took men and women, old and young, Christians and Muslims alike. In trying to scare, frighten and divide us, the evildoers committed injury to their own cause. For they have shown us that we all suffer inhumanity in the same way.
“No matter our religion or place of birth, we all bleed and are wounded the same way by injustice. Decency runs through the teachings of each religion and ethnic group that comprise the people of Nigeria.
“We may have our differences, but the vast majority of Nigerians stand united against the appalling violence committed in Nyanya and other places.
“These acts have no place in Nigeria. Those who commit them have no place in our country. The perpetrators may look like human beings. They may have limbs and faces like the rest of us but they are not like us.
“In killing innocent people, they have become inhuman. They live outside the scope of humanity. Their mother is carnage and their father is cruelty. “They have declared war against the people of Nigeria. They have shown that they do not want to liberate the people. They want to kill them. Yet, with all the energy of their evil and ignorant hatred, they shall fail. The good people of Nigeria shall triumph.
“Such a wicked mission shall not succeed. We have gone too far in our journey to nationhood and endured too much to allow these terrible acts to divert us.”
In the statement this evening, President Jonathan welcome General Buhari’s call on all Nigerians to remain steadfast and work in unity to overcome terrorists and other merchants of death who currently threaten national security.
He said that he fully shares General Buhari’s view that a minority must never be allowed to “bring the nation to its knees through terror”.
He said that General Buhari’s recommendation that the nation’s counter-terrorism strategies be further fine-tuned and expressed gratitude for his kind offer of support and co-operation in dealing with the challenge of terrorism.
“I assure General Buhari of my Administration’s sincere commitment and dedication to the successful prosecution of the fight against terrorism and all other threats to national security. I assure the General of my preparedness to work with him and all other patriotic Nigerians, irrespective of their political affiliations, to strengthen national security and end the scourge of terrorism.”

Need To Revisit Language Values By Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u

Muhammad Jameel Yushau

April 23, 2014

I want to start with an apology for the unannounced absence of this contribution which started about two years ago. Gladly, the celebration does not require a budget, nor a grand occasion to be marked by speeches from special guests. In fact, the anniversary will save you the burden of travelling to my home state of Kano, let alone commit a political blunder that will require the political Juggernauts in the city to come and sweep away.
In the course of the absence of this column, I met two brilliant individuals, one of them a retired senior administrator in one of the leading universities in Nigeria, and the other, an active academic who still gives his contribution for the betterment of our society. By coincidence, both individuals are linguists with firm commitment to their culture.
Our discussion about the Hausa language in particular focused on the effect of using foreign curriculum from nursery to secondary schools, and the impact of that on our youths. Yes, it is a fashion today to take your kids to schools where Hausa is not taught as a language, and these days it is common to hear that “ban yi Hausa a makaranta ba,” (I never studied Hausa language at school).
I told my guest about what happened around 2003. I was writing a research paper on the Hausa home video industry. In the course of that, I interviewed one of the leading actors in the industry, and he told me that one of his fans called him from Abuja and told him that she had the word Zaure in one of the home videos he has featured, and asked him for the meaning.
As we continued with our conversation, one of my guests said that that is even better. Perhaps you never heard the expression “tuwon rice.” I never heard about it. The only time I remember we tried to use non-Hausa terms to explain traditional food was about two years ago when we held a fundraising dinner in Newcastle, UK to do some charity work in Nigeria by supporting orphans and conduct some healthcare projects.
My friend and brother, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad brilliantly translated a lot of the names of Hausa food into English for the benefit of the non-Hausa speaking contributors. Yes, I still smile when I remember such terms like “mash rice” for Tuwon shinkafa, and “beans cake” for Kosai, as well as ‘pumpkin sauce’ for
miyar taushe.
But you see, he was able to do that because he understands the Hausa language very well, and so that understanding was used to benefit the people back home.
Gladly the guests enjoyed the food fair. It was a pleasure to see a mixture of the English, Pakistanis, Indians, Arabs and other groups enjoying African local dishes, not just for the sake of easting, but to support a human cause.

Language is an asset we should never play with as much as we can. Even those who live in foreign countries try their best to ensure that their kids speak their mother tongue. Those who allowed that opportunity to slip away ended up regretting it, for their children are normally caught in the crisis of identity.
Indeed we live in times when understanding a foreign language is an asset, and we should encourage people to learn as many languages as possible, but that shouldn’t be at the detriment of our native tongue. Language is not as innocent as we might assume. It is important for our school administrators to understand this, particularly private schools promoting foreign curriculum at the expense of carefully developed content that takes care of our languages and value system.

The Chinese, the Indians, the Malaysians, and other countries that are making progress did not do so in a vacuum. They always maintain their culture and language, and even work hard to export it. Today, Indian and Chinese restaurants have become global brands. I wonder whether our kids who struggle to understand
Zaure, will be competent enough in our local languages to be good ambassadors for our people in the future.

Long Time Poverty Is A By-Product Of Security Challenges In Nigeria- Governor Uduaghan

Greenbarge Reporters

April 23, 2014

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state has attributed the security challenges the nation is facing now to long time poverty.

“Over the years, we have ignored poverty. We have not paid attention to the people at the lower rung of the society. The youths have become a pool of people being recruited to become kidnappers, armed robbers, terrorists and assassins.

Governor Uduaghan who launched the Delta State Micro Insurance Scheme (DMIS) in Asaba today, noted that lack of employment over the years has created a pool of youths who are being recruited for insurgency and other nefarious activities adding however that this is not a problem that can solve in one day.

He said that his government has started from somewhere, saying: “we are committed to this micro-credit scheme which has helped us to empower our youths and remove them from this pool of poor persons.”

The Governor insisted that jobs should be created for youths to be positively engaged and that it is impossible for government or available industries in the country to give employment to the teeming unemployed Nigerians.

He said that his administration devised the micro-credit scheme to empower a lot of Deltans and has made them to be employers of labour as a way to get Deltans to be positively engaged.

Governor Uduaghan who described the insurance scheme as the first of its kind in the country observed that many farmers and beneficiaries of the micro-credit scheme incurred incalculable losses as a result of the flood which ravaged Delta State in 2011 because their business where not insured.

He explained that the insurance scheme was therefore born to forestall such experiences in the future, adding that the State Government for a start was paying premium until when the business owners fully embrace the concept of insurance.

Dr. Uduaghan observed, “Insurance companies have become more committed and are paying claims. We need to insure our micro businesses. Delta State is taking the lead in this area of insuring micro business in the country.”

The Commissioner, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Fola Daniel had lauded the Governor Uduaghan’s administration for the initiative, assuring that the beneficiaries of the Delta State Micro-Credit Programme that in case of damage, the insurance companies will pay their claims within a period of fifteen days.

“This is an insurance that is accessed by low income operators, the NAICOM would withdraw the license of any insurance company who fails to pay claims and also prosecute the owners of the companies for economic sabotage,” Mr. Daniel said.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Poverty Alleviation in the state, Dr. Anthonia Ashiedu attributed the successes recorded with the micro credit programme to Governor Uduaghan’s passion to reduce poverty in Delta State.

Ashiedu explained that the DMIS policy among other objectives is to provide protection for micro entrepreneurs, ensure business sustainability in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Those Calling For Full Military Rule In Borno Are Sick, Governor Shettima Says

Greenbarge Reporters

April 23, 2014

Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima has described those calling for the sacking of civilian elected governors and installation of military rule in the Boko Haram troubled states as being sick.

He referred in particular to a statement credited to the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence (FJHRD), calling for a declaration of full-scale state of emergency in Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states and said that there is nothing Human Rights in such a group.
In a statement by his spokesman, Isa Gusau, the governor said “I think if any group calls its self a human rights advocate and then drums support for the takeover of government by the military in a democratic institution, that group has lost its identity.
“A military system of governance as we all know is that which does not respect the right of citizens, it is that which is based on the philosophy of coercion as the sole means of achieving objectives. Human rights can never be guaranteed under a military government.”
Governor Shettima said that combating Boko Haram insurgency, could not be successful without combining both military resources and political elements that could best guarantee community participation.

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