The Sorry State Of Our Time, By Engr. A. M Adua

June 30, 2014

Sometimes I used to sit down at one corner of my room in the middle of the night and ruminate over the problems facing Nigeria. Most times, my head cannot contain the problems and at the end, I often conjure up with many questions that have no answers.

Sometimes, it is better not to know than to know because the more you know certain things the more they affect you psychologically. The past has gone but the memory remains with us. Whenever I see what our leaders are doing, my heart bubbles and I get infuriated.

As leaders, they have the power and ability to change our sorry state to a real world of modern technology, but unfortunately for us, they pay us back by creating Boko Haram.

Our leaders have failed us woefully. Those are they who got free and compulsory qualitative education, free and secured learning and conducive environment; they were employed immediately after graduating. Some of them married in their early 20s.

Some of them did not wear shoes. And now they find themselves in the mantle of leadership and appear to have turned our country into a war zone. They make corruption an official system of our country even as they would argue that stealing is not corruption. They are worse than our colonial masters because our colonial masters stolen our resources and built their country but our leaders are taking our resources out of the country to invest in other country and leave millions of our unemployed youth stranded, looking for jobs that don’t exist at all.

Our youths are hopeless, with no future. They are forced to continually editing their birth certificates to change their age, thinking that they will get employment. They are not even thinking of marriage at the age of 35 or 40 because of the unfavorable condition they find themselves in.

Many of such youths are being trained to be thugs instead of Doctors or Engineers. They are trained to be assassins instead of care givers; they are trained to be drugs pushers instead of pharmacists; they were trained to be rivals instead of brothers’ keepers; they have succeeded in creating enmity between us.

Where are we heading to? Do we have future? Is Nigeria a failed state? My brothers, we need answers to these questions.

This piece was sent by Engineer Abba M. Adua

[myad]

We Published Fabricated Story Against You, Newspaper Editor Confesses To FCT Minister

Greenbarge Reporters

June 29, 2014

Editor-In-Chief and owner of a weekly newspaper, NEWSDAY, Chief Edet Isong, has confessed that his paper published a fabricated story against the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed.
In a letter to the minister, the publisher apologized to the Minister and his children over the story which the newspaper reproduced from an online medium called pointblanknews.com.
The report had claimed that two children of the Minister had stashed away N35 billion in Unity Bank and UBA as well as an offshore account.
In the letter of retraction and apology signed by Chief Isong, the management of the newspaper said it regretted the embarrassment the false story caused the minister and his children.
The letter dated June 19, 2014 reads:“On behalf of the Management of Newsday Newspapers Limited, I write in respect of our publication of May 5 – Sunday – May 11, 2014 on alleged stashing of N350 billion in Nigerian and foreign accounts by children of the FCT Minister.
“We wish to state that we have since discovered that the story which was lifted from an online medium pointblanknews.com was not true and had caused you (the Hon. Minister) embarrassment. We regret the indiscretion and sincerely apologize for our errors.
“Sir, we wish to inform you that NEWSDAY NEWSPAPER did not publish the said story with an intention of embarrassing the Hon. Minister or disparaging his good name or the image of his family. We have no reason to do so. We will continue to hold you in very high esteem in view of your laudable strides in the transformation of the FCT under your Administration. We shall equally continue to support and highlight your legacies.
“Please kindly accept sincere apologies and forgive us.”
The editor said that his reporters lifted the false story from the online medium believing that it was a factual report only to discover later that the report was totally fabricated.

[myad]

We Will Beat France ‘Silly,’ Keshi Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

June 29, 2014

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has made it clear that victory for Nigeria over France in their encounter tomorrow is non-negotiable.
Keshi, oozing with confidence, told sports reporters in Brazil that he is already looking beyond the Monday match with French national team.
Super Eagles will sweat it out with France for second round encounter. The only recorded encounter between both sides at senior level was a friendly game played on June 2, 2009, in which a goal from Joseph Akpala gave Nigeria the win.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to travel to Brazil to watch the Super Eagles if they are able to make it to the quarter-finals.
Nigeria has to get past France to reach that stage.
Captain Joseph Yobo said that with the additional incentive from the president, the players will be more motivated to reach that historic landmark.

[myad]

Boko Haram Attacks 5 Churches Today, Kills About 100 Worshipers In Borno

Greenbarge Reporters

June 29, 2014

Suspected members of Boko Haram today, attacked five different churches in Kwada village, about 10 kilometers from Chibok local government area of Borno State. About 100 worshipers were said to have been killed in the attacks
The Churches that were attacked, according to eye witnesses, include Cocin, EYN and Deeper Life Bible Church.
It was gathered thet members of Boko Haram launched the attacks just as the worshipers were in the middle of the Sunday services.
The attackers were said to have engaged in sporadic gun fire at the worshipers inside the Churches.
Sources in the affected villages have put an estimate of number of death recorded to about to 100.
At the time of going to press, no official statement has come from the security operatives or government side.

[myad]

Rep Muktari Will Face The Full Anger Of Electorate In 2015, By Musa Salihu Kachallah Miringa

Greenbarge Reporters

June 29, 2014

One is not very sure if Honourable Muktari Aliyu Betara, who represents Biu, Shani, Kwayya Kusar and Bayo Federal Constituency in the federal House of Representatives understands what democracy is all about.
He needs to be reminded of the basic essence of Democracy which is all about government of the People for the People and by the People.
And that Democracy is the game of numbers which was adequately displayed in the recent election in Ekiti State.
It then followed that a competent and polished legislator should be an asset for the people of his constituency. Such legislator is he who looks at issues critically and objectively before he agrees or disagrees on issue or bill being debated on the floor of the House.
Legislation is about fairness in dealings and giving constructive contributions on ideas and issues brought before the House.
Above that, a good lawmaker would always maintain symbiotic relationship with his people. He would interact with them as partners in progress.
It is expected that the fruit of such interactions would lead to the lawmaker presenting the yearnings and aspiration of the electorate to the national attention and resolution.
Unfortunately, over time and by many standards, Rep Muktari never showed such qualities in his representation of his constituency.
Indeed, people who voted him into office even for the second term, are being neglected.
All that seems coming out of him is what can be termed as dirty politics. He would resort to purchasing some bags of rice, sugar, salt, wrappers, few motorcycles and sewing Machines and sharing them in the guise of youth empowerment.
The Rep has perhaps forgotten that politics is not all about bread and butter, but about selflessness, hard-work for the socio-economic growth of the people that he is representing.
But it does seem that Hon. Muktari Aliyu Betara sees politics as a business ventures to make money without the interest of his people at heart.
Having been in the House of Reps now for the past seven years as representative, Muktari Betara has no single project to show as his constituency project, not to talk of having a bill that can make life better for his people.
Muktari has crafted a method of distributing some bags of rice, sugar, salt, wrappers, few motorcycles and sewing Machines to some ward political thugs whenever the election time draws nearer
As one of those he is representing in the House of Reps, I believe that 2015 election will spell doom for him, Insha Allah, because we have learnt our lessons and have come to understand his leadership style that has not yielded any fruit to the people of his constituency, especially in ward six and its environs. Ironically, it is in this ward that he always have the majority of votes.
We, in ward six will speak loud with one voice by saying NO to his politics of sit-down-look. We are now wiser, in the context of modern political trend and will henceforth support Professionals and “exposed” personalities like MM Adamu Burati who has the care of the people at heart.
We will encourage such personality to come out and participate actively in politics.
One good thing about MM Adamu is that he used to gather youths, irrespective of religious belief and give them words of encouragement, especially about the need for them to be educated so that they would be of help to their communities and the nation.
He used to assist graduates and other youths with education with jobs.
As a matter of fact, the reality is that professionals who are in politics seem to be more proactive and selfless towards the people they are representing, not their families.
Professionals in politics shouldn therefore, not expect themselves to be pardoned for failure, because they have different people in the society and colleagues who can guide and give them advice on where they go wrong.
We are formally appealing to M.M Adamu Buratai who is an astute leader; principled, focused, visionary, decent, compassionate, respectful, humble, unassuming, serious minded, intelligent, strategic, kind, peace loving, morally upright, and passionate about his people reaching their fullest potential to come out and have the mandate of his people to take them to the promised land, come 2015 election.
It is a reality that no man is perfect but his good far outweighs his weaknesses.

Musa Salihu Kachallah Miringa, Wrote in from Abuja
email: abareone79@mail.com

[myad]

Jonathan Condemns Mass Killings In Kaduna, Bauchi States

Greenbarge Reporters

June 29, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned the mass killings in Southern Kaduna and night
bombing in the Bayan Gari area of Bauchi State within the week.
In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan reassured the people of Bauchi and Kaduna States that his government is taking all necessary actions to apprehend the perpetrators of the dastardly attacks and restore the fullest possible security to all parts of the country.
“The President commiserates with all the families who lost loved ones in the heinous attacks and extends his heartfelt sympathies to all those who suffered injuries or lost their properties during the wanton assaults on Bauchi and Kaduna States,” Abati said.
He said that the President has directed all relevant federal government agencies to continue to speedily make emergency medical and relief assistance available to all those who were either injured or displaced by recent bombings and attacks.
He said that Jonathan advised Nigerians to give maximum support and cooperation to the Armed Forces and security agencies in their continuous effert to end the menace of insecurity in the country within the shortest possible time.

[myad]

Jonathan Seeks Special Prayers From Muslims As They Begin Ramadan Fast

Greenbarge Reporters

June 28, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has asked all Muslims in Nigeria to offer special prayers for the country as they begin this year’s Ramadan fast today.
In a statement from his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati today, President Jonathan noted that Nigerian Muslims began the Ramadan fast against the background of security challenges in the country.
“I urge all Nigerian Muslims to offer special prayers during the period for greater peace and security in the nation. I also call on Nigerian Muslims to rededicate themselves in fuller measure to the virtues of piety, self-discipline, tolerance, equity, honesty, fairness and sympathy for the less privileged which the Holy month promotes.”
He noted that Muslims would be undergoing what he called “the strictures and spiritual purification” during the month, even as he reassured all Nigerians that his government would continue to work tirelessly to curb insurgency, terrorism and other criminal acts that have caused insecurity in parts of the country.
He called on Nigerians “not to succumb to despair, but to remain steadfast in the firm conviction that with courage, determination, focus, decisiveness and collective support for the Armed Forces and security agencies, the country will ultimately overcome the evil agents of sectionalism, sectarianism and international terrorism who seek to disunite the nation.”
The President prayed to God to grant Nigeria greater peace, security, unity and national harmony even as he wished the Muslim community a rewarding and spiritually gratifying Ramadan fast. [myad]

Coach Names Flying Eagles 30-Man Squad For Final African Youth Champ

Greenbarge Reporters

June 28, 2014

Nigeria’s Under 20 team, the Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba has named a 30-man squad ahead of the next month’s final 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier against Lesotho.

This followed a two-week rigorous screening exercise at the FIFA Goal project in Abuja.

The Flying Eagles will host Lesotho onAugust 16 with the return leg match in Maseru a fortnight later and the overall winners will advance to the 2015 African Youth Championship to be staged by Senegal.

The bulk of the squad remains the FIFA U17 World Cup-winning squad like skipper Musa Muhammed, Kelechi Iheanacho and Dele Alampasu.

There is also a sprinkling of players from the Nigeria Premier League like Obinna Nwobodo of Enugu Rangers and the Sunshine Stars duo of Olulayo Seun and Adeniji Tunde.

Here is the full squad:

Goalkeepers

Joshua Enaholo (MFM Lagos), Adamu Abubakar (Flash Gombe), Olorun Leke (Giwa FC), Dele Alampasu

Defenders

Musa Muhammed (Besiktas Turkey), Ifeanyi Nweke (Riverlane Youth Club Enugu), Mustapha Abdullahi (Spotlight Katsina), Zaharadden Bello (Dabo Babes Kano), Prince Izu Omego, Adebayor Ademuluwa, Wilfred Ndidi

Midfielders

Olulayo Seun (Sunshine Stars), Chidiebere Nwakali (Manchester City England), Wasiu Jimoh (Kwara Academy), Musa Yahaya (Tottenham Hotspur England), Bernard Bulbwa, Ifeanyi Matthew (El Kanemi Warriors), Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Chisom Eze, Akinjide Idowu, Abdullahi Alfa

Strikers

Taiwo Awoniyi (Kalmar Sweden), Sulaiman Abdullahi(El Kanemi Warriors), Segun Alebiosu (Kwara United), Adeniji Tunde, Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City England), Obinna Nwobodo (Enugu Rangers), Isaac Success (Granada, Spain), Alhassan Ibrahim (FC Hearts), Abubakar Lawal (Sokoto United. [myad]

Atiku To Boko Haram: Sheath Your Sword In Ramadan

Greenbarge Reporters

June 28, 2014

As the 30-day-long Ramadan fasting period begins today, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has advised Boko Haram fighters to abandon any form of violence against innocent people once and for all.

In a goodwill message to Muslims in Abuja issued by his media office, the former Vice President said the war between Boko Haram fighters and government forces have caused enough grief and anguish, and created so many orphans and widows. He called for immediate ceasefire and negotiations to bring the fighting to a permanent end.

He said if truly the insurgents are committed to God and his religion, then it was high time they had a rethink over the violent activities against innocent people, both Muslims and Christians, men, women and children.

According to him, any fighters that abandon their conscience cannot claim to be serving God.

The former Vice President contended that if, indeed, they love God and believe in His teachings about the sanctity of life, the time had come for the militants to reflect, confront their conscience and ask themselves if there is justification or benefits for the harm they are committing against innocent people. Atiku advised the terrorists to save Nigeria further needless destructions of lives without any justification.

The former Vice President also advised fellow Muslims to put into practice the virtues of the Ramadan fasting period. He advised leaders to show compassion towards the ordinary citizens who are facing tough challenges of daily economic survival.

US Soul Singer, Bobby Womack Is Dead

Greenbarge Reporters

June 28, 2014

The United States of America’s soul singer and songwriter, Bobby Womack is dead. His publicist, Sonya Kolowrat said today that he died at the age of 70.

Kolowrat could not say what immediately caused the death of the singer who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. He started performing gospel music with his brothers in the 1950s. He became a major figure in the rhythm and blues genre in a career that lasted seven decades.

As the lead singer of The Valentinos, the band he formed with his brothers in the 1960s, Womack scored a hit with “Lookin’ For A Love.” After the band broke up, Womack played guitar and worked with popular artists such as Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and Ray Charles.

Womack, a prolific songwriter, composed songs across the rock and soul genres. His hits included “It’s All Over Now,” recorded by the Rolling Stones in 1964, and “Trust Me” for Janis Joplin, which was released after she died.

His solo singing career produced a string of hits, including 1972’s “That’s The Way I Feel About ‘Cha” and “Woman’s Gotta Have It.”

Womack had struggled with health issues in recent years, including diabetes, prostate cancer, heart trouble, colon cancer and pneumonia. Last year, he said he was beginning to show early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. [myad]

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