Lawyer Abayomi Drags Mark, Tambuwal To Court For Alleged Increase In 2014 Budget

May 19, 2014

A constitutional lawyer, Dr. Tunji Abayomi has dragged the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu ambuwal before the Federal High Court in Abuja over an accusation that they illegally injected N53billion into the 2014 budget.

The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether it is within the constitutional powers of the National Assembly which is led by the defendants, to increase the budget estimate that was submitted to the legislature by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He wants the court to determine whether the National Assembly can create a new expenditure/budget head in a budget estimate submitted by the President for passage/approval.

Abayomi is also urging the court to declare that it was not within the constitutional powers of the National Assembly to increase the budget estimate submitted by the President for passage.

In an affidavit in support of the suit deposed to by one Uzoanya Kelechi Victoria, the plaintiff, told the court that the increase in the budget by the National Assembly amounted to an infringement and a gross abuse of the constitution, as well as, wrongful exercise of legislative powers under the Constitution.

He told the court that the budget estimate passed on Wednesday April 9, 2014 was laterally increased by N53billion.

Meantime, no date has been fixed for hearing of the case.

Fight Corruption First Before Fighting Boko Haram, Arch Bishop Ukpo Advises Leaders

Greenbarge Reporters

May 19, 2014

“Corruption is what is making it difficult to bring the Boko Haram insurgence to an end and unless we fight corruption, it will be difficult for Nigeria to make much progress as a nation because it has taken over much of our national life.”

Archbishop Joseph Edra Ukpo, the Archbishop Emeritus of the Catholic Arch Diocese of Calabar made these pronouncements in Okpoma, the Yala Local Government headquarters in Cross River State yesterday. He delivered a homily during the induction of the Paramount Ruler of Yala Local Government Area, Ogamode Onah Ipuole into the Knighthood of St John at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Okpoma.

He insisted that that corruption is severely impeding the effective fight against Islamic insurgents currently ravaging the north east part of the country.

He said that Nigeria is ordained by God to be a great country but attain that status, corruption has to be rooted out to ensure meaningful progress in our national life.

2015: My Fear For Nigeria, General Ibrahim Babangida

Greenbarge Reporters

May 18, 2014

Former Nigeria’s military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida has expressed fear that overheating of polity as Nigeria approaches the 2015 general election would lead to nothing but confusion and anarchy.

“An overheated polity will produce nothing other than chaos and anarchy in our midst and I wish to advise politicians to be careful and responsible as they start their campaign train for 2015 contest.

In a message at a book launch entitled, ‘Fasting according to Islamic law’ authored by the Director-General of the National Teachers Institute, Dr. Aminu Sharehu held in Kaduna today, Babangida stressed the need for politicians to accept defeat at polls and learn to prepare for another.

“Nigerians deserve nothing less than the dividends of democracy that will guarantee minimum comfort for better, quality life.

“This is what is required to take the youths off the streets, restore the confidence of the disenchanted and provide succor to the poverty-stricken masses of this country.

The former military ruler speaking against the background of the insecurity in the land, urged politicians to play the game according to the rule and accept defeat whenever the need arose.

“Politics is a game that produces winners and losers at the same time. Not all contestants will emerge victorious at the polls and so losers must learn to accept defeat with grace and prepare for another race someday.

“This is what is needed to check the menace of violence perpetrated by militants and Boko Haram insurgents.”

In his address, the author of the book, Sharehu noted that he has consistently written on the subject of fasting in Islam due to its significance.

“In the observance of fasting, Muslims owe it a duty to learn how to do it in accordance with the tenets of Islam as enshrined on the Shari’ah.

“There is need for the Muslim ummah to close ranks and work together for the unity and progress of our religion and the entire nation.”

Shut Up Your Mouths, Anenih Tells Those Calling On Jonathan To Resign

Greenbarge Reporters

May 18, 2014

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Tony Anenih, has asked those who are calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to resign on account of the fight against Boko Haram to shut their mouths up saying such people are unpatriotic

Anenih was emphatic that President Jonathan is doing his best to deal with the situation including focusing on ensuring the safe release of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, by the insurgents.

In a statement entitled: ‘Let us unite against Boko Haram’ issued in Abuja, today the PDP BOT chairman said that it is time for all Nigerians, irrespective of regional, religious or political affiliations to unite behind the President in the fight against Boko Haram.

He appealed to opposition politicians to learn from the Westgate shopping mall killings in Kenya, where the opposition leader, Rahila Odinga, stood by President Uhuru Kenyatta while the latter was addressing Kenyans on the dastardly attack.

Anenih also recalled Americans and the British closed ranks and rallied support for their respective governments in the aftermath of al-Qaeda deadly attacks on their nations, pointing out that in none of these cases did the citizens call on their president or prime minister to resign.

The party leader expressed gratitude to the United Nations and the governments of France, United States of America and Great Britain for collaborating with Nigeria in the anti-terror war.

He also said it was heart warming to note that our Francophone neighbours, namely: Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Benin Republic were on board.

The three-page statement partly read: “At a time that our nation is facing the menace of terrorism, it is of utmost importance that all Nigerians, irrespective of their regional, religious or political affiliations, should be united in supporting the Federal Government and all the security agencies in the fight to end terror in our country.

“As a father, I deeply sympathise with the parents of the abducted Chibok girls and pray for their safe return. No parent should have to experience what the parents of these innocent girls are passing through on account of this outrageous abduction by Boko Haram.

“I also understand the anger that has been expressed through the global #BringBackOurGirls movement and wish to state that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party are fully committed to ensuring the safe return of our daughters.

“I must, however, deplore the situation where some opposition politicians have tried to make political issues out of it by calling for the resignation of President Jonathan over a group that is waging war against the Nigerian state.

“Such behaviour is unbecoming of patriotic citizens of a democratic nation like Nigeria.”

Anenih said it was unfortunate that some Nigerians have forgotten so soon that the President has replaced service chiefs twice since he assumed office in a bid to bolster the operational efficiency of the military.

He also said the war against terrorism was a unique kind of confrontation which was unlike conventional warfare where enemy targets are easy to identify.

However, the Interim National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the refusal of the President to visit Chibok since the abduction of the girls, was a clear indication that he does not understand the demands of his office.
He said the office requires that “in good/bad times, he is to be seen and heard as the lead celebrant/lead consoler for his compatriots. His statement (about why he did not visit) is the most pedestrian justification of a presidential faux pas ever.” The President, he said,

Police Tinker With Relative Peace In Maiduguri, Allegedly Kill Civilians

Greenbarge Reporters

May 18, 2014

Maiduguri, the Borno state capital is back in confusion again, away from the lingering Boko Haram insurgence, as Police officers were alleged to have opened fire on, and killed a member of the Keke-Napep (commercial Tricycle) rider and a passenger today. The killing of the two civilians has thrown the city into violence with members of the Keke-Napep union taking to the streets in protest.

The youth groups were said to have barricaded most of the roads in parts of the city even as they made bonfire, causing a lot of smokes to filled the air.

Soldiers were said to have continued to shoot into the air to disperse the protesters who mobilized themselves and were headed towards Dandal police station with the aim of attacking it.

An eye witness, Muhammadu Maduba said that the police officer shot the driver after his first shot missed him and killed the passenger sitting at the back of his vehicle.

“There was a road blockage around the West End area and the tricycle rider refused to heed to the order of the police man to turn back and take the other route, so the police man fired his gun while the tricycle rider and his passenger were trying to move on.

“But the bullet missed the driver and hit the passenger. Upon realizing that his passenger had been hit, the tricycle rider stopped and the policeman walked up to him and fire at him; the driver too slumped and died at once”.

Upon seeing what happened to their colleagues, other members of the Keke Napep riders Union rose up in protest and marched on the streets and burning tires.

Some of them headed towards the Dandal Divisional Headquarters of the Police force, making soldiers who were deployed to the area to begin to shoot into the air.

Arsenal Bounces Back To Beat Hull 3-2, Clinches English FA Cup

Greenbarge Reporters

May 17, 2014

Arsenal this evening, fought back from two early goal deficits to beat Hull City 3-2 this at Wembley Stadium to win the 2014 English FA Cup. The victory, which ended a long wait for silverware at the Emirates, came courtesy of extra time goal buried in the 109^th minute by Aaron Ramsey after diverting a back-heel from Olivier Giroud into the top corner.

Hull City had launched an early scare with early goals from James Chester in the 4^th minute and Curtis Davies in the 8^th.

Santi Cazorla revived Arsenal’s hopes with a 17^th minute wonder goal off a free kick, with Laurent Koscielny drawing the Gunners level in the 71^st.

After Ramsey’s extra time back breaker, spirited efforts by substitute, Nigerian international Sone Aluko, to equalise for the Tigers proved fruitless, thus ensuring that Arsene Wenger’s nine-year wait for a trophy had finally come to an end

Paris Summit For Security In Nigeria At The Elysee Palace

Greenbarge Reporters

May 17, 2014

Gombe Governor Appoints 1,086 Additional Aides

Greenbarge Reporters

May 17, 2014

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has appointed additional 1,086 aides.

This is contained in a statement signed by Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Umar Alkali. The statement said that the appointment cuts across the 11 local government areas of the state.

Those appointed included one senior special assistant, 85 special assistants and 1,000 personal assistants (grade I, II and III).

According to the statement, the appointments takeimmediate effect

Most Nigerian Celebrities Live Fake Lives, Says Duncan Mighty

Greenbarge Reporters

May 17, 2014

Port Harcourt based singer, Duncan Mighty has blasted his colleagues in the music industry, who he says are living fake lives and claiming to own more than they actually do.

“A lot of Nigerian artistes lead fake lives. They claim to be what they are not, just because they want to meet up their peers and fellow artistes.”

In an interview, the popular musician said: “I live in my own house, it has a swimming pool, lounge and studio and I make bold to say I didn’t buy it. I built it from the scratch. But a lot of these artistes will claim they bought a house for N300m or N400m.

“But I didn’t spend up to that amount to build my house. If you have that amount, say N500m, you don’t go and buy one property. There are many things to do with money. They claim they have state-of-the-art cars, but that is not my priority. I have choice cars, but it takes a lot of money to maintain such cars.”

Why most artistes who hit the spotlight and achieve fame would seek to move into Lagos, which is believed to be the central city for entertainers and the like, the Ikwerre born singer has chosen to remain in Port Harcourt and explained why.

According to Duncan Mighty, his presence in Rivers state has gotten a lot of entertainment stake holders to notice the state and increase it’s popularity.

“I conquered the Lagos market with my first album and I think Nigerian artistes should be able to maximize fame and victory from any part of the country. The fact that I remain in PH city has attracted more entertainment stakeholders to the state, thereby boosting their popularity. I wish other Nigerian celebrities can do or say same about their states of origin.” He said.

Jonathan, Hollande Link Boko Haram To Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda

Greenbarge Reporters

May 17, 2014

France’s President Francois Hollande and President Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan and France’s President Francois Hollande have linked the operation of the deadly Nigerian Boko Haram to Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda, making it no longer a local problem.

The leaders who spoke today at the Nigeria security summit holding in Paris, said: “Boko Haram has become a major threat for all of west Africa and now for central Africa. Its links to AQMI (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) and other terrorist organizations have been established.”

President Jonathan is joining four other African leaders and representatives of France, Britain and the United States, to iron out details of an international response to the Islamic extremist group, which still holding over 230 schoolgirls captive.

Francois Hollande wanted the security effort in Africa to involve sharing intelligence, protecting borders, and quick action in a crisis, even as he emphasised that Boko Haram had clearly established ties with other terror groups in Africa, making it a problem throughout the continent and beyond.

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