Editorial: President Jonathan, General Buhari, Our Stand

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.

Governor Nyako’s Memo Is Grossly Irresponsible, Divisive, Says Labaran Maku

Greenbarge Reporters

April 23, 2014

Information minister, Labaran Maku has launched verbal attack on the governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako, describing the recent memo the governor sent to his colleague governors in the Northern part of the country as grossly irresponsible and divisive.

“When people reach a certain age, they should watch their utterances and the kind of things they are suppose to say. Maybe if it is young people like you, we can say it is lack of experience, but people that have known the difficulty this country is going through and the kind of effort that is being made by the federal government to be coming out to make those statements that divide the country even at a point that we need national unity and national healing is grossly irresponsible.”

Maku was addressing newsmen today shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Maku regretted that someone who has little knowledge ‎on how security services are rendered will just open his mouth and make statements that create panic in the country, adding that this is very unfortunate.

“To hear the kind of things being said by the governor of Adamawa State‎ at this period is very unfortunate. Nyako is the former Chief of Naval Staff. He is someone that has worn uniform before and for him to publicly incite the people against the security forces of this country is the height of irresponsibility. It is more so for someone like him who is old enough to appreciate the kind of crisis this country is going through. We expected that he should have a greater understanding, politics aside.”

He saw Nyako’s memo as grandstanding and playing to the gallery, saying that making such inflammatory statement that divides public opinion and causes confusion shows how the governor has been turning himself into what he called “anti-Nigerian.”

The minister insisted that this is the time Nigerians should speak with one voice, and speak with a voice that give the people hope that the leaders are united in finding solution, adding: “divisive statement must be condemned at this time and I think that we all have a responsibility to this country. And for the media as well, we need to be reporting from the point of arousing public anger to support the government to support security services. One thing we must not allow is to create lack of morale for the security services because we don’t have alternative today to those services. And I know that security services are one of the best services in this continent with a lot of commitment and discipline.”

Maku is hopeful that Nigeria will overcome the current security challenges but that “we can do the job better with some people shutting up their mouths.”

Abduction Of Borno Female Students: President Jonathan, Others Reel In Anguish, Says Maku

Greenbarge Reporters

April 23, 2014

Nigerian minister of information, Labaran Maku has said that President Goodluck Jonathan and top government and security officials have been going through a lot of anguish since over 200 female students were kidnapped in Chibok, Borno state by members of the deadly Boko Haram over a week ago.

The minister, who addressed newsmen today shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja described the abduction of the girls as a national tragedy.

It is a tragedy, he added, “that young girls of school age could be abducted in our country in 2014. It is unimaginable, nobody even in our wildest imagination think that a group of people under whatever guise will take young girls who are just in the school to write exams hostage. This is indeed very painful. From the President and all of us, we have been going through a lot of anguish. It is almost like a story out of this world. It goes to show the level of depravity, share current of lack of human feeling that is going on in this crime of terror in this country.”

He said that security forces are still on the heels of the kidnappers and that every effort is being made to get the girls back safely.

“The work of defeating terror is in being united. And I appeal to citizens who have information that can lead to fishing out these girls and other criminals in the system to give that information. Our prayer is to get them safe and that they will not be abused by those who criminally abducted them. The attention of the world, the president and governors on the search of those girls and a lot of work is going on‎. It is the number one priority today in terms of synergy and we will continue to call for public cooperation.

This is even as women in Borno state have expressed their willingness to go into the notorious Sambisa Game Reserve Forest, the enclave of Boko Haram to seek the release of the abducted schoolgirls of the Government Secondary School, Chibok.
Sambisa Forest, a large expanse of land is where most of the deadly attacks of the Boko Haram insurgency are launched from and it is where the abducted schoolgirls are believed to be held hostage.
The coalition of various women association in the troubled state told newsmen today: “We are ready to go into the bush and appeal to the Boko Haram sect to release our children to us.”
The coalition is being led by Professor Hauwa Abdu Biu.

According to the women, they are now waiting to be led by the military into the notorious forest.

State Of Emergency In 3 North East States Tops Agenda Of President-Governors Meeting Tomorrow

Greenbarge Reporters

April 22, 2014

State of Emergency declared in three North Eastern states of Nigeria: Adamawa, Yobe and Borno will be the major topic on the agenda of a meeting scheduled to hold in the Presidential Villa tomorrow between President Goodluck Jonathan and the governors from the 36 states of the country.
The State of Emergency, imposed on the state by the President, via the power confers on him by the constitution elapses this weekend.
It would be recalled that governors from the three affected states did not attend the security meeting held Thursday last week between the President and governors on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). The three affected governors and others belong to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state, while answering questions from newsmen shortly after Thursday meeting said:
“I believe that the issue of state of emergency in the three states of North East will be taken on when all the governors are around on Wednesday (tomorrow).”
He said that the issue of the state of emergency was not discussed last week because, “of course, you know that is a national issue and if you discuss you can’t shave a man’s head behind him.
“The governors of the state that are involved in emergency were not here.”

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