Go Jazz Is Back

It's at the JAZZ CAFE!

Opaman In conjunction with Kirby Radio is proud to announce the 6th annual Neo Soul, Jazz, Spoken word event, Go Jazz 2012 !

This years Go-Jazz! concert will be taking place at the iconic Jazz Cafe, London. Famously  known as a venue for modern legends, it has a delightful ambience, with intimacy and a great setting for live music.

Previously, this night of jazz, neo soul and spoken word has featured the likes of Yolanda Brown, Mike Aremu, Segun Obe, Agboola Shadare and many others. The Line up for Go Jazz ! 2012 will be announced soon.

Go Jazz exists to inspire and excite all who attend: it will be an evening of music, poetry and unique fun!!

Proceeds from this event will help support

Kirby African Community Health Initiative ( K.A.C.H.I  ) - an initiative which provides health screenings, health education, and health maintenance programs for the less privileged in Nigeria, where health care is limited mainly due to economical constraints.

Date: Saturday 15th September 2012
Time: 7pm
Ticket: £. 27.50
Parking: Free parking after 6pm on side streets.

Like us on facebook: Go jazz and OPAManentertainment.

Follow On twitter: @opaman, @olojacom  @amandakirbypr

http://www.go-jazz.co.uk/

For sponsorship or to associate your brand with us contact Oladapo on 07852542390, BB pin: 20E763F9

Press requiring more information or Pass accreditations details should contact Amanda Okoli directly at KIRBY Media: amanda.okoli@ikirby.co.uk

For concert tickets, contact The Jazz Café on 020 7485 6834

Lauryn Hill pleads guilty to tax evasion charges

Lauryn Hill has pleaded guilty to failing to file three years of taxes on income of $1.8 million and tax evasion today in U.S federal court.
She could face up to three years in prison and $75,000 in fines for her offenses and will be sentenced in late November.
 Hill's attorney Nathan Hockman said "There are many people in society who fail to file their taxes on time who only face civil liability,They chose Ms. Hill in particular because of who she was."
 Hill spoke little at her hearing today and stood attentively with her arms crossed in front of her chest when the judge first addressed her.

Nigerian President's Call for Birth Control Sparks Debate

(from Voice of America)
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has sparked intense debate by saying Nigerian families should have only the children they can afford.  In remarks to the newly created National Population Commission Wednesday, the president said it may be time for “birth control legislation.”

Nigeria is Africa's most populous country with about 162 million people. The United Nations says the population could reach 400 million by 2050.  That's a growth rate of 2.5 percent annually that economists say is unsustainably high for such a densely populated country plagued by poor infrastructure, poverty and unemployment.

The World Bank says a Nigerian woman has, on average, five or six children.  It is not unusual for couples to have as many as 10.

President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerians "to only have the number of children they can manage."  Managing population growth, the president said, is essential to economic planning and the government could adopt policies aimed at curbing rapid population growth and encouraging birth control use.

The president, himself a Christian, said the topic of population control is "sensitive" in Nigeria, where people, he said, are "extremely religious" and children are seen as "God's gift to man."

His comments have sparked religious debate.

Muslim leaders say Islam only allows family planning methods to space a woman's pregnancies for health reasons, but not to control the number of children she has.

Sheikh Ibrahim Umar Ibrahim Kasuwar, a senior member of the Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria, says he was unhappy to hear of the president's speech.  He says nowhere in the Bible or the Quran does it say that people can be discouraged from having children.  He says this is not the first time Nigerian authorities have talked about such measures but what they forget is that the people they serve are loyal first to God.

He says he has three wives and 16 children and plans to have and care for as many more as God gives him.

A local Christian leader in Kaduna state, Reverend Esra'a Kafaiza, said the Bible encourages procreation, but adds that parents have a responsibility as well.

"It is not right to give birth to more children that you can able to control - how are you going to educate them and guide them and lead them to the way of God," asked Kafaiza. "

Reverend Kafaiza said population growth is not the problem in Nigeria - it's leaders are.

"The population of Nigeria cannot stop the progress of Nigeria," said Kafaiza. "If our leaders can stand on their obligations and apply the wisdom of God and the fear of God, we can make it and succeed also in Nigeria."

President Jonathan pointed to the example of China, which has a one-child policy and whose population growth has slowed sharply in recent years.

Politicians and community leaders said the government would be overstepping its bounds by attempting to regulate family size.

Sociologist at the University of Abuja Umar Kari says tradition and religious values make birth control a "hard sell" in Nigeria.

He says attempts to link a reduced birth rate with poverty reduction are met with disbelief.

"The ordinary people are not impressed," said Kari. "In their own opinion, Nigeria's major problem is not overpopulation or high rate of population increase.  Rather it is the inability of the Nigerian state to properly harness the resources - mineral, natural and human resources - of the country for the benefit of the people."

Nigeria is Africa's largest oil producer.  However, corruption and mismanagement mean that little of that wealth trickles down to the average person.

Source

Police Summon Tunde Bakare Over Sermon On GEJ

The State Intelligence Bureau of the Nigerian Police want to see fiery Lagos preacher, Pastor Tunde Bakare, over  a controversial sermon against President Goodluck Jonathan.
The invitation signed by chief superintendent of police Usman Ayuba  is sequel to a sermon which Bakare delivered in his church wherein he accused President Jonathan of deliberately trying to bankrupt the country.
Publicity secretary of the Save Nigeria Group, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, confirmed the development saying, Bakare, the leader of the group, was aware of the summon but was not in the country.

"We saw an invitation by the police asking Pastor Bakare to honour an invitation regarding a sermon that he delivered sometime ago, but, as I am talking to you now, he is out of the country," Odumakin said.
(Leadership Newspaper)
Excerpt Of Pastor Bakare's Sermon

"We have vampires whose assignment is to kill Nigeria and to make sure that Nigeria does not exist thereafter. Suddenly Nigeria that was that cheered now has clueless, shoeless people take over the administration of Nigeria.
"And the one word I have for Nigerians is, don't despair. Jonathan is dancing to the drumbeat of destiny. His destiny is to bankrupt Nigeria. All men of goodwill must rise up to stop him. And stop him we will do. And I said stop him we will do. Don't make mistake about what you are hearing from me today, it is clear in my heart beyond any iota of doubt that Jonathan's destiny is to bankrupt Nigeria, balkanize Nigeria.
And there are forces behind him totally committed and determined to do so. Oil vultures with petrol dollars and all kinds of political "tinkers" not thinkers are tinkering with the destiny of our nation with their palace prophets telling them peace when there is no peace.
I want to tell you that it does not matter what it takes, we will stop you. We will stop you dead in your tracks. You will not accomplish your assignment. You will not finish your assignment. Nigeria will vomit you in the name of Jesus Christ.
Turn your Bible with me to the Book of Chronicles. Tell it on the mountain top that this man is dancing the drumbeat of destiny.
His destiny is to bankrupt this nation and balkanize it and he has the full support of his corporate cowboys and oil vultures as well as their palace prophets who are telling them peace when there is no peace because I don't understand how a nation will be going through calamity upon calamity and those who should be concerned will only be prancing around. I don't understand it. I don't understand how you can serve your nation and serve bomb blast inside a church in Jos for breakfast.
And before they could recover from that anguish you serve them air crash for lunch. And before they could gain their moment of sanity, you serve them with petro dollar bribe and now you vaunt about it telling us nothing can happen because you are in charge, the land will vomit you as the Lord lives in the name of Jesus Christ and every collaborator will not go unpunished.
Your year of punishment has come. Tell it on the mountain top that there are still men of goodwill who will stop you dead in your tracks.
I am not talking about deluded ambitious politicians who now think of 2015 when the nation is in a mess in 2012. We can do all the tinkering, if we don't rise up now there will not be 2015."

Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes to divorce

(Daily Mail) Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are divorcing after five years of marriage.
The Rock of Ages star, 49, and 33-year-old actress have daughter Suri, six.
'This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family,' Holmes's lawyer Jonathan Wolfe said in a statement to People magazine.
Katie's primary concern remains, as it always has been, her daughter's best interest.'
A spokesperson for Tom made it clear that it was the actress who initiated the split. She is understood to have filed court documents in New York this week and is said to be seeking sole custody of their daughter.

'Kate has filed for divorce and Tom is deeply saddened and is concentrating on his three children,' a statement from his spokesperson says. 'Please allow them their privacy to work this out.'

The couple are worth around $275 million - much of that owing to Tom's box office success. The are understood to have a pre-nuptial agreement.

Tom – who has been married twice before to Nicole Kidman, with whom he has two children, and Mimi Rogers – wed the former Dawson’s Creek actress in an Italian castle in November 2006.

He is currently in Iceland filming his new sci-fi movie Oblivion while Katie is in New York with their daughter.

Nigerian Fugitive Extradicted to U.S. Over U.S.$45 Million Health Care Fraud

Nigerian born American, Godwin Chiedo Nzeocha, 45, has been extradited to America to stand trial in a $45 million health care fraud case.

He fled back to Nigeria in 2009 after being charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, 39 counts of health care fraud, three counts of mail fraud, and three counts of money laundering in relation to his role in the City Nursing Services of Texas Inc. health care fraud conspiracy.

 (Leadership Newspaper)

According to the indictment, Nzeocha signed patient file documents as the provider of physical therapy services he was not qualified to provide and, according to evidence provided during trial of his alleged co-conspirators, which were not, in fact, provided to Medicare beneficiaries.
The indictment also alleges Nzeocha handed out cash payments to recruiters who brought Medicare beneficiaries to City Nursing and to Medicare beneficiaries in return for signatures on blank patient treatment forms.
To date, five people have been convicted in this massive health care fraud conspiracy, including City Nursing's owner, Umawa Oke Imo, who is now serving 27 years in prison.
Nzeocha faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the health care fraud, conspiracy to commit health care fraud, and money laundering charges, upon conviction. A conviction for mail fraud carries an additional maximum punishment of up to 20 years in prison.
This case has been investigated by the FBI, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, and the Texas Attorney General's Office-Medicare Fraud Control Unit. Special thanks is extended to the Nigerian government and the Office of International Affairs in the Justice Department's Criminal Division, who provided assistance. Assistant United States Attorney Julie Redlinger is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Obasanjo Blames Foreigners for Corruption in Nigeria

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the rising scourge of corruption in the country to the activities of foreign multi-nationals and individuals whom he accused of engaging in underhand activities to make huge profits from the country.
Obasanjo who was recently in the United Kingdom to promote investment in Nigeria made this assertion when he spoke to The Guardian of London in an exclusive interview and also carpeted the ruling class in the country as too corrupt.
This is coming just as the former leader is said to have found a new pastime as an "adviser" to a private equity firm, New World Capital, an organisation set up to raise money internationally to invest in Africa.

Continue reading from source

Adele is Pregnant !

Singer Adele is expecting her first child with boyfriend Simon Konecki! Congratulations xxx

R.Kelly Postpones Engagements Due To Ill Health

R. Kelly has officially postponed all engagement due to ill health. Kelly's people are saying ... "Initial indications are that he is suffering from complications from surgery he had last year to treat an abscess on his vocal cords."


They note, "It is unclear how long Kelly may be sidelined." The rep also added, "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused."

Get well soon x

Arsenal To Play Nigerian Super Eagles In Abuja on August 5th

So its all set ! English Premier League side Arsenal will play Nigeria's Super Eagles in a pre-season match in Abuja on August 5th.

It will be the first time Arsenal have played in the West African nation.
"We are delighted to announce that Arsenal Football Club will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Abuja," said promoter David Omigie of DanJan Sports.

The Arsenal manager [Arsene Wenger] will also use this game to showcase his full squad for the 2012/2013 football season.

Patience Jonathan Receives Tourism of Africa Award From The UNWTO

The wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, has received the Tourism Ambassador for Africa award from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

The award was presented to her on Tuesday by the Secretary-General of the UNWTO, Talik Rifai, during the 53rd meeting of the UNWTO Commission for Africa holding in Calabar.

(Premium Times)

Mr. Rifai said it was in recognition of her monumental commitment and support for women in tourism.
In her speech, the First Lady pledged to mobilise women and the youth to achieve the goals of the organisation across the continent.
She stated that tourism is a veritable instrument of fighting poverty and has the potential to advance the economies of African countries.
She listed the gains of tourism to include the creation of products and services, investment in infrastructure, poverty reduction and stimulation of micro-finance.
Mrs. Jonathan said tourism development would go a long way in assisting women and the youth to engage in meaningful ventures to generate wealth.
The first lady also spoke on the need to promote peace and unity in the continent, saying peace is important for development.
She appreciated the tourism potentials of Cross River, describing the state as Nigeria’s leading tourism destination.
Earlier, Governor Liyel Imoke said the honour bestowed on the first lady was timely and a recognition of her untiring efforts to uplift the status of women and youth.
Mr. Imoke said the conference should create new avenues to expand the opportunities in the tourism sector.
He commended the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke for partnering with the state in organising the conference, saying that it would go a long way in developing tourism in Africa.
The governor remarked that tourism and peace are inseparable, and commended Mrs. Jonathan for her commitment to the enthronement of peace and development in Africa.
In his remark, the minister said that the conference has afforded Africa a voice to reposition tourism into an important asset in the continent.

Source

Boko Haram deny story of attempted bombing of mosque

( www.naijapundit.com) Boko Haram has denied the story reported in the media last week that it attempted to bomb the Fagge mosque located on Murtala Muhammad Way in WAPA area of Fagge Local Government which is the second biggest  Eid (Sallah prayer) mosques in Kano.

They claimed that they are on a Jihad and so will never bomb a place where God is worshipped. In their statement which appears below they said "how can we bomb where Allah is being worshipped?".

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for bombing several churches and killings hundreds of worshippers, but they have never been known to bomb a church.

Below is their statement;

“Blessed and thanks be to Almighty Allah and merciful. And to also his Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.). After this we wish to react to what we heard in the media yesterday Friday that some people attempted to plant bomb in one of the Friday mosques in Kano City. This jihad being advance by Jama’atu Ahlissunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad wish to distance itself from this atrocity, and we are aware that it is such mischief being orchestrated and in line with the operations of SSS like their counterparts in other parts of the world; all in the bid of blackmailingMujahedeens. And they will not succeed by the power of Almighty Allah, because everybody knows that we are doing only Jihad towards ensuring adhering to Muslim system. It is because of this that we were being said to be “Islamic Extremists”, and so how can we bomb where Allah is being worshipped? Because of this, it is just mischief of those kicking against the realization of Islamic state, and they will not achieve their sinister plot with the power of Allah on our side.

“We are happy to express our happiness and joy because of the gallantry Almighty Allah granted our brother Habibu Bama, we are hoping Allah accepts this act of martyrdom and his sacrifice to Jihad, dying in the field of war is a pride and most cherished last pride of a real Muslim.

“Again, we are warning the media up to now to brace up, because like they know we are working very hard to avoid face up with them. But up to now some of them did not understand us. Because like we put it as a condition to them, any media outlet that knows they will not report our messages as we put in correct form, it should not disseminate it completely, even from the government side concerning us and even if it is Goodluck Jonathan that talk about us. They shouldn’t make a mistake and report it. And if they make mistake and report it, then whatever that befall them, they should cry with themselves.”

---

India offers $100M to Nigeria In Bid To Solve Electricity Problems

India is offering a helping hand to Nigeria in the country's bid to generate enough electricity to meet the ever-growing demand in Africa's most populous nation.

Of an estimated $500 billion that the sector needs to improve, India has committed a $100 million line of credit under a memorandum of understanding to be signed soon. Though this contribution might be seen as  a drop in the ocean considering the fact that Nigeria needs so much in order to satisfy the growing demand of its 160 million population, experts say the contribution of private Indian companies is helping to improve the sector.

National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Commissioner Eyo Epko says the power sector will need an average of $20 billion per annum to achieve 7,500 MW generation, excluding domestic gas investments. In addition, the country would need $500 billion investment to guarantee constant supply. The country would also require the right calibre of professionals and this is being provided by India.
Speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate a plant for the manufacture and repair of power transmission equipment, Indian High Commissioner Mahesh Sachdev said: "We have also been engaged in supporting the Nigerian power sector through professional capacity building in India under our ITEC training programme."
The training of these professionals is very important, Epko said, because more investment would be recorded by 2017. He was optimistic that the state governments would develop the capacity to regulate market operations within their boundaries.
More investments means more business for foreign companies keen on developing the sector. Sachdev said 12 Indian companies have expressed keen interest  in the ongoing  power privatisation programme. India, which is Nigeria's second largest trading partner, "has both the capacity and expertise to support Nigeria's ambitious development plans in the power sector", Sachdev added.
He commended the Skipper Group, an Indian company that has a long association with Nigeria. "Unlike many other foreign concerns which are content to execute projects on tactical basis, India's Skipper Group has over the past decade invested in this country to create manufacturing and repair capacity, transfer of technology and generate employment."
"The Group has shown its faith in Nigeria's power sector and is planning to expand its operations here from transmission to power generation and other areas of economic activity in Nigeria," Sachdev added.
Participation in the sector by such foreign companies is a welcome news to Nigerians. Ekpo said there is the need to attract private investors to the sector to remove key challenges such as corruption and poor management. In addition there  are some bottlenecks that are yet to be removed.
Ekpo identified  the absence of a cost-reflective tariff as a key reason "why the power sector has failed to serve Nigerians in the past three decades", adding: "Without a cost-reflective tariff, no utility provider will enter the market."
Power Minister Bart Nnaji admitted that there was a "gross" deficit in the country's electricity tariff but hoped that reforms in the sector would help correct this. "We know there are gross deficits but just give us a chance and you will see power grow in the country," he added.
Nnaji  said the government was preparing to inaugurate power plants  in some designated locations that would boost electricity output in the country. Some people have doubts on the government's proposal because of past experiences.
Trade Union Congress President Peter Esele said the government last December promised to increase power generation by 4,000 MW but there was no explanation as to why this target was not met. "We have not also been told what happened to the huge expenditure on that sector so that we understand their challenges and why it was not met.

SOURCE

Timed Bomb Found in Kano Juma'at Mosque

Four suspected Boko Haram members were caught planting a bomb in Fagge Mosque in Kano during Friday prayers (read in Nigeria Trust).

These guys are aware our sentiments lie along religious/tribal lines, and if the bomb had successfully gone off. The predictable out come would be retaliation by non BH members, regular Muslims under the impression they are now fighting a holy war,changing the dynamics of the players.  These terrorist are mischievously manipulating the country into civil war and are even willing to kill  "Martyr" fellow Muslims to cause chaos with long term deadly effects.

Worshippers at Fagge Juma'at mosque in Kano discovered a high calibre explosive device within the mosque's premises minutes to the commencement of Friday prayer.
The explosive, which was packed in a bag was detected around 1:40pm, when the mosque's imam was preparing to lead the Friday prayer, which was attended by thousands of Muslim faithful.
Eyewitnesses said the prayer was however postponed to allow police bomb disposal unit to detonate the device.
The bomb was detonated by security agents within the premises of the mosque, which is one of the biggest Muslims places of worship in the state, before prayers were resumed.
Kano State Police Command Friday said four persons had been arrested in connection with the foiled attempt to bomb the mosque.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Rilwanu M. Dutse, the command gave the names of the suspects as Saminu Haruna, Salisu Adamu, Abdullahi Mohammed and Lawal Sa'idu, adding that they were apprehended by people in the area.
"The Kano State Police Command has successfully evacuated and detonated a bomb planted at Fagge Juma'at Mosque. The bomb was concealed in a polythene bag. The committee of the mosque alerted the police and immediately deployed its anti bomb disposal unit and detonated the time bomb without causing casualty or damage," said Dutse.
He added, "The public are advised to ensure all hand bags, plastic bags, Ghana-must-go bags or polythene bags are kept at safe distance before allowing people coming for prayers have access into places of worship."

Medical Tourism 'Killing' Nigerian Health Sector - Kanu Nwankwo

Former Super Eagle Captain Kanu Nwankwo said the rush seek medical treatment outside Nigeria is gradually killing the health sector, as the country is losing billions to other countries.

Footballer and founder of Kanu Heart Foundation,Nwankwo, said all the money spent abroad on health treatment could be invested in the Nigerian health sector and improve its present deplorable condition thereby restoring confidence of medical personnel.

He spoke yesterday during his foundation's N5billion cardiac centre fund raising lottery logo unveiling ceremony meant to build a 40-bed capacity health facility in Abuja.

Earlier, Dr Iretiola Bosede Babaniyi, a Chief Consultant Pediatrician/Pediatric Cardiologist at the National Hospital, pointed out that the country has only 168 registered cardiologists in Nigeria, saying the number was to too small to cater for the increasing cases of heart diseases in the country.

Spot the Difference: At The Airport LMAO !

Abba Abacha To Face New Trial In Switzerland

The son of Nigeria's former dictator Sani Abacha, Abba Abacha, will face a new trial in Switzerland starting July 4 on charges of participation in a criminal organisation that raided public funds, his lawyer said Friday.
Abba's lawyer, Christian Luescher, told Swiss news agency ATS that his client wanted to come to Geneva to attend the trial.
During a previous trial in 2010, Abba did not attend as he was unable to obtain a visa. The court convicted him in absentia, handing down a two-year suspended prison term and confiscating his assets.
But he won an appeal over procedural irregularities and the fact that he was unable to obtain a visa in time. The Swiss Federal Tribunal therefore ordered the sentence annulled and a retrial.
If he is unable to get a visa this time, the new trial would be delayed.
Abba, 43, denies all charges.

Source Vanguard

Blast rocks Nigerian capital

A blast went off outside a nightclub in the Nigerian capital Abuja hours after the national security adviser and defence minister were sacked amid fears over spiralling violence in the north

No casualties were reported in the explosion late Friday. Windows in the nightclub, a bank wand a barber shop were shattered and a number of cars were damaged.

"No human casualty," Yushau Shuaib, spokesman for the National Emergency Management Agency, said. "The explosives were suspected to have been planted on a tree opposite Kryxtal Lounge."

Golden Eaglets To Undergo MRI Test, Before They Can Represent Nigeria

So, The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has decided that the Golden Eaglets must undergo an MRI test, before they can represent the country, Maybe this is the answer to the problem of over aged players claiming to be younger than they are. I remember FIFA  launching a similar program of random MRI wrist screenings to verify the age of players competing in the Under-17 World Cup. I hope this works as age-doping needs to be dealt with as it affects the credibility of many sports.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved to weed out over age players from the U-17 national team, as it is insisting that the Golden Eaglets must undergo Magnetic Resonant Imaging (MRI) test, before they can represent the country, we learnt Thursday night.
The MRI is a test that gives information about the bone structures in the body (particularly the wrists) through an X-ray, ultrasound, or computed tomography (CT) scan.
It is a test required by FIFA for all teams that intend to participate in its age grade tournaments, as it helps officials to fish out players who are above the stipulated age range.
NFF sources told us that the ongoing exercise which will be thoroughly conducted is to be concluded by the middle of next month.
Coach Manu Garba is currently grooming a new U-17 team for the qualifying campaign towards the Africa U-17 Championship in Morocco next year.
The Golden Eaglets will commence their bid to reach the African Championship when they travel to Niamey on September 8 for the first leg of the qualifiers against Niger.
The Nigerian federation has already ruled players who are playing in the local professional league ineligible for the Golden Eaglets as part of the measures to ensure that only footballers within the stipulated category are allowed in the national camp.
Also Sports Minister and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, recently issued a new policy guideline to the effect that only players with proof that they have been in secondary school in the past three years or related institutions will be allowed to be in the U-17 camp.
This directive was made following a meeting with NFF Chairman Aminu Maigari, and in response to the criticisms that have usually trailed the U-17 selection processes in the past.

(Thisday)

INEC Offers for Sale 132,000 Computers, DDC Machines Worth N35 Million

Hmmmmm, INEC has announced that they are about to sell the computers and direct data capture machines bought for the 2011 general elections and its worth N35 million ! The good thing is, they say the proceeds will go to schools...very honourable. But I seem to remember almost N270million was allocated to buy and maintain these machines in 2011. Whats the life time of these machines?.......will another N270 million be allocated for the 2015 elections?

(Leadership Newspaper) Chief Solomon Soyebi, the National Commissioner, Information and Publicity Committee for INEC, said on Wednesday that the electoral body was offering for sale 132,000 computers and Direct Data Capture Machines bought for the 2011 general elections.
Soyebi, who made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said the computers were worth about N35 billion.
The national commissioner said the computers would be sold to state governments for distribution to schools.
He said the computers would be sold to the state governments at a price to be determined by a verification committee set up by the commission for the purpose.
"INEC will not be selective, as it will be a uniform offer to the state governments and whoever is interested will be given the opportunity to buy.
"We are in liaison with the state governments to ensure that the computers are useful to the school children, " he added.
Soyebi said the sale would commence as soon as the committee in charge worked out the modalities for the sale and other related matters.
He said some of the equipment would be retained for continuous voter registration at the 813 centres across the country.
Soyebi said the decision to sell the computers to secondary schools had become imperative because of the importance that INEC attached to education.
He said INEC also wanted to give adequate opportunity to the students to be computer literate. (NAN)

General Patrick Aziza sacked !

President Jonathan has approved the removal of General Patrick Aziza as his National Security Adviser.
Mr. Aziza, a retired military officer, has been criticized as an inept adviser on national security. His tenure has witnessed an escalation in deadly bomb attacks by the extremist Islamist sect, Boko Haram.

Jonathan met with his security team on Friday after he returned from a UN environmental summit in Brazil. His decision to leave Nigeria on Tuesday for the summit as fresh riots broke out had also drawn heavy criticism.

After the meeting, Jonathan's spokesman announced the national security adviser and defence minister had been fired.

The new security adviser is to be Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel, prominent northerner and cousin to the Sultan of Sokoto, Nigeria's highest Muslim spiritual figure.

Dasuki was also implicated in a 1995 coup attempt against the government of former dictator Sani Abacha and went into exile in the United States at the time.

It was not yet clear who would replace defence minister Bello Mohammed.

The fired national security adviser, Owoye Azazi, is a political ally of Jonathan's, with both men from Bayelsa state in the oil-producing south.

Azazi faced suspicion in the north, particularly after comments he made in April which many took as indicating that the violence was politically linked.

FG Promises To Provide Houses For All Civil Servants

The Vice President Namadi Sambo has declared that the federal government will ensure that every civil servant in the country owns a house and other welfare necessary for delivery of good services.
This is coming just a day after the approval of a new housing policy by the Federal Executive Council, which plans to construct a million houses, every year.
The Vice-president, who was speaking, while declaring open, a workshop on Repositioning the Nigerian Civil Service for Effective Implementation of The Transformation Agenda of the Present Administration, saluted all Nigerian civil servants for their contribution to the growth and development of the nation as well as their invaluable role in the management of the machinery of government.

 
 Channels TV

Jonathan Can Rule Nigeria From Anywhere! - FG

The Federal Government yesterday fired back at those condemning President Goodluck Jonathan's trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the United Nations' Earth Summit, RIO+20, at a time the country was facing serious security crisis, saying the President can rule the country from any part of the world.
"One of the problems we have is that some Nigerians play politics with everything, but we cannot destroy our country because of personal political ambitions," Jonathan said, adding that much of the incessant and often unjustifiable criticisms of his Administration were based on lies.
Briefing State House Correspondents alongside the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Amma Pepple and Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Minister of information, Mr. Labaran Maku argued that President Jonathan's decision to attend the UN Earth Summit and his absence from the country did not amount to negligent of duties.

Maku said, "The President can take decision from anywhere in the world. His absence will not hamper his power to act. The Vice President effectively takes charge of affairs once the president is out of Nigeria and he is in touch with the President on hourly basis. There is no vacuum; the most important thing is that the president and the vice president work harmoniously and are in constant touch.
"If the president panics, what will the people do? We must stop making politics out of the unfortunate incidence going on in Northern Nigeria. The world is now a virtual society. That the president is out of the country doesn't mean he cannot make decision on a matter. We should not play politics; he is in constant touch with this country on an hourly basis".

He goes on to say, "We should stop turning the tragedy in the Northern Nigeria to politics. We are not being invaded by foreigners but it is our people killing themselves. The president has provided every leadership on this matter. Let people make meaningful contribution to how to end this and not to play cheap politics and engage in political blackmail. For those turning this to politics, they should re-examine their level of patriotism to this country.

"The president has provided every leadership under the current situation. Serious citizens should come out with good suggestions. It appears to me that it has been turned into a political platform. Nigerians should be more circumspect under the current situation where citizens are killing people for no reasons. People have left the terrorists aside and are criticizing the President. The debate has not shown solidarity with the President. What is required at this time is cooperation with the president. He is on a working visit to Brazil and not on a holiday"

Yes I'm sure the Vice President is as effective as the President, and I'm sure every decision made by him has been discussed thoroughly via one of the many means of communication whilst he is away. But their was a call by a very vocal part of the citizenry to empathize with the situation that was taking place as he was leaving. What I find worrying about Makus statement is the clear irritation of criticism of Goodluck administration.
 
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty "

Democracy is said to be a government by discussion and criticism. The right to criticise the government should not be restricted. There should be free and frank criticism, one thing they need to remember is that a goldfish has no hiding place and right now President Goodluck Jonathan's every move will be monitored, criticised, applauded or condemned.

Only a country that's still not used to the concept of democracy can issue a statement like that. Mr Maku needs to realise that criticism comes with democracy. Nobody has said we are being invaded by foreigners we know that Boko Haram and the tragedy's in the North are very much a Nigerian problem and maybe a direct cause could be linked to the very same government criticised. You say "if the President Panics what will the people do"? if you have not noticed the people are panicking especially when they see the dead bodies of people destroyed by bombs or guns on weekly/daily basis.

If allegations or criticisms are false then refute it, but don't be irritated by those who chose to voice their opinions after all, the majority of people questioning this administration voted them in.

President Goodlucks job is not an easy one, and our prayers are constantly with him but please do not restrict our rights to voice our concerns

ICPC On Standby To Prosecute Lawan

The ICPC have confirmed they are on standby to take over the case  involving Hon. Farouk Lawan on allegations he received bribes of  $620,000.

Sources have said once necessary protocols are dealt with, the ICPC want to arraign the suspended Chairman, House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on the Monitoring of Fuel Subsidy for taking  money from Femi Otedola, the chairman of Zenon Oil and Gas, to facilitate the removal of his company's name from the list of oil marketers which bought foreign exchange from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) without importing petroleum products.


However, the whereabouts of the $620,000 still remains a puzzle, as Lawan, contrary to his earlier promise has failed to produce the money to the police, because he is now claiming to have given it to  Hon Jagaba Adams Jagaba (the Chairman, House Committee on Drugs Narcotics and Financial Crimes). Needless to say Jagaba, has also claimed he was never given the money and knows nothing of its whereabouts.

Continue reading at source

Amb. Segun Olusola is dead

The creator and Producer of iconic Nigeria Television Authority (NTA)  programme, The Village Headmaster Amb. Segun Olushola has died.

The veteran broadcaster was also Ambassador to Ethiopia for Nigeria, and apart from his various roles in radio and television he served as the Director for the NTA from 1978-1987. 


RIP

NFF Disband Futsal Team Ahead Of Egypt Game

NIGERIA will not honour Saturday's African qualifier for 2012 FIFA Futsal second leg game against Egypt.
The Nigerian team lost the first leg against Egypt in Cairo by 8-2 and the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), believes it is unwise to host the qualifier's second leg in view of financial and logistics commitment.
Spokesman of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, confirmed Nigeria's withdrawal and added that the body had written the Confederation of African Football, (CAF), of Nigeria's decision to opt out of the weekend's return leg which would have held at the indoor sports hall of the National Institute for Sports, (NIS), Lagos.
''We were informed of the NFF's decision on Monday and we have asked the players to return to their respective clubs,'' said Oyekale.
The former youth international explained that the development was unfortunate and disheartening to the players.
''We were looking forward to the match, the technical crew and the players wanted to use the second leg to prove a point. We had played against Egypt and we know how to tackle them.''
Oyekale explained  that the 8-2 first leg loss was due to fatigue.
''We arrived Cairo at 1.a.m on the day of the match and the scoreline was 1-0 in the first half. Ten minutes into the second half, fatigue set in and we started conceding the goals''
Oyekale noted that the players were in high spirits for the return leg and ready to turn the table only for the NFF to announce the disbandment of the team following the cancellation of the return leg.

Exclusive: U.S. to slap "terrorist" label on Nigerian militants

The U.S. government is expected to formally apply a "foreign terrorist" label on Thursday to three alleged leading figures of the violent Nigerian militant group Boko Haram, officials said.

The action by the State and Treasury departments follows growing pressure on the Obama Administration to take stronger action against Boko Haram. The group, which says it wants to establish an Islamic caliphate in northern Nigeria, has stepped up attacks on Christian places of worship this year.
Thursday's anticipated action, officials said, involves applying the "terrorist" designation to three men presumed to be central figures in the group.
The three individuals, an official said, are Abubakar Shekau, aged around 43, described as a Boko Haram leader who allegedly aligned himself with al Qaeda in a video message; Abubakar Adam Kambar, aged roughly 35; and Khalid al Barnawi, aged approximately 36. All three are native Nigerians.
The expected action will freeze any assets they have in the United States, and bar U.S. persons from any transactions with them.
It is among the first such action the U.S. government has taken against Boko Haram, but falls short of demands from some U.S. lawmakers and the Justice Department to designate the entire group as a "foreign terrorist organization."
The State Department has been under pressure to act against Boko Haram for months. In January, Lisa Monaco, the Justice Department's top national security official, sent a letter to the State Department arguing that the Nigerian group met the criteria for a "foreign terrorist" listing because it either engages in terrorism that threatens the United States or has a capability or intent to do so.
Boko Haram increasingly is seen as a potent threat to Nigeria, the continent's most populous state and major oil producer, and as part of growing arc of Islamist extremist groups stretching across northern Africa.
More recently, a group of Republican senators led by Scott Brown of Massachusetts introduced legislation requiring the State Department to determine whether Boko Haram should be designated as a terrorist group.
Republican Representative Patrick Meehan, who chairs a Homeland Security subcommittee in the House, also introduced an amendment that would force the administration to add Boko Haram to the terrorism list or explain why it was not doing so.
However, U.S. diplomats are weighing these demands against counter arguments, including those made by a group of academic experts on Africa who sent a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last month urging her not to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist group.
The academics argued that the move could backfire by enhancing the group's reputation among potential recruits and other militant groups. A U.S. designation might also empower more radical elements of Boko Haram, which is divided into factions, the professors said.
In her letter to the State Department, Monaco of the Justice Department reported that since 2009 Boko Haram has conducted violent attacks against Nigeria's "police, politicians, public institutions and civilian population."
Monaco said that according to press reports, Boko Haram claimed responsibility for 510 victims in 2011, and also took credit for a January 20 attack on government buildings in Kano in which more than 160 were killed.
She said that although Boko Haram attacks until now have occurred only within Nigeria, Washington should not underestimate the threat the group poses to U.S. interests.
(Reuters)

FIRS says arrest of Air Nigeria CEO was last resort

Mr. Kinfe Kahssay CEO Air Nigeria, being led away by Policemen and FIRS officials (Photo by FIRS)

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has confirmed the arrest of the Managing Director of Air Nigeria, Mr. Kinfe Kayssay They say they had no choice and it was the last resort after several unfulfilled commitments by Air Nigeria officials to pay their tax debts.

Kayssay was said to have been arrested over the airline’s failure to remit taxes amounting to N4.868, 496,152 billion.

But, the airline issued a statement alleging an attempt to bring down the airline; They queried why FIRS failed to collect taxes dating back to eight years; claimed that FIRS invited its MD while at tax debt reconciliation process was still ongoing; claimed that Air Nigeria will not be blackmailed to bribe anybody on tax debts and that FIRS invaded its offices in an uncivilised and condemnable manner reminiscent of the military days.

FIRS responded in a statement on Tuesday signed by Emmanuel Obeta, FIRS’s  Director, Communications & Liaison’ Department, that the airline’s claims were concocted  “to obfuscate issues and whip up public sentiment against a lawful agency of government, doing its utmost to ensure that all business that operate within Nigeria, fulfil their minimal corporate obligation to the Nigerian state.

“ It is true Air Nigeria is an offshoot of Virgin Nigeria and some of these debts are old. But a substantial parts of the debts are as a recent as two/three/four years ago. Discussions with Virgin Nigeria and its successor had been on for quite a while with promises by the airline to fulfil its obligation.

“FIRS’ election to go to Air Nigeria office in Lagos yesterday was the last resort after several unfulfilled commitments by Air Nigeria officials to pay their tax debts.

“At discussions and meetings with FIRS officials, the age of these debts, was not an issue at meetings with Air Nigeria officials.

“In any case, it is trite law, clear to even university law undergraduates that when you take over a business, you inherit all the acquired business’ assets and liabilities. Thus, Air Nigeria is deemed to have inherited all assets and liabilities when it acquired Virgin Nigeria. To try to distance itself from the liabilities of Virgin Nigeria is not in sync, with known business practice, law and international precepts.

“Between, January -December 2008, Air Nigeria failed to deduct Value Added Tax (VAT) amounting to the sum, (N633, 548,119.00k). Between January -December 2009, outstanding VAT: (N1, 265,537,250.00k); 2010: (N1, 516,582,660.00k).

“Air Nigeria, failed to file Annual returns for 2011 and 2012 as prescribed by Section 55 (1) of the Companies Income Tax Cap C21 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2010.

“Outstanding Withholding Tax between January-December 2006, against Air Nigeria totals (N394, 165,820.00k). This represented 10% of payments for direct services to Air Nigeria.

“This offence contradicts Regulation 5 of the Companies Income Tax (Rates, etc, of Tax Deducted at Source (Withholding Tax) Regulations Cap. C21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 Outstanding Withholding Tax against Air Nigeria, between January and December 2007 is (N775, 207,713.00k).

“In January this year, Air Nigeria presented a counterfeit Companies Income Tax Clearance Certificate purportedly issued by the FIRS, in favour of Air Nigeria Development Company Ltd.

“This TCC was presented to the Interior Minister to, inter-alia renew quota positions for Twenty (20) Pilots and Ten (10) others.

“Documents in possession of the FIRS show that Air Nigeria submitted a counterfeit seal of the FIRS on a Companies Income Tax Clearance Certificate purportedly issued by the FIRS”

On the alleged blackmail, FIRS said, “ As a responsible organisation, sworn and committed to the highest moral integrity and ethical conduct, expected of a tax authority, the FIRS and its officials. abide with the highest codes of ethical conduct.

“FIRS wishes to state that there are recorded versions of encounters between FIRS officials/ management with management staff/representatives of Air Nigeria, over the airline’s N4. 86 billion debts due to the Government of Nigeria. The allusion to blackmail is a figment of the company officials’ imagination to obfuscate issues.”

On the allegation of invasion and uncivilised conduct, FIRS said, “ The tax enforcement drive was led by Mr. James Binang, an Assistant Director in charge of Debt Enforcement and Special Prosecution Unit (DESPU) of the Service. There are video and documentary evidence of their invitation of Air Nigeria MD.

“We wish to state that FIRS is a law abiding institution, that knows, lives, breathes and acts in consonance with civilised conduct and known democratic norms. This is not the first Enforcement FIRS is carrying out. No company has complained about the conduct of our officials.

“We enjoin Air Nigeria to be a good corporate citizen and discharge its minimal obligation by paying up these long due debts.”

Source

Malawi's head of state: 'Why I'm selling presidential jet'

Interesting.... "it's not a luxury, I need to have a presidential jet. I need to improve our relationships with our neighbors. It was a thing for me to do and I did it without any reservation. It's fine. We can make that sacrifice now and in the future we shall have a plane. It's not important..... I'm just sending a message to the poor, to show the people, to ordinary Malawians that we can do this together "- President Banda

(CNN) Joyce Banda made headlines in April when she was sworn in as president of Malawi, becoming the first female head state in southern Africa and only the second in the whole continent.

More recently, she grabbed the spotlight again after deciding to sell her presidential jet and downsize the government's car fleet.

Her move came as Malawi, one of the worlds poorest countries, tries to cut spending and deal with its pressing economic challenges -- the government recently cut the value of its currency, the kwacha, by 40%, to restore donor funding by meeting conditions suggested by the IMF.

"The fact that we had to devalue by 40% at once means that Malawians are feeling the shock," Banda says. "While that is going on, they need to see, us, the commitment on our part, particularly right at the top. The political will needs to go through this with the people, side by side."

Banda spoke to CNN's Athena Jones about why she believes repairing her country's relationship with the IMF was so imperative for its future and why the African Union Summit will no longer be held in Malawi.

An edited version of the interview follows.

CNN: You've introduced some fundamental changes already in your country. When it comes to what happened before you, relations with the IMF and with donors had deteriorated significantly under the previous administration . What was the cost to the economy and to the people of Malawi?

Joyce Banda: The bad news is that it's tragic that the former president refused to devalue the kwacha for four years. Because what that could have meant was maybe they could have devalued the kwacha by 10% a year. It would still have been 40% by now.

And so it's not a luxury I need to have a presidential jet. I need to improve our relationships with our neighbors. It was a thing for me to do and I did it without any reservation. It's fine. We can make that sacrifice now and in the future we shall have a plane. It's not important.

CNN: Are you sending a message with that?

JB: I'm just sending a message to the poor, to show the people, to ordinary Malawians that we can do this together.

CNN: These are some key moves that you've made in just a short period of time, but nearly 40% of your money comes from aid or donors. And that's very important to the development of the country. What about the future though? What about getting to the point where you need less aid?

JB: What I am saying every day to Malawians is that time has come for us to move from aid to trade. We have picked several sectors that we think we can focus on immediately in order for us to grow our economy. So we have decided to diversify agriculture, we decided to develop our tourism sector, we have decided to develop our mining sector. So these are some of the things we're telling Malawians, we say this is what we need to do in order for us to get out of this total dependence on aid. And Malawians are ready.

CNN: The IMF have just agreed to provide a loan of $157 million, relations have been restored with some of your biggest donors. What are your plans for getting the economy out of this cycle of receiving aid and into more self sufficiency?

JB: What we decided to do was, as soon as I was elevated to this position, was to go back on track with the IMF. That was fundamental because it was going to influence all other decisions that were going to be made by all our partners that had withdrawn aid. I have been saying to all our donors that we have gone as far as we can.

When there was resistance in Malawi to stay on course with the IMF program, what Malawians were being told is that this resistance is as a result of our belief that if we devalue or if we stay on course, Malawians will suffer. Now I came in and told them the reverse -- I said it's not true. It's when we go the other way, we pass this difficult part that everything should be fine.

Now what Malawians need to see is that while we are making these sacrifices the international community is also moving in time to support us.

CNN: The African Union summit was scheduled to take place in Malawi, now it's taking place in Ethiopia. And it's reported because you decided you did not want to allow Sudans President Omar al Bashir into the country. Do you think it would have been better to allow him to arrive into the country and then arrest him?

JB: I want you to know that I don't have any right, Malawi has no right to stop any president from coming to an African Union summit because that is an African Union meeting. But six months ago we had COMESA summit in Malawi and the international community told us that we should not invite president Bashir to come to Malawi. The president of Sudan came to Malawi and attended the meeting. And we went from where we were, which was already bad enough to zero.

CNN: In terms of donors you mean?

JB: In terms of our donors was concerned. I didn't say that he shouldn't come but I made it very clear that we were not prepared to pay that price again. Now it is the African Union that has decided to withdraw the summit. The only concern that I have is that when he was going to attend the summit in South Africa, South Africa said if he comes he will be arrested and Uganda said the same. And the summits were not withdrawn.

 Source

Nigeria: Bomb Attacks - ACN Blasts Jonathan Over Brazil Trip

(Vanguard) The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has criticized President Goodluck Jonathan for embarking on a trip to Brazil for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development at a time Nigeria is facing what could be described as a national emergency, as citizens continue to die from gun and bomb attacks in several cities.

The party, in a statement issued in Lagos, Tuesday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the decision by the President to travel two days after dozens of innocent Nigerians, including women and children, were killed or maimed by suicide bombers in Kaduna State, is a sign of insensitive and confused leadership.

It said the fact that the trip was announced by the presidency as theYobe state capital, Damaturu, was being terrorized by attackers raised serious concerns about the Jonathan administration's commitment to the security and welfare of the citizenry, which is the rason d'etre of any government.
ACN said the President should have cancelled the trip as a symbolic act of a caring leadership and out of respect for the souls that were lost and are still being lost across the country.

"Again, we are constrained to ask whether this President is getting quality advice from the myriad of aides surrounding him, or whether, like his benefactor, Olusegun Obasanjo, he has decided he may not even take any advice from his advisers. In other climes, the usual thing is for leaders to cancel foreign trips or rush home from such trips when their countries suffer tragedies.

"In April 2010, Chinese President, Hu Jintao cut short his Latin American tour and returned home after a strong earthquake hit the west of China; This year, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir returned home early from his visit to China, due to the rising tension along the border of his country with Sudan, and even a phone-hacking scandal was enough for British Prime Minister David Cameron to cut short an African trade tour and return home in 2011.

"Since our own President has not even left Nigeria when these latest tragedies broke, it is inexplicable that he will still hop into a plane with a huge entourage and fly out. He should realise that he is attending the conference because he is the President of Nigeria, not because he is Dr. Jonathan. Therefore, Nigeria's paramount interest dictates that he stays at home and oversees efforts to prevent the precarious situation in Kaduna from degenerating into an all-out religious war," the party said.
Source

Jonathan Leaves For UN Summit In Brazil

I wonder what goes through the minds of other world leaders when they listen to GEJ and his smiling entourage attempt to persuade them into believing that Nigeria is indeed, a safe and an economically viable country to invest in.

(Nigerian Tribune) President Goodluck Jonathan will depart today for the UN Earth Summit, RIO+20, opening in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, on Wednesday.
A statement by Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Monday, stated that the President would participate in the summit's four plenary meetings at Rio Centro Plenary Hall on Wednesday and Thursday.
Brazilian Indian Chief Raoni smokes during the People's Summit at Flamego Park in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 18 June, 2012, in the framework of the UN Rio+20 gathering. The UN conference, which marks the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit -- a landmark 1992 gathering that opened the debate on the future of the planet and its resources -- is the largest ever organized, with 50,000 delegates.

The statement noted that the President would also attend a reception to be hosted by the Brazilian President for Heads of State and Government.
It added that Jonathan would use the opportunity of the summit to open the Nigerian/Brazil RIO+20 Business Forum, and also hold talks with selected Brazilian businessmen and captains of industry.
Abati said the President would meet with representatives of the Nigerian community in Brazil and return to Nigeria on Friday.

The President would be accompanied by the First Lady, Dame Patience, Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina and Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa.
Also on the President's entourage are Sen. Benedict Ayade and Hon. Eziuche Ubani of the National Assembly.
The Ministers of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafiya, that of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga and Niger Delta (State) are also on the entourage. (NAN)
Source

Angela Onyeador Is Dead !

Beautiful Socialite, Angela Onyeador has died from an undisclosed illness.
May she rest in Perfect peace xxx.

The Full Story Of Farouk Lawan

(Vanguard)
Femi Otedola and Lawan Farouk made a mockery of purity – they both wore white clothes in the video which showed them giving and collecting bribe.

The SSS swept the house before the operation was set up. They had to. They called it a STING OPERATION. It was set up at the palatial Aso Drive, Abuja residence of Otedola, the oil and gas magnate. The set-up was for bugging devices for an audio visual operation. With a camera pen for the visuals, ultra-sensitive microphones that could pick the sound of the drop of pins for the audio, as well as telephone bugging devices, the SSS’ communications experts did their job of installation and left.The question to ask is, why this elaborate operation at the residence of a friend of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan?

IN THE BEGINNING, 15 BECAME 13

Because the heart of man is clouded, the truth about who approached who may never really be known, without prejudice to the claims being made by Otedola and Farouk.

The truth, however, is that one approached the other.

What is also established, moving forward, is that Otedola’s Zenon Oil and Gas collected forex to the tune of $232, 975,385.13 from the PSF whereas it did not import petrol. There was another company, Synopsis Enterprises Limited, said to have collected $51, 449, 977, for the same purpose but did not deliver – so said the report of the House Committee, presided over by Farouk.

On the second day of the presentation of the report, a Wednesday, April 24, Farouk told his colleagues on the floor of the House, that the now notorious Clause 29 (5) and (6) needed attention. That fresh information had come upon the committee which suggested that some companies were erroneously listed as beneficiaries of PSF, whereas it was merely an error and, therefore, the names of the companies should be removed from the list. The House agreed to the amendment of the report. And, therefore, Otedola’s Zenon was removed from the list of indicted companies; ditto, Synopsis.

12 HOURS EARLIER, AT OTEDOLA’S RESIDENCE
The meeting between Farouk and Otedola was meant to hold by 1am, the very first hour of April 24, 2012. It did not. 2am, it did not. At about 4am, according to the timing on the recording device, Farouk entered the premises of Otedola. There, $500,000, out of a set aside $3m, was ready in cash.

According to visuals on the recording, which Sunday Vanguard has now been privy to, Farouk came in wearing a white Kaftan – not the long flowing and sweeping Senegalese type but a three quarter/near full length design.

There was no cap to match. It was very late any way – 4am. Otedola also wore his now familiar white guinea brocade ‘buba and sokoto’. After the exchange of banters, the $500,000 was handed over to Farouk and he left.

Sometime four to five hours later, Boniface Emenalo, the secretary to the House Committee on Subsidy Management, who had been nominated by a very senior high-ranking member of this administration, entered. The recorder kept rolling. Emenalo was handed two packages containing $120,000.

Emenalo, according to the recording, was dressed in a Niger-Delta like attire. He collected the two parcels, put them in the trousers pockets which swallowed the packages – one in each pocket. The Niger Delta top did not betray the dollar cargo in the pockets of the trousers worn by Emenalo. He left. Mind you, the disputation between the combined sum of $600,000 and $620, 000 came about as a result of the alleged declaration made by Emenalo that he collected just $100,000, as against the alleged $120,000 Otedola gave to him.

The funds Otedola parted with were provided by the SSS.

It was part of the $3m that Farouk allegedly demanded for and which had been set aside for the operation. The point of convergence between the video recording of money changing hands and the now infamous bribery saga is the removal of the name of Zenon from the list of 15 later that morning on the floor of the House.

The video recording had very clear audio accompaniment.
The SSS experts moved in afterwards to develop the recording into a full fledged audio-visual production.

A copy of the recording was given to Otedola.
Now, whether Otedola made it available to former President Olusegun Obasanjo or not could not be verified.

What was verified, however, was that there was a balance of $2.5million allegedly to be collected.

THE AIRPORT RECORDING THAT NEVER HAPPENED
The next phase and scene of the sting operation was to be the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. There, the balance of the money was being kept for Farouk.

Otedola insistently told Farouk that he could not carry $2.5m cash to his residence and, therefore, wanted Farouk to meet him at the airport for the collection of the remainder of the money.

Now, whether Farouk had a premonition that he was likely to be set up or that he just didn’t want to be spotted at the airport in the company of Otedola, he simply refused to meet the oil magnate at the airport afterwards.

Instead, according to records of the telephone conversation that was bugged, Farouk instead suggested that he would send a third party to collect the money.

According to the recordings, he gave the telephone numbers of the nominee.
He, according to the recorded conversation between him and Otedola, actually spelt the name of the nominee to the Zenon Oil chief.

But all these were activities in futility.
The high command of the SSS would not have a third party collect the balance of $2.5m. A senior security source told Sunday Vanguard that the reason the airport operation was aborted was that since it was Farouk that was being expected to show up and was now planning to send another party, there was no need to continue.

Had he shown up and collected the money, he would have been arrested immediately, a source confirmed.

WHY FAROUK WAS NOT ARRESTED EARLIER
In fact, Sunday Vanguard was made to understand that the “only reason he was not arrested at the residence of Otedola that early morning was because options would be limited in proving that the episode was bribery related; and Farouk could insist that he was just set up, with cash brought in to justify the action”.

More importantly, sources said that “arresting Farouk on the morning of the day he was supposed to be presenting the continuation of the report of the committee, especially since Zenon’s name was still on the list of 15, would appear as if he was to be pressured into removing the oil firm’s name and, when he refused, he was set up for blackmail”.

According to a security source, such a “development would have made it appear again as if the government of the day simply decided to overshadow the presentation of the report with the arrest of Farouk”. These were the issues that weighed heavily on the minds of the SSS high command. They let Farouk go.
All these were not known to the lawmaker .

SPEAKER TAMBUWAL
AS A GUEST OF SSS

Once the operation at the airport was inconclusive, but with Farouk removing Zenon’s name from the list of 15, it was time for the SSS high command to act swiftly.

Later that same week, the Command invited Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Speaker of the House of Representatives, to its office in Asokoro. He obliged.

Upon his arrival, he was met by the Director General, DG, Ita Ekpeyong. A source disclosed to Sunday Vanguard that after the pleasantries, the Speaker was entertained with the recording of the morning of April 24, with the star actors being Emenalo, Farouk and Otedola. It was a totally astounded Tambuwal who was said to have watched in utter amazement footages from the recording.
He was informed of the sting operation which was set up by the SSS.
He was also informed of the botched operation meant for the airport.
The Speaker was made to understand that what he saw that transpired in the video led to the actions of Farouk on the floor of the House whereupon Zenon’s name was removed from the list of 15.
While the DG was said to be doing the briefing, it was a Tambuwal, with dropped jaws, who listened in awe and shock. On conditions of confidentiality, what transpired between the Speaker and his host can not be reproduced here.

However, Sunday Vanguard was told that “the Speaker simply said they should call Farouk and show him the recording; that he should come and answer ‘his father’s name’”.
Upon arrival back in his office, Tambuwal reportedly summoned Farouk and gave him a thorough dressing down.

FAROUK’S CLAIM
Farouk initially insisted that there was nothing of such. He denied any such thing as collecting any money from any marketer.

It was learnt from associates of Farouk that he also thought “he was doing a sting operation on Otedola; that he collected the money with a view to exposing him; that he wanted to collect the balance before presenting it all to members of the House and the public”.

In addition, Farouk, in a confidential briefing with Sunday Vanguard in April, had hinted at the development.

He disclosed that “one of the marketers wanted me to come and collect money from him at the airport but we are watching him and, when the time comes, we would expose him and the others”.

He also granted an interview published on April 28, in another newspaper, where he openly made the claims that an attempt was being made to bribe him and that some people were even threatening his life over the subsidy probe.
Farouk maintained that he planned to expose Otedola by going full length and playing along. Why he did not carry others along remains a mystery.

AND THE MATTER BLEW OPEN

Police sources confirmed, last Friday, that “contrary to what was being published, it was the police who first wrote Farouk, seeking to know who the people that were piling pressure on him were and those who were behind the threat to his life”.

The lawmaker responded to the police request and that actually marked the beginning of investigation into the matter.

Sunday Vanguard was also made to understand that investigations by the police had commenced before the matter blew into the open.

Indeed, it was the panic move by some powerful people both in the corridors of power and a few who rose in defense of Farouk that unwittingly blew the whistle in their bid to keep the matter out of public glare.

It was learnt that a very disappointed senior government official, who brought Emenalo in to work with the committee, had suspected that the matter was already being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and made a move to find out the culpability of his ward. This was also another act which unwittingly blew the lid off.
By penultimate Saturday, it had become obvious that the matter had spread like wild fire in the House.

This was what necessitated the statement from the House leadership declaring that it would investigate the matter fully. Meanwhile, Farouk has been suspended indefinitely by the House.
And Otedola’s Zenon and Synopsis have been re-indicted by the House of Representatives’ Committee of the whole