FG withdraws Mark, Tambuwal, NASS diplomatic passports

The Federal Government on Saturday ordered the withdrawal of all diplomatic passports of National Assembly (NASS) members, including that of Senate President David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.
We can confirm that the relevant Federal Government offices responsible for implementing the directive are already in the know. No reason was given for the action, but sources said it was not unconnected with the level of opposition the Presidency is currently facing among the National Assembly members which got to feverish peak last week.
The implication of the Federal Government’s action is that all 109 senators and 360 members of the House of Representatives would no longer enjoy the special travel privileges the blue-coloured passport confers on its holder when they travel abroad.

The withdrawal of the diplomatic passports of the senators and members of the House of Representatives is coming barely 24 hours after the Presidency sacked Senator Joy Emordi as its Special Adviser on National Assembly matters.Sources have said that even though it was the crisis in the ruling party that necessitated the action, members of the opposition party in the Assembly are also being affected.
With the loss of their diplomatic passports, the NASS members no longer have immunity against arrest any time they travel abroad, a script, we gathered last night from our sources, was the motive for the action.
Also, the real reason for Emordi’s sack, was her apparent bluntness to President Goodluck Jonathan in last Thursday’s meeting with the Presidency.
Emordi was called to explain the turn of event in the National Assembly where the opposition against the President appears to be swelling and how to stem the tide by effecting a change of leadership in both the Senate and House of Representatives.The Presidency, it was gathered, reasoned that both Senate President, Mark and House of Representatives Speaker, Tambuwal were tacitly siding with the Abubakar Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that it was urgent to shop for their replacement.
At the Thursday’s meeting in the Villa, Emordi was taken to task on the happenings in the NASS, particularly the leadership as well as her view on the alleged disbursement of cash to NASS members through a Presidency’s point man, Bethel Amadi, a member of the House of Representatives from Imo State at the popular Bolingo Hotel, Abuja.But Emordi, at the meeting, pointedly told the President that the idea of using cash to buy the support of members of NASS was wrong approach, because events of the past in the NASS had shown that it was capable of having a negative effect. A source hss said she told the Presidency that she had been in the Senate and understands how members think. In fact, she reportedly told the President that the idea was dumb.
After the meeting, the source said Presidency concluded that Emordi was sympathetic to the  NASS leadership whose rank it has been finding it difficult to break. Mark, it was also gathered, had out of concern for Emordi before her sack, wondered why she was sticking out her neck that much for the lawmakers.But less than 24 hours, Emordi’s sack was announced by Special Adviser to President Jonathan on media, Reuben Abati. No reason was given for her sack.It also emerged that as its game plan to effect a change of leadership in both House of Representatives and Senate or make them shift ground, the Presidency has started enlisting the support of political opponents of key leaders of the NASS.One of such recruits is Lawrence Onoja, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) senatorial candidate for Benue South in the 2011 election. Onoja contested against Mark. He is now leading a group from the Middle-Belt region which is canvassing support for Jonathan ahead of the 2015 election.The thinking in Aso Rock is that if Mark does not play ball with the Presidency, Onoja, it was gathered, might be the next senator representing Benue South-Senatorial zone.For the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha who wants to become governor of Imo State in 2015, it was also gathered that despite his closeness to the Presidency the latter is propping up Amadi, Ihedioha’s political rivalry, to put the Deputy Speaker under check.Sunday Independent gathered last night that what is playing out in NASS currently, particularly the House of Representatives, is still a fall out of the grievance of the PDP top shots over the circumstances that threw up the Tambuwal/Ihedioha leadership.
Regardless, we can confirm that house principal officers have vowed to remain united even in the face of high-wire politicking going on in the PDP.
By Ishaya Ibrahim /  Lagos 

Miss Earth 2013

So very excited about Miss Earth 2013!
Amber Rose,Boris Kodjoe, Karly Redd and their crew landed in Murtala Mohammed International Airport yesterday ahead of the anticipated beauty contest, which will be held today in Lagos at the Oriental Hotel,Lagos
If you still haven't got your tickets you can call 08069757140 or visit www.ariiyatickets.com

U.S. Envoy explains Nigerians’ ban from 2015 visa lottery

Mr Jeffery Hawkins, U.S. Consul-General, on Thursday, gave reasons why Nigeria was banned from participating in its 2015 Diversity-Visa-Programme registration.

Hawkins told journalists at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, that Nigeria was among other countries that had in the last five years, sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. through the programme.“As at today, Nigerians have graduated from being under-represented to being a fully well represented group in the U.S.“There is therefore no longer any need to encourage Nigerians to apply to travel to the
U.S. through the Diversity-Visa-Programme.“Already there are too many Nigerians in the U.S. that have benefited from this programme,’’ he said.
The Envoy explained that the diversity visa was created to promote countries with low rates of immigration to the US.Hawkins said that Nigeria and other affected countries had already exceeded their quota in the last five years.
The Envoy, however, stressed that the U.S. authorities would continue to give preference to Nigerians travelling to U.S for visits, business transactions, studies and professional engagements.“All other types of immigration from Nigeria to the US, apart from the diversity visa, would continue unabated.“Also, let me say that the ban has nothing to do with our relations with Nigeria now, and in the years ahead,’’ he said.He also dismissed insinuations making the rounds that the move was to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling to the U.S.The U.S official also said that the development had “nothing to do with insecurity, activities of Boko Haram and other forms of upheaval in Nigeria”.
Other affected countries are: India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, U. K. and Vietnam

Source: Daily Times

U.S. Envoy explains Nigerians’ ban from 2015 visa lottery

Mr Jeffery Hawkins, U.S. Consul-General, on Thursday, gave reasons why Nigeria was banned from participating in its 2015 Diversity-Visa-Programme registration.

Hawkins told journalists at the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, that Nigeria was among other countries that had in the last five years, sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the U.S. through the programme.“As at today, Nigerians have graduated from being under-represented to being a fully well represented group in the U.S.“There is therefore no longer any need to encourage Nigerians to apply to travel to the
U.S. through the Diversity-Visa-Programme.“Already there are too many Nigerians in the U.S. that have benefited from this programme,’’ he said.
The Envoy explained that the diversity visa was created to promote countries with low rates of immigration to the US.Hawkins said that Nigeria and other affected countries had already exceeded their quota in the last five years.
The Envoy, however, stressed that the U.S. authorities would continue to give preference to Nigerians travelling to U.S for visits, business transactions, studies and professional engagements.“All other types of immigration from Nigeria to the US, apart from the diversity visa, would continue unabated.“Also, let me say that the ban has nothing to do with our relations with Nigeria now, and in the years ahead,’’ he said.He also dismissed insinuations making the rounds that the move was to reduce the number of Nigerians travelling to the U.S.The U.S official also said that the development had “nothing to do with insecurity, activities of Boko Haram and other forms of upheaval in Nigeria”.
Other affected countries are: India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, U. K. and Vietnam

Source: Daily Times

Gunmen Attack In Legislative Quarters, Abuja

At about 2.30 this morning gunmen  dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms shot at people at the legislative quarters in Abuja.
Witnesses say 4 were killed and many were injured.

Nigerian Wins Muslim Beauty Pagent Rival To Miss World

A Nigerian woman tearfully prayed and recited Koranic verses as she won a beauty pageant exclusively for Muslim women in the Indonesian capital Wednesday, a riposte to the Miss World contest that has sparked hardline anger.The 20 finalists, who were all required to wear headscarves, put on a glittering show for the final of Muslimah World, strolling up and down a catwalk in elaborately embroidered dresses and stilettos.But the contestants from six countries were covered from head to foot, and as well as beauty they were judged on how well they recited Koranic verses and their views on Islam in the modern world.After a show in front of an audience of mainly religious scholars and devout Muslims, a panel of judges picked Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola from Nigeria as the winner.While the event in a Jakarta shopping mall paled in comparison to Miss World on the resort island of Bali, in which scores of contestants are competing, Ajibola was nevertheless overwhelmed.Upon hearing her name, the 21-year-old knelt down and prayed, then wept as she recited a Koranic verse.She said it was "thanks to almighty Allah" that she had won the contest. She received 25 million rupiah ($2,200) and trips to Mecca and India as prizes.Ajibola told AFP before the final that the event "was not really about competition"."We're just trying to show the world that Islam is beautiful," she said.Organisers said the pageant challenged the idea of beauty put forward by the British-run Miss World pageant, and also showed that opposition to the event could be expressed non-violently.Eka Shanti, who founded the pageant three years ago after losing her job as a TV news anchor for refusing to remove her headscarf, bills the contest as "Islam's answer to Miss World"."This year we deliberately held our event just before the Miss World final to show that there are alternative role models for Muslim women," she told AFP."But it's about more than Miss World. Muslim women are increasingly working in the entertainment industry in a sexually explicit way, and they become role models, which is a concern."Hosted by Dewi Sandra, an Indonesian actress and pop star who recently hung up her racy dresses for a headscarf, the pageant featured both Muslim and pop music performances, including one about modesty, a trait the judges sought in the winner.The pageant, which also featured bright Indonesian Islamic designer wear, is a starkly different way of protesting Miss World than the approach taken by Islamic radicals.Thousands have taken to the streets in Indonesia in recent weeks to protest Miss World, denouncing the contest as "pornography" and burning effigies of the organisers.Despite a pledge by Miss World organisers to drop the famous bikini round, radical anger was not appeased and the protest movement snowballed.The government eventually bowed to pressure and ordered the whole pageant be moved to the Hindu-majority island of Bali, where it opened on September 8.Later rounds and the September 28 final were to be held in and around Jakarta, where there is considerable hardline influence.But there are still fears that extremists may target the event -- the US, British and Australian embassies in Jakarta have warned their nationals in recent days of the potential for radical attacks.More than 500 contestants competed in online rounds to get to the Muslimah World final in Indonesia, one of which involved the contenders comparing stories of how they came to wear the headscarf.The contest was first held in 2011 under a different name and was only open to Indonesians, Shanti said, but after the media began comparing it to Miss World, it was rebranded as a Muslim alternative to the world-famous pageant.Because of its popularity, organisers accepted foreign contestants this year for the first time, with Iran, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Nigeria and Indonesia represented
Source:AFP

Photo gist

'New PDP' Lawmaker Aliyu Sani Madaki from Kano State (wearing red cap) in a shouting match with his colleague Saviour Udoh from Akwa Ibom State, who is loyal to the Bamanga Tukur PDP faction, during the House of Representative session on Tuesday......SMH

Nigeria: Party Discipline - PDP to Adopt Chinese Model

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said it would be adopting the model of party discipline used in the Chinese communist party to ensure discipline within the PDP.PDP national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who received leaders of the National Peoples Congress of China yesterday in Abuja, said the two parties have a lot to learn from each other as Nigeria and China have a long history of partnership in the areas of economics, culture and governance.He said the PDP admires the sense of patriotism in the Chinese party noting that such sense of patriotism cannot come without discipline which he said would be imbibed by the PDP.The PDP national chairman also said the party would strive to imbibe the culture of sustainability and party independence saying such a practice would make those entrusted with the affairs of the party to be more committed."The Peoples Democratic Party will strive to cooperate with your party in order to strengthen its leadership control, acquire more power, develop the existing powers it has and ensure its sustainability and independence."The need for the enactment of true party values between both parties and their countries are of paramount importance to us all, as this will help streamline ideologies, modify beliefs, manage conflicts, accelerate functionality of internal party democracy, set new roles and make those entrusted with the leadership of the party acquire more zeal and exposure internally and internationally, " he said.Bamanga said the PDP has equally taken note of the unequalled powers vested on Party leaders in the Chinese Communist party, and would strive to copy it.Chairman of the study committee of the National Peoples Congress of China, Zhang Dejiang in his remark said they were encouraged to come to the PDP national chairman by President Goodluck Jonathan when he visited China in July as a way of strengthening party politics in Nigeria.He expressed hope that the interaction would strengthen understanding between the two parties. He said the National Peoples Congress has been around since 1921 and has grown from membership strength of 50 people to 85 million people.
Source: Daily Trust

President Goodluck Jonathan (r), Rivers State Governor Amaechi and his Deputy, Tele Ikuru, at Port Harcourt international airport on Thursday.

INEC APPROVES REGISTRATION OF APC AS A POLITICAL PARTY.

Can Floating Architecture Save Makoko ?

Kunle Adeyemi of NLÉ has proposed a floating community to improve slum conditions in the lagoon settlement of Makoko in Lagos, Nigeria.
Adeyemi and his firm, NLÉ, are already putting the finishing touches on a three-story, 2,300-square-foot floating school for 100 students between the ages of 4 and 12.
It has been constructed from locally sourced wood and a base of 256 used plastic drums, the new school features enclosed classrooms on the second level and an open-air classroom on the third floor, all anchored by a waterside playground and green space.
The Makoko school, which held a preview celebration earlier this month, completes the first phase of NLÉ's plan to erect a livable city for the 250,000 population on the lagoon.

Well done Mr Adeyemi!







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

ON THIS DAY 29-07-1975

Whilst Nigeria's Military Head of State, General Yakubu Gowan (L) attended an Organisation of African Unity ( OAU) summit in Kampala, Uganda, a group of officers announced his overthrow and appointed Brigadier Murtala Mohammed (R) as the head of the new government .

Sad News! Patience Jonathan's mother dies in crash

Via Punch 

THERE was anxiety in Port Harcourt on Monday as news of the death of Mrs. Iwari-Oba, the mother of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience,  spread in the Rivers State capital.
The mother of Mrs. Jonathan was said to have been involved in a ghastly motor accident along Elele Road in Rivers State.
It was gathered that the woman, who is from Okrika Local Government Area, was on her way to Bayelsa State when the accident happened.
Unconfirmed report indicated that her corpse was taken to Kpaiyama Mortuary by a team of policemen and a member representing Ogu Bolo State Constituency, Mr. Evans Bipi, who is a relative to the deceased.
Though, the police and the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state could not confirm the incident, an aide to Bipi said the First Lady's mother died in a road accident, which occurred at about 4pm
Bipi's aide, Mr. Fred Itobo, told The PUNCH that the President's wife's mother was involved in the accident while she was on her way to Bayelsa State.
"Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary," Itobo said.
When contacted, the State Director of FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, declined comment on the matter, saying, "I cannot say anything on this matter now until I get full details."
Though effort to get reactions from the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, proved futile, she had already told a journalist on the telephone that she had not been briefed on such crash.

Minister Inaugurates Broadband Council

Following the approval of the country's broadband policy and its formal presentation to industry stakeholders, the Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has finally inaugurated the Broadband Council that will drive its implementation. The council, which was inaugurated in Abuja, is made up of 19 members and is chaired by the Johnson. The members will work on implementation modalities for the newly developed and approved Nigerian National Broadband plan for the period 2013 - 2018.

The inauguration of the council represents an important and significant milestone in the implementation roadmap of the national broadband plan.

Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Mrs. Efem Nkanga, who made the disclosure, said the terms of reference of the council included providing periodic reports on the progress of the plan, facilitating the coordination and collaboration of the various stakeholders during plan implementation, ensuring that relevant agencies, institutions, and the general public are actively engaged. "Where necessary the council shall highlight adjustment areas where needed in the execution of the strategy and roadmap," she said.

The broadband council has both institutional, government and individual representation. Institutional representations include, the Association of Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) and the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN). Individual representations are knowledgeable Nigerians that are well grounded in the ICT industry and have shown a great passion for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in the country. They include the two former co-chairmen of the recently concluded Presidential Committee on Broadband, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Mr. Jim Ovia. Google, Chairman Openmedia Group and Chairman of Visafone, respectively and Microsoft represent a small section of the international partners strongly positioned to advance the broadband agenda.

The government institutions that have the direct mandate to deliver broadband to the country are also included namely the ministry, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

The members of the broadband council are: Ndukwe, Ovia; Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah; Chief Executive Officer, Main One Cable Company, Ms. Funke Opeke; Managing Consultant, Telecom Answers Associates, Titi Omo-Ettu; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo and President, Nigeria Computer Society, Mr Ademola Aladekomo.

Others include President, Nigeria Internet Group, Mr Bayo Banjo; -President, Association of Telecommunication Companies in Nigeria, (ATCON), Mr Lanre Ajayi; Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Mr. Abdullahi Maikano; Country Manager, Google Global Services Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan-Chiazor ; Director, Etisalat, Mr Junaid Dikko; Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Mr Mohammed Rudman; Managing Partner, Ayoola Babatunde Oke & Co, Mr Ayoola Oke; Director, Ministry of Communication Technology, John Ayodele; member of the Zinox Group, Mr Emmanuel Onyeje; and Principal Consultant, Business Unusual Limited, Mr. Jimi Sonuga.

Emma Okonji -  This Day

Issues Regarding Section 29 of the Nigerian Constitution

The Nigerian Constitution at Section 29 states:

 (1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration prescribed manner for the renunciation.

It goes on at Section 4 to state:

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section.

 (a) "full age" means the age of eighteen years and above;

 (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.

The Senate amendment committee had sought to delete Section 29 (4) b, thus clearing up any confusion as to whether a day old child could be considered by law of age, simply by the act of marriage. In short to define clearly that 18 was the minimum age.

The amendment went through at the first vote (acquiring the requisite 2/3rd majority for constitutional amendment). However Senator Yerima fillibustered stating that the status quo- which believe it or not -allowed for under-aged marriage was in line with Nigeria's religious diversity and any attemp to to delete it, would serve to discriminate against Muslim's whose religion - he said- permits them to marry a woman even aged 8 or 9 years old. 

After an argument with the Senate President, who initially refused his request, since it was clearly against Parliamentary rules, the amendment bill was put to a re-vote. 

People are actually arguing and saying this is not what it obviously is.  Section  29(4)b essentially provides that a woman is deemed to be of age as long as she is married. The Senate wanted it out because it basically gave some people the right to deem a 4 year old to be of age. Thanks to Yerima the only thing that's clear now is a child can be married and automatically she will be of age.

Osun State Planning To Raise a Sukuk Bond Worth $62 Million

Osun State is planning to raise a sukuk bond worth 10 billion Nigerian naira ( $62 million) from the capital market to fund infrastructural development, the first such step by Africa's second biggest economy.
"(The state) is awaiting final approval from the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)," Semiu Okanlawon, spokesman for Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, told Anadolu Agency.
"By the time we get it, the marketing of the bond should hopefully take off from this month," he added.
In March, the SEC approved new guidelines for the issuance of sukuk bonds, only months after new guidelines were also approved for the operation of takaful (Islamic insurance).
"So far, there has been no objection from the SEC. The expectation is high," said Okanlawon.
A local credit ratings agency, Agusto and Co, has given the note – to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange – an A rating.
Okanlawon said the seven-year bond would be issued through "a book-building process," which would earn returns for sukuk holders through a semi-annually paid rent structure called the Ijara.
The spokesman described the move as part of a 60 billion naira debt-raising program by Osun State, which started last year.
"The funds will be used to finance construction of education projects, among other development initiatives with which the governor hopes to lay a solid foundation for the future of the state," said Okanlawon.
Investopedia, an online guide to investment, defines the sukuk as "an Islamic financial certificate, similar to a bond in western finance, which complies with Islamic religious law."
It adds: "Because the traditional western interest-paying bond structure is not permissible, the issuer of a sukuk sells an investor group the certificate, who then rents it back to the issuer for a predetermined rental fee. The issuer also makes a contractual promise to buy back the bonds at a future date at par value."
Investopedia goes on to assert that "sukuk must be able to link the returns and cash flows of the financing to the assets purchased, or the returns generated from an asset purchased. This is because trading in debt is prohibited under Sharia. As such, financing must only be raised for identifiable assets."
According to Okanlawon, the planned seven-year paper would be the first sukuk bond to be issued by Africa's second-largest economy.
He said the decision to launch the bond had the blessing of all the members of the state's executive committee.
"[They] see the merit of the State of Osun pioneering this alternative and less burdensome financial service," Okanlawon said.
Osun State's planned multibillion naira sukuk represents Nigeria's most innovative and ambitious attempt thus far to promote Islamic finance.
The move comes within the context of ongoing efforts to attract Middle East investors and consolidate Nigeria's latest foray into alternative financial services.
Mr. Fola Daniel, a commissioner at the National Insurance Commission, hailed the new sukuk bond.
"[It's] a very commendable step in our drive to buy into alternative financial services, which will in turn attract investors from the Islamic world and Asia," he said.

Nigeria: Child Marriage - Ex-Gov Saraki's Wife Seeks Amendment of Constitutional Provision

Wife of former Kwara State governor and founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, WBFA, Mrs Oluwatoyin Saraki, has called for an urgent amendment of Section 29 (4) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), legalizing child marriage.

In a position statement on the resolution of the Senate to retain provisions of the Section in question, Saraki pointed out that the constitutional amendment was desirable for clarification purposes, and to eliminate all forms of equivocation that can and will promote the continued abuse of girls through child marriage.

In the statement signed by the WBFA Executive Director, Mr Temitayo Erogbogbo, the body expressed grave concern over the Senate's resolution which, it said, disenfranchises girls and women, and encourages child marriage which robs girls of a good education, optimal health, opportunities for socio-economic empowerment and violates their rights to security and protection from all forms of physical and mental abuse.

"Section 29 (4) (b) contradicts conventions that the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a signatory to, which profess, as commitments, the protection of the rights of girls and women from all forms of abuse, neglect or discrimination, as well as providing the best-available opportunities for self-actualization and fulfillment, through education and other means," the statement said.

"The evidence is clear that child marriages deny girls of an opportunity to complete an education, thereby directly diminishing their chances at a good life. In line with the Foundation's long-standing policy we shall continue to strive for improved well being of the girl-child by protecting their rights to security; protection from all forms of physical and mental abuse; education; health; and social and economic empowerment, irrespective of their religious or cultural backgrounds."

Calling for the rejection of any form of stigmatization of married minors, as well as seeking exceptional and increased protection of child rights and citizenship benefits for all existing married minors, the statement said," We look to the House of Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to support our call to action to this end." According to the WBFA, child marriages are detrimental to a girl's health, by a direct effect. "Young girls, by virtue of the fact that their bodies are not yet fully developed, run a high risk of developing complications in pregnancy and childbirth, compared to women. Such complications include prolonged and obstructed labour, bleeding, and even death. Girls who are married young are also more vulnerable to contracting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS".

The statement observed that chain reaction that results from a mother's ill-health also have direct effects on income-generation, especially in Nigeria where the informal sector, mainly driven by women and girls, has contributed largely to household income.

"Therefore, there is an urgent need for the amendment of Section 29 (4) (b) of the Constitution of Nigeria, if the government must keep to its word of ensuring good health and economic prosperity for its people"

Sola Ogundipe for Vanguard 

Nigeria Planning To Withdraw Troops From Mali, Darfur

ABUJA: Nigeria plans to withdraw much of its 1,200-strong contingent from international peacekeeping missions in Mali and Sudan’s Darfur region saying the troops are needed to beef up security at home, sources familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Nigeria is battling group Boko Haram, but the troop withdrawal comes just 10 days before a presidential election in Mali, which is meant to restore democracy after a coup and the occupation of the desert north by Al-Qaeda-linked rebels last year.
The 12,600-man UN mission in Mali is rolling out to replace most of the 4,500 French forces who intervened successfully in January to halt an Islamist advance south.
“It seems Nigeria is pulling out its infantry but leaving some other elements ... I think that it is because the troops are needed at home,” said a Nigeria-based diplomat.
A Nigerian military source and two other diplomats in West Africa confirmed the planned pullout, saying it was mainly due to the need to tackle the country’s own insurgency.
The UN peacekeeping department said Nigeria would also withdraw some of its troops from the UN-African Union force UNAMID in Sudan’s conflict-torn Western Darfur region as well.
“We can confirm that Nigeria has officially notified (UN peacekeeping) of its intention to withdraw some of its troops — up to two battalions — from UNAMID,” said UN peacekeeping spokesman Kieran Dwyer. The United Nations was in discussions with other countries to replace the Nigerians, she said. The standard size for a UN peacekeeping battalion is 850 troops but that is just a recommendation. It was not immediately clear how many Nigerian troops would be withdrawn from Mali. 
One of the diplomats said engineers and signals operators would be amongst those left behind with the United Nations.
A two-month offensive against Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in mid-May has stretched its security forces and new rotations are needed to go in.
Underscoring the fragile security in northeast Nigeria, Boko Haram, whose nickname roughly translates as ‘Western education is sinful,’ has targeted at least four schools there over the past month, killings dozens of pupils.
Mali’s own army remains weak, the result of years of corruption and neglect that led to a several defeats by militants in the north followed by a coup by disgruntled officers in Bamako. Attacks on peacekeepers this month illustrated how delicate security remains in Mali’s north.
European Union troops are training the Malian army but are not expected to complete the programme until next March at the earliest.
Former Minister Tiebile Drame, who drafted last month’s peace deal between Mali’s government and northern separatist rebels, pulled out of the July 28 presidential elections on Wednesday, arguing that Western pressure was pushing to Mali into holding them before it is ready.
The withdrawal of Nigerian troops from Darfur comes at difficult time for UNAMID, which according to the UN peacekeeping department has over 19,000 soldiers and police.
Violence has surged since January as government forces, rebels and Arab tribes, armed by Khartoum early in the conflict, fight over resources and land. Peacekeepers are often attacked when they try to find out what is happening on the ground.
Seven peacekeepers were killed and 17 wounded when they came under heavy fire from gunmen in Darfur on Saturday, UNAMID said, the worst toll from a single incident since its deployment in 2008..

Reuters

A Nation Or A Business

The principle purpose of a business, is to maximise profit for its owners, this group I believe can be extended to serve the interests of a larger group of stakeholders, (including employees even society as a whole) for the effective running of the enterprise.

Does this sound familiar? What else was formed as a business enterprise? Nigeria.

Sir George Dashwood Taubman Goldie came to the area around the Niger to start a business venture with the Niger Company (later the Royal Niger Company)....and the business grew and amalgamated other companies in the area to form UAC . This super company supplied the world with goods from their successfully run industries (Cotton, Palm oil etc).

Sometimes, harsh decisions were made like removing popular heads of departments (tribal leaders).... Like Oba Ovonramwen and the JaJa of Opobo. Even the head of the company, Sir George Goldie was not spared!

As we know a man called Lugard amalgamated the two major branches of the same business for effective administration....after all, it made financial sense.

Maybe we need to run Nigeria like a business, after all that's why it was formed its obvious in modern day Nigeria the focus has left the enterprise and been broken down by embezzling board of directors.

Poor Goodluck: Nigerians were not the only electrically challenged bunch (well at least for 34minutes, we weren't)

Christiane Amanpour said today "after the super bowl power outage, people in Nigeria were amused to find out they weren't the only ones electrically challenged" she brought up President Goodluck Jonathan's latest CNN interview when he said the country's electrical woes were improving "that's one area Nigerians are quite pleased with the Government..." ...cue CNNs vox pop! The people on Nigerias streets said " It's a lie"..."nothing has changed"hmmmm. Its not often you hear these two words in a sentence POOR and GOODLUCK? ...poor Goodluck!   

Nation's Centenary Anniversary Celebration Kicks Off With A Bang !

From Leadership Newspaper

Former Heads of State and Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), Gen Yakubu Gowon (rtd), Alh Shehu Shagari and Abdulsalami Abubakar yesterday night stormed the presidential villa for the flag off dinner of centenary celebrations billed to hold January next year.
Ironically, Obasanjo who presented the centenary theme challenged Nigerians to love their country and speak positively about the President. The former resident had been critical of the Jonathan's administration of late, accusing the president of being the cause of the Boko Haram insurgence.
High point of the event was the lighting of the centenary torch by Jonathan who walked straight to Buhari and held him hand in hand as they climbed the platform to conduct the lighting the torch.
They were later joined by Vice President Namadi Sambo, all former Heads of States, first lady Dame Patience and the vice president's wife.
President Jonathan in his speech expressed hope that the country was destined for greatness, as a powerful and great nation which would be the pride of generations yet unborn despite its challenges, including the civil war.
According to the president, what makes the country great is not the abundance of mineral resources, but the interactions of Nigerians everywhere in the country as well as the efforts of people from all works of life.
Citing the victory of the Super Eagles in the quarter finals against Cote D'Ivoire in the quarter finals of the on-going African Cup of Nations in South Africa, he said the hardwork of all Nigerians promotes the country's sense of unity.
Gowon who unveiled the centenary logo, described Nigeria as a nation of strong, peaceful and hard working people. He expressed hope in the future of the country.
The logo, he said embodies the country's values for faith and courage ans symbolises unity. He prayedl for Nigeria to experience peace and progress. He presented the logo to Mr President.
Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar presented the centenary theme song, while Speaker Aminu Tambuwal launched the centenary web portal before Senate President, David Mark launched the centenary lottery.
Also present at the occassion were SGF, Senator Anyim, Pius Anyim, Senate President David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha also made the event as well as other members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Others are Senators Ken Nnamani, Prof Jeryy Gana, PDP chairman, Bamanga Tukur, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, Senator Ben Obi, Andy Uba, Chris Ngige, Zack Orji, Aliko Dangote, Ben Murray Bruce, Barnabas Gemade
Governors present wre TA Orji (Abia), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe)
Nollywood stars present were Monalisa Chinda, Segun Arinze, Jide Kosoko, Charles Okafor, AGN president, Ibinabo Fibresima.

Source. Leadership Newspaper 

Lord Lugard created Nigeria to last for only a 100 years..... I regard it as a challenge

From www.naijapundit.com

From former military President, Ibrahim Babangida came a shocker yesterday when he revealed that Lord Lugard created Nigeria to last for only a 100 years.

The self acclaimed evil genius said this in Lagos yesterday at the presentation of 2 books in honor of his foreign affairs minister, Bolaji Akinyemi.

Speaking yesterday Babangida had said “As Nigerians, we are aware of the great doubts that have been cast about what 2014 portends for the continuing existence of our nation. I am aware that Nigerians have taken great umbrage at these predictions. Even Lord Lugard who founded what has been called Nigeria gave it a life-span of 100 years. I regard it as a challenge to our intelligence to ensure that these portends and prophesies do not become self-fulfilling.

“We should engage these predictions on an intellectual level, testing whether the facts justify the conclusions.

“But on a practical and public policy level, we must import honesty into our public policy assessment. First, we must identify the problems that need to be addressed. Secondly, we must address these problems honestly. Thirdly, we must identify the most current and the most appropriate mechanism for addressing these issues.

“Let me make this clear. My position is not dictated by the fact that foreigners are making these predictions. We don’t even need foreigner sources as a reference point. The Nigerian media is awash with alarming news about our problems.

“My position is dictated by my conviction that Nigeria is precious enough to be saved. It deserves an investment of our time and resources to make Project Nigeria a success. But the starting point has to be an admission that we need to fix things.”

Babangida also stated that mistakes of past administrations are putting pressure on the country today though he refused to identify the mistakes or the past administrations that made them.

Said he “Some of the mistakes of the past have now come to haunt us. But let me make one thing clear. Not all these mistakes were made out of callousness or bad faith or malice.

“Most people in office do their best. They act to the best of their ability. Unless we think that our leaders have divine ability, we have to admit that even with all the best of their abilities and even with the best faith and with the best of all intentions, human beings will still make mistakes,”

In his own comments, ProfessorAkinyemi called for a national dialogue saying “Zoning, federal character, rotation, marginalisation of the brightest and the best will only make the much prophesied collapse of Nigeria in 2014 a self- fulfilling prophecy. We cannot build a nation on a system that takes care of the few while condemning the many to penury. A system that cannot take care of the many that are poor cannot save the few who are rich."

Source