The Immediate past Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika has replied former Minister of FCT, Mallam Nasir El Rufai on his allegation that the former army general was one of the chief sponsors of the Boko Haram sect.
The former army boss said El Rufail is one of the executive commanders of the Boko Haram
terrorist group.
Ihejiraka was responding to a claim by the former minister on Thursday that he (Ihejirika) and
former Governor Modu Sheriff of Borno State were among those financing the activities of the
bloodthirsty group.
Speaking with Vanguard on Thursday, Ihejiraka said, “The (Commanders) including El-Rufai know where the problem is. He should stop deceiving Nigerians by trying to divert attention”.
He further accused El-rufai of organising weaponry and equipment needed to fight the
insurgency from the military and giving same to the sect.
“The likes of El-Rufai have been supporting Boko Haram. In fact, El-Rufai and his likes are the same group of people that ensured the army did not get the requested equipment to deal with this menace once and for all, as they used their cohorts to tell the government that procuring modern equipment were not necessary”, he added.
The former Army Chief also said that El-Rufai and others allegedly green-lighted Boko Haram’s activities and attempted to divert concern from the atrocities of the sect.
He said, “When the Boko Haram operation started, supporters of the sect like El-Rufai said that there was nothing like Boko Haram and that the army was just killing innocent youths.
“El-Rufai said that I was re-inventing the killing of the Ibos during the Biafra war following government’s determination to rid the country of terrorism.”
Iherjirika also said that he was the first person to declare that the country was dealing with a war situation, but El-Rufai and others allegedly denied the gravity of the situation, disagreeing with his
judgment.
El Rufail One of The Executive Commanders of Boko Haram Terrorist Group - Onyeabor
Jonathan's Administration As Bad As Abacha's
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration was as bad as the regime of the former military dictator, Sani Abacha.
Obasanjo likened both administrations while receiving a delegation of 150 persons from the Nigerian Market Traders Council at his Abeokuta hilltop mansion who had visited to seek his counsel on where to cast their votes in 2015.
According to the former leader, the current political and economic situation of the country was similar to that of the Abacha’s regime. He said that the middle class has been wiped out completely.
He referred to text messages sent to him by disillusioned Nigerians who said they were unable to afford vehicles despite what Obasanjo described as their “good jobs”.
Hear him, “As for me, we don’t know where we are going yet. May God show us the way. The way that will take this country and make it a great country, and when, for me ooo, I understand and (if) I see the way, I will tell you, I pray that God will show me the way, may God show you the way.
“Tough time does not last forever, and when tough times come, tough people get going, we will keep going and we will survive this though time.
“I told him (the SMS sender) that we have experienced this period in time of Abacha, the middle class was completely destroyed.”
Continuing, he noted: “I was surprised the day a Colonel in the Army came to me complaining that he and his family could not afford to buy a car.
“A friend of mine, Dr. Okoro, a medical Doctor, his wife was also a medical Doctor and they have daughter too, who is also a medical Doctor, between the three of them, they could not afford a new car, they had to go to Saudi Arabia but, I pray we will not have such a time in Nigeria.
“We all have contribution to make and should not leave our responsibility on others to do. If we fail to participate in things that are meaningfully positive for this country, you will be a victim and we all become victims,” he concluded.
It could be recalled that the former president had last year written an explosive letter where he accused the present government of not doing enough to lift the country out of its numerous challenges.
NMA SUSPENDS STRIKE
Striking members of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have suspended their strike.
The NMA through its official twitter handle @nmanigeria announced the suspension of the seven weeks strike.
“BREAKING!!! NMA rose from an Emergency Delegates Meeting and decided that the # NMAStrike be suspended with ALL Doctors
resuming duties ISQ.
” This means that NO Doctor in the country would be victimised in whatever form as a result of participation in the # NMAStrike . Details later, “the association announced early Sunday morning.
According to Esohe Blessing
@ dresoheblessing the strike was suspended following the outcome of voting by members.
Out of 265 total vote cast, 199 voted for suspension (75 %), 96 voted against. (24%) ,while persons abstained.
A press conference to announce the suspension of the strike is to be addressed today (Sunday), August 24.
Following the the refusal of the NMA to call off the strike earlier, the federal government sacked all resident doctors in the country and suspended the residency training.
Details of the agreement with the government is not yet clear at publication time.
thenationonlineng.net/new/breaking-news-doctors-suspend-strike/
Dating in Workplace
Workplace dating has steadily increased over the years. According to a recent survey, 35% of U.S. adults have fantasized about a co-worker.
People spend much of their lives at work and end up sharing hobbies and intimacies. Dating co-workers seem safer, especially for many women, because they get time to know each other.
Furthemore, many people share similar education, interests, attitudes, values, and income levels.
Many office dating romances actually improve work performances. They add a certain energy that translates into enhanced morale, creativity and even productivity.
Yet, according to a Gallup poll, people say they are more offended by someone kissing a co-worker than they are by someone stealing from the office or drinking on the job.
Before venturing into workplace dating, check the company policy. If the company has any workplace dating policies, read them carefully. If you violate the policies, you could be subject to disciplinary action that may include termination of employment.
Get to know your co-worker before pursuing a romantic relationship. Make sure she/he's single, not one to kiss and tell, and most importantly, not related to your boss. Girl at the office ...
Never use company email to exchange love notes or anything remotely suggestive. Companies can and do monitor email exchanges. If you must profess your undying affection while at work, use a private web-based email service.
If you become involved with someone, people will find out in many cases. They will be watching your behavior very closely, so act professionally in all work situations.
Workplace dating can turn into long term relationship and marriage. A survey by American Management Association shows that 44 percent of managers who dated someone from work said their relationships led to marriage.
If the relationship ends, however, treat the other person with dignity and respect at all times. Don't discuss the relationship with anyone in or affiliated with the workplace.
Governor Mimiko To Defect To PDP.
There is an indication that Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State is set to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to competent sources, Mimiko, who is the National leader of the Labour Party (LP) was said to have met five leaders of LP, each from the 18 local government areas of the state on the need to join the PDP.
The sources added that Mimiko is currently holding meeting with his political aides, today Friday, particularly with his
commissioners.
Mimiko was appointed as the State Secretary to the Government (SSG) by the late Governor Olusegun Agagu and he was later appointed as Minister.
He dumped the party for the LP in 2006 to contest the governorship seat against Agagu, who was PDP candidate in 2007 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Maurice Iwu declared late Agagu as the winner of the poll but Mimiko, who was not satisfied with the result approached the tribunal, where he was declared the winner of the election.
It will be recall that few months ago, the President has directed Mimiko to declare for PDP before Jonathan declares his interest to contest the presidential election.
Council Leader Impeached in Benue State
Members of the Ogbadibo legislative council in Benue State have impeached its leader, Rt. Hon. Francis Onuh.
The lawmakers also axed the deputy leader, Hon. John Onoja and recommended the immediate transfer of the clerk of the House, Mr. Daniel Okodeje.
The council members made this resolution after its plenary session penultimate Thursday, with 8 councilors in attendance.
The lawmakers have transmitted their resolution to the Bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Benue State Local Government Service Commission, Benue State House of Assembly, various stakeholders in Ogbadibo politics as well as security agents within the local government area.
The lawmakers in the document made available to newsmen and signed by 7 members, accused Hon. Frank Onuh of allegedly signing the 2014 budget into law without contacting any member of the house, shortchanging the members of the council in so many grants from the executive, suspending sittings indefinitely, thereby putting council proceedings on hold for months, beating up the councilor representing Ai-Oono ward 2, Hon. Barry Abel during a joint session with the executive, among others.
They also accused the deputy leader of constant truancy and gross incompetence, while they accused the clerk of conniving with the leader in shortchanging other members of the House and for his inability to account for over N650, 000 deducted from the members’ constituency allowances with the hope of retiring same to PV clerks in various departments.
Meanwhile, the council members have unanimously elected Hon. Fred Apochi, a member representing Ehaje ward 2, Owukpa and Hon. Hassan Okpe, member representing Orokam ward 3 as the new leader and deputy leader respectively.
Hon. Fred Apochi is expected to perform his first assignment as the leader of Ogbadibo Legislative Council when the House resumes plenary on Tuesday.
The new leader, Apochi is a native of Udaburu-Ugbugbu Owukpa.
New Map Of Nigeria For Proposed New States
Sequel to the July 3rd recommendation by the National Conference that 18 additional states be created to bring the total number of states in Nigeria to 54, members of the National conference Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government, jointly headed by Ike Nwachukwu & Mohammed Kumalia have released a copy of proposed new map of Nigeria with the additional states added. Embedded in the new map is the new additional 18 states, Premium Times has reported.
Meanwhile, the closing ceremony for the CONFAB will be tomorrow, August 21st where the final report agreed by the delegates on all matters discussed will be handed to President Goodluck Jonathan for perusal and for onward approval.
Below is the list of the proposed states:
Apa from Benue,
Edu from Niger
Kainji from Kebbi state
Katagum from Bauchi,
Savannah from Borno,
Amana from Adamawa,
Gurara from Kaduna,
Ghari from Kano,
Etiti from South East,
Aba from Abia,
Adada from Enugu,
Njaba from Anambra and Imo,
Oil River from Rivers state
Anioma from Delta state,
Ogoja from Cross River State
Ijebu from Ogun State
Ose state from Edo
New Oyo State from the present Oyo State
A Nigerian May Soon Rule UK
On May 7, 2015, a Nigerian, Chuka Umunna, could
make history by becoming the first black Prime
Minister of the United Kingdom. Born in London in
1978, Chuka was bred in the UK. His late father,
Bennett, hailed from Anambra State while his Irish
mother, Patricia, is a solicitor.
Co-incidentally, Chuka shares startling similarities
with the United States President, Barack Obama,
who is the first black President of the world’s
most powerful nation.
For instance, Chuka is of mixed race, being the
child of a Nigerian father and an Irish mother
while Obama is also of mixed race, being the
offspring of a white American woman and a
Kenyan father. Also Chuka’s father, Bennett, was
killed in a mysterious car accident in Nigeria in
1992 while Obama’s father was killed in a car
accident in Kenya in 1982.
If history repeats itself as it is being predicted by
British political observers, Chuka, who is also a
six-foot tall lawyer like Obama, could become the
first black Prime Minister in the UK.
Chuka’s life story is perhaps a better guide to his
future political direction. It is the story of a rise
from the streets of South London (scene of some
of Britain’s worse race riots in the 1980s) to the
parliament. But it is not the story that some
might expect.
His father, Bennett, was a Nigerian labourer, who
arrived in Britain in the sixties with one suitcase
and no money. Having borrowed the fare from
Liverpool to London, he worked in a carwash,
became a successful businessman and died in a
car crash when his son was 13.
Bennett began an import-export business trading
with Nigeria and was starting to make a decent
living when he met Patricia Milmo, a solicitor, at
a London party. She happened to be the daughter
of Sir Helenus Milmo, a Cambridge-educated High
Court judge and a prosecutor at the Nuremberg
Nazi trials. They later got married, a rare
combination during a time of high social
inequality and racism.
Chuka believed his father was killed because he
refused to indulge in corrupt practices when he
was running for the governorship of Anambra
State during the administration of former military
dictator, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.).
Bennett died after his car ran into a lorry carrying
logs along the Onitsha-Owerri highway in
Anambra. Bennett had been splitting his time
between London and Nigeria – where he
unsuccessfully ran for the governorship of
Anambra State and had taken a stand against
bribery.
At a point Bennett was also the owner of the
Rangers International Football Club of Enugu, the
darling of the Igbo people.
When quizzed about his father on Sky News, he
had this to say: “There was a lot of speculation in
Nigeria at the time around his death. He was a
national political figure standing on an anti-
corruption ticket and refused to bribe anybody.
“We don’t really talk about it because it is not
going to bring him back but I think he would be
bowled over that his son is now a politician just
like him.”
Chuka, an English and French Law graduate from
the University of Manchester, who also holds a
Master’s degree from Nottingham Law School,
says his interest in politics was shaped by seeing
extreme poverty while visiting his father’s
relatives in Nigeria and the social divide in his
own Streatham constituency in the UK. He says
that he is “not super-religious” but that his soft-
left values are “rooted in my Christianity.”
The 35-year-old Labour Party Member of
Parliament, however, has two hurdles to cross if
he is to make history in the UK. This is because
in the UK, for one to become the Prime Minister,
the person must first be a Member of Parliament,
the person’s party must win majority of seats out
of the 560 seats in the House of Commons during
the parliamentary elections and the person must
be the leader of his party.
Presently, Chuka is the Member of Parliament for
Streatham, a position he has held since 2010 but
must re-contest in 2015 and win to retain the
seat.
He is also the Shadow Business Secretary, a
position held by a member of Her Majesty’s Loyal
Opposition. The duty of the office holder is to
scrutinise the actions of the government’s
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and
Skills and develop alternative policies. The office
holder is a member of the Shadow Cabinet.
According to the UK Telegraph, Chuka is
rumoured to have the strong support of a former
British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who was also a
Labour Party leader.
According to the British newspaper, when asked if
he was Blair’s anointed candidate, Chuka said, “I
really don’t know anything about that.” However,
when he was pressed further whether he aspired
to head his party, he said, “I don’t entertain any
discussion beyond winning the election next year.
That would be completely hypocritical of me. To
start thinking about hypothetical scenarios would
be totally indulgent. All my energy is focused on
winning the election, and so should everyone’s. It
will be very close.”
Chuka is one of the youngest MPs in the UK
having been introduced into British politics by the
current Labour Party leader, Ed Miliband, while he
was in his 20s.
It was Milband that helped him become an MP
and later made him his Parliamentary Private
Secretary before he was promoted to the Shadow
Cabinet in October 2011. He is tipped to become
Miliband’s successor and could become the Prime
Minister should the Labour Party win next year’s
election.
Chuka, however, claims to hate the comparison of
him and Obama which he terms the “construct of
lazy journalists.” He sharply divides opinion in
British politics. Good-looking, articulate, new-
media-savvy and a good orator.
According to FT Magazine, he is not universally
popular among his own colleagues, who see more
style than substance. “He just has a knack of
alienating people,” said one experienced Labour
MP. “He is probably the most natural
communicator I’ve seen since Tony Blair. The
problem is that each week he has fewer
supporters than he did at the start of the week.”
Even potential allies recount stories of apparent
slights or snubs. A senior party figure says,
“Chuka has put people’s backs up. They feel he is
inaccessible.” Another long-serving MP adds,
“The idea of learning the trade first is only for
mere mortals, not for him.” Peter Mandelson, the
former Labour business secretary who played a
key role in Blair’s rise through to the top, thinks
the explanation for this is quite simple, “Envy
plays a big part in politics,” he says.
Like Blair, Chuka sometimes connects better with
those beyond his own circle. John Cridland, head
of the CBI employers’ group, calls him “a guy with
whom we can do business.” Andrew Tyrie, Tory
Chair of the Commons Treasury Committee, say:
“He’s extremely talented and charming.” Andrew
Adonis, a former Labour minister, sums up his
cross-party appeal: “The best politicians are
those who look outwards not inwards.”
However, allies of the current British PM, David
Cameron, scoffed at the idea that Chuka might
represent a threat to Cameron’s second term bid.
“I can’t think of any issue where he’s put us
under pressure,” says one close friend of the
prime minister. “He’s pretty average – he’s a
slick corporate lawyer.”
Also, among his fellow party members, Chuka’s
lack of political definition is another source of
irritation as some claim they struggle to work out
what he really believes in. But Chuka says people
should show a bit more patience. “It would be
rather unhealthy if after just three years in
parliament I was setting out some blueprint for
my country,” he says. “What do people expect?”
But some see him as the potential leader of a
mainstream 21st-Century Labour party with the
kind of crossover appeal of Blair’s New Labour.
Despite initial reservations that Chuka might be a
bit too left-wing, Blair has started seeing him
regularly. “Chuka strikes Tony as very smart,”
says one close ally of the former PM. “Business is
a particularly important brief in tough economic
times and Chuka seems to be rising to the
challenge.”
As if Blair’s blessing was not enough, Chuka
recalls the “honour” of spending “a small bit of
private time with former US President, Bill Clinton,
who he describes as one of his political heroes. “I
think he defies the left-right description,”
Mandelson says in approbation. “He’s part of a
generation that transcends those labels.”
He has also recently been to Europe to meet his
friend, the French PM, Manuel Valls.
According to statistics, almost 15 per cent of
people in Britain describe themselves as “non-
white” but the country has never had a party
leader from an ethnic minority background.
Nobody has ever come close. Chuka confesses
that until his late teens he had not even thought
about a career in politics because there was
“nobody who looked like me” running the country.
Chuka has been vocal in the call for a reduction in
government spending as well as issues on
immigration. “They [the French] have something
like 40 ministers compared to our 80,” he says.
On the EU itself, he has called for reform, saying
not long ago that free movement of workers was
not intended to mean free movement of
jobseekers. “As one of the most pro-European
shadow ministers, I don’t think you can ignore
the impact that free movement has had on some
of our communities,” he says, adding that it has
changed because there are “many more EU
members.”
He adds, “There’s a number of things we need to
look at. Those who tend to raise the issue of
immigration with me are my African and Asian
constituents. They want confidence there are
proper controls.
“They want to see people integrate, which is why
we shouldn’t be spending all this money
translating documents and [instead] directing
resources to ensure people learn English. And you
do need to look at free movement.”
Next year’s election may not be based on
ethnicity but it obviously will be hard not to
notice that a British-Nigerian could become the
leader of one of the world’s wealthiest countries.
On the issue of ethnicity, Chuka has this to say,
“A lot of people presume – because of my
ethnicity – that I come from a particular social
background. I am very quick to disabuse people
of any sense that I’ve wanted and struggled in the
way that, say, my father did. I come from a fairly
middle-class background. People try and
pigeonhole you in a box and I find that frustrating
sometimes.”
If Chuka is hard to pigeonhole, that may be linked
to his own pedigree. It seems likely, if not certain,
that Chuka, whose name means God is the
greatest, is destined to become a larger presence
in his party and thus a bigger potential target
despite being a person whose father came to the
UK from Nigeria without a dime.
DSS AND OSUN ELECTION
The dust of the just concluded Osun governorship
polls does not seem to be about to ebb, going by the string of accusations not only between political parties, but between political parties and the Department of State Security (DSS).
Today on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, the spokesperson of the DSS, Marylin Ogar , wondered why there was no bomb blasts after the Osun governorship election which was won by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ogar did not specifically or directly accuse the APC of complicity in the bombing, but still wondered why there were bomb blasts in states where other parties apart from the APC won elections.
Ms Ogar noted that there has been no bombings since the apc won in Edo and Osun elections.
She said that “we had provided security for Edo and at the end of that election, permit me to say, there was no bomb blast.
“We moved to Ondo and the Labour Party won in Ondo, there was bomb blast. We moved to Anambra; APGA won in Anambra and there was a
bomb blast”. She said She however noted that when they “moved to Ekiti and PDP won in Ekiti, there was a bomb blast” and “thank God we were able to deploy appropriately (in Osun), the results came out, the APC have won and thank God there was no bomb blast”.
Asked if she was insinuating that the opposition party was responsible for the bombings, the DSS spokesperson noted that “we should thank God that since after the Osun elections, there has been no bombings” warning that “it doesn’t mean that there should be a bomb blast after i leave the (channels tv Abuja) studio”.
She noted that the DSS does not come out to make such accusations all the time, adding that “we are not meant to intimidate, we are not meant to cow, but we are allow the Nigerian people know that there certain things we know and we keep quiet to work underground to ensure that we dont want to put people into our parts.
She also urged every Nigerian to know that security operatives should not and never be dragged into politics.
There had been allegations that the DSS operatives on duty during the Osun election showed some excesses in the discharge of their duties, an allegation she was bent on debunking.
According to her, while she could understand a political party being bad losers, the Osun matter only meant that bad winners also existed.
She stated that the DSS had not done anything unusual in Osun State, explaining that as a fall-out of the Ekiti election, security reports had revealed that political parties, particularly the PDP and the APC had vowed to outdo each other in the Osun State election and based on security reports, the security agencies “had to deploy adequately to be able to forestall any threat or anything that will pose contrary to free and fair election in Osun State.”
Alleged 14million Naira Offer It has been reported that the DSS alleged that a political party offered the Security Service a bribe, leading to the Osun election, and she was asked to name the persons involved, so that they could be prosecuted.
She said that prior to the election, an APC member had invited the DSS Director, who was coordinating the election “to come and collect 4 million Naira for himself and another 10 million Naira for the same masked people.
“It was an offer and she said no, that she didn’t think it was necessary because when it has to do with logistics, as far as the Service is concerned, they would definitely have placed everything that would make for a successful operation.
“The rejection of that money on Tuesday brought on a lot of things that ordinarily we had not seen before anywhere.”
On the demand for the identity and prosecution of the persons involved, she said, “The duty of the SSS is to detect, prevent and deter” and using the President’s carrot and stick analogy, “It is not every time that you go out arresting people.”
She said further, “If this same process has been turned down when it had to do with other political parties, and they never took offense, why is it that the APC is taking offense? For me, its like pre-empting and presuming that ‘maybe this people are going to go to town with this stuff so we must be able to cow them to a point where they would be unable to expose what we were trying to do’.
“The person that made the offer knows himself and he knows that we know him.” She insisted that security agencies should not be dragged into politics.
She also clarified the issue surrounding the 14million Naira offer and being referred to as “bribe”.
“I’m sure the people that were doing the offering didn’t see it as a bribe, and I had never mentioned the word bribe. The media has used the word bribe in order to make it sensational.
“I could make you an offer and say this would assist you in what you are doing. Its either you take it or you refuse.
“I did say here that they offered us money to assist us and we said no.”
She added that if indeed the DSS was not accommodating to all parties involved in the election, “the Executive Governor of Osun State wouldn’t have written inviting us to come.”
channelstv.com
APC Man Shoots PDP Supporting Son
The violence that erupted at Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor Local Government area of Rivers State took the worst dimension when the traditional ruler of the area, Eze Anthony Owabie allegedly shot his son, Clement Owabie.
Eze Owabie is supposedly loyal to the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and his stool was recently elevated by the state Government while his son, Clement is a staunch supporter of the Minister of state for Education, Nyesom Wike.
The crisis had erupted in the area on Wednesday morning when youths suspected to be sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, took over the street of Rumuepirikom in a bid to stop the planned visit of Governor Amaechi to the community.
The clash of the youths supporting the opposing political parties, PDP and APC eventually led to a free-for-all between the two factions.
However, the victim, Clement Owabie had this to say: “I was all alone in my brother’s car, which they had damaged already. So, I was trying to move away towards the road when my father just shot me from his building.
“I never knew he had shot other people”.
An eyewitness told said that: “Early this morning (Wednesday) at about 6 am, we saw some youths that were on rampage; before we knew what was happening, there was heavy crowd from Rumuepirikom. Owabie was tensed when he saw them. Probably he thought they were going to come and attack him.
“Suddenly we heard gunshots, then we realised that the gunshots were coming from the palace.
“Unfortunately, his son was the casualty”.
Meanwhile, the Rivers state Police command says it has arrested some suspects in connection with the early morning violence that erupted in some parts of Obio-Akpor Local government area.
The command further disclosed that some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, alongside the traditional ruler of the Community, Eze Anthony Owabie were also arrested, adding that some weapons used in the violence have been recovered by the police.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunde Ogunsakin stated.
He said that about ten people suffered serious injuries in the fracas.
Ogunsakin said the command would commence investigation on the matter immediately.
He re-emphasised that the command placed a bab on all forms of political rallies in the area, stressing that there must be strict adherence to electoral Laws.
Ogunsakin, however, called on people of the state to remain calm, assuring that the police were on top of the situation, maintaining that the police would continue to do their best to protect the people of the state.
Coming To Nigeria With Ebola, He Is Crazy- Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan has described late Patrick Sawyer’s actions of coming into Nigeria especially, despite carrying the Ebola virus, as ‘crazy’.
Jonathan made the statement at the annual Interfaith Conference in Abuja.
The President, who expressed his disappointment with the way and manner Sawyer brought Ebola to Nigeria, however, assured citizens that government was ready to stop the spread of Ebola.
“As a government, we promise that we will do everything humanly possible to contain the Ebola virus”, Jonathan added.
He informed the gathering that the federal government planned to rally the 36 states governors and their Commissioners of Health to
rescue the nation from further spread of the disease.
“On Wednesday, I will meet with governor of the states, and they must come with their commissioners of Health along. We must make sure that every state is prepared, where they lack, the federal government will support them”.
On his discussion with the head of WHO on how the spread of the virus can be stopped, he said: “My conversation with the WHO DG, Dr Margaret Chan was revealing; she said 60 percent of the transmission was spread during burials. That is why in my announcement; I’ve been saying that people should be careful about burials.
“Some people like burial ceremonies. This is not the time for burial ceremony, somebody is dead, he is dead, leave him there. This is not the best time for those ceremonies. If he is dead, he is already dead.
“Sawyer that brought this Ebola to Nigeria, his sister died of Ebola. And he started acting somehow, his country asked him not to leave the country, let them observe him, but the crazy man decided to leave and found his way here”.
Meanwhile, the federal government, Monday, said one new case was recorded over the weekend, bringing the number to 10 now.
Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu stated this Monday in a press conference on the update of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
Chukwu said: “It has been 22 days since EVD first landed in Nigeria. As at today, 177 primary and secondary contacts of the index case have been placed under surveillance or isolation. Nine developed EVD, bringing the total number of cases in Nigeria to 10. Of these 10, 2 have died (the Liberian American and the Nigerian nurse) while 8 are alive and currently on treatment”.
The minister, along Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam, Interior Minister, Abba Moro, Special Duties Minister, Tanimu Turaki and Minister of Information, Labaran Maku stated that “Nigeria wishes to emphasize that it essentially remained an Ebola Virus free country until this incidence of importation and unfortunate contamination.
“We will continue to work with all stakeholders, local and international partners to maximize on this and intensify efforts to contain and treat the existing cases”.
Commenting on efforts to stop the spread of the virus in the West African sub-region, Chukwu said government’s role at the recent meeting in Accra, Ghana projected Nigeria’s “leading, pioneering and compassionate role during the summit with the first and only donation of 3.5 Million USD humanitarian and capacity building aid to the three affected countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the West African Health Organization (WAHO), and the ECOWAS Ebola Fund.
End Boko Haram by October - NEF Told Jonathan
The Northern Elders Forum, NEF, on Monday identified “lack of a strong will at the level of the presidency, deep-seated corruption, incompetence
in governments and in the management of security challenges” as major factors fuelling the Boko Haram insurgency.
The body also advised President Goodluck Jonathan to bring an end the insurgency in all its manifestations and produce the Chibok girls before the end of October, 2014, saying In the event that he failed to do so, Nigerians would be left with the only conclusion that he had forfeited his right to ask for their mandate beyond 2015.
In a communique issued at a press conference in Kaduna, NEF said after a major review of the state of the nation, it resolved to continue to offer ways to resolve the country’s current political, economic, security challenges, and also facilitate the emergence of a more united, secure and prosperous nation out of its present limitations.
The statement obtained by DailyPost was signed by Barrister Solomon Dalung and Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, OON, both NEF prominent members. It reads: “The security situation in our nation today represents the most serious threat to our individual and collective lives in our entire history.
The reality is that the threats posed by what appears to be an insurgency that has many manifestations and defies a clear and consistent identity is growing due to the absence of a clear national consensus over its nature, and it solutions.
“The lack of a strong will at the level of the presidency to fight it, as well as deep-seated corruption and incompetence in governments and in the management of our security challenges has allowed a band of terrorists to take and hold vast parts of our land and populations hostage, while every citizen lives in fear that they will be its next victim.
“The Northern Elders Forum does not believe that the Nigerian military cannot defeat these terrorists. We also reject the notion that multiple internal security challenges such as attacks on villages, ethno-religions conflicts and banditry springing up by the day in many parts of the north are all a coincidence. Indeed, we are convinced that most of these conflicts are being engineered to weaken the North politically and economically by interests which intend to exploit such weaknesses for electoral benefits.
“In the light of our firm conviction that the insurgency and related security challenges pose threats to the 2015 elections and the survival of our nation, we strongly advise President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to bring an end to the insurgency in all its manifestations and produce the Chibok girls before the end of October, 2014.The circumstances under which our fellow citizens in and around Gwoza in Borno state in particular live and die will not be tolerated by any people who have a government and a leader sworn to defend them, and they must be reversed immediately. In the event that President Jonathan fails to do this, Nigerians will be left with the only conclusion that he has forfieted his right to ask for our mandate beyond 2015″.
They added that, “The Northern Elders Forum calls on the President to immediately set up a Judicial Panel to investigate the recent killing of over 30 members of the Islamic Movement in Zaria. The internal investigations by the military in an event in which soldiers are involved will not meet the minimum standards of fairness and acceptability. The Forum reminds the nation that it was the murder of Muhammad Yusuf by the Nigeria Police in 2009 that formed the major point of escalation in the activities of the group(s) known today under the generic term of Boko Haram. We also call for a thorough investigation into the attempted assassination of General Muhammadu Buhari and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, and the publication of the outcome of these investigations.
“The Forum notes that the state of security and economic challenges of the North are deteriorating, in spite of its wealth of leaders and elders who should use their God-given privileges, power and influence to affect a reversal of these dangerous trends. It is no secret that the vast majority of Northerners lament their marginalization, insecurity and poverty, and blame it in large part on the inability of unwillingness of its past and present leaders to utilize all access to power which they enjoy, to bring us redress and relief. General Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, General Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, General Abdussalami Abubakar, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Architect Namadi Sambo, General T.Y Danjuma and all retired Chief Justices of Nigeria from the North represent grossly under-utilized assets of the North.
“The N.E.F joins millions of Northerners in appealing to these leaders to raise their levels of involvement in the fortunes of our region in every endeavour or fora they are involved. In these difficult days when every hand must be on deck, if these leaders cannot visibly help to transform the fortunes of the North in the next few months, they will leave northerners with the damaging impression that they have abandoned the region and the people to its seemingly irreversible decline and ultimate destruction.
“The Forum took stock of the performance of northerners at the National Conference, and commends the commitment of the vast majority of the delegates to the core interests of the north and the unity and survival of our nation on principles of equity and mutual respect. The N.E.F appeals to all leaders from other parts of the country to discourage tendencies which suggest that some parts of our federation are dispensable and undeserving of respect.
“The Forum has noted with relief the cessation of plans to single out northerners in many parts of the country for treatments which humiliate them and deprive them of their rights to live and work in any part of Nigeria. While commending the maturity and foresight of northern leaders which informed the restraints against retaliatory and other negative measures, the Forum appeals to young persons from the north to resist the temptation to operate by the very low standards of responsibility set by others. These young northerners should be reminded that their legacy includes the heroic efforts of their forebears to build and sustain this nation to its present state, and they did this in the face of massive provocations and threats. The Forum places on record its appreciation for the prompt response of President Goodluck Jonathan to appeals for decisive action against profiling and other threatening actions against northerners in some states in the southern parts of the country.
“The Forum invites attention of Nigerians to the critical role which the 2015 elections will play in the future of our nation. We call on all leaders and political parties to demonstrate the highest levels of commitment to the rule of law and the demands of the electoral process. At all cost, the 2015 elections must be free and fair. This means that any threat which may provide a cover for militarising the electoral process must be eliminated before the elections. Every part of Nigeria must participate in these elections, and no citizen should be deprived of his right to vote under any excuse.
“The Forum is concerned that political developments in some states which involve removals, threats or attempts to remove elected persons are being informed by partisan interests seeking advantages towards 2015. These are dangerous antics which will deepen violence and other acts of desperation by politicians. The Forum urges the convening of a genuine summit of political leaders and parties to create or reinforce consensus around the imperatives of security of the electoral process, and ensuring that 2015 elections are spared from widespread
disputes”.
Jonathan Has Congratulated Osun State Governor
President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election.
Mr. Jonathan in a statement issued by the Presidency on Sunday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and national security agencies for ensuring that the elections were free, fair, credible and peaceful in keeping with the avowed commitment of his administration.
He also applauded the people of Osun State, who he said came out en-masse on Saturday in all the local government areas of the state, to peacefully and freely exercise their democratic right.
According to the President, the free, fair and peaceful conduct of the elections had fully reaffirmed his administration’s determination to positively reform Nigeria’s electoral processes.
”The outcome of the election has also given the lie to the false, unfair and uncharitable allegations that measures put in place by the federal government for the Ekiti and Osun State elections were partisan and designed to achieve a favourable outcome for his party”, the President noted.
As Governor Aregbesola prepares to begin a second term in office, President Jonathan said he
looks forward to continuing to work with him and other state governors to further improve the living conditions of Nigerians in Osun and other states
of the country.
Rivers State Was To Be Ruled From Abuja - Ngofa
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Hon. Oji Ngofa, has alleged that Dame Patience Jonathan, was keen to take over the administration of Rivers State and rule it from Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Ngofa, however said, the strong will displayed by Governor Chibuike Amaech forestalled the plot from becoming a reality.
The APC chieftain spoke on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, while giving insight
on how the role of the First Lady truncated the existing peace in Rivers State.
Ngofa, who was the past Executive Chairman of Eleme Local Government in Rivers State and currently the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the council, said the greatest thing that had happened to Rivers people was the resistance of the onslaught by Mrs. Jonathan.
According to him, the First Lady’s plan was to take over Rivers and to run the state as a private company where Governor Amaechi would have little or no say in the governance and management of the state and its resources.
He argued that the contentious Chief Judge of the state, issue, the impeachment saga and other issues rocking the state would have been easy to achieve if the governor had been caught off guard.
“I have said it before and I am repeating it again, the people of Rivers State should thank God that Governor Amaechi resisted Jonathan’s wife from
executing her plan”, the chieftain stated.
“We have a president’s wife that does not understand her role in the politics of Rivers State.
“It is her misunderstanding of her role as wife of the president that led to the dislocation in the politics of Rivers State today”, Ngofa added.
Fani Kayode congratulates Aregbesola as PDP Rejects Election Outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has rejected the result of Osun state gubernatorial election won by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, alleging fraudulent activities.
The party agent, Mr. Bola Ajao, at the collation of results refused to endorse the summary sheets which indicates acceptance of the results.
Ajao said the PDP had already forwarded to INEC a list of its grievances against the conduct of the election and would explore every necessary step to seek redress.
”The candidate of my party, Senator Iyiola Omisore will explore every necessary step in order to move forward,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) had declared Governor Rauf Aregbesola the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday in Osun State.
DailyPost recalls that INEC returning officer, Professor Bamitale Omole announced that Aregbesola won with 394,684 votes to defeat Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP who polled 292, 747. The Labour Party had 8,898 votes.
Omole, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo
University said Aregbesola satisfied the requirements of the law and declared him winner.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Aviation, Femi-Kayode has congratulated Governor Aregbesola, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and INEC.
In a statement on Sunday, he said: “For the last two weeks I have been in the field in Osun state campaigning for my friend, brother and kinsman and my party’s candidate in the governorship election, Senator Iyiola Omisore. It has been a gruelling yet wonderful experience and I am very proud to have been part of the team and so deeply involved.
“The final results of the election formally announced by INEC shows Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the APC polled 394,684 votes whilst Senator Iyiola Omisore of the PDP polled
292,747 votes. It is clear from the foregoing that Aregbesola has not only won but he has also
won convincingly.
“I hereby congratulate him and his party on their victory. I commend INEC for conducting a free and fair election in which there was no rigging. I commend the security agencies for maintaining law and order and ensuring that no-one was killed or maimed.
“I salute the courage of my friends and colleagues in the PDP in Osun state for putting up a good fight. I thank my kinsmen and the good people of my district, zone and hometown Ile-Ife particularly for standing by the PDP in this election and delivering virtually all the votes in their four local government areas to our son and candidate Senator Iyiola Omisore.”
“This is democracy and the will of the people must be respected. You win some and you lose some yet the struggle continues. Though we lost this one we are not deterred. As a matter of fact the battle has just started and we are deeply encouraged and touched by the massive suppport that we received from many quarters.
“We shall continue to proudly fly the flag of the PDP and we shall continue to work and fight for a better Nigeria. God bless the good people of Osun state. God bless Nigeria.”
dailypost.ng/2014/08/10/pdp-rejects-osun-election-results-fani-kayode-congratulates-aregbesola/
Ebola: Jonathan declares National Emergency
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Friday in
Abuja declared the control and containment of the
Ebola virus in Nigeria, a National Emergency.
Accordingly, the President has directed the
Federal Ministry of Health to work in collaboration
with the State Ministries of Health, the National
Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National
Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and
other relevant agencies to ensure that all possible
steps were taken to effectively contain the threat
of the Ebola virus in line with international
protocols and best practices.
President Jonathan also approved a Special
Intervention Plan and the immediate release of
N1.9 billion for its implementation, to further
strengthen on-going steps to contain the virus
such as the establishment of additional isolation
centres, case management, contact tracing,
deployment of additional personnel, screening at
borders, and the procurement of required items
and facilities.
A statement signed by his Special Adviser on
Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said, “The
President commends the vigilance of aviation and
health authorities in Lagos, who identified and
isolated the index case in Nigeria, the late Patrick
Sawyer, an American-Liberian, who flew into the
country.
“He also applauds the good work of health
authorities at both State and Federal levels, who
have traced persons, who had contact with him,
isolated other identified cases and embarked on
massive public enlightenment.
“President Jonathan calls for even greater
vigilance and co-operation at all levels to stop
the Ebola virus from spreading further.
“As the effective implementation of the Federal
Government’s Special Intervention Plan will
require other stakeholders to take certain
precautionary steps that are supportive of the
government’s initiative, the President calls on
members of the public to follow all directives by
health authorities and report any suspected Ebola
case to the nearest health facility for immediate
medical attention.
“He also enjoins the public to desist from
spreading false information about Ebola which
can lead to mass hysteria, panic and misdirection,
including unverified suggestions about the
prevention, treatment, cure and spread of the
virus.
“President Jonathan urges that the movement of
corpses from one community to the other, and
from overseas into the country should be stopped
forthwith. Every death should be reported to the
relevant authorities, and special precautions
should be taken in handling corpses.
“Religious and political groups, spiritual healing
centres, families, associations and other bodies
should, in the meantime, discourage gatherings
and activities that may unwittingly promote close
contact with infected persons or place others at
risk.
“Public enlightenment agencies, including
privately-owned media organs should support
government’s efforts and disseminate correct
information in all Nigerian languages, about
preventive personal hygiene measures, the nature
of the Ebola virus, modes of transmission and
consequential steps to be taken in the event of
infection.
“President Jonathan appeals to State
governments and private day care, nursery,
primary and secondary schools owners to
consider the option of extending the current
school holiday until such a time when a national
reassessment of the level of the Ebola threat is
conducted.
“The President further directs the National
Emergency Management Agency and similar
agencies at the state level to strengthen their
public enlightenment campaigns and to use their
networks to distribute hand sanitisers and other
protective items nationwide. He has also directed
the aviation and health authorities to embark on
immediate intensification of the screening of
travelers at all the nation’s borders.
“President Jonathan reassures everyone that the
Government of Nigeria will continue to take every
step, deploy all resources, and mobilize every
support and assistance to check the spread of
Ebola in the country.
“Medical workers and other health professionals
are expected to regard this declaration of a
National Emergency as a patriotic call to duty
and service”.
(Media and Publicity)
August 8, 2014
http://dailypost.ng/2014/08/08/breaking-ebola-jonathan-declares-national-emergency-approves-n2bn-special-intervention-fund/
Failed To Impeach Governor
The fight to unseat Governor Tanko Al-makura, by the Nasarawa state Assembly the seven-member panel investigating the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the Governor has dismissed all the charges.
Even though the panel was given up to three months to conclude its report on the investigation, it sat for just two weeks and thereafter dismissed all the charges levelled against Al-Makura.
The panel concluded its finding after the Assembly members who had vowed not to appear before it made a surprise appearance today to prove all the allegations levelled against the embattled governor.
The House was represented by a legal team comprising Ocha Ulegede (lead), John Mathew, P. A. Daffi, Steven Idikwu, Ache Obande and Abraham Aruta. They had argued that the panel was breaching the Nigerian constitution as its set up was unconstitutional.
The lead lawyer, Ulegede, in a follow up, presented a protest letter written by the lawmakers. The letter had argued that the committee had members who were card-carrying members of a political party, making their appointments contrary to Section 188 of the constitution.
According to him, the constitution does not give the Chief Judge absolute power to make such an appointment without a confirmation by the state Assembly. “Section 188 of the constitution spelt out clearly how the panel should be composed. They are three fundamental issues among which is that member of the panel cannot be a card carrying member of a political party. They cannot hold government appointment and that the panel does not have the power to set the rules of proceeding guiding the sitting”. He had argued.
The legislators’ legal team argued further that two members of the seven-member panel, Abdul Usman and Mohammed Keana were members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while Joel Galadima was on the payroll of the state government.
Ulegede thereafter requested to leave the premises, telling the panel members that the Assembly does not recognize the panel.
The panel went on a recess shortly after the presentation by the legal team of the state Assembly and later reconvened to dismiss the 16 charges against the governor who had made his own presentation on Monday.
Mobile Phone Responsible For High Rate of Criminal-Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi has blamed the introduction of mobile phones in the country for the high rate of criminality, especially
kidnapping.
Governor Amaechi, who was represented by his Deputy, Tele Ikuru said this at the official launching of the anti kidnapping campaign held at the police officers mess in Port Harcourt.
While commending the security organizations in the country for their effort in combating crime, the Governor called on politicians to stop arming youths in a bid to win election.
“I think there is an improvement generally in security in Rivers State.
“Yes, I agree we have not gotten what we want, but I think several efforts are being made to ensure the security of lives and property in Rivers State.
“I must commend the Commissioner of Police and
indeed the entire Police force and other security agencies for a job well done.
“Every kidnapping you see is one bit of several others that have been stopped, but once in a while, these people are still able to stop them.
“But we are hoping that one day, we will live in a society without kidnapping”, he said.
Chairman of the event, Senator Representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, Senator George Sekibo, who commended security operatives for devising new means to stop the crime, described kidnapping as a dreaded menace now living with Nigerians.
Earlier, the officer in charge of the Command’s
Anti Kidnapping Unit, Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP Shadary Edwards, in his remarks, said the state police command had been making frantic efforts in combating kidnapping in the state.
The keynote address was presented by, Professor Seth Accra Jaja of the Department of Management sciences at the Rivers State University of Science and technology titled: “Kidnapping: the cancer spreading
multidimentional challenges for South-South development”.
The programme was attended by leaders of political parties, elder statesmen, religious leaders,
members of the civil society groups, stakeholders in the security sector, among others.
