LEST WE FORGET OR GET DISTRACTED: "SARAKI TO FG: ACCOUNT FOR ALLEGED MISSING $20BN" - April 25, 2014 via The Sun - April 25, 2014

Former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday urged the Jonathan administration to account for the alleged missing $20 billion and N620 billion kerosene subsidy in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Senator Saraki, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, said that, if the missing funds were recovered, they can be channelled into construction of roads across the country as well as provide jobs for youths. The former governor, who stated this while addressing participants during the Kwara South Youth Interactive Summit in Ilorin, decried the level of corruption in the country, stressing that it is high time the youth stand up to effect change in the leadership of the country. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola, he said: “In Nigeria, the sectors that lift the masses out of poverty had been grounded by corruption, inconsistent policies, state monopoly and inefficiency. “The steel industry has never taken off in spite of the fact that major steel projects in Ajaokuta, Aladja and Osogbo were initiated since 1979. “The textile industry that was the largest employer of labour is now in comatose. Manufacturing has lost its importance in Nigeria, as the country is now importing every manner of products, thereby leading to retrenchment of workers. “ Corruption is another major problem that has to be tackled. With incessant reports of unabated level of oil theft and bunkering,the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) is yet to account for the revenues that come in. “The allegation by the suspended CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that NNPC has not remitted $20 billion into the Federation Account is being treated with levity while the NNPC allegedly paid itself N620 billion as subsidy on kerosene. “All these funds are yet to be recovered. Only a fraction of that money can construct Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,the East-West Road. The money could also have staved off the prolonged university teachers’ strike that almost cost a full academic session.” Saraki, who urged youths to come out to rescue Nigeria from these challenges, said if all stakeholders failed to rescue the country, the nation’s democracy would be endangered. The state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Saheed Popoola, appealed to youths to resist any attempt by anyone or group to incite them for violence and negative acts. In her goodwill message, the former Minister of Health,Princess Funke Adedoyin, said youths should utilise natural resources within their areas, stressing that government could intervene if they have organised themselves. She noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is about the people and the party culture and policies are people-oriented. The former minister charged youths to work with the state government so that they would enjoy their entitlements and benefits.

LEST WE FORGET OR GET DISTRACTED: "SARAKI TO FG: ACCOUNT FOR ALLEGED MISSING $20BN" - April 25, 2014 via The Sun - April 25, 2014

Former Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday urged the Jonathan administration to account for the alleged missing $20 billion and N620 billion kerosene subsidy in Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Senator Saraki, who represents Kwara Central in the National Assembly, said that, if the missing funds were recovered, they can be channelled into construction of roads across the country as well as provide jobs for youths. The former governor, who stated this while addressing participants during the Kwara South Youth Interactive Summit in Ilorin, decried the level of corruption in the country, stressing that it is high time the youth stand up to effect change in the leadership of the country. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Gbenga Makanjuola, he said: “In Nigeria, the sectors that lift the masses out of poverty had been grounded by corruption, inconsistent policies, state monopoly and inefficiency. “The steel industry has never taken off in spite of the fact that major steel projects in Ajaokuta, Aladja and Osogbo were initiated since 1979. “The textile industry that was the largest employer of labour is now in comatose. Manufacturing has lost its importance in Nigeria, as the country is now importing every manner of products, thereby leading to retrenchment of workers. “ Corruption is another major problem that has to be tackled. With incessant reports of unabated level of oil theft and bunkering,the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) is yet to account for the revenues that come in. “The allegation by the suspended CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that NNPC has not remitted $20 billion into the Federation Account is being treated with levity while the NNPC allegedly paid itself N620 billion as subsidy on kerosene. “All these funds are yet to be recovered. Only a fraction of that money can construct Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,the East-West Road. The money could also have staved off the prolonged university teachers’ strike that almost cost a full academic session.” Saraki, who urged youths to come out to rescue Nigeria from these challenges, said if all stakeholders failed to rescue the country, the nation’s democracy would be endangered. The state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Saheed Popoola, appealed to youths to resist any attempt by anyone or group to incite them for violence and negative acts. In her goodwill message, the former Minister of Health,Princess Funke Adedoyin, said youths should utilise natural resources within their areas, stressing that government could intervene if they have organised themselves. She noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is about the people and the party culture and policies are people-oriented. The former minister charged youths to work with the state government so that they would enjoy their entitlements and benefits.

Aham Njoku: "Let’s take a close look at that Buhari-Tinubu presidential ticket" via TheScoop on April 25, 2014

A recent front page banner headline of a major national newspaper titled, “APC Inches Towards a Buhari – Tinubu Presidential Ticket”, elicited comments not surprisingly from a few disgruntled elite. The crux of their argument was that in a multi-religious country like Nigeria, to present two persons from the same religious group for the office of the president and his vice was unacceptable. Thanks to Karl Marx, we have always known that if you want to deceive the people tell them about religion. But the level of frustration in Nigeria has risen so high that the masses can no longer be deceived by politicians. When I was in the university, one of my lecturers Epiphany Azinge, oven-fresh from the London School of Economics with a P.H.D. in Law had insisted in many of his lectures that it was better to present a weak argument strongly than to present a strong argument weakly. In the present discussion, Azinge did not imagine a third scenario where a weak argument would also be presented weakly. The travesty of a few arguments I have heard against this potential ticket is that they are both Muslims. This lame argument is further worsened by another to the effect that since the terrorist group Boko Haram is on the rampage, putting two Muslim candidates on the ballot would be rejected by Christians. When reminded that in the 1993 June 12 Presidential elections both M. K. O. Abiola and his Vice Babagana Kingibe showed by their victory that ordinary Nigerians who are in the majority unlike the elite are not interested in ethnicity and religion but a good government that would provide basic amenities like pipe borne water, electricity, good roads, houses, etc, they are quick to point out that those days are gone. Rev. Father Mathew Hassan Kukah the Lord Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese in most of his public interventions has maintained that part of the problem of Nigeria can be traced to an intellectually and morally bankrupt elite that encourages the accessing of power and privileges only on the basis of religion and ethnicity and not merit and competence. I believe in meritocracy and I am against mediocrity and favouritism in public office because they retard national development and make lives of the citizens miserable. I had wanted those who are against the ticket to advance cogent reasons why the duo would not be acceptable to the electorate than make a mere appeal to religious sentiment. It was perhaps for this religious sentiment that Buhari in 2011 elections picked a Christian cleric as his vice presidential candidate. However, any objective political observer would quickly admit that the respected Pastor Tunde Bakare being on the ballot hardly made any impression on the Christian electorate throughout the country. I should have thought that at the crossroads where Nigeria is today, the only consideration for public office would be to elect a leader or leaders who can solve the key challenges confronting the nation, which includes, but not limited to mass poverty, unemployment, infrastructure deficit and corruption amongst others. I would have gladly welcomed a critique of both Buhari and Tinubu. Such a review would have shown that Buhari was reported to be autocratic as a military Head of State. On the converse his supporters would have argued that under a constitutional democracy, the parliament, the judiciary and the media are there to effectively check the excesses of any president. Besides they would have argued that Buhari is also perceived by a majority of Nigerians as being honest, disciplined and patriotic. Even till today, 30 years after, people still talk about his fight against corruption and his War Against Indiscipline (W.A.I.) program. One of his enduring legacies includes the monthly sanitation exercise which many governors have adopted in their states. On the side of Tinubu, even his worst enemies would concede that he is a rare and unique political leader. By 1999 when he assumed office as governor, many roads in Lagos were routinely blocked with refuse leading to traffic gridlock. With a rejuvenated Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), Lagos improved dramatically into a clean city. He also introduced Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LASTMA) to address the chaotic traffic situation in Lagos State. The Kick Against Indiscipline (K.A.I.) agency has helped to reduce environmental degradation caused by lawless street traders, etc. He also introduced the Bus Rapid Transport (B.R.T.) system that has made public transportation much better than the days when the ubiquitous “Molue” held sway. He also addressed security issues through the establishment of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS). I do not intend to go into his achievements in road construction, housing, health and public education where he started paying West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C.) and National Examination Council (NECO) fees in pubic school for Senior Secondary School Certificate Students. Nor do I want to talk about his free eye diagnosis, treatment and free eye glasses to Lagosians, etc. I have only been dragged into these examples to show that performance has nothing to do with a person’s religion and to buttress that these services provided by Tinubu were enjoyed by both Christians and Muslims alike without discrimination. Therefore, it beggars the question for anybody to suggest that these type of exemplary leaders should be disqualified from contesting elections simply because they belong to a certain religion. Of course, both men have their own flip sides which can be discussed on the balance by analysts. For top confidential reasons, details of which I am precluded from disclosing here, the Buhari/Tinubu ticket remains the best option for the A.P.C. to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (P.D.P.) or make a good show at the elections. It is for the same reason that I see nothing fundamentally wrong with the Buhari/Tinubu ticket that I criticize those who say that President Goodluck Jonathan should not contest the 2015 elections simply because he is from a perceived minority tribe or because he is perceived as coming from the Old Eastern Nigeria or better still that he disrupted the turn of Northerners in the shadowy P.D.P. zoning arrangement to continue with the President Umaru Yaradua’s tenure after he died. If President Jonathan provides dams for irrigation, electricity and drinking water in the north, will the Muslims or northerners refuse to enjoy it simply because it was built by a Christian or a person from the South-South geo-political region? Why do Nigerians use cars, clothes, shoes, bags and eat food imported from Asia, America and Europe without first inquiring whether the manufacturers or producers practice Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Shintoism, Judaism or are even Atheists? Finally, when a much acclaimed Governor Godswill Akpabio provides social amenities to the residents of Akwa Ibom, I do not think Muslims who live there would refuse to enjoy them because Akpabio is a Christian. Likewise, when a hardworking Governor Adams Oshiomhole delivers the dividends of democracy to Edo residents, I do not think that anybody would first try to ascertain his religion before accessing and enjoying them. In conclusion, the way we talk about tribe and religion in Nigeria, it would appear that citizens of other countries do not have ethnic nationalities or practice any religion. The United States of America, Britain and many Asian countries all have people of different ethnic nationalities and religion but they have put merit and equality before the law first, hence the progress of their different countries. Let candidates jostling for public offices in Nigeria tell us about their achievements, antecedents and manifestoes and not deceive the people with the Bible or Koran! - This Best Outside Opinion was written byAham Njoku/Daily Independent

APC governors visit yhayha Bomb blast victims

APC Governors including Rochas Okorocha of Imo state, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State,they paid a visit to Monday morning Nyanya blast victims at the Asokoro General Hospital in Abuja.  They sympathized with the patients and condemned the incessant attacks going on in the country. During a brief press statement that followed their visit, the governors asked the federal Government to step up in its responsibilities as regards security of every citizen.

Boko Haram Killings: Jonathan summons governors for expanded Security Council meeting

The meeting of the National Security Council will be followed by an enlarged … to which President Jonathan has invited state governors.” Following the worsening security situation across Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan has summoned members of the National Security Council to a meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati. The meeting, which will be presided over by President Jonathan, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Those expected at the meeting include Vice President Namadi Sambo, the Minister of Defence, Lt.-Gen Aliyu Gusau (rtd); the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd); the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh; the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the State Security Services and the Director-General of National Intelligence Agency. “The meeting of the National Security Council will be followed at 1300 Hours by an enlarged meeting on security developments in the country to which President Jonathan has invited state governors. “President Jonathan, members of the National Security Council and the state governors will review the security situation in the country as well as ongoing national security measures and operations with a view to determining the best way forward. “President Jonathan reassures all Nigerians and persons living in the country that the Federal Government remains very mindful of its responsibility for the safety of their lives and properties in all parts of Nigeria and will continue to do everything possible to protect them from the scourge of terrorism and insecurity. “The President is particularly concerned about the plight of the young Senior Secondary School girls who were reportedly abducted from their school in Borno State on Monday night and has ordered the military and national security agencies to deploy maximum efforts towards rescuing all of the girls and returning them safely to their parents. He welcomes reports that the military and security agencies have already rescued some of the girls” Mr. Abati said. It added that “President Jonathan deeply regrets the pain, sorrow and anguish brought upon many Nigerian families in recent days as a consequence of recurring security challenges which the nation is contending with. “The President remains convinced that with the patriotic commitment and support of all Nigerians, the country will ultimately overcome its present challenges and move forward in unity and strength. “In this regard, President Jonathan will be pleased to see all politicians in the country exhibiting greater responsibility and patriotism by doing more to support his administration’s sincere efforts to enhance national security rather than trying to build political capital out of the pain and misery of their compatriots”.

Ekiti, Osun Guber: We’ll Recover Our Stolen Mandate – Sambo

The vice president, Arc. Namadi Sambo, yesterday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will recover Ekiti and Osun states and the entire South West ahead of the governorship election in 2014 and general elections in 2015, declaring that the party is heading for war. Sambo, who lamented that the states were stolen from the PDP, however, assured that the principle of one man, one vote and transparent election will be demonstrated in Ekiti and Osun states. Speaking at the inauguration of the national campaign committee ahead of the governorship elections in both states, Sambo said “We will deliver Osun and Ekiti to PDP. There is no doubt that the party will succeed.” While the Ekiti election holds on June 21, the Osun election is billed for August 9. Sambo who serves as chairman of the campaign committee for both states said, “By inaugurating us today, we will go to the war front and bring back our stolen mandate. Everybody knows that Ekiti belongs to PDP but people used different means to take it from us. “Osun is a PDP state but it was stolen from us. The end of stealing has come. There will be a free and fair election.” He further commended the national chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu’azu for providing a conducive environment for the conduct of the primaries in both states, noting that “Everybody witnessed transparent free and fair primaries”. He noted that the primary election was able to bring Fayose back, describing him as a grassroots politician “who will bring back sanity to the state”. He called on the candidates to assist in ensuring that all are carried along so that the plan to bring back PDP government in both states will succeed

Insecurity: sokoto youths challenge northern leaders on emergency summit

Aggrieved youths in Sokoto yesterday challenged northern elites and leaders in whatever capacity to keep sentiments apart and convene a regional emergency congress on the deteriorating insecurity in the region. The youths who advised that, northerners must put aside their religious inclination and see each other as one and confront the insecurity in the region said that only the north can solve its problem. According to the youths, northern leaders at all level must wake up to their responsibility and ensure that they collectively come together and make sure that they end the spate of unwarranted killings in the region. Most of the youths who did not want their names on print for security reasons, said the Boko Haram menace would have been long solved if the northern leaders are sincere and have the love and interest of the poor northern masses at heart. According to one of the youths, Shaibu Ladan, the region should stand firm and confront its challenges rather than trading blames. “Many assumed that the whole thing was simply a grand design to ensure that they cause dichotomy between the northern Christians and Muslims for some sort of political gains. “But, the truth remained, the dimension which the killings, either through bombing, shooting and slaughtering is taking has proved such observers wrong. “You and I know that, everybody is a potential target including all the leaders from the northern axis. Now, most people in some states of the north can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed.