Why ex-SSS spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, was ‘sacked’

Controversial former spokesperson of the State Security Service (SSS), Marilyn Ogar, has been compulsorily retired from service following investigation into allegations of bribery and professional misconducts against her.

Mrs. Ogar was alleged to have collected several trucks of DPK (Dual Purpose Kerosene) as bribe, playing partisan roles, among other breaches of service codes.

Although no official statement has been issued by the Service regarding the compulsory retirement of Mrs. Ogar and others officials, a security source confirmed that the former spokesperson was retired on Wednesday – seven years before she was due to leave service.

PREMIUM TIMES had on March 26 exclusively reported how Ms. Ogar received trucks of kerosine in bribe, and then proceeded to disparage the then opposition APC on television and other media before and after the Osun governorship election.

In the exclusive report, which sources in the service said triggered internal investigation by the new service leadership, this newspaper reported that Ms. Ogar was treated to a special offer the former Nigerian administration utilised in appeasing dubious officials hired to do hatchet jobs, and other Nigerians regarded as troublesome. 

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the new Director General of the service, Lawal Daura, set up a panel headed by a retired director of training to investigate the allegations against Ms. Ogar and other staff of the agency.

Mrs. Ogar, our sources said, was found guilty of the corruption allegation against her as well as for playing partisan role that ridiculed the agency in the eyes of the Nigerian public.

The panel therefore recommended that she be compulsorily retired, alongside others also found guilty for professional misconducts during the last administration.

In the PREMIUM TIMES story that exposed the bribery, it was reported that within government circles, the offer made to her, which was direct allocation of fuel products, was termed “settlement” by agents of the immediate past administration.

“That is what the government uses if it wants to settle you. If you are settled once, you are made,” one source told PREMIUM TIMES in March.

Mrs. Ogar was referred to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the government-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in charge of marketing and distribution of petroleum products.

According to elaborate details of the transaction obtained by PREMIUM TIMES in March, the PPMC was directed to allocate 10 trucks of DPK (Dual Purpose Kerosene) to Mrs. Ogar.

The sacked spokesperson accordingly met with the then Managing Director of the company, Haruna Momoh, and the deal was struck, this newspaper reported.

With little or no previous fuel marketing experience, and more importantly, without a registered company for that purpose, Mr. Momoh, suggested the allocations be channelled through known fuel independent marketers who will receive the allocation, sell them and deliver cash to Ms. Ogar.

According to the PREMIUM TIMES report, the former spokeswoman agreed, and the PPMC selected three marketers to deliver four, three, and three trucks apiece on her behalf.

An agent at the PPMC triggered text messages to the respective marketers. In one, sent by the coordinator of a private depot in Apapa Lagos via 08064387579, the firm wrote, “Please be informed management has approved three trucks of DPK to your company. Kindly make arrangement for payment. Thank you.”

To finalise the deal, the PPMC introduced Ms. Ogar to the three marketers and all sides agreed she be paid N1.5 million for each truck of DPK.

In all, Ms. Ogar was paid N15 million for doing nothing beyond meeting the PPMC boss having been recommended by the higher authorities to do so.

To this day, Ms. Ogar never responded to calls and text messages seeking her comments over the story.

BREAKING: Buhari appoints SGF, Chief of Staff, others

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments:

Engr. Babachir David Lawal – Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Alhaji Abba Kyari – Chief of Staff to the President

Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd.) – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service

Mr. Kure Martin Abeshi – Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service

Senator Ita S.J. Enang – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate)

Hon. Suleiman A. Kawu – SSA to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives)

The appointments are with effect from today, August 27, 2015.

Engr. Lawal, the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation hails from Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State. He graduated from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1979 with a Bachelor of Engineering Degree and worked with the Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Nigerian External Telecommunications Limited and Data Sciences Limited before establishing his own ICT and Telecommunications consulting firm in 1990. He is also a member of the Nigeria Computer Society, the Nigeria Society of Engineers and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria.

Alhaji Abba Kyari, the new Chief of Staff to the President holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Warwick in Law and Sociology. He has worked with the New Nigeria Development Company, New Africa Holdings, African International Bank, United Bank for Africa, Unilever, and Mobil in various capacities over the years.

The new Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Ali holds Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Criminology. He was military administrator of Kaduna State from 1996 to 1998.

The new Comptroller- General of Immigration, Mr. Abeshi hails from Nasarawa State. He joined the Nigerian Immigration Service in 1989 as an Assistant Comptroller. His educational qualifications include a Masters Degree in Public Administration.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 27, 2015

Glo Hosts Night with Wole Soyinka, Young Literary Stars

Telecommunication giant, Globacom has announced plans to celebrate the continent’s biggest literary icon and Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.

In a statement released in Lagos on Thursday, Globacom said an event captioned: ‘A Night with Wole Soyinka and Nigeria’s Young Literary Stars,” will be held in August to honour  Soyinka and some of Nigeria’s young but inspirational literary writers.

The company said the event is being organised to pay tribute to the literary stars for their immense contributions to the study of literature and for putting Nigeria on the world literary map.

It noted that Soyinka had brought honour and glory to Nigeria and the whole of Africa. In addition to celebrating the wordsmith, the event will also provide a platform for lovers of literature, the media and the guests to interact with Soyinka and the young award winning writers, Globacom explained.

During the event, Globacom will also launch a special prize in Literature for undergraduate students across the country tagged: ‘The Glo Literature Prize for Undergraduate Students.’

The telecoms network added that arrangements were being concluded to ensure an evening of intellectual stimulation, glitz, glamour and sublime entertainment for guests.

The evening will also showcase a documentary on the life and times of the Nobel Laureate as well as a reading of his works by the three young literary Nigerian writers.

The writers will in addition share their personal perspective on African literature and the contributions of Prof Soyinka in an interactive exchange. The young writers being honoured on the night are Sefi Atta, Tope Folarin and E.C. Osondu.

Sefi Atta was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1964. She has won several awards including the 2009 Noma Award for Publishing in Africa, 2006 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa, 2005 PEN International David TK Wong Prize and 2003 Red Hen Press Short Story Award.

Tope Folarin who lives and works in Washington, DC., United States, won the 2013 Caine Prize for African Writing, described as Africa’s leading literary award, for his short story entitled ‘Miracle’ from Transition. He is the recipient of writing fellowships from the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington DC., and serves on the board of the Hurston/Wright Foundation. Tope was educated at Morehouse College, and the University of Oxford, where he earned two Master’s degrees as a Rhodes Scholar.

The last celebrant, E.C. Osondu, won the Caine Prize in 2009 for his story “Waiting.” He has also won the Allen and Nirelle Galso Prize for Fiction, and his story, “A Letter from Home”, was judged one of The Top Ten Stories on the Internet in 2006. His debut short story collection Voice of America was published by Harper Collins in 2010 and Granta Books in 2011. He lives in Rhode Island, USA where he is an Assistant Professor of English at Providence College.

Source: This day

Obama Kicks Off Africa Visit With Reunion With Kenya Relatives

The gesture was aimed at conveying respect for family members after the White House ruled out a separate stop in his grandmother’s remote village of Kogelo.

Barack Obama met briefly with some of his relatives after arriving in Kenya, a gesture aimed at conveying respect for family members after the White House ruled out a separate stop in his grandmother’s remote village of Kogelo.

The meeting, which wasn’t on the president’s official schedule, took place in Nairobi shortly after he landed there for his first visit as president to his late father’s homeland of Kenya.

Air Force One landed in Nairobi at just after 8 p.m. local time. After a formal greeting from Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and other officials, and Obama’s half-sister, Auma Obama, the U.S. president headed to his hotel. There, he was joined for dinner by about three-dozen relatives, according to the White House.

His step-grandmother, Sarah Obama, 94, and half-sister were among those seated at two long tables inside the restaurant at the Villa Rosa Kempinski.

The U.S. president last visited Kenya in 2006 when he was a junior U.S. senator from Illinois. His wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia accompanied him then, and he did travel to Kogelo to see his grandmother and visit the grave of his father, Barack Hussein Obama Sr., whom he barely knew and who died in 1982. The White House ruled out a stop in Kogelo on this visit, given logistical and security constraints.

Obama’s half-brother, Malik Abon’go Obama, said in an interview earlier this month that he missed the days when the two men were closer and that he hoped he’d have the chance to spend time with him when he visited and “sit down and enjoy each other.”

Source: Bloomberg

WORLD BANK GETS ITS FIRST AFRICAN WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT

Nigeria’s Arunma Oteh has been named the new vice president and treasurer for the World Bank.

Oteh who was the director general for Nigeria’s Stock Exchange will now be the first African woman to head up this position.

Her career has been pioneered by many firsts, including being the first Nigerian woman to be accepted into the Harvard Business School MBA project.

She has served on the board of a number of organisations including National Pension Commission (PENCOM) and Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria.

Her career soared to enviable heights when she became the vice president of the African Development Bank and restored its ratings to ‘AAA’ by Standard and Poor.

She has been defined as the “Iron Lady” in respect of her tough decision-making.

Oteh responds to that saying, “If leading change, being passionate, resilient and decisive about a great course is what makes me an iron lady, then I proudly raise my hand high to that tag.”

Will Egypt ever get its ‘looted’ money back?

For the past few years, a sizable portion of the Egyptian public has been preoccupied with the wealth of former President Hosni Mubarak and his clique. Getting this money back was a major demand of the revolution of Jan. 25, 2011. Since 2011, there has been much talk of efforts to reclaim it, but nothing has materialized. With Mubarak, his sons and several top aides acquitted of several of the charges they had faced after the revolution, hope has started to fade.

The issue sprang back to life in June 2015, with Switzerland extending the freezing of the funds of Mubarak and 31 of his clique until 2017, and the subsequent presidential decree establishing a new committee to look into the matter once more. The National Committee for the Repatriation of Egyptian Money and Assets Abroad was not greeted with the same old enthusiasm, as many wondered if it would be any different from its failed predecessors.

Former Prime Minister Ali Lotfi said several factors contributed to the failure of the previous four governmental committees to reclaim the money. “The lengthy judicial process in Egypt was a major obstacle. The money will only be returned after the verdict against the person who owns it is final,” he said.

“A sentence in the text of the verdict has to clarify that the money of the defendant belongs to the Egyptian state and has to be returned, and this did not happen.” Lotfi added that the state should have hired international lawyers to handle the case. “Instead, millions were spent on committees that did not do anything.”

Lawyer Samir Sabry filed a lawsuit with the Public Funds Prosecution against the previous committees, which he accused of squandering public funds. “The total expenses of those committees has reached half a billion Egyptian pounds, and nothing was achieved,” Sabry wrote in the complaint. “If we go on like this, we will spend the amount we are working to get back.” Sabry also objected to the details of the expenses of such committees not being made public.

Foreign involvement
Moataz Salah al-Din, coordinator of the non-governmental Popular Initiative for the Repatriation of Smuggled Money, said relying on court rulings alone was a mistake. “Egypt should have also addressed relevant countries in the context of the U.N. convention against corruption,” he said, adding that some countries are usually more cooperative than others.

“Switzerland is the most likely to return the money, since Swiss public opinion and several NGOs there are supportive,” he said. “The United States has so far been the most intransigent, as it refused a request by the Egyptian government to freeze the accounts of 103 officials from the Mubarak regime.”

The changes through which Egypt has gone since the revolution, Salah al-Din added, made the success of such committees much harder. “The process was delayed by several regime changes, which also gave an impression to the involved countries that the Egyptian state is not stable enough to handle the smuggled-money file,” he said.

Court rulings
Wahid Abdel Maguid, researcher at the Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, said the new committee would never be able to progress in the absence of court rulings. “The formation of the committee is only a bureaucratic step,” he said. “A judicial action is needed, but courts in Egypt are preoccupied with domestic cases.”

Abdel Ghaffar Shokr, deputy chairman of the National Council for Human Rights, agreed that the committee would be useless without court orders. “True, it was a positive step on the part of the president to revive the matter, but the judiciary has to be quick in issuing final verdicts that can be immediately put into force.”

Financial analyst Hani Mahmoud said banks would not return the money without a court ruling. “The country demanding the return of the money has to provide proof that this money was obtained illegally,” he said.

A report by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights said providing such proof was far-fetched, adding: “Technically, this money is not blood money since it is not obtained through illegal activities in the conventional sense like, for example, drug dealing or arms trade.”

Optimism
Professor of international law Ahmed Refaat said he was optimistic about the new committee, adding that it was different from the others since it allowed reconciliation between the state and those accused of smuggling money abroad. “The accused will make restitution of the looted funds in exchange for dropping charges against them. Egyptian law allows reconciliation in several matters, including currency, tax and customs-related issues,” he said.

“The possibility of reconciliation will save time and huge amounts of money paid for international law firms and travel allowances for the members of the relevant committees.” Refaat said this might be the only realistic means of getting the money back, since traditional legal means might not work, especially with countries whose economy strongly relies on banking.

“If those countries restituted these funds, depositors’ confidence in these banks relying on foreign remittances would be shaken, which would lead to reluctance to deposit funds in these banks and cause the collapse of these countries’ banking systems.”

Buhari will probe Jonathan’s govt only; not Obasanjo’s, others – Presidency

President Muhammadu Buhari will not extend his corruption probe beyond the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, the presidency has said.
Mr. Buhari, who is currently on official visit to the United States, has consistently vowed to investigate and bring to book, persons who looted the country’s funds.

The president said on Tuesday he will arrest and prosecute past ministers and other officials who stole Nigeria’s oil and diverted government’s money to personal accounts.
But the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs to Mr. Buhari, Femi Adesina, said the president will limit his anti-corruption war to the immediate past administration in the country.

He said Mr. Buhari will not waste time in probing the administrations of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Sani Abacha and Ibrahim Babangida.

He said even before he was sworn in to office on May 29, the president had categorically stated that he would not extend his corruption probe beyond the Jonathan government.

“If you recall, that was already settled before he got inaugurated as president. He has said he will not waste time digging into the far past,” Mr. Adesina said.
“The far past will includes Obasanjo and others. But the president has said he will not waste time to go that far.”

Before leaving office, Mr. Jonathan had said any probe by the new government would be seen as a “witch hunt” if it fails to go beyond his administration.
Speaking on criticisms over President Buhari’s decision to travel to the U.S. with his son, Yusuf, the presidential spokesperson said Mr. Buhari did not breach any rule. 
He said it was a normal practice for presidents to travel with members of their families, citing the example of American presidents who travel abroad with their wives and children.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with the president travelling with one of his sons. It is an acceptable and standard practice. He could go with up to four members of his family.
“Don’t forget that when former President Bill Clinton visited Nigeria while he was in office, he came with his daughter, Chelsea.
“President Barak Obama travels with his children and so the President of Nigeria can travel out with three or four of his children. Late President Umaru Yar’Adua used to travel with two of his sons and one of his grandchildren,” he said.

Mr. Adesina described the outcome of the president’s official visit to the US as “a roaring success on every side.”
“There are good returns. It is an investment that will yield very handsome returns.”

Premium Times

Everyone must read this

http://saharareporters.com/2015/07/22/%E2%80%9Csome-former-ministers-were-selling-about-one-million-barrels-stolen-crude-day%E2%80%9D-president#.Va93kzLNpKw.twitter

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND NSA

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND NSA

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments:

1. Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin - Chief of Defence Staff;

2. Major-General T.Y. Buratai - Chief of Army Staff

3. Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas - Chief of Naval Staff

4. Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar - Chief of Air Staff

5. Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku  Morgan - Chief of Defence Intelligence

6. Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) - National Security Adviser

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.

The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until his new appointment today, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena. Maj-Gen. Buratai has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army's 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.

The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral  Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as  a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983.  His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited.

The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State.  His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.

The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate.

President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

July 13, 2015

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari sacks military chiefs

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the army, navy and air force chiefs, his spokesman has told the BBC.
Mr Buhari is expected to announce their replacements soon.
This move does not come as a surprise, as the president has repeatedly criticised the military's inability to defeat Islamist militants Boko Haram.
After losing most of their territory earlier this year, they have recently launched a series of deadly guerrilla attacks, killing more than 250 people.

The new military chiefs will be expected to work closely with neighbours Chad, Cameroon and Niger as the countries join forces to tackle Boko Haram.
The group has also stepped up attacks on these countries.
At least 12 civilians were killed in Cameroon in a suspected Boko Haram suicide attack on Sunday evening, a military source told the BBC.
Two soldiers also died along with the two bombers when they blew themselves up in Fotokol, near the border with Nigeria.
Chad will be the headquarters of an expanded Nigeria-led regional force of around 7,500 troops.
Its formation has gained momentum since President Buhari took office in May.
On Saturday morning, 15 people died in the main market in Chad's capital, N'Djamena when a man dressed in a burka blew himself up.
Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the attack.

Source: BBC

Military: Boko Haram Attacks Prison in Niger, 4 Killed

Suspected Boko Haram militants launched an attack on the prison in the southern Niger town of Diffa late on Saturday, military sources said, in an apparent bid to free fellow members of the Nigerian Islamist group held there.

Three of the assailants and one soldier were killed before the attack was repelled, the sources said. Boko Haram also attacked the prison in February.

"When the attack was repelled, the assailants fled, probably back into the town," one military source said. "We are searching for them."

A second military source said the attackers may have been residents of Diffa, as no one had seen them enter the town.

Boko Haram is seeking to carve out an Islamic state in northeast Nigeria. Despite losing territory to an offensive by regional militaries this year, Boko Haram has carried out a wave of deadly attacks in Nigeria, Chad and Niger in recent weeks.

The group has sworn allegiance to Islamic State, which has declared an Islamic caliphate in the large parts of Iraq and Syria that it controls.

Source: VOA

Ahmad Salkida: Radio Biafra, A Stitch In Time

By Ahmad Salkida and Johnson Chinedu Edwin

In two separate newspapers articles published in 2006 and 2009 in the New Sentinel and Sunday Trust, and credited to one of us, the manner Boko Haram’s total disregard for civil values was the point of discourse. The report in question warned that government’s disregard of this rebellious inclination of the group would amount a calculated catastrophe to society. The authorities ignored this at society’s general peril.

Last week, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of Nigeria urged Nigerians to simply ignore radio Biafra, a broadcast platform that has committed time energy and resources to peddling resentful communication about Nigeria and her constituted authorities. The Management of NBC claimed that they were aware of the pirate radio station that is “transmitting seditious and divisive content contrary to the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and law” and they are “working with security agencies to track the source of the broadcast.”

Nnamdi Kalu, the name behind the radio and who is fondly called director, is not going about his objective in a manner that should not agitate well meaning members of the public. As it seems, the radio is winning many admirers among Southerners in Nigeria on a daily basis. According to a random survey for the purpose of this article, an increasing number of traders, men and women in
villages, schools and in commuter buses tune to 97.6 band width. In Aba, Abia State the radio’s audience is growing steadily among young people.

A public commentator known on tweeter as “Onye Nkuzi” (@cchukudebelu), recently dissected this phenomenon, lamenting on twitter that ‘the Nigerian State doesn’t have a narrative to challenge alienation – we’ve seen it in the North East and Niger Delta. It pops up again.’ Radio Biafra, like the ongoing insurgency in northeast Nigeria feeds on alienation to peddle a culture of violence through retribution of real and perceived injustice.

Meanwhile, it serves every society well to pay due attention to signals and other sub-signals with the potentials to erupt into other
disturbing cauldrons of widespread violence. In Asaba, Delta state, an Igbo man brought the consciousness of radio Biafra to
one of these writers one evening in the southeast with frightful alacrity and implored everyone present there to tune to the station.
As soon as the right bandwidth was accessible, the voice of the ‘director’ Nnamdi Kanu was coming forcefully over the airwaves. It was an arresting almost hypnotic voice to say the least, but it was not the voice that was the problem but the substance of what he said and how he said it that calls for concern.

Many unsuspecting listeners with a warped history of what led to the Biafran civil war in 1967 and its concomitant effect of seeming
irreconcilable differences listened spellbound as the voice of “director” resonated over the waves with ceaseless histrionics. He
seemed tireless, with his commentaries on a wide range of subjects all geared towards the need for the burdened southern region to secede from the north and “the hypocrite southwest” to quote the words of the radio’s presenter.

Our investigations have observed most painfully that the director has a growing influence on the minds of many from the other side of the Niger. The danger in this is that people in that region are beginning to accept whatever he says as the gospel truth, to the unreasoning mind, the director, as he chooses to be addressed is framing the minds of many of his listeners and predisposing them to dangerous tendencies. Without going into specifics to underscore what one is trying to say, but relevant authorities should know the danger of collective mind-set propelled towards a particularly dangerous direction.

On a bus from Asaba to Onitsha, the bus conductor was busy regaling passengers the resurgence of the Biafran agenda; Biafran
currency; Biafran flag; Biafran identity card and how personnel of the Nigerian Police tactfully accord great recognition to Biafran I.D
cards and are liable to set one free of any offence the moment one brandishes the I.D card. The bus conductor was very vociferous in his claims and an attempt to draw passengers attention to the folly of these claims, one suddenly realised that the commuters were more given to emotion than reason and to avoid the rising belligerency of some of the passengers including the driver one was
compelled to channel the discussion to safer grounds.

Late Muhammad Yusuf, the founder of what started as a band of fundamentalists in Maiduguri that transformed into a dreaded global Jihadi movement, did not have a radio of his own. He relied on cassette recordings of his messages which was influenced by hardline do Salafi teachers the likes to woo youths to his flock. However, both late Yusuf and now Kalu, have one thing in common, in as much as their messages are in sharp contrast of one another, they both have the undivided attention of teeming youths in their regions.
It is important to note here that ‘terrorism’ means different things to different people. While a weighty number of people in the Muslim world do not view groups like Al-Shabab, Taliban, Islamic State and their affiliates as terrorists, majority consider them as full blooded terrorists. The same with the Biafran movement, a growing number of people consider the rebellion as an inalienable right that may offer Igbos freedom from the superficial Hausa/Fulani hegemony.

Indeed, Radio Biafra is a ticking time bomb, while we must accept that some of the claims made by late Yusuf over a decade ago, and now by Kalu on the air waves have merits like that of the alienation of people, a fact which is very obvious to any discerning mind but the general thrust of radio Biafra’s mono cast is more emotive than rational. Hopefully the new government of Muhammadu Buhari should get set to combat some of these obvious imbalances and marginalisation which underpin the restiveness.

The Hutu power radio and the resultant Rwandan genocide that heralded the 1994 Rwandan genocide should be a relevant example of what dire propensities could result to if such hate rendition is left unchecked not only by Kalu but championed by different groups across Nigeria. As persons with background in media studies, we need not overemphasise here the power of the media and its inherent capacities as willing instruments to be commandeered to negative or positive ends. But suffice it to say that the power of the media should never be underestimated, at least not in this case. Every serious federating unit should be mindful of the insidious influence of proponents of divisive rhetoric within their midst and their potentials to nurture and fan the embers of schismatic discords and prurient chasm in their unit.

_____________________

Salkida and Chinedu are both journalist from north and south Nigeria
respectively.

Buhari Inaugurates NationalEconomic Council

President Muhammadu Buhari Inaugurated the National Economic Council, NEC, on Monday, and highlighted the need for Nigerians to cultivate the culture of prudence again as the country passes through tough economic times.

 

 

 

The NEC is one of the Federal Executive bodies with a mandate to advise the President on the economic affairs of the Federation.

 

 

 

 

It is a platform for dialogue among the thirty six State Governors, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted members and is chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.

 

 

 

“We must kick-start this process by cultivating a culture of prudent management of resources at all levels of Government,” Buhari said.

 

 

 

” This will entail looking inwards to secure sustainable ways of increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); and harnessing growth potentials of each State to supplement the Federation Account allocation to States.

 

 

 

“The States are also encouraged to embark on projects that will meet immediate needs of the people taking account of available resources. I therefore urge Council members to consider, as a matter of urgency, exploring efficient means of gradually liquidating all unpaid salaries of staff, which have brought untold hardship to thousands of families,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

Below is Buhari’s speech at the event.

 

​

ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI, AT THE OCCASION OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ECONOMIC COUNCIL, HELD AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF THE PRESIDENTIAL VILLA, ABUJA, ON MONDAY 29TH JUNE 2015.

 

Protocol

 

I am delighted to be here with you at this occasion on the inauguration of the National Economic Council (NEC) for this Administration.

 

 

The National Economic Council was established by the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999), as amended, Third Schedule, Part I, Section 153: Sub section (18 & 19).

 

 

The NEC, as one of the Federal Executive bodies, has the mandate to advise the President concerning the economic affairs of the Federation, and in particular on measures necessary for the co-ordination of the economic planning and programmes of the various Governments of the Federation.

 

 

2.        Your Excellencies, the regular meetings of the National Economic Council have remained the official economic platform for dialogue among the thirty six (36) State Governors, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and other co-opted members, chaired by the Vice President, where issues and challenges facing the development of the country, at national and sub-national levels, are discussed with a view to develop and harmonize common strategies for addressing them.

 

 

 

3. You may recall, that in my inaugural speech, on May 29, 2015 I stated that the primary objective of this Administration is to tackle insecurity; youth unemployment, through the revival of agriculture, solid minerals mining, as well as small and medium size businesses. I also highlighted pervasive corruption; fuel and power shortages; public service reforms; and the need to allow every tier of Government to exercise its constitutional responsibilities, among others. We are fully committed to embarking on sustainable visionary initiatives and programmes that will restructure and transform our national economy. We are also committed to ensuring collaboration and facilitation of the International efforts to combat threats of cross-border terrorism, sea piracy, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), financial crimes, cyber crimes, climate change; the spread of communicable diseases and other challenges of the 21st century.

 

 

 

4. I urge you all to ensure that we surmount these enormous challenges facing us as a country by working to support economic policies, which the government will soon unveil to grow our economy and finance our external promises.

 

 

 

5.        I am pleased to note that the Council meetings have, over the years, been very constructive and productive, and the key outcomes as well as recommendations translated into Government policies at the Federal and state levels.  This has not only facilitated national economic planning, but also led to over- all political harmony. It is also reassuring to note that steps have been taken in the past to strengthen the effectiveness of the Council in its role as prime adviser on developments in the economy. This process must be geared up substantially especially in the difficult times that we have now found ourselves. The National Planning Commission must continue to work to arrive at workable consensus on Government policies among the various tiers of Government, which is a prerequisite for sustained growth and development.

 

 

 

6.        Your Excellencies, it is evident that the task of ensuring growth, job creation and equity, is quite enormous. Consequently, we must kick-start this process by cultivating a culture of prudent management of resources at all levels of Government. This will entail looking inwards to secure sustainable ways of increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR); and harnessing growth potentials of each State to supplement the Federation Account allocation to States. The States are also encouraged to embark on projects that will meet immediate needs of the people taking account of available resources. I therefore urge Council members to consider, as a matter of urgency, exploring efficient means of gradually liquidating all unpaid salaries of staff, which have brought untold hardship to thousands of families.

 

 

 

7. I would like also, as a former Governor myself to remind us the need for neighbouring states to cooperate closely on projects such as interstate and feeder roads, soil erosion, desertification and other developmental programmes. Our country is one and we who have the responsibility to run it lead by example. As far as is possible there should be distance between politics and development programmes.

 

 

 

8.        On its part the Federal Government will abide by the provisions of Sections 80 and 162 of the Constitution and ensure more accountability, transparency and integrity in the Distribution of the Federation Account.  All Revenue Generating Agencies such as Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Nigeria Customs Services (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) amongst others shall comply with stipulated Financial Regulations and Administrative Instructions in their remittances into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

 

 

 

9.        On Insurgency, the Nigerian Armed Forces have shown renewed commitment and made steady progress in the fight against Boko Haram.  Nigeria, under the auspices of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Republic of Benin is collaborating with the Republics of Niger, Chad, Cameroun and Benin to consolidate cross-border and international efforts at eradicating the insurgency.  I am also happy to reiterate that following my invitation to Germany early this month by the G7 Nations who have shown concern about the Insurgency and promised to intervene to restore the destroyed infrastructure, schools and hospitals amongst others, I have directed the front line states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to articulate realistic assessments, costs, locations on Local Government by-Local-Government of affected facilities for submission to the President of the G7 for further verification.  In addition, the requirements of the Military have been prepared by the Service Chiefs for the consideration of the G7 Nations.

 

 

 

10. Let me reiterate the high expectations of the NEC as a veritable source of articulating policies and programmes that are people centred and capable of driving further, the expected growth and development of the country as well as providing environment required for progress.

 

 

 

11.      Finally, I will like to express my appreciation to the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SANand all Council members for the honour and priviledge to formally inaugurate the National Economic Council today and to wish you all a successful tenure.

Thank you for your attention

 

Violence mars gay pride parades in San Francisco, Istanbul

A shooting outside San Francisco’ gay pride parade on Saturday evening injured a bystander while riot police fired rubber pellets, tear gas and water canons to break up a similar event in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday.

San Francico, CA, United States (4E) – A shooting outside San Francisco’ gay pride parade on Saturday evening injured a bystander while riot police fired rubber pellets, tear gas and water canons to break up a similar event in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday.

The bystander, a 64-year-old man, was shot in the arm after one of the men from a group fired several shots at other groups of men during an argument near the tail end of the Pride Celebration in the area of United Nations Plaza near the Civic Center around 6 p.m., according to San Francisco police. The groups of men were not part of the Pride event and the shooting is believed to be unrelated to the celebration.

Police captured and detained several suspects on Market Street.

The wounded bystander was taken to San Francisco General Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, according to police.

In Turkey, participants to the 13th Istanbul LGBTI Pride Parade were gathering for a march along the city’s central İstiklal Avenue when they were violently dispersed.

The Istanbul Governor’s Office banned the parade scheduled to start at 5 p.m. on June 28 at Taksim Square citing as reason the ongoing Ramadan, according to organizers of the event.

Source: wall street

BREAKING: Supreme Court delivers win for gay marriage backers, forcing states to authorize same-sex unions all across the United States

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in a 5-4 decision that gay marriage is the law of the land. 

The landmark ruling, delivered just in time for Pride weekend festivities in San Francisco and New York City, says that the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees gays and lesbians must have the same right to marry as heterosexuals. 

The justices also ruled in the issue that has bitterly divided the nation that states without gay-marriage laws on the books must recognize gay marriages performed in other states. 

The decision came on what will be remembered as a seminal date in gay rights history. June 26 was also the calendar date that saw the high court rule on Lawrence v. Texas in 2003 and United States v. Windsor two years ago.

All three majoroity decisions were written by Justice Anthony Kennedy.

Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democratic senator and a supporter of broad rights for gays in America, celebrated the ruling minutes after it was read in open court.

'By recognizing the constitutional right of all people to marry the person they love, the Supreme Court has guaranteed that, across the country, same-sex couples will have their relationships treated with the full legal dignity and respect that they deserve,' Kaine said in a statement.

Not everyone in Washington shared his sentiment. Four of the Supreme Court's justices dissented, including Chief Justice John Roberts – and each one of them wrote a separate opinion outlining why.

'If you are among the many Americans – of whatever sexual orientation – who favor expanding same-sex marriage, by all means celebrate today's decision,' Roberts wrote.

'Celebrate the achievement of a desired goal. Celebrate the opportunity for a new expression of commitment to a partner. Celebrate the availability of new benefits. But do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it.

Dailymail

Bush meat trade roaring again despite Ebola ban

MONROVIA, 24 June 2015 (IRIN) - 'Liberia doesn’t have Ebola any more so we should be allowed to eat bush meat again.' 'We’ve been eating it without any problem for generations.' These are common refrains in Liberian markets, where the trade in bush meat, a known source of the Ebola virus, has picked up once again.
As Liberia approaches its two-month mark of being Ebola-free on 9 July, complacency has set in. Monkeys, antelope, raccoons, rodents, bats, and a variety of other animals native to the forests of Liberia, are once again filling market stalls around the country.

Sellers, like 35-year-old James Coleman, are increasingly visible once again on the roadside holding out the carcasses of recently hunted bush animals to tempt hungry travellers.

“This [bush meat] is the market I have been doing for the rock of ages,” Coleman told IRIN, holding out a ground hog to a passing car. “This is what I do to cater to my family and to send my kids to school.”

Coleman used to do a good trade, but then Ebola came and infected bush meat was suspected of being the source.

Ebola ban

The Liberian government officially banned the hunting and sale of bush meat in July 2014. The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) said anyone caught with it would be prosecuted and could face time in prison.

For a while, the ban worked. People were too afraid of Ebola to consume bush meat and sales plummeted. But now, that fear is gone and customers and vendors are defying the law with growing confidence.

At Harbel market in Margibi county, 57-year-old Musu Tomas has been selling bush meat since the 1980s. She stopped during the height of the Ebola outbreak, but has since resumed sales, only to have her products confiscated by local authorities.

“Some security officers are still harassing us and taking away our bush meat,” she told IRIN. “They said the ban is still in force. But Ebola is not here, so why are they giving us a hard time?”

The skewed logic that because the last outbreak is over, bush meat – still obviously a potential source of future outbreaks – is suddenly safe again, is proving hard to defeat.

An FDA official, who requested not to be named, said that in addition to market sweeps, agents are now searching people’s bags and vehicles at various checkpoints throughout the country.

“These people are stubborn,” he told IRIN. “We have told them over and over that no one should sell bush meat. We seized it and burned it, but they are still bringing it. That is why we search every car that comes through here.”

Health risks

While the risk of getting Ebola through bush meat is, admittedly, quite low, according to health officials, it has been the source of many previous outbreaks in both central and western Africa, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo.   

As the official US government advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, “human infections have been associated with hunting, butchering and processing of meat of infected animals.”

The ongoing West Africa outbreak, for example, is believed to have started because a young child came into contact with an infected bat in Guinea.

“Ebola is spread mainly through bodily fluids,” Norris Wleh, a health worker in Monrovia who helped out with the Ebola response, told IRIN. “But even though the risk of getting Ebola through bush meat may be low, Liberians still need to be careful. There is no need for complacency. We need to stick to the same rules as we monitor the crisis.”

But for many Liberians, the reward of profits from selling bush meat – a staple source of protein in the country - outweighs any risk. Many families are also too poor to afford more expensive meats and have little choice but to buy it.

“I felt bad when government banned the sale of bush meat on the Liberian market,” Coleman told IRIN. “Though I am not a health expert, I still want to disagree that bush meat has Ebola. We have been eating bush meat since we were born and we never experienced Ebola. Why now?” he asked.

“Liberia is an Ebola-free country and so it is time to start the market again.”

Bush meat is a staple source of protein for many Liberians.
Supply and demand

Coleman said he hopes business will be even better than before, as, after months of people not killing bush animals, their numbers have increased.

He told IRIN that customers are also once again coming to him on a daily basis, eager to eat the meat they love.

“They prefer to eat bush meat, as opposed to fish,” he said. “People call me every second asking whether I have bush meat for sale. They like eating it.”

In the past few weeks, Coleman has earned more than $300 from bush meat sales.

Forty-two-year-old Korwu Guanue said now that Ebola is gone, she and many others in her area of northeastern Liberia had started eating bush meat again. 

“The people of Nimba county like to eat bush meat with their native or staple food known as GB [Genba, or ground cassava],” she said, on her way to buy bush meat at a local market.

“I was happy when the government said there was no Ebola again in Liberia. The day Liberia was declared Ebola-free I ate a big pan of GB with my children, with enough bush meat.

“I am not afraid of bush meat giving me Ebola,” she said. “This is something our parents ate and they never got Ebola. Why now are people stopping us from eating it? For me, I just can’t do without eating bush meat.”

Source: irinnews.com

Katsina women storm bank demanding N5,000 social security

Some women on Tuesday stormed a bank in Funtua, Katsina State demanding they be paid the N5,000 social security for the poor and unemployed Nigerians promised by the All Progressives Party, APC, during its campaign.

According to one of the women, they came to the bank demanding they be paid the N 5,000 social security fund following an announcement they heard over the radio that the federal government had concluded plans to pay the money.

One of the women identified as Sa’adiyya, affirmed, “A friend of mine informed me about the development last week. She said I should come here with my National Identity card. She said when I come I will be given a form to fill.”

The branch manager of the bank while reacting to the demand of the women said he was unaware of any payment, adding that the the only registration exercise been carried out by the bank is that of Bank Verification Number, BVN, mandated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

He affirmed, “We are not holding any registration regarding the N5,000 social security as they claimed and I think they mistook the BVN forms we were distributing to our customers as forms for the money. There is no basis for their claims; the women are only working on rumours,” the branch manager said.

Policemen and bank officials were seen at the bank premises trying to persuade the women to leave as they were obstructing banking activities.

It will be recalled that the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo two weeks ago at the 10th year anniversary lecture of Crescent University Abeokuta disclosed that effort were on by the Federal Government to start paying the N5,000 social security fund which the ruling party promised Nigerians during their campaign.

Credit :Dailypost

Buhari plans major shake-up in Nigerian Military

President Muhammadu Buhari may carry out a major shake-up among the top brass of the military.

Service chiefs and other senior officers across the various arms of the military will be affected if the President decides to go along with the shake-up.

Buhari, will reportedly replace the service chiefs with equally experienced officers.

According to reports, Buhari will only retain one of the current military chiefs, while the rest will be disengaged.

The new officers to be appointed by the President who would be expected to implement the new phase of the war against the Boko Haram sect in the North-East.

Sources also reveal that there is anxiety in the military over the looming change of guard which is expected to affect all the services, including the Army, Navy, and the Air Force.

The military chiefs are also said to be aware of the fate that might befall them, having reached the pinnacle of their career.

According to a source, Buhari is considering retaining one of the service chiefs to ensure smooth transition between the present military chiefs and their successors.

However, another source said this was not likely, noting that the only service chief that might be retained is the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, who was appointed a few months ago by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“Buhari would likely appoint his “loyalists” and those he had worked with into top positions,” a source said.

Credit- todayng

Tinubu’s political career is over, says Bode George

A former National Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George, has said that the political career of the National Leader, All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is over.

George said this during a telephone interview with our correspondent while reacting to the emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the Senate President ahead of Senator Ahmed Lawan, who was the preferred candidate of Tinubu.

Specifically, George said Tinubu should start preparing to quit politics as his political influence has grossly diminished.

The PDP leader said Nigerians had become fed up with Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande’s style of politics which he alleged involved imposition of candidates.

He said having nominated the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; and the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Tinubu should have “taken things easy” but “Tinubu continued to push his luck too far.”

He said, “You know I predicted weeks ago that the APC is just a congregation of strange bedfellows. The most beautiful thing about what has happened is that Bola Tinubu’s political influence in Nigeria is coming to a sunset and it is about five minutes to midnight for him.

“If he cannot see this now, then it will be foolish of him. He brought in the APC national chairman and the vice-president and he thinks Nigeria belongs to him. So, he thought what he did in Lagos was what he could replicate at the national level and they have shown him that he cannot continue to be the lord of the manor.

“So, if he is wise, he will slow down. President Muhammadu Buhari, as an army general, has fought more battles than him and has an understanding of things.”

George said the re-election of Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President was a victory for the PDP.

He said this was in line with his prediction that the PDP would bounce back. He praised the PDP senators for carrying out a successful ‘political manoeuvre’.

George said, “The PDP was never dead. We were only given a bloodied nose, not a technical knockout. So, this is an opportunity to start regrouping and getting ready for 2019. I want to salute the dexterity and perfect political manoeuvres for which the PDP is well known.

“People like Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande in Osun have always been local champions. Now, they have come to the national level of politics and they are now learning the tricks that all that glitters is not gold.

“I congratulate Saraki and Ekweremadu. They understand what Nigeria is all about.”

George slammed the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for rejecting the outcome of the elections.

He said the APC had no powers to sanction Saraki.

“The APC would discipline Saraki? Is Saraki a child? They probably think they are playing local politics like the one they play in Lagos State. I welcome them to the real world,” he said.

Punch

Ecobank Names Ade Ayeyemi As New Group CEO

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (Ecobank), parent company of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African bank with operations in 36 countries across the continent, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ade Ayeyemi as its new Group Chief Executive Officer. His appointment is effective from 1 September 2015.
 
Mr Ayeyemi, 52, will replace Albert Essien, who retires on 30 June, 2015 after 25 years of meritorious service with the Group. An interim arrangement will be made by the Ecobank Board for the management of the Group during the period 1 July through 31 August, pending the resumption of the new GCEO.
 
Mr Ayeyemi is a highly experienced banker who has had a long and successful career with Citigroup, where he is currently Chief Executive Officer of Citigroup’s sub-Saharan Africa division, based in Johannesburg. He is an Accounting graduate of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours. He also studied at the University of London and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme. A  Chartered Accountant, Mr Ayeyemi is also a trained UNIX Administrator and Network Operating Systems Manager. His many interests include business strategy, economics, process engineering and technology.
 
Ecobank Group Chairman Emmanuel Ikazoboh, said, “After a thorough and extensive search throughout the African continent, we are delighted to have secured Ade as the person to lead Ecobank through the next phase of its development and beyond as a world-class pan-African bank. Ade is a truly outstanding individual with deep knowledge of banking across Africa, and we welcome him to the Board. At the same time, I should like to thank Albert Essien for his 25-year career at Ecobank and for his stellar service as Group Chief Executive Officer over the past year. We wish him well in his retirement.”
 
Ade Ayeyemi said: “I am delighted to have been offered the opportunity to lead this great institution, and commend Albert Essien for his legacy work of helping further the premier pan-African financial institution. Ecobank has an exceptional platform, great people, solid strategy and strong momentum. I sincerely look forward to working with the management team, the Board of Directors, and the employees of Ecobank as we set new standards in financial services for our clients across the board.”

Leadership Newspaper