Nigeria's 'megachurches': A Hidden Pillar Of Africa's Top Economy - Religion

OTA Nigeria (Reuters) - When a guesthouse belonging to one of Nigeria's leading Christian pastors collapsed last month, killing 115 mostly South African pilgrims, attention focused on the multimillion-dollar "megachurches" that form a huge, untaxed sector of Africa's top economy. Hundreds of millions of dollars change hands each year in these popular Pentecostal houses of worship, which are modeled on their counterparts in the United States. Some of the churches can hold more than 200,000 worshippers and, with their attendant business empires, they constitute a significant section of the economy, employing tens of thousands of people and raking in tourist dollars, as well as exporting Christianity globally. But exactly how much of Nigeria's $510 billion GDP they make up is difficult to assess, since the churches are, like the oil sector in Africa's top energy producer, largely opaque entities. "They don't submit accounts to anybody," says Bismarck Rewane, economist and CEO of Lagos consultancy Financial Derivatives. "At least six church leaders have private jets, so they have money. How much? No one really knows." When Nigeria recalculated its GDP in March, its economy became Africa's biggest, as previously poorly captured sectors such as mobile phones, e-commerce and its prolific "Nollywood" entertainment industry were specifically included in estimates. There was no such separate listing for the "megachurches", whose main source of income is "tithe", the 10 percent or so of their income that followers are asked to contribute. As the churches have charity status, they have no obligation to open their books, and certainly don't have to fill in tax returns -- an exemption that is increasingly controversial in Nigeria, where poverty remains pervasive despite the oil riches. The pastors argue their charity work should exempt them. "We use the income of the church to build schools, we use the income of the church to serve the needs of the poor," David Oyedepo, bishop of the popular Winners Chapel, told Reuters in an interview. "These are non-profit organizations." PASTORS ON FORBES LIST Nonetheless, the surging popularity of the megachurches among the Christians who make up half of Nigeria's 170 million population has propelled their preachers into the ranks of the richest people in Africa. In 2011, Forbes magazine estimated the fortunes of Nigeria's five richest pastors. Oyedepo topped the list, with an estimated net worth of $150 million. He was followed by "Pastor Chris" Oyakhilome of Believers' LoveWorld Incorporated, also known as the Christ Embassy and popular with executives and politicians, on $30 million to $50 million. TB Joshua, pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, at the center of the recent diplomatic storm over the deaths in its guesthouse, was thought to have $10 million to $15 million. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) declined to comment on how churches fit into their GDP figures, but a source there said they were included as "non-profit", which falls under "other services" in the latest figures. In 2013, the category contributed 2.5 percent of GDP, the same as the financial sector. A former banker at Nigeria's United Bank for Africa, who declined to be named, recalled being approached five years ago by a church that was bringing in $5 million a week from contributions at home or abroad. "They wanted to make some pretty big investments: real estate, shares," he said. "They wanted to issue a bond to borrow, and then use the weekly flows to pay the coupon." In the end, he said, the bank turned down the proposal on ethical grounds. Yet Nigerian churches do often invest large amounts of their congregations' money in shares and property, at home and abroad, he and another banking source said. One pastor bought 3 billion naira ($18 million) worth of shares in the defunct Finbank, which later merged with FCMB, after it was rescued in a bail-out in 2009, a fund manager who handled the deal told Reuters. The pastor used a nominee trust account to keep his name off the books. In 2011, Oyakhilome was investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and charged with laundering $35 million of contributions to his church in foreign bank accounts. He denied all wrongdoing and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence. Oyakhilome was not available for comment and Joshua's media team declined a request for an interview with him. MIDAS TOUCH Oyedepo's headquarters, "Canaanland", is a 10,500-acre (4250-hectare) campus in Ota, outside the commercial capital Lagos. It comprises a university, two halls of accommodation, restaurants and a church seating 50,000 people, with a total overflow capacity of five times that. "You can see that everything this man touches turns to gold," Nigerian Agriculture Minister Akinwumi Adesina said in a speech at a reception for Oyedepo's 60th birthday at Canaanland last month. "May the grace of God abide with you," he added, to a rapturous "Amen!" from the guests in a marquee. Other dignitaries present included twice-president Olusegun Obasanjo and former military ruler Yakubu Gowon. A choir sang gospel songs as the guests cut an elaborate six-tiered cake and popped fizzy grape juice out of champagne bottles in golden wrapping -- alcohol is banned in Canaanland. The next day, he delivered four Sunday services in a row to tens of thousands of cheering followers, his white-suited figure projected onto large flat-screen televisions all around. "From today, no evil spirit, no demon will survive the Almighty!" he shouted, and the crowd roared "Amen!". A spokesman said the church has 5,000 branches across Nigeria, and 1,000 more in 63 other countries across five continents. But Oyedepo's empire also includes two fee-paying universities that he built from scratch, a publishing house for Christian self-help books, and an elite high school. Other pastors have similarly diversified ways of getting the Gospel of Christian salvation out. Oyakhilome owns magazines, newspapers and 24-hour TV station, and Joshua draws miracle-seekers from all over the world with claims that the holy water he has blessed cures otherwise incurable ailments such as HIV/AIDS. Before Joshua built his 10,000-seat headquarters at Ikotun-Egbe in outer Lagos, the area was part swamp, part abandoned industrial estate. Now, it is a boom town with shops, hotels, eateries and bars catering largely to the travelers who come not only from West Africa but also from all corners of the globe to hear his sermons. Joshua also runs a TV station. "BLESSED BY THE LORD" Guests entering Oyedepo's birthday marquee in Canaanland would have seen a picture of the poor household in southwest Nigeria where he grew up, testament to a rags-to-riches story that many Nigerians would love to emulate. Like U.S. televangelists, Winners Chapel preaches the "prosperity gospel" that faith in Jesus Christ lifts people out of poverty, and that message partly explains the explosion of the Pentecostal movement in sub-Saharan Africa, where misfortune and poverty are often seen as having supernatural causes. "We see giving as the only way to be blessed. Blessing other people is a way of keeping the blessings flowing," said Oyedepo, whose blessings include a Gulfstream V jet and several BMWs. Giving to support the church and its work is something the faithful are encouraged to do, a Christian tradition that was a pillar of the Roman Catholic church in medieval Europe, just as it has been a major money-spinner for U.S. televangelists. Aneke Chika, a business analyst in an oil services company, told Reuters on the steps of Oyedepo's church that she set aside 20,000 naira of her 200,000 naira ($1,218) salary every month. Asked about Forbes' estimate of his fortune, Oyedepo told Reuters: "For me, to have fortune means someone who has what he needs at any point in time. I don't see myself as having $150 million stacked up somewhere. Whatever way they found their figures, I am only able to say I am blessed by the Lord." He said he could not estimate the church's total revenues or expenditure on items such as salaries because the various departments, including education, were too diverse. The enterprises on the Canaanland campus, from the shops selling cold sodas and bread, to a woman boiling instant noodles and eggs for breakfast in a lodge, to pop-up book stalls hawking Oyedepo's prolific literary output, are owned by the church's estate, which employs their staff on its payroll, workers at all the outlets told Reuters. Winners Chapel's Corporate Affairs department said the church employed more than 18,000 people in Nigeria alone. Oyedepo says the wealth the church gathers is invested in expanding it, and that if he did not use a private jet, he would be unable to oversee its many foreign operations and still return to Ota every week in time for Sunday's worship. Britain's Charity Commission says it is reviewing potential conflicts of interest in his finances, and last month the Home Office (interior ministry) barred him from Britain, though it declined to say why. Oyedepo said he knew nothing of the commission's review, nor had the Home Office explained to him why he was barred. A national conference to debate Nigeria's constitution this year proposed that the megachurches should be taxed. But with an election coming up in February, it is debatable whether President Goodluck Jonathan, who is close to several megapastors, would risk upsetting these influential men and their hefty congregations with a fat tax bill. "There is no single government input on this premises," Oyedepo told Reuters in the interview. "We supply our water, we make our roads, then you ... say: 'Let's tax them'. For what?" (1 US dollar = 164.2 naira) (Additional reporting by Chijioke Ohuocha in Lagos and Ahmed Aboulenein in London; Editing by Pascal Fletcher and Kevin Liffey)

How Ngilari, others were stranded in Kano

Governor James Ngilari of Adamawa State, his two daughters and scores of other air passengers who were stranded in Kano on Friday evening finally arrived Abuja at about 3am on Saturday. The Arik Air’s Boeing 737 aircraft in which they were travelling from Yola, the state capital to Abuja was diverted to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano initially on the excuse of bad weather in the nation’s capital. The Flight W3 409 left Yola at about 4:35pm as against its scheduled take off time of 3:10pm and landed in Kano at about 6pm after failed attempts to land in Abuja. The airline’s officials advised passengers not to disembark from the aircraft in Kano because they were passengers on transit who would be conveyed to Abuja immediately the weather condition improved. They were however taken aback when the captain announced at about an hour later that it would not be safe to fly the aircraft to Abuja because it had developed a technical problem. He said he had contacted the airline’s office and that another aircraft would be sent to convey the stranded passengers. All the passengers, including the governor, his family members, his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, and top government officials then disembarked to wait for the new aircraft. Contrary to the airline officials’ promise that the aircraft would arrive in an hour or two, the Flight W3 728 only touched ground in Kano at about 1.20am on Saturday. The aircraft finally left Kano with the governor and other passengers at about 2:05am and landed in Abuja at about 2:45am, over 10 hours after the initially scheduled arrival time of 4.20pm (Friday). Most of the passengers had to remain at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja until daybreak before proceeding to their final destinations. As at the time the flight finally took off, some passengers, including Keyamo, were no longer present as they had made alternative arrangements. Ngilari was however said to have stopped his aides from making alternative arrangement for him, saying he would rather stay with the passengers, most of whom are from his state. Meanwhile, before the flight was diverted, passengers had joined the governor to celebrate his victory at the court. A Federal High Court Abuja had on Wednesday ordered the state Chief Judge to swear in Ngilari as the state governor. The court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Adeniyi Ademola, had nullified the swearing-in of Ahmadu Fintiri as the state Acting Governor while declaring the resignation of Ngilari as unconstitutional, null and void. Shortly after the flight took off, the governor left his seat in the Business Class for the Economy Class where he shook hands with everybody on board, one after the other. Some passengers quickly brought out their cameras and iPads among others which they used to take photographs with the governor. While that was going on, the Head of the cabin crew made an announcement, congratulating the new governor. She wished him a successful tenure at the helms of affairs in the state. Passengers in the Business Class later welcomed the governor back with a loud applause and standing ovation. Meanwhile, two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr. Kayode Olatoke and Mr. John Baiyeshea, on Friday described the swift execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division delivered by Justice Adeniyi Ademola as a positive and welcome development. In separate interviews with our correspondent in Ilorin on Friday, the lawyers noted that the judgment and its swift execution had further reinforced the ability of the judiciary to correct and strengthen the polity. According to Olatoke, the developments indicate that the judiciary is alive to its responsibilities. He said, “I agree with the judgment. It shows that the judiciary is up to the task and alive to its responsibilities. That is what we are going to continue to have. It is a welcome development.” Baiyeshea also said the swiftness with which the judgment was executed had strengthened the ability of the judiciary to be seen as discharging its functions creditably. He added that the judgment had shown that Ngilari did not resign as people were made to believe. Baiyeshea said, “It is a very happy development. I heard the judgment but I did not know that the people would react very quickly like that. If this is the new development in Nigeria’s legal system of how to comply with the judgment of the court, it is a welcome development “While I commend the swift compliance with the judgment, I want to say it is also an admission that they misled the whole country by saying the deputy governor resigned when he did not resign. It is terrible.” Baiyeshea added that the judgment would be an example for subsequent cases.

UN hopes for rapid Ebola containment

The UN special envoy on Ebola says he hopes that the outbreak can be brought under control within three months. David Nabarro told the BBC the number of Ebola cases was currently increasing exponentially, but greater community awareness would help contain the virus. People were becoming aware that isolating those infected was the best way to prevent transmission, he added. So far, there have been more than 8,300 confirmed and suspected cases of Ebola, and at least 4,033 deaths. ‘Quite frightening’ Most fatalities – 4,024 – have occurred in the west African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Cases have also been reported in Nigeria, Senegal, Spain and the US. Mr Nabarro said that the number of new cases was “quite frightening”, as the spread of the disease was currently accelerating. At the beginning, many west African communities did not understand that the outbreak was an infectious disease, he said. “I think we’ve got much better community involvement [now] which leads me to believe that getting it under control within the next three months is a reasonable target,” he said. “By under control I mean… the numbers of new cases each week diminishes compared with the previous week to the point where there is no new transmission.” The Ebola virus is spread by direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. Meanwhile, New York’s JFK airport began screening passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea for the Ebola virus on Saturday, in an attempt to stem the outbreak. Passengers from those countries will have their temperatures taken and have to answer a series of questions.

New York’s JFK airport starts Ebola checks

New York’s JFK airport has started screening to try to stem the Ebola outbreak that has killed more than 4,000 people. Passengers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea – the worst-hit countries – will have their temperatures taken and have to answer a series of questions. Checks at O’Hare in Chicago, Newark, Washington’s Dulles and Atlanta’s airport will begin in the coming days. This comes after the first person died of Ebola in Texas on Wednesday. Thomas Duncan had travelled to the US from Liberia, and was only diagnosed with the disease once he arrived in Dallas. The latest figures released by the World Health Organization show the number of deaths attributed to the the haemorrhagic fever has risen to 4,033. The vast majority of the fatalities – 4,024 – were in the West African nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Okotie lacks moral right to question Oritsejafor — CAN

Okotie lacks moral right to question Oritsejafor — CAN October 12, 2014 by Friday Olokor 102 Comments Rev. Chris Okotie Rev. Chris Okotie | credits: naijamayor.com The Christian Association of Nigeria has challenged the founder of Household of God, Pastor Chris Okotie to manage his home and keep to biblical principles of one man, one wife. The association was reacting to the demand by Okotie that its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, should resign over the alleged involvement of his aircraft in the controversial $9.3m smuggled into South Africa by two Nigerians and an Israeli. Okotie, had in a statement by Okotie on his church’s Facebook page, said, “Considering the collateral damage Pastor Ayo’s close relationship with the President has done to the Christian community, it is fit and proper for the Pastor to resign immediately as CAN President to salvage what remains of the battered image of the association. “This is without prejudice to the on-going investigation on the matter. Denials of his culpability by the Federal Government, CAN officials and his own recent defense, does nothing to reduce the moral burden this whole saga places on his shoulders. As the titular leader of Christians in Nigeria, there’s now a serious crisis of confidence on his leadership and he ought to respond to it by resigning from his exalted position.” But the Director of National Issues in CAN, Mr. Sunny Oibe, told SUNDAY PUNCH that Okotie was looking for popularity through Oritsejafor. He said, “Is Chris Okotie a Christian? How many wives has he? He should go and sort out himself. Even the government has exonerated Pastor Ayo of all the allegations. So, who is Okotie? Well, it is laughable if Chris Okotie should demand that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor should resign as President of CAN. “Chris Okotie should remove the log in his eyes before he begins to see a peck in somebody’s eyes. Pastor Ayo had a soaring integrity before he was elected the President of CAN. Who elected Chris Okotie to become the spokesperson of Christians in Nigeria? “CAN will not like to join issues with Okotie because doing that will amount to making him popular. He is looking for popularity which he doesn’t have through Pastor Ayo and he is not going to get it.”

Northern elite use religion to deceive people —Kukah

Northern elite use religion to deceive people —Kukah October 12, 2014 by Tobi Aworinde 24 Comments Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah The Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, tells TOBI AWORINDE that the foundation for the Boko Haram crisis in parts of the North was laid years back by leaders of the region It’s over six months since the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls. Should the Federal Government/military have taken more dire measures by now? I know that we are anxious and, like every citizen, the feeling of hopelessness is numbing and even humiliating. But what is most important to the girls, their parents and us all is their safety, sanity and life. I want to believe the government and our military are doing their best, given the seeming cynical, hypocritical posturing of some of our international friends who love our oil and care about milking us more than they love us. Whatever it takes, whenever they are free, we want to see them alive and hopefully healthy. Their healing is another project, but I do not believe that their predicament is the result of the lack of will on the part of the government or the military agencies. The military has become the subject of many scandals these past few weeks. One of such scandals is the beheading of one its pilots, which it denied, despite a number of confirmatory reactions by family members and friends proving Boko Haram had killed him. How would you react to the military’s response to the development? These are life-and-death issues and they should not be the subject of politics. I am saddened that, in pursuance of our obsession with self-flagellation, we prefer to believe Boko Haram propaganda or any propaganda that makes our military look bad. Each and every one of us is a soldier, a security agent. We are all in this together and we shall either hang together or hang separately. No country behaves the way we do. I know that our public officers have not inspired us and that they have left too much to be desired, but no one abuses his father, husband or wife in public. I have been a critic of the military, politics and all aspects of national life. But these are not normal times. As they say, you have to drive the hawk before you scold the chickens. This is not President Goodluck Jonathan’s war. He is here today, gone tomorrow, and Nigeria will be here. We cannot make the issue of the tragic death of a patriot a matter of speculative cheap talk. He has a family, he has died for our country and what his family needs is emotional support. We are in a war and misleading propaganda, lies and half-truths are the subject of every war. Why should the military be allowed to fight Boko Haram and then turn around to defend itself against a cynical populace? I recall a minor incident in 1970 just after the war. We were playing football when a soldier passed. One of my friends was laughing at something and the soldier thought he was laughing at him. He started pursuing the boy, who ran and ran until he vanished. The soldier came back panting, cursing and we heard him say, ‘Bastard, do you think I sold this eye in the market for money?’ It was then we realised he had one eye, he had obviously lost one in the war and he assumed the boy was laughing at him. I have not forgotten that incident. But that is how painful these things are. Not a few have called for the beheaded pilot to be honoured as a national hero. Do you agree? Anyone who lays down his life for his country deserves the highest honour. We have sinned against our heroes, whether in sports, the military or any other area. You see how much premium is placed on the ceremonies of a dead American, British or Italian soldier. The fault is in the government and the military itself. But you media men and women should do more; much, much more. Again, the military was listed among perpetrators of torture in Nigeria, according to an Amnesty International report. What is your take on the allegations against the military? This question is annoying, very annoying. You know human rights are at the top of my agenda. But please, why has Amnesty International not done a report on human rights in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Kingdom, Italy or the United States and so on? Why did they not do reports on Guantanamo Bay or on waterboarding or the wars in Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq and and so on? When the big powers make human lives look like nothing, they are not interested. Human life and human rights are a leveller. When you are facing life and death, what do you expect soldiers to do? There are rules guiding war, as contained in the Geneva Convention, and these are what we should be focusing on. But everyone knows that when difficulties of war set in, no one goes around waving these conventions. What is more, the United States knew about all these rules and it still found its way by changing the international and national vocabularies. (American politician and businessman) Donald Rumsfeld’s memoir, ‘Known and unknown,’ has a chapter dedicated to how the United States literally suspended, twisted or broke every rule in the game to clear the way for its fight. The section is called Law in a Time of War; that is, law as warfare in a time of war. His accounts are fascinating but they cleared the way for the kind of terrible, gross violations that Amnesty International should have been concerned about. First, to avoid the United Nations Convention on treatment of prisoners of war, the Americans invented the idea of referring to Al Qaeda suspects as unlawful combatants. And secondly, to clear the way for them to get away with bending, twisting and breaking the law, they took their case to a legal no-man’s land called Guantanamo Bay, where the only laws were the ones they made or invented as they went along. Please, read me right and read me carefully: I respect Amnesty International and I admire the great work they do. However, I worry that flogging poor countries has become their pastime and they are setting one law for the big boys and another for the lesser mortals. War is the final breakdown of respect for life and under those circumstances, too many bad things happen to poor innocent people. But our military must be held accountable by the laws of war, so as not to create the impression that we are in a tea party. Why is Amnesty International oblivious to the lives that Boko Haram is destroying? I have spoken out against the unacceptable mistakes and excesses of our soldiers as it concerns innocent civilians, women and children and we must keep condemning them. But we must not behave as if these are normal times. According to Amnesty, Nigeria is among the group of countries that signed a pact about seven years ago to denounce torture as an illegal act. As a country, are we not to be worried that, according the report, Nigeria, as well, uses torture as a means of carrying out investigations? Read my book, ‘Witness to justice.’ I have a whole long chapter on torture. There is the ticking-bomb theory in torture, which argues thus: Imagine that a man has planted a bomb somewhere and it is timed to go off. You are holding the man and he refuses to give you information, what will you do? Should you respect his right not to be tortured or should the right of those who face impending death trump his own life? We have seen from the stories of kidnappers and payment of ransom that some of these arguments are really academic. There is overwhelming evidence now that some western countries that pay ransom under the table have inadvertently been funding Boko Haram, and Boko Haram has realised that white people have more economic value. So, again, it depends on what side of the fence you are sitting on. There are no moral absolutes and these issues are not as easy as they seem. What is your take on the recent trend of mutiny in the military? Which mutiny? They are being tried. But, I do hope that the military is merely going through the process. These young men are victims of a bad war already. We are fighting a fratricidal war and not fighting outsiders. It is bad and sad enough that Boko Haram has set us against ourselves. The military high command must know that we will confront them with our moral guns if they attempt to kill anyone. Let them serve some punishment, be retired and sent home. But death? Forget it. Many feel that the Boko Haram insurgency is all about eliminating Christians in the North. What do you feel? This is a tough question and it is the subject of a book or a Ph.D thesis. I will try and summarise my views for you. Please, be patient because I will give you a very long, short answer. Those of us who are far away from the scene can be romantic about our theories, but Muslims in Nigeria have to deal with many problems themselves. They have to address questions about perception of their religion and how they left the door open. They have to deal with the level of honesty about their relations with Christians or, should I say, non-Muslims beyond the moral platitudes. As we are talking now, it has been reported by the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri that about 185 churches have been burnt by Boko Haram. I am in touch and know the painful stories of the church under crucifixion. The question is not how many mosques, if any, have been burnt. So, how else can we remove a religious dimension to this? But this is only half of the story because it raises other questions: Why is this happening only in northern Nigeria? Muslims in the South-West of Nigeria have not gone around burning churches and killing people or destroying the properties of Christians. Northern Muslims must answer why this ugliness is peculiar to their region and their version of Islam. There are immediate, short- and medium-term explanations and I may not be correct, even in my analysis. However, I believe that there has been too much hypocrisy in northern Islam, based on how the elite have used the religion to deceive, belittle even their own people. Secondly, some of their leaders have thrived in pretending to place Islam over and above their nation, not to talk of other minorities within their enclaves. When you deny Christians chances to go on pilgrimages; when you build hundreds of mosques and deny Christians lands; when you deny non-Muslims places in the bureaucracy or in public life, what are you saying to your children? When you privilege one group and make the other feel inferior, you are opening the window and the young people growing up can see the difference between Cain and Abel. When you pretend that we are children of the same father, and you openly discriminate against me, one of us must be a bastard. Years of this apartheid have sown the seeds of a feeling of superiority and that is why these youths treat Christians and properties with seeming contempt. When our churches became objects of target practice, all these years, the leaders merely looked the other way or stayed in silence or fear. The children of Boko Haram have been fed by this sour broth of hate. This is what has bred the bitterness that the northern Christian minorities feel, and time is running out. There is need to discuss these issues for the survival of the region, but where is the leadership with courage to summon us to the table? My brother and friend, the Sultan, has shown courage and I have known him for some time. But, like all religious leaders, he has only a moral voice and there are those who do not necessarily support his openness and courage. He has spoken out on some of these issues, the real challenge is for the politicians to wake up and walk the talk. The President has to do more to protect minorities and to ensure their constitutional rights, especially in the area of religious liberty. What will you say concerning the issue of the insurgency being reduced to politics, especially between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party? Even if we are powerless, God will not forgive anyone who uses our tragedy for politics from whichever side. This country has been so severely wounded; our future depends on fixing it and Nigerians must distance themselves from anyone who offers any simplistic solution to this problem. In moments of crisis, real politicians adopt bipartisanship. I have said it over and over, we have to have a country before these cowboys can have access to loot the treasury and head to Dubai for their sickening orgies. Tragically, we have no political class. All we have are men and women who are out like vultures circling around the carcass of the Nigerian state. Does it really matter if we have a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian presidential ticket in the country? Having a ticket is not enough if you have no idea of the destination. We are the ones who continue to hoist this nonsense by constructing dubious identities. What difference does it make if the Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian tickets are bandits out to kill you. Should you simply sit and be killed by someone because he shares your church or mosque? You would wisely say you want your life and it does not help if you are killed by your mother or an armed robber. You are dead—finish! Some have called for devolution of powers. Is that really the country’s problem? Whenever we run out of ideas, we simply drop one more word. The words are both imprecise and they never say anything new and then Nigerians grab it and present it as a solution to our problems. Power-shift, rotation, zoning, true federalism, and so on—all absolute nonsense—because even those who use them have not spent time reflecting on them. When anyone of these expressions becomes popular, they are bandied as the solution to our nation’s ills. The issues of how best to resolve our problems is the subject of far more serious reflections requiring deep mental acumen, which our politicians do not possess and are not predisposed to deal with. We imbibed the culture of dreading long grammar, which is another way of saying we do not wish to be called to account, to submit to logic and deep thinking. We thought merely expanding the political space through state and local government creations was a solution. But we have come to a dead end and are looking like the mother who thinks she can solve the problem of family greed by simply giving the children more empty plates rather than food. What will you advise people of various faiths, as 2015 elections approach? I am not a bishop of various faiths. I am a citizen of Nigeria first, who happens to be holding an office of a Bishop of the Catholic Church. My choice as a citizen should be far more important than some narrow consideration. We continue to use religion as an excuse for not doing our duties as citizens. Regarding the controversy surrounding $9.3m, what would you say are the effects of this on the average Nigerian? I have neither seen the money, the plane nor the arms. How should a mere $9.3m affect an average Nigerian, when billions lost to fuel subsidy have not killed us? If cancer did not kill you, why should a boil kill you? It is the least of my worries now. There has been a lot of backlash against the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor. How do you feel about the criticisms? I am not Pastor Ayo. After all, as the Hausa say, you cannot eat onions by borrowing someone’s mouth. If his back is lashed, how can I answer for him? Some want the Catholic body to completely pull out of CAN. Do you support this? There is no one in the Catholic Church called ‘some.’ The Catholic Church existed before CAN and it fathered and mothered CAN. We do not look at the direction of the wind to take our decision. With the 2015 elections around the corner, do you think the heavy militarisation of the last elections of Ekiti and Osun could serve as a positive reference point for Nigeria’s democracy? I have not monitored elections in a long time and I was neither in Ekiti nor Osun. I am not sure they necessarily affected the outcomes based on what I heard from those who were there. Many see 2015 as being a critical factor of Nigeria’s unity. How important are the 2015 elections to Nigeria? 2015 is a date on our calendar. It will come and go. People will die and others will be born. People will win and lose elections and so on. How do you see the electorate having a voice in deciding the leader they get? By going out to register. The ballot paper is the voice. So, no ballot paper, no voice. What would you consider to be the recipe for conducting a peaceful, free, fair and credible 2015 election? Ask my friend, Professor Attahiru Jega, who is paid to ensure that.

Tinubu won’t back Buhari against Atiku – Ex-VP’s aide

Former Vice President and presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has denied the report that a former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, is lobbying for another aspirant and former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). He said Tinubu would not make such moves, as the ex-Lagos State governor remained an elder statesman that would not be involved in favouritism. A national newspaper (not PUNCH) had reported on Wednesday that Tinubu, who is allegedly backing Buhari’s candidacy, might be picked as the General’s running mate. Atiku’s media adviser, Mr. Garba Shehu, who spoke to our correspondent on Friday, said it was expected that the leadership of the APC would be divided by the contest between the ex-vice president and Buhari. Shehu said, “It is expected; there will be people who will support Gen. Buhari and there will be those who will support Atiku. The party is not a military organisation. There is no regimentation and there will be no forced opinion on anyone. “We have no knowledge of that (Tinubu’s support for Buhari); we have no evidence of that. All we know is that he has resolved to play the role of a statesman and to stay above the fray. There is nothing on ground to suggest to us that Tinubu has moved away from that position.” Atiku’s spokesperson also denied reports that a recent statement by the ex-vice president suggested that Buhari is a fanatic. In what reports described as a veiled reference to Buhari, Atiku had in a statement issued on October 2, 2014 said, “I believe that the next president of our country, who, by the grace of God, will be produced by our great party, must be someone who is a unifier, bridge-builder and not someone who bears ethno-religious bias. Above all, he must embody a vision of a Nigeria for all.” Shehu, however, denied that the statement was targeted at Buhari. He said, “We did not say that. If you read our statement, it is not saying that. If you go to the market and make a general abusive statement, if somebody raises his hands to say ‘I am the one he is referring to,’ that is his own choice. “I am sure Gen. Buhari himself will agree that the country doesn’t need a fanatic. And we didn’t say he is a fanatic. We never said he is a fanatic; we never said that. If others say he is, that is their view of him. We are happy that the General himself has not raised his hands to say ‘I am the one you’re referring to.”

Super Eagles Can Still Qualify For AFCON 2015. - Sports

First of all NFF should sack Keshi with immediate effect and replace him with someone that can handle the team better.Keshi is a good coach no doubt but he is very stubborn and too sentimental towards his players and he has darely paid for it. NOW: * S/Africa - 7 pts * Congo - 6 pts * Sudan - 3 pts * Nigeria - 1 pts If South Africa shuld beat Congo on wed in their home, they will hv 10 pts and Congo will remain with 6 pts. A draw will see them be on 8 pts and 7 pts respectively, Congo beating South Africa which is not likely to happen. Nigeria will beat Sudan with another coach, (Not Keshi) And they will be on 4 pts and Sudan will remain on 3pts and hopefully a draw or loss not definitely going to happen again, Anyway thats our prayer sha! Then our next match will be away to play Congo. Lets assume Congo loses or plays a draw against S/Africa. Then they will still be on 6pts or 7pts and Nigeria on 4pts.For us to beat them, the interim coach shuld call back players like Martins, Ike Uche, Sunday Mba, Ogbeche, Bright Dike if possible bring bck all our best legs. Believe me we re going to trash Congo, then we will hv 7pts with good goal difference.Authomatically we would be second on the table. S/Africa and Sudan result is not our concern anymore, The same good players we gonna use to defeat Congo, we re going to use them again against S/Africa here in Nigeria as well. If we eventually beat S/Africa which i know is very possible with our strong attack and history against them, then we will hv 10 pts. We'll be second on the log with 10 pts behind S/Africa and we would hv qualified. But first we need to pray for S/Africa to beat Congo on wed for us to have a chance.

Akala Tears Ballot Papers At PDP South-west Congress - Politics

Akala tears ballot papers at PDP South-west congress There was pandemonium at the South- West zonal congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan yesterday as former Governor of Oyo State, Otun­ ba Adebayo Alao-Akala, dazed the leadership of PDP as he angrily collected ballot papers from delegates from the state and tore them. The congress was held at the Apex Multipurpose Hall, Agodi-Gate, Ibadan. Delegates to the congress were to elect new zonal executives yesterday. The apparent outburst of anger caused a scene at the congress, which was attended by the notable PDP leaders from the South-West geo-political zone. He torethe ballot papers at about 6p.m. Alao-Akala was shouting at the top of his voice as he protested to meet the chairman of the screening com­ mittee, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, and a financier of the party, Chief Buruji Kashamu, telling them that some people were trying to play games with him. The governor-elect of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, and other top members of the party quickly stood up from their seats, went to meet Alao-Akala and pacified him. Checks by Sunday Sun revealed that Alao-Akala got angry when he got the clue that the name of his candidate for the zonal youth leadership position was allegedly expunged from the list of contestants by some PDP leaders. A total of 418 delegates, Sunday Sun learnt, were screened to vote at the congress. The breakdown of the figure showed that Oyo State had 87 delegates, Lagos – 62, Osun – 79, Ogun – 73, Ondo – 57 and Ekiti – 60 delegates. While the delegates from Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States voted, the situation was not the same with delegates from Oyo State. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were also in attendance to monitor the conduct of the election. Notable PDP leaders at the congress included Minister of Police Affairs, Jelili Adesiyan; Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro; Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; former senate leader, Teslim Folarin; and PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo. Also in attendance were Senator Iyiola Omisore, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Gen Raji Rasaki (retd), Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Senator Ayo Adesun, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola, Hon Muraina Ajibola, Mr. Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, party chairmen from six states in the South-West and scores of others. In an apparent search for peace, the Ekiti State governor- elect, Mr. Fayose, at a time took the microphone and appealed to all delegates and reporters to move out of the hall so that elders of the party could hold a meeting aimed at resolving the crisis.

Paul Okoye Shares Adorable Picture Of Aliona & His Son, Andre - Celebrities

Andre is Paul's son, Aliona is Peter's daughter. They are so adorable. Money at work

Flavour Dropped From Caribbean Music Festival Over Fears Of Ebola - Celebrities

Nigerian musician Flavour Nabania has been dropped from the 18th edition of the World Creole Music Festival which takes place in the Caribbean island of Dominica over fears of Ebola. The announcement was made by their Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit who revealed that his decision is final. The musician who is supposed to have performed on October 25th has lost alot of money due to his exclusion from the concert. The musician's picture which was on the music festival's website has equally been removed. The Prime Minister said he is not prepared to embrace the visit of people from regions with Ebola.... “Until a firm grip is secured on this Ebola virus, the world has to pay special attention to region of its predominance.” “West Africa, as I said previously, is once such region. I have reviewed the file with respect to the contractual arrangements entered into with the Flavour band out of Nigeria. To date a total of EC$147,000 has been expended on professional fees and international travel by this group.” “Indeed, I would love if, by this time next year, the Ebola virus could have been brought under control, if not eradicated; regions around the world cleared of the threat of the virus, and entertainers, such as Flavour, could visit and perform in Dominica.” “But, for the time being, I have advised the organizers of the World Creole Music Festival that the Government of Dominica would not be prepared at this time to sponsor or embrace the visit of persons from a universally recognized Zone One area of the dreaded Ebola virus.” “Fellow Dominicans and friends, this is the decision of the Government! It is final!” Source.... http://www.yeoal.com/2014/10/flavour-nabania-dropped-from.html I understand he is trying to protect his people, but is this not discrimination?

Kcee Urges Tiwa Savage To Clear The Air On Alleged Divorce - Celebrities

The marriage of sexy songstress, Tiwatope Savage, seems to have entered troubled waters, according to rumours making the rounds. Reports have it that the singer and her hubby, Tee Blizz are having it rough in their 10-month old union, as Tiwa is said to have sacked her husband manager, effectively barring him from handling her tours, bookings and other corporate responsibilities, aside her record label. Fans of the artiste have grown increasingly worried as Tiwa Savage has kept mum on her purported marriage crisis. Could it be true or is it a publicity stunt? Some have asked. Previously, the Eminado and Kelekele Love crooner had been receiving protracted criticism from fans and others over her recent raunchy video, which many say was unbecoming for a married woman. Even veteran musician, Onyeka Onwenu went on Twitter to caution Tiwa Savage, telling her she is not Beyonce and thus shouldn’t act like her. Limpopo and Ogaranya crooner, Kcee was on radio last Friday and added his voice to Tiwa’s marriage crisis, calling on her to clear the air now on the issue and halt the speculations, in the interest of her career and family. Source: http://www.codedwap.com/forum/Kcee-urges-Tiwa-Savage-to-clear-the-air-on-alleged-divorce_1793.html

Igala Language In Anambra State. - Culture

The Igala in Anambra comprises of many towns;NZAM(headqauter and also the largest town in Anambra west, also the largest oil deposit in Anambra state), INNOMA, OWELLE,UKWALA, ODEKPE,IGBEDOR, IGBOKEYI,ODE, Allah and ONUGWA. We lies at the river Niger and omambala coast. Located in Anambra west L.G.A. We have 98% of oil deposit in anambra state. Predominantly farmers,fishing, we are the food basket of nation. Our language is gradually going into extintion. We speak Igala but most our young ones today speak Igbo more than our language. I dont know if they are feeling shy to speak the language, i remember meeting one of my town person at onitsha, i greeted him in Igala he answered me in Igbo ,it goes like this" ME: John kayi dee? JOHN: nnaa! Udo di,ME: kabe enale? JOHN: nnaa! Ka munwa fu madu ebaa." I think the government of Anambra state is not doing well to Igala language just as they do to Igbo language. I know that we are minority language in Anambra with about 5% of the population. It dosnt mean that we shouldnt be value. The government only recognise and promote Igbo language, where igbo language is being taught in every basic and post primary schools in the state. I remember in my primary school days in village where the teachers(IBOS) normally constrain us not to speak Igala in forecorner of school,is either we speak Igbo or English. In the government media companies; Abs 1 & 2 radio, Abs awka tv, Abs onitsha tv, purity radio, Nta awka tv, Nta onitsha tv and many other private radio and tv stations in Anambra. Out of all these media companies only one station allow Igala language that is Abs 2. And the programme takes 10mins only in a day with just two occurance in a week. We have two languages in Anambra; Igbo and Igala. The government need to help and promote our language. I think inferiority complex is affecting our young ones due to the fact that the language is not being promoted to people of Anambra. If we are conversing in our language maybe in any of the major cities in anambra, the igbos around normally refer us as foreigner in the state because many never know that we are full blooded Anambrian. Imagine commissioner of information,tourism & culture(now former) Hon. Maja Umeh saying in a live interveiw that he did not know that igala is in anambra. We have also had discrimination mostly people from anambra central&south,enugu,abia,imo claiming that we are not anambrian. I want to use this medium to appeal to government of anambra state. If it will be possible to appoint two or three igala indigene as commissioner or any appointive position. Secondly to charge the medias to employ igalas to enable them create a programme where the language will be desseminate to people.

Port Harcourt Airport Loses N4.7b Cargo Revenue — Adewunmi - Business

The Chairman of PrimePort Logistics ,Mr Femi Adewunmi, has revealed that Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers States, has been losing an annual cargo revenue of about 4.7 billion Naira due to underutilization by freight forwarders.According to Adewunmi, out of the 25% of the cargo that is supposed to come to Port Harcourt and environs, only 2.5% currently come direct into Port Harcourt airport as the rest is hauled by road.He added that what PrimePort Logistics set out to do is to improve freight services and drive cargo volumes into Port Harcourt International Airport as 250million kilogramme of cargo comes into Nigeria annually . And the Port Harcourt airport must use its 25% volume of the 250million kilogramme.Speaking with aviation reporters in his Port Harcourt airport cargo section office, Adewunmi said the Port Harcourt freight market is lucrative and mainly business freight .It is mostly oil & gas and some manufacturing. He also said the Port Harcourt market is strategically placed. It has easy access to neighboring markets like Calabar, Onitsha, Owerri, Warri, Bayelsa, Aba, Eket, Oil & Gas Free Zone, Uyo, Delta, etc.But he contended that the market is currently seriously inefficiently managed despite its advantage over Lagos market. And, according to him, “Port Harcourt has increased clearing and delivery times to Port Harcourt (7-10wkg days) compared to Lagos deliveries. Bad Lagos to Port Harcourt roads and infrastructure resulting to poor quality of trucks . And also the Trucker’s reputation and illiteracy which has resulted in low integrity and trust in the current process of transporting goods from Lagos to Port Harcourt.”On ways to make Port Harcourt market viable, Adewunmi said agents can “Partner and work with professional well structure organizations like PrimePort Logistics who are changing the way the sector operates.” He went ….have insisted that cargo for Port Harcourt and environs should come directly to Port Harcourt. 100% of PrimePorts’s cargo is diverted from Lagos or is new traffic”. He also said his company is fixing some of the Port Harcourt issues and making additional investments to make the place attractive.“ PrimePort’s success is by continually fixing the highlighted Port Harcourt issues and has also put aside N60m to offset the additional cost of freight. Port Harcourt businesses must assist in the drive – ‘Insist on PH campaign’ PrimePort is planning to host a workshop to help initiate this and kick off the campaign”.Adewunmi explained that Port Harcourt airport gets low patronage because mostLagos based cargo agents prefer doing business in Lagos metropolis and sending their staff to deliver cargo to Port Harcourt. He added that the process in Port Harcourt is faulty as the stakeholders compete against each other instead of complementing each other. Immigration, Customs officials, police, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Security, AVESEC, etc undermine each other and make clearing of goods cumbersome at the airport.This has led to “lengthy decision process and bureaucracy at the airport and lack of structure at the cargo section of the airport and professionalism in cargo clearance has made the airport less attractive to freight forwarders”. He said it will be better for Port Harcourt clients to insist that their goods should be routed directly to Port Harcourt airport as against their being routed to Lagos Airport and then transported to Port Harcourt by road.According to him, Lagos based freight forwarders and agents render “upredictable service and operations especially when it concerns Port Harcourt consignments”. Adewunmi stated: “They (Lagos forwarders) have erratic service levels (good today, bad tomorrow) and they are constantly ‘firefighting’ because of share volume of cargo to Lagos.“True cost of goods from Lagos to Port Harcourt is very expensive. And since delivery to Port Harcourt has been outsourced, there is no control and ownership of process and there is no guarantee that POD bill will be handled carefully. Added to this is the lean resources available to Lagos agents who already have plenty Lagos cargo to clear and so Port Harcourt cargo is additional burden.“Port Harcourt end users of cargo are unknown to Lagos based agents and so no customer service. Most agents lack international standard .Most agencies are in ‘business’ to make money and not set organizational standard and their focus is too much focus on local companies . Use of technology and connectivity is strange to them”. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/port-harcourt-airport-loses-n4-7b-cargo-revenue-adewunmi/

Adamawa Lawmakers Plot Against New Governor - Politics

Adamawa lawmakers plot against new gov The political crisis in Adamawa State may not be over. SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt that some lawmakers in the state House of Assembly have plans to sack the new governor, Mr. Bala Ngilari. Ngilari was sworn in during the week after a Federal High Court ordered the sack of the Acting Governor, Mr. Ahmadu Fintiri. Fintiri, who is the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, took over after the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako in July. Our correspondents gathered that lawmakers loyal to Fintiri might have concluded plans to start a fresh fight with Ngilari. Some of the pro-Fintiri lawmakers told SUNDAY PUNCH, on Friday, that they were looking out for “possible loopholes” that could constitute grounds for Ngilari’s impeachment. One of the lawmakers who insisted on anonymity said, “There is still tension. Our relationship with the governor (Ngilari) will be strictly official and members will not take any issue lying low.” The lawmaker claimed the ousted acting governor did well while he ruled the state. He said, “Members (lawmakers) believe Fintiri proved within three months that he could bring development to the state. He awarded several projects that are yielding results at far less cost than what the previous administration quoted.” Another House member, who did not want his name published, informed SUNDAY PUNCH that the lawmakers were holding a series of meetings on the next step to take. “We will do our work, while the governor will be doing his own,” the lawmaker threatened. Sunday PUNCH gathered that some pro-Fintiri lawmakers planned to sponsor a motion to commend him for his “tremendous achievements in office as acting governor.” Our correspondents say the motion could be opposed by lawmakers loyal to the new governor and this could set off a fresh crisis. When contacted, one of Fintiri’s closest associates in the House, Mr. Kwamoti La’Ore, did not say whether a plan was afoot to find grounds for impeaching the governor. However, he was quick to add that the House would “perform its constitutional duties if there was any breach or offence” by the governor. “We will abide by the court decision, though we are on appeal. He is the governor (Ngilari) and we will not go after him unless there is an offence or a breach,” La’Ore said. Another member of the House, Mr. Adamu Kamale, who did not also confirm the impeachment plot, said the House would not move against Ngilari if “things do not go wrong.” “Our concern, and of course the concern of the people we represent, is that governance should be done the proper way. Things should not go wrong. If things do not go wrong, we will give the governor our full support,” Kamale said. Kamale warned that any attempt to remove Fintiri as Speaker would be resisted by lawmakers. In the aftermath of Fintiri’s removal as acting governor, there has been speculation in the state that the Speaker would be removed from office because he hails from the same local government area (Madagali) as the governor. But Kamale said, “Some people are trying to create a problem where there is none. They are citing Section 14 of the 1999 Constitution. That section is talking about appointments and does not apply to elective positions. “The Speaker is elected by members of the House and it is the members who decide who the occupier of the position is. It is not about geographical location.” Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has commenced moves to nip in the bud the crisis between the lawamkers and Nigilari. The state PDP Chairman, Mr. Joel Madaki, told SUNDAY PUNCH that the party was in touch with both Fintiri and Ngilari, adding that any differences between the two would be resolved like a “family affair.” Madaki said, “We won’t allow them to fight. Why is that necessary in a family? We are all going to work together, and smoothly, till the next elections. “What has happened is already in the past and the party is one big family.” On his part, the former governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako, has said he is prepared to support the governor who once served as his deputy. Nyako spoke through his Director of Press and Public Relations, Ahmad Sajoh, in a telephone interview with SUNDAY PUNCH, on Friday. Sajoh was a key witness for the prosecution during the court proceedings which led to Ngilari’s legal victory. He said, “We will continue to support him as long as he rules with the fear of God, justice and fairness.” “Nyako is not desperate to return to Government House, but he will pursue his case in court to let the world know that the process leading to his removal was wrong. If this leads to his return to office, fine. He is more interested in clearing his name.” Sajoh also dismissed insinuations of a rift between Nyako and Ngilari. He said, “Our detractors are peddling such rumours. There is nothing like that, neither is there anything like we do not support his being sworn in. How can we not? Ngilari’s swearing-in only draws Nyako closer to returning to office. Nyako was a star witness in Ngilari’s case. I went to court five times.” In the meantime, recent developments in the state might have put paid to the governorship ambition of a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, on the platform of the PDP. The development has also put an earlier agreement to zone the 2015 governorship ticket to the Adamawa Central zone in jeopardy. Ribadu and seven other governorship aspirants had agreed to put their ambitions on hold by opting out of the primaries which produced Fintiri, as the party’s candidate for the botched October 11 governorship polls. The aspirants’ decision to suspend their ambitions was part of a deal allegedly brokered at a meeting held at the Presidential Villa. The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, however, told one of our correspondents that the party would look at the agreement and see if it could survive recent events. He said, “The zoning was done in the interest of the party. We would look at the agreement and see if it has been broken by what happened.” Meanwhile, more facts have emerged on how Fintiri, fell out with the presidency and the national leadership of the PDP. A source in the Presidency and a member of the National Working Committee of the party, who spoke to our correspondents on the condition of anonymity, said Fintiri’s utterances after assuming office gave him away as someone that could not be trusted to abide by the deal reached by the aspirants. The NWC member said, “You remember Fintiri said on September 10 at the national secretariat here in Abuja, that his major plan was how to win the October 11, 2014 governorship by-election in which he was the candidate of the party. “He also said only God would determine his fate in 2015. He said we should allow him to win the election first before he would decide on the next line of action. With such utterances, it was clear we were not going to be able to get him (to abide) if he wins.” In a related development, two senators who spoke to one of our correspondents have praised the new governor for relieving Fintiri’s appointees of their appointments. Senator Kabiru Marafa said the sack of the political appointees by the new Governor of Adamawa State, was “good riddance to bad rubbish.” “He should learn a great lesson from Fintiri who will now go back to the House of Assembly as a floor member,” he said. Senator Babafemi Ojudu also said Fintiri erred and since his action was declared illegal, hence all political appointments made by him had automatically become illegal. www.punchng.com/news/adamawa-lawmakers-plot-against-new-gov/

FG Reduces Cost Of Importing Food By $2bn - Politics

By Okon Bassey in Uyo Through heavy investment in agriculture, the Federal Government has now reduced the cost of importing food items into the country by $2 billion, the Vice President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, said in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital. The Vice-President spoke at the weekend during the official opening of Lifetime Africa Achievement Prize Economic Forum in the state, saying reducing the cost of importing food into the country was achieved by encouraging the production of between 1.5 million and 2 million tonnes of rice locally. Also, Sambo disclosed that the federal government had released a take-off grant of N220 billion to support small medium enterprises in the country. According to him, in the last three years, the federal government has established 12 new, functional universities in the country to address specific areas of development. On the control of Ebola Virus Disease, he said President Goodluck Jonathan took the outbreak of the disease seriously and assured of the country’s readiness to support other countries in the world to eradicate the disease. Commenting on electricity supply, Sambo pointed out that the President had prioritised power supply and hoped that by 2018-2020, Nigeria would produce about 20,000 megawatts for transmission. He lauded the State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio for hosting the foundation which coincided with the celebration of 100 years millennium goal and its 54th independence anniversary and for transforming the state through such major infrastructure as roads, airport, sea port, security, health and education, among others. Governor Akpabio had thanked President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo for the proper handling of Ebola disease and the sending of about 500 health workers to Sierra Leone to help control the disease. Earlier, the President of Millennium Excellence Foundation, James Victor Gbeho, had said the forum was meant to generate ideas for the development of Africa, saying the choice of hosting the forum in Uyo was to showcase the achievements of Akwa Ibom State and to let the world have a glimpse of infrastructural development for other states and countries to emulate. www.thisdaylive.com/articles/fg-reduces-cost-of-importing-food-by-2bn/191060/

Appeal Court To Hear Suit Against Jonathan’s Sole Candidacy Oct. 20 - Politics

The Court of Appeal will on October 20 hear an appeal challenging the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the consensus presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of next year’s general election. The application was filed by a former PDP governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo, who has indicated interest in contesting the presidential election on the platform of the party. Ardo is urging the appeal court to grant him leave, as an interested party, to be joined in an earlier suit decided at the high court between one Cyriacus Njoku, a member of PDP, and Jonathan, so as to use the particulars of the case to challenge the president’s emergence as PDP’s sole candidate. Njoku had in suit no. FCT/HC/ CV/2449/2012 at the Abuja High Court contested Jonathan’s eligibility for the February 14, 2015 presidential election, having been sworn in twice as president. But the court ruled on March 1 last year that Jonathan was eligible to contest the 2015 presidential election. Njoku appealed the ruling, but the appeal is yet to be decided. Now Ardo wants to rely on the particulars of the case to sue the president and his party for adopting him as sole candidate for the coming presidential election. Documents obtained from the Court of Appeal at the weekend by THISDAY in appeal no CA/A/574A/M2013 stated, “Take notice that the above mentioned motion appeal/judgement has been listed for hearing before the Court of Appeal Abuja sitting at the 3 Arms Zone on Monday, October 20, 2014 at 9am.” The notice of appeal, dated October 10, was signed by the Senior Registrar of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. Ardo is urging the Court of Appeal to quash the September 18 resolution of the PDP National Executive Committee that endorsed Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate of PDP in next year’s election. The endorsement had followed similar approvals by the PDP Governors’ Forum and the party’s Board of Trustees. Ardo claimed that his fundamental human rights as a Nigerian and a financial member of PDP had been breached by such endorsement of Jonathan by the NEC and other organs of the party. In the appeal filed September 23 by Dr. Amuda Kannike (SAN) and Doueyi Fiderikumo on behalf of Ardo, he alleged that the decision of the lower court raised “grave points of constitutional law and jurisprudence that is the first of its kind in Nigeria.” The affidavit deposed to by Ardo read, “I am desirous of contesting the election to the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is slated to hold on or before February 2015 and my desire is mainly built on my conviction that the president would not be eligible to contest the said election which would have cleared the way for a free and fair level playing ground contest for the party primaries.” Meanwhile, PDP on Friday commenced the sale of nomination forms to aspirants wishing to vie for positions in the coming general elections. The national headquarters of the party in Abuja was yesterday thronged with chairmen of the party from states across the country, who had came to collect the forms for all categories of aspirants except those for the governorship. However, there were indications at the weekend that All Progressives Congress might have finally resolved to conduct an open primary election to pick its presidential candidate for next year’s election. The decision to jettison the idea of a compromise candidate followed discussions by the presidential aspirants and leading power brokers in the party to try to agree on a power-sharing arrangement that would reduce the winner-takes -all tendency and its potential acrimonies. The party also appears to have brought forward to November its presidential primary earlier scheduled for December 2. At a meeting Thursday night at the Rivers State Governors Lodge, in Abuja, stakeholders of the party were said to have unanimously agreed to go ahead with primaries, resolving to set aside all considerations for a consensus candidate or automatic ticket. They also reaffirmed the party's position to commence the sale of presidential nomination forms on October 13. Former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Vice President Atiku Anubakar, Kano Sate Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, former Kwara State Governor Bukola Saraki, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, and newspaper publisher Sam Nda-Isaiah are the major presidential aspirants in APC. The party’s NEC recently adopted the modified direct primaries. But this has caused division between the camps of Buhari and Atiku. While Buhari and his supporters have called for the adoption of a consensual arrangement as stipulated in Article 20 of the APC constitution and section 87(6) of the Electoral Act, as amended, Atiku has insisted on allowing contestants to face each other in a transparent presidential primary. A source within APC told THISDAY in confidence that the plan to move the presidential primary to November was to enable the party tackle the internal dissensions, including the fallouts of the national convention. The source said, “As part of the logistic plans, it is the general consensus that the December 2 date is too close to enable a genuine reconciliation meeting on the outcome of the presidential primary election. The consensus is that the National Executive Committee will meet not later than Tuesday to agree on the modalities for the shift from December 2 to second week of November. “In the meeting of the caucus last week, where the idea to revisit some of the modalities of the presidential primary was discussed, it was agreed that no presidential primary would go without conflict. So the idea of an earlier date is to give room for reconciliation, hence the decision to shift the date to November.” www.thisdaylive.com/articles/appeal-court-to-hear-suit-against-jonathan-s-sole-candidacy-oct-20/191077/

PDP, govs fight, as NWC cancels endorsements

ABUJA— The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has cancelled all endorsements of candidates by the state executive officers. Rising from its National Working Committee, NWC, meeting yesterday, the national leadership of the PDP also warned all the zonal and state executives to jettison the idea of having any anointed candidate ahead of the November 29 Governorship Primary election when governorship candidates would emerge. It will be recalled that there have been reports of full or indirect endorsement of candidates by the PDP governors. In Enugu State, member representing Udenu/ Igboeze-North in the Federal House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was endorsed by Governor Sullivan Chime as his possible successor.PDP1 Also in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio was said to have settled for the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, while Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State endorsed the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu. In Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was said to be backing Anthony Chucks Obuh while the Minister of State, Education, Nyesom Wike has the backing of the Rivers State chapter of PDP. A statement signed, yesterday, by PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting today, Thursday, October 9, 2014 noted that some elected officers of our great Party at the state level have continued to engage in processes aimed at endorsing candidates for the 2015 general elections despite warnings from the national leadership that they, as unbiased umpires, should not be involved in such. “The NWC strongly frowns at this development and issues this as a final warning to all elected party officials and chapters at all levels, and shall not hesitate to sanction such erring officers or chapters. “The sanctity of our nomination processes must be protected at all times. We, therefore, wish to assure all party members that there shall be a level playing field for all aspirants intending to participate in the nomination processes. “Consequently, the NWC will not hesitate to protect any of our members who in any way stands to be shortchanged, cheated or victimized by such endorsements. “The NWC charges all our members and supporters to disregard all such endorsements as the PDP will conduct primaries to duly elect our flag bearers in line with provisions of the Electoral Act and the constitution of our great party.”

ABUJA— The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has cancelled all endorsements of candidates by the state executive officers. Rising from its National Working Committee, NWC, meeting yesterday, the national leadership of the PDP also warned all the zonal and state executives to jettison the idea of having any anointed candidate ahead of the November 29 Governorship Primary election when governorship candidates would emerge. It will be recalled that there have been reports of full or indirect endorsement of candidates by the PDP governors. In Enugu State, member representing Udenu/ Igboeze-North in the Federal House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was endorsed by Governor Sullivan Chime as his possible successor.PDP1 Also in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio was said to have settled for the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, while Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State endorsed the Minister of Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu. In Delta State, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan was said to be backing Anthony Chucks Obuh while the Minister of State, Education, Nyesom Wike has the backing of the Rivers State chapter of PDP. A statement signed, yesterday, by PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo read: “The National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting today, Thursday, October 9, 2014 noted that some elected officers of our great Party at the state level have continued to engage in processes aimed at endorsing candidates for the 2015 general elections despite warnings from the national leadership that they, as unbiased umpires, should not be involved in such. “The NWC strongly frowns at this development and issues this as a final warning to all elected party officials and chapters at all levels, and shall not hesitate to sanction such erring officers or chapters. “The sanctity of our nomination processes must be protected at all times. We, therefore, wish to assure all party members that there shall be a level playing field for all aspirants intending to participate in the nomination processes. “Consequently, the NWC will not hesitate to protect any of our members who in any way stands to be shortchanged, cheated or victimized by such endorsements. “The NWC charges all our members and supporters to disregard all such endorsements as the PDP will conduct primaries to duly elect our flag bearers in line with provisions of the Electoral Act and the constitution of our great party.”

Borno spends N500m on Hajj

The Borno government said Saturday that it spent about N500m toward the successful conduct of this year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia. The state’s Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Mustapha, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Makkah. Mustapha, who was the leader of the state’s Hajj Committee said that the money was used to secure good accommodation for the state pilgrims, as well as ensure good welfare for them. He said that the state government provided a subsidy of 300 Saudi Riyals to each of the 2,645 pilgrims to enable them to perform the hadaya (slaugthering of animals during the Hajj). The deputy governor added that the state government had remained steadfast in ensuring hitch-free Hajj in the past four years in spite of prevailing security challenges. He thanked Gov. Sule Lamido of Jigawa and Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State for their assistance to the state during the transportation of Borno pilgrims to the Holy Land. He said, “We are appealing to the Federal Government to reopen the Maiduguri International Airport. “We want the Federal Government to assist us by reopening the airport so as to avert the difficult situation the state found itself, especially the risky movement of pilgrims from Maiduguri to Jigawa and Kano for the airlift to the Holy Land.”

Chidoka inaugurates N10m scholarship for indigent students

The Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, on Saturday instituted a N10m scholarship scheme for indigent school children in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Chidoka made the scheme public at the third Obiora Festival and reception held for him by the Obosi community. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the festival marks the beginning of the consumption of new yam by Obosi community. Chidoka said the funds for the scholarship scheme would be provided by his friends, who were interested in ensuring that indigent members of the community acquired high level of education. “The community had produced such personalities as the former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku. “With a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the community cannot afford to go back on education pursuits,” Chidoka said. Chidoka also commended the people of Obosi and the traditional ruler of the town, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, for organising the reception. Earlier, Iweka, said the minister had excelled as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission. Iweka said the festival had always been celebrated yearly to usher in the new yam harvest and to reiterate the importance of the farm produce as a fruitful crop. He added that the new yam festival provided members of the community an opportunity to offer prayers to God for peace in Obosi community. Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the FRSC Deputy Corps Marshal in charge of Training, Mr Omidiji Adeyemi, told NAN that the occasion presented another veritable window for the showcasing of the rich cultural heritage of the country.

Sudan knock Eagles out of Nations Cup, win 1-0

Sudan on Saturday effectively put paid to any desire of Nigeria to defend their title at the African Cup of Nations in Morocco next year by beating the Super Eagles 1-0 in Khartoum. The pathetic Eagles, which had lost 2-3 to Congo in the Group A qualifier opener in Calabar before escaping with a 0-0 scoreline against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, could not equalise a 42nd minute goal scored by the Sundanese on Saturday, in a match the Nigerians were expected to win to have any chance of picking a ticket to Morocco. The Eagles will play a reverse group qualifying match against Sudan in Abuja on Wednesday. South Africa shot the the top of the group table with an emphatic 2-0 win over host Congo in Brazzaville on Saturday. The Bafana Bafana have seven points followed by Congo with six points while Sudan occupy the third position with three points while Nigeria have one point to stay rooted to the bottom of the group’s table.

NPS probes attempted jail break at Kirikiri

The Nigerian Prison Service has commenced an investigation into the Friday’s attempted jail break at the Medium Security Prison Kirikiri, Lagos, in which an inmate reportedly died. The spokesperson for the NPS, Mr. Ope Fatiniku, in a statement on Saturday, stated that the Acting Comptroller-General of Prisons, Aminu Suley, has set up a probe panel to investigate the riot. According to him, one person died while seven other inmates were injured during the fracas, adding that three of those injured were treated and discharged from the Prison’s Clinic, while four are still being treated in various hospitals. He said, “Indeed, there was a riot at Medium Security Prison, Kirikiri, Lagos, yesterday (on Friday) at 13.30hrs (ipm), but the situation was immediately put under control by the prison authorities and there was no case of escapee prisoner.” Ope said the dead inmate was one of the four that were admitted in the hospitals whose identities were not disclosed for security reasons.

Buhari supporters shop for N27m APC presidential form fee

October 11, 2014 by NAN 6 Comments The Bauchi State Chapter of the Buhari Campaign Organisation has pledged to buy the nomination form for Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.) to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of All Progressives Congress. Coordinator of The Nigerian Solution Network Group, Dr. Danjuma Dabo, made the disclosure on Saturday in Bauchi during a solidarity rally in support of Buhari. Dabo said whether Buhari was willing to contest in the 2015 polls or not, the organisation would source for fund to foot both the campaign bills and purchase the nomination form for him. The coordinator of the group, who said that the N27m fee for the purchase of nomination form was too high, added that it was above Buhari’s financial capability. He then urged party supporters to contribute funds for activities and to enable the organisation to raise the fund for Buhari. Also Retired Capt. Bala Jibrin, a guest speaker at the rally, faulted insinuations that Buhari was a tribalist and has religious bias. Jibrin described Buhari as “a statesman, who refused to associate with those playing tribal or religious politics.’’ He assured the people that if elected, Buhari would salvage the country from its current state of insecurity, agricultural backwardness and revive other sectors of the nation. He said it was the right time for the electorate to try people like Buhari, who he stressed would bring the country out of its current woes.

Afcon 2015 Qualifiers: Live Blog

Welcome to our coverage of live football with eleven Afcon 2015 qualifying group stage matches tonight. 10.15pm - Atsu does well on the left as he beats his man and sends in a teasing cross into the box but A Guinean defender comes across and deflects the ball behind for a Ghana corner. 10.12pm - It's been a blistering pace from both teams in this half. Jordan Ayew has been impressive in midfield for the visitors but every time he's got the ball, there are two or three Guinea players bearing down on him. He's hardly been given space to work his magic. 10.09pm - Guinea have been impressive since the second half began. Issiaga Sylla sends in a cross which has a bit too much power on it and the ball trickles out for a goal kick near the corner flag. 10.06pm - Guinea go close to drawing level as Seydouba Soumah springs the offside trap and shoots. The ball however goes well wide of the Ghanain goal. 10.04pm - SECOND HALF - Guinea 0-1 Ghana The second half gets underway and Guinea immediately go out on the attack. 9.46pm - HALFTIME Guinea 0-1 Ghana That's it for the firsat half. Ghana deserve to be in front but Guinea have given a good account of themselves. 9.42pm - Idrissa Sylla goes into the books after a rash challenge on a Ghana defender. The referee had no choice and Sylla can have no complaints. 9.39pm - CLOSE!!! Seydouba Soumah gets a through pass on the left flank and sends a scuffed effort across the face of goal. That was poor from the midfielder. 9.36pm - Ghana win a corner and the resulting ball into the danger area bounces around the box before being cleared by the Guinea defence. 9.33pm - Ghana are no slouches but they are being pushed back and now looking to counter-attack now that they are bin front. Guinea have been unable to get in behind the defence. 9.30pm - Guinea haven't let their heads down since they conceded that goal. They've kept the ball on the deck as they look to unlock the Ghana defence. They've made some progress down on the left flank on more than one occasion.There's still a long way to go in this game and you suspect that Guinea will score. 9.27pm - GOAL - Guinea 0-1 Ghana (Gyan) Ghana go ahead just as I'm beginning to think we were not going to see a goal before the half ends. Ayew starts the move and finds Gyan with a delightful through ball and the Ghana skipper sets himself before slotting home with a powerful effort from the left-hand side of the box. 9.23pm - There doesn't seem to be any urgency from both sides at the moment. Not much in the way of goalmouth action. Eaelier, Guinea see another attack break down at the final hurdle and Ghana look to hit them with a quick counter-attack. However, the hosts snuff out the danger and reclaim possession of the ball. 9.19pm - Soumah goes down on the edge of the Black Stars' area, appealing for either a penalty or a free-kick. The ref is having none of it, though, signalling for play to continue. 9.16pm - Chances are at a premium in the game and there's not much action in terms of shots at goal. Both defences have been solid. 9.13pm - Ghana's Atsu wins a corner after Guinea clears his low drive at goal. A few minutes later Seydouba Soumah is hacked down just outside the Ghana box but the resulting free-kick is fired way over the bar. 9.09pm - Idrissa Sylla is clattered outside the Ghana box but the referee doesn't think it's a free kick and waves play on but the midfielder stays down and Guinea put the ball out of play in order for him to receive treatment. 9.06pm - Ghana have yet to lodge their first shot on target, with skipper Asamoah Gyan yet to stamp his mark on proceedings. - 9.03pm - It's not a frenetic start at the moment. All midfield action so far. No shots at goal yet but it's still early doors. 9.00pm - KICKOFF - Guinea v Ghana The referee blows for the start of the game. 8.54pm - FULL TIME - Sudan 1-0 Nigeria Sudan win deservedly in a game where Nigeria looked really pedestrian and deserved to lose. 8.51pm - Mikel with a long range effort that goes just wide of the upright. That was a shot that was hit more in hope than anything else. 8.48pm - Not much from the Nigerians in terms of attack. The referee has added 5 minutes of extra time but you just feel that Nigeria are totally out of ideas. 8.45pm - YELLOW CARD - Sudan Maghoub goes into the books for time wasting. 8.42pm - Tahir has played out of his skin tonight. His latest effort is to curls a shot wide of goal.

Armed Thugs Invade Edo State House Of Assembly Quarters (pics) - Politics

Edo state lawmakers residing at the Legislative quarter located along Ihama road in the government reservation area Saturday morning woke up to the sound of heavy gun shots as armed suspected thugs allegedly sacked all the lawmakers and their family members. Thugs invades Edo Assembly quarters The invasion may not be unconnected with the Monday violent attack on a Peoples Democratic Party, PDP lawmaker, Abdulrazak Momoh who is being treated at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The Speaker Uyi Igbe, Majority leader, Hon Phillip Shaibu and other principal officer’s security were said to have been overpowered by firing power of the invading thugs. Scores of cars belonging to the Majority leader, Phillip Shaibu, Sunday Aghedo, Folly Ogedengbe and Bright Osayande were riddled with bullets in an attack which lasted for about 30 minutes. The invading thugs were said to have been allegedly led by a notorious thugs popularly called ‘Shaba’. He was said to have stormed the quarters at about 6:00 am Saturday morning in a 10 Hiace buses loaded with armed thugs. A visibly shaken eye witness who spoke Nation said the residents woke up to the sounds of gun shot and about 100 thugs firing bullets at vehicles packed. ” They were shouting that we will kill all the APC lawmakers today. I hid in one of the boys quarter for my safety. “They also threatened to return back on later day” At the time of filing in this report heavy detachment of stern looking Policemen from the state command had condone the assembly quarters. Reacting to the attack , the state commissioner of police , CP Foluso Adebanjo said the command will get to the root of the matter , adding that the people involved will be brought to book . http://saharareporters.com/2014/10/11/armed-thugs-invade-edo-state-house-assembly-quarters

Dangote To Invest $12 Billion In Nigerian Economy - Business -

The President, Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote has said he will invest $12bn in Nigeria’s economy. This was contained in a statement felicitating with Muslims on the Sallah celebration. He expressed his firm belief in the Nigerian economy. He said that of the $12b, $2.3 billion would be invested in sugar and rice production in Adamawa State to create about 180,000 jobs and combat terrorism in the North-East. He said that the Nigerian atmosphere is good for business and that he wouldn't have invested in the country if he didn’t believe that. While wishing all Muslims a spiritually rewarding festival, Dangote described the current situation in the country as a passing phase. He urged Nigerians not to allow themselves to be overwhelmed by despair but to be determined and courageous. “It is high time Nigerians rededicated themselves and maintained the virtues, without which the country would continue to wander hopelessly, ” he added. http://newswirengr.com/2014/10/05/dangote-to-invests-12b-in-nigeria-economy/

BOMB SHELL..!!!!! I Wont Complete Mono Rail Project Gov Amaechi - Politics -

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has said the controversial monorail project he initiated would not be completed by his administration. He added that those expecting his government to execute more projects to have a rethink because, “we are looking for money now.” The governor stated this yesterday in Port Harcourt, the state capital during a phone-in radio programme as part of his tour of media houses in the state. Governor Amaechi, who also commented on several issues affecting the state at Radio Port Harcourt, claimed that the lingering dispute in the state judiciary was between the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN and the Judicial Staff Union, JUSUN. On the way out, the governor, who sounded sarcastic, said former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA President, O.C.J. Okocha, SAN should be consulted,” alleging that it was Okocha that wanted to make his sister (Daisy Okocha) the State Chief Judge at all costs. Commenting on the deplorable roads in Eleme and Onne parts of the state, which led to the current strike by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG, Governor Amaechi called on the Federal Government to do its roads, declaring that the one affecting the state was being done. The governor, who received commendations from callers for the work he had done in the state so far, asked the federal authorities to release money owed the state. He alleged that based on what Rivers received from the Federation Account, 60 percent of it was being lost, noting that prompt release of the state’s allocation would enable him execute more projects. On power supply in the state, governor Amaechi said that government had put in efforts to ensure adequate power supply, but blamed part of the reasons government’s efforts were not really being felt on possible vandalism of power equipment in the state. “I don’t know if that is political,” Amaechi said. He accused the Federal Government of perpetrating corruption through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC oil subsidy account, adding that all the affected state governors had resolved to explore legal options on the matter. According to him, “the governors are not against oil subsidy, but against corruption.” He said because of the short period left for his administration and the level of work on the monorail project, another governor would complete it, asserting that the progress made on the monorail had baffled his detractors.

TAN Hit By Allegation Of Fraud. - Politics

The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, a group passionately campaigning for a second term for Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, has been hit by allegation of fraud, with some members of the group accusing it of staging a crowd in support of the president and refusing to pay them as agreed. TAN has conducted regional rallies in support of Mr. Jonathan since August, with the last of its six conventions held in Kano, for the northwest, which comprises Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Kaduna States. The Kano event held Saturday, September 27. As with the previous five regional rallies, the event was attended by senior officials of the federal government, and thousands of supporters. Much of the crowd at the event was rented, some aggrieved members of the group have told PREMIUM TIMES. The politicians, who are members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano State, and were drafted to be part of the TAN rally, have narrated how they were asked to rent a crowd for the president for an agreed fee, only to be left stranded without money to compensate hundreds of youth and women hired for the rally. The matter is threatening to tear the support organization apart with the aggrieved members threatening to seek redress and to expose the sham they claim was on parade at the event. The aggrieved agents now have a pile of debt to settle and some of them who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES say they do not know who to talk to about the money they spent in bringing in supporters. One of the agents, Ibrahim Lawan, who said he is the Secretary of the PDP Youth Awareness Initiative, Kano, told PREMIUM TIMES that he was instructed to bring in 500 youth and women and to hire buses that will transport them to the venue of the rally in Kano city. The arrangement, according to Mr. Lawan, was that each participant would be paid N500 on arrival, and N2, 000 for each bus. Those contracted to rent the crowd hired at least 50 busloads of supporters, he said. The story changed once they arrived at the venue, he told PREMIUM TIMES. “But to my utmost surprise and confusion, as we entered the venue we tried to locate the organizers but we could not see them. When I called them they said I should be patient as they would settle everything after the event. But almost immediately, we realized that the whole thing is a scam because nobody was talking to us again,” Mr. Lawan said. He said they were left to source money and settle some of the youth who became restive and attacked them and their personal vehicles, and seized their belongings, including phones. “This left us in rancour with over 600 angry youths who went wild due to frustrations of spending lots of hours, no food or water and also no available transportation back to their various destinations,” he said. Mr. Lawan said he managed to escape while two of his guards were injured in the fray that followed. Students in the state, who were also asked to put up a showing at the event, were treated the same way, he said. Another agent, Bello Dan Alkarya, also told PREMIUM TIMES that he was asked to bring in women and youth to the venue and would be given N500 naira for each of them. Mr. Alkarya said he did, but unlike Mr. Lawan, he was short-changed as only N300 was paid for each person transported to the rally venue. TAN has no official representation in Kano, PREMIUM TIMES understands. Our correspondent, who made findings in Kano, was told the group has only two resource persons who are responsible for the entire northwest. One of the officials, who agreed to speak, but on the condition his identity be protected, said he had received several complaints of people short- changed by the group after the event. “I simply told them I am not an insider into the activities of TAN because I don’t know much about them. We are only two of us in the whole of North West Region and we don’t have any office. The only way I get to them is when they call me, I don’t know anything about them,” he said. “In fact, the only person who holds everything is the owner of the group, Ifeanyi Uba. He is the one who directed one Jibrin to make sure that they get some people to bring in women and youth. Now you can see that there is a problem in the whole thing,” the man said. TAN’s Director of Communication and Strategy, Udenta Udenta, told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview on Saturday that the association was not aware of the issue and could not have been involved in such an arrangement. “Kano rally was our last rally. The response of Nigerians to our objective and rallies was spontaneous and they are full of passion and conviction. From the South East rally to the North West, that has been the trend. “However, stakeholders, including those contesting elections, can mobilize people to come to the rallies. It is not like TAN is doing the entire mobilization. It is like a market place. TAN only set up a platform to accommodate various interests. Therefore, whoever made the accusation (you are talking about) should be clear on it; he should state clearly who is responsible, when the agreement was reached, date and if not, such a story should be dismissed.” Mr. Lawan said he and others affected have decided to reach out to the media, the PDP leadership and the police. “Till now those in charge of the mobilisation and payment of transport fares and feeding stipends are nowhere to be found or contacted,” he said. “It’s indeed a pity to see how things are being organised by TAN Northwest (Kano). Please PDP, GDG and TAN members, come to my aid, I am currently under pressure and threatened by angry PDP youths to pay them their stipends.” TAN has been at the centre of controversy before. During its earlier rallies, the group staged the events at the peak of the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria defying complaints and warnings from Nigerians about the possibility of helping to spread the deadly virus. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/169333-pro-jonathan-group-tan-hit-by-fraud-allegations-over-rented-crowd-pay.html

Rwanda rallies efforts against human trafficking

More Rwandan leaders have voiced concern over reports of human trafficking in the country. Rwanda’s First Lady Jeannette Kagame is among those who have added their voice against the cross border crime. There have been calls in the country in recent times for more vigilance following reports that Rwanda was acting as a source as well as transit route for victims of human trafficking. At least 153 cases of human trafficking were registered since 2009 in the east African country with some of them involving traffickers who use Rwanda as a transit route for victims. Majority of the victims are normally young girls below the age of 35, according to police. The victims are reportedly taken to Uganda, Mozambique, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, Zambia, Malawi and Asia. Speaking at a national dialogue on human trafficking in Kigali on Friday, Mrs Kagame called for collective efforts to stamp out human trafficking, gender based violence and drug abuse. The First Lady emphasized that Rwanda has previously fought against drug abuse, and there is need to review the progress. “The linkage between drug abuse, gender based violence and human trafficking is the reason we are to fight these crimes concurrently. We are informed that most of the children trafficked are victims of drug abuse,” she said. The Inspector General of Rwanda National Police, Emmanuel Gasana, noted that after drugs and fire arms, human trafficking is the next largest source of income for organized crime worldwide. In Rwanda, he said, human trafficking has mostly been a result of deception, corruption and ignorance. Justice Minister Johnson Busingye said between 2011 and 2014, 24 cases of human trafficking were reported to the prosecution, 10 of them were dropped, nine were tried while four people were convicted and five acquitted. He said the challenges in trying human trafficking cases is dealing with inadequate information since the victim sometimes become part of the story, knowing the trafficking routes, and countries having different stand on the crime. Busingye suggested the penalties for human trafficking in the country are lenient. Upon conviction, human tracking attracts a term of imprisonment of seven years to ten years and a fine of 7,257 U.S. dollars or double the fine in Rwanda’s Penal code. “Statistics should guide us when we are drafting the laws. The gravity of the crime towards the society should be a guiding factor in determining the punishment. If the penal code does not bring about the deterrence of the crime then we should make a review, these are human beings at stake,” the minister said.