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Theophilus Ilevbare: Borno And The Changing Dynamics Of Boko Haram

Mohammed Useni
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Theophilus Ilevbare: Borno And The Changing Dynamics Of Boko Haram

News of the surging violence by the shadowy sect, Boko Haram, has continued to inundate us even if some no longer shudder at screaming headlines of dozens whose throats have been slit; the extremists have sustained the ongoing brutal campaign against civilian and security targets. The vicious group has showed no sign of slowing down in 2014 with a string of coordinated attacks from Borno to Adamawa and Yobe states. It is inconceivable and incomprehensible in a state under emergency, that terrorist attacks in villages and towns last for hours without any kind of security intervention. The escalation of violence between January and February alone has claimed over 650 lives between Borno and Adamawa. For now, Gwoza, Bama, Konduga and Damboa towns and all the villages around them are facing extinction! The insurgents have left on its trail: lives lost, properties destroyed and terrified residents fleeing their homes. Guerilla tactics in rural areas have made the people vulnerable where Christians and Muslims alike have been on the receiving end of the morally reprehensible sect’s abhorrent violence.

Borno, to Boko Haram, is their spiritual home where the ‘struggle’ began. Losing the battle on this turf to the federal forces will effectively signal the end of their insurrection. In this state, their attacks have been more vicious, somewhat sporadic but with a high level of coordination unexpected in a state under emergency. Their resolve is strengthened by the scores they slaughter in the wee hours of the night. The Nigerian military still has a lot to prove that it is capable of putting down the insurrection.

Guerilla wars (better known as asymmetric combat) are the most difficult to prosecute because the enemies live within the civilian population. Security operatives become vulnerable because they are identifiable but the terrorists are almost invincible. It might be asking for too much from the ill equipped and trained Nigerian military to wage a successful war against them. Such an operation is quite complicated and requires cerebral personnel. It is doubtful if the Nigerian military give adequate training to its men to fight guerilla wars – a 21st century security challenge. The unimpressive way the counterterrorism campaign has been waged by the combined team of security agencies have laid bare their conventional and stereotype inbuilt structure of warfare where there is a clearly defined enemy in a well-defined geographical location. The Nigeria military’s symmetric approach to an asymmetric counterterrorism battle in states under emergency, clearly, has failed. The spate of almost daily attacks on hapless civilians in Borno underscores this point. Their modus operandi is similar to all known terrorist groups in the world. The trademark of the organization is blood, tears and sorrow with both covert and overt violent assault against police officers, military, churches and civilian targets. These persistent and mindless killings from highly networked, richly financed groups waging insurgent war often from within civilian population, use a combination of traditional and modern weapons. There tactics can best be mitigated and/or quelled by military operations backed by the most sophisticated and technologically advanced security gadgets. It is a known fact that the structure and design of Nigeria’s national security is too outdated to meet present day security challenges. It has also been reported that the morale of the military and police is ebbing. In contrast, Boko Haram is better armed and motivated. Years of corruption in the military and police have robbed us of the best.

Consequently, the cruel marauders pose a serious threat to the nation’s sovereignty and the continual harmonious co-existence of the various tribes and religions. The possibility of overrunning the country is real.

However, Nigeria’s security challenges are not insurmountable. With commitment and a dogged political will from the government, the nefarious activities of the blood thirsty fundamentalists can be effectively contained. Furthermore, government should tighten what many now regard as the most porous border in the world! We would easily win any award in that category. There is still an ongoing war in Mali; it’s only been months since the Arab Spring ended. All these have put arms and ammunition in the wrong hands.
Those who proliferate these weapons move them across our borders to a mix grill ready market of terrorists, pirates, hoodlums, unrepentant and backsliding ex-militants, 2015 election tugs and other criminal minded elements.

To quell this increasingly complex threat, the tangled-web of terrorist financing must be demystified and those found wanting brought to book. Collaboration like joint military action with our West African neighbours to combat threats along border towns and villages is a strategy the military should urgently explore as part of a comprehensive approach to counter the deadly extremists.

The fierce unrelenting assault on neighbouring villages bordering the Borno state capital, Maiduguri, has highlighted the inefficiency and numerical disadvantage of the Nigerian military and police. With over 8000 troops deployed already to the subregion without any success, the International Criminal Court was spot on when it said Nigeria was embroiled in another civil war. Remote border towns with Cameroon like Banki, in Bama Local Government Area have been the worst hit as the remoteness of their location have made it almost impossible to respond to distress. Recently, the military decried insufficient personnel in such remote towns and villages, as its bane. Residents say in some villages, about six military men, poorly armed, and just about half a dozen policemen are present. This is grossly inadequate and easily outnumbered by over 50 insurgents who storm these target locations in vehicles and motor bikes, armed to the teeth. The presence of more security personnel in the remote villages will to a great extent improve the security situation.

It is ridiculous when our security chiefs give themselves a pat on the back for ‘curtailing’ the Islamic fundamentalists in the North East, preventing their activities from spreading to other parts of the country. This kind of attitude that promotes mediocrity in the rank and file of our national security must be discouraged.

Sabotage, negligence of duty and unhealthy competition among the security agencies are some of the reasons insecurity has been on the rise in the troubled states of the north east, particularly, Borno. The military offensive against the sect has been nothing short of a complete failure.

It is shameful that politicians under whose watch the insurgents evolved still strut the corridors of power, and are partisan politicians till today. It must be traumatising for the victims of Boko Haram. Unfortunately, those who sowed the seed of bloodbath are still at large. Sponsors of the terror group, directly or indirectly, must be brought to justice. Prosecuting the counterterrorism war without exposing and prosecuting their financiers will amount to an effort in futility.

The spirited attempt by the Jonathan government to fight terrorism with mass education of Almajiris is commendable. More of such schools is needed in northern Nigeria. It is an approach that should be encouraged to fight an insurgency that is firmly rooted in illiteracy and ignorance.

Dealing decisively with the grievances that are spawning terrorism and encouraging radicalisation as well as implementing reforms and policies are pathways to restoring lasting peace, security of lives and properties in the north-east and the nation at large.

Now, more than ever, decisive and sustainable victory against Boko Haram has become more elusive but imperative.

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Written By Theophilus Ilevbare http://ilevbare.com.
Disclaimer
It is the policy of Newswirengr not to endorse or oppose any opinion expressed by a User or Content provided by a User, Contributor, or other independent party.
Opinion pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Newswirengr

Mike Ozekhome: Sanusi’s Suspension Is Overdue

Mohammed Useni
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Mike Ozekhome: Sanusi’s Suspension Is Overdue

I whole-heartedly welcome the suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Governor of Central Bank by President Goodluck Jonathan. He cannot fairly hold on to his office whilst his weighty allegations of missing funds are being forensically audited. Indeed, not only did the suspension come too late, it should also have been one of outright sack or dismissal. I am one of the strident critics of President Jonathan for being too tardy in taking crucial decisions on critical matters that affect the nation. This is one such tardy decision, coming too late.

The Central Bank of Nigeria is the apex banking institution, the equivalent of America’s Federal Reserve Bank, the latter of which was set up on 23rd December, 1913.

Like the American Federal Reserve Bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria by the CBN Act, is supposed to be banker to banks, spearhead stability in prices, control interest rates, in a way that makes them moderate, maximize employment opportunities, conduct the Nation’s Monetary and fiscal policy, supervise and regulate banking and allied institutions, conduct research into the Nation’s economy and make it buoyant.

Mallam Sanusi mounted the exalted office of Governor of Central Bank nearly five years ago, at a time the naira was exchanging for less than 140 naira to the Dollar. Today, the exchange rate hovers anything between N165 naira to N172 naira to the dollar, the highest and most shameful in the history of this country. Whilst conceding that Lamido did a great job in sanitizing and deodorizing the banking system, leading to the emergence of stronger commercial banks, he has not fared well in the area of calm conduct, sober carriage and the magisterial disposition expected of his office. He has conducted himself more like a proud, arrogant and boastful politician, an unrepentant pseudo activist and a social critic even of his own Central bank policies, aside the economy of Nigeria that he gleefully tears to shreds and tatters.

Have you ever heard of the Director of the American Federal Reserve Bank, Janet L. Yellen, making inciting and provocative statements against her appointor, President Barack Obama, or against the Treasury Secretary, or the 31st Governor of the Bank of Japan, Haruhiko Kuroda, or the Governor of the Central Banks of England, Mr. Mark Carney, making statements against their Governments? Have you ever read on the pages of newspapers, or watched on the screen, these Governors recklessly and openly flirting with the opposition parties, allying with their views, as against those of the Government of which they directly form a part and parcel?

Have you heard of the Governors or Central Banks of Australia, Ghana, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Brazil, Switzerland, Canada, or South Africa open castigating their Government?

Sanusi didn’t appear to have appreciated the fact that he could never absolve himself from any failure of the Nigerian economy. He appeared to believe, erroneously, that he could single himself out and simply waltz away, majestically, from the mess of our economy, like a shining star on a dark, cloudy sky. He is wrong, dead, wrong. Nigerians now and posterity yet unborn will hold him squarely responsible for our economy, at least, for the Naira that has been severely battered.

His proud, highfalutin carriage, strutting about in flowing garments with a heavy turban, like an Emir, that we hear he aspires to be, in his native Kano without any official or informal denial or denouncement of the speculations, even when the incumbent Emir of Kano Emirate, Alhaji Ado Bayero that he hopes to succeed, is very much alive, hale and hearty, his soap box speeches and theatrics, his rampant strident condemnation of a Government he forms part of, and his overt contempt and disdain for his appointor, the President, did not accord his office the dignity, sobriety and calmness it deserves.

A Central Bank Governor is to be seen and rarely heard, if ever, except only on crucial financial, monetary and economic matters, where his public intervention is called for, with a view to strengthening the economy and increasing investors’ confidence in the economy of that country. Sanusi has played the exact opposite role. He has helped, incrementally and instalmentally, to damage, if not destroy, the very fabric of confidence in the very economy he is supposed to jealousy protect.

Sanusi went about recklessly making outrageous donations in billions of naira to Universities and other social causes, clearly outside the Primary mandate of the Central Bank. The worst thing about these donations is that they were never budgeted for, nor approved by the National Assembly. He carried on like Emperor Louis IV of France, of the “l’etat ce moi” (I am the state) fame. He did not appear to be a team player, but a lone ranger, a loose canon, operating alone and individually. Has Sanusi ever heard of the Doctrine of collective responsibility, or Ministerial responsibility? Did it occur to Sanusi that the success or failure of the Jonathan Government whose monetary policies he headed and superintended over, was also his success or failure?

In a decent society, Sanusi would have resigned immediately he discovered he haboured fundamental disagreement and irreconcilable difference with the Government he serves. But he selfishly held on to his position, neither relinquishing it, nor conforming with it. He behaved typically like the proverbial “chichido” bird, graphically captured by Professor AyiKwei Armah in his seminal novel, “The Beautiful Ones are not yet born”. The bird hates human excrement with all its heart and soul, but paradoxically feeds on maggots that wriggle out of he decaying feaces. It is akin to hating beans, but relishing on moi-moi, or akara, which is a direct by-product of beans.

Sanusi approbated and reprobate simultaneously, on many issues, blowing hot and cold at the same time. He violated global principles of public decorum expected of holders of such a reverred office. He flip-flopped over figures allegedly missing from NNPC, after leaking to the media, a confidential letter he wrote in September, 2013, to the President, even when he was forced to admit that it was not the business of the CBN which he headed, but that of PPRA, to reconcile figures and disclose the exact amount the NNPC paid into the Federation Account. This, even when the figures were to be audited forensically on the directives of the Senate.

He serially accused the NNPC of not remitting $49.8 billion of crude oil proceeds to the Federation Account, an amount he later recanted on, without apologies, as an “error”. But this “error” sent the wrong volcanic signals to the international business Community about the state and stability of the Nigerian economy.

In Sanusi’s letter to the President on September, 25, 2013, he claimed that the NNPC paid only 26 percent of oil earnings to the Federation Account between January, 2012 and July, 2013, He said that $49.8bn, representing a whopping 74 percent, was not remitted by NNPC. This staggering sum, he claimed, the NNPC kept away, was bound to raise the adrenalin of millions of Nigerians and Non-Nigeria across the world. And it did. It did not occur to Sanusi (who should be master of figures) that if about $49.8bn were to disappear from oil proceeds, the entire economy and Government would collapse immediately. Nigeria’s two years budget is not up to this staggering amount.

Sanusi initially stated that $49.8bn was missing. After reconciliation meetings involving stakeholders, he changed his figures to $20billion, then $12bn. The Minister of Finance Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala, insisted that the figures yet to be reconciled stood at $10.8bn. Like a dog with a tail between its legs, Sanusi surprisingly agreed. At this stage, any decent, self-respecting public office holder would have thrown in the towel. He stayed put. Then suddenly, while appearing before the Senator Ahmed Makarfi led Senate Committee on Finance on February 6, 2014, Sanusi again changed his figures to $20bn! Thus, Sanusi’s figures have, at various times, jumped from $49.8bn to $67bn, to $20bn, to $12billion, to $10.8bn and then back $20bn, all within the short space of one and a half months. A simple reconciliation between CBN, NNPC, PPRA, and Ministry of Finance would have sufficed.

Lamido brazenly politicized his sober office, committing serial infractions and violatious of laws and regulations governing his exalted office. He became a “Mr. Donatus”, deeping his hands freely and leisurely, into the coffers of the CBN (without budgetary approval), to make humongous and mind–bungling donations. In this frenzy, as if money was going out of fashion if not quickly used, he made several donations to institutions and social causes without due process of law. He is said to have serially violated Section 15(1)(a) of the Public Procurement Act which provides that all procurement of goods, works and services carried by the Federal Government of Nigeria and all Procurement entities (which include CBN) must conform with the Act. This is geared towards promoting competitiveness, cost of effectiveness and professionalism in public sector procurement regime.

The CBN is said by the Government, Auditors and the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) to have serially violated the Personal Income Tax (Amendment) Act, 2007 CBN Act. For, example, the CBN under Sanusi is said to have expended 3.08 billion naira on “promotional activities” in 2012 (up from N1.084 billion in 2011), even when CBN is not in competition with any other institution in Nigeria, it not having any rival.

CBN claimed to have expended N20.202 billion on “legal and professional fees” in 2011, beyond any reasonable standards of prudence, transparency and accountability.

CBN under Sanusi also expended N1.257 billion in 2012 on “private guards” and “Lunch for Policemen”.

CBN claimed to have paid N38.233 to the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Ltd (NSPMC) in 2011, for the “printing of Bank notes”, whereas the same NSPMC reported a total turnover of N29.370billion for all its transactions in the same 2011.

The Governor undoubtedly deployed huge sums of money without appropriation, and without basing it on acceptable legal mandate, prudence in spending and overriding national interest. The CBN under Sanusi is said to have either executed or is executing currently, over 63 “intervention projects” across Nigeria, without appropriation or authority. Yet, he is the first to mouth transparency and account ability! I should not be taken to be defending Government infractions, or corruption. No. We must insist that NNPC, PPRA, etc, account for monies received by them. But the point must be made that whistle blowers must themselves live above board like Caesar’s wife. He who comes to Equity must not only do Equity, he must come with clean hands.

Sanusi, with reckless abandon and impunity, had donated, questionably and outside the mandate of his office (ultra vires) and without budgetary approval by the Senate, N4 billion to Bayero University, Kano, N10 billion to Uthman Da Fodio University, Sokoto, N500 million naira to the University of Benin, N100 million naira to the Kano State Government, N250 million to Sokoto State over a fire disaster, and about 9.5billion to ASCON in Badagry. Are these part of the role of Central Bank Governor under the CBN Act? Meanwhile, the naira that he is mandated to protect is on a free fall, somersaulting serially like Esan “Egbabonalimhi” dancers from Ewohinmi, Edo State.

He hobnobbed openly with the opposition (there is nothing wrong in this at all, except that he should have first resigned from his sacred office), delivering scathing sermons against his own government. What manner of man would freely deep his fingers into his anus or asshole (permit the vulgarity, for want of a more effective, decent word) and smell it? What would one expect if he brings ants-infested pieces of fire-wood into his house? Lizards, of course.

Even when he was advised by well wishers to resign from office, or go voluntarily on pre-retirement leave, he arrogantly declared he would do neither and that no one could remove him from office, except the Senate. I watched and followed with trepidation, the temerity and the sheer brazenness and audacity of his vituperative outbursts, quite unbecoming of the Governor of an apex bank anywhere in the world. he behaved as if he was not amenable to Law, discipline or control.

It is trite that he that hires can fire. The enabling Act which creates the Central Bank is the Central Bank Act. Under Section 9 of the Central Bank Act, CAP C4, LFN 2004, the mode of appointment of the Central Bank Governor is clearly stipulated. Thus, the section provides as follows:

(1) The Governor and Deputy Governors shall be persons of recognized financial experience and shall be appointed by the President by instrument under the public seal and on such terms and conditions as may be set out in their respective letters of appointment. This is subject to confirmation by the senate with two third majority voting.

(2) The Governor and Deputy Governors shall be appointed in the first instance for a term of five years and shall each be eligible for re-appointment for another term not exceeding 5 years.

From the foregoing section, it is the President alone, without any other authority, who has the power to hire the Governor of Central Bank, with the Senate concurring. Once the Governor has been appointed by the President, the Governor automatically has a five year term and cannot be removed except under the circumstances stated under Section 12 of the Central Bank Act, CAP C4, LFN 2004.

Although, the Governor, while enjoying his appointment by the President cannot be arbitrarily removed from office under the Act, his tenure may be under elongated after appointment under Section 9(3).

The CBN Act did not specifically talk about suspension. It did not prohibit it either. Dismissal which must be endorsed by the Senate has to first be preceded by suspension, which does not require Senate approval. The CBN Act did not say that Sanusi can never be suspended no matter his transgressions. The law is that what is not prohited or forbidden is allowed:

A.G Ondo State V. A. G Ekiti State (2001) 17 NWLR (pt 743) page 706 at 770 para A. See (Gordon Slynn Slnn of Hadley, Mads Tonnesson Andenaes, Duncan Fairgrieve (2000), Judicial review in international perspective, Kluwer Law International, P. 256, ISBN 978-90-411-1378-8). See also United States case of Chevron U.S.A., Inc V. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc., 467 U.S 837 (1984).

It is therefore my respectful submission that the President was right, legally, morally and constitutionally, to have suspended Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Governor of CBN. Not to have done so would have tantamount to creating a sacred cow, or a Frankenstein Monster out of a non-conforming Government employee with an over bloated ego and who fights his own Government with éclat and Joy. What a contradiction! What a paradox!!

The President could have easily removed Lamido from office under Section 11 (2) (C) of the CBN Act, if he so desired. This would be justified as the Section permits removal based on “serious misconduct”. Can anyone argue that the copious infractions of the Law by Sanusi earlier enumerated above do not constitute serious misconduct? Are we going to allow a tyrannical majority or a vociferous minority that controls the media becloud our true sense of judgement, or even humanity?

All that is required for dismissal is two-third majority vote of the Senate. But the President has to first “remove from office” before he can request the Senate to approve the removal. What the CBN Act provisions therefore boil down to is that the President can remove Sanusi from office following due process; or suspend him, following no process at all since the Act suffers a lacuna in this regard. If Sanusi is unhappy with his suspension by President Jonathan, he has two options: go to Court for Adjudication; or appeal to the National Assembly to amend the CBN Act. Sikena!!!

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Article written By Chief Mike A. A. Ozekhome, SAN
Disclaimer
It is the policy of Newswirengr not to endorse or oppose any opinion expressed by a User or Content provided by a User, Contributor, or other independent party.
Opinion pieces and contributions are the opinions of the writers only and do not represent the opinions of Newswirengr

Renting An Accomodation In Nigeria’s Capital, Abuja

Mohammed Useni
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Renting An Accomodation In Nigeria’s Capital, Abuja

By Kudirat Ogunyemi, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

Most residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including civil servants, find it difficult to live in Abuja city centre and its environs because of the high cost accommodation.

Observers note that many useful man hours are daily lost, as some workers often get to office late and tired because they live in faraway places.

For instance, most of the workers in Abuja live in distant places like Suleja, Mararaba, Keffi, Kwali and Gwagalada and a trip from those towns to Abuja may take not less than one hour.

Investigations reveal that one bed-room flat in some areas of the city costs as much as N700, 000 per annum, while an accommodation of the same category in Asokoro, Maitama, Gwarinpa, Wuse, and Garki II attracts more than N1million.

Observers note that because of the high cost of rent, many houses in Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse, Garki are unoccupied.

Mr Ola Adebayo, an estate developer, says that a self-contained room in satellite towns such as Kubwa, Dutse, Lugbe, Karu and Nyanya goes for between N200, 000 and N300, 000.

According to him, the same type of accommodation can cost between N450, 000 and N800, 000 in Gwarimpa, Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro and other neighbourhoods within the city centre.

Adebayo, however, notes that the massive demolition of houses in the FCT in 2006 without a provision for alternative settlements induced significant increase in house rents.

He, however, urges the FCT Administration (FCTA) and the area councils of the FCT to allocate lands to genuine estate developers who are willing to build affordable houses.

He stresses that most houses in the low-density areas of Abuja remain unoccupied because most residents could not afford their rents.

However, aome civil servants bemoan the inability of the government to meet the workers’ expectations of the worker in terms of provision of affordable housing.

Mr Nuru Mohammed, a civil servant, insists that one of the major responsibilities of any government in any part of the world is to provide shelter for the citizens.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Nehemiah Ogem, the Secretary of the FCT Chapter of the Nigerian Civil Service Union, says that the civil servants’ productivity will be boosted if the government provides accommodation for them in locations near their offices.

“Most of the civil servants are living in faraway places like Suleja, Mararaba, Keffi, Gwagalada and Karu, among others, because they cannot afford the house rent in the FCT.

“They often get to office late and they habitually leave the office before the closing time so as to avoid traffic congestion,’’ he said.

The labour leader appeals to the Federal Government to put in place a system that will regulate house rents and penalise owners of locked-up houses that are unoccupied within a specific period.

Ogem says that his union is collaborating with estate developers to build an estate for civil servants, adding that the union is waiting for approval for land acquisition from the Federal Capital Development Agency.

However, Mr James Odiah, a resident of FCT, says that government should allocate houses that are built by various estate developers to workers and low-income earners, while deducting the cost of the houses from their salaries.

“By this way, the activities of shylock landlords in the FCT will be curbed, as people will have alternative sources of accommodation that are better and more comfortable,’’ he said.

Speaking on the high cost of rent in the FCT, Mr Bipoe Johnson, a civil servant, says that he is fed up with the high cost of living in Abuja, adding that he no longer has savings.

“When I was still in Benue State, I saved 80 per cent of my salary and I was living in a better way with my family.

“My house rent for one bed-room flat was N70, 000; the maximum school fees I paid for each of my children was N7, 000; that is absolutely impossible here in the FCT,’’ he says.

Mrs Musa Oladimeji, a civil servant in FCT, says “what I pay for my apartment increases every year without any cogent reason from my landlord.

“The government should have a policy that will regulate house rents in Nigeria, particularly in the FCT,’’ she says.

Nevertheless, Mrs Talatu Mohammed, a landlord in Lugbe, insists that she is obliged to increase the rents for her house, in line with the prevailing socio-economic realities in the society.

She stresses that the estate agents usually inform landlords about the prevailing trends in house rents within the neighbourhood, adding that the landlords have no other choice than to heed the agents’ advice.

Besides, Mohammed says that the rents for new or renovated houses are usually increased to reflect the rising cost of building materials.

“I must, however, admit that it is not proper to increase rent when the house is not new or has not undergone any remarkable renovation.

“The cost of renting a house should normally reflect the cost of building the house but the rising inflation in the country also affects house rent,’’ she notes.

Increase or no increase in house rents, Mr Tolu Johnson, a lawyer, underscores the need to introduce a rent control mechanism in the FCT.

He says that the mechanism will, among other things, address the interests of all stakeholders because litigations, involving landlords and tenants over rent issues, are on the increase.

Johnson argues that it is absurd and exploitative to ask a civil servant to pay two-year rent for a house, whose rental fee is more than N400, 000 per annum.

“There should be a law prohibiting a landlord from demanding or receiving from an incumbent tenant rent, which is in excess of six months for a monthly tenant and one year from a yearly tenant,’’ he says.

Johnson notes that a review of extant house tenancy laws will protect the rights of tenants and guarantee the rights of landlords.

All the same, the Federal Government says it is building unity villages with 10,000 housing units in each of the six geo-political zones of the country.

The former Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ms Ama Pepple, stresses that the sustainable funding of housing delivery programmes will promote investments and boost production of building materials.

She says that the government is aware of the challenges facing the housing sector, adding that it has put in place pragmatic policies that will ensure the provision of affordable houses for the citizens.

FG Says No More Refugees Camp In Nigeria

Mohammed Useni
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FG Says No More Refugees Camp In Nigeria

NAN

The Federal Government said there was no more refugees camp in Nigeria, attributing the development to the fact that there was no more war in Liberia or Sierra Leone.

Mrs Hadiza Sani-Kangiwa, the Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), announced this in Lagos on Friday.

She spoke at the donation of rice, noodles milk and clothes to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

As a result, she said the government had expanded the mandate of the commission to include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) since refugees were gradually diminishing.

“There has been a recession since 2008 and the camp in Oru in Ogun had been closed down.’’

She explained that the presentation of the items was part of its efforts to improve the emergency status of displaced persons in Lagos state.

Members of Lions Club of Nigeria collaborated with the commission to make the presentation.

Sani-Kangiwa was represented by Mrs Margaret Ukaegbu, Coordinator of the South West zone of NCFRMI.

She promised that the zone would assist states, especially Lagos, whenever the commission was called upon.

Dr Aderemi Desalu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties, who received the items, said it was touchy when people showed compassion on children.

Desalu urged people not to turn blind eyes to the problem of others and should not hesitate in showing kindness when it was within their power to do so.

He added that the situation of IDPs was unpredictable and the idea was to be ready to react.

He commended the commission’s idea to have an agency or body that looked at internally displaced people because it was a critical part of the society.

Speaker Tambuwal Promises To Safeguard The Unity Of Nigeria

Mohammed Useni
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Speaker Tambuwal Promises To Safeguard The Unity Of Nigeria

NAN

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, today, said that he would continue to safeguard the unity of the country.

Tambuwa was speaking as the Special Quest of Honour at the closing ceremony of the National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Dutse.

He said that the break-up of the country, being insinuated by some Nigerians, was not the best for the country, pointing out that “united, the better for us as a people.”

The speaker, who said that Southern Sudan which broke up from Sudan had been engulfed in crisis, warned Nigerians to learn a lesson from such crisis.

Earlier, in his remarks at the occasion, the Lagos State Governor, Mr Raji Fashola, urged Muslims to adhere to the teaching of the Holy Qur’an.

He explained that the Holy Qur’an contained various aspects of human life, including nurturing of children, taking care of wives and good governance, among others.

Ezea Chukwudi: God Will Ask Chimamanda For The Souls That Will End Up In Hell Over Her Anti-Gay Article

Mohammed Useni
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Ezea Chukwudi: God Will Ask Chimamanda For The Souls That Will End Up In Hell Over Her Anti-Gay Article

By Ezea Chukwudi

Before I start I would like to ask you to ignore my grammatical errors. I’m not a writer so I have no reputation to protect in terms of grammatical errors. I write principally in response to your article on anti-gay law. I would really plead for your patience to calmly read my own view.

I have never read your article before now. I have heard of your reputation in writing and I had already rated you even when I had never read your articles. Unfortunately your sense of judgment is being questioned when I gave you the chance to create an impression because I’m not a type that takes a second chance to make a good impression.

I want you to understand that the Story of Sochukwuma is what you created just to spice up your writing and you didn’t tell us that Sochukwuma wanted to be gay. Nevertheless, I would like to share a similar story. When I was younger, there was a man called Amechi. He had the same nature with Sochukwuma but he has five children now. A friend of mine called Dera has the same nature and he is called ladies man because he has girlfriends and he intends to settle down soon. Obinna has two girlfriends and he’s also currently dating one of the Nollywood actresses.
You are an enlightened woman and you should not use your education to spread ignorance, you don’t really have to deceive people into accepting evil in the name of human right. As a woman, I expect you to write what you can defend before God.

You spoke like you are a puppet in the hands of western people, because they support gay, you have to do so but that doesn’t make it right. What is really democracy? Is it really all about protecting the minority as you said even when minority are hell bent in turning Nigeria into Sodom and Gomorah. Is that really democracy? Human right is a Greek gift from satan. What is human right when it is against the Creator? We abuse nature in the name of human right and even legalizing gay is abuse of human right. Should everybody do what they wish to do because human right backs them up? Is there any religion that support it or do your culture support it? Even nature abhors it.

Do you believe in morality? Should human right violate morality? You talked of gay people being different, normal and you still support what is not normal to be legalised. You write to fight against nature and God’s plan for creation.

When you said that passing anti-gay law was an indication of a failed democracy in Nigeria, I laughed because was it not a failed democracy when the western world threatened to withdraw their financial aid to any African country that signs anti-gay law. Does that mean Africa must accept what they impose on us, does that mean we don’t have the right to choose the way we wish to live. You should have supported the African minority rather than Western majority. I think you should show balance in your judgment.

It was laughable when you said homosexual is not a crime because it has no victim. You equally did not answer why prostitution, gambling, illicit use of drugs, suicide are crimes when they have no victim. You equally failed to answer why abortion is legalized even when it has a victim. Amanda, are you a virtuous woman? Would you want your daughter to marry another woman and your son to marry another man? Did you really write with conscience?

If gay is legalised then bestiality should also because there is no crime, because there is no victim. It will be also be undemocratic if bestiality don’t have their own right and if bestiality have their right, what do you want this world to turn into? And I don’t think you would wish your children to marry dogs.

This is anti-humanity. You said there were gay people in Nigeria before you were born, that’s because your existence was possible because your parents were not and same sex marriage was not legal. Just imagine a sharp rise in population of same sex marriage if it is legalised. Supporting same sex marriage is denying unborn ones the right to exist or don’t they deserve the privileged like you?

It could have been awesome if you had suggested how to heal them and make them normal rather than legalizing it as you claim they were not normal. If you really have good conscience you should have suggested how we can make them normal not encouraging them to remain abnormal.

If I ask your opinion on murder, you will say it is evil but which evil is more than murdering the souls of men. I would like to ask you, are you working for the devil? Are you bringing souls to God or to the devil? Are you working for a devilish innovation of the new world order?

Many ignorant people are giving you great ovation after reading your article but God will ask you the blood of the souls that will end up in hell because of what you sent to the public. You compare homosexual with fornication. Between two evils, one is better. Fornication is evil but it is not against nature because it involves two opposite sex, it can have good end product like marriage and child birth but what is the good end product in homosexuality? Anti-nature, anti-humanity, extinction of man kind? Is that your wish for the world? Why are we fighting for natural conservation if not for continuity?

You don’t have to write because you have the right and knowledge to do so but there should be sanctity in what you write. I know you know how to write but your pride should not make you think you know better than your Creator, Leviticus 18:22. If really your opinion about same sex marriage is from your honest heart then the similarity between you and human being is just coincidental. Someone needs morality, see the person in the mirror.
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Article written by Ezea Chukwudi
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Acting CBN Governor Assures Stakeholders Of Financial System, Currency Stability

Mohammed Useni
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Acting CBN Governor Assures Stakeholders Of Financial System, Currency Stability

The Acting Central Bank Governor, Dr Sarah Alade, has assured stakeholders that the recent changes in the apex bank will not affect Nigeria’s monetary policies.

Alade made this known when she briefed newsmen in Abuja on Friday.

President Goodluck Jonathan had on Thursday suspended the apex bank governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido sanusi, and directed Alade who was a deputy governor, to oversee the affairs of the bank.

Alade assured that the bank would continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market to ensure stability of exchange rate of naira and preserve the value of the domestic currency.

“I wish to use this opportunity to reassure all our stakeholders, including the international community, that the recent changes at the CBN will not in any way affect the country’s monetary policy direction.

“It will not also affect the pursuit of the bank’s primary mandate of maintaining price and financial system stability,’’ she said.

Alade said the Nigerian economy had remained strong, sound and resilient over time, adding that available statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics indicated that inflation rate was 8 per cent in January.

“It is important to draw attention to the fact that inflation rate has remained within single digit in the last 13 months.

“Similarly, the domestic economy remained robust with a growth rate of 6.87 per cent in 2013, while the exchange rate has also remained generally stable,’’ she added.

Alade pledged that the bank under her watch would be committed to sustaining the achievements already attained through the use of appropriate monetary policy tools to ensure price and financial system stability.

The acting CBN governor added that the bank had the capacity to meet the demands of all foreign exchange users, adding that it had no plan to devalue the naira.

“It is important to note that the bank in its 55 years of existence has continuously focused on its core mandate and remains committed to achieving monetary and price stability.

“It will also ensure the promotion of sound financial system as well as defend the international value of our local currency,’’ Alade said

According to her, the bank’s policies and operations will continue to be firmly anchored on the realisation of its principal objectives in line with the provision of the CBN Act 2007.

Alade said that the bank would continue to carry out its responsibilities by responding appropriately to emerging challenges.

Jonathan Witch-hunting Sanusi Lamido For Doing His Job- Kano Emirate Council

Mohammed Useni
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Jonathan Witch-hunting Sanusi Lamido For Doing His Job- Kano Emirate Council

Following the suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Kano Emirate Council led by Emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero has described the action as abuse on the rule of law.

Sanusi Lamido who is of the royal family and a possible next on the throne after the current Emir was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan over what the government termed “Financial recklessness”.

His suspension came shortly after he exposed the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation for not accounting for 20 billion dollars.

According to the Emirate council in a statement, Sanusi was being persecuted because he exposed the corruption in Nigeria’s petroleum industry. The Emirate further advised President Goodluck Jonathan not to personalize issues instead treat all Nigerians with equality and fairness.

The statement titled “Suspension of CBN Governor: Abuse on the Rule of Law”, was signed by Alhaji Tijjani Hashim who is the Galadiman Kano.

It says the council believes that adherence to the rule of law is paramount and important to any government, more importantly a democratically elected government, which preaches total adherence to the rule of law.

The statement reads: “As the President has suspended the Governor without the recourse to the rule of law, we believed it was a deliberate attempt to witch-hunt him and desperation and impunity at the highest order by the Federal Government.

“We and many see the President’s action as a deliberate witch-hunt of the Governor for doing his job by letting Nigerians know the alleged fraud going on in the petroleum industry and to divert people’s attention from this monumental fraud.

“Despite all the awards and commendations the Governor received nationally and internationally, which Nigerians and even the President are proud of, the significant positive changes to the economy, confidence in depositor’s money and dynamic banking reforms, but it’s unfortunate the Governor will be paid back this way.”

Minister Advises Travellers To India To Take Oral Polio Vaccine

Mohammed Useni
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Minister Advises Travellers To India To Take Oral Polio Vaccine

NAN

The Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, has directed Nigerians visiting India to take Oral Polio Vaccine six weeks prior to their arrival in India.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Isiaka Yusuf, Chief Press Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, on Friday, in Abuja.

“Similarly, any India national traveling to the polio endemic or polio outbreak countries will be vaccinated against polio virus six weeks before leaving India.

“This directive is at the instance of the World Health Organisation as advice to polio endemic countries such as Nigeria, Kenya, Israel, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan and Pakistan,’’ the statement said.

According to the statement, the advice is binding on all members of the World Health Assembly of which Nigeria is a member.

The statement said the Nigerian Government, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, had made tremendous progress in 2013 towards achieving interruption of polio virus transmission by the end of 2014.

It also stated that the number of wild polio virus cases in 2013 had reduced immensely by 56 per cent when compared with the same period in 2012.

Chukwu also said that the Nigerian Government would continue to enhance its surveillance and social health education, information and communication activities to ensure complete interruption of the disease in Nigeria

Suspected Murderers Of Imo Got Talent Boss, Prince Noel Tochukwu Apprehended And Paraded

Mohammed Useni
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Suspected Murderers Of Imo Got Talent Boss, Prince Noel Tochukwu Apprehended And Paraded

The Imo State Police command have apprehended two suspected killers of the US-based CEO of Imo Got talent, Prince Noel Tochukwu Unegbu. Unegbu was shot dead in his room at Rapour Hotel, Owerri on the 4th of February.

The suspected murderers are both students of Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education (AIFCE), Owerri. They were paraded on Tuesday by the Imo state Police command. The suspects are: Eze Charles Nnamdi, 22, a 400 level student of the college who hails from Abakaliki, Ebonyi State and Maduabuchi Augustine, 20, a 300 level student and a native of Ekwulobia in Anambra State.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali informed newsmen that two locally-made shot single barrel guns, 2 live cartridges and 2 axes were recovered from one of the suspect, Eze Charles Nnamdi. The police say the suspects are yet to reveal why they killed Prince Noel.

Ecobank Staff, Babatunde Oke Allegedly Passes On As A Result Of Police Brutality

Mohammed Useni
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Ecobank Staff, Babatunde Oke Allegedly Passes On As A Result Of Police Brutality

Tweets from a certain David Ekpo has suggested that Babatunde Oke, a  staff of Ecobank has passed on after being tortured by the Nigerian Police Force. He had been reported to the Police by the Ladipo Oluwole, Ogba branch of Eco Bank over allegations of fraud.

The tweets and Facebook post from the deceased’s friend, David Ekpo suggest that the deceased passed on as a result of severe torture from the Police.

The late Babatunde Oke is survived by his aged mother and two children according to the posts.

 

 

Comedian, AY Releases Promotional Photos For ‘AY Live Show’

Mohammed Useni
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Comedian, AY Releases Promotional Photos For ‘AY Live Show’

Comedian, Ayo Makun popularly referred to as AY has released new promotional shots for his upcoming annual AY Live Show on Easter Sunday.

Have a look at some of the lovely photos below:

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