By Ndahi Marama
No fewer than 100 people were killed, weekend, in separate attacks in Baga and Izge villages of Kukawa and Gwoza Local Government Areas of Borno State by suspected members of Boko Haram sect.
Vanguard reports that the attack in Baga village bordering Chad Republic which took place Friday evening claimed 10 lives, while the massacre at Izge village, Sunday morning, left over 90 people dead.
More details to follow
An aide to Chinedu Orji, son of Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state was on Saturday shot dead by a police orderly, acting on the instructions of the younger Orji.
Eyewitnesses present say the shooting occurred at the declaration of interest in contesting for a senatorial seat by the governor in the forthcoming 2015 elections.
The sources say after a provocation of the governor’s son, nicknamed Ikuku by the aide, the former ordered his police orderly, to shoot Mr. John Ndubuka, his personal assistant.
The unnamed policeman followed his boss’s instructions to the letter, shooting Ndubuka three times in the chest. The victim collapsed and died on the spot.
They claim the governor’s son is the de facto governor of the state and has a penchant for power excesses. Cases have been reported in the past of him taking possession of any property he so desires, without due compensation of the owner. He is also rumoured to order people out of supermarkets when he enters to shop and bullies contractors, asking them to pay him before executing some of the contracts in the state.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dr Eze Chikamnayo, has told journalists that Ndubuka was hit by a bullet that killed him from an unknown source while leaving the venue at the end of a successful civic reception organized by Ikwuano/Umuahia people for the Governor on §aturday.
Chikamnayo said the identity of the assailant is not yet known but stressed that the matter will be thoroughly investigated and assured that the police will uncover the killers and bring them to book.
Nigeria’s Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar today joined the Instagram Social Media Network.
Atiku could be quoted as making this promise some weeks ago in the wake of the New Year while sharing his Thoughts and Opinions on Nigeria, Politics, Elections and Social Media.
“Looking back it has been an interesting ride. I’ve met and interacted with a lot of interesting people, endured a lot of hostility, and generally learnt a great deal. I think it has helped that my children are active there (Social Media) as well; they have helped me – the sixty-something year old grandfather – better understand how it works, and how to behave myself. It would have been a lot tougher settling in without them.
And, who knows, maybe this year I will even venture out into newer territory. My children have been telling me about Instagram. I won’t promise them anything, of course, but I’ll keep an open mind. Which, I think, is the best way to approach a new year”.
In what could be described as a fulfillment of the above Atiku today made his first post via Instagram reassuring his commitment in job creation as an entrepreneur and businessman.
“Our farm land mill expansion in Yola will add 1,000 jobs to the community. We must keep asking; how many jobs are we creating for Nigeria”?
The Former VP has called on Nigerians especially the youths to freely engage him on meaningful conversations and debates via his Instagram account @aatiku.
The Chances are high that the First Lady, Patience Jonathan has been flown to Germany for another medical treatment.
The report was gathered from two reliable sources in Abuja, who spoke with an online news medium, Sahara Reporters on the state of health of the First Lady.
One source disclosed that President Jonathan’s wife was secretly moved out of Abuja almost a week ago.
“She was flown out about a week ago,” a source at the Presidential Villa told our correspondent. He added that he was not aware of the First Lady’s immediate ailment.
Another disclosed that Mrs. Jonathan had kept a low profile several weeks before her removal to a German hospital.
“She has not been in good health for a while now,” said a source close to the Jonathan family.
Content Credit: VANGUARD
The Former Minister of the Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe has declared his intention to contest as Governor of Delta State.
Orubebe who was sacked less than a week by President Jonathan made his intention known to the people Saturday.
He said, “As I was driving past the streets of Asaba, I saw some posters with different inscriptions, including the one welcoming me as the next governor of the state.
“I want to let you know that as your humble servant, I will be there for you come 2015”, he said.
Orubebe said that he was in support of Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration and would work with it to move the state forward.
The former minister, has for long being suspected of nursing a gubernatorial ambition.
He however thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and late President Umaru Yar’Adua for appointing him at different times as minister.
The Federal Government of Nigeria Moves Relief Materials to Konduga for Victims of Terrorist Attacks over the weekend following the attacks by Boko Haram terrorst that left 51 dead.
A statement by Abdulkadir ibrahim, the Zonal Information officer NEMA North EastWhile stated that more troops have been deployed for protection of lives and properties.
It noted that while the deployment is ongoing, the Federal Government has moved truckloads of relief materials to Konduga Local Government Council of Borno State which was recently attacked by suspected insurgents.
The truckload of materials which were transported by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) led by its North-West Zonal Cordinator Muhammad Kanar include food items, toiletries, clothing and other basic needs.
With the destruction of markets in the community, the gestures of the federal government was well-received by thousands of local who trooped out from their abodes and hideouts to receive the materials.
The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Muhammad Kanar assured members of the community that more items would be distributed including building materials to rehabilitate some of the structures destroyed in the recent attacks.
NEMA has undertaken many of such interventions in recent times in various communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states where a state of emergency has been declared as a result of the insurgent activities.
Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies in Nigeria have been urged to cultivate and sustain mutual relationship with the media practitioners towards a better understanding on the current challenges in fighting criminal elements.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) made the call weekend at the inauguration of the Forum of Spokespersons in Security and Response Agencies (FOSSAR) in Abuja, said accurate and responsible public information is also vital to the war against terror.
“The next stage of war on terror should include advocacy and media engagement through accurate, timely and responsible information to dissuade our people from criminal activities as well as to silent the propaganda tools of terrorists,” he said.
While seeking greater cooperation and synergy among spokespersons of security agencies on information management, he urged them to be proactive and responsive to major issues that require urgent attention.
Represented by the Director Special Duties, Col, Bello Fadile (rtd), the NSA said “with various forms and channels of communication, security managers and their information personnel must proactively and timely address and response to issues in curtailing rumour mongering and mischiefs.
“You must provide truthful information and correct erroneous impressions always without resorting to naked propaganda and falsehood.”
As the nation is going through electioneering period, Col Dasuki also urged the media to be wary of politicians who may be playing politics with actions that may be detrimental to national security and national interest for selfish ambitions.
He said “the media should continue to rise above primordial feeling and partisanship to boost the morale of the military and other security agencies in their statutory mandates of protecting lives and properties.”
Responding the Chairman of the FOSSAR, who is also the Director Defence Information Major General Chris Olukolade disclosed that the establishment of the forum was one of the outcomes of an Interactive Security-Media Parley which was held in the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2013.
He said the forum will ensure professionalism and patrotic commitment to information dissemination as regard security issues in the country and partner with the media towards national development by working in harmony in the defence and protection of Nigeria’s image.
Olukolade added that “The forum would not only improve harmonious working relationship among major security agencies in information management but will also proffer strategies for public enlightment campaigns to dissuade citizens from criminal and terrorist activities.”
Members of the forum include spokespersons from various security and response agencies including Army, Navy , Airforce, Police, Civil Defence, Fire Service, SSS, NIA, Road Safety, Customs among others.
If you have all noticed, within the last months of 2014, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has subtly began a campaign for 2015 elections..
The President has continued to rally support from Christian groups, moving from one denomination to another to get the clergymen endorse his candidacy ahead of his declaration.
While on the Christian denomination, the President has also turned to the direction of the traditional rulers in the country for his second term ambition with the surprise visit to four monarchs in Kano, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States respectively.
Though the spokesperson Mr Reuben Abati described the the visits to Alhaji Ado Bayero; Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu as “private visit”.
Many argue his motives are part of his preparation to declare his intention to run in the 2015 presidential race as Jonathan is not known for surprises.
The merger by the legacy parties forming the All Progressives Congress, APC, a union many before now thought will never happen has thrown the Presidency and the PDP in confusion leading to the general elections next year..
It is with a heavy heart, and resentment to Nigerians for a tenure ill spent, that I announce the sudden departure of Stella Oduah from the Aviation Ministry. She was survived by two bullet proof BMWs and lots of newly painted airports. I blame Nigerians for this. I know I am asking for your votes and all but sometimes as your leader I should perform my god-given role of scolding you when the need arises. Twice on this page I begged you people. Forgive Stella. I explained how America destroyed an otherwise slim, conscientious student from Nigeria and returned a hustler to us. I explained how despite turmoil on the home front she got her groove back and made our airports look cool. But no, you people screamed and pushed and prodded. You spat and insulted. If tomorrow she winds up in hospital to treat depression it will be on your conscience. All of you. I don’t have her phone number, otherwise I would have called to make sure she is ok. It is small things like this that makes people in other countries jump out of 10th floor windows.
So I hear the French president has finally done it. He has gone and dumped the woman with whom he cheated on the mother of his children many years ago. The woman was so devastated after learning that he was riding a scooter to see his new hot lover nearby, she had to check into hospital. And he sent her a 20 word public breakup memo to truncate her hustle as first lady. I almost made the mistake of dating a French person. Just imagine me as your president discussing issues of crucial national importance at a meeting, then finding out that I have been dumped on Linda Ikeji’s blog. God knows that will break me. Join me in thanking God for saving Nigeria from the tragedy of French lovers.
Kayode Fayemi wants to become Governor of Ekiti again. I don’t know who put the idea in his head, but that is how he went and called bloggers from around the country, put them in a hotel, took them round his projects and put 50,000 naira in their pockets as they were leaving. Whether the money was for transport or per diem is not my concern. Who advised him about whom to invite, I don’t know. Kayode and his people looked at me finish and thought no, we will not invite Elnathan. Well look at what happened to his blogger campaign. Bloggers ended up discussing the 50,000 he gave them instead of the roads he made them drive through. That is what happens when you overlook people like me. Is that not how Jonathan and his people after refusing to take my calls are suffering one political crisis after another? I don’t know why people will not learn from the mistakes of others.
Is it just me or does Ngozi Okojo-Iweala increasingly look and act like that kid who was bullied and threatened into joining a cult? You know those ones who are the first to break down and cry when shit hits the fan? I watched her during the Senate hearing on Thursday and she looked like a child under interrogation who, though not the one who stole the stock fish in the pot, knows which of her brothers took it but is too afraid to say. Imagine coming before the Senate and saying that although she initiated requests for documents from the NNPC explaining missing billions, she and the Ministry of Finance had no expertise to determine the authenticity of the documents. This is like going to ask for a wife and then after the wedding ceremony declaring that you do not have the capacity and expertise to consummate the marriage. I can only imagine what internal contradictions Ngozi must be facing. I just want to say to her that there is no shame is seeing a therapist before she breaks down completely. Or just resigning.
Does anyone know why Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is addicted to bow ties? A bow tie is fine for a bartender or a person at a formal dinner. Every other time it just looks pretentious and awkward. Especially on a person his size. If only he would listen to me, I would suggest wearing long ties which can actually make him look taller and make people take him more seriously in government. I am sure the NNPC keeps contradicting him because of his bow ties. It is just hard to take a man who always wears bow ties too seriously.
Governor Jonah Jang speaking to the fourth Middle Belt Leaders Conference in Jos said: “when President Goodluck Jonathan finishes his tenure in 2019, the Middle Belt should work hard and be supported to take over the presidency.”
I was almost taken over by excitement that the 102 year old Jang finally acknowledges that my young Middle Belt self is ripe for the Presidency until I heard ‘2019’. He even went further to add that nobody would stop Jonathan from becoming president in 2015. I am disappointed in this man. As president, I will ban persons above the age of 100 from contesting positions that require rigorous work like the presidency or governorship positions.
Ps. This week in a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory, mobs attacked certain men perceived to be gay, molesting them and relieving them of valuables. Nearly 10 men have now been rendered effectively homeless as the mobs have vowed to return. Meanwhile, in Borno, suspected Boko Haram militants attacked twice, killing 39 and 55 persons respectively and abducting dozens of persons, mostly teenage girls. It is hard to understand the reasoning of those who, in a country with real problems, attack people because of their perceived sexuality.
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Article originally published on Elnathan’s Blog
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The Igbo today are groping in a labyrinth of confusion; a labyrinth that they have knitted together out of humongous morsels of selfishness, avarice and ignorance. And as they waltz in the ball of anodyne confusion their status or place in the Nigerian entity magnanimously tapers off.
Having said that, it is indubitable to aver that the place of the Igbo in Nigeria as the present gut-shrivelling political picture shows, is the abominable and thrashed quarters of irrelevance. In line with that, in political stratification, the Igbo take the wizened, bottom space after the Hausa, Yoruba and Ijaw. In fact, other peoples that are considered ethnic minorities in Nigeria may go up the political ladder before the Igbo as it is today. In addition, the Igbo are highly unappreciated in the political mix, and that also means they are tinged by the stain of “last-best”. Consequently, anything, “Igbo-rated” is consigned to the trashcan of “fourth-fiddle”, irrelevance, and not-good-enough-for-power. To say the least, the Igbo have become side-kicks to dominant Hausa-Yoruba-Ijaw power heroes in the Marvel comic of Nigeria.
As always, the unthinking Igbo horde will allude the present condition of the Igbo to the “blessed” Biafra-Nigeria civil war. And for this horde there is no way out of the asphyxiating cul-de-sac because the war has already done some irredeemable damage. Playing the victim has become the lazy default configuration of some Igbo.
So, for the unthinking Igbo, here are some posers. Is the war the reason greedy Igbo leaders in a perfidious clique known as Ohanaeze barter the political future of the Igbo for billions of naira which they swallow, and defecate pennies for their coterie of unthinking followers? Is the war the reason states in the South East are sprawling igloos in spite of all the huge monetary allocations to the various South East governments? Is the war the reason the Igbo lack direction, and orphaned of an agenda? Is war the cause of the gully erosion gormandizing parts of Anambra State with belligerence? Is the war the reason the Igbo are ball boys at the Maracana of Nigerian politics? Is the war the reason for the ossified, steal-abroad-and-take-chieftaincy-title -at-home culture in Igboland? Is the war the reason for the baby factories mushrooming in Igboland? Is the war the reason for preponderance of Igbo criminal regiments at home and abroad? There are many more imposing posers, but these are for cerebral crunching.
Perhaps, the war is the reason why “Kpomo” is more expensive in Anambra than in Kano.
For the thinking Igbo, it is wholesomely clear that the trash position of the Igbo in Nigeria today is as a result of a concatenation of ill-forces mustered by the Igbo themselves. The vilest ill force militating against Igbo ascendancy to the stratum of affluence, influence and power is Igbo penny leaders. The fact is a scrum of Igbo penny leaders feed fat on the emaciated condition of the Igbo in Nigeria. They claim to represent the Igbo, but what they do is to gulp down mouth watering sums of valuable paper in exchange for Igbo’s rights farting stained coins of greed. The alleged handout of 1.2 billion given to Ohanaeze by President Goodluck Jonathan is a knocking affirmation of this point. Even if Ohanaeze disputes the allegation, the truth remains it cannot be tooting Jonathan’s horns and running his errands for free. Ohanaeze, we all know is not for charity. So it must have been duly raking in “solid quid” into its bloating coffers from its consort with the President.
In conclusion, the vacuity of Igbo leadership heralds itself as the national conference dawns. The Igbo seem to be the obfuscated people without an agenda. The Yoruba agenda is regional autonomy. The Hausa-Fulani agenda according to Arewa Consultative Forum is unitary Nigeria (even though they are euphemistic about it), but the Igbo sadly, tout conflicting ideological noises as agenda. At best, what the Igbo do is to sandwich themselves between Ijaw agenda of resource control and self-determination. One Igbo leader from the North Pole cries, “self-determination” another one from the South Pole screams “con-federalism”. Disjointed schema! Playing the “fourth fiddle” has become the genius of the Igbo.
And as the Igbo become a minority in Nigeria owing to its quisling leaders, it will be easier of Boko Haram boys to get surplus tasty virgins in heaven than for an Igbo person to become president.
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Fredrick Nwabufo, writes from Abuja. Email:[email protected] 08167992075
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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
The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the State House of Assembly for passing the Rivers State Reserve Fund Law Amendment Bill 2014 to enable the State Government withdraw N30 billion from the N53 billion in the fund.
Commenting on the passage of the bill on Thursday by the lawmakers, Rivers APC Interim Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, said in a statement issued today in Port Harcourt:
“We commend the patriotism of the legislators for amending the Rivers State Reserve Fund Law without further delay. This timely intervention by the lawmakers, who have once more proved to be true representatives of the people, will enable the Governor Chibuike Amaechi Administration to proceed with its programmes and projects unhindered by the economic war being waged against the state by the Peoples Democratic Party-controlled Federal Government.
“Blinded by its hatred for Governor Amaechi and the good people of Rivers State, the PDP Government at the centre has done everything within its power to economically strangulate the State, by ceding oil wells belonging to Rivers to neighbouring states, thus subjecting Rivers to monthly revenue loss of over N7 billion, thus making it impossible for the Amaechi Administration to meet its obligations to workers and contractors and to fund ongoing projects.”
Dr. Ikanya berated some blind critics particularly the Rivers State PDP for denouncing the action of the lawmakers. “We are, however, not surprised by the position of Rivers PDP as made known by its Chairman, Mr. Felix Obuah, through his media aide, Mr. Jerry Needam, as PDP has never wished the State any good,” he said.
“These misguided critics forgot that our patriotic Law makers adopted this step in order to save the lives of the teachers employed about five months ago without being paid including some government agencies and some contractors that have deserted their sites because of lack of fund from further hardship. Some of these blind critics forgot so soon that it was Gov. Amaechi that initiated this bill to serve as an intervention fund during an emergency situation in the State. One wonders therefore what either excuse that will suit these blind critics to see that we are in an emergency situation occasioned by the ceding of our oil wells by the PDP led Federal Government to other neighbouring States and that the Rivers State Government need to intervene as a sound and responsible government that cares for the welfare of her citizenry, the statement maintained..
The APC in Rivers State therefore commended and congratulated Gov. Amaechi for the bold step of signing the amendment bill into law thereby demonstrating in a very simple term his love and care for the people of Rivers State.
The Rivers APC Interim Chairman urged Rivers people to disregard the ranting of PDP leaders who are determined to prolong the suffering of innocent Rivers citizens for rejecting them, urging the people to continue to support Governor Amaechi as he means well for them.
Nigeria’s Football national team, Super Eagles will launch their new 2014 World Cup jersey when they play Mexico in an International friendly on March 5 in Atlanta. Kit suppliers, Adidas revealed the new design on Friday.
According to the sportswear giants, the new home kit “departs from the traditional racing green to an exciting and striking lighter variant, reflecting a fresh, young and vibrant Super Eagles team that carries the hopes of a proud Nigerian nation”.
The brighter, colourful mood of the home jersey also adds a festive and optimistic Brazilian flavour. The most notable design detail on the jersey is the addition of a bridge-like band set across the shoulders, which enhances the jersey’s iconic look with additional detail.
“We are very proud to once again partner with adidas to produce a home jersey that reflects youth, spontaneity and freshness. It will not only appeal to the Super Eagles but their fans across the globe. We are delighted with the design as it reflects innovation yet incorporating an element of fun,” the NFF president, Aminu Maigari revealed.
“We are happy though that while the jersey has a new look, it’s green side panels tie the new kit to its’ historic darker green tradition.”
The away jersey’s bold, provocative and unexpected use of red The away jersey’s bold, provocative and unexpected use of red names in the name and number treatment, brings an element of aggression to the white jersey. The red is a direct reflection of the colour bordering the Super Eagles’ crest.
