Gowon hits Achebe on civil war, says: He wrote out of ignorance

Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s Ex-president

War time Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, has criticized renowned author, Professor Chinua Achebe, over his new book on the Nigerian civil war, saying he{Achebe }does not know the issue he was writing about. Gowon said he was ready to face the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague on the matter if necessary.
“What role did Achebe play in the secessionist plans? Achebe must have been outside the country during the war and probably did not know what happened during the period otherwise he would not have written on what he was not sure of “, he remarked.
The erstwhile Nigerian leader, who was answering questions from journalists courtesy, visit to Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu at the Presidential Lodge, Minna, Niger state, yesterday, said Achebe must have been talking out of ignorance, adding that he and the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo had no regrets over their roles in the civil war, pointing out that if there was no secession, there would not have been civil war.
“In fact , if there was no secession by the south eastern part of the country, there would have been no civil war because right from the beginning of the crises, the war would have been averted if not for the secession . It was something I believed we could have stopped,” he stressed.
Gowon also debunked the claim by the author that his administration embarked on the mass killing of Igbo, adding that the federal troops did not also use hunger as a weapon to dislodge the dissidents.
“It was the Igbo that objected to the creation of corridor for movements of medical aid and food supplies to the civilian population at the period; on this, I am ready to face the International Criminal Court of Justice at the Hague for prosecution over the role played by me during the war and, fortunately, some Nigerians are still alive to bear witness to the roles played by both the leadership of the secessionist group and the then Federal Military Government under my leadership, “the war-time leader stated.
He also recalled that during the war, a ship named “Josina” and owned by the secessionist group, which they claimed was carrying agricultural implements, was captured by federal troops and it was subjected to a thorough search and the cargo turned out to be a collection of arms and ammunition.
Gowon, who was in Minna for a 2-day prayer organized by Nigeria Prays, a group he leads, said that the massive deaths recorded by the Igbo during the civil war was caused by their own propaganda machine which claimed that the northern invaders were coming to their camps and that caused panic and pandemonium among their people because some people were trying to move from one location to the other out of fear of imaginary attacks by the so called northern invaders and without food.
OsunDefender

NNPC Under PDP, “Cesspool Of Corruption,” CPC Says

By SaharaReporters, New York

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has called for the implementation of the Nuhu Ribadu-led oil revenue task force, warning that Nigeria being a mono-economy, the government must be seen to be supporting efforts at maintaining probity in the oil industry.
In a press statement signed by Rotimi Fashakin, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, CPC noted the highlights of the report as follows:
•       N86.6 Billion in cash from generous exchange rates over the 10-year period had disappeared.
•       The NNPC had been getting 445,000 barrels per day of crude oil for local refining and consumption but had been selling itself this oil at cut-down prices, a practice that had cost Nigeria $5Billion in potential oil revenue in the same period.
•       Nigerian oil ministers (between 2008 and 2011) handed out seven discretionary licenses, with $183million in signature bonuses missing from the deals.
•       $1.5 Billion (in unpaid royalties) owed by Addax.
•       N137.57Billion debt owed by Shell for gas sold.
•       Nigeria is the ONLY Nation to sell all its crude through
International oil traders rather than directly to refineries, deals
usually enmeshed in opacity.
“The corruption in the oil industry has reached the crescendo in the 13-year reign of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with unbudgeted trillions of Naira (ostensibly used in corrupting the electoral process in 2011),” the statement said, adding that the infernal nature of the corruptive tendencies in the industry (under PDP) is seen in the pains inflicted on the Nigerian people in getting unfettered access to petroleum products for their daily needs.
Furthermore, it noted that despite a six increments in the pump price of petroleum products between 1999 and 2007, PDP governments seem unfazed about hurts and the pains inflicted by the heist and the deliberate purloining of the nation’s oil resources under their watch. “It is, without doubt, the reason that a new generation of people has been ennobled into the super-rich Nigerians, on behalf of the rest of us,” CPC said.
The party also expressed bewilderment that a report submitted to the Minister of Petroleum resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke since late August is still said to be a mere draft, without clear timelines on when the final document would be submitted.
“Is the Honourable Minister showing, with her body language, that this administration is only interested in laying subterfuge for an anti-corruption war in the oil Industry that it does not intend to pursue with scrupulous diligence?
“The CPC Party has always postulated: the Jonathan administration is not only the most corrupt in the nation’s history but it is also capable of throwing the Nigerian state into unrecoverable downward spiral of economic depression,” the statement said.
The Goodluck Jonathan government set up the 21-member panel, under the leadership of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ribadu, following last January’s nationwide protests against the sudden hike in fuel prices.

PDP not sufficiently disciplined — Obasanjo

 by Akinwale Aboluwade 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed the challenges in the Peoples Democratic Party to lack of party discipline.

Obasanjo spoke in Ibadan on Saturday at the caucus meeting of the PDP in the South-West zone. The meeting was reportedly convened to address some of the challenges besetting the party in the zone.

The former president who just returned from a trip to Tokyo, Japan, said, “Our party is not sufficiently disciplined. People run from the South-West to Abuja to claim that they are the authentic group in the party. We should be tolerant. If you respect us, you shall be respected.

“The issue of structure is a serious problem in the PDP. Some people believe once they have structure they have all it takes. This is the tool they are using to destroy the party. Whoever ignores the word of wisdom will regret it. I want all of you to know that whatever your ambition you cannot unilaterally elect yourself.”

He appealed to the party’s officials in Abuja to represent other members without fear or favour.

On the issue of aggrieved party members, he said, “There are some that we supposed to bring back to the fold.”

He noted that although the PDP did not win the Ondo State governorship election, the party was not put to shame.

Obasanjo added, “It is not all the time that we can win but at times we can lose gallantly. In the Ondo election, we were gallant in performance. We contested; we did not win but had a good showing. The lesson to learn from the election is that all aspirants came together in unison to support one candidate.

“Most importantly, our party should ensure discipline. Even in our houses, somebody has to lead. We have to respect the elders. I don’t understand reconciliation after spoiling things.

“There must be discipline in this party. In any institution, there must be discipline. We must contribute financially to the party and not wait until we want to contest before being responsible. Our party is due for a review of its activities in the last 14 years.

“Both at the national, zonal and state levels, we should look at what we have done so far in the last 14 years. Review of our party will make us know where we came from, where we are and where we are going.”

Earlier in his address, the PDP National Vice Chairman, (South-West) Mr. Segun Oni, said, the objective of the meeting was to widen consultation and participation base to ensure that the PDP in the South-West became an all-inclusive party.

He said, “The challenge before the PDP in the South-West is to strengthen ourselves to meet the yearnings of the people for a change from the present Action Congress of Nigeria led governments at the next elections.

“Our people in the South-West have tested alternatives and are unhappy with the performance of the ACN.

“To achieve the objective of winning the remaining five states of the South-West at the polls, we have to ensure that we create level-playing fields in all our states for our members to come together in unity, we have to inspire healthy competitions for our tickets at the various levels in all the states and ensure fairness across the board.

“We are aware that there is unease across the zone. This is very dangerous in our desire to wrest power from incumbents. The electorate expect us as a party to demonstrate our resolve and commitment to take over the South-West by first closing our ranks and creating enduring inclusiveness in all our states.”

Among those who attended the meeting were the National Secretary of the PDP, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Shuaibu Oyedokun, Yekinni Adeojo, Tajudeen Oladipo, Mrs. Jumoke Akinjide, Mrs. Titi Ajanaku, former PDP governorship candidate in Ondo, Mr. Olusola Oke, and former Senator Lekan Balogun.

Punch

Poisoned corn meal sends man, 4 children to their grave in Enugu

Residents of Mbu Apochi community in Isi-uzo local government area of Enugu State were recently thrown into panic and confusion following the tragic death of a man simply identified as Mr. Charles Nnadi and his four children after taking a corn and cassava meal believed to have been poisoned.
The tragedy has since thrown the entire community into heavy pandemonium while members of the Nnadi family are still in shock and disbelief.
According to reliable sources, the late Nnadi and his six children fell sick and unconscious after eating the mixture of cassava and corn flour and were rushed to St. Mark’s Hospital, Eha-Amufu by sympathizers but the doctor confirmed the family head and two of his children died few minutes after their arrival.
Following their demise, the four other victims, who were admitted along with them were transferred to a trado-medical hospital at Enugu-Ezike, Igbo Eze North local government where two of the children later passed on.
Dailypost gathered that the remaining two are currently struggling between life and death at the hospital.
Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the shocking incident on Saturday said that the operatives of the state command are currently investigating the incident to unravel the mystery and circumstances behind the alleged incident of food poisoning.
Sympathizers and relations of the deceased described the incident as tragic and shocking and called on law-enforcement agencies to investigate whether the food poisoning was masterminded by someone, stressing that such heinous act has become rampant in the Coal state recently.

DailyPost

Corpse Of Young Male Found In Luggage Compartment Of Arik Air Aircraft

By SaharaReporters, New York

Arik Air has confirmed that the body of a young Nigerian man was found Friday in the undercarriage compartment of an Arik aircraft returning from London.
The spokesman for Arik, Ola Adebanji, confirmed that the man was found after the aircraft returned from London. He said no identification was found on the corpse and that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is already handling the matter.
Officials of the airline said the man, believed to be a stowaway, must have hidden himself there long before the flight took off and must have died possibly out of suffocation.
They did not say how the unknown man beat the airport security network to smuggle himself into the aircraft.

Akeredolu must apologise to eminent Yoruba leaders

“Character is the most important possession you have.” – African proverb
The much discussed and awaited Ondo State Gubernatorial Election has come and gone with the declaration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the election which literary translated to another four years of Mimiko as Governor of Ondo State.

 Barrister Kayode Ajulo
In this piece argues that Rotimi Akeredolu SAN must apologise to Yoruba leaders

During the build up to the election, as expected, every participating political parties and their stalwart were in frenzies to outdo each others, these should be expected but what was worrisome however, was the introduction of gutter politics to the race and the utterances of the Action Congress of Nigeria against very reputable elder statesmen of the Yoruba nation, namely Chief Olu Falae, former federal permanent secretary, estwhile finance minister, managing director Nal Merchant Bank, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD)/All Progressive Peoples (APP) Alliance (1999); Pa Reuben Fashoranti, veteran old school principal, elder stateman, former commissioner, leader of the respected Afenifere and pan-Yoruba nationalist; Chief Ayo Adebanjo, elderstateman, very senior lawyer, trusted ally of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and a prominent counsel in Obafemi Awolowo’s treasonable felony trial of 1962, for exercising their rights by supporting Olusegun Mimiko’s ambition to seek re-election as governor of Ondo State on the platform of the Labour Party (LP).
It is also of note that the above instances were made possible by the canditure of Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN on the platform of ACN that brought ordinary and eminent thugs and rascals to Ondo state to insult the sensitivity of people, while the people responded with their votes, one would have take a relaxed seat and forget about the scenario but for the recent news that the unrepentant Chief Akeredolu is preparing to approach the court of law to challenge the election where he took the third position.
Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN is a respected senior colleague with an enviable title, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and one of those I will without hesitation defer to untill his recent misadventure of serving as tool for external aggressors. He nevertheless a gentleman and an omoluabi and haven lost the election in which his party despite all the hulabaloo is relegated to third position, as expected from a lawyer of his kind, he has vowed to approach the court to upturn the popular verdict of the people of Ondo State.
I am not as a lawyer, against the resort to court, I however wish to state that Chief Akeredolu owes the people of Ondo state, first, an unreserved apology on behalf of his party, ACN for the misadventures of his party’s leaders.
The essence of Omoluabi concept is about exhibition of good character which I know can not be found wanting in Chief Akeredolu, it is therefore necessary that he reinforce this belief after cohabiting with politicians of questionable characters.
It is therefore imperative that Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN in tandem with our Omoluabi concept, apologise to Chief Olu Falae, Pa Reuben Fashoranti, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the entire people of Ondo State before taking further political or legal speculation whatsoever.
Abo oro lanso fun Omoluwabi……
Kayode Ajulo, ESQ.

LibertyReport

Senator Andy Uba at war with Arthur Eze over N200 million property in Enugu

A sensational legal battle between a business mogul from Anambra State, Prince Arthur Eze and Senator Andy Uba, representing Anambra South Senatorial District is now raging before an Enugu State High Court presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike.
The legal battle erupted following an attempt by Prince Eze to take over two immovable properties belonging to one Major Emmanuel Okwuosa which the Enugu State High Court ordered should be sold to enable Eze recover the $1million (about N157 million) allegedly owed him by Okwuosa.
However, Senator Uba is claiming ownership of the two properties namely: Plots M17 and O/19 Independence Layout, Enugu which the court presided over by Justice Umezulike, had earlier ordered to be attached for sale in favour of Prince Eze on October 10, 2012.
Umezulike had granted an ex-parte application brought by Obi Orakwue, counsel for Prince Eze pursuant to Section 44 of Sheriffs & Civil Process Act, 2004; Order IV Rules 1 (2) & 16 (1); Order VII Rule 7 Judgment Enforcement Rules and ordered the attachment and sale by private contract of the immovable properties of Okwuosa, the judgement debtor, who was indebted to the applicant to tune of about $1 million only.
But following the issuance of the Writ of attachment and sale against the said properties by the court as directed in suit number E/147/2012, Senator Uba approached the court as an interested party/appellant saying that the two properties in question were bought for him by the said Major Okwuosa from Chief R. O. Nkwocha family at N250 million.
But in a 26-paragraph counter affidavit opposing Uba’s motion dated October 19, 2012, Prince Eze’s counsel, Orakwue, told the court that Uba was not the owner of the two immovable properties but Okwuosa, who had his interest duly registered in the names at the Lands Registery vide irrevocable power of attorney and Deed of Assignment.
 DailyPost