MEND want Henry Okay released before talks with Boko Haram or there will be “serious consequences”

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) have threatened “serious consequences” using technological warfare if the federal government agrees to demands made by members of the Islamic sect, Boko Haram without releasing its leader, Henry Okah.
MEND in a statement released by an official of the militant group, Comrade Azizi, warned that if conditions given by Boko Haram were granted without the release of their leader, Henry Okah and other members of the group, “there will be serious consequences”.
The group which prior to the Amnesty programme attacked a number of oil installations across the country, added that with its latest technological know-how, its renewed onslaught will affect the entire country including the oil and non-oil sectors.
“The high command of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta wishes to inform the Federal Government and all security agencies in Nigeria that if these conditions given by boko haram are granted without the release of our dear leader (Henry Okah) and other members of our movement, there will be serious consequences which with our latest technological know-how, will affect the entire country including the oil and non-oil sectors respectively” the statement read.
Boko Haram on Wednesday offered to hold talks with the federal government ahead of a planned ceasefire giving some conditions for such dialogue to hold.
Henry Okah is currently standing trial in South Africa for terrorism against the Nigerian government over the 2010 Independence Day anniversary bombings in Abuja, while the nation marked the 50th independence anniversary.
The group, like their counterparts in the north, outlined conditions to be met by the federal government, warning that if the conditions are not met, the Nigerian state will face the wrath of “our latest technological know-how”.
The conditions include:
-Stop further prosecution of our leader (Henry Okah)
-Release all members of the movement held in various detention centers in Nigeria
-Compensate families of our members killed by the Government security agencies.
-Withdraw all military personnel and tanks in the region
-Handing over resource control to the region.
MEND in the statement further regretted the inability of the federal government to live up to its responsibility of protecting the lives and property of inhabitants of the Niger Delta region and its failure to hand over the control of the resources in the oil rich region since independence.
“It is regrettable that for the past 52 years of independence, the Federal Government has failed in it’s responsibilities to protect the lives and properties of the Niger Deltans and most importantly, handing over the control of our resources to the region rather the Federal Government finds it appropriate to use the money generated from our resources in developing other regions which we no longer can take” the statement concluded.
  DailyPost

SNAPSHOT: Say hello to Beauty and the B… aba Iyabo

 by Hauwa Gambo

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by Hauwa Gambo
It’s impossible for us to have seen President Olusegun Obasanjo – the same one who is butt of jokes about his looks – with the most beautiful girl in the universe and not say something!
The former head of state and then president was found in New York at the South-South Awards 2012 posing with Miss Universe 2012, Leila Lopes.
The event held at the Waldorf Astoria. Mr. Obasanjo receiped an award alongside Zambian President Michael Chilufya Sata, Prime Minister of Lesotho, Thomas Motsoahae Thabane, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Madam Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma.
The event was hosted by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.
We have to say: the former president looks quite content with life at the moment!
YNaija.com

The Great Nigeria Flood: Why is the World Not Talking About it?

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November 3rd, 2012
by Kemi K.
NewsRescue[OpEd]- If you think hurricane Sandy is a catastrophe, then what will you call the great Nigerian flood, happening now! The situation ins dire in Africa’s most populous nation, hundreds of thousands have lost their homes, billions in farm land and livestock is destroyed, crimes and rapes are plaguing refugee camps that are out of food and beds. And the only thing that competes with the great Nigerian flood in size, is the global dissociation and lack of concern about the crises. I received this email from MPAC about the flood this morning and ask why?
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The Great Nigerian Flood

“The Believers in their love, mercy and feelings for each other are like one body: if one part feels pain, all the other parts feel pain by fever and sleeplessness.” (Bukhari #5665 & Muslim #2586)

As the water of the flood that forced hundreds of thousands of Nigerians from their homes and washed away hundreds more recedes, its terrible impacts will remain with us for a long time to come. MPAC’s thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted and still suffering from the aftermath of the great flood. Helping those in distress and fulfilling people’s needs indicates strong faith and sincere brotherhood. The chivalrous and magnanimous cannot endure seeing anyone in distress, and without any hesitation or delay they hurry to assist the distressed, voluntarily seeking the reward of Allah The Almighty. We therefore urge you to give generously to reputable relief organizations who are helping serve those in need.
In his personal Appeal, Dr Pat Utomi wrote the following:

“The floods visited on Nigeria by nature have caused untold human suffering. Sitting down in cities far away from the disaster it is not so easy to understand the deep human suffering that is going on but know that this is the worst disaster that has befallen Nigeria since the Civil War! I tell you that whole towns have been submerged and there are people who have not eaten for days. Now, with floods come diseases. And we must help. If you live in Nigeria and can donate relief materials, I will arrange to have them transported to the victims. Please send materials to Pat’s Nigeria Flood Relief Effort-6 Balarabe Musa Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos. For those living in North America, please send to 660 Shrewsbury Drive, Clarkson, Michigan, MI 48348. For those living in Europe an address will be supplied in due course. Even if you have nothing to give, at least share this message.
Don’t just comment and stop there. Share this message with all your friends till it reaches someone who has a little to give. God bless you as you remember those in need”.

Perhaps his depiction of the incident as “worst disaster that has befallen Nigeria since the Civil War” will enable most of us understand the real magnitude of this particular tragedy. The Co-Chairman of the National Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Aliko Dangote,  says his committee plans to generate N100 billion for flood ravaged states and flood victims. There are many ways you can help reach this target and help many families whose lives have been adversely affected. MPAC urges Mosques/Islamic organizations and Muslim individuals to play leading roles in helping all those that are caught in this crisis as their Islamic duty to those in need. We owe a duty to our fellow citizens as it can be clearly seen in this hadith:
Helping those in distress is a rewardable charity. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Moosa Al-Ash‘ari  the Prophet  said: “Giving charity is an obligation upon every Muslim.” He was asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, what about the one who does not find something to give?”’ He  said: “Let him work with his hands and give in charity.” He was asked, “What if he still does not find anything to give?” He  replied: “Then let him assist those in need and in distress…” 
 NewsRescue

Why Nuhu Ribadu cried openly at Aso Rock on Friday

Nuhu Ribadu, former Presidential Candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) in the last Presidential election, on Friday wept openly at the Presidential Villa.
Ribadu who was speaking with state House Correspondents after the presentation of the Presidential Task Force on revenue in the petroleum industry report , said the committee was subjected to pressure from different quarters in the course of doing their assignment.
Ribadu who was reacting to the probity and accountability in operations of the Petroleum Industry, disclosed that those who spearheaded the rift did not mean well for the country.
Ribadu who was asked to comment on allegations of faulty procedure by Steve Orosanye and Bernard Otti who are both members of the committee, alleged that Orosanye and Otti “had been compromised” adding that they even refused to attend any of their meetings despite several invitations.
“I weep for Nigeria”
He however dismissed their claims, saying that all other members of the committee have been speaking with “one Voice”.
“well you have seen it. There are only two of them. All the other members spoke with one voice. We are one. We stood on what we believed is the right thing and we have given the report as one committee. Two people who unfortunately have already been compromised by being given public appointment in that same industry are the ones who are trying to cause the confusion.”
Also speaking on the allegations that different copies of the reports were being circulated, he debunked the claims adding that what we have been circulated is the same as what was submitted Friday .
“There is no any difference and you can see clearly what happened, we work for our country and we work for our people and stand by what is the truth. Nothing can change that. What we said is exactly what we have produced.”
“Some of the things that has been going on in the last one week or so, show that when you are working with a group of people, so many people are involved, so you may not be able o control all the outcome. Possibility of leakage is there. But from what we have today, you can see the authenticity of the reports itself. Go to the report that we have given, it is the same thing. No change”
He revealed that the committee faced several challenges in the course of carrying out their assignment.
“There were so many, but like the President has said, this is the oil industry, it is not easy for you to do an honest work when it comes to money like this but we did to the best of our ability. We said the truth and the truth will always remain the truth and it will set you free if you have the courage to go ahead with what is the truth”
The Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison Madueke, told Nigerians to jettison the intrigues and focus on the main issues of how to make the petroleum industry work.
“Obviously, if the process is wrong, then there an issue, but you all said Mr. President said these were issues that should not majorly sidetrack actual output of the report and members have said they would still need a little time to finalize . so let us not make an issue and out of sensationalism move away from the core efforts and out puts of the reports.”
She described the reports as very critical to the transformation in the oil and gas sector adding that it should continue as such to move the out put forward
“President called for the report and it was presented. I will not allow this to reduce the extent of hard work and people of integrity has put into all the work. They have done good work. It is more critical to concern ourselves about how well we will move forward when we finalize”
“All three task forces were set up using people who are purely professional and we took Chairmen with integrity, who had credibility to prove to Nigerians that we are serious. And I have been very privileged to have worked with them. They have worked to come up with these various reports and I want us to make sure that we keep our eyes on the more serious tasks ahead and not get carried away with side issues here”
She disclosed that the revenue task force had earlier submitted a draft copy of the report to her in September
“I believe you have heard the Chairman of the Revenue task force who said he has nothing to do with the reports that was circulated. So the report that has been handed over to myself and I handed over to Mr. President in this ceremony is the report that the committee has presented to us. it s an ongoing process.
Diezani revealed that the committee will continue to work adding that “within the next two weeks, we are all still meeting working round table meeting and looking at what has to be done and what needs to be done. As a matter of fact, that particular committee agreed that it still ha work to do”
On alleged disagreements with Nuhu Ribadu, she debunked the claims, saying that she never had any disagreements with any of the committee’s chairmen.
“As Minister of Petroleum, not at all. I have had no personal disagreement with any chairman of the of any of the committees and I say again that I took the back seat so that I will not be accused of interference with their works. I had a good working relationship with all the Chairmen.”
 DailyPost

Temie Giwa: Citizens awake! Watch our national spending

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In fact, I believe that a public budget is the most important tool that citizens can use to gauge the seriousness of purpose of their government because it shows it cares about, its philosophies and its weaknesses. 

I have always believed in a government’s unique opportunity to change a critical mass of lives. One can argue that it is the only organ that can do so when it works closely with all its stakeholders in building strong institutions that carry out its duties. Development has no chance without the government and nowhere else in the world is this as clear as it is in Nigeria.
As a young adult living in the Diaspora, I struggled with how I could make my life useful to the continent that so nurtured me, and the only thing that made sense was to somehow dedicate my working life to driving ‘small’ changes in our institutions so that they can deliver better lives for the Nigerian people. I believe that this cannot be done without some sort of reawakening in the Nigerian people, and a renewal of their commitment to the indispensable responsibilities of the governed.
A public budget allows the governed to hold its representatives accountable and it allows them to register their pleasures (and displeasures) with it. In fact, I believe that it is the most important tool that citizens can use to gauge the seriousness of purpose of their government because it shows it cares about, its philosophies and its weaknesses.  Budgets tell you who gets what and how much and how this matters to the bottom-line goal of the country. There weeks ago, the 2013 budget was presented to the Nigeria National Assembly by the country’s president. This budget can be found in a very accessible format HERE. I urge everyone to take a look at it and make your judgment on how well this budget matches your own goals for the nation.

The 2013 budget in its totality showed the level of decay and incompetence in almost all the institutions in the country, including the presidency. Government institutions began their descent into bloated decay and uselessness a very long time ago and the 2013 budget naturally keeps up the tradition chicanery that masquerades as public policy. It has good parts. The budget focused on the education, agriculture, and women’s empowerment sectors. While, this is progressive, the very many duplications of duties, the well funded government institutions with laughable mandates, and the unfair dominance of personnel salaries to the detriment of all other governmental duties makes it a huge disappointment.

The 2013 budget shows just how bloated the Nigerian civil service has gotten. A poignant example is the allocation for the police in the budget. It was allocated for in three different institutions; the N22 Billion Police Reform Fund, Ministry of Police Affairs with a proposed N9 billion budget, and the Police Service Commission with its N3 billion budget. Security is certainly important especially in a country so racked with constant death and trauma but there are so many other ways of making a nation secure that investing so much in one method, seems devious. There is the Ministry of Sports, which gets a completely different allocation from the Sports Development line item; allocated N3 billion. There are so many instances of duplications that one wonders if anyone bothered at all to read the document in the president’s office. Further, the health sector was allocated about N280 billion and of this, N217 billion has been earmarked for just personnel cost, to the detriment of all the other things that the government must procure to create agile, responsive, and functioning health delivery service. There are agencies whose mandates are not entirely clear but with considerable allocations. Such as the N100 billion budget line for special interventions, N15 billion for Job Creation, and the Federal Character Commission with a N3 billion allocation. There is a fund for New Nigerian Newspapers Liability, and a Ministry of Special Duties getting N500 million.
In the end, the budget was disappointing, however, there is hope in the fact that it is not final. The National Assembly is yet to approve this budget and it is imperative that we find our voice before the time of approval to finally say enough is enough, because it is.
 YNaija.com

20,000 road sweepers employed in Ogun State

Governor Ibikunle Amosun is on his way towards meeting up with the target of his administration by the recent employment of 20,000 sanitary workers that will keep the state clean. The governor had assured the newly employed of placing them on a monthly salary that will be above the N18,000 minimum wage.
Amosun revealed this at the 2013 Budget Town Hall Meeting, which held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
He said the state found itself by paying millions of naira for refuse disposal equipment prior to the employment exercise, adding that 3,000 and 4,000 of those employed have been sent to Abeokuta and Ilaro respectively.
“We all know how (dirty) the roads were before now. Initially, we were paying payloaders N400, 000 per day. The trailer that would carry the pay loader would charge N600, 000,” he said.
Governor Amosun assured that his administration will make sure unemployment becomes something of the past citing the Farm Settlements being rehabilitated by the state to tackle unemployment, amongst other interventions.
He added that basic infrastructures are not left out.
“We have awarded contracts for some of our own major roads in the three senatorial districts in the state and they will be of Ogun standard when completed,” he said. “The Ibara-Totoro Road has offered us a good example of the Ogun standard.”
DailyPost

Oshiomole says LG Caretaker Committees still in place, suspends Education Board recruitment

Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said there was no vacuum in the administration of local government councils.
Oshiomole made this known while speaking in his office during a meeting with the caretaker committees.
He noted that contrary to speculations in some quarters, he was yet to receive the resolution of the Assembly regarding the dissolution of the transition committees in councils.
The governor said local government administration was a difficult one, yet people erroneously believe there is a lot of money available for use.
He said: “You assumed office at a very challenging time. Many of you inherited huge debts from your predecessors, including debts owed to the Federal Government, such as VAT that was not remitted.
“I am also aware that in many cases, it was your lot to settle loans taken by your predecessors for all sorts of things, including projects that were not found on ground. You had to sort this and other issues and find resources to address the basic needs of the people.
“The House of Assembly has passed a resolution requesting the dissolution of caretaker committees. Their argument is that the councils ought to be governed by elected people.
“That is the law, but we must remind ourselves that you assumed office not on the strength of your application, but because we had a situation in which it was impossible to conduct local government election.
“At the expiration of your predecessors’ tenure, the new voter’s register had not been prepared and we could not allow a vacuum in the management of the councils.
Explaining why council elections had not been conducted, Oshiomhole said: “Few weeks to the national election, the voter’s register was ready and the whole nation was preparing for the National Assembly, Presidential and House of Assembly elections. It was only natural that those elections were given priority. As soon as they were over, the governorship election was due.
“Those elections have come and gone but there are still legal issues. We had a State Independent Electoral Commission that was manned by card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the day it was inaugurated, the Chairman shouted PDP to celebrate his appointment.
“There is no way a responsible government will allow an election umpire of card-carrying members of a political party to conduct an election. It was, therefore, natural that we had to dissolve that commission.
“I understand there are judicial pronouncements in respect of the dissolution and we are dealing with those issues and, hopefully, we would find legal solutions, such that we would be able to conduct council election in the nearest future.
“This must be done according to law and the government must be seen to respect the judgment of the court, even when we do not agree with the logic that informs such judgment. As a government founded on the basis of rule of law, we must obey all court orders, including the ones we do not agree it.
“While we are sorting out those legal issues, there can be no vacuum in the leadership of the local government. I appreciate the concern of the Assembly, which informed the passing of the resolution, and will look at the content of the resolution when I receive it.
Meanwhile, the State Government say it has suspended the recruitment exercise undertook by the state Post-Primary Education Board.
In a statement by Peter Okhiria, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adams Oshiomhole, the government noted that preliminary investigations into the exercise revealed that it was fraught with unwholesome practices as the exercise sacrificed merit on the altar of other selfish motives.
DailyPost