Hark! The herald angels DIDN’T sing?: Pope corrects centuries of myths about Christ’s birth in new book

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by Rachel Ogbu

Photo: Daily Mail

Decades of tradition turned into dust recently when Pope Benedict XVI shocked Christians saying that there were no donkeys or any other animal for that matter at the original nativity scene.
And remember the famous Christmas carol, ‘Hark! The herald angels sing?’ Well the pope said that’s rubbish too, angels never sang to the shepherds to proclaim Christ birth.
These and other revelations were exposed in the Pope’s new book on the life of Jesus, released November 21. ‘Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives,’ became available in 50 countries, it is the third and final volume of a project the 85-year-old envisioned a decade ago and began writing soon after he became Pope in 2005.
His first two books which topped the bestseller lists in Italy focused on Jesus’ public ministry and his death, leaving just Jesus’ birth to complete the series.
Predicted to become a worldwide bestseller, the narrative comes in three volumes.

Pope Benedict

Daily Mail reports:

The pope said that angels delivered to good news of Jesus’s birth to shepherds by speaking to them, not singing to them as the gospels say.

‘According to the evangelist, the angels “said” this,’ the Pope writes, adding: ‘But Christianity has always understood that the speech of angels is actually song, in which all the glory of the great joy that they proclaim becomes tangibly present.

‘To this day simple believers join in their caroling on the Holy Night, proclaiming in song the great joy that, from then until the end of time, is bestowed on all people.’

And he also admits that Jesus would have been born years earlier than the Christian calendar states.

For years, many historians have said Jesus would have been born around 4BC, but for the Pope to admit a flaw in something so fundamental to Catholic faith is surprising.
 YNaija.com

Godsday Orubebe, Minister of The Niger Delta, Accused Of Abuse Of Office; Petition Goes To ICPC

Dino Melaye and CCB chairman

By SaharaReporters, New York

Anti-Corruption Network has written to the chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), accusing the new Power Minister, Godsday Orubebe, of corruption and abuse of office.
In a complaint dated 19 November, and signed by its Executive Secretary, Dino Melaye, the group said that Mr. Orubebe, the former Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA) of accepting as gratification a palatial mansion on the property allocated to him in Abuja, FCT, contrary to Section 12 of the Act.
Orubebe was named Minister of Power three weeks ago to replace Barth Nnaji, who was allegedly removed for corruption.
The petitioners pointed out that a search report from the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), clearly shows that the land upon which the edifice was erected rightly belongs to the Minister, the petition said.
Complained the group: “It has become an adverse trend in our polity where public office holders under the guise of administrative functions illegally divert funds, contracts and even take benefits/gratifications in the award of contracts to companies whose promise of a reward is highest contrary to Sections 12, 13, 14, 20,22 and 25 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, Cap. C31, LFN 2010(hereinafter referred to as the Act).”
The complaint said, among others:
•    The affidavit of Declaration of Assets in custody of Code of Conduct Bureau does not reflect the ownership of the mansion, and
•    Orubebe granted an interview with Sun Rise Daily of Channels Television wherein he denied the ownership of the mansion.
Stressing that the Minister has patently abused his office, the petitioners said, “We are not unmindful of the legal implications of this Petition, and in this regard we humbly require your humble self to critically look into this Petition and the facts enunciated therein in order to take further and necessary actions as contained under Sections 30 & 31 of the Act in the prosecution of all parties who have been privy to this illegal transaction.”
They said they would not hesitate to go to court to compel the ICPC in the prosecution of this menace and abuse of office in order to preserve the sanctity of laws and build a better nation.
The government of President Goodluck Jonathan normally ignores public and press corruption reports concerning its senior officials.
Full text of the petition:
Telephone: 098766183
          19th November 2012.
The Chairman
Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)
Abuja.

Dear Sir,
PETITION ON ABUSE OF OFFICE BY ELDER GODSDAY ORUBEBE
The above matter refers.
We write this Petition in the interest of our nascent democracy and the entire citizenry at large.
It has become an adverse trend in our polity where public office holders under the guise of administrative functions illegally divert funds, contracts and even take benefits/gratifications in the award of contracts to companies whose promise of a reward is highest contrary to Sections 12,13,14, 20,22 and 25 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, Cap. C31, LFN 2010(hereinafter referred to as the Act).
A classic example inter alia is that of Elder Godsday Orubebe, the Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs (MNDA). By virtue of his standing to influence the award of Contracts, Elder Godsday Orubebe abused his office by accept a gratification of a palatial mansion on the property allocated to him in Abuja, FCT contrary to Section 12 of the Act.
The Mansion is situated at Minister’s Hill, Mabushi Area, Abuja built and delivered to Elder Godsday Orubebe by one of the contractors in his Ministry.
Further in support of this claim is the fact that search Report at the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) clearly shows that the land upon which the edifice was erected rightly belongs to Elder Godsday Orubebe.
The Issues that undeniably come to play and against which this Petition is hereby forwarded to your humble self are:
1.     Elder Godsday Orube is a public officer, appointed as the first Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs.

2.     Elder Godsday Orubebe owns a parcel of land at Minister’s Hill, Mabushi Area, Abuja as confirmed by the search Report at Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS).
3.     The affidavit of Declaration of Assets in custody of Code of Conduct Bureau does not reflect the ownership of the mansion.

4.     Elder Godsday Orubebe granted an interview with Sun Rise Daily of Channels Television wherein he denied the ownership of the mansion claiming that the mansion is a mere four (4) bedroom apartment of which he is only a tenant.

As it is from the above Elder Godsday Orubebe has patently abused the use of his office under Section 22 of the Act, Section 13 of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Cap. C15 2010, and he is also guilty of an offence of corruption and abuse of office pursuant to Section 98 of the Criminal Code Act.
We are not unmindful of the legal implications of this Petition, and in this regard we humbly require your humble self to critically look into this Petition and the facts enunciated therein in order to take further and necessary actions as contained under Sections 30 & 31 of the Act in the prosecution of all parties who have been privy to this illegal transaction.
Your attention is also invited to Section 23 of the Act which stipulates forfeiture of the gratification by the public officer being the subject matter of the offence.
We will however not hesitate to approach the Court for redress and compel your office in the prosecution of this menace and abuse of office in order to preserve the sanctity of laws and build a better nation.
Kindly accept the assurances of our highest regards.
Yours faithfully,

OTUNBA DINO MELAYE
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

We did the right thing – FG defends its revocation of Bi-Courtney, choice of Julius Berger and RCC

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by Isi Esene
The Federal Government yesterday maintained that its revocation of the contract between it and the Bi-Courtney Consortium for the reconstruction, maintenance and management of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is in order and in accordance with their agreement.
The FG stance was articulated by the minister of works, Mike Onolememen, who stated this said the government had observed several breaches by the construction consortium and repeatedly drew Bi-Courtney’s attention to remedy the situation to no avail.
“That concession was governed by law, the agreement is the governing instrument for that concession. And the obligations of the parties were well spelt out in that agreement and at every point in time, every party was in the know as to what it was doing, either in conformity with the obligation in the agreement or in breach of those obligations.
“As a party, the government at a time had to address a letter to Bi-Courtney detailing the serial breaches it had committed on that particular concession and inviting the company to remedy those breaches given the days of grace as provided for in the agreement, failing which government did not have to invite them again to another meeting to terminate it.
“It is one of the rights given to government as a guarantor in the concession to terminate when certain things go wrong in the section prescribed in the agreement. And that is precisely what government did. So they are free to go to court and government will meet them in the law court.”
The FG recently re-awarded the contract to two construction companies, Julius Berger and RCC Limited.
While reacting to doubts expressed by observers over the capability of RCC to execute a project such as reconstruction of the ever busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, the minister reportedly defended the FG’s decision saying, “RCC is one of the contractors in the category that we are comfortable with. It is RCC that did most of the very important roads in this country that have continued to provide easy movement for people.
“As we speak they are engaged on the Benin-Ore-Sagamu dualisation and they are doing very well there. They are also on the Abuja-Lokoja dualisation project on Section II and they are in various parts of the country even in the Niger Delta.
“As a contractor we have no doubt in our minds that RCC ia a good contractor and confident they will do the work well.”
YNaija.com

They all got away: Gun battle between police and armed robbers ends with no arrest in Ogun State

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by Isi Esene
A gang of armed robbers attacked several houses in the Agbado area of Ogun State in the early hours of Wednesday succeeding in carting away valuables belonging to the residents.
The robbers were reported to have arrived the area around 3am raiding four streets in an operation which lasted over two hours.
A victim of the robbery attack spoke with the press saying, “Around 3am, a gang of robbers stormed our area and started shooting sporadically. They went to Akera, Oyetedo, and Oluosun Streets. They robbed up to seven houses, carting away money, jewellery, and other valuables. Some of the residents, including an official of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, were beaten up by the bandits.
“Around 5am, the robbers attempted to escape but some policemen accosted them. The bandits managed to escape but they left some of the valuables behind, mostly mobile phones.”
Ogun State police public relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, confirmed the robbery incident, he said the police was able to recover some of the stolen properties from the robber.
“The incident did happen but the police encountered them but the robbers escaped with bullet wounds. We hereby appeal to members of the public to report anybody seen with bullet wound in the area.
“We (police) were able to recover 29 mobile phones, a plasma television and other valuables and the area commander, Ota, has ordered his men to beef up security,” Adejobi said.
Agbado community is located on the boundary between Lagos and Ogun State.
YNaija.com

Tragedy at Badagry: Trailer container falls crushing car occupant to death in Lagos

by Isi Esene
A container on the back of a trailer yesterday fell on a Mazda car on the Lagos-Badagry expressway killing on person.
Both vehicles were said to be on their way to Badagry. An occupant of the car with registration number, NJ 339 ARB, died in the accident while the other occupants escaped with varying injuries.
Both vehicles were reported to have been on top speed trying to negotiate a pothole on a bad portion of the road when the container fell from the trailer.
Austin Ahigbe who witnessed the accident said, “There were five passengers in car but only one of them died.”
Akhigbe said they were able to gather that occupants of the car were coming from Ibadan and heading to Seme, Benin Republic to trade.

Commander of the Iba/Volks Unit, Segun Aladenika, who confirmed the incident, said it occurred at Iyana Ishashi area of the expressway.

“FRSC officials were able to remove the victims without any problem. But the occupants of the car insisted on taking the body of the dead man away. We later cleared off the road for easy flow of traffic,” Aladenika said.

YNaija.com

ALLEGED GENOCIDE: Odi indigenes to drag OBJ, FG to World Court

by Taiwo Adisa

OBJ and Jonathan

INDIGENES of Odi in Bayelsa State have concluded plans to file a suit against former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the International Criminal Court (ICC)  over what they call the genocide of November 20, 1999.Sources close to the community told the Nigerian Tribune on Wednesday that the people of Odi have been working with some local and international human rights bodies to collate their data for some time now.
Source said that the people have also contacted a number of lawyers who would present the details before the United Nations (UN) Court.
A source close to the Odi community said in Abuja that the people of Odi have been able to marshal their points in the suit which will also involve the Federal Government of Nigeria.
A source said that as the head of the Nigerian government at the time of the invasion, Obasanjo is the primary target of the suit and that he would be charged for crime against humanity.
Already, the people are said to also be angry with the Federal Government for failing to rebuild the community after the invasion of November 20, 1999.
It was gathered that the community had, during the Obasanjo administration, contacted Human Rights lawyer, Mr Olisa Agbakoba, to help secure compensation from the government for the troops’ invasion of the community in 1999 and that till now, the government has failed to respond.
 “We are dragging Obasanjo before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. That is a fact I can confirm to you. As for the lawyers that will handle the matter, I will leave that out for now,” a source in the know said, adding that details of the crime committed by federal troops during the invasion were pathetic.
“When the troops invaded Odi on November 20, 1999, the different groups that worked on the site counted 2,284 deaths. The deaths included the aged, women and children. When the late Senate President saw the scene, he said there was nothing to say but that it was like a civil war,” another source said.
The source further added that reports which are available to the government had confirmed that none of the militants who perpetrated the killing of soldiers and policemen was hurt during the raid and that the militants only relocated to different parts of the Niger Delta after the attack.
The source said that the leader of the militants believed to have perpetrated the attack on security operatives, Ken Niweigha, now late, was not hurt during the operation by the government troop and that he relocated afterwards  to Delta State.
“Our people are seeking two things, conviction of the former president for crime against humanity and compensation from the Federal Government for the destruction of Odi.  The details are ready with pictures but we don’t want to pre-empt the International Court,” a source close to the community said, adding that the names of the victims and their pictures have been compiled for onward transfer to the United Nations.
The source added that the suit will be filed before the end of the year.
The community is also said to be claiming that rather than help stop the problem of militancy in the Niger Delta, the invasion of Odi only aggravated the problem and that as of the time of the attack, no militant camp was operating in the Niger Delta.
“After the attack, militant camps sprang up across the Niger Delta. For instance, the leader of the militants that  attacked the soldiers and policemen,  Niweigha, relocated to Okporpoza  and joined Tompolo to form Camp Five,  Asari Dokubo and Atake Tom established camps in Rivers  while General Boyloaf established a camp in Bayelsa. We are going to include that all the deaths recorded after the formation of the camps are also part of the war crimes of Obasanjo,” the source said.
The troops had been deployed to the community following the killing of soldiers and security operatives by the Niger Delta militants who used the community as their base.
Although the matter had not been talked about for some time since the action, it was resuscitated on Sunday night by President Goodluck Jonathan during a media chat where he described the invasion of the community as a failure because it did not achieve its intended purpose.
But in a reaction, Obasanjo had faulted President Jonathan’s claim which he described ‘factually incorrect’ and borne out of misinformation.
Speaking through Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, his spokesperson, the former president had explained that the deployment of soldiers to Odi actually stopped the killing of soldiers with impunity by the militants and was thus a mission accomplished.
NigerianTribune

Why I can contest 2015 election – Jonathan

 by Ihuoma Chiedozie

President Goodluck Jonathan has told an Abuja Federal High Court that he is eligible to contest the presidential election in 2015, even if it would mean staying in office for a total of more than eight years from the date he was initially inaugurated as President on May 6, 2010, following the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The President made the statement through his lawyer, Mr. Ade Okeaya-Inneh, SAN, in response to a suit in which a Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Mr. Henry Amadi, asked the court to declare that Jonathan no longer qualified to run for office in 2015.

Amadi had argued that in doing so, Jonathan would be spending more than the constitutionally stipulated maximum period of eight years in office.

The plaintiff said he was a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The suit is similar to another one filed by another self-declared member of the PDP, Chief Cyriacus Njoku, before an Abuja High Court.

Njoku’s suit, which asked the court to stop Jonathan  from running for office in 2015 on the grounds that he was currently serving his second term in office, having taken the oath of office as President twice already, has been adjourned for judgment.

In the new suit, which came up before an Abuja FHC presided by Justice Adamu Bello, on Wednesday, Jonathan and the Independent National Electoral Commission were listed as the defendants.

The court was also asked to stop Jonathan from once again running for office when his current term expires in 2015.

However, in his counter affidavit to the plaintiff’s originating summons, Jonathan averred that he took the first oath of office on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death.

Jonathan asked the court to dismiss the suit on the grounds that the plaintiff had no locus standi to ask the court to stop him from running for office in 2015.

He described the plaintiff’s claims as “hypothetical and academic”, noting that he failed to disclose reasonable cause of action.

The matter was adjourned to January 23, 2013.

Okeaya-Inneh said, “The question that arises for determination is whether, having regard to the facts of this case, he (Jonathan) is in his first or second term.

“In other words, given that the Constitution prescribes a maximum of two terms of four years each totaling a maximum of eight years as President, is he eligible to run for re-election in 2015?

“In resolving this issue, the court is invited to make a determination whether the period of May 6, 2010 to May 28, 2011 wherein Jonathan occupied the office of the President, can in law be regarded as one term of office and relevance of the oath of office Jonathan took on May 6, 2010 in computing the tenure of office of Jonathan in line with sections 135 (1) and (2), 137 (1)(b), 140 (1) and (2) and 146(1) of the 1999 Constitution.”

Punch