Most Nigerian Billionaires Are Tainted By Corruption – Akinyemi

“Being a billionaire in Nigeria today without corruption is impossible.” These words were attributed to a former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, on Saturday.

The erudite professor of International Relations and Diplomacy stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital while delivering the second term inauguration lecture of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Akinyemi spoke on the topic, ‘Leadership, Democracy, and Development.’

The event which was chaired by a former Nigerian High Commissioner to United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, had in attendance seasoned diplomats, senior citizens, politicians, former governors, traditional rulers and religious leaders from within and outside the country.

Akinyemi said, “No one can be a billionaire in Nigeria today without being corrupt. If you are a businessman, you would have evaded tax or other levies like import duties with the active connivance of those in charge.

“Your entire income as a political office holder, either elected or appointed, cannot make you a billionaire without indulging in corrupt practices. It is also not possible for you to work and retire as a civil servant in whatever capacity and become a billionaire without being corrupt.

“I know I am stepping on sensitive toes but I can handle that. Unless our leaders tackle the issue of corruption and offer selfless service to the people, our democracy may not produce the desired development we are all expecting.”

Akinyemi decried the situation where Nigerians sacrificed their value systems on the altar of greed, indiscipline, selfishness and insatiable craze for material wealth acquisition.

He said, “There are no more values to hold on to. Parents not only encourage their children to cheat in order to beat the system but also aid and abet them in their nefarious activities. No one believes anymore in the concept of society.

“Nigerians have created their own God in their own image. In my youth, to be accused of theft or any other criminal offence was tantamount to being banished from the society while to be convicted was tantamount to suicide.

“However, today, no one asks for the source of wealth. People in jail, accused of murder run for, and win elections.

“More than a score of members of the Senate have EFCC court cases hanging against them. Only in Nigeria do you steal billions and escape with less than a million naira fine.”

Akinyemi noted that the problem did not start today as it was created by the military following the coup that displaced the first civilian generation of Nigerian leaders.

“Only three years after independence, whatever system existed was shattered by the thoughtless overthrow of the western regional government and from then on, politics of development was replaced by politics of looting,” he stated.

TalkOfNaija

Amnesty International accuse Lagos State Govt. of human rights violation

By Wale Odunsi

Amnesty International has accused the Lagos State government of gross violation of human rights.
It said the government erred by demolishing houses of residents of Oke Ilu-Eri area, Ijora Badia, in the state.
A statement by the London based group appealed to the state to henceforth, stop such inconsiderate evictions, which it said commenced on Saturday 23 February 2013, at about 9am.
“According to the Nigerian NGO, Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC), which has been working with leaders of the community since Wednesday to try to prevent the demolition, at least 300 houses have been demolished so far with hundreds of people displaced” the statement read.
“SERAC said about 200 heavily armed police officers supervised the demolition and several residents who tried to resist the demolition were beaten up by the police.”
The statement lamented thus, “no adequate notice was given to the residents of the community before the demolition commenced” noting further that “on Wednesday 20 February, a notice of eviction was given to the Baale (the traditional district head) of the community – just three days before the demolition started.”

The human rights body also observed that “no compensation has been paid to residents; the evicted people have not been offered alternative housing and many people have been displaced.”
It affirmed that “The demolished houses included both wooden and concrete structures. Some of the displaced residents owned their homes, while many were poor tenants.”
“The eviction of people from their homes without the appropriate legal and procedural action, including prior and adequate consultation, adequate notice and the provision of adequate alternative housing constitute a forced eviction and is a gross violation of human rights, including the right to adequate housing” said Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Africa, Lucy Freeman.
DailyPost

Michelle Obama Oscars Appearance: First Lady Presents Best Picture To 'Argo'

The Huffington Post  |  By Kia Makarechi  

The Academy Awards suddenly turned into the Michelle Obama Oscars when Jack Nicholson told the audience a special guest was joining him to present Best Picture.
"Argo" won the award, which the First Lady read off an envelope while being paged in to Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre.
"[These films] taught us that love can beat all odds," Obama said. "They reminded us that we can overcome any obstacle if we dig deep enough and fight hard enough and find the courage within ourselves."
It's through cinema, Obama said, that "our children learn to open their imagination and dream just a little bigger and to strive every day to reach those dreams."
"Argo's" win was remarkable because it was only the fourth film in the Oscars' 85-year history to win Best Picture without a corresponding Best Director nomination. Affleck, a producer on the film, gave an emotional acceptance speech that ended with a simple message: "It doesn't matter how you get knocked down in life, all that matters is how you get back up."
More on the Oscars is available in our further coverage and in the live blog that follows the below gallery.

"Prepare for Dire Consequences if You Kill Our Holiness" – Rev. King's church members

Members of Chukwuemeka Ezeugo’s church have warned Nigerians to be prepared for dire consequences if their General Overseer, popularly known as Reverend King, is indeed killed by hanging.

This warning emanated from the last Sunday service held at the church, Christian Praying Assembly (CPA), located at Ajao Estate, Lagos. "It will be absolute tragedy in this country if they touch our Holiness, they are just ignorant of this,” the goatee-spotting acting general overseer, Reverend Elijah King, threatened on the pulpit."
As it was observed during the course of the Sunday service, held on February 3 at the church premises, the acting general overseer also read a weekly message purportedly sent from prison by the incarcerated Reverend King, in which the beleaguered clergy urged his followers not to be deterred by their recent setback. "You must continue in the faith which I have taught you," a line from the prison notes read.
Despite his incarceration, the affairs and activities of the church still run smoothly. Investigations during recent visits revealed that preparation is in top gear for King’s birthday celebration this year and members are being urged to pay certain amount of money for the undertaking. An insider disclosed that apart from money donated by the church members, generous donations come in every week from some rich and influential people in the society, who are secret followers of the embattled man of God.
Last year, his birthday was marked with roaring publicity, as members of his church bought several advert spaces in one of the prominent daily newspapers in Nigeria, where they showered praises on him, even to the point of comparing him to Jesus Christ.
Aside the contribution for his forthcoming birthday, other financial obligations that church members must fulfill, include a weekly toll which will be for "His Holiness' welfare". This is often sent as a lump sum to the imprisoned church founder for his upkeep in jail.
On this Sunday, the presiding reverend frowned at what he called insult offerings to the Holiness. "We see N100 notes in the envelopes of the Holiness Welfare, if I catch that person," he threatened.
This further confirmed the report that the on-death row King lives like a king inside the prison, courtesy of the resources squeezed from his loyal church members.
Investigations revealed that in spite of Reverend King's six-year absence, nothing has really changed in the operation of his church. A first-hand experience by SE showed that high-handedness still persists in the church. For instance, latecomers to Sunday service on February 3, were still subjected to kneeling outside by macho-looking ushers.
The controversies notwithstanding, the Anambra State-born reverend still commands absolute loyalty from his followers.
A member asserted: "I have no problem with the church, this is my second year in this church and everything has been going on well." Another also affirmed: "Brother, you were in the church service, you can see how we cherish and respect him, he is Christ to us. We don't care what other people say."
Reverend King was convicted by Justice Joseph Oyewole of Lagos High Court and sentenced to death by hanging on January 11, 2007, for the alleged murder of a church member, Ann Uzoh. He allegedly poured petrol on the deceased for what he called "acts of fornication" and set her ablaze, alongside others. The victim eventually died as a result of injuries sustained from the burns. Arraigned on September 26, 2006 on a six-count charge of attempted murder and murder, to which he pleaded not guilty, King was found guilty by the trial judge.
Naij.com

Nigerian Embassies in US, Canada, Switzerland in huge debts; cannot pay bills, salaries

By Bisola Adeniran

Paucity of funds has hit Nigerian Missions abroad with a number of embassies unable to meet basic responsibilities like the payment of staff salaries, as well as electricity and telephone bills.
Saturday PUNCH gathered in Abuja on Thursday that complaints from some of the missions, especially in Europe and Asia, have become more strident.
As a temporary measure, some of the diplomats have resorted to dipping their hands into their personal savings or using their credit cards to get by.
The more enterprising ones among them, especially non-career diplomats, have reached out to their state governors to advance them funds before remittances are made from Abuja.
It was further gathered that some diplomats in Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Germany, United States, Switzerland and Japan are worst hit with the high cost of living in their host countries.
Some allege that salaries have not been paid since October 2012 due to non-remittance from Abuja.
When contacted, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru said claims that remittances have not been made since October 2012 were untrue.
He said, “As you are aware, the ministry is part of government and our budget is tied to the budget of the federation.

“The 2013 budget is still being processed. As we speak, we have received assurances from the Minister of Finance that everything is being done to ensure that our missions are properly funded.
“It is not true that we have not remitted funds since October, it is absolutely not true.
“I have constantly advised our officers to ensure the prudent management of the little resources available so that when there is a little delay they can sustain basic services.”
The Nigerian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, where former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe holds sway, was so broke in October last year that it could not meet its financial obligations for two months.
It was learnt that the situation was so critical that Maduekwe paid a visit to Abuja, where he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru.
A source at the Nigerian High Commission, said on the condition of anonymity that it was so embarrassing that staff, including non- Nigerians working with the embassy, have begun to complain openly.
The situation in Ottawa is not different from what obtains in several other Nigerian Missions including Geneva, Switzerland.
DailyPost

Meteorological Agency Predicts Excessive Rainfall in Sokoto, Kebbi Others

Abuja – The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) on Friday predicted normal rainfall in Nigeria during the year except in Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states, which might experience excessive rainfall. The Director-General of NIMET, Dr Anthony Anuforom, made the information known at the public presentation of the 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) and Nigeria Climate Review Bulletin in Abuja.

He said the rainfall pattern in most parts of Nigeria was likely to be similar to that of 2012. “However, some areas in the North-western parts of the country, which also fall within the catchment area of River Niger, the total rainfall predicted for 2013 may exceed that of 2012. “Rainfall for 2013 is predicted to be normal over large areas of the country. The expected changes in the annual rainfall are well below normal in Abeokuta and above normal over Ibadan and Yelwa areas.
“The predicted rainfall for the Northwest areas of Sokoto , Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and environs is likely to be above normal in comparison to 2012,’’ he said. Anuforom advised relevant authorities to use NIMET’s updates issued regularly to control possible adverse impacts. He said the forecast was not automatic as the predictions could change due to climate change. Anuforom said the volume of rainfall for the year would range from 420 cubic metres spread over 120 days in the extreme North-East to 2,980 cubic metres over a period of 290 days.
“These forecasts are statements of probability and are based on the available scientific knowledge and data. “Man’s knowledge is still limited and, therefore, some margin of error within tolerable limits is not unusual. “The conditions that determine the rainfall pattern over Nigeria have become more variable due to the effects of climate change and global warming. “This is a big challenge for atmospheric scientists all over the world. NIMET will continue to monitor the trend in all parts of the country and publish updates as the rainy season progresses,’’ Anuforom said.
He explained that the early release of the forecast was to create good lead-time for adequate preparation against risks and hazards associated with weather and climate extremes. The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, who was represented by Mr Clement Dosunmu, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, said weather information was important to humanity. She urged NIMET to fulfil to its mandate by ensuring that the information got to the end users in time.
“The information in these publications are useful for planning, decision-making and policy formulation, especially in those sectors of the economy that are sensitive to weather. “It is expected that the early release of the 2013 SRP will enable all stakeholders apply the information in planning and executing their activities in such a way as to reduce vulnerability to climate extremes,’’ Oduah said.
Naij.com

At Least 21 People Burned After Motivational Speaker Urges Them To Walk On Hot Coals

When someone tells you to do something stupid do not listen, you will get burned. At least 21 people have been burned after walking over hot burning coals for the motivational speaker Tony Robbins.
The news media reported that at least three people went to a hospital and most suffered burns of second or third degree.
Robbins hosted a four-day meeting called “Unleashing the Power of Within” in the San Jose Convention Center. Witnesses say that on Thursday, a crowd went to a park where 12 lanes of the hot burning coals were placed on the lawn.

His website promotes Robbins’ “Firewalk Experience” in which people walk on hot coals to bring out their power within.
Witness Jonathan Correll says he heard “screams of agony.”
Fire Captain Reggie Williams said organizers had a permit for a fire and emergency personnel were on alert.
InformationNigeria