Obama tries to show some R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Washington (CNN) - President Obama celebrated the music that shaped "our American story" with some of the biggest female music legends Thursday night at the White House but came up a little lacking when he tried to show his R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

The White House welcomed the performances by American musical icons Aretha Franklin, Melissa Etheridge, and Patti Labelle as well as contemporary female artists Ariana Grande, Janelle Monae, and Jill Scott.

While the President was paying tribute to Aretha Franklin, he had a hard time with the spelling of a word famously spelled out in one of her best known songs.
"When Aretha first told us what R-S-P-E-C-T meant to her, she had no idea it would become a rallying cry for African Americans, and women, and then everyone who felt marginalized because of what they looked like or who they loved," Obama said to chuckles from the audience.
The spelling error did not bring down the energy of the night as Patti LaBelle kicked off the performances with "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," bringing the President and First Lady to their feet.
The "Women of Soul" event was part of the "In Performance at the White House" series that has honored the likes of Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Let's just hope that if the President ever welcomes the Village People that he practices his Y-M-C-A.

CNN

Spoken Word Rhyme - Is It Nothing To You? By Hannatu Musawa

Columnist: 

Hannatu Musawa

On 6th April 2014, The All Progressives Congress held a Summit in Abuja where the party used the occasion to present the parties roadmap to a New Nigeria. In other words, it was a forum where the party wanted to enlighten Nigerians of a manifesto that would afford the country with a revitalising new future.
During the summit, I had written a ‘Spoken Word’ poetry, and joined it with a poetry piece that I had written in the past, which I had wanted to deliver at the event. However, my idea had come late and by the time I suggested making the presentation, the itinerary for the event had already been put in place, leaving no room for my presentation. In all fairness to the organisers of the event, they had tried all they could to include my presentation, but the lack of time made it impossible for me to finish the presentation in its entirety, which I had already started. Unfortunately, I had to cut the presentation short and was unable to finish.
However, because I felt it was a very powerful message that I was trying to make, I wanted to recreate the piece via this forum so that people could understand why I felt so strongly about the message that I wanted to give. Below is a full copy  of the Spoken Word Speech I intended to give.

SPOKEN WORD RHYME- IS IT NOTHING TO YOU?
“To get right to the point today, there is a small game that I would like for you all to play it’s called, “Is this Country nothing to you?”
Or to put it another way, “how many of us in this room can earnestly say with a nod, that they are here at this summit for the love of country and God?”
…For most of us that game will probably not last very long, like a banging on a gong our people say “what’s wrong with our leaders today? And the song goes on and on, but the song being sung is one that has been sung for long.
For as long as our mind remembers, we have been surrounded by the same leadership members.
Despite our sheer hunger and poverty, those older generations still maintain their sovereignty.
But to be honest, I’m rather tired of placing all the blame on them and not us. So I’m here to suggest that part of the problem, is the youth who continue to make such a fuss.
The leaders, the elites, the privileged bourgeoisie, shall continue to trample on the likes of you and me!
At this point you may not like what I say; it may give you much dismay.
But please give me a second to explain, if you get what I mean, you may drop your disdain.
You see in Nigeria, the youth of today would rather live by luck, because they see a current system where the cancer has become too stuck.
If I stand hear before you and tell you that I’ve never done anything wrong in my life…! Be honest, wouldn’t you truly say “Haba Hanney, what the fu…..fudge.”
But doesn’t that mean that you’re too quick to judge?
You never budge or give me a positive nudge?
And if that’s the perception, that we are so full of pride,
Perhaps it’s time each and every one of us took a look inside,
And try to reclaim the selflessness we have read in history books,
The dedication of our forefathers, that spirit within their looks.
Once upon a time in this nation, our leaders, possessed humility and a sense of political self;
The kind where people mingled, with every tribe without putting suspicion at the top of their shelf.
They touched lepers, gave much encouraging, loved and played with every child despite their place of origin.
Everyone in this room, please take a second and consider just how many  opportunities our fore fathers had to make millions;
Opportunities which had they taken, would have secured them with billions.
If any of our fore fathers were to choose a team to save us from where we are hanging,
I can bet they’d have a hard time because our integrity has a low standing.
Those who have raped this country, gather to discuss how to distribute her wealth,
How to manipulate her system and leave her in bad health.
It doesn’t matter that they may not have the capability or quality to uphold the sanctity of the post,
It doesn’t matter that they are short changing 160 million whom are suffering most.
The only thing that they choose to see is the only thing that they will see.
And you know what? ….Their vision is certainly not of you or me.
But now again, I will implore you to forgive me, it’s not only them with these shortcomings.
I’m here to suggest that most of us in this room have been part of that bad pluming.
Not only in the past have we endeared and encouraged them,
We have been part of the causal link that empowers what we now condemn.
Again folks, you must bear with me, Please give me a minute to explain ….
Do not crucify me, till you hear my full campaign.

You see it is clear that you leaders must play your part,
In giving the next generation, messages straight from your heart.
Your message shouldn’t be a billboard or rhetoric of should and should-nots!
It should be a living, breathing art piece of where exactly we need to join the dots.
I’m not trying to be harsh and I’m not trying to be condemning to my own side,
I’m just suggesting that as progressives in our political journey; let’s invite Nigerians along for the ride.
Let’s look to share before we look to teach and maybe just maybe people will understand more what we preach.
Let us make our intention for the country more attractive, by using this APC manifesto in a way that it’s interactive!
We need the dedication and spirit of the likes that Ghandi and Mandela had in their struggle.
It’s that authentic dedication, faith and patriotism that can get us out of our muddle.
If we choose to exist with that kind of authenticity, we’ll look at our nation objectively, not through the eyes of ethnicity.
No more can we point a finger at somebody else, and blame a third party for this ruddy mess.
It is now up to us, we can choose our own destiny, by being cerebral as a mark of our weaponry.
If you think it can’t be done, then take a trip to Lagos, Where Governor Fashola has transformed it into Vegas.
If you need more convincing, then Kano should be your State. There you’ll see Kwakwasiya has done that ancient city great.
Then who can forget Owelle, he inherited a bush, but one trip to Owerri will show you his great push.
Now I hope that you have heard my view of what I think is right. I’m speaking in what I believe in, not trying to start a fight.
I believe that as a party, we can do what we know is right, because we cannot be as blind as those whom we’re trying to give sight.
To create our own success, we must not be afraid to create opportunity,
That’s the greatest way we can restore Nigeria’s dwindling unity.
As well-meaning Nigerians we must know what we want, the time has run out to become nonchalant.
The time must be now for us to climb to the peak, to attain what we couldn’t because our divide made us weak.
Whatever will happen we must look up to God, he Giveth and Taketh with merely a nod.
We must increase faith, boost our love and our fear, be sincere and revere and adhere to persevere.
We must believe in this nation and love it unconditionally, keep our ethos, our culture and our virtues traditionally.
Nigeria is beautiful, our homeland is glorious. She’s known internationally as somewhat notorious.
Her children are maimed as somewhat inglorious, but in truth for 5 decades she has been laborious.
And with help from above she can be meritorious, so our nation can rise and at last be victorious.
All that I have spoken of is about passion and a belief that’s true. And I started by asking “Does this country mean nothing to you?”
IS IT NOTHING TO YOU…?

Is it nothing to you that our dear children cry;
That they sigh and they die in the blink of an eye?
From hunger to strife to a life that’s awry,
Nigeria’s kids can barely scrape by!
Is it nothing to you that the world asks us why;
We belie a potential that limits the sky?
Whereby, we misapply our abundant supply.
We pry and we lie like the alpha bad guy!
Is it nothing to you that our nation can’t fly;
From the depths of destruction, to a renewable high?
As I scribble these words through my tear filled eye,
This beautiful land is on the verge of goodbye!
Is it nothing to you that we cannot comply;
That we have no ally, we’re on virtual standby?
Nigeria must vie to defy this war cry.
Revert back to basics, renew our strong tie!

______***______

Is it nothing to you that your officers steal?
A classic example is the Malibu Deal!
The wheel given Tompolo is just too surreal;
And the Fuel Subsidy bandits are the greatest reveal!
Is it nothing to you that bribery’s not ideal?
When brown envelopes are used to spin bogus spiel?
After the kafuffle of trying to get Oduah dumped,
Johnny had to let go when his wish became defunct!
Is it nothing to you that we do see your zeal;
In killing the Subsidy Report in a blatant repeal.
You just want to seal all the crime that is real,
The trillions that’s pilfered for the cabal’s sumptuous meal!
Is it nothing to you your achievements are nil?
That the genteel you are ruling have a bad ordeal.
The steel of this government has began to peel,
But for the sake of our future, Nigeria must heal!

______***______

Is it nothing to you that you bomb-suicide;
Whole families in the worshiping house they preside?
When you decide to collide where mass people reside,
In order to kill them; you’re devils personified!
Is it nothing to you that your faith must have died,
When you misuse our religion with your much warped misguide?
The words of the Scripture speak of peace side-by-side.
The words of the Scripture speak of love, patience abide!
Is it nothing to you that your troops cannot hide;
From the extra-judicial killings that the JTF applied?
In their stride, innocent bodies have piled nation-wide.
They’re as bad as the terrorists, worse than Jekyll and Hyde!
Is it nothing to you other interests do hide;
Behind Boko-Haram, commit crime to divide?
Not all of the killings, the bombings or snide;
Come from one source or have a single guide!
______***______

Is it nothing to you that your airlines are old;
And millions of Nigerians fly in your coffin mould?
You mortgage our lives to gain abundant Fools-Gold.
You patch up bad airplanes that are second-hand sold!
Is it nothing to you that you must uphold;
A global wide standard for airlines controlled?
All the vessel’s information that you do withhold;
Must be given to the public to see and behold!
Is it nothing to you that those out in the cold;
Are the victims who survived when the Dana Air rolled?
Their houses were bowled; they lost all in a fold.
When to get compensation; they have still not been told!
Is it nothing to you that our options are outsold?
If we had travel by sea or rail, we’d feel much more bold.
The aviation industry must of itself get a-hold;
So Nigerians can fly feeling safe and consoled!

______***______

Is it nothing to you that you contest elections;
By tugging and pulling on people’s affections?
Now you’ve made your connections and are in government sections,
The hoard that supported you are part of your rejections!
Is it nothing to you that most have objections;
Of the amount that you make from your official collections?
Your allowance and the extra fund injections,
Is an affront to a society with little confections!
Is it nothing to you that from all our reflections;
INEC, you’re not independent in your past selections?
The interjections and protections of INEC’s predilections,
Have exposed their addictions and Jega’s imperfections!
Is it nothing to you that we can change the complexions;
Of our future government by making corrections?
2015 is coming, let’s use wise directions;
To put into power those who give good projections!

______***______

Is it nothing to you that you sell our land short?
When you travel abroad to distort our sort?
All over the World our passport does import;
419 and scams, scarlet ladies, drugs snort!
Is it nothing to you in Chinese jails, in court?
Nigerian’s are plenty for the crimes they export.
They beat some; they kill some, a few they deport.
It’s sad that our people don’t abort this contort!
Is it nothing to you that you rob and you thwart?
Our freedom, our peace by your constant extort?
Kidnappers and robbers, crime is your blood sport;
You’ve resort our homes as quite an unsafe forte!
Is it nothing to you that we have no support?
The world looks at us as a joke, as a wart.
We must pull together; focus our exhort;
To clean up our act; bring our crime down to naught!

______***______

Is it nothing to you when you berate so much hate;
On another tribe in Nigeria, it creates a debate?
North, South, East, West or Central, we’re from one estate.
One people, one nation who share one single fate!
Is it nothing to you when in blogs you misstate;
An irate dictate that translates to negate?
At the rate we communicate, we can’t interrelate;
We’re like enemies in a vessel just lying in wait!
Is it nothing to you that the poverty weight;
Is on every Nigerian with no discriminate?
If our nations deflate, no tribe should elate.
We’ll all skate to desecrate; I’m telling you straight!
Is it nothing to you that our leaders who ate;
All our money in government are from each ethnic plate?
When they conjugate behind the gate of the Chief of the State;
They don’t think about tribe, only their share in that crate!

______***______

Is it nothing to you, because it’s something to me;
That we’re living in darkness to a constant degree?
NEPA say’s it is working, but it’s real hard to see;
Because the lights are always off. I am sure you’ll agree!
Is it nothing to you, because it’s something to me;
That our people are screaming like senseless banshee?
Many families can’t eat; some can’t even buy tea;
The only one’s living are the elite bourgeoisie!
Is it nothing to you, because it’s something to me;
That our motorways are like craters with earthquake-debris?
I can tell you for free, our roads are no Grand-Prix;
Our maintenance culture’s not as it really should be!
Is it nothing to you, because it’s something to me;
That I’m writing this sonnet with not much “Whoopee”?
My prayer for my nations is renewed esprit.
My wish for Nigeria is for our land to be free!
Is it something to you…? It’s not nothing to me…!


Saharareporters

APC Road Map: Buhari, Tinubu, Others Predict New Dawn

APC LEADERS


Onyebuchi Ezigbo 

Prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) including former Head of State,  Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and Senator Bola Tinubu have expressed hope that the party will emerge victorious in the 2015 elections to give Nigeria a new lease of life.

As part of the major high points of the party’s road map launched yesterday, APC promised to create 20,000 jobs per state for those with minimum qualification of secondary school leaving certificate, payment of N5,000 to 25 million poorest and most vulnerable citizens as well as offer free primary and secondary education to Nigerians.

On corruption, the road map commits the party to ensuring zero tolerance for the scourge and insists that those with inexplicable wealth are made to face criminal prosecution.

A new entrant into the opposition fold and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar warned that Nigerians might be unwittingly preparing grounds for the emergence of a civilian dictator if they elect President Goodluck Jonathan for another term in 2015.

Atiku, who said he was a committed believer in a two-party system, accused his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of frustrating attempts to have strong opposition parties.

“I am scared of a civilian dictator, if we should allow this administration (Jonathan) go beyond 2015, Nigeria will be in for a civilian dictatorship, “ he said.

The former vice-president urged APC leaders not to lose sight of the political evolution of the country which gave rise to the emergence of the party, adding that they  must be ready to address the yearnings of Nigerians in order to assuage people’s feelings.

Buhari, who spoke on the APC initiative, said the reason the legacy parties agreed to come together was to make sure that the impunity with which the country was being administered is terminated.

“We found out that if we do not come together, the ruling party will ruthlessly eliminate the opposition and there will be no more dissenting voices of reason. As leaders, we decided it was time we made sacrifices to rescue our country from the brink of collapse,” he said.

The former presidential candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) said it was becoming increasingly challenging to manage the fallouts of bad governance in the country hence the dire need for an alternative platform, APC.

Buhari said apart from repositioning the nation’s economy, the party’s road map intends to tackle insecurity to enable Nigerians sleep with their eyes closed.

Tinubu on his part said APC was determined to deliver to Nigerians the change they desire if voted into office in 2015.

He said Nigeria is a nation of great potential but in order to harness it properly, there was need for a progressive leadership which is focused and selfless.

“The youths are the owners of APC agenda  because it is their interest that the party is fighting to protect through creation of  employment, sound economic development and prudent management of resources. A new Nigeria means having a government that will tackle poverty and underdevelopment, “ he said.

Continuing, he said the party would within four years in office build four refineries so as to drastically change the current of overdependence on the importation of petroleum products.

“Shame to a nation with the enormous oil resource potential but has no refineries. In four years, APC will build four refineries to put a stop to the circle of product scarcity and subsidy scams in the country, “ he said.

On his part,  the former National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, said APC would leave up to its objective to serve the interest of the Nigerian people by doing something urgently  to address the failings of governance in the last 13 years.

He said a new Nigeria envisioned by the opposition party is a country where there is justice and equity, where no Nigerian would be marginalised anywhere in the country no matter his tribe or religion.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Teritory (FCT), Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, said when APC talks about fighting corruption, there are evidences of commitment by the party to lead by example, adding that the performances of its governors in the states under the party’s control should serve as a pointer to what change it intends to bring on board in governance.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, who set the ball rolling on the launching of the party’s road map, described APC as something completely new in Nigerian politics.

He said the party was determined to do things differently from how they have ever been done before.
He said: “We are just not going to talk about change; we’re going to embody change.

“No party in more than 15 years has done what we’ll do today. Publicly, and most importantly, together as a party, we tell Nigeria what we believe in a meeting, not in a rally, not in the middle of a political campaign.

“We can’t accept a government that cannot account to us or we can change it and build a new Nigeria."

According to Fashola, what stands APC out from other parties is that the party has got a road map for development of Nigeria and code of ethics for our members which will regulate the activities of party members whether in government or out of it.

He said the party was committed to doing things differently by resolving to fight corruption while striving to provide employment for the youths.

While delivering a lecture,  former Vice-President of the World Bank, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, who was invited by the APC to unveil its road map, urged members of the party  to be ready to accept the challenges inherent in seeking to tackle the ills of our country’s governance.

The former Minister of Education and Chairman of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI) reminded everyone that inasmuc has the need to get things is a highly desired one, the application of requisite corrective measures might indeed unsettle even some who are now initiating the process.

Ezekwesili told the gathering that she had accepted to deliver the lecture not as a politician with any interest except for the superior interest to help build a better Nigeria.

She cautioned the APC against focussing on just pushing PDP out of office by all means, adding that the party must realise that Nigerians whom it intends to govern must be alive to witness the promises of good tidings.
While welcoming party leaders, the interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, said the party would do all it could to attend to the needs of the youths and to provide them with jobs.

Another key stakeholder in APC and former governor of the crisis-ridden Borno, Senator Modu Sheriff, drew the attention of the party leaders to the need to recognise the contributions of the founding members of the party and carry them along in running the affairs of the party.

“Today we are sitting as APC trying to chart the course of moving Nigeria forward. We are here today talking about how PDP is bad and how to change things but we must try to do things properly. Today, if we go to elections, APC might score 80 per cent but if care is not taken what happened to PDP may probably happen to APC,” he said.

Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwakwanso, said APC  was a blessing to him and Nigeria, adding that without the formation of the party, he would not have known where to go after PDP.

Zamfara Governor, Abdul Aziz Yari, said if independent rating agencies were to be allowed to rate PDP’s performance in the last 13 years, the resounding verdict would be a highest rating on corruption.

Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, said the new mantra should be for everyone to de-emphasise  tribe and ethnicity in the conduct of affairs in the country.
Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, said while the statistics being bandied around portrayed the country’s economy as doing well, there was a mounting unemployment and poverty in the land.

Attacking claims by the federal government of having generated employment, he said giving SURE-P jobs to party thugs could not translate into providing employment to jobless Nigerians.

Other leaders who spoke at the event,  Audu Ogbeh, Segun Osoba, Tom Ikimi, Senator Chris Ngige and Senator Bukola Saraki,  all agreed that a major challenge facing the country is how to rescue the economy and provide employment for the youths.

However, the PDP dismissed the manifesto  as a road map to anarchy and a product of janjaweed ideology.
According to the PDP spokesman, Olisah Metuh,  who issued a statement, “The manifesto lacks character, depth and completely addressed no issue.”

He said: “The manifesto which ranked security of lives and  property low and  gave no clue as to its preparedness to tackle  terrorism was a tacit acknowledgment that the APC may be benefiting
from the mayhem and knows more than meets the eyes about the spate of terror attacks in the country."

ThisDay

I Have ‘No Fear’ Of Boko Haram Says General Buhari

By SaharaReporters, New York

In an exclusive and wide ranging interview with Sahara TV, General Muhammadu Buhari said that he is a man with no fear, and that he was confident in Nigeria’s future. His comments on the current state of affairs covered politics, recent disclosures of the alleged wide -ranging theft by Sani Abacha, a former head of state, the upcoming National conference, and whether he is considering yet another run for office in 2015.
But perhaps the most surprising comments during the wide topic Skype interview with Sahara TV, were the former General’s comments, and his posture of walking in confidence. This comes in spite of being a major target of Nigeria’s most vicious terrorist group, Boko Haram. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said that he has no fear of Boko Haram.
“I am not bothered by them (targeting me,”) said the general who describes himself as a proud Muslim. The resident of Nigeria’s northwestern region said that the “government has given me adequate protection,” even amid recent strikes by the Boka Haram that has left carnage in much of the northeast.
Muhammadu Buhari took sharp aim at what he called the cowardly targeting of children in playgrounds, school students eating lunch, and shoppers at souks, by the radical Islamist group.
In a recent interview with the Voice of America, the general referred to Boko Haram as “Devilish,” and he did not let up when pressed further by Sahara  TV’s Rudolf Okonkwo. “Nigeria has the capacity to nip this in the bud,” he said, adding that one way to fight the group, and other would-be terrorists organizations is coming to agreements with neighboring countries, like Chad, Cameroon, and Benin Republic over the unauthorized circulation of weaponry, and training grounds. 
In perhaps his most surprising comments about Boko Haram, he compared the group with the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the tenure of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The two groups, he noted, were similar, and so are the comparisons of issues surrounding the Nigerian army’s tarnished reputation fighting the group, and its relationship with average citizens. The same criticisms of rape, brutality, and distain of the public were leveled against the British forces, as is the case now with the Nigerian army.
“The Nigerian military’s primary responsibility is to protect its citizens,” he said. Yet, according to several human rights groups, the Nigerian military has come under fire with wide reports of rape, theft, and outright brutality. It is the same sort of criticism British forces were targeted with while fighting the IRA, the general said.
He said he believes the Nigerian army has been properly trained to fight insurgents out-of-uniform, when compared with other countries.
On other topics, the general was less forthcoming, and seemed evasive about his own future, and his party’s plans for the upcoming 2015 elections. This evasiveness carried over to subjects ranging from the recently frozen assets of Sani Abacha by U.S. officials; the soon-to-come national convention; his receiving an award from sitting president Goodluck Jonathan during centenary celebrations; and the fear of a Buhari presidency among Nigeria’s elite.
The general said that the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was an important lesson for Nigerians, and the world. He said, (“the) multi-party system is best for Nigeria, and (Not one party rule.”)
On receiving an award from President Goodluck Jonathan, Buhari during centenary celebrations, he said that it is important for a nation to look at itself after one hundred years. While others rejected receiving awards from the sitting president, Buhari accepted his without fanfare. But he was cagey on whether or not a past leader should receive such an award if there had been disclosures of wrong-doing while in office. He called the issuance of such awards “the beauty of the system” inside Nigeria. Yet, that passing on awards should “not be a difficult thing” if past leaders declare their assets, before and afterwards in receiving such an award.
Without directly naming the sitting president, he did say that the current government is “shy about punishing past wrong-doers.” Adding that some governments are “restrained” by constitutional rules to punish.
As for the 2015 election, he would not commit on whether he would enter the race, but did say that his “supporters (within the party) are insisting he participate.” He said that he would watch the party process of selecting a candidate, including pre-election primaries. Should that end is a stalemate, he said that then he would consider another run.
There is the perception that the fate of his APC party is tied to what he decides to do in the coming election. But he bristled at that suggestion, saying that his party does have “strength on the ground,” regarding canvassing and ‘getting out the vote.’ Yet, those strengths are not tied to what he does, the general asserted.
On why many inside Nigeria’s elite fear him, he would only say “they know (the reason) why.” He said that he wants order and accountability in Nigeria’s government, and that government does need economic partners who share his view of de-riding corruption in government.
The upcoming national conference is unnecessary, and in his view, was a process yet to be seen. He said that the National Assembly is in charge of the government, and nation, and that they can amend the constitution if need be. He decried the 7 billion dollars that is being spent on the national conference.
On how he wants to be remembered, and whether or not he as plans to write a memoir on his time in the military, and time as head of state, Buhari said he has already started putting pen-to-paper on that effort. He wants to be remembered as a man who pushed for democracy, and who did not give up.
He said that he is an optimist, despite all of the challenges currently facing Nigeria, but added that the current state of affairs is “a shame for all.” His attempts at political office in the 2003, 2007 and 2011 elections was his attempt, he said, “to make democracy work straight.”
The country’s ‘brain drain’ is a concern, he said. With so many of Nigeria’s professional class living abroad, the nation suffers in ways not immediately apparent to observers.
Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s comments were wide ranging, but his stance on Boko Haram is sure to gain attention. In spite of it, he said, “the country can be mobilized, and that gives me hope."

 Saharareporters

Waivers Fraud : Punch Newspaper Rips Okonjo-Iweala’s TEDxEuston London Speech

Minister for Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

By Punch Editorial Board

What do you do when you find yourself in a slimy hole?  Wisdom dictates that you stop digging. But for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, this treasured American dictum makes no sense as far as the issue of the corruption-drenched waivers and exemptions goes. In yet another desperate attempt to defend the misuse and abuse of import duty waivers, exemptions and concessions, she pointedly singled out The PUNCH for attack, accusing this newspaper of “trivializing corruption” at the TEDxEuston forum in faraway London.
In her latest blunder, she once again faulted our insistence that import duty waivers have become, in the hands of successive Nigerian governments, instruments of massive corruption and not of economic stimulation as she claims. After “entertaining” her audience with what she called “a whole series of newspapers with their negative reports,” the minister went on, “I had an example recently of this trivialization from one of our national newspapers, ‘The PUNCH newspaper’; they claimed that a government policy where we give incentives to industries or business people to spur them to invest in the economy was a bunch of corruption.”
But if you accuse someone of lying, you must be prepared to prove it. If you are a government minister, backed by all the power and integrity that should go with the position, that onus of proof becomes double. Not our eminent minister. As she was grandstanding in London, fresh revelations were being made back home of the magnitude of the loss to the economy of the fraudulent waivers.
The minister, in her response to a 50-point query from the House of Representatives, had claimed that only N170.73 billion worth of waivers and exemptions were granted in three years. She said waivers and exemptions worth N55.96 billion were granted in 2011, N55.34 billion in 2012 and N59.42 billion in 2013.
But her figures contrast sharply with the document from the Nigerian Customs Service. The NCS had said N603 billion was lost in duties that should have been collected between January and September last year alone.  She will also need to convince Nigerians that the Daily Trust report of January 22, 2014, How Nigeria lost N1.4 trillion to waivers between 2011 and 2013, is wrong and hers right.  The report alleged that N480 billion was lost in 2011 and a similar figure in 2012. Though the NCS denied “making any accusation of corruption in the implementation of the waivers” in a newspaper advertorial, it nevertheless confirmed that “the document credited to it was presented to the National Assembly in November 2013 upon invitation of the latter to explain shortfalls in projected revenue collection.”
Significantly, her false declaration that The PUNCH “did not even look” at her published list of waiver beneficiaries is proving to be in character. Her fighting words:  “So, when the newspaper wrote an editorial and said this was corruption. We pointed out that, ‘Yes, in the past, it wasn’t good but now we have been running a different system for two years.’ They dared us to publish those who got these waivers; and guess what? Last week, we sent it to them; yes we did. But you know what? They refused to even look at it. And they continued to insist that this was excess bite of corruption.”
This is unfair and patently false. We duly reported her claims in a story, “Nigeria lost N65.23bn to waivers in 24 months,” on December 2, 2013. Yes, we insist that, in spite of her celebrated reform, the waiver regime, even under her watch, is still dogged by corruption because her flaunted list further reinforced our position. We found waivers granted to the Gombe Central Mosque in 2011 to import 13 cartons of the Koran and carpets, and waiver to the Catholic Church, Makurdi to import children’s Bibles. What is the economic trade-off in these? In 2012, the Akwa Ibom State Government got a waiver of N271.2 million for a private aircraft, while Taraba got N13.06 million for a helicopter. In 2013, Rivers State got waivers worth N2.18 billion for a Bombardier aircraft and two Bell 412 helicopters.
The minister’s propensity to defend scandals and question even credible findings is distressing. How do waivers for aircraft to accommodate the luxurious lifestyles of state governors boost the economy or create jobs? How many jobs were created by the N450.7 million waivers to massage the First Lady’s ego to host the African Women Peace Mission, an NGO? How about the waivers given to the National Sports Commission for “motor spare parts”? Or the N141.2 million to the Delta State Government in 2013 for furniture? Nigerians need explanations also for the waiver of the N5.9 million to the Maiduguri Central Mosque in 2012 and N14 million for the “Watchtower Society of Jehovah’s Witnesses” to import “building materials and cabinet parts for kitchen door drawers.”
This is not all. The Customs were also cited to have reported how under “other goods,” as listed in the categories for concessions, goods such as fish, bulletproof vehicles and kola nuts were imported. How do these create jobs in Nigeria or stimulate local production? The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Mohammed Makarfi, said the upper chamber had found that waivers were being granted for goods that had no benefit to Nigerians. He deplored the revenue shortfall of the NCS amounting to N243.69 billion in 2013 due to factors that included questionable waivers, concessions and exemptions. The PUNCH did not make up any of these allegations.
Sadly, under Okonjo-Iweala’s watch, the abuse of waivers by beneficiaries is still rampant. No one can discountenance the testimonies of the business community that has unanimously condemned the misuse and abuse of the system.
Just how deep is this cesspool? N603 billion in nine months or N1.4 trillion in three years, or N65 billion in two years or N171 billion in three years as she claims? Only our all-knowing coordinating minister has the answer. One sure clue is that she had not convincingly faulted the perverse results of the policy. But her arrogance will not allow her to admit publicly what everyone knows, including the audience of young people she addressed in the United Kingdom. The National Assembly should probe this economic rip-off.
The waiver issue will not vanish as she appears to wish. Highlighting it in the mass media does not distract from the destructive issue of corruption that has laid Nigeria low, rather, it places it on the front burner of public discourse. She does her reputation no good by continuing to defend a corrupt system and talking down at critics and stakeholders. The use of waivers here is corruption-driven and it is the responsibility of every Nigerian to put a halt to this abuse. Okonjo-Iweala cannot solve the problem as long as she continues to live in denial or to take every criticism personal. Safeguarding public finance is not about personal ego or intolerance for public scrutiny by public officials.
The grave flaw in Okonjo-Iweala’s temperament is the arrogance that makes her believe her own myth. She really thinks she is performing an economic miracle when she has done nothing of the sort as the economy is still in trouble. It is such a letdown that we are not even sure if she has any intention of getting off her high horse. Her hectoring as if she is the only one that understands the strategic economic use of waivers and concessions is rather odd and amusing.
Our waiver policy is set on the wrong course. Rather than us, it is Okonjo-Iweala that is trivialising corruption the same way she failed to confront the massive fuel subsidy fraud of 2011 before the January 2012 mass protests across the country silenced her and her specious experts.  She is up to the same bullying tactics rather than investigate the complaints of Customs, business operators, lawmakers and the media that beneficiaries routinely abuse and misapply the waivers. It is still a system driven by corruption and patronage.
As for The PUNCH, our long-standing reputation for objectivity and as champions of the anti-corruption war cannot be assailed by a temporary occupant of public office. This is our stand.
 

Saharareporters

Nigerian legislators should work part time – Pius Adesanmi

PIUS ADESANMI

The don also called for a one chamber legislature.
Following the common notion that Nigeria’s legislators have underperformed in their duties of creating enabling laws, a PREMIUM TIMES columnist and Visiting Professor of Africa Studies at the University of Ghana, Legon, Pius Adesanmi has advocated for legislators to work part time.
Mr. Adesanmi, who was the lead speaker at the 2014 Obafemi Awolowo’s Commemorative Birthday Symposium held in Lagos, Tuesday, also called for the scrapping of bi-camera legislature for a single chamber legislature.
“Given the fact that to describe our NASS as corrupt and indolent is being nice, we need only one chamber and lawmakers should be working part time,” he said.
Mr. Adesanmi who extolled the legacy of the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Obafemi Awolowo, popularly called Awo, also pushed for the adoption of independent candidates during elections, an idea Awo criticised.
Mr. Adesanmi argued that with the “idea poverty” within the country’s political parties “is it not time to give consideration to independent candidates? I should be able to rise above the rot and present myself to the people.”
True Federalism
The don said late Awo was the pioneer and the loudest advocate of true federalism in the country. He said, according to Awo’s autobiography, he started his pursuit for true federalism in 1928 when he was 18 years old.
“Awolowo was demagogic and vatic and that made him the loudest of Nigeria’s founding fathers that tried to direct Nigeria to the road path and not the bush path.”
“He spent also about 30 years before the era of independence, developing and applying his mind to the constitutional existence of a country. His effort at getting Nigeria’s constitution framework right was documented in series of essay, books and articles written by him over the years.”
“He championed the federal system of government as a binary opposition to unitary system recommending it repeatedly to Nigeria as the road while otherwise is forest.”
Mr. Adesanmi said what we call federation in Nigeria today is what Awo consistently criticized as unitarism. Awo warned that unitary constitution is always a source of conflict and once a federal constitution is introduced with adequate recognition for all the constituents with regional autonomy, all bitterness and hostility vanishes.
He told the audience at the symposium that Awo backed his call for true federalism with scientific and empirical research claiming that he had analysed the constitutional system of government of all the countries in the six continents of the world and concluded that any country where people with diverse religious groups, ethnicity or tribes, and most importantly, language differences are united, federalism is the best way to live together.
An appreciative South West
Also speaking at the event, the Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, said if not for the developmental legacies of Awo, the situation of the South West will be as dire as that of the North East.
Mr. Aregbesola said the late Awo did everything to stamp out poverty and ignorance in the South West.
“Awolowo had no enemies in human beings. His enemies were poverty and ignorance and these were what he fought, for the entire span of his life, as he strove all his life to fight them.”
He said because Awo tackled poverty and ignorance head on, the region was emancipated economically.
“The creation of all shades of middle class by the Awolowo legacy is what is able to sustain our disjointed social structure. If not, what will happen in the southwest will be worse than what is happening in the south-south, south east and north eastern part of the country,” he said.
He praised Awo for initiating a free education policy and several successful economic policies. He however lamented that subsequent leaders in the region have failed to borrow a leaf from Awo’s leadership, thus the erosion of gains of Awo’s legacies.
A motivational speaker and pastor, Fela Durotoye, took a swipe at Nigerian leaders for failing to make commitment for the future like Awo did. He said this lack of future commitment is the reason the country has failed.
“People who benefitted from Awolowo’s free education but won’t let their grandchildren go to such schools having watched and let the schools collapse, are what has failed the country. Did we inherit education as we are giving it today?” He asked in reference to the decay of education across Nigeria.
 

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Why Jonathan sacked Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi

Talatu Usman

Mr. Abdullahi is believed to be loyal to Bukola Saraki.
The politicking in Kwara State is the main reason President Goodluck Jonathan fired Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, presidency sources have told PREMIUM TIMES.
A new Sports Minister, Tamuno Danagogo, was announced by Mr. Jonathan before the commencement of Wednesday’s meeting of the Executive Council of the Federation, FEC. The president made no mention of Mr. Abdullahi.
Mr. Abdullahi, apparently aware of his sack, was absent at the FEC meeting.
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Reuben Abati, confirmed the sack of Abdullahi, but did not give any reason for the decision.
Presidency sources, however, told PREMIUM TIMES that the sack was necessitated by the politicking in Kwara, the home state of Mr. Abdullahi.
Mr. Abdullahi was first appointed Minister of Youth Development in 2011 and later asked to supervise the Sports Ministry. He was appointed substantive minister of sports in May 2012. He is believed to have been nominated s minister by Ex-Kwara State governor, Bukola Saraki.
Mr. Saraki who had initially shown interest in challenging Mr. Jonathan for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential ticket in 2011 was a major supporter of Mr. Jonathan during the 2011 elections. He, however, recently joined the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, along with his supporters in Kwara including the state governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; and has since been a critic of the Jonathan administration.
Rumours had been rife since Mr. Saraki’s defection that Mr. Abdullahi, a known loyalist of Mr. Saraki in Kwara, would be relieved of his job as minister.
But Mr. Abdullahi held on, perhaps due to the seeming successes in sports that Nigeria was achieving under his supervision, including Nigeria’s victory at the last African Nations Cup.
However, the straw for Mr. Abdullahi broke on Monday when Mr. Jonathan visited Kwara to welcome decampees to the PDP, presidency sources said.
A presidential source said it is the tradition that when the President is to visit a state, the minister from the state goes ahead to make sure all is in place. But in Mr. Abdullahi’s case, he stayed back to go with the president’s entourage.
The source who pleaded anonymity also said that “even during the rally his people complained bitterly over his attitude towards them and said the problems they are having in the party at the state level were caused by his disloyalty.”
The source told PREMIUM TIMES that the prominent decampees told the President that they cannot work with Mr. Abdullahi in Kwara, where they face the herculean task of dislodging Mr. Saraki.
They explained that “that was why he (Mr. Abdullahi) was not given any role to play during the president’s visit,” the source said.
Two of the major decampees to the PDP were Dele Belgore, the governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011, and Gbemisola Saraki, a former senator and sibling of Bukola Saraki.
“At the Emir’s palace, it was also learnt that he (Mr. Abdullahi) had been fronting for Senator Saraki” a source added referring to Mr. Jonathan’s visit to the Ilorin Emir’s palace during the Monday Kwara visit.
Mr. Abdullahi has, while serving as minister, always publicly declared support for the Jonathan administration, but has never denied being a Mr. Saraki loyalist. With his removal as minister, he is expected to now define his political stance.
 

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