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Saturday, 21 February 2015

Breaking: Nigerian Troops in Baga, Fleeing Terrorists Drowned In Lake Chad

A large number of terrorists have drowned in the Lake Chad as they fled the heavy bombardment by Nigerian Air force heralding the advance of Nigerian troops on mission to flush them out of Baga.

In a statement made available to the press, the Director Defence of Information, Major General Chris Olukolade said that not even the strategy of mining over 1500 spots with land mines on the routes leading to the town could save the terrorists from the aggressive move of advancing troops.

"All the land mines were skillfully cleared one after the other. Eventually, the resistance of the terrorists collapsed and the land forces finally stormed the town in the early hours of Friday", he noted.

Olukolade added that "many of the terrorists died while an unknown but substantial number of them fled with various degrees of injury, in the series of encounter along the routes of advance of the as troops headed for Baga."

Apart from the 5 anti air craft guns and the rifles captured from the terrorists, over 34 motorcycles and 5 vehicles including trucks being used for operations by the terrorists were destroyed in the course of the fighting as troops headed for Baga, he added.

According to Olukolade, "a comprehensive cordon and search phase of military operation has now commenced to enable troops mop up arms and ammunition and also apprehend any terrorist who might be hiding in the vicinity."

"The exercise will also determine details of the casualties  inflicted or incurred in the  course of the operations to clear Baga and environ of terrorists."

"Similar exercise is being carried out in  over  12 locations namely Gajigana, Ngaze, Ngenzai, Marte Junction, Mile 90, Yoyo, Kekeno, Kukawa, Cross Kauwa, Kangarwa, Amirari and other localities where troops have flushed out the terrorists in the operations preceding the entry to Baga."

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Source: Newsbeat Portal, Abuja
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Brazen looting of Lagos treasury: 1999 – 2015, By Seni Tinubu 

In retrospect, it might be difficult to come to terms with the fact that whenever someone in Lagos begins to wonder where their 4th mainland bridge went or what was the fate of the pipe-borne water project or even where the schools and hospitals had vanished to, there is a silence that contains it all.

The largest landlord in Lagos has done as he has pleased and the rest of the state just has to deal with it. To start with, Number 4, Oyikan Abayomi (formerly Queens) Drive, Ikoyi, A 5- bedroom detached house on one acre of land which was originally the Lagos State Governor's Guest House since 1973, now belongs to a former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The certificate of occupancy of the property, valued at N450 million, was signed and released to him by his successor, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), in 2007 shortly after he assumed office.

Tinubu's residence at 26 Bourdillion Road, Ikoyi was initially falsely PRESENTED as Oando Plc Guest House. Later, he purportedly bought it from Oando and used public funds to rebuild and renovate it. The Lagos State Government bought the property and paid an undisclosed sum to him and thereafter gave the property back to him under the bogus pension bill he signed into law shortly before he left office in 2007. The property is worth over N600 million.

The annex of the Lagos State Guest House in Asokoro, Abuja was bought by the State Government in 2006 for N450 million, purportedly to protect the main house from security breach. Shortly after Tinubu left office, the property was transferred to him under the pension plan he signed into law before leaving office.

The 250-hectares of land valued at about N35 billion and strategically located at the Ajah junction on Lekki Road was initially meant for a General Hospital for the people of Eti-Osa Local Government but was acquired by Tinubu and handed over to Trojan Estate Limited – a company owned by Deji and Wale Tinubu – to develop as Royal Garden Housing Estate at the expense of the taxpayers of Lagos.

The 1,000 hectares of land valued at about N75 billion located at Lakowe, near Abijo at Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area and given to Lekki Concession Company, which is partly owned by Tinubu and Fashola, is being developed as golf course and housing estate by Assets and Resource Management Limited as ADIVA project.

The prime land of 157 hectares with 2.5km of Atlantic beachfront, valued at about N10 billion was "taken" by Tinubu from the communities of Siriwon, Igbekodo, Apakin, etc in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area and given to Ibukun Fakeye-his crony to build a golf course and luxury villa with little or no compensation to villagers. In addition, Tinubu paid $20 million (N3 billion) out of public treasury to Ibukun Fakeye to commence the project in late 2006. Fashola has since released additional funding for this project, which is not owned by the state government.

The 14 hectares Parkview Ikoyi Estate foreshore land reclaimed by the Lagos State Government is now owned by Tinubu. While in office, he allocated to himself the former Strabag Yard beside the Lagos State secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja. The property has now been developed into a SHOPPING mall as big as the Palms in Lekki. This is public property brazenly stolen and now owned by Tinubu, aided by Fashola.

The choice property at Lekki-Epe Road on which he built and owns the multi-billion Naira Oriental HOTEL AND the extension of multi-storey car park beside it is also a story of the misrule of Lagos State. Also, the multi-level recreation centre by Mobil Oniru Estate on Lekki-Epe road jointly owned with ARM and Tunji Olowolafe. All these assets valued at over N25 billion were obtained without paying a kobo to the Lagos State Government.

Tinubu raised a loan of N4.7 billion on Eko Akete project for which nothing was achieved before he turned around to sell the property to his Chagouri friends of Chagouri & Chagouri and Hitech Construction Limited at a ridiculously low price at the expense of taxpayers of Lagos. Tinubu applied to personally purchase the Federal Secretariat building while in office. When he couldn't get to buy it, he directed Fashola to stop the eventual owner of the complex from developing it. The complex is PRESENTLY wasting away courtesy of the Lagos State Government.

It took several months of horse trading and underhand payments before Fashola could allow the new owners of 1004 flats to develop the complex. Several other buyers of Federal Government properties and developers of properties in Ikoyi, Victoria Island and Government Reservation Area in Ikeja were forced to succumb to the outrageous demand of Tinubu, Fashola and other officials of the state government.

The Critical Care Unit of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in IKeja, built and equipped with state funds, is now owned personally by Tinubu. He has put ONE Dr. Sikiru Tinubu (a supposed cousin of his) to run the outfit. It is run as a private unit and the proceeds are pocketed by the duo. The unit charges its users exorbitantly and most Lagosians can hardly afford to pay its high charges. Much of the revenue is derived from fees paid by the State Government for patients referred there by its General Hospitals.

Several prominent Nigerians in the judiciary, police, the Independent National Electoral Commission and other sensitive agencies have obtained prime land from Governor Tinubu and incumbent Governor Fashola over the years without paying a kobo. Many of them had turned around to sell the land to third parties at substantial profit. Many top officials in police, INEC and the judiciary who participated in the 2003 and 2007 elections and tribunals in states where Tinubu has interest were compromised with parcels of free prime Lagos land and cash.

If the Lagos State Land's Bureau could publish the names and identities of beneficiaries of land allotees from 2000 to date, the scandal that will result is better imagined. Gbenga Ashafa, now a senator and ONE Mrs. Awofisayo were the conduits through which these acts were being perpetrated. Both were also the personally involved in various dubious land transactions on their own.

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Author: Seni Tinubu wrote from Lagos State, Nigeria.

Opinions expressed above are solely those of the author.
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The End Of Buhari’s Presidential Candidacy, By Femi Aribisala

If Nigeria is a nation of laws and of the rule of law, the presidential candidacy of Muhammadu Buhari should end this week. The reason is well-known to all. Buhari swore an oath on his INEC application that his credentials are with the military. This turned out to be a lie.

The military has come out to deny that it has Buhari's credentials. That means Buhari committed perjury instead of fulfilling INEC requirements. For this reason, he must be disqualified from contesting the presidential election.

The matter has been taken to court and the courts should decide the matter this week. I am not a lawyer, but from my layman's perspective, this is an open and shut case. Buhari lied willfully. As a former military secretary of the Nigerian Army, he knew that the military does not keep any credentials of its service-men. Nevertheless, he lied on oath that his credentials are with the military. He must face the penalty for this perjury. There can be debate about whether, and for how long, he should go to jail. However, there can be no question about his resultant ineligibility to contest: he must be disqualified.

To overlook this infraction is to succumb to Buhari's appraisal that Nigeria is corrupt. If we are going to deal with corruption, we must not fail to deal with the likes of Buhari, who are contemptuous of the laws of the land. Buhari's false affidavit is corruption. The disqualification of Buhari by the courts will be a testament to the determination of the judiciary to show zero tolerance for corruption in the coming new dispensation.

Some of us have watched APC make a song and dance about the possibility of postponing the 2015 elections. The party brought out all its big guns to tell us that the election cannot be postponed. They insisted that if it is postponed all hell would break lose. Well, the election has been postponed and nothing has happened. It has been postponed and the APC can do nothing about it. It was postponed according to the law.

Similarly, the heavens will not fall with the lawful disqualification of Buhari.   Of all those APC could present as its presidential candidate, it chose a man without the appropriate credentials. APC has nobody to blame but itself for this fiasco. It has forfeited its chance of presenting a candidate for the 2015 presidential election. The contest should now be between the remaining 13 presidential candidates. Shikenan!

JEGA MUST GO IMMEDIATELY

The excuse used to force Attahiru Jega to postpone the elections is the inability to provide effective security given the insurgency in the North-East. However, there is little likelihood that the security situation will improve within the next six weeks of the postponement. So, strictly-speaking, security has nothing to do with the postponement. One major reason for the postponement was to prevent INEC from compromising the election.

INEC has long ceased to be a disinterested umpire in this election. The evidence is now overwhelming that INEC is determined to bias the election in favour of Muhammadu Buhari and the APC. This is evident in INEC's determination to go ahead with the election in spite of the fact that out of 68 million registered voters, over 20 million have yet to receive their permanent voter's cards (PVCs).

It is remarkable that, in announcing the postponement, Jega conveniently forgot to mention the nagging issue of the inadequacies of INEC in providing voters with their PVCs. It is also remarkable that Jega briefed the Council of State that INEC was ready to conduct the elections. This was one big lie. You cannot be ready to conduct elections when there is a cacophony of complaints, especially in the South, that people are unable to claim their PVCs. Given the time it took INEC to distribute 40 million PVCs, it could not have realistically expected to be able to distribute the outstanding 20 million in just one week?

INEC rigmarole

What is even more sinister is INEC's willful determination to disenfranchise select geopolitical regions which represent areas of strength for Goodluck Jonathan. Credible Alternative Alliance, an independent political interest organization led by former Kaduna State governor, Balarabe Musa, observed in INEC activities: "a criminal gross disparity of voter spread designed to tilt the election to a pre-determined outcome."

It said: "Voters in the zones that tend to support President Goodluck Jonathan are massively disenfranchised by the application of the so-called PVCs debacle, 40% to 50% of voters in these regions who are lawfully and duly registered to vote will be denied their right to vote by INEC. That is nearly half of the support base of the President, simply nullified by administrative failure prior to the election. By comparison, the zones that tend to support Buhari are handed a massive voter advantage, nearly 80% of his support base will be allowed to cast their votes by INEC."

"In an election, which many say will be won or lost by a slim margin, to now disenfranchise 20 million voters through a questionable and unlawful rule by INEC is not acceptable by any measure. CAA condemns in its entirety this attempt by INEC to undermine our nascent democracy through this criminal enterprise to determine the outcome of this election before the ballot is cast."

This position is corroborated by different observers in the field. INEC needs to explain how more people in the war-torn North-East have collected their PVCs than in the South-West, South-South and South-East. In the APC strongholds of the North-West and the North-East, 80.18% and 81.09% collection rates were recorded respectively. In the North-Central, the figure was 69.89%. However, the figures in the South were significantly lower than these. In the South-East, it was 59.22%. South-South: 66.66%; and South-West 43.15%.

Since INEC under Jega is no longer an independent umpire but is now clearly working for the opposition, Jega should be sent on compulsory leave and a temporary chairman should be nominated to handle the elections. Jega can no longer be trusted.

THE MISCHIEF OF FORMER CBN GOVERNOR, LAMIDO SANUSI

Former Central Bank governor, Lamido Sanusi, caused uproar when he declared that $49.8 billion of Nigeria's oil money was missing, allegedly diverted by the NNPC. For a Central Bank governor, the statement was not only irresponsible, it was downright mischievous. If it were not that Nigeria is an innumerate society where we have little or no understanding of figures, it would have been obvious that, for the size of the Nigerian economy, it was impossible for such a large sum to be missing.

However, the allegation fell into the narrative of the opposition APC party which was determined to portray the Jonathan Administration as the most corrupt in the history of Nigeria. There was a lot of hue and cry in the press about the missing money; after all, the claim was made by the Central Bank governor no less. However, the governor seemed to have plucked the missing figure out of thin air.

Soon, it was not $49.8 billion at all, but $10.8 billion. Then again, it was no longer $10.8 billion but $20 billion. It should have been clear from all this that the CBN governor was just fibbing. But in Nigeria, we are socialised to believe the worst.

School-certificate economics

General Buhari, the APC presidential candidate, has used this fictitious $20 billion dollars to preach his own school-certificate economics on the campaign stump. He said: "$20 Billion at N210 to $1.00 is equal to N4.2 trillion- nearly a year's federal budget."

If so, how can Buhari believe an amount nearly equal to Nigeria's annual federal budget could possibly be missing? No matter how corrupt a nation can be, it is ridiculous to presume that public officers would go ahead and steal the entire annual federal budget? Haba! Buhari then used this malarkey to formulate his own voodoo economics.

He said: "If it is true that this sum cannot be accounted for, this is grossest form of corruption. Just think at N5 million per vehicle, this money would have bought 840,000 patrol vehicles; (this would have improved security in every town and village in the country). At N13.5 million for a high capacity bus this money would have bought 311,000 buses; (this would have revolutionised the transport and production side of the economy)."

It is this kind of rudimentary economics that Buhari has been presenting as an excuse for an economic policy to Nigerians in this election season. Just listen to this vain platitude from our eminent retired general. He says: "The monies we realised from anti-corruption campaign will be adequately used to improve education in the country." Now that is an economic policy that is practically meaningless.

Forensic audit

Because of the nuisance value of men like Buhari, the Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was constrained to ask for a forensic audit of NNPC accounts in order to put the matter to rest. She chose PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC); one of the big four auditors in the world, along with Deloitte, EY and KPMG.

PwC has now provided a conclusive report that shows Sanusi's allegation of a missing $20 billion is one big fabrication. This matter needs to be emphasized now that the report is out. Lamido Sanusi lied. The Central Bank governor deliberately cried wolf when he jolly well knew there was no wolf. He was just determined to malign and discredit the government; and he was playing a script to the benefit of the opposition APC.

This then lends credence to the PDP allegation that Sanusi was an APC mole in the government. Indeed, the PDP claims Sanusi gave the APC 1 billion naira of Central Bank money to open its offices nationwide. It also maintains that a fraudulent N48 billion contract was awarded by Sanusi's CBN to a leader of the APC, while a further N5 billion was paid to another APC member as consultancy fee. So much for APC's anti-corruption hogwash!

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Femi Aribisala is a scholar and international affairs expert. He is currently an iconoclastic church pastor in Lagos. He is also a syndicated essayist for a handful publications in Nigeria.
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Opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author
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Breaking: Governor Fayose’s Aide Admits Again That Ekiti Rigging Tape Is Real

A phone conversation between SaharaReporters and Idowu Adelusi, the Chief Press Secretary for Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, reveals the latest attempt by Fayose's team distort his involvement with rigging the Ekiti State gubernatorial election last year.

Governor Fayose's position on the audio recording of a meeting between him, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Police Minister Jelili Adesiyan, Senator Iyiola Omisore; and Brigadier General A.A Momoh plotting to rig the Ekiti State election has continuously evolved since SaharaReporters first leaked the story.

The story of the plot was first broken by SaharaReporters on February 5th, which only described the conversation between Governor Fayose and the others; the recording would not be released until later.

On February 6th Fayose denied that a meeting ever took place, and that the audio was fabricated by SaharaReporters using special computer software—this before SaharaReporters had even released the recording and transcripts to the public.

About one week later, SaharaReporters revealed another audio recording of Fayose speaking at a public rally the previous day. In it, Fayose offered a new version of events and admitted to have participated in the meeting with Obanikoro, Brigadier General Momoh, and others. Fayose can be heard on that audio recording saying "listen to the [leaked] tape, you will see I am one accusing the army of compromise," indicating that he was at the meeting and that he was confronting Brigadier General Momoh of rigging the elections.

Governor Ayo Fayose is no longer the only individual admitting to have been present at the recorded meeting, both Jelili Adesiyan and Musiliu Obanikoro have said they were there but that they were not offering to bribe Brigadier General Momoh or plotting to rig the election. All three men now claim that Brigadier General Momoh was taking bribes from the APC, and that they were simply confronting him about his compromises.

Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the Chief Press Secretary for Governor Fayose, told SaharaReporters during a recent interview "if you listen carefully to the audio tape you will discover that it was Ayo Fayose was complaining that he was accusing it. The Brigadier General Momoh who was taking bribes from the former governor Fayemi and APC."

When asked whether Governor Fayose was present during the recording, Adelusi said "Yes Fayose, I won't call it a meeting, Fayose was acting on information he got on between Brigadier General Momoh and the APC trying to manipulate the election and trying to rig the election."

However when SaharaReporters began quoting Fayose's statements on the audio about bribing INEC officials to bring him blank election ballots Mr. Adelusi argued that "you didn't listen to the recording very well," and that "you will find the things you are saying about is not on the audio tape." When pushed to on the subject of Fayose demanding to know why the blank INEC ballots had not reached him Mr. Adelusi repeatedly claimed that he could no longer hear SaharaReporters questions.

Idowu's statements become more confused when he was asked about Fayose's anger that Brigadier General Momoh was not arresting APC leaders like they had previously agreed. Mr. Adelusi argued that Governor Fayose was demanding that Brig. General Momoh arrest the APC leaders for trying to manipulate the elections in Ekiti. Adelusi said: "[Ayo Fayose] as a candidate must report to Brig. General Momoh that certain people are trying to cause problems. And that they should be arrested. [He has] the right to report to the head of security."

Idowu Adelusi could not explain why Governor Fayose would go to Brigadier General Momoh to arrest the APC leaders for rigging, when he had first said that the meeting was called because they "had information" that Brigadier General Momoh was taking bribes from the APC.

Last week President Goodluck Jonathan told the Wall Street Journal that the audio SaharaReporters leaked was not worth investigating because "it's not real." His statement to the Wall Street Journal, however, contradicts the statements by Governor Fayose, Senator Obanikoro, and Minister Adesiyan who now all admit the recording is real.

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This Post first appeared on Sahara Reporters, and posted here by their approval.
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Hot: The New Gel Treatment That Boosts A Woman’s Sex Life After Menopause [Must Read]

A new once-daily hormone treatment has boosted the sex lives of older women.

Using VagiCap increased by a third the number of women getting sexual satisfaction, say findings from a trial.

The treatment, which is not yet available, is aimed at women who experience pain during sex and other symptoms caused by the menopause.

More than half of post-menopausal women suffer vaginal dryness that can make sex uncomfortable because of a lack of the hormone oestrogen.

The new treatment is a tear-shaped softgel capsule designed for easy insertion once a day, alleviating local symptoms.

However, the oestrogen has less effect throughout the body than hormone replacement therapy (HRT) which should lessen any side effects.

Dr Sheryl Kingsberg, chief of the Division of Behavioural Medicine Department at UH Case Medical Center in Cleveland, presented the trial at the International Society of Women's Sexual Health Annual Meeting, in Austin, Texas.

Dr Kingsberg said: 'Menopause is typically associated with hot flashes (flushes), but there are other common and distressing symptoms such as pain and discomfort during sex due to lack of oestrogen.

'Approximately 30 million women in the United States experience this condition, which can really impact their quality of life.'

She said the VagiCap, if approved by regulatory authorities, could be a treatment that women 'may find to be convenient and easy to use'.

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SOURCE: Culled From MailOnline.com
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Nigeria Economy Getting Worse As Naira Falls To N217 Against The Dollar

The Naira on Friday traded at N215 against the Dollar at the Bureau De Change (BDCs) segment of the official market. It equally sold for N217 at the black market,

This rapid depreciation has been hinged on the closure of the Retail Dutch Auction System by the Central Bank of Nigeria on February 18, 2015.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Retail Dutch Auction System is a foreign exchange window at CBN where the Bureau de Change and commercial banks buy forex.

Although the CBN's decision to close the retail Dutch Auction System was meant to control speculations, a source who spoke to NAN opined that this has made other currencies to be scarce.

The source also said that dealers were left to source for forex only at the interbank market unlike in the past when they had three to four segments to buy.

Besides, the Naira against the pound at the BDCs exchanged for N332 from the N307 it sold on Monday.

It went for N335 at the black market from the N314 it sold four days ago.

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Source: NAN, Newsbeat Portal, Abuja.
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Vote For PDP And Free Yourselves From Bondage, President Jonathan Tells Lagos Residents

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday assured the residents of Lagos State that victory for the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming general elections would free them from oppression.

He gave this assurance during the solidarity visit by the leaders of market women groups, "Iyalojas", in Lagos and environs.

Jonathan told the market women that the PDP administration would provide the enabling environment for them to ply their trades.

Jonathan said, "Our victory at the polls will free all Lagos traders from oppression. You need to be free; we will remove Lagos from bondage,'' he assured.

"I have listened to you; you have been carrying the PDP flag; you have been humiliated but you still marched on.

"Thank you for working hard for PDP; this is the final struggle and time for us to use all our strength to achieve victory,'' he said, adding that the country belonged to every Nigerian.

"If we struggle and win Lagos state, everybody will do his business without being harassed or intimidated,'' the president added.

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Source: Newsbeat Portal, Abuja.
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Governor Uduaghan Commissions Umunede-Mbiri Farm road, Urges Deltans To Vote For Jonathan

Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has commissioned the 7.8 kilometres Umunede-Mbiri Road Rehabilitation, promising to continue to deliver democracy dividends to the people of the state.

Addressing the audience which included traditional rulers, palace chiefs, political leaders and stakeholders, the governor said that "the road will improve inter-city road transportation, enhance urban growth, communication and reinvigorate commerce and social life in the area."

"We constructed this road to take people safely to their destination, when you are drunk, don't drive, when you are feeling sleepy, don't drive and when you take drugs, please don't drive, by God's grace this road will take us to our destination," Dr. Uduaghan added.

The governor who said the Mbiri farm settlement road was dear to his heart promised to complete it and other projects in the area before he leaves office.

Governor Uduaghan enjoined the people of the area to vote massively for President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and other PDP candidates in the senatorial district, reminding them that they should endeavour to collect their Permanent Voters' Card (PVC) on which basis they can vote at the polls.

'I hope you have all collected your PVCs, please ensure you do that and make sure you vote massively for Mr. President, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa your son and all the other PDP candidates in Delta North."

In his welcome address the Commissioner for Works Mr. Funkekeme Solomon said that the Umunede-Mbiri road project was awarded in October 2014 at a cost of 497.12 million naira and was meant to serve as a link road between Umunede, Mbiri town, Mbiri farm settlement and Delta and Edo States boundary.

Earlier during a courtesy visit to the Obi of Mbiri, HRM Obi Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Alekwe II, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan commended the unity amongst traditional rulers in Delta State and urged their subjects to emulate them so that development can come to their areas.

According to him, 'The presence of other traditional rulers shows the unity among traditional rulers, that is a lesson to all of us who are your subjects because if our royal fathers are united then of course the subjects become united and we have no cause to be divided."

The governor who explained that the road to the farm settlement was being delayed due to the need to redesign it promised that the road and the one leading to the palace would be completed before the end of the administration.

HRM, Obi Dr. Alekwe II commended Dr. Uduaghan for keeping his promise to rehabilitate and reseal the Umunede-Mbiri road and assured the governor of the support of his people as well as the protection of all government properties.


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"The 2015 Election Will Not Be Held Even If We Are Dead," Says Shekau, As Boko Haram Vows To Stop Polls http://bit.ly/1AlSEbS
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Source: Vanguard News
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Friday, 20 February 2015

400,000 Permanent Voters Cards Remains Unclaimed in Lagos State - REC

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Lagos State on Friday said about 400, 000 Permanent Voters Cards were still being expected from its headquarters for distribution to their owners.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Akin Orebiyii, said this while addressing newsmen in Lagos.

Orebiyii pleaded with eligible voters whose cards were among those still expected to be patient with the commission, saying that the outstanding cards would soon be delivered.

Orebiyii said, "As of the first week of January, the percentage of distribution of PVCs was hovering around 38 per cent, but as of the end of last week, it was 62.7 per cent.

"But, we are still working seriously because we know that quite a number of people are still yet to collect their PVCs; we want to make sure that they are able to collect these cards.

"As we speak, out of 5,905, 000 cards for Lagos State, we have distributed 3,654,000, but I also need to say that out of 5.9 million, we are still awaiting the arrival of about 400,000 cards.

"As soon as we are able to receive them, we will also be able to push them out so that people can come out to collect them.

"We are expecting additional cards in practically all the 20 Local Government Areas."

Orebiyii said that commission had outstanding cards in some polling units in Oshodi-Isolo, Mushin, Ibeji-Lekki, Ikeja, Ifako-Ijaiye, Badger, Ikorodu, Agege, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Eti-Osa, Apapa, Ojo, Lagos-Island, Kosofe, Surulere, Amunwo-Odofin, Somolu and Epe.

He said, "Also, in Alimosho, we want to urge our people to continue to exercise patience, especially in Shasha, Akowonjo, Idimu, Isheri-olofin, Ikotun, Ijegun, Egbe, Agbojo as well as Ipaja.

"These are the specific areas where we are expecting cards, but we have been given assurance from our headquarters that as early as Monday next week, these cards would start arriving.

"Again, we want to appeal to our people to kindly continue to bear with us and exercise patience; we are working to ensure that these cards arrive in time."

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Source: The PUNCH
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God Is A Woman, A Catholic Priest From USA Who Died for 48 Minutes Claims

A Catholic priest from Massachusetts was officially dead for more than 48 minutes before medics were able to miraculously re-start his heart. During that time, Father John Michael O'neal claims he went to heaven and met God, which he describes as a warm and comforting motherly figure.

The 71-year old cleric was rushed to the hospital on January 29 after a major heart attack, but was declared clinically dead soon after his arrival. With the aid of a high-tech machine called LUCAS 2, that kept the blood flowing to his brain, doctors at Massachusetts General Hospital managed to unblock vital arteries and return his heart to a normal rhythm.

The doctors were afraid he would have suffered some brain damage from the incident, but he woke up less than 48 hours later and seems to have perfectly recovered.

Doctors at the Massachusetts General Hospital say that Father O'neal is extremely lucky to be alive, while he is convinced that it is God who sent him back to tell the world who "she" really is.

The elderly man claims that he has clear and vivid memories of what happened to him while he was dead. He describes a strange out-of-body experience, experiencing an intense feeling of unconditional love and acceptance, as well as being surrounded by an overwhelming light.

He claims that at that point in his experience, he went to heaven and encountered God, which he describes as a feminine, mother-like "Being of Light".

"Her presence was both overwhelming and comforting" states the Catholic priest. "She had a soft and soothing voice and her presence was as reassuring as a mother's embrace. The fact that God is a Holy Mother instead of a Holy Father doesn't disturb me, she is everything I hoped she would be and even more!"

The declarations of the cleric caused quite a stir in the catholic clergy of the archdiocese over the last few days, causing the Archbishop to summon a press conference to try and calm the rumours.

The Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean P. O'Malley, made a public statement this morning stating that Father O'neal suffered hallucinations linked to a near-death experience and that God clearly isn't a female.

Despite the disapproval of his superiors, Father O'neal says that he will continue dedicating his life to God and spread the word of the "Holy Mother".

"I wish to continue preaching" says the elderly cleric. "I would like to share my new knowledge of the Mother, the Son and the Holy Ghost with all catholics and even all Christians. God is great and almighty despite being a woman…"

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston has not confirmed however, if they will allow Father O'neal to resume his preaching in his former parish in South Boston.

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Source: liliansblog.com
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EFCC Arraigns Chief Ogbebor In Court Over N77Million Land Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday February 19, 2015 arraigned one Chief Felix Ogbebor before Justice B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt.

The accused was arraigned on 8-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of Seventy Seven Million Naira (N77, 000, 0000.00).

The accused allegedly obtained the sum of Seventy Seven Million Naira from the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), Stadium Road branch, Port Harcourt for twelve and half plots of land situate at Uyo Street, Rumumasi, Port Harcourt.

He allegedly presented several forged documents to support the claim of ownership of the said land. But the unsuspecting church which wanted the land to build its new worship centre paid the sum of Seventy Seven Million Naira (N77,000,000.000) to the accused.

However, when they attempted to take possession of the land, they were stopped. One Professor Ebi Awotua Efebo came with documents, showing that the land in question belongs to him. The documents showed that he bought the land from one Chief Nelson Chukwu as far as 1990.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defence counsel, R.E. Wanogho formally presented a bail application and urged the court to grant the accused bail; this was after the prosecuting counsel, J.N Dogonyaro asked prayed the court to remand the accused in the EFCC custody. 

The accused remains in the custody of the EFCC with the matter adjourned to next Tuesday February 24, 2015.

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NewsBeatPortal, Abuja.
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Nigerians Should Forget About Elections, As Jonathan, Military Chiefs Work To Scuttle Polls

President Goodluck Jonathan and his closest cronies are still collaborating with a tight-nit circle of military officers to scuttle Nigeria's general elections that had been postponed by six weeks from the original date of February 14, 2015, according to revelations by several political and security sources.

After failing to gain traction with the floating a so-called government of national unity, Mr. Jonathan and his associates have placed renewed hope in persuading some top military generals to force another postponement of the elections, once again using insecurity as their ruse.

SaharaReporters had revealed through several reports that President Jonathan was set on invoking the climate of insecurity in Nigeria's northeast to win a postponement of the elections. However, with members of his party admitting that Mr. Jonathan's electoral fortunes remain dire, the president has been persuaded by hawks close to him to try a fresh tactic of using the uneasy military situation in the northeast to thwart the elections.

Our sources disclosed that the latest plot is being anchored by the National Security Adviser, retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who has virtually assumed the functions of the Minister of Defense, Aliyu Gusau. The minister of defense, Gusau who is the NSA's in-law has been tipped to head an interim government in case it becomes a necessity.

A military source told SaharaReporters that Mr. Sambo was now deploying his tremendous financial power to recruit top army generals into doing his bidding. Apart from the NSA, Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison Madueke and Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State were identified as the other important players in the latest risky gamble to further postpone elections.

Whilst Ms. Alison Madueke has been providing funds to finance the new plot, Governor Mimiko has been offering strategic advice on how to combat politicians within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) who may be opposed to the scheme.

Our military sources said the evolving machination threatens to polarize the military as several mid-level officers are reported to be furious with their superiors who are warming up to the idea.

One source described President Jonathan as unperturbed by the clamour for elections, telling members of his kitchen cabinet that his decisions are based upon advice from army generals fighting against Boko Haram.

Although Nigeria's military top brass had claimed that they would wipe out Boko Haram in six weeks, the evidence points to the reality that the Islamist terrorist group may be growing stronger and increasing its ability to strike against new targets.

Recently, the Islamist insurgent group has launched a series of attacks on Gombe and Adamawa State, the latest state in the northeast. They have also captured a few more towns in Borno State.

The postponement of the election appears to have given Boko Haram militants a new boost. In a recent video released few days ago by its leader, Abubakar Shekau, the group talked about their disruption of the upcoming elections.

One security source said the latest plan to scuttle the elections would involve a deliberate effort to allow the security climate to worsen across Nigeria. One plank of the plan is to sponsor Niger Delta militants to cause havoc in the oil-rich delta region in the coming weeks. If the situation becomes dire enough, President Jonathan would then have grounds to declare a national emergency that would make elections impossible in March.

Recently, political thugs financed by Mrs. Patience Jonathan began shooting at opposition rallies held in Rivers State. Such politically-motivated attacks have also been planned for several other states of the federation to create an atmosphere that would get more Nigerians to accept the unviability of holding elections, according to several sources.

"The goal by Mr. President is to achieve another postponement of the elections, but this time by six months," a source familiar with the plot disclosed.

A source stated that the plan explained the fact that Nigeria's security services have yet to schedule an inter-agency briefing with top officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discuss a comprehensive strategy for guaranteeing security during the elections.

Mr. Jonathan's military option is meant to proceed in tandem with a parallel plan to offer massive bribes to members of the National Assembly to win their support for a six-month extension of the tenure of his administration. Several lawmakers said they were aware of the plan, but added that there was little hope of a majority of legislators backing the plan.

In what represents a third plank of the plot, several cronies of Mr. Jonathan have filed or plan to file lawsuits aimed at scuttling the elections by seeking the disqualification of the APC's presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.

At the latest count, some 11 lawsuits have been filed by persons or entities tied to Mr. Jonathan, including the government of Plateau State which has filed a case asking INEC to discard it current voters roll in favour of the one used in 2011.

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This Post first appeared on Sahara Reporters, and posted here by their approval.
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Minister Of Water Resources Urges Women And Youth To Join Campaign Against Violence

Minister of Water Resources Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe has called on women and youths to desist from violence in whatever circumstance they find themselves. 

They are also encouraged to join the campaign of WAGEPEACE all over the country initiated by the National Orientation Agency(NOA).

The campaign is aimed at  encouraging Nigerians to imbibe non violent ways of settling disputes with the sole aim of preventing chaos in the society.

The Minister made the call when she received on advocacy visit, the Director General National Orientation Agency (NOA) Mr. Mike Omeri, OFR in her office in Abuja, on Thursday 19th February 2015.

The Minister urged  all Nigerians, particularly women and  youth to actively participate in the campaign of WAGEPEACE.

" I am calling women and youths because they are true owners of Nigeria, we are at a point where some people want to create problems for Nigeria but I believe that women can stand to see that Nigeria is solidly  one country".

 She added that "We cannot sit down and see few selfish people trying to destroy the country by heating up the polity and causing disaffection among us, it is important that we collectively put our hands and senses together to see what we can do to ensure peace in all parts of Nigeria."

Speaking on water conflicts Mrs. Ochekpe  said that the Ministry had since set up means of resolving differences among water users.

" In the water sector we are very conscious of that, because water is one resource that is important for human survival but it is also a  resource that can cause conflict, that is why in our own system we have Water Users Association in different communities to ensure that people are able to come together to dialogue on how to manage this very important resource"

In his remarks, the Director General NOA, Mr . Mike Omeri said that the essence of the programme was to sensitize general public on the need for peaceful co-existence and national integration among the citizenry of Nigeria.

The Hon. Minister of Water Resources and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr Itifanus Musa were decorated as Ambassadors of Peace in Nigeria
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Boade Akinola

DD Press FMWR

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PR Nigeria
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Dealing With The Cancer Scourge, By Bilkis Bakare

Cancer, also known as malignant neoplasm and the most feared word and disease in the world, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. It can also affect nearby parts of the body and more distant parts through the lymphatic system or the blood stream. There are over 200 different types of cancer that affect humans. The disease has been around as long as mankind but only in the second half of the 20th century did the number of cancer cases explode. In 2007, cancer caused about 13 per cent of all human deaths worldwide (7.9million). The global burden of cancer is set to double by 2020 and almost triple by 2030 when one out of every two persons is expected to be diagnosed of cancer in their life time.

Essentially, cancers occur as a result of excessive amount of toxin and pollutants people are exposed to, obesity, tobacco use, lack of physical activity, high stress lifestyles that zap the immune system, poor quality junk food that are full of pesticides, irradiated and genetically modified. Other causes include electro-magnetic lights and everything we were not exposed to 200 years ago. Findings have shown that tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer, causing about 70 per cent of global lung cancer deaths and 20 per cent of global cancer deaths. All the afore-mentioned weaken the immune system and change the body's internal environment to one that promotes cancer growth. While cancer can affect people of all ages, and a few types of cancer are more common in children, the risk of developing cancer generally increases with age.

Malignant neoplasm or cancer is a group of different diseases involving unregulated cell growth which often made it to imitate other diseases. Often times, cancer patients have been treated for other diseases for so long leading to the spread of the disease which will eventually kill the patient. Recently, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Wilfred Agbonavbare, died of cancer after a protracted struggle, while the wife had earlier died of the disease after gulping all their life savings.

Cancer can affect anybody and all the organs of the body. The most frequently diagnosed cancer in men aside from skin cancer is prostate cancer, while breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer in women. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women. If it affects the lungs, it manifests in the form of cough or pneumonia; for oesophageal cancer, it narrows the oesophagus causing painful swallowing anaemia or rectal bleeding. But perhaps the most common forms of cancer in Nigeria are those affecting the breast and the cervix also known as cervical cancer.

The incidence of breast cancer in Nigeria is increasing just like in other developing countries and those advanced countries that used to have a low incidence. Several factors are responsible for this increasing incidence, but the most important are the empowerment of women which is increasing their ability to make independent decisions about their health care, such as the ability to choose when to start having children and the number to have, and westernisation of diet.

It has been observed that women with latter age at onset of first pregnancies and a higher mean number of children have short term risks of developing cancer due to the stimulatory effects of pregnancy on the epithelial tissues of the breast. The protective effect of pregnancy is seen decades after the pregnancy, often after the age of 40 years and in a country with low life expectancy, the women would have developed the disease before the pro-carcinogenic effect of pregnancy can be felt.

On the other hand, cervical cancer, one of the most common types of cancer in women, starts in the cells on the surface of the cervix usually very slowly. There are two types of cells on the cervix's surface called the squamous and columnar cells, but usually most cervical cancers are from squamous cells. It starts as a precancerous condition called dysplasia which can only be detected through a diagnostic process called pap smear. It usually takes years for cancerous changes to turn into cervical cancer. Most women diagnosed with this condition have not had regular pap smears or they have not followed up on abnormal test results. Dysplasia is most often seen in women ages 25-35, although it can develop at any age.

Cervical dysplasia is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), spread through sexual intercourse and those at the risk of developing the condition include; women having sex before the age of 18, giving birth before age 16, having multiple sexual partners, smokers and using medication that suppresses the immune system.

Generally, Initial swelling in cancer is usually painless although localised pain may occur in advanced cancer. Other symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, unexplained anaemia, fever of unknown origin. In diagnosing cancer, a biopsy i.e. taking a specimen of the lump or swelling for examination is considered essential for the proper identification of the disease.

Occasionally, a metastatic lump or pathological lymph node is found (in the neck) for which primary tumour cannot be found.

Cancer is a curable disease that should not be allowed to terminate life, but it should be detected on time. Chemotherapy (drugs) and radiotherapy are used as a first line radical therapy in a number of malignancies where disease is clearly incurable aiming at improving the quality of and prolonging life. Surgeries are used to remove tumours entirely in situations where there are some degrees of certainty that the tumours can in fact be removed.

Chemotherapy works by killing all cells throughout the body that multiply and divide rapidly which include cancer cells and other rapidly multiplying and dividing cells that the body needs. These include bone marrow which produces blood, digestive and reproductive systems, and hair follicles etc. leading to anaemia, loss of weight and hair loss.

Therefore, as the world observed "The World Cancer Day" on February 4, 2015, everyone has to be involved in the campaign for the reduction of the cancer epidemic all over the world. The attention should shift towards exploring alternative means of tackling the disease. Herbal remedies should be exploited to combat the disease.

In essence, cancer patients do not have to avoid chemotherapy or radiotherapy to benefit from natural products and supplements. Nutritional supplements are quite useful when used in conjunction with chemotherapy, radiation therapy ad surgery. The supplements work to support the body so that radiation and chemotherapy will actually work better resulting in stronger immune system which will be able to keep cancer from developing again. Leading a sedentary life and exposure to toxins in form of environmental pollutions should be avoided.

The human life is too precious to be left at the mercy of such a deadly disease as cancer. Therefore, it is hoped that government at all levels in our country should provide adequate equipment for diagnosing cancer, provide enlightenment as well as the required funds necessary for this purpose. When the right actions are taken, even aggressive, tough cancer can be defeated.

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Author: Ms. Bakare, a public health education specialist, wrote in from Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos
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Of Europe’s Twins And Africa’s Quadruplets, By ’Tunji Ajibade

Seeking solution to conflicts is ever in the air. The flurry of diplomatic activities along this line in recent times cannot but be noticed in Europe and in Africa. Common to two of such conflicts on both continents is the struggle over territory; and of interest to this piece is the multinational approach to resolving them. Take Ukraine that has attracted trouble from bearish Russia, for instance. The EU and other NATO countries have been running in every direction to find solutions; and years after Nigeria has singlehandedly nursed the Boko Haram menace flu, Niger and Cameroon have finally caught it, too. In the event, the EU and the United Nations have appointed themselves as physicians to manage the case. Just as Ukraine's president doesn't refuse the EU's offer of assistance to resolve its problems with Russia, so has President Goodluck Jonathan opened the door of his fine reception rooms in the State House to everyone who offers assistance to deal with Boko Haram.

The other day, he welcomed Ibn Chambas, Representative of the UN Secretary General, with a presidential handshake and smile that must have been reserved exclusively for old friends. "The UN stands firmly with Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram," Chambas had said to news hunters after he conversed with the President. Words of support of this nature have also been flowing in the direction of Ukraine for some time.

Ukraine has the misfortune of sharing borders with Russia in an area that's core to the latter's strategic geopolitical calculations. All the 15 nations that were formerly a part of the defunct communist USSR but have become free at the end of the Cold War fall into this category. Most of them have been quiet since 2014 when Russia occupied a part of Ukraine with the excuse that it was protecting its nationals; all of that had followed the uprising in Ukraine that threw out a pro-Russia president and led to the election of a pro-West leader.

From the time Russia occupied Ukraine's territories, Western powers have read the move as a breach of some written and unwritten rules about what belongs to the West and what belongs to Russia after the end of the Cold War. The Americans have been vocal; as President Barack Obama issues warnings, so do the lawmakers send threats. Both want to send arms to Ukraine. There's more to it than that though, and the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, has been speaking about it.

Late January, Putin said the West doesn't do all it does in the region in the national interest of Ukraine. He accused the West of having entirely different goals, and that such are tied to the achievement of the geopolitical goals of containing Russia. His argument is understandable. During the Cold War, the USSR with the Warsaw Pact countries covered half of Europe and the entire area where Ukraine is located. Most of those countries have since joined NATO, or have queued up to join.

This is unacceptable to Putin, a former agent in the Soviet intelligence service, KGB, and a nationalist bent on bringing back the lost glory of Russia. This is being hindered by further inclusion into NATO of Ukraine and other countries that he prefers to have under Russia's sphere of influence. This part, the desire of a nation to embark on adventures to regain something as intangible as a "lost glory" is a recurrent factor on the international stage, one that regularly led to wars down the centuries, and which will continue to lead to conflicts in the centuries to come.

Note that Russia didn't go about pursuing lost glory in its weakest moment after the collapse of the former Soviet Union, but at this time when it has regained some confidence on crucial fronts. This angle to its conflict with the West over Ukraine is equally interesting and it's worth being reserving for a fuller treatment on another day.

For the moment, how Europe disagrees with the US on how to resolve the Ukraine matter is also important to consider. Both want peace for Ukraine; how to achieve it is what they disagree about. Fed up with Putin, the Americans want to send arms but the Europeans have a different view. Unlike the Yankees, they are closer to Ukraine, to Russia, to all the other vulnerable nations on that axis, so they prefer diplomatic solutions to deployment of more arms. The EU has more reasons, and France with Germany are the heads that do the reasoning.

As powerhouses in the EU, they have the leverage to back up whatever they say among members.

They take many of the steps that they take because it's in their interest to keep Europe under one umbrella; lessons from World War 1 and World War 11 are the reasons. Add this to the fact that both countries have the resources to bark and bite on the international stage. Through them, this writer continues to find the idea of seeking diplomatic solutions to conflict a fascinating exercise.

So, when Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel held hands and went to Moscow early February in search of peace for Ukraine, it was time to pay attention. For not long ago, one had had reasons to discuss on this page ("Within the EU, one plus one isn't two", November 21, 2014) the beauty in the French and German foreign ministers going to world capitals, including Abuja, for diplomatic reasons.

It's worth noting that within a week after Hollande and Merkel visited the Kremlin, they got Russia, Ukraine and everyone else concerned to agree to a peace deal in Minsk, Belarus. Except for slight additions, the deal was similar to the one agreed to last September and which collapsed as soon as it was signed. On this occasion, it was agreed that there would be a ceasefire and heavy weapons would be withdrawn from the frontlines of the conflict, which has killed at least 5,300 people in almost one year.

Ukraine will take control of some 400-kilometre stretch of Russia's border with rebel-held Ukraine, but only after local elections are held. Not one of the attendees as well as the Americans who watched from afar had much hope that the Russians would trouble themselves to ensure that the agreement worked; so before they left the venue, Hollande and Merkel had begun to issue threats of more sanctions to Russia. Yet no matter how things turn out, no one would say Europe's twins didn't try.

What made them do what they did, and their efforts to continue to find diplomatic solution to conflict is a permanent feature of international relations. Without meaning to be pessimistic, what France and Germany did will be repeated in another form in another place tomorrow. At the moment, how these countries adapt to changing circumstances in order to confront emerging challenges is the more important point; it's the point that leads back to the efforts being made by Africa's quadruplets.

It's worth noting that Chambas' visit to Abuja happened as Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon sat to arrange how a regional force could be utilised to combat the Boko Haram insurgency. The four had since agreed to fight under the umbrella of the countries that belong to the Lake Chad Development Commission. That's an adaptation of an institution set up for other purposes to meet new challenges, and it's important if it's considered that it's under the watch of this same body that Lake Chad lost more than 60 per cent of its size. Now threats to their individual peace by Boko Haram insurgents who have divided that region into their own emirates that cut across international boundaries have got the concerned countries to sit up.

This writer argues here that while the circumstance is not the best, countries concerned are kept on their toes because a new challenge forces them to be. Just as a challenge got France and Germany to speak up where only the US used to have a voice, it may be that the current challenge will keep Africa's quadruplets working together for some time. It may also be that it will make them extend the new partnership into working out how Lake Chad can be used to improve the economic condition of the people in that region and thus undo a few of the factors that have made Boko Haram attractive to its recruits.

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Author: 'Tunji Ajibade
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Opinions expressed above are solely those of the author.

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Before The Elections Hold, By Niran Adedokun

It takes a whole lot of courage to swim against the tide of public opinion in Nigeria. Why? The average Nigerian does not take kindly to it. Because of the contrived nature of our politics, we are suspicious of such postures. We do not see anyone who comes against what looks like the general belief as capable of independent thought. Anyone who rides against the bandwagon is either a sellout or a weakling.

This sometimes makes one query the chances that democracy, in the shape and mould of the West, will ever work in Nigeria. But I should not digress.

Unfortunately, the bandwagon is not always right, especially in a country where thought and opinion leaders put self and ethnic interests over the collective. Largely undiscerning and impulsive however, the average Nigerian does not see through those who speak for us. We take their propositions hook, line and sinker, surrendering our country and its future to the manipulations of desperate and selfish political leaders. To that extent, we are suspicious and unaccommodating of views that differ from the popular.

So, what is the most popular view in today's Nigeria? I would say two. The first and perhaps loudest is ending the long run of the Peoples Democratic Party rule over Nigeria and voting in Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) of the All Progressives Congress. Buhari signifies the change that Nigeria urgently needs in the opinion of those who hold this position.

The second overwhelming opinion is that President Goodluck Jonathan who has been in the saddle since 2011 should get another term of four years when we vote next month.
People on each of these divides swear that their candidates will win the election and that the only way for Nigeria's democracy to move forward is for the elections to hold now. Suggesting anything contrary makes you an enemy of change or transformation as the case may be.

But I am wondering how many of us have given deep thought to what might be best for Nigeria. The loud voices who insist that elections must hold say that it is the only way to build democracy, but the question needs to be asked, would democracy grow under an atmosphere of violence and mutual ethnic distrust?

Two Nigerians have volunteered opinions, different from the popular ones, on how Nigeria should proceed from the current point of dilemma. Incidentally, these two are clergymen.

First was Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmed Gumi. In October 2014, Gumi wrote open letters to both Jonathan and Buhari essentially urging the two of them not to offer themselves for the election.

Although he stated different reasons why these gladiators should step down, Gumi's main premise was the stability of Nigeria. He opined that both men were phenomenally divisive and that their ambitions could throw Nigeria into unprecedented conflagration
In the letter to Jonathan, Gumi said: "…I hereby candidly advise you to relinquish your presidential ambition because of peace, stability and well-being of millions of innocent Nigerians…"

And for Buhari, he wrote: "…Today, I am also advising you against contesting in the 2015 presidential election because you will be used to ignite the nation – a dream well-orchestrated several years ago – and also be used by bad people as a ladder to grab regional and local powers…"

Then came the suggestion of the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group and Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Lagos, Pastor Tunde Bakare. Bakare, who was running mate to Buhari in the 2011 election and one of the few Nigerians who participated in last year's National Conference at their own expense, suggested that the upcoming polls should be postponed by six months during which statesmen and knowledgeable men and the Council of State should come together "to salvage our country first." He insisted that "elections have not solved Nigeria's problems, and this particular one will not solve it, it will add to it." He recommended a transitional government which will include the opposition during this period.

The cleric painted the scenario better in a recent interview with THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER. Hear him: "…you don't need to be a rocket scientist to see that the signs are very terrible. If they want to have the elections at all costs let them go on, just keep at the back of your mind that except God intervenes in our situation, heads, they win, tails they win and Nigeria loses. What do I mean by that? Let's say the election is free, fair and credible, Buhari wins, what's going to happen to Nigeria? What will be the reaction of the South-South people who are calling for arms and all kinds of things? And if Jonathan wins again, what's going to happen to Nigeria? What will be the reaction of the North that has been out of the power equation for too long a time…?"

Now, one would have to be in absolute denial not to see the point in what these two gentlemen and some Nigerians who would not speak out for fear of mob condemnation, are saying. The level of violent desperation in the land says it all. At the moment, about 70 lives have been lost to pre-election violence but a majority of Nigerians think it is okay to hold the elections.

Some argue that not having the elections as scheduled would further diminish the already battered image of Nigeria, while others argue that whatever happens would be part of the country's journey to entrenching democracy. But aren't there costs that are too high to pay even for democracy? Besides, do we really have a nation, are we not just a community of ethnic nationalities whose destiny is still undefined?
And would the international community rather have a nation torn apart by ethnic and political rivalries as the coming elections portend?

I wonder why Nigerians think that our democratic practice cannot be in line with our realities instead of the dictates of those who do not feel our pains. I also do not understand why Nigerian leaders always put their own interests before national interest unlike leaders of some other nations.

In the course of the negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa for instance, a Multi-Party Negotiating Process was set up to produce an interim constitution which produced a Government of National Unity between April 1994 and February 1997.It was under this interim law that Frederick Willem de Klerk, who handed over to President Nelson Mandela, came back to serve as one of the deputy presidents to Mandela. Such selflessness!

So how do leaders in all parties deny the dark signs looming over the country? How do we close our eyes to the threats of sectional violence facing us? How do we pretend that the massive stealing of Permanent Voter Cards all over the country as admitted by INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega, and the volume of cards that have found their hands into private hands do not matter? Even if the thieves will not be able to vote with the cards, as Jega assured, they would have disenfranchised hundreds of thousands of Nigerians!

While changing the election date is inconceivable at this point, urgent steps need to be taken to avoid the looming danger before March 28. Political, community and religious leaders in Nigeria cannot go on playing the ostrich. They must, without partisanship, come together to speak to the mind of politicians all over the country. The Council of State must for once, address itself to the interest of the nation, appeal to candidates, get their commitment towards peace, honestly assuage the fears of individual ethnic nationalities, get commitments from winners for the fair treatment of all, encourage the institution of an inclusive government and above all, pray that all goes well. I believe miracles still happen, but we must also position ourselves for the wonders that God can do in the 2015 elections.

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Author: Niran Adedokun

Opinions expressed above are solely those of the author, who can be engaged on twitter using @niranadedokun
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‘The Triumph Of Hope Over Experience’ By Oyinkan Medubi

This administration can avoid being the object of nature's derision, and let its word be its bond

The triumph of hope over experience', was the comment of our erudite Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) about a man who was said to have remarried immediately after the death of a wife with whom he had been very unhappy.

Obviously, some people learn from experience; and some, from experience, never learn. But, whether we learn or not, nature continues to teach us. Take the simple matter of time: it ticks on, no matter how you literally hold back the hands of the clock. Take also the seasons: they change no matter how much you want to hold them back. Seasons come, seasons go; governments come, governments go; only the universe remains.

Enough of our philosophising, dear reader; we are talking today about the sudden, some would say even unnecessary, postponement of Nigeria's general elections. I am having trouble understanding it; but then I generally have trouble understanding anything because the people around me have all agreed that I am somewhat slow to comprehend things. I think they had to hold a meeting on the subject or something. I am still scratching my head on why it took them so long to come to that realisation. Anyway, I am so slow it took me a long time to know my left from my right, my friend in my enemy, and that what I took to be a creeping plant giving off hisses into the air in my garden was really a green snake looking for sunshine.

I must confess though that the postponement took many of us by surprise. There I had been, believing that the word of the government was its bond. There is an unwritten code that says that your word is your bond. That code has guided many for centuries. I remember growing up in a community where this word-bond agreement ruled the farms. If a farmer needed extra hands on his field, he did not go to hire.

No sir, he simply asked his fellow-farmers to leave off farming their own field and attend to his own needs for the two or three days he might need them. And they often did, barring sickness. The unwritten law was that should any of his friends ever require his services, he would willingly abandon his own needs and meet that one at his point of need.

Thus when the government gave the word that the elections would hold as scheduled, we took it to be its bond also. Alas, not so! We had no way of knowing that the word belonged to the government while the bond might belong to us. Imagine a farmer being left holding a bond in that fashion, after having given his own time and energy to develop his fellow-farmer's farm, only to be told that the time chosen was no longer convenient, particularly in view of the fact that the weather is not under any man's control. Like that farmer, I am still holding the election bond in my hand, much to my chagrin and definitely not to my pleasing, or even Jega's. Indeed, the postponement has made nonsense of all our personal programmes which we all, to a man across the nation, strenuously strained to postpone just to make sure that, should movements be restricted, no important thing would suffer during the elections.

I do not want to go into the reasons for the postponement, contrived or not. I'm only interested in what effects it has on me. The first thing that struck me was the question: don't the rest of us count? Is it possible for all of us who constitute the electorate to be as negligible as all that and maybe more? The story is told that someone remarked to his father, at his parents' 50th wedding anniversary, that the said parents never seemed to fight. His father replied that they sure had their many battles, like any other couple; it was just that sooner or later in the fight, one of them would realise that he, the man, was wrong. That is one version.

Another version has it that the man replied that early in the marriage, they had decided that in order to avoid all conflicts, he, the man of the house, would take all the big decisions while the wife, the woman of the house, would take all the small ones. In the fifty years of being together though, the man found out that there had not been one big decision to take. That was why the union had lasted for so long.

The reason that we the electorate don't count much in electoral matters should be the subject of a treatise for a political scientist, but not for us here. You and I must nevertheless be struck by the deep, deep irony and amusement in the situation. If you possess this knowledge, my friend, you possess a great thing indeed – that the land belongs to the people; the instruments of governance belong to the people; the power deriving thereof belongs to the people; therefore the state belongs to the people. My friend, I congratulate you for knowing this; not all of us do. You see, at critical and crucial moments, most government functionaries think it nothing to yield to the temptation to use the same state against the people, or to forget them altogether. Now, say news reports, there are soldiers circling people's houses. When will we learn?!

Naturally, it never works, mostly because the protection of the people against such misuse is writ large in nature. Take the example at hand. Postponing these elections is not really to the people's liking: the people did not ask for it; the people did not want it; the people still do not understand it. The thing just went right over the people's heads. That just gives one the feeling of déjà vu, does it not, and makes one rather tired.

Let's take one or two government functionaries who have gone over the people's heads like this and have rued the action. At the height of his power in France, Louis XIV was said to have claimed, 'L'Etat c'est moi (I am the state)', and as he was dying in 1715, he was claimed to have said, "Je m'en vais, mais l'Etat demeurera toujours (I depart, but the state shall always remain)", while Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette, also absolute monarchs, departed via the guillotine. The June 12 saga in Nigeria is still fresh in the collective mind. The then president single-handedly cancelled an election that was said to have been the freest and fairest to date in this country. I believe that president is still smarting from some of the consequences of not respecting the owners of that election, the people. The State remains, always.

Experience, they say, is the best teacher. Of course, no one can singly go through every experience that he needs to learn from. That is why we have history and literature books. That is why we have others. That is why we have visions. That is why we have our religions. History, literature, visions and religions tell us what nature has always made clear: the land belongs to its maker. This in effect translates to the fact that nature has ways of correcting the errors of mankind when he attempts to play God. Nature does so because it knows that sometimes in the heart of some unknowing ones among us, hope triumphs over experience.

We tend to think that the people before us were unlucky or they got it wrong somewhere. It must be different with us, just like motorists who come on the scene of an accident and then speed off. Tch, tch, feed in the same data, use same method and expect different results? This administration can avoid being the object of nature's derision, and let its word be its bond.

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Author: Oyinkan Medubi
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Opinions expressed above are solely those of the author.
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