Welcome to Africa.com

SENATOR ABARIBE'S GOVERNORSHIP: THE GOOD, THE BAD, MY FEAR

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sun, 2 Jan 2022 15:02:00 -0800

SENATOR ABARIBE'S GOVERNORSHIP: THE GOOD, THE BAD, MY FEAR

A few days ago, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe declared his intention to take over the governorship seat of Abia State come 2023. The declaration was received with mixed feelings by both Abians and non Abians. While some elements in APC openly demonstrated their willingness to frustrate the project with the likes of Joe Igbokwe tagging him IPOB member, some elements critically believe that his emergence will lead to a serious fight in PDP that might lead to the failure of the party. Not only these, Senator Abaribe is a son of Obingwa exactly same Local government area with the current governor. In the history of the state, this has never happened and it looks unacceptable.

Lest I forget, the PDP in the state has been able to maintain a particular rotational arrangement that has ensured power is shifted successfully among the Senatorial zones of the state. Though this helped to create and maintain a peaceful political atmosphere but it only produced three governors that failed to justify the approach with the presence of good infrastructure for the benefit of the people. Hence, the people are directly or indirectly in search of an alternative measure to change the condition of the state favourably...

Among other things, some of the major problems the state is faced with include:

1) God fatherism: From 1999 till date, no Local Government Chairman can give account of his stewardship in Abia State. We also have cases where governors are installed and dictated for.

2) Lack of Political Will power to decide on the measures to tackle the problem of infrastructure in the state.

Let me stop here for now. The people of the State want to put an end to these challenges. Let me quickly treat the good part of Abaribe's involvement in governorship, the bad and my fear.

A) THE GOOD:

If you have studied Senator Abaribe right from the time he was a Deputy governor, you will agree with me that there is no political force in Abia State today that can easily subject Abaribe to political slavery. If the Abians really want to end the era of Okija shrine and the effects of it on successive governments, Abaribe is a key.

Secondly, Abaribe's governorship might represent a popular representation of the collective Igbo wish as a result of his incessant sacrifices to the Igbo course at a time when other leaders are playing the roles of saboteurs in the senate.

Thirdly, Abaribe is fearless and eloquent. He has repeatedly demonstrated this from his days as an embattled Deputy Governor. His qualities have been lacking in the Abia State government House from 1999 till date.

B) THE BAD:

Without mincing words, Abaribe's ambition goes contrary to the SENTIMENT of the imaginary Abia Charter of Equity which he himself used to build his political relevance. The sentiment did not only favour Okezie Ikpeazụ but it also gave him an UNCHALLENGED second term. As a result, the political players will not favour the idea of an Obingwa man handing over to another Obingwa man.

No mater how anyone looks at it, home grown democracy is practised based on the reality of the society. Moreover, peace is an important ingredient in governance and coexistence.

C) MY FEAR:

Though the coming of Abaribe will definitely demolish the wicked structures that have refused to allow the state to move forward since 1999, but it will definitely lead to the building of a new powerful structure which I can't say how it will be managed later.

Today, people at will criticize the governor, we might be on our way to creating a structure we might not have the ability to manage.

No matter how it is looked at, it is always a difficult thing to empower an already powerful man. We saw it in Rochas and Kalu. Abaribe is too powerful to be controlled. I have this fear.

Finally, I also believe that Senator Abaribe can exercise his right. I also believe in the power of the voters. The people are left to decide.

Percy Omenazu, a trained economist writes from Lagos.

AFCON 2022: NIGERIA'S FINAL LIST

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sat, 25 Dec 2021 09:05:00 -0800

Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

Mdfielders: Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Galsgow Rangers, Scotland); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Nwakali (SD Huesca, Spain)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Fatih Karagumruk, Turkey); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (UD Almeria, Spain); Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin, Germany); Odion Jude Ighalo (Al-Shabab Riyadh, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Emmanuel Dennis (Watford FC, England)

5 types of women that men don’t want to marry

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Fri, 5 Nov 2021 19:35:00 -0700

For many men, these categories of women are quite unappealing:

1. Bossy babe

Women like this just can’t help it. They order your steps, want to be in involved in making every decision with you and that would have been cool if it stopped there. But most times they extend the involvement to the point of wanting to outrightly calling the shots.

Guys rarely put up with these women for too long.

2. The changer

Just as there are men who try to change women, there are women, too who try this trick.

The problem with this type of woman is that she claims tolove her guy just the way he is, but little by little, she chips away at just about everything about him. First, it’s his wardrobe, then it’s his taste in music.

Once men sense that she’s trying to erode everything they stand for and enjoy, it won’t be long before they kick against her, most times dumping her out of the relationship on her backside.

3. Jealous Jessie

Jealous Jessie is the woman whose distrust is so high that she’s on the edge all the time. Always snooping, always inquisitive, always paranoid

Many times, she has been burnt in the past, so she is on guard for anything that looks or feels wrong. But the problem is that men do not want to be judged for the errors of other men. And the more frequent the suspicions are, the more annoying it gets, the more weakened the bond gets.

Men will have no choice but to leave her because they can’t go through life being prosecuted for somebody else’s crimes.

4. Women without pursuit

Guys become very overwhelmed and suffocated by a woman who is never busy with stuff of her own. If she’s ever idle and always seeking to merge every second of her day with a man’s, it won’t be long before the man gets fed up.

Everyone loves, needs, requires space to pursue individuality. Love’s bond should be tight, but not so tight to the point of suffocation.

5. Mummy’s muppet

A man just doesn’t want a woman who returns to her mum for all answers, who shares all about her relationship with her mum and never makes a decision without her because she does not have a mind of her own.

COPIED FROM FACEOFMALAWI ON NOVEMBER 4, 2021

South African returnee dies in Imo police custody, family demands justice

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Thu, 4 Nov 2021 00:19:00 -0700

A Nigerian based in South Africa, Nnamdi Ohanekwurum, who recently returned to his hometown in Amagu, in the Orlu East Local Government Area of Imo State, has died in the custody of the anti-kidnapping unit of the state police command.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Nnamdi and his extended family members were preparing for the one-year remembrance of a late uncle when he was asked to enquire about the prices of drinks needed for the celebration.

The 32-year-old was on his way to run the errand when four armed policemen reportedly stormed the community in a Sienna vehicle and started arresting people indiscriminately.

Upon sighting the armed men, youths in the area took to their heels, while the victim, who did not run, was apprehended and taken to an undisclosed destination.

His elder brother, Chigozie, said some of the youth who escaped informed the family of the incident.

He said, “The incident happened on August 24, 2021. My brother, who was preparing to return to South Africa, was sent on an errand to Orie-Nempi Market to inquire about the prices of drinks to be used for a remembrance ceremony.

“Two hours after he left, some youths from the neighbouring community ran to our house to inform us that four armed policemen arrested him. The youth said they ran but he didn’t as a clear conscience fears no evil.

“Upon receiving this shocking news, I searched for him in neighbouring communities and all the police stations, including the area command, but I was told they never facilitated any arrest that day.

“I returned home to explain all I went through and some family members suggested they might be kidnappers and might call soon.

“But on August 28, a young man came to inform us that he saw my brother at the anti-kidnapping unit in Owerri.”

Chigozie noted that the resident was at the police unit to monitor another case he reported when he saw Nnamdi.

PUNCH METRO NEWSPAPER

WATCH THE PICTURES OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU IN COURT TODAY

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 06:03:00 -0700

NNAMDI KANU WITH BARRISTER IFEANYI EJIOFOR

DR CHUKWUEMEKA EJIOFOR WAS THERE

WHO WILL SAVE THE NAIRA? PART 1

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 10:31:00 -0700

SEE WHAT OKEZIE IKPEAZỤ HAS TURNED PORT HARCOURT ROAD ABA INTO

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Thu, 14 Oct 2021 06:00:00 -0700

Below are the pictures of what the government of Okezie Ikpeazụ has turned Aba into despite demolishing houses in native compound in his pretence of reconstructing Port Harcourt Road Aba.

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Mon, 6 Sep 2021 02:17:00 -0700

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA Part 2

By Percy Omenazu

Igbo man has a popular saying:

"Ebe onye ọsọ gbaruru, onye ije ga-eru ya."

This can be interpreted in the Pinkman's language thus:

"Wherever the man that runs reaches, the man that walks will surely reach."

I am a small boy, I don't have power to challenge into to the wise old saying. However, from my observations, I have noted that if we must go by that saying, we must be ready to apply the Economist's citeris paribus to make the saying always correct. This is because, if we go by true life experiences, three conditions must be satisfied before it is justified. These three conditions are:

1) The time allotted for the race must either be very long or unlimited. May be the runner must have rested for a long time before the walker meets him.

2) The distance to be covered must have been determined to ensure the runner does not continue.

3) Even if the walker must meet the runner, both will never get that point of meeting at same time.

For these reasons, my piece of advice to anyone close to me is to RUN when others are running. Don't console yourself that you will reach there when you are walking while running is required.

The Holy Bible paints it well. There is time for everything. As a parent, be mindful of how your children run and walk. When you notice sluggish movements when their mates are running, begin immediately to seek for the solution. It is like a taboo to watch other youths from other regions and countries arriving with nothing and eventually having things for themselves while your own children are busy claiming to be the owners of the land. When this is not curbed early, it leads to xenophobic attacks.

Youths should choose between partaking in the blessings of their countries/regions and watching strangers capitalizing on same blessings. The later brings about inequalities which bring about envy. This envy is the cause of xenophobia?

When your mates are running, run....

Make a right attempt.

Don't be left behind.

Wait for Part 3

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA part 1

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Mon, 6 Sep 2021 02:13:00 -0700

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA part 1

Xenophobia starts immediately history is either distorted or abandoned.

When leaders or rulers criminally try to hide the truth in the history of the people, xenophobia starts. The bitter truth about our South African brothers is that the criminals the government indirectly uses to execute the attacks on Nigerians don't know how much Nigeria contributed in the building of South Africa.

Let us return home. One of the reasons Nigerians flee the country is insecurity. When we condemn xenophobic attacks in the foreign land, do we really forget that it also happens here? Can we count how many times businesses owned by Igbos and Southern Nigerians have been destroyed in the North by fellow Nigerians? Can we count how many times people were massacred as a result of simple provocations? I remember the period a cartoon displayed in Europe claimed the lives of innocent Igbos in the Northern Nigeria. So what we read and watch about South Africa is not new to us. Worse still, are you in haste to forget the tension experienced in Lagos when PDP had upper hand in an election?

In Nigeria, history is continually distorted and silenced. In South Africa, that's also the case. This is the foundation of xenophobia.

Wait for part 2

Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Liberia 🇱🇷 in Lagos

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sat, 4 Sep 2021 07:11:00 -0700

MY JOURNEY TO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL part one

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 23:47:00 -0700

MY JOURNEY TO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ABA part one

BY Percy Ihekerenma Omenazu

n my time as a pupil in the eighties, National High School Aba was the only model school in the former Aba Division (The former Aba Division is made up of all the areas in Abia South Senatorial Zone and half of Abia Central Senatorial zone). Not only that, National High School Aba was one of the most respected institutions in the entire Eastern Region. It was a great challenge having opportunity to be in this school established during colonialism. The only school in same category the school in the present day Abia State is Government College Umuahia. As pupil, I made my ambition known to everybody around me that I would be at National High School. It was known as Ibo National College (Ibo NACO) before its change of name. Something just reminded me of my journey to the prestigious school and I decided to share.

One of the greatest challenges I faced in my last year in Primary School was posed by my friend and class mate whom I met in their class as I was introduced in the class from a class I dominated for a long time. I was always coming first before the change and I saw myself always falling behind Odichimma Dike who was always taking the first position. The challenge was great because some elders who believed that National High School Aba was out of reach for the ordinary people told me that if I must make it to the NACO Varsity, I must be the best in my school. Meanwhile, I had already been pinned down to second position as a result of my inability to surpass Odichimma in every exam we took. This gave me concern as a child. I would not like to lose that simple ambition of wearing white upon green.

To my surprise, when the result of the Common Entrance Exam was flashed, I was not the best and Odichimma was also not the best. I rejected the result. It was when we were told of the cut off mark for Model School that I relaxed. In my school we were over 10 pupils that scored above the cut off. Hence, we were subjected to writing another Entrance Examination for the Model school with pupils from other primary schools across the state. We were still in Imo State.

On the day of this examination that was written at the Premises of National High School along Port Harcourt road in 1988/1989, I was carried away by the beauty and organization of the school compound. Every tree had a tag of its name both English and botanical. Every path was well weeded. The Nigerian flag was positioned at the middle of the compound. The football pitch was totally green and organized. The health centre was a small building with beautiful flowers round about. The handball pitch was there close to the beautiful office we learnt to be the Principal's office. The beautiful path that leads to the staff quarters. I saw vehicles comfortably running in the compound with no threat to the progress of the academic business. I had already made up my mind as a child to be there even when I had no points to back my ambition up. Now, I had seen and nothing, absolutely nothing would stop me from being there. I wrote the short examination with full confidence of returning there for registration.

It took a little while before the result was out. I moved with my mother to the Zonal Inspectorate Office behind today's INEC office in Aba South. As we marched into the office, we met a woman who attended to us. The woman brought out a long note book which she opened. While she was searching for my name, I was faster than her. I sighted my name and noticed that it was not marked. I noticed that some names were already marked. I moved back a little and made a movement that could have resulted to crying. The woman who had also sighted my name noticed my movement, she abruptly asked me:

"Don't you want to go to National High School?"

Immediately she asked me this question, I realized I was wrong in my hasty conclusion about the marked and unmarked names. My spirit returned. I answered her by just nodding. A childhood dream had come to pass. I couldn't control my happiness. The people in same office started laughing as they congratulated me. I didn't know they were also observing my reactions. The woman told me:

"So this office would not have accommodated us if your name was not found in the list?"

Honestly, crying could have been a mild way to express my disappointment if it hadn't worked. I was full of appreciation to God. A few weeks later, I proceeded to the school campus for registration. Other things that happened will be said later.

I made it to National High School Aba on merit.

Glory be to God.

I am proud of National High School Aba.

I am proud of Ibo NACO.

I am proud of the NACO VARSITY.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

https://m.youtube.com/user/993510135101

THE FOUR REGIONAL CAPITALS OF NIGERIA

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Wed, 4 Aug 2021 13:22:00 -0700

There were four Cities that served as Regional Capitals of the four regions of Nigeria. They are:

1) Enugu, Eastern Region

2) Ibadan, Western Region

3) Kaduna, Northern Region

4) Benin City, Mid-Western Region

LIGA SOUTH AFRICA : TEKO MODISE RATES LALIGA HIGHLY AS LEAGUE FOR FOOTBALL PURISTS

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Mon, 2 Aug 2021 03:35:00 -0700

Former South Africa’s Bafana Bafana midfield dynamo Teko Modise has given his seal of approval for LaLiga—which kicks off on August 14 2021—as the best domestic league in Europe for football purists.

LaLiga Southern Africa media office says Modise spoke about the Spanish league while launching the new season’s LaLiga Puma Accelerate and Adrenaline match ball in his Meadowlands hometown with football visual artists, Kasi Flavour.

Modise described LaLiga as home to ‘highly technical and tactically gifted’ players who do not thrive on their physical attributes but the brain.

“It is such a special league, with a brand of football you cannot find anywhere else in the world….That’s the philosophy Spanish football believes in and why for a footballer LaLiga is the league everybody with especially that level of technical ability wants to play in,” Modise is quoted saying.

“Spanish football has the ability to attract such players that don’t necessarily need height, they don’t need to be super strong on the pitch or have speed, but they are very smart, thinking players.”

The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns star recalled his experience of rubbing shoulders with Spain’s finest footballers such as Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, David Silva during the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup match which hosts South Africa lost 3-2.

He said it is “something else to watch them on TV and analyse them, but totally different playing against them on the pitch.”

“It was one of the most difficult and frustrating games for me, because they were actually better than they thought they were,” he added.

“They know when to pass, how to pass, they know how to commit the fault and how to draw the fault. So to face such superstars and technically talented players was very, very frustrating.”

Modise, who also played for SuperSport United, said he was excited to see a new generation of players with African roots such as Ansu Fati and Ilaix Moribi making their mark in LaLiga.

LaLiga Southern Africa Managing Director, Marcos Pelegrin, said they were excited to partner Modise whose last domestic club before retiring in South Africa was Cape Town City.

“It was fantastic working with Teko and the Kasi Flavour team in Soweto, as we look to bring South Africans closer to the passion, heartbeat and flavour of LaLiga. The new season is nearly upon us and we will continue to find new ways of ensuring LaLiga is relevant, exciting and relatable to South African football fans,” Pelegrin said

Did You Know? Sudan Has More Pyramids Than Egypt

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sun, 1 Aug 2021 15:00:00 -0700

You can’t mention the country Egypt without almost immediately thinking about the iconic pyramids. The pyramids of Egypt are one of the most-visited attractions in the region, especially as the Pyramid of Khufu in Giza is the only Seventh Wonder of the Ancient World that still exists. But Sudan shouldn’t be missed.

On average, more than 9 million people visit the pyramids in Egypt, but there is a place that boasts more pyramids than Egypt: Sudan.

The country has between 200 and 250 pyramids compared to Egypt’s roughly 138, making it the country with the most pyramids.

Located in the eastern desert of Sudan, the Meroe Pyramids which are part of the Nubian Pyramids, were built far later than Egypt’s world wonder.

©PARKER DIAKITE

JULY 28, 2021

Nigerian Young Soldiers Send this message to Boko Haram

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Mon, 10 May 2021 08:02:00 -0700

Happiness

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Mon, 10 May 2021 07:44:00 -0700

Solomon and His Careful Choice

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 02:53:00 -0800

Solomon was wise indeed. Do you remember that his wisdom was spotted by David his father before his death. I am sure he was not sharing same level of conviction with his father.

Do you realize that David was a very wealthy king that had connections with those that mattered? As the heir of the throne of David, Solomon had enough wealth to enjoy.

I have always suspected this. When the opportunity to make request from God arose, Solomon concentrated on what he felt he was either lacking or had the most urgent need of. He was systematically silent on those things he had full conviction he had.

He neglected wealth and requested for wisdom.

As we step into a new year, make proper analysis of the things you urgently need and hit the target.

I am sure He will hear.

© Percy Omenazụ
Written on December 25, 2017

Kemi Adeosun's Concoction called Letter

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 02:09:00 -0700

Full Text of Kemi Adeosun's Resignation Letter

14th September, 2018

His Excellency
Muhammadu Buhari
President, Federal Republic of Nigeria
State House
Aso Villa
Abuja

Dear Excellency,

Let me commence by thanking you profusely for the honour and privilege of serving under your inspirational leadership. It has been a truly rewarding experience to learn from you and to observe at close quarters your integrity and sense of duty.

I have, today, become privy to the findings of the investigation into the allegation made in an online medium that the Certificate of Exemption from National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) that I had presented was not genuine. This has come as a shock to me and I believe that in line with this administration’s focus on integrity, I must do the honourable thing and resign.

Your Excellency, kindly permit me to outline some of the background to this matter. I was born and raised in the United Kingdom, indeed my parental family home remains in London. My visits to Nigeria up until the age of thirty-four (34) were holidays, with visas obtained in my UK passport. I obtained my first Nigerian passport at the age of thirty-four (34) and when I relocated there was debate as to whether NYSC Law applied to me. Upon enquiry as to my status relating to NYSC, I was informed that due to my residency history and having exceeded the age of thirty (30), I was exempted from the requirement to serve. Until recent events, that remained my understanding.

On the basis of that advice and with the guidance and assistance of those, I thought were trusted associates, NYSC were approached for documentary proof of status. I then received the certificate in question. Having never worked in NYSC, visited the premises, been privy to nor familiar with their operations, I had no reason to suspect that the certificate was anything but genuine. Indeed, I presented that certificate at the 2011 Ogun State House of Assembly and in 2015 for Directorate of State Services (DSS) Clearance as well as to the National Assembly for screening. Be that as it may, as someone totally committed to a culture of probity and accountability I have decided to resign with effect from Friday, 14th September, 2018.

Your Excellency, It has been an exceptional privilege to have served our nation under your leadership and to have played a role in steering our economy at a very challenging time. I am proud that Nigeria has brought discipline into it's finances, has identified and is pursuing a path to long term sustainable growth that will unlock the potential in this great economy. Under your leadership, Nigeria was able to exit recession and has now started to lay the foundations for lasting growth and wealth creation. Repositioning this huge economy is not a short term task and there are no short cuts, indeed there are tough decisions still to be made but I have no doubt that your focus on infrastructural investment, revenue mobilisation and value for money in public expenditure will deliver growth, wealth and opportunity for all Nigerians.

I thank His Excellency, the Vice President and my colleagues in the Federal Executive Council for the huge pleasure and honour of working with them. I also thank most specially, the team in the ‘Finance Family’ of advisers and heads of agencies under the Ministry of Finance. Your Excellency, this group of committed Nigerians represent a range of backgrounds, ethnicities and ages. They have worked well above and beyond the call of duty to support me in the tasks assigned. The diversity in my team and their ability to work cohesively to deliver reforms, convinces me that Nigeria has the human capital required to succeed.

Your Excellency, let me conclude by commending your patience and support, during the long search for the truth in this matter. I thank you again for giving me the honour of serving under your leadership, it is a rare privilege, which I do not take for granted. As a Nigerian and committed progressive, I appreciate you for your dogged commitment to improving this nation.

Please be assured, as always, of my highest regards and best wishes

Kemi Adeosun (Mrs)

Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Prosecution closes case against Kalu, others

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Fri, 11 May 2018 15:41:00 -0700

Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Prosecution closes case against Kalu, others

By NAN | 11 May 2018 | 2:31 pm

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) on Friday closed its case against a former Governor of Abia, Orji Kalu and two others charged with N3.2 billion fraud.

The EFCC Prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), announced closure of the prosecution’s case at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

He, however, informed the court that the prosecution intended to amend the charge against the accused to reflect more evidence.

The EFCC had on Oct. 31, 2016, slammed a 34-count charge bordering on N3.2 billion fraud against Kalu, his former Commissioner for Finance,

Ude Udeogo, and Slok Nigeria Ltd.

The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted bails.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Jacobs had led the 17th prosecution witness, Chidi Chukwuka, in evidence at the last adjournment.

At the resumed trial of the case on Friday, Kalu’s counsel, Mr Awa Kalu (SAN), continued the cross-examination of the witness.

Chukwuka had earlier told the court that he was a Deputy Director in the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and an investigator with
the EFCC as at the time of the alleged fraud.

He said during his investigations, he had obtained statements from Mr Samuel Iheke, a former Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Local
Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

He said he also obtained statements from Mr Chinedum Elechi, the then Secretary, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON)
in Abia.

Awa applied to tender the statements the witness had identified and same were admitted and marked as Exhibits Z to Z9 respectively.

When the witness was asked what the state officials had told him was the reason for the N26 million monthly withdrawals from the Joint Account
Allocation Committee (JAAC) account of the state, the witness replied: “The officials had claimed that the withdrawals were used for sanitation
in Abia State.”

He testified that over N2.5 billion was transferred from the Abia Government House main account to Abia State University and Secondary Education
Management Board accounts.

Counsel to the second accused, Mr Solo Akuma (SAN), asked if the witness was fully involved in the investigation to which he responded in the
affirmative.

Akuma : By count 24 of the charge preferred by the EFCC against the accused, is it correct to say that the N554 million came in various cheques?

Witness : I don’t know.

He said the EFCC did not investigate the accused before the petition from Eyinnaya Abaribe.

Mr Kingsley Nwofo (SAN), counsel to Slok Nigerai Ltd., asked the witness if any of the statements had shown funds move from the Government
House accounts to the third accused (Slok), he responded in the negative.

There was no re-examination and the witness was discharged.

Justice Mohammed Idris adjourned the case until May 30 and May 31 for defence to open their case.

The EFCC alleged that Kalu and the others committed the offences between August 2001 and October 2005.

The commission accused Kalu of utilising his company, Slok Nigerai Ltd., to retain N200 million in the account of First Inland Bank ( acquired by
First City Monument Bank, FCMB).

It said the sum formed part of funds illegally derived from the coffers of the state government.

The commission also said that the accused had in different bank accounts about N2.5 billion belonging to Abia and diverted about N3.2 billion
from the coffers of the government.

The offences contravened sections 15(6), 16, and 21 of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2005 and the Money Laundering Act of 1995
(as amended by Act No.9 of 2002 and Section 477 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Chiwenga the Coupist, Made the Vice President of Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 04:06:00 -0800

Harare - Zimbabwe's former army commander who led a military takeover that helped end Robert Mugabe's 37-year rule was Thursday sworn in as one of the country's two vice presidents.

General Constantino Chiwenga, 61, took the oath of office in Harare, pledging to be "faithful" to Zimbabwe and to "obey, uphold and defend the constitution", said an AFP journalist who witnessed the ceremony.

"I will discharge my duties with all my strength and to the best of my knowledge and ability," said Chiwenga dressed in a black suit.

Chiwenga retired from the military last week, slightly over a month after the military temporarily to OK control of the country on November 15, culminating in Mugabe's resignation six days later.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, who had a few weeks earlier been sacked from his job as vice president by Mugabe, then took over as the head of state.

Kembo Mohadi, a veteran politician and long-serving state security minister, was also sworn-in Thursday as the second vice president to Mnangagwa.

Mugabe, 93, was ousted from power after the military stepped in following internal feuding and factionalism that had escalated in the ruling Zanu-PF party over who would succeed him. News24

EAST/WEST ROAD: FG DRAGS CONTRACTORS TO EFCC

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 01:07:00 -0800

The Federal Government Wednesday said it is dragging 30 contractors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission( EFCC) over the poor state of jobs on the East West road.

This is just as it announced that Federal Executive Council approved a whopping N16b for the completion of the head office building of the Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The project, according to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Uguru Usanni, will be completed in 52 weeks.
But responding to question on the necessity of the project, despite the poor state of the East/ west road and huge debt of N30b hanging over government as part of its liability to the contractors, the Minister blamed the state of the road project on poor planing as according to him ” the road had been messed up from inception, and was naturally designed to fail by all the agreements and designed concepts that we met on ground”

“Right now I have gotten some of these contracts and I’m sending them to the EFCC, not just for the east west road. I have got a minimum of 30 to 30 contractors that I am sending to EFCC.”
He stated that private consultants have been engaged to review the whole cost

According to him ” So that some contractors will obviously refund money for which the present cost will be discounted”
“So when you see contractors ganging up and publishing things against me, you should know the foundation. But as far as I am here I will do something that I feel is right.”
He however assured that the current administration was making sure that things are in order so that the project can be delivered on time

“The project started more than a decade ago and in 24 months we have made the progress we have made on that project, correcting even the construction deficits in the area, then I think you should be able to appreciate what we are doing”

” You talk of N16 billion as if it is so relevant in completing the east west road, I wish to tell you that the outstanding certificate on the east west road amount to N30 billion”

The Minister noted that when put side by side, the road is not a substitute.

“Two of them are essential infrastructure projects that must go on, so it doesn’t mean that if we put that money on the east west road then it satisfies the needs of housing the NDDC.”
“The Niger Delta region has a prime position in our preference to develop the area and so there are no substitutes. So even if we are not going to do the NDDC headquarters it doesn’t mean we will complete the east west road. They are all important and I want you to get that into your mind” he said.

The project which is as awarded in 2006 by former President Obasanjo had remain in the limbo with as low as N6b allocated to it in the current ( 2017 ) budget.
Uguru announced that the government has spent about N300 billion on the east west road, adding that ” yet the project has not made much progress”

“I am doing a review of the entire contract of the east west road because, without that nothing will ever happen on that road talkless of completion”
“If you have spent N300 billion and you are where you are then… the design, negotiations, contract everything is wrong”
“You designed a project of that nature and give it a lifespan or seven years and then no designs in some sectors and yet you are attributing cost to it”
“So by what means did you have the elements of costing. These are verifiable facts at any time.

Tony Ailemen, Abuja

Babangida ‘backs’ Atiku’s presidential bid

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sat, 9 Dec 2017 10:16:00 -0800

Babangida ‘backs’ Atiku’s presidential bid

December 8, 2017Samuel Ogundipe

File photo of Former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and former Vice President and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Atiku Abubakar

A former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, on Friday declared his support for Atiku Abubakar, as the former vice president intensifies consultations for a presidential run in 2019.

Mr. Babangida, Nigeria’s leader from 1985-1993, said media reports that he advised Mr. Abubakar not to run for election during a closed-door meeting Thursday was ‘laughable’ because it was ‘sponsored’.

“Anybody who has sponsored such report was just being unfair” to Messrs. Babangida and Abubakar, Kassim Afegbua, a spokesperson for the former military leader, told PREMIUM TIMES Friday evening.

Mr. Afegbua said no one knew the outcome of the meeting because it was held behind closed-doors amongst the two leaders.

The comments came a day after the two leaders met at the hilltop residence of Mr. Babangida in Minna, the Niger State capital, around noon Thursday.

Media accounts of the meeting said Mr. Abubakar angrily left his host because he was advised not to run against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The reports further speculated that the unfriendly face Mr. Abubakar allegedly wore indicated that he was rejected by Mr. Babangida.

“The report is very, very untrue,” Mr. Afegbua said. “When I read the report, I was laughing. Because it is far from what they both discussed.”

“Number one, IBB will not discourage anyone from seeking office. IBB will encourage anyone to seek election,” the spokesperson added.

Mr. Afegbua said the relationship between his principal and his host remains cordial, warning reporters to stop playing politics with people’s relationship.

“They had a very useful political discussion. IBB also has a good relationship with Atiku. It’s not good to play politics with the relationship of people.”

Similarly, Paul Ibe, a spokesperson for Mr. Abubakar said since the meeting was held by only the two leaders, it would be difficult for anyone to know the details.

“Except those who were carrying these fake speculations were flying on the wall, there’s no way anyone would have known what happened,” Mr. Ibe said. “The report is a figment of the imagination of people.”

Mr. Ibe said the two leaders have been friends for a long time, and the outcome of their meeting was positive.

“Both leaders have enjoyed a mutual relationship for many years and what I gathered was that the meeting was very, very fruitful,” he added.

On Sunday, Mr. Abubakar returned to the PDP for the third time since 2007 when he left the party after serving eight years on its platform as a vice-president.

The move came a little over a week after he resigned from the All Progressives Congress.

He is expected to slug it out with President Buhari in 2019, if the incumbent’s recent signals of a possible re-election bid take hold.

DOWNLOAD THE PREMIUM TIMES MOBILE APP

Now available on

TEXT AD:DIABETES Is CURABLE! Don't Let It Threaten You! To NORMALIZE Your Blood Sugar In 21Days For Life, Click Here!!!.

All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from PREMIUM TIMES.

Top News

click here to close

The Day Athan Onyeamuma Got Disappointed

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sat, 9 Dec 2017 08:59:00 -0800

Christmas is approaching. Normally, in higher institutions, this is usually the period for shows and get together. I wish to remind my brother and friend what happened when we were together in our third year in the University.

One blessed day, my brother Nnanyelugo Nwokoro returned to the room grumbling. Earlier, he greeted me when he was leaving for drama presentation in his Church. The drama was free but I did not go with him. I was surprised my man returned almost immediately and was was very annoyed. When I tried to know if he missed his tea, this is because the guy likes tea more than anything. My guy did not find it funny. Then I relax na.

When Athan Nnanyelugo eventually found his voice, he told me the cause of his annoyance. In the course of the drama presentation, they got the scene where Angel Gabriel greeted Virgin Mary with good tiding. According to my man, immediately the angel said:"All hail Mary....", the boys saw the face of the girl used for the role of the mother of Jesus, everywhere scattered.

He told me that more than half of the guys left the auditorium immediately. I tried to ask more questions as if I had not understood him. He told me:"What kind of nonsense is that? How can they use a well known girl at up gate to play the role of revered virgin Mary?"

I felt his pain and that other guys that expected to see better things but as usual of me then, I burst into laughter. I can't say how the programme eventually ended. I learnt more from the show in the room than the one they went for in the auditorium.

Another Christmas is coming.
Play your part well.

RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA: DECENTRALISATION FOR NATIONAL COHESION by John Nwodo

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 14:43:00 -0700

Ohanaeze President General's paper at Chatham House today wednesday Sept 27

RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA: DECENTRALISATION FOR NATIONAL COHESION

Protocols.

Let me begin by extending my deep sense of gratitude to the Royal Institute of International Affairs, for inviting me to participate in this current series of discussions on, Next Generation Nigeria: Accountability and National Cohesion. The involvement of this reputable British Institute in discussing and proffering suggestions for extant Nigeria’s problems is not only commendable, but I believe most relieving for the British establishment, who must understandably feel a deep sense of vicarious responsibility for putting together a country confronted which such grim future.

Nigeria became a united British colony by the amalgamation of its Northern and Southern Protectorates in 1914. In 1960 it attained independence, fashioned a federal Constitution which had three and subsequently four regions as its federating units. The pre-1960 and the 1963 constitutions of Nigeria were fashioned by the people of Nigeria as represented by the leaders of their ethnic nationalities. The coup of January 1966 and the counter-coup of the same year occasioned by ethnic tensions and disagreements within the military-led our country to disastrous consequences.

Our first Prime Minister, Rt. Hon Tafawa Balewa and the then premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as well as the then Minister for Finance Festus Okotie-Eboh, were murdered. A massive pogrom was unleashed on South Eastern Nigerians living in the Northern Nigeria. A sitting Head of State from the South East, Major General Aguiyi Ironsi and a governor from the South West Col. Adekunle Fajuyi were murdered. The military suspended our 1963 constitution and adopted a unitary system of government to fit their command and control structures. Opposition to this move by Southern Nigeria led to constitutional talks in Aburi, Ghana. The agreements reached Aburi were jettisoned. War broke out and claimed more than three and a half million lives mostly from the South East. After the war, the military-authored two more constitutions, one in 1979 and another in 1998/99. The two military constitutions were finally approved by the Supreme Military Council.

Under military rule, this organ was the highest legislative organ for the country. It was made up of senior military officers, a majority of whom were from Northern Nigeria. The last constitution of 1998/99 which the military approved was the legal instrument that governed Nigeria’s transition to democracy. It is still in use in Nigeria today. It was not subjected to a national referendum. It created 19 states out of the old Northern Region, 6 states out of the Western Region, 2 states out of the old Midwestern Region and 9 states out of the old Eastern Region.

An agreement by a constitutional conference convened by General Abacha divided the country into six geopolitical zones. This agreement was never incorporated into a legislation even though it continues to be adopted for administrative purposes by Government and the political parties. The creation of states and local governments in these six geographical areas did not respect any equitable parameter.

Our present constitution is not autochthonous. It was not written by the people of Nigeria. It was not approved in a National referendum. In jurisprudence, its effectiveness will score a very low grade on account of its unacceptability. Regrettably, it continues to hold sway and begins with a false proclamation, "We the People of Nigeria…."

Our present constitution was written at a time of unprecedented increase in National revenue following the massive discovery of oil in Nigeria and its global reliance as a source of fuel for mechanical machines. It had as its centrepiece, the distribution of national revenue and national offices using states and local governments as units for division. It constructed a federation in name but a unitary government in practice following the pattern enunciated in 1966 from the inception of military administration in Nigeria.

Competition and drive for production by the federating units was destroyed. Each state and local government waited every month for proceeds from oil generated revenue to be divided out to them.

The Federal Government became enormously powerful taking over mining rights, construction of interstate highways, major educational establishments, rail and water transportation, power and several infrastructural responsibilities previously undertaken by the regions. Competition for control of the Federal Government became intense and corrupted our electoral system. Corruption became perverse as the Federal Government became too big to be effectively policed by auditing and administrative regulations.

As I speak to you today, Nigeria has a grim economic outlook. Nigeria’s external debt has grown from $10.3 billion in 2015 to $15 billion in 2017. Her domestic debt has also grown from 8.8 trillion Naira in 2015, to 14 trillion Naira in 2017. Domestic debt component for the 36 states rose from 1.69 trillion Naira in 2015 to 2.9 trillion Naira in June 2017.

The Federal government has on two occasions released bailout funds to enable states to meet their recurrent expenditure requirements. Only about eight states in Nigeria namely Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Edo, Delta, Abia, Rivers, and Kwara have their internally generated revenue sufficient enough to cover their interest repayments on their debts without depending on allocations from Federally collected revenue.

For the Federal Government close to 40% of its annual revenue was spent on servicing of interest repayments on debts and according to International Monetary Fund (IMF), this percentage is expected to increase further. According to Fitch ratings, Nigeria’s Government gross debts is 320% of its annual revenue!! – one of the highest in the world.

In the face of this economic reality, the Population Reference Bureau predicts that Nigeria will in 2050 become the world’s fourth-largest population with a population of 397 million coming after China, India and the United States of America. This is only 33 years away.

In 2011, five Colonels in the United States Centre for Strategy and Technology, Air War College did a case study on Nigeria and the global consequences of its implosion and came out with a conclusion that, “despite its best efforts, Nigeria has a long-term struggle ahead to remain a viable state, much less a top-20 economy”.

Faced with this grim economic outlook and a structure inimical to growth what is, therefore, our way forward? Our growth model has to change for us to survive as a country.

A model based on sharing of Government revenue must give way to a new structure that will challenge and drive productivity in different regions across the country. This new model must take into account that the factors driving productivity in today’s world are no longer driven by fossil oil but rather the proliferation of a knowledge-based economy. The restructuring of Nigeria into smaller and independent federations limits and the devolution of powers to these federating units to control exclusively their human capital development, mineral resources, agriculture, and power (albeit with an obligation to contribute to the federal government) is the only way to salvage our fledging economy. Restructuring will devote attention to the new wealth areas, promote competition and productivity as the new federating units struggle to survive. It will drastically reduce corruption as the large federal parastatals which gulp Government revenue for little or no impact dissolve and give way to small and viable organs in the new federating units.

Those campaigning against restructuring in Nigeria have painted an unfortunate and untrue picture that those of us in support of restructuring are doing so in order to deny the Northern States who have not yet any proven oil reserves of the ability to survive. This is unfortunate. The new model we propose for Nigeria recognizes that revenue in the world today is promoted by two main sources namely, human capital development leveraging on technology to drive the critical sectors of the economy and agriculture. Ten years ago the top ten companies in the world were the likes of Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Total. Today the top eight companies in the world are represented by technology related companies. They include Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, and Amazon.

The example of Netherlands in Agriculture is also relevant here. The Netherlands is the 18th largest economy in the world. It has a land area of about 33.9,000 square kilometres. Niger State, one of Nigeria’s 37 administrative units has about 74,000 square kilometres. Netherlands has over $100 billion from agricultural exports annually, contributed mainly by vegetables and dairy. Nigeria’s oil revenue has never in any one year reached $100 billion. Northern Nigeria is the most endowed agriculturally in Nigeria. Its tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, cucumbers, tubers, grains, livestock and dairy feed the majority of Nigerians in spite of its huge reserve of unexploited export potentials. In a restructured Nigeria, Northern Nigeria with the right agricultural policies will be the richest part of Nigeria.

Our analysis here must be viewed from the background that datelines have been fixed by OECD countries and China for the cessation of production of automobiles and machines dependent on fossil oil. This development and the new technology for production of shale oil in the United States has made world dependence on Nigeria’s crude oil a rapidly declining phenomenon.

This brings me to the question of what form Nigeria will assume under a restructured arrangement and how this restructuring can be brought about. Two basic models have been canvassed for restructuring in Nigeria. A conservative model aimed at maintaining the status quo has been proposed to mean simply a shedding of some of the exclusive powers of the federal government like issuing of mining licences, permission for constructing of federal roads and shedding of regulatory powers over investments in critical sectors of the economy like power. This model merely scratches the surface of the problem. It avoids fundamental devolution of powers.

The second model calls for a fundamental devolution of powers to the States as federating units and a lean Federal Government with exclusive powers for external defence, customs, immigration, foreign relations and a Federal legislature and judiciary to make and interpret laws in these exclusive areas.

This second model proposes states at the federating units with two different approaches. The first approach simply wants the states as the federating units and a federal government with limited powers. It wants the states to control a percentage of revenue accruing from their areas and contribute an agreed percentage of such revenue to the federal government.

The second approach proposes the states as the federating units with a region at each of the six geopolitical units whose constitution will be agreed to and adopted by the states in the geopolitical region. The regions will have the powers to merge existing states or create new ones. There will be regional and state legislatures and judiciary dealing with making and interpreting laws made in the respective political entities. This approach proposes a revenue sharing formulae of 15% to the Federal Government, 35% to the State Government and 50% to the State Governments.

To achieve a national consensus on this subject requires a national discussion. Regrettably, the ruling party, APC which promised restructuring in its manifesto after two years and four months in office is still appointing a committee to define what sort of restructuring it wants for Nigeria. To make matters worse, none of the other political parties have come up with any clear-cut route for achieving a consensus on this matter.

The National Assembly itself is a reflection of the deep ethnic divisions in the country and the Northern majority conferred on it by the military makes it highly unacceptable to Southern Nigeria. Recent resolutions made by it on devolution of powers have not helped the situation. Happily, the Senate President has promised a revisit of the subject matter.

In the recent past, self-determination groups have sprung up in Nigeria. The self-determination groups include IPOB, MASSOB, YELICOM, Arewa Youths, Niger Delta Republic and Republic of the Middle Belt.

Of all these groups IPOB and Boko Haram have been designated as terrorist organisations by the federal government. This development in relation to IPOB is unfortunate. Boko Haram is an armed organisation which has attacked and occupied Nigerian territory hoisted its flag and appointed local authority governments.

It has abducted and abused Nigerian w - -omen, kidnapped and imprisoned many and killed over two hundred thousand people. It is still involved in guerrilla warfare against Nigeria yet the Federal government is negotiating with them. No member of Boko Haram captured by the military is under trial. Members of this Federal government are on record for condemning the previous government for brutal murder of Boko Haram members and condemning the retired Chief of Army Staff for zealous prosecution of the anti-terror campaign. Members of the sect who confess to a change of mind have been received along with their abducted female partners in the Presidency and rehabilitated.

The declaration of IPOB as a terrorist organisation is in my view hurried, unfair, and not in conformity with the intendment of the law. Whereas I am not completely in agreement with some of the methods of IPOB like its inappropriate and divisive broadcast, the uncontested evidence given by the Attorney General of the Federation in an interlocutory action claiming that IPOB attempted and/or actually snatched guns from law enforcement agents are, if proven, merely criminal offences. They do not constitute enough evidence to meet international law definitions of a terrorist organisation. Happily, the United States Embassy in Nigeria only three days ago shared this conclusion and asserted that the United States Government does not recognise IPOB as a terrorist organisation. This same unarmed IPOB that is being stigmatised by the Nigerian government had its members murdered in Asaba, Nkpor, Aba and Port Harcourt simply for having public demonstrations without the federal government ordering a judicial inquiry. Instead, after I called for one and Amnesty International provided evidence that 150 of them were killed, the Chief of Army Staff set up an inquiry composed of serving and retired army officers thus abandoning the rules of natural justice which prescribes that you cannot be a judge in your own court.

The Igbos in Nigeria feel the treatment of IPOB as unfair, discriminatory and overhanded. They see the move as an attempt to encourage a profiling of Igbos in the international security arena.

We know of other self-determination groups in Nigeria that are armed and have destroyed government and private sector installations and wells that government prefers to negotiate with rather than label them as terrorist organisations.

Fulani Herdsmen otherwise called the Fulani militants have ravaged farms in Middlebelt, South West, and South Eastern Nigeria killing several farmers in the process. In January 2016 they killed 500 farmers and their families in Agatu in Benue state. In Enugu state, they murdered more than 100 farmers in Ukpabi Nimbo in April 2016. Photographs depicting them with automatic rifles trend in the entire world media, yet not one of them is facing criminal charges, nor is Operation Python Dance being conducted in the areas where they ravage and kill and the Federal government describes them as criminals and not a terrorist organisation notwithstanding their classification by the Global Terrorist Index as the fourth deadliest terrorist group in the world (see British Independent Newspaper, 18th November 2015). The London Guardian Newspaper of 12th July 2016 indicated that Fulani herdsmen killed one thousand people in 2014.

Let me seize this opportunity to once more thank the Royal Institute of International Affairs for inviting me as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to speak here today. In Nigeria, Ndigbo whose social cultured organisation I lead are, notwithstanding their historical experiences in Nigeria, the most loyal ethnic group to the concept of one Nigeria. We are the largest ethnic group other than the indigenous group in any part of Nigeria. We invest and contribute to the economic and social life of the committees wherever we live. We are proudly Christians but very accommodating of our brothers of other religious persuasions. We are grossly marginalised and still treated by the Federal government as second-class citizens. No Igboman, for instance, heads any security arm of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Our area is the most heavily policed as if there was a deliberate policy to intimidate us and hold us down.

Our endurance has been stretched beyond Hooke’s gauge for elastic limit. The deployment of the Nigerian Army under the guise of Operation Python dance to the South East was unconstitutional under S. 271 of the 1999 Constitution.

Deployment of the army is only allowed in circumstances of insurrection, terrorism and external aggression not in killing of priests, or fighting kidnapping. And in those circumstances where they can be deployed, leave of the Senate must be sought. This brazen impunity in dealing with matters which concern the South East is provocative.

The Arewa Youths Council by issuing a quit notice for Igbos to leave Northern Nigeria and declaring a Federal Republic of Nigeria without Igboland had committed serious infractions of the law. First by declaring a new Republic of Nigeria which excises the South East unilaterally, they were committing treason. By issuing a proclamation for Nigerians to leave any part of Nigeria forcibly they were infringing the fundamental rights of innocent Nigerians, as guaranteed by the Constitution to live and do business anywhere. By commencing an inventory of Igbo property in Nigeria for seizure by October 1st, 2017, they were attempting conversion. By proclaiming a mop-up action of those who did not comply with their order by October 1st, they were, without doubt, inciting genocide. Yet in spite of all these orders to arrest them by the Kaduna State Government and the Inspector General of Police were not enforced nor were they prevented from holding court with Governors and leading elders from the North.

The only hope for change in Nigeria today is the rising call for restructuring pioneered by the Southern leadership forum, supported lately by ex Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former President Ibrahim Babangida and leaders of the Middle belt including Dan Suleiman and Prof. Jerry Gana.

Our expectation is that now that our President is fully recovered and back to work, he will address the situation by constituting a nationwide conversation of all ethnic nationalities to look into the 2014 National Conference report and the trending views on this subject matter so as to come up with a consensus proposal that the national and state assemblies will be persuaded to adopt.

To continue to neglect a resolution of this impasse will spell doom for our dear country.

Our argument is further reinforced by a two-year extensive study by the UNDP titled, JOURNEY TO EXTREMISM released in September 2017 which indicated that exposure to state abuse and marginalisation not religious ideology are better predictors of radicalisation.

It also indicates that those living on the periphery of their country with less access to education and health services are more vulnerable to be recruited into violent extremist groups. In Nigeria, millions of unemployed graduates from universities waiting for up to 10 years without gainful employment are restive, agitated and veritable cannon fodders for escalating restiveness.

In conclusion, I hope that the Royal Institute of International Affairs, the British Government and British interests associated with Nigeria will continue to offer useful advice to our polity that will lead to an early resolution of our situation.

I thank you for your kind attention

John Nnia Nwodo

Chatham House, London

Wednesday 27th September 2017

Chinenye Lauretta Ufearoh wall

A Testimony that Shook me

noreply@blogger.com (lordpercyo) — Sat, 23 Sep 2017 10:01:00 -0700

Rufus, a private security operative attached to MRS had an issue with his boss who acts in the capacity of a supervisor. According to him, the management was so loyal to this man to the extent that anyone he decides to sack goes without further delay. The management believed in him more than any other person. This man promised to sack Rufus and it was said to his face. Rufus eventually fell into his trap by having a problem with him.

The confused Rufus alerted me on phone and we said a simple prayer of agreement to the most powerful God. A few days later, the supervisor had a misunderstanding with the management which led him to submit a letter of resignation. Ordinarily, the management would always beg him as usual. However, this time around, the case was different. They accepted his resignation.

Later on, the man paid a visit to the firm to know why their call had not come and received the shock of his life. His apology was not only rejected, his matter was handed over to Rufus to handle. Rufus was given a new responsibility of arresting his former supervisor and detaining him whenever he makes the mistake of stepping into the firm's premises. That was how the HUNTED became the HUNTER. Rufus was a member of RCCG Chosen Generation Parish till he packed out of the area. He still attends HOUR OF LIFTING from his new base at Badagry.

This happened in accordance with what the bible says in Proverb 26:27. The bible says:"Whoever digs a pit will fall into it..."

In the same vein, I proclaim that any plan hatched against you is returned to the planners in Jesus' name. Amen!
Any unfavourable situation is turned favourable in Jesus' name. Amen!

Welcome to Africa.com

SENATOR ABARIBE'S GOVERNORSHIP: THE GOOD, THE BAD, MY FEAR

AFCON 2022: NIGERIA'S FINAL LIST

5 types of women that men don’t want to marry

South African returnee dies in Imo police custody, family demands justice

WATCH THE PICTURES OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU IN COURT TODAY

WHO WILL SAVE THE NAIRA? PART 1

SEE WHAT OKEZIE IKPEAZỤ HAS TURNED PORT HARCOURT ROAD ABA INTO

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA Part 2

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA part 1

Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Liberia 🇱🇷 in Lagos

MY JOURNEY TO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL part one

THE FOUR REGIONAL CAPITALS OF NIGERIA

LIGA SOUTH AFRICA : TEKO MODISE RATES LALIGA HIGHLY AS LEAGUE FOR FOOTBALL PURISTS

Did You Know? Sudan Has More Pyramids Than Egypt

Nigerian Young Soldiers Send this message to Boko Haram

Happiness

Solomon and His Careful Choice

Kemi Adeosun's Concoction called Letter

Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Prosecution closes case against Kalu, others

Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Prosecution closes case against Kalu, others

Chiwenga the Coupist, Made the Vice President of Zimbabwe

EAST/WEST ROAD: FG DRAGS CONTRACTORS TO EFCC

Babangida ‘backs’ Atiku’s presidential bid

Babangida ‘backs’ Atiku’s presidential bid

More in Top News

PDP has become a reference point in Nigeria’s democracy- Jonathan

PDP dissolves Makarfi-led caretaker committee

Kashamu slams Makarfi, Fayose over suspension

2017 PDP Convention: There’s no conspiracy against South-west — Governor Dickson

PDP Chairmanship: Gbenga Daniel steps down

PDP Chairmanship : I’m voting for Gbenga Daniel – Ogbulafor

Top News

PDP has become a reference point in Nigeria’s democracy- Jonathan

PDP dissolves Makarfi-led caretaker committee

Kashamu slams Makarfi, Fayose over suspension

Classified Ads

The Day Athan Onyeamuma Got Disappointed

RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA: DECENTRALISATION FOR NATIONAL COHESION by John Nwodo

A Testimony that Shook me

Welcome to Africa.com

SENATOR ABARIBE'S GOVERNORSHIP: THE GOOD, THE BAD, MY FEAR

AFCON 2022: NIGERIA'S FINAL LIST

5 types of women that men don’t want to marry

South African returnee dies in Imo police custody, family demands justice

WATCH THE PICTURES OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU IN COURT TODAY

WHO WILL SAVE THE NAIRA? PART 1

SEE WHAT OKEZIE IKPEAZỤ HAS TURNED PORT HARCOURT ROAD ABA INTO

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA Part 2

THE FOUNDATION OF XENOPHOBIA part 1

Nigeria 🇳🇬 vs Liberia 🇱🇷 in Lagos

MY JOURNEY TO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL part one

THE FOUR REGIONAL CAPITALS OF NIGERIA

LIGA SOUTH AFRICA : TEKO MODISE RATES LALIGA HIGHLY AS LEAGUE FOR FOOTBALL PURISTS

Did You Know? Sudan Has More Pyramids Than Egypt

Nigerian Young Soldiers Send this message to Boko Haram

Happiness

Solomon and His Careful Choice

Kemi Adeosun's Concoction called Letter

Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Prosecution closes case against Kalu, others

Alleged N3.2bn fraud: Prosecution closes case against Kalu, others

Chiwenga the Coupist, Made the Vice President of Zimbabwe

EAST/WEST ROAD: FG DRAGS CONTRACTORS TO EFCC

Babangida ‘backs’ Atiku’s presidential bid

Related News

More in Top News

PDP has become a reference point in Nigeria’s democracy- Jonathan

PDP dissolves Makarfi-led caretaker committee

Kashamu slams Makarfi, Fayose over suspension

2017 PDP Convention: There’s no conspiracy against South-west — Governor Dickson

PDP Chairmanship: Gbenga Daniel steps down

PDP Chairmanship : I’m voting for Gbenga Daniel – Ogbulafor

Top News

PDP has become a reference point in Nigeria’s democracy- Jonathan

PDP dissolves Makarfi-led caretaker committee

Kashamu slams Makarfi, Fayose over suspension

Classified Ads

The Day Athan Onyeamuma Got Disappointed

RESTRUCTURING NIGERIA: DECENTRALISATION FOR NATIONAL COHESION by John Nwodo

A Testimony that Shook me