BOKO HARAM: APC, Stop Playing Transactional Politics - Oby Ezekwesili

Former Vice president of the World Bank, Dr Oby Ezekwesili on Thursday during the All Progressive Congress’ (APC) Summit in Abuja came down heavily on the political class, insisting that switching camps at short intervals was not a solution to Nigeria’s myriad of problems.
Ezekwesili also told her host that the leadership that would serve above self was not yet in the (APC)
She said “Doing the migratory dance between one set of acronyms and another does not solve the problem, Structural problems require structural solutions. Changing acronyms don’t solve the problem” –
Ezekwesili who was guest speaker knew she would ruffle feathers when she reminded the audience made up of Bola Tinubu, Muhammadu Buhari, APC Governors, and all its stake holders that “ you asked me to speak , you will have to bear with me”
She added “I do not know how you decided to take this high risk of inviting me to your gathering, knowing full well that my zeal for candor can be generally unsettling for some people of your class and occupation. Since you took the risk, I have assumed the liberty to speak boldly even to your discomfort especially considering that we live in a season of grim when our country is greatly troubled.”
She took shots at the decampees in the APC fold who left the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) saying “ you say it is the party for the elite, but you all went , do not behave like you didn’t go”
The former Education minister who lamented the colossal $600 Billion Nigeria earned in 53 years with little to show, condemned the way the political class was doing what she called transactional politicking with the Boko Haram menace.
She said” Is it therefore not unconscionable that in the over nearly three years of rising trend of terrorist attacks against whole communities in the central and north eastern states of Nigeria where our kith and kin have regularly been slaughtered in cold blood; the milk of empathy has not yet flowed from our Elders in the Land in the entire political spectrum to suspend “transactional politicking” and build a united front against this newest common enemy? Is it not unconscionable that despite the massive public resources committed to security spending, the government has failed to inspire confidence in communities and the large public that feels excluded from the more secured lives of the political elite?”
In frustration she added “If you are here and you have ever benefitted from BH killings, judgment awaits you!”
Ezekwesili who maintained that the political parties have been part of the problem of elite failure, said Nigeria had never had real political parties.
The former Minister for Solid Minerals also took a swipe at the APC, insisting that the leadership that would serve Nigeria above self was not yet in the APC.
According “Political parties have been part of the problem of elite failure. Nigeria has never had real political parties, The leadership that will serve above self is not yet in your party. Your gathering has to be a conversation deeper than how you’re going to chase PDP out of power”
Source: Pointblank News

BORNO STATE: Boko Haram Attack Mafa Again?

Barely two hours when governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the people of Mafa Local Government Area which came under deadly attacks by suspected Boko Haram terrorists last Monday, another set of terrorists re- invaded the council headquarters at about 4:45 PM and destroyed the remaining structures on ground after killing and injured many people.
Mafa came under deadly attacks last Monday where about 39 innocent civilians were killed, as the local government secretariat, schools, mosque, houses, shops, vehicles and telecommunication masts among others were burnt by the terrorist.
Our correspondent gathered from a reliable source that governor Shettima who yesterday hosted three of the north east governors of Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba on a sympathy visit over the rampant killings and bombings of innocent civilians last Monday visited Ajilari Binta Shuga, a scene of the Saturday twin explosions that had claimed over 40 lives in the metropolis, and later went to Mafa after seeing off his guests at the airport in Maiduguri and condoled the residents over the unfortunate attack on their town before donating N100 million as palliative measures to the victims.
The source added that immediately after governor Shettima’s convoy left Mafa Council headquarters, the sect re-ambushed Mafa and it’s environs which left many people dead and several others injured.
A Security source also confirmed to our Correspondent that the gunmen numbering over 30 first ambushed a security patrol vehicles that were on their way to Marte Local Government Area where they exchanged gunfire with the troops before invading Mafa and other surrounding villages.
Although the actual number of casualties from both sides of the terrorists, innocent civilians and security agencies is not clear, sources said, many people including the terrorists have been killed in the encounter.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer ( DSP) Gideon Jubrin said he is not aware of the incident, but Governor Shettima’s Media aide, Isa Umar Gusau said, “there was a reported explosion at the outskirt of Mafa town on Wednesday some hours after the governor paid a sympathy visit to the council headquarters on Wednesday over the Boko Haram deadly attack last Monday”.
Source: Vanguard

HOT PHOTO: Fuel Scarcity In Akure

The scarcity of Fuel in Ondo State, especially Akure the state capital, is now giving consumers, vehicles owners and motorists, nightmares, and headaches. They are now subjected to long lines to get the oil products they need, and at all cost.
An investigation carried out by a SaharaReporters crew in the state capital found that the scarcity is making life unbearable, and difficult for fuel consumers in the city.
Many now have to line up for hours at filling across the city. Whereas before, consumers could be attended to and get the products easily, and at will. In recent days consumers, and those that sell petroleum products are going to unusual lengths, and taking surprising and illegal steps to gain access to petroleum. For some they are acts observers believe to be dangerous for the economy, for the state, and the country as a whole.
The scarcity of the product is now bringing back memories of the recent past. This is when Nigerians had to struggle at filling stations, and waiting for several hours before they could get fuel into their vehicles. It became the norm.
Some years back Nigerians took to the streets over the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the country, forcing motorists across Nigeria to get the product through the ‘black Market’.
Some filing stations visited by our crew had their gates under lock and keys, while the few shops that were open witnessed long waiting lines of drivers sitting inside vehicles, and even angry motorcyclists.
The situation has become hectic, and is now making filling station attendants, mostly in Akure, now reluctant of selling fuel to consumers, even when petroleum is available.
A source revealed that at one filing station in the city, the attendant felt reluctant of selling fuel during the day period. He was waiting for nightfall, and in doing so, he is waiting for the dark in order to sell his product on the Black market. It is a means for him of selling petrol in huge amounts, and in turn, to also make money in huge amounts. The amount earned ranges from $200 to $250 per liter.
Few of the normal working attendants still working at pumping stations in the city, now sell gasoline at the rate of $120 Per Liter, to $130 per liter. This depends on the popularity of the filling station to the public. It also depends on the gauge and the size of its pumping machines. The bigger the machines, the faster the simple process of pumping gas to the public.
The exception to this rule, is the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Station, located along Ilesa-Ibadan express way in Akure, which sells at the normal bump price of $97 per litre.
But, Saharareporters can authoritatively say from our investigations that NNPC is now experiencing a surprising number of long queues, and as a result, this is forcing consumers to stay inside their cars facing the scorching sun this season.
The situation has caused tension between inner-city commercial drivers, such as taxi drivers, and consumers, who use motorcycle taxis, into a tense alliance. The rise in waiting at the petrol station has also increased costs, and with the price hikes, drivers are forced to increase their transportation fares. By extension this is forcing some commuters to trek miles, in many instances, to their destination, rather than pay out a higher fare.
Some independent marketers who spoke to our correspondent revealed that the scarcity of fuel in the state was as a result of a shortage in supply of the product from the Ore Depot.
When contacted, the Chairman of Ondo State Petroleum Monitoring Committee (OSPMC), Alhaji Jimoh Belllo, said the scarcity was as a result of pipeline challenges, emanating from Ijegun Depot, in Lagos State.
Many Motorists and Consumers at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega Station located along Ilesa-Ibadan expressway, in Akure, said they have subjected themselves to the rise of long queues at the filling station because of the bump and rise in price to $97 per liters at most petrol station across the city.

Source: Sahara Reporters

SHOCKING: Ugandan President’s Daughter Is Gay?

In a startling revelation, the daughter of Ugandan President Yoweri ­Museveni admitted today during a radio talk show in Mbarara, in Western Uganda that she is homosexual, and that she is revealing this fact as a protest to the anti-gay law her father signed only a few days ago.
Diana Kamuntu, Museveni’s daughter said that though she loves her father unconditionally, she does not agree with Uganda’s anti-gay stance, and will fight against it.
“I am gay, I am homosexual. I have known this since I was a little girl. Also, I have been Christian all of my life, so I will not tolerate any law of this supposedly democratic nation, that will place hate on any person just because of what his or her sexual orientation happens to be,” said Kamuntu.
“Now that I finally revealed my sexual orientation, I put myself in front of this new law and I will let our people decide what to do with me,” Kamuntu adds, as her voice breaks down while on air.
The radio host, James Kasirivu noticeably was in shock, and could not seemingly get words out of his mouth.
The live radio broadcast was abruptly shortened and was put off air after a few hours of repeated commercials.
In the latest setback for homosexuals across Africa, the Ugandan President signed a law Monday that imposes tough penalties for homosexual acts, a move that has been condemned from around the world and that may jeopardize Uganda’s relationship with the United States and other Western nations.
As of this writing, neither the radio station nor the office of Ugandan President Yoweri ­Museveni could be reached for comment.
Source: Abriluno

FACTS: The Sanusi You Don’t Know

His early years
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) was born in 1961 in the old city of Kano, somewhere near the emir’s palace. He is the grandson of a one-time Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, who was deposed by the government of the First Republic.
Mallam Sanusi Lamido was named after his grandfather, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi. “Lamido” which is his middle, is the Fulani word for an emir or a king just as “Sarki” in Hausa language is a name given after a reigning king.
Mallam Sanusi’s father, Ambassador Mohammed Aminu Sanusi, started work in the administrative department of the former Northern Nigeria. He was later recruited to the Foreign Service sometime in 1958, on the same day Philip Asiodu was recruited.
When Mallam Lamido Sanusi Lamido was born and during his early years, he did not enjoy a long stay with his parents. This is because his parents were always on the move, posted from one place to another. For this reason, it was his grandfather and the then Emir of Kano, who took direct responsibility of bringing him up in those early days.
But given the kind of intimate relationship that usually grows between grandfathers and grandsons and the way the Emir had pampered his grandson, it was also considered wise by members of Mallam Sanusi’s immediate family to transfer his custody from his grandfather to the then Defence Minister, Alhaji Muhd Inuwa Wada, who as at then was resident in Lagos. Inuwa Wada was married to the younger sister of Mallam Sanusi’s grandmother.
His nursery education then started in Lagos and not outside the country as presumed. He also attended Kings College, Lagos, from where he proceeded to the Department of Economics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, where he graduated with a grade that was simply average.
Sources, who schooled with him at ABU, Zaria, recalled that there was nothing spectacular and super brilliant about his grades and scores, either as a student or upon graduation from the university. He was just an average student.
After university, he joined the banking sector. But in the course of his working career, he decided to go and study Arabic in the University College of Sudan. And from facts available to people close to him, he studied Arabic and not Islamic Banking or Sharia as is popularly acknowledged.
The source reminded Saturday Sun: “You must understand that at the time he went to the University College in Sudan, not many people knew anything about Islamic Banking. It was not being taught as such in most schools. Any talk about his studying Islamic Banking or studying Sharia Law may not be the whole truth”
The source explained that the move for additional knowledge was fired by a desire to fill up a gap in his heritage, explaining that it is popular among Muslims to strive to have a good knowledge of both classical Arabic, which is the Arabic of the Qu’ran and what is today called Modern Arabic.
His study in Sudan was partly that of convenience too. His uncle, Ambassador Ado Sanusi, who is the immediate younger brother of his father, was then an Ambassador in the Sudan. That meant that he had less to do with feeding himself and his light family members that went with him to Sudan. It also meant that he would have less to with the cost of accommodation as his uncle was already on ground to assist.
In life, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi‘s ambitions could be surmised in three simple catchments: To be the next Emir of Kano; to be the president of Nigeria and to be the President of the African Development Bank, ADB. Each of these ambitions had not only attracted his fancy, especially in the later years of his career as the governor of CBN, but has somewhat played roles in his understanding of his own worth.
But the position of the CBN governor was never his prime quest when he began work in the banking sector. It came after.
Saturday Sun gathered that the banking career of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi started in 1985, when he joined Icon Limited (Merchant Bankers), a subsidiary of Morgan Guaranty Trust Bank of New York, and Baring Brothers of London. From there, he joined the United Bank for Africa and was posted to the Credit and Risk Management Division. He rose to the position of General Manager in the Division.
In September 2005, he joined the Board of First Bank of Nigeria as an Executive Director in charge of Risk and Management Control, and was appointed Group Managing Director (CEO) in January 2009.
Credible sources recalled how he came to the post of CBN governor, saying a great credit of what he became would go to Alhaji Umaru Abdul Muttalab, former minister and leading businessman in the country.
“Mallam Sansui was the choice of Alhaji Abdul Mutallab. He has always been. He supervised his move to First Bank of Nigeria Plc. He also played a role in his appointment as the Group Managing Director (CEO) of First Bank in January 2009 and he whispered his name as a prospective CBN governor to the late President Yar Adua”.
Alhaji Mutallab, a respected gentleman from Funtua in Katsina State, was approached by the late Yar Adua to become the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. But he turned down the offer on account of his age, and due to the fact he had his hands in so many interests in the banking and related sectors.
Following his refusal to take up the appointment, the late President Yar ‘Adua’s search swayed elsewhere. But unsatisfied with the various candidates that were jostling for the position and having made up his mind that Prof. Chukwuma Soludu would not get a second term, the late Yar Adua was said to have decided to heed the advice of Alhaji Mutallab.
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was, therefore, nominated by the President on 1st June 2009 as the CBN governor and his appointment was confirmed by the Senate on 3rd June same year.
Strength and weaknesses
Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is considered, by close associates, as a hardworking, straight and forthright officer. He is, however, seen as a very loud personality that enjoys arguments a lot.
“He is well read and may not give in too easily to the other point of views. He is somebody who talks a lot in the media in a manner not expected of the CBN helmsman.
“I think he has an arrogant personality which may not be easy to cure at this his age. This is my personal opinion. Yours about him might be different”
Saturday Sun gathered that in between his days in Zaria, his working career in Kano and elsewhere, he got himself close to the fiery preacher, Sheikh El Za Zakky, who lives in Zaria, Kaduna State. He was close to his school of Islam.
Reactions from the emirate
A cross-section of views in the ancient city of Kano indicated that the suspended governor of the Central Bank is not a super weight in the politics of Kano State and may soon drop into insignificance after this season, once the sympathies and emotions are down.
They similarly said that he may not come near his dream of becoming the Emir of Kano as there are equally several competent, educated and possible candidates for the position when the time comes.
That notwithstanding, Kano State Governor, Engineer Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has faulted Sanusi’s suspension, saying that there was an ulterior motive behind the action.
Kwankwaso stated that the suspension was a grand design to dislodge the people of Kano State from the economic and financial decision-making agencies of the Federal Government in order to further impoverish and marginalize the state.
The governor also said it was sheer disrespect to the existing laws of the land and show of ingratitude that a person who has brought about sweeping positive changes that would have put the nation’s economy on the pedestal of growth would be treated unfairly.
He said Sanusi should rather be commended for exposing the rot and corruption in the NNPC. “A responsible government would have promptly investigated the allegations but they disappointingly refused to do so,” Kwankwaso said.
While describing the suspension as illegal, null and void, Gov. Kwankwaso noted that the CBN Act provides that the removal of CBN Governor “shall be supported by two-third majority of the Senate praying that he be so removed.”
“Clearly, therefore, law does not give the President the power to suspend the CBN governor without recourse to the Senate. You cannot just trample on the law with impunity, without recourse to constitutional provisions,” he added.
The governor further drew an analogy between Sanusi’s suspension and the removal of President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami by President Jonathan.
“In a similar guise of suspension, Justice Salami was removed by the President and was not reinstated despite his reinstatement by the NJC. They refused to do so until he attained the retirement age of 70 years,” he said.
Similarly, a statement by the Galadima Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hahim, on behalf of the Kano Emirate Council, expressed reservation over the suspension of Sanusi.
“As a law abiding organisation, we believed that adherence to the rule of law is paramount and important to any government, more importantly a democratically elected government which preach and ensure adherence to the rule of law,” said the Council.
“As the president has suspended the governor without the recourse to the rule of law, we believed it was deliberate attempt to witch-hunt him. It is desperation and impunity at the highest level by the Federal Government.
“We and many see the president’s action as a deliberate witch- hunt of the governor for doing his job by letting Nigerians know the monumental fraud going on at the petroleum industry.”
The Emirate Council expressed gratitude to the members of the National Assembly and general public for condemning and objecting to the suspension of the CBN governor.
They urged the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, review the issue by following the laid down procedure on the suspension of public officer for equity, justice and fairness.
“A nation building is not about individual’s like or dislike. Democracy will never mature if we stay with proclivity to personalized governance. We need to build an institution, we need to build our democracy and commitment to public accountability is part of building institution,” the council stated.
Also, an elder statesman and Second Republic Political Adviser, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai told Saturday Sun that it would be a surprise if the suspended CBN governor had not been expecting his removal bearing in mind the dwindling relationship between him and the presidency.
Social critic and former National Chairman of the defunct Peoples Salvation Party (PSP), Dr. Junaid Mohammed told Saturday Sun in Kano that the current travail of Sanusi as the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has nothing to do with anybody in Kano. “It has nothing to do with the Emir, it has nothing to do with anybody in Kano.”
He maintained that apart from being a prince, Sanusi is a nobody in Kano, stressing that people only find it convenient to encourage anybody that is opposed to the government of the day because the Federal government is simply hated in the state.
According to him: “When this president became president, he (Sanusi) was very loyal to him. He went out of his way to cultivate the president, he was close to some of the women around the president, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Diezani Alison Madueke and Aruma Oteh, they were like a gang.
“Now, the reality of the situation is that when he was in his good relationship with them and by extension, with the president, the president never did any wrong. It was only when he started getting into difficulties- and a lot of these difficulties were by his own mouth.”
“You cannot be part of a government, even if it is semi -autonomous body like the Central Bank and pretend that you have nothing to with the government policies. Or you can begin to choose which government policy to support and which one to oppose.”
Source: The Sun

EDO STATE: Stoaway Boy May Go Deaf?

Two weeks after he was arrested and detained last August, Ricky Daniel Oikhena, the teenager who hid in the wheel compartment of an Arik Air flight from Benin to Lagos, cried out that he was tired of staying in custody and demanded to go home.
The 13-year stowaway, obviously, preferred to be reunited with members of his family, than remain in company of his hosts, the State Security Service (SSS).
In September, while fielding questions from newsmen at the Government House, Benin, Daniel expressed delight with the VIP treatment he was receiving but reiterated his desire to be with his relatives.
Speaking further, he stated that he did not know that he took a risk when he hid in an airplane’s wheel compartment.
“I will not do it again; I regret it,” he said in a calm tone.
“I want to go home, I am tired. I will be happy to train as an Engineer.”
He added that “Even on the return trip to Benin and at this present place, I am treated well with good food, but since school has resumed, I want to go home.”
His case which drew both national and international attention prompted the state chief Executive, Adams Oshiomhole, to act.
The governor, during the visit of Mr. George Uriesi, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and his team said “Without meaning to encourage anyone else, we decided to support him by sending him to one of the top secondary schools in Edo State that is owned by the government.
“The reason for opting for a boarding school is that we think that they need to closely watch him which his parents could not do.
“He is an intelligent young man with uncommon challenges, but one that has a vision. We had him examined by people who should know and the result confirmed that he is normal.”
Aside the gesture by Edo government, some organisations and individuals also made monetary donation to Daniel, with offers to assist his family in possible ways.
But weeks after he resumed as a boarding house student at the Edo College, Benin, there is a concern: Daniel is battling an implication of the desperate action he took.
The teenager is now at the risk of going deaf as he usually hears strange loud noise.
A visit to him by Saturday Independent, reveals that Daniel persistently struggles with loud inner noise, especially in the night.
Upon the development, the school authority was been notified they responded swiftly by taking him to the state government-owned Stella Obasanjo Hospital.
But Daniel has also appealed to be relocated to another school where his identity would not be unknown.
According to him, this had become imperative because his seniors at Edo College were fond of taunting him with the stowaway incident.
On the other hand, his mother, Evelyn lamented pressures from her estranged husband and others who frequently requested for money since Governor Oshiomhole gave her N5million to take care of her kids and recover from the fire incident that saw her hairdressing salon razed six months ago.
Commenting on Daniel’s condition, Dr. Patrick Okundia, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant and Head of the Department at the hospital, said checks have been carried out.
“He was examined and we assessed his ear, nose and throat. We carried out several clinical tests on his ears. After that, the result showed that while there were some level of injuries on the nerve of the inner ear – the cochlear nerve.
“You must understand that there is what is called noise exposure on its own. Noise exposure can be divided into sudden blast or persistent exposure to a not too loud noise.
“This lad was in between. The noise from the engine of the plane on its own is deafening. To have been exposed to that for a persistent period of time, for more than 30 minutes, one would expect some level of irreversible damage to the inner ear. The management wants to see how we can either slow the process of damage or arrest it.
“But we may have challenge in reversing the already damaged ones. That is the situation we have with Daniel. He has been on medication. We have tried to apply some other maneuvers to improve the function of his ears.
“The best we have done was to prevent it from getting worse. But we have not been able to achieve complete reversal which to me looks very difficult. Most damages to nerves are irreversible. You cannot grow a new nerve once it is damaged. It’s a bit unfortunate but we still give thanks to God that he is alive.
“May be with persistent medication and with time some level of healing may take place. That could reduce the seriousness of the noise but as it is, the issue of noise in the ear has some other side effects in terms of psychological. It is also having some level of depression on him. We just pray that it doesn’t degenerate to any neurological, psychological problems for him.”
“The lesson learnt is that for every action there is always a reaction. He may have done the wrong thing and he may have been pardoned by the people and the government but nature has not completely forgiven him and so that irreversible damage is there.”
The medical practitioner also disclosed that in some cases where drugs are not able to take care of the noise in the ear, other supportive therapy like the ear maskers are used.
He said that in such instances, such patients are told to adapt to situations where an exogenous source creates the noise outside that would end up dampening the noise they hear inside.
Source: Daily Post

BOKO HARAM: Soldiers Raid Hideout 13 Suspects Killed?

Nigerian troops killed 13 suspected Boko haram fighters and arrested 15 others following a raid on their camp after they massacred at least 37 people, a defence spokesman said Friday.
“Two were arrested on (Thursday) while 13 others were arrested today (Friday) while 13 of them died following a raid on their makeshift camp,” Major General Chris Olukolade said.
He did not give details of the raid.
The camp is located between Borno and Adamawa, two of the three northeastern states where a state of emergency was imposed by the Nigerian government last May following a wave of Boko Haram attacks, he said.
He said that some of the militants who escaped from an earlier raid have also been arrested in and around Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.
Suspected Boko Haram gunmen late Wednesday killed at least 37 people in three separate attacks in northeast Nigeria in Adamawa state, including at a theological college.
The attacks came just a day after the militant fighters were blamed for killing between 43 and 59 people, most of them students, as they slept at a boarding school in neighbouring Yobe state.
The ongoing military offensive has failed to crush the insurgency and nearly 300 people have been killed in a range of attacks already this year.
The United Nations meanwhile said on Thursday that nearly 300,000 people, more than half of them children, had fled their homes in the three states from May to January 1 because of the violence.
Nigeria’s presidency on Friday said the country was at war with the Islamist sect.
Presidency spokesman Doyin Okupe told the private Channels television station that the Boko Haram conflict was a “war situation”.
“We are dealing with a very, very serious enemy,” he said.
“We are engaged in a war that has been internationalised,” he added in an apparent reference to Boko Haram’s reported but unconfirmed presence in neighbouring countries like Cameroon.
“It is very difficult, very costly in terms of lives lost. But we will overcome,” Okupe said. “We are in the dying phase of this insurgency.”
Source: PM News