Friday 10 August 2012
No Compulsion In Religion By Hannatu Musawa
Via..... sahara reporters
Hannatu Musawa
Columnist:
Hannatu Musawa
Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is not only a knowledgeable Islamic scholar; he exemplifies the character of a Muslim nurtured from an early age in a virtuous environment. Having been taught and raised by his late father, Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, he serves as a role model for the spirit and virtue that Muslims can aspire for and attain.
In the spate of the recent unabashed religious threats and violence by misguided elements, it has been necessary for notable and respected members of the Nigerian Islamic society to speak out on the outrageously arrogant, criminal and aggressive actions of people purporting to speak and act on behalf of Islam. Up until the recent sermons Sheikh Gumi has given, in which he has contradicted much of what these unsavory elements spew, hardly anyone within the Nigerian Islamic leadership order has had the courage and persuasion to speak out. Few Scholars have been brave enough to set the record straight on the fact that the individuals and groups presently attacking the peace and stability in Nigeria by claiming an Islamic affiliation are operating with a vile distortion of the noble and peaceful teachings of Islam.
It is regrettable that Islam, a religion of peace, harmony, goodwill and brotherhood has been used by unruly and ghastly people to justify unwarranted acts of violence such as suicide bombings, threats and other forms of violence. At the very base of Islam is the quest for freedom, justice and equality and when a Muslim uses Islam to threaten and condemn another because they do not share the same faith, that discrimination is totally foreign to the pure teachings and doctrines of Islam. In the Quran, God bestowed honour on every single individual, no matter their background, race or tribe. Liberty and everything that emerges from it are some of the great favours God has given us and concepts such as kidnappings, threats and the kind of unprovoked violence we are seeing in Nigeria today towards people of a different faith to Islam, especially the Christian community, are not part of the true teachings of Islam.
It is so shocking that people claiming to promote Islam can issue an ultimatum in which they threaten a Christian president to convert to Islam or face their wrath. How on earth can they give a Christian who believes in his religion as much or even more than they believe in their religion that kind of ultimatum? Under Islamic dispensation, it is clearly taught that “There is no compulsion in religion…” The Qur’an was very clear on the issue of forced conversion by stating, “Had your Lord wanted, all the people on earth would have believed. So will you force people to believe?”
Throughout history, Muslims themselves were the targets of forced conversion during the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades and the Communist era of the 20th century and first hand Muslims understand how unacceptable and unreasonable such a notion is. Threatening people who don’t convert to Islam, persecuting non-Muslims and treating a society in the unjust manner that extremist elements have been doing most definitely is not what Islam is about. When one reads in the Qur’an that Allah encourages Muslims to deal kindly and justly with anyone of any faith who has not fought Muslims for our faith and driven us out of our homes because God loves the just, one wonders why anyone would want to put a negative interpretation to what is clearly a message of patience, peace and harmony between different faiths cohabiting.
The second source in Islam, after the Qur’an, are the statements made by the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who in his lifetime gave a clear view on the persecution of non-Muslims when he stated, “Whoever kills an innocent non-Muslim will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.” How could such statement possibly be compatible with the extremist ideal for Islam to force itself onto others? Instead, it makes it clear that non-Muslims should by no means be harmed by Muslims.
The one doctrine that is used by extremists to lend credibility to the notion that Islam encourages violence is the concept of jihad. The word Jihad brings into play the vision of a marching band of religious fanatics with savage beards, short trousers and fiery eyes, brandishing swords, screaming in Arabic and attacking everyone and everything in their wake.
However, the true spirit of Jihad in Islamic terms means to endeavour and strive in a noble way. Over time this meaning of Jihad has been eradicated or at least diluted. The critical juncture in the Islamic world requires reviving and recapturing the true and pristine meaning of Jihad. Jihad can be divided into two broad categories. First is ‘Jihad-e-akbar’. This is Jihad against one's own person to curb sinful inclinations, which is the purification of self. This is the most difficult Jihad and hence in terms of rewards and blessings is the highest category of Jihad. The second is ‘Jihad-e-asghar’. This is Jihad of the sword. This is communal Jihad and presupposes certain specific conditions. The Quran speaks of fighting only as a self defence and this is the very condition laid down in several verses of the Holy Quran. The so-called verse of the sword in the Islamic scripture is often taken out of context as if it inculcates an indiscriminate massacre of all non-Muslims. The Quranic words such as “kill whatever you find them” apply only in cases of self-defence and a state of unprovoked war; they do not apply to provoked wars and battles. The Muslims who interpret these verses in any other manner commit a travesty of the lofty ideals of Islam. There is not a single instance in the life of the Holy Prophet where he offered the alternative of the sword or Islam to anyone.
The Holy Quran does not make Jihad in context of an article of faith. The sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet render it into a formula for active struggle that invariably and incorrectly tended towards a militant expression. Suicide bombings, violent threats and killing those of different faiths just for the sake of killing are contrary to the purview of the real spirit of the Islamic Jihad. It is pure and simple mass murder. The presentation of Islam as a crude and barbaric religion which gives itself the right to cause unwarranted human and material suffering and destruction under the guise of Divine authority is not the kind of Islam we find in the precepts of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The basic unity of the followers of all faiths is emphatically stressed in the Holy Quran and the creation of discord and disunity by terrorism or otherwise has no place in Islam. Islam is an all-encompassing codes of values and conduct and with those values, those of us that practice it from the depths of our heart and soul must use its teachings as a ground of hope to progressively promote unity and accord in Nigeria rather than mischievously and maliciously using it as a justification for violence.
The Holy Quran teaches that God has sent His revelation to all people from time to time. Jesus Christ and many of the Prophets of the Old Testament are mentioned by name and they are all honoured and revered by all true believing Muslims. Indeed, the Quran requires belief in the truth of all the Messengers of God and requires an affirmation in them all wherever they appear. And therefore it seeks to bring about reconciliation between the followers of different faiths and to establish a basis of respect and honour among them. The Quran says: “Surely, those who believe and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly believes in Allah (God) and the Last Day and does good deeds, shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them nor shall they grieve.”
In the Holy Scriptures, the Qur’an, Torah and the Bible, both Christians and Muslims are taught that God is the Source of peace and the bestower of security. And since the doctrine of peace and security are ‘His’’, the establishment of that peace and maintenance of security must, therefore, be the constant objective of all Muslims and Christians alike. Those who choose to exact a campaign of hatred, violence and threats against others who have done nothing to provoke them, purely because others worship in a different way to them, must revaluate Allah’s message of peace and harmony and understand that, only through conformity to the spirit of peace, patience, conscience and the promotion of human welfare can we achieve a society where all can co-exist. If they don’t, they have only themselves to blame in the hereafter when they have to make the real account to the Almighty, All seeing and All Knowing.
Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is a beacon to the inherent justice in Islam and a brave Scholar, especially when examined with the lenses of the present Islamic leadership in Nigeria. Like his father, he lives a life outstanding in its dedication to the cause of Allah. May God protect him and guide him to continue speaking out against those within the Muslim Ummah choose to distort the message and meaning of Islam. Nigerian Muslim, extremists especially, can learn from Sheikh Gumi when he explores them to follow Allah accordingly and advises them that there is no compulsion to Islam.
Hannatu Musawa
I invite you to follow me on Twitter -@hanneymusawa
CBN to launch N5000 notes
Via....the SUN news
• Yar’Adua’s head considered as bust
From ISAAC ANUMIHE, Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will very likely release into the market on September 1, 2012, a N5,00 0 currency, under its on-going currency and payment reform scheme. The currency, according to a very reliable and close source in the apex bank, was considered because of the CBN’s cashless policy, which will be extended to other parts of Nigeria by next year.
The source also disclosed that the N5000 currency is like a guarded secret by the CBN, which it plans to release as a surprise to the market. The N5,000 single note will be the fifth note to be introduced into the economy in 13 years.
The first was N100 introduced in 1999, by the then Governor of CBN, Mr. Joseph Sanusi. Also, in 2000 and 2001, N200 and N500 denominations, respectively were introduced into the economy. The apex bank also in 2005 launched the N1000 denomination under the immediate past Governor of CBN, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
It is speculated that the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s head will be the bust on the note as mark of honour to him for his contributions to the polity and national economy.
Our source disclosed also that the CBN plans to make the currency a bit scarce unlike other currencies to ensure it does not disturb the volume of money in circulation or cause adverse effect of inflation.
However, on contact with the CBN on phone, a top officer denied any such plan. The official told Daily Sun that it was not true that the apex bank ever comtemplated a plan. “Forget that story. It is not true,” he said
National Universities Commission (NUC) short-changed the North in the disbursement of Nigeria’s presidential scholarship awards
By SaharaReporters, New York
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Anthon Sani, following a meeting in Kaduna today, the ACF said that the criteria used to select the candidates appeared designed to exclude those from the Northern states.
“It certainly enabled the NUC to ignore the national consensus on inclusiveness and balance of competing demands among groups and areas of the country,” the statement said.
It wondered why Oyo state, for example has 52 candidates on the list while Sokoto, Yobe, Cross River and the FCT each has none.
“If the NUC had permitted itself to be guided by the need for balanced development of Nigeria, it would not have nominated a preponderance of candidates for this vital programme from Southern states to the near exclusion of the North,” it said, calling on the NUC to correct its mistake if it is indeed a mistake.
“As presently implemented, it is a disservice to the very objective for which the scheme was set up and to our aspirations as a people,” the Forum said.
Below is the full statement:
“The attention of the Arewa Consultative Forum has been called to a most curious list of candidates published in the newspapers this week who are said to have qualified for the award of a presidential scholarship for innovation and development. It is a project being implemented by the National Universities Commission.The scheme is designed to train and develop young Nigerians to become entrepreneurs capable of creating jobs, wealth and progress.
“However, although the list released by the NUC is on a state by state basis, it is not at all clear that the Commission wanted candidates to come from all parts of the country. The criteria used to select the candidates appear designed to exclude those from the Northern states. It certainly enabled the NUC to ignore the national consensus on inclusiveness and balance of competing demands among groups and areas of the country. If the NUC had permitted itself to be guided by the need for balanced development of Nigeria, it would not have nominated a preponderance of candidates for this vital programme from Southern states to the near exclusion of the North. Oyo state, for example, has 52 candidates while, Sokoto, Yobe, Cross River and the FCT have nil candidates each. The list itself is explanatory.If it is a mistake, NUC should take immediate steps to correct it. As presently implemented, it is a disservice to the very objective for which the scheme was set up and to our aspirations as a people.”
Thursday 9 August 2012
FG decides on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway next week
Via punch News
Federal Government will take a final decision on the concessioning of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway next week.
The expressway had earlier been concessioned to Bi-Courtney Highway Services.
However, years after the concessioning, work has not started on the road, which daily claims lives through auto crashes and robberies.
The situation led to the call by stakeholders, including Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, and other South-West governors to call for the revocation of the concession agreement.
Speaking with State House correspondents on Thursday after making a presentation to President Goodluck Jonathan on the budget performance of his ministry, Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, said government would take a decision on the road because of its importance to the economy.
He said, “The Lagos Ibadan Expressway is very topical. A meeting was held on Tuesday with the President on the issue. We are also engaging the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney.
“There has been a series of meeting; the meetings will end next week. Once that meeting is held, a decision will be taken and the way forward will be known to Nigeria.
“What is important is that the Federal Government is committed to delivering that road and is also committed to doing so quickly.”
Onolememen said the ministry had so far received N44bn from its allocation under the 2012 budget.
Out of the money released, the minister said 93 per cent performance had been recorded.
He said about N38bn was released to the Highways Department while about N37bn had been expended on projects and programmes.
That, he explained, represented about 96 per cent performance under the Highway Department.
He said he told the President that 12 roads projects had been completed and 156 were ongoing.
He also said the government was serious about fixing the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
Onolememen said, “But beyond that, we have also identified a number of roads we believe we will drive to quick completion in the 2013 budget.
“And some these roads you are well aware but specifically we talked about the Apapa-Oshodi Express way, the section where we have ongoing work now, we talked about all the roads linking to the refineries and NNPC Depot specifically the Eleme Port Harcourt Refinery road, Ejigbo NNPC Depot road, the Mosimi Depot in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.”
Security fears: Clinton cancels scheduled Abuja meetings
August 10, 2012 by Niyi Odebode, Adelani Adepegba and Olalekan Adetayo 124 Comments
Via... Punch
THE heightening of security in Abuja on Thursday notwithstanding, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, shelved many of the activities scheduled for her and left Nigeria for Ghana.
She later held a meeting with the Ghanaian President, Mr. John Mahama, at his residence in Accra. She is billed to participate in the state funeral for the late President John Attah Mill.
Clinton, on the last lap of her nine-nation African tour, departed the country shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Security Council, but she shelved scheduled meeting, with civil society groups and anti-corruption campaigners billed for the US Ambassador’s residence in Abuja.
The US Secretary of State also shelved the traditional ‘Meet and Greet’ with US Embassy staff.
At the closed-door session with members of the National Security Council were the Minister of State, Defence, Chief Olusola Obada; National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd.); Chief of Defence Staff, Air-Mashal Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar.
The Federal Government had deployed security agents in many parts of the Federal Capital City, including the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and Umaru Yar’Adua Way, which were manned by soldiers and policemen as part of the security measures for Clinton’s visit.
Security agents were also at the Federal Secretariat and the Central Business District.
Also, roads leading to the Presidential Villa and the Federal Secretariat and the Central Business District were manned by armed security agents.
Foreign media reports on Thursday however indicated that Clinton would not pass the night in Nigeria because of security fears.
“The security situation in Nigeria has deteriorated to the point where the movement of US Embassy workers is often restricted. Clinton will spend only five hours on the ground and will not spend the night in Abuja, where the hotel traditionally used by visiting dignitaries has been the target of terrorist threats,” the Associated Press reported on Thursday.
Before she left the country, however, the US Secretary of State had encouraged Jonathan to take tough decisions necessary to change the fortunes of the country and that the US would support him.
She told the President, “We were also very supportive of anti-corruption reform efforts, more transparency in the work that you and your team are also championing because we really believe that the future for Nigeria is limitless but the most important task that you face, as you have said, is making sure that there are better opportunities for all Nigerians, South, East, West, every young boy and girl to have chance to fulfil his God-given potential.
“We want to work with you and we will be by your side as you make the reforms and take the tough decisions that are necessary.”
Jonathan had earlier paid tribute to the US President Barak Obama and Clinton for their support for Nigeria. He recalled that she had used her position as US Secretary of State to deepen the relationship between the two countries.
He said, “Within this period of being Secretary of State, she has raised the relationship between Nigeria and America to a very high level that we have never reached for quite some time by personally chairing the Bi-national and we have discussed various things – security, economy and so on and so forth. She has been very very supportive.
“And of course, the President of America, President Obama administration is also quite passionate about Africa and Nigeria. He has always been very supportive of us for the past five years. From the days I came in as Vice-President, especially that period as a nation when we faced a lot of challenges when the late President was very ill and we passed through turbulence period.
“The support they gave us was one of the support that stabilised this country. And when we insisted we must conduct election that is free and fair and that is the only way we can stabilise democracy, they were very supportive.
“They gave us moral support, technical support to INEC and assisted us to make sure that we conducted elections that national and international observers declared as free and fair.
“So let me on behalf of government and good people of Nigeria really thank you and President Obama and the good people of America for this your support for Nigeria and Africa and all what you are doing to make sure that this part of the globe develop.”
Clinton who was decked in a pair of black trousers and red jacket arrived at the Presidential Villa at 3.50pm in company with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru; Nigerian Ambassador to US, Ambassador Ade Adefuye, and a battery of security details and foreign journalists.
She left the Presidential Villa at 6.15 pm and headed for the airport and on her way to Accra, Ghana.
President Barack Obama had been under pressure by some American legislators to classify the Islamic violent sect, Boko Haram, as a terrorist group, a campaign that had been resisted by diplomats arguing that the sect mainly focused on domestic violence.
In June this year, however, the US government labelled suspected Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, and two other Nigerian militants “global terrorists,” thus allowing the seizure of their assets in the United States.
The labelling was dismissed by Shekau who appeared in a posting on YouTube last weekend.
Boko Haram is believed to maintain links with Al-Queda in the Islamic Maghreb, Al-Qaeda’s North African branch, among other terrorist groups.
Hillary Clinton arrives, discusses Boko Haram, corruption with Jonathan, others
Via www.punchng.com
Security and corruption are top on the agenda of the one-day visit of United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, to Nigeria.
Dressed in a black pants and a red top, Clinton arrived State House, Abuja accompanied by Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru.
She arrived under tight security at 3.50p.m in a car marked 140 CMD.
She was immediately ushered into President Goodluck Jonathan’s office for a private 15-minute meeting.
Thereafter, she moved to an expanded 50-minute meeting with the National Security Council, comprising Jonathan (chairman), Vice-President Namadi Sambo (deputy chairman); Chief of Defence Staff; Minister of Interior; Minister of Defence; Minister of Foreign Affairs; National Security Adviser; Inspector-General of Police; and Director-General of the State Security Service.
The meeting, which was on at the time of this post, was expected to discuss the rising security threats in Nigeria; the controversy over calls on Washington to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist group as well as Abuja’s reluctance to endorse the appeals; piracy in the Gulf of Guinea; and cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S on security.
According to her itinerary, she will depart the State House at 4.50p.m for a 10-minute drive to the residence of the U.S Ambassador to Nigeria, Terrence McCulley.
From 5.05p.m-5.50p.m, she will hold a meeting with Nigerian anti-corruption activists at the ambassador’s residence and depart for the U.S Embassy for a 25-minute meeting with diplomatic staff.
At 6.30p.m she will leave for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja where she might brief journalists.
Clinton will depart Abuja for Accra at 7.25p.m where she will meet with President John Mahama.
She will spend the night in Accra and attend the funeral of late Ghana President John Atta Mills on Friday.
More details later.
Nationalised Banks, One Year After
Via...Thisday, 08 Aug 2012
The aforementioned commercial banks were established following the revocation of the operating licenses of former Spring Bank, Bank PHB and Afribank, in that order. The exercise was jointly carried out by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) through the ‘bridge bank’ concept. A bridge bank is a temporary bank established and operated by financial regulators to acquire the assets and liabilities of a failed bank to facilitate its resolution.
According to the regulators, the action was taken earlier than the September 30 deadline, because the then troubled banks, unlike their peers, did not show any capacity recapitalise before the deadline.
Dangote Cement Sales swell by 100 % in Q2
Via...Businessday, 08 August 2012
Dangote Cement Plc has announced an over 100 per cent upsurge in the sale of the locally produced product in the Q2 (second quarter) of the year as against the sales recorded in the (Q1) first quarter.
A statement credited to the group said the increase indicates a sharp reduction in the importation of the commodity into the country.
In its half year unaudited result released at the weekend, the company said its pre-tax profit, between January and June was N71.4 billion, a 22.8 per cent increase compared to the figure for the corresponding period last year, while its revenue earnings grew by 26 per cent to N142 billion.
The company said cement sales went up by 26 per cent to 5.2 metric tons with importation accounting for only one million tons out of the sales figure, adding that the figure was attributed to strong growth in revenue and profit, as local production doubles and new capacity ramps up to end imports.
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Hottie of the day: Model/boxer Ngo Okafor...hmmmm KILLER BODY (SEXY)
Imagine sleeping next to this kind of body every night. Choi! Some women are enjoying sha! Hehe
Last Flight is the No. 2 film in West African cinemas right now? Yay!
jonathan-plans-big-borrowing-finance-2013-budget-deficit-spending-seen-new-budget
Federal minister of finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
By SaharaReporters, New York
The Federal Executive Council has approved a fiscal framework for the 2013 which spends N4.929 trillion on estimated revenues of N3.891 trillion.
Debt financing will be required to cover the nation’s growing expenses. President Goodluck Jonathan is to use $75 per barrel of oil as the benchmark for the 2013 budget.
Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, disclosed the budget information to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting in Abuja.
"Everybody has agreed that the work for budget for 2013 must start early this year that is why we have the fiscal strategy paper this early,” she said. Once we finish here we are going to transmit the document to the National Assembly".
She said the budget might be presented to the National Assembly before the end of October when the members, who are currently on recess, would have resumed.
Okonjo-Iweala said the theme for the 2013 budget is “fiscal consolidation with growth”.
Other highlights of the proposed 2013 budget included an expected oil production of 2.5million barrel per day as against 2.48 million barrels per day in 2012.
Capital expenditure is also expected to rise n 2013 from 28.53% to 31.34% while recurrent expenditure is expected to decline from 71.47% in 2012 to 68.66% in 2013.
The minister also noted that work is on to ensure a decline in fiscal deficit and borrowing from 2.85% and N744.44billion in 2012 to 2.17% and N727.19billion in 2013 respectively. A further decline she said is expected by year 2015.
She also noted that government is to create a sinking fund of N25billion yearly to accumulate money for paying off bonds while another N75billion for debt
Wednesday 8 August 2012
Balyesa State of Nigeria Plans "Autonomy" with Coat of Arms, Emblem and anthem.
Bayelsa State Government House in Yenegoa
By Premium Times
The customized insignia are to be released once the law establishing them is signed by the governor, Seriake Dickson.
Mr. Dickson said the decision was taken to forge a common identity for the Ijaws with the state reputed as their homeland, and assured it was nothing different from what was obtained in the other nine states that have towed a similar path.
“In line with the vision of the founding fathers of our dearly beloved state and given this administration’s stand on Ijaw mobilization, Ijaw integration and the need to promote Ijaw fundamental interest, which clearly is not subordinate to any other interests, the government of Bayelsa State has given its approval to have a state-owned emblem to mark and strengthen our sense of identity as a state,” Mr. Dickson said in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
The decision was taken at Monday’s State Executive Council meeting, the statement adds.
The move brings to 10, the number of states with known state paraphernalia with the rest being Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Ekiti, Kwara, Cross River and Rivers States.
But more than any other state, it was a similar declaration by the Osun state government, led by the Action Congress of Nigeria’s Rauf Aregbesola that triggered a collision between the state and the federal government in April.
Mr. Aregbesola introduced a new anthem, coat of arm, new school uniform and other emblems which the governor maintained were to promote the state culture.
Federal officials viewed the move as “secessionist” and reportedly had Mr. Aregbesola closely monitored by the Department of State Security and other security agencies. He was also accused of having links with Islamic militants outside the country.
The allegations were fiercely rejected by the ACN and Mr. Aregbesola, who accused the federal security units of “overzealousness”.
Justifying its decision to behave like Osun and the other states, the Bayelsa state governor said the emblems are to brand the state, and are cardinal to the development effort of the oil-rich state.
“This decision also underscores government’s belief that this state, like any other state, is where the Ijaws, the fourth largest ethnic nationality, has as its home. Bayelsa is home to all Ijaws both at home and abroad,” the statement said.
“The emblem therefore will help serve as a unifying force and rallying point for all our people. It says a lot about the preservation of our culture, our essential values as a people and as a race.”
Bad girl image affecting Rihanna? Singer dropped by Nivea
'Rihanna is a no go. I do not understand how to bring the core brand of Nivea in conjunction with Rihanna. Nivea is a company which stands for trust, family and reliability.'And you know how this works sometimes. When one starts, the others follow. But I'm sure Rihanna is probably somewhere screaming 'tohellwithyourcontract' :-)
Northern youths warn Asari Dokubo; say they're not afraid of war
People like Clark and Asari had forgotten that the region was the mainstay of the Nigerian state before the discovery of oil. It is pertinent to let the war mongers know that the North is not afraid of war. But we are advocates of peace. We are not war mongers and will not and will never call for war within the polity of Nigeria.
But we are bothered that Asari Dokubo, Edwin Clark and co are turning President Goodluck Jonathan into an Ijaw leader instead of the President of the Federal republic of Nigeria that he is.
Nokia PureView promo: Buy the 100k phone for 41k
The first 41 people to get to any of these stores;
SLOT CITY MALL, AWOLOWO WAY, ALAUSA, IKEJA, LAGOS
SLOT 1 MEDICAL ROAD, COMPUTER VILLAGE, IKEJA, LAGOS
SLOT C16/17 NEW BANEX PLAZA, AMINU KANO WAY, WUSE 2, ABUJA
CALLUS MILLER, 14 ABA ROAD BY ARTILLERY B/STOP, PORT HARCOURT
GLOSHOP, VICTORIA ISLAND, LAGOS
...will have the opportunity of buy the phone for N41,000 as against the retail price of N100,000.
Asari Dokubo spits fire, threatens to bomb Hausa's in Niger/Delta
The arrogance of B/H is un-islamic. The type of bomb they are using is small small pikin bomb. If we begin, nobody will stay in Abuja.
We don’t manufacture bomb but we buy bombs & dynamites. I started armed struggle in the N/Delta. It's because of GEJ that we at quiet. Soon, we will not be able to guarantee our patience any more. If Ijaw people should retaliate, every household in the North will cry. It is the North that needs peace more than us
Gov of Kogi in full body armour as he visits DLBC victims in hospital
What a sight to behold...lol. But who can blame him? The governor of Kogi State, Idris Wada, wore full body Armour while visiting injured members of the Deeper Life Bible Church in hospital yesterday.
At least 34 people were killed, including 16 children, on Monday night when suspected Boko Haram members opened fire at worshipers at the Deeper Life Church in Okene, Kogi State.
God Help US, LAGOS: Missing person
Ayotunde Aliu left Gbagada on the 6th of August at around 5:30am to Ikoyi for work. He was driving a metallic Silver End of Discussion Honda Accord with Reg No CP105FST. He is 5ft 11, dark in complexion and has an average body. His phone was last traced to community road near Igbogbo Ikorodu. Please contact 08069814105/08121660841/
Kanye West calls Kim his 'perfect bitch'
The rapper just released a new song titled Perfect Bitch, and he says it's about his ladylove, Kim K. But using the word bitch tho...
Tuesday 7 August 2012
Ogoni Declares "Self-Government"
Jubilations are continuing throughout Ogoniland after the Ogoni people in southern Nigeria, today, Thursday, 2nd of August declared political autonomy.
In a live broadcast on a newly established radio station: Voice of Ogoni, MOSOP President/Spokesman, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo vowed that:“By this declaration of political autonomy, we, the Ogoni people are determined to enforce the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples, without fear or retreat,” Diigbo said.
Diigbo affirmed that self-government within Nigeria will secure for the Ogoni people, their indigenous rights, enable them to meet their needs and interests and finally end internal colonialism.
Diigbo said self-government became urgent recognizing the need to arrive at a consensus to collectively review the disputed UNEP Ogoniland Oil Assessment report, because any dialogue must be with the genuinely elected representatives of the people expected to enforce indigenous rights without dictation.
In the broadcast, Diigbo further underscored the reason for the urgency of self-government for Ogoni: “Concerned that in the absence of a responsive government that the indigenous people of Ogoni will continue to suffer from historic injustices.”
Diigbo stated: “In order to make indigenous rights practicable in Ogoni, we have through a very transparent electoral college process, beginning with community by community elections, set up 272 village councils, while the village councils in turn elected representatives for 33 district councils and the district representatives went on to elect representatives to serve at the center as custodians of customs and traditions, otherwise called lawmakers.”
“The law makers in turn elected the executive arm of the Ogoni Central Indigenous Authority (OCIA) with checks and balances inbuilt to ensure corruption-free, effective, efficient and answerable system of grassroots self-government instead of the old, corrupt and mismanaged local government system endured by the Ogoni for decades,” Diigbo explained.
“In taking these measures, we are quite aware of the discomfort to about 56 local politicians that control local government politics in Ogoni, however, we care more about the 1.2 million people that have for too long been excluded,” he stated.
He announced that a Transitional Committee was already set up to facilitate dialogue to ensure peaceful transition, within 30 days, while consultation with the national government and international community begins without delay.
Diigbo emphasized the need for Ogonis to remain law-abiding and act nonviolently; saying “we are acting with legitimacy to reclaim all of our rights, without exception, and for the sake of peace and security; let no one test the collective will of the Ogoni people, because we will not surrender our indigenous rights anymore.”
Excerpts:
In 1990, we the people of Ogoni presented the Ogoni Bill of Rights to the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in which the Ogoni nonviolently demanded among other indigenous rights:
· Political autonomy to participate in the affairs of the Republic as a distinct and separate indigenous unit (by whatever name called), provided that this autonomy guarantees political control of Ogoni affairs by Ogoni people; The right to control and use a fair proportion of Ogoni economic resources for Ogoni development; adequate representations, as of right, in all Nigerian national institutions, and the right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation as recognized under international law to which Nigeria is obligated.
Nigeria, a multi-ethnic nation state, a legacy of the British colonial administration, granted political independence October 1, 1960, after the British violated Ogoni independence in 1901, did not respond to the Ogoni, inhabiting their ancestral land in southern Nigeria.
When in the struggle for indigenous political autonomy; especially, in matters concerning confiscation of sacred ancestral lands for oil production without prior informed consent, there comes a moment to assert powers derived from the consent of the people and Nature’s blessings in order to protect, preserve and pass on inherited sacred ancestral heritage to succeeding indigenous generations. On behalf of the entire Ogoni people, I am highly honored to present these issues surrounding the proposed Ogoni Declaration of Political Autonomy.
Part of Full Text
30. That despite the fact that the “Nigerian Constitution” and other laws and policies provide for a local government system, in reality, the local government constitutional provisions meant to extend the principle of Federalism to its logical conclusion, by bringing the government to the grassroots level, do not apply in Ogoniland as a result of corruption and public deception by local and state political actors and the lack of enforcement of the shaky “Nigerian constitution” by the federal government;
31. That, this is because quite often local governments are frequently dissolved in Ogoniland without any explanation rendered to the Ogoni people;
32. That, essential appointments into local government service are often suspended for several years without information to the Ogoni people about the reason for such suspension, when the local authorities still operate budgetary provisions for needed manpower;
33. That the elected representatives who have supported this proposed declaration of political autonomy for the Ogoni people as they have bitterly complained that the present system of local government in Nigeria does not allow them the freedom to govern according to the wishes of the people;
34. That individual local government chairman has to remit monthly allowances in substantial amounts to those politicians at the state and national levels that put them into office;
35. That since local government operators are often imposed on the people, they, the local operators are required to compensate for the way they are often put into office through massive and violent rigging of elections;
36. That in the circumstance, the local operators, expected to respond to yearnings of their grassroots constituencies have become perpetually vulnerable to threats of illegal removal from office without reference to the electorate;
37. That, we the Ogoni people take very serious, the complaint by the Ogoni local officials that have confessed that they still hold office because they are able to settle their political godfathers, meaning political stalwarts that planted them as conduit pipe for siphoning funds meant to help in the development of Ogoni villages and wellbeing of Ogonis;
38. That the application indigenous rights will end this manner of abuse of power and mismanagement of public resources as the representatives of the people have been duly elected by the people in Ogoni, and controlled by the people and to end the system whereby politicians handpicked by political operators at the national and state levels, remain in office without accountability to the people as long as they satisfy those who put them into office.
39. That the local government employees, some in service for over 30 years cannot even afford a good meal with their families, but have seen politicians that come into the local councils buying houses in Port Harcourt and Abuja, even in overseas countries within six months in office.
40. That we believe that the Ogoni people are equal to all other Nigerians that now lord it over the Ogoni by means of indirect internal colonial rule through the corrupt local government system, which violates indigenous rights of the Ogoni people.
Concluding Declaration:
“Now, therefore, acting on the General Assembly mandate on the questions relating to the Political Autonomy of Ogoni in southern Nigeria, and in the spirit of the General Assembly motion DPA/001/2012, and its resolutions DPA/002/2012 and DPA/003/2012 adopted and approved on July 31, 2012; in accordance with the wishes of the Ogoni people contained in the Ogoni Bill of Rights of 26 August, 1990 as revised on the 26th of August 1991; expressing the collective will of the good people of Ogoni in the referendum of 2010 and the second referendum of 2011, obeying the command by the Ogoni people and their elected representatives from 33 district councils, comprising over 272 village councils, living in the six kingdoms of Ogoni, namely: Babbe, Eleme, Gokana, Kenkhana, Nyokhana and Tai and two administrative units: Ban Goi and the Bori National Territory; conducting this solemn affair in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 13, 2007, guided by the purposes and principles of international law in accordance with the United Nations Charter, I, Dr. Goodluck Diigbo, hereby make this historic statement, to announce the proclamation of this General Assembly Declaration of Political Autonomy for the Self-determination or Self-government of the Ogoni people within Nigeria, today, the 2nd Day of August, 2012. So declared, and so be it; for the advancement of liberty in freedom and the preservation of the ancestral heritage of the Ogoni people.”
Thank you.
Signed by:
Dr. Goodluck Diigbo
MOSOP President/Spokesman
Contact:
Tambari Deekor
Associate Editor, MOSOP Media
tdeekor88@gmail.com
Delta’s Newest Judge Seized By Kidnappers On His Way To Warri
Kidnappers struck again in Delta State, Tuesday, abducting a newly-appointed judge of the Delta State High Court, Justice Marcel Okoh.
Justice Okoh, a former Director General of Public Prosecution, DPP, in the state, was kidnapped by armed men at Oria-Abraka in Ethiope –East Local Government Area of the state. Okoh had been on his way to the oil city of Warri.
Davido Makes Surprise Visit to Minister of Aviation Son's Graduation
7 Cameroon athletes go missing from Olympics
Seven Cameroonian athletes who participated in the 2012 London Olympic Games have disappeared from the Olympic Village, this is according to the mission head.
The athletes, five boxers, a swimmer and a footballer, (all pictured above) packed their personal belongings and disappeared when no one was looking. The woman disappeared first, and the others followed. Looking for greener pastures I guess.
UNILAG, 11 others share N25billion federal aid
Nigeria Government on Tuesday disbursed N25 billion to twelve Nigerian tertiary institutions, including the University of Lagos, as part of this year’s Special High Impact Programme, for the development of public institutions
Presenting Cheques to the benefiting institutions at the 2012 strategic planning workshop, organised by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai, stated that the selected institutions were chosen on the principle of equity and geopolitical balancing.
She also disclosed that the Education Tax Collection for 2012, has tremendously increase TETFund intervention to public Universities from N58.5 million to N598 million, representing and increase of 46.33% for the sixty one universities, including state own Universities.
Six out of the twelve institutions received N3 billion each while the other six Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, got N1 billion naira each. The other beneficiary Universities include, the Benue state University Makurdi, Anambra State University, University of Calabar, Kebbi state University and the Modibbo Adamu University Yola
Three 'One Chance' Suspects Mobbed In Abuja
Nigeria’s Amcon Picks Citigroup, RenCap to Advise on Banks
The Asset Management Corp. of Nigeria, an agency set up to buy bad debt from the nation’s banks, has appointed Citigroup Inc. (C) and Renaissance Capital to value and advise on plans for three nationalized lenders, Chief Executive Officer Mustafa Chike-Obi said.
Citigroup was picked to advise on Mainstreet Bank Ltd., with Renaissance taking on Keystone Bank Ltd. and Enterprise Bank Ltd., Chike-Obi said today in a mobile-phone interview. They have three to six months to report back to Amcon, he said.
The banks were among eight bailed out by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2009 as a lending crisis threatened the financial system in sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy and biggest oil producer. While five were later acquired by other banks, three were nationalized in August after regulators decided they couldn’t meet banking requirements.
Listing the banks’ shares on the Nigerian Stock Exchange may be a possibility, Chike-Obi said. “If they advise a share sale then we will go ahead,” he said.
Abuja-based Amcon said in a March advertisement that it was seeking advisers for the possible sale of the three banks. In June, Chike-Obi said 44 had responded and that the agency shortlisted 11 of them to submit of proposals.
While the central bank is not directly involved in the sale of the banks, Governor Lamido Sanusi said Feb. 15 that it’s “expecting a smooth process.”
AMCON is a time bomb, disaster in waiting –Report
The Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is a time bomb and disaster in the waiting because of the huge liabilities it is acquiring, the report of the House of Representatives ad hoc committee that investigated the “near collapse” of the Nigerian capital market said.
The committee which was inaugurated in March, was headed by Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi and submitted its report to the House on July 17. The report was adopted on July 19.
The report said: “Following revelations and findings and after rigorous analysis and evaluation of evidence, we hereby state that the AMCON phenomena as currently being run is a mistake and a disaster waiting to happen.
“AMCON is further concerned with accumulation of bubbles that would explode to magnitude that had never been imagined. As at date, AMCON claims to have issued bonds worth N4.5 trillion, but only about N1.7 trillion is guaranteed by the federal government.
“The real challenge of the AMCON bonds is the bond’s ability of being converted into liquid cash. A good number of the AMCON series bond is yet to be registered at the CSCS.”
The report stated also that the way and manner “non-performing loans” were being manipulated by AMCON was “shocking.
“AMCON Managing Director Mustapha Chike Obi was unable to explain the basis and rationale for valuing the book of value of loans to the realisable value. While some balances were marked at very ridiculous values, others were stated at values higher than their book values,” it said.
The panel established that while AMCON assets base is well over N4.5 trillion, its life span is 10 years and with an authorised capital base of N10 billion, “its share capital is less than the minimum authorised share capital of a full-fledged commercial bank in Nigeria.”
The report stated that their probe also revealed that AMCON remains an institution that is under no effective regulation because it accounts to no one.
“No matter how well intentioned the objectives of any institution may be, its existence amounts to an economic naught if it accounts to no one. It is owned by the Federal Government through CBN, Federal Ministry of Finance, yet it is regulated by CBN, it is a case of one regulating oneself,” the report said.
The committee also discovered instances of creating secret reserves and balance sheet manipulation in the transaction involving AMCON, Seawolf, Geometric Power Limited, Diamond Bank and First Bank running into billions of naira.
It said: “In these transactions it was strange to discover that performing loans of Seawolf and Geometrics with various banks were taken over by AMCON. This goes contrary to AMCON’s mandate of acquisition of toxic assets.
“Moreso, AMCON’s MD Chike Obi told the committee that he does not know the MD of Seawolf. We found it strange that AMCON concluded and perfected the transaction of this magnitude running into billions of naira without knowing the CEO of Seawolf.
“This puts to question the manner of its due diligence, transparency and credibility of its processes.”
The lawmakers further found out that contrary to statement from government circles, the nationalisation of three commercial banks last year was fraught with fraud, illegalities and irregularities.
It said: “The nationalisation of Afribank, Springbank, and Bank PHB did not conform to statutory provisions as documents related thereto were based on forgery, fraudulent misrepresentations and abuse of office by Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Umaru Ibrahim, CBN governor Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Managing Director of AMCON Mustapha Chike Obi and Bello Mahmud of Corporate Affairs Commission.”
On Afribank Plc, the report stated that the name was changed to Mainstreet Bank Limited which is a private company with authorised share capital of 100,000 ordinary shares of N1 each, owned by two persons, Mr. Gideon Agbedo, a legal practitioner, and Mr. Innocent Obi.
A certificate of incorporation no RC 969929 dated 5th August 2011, signed by Bello Mahmud, Registrar General CAC, certified that Mainstreet Bank was previously called “Shoko Chukin Limited.
The report said: “This action is completely false and dubious. Until date, there is no evidence that the public shares of Afribank were delisted prior to its acquisition by a private company.”
On Bank PHB, the report stated that the misrepresentations and forgeries were the same pattern as that of Afribank.
Bank PHB was changed to Keystone Bank, its share capital of 100,000 ordinary shares of N1 each were owned 50,000 each by Mr. Benson Igbanoi and Innocent Obi (the same Innocent Obi who also owed Mainstreet Bank).
The report also stated that Spring Bank was a private company, too, called “Kinki Osaka Custodians Limited with share capital of N100,000 owned by Mr. Gideon Agbedo and Mr. Barnabas Olowoselu.
The report further stated that, “the roles of NDIC, CBN, AMCON, CAC and the act of omission by SEC in all these are quite condemnable. There is no doubt that these nationalised banks were contrived in misrepresentations of monumental proportions. It’s built in forgeries, with presentations and appearance of fraud and corruption.
“It makes mockery of corporate governance, lacking in due diligence, ethics, professionalism, integrity and legal compliance. It was done in a brazen and very irregular manner; a violation of Section 44 of the 1999 Constitution and Section 25 of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Act.”
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