By Al-Hassan
The finance minister, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala has made it know that the savings from crude oil are emptied by powerful governors in the country, she said that the significant portion of the billions of dollars drained from the oil savings account over the past two years was distributed to powerful
governors instead of being saved for a rainy day.
It is no more a news that Nigeria faced is with serious financial difficulties owing to a 30 percent fall in the price of oil since June, which has added pressure on the government’s already depleted fiscal buffers.
Okonjo-Iweala said some of the money had been needed to cover revenue lost due to outages caused by oil theft and pipeline vandalism, thought to drain hundreds of thousands of barrels a day. Nigeria’s oil revenues are the source of around 80 percent of government spending and are distributed each month to the three tiers of government: federal, state and local.
Money from oil sold over and above the finance ministry’s benchmark price is in theory deposited into the ECA, which can later be used to protect against oil price shocks or to plug the deficit.
However, there are disputes about who should control this money, and state governors often argue the central government is hoarding the money and should distribute more to them.
The president, being the country’s most powerful person, can usually have the de facto last say on how ECA funds will be distributed. President Goodluck Jonathan, approved two dispersals of $1 billion last year to state governments. State governors are some of the country’s most powerful people and their support is crucial for winning presidential elections — President Goodluck Jonathan faces re-election in February 2015. State governors requested $2 billion from the ECA this month to complete projects and provide security ahead of the February elections.
Saturday, 29 November 2014
2015: jonathan goes begging
The President has started appealing to some prominent personalities and traditional rulers in the south west region of the country to safe his presidency. He started the begging tour earlier yesterday when he visited the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijiwade in his palace.
A source said that the 'appeal journey’ is aimed at wooing the leaders
and begging them to speak with their subjects to help bail Jonathan out
of the presidential defeat which awaits him and the Peoples Democratic
Party.
visit www.shadedreflects.blogspot.com for more news
PDP and Jonathan mourn
By Folashade N
President Jonathan however, calls on all Nigerians not to despair in this moment of great trial in our nation’s history but to remain united to confront the common enemy.
“The President is confident that no terrorist act against fellow citizens will destroy the Nigerian spirit to remain positive, resolute and united in the quest for lasting peace and security in the country. He appeals to all Nigerians to remain vigilant and cooperate actively with our security agencies to win the on-going war against terror," said the statement.
For more news visit www.shadedreflects.blogspot.com, like our facebook page shadedrelects.blogspot, follow us on twitter @shadedreflect
He embalmed his mother's body in his wardrobe for Ten years
A Guru Maharaji devotee and a retired school principal, Dr. Chimezie Osigwe, has been acquitted by the court after giving chilling reasons for keeping his mother's remains in his wardrobe for Ten years. Dr. Chimezie Osigwe was arrested last year, the court however acquitted him on the basis that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was responsible for the death of the victim. He was initially arraigned for killing his mother, and that there is no enough evidence to prosecute him.
He explained that he kept his mother's body as an evidence in a suit he filed against Chevron Oil Company that he accused of causing the death of his mother. He said that the exploration activities of the Oil company in his community caused the death of his mother and he intend to pursue the case till the court rules in his family's favour.
In his words, His words: “My mother woke up around 1am that fateful day to ease herself but the wall of the toilet which has been damaged collapsed and fell on her and I heard her shout and rushed down to her room with my two sisters, She died before the day finally broke. I then reported the case to the police and an autopsy was carried out and I took the embalmed body and preserved it in my wardrobe as I intended to sue the oil company for causing the death of my mother.
“My siblings both those in the Diaspora and at home, were aware of my plan and they gave their support that the body be kept as an evidence for the case.”
He explained that he kept his mother's body as an evidence in a suit he filed against Chevron Oil Company that he accused of causing the death of his mother. He said that the exploration activities of the Oil company in his community caused the death of his mother and he intend to pursue the case till the court rules in his family's favour.
In his words, His words: “My mother woke up around 1am that fateful day to ease herself but the wall of the toilet which has been damaged collapsed and fell on her and I heard her shout and rushed down to her room with my two sisters, She died before the day finally broke. I then reported the case to the police and an autopsy was carried out and I took the embalmed body and preserved it in my wardrobe as I intended to sue the oil company for causing the death of my mother.
“My siblings both those in the Diaspora and at home, were aware of my plan and they gave their support that the body be kept as an evidence for the case.”
Friday, 28 November 2014
63 Senators signed to impeach President Jonathan
By Folasade N.
It has been gathered that some members of the upper legislative chamber have decided to pitch their tent with some members of the lower house( the house of representative) has 63 members out of the 109 members of the senate has signed up to the plan to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan from office.
 |
| photo credited to The Punch |
The Punch reported that one of the arrowheads of the move to
remove Jonathan in the Senate showed our correspondent the list
containing the signatures of the senators.
The source also added that eight Peoples Democratic Party senators were among the signatories to the planned impeachment notice.
An All Progressives Congress senator
from the North-West zone, who asked not to be named,told our
correspondent that the lawmakers’ major grouse was the President’s
handling of the economy and political affairs of the country.
The senator cited poor implementation of
the national budget since 2011, alleged high level of corruption and
“gross disregard” of the legislature at both the federal and state
levels as topping the list of lawmakers’ anger against Jonathan.
Asked whether he realised that the
process of impeachment could be tedious and cumbersome, the senator
said, “ We know and we are prepared to show the President that we have
responsibility to the people and the nation in general.
“We are prepared to lay the impeachment notice anytime from next week. Meetings are already being held.”
Senator Ibrahim Musa (APC Niger North)
confirmed that there were moves by some members of the Senate to
initiate impeachment proceedings against the President but failed to
give details.
“I think there is something like that but I don’t have the details, it is still coming as a rumour,” Musa said.
But The PUNCH learnt that the
impeachment move against the President had really gained momentum with
the APC senators mobilising themselves to carry out the exercise anytime
from next week.
Investigations by our correspondent
revealed that some PDP senators, who were initially at the forefront of
the struggle, had retreated following the intervention of the senate
leadership and the promise of automatic tickets by the party.
It was learnt that the PDP senators had
been pleading with their APC colleagues to hold on till next week
pending the outcome of the moves by the senate leadership to ensure the
realisation of the automatic tickets agreement they had with the PDP and
Jonathan.
An APC senator told our correspondent on
condition of anonymity that the impeachment letter contains the
signature of both the APC and PDP senators.
He explained that the letter could not
be laid on the floor of the senate because some PDP senators appealed to
them to delay the action.
He said, “The truth of the matter is
that the impeachment notice would have been laid if not for our
colleagues in the PDP who pleaded with us to delay the process pending
when the senate leadership would come up with the result of its efforts
at securing automatic tickets for them.
“In any case the process had started but
if we submit the letter now, the signatures of the PDP senators will be
there and the party might want to use that as an excuse to deny them
their automatic tickets.”
The PDP senators contacted by our correspondent on the issue declined to make comment.
However, one of them who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the process of impeachment had not been suspended.
Wednesday, 26 November 2014
Buhari takes campaign to Facebook
By Folasade Nasir
There seems to be a turn of event in the history of campaign in Nigeria as one of APC Presidential aspirants , Genera Muhammadu Buhari took to his facebook page to solicit for funds to run his campaign against the 2015 presidential election.
All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari, has taken his campaign fund raising efforts to Facebook, soliciting Nigerians to give sacrificially for his presidential campaign.
This move by Buhari is the first in the history of presidential election campaign in Nigeria.
Asking his Facebook friends to contribute to his campaign funds, Buhari appealed to them for sacrificial giving, saying that he was not ignorant of their already difficult living conditions. He added that sacrifice was needed in order to put an end to the life of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Gen. Buhari said in the post thus: “As we have made it clear, our campaign is going to be funded, planned and run by ordinary Nigerian citizens like you. This is in recognition of your role as biggest stakeholders capable of changing the course of history of this great yet badly run nation.
“In this regard, we launch our crowd funding platform through which every Nigerian can contribute his token towards shaping the destiny of this country.
“Dear friends, I know what it means to ask citizens over 60 per cent of whom live on less than $1 per day to donate for this campaign. I know many of you are finding it difficult to pay your rents, school and medical bills, to buy the fuel to cook your food, light up your homes or power your vehicles. I know how it hurts and I know you have suffered enough.
“But that little contribution – that little sacrifice you make is an investment in the future that come 2015 will usher in a new era for our country, one that promises jobs and opportunities for anyone willing to work hard, and peace and prosperity for all.
“So when you look at that little amount of money you are parting with, and the money our opponents are offering you for your votes, think not about the nominal value, think about the choice you are making, and that choice is very clear; either you put your money for a change you trust in, or for four more years of insecurity, corruption and bad leadership under President Jonathan.
“Our opponents have huge financial resources, I have only you and God, and I trust that our struggle will triumph. Our opponents have foreign bank accounts and possessions to run to when they destroy this country, me and you have only this Nigeria to live and die in. So let’s join our hands to make it better.
visit us at www.shadedreflects.blogspot.com
There seems to be a turn of event in the history of campaign in Nigeria as one of APC Presidential aspirants , Genera Muhammadu Buhari took to his facebook page to solicit for funds to run his campaign against the 2015 presidential election.
 |
| photo credited to gistimania |
All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant, General Muhammadu Buhari, has taken his campaign fund raising efforts to Facebook, soliciting Nigerians to give sacrificially for his presidential campaign.
This move by Buhari is the first in the history of presidential election campaign in Nigeria.
Asking his Facebook friends to contribute to his campaign funds, Buhari appealed to them for sacrificial giving, saying that he was not ignorant of their already difficult living conditions. He added that sacrifice was needed in order to put an end to the life of the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Gen. Buhari said in the post thus: “As we have made it clear, our campaign is going to be funded, planned and run by ordinary Nigerian citizens like you. This is in recognition of your role as biggest stakeholders capable of changing the course of history of this great yet badly run nation.
“In this regard, we launch our crowd funding platform through which every Nigerian can contribute his token towards shaping the destiny of this country.
“Dear friends, I know what it means to ask citizens over 60 per cent of whom live on less than $1 per day to donate for this campaign. I know many of you are finding it difficult to pay your rents, school and medical bills, to buy the fuel to cook your food, light up your homes or power your vehicles. I know how it hurts and I know you have suffered enough.
“But that little contribution – that little sacrifice you make is an investment in the future that come 2015 will usher in a new era for our country, one that promises jobs and opportunities for anyone willing to work hard, and peace and prosperity for all.
“So when you look at that little amount of money you are parting with, and the money our opponents are offering you for your votes, think not about the nominal value, think about the choice you are making, and that choice is very clear; either you put your money for a change you trust in, or for four more years of insecurity, corruption and bad leadership under President Jonathan.
“Our opponents have huge financial resources, I have only you and God, and I trust that our struggle will triumph. Our opponents have foreign bank accounts and possessions to run to when they destroy this country, me and you have only this Nigeria to live and die in. So let’s join our hands to make it better.
visit us at www.shadedreflects.blogspot.com
TEMISAN: A SHORT STORY. the concluding part
Tokunbo gave Temisan
his complimentary card and told her to give him a call, ‘you will be doing
yourself a whole lot of good if you call me’ he added. Temisan bored of the
conversation already, took the card, entered the car, dropped the card in the
car safe and drove off. Days went by without call from Temisan, Tokunbo's curiosity was at its peak, he couldn't understand why she hasn't called. He kept assuring himself that she will eventually call, they always do, he told himself.
Days roll into weeks, Tokunbo was beginning to think of how to locate Temisan when he ran into her at a restaurant close to the Estate on the afternoon of the third week of their encounter. Tokunbo walked to her where she was talking with a woman beside her car, 'why didn't you call me?' he asked. Temisan looked lost, she couldn't remember where she knew him. 'Do I know you? she asked him. It was obvious from his reaction that Tokunbo felt defeated. He wanted to introduce himself again when Temisan said 'oh I remember your face, you are the man that blocked my way inside the estate the other day, aren't you? Tokunbo couldn't believe his ears, 'is that the only thing you remember about me, he asked. She asked him if there is anything else she is suppose to remember about him. Tokunbo was lost in thought for a long time, asking himself series of questions. Who is this lady? Why isn't she interested in my status? Or is she just playing hard to get? Those were the thoughts that occupied his mind, the voice of Temisan brought him back, Temisan said she has an important meeting to attend at the office. Tokunbo told her he was also on his way to a meeting that was scheduled by his father and the Manager of the Estate, and since his father was not around he will be representing his father. Temisan just smiled and drove off to work.
Thirty minutes later, Temisan was in her office when her secretary informed her that her visitor is around. In few seconds, she was face to face with her visitor. 'We meet again' she said. Tokunbo could not believe his eyes, 'what are you doing here?' he asked. He didn't wait for the answer before he spoke again, don't tell me you are the manager of the estate. But the owner of the estate, Senator Adeoye said the estate is managed by his only child, he added. He looked up at Temisan and saw that Temisan was smiling. So, you are the only child of Senator Adeoye, the owner of the estate. You are Temisan Adeoye, right? In answer to Tokunbo's question, the secretary peeped in and said 'anty Temisan, the mehanic said he is through with the car'.
Shocker: What APC Should Have Done Without Our Invasion- DSS, Releases List of Recovered Items
By Pointblanknews
Even as the APC is threatening legal
action, the Department of State Security (DSS) has released a list of
24 items it recovered from its raid its data office in Lagos.
The DSS said the office was
allegedly set up with the intent to hack into INEC data base, corrupt it
and replace them with their own data at No. 10 Bola Ajibola Street, off
community Avenue, Allen Avenue, Ikeja LGA, Lagos State.
In a statement on Monday by its
Deputy Director, Public Relations Marilyn Ogar, the DSS insisted it
acted on a petition that alleged an ongoing cloning activities of INEC
Permanent Voters Card (PVC) by some unscrupulous persons with
The statement read: “Consequently,
the Service placed the premises which had no Signpost under surveillance
and was convinced that unwholesome activities were ongoing within.
“On 22nd November, 2014, a search
operation was executed at the above address were a Search Warrant
obtained from the Court was executed. The search was carried out in the
presence of one Onuchukwu Chika AUGUSTINE and twenty four (24) others,
while and the following items were recovered: One server, Four hard
drives, One external hard drive, One HP Laptop, One Server switch,
Fourflash drives, One Samsung tablet, One Apple computer system without
CPU and thirty one Ghana-must-go bags containing hard copies of already
captured data.
“All items recovered were documented
at the back of the Search Warrant signed by the Service team leader and
was witnessed by two occupants of the premises; Onuchukwu Chika
Augustine, an IT personnel and Olaposi Fayemi, a supervisor on duty.
We Will Sack Jonathan's Govt- Angry Legislators Dare Presidency- Gathers 50 Impeachable Grounds
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
Ko, Viashima Viashima, Lagos
Strong indications emerged yesterday that members of the lower Legislature may be on a page with their counterparts in the Senate over the lower Legislators' bid to sack the government of President Goodluck Jonathan.
 |
| President Goodluck Jonathan- Photo Credit- Vanguard Online |
Shadedreflects team reliably gathered that the lower house has already fashioned measures to suspend the administration and will launch its major offensive since the return of democracy on Wednesday when the house reconvenes. No fewer than 50 impeachable offences where obtained for processing against Mr. President.
A member of the Lower legislature who confirmed the development, said the House of Senate and the House of Reps have already agreed to work in convoy, and would sack Mr. President over his administration's inability to provide needed leadership.
On the political dimension of the plot, the legislator refuted the impression that the impeachment was politically motivated, saying it was a bid across parties in a resolve to save the country from bad leadership.
A
ranking officer in the House who revealed this said both chambers have
resolved to work together for the common good of the country by
impeaching President Jonathan for “incompetence, corruption and
unprecedented impunity.”
He revealed that the impeachment plot against Jonathan was not a partisan affair, explaining that lawmakers from all the political parties have identified with the “cause” and will not give up until the President is “sent packing.”
“I’m sure you read the reports today that senators are going to move against Jonathan. Now you can confirm that the impeachment thing is not about APC. It is a non-partisan cause. We have all resolved that the man (President Jonathan) must go.
“Never in the history of Nigeria has a leader displayed such crass incompetence as we have seen in President Jonathan. It is glaring and you can feel it. Mr. President, with due respect, has shown that he is not capable of running this country. That is the basic truth”, he stated.
According to the lawmaker, over 50 impeachable offences have been identified against the president and members of the House would work closely with the Senate to ensure that the president is impeached.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
He revealed that the impeachment plot against Jonathan was not a partisan affair, explaining that lawmakers from all the political parties have identified with the “cause” and will not give up until the President is “sent packing.”
“I’m sure you read the reports today that senators are going to move against Jonathan. Now you can confirm that the impeachment thing is not about APC. It is a non-partisan cause. We have all resolved that the man (President Jonathan) must go.
“Never in the history of Nigeria has a leader displayed such crass incompetence as we have seen in President Jonathan. It is glaring and you can feel it. Mr. President, with due respect, has shown that he is not capable of running this country. That is the basic truth”, he stated.
According to the lawmaker, over 50 impeachable offences have been identified against the president and members of the House would work closely with the Senate to ensure that the president is impeached.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
A
ranking officer in the House who revealed this said both chambers have
resolved to work together for the common good of the country by
impeaching President Jonathan for “incompetence, corruption and
unprecedented impunity.”
He revealed that the impeachment plot against Jonathan was not a partisan affair, explaining that lawmakers from all the political parties have identified with the “cause” and will not give up until the President is “sent packing.”
“I’m sure you read the reports today that senators are going to move against Jonathan. Now you can confirm that the impeachment thing is not about APC. It is a non-partisan cause. We have all resolved that the man (President Jonathan) must go.
“Never in the history of Nigeria has a leader displayed such crass incompetence as we have seen in President Jonathan. It is glaring and you can feel it. Mr. President, with due respect, has shown that he is not capable of running this country. That is the basic truth”, he stated.
According to the lawmaker, over 50 impeachable offences have been identified against the president and members of the House would work closely with the Senate to ensure that the president is impeached.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
He revealed that the impeachment plot against Jonathan was not a partisan affair, explaining that lawmakers from all the political parties have identified with the “cause” and will not give up until the President is “sent packing.”
“I’m sure you read the reports today that senators are going to move against Jonathan. Now you can confirm that the impeachment thing is not about APC. It is a non-partisan cause. We have all resolved that the man (President Jonathan) must go.
“Never in the history of Nigeria has a leader displayed such crass incompetence as we have seen in President Jonathan. It is glaring and you can feel it. Mr. President, with due respect, has shown that he is not capable of running this country. That is the basic truth”, he stated.
According to the lawmaker, over 50 impeachable offences have been identified against the president and members of the House would work closely with the Senate to ensure that the president is impeached.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
ABUJA
— Indications emerged yesterday that members of the House of
Representatives are on the same page with their Senate counterparts in
their bid to impeach President Goodluck Jonathan. - See more at:
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/11/reps-list-50-impeachable-offences-jonathan/#sthash.rBL2SWdB.dpuf
Tuesday, 25 November 2014
Soyinka Diagnosed With Cancer
Nasir Kolawole, Lagos
Nigeria's renowned intellectual, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has been diagnosed with cancer. Prof. Soyinka who made the disclosure at a press conference held in Ogun State, Nigeria, on Tuesday, said he was diagnosed of the disease in December last year.
 |
| Prof. Soyinka. Photo Credit- Sahara Reporters |
Speaking at the June 12 Cultural Center in Ogun State, "Kongi"
encouraged awareness and preventative measures in stopping the spread of
the disease. He attributes early detection and proper nutrition to his
stable health so far, Information obtained by Shadedreflects team from Sahara Reporters has revealed.
The 80-year-old said that
initially he felt the cancer was “an unwanted squatter in his body." He
later resolved that he "had to get rid of it whether it is a slow
growing one or malignant.”
While not hinting at the kind or extent of cancer he has, Soyinka's
son, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, told
The Nation his father was treated for “prostate cancer.”
Trouble As Mustapha Hints of Revolution in Nigeria
Ko, Viashima Viashima, Lagos
There are indications that issues bothering corruption, the tragic rise in militant activities, the failure of the State through the Military to reinforce trust in Nigeria's sovereignty provoked by administrative anomalies may be brewing a major revolution in Nigeria, according to a former Chairman of the
Independent Corrupt Practices and Other-Related Offences Commission, Justice
Mustapha Akanbi. Justice Mustapha who dropped the hint on Tuesday during an interactive session with Journalists, berated the Judiciary for allowing itself to be bought by those with resources. Shadedreflects Correspondents have reported.
He also warned political actors in the country and its leadership
against godfatherism and corruption saying a revolution exemplified by
the recent incident in Ouagadougou is possible in Nigeria.
The renowned Jurist spoke with journalists in Abuja ahead of the
public presentation of his two books – “The story of my two worlds” (an
Autobiography) and “A life of service and grace: Shared perspectives” (a
collection of Essays by scholars) scheduled for today (Wednesday) where
ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo will function as chairman of occasion.
According to him, the present generation should not see life as mere acquisition of wealth but a call to service.
He said, “I have been a member of the National Judicial Council with
Justice Babalakin. I remember that when we were leaving, the Secretary
was almost weeping saying ‘when people like you are leaving, who will be
the voice of the voiceless’? The Bench is not supposed to be for the
highest bidder. I was invited by an Oyibo man, the Chief Justice of
Northern Nigeria then to come unto the Bench because I started
practicing Law initially. I didn’t want to be a Judge.
“But I told my father that I have been invited to be a High Court
Judge, he said he was a friend to the father of Williams and Fani-Kayode
who was a great Lawyer and said, ‘as a young Magistrate, they will bow
before you. Now they called you to become a Judge and you said you want
to think about it? Go and take that job.’ It’s not like now, if the
right persons are appointed, you won’t have any problem with the Bench.
You know the pressure now, with everybody lobbying to get to the Bench,
that is the problem.”
Akanbi also warned that revolution should not be ruled out in Nigeria
so long as the political actors continue to misplace their priorities.
He however said that the African Union and the world generally frowns
at violent revolution and will always ensure a return to democratic
rule.
The ex-ICPC boss said, “I am a democrat, but if you see what happened
recently in Ouagadougou when they have to go and burn those places, it
wasn’t a coup as such but a demonstration to show that the people aren’t
going to take it. See how Hong Kong became a less free corrupt country.
It was the people who rose up to challenge the Chief of Police.
“What I envisage is that when you push people and they have their
back pushed to the wall, they are bound to react. Revolution means more
than a change. It can be violent, it can be peaceful. But what happened
in Ouagadougou recently is an obvious lesson for those who care to
listen. It (revolution) is possible in Nigeria if we go on without
thinking of the ordinary people.
“Among those to whom I dedicated my book, I spoke of the poor, needy and ‘talakawas’
of the society because I have been privileged to bring up my children
with my late wife in the way we deemed fit. Our philosophy in the house
was to produce a scholarly and religious people. Today, I have produced
scholarly and religious people. So long as we continue to see poor
people suffering but live in mansions, with the way things are going and
we pretend, there will be problem.”
According to him, Nigeria should be a society where people should be
in appointment or employment on the basis of merit and not godfatherism.
Akanbi said, “With the way things are going nobody feels comfortable,
no reasonable person feels comfortable. If you went to the same school
with another person and did very well. Because that person knows me or
Mr. X, he’s able to get a job you cannot get because he belongs to a
particular political party, will you be happy? In my days, you can be
anything without knowing anybody, without having a godfather. But today,
we all know what it is; there is corruption.
“I have heard of one Fakunle who said he has been sleeping in the
church for five years begging only to see his name pasted on a Notice
board that he has been employed in ICPC. He didn’t know me, I didn’t
know him. In fact, when he was to be appointed, a different name was
suggested. But it was because I sat at the interview and saw what
happened. I didn’t know him and have never met him.
“I told somebody, the chap you are bringing is not as qualified as
Fakunle, I later discovered he came from the same town with one of our
officers. I said no, he can’t come in. I demanded for his papers and I
saw he did better. That was how he got to ICPC.
“Integrity matters, I was very lucky because in my early years, I
worked with the expatriates and generally, all these godfatherism and
nepotism don’t come in. That is why I see it as a challenge. I have
preached and practiced it. I felt that if I put it in a book form, those
who will have access to it when I am no more, will know what made my
life what it is.
“Look at late Dr. Nelson Mandela, he was for 27 years in prison. Can
anybody compare him with anybody in Nigeria? If you take Martin Luther
King Jr and what he stood for, we will get there. But let’s create an
environment where the children of the weak and poor will also have a
place in the society that they can compete very well with the children
of the rich and the leaders.”
He added that as a product of a generation who lived in Ghana when
politics was volatile and when Kwame Nkrumah was fighting the
imperialists, “the present generation should not see life as mere
acquisition of wealth.”
“They must seek, propagate knowledge and live and fight for the
rightness of their call. Let them make a retribution that they must live
on the path of righteousness for service to God and man. Those who make
a great nation are those who sacrifice for the common good. My belief: I
am an optimist and I know that Nigeria will survive. We can’t remain
like this but we will have to open up the space to appreciate what is
good and decent.”
“We have to tell the world that there is another aspect of life other
than politics and wrangling. In ICPC, I have been able to prove a point
that you can employ people without necessarily knowing them. There
hasn’t been any teacher who taught me from Primary 1-7 and secondary
school that I haven’t written about; In my book, I talked about decent
Nigerians of yesteryears and compared them with Nigerians of today
because they were the people who made me to read Law, who assisted me
without knowing my background, they don’t come from my family”, the
retired auspice stated.
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B'Haram Expands Territory, Seizes Another Nigerian Town
By Folashade Nasir, Lagos
NIGERIA: Boko Haram, the militant group notorious for terrorists activities in Nigeria and other neighbouring countries, has taken control of another major town in Nigeria's far north-eastern State of Borno, a lawmaker, a local government official and a  |
| Boko Haram demonstrates armoury in Nigeria's town of Borno |
Maina Ma'aji Lawan, who represents northern Borno state in Nigeria's
Senate, said the Islamists were in control of Damasak, on the border
with neighbouring Niger.
Nigerian soldiers and hundreds of
residents fled across the frontier to seek sanctuary when the heavily
armed militants opened fire on traders on Monday morning, www.shadedreflectsblogspot.com has gathered.
"There
is not a single male in Damasak. Boko Haram is in control because all
males and soldiers have fled. No one expects women to fight them," Lawan
told AFP by telephone from Abuja.
A local government official in
Damasak said on Monday that the gunmen concealed their weapons in
containers that they brought to the market.
They pretended to be traders but instead sprayed bullets through the market, said Mohammed Damasak.
"Sadly,
the report we have is that the Boko Haram terrorists have established
their authority in Damasak. They have captured the town," said a senior
security source in Maiduguri.
Usman Kalil, a senior local
government official, said Boko Haram, which has seized more than two
dozen towns in Borno and neighbouring Yobe and Adamawa states, had
hoisted their flag.
"They have killed our people at will but I don't know how many people," he said.
"They
also destroyed many buildings, including the market, a hospital and the
secretariat. Many people, especially women and children, are under the
custody of the terrorists."
Boko Haram's territorial gains are a
change in strategy from its previous trademark of deadly hit-and-run
strikes or high-profile strikes against government, police or military
targets.
The group wants to create a hardline Islamic state in
northeast Nigeria and its seizure of towns has raised fears about a
potential loss of government control in the region.
Lawan said he
feared that Damasak may suffer the same fate as Malam Fatori, a nearby
fishing hub which was overrun earlier this month.
"When Boko Haram
seized Malam Fatori recently, the military kept giving us assurances
that they were going to deploy and take it back," the senator added.
"But
the town is still in the hands of the insurgents and not a single
soldier has been deployed to fight them. Our concern is Damasak may not
be any different."
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Sunday, 23 November 2014
TEMISAN: A SHORT STORY. contd
Tokunbo was at the corn seller's stand around the same time she saw Temisan the previous day, but to his disappointment, Temisan was not with her. He was tempted to go and ask if Temisan has been there or would still be coming, but he decided otherwise. He decided to go back home, as he was entering the estate, he saw Temisan's car approaching, Tokunbo parked his car in such a way that it will block Temisan's way. Temisan pulled over to see what was wrong with the driver, Tokunbo stepped down, leant on the side of his car and gave Temisan a long look, Temisan asked him what the problem was, Tokunbo kept staring without saying a word.
When he finally spoke, he said "I saw you yesterday at the corn seller's stand, and even the day before yesterday, is it that you love corn that much or you just love inhaling the smoke?" said Tokunbo. Temisan looked at him, looked beside her and looked beyond Tokunbo's shoulder to be sure he was referring to him. "Do you go about the place looking for people that sit with corn seller?" asked Temisan.
Tokunbo was shocked at the question, he is not used to people talking to her in that manner, are you always this rude? asked Tokunbo. Temisan couldn't restrain herself from laughing, "see who is accusing someone of being rude". What do you call your action? she asked. You parked on the way, and all you could say after a long silence was to accuse me of sitting with a corn seller.
Tokunbo was beginning to get furious, no lady has ever talked back at her in such a manner, and his anger is beginning to show on his face. Do you know who I am? He snorted. Temisan couldn't believe his ears, what kind of man is this, she said to herself. Not ready to create a scene, she pleaded with him to move his car so she could go. Tokunbo felt defeated, she didn't even ask him who he is, everybody always ask, why is she different, he kept asking himself different questions. He said to himself, "if she refuse to ask who he is his, I will tell her, so that next time she will learn to respect him"
By now Temisan was on her way to where her car was parked, she heard Tokunbo coming behind her, she was about to talk when Tokunbo said " I am Tokunbo Coker, the only son of Chief Olufemi Coker, the richest man in this Estate." Temisan looked at him with a smile on her face, Tokunbo was happy to see the smile, he said to himself, that always does the magic, they only need to hear the name...
The last part of Temisan will be coming on Wednesday, 26th.
When he finally spoke, he said "I saw you yesterday at the corn seller's stand, and even the day before yesterday, is it that you love corn that much or you just love inhaling the smoke?" said Tokunbo. Temisan looked at him, looked beside her and looked beyond Tokunbo's shoulder to be sure he was referring to him. "Do you go about the place looking for people that sit with corn seller?" asked Temisan.
Tokunbo was shocked at the question, he is not used to people talking to her in that manner, are you always this rude? asked Tokunbo. Temisan couldn't restrain herself from laughing, "see who is accusing someone of being rude". What do you call your action? she asked. You parked on the way, and all you could say after a long silence was to accuse me of sitting with a corn seller.
Tokunbo was beginning to get furious, no lady has ever talked back at her in such a manner, and his anger is beginning to show on his face. Do you know who I am? He snorted. Temisan couldn't believe his ears, what kind of man is this, she said to herself. Not ready to create a scene, she pleaded with him to move his car so she could go. Tokunbo felt defeated, she didn't even ask him who he is, everybody always ask, why is she different, he kept asking himself different questions. He said to himself, "if she refuse to ask who he is his, I will tell her, so that next time she will learn to respect him"
By now Temisan was on her way to where her car was parked, she heard Tokunbo coming behind her, she was about to talk when Tokunbo said " I am Tokunbo Coker, the only son of Chief Olufemi Coker, the richest man in this Estate." Temisan looked at him with a smile on her face, Tokunbo was happy to see the smile, he said to himself, that always does the magic, they only need to hear the name...
The last part of Temisan will be coming on Wednesday, 26th.
LIONEL MESSI BREAKS LA LIGA GOAL RECORD
Barcelonia striker, Lionel messi broke the La Liga scoring record when his team thrashed Sevilla on Saturday which allowd him to register his 251st goals in 289th appearances in Spanish top flight. Messi opened the scoring with a free kick to bring his total score to 251, therefore breaking the scoring record.
"When I scored this goal, I couldn't imagine I could break any record, let alone this one previously held by the great Telmo Zarra," wrote Messi on his Facebook page alongside his first Barca goal against Albacete in May, 2005.
"When I scored this goal, I couldn't imagine I could break any record, let alone this one previously held by the great Telmo Zarra," wrote Messi on his Facebook page alongside his first Barca goal against Albacete in May, 2005.
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