Friday, March 13, 2015 Edition.

Liz Benson returns in ‘The Wrong Reasons’

Mourinho, you Blue it!

I raped my girlfriend on Val’s Day to enjoy myself – Suspected cultist

pg. 14

Back page

pg. 12

Daily Post

Vol. 1 Edition 1 Friday, March 13, 2015

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inside

nigeria’s most popular free newspaper

God did not reveal Jonathan a winner of March 28 Election – Amaechi

...we are winning 2015 elections – PDP

Okupe labels APC leaders thieves

pg. 3

page 3

Reps adjourn passage of budget till after March 28 election pg. 3

Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Adetona (2nd-r), showing President Goodluck Jonathan (2nd-l) the photograph of the Ancient Ijebu Kingdom, during the visit of ‘Mr President’ to the Royal Father in Ijebu-Ode yesterday, with them is the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu (l). Photo:NAN.

Only mortgages can reduce housing deficit – Fashola pg. 7

Chibok Girls: Jonathan is not feeling the pains of Nigerians – Aisha Yesufu

pgs. 8-9

Pele admits Ronaldo is now better than Messi pg. 15

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Friday, March 13, 2015

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Amaechi goes prophetic, says God did not reveal Jonathan as winner of presidential elections Sylvester ugwuanyi

R

ivers State Governor and Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign, APCPCO, Mr. Chibuike Amaechi, claimed yesterday that God has revealed who would win the March 28 presidential election, but was quick to add that President Goodluck Jonathan was not the one revealed.

Making this claim at the South-South zonal rally of the APC staged at the Liberation stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Amaechi called on Nigerians to support the aspiration of the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.). This was as he noted that the candidate has the interest of the nation at heart.

The Governor, while stating that “God has shown us who would be president and we know that it is not Jonathan,” soared biblically, “Do you remember the Jonathan in the bible? What did he do? He betrayed his father, right? This time around, we need a man that would deliver the country for both Christians and Muslims. There will be no Christian or Muslim, but a Nigerian government,” he asserted.

The APCPCO DG, who came hard on the federal government over its amnesty programme, said Buhari would not discontinue the initiative if elected, but would reform it in a way that would benefit the people.

“Buhari has promised that the amnesty programme will continue when he assumes office and that he will include all those that the current president left behind,” he promised.

Amaechi continued, “Jonathan only carried a few persons along. He bought guns for them, but we will reorganize the amnesty programme and treat it as a social welfare programme because we believe that it should not be a compensation for crime.

“While he is creating jobs, he is also trying to create substance for those without jobs,” he alleged.

While accusing the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using police officers to harass members of the opposition party, he encouraged those at the rally to endure to the end since the presidential election is barely two weeks ahead.

“To tell you how violent the PDP is, they have no respect for women; they waylaid my wife. Neysom Wike (the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Rivers) organized that attack in his wife’s village,” he said, adding that, “Over 30 members of APC have been killed and majority of them died in police detention.

There is no day that passes by that they do not kill APC members, even today they will kill one.

“In Rivers state, we are not running against the PDP, but the police. Today, one of our Chairmen is inside a cell in Abuja because he is a member of APC. “People say I am courageous

Amaechi

but let me tell you what I do.

I kneel down to pray and part of my prayer is that God, I may die as I leave here now but if I die, let me make heaven. So just pray and endure all their intimidation, but if you want your own freedom, you know what to do on the day of the election,” the Governor suggested.

While flaying the argument of Liyel Imoke and other PDP governors that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, would have disenfranchised majority of Nigerians had the election taken place on February 14, Amaechi said that the ruling party is only jittery of the general election.

DAILY POST recalls that at the last PDP Governors’ Forum meeting in Lagos attended by Imoke, he and his colleagues had justified the postponement of the elections with Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom saying that Nigerians should be appreciative of the party for pushing for the adjournment.

But Amaechi at the APC rally disagreed with them, insisting that the national electoral body was fully prepared for the elections. He said the ruling party influenced the postponement out of fear.

His words, “For the first time, I can see fear in the eyes of PDP. Even the president is afraid. The president got 1.8 million votes in Rivers state in 2011 let’s see how that will happen this time around.

“PDP is afraid of card readers because they know that if the card readers work, then the election is over. My friend Liyel Imoke, who does not pick my calls anymore, said that INEC

should allow all Nigerians to vote. Has there ever been a time when all Nigerians voted?

“What about when we were writing results then when I was in PDP? Were Nigerians voting then? If INEC says 75 percent of Nigerians are ready for the election, the majority of Nigerians should be allowed to vote because there would never be a time when all Nigerians would vote,” the Campaign DG said.

When the stage was set for the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (rtd.) to speak, he warned that if Nigerians truly want to put an end to instances of corruption in the country, they must not cast their ballot for the PDP at the polls.

The APC standard bearer, who harped on the danger of allowing corruption to thrive in the country, told the party supporters who had converged at the stadium that, “If we don’t kill corruption, this corruption will kill us. If you make a mistake of voting the PDP, I assure you, you will regret it.

“I want you to be serious about your country. If we miss this opportunity, we will be worst for it, God forbid,” he told the multitude.

Buhari asserted that the country would not have had challenges of insecurity and poverty if the PDP-led federal government had been responsible with public funds.

While decrying the drop in the value of the naira, the opposition leader assured that he would reinvest all that would be saved from the crusade against corruption into building key sectors of the economy.

Speaking earlier, immediate past governor of Bayelsa State and an APC senatorial candidate in Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, described Buhari as the only weapon Nigerians can use to fight corruption. Sylva, who assured that corruption would drop by 80 percent when the APC standard bearer is sworn in, urged the people to vote massively for him because, “he has the right qualities to lead the country”.

National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and governorship candidate of the party in the state, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, used the rally to drum up support for the party ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday reassured its supporters that the soaring nationwide acceptance of President Goodluck Jonathan and its other candidates had convinced the party of its victory in the 2015 general elections.

Disclosing this in a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Olisa Metuh, PDP said it was very impressed with the quality of leadership President Jonathan is providing in the campaigns, which runs on his enviable performance and numerous verifiable achievements in all sectors of the economy.

According to the statement, “President Goodluck Jonathan has left no one in doubt that he is a national leader and one of the greatest bastions of Nigeria’s unity. He has remained committed to the stability and progress of our great country, a stance, which has continued to endear him to the electorates.

Indeed, the PDP is very proud of him and his leadership”.

The ruling party claimed that the achievements of the Jonathan-led administration have touched various sectors of the economy, positively impacting on the lives of all cadres of Nigerians across the zones and amongst all tribes, irrespective of class, creed and gender, describing this as one of the major factors that has stabilized the polity in the face of daunting challenges.

While calling on Nigerians to be resolute in their support for President Jonathan’s re-election bid, the party said, “Our focus is on a new era of prosperity driven by the fruition of our people oriented policies and programmes, with a dynamic economy where market forces are combined with the forces of partnership, solidarity and cooperation for the benefit of all Nigerians”.

PDP, which thanked its members and supporters for showing concerns over speculations about the loyalty of its National Chairman, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, charged them to remain focused on the campaigns and not to be distracted, particularly since Nigerians are sure they will solidly queue behind the party at the polls.

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Reps adjourn passage of budget till after election

By Bunmi Akinsanmi

T

he House of Representatives yesterday failed to pass the 2015 budget as it adjourned plenary till March 31, by which time the election to determine the nation’s next crop of National Assembly members would have taken place.

Presidential and National Assembly elections were rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to hold on March 28.

It was expected that the estimated N4.3trn budget would be passed on Thursday, but the lower chamber adjourned without passing the budget.

The Reps members merely adopted the harmonised report on the 2015-2017 Medium Term Expenditure Framework by its committee and that of the Senate, deferring further operations till March 31.

The two chambers of the National Assembly had also in a joint conference, adopted $53 as the crude oil benchmark for the budget and equally agreed on N190 as the exchange rate of naira to the US Dollar.

Notwithstanding these concurrence by the National Assembly, the members adjourned for elections without passing the budget beating all anticipations.

Throwing light on the deferment of the budget passage, Deputy Spokesman, Mr. Victor Ogene, claimed that the delay was to give room for the appropriation committees of the Senate and the House to meet with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on a little adjustment to the budget.

Okupe labels APC leaders thieves

S

enior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, on Thursday used his social media accounts in taking All Progressive Congress, APC, chieftains to the cleaners.

This was as he described leaders of the opposition party as thieves.

The presidential aide in twitter and Facebook messages posted in the afternoon alleged that that APC is a party with a strange mission adding that the most of its new leaders are People Democratic Party, PDP renegades.

Claiming that 19 out of 36 gubernatorial candidates of the main opposition party used to be PDP stalwarts, Okupe concluded that “this change is from Apc to fake Pdp”.

The Presidency official who insinuated that his party has 40 million voters in its kitty, requested Nigerians “to stay with the winners. Stay with the Real Pdp”.

The message as posted on (facebook.com/okupedoyin) reads in full: “Apc is a strange party with a strange mission.Its original leaders are mainly thieves while virtually all its new leadership are pdp renegades. What type of change can come from these incompatible, inconsistent, armophous, Lie-dependent mixed grill.

“19 out of 36 gubernatorial candidates are former pdp stallwarts.So this change is from Apc to fake PDP.

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Friday, March 13, 2015

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March 28: Jonathan T Campaign blasts PDP

Presidency discloses why it is against use of card readers

… Says party is not doing enough for the president ‘I dey Kampe’ - Alao-Akala T debunks ‘collapse’

By Bunmi Akinsanmi

he Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organization, PDPPCO, yesterday regretted that the PDP was not doing enough to market the candidacy of President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the March 28 presidential election. This was disclosed by the Deputy Director-General of the PDPPCO, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Speaking in Abuja at a national training workshop for PDP delegates designed to train those who would in turn train 600,000 polling units canvassers for the PDP, Adeniran warned that if the PDP did not retrace its step and showcase Jonathan’s achievements others will use it against him.

The workshop, tagged “Operation Deliver Your Ward”, attracted three delegates from each state of the federation and the FCT. The Deputy Director chided the PDP for not allowing the people to know what Jonathan has done.

According to Adeniran, who

F Jonathan

is a former minister of Education, “If we continue to show this man has not done anything, others will capitalize on it. The party is not showing enough in this regard.

“The president’s achievement is undersold and in some cases not sold at all, in some places they ask, so Jonathan has done so,” he said.

The ex-minister consequently urged the participants, who he said were being trained so they can impart the same knowledge acquired in the states to do just that, stressing that a total of 600,000 polling units canvassers are expected to emerge. He begged them not to keep the materials given to them on the shelves.

rumour

ormer governor of Oyo State and Labour Party governorship candidate for the April 11 guber election in Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, has described as baseless and false the report that he collapsed during a campaign.

The former governor said he is fit and ready to govern the state again.

He took to his Twitter page, @OtunbaAlaoAkala, to inform his followers that reports were untrue.

“Please ignore the rumour being peddled around. I did not collapse, neither am I sick. I will be campaigning at Ibadan North LG this morning,” he posted on Thursday morning.

In order to authenticate his claim and reassure his followers of his state of health, he shared images from his campaign tour.

he presidency yesterday came out in defend its earlier position of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on INEC’s use of card reading machines for the 2015 general elections. It did this by questioning the legality and efficiency of using the device in the forthcoming elections.

Vice President, Namadi Sambo who disclosed this argued that while his party was not against the use of card readers, which the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, believes will help curb electoral fraud, it was concerned whether the decision was backed by law and about the possibility of many Nigerians being disenfranchised.

Making this remark in Kano, the Vice President disclosed that his party cannot be afraid of the card readers since it was certain of winning both the March 28 and April 11 elections. He stressed that the party was only kicking against the use of the device because their failure may lead to the disenfranchisement of many Nigerians.

Sambo, while questioning the place of the card reading machine in the Electoral Law, asked, “If it is not there (in the law) then does it mean it is illegal? And can we depend on an illegal thing when we are talking of a free and fair election that will lead to having credible leaders?”

He asserted that the PDP-led government was greatly committed to making sure Nigerians elect leaders through an election worthy of international recognition.

The Vice President enjoined Nigerians to take a careful look at the electoral law and see whether the use of card readers is recognized.

Friday, March 13, 2015

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It is either card reader or option A4”– Reps candidate tells INEC

By Emmanuel Uzodinma

A

House of Reps candidate, Mr. Ifeanyi Asogwa, yesterday called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to insist on the use of card reading machine for the forthcoming elections.

Asogwa, who is contesting for the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South federal constituency under the platform of the APC, stated that if INEC could not use the card reading machine, it should jettison everything about voters’ cards and use ‘Option A4’ for the March 28 and April 11 polls.

“If we don’t want to use card reader, let’s jettison everything about voters’ cards and use Option A4. We are comfortable with Option A4; we had the experience in the 1993 election, it was perfect”, he said.

Asogwa maintained that those against the use of card reading machine for the forthcoming elections, were hatching plans to rig and commit other electoral frauds.

“In as much as the use of card reading machine for the first time in this country may not give 100 per cent success, it will help to reduce electoral fraud, such as stay-

ing in a particular place to write election result.

“To me, I believe that those who are afraid of INEC using the machine are those who have plans to rig elections”, he added.

The APC candidate urged the PDP not to panic about the elections if indeed it had justified its stay in power for the past 16 years, adding that they should be bold enough to state their achievements.

“For me, I have been embarking on road walk and door to door campaign with my supporters so as to tell people why they should vote me and what they stand to

benefit if I am elected.

“I believe power belongs to the people because they will speak through their votes. My people know my track record and as such, they know I will impact positively on their lives if elected. So our opponents should not be afraid of the card reading machine”.

Asogwa said if elected, he would give special attention to youth empowerment and job creation, stressing that “If youths are engaged in productive activities, there will be drastic reduction of crime in both urban and rural areas”.

“There is a grand plan to cripple South-East economy” – Njiko Igbo Forum A

By Emmanuel Uzodinma

South-East group, Njiko Igbo Forum, yesterday has alleged that there is a grand plan to cripple the economy of the zone through arbitrary increase of power tariff.

President of the Forum, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST wondered why the South-East electricity tariff should be increased by over 90 percent, whereas Ikeja and Eko got only about 20 percent increase.

He described the development as

a deliberate plot to kill South-East based industries to pave way for the eventual death of the region’s economy.“It has become necessary for us to raise this alarm because it is really something that is strange to us.

“We can’t understand a situation where 22 percent increment went for Eko and Ikeja districts whereas Enugu received over 80 percent. Before now, Enugu was on the same page with Eko and Ikeja, even Ibadan”, he stated.

“But whatever reason, after the privatization, they now increased

Lagos to 22 percent and increased South-East to 94 percent. It is so alarming. What is the yardstick?”

He queried.

While warning on the consequences of the new tariff, Obioha said “it means that all the industries in the South-East will collapse; there will be serious unemployment; there will be robbery, all manner of crimes everywhere in the East.

“So, we see this as a grand design to take us back to where we were after the civil war when they gave us 20 pounds and the westerners

acquired all the companies; that is the same thing they are trying to do because power is wealth”.

He added that apart from industries, residential areas were equally affected by over 100 percent increase, a situation he further described as “unacceptable and anti-Igbos”.

He called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the matter by calling the distribution companies to order and to also “either subsidize the tariff or to cushion the effect and make the zone at par with other regions”.

Court orders INEC to respond to UPN case

By SEUN Opejobi

F

ollowing the suit filed by some candidates of the Unity Party of Nigeria, protesting their non-inclusion in INEC’s register for the forthcoming elections, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on yesterday directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to respond to the suit appropriately.

DAILY POST recalls that the 16 candidates of the party had on Friday last week protested to justice Okon Abang with an ex parte application requesting that INEC immediately enter and publish their names on its list as candidates that will be contesting in the March 28 and April 11 elections.

The judge, after an overview refused to grant their application and consequently changed it to a motion on notice and ordered service on INEC before March 9, 2015.

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The Week in Review A

lthough news break by the minute, not every happening is outstanding enough to define the day or the 7-day period it happened. However, when stories prove to be newsy enough to become the highlight of the day it broke, you can only find them in “The Week in Review” categorized on the basis of the particular day they took place.

FRIDAY

Friday, March 13, 2015

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news

was defined by the return of the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mohammadu Buhari to the country after spending two weeks in the UK. Upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, he told waiting newsmen that “I just went off for a couple of weeks to rest.

That’s all I did.”

Also on Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Organization, PDPPCO, alleged that it is in possession of credible information suggesting that the APC has perfected plans to use some disgruntled persons in attacking and assassinating the characters of its leaders ahead of the March

28 and April 11 general elections.

SATURDAY

was defined by an exercise that saw INEC test run the card readers it has set out to use for the March 28 and April 11 general elections. The electoral body used its staff members in conducting a mock test of the card readers in two states drawn from the six geopolitical zones in the country totalling 12 states. Meanwhile, it was also on this day that the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, in an audio recording posted on his Twitter account, pledged Boko Haram’s allegiance to the global terrorist organization ISIS, which in recent weeks has been pushed back by the Iraqi army in Mosul and Tikrit.

SUNDAY

was defined by a sharp disagreement between the ruling PDP and the opposition APC on the outcome of the test run of card readers done by INEC the previous day. While PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said it had noted series of complaints by Nigerians regarding lapses experienced during the exercise, APC’s National Woman Leader, Ramatu Aliyu noted that her party was satisfied by the outcome of the test hence remains unflinching in its support for INEC’s use of the card readers for the general elections.

Equally on this day, the Nigerian Army, speaking through its acting Director of Public Relations, held that Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance to ISIS is indicative of the sect’s depletion and imminent defeat following weeks of sustained onslaught against them by Nigerian forces aided by troops of other nations. The army director told BBC Hausa Service that the Boko Haram leader, Shekau, is

a “drowning man” whose days are numbered

MONDAY

was defined by an unprecedented move by the Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha in admitting the APC governorship candidate in Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, into the Forum way ahead of the gubernatorial election scheduled for April 11.

On this day as well, the PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, deflated reports of his being a traitor to President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid. He asserted that he is doing his best to ensure that the President wins the forthcoming presidential election.

TUESDAY

was defined by PDP Governors’ Forum’s assertion that INEC is ill prepared for the conduct of the 2015 general elections as it added that PDP should be commended for pushing for the postponement of the elections. Disclosing this during an interactive session with the media and civil society organisations in Lagos, the governors kicked against the use of card readers for the 2015 general elections, insisting that those without PVCs should be allowed to vote.

It was also on this day that INEC spoke on its assessment of Saturday’s field test of card readers, scoring itself 100 per cent in the verification of the authenticity of the PVCs presented by prospective voters at polling units used. It further noted that 59 per cent of voters who turned out for the demonstration had their fingerprints successfully authenticated.

WEDNESDAY

was defined by Senate’s screening and confirmation of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as minister, despite strong resistance by APC senators including those from Obanikoro’s home state of Lagos. The former lawmaker, whose screening has been contentious following his alleged involvement in the Ekiti rigging scandal, was given an automatic clearance in line with the tradition of the upper chamber in defiance of protests from opposition senators.

Also on this day, President Goodluck Jonathan promised not to relent until every inch of Nigeria’s territory occupied by Boko Haram is recovered from the insurgents. The President used his Facebook page to declare that Nigerian territory will never again be occupied by terrorists.

THURSDAY

was defined by the coincidental visits of President Goodluck Jonathan and his main challenger in the March 28 presidential election, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to Lagos on the same day.

While Jonathan was at the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, to reassure investors that despite the crash in the stock market, Nigeria would bounce back. Buhari flew into the city to hold an interactive session with select youths at the Muson Centre and later attend a special dinner in his honour at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island.

Still on this day, the APC held a South-south zonal rally in Port Harcourt, where Governor Rotimi Amaechi of the State claimed that God has revealed who would win the March 28 election but it was not President Jonathan.

Enugu Government faults report on concession of water supply

By Emmanuel Uzodinma

T

he Enugu State Government, yesterday reacted to media reports that it has concessioned water supply in Enugu State to a private firm for a period of 25 years.

The Government, while making its position known through the State Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Michael Nwachukwu, described the report as false and misleading.

Nwachukwu said the claim was based on a misrepresentation of facts by some citizens who were reported to have written a petition against the matter.

The Commissioner said that contrary to the report, the State Government had merely executed a concession agreement under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the improvement of Water Supply to Enugu capital city with a private concern, Goldtrust Limited as opposed to handing over the operation and administration of water supply to the whole state as the report had claimed.

He stressed that the company, an internationally recognized consortium of world best companies in the various segments of potable water supply infrastructure value chain, would under the agree-

ment, rehabilitate and reinstate existing water treatment plants at Ajalli, Oji and Iva Valley waterworks.

He added that, “it would also build and complete five new water treatment plants at Iyioku, Amechi Awkunanaw, Akwuke Alluvial Scheme, Ninth Mile Corner and Ninth Mile Crash program”.

The company, according to the Commissioner would also lay brand new 950 kilometres of transmission and distribution pipeline network using the best possible quality ductile iron pipes and fittings and at the end of construction, it would produce about

193.7 million litres of water daily to service the entire population of Enugu City.

Dr. Nwachukwu also disclosed that apart from vastly improving water supply to Enugu residents, the concession would also save the state government the over N3 billion Naira it currently spends annually through the award of contracts to improve water supply to the city.

He added that over 1000 jobs would be created and made available to Enugu people under the project, while also ensuring that the inhabitants of the city have constant access to drinkable pipe borne water.

Tinubu is suffering from memory loss – Fani-Kayode By wale odunsi

D

irector of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), Femi Fani-Kayode has described as baseless and false the claim by Senator Bola Tinubu that the PDP and the Presidency offered him (Tinubu) the position of vice president in an Interim National Government (ING) if he would part company with General Muhammadu Buhari.

The spokesman recalled that the Tinubu Media Office recently said that the PDP and the Presidency tried to fracture the APC by offering Tinubu the position of vice

President in an interim government if he would agree to part company with Buhari.

It further recalled that once Tinubu rebuffed the offer to participate in the interim scheme, the presidency decided to change tactics and planned to silence and if necessary neutralize him.

But Fani-Kayode, in a riposte, said “These allegations are baseless and false. These people have become prisoners of their own delusions and they have become victims of their horrific and terrifying hallucinations.

“We are not in the least bit interested in the formation of an interim government and we are even less interested in participating in any contraption in which

Bola Tinubu would play any role.”

He said further in response to another claim that “Those that killed Funso Williams know who they are and it is very clear that his spirit is now tormenting his murderers. Let them be fully aware of this: whoever it was that killed Funso William will suffer the judgment of God both in this life and in the life hereafter. God would see to that”.

Continuing, Fani-Kayode insisted that no one was trying to frame Tinubu for murder and that nobody approached him to be the “Vice President of anything”.

“It is clear that he has an over-inflated opinion of himself and he is suffering from the most

extreme form and manifestation of paranoia.

“The man is hiding from his own shadow and the fear of his party losing at the polls later this month is giving him sleepless nights.

Whether he, Buhari and their APC like it or not, they will be devastated at the polls and they would suffer a crushing and irreparable defeat.

“The everlasting confusion that would ensue in their camp after suffering this defeat will never be forgotten. The truth is this: the dementia in which Tinubu is suffering from has come as a consequence of his numerous sins. He should settle all these issues with God and leave us alone”, he added.

Farmers want Jonathan to sign Bio-safety Bill into law

T

he All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sign the Bio-safety Bill into law as it will lift the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) to higher levels.

The AFAN National Chairman, Mr Kabir Ibrahim, made the call at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.

Ibrahim said farmers were faced with challenges of decline in productivity and yet denied access to higher yielding bio-tech crops.

He said if the bill was signed into law, over 70 million farmers would reap the benefits of modern bio-technology similar to the economies of Brazil, India, Burkina Faso, Egypt and South Africa.

“Following the recent passage of the bill by the National Assembly, we are using this press conference to call on the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

“We urge him to urgently assent to the bio-safety bill passed by the National Assembly in order to conclude the legislative process on this bill,” Ibrahim said.

The chairman said by signing the bill into law, Jonathan would have commenced a silent revolution that would address food security in the country.

He said it would empower agricultural research institutes and lay a solid foundation for the commencement of large commercial farming.

Friday, March 13, 2015

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business Only mortgages can reduce housing deficit – Fashola

G

ov. Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Thursday said home ownership through mortgage was the only way to address the problem of housing deficit in the country.

The governor spoke at the inauguration of Chois Estate, a housing estate in Lekki area of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 420unit estate of bungalows and duplexes was delivered by the state government in partnership with a property development company, First Communities Limited.

Fashola said that the major barrier to home ownership was affordability, saying it would extremely be difficult for people to own homes if they were asked to pay outright for it.

The governor said his administration was building homes and allocating them on mortgage to residents, to ensure convenient home ownership.

“Mortgages remain the only way to reduce housing deficit and ensure convenient home ownership. That is how it is done all over the world.

“That is what we are doing with our homes. We allocate them to our people and ask them to pay the equity contributions and spread the remaining payments over a minimum of 10 years.”

Fashola said the delivery of the estate was in fulfillment of his electoral promise to deliver democratic dividends to residents of the state.

Commercialisation of NIMET will increase nonaeronautical revenue, says DG

D

r Anthony Anuforom, the Director-General, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), said the commercialisation of the agency’s operations would increase revenue from non-aeronautical sources and reduce dependence on government funding.

Anuforom told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that the target of the agency was to reduce its over-dependence on revenue from aeronautical sources which currently accounted for about 90 per cent of its revenue.

He said that the agency would explore the abundant opportunities in the oil and gas sector to generate more revenue.

“Our target is to reduce, the preponderance of revenue from aeronautical sources.

“Presently, revenue from aeronautical services accounts for probably somewhere around 90 per cent of our revenue and yet there are opportunities in other areas like the oil and gas we have mentioned.

World Bank begins Light Africa programme in Nigeria

T

he Lighting Africa programme, a joint initiative of the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank, has been unveiled in Niageria.

The initiative is to increase access to affordable, clean and safe lighting for more than 30 per cent of people who live in rural areas and have low incomes and no access to grid electricity.

The Lighting Africa programme aims to help five million people in Nigeria who are not connected to the electricity grid to access clean energy by 2017, the World Bank said in a statement.

This, according to the bank, is expected to avert 100,000 metric tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, associated with current fuel-based lighting technologies.

Lighting Africa mobilises the private sector to build and develop markets that enable access to clean, affordable and quality lighting products by fostering partnerships among local and global manufacturers, and creating new channels through local distribution companies that will help build robust supply chains for off-grid lighting products, the statement said.

The Programme Manager for the Lighting Africa Programme, Itotia Njagi, said, “Lighting Africa is helping to build a market

L-R: Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga; Director-General, Nigeria Stock of Exchange (nse), Mr Oscar Onyema; President Goodluck Jonathan and Council President of the nse, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, at the nse in Lagos yesterday. Photo: NAN.

to bring off-grid lighting and energy services across Africa by establishing quality standards, investing in consumer education, creating a favourable investment climate, and supporting innovative business models.

“As we foster these partnerships among all parties in the industry, various opportunities would be explored and our

goal of inclusive electrification would be achieved in Nigeria.”

The expansion of the Lighting Africa programme to Nigeria supports the World Bank Group’s Energy Business Plan.

Under the plan, each World Bank Group institution will leverage its competencies and products to provide solutions to projects that encourage their viability and contribute to the

sustainability of Nigeria’s power sector to underpin the government’s ambitious privatisation and reform programme.

The Country Manager for Nigeria, IFC, Eme Essien Lore, said part of the World Bank Group’s targeted interventions in the power sector included off-grid solutions that would make access to power more inclusive.

CBN takes financial literacy awareness to secondary schools A

s part of activities to mark the 2015 global money week, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday took its financial literacy campaign programme to schools in Abuja.

The Deputy Governor of the apex bank’s Corporate Services Department, Mr. Adabayo Adelabu, explained that the campaign was aimed at educating the young ones on how to inculcate the culture of savings and investment.

While teaching pupils of Government Secondary School, Wuse, Abuja on the topic “Growing Your Money,” Adelabu urged them to cultivate the habit of savings so that their deposits can yield interests.

This was as he led them on the processes of account opening in banks as well as the benefits of operating a bank account.

The CBN Deputy Director went on to encourage the students on the habit of cultivating the habit of investing in insurance, cooperatives, stock market and real estate.

Emefiele

In an earlier remark, Principal of the school, Mr. Bala Mantu, had commended the apex bank for promoting financial literacy in schools, noting that the effort would go a long way in boosting the

knowledge base of the students.

CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had on Wednesday, in the course of his mentorship programme, said the bank would increase the financial

capability of young Nigerians so that they can build and accumulate assets to secure their future.

While urging school children to take maximum advantage of the financial literacy program of the apex bank to start planning their future at an early stage, Emefiele asserted that as economic agents, they are expected to be financially capable, know their rights as responsible members of the society and have the capability to create sustainable means of livelihood for themselves.

He maintained that the apex bank was committed to creating an enabling environment that would produce people that are capable of positively contributing to the economic growth and development of the country.

The global money week, which is an initiative of Child and Youth Finance International, is targeted towards the promotion of economic citizenship among children and youths.

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Friday, March 13, 2015

dailypost.ng

interview

Chibok Girls: Jonathan is not feeling the pains of Nigerians – Aisha Yesufu While Nigerians continue to wait for the release of the abducted Chibok girls, questions have continued to trail what appears like an endless wait for the return of the abducted school girls.

As anxiety continue to build over the recent promise by President Goodluck Jonathan that the over 200 girls kidnapped from Chibok community in Borno state over 300 days ago would be released, many are in doubt on whether the President spoke based on an intelligence report or was just speaking. Just like many frustrated Nigerians, one of the initiators and Spokesperson of the #BringBackOurGirls group, Aisha Yesufu, in this interview, decried the endless wait and expectation for the possible release of the girls. She spoke with DAILY POST Editor, Adoyi Ali, saying the situation of the Chibok girls was emblematic of the current situation, as it represents all that is wrong with Nigeria. Excerpts:

C

an you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Aisha Yesufu, a wife and a mother of two. I am a lazy entrepreneur and business woman. I love doing business in a lazy way, and I’m also an advocate of the people and a public speaker.

Basically, that who I am.

What was your immediate feeling when you heard about the abduction of the Chibok girls?

My immediate feeling was outrage and disbelief as I could not believe that such a large number of children could be taken away in a single day. Few days later, news fil-

tered in that they had been rescued and that eight of them were still being held back by the abductors.

I was elated and believed that the others will be found in a few days and I moved on until the day of the protest when a friend told me there was going to be a protest for the Chibok girls. That was when it became clear that all the whole girls were still being held. It was then I enquired about the colour code which I was told is red; I got a red Hijab and immediately joined the protest. Before then, when I turned forty, I decided to do more as I realized that the first forty years of my life, I had devoted it to myself

and now I needed to touch the lives of others.

I started looking for an NGO to join and just then, the Chibok issues came up. So from the day I heard about the protest, I decided to join because I am a mother of two and I could not just imagine that somebody will come and take my child away without knowing where the child is and nothing is done about it.

In May, when we went to visit the Chief of Defence Staff, I realized that I was not just doing this because I am a mother, but for the fact that I was in the hood twenty-three years ago; when it was

Yesufu tough growing up and getting an education; I started thinking that what if I was abducted then, what would have happened?

In fact, I remember that twenty-three years ago, I was writing my SSCE too. I was from a poor home where in the morning, there was never any breakfast; when re-

turning home, I was not expecting lunch, and the environment where I grew up, nobody was interested in education. I was the only girl going to school. At eleven, I had no girlfriend because all of them were married off and at that point, I re-

Continued on page 9

Friday, March 13, 2015

dailypost.ng

interview

‘Jonathan is not feeling the pains of Nigerians’ Continued from page 8 alized that I was not fighting because I am a mother, but for who I was twenty three years ago.

Have you at any point had doubt over the kidnap of the Chibok girls, like they were not kidnapped?

I have never at any point had doubt. In fact, I would rather have people look at me and say she is gullible than for me to say that I do not believe and not come out. How can someone come out and lie that their child is missing. I have had one of the parents of the girls come here and she said that each time she hears people say that it is a lie that the girls were taken, it pains her so much because it shows that people think that her child never existed. In fact, I cannot phantom such. It’s only evil people that will say it is a lie.

Who were the people you will say are so instrumental and supportive to this cause, apart from you?

The BBOG family has been amazing. Every one of us, people that have committed their time have all done very well. I did a tweet chat recently and one of the questions was about the kind of funding we get and I said the BBOG is self-funding. The biggest thing that we have is the commitment of our members and it is so expensive; it is priceless and people give it for free. Today marks three hundred and thirty days we have been coming here and people have been making sacrifices just for this cause. There has been more support from the international world than there is from within Nigeria.

This is because of the narrative that the government put out there that the campaign was anti-government. When we visited former President Obasanjo, he said people take their cue from the government. He said that the President himself did not believe that some people were taken until after nineteen days. When we came out, it was an opportunity for the President to unite with us. Then we would have shown Boko Haram that Nigerians are united and we are coming for you. As far as I am concerned, the greatest weapon that terrorist has against this nation is our disunity. Our refusal to take ownership of the problem is a big ‘minus’.

It has been three hundred and thirty days since the Chibok girls were kidnapped, yet they have not been released.

How have you been able to sustain the hope of your fellow campaigners in this fight that seems endless?

We have different slogans that we use and one of them is ‘’when will we stop? And we responded that not until our girls are back and alive’’. If they were your daughters, would you have gone to sleep and say they are gone? No…you will not relax. You will keep vigil for their return. The other day, one of the parents of the girls told us that she has been fasting since the girls were kidnapped; that is to say she has fasted for at least 329 days. So when we think about things like that, we then keep our faith. Initially some people joined the #BringBackOurGirls group even from other countries. They all endorsed the campaign but later moved on, but the die-hard advocates of this campaign have not rested since then. We have being coming out here. We can only stop this when our girls are back and alive.

Considering the mischief, do you think the Chibok girls will

ever come back?

Yes, for me, that is the reason I come out every day. They will come back; though they will not return unscarred, they will come back broken, but we are ready to put the pieces together, even if they were taken from their houses and kept in Transcorp Hilton and fed for three hundred and thirty days, it is hell, and not to talk of the condition we envisage they are in. For me, I am very hopeful. We cannot just move away from the fight for those girls. It is a fight for Nigeria as the Chibok girls represent everything that is not right in the country.

What would you term the relationship between your group and the government?

It has been antagonistic; they see us as a threat. I remember when we first went to see the President.

We were not allowed into the Villa. He sent a delegate to address us, querying why we were protesting to the government. He said we should go to Boko Haram and demand for the release of the girls and we told them, we do not recognize Boko Haram. This is because we can only go to Boko Haram if the President is now claiming that he has given up the country.

We can go to Boko Haram if he is saying Boko Haram’s operation is now legal. A few days later, a group came here under the umbrella, ‘’Release our Girls’’ and attacked us. The government has gone out to say different things about us the President himself

Mothers of the Chibok girls called us ‘’Psychological Terrorist’’ The DSS said we are a franchise, a terrorist and that we have a bank account. We are not even an entity, so where are we getting our bank account from? There have been a lot of derogatory remarks from the government and its operatives. Recently, we did the remembrance of the Buni Yardi boys that were massacred and some of the parents were happy that we remembered their children, though the government never did. What matters to us is that the government must always act on whatever we say.

You have been accused by the government of belonging to the opposition are you in any way affiliated to the opposition.

We are not in any way affiliated to any opposition. The #BringBackOurGirls movement is a movement on its own and it is not affiliated to any opposition party. It started with Hadeeza Bala Usman and Obi Ezekwesili who came together on July 30 to form the group. We have members of different political parties, but the body itself is non-partisan. This cause is about humanity and empathy; where you are or what you are does not matter. The BBOG advocacy group on its own has nothing to do with the

opposition. We have members of different parties but at the end of the day, what matters is that the girls should return.

What is your assessment of the renewed onslaught against the Boko Haram insurgents?

It’s been three weeks now and it’s a welcome development. Although it’s disappointing that nothing has been said about the Chibok girls. It’s unfortunate that when the President was reacting to the promise that the girls would be released in 6 weeks, he said that if they were not alive, Boko Haram would have shown their corpses. That was so insensitive. It is so disheartening if the President is not feeling the pains of Nigerians, like he is in a world of his own.

However, it is a good thing and we will forever be grateful to our ground troops because they are the once that have put their lives on the line. We want them to forget about propaganda and focus on getting result. Like Chris Olukolade once said, we are winning the war and it seems as if a lot of people are not happy and I said he should realize that for a lot of

9

people, there will be no winning the war. Thirteen Chibok parents have died and several others have lost loved ones. To those girls when they return, there will be no winning the war. For those who have lost everything in this war, there is no winning the war.

What do you think the government should do to protect lives in schools, especially in the North or any part of the country?

The government should be sensitive to what is happening in the country. The people should equally do the same. The government should empower the youths and provide quality education.

Again, there is the need to work with the community. There is a need for community policing. The government should try and build that trust between them and the people.

The arm of intelligence gathering should not be used to fight the opposition and BBOG. Imagine that after six years, the security operatives cannot infiltrate Boko Haram and get to Shekau. The DSS should sit up instead of being used against groups that are speaking up the mind of Nigerians. We need to build the needed social trust between the people and the government.

On a final note, what will be your message to Nigerian women, youths and young girls who have not realized that they need to come out and support this cause?

What I will tell them is that the fight for the Chibok girls is the fight for the soul of Nigeria. The Chibok girls’ situation represents all that is wrong in Nigeria. We need to come out and be united.

In the BBOG, we have learnt to put aside our tribal and religious concern. If the government is not doing the right thing, it will affect all of us. We should focus on building the country. If we ignore and go to sleep, our lives will be entwined.

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Friday, March 13, 2015

dailypost.ng

opinion

President Jonathan and Doubting Thomases

By Yushau A. Shuaib

D

oubting Thomases is the plural of a doubting Thomas. It refers to an incredulous or habitually doubtful person who is sceptical and refuses to believe something without proof.

I learnt the expression is a reference to the Apostle Thomas in the Bible, who refused to believe that Jesus Christ had resurrected despite testimonies of his friends and the 10 remaining fellow apostles insisting that he would only believe after seeing.

Going by experiences of Nigerians with their leaders especially on politics, there are many who will rather prefer to remain Doubting-Thomas. In fact some of the Doubting-Thomases are not ordinary individuals but highly placed personalities even among the the media.

I do not judge a person by the group or party he/she belongs but by that person’s character and attributes. Remove Major General Mohammad Buhari from All Progressive Congress (APC) and President Goodluck Jonathan from Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and what remain of the groups is same people that are of the same antecedents, character, dispositions and embodiments among others. These influence the wanton decamping from one party to the other because they lack ideological differences.

I must declare from the outset that whoever insults General Buhari, a former Head of State must be psychotic; and whoever attacks President Jonathan of non-performance must be a prevaricator.

Just to outsmart one another, the major political parties i.e. APC and PDP recourse to gutter politics to hoodwink not only the gullible public but surprisingly, even brainwash the supposedly enlightened individuals. It is surprising how people accept some conspiracy theories without questioning the rationality.

Sometimes last year, a former top military officer and a gover-

Jonathan nor issued an official statement accusing Federal Government of being behind terrorism activities in North-East. He even claimed that aircrafts were dropping food and ammunition to the terrorists in their enclaves. Many of his colleagues believed the arguments until the accuser was asked to substantiate the allegations at the meeting of Council of States. Those who had earlier believed his allegations were ashamed when he was unable to substantiate and was thus forced to recant.

Sometime this year the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki gave sincere advice that due to widespread insecurity in the North East as well as inability of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to distribute permanent voter cards (PVCs), it

APC applauds military onslaught against Boko Haram

T

he Presidential Campaign Organisation of All Progressives Congress (APC), on Thursday applauded the Armed Forces recent victories in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Malam Garba Shehu, said the achievement was commendable.

Shehu stated that nobody could pretend to be ignorant of the huge progress that the military had made in the counter-insurgency war in the north eastern part of the country.

“The Armed Forces, in collaboration with a multinational force made up of armies of neighbouring African countries, have recorded a number of significant victories in the fight against Boko Haram.

“About 36 territories formerly in control of the insurgents have been taken back over the

past few weeks. This is commendable. We congratulate our armed forces’’, he said.

Shehu, however, wondered “why it took the Federal Government this long to apply the current level of force against the insurgents.”

He said the government left the issue to fester for too long, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of lives and displacement of thousands of persons in the north east.

Shehu also queried the 89 per cent reduction in the 2015 budget of the Federal Ministry of Works.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Works, Mr Mike Onolememen, disclosed the reduction when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Works to defend the proposal on Monday.

Onolememen had said that the Ministry of Finance slashed the N100 billion proposed by his ministry for 2015 to N11billion.

was necessary to shift elections.

The spirit of cynicism aka Doubting-Thomas took over and many Nigerians came up with theories of conspiracy. Just weeks after however, the same individuals who doubted the military’s excuse are now the ones commending Nigerians troops for liberating dozens of towns and villages from Boko Haram. Again, the rate of distribution of PVC has increased from about 50% on February 3, 2015 to 80% by March 3, 2015.

While the debate on the postponement of elections raged, there were also allegations by Doubting-Thomases that federal government was planning to institute an Interim National Government (ING). The media was awash with insinuations despite the insistence by the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke that

Ex-minister urges Nigerians to imbibe reading culture

F

ormer Minister of State for Education, Prof Jerry Agada, on Thursday in Abuja urged Nigerians to imbibe reading culture.

Agada made the call during the launch of four books written by Acting CP Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer.

The books are entitled:`` Beneath the Sagging Roof; The power of Focus; Sunset for Mr Dobromir and A Whiff of Kahara.

He said Nigerians’ dislike for reading would soon be a thing of the past ``as a lot of effort is being done in trying to make sure we revive the reading culture amongst Nigerians’’.

“I remember as a minister of state for education, I launched the National Action Committee on Read Campaign and it has been going around and because of that, so many books had been written.”

such contraption was illegal, unconstitutional and therefore, baseless.

In the midst of the confusion came yet another allegation that the Chairman of INEC was in the process of being removed without running afoul of any laws or regulations. Government officials did not only deny the speculations but President Goodluck Jonathan himself was forced to publicly deny the speculations. According to him, “INEC is a very sensitive body... You cannot wake up and change INEC Chairman… I never told anybody that I will remove him”. The President is conscious that he lacked powers to unilaterally removed INEC Chairman just like any other constitutionally recognised commissions. There are some arguments that are neither morally or logically sound.

Meanwhile, apart from politicians playing their games, there has been a deliberate ploy by certain individuals to bring security agencies into the fray. For instance, Doubting-Thomases raised false alarm that Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) have been ordered to withdraw their personnel from some borders in the NorthWest without any cogent reason.

One wonders what that action could have achieved. The timely response of Comptroller-General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko and Comptroller General of Immigration, David Parradan in denying the allegations saved the situation from further controversies on same.

Though Doubting-Thomases are still sceptical if security chiefs would allow the rescheduled elections to hold, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Alex Badeh and Inspector General of Police Abba Suleman have assured eminent members of National Peace Committee on General Elections led by former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami that “the elections will be free, fair, credible and violence-free.”

Not yet done, when the online news syndicate platform, PRNige-

ria reported that the military have been instructed to make every effort to capture the leader of Boko Haram terrorists alive, another allegation emerged. This time, the theory was that government was planning to arrest a fake terrorist and force him to implicate some leaders through false confessions and statements.

Not even the operations of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF) were spared in the antics of Doubting-Thomases. It was politicised. Rather than see the Nigerian troops as our people, the military is being portrayed as part of the ruling party because they serve the government. For that reason some critics would rather attribute successes and accomplishments of the Nigerian troops to the efforts of partnering countries.

The painful irony is that Nigerian troops have been victims of the insurgents, victims of local collaborators within the communities who betray them, victims of a political class which castigates them unnecessarily and are also victims of social critics who refuse to commend their efforts when they do well but ridiculed when they fall to the bullets or daggers of terrorists.

While some of us enjoy the friendship and brotherliness of patriotic and well intentioned officers and politicians, it will be disappointing and disheartening if either of the political parties play into the hands of enemies of progress and inadvertently help to truncate our hard-earned and cherished democracy.

There are not much differences between the major political parties apart from the names of their flag-bearers. Our appeal therefore to partisan politicians, is that they should be conscious and mindful of what they do and say because Nigeria is bigger than individuals and institutions.

The March 28 and April 11, 2015 rescheduled dates of elections should remain sacrosanct while the swearing in of the elected President on May 29, 2015 must be respected.

Jonathan’s administration, most reckless, corrupt – APC campaign

T

he All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organisation, yesterday knocked the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, describing it as the most reckless and corrupt in the history of the country.

The opposition party said it is unfortunate that apart from its corruption and reckless behavior, the Jonathan’s administration has also succeeded in tearing the nation apart along ethno-religious lines.

APC also claimed the current government has destroyed the long years of international relationships Nigeria has laboured to build over the years.

Director of Media and Publicity of the APCPCO, Mallam Garba Shehu, said this at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday.

According to him, since President Jonathan took over power the rod of power over four years ago, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has witnessed a dwindling fortunes.

Shehu said the PDP-led government has failed to prosecute former governors and other senior public officials accused of defrauding the Nigerian people.

He said, “Thus, we can safely say that President Jonathan has

muzzled the EFCC. He has turned one of our country’s most respected and revered institutions into a toothless bulldog without even as much as a bark.

“It is startling to see the dexterity with which the President sacked the former chairman of the SURE-P scheme owing to his pronouncement on the desirability of change. Meanwhile, ministers and other senior members of his government who have heavy allegations of corruption hanging on their necks still comfortably retain their positions.

“Not only has he bound the EFCC from doing its job, Mr. Jonathan has also reversed some previous achievements of the commission by granting state pardon to erstwhile government officials whom it had uncovered as guilty of corruption.

“To make matters worse, at present the EFCC itself is in turmoil. Its chairman is accused by staff of corruption. The commission’s staff are also being owed salaries and entitlements, having not been paid for three months.”

He added that the nation has remained in an abysmal low on the Transparency International ranking of corrupt countries in the world.

Friday, March 13, 2015

11

dailypost.ng

feature

exposed! how fraudsters use identity theft to swindle unsuspecting nigerians on facebook Sylvester ugwuanyi

I

dentity theft has been unearthed by DAILY POST as the new technique employed by Advanced Fee Fraud practitioners, better known as 419ners, in defrauding unsuspecting Nigerians. In doing this, they practically pose as wellknown persons in a position to aid people secure gainful employments, movie roles or even become a popular music star. Scammers involved in the sophistry were found to be currently plying this nefarious act, majorly on Facebook, fleecing unsuspecting Nigerians of their finances in the process.

Jeffery Ohonbamu (not real name) was lucky enough to get off their grip before the scammers were able to heavily defraud him of his scarce resources. His firsthand experience with the identity thieves cost him his N10, 800. Recounting his ordeal to DAILY POST, the unemployed graduate revealed that he encountered one of the fraudsters who presented himself as Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on the ‘People You May Know’ section of his Facebook page. Seeing that this Amaechi shares two mutual friends with him, he sent him a friend request which was accepted pronto.

According to the victim, “the 419ner posing as Governor Rotimi Amaechi claimed in his Facebook profile that he worked at ‘Governor of Rivers State’, studied at University of Port Harcourt’, lives in ‘Port Harcourt’, hails from ‘Ubima, Rivers, Nigeria’ and was born on ‘May 27,1965’.

“It also happened that this ’Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’ was always posting messages on his walls, disclosing how he has been helping people to get jobs in blue-chip companies operating in Rivers State. Some of the messages variously posted by the scammer on his wall exactly go thus: ‘Good morning my lovely people of Nigeria and Rivers, I am very sorry if i am not living to your expectations. For those I have helped online and given jobs to, please ensure to help others so we can all live happily and those that have told me and I have not helped or an-

swered, please note that your case is not forgotten. I love you all and I will join you to make our country a better place’ Another post reads, ‘Good morning my people, I love you all. Those of you who got the chevron job on Thursday, please stop sending messages to thank me, instead thank God and help the needy like the orphanages. Help me make our country a better place...

Thank you. ‘my beloved people, I just got a message like i normally get before from some of my lovely people that they acquired form and their job interview is tomorrow 2nd of march 2015,no need to worry because i have told them about you all and you have all been taken just like the others who were taken. Please remember your promises not to thank me but God and don’t forget to join me help others and make our country a better place; change is what we need and it is what we will get...I LOVE YOU ALL’.”

Ohonbamu continued that given the glaring grammatical flaws and other inadequacies noticeable in the posts purportedly written by Governor Amaechi, he was amazed that that none of those who commented on the posts gave vent to its obvious incompatibilities with posts expected of a senior government official. He however dismissed his reservation as he concluded that the Governor must have been trying to be hip in his language in line with nuance of social media communication.

Daily Post was shown the comments by the other friends most of whom prayed and showered praises on who they must have thought was the Governor as these comments show: “Your Excellency, your goodness and absolute commitment to the upliftment of all Nigerians is well noted. Keep it up sir. With the likes of you we will eventually occupy our rightful place in the comity of nations”, “My Excellency goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life, you shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever amen”.

Following the palpable lack of suspicion on the part of all those who interacted with the fake Governor on his ‘page’, our source, who is an unemployed graduate, was taken in when

Amaechi

‘Governor Amaechi’ requested all those desirous of becoming gainfully employed to ‘inbox’ him. He immediately sent him a mail. The following conversation then ensured which the victim permitted this newspaper to publish.

Ohonbamu had written in response to the fraud’s offer of assistance: “Your Excellency, I will really need the kind of job you are facilitating. I am Jeffery Ohonbamu with a Bache-

“The employ-

ment manager then apologized for the disruption, claiming he was only directing one of his office assistants on what to do. He was also quick to let the job seeker know that his earlier calls were not picked because the number is an office line which is only attended to between 10:30am to 4pm”

lor of Science degree in industrial physics from FUT Minna.

Thanks.”

After two hours, the swindler replied to the message thus: ‘ok, send me the name on you certificate, so I can forward your name. It (the job offer) is in the n.n.p.c’ ‘My name is Jeffery Ohonbamu’, he posted Fraudster: “ok, i will get back at you as soon as i get my number of people” “God bless you for this, Your Excellency,” Ohonbamu retorted. “amen. God bless you too. inbox me tomorrow by 9pm,” the fraudster replied.

‘Of course I will. Thanks again.’

By 9pm the next day, Ohonbamu wrote: ‘Hello Sir’ Fraudster replies: ‘how are you friend’ ‘I am good and you?’ ‘how may i help you’ ‘You asked me to inbox you by 9pm about the NNPC job’ ‘oh give me a moment’ After two minutes, ‘Governor Amaechi’ wrote: ‘I have spoken with the employment Manager. Here is his phone number: 08168126262.’‘call him and tell him your full name, he has a list with him’ ‘Okay, Thank you’ ‘You can call him tomorrow, tell him Rivers governor sent you’ Alright Sir.’ By the next morning, Ohonbamu dialed the number with no one picking until he called by 11am. The call was picked by a man who introduced himself as Engr. Frank Olebor.

While the call was on, Olebor was heard telling somebody to

“please take away this file and put it where it is supposed to be,” “How many times will I tell you not to litter my table with files?” he asked.

The employment manager then apologized for the disruption, claiming he was only directing one of his office assistants on what to do. He was also quick to let the job seeker know that his earlier calls were not picked because the number is an office line which is only attended to between 10:30am to 4pm.

Suspecting a foul play at this point, Ohonbamu rather introduced himself as Abdulrahaman Buaji from Kwara State and explained that Governor Amaechi directed him to call.

On hearing this, Engr. Olebor pleaded for a minute to check if his name was on the list submitted by the Governor. After checking, he awkwardly affirmed that ‘Abdulrahaman Buaji from Kwara State’ is on the list of those to be given the NNPC offshore job.

He then asked Mr. Buaji to report next day to the NNPC office in Port Harcourt where he can buy a mandatory form for N10, 800.00. He added that he should come along with his credentials as they would be collected immediately after he fills and submits the forms. It was at this point that Jeffery logged out of the entire deception. He was however charitable enough to return to the fake Ameachi’s Facebook wall where he warned gullible friends to beware of the impostor.

Daily Post checks equally yielded a related episode between a certain Elizabeth Ojene and the popular Nollywood star, Ini Edo, still on Facebook. Like Ohonbamu, Elizabeth also saw her favourite female actor, Ini Edo, through Facebook’s ‘People You May Know’ portal but could not remember whether she shared any mutual friend with this Ini Edo. On the page where Ini Edo’s pictures with her profile reading that she worked at ‘nollywood’, studied at ‘University of Uyo’ and lives in ‘Lagos, Nigeria’.

She saw lots of messages on her wall of people who were thanking ‘Ini Edo’ for accepting them as her Facebook friend, hailing her for theatrical exploits. However, three days after becoming friends with the thespian, she supposedly posted a public message on her wall where she directed those who wanted to feature in her new movie to call a mobile number said to be that of her manager.

The 26-year old Elizabeth quickly called the number and was asked of her location.

She disclosed that she stays in Benue State. After which, the ‘manager’ went on to reel out to her the modalities she had to meet before being given the opportunity to feature in the movie which would purportedly have some scenes shot abroad.

She was told by the male voice at the other end of the phone conversation to immediately rush to Lagos with N13,000 as ‘form fee’ and another N10,000 to cater for her lodging at a hotel for the two days she would be screened.

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metro

I raped my girlfriend on Vals Day to enjoy myself

– Suspected cultist by abiodun badejo

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27 year old graduate of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Soladoye Ige, is currently cooling off in the custody of men of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, of the Ondo State Police command for allegedly raping an 18 year old lady on February 14 this year.

The suspected rapist, who was recently paraded by the state Police Commissioner, Mr Isaac Eke, told DAILY POST that he decided to rape his girl friend to enjoy Valentine’s Day, saying that the lady restricted all attempts he made to make love with him.

He explained that “It is usual of me and every member of my cult group to have sexual intercourse on Valentine’s Day to show the significance of the day. But, when I invited my girl friend to my house, she came and insisted that I could not sleep with her. I told her that it was usual of me to have fun on Valentine’s Day but she resisted, hence my resolve to force her to bed.”

According to the suspect, the lady had passed the night in his house on several occasions while he had also spent the night in her house too.

He said “I have not raped her before and I would not have raped her if she agreed with me. We all know that Valentine’s Day is for love making and since she was the only one I have at that time, I decided to have sex with her, but her refusal made me to force her and we both enjoyed it at the end of the day.”

He however attributed his action to the work of the devil and enemies in his home, saying “I believe everything was the work of the devil and the enemies I have at home. I have a lot of enemies who do not wish me well. I believe they are behind my current ordeal.”

Ige who noted that he had been having sexual intercourse with his girl friend for over a year that they had been dating, said “I don’t know why she refused my advances on that day, because it was unusual of her. There were several occasions that she would be the one to ask for sex and I will satisfy her with all my ability.”

He noted that he did not tear the pant or any of the under wears of the lady, arguing that “from my knowledge of rape, a rape case can only be established if the lady can present an evidence like torn pants and tears on her private part, but there was nothing like

this as far as I know.”

“If she said I raped her, I agree that I raped her. I did that to make the two of us enjoy Valentine’s Day which was meant for love. She cannot say in my presence that I have not been having sex with her before. So, why should she refused my offer on Valentine’s Day?” he queried.

Ige who had spent a week in the custody of the Police said “contrary to the claim that I used blade to write some things on her private part, I swear that I did not write anything on any part of her body. She was my girl friend and I had sex with her forcefully.”

Friday, March 13, 2015

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Seun Opejobi seun.opejobi@dailypost.ng

EFCC to arraign Saraki’s aide, cousin over N371m fraud

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rince Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye, a former Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to the immediate past governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki on Millennium Development Goals and the current Commissioner for Information in the state, will on March 19, 2015 be arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before a Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

Moronfoye will be arraigned for money laundering, awarding contracts to his acquaintance, embezzlement, diversion of public funds, and abuse of office.

Also, the cousin to the accused, Ope Saraki who is the SSA on Millennium Development Goals to the current governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, will be arraigned alongside Moron-

Moronfoye

foye by the anti-graft agency.

Moronfoye was said to have allegedly enriched himself while in office as the Senior

Special Assistant to the former governor.

He was accused specifically of awarding contracts worth

over N200m to a company which he heads. The contracts were meant for the renovation of Ijagbo Primary Health Centre and the supply of medical equipment to Health Centres and Specialist Hospitals within the state.

Saraki, on his part was arraigned for allegedly awarded inflated contracts to companies owned by his acquaintance.

Saraki was said to have allegedly duped the State in a deal that had to do with the purchase of Ambulances for hospitals in the state.

According to the anti-graft agency, Saraki in a contract to awarded to Chemiroy Nigeria Limited worth N171, 990,000, defrauded Kwara State government by procuring thirteen Hiace buses from a local car dealer which he converted to ambulance in place of factory built ambulance.

Police arrest couple for torturing 11-month-old son over witchcraft claims in Rivers Man bags

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couple who hails from Ikot Nakanda, Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State, Alvan and Ugonwa Orji, are currently cooling their heels in police net for allegedly abusing their 11-month-old son who they accused of being a wizard and is responsible for all their misfortunes.

According to the complainant, Barrister James Ibor, who is the Principal Counsel of Basic Rights Council Initiative,

BRCI, a child rights advocacy group, the case was reported to the police after receiving an anonymous call that Alvan and his wife were in the habit of subjecting their son to inhuman treatment.

He further disclosed that the couple constantly yells at the 11 month old boy while assaulting him both physically and emotionally, adding that Alvan and his wife do tie up the boy to a chair using electric cable.

In a bid to ascertain the true state of the allegation, Ibor car-

ried out a private investigation which confirmed the story he was told as the toddler was seen with scars as a result of maltreatment on his body and face.

Ibor further noted that neighbors said the child’s father uses his belt and electric cable to beat the child on a regular basis.

Upon their arrest, the father of the child confessed to battering his child on the ground that the baby is possessed with ‘Ogbanje’ spirit.

Nigerian Navy arrests two teenagers for burglary in Lagos

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he Lagos State Police Command has informed by two teenagers that they were groomed and made to rob houses at the Navy Town Barracks in Lagos by some armed robbers who are grown up.

The teenagers, identified as Ehis Akhimien, 13, and Elijah Benjamin, 15, were apprehended by operatives of the Navy when they sneaked into the barracks to burgle houses of officers and make away with valuables items worth over N500,000.

The suspects told newsmen at the Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS WEY, that they do go through the fence of the barracks, adding that they were only sent by their masters who usually wait for them on the other side of the fence to receive whatever

they were able to burgle and give them N1000 as a reward for their effort.

Luck however ran out for the kids as they were apprehended by a patrol team attached to the naval unit.

13-year-old Ehis Akhiemien, who is a student of Assurance Primary School, Kirikiri, said he joined the world of crime four months back.

“Elijah said we should go to people’s houses to steal. We would jump the fence into the barracks at about 6pm and would hide until it is dark.

Elijah would tear the nets of our victims with blade, from where he stole the items. At times some of the kitchen doors were left opened, thereby facilitating his entry.

On my part, I would be on the lookout for any intruder. At the

end, we would take the stolen items to our boss who would be waiting for us at the other side of the fence.”

The other suspect, Elijah Benjamin, on his part said one Afeez Lamidi and Abdusalam Garuba forced them into robbery.

“We were taken to waterside in Kirikiri by brother Afeez and Abdusalam where we were briefed on how to go and steal.

They threatened that if we did not go and steal they would beat us and even kill us. They also threatened to kill us if we told anyone.”

“In one of the operations, we came with N50, 000. We also got N12, 000 and N7, 000 in separate operations. At the end of each operation, they would give us N1, 000 and pat us on the back for being good boys.”

three weeks jail term for stealing generator

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ne Abdullahi Mohammed from Mabushi has been sentenced to three weeks in prison by anAbuja Senior Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 2 on Thursday for allegedly stealing a generator worth N120, 000.

Mohammed was said to have conspired with one Tunde, now on the run to commit the crime.

The accused was found guilty of the offence and was sentenced by the senior Magistrate, Mr Aliyu Shafa.

Shafa, while delivering judgment, said: “The convict is hereby sentenced to three weeks in prison without any option of fine. This is to serve as a lesson to you and others like you, who think that stealing must be a means to make a living.”

The prosecutor, Cpl Monday Akor, in his testimony before the Court, said on March 5, one Yusuf Brima of Bwari Area Council Abuja came to Maitama to report the matter.

Akor further said the convict and one Tunde, now on the run, conspired and stole one 5.5kv Sumec Fireman generator, worth N120, 000, belonging to the complainant.

He further stated that the act contravened sections 79 and 288 of the Penal Code Law.

Friday, March 13, 2015

interview 13

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Boko Haram: “There will be no Nigeria if Christians had been fighting back” – Bishop Emeritus Mani

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ix years ago, Borno state used to be referred to as ‘the home of peace. Now, the chorus has changed. You are a witness to both times; can we please know your submission on this?

Indeed it is very good to remember the past. I had gone round to many states of the Federation as a military officer and chaplain in my 22 years of service before coming to Borno state as a Bishop and by the grace of God, I have been here for nearly 25 years. I did not witnessed in other states the kind of peaceful coexistence that was demonstrated in Borno state in prior to the wake of insurgency.

I remember the late Shehu whom I met here. He used to encourage non-indigenes that Borno state belongs to all of us, and I know a lot of University lecturers who have put in their best for the development of Borno state. At that time, the city was actually expanding rapidly, and socio-economic life of the people was booming. But the unfortunate happened, and we are still on it.

My prayer is that we overcome this challenge. The challenge of insecurity…Yes, there was an occasion when we gathered at the Government House and I did said from my observation that, certain group of people were migrating to Borno state without being checked, and that if the state continues to allow people like that, it may become what it is today; that was in the Government House and all the traditional rulers were around.

The influx of people then was very alarming and actually, that was the starting point of insecurity in Borno state.

Some people are saying that the insecurity in Borno state is a plan to phase out Christianity in the state; it has also been said that some indigenous Muslims want to control the economy of their own state and are targeting the Igbos and other non-indigenes whom they alleged have come to their state to amass wealth. How would you react to this?

Well, one of the things or the beauty of it all is that if Christians have been fighting back, there would not be a country called Nigeria. Christians have always been saying that vengeance belongs to God and this is what is keeping this country together, because Christians are not fighting back. I pray that Christians will continue to maintain that position.

I have realized that everybody is important and there is nothing more than unity or to unite for a common purpose. That has been my emphasis all the years. Even when I was an army chaplain, nobody came between me and the unit Imam.

If you touched the unit Imam, you touched me and we did naming ceremonies and everything together and sometimes, you will see the unit Imam in church when we had ceremonies and sometimes you see us in the mosque.

That has been my background and I cannot see myself discriminating in any form. And I will continue to do so. When you look at the situation in Nigeria today, we have lots of discriminations and segregations which are reducing our strength to achieve what Nigeria should be.

God is interested in the project called Nigeria. Despite our diversity and religious persuasion as well as ethnic background with about 250 languages and different cultures, we are still one. This

Emmanuel Kana Mani is the Arch Bishop Emeritus of the Maiduguri Diocese of the Anglican Communion. As a former military officer of the Zuru extraction, Emeritus Mani has seen the good, the bad and the ugly. He has lived in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital for 25 years and has witnessed peace at some point. Having also experienced the most challenging period in Borno state in the wake of insurgency, he speaks with DAILY POST on the security challenges and other sundry issues in Borno State. Our Correspondent, MAINA MAINA sent excerpt: is a thing to thank God for. But we still have some challenges and those are the challenges I ask that should be tackled headlong.

We should not pretend and nobody should just fight for a particular region because the greatness of Nigeria is not in doubt. Let us harness what we have; the human and material resources because we have everything in abundance.

Most advanced countries today, those who are doing well in medicine, in different fields are doing so with the help of Nigerians. So, we have all that it takes to make Nigeria realize her dream of greatness.

I cited a lot of examples that even in some parts of the North, some indigenes and non-indigenes are working in some ministries without problems.

The Boko Haram crises that started like an attack on churches has taken a new dimension as both Christians and Muslims are suffering from the crises. Many people are being beheaded; it has changed from what looked like a religious war to intra-religious conflict and political controversies. How would you explain this?

Like I said, I pray that no Christian abandons his or her faith because of what is happening here in Borno state or anywhere else.

Anybody who feels he is in danger should prayerfully leave. We would not urge Christians to officially take up arms and fight back. That is our collective resolve, it has happened in the past and the church of God is what it is, and it would continue to be what it is. So, whatever shape or faces this crisis is turning into,

Mani

the aim is to disunite the country and nothing more. Some people do not want to see Nigeria remain as one indivisible entity, but God will not allow that to happen. When you read reactions, particularly on facebook today, it is likely that; you may conclude that the disaffection and hatred among Nigerians and particularly Christians and Muslims is increasing every day, and our leaders have continue to pretend going by what is happening in many states now.

Nobody benefits from any crisis. Both the initiators of crisis and those who are the target of such crisis are all victims and if we are all victims, then nobody benefits. We are losing our youths and also losing a lot of resources. So, it is selfishness as I said, therefore the governments of the day at all levels should provide job opportunities. There must be massive employment and those people who amassed a lot of money which even their children will not need should spread the money to the common man.

If people are economically engaged properly, they would not be used for destruction. Politicians should play politics according to the rules. What is happening in the state today is unacceptable. They should know that using other people’s children to commit atrocity is sinful, and all religion condemn such.

There is also element of ethnicity because true religion does not say you should kill the other person so that you can be. People use religion to achieve their aims because religion is a very sensitive thing. I can never ask a Christian

to attack anybody in any form because that is against the teaching of the Holy bible which says, ‘Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you.’ There are a lot of factors but we should deemphasize the issue of ethnicity and religious thinking when it comes to appoint-

“So that

distrust has been (there) even before independence but since God has made it possible for us that we should be a nation, we should continue to learn how to live with one another.

We should, in the spirit of one Nigeria, continue to appreciate one another” ments. Whoever qualifies to get anything, he should be allowed to get it.

If the President is a Muslim, he will not be there for life and we thank God that the democratic set up is now working in Nigeria because getting democratic positions is by election. The wishes of the people should be respected.

Whoever is appointed, we should join hands in praying. Nigeria is still together because we have many people, both Muslims and Christians who want this nation to move forward. We have many people of goodwill. The Muslims are praying, Christians are praying so that Nigeria will continue to be.

So many have left, many people are still leaving Borno state; non-indigenes are leaving ; those who said they own the state are as well taking refuge in other states; everybody is leaving, crippling everything the state is once proud of; what is your advice to the people, the government and particularly the church in this regard?

For Christians, persecution has been part of the history of the church. Jesus Christ told us that, ‘if they have persecuted me; they would also persecute you.’ So, it is not a new thing and it is the blood of the Martyrs that spread the gospel in the first century Christianity, therefore, my advice to the Christian community is that they should

remain focused and should and hold on to the faith once delivered to the Saints. We should not lose our grounds but should continue to worship God in any situation.

About those who are leaving; they have the right to leave for where they feel it is better for them.

I want government also to do something urgently by ensuring indigenes that they are needed in the city, because eventually, if everybody leaves, there will be nobody to govern and Borno will become a failed state, which we say, may God forbid. If something happened to a non-indigene or an indigene, government should demonstrate a practical concern without regard to religion or tribe. For example, some houses were burnt and some churches that were burnt, some within the capital and others outside, but nothing has been done by the authorities about them. The authorities also need to practically show those who want to remain here that they are with them.

My appeal also goes to those killing others. They should learn to safeguard lives and not to destroy it. Killing is not the best. We are all Nigerians whether Hausa, Kanuri, Yoruba or Igbo; whether Christian or Muslim; we are all human beings and should be regarded as such; we appeal to those who are aggrieved to come to dialogue with the authorities so that peace can return to Borno state.

What do you think is responsible for the distrust between the Southerners and the Northerners and also between Muslims and Christians?

The North was a different thing entirely as its administration was well organized through the traditional institutions and that was why the colonial masters adopted Indirect Rule. The West had their system of government and also the East. As such, it is very difficult to harness and bring people of different thinking together.

Like the Kanem Borno Empire where Islam came the first time, the tradition and everything was Islamic and the people were peaceful, if not the recent challenge that we have, Islam came here before Sokoto, before Kano and others.

And since I came here twenty-five years ago, it has been a thing of joy because I discovered that we have a lot of people who are peace loving.

So that distrust has been (there) even before independence but since God has made it possible for us that we should be a nation, we should continue to learn how to live with one another. We should, in the spirit of one Nigeria, continue to appreciate one another.

The Hausa man should be appreciated by the easterner and the easterner should be appreciated by the Hausa man. For instance, even the internal trade, there is nowhere Kola nut is grown in the north, which alone is something because where it is produced, they don’t even consume it. We produce a lot of things (in the north) like beans and cows and take them to the east, which is the greatness of our country.

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Friday, March 13, 2015

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Ameh Comrade Godwin comrade.ameh@dailypost.ng

Ice Prince A floats new label, Super Cool Cats

boki crooner and Chocolate City rapper, Ice Prince Zammani is set float his own record label.

However, the star rapper would still be under the management of his record label, ChocolateCity.

His mentor, M.I Abaga had earlier floated his own label, Loopy Records while still signed to ChocCity.

Chocolate City boss, Audu Maikori was recently asked by newsmen how he feels about M.I Abaga’s Loopy Records, which he floated in February 2012 and he responded: “We are very happy with it, there’s no friction between both labels.

Dance Queen, Kaffy bereaved, loses mum

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…Plus list of Nollywood stars who Failed in music

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Nigerian entertainers wage ‘War Against Rape’

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Iya Rainbow duets Pasuma in new gospel song

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oruba movie veteran, Idowu Philips, famously known as Iya Rainbow, is set to hit the music shelves with her debut gospel album.

The 72-year-old actress has decided to try her hands on music after carving a niche for herself in the motion picture industry.

Interestingly, the movie star-turned-music minister would be collaborating with Fuji singer, Pasuma Wonder in a song entitled Ore Ofe. Those familiar with the two entertainers would attest to the fact that they both enjoy a mother-son relationship.

“Ice Prince also has Super Cool Cats, which is his new imprint and it’s coming out soon. One of the things Choc City set out to do is to be the mother body and create that platform for others to grow and we have encouraged that actively by supporting their projects.”

“There’s Super Cool Cats music, my new outfit, and I have a few artists that I want to introduce to the world. There’s a girl called Ruth and a guy called Stunt.

They’re all super cool cats. And there are a lot of producers in that outfit as well,” Ice Prince confirmed.

Don Jazzy drags Mercy Johnson into music

hese are sad moments for Guinness Book record holder and dance queen, Kaffy Ameh, as the entertainer has lost her mum to the icy hands of death.

Mrs. Ameh, a mother of two, who announced the passing away of her dear mum, described the deceased as a caring mother.

arlier in the week, frontline entertainers literarily shutdown the city of Lagos in a solidarity walk tagged: War Against Rape (WAR).

The protest, which took place at Ikeja, the Lagos State capital is an annual initiative convened by social and women-right activist, Esther Ijewere-Kalejaiye and endorsed by the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Present at the rally were, Nollywood heavyweights like Ini Edo, Desmond Elliot, Kate Henshaw and Tonto Dikeh.

Other notable celebrities who took part in the walk included Joseph Benjamin, Owen Gee, Omobaba, Jimmy Jatt, Monalisa Chinda, Toke Makinwa, Mercy Aigbe, Iyabo Ojo, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Emma Nyra, Emmanuel Ikubese, BEAT FM’s Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Bolaji Rosij.

Christians who claim that Lucifer is the devil actually have no Biblical basis or authority for such a belief. Though they may claim to be “Bible believing Christians” whose faith is built solely on “the Word of God” they are actually followers – in this and many other respects – of Christian religious tradition and not of the Christian Bible. Or have they quietly conferred divine infallibility upon their Pastors, Prayer warriors, and Man of God – CharlyBoy

Liz Benson returns in The Wrong Reasons

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fter a long hiatus from the klieg light, veteran actress-turned-evangelist, Liz Benson-Ameye has returned to her first love-acting.

The ageless actress, who took a break from the industry after marrying Bishop Great Ameye of Freedom Family Assembly in 2009, is set to dazzle her fans.

The beautiful thespian was one of those that made the Nollywood brand what it is today.

Mrs. Ameye was pictured on the set of new movie titled ‘The Wrong Reasons’ by film maker Elvis Chucks.

The actress had in a recent interview disclosed that she never imagined herself getting married to a Man of God. “I tell you what? No one knows what tomorrow holds for him or her. I carried the heart of someone that wants to serve God but I never thought it will turn out this way.

ollywood most sought-after actress, Mercy Johnson-Okojie has disclosed her plan to try her hands on music.

Mrs. Okojie, a mother of two said she would be featuring acclaimed wizard of hits and Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy in her debut studio effort.

The duo made the announcement on twitter through their handles @realmercyj and @ DONJAZZY She tweeted: “With @DONJAZZY at AMVCA….watch out for my single….its Don Jazzy again. Don Jazzy then replied, saying “Osheee tell them” It would be recalled that Mercy Johnson had earlier vowed to also drag Don Jazzy into filmmaking, an idea, which the hit maker applauded.

However, many of her fans have been advising her to stick to acting as music would be a tough road to thread. They were quick to remind her of other movie stars who failed to make fortunes through music.

The under listed actors have failed in their attempts to attain stardom in music.

Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde In 2005, after she was banned by the then President of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejike Asiegbu led AGN regime, Nollywood sexiest, Omotola Jalada-Ekeinde released a single entitled Gba, and was followed by a video and album.

However, despite the massive

D’banj, Don Jazzy, Wande Coal reunite for Segun Oniru

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hype, the album was indeed a failure. She released another album and songs like Missing You and Feel Alright, yet she made little or no impact on the music industry.

Lilian Bach Fair-complexioned actress, Lilian Bach also tried her hands on music, but she pulled out when she realized it was a tough path to thread.

Anita Joseph ‘Born-again’ actress, Anita Joseph who was until now addressed as Nollywood bad girl, dropped gospel singles between the 2008/2009, but they were only good for the dust.

Shan George Known for her perfect role interpretation as a movie star, Shan George’s attempts at making a name through music hit the brick walls. Even her performance at Felabration was not good enough to shoot her to the top as a singer.

Nkem Owoh (Osuofia) Nkem Owoh, famously known as Ukwa, is no doubt a force to reckon with in the Nigerian motion picture industry, globally known as Nollywood.

However, he got more than he bargained for few years back when ventured into music.

His popular song, entitled I Go Chop Your Dollar was banned on air due to its lyrical content.

Osuofia went ahead to record another song, Olamma, but it was also a big flop.

ne of Nigeria’s most iconic groups, Mo’Hits rolled back the times as they hit the stage together during the week.

The trio of Don Jazzy, D’banj and Wande Coal brought back old memories of the group as they stormed the stage to thrill fans with their hit song, Pere at the 50th birthday of Segun Oniru inLagos.

The classic event for the man who is the Lagos State Commissioner for

I do countless sex styles to keep my man – Mide Funmi-Martins

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ollywod actress, Mide Funmi-Martins, has declared that she would do everything within her power to keep her marriage intact.

The thespian, who has been married for 12 years, said she gives her husband every sex style to make sure she doesn’t look outside.

Mrs. Martins was reacting to a recent warning handed by a UK-based Nigerian Pastor, Olugbenga Oladejo, who claimed that any couple who practices ‘unholy’ sexual positions aside missionary style would go to hell.

Angered by Oladejo’s revelation, the Nollyword actress said, “One style what? If it is only one style that I have been doing with my husband, I would have lost him to all these skinny girls out there.

“If any wife decides to stick to the missionary style, she will lose him to the girls out there who are ready to go further and do lots of crazy stuff in bed to make your man happy.”

Waterfront Infrastructure Development, held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island.

A visibly elated Don Jazzy, took to his Instagram page to share the video with a caption: “Felt good honoring the celebrant Prince Aremo Oniru tonight with a surprise #Pere Performance with my brothers @Iambangalee and @Wandecoal. #HappyBirthdayPrinceOniru #SMD.”

Friday, March 13, 2015

sport 15

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Senate committee will not interfere in appointment of foreign coach – Senator Adamu Gumba W hat does the NFF bill seek to achieve?

It is a bill that tries to improve on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). It is an improvement on the Act to make sure it complies with FIFA rules. It has to change from time to time to make sure FIFA regulations are captured in the Act to guide against sanctions.

In the recent past, Nigeria received threats from FIFA for the violation of some of its provisions.

So this particular bill will make sure those areas that conflict with FIFA regulations are expunged so that Nigerian football administrators can work in accordance with FIFA regulations. We try to conduct our activities within FIFA framework because we are voluntary members of that world body and we are recognized as such.

In making these laws, did you consider FIFA’s instructions, because it seems there are areas of restrictions, in that nobody should stay more than eight years?

This particular Bill was handled by the Nigeria Football Federation with the Senate Committee on Sports and Social Development.

Both made inputs based on the position of law and agreed to what we have proposed. They looked at the peculiar nature of Nigeria where members of Nigeria football family do not want the executives to finish the first four year term. If that is the case, the second four year tenure would probably improve football activities. So whoever is contesting for that seat knows that there is an existing law that allows the executive to stay for eight years.

But our past experi-

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, is unarguably facing its biggest challenge ever due to lack of the needed policy framework that regulates the conduct of football administrators that could bring about optimal performance at the domestic and global level. Nigeria has also been under threat of sanction from FIFA, the world’s football governing body, as a result of its perceived undue interference of the Nigerian government in the affairs of the NFF. However, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports and Social Development, Senator Adamu Gumba, (Bauchi South Senatorial District), in an interview with DAILY POST in his office, said the current bill being discussed at the National Assembly, when passed into law, would strengthen and exculpate the Nigerian football governing body from the legal imbroglio it has been experiencing for quite sometime now.

Atek’ojo Samson Usman sent excerpts:

ence was that after the NFF Board completes the first four year tenure, what we see is turmoil, confusion, court action and counter court action and so this is what we try to reduce in this current bill before the National Assembly. And of course, if in future, these eight year tenure is considered inadequate, let’s say the person is good, it can be removed through amendment of the Act and it can be made a lifetime for the person.

So for now, one can be elected for the first four years and another four years and after that no more. I understand Sepp Blatter has been there for so many years, Isa Hayyataou has been there for many years, while Nigeria Football family decided to fix their own the way we have presented it in the bill and I think we have to start from somewhere than jumping into an area which we cannot sustain. That is the position.

What is the guarantee that this bill would stop these crises bedeviling Nigeria Football Association?

Well, ours is to provide the needed law and it is the duty of individuals in the football family to observe the law. Nigerians are known for breach of laws. You

Gumba

may make perfect laws and they may decide not to obey those laws.

The courts are there, arbitration panels are also there to enforce provision of the laws because in football, FIFA frowns at going to court. Nigeria Football Arbitration Panel can sit down to reconcile or adjudicate differences.

Pele admits Ronaldo is now better than Messi P

H

and not appointed by government as it was.

Some Nigerians have been clamoring for a foreign Technical Adviser who can make the Super Eagles perform optimally; do you support this call?

It is unfortunate that Nigerians are impatient. When Keshi came on board, and was performing, people held him in awe, applauding and commending him to the extent that he earned a national honour as well as several presidential handshakes.

But these people started calling for his head immediately things stared going down, condemning him and asking for a foreign coach. Personally, I feel that the Senate Committee would not interfere in that aspect because it is the responsibility of Nigeria Football Federation to know whether they require a foreign coach or not and I will not advise otherwise.

UEFA insists Ibrahimovic will serve Champions League suspension

ele has said that Cristiano Ronaldo is now the best footballer in the world, after years of Lionel Messi “dominance” and insisted the future belongs to Neymar.

Messi’s four-year Ballon d’Or winning streak, was ended by the Real Madrid superstar, who has won the last two awards.

“Now, after several years of Messi dominance, the best is Cristiano,” the Santos icon told L’Uomo Vogue.

“The future will smile on Neymar. He can be the key man at Barcelona and help Brazil to return to its rightful place in the rankings.”

Pele also said that he would not have had any problems shining in the modern game, stating that football was all about talent and dedication.

“I’d find myself at ease on the field today,” the Brazil legend said.

“It’s not high-tech footballs that make a footballer, but talent and dedication.”

Warri Wolves coach learns from Wenger ahead of CAF Confederation Cup game

With the bill, does it mean that if somebody is elected and he does not perform well, he will be there for the eight years?

No. We are not saying the person should be there for eight years but if he is elected and even if he is bad, he should be allowed to be there for four years because that is what the law says; after which he would be subjected to another election. If he wins, alright, but if he is a bad administrator, he will be thrown out via election, while a competent person is elected to lead the federation.

What does the bill say about NFF headed by the Minister and election of the Board Chairman in Sports Ministry?

There are two different issues.

National Sports Commission is headed by the Minister and the Minister is appointed by the President to run the affairs of sports in Nigeria through National Sports Commission. But the NFF is like a parastatal under the National Sports Commission and as a parastatal, the new law is saying contrary to what obtains in the old law, the executive committee will be elected by the general assembly

ead coach of Warri Wolves, Paul Aigbogun, has expressed his delight after meeting Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Aigbogun is preparing his side for their CAF Confederation Cup match against Ethopian side, Dedebit FC. The first leg comes up on Saturday at the Warri City Stadium.

“I was in the UK for eight days

Z

latan Ibrahimovic will miss the first leg of Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League quarter-final, after UEFA confirmed the French club cannot appeal his red card against Chelsea.

Ibrahimovic was dismissed for a foul on Oscar in the 31st minute during their 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

PSG went on to produce a fantastic performance with 10 men, to qualify for the last eight thanks to away goals rule. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho called for the red card to be rescinded, but it appears the Swede will sit out the next Champions League game.

“According to the regulations, a red card means automatically at least a one-match ban,” a UEFA spokesman told Perform.

“The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body will meet on 19 March to deal with this case, in other words they will take a decision on whether the player is suspended only for one match or more.”

UEFA added that, under their regulations, a team has no right of appeal aside from in a case where a referee has made an obvious error such as mistaking the identity of the offending player.

and I learnt a lot there. I met the Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, and we shared notes on football,” he told SuperSport.

“Wenger opened my eyes to the modern innovations of the game which include football philosophy and the use of technology, and professionally running a club.

“I also met the gentleman in charge of match analysis at English championship club Derby

County.

“I am sure these experiences will help me, not only this weekend against the Ethiopian club, but for the rest of my coaching career.”

Aigbogun made it clear he was expecting tougher opposition against Dedebit FC, despite overcoming RC Bobo Dioulasso 4-0 on aggregate in the previous round.

daily post sports

with

‘Ifreke Inyang

ifreke.inyang@dailypost.ng

Friday, March 13, 2015

dailypost.ng

“The worst is when I got the red card. All the Chelsea players came around. It felt like I had 11 babies around me.” – Zlatan Ibrahimovic nigeria’s most popular free newspaper

Manu Garba sets sight on African Youth Championship trophy

M

anu Garba has charged the Flying Eagles to go all the way and win the African Youth Championship trophy.

Nigeria’s U-20 side beat Congo 4-1 on Wednesday night, to reach the semi-final of the tournament and also qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Captain Musa Muhammed scored twice, while Taiwo Awoniyi and Ifeanyi Matthew also got on the score sheet, as the Flying Eagles got their second win, despite playing with 10 men down for most of the game.

“I’m grateful to Almighty God for qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. It was a great victory playing most part of the game with 10 men,” Garba said.

“To score seven goals in two matches is no easy job. I believe we are a strong side. My boys have done very well.

“Our target is to win all the matches and that means winning the trophy as well.

The first part of the job has been with qualification for the World Cup. Now, the other target is to go to the World Cup as African champions.

Nigeria rise to 41st spot in latest FIFA rankings

T

he Super Eagles have gone up by one place and now sit in 41st position in the latest FIFA rankings.

Algeria is the highest-ranked African team (18th). Ivory Coast (20), Ghana (24), Tunisia (25) and Senegal (36) make up the top five nations on the continent.

In the overall table, Germany remain the number one team in the world with 1770 points, ahead of Argentina (second), Colombia (third), Belgium (fourth), Netherlands (fifth), Brazil (sixth), Portugal (seventh), France (eighth), Uruguay (ninth) and Italy (10th).

European champions, Spain, have fallen out of the top 10, for the first time since 2007, with Italy taking their place.

Mourinho, you Blue it!

by Ifreke Inyang

I

t was Jose Mourinho who fired the first shots

Ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge, he said: “I thought an English team would never be surprised by aggression, because of the aggression we have in our country.

“This season, we’ve played against sides from the Championship in the Cups, against teams from League One, and Shrewsbury from League Two, but the most aggressive team was PSG. “For me, that was a real surprise. With players of such quality, I was expecting more football and less aggression.

“A team with fantastic players was the team with a record

number of fouls, was the team making foul after foul, and was the team which stopped Hazard with fouls all the time.”

Typical Mourinho. His hobby, apart from stifling or overrunning opponents, is mind games.

But like it has happened several times in the past, it came to bite him back.

It appeared to be going according to plan, after nine of his players surrounded referee Bjorn Kuipers and pressured him into sending off Zlatan Ibrahimovic, when a yellow card would have been just appropriate. It was disgraceful, but for the men in Blue, it was mission accomplished.

And that is where it ended.

There did not appear to be a follow-up plan. To run riot.

To batter. To conduct waves and waves of attack. It seems Mourinho’s only strategy was

to try and wind up Laurent Blanc and his men. And nothing else. Like Thiago Silva said, he did not have enough respect for the Ligue 1 champions. Did not think they would have enough without Ibrahimovic to cause an upset.

For over an hour, they struggled to impose themselves on the visitors, until Gary Cahill slammed in the opening goal in the 80th minute. Now, a typical Mourinho side would have held on for a win. But somehow, they allowed former boy David Luiz rise highest to head in the equalizer and force the game into extra time.

By the time Thiago Silva was done playing both hero and villain in the 30 minutes, it was clearly one team that deserved to go through to the quarter-finals.

Manchester City eye Ancelotti to replace Pellegrini

R

eal Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly heading for the exit door and might replace Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City.

The Italian is coming under increased pressure at the Santiago Bernabeu, following the La Liga club’s indifferent form recently, with former president Ramon Caldero admitting Ancelotti’s position has become “very difficult”.

“Ancelotti’s position is very difficult with handkerchiefs, protests at what they saw. Maybe he’s thinking of leaving, I don’t know,” Calderon said in an interview with talkSPORT. “But I’m not sure the club or the coach knows either. It’s true he’s under pressure, but you always are. When you come to Real Madrid, presidents, coaches, players, all of them are

under pressure.

“I wouldn’t say they are thinking of firing him, which would be very premature. I hope things can turn around. They are talking about (Joachim) Loew, the German national coach.

I imagine they’ll decide that at end of season.”

Ancelotti has previously coached Chelsea in England and won the Premier League and FA Cup in his first year in charge at Stamford Bridge - the Blues’ first ever double.

He was sacked by Roman Abramovich a year later.

City are also looking at the possibility of getting Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola.

Red-hot Ujah eyes Super Eagles recall

F

C Koln striker, Anthony Ujah, is eager to put on the colours of Nigeria, following his recent goal scoring streak in Germany.

The 24-year-old was the talk of social media, after he celebrated scoring in their 4-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, by grabbing the horns of the club’s mascot, Hennes the goat.

Ujah has now scored three times in Koln’s last four games, as the club fights to remain in the top division - the Billy Goats are currently 11th with 28 points. Ujah is responsible for nine of the 25 goals the Bundesliga outfit has scored this campaign.

“I’m satisfied with my form at the moment and helping my club to stay in the Bundesliga at the end of the season,” Ujah told Goal.

“And if that’s good enough to be recalled to the national team, it’ll be the decision of the national team handlers.”

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