Wednesday 25 December 2013

“Why I Converted To Islam’ – Former Nollywood Actress Speaks Out

Actress Vivian Metchie

Nollywood actress Vivian Metchie, who has recently divorced, says she recently adopted the Islamic faith because she found the Christian faith too confusing.

Commenting on her choice to Yes! magazine, Ms Metchie said it was a personal decision she had to take.

    “Yeah it is personal. I understand the Koran more than the bible. All of a sudden, the Christian confusion was driving me nuts. My dad was catholic, my mum was Deeper Life, I married someone in the Redeemed Church and then all of a sudden, the few religions had something bad to say about each other. I just couldn’t take it anymore. A friend of mine who is close to me said that once you are grounded on the word, it wont be confusing. Unfortunately, maybe I wasn’t grounded in the word, but I still could see what I see. But in my quest and study and research, I don’t know: I was probably looking for peace. Yeah! That was what I was looking for and I found it in the Koran.”

Vivian, the mother of 4, who has adopted Fareedah as her muslim name, explains that her decision was well received and respected by her dad who has since stopped calling her by her native name and now calls her Fareedah.

ACF Calls For Restraint Over Obasanjo, Jonathan Face-Off

obj-jona-faceoff

The pan-northern socio-political organization, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has called for restraint over recent exchange of correspondences between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

ACF National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, who made the group’s position known in Kaduna, said that Nigerians must be careful in the way they interpret the letters.

“I have read both former president Obasanjo’s letter and the reply by President Jonathan, and I wish to say that in as much as I would prefer that such exchanges between former and sitting presidents be confidential in view of their places in the order of things in Nigeria, I would say the genie is out of the bottle. In which case, the reply is in order in the spirit of fair hearing.

“What remains now is for Nigerians to be dispassionate in their discussion of the correspondences with a sense of decorum and patriotism with a view to passing informed and fair judgment in the larger interest of Nigeria.

“Perhaps, if the presidency  had gotten used to explaining issues of national importance raised by concerned citizens and public spirited organizations, such approach would go a long way towards promoting our democracy and good governance”, the ACF scribe said.

Tuesday 24 December 2013

CONGRATULATIONS MRS EDITH OKOWA

Mrs. Edith Okowa

Hardwork, dedication & commitment to duty are positively rewarded. It is in recognition of the above traits in Mrs Edith Okowa, wife of our serving Senator that she has been elevated to the status of a Permanent Secretary (PS)in Delta State Civil Service. Congratulations madam. God is your strength, while we await the realization of our collective ambition come 2015. Ezigbo Nne, I Congratulate you again-

Mrs. Edith Okowa will be sworn-in as Permanent Secretary in Delta State Civil Service today, 23rd December 2013 at 9.00am. Venue is Unity Hall, Govt House Asaba. Senator Okowa's Constituency Office, congratulates Mrs Edith Okowa on her well deserved appointment. May God grant her the strength & wisdom to carryout the duties attached to her new position to the glory of God & enhancement of Deltans. Amen

Uduaghan swears in 25 new Perm Secs, harps on commitment

Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta has called on permanent secretaries in the state to be committed to their duties, ensure transparency and have fear of God in the course of service.

Uduaghan gave the advice while swearing-in 25 new permanent secretaries on Monday in Asaba.

He said the appointments were necessitated by available vacancies in the state’s civil service, adding that the selection was based on merit.

Uduaghan said that the position of permanent secretary was a career and political one, adding that it was meant for civil servants who distinguished themselves in service.

He said some of them, especially those in the education sector, would be deployed to zones, to help government achieve success in its educational policies.

“We have many permanent secretaries retiring from service, but we take our time in appointing new ones because the position is not a retirement gift.

“We have given out these appointments to enable us to achieve our agenda of “Delta Beyond Oil”. In doing this, we need a strong civil service like what exists in Singapore.

“It’s only a strong civil service that has the power to build a state without oil.”

Uduaghan appealed to the appointees and commissioners in the state to ensure peace in their various ministries, and work in harmony in the interest of the state.

The governor congratulated the appointees, including Mrs Edit Okowa, wife to Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, representing Delta North in the senate, saying that she had outstanding performance as a teacher.

Responding on behalf of the appointees, Mr Nduka Okonkwo, thanked the governor for the appointment, pledging their commitment to realising the goals of the administration.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 10 of the 25 new permanent secretaries are women, with the education sector having the highest number...
SENATOR OKOWA WITH DEPUTY GOVERNOR UTUAMA AND GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN.23-12-2013
SENATOR OKOWA WITH DEPUTY GOVERNOR UTUAMA AND GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN.23-12-2013
SENATOR OKOWA WITH A TRADITIONAL RULER 23-12-2013
SENATOR OKOWA WITH A TRADITIONAL RULER 23-12-2013
SENATOR OKOWA DISCUSSING WITH CAPTAIN PIUS SENEBE, FORMER STATE PDP CHAIRMAN
SENATOR OKOWA DISCUSSING WITH CAPTAIN PIUS SENEBE, FORMER STATE PDP CHAIRMAN
MRS. EDITH OKOWA TAKING OATH OF OFFICE
MRS. EDITH OKOWA TAKING OATH OF OFFICE
MRS EDITH OKOWA SIGNING THE DOCUMENT AFTER BEING SWORN IN 23-12-2013
MRS EDITH OKOWA SIGNING THE DOCUMENT AFTER BEING SWORN IN 23-12-2013
MRS EDITH OKOWA IN WARM EMBRACE WITH FIRST LADY, MRS ROLI UDUAGHAN
MRS EDITH OKOWA IN WARM EMBRACE WITH FIRST LADY, MRS ROLI UDUAGHAN
MRS EDITH OKOWA IN A WARM EMBRACE WITH HER HUSBAND AFTER THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY.
MRS EDITH OKOWA IN A WARM EMBRACE WITH HER HUSBAND AFTER THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY.

GROUP PICTURE WITH GOVERNOR UDUAGHAN AFTER THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF MRS EDITH OKOWA

Must Read: Open Letter To Nollywood

Nollywood

I came across this article online and decided to share it with you my esteem readers.

It’s an open letter by an unknown individual, directly aimed mainly to Nollywood movie directors, producers and even the actors and actresses.

Read it below and tell me what you think: -

The Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood, is trying but they are making some mistakes that are very glaring even to a child. They should understand that what is worth doing is worth doing well. I know they are hustling like every other Nigerian, but they should also understand that they are also representing our country. These mistakes can be avoided if a very creative director directs most of these movies.

These are:

1. We are tired of seeing spirits wear wrist watches and chains. For goodness sake, this is the spirit world you are trying portray, why are you guys still backward in movie directing? We should know that little things counts. Spirits should also stop rubbing powder on their faces and stop wearing cele overalls.

2. Please, if you guys intend to subtitle your movies, please subtitle it with good English and try to edit them if possible. We are tired of seeing sentences like “where did you carry all these pregnant?” For pete’s sake, if you can’t edit your movies, call people to edit them for you.

3. We are tired of seeing 30+ men and women acting secondary school children. If my classmates were that sexy in secondary school, I know my teachers would have slept them all. Moreso, please make it obvious that parents are older than their kids in your movies. How will clem Ohameze be the father of Jim Iyke… Ahan, in real life clem should not be older than Jim with not more than 10years.

4. Please and Please, our witches do not behave like imbeciles. How will a witch grow long fingers and very bad dentition in the midnight and the morning the same witch has the sweetest smile on earth. Don’t make it look all girls with bad dentition are witches.

5. These days all your movies are Royal this… Royal that. Last week, my sister bought 6 Nollywood movies, Royal love, tears on the throne, igwe must hear this, etc. 70% of Nollywood movies are about royal stuffs, WTH. I know Nigerians don’t even give a f**k about royalties. So why act it as if its our major problem.

6. We need creative directors in our movies. How will a thief drop his ID card in a robbery site in real life? Why will an actor wear double clothes because he is going to use the inner clothe for the next scene, please reason these things directors. Movies should not be about love alone but other fantastic stories. Oduah’s case is there, write and act good movies please.

7. Sometimes, I don’t know what some casts are doing in a movie. They are neither a part of the cause, part of the solution nor a waka-pass. They are just there doing “uhummm”, “mtcheewwww”, “nonsense”, “**clapping their hands**”. There are some scenes that are unnecessary too, why will a scene be just: tonto dike bathing, someone mistakenly see the igwe and run, etc. Very unnecessary.

PS: We know you don’t have enough money to produce and direct the kind of movies in Hollywood but you can as well use the little you have and with talented actors to produce a decent movie.

From Concerned Nigerian

I won’t comment on Jonathan’s reply – Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Former  President Olusegun Obasanjo   on Monday said he would not  reply President Goodluck Jonathan’s December  20 letter  accusing him of threatening national security.

Obasanjo, who addressed a news conference  through his media aide, Tunde Oladunjoye,at his Hilltop Mansion in Abeokuta, Ogun State, said  in spite of requests by Nigerian and international media  for him to  reply the President, he would  still maintain his “serenity.”

But he made it clear that  he had through his December 2,2013 letter to Jonathan, done his duty to the President, the Peoples Democratic Party and the nation, as a former President and an elder statesman.

Obasanjo, had in  his 18-page letter titled “Before it is too late,” accused the President, among other things, of placing 1,000 Nigerians on a watch list and training snipers to assassinate his political opponents.

He had added that Jonathan’s actions were capable of derailing the country’s democracy.

But the President replied Obasanjo on Sunday, claiming that  his   letter was  full of lies against him and his administration.

In a tone indicating that he was highly  pained by the former President’s letter, Jonathan wrote, “The allegation of training snipers to assassinate political opponents is particularly incomprehensible to me. Since I started my political career as a Deputy Governor, I have never been associated with any form of political violence.

“Regarding the over  1,000 people  you said  are on a political watch list, I urge you to kindly tell Nigerians who they are and what agencies of government are ‘watching’ them.

“Your allegation that I am using security operatives to harass people is also baseless. Nigerians are waiting for your proof. That was an accusation made against previous administrations, including yours, but it is certainly not my style and will never be. Again, if you insist on the spurious claim that some of your relatives and friends are being harassed, I urge you to name them and tell Nigerians what agencies of my administration are harassing them.”

He went on to add that  the  letter by Obasanjo also  suggested to him that landmines had been laid for him.

But Obasanjo  told journalists in a two-page statement read by Oladunjoye , a former deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State,   that he  had resolved  not to make  further comments on either his  letter or Jonathan’s.

Immediately after reading the statement titled, ‘Re: Before It Is Too Late,’  he  rose from his seat, declining to entertain questions from the journalists.

The  statement reads,” Since the publication of the letter written by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, which was in response to the letter earlier written by  former President, Commander-in-Chief, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR; we have received several enquiries from local and international media asking to know Chief Obasanjo’s reaction to Mr. President’s response.

 “One, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, acknowleges  Mr. President’s letter/response. However, Baba, as he already indicated in his December 2, 2013 letter does not wish to make further comments beyond the contents of his last letter to Mr. President or react to the said letter/response from Dr. Jonathan. Let me quote from page  14, paragraph two of Chief Obasanjo’s letter to Mr. President dated December 2, 2013 and titled Before It is Too Late:  “I will maintain my serenity, because by this letter,  I have done my duty to you as I have always done, to your government, to the  PDP, and to our country, Nigeria.

  “Two, let me reiterate here, that Chief  Obasanjo  has tremendous respect for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Oladunjoye added that Obasanjo “sincerely appreciates all of you, my cherished colleagues; gentlemen and women of the media profession, who have been very upright, ethical and robust on the subject matter.”

Obasanjo’s claim  that Jonathan was playing politics with the Africa Development Bank   and World Bank Rivers State water project in Rivers State  was  however  supported by Governor Rotimi Amaechi  during a rally by the All Progressives Congress at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt.

“If they tell us that it is  the ADB, tell them I said it is both ADB  and the World Bank. We  have completed everything we need to complete. They don’t want to sign, they want you and I to die of hunger,” Amaechi told  APC supporters.

He added, “I will not lie, I drink table  water. So the best I can do for you and the best your President can do for you is to ask  the World Bank about the water project.

“All those that say they want South-South President, I agree, you want South-South President. If a South-South President refuses to give you water, you can still sweep him out. Let him tell us what project  he has   done for us.”

Meanwhile, two  Northern groups – the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Coalition of Northern Politicians, Academics, Professionals and Businessmen – have  differed on Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo’s letter.

While the ACF said   Jonathan’s reply  had  given Nigerians an opportunity to judge, the CNPAPB said it was a poor attempt to respond to ‘very serious’ issues raised by  a former President of the country.

 The ACF  spokesman, Mr. Anthony Sani, in an interview with one of our correspondents,   however expressed reservations about the open nature of the altercations between the two  Nigerian leaders.

Sani said,  “I have read both letters and wish to state that such open altercations be avoided in favour of confidential correspondence, especially when regard is paid to their personal and political relationships which have profound effect on the pace of development of the Nigerian project.

“But since the genie has been let out of the bottle, it is good that Mr. President has replied the letter. It is now left for Nigerians to pass their judgment in the larger interest of Nigeria.”

However,   the Convener of the CNPAPB,  Dr. Junaid Mohammed, cautioned Nigerians against taking their eyes off the   issues made public by Obasanjo.

Mohammed said, “If Nigerians decide to take their eyes off the ball until this issue becomes serious, then we have ourselves to blame.

“In addition, one of the inadequacies of the latter by the President  is that it was unlike Obasanjo’s.

“Jonathan’s letter is  more of a civil service draft- a combination of all sorts of contributions by  half-baked politicians, mediocre civil servants and journalistic thugs in the service of the President.

“Whether Obasanjo is liked or not; is beside the point, let Nigerians insist that issues raised by Obasanjo  in his  letter be properly addressed.”

The medical doctor turned politician  said the allegation that the Jonathan administration was training snipers must not be glossed over.

But   the Ijaw National Congress said that Obasanjo should open up on the training  of snipers.

Lauding  the President’s reply, it said that Nigerians could not be deceived by Obasanjo.

The INC spokesman, Mr. Victor Borubo, also said that   Obasanjo was not in a position to advise Jonathan on whether or not to run for the Presidency in 2015.

He said,  “President Jonathan is trying his best to develop the country. Obasanjo should not forget that the PDP crisis did not start with Jonathan. Nigerians cannot be deceived by his  letter.

“Obasanjo is claiming that Jonathan promised to go for only one term as President, but he (Jonathan) has told his critics to produce evidence that he made such a promise.”

Also on Monday, a  former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha,  appealed to   Jonathan and  Obasanjo to close ranks and proffer solutions to the country’s challenges.

Alamieyeseigha told  journalists in Yenagoa that even though Obasanjo’s  motive for making the letter public was unclear, the issues  he raised in it  were weighty and should not be ignored.

“The advice, through a letter to President Jonathan, no doubt is coming from a respected person who has ruled the country both as a military head of state and a two-time president of a democratic government,” the News Agency of Nigeria  quoted the former governor as saying.

“We  can concede to him (Obasanjo). He has the in-depth knowledge of governance; he has seen it all; and so a letter coming from him should not be taken on the face value,’’ he advised.

Alamieyeseigha  noted that leadership and nation-building were  responsibilities that required the input of various stakeholders.

“President Jonathan is not a super human, so if the country is drifting in the eyes of objective and patriotic persons in the country, they can come out and proffer solutions after identifying the problems.’’ he said.
Mikel Obi
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has again singled out his midfielder Mikel Obi for praise. Barely two hours before the big match against Arsenal on Monday at the Emirates, Mourinho told Chelsea FC website that even though the Stamford Bridge had not done exceptionally well in their last few games, they have been able to retain some respect and points because of the work rate of the Nigerian national player.

Mourinho said, “We have a lot of possession but are not killing opponents, they are killing us and we are exposed. Mikel (Obi) gives us balance.”

This is the second time within two months that the Portuguese has specially mentioned the Nigerian preparing to lead the Super Eagles midfield at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. In November Mourinho attributed Frank Lampard’s quality attacking display largely to the presence of Mikel on the pitch.

“Frank is able to attack freely because we have John (Mikel Obi). His good covering enables Frank to effectively push forward,” the former Real Madrid coach said.

It was based on his belief in the Nigerian that he was handed a starting place in the match at the Emirates last night. Mikel, Lampard and Ramires made up the midfield for the Stamford Bridge team with the Nigerian as the anchor. Mourinho then added that the presence of the Eagles midfielder should help reduce the effect of Mesut Ozil who has proved himself a very good buy for Arsenal this season. The German international has helped greatly in the Gunners chase for the elusive Premier League title this term.

Mourinho added, “We’ll try to control Mesut Ozil a little bit more. Let’s see.”

Mikel on his own has displayed a lot of growing confidence since Nigeria won the African cup last February. On Sunday he spoke on the country’s chances in Brazil next year and said he was very hopeful the Eagles would fly high. The African champions are yet to go beyond the second round in their four outings in the FIFA biggest competition.

“I think being African champions has given us a huge lift. I think the mentality of the team has changed in the past couple of years. We believe now that we can go into every game and win,” Mikel told Goal.com.

“I think the Africa Cup of Nations has given us a lot of belief to go into the World Cup – I know we can do well.”

PHOTO: Stunning Mercy Aigbe Rocks Superexpensive Chanel Bag

Famous Yoruba actress Mercy Aigbe has joined the league of Nigerian female celebrities (Ini Edo, Genevieve Nnaji) owning the Chanel bags.

The actress has been recently spotted rocking the $10,000 (N1.55million) Chanel Lego clutch bag.

Check out the photo. She looks 100% stylish, doesn’t she?

mercy_aigbe

Charles Novia Should See This: Beverly Osu And Adaora Ukoh Disclose SEXY Christmas Cards (SEE)

Following a good tradition of issuing festive Christmas cards, BBA housemate Beverly Osu and actress Adaora Ukoh share theirs in revealing outfits.

It looks like Charles Novia’s rants on Twitter about the misconception of Christmas (where he referred to Maheeda’s raunchy photos posted for the religious occasion) was not heard well enough.

Check out the cards below.
beverly_osu

 ukoh

Sunday 22 December 2013

How FG allegedly lavished N4.7trn in 8yrs, by Reps


ABUJA—The Public Accounts Committee, PAC, of the House of Representatives revealed at the weekend that over N4 trillion was spent from 2004 to 2012 by the Federal Government from Service-wide Vote without the approval of the National Assembly.

The committee said due process was not followed in the manner such a huge sum was lavished, noting that it contravened Section 80 of 1999 constitution.
House of Representatives during plenary

House of Representatives during plenary

The committee also alleged that between 2005 and 2006, the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo spent N250 million to feed former President of Liberia, Charles Taylor and his family, who were on an asylum in the country.

Chairman of PAC, Adeola Olamilekan (APC-Lagos), who disclosed these at a briefing of journalists, said the expenditure was made without parliamentary approval, starting from the government of President Obasanjo to that of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Olamilekan explained that “most of the expenditures to which the Service-wide Vote releases were deployed are routine in nature and did not qualify for emergency funding.

“For instance, between 2004 and 2012, a total of N1, 284,853,731.20 was spent on publicity and publication of various government programmes.

“Between 2004 and 2005, N250 million was spent on the upkeep of the former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, another  N14,006,494.847.57 was also released from the Service-wide Vote for the payment of judgement debts against the Federal Government.

“The office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance released to their various offices a total of N2, 267,002,101 to a few auditors as audit fees and in 2011 alone, the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation paid out N809,358,504 as audit fees to some external auditors carrying out audit of the Federal Government financial activities instead of the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.”

He also alleged that over N160 million was released for the Budget and Accountant General’s offices.
He said further:  “The expenditure of N162million from the 2011 Service Wide Votes releases tagged; “Closing Accounts” incurred jointly by the Office of the Accountant-General and the Budget Office of the Federation.

“An expenditure of N1,059,177,589.31($6,619,859.93 at the rate of $1=N160) in 201 and 2011 said to payment of outstanding tax on Nigeria House in New York.

“Successive governments have from 2004 to 2012. Spent a whopping N4.17 trillion  as against N1.8trillion  approved by the National Assembly as Service Wide Votes component of the budgets of those years, translating to N2.27trillion extra budgetary spending or 220% above the Service Wide Votes as approved in the budget for the period.”

He explained that “such extra-budgetary expenditures constitute a breach of Section 81 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999(as amended) and an illegality.”

Olamilekan also said PAC  discovered in the course of its oversight that the Service-Wide Vote was converted to a recurrent fund by the government, instead of an infrastructure vote.

“Such releases were mainly used to finance recurrent expenses not targeted at critical and strategic sectors of the economy and the releases were random and did not follow any clear pattern.

“The Service Wide Votes had become an alternative budget which government prefers to patronize than the annual budget, leading to poor implementation of the annual budget as approved by the National Assembly,” he added.

The report was earlier last Thursday presented by Olamilekan to the House which resolved that the committee should do more on its findings and present another report within two weeks.
The Service Wide Wide is the fund set aside for emergency purposes.

Jonathan Replies Former President Obasanjo

 Jonathan Replies Former President Obasanjo
letter_reply_gej_header
By Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
December 20th 2013
His Excellency,
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR
Agbe L’Oba House, Quarry Road,
Ibara, Abeokuta.

 RE: BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

I wish to formally acknowledge your letter dated December 2, 2013 and other previous correspondence similar to it.

You will recall that all the letters were brought to me by hand. Although both of us discussed some of the issues in those letters, I had not, before now, seen the need for any formal reply since, to me, they contained advice from a former President to a serving President. Obviously, you felt differently because in your last letter, you complained about my not acknowledging or replying your previous letters.


It is with the greatest possible reluctance that I now write this reply. I am most uneasy about embarking on this unprecedented and unconventional form of open communication between me and a former leader of our country because I know that there are more acceptable and dignified means of doing so.

But I feel obliged to reply your letter for a number of reasons: one, you formally requested for a reply and not sending you one will be interpreted as ignoring a former President.

Secondly, Nigerians know the role you have played in my political life and given the unfortunate tone of your letter, clearly, the grapes have gone sour.  Therefore, my side of the story also needs to be told.

The third reason why I must reply you in writing is that your letter is clearly a threat to national security as it may deliberately or inadvertently set the stage for subversion.

The fourth reason for this reply is that you raised very weighty issues, and since the letter has been made public, Nigerians are expressing legitimate concerns. A response from me therefore, becomes very necessary.

The fifth reason is that this letter may appear in biographies and other books which political commentators on Nigeria’s contemporary politics may write. It is only proper for such publications to include my comments on the issues raised in your letter.

Sixthly, you are very unique in terms of the governance of this country. You were a military Head of State for three years and eight months, and an elected President for eight years. That means you have been the Head of Government of Nigeria for about twelve years. This must have, presumably, exposed you to a lot of information. Thus when you make a statement, there is the tendency for people to take it seriously.

The seventh reason is that the timing of your letter coincided with other vicious releases. The Speaker of the House of Representatives spoke of my “body language” encouraging corruption. A letter written to me by the CBN Governor alleging that NNPC, within a period of 19 months did not remit the sum of USD49.8 billion to the federation account, was also deliberately leaked to the public.

The eighth reason is that it appears that your letter was designed to incite Nigerians from other geopolitical zones against me and also calculated to promote ethnic disharmony. Worse still, your letter was designed to instigate members of our Party, the PDP, against me.

The ninth reason is that your letter conveys to me the feeling that landmines have been laid for me. Therefore, Nigerians need to have my response to the issues raised before the mines explode.

The tenth and final reason why my reply is inevitable is that you have written similar letters and made public comments in reference to all former Presidents and Heads of Government starting from Alhaji Shehu Shagari and these have instigated different actions and reactions. The purpose and direction of your letter is distinctly ominous, and before it is too late, my clarifications on the issues need to be placed on record.

Let me now comment on the issues you raised. In commenting I wish to crave your indulgence to compare what is happening now to what took place before.  This, I believe, will enable Nigerians see things in better perspective because we must know where we are coming from so as to appreciate where we now are, and to allow us clearly map out where we are going.

You raised concerns about the security situation in the country. I assure you that I am fully aware of the responsibility of government for ensuring the security of the lives and property of citizens. My Administration is working assiduously to overcome current national security challenges, the seeds of which were sown under previous administrations.  There have been some setbacks; but certainly there have also been great successes in our efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

Those who continue to down-play our successes in this regard, amongst whom you must now be numbered, appear to have conveniently forgotten the depths to which security in our country had plunged before now.

At a stage, almost the entire North-East of Nigeria was under siege by insurgents. Bombings of churches and public buildings in the North and the federal capital became an almost weekly occurrence. Our entire national security apparatus seemed nonplussed and unable to come to grips with the new threat posed by the berthing of terrorism on our shores.

But my administration has since brought that very unacceptable situation under significant control. We have overhauled our entire national security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, training, funding, logistical support to our armed forces and security agencies, and security collaboration with friendly countries with very visible and positive results.

The scope and impact of terrorist operations have been significantly reduced and efforts are underway to restore full normalcy to the most affected North Eastern region and initiate a post-crisis development agenda, including a special intervention programme to boost the region’s socio-economic progress.

In doing all this, we have kept our doors open for dialogue with the insurgents and their supporters through efforts such as the work of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and the Peaceful Resolution of the Security Challenges in the North-East. You also know that the Governor of Borno State provided the items you mentioned to me as carrots. Having done all this and more, it is interesting that you still accuse me of not acting on your hardly original recommendation that the carrot and stick option be deployed to solve the Boko Haram problem.

Your suggestion that we are pursuing a “war against violence without understanding the root causes of the violence and applying solutions to deal with all the underlying factors” is definitely misplaced because from the onset of this administration, we have been implementing a multifaceted strategy against militancy, insurgency and terrorism that includes poverty alleviation, economic development, education and social reforms.

Even though basic education is the constitutional responsibility of States, my administration has, as part of its efforts to address ignorance and poor education which have been identified as two of the factors responsible for making some of our youth easily available for use as cannon fodder by insurgents and terrorists, committed huge funds to the provision of modern basic education schools for the Almajiri in several Northern States. The Federal Government under my leadership has also set up nine additional universities in the Northern States and three in the Southern States in keeping with my belief that proper education is the surest way of emancipating and empowering our people.

More uncharitable persons may even see a touch of sanctimoniousness in your new belief in the carrot and stick approach to overcoming militancy and insurgency. You have always referred to how you hit Odi in Bayelsa State to curb militancy in the Niger Delta.  If the invasion of Odi by the Army was the stick, I did not see the corresponding carrot.  I was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then, and as I have always told you, the invasion of Odi did not solve any militancy problem but, to some extent, escalated it. If it had solved it, late President Yar’Adua would not have had to come up with the amnesty program. And while some elements of the problem may still be there, in general, the situation is reasonably better.

In terms of general insecurity in the country and particularly the crisis in the Niger Delta, 2007 was one of the worst periods in our history. You will recall three incidents that happened in 2007 which seemed to have been orchestrated to achieve sinister objectives.  Here in Abuja, a petrol tanker loaded with explosives was to be rammed into the INEC building. But luckily for the country, an electric pole stopped the tanker from hitting the INEC building.  It is clear that this incident was meant to exploit the general sense of insecurity in the nation at the time to achieve the aim of stopping the 2007 elections.  It is instructive that you, on a number of occasions, alluded to this fact.

When that incident failed, an armed group invaded Yenagoa one evening with the intent to assassinate me.  Luckily for me, they could not.  They again attacked and bombed my country home on a night when I was expected in the village. Fortunately, as God would have it, I did not make the trip.

I recall that immediately after both incidents, I got calls expressing the concern of Abuja.  But Baba, you know that despite the apparent concern of Abuja, no single arrest was ever made. I was then the Governor of Bayelsa State and the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate. The security people ordinarily should have unraveled the assassination attempt on me.

You also raised the issues of kidnapping, piracy and armed robbery. These are issues all Nigerians, including me are very concerned about. While we will continue to do our utmost best to reduce all forms of criminality to the barest minimum in our country, it is just as well to remind you that the first major case of kidnapping for ransom took place around 2006. And the Boko Haram crisis dates back to 2002. Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of the country then. Also, armed robbery started in this country immediately after the civil war and since then, it has been a problem to all succeeding governments.  For a former Head of Government, who should know better, to present these problems as if they were creations of the Jonathan Administration is most uncharitable.

Having said that, let me remind you of some of the things we have done to curb violent crime in the country. We have reorganized the Nigerian Police Force and appointed a more dynamic leadership to oversee its affairs. We have also improved its manpower levels as well as funding, training and logistical support.

We have also increased the surveillance capabilities of the Police and provided its air-wing with thrice the number of helicopters it had before the inception of the present administration. The National Civil Defence and Security Corps has been armed to make it a much more effective ally of the police and other security agencies in the war against violent crime. At both domestic and international levels, we are doing everything possible to curb the proliferation of the small arms and light weapons with which armed robberies, kidnappings and piracy are perpetrated. We have also enhanced security at our borders to curb cross-border crimes.

 We are aggressively addressing the challenge of crude oil theft in collaboration with the state Governors. In addition, the Federal Government has engaged the British and US governments for their support in the tracking of the proceeds from the purchase of stolen crude. Similarly, a regional Gulf of Guinea security strategy has been initiated to curb crude oil theft and piracy.

Perhaps the most invidious accusation in your letter is the allegation that I have placed over one thousand Nigerians on a political watch list, and that I am training snipers and other militia to assassinate people. Baba, I don’t know where you got that from but you do me grave injustice in not only lending credence to such baseless rumours, but also publicizing it. You mentioned God seventeen times in your letter. Can you as a Christian hold the Bible and say that you truly believe this allegation?

The allegation of training snipers to assassinate political opponents is particularly incomprehensible to me. Since I started my political career as a Deputy Governor, I have never been associated with any form of political violence. I have been a President for over three years now, with a lot of challenges and opposition mainly from the high and mighty. There have certainly been cases of political assassination since the advent of our Fourth Republic, but as you well know, none of them occurred under my leadership.

Regarding the over one thousand people you say are on a political watch list, I urge you to kindly tell Nigerians who they are and what agencies of government are “watching” them. Your allegation that I am using security operatives to harass people is also baseless. Nigerians are waiting for your evidence of proof. That was an accusation made against previous administrations, including yours, but it is certainly not my style and will never be. Again, if you insist on the spurious claim that some of your relatives and friends are being harassed, I urge you to name them and tell Nigerians what agencies of my administration are harassing them.

I also find it difficult to believe that you will accuse me of assisting murderers, or assigning a presidential delegation to welcome a murderer. This is a most unconscionable and untrue allegation. It is incumbent on me to remind you that I am fully conscious of the dictates of my responsibilities to God and our dear nation. It is my hope that devious elements will not take advantage of your baseless allegation to engage in brazen and wanton assassination of high profile politicians as before, hiding under the alibi your “open letter” has provided for them.

Nevertheless, I have directed the security agencies and requested the National Human Rights Commission to carry out a thorough investigation of these criminal allegations and make their findings public.

That corruption is an issue in Nigeria is indisputable.  It has been with us for many years. You will recall that your kinsman, the renowned afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti famously sang about it during your first stint as Head of State. Sonny Okosun also sang about corruption. And as you may recall, a number of Army Generals were to be retired because of corruption before the Dimka coup.  Also, the late General Murtala Mohammed himself wanted to retire some top people in his cabinet on corruption-related issues before he was assassinated.  Even in this Fourth Republic, the Siemens and Halliburton scandals are well known.

The seed of corruption in this country was planted a long time ago, but we are doing all that we can to drastically reduce its debilitating effects on national development and progress. I have been strengthening the institutions established to fight corruption. I will not shield any government official or private individual involved in corruption, but I must follow due process in all that I do. And whenever clear cases of corruption or fraud have been established, my administration has always taken prompt action in keeping with the dictates of extant laws and procedures. You cannot claim to be unaware of the fact that several highly placed persons in our country, including sons of some of our party leaders are currently facing trial for their involvement in the celebrated subsidy scam affair. I can hardly be blamed if the wheels of justice still grind very slowly in our country, but we are doing our best to support and encourage the judiciary to quicken the pace of adjudication in cases of corruption.

Baba, I am amazed that with all the knowledge garnered from your many years at the highest level of governance in our country, you could still believe the spurious allegation contained in a letter written to me by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and surreptitiously obtained by you, alleging that USD49.8 billion, a sum equal to our entire national budget for two years, is “unaccounted for” by the NNPC. Since, as President, you also served for many years as Minister of Petroleum Resources, you very well know the workings of the corporation. It is therefore intriguing that you have made such an assertion. You made a lot of insinuations about oil theft, shady dealings at the NNPC and the NNPC not remitting the full proceeds of oil sales to the of CBN. Now that the main source of the allegations which you rehashed has publicly stated that he was “misconstrued”, perhaps you will find it in your heart to apologize for misleading unwary Nigerians and impugning the integrity of my administration on that score.

Your claim of “Atlantic Oil loading about 130, 000 barrels sold by Shell and managed on behalf of NPDC with no sale proceeds paid into the NPDC account” is also disjointed and baseless because no such arrangement as you described exists between Atlantic Oil and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company. NPDC currently produces about 138, 000 barrels of oil per day from over 7 producing assets. The Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of the NNPC markets all of this production on behalf of NPDC with proceeds paid into NPDC account.

I am really shocked that with all avenues open to you as a former Head of State for the verification of any information you have received about state affairs, you chose to go public with allegations of “high corruption” without offering a shred of supporting evidence. One of your political “sons” similarly alleged recently that he told me of a minister who received a bribe of $250 Million from an oil company and I did nothing about it. He may have been playing from a shared script, but we have not heard from him again since he was challenged to name the minister involved and provide the evidence   to back his claim.  I urge you, in the same vein, to furnish me with the names, facts and figures of a single verifiable case of the “high corruption” which you say stinks all around my administration and see whether the corrective action you advocate does not follow promptly. And while you are at it, you may also wish to tell Nigerians the true story of questionable waivers of signature bonuses between 2000 and 2007.

While, by the Grace of God Almighty, I am the first President from a minority group, I am never unmindful of the fact that I was elected leader of the whole of Nigeria and I have always acted in the best interest of all Nigerians. You referred to the divisive actions and inflammatory utterances of some individuals from the South-South and asserted that I have done nothing to call them to order or distance myself from their ethnic chauvinism. Again that is very untrue. I am as committed to the unity of this country as any patriot can be and I have publicly declared on many occasions that no person who threatens other Nigerians or parts of the country is acting on my behalf.

It is very regrettable that in your letter, you seem to place sole responsibility for the ongoing intrigues and tensions in the PDP at my doorstep, and going on from that position, you direct all your appeals for a resolution at me. Baba, let us all be truthful to ourselves, God and posterity. At the heart of all the current troubles in our party and the larger polity is the unbridled jostling and positioning for personal or group advantage ahead of the 2015 general elections. The “bitterness, anger, mistrust, fear and deep suspicion” you wrote about all flow from this singular factor.

It is indeed very unfortunate that the seeming crisis in the party was instigated by a few senior members of the party, including you. But, as leader of the party, I will continue to do my best to unite it so that we can move forward with strength and unity of purpose. The PDP has always recovered from previous crises with renewed vigour and vitality. I am very optimistic that that will be the case again this time. The PDP will overcome any temporary setback, remain a strong party and even grow stronger.

Instigating people to cause problems and disaffection within the party is something that you are certainly familiar with. You will recall that founding fathers of the Party were frustrated out of the Party at a time.  Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was pushed out, Late Chief Solomon Lar left and later came back, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Chief Tom Ikimi also left. Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo left and later came back. In 2005/2006, link-men were sent to take over party structures from PDP Governors in an unveiled attempt to undermine the state governors. In spite of that, the Governors did not leave the Party because nobody instigated and encouraged them to do so.

The charge that I was involved in anti-party activities in governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Anambra States is also very unfortunate. I relate with all Governors irrespective of political party affiliation but I have not worked against the interest of the PDP.  What I have not done is to influence the electoral process to favour our Party. You were definitely never so inclined, since you openly boasted in your letter of how you supported Alhaji Shehu Shagari against Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe and others in the 1979 presidential elections while serving as a military Head of State. You and I clearly differ in this regard, because as the President of Nigeria, I believe it is my duty and responsibility to create a level playing field for all parties and all candidates.

Recalling how the PDP lost in states where we were very strong in 2003 and 2007 such as Edo, Ondo, Imo, Bauchi, Anambra, and Borno, longstanding members of our great party with good memory will also consider the charge of anti-party activities you made against me as misdirected and hugely hypocritical. It certainly was not Goodluck Jonathan’s “personal ambition or selfish interest” that caused the PDP to lose the governorship of Ogun State and all its senatorial seats in the last general elections.

You quoted me as saying that I have not told anybody that I will seek another term in office in 2015. You and your ambitious acolytes within the party have clearly decided to act on your conclusion that “only a fool will believe that statement” and embark on a virulent campaign to harass me out of an undeclared candidature for the 2015 presidential elections so as to pave the way for a successor anointed by you.

You will recall that you serially advised me that we should refrain from discussing the 2015 general elections for now so as not to distract elected public officials from urgent task of governance. While you have apparently moved away from that position, I am still of the considered opinion that it would have been best for us to do all that is necessary to refrain from heating up the polity at this time. Accordingly, I have already informed Nigerians that I will only speak on whether or not I will seek a second term when it is time for such declarations. Your claims about discussions I had with you, Governor Gabriel Suswam and others are wrong, but in keeping with my declared stance, I will reserve further comments until the appropriate time.

Your allegation that I asked half a dozen African Presidents to speak to you about my alleged ambition for 2015, is also untrue.  I have never requested any African President to discuss with you on my behalf.  In our discussion, I mentioned to you that four Presidents told me that they were concerned about the political situation in Nigeria and intended to talk to you about it.  So far, only three of them have confirmed to me that they have had any discussion with you. If I made such a request, why would I deny it?

The issue of Buruji Kashamu is one of those lies that should not be associated with a former President.  The allegation that I am imposing Kashamu on the South-West is most unfortunate and regrettable.  I do not even impose Party officials in my home state of Bayelsa and there is no zone in this country where I have imposed officials.  So why would I do so in the South West?  Baba, in the light of Buruji’s detailed public response to your “open letter”, it will be charitable for you to render an apology to Nigerians and I.

On the issue of investors being scared to come to Nigeria, economic dormancy, and stagnation, I will just refer you to FDI statistics from 2000 to 2013. Within the last three years, Nigeria has emerged as the preferred destination for investments in Africa, driven by successful government policies to attract foreign investors. For the second year running, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investments (UNCTAD) has ranked Nigeria as the number one destination for investments in Africa, and as having the fourth highest returns in the world.

Today, Nigeria is holding 18 percent of all foreign investments in Africa and 60 percent of all foreign investments in the ECOWAS Sub-Region. Kindly note also that in the seven years between 2000 and 2007 when you were President, Nigeria attracted a total of $24.9 Billion in FDI.  As a result of our efforts which you disparage, the country has seen an FDI inflow of $25.7 Billion in just three years which is more than double the FDI that has gone to the second highest African destination. We have also maintained an annual national economic growth rate of close to seven per cent since the inception of this administration. What then, is the justification for your allegation of scared investors and economic dormancy?

Although it was not emphasized in your letter of December 2, 2013, you also conveyed, in previous correspondence, the impression that you were ignorant of the very notable achievements of my administration in the area of foreign relations. It is on record that under my leadership, Nigeria has played a key role in resolving the conflicts in Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea Bissau and others.

The unproductive rivalry that existed between Nigeria and some ECOWAS countries has also been ended under my watch and Nigeria now has better relations with all the ECOWAS countries.  At the African Union, we now have a Commissioner at the AU Commission after being without one for so long. We were in the United Nations Security Council for the 2010/2011 Session and we have been voted in again for the 2014/2015 Session. From independence to 2010, we were in the U.N. Security Council only three times but from 2010 to 2015, we will be there two times.
  
This did not happen by chance.  My Administration worked hard for it and we continue to maintain the best possible relations with all centres of global political and economic power. I find it hard therefore, to believe your assertions of untoward concern in the international community over the state of governance in Nigeria

With respect to the Brass and Olokola LNG projects, you may have forgotten that though you started these projects, Final Investment Decisions were never reached.  For your information, NNPC has not withdrawn from either the Olokola or the Brass LNG projects.

On the Rivers State Water Project, you were misled by your informant. The Federal Government under my watch has never directed or instructed the Africa Development Bank to put on hold any project to be executed in Rivers state or any other State within the Federation. The Rivers Water Project was not originally in the borrowing plan but it was included in April 2013 and appraised in May. Negotiations are ongoing with the AfDB.  I have no doubt that you are familiar with the entire process that prefaces the signing of a Subsidiary Loan Agreement as in this instance.

 Let me assure you and all Nigerians that I do not engage in negative political actions and will never, as President, oppress the people of a State or deprive them of much needed public services as a result of political disagreement

I have noted your comments on the proposed National Conference. Contrary to the insinuation in your letter, the proposed conference is aimed at bringing Nigerians together to resolve contentious national issues in a formal setting. This is a sure way of promoting greater national consensus and unity, and not a recipe for “disunity, confusion and chaos” as you alleged in your letter.

Having twice held the high office of President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I trust that you will understand that I cannot possibly find the time to offer a line-by-line response to all the accusations and allegations made in your letter while dealing with other pressing demands of office and more urgent affairs of state.

I have tried, however, to respond to only the most serious of the charges which question my sincerity, personal honour, and commitment to the oath which I have sworn, to always uphold and protect the interests of all Nigerians, and promote their well-being.

In closing, let me state that you have done me grave injustice with your public letter in which you wrongfully accused me of deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness and insincerity, amongst other ills.

I have not, myself, ever claimed to be all-knowing or infallible, but I have never taken Nigeria or Nigerians for granted as you implied, and I will continue to do my utmost to steer our ship of state towards the brighter future to which we all aspire.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and warm regards.



GOODLUCK  EBELE JONATHAN

 See hard copy of the 1st and last page of the letter below:

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Saturday 21 December 2013

AfroCandy banned by facebook, resurrects

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US-based  Nigerian soft-porn star, Judith Opara Mazagwu, a.k.a AfroCandy has bounced back  weeks  after she was restricted from posting  nude pictures on her facebook page by the administrators of the social network.

Afro-CandyThe mother of two announced  her comeback on her facebook page during the week, saying “I was gone for a minute now I am  back again…I won’t be posting anymore sexy stuffs  here because of the censorship imposed on me by facebook.

Even though I am not as explicit as the Hollywood stars are..on the social network.”

She also announced launching her own social network site.”For that reason I have created my own socialnetwork; www.afrocandysnetwork.com where I can post whatever I want and feel like,”she said.

Meanwhile, Afrocandy posted some x-rated pictures to  show what the website is all about.

Juliet Ibrahim turns singer!

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Sexy Ghanaian actress, Juliet Ibrahim  recently added music to her glowing career. In a chat with HVP,  the screen goddess disclosed that she has already done two singles that will make up her  first album.

She also, disclosed plans to go into full time movie production in no distant time.

It would be recalled that Juliet Ibrahim is one of Ghollywood A- list actresses whose profile is steadily on the rise. She came to the limelight after starring in the movie, ‘Crime to Christ’ few years back.

Okotie buys N120m Rolls Royce to mark pastoral anniversary

Pastor Okotie and the Rolls Royce
Pastor Okotie and the Rolls Royce
The Pastor of the Household of God Church International, Chris Okotie, recently bought a Rolls Royce Coupe, the 2014 Bespoke Edition, to mark his 30 years as born-again Christian and 27 years as a pastor, Newmen learnt on Saturday.

According Okotie’s close aide, the pastor spent N120m on the luxury car and had earlier spent N33m on a Range Rover Autobiography to mark a milestone of his church.

The source, in a text message, said, “Pastor Okotie just bought a Rolls Royce Coupe, 2014 Bespoke Edition at N120m to mark his 30 years as a born-again Christian and 27 years as a pastor. He had earlier bought a Range Rover (Autobiography) 2014 Model for N33m, reputed to be the costliest SUV in the world to mark this ministry’s milestone.”

Checks on the Internet showed that the cheapest price of  same Rolls Royce model is about N65m, but it could be more expensive if armoured.

Fifty-five-year-old Okotie was in the news recently for the controversial comments he made during a church service in which he claimed that “all Catholics will go to hell,” and referred to Pope Francis as anti-Christ.

APC mobilises against Jonathan, visits Obasanjo

*To consult with Shagari, Ekwueme, Danjuma
*Embattled President, NASS members in midnight consultations

From left; Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; APC leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu; Gen. Muhamodu Buhari; Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Interim National President, Chief Bisi Akande, Gov. Nyako of Adamwa state and other chieftains of the APC during their visit to Obasanjo at Abeoukuta, yesterday.
From left; Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; APC leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu; Gen. Muhamodu Buhari; Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Interim National President, Chief Bisi Akande, Gov. Nyako of Adamwa state and other chieftains of the APC during their visit to Obasanjo at Abeoukuta, yesterday.


The cloud overhang of mass mobilization that the All Peoples Congress, APC, has engendered appears to be getting heavier with the visit of the party’s leadership to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abeokuta residence.
But the APC hierarchy would not stop at that, Sunday Vanguard can reveal authoritatively.

In fact, also slated for consultation in the coming weeks by the party’s top brass are Second Republic President and Vice President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari and Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, respectively, and former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma. Before yesterday’s visit, the party leaders had consulted with  former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as well as two former military leaders, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

One of the party leaders in attendance at the meeting with Obasanjo told Sunday Vanguard that the “ill-wind blowing in the country as a result of the mis-governance of President Goodluck Jonathan is ominous and most right thinking leaders as opposed to the sycophants surrounding the President are worried.”

The leader pointed out, “Even those we have so far visited and those we are going to be visiting are also concerned”.

According to him, “what we are doing is not scouting for leaders to come and join the party.  What we just want to establish is that since we are all stakeholders and what binds us is the unity and stability of the Nigerian state, we are consulting with the elder statesmen with a view to sensitizing them to the moves we are engaging so that they are in the know.

“And whereas we are not recruiting them into our mission and vision, we would not want them to create obstacles on our way to rescuing Nigeria from a clueless administration.”

Yesterday’s meeting, sources confirmed , had been fixed long before the defection of the five Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governors.

Former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, led the pack of other APC leaders, including the party’s Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande; former head of state, General Muhammadu Buhari; former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff; Senator Bukola Saraki; and  Alhaji Lai Mohammed to the meeting with Obasanjo.

The APC leaders and the PDP  governors who defected started trickling into the former president’s  Hilltop Mansion from 5:22pm when Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State arrived in company of  the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu;  and a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

Other APC governors at the meeting are Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) and Senator Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo).

The Chairman of the New PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, led some of his members to the crucial meeting.

`Be APC navigator’
In his remarks, Tinubu begged Obasanjo to be the navigator for the APC.
“You have come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage and salient points. Nobody can say he has information more than you,”the APC leader said.

“You have surmounted  a number of crises. Nigeria is divided more than before. To realise a  stable Nigeria, we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We have resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you to be our navigator” .

The interim National Chairman of APC, Akande, explained the rationale behind the meeting with Obasanjo.
He said, “We have come to introduce our party to you; we are in the support of the 18-page letter written to Jonathan, you are capable”.

Speaking on behalf of  APC governors, Imo State governor, Okorocha, urged the former president to be upright.
He said: “You should be upright on the issue of Nigeria. Many of the governors passed through your political school, the battle is for the generation on board. It is a task that must be done”.

Responding, Obasanjo  declared that the APC has been enhancing democracy in Nigeria  through its reactions to issues.

The former president  begged the opposition party to play politics without bitterness.

He, however, turned down the request  to become a member of the APC. ” I am a card carrying member of the PDP but  the politics I play traverses Nigeria,  Africa and world in that order,”Obasanjo said.

” I am a democrat and one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition. A democracy that has no opposition built into it  is not democracy.

“As an opposition, you are enhancing democracy, you are at home, you are welcome to being at home. As time goes on, I will just appeal that the politics you play is politics without rancour, without bitterness, with decency, that has Nigeria at heart. I am  an incurable optimist about Nigeria. I am totally committed to Nigeria and nothing  will divert me from that commitment”.

Obasanjo declared himself as a political father who has no rival, saying, “In whichever party,  for whatever office that contested or aspired in Nigeria since 1999, such a person, young or old man or woman can claim to be my political child and I can claim to be by virtue of  the political office I have held. I can also claim to be political father; so, you are here and you are welcome”.

Crucial Consultations
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan has initiated moves to placate members of the National Assembly as he has been having series of nocturnal meetings with members and the leadership of the National Assembly.

Since Monday, Jonathan was said to have been meeting with members and leaders of the National Assembly individually to find a common ground on some of the issues agitating the minds of the legislators.

The meetings, it was gathered, began when the issue of impeachment of the president was broached by members of the opposition APC over alleged breaches of the constitution.

So far, Jonathan has met with the Leader of the Senate, Senator Ndoma Egba, the Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi, and  the Deputy Senate, President, Senator  Ike Ekweremadu, culminating in a midnight meeting with the speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.

Though details of what was discussed at the meetings could not be ascertained, the recent defection of some members of the PDP in the House of Representatives to the APC as well as the call for the impeachment of the president by the APC may have featured in their discussions.

Sack defected lawmakers, PDP tells INEC
In a related development, the PDP has written to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, asking him to declare vacant the seats of the 37 members of the House of Representatives who dumped the party for APC.

In  a letter to INEC, dated 19 December,  2013, the party said there were no factions in its fold as it remains one PDP, just as it stressed that what the lawmakers did was contrary to the Constitution of the party and that of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The letter, signed by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo, and the National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon, asked INEC to immediately conduct elections in the defected lawmakers constituencies against the backdrop that what they did was cross-carpeting.

According to the PDP, INEC must declare the lawmakers seats vacant and conduct elections unless they have a change of mind, adding that it has no factions as observed by INEC and upheld by the court.

Sunday Vanguard gathered that the PDP took the decision to write INEC for fear of losing the majority  in the lower chambre of the House just as members of the PDP say the APC could only take charge of the House if its members hit 181, basing their argument on the rule that requires a simple majority to take over the leadership.

TOP: 5 Most Humble Nigerian Celebrities

Check out the article dedicated to 5 most humble Nigerian celebrities. No matter how many controversies and scandals have been surrounding these stars recently, they have proved to be humble by their actions and attitudes.

1. 2Face Idibia

2faceidibia

It is hard to imagine anybody to contest 2Face’s position on this list. One can drop critical comments about his marital life, or the life of his baby mamas. But one thing for sure is that 2Face is always kind and giving to his fans. Never does he act proud, or carry himself like he is more than he is. Being an international superstar, he opened the doors for numerous young Nigerian artists who are making it big in this day and age.

2. Olamide

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Everyone loves Olamide: men, women, boys, girls. Do you know why? Because he raps from his heart. He doesn’t try to fake an accent. He doesn’t try to fit a mold just to try and break into a different genre. It may have taken him a little bit of time, but Olamide is now officially in the spotlight. Moreover, he is probably among Nigeria’s top 3 most sought after musicians today.

3.Genevieve

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Many people call her the most beautiful woman in Africa. Not only is she a gorgeous lady, but also an incredibly great actress with a classy and sophisticated fashion sense! Praised by many around the globe, she always takes time to remember where she comes from. Even when baited to bad mouth her country in international news interviews, she refuses to say anything bad about Naija. Got to love her for that!

4. Don Jazzy

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Don Baba! Don Jay! Don Jazzy is probably one of the most vocal celebrities out there. But we’ve never known him for being vocal in a negative manner. It is also cool that he has fun conversing with his fans on twitter.

5.Funke Akindele
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Despite the controversy surrounding her divorce right now, Funke Akindele is still managing to make us smile with her movie roles. She has sky rocketed into the lime light ever since her role in Jenifa, and she has managed to maintain a humble and appreciative attitude throughout. No doubt: Funke is a beautiful and very entertaining actress.

TOP SECRET: SEE The Number One Thing Every Woman Wants In Bed

Agreed, we all want different things in our s*xual lives, but research has revealed one common thing women truly want.

beautiful-young-caucasian-couple-in-a-bed-on-isolated-background

And that is Emotional Intimacy.

During a survey of over 1,000 women, each woman was asked about their best s*x. 96 percent of the women revealed that the best s*x they have ever had was with someone with whom they are emotionally connected.

Other reasons women (and even sometimes men) gave for enjoying s*x include “being with someone I love,” followed by “feeling good about my s*xual abilities” and “when my partner compliments me.”

So what are the top three things women crave? The survey reveals that the top three requirements for great s*x are physical attraction, emotional intimacy and feeling secure and loved.

This also laid credence to the survey conducted by Durex which revealed that 87 percent of women said the hottest s*x they’d ever had was with someone they knew and trusted, and 95 percent of men said s*x is more fulfilling with an emotional connection.

So it seems the best way to get into a woman’s panties is through her heart.

Source: Huffington post

Van Damme Vs. Chuck Norris: The Epic Split (VIDEOS)

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They’re both retired action heroes, famous for their martial arts fighting skills.

But it seems Jean-Claude Van Damme, 53, will be peeved to discover that his older rival Chuck Norris, 73, has out-split him in a new elaborate stunt. Chuck has parodied Jean Claude’s November advert for Volvo which showed the muscles from Brussels performing the splits between two trucks.  

Scroll down for video…

Starring in a viral video inspired by his fellow action star’s epic Volvo commercial, Norris has recreated Van Damme’s feat doing the splits between two jets while balancing a human Christmas tree of 11 tactical airborne comrades on his shoulders.

 

Jean-Claude Van Damme in epic Volvo commercial:  

My unfinished affair in the House of Reps —Uboh-Adekoya

Engineer Doris Uboh Adekoya
Engineer Doris Uboh Adekoya
 Engineer Doris Uboh Adekoya represented Ika Federal Constituency, Delta State in the House of Representatives between 2007 and 2011. Mrs. Uboh-Adekoya is again pushing to return to the House and in this interview explains unfinished businesses she has left in the House. Excerpts:

Between 2007 and now a lot of water has passed under the bridge politically. What lessons have you learnt?

I have learnt a lot of lessons. It is possible you win your elections on the field but you might not actually get your seat. My experience has been a terrible one.  Like I said, it is one that taught me the lesson and that is you must follow your votes not just at your ward level but all the way to collation because if you fail to do so a lot of things are bound to happen. Eventually in my own case, results were manipulated and that caused it.

Why do you want to go back to the House of Representatives?

I will start by answering your question: why not? All I am trying to do is contribute my own quota to nation building. I do not think because I was pushed off the horse once, I should stop learning how to ride a horse.  If I do that, then I will not know how to ride a horse. I believe anything worth doing is worth doing well. I believe that the journey of a thousand miles starts in one day. There might be pitfalls, but if you say because of that pitfall you go back, then you will never see light at the end of the tunnel.

There are so many things to be done in Nigeria. Our education sector is lagging, as a matter any sector you want to put your finger on, is lagging. And it is only people like up you and I that can turn it around. If some of us do not blaze the trail, ignoring all the pitfall along the way, and to actually take up the mantle, then that power transformation from the  older generation cannot happen.

So, I want to be part of the solution and not one of the complainers that Nigeria is not good.
While in the House of Reps, you co-sponsored the Minimum wage bill..
Point of correction.

I did not co-sponsor the bill but I sponsored the bill all by myself. Not because other members did not want to, but because a lot of people want to stay away from controversial bills.  If you look at the controversial bills, they are usually the ones that belong to the underdogs. To me, the common man is the reason we were in the House of Reps.

The minimum wage bill was something I started and it went all the way to third reading in the House of Reps. Coincidentally, an executive bill came to meet my bill and the bills were merged together to become one. Eventually, it was accented to law. I think that is the singular thing I can say I am really proud of and I will like to be given another chance in the house to even do more because we have a lot of issues in Nigeria that need to be attended to.

I think it was a rather positive thing for me that I was able to stand up for what I believed in and also say this is how I feel even if it took me being dragged on the floor of the house to have my voice heard on the floor of the house. That was what happened.
Would you say you are satisfied with the outcome of the bill?

No, I would not say I am. I think it needs to be amended. They should have included how often they want the increment to be. Things like that should be included into the bill. That way, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not be coming to argue about increment because it has been embedded in the bill. But it was not done, it ended up being a one line issue and I think that needs to be looked at again to serve the purpose it was expected to serve.

You served in the House of Reps during the Dimeji Bankole era, can you tell us how the experience was like?

I think my experience is out there for anybody who wishes to know. It was good, bad and ugly but I took it all in strides. I did not expect it to be all rosy. Dimeji Bankole led us to the best of his capacity, though to me, his best was not good enough but he did what he could and it was an experience. Rightly or wrongly, it was an experience, I have taken it and I am learning from it.

Can you compare the Bankole era to the Tambuwal era?

I am not in the house presently and so, from what point of view am I comparing? Looking at the house from outside is not the same as if you are in the house. If I am a former member. I can only judge from what I see on the television but I cannot really compare. I did work with both of them. Tambuwal was part of the leadership and is my friend and still is. I think they both have the same style.
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Burna Boy Shows Off Gold Plated Microphone

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The young music sensation, Burna Boy planted his foot firmly into the Nigerian music scene this year and won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Even if you can’t remember great highlights from his songs, no one will forget in a hurry how Burna rocked his under-pants on stage at the Felabration 2013.

The 22 year old showed off his customized microphone which was gold plated and has the name Burna written on it.

Vector, Toke Makinwa, Julius Agwu, Timi Dakolo, O.C Ukeje And Other Celebs At The Future Awards Africa 2013

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Yesterday was the day the great city of Port Harcourt was shut-down for The Future Awards Africa 2013.

The show was  anchored by very single Toke Makinwa and Vector tha viper.

The glitz and glamour held at the Arztech Arcum Hall in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, yesterday, Friday, December 20, 2013.

The event was exclusively hosted by the River State Government.

The event was filled with various celebs from all over the country, most noticeably Julius Agwu, Timi Dakolo, O. C Ukeje, Vector, Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju, Gbenro Akinbade, Jessy Jagz and host of others.

See more dashing red-carpet photos below: -
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