A Nigerian newspaper and Online version of the Vanguard, a daily publication in Nigeria covering Niger delta, general national news, politics, business, energy, sports, entertainment, fashion,lifestyle human interest stories, etc
Mario Balotelli starred once again as clinical Nice opened up a six-point gap at the top of Ligue 1 with a 4-1 thrashing of Nantes on Sunday.
The maverick forward, back in form after a nightmare spell at Liverpool, scored one and was involved in two other goals as Nice took their unbeaten run since the start of the season to 11 matches.
Wylan Cyprien scored a brace and Alassane Plea also netted while Emiliano Sala replied for the out-gunned visitors at the Allianz Riviera, as Nice played with panache and incision.
The league leaders were quickly in control of proceedings and Balotelli was at the heart of it as they opened the scoring.
The Italy star ran onto Younes Belhanda’s chip over the top and although he was stopped in his tracks by desperate last-gasp defending, the ball broke to Cyprien to slot into the empty net.
Nice’s Italian forward Mario Balotelli (C) vies with Nantes’ French midfielder Adrien Thomasson (L) during the French L1 football match Nice (OGCN) vs Nantes (FCN) on October 30, 2016 at the “Allianz Riviera” stadium in Nice, southeastern France. AFP
Nice were piling on the pressure and the Nantes backline cracked again as Balotelli ran onto a long ball from Jean Seri and calmly took a touch before placing the ball past Remy Riou and into the bottom corner.
Nantes weren’t completely out of contention and Yacine Bammou should have done better than fire over from Lucas Lima’s cross 10 minutes before half-time.
Nice kept coming, though, and Ricardo Pereira’s goal-bound shot was blocked by Diego Carlos.
But the hosts shot themselves in the foot at the start of the second period as Mathieu Bodmer tried to dribble the ball out of defence on the edge of his box.
He was robbed by Sala, who stroked a sumptuous shot into the top corner on 47 minutes.
Suddenly Nice were reeling and struggling to hold on against a rejuvenated Nantes, with Sala and Mariusz Stepinski spurning good chances.
But the tide turned again on the hour mark as Plea rose ahead to head home Seri’s corner.
Minutes later a sublime flick from Balotelli sent Pereira scampering towards goal and he pulled the ball back for Cyprien to drill home.
Second-placed Monaco lost ground in the title-race with a 1-1 draw at Saint-Etienne on Saturday.
Kamil Glik put Monaco ahead after five minutes but the hosts pulled level just 13 minutes later through Loic Perrin.
Champions Paris Saint-Germain are behind Monaco only on goal difference after winning 1-0 at Lille on Friday night thanks to a goal from Uruguay forward Edinson Cavani.
Akure – As the people of Ondo State prepare to elect a new governor on Nov. 26, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state has accused Gov. Olusegun Mimiko of plotting to cause mayhem.
The Ondo State chapter of APC, Mr Abayomi Adesanya, made the allegation in a statement in Akure on Sunday.Mimiko
"We have been reliably informed of the intense mobilisation of thugs and militants, running into thousands, by the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Mimiko,'' Adesanya said.
He alleged that the governor intended to use the recruits to ''protest and unleash terror on the good people of the state from Monday, Oct. 31, in Akure, Ondo, Akoko areas and Owo, Ore and Okitipupa.
He alleged that Mimiko on Saturday started disbursing money to mobilise militants and hoodlums from Delta and Edo states as well as a faction of Oodua People's Congress from Ekiti and Lagos states.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the security agencies to beef-up security in and around Ondo State till the governorship election was concluded.
Adesanya said that the people of the state were desirous of peace, which should not be disrupted by the few self-seeking individuals for political gains.
Reacting to the allegation, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Eni Akinsola, described the allegation as baseless.
"This is baseless allegation.
"In the last seven and a half years of Gov. Olusegun Mimiko's administration, we have no history of violence.
" The people of Ondo State are capable of defending themselves and protecting their territory.
"We have the history of defending our votes and we do not have the history of depending on external forces and this will not be an exception," Akinsola said.
Ondo State has been under tension since the announcement of Mr Ibrahim Jimoh as the PDP candidate for the election.
Mimiko said on Friday that he had briefed the president of the danger in the decision by INEC and appealed to the people to remain calm.
Private school proprietors in Bayelsa have decried multiple taxes and levies imposed on them by different agencies of Bayelsa Government.
Pastor Yeseme Moses, Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Bayelsa chapter, expressed the concern, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yenagoa on Sunday.
Moses said that the imposition of the taxes and levies such as registration of business premises, environmental levies, water rate and a host of others, was stifling the schools.
The chairman said that the practice was inimical to the overall growth of the education sector which the state government ironically wanted to enhance.
He said that the imposition of multiple taxes by agents of the state government who incessantly harassed them was regrettable and counterproductive.
Moses said that the association since its establishment in 2005 had been working for the advancement of quality education in the country in general and Bayelsa in particular.
He said that NAPPS remained committed to promoting the welfare and growth of private schools so as to complement the role of government in providing quality education for the citizenry.
He noted that the core values of NAPPS included professionalism, equity, religious tolerance, discipline, integrity and patriotism.
According to him, NAPPS played a dominant role in job creation as available data showed that each of the 700 private schools in Bayelsa employed between 15 and 20 workers.
"In spite of the huge progress recorded in public schools, the contribution of private schools in Bayelsa is tremendous and deserves assistance by all stakeholders," Moses said.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Education in the state, Mr Markson Fefegha, said the ministry was also disturbed by the development.
"The practice is worrisome and there is the need to harmonise the revenue system; my ministry is not involved in the multiple levies; we only collect one approved fee.
"Our main area of work is in the quality control and quality assurance; we frown at people running substandard schools and encourage those who meet our standards to thrive.
"I will table the matter at the appropriate quarters because we have been getting the reports also.
"We do not want to stifle the private schools; we want them to grow," Fefegha said.
The World Bank has supported 120 public primary and secondary schools in Ekiti with teaching materials running into millions of naira.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Idowu Adelusi, said in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Sunday.
Adelusi said that the items were handed over to Gov. Ayo Fayose at the Government House for onward distribution to the selected schools.
He quoted Fayose as expressing gratitude to the World Bank, saying his administration would complement the bank's effort by supplying the remaining schools with the items.
The governor's spokesman said that this was to ensure that no school was left out in the exercise.
He quoted the governor as saying select government approved private schools would also be considered in the exercise.
According to him, the governor has consequently ordered that henceforth,Open Day will now be observed in all public schools.
"The new policy is to enable parents to go and assess the performance of their children and wards in schools from time to time.
"They don't have to wait until the term runs out when the children will bring their academic results home.
"The level we have attained in the education sector must be improved upon
"We can't afford to drop our guards, if we came first in NECO examinations this year, it must not be once in a while achievement, we must maintain our enviable position.
"I am not in support of fire brigade approach to policies as that won't help us as a state. We must plan ahead and take necessary steps to consolidate our feat in the area of education
"For teachers, we can't jettison them, as doing so is ignoring the future of our children. We will continue to encourage them and I appeal to our parents to show understanding too
"Teachers are human and they have personal challenges and must be encouraged for them to pay attention to our children.
"The instructional materials won't go on their own and stick themselves to students' brains, it is the teachers that will use them to teach our wards and children," he quoted the governor as saying.
The World Bank instructional materials, included chalk, mathematical sets, books and compendium of past questions on subjects, among several others.
The Commissioner of Cooperatives Affair in Gombe state, Alhaji Yusuf Manu Swa has constructed a 15-bed and a five-VIP room capacity clinic at Talasse, headquarters of Balanga local government area in the State.
He said it was part of his contribution towards improving health care delivery system and curbing maternal/child mortality in the rural areas of the state
Speakng at the weekend in Gombe, Manu Swa said the project was inspired by the need to contribute to the development of his community and the determination to cushion their long desire for more health facilities in the area, vis-à-vis the growing population.
He said the health facility brought to the fore memories of his father's commitment to cleanliness and clean environment as a Sanitary Health Inspector under the Tangale-Waja Native Authority; hence it was dedicated to and named after him.
The donor said the clinic which contains a theater room equipped with Anastasia machine, delivery room, laboratory equip with three microscopes, scanner, other important facilities is 15 beds capacity with two wards and five VIP rooms.
He said it was so equipped with modern medical facilities to increase the people's access to modern health clinic and also contribute adequately to reducing the unpleasant statistics of maternal/child mortality in the state.
"We have negotiated to invite consultant to see our patient in most difficult circumstances," he added.
The Commissioner said the clinic will serve as the base for treating diverse cases within and outside Balanga local government area and would manned by qualified medical personnel.
The health facility which is private in nature is only second of its kind after Gelengu ECWA Dispensary which is the foremost and had been the only existing private health clinic in the entire Waja Chiefdom.
Dr Henry Ogiri, a former Executive Director, Finance and Administration (EDFA), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state.
Ogiri dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC at a rally in Abua-Central, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers on Saturday.
Henry Ogiri
He said he joined the APC because of the interest of his people and not to lead them astray.
"I am joining the APC to align with progressives and support President Muhammadu Buhari in building a new Nigeria.
"Buhari is building a new Nigeria that holds a lot of promise. Whatever we are seeing today will be temporary. We are in APC to partake in the building of a new Nigeria," he said.
According to Ogiri, whatever sacrifice Nigerians are paying today is for a better tomorrow.
"I enjoin all our people, we must join the APC to build a society that breeds hope for our people, not a society that is plagued with insecurity, poverty and misery.
Minister of Transportation Chibuike Amaechi represented by Sen. Magnus Abe, described Ogiri as a decent man who stayed in PDP because of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
"A lot of decent Rivers people felt Jonathan is our brother. So, on that principle, they stayed back in PDP.
"They did not stay in PDP to cause insecurity and spread poverty in Rivers. They did not stay in PDP to deceive and enthrone the hegemony of one group over the rest of us.
"The factor that kept Ogiri in PDP is no longer there. So, there is no reason for any decent Rivers man to remain in a party that has nothing to offer the people," he said.
Amaechi said if Nigeria was in a recession, Rivers was already in a depression because companies in the state were moving out and no investment was coming into the state.
"The reason why we are in politics is to live a better life. But when you have a government that is trading better life for politics, it is a bad government," he said.
Dr Dakuku Peterside, Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), said that Rivers was in a reverse gear in terms of development in the past 17 months.
Peterside stated that the state was on reverse gear because it was being governed by a default leadership.
"The schools and primary health care centres built by the former administration have been abandoned. Our pupils and students are out of school because they are paying fees now.
"Rivers people are killed every day because of bad leadership. They don't understand what governance is," he said.
Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deployed behind Bakassi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Damboa road, Maiduguri, on Sunday averted a suicide bomb when it intercepted and killed a male suicide bomber.
Col. Sani Usman, the army spokesman said in a statement that the troops, who were deployed on security duty, killed the bomber, who had attempted to sneak through their inner parapet towards the IDP camp.
He said that the incident occurred at about 9.00 a.m.
It will be recalled that suicide bombers killed some nine people close to the camp on Saturday after detonating their explosives.
"The vigilant sentry sighted the bomber and laid in wait until the suicide bomber came close.
"The sniper instantly shot and killed the terrorists as he tried to force his way to the western flank of the IDP camp fence.
"Unfortunately, the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) vest strapped on the bomber failed to detonate.
"Consequently, a combined team of military and police Explosive Ordinance Device (EOD) have been called to safely detonate the IED," Usman said.
He, however, said the situation at the camp and the general area was calm.
ABUJA- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has emerged the overall winner of the maiden edition of the week-long biennial Ministry of Interior Games MIGA which ended at the weekend at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.
With 37 gold, 17 silver and nine bronze medals, the civil defence team blazed the trail, knocking the Nigerian Police Force team to a distant second position with 11 gold, 20 silver and 18 bronze.
Third on the medals table was the Nigeria Prisons Service with four gold, seven silver and 17 bronze while the Nigeria Immigration Service came fourth with one gold, eight silver and 20 bronze. The Federal Fire Service got one silver to clinch the fifth position while the Ministry of Interior was named the “Best Behaved Team” of the games.
Declaring the games closed, Minister of Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau said the essence of the games was to enhance synergy among sister-security agencies and de-emphasize inter-agency rivalry as the federal government continues to deploy paramilitary personnel to recovered areas in the North East.
“I am happy to state that the main agenda of the games is to pursue our integration agenda among the services and the ministry too. This has provided one of the best fora for unity and we have achieved that. While we have achieved that on the field through sports, I want to urge you to also ensure that you carry on with this spirit during operations. Therefore, I urge that this spirit exhibited throughout this past week should continue”, he admonished.
Host governor, Nasir el-Rufai in his remarks pledged commitment to the development of sports in the state, praising participants at the games for exhibiting the highest form of discipline and sportsmanship.
The tournament which featured games like football, volleyball, handball, tennis, badminton, squash among others, had the Minister of Defence, Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali, his counterpart in Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, paramilitary service chiefs and the Commandant of the Nigeria Defence Academy, NDA.
Former Rivers State Governor and Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has hailed former Chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party in Rivers State, Late Chief G.U Ake as a peace loving man who contributed immensely to human capital development.
Amaechi stated this at Erema, Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of the state, during the burial ceremony of the Late Chief Godspower Umejuru Ake, on Friday.
Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and his wife Judith (right) with wife of Late Chief GU Ake (middle) at the funeral of the deceased, on Friday.
The late Chief Ake was an ally of the Transportation Minister. He was also a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly in the first Republic.
Amaechi who also acknowledged the role played by the Late Chief in his governorship ambition explained that many whom the elder statesman assisted in life turned against him before his death.
"Chief was a very peace loving man and a peaceful man; the way he walks and the way he talks you will know that he never liked violence. A lot of us seated here today have benefited from chief in one way or the other. Starting from Chief Rufus Ada George and Dr. Peter Odili, my former boss."
"After God, Chief contributed in making Dr. Peter Odili deputy governor and contributed to also making him governor. So chief helped to make governors after God".
"After Dr. Peter Odili became governor, Chief helped to make me governor. I will tell you one lesson I learnt from chief. He said people will continue to betray you so let it not worry you. A lot of people that were chief's friends betrayed him. Chief taught me that where there is no God, there will be no peace."
"I thought Chief would die when Felix Obuah "Go-round" betrayed him. If you all remember "Go round" was shot in his privates, the first man that rushed to me was Chief G.U Ake, he gave me an ultimatum that I must fly him (Go- round) out to South Africa for treatment and I brought the money, he was flown abroad and was treated, but today "Go round" has betrayed Chief," Amaechi said.
Amaechi added saying, "We must look at what has happened to our own leader, our own father. A child in Omoku (Chief's home town) went to court and lied against Chief, and removed him because they had power of the Presidency. I know chief very well and was close to him, chief was a good adviser, he was not greedy, and he died a Rivers man. All those he helped are not here. I owe him nothing than this respect and to continue to be a member of his family," Amaechi said.
Recalling his victory as the then Governor of Rivers State, Amaechi said his victory was through a divine mandate and not by shedding of human blood, adding that one of his greatest successes recorded as governor was that Rivers State did not experience killings and human massacre as it is currently prevalent under the present administration.
He said, "See Onelga, the beauty of the country. See how bad the road is. See Omoku, a desert. People are being killed and slaughtered every day, and there is a government in place."
"One thing I am proud of is that as a governor, both my enemies and opponents stayed alive. They have killed so many of Chief's supporters and are still killing chief's supporters. All you people owe chief is to chase out all these people in 2019," he said.
The recent visit made by Marne Dunn, the Digital Empowerment Director for Community Education at Intel to Lagos, Nigeria, no doubt is closing gender digital divide, making the role of women in the economic development of a country very significant.
Following her visit, Dunn brought further awareness to the Intel She Will Connect app at a hands-on-session where leading NGO and media personnel could learn ways to adopt the tool to reach more girls, especially in rural areas, to educate them on digital literacy.
Marne Dunn is known for her strong passion to close the gender digital divide, and she continues to inspire people to lifelong learning.
She currently leads the Intel She Will Connect Program which is a Corporate Affairs initiative of Intel aimed at closing the gender digital divide and enabling women through technology. With a goal to lead her team over the next 3 years to reach 5 Million women and to create lasting change in communities by enabling 10,000 women by the end of 2020, Marne and her team will leverage the Intel She Will Connect App.
As part of this drive, Marne's recent visit to Lagos, Nigeria was dedicated to the Intel® She Will Connect app which is a highly useful tool that connects more women and girls with the internet. These participants learn to use mobile devices and PCs to empower themselves, while remaining safe.
Girls can learn to use technology to access the Internet, set up email accounts, research health and wellness topics, practice Internet safety on social media platforms like Facebook, while also getting inspirational stories of women who have benefited greatly by connecting to the internet.
Using the Intel She Will Connect App
The She Will Connect App is a simple easy to use app that comes with four categories: Inspire, Learn, Connect and Explore.
Inspire: To help users to understand why they should use the internet, and also share inspiring stories of women using the internet.
Learn: To help users learn how to computer and mobile device basics, as well as using a keyboard, using touch features, connecting to Wi-Fi, understanding Data Usage and Cost, protecting your devices.
Connect: To help users learn how to create an account, send email, use Social Media, like creating a facebook account, sharing information, and downloading content, like Mobile Apps.
Explore: It opens users to the endless possibility available on the internet. The device helps users to learn to explore the internet for information like learning how to start a business, Finding access to education, health and info, as well as reading local and global news, and also read about the inspiring lives of many women on My Digital Journey.
Challenges of bridging the technological divide in Nigeria.
A report from the ITU World Telecommunication/ICT indicator database states that globally, there are more men than women using the internet. We have 37% of women online compared to 41% of men across the globe. This means 1.3billion women and 1.5billion men.
In the developing world, which includes Nigeria, this means about 826million female internet users and 483 million male internet users. In essence, the gender divide is more prominent in the developing countries, where 16% less women than men use the internet.
While there are several challenges that women and girls face in bridging the gender gaps in technology, most prevalent ones include education, infrastructure, skills, financial resources, and power and decision making.
The internet can open up opportunities and close some of these gaps—there are increasing online courses on the internet for women who want to educate themselves to acquire new skills, learn how to start a business, access funding organisations or even learn the basics of decision making in business.
With a population of 162.5 million people in Nigeria, with 49% female, access and control of the technology in relations to opportunities is a challenge.
Benefits of the apps
The number of women without access to internet access is slowly being bridged by efforts like the Intel She Will Connect App. Currently, the Intel® She Will Connect Program has successfully connected over 40,000 females to the internet, and the Awareness app will open even more possibility for more girls to become digitally literate
The app will offer women and girls the opportunity to be empowered, enjoy access to health and educational information, and benefit from capacity building.
With the app, more women and girls can enhance their social and economic knowledge, and in the long run this would empower, increase productivity and in the long run reduce poverty.
The Borno command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday raised the alarm that youths in Maiduguri are now being recruited by Boko Haram to supply fuel in Gamboru Ngala area of the state.
The Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi our Borno Correspondent, Hamza Suleiman in Maiduguri.
Abdullahi said the command had intercepted a reasonable quantity of fuel packaged in a carton of groundnut oil, bound for Gamboru Ngala local government area in the state.
He said since Boko Haram are running out of food and other supplies, they have employed all sorts of means to replenish stock.
"The command had so far arrested a suspect, who confessed that he did not know the owner of the consignment that he was asked to deliver to the insurgents trapped in Gamboru Ngala.
"He later confessed that each of the five litres of fuel is sold at N15,000 to the insurgents.
"You will recall we raised the alarm that some agents of Boko Haram were transporting stolen cows from Mafa, Kalabalge and Bomboshe axis in the state to cattle market in Maiduguri.
"The Boko Haram usually send the cows to their agents in the city who will then sell them and repatriate either cash or fuel to the terrorists.
"We are therefore warning the people especially drivers not to accept or convey any form of message that looks suspicious to any one, especially along the Gamboru axis.
"We are also warning the drivers, park owners and union groups to always check their passengers and their luggage to avoid transporting bad elements that would cause havoc in the society.
According to him, the command is working with other relevant security agencies to bring all the collaborators of terrorists to book.
The SA to President Muhammadu Buhari (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina has said that the diversification drive by the President Buhari’s administration will not see the oil sector neglected. Adesina reiterated what the Minister of state for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu had said that, “oil got us into recession and oil will get us out.”
ABUJA- THE Chairman Senate Committee on Solid Minerals, Senator James Manager, at the weekend said result should be the focus of recently approved N30 billion mining intervention fund by the Federal Executive Council, FEC.
Manager made the call at the just concluded Nigerian Mining Week held in Abuja, while speaking on the need to inject more resources into the mining sub-sector for successful diversification of the economy.
He said: "I am sure and I want to believe that before the N30 billion Mining Intervention Fund was approved a memo was sent to the Federal Executive Council, FEC, by the Minister, and in that memo whatever they want to do with that money is spelt out item by item.
"Mine is what they want to use the money for and what is important is at the end of the day there must be value for money because Nigerians must have value for money for whatever that will be spent.
"This sub-sector we have been told is better and richer than oil, and what do we do now that we are diversifying so that we will not be relying on a mono product, that is, oil and for any reason there is problem in the oil sub-sector in the international market Nigeria will have problem and that is the problem we have today.
Hence the need to diversify and in diversifying the solid minerals sub-sector becomes very handy.
"Therefore whatever that is been done we want to see result and is the result that is important to parliament and not that the items that are there but result, and when the results are there everybody will see it so that the diversification the economy will become visible and everybody will be happy and that is the prayer of all Nigerians.
"Mr President's move to diversify the economy for more sources of revenue generation will be supported by the National Assembly."
Following allocation in the 2016 budget for the solid minerals sector the Lawmaker urged the federal government to allocate reasonable amount of money for the sector and smooth diversification in the 2017 budget.
"We need to be serious when we talk about diversifying and when you are diversifying let the people also see that the government is very serious about diversifying the economy.
"I want to believe that in 2017 budget by going forward something reasonable will be appropriated for the solid minerals sub-sector because we have to diversify and we have no other way out.
"It is important for government to also encourage the sub-sector the encouragement will come by a way of appropriation. I want to believe the president means well and he is very serious about what he has said about the solid minerals sub-sector, and that is the reason why the N30 billion has been approved by FEC", he added.
Ex-president Goodluck Jonathan has said that under his watch as Nigeria’s president, no Nigerian became a political prisoner or a prisoner of conscience based on what he or she wrote in criticising him or his administration.
Jonathan gave the keynote speech on Saturday, 29th October at the annual Merit Awards Dinner of the Nigerian Lawyers Association of the US.
(Former Governor Peter Obi, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the President of the NLA Nexus Sea)
The former President who urged the Diaspora lawyers to help preserve democratic institutions also said that, diversity could remain a strength only when all interest groups in the society feel safe and secured, in their day to day activities.
At the event which held in New York, former Anambra state Governor, Peter Obi, who introduced ex-President Jonathan said ‘nobody in Nigeria has made more sacrifices for democracy and unity in Nigeria like former President Jonathan”.
Jonathan was also honored for his efforts to promote democracy by the City of New York which issued a proclamation honoring Dr. Jonathan as a democratic icon.
During his speech, Dr. Jonathan urged Nigerian politicians to build unity and harmony in Nigeria by their language and conduct. He said that was why he ensured there was both freedom of speech and freedom after the speech and equally ensured that under his watch, “not a single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything he or she wrote or said about me or about the Administration that I headed."
Below is the full speech:
Protocols
It is a great pleasure for me to be with you in this annual gathering. I thank you for extending your invitation to me, a layman to be among learned people. I always enjoy attending programs organized by lawyers either as members of the bar or bench.
Let me use this opportunity to thank the Nigerians living in the United States for your contributions to the development of our Country. When I met President Obama after our 2011 general elections, he commended the contributions of Nigerian professionals in different sectors in the United States of America.
Back home, I know of your contributions to the economy of our country. Diaspora remittance is a major source of foreign exchange and the United States houses the largest Nigerian Diaspora population.
(President Jonathan and awardees at the event)
Nigerian lawyers are one of the pillars of the United States legal system with many of you rising to the top of your chosen field and making Nigeria proud in the process.
I salute Judge Bunmi O. Awoniyi who was appointed to the bench in California in 2012 thus becoming the first Nigerian to be so honoured in the Golden State. I also recognize Judge Jude Nkama, who became the first African to be appointed a judge in the over two (2) centuries old bar and bench of the State of New Jersey.
As a body, you are an asset to Nigeria and I want you to walk tall knowing that your exploits add value to the Motherland of which you are worthy ambassadors here in the United States. Through you I see a brighter future for Nigeria.
No Nation can achieve greatness without the inputs of her Learned People and that is why if there is any crop of professionals who has made Nigeria proud over the years, both at the continental and global levels, it will be you all.
Your steadfastness, contributions to jurisprudence and patriotism has been pivotal to our development. I wouldn’t want to bore you with so much references, but we could recollect the glorious age of our own Teslim Elias at The Hague, Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Gani Fawehimi and the Williams family. You will recall that Justice Udoma, a Nigerian, was the first African Chief Justice of Uganda.
I am quite pleased to know that the Nigerian Lawyers Association in the United States has such a robust annual program. I am particularly touched by the theme of this year's event: “Diversity as Our Bridge to Tomorrow."
Let me quickly speak on the issue you've asked me to address. Obviously, the theme suggests two things. First, that there exist Diversity in our polity and second, that such Diversity could either be a Plus or a Minus for our National development depending on our conduct as a people.
I will examine these existing variables from the point of view of our political orientations and institutional framework over the years.
As 2014 approached, I set up a Committee to arrange for the Centenary Celebration of the amalgamation of the North and Southern Protectorates that formed our country Nigeria. When the idea of celebrating the amalgamation became known to the public, some people were against it, describing it as a wasteful enterprise.
My admonition was very clear. Nigeria is great not because of the crude oil we produce but because of the size of our country, its resilient population and the diverse ecological zones. In both the people and the environment, Nigeria exhibits high diversity. The amalgamation is a blessing except we decide to make it a curse.
The strength and potential of an individual is not due to his or her tribe, religion, language or ethnicity, but largely due to the brain and the application of our mental capacities. As patriots, we must strive to both explore and deploy our individual God-given talents and abilities to develop our country and build our nation.
We may have our differences but these differences should serve as the mortar to cement our unity. You may have read or heard about the exchange between two of our Nation's founding fathers, Sir Ahmadu Bello and The Right Honourable, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe both of blessed memory.
Azikwe said to Ahmadu Bello: “let us forget our differences" to which Ahmadu Bello responded: “no, let us understand our differences, I am a Muslim and a Northerner, you are a Christian, an Easterner… by understanding our differences, we can build unity in our country”. It is clear that both leaders had the common interest of Nigeria at heart but they were only advocating different approaches.
Nigeria is a diverse Nation and sometimes I reflect on our previous National Anthem because a line in it reminds us of the need to foster unity; "though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”. We have our differences but we are all brothers and sisters.
Those differences must be seen as a blessing because they strengthen our resilience and diversity; the essential ingredient of a great nation. Every Nigerian must believe that Nigeria is for all Nigerians. We must resist the pull of ego that may make us want to pursue a regional or narrow agenda and should be willing, if necessary, to shut out regional irredentists who signal to the public that they are fighting our battles
As you all know, most of my principal aides in government hailed from different ethnic nationalities. My Administration established 12 Universities, out of which 9 were cited in the Northern part of the country and 3 in the South. The same spirit guided our construction of 165 Al-Majiri schools to cater for the disadvantaged children in the North.
I am proud to say that while we were conscious of the Federal Character as our constitutional guiding principle, we never placed ethno-religious interest above merit or individual values.
Accordingly, diversity could remain a strength only when all interest groups in the society feel safe and secured, in their day to day activities.
That is why no matter what any critic said about me, I ensured that there was both freedom of speech and freedom after the speech. Under my watch not a single Nigerian was sent to prison because of anything he or she wrote or said about me or about the Administration that I headed.
Nigeria had no political prisoners under my Administration and we certainly did not have any prisoners of conscience because we ourselves ensured that we acted according to our conscience in all we did. You in the diaspora can attest to the fact that Nigeria had no political exile.
Not only did I take a stance to allow people express their opinions without let or fear, we also enacted the Freedom of Information Act and by that, we tore the veil of secrecy covering governance. Nigerians deserve to know how their government functions. I am proud to say that we gave them knowledge, and that is a genie you cannot put back to the lamp.
We gave institutions unlimited freedom and ensured that the Nigerian Bar Association and other professional unions, fraternities and guilds were completely devoid of any governmental influence.
Finally, we enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, one of the most progressive criminal justice acts ever signed in Nigeria. The provisions of this Act are geared toward ensuring that the system of administration of criminal justice in Nigeria promotes efficient management of all criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, and protection of the rights and interests of the victim of crime and the suspect. The Act, along with other institutional reforms, will help our country in fighting corruption and other crimes.
I am also proud of my records as a democrat. We gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), unconditional freedom and ensured by deliberate actions that elections were free, fair and transparent. We ensured that the transition from one government to the other was peaceful.
We achieved this because in constituting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) we ensured that the appointments were not based on personal relationships. This gave the Commission credibility and earned the confidence of the electorate. The Chairman, Prof. Jega, whom I appointed, was a person I had never met in my life. The same sense of patriotism and profound desire to put my country's interest first influenced the critical decisions I made as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The 2014 National Conference was a platform for all Nigerians, men, women, old and young, from all walks of life, and of diverse backgrounds, to have a conversation about our shared challenges, strengths and weaknesses, with the aim to strengthen our unity.
It was not designed to promote the political ambition of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. The Chairman of the Conference, Justice Kutigi, a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has stated publicly that I never called him or sent anyone to him to influence any of the Conference decisions or recommendations. They were to discuss everything except the sovereignty of Nigeria. My sole interest and total commitment was the unity and advancement of our country.
Remember that despite their differences of opinions and philosophies, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello, two fine sons of Nigeria enjoyed mutual respect and civility. I would like to see our political leaders, chairpersons of our various political parties, irrespective of their differences, get together to discuss our unity and development instead of exchanging uncomplimentary words.
Some of you may recall last June, while speaking at the Bloomberg Studios in London, I called on the Executive and Legislative branches of our government to institute a Bill of Rights that would end discrimination and tribalism, and promote equality, enabling every citizen to work towards the common national goal of unity, while striving for socio economic development for all.
All Nigerians should have the equal right to security, health care, education and other opportunities. That is the only way that all Nigerians can be at home in any part of Nigeria without being discriminated against in their own country.
Would it not be good for all of us to aspire to a Nigeria where each of us could proudly say “I am a citizen of Nigeria.” We would be able to look past where each of us comes from, look past our tribal origins. We would be able to evaluate each other on our merits rather than our religion or region.
I argued in that presentation that, being able to declare “Civis Nigerianus Sum” [I am a Nigerian Citizen] will mean that: You would be judged on your merits, not by your tribe or language. You would have access to education that can help you succeed on whatever path you choose. You would be part of a proud culture, one that others want to invest in.
You would be safe in knowing that society judges you by your successes and failures rather than your place of origin. You would be equal before the law and your protection is enshrined in the laws of the country. You would be a valued member of your country, one who is worth investing in, who can turnaround that investment tenfold within your lifetime.
Ultimately, it means that you would be an ambassador for Nigeria. Our diversity is our source of strength and bridge for the development of our tomorrow. So, let us all re-programme our thinking. Let us have no hidden agenda except the Nigerian agenda. I urge you, Nigerian lawyers in the United States and those in the Diaspora at large, to do your best to support the democratic institutions we have built.
Let us pledge to Nigeria our country to be faithful, loyal and honest. Let us demonstrate responsibility in our utterances and actions. Let us honour the labour, wisdom and visions of our founding fathers.
And finally, let us as patriots, in line with the conversation between Sir Ahmadu Bello and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe work towards building a united Nigeria where peace and justice reign.
Thank you for inviting me to your esteem and august gathering. May your conference be a source of unity for our beloved Nigeria!
May God bless you and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
By Gabriel Ewepu ABUJA – Rice importation into the country is to end next year, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe, has assured.
He spoke at a joint Anchor Borrowers rice farm inspection with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Governor of Niger State, Alh Abubakar Bello, at Sunti, Lavun Local Government Area of Niger State, at the weekend.
According to him "The federal government's massive rice production programme, has made huge impacts on the nation's rice supply and will therefore end rice importation into the country as from next year"
He added that the government was working on providing farmers with more improved seedlings , as well as, extending the programme to more states in order to achieve set objectives of food security in the country.
In his own remarks, Mr. Emefiele said that he was satisfied with the level of mileage reached by the Anchor Borrowers Programme, which he said was a key strategy towards drastically reducing the level of foreign exchange that the country was wasted on the importation of food.
"We were convinced at the CBN that the nation was wasting foreign exchange in the importation of food items that we can conveniently produce at home. That was why we chose specific crops such as rice, wheat, soya beans and cotton as the immediate target of the programme.
"The results are there for all to see that indeed, the decision to grow the food that we eat in the country makes a great economic sense. By growing our food at home, rather than import them, we create jobs for our people, create wealth and conserve foreign exchange for other uses", he said.
The governor disclosed that about N2 billion had been disbursed to farmers and other players in the value chains of the selected crops and that Nigerians now have better nourishing food to eat rather than eating, especially rice that had remained in warehouses for many years, which were being imported into the country , in the name of foreign rice.
The CBN boss promised the released of more funds for the purchase of harvesters and rice mills for members of the benefitting cooperatives and other Nigerian businessmen who would be interested in the agricultural sector.
According to him, the Anchor Borrowers Programme was initiated by the CBN with atarget of ensuring economic development by providing credit to individuals and industries in the agricultural sector at single digit rates.
Mr. Emefiele, also urged State Governments to key into the programme with a view to diversifying the economy away from oil, as well as, creating more jobs.
Also speaking, the Governor Bello pledged to assist the Sunti Rice Farmers Cooperative, as well as, by providing more tractors to ease increase their production.
The Governor said that the state government had embarked road works to make it easier for farmers to move their produce to markets in and outside the state.
He observed, however, that highways across the state were being destroyed by over –loaded trucks. He therefore called on the federal government to put in place measures to address the problem.
Uturu (Abia), – Ndigbo at home and abroad ended a three-day summit in Abia on Saturday with a call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and others it tagged 'prisoners of conscience' in Nigeria.
The 2016 World Igbo Summit, organised by the World Igbo Summit Group in collaboration with the Igbo Renaissance Centre of the Gregory University, Uturu (GUU), had Sen. Ike Nwachukwu as the chairman.
In its 10-point communique on Saturday night, the summit urged the Federal Government to release Kanu and other Biafran agitators in line with the Rule of Law "since they do not constitute a threat to national security."
The meeting restated the commitment of Ndigbo to work for a united Nigeria, where "Ndigbo would live and operate as equal citizens, without any discrimination, bias or intimidation."
The communique, which was read by a co-chairman of the summit, Chief Sam Ohuabunwa, noted that "Ndigbo have made the biggest sacrifice and contributions to the building of a modern Nigeria."
The summit called for legislation by the state and national assemblies to prohibit nomadic grazing by herdsmen and establish grazing reserves with public funds.
It specifically called for legislation "against all forms of open grazing in Igboland", on grounds that the activities of suspected herdsmen pose great danger to peace and security in the area.
The summit further called for a review of the 1999 constitution to recognise the rights of each federating unit to self-determination and regional economy "as enshrined in the 1960 Independent Constitution and 1963 Republican Constitution."
Summiteers resolved "to take full responsibility for the rebuilding of Igbo economy and development of Igboland", by adopting the digital economy "as the organising paradigm and implementation framework."
Southeast governors were urged to establish a joint commission "for the development of Igboland and be supportive of true Igbo initiatives."
"Henceforth, the Igbo political leadership, whether elected or appointed, must act in the best interest of Ndigbo and be prepared to be held accountable by the people for their actions and inactions."
The summit commended the contributions of Ndigbo in the Diaspora toward the achievement of the vision and urged them to "think home and invest home."
It expressed appreciation to the Chancellor of GUU, Dr. Gregory Ibe, and the management for setting up the Igbo Renaissance Centre toward the re-engineering of Igbo growth and development.
The summit, with the theme, "Igboka-Visioning the Igbo nation in 2016," was aimed at producing a road map for economic growth and prosperity in the Southeast and other Igbo-speaking states of Nigeria.
Among the dignitaries in attendance were former Nigeria's Ambassador to U.S., Prof. George Obiozor, former Minister of Education, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, former governor of Anambra, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and the Chancellor of GUU.
Other participants at the summit were the former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Josephine Anenih, former Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Col. Joe Achuzie (rtd.), the Director-General of the World Igbo Summit Group, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, and representatives of various Igbo groups and associations.
Also in attendance were the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and the Chairman, Southeast Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Eberechi Dick, among other monarchs. Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke.
Maiduguri – The Borno command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday raised the alarm that youths in Maiduguri are now being recruited by Boko Haram to supply fuel in Gamboru Ngala area of the state.
The Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi made the revelation in an interview in Maiduguri.
Abdullahi said the command had intercepted a reasonable quantity of fuel packaged in a carton of groundnut oil, bound for Gamboru Ngala local government area in the state.
He said since Boko Haram are running out of food and other supplies, they have employed all sorts of means to replenish stock.
"The command had so far arrested a suspect, who confessed that he did not know the owner of the consignment that he was asked to deliver to the insurgents trapped in Gamboru Ngala.
"He later confessed that each of the five litres of fuel is sold at N15,000 to the insurgents.
"You will recall we raised the alarm that some agents of Boko Haram were transporting stolen cows from Mafa, Kalabalge and Bomboshe axis in the state to cattle market in Maiduguri.
"The Boko Haram usually send the cows to their agents in the city who will then sell them and repatriate either cash or fuel to the terrorists.
"We are therefore warning the people especially drivers not to accept or convey any form of message that looks suspicious to any one, especially along the Gamboru axis.
"We are also warning the drivers, park owners and union groups to always check their passengers and their luggages to avoid transporting bad elements that would cause havoc in the society.
According to him, the command is working with other relevant security agencies to bring all the collaborators of terrorists to book. (NAN)
Damaya (Yobe) – The Yobe commissioner for agriculture, Mustapha Gajerima, on Sunday, said anticipated bumper harvest of vegetables from the state, would make vegetables available and affordable in Nigerian markets.
Gajerima in Dayama, Yobe, said that the state recorded increased irrigation farming of onions, pepper and tomatoes this season.
"This season looks very different and promising right from the flowering to the yields, there are indications of very good harvests.
"The other advantage we have this season, is that many people have engaged in irrigation farming, starting with vegetables after which they will go into crop cultivation.
"I have personally cultivated 11 hectares of onions, pepper and tomatoes here in Dayama which also provides training programme to youth with interest in farming.
"Some national legislators, members of the state assembly, my colleagues in the state executive council and elites have also engaged in irrigation farming to promote food security, job creation and revenue generation" he said.
Gajerima said the growing number of irrigation, livestock and fish farmers in the state would increase production to meet the food, beef, dairy and fish needs of Yobe and beyond.
"We will commence harvest of the vegetables this week. We are expecting two more harvests after which we will cultivate rice and wheat on the same farm under the irrigation scheme" the commissioner said.
He assured that government will encourage farmers with inputs to irrigate the basins along the 765 km Yobe river.
"Irrigation farming looks more promising here in the state, we will make good use of the available resources to ensure food security and diversify the economy" Gajerima said. (NAN)
Ondo protest, Saturday, took a new twist as pro-Jegede supporters were seen carrying a mock-coffin bearing some inscriptions such as “R.I. P Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim,” ” No to justice O. E. Abang,” and “Injustice Judgement” as well as chanting a dirge to accompany it.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had, Thursday October 27, announced Jimoh Ibrahim of the Modu Sheriff faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, as the true candidate for the coming governorship election in the state while substituting that of Eyitayo Jegede who belongs to the Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the party.
This sparked off massive protest which has taken the current twist.
Protesters carrying coffin with Jimoh Ibrahim’s name inscribed on it as they protest controversial removal of Eyitayo’s name on INEC list pic.twitter.com/j8LayFkvw5
{Gone so soon Abang, RIP Jimoh…} Songs on d lips of Ondo people as they protest controversial removal of Eyitayo’s name on INEC list pic.twitter.com/3l5r8wf0QF
Gone so soon Abang, RIP Jimoh..Songs on d lips of Ondo people as they protest controversial removal of Eyitayo’s name on INEC list pic.twitter.com/M24XE6isg7
Abuja – The Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Hakan Çakil, has said that Nigerian students in Turkey are under the protection of the Turkish government.
Çakil said this on the sideline of a dinner reception to mark the 93rd anniversary of the founding of Turkey in Abuja at the weekend.
The envoy denied media reports that 50 Nigerian students were arrested and detained in Turkey in connection to the foiled coup attempt.
"There were reports that about 50 Nigerians were arrested in Turkey. No Nigerian student is arrested or detained in Turkey.
"All the rights of the Nigerian students who are studying in Turkey are under the protection of the government.
"Unfortunately this was in the media that about 50 Nigerian students were detained or under arrest; these numbers do not reflect the real situation.
"It was a discussion of a non-existant issue."
He, however, said that ties between both countries remained strong and added that both parties sought other areas in which they could strengthen bilateral ties.
Senior Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa also told newsmen that the reported arrest of 50 Nigerian students was an exaggerated issue.
Dabiri-Erewa confirmed that the issue had been resolved diplomatically.
"The Turkish Ambassador who met with our permanent secretary made it clear that 50 Nigerian students were not detained.
"Two Nigerian students were detained for 11 hours but they were released as soon as the ministry got involved.
"Four Nigerians that they claimed were involved in the coup were released as soon as Nigeria stepped in.
"So there is no problem between Nigeria and Turkey, we continue to maintain strong diplomatic relations and we will also continue to ensure that issues are resolved diplomatically and not through sensations.''
She, however, advised Nigerian students abroad to always abide by the laws of whatever country they were in.
She also encouraged students to patronise institutions of learning in Nigeria.
"Perhaps you do not need to go abroad because what you are looking for is also here in Nigeria and maybe even better.
"So we encourage them that under this administration the president is doing everything to make Nigeria truly a great place.
"There are some private universities here that are even better than where they are going to.
"Sometimes it is not necessary to go through all the stress our students have to go through but we just continue to educate them and raise awareness about all these issues," she said.
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