Female Suicide Bomber Dies In Failed AttemptTo Bomb University In Kano

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Read Time:26 Second

The Nigeria police said a lone female suicide bomber died in an attempt to bomb, Northwest University in Kano around 1PM Nigerian time.

The female estimated to be 16 years of age, was walking suspiciously towards the gate of the university when police guarding the area spotted her, isolated her and called for reinforcement from female police officers adept at handling Muslim females.

The young woman who had a bomb concealed inside her hijab, killed herself by detonating her explosives, five policemen suffered minor injuries

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Rivers APC Defends Amaechi’s Purchase of Road Analyser

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Read Time:2 Minute, 6 Second

Rivers APC Defends Amaechi’s Purchase of Road Analyser 

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has challenged the State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to provide proof that the APC Government in the State inflated the cost of the Automated Road Analyser (ARAN) commissioned on July 18 by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. 

“We are shocked that instead of joining the rest of Rivers people to celebrate the purchase of this scientific device to be used in monitoring road quality so as to ensure that dubious contractors do not rip off the State, PDP leaders are questioning this wise investment by the visionary government of Rt. Hon. Amaechi,” APC said in a statement issued Friday in Port Harcourt by the State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. 

The party said that by opposing the purchase of the road analyser, PDP has left no one in doubt that it is a party of blind critics and enemies of progress. “Contrary to PDP’s claims, the purchase of the road analyser by the Rivers State Government was done in a transparent manner and followed due process. Each of the two machines cost N109 million, making a total of N218 million for the two machines. The figure was not inflated in any way and any right-thinking person would appreciate this wise investment which will not only ensure better road quality but also save the State hundreds of millions of naira,” APC said.

The party challenged PDP leaders to provide proof that the cost of the machines was inflated “as it is not enough to make wild allegations in a failed bid to tarnish the image of a transparent administration.”

APC insisted that “Governor Amaechi, instead of being criticised, should be commended and congratulated for ensuing that our funds are judiciously utilised and that contractors do not defraud the State by means of poor quality road projects.”

The party advised Rivers PDP Chairman Felix Obuah and his spokesman Jerry Nedam to stop ridiculing themselves through frivolous allegations that cast them in the mould of blind critics and present PDP as a party of jokers and unserious minds. “This does not in any way do any good to PDP in its doomed mission to gain a foothold in Rivers State as we count down to the 2015 general elections, at which PDP will be totally rejected by Rivers people,” APC said in the statement.

 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Jonathan: 2015 Elections Will be Free, Fair, Credible, Transparent

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Read Time:7 Minute, 45 Second

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that 2015 elections would be free, fair, credible and transparent.

He equally noted the global community would marvel at its conduct.
Jonathan gave the assurance when he broke Ramadan fast with diplomatic corps and senators at the Presidential Villa.

The president said, "I know that one thing that is dear to your hearts is what the elections in this country will look like next year.

"But let me use this unique opportunity to reassure you and I'm conveying this to my brothers, your heads of government, that our elections next year will be free and fair.

"It will be very peaceful in nature that will even surprise the whole world."
He however called on Muslim faithful to pray for the country in the holy month of Ramadan.

"Let us take the opportunity of this season to ask Allah to forgive them and guide them back to the path of righteousness and holiness.

"I wish to call on Your Excellencies and all Muslims who are praying during this period, especially during the night of Majesty, to pray for peace and security to reign.
"Let us also pray for Allah to guide the leaders as well as the followers and give them wisdom, wisdom to work for the development of their respective countries.

"Our nations, especially nations facing civil strife, political instability, militancy, terrorism and financial crisis.

"As a nation with a large Muslim population, Nigeria joins the rest of the Muslim world to celebrate this season with fraternal solidarity and prayers for peace and security throughout the world.

"It is prayers that Allah will imbue the people of the world with compassion and forgiveness to enable them to surmount the challenges of conflicts and wars in order to achieve global peace and harmony" Jonathan added.

In his remark, Dean of Diplomatic Corps and High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria, Mohammed Salladeen, gave kudos to Jonathan for joining Muslims in observing fast.

"May Allah grant you all the guidance necessary to do your job, to save Nigeria in order to save Africa and to save the world.

"We want to assure you that the international community will be with Nigeria, to bring our knowledge and all we can do to help your country get out of the challenges’’ Salladeen noted.

Caption: INEC logo
Ekiti : INEC Won't Sabotage Parties at Tribunal, Says REC
Toba Suleiman
      
The Independent   National Electoral Commission has assured that it won’t sabotage the efforts of any party in the prosecution at the ongoing Election Petition Tribunal in Ekiti State.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner of Ekiti State, Alhaji Halilu Pai, who spoke with journalists on Friday, assured that all the materials used for the conduct of the election would be safeguarded   for all parties to have access to them to advance their cases.

The All Progressives Congress is challenging the victory of the Governor-elect and Peoples Democratic Party Governorship candidate, Mr Ayodele Fayose  over the incumbent Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi in the June 21 poll.

Shortly after the commencement of the trial, the Justice Mohammed Sirajo-chaired Tribunal gave an order empowering the APC to inspect all materials used for the election, following which the PDP had kicked, urging the commission to protect the materials from being tinkered with.

But INEC boss in Ekiti, who foreclosed the possibility of those materials being tampered with by the Petitioner, said he had contacted the security agencies and that the INEC ware house was now under police surveillance.

Pai said, “There is no cause for alarm. Immediately we got wind of the petition filed by APC, we contacted the Police and the State Security Service to beef up security around our warehouse.

“And I want to tell you now that the place is under serious security watch. There is no reason to fear whether those materials will be tampered with.

“We are going to protect them and ensure that we make them  available to all parties as directed by the Tribunal  as the trial progresses .We have demonstrated non-partisanship in our dealings with all political parties and we will continue to maintain this”.

INEC, however, affirmed that the results that were declared across the 177 wards by the staff of the commission on the day of the election were true representations of the wishes of Ekiti electorate.

Pai added that the Commission had no reason to take sides in the conduct of any election, since it was not an annexure of any political party, but a statutory   body primarily established to be an unbiased umpire in the conduct of election.

He, however, told Nigerians, particularly politicians  to continue to have implicit confidence in INEC as truly unbiased umpire and desist from making comments that could denigrate the Commission.

Caption: PDP logo
Adamawa Council Chairmen, Area Administrators Return to PDP
Daji Sani
      
All the 21 Local Government Chairmen and 36 Areas Administrators across Adamawa State, on Friday, returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .

The Council Chairmen and Area Administrators had defected from the PDP with former Governor Murtala Nyako, to join the All Progressives Congress last year, due to the lingering crisis in the PDP involving Nyako and the former PDP chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

The Chairmen and Administrators publicly renounced their APC membership at the PDP secretariat in Yola, promising to support the PDP as they believe that the party was the winning party in the state.
Speaking at the PDP secretariat, the chairman of Michika Local Government Area, Hon Vandi Favanza who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, pledged to support the party and were willing to meet every condition given to them.

“We are not strangers in the PDP because we came into power on the platform of the party but we left the party with former governor Nyako to the APC to secure our positions, if not the powers that be would have booted some of out of our seats, therefore we promise to work for the interest of the party in the forth coming election” he said.

In the same vein the Gombi local government chairman Hon Rufai Umar expressed fear  that the PDP executives at their local government level may not accept them due to sentimental reasons that may have been existing between them.

He however pleaded with the state exco to set up a reconciliation committee that will harmonise them at the local level so as have good working relationship with the local government.

While receiving  the council Chairmen and Administrators, the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Joel Madaki said that PDP was willing to accept them if they could follow due process and appreciate the tenets of party .

Madaki advised the local government chairmen and the area administrators to go back to their individual wards and re-validate their PDP membership card so as to avoid future crisis in their wards.

He further reiterated that they should publicly renounce their APC membership on the media so that constitutional lapses would be averted in case of any eventuality.

Madaki rejected the plea saying that there was no need to form any committee but they would intervene when the need arose.

In another development All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa has berated the state House of Assembly for continued delay in communicating to Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) the house resolution that removed Murtala Nyako as Governor.

The party Publicity Secretary, Rev Phineas Padio, who spoke to Journalists in Yola, said that the assembly’s action was a deliberate act and it pointed out clearly, the house selfish agenda to simply remove Nyako and his deputy so as siphoned the state funds.

"The lawmakers who are now major beneficiaries of removal of the governor and his deputy are very busy maximising the opportunity they have to loot the treasury the way they want.

"You can see how immediately after taking power they scrapped the state human development programmes put in place by Nyako so as to divert all the money budgeted for the programmes", Padio said.

Also speaking on the delay in communicating to INEC, a lawyer, Sunday Wugira, who threatened to drag the assembly to court if it failed to notify INEC by Monday said the delay by the assembly was unfortunate.

"It is serious dereliction of duty on the side of the assembly" Wugira said

Wugira said he had just submitted  letter to the assembly asking for the certified true copy of the proceedings of that day so that in the event the state assembly failed to perform its function to communicate to INEC he would do it as a concerned citizen.

"As a responsible citizen, it is our duty to do that. By the time we fold our arms and allow irresponsibility to continue, we will be the greatest casualty of the irresponsibility", Wugira said.

Responding on the allegation, the Chairman Adamawa assembly house committee on information, Mr Adamu Kamale, said the house would soon communicate to INEC.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: How they Make Us Savour Mere Tokens

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Read Time:5 Minute, 33 Second

It is not for nothing that we are classified as a third world country. A defining characteristics is that we celebrate near inanities, tokens and sub-feats.
It is not so much the virtue of gratitude but ignorance, supported by the fact that we have hardly seen anything better. We are therefore quick to seem overawed by a government of token gestures.
Our leaders understand the sociological shortcomings of the led and do more than the ordinary to fully exploit it.

As a reporter, I have witnessed the many acts of  some governors who make a big deal of less than modest accomplishments in office. Till date, many state governors organise huge parties and elaborate fanfare when they sink three boreholes in a community. Boreholes! Yes, just boreholes! It is remarkable to add that the cost of the celebration of that “feat” is sometimes more than the cost of the project itself; as some state governors, desirous to sell a pseudo-performance card, advertise the events in some national newspapers, dole out huge sums to mobilise the women (usually gullible and hapless rural women) to come witness the commissioning of the water project of the century. It little matters that few weeks after the commissioning, the taps stop running and the people are forced back to point origin.

I remember how former Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, took pages of newspaper advertisements in a couple of dailies then to advertise his version of democracy dividends as evidenced in the pouring of laterite on some community roads, as well as constructing narrow culverts across some shallow streams.
Too often, we see a collage of photo-shots advertised by state governments showcasing long rows of renovated classrooms, sometimes without furniture, as the testimonial of performance. Yet, the decibel therefrom is even much higher when some exercise books, yes, exercise books, are distributed to some of the pupils in the state.
Under former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, so much hue and cry was made of a certain construct he eponymously named Ebeano Tunnel.  The hype and blitz that heralded the commissioning of the Ebeano tunnel would make one think there is a domestication of  tunnels like Mount Blanc (in France) or Derbyshire (in the UK). But our version of this tunnel in Enugu is not more than a burst-hole between two short points.

Have we not seen the celebration of freshly- painted hospital wards with beds bedecked with brand new bedsheets, even when the pharmacy is virtually empty? Yet there is dancing and drumming on the day  such hospitals(?) are commissioned.
A more ridiculous case was recorded in one of the South eastern states, when the governor, while reeling out his self-crafted score card to journalists, listed the establishment of Mr Biggs (an eatery) in the state capital as one of his achievements in office. He argued that it was his “correct policies” that attracted the eatery to open an office in the state capital. And that by that, his people were now privileged to taste and enjoy the delicacies of the eatery.
Yet, a state like Abia, under Governor Orji Kalu made a show of his ability to clear the   refuse dumps that had almost blocked the Aba-Port Harcourt highway, at the time. It was considered a product of strategic thinking and “firm determination of His Excellency”.
For some state governments, the ability of the state to even regularly pay the salary of the civil servants in the state is something that should be applauded, after all, “it is not easy”.
There are some states whose capitals are still like gloried Local Government  headquarters. Until Sule Lamido took over in Jigawa State, for instance, Dutse, the state capital, did not look better than a refurbished cowshed
For some state governments, there is a big photo show in exhibiting some dozens of mini-Buses meant for “mass transit” service in the state. In one of the South East states, the governor was even so possessive of the state and its resources that he named the buses after himself.

Perhaps it will all hurt less if the cost of these “great projects” are not over exaggerated in the books.
Funds that can conveniently sponsor, let’s say, twenty  kilometers of road, is said to have been used in constructing just five or less kilometres. The rest goes in there. And we cheer and clap.
It is just the Nigerian crafty culture. The other day, an audit report in one of the federal parastatals said the sum of N3.2 million was used in opening Facebook account for the parastatal.
We hear of projects, we are hardly told the cost. The treasury is raped many times by government officials, all so they can match the next electoral contest with cash-for-cash, rice-for-rice etc.
My friend and ex-boss, Simon Kolawole, had once argued that even if 50% of the nation’s resources is expended to develop the nation, Nigeria could well be like Japan. I agree.

Many of the states have neither character, nor development identity. We cannot associate them with any strength in a particular area of social development. They claim to be servant leaders whereas they catapult themselves into a parvenu status soon after getting into office— flying chartered planes—(like the Petroleum minister, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, who is now too big to fly with “ordinary mortals) even when they should have the privilege of flying Business or First Class
The measly development rate of the country cannot be a function of poverty, rather it is the coefficient of fraud and bare-faced corruption. Have you ever imagined the unaccounted-for nebulous sum allocated for security votes,  travels, “runs” maintenance of long convoys, mindless expenditures (like Godswill Akpabio who can dole out N6 million lunch gift to the six South-south state PDP chairmen at a meeting in Port Harcourt, to “go to Mr Biggs and refresh”)? It’s all at our expense.
Let me be clear. Not all the states serve us half meals. Indeed, some states have shown great courage and determination in some of their projects. The international airport project of Delta State, for instance, or the “uncommon” massive road networks in Akwa Ibom, or the 12 giant bridges to Opobo in Rivers State, not to talk of the exotic standard schools in Rivers and the expansionist reconstructions going on in Ogun State are some of the exceptions.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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B’Haram: The ‘Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals’ and their Letter to the Sultan

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Read Time:5 Minute, 51 Second

 Acouple of weeks ago, a group of ‘Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals’ stirred the hornet’s nest with an open letter to His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar lll. The group, under the leadership of a certain Alhaji Mohammed Saidu, said in the letter that it drew its inspiration from a similar lamentation by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, on the deteriorating state of security in parts of the North.

Titled: ‘Echoing the Message of General Yakubu Gowon’, the group said, inter alia: The retired General and Elder statesman then called on the leadership of the Islamic faith in northern Nigeria to work towards stopping the Boko Haram carnage and also correct the negative ideology of the sect to the right Islamic teachings of tolerance, peace and love. He cited the Muslims in the south-west as a good example of peace and religious tolerance; to the extent of inter-marriages between Muslims and Christians in the south-west of Nigeria.”

Having been fired up by the challenge of the former Head of State, the Concerned Northern Muslim Professionals (CNMP) ran to the leader and custodian of their faith in the country, the Sultan. Theirs is akin to the story of a poor little school boy that was publicly chastised by his head teacher for his failure to cough up the term’s school fees. Battered and downcast, he packs his tattered bag and baggage and heads for home to meet his parents, sobbing and cursing the challenges that have come the way of his educational pursuit. However, unknown to him, his parents are equally dead helpless with the situation, but would nonetheless, call him, cuddle him and give him the assurances of returning him back to school after raising the fees from a planned sales of his farm produce at the next market day. The good news is that the poor boy completed his education, gainfully employed and now, he’s the bastion of the family!

Emboldened by the inspiring story of the poor school boy as enunciated above, the CNMP made for their father and rightly so for help. Read this: “This message of the former head of the Nigerian state was just a repetition of several similar calls by other prominent Nigerians across faith-divide. It is therefore becoming embarrassing to some of us that are Muslims and from the northern extract. We always ponder over what exactly do these respected Nigerians mean whenever they demand for the action of Muslim leadership to stop the carnage. As far as we know the Muslim and Islamic leadership in Nigeria comprised all the Ulamas and Emirs under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto; who doubles as the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, and also the leader of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam. And as far as we know the Sultan and his team do not have weapons or control over the security personnel in Nigeria. Then, what action is required of them?
“After deep thoughts and self-scrutiny we got some hints on what additional things, apart from the traditional condemnation, the Sultan and his team ought to do or to have done; in order to save our country from the  persistent shocker of the Boko Haram. We wish to respectfully state that some visible and invisible steps, actions and structures were supposed to have been entrenched by the leadership of the Nigerian Muslims, in order to achieve the following:
* A visible action towards stopping the spread of the radical ideologies of Boko Haram among Muslim youths that leads to acts of terrorism. This could be achieved through intellectual religious engagements/confrontation with the  radical Islamic groups that can easily be defeated using superior arguments from Muslim clergy. This is supposed to be the preoccupation of all Emirs and Imams; under the leadership of the Sultan. Such an effort is surely capable of yielding the required result.
* Several Boko Haram members would have laid their arms and many wouldn’t have joined the erroneous sect. Unfortunately, this was not to be. There have not been any visible or invisible effort by the Muslim leadership to convene such engagements at even a single location, let alone covering the whole troubled region. That could be why demand for action on the leadership is repeatedly made by well-meaning citizens.

 * An invisible local intelligence structure to augment the government’s security and intelligence provisions was expected by Nigerians. People are aware of the Mai unguwa intelligence mechanism that existed in the Muslim communities. In those good olden days, timely and accurate local intelligence was always at the disposal of the authority. People now wonder why such networks couldn’t be resuscitated by the leadership and even reinvigorated by modern technologies? The call on the current leadership of the Muslim umma for action against Boko Haram could be on such need to re-invent this mechanism; so that the terrorists are trailed and apprehended at community level before causing havoc.
*Visibility of greater concern to other victims of the Boko Haram (especially the non-muslims) is also another step towards sharing a collective pain and encouraging a united front against the insurgent Boko Haram. For instance, if the Sultan would be seen mobilizing wealthy Nigerians (muslims and non-Muslims alike) to donate to the  victims of Boko Haram, or would be seen leading the Emirs and Ulamas on a solidarity visit to troubled communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, or even to the smallest church in any remote village among the severally attacked ones; an overwhelming difference could have occurred in the troubled minds of the victims’ relations; thereby exonerating the larger part of the Muslim Ummah. Such were the actions demanded by the respected voices of senior Nigerians!”

As a journalist, the Sultan is one of the religious and traditional leaders I hold in a very high esteem. He has always come across me, not only as a ‘gentleman officer’, but as a leader that craves and works for a peaceful, economical strong and religiously-tolerant Nigeria. As co-chairman of Nigeria’s inter-faith committee, the Sultan has demonstrated at different forums that he is not just a leader that is seated in the Caliphate, but one that also tirelessly works for the good and peace of all Nigerians.
Sir, may I propose that you treat the letter by the CNMP as an endorsement for you by the group that sees you as a leader that can stand and be counted, particularly in these perilous times? Your Eminence, may Allah continue to keep, guide and guard you as you do this for us. It’s a huge task, no doubts; especially as the insurgents are not in any way physically, politically and economically connected with you, safe their claim to be Muslims! Ramadan Kareem to you, sir.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Enugu’s Political Terrorism and Chicken Impeachment

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Read Time:4 Minute, 51 Second

 I gave him the option to resign. It has actually come to a point where we need to know who actually is the boss because we can no longer work together. Let the House of Assembly do their job and see if, indeed, he is fit to remain as Deputy Governor. – Governor Sullivan Chime on his Deputy’s impeachment
The widely reported brazen acceptance by Governor Sullivan Chime of the responsibility of the ongoing theater of the absurd,aka Chicken Impeachment, in Enugu comes as another demonstration of impunity in modern times.
The motion adopted by the State Assembly partly reads: “The Deputy Governor is guilty of various acts of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office…. The particulars of gross misconduct are as follows:
“By a resolution of the Enugu State House of Assembly at its plenary on Tuesday, February 12, 2013, the Enugu State House of Assembly prohibited the maintenance and operation of commercial livestock and poultry farms within residential neighbourhoods in Enugu metropolis in promotion of public health standards; which resolution was further accepted by the Government for implementation.

“Notwithstanding the said resolution, the Deputy Governor continued to maintain and operate a commercial poultry farm within the premises of his official residential quarters. The Deputy Governor persisted in defiance of lawful directives issued to him by the Governor, which defiance has adversely affected and will continue to affect the smooth running of the Government; and he will continue to do so if not removed from office.”
The Assembly listed such manifest breaches of the constitution to include his alleged refusal to carry out the directive of the Governor to represent him at the flag-off ceremony of the construction of the second Niger Bridge in Onitsha by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 11, and at the South-East Governors Forum held in Enugu on Sunday, July 8.

However, they forgot to include the major sin, which is that the Deputy Governor has declared his intention to run for the Enugu East Senatorial seat that Chime has allegedly reserved for his Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo.
Although Sunday Onyebuchi has not told his own side of the story, it is obvious Chime does not know the limit of his powers.  While he has the capacity to induce and coerce, he lacks the constitutional right to direct his Deputy to resign. Whereas the choice of deputy is that of a governorship/president candidate and the party, both are always elected on a joint mandate. Impeachment of one cannot be at the pleasure of the other, but of the freewill of the people acting on cogent grounds through their elected representatives in the Assembly. Right now, the Assembly members are acting on the orders of Governor Chime.
Available media reports (video and print) on the 2nd Niger Bridge event, showed that the deputy governor was actually there from the beginning to the end. He sat beside Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

Again, why impeach the deputy governor more than six months after forcefully evacuating his 3,000 birds to God-knows-where, whereas the governor himself runs large farms in the same Enugu State Government House? Even the usually quite deputy governor had upon the destruction of his poultry farm in January 2013 challenged the Governor’s Office to “deny that there is no bigger poultry, piggery and cattle ranch in the Governor’s (Chime’s) Lodge.”
In fact, there is even an aggressive brownish monkey stationed at the entrance of the Governor’s Lodge, which keeps harassing unsuspecting ladies (although it is restrained with a long chain). Also, whereas the deputy governor’s defunct poultry was located in the designated Farm Unit of the Government House, the Governor’s ostriches and cows prowl the length and breadth of the Government House, defecating all over the place. The ostriches still chase visitors about as I write.
Indeed, the alacrity with which a notoriously docile Enugu State House of Assembly, that only passed its first Private Member Bill since 1999 (Enugu State Investment Promotion Commission Bill) this in June 2014, swung into the impeachment action is very dismaying. The same Assembly looked the other way while the estranged First Lady of Enugu, Mrs. Clara Chime, was allegedly detained and dehumanised in the Enugu State Government House for over six months. It also lied to the world that Chime was on accumulated leave whereas, it turned out (as was widely published) that he was battling for dear life overseas for about four months.

Yes, Chime can easily have his deputy impeached (no thanks to our brand of democracy). But I doubt that he understands the great loss in reputation and political capital this unpopular move is already causing him. It is a global knowledge that he is in a running battle with members of the National Assembly for unilaterally decreeing that second term lawmakers would be retired in 2015. The current scandal has also reopened the scandalous carting away of his Deputy’s 3,000 birds last January; and his camp is already throwing verbal punches at t the Anglican Archbishop of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma.
But I know that although the rule of raw power as taught by the Athenians insists that “The strong do as they can and the weak suffer what they must”, it is both crazy and foolhardy to apply 415 BC rule to 21st century democracy. It is pure political terrorism and Chime should know that it ultimately backfires, for no man, however great or powerful could be greater than his people. Governor Chime should apply the brakes now or burn his fingers- like some others before him.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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NIGERIA: Goodnight, Aturu, Defender of the Masses

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Read Time:3 Minute, 11 Second

 Irecall the glowing narrative of a junior officer in our office on an errand to Bamidele Aturu. The young man came back with adoring first-time impression of Bamidele. In excitement, he told the story of how the famous lawyer and human rights activist welcomed him. First, Bamidele called him by first name, as if they had known before. Two, he quickly offered him a seat. Three, he personally served him refreshments, when he could have sent the house help to do that. Four, he said Bamidele was so warm and friendly that you would want to be around such a person all the time.
The young man was perplexed, but I was not. What he was describing was just the typical Bamidele: humble and friendly, no matter the age or class of the people he was dealing with. He did not hesitate to greet you first even if he was meeting you for the first time. But above his down-to-earth attributes, he was a man of character. He was not a man who would say yes when he meant no. He was not a man who would laugh with you and then stab you in the back.

I have known him for decades and I am in a good position to speak about him. He practised what he preached, and I am not even talking about his religious commitments as a pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I remember when he contested for the governorship of Lagos State in 2007. We thought it was a hard nut for him to crack, but he told me that he wanted to show that politics can be played on the basis of principles. He wanted to prove that it is possible to practise politics of principles. He did not just want to be a philosopher; he also wanted to be a king.

Bamidele was a defender of the masses. He devoted a greater part of his legal practice to defending the downtrodden and the disadvantaged without charging a kobo. He did not see his profession as a meal ticket. Rather, he saw it as a God-given opportunity to help the helpless, to solve problems of inequality in the society. He defended a lot of people without charging them fees, because he knew they could not pay. If only the rich had access to legal defence, how can the poor get justice?
Bamidele was a crusader for democracy, rule of law and accountability. In the days of General Sani Abacha when it was like a capital offence to campaign for democracy, Bamidele was in the thick of the action. We were all members of the Democratic Alternative, a pro-democracy group that fought for the enthronement of government of the people, by the people and for the people. In those days when some youths were being mobilised to march for Abacha and deny Nigerians the right to choose their leaders through an open, free and fair electoral system, Bamidele lent his voice to the demand for true democracy.
Bamidele is a family man in the true sense of family. He devoted precious time to our sister, Bimpe and their wonderful children. When Chima Ubani travelled very suddenly to heaven, Bamidele devoted time to Mrs. Chima Ubani and their amazing children. He took time to go on holidays to Obudu and other parts of the world. He worked very hard but never forgot to leisure. He cares for all. He is a man of community and constituency.
Let me conclude that Bamidele Aturu is an original. Very original! He is an authentic! Nigeria and all of humanity will miss this great soul even as he travels to heaven at this time.

*Douglas is Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy to President Goodluck Jonathan

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Whatever happens in the North is our own doing – Sultan of Sokoto

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Read Time:2 Minute, 48 Second

Respected Islamic cleric and Sultan of Sokoto Dr. Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III has said that the present insecurity and other associated challenges tearing the northern region apart were caused by the region itself.

The traditional ruler said this while speaking in Kaduna at a meeting of the Northern Governors Peace and Reconciliation Committee. He noted that the problem of the north will remain the problem of the entire country, since the north could not be left with its problems alone.

The Sultan, who doubles as the president, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and president-general of the Jamatul Nasril Islam (JNI), disclosed that peace talk was the best way to resolve violence or conflicts.

He said that though traditional and religious leaders had played their own part, they should not relent on their effort until the challenges are brought under control.

The monarch, however, lamented it was so sad that the government was yet to address the issue of security challenges in the nation.

He said: “Let us sit and talk freely and articulate positions that will bring us out of the quagmire we put ourselves in, ” he said. “It is important that the religious and traditional rulers from our various states sit together so that each and every one of us will talk freely…”

The Sultan added that: “Whatever that is happening in the north is our own doing, because we did not do what we were supposed to do. And since we know that, we have to solve our problems ourselves. So, I think, it is not a bad idea that the committee was set up.

“We wrote a memo of about nine pages or thereabouts covering various issues affecting the country and the north in particular to the then acting president and now president Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan… it was at the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) where we suggested solutions to the problems.

“Northern Council of Traditional Rulers met and also articulated solutions to problems of the north to the northern governors, but we don’t know what happened to the recommendations at the various authorities.

“If our recommendations had been implemented, we would have been singing a different tune in handling the challenges.”

On the issue of trying to Islamize the country as insinuated in some quarters, the Sultan affirmed that it was impossible for anybody to Islamize or Christianize the country. “If anybody thinks he can Islamize or Christianize the country, he must be dreaming,” he stated, adding that politicians must have the fear of God in whatever they do: “If they want to solve the problem of this country they will, because they have the resources to do so.

“There is little religious leaders can do without the support of the constitutional right to do certain things, but we must always watch our utterances and in making comments you cannot substantiate.”

In his own remarks, John Cardinal Onaiyekan attributed the security challenges facing the north and the country in general to the high level of poverty in the country and the region in particular.

The meeting of the Northern Governors Peace and Reconciliation Committee was attended by the Sultan as well as the leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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2015 Will Shock The Whole World – Jonathan

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Read Time:1 Minute, 21 Second

President Goodluck Jonathan has assured that the 2015 general elections would be peaceful and transparent despite the violence currently ravaging some parts of the country.
Jonathan said the peaceful nature of the election would surprise the world.
The President spoke on Thursday evening when members of the Diplomatic Corps, some senators, ministers and former government officials joined him for the breaking of Ramadan fast at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said, “I know that one thing that is dear to your hearts is what the elections in this country will look like next year.

“But let me use this unique opportunity to reassure you and I am conveying this to my brothers, your heads of government, that our elections next year will be free and fair. It will be peaceful in nature that will even surprise the whole world.”

Jonathan said with ugly incidents globally, there was need for constant prayers for divine intervention.

The President, however, regretted that some members of the society had chosen the wrong path and were being used by evil forces to wreak havoc.

He said, “Let us take the opportunity of this season to ask Allah to forgive them and guide them back to the path of righteousness and holiness.

“I request Your Excellencies and all Muslims and Christians that, as you pray this period, especially during the Night of Majesty, we pray for peace and security to reign throughout the world.

“Let us also pray for Allah to guide our leaders and grant them good health and wisdom to work for the progress of their respective countries.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Photos: Nigerian Troops Kill Sheik Zakzaky’s Son, Others In Zaria

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Read Time:1 Minute, 41 Second

Mahumd Ibraheem Zakzaky, the son of Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky, was among those gunned down by Nigerian soldiers in Zaria as a group held a rally in support of Palestinians on Israel’s invasion of Gaza..

Mahmud Zakzaky and a few other demonstrators were killed in the shooting yesterday evening in the ancient town of Zaria.In a statement issued by Ibrahim Musa, editor of the movement’s weekly magazine Almizan, and sent to the New York office of SaharaReporters, the Islamic group accused the military of killing several of its members with impunity. The statement also claimed that more than 40 other members sustained serious injuries.

“Reports reaching our news desk now indicated that some soldiers of the Nigerian army have opened fire on the tail end of the Quds procession held after Jumaat prayers in Zaria, Kaduna State. The procession, which took off from Sabon Gari Jumaat Mosque, reached Kofar Doka peacefully with no incident. However some soldiers attacked the procession [at the] PZ junction in Zaria.
“They shot Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky, but [his body] was taken away by the Muslim brothers. But several [other] Muslim brothers were shot by the security agents.
“As at the time of writing this report, there is no confirmation on the number of Muslim brothers shot or killed by the soldiers, but our says say five people were killed. The Quds procession was held today peacefully in more than 10 Nigerian cities. Why the attack on the Zaria procession?
“[The] latest report on the attack by soldiers on Quds peaceful procession is that ten Muslim brothers were gunned down by the soldiers, among them Mahmud Ibraheem Zakzaky, son of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, and a Muslim sister with her child on her back. There are over 40 Muslim brothers’ casualties with different degrees of gunshots by the soldiers. The story is still unfolding, with reinforcement of soldiers coming from Kaduna, according to our news sources.”

   

 

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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