The U.S. apologized to Russia on Thursday for what it called a diplomatic slip-up in the case of a Russian man arrested in Africa and then extradited to the U.S. for alleged drug smuggling.
The Russian government had expressed outrage at U.S. handling of the case, calling the U.S. guilty of “open lawlessness.”
State Department spokesman said there was an unintended delay in notifying Russian authorities that they could visit the man, Konstantin Yaroshenko, 41, now in detention in New York.
“We have apologized to Russia,” Crowley said, and the U.S. considers the matter to be closed.
Crowley would not, however, discuss details of Yaroshenko’s apprehension in Liberia. He referred questions about the arrest to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency.
“There was cooperation between the United States and Liberia leading up to cracking this particular case and this particular network,” Crowley said.
A spokeswoman for the DEA, Dawn Dearden, said on Wednesday that Yaroshenko was apprehended May 28 by Liberian authorities, who turned him over to the DEA two days later under an arrest warrant issued by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Yaroshenko was charged with smuggling “thousand-kilogram quantities of cocaine” throughout South America, Africa and Europe, the DEA said.
“While he was in DEA custody, the DEA followed the rules of law and the Geneva Convention regulations regarding treatment of a defendant,” the DEA said.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry sharply condemned Yaroshenko’s arrest and extradition, asserting Wednesday that he had been “kidnapped.”
Crowley said that after Yaroshenko attended a court hearing in New York on June 1, U.S. officials tried but failed to notify Russian diplomats that they could have access to the prisoner.
“We just happened to send (the notice) to the wrong embassy,” Crowley said. “Normally we try to arrange these consular notifications within 72 hours and we didn’t discover our error until it was after that period of time.”
The spokesman would not say which embassy initially received the notice.
“We pressed the wrong button on the fax machine, to be brutally frank,” he said.
Crowley said there was an exchange of messages with Moscow to explain the communication error.
“We freely acknowledge that in our diplomatic note, you know, to Russia,” Crowley said. “And we do believe this matter has been resolved.”
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.
Apart from Obasanjo, Babangida is the greatest evil ever to befall any country in the world)-All that Babangida, (nicknamed IBB), has to show for his over eight years in power in Nigeria, is private colossal wealth, and the edification of corruption in our body politics. Continue reading →
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.
Son of late Chief M K O Abiola , Jamiu has said that Nigeria can never forward unless the contributions of his parents and others to the enthronement of democracy were recognized.
Jamiu also condemned political office holders, who are the beneficiaries of the struggle for revalidation of the annulled June 12 1993 election for failing to acknowledge the contributions of the martyrs of the struggle .
He explained that Nigeria can never move forward if the contributions of those who laid their lives for democracy to be enthroned was continuously denied
Speaking, at a lecture organized by Action Group of Nigeria (AGN) to commemorate the anniversary of the annulment of the election in the Opebi residence of his late father, Jamiu, who lost his two parents in the struggle to revalidate the election , said it was sad and disgraceful that , the beneficiaries of such struggle could not even appreciate the supreme price paid by his parents and others in the struggle, and acknowledge their contributions.
He maintained that , if Nigerians refuse to cast their minds back, and acknowledge their contributions, “it is sad, disgraceful, painful, and was no way God would allow the country to prosper unless justice was done, and that it was important for those in position of authority to recognize that fact .
“What is the big deal in giving honour to somebody whose honour is due, “what is the big deal in acknowledging somebody that laid his life for what people are enjoying? Do you honestly think that the military would have ever left politics , if not for the sacrifice that my father and my mother Alhaja Kudirat Abiola , Chief Alfred Rewane and several other Nigerians , that died on the streets of Lagos and Abuja made?
“How is the country going to move forward when people are so wicked enough, not even to acknowledge the people that died for what they are currently enjoying and will enjoy in the future?
“Never in the history of Nigeria had the military left power for more than two to three years, they always come back, because there is nothing in this world bigger than power, but in their barracks they will think, how can we go back when Chief M K O Abiola, Alhaja Kudirat Abiola have died ,that is the only reason they have not come back , yet the beneficiaries have refused to acknowledge the people that died for them to be where they are today , it is not only sad, it is a disgrace, and that is why white people look at Africans and say they are animals. This is the kind of thing they talk about , this kind of thing is automatic in a civilized democracy.“
Speaking in the same vein Professor Pat Utomi, who was the chairman of the occasion , said June 12 represented the unity of Nigeria, because on that day, they voted en mass for Abiola , and it was sad that , the election was annulled.
He maintained that , people stood by June 12 because they believed in it, and Nigerians votes were made to count, he explained that Nigerians should always clamour for an electoral reform that would guarantee respect for their votes , and that was the only thing that could be done to keep alive the spirit of those who died for the June 12 struggle.
He maintained that , the choice of Professor Attahiru Jega as INEC chairman, was not sufficient to guarantee a credible election , but only a credible electoral reform can guarantee free and fair election .
He however , advocated for campaign finance reform , so as to checkmate the money people spend on election, “until we deal with campaign finance reform , we have not got to the height of electoral reform.â€
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.
Speaker Dimeji Bankole yesterday launched moves to stop “the progressives” pushing for his sack.
Minority Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, who described the Bankole-must-go lawmakers as “plotters”, accused them of using fictitious documents to dent the House’s integrity.
But the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) supported the lawmakers, urging Bankole to resign for alleged fraud.
Bankole was said to have met in camera with some members to put a lie to the claim by “the progressives”.
The group is accusing him of corruption and highhandedness, among others.
At the meeting, the Speaker reportedly explained why he would not collapse budgetary allocations to jack up allowances of members from N27million per quarter to N42million.
A source said: “The Speaker has embarked on one-on-one lobbying of members, which is acceptable in a democracy. He has reached out to some of our members on vacation abroad. Politics is about dialogue.
“Since Wednesday night, some of us have had cause to attend some meetings and the Speaker has appreciable backing.”
A respected House member, who spoke in confidence, said: “Well, I can tell you that the threat against Bankole is more imaginary than real. We know the stock-in-trade of these “disgruntled members”.
“From our meeting, these so-called progressives cannot go far because in fairness, most members are satisfied with the performance of the Speaker.
“There is no perfection anywhere in the world, but we have launched counter-moves and I can tell you that the pro-Bankole members are in the majority.”
Another source added: “The issue of seven-day ultimatum cannot work because aggrieved members are expected to come properly before the House.
“They cannot take undue advantage of our recess to abuse the House rules as if we are in a military era. What they are expected to do is to table their grievances on the floor of the House and we will discuss it.”
Ndume told reporters in Abuja that the House refused to sanction those whose activities were detrimental to its stability because the leadership believes in working as a collective.
He said members of “The Progressives” had at one time or the other had weighty issues pending before the House leadership which warranted stiff penalties.
The House pardoned them after intervention by peace-loving members, he said.
“I look at the set of people who issued that ultimatum to the Honourable Speaker and discovered that they are the same set of members raising the same issue at different times. They are colleagues to whom we ascribed much of integrity and high sense of acumen, law and order. We are not to join issues with them on the pages of newspapers and so we are seizing this opportunity to call them to order because enough is enough.”
According to Ndume, the House leadership would not allow a crack in its fold or among members.
“What we had expected is that any member who had issues against the leadership would come forward and table such issue before the gathering of members most especially during the plenary, if only for the House to take common decision on such.
“We had done that before and several times too. That is why we hold executive sessions to resolve key issues common to the interest of every member. The law has never allowed any member to vent his or her anger on the pages of newspaper while ignoring the proper channels for doing so.”
Ndume said those listed in the media as aggrieved members who issued the ultimatum still have a chance to make peace with the leadership between now and resumption of the House.
Spokesperson of the progressives Dino Melaye denied that the group is parading fake documents.
“My reaction is simple. Do they have celestial powers to read the future? Or how did they know that our documents are fake?”
Melaye said the House should prosecute any member of the group found to be involved in any deal, adding:
“It is shameful that the House leadership can harbour criminals. Everything they are saying is cheap blackmail … Why are they proposing an amnesty if they have weighty security reports against us?”
To CNPP, Bankole should resign because of the alleged fraud perpetrated under his leadership.
CNPP told reporters in Abuja that the acquisition of 380 Peugeot cars by the House was fraught with fraud.
It claimed that N2.3billion was paid for the cars when the top of the range 407 ST pack sport Peugeot could have been bought at a lesser price.
Its National Secretary Willy Ezugwu accused the House of wasting public funds in the power and other probes and ending up compromising itself.
CNPP said it was at a loss why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had not done anything about the issue, adding: “Which section of EFCC Act is Mrs. Farida Waziri, EFCC chair, relying on when she gave the excuse of reporting the matter of fraud to Mr. President, hence delaying the prosecution of those invited.”
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.
President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday left Abuja for South Africa, to witness the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup taking place for the first time ever on African soil.
The Presidential Jet, Air Force One, took off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja around 11pm.
Also on the trip was the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe; top presidency aides; and the Chairman of African Petroleum, Mr. Femi Otedola.
The AP chairman was on the presidential entourage to Nice, France late last month and the United States in April.
The governors of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel; Borno, Modu Sheriff; Kwara, Bukola Saraki; Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi; and Delta, Emmanuel Uduaghan as well as some ministers and top federal officials were part of the advance team that travelled to South Africa ahead of the President.
The President will be received on arrival in South Africa by his advance team and the Nigerian High Commissioner in SA, Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.).
During the visit, the President will meet with members of the Nigerian community in South Africa.
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.
Anti-Corruption in Nigeria:- Holistically Speaking, Nuhu Ribadu is spot on!
Ladies and Gentlemen, I dare say, as I always argued in the past, that without a credible, systematic and enduring anti-corruption effort in our development effort, we would remain shackled forever. Besides, our citizen-fold will remain in squalor, our cities will continue to fail, hunger and illiteracy will remain a norm, while human rights abuses, as well as electoral and judicial impunity, will reign supreme.
Nuhu Ribadu
The Arrowhead of Anti-Corruption
Nobody in the recent political history of Nigeria since the re-introduction of democratic governance has given of himself single-handedly to the fight against the institutions of corruption and instruments of corruption in Nigeria like Nuhu Ribadu. In the process, he has been maligned, called a hypocrite, criticized and vilified for his ‘selective prosecution’ of criminals and politically exposed persons who were investigated and found to be corrupt. He has also been honored with Fellowships and Seminal Invitations since he chose to go on exile in both London and Washington DC not as a policeman or as a lawyer, but as a trail blazer in the fight against corruption as the chairman of the EFCC in Nigeria. To say he is controversial is an understatement. He has earned his stripes as a Son of Africa in anti-corruption. It is no surprise that he was invited by a committee of US Congress to testify regarding Aid and development, or that he was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree at Babcock University. Regarding the latter, Nuhu Ribadu chose the occasion to speak concerning his one passion, the fight against corruption in Nigeria. You may accuse him of a lack of nuance, maybe a lack of finesse, but you cannot fault him for his passion regarding anti-corruption. He had a bully pulpit and he put it to good use for a good cause.
The Resistance
In his remarks at Babcock University, not only did Nuhu Ribadu situate the fight against the societal ills as it affected the common man, he brought it closer home and gave what example everyone had taken judicial notice of. Were we not all public spectators here when the new Attorney General of the Federation (Nigeria) post-2007’s first publicized act was to seek to curb the powers of the EFCC through a memo to President Yar Adua? The enlightened public, especially the legal community, was aghast that the AGF would seek to control the powers of prosecution of one of the few organs of state that was visibly result-oriented and making a difference. Were we not all skeptical when Nuhu Ribadu was sent to Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru immediately after James Ibori was arraigned by EFCC on corruption charges? Did we not witness Nuhu Ribadu who had been doing his job like no policeman in recent past has done being demoted in rank, then prevented from attending his graduation ceremony at NIPSS with the active involvement of the AGF?
A Clash of Titans
Every one knew that the main drivers of the Yar Adua’s legal policy to frustrate and hound Nuhu Ribadu’s war against corruption was the duo of Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN) of whom a Federal High Court ruled not fit to hold any public office, and, James O. Ibori, a man wanted for crimes in London, England. So Nuhu Ribadu is competent to submit that:
‘From Asaba to Markurdi, from Dubai to London, they will run from pillar to post, and try to erect barricades on our path to national salvation, while hiding from justice. They will try to impede or even kill our national hope and aspirations to build a country that will be the pride of all citizens, including the young men and women graduating from this university.’
Both Michael K. Aondoakaa (SAN) and James O. Ibori had their shot at public office and a right to choose what they would want to be remembered for. From Makurdi to Asaba and beyond, even London, we know what these men stand for, and if you take a poll of enlightened Nigerians, you will find a consensus that these men represent for now, the face of institutional corruption in Nigeria’s legal system. Between both men, a Federal High Court Division was created overnight in Asaba; a case which was already before a competent Judge in Kaduna was moved to Asaba and given priority over the plethora of cases before our Federal High Courts; and a record 187 charges were dismissed in one fell swoop in time for the Juris or proxy to write to the London Court trying Ibori’s accomplices in Money-Laundering! Not to mention the office of the AGF writing memos to absolve alleged criminals in foreign lands alleged to have stolen from his jurisdiction, an unheard of novelty!
Ribadu Again…
Kenn Emetulu in his piece of the above title had submitted as follows:
‘But having being (sic) on self-exile for a year and half, studied at Oxford, mixed with progressive Nigerians worldwide, worked around the globe and seen at close quarters how the anti-corruption work is done in places they are effective, one would think Ribadu would have taken note that the war isn’t won by newspaper pronouncements and that his credibility is bound to be diminished if he’s seen to be waging personal battles or making personal attacks against political opponents, even if they’re people accused of corruption. When all is said and done, he needs to be aware that no court in the country has convicted Ibori of corruption yet. As a public official or someone in the public eye, he needs to take note of this, no matter his personal opinion on the guilt or otherwise of Ibori or Aondoakaa.’
With the greatest respect, I read the whole of Ribadu’s speech at Babcock and did not come away with the feeling that he was launching a ‘personal battles’. On the other hand, I believe he laid out what he thought was the approach we ought as a society to tow, while revealing his experience as a crime fighter. Further, he was not at the event as a representative of the government of Goodluck Jonathan, and if there has been a position offered to him (and accepted) as an anti-corruption fighter or Presidential Adviser, it has not been made manifest, so he still remains a private citizen who had once served his country meritoriously against all odds. Regarding his remarks on the persons of Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) and James Ibori, it would be overbearing to suppress his remarks on what he knows about them because ‘no court in the country has convicted Ibori of corruption yet’. Would it be far-fetched to wait on the same courts that Ibori stands accused of using his influence to corrupt? The same Ibori who is a fugitive from the law? The same Ibori whose sister and mistress were only last week convicted and sentenced to serve term for money laundering on his behalf? The same Ibori of whom the lawyers for his accomplices in their allocutus maintained that he had much influence in Nigeria? Wait until Ibori is convicted in Asaba Federal High Court before remarks are made about his alleged corruption? Would this be the Nigerian courts a usually reticent Judge said the following of:
‘I want to make it absolutely clear that Nigeria’s judiciary was usurped. Countries who are signatories to fighting corruption and money laundering must live to the full letter of their commitments. I would therefore apply the full weight of the British law to serve as punishment and deterrent’.
Judge Hardy.
That a court of competent jurisdiction has not convicted Ibori of corruption yet, is an indictment of our legal system – a corruption of the system that also needs to be addressed promptly.
New Strategies
Nuhu Ribadu while speaking empirically, further posited
‘However there is merit in the argument that new times call for new strategies and that a sustainable anti-corruption programme in Nigeria must wear a new look. We must invest, through massive resource allocation, a transparent as well as a redoubtable political will, in model government agencies that produce results through an inclusive stakeholder charter of development.’
Extant studies in this area bear him out.
‘Reform strategies should take account of widely differing economic, legal and political contexts. Effective anticorruption reform strategies should take account of widely differing economic, legal and political contexts. Effective anticorruption strategies need to be tailored to the social environment in which corruption occurs.
‘Why some nations experience more political corruption than others is a question of both empirical and normative importance. Corruption constitutes a drag on economic performance (Knack and Keefer 1995; Mauro 1995; Lambsdorff 1999), and also reduces the legitimacy of government in the eyes of the governed (Seligson 2002; Anderson and Tverdova 2003). It thus has major consequences for both economics and politics. When the proceeds of corrupt transactions are directed into electoral contests, as appears to be the case in various advanced democratic nations where political competition is expensive and winning public office highly desirable, corruption is also directly corrosive of democratic accountability.’
Nuhu as an anti-corruption cop had first hand empirical experience both in his personal capacity as well as a Nigerian; he was a competent person to relate his story, more so, as it was a matter of public notice that he was hounded into exile by virtue of his work on behalf of Nigeria. If he identified that the major drivers for now, of corruption be in Makurdi, Asaba or Dubai, he speaks in context, if he mentions them as he knows them, after all institutions are set and run by humans. Without a doubt, James Ibori was one of the controllers of the Institutions of State while Yar Adua was alive. The culture of impunity has been identified as a stage in the democratic process that unless halted may spiral away to pervade all systems. Our young graduates need a future and a hope that theirs will not be a Wasted Generation. I think Nuhu Ribadu, more than any recently, has earned the right to direct the young. That the government entered a nolle prosequi in his alleged trial or that he ought to have insisted on his full trial is a non issue, because he ought not to have been arraigned in the first place if they had possession of the facts of his declaration of assets before them.
‘Truly speaking, in the reality of our nation today, an anti-corruption programme must get an elevation to be located at the very core of a national security imperative.’ – Nuhu Ribadu.
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.
Nigeria’s National Council of State has approved President Goodluck Jonathan’s choice to oversee next year’s elections. The nominee to head Nigeria’s electoral commission must now be approved by parliament.
President Jonathan has nominated political science professor Attahiru Jega to lead the electoral commission. He is the vice chancellor of Bayero University in the northern city, Kano, and is a long-standing critic of military rule.
Edo State governor Adams Oshomhole told reporters that the National Council of State unanimously approves President Jonathan’s choice.
“We believe the president demonstrated courage and statesmanship in appointing someone who is not known to have any partisan political affiliation and a Nigerian who has distinguished himself in his present and past callings,” he said.
If approved by parliament, Jega will replace Maurice Iwu, who President Jonathan dismissed in April. Iwu is widely blamed for the conduct of 2007 elections that were marred by ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation.
That vote brought to power President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and then-vice-president Jonathan, who took power last month following President Yar’Adua’s death.
President Jonathan has made electoral reform a priority of his new administration. But there has been concern that legislation before parliament would be meaningless without a strong head of the Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC.
Oshomhole says the National Council of State was unanimous in its approval of both Jega and national electoral commissioners because they are men and women of integrity.
“When you recognize the controversy over whether or not the president should appoint INEC, the fact that we all accept that the president has exercised his powers quite judiciously in appointing someone who I believe most Nigerians will respect and appreciate. So that will be a major push on the electoral reform line,” he said.
The National Council of State includes state governors, parliament leaders and former heads of state, including former military ruler and current opposition politician Muhammadu Buhari.
“A wide consultation was conducted and we have the CV’s (resumes) of all those recommended. And, I think they are worthy Nigerians of the positions approved for them,” said Buhari,” he said.
Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu says Jega is an excellent choice to lead the electoral commission.
“He is an outstanding, a courageous and, believe me, a trustworthy individual,” he said. “Many people in here when his name was mentioned, many people were so happy. It was a unanimous thing and one of the few things that I have noticed where a whole collection of the Counsel of State, and today all the former heads of state were around and everybody was happy with the choice because of the criteria and because of our desire to have an excellent, fair and acceptable election in Nigeria.”
Aliyu says responsibility for the conduct of next year’s vote rests with all Nigerians.
“Everybody is a culprit, include the radio people and the television people who announce wrong elections. So this is a Nigerian thing. We must all come together. Where they people said our votes must count, they stayed and ensured that their votes were counted. So it is an everybody’s affair,” he said.
President Jonathan must call elections by April. Some of the reforms being considered by parliament could move that date up to the end of this year.
President Jonathan has not ruled out being a candidate. That would violate an informal regional power-sharing deal between northern and southern politicians that stipulates that the next ruling-party nominee will be from northern Nigeria.
Reporter Chinedu Offor is on assignment in Nigeria. From Owerri in Imo State in southeastern Nigeria, he spoke to VOA’s Joe De Capua about reaction to the new INEC chief. Cklick below to hear analysis.
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.
World Cup: NIGERIA named six players with World Cup experience yesterday in their final 23-man squad for the tournament in South Africa.
Nwankwo Kanu will captain the side at his third World Cup.
Coach Lars Lagerback, who made his choice after just two games in charge, also included Rabiu Afolabi, Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, John Utaka and Joseph Yobo from the squad that took part in the 2002 finals.
The Swede cut Everton’s Victor Anichebe and winger Ike Uche, who was Nigeria’s top performer in the qualifiers, from his preliminary squad.
Both had recently returned from long-term injury and although they played in the warm-up games, officials said Lagerback had decided against taking any chances on their fitness.
Eto’o joins up with Cameroon
SAMUEL ETO’O has joined up with his Cameroon team-mates in Portugal after missing the first part of his squad’s preparations.
The Cameroon captain had been given a week off after his Champions League success with Inter Milan in Madrid on May 22nd, missing two internationals in Austria, where Cameroon drew with Georgia and Slovakia.
Eto’o has spent his free time embroiled in a war of words with former international Roger Milla and threatened to pull out of the World Cup after Milla said he felt the striker had not done enough in his career for the Cameroon side.
Santa Cruz in Paraguay squad
ENGLAND-based duo Roque Santa Cruz and Paulo Da Silva have been included in Paraguay’s 23-man World Cup squad. Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino announced yesterday that Manchester City striker Santa Cruz and Sunderland defender Da Silva are part of the squad after reducing the 30-man initial party to the official 23 which will travel to South Africa.
Kewell winning race to be fit
AUSTRALIA forward Harry Kewell is winning his race to be fit for their opening World Cup game against Germany on June 13th, coach Pim Verbeek said yesterday.
The Galatasaray forward did not train with the squad in their morning session yesterday but looks set to be included in Verbeeks final squad of 23 which will be announced after a warm-up game against Denmark today.
Gullit considers Australia job
FORMER Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has said he would consider taking up the role as Australia coach when Pim Verbeek leaves the post after the World Cup finals in South Africa.
While a host of coaches have been linked to the job, including the likes of Frank Rijkaard, no one has put their hand up as yet with several positions expected to be available after the finals.
Gullit, who made 66 appearances for the Netherlands, including at the 1990 World Cup, has indicated he would be happy to speak to the Football Federation Australia about taking control of the Socceroos in the lead-up to the 2011 Asian Cup.
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.
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday got unprecedented support from a strategic stakeholder in the Nigeria project when the entire leadership of ex- militants in the Niger Delta region told him to count on their support as he pilots the affairs of state.After exhaustive interaction in Abuja to discuss and agree on the modalities for the implementation of the Amnesty programme, the group leaders of about 100 including militant kingpins like Ateke Tom, Chief Government Ekpemupulo, Faro Dagogo, Chief Ebikabowei Victor Ben, Boyloaf, among others declared, “he is one of our own; we have no choice but to back him”. The spokesman of the ex-militants, who preferred to be called freedom fighters and who is also the President of Ijaw Youth Council, Dr. Chris Ekiyor said that the leadership of the militants has resolved to be committed to the amnesty programme.
The interaction, which was at the instance of the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe saw the ex- militants agreeing to abide by the non-violence principle training that would be given to them in the rehabilitation camps. They also commended Jonathan for appointing Alaibe as his Adviser on Niger Delta, saying that his choice was timely because of his experience and commitment to the Niger Delta struggle. Ekiyor noted that the core of the demands of the militants rests in sustainable development which the government through the Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta has agreed to implement.
Also speaking at the interaction, Alaibe expressed the enthusiasm of President Jonathan to the implementation of the amnesty programme, adding that the interaction was organised to ensure a seamless implementation of the programmes. According to him, some modalities to ensure a hitch-free camping of the ex- militants have been agreed upon like the non- carriage of weapon of any type into the camp.
When asked to explain why the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND continues to send threat messages, the spokesman of the militants said that who is who in the Niger Delta were at the interactive session and that anybody using the name of the organisation should be investigated. He said that the index of peace in the region could be measured by the quantum of oil coming out from there as well as the fact that even foreigners are seen going about their normal businesses.
In a determined move to give impetus to the amnesty programme, one of the most significant achievements of late President Umaru Yar Adua, President Jonathan directed that all matters relating to the implementation of the programme be domiciled in the office of the Presidential Adviser. Until now, the implementation of the programme had suffered a serious setback following the illhealth of the late President and the dissolution of the former federal cabinet.
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.
Nigeria’s new Vice-President Namadi Sambo has a good head for business, which might serve him well in a country where the line between politics and business is often quite blurred.
He owns three companies and is a qualified architect, but he has yet to prove himself as a political heavyweight.
Indeed, some believe this is precisely why he was chosen as President Goodluck Jonathan’s deputy.
Mr Sambo is not seen as a great political threat should Mr Jonathan decide to run for president in elections in 2011.
Although an ally of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida, who himself intends to seek the presidency, Mr Sambo does not have a large power base.
Presidential candidate?
But even so, he might still be a strong presidential candidate for other reason
NAMADI SAMBO
Born: 1952
Married with six children
Elected Kaduna governor in 2007
Qualified architect
No personal power base
Ally of former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida
Born in Kaduna state in 1952, Mr Sambo is a northerner – and a practising Muslim.
Mr Jonathan, meanwhile, is a Christian southerner.
The two men’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said its candidate will be a northerner – continuing its practice of alternating power between north and south after two four-year terms.
Former President Umaru Yar’Adua, whom Mr Jonathan succeeded when he died in May before his first term had ended, was a northerner.
So the spotlight is now on Mr Sambo – which is a first for a quiet man whose political aspirations are not immediately apparent.
Before becoming Kaduna’s governor in 2007, he had stints as the state’s commissioner for agriculture, and works, transport and housing in the 1980s, and spent several years in private practice as one of the country’s most prominent architects.
Mixed record
On becoming governor, Mr Sambo made several ambitious promises, but was criticised for not managing to keep some of them.
For example, he failed to make much progress on plans to improve the state’s health and education facilities, water supply and roads by the time he was chosen as President Jonathan’s deputy.
His main success was in the area of security – a big issue in Kaduna, which has suffered in the past from ethnic violence.
Mr Sambo presided over Operation Yaki, a task force which brought together the police, the military and other security services to deal with crime in the state.
But after three modest and relatively obscure years as a state governor, there is still a lot to learn about Mr Sambo’s political skills and his motivation to use them as a possible future president.
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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