Nigeria At 54: We Must End Mediocrity, Impunity And Corruption By Joe Igbokwe

Recently, President Jonathan said poverty has been reduced by 50% in Nigeria. And I ask: where are the indices? Where are the empirical evidences? We cannot eradicate poverty in Nigeria until we fix our power sector and overhaul our crumbling infrastructures. In 1999 Nigeria was electricity output was 4000 megawatts (MW) and almost 16 years after we are still at 4000 MW of output. So what are we talking about in spite of all the billions of dollars invested in that sector?

We appreciate God that Nigeria is 54 years. We thank God that we are still together as one entity despite the huge tragedies of the past. Nigeria has been a country where the best never happens and the worst never happens. 

But we cannot continue to celebrate mediocrity in the age of success. We cannot continue to celebrate impunity in the age of rule of law. We cannot continue to celebrate corruption in the midst of abject and extreme poverty.

 

 nigeria flag http://africa2point0.org/web/index.php/en/africa-2-0-in-your-country/nigeria

2015 is decision time and we must seize the moment to bring the desired change and to put Nigeria on the path of progress. This is a task that must be done. This is our chance.

Recently, President Jonathan said poverty has been reduced by 50% in Nigeria. And I ask: where are the indices? Where are the empirical evidences? We cannot eradicate poverty in Nigeria until we fix our power sector and overhaul our crumbling infrastructures. 

In 1999 Nigeria was electricity output was 4000 megawatts (MW) and almost 16 years after we are still at 4000 MW of output. So what are we talking about in spite of all the billions of dollars invested in that sector? 

Now what can we call this? What is happening? Did the money get lost? Did somebody shortchange Nigeria? Is it sabotage? Is it corruption? Is it leadership weakness or incompetence? Where did the rain start beating us? 

The truth is this: until we fix the power sector the dream of reducing poverty to the barest minimum in Nigeria will continue to elude us. But the tragic reality is that power generation and distribution are fast turning to rocket science and only a daft and rudderless government, as we have been having since 1999 can assure this.

Ex-LG Boss, 7 Others Charged With Alleged Firearms Deal

A former chairman of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State and Labour Party chieftain in the state, Afolabi Adedayo Mabogunje, has been arraigned before a Magistrate's Court sitting at Oke Eda in Akure, the state capital, for alleged illegal possession of firearms and robbery.

A former chairman of Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State and Labour Party chieftain in the state, Afolabi Adedayo Mabogunje, has been arraigned before a Magistrate's Court sitting at Oke Eda in Akure, the state capital, for alleged illegal possession of firearms and robbery.

Afolabi Adedayo Mabogunje _1  

Afolabi Adedayo Mabogunje _1

He was charged alongside a chief in Ifon, Eniola Obasoto, at the headquarters of the local government for conspiracy.

Also arraigned in connection with the case were Temitope Abiola (40), Agun  Adeniyi (39), David Agunloye (30), Apejoye Ayodeji (30) and Boyede Owodara (27), accused of being members of secret cults.

Their offence contravened Section 39, Vol.11 Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

Mabogunje was alleged to have conspired with Temitope Abiola, Agun Adeniyi and others now at large, to commit felony to wit unlawful possession of firearm, among other things.

The charge, MAK/4686/2014, indicated that on 21 September, 2014, the accused unlawfully had in their possession one locally-made pistol and a Russian double barreled gun in contravention of Firearms Act and therefore committed an offence punishable under section 6(b) and (c) cap R11, Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.

SaharaReporters reliably gathered that a team of Special Anti-Cultism Squad, headed by CSP John Mark, arrested the accused persons at different locations in the state.

According to the Police prosecutor in charge of the case, Mabogunje, who was also a former chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, procured firearms illegally from the third accused person, Temitope Abiola, while Chief Eniola Obasoto supplied packets of cartridges and ammunition.

The defense counsel for the ex-council chief and the second accused person, Chief Olusola Oke, however, pleaded for the release of his clients on bail, arguing that the offences against them were not recognized by any law.

 

Lagos To Dialogue With FG On Lagos-Badagry Expressway

The Lagos State Government is ready to dialogue with the Federal Government on the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, a statement released today, 29 September, 2014, by the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has informed.

According to the statement signed by Biola Fagunwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, the state government said taking over the expressway which it had spent colossal sums of money on would not be in the interest of the people, saying it is ready to dialogue with the Federal Government on the way foward.

“We appreciate the interest that the Federal Government is now showing with respect to this road infrastructure.

“This, we hope, marks a new lease of life in the Federal Government’s commitment and interest in its various responsibilities towards the people of Lagos State,” the statement read in parts.

It added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State Government has solely conceived and financed the project from tax payers’ fund. If the Federal Government now wants to join us, we will be ready for appropriate dialogue. This is in the interest of developing our dear country.

“However, we think that it is through dialogue and a thorough analysis of the project rather than on the pages of newspapers that such a major issue will be broached and resolved.

 

Works ongoing at the Lagos-Badagry expressway

“We would also like to state that challenges associated with huge projects such as the Lagos Badagry Expressway (LBE), whether engineering, technical or even funding is not unusual.”

The state government assured that the project would surely be completed and delivered in the interest of Lagosians.

“Meanwhile, the FG may also wish to do a similar review of their many projects facing serious challenges all over the nation which, if care is not taken, might end up becoming ‘white elephant’ and abandoned projects.

“The Lagos State Government is however not averse to a sincere partnership and collaboration on any project within the State,” the statement said.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government, through the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen had said that the FG will take over works at the Lagos-Badagry Expressway from the Lagos State Government in the name of ECOWAS Transnational Highway.

Jonathan Places National Flag Designer On Lifetime Salary

President Goodluck Jonathan has placed the designer of Nigerian Flag Pa Taiwo Akinkunmi on a lifetime salary.

Goodluck Jonathan and Taiwo Akinkunmi

It was made known today, September 29, by the Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Reno Omokri, on his Twitter page. See the original message below.

Vanguard recalls that the National Flag is an adaptation of the winning entry from Taiwo Akinkunmi, also called Mr Flag Man, in the contest dating back to 1959.

In the original there was a red sun with the rays on the white stripe. The judges removed the pattern and the flag has not been changed since.

At the time of the competition, Akinkunme was a 23-year-old student of Norwich Technical College in England. He read in the newspaper about the contest for the design of the National Flag and decided to try his luck.

His variant became the winning one and was first used in the course of the celebration of the next year’s Independence Day, October 1.

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has explained what brought about the advent of Boko Haram in the country.

His Royal Highness Muhammad Sanusi II. Photo: BBC

Speaking on Saturday at the 2014 yearly Dinner/Exhibition organised by the Kings College Old Boys Association (KCOBA) to commemorate the 105th anniversary of the college, he blamed illiteracy and high rate of poverty in the country for the emergence of the Boko Haram, Guardian reports.

The Emir, who is also the Vice President of KCOBA, stated that the Federal Government neglected their menace, which has now become an embarrassment to the Northerners.

“The lack of education and poverty create the kind of group we see like Boko Haram. Activities of those groups increase poverty and reduce access to education and therefore create an even poorer and less educative society for the future. If any kind of group can target educational institutions for the sole purpose of discouraging people from getting education, it tells you how far we have sunk and it tells you the kind of emergency that we face in the North because it is nothing short of a vicious cycle” he said.

The former Central Bank of Nigeria governor further stated that the menace of Boko Haram has been ignored for too long saying; “it can no longer be ignored.”

According to him, Boko Haram which started in 2001 has now grown into a real monster. Although he agreed there is a military solution to it, he however, insisted on re-orientation, enlightenment and awareness on the importance of education on the country’s younger generation.

“So for me, I have assumed this role at a time of great difficulty, when we are facing challenges, and I will like to first of all request all Kings College boys and all friends to come to our aid with any kind of support, ideas, analysis or recommendations on how we can confront this menace. Not just the security aspect, but also the entire mindset because it has set the North back probably by half a century” the Emir said.

The Anointing And The Anointed - Modern Christianity’s Curse By Adetoye Oremosu

When a pastor sleeps around, the usual attitude and responses from faithfuls are “Who are you to speak about it?” “Leave him to God.” “He’s God servant. God will deal with him.” And the all time classic “Touch not his anointed.” They continue to say this until it’s them, their sister, daughter, wife, mother, or friend that the Pastor has seduced/impregnated and then they sing a different tune. How very spiritual indeed. An anointed man of God may sleep with church members and get away with it as long as he’s still perceived as being 'anointed'. By the way, whatever happened to Biodun Fatoyinbo’s robust response to the sexual allegation by Ese Walters. I must have missed it.

 

 Chris Oyakhilome http://loveworldplusnews.org/christ-embassy-global-sunday-service-with-pastor-chris/

The word 'anointing' is probably the worst word that has been introduced to the Nigerian Christian’s vocabulary in recent years. Like the word ‘gay' that used to mean ‘merry' and now means 'homosexual', ‘anointing' has been infused with new and inferior meanings. Anointing used to refer to the power of God at work to change lives and bring men closer to God by his miracles or judgement. And the anointed was the vessel through which God accomplished these works. The vessel was never really that important because God used sticks (Moses’ rod), animals (Prophet Balaam’s donkey), as well as people. It was his power that was important, not the vessel. However, in this modern era of Christianity, the anointed has gained significantly more prominence over the anointing and has begun to Lord it over the people of God. The anointing now stands for the ability to make money from, entertain, manipulate and/or bully church members and communities to submit to the will of the so-called anointed leader of a congregation or denomination in the name of God. It is experienced as goosebumps, excited exuberance, gyrations and screams in service, falling under the power, beautiful aesthetics, highfalutin words, and prophetic blessing or cursing. For example, an unentertaining choir will most likely not be considered anointed and any church experience that gives congregants ecstatic euphoria is considered very anointed. Really?! People seem to forget that Pharaoh’s magicians performed the same miracles as Moses with their sorcery. And much like ‘gay', the nouveau Christianity welcome the new definition of the 'anointing' and it’s new ‘anointed’ carriers as an accepted way of life.

I wonder at times if we haven’t seen people falling out at a Michael Jackson concert? Haven’t we felt goosebumps listening to Whitney Houston or some other musician sing an inspirational song? Have we not heard secular/non-Christian speakers make accurate predictions about the future? Are these people anointed because they create these effects or do these things? Many Christians will answer, yes. Therein lies the problem. Nigerian church leaders, the new class of anointed, have attracted and cultivated a gullibility in their followers that world-class illusionists and hypnotists should take heed to learn from. Be sober, be vigilant, be cautious at all times for your enemy, the devil, roams around like a lion seeking whom he may devour. Watch and pray. These are Bible admonitions given to Christians, but many are too busy defending the anointed while the enemy continues to steal, kill and destroy in their lives. 

It would seem like the more anointed a Pastor is, the more money he is expected to have. The thinking of many pastors is summarized in this scripture, ”a poor man’s wisdom is quickly despised”. The interpretation often given to scriptures like this is sometimes baffling. Statements like “no money, no respect” which has defined our society’s way of life arise from it. This aside, how about Jesus? Was he rich in his earthly ministry? Matthew, Mark, Luke and John show us that he had influence and his needs were met as he trusted

Boko Haram: 'We Have Not Received Any Financial Gift From Modu-Sheriff'

SAN FRANCISCO, September 18, (THEWILL) - Members of the five subcommittees established by Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State to handle the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in the state said Thursday that they have not received any financial gift from former governor of the state, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff.
The committees stated this while reacting to the claim by the embattled Senator that he had given N150 million to victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.
During a recent visit to Maiduguri, the state capital, Modu-Sheriff, was reported to have said that he gave N30 million each to the five IDPs camps within Maiduguri to be shared among the victims of Boko Haram insurgency now accommodated at the camps.
It was also alleged that members of the subcommittees at one of the camps abandoned their duty post to avoid receiving the gifts from Modu-Sheriff who is presently at daggerdrawn with the Governor Shettima.
But leading other chairmen of the subcommittees at a media briefing, the Chairman of the IDPs camp at the Government Girls Secondary School, Yerwa, Alhaji Al-Amin Kam Saleh, denied ever receiving any money from the former governor.
'We perceive it is a pledge and we will gladly receive it when it is given. But we can tell you that a truck load of rice was given to each of the two camps at NYSC Orientation camp and Government Girls Secondary School, Yerwa,” he said, adding that the bags of rice given by Modu- Sheriff to the two camps were 12,000 bags, stressing that nothing more was received from the former governor.
On the allegation that they deliberately abandoned their duty post so as to make themselves unavailable to the former governor, Kam Saleh said: “We were never aware of the itinerary of Senator Ali Sheriff and were not told he will be visiting the camps, we learnt that he decided to come here on the way to the airport to catch a flight out of town.
“But unfortunately enough, some of us were busy with other activities outside the camps and were not present when he visited impromptu.”