Pages
▼
Saturday
BOKO HARAM: WHY MILITARY OFFENSIVE IS YIELDING RESULTS – DASUKI
IN the last seven days, the Nigerian military has been recording series of victories against Boko Haram insurgents, recapturing towns after towns from the terrorists in the Northeastern part of the country.
The military has also stormed the dreaded Sambisa Forest base of the insurgents with ease attacking and decimating the terrorists, who are now scampering for safety in several directions.
The series of conquests are traceable to a number of factors,which hitherto encumbered the operations of the military.
PDP’S VICTORY WILL FREE LAGOSIANS FROM OPPRESSION – JONATHAN
President Goodluck Jonathan said on Friday in Lagos that victory for the Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming general elections would free Lagos residents from oppression.
He stated this when the leaders of market women groups, known as Iyalojas, in Lagos and environs, paid him a solidarity visit at the State House, Marina, Lagos.
Jonathan, who was reacting to the complaint of high-handedness and witch-hunting made by the market women against the All Progressives Congress-led Lagos State Government.
He told the market women, and indeed, all traders in the country that the PDP administration would provide the enabling environment for them to ply their trades.
“Our victory at the polls will free all Lagos traders from oppression. You need to be free; we will remove Lagos from bondage,’’ he said.
Sound Sultan drives Toyota Highlander
Olanrewaju Fasasi, famously called Sound
Sultan, has been in the Nigerian music industry for a long time, with
some people even referring to him as one of the pacesetters of modern
hip-hop music in the country.
The 39-year-old father of two is an
entertainer, song-writer and rapper. He has had a number of
collaborations with local and foreign artistes.
Sometime last year, the UN ambassador
bought himself a 2010 Toyota Highlander, which currently costs about N5m
in the auto market.
The Toyota Highlander combines the shape
and practicality of a traditional sports utility vehicle with the more
refined ride and handling qualities of a passenger car.
It boasts three available rows of seats, a
smooth, car-like ride, outstanding fuel economy and reliability. It’s
no wonder reviewers ranked it top of its class.
The SUV features an attractive cabin,
excellent visibility, and a roomy passenger compartment, which make it a
good choice for buyers with large families.
FAYOSE HITS BUHARI AGAIN
Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, again, stirred the hornet’s nest on Friday when he declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) for medical treatment in a London hospital, as against the working visit claimed by his party.
APC Presidential Campaign Organisation’s Director of Media, Shehu Garba, had in a statement on Thursday, said that while in London, “Buhari will hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions with interest in the affairs of Nigeria.”
However, Fayose, whose recent advert in a national daily (not Saturday Independent) portrayed the APC presidential candidate as having ill-heath and may not be fit to govern the country generated controversy, insisted that the trip was a vindication of his earlier stand that Buhari was sick and lacked the required capacity to rule Nigeria.
2015: JONATHAN MOVES TO STOP SLIDE
ALARMED by seeming soaring popularity of his main opponent in the March 28 presidential election, President Goodluck Jonathan may have decided to personally coordinate his campaigns for the strategic election, which has already drawn global attention.
Saturday Vanguard learned last night that Jonathan was uncomfortable with field reports that he would have been defeated by Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) of the All Progressives Congress, if the election had been held on February 14 as earlier planned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
To stem the tide of the perceived “Buhari momentum” and tilt the pendulum in his favour, Jonathan, it was gathered, has opted to drive some aspects of his campaign by himself by meeting relevant political groups and individuals considered very important for his victory.
Personal touch
BUHARI NOT IN LONDON HOSPITAL – GARBA SHEHU
He said; “as against the claim of the APC that Buhari was on a short working visit to the UK, Buhari is being treated at a hospital located at Cavendish Street, Cavendish Square, W2 London West End, London.” Speaking through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor described claim by the APC that Buhari will give a talk at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London as “deceit taken too far.”
OSUN VIDEO: APC GIVES POLICE, DSS TWO WEEKS TO PROSECUTE FANI-KAYODE
Reacting to the claims by Fani-Kayode, when he appeared on a Lagos-based television station on Thursday, APC said should security agents fail to prosecute the director of Media of Jonathan Campaign Organisation, it would compel Governor Aregbesola to set up an independent panel to look into the matter.
The party also threatened to institute a legal action against Fani-Kayode, if he failed to apologize for allegedly telling lies against it, stressing that the video was fabricated and meant to malign APC.
Addressing a press conference in Osogbo, Osun State APC chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun, said the PDP intended to use the video to deceive Nigerians, adding that the ruling party in the state would not allow any individual or party to drag its image in the mud.
I CAN VOTE FOR BUHARI AGAINST MY FATHER, SAYS TAM DAVID-WEST
In this interview in Port Harcourt, the Buguma, Rivers State-born essayist and social critic explains why he would rather vote for Buhari, instead of his Ijaw broth¬er, President Goodluck Jonathan:
You recently praised Governor Rotimi Amaechi, especially, his devel¬opmental strides. Which of his leader¬ship qualities impresses you most?
First, I’m naturally a supporter of the un¬derdogs, especially, people who have suffered injustice. I have suffered a lot of injustice in my life, both in the university and in politics. Whenever I see somebody suffering injustice and is an underdog, I support him. Now, Amae¬chi said that when he was in Ghana, fighting for his mandate in first term, he was impressed that I had been writing articles, fighting his cause without knowing him.
HELICOPTERS DROP BOKO HARAM FLYERS IN ADAMAWA
The pamphlets were written in English, Hausa and Arabic languages
but the contradiction and confusion in the messages is that the pamphlets were signed by towns not persons, namely Gamboru, Damask and Alagamo.
In one of the pamphlets, the atoned sect members claimed regretting the killings, maiming and lootings, as they also laments how they destroyed the country’s economy and urged their former colleagues to have a rethink and run for their dear lives before it is too late.
The locals claimed that the pamphlets and flyers were seen distributed at about 5am on Friday, as they added that the development ensued tensions and apprehension in the affected areas.
LOW LIBIDO: KADUNA WOMEN TAKE TO THE STREETS IN PROTEST
The women who thronged the NDA Junction in the state capital to press home their point, heaped the blame for their husband’s erectile dysfunction on the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, KRPC.
According to them, chemical waste and fumes from the company emitted into the environment, has contributed to their husband’s loss of sexual potency, while the women often have miscarriages or affected ovaries.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, some married women said most men in the Mararaba Rido community suffer one form of reproductive health problem or the other due to the toxic waste from the KRPC.
Group Uncovers Plot to pitch President Jonathan against Obiano, Warns of Dire Consequences
The
Initiative for Change Organization (ICO), a civil society and democracy
watch group has alerted the general public of a highly organized and
well-funded campaign being sponsored against the person of the governor
of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, by some disgruntled politicians
in the Anambra State chapter of the PDP.
In
a Press Statement issued at the weekend the group claimed that it had
uncovered a massive smear campaign worth N100m sponsored by some PDP
elements in the state to discredit all the great achievements of
Governor Willie Obiano and incite the Presidency against him.
The
statement which was signed by the President of the Group, Dr. Jideofor
Igboamaka, maintains that the campaign which is being handled by a
Lagos-based communications agency was intended to portray Governor
Obiano as working against the re-election of President Goodluck Ebele
Jonathan.
“After
closely monitoring the activities of this group, we now have some
incontrovertible evidence of the publicity materials they want to
publish in some leading newspapers in order to incite the Presidency
against the governor of Anambra State,” the statement said, further
pointing out that the calumny campaigners have leveled many spurious
charges against Governor Obiano.
According
to the statement, “Our media monitoring wing has intercepted some of
their campaign materials. We are dismayed that all the charges they are
leveling against Governor Obiano are not only outlandish and incredulous
but offer a deep insight on how low these people are willing to descend
in order to discredit Governor Obiano
Friday
INEC SUED OVER PVC, CARD READER FOR POLLS
Filing the suit before the Federal High Court Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the plaintiffs, which include Barrister George Turner, Ebis Orubebe, Hon Dan Etai, Barrister Agorodi Awudumapu and Barrister Nelson Abali, dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice sought an order of interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents from conducting the forthcoming general elections scheduled for March 28 and April 11 with the use of the permanent voters card and the card reading machine as the only medium for voting pending the determination of the substantive suit.
CAN ALLEGES 40% OF CHRISTIANS YET TO COLLECT PVCS IN BAUCHI
THE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Bauchi State Chapter, has raised an alarm that over 40 per cent of Christians in the state are yet to collect their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
The state CAN Chairman, Rev. Ray Maina, who stated this Wednesday while addressing newsmen in Bauchi, expressed worry that these people may be disfranchised if INEC conducts elections without given them their PVCs to enable them vote as citizens of the country.
He said: “We are worried that 40 per cent of our members are yet to collect their PVCs and they were duly registered by INEC.
JONATHAN’LL DEPLOY SOLDIERS FOR ELECTIONS —FAYOSE
Justice R. M Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Sokoto had in a judgment delivered on January 29, 2015 barred the use of the military in the conduct of elections.
The Court of Appeal, which heard the appeal arising from the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress against Fayose’s victory in the June 21, 2014 governorship election, in its judgment on Monday, also barred the use of soldiers in the conduct of future elections in the country.
It said such constituted a violation of both the constitution and the Electoral Act.
But Fayose on Wednesday insisted that the President would continue to deploy soldiers for elections in the country.
WE’LL STOP OBANIKORO’S MINISTERIAL BID —APC SENATORS
Spokesperson of the APC Senate Caucus, Babafemi Ojudu, who spoke in an interview with our correspondent in Abuja, explained that other senators from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party were also being co-opted into the struggle.
He said APC senators had started mobilising themselves to frustrate Obanikoro’s clearance and approval for fresh appointment.
CERTIFICATE SAGA: CJN PROBES MAGISTRATE
Already, the CJN has directed the magistrate to immediately file his response to the petition entitled “Case of Abuse of Office and Manifest Bias by His Worship, Abubakar Babashani, in The Criminal Complaint by Shield Jones Ufot & Ors. Vs. Muhammed Buhari.”
Reacting to the petition, the CJN via a letter with Ref. No. CJN/MAN/B9/S.1/VOL.VI/389, which was signed by his Senior Special Assistant, Mrs. Hadiza Sa’eed, said he would give due consideration to all the allegations that were raised against the magistrate in the complaint letter dated February 4, 2015.
YORUBA LEADERS ENDORSE JONATHAN •Insist on implementation of confab reports
They advocated structural changes in the constitution of the Nigerian nation rather than the clamour for personality change at the helm of affairs in the country.
The leaders, including various groups across the Yoruba nation, which comprise the Afenifere, Yoruba Self Determinants Group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and other Yoruba leaders across the South-West states, restated their commitment to the realisation of an indivisible and united Nigeria.
NASS STOPS PRESIDENTS FROM ASSENTING NEW CONSTITUTION
• Separates the office of the Attorney General from the Justice Min
THE Senate, on Wednesday, passed the constitution amendment bill into law, marking the fourth time the 1999 Constitution is being amended.
The senators, in the process, amended Section 9 of the Constitution, to ensure that once the amendment bill scales the huddle in the state assemblies, a siting president does not need to assent to it.
Diamond Bank Makes Case for Child Development
Diamond Bank PLC, a leading
retail bank in Nigeria, has restated its commitment towards the intellectual
development of children in the country.
Victor Ezenwoko, Executive
Director, Lagos and West Businesses, Diamond Bank PLC, who spoke during the
public presentation of the finalists of the 2015 edition of the Vision Of The
Child competition, stated that the Bank’s support for the competitive programme
was in recognition of the importance of children to the future of the country.
Diamond Bank is a sponsor of the Vision Of The Child, which is a live painting
and literary arts competition for children, which forms part of activities
commemorating the Lagos Black Festival of Arts and Culture.
He said: “Nigeria’s future
depends not only on our children but also on the investment we make on them. It
is in recognition of this that Diamond Bank supports the Vision Of The Child
Competition. As a responsible corporate institution, we will continue to
support this initiative because it is our own little contribution towards the
wellbeing of the Nigerian Child.”
OBA OF BENIN’S SON RESIGNS FROM OSHIOMHOLE’S GOVT, ALLEGES THREAT TO LIFE
Meanwhile, the Edo State Government, yesterday, denied the allegation.
Prince Erediauwa said he will also institute a legal action against the governor over the alleged harassment and threat to his life.
This is coming on the heels of the recent demolition of official residences of some staff of the University of Benin by the governor, as the dust raised by that action is yet to settle.
According to Prince Erediauwa, “There is a parcel of land at Okoro-Otun Avenue, GRA Benin. It is a Federal Government property based on investigations I conducted a few years ago. I made some contacts and acquired the land.
KAYMU EXPANDS OPERATIONS TO WARRI AND BENIN
Nigeria’s leading online marketplace Kaymu.com.ng has expanded operations to Warri and Benin. This comes hot on the heels of its expansion to Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan.
In a statement released by the Managing Director of Kaymu.com.ng,
Evangeline Wiles, ‘The company which started with one hub in Lagos has
since grown in two years to establish hubs in six geo-political regions
in Nigeria’’.
CAN GOT N7BN TO CAMPAIGN FOR JONATHAN –BORNO PASTOR
A Borno State-based Pastor, Kallamu Dikwa, said the money allegedly given to the pastors by the Presidency was N7bn and not N6bn as alleged by Amaechi, who doubled as the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation.
Amaechi had alleged that some unnamed leaders of the PDP paid N6bn to Christian clerics to campaign against the APC.
But reacting to the Northern States Christian Elders Forum, who challenged Amaechi to name those pastors involved in the bribery scandal, Dikwa told journalists in Kaduna on Thursday that the said money was channelled through the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
Dikwa, who is the Executive Director of the Voice of Northern Christian Movement, said CAN got the said money (N7bn) on January 26, 2015 and disbursed N3m each to state Chairmen of the CAN across the country.
I WILL DECLARE MY ASSETS PUBLICLY –BUHARI
Buhari stated this in a document obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Thursday. The document highlights what Buhari will do in his first 100 days if he assumes power on May 29.
He said he would encourage political appointees in his administration to also declare their assets publicly.
If the APC candidate keeps to his promise, he will be the second Nigeria’s President to publicly declare his assets.
JONATHAN, YORUBA COUNCIL OF ELDERS MEET IN LAGOS
He observed that the country must exist first for anyone to be able to aspire to be president or vice president or any other political office for that matter.
Jonatan said: “No matter what we want to do, that is those of us who are aspiring to run this country or even at the state level, first and foremost, you must have a country.
“If we don’t have a country there will be no office to hold; whether it is the office of the President or office of the Vice President or office of the minister or whatever office, there must be Nigeria first.
“My position is that let us all collectively defend and protect this country and that is why I always feel bad when people make statements that expose Nigeria as if it is the worst country on earth. We are not that bad.
BUHARI SETTING STAGE FOR POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE – PDP
Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDPPCO, has accused the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, of setting the stage for a replay of the 2011 post-election violence that claimed the lives of several Nigerians.
The PDP presidential campaign also declared that the APC is kicking against the deployment of soldiers for the general election to enable them have a field day to harass and intimidate voters and unleash violence on the polity once they lose the election.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, the director of Media and Publicity of the PDP campaign organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode said it is now very clear to PDP that APC is determined to cause security breaches in the next few weeks.
“This has been confirmed by their vigorous campaign of calumny against the military and their consistent demand that soldiers must not be deployed for security surveillance at the polling booths in the forthcoming elections.”
Obiano to Transform Okpoko into a Modern Community
- Speaker
of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Princes Chinwe Nwabili,
Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Commissioner of Works, Sir
Callistus Ilozumba, , Member Representing Ogbaru 1 Constituency in
Anambra State House of Assembly, Sir Benson Nwawulu and Manager of
CCECC, Mr. XIA at the Flag-off of Ogbuagu-Mgbuka-Amazu-Onitsha-
Owerri dual carriage road in Okpoko.
In
line with his government’s programme for the development of major
cities and adjoining neighborhoods, the Anambra State governor, Chief
Willie Obiano last Friday told residents of Okpoko, a sprawling and
densely populated suburb near Upper Iweka Onitsha but in Ogbaru Local
government Area, that the state will pursue the gradual transformation
of the area into a clean, safe community with modern amenities. Governor
Obiano made the pledge during the flag-off of 4.1 kilometre
Ogbuagu-Mgbuka-Amazu-Onitsha- Owerri dual carriage road which cuts through the Okpoko community.
BUHARI'S SECRET MEDICAL TRIP TO UK TODAY SHOWS APC COVERING UP HIS HEALTH STATUS - FAYOSE
Buhari travelled to the UK today unannounced, fueling speculations that he was flown abroad in an air ambulance.
Though a statement later issued by the APC Presidential Campaign
Organisation said that Buhari was on a short working visit to the UK,
Governor Fayose, in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on
Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka said the party was
not saying the truth.
The governor said; "The truth is that Buhari travelled out today to seek medicare in USA.
"If the APC people are saying otherwise, let them publish the picture of Buhari boarding the plane and granting interview to Aviation Correspondents at the Abuja Airport.
The governor said; "The truth is that Buhari travelled out today to seek medicare in USA.
"If the APC people are saying otherwise, let them publish the picture of Buhari boarding the plane and granting interview to Aviation Correspondents at the Abuja Airport.
Anambra Partners UNDP on Waste-to-Wealth Project
In
furtherance of the Obiano administration’s determination to rid the
State of filth, Anambra State and United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) have jointly set up a Compost and Recycling Plant for the
treatment of household waste and other plastic materials which are
converted into organic manure and useful materials that will ultimately
create viable options for waste to wealth ventures in the state.
Anambra Partners UNDP on Waste-to-Wealth Project
In
furtherance of the Obiano administration’s determination to rid the
State of filth, Anambra State and United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) have jointly set up a Compost and Recycling Plant for the
treatment of household waste and other plastic materials which are
converted into organic manure and useful materials that will ultimately
create viable options for waste to wealth ventures in the state.
AISHA BUHARI SPEAKS ON ONE THING NIGERIANS DON'T KNOW ABOUT HER HUSBAND
In an interview with Thisday Style this week, Mrs Aisha Buhari, wife of APC Presidential candidate, General Buhari, said that one thing most people don't know about her husband is his love for comic stories and his very humorous nature
"Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is a very humorous person and enjoys listening to comic stories. Whenever he cracks jokes you will laugh till you shed tears. He also likes taking people by surprise" she said
Mrs Buhari who is an esthetician by profession with spa houses in Kaduna and Abuja, says she has been married to her husband for 25 years now and that he is a caring and protective person
"My husband is a family-oriented person. He has very close
relationships with his children,
BUHARI FLIES TO UK ON WORKING VISIT
The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari(retd.), on Thursday flew out of Abuja on a working visit to the United Kingdom.
A statement from his campaign office said in the course of this visit, Buhari would hold meetings with key members of the British political establishment and interact with some global institutions with stakeholder interest in the affairs of Nigeria.
Tuesday
WHY CORRUPT POLITICIANS FEAR BUHARI, BY OSINBAJO
Osinbajo, who disclosed this in Enugu during his town hall meeting with students and youths in the South East zone, expressed dismay over the increasing rate of corruption in the country, saying there was need for Nigerians to support the APC to fight corruption.
The APC Vice Presidential candidate assured the youths that the APC government would deal with law and order problems in the country, saying failure of law enforcement was one of the causes of the problems in some parts of the North.
WE WILL NOT MISS OBASANJO – ANENIH
In a brief interview with state House Correspondents after meeting with President Jonathan, Chief Anennih said it is within Obasanjo’s right to dump the party.
Olusegun Obasanjo, who was president for eight years on the platform of the party, had hours earlier in his Abeokuta home dumped the PDP by publicly tearing his membership card of the party.
According to Chief Anennih, “He (Obasanjo) has the right to leave any party, and he has the right to join any party, he is a Nigerian” Anenih said.
OBASANJO AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE MILITARY — DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
Mr. Obasanjo dumped the PDP at a dramatic event in Abeokuta, Ogun State, a move that appeared aimed at forestalling an expulsion by the party.
The military did not rebuke Mr. Obasanjo for leaving the party. It lambasted the former president over his criticisms of the force’s role in the postponement of forthcoming general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had rescheduled elections from February, to March and April, a decision taken at the instigation of the military.
TWIN SUICIDE BOMBERS HIT CHECKPOINT IN BIU
The incident happened around 1.15pm even as there are fears that many people, including commuters, vigilantes and hawkers must have been killed or injured.
Musa Ameriwa who arrived the scene minutes later said the suicide bombers disguised as passengers in a tricycle, popularly known as Keke Napep.
"Part of the rule at the checkpoint is that once a vehicle or any means of transport arrives, everybody, with the exception of the driver must alight and subject himself for routine check.
"When the tricycle arrived, the miscreants got down and were moving towards the vigilantes when the first one detonated his explosion...minutes later, the other also detonated his own too, killing many people," he said.