Azazi blames Boko Haram attacks on PDP

The National Security Adviser, Andrew Owoye Azazi has blamed the rise of insurgence by the fundamentalist sect, Boko Haram in the country on the internal wranglings of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties.
The retired General made this known during the second day of the South-south economic summit where the collapse of the nation’s security challenge was deliberated on.
Tracing the rise of Boko Haram’s attack, the chief security adviser to the president stated that “the extent of violence did not increase in Nigeria until when there was a declaration by the current president that he was going to contest.”
“PDP got it wrong from the beginning, from the on-set by saying Mr A can rule, Mr A cannot rule ……according to PDP’s convention, rules and regulation and not according to the constitution and that created the climate for what has manifest itself, this way.”

He added that there is some level of political undertone to the problem.
He also noted that the bombings, suicide attacks and jail breaks that have been raging the northern part of the country “could be traced to the politics of exclusion of the PDP in the region.”
Blaming the notion of anointing candidates and the ‘do or die’ attitude of the political party, Retired General Azazi asked why “is it possible that somebody was thinking that only Mr. A could win, and that if he could not win, there would be problems in this society?”
“Let’s examine all these issues to see whether the level of violence in the North East just escalated because Boko Haram suddenly became better trained, better equipped and better funded, or something else was responsible.”
“It takes very long for somebody to be a sniper,” Mr. Azazi said.
He affirmed the level of sophistication of the group but also gave assurance that the government is aware of all their doings in a bid to addressing the issue. “I can assure you that Boko Haram can garner that level of sophistication over time, if it has not got it already. There are a lot we know that they are doing, and there are a lot that could be done to address the problem.”
“But, then I must also be quick to point out that today, even if all the leaders that we know in Boko Haram are arrested, I don’t think the problem would end, because there are tentacles. I don’t think that people would be satisfied, because the situations that created the problems are not just about the religion, poverty or the desire to rule Nigeria. I think it’s a combination of everything. Except you address all those things comprehensively, it would not work” he added.
On a final solution, the security adviser discourage just the use of force but called for a collective effort to address the economic problems of the north saying “it is not enough for us to have a problem in 2009 and you send soldiers to stop the situation, then tomorrow you drive everybody underground. You must look at what structures you need to put in place to address the problem holistically. There are economic problems in the North, which are not the exclusive prerogative of the Northerners. We must solve our problems as a country.”
He noted that the relationship between national security and development is inseparable, because “one cannot do without the other” the NSA said.

Ex-Convict BODE GEORGE Penetrates NAMADI SAMBO, As a Prelude to the 2015 General Elections

As a prelude to the 2015 general elections smart players in the political arena are already positioning themselves for vantage positions. One of these smart alecs is allegedly said to be former vice chairman (South West) of PDP and ex-convict Chief Olabode George. The former military administrator of Ondo State and retired naval chief, is now a in a new-found alliance with the vice president, Architect Namadi Sambo. The thrust of this strange relationship between the two is not far-fetched as Bode George, known to be a very deft political player, is strategically angling himself for plum positions in the scheme of things when Namadi Sambo’s 2015 presidential ambition finally rolls out.
Having run foul with his former boss and President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Bode George deems it fit now to swiftly make moves by way of fraternizing with another political heavyweight in order to still belong substantially in the PDP hierarchy. That heavyweight, if he can be called that, is the architect0turned-politican and incumbent vice president, Namadi Sambo.

Fresh facts abound on Bode George’s regular and frequent visits to Namadi Sambo’s official residence to discuss the possible modalities for actualizing Namadi Sambo’s 2015 dream. Bode George’s nocturnal visits to Sambo have become so rampant that many are wondering what type of fraternity could have suddenly transpired between the two if not for selfish and unfettered gains on the side of Bode George whose conviction for embezzling billions of Naira as chairman, NPA, almost sent him out of relevance in the PDP both at the national and state levels.
Interestingly, with all Bode George’s unwholesome record, he still belongs as a member of the PDP Board of Trustee, which some see as very laughable, and indeed rather unwise of the party as big as PDP.
Whatever Bode George may be planning to achieve with his new alleged alliance with Namadi Sambo, the end result will be very glaring to all when it begins to manifest.
A group of international and independent observers recently added bite to some of the strange developments within the rank and file of the party PDP. They were so graphical and detailed in their observations as you will read hereafter.

“It was commendable to see the ruling party PDP demonstrate such political maturity as a pacesetter to other parties in Nigeria. They were well organized and as independent and international observers we congratulate the PDP for a good Convention.
However, it is most unfortunate that a particular character cast a negative shadow and stigma on this assembly of leaders of the political class at various levels. The man happens to be an ex-convict who is a board of trustee member of the party and has returned from serving a prison term for gross embezzlement of government funds in billions!
Firstly, we find it difficult to believe that the PDP could accept for such a man to continue in the board of trustee and sit with eminent distinguished personalities like Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other accomplished politicians who have impeccable records. This could never happen in any other country in the world. In the USA, he would have resigned without being requested and would have left active partisan politics. The man was not just present at the convention but was moving around and trying very hard to be relevant and conspicuous.
It was very smart of those working with the President that they did not allow him to move close to the President for recognition or it would have amounted to the President endorsing and celebrating criminality!
The PDP must realize that the whole world is watching Nigeria and how it handles its anti-graft drive since corruption has been identified as the major factor militating against sustainable development of all the various sectors in the country.  As the ruling party and the largest party in Africa, the PDP ought to be a pacesetter in this anti-corruption effort. Foreign countries within the International community are committing billions for Nigeria to fight corruption and would like to see some visible efforts in this regard to justify the funds from donor agencies. We also observed that the ex-convict was part of the planning committee and benefited from allowances and payments for the Convention.
The PDP needs to look into this as a matter of urgency and the new Chairman must prove his mettle by taking this issue on to ensure that this case will be seen as a litmus test for his administration. We therefore recommend that the ex-convict be suspended from the party immediately to demonstrate the party’s zero tolerance for corruption.
He should be removed as a member of the board of trustees of the party to serve as a deterrent to others who may wish to loot government coffers.
He should be stripped off the National honour he received several years ago, (CON) so as not to ridicule the award and embarrass those distinguished eminent citizens who proudly share the same honour. When a man is honoured and he abuses such privileges and commits a financial crime which leads to prosecution with conviction, and serves the prison term, he has dishonoured the award and should be stripped off it immediately. This is the way it is done in any other countries in the world and should serve as a deterrent to other distinguished persons who are ex-convicts.
We therefore expect President Jonathan to address this immediately as the world is waiting for his response to this celebration of criminality in public.
Most importantly, the President should not be persuaded into granting a Presidential pardon to an ex-convict who has looted government funds shamelessly as this would make a mockery of the anti-corruption stance and we the International community would reconsider the funds we are sending to Nigeria to fight this cause.
We also understand the man has not refunded the stolen loot and if he has, it is better to make it public as there are government properties that he is supposed to have sold without authorization or rendering account of the funds of the sale.
We advise the Presidency to desist from permitting ex-convicts from visiting the Presidential villa and attending meetings with eminent citizens therein.
Nigeria should be able to manage without an ex-convict running affairs for the PDP at any level. It is a disgrace and the man’s performance at the National Convention of the PDP last week was a great show of shame. There are other resourceful men and women in the party.
We are looking forward to some steps to address this situation within the PDP and would appreciate their cooperation for the best interest of good governance and anti-graft for a better Nigeria where International investors could operate. We are taking this case as a special one to gauge the sincerity of the government and party’s anti-graft stance.
The group continued in yet another letter on their position on Chief Bode George’s many atrocities and why he should not be allowed near any seat of government, let alone holding offices as high as that of a BOT member of PDP. It reads in part…
www.tivyouthcongress.blogspot.comhttp://tivyouthcongress.blogspot.com/

Google launches storage service for personal files

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (AP) - Google is hoping to build the world's largest digital filing cabinet in the latest attempt to deepen people's dependence on its services.

The Internet search leader's latest product stores personal documents, photos, videos and a wide range of other digital content on Google's computers. By keeping their files in massive data centers, users will be able to call up the information on their smartphones, tablet computers, laptops and just about any other Internet-connected device.

Google announced the long-rumored service Tuesday. Available immediately, Google Drive is offering the first five gigabytes of storage per account for free. Additional storage will be sold for prices starting at $2.49 per month 25 gigabytes.

Google Inc. will be competing against similar storage services offered by Microsoft, Apple and rapidly growing startups such as Dropbox.

TY Danjuma`s Oil Wells & The Murmuring Of Nigerians

Theophilus Danjuma is not a person the Biafran people will forget in a hurry. He supervised the brutal killing of General Aguiyi Ironsi, the first military head of state of Nigeria. He was among the troops that invaded the 
Biafran territory during the civil war and was fabled to be heartless in the discharge of his duties towards Nigeria.
Theophilus Danjuma became a general in the Nigerian Army and it was said that he convinced Obasanjo to become Nigeria’s head of State after the assassination of fellow Biafran killer man, General Murtala Mohammed in 1976.
During the Obasanjo recycling presidential jamboree, Danjuma posited that if Obasanjo fails to win the 1999 presidential election, he will run away from Nigeria. Obasanjo won the election and rewarded him with the post of Minister for Defence and charged him with dismantling the military structure capable of truncating his democracy.
The sharing of national cake of oil block to PDP party men in the most non transparent manner is one of the  fallout of the Nigerian brand of dictatorial democracy. Oil blocks worth about $2billion dollars auction value could be sold to a party faithful for as low as $500million dollars  .The facilitators share the difference  between the auction value and the real value among themselves  in the ratio of 50:50. Or 60:40 in favor of the awarder, the facilitator or the government middleman who could be fronting for the strongman  in the state house..
Theophilus Danjuma  got his on a platter of gold. Late Head of State  Sani Abacha awarded the Oil Prospecting License (OPL) 246 to SAPETRO in February 1988. The block covers a total area of 2,590 square kilometers .SAPETRO partnered with Total Upstream Nigeria (TUPNI) and Brasoil Oil Services Company Limited (Petrobas) to start prospecting on OPL246.  Akpo, a condensate field was discovered in April 2000 with drilling commencing in 2001. In 2006 Danjuma divested his investment in Akpo oil field to China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) for $1Billion dollars .However, Danjuma still had some conscience left in him. He paid tax of $500million dollars to the Nigerian state and had about $500 million dollars remaining. He then released $100 million dollars to the Nigerian people in the form of foundation for social responsibility projects. This sum as  paltry as it seems is better than nothing. General Danjuma should do well to bring out more for the impoverished Nigerians.
This is where this former Biafran killer man towered above his fellow oil block commandeers. There are so many Nigerians from all the six geopolitical zones who have oil blocks. They include former presidents, former governors, former ministers, party chieftains, friends of government, serving and retired military officers especially service chiefs etc .To date there is no record of what they did with the proceeds of their oil blocks. They are building more estates, more refineries, factories etc outside the shores of Nigeria, especially Europe, America and the Middle East and recently South Africa. The rest of their proceeds they use to purchase INEC officials, impose candidates on the electorates, rig elections and throw fabulous victory dance and thanksgiving services. Others engage in frivolous constant reburials of long dead ones, constant acquisition of new wives, concubines , jets, private mansions all to the mockery of impoverished and ‘ancestrally cursed‘ fellow countrymen.
If all the people who cornered the nation’s resources in the name of oil blocks decide to bring twenty percent of their loot, the nation could raise about $40 billion dollars in a week. This amount translates to N6trillion naira, which is more than the entire Nigerian budget of $31 billion dollars for 2012.
How can a few set of Nigerians be so heartless, wicked and insensitive to the hungry faces around them that they  cannot device a veritable means of giving back to the impoverished  suffering ‘son of a bitch ‘countrymen what they obtained through processes that is far from transparent, it is shortof being called fraudulent. Danjuma received knocks when he announced what he did with his own commandeered resource. Nigerians called him a thief, but if Danjuma is a thief, what of the others who sat on their own oil proceeds never considered returning any back to the people. A friend of government who owns oil block took a young girl friend to Dubai in 2010 and gave her a gift of $1million dollars just to prove his everlasting love for the nagging babe. That is the kind of expenditure they do with their oil loot.
A lot of Nigerians have died in hospitals because they cannot pay medical bills, others have taken to robbery because they cannot see any gainful thing to do while another group takes to prostitution to raise money to pay school fees. Others are seeking for academic sponsors for educational improvement but cannot find. The list is endless and there is frustration palpable everywhere in Nigeria, yet a few Nigerians are so insensitive that they cannot surrender part of their loot back to the Nigerian masses from which they fraudulently commandeered their resources.
Danjuma had the  conscience to surrender a part of what belongs to Nigeria which Obasanjo gave him when they were sharing the never ending national cake. Others should follow suit. They should repatriate these loots back home and use them to establish affordable universities, hospital services and other ventures capable of reducing frustrations on the streets. Others should equally build roads in their villages, provide transformers, pipe borne water for communities across Nigeria. There is equally need for scholarships for indigent students, sponsoring medical trips for acid victims and other traumatic and life threatening victims.. Some could fund sports and build sporting facilities for recreational and sports development purposes. Others could   sponsor activities that brings up talents in the people. The list is endless. Farmers need to be given free or highly subsidized fertilizers; seedlings and storage facilities need to be built.
These oil block commandeers should as a matter of urgency borrow a leaf from  Theophilus Danjuma , repent from insensitivity and take urgent steps to give back to the impoverished, frustrated Nigerians what they collected through the back door. Failure to do so and urgently too, a time will come when even God will engineer the people against them and there will be no end to their calamities.
www.tivyouthcongress.blogspot.comhttp://tivyouthcongress.blogspot.com/

TIV YOUTH CONGRESS: Full Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the subsidy...

TIV YOUTH CONGRESS: Full Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the subsidy...: The Federal Government had informed the nation of its inability to continue to pump endless rampant of money into the seemingly bottom...

Full Report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on the subsidy regime in Nigeria

The Federal Government had informed the nation of its inability to continue to pump endless rampant of money into the seemingly bottomless pit that was referred to as petroleum products subsidy. It explained that the annual subsidy payment was huge, endless and unsustainable. Nigerians were led to believe that the colossal payments made were solely on PMS and HHK actually consumed by Nigerians.
Government ascribed the quoted figures to upsurge in international crude price, high exchange rate, smuggling, increase in population and vehicles etc. However, a large section of the population faulted the premise of the Government subsidy figures, maintaining that unbridled corruption and an inefficient and wasteful process accounted for a large part of the payments.
To avert a clear and present danger of descent into lawlessness, the leadership of the House of Representatives took the “bold and decisive action of convening the first ever Emergency Session on a Sunday (8th January, 2012), and set up the,Ad-hoc Committee to verify the actual subsidy requirements of the country.

For a full report of the Ad-Hoc Committee click here to view

And two months after the fuel subsidy saga, Nigerians waited anxiously for the outcome of the report.
On Thursday the April 19 2012, the Chairman of the House of Representative ad-hoc committee that investigated the management of the country’s fuel subsidy scheme, Farouk Lawan on Thursday said that attempts were made to influence the outcome of the committee’s report.
Addressing a press conference at the National assembly, Abuja, Mr Lawan said the pressure came from government officials and oil marketers.
“Yes, there was pressure, pressure from so many quarters,” he said.
Though Mr Lawan refused to disclose the names of the government officials who pressurized him and his colleagues in the committee, he said the officials said they were concern of the effect the report will have on the country.
He said that his committee made it clear to those mounting pressure on them that as far as they are not guilty of short changing Nigerians, there was no need to panic.
Also speaking at the meeting, the spokesman of the Houses of Representative, Zakari Mohammed assured Nigeria that the House of Representatives will ensure that the report, when adopted by the house is fully implemented.
After months of delay, the Lawan-led House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the subsidy regime management, on Wednesday, submitted its report with recommendation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) indicted oil marketers and companies that refused to appear before the panel to refund the sum of N1.067 trillion to the nation’s treasury.
The House has, however, slated next Tuesday for the consideration of the report.
Executive summary of the report made available to journalists on Wednesday recommended that, “marketers that had short-changed Nigerians were identified and recommended to make refunds within a time-frame of three months.
“Civil servants were to be sanctioned in accordance with the civil service rules as well as under extant laws; management staff and top government officials were based on the gravity of their offences, to be reprimanded, re-deployed, dismissed and in specific cases prosecuted for abuse of office and fraudulent practices.”
The committee also recommended the refund to the treasury, the sum of N1,067,040,456,171.31 from the underlisted for various violations; NNPC (kerosene subsidy) N310,414, 963,613; NNPC (above PPPRA recommendation) N285,098,000,000; NNPC (self-discount), N108,648,000,000; marketers (total violation of petroleum subsidy fund) N8,664,352,554; companies that refused to appear, N41,936,140,005 and PPPRA, excess payment to self, N312,279,000,000.
To this end, the panel recommended that the sum of N806,766 billion be budgeted as subsidy for 2012, adding that “we also proposed a budget amount of N806,766 billion for the 2012 fiscal year for payment of subsidy on PMS and kerosene.”
The committee, also in its report, recommended that “NNPC be unbundled to make its operations more efficient and transparent and this, we believe, can be achieved through the passage of a well-drafted and comprehensive Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).”
The committee as well recommended that all those on the management board of the NNPC directly involved in the in-fractions identified for 2009 to 2011 be investigated and prosecuted for abuse of office by the relevant anti-corruption agencies.
The panel further indicated that NNPC was found not to be accountable to anybody or authority, saying that “the corporation, in 2011, processed payment of N310.4 billion as 2009 to 2011 arrears of subsidy on kerosene, contrary to a presidential directive which removed subsidy on kerosene in 2009.”
The panel also reprimanded the chairman and entire members of the board of PPPRA from 2009 to 2011 for their decision.
Allegation of doctored report
A group Legislative Integrity Assembly said on Wednesday that the report of the House committee into the probe of fuel subsidy was “apparently doctored” following conflicting details about the report in the media in recent weeks.
The group, in a statement said that it noticed a number of inconsistencies having followed the snippets of information released on the committee’s report in recent weeks.
The group said that it had followed closely the situation in the ad hoc committee since it concluded its public hearing on the matter, adding that lots of inconsistencies have come out of the House in recent times.
The group, which claimed to have seen the original recommendations of the committee, said that the report submitted by Mr Lawan to the House on Wednesday was an “edited, doctored report.”
“The list of indicted companies suddenly got shortened within 24 hours. This country is in trouble if this is allowed to go unchallenged. It just confirmed that probes in this country are not to be taken seriously,” the group alleged.
It said it was not entirely taken by surprise by the doctoring because a major newspaper reported on Wednesday that there might be “eleventh hour” changes in the report following outcries generated by media reports of its recommendations.
The Guardian had reported on Wednesday that allegations of doctoring of the report had stirred a controversy in the House.
The report said there were speculations that the leadership of the House had seized the report of the Lawan committee with a view to effecting some changes. The newspaper, however, quoted House spokesman as saying that the allegations are not true.

Accidental missile discharge hits building in Port-Harcourt

Nigerian Air Force jet accidentally hit a building in the Woji area of Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Friday.

The explosion which occurred early in the morning, led to panic in the busy district.
The Rivers state police commissioner,  Mohammed Indabawa,  confirmed the incidence saying the missile was accidentally-fired from an Air-force jet on routine maintenance at the Air-force mechanic hangar in Port Harcourt.
According to the police boss,  the misfired missile hit an uncompleted building three kilometers from the jet, resulting in  a blast that sent residents panicking.
So far, no death or injuries have been confirmed.

NIGERIA MAY FOR THE FIRST TIME PRESENT A FEMALE CJN:-As Dahiru Musdapher set to quit office on July 14, 2012

Indication has emerged that Nigeria may get its first female Chief Justice when the current occupant of the office, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, quits office on July 14, 2012.

It was learnt that the outgoing CJN may have recommended Mariam Alooma Mukhtar, a female, who is the most senior Justice of the Superme Court to succeed him.

If eventually appointed, Mukhtar who hails from Kano State will be major boost for interests campaigning for women to occupy sensitive positions.

She recently rejected her nomination as the Chief Judge of The Gambia, perhaps in anticipation of her being made Nigeria’s first female CJN.

Mukhtar is the first female Justice of the Supreme Court. She was born in 1944 and was called to the Nigerian Bar on June 26, 1967.

Her profile on the website of the Supreme Court also reads, “She was called to the English Bar in 1966 and later called to the Nigerian Bar in June 1967.

A thorough Legal Professional, Hon. Justice A.M Muktar had served as: Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Northern Nigeria (1967) Draftsman, Office of the Legal Draftsman, Interim Common Service Agency Magistrate Grade I, North Eastern Government (1969 – 1973); Chief Registrar, Kano State Government Judiciary (1973 – 1977) Judge – High Court of Kano State (1977) Justice – Court of Appeal (1987) Presiding Justice – Court of Appeal (1993 – 2005).

A Life Member of the International Association of Women Lawyers, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Muktar has been a Justice of the Supreme Court (JSC) since 2005.”

EFCC finds N1.5b in Shuaibu’s accounts, denies exclusion from pensions probe

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has hinted that it had traced N1.5 billion of the allegedly siphoned N4.56 billion pension funds from the Office of Head of Service of the Federation to the account of Dr. Sani Teidi Shuaibu, the former Director of the Pension Accounts in the office.
In its proof of evidence at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which an operative of the EFCC and Team Leader of Pension Fraud Investigation, Aliyu Habibu Adamu, swore to, and obtained by The Guardian last night, the commission explained how it traced the amount to the account of the indicted pension administrator.
Shuaibu is being prosecuted along with 39 others for the scam.
The document revealed the complicity of some banks in the mess in the pension office.
The driver of Dr. Shuaibu, named as Lawal Abdullahi, was also indicted. A cheque book of a non-functioning filling station, which Shuaibu allegedly used to siphon the N1.54 billion was found in the driver’s house in Gwagwalada, a suburb of Abuja.
The proof of evidence also indicated that Abdullahi admitted during interrogation by EFCC that on several occasions he collected money on behalf of Shuaibu and handed same to him.
The document showed that Shuaibu was one of the signatories to the pension accounts, the only person that endorsed payment instructions sent to the banks for payments and, who, the banks confirmed payments from.
He was accused of signing and confirming several fraudulent mandates for fictitious contracts, fraudulent collective allowances, re-reimbursement to states, ghost pensioners and other forms of fraudulent activities.
The former pension chief, the document further showed, used the accounts of five people, Abdul Mohammed, Stanley Iwu, Aliyu Bello, Udusegbe Omoefe Eric, and Mrs. Phina Chidi, to siphon the money. These individuals were said to be beneficiaries of some of the fraudulent mandates; and they allegedly confessed to have remitted the proceeds to Shuaibu either directly or indirectly through some of his companies and associates.
Shuaibu’s driver also confessed to have received monies from these five persons severally and handed them to his boss.
One of the companies, Riba-Ile Petroleum Limited, one of the assets recently seized from Shuaibu by the EFCC, is an idle filling station, which bank account the N1.54 billion was launched.
The cheque book of this same account was the one found in Shuaibu’s driver’s house.
“Aliyu Bello and Abdul Mohammed confessed to have remitted the funds to him through Riba-Ile Petroleum Limited while Abdul Mohammed confessed to have remitted some through Smart Investments account on Shuaibu’s directives. Riba-Ile was discovered to have a turnover of over N1,540,000,000 in the account, with several cash deposits, while the filling station of Riba-Ile Petroleum Limited has not been operating,” the document read in part.
It further revealed that the account of the filling station, which cheque book was found in Shuaibu’s house was operated with a fictitious name, another person’s passport, a different person’s signature, but was operated by Shuaibu.
The account officer, Ibrahim Abubakar Sadeeq, in his statement to the EFCC, allegedly admitted that the account was operated by Shuaibu, who usually confirm to him all payments made in and drawn out of the account. He also confessed that he had on several occasions, collected money from  Abdullahi (the driver); and on the directive of Shuaibu, using fictitious names, deposited the funds in the account of Riba-Ile Petroleum Limited.
The EFCC also discovered that the sum of N35 million was paid to Muha Motors through Riba-Ile’s bank account on April 3, 2009. Mohammed Muhamud, the owner of the firm, said in a statement to the EFCC that the amount was paid to him by Shuaibu as part payment for Brifina Hotel.
He told the EFCC that the money was meant for Chief Anthony Azewaputa for the hotel, which is located in Durumi, Abuja.
“Although the total sum of N399 million was said to be the value of Brifina Hotel, and the amount for which it was sold to Shuaibu, investigators traced N359 million as payments made to Azewaputa by Shuaibu through Muhamud in regards to the purchase of Brifina Hotel.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has refuted reports in sections of the media that the Senate had directed the Nigeria Police to probe its former Chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri and the incumbent, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde for wrongdoing in the pension probe.
It said the reports also claimed that the commission had been directed by the Senate to hands off further investigation of pension matters.
In a statement yesterday, the commission, said “these assertions which made banner headlines in some national dailies were gross misrepresentation of what transpired at the public hearing of the Senate Joint Committee on Investigations into Pension Administration on Tuesday, April 17, 2012.”
The EFCC said: “At no time did the Senate committee or the Senate as a whole ordered the police to probe Lamorde and Waziri. Neither did it request the EFCC to hands off pension matters. Reports to the contrary, may have been promoted by interests to achieve certain nefarious ends.”
The statement, which was signed by Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, Acting Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, said Waziri and Lamorde appeared at the hearing in response to invitations by the committee. “For Lamorde, it was his second time. When he first appeared before the committee some weeks back he was confronted with a document that alleged that he collected estacode to travel to the United States (U.S.) for a biometric capturing exercise by the Pension Task Team, a claim which he vehemently denied.
“The EFCC chairman stated that he had never travelled abroad on any biometric capturing assignment neither did he receive any estacode from anybody for that purpose.   Even the head of the Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, who was present on the occasion, confirmed that Lamorde did not travel and did not collect a kobo in estacode,” Uwujaren said.
He said the puzzle over who collected the money was resolved on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 when the chairman of the panel, Senator Aloysius Etok announced that his committee, after careful investigation following Lamorde’s denial of any involvement in collecting estacode for any trip abroad, had found the person that used the name of the EFCC chair to collect estacode for the biometric capturing exercise.
He said Christian Madubuike, an official of the Police Pension Office was unveiled by the committee as the one who received the money that was supposedly meant for the EFCC chairman, according to the claims previously made in documents tendered to the Committee.
And in his open testimony, Madubuike confirmed that his account was used to collect the money listed against the name of Lamorde and that he collected the money and handed same to Mr. John Yusuf, an Assistant Director in the Police Pension Office who is also a member of the Maina-led Pension Task Team.
www.tivyouthcongress.blogspot.comhttp://www.tivyouthcongress.blogspot.com/

CPC supports Buhari’s ambition for 2015

Opposition party, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has thrown its weight behind the ambition of its national Leader, General Muhamadu Buhari to contest the presidential election in 2015.
The presidential Candidate of the CPC in the 2011 general elections, Muhammadu Buhari, reportedly declared his intention to re-contest the seat in the 2015 general elections while addressing the party’s supporters in Kaduna on Thursday.
The two-times presidential aspirant, vowed to continue relevant political activism in the run to the 2015 general elections saying “I am still in until the polity is sanitised and people enjoy the fruits of democracy at all levels of government” he told the party supporters.
The party in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Engineer Rotimi Fashakin on Saturday, affirmed the party’s position on General Buhari’s recent announcement to run in the election and it also declared its readiness to merger with other political parties ahead of the election.
The party in the statement noted that exactly a year ago, General Buhari, after the 2011 presidential election, declared never to contest in subsequent elections again.
But owing to what it described as “the leadership deficit and the truncation of the hope of the common man through the pervasive injustice in the land”, the party’s leadership claim it has brought “immense pressure on General Buhari to rescind his earlier stance on Nigeria’s tempestuous politics”, hence the renewed support from the party.
CPC further argues the relevance of its national leader in the nation’s polity, noting that “the Nigerian nation has been tottering as a result of the besmirched reputation of an inept, dishonest and egregiously incompetent political leadership.”
The party re-affirmed that for as much as General Buhari is granted ‘the enablement by God’; he “shall continue to actively participate in the politics under the Nigerian nation-space.”
Merger talks
The statement also revealed that the CPC is already in merger talks with some political parties ahead of the next general elections, stating that “it is in alliance and possible merger talks with other progressive coalition partners in order to give true meaning to democratic governance within the Nigerian polity.”
It however refused to disclose parties involved in the talks saying that “it is our considered opinion that it would be rather pre-emptive to speculate at this time what the choice of these coalition partners shall be.”
Merger talks between the party-formed in 2010-and the Action congress of Nigeria (ACN) failed to present a joint presidential candidate, weeks ahead of the 2011 presidential elections.

Nation Will Overcome Security, Development Challenges - Jonathan

Abuja — President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday assured Nigerians that the daunting security and development challenges would be overcome with unwavering faith in God.
Jonathan said this at the second Presidential National Prayer Breakfast held at the Banquet hall of the Presidential Villa."Daunting as these challenges may appear, I trust in the efficacy of the Bible truth that the prayers of the righteous avail much."I am confident that Nigeria will emerge from this trying time a stronger, more united, more stable and more prosperous nation."
Jonathan said that Nigerians must live above the primordial diversity tendencies which could only compromise the growth of the nation.
He advised that the people should be guided by the ideal of "justice, equity, selflessness and the fear of God" in all their public or private conduct.
The President enjoined Nigerians to also imbibe the spirit of selfless sacrifice as exemplified by Jesus Christ on the cross."Nigeria can and would only attain the lofty height which God endowed it through natural and human resources, if the citizens are prepared to make sacrifices."
Jonathan warned against the promotion of narrow sectional agenda, saying that this would not add value to national development.
According to him, the prayer breakfast is significant, coming at a period of serious security and religious challenges in the country.
In a sermon titled "The Power of an Altar", the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said that the gathering was a call to "National Altar" to offer prayers for Nigeria to overcome its challenges.
"Nigeria is a great nation endowed with talents but lacking in knowledge; a rich nation with citizens suffering from lack and want,"Oritsejafor, said, likening the present situation of the country to that of the Biblical Israelite, when there was no rain for three years.
Oritsejafor said that Prophet Isaiah offered prayers on an altar to God and there was rain in abundance.
He expressed confidence that the time was ripe for the country to overcome its challenges.
Earlier, the Chaplain of the Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba, recalled that the inaugural breakfast was held following the constitutional crisis after the death of former President Umaru Yar'Adua.
He said that the prayers were held for the purpose of divine guidance and preservation of the country.
Onwuzurumba said that the event had been enlarged by bringing in all stakeholders from the Federal and State governments.
He said that the objectives of the second edition were to pray for peace in the country and for the nation to overcome the post-2011 elections' crisis, which had assumed the new dimension of attacks on innocent citizens and the destruction of property.

Pope appeals for peace in Nigeria and other troubled countries.

Speaking before a crowd of 100,000 in Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square, the pope called for an end to the bloodshed in Syria where fighting continues to claim lives.
“Particularly in Syria, may there be an end to bloodshed and an immediate commitment to the path of respect, dialogue and reconciliation, as called for by the international community,” he said.
The pontiff also voiced hope that the thousands of refugees fleeing the crisis were given help to relieve “their dreadful sufferings.”
Pope Benedict XVI’s comments came as UN peace envoy Kofi Annan said he was shocked at the “unacceptable” escalation of violence in Syria, where 130 people were killed on Saturday in one of the bloodiest days since protests against President Bashar al Assad’s regime erupted in March last year.
At least 11 more people were killed on Sunday as Mr Assad’s regime insisted it would not pull out from cities in Syria unless there were written guarantees from rebels.
Turning to Iraq, the pope encouraged people to “spare no effort in pursuing the path of stability and development,” while also urging Israel and the Palestinians to “courageously take up a new the peace process.”
He also called for peace and stability to return to Mali after a military coup last month and condemned the “savage terrorist attacks” on Christian churches in Nigeria.
“To Nigeria, which in recent times has experienced savage terrorist attacks, may the joy of Easter grant the strength needed to take up anew the building of a society which is peaceful and respectful of the religious freedom of its citizens,” the pope said.
His words came as at least 20 people were killed in northern Nigeria after a car bombing outside a Christian church while an Easter service was being held inside.

A VOICE OF AUGUST I969:-The Pitiably Backward Tiv,THE SITUATION IN TIVLAND.

FELLOW TIV:
 
A Serious Discourse On The Deplorable Plight And Position of Tiv. 
 
No doubt many of you do not know me and will be surprised to be receiving an open letter from me. I hope however, that you will nevertheless give my letter the serious and honest attention it deserves
because I shall be engaging you in a hard-hitting blunt and frank discussion.
I am a young Nigerian who comes from the Tiv tribe. I have written and said quite a lot on Nigeria and the Nigerian war. I have engaged some of the best minds that our country has in numerous debates and have dared to challenge Nigerian genius to procure for our ailing country the kind of diagnosis and prognosis which will cure our country of its correct illness so completely and so permanently that long after we, present generation are gone, posterity will still benefit.
I have on a private basis, and on the official behalf of the Federal Military Government, challenged the wisdom of foreign friends, foreign meddlers, foreign apostles of doom and racial hate, and foreign corrupt organized churches who/which have from their “blameless” ivory towers, questioned and challenged our right, as a people, to make our own unique mistakes and so evolve our own unique experiences and answers to the unique and specific problems which confront us.
Throughout these numerous activities, in my humble way, the most satisfying attempt, has been the
gradual emergence of a definite pattern: - the honest attempt to bring upon the problem at hand, the
hard-nosed objective method of inquiry in which a problem is chewed and churned and thrown this
side up and that side, and then chewed up some more. The inevitable outcome has always been the
total exposure of the problem in its correct and truest form in all its facets and ramifications. Problems so exposed are much easier to solve, because correct and sincere answers can then be much more readily identified.
It is therefore, on this basis of this conviction that I wish to turn my searchlight, for the moment, away from the total Nigerian problem, which has preoccupied my mind for quite sometime, to the specific and particular problem of the Tiv people of Benue-Plateau State, Nigeria.
I have very little time to engage or answer to those who may question the wisdom of my decision to
spotlight the Tiv problem, neither am I really disturbed by the possibility of being called a tribal, by those who will choose to misunderstand my actions.
To these people, and those who may honestly be wondering, I wish to give the following brief facts:
(1) Nigeria, our beloved country, is a tribal society. The duty of true men of intellect is not to deny
the existence of these tribes with their strong, ethnic and idiosyncratic affinities. Their duty is
to study these tribes, understand them and on the basis of such knowledge, recommend the best
system which will foster the utilization of the immense tribal energy for [a} the rapid
procurement of improved social amenities to the greatest number possible and [b] the evolution
of a truer and more embracing national destiny to which all tribal destinies will be subservient.
To achieve these goals one does not have to become an Ostrich and deny that one is a
tribesman nor pretend that Nigeria is not made up of tribes. I confess most proudly that
patrilineally, I am a Tiv tribesman, but I am a most dedicated Nigerian nationalist and all my
tribesmen are fiercely sincere in their conviction and commitment to Nigeria, I find nothing
unhealthy, strange nor contradictory in this situation at all.
(2) Social mobility and technological advancement in our country are at a primordial level. This
fact (coupled with the fact that Nigeria is a tribal society) has pushed most Nigerians to
entrench their psychological, as well as their economic and social roots within the area
domiciled by their tribe. Thus, it is a fact that our Nigeria is basically a tribal society even by
physical settlement i.e. by habitation. My father and mother, brothers and sisters and so on
reside in Tiv division of Benue-Plateau State. Hence my true home (at least psychologically) is
back there. It seems therefore reasonable for me to yearn for social improvement in Tiv
Division where my home is. When I see all the hospitals in Lagos, the fantastic industrial
establishment which as well as providing jobs, has brought the people of this area in direct
contact with foreigners who have added to the advancement of Nigerians resident there, and
when I contemplate the simple social amenities which by and large, are taken for granted here,
such as pipe borne water, electricity, good roads, durable homes and so on; and when I meet
essentially similar such Government and Private amenities which are totally absent in Tiv
Division, in numerous other places in Nigeria, I am disturbed about “back home.” Sometimes I
become so confused that I wonder if the Tiv villages (including our headquarters Gboko), are
really places in the same country as towns such as Ibadan, Owo, Benin, Kano, Kaduna, Jos, or
even much smaller towns like Ikenne. Thus concern over this deplorable and totally
unacceptable social conditions has forced me to descend from my comfortable ivory tower in
Lagos and speak frankly with and to, the Tiv people by demanding that they face up to the
harsh reality of their miserable backwardness and do something about it. This is not an
academic problem to me. It couldn’t, because as a Tiv tribesman, I need must return home
periodically to visit the old folks back home. Thus even if I did not suffer the psychological
pain of the backwardness of the Tiv people, I would have suffered, willy-nilly, the physical tortures emanating from the deplorable state of affairs, “back home.” Thus if I appear too
serious and too specifically pre-occupied with Tiv, it is because I am tired of the silence about
the miserable backwardness and the undeniable neglect and exploitation of the “fatalistic” Tiv
in our beloved country, Nigeria, by both the Governments which ruled this country, the
civilizing do-gooders of various religious convictions and tragically enough, by most of those
Tiv who belonged to that unique and illusive group of false apostles-politicians of the First
Republic!
(3) I believe in earnest, that my open letter is in the direction of the overall interests of our great
country, Nigeria. This letter will actually complement and consolidate the efforts, which the
Federal Military Government is making to keep Nigeria one and to evolve a healthier and fairer
Nigeria. True and constructive discussions, in the long run, benefit humanity more than deceits.
It is a fact that a great number of the young Tiv – whether they be in the hot humid trenches of
the East Central State, making the ultimate sacrifice: the offering of their lives, in order to
consolidate multi-nationalism in the context of one sovereign Nigeria; or whether they are at
universities; or in jobs; or secondary schools; or anywhere else – are beginning to question,
seriously, what has happened to their land. Some have lost hope in procuring any improvement
in the status quo and are surmising publicly, just like Edward Kennedy, whether indeed the Tiv,
as a people, “are cursed” in Nigeria. These questions have arisen from the numerous
frustrations to which their land was subjected during the era of European rule and party politics
in Nigeria. Some of them are beginning to loose hope that even today, after three years of
military regime, their land has not seen and is not likely to see the minimum of those
transformations which will make them forget the excesses and injustices of the past era in
which social ills were perpetrated against them either by default and neglect, or as a form of
political punishment. These doubts and uncertainties tend to produce despondency. This letter
to all Tiv is designed to foster a new and more creative feeling than that of despondency. The
aim is to suggest new horizons, new attempts and new dreams for the Tiv to digest. Pessimism
is a negative philosophy, which will not help our backward social position in Nigeria. The Tiv
must reject pessimism because this negative effect could well frustrate the commendable
efforts which all of us Nigerians are making in order to create a more just and more honorable
country for all of us tribesmen and for posterity. What the Tiv must do is to take advantage of
the military intervention in government, and reorganize his home in a way, which will
maximize the rapid social development of his home through his personal effort, as well as the
effort of a government he supports, and helps to maintain in power. This, he should do now
before party politicians return to pick up once again their exploitation of the Tiv. Military rulers
are not party politicians and they cannot be hampered by political deals in which the interest of
the greatest number of ordinary people are sacrificed on the altar of personal aggrandizement
and party ideologies. Surely, the Military Government cannot refuse the Tiv, a just request for
more rapid social upliftment and direct participation in the benefits of Nigeria’s rising
standards of living.
In summary then, this letter is designed to channel the collective frustrations of the Tiv people –
soldiers alike, towards more creative and, constructive undertakings which of a necessity will forestall
any defeatists adventurism that though sterile, and non-productive, would seriously undermine the
efforts of the Federal Military Government and those of the rest of us Nigerians in our time of crises.
This seems to me, to be a worthy national service to be undertaken urgently.
Having established the rationale for my action, I wish to continue to address all my fellow Tiv now on our basic problems.The first problem is to get all of us to accept intellectually, the simple fact that the Tiv are backward within the Nigerian context. Next factors conceived as being responsible for our backwardness will be presented in a way, which shall also portray some of the reasonably just grievances of the Tiv people.
Finally, I shall offer suggestions for arresting the downward trend of the Tiv and then advance definite ad ministrant re-organizations, which I feel we should adopt. These suggestions will aim principally at rectifying the just grievances of Tiv and at procuring, for the greatest number of Tiv greater participation in the governmental decisions which have affected their lives in addition to improving their chances of becoming better informed and receiving more social amenities. Let us debate all these issues sincerely.

PLEASE WELL THINKING CONGRESS YOUTHS OF THE TIV NATION WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Drama, Comedy, Intrigues, Mark Star Quest ... As Auditions Wrap Up in Makurdi And Enugu

It may still be early days yet, but if the indications from the regional auditions of Star Quest in Enugu and Makurdi are anything to go by, then we are in for a more exciting edition of Nigeria’s only band-based music talent hunt reality show this year.

Indeed, it has been a harvest of talents, as some of the country’s brightest hopes in music turned up for the auditions that started February 21 in Makurdi and then moved over to Enugu.

In Makurdi, capital of Benue State, it was almost as if the indigenes had a point to prove with Star Quest. In spite of churning out some of the best musicians and artistes in the country, Benue State has never really been given credit for its contribution to the music industry in the country. Artistes like Bongus Ikwue, Tu Face Idibia, Zule Zu, Zaaki Adzee and a host of others all hail from Benue State. Yet Lagos and other states continue to dominate the music scene in the country. All that may soon be a thing of the past given the impressive performance of aspiring Star Quest participants in Benue State. They truly gave a performance worthy of commendation, and even the celebrity judges comprising Paul Play Dairo, Waje and KC of the KC Presh fame could not help but acknowledge the talents inherent in the state. But it was however not a solely Benue affair. The Benue Hotel, Makurdi, venue had participants from other states including Nasarawa, Jos, Abuja and as far as Enugu state making it to the auditions. They all trooped to venue seeking to impress the judges and indeed, some of them did.

Enugu also did not disappoint. The state, home of Waje, one of the celebrity judges in this year’s Star Quest and also one of Nigeria’s fast rising female vocalist, hosted aspiring music stars from some other states in the Eastern bloc of the country. For Waje, it was a delightful home coming. “I have really been impressed with the array of talents that we saw during the two-day audition. It’s a far cry for when people like us started and I am truly proud of Enugu,” she stated.

In the Enugu auditions, one trend that is peculiar there is that most of the rejected contestants from last year’s edition dominated the list of qualifiers for this year. Could the rejected stone finally prove to be the corner chief stone? Only time will tell.

But beyond the talents, Star Quest 2012 also has its fair share of humour. Some of the people who turned up for the auditions ended up showing more talent in comedy than singing. Take Isaiah Ogbonna for instance. The Enugu born fellow was one of the first to arrive the audition venue in Makurdi. Perhaps his quirky costume should have served as a warning that music-comedy was what his specialty. From the moment he began singing, the entire audience and even the judges burst into laughter. At some point, the audience joined in the chorus of the song, which he claimed to have composed himself. The laughter did not subside even after Isaiah exited the stage. There were many more like him at the Makurdi auditions.

Enugu did not prove too different in that wise. Though Enugu produced its own share impressive singers, it also had its share of hilarious comedians. John Chukwu, the very first person to be auditioned in Enugu set the ball rolling. After missing his lines following several attempts, the University Of Nigerian undergraduate finally blurted out: “I am actually a comedian. This is not really my field of specialization in entertainment. In fact, I think I should be given a round of applause for attempting to sing.” Of course, the judges were delirious with laughter at that point.

Meanwhile the qualifiers from the two regions are already scheming and plotting even as they get set for the grand auditions in Lagos. Conscious of the fact that they will be given the freedom to form a band of six members should they make it past the grand auditions, some of the qualified participants are seeking out the best possible assemblage of singing talents amongst them. They would then approach their targets (if they are convinced that he or she has every chance to go all the way) with an offer to form a band should they make it past the grand auditions. Though, there are no guarantees as to whether any of the parties will keep to their end of the bargain, for the schemers it is worth a try, rather than leave their chances to fate.  Still, they must all make it past the grand auditions if their plans will have any meaning at all.

With the abundance of singing talents recorded from the auditions in Makurdi and Enugu, more should be expected at the Benin and Lagos auditions. According to KC, one of the duo of KC Presh, the first winners of Star Quest, Lagos and Benin will witness even more talented individuals. “Well, Enugu and Makurdi was fine, but we have high expectations from Lagos. Those areas have always been a hotbed of talents in Star Quest. Trust me, I once participated in this event and I know what it’s all about,” he said.

In all, 55 qualifiers will emerge from Makurdi, Enugu, Benin and Lagios. These 55 will then go through a grand audition in Lagos in determine the final 36 qualifiers to enter the Star Fameland.

In Star Fameland, they will be allowed to form six groups combining six group members each, without the interference of the organizers. Each of the bands will be groomed by some of the best hands in the country’s music industry. They will then go head-to-head against each other to determine which group makes it through via audience votes.

A staggering prize of N7.5m worth of recording contract, N600, 000 for each of the six members of the band, a brand new SUV, one year free accommodation in a choice location in Lagos stocked with the latest in music equipment, awaits the winning band.

In addition, the band will get the chance of participating in Star Mega Jam and Star Trek, two of the biggest musical concerts in the country.

UNITED KINGDOM AND THE UNITED STATE OF AMERICA WARNS ON EARSTER ATTACK IN NIGERIA.

 Nigeria is facing a "high risk" of a terrorist attack over the Easter holiday, the United Kingdom warned its citizens on Thursday, as the US issued a similar warning to those living in the West African nation that sees near-daily attacks by a radical Islamist sect.
The UK foreign office and the US embassy in Nigeria's capital Abuja issued the updated travel warnings on Thursday, noting that a radical Islamist sect in Nigeria known as Boko Haram carried out attacks on Christmas Day.
A sect-claimed car bombing at a Catholic church outside of Abuja that day killed at least 44 people.
The UK also advised its citizens to avoid travel to Borno, Niger, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Yobe states, part of Nigeria's Muslim north.
"There is a high threat of terrorist attack during religious festivals," the UK warning read.
The US warning noted the near-daily attacks now hitting Nigeria and that there have been "continued threats, including several that mention US interests".
The warning also noted that personnel from the US embassy no longer travel to northern Nigeria, a rule put in place after a Boko Haram attack on the city of Kano in January killed at least 185 people.
"The US embassy continues to monitor closely the ongoing threats posed by Nigerian extremist and criminal groups, and their stated intentions to carry out attacks against the Nigerian government and western interests and targets in Nigeria," the message read.
Boko Haram, whose name means "Western education is sacrilege" in the Hausa language of Nigeria's north, is waging an increasingly bloody fight with security agencies and the public.
More than 380 people have been killed in violence blamed on the sect this year alone, according to an AP count.
The sect, employing suicide bombers and assault-rifle shootouts, has attacked both Christians and Muslims, as well as the United Nations' headquarters in Nigeria.
The sect has rejected efforts to begin indirect peace talks with Nigeria's government. Its demands include the introduction of strict Shariah law across the country, even in Christian areas, and the release of all imprisoned followers.
The sect was blamed for an attack Wednesday on a market in the northeast city of Maiduguri that killed at least seven Christian traders there.