First Lady Patience Jonathan Shuts Down Abuja With Rent-A-Crowd Rally To Kickstart President Jonathan's Campaign For 2015 Election

The Nigerian women under the auspices of Nigerian Council of Women Society (NCWS) today organized a mass rally in support of the President Goodluck Jonathan towards the 2015 general election. The rally which was tagged “Celebration of Nigerian Women for Peace and Empowerment” witnessed by various women across most nigerian states was heralded by a motorized mass rally from Old Parade Ground area 10 through designated route started at 7.00am with the campaign posters of the President Goodluck Jonathan on each truck used by the women and some men. The city of Abuja was shut down as business activities were grounded to a halt due the blockage of routes by security agencies. All roads from Berger Junction, Central Business Area, and Secretariat were blocked for the rally, which has led to the traffic snarl in the city. The rally, which is expected end at the Eagle Square later today has continued as at the time of filing this report. We gathered that the rally was funded by the first lady and several ministers as well as some state governors loyal to the president. To cap the activities of the day an elaborate dinner party is slated for the International Conference Centre tonight. The event which will also feature performances by popular musical artistes including Onyeka Onwenu, Yinka Ayefele, Iyanya, Sani Danja and several nigerian comedians.

Obasanjo Says Atiku, Tinubu, Alamieyeseigha, Ibori, Igbinedion, Buhari Bad examples

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday assessed the younger generation of leaders in the country. His verdict: They have failed the citizenry. Obasanjo spoke at the fourth Ibadan Sustainable Development Summit organised by the Centre for Sustainable Development, University of Ibadan (UI), in collaboration with the African Sustainable Development Network. According to Obasanjo, the performance of the current younger generation of leaders has not been impressive, particularly in terms of integrity. He specifically named his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar; former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu; ex-Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Salisu Buhari; former Bayelsa State governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and others as examples of younger generation of leaders who failed the country. “During my administration as president, we had some people who were under 50 years in leadership positions. One of them was James Ibori, where is he today? One of them was Alamieyeseigha, where is he today? Lucky Igbinedion, where is he today? The youngest was the Speaker, Buhari, you can still recall what happened to him. You said Bola Tinubu is your master. What Buhari did was not anything worse than what Bola Tinubu did. “We got them impeached. But in this part of the world, some people covered up the other man. The man claimed he went to Government College, Ibadan, but the governor went to Government College and packed all the documents so that they would not know that he did not go there. “I wanted someone who would succeed me so I took Atiku. Within a year, I started seeing the type of man Atiku is. And you want me to get him there? “I once went to Tanzania because Julius Nyerere recognised Biafra. He told me not to mind his aides and others in government. They would say they have one house in town but their five-year-old sons and daughters would have houses all over. “Some of you who are condemning the leadership would get there tomorrow and it will be a different story. Only very few are actually good. “From Abacha, my predecessor, we got $750 million. Through our lawyer in Switzerland, we recovered another $1.25 billion and the lawyer still said there was probably still another $1 billion to be recovered. In 1979, we had 20 new ships specially built for Nigeria. When I came back 20 years after, the national shipping line had liquidated. “The whole thing is not just about leadership. If we talk about good leadership, you should also talk about good followers. If you talk about human rights, you should also talk about human duties and obligations.” He lamented that despite the nation’s 53 years of independence, Nigeria has no leader that the citizens could commend. “By implication, we are jinxed and cursed; we should all go to hell. The problem in Africa is that when one person takes over, he would not see any good thing that his predecessor did. Let us condemn but with caution,” he said. In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, UI, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said the situation in the already factionalised Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) where 35 people found it hard to elect a leader called for concern on how the 2015 elections would be. Discussants from the Institute of Sustainability and Peace, the United Nations University, Tokyo, Dr. Obijiofor Aginam and Prof. Mojeed Alabi, both lamented that the task of leadership in Africa had been very challenging. They added that Africans had been so unfortunate in terms of leadership.

Kindergarten Presidency: Go to court – APC tells Jonathan

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked President Goodluck Jonathan to go to court if he felt libelled by the description of his presidency as a kindergarten presidency by the Interim National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande. In a statement issued in Accra on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Chief Akande merely told the truth by his characterization of the Jonathan presidency, adding ”Isn’t truth a defence to libel?” It also said there was nothing strange or wrong in criticizing a democratically-elected President, after all he is neither an Imperial President, a Monarchy nor an emperor. APC said nothing confirmed Chief Akande’s assertion that Jonathan is running a kindergarten presidency than the crude manner it (presidency) responded to the frank but constructive criticism by the APC National Chairman. ”In the true character of this presidency, its increasingly irreverent and undignified spokesman failed to respond to the issues raised by Chief Akande, and instead chose to haul abuses at a man who is old enough to be his father. Such irresponsible act does no credit to the spokesman or the president he is serving, and Nigerians will definitely not forget such crudity in a hurry. ”Where is the presidency’s response to Chief Akande’s assertion that he has written two letters to the President over the serious challenges facing the country, without getting a response? Where is the presidency’s response to Chief Akande’s assertion that President Jonathan is witch-hunting political opponents? These are the issues that Nigerians are interested in, not how many hours the President sleeps at night because he is supposedly working tirelessly. ”In any case, if indeed this President is working tirelessly, we need to ask who he is working for, because Nigerians have yet to feel the impact of his administration. They are also not interested in the fact that the President once served as a deputy governor, governor and Vice President, because the experiences he supposedly garnered from doing so have not impacted positively on his duty as President. That’s not a surprise, considering that the President owes his meteoric rise in politics to luck and destiny. Nothing else!” the party said It described the presidency as an under-achieving one, always eager to celebrate tokenism, using questionable statistics. ”As the presidency was composing its empty response to the serious issues raised by our highly-respected Chairman, the African Development Bank was saying in its annual report (African Economic Outlook), quoted by the local media on Sunday, that the proportion of people (Nigerians) living below the national poverty line has worsened from 65.5 per cent in 1996 to 69.0 per cent in 2010, most of those years under the PDP and the last four under President Jonathan. ”What therefore is there to celebrate in a presidency under which power generation has fallen to 2,500MW? What is there to celebrate in a presidency that has only given Nigerians widespread insecurity, unemployment, dilapidated infrastructure, oil theft and unbridled corruption. Of what use is the touted 6% increase in the GDP when over 40% of our youth are unemployed? APC queried The party described as a figment of the presidency’s imagination the claim of a feud between its leaders, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, saying the PDP and the presidency have been peddling lies over a phantom feud because they could not fathom how the leadership of the APC could put national interest above personal considerations. ”Mr. President, don’t let your lick-spittle aides deceive you. There is absolutely no feud between the two leaders. Waiting for such a feud is like ‘Waiting for Godot’.” it said.

Obj, Amaechi meet Over Rivers Crisis

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo today in Abuja met with Rivers State Governor, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, over the lingering political crisis in the latter’s state. Amaechi’s meeting with Obasanjo came few hours before governors elected on the platform of Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) met with President Goodluck Jonathan. Pointblanknews.com gathered that Amaechi’s meeting with the former president was a continuation of a meeting, last month, between Obasanjo and five governors from the north. Governors Rabi’u Musa Kwakwanso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako(Adamawa), and Isa Yuguda (Bauchi) had last month met with Obasanjo in his Abeokuta home. The quintet had followed up the Abeokuta meeting with a secret meeting, two weeks ago, with President Jonathan in Abuja. Sources close to today’s meeting confirmed that Obasanjo had promised the five governors to meet Amaechi and seek ways to bring peace to Rivers State. Ironically, Obasanjo was president in 2007 when PDP denied Amaechi the right to fly its flag as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State. Sources also told Pointblanknews.com that the PDP governors will at tonight’s meeting, among other demands, seek the removal of their national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

Boko Haram Kills 44 Inside Mosque

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Suspected Islamic militants wearing army fatigues gunned down 44 people praying at a mosque in northeast Nigeria, while another 12 civilians died in an apparently simultaneous attack, security agents said Monday. Sunday’s attacks were the latest in a slew of violence blamed on religious extremists in this West African oil producer, where the radical Boko Haram group, which wants to oust the government and impose Islamic law, poses the greatest security threat in years. It was not immediately clear why the Islamic Boko Haram would have killed worshipping Muslims, but the group has in the past attacked mosques whose clerics have spoken out against religious extremism. Boko Haram also has attacked Christians outside churches and teachers and schoolchildren, as well as government and military targets. Since 2010, the militants have been blamed for the killings of more than 1,700 people, according to a count by The Associated Press. The news about Sunday’s violence in Borno state, one of three in the northeast under a military state of emergency, came as journalists received a video featuring Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, who gloats over recent attacks, threatens more, and even says his group is now strong enough to go after the United States. The mosque slayings occurred Sunday morning in Konduga town, 35 kilometers (22 miles) outside Maiduguri, the capital of Nigeria’s Borno state. A state security service agent and Usman Musa, a member of a civilian militia that works with the military, said Monday they counted the bodies at the mosque after the attack. Musa said four members of his group — known as the Civilian Joint Task Force —also were killed when they reached Konduga and encountered “fierce resistance from heavily armed terrorists.” Musa and the security service agent said the attackers wore military camouflage uniforms used by the Nigerian army, which they may have acquired in one of their attacks on military bases. On their way back from Konduga, the security forces came upon the scene of another attack at Ngom village, 5 kilometers (3 miles) outside Maiduguri, where Musa said he counted 12 bodies of civilians. Twenty-six worshippers at the mosque were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, said a security guard at the emergency ward of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital. He and the state security agent both spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to give information to reporters. Nigeria declared a state of emergency in much of the northeast on May 14 to fight the onslaught after Boko Haram fighters took over several northeastern towns and villages in this nation of more than 160 million people, which is divided almost equally between the predominantly Muslim north and the mainly Christian south. In the video received by journalists Monday, Shekau brushes off any gains asserted by the security forces. “You soldiers have claimed that you are powerful, that we have been defeated, that we are mad people,” Shekau says, speaking in the local Hausa language. “But how can a mad man successfully coordinate recent attacks in Gamboru, in Malam Fatori, slaughter people in Biu, kill in Gwoza and in Bama, where soldiers fled under our heavy fire power? “We have killed countless soldiers and we are going to kill more.” He further insists the extremists’ “strength and firepower has surpassed that of Nigeria. … We can now comfortably confront the United States of America.” Shekau also said Nigeria’s military is “lying to the world” about its casualties. “They lied that they have killed our members, but we are the ones that have killed the soldiers.” He apparently was referring to Aug. 4 attacks on a military base at Malam Fatori and a police outpost in Bama, both near the border with Cameroon. Joint Task Force spokesman Lt. Col. Sagir Musa told reporters 32 extremists, two soldiers and one police officer were killed. But when the Borno state governor called on the head of the task force to commiserate, Maj. Gen. Jah Ewansiah told him in front of reporters that they lost 12 soldiers and seven policemen. Nigeria’s military regularly lowballs casualty figures of civilians and military. Under orders from the military, cellphone and Internet service has been cut in Borno, making communications difficult. The military says the extremists were using cellphones to coordinate attacks. But some government officials argue that the lack of communication prevents civilians from informing them of suspicious movements and getting help when they are attacked.

US Embassy introduces drop box for visa renewals

The House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs has proposed a review of the country's immigration laws as well as its bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom. This came on the heels of the decision by the UK government to impose a £3,000 Visa Bond on Nigerians travelling to that country. However, the United States Embassy in Abuja, has introduced drop boxes for visa renewals for applicants to reduce wait times and eliminate the need to appear in person for renewals. The visa bond is part of measures by the UK to tighten its immigration laws to discourage migrants from certain countries moving into the UK to live and work. The Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje, described the policy as discriminatory given the fact that it was targeted at Nigeria and other non-white Commonwealth countries. The other commonwealth countries targeted are India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Available data shows that the citizens of these countries applied for more than half a million visas to Britain in 2012 alone. Elendu-Ukeje observed that apart from being discriminatory, the policy was a political and economic tool which the UK wants to use to safeguard British jobs in the face of the economic recession in Europe. In an interview with journalists at the weekend, Elendu- Ukeje said Nigeria must be proactive in its response to the policy. Nigeria, she said, might have to review its immigration laws to also streamline the influx of foreigners into the country and ensure that it pursued economic policies that did not only create employment but safeguarded the jobs for Nigerians. She also charged the federal government to take a second look at its policy on Foreign Direct Investment (FDIs) to ensure that Nigeria was not shortchanged in the various deals. “Our position has been that it is discriminatory and targeted at non-white Commonwealth states. We also feel that with our long term relationship with Britain, we should not have been singled out for such treatment. Now, the UK has decided to go on with the policy. “Our last discussion with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on this matter was to ask the minister to come up with a proactive measures in the event that it was actually activated. This is a call to look critically at our Local Content Act and Indigenisation Act to ensure that they protect Nigerian jobs for Nigerians. “They have said by 2015, they want only 100,000 immigrants in their country and by last year, the British had 160,000 visa applications from Nigeria alone. “In fairness to them, it was touted to be political tool and intended to strengthen their immigration law primarily because Europe has faced economic down turn in the last 10 years. “For them it is a way to protect British jobs, but we should also learn some lessons from this policy. Aside the issue of reciprocity which is a part of international diplomacy, we must start to take a critical look at the agreements we sign with other countries and tighten our immigration laws, so that we can protect Nigerian jobs for Nigerians too,” she said. The British Home Office recently confirmed that it would demand a £3,000 ($4,630) refundable bond for visas for “high-risk” visitors from six former colonies in Africa and Asia as from November. In a statement, the Home Office said that it would go ahead with the pilot scheme despite the outrage, charges of discrimination and warnings of retaliation from Nigeria and other countries. Meanwhile, the US Embassy has also promised to introduce the innovative service at its Consulate in Lagos. The Head, Visa Section of the Embassy in Abuja, Ms. Carol Cox, while speaking at a recent briefing in Abuja, said applicants, however, have to ensure that they submit all the required documents in their application packages. She also clarified that the service could not be used for children as their fingerprints need to be taken with each application. "An officer would be posted to the front of the embassy, and will help check that the applicant has all the required documents and is qualified. He/She will not need to undergo the interview process but would simply pick up his/her visa at the designated center," Cox added. The embassy has been able to significantly reduce visa appointment wait times to less than six months. Before now, an applicant may sometimes have to wait as long as six months to get an appointment. Commenting in an appeal process after visa denial, Cox explained that the US visa application process is very different from that of the United Kingdom. An applicant, after being denied a visa can only reapply and would be asked to provide more information. She cautioned visa applicants against using touts or agents in their application process especially for student visas. Some potential students have been banned from entering the US for visa fraud after they had unknowingly presented fake packages that were given to them by these agents, Cox added.

Money Laundering: UK fines Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank $815,000 – Reuters

Britain’s financial services regulator said on Friday it had fined the UK subsidiary of Nigeria’s Guaranty Trust Bank (GUARANT.LG) (GUARq.L) 525,000 pounds ($815,000) for failing to have adequate controls to prevent money laundering. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that between May 2008 and July 2010, GT Bank UK had failed to assess potential money-laundering risks, screen customers against sanction lists, establish the purpose of the accounts being opened in their London branch or review the activity of “high risk” accounts. “Banks are at the front line in ensuring the proceeds of crime do not enter the UK financial system,” said Tracey McDermott, the FCA’s director of enforcement. “GT Bank’s failures were serious and systemic and resulted in an unacceptable risk of handling the proceeds of crime.” GT Bank UK’s managing director said in a statement: “We have fully co-operated with the FCA in its investigation and we have accepted the findings.” The statement said the lapses occurred early in its set up in Britain and had since been addressed. London has been a favorite money-laundering venue for corrupt Nigerian politicians and criminal gangs. The role of British-based banks was highlighted during the trial and conviction of James Ibori, former governor of Nigeria’s oil-producing Delta state, last year. Ibori and his mistress held accounts at several British banks through which they laundered millions of pounds, it was alleged in the court case. He is serving a 13-year prison sentence for embezzling 50 million pounds of state funds.

Peter Okoye Finally Proposes To Lola Omotayo, With A Brand New Range Rover (See Photos)

Peter Okoye of P Square finally proposed to his long term girlfriend and baby mama, Lola Omotayo yesterday. Peter Okoye proposed with a brand new Range Rover as a gift to Lola Omotayo who has been breeding kids for him. With nice ring like that and a brand new 2013 Range Rover? Will any Woman say no?

Congrats to them.

Delaying cutting the umbilical cord for more than three minutes ‘is better for a baby’s health’

Delaying cutting the umbilical cord is good for a baby’s health, say scientists. Infants’ blood iron levels were better when the cord was clamped later, a review of previous studies showed. Cutting the umbilical cord immediately after birth – currently standard practice – puts the baby at risk of iron deficiency. Leaving the cord attached for a few minutes allows the blood in the cord to transfer to the baby. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is to publish new guidelines next year. In many countries it’s standard practice to clamp the umbilical cord connecting mother and baby less than a minute after birth. But cutting the cord too soon may reduce the amount of blood that passes from mother to baby via the placenta – affecting the baby’s iron stores. On the other hand delayed cord clamping – which is carried out more than a minute after birth – may also slightly increase the risk of jaundice. The World Health Organisation now recommends cord clamping between one and three minutes after birth. The existing guidance on cord-clamping was published in 2007 when the consensus was that cutting the cord immediately was the best option – something which had been the case for decades. But since then researchers have questioned whether that is still the case. The latest study involving 3,911 women and their babies showed clamping the cord later made no difference to the risk of maternal haemorrhaging, blood loss or haemoglobin levels and babies were healthier in a number of respects. When cord cutting was delayed babies had higher haemoglobin levels between one and two days after birth and were less likely to be iron deficient three to six months after birth. Birth weight was also higher with delayed cord clamping. Dr Philippa Middleton, of Adelaide University, said: ‘In light of growing evidence delayed cord clamping increases early haemoglobin concentrations and iron stores in infants, a more liberal approach to delaying clamping of the umbilical cord in healthy babies appears to be warranted.’ Clamping the cord later did lead to a slightly higher number of babies needing treatment for jaundice which is treated by light therapy. Dr Middleton said: ‘The benefits of delayed cord clamping need to be weighed against the small additional risk of jaundice in newborns. ‘Later cord clamping to increase iron stores might be particularly beneficial in settings where severe anaemia is common.’ The study is published in The Cochrane Library.

Nigeria’s Military Discards Boko Haram Amnesty Committee, Seeks New Strategies Against Sect – Security Sources

We have exclusively gathered from a senior military source at Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters that the country’s military high command has formally decided to discard the “peace talks” between the Federal Government and Boko Haram, a militant Islamist sect that has accounted for numerous violent attacks in the northern part of the country. “As far as the military authority is concerned, the activities of the [Federal] government’s Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of the Security Challenges in the North, led by Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, have not achieved the expected result. We are now using new strategies in our operations against Boko Haram,” the source told SaharaReporters. The senior military officer said the military was now re-strategizing its operations and tactics in view of its discovery that the Boko Haram sect was re-grouping and plotting a renewed insurgency with the aid a foreign terrorist network. The source said the military has made it known to the Presidency that the amnesty committee now constitutes a distraction to their counter-insurgency response. “As those who have to fight [Boko Haram] on the ground, we think that the amnesty panel somehow undermines aspects of military operations. That is why the panel can no longer be considered in regards to the situation at hand,” he stated. He said that Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff as well as the heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force, the police and the director-general of the Department of State Security have been briefed on the new development. “They are all on board, and they have all agreed that we need to re-strategize in order to contain the new moves Boko Haram is making.” According to the source, “From our findings and [the] reality of the situation, there cannot be dialogue with these Boko Haram elements. They are only the domestic face of an international terror group that is well-funded, and with organized units charting their interests. That is why we have to re-strategize and continuing our military operations without letting the dialogue stand in our way.” The source added that mixing politics and insurgency challenge questionable policy. “It is not healthy and it greatly undermines military response to an issue that is threatening the sovereignty of the Nigerian state. Boko Haram, from our frank findings, is a domestic face of a global terrorism network. They have organization and tactical support. On what basis do you now dialogue with them?” Asked to elaborate on the international dimension of Boko Haram, the source said: “During the first and second week of the state of emergency, we dismantled their camps and captured their bases in border areas with Niger Republic, Chad and Cameroon. Their coming back in Malum Fatori and other areas shows they have been mobilized beyond the borders of [Nigeria]. They were well armed and more sophisticated than ever before. It is clear they are a local face of something outside, and we must not politicize. Rather we have agreed that the issue should now be faced squarely.”

Jonathan queries CBN Governor over N1b donation to Political Party

In a move that has surprised many, President Goodluck Jonathan has queried the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over various infractions detected in the apex bank’s 2012 audited account. The query, which covered 22 issues bordering on massive fraud at the bank, was sent to the governor on May 6 and the response, though expected back on May 8, was submitted to the President on May 21. The query of the bank’s account, which its auditors, Ernst and Young, passed without officially signing, with only a comment that it complies with the CBN Act, covers issues such as investment of a huge amount of money in an Islamic bank in Malaysia without any guarantee of its generating returns. Others are write-off of about N3.5 billion CBN staff housing loan and the donation of about one billion naira to a political party to open up offices across the country. This donation, which was given under the special access item in the account, is believed to be geared towards furthering Sanusi’s alleged political ambition in the 2015 general elections. The query touched other issues such as refusal of the apex bank to consolidate in its account, the trillion debt owed by the Asset Management Company, AMCON, and the non-disclosure of the total liabilities through the bond floated by the company. The governor was also asked to explain the discrepancies noted in the 2012 account regarding the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, a subsidiary of the apex bank. Other issues include the controversial donations made to some higher institutions in the country. Investigations have shown that some of the donations were inflated in the bank’s books. For example, while the Bayero University Kano, BUK, was said to have collected N4billion, the school authorities claimed it got only N1billion. The apex bank’s account became suspicious when the governor refused to submit it to the Financial Reporting Council, FRC, the body with the mandate to ascertain the compliance of companies with accounting standards, and the International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS. Rather than submitting it to the body, the governor requested for seven years’ grace for the CBNto comply with FRC stipulations. The audit report of the account, which was submitted directly to the President, was later forwarded to the economic adviser to the President for his appraisal. The official okayed the account and noted that it complied with the CBN Act. However, unhappy with the economic adviser’s comment, Jonathan returned the report to him and drew his attention to the refusal of the auditor to sign the account. An official of Institute of Chartered Accountant of Nigeria, ICAN, told our reporter that an audit report is worthless when it does not carry the signature of the auditor. This is not the first time the CBN account will be open to scrutiny but the bank has always hidden under its autonomy to stave off close inspection. The apex bank is on the first line charge and receives its appropriation directly from the federation account and exercises enormous financial autonomy. In May, the public accounts committee of the House of Representatives also had cause to query several expenditure items amounting to N4.7 billion in the CBN accounts. This included the N2.8billion which the bank said it spent on the construction of its Port Harcourt branch. The House in turn had worked with a report from the office of the auditor general of the federation which queried extravagant expenditure by the apex bank for which documents were not made available for verification. Chairman of the House committee on public accounts, Solomon Olamilekan at a meeting with officials of the bank alleged that there were indications that due process was not followed in expenditure as no documents were provided. Some of the transactions that the committee queried include the sums of N23 million and N50claimed to have been spent for the same purpose of renovating the governor’s official residence as well as N848 million spent on the purchase of a property from the National Planning Commission without any transaction agreement. However, like many probes of public institutions by the National Assembly, the matter appears not to have been pursued. The N4 billion donation to BUK questioned in the President’s query had not even been known to the public. What had irked many Nigerians, including federal lawmakers, was the donation earlier in the year of N100 million to victims of terrorism in Kano, Sanusi’s hometown. The House of Representatives entertained a motion on misuse of public funds on the donation which degenerated into a rowdy session. Many members accused Sanusi or misuse of public funds. Member from Yobe State, Goni Lawan, described Sanusi’s donation of N100 million to Kano State and another N25m gift to Madalla bomb blast victims as “an act of terrorism”, arguing that attacks in Yobe and Borno states did not attract the same monetary consolations from the CBN governor. “When I first heard of the action of the CBN governor, I was surprised. I asked whether Yobe andBorno states were not parts of Nigeria, as these attacks took place there first,” Lawan said. Attempts to get the apex bank to react our story were unsuccessful. Over a week ago, when our reporter contacted the corporate affairs director of the CBN, Ugochukwu Okoroafor, and confronted him with the various issues noted in the CBN 2012 audited account, he claimed ignorance of any presidential query to the governor. “I don’t know what donation you are talking about. Was it done in cash? I’m not aware of the things you are saying. If you can provide me with this document that would help, because I haven’t seen it,” he said. Okoroafor said he was out of town on an official assignment in Abia State and would not be back until last weekend. A mail asking him to respond to specific allegations about a write-off of about N3.5 billion CBN staff housing loan, donation of about N1 billion to a political party to open up offices across the country as well as the donation of N4 billion to the Bayero University Kano, among others, has not been replied. Also, reminder text messages to the CBN spokesman have been ignored. > Courtesy International Center for Investigative Reporting ICIR

APC Chieftain Bola Tinubu Brought To His Knees

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the former Governor of Lagos State and a leading founder of the All Progressives Congress, has been absent from public engagements in the past few days because of health issues, the Tinubu Media Office has said. “Based on previous sports injury on one of his knees and recent further aggravation on the knee from rigorous political and family related activities, he has been advised by his Doctors, despite his persistent reluctance that orthopedic surgery is necessary at this time,” the brief statement said today. The surgery will take place this week, and Tinubu will resume normal political activities and public engagements once cleared by his doctors. The statement did not say where the procedure will take place.

SHOCKING: Police IG Storms Rivers State; Shuns Amaechi

Is the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar taking sides with the Presidency against Governor Rotimi Amaechi or what? Despite persistent calls by the governor and a strongly worded resolution by the National Assembly that the Police Commissioner in Rivers be redeployed by the IG, nothing has happened and the man his still in office. Now to the shocker! IG Abubakar stormed Port Harcourt on Monday for a function without even looking at Rivers State government house not to talk of paying Governor Amaechi a courtesy visit. The IG was in the state to inaugurate 100 Prado Sports Utility Vans donated to the nine Niger Delta state Police commands by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. He landed in Port Harcourt, went straight to the venue, commissioned the vehicles and left as if Rivers State no longer has a Chief Security Officer, in the person of Governor Rotimi Amaechi. A top official in Rivers State disclosed that this is not the first time the IG would ignore Amaechi while in the state. He said the IG was in the state few months ago but also did not pay Amaechi a courtesy visit.

Governor Fashola's Father Dead

Pa Ademola Fashola, the biological father of the Lagos State governor,Babatunde Fashola has died at the age of 79 according to family sources. The governor's father passed early today after a prolonged illness that saw him taken to the US for medical treatments last year.

Rivers Crisis: Evans Chindah Family Wants CJ Of Rivers Queried By The NJC

The family of the battered member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Michael Okechukwu Chindah, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in London, has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the “undue interference” of the Chief Judge, Justice Iche Ndu, in the matter. According to a statement by Chief Evans Chindah, older brother of Hon Chindah, the family resorted to the petition against in order to ensure that justice is done in the case which, he said, the Amaechi Government is twisting to give the impression that his brother was at fault and deserved the violence that Hon Chidi Lloyd visited on him. Chief Chindah said his family was particularly surprised and sad that instead of pursuing the course of peace, the Chief Judge and the governor do not want the case to go on, and that the Chief Judge is resorting to underground maneuverings to subvert the course of justice. . He alleged ‘glaring irregularities’ in the case since Hon Lloyd was brought to court, accusing the Chief Judge and the presiding Judge, Justice Letam Nyordee, of trying to defeat justice through the back door. Hon Lloyd was brought to court on a six count charge of conspiracy, attempted murder and aggravated assault among others. Chief Chindah alleged that owing chiefly to the desperation of the Amaechi administration to take control of the case prematurely and free Hon Lloyd, the arraignment ran into a hitch for which the court adjourned the matter to 6th August, 2013 for ruling on the interlocutory argument of whether or not the police can engage a private counsel to prosecute the accused person. “Surprisingly and in a twist of fate, the Chief Judge, the presiding Judge and the State Government unknown to the defense counsel refixed the case to be heard again on the 31st of July, 2013 instead of the 6th of August,” he said. “The court heard and ordered exparte that Hon Lloyd be produced in court by the police, knowing full well that the short notice was inappropriate. As predicted Hon Lloyd was not brought to court and we went home dejected.” Chief Chindah further said he and members of their family are deeply tormented by “this shady development and the desperation of the Rivers State Government to discharge Hon Lloyd at all cost. “This is evident from the premature scramble by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr Worgu Boms to take over the case even before proper arraignment as demonstrated on the first day of the trial,” he declared, pleading with the NJC to call the Rivers State Chief Judge and the presiding Judge to order as justice is not one way traffic. “All sides to the case deserve justice and that is what our family is asking for and no more,” he said.

Leader Of Boko Haram Faction In Official Talks With The Nigerian Gov't Claims Responsibly For Deadly Kano Bombings, Says Abubakar Shekau Still Alive

A leader of the Boko haram faction that has been in negotiations with the Nigerian government appointed "Amnesty Committee " headed by a government minister yesterday declared that his team carried out the deadly Kano bombings that killed over 40 people in the Sabo-Gari area of the Kano. The new leader, Mohammed Marwana released an audio message obtained by Saharareporters. Mr. Marwana's assertions in the audio yesterday added a new twist to the controversy surrounding the authenticity of the faction of the islamist militant group in talks with the federal government and recent claims that the old leader of the groups was deposedafter he was shot. Speaking in Hausa language, Marwana said the Kano bombings was carried out to prove that he is the authentic leader of the sect because people continue to doubt him and his group of negotiators. “I personally instructed the attack in Kano to prove to the world that, I am the real leader of Boko Haram because there have been retrogressive forces on the issue of dialogue, who kept doubting my leadership in the sect. I told them ahead that there will be attack, and it has happened. It is a warning, and we need to say again that we carried out the attacks in Kano”, he said. The man who claimed to have been appointed leader of the sect debunked speculations that the globally known leader of the sect, Imam Abubakar Shekau is dead. Marwana stated that Shekau is alive and that nothing has happened to him except that he lost leadership of the sect. Speaking further in the audio message, he stated, “Shekau is alive contrary to speculations, except that he lost leadership of the sect. I will not tell you where he is, but he is alive, and we talked with him not up to three hours ago, except if he died while I am talking.” There has been controversy regarding authenticity of Marwana as a member of the sect and its leadership, as he was recently dismissed by Imam Shekau in a Youtube video after he claimed that the sect had agreed to cease-fire with Nigerian government. Other credible sources in the know of Boko Haram activities in Borno and Yobe states, expressed doubt over Marwana’s claims as the leader of the sect, our sources separate interviews views Marwana as a stage managed Boko Haram figure created by government officials siphon off millions of dollars designated to ending Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria.

Lagos Deportation: “APC Is Party Of The Wicked”- PDP …Says Nigerians are free in PDP Controlled States

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described as “inhuman, abominable and callous”, the arrest, detention and eventual deportation of 72 indigent Nigerians by the All progressive Congress (APC)-led government of Lagos state, which dumped them at night at the Upper Iweka Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State. Acting National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Barr. Tony Caesar Okeke in a statement said the recent deportation of Anambra state indigenes from Lagos in violation of their constitutionally guaranteed rights to reside in any part of the federation, betrays the wickedness of the APC-led government and shows the party as that of bigots with the agenda to promote sectionalism and stoke the fire of division among Nigerians. The PDP lamented that many of the deportees were unjustly arrested and detained for several months in detention centers before being deported. The PDP said the action of the APC-led Lagos state government is an indication that the APC is an insensitive party that is not interested in national unity and cohesion. It said, “in making helpless Nigerians refugees in their own country, the APC has shown the kind of inhumanity and wickedness that will be meted out on the people” if it is elected into government at any level. “The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has observed with dismay the recent dehumanization of innocent Nigerians by the All progressive Congress (APC)-led government of Lagos state. “The state government under APC Governor Babatunde Fashola, in the most dehumanizing manner, hounded innocent and helpless Nigerians legitimately living in Lagos state and hauled them out of the state like trash just to dump them at night at the Upper Iweka Bridge in Onitsha, Anambra State. “It is public knowledge that these innocent Nigerians were picked up in different locations, detained in different detention centers created by the Lagos state government where they underwent diverse kinds of dehumanization before their deportation. This is apparently responsible for the death of one of them last Saturday. The blood of the dead and that of any other person that dies as a result of this cruel treatment is in Fashola’s hands and no amount of excuses will erase this. “This inhuman, abominable and callous action directly contravenes the Nigerian constitution which in Section 15.3 (b) guarantees full residency rights for every citizen in all parts of the federation”. “In flushing out these innocent Nigerians like illegal immigrants, the APC has shown that it is a party without the milk of human kindness; a party without love; a party with sectional agenda which is not interested in promoting national unity, cohesion and mutual love among Nigerians. “This is indeed a signal; a tip of the iceberg of what to expect from the APC which has started showing its true colours as a party of sectional bigots who have no respect for human dignity, constitutional rights and lacking every sense of brotherliness and national spirit. “It is indeed appalling that instead of apologizing to Nigerians, the APC and its government in Lagos state has remained unfeeling and are even trying to justify this wickedness which has been widely condemned across the country. “Nigerians can now see that those who have been parading themselves as messiahs are indeed the real monsters who will ultimately trample upon them without mercy if allowed to hold power at any level in 2015. What else would one expect from a party whose proponents have the coldheartedness to haul fellow citizens like cattle and dump them at a place like Upper Iweka Bridge in the middle of the night? “We reject the excuses offered by the APC which arrogated itself the powers of the court and branded innocent and helpless citizens, miscreants and criminals; detained and deported them on the ground that it was in the interest of Lagosians. “It is the height of hypocrisy that Lagos state receives with thanks the taxes of all Nigerian citizens resident in Lagos irrespective of state of origin but then turn around to reject and dehumanize them in their time of need.” The PDP urged Nigerians and all lovers of the country to note the actions of the APC led government and ensure that the party is not voted for at any level in the country. It said “the nation risks being balkanized if APC is allowed anywhere near the government at the center.” Noting that “no PDP controlled state has ever engaged in such an unconstitutional and detestable act”, the ruling party said it remains the only true national party capable of securing national cohesion and protecting the rights and interest of all Nigerians at any time and place. It assured Nigerians that they are free to reside and engage in legitimate businesses in all PDP controlled states adding that the PDP will continue to be committed to the welfare of all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations and state of origin.

APGA suspends Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday suspended Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State after accusing him of being involved in anti-party activities. The party voted to remove Okorocha at an emergency National Executive Council meeting which held in Abuja yesterday afternoon following Okorocha’s recent dissolution of his cabinet and alleged membership of the opposition coalition, All Progressives Congress (APC). APGA is accusing him of dissolving his cabinet so he could include more members of the newly registered political party, APC, in his government. “The NEC unanimously resolved to suspend, with immediate effect, the Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okoroacha, from the party for gross anti-party activities, bordering on his involvement with the All Progressives Congress contrary to the clear provisions of the APGA constitution.” The National Vice-Chairman of APGA (South-West), Tayo Sowunm said.

INEC's New Secretary Assumes Office

Mrs Augusta Chinwe Ogakwu Chuks Okocha in Abuja
 Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, Thursday sworn in the first female Secretary of the commission, Mrs Augusta Chinwe Ogakwu, replacing Mallam Abdullahi A. Kaugama who has retired. Speaking at the brief ceremony in Abuja, Jega commended Ogakwu for the manner she performed previous assignments as Director Arbitration and Dispute Resolution (ADR) and Director Legal Services respectively. He said her appointment was coming at a time the commission was restructuring and repositioning for more efficient conduct of electoral duties ahead of the 2015 general election. Ogakwu, whose inauguration coincided with her birthday, pledged to do her best to uphold the dignity of her new office and solicited for full support from the her colleagues to perform her duties well. The new INEC secretary and the boss of The Electoral Institute (TEI), Professor Abubakar Momoh, are to resume duty today. Kaugama, in his brief remark, urged the INEC staff to give his successor maximum support for her to succeed in her assignment.

Emergency FEC Meeting Likely Today

President Goodluck Jonathan Muhammad Bello in Abuja
 President Goodluck Jonathan may have summoned his cabinet for an emergency meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) today barely 48 hours after a similar meeting traditionally held on Wednesdays, took place as scheduled. Although the agenda of the meeting is yet to be known as at press time, a presidency source confirmed that the meeting has been scheduled. There were speculations the FEC meeting may be a prelude to the much-awaited cabinet reshuffle that the president has been contemplating for a long time. Jonathan, amidst speculations on ministers to be dropped in a cabinet shake-up had earlier said his decision to reshuffle his cabinet was not one that would be publicised as he would do it when and if the need arises and at his own discretion. This was however dismissed by the source who said it was not unusual for the president to call for an emergency meeting. "There is no need for the ministers to be jittery or the meeting to be hyped as it is not unusual for the president or any organisation to hold emergency meetings to iron out issues," he said.

IBB, Shettima, Shekarau, Others Applaud APC Registration

General Ibrahim Babangida •Presidency: It will not last Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Aisha Wakaso in Minna, Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano and Michael Olugbode in Maiduguri The registration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a political party continued to generate commendations Thursday as former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida; Borno State Govenor, Kashim Shettima; and former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, joined several others to laud the development, calling it a victory for Nigeria’s democracy. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Wednesday had approved the registration of APC and withdrawal of the certificates of registration of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which had merged to form the new party. With APC’s registration, it effectively paved the way for the emergence of a two-party system in the country and a more vibrant opposition that can challenge the dominance of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But despite the excitement that has trailed the registration of APC, the presidency scoffed at the emergence of the new party, predicting, “It would not last.” In his comments on the registration of APC, Babangida said it would usher an era of vibrant politicking in the country, noting that he had always been an advocate of two-party system. “We will now see more vibrant activities of political parties in the country. Every political party will have to work harder as they will want to sell their candidates to the people. “I have always been and I will continue to be a strong believer of the two-party system in the country. And I have said it several times, just like the Peoples Democratic Party itself, that the coming on board of APC is a welcome development and with the registration of the party, we will now have vibrant political associations in the polity. “Also as citizens, you would have the choice to join any political party of your choice,” he stated. Babangida, who spoke at his hilltop residence in Minna yesterday while hosting the Governing Council of the National Examinations Council (NECO) led by its Chairman, Dr. Paddy Njoku, said though there are other parties, Nigeria now has two strong political parties to compete and convince Nigerians on which of them is the better option. The former military president said the two major parties would have to work hard to sell their candidates to the citizens, as the people now have strong options to choose from. Though he refused to comment on the 2015 elections, Babangida called on the electorate to protect their votes and urged them to make the right choice. He also enjoined Nigerians not to condemn the activities of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which embarked on a strike, adding that ASUU members have the interest of the nation at heart. “I think that they do have national interest at heart, but to be honest with you I think they should not give up in their negotiations with the government and as much as possible let the public understand the issues at stake,” he said. Commending the federal government’s efforts at resolving the crisis, Babangida said the government was working hard to ensure that the matter is resolved soon. Earlier, the NECO governing council chairman, Dr. Njoku, said the examination body had re-positioned itself to meet the yearning and aspirations of the Nigerian child by reaching out to all stakeholders including school children so that the council could achieve its mandate. Some chieftains of the APC were also seen at Babangida’s residence in Minna to consult with the elder statesman. Among those who came were the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Masari, who is the Deputy National Chairman of APC; former FCT Minister, Nasir el-Rufai; Senator Nasir Nasif from Bauchi State, and two others. Also speaking on APC’s registration, the Borno State governor said yesterday that the new party needs not be reminded that Nigerians expect a lot from it and that its leaders should strive exceptionally hard to show to the people of the country that it is out to make a difference. The governor said the first task before the new party is to quickly convince Nigerians that the quality of governance would be greatly improved to better the lives of all Nigerians regardless of their ethno-religious and socio-political affiliations. In a statement by his Special Adviser Communications, Isa Gusau, Shettima said with the calibre of credible political leaders, highly respected technocrats, academics, successful captains of industry and rights activists associated with the party, “Nigerians expect prompt indication that the party is coming up with something new to turn the fortunes of the country for the better for all Nigerians. “Accordingly, such leaders and members must now begin to think critically ahead of formal engagements with Nigerians.” The governor congratulated the leaders, members and supporters of APC who had worked tirelessly to create an alternative platform to deepen the country’s democratic process. He also congratulated INEC for once again earning the confidence of Nigerians and reaffirming the people’s abiding fate in the electoral process. On his part, Shekarau congratulated Nigerians and members of APC for the registration of the party. In a statement issued by his media aide, Malam Sule Yau Sule, the former governor said INEC had proved to Nigerians that it is working to promote democracy and stands by the provisions of the constitution. He assured Nigerians that APC would be the alternative party they are yearning for that will eventually bring about the change most Nigerians have been clamouring for. In a similar statement from the chieftain of the APC and one time presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct Nigerian Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Othman Tofa, he said INEC deserves to be commended for its bold decision to register APC despite what he called “pressure from powerful corners”. Tofa in a statement made available to THISDAY in Kano, added: “I would like to extend my congratulations to all the leaders and the parties that courageously merged together to form the new All Progressives Congress. “I must also congratulate INEC for their sense of justice and patriotism, who despite pressure from many powerful corners, summoned the courage to do the right thing. I do hope that INEC will be similarly sincere in conducting all future elections as this is even more crucial to our survival as a country.” The presidency, however, was of the opinion that the celebrations over the registration of APC as a political party may be premature and predicted that the party would have a short shelf life. The presidency also expressed confidence that President Goodluck Jonathan would defeat the presidential candidate of APC, as the leaders of the new party are politicians that had been roundly defeated in the past. Speaking with reporters yesterday on the implication of APC’s registration, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, said APC would not last for a long time because the foundation on which it is structured is wrong. “The combination is faulty, the ideologies are not clearly defined, the competition would not be intense when the time really comes, so we do not really take this as a very serious opposition. “These are people that were beaten individually before and collectively we will defeat them randomly. There will still be other parties, there will still be other tendencies; I don’t think we are at that stage of a two-party system or even moving close to one. “For us this a good thing, it is a great development. I don’t know whether the opposition is credible enough, I cannot attest to that, but at least you know what we have is we’ve had political parties that have been inept previously that have been extremely weak and of no serious political importance before. “And now they have come together under one umbrella attempting to challenge the status quo. We will see how far they can go,” he stated. Okupe described the registration of APC as perhaps the most eloquent testimony of the openness, transparency, honesty and political liberalism of the Jonathan administration According to the presidential aide, “ This would not have happened under many Africa presidents, especially when it was obvious to those who care to study the situation properly that there were obvious hurdles and obstacles to that registration, which could have been exploited and could have been amplified and could have been used by people of lesser integrity to frustrate the APC.” He said APC’s registration was a testament that the PDP was not scared of the opposition. “We are not in any way anxious. But we are glad that at least now instead of fighting three or four parties, we can concentrate on one and get it done. But I can assure you that there is nobody in the villa that is worried over the registration,” he maintained. Okupe, who described some members of PDP as dissidents, added: “It is becoming obvious that there are dissidents within the PDP that there is nowhere else for them to go. “That is why you hear everybody saying they are not leaving the PDP. There is nowhere else to go. So it is better to fight and fight inside, it is better to present your case and let it be sorted inside. What you are seeing are clear cut announcements by those who are consulting. “There are more than enough reasons for people to leave, but you know, you don’t leave a winning platform; it is politically suicidal. “You hear from the opposition that 20 or 40 governors will join them, but these are empty boasts and do not hold water. None of these governors as you can see for yourself is prepared to move. “What they are trying to do is to move around and ensure that they are heard and at least maybe some of their demands are met. But nobody is going anywhere because PDP is still the real party to beat.” Okupe also accused some PDP northern governors of nursing an agenda that is different from the president’s agenda, stating: “You must understand that these governors have their own agenda; they have already set the agenda long before now. “They are just using the Rivers State scenario as an excuse. Whatever the agenda is, they know and God knows, but this continuous moves and perambulation show that there are things they are not telling us. “However, it does not really matter, as Nigeria is a free country. You can move around and you can consult around, you can do whatever you want, provided you stay within the law, so what you are seeing is politics, like the president said this is 2015 live.” Okupe also dismissed the perception that there is a crisis in Rivers State, insisting there was none, as no house has been burnt or people prevented from going about their business. “All this talk is just in the imagination of those who want to stoke the fire that does not exist. There is no problem in Rivers State. I have said it and I am saying it again, Amaechi only has a problem with some members of state House of Assembly, which is not strange. “So all the talk about Rivers State and about governors moving all over the place has nothing to do with Rivers State. The state is a political camouflage and you can quote me. “The real thing happening is just intense politicking by people with very serious interests in the polity or who have an agenda they want to make sure it manifests by hook or by crook,” Okupe stated.

“Al Mustapha’s release is a victory for democracy” – Alhaji Adamu Abubakar

Alhaji Adamu Abubakar is a retired Master Warrant Officer 1 in the Nigerian Navy, and had served for 32 years. He served under various VIPs, Minister of Defense and others. Adamu,a well-trained Navy Officer, is the present Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ojoraland, Asiwaju of Arewa, Ajeromi- Ifelodun and Alakoso of Arewa of Alabiayagba. He is a Muslim scholar and a Philanthropist to the core. In this interview with Godday Odidi, he explains why the present Ajeromi- ifelodun Local Government Chairman, Hon Kamal Bayewu has refused to recognize him as the Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun of Ojoraland and other sundry issues. Excerpts: May we meet you Sir? I am Alhaji Adamu Abubakar and popularly called as Navy. I retired as Master Warrant Officer 1 in the Nigerian Navy and meritoriously served for 32 consecutive years. I am from Kano State. I am presently the authentic and recognized Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ojoraland, Asiwaju of Arewa, Ajeromi- Ifelodun and Alakoso of Arewa of Alabiayagba. I was in the intelligence military department and one of those that went to ECOMOG peace-keeping force in Liberia and others. Why did Ajeromi- Ifelodun Chairman refused to recognize you as the Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, Ojoraland? I was coronated as the authentic Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun of Ojoraland by His Royal Majesty (HRM) Aremu. I am one of the Hausa people who have largely contributed to the developmental progress of my people living within Ajeromi- Ifelodun community including politics. I was coronated with a position by His Royal Majesty which caused confusion in Ajeromi- Ifelodun community, but was later resolved. Many of my Hausa prominent sons within the local government resisted my new position and refused to honour me, but it was God that used His Royal Majesty to coronate me. The present Ajeromi- Ifelodun Chairman, Hon. Kamal Bayewu insisted that there was another Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun before I was coronated, so he does not recognize me, but Alhaji Sidi only. My new position was confirmed from Ojora community. I was sent a letter from the Local Government Chairman, Hon Kamal Bayewu which was signed by the council manager which stated that my position is not recognised. Though the problem started when I supported one of the chairmanship aspirants that contested with him in 2012, who later stepped down for him as a result of the order from the National ACN leader, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu. So it was like a pay back, trying to deny. I did not bother because I have nothing to gain from his government because God has enrichly blessed me. I have no dispute with anybody in Ajeromi- Ifelodun. Hon Rabiu Oluwa, the former council chairman and the present ACN Badagry division leader were the people that presented my certificate to me through the order of His Royal Majesty of Ojoraland. Some elements within the local government decided to work against me at all cost through one unlettered Hausa Mallam mogul. If anybody says that I am not a recognized as the Sarkin of Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, he or she must be making a great mistake because I was brought up in Lagos. It was only military assignment that took me out of the state. In fact, all my businesses are in Lagos. How would you rate the present Local Government Chairman, Hon Kamal Bayewu in terms of developmental strides and the performance of ACN in Lagos State? Hon Kamal Bayewu is presently serving his second term in office. Well I would not make any comment on that but ACN is a regional political party which would be known as All Progressives Congress (APC) any moment. In 2015 elections, credible people would be elected into offices and no longer automatic ticket again for corrupt politicians. This automatic ticket in the party has robbed my great people of their visions in recent past years. I am of the opinion that democracy would soon prevail in Ajeromi- Ifelodun and Nigeria. As Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun, What is your leadership challenge? I have no problem with my Hausa community in Ajeromi- Ifelodun. I am the recognized leader of my people. I am directly answerable to His Royal Majesty, Aremu. The major challenge is that some unfaithful elements within my Hausa people are not happy with my position of being the Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun. I did not put myself on the throne. With all the petitions written against me, I still remain the recognized Sarkin Hausawa of Ajeromi- Ifelodun. If the present Chairman does not recognize me today, another new chairman will recognize me because I have contributed to the growth of Ajerom- Ifelodun. There no prominent politician who does not know me in Ajeromi- Ifelodun, except those enemies of progress. Did you support the recent release of Hamza Al- Mustapha ? Yes of course. He was accused of attempted murder, but I thank God that his release appears like a victory for democracy. How would you describe the state of security in Nigeria? Only God will secure Nigeria, not the Federal government. What has been the secret of your success in the Nigerian Navy? Well, I was loyal to those I served and friendly with the civilians too. I was not a rigid person. I played my card well, after service; there is another life to live. I had no problem with the high-ranking officers I served under. Life is all about giving back to the society. I was the person that singlehandedly built some of the notable mosques and did the welcome to Nigerian Navy at the Barracks here which was built in 1962. What is your advice for young people who intended to join the Nigerian Navy? They should learn to be loyal to their boss, and then their promotion would be fully guaranteed. It is loyalty that brought me to this position before my retirement. To God be the glory, I have received several awards in Nigeria.

Moto X 'always listening' phone launched by Google's Motorola

Google-owned Motorola has announced a phone that is "always listening" for the owner's voice commands. Saying "OK Google now..." will prompt the Moto X's Touchless Control system to listen for instructions. The phone will be manufactured in the US, with customers given extensive customisation options. The device is the first to have been designed from scratch since Google's $12.5bn (£7.9bn) takeover of Motorola last year. Industry analysts said the release could prove disruptive to the Android market, as many other manufacturers using Google's operating system are struggling to turn a profit. Motorola CEO Dennis Woodside describes the new features of the Moto X The hardware will be manufactured in the US at a newly-built plant in Texas, making Motorola the latest in a growing number of firms keen to bathe in positive "Made in USA" public relations. It also means customers can change their customisation options - with multiple colourings, and personalised engravings to be on offer. The company said there were over 2,000 possible combinations for what could be created. Gaining control The Moto X is the first handset fully designed by the company since Google took it over in May last year. While the company has released handsets since then, they had all been at least partly in development before the takeover. It means the phone has been seen as the first real indicator of what Google itself thinks is possible on its own mobile platform. Francisco Jeronimo, a mobile phones analyst at market intelligence firm IDC, said the company had targeted the basics - changing how a phone is controlled. "The interaction with the phone, the way we speak, the way we activate the functions - it can be done in a different way," he said.

"Users have large screens, they have voice control - so at the end of the day what may attract users to replace their current smartphone is a completely new experience. In my opinion, it's one of the biggest trends of the next year." Typical voice command systems require the user to press a button before saying commands, this system is triggered by saying the words "Ok Google now..." followed by the order. "If I have a device that just gets activated with one command, then that will be a lot easier," said Mr Jeronimo. "It's not a question of hardware, it's a question of user interface." Samsung politics The Moto X launch has again raised questions around the delicate relationship between Google and Samsung. As the dominant vendor - by a huge margin - in the Android market, Samsung finds itself in something of a polite tug-of-war with the search giant. The Moto X will be manufactured in the US "Samsung represents 60% of total Android shipments across the world," said Mr Jeronimo. "They are basically dependent on each other." For this reason, the release of the Moto X is interesting strategically, as while Google will want the phone to be a success, too much of a hit risks unnerving Samsung. "What prevents Samsung from launching their own operating system using Android?" Mr Jeronimo added. "A completely different ecosystem could be built overnight. Google needs to keep Samsung very close. What made Android popular was not the just the operating system itself - it was the money Samsung put into their devices." In the first three months of 2013, Samsung captured a 95% share of all profits in the global Android smartphone market - highlighting the prospect of a whopping hole should it decide to change direction. Samsung has never said it may consider that move, but last week, it announced it would be holding its first developers conference - an event where experts come together to discuss and learn about creating software and hardware to work for a specific platform or product. Samsung's handsets dominate sales of Android Mr Jeronimo said he believed the Moto X launch was Google preparing itself for the possibility that Samsung may not always be an industry partner. "For Google, it's a question of not letting Motorola die, making it profitable as soon as possible. "Before Motorola they had no strong experience with building hardware, but now they are learning how to develop a high-end smartphone. "This will give them the skills they need, and tools they need, in the future in case they see a strong movement towards a different operation system." The Moto X will be released in the US, Canada and Latin America starting in late August or early September, the company said. It will cost $199 (£130) when bought as part of a two-year contract deal.