Our problem is corruption not Boko Haram

All this image makeovers and long appealing statements by our distinguished president, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan  to romance Nigerians into believing the administration has performed beyond pass mark is resisted by me. Until we fight corruption, the poor masses can never breathe the joy of democratic government. Nigerians themselves should learn to charge against corruption for no sustainable democratic impact can be felt with institutionalized corruption. This administration records the highest level of corruption in its democratic days. And with all accused officials allowed to go free or still remains in office. If you trace our problems well, its rooted in corruption. Starting from insecurity, to underdevelopment, to democratic decay, just name it.  We welcome and entertain corrupt practices and so we have a very long way to achieve greater success as a nation. Let no man deceive you.

This was Nelson Mandela's statement about Nigerian Leaders:

"You know I am not very happy with Nigeria. I have made that very clear on many occasions. Yes, Nigeria stood by us more than any nation, but you let yourselves down, and Africa and the black race very badly. Your leaders have no respect for their people. They believe that their personal interests are the interests of the people. They take people’s resources and turn it into personal wealth. There is a level of poverty in Nigeria that should be unacceptable. I cannot understand why Nigerians are not more angry than they are" 

US skeptical on Nigeria claim that schoolgirls located

Washington (AFP) - The United States expressed skepticism Tuesday that more than 200 schoolgirls held by Boko Haram militants had been located by Nigeria, stating that it had no "independent information" on the matter.

The country's highest ranking military officer on Monday said that Nigeria had located the missing teenagers, kidnapped mid-April by the armed militant group.

But one day later, US State Department Spokeswoman Jen Psaki told journalists that the there was no "independent information from the United States to support these reports."

Asked whether she found it "smart" of Nigerian officials to announce they had found the girls -- in the event that they had been located -- Psaki responded that "for the girls' safety and wellbeing, we certainly would not discuss publicly this sort of information."

With 80 US military personnel sent to neighboring Chad for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, the United States is the biggest foreign participant in the effort against Boko Haram.

Washington has also deployed surveillance drones, spy planes and about 30 civilian and military specialists to support Nigeria's security forces.

US authorities have previously expressed doubt that Abuja has the capacity to conduct the rescue mission.

State Department and Pentagon officials as well as members of Congress have chided Nigeria for what they called a slow response to the crisis and for human rights violations of which its army is accused.

Breaking News: Boko Haram rampage of terror, kills 35 in Yobe

BY NDAHI MARAMA & BALA AJIYA
Boko Haram terrorists, Tuesday, killed 35 persons comprising 14 soldiers, 11 policemen and 10 civilians in separate attacks in Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State and Chinene village in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.

The Divisional Police Officer of Bunu Yadi Division, Superintendent Hassan Thlama, was among the policemen killed, while many others sustained gunshot injuries.

In the attack, the palaces of the Emir and the District Head (names withheld), a police station and some military posts were completely destroyed, while in the Chinene attack, two Churches, shops and residential houses were set ablaze.

Site of a car bomb blast where football fans were watching the final of the UEFA Champions League match the night before, at a viewing centre in the city of Jos, on May 25, 2014. A fresh explosion targeted on May 24 football enthusiasts at a viewing centre where the final UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid FC and Atletico Madrid FC was being broadcast.

Buni Yadi is about 55 kilometers South of Damaturu, the Yobe State capital that had witnessed several attacks, particularly the attack on the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, which claimed the lives of over 55 students while they were sleeping in their dormitories.

Chinene village is South-East and a border community with Cameroon and about 130 kilometres drive from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

Four-hour reign of terror

It was gathered that a large number of suspected terrorists invaded Buni Yadi at 5p.m. on Monday. They came in Hilux vehicles with military camouflage uniforms, improvised explosive devices, IEDs, petrol bombs and rocket-propelled launchers.

The attack, which lasted till 9p.m., targeted security formations. Many government structures including the Magistrate Court, and vehicles were destroyed.

A top security source in Damaturu, who confirmed the incident said: “The gunmen took all the security operatives in Buni Yadi unawares and wreaked havoc on mostly policemen and soldiers.

“Apart from 11 policemen and 14 soldiers killed, two persons suspected to be civilians, who were caught up in the crossfire, also lost their lives.”

A resident of Buni Yadi, Mallam Jubrin Usmanu, told Vanguard in a telephone interview that the gunmen only came for security operatives as they did not attack residents, but that civilians who died might have been hit by stray bullets.

He said the gunmen also burnt down the palaces of the emir and the District Head of Buni Yadi “without killing anybody as they first asked the residents in the palaces to leave before they set the places ablaze,” Usmanu added.

Another reliable security source said the dead bodies of their colleagues killed in Buni Yadi were evacuated to General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital in Damaturu, before conveying them to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital Mortuary for identification by their relatives on yesterday, while the injured ones are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in Damaturu and Maiduguri.

The spokesman of the Military operatives in Damaturu, Lieutenant Eli Lazarus was contacted on phone several times, but there was no response at press time.

In a related development eight people were killed when some suspected terrorists riding in motorcycles and armed with AK47 rifles stormed Chinene village of Chikidr Joghode Kaghum ward of Gwoza council in Borno State.

Flags up

The insurgents, according to sources also hoisted their flags in Ashigashiya Ward and other hilly border villages with Cameroon and were celebrating what they now claimed as their strongholds.

A resident, Mr. Joshua Jidda, said the gunmen invaded Chinene at 2a.m., yesterday, and opened fire on sleeping residents killing eight people, including an old woman in her 80s.

He gave the names of some of the victims as Bulama Dajiba, Bulama John, Haruna Kwatha, Haruna Wadda, Births Kurma, Haruna Waruda and Shaibu Galva.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Gideon Jubrin, could not be reached as his phone numbers were switched off. A top police source confirmed the attacks and the number of casualties.

Obasanjo moves to free abducted Chibok girls

ABUJA—Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a move to free the more than 200 girls kidnapped by the Boko Haram sect from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.

Obasanjo, who confirmed this to Vanguard last night, however, dismissed reports credited to a foreign news agency that he held talks with representatives of the sect in his Ota farm last weekend.

A screengrab taken on May 12, 2014, from a video of Nigerian Islamist extremist group Boko Haram obtained by AFP shows girls, wearing the full-length hijab and praying in an undisclosed rural location. Boko Haram released a new video on claiming to show the missing Nigerian schoolgirls, alleging they had converted to Islam and would not be released until all militant prisoners were freed. A total of 276 girls were abducted on April 14 from the northeastern town of Chibok, in Borno state, which has a sizeable Christian community. Some 223 are still missing.

He nevertheless confirmed that he was set to open explorative talks with the Islamic sect, having re-established contacts with a lawyer who mediated his discussion with the sect three years ago. Chief Obasanjo, however, regretted that efforts he made to end the insurgency at that time came to nought after President Goodluck Jonathan dismissed the conditions and capacities of the group.

President Jonathan’s dismissal of the group’s capacities, he said, was despite the willingness of Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State to do all that was required by the sect for peace to reign.

Obasanjo, who has been globally acclaimed for his role in peace mediation especially among troubled African countries also played down claims that the insurgency would not have reared its head were he in power.

The foreign news agency had reported, yesterday, that Obasanjo held talks with representatives of the insurgents in his farm at Ota, Ogun State last weekend.

Asked to confirm the veracity of the report yesterday, the former president said: “Three years ago I tried to reach out to Boko Haram to find out what their problem was and if there was a leader one could talk to.

“I got a lawyer who provided the link between members of the group and I. They told me what the government should do to stop insurgency.”

He said that he subsequently passed on the conditions set by the insurgents to Governor Shettima who pledged his willingness to do all and more of what the insurgents required.

“He told me he was willing to do all that was stipulated and even more, but that his fear was that once he implemented those conditions he would be accused by the president and his people of being a member of Boko Haram,” Obasanjo quoted the governor to have said after the initial talks three years ago.

The former president, however, did not disclose the conditions laid down by the insurgents.

The former president said that following his discussions with the governor of Borno State that he followed up by briefing President Jonathan who he claimed, played down the capacities and conditions laid down by the insurgents.

He said that at that point he withdrew as he lacked the executive powers to proceed further.

Obasanjo said that given the present situation, the need to resurrect talks with the group had become expedient.

“In this instance, there are now two issues involved, the insurgency and the kidnap of the girls and I want to find out if the same lawyer would still mediate,” the former president said.

He said that having confirmed that the lawyer is alive, he had now set machinery in motion to reach out to the group towards releasing the kidnapped Chibok girls and thereafter ending the insurgency.

Asked if the insurgency would have risen to the present stage were in power, Obasanjo said: “My friend go away, go away, go away.”

Obasanjo’s secret talks is besides a secret effort by the administration to engage the Boko Haram group through three individuals reported to be close to the group.

A national newspaper, yesterday, quoted presidency sources as disclosing the enlistment of a former journalist Ahmad Salkida; a Tiv, Benue State born former adherent of the insurgent group, Aliyu Teshaku and an Australian negotiator Steve Davies to negotiate on behalf of the Federal Government.

The government’s decision to negotiate for the release of the kidnapped girls is reportedly informed by fears of a possible harm to the abductees in the event of a full scale military onslaught to effect their release.

Boko Haram Militants Kill Over 10 Soldiers,12 Policemen And Civilians In Buni Yadi

By SaharaReporters, New York

A military source has confirmed that the Boko Haram Islamist sect in Yobe State killed over 10 soldiers, including several civilians, on Monday. Yobe State is believed to be the ‘second hub’ of Boko Haram where they are noted for being seen and moving about openly, even in broad daylight. It is considered a ‘safe area’ for the group coming after neighboring Borno State, their home base.
The insurgents, according to the military source, attacked a military facility at Buni Yadi on Monday evening, and without provocation, had opened fire on them. The military returned the gunfire, and SaharaReporters was told, had successfully repelled them. Eyewitnesses say it was a heavy exchange of gunfire that continued well into the night, and had lasted at least three hours.

Buni Yadi is located in the Gujba local government area of Yobe state. The military facility, sources told SaharaReporters, is also located close to a police facility.

The Boko Haram sect went into the town under the cover of darkness, wearing green colored military uniforms without insignia, with heavily armed vans, and also had the use of a tank, which was used to force their way into the military base.
 Sources said the sect militants burnt down the palace of the district head, court and Divisional Police headquarters.Among the victims are the Divisional Police Officer, Divisional Crime Officer and at least 12 other policemen that were killed in the attack.

Military officials, and spokesmen who brief the news media on direct engagement with the Boko Haram, are strangely silent on this Monday evening attack. A SaharaReporters source said that they are not passing along any information to the press regarding the Monday fire fight with the Boko Haram, at this time.
Aside from the SaharaReporters source that confirmed ten dead military personnel, no other information following the attack, including the scores of suspected wounded military personnel among their ranks, has been issued.

At press time residents in the Gujba local government area are stunned, and tensions remain high in the town of Buni Yadi, with the fear of yet another impending attack by the Islamist group arriving at any time. Not helping frayed nerves says a SaharaReporters source, is the behavior of local police, and especially, the military.  Sources say confidence among local residents is at a low, with the local military remaining tight-lipped over additional security measures that may be taken in the aftermath of a dramatic late night attack that has left at least ten dead.

How Stella Oduah Plunged Nigeria Into $1.07 Billion Aviation Debt, And Walked Free

Former Nigeria's minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah removed over BMW scandal

By SaharaReporters, New York

Nigeria’s Upper legislative chamber says it is demanding an explanation from the Ministry of Aviation about an astounding N174bn ($1.07) debt it accumulated in the past three years with neither authorization nor oversight, but analysts said today the Senate is a part of the problem.
The order was given on Monday by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who said during an oversight visit that his committee had no knowledge of the debt story, and suggested that the debt reflected bizarre borrowing and management practices in the Ministry.
He also demanded the immediate stoppage of one of the unauthorized projects being implemented by the Ministry, stressing that he did not know where the funds were supposed to come from.
“This has to be stopped because there is no money for it,” he thundered, adding that the Ministry should not simply commit the government to spending if they are not sure of where the money is going to come from.
“My advice to this ministry, so that they will not embarrass the government, is to do your best to ensure that you don’t unnecessarily and without approval commit government,” he said., warning the Ministry that it will not enjoy the support of the Senate on the project because the Upper House “will not be part of an arrangement that will put us into disrepute.”
The massive debt at play is largely being owed to contractors in a variety of contracts awarded under the tenure of fired Minister Stella Oduah, and Senator Uzodimma told the supervising Minister for Aviation, Mr. Samuel Ortom, he wants to hear how the Ministry plans to satisfy the debt.
“I have looked at the documents and seen the level of debt,” the stunned Senator said.  “I wonder how this excessive debt will be offloaded by the Ministry.”
Replying, Ortom informed the Senator that neither he nor the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Jemila Shua’ara, were in office when the debt was incurred, as they only assumed their offices recently.
 “You can see that in BASA, we have only N10.6 billion in our purse and an exposure of N36 billion,” Senator Uzordinma said in reference to the Bilateral Air and Safety Agreement (BASA) contracts.   “I know that this account is being handled by the National Assembly and the Presidency, and we couldn’t have given approval to any commitment more than how much we have in that account. So we need a proper reconciliation, because there is supposed to be an approval from the National Assembly before you can spend BASA money.”
The chairman also questioned the borrowing of $100 million by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and a Chinese loan of $500 million without approval by the National Assembly according to the law.
Ortom told the Senator that the loans for upgrading the  Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano airports did not need to go through appropriation because it was part of  a “counterpart funding” arrangement. The Senate was indisposed to the $18.3 million interest which the $100 million had already attracted.
The angry legislator underlined that prior approval was required in the first place before the Ministry could have embarked on the loan drive.
“We also need, under the borrowing plan, an approval from NASS, we didn’t see where National Assembly million was allocated to be borrowed by DMO, we need the president’s approval to borrow that money and we need the business studies and how you intend to pay the interest.”
Demanding all the details of all the loans, Senator Uzodimmaadded: “On the terminals, the $500 million loan, we need to see the design, we don’t know the size of the airport; we don’t know where work has started on them.
“For the first time, we just heard [about] Phase 3 and so much money is being allocated to it, where are we going to get the money from. Because looking at our appropriation, we must make provision from the N63 billion appropriation.
Mr. Ortom however insisted that he was not a part of the ministry when the contracts were awarded, he believed they all went through due process before they were awarded, and requested the solicited the support of the Senate so as not to stall some of the projects that are currently close to completion. 
“We hope that the synergy between the executive and the Senate will give us the desired result, to take the industry to the next level,” he pleaded, noting that on the BASA approvals, the Ministry has already sent them to the committee.
The supervising Minister explained that both the $100 million DMO loan and the $500 million Chinese loan were on the basis of a “counterpart funding” agreement that is being handled by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, and that the Minister had told him she has the approvals. 
On the Phase 3 projects, Ortom observed that out of concern for the huge indebtedness in the Ministry, he and the Permanent Secretary, who arrived at about the same time, have not awarded any contracts and do not intend to do so.
Confirming the size of the debt to be about N174 billion, he said, “What we have done is to reach out to the Ministry of Finance and the Budget Office, and we have set up and Inter-Ministerial Committee that will look at all the issues based on the interim report.”
Of the projects that have not yet begun, he said the Ministry would halt work on them for now because the funds are not there.  “We have agreed within the ministry that the inter-ministerial committee will look at all these and suspend or prioritize those projects that are of necessity and channels the funds to the appropriate directions.”
Analysts said today that the vast numbers involved are a reminder of how ruthless Ministers and other officials manipulate their official portfolios in the drive to grow rich, while their assignments are ignored.
“Note that the Senate is not demanding that the former Minister, Stella Oduah, be dragged to its chambers to account for these contracts and debts,” one analyst said.  “The Senate is not inviting the crafty Okonjo-Iweala to sing in public because it is convenient for members of the spoilt political class to ignore the essential issues.  But wait until there is an air crash, and they will pretend to be interested in the issues of contractor that provided shoddy jobs perhaps because they were paying-off dubious officials of the Ministry of Aviation and of Finance!”
Sneered one newspaper columnist, “Perhaps members of the Senate Committee on Aviation were paid to look the other way while the accounts were being cooked.  How can Chairman Uzordinma say his committee has been in the dark in the past three years?  Tell me how!”

The picture President Jonathan will not want you to see

By Godwin Okeke 

The above photograph of President Jonathan on stage is “historic” to all Nigerians depending on one’s school of thought. Both friends and enemies of GEJ, APC and PDP all have different view about the message of the picture. No matter your school of thought, I’m very optimistic that this picture is not one of the good pictures President Jonathan will love to see in his album.

If it were in the analogue age, the photographer of any news media that snapped the picture must be a guest of our security agencies. The picture went viral on April 15th 2014 after PDP rally in Kano to welcome Mr Shakarau that was displaced in APC by Governor Kwankwaso.

Terrorism can be scary or terrifying. It is not the wish of any President or Governor to encounter it no matter how equipped or fortified your security/defense is.  Let us recall that President George Bush was flown into Air force base in Louisiana from Sarasota Florida when the World Trade Centre was struck due to concern that he would be targeted by terrorists. Take note also that George Bush first National security meeting was through electronic means at Strategic Air command in Nabraska before returning to the white house. This example is a typical demonstration of how every leader trembles at the mention of terrorism. What vindicates or vilify leaders are your actions and reactions after terror attack.  George bush statements after 9/11 restored Americans confidence on him. It was on record that Bush had 24(twenty four) national security meeting between September 11 to October 11.  That is leadership redefined!

The kidnap of over 200 school girls  of Chibok in Borno state on the 15th of April while Mr President was attending the PDP rally in Kano was not the first of its kind nor the worst done by book-haram insurgents. School children were once massacred in their dormitories; over 20 pupils were kidnapped in the wake of missing Sanusi 20 billion dollars. Plus other heinous massacre that took place in Yobe, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and Adamawa states respectively.

What subjected President Jonathan to world vilification was cumulative anger triggered by the “unspoken word of I don’t care” depicted by the above photograph. Seeing Mr. president dancing and raising his hands in Kano while the likes of British high commissioner in Nigeria was in National hospital in sober mood donating blood to rescue Nyanya bomb blast victims portrays President GEJ as uncompassionate man desperate for power and a leader who places less value to the lives of his citizens. Unfortunately the Chibok girls were kidnapped same day Mr. President was displaying his olingo masterpiece. This dance now resurrects the cumulative anger and unholy silences in the land leading to the popular believe that Mr President is clueless. That does not mean that government has done well in terms of handling security challenges ab initio

All the reasons cited by Labaran Maku to defend the Kano dance was more of fueling the burning bush. Maku said,” the Terrorist aim is to stop governance and the dance/rally in Kano was to prove them wrong”. Some thinkers like Maku bought into that disgusting statement but I’m sure that no national election is fast approaching and therefore, the rally can be postponed for another day. Moreover, when does rally become part of governance? Rally is weapon of political parties not weapon of governance. Any action labeled governance must be for the interest and benefit of the nation not political party. Furthermore, how does GEJ glorifies and celebrate frustrated enemy in the event of national calamity? Is he joining GEJ because he likes him or is he joining out of frustration? What brought Shakarau to Jonathan? If not for APC leadership tussle between him and Kwankwaso, will he not be one of the leaders of the opposition in Nigeria today? No matter your political affiliation, Shakarau is never a plus to GEJ and people of Kano can has proved it in the just concluded LGA election. Some shallow readers will argue that LGA election is not a measure of one’s political strength but I will refer them to Edo and Anambra State LGA election where (LP) Ifeanyi Uba and (PDP) Tony Aninih proved their political worth in their local governments. I expected Shakarau to do the same in Kano but he couldn’t. Therefore, GEJ and his advisers failed woefully on that Kano rally.

Some has also underrated the consequence of incompetent advisers and lack of political intelligent unit. But success of George Bush can be attributed to his team of professional staff and his humility to listen to every one of them. I do not expect every leader to be an orator nor has exceptional vision like Obama or Clinton. But I will not also spare these GEJ advisers who are the worst I have ever seen in my life. I’m sure not even Satan can tolerate their advice.

Rather than summoning for national security meeting after the Nyanya blast, the advisers confused GEJ and converted it to PDP meeting signaling politicization of national security. Blame game rather than united front was the outcome of the meeting. Reno Omokri(PA new media to GEJ) added more fuel to the fire by telling public lie that APC governors boycotted a security meeting which they conspired to convert to party meeting. This is a very shameful act in the light of sorrow and grief in the land.

What broke the camel’s back was the misinformation, lies and attempt to blackmail or sabotage, the struggle to rescue the abducted Chibok girls by the presidential advisers. The misrepresentation of the #BringBackOurGirls clamor as people opposing the government was the first evil plot of this group of advisers. We all laughed at the “open assassination of grammar” by the first lady but the bitter truth we must accept was that she strongly believe that there was no kidnapping and there was grand conspiracy against her husband (this might not be totally wrong assumption though) but condemning the apolitical citizens that felt sympathy for the victims of this kidnap is condemnable. The gap between the time the advisers were deceiving GEJ that the kidnap was the handwork of the opposition, and the time it took them to thread blames and the time it took them to resolve to take action due to mounting international pressure was what forced GEJ to surrender our sovereignty. Let us also have another deeper look of what would have happened if not for this evil advisers. Patience Jonathan as mama peace should have matched to Presidency leading other first ladies, senators and all women to demand #BringBackOurGirls. Her pressure with other elite will exonerate her and citizens will understand her limitation. But this evil advisers converted this woman into another Co-President torturing” the pricipa on national television because na only she waka come”.She did not stop there, she directed the protesters to proceed to Bornu state. The police in their usual manner rather than securing innocent citizens went to disperse them at unity fountain. This again raises more concern globally that GEJ is hunting for citizens rather than terrorists.
The incoherent statement and blames/self defense/excuses emanating from the presidency was very disturbing.
“the Borno state Govt is inconsistent with the figures”, “the Borno Govt should be blamed for opening the school against FG letter to WAEC” “our military have rescued all the girl” “sorry we are misinformed by the school principal”, the war is Gorilla war”” its unconventional war”, ‘our military are well motivated”, we have all the modern equipment to fight terror”, blame terrorist not govt.” we need international support”
All this statement/blames/excuses and lies falls short of a responsible government that couldn’t safe guard her citizens. This statement diminishes the world perception of GEJ both home and abroad. The advisers did not stop there; they have not seen the need for him to visit Chibok. Why not deploy all the military men both police to guide GEJ to visit chibok? The excuses cited by GEJ on why he has not visited Chibok is not convincing. It was shameful to behold GEJ before the world press in France citing moral boast as the only advantage of visiting Chibok yet he never deem it fit to give this moral boast to those families. We should recall that Gov Shettima defied military advice not to visit Chibok and went unhurt. GEJ should be courageous to show leadership as CinC. Obama sneaked out of white house unannounced and visited American troops in Afghanistan recently.

Chibok visit will enable GEJ to have one on one conversation with the military boys in war front. One of them might reveal to him what the senior MILADS might be hiding away from him. The visit will unravel to GEJ the rumor of hunger, lack of welfare and equipment being speculated. He will be a morale booster for the families and the military but the advisers will never let it happen. This was how they deceived him in Yobe until the Progressive Governors visited and walk the street of Yobe. GEJ aftermath visit was much reactionary and no citizen bought into it. Any visit by GEJ to Chibok today is meaningless because the opportunity is gone for good.
Not up to 12 hours after twin bomb blast in Jos, one of the presidential aides rushed to BBC to say that “there was no evidence that the Jos blast was detonated by Boko Haram”…. I ask when he started investigation or gathering of evidence. Why sudden conclusion? Who then bombed Jos if not Boko Haram?
Citizens are free to speculate based on their personal perception and political inclination but any comment emanating from the presidency MUST be swift, accurate, factual, well evidenced and undisputable. The statement must be of objective and devoid of any sentiments.

Niger State cancels Children’s Day and Democracy Day celebrations.

The Governor of Niger state Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has stated that the 2014 Children and Democracy Day celebrations will not be celebrated with the usual ceremony as a mark of respect to those affected by security challenges currently confronting the nation.The Commissioner of Information, Communications and Strategy in the state, Danladi Ndayebo, told reporters in Minna on Thursday that Children’s Day and Democracy Day celebrations would be marked in the state with prayers for the nation.Good idea if the prayers will be from our hearts.

“Owing to the security situation in the country, Governor Babangida Aliyu has directed that this year’s Children’s Day and Democracy Day be used to seek God’s face and intervention for the security of the nation.”

Mr.Danladi said the Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development will on Children’s Day mobilize children from across the state to pray for the release of the over 250 girls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Borno State.
He said on Children’s Day, children, both Muslims and Christians will pray for Nigeria.

GEJ Surprise Statement. He may have dropped his 2015

In a speech that is bound to catch his allies, foes and watchers of his administration by surprise, President Goodluck Jonathan today assured Nigerians that a different government and leadership would be installed in Nigeria in 2015.

Mr. Jonathan made the surprise statement at a “Democracy Day” church service held Sunday in Abuja.

Before the president’s speech, the head of the Nigeria Pilgrims Commission, Reverend John Kennedy Opara, had set the tone when he told the gathering that this year's Democracy Day would be the last to be celebrated by Mr. Jonathan.

When it was the president’s turn to speak, he referred to Reverend Opara’s statement. He echoed the reverend’s statement, assuring Nigerians that the Democracy Day event was the last for his current administration.

A PDP official who was at the event told SaharaReporters that he was mystified by the statements. He said he had no advance notice about the president’s remarks, and so was in no position to interpret its political meaning.

It remains unclear if the two statements are indications that the Nigerian president had decided not to seek a second term in office in general elections scheduled for next year. Mr. Jonathan continues to face criticism both in Nigeria and abroad for his dismal performance since he assumed office more than five years ago.

Our source reported that the church service was not well attended. He stated, however, that some government officials, including Senate President David Mark, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, and some military chiefs were present. The president’s wife, Patience Jonathan, as well as his mother were also in attendance.

In a minor misstep in protocol, Mr. Jonathan recognized his wife before he did Senator David Mark

How NNPC Illegally Diverted $20 Billion From The Federation Account -CBN Governor Sanus

CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi By Sanusi Lamido Sanusi I am pleased to stand before you and present a summary of my latest submission on this subject. The submission itself is about 20 pages long with 30 Appendices, providing documentary backing for all material statements. The background to this session remains my letter to the President in which I indicated that there was a difference between the value of crude lifted by NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013 and the amount of foreign exchange repatriated into the Federation Account. This difference was placed at almost $50 billion and I respectfully advised the President to order an investigation into a number of areas I suspected were responsible for leakages in oil revenue. My letter was, sadly, leaked and published in a highly politically-charged atmosphere. The Central Bank was practically accused of involvement in politics and in December it was clear to me that no tempered and positive discussion would take place. In order to calm nerves and avert major crisis I agreed to a joint press conference with Finance Ministry, the Petroleum Ministry and also to present a common front at the National Assembly. Since December, however, there has been an orchestrated campaign aimed at undermining our credibility and misleading Nigerians into believing that all monies due to the Federation Account have been either remitted or accounted for. I am, therefore, compelled to present to this committee detailed evidence that NNPC has in violation of the law and constitution been diverting money from the Federation Account, and involving itself in activities that warrant full investigation for more serious violations of the law. I have established, in my presentation, the following: 1. That NNPC, in paying what it calls kerosene subsidy, is confessing to a number of serious infractions. First, I have shown, based on NBS data, that kerosene is not a subsidised product, and, therefore, the so-called subsidy is rent generated for the benefit of those in the kerosene business. Second, I have produced evidence that President Yar’Adua had issued a presidential directive eliminating this subsidy payment as from July, 2009. Third, these huge losses inflicted on the Federation Account have not been appropriated. The burden of proof on NNPC is to show where they obtained authorization to purchase kerosene at N150/litre from Federation Funds and sell at about N40/litre, knowing fully well that this product sells in the market at N170-N220/litre. At what point was the presidential directive revered? NPA records would suggest that NNPC imports about 4-6 vessels of kerosene a month. Industry sources place the value of each vessel at $30m and the amount of “subsidy” per vessel at $20m. This means, at an average of 5 vessels a month, the Federation Account loses $100m every month to this racket. 2. I have also shown, in my submission, that claims by NNPC of spending the money on PMS subsidy are not credible. I have submitted proof that as from April, 2012, NNPC has consistently rendered returns to FAC indicating that it made no deduction for subsidy. This is after rendering returns on amount deducted monthly for 20 consecutive months to March, 2012. NNPC had previously explained that it had stopped deductions from 2011 and that the N180b taken in Q1:2012 related to fuel imports for Q4:2011. As from 2012, the directive was for NNPC to submit its papers to PPPRA, the relevant government agency set up and given the responsibility for verifying and paying subsidy claims. Having officially reported that it was not making deduction for fuel in 2012 and 2013, it is surprising that the GMD and GED of NNPC would now claim that $8.49b was used to pay for subsidy. I am convinced that a major source of revenue leakage from the system is NNPC’s unverified claims for subsidy and unilateral deduction from the Federation Account. If we take the PPPRA template, subsidy/litre of PMS is about 1,136litre/MT, the subsidy is around N1.5b. This means that for every $1b claimed by NNPC as subsidy deduction, the corporation is claiming to have imported at least 100 vessels of PMS. In addition to the N180b reported in Q1:2011, NNPC had deducted N845 billion in 2011. According to the Farouk Lawan report, NNPC deduction for PMS subsidy in 2011 alone amounted to N1.7 trillion, if we add claims on Excess crude naira account. Any serious investigation into these matters will require an audit of NNPC’s database which it is statutorily required to keep based on subsidy guidelines. Only verification of the legitimacy of these claims can form the basis for a true reconciliation. 3. Based on NNPC’s disclosure to the effect that it shipped $6b worth of crude oil on behalf of NPDC, I have argued here that at least a part of this amount is due to the Federation Account. This part relates to oil produced from blocks operated under “Strategic Alliance Agreement”. I have given you three legal opinions that unanimously argue that these agreements merely serve to transfer revenue due to the Federation to private hands. I have also shown how, based on these arguments, NNPC has effectively given tax relief and concessions to its business partners. Also customs duties and levies are treated as “development costs” and recouped from “cost oil” and “cost gas”. These companies recover OPEX and COPEX from production, take 20-70 per cent of the profit and pay no tax, on JVs in which the Federation was previously entitled to 55 per cent of the entire profit oil when Shell was the operator. I have given details of these transactions and my concerns in the paper. 4. Although the above 3 areas exhaust the areas covered in NNPC’s explanations, I have also taken time to submit my analysis of the crude-for-refined-product swap contracts entered into by PPMC. This is because a significant part of the domestic crude taken by NNPC is in these transactions. I have indicated where i believe we are losing money in these transactions. Reconciliation : Having thus explained my major opinions on NNPC‘s explanations, I will come to the reconciliation. NNPC itself has submitted that it lifted $67b worth of Crude between January 2012 and July 2013. Of this, we have been able to agree that the following amounts have been remitted to the Federation Account: 1. $14 billion as equity crude 2. $15 billion as payment to FIRS by IOCs. They paid in crude which was lifted by NNPC on behalf of FIRS. There was nothing in our records linking the two transactions. 3. $2 billion Royalty payment to DPR by IOCs under similar arrangements as in (2) above. 4. $16 billion out of the 428b taken as Domestic Crude Paid in Naira, not dollar. The following items are outstanding and need to be proven by NNPC: 1. $12 billion out of domestic crude sales yet to be remitted. NNPC has already disclosed N180 billion as subsidy payment in Q1.2012. If PPPRA confirms this number, we will adjust the balance accordingly. As for the balance of $10.8 billion, NNPC has publicly disclosed that 80 per cent applied to petrol and kerosene subsidy. We have already explained why this explanation is untenable and NNPC needs to provide the relevant proofs. 2. $6 billion shipped on behalf of NNPC. We have explained why some this belongs to the Federation and the need to investigate and audit the SAAS to recover amounts unconstitutionally diverted. 3. $2 billion “third-party” financing” we have not been given any documents explaining or proving this along with other claims around pipeline repairs, maintenance, strategic reserves etc. There was no appropriation for these expenses and NNPC also needs to substantiate them. In summary, it is established that of the $67 billion crude shipped by NNPC between January 2012 and July 2013, $47 billion was remitted to the Federation Account. It is now up to NNPC, given all the issues raised, to produce the proof that the $20billion unremitted either did not belong to the Federation or was legally and constitutionally spent. There is no dispute that $20 billion out of $67 billion has not been paid into any account with the CBN. Our recommendation remains that this matter requires thorough independent investigation, as simple explanation will not suffice. I concluded my submission with recommendation for the future, to protect the economy from these unsustainable losses. I would like to make the following recommendations going forward: Recommendations : NNPC should stop collecting 440,000bbl daily as “Domestic Crude”. The amount of crude should be reduced to the refining capacity of its refineries based on a signed refining contract that clearly states what products are to be delivered for each barrel. Sale proceeds net of recognised processing costs are to go to the Federation Account; All Crude for Product Swaps should be terminated and crude should be exported and sold at market price. Where NNPC needs to generate cash flow to fund PMS imports, it can “borrow” crude, on the approval of the Finance Minister, for 90 – 120 days. This crude is to be valued at the ruling market price. NNPC may sell the crude, import PMS and sell through its outlets. It should claim subsidy from PPPRA like every other marketer and present all required documents. Thereafter, NNPC should pay back the full value of crude lifted to the Federation Account and retain the profit. Where NNPC delays payment, the amount outstanding should attract interest at commercial rates until payment. All the SAAs entered into by NPDC should be investigated for constitutionality. The production numbers, Opex and Capex, and profit shares should be audited. The tax arrangements entered into with these parties should be reviewed and all revenues due to the Federation collected. If possible the SAAs should be terminated. Certainly, NNPC should be prohibited from entering into any SAAs in the future. NNPC to account for subsidies claimed in 2010-13 by producing documentary proof of legitimacy. As for what action needs to be taken on what has happened in the past, we express no opinion. The decision on what to do in this case rests entirely with the Government. My task is limited to raising an alarm over what I think is a development that is harmful to the economy, and establishing that the alarm was neither spurious nor baseless. I still insist that an investigation is needed to establish the extent of the losses and the nature of offence committed. I believe I have placed enough information before this committee to make the point. The amount in 19 months may be $12 billion or $19 billion or $21 billion, we do not know at this point but if we extend the period the amount will increase anyway, since this has been going on for a long time. The first priority is to stop it. It is unsustainable, and it will ultimately, if not stopped

NEITI To Expose Oil Block Owners

Abuja- The Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) on Thursday threatened to make public names of oil block owners and extractive companies that have been evading the payment of taxes. The Chairman of NEITI, Ledum Mitee, who made the threat in Abuja at the capacity building workshop for civil society organisations, said this would curtail those companies’ fraudulent activities. Mitee said NEITI would engage the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to help it in exposing companies which are evading taxes in the oil and gas sector. According to him, the plan is in line with the revised standards of global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to hold the companies accountable. "Thus, the revised EITI standards require, for instance, disclosure of production figure, disclosure of ownership of the licence-holders and disclosure of beneficiary ownership,’’ the NEITI chairman said. He explained that the new standards also require improved reliability of data transparency on the part of state-owned companies and other government agencies on revenue collected on behalf of government. Mitee, who harped on the need to restore transparency in the extractive industry, said NEITI was ready to collaborate with CAC to identify people behind these companies. "If you say XYZ Limited is this company and all that, sometimes it is abstract and it does not convey the information you want to convey. "So the new process is going to ask us to report on the beneficial ownership, which means for the first time we are engaging CAC, for them to tell us the people behind those companies,’’ he said. The NEITI chairman said the new standards focus on expenditure, social services, public infrastructure and fuel subsidy payments, adding that the revised standards encourage contract transparency from companies and government. Mitee, however, disclosed that the aspects of the new standards, which were not captured by the current NEITI processes, would be incorporated in the 2012 audit reports now in progress.

Breaking News: Boko Haram Strikes Again in Chibok Village, Killing 34

For how long will this killings continue, it is now a routine that souls will be lost on a daily bases. Even with the presence of the military, this ruthless guys are still having an upper hand in terror. *smh

Over 34 persons were killed in three separate Boko Haram attacks in Borno State villages on Thursday, sources have told SaharaReporters.

The militants extended their rampage in the state to Kerenuwa in Marte, Kimba in Biu and Kukumba in Chibok.

There is as yet no comment from Nigeria's military, which is known to have deployed widely in those areas.

Breaking News: Boko Haram Strikes Again in Chibok Village, Killing 34

For how long will this killings continue, it is now a routine that souls will be lost on a daily bases. Even with the presence of the military, this ruthless guys are still having an upper hand in terror. *smh

Over 34 persons were killed in three separate Boko Haram attacks in Borno State villages on Thursday, sources have told SaharaReporters.

The militants extended their rampage in the state to Kerenuwa in Marte, Kimba in Biu and Kukumba in Chibok.

There is as yet no comment from Nigeria's military, which is known to have deployed widely in those areas.

Teachers in Owerri protests

All of today, teachers in Owerri organized by NUT in Imo State capital, all dressed in black paraded around in Owerri city with placards demanding the release of the Chibok girls and other killings by Boko Haram.

#BringBackOurGirls Misses the Real Story About What's Happening to Nigeria's Boys

#BringBackOurGirls Misses the Real Story About What's Happening to Nigeria's Boys

Image Credit: AP

Academy Award-winner Anne Hathaway joined a rally in Los Angeles last week to protest against Boko Haram's kidnapping of more than 300 schoolgirls in Chibok. Grabbing a megaphone, Hathaway passionately claimed that the kidnapped girls represent the 5% of Nigerian girls able to seek out an education.

Anne Hathaway Leads #BringBackOurGirls Protest in Los Angelespic.twitter.com/LQ7nWELJwj

— Fadi Darwish (@amadeuslebanon) May 11, 2014

But she's wrong: While gender inequality is certainly a problem in Nigeria, it is absurd to suggest that only 5% of girls in Nigeria receive education. According to the World Bank, female literacy for Nigerian girls aged 15–24 is at 65%.

Hathaway is one of the many Hollywood stars and other western voices that have helped paint the tragic story of Boko Haram's kidnapping as a story about gender, perpetrated by a group that targets young girls in particular. But anyone with any understanding of Boko Haram would know that they certainly don't spare men or boys. The exact number of male student casualties is unknown, but the number is in the hundreds. Boko Haram has also killed a total of 171 teachers in Borno and Yobe states.

Image Credit: AP. A candlelight vigil for the missing schoolgirls.

The framing of Boko Haram's insurgency as one that is part of a war on girls and women casts Boko Haram as the Taliban and the missing schoolgirls as Pakistani education advocate Malala Yousafzai. This story has been reinforced by Fox Newsand, predictably, by pundits like Ayaan Hirsi Ali. But this frustrating narrative has been reinforced by the well-intentioned too.

Last week, Jon Stewart delivered a scathing reproach to Boko Haram during anepisode of The Daily Show, saying that compared to a teenager who knows that her desire for an education could get her dragged into a snake-infested jungle to be sold as a bride by some demented, stick-chewing cartoon villain, but still gets up and goes to class every day fully aware of that danger, compared to their courage, I'd say Boko Haram is a bunch of little girls — but you know what, you don't deserve that compliment."

7 UniJos medical students die in blast

We’re still investigating report — School Management

Marie-Therese Nanlong, with AGENCY REPORT

JOS—The University of Jos was, yesterday, thrown into mourning when news hit the campus that a yet to be ascertained number of students, including seven 500 level medical students died in the bomb blasts on Tuesday. Meantime, both the university authorities and the Police could not confirm the news at press time last night.

Vanguard investigation revealed that most of the corpses taken to the hospital morgues were women and children.

JOS BLAST VICTIM—D-G, National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammed Sidi (L) with Igp Mohammed Abubakar, sympathising with a victim of the Jos bomb blast, at Jos University Teaching Hospital, yesterday. Inset: Another victim at the Plateau Specialist Hospital. Photos: NAN.

Officials also said that 15 of the injured victims brought to the casualty unit died just before midnight.

Vanguard findings were corroborated by an online medium, Premium Times, which claimed that most of the corpses seen on the floor of the mortuary were women and children, including seven pregnant women.

A hospital official said although there were a few donors, who volunteered to donate blood, the hospital needed a lot more to treat the victims.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), we had 15 persons who came and donated blood freely to the National Blood Transfusion; we are calling for more donors”, he said.

Also, apart from the dead already in the mortuary, Premium Times claimed that it counted at least 52 other corpses on the floor of the hospital mortuary including that of a little child.

It said: “When PREMIUM TIMES visited Plateau Specialist Hospital early hours of yesterday, an official confirmed that 15 of the injured victims brought to the casualty unit died just before midnight.”

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had on Tuesday night said the casualty figure from the twin explosions stood at 118.

However, a laboratory manager at the National Blood Transfusion unit of the Plateau Specialist Hospital, said most of the 15 victims died during treatment due to loss of blood.

The Plateau Police Commissioner, Chris Olakpe, had said on Tuesday that the area would remain shut until the police concluded its investigations and the debris were cleared.

Mr. Olakpe also explained that corpses and the injured were taken to four hospitals.

These were the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Bingham Hospital, Jos, as well as the new and the old (temporary site) Jos University Teaching Hospital.

“When Premium Times visited the hospitals, hundreds of families and friends were seen trying to locate remains of their relatives or the injured ones.

Seven of my colleagues died — Medical student

Christiana Paul, a 500-level Medical Laboratory Science student of the University of Jos, said seven of her course mates died in the blast.

She said five of the corpses had been found, two at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Mortuary. “The seven of them are my course mates, we are in 500-level. They went to Terminus to shop and the bomb caught up with them. Two bodies are here at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Mortuary,” the student said in tears.

“Also at the mortuary of the Jos University Teaching Hospital temporary site, which is adjacent to the blast scene, the corpses, about 100, were piled upon themselves and thus difficult to count.

The situation was similar at Bingham University Teaching Hospital.”

In most of the hospitals visited, officials declined comment as they were busy trying to attend to injured victims.

However, a medical personnel at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, JUTH, who pleaded not to be quoted, said about 120 corpses were brought to the hospital, while injured persons were rushed to the permanent site for medication.

Meanwhile, the Jos main market, where the two explosions occurred in a spate of 15 minutes, remained closed yesterday morning.

Also at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, one Usman Adamu said he came to recover the body of his landlady, Amina.

He said the victim was at the market to buy a dress for her brother’s daughter who is about to wed.

A cleric, Godwin Ejeh, of Kingdom Dominion Chapel, Dadinkowa, told Premium Times that his 18-year old daughter, Shekina Ejeh, who was sent to the market to buy groceries, died in the blast.

Keneng Choji, a civil servant, also said she lost her daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a neighbour to the explosion.

She said her daughter-in-law was a fish trader at the market.

Some of the Muslims seen at the Plateau Specialist Hospital were already taking the corpses of their relatives for burial according to Islamic rites.

No group has claimed responsibility for the blast although it is believed to have been carried out by the extremist Boko Haram sect.

The group has killed thousands of people since its insurgency began in 2009.

We’re still investigating — UniJos

Meanwhile, authorities of the University of Jos said, yesterday, that it was investigating the report that 16 of its students were among the dead in the twin bomb blasts on Tuesday in Jos which claimed 118 lives and left over 100 others injured.

The Institution’s Deputy Registrar, Information and Publicity, Mr. Steve Otowo said he could not confirm the information as the institution was still investigating the issue.

Otowo told Vanguard: “I personally went round the various hospitals yesterday but no such thing was recorded. The only student at the Plateau State Specialist Hospital with the University of Jos as his address was treated and discharged.

“I also learnt from a Medical Laboratory Science student that seven of her course mates died in the blast. She said five of the corpses had not been found but two were identified at the Plateau Specialist Hospital Mortuary”.

Otowo maintained he visited the temporary site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital where he saw two unidentified corpses while the mortuary attendant said no corpse was registered with the university as an address.

“We are still investigating and will have the true picture by tomorrow (today)”.

Similarly, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Barr. Olivia Dazyem who had earlier gone round the hospitals where the victims were being treated told Vanguard she was yet to confirm the report.

Her words: “I am yet to confirm it. I got information that some UniJos students were passing around. Investigation is on to confirm the authenticity of the claim. We will get the true picture soon”.

However, Vanguard’s check earlier showed one Jimlong Dayol with “UJ” as his address though he was said to have been discharged as he sustained minor injury.