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Friday, February 12, 2016
How Buhari still follows Murtala's policies after 40 years
– Murtala introduced Buhari to the corridors of power and leadership
– Came up with stern and uncompromising policies
– Buhari followed suit, still lives as a strict Nigerian leader
Late General Murtala Mohammed shaking General Ibrahim Babangida after being promoted.
A fresh analysis has emerged of how late General Murtala Ramat Mohammed influenced the decisions Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s current president, who was a junior officer to him (Murtala).
According to Leadership, the former military ruler whose government is still recalled with nostalgia by many Nigerians as a golden era, remains the only Nigerian leader affectionately called by his first name.
Murtala’s emergence
At the time, he gave Nigeria a glimpse of the principled, focused and dynamic leadership that its citizens craved, as he was very decisive with issues and this made his country men and women to be immensely happy with his administration.
Their joy stemmed from the fact that, at last an uncompromising leader with the discipline and tenacity to take the nation to the proverbial ‘Promised Land’ had arrived.
Throwback… General Murtala Mohammed and Muhammadu Buhari
These qualities of Murtala’s would later rub off on then young Colonel, Muhammadu Buhari, who was introduced to the corridors of power by the late ruler, and also justified the trust reposed in him as he also rescued the nation at a critical time in history.
Although Murtala’s tenure was short-lived as the entire nation was stunned on Friday, February 13, 1976, to the news that he had been killed in a coup d’état led by Colonel Buka Suka Dimka, his legacies have since lived on.
He had started grooming Buhari for leadership roles after making him governor of the northeastern region, now broken into six states; Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
Before then was the story of how Murtala marched the young Lieutenant Buhari to Gowon, who had just been made Head of State.
Young Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s Head of State.
After the routine salutations, Murtala introduced Buhari thus: “Sir, here is your ADC; don’t look further if you are looking for a competent, honest, dedicated, diligent and focused officer for that position.”
Looking up at Buhari, who stood at about 6’4” and laughingly, with eyes twinkling, Gowon reportedly said: “Ah, my brother, Murtala, when people see me and this man they wouldn’t know who the Head of State is.”
While he was a governor, Buhari also participated in the regime’s fight against corruption, indiscipline and indolence head-on, as they battled the public service and held government officials accountable for their stewardship.
Buhari steps into the big shoes
After the coup of December 31, 1983, Buhari became the Head of State and his deputy, late Major General Tunde Idiagbon, told Nigerians categorically that their regime was an off-shoot of the Murtala/Obasanjo regime, and promised that they would correct what they found wrong in the country.
As soon as they came into power, the Buhari/Idiagbon pair held public officers of previous regimes accountable for their past actions or inactions.
President Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s politically-elected president.
And in 1984, while in trying to get the fervour for patriotism in Nigerians, Buhari said: “Indeed, this generation and future generations of Nigerians have no other country to call their own; we shall remain here and salvage it together.”
Buhari’s non-nonsense approach to his war against corruption, which he sees as being worse than the menace of Boko Haram, is one of the strong points of his campaign prior to his election last year.
Nigerians will also be hoping to see how well he keeps up with his “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” mantra which he delivered during his inaugural speech as Nigeria’s president in May 2015.
Peller speaks on fraud in TB Joshua, Oyakhilome's operations
Yet another shocking revelation has been made regarding the powers of Prophet T.B Joshua and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome
– Bishop Kayode Peller has claimed that both clergymen are magicians
The General Overseer (GO) of the Fingers of God Church, Alagbado Lagos state, Bishop Kayode Joseph Abiola Peller,has cast aspersions on Senior Pastor of The Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), T.B Joshua, and Chris Oyakhilome, founder of Christ Embassy.
Bishop Peller who is son of the late renowned magician, Professor Peller, called out clergymen, accusing them of being magicians.
The renowned magician, said the duo, his colleagues in the ministry, use their eyes with demonic powers in them to superimpose their thoughts into people.
In a recent interview with Flip TV, Peller said: “What I see Temitope Joshua do from my own magic experience is what we call mesmerism. It is also called hypnotism.”
He claimed that while T.B Joshua uses Kabballah magic to hypnotize his congregation and the general public over his miracles, Chris Oyakhilome’s association with Joshua makes him a suspect.
Taking on Oyakhilome, Peller said: “I used to believe Oyakhilome before. That ended the day I saw him and Joshua doing miracles and castigating our pastors, Ayo and Okonkwo.
T B Joshua and Chris Oyakhilome
“When you castigate these great men of God, you are no more for God. They do miracles but don’t know what they teach.
“I would say they use magic on their followers since I was a former magician. I see in their actions hypnotism and seduction. I mean the way we used to seduce our congregation; those that come to watch our magic those days.
“I see mesmerism, hypnotism and occult display in what they do. How can people jubilate over atmosphere of miracles and before they get to the bus stop, the miracles have gone. Miracles are not limited to atmosphere. God is in charge of everywhere,” he added.
According to the Bishop: “They use the eyes with the demonic power in them to superimpose their thoughts into people. It happens, for most of those walking in the streets have very weak spirits. For there is witchcraft ability in every man.
“That is what we call telepathising: I mean, when I see them do their drama of healing while dancing from one side to another. I know its hypnotism.
“These are dangerous occultist words. Telepathising, hypnotism, occultism, kabbalah magic are processes of ruling the minds of weaker men. It could go to the length of seeing the magic maker in the dreams once the weaker person allows the demonic spirit of the conjurer to influence his mind.”
Defending his criticism on the duo, the reformer said: “Let nobody think that I am jealous of them because their churches are big. If I want to make mine big I know what to do. I am the son of Peller. I know where things happen.
“I am not a ‘mugu’, to say the truth. They can’t fool me. I want to make heaven. I don’t want my work to be a waste; for every work built on faulty foundation, shall not stand the test of time.
“Foundation of deceit, occultism and demonic power cannot stand the test of time when the owner leaves. Jesus will deny them on that day.
“God only can say if Joshua is a real man of God. I don’t judge them; only God can do that.
“Having said all these, I have nothing against them. For I feel that nothing can be except God allows,” Bishop Kayode quipped.
It would be recalled that about a fortnight ago, a very popular Ghanaian witch doctor, Nana Kwaku Bonsam said T.B Joshua comes to him to acquire spiritual powers. He challenged the Nigerian prophet to come out openly to deny.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Chad's president to contest election for a 5th term
Obasanjo reacts to tobacco company return
Olusegun Obasanjo extols BAT
– Obasanjo says foreign direct investment is essential to the country’s economy
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has reacted to the recent commissioning of the head office of British American Tobacco in Lagos.
READ ALSO: Obasanjo recalls time spent in prison
Olusegun Obasanjo says the gesture is part of government’s efforts to drive in foreign direct investment.
The Nation reports that the former president, who was the chief guest at the event which took place in Ikoyi, on Tuesday, February 9, described the commissioning as a major landmark as well as a demonstration of government’s efforts aimed at ushering in foreign direct investment (FDI).
Obasanjo disclosed that BAT was one of the first companies that accepted his administration’s invitation to invest in Nigeria. He said the feat was actualised after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BAT and the government in 2001.
The elder statesman, who lauded the role of the private sector in economic development and jobs creation, reiterated the significant role that companies like BAT play in the country.
Obasanjo said: “Almost a decade and a half after the signing of the MOU, we are again at BAT to witness another milestone. I’m particularly delighted because this head office building showcases faith in Nigeria and BAT’s continued investment in Nigeria.”
The ex-president, who was also a special guest at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun state, on Friday, February 5, during his speech described corruption as a ‘hydra-headed monster’ and stressed that the fight against it must start from the top.
He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to commence his anti-corruption war with himself, the vice president, the Senate president as well as the speaker of the House of Representatives.
Obasanjo, who is renowned for his openness as well as his lashing out at any highly placed personality that err in the discharge of duty, recently took a swipe at former president Goodluck Jonathan. Speaking at an event titled “an evening with Obasanjo” which was organised by the staff club of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said Jonathan did not act fast on the issue of the Chibok girls when he was first informed about it hence the problems in its wake.
How I handled my marriage breakup - Princess
About three years ago, foremost Nigerian female comedian, Princess Dammy’s marriage to her estranged husband, Adesola Jeremiah, crashed like a pack of cards.
At the time, there were many criticisms and comments about the break up, but the comedian held on and has now explained how she survived the biggest trauma of her life.
Princess, who was hospitalised in Nigeria and abroad after the breakup, admitted that she was psychologically down during the time, but swiftly added that it was the power of being a comedian that brought her groove back.
She told Naij.com correspondent in a chat that “three years ago when I have a broken marriage, I was psychologically down, but it was the same thing that brought me down that became my strength; that is one of the psychological powers of comedy –it heals. People around me also helped in recovering from the most challenging period of my life.”
Meanwhile, the comedian who started her career at age seven as a theatre artiste, has emphasised that stand-up comedy business has established itself as a direct substitute for the conventional theatre practice in the country.
She reiterated that gone are the days when stand-up comedy was less recognised compared with stage acting. She boasted that the reverse is actually the case now.
Motherhood changed my life - Anna Barner
Former MBGN Anna Barner welcomed baby in 2015
– Anna Barner was expelled from school in September, 2014
– Anna was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), in 2013
Flavor’s baby mama, Anna Barner
Former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) and Flavor’s baby mama Anna Barner, in a recent interview speaks on how her life has changed since she had her baby.
The 20-year old mother in an interview with House of Maliq Magazine disclosed that: “motherhood changed everything about my life and largely in ways that I didn’t expect. It was a whole new experience. I was amazed at the instant bonding and how natural it felt to be a mother. It is the most rewarding, beautiful and joyous thing imaginable in this world and I wouldn’t change anything.”
Anna Barner, who gave birth to her baby girl on August, was reported to have been expelled from the middle sex university in Dubai United Arab Emirate (UAE) as the university and the Islamic country frown against pregnancy outside wedlock in 2013.
On Monday, January 3, the highlife singer and former Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria (MBGN), beauty queen, Anna Banner once again dedicated their daughter in church because Flavour missed the first baby dedication. The celebration was well attended by close friends of the lovebirds.
Photos: Nigerian Army arrest two soldiers working with Boko Haram in Adamawa
"Last Sunday 7th February 2016, two of our Explosive Ordinance Device personnel attached to 143 Battalion, 13NA/ 70/10183 Sapper Eric Nwokorie and 13NA/70/10263 Sapper Macauley Fortune were arrested at Yola park with the following unauthorised military items:
1 Smoke grenade, 2,136 live rounds of 7.62 (Special) ammunition, 50 live rounds of 7.6mm (NATO) ammunition, 5 magazines of AK 47 rifles, 2 Browning Machine Gun live rounds of ammunitions. Others include, 1 Axe, 1 Cutlass, 1 Jack knife, 9 Jungle hats, 11 pairs of Camouflage (9 Desert and 3 woodland green), 4 Military Pullovers, 1 Black beret, 1 Green beret, 1 Pair of number 7 dress, 2 General Duty belt, 12 Army T-shirts, 2 Rain Coats, 2 Water bottles, 1 Pairs of Rain boot and 5 Pairs of Desert boots"he said
Usman also announced that some Boko Haram members were recently killed in Kekeno, Kukawa Local Government Area and also in Budumri village while their hostages were set free
"Troops of 7 Brigade Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Multinational Joint Task Force, yesterday inflicted casualties on Boko Haram terrorists, thus causing a major setback to the insurgents.
This feat was achieved when the troops staged an ambush against the terrorists at Kekeno, Kukawa Local Government Area. During the operation, the gallant troops killed 5 suspected Boko Haram terrorists, recovered one Toyota Buffalo vehicle, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 knives, a horse and other locally fabricated weapons .
The insurgents were believed to be on a retaliatory mission following the killing of a suspected Boko Haram Ameer during an ambush by our troops at Kekeno. In another development, troops of 118 Task Force Battalion patrolling Mile 90-Kekeno general area, have killed one suspected Boko Haram terrorist and captured 2 other insurgents.
Similarly, troops of Army Headquarters Special Forces on patrol to Yale came across Boko Haram terrorists camp at Bulagana, cleared the camp and rescued 40 civilians held hostage. Unfortunately, 1 soldier sustained gunshot wounds during the operation. He has since been evacuated and is responding to treatment.
In the same vein, 151 Task Force Battalion of 21 Brigade while on patrol encountered Boko Haram terrorists at Budumri village during which they killed 25 Boko Haram terrorists and arrested 8 other terrorists. The troops also rescued 103 civilians held hostage by the terrorists. They also recovered 1 Golf car and quite a number of motorcycles and bicycles. The troops also cleared terrorists camp at Bolungu village. The same unit also rescued 181 persons and captured 8 Boko Haram terrorists. Among those rescued, were 18 men, 90 women and 77 children. The screening and profiling of those rescued is ongoing before their movement to IDP camps, while those arrested are being interrogated, he said".
More photos...
The Boss behind the Bitters, gets the EY Master Entrepreneur 2015 Award
Dr. Kwabena Adjei, Founder and Chairman of Kasapreko Limited was awarded Master Entrepreneur of the Year in the West African edition of the Ernst & Young (EY) World Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, Nigeria on Friday the 5th of February, 2016.
Kasapreko Company Limited is responsible for producing the authentic Alomo Bitters- the brand named by CNN as one of the top 5 emerging drink brands. Alomo Bitters has seen major success across West Africa and beyond. Recently added to Kasakpreko’s stable are Kalahari Bitters and Carnival Strawberry drinks.
The World Entrepreneur of the Year Award program was created by Ernst & Young to recognize the accomplishments of entrepreneurs with Award programmes in more than 60 countries around the globe.Members of this elite community are exceptional leaders who disrupt the status quo, drive innovation, create jobs and transform economies.
Past winners of the Master Entrepreneur of the Year category includeAigboje Aig-Imoukhuede,former Group Managing Director of Access Bank (2011);Alhaji Aliko Dangote (2012);Mr. Austin Avuru, Managing Director of Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc (2013);Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando Plc (2014).
In the wake of all his achievements, Dr. Kwabena Adjei, recently launched a $70m state of the art bottling plant for Kasapreko in Ghana, which will churn out hundreds of thousands of bottles a day of a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Kenyan wins Lagos City marathon
After three hours of marathon race at the Access Bank Lagos City 42.1km, Kenya’s Abraham Kiptom, emerged winner in 2hrs 21 mins, 20 secs ahead of his fellow compatriot, Hosea Kipkembe.
Also, Debebe Toise of Ethiopia came third behind the Kenyans.
The race began at the National Stadium Surulere Lagos on Saturday at 7.10 a. m., with no fewer than 20,000 marathoners.
The race went through the Ikorodu road to link Oworonsoki and pass through the third mainland bridge linking the Victoria Island and ended at the Eko Atlantic Beach.
Speaking after his victory in the race, Kiptom said he was excited to have defeated his compatriot, Peter Kiplagat and other top world marathoners.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Eko Atlantic City, the finish point of the event that he was happy he won the race with a time of 2:16:20.
He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Eko Atlantic City, the finish point of the event that he was happy he won the race with a time of 2:16:20.
Kiptom said people were expecting Kiplaglat to win, but that the weather also worked in his favour.
“The race was not bad, I am happy I won the race and surprised people who thought my compatriot will win,’’ he said.
Kiptom, a Gold labelled marathoner, did not surpass the time of 2:11:36 set before the Lagos City Marathon.
Hosea Kipkeboi of Kenya came second with a time of 2:16:34 and Debebe Tolosa of Ethiopia came third with a time of 2:16:40.
The overall first female marathoner, Halima Hussain of Ethiopia, came first with 2:38:36 and Alice Timbul of Kenya came second with a time of 2:38:49.
Aberash Fetase of Ethiopia returned 2:39:09 to place third.
The first Nigerian male is Philip Sharabutu with a time of 2:30:51, while Eliya Pam returned as the second Nigerian male athlete with a time of 2:31:41 and Peter Maham came third with a time of 2:39:07.
The first marathoner went home with 50,000 dollars, the second place winner carted home 40,000 dollars and third place 30,000 dollars.
The race began at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos at 7.10 a. m., with no fewer than 20,000 marathoners.
The race went through the Ikorodu road to link Oworonsoki, then passed through the Third Mainland Bridge and linked Victoria Island to the end point at Eko Atlantic City. (NAN)
BREAKING: Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, dumps PDP, attacks party
A former President of the Nigerian Senate, Ken Nnamani, has announced his departure from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, a political platform to which be belonged since 1999, and which, in 2005, made him the third most powerful man in Nigeria.
In a statement made available to PREMIUM TIMES on Saturday, Mr. Nnamani said he was quitting the party because the platform had abandoned “the path of its noble vision and values”.
Mr. Nnamani was elected to the Senate President in 2003, and was senate president between 2005 and 2007.
In his statement Saturday, entitled, “PDP, the Burden and My Conscience,” the politician said he was fed up with the current status and direction of the PDP, and was therefore quitting “without any iota of bitterness” in his heart.
“I do not believe I should continue to be a member of the PDP as it is defined today,” Mr. Nnamani said, “This is certainly not the party I joined years ago to help change my country. I do not also believe that the PDP as it is managed today will provide an opportunity for me to continue to play the politics of principles and values which I set for myself as a young man on leaving graduate school and working for a large multinational in the United States in the 70s and 80s.
“Therefore, today I resign my membership of the PDP. In stepping out of partisan politics for the meantime, I will continue to be politically engaged. I will also continue to support the government and all the elected officers in Nigeria to repositioning the nation.
“I will also constructively criticize them when by commission or omission they take actions that could damage the prospects of transforming Nigeria into a productive, merit-based and honestly governed country.”
Mr. Nnamani later told PREMIUM TIMES on telephone that he was leaving because it had become crystal clear to him that nothing would change in the party in the foreseeable future.
He recalled that on November 10, 2015, he led a delegation of concerned party leaders to the Wadata Plaza national secretariat of the party to push for change.
“We were simply dismissed,” Mr. Nnamani said. “They simply said they would get back to us. We haven’t heard from them since then.”
He said even after the party was defeated in the 2015 general election, and other like-minded party members believed that that defeat could be transformed to victory.
“We were hopeful and continued to push for reform,” Mr. Nnamani said. “But as you can see, that hasn’t work. Those who led us to defeat have continued to hold the party down.
“In the circumstance, I have to move on and get on with my life.”
Read Mr. Nnamani’s full statement below.
PDP, the Burden and My Conscience
Without any iota of bitterness in my heart, I have decided to disengage from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and consequently step aside from partisan politics in the interim. I wish to express my profound gratitude to the party that gave me the platform with which I attained the height I did in the politics of our country.
How I wish the efforts I mounted with some of my colleagues (many of whom have left the party) to keep the PDP on the path of its noble vision and values had been supported by those who were privileged to be at the helm of affairs of the party, it would have been a different day for the PDP. It would have been a day of victory and pride not of defeat and shame.
I recall that the virus of corruption of values and mission was what those my colleagues and I set out to cure through the formation of the PDP Reform Forum in 2010/11. We worked hard to draw up a new direction for the Party.
This was to help steer the party away from illegality and impropriety so that PDP can fulfill its promise of being a vanguard of Nigeria’s political and economic development. A direction defined by strict adherence to basic rules and morality in the management of party affairs. Chief of these values is respect for choice of party members in electing party candidates for elections.
With more than half a decade of championing such a fundamental but simple idea, I regret that the PDP leadership continues to rebuff internal democracy. The party allowed itself to be blinded by hubris to believe that it will remain in power and influence for 60 years in spite of several gross missteps and grievous misnomer. We foresaw this ditch and prescribed how to avert falling into it. But we were dismissed as idealistic. Today the idealists have become realists.
Recently, even after our avoidable abysmal electoral defeat, I continued to believe that we can still chart a new course and retrieve victory from the jaw of defeat. I continued to urge the leadership of the party to believe that the time of defeat could be the time of renewal, and that renewal requires strategic thinking and bold actions.
I urged that this is a time to reembrace internal democracy and principled leadership to reposition the party for new politics. We are living in different times and we need new tools, ethos and codes of conduct. We need to become a party of technocrats and professionals and not a party of mercenaries and rent seekers.
We need to become the party of young men and women with new ideas and not a party of political dinosaurs. It is clear now that these pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Every day the crisis of confidence and the contradictions in our party deepen. We continue to lose members and morale. The rebuilding some of us had urged on the leadership is not happening. Those who led us to defeat are determined to continue to lead the party as undertakers.
I do not believe I should continue to be a member of the PDP as it is defined today. This is certainly not the party I joined years ago to help change my country. I do not also believe that the PDP as it is managed today will provide an opportunity for me to continue to play the politics of principles and values which I set for myself as a young man on leaving graduate school and working for a large multinational in the United States in the 70s and 80s.
Therefore, today I resign my membership of the PDP. In stepping out of partisan politics for the meantime, I will continue to be politically engaged. I will also continue to support the government and all the elected officers in Nigeria to repositioning the nation. I will also constructively criticize them when by commission or omission they take actions that could damage the prospects of transforming Nigeria into a productive, merit-based and honestly governed country.
As I leave PDP, I wish the leaders a new awakening and ethical revival. I cherish all the friends I made while in PDP and hope the friendship will continue to flourish.
As I leave PDP, I wish the leaders a new awakening and ethical revival. I cherish all the friends I made while in PDP and hope the friendship will continue to flourish.
God bless Nigeria.
Senator Ken Nnamani, GCON