The Hood – Hearing from your neighborhood

SS3 Student Falls From Mango Tree, Dies In Ondo

Tragedy stuck at the Ijo Mimo High School, Akure, Ondo State, on Saturday, as an SS3 pupil, Temitayo Oluwole, fell down from a mango tree and died on the premises of the school.

It was gathered that the deceased was the senior prefect of the school and was preparing for the Senior Secondary School Certificate and the National Examinations Council examinations coming up in June and July.

A colleague of the deceased, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Temitayo was sent by a teacher to pluck some mangoes from the tree after the weekend tutorial and that he hit his head on the ground in the process.

The fellow pupil stated, “We all came for tutorial on Saturday and after the tutorial, one of our teachers asked him to go and pluck some mangoes for him; it was while he was on the tree to pluck the mangoes that he fell down and later died.

“This was the fourth time a student had died after falling from that particular mango tree in this school; in spite of that, our teachers still send us to pluck mangoes for them from that tree. Despite our cries that the tree is evil, we can’t disobey them whenever they send us to climb the tree to pluck mangoes.”

The father of the deceased, Pastor Bode Adegoke, expressed sadness over the incident, adding that the boy fell from the mango tree and hit his head on the ground.

He explained that the deceased passed away at the Trauma Centre, Ondo, where we was referred to.

“When the incident happened, we rushed him to a private hospital, where we were referred to the state hospital and from the state hospital, we were again referred to the Trauma Centre, Ondo, where he gave up the ghost around 6.52pm,” Bode said.

He also stated that the matter was reported at the police station.

The Commissioner for Education, Mr Femi Agagu, who confirmed the incident, said the state government would look into the matter.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Femi Joseph, said the command had commenced investigation into the case.

Rivers guber: Don’t drag DSS into your assault on democracy- Group warns Wike

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has been warned against rubbishing the image and efforts of the Department of Security Service, DSS, to score cheap political points.

National Democratic Front, which gave the warning, said Wike developed the habit of trying to compromise security agencies ahead of the Rivers State governorship election collation.

NDF in a statement hailed DSS and Army personnel as professionals who can never be compromised and no amount of intimidation will force them to abandon the duty of safeguarding the country

Comrade Jasper Ojua, the Publicity Secretary of the group said it was appalled that Wike has continued with his perverted mission of destroying the credibility of critical national institutions in his bid to make the state a breakaway region of Nigeria, with the Department of State Services (DSS) being his latest target.

The statement warned that the attitude of undermining Nigeria for the interest of one individual is unacceptable in its totality.

The statement reads below.

The DSS was compelled to defend itself against Wike’s allegation that it was acting under instructions to undermine the electoral process in River state, which was suspended following elements of uncertainty, industrial scale violence and compromise of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Rivers State Governor.

The DSS is the most recent in the long list of Federal Agencies that Wike has falsely accused of interfering with the elections. The Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, upstanding INEC officials that resisted being compromised amongst others have been accused by the governor at one time or the other of working on instruction from Abuja.

Wike might think he would be able to stave off judgement day indefinitely but lying that the DSS is working against the completion of the electoral process is disingenuous and will not avail him much especially when the world knows that he alone has to put an end to the orgy of violence he has mobilized against his own people for the process to resume and be concluded. The shock of being rejected by Rivers people, who have become wiser to his antics, is certainly what is making him hallucinate to the point of placing the blame on the doorsteps of agencies that have done much to prevent Rivers state from descending into chaotic hell.

This behaviour of the part of the governor is not surprising since it is typical of a drowning of person to clutch at the air, but Wike should know that he must not drag the name of the DSS in the mud having failed in its attempt to blackmail the Nigerian Army, Police and INEC. Like the Nigerian Army that displayed utmost professionalism in line with grand norm, the DSS has professionally proven its mettle in the course of providing cover during the elections and should not be added to Wike’s shopping list of agencies to discredit because they did not compromise to avoid rigging.

Perhaps Wike’s actual grouse with the DSS has more to do with his thug’s inability to impersonate the operatives of the service as they did with the military. He is also upset with the Service for blocking his attempts to promote separatist sentiments in River state. But same as Wike’s ‘boys’ were unable to impersonate the DSS, he should note that the service, like the Nigerian Army, will not compromise to partially take sides with him against the wishes of the electorates.

Instead of throwing tantrums and hallucinating a non-existent gang-up of federal agencies against him, Wike should rather focus on articulating his defence at the expiration of his immunity when the people of Rivers state drag him before various judicial institutions over the theft of their resources, attempt to pervert their votes, murder of their loved ones, attempting to declare a Rivers state secession from Nigeria and radicalization of their youths into terrorists. By the time the consequences of these sins against his own people start coming home to roost he would definitely be blaming the Nigerian Prison Service for accepting to making him serve the resulting multiple jail terms.

The National Democratic Front there advises Wike to desist from the already flopping strategy of discrediting security and military agencies in the hope that they will abandon Rivers state to allow him have the chance at successfully manipulating the elections. Even if he were to succeed in sending this agencies out of the state, which he is not constitutionally empowered to do, the rejection that he has suffered at the polls still stands and will not be reversed when the electoral process resumes and is completed with Rivers state remaining an integral part of Nigeria contrary to Wike’s wish to declare it a breakaway region.

Obasanjo and Buhari; Who Is A Victim Of Age? By Abubakar B. Tsav

In Nigeria or African generally, septuagenarian or octogenarian ages are like a double edged sword. It could be a curse or a blessing to someone depending on how he utilizes this special favour from God Almighty in spending these rare years of grace. So, both suffer either of these two afflictions.

They can be treasures of wisdom in their communities or nations. But the worse experience is when such people bow to the strings of senility and the instinctual drive of incoherence. The latter category is the problem tormenting Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (OBJ). And his case seems on the wayward side because innately, he brooks no opposition to his views and parades a fake aura of superior wisdom.

While serving as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999-2003) Sen. JKN Waku (of blessed memory) saw the dictatorial personage of OBJ in democratic garbs quite early in the day. And he exposed and demystified OBJ in a lengthy interview he granted, Crystal International Magazine, with the caption, “Obasanjo’s Days Are Numbered.” What has stamped on the psyche of many Nigerians is OBJ’s flaunted penchant of Mr. Know-All. He erroneously passes himself as an embodiment of the collective wisdom of over 200 million Nigerians.

So, OBJ, the former Military and democratic leader of Nigeria has been restless on the political turf of Nigeria; making pronouncements at every point and countering or reversing himself on national issues in a manner that belittles his status, as elder stateman. More than a few Nigerians believe Nigeria has found itself in the subsisting mess President Muhammadu Buhari has bent backwards to re-fix because the likes of the nation’s former leaders like OBJ fretted away the golden opportunities they had to consolidate on the foundation laid by the country’s founding fathers and nationalists.

Therefore, the problems of Nigeria are created and nurtured to fruition by OBJ. But how he finds the conscience to exonerate himself and a heart to blame other leaders who are more transparent and honest with the leadership of Nigeria remains baffling. But it is not strange, if anyone is acquainted with OBJ’s obsequious character.

His inconsistent utterances in recent years have earned him all manner of derogative epaulets. But it appears, OBJ has no sense of shame. And so, he keeps parroting in Nigeria and around the globe on issues he embellishes to blend with his selfish agenda and egoistic pride.

A few days ago, OBJ was in Johannesburg, South Africa at the launch of a book he co-authored with Zimbabwe’s opposition leader and former finance minister, Mr. Tendai Biti and others titled, “Democracy Works — Rewiring Politics to Africa’s Advantage.” But in an asinine twist during an interview he granted AFP, OBJ deviated from the core issues in a book he co-authored to innuendic references in acerbic tirades on the reelection of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari for another term of four years.

One would empathize with OBJ’s failing senses when what he said in the interview is analyzed. He spoke distastefully about African leaders who are septuagenarians’ and octogenarians’ clinging unto power and promoting the sit-tight syndrome, which he opined, has slowed down the progress of democracy on the African continent. Good submission, to say, the least on face value.

But read OBJ’s suggested panacea to the younger generation of Africans in solving the problem; “If the youth think that they will get into power on a platter, they are not getting it right…They will have to snatch it, those (ageing leaders) will not go.”

It’s really amusing; but what good can anybody expect from OBJ, a leader without scruples? He imposed the politics of “do or die affair,” as serving President of Nigeria on the platform of the PDP. OBJ introduced anarchy and chaos in Nigeria’s electoral system and by this utterance; by all nuances means he has refused to purge himself of such tendencies.

Again, his words; “They will have to snatch it, those (ageing leaders) will not go,” is apt reference to the violence Nigerian people encounter during democratic transitions in Nigeria today. It explains why the people perceive general elections like a war, instead of a peaceful exercise of electing and empowering fresh leaders through the ballot.

Signs that senility has heavily weighed down on OBJ, he tacitly lampoons President Buhari for insisting to remain in power at his age, but based on popular demand by Nigerians. But in OBJ’s jaded perspectives, Buhari ought not to have sought reelection in 2019.

But who was OBJ’s preferred candidate against Buhari in the 2019 presidential contest on the platform of the opposition PDP? Shockingly, it was the septuagenarian Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, his former deputy and a man he had several condemned, even in his published book, “My Watch,” as corrupt, dubious and someone “with shadowy ancestry,” at the expense of other younger generation candidates in the 2019 general elections. Its not only when a man walks the streets naked that his insanity is confirmed. OBJ is a classic example.

Laughably, OBJ has forgotten that when he plotted his failed third term bid in 2006, on the eve of the expiration of his second term as Nigeria’s democratic President, he was in the twilight of his septuagenarian age. Yet, he dubiously and criminally sought to cause an illegal Constitutional amendment that would warrant him to contest the presidency for the third time. Nigerians rejected the idea. And he has nursed the wounds eternally, which accounts for why whoever occupies Aso Villa Abuja, the Presidential seat of power easily incurs the wrath of OBJ, if he fails to accept his besmirched counsels. Buhari is such a victim.

OBJ believes in his words or actions only when it serves his selfish agenda. He may feel pained that Nigerians have overwhelmingly reelected President Buhari for another term. But the difference between OBJ and Buhari is that the latter does not use his powers indiscriminately and dubiously to secure leadership unlike the former.

Buhari won his reelection on a clean slate, in free, fair and credible elections. Political spinners or jobbers couldn’t even buy car tyres off him in the guise of fixing his reelection victory. It’s novel in the history of Nigeria’s electoral process. OBJ’s lone desire cannot surpass that of millions of Nigerians who prefer President Buhari and, at this stage silence from OBJ would be more golden.

Truth is sacred and it must be told, no matter who is embittered by it. The series of gaffes committed by OBJ is an indication that he has more issues with aging than President Buhari. His inconsistency in actions and utterances have confirmed it indubitably. Conversely, Buhari has never changed unlike OBJ, his accuser, who changes from time to time like a chameleon. He needs real help to overcome his multiple personality issues from his nuclear family, to politics and leadership, which many believe undoubtedly, it is as a result of his age which has blurred his wisdom.

Those close to OBJ should begin to tinker with the idea of working on his senses and public outings. He is bringing too much shame on himself and his family for no justification. For all it takes, OBJ is not the only former President of Nigeria still alive. There are the likes of Gen. Yakubu Gowon; Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, and Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. But none of them is this excited on checkmating every shadow of the occupant of Aso Rock. And until recently, when he joined his ancestors, Alhaji Shehu Shagari was choosy in commenting on national affairs.

There is potent evidence that OBJ has wronged God and needs to plead for His forgiveness. It is shameful that OBJ who is a supposed elder statesman will embark on such an empty voyage to satisfy his ego and pride. A genuine Christian ought not to be as vindictive as OBJ portrays himself everywhere. He needs prayers and God’s attention urgently.

Tsav is former Commissioner of Police and Commissioner at the Public Complaints Commission, Abuja.

Nigerian Army And The Triumph Of Public Trust

By Nkechi Odoma

Framers of the Constitution of nations are like the Biblical three wise men. They belong to the realm of thinkers akin to the ancient and great Greek philosophy kings like Plato and Aristotle among others.

Everywhere in the world, the Constitution, which is the supreme document of all sovereign countries, prescribes the protection of lives and property of the citizenry as a cardinal and foremost responsibility of all governments.

Nigeria as a country has been a potpourri of violent crises and armed conflicts. The excitement of some debased citizens to take up arms against the state or their own country confounds infinitely. And most astonishing is that most times, the violence entrepreneurs and merchants of deaths have no cogent reasons for embarking on the demonic destructions they contrive and execute.

These forces of darkness unashamedly puncture the cord of their own fraternity for inexplicable reasons. In the recent history of African countries, Nigeria has portrayed itself as a nation intrinsically more abused with violence and deaths by its own people and in connivance with foreign allies than any other country on the continent through acts of terrorism and insurrections.

And the onus of restoring peace and security has always rested on the Nigerian military, particularly, the Nigerian Army. It is a heavy burden and sacrifice they make on behalf of the country, considering that some soldiers even pay the supreme price in battles to secure Nigeria.

The portrait of Nigeria is a sad commentary on this self-acclaimed giant of Africa. A roll call of the armed conflicts shuddering Nigeria leaves one gasping for breath.

Some few bad elements in the country have forced Nigerians over the years to contend with Boko Haram, armed banditry and cattle rustling, violent secession campaigns, militancy, farmers/herders skirmishes and communal clashes spurred by resolvable disagreements. There is a retinue of other armed militias who terrorize and torment the people, especially, at electoral seasons. This is in addition to kidnapping for ransom and armed robberies.

Its repeating the obvious to say, Nigeria’s 2019 general elections which have just been concluded appeared pregnable of enmeshing Nigeria into deadly electoral induced violence. It surely would have exploded into unimaginable and controllable violence and killings across the country had solders deviated or reneged on their sacred roles as sentries on election duty.

To say, Nigerians who are masterminds of these devious acts are insane might be too harsh; but unfortunately, it is an appropriate description in this circumstance.

In the years preceding the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, the experiences of Nigerians with these wild security threats have been most horrendous. It became more painful and pathetic when the Nigerian military faltered terribly and incredibly in arresting these armed siege on Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the progression of these violent crises consistently brought deaths, pains, agonies and destructions to the people almost every day. The people genuinely lost confidence in the capacity or competence of soldiers to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria. The public could no longer hold unto to the trust in the Army to defend them against both internal and external aggressions as the last resort. Wailings engulfed the land and the country became a laughing stock in the comity of nations.

The scenario marketed the then leaders of Nigeria and the military as incompetent and insensitive to the afflictions of the people. But joyfully, the Buhari Presidency from its inception vowed never to tolerate the festering armed conflicts in Nigeria. He vowed to end it. The President immediately reorganized the leadership of the Nigerian military and gave them specific assignments and targets.

What has remained a nemesis and nightmare to troubleshooters or promoters of armed conflicts in Nigeria was the emergence of a professional and craggy soldier, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai as COAS and Chief Armour bearer of the counter-insurgency operations. He identified needs of his troops, reoriented soldiers and repositioned the Army to face the assailing challenges of insecurity which nearly crumbled the country.

Looking back at yesterday, millions of Nigerians heaved a sigh of relieve because Gen. Buratai has posted marvelous and positive results in securing Nigeria and berthing the needed peace in war-torn communities. The dedication and hard work of the Chief of Army Staff in personally leading troops to battle insurgents and insurrectionists, in the past three years have rekindled the trust and confidence of Nigerians in the Nigerian Army. The aura of peace and security is felt in unusual places in the country, what was elusive in the immediate past.

And conscionable Nigerians had no option than to appreciate soldiers. The renewed trust and confidence in Nigerian soldiers by the people is further consolidated or deepened with soldiers’ demonstrated proclivity to remain apolitical, neutral and to religiously safeguard Nigeria’s democracy to maturity, insulated from the snares of destroyers.

The few Nigerians who nursed fears that the deployment of the Military on election duty would lead to the compromise of the ballot and rape of democracy are most consoled now. The splendid performance of soldiers throughout the two rounds of the 2019 general elections and the supplementary polls have enforced this feeling.

In fairness and truth, no Nigerian can conveniently claim soldiers on election duty interfered with the electoral process in aiding politicians thwart the popular will of the people or truncate democracy anywhere. Rather pleasantly, Army officers and personnel resisted the temptation of bribes from politicians, to mess up democracy, as emerging facts about the Rivers state instance among others are indicating.

So, the military supersonic outings in enthroning a secured and peaceful Nigeria for voters to perform their civic responsibility have obviated hitherto misplaced fears about soldiers involvement in the electoral process. The Army has made Nigeria proud.

Conclusively, the Army has earned and won the people’s trust; Nigeria’s democracy is now safe with the eagle eyes and alertness of soldiers in starving off anti-democratic forces from disrupting the system and creating unnecessary heat. Gladly again, no Nigerian now nurses the fear of the military actions or engagement into civil matters anywhere, anymore.

Such fears have been replaced with love and fondness, because Nigerians can now retire to night rest in any part of the country with their two eyes closed and in full pleasure of the bliss of peace and security. Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian soldiers deserve more accolades from Nigerians for their messianic roles in the country. And its obvious, such praises would keep coming in torrents. The restored trust and confidence of Nigerians in the Nigerian military, particularly, the Army is the real triumph of soldiers over terrorism and insurrections in the country.

Odoma wrote this piece from Asokoro, Abuja.

EFCC raises team to quiz Amosun, Okorocha, Yari as immunity ends

Ahead of May 29, 2019, handover date to newly-elected states helmsmen, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has set up teams to probe some governors accused of perpetrating acts of corruption.

At least 12 states will have new governors on May 29 after the tenure of the current ones would have ended.

The states that will have new chief executives include Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Imo, Kwara, Nasarawa, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Zamfara.

Of the 12 states, however, four governors have been accused of corruption.

They include Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State; Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed; the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari; and Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun.

Okorocha, who has been suspended by the All Progressives Congress, has been accused of diverting over N1bn meant for the campaign of his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, who contested on the platform of the Action Alliance.

The EFCC said in an interim report that it had arrested the Accountant-General of Imo State, Uzoho Casmir, for allegedly helping Okorocha to launder N1.05bn for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.

In Zamfara State, the EFCC is investigating Yari for alleged diversion of funds running into billions of naira.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had, in 2017, ordered an interim forfeiture of the sums of N500m and $500,000 said to have been looted from the Paris Club refunds made by the Federal Government in favour of the 36 states of the federation.

The sums of money, said to have been recovered from two firms, First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited, and Gosh Projects Limited, were allegedly linked to Yari.

The EFCC alleged that the sums of money were fraudulently diverted from the NGF’s bank account on the instruction of Yari. According to the commission, about N500m from the money was diverted to offset Yari’s personal loan obtained from the First Generation Mortgage Bank Limited.

Ahmed of Kwara State, will also be invited by the EFCC once his tenure comes to an end.

His successor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, has also vowed to probe the governor once he loses his immunity.

Ahmed, who is the godson to Senate President Bukola Saraki, was accused of diverting state funds.

Earlier in the month, the EFCC arrested six commissioners and government officials in Kwara State for allegedly diverting N1bn a week before the National Assembly and presidential elections.

The EFCC said in a situation report that bank officials had been brought in for questioning and had made relevant statements.

Amosun, who has been suspended by the APC, has also come under probe by the commission.

The probe was sequel to a petition written by a group, Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate, over an alleged misappropriation of N4bn Anchor Borrowers’ Fund meant for Ogun farmers.

The group, in the petition dated February 20, 2019, alleged that the sum was made available to the Amosun-led government in 2017 by the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide jobs for the residents through the mass production of rice.

It alleged that Amosun staged a jamboree ceremony and set up fake rice pyramids to deceive the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, when he (Emefiele) visited the state last year.

The group further accused the governor of abandoning the project in spite of his promise to establish rice plantations in the three senatorial districts of the state.

The EFCC may, however, have to wait till 2023 before taking further action on five governors-elect – Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State; Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State and his Akwa Ibom State counterpart, Udom Emmanuel, as well as Kano Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, who are all being investigated for alleged diversion of public funds.

Should Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, win re-election in April, the EFCC will also have to wait till 2023 before taking any action against him.

A panel constituted to investigate the electoral and other offences perpetrated during the December 10, 2016 Rivers parliamentary re-run said that it recovered N111m from 23 INEC officials.

The Chairman of the panel, Damian Okoro, alleged that three senior electoral officers collected N20m each out of the N360m given to them by Governor Wike, while the remaining officers received N15m each.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesman for the EFCC, Mr. Tony Orilade, said all the corruption allegations would be treated on a “case-by-case” basis.

Orilade said, “I don’t have the full details of the cases but investigations have been going on as regards some of these cases and as soon as their immunity is gone, we will take further action and if there is a prima facie case, we will take the matter to court.

“As for those who have won and are going to be covered by immunity, it does not mean that investigations will stop. They are not immune from investigation but from prosecution as guaranteed by the constitution. And at the proper time, if there is a prima facie case, they will be prosecuted.”

Lagos Based Writer, Dawood-Akerele Celebrates Tinubu at 67

MAY BE . . .

Tribute To ASIWAJU BOLA TINUBU

An evergreen Poem composed by Aare Tunde Dawood-Akerele

Jagaban Borgu

A generational phenomenon

Such a rare breed in Africa

Bola was born a lion

Roars, rules, reigns

Posseses the gut

So fearless, daring

Destined to rule

Not just to roar

Jagaban Borgu

Across the continent

Many leaders had gone

Ruled in the time past

Done their good, better, best

Has anyone surpassed him?

Has anyone made men like him?

Has anyone built crowns like him?

Has anyone built vault like him?

Has anyone shared love like him?

Has anyone shown kindness like him?

May be!

I’m still searching

Using Google, crystal ball

Consulting the soothsayer

If Ahmed are two or more

In this generation, moment

Though, the list is unending

But just only one Bola Ahmed

Unique in all ramifications

Can we still get his species?

May be!

Many hate him, many love him

That’s how it should be, expected

Tinubu is so ambidextrous

He dismantles a hot

To build a mansion

He destests sheep

But loves lions, tigers

He supplies confidence

He shares bravery, power

He builds, he destroys

A bricklayer, a bulldozer

Can anyone act like him?

May be!

With his money

With his connection

Ahmed has removed

Tinubu has installed

He’ll still remove, install

Govs, President, Minister

He dictates who will go

He anoints who will stay

Has anyone done that like him?

May be!

Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a bridge

Linked the regions, the zones

The South with the North

The home, the abroad

The loved, the hate

The poor, the rich

What a bridge

That must not cut

Any other bridge?

May be!

MAY BE!

Call him a soldier

As he covers his heart with khakhi

Armed his voice with gun and bullets

Shoot but hardly misses the target

He selects among the best to lead

He defiles bariers at selection time

Ignores protocol, stick to his choice

Even if heaven seems falling, dropping

Dares crowns, dares crowd, dares colour

Stands unawed against all odds

Tinubu will never retreat nor surrender

Will this orator retire?

May be!

The money river streaming in bourdillion

Oozing unending So Atlantic, so Oceanic,

He plunges bunches of money like oranges

Ahmed veries his cash in trucks, jets

Tinubu feels uncomfortable without sharing

He passionately loves to bless the needy

Bola cares to raise a kitten to a cat

Will this benevolent spirit depart him?

May be!

Jagaban talks carelessly like a tobbaco man

That’s when he aims to hit his opponents, detractors

Asiwaju is so eloquent while schooling his fans

He often attacks the power with his grammar

He speaks Yoruba like a learner, toddler

He believes so much in the power of his tongue.

He revers Awolowo, Abiola, other gone heroes beyond description.

Is there any other talker like him?

May be!

Tinubu, Eko himself

Keeps the city’s master plan in his chest pocket

Wants no pupils out of school

Rebuilds education not just structure

Provides estates for every sector

Keens to see Lagos as clean as Mecca

Expands markets every month, every year

Designs a workable transportation system

Creates jobs through various agencies

Tinubu takes care of the monarchs

Bola expands beyond the state of aquatic nature

Hope to see other states like a centre of excellence

Anyone with this kind of dream?

May be!

Epic, he deserves, not elegy

I prefer to celebrate him in his lifetime

Epigraph, cenotaph not the best

Tinubu deserves a litany of encomium

Eulogy, panergyric,

Ahmed worth stanzas of poems

To be memorized and reciting

Every morning, On assembly ground

In the afternoon, on assembly ground

In public school across the state

Does any other one deserve this?

May be!

Explosive: That $1 Million Fraud That Catriona Laing Wants To Kill

Agency Report

Some experiences in life makes you happy, laugh or smile; while others make you forever sad. Ask my candid opinion, I dare say, piteously that leaders of United Kingdom (UK) or Britain are in serious image crisis. That UK patriot and convener of the “UK Matters Most,” (UKMM) group Activist James Moore has murdered royal or kingly sleep.

Moore led a clan of angry soul mates in peaceful protest to #10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, the imperial home of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the Westminster Parliament, London. And if media reports are credible enough, Moore’s group is provoked over the inaction of the British leadership hierarchy to initiate a probe of the nearly month-old allegation as serious of a bribe of $1 million to Consulate staff of the UK, Nigerian Embassy.

In a written letter UKMM submitted defiantly that the alleged action of consulate officials was a disgraceful assault on the dignity of the Crown, reputation or image of Great Britain. UKMM’s letter read in part; “ It is consequently desirable for the Prime Minister to kick-start the process of recalling the consulate officers at the British High Commission in Nigeria and to initiate an investigation as to why they allowed themselves to be involved in politics (Rivers State), and how the monies were shared between them.”

I understand, the alleged kickback was reportedly given to the British diplomats by a desperate Rivers State Gov. Nyesom Wike. The Governor sought reelection in the 2019 general elections in Nigeria. So, the bribe is allegedly to grease the palms of UK Election Observers in Nigeria to cause fabrication or manufacture of false and misleading information against the Nigerian Military in support of Wike’s wired politicking.

President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the deployment of soldiers during the general elections to provide back-up security to curb violent electoral frauds as well as enable a secured environment for free, fair and credible elections.

Moore and his members were piqued at the conspiratorial silence of the authorities in digging this allegation. It tells me or anyone else like the UKMM that the British High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing has faltered in her responsibility of keeping an eagle eye on staff of the British High Commission office in Nigeria.

Or suggestively, she benefitted from the alleged graft, he reason for her sealed lips; if not, Laing would have instantly initiated official action to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of the disreputable allegation. I am alarmed that Laing prefers to be mute, running into weeks, in spite of the damaging allegation against the image and interests of her country.

But if the High Commissioner erred, or she even deliberately ignored it, what has happened to Britain’s high-tech monitoring devices of its offices across the globe? Why is the British PM, Mrs. Theresa May mum on this matter to the extent ordinary Britons on the streets of London knew and had to stage a protest?

To my mind, Moore’s group has not demanded too much from their leaders, by requesting action be initiated on the Consular officials, as they have tainted the country’s image, by unpatriotically misleading Britain about the involvement of the military in Nigeria’s elections. The group urged immediate action from the Prime Minister to get to the roots and truths of matter.

But the scenario of Britain’s foot-dragging over inquest into such a serious allegation of graft makes me pensive. It has left me pondering about the sanctimonious posture of Britain over corruption. I vividly remembered how yesterday, former British PM, David Cameron openly satirized Nigeria before our democratic leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, as “ fantastically corrupt” and the several other attempts to demean Nigeria.

An African aphorism warns us that “Faults are like hills. You climb yours and then see other people’s faults. “Cameron audaciously berated President Buhari by uttering that “We’ve got some leaders of some fantastically corrupt countries coming to Britain… Nigeria and Afghanistan, possibly the two most corrupt countries in the world.”

I think, the odious remark portrays Britain as beyond this malaise which is a global problem; it signifies and beckons to Britain’s high moral pedestal on corruption or acts of graft. But I can’t see the spirit applied in this instance, rather Britain is shirking. But i have found solace in UK’s inaction in a Sierra Leonean proverb which says; “It is not changing into a lion that is hard; it is getting the tail of a lion.”

And I am more disturbed that events in Nigeria’s post 2019 general elections era lends strong credence to the allegation, which propelled the Moore group into protests. In fact the UK election observer group, which monitored the governorship and states assembly elections truly and underhandedly, indicted the Nigerian military.

In an official report titled: Re: UK Expresses Concern Over Military Involvement In Rivers Poll,” the UK Election observers claimed the Nigerian Military interfered with the electoral process in Rivers state . It disclosed that the illegal military action imposed additional obstacles on INEC staff in the course of performing their legitimate duties and caused the political crisis in the state.

But what is still baffling to me is that the Military were drafted all over Nigeria for the elections. But such a damning report only came from UK election observers in Rivers state. The Nigerian Army through its Acting Director of Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa relieved my anxiety by faulting the claims of the UK and described the report as baseless.

I am ashamed that Ms Catriona Laing is plotting to cover this alleged bribery scandal by Consulate officials which has already gone viral. My conviction is that her silence betrays her intention of sweeping under the carpet this allegation despite glaring and incontrovertible evidences.

I am emboldened to say, apart from circumstantial evidence, information which has so far leaked into public domain from the Rivers Government House have all pointed to the alleged crime. And added to it, my observation of the behavior of the Nigerian staff at the Consulate office while the scandal rage, unaddressed reminds me of a Swahili proverb which reveals that “A letter from the heart can be read on the face.”

And to my greatest consternation and curiousity, even the loquacious Gov. Wike has maintained a studious silence since the scandal broke out. Can Wike in all sincerity tell Nigerians and the world that he didn’t give any money ? Similarly, the British High Commission office has also sustained absolute silence; perhaps, in confirmation of the wisdom of a Nigerian adage which says; “If the vulture fails to hover at the end of a sacrifice, then you know that something happened in the land of spirits.”

I am now forced to burden myself with many rhetorical questions; Who is fooling who in this instance? Where is the flaunted moral pedigree of the United Kingdom, our former colonial masters, if it cannot investigate and discipline its own found guilty over alleged corruption?

I care less about politicians, especially, Wike’s supporters or anybody else who would spitefully term the scandal as fake news. But can there be smoke without fire? Is the British High Commission in Nigeria telling Nigerians or the rest of us that all their members of staff are saints that should be beatified and canonized?

Or that the political leader in Rivers state who gave the bribe to UK election observers has paid his way and become a saint because he has conscripted them to rubbish the Nigerian Military or Army? Another Nigerian proverb says; “A set of white teeth does not indicate a pure heart.”

I have every reason to pity Ms Catriona Laing. She does not know Gov. Wike. The Rivers Governor has travelled this path many times before since 2015. Wike believes in crude and violent politics. He is very free in using money to induce his targets for such hatchet jobs. Madam High Commissioner, you didn’t know Gov. Wike, but it appears you over romanced him for wrong reasons. Wike is like the proverbial Lucifer and those who know him, dines with him with a long spoon.

During the same elections, the Nigerian Army cried out at attempts by Wike to financially induce the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamil Sarham. When Sarham resisted Wike publicly smeared his name by accusing him of responsibility for the electoral violence and killings in the state. He proceeded to maliciously call on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute Major General Jamil Sarham for crimes against humanity.

And how did Wike overnight pulled out Mr. Akpo Bomba Yeeh, African Action Congress’s (AAC) running mate to the governorship candidate, Engr. Biokpomabo Awara into PDP, forcing him to dump the AAC for PDP? Reliable sources told me, Yeeh was kidnapped by Wike’s agents, who ferried him to Government House in Port Harcourt, “ where he was forced to resign/defect to the PDP and the sum of two hundred million naira, a SUV (car) and accommodation were given to him.”

Laing you may not get the full grasp of what I am saying or my expressed fears immediately; but Gov. Wike in the last few years has embarked on amazing state sponsored killings and forced disappearances of people with dissenting voices against him. But why are such issues scantily reported in the Nigerian media. Wike has recruited and trained armed militias who are killing recklessly, but the majority of the vibrant media in Nigeria I know are silent over the killings in Rivers state under Gov. Wike. So, those who transact illicit business with Gov. Wike must be mindful of his destructive antics.

Jojo receives Certificate of return to represent Abeokuta South Constituency 1

Hon. Temitope Yussuf Adejojo, Abeokuta South Constituency 1 House of Assembly member-elect earlier today received certificate of return as member of Ogun State of Assembly.

The certificate of return was issued to Ogun State Governor-elect Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun alongside the twenty six (26) House of Assembly members-elect which Honourable Temitope Yussuf Adejojo happens to be one of them.

Jojo as fondly called appreciated all his constituents and promised them that he won’t let them down.

US Report on Nigeria aimed at legitimizing criminal activities of terrorists, extremists – ANSD

Nigerian scholars abroad, under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Scholars in Diaspora, ANDS, have faulted the recent report by the US Department of State on Corruption and Human Rights violation under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government.

A report by the US Department of State entitled, “2018 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,” accused the Nigerian government and the military of arbitrary and unlawful killings.

However, ANDS believes that the report was apparently aimed at legitimizing criminal activities of terrorists and extremists in Nigeria.

The association made this known in a communiqué issued at the end of a meeting to review the country reports on human rights practices for 2018.

Prof Bitrus Gamwa and Pita Agbese, President and Secretary General respectively who signed the communiqué on behalf of the Diasporan Nigeria scholars, outrightly rejected the report in its entirety and, therefore, called on other professional bodies of Nigerian origin to do the same, while mandating the Federal Government to communicate the rejection of the report in writing to the United States through its embassy in Nigeria.

The communiqué reads in full.

The Association of Nigerian Scholars in Diaspora on Monday March 25, 2019 in London, the United Kingdom met to review the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018 published by the United States. Those in attendance held discussions that drew correlation with past incidents and the recently published report. They noted as follow:

The State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour of the United States sometimes in March 2019 published its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018.

The 2018 edition was the 43rd annual Country Reports on Human Rights published by the US and it continued in the tradition of maligning Nigeria and countries that it may have other issues with.

Preface to the 2018 report stated that “individuals seeking reforms to end the wrongful interference in the exercise of unalienable rights – whether those individuals are in or out of government – will find a sympathetic friend and strong supporter in the United States of America.”

The section of the report that pertained to Nigeria was filled with half-truths, misleading information and outright lies that are meant to subjugate Nigeria by way of bringing the country to heel in aligning with US geo-strategic interests even where they run contrary to Nigeria’s interests.

It deliberately took aim at crucial government agencies of Nigeria in a bid to make it appear like a repressive regime contrary to its democratic credential as a popularly elected government.

The report was a covert disguise for putting ammunition in the hands of the opposition as proven by the assertion made by the United States in (3) above, by which it accepts that it is willing to work with individuals that sabotage Nigeria provided they serve the interest of America.

The questionable support for criminals as itemized in (3) above is the excuse under which the United States issued the report and similar reports that undermine the Armed Forces of Nigeria for the benefit of terrorists like Boko Haram, ISWAP, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and militants in the Niger-Delta. These groups that qualify as terrorists by internationally accepted definitions are apparently being supported by the United States.

The support for the opposition and terrorists extends beyond tactical backing with reports like the Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2018 include indirect arming of these groups with weapons that are first supplied to third party countries like Syria from where they will find their way into the hands of these US lackeys in Nigeria. The incursion of the US into Venezuela is a model that the opposition in Nigeria continued to use as blackmail against the government as they vowed to repeat something similar.

The US report made another attempt at delegitimizing the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2014 by presenting it as repressive, an inference that ignored the legislative process adopted by elected Federal Lawmakers to arrive at the legislation.

OBSERVATIONS

The meeting observed based on the linkages established with the antecedents of the US that:

The report is a recognized work of fiction taken too far. The kind of make-believe rendition and account of events showed that the people behind the report have lost the capacity to distinguish between what impacts the wellbeing of country’s citizens and the Hollywood script they modelled the report after.

Bearing in mind that a report is ordinarily supposed to be an academic work with facts and figures accurately stated to stand up to intense scrutiny and debates, the work of fiction being bandied around by the US group is a dent on the mental capacity of its authors.

It is most unfortunate that the US went ahead to publish the section meant to discredit Nigeria even when it is clearly does not meet the benchmark for a rigorous academic research to warrant being taken seriously by anyone anywhere in the world.

Considering the United States’ stated geo-political objective as stated in the general preface to the report, it is apparent that the assessment of Nigeria would have still been negative irrespective what steps the country had taken to address known lapses from decades ago.

The report is predicting and expectant of growing disaffection among the opposition, their becoming militarized and terrorists becoming more belligerent and escalating attacks against the state while the fear of censure would have pushed the military into inertia.

RESOLUTIONS

Following the background provided and the observations made, the Association of Nigerian Scholars in Diaspora resolved as follow:

The Association rejects the report in its entirety and invites other professional bodies of Nigerian origin to do the same, while mandating the Federal Government to communicate the rejection of the report in writing to the United States through its embassy in Nigeria.

The Association will withdraw recognition for any report to which the US government is connected or affiliated until it withdraws the questionable contents it has published against Nigeria. Such reports, including the Country Reports on Human Rights in its entire series, will not be recognized until the lies contained in the 2018 edition are corrected.

It urges all the government agencies that were maligned in the report to take advantage of the right of reply to set the records straight.

The Association urges the Federal Government to take all steps guaranteed under international conventions to demand that the United States correct the malicious lies being told against the country.

CONCLUSION

The meeting of the Association agreed to be proactive in preparing the correct assessment of Nigeria to coincide with the 2019 edition of the Country Reports on Human Rights to ensure that the records are not muddled up for Nigeria in another consecutive year.

YOUTHS TASK APC TO ZONE SENATE PRESIDENCY TO SOUTH EAST …Gives INEC 10 days ultimatum to issue Okorocha certificate of Return

…Calls for the arrest of Imo INEC REC and Guber Returning Officer

The national speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria(YAN), Rt.Hon. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel after an emergency meeting of the leadership of YAN (Southern zone) held in Asaba on monday 25th March,2019 told Radio Nigeria in Asaba that there were qualified persons from south east zone for the position.

He explained that ensuring a South-East Senate President would assuage the people of the region and bring to an end issues of marginalization of the Igbos in the affairs of the nation.

While congratulating the President, on his successful re-election, Rt.Hon. Godstime said that the persuasions by the youth group before the general election contributed to the increased percentage of votes from the region for President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Youths also urged the ninth National Assembly as well as the APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomole to persuade party members in the Senate for the emergence of a South-East senator as the next Senate President.

Rt.Hon. Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel stated that south east senators elect of the ruling APC like Gov. Rochas Okorocha and Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu are well qualified to emerge as President of the senate, Federal republic of Nigeria.

The Southern leadership of YAN in the same vein has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 10 days ultimatum to issue Anayo Rochas Okorocha his Certificate of Return or face their wrath.

The Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN) Southern zone in a statement signed by her National Speaker and made available to Radio Nigeria and the Nation newspaper in Asaba noted that it was unconstitutional and against the electoral Act as amended for INEC to refuse the issuance of Certificate of Return to Rochas Okorocha after his declaration as the winner by the returning officer.

The statement reads in part: We demand that; as a matter of urgency the commission should without any further delay Present the certificate of return of the Senator elect in person of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha to him to mend the breach of the constitution as INEC has no Constitutional right to withhold any certificate of return of any individual that has been pronounce elected and returned by the returning Officer, as only the tribunal can hear electoral matter and offences, meanwhile it’s only a court of competent jurisdiction that have such powers to deny any individual either returned or otherwise. That failure of the commission to present to the winner of the 23rd February election his certificate of return in person of Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha within 10 working days will attract a massive protest from the youth at the headquarters of the commission Abuja.

We wish to categorically state that our citizens will not sit and watch institutions like INEC being bastardized by some few individuals at the detriment of our hard-earned democracy. That INEC has failed woefully as they have chosen to hearken to the voice of some paymasters and deep pocket individuals to the detriment of Nigerians who have spoken through their votes by throwing the country into their so-called inconclusive elections.

Also lending his voice, the speaker of YAN Delta state chapter; Amb. Emeka Emueze noted that for political holiness and fairness, zoning the Nigeria’s senate presidency seat to south east would be the best.

Amb. Emeka also called for the arrest of both the INEC resident electoral commissioner; Francis Otunta and the Professor who served as returning officer for the just concluded Imo guber election for not following Nigeria’s constitutional provisions as in section 179 and electoral rules via declaration of winner of governorship election.