Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates that the Ex-Gov of Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Onaolapo Adesina has died. He was 73 years old.
The former governor had a weakened health in the recent months. On September 19, 2012 the former governor was rushed to the University College Hospital (uch) around 9pm due for an undisclosed ailment. Hospital sources informed that he was being given close monitoring – but did not disclose his ailment. The stakeholders in Oyo State had remain silent over the illness but the chairman of the ACN, Chief Akin Oke confirmed that he was aware that the former governor had been slightly indisposed. In his words, “He has been slightly indisposed. That I know of”.
Born on the 20th day of January, 1939, he attended Loyola College in Ibadan and studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka from 1961 -1963 and later attended University of Ibadan in 1971. He worked in private educational institutions before venturing into politics.He was governor of the state between 1999 and 2003.
He is to be buried immediately at his Felele residence, according to Islamic rites. He died this morning.
‘Sunday Times’ report says Iran’s nuke site hidden safe from conventional airstrikes; Israel left with nuclear, ground options.
Military personnel concluded a conventional strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities may fail, and have been forced to change their tactics accordingly, The Sunday Times reported Sunday, quoting western intelligence and defense sources.
“Israel’s plans have been constantly evolving in recent years according to the progress Iran is making,” The Times quoted a senior defense source as saying.
The Jerusalem Post could not confirm the veracity of this report.
According to The Times, western defense experts discovered Iran’s Fordow nuclear site is hidden deeper underground than previously estimated and therefore safe from conventional airstrikes.
The Times report, quoting Western defense experts, added that due to the “upgraded” progress of Iranian enrichment, Israel has to change their tactics to prevent a loss of up to 20% of its planes from a conventional air strike.
Defense experts claim Israel have two options, to either deploy special forces on the ground, or use ballistic missiles with tactical nuclear warheads, The Times reported.
The Times report follows a Channel 2 investigation which discovered Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the IDF to raise its alert level ahead of a possible attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2010.
During a meeting of select senior ministers in 2010, Netanyahu allegedly ordered the IDF to raise its state of alert to “P-plus,” reserved for an imminent state of war, according to the report.
Then-IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi and then-Mossad chief Meir Dagan considered the order “illegal” and resisted it.
Among the arguments used most against a solo Israeli attack is an argument voiced by Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. He expressed that an Israeli attack could not take out the Iranian program.
However, setting Iran’s nuclear plans back a few years to buy time for regime change or other unforeseen developments would be good in its own right, even if Israel cannot completely take out Iran’s nuclear program, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said recently, the Post learned.
Netanyahu, in private meetings, repeated a number of times that before Israel’s 1981 attack on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, the Mossad and Military Intelligence were opposed because they thought the best that could be done was to delay the program for a couple of years.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak – who has emerged as the most bellicose minister regarding Iran – told the Knesset, “I believe that it is inestimably more complicated, inestimably more dangerous, inestimably more complex, and inestimably more expensive in terms of human life and resources to deal with a nuclear Iran in the future.”
Barak said “There is a forum of nine [ministers], there is a security cabinet, and when a decision needs to be made [on an Iran strike] it will be taken by the Israeli government.
Two Darfur rebel groups said they destroyed a Sudanese military convoy after an ambush held on Friday in the road linking the capitals of North and South Darfur states.
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minnawi (SLM-MM) said they attacked a convoy of the Sudanese troop riding nearly two hundred vehicles of different types and sizes in Al-Fasher Nyala road at Lmmaina village near Shangil Tobaya in North Darfur.
The SLM-MM said the bulk of the convoy was destroyed and 20 vehicles full weapons were seized, while JEM military spokesperson Badawi Moussa Al-Sakin said they captured a tank.
The Sudanese army spokesperson was not reachable to comment on these statements about the joint attack.
SLM-MM spokesperson Abdallah Mursal, accused in a second statement the hybrid peacekeeping mission (UNAMID) of rescuing the Sudanese forces who escaped the attack to Shangil Tobaya .
Mursdal said UNAMID dispatched two helicopters to Shangil Tobaya to transport Sudanese soldiers wounded in the attack to Al-Fasher hospital
“The SLM-MM condemns in the strongest terms the UNMAID for disregarding its principal mandate, protection of civilians, Mursal said (…), accusing the mission of taking part in the conflict by protecting the regime’s forces and providing different types of support to the Sudanese army.
He further called on the United Nations, African Union, Arab League, European Union and United States to intervene to stop such cooperation with the Sudanese government “So as not to become a party to the conflict if it continues in its cooperation with the government and in particular the Sudanese army,” he waned.
JEM and SLM-M are members of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front (SRF) together with the SPLM-North and SLM of Abdel Wahid Al-Nur. They reject a peace deal the government signed with the Liberation and Justice Movement in Doha last year and call for a comprehensive process too settle Sudanese problem.
Delegations from Sudanese government and Darfur regional authority will arrive Sunday to Doha to participate in an a meeting of an international mechanism to follow-up the implementation of peace document inked in July 2011.
The meeting will discuss preparations for a donor conference to be held in Doha next month, peace negotiations between Khartoum and a splinter faction of JEM rebels. The meeting also will tackle the security situation and the need to cooperate with international NGOs and foreign experts on the ground.
Two children of the same parents were on Thursday night consumed in an inferno which engulfed their one-room apartment situated on the top floor of a two-storey block within the Iyaganku police barracks, Ibadan, Oyo State.
One of the kids, a three-year-old boy, Olasunkanmi Maji, reportedly got burnt beyond recognition in the fire outbreak while his sister, five-year-old Aishat Maji, who was rescued with third degree burns and rushed to the hospital, died on Friday morning.
The mother of the children was out at the time of the occurrence and had locked the children in the room with a candle serving as a source of illumination.
The children were reported to have slept as at the time the fire broke out while many believed that the candle caused the fire outbreak.
Fire Service officials were reported to have arrived at the scene of fire incident from Alesinloye Fire station and succeeded in putting out the fire before it could spread to other parts of the two-storey building.
The burnt remains of the boy were found while the girl was quickly rescued. Unfortunately, however, she could not make it as she was reported to have died the following morning.
It was gathered that the father of the deceased, Sergeant Mohammed Maji, was serving at Tede Division in Oyo State as of the time the incident happened, but had arrived Ibadan the following morning.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Admistration, Mr Clement Adoda, confirmed the story of the fire outbreak, but said that the police were still investigating the actual cause and would not depend on the candlelight rumour.
President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayodele Joseph Oritsejafor has celebrated in Warri the 40th anniversary of his being called for high service in the church.
He was converted and ordained a pastor in 1972 by the late Benson Idahosa, the first pentecostal archbishop in Nigeria.
He later founded his own ministry, Word of Life Bible Church based in Warri.
President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state were at the ceremony today.
The highlight of the celebration was the announcement to the congregation that Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor has joined the league of rich Nigerian pastors who own private jets. Other pastors in the league are Pastor Enoch Adeboye of RCCG, Pastor David Oyedepo of Winners Chapel and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
The new jet marked N431CB is a bombardier Challenger 601 heavy jet and is estimated to cost a minimum of N600million
The jet was reportedly bought for the pastor by the church.
Speaking during the celebration, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan, a special guest of honor at the occasion, described Pastor Oritsajafor as a national Christian, visionary leader and a great man of faith.
Oritsejafor’s jet has stirred controversy on social media, with commentators describing it as one more proof that the followers of Jesus, who did not own a donkey, have derailed.
“Listen Folks if you wanna become rich and can’t get on the political ladder try Pastor Now, New Get rich quick via the people’s gullibility.”, wrote Segun Adekunle Alli.
Kayode Ogundamisi, Nigeria’s activist based in the UK, penned: “The damage most Nigerian Pentecostal churches are doing to Nigeria now is becoming unbearable. It is now more like Pentecostal economic Jihad against the gullible mass. Ayo Oritsejafor’s Jet is just a minute example of how insensitive the pastoral section of the Nigerian ruling class can get. Colonial missionaries blessed us with schools such as CMS Grammar school, CKC in the East and loads of free health services for the poor masses but today Christ is now a reason for the suppression of the poor mass and when they want to fight the oppression of pastors friends in power, they are told to suffer well here and enjoy in heaven. Rather than join the mass to get government to fix death traps called roads, the pastors join political office holders in the jet race, they would fly over us and avoid the bad roads, they sure will also get a section of the Bible to justify the wickedness”.
Chiedu Uche Okoye said he expected Oritsejafor to turn down the gift of jet by his congregation and use the money for the good of members and the community.
Uche Ezechukwu, a public affairs analyst, wrote: “The claim is that it was donated by the members of his flock, most of who cannot afford two square meals a day and had flocked to him for miracles. It doesn’t now matter that Christ did not own even a donkey. Until the government gathers the courage to tax these ‘men and women of God’ who wallow in profligacy but put nothing back to the society, they will lead us to trouble, not heaven.”
Prince Agber Hon Adum a.k.a Prince Kent, based in Washington DC said: “The devil is really having a field day with we the so called believers , even those whom we thought should have known better. Many faces of Satanic temptations: from garden of Eden, to Christ on the cross, to the modern times. No o hiding place for humans, except by his grace and mercies.
Chindima Onwurah Chris appealed to critics to leave “the men of God alone”.
Here are some photographs at the ceremony:
President Jonathan, Oritsejafor at the ceremony in Warri, Delta state today
Above: PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN (L) WITH THE PRESIDENT, CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION ON NIGERIA (CAN) PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR AT THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASTOR ORITSEJAFOR IN WARRI ON SATURDAY
Below: FROM LEFT: GOV EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN OF DELTA STATE; FOUNDER, THE WISDOM CENTRE, USA, DR MIKE MURDOCK; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN; PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, PASTOR AYO ORITSEJAFOR; HIS WIFE HELEN AND CHILDREN CUTTING THE CAKE AT THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF PASTOR ORITSEJAFOR
Oritsejafor, his wife, Jonathan, Uduaghan at the cutting of cake of the 40th anniversary of Oritsejafor’s ordainship
The Progressive Peoples Alliance has described as a mirage the pronouncement by the Peoples democratic Party that it hopes to reclaim all the South East states in the 2015 general election.
The party said with the abysmal record of the PDP in governance at the federal, state and local government levels, no one can trust it with power again.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PPA, Dr. Madukwe Ukaegbu, who spoke on behalf of the party in a statement, said the PDP has failed in meeting the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians and does not thus qualify to be entrusted with leadership again.
Ukaegbu said in the last 13 years that the PDP has been in power at the federal level and in most states of the federation, it has nothing to show for it except the few individuals elected on its platform who have distinguished themselves without serious input from the party.
Rather, he said PDP’s leadership has been characterized by bad governance, abuse of office, political intimidation, poor infrastructure, unemployment, insecurity, poverty and numerous other problems.
He said: “The state of infrastructure is worrisome, our roads have turned death traps, no access to basic health facilities, lack of quality education, economic depression, deteriorating airport facilities, insecurity, political instability and in essence underdevelopment.
“In 1998, 40 per cent of Nigerians lived below the poverty level but as at today the figure has risen to about 70 per cent and as we all know a hungry mind is the devil’s workshop.
” Nigerians cannot afford two square meals talk less of three square meals.
“Abuse of office under the PDP government has become a way of life leading to scams in pension, subsidy and Security and Exchange Commission administration.
“The level of unemployment has led the country into security problems such as Boko Haram, militancy, kidnapping, declaration of self government amongst others.
“The rule of law has been greatly abused, the judiciary has lost financial and administrative autonomy due to undue and overbearing influences by the government, leaving the lone voice to be deprived justice.
“The PDP-led government uses all state apparatuses, including anti-graft agencies, to fight their political enemies and many political opponents have been denied victory because elections are characterised by military intimidation with the use of armoured tanks, arms and ammunition to prevent people from exercising their voting rights.”
Ukaegbu advised the PDP government to forget winning future elections in the South East, stating that the era of military intimidation was over.
He added: “We are ready to face any force from the army, police, etc to ensure genuine democracy.
“We are tired of the so-called Abuja politicians who sing praises of government without having anything to show for it in terms of development in our region, having been deliberately marginalised for reasons unknown.
It is unusual for me to comment on matters I considered highly political but since it concerns Nigerian in general I think I might be able to say something on my take in a very scriptive way.
Federal Government
His Excellency President Jonathan scrambled to curtail rising turmoil following the significant hike in prices of oil on January 1, 2012 and one of his strategy was to highlight the rot in that industry. The government continues to do so with high profile arrests and announcement to recover lost revenues by establishing a review panel (whatever its name is) headed by Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, former Presidential candidate of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The Federal government also determines the individuals Mr. Ribadu had to work with.
Since the hiring of Mr. Ribadu is secretive without any transparent procedure, it is difficult for anyone to say in specific terms what was agreed. But I’ve heard that the motive concerning the hiring was to silence the country’s opposition due to Ribadu political affiliation and credibility while he led Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) along with a strategy to combat international media or governments’ scrutiny of the Federal Government due to Ribadu commentaries.
For whatever reason, Mr. Ribadu was hired and I think his report was delivered few weeks ago generating all sort of rebuke and accolades from all sources.
Mr. Nuhu Ribadu
Ribadu is a ‘name brand’. (full-stop)
For one thing he is not an auditor or forensic accountant in any jurisdiction but it is clear that he is a politician affiliated with the main opposition in Nigeria (ACN). He is a lawyer, retired police officer and former head of EFCC by political appointment. I don’t think anything is wrong with this background.
But it does not take a rocket science to see that it is highly ambitious for Mr. Ribadu to think that the government will agree with whatever he discovered or be considered independent in his resolve.
Nevertheless, if Mr. Ribadu had been an auditor or forensic accountant, he would have rejected the appointment based on the fact that he was not allowed to pick his own team, which is just ethical obligation that profession required. And as a political opponent of the federal government, I say that Mr. Ribadu should have jettison his political views and be able to compromise with people he was surrounded with to perform that task.
The handling of the report and disclosure to foreign media even before the Presidency got a copy does not help Mr. Ribadu or the opposition one bit because it leaves open the federal government bashing of everyone but themselves.
What I am saying is this, the fallout of the report fall squarely on Ribadu’s lap. And this does not mean I am supporting the Federal Government. Ribadu should have remained a ‘named brand’ rather than been dragged into political quagmire.
I remain
Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)
Town hall meeting on Constitution review committee
Information available to 247ureports.com indicate thatTown hall meeting on Constitution review committee in southern Kaduna has reached a milestone resolution. It ruled that section 8 of the constitution be repeal to enable them have a state.
Gabriel Nyam, Turakin Agan in his submission in Zonkwa, Zangon Kataf local government of Kaduna state, the state creation should not be on region but on merit.
Southern Kaduna is largely populated by non-Muslims. The region had recently witnessed a series of religious violence between Muslims [living largely in Northern Kaduna] and non Muslims living in the southern part. It had served a hot bed for the security agents.
The demand for new state is believed to have resulted from the ongoing religious persecution.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says the government took a tough stance against erring teachers, because even the Bible says he does not work, does not eat.
Speaking at an Inter-denominational Service organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria for him Benin City, yesterday, as part of activities to close his first tenure in office and usher in a second tenure in office, Comrade Oshiomhole said he prays to God everyday to have the courage to do the right thing for the people of the state.
The service which attracted the cream of the society in Edo State including former Head of state, General Yakubu Gowon, chieftains of the Action Congress of Nigeria, market women, Youths and students was held at the hard court of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.
Responding to a plea by the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State, Bishop Peter Imasuen, for him to recall the sacked teachers, Oshiomhole said: “the prayer I ask for everyday is for God to give me the courage and wisdom and to constantly remind me that I am here not because I am the best. I am here because he chose to favour me with the responsibility of leadership to harness the resources of our state and to creatively manage them”.
“I have been very fortunate because it one thing to think you have done your best and it is another thing for the people to appreciate it” he said.
“The Chairman of CAN has asked me to undo all that we have done. I am a Catholic and every day I ask God to forgive me my sins, even as I forgive those who sin against me. I appreciate the power of forgiveness. The Bible says the labourer deserves his wages and the Bible also says that those who do not work should not eat. And these are the challenges of leadership. The Bible also tells us that if a finger leads you to commit sin, it is better to cut it off. If a teacher would lead us to commit sin we better dismiss that teacher.
“For Edo to work, all its parts must work. Every man and woman of age must work. That is why I take my work seriously. Every leader must device the right means under the guidance of God to deploy the carrot just as much as you will the so that you will have honour of rewarding those who helped to deliver service just as you must find the courage to bring to line those who think they can earn without working” he explained.
Oshiomhole remarked that the courage to do the two was what he asked for and the courage to define the limit, and that “is what has guided me”.
The Governor said “it is important that I also clarify that it hurts me when I have to say to a man who voted for me only four months ago that his job is over. Ninety- eight percent of those teachers or more voted for me. I actually met some of them and some by their names I know are relations of ACN leaders. Even yesterday I learnt that one is the wife of a very senior ACN leader, a very personal friend. But my understanding of my brief is that if I don’t have the courage to instill discipline in our public service, the capacity of the government to deliver will be severely weakened”.
Oshiomhole explained that all those beautiful schools will come to naught if the teachers are in Onitsha when they are supposed to be in the classroom, adding that “I worry about the future of our state.
“If we must have a work force that would produce men and women who have the capacity and the skill to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria we must pay maximum attention to access, quality of public schools with teachers that are ready to teach and impact knowledge in an environment is enabling” the governor noted.
In his message, Most Rev.(Dr.) Friday John Imakhai said the victory of the governor and his deputy were well deserved
According to him “in view of the monumental and positive impact of the policies of his administration on the lives of the people of the state, evident in all spheres of our common life. It was a leadership predicated on a well thought out and faithfully executed vision and transformation of the state”.
The Cleric who took his text from the book 2ndKings Chapter 18 v 1:8 with the theme: Godliness in the Act of Governance” said the governor visionary leadership were there for all to see.
“The massive votes of the people were an expression of your vision and a clear mandate to enable you continue the good work you have started. The Edo State experience under your leadership is a good example of leadership. It is also worthy to note that your re-election by popular votes has reestablished as the ultimate custodian of political power to whom leaders are accountable.
“What the people saw in Edo State was purpose driven and result oriented leadership poised towards good governance and service delivery rather than leadership reduced to a huge joke. Good governance is participatory, consensus oriented, achievement oriented, accountable, responsive. By implication the views of the minority are taken into consideration in the process of decision making” he said
The Cleric said God expects those has chosen to rule in godliness adding that is what we have seen in the style of comrade Adams Oshiomhole.
In his remark, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon expressed delight that the people of Edo State voted massively for the governor.
According to him “am here not only to congratulate the governor but the good people of Edo State for casting their vote for him to be governor for a second time. It is certainly the choice of God. The result of the election shows that it is one the best in the country. It reminds me of the support I had during the Nigeria crisis. Bendel State was one of the states that gave me the greatest support.”
Expressing confidence in the ability of the governor Gowon said “I can assure you that he would do his best to surpass what he did in the first term.”
He told the governor “you should look higher after this. That is our prayer. Your re-election is a proof that people love you. You are the governor of Edo State, and not of your political party. You are working not only for Edo but for the oneness of Nigeria.
Special prayers were said for the Governor and family, the Deputy Governor and his family, the Judiciary and Legislature, the nation, the Oba of Benin and Traditional Rulers.
