Bishop Kukah’s Homily At Late Governor Patrick Yakowa’s Burial Mass at Fadan Kagoma, Kaduna, On 20th December 2012 By Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.

247ureports
-
0

father-kukah

At times like this, we all wish things were different, that we knew more, that we could be a bit more certain, even if tentatively and haltingly. We wish that God would grant us some rare privilege of taking us into confidence, that He would open our ears and whisper some privileged information so that those of us who ought to know, those of us whom the world believes are close to God, might use it as a source of encouragement to our brethren.St Paul echoes the words of Isaiah when he says:Who has known the mind of the Lord and who has been His counselor? (Is 40:13, 1 Cor. 2:16). We must finally surrender to the fact that; God’s ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts (Is 4055:8) Or, as Job says, Can anyone teach knowledge to God? (Job 21:22).

When David’s son by Uriah’s wife died, David decided to dress up and end his fast to the shock of his household. They drew his attention to this irony and David replied: When the child was alive, I fasted and wept, thinking, who knows, perhaps Yahweh will take pity on me and the child will live. But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he cannot come to me (2 Samuel 12: 21-23). Whatever our wishes, whatever we know or do not know, our beloved Sir Patrick Yakowa will not come back to us. We can only look forward to when we shall go to him.

As with Americans and the death of their beloved President, John Kennedy, for years to come, most Nigerians will still remember what they were doing and where they were when they heard of the news of the tragic death of Sir Patrick Yakowa, the erstwhile Governor of Kaduna state. The outpouring of emotions across the entire country is a testimony of what he meant to all of us. The questions will persist, Where was God? Why now? Then we will continue to contemplate what might have been and continue wonder, what if he had not gone to Bayelsa, what if he had waited for his own helicopter, what if they had concluded their chat with General Azazi and so on?Indeed, what if my good friend Oronto Douglas had not lost his father? But these questions are of no use.

Whatever our position, no matter our sadness, indifference or even hidden joy, our God draws straight with crooked lines. We humans can do absolutely nothing to change the plans of God. All that God does, no matter how bitter, is for our own good. Through the mouth of the Prophet Jeremiah, the Lord says to us: I know the plans I have for you, they are plans of welfare not evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). He also assures us that: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Cor. 10:13). This is not the time for us to feel despondent. St. Paul has warned us: The time has come for you to stop sleeping and wake up because our salvation is nearer now than when we first began to believe.The night is nearly over, daylight is on the way, so let us throw off everything that belongs to darkness and equip ourselves for the light (Rom 13: 11-12).

Mr. Yakowa’s ascent to the exalted position of Governor of Kaduna State was the climax of a most fascinating and exceptional career. He stood out as God’s favourite son among the entire people of Southern Kaduna State. It is actually tempting to assert that very few if any in Kaduna State can beat his track record of public service nor can anyone in the whole of this State claim to have had a life so full of Firsts. He was the first person from Southern Kaduna to become a Federal Minister, a Federal Permanent Secretary and the first to be Secretary to the Government of Kaduna State. He holds the special record of perhaps being the only Nigerian to have served two Governors as Deputy and to further ascend to the position of Governor all with no break.

I was at his historic swearing in ceremony as the Governor of Kaduna state.

The event was historic because it temporarily closed the door to what has been one of the worst shows of selfishness by an unproductive and selfish cabal who have deployed religion to hide their greed. From the creation of Kaduna State in 1987, the Northern ruling class, by policy seemed to have erected an invisible sign that read: No Christians Need Apply to enter what would later be called Kashim Ibrahim House or represent the State at the highest levels. Despite the fact that all states were opened to Christian military officers, it was only Kaduna and perhaps Sokoto states that were never governed by non-Muslims.

This policy of exclusion against non-Muslims turned Kaduna State into a political mecca and  laid the foundation for the unnecessary and sad religious tensions that have continued to dog the state. This is why, a routine change like a Deputy Governor taking over from a Governor would generate such ripples across the country. It also has created the climate for the anxiety, fear and suspicion that destroyed the foundations of Christian-Muslims relations.

Mr. Yakowa’s ascent to power bore a little resemblance to Mr. Nelson Mandela’s ascent to the Presidency of South Africa in 1994. President Jonathan did for us what the great President de Klerk did to end apartheid in South Africa. As with Mandela, Mr. Yakowa went ahead to endear himself to a wide range of people across society, thus, earning him the sobriquet, Yakowa, Na Kowa coined by his Muslims supporters. His death has robbed our country of one of the finest human beings who brought respectability and nobility to politics, a man who has demonstrated how faith could influence politics, a man who has demonstrated that politics can be played by its rules and that indeed,politics can serve as a means of building bridges. He built bridges across the country, he made Muslims respect and appreciate the Christian faith, he showed a human side of life that very few in public life have demonstrated.
Where he died and even why he died was a true reflection of who he was. Some people have asked me, why did the Governor not send a representative to the burial of the father of Oronto Douglas, a young man who was of no immediate political benefit to him? Those of us who know him would testify that this is exactly what the man represented. He was selfless and took friendship rather seriously, perhaps, even too seriously. He never counted the cost of the sacrifice he made for his friends. In befriending Oronto, he saw a chance to place a building block somewhere around the creeks believing that one day in future, others might walk on that bridge. He was a man whose life was marked by simplicity, honesty, rectitude, character, integrity, probity, dedication to duty, solidarity and almost absolute faith and dedication to friendship.

He took my appointment as Bishop of Sokoto beyond the boundaries of ordinary friendship.Before I went to the Vatican in July 2011 for the audience with the Holy Father ahead of my Episcopal installation, Governor Yakowa told me that he and his wife would love to accompany me. I immediately added their names to my guest list for the audience with the Holy Father. As the days drew near, it began to look like he might not make it. I told him not to worry and that we could wait for the installation ceremony in Sokoto. I left for Rome with the understanding that he had inevitably cancelled the trip and I perfectly understood.

My audience had been slated for about midday at the Holy Father’s holiday residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome. On the eve of the audience, I received a call from the Governor saying he had arrived Rome and that he wanted to know where to meet me. He showed up with a driver from the Nigerian Embassy in Rome the next morning. My friend, Fr Patrick Alumuku and I traveled to the audience in real style, arrived to a most dignified reception in our diplomatic car especially given that my friend and brother, Msgr. now Archbishop Fortunatus, the Holy Father’s Chief of Protocol had given us some extra mileage in the preparations!

To the family of Mr. Yakowa, the Lord’s words through the prophet Isaiah are still true. He said: Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion for the child that she has borne? Yet, even if she forgets, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palm of my hands and your walls are ever before me(Is 49:14-16). The call of the Lord holds true when he says: Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart and you will find rest. My yoke is easy and my burden light(Mt 11: 25ff). Jesus has assured us that He will not lose even one of those the Father has entrusted to His care(Jn 6: 39).

To the people of Southern Kaduna, despite the clouds of fear, anxiety and uncertainty, we must not give in to self-doubt and prejudice. We have lost a dear son, but we have not lost our future. Indeed, the future that lies ahead is far brighter now than at any time. Our confidence as a people has grown. Mr. Yakowa, came, he saw, he conquered. He has left us a legacy that we should all be proud of. A man uncommon dedication to hard work, diligence to duty, sincere, honest to a fault, all trusting in the will of God, a family man, an altruistic citizen, he has shown that the doors are open to all if we imbibe his qualities.

Sadly, today, years and years of corruption and abuse of office have turned the otherwise noble profession and vocation of politics into a dark temple where money and power occupy the pantheons and enlist worshippers. The result is that rather than seeking men and women of honour for public office, our country has lost a sense of a common vision for creating the Good society. Nigerians have now developed a navel gazing and incestuous view of power that feeds on primordial sentiments. We no longer trust the Other, only those who worship with us, speak like us, can be trusted to represent us. Today, Nigerians believe that the only good public office holder is not the one who is most qualified, the most honest, the one with the greatest capacity to do good, but rather, the one who is a member of our circle of greed.

Those who have projected Islam as the basis for power have created the condition that now threatens the foundation of our society today. Those who used religion have left the north and its people poorer than any other part of the country. Mr. Yakowa in just about one year has managed to build up a people who have come to believe in themselves as brothers and sisters. He was relentless in his quest for peace. The result is that he has blunted the cutting edge of religion in our public life. Let me cite just a few examples.

When I called Sultan on Sunday night (16th December), he had already arrived Kaduna for a meeting that we had scheduled to hold with him, Cardinal Onaiyekan and other religious leaders. I was the co-coordinator of the meeting. His voice was deep and solemn. I was the one trying to lift up his spirits as he spoke with heavy emotions about Mr. Yakowa’s demise. When he said he was returning to Sokoto the next day, I asked if I could fly with him in his private jet. Well, he said to me, if you can get your friend’s private jet, I will follow you. You know, he said to me, I have been so shaken, this is the first time I am finding something to make me laugh. His voice said it all. This is the leader of the Muslim community.
When I spoke with General Buhari the same evening, he was similarly distraught and told me he had cancelled his 70th birthday celebration in honour of Mr. Yakowa. It is a sad day for all of us,and we must honour a great man, the General said. I felt relieved because I had accepted to be the Guest speaker at this event. This is the same man that his political enemies call a fanatic and a zealot. But there is even more.

The Daily Trust newspaper reported on the day after his death that Sheikh Yusuf Sambo, the National Leader of the Izala movement,had announced an immediate cancellation of a meeting which thousands of his members had assembled to attend in Kaduna as a mark of honour to Governor Yakowa. Yet, only last week, a rather irresponsible journalist had reported that the Izala members had held a meeting and laid out plans to kill Christians in Nigeria! On Tuesday, as we drove behind the Ambulances from the airport to St. Gerard’s hospital, I personally saw young Muslims genuinely wailing and waving in sorrow on the high way in Tudun Wada. I have received so many text messages from Muslims, high and low. Many ordinary Muslims genuinely full of emotions have hugged me and spoken about the death as our common loss.

These are genuine human beings and they reflect the best of our common humanity. They should be our focus not the riff raffs and scoundrels that are reported to be allegedly rejoicing over the death of Mr. Yakowa.They do not represent Muslims or Islam. They do not represent our common humanity. These scoundrels should be seen as part of the toxic waste of humanity who would still rejoice and dance on the streets at the nakedness of their parents. They should not distract us as we hold hands and stand together in our loss.

Let us not be afraid to ask God why He did this to us. A friend of mine who was on the plane to Kaduna after my installation in Sokoto last year told me of the near mishap they had on their flight back to Kaduna as the plane entered turbulent weather. She told me that while everyone was wailing, she simply asked God: So what do you want to do? If we all die, who will take the glory? What will you gain by this?You want the devil to celebrate and take the glory from you?  I was impressed by this attitude because sometimes, God does deserve some tough questioning. And you know, what? He actually rewards this audacity sometimes. Let me offer three examples.

When God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham confronted Him head on. The dialogue is in Genesis Ch. 18: 22-33. It is an irritating confrontation, but it is amazing how Abraham remained persistent. Abraham seemed to challenge God’s sense of fair judgment and justice: Are you really prepared to destroy the innocent and the guilty? That is impossible.

The Judge of all the earth has to act justly he said to  God (Gen 18: 24, 25). It is as if Abraham is trying to do some PR for God by making him understand that this act will affect God’s reputation as a just, honest and fair judge.

A second example is the story of the one who has come to represent the virtue of honesty, Job. The problem that God faced in the story of Job relates to how His perceived sense of justice and fairness are again called to question. Job’s honesty and fear of God are well known. He loses everything he ever owned, children and property, and he is afflicted so badly by a skin wasting disease. His friends who were convinced of their wisdom and came to condole with him sit for seven days and nights and utter not a word because they had never seen anything of the sort(Job 2: 13). Job says: God knows everything I do. He sees every step I take. I swear I have never acted wickedly and never tried to deceive others. Let God weigh me on honest scales and see how innocent I am (Job 31:4-6).Poor Job. He continues his verbal shadow boxing, struggling to showcase his righteousness. God is patient with him and actually waits for him to exhaust himself before God breaks His silence. He says to Job: Who is this, obscuring my intentions with his ignorant words? Brace yourself like a fighter. I am going to ask the questions and you are to inform me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundations? Tell me since you are well informed (Job 38: 1-4). A penitential Job shocked by the foolishness of his so called wisdom says: Before, I knew you only by hearsay, but now, having seen you with my own eyes, I retract what I have said and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42: 4-6)
Those of us who know more than God and are weaving the conspiracy theories, claiming that Mr. Yakowa was a victim of dark forces, can they answer just three questions? Did God consult them before he brought Mr. Yakowa the rare life he had? Was it Christians, the people of Southern Kaduna, orhis kinsmen and women from Fadan Kagoma that guided his life? He owes his entire meteoric rise in the civil service and his political life to good

men who had the discernment and whom God used when it mattered. Interestingly, good, God fearing and honest men who found themselves in power from Brigadier General Ja’afaru Isa, Governor Makarfi, Architect Namadi Sambo are not Christians. Neither are General Abdusalam Abubakar or Alhaji Gidado Idris who appointed him Federal Minister and Federal Permanent Secretary respectively. They were men of honour.

Finally, our brother, our friend and our beloved Governor is gone. We do not need to mourn because he has left us so much. We thank President Goodluck Jonathan and those who advised him to create the opportunity that enabled Mr. Yakowa to keep this appointment with destiny. Sir, as you can see, he has not disappointed us all. Our project for building a non-discriminatory society is on course and it is irreversible.

I want to appeal to all of us to rise to the challenge of building one united country, a country of love, a country where indeed, we are all God’s children. We must rise up to build a country where we see ourselves as human beings, citizens with inalienable rights and not allow ourselves to be held hostages by religious bigots. What is today Boko Haram is the toxic waste that years of dubious religious manipulation has produced.

Mr. Yakowa has opened a door and it will never shut again. Because Mr. Yakowa passed here, Kaduna politics will now be defined as Before Yakowa or After Yakowa. Indeed, for you the entire people of Southern Kaduna especially the Youth, rise up, fear is dead and it will never rise again. Before Yakowa, you were afraid, you were poor and felt defeated. Now, After Yakowa, the world is yours to conquer. Rise up, get ready to light your candles because we have seen the light of a star in Kaduna. Go forward and meet up with other young men and women like yourselves. Free yourselves from religious prisons, dream big and beautiful dreams. A wonderful, peaceful, just and non-discriminatory, unselfish world lies ahead of you. Conquer fear, take the torch and march forward, whether you are Christopher of Mustapha, march on, whether you are Mary or Maryamu, march ahead. This is why Mr. Yakowa has died for you.

To you, Mrs. Yakowa and the children, the good people of Fadan Kagoma, hold your heads high. You gave the world a most precious gift. Nigeria and its politics will not be the same again because our beloved son passed here. Our redeemer liveth. Yes, we know.

To our new Governor, Archbishop Ndagoso and I listened to all your beautiful testimony. The world looks up to you never to be seduced by the whispers of the wicked whose devilish and selfish hold on power has held our society down. Do not be tempted to think that the Muslims have taken what the wicked have presented as a prize for only Muslims. You have taken over the steering wheel and must obey and respect all road signs so that we can arrive at the destination that we have set out to. Balancing our dreams together can make ours one of the greatest states in Nigeria. Let us reverse the divisive, ugly and pernicious past which was constructed by men who had the hearts for apartheid. By pursuing the politics of exclusion,  these men and women merely destroyed both the noble faith of Islam and the North that its founders dreamt of.

I want to assure you that there are millions of Yakowa’s outside the Muslim community and that the monopoly of power by one section or even one gender or generation denies our people a future. This is what South Africa realised. It is what the Americans have now realised. Other nations have achieved greatness by managing diversity. Diversity should generate appreciation and love and when properly managed, it can be a source of beauty and strength. This is why Joseph’s coat of many colours is presented as the best garment in the Bible. We wish you well and as you saw from the way our people have received this tragedy, we are a peaceful, God fearing and trusting community. I can assure you, we shall stand by you. And to you President Jonathan, when it mattered, you allowed God to use you to change history. Those whose selfishness sowed the seeds of exclusion leading to violence have abandoned the state and fled to Abuja where they continue to pursue an unproductive lifestyle of feeding off the state by pretending to represent Islam and the North.

Sir, this state is ours to build now that the members of the nefarious Mafia whose selfishness hindered the development of Kaduna in particular and the north in general have either died or fled the state. Mr. Yakowa’s ascent to power broke this jinx. You cannot attempt to put this genie back without breaking the bottle. Before Yakowa, Kaduna state had been surviving on one lung. Now that political surgery has corrected this anomaly, it is hoped that now, we shall lay a foundation for a successful transition and succession to power in the most honest way. If we fail to do that, we shall be attempting to clap with one hand or flying a plane with only one wing. With youth on your side, we all assure you of our prayers. Despite its troubles and doubts, Nigeria is on the threshold of hope and opportunity.

We shall arrive our destination quicker because we have the likes of our dear Governor Yakowa praying for us. May God bless our dear country. Amen.

 

 

Government’s Expenditure and Borrowings causes Unemployment in Nigeria/By Chiwuike Uba, CPA, FCMA

247ureports
-
0

Unemployed-youths

 

Since independence, Nigeria’s fiscal policy objectives have included among other things, making fund available for financing economic development, the maximum flow of materials resources consistent with minimum consumption requirements, minimizing inequalities in wealth, income and consumption standards, generation of employment and encouraging domestic production.

John Maynard Keynes who was probably the most influential economist of the 20th Century developed a theory that provided both an explanation for the prolonged unemployment of the 1930s and a recipe for how to generate a recovery. His analysis indicated that fiscal policy could be used to maintain a high level of output and employment. According to the Keynesian theory of employment all fiscal measures that accelerate the pace of economic growth promote employment also. In line with the Keynesian theory, most economists, especially macroeconomists would agree that expansionary fiscal policy stimulates employment and lowers unemployment.

The above theory is not true in Nigeria. According to the findings of a recent study we carried out to determine the effectiveness of fiscal policy on Nigerian economy, individually, government expenditure and government borrowing increase unemployment in Nigeria. The result shows that any 1% increase in government expenditure increases unemployment by 0.0029%. On the other hand, a 1% increase in government borrowing increases unemployment by 0.0019%. The findings nonetheless showed that while fiscal policies have been very effective in general economic growth as evidenced in the steady growth of the GDP, it is however, very ineffective in some other areas like employment generation.

The big question begging for an answer is – why is unemployment increasing despite increase in government expenditure and public borrowing (debt)? Priding itself as a people’s government, the current administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in line with his transformation agenda is seriously working to increase the share of the capital expenditure as seen in the steady increase (negligible) in capital budget. It is indeed a very good step in the right direction. However, this laudable vision and direction will add to our prevailing woes (unemployment and insecurity) if there is no change in the attitude of policy makers and the governed alike. The governed, the citizens must always be at alert, demanding for accountability from the government at all times. Nigeria is the only country where budget details and budget performance is hidden and classified. Is it not laughable that despite the existence of “fiscal responsibility act” most government agencies still do not send their reports to the fiscal responsibility commission as provided by law? Flagrant abuse and disobedience of our laws is the order. In fact, sometimes, I begin to conclude that laws are made in Nigeria for the purposes of being counted amongst the countries adhering to “international standards”, not for implementation purposes.

Amongst the reasons why our expenditures, instead of creating employment, widen unemployment rate is because most of our expenditures are not productive based. In addition, our expenses are not targeted, they are provided, approved and spent based on interests; which most times, is political and not economical. I will leave the padding and mark-ups on our expenses as a discourse for another day. One of the indicators that confirm the findings of the study is the current saga on the N16bn expenditure on the construction of new residential building for the vice-president.  More worrisome is the reasons advanced by the Vice-President’s office and the FCDA. It is therefore very evident that part of the major problems of this country is lack of planning. We are used to adhoc and fire-brigade approach to doing things that we have completely forgotten the use and benefits of planning. What is the impact of the N16bn expenditure on new residential building on employment creation and domestic production? Some may argue that the construction may ultimately create jobs for some. That’s fallacy! We must ask ourselves where the workers are coming from. Were they unemployed before they are hired to working on the construction. If their leaving created job openings at their old firms, did that create an opening for an unemployed worker?

Government introduced many measures to cushion the negative impact(s) of the removal of the fuel subsidy in January 2012 and also to create jobs, hence, reduce the unemployment rate in Nigeria. Surprisingly, as at date, according to the report by Thisday newspapers of 11 December 2012, the Chairman of SURE-P, Chief Kolade, is unable to account for billions of naira that has been spent to date on the project. There are no empirically measurable indicators by government to determine what has been achieved in line with the objectives of the programme. Dr. Christopher Kolade accused both state and Local governments for inability to give account of funds received thereby frustrating the aim of the programme. Funny enough, the unaccountable expenditures (?) as reported by Chief Kolade forms part of government expenditure. Nigeria we hail thee…!

It is encouraging that most Nigerian’s are beginning to cry over alarming and uncontrollable growth in our debt portfolio. Our external debt is $6.2bn as of September 30, while the domestic debt profile was N6.3tn.The managers of the economy kept assuring us that our debt is still at a very comfortable rate. My mindset is always tuned into that of the “Pauper” as captured in Richard Ntaru’s poem each time I look at the debt sustainability ratio displayed in official website of Debt Management Office. I cry for my lovely country Nigeria. No wonder Prof. Soludo asked “does the number add-up” in one of his articles. The World Bank and other multilateral agencies have continuously questioned the integrity and reliability of the statistics we toss out every day in Nigeria. Which GDP are we using to determine the debt sustainability ratio?  We need to tell ourselves the home truth!

Most of the government borrowings end up in individual pockets of those in governments and/ close to the government. This is evident in the quantum of amount involved in most of the corruption cases EFCC is prosecuting. Most times, even corporations that received guarantees from government for loans multilateral agencies end-up diverting the funds for personal uses outside the purpose(s) for which the loan was granted. Government does not have an adequate monitoring and evaluation plan on ground to checkmate such abuses. Even when such monitoring and evaluation mechanism is in place, most times, the responsible personnel are compromised. Therefore, instead of creating employment, such debt, on the hand, increases unemployment.

 

As measures to reversing the above trend, hence, reduce unemployment using government expenditure and borrowing as instruments, there should be re-allocation of capital expenditure so as to enhance employment opportunities for unemployed people.  Increase in our capital expenditure should be channeled towards productive sectors not to “luxuries” as depicted in the construction of houses and banquet halls.

A well planned, articulated and structured policy should be put in-place and financial grant provided to the unemployed. As a means to tracking progress and achievements, an empirically measurable indicators and benchmarks must be developed and made an integral part of the policy. With this approach, the current uncertainties and unaccountability associated with the SURE-P programme will be eliminated.

In addition, further efforts should be made by the government to encourage foreign and domestic investors to invest in the key sectors of Agriculture and manufacturing industries of the economy (outside petroleum), so as to help diversify the economy and increase investment and employment opportunities. There should be conscientious and deliberate move towards setting our priorities right and reducing misappropriation of fund. In other words, fiscal indiscipline on the part of the government should be curbed while a good, transparent and accountable expenditure system should be put in place. While I commend President Goodluck Jonathan for putting in place the Performance Monitoring System, there is need to provide a more transparent approach. This will embolden the civil societies to ask more questions, hence, deepen accountability.

Furthermore, efforts should be intensified in making accurate assessment of the magnitude of economic problems and accurately forecasting expected results of policy changes. This is because in the absence of such accurate estimates, wrong decisions are likely to be made at all times. No country has made it without proper planning based on accurate and realistic data. Nigeria is no exception, we cannot continue deceiving ourselves. Now is the time to work and we must all work to build Nigerian nation of our dreams. It is not yet late!

Chiwuike Uba, CPA, FCMA

Public policy analyst

chiwuike@yahoo.com

 

General Azazi’s Funeral Programme Released, To Be Given A Befitting State Burial – Gov Dickson

247ureports
-
0

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson says, former National Security Adviser, Late Andrew Owoye Azazi will be given a befitting State Burial.

This is in recognition of his enviable record of Service to the State and Country.

Governor Dickson stated this while approving the Burial programme of the late General at Government House, Yenagoa.

The approved official burial arrangements are as follows:

Friday 28, December 2012
1. Service of Songs
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time:  5pm Prompt

2. Entertainment of Invited Guests/Dignitaries
Venue: Government House, Banquet Hall
Time:  8pm

Saturday 29th December 2012
1. Commendation Service
Venue: Peace Park, Yenagoa
Time: 9am

2. Interment
In view of the Late General Azazi ‘s illustrious Military career and his
remarkable contributions to Bayelsa State and Nigeria as a whole, his  remains will be laid to rest at the Ijaw National Heroes Park in Yenagoa, the State capital. This is to clearly demonstrate our respect and high regard for General Andrew Owoye Azazi as a true hero of the Ijaw Nation.

Time: 12pm

3.  State Reception for Guests/Dignitaries
Time: 2pm prompt

4.  Departure

Daniel Iworiso-Markson

Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State

 

A Nigeria In The Hands Of A Political Party Like The CPC Is On An Express Road To Somalia—-PDP

247ureports
-
0

The Peoples Democratic Party has described the reaction of the Congress for Progressive Change to President Goodluck Jonathan’s Christmas message as another clear evidence that the CPC is not ready to step down its philosophy of violence and vile communication module.

A statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh said the intentions of the CPC which is to stir public distrust and trigger a flood of mutiny against the PDP led federal government will continue to suffer still birth as Nigerians are capable of sifting the truth from tissue of lies.

The PDP however insisted that President Jonathan was correct when he declared in his Christmas message that he has the political will and determination to deliver on the party’s promise of positive changes in the living conditions of the people in the shortest possible time, insisting that the gains of the Party’s transformation program will bear more fruits in the coming years.

“President Jonathan has invested heavily in critical infrastructures such as power, road and rail transport, security, agriculture, education among others. While the maturity span of some of these infrastructures is long term and is expected to yield benefits in coming years, there is abundant evidence that steady gains are already crystalizing in sectors such as power, education and rail transport.”

“The CPC will definitely be blind to this steady progress because constructive engagement is not the ultimate motivation of its criticism,” the statement added.

According to it, the CPC’s argument that PDP has mismanaged the fortunes of the nation in the last thirteen years flies at the consistent renewal of the party’s mandate by the people since 1999.

“Even in 2011 when the CPC took desperation to a criminal level, orchestrating an orgy of election violence that claimed many lives, Nigerians stood firm for the PDP in an election adjudged locally and internationally as the most credible in the nation’s recent record. ”

” But has the PDP squandered its mandate in over a decade in saddle,” the statement asked.

“This can only be true in the diseased imagination of the CPC. The PDP has remained the only truly national party on whose shoulders revolve the unity of the nation. Need we say that a Nigeria in the hands of a political party like the CPC is on an express road to Somalia?”

“Besides,” the statement continued, ” the PDP met Nigeria a pariah state, retrieved and returned it to the centre stage of global reckoning. It is also on record that at a time the economy of the western nations was hobbled by the global melt down with banks collapsing, no bank in Nigeria suffered similar fate. ”

“Similarly, as part of the party’s strategy against corruption, the PDP liberalized the economy and threw the door open to generate new jobs. The party also established anti corruption agencies, the EFCC and ICPC as well as enacted the Freedom of Information law to enhance transparency in governance. The party’s dispassion in winning the battle on corruption has seen even senior members of the Party convicted for corruption.”

“We must add, that our battle on corruption is total and that President Jonathan has won the most critical aspect of it which is against electoral corruption. Nigerians now go the polls and are sure their votes will count. There is no shorter road to good governance than when mandate and withdrawal of it depend entirely on the people,” the statement concluded.

Chief Olisa Metuh

National Publicity Secretary.

Peoples Democratic Party

PhotoNews: Lagos Fire Explosion

247ureports
-
0

A_B_1cvCcAA87-4-300x225A_B_y9WCMAEKsy1-300x225lagos fire

A_B_1cvCcAA87-4-300x225lagos fire 3lagos fire 4lagos fire 5lagos fireworkslgfir6_0

 

Lagos Inferno: Forty Persons Injured, One Dead—-NEMA

247ureports
-
0

lagos fire

National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has given further update on the Lagos, Fire Inferno, as it said that one person died in the Lagos explosion. Ibrahim Farinloye, the NEMA South-West spokesperson, said that one person died from the explosion, while 40 others sustained minor injuries.

Meanwhile 10 houses mostly three-storey buildings –were severely destroyed by the explosion in the Idumota area of Lagos.

However, Philemon Lada Deputy Inspector General of police said that, fire started in a shop that is not permitted to store the explosives, said Philemon Leha, Deputy Inspector General of the Nigerian police. Meanwhile Yushau A. Shuaib, a spokesman for the Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, said firefighters, Red Cross volunteers and citizens who volunteered to help suffered injuries.

Shuaib said it took firefighters more than two hours to contain the blaze. He said it spread quickly because of cramped spaces, poor infrastructure and sweltering heat.

A Mum’s Christmas Agony: 2-Month-Old Baby Stolen In Market.

247ureports
-
0

 

ikechukwu ufondu_200_200

Christmas festivities have turned out a huge misfortune for a young couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ikechukwu Ufondu, after a strange woman stole their two-month-old baby on the eve of Christmas at the Mohammadu Abubakar Rimi Market in the state capital.

The father of the baby told Daily Sun in Kano that the baby boy, who was born through an operation, was stolen from the mother, Mrs. Amarachi Ufondu while she was plaiting the hair of another woman in the evening of December 24. He gave the name of his missing son as Som Tochukwu Favour Ufondu, saying he was just two months and two days old when he was stolen. The theft of the baby, which had thrown the community into grief and confusion, had been reported to the Market Police Station in the state, but it was unclear if the police had commenced investigations as at press time.

The incident had also been reported to authorities of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in the state. The confused father, Mr. Ufondu said: “I was in the market at about 5.35pm when my wife, who was plaiting hair at the Yankura section of the market, called me to inform me that our two-month-old baby had been stolen. “I was surprised and shocked and could not believe it.

Then, I immediately hired a Keke NAPEP (tricycle) to take me home and upon my arrival at home, what I was told turned out to be true. In fact, I initially refused her (mother of the baby) entry into the house, out of anger, insisting that she should go and get our baby, but later, I calmed down.” Explaining the circumstances that led to the disappearance of their baby, he told Daily Sun: “My wife told me that she was plaiting the hair of a customer, while her neighbour was fixing the nails of another woman nearby.

“When the baby started crying, she untied her from her back and breastfed her. After breastfeeding the baby, just as she was about to return the boy to her back, the woman whose nailed was being fixed counseled against that, on the grounds that it was wrong to immediately back a baby that had just been fed.” He added that following this suggestion, “the lady then offered to help carry the baby saying that my wife was busy with the hair she was plaiting, a suggestion my wife bought without suspicion, even though she admitted she did not know the said lady.

“When they finished fixing the lady’s nails, she paid and received her change. My wife then asked her to return the baby, but she replied that she was not done with her nails yet. A few minutes after, she played a trick on my wife by sending her on a false errand. “The lady asked my wife to take a serious look at the hairstyle that was being made for another woman just a stone throw away, promising that she would want the same hairstyle as soon as she returned from the Christmas trip.

“That was all. My wife, unsuspicious of any ill motive, fell for the dummy by stepping across to take an intent look at the hairstyle that was being done by her colleague. By the time she turned, the purported Good Samaritan had disappeared into the crowd in the market,” the father said. Mr Ufondu, who was almost in tears throughout the course of the interview appealed to the woman to please return their baby while asking the public to join them in prayers for the safety and quick return of their baby. He also appealed to the commissioner of police to help arrest the woman who stole their baby.

Source: The Sun

Governor Chime Attended 17 Events In Five Years – Investigation

247ureports
-
0

sullivan-chime-gov-enugu-s

A content analysis of newspapers reports of Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime’s programmes and activities since he became governor on May 29, 2007, on Tuesday showed that he had attended only 17 events out of a possible 111 physically.

Our correspondent and statisticians in Enugu State, who had shown concern for the governor’s failing health, especially since he had been on a hospital bed in India for more than three months, coded the data findings.

The data showed that commissioners in the state had always represented Chime on occasions, and Chime had always come “very late” to the few events he attended.

It is on record though, that the Enugu State governor attended every of his electioneering rallies and campaigns in 2007 and 2011.

He, however, collapsed in March 2011 during a campaign rally in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

“Before collapsing in Nsukka in 2011, he had relapsed twice in Enugu, in 2008 and in 2009,” said a protocol officer at the Enugu State Government House.”

The protocol officer, who sought protection of his identity, said, “Most people have always blamed the governor’s absence from events on other things. The true situation is that the medical team has to be very sure that the governor is medically sound before he goes out for an event.

“The medical team had been embarassed several times when the governor kept falling at events and the protocol, security and aides had to block him so that many people would not notice.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke, despite reports in the media that the governor is recuperating in an India hospital after being transferred from a London Hospital, has continued to claim that all was well with Chime.

Ugwoke had refused to speak to The PUNCH and would not reply any text message from our correspondent.

When the story of Chime’s ill health and absence from the state first broke in the October 14, 2012 edition of the Sunday PUNCH, Ugwoke had said, “Chime was enjoying his vacation, the first he has taken since he was sworn into office five years ago.

“Chime had actually presided over the State Executive Council meeting on September 18, 2012 where he announced to all the members that he was proceeding on his annual leave and constitutionally handed over the reins of power to his deputy, Sunday Onyebuchi, who is today the Acting Governor of the state.”

The commissioner had further pointed out that, “Chime also attended a meeting of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in Abuja on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 and travelled out the next day on his vacation,” adding that, “all these facts are verifiable.”

He had added, “Having said all these, we want to reaffirm that the Government of His Excellency, Sullivan Chime, will continue to promote freedom of expression while also maintaining its cherished reputation of civility and accommodation of all shades of opinion, including constructive criticisms from the media and other quarters.”

Source: The Punch

 

How Femi Otedola Got Me Pregnant—–Mistress

247ureports
-
0

madam

A woman who claimed to be a mistress of multi billionaire oil magnet Femi Otedola has opened up on her relationship with the man she claimed to have had a 26 years daughter for.

For the purpose of this interview, can I have your full names? 

I’ am Olayinka Odukoya.

What kind of relationship existed between you and Mr. Femi Otedola? 

We used to have a love affair.

Was the love affair one that your parents knew about? I mean your own parents and his parents?

What happened was that I just finished from secondary school at that time and I was even working when he approached me for a relationship. I accepted his advances and somewhere along the line, I realised that I’d taken in for him. And this was a time I was just offered an admission into the School of Nursing in Ikoyi; I was only waiting to go for pre-registration interview before I realised I was pregnant. And at that point in time, there was a man, Mr. Tobun father’s house at Odo-Irangusi.

It was through my friend that was dating the contractor that I met Femi. And he promised me heaven and earth. As a matter of fact, we both  sworn to an oath with the Holy Bible never to leave each other. I was about 21 years at that time and it was at that point that we started sleeping together and I got pregnant for him. And he accepted it. But in the long run, I realised that he didn’t tell his parents at home that he had put a lady in the family way. It was that Mr. Tobun that later went to his dad to tell him that his son had impregnated a young lady in Ijebu. And his mum later called him to probe him over it after the dad complained to her.But he lied to his mum initially that he did not impregnate anybody. Meanwhile, I used to go to their house regularly before then to the extent that all his younger siblings were familiar with me. His mum even knew me, though she did not know that I was dating her son which was the real purpose of my frequent visit to their house. She thought I was only a friend to Femi’s sisters. So, since I took in, I would go to him to collect money for my upkeep and things like that. As a matter of fact, I contemplated aborting the pregnancy at a point because I felt it was affecting the continuation of my education but unfortunately for me then, an old man overheard me telling a friend about my planned abortion and the old man went straight to leak it to my mum. So, my mum came to take me from where I was back home so as to prevent me from aborting the pregnancy. And my dad too also prevailed on me never to try aborting the pregnancy with the counseling that it is not only people that are well educated that make it in life. So, I later went to tell Femi that my parents were well aware of the pregnancy and he also plead with me to keep the pregnancy.

What was Mr. Femi Otedola doing then? Was he working or still in school? 

He was a trader at Iponri Shopping Complex selling stationery materials. And since his dad was running a printing press then, he was also supplying them materials to work with. And when we realised he was not showing up at our house like it was expected, my parents said I should tell him that they wanted to meet his parents and he said no problems. But when he refused to come with his parents like he promised, a sister to my mum who was a registrar was even nursing the doubt that I might not know the real owner of my pregnancy and she attributed her doubt to the fact that the Otedola’s were well-to-do and very responsible, so they would not tolerate their son impregnate a girl and not do the right thing. So, there was a resolve that my mum should follow me to their house and when we got there, it was Femi himself that opened the gate for us. And when we met his dad, Baba Otedola, and told him about the pregnancy, he probed Femi over it and he told his dad that he was the one responsible for it. And the dad said he would have loved his mum to be at home for the meeting because when he first heard about the issue and raised it with the mum, Femi vehemently denied knowing anything about the pregnancy to the extent that the mum was saying any girl that was claiming to have gotten pregnant for her son should go and take care of it in her parent’s house. Since her son had said he didn’t impregnate any girl. But the dad said we should not worry about it and that he would always send money for my upkeep. And shortly before I would deliver my baby, the mum came around at the prompting of Baba Otedola, I guess, she came with Baba Otedola’s elder sister. They said they were the owners of the pregnancy since it’s their son that was responsible for it. And when I delivered my baby, a naming ceremony was organised at their house for my daughter.

So, since everything was cordial to that point, how did the denial of access to your daughter come into play?

Thank you. That’s exactly what I am about to tell you. After the naming ceremony, Femi came later to tell me that his mum said he should not marry me. And I was like if she says that then, maybe you should leave me alone. But he said he could not do that. Later on, I told him I wanted to learn Hair Dressing since I could not go to the School of Nursing any more. But he advised that I should go to a Catering school instead. So, I went to Catering school and it was while I was there that I got pregnant for him again. But his mum still stood strongly against our getting married. Meanwhile, I had a forced labour when the pregnancy got into the 7th month which I had as a still birth. In fact, I almost lost my life during the delivery. It was the placenta that came out first before the dead baby came out buttocks first instead of the head. My dad later went to meet him that, Femi, so, so, thing happened to me. Though, he was fully aware that I was pregnant for him again, but he apparently did not inform his parents. So, it was when my dad went to their house that his dad too knew about it and challenged him over it. But in his usual manner, he denied having anything to do with the pregnancy and I later told him that thank God I did not die in the course of the forced labour because that is how he would have denied me in death. I reminded him of how he lied that he did not know anything about Christy’s pregnancy before he later accepted to be the one responsible. And shortly after that was when his mum became extremely hostile to me, telling his son that he saw girls from rich background, he didn’t go to them. That, why would he go for someone from a humble background like me. And it was because Femi told me that his mum might accept me if we had a second child that I accepted to get pregnant for him again. But when they said I should bring my daughter Christy to them when she was a little over 2 years, so that she could start kindergarten, I left her for them. But ever since then, the mum would not allow me to see my daughter. There was even a festive period that my younger siblings went to their house to ask them to allow my daughter to come and spend some time with us, the mum refused. And I later went myself but as soon as the mum saw me, she took my daughter inside and locked her up. And when all my efforts to see my daughter became abortive, I later told them that I would always be my daughter’s mother because they cannot buy another mother for her no matter how much they prevent me from seeing her. And again, my mum’s younger sister told me not to worry because when it gets to a point my daughter would ask for her mum. But when she (Christy) was 15 and was schooling in Akure, Ondo State, while she lived with her father’s younger brother, I still made an attempt to go and see her there, yet they prevented me. And that was the point in time I decided to leave the South-West for the Northern Part of the country to cool-off. So, I stayed and worked in the North for some time before I returned few years ago. Meanwhile, I was already aware that my daughter had been taken abroad for further studies. And I even made an attempt to be close to Otedola’s house but each time I went, Femi’s mum was always like “what do you want?” And I would tell her that I only came around to say hello and also to know if you are hearing from my daughter. But when it got to a point, I could no longer cope with not seeing my daughter, I sent a Reverend Father to the mum to beg her for me. And she was like I should never again in my life send any emissary to beg her again. And about 7 years ago, I told my younger brother that I felt I would need to take the matter to a relevant government authority to contest my right to see my daughter for me. But my brother said I should not go that far that he would go and talk to Femi man to man. Meanwhile, at that point I was always texting Femi asking about the well-being of my daughter, he would not reply any of the messages. There was even a day I went to his Zenon House in Victoria Island. He saw me face to face as he was driving in because I was standing at the gate. And when he got out of the vehicle, he looked back at me and I said “Femi, you are the one I have come to see”. But he rushed into the office and never came out till I left. I got there around 8am and left at 12 noon. I later dropped a note for him with his security guys stating that I did not come to fight him but to see him and ask after my daughter. The number that my younger brother had was no longer going through, so, he got another number of his from me which he called without any one picking it. And he decided to send him a text that why would he not allow his sister to see her daughter. And that he should redress the situation since the child belongs to him and his sister. But by the second or third day, he called his mum to go and warn Felix, that is my brother, that he was threatening his life. And the mum went straight to my dad’s house to fight him. That he should warn his son who was threatening the life of her son. My dad called my younger brother from Ijebu immediately asking why my brother would wade into the matter. And when my brother went to Ijebu sometime later, he told anyone that cared to listen to go and tell Femi’s mum that he had come to town and that she should come and arrest him, maybe the Police would be able to resolve the matter once and for all. But after spending 3 days without seeing anyone come to arrest him, he returned to Lagos.

So what happened after then? 

We decided to give them some time again before raising issues over the matter. In fact, at a point, I decided to go to Human Rights Advocacy Groups and I was already in Ikeja with pictures before my brother called me and plead that I should not do anything like that. Because no two opposing parties in a court case return as friends. He said he believed dialogue could still do it. Meanwhile, I had gone to the monarch in our town, Kabiyesi Odu-Iragusi, to plead with them for me but they still turned deaf ears. I even went to one Tejuosho’s son who is Femi’s friend in Ilupeju, Lagos, to discuss the matter with him. But still nothing changed. My brother even went to the Kabiyesi over the matter for the second time, yet they did not yield to my request to see my daughter. So, about 5 years ago, Femi’s mum told me that I should not worry that as soon as my daughter was through with her Masters Degree, I would be allowed to see her. And after Christy finished her master’s, it was Femi’s mum that called to tell me about it and asked if I was coming to Ijebu for Xmas to which I said yes. And she said she would make sure that I see my daughter. But as I speak to you my brother, I have still not set my eyes on my daughter.

Interestingly enough, during the last subsidy removal crises, I was just leaving Irangusi for Omu, when one of my younger brothers called me that he just sighted my daughter in town. And I took a bike with N1,500 that day to return to Iragusi, a journey that was not supposed to be more than N300.00. But when I almost got to Otedola’s house, I caught a glimpse of my daughter being chauffeur-driven out and I was trying to wave down the vehicle but she did not see me.

Femi Otedola

How long ago is it now that you had a contact with your daughter last? 

I have not had any contact with her since they took her from me when she was a little over 2 years old.

Do you have any idea of what she is doing abroad now? 

I think she is now working there. Because Femi’s mum once told me something like that.

And you have not spoken with Mr. Femi Otedola too? 

Yes. I have not spoken with him ever since. Even when his dad celebrated his birthday last year and I went there, he avoided me all through. Even, his older brother who I spoke with and told that they have not allowed me to see my daughter for years could not believe it because the brother just returned to Nigeria from abroad. And he promised to do something about. Yet, nothing has happened.

Are you married to someone else as we speak? 

Not really. I only had an affair with a man for whom I also have a daughter, Eniola. But I could not bring myself to marry him because Femi’s experience has made me to be scared of men.

So, what exactly do you want from Mr. Femi Otedola? 

All I want is access to my daughter and the full rights to be a mother to her. Because they could have told her mum is dead!

Source: CKN

 

 

Jonathan, PDP at war over Adamawa PDP

247ureports
-
0

  • Stop Congress and all actions on Adamawa,  Jonathan tells Tukur

The political quagmire between the embattled governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako and the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has taken another dimension with a looming war of supremacy between President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

It will be recalled that Nyako has been having running battle with the PDP national leadership over the conduct of PDP primaries in Adamawa state which led to the sack of the state PDP executive committee and the suspension of the National Vice Chairman, North East, Alhaji Girigiri Lawal by the National Working Committee, NWC.

Adamawa PDP exco dissolution

The NWC also dissolved the State PDP Executive led by Alhaji Umaru Mijinyawa Kugama that was loyal to the governor and replaced with Ambassador Umar Damagun led nine-member caretaker Committee to oversee the affairs of Adamawa PDP.

In spite of the Caretaker Committee put in place by the Tukur led NWC, President Jonathan was said to have an Ad-hoc Committee on Resolution of Adamawa State with Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa as Chairman.

Other members, Vanguard gathered are Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, two unnamed members of the National Assembly; three unnamed members of the NWC and the Special Adviser, Political Adviser to Vice President Namadi Sambo, Abba Dabo as the Secretary.

Lamido Committee

After the inauguration, the Chairman of the Committee, Sule Lamido swung into action and in a letter dated  December 21, 2012 to Bamanga Tukur, urged the NWC to as a matter of urgency stop all actions on the Adamawa State PDP.

The letter read, ‘’Your Excellency is aware that an ad-hoc Committee has been created for the resolution of Adamawa crisis. ‘’The inaugural Committee meeting was held today and members resolved that further acts and/or actions by any organ of the party with respect to Adamawa PDP be suspended. This is to enable the ad-hoc committee to conclude its work without any influence whatsoever.

‘’We do hope Mr. chairman will formally direct the North East acting Zonal Chairman and the caretaker Chairman accordingly.”

Time table for congress

Also same day, the NWC replied the Jigawa State governor that time table for the state congress was already out and aspirants had also purchased the forms.

The letter dated December 21, 2012 and signed by the PDP Deputy National Secretary, Mr Onwe Onwe read, ‘I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter addressed to the National Chairman dated December 21, 2012. Whilst noting the contents of your letter and the resolution of your committee to suspend further acts and/or actions by any organ of the party with respect to Adamawa PDP, I am directed to draw your attention to the following.

‘’The national Secretariat had via a letter signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary dated December 5, 2012 written to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC notifying them of the dates and time table of the congresses.

‘’The National Secretariat of our great party, the PDP had via a letter signed by the National Organising Secretary dated December 6, 2012 written to the Caretaker Committee approved time table of the congresses in the state starting from December 27, 2012 to January 10, 2013.

‘’The Caretaker Committee had obtained PDP nomination forms from the National Secretariat of the party and has been selling them to the aspirants from Ward level to the Local Government level.

‘’In view of the above, the Caretaker Committee may wish to note the implication of the above three points have potential political damage to the reputation and esteem of our great party and members in Adamawa State who have all prepared to participate in the congresses.”

But when contacted, a former governorship aspirant in Adamawa State, Dr. Umar Ardo noted that there may be no fair hearing against the backdrop that Lamido remained one of Nyako’s loyalists, just as he said that the fight by the PDP Adamawa Stakeholders has been between the people and the governor. He added that the only condition on which the PDP members would accept a fresh congress in Adamawa was if a panel was sent from the national Secretariat of the party to oversee the congress.

Source: Vanguard

 

 

1...5,3985,3995,400...5,759Page 5,399 of 5,759