US President Barack Obama and Arizona’s Republican Governor Jan Brewer appeared to get into a verbal argument just moments after Air Force One touched down in Phoenix today.
According to reporters at the scene, Gov Brewer could be seen pointing her finger at the president during their brief exchange, before Mr Obama walked away.
Gov Brewer later said the president had been upset about a passage in her recent book in which she described a meeting between the two at the White House.
“He was a little disturbed about my book, Scorpions for Breakfast,” said Gov Brewer, who was there to welcome Mr Obama to Arizona.
Asked which passage of the book he had taken issue with, she suggested Mr Obama felt he had not been portrayed cordially in one of the excerpts.
“I said I was sorry he felt that way but I didn’t get my sentence finished,” she said. “Anyway, we’re glad he’s here. I’ll regroup.”
Mr Obama was in Arizona as part of a three-day, five-state tour to push his economic agenda first outlined in yesterday’s State of the Union address.
A White House official later released a statement describing its version of events.
“The governor handed the President a letter and said she was inviting him to meet with her,” it said. “The President said he’d be glad to meet with her again, but did note that after their last meeting, a cordial discussion in the Oval Office, the governor inaccurately described the meeting in her book.”
Scientist and atheists may not agree but most people believe that after death there is a soul that lives on. Many are convinced or at least hope that the dead continue to, in one way or another, show some interest in the lives and vicissitudes of those that are left behind in the world. These belief and hope are manifested in the tales and testimonies that abound in our communities and literature around the world. We hear and read of bereaved lovers that see their loved ones and get comfort in dreams, orphans that get guidance and support from their lost parents in trances, debtors that get reminders to pay from dead creditors and murders that are hunted by their victims.
Surely, the land of the dead has seen a lot of Nigerians arrive in the last few days and many of them departed same day from Kano. If the tales and beliefs about ghosts are anything to go by and if its true that as we do on earth so they do in heaven, then it might just be appropriate to conclude that up or down there somewhere, there will be a new strong constituency made up of the ghosts of Kano and similar ghosts.
Like all other ghosts, they will on individual level be interested in and keep an eye on the loved ones; just before dying they would have felt more than ever the scares and pain of regrets for some of the things they have not done in life and remorse for some of the things they have done.
Unlike all other ghosts, the ghosts of Kano and the once that died in a similar way will have members of the Boko Haram in their sight. What would the ghosts of Kano say if they met members of Boko Haram sect in flesh or in spirit? Would they listen to and understand why they were killed and taken away from their dreams and responsibilities because of the philosophy of Boko Haram? What kind of questions do you think the ghosts of Kano will want to ask these terrorists? Will the ghosts of Kano tell the sect members of their dreams, ambitions and plans they had for their lives and those of their loved ones before they struck?
Like all those alive, members of the Boko Haram do not live in a bubble away from the whole world or with aliens unconnected to Nigeria. They do not live and interact with only those that are involved with their nefarious activities or that are part of their diabolic sect. They live and interact with people like you and I, they have family and friends who know or suspect of what they are doing. What do you think the ghosts of Kano will say to these friends or family of Boko Haram members? Do you think these ghosts will understand why these friends and family did not do anything to prevent their deaths? What do you think the ghosts of Kano will now be wishing the children and other loved ones of the family and friends of Boko Haram members?
What if the ghosts of Kano and others that died of terrorist attacks meet the head of police and other chiefs of the Nigerian security? What will these ghosts say to those charged, paid and even honored for protecting their lives? Do you think some of the ghosts of Kano may ask Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim to resituate his national award? What do you think the ghosts of Kano will make of the fact that their children became orphans, their lovers bereaved and their own lives, dreams and responsibilities truncated just a few days after a main suspect of terrorism was able to escape under the watch of Inspector-General Hafiz Ringim?
Do you think some of the ghosts of Kano who watched how Nigerian security heads could not prevent the bombing at the Eagle Square, the UN House in Abuja, saw how terrorists attacked the Police Headquarters, where the IGP and other senior officers have their offices, also saw Hafiz Ringim on TV threatening unarmed, worried Nigerians with arrest and charge of treason for disagreeing with Labour and Government?
Will the ghost of Kano and others that died of terrorism attacks under this government be content with the explanation that this is plot against the government of the day? What would these ghosts of Kano say if asked what they think the government should do to its heads of security? What do you think the ghosts of Kano will make of the fact that the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian armed forces is on record saying that various arms of his government are infiltrated by and harbor Boko Haram accomplices?
What will the ghosts of Kano say to a government that was quick and able to send in armed military officers to stop those peacefully asking for change in policy but could not muster enough intelligence and military muscle to save lives in Kano?
Indigenes of Plateau State last night expressed anger over the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Dikko Abubakar as acting Inspector General of Police (IG) following the removal of Alhaji Hafiz Ringim from the office by President Goodluck Jonathan. But a Lagos lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, has eulogised the Federal Government for its guts in getting Ringim out of office.
Expressing rage over the appointment, the member representing Jos-South/Jos-East constituency in the House of Representatives, Honourable Bitrus Kaze, told THISDAY that: “It is amazing to me that at a time when Nigeria is witnessing a spate of terrorism, a man who has been indicted by the Justice Nikki Tobi Commission of Inquiry into the September 2001 crises in Jos, and recommended for dismissal from the police force by the commission, is the one found fit to lead the Nigerian Police.
“It is disheartening that those who have mentored terrorism in Nigeria are being asked to lead the police against the same terrorism. I cannot imagine it; I am shocked beyond words.”
In another reaction, the Special Assistant to Governor David Jang, Mr. Clinton Garuba, said it was disheartening and alarming that the president could appoint Abubakar as the IG.
He said: “AIG Abubakar is incompetent and lacks the credibility of a leader, and has been recommended for sack for his role in the 2001 crises in Plateau State by the Justice Niki Tobi Commission of Inquiry.”
He added that “…at a time when the president himself has acknowledged that the Boko Haram sect has infiltrated his government, it is only logical that he appoints someone with a proven integrity and track record of performance to head the Nigerian Police, which is in a seeming position of helplessness due to bad leadership. We therefore call on the Senate, in the interest of Nigerians, not to confirm his appointment.”
Also speaking, a legal practitioner in the state, Mr. Harun Audu, said: “…though the prerogative lies with the president on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission to appoint whoever he feels competent, it will be wise for him to avail himself of every piece of information that will guide him in making a right choice.” He said as a resident of Jos, “I am aware that M D Abubakar has some questions to answer concerning his performance and disposition in the 2001 Jos crisis”.
“I am also aware that he was found wanting by a commission of inquiry headed by no less a person of Justice Nikki Tobi. Perhaps, the president feels that the indictment is not damaging enough to affect his decision. “I only think that the president stands the risk of being accused of insensitivity, considering that Justice Nikki Tobi report and recommendation is not a secret document, and has made a serious recommendation on the career of the person of M D Abubakar,” Audu said.
Abubakar was alleged to have masterminded the killings of Christians in Jos in 2001. The Justice Tobi panel constituted in September 2001 by former Governor Joshua Dariye on the Jos crises had recommended his retirement from the Police Force.
The panel had said: “Religious fanatics should not be posted to head state police commands. The commission recommends that for his ignoble role during the September 2001 crises, which resulted in the loss of lives, the former Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, Alhaji M.D. Abubakar, be advised to retire from the Nigeria Police Force and in the event of his refusal to do so, he should be dismissed from the service. The government should forward the recommendation to the Police Service Commission for consideration and necessary action.”
Meanwhile, Falana in a statement, said: “In spite of intensive pressure mounted on the presidency to retain Mr. Hafiz Ringim as the IGP, the Federal Government has eventually removed him from office in the national interest.
“The government deserves commendation for plucking up the courage to sack the police boss. The ex-IGP should however be made to account for the two leading Boko Haram suspects who escaped or were released by him and Mr. Zakari Biu.”
Falana further said: “The new IGP should see his appointment as a challenge to redeem the battered image of the police. Check points that have become extortion centres should be dismantled as beggars in police uniform on the highways are prone to compromise national security.
“The Nigeria Police Force should be repositioned to combat the menace of terrorism, armed robbery and other violent crimes. To do this effectively, Abubakar will have to restore the confidence of the Nigerian people in the police.”
It is a common knowledge that if pacesetters must succeed in whatever way, then charity they say must begin at home.
No doubt thousands of innocent souls mostly the one of Christians has been sent to their untimely graves by the Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram since it launched an uprising in 2009.
Boko Haram, which means “Western education is sinful” in the Hausa language spoken in northern Nigeria, is loosely modeled on Afghanistan’s Taliban. It has claimed responsibility for bombing churches, police stations, military facilities, banks and beer parlors in the mainly Muslim north of Nigeria.
The sect focuses its attacks mostly on the police, military and government, but has recently increased its attacks on Christian institutions. It says it is fighting enemies who have wronged its members through violence, arrests or economic neglect and corruption.
In recent times, the South-South governors of Nigeria have time without number had been assuring the Muslims community of adequate protection of their lives and property.
Recently,Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State in Asaba assured the Muslim communities of adequate protection and restated their right to live in the state without molestation. He gave the assurance at a meeting with the heads and representatives of the Muslim communities in the state. “We know the challenges and the fears that we have had. In spite of those challenges, you have conducted yourselves very well. If you voted for this administration, why will you not be part of it?” urging them to remain peaceful and continue to cohabit peacefully with their neighbours, adding that adequate security had been put in place to protect them from being molested by anybody.
Also following widespread fears of retaliatory attacks on northerners especially Muslims living in the southern part of Nigeria, the police in Bayelsa State and the state Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, reinstated their commitments to protect all northerners and Muslims in the state.
In Edo State, the government has assured Muslims of their safety, saying there was no cause for alarm. Mr. Sahabi Umar, the Special Adviser to Governor Adams Oshiomhole on Community Relations said northerners in Edo state will not run from the state explaining that there was good working relationship between indigenes and non indigenes in Edo state.
On his part, Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers state called on Muslims and Hausa residents in the state to go about their businesses, assuring that the government would ensure that no harm befell them.
The governor, who spoke through his Media Aide, Mr. Dave Iyofor, said the government was committed to the promotion of peace and safety of lives of its citizens and residents in the state at all times.
The governor said: “We are appealing to all residents of the state, particularly our Muslim brothers and sisters from the north to remain calm and go about their normal businesses because Rivers State is safe and the government is doing everything to ensure that it stays that way.”
In the sight of the public this is a welcome development coming from the Chief Executives of the oil rich South-South region but the question therefore is how far have these governors gone in making sure that their own subjects far away in the Northern part of the country are also secured.
Every now and then the Southerners who are far away going about their legitimate businesses are been murdered with guns and bombs by the dread sect, called Boko-Haram yet these governors have done little or nothing to safe guard the lives of these helpless subjects right there at the fore front of the bombings but back home here the Northerners are been assured of 100% adequate security.
Reacting to what he called unholy act by the sect group, a clergy who pleaded for anonymity berated the south-south governors who may have not done anything to first protect the lives and property of their subjects who are been killed at random by Boko-Haram in the northern part of the country. “Where is it done where you allowed your own to be killed while you protect the lives and property of those killing your own at random. I think our governors must wake from their slumber and start doing something like the bold steps taken by their Eastern governors to protect the lives and property of their subjects by conveying them back home from the troubled land.”
For his party another man of God who wouldn’t want his name on mentioned, lamented the current situation in the country and challenged south-south governors to as a matter of urgent step up plans to making sure the lives and property of their subjects are well protected as been done for the Muslim communities here in the region because there are no confidence any more on the Northern governors to protect lives and property of the southerners in the domain.
Justice Charles Achibong of the Federal High Court, Lagos has adjourned to January 31, hearing in the application brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC seeking to disqualify the trial judge from handling the case involving Erastus Akingbola, former managing director/chief executive officer of Intercontinental Bank Plc.At the resumed hearing, counsel to the EFCC, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN told the court that there was a pending motion.
“We have a motion dated 28th September, 2011 and filed same day. The motion is seeking an order of your lordship to disqualify or excuse himself from continuing with the matter. The application takes prominence over other matter.” However, he said he was just served a counter motion this morning (January 25) and that it was a copious one. Ukala further told the court that based on the fact that the counter motion was copious, he was of the opinion that it warrant an adjournment to enable the prosecution go through it and respond accordingly.
However, Felix Fagbohungbe, SAN counsel to Akingbola in his counter motion, argued that the court has not done anything to show that it was biased. He also stated that the alleged bias was predicated on another case where Akingbola sought the leave of the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights against alleged abuse by the EFCC. He said it would be unjust and unfair to allow the applicant to pick and chose a judge on matters in which it is a party.
Justice Achibong however wondered while the defence counsel failed to file his motion before now. He stated that when he adjourned on the last date, he expected the defence counsel to have filed all necessary motions. He stated that he was willing to deal with the matter quickly and therefore adjourned to January 31 to hear the EFCC‘s application.Erastus Akingbola was re-arraigned before Justice Achibong by EFCC on November 29, 2010. His re-arraignment was sequel to the transfer of the case from Justice Idris Mohammed where Akingbola was first arraigned.
He had been granted bail by Justice Mohammed before the case was transferred to Justice Achibong. However, Akingbola refused to take his plea when he was re-arraigned before Justice Achibong as his counsel, Felix Fagbohungbe opposed it on the grounds that there was an application before the court seeking to quash the charges. He told the court that “the accused person/applicant is being charged and arraigned for offences which are unknown to law,”a position that was opposed by counsel to the EFCC. Akingbola was subsequently allowed to return home.
Information recently made available to 247ureports.com through sources within the power corridors of the federal capital of Nigeria, Abuja, indicates that there appear jolting intricacies laden within the sudden quantum-like spike in oil subsidy payments to select oil marketers/importers during the period immediately preceeding the presidential elections of April 2011 [February to April 2011] and the period immediately following the said elections [April to August 2011] – which coincided with the arrival of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala as the Finance Minister for the Ministry of Finance in August 17, 2011.
A principal and knowledgeable source within the Jonathan administration indicates that the sudden “quantum-leap” in the payment of oil subsidy payments was not a mistake. “The President knew about it” said the source who explained that fake submissions for oil subsidy payments were approved and disbursements were made – and the monies were used towards financing the President’s election of 2011.
On the afternoon of January 11, 2011, two days to the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] presidential primaries at the Eagles Square in Abuja, the source, pointed to the huge [“staggering”] amount withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] for “classified” expenditure. The sum withdrawn, according to the source, was in excess of N150billion.
The money was withdrawn for use against the threat posed by the PDP opponent [Abubakar Atiku] to President Jonathan. Atiku was said to be in a critical race against the president for delegates. The Jonathan campaign had received intelligence the Atiku campaign reached out to 3000 delegates and had disbursed the sum of $3000 to each delegate in exchange for their votes [3000 delegates would give Atiku the victory over Jonathan]. In reaction, the Presidency had to raise immediate ‘cash’ to avert what would appear an embarrassing loss. Within 24hours, the President’s campaign team raised the booty on Atiku – by offering each of the 3000 delegates $7000 in exchange for their votes – an equivalent total of $21million [N3.381billion]. The $7,000 was paid in foreign currency and an additional amount of N250,000 in local currency was handed to each of the 3000 delegates for “hotel and transport” costs – equivalent to a total of N750million. On the night of January 13, 2011, on the day of the PDP presidential primaries, the sum of N4.13billion [N750million + N3.381billion] was disbursed by the Jonathan campaign. And so victory was secured.
Following the victory at the Eagles Square, the President’s campaign re-focused its attention to consultations [taming] with political groups within the North who were unhappy with Jonathan’s candidacy and believed that President Jonathan should have stepped down for a northern candidate – in line with the zoning agreement previously reached by the party. For this, the president’s men made extensive consultations with each of the Emirs in Northern Nigeria and with other leaders of thought in the north. Confidential information available to 247ureports.com reveals that the consultation exercises, by the end of January 2011, cost the President’s campaign an excess of N500million.
The Jonathan campaign took an interesting turn as it entered February 2011. A fleet of private Jets was leased from four major carriers -King Airlines, Wings Aviation, Top Brazz and Overland – for use towards the national campaign. The normal charge for per hour of each aircraft was $6000 per hour – and the Jets operated at 70 hours per week. The Jonathan campaign paid the rate of $10,000 per hour – for the period of 10weeks – equating to an amount of N100million daily – totaling to an equivalent of N10.5billion for the said period.
Then came the February 14, 2011 billionaires meeting where the 28-member Presidential Campaign Council [PCC] was set up at the Eko Hotel in Lagos. The billionaires consisted of Aliko Dangote, Otedola, Adenuga, Elumelu, Jimoh Ibrahim, Emeka Offor, Kasim Bukar, Sayyu Dantata, Jim Ovia and others. And as the PCC which was primarily tasked with raising funds for the campaign began work in February of 2011, the oil subsidy requests for payment also began to experience a quantum leap from the budgeted N245billion to N1.7trillion.
Interestingly, the Petroleum Resources Minister, Mrs Allison Madueke and the Finance Minister, Mrs Okonjo Iweala while testifying before the House of Representative Committee investigating the Oil Subsidy funds management indicated that the amount disbursed as at February 2011 was N245billion – and that begining from March 2011 the amounts submitted for approval suddenly surged.
Explaining the surge, the source pointed to the personalities within the 28-member billionaire PCC as directly responsible for the surge from N245billion to N1.7trillion. According to the source, shortly following the formation of the PCC, Sayyu Dantata, a member, through his company, MRS Oil submitted a N225billion oil subsidy request for payment, Femi Otedola, through his company, AP, submitted a N105billion oil subsidy request for payment, a ‘mysterious’ construction company by the name Pinnacle Construction also submitted a claim for N300billion – during the same period.
It was during the same period that Stella Odua Ogiemwonyi who was one of the leaders in the Jonathan campaign organization filed a claim that she had spent her own personal money to the tuned of N5billion – for the maintenance of the campaign secretariat. Stella Odua Ogiemwonyi is the Chief Executive Officer of Sea Petroleum and Gas. Interestingly, her company submitted claims for oil subsidy payments in excess of N5billion. Her claim was approved and paid.
Cursory inquiry confirms that a significant percentage of the claims submitted by the members of the PCC were fraudulent. The fraudulent oil subsidy claims freed the President’s ability to spend in a manner deemed unprecedented by informed experts.
On March 16, 2011, the campaign released N55million to a media company [name withheld] for a single advertisement slot. By March 31, 2011, the campaign paid N7.3billion in advertisements. On March 28, 2011, it donated one car and one bus to each of the 36 chapters around the country and the FCT – along with a cash donation of N14million to each chapter [totaling N518million]. In monetary terms, its equates to a little over N1billion. Between April 12 and April 15, 2011, the campaign disbursed N107billion.
When approached regarding the sourceof the exobitant spending, the Director of the Neighbor to Neighbor Initiative [the main NGO funding and managing the Jonathan campaign], Mr. Mike Omeri stated the donations came from online contributors.
Comparing the yearly trendings of the oil subsidy claims submitted from 2006 to 2011, highlights the anomaly in the oil subsidy claims between March 2011 and August 2011. In 2006, subsidy claims was submitted for 26.9million liters of petrol for the amount N200billion, in 2008, subsidy claims was submitted for 33.4million liters of petrol for the amount N630billion, and for 2010, subsidy claims was submitted for less than 33million liters of petrol for a little over N600billion.
And so it begs the question, What the President knew about the N1.76trillion subsidy payment.
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the appointment of Mr. Mohammed D. Abubakar as Acting Inspector General of Police as a first step towards the comprehensive reorganization and repositioning of the Nigeria Police Force to make it more effective and capable of meeting emerging internal security challenges.
Mr. Abubakar who is currently an Assistant Inspector General of Police replaces Mr. Hafiz Ringim who proceeds on terminal leave with effect from today, 25th January 2012.
Born on May 5, 1958, Mr. Abubakar enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on July 30, 1979. He was the AIG in charge of Zone 12 Headquarters in Bauchi, before his new appointment.
President Jonathan has also approved the retirement of all Deputy Inspectors General of Police with immediate effect. These are: Mrs. Ivy Uche Okoronkwo, DIG POL 2i/c Force Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Azubuko J. Udah, DIG Administration (“A” Dept), Mr. Sardauna Abubukar, DIG Training (“E”Dept.); Mr. Audu Abubakar, DIG Operations (“B” Dept); Mr. Saleh Abubakar, DIG Works (“C” Dept.) and Mr. Mohammed A. Yesufu, DIG Planning and Info-Tech (“F”Dept.).
The President has also established a Special Committee to oversee the urgent reorganization of the Nigeria Police Force. The committee is to be chaired by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Parry B.O Osayande, DIG (rtd).
Other Members of the Committee are:
1. Mr. Casimir T. Akagbosu, AIG (rtd.), mni
2. Mr. Bashir A. Albasu, AIG (rtd.), fwc.
3. Major Gen. S.N. Chikwe, rtd.
4. Prof. S.D. Mukoro
5. Dr. Fabian Ajogwu, SAN
6. Aisha Larai Tukur
7. Solicitor General of the Federation
8. Permanent Secretary, SSO, Office of the SGF to serve as the Secretary to the Committee
The Committee’s Terms of Reference are as follows:
1. To identify the challenges and factors militating against effective performance in the Nigeria Police Force and make recommendations for addressing the challenges.
2. To examine the scope and standard of training and other personnel development activities in the Police to determine their adequacy or otherwise.
3. To determine the general and specific causes of the collapse of public confidence in the police and recommend ways of restoring public trust in the institution.
4. To examine records of performance of Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force with a view to identifying those that can no longer fit into the system due to declining productivity, age, indiscipline, corruption and/or disloyalty;
5. To make any other recommendations for the improvement of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Committee’s recommendations shall be implemented along with those by previous committees set up by Government on the reform of the Nigeria Police Force.
As three Anambra communities of Agulu, Adazi Nnukwu and Azigbo bury bury fifteen of the victims of the Boko Haram menace yesterday amidst wailings and curses, five South East governors of Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, Imo and Anambra state have been blamed for the persistent killings and inhuman treatment of indigenes of the zone living in other parts of the country, particularly the northern Nigeria.
It was a heart rending site to behold as relations and friends of the victims and their families cry their hearts out while bidding them farewell. They noted that enough of Igbo blood hve been spiiled to keep Nigeria united.
Adazi Nnukwu lost no fewr than 12, Agulu lost 1, while Azigbo lost 2, including a Bank manager.
A21, a quasi political group in its meeting in Awka, Anambra state yesterday blamed what it saw as “political immaturity, over rated self importance, unnecessary self-adulation and greed for power on the part of the governors for the return of the ugly trend, many years after the last civil war.
“They now see their small enclaves as their personal empires, for the near absence or the tongue-in-cheek comments on the brazen recent progressive and intentional killings and ethnic cleansing of persons of South East origin in parts of northern Nigeria without fear or challenge.
Chairman of the A21 Organization, Chief Kanayo Obidigbo said the group was a quasi political pressure group set up by citizens drawn from all walks of life and political parties in the country with a drive for good governance and peaceful coexistence. He said they were in Anambra to drum up support for the citizens towards the conduct elections which became due since May 2003.
He said the group has already set up offices in the 326 electoral wards in the state, with a view to having a peaceful mass revolution towards any issue of general importance that agitates their mind.
The Organizing Secretary of the group, Angus Aniebonam said that it was preposterous for a governor who swore to protect the sanctity of life of citizens and the nation’s constitution, to ignore the tenets of the oath and the protection of the people he swore to protect at all times. Gov Obi, he added had ignored the conduct of council election in the state under uncountable excuses.
According to Aniebonam, “Anambra today is governed by proxy, as Mr Peter Obi has since relocated to Abuja from where he comes in at intervals to see some traditional rulers or say good bye to some Jerusalem or Jeddah pilgrims”.
He said that it was same Obi who told the world that Anambra was the safest and most peaceful state in Nigeria, but when asked to conduct council poll he shivers and develops rigors all over his body. Their political delusion in the South East Governors’ Forum which made some opt out has just been exposed when in their effort not to rattle their godfathers in the north chose to look the other way on the massive killings of Igbos in Potiskum, Madalla, Mubi, Gombe. Ta Adazi nnukwu in Anaocha council of Anambra, generations of some families have just been brought back in caskets for no reason other than their faith and tribe. Yet their governors chose to look the other way.
Chief Aniemeka Izuorah, who is the Secretary General, admitted that the activities of the group go beyond politics. He said the group frowned at the absence of meaningful project in the zone in the 2012 Federal Appropriation Bill. He therefore wondered what representatives of the zone in the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council were doing. “They should wake up at once!” he said.
Information available to 247ureports.com indicates thatthe President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan has fired the Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force. The information was released on Tuesday afternoon of the sacking/retirement of the Police Chief.
Although the finer details to the sack of Ringim appear sketchly, it is certain the Police chief was released over his mishandling of the Boko Haram agent [Kabiru Umar aka Kabiru Sokoto] recently arrested but was allowed to escape from the police custody.
President Jonathan had handed a 24hour ultimatum tothe former Police Chief to fish out the escaped Boko Haram member – or be sacked. At the expiration of the ultimatum, the former Police chief failed to produce the escaped suspect. Six other DIG’s were also sacked.
MD Abubakar takes over as the new Inspector General of Police.
If President Obama wanted to prove that he’s in favor of jobs for Americans and less reliance on Mideast oil, then he blew that opportunity with his decision to reject plans for a massive oil pipeline through the United States.Obama fed right-wing conservatives a piece of job-killing raw meat in his decision, which he and his Democratic supporters blame on a looming deadline forced upon him by Republicans.
And while TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline project is not dead and could be addressed again after the November elections, Obama’s decision certainly went a long way toward bolstering his opposition.
People are out of work and this project might have put thousands of Americans to work almost immediately. Republicans latched onto the pipeline as a symbol of job creation and an opportunity to wean ourselves from Mideast oil. And with the Iranians only starting to back off of a threat to block the Strait of Hormuz and cut off a sixth of the world’s oil supply, such a project would have offered a glimmer of hope of becoming less reliant on Mideast oil in our continuing gas-driven society.
Calgary-based TransCanada Corp. wanted to carry tar sands oil from western Canada via a 1,700-mile pipeline that would cross six U.S. states to Texas refineries. The jobs this project would create in the immediate future would be a big boost for a population with an 8.5 percent unemployment rate, but the potential long-term benefits are even greater.
Face it, Americans are still heavily dependent upon oil and that, in some people’s minds, puts us at continued risk when dealing with unstable but oil-rich nations.
Moreover, Obama’s decision has reportedly caused tension with friendly neighbors to the north. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made public statements that Canada will now seek to “diversify” its portfolio, which some take to mean selling to China. It’s hard to believe that Obama would want to deliver Canada into the hands of the Chinese, over American profits and jobs. But his logic on this one is questionable, at best.
The administration already said no, for now, until government can review an alternative route that avoids environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska, a route not yet proposed. The president had to make some decision, at least in the interim, by Feb. 21 at the latest as part of an unrelated tax deal he made with Republicans.
He and his Democratic colleagues are leaning on the deadline they say prevented the State Department from gathering the necessary information to approve the project and “protect the American people,” as Obama said. Opponents have voiced concerns that the pipeline would leak and contaminate the ground water supply. They also voiced concerns about the pipeline’s effect on wildlife.
Nebraska Sand Hills, a 20,000-square-mile expanse of ground water and grassland which, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, also supports ranching and wildlife, is of particular concern.
Back in October, TransCanada said the pipeline could not be rerouted, but in addition to its existing commitments to clean up a spill, it would be willing to provide a $100 million performance bond payable to Nebraska if the company fails to clean up a spill in the Sand Hills.
Obama and his administration, in what some are calling a political decision to appease a vocal environmental group, intend to take their time on this, despite the looming concerns of employment and economic growth. It’s a miscalculation.
