Ugwuanyi seeks US partnership to develop Enugu State

Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, has appealed to the United States Government to assist the state in its bid to attract investors and develop its natural and human resources.

He made the appeal on Friday in Enugu when Mr Francis Bray the US Consul General in Nigeria, paid him a courtesy call.

Ugwuanyi said: “as part of efforts to counter the adverse economic situation in the country, we are now vigorously engaged in a campaign to attract direct foreign investments to our state.

“I therefore hasten to state that we are more than prepared to exchange ideas and partner with your office at all times on all issues of development as they relate to Enugu State.

“Such relationship has become even more crucial in the light of the challenges posed by the current economic crunch in the country.”

He said that his administration had embarked on campaign to attract direct foreign investment in the state as well as partner with interested investors.

He added that the government had put in place conducive atmosphere to attract foreign investors.

The governor said that an International Investment Summit to showcase the potentials of the state to investors would be held on April 12 and 14, at Michael Opkara Square, Enugu.

Earlier, the Consul General said that his team was in Enugu to familiarise and acquaint itself with the culture and tradition of Enugu people.

He told the governor that the age-long relationship between the US and Enugu State was capable of transforming the economic fortunes of the state to an enviable height.

“We are using this avenue to urge agents of the two governments to close ranks towards improving the economy of the state.”

Orji Uzor Kalu - The best Choice For Abians

There is no gainsaying that a golden fish has no hiding place because Orji Uzor Kalu has already proven the proverb right in several ways. His struggles so far for the Unity of nidigbo and a progressive and prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria has in all ramifications qualified him for the position to represent Abians in the Senate. Therefore, I urge every true born Abian both home and abroad, to come together and speak with one voice and one vote!

VOTE ORJI KALU FOR SENATE!

COURTESY: ROSEMARY

The Sleeping Victors by Onyekaba Chioma

Nigeria is becoming a very interesting country especially with its newly found way of gaining international and local popularity without studying or even practising theatre arts. Day in, day out,  I see so many beautiful reasons why I can't help but be proud to be a part of this generation and also a Nigerian.

The recent scene that played out at the NASS yesterday seems to just be the prologue as I am expecting the climax of this creative work of art to unfold soon. The lucky, major actors of this particular best seller movie of our time i.e the APC and the PDP,  will never cease to keep this very stage alive with a lot of beautiful lessons for upcoming politicians and I applaud them for their great display of talents...

I have come to so much appreciate the law of gravity ever since the Democracy coup of 28th March, 2015 played out which is why it didn't surprise me that indeed what goes around must come around in this circle called earth. Most times when people are spoken to in proverbs they tend to think that the interpretations are the same as pronounced, therefore leading them to neglect the true meaning and I think this is why many have taken this proverb 'pride comes before a fall' very meaningless or rather baseless. I wonder what one who steps on other people's toes on his way up expects from them on his way down- a hug I guess?  Lol!

When our people say that,  'it is only the person wearing a shoe that knows where it aches most'  it is mainly because they understand that the effect of the pain from the shoe cannot be felt by another who isn't wearing that shoe'. From afar some people thought that leading a complex country as Nigeria would be the case of moi-moi and akara but today I guess if they have the chance to make a U-turn or even be sincere with themselves then they would be talking about how tough their problems just became and how they wish they hadn't bothered so much about it.

The APC have indeed been taught a bitter lesson for their immaturity and over-confidence in a game where they were yet to master certain rules from their predecessors of sixteen years despite the fact that they are surrounded with graduates of this sixteen years old game of only masters.

My happiness is the mere fact that Tinubu's plan of pocketing Nigeria has met its water loo... If the APC was as smart and as confident as they have tried to prove in the last few months then they would have read the hand-writing on the walls earlier before Tuesday. Well,  they slept Victoriously without a plan B should in case this adversaries  attack at night and so it wasn't surprising to me when they woke up and ended up loosers .

How come on the 8th of May during the mock elections it didn't dawn on them on time that, despite the fact that they had 60 senators elect against 49 owned by the PDP,  that  the presence of only 33 of their members at the mock elections for Senator Lawan was meant to be a thing of great concern for them?  Anyway, this is the prize those who sleep on duty get for not been vigilant.  I keep my fingers Crossed.

Patience Jonathan says Buhari is planning to build prisons

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, has warned women against voting for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Muhammadu Buhari, saying the retired soldier was planning to build prisons if elected into power.

Speaking at a rally organised by the women wing of the Peoples Democratic Party, in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday, the President’s wife said Nigerian women should reciprocate the gesture of her husband, who ensured that a large number of women was appointed into political offices during his administration.

She said the APC was a dying party that thrives on propaganda and lies, saying that women should not be deceived into “returning to bondage.”

She said, “If you vote Buhari, you vote for prison. When the PDP is busy building schools, they are busy thinking of building jails.

“We will not allow our children to be put in jail, God forbid. We pray for oneness, we pray for unity, we pray for peace.”

Patience urged the women to come out on Saturday and vote for “the government that has provided more access to education and health care and brought down by 50 per cent the maternal mortality rate.”

“He was a former Head of State, he did not build Almajiri schools. It was Goodluck Jonathan that built the schools.

“Ask him what he did for women when he was Head of State. It was Goodluck Jonathan that remembered women,” she said.

She also noted that the PDP government would increase the number of women in government to 45 per cent if returned on Saturday from the current 35 per cent.

“They said we should change, we can only move from bad to better, not from better to bad. Jonathan has done well and will do even better if returned. They have nothing to show,” she said.

She also promised to revive the works done by her predecessors, Mrs. Mariam Babangida and Maryam Abacha, in their efforts to better the lot of women.

Speaking earlier, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, said the President would get the maximum votes because of the impact of his programmes on the lives of the people of the state.
Posted by Kanny Kay at 03:30

Obama writes Nigerians over elections, urges peace

As preparations intensify for general elections in Nigeria, starting Saturday, the United States President, Barack Obama, on Monday sent a special message to Nigerians, urging a credible and peaceful polls.
In the message sent directly to Nigerians, President Obama reminded the people about their struggle for the country’s independence from colonialism, the struggle against military dictatorship and the need to turn the country’s diversity into a source of strength.
“I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence,” Mr. Obama said.
“And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins,” he added.
Read full text of Mr. Obama’s Message to the Nigerian People below:
“Hello.  Today, I want to speak directly to you—the people of Nigeria.
Nigeria is a great nation and you can be proud of the progress you’ve made.  Together, you won your independence, emerged from military rule, and strengthened democratic institutions.  You’ve strived to overcome division and to turn Nigeria’s diversity into a source of strength.  You’ve worked hard to improve the lives of your families and to build the largest economy in Africa.
Now you have a historic opportunity to help write the next chapter of Nigeria’s progress—by voting in the upcoming elections.  For elections to be credible, they must be free, fair and peaceful.  All Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear.
So I call on all leaders and candidates to make it clear to their supporters that violence has no place in democratic elections—and that they will not incite, support or engage in any kind of violence—before, during, or after the votes are counted.  I call on all Nigerians to peacefully express your views and to reject the voices of those who call for violence.  And when elections are free and fair, it is the responsibility of all citizens to help keep the peace, no matter who wins.
Successful elections and democratic progress will help Nigeria meet the urgent challenges you face today.  Boko Haram—a brutal terrorist group that kills innocent men, women and children—must be stopped.  Hundreds of kidnapped children deserve to be returned to their families.  Nigerians who have been forced to flee deserve to return to their homes.  Boko Haram wants to destroy Nigeria and all that you have worked to build.  By casting your ballot, you can help secure your nation’s progress.
I’m told that there is a saying in your country: “to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done”. Today, I urge all Nigerians—from all religions, all ethnic groups, and all regions—to come together and keep Nigeria one.  And in this task of advancing the security, prosperity, and human rights of all Nigerians, you will continue to have a friend and partner in the United States of America.

Elections: Moles in Jonathan's government are funding APC - Coalition

...warns President to beware of his Ministers, Aides

Few days to the general elections, a civil society organization under the aegis of Coalition of Nigerian Leaders for Stability, said its investigation have revealed that some serving Ministers and personal aides of President Goodluck Jonathan have been working for the All Progressives Congress to frustrate his re-election.

The group which called on Jonathan to be wary of those who would be in the Peoples Democratic Party in the day and APC at night, also demanded that the Federal Government should "as a matter of urgency, adequately compensate victims of the families of the 2011 post-election violence before the 2015 election."

The Leader of CNSL, Major-General Andrew Audu and Convener/National Coordinator, High Chief Mike Ekayama Loyibo, raised the alarm during a press briefing in Abuja where they drummed support for Jonathan.

According to them, the re-election of Jonathan will not only help in the consolidation of his good works but will also assist in deepening democracy.

CNSL said, "We call on Mr. President and the PDP to be wary of those who claim to be working for his return as facts on ground have revealed that some Ministers and other personal aides in Jonathan's government are seriously working for APC.

"We can authoritatively tell you that some of them are seriously funding APC and they have continued to be moles in Jonathan's government. With this unacceptable fact, it has shown that some of them are PDP in the day time and APC at night."

The group also condemned the recent comment credited to the presidential candidate of APC, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), that he would not probe people indicted for corrupt practices from 1999 till date.

"Nigerians should not be deceived by the antics of the APC because it is obvious that Buhari lacks the wherewithal to preside over the affairs of Nigeria. Nigerians should guide their votes jealously and vote for Jonathan so that the ugly incident that happened in Lagos will not repeat itself", it stated.

Fish seller killed during Lekki robbery attack buried (photos)

15-year-old basic three pupil, Sarah Ibikunle, pictured left who was shot dead during the armed robbery incident that happened in Lekki Phase 1 on March 12th, has been buried. She was buried at Ikoyi Cemetry on Monday March 22nd.

Family members, her teachers and her classmates who gathered to bury her spoke of how she dreamt of becoming a Lawyer. Her class teacher, Mr Adebayo Moses told Punch “She was quite brilliant; not troublesome, accommodating and friendly. Her death is very painful.”

The matron of the school, Mrs. Dorcas Ogundare, also spoke glowingly about her “The last day she was in school, she came a bit late and I joked with her that she would wash toilets. She just smiled and I told her to rush to the class. She was a child to all of us and had a bright future,” she said.

Nigerian girl, Amina Lawal aged 19, missing in Toronto...(photos)

The Toronto Police Service is requesting the public's assistance in locating a missing woman. Nigerian, Amina Lawal, 19, was last seen on Friday, March 20, 2015, in the Kingston Road and Beechgrove Drive area. She is described as black, 5’2", 99 lbs., thin build and has long black braided hair. Police are concerned for her safety.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com.

President Goodluck Emerging A Victor As APC Retreats In Defeat.. By Comr. Wisdom-Ivo Okafor

It is crystal clear that  the noise and nuisance disposition of the APC in the polity has abated as it has dawn on them that President Goodluck will disgrace them at the poll. In fact some of their party stalwarts where noticed where they where discussing imminent defeat as their strategy of 'change mantra' has been questioned by Nigerians given the fact that they have failed to tell Nigerians the avenue as to which to attain the said 'change'. And in a case where their is an avenue, the big question is from what change to what? Because the change could be from good to bad especially as APC has a representation of 'Hawks and Emperors' capable of subjecting the entire country to their private estate and make Nigerians slaves in their own father land. This claim could be buttress from the way and manner the leaders of APC are courting with some foreign blocs just to dislodge the sitting government which invariably means imperialism is looming should these hawks find their way to Aso Rock. That shows desperation and one would not be mistaken if he terms these hawks 'desperadoes'.

But unfortunately for them, the Nigerian electorate have resolved to vote enmass for President Goodluck whose character is an epitome of humility, service without desperation, dedication, commitment and compassion. A man who sees his political ambition as something that does not worth the blood of any Nigerian. Nigerians' resolution did not come as a surprise as the man in question is a quintessential transformer, the finest statesman in the annals of Nigerian history and a Pan-Africanist par excellence. 

President Goodluck has demonstrated his astuteness and administrative sagacity especially in the way and manner in which he has steered the affairs of this country. If one must know, Nigeria is one of the most difficult country to govern as its diversity speaks volume. But the most interesting thing to note is that the unity in diversity is the greatest strength of any Nation State. President Goodluck's administration has been able to harness the opportunities in this diversity. 

Today, the Nigerian project and unity still remains sacrosanct even as Nigeria has overtaken South Africa to become the driver of African economy. A feat that has never been attained under previous administrations. So it baffles me each time the APC as a party boast of winning the election. How many are they? What are they made up of? How rich is their manifesto and blue print? As far as Nigerians are concerned, they are all without any atom of sophistication.

It is premised on the above adumbrated facts, that it is an incontestable fact that President Goodluck is being returned elected even as all the opinion polls conducted by reputable organisations locally and international puts President Goodluck ahead of Gen. Buhari.

THE MERIT DESERVING PRESIDENT -BY COMR WISDOM-IVO OKAFOR

It is immensely believed by great minds that great leaders are made great by horrible circumstances combined with character, temperament and intelligence.

Nigeria in the past few years has experienced serious if not horrible challenges especially insecurity. God must have calculated the future before allowing Dr. Goodluck to be president in such a time as this,as his leadership styles averted what would have resulted to uncontrollable chaos had his government adopted outright lethal force against the Boko Haram insurgency in a time when the North opposed that vehemently. President Goodluck being a nationalist and a quintessential pan Africanist always made adequate consultation his watch word in governance as it is his strong belief that everybody has a stake in the Nigerian project.

It is instructive to call to mind how President Goodluck has been termed the most criticized president in the whole wide world, but as a true democrat, he has never used any state apparatus to victimize any perceived opponent. This goes to portray him as a true democrat whose temperament and character is worthy of emulation as he has always maintained his cool in the face of unwarranted provocation.

I make bold to affirm that Dr. Jonathan has the reservoir of personal physical courage that is unmatched in our presidential history as he (GEJ) believes that coming out to defend himself in the face of criticism may not be necessary since taking responsibility in most circumstances showcases one as a true leader who is always ready to get things right. 

Note that President Goodluck is the first minority leader who has vied for the post of the President won with landslide victory. This alone makes him courageous and he will do it again, not withstanding the great physical danger from the seemingly reserve of unhinged tribal hatred, and just plain unhinged ignorant hatred, that swirls in the bowels of our wounded and sinful country. I felt like one struct when I told someone that President Goodluck has done well and deserves our vote, but he told me that elections are not won in Nigeria by good works but based on sentiments, tribal bigotry, and the zeal of one to rig election. He went further to say that President Goodluck should not have given INEC such independence and that he should have used the state apparatus to stifle opposition. But my view certainly is different, because I believe that Mr. President’s posture demonstrates that of a true statesman who has immense respect for the rule of law and who upholds the ideals, values and all other culture of democracy. Because with this leadership style of a president in the kind of President Goodluck, Nigeria will be a better place for all of us.

It is in this light, that it is my conviction that President Goodluck deserves the merit of the first order and the APC should know that Nigerians have hope in the leadership styles of President Goodluck and will definitely demonstrate that come

PRESS RELEASE

2015 Youth Championship Victory:

Mark praises Flying Eagles

President of the Senate Senator David Mark yesterday showered encomium on the Flying Eagles of Nigeria over their victory at the 2015 African Youth Championships in Senegal on Sunday.

The NIGERIA under 20 national team defeated host Senegal by a lone goal at the 45,000 capacity Leoppold Sedar Senghor Stadium in Dakar on Sunday to win the trophy for the 7th time.

A happy Senator Mark  said the NIGERIAN lads'  superlative performance at the tournament has further "stamped our authority as a leading soccer nation in Africa."

He specifically praised the Garba  Manu led boys for rising up to the occasion when it mattered.

Senator Mark said: " This victory coming at this critical moment of the 2015 general elections is a reassurance that the forthcoming elections would be successful. The team spirit displayed by our boys at the championship is an attribute all NIGERIANS must emulate.

"Together, we can address our challenges if we resolve to work as one people with a common purpose."

Senate President noted that the victorious Flying Eagles deserves "our commendation and rewards. They are our heroes. They have rekindled our hope and pride."

He reminded the federal government of the need to do the needful to reward the Flying Eagles to serve as an elixir for future laurel for the nation.


Signed:
Paul Mumeh, Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate.

Mu’azu: PDP will Not Win by a Landslide, But will Be Victorious

Says party will declare Marshall plan in North-east
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has said he is not expecting a landslide victory for the party in the general election, but he is convinced that the PDP will emerge victorious in the election.

According to Muazu, “While I do not see a landslide victory coming, I am convinced that our party will perform creditably in the South-west and the North of Nigeria and elsewhere in all the elections this year because the evidence is clear that despite our travails at the beginning, we have done very well over the past 16 years of our nascent democracy since 1999 to record a victory. Those who disbelieve our resilience will be surprised for victory is ours.”

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tony Amadi, on Thursday, Mu’azu also promised that President Goodluck Jonathan will declare a  marshall plan to rebuild the North-east geo-political zone affected by the war if he is reelected.
“Our party has this programme on the top of our agenda in the next four years. That will be the right way to wipe away the scars of war among the people of that area,” Mu’azu stated.

According to the national chairman, PDP would  win South-west and the North despite “our travails at the beginning.”

He added that after three weeks of town hall meetings, PDP was inching its way to victory in the 2015 presidential election.

“We shall continue this interactive engagement with Nigerians until  March 26 when campaigns officially end before the March 28 presidential elections, presenting our scorecard in government, our programmes in the next four years to 2019, using the town hall format and meeting our revered traditional rulers.
“The PDP has a special plan that will see them play more roles in government in the near future via the instrument of the constitution. We believe that the traditional institution is crucially important to the peace, harmony and progress of our father land,” Mu’azu added.

He blamed the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for the media report that he had problems with President Jonathan.

“We are going around the country in search of undecided voters, who are the final battle ground where the election will be won or lost. The APC can continue to stir the rumour mills into believing that Mr. President and myself are in dispute, but we are very serious about winning a fourth presidential election and Insha Allah, we shall make it,” he said

THE MERIT DESERVING PRESIDENT -BY COMR WISDOM-IVO OKAFOR

It is immensely believed by great minds that great leaders are made great by horrible circumstances combined with character, temperament and intelligence.

Nigeria in the past few years has experienced serious if not horrible challenges especially insecurity. God must have calculated the future before allowing Dr. Goodluck to be president in such a time as this,as his leadership styles averted what would have resulted to uncontrollable chaos had his government adopted outright lethal force against the Boko Haram insurgency in a time when the North opposed that vehemently. President Goodluck being a nationalist and a quintessential pan Africanist always made adequate consultation his watch word in governance as it is his strong belief that everybody has a stake in the Nigerian project.

It is instructive to call to mind how President Goodluck has been termed the most criticized president in the whole wide world, but as a true democrat, he has never used any state apparatus to victimize any perceived opponent. This goes to portray him as a true democrat whose temperament and character is worthy of emulation as he has always maintained his cool in the face of unwarranted provocation.

I make bold to affirm that Dr. Jonathan has the reservoir of personal physical courage that is unmatched in our presidential history as he (GEJ) believes that coming out to defend himself in the face of criticism may not be necessary since taking responsibility in most circumstances showcases one as a true leader who is always ready to get things right.

Note that President Goodluck is the first minority leader who has vied for the post of the President won with landslide victory. This alone makes him courageous and he will do it again, not withstanding the great physical danger from the seemingly reserve of unhinged tribal hatred, and just plain unhinged ignorant hatred, that swirls in the bowels of our wounded and sinful country. I felt like one struct when I told someone that President Goodluck has done well and deserves our vote, but he told me that elections are not won in Nigeria by good works but based on sentiments, tribal bigotry, and the zeal of one to rig election. He went further to say that President Goodluck should not have given INEC such independence and that he should have used the state apparatus to stifle opposition. But my view certainly is different, because I believe that Mr. President’s posture demonstrates that of a true statesman who has immense respect for the rule of law and who upholds the ideals, values and all other culture of democracy. Because with this leadership style of a president in the kind of President Goodluck, Nigeria will be a better place for all of us.

It is in this light, that it is my conviction that President Goodluck deserves the merit of the first order and the APC should know that Nigerians have hope in the leadership styles of President Goodluck and will definitely demonstrate that come March 28.

PRESS RELEASE

 Mark visits war-ravaged Benue community
    laments monumental carnage as FG set up committee

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has lamented over the level of devastation and killings at the war ravaged Egba community in Agatu local government  area of Benue state invaded by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

 Senator Mark who was on the spot assessment of the wreckage  today, expressed shock and sadness over the rate of damage he likened to genocide .

 He said the action of the perpetrators was nothing but absolute criminality which must be addressed as such.

 An angry Mark stated : " This is absolute criminality. All those involved in this barbaric killings must not go unpunished. Government will not tolerate this and all the security networks would be deployed to fish out the perpetrators."

 Mark told his  heart broken constituents that the National Security council has met over the incident and hinted that  President Goodluck JONATHAN is already putting measures in place to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the killings,with a view to finding a lasting solution to it.

 He therefore counseled the people to continue to maintain peace, as government has enough apparatus to deal with the situation in a way that would bring justice to all concerned.

 Senator Mark added that security has been beefed up to forestall a repeat of the ugly incident.

 He commended the emergency  medical team  led by Oyaji Suleiman assisting the injured and undertook to pay the medical bills.

 It was a sorry sight when Senator Mark visited the make- shift tent housing some injured survivors of the attack as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs) .

 He later visited the site where the murdered persons were said to have been given a mass burial.

 The Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship candidate, Mr. John Ngbede who hails from the war- ravaged community pleaded with the Federal Government to police  the boundary between them and their Nasarawa State neighbours.

 Ngbede  lamented that the porous boundary between the Agatu and Nasarawa state was giving the invaders unhindered assess to attack them and easily find escape route.

 "If there is anything the Federal government can do for us at this critical time, it is to help us police  and protect our boundary with Nasarawa state," he stressed.

 No fewer than 80 persons were murdered in cold blood when invaders suspected to be Fulani herdsmen stormed Egba  community in Agatu local government area of Benue state in the wee hours of last Sunday..

 The invaders were  said to have escaped to neighbouring  Nasarawa state across the River Benue after the attack.

 Signed:
 Paul Mumeh.
 Chief Press Secretary to the President of the Senate.

RADIO CHANJI-A GENOCIDE STRATEGY—-BY CHUKWUKA NNAMDI

Rwanda-genocide-anniversary
A new Radio Station; Radio Chanji has been established by the All Progressive Congress (APC) as online news reports have confirmed today. The new broadcast outfit, which broadcasts from undisclosed locations, has started broadcasting to Hausa-speaking people of Northern Nigeria with 500kw transmitters on test transmission from7:00am-7:30am on 11720khz on the 25meterband shortwave.
The sign-call of the radio is Radio APC, Radio Chanji which according to the party was established to contribute to the free exchange of information in the nation in order not to lose the information war which could change people’s minds and attitudes towards the party. Their broadcast transmission which started over the weekend was received and monitored in Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Maiduguri, Adamawa, Birnin-Kebbi and Niamey, among other areas.
The programmes which are aired in the Hausa language are in support of the party’s presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari. This is indeed a very troubling trend as General Buhari has been known to make inciting and hate filled statements in the past through the BBC Hausa program that has led his mainly illiterate supporters, to embark on hideous rampage in the North leaving thousand dead in their wild murderous spree. It is therefore very worrying that the APC have a renegade Radio that is unapproved by NBC and freely decimates inciting messages to their supporters mostly in the North.
History has thought us the grave danger inherent in this type of trend, the waves of ethnic cleansing in Rwanda was fueled by Radio Broadcasts. In April 1994, when the genocide started in Rwanda, ordinary people were glued to their receivers. That spring the popular radio stations seemed to have only one aim: to incite the Hutu masses to exterminate their Tutsi neighbors. The most popular station of all was RTLM (Radio Televison des Milles Collines), the Thousand Hills Radio Television. It was known for having the best disc jockeys in Rwanda and for its attractive mix of African music, news programming, and political analysis. Founded in 1993 and owned by family members and friends of President Habyarimana, the station preached an extremist message of Hutu supremacy, but many apolitical Rwandans became listeners because of the music it played. In fact, their hearts and minds were being prepared for genocide. When the killing was unleashed on April 6, it became clear what the owners and managers of the station had created—an infernal pulpit from which the message to kill could be disseminated throughout Rwanda.
Why has the APC and it’s Presidential candidate, General Buhari decided to have a renegade radio outfit that is uncensored and without a known address? The party have continued to threaten Nigeria and Nigerians with statements ranging from ”the blood of the dogs and baboons flowing” to ”this election will be bloody” and ”We will set up a parallel government if the election is not free and fair”, what stipulates a free and fair election to them can only be defined by their parameters. The All Progressive Congress is a desperate and power thirsty party, who would rather cause chaos and mayhem in the country rather than protect it’s unity. At what cost would this power thirst come? At the cost of the blood of millions of minorities in the North who have always been easy prey to the band of marauding illiterate Buharists that populate most parts of the North?
It is illegal for a Political Party to operate a radio station, especially one that operates in a specific language. In Rwanda the radio message on April 7th and 8th was: “You have to kill [the Tutsis, they are cockroaches…” May 13: “All those who are listening to us, arise so that we can all fight for our Rwanda… Fight with the weapons you have at your disposal, those of you who have arrows, with arrows, those of you who have spears with spears… Take your traditional tools… We must all fight [the Tutsis; we must finish with them, exterminate them, sweep them from the whole country… There must be no refuge for them, none at all.” And on July 2: “I do not know whether God will help us exterminate [the Tutsis] …but we must rise up to exterminate this race of bad people… They must be exterminated because there is no other way.”
The message worked. By July of 1994, when the victory of the Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) put an end to the genocide, up to 1 million Rwandans—mostly Tutsis, but also Hutus belonging to the Democratic Parties in Rwanda—had been slaughtered. The radios had been all too successful in inciting the genocide. What they did, which was both to prepare the ground for the killing and encourage listeners to go on killing once the genocide had begun, was, of course, utterly illegal under international humanitarian law, which does not recognize an absolute right to free expression. By definition, most of those killed were civilians, that is, “persons taking no active part in the hostilities.”
Today the structure is being put in place for a similar mission in the North by a political party inciting the Hausa Majority in the North to exterminate the minority, Rwanda was a product of Political and Ethnic incitement of a particular tribe by a particular political party to actualize an outcome that was selfish and wicked. APC is on the war path and would not care if millions of Nigerians perish for them to actualize this inordinate ambition. Just like in Rwanda Radio Station, Radio Chanji is designed to appeal to the unemployed, the deliquents, and the gang of thugs in Northern Nigeria to prepare them for genocide by demonizing PDP, southern Nigerians and Christians encouraging hate and violence.The plan is to prey upon the deep animosities and prejudices of many northern youths. The hateful rhetoric is placed alongside the sophisticated use of humor and APC campaign songs.
Customarily Buhari had always used BBC Hausa to spread his hate messages until some diplomatic issues evolved, now Buhari can broadcast these hate speeches in hausa from Radio Chanji.The fact that this station broadcasts not just in Hausa but in the street Hausa parlance used predominantly by the downtrodden is a most troubling matter. Rwandans did not have history to rely upon as circumstances precipitated well scripted events, today we have the opportunity to learn from the unfortunate Rwandan experience. Two weeks to the Presidential elections, APC floats an illegal / rogue Radio Chanji, that transmits only Hausa broadcasts . The earlier Nigerians rise and resist this irregularity and blatant attempt to promote violence and incite genocide, the better for Nigeria and Nigerians.
VOTE AGAINST THIS SIN AGAINST THE NIGERIAN STATE. VOTE GOODLUCK ON MARCH 28 2015 FOR SUSTAINED DEMOCRACY.

What Qualifies a Person to Vote in an Election?

A person is qualified as a voter according to the Nigerian Constitution and the electoral commission rules when:

He/she is a citizen of Nigeria.

He/she is 18 years and above.

He/she lives in the ward or constituency where he/she intents to vote; he/she must have registered in the ward or constituency;

He/she has a registration card, which must be presented at the polling station or unit on the day of the election.

VOTING

• Voting will take place on a date to be determined by the INEC.

ACCREDITATION

• Polling units will be open from 8 am.

• Polling units will open at 8 am for Accreditation and close at 1.00pm

• Voting starts 1:30 pm.

• You must vote in the same Polling Unit you completed your Voter Registration.

HOW VOTER CAN VERIFY REGISTRATION

• A voter is expected to check the register of voters to ascertain that his name is included.

• That his name was correctly spelt and written.

• This is done when the register is displayed for inspection.

PERSONS WHO CANNOT VOTE

• The following persons cannot vote at election.

• All persons below the age of 18 years.

• All non-Nigerians.

• All persons who did not register as voters.

• All persons who do not hold a voter registration card.

• All persons whose names are not in the voters register.

WHERE TO VOTE

• Voting takes place at polling stations/units.

• A voter is expected to cast his vote at the polling unit where his name is on the voter  register.

• A voter is expected to identify his polling station where his name is on the voter register.

• A polling unit nearest to the residence of the voter.

HOW TO VOTE:

• Voting will be by Open Secret Ballot System.

• Your vote is secret because no one will see which candidate you choose.

• You will mark your ballot behind a polling screen secretly.

• Apply your finger print only in one circle/space which corresponds to the candidate of your choice.

PROCEDURE: PREPARING FOR VOTING:

• The Presiding Officer (PO) shall:

• Explain the voting procedure to the voters.

• Invite all voters accredited to form a single queue.

• Where culture does not allow men and women to mingle in a queue, separate queues are created for men and women.

• The PO shall count loudly the number of accredited voters in the queue, and record the number.

COMMENCEMENT OF VOTING:

• At the commencement of voting, the PO shall:

• Invite the voters on queue to approach the poll clerk (PC) in an orderly manner.

• On presentation of voter’s card, the PO shall:

• Check appropriate cuticle thumbnail of voter and when he is satisfied that the person has been duly accredited.

• Tick the voters’ register on the right hand side of voter’s name.

• Indicating that he has voted.

• Apply indelible ink on the cuticle of the voter’s appropriate thumbnail.

• The Poll Assistant (PA) shall apply ink to the next finger of the respective hand

• Voters who have no Right/Left hand, the PA shall:

• Apply the ink to the corresponding toes of the voter’s Right/Left foot.

• Voters have neither fingers nor toes:

• Ink shall be applied on the corresponding toes of the persons assisting them.

ISSUANCE OF BALLOT PAPER AND VOTING:

• The voter shall present himself to the Polling official (PO).

• The PO shall stamp and sign the back of ballot paper.

• Fold the ballot paper vertically with the printed side inwards.

• Issue the signed, stamped ballot paper to the voter.

• The voter moves to the voting cuticle.

• Mark the ballot paper in the space with (PDP Umbrella) party logo

Fold the ballot paper.

• Deposit the marked ballot paper into the ballot box.

• Marking of ballot paper by voter must be done in secret.

• Depositing the ballot paper in the ballot box in open view of all persons present.

• Only one voter at a time to the voting cubicle.

OFFENCES ON ELECTION DAY:

PART VIII SC. 129 (1) states that:

1. No person shall on the date an election is held do any of the following acts or things in a polling unit or within a distance of 300 metres of a polling unit-

(a) Canvass for votes;

(b) Solicit for the vote of any voter

(c) Persuade any voter not to vote for any particular candidate;

(d) Persuade any voter not to vote at any election;

(e) Shout slogans concerning the election;

(f) Be in possession of any offensive weapon or wear any dress or have any facial or other decoration which in any event is calculated to intimidate voters;

(g) Exhibit, wear or tender any notice, symbol photograph or party card referring to the election;

(h) Use any vehicle bearing the colour or symbol of a political party by any means whatever;

(i) Loiter without lawful excuse after voting or after being refused to vote;

(j) Snatch or destroy any election materials; and

(k) Blare siren

“Any person who contravens any of the provisions of this section commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for 6 months for every such offence”.

What are the Rules Guiding the Counting of Votes?

At the end of voting, the presiding officer opens the ballot box and empties its contents in the presence of the polling clerk, party agents, poll orderlies and sorts the votes according to candidates. Thereafter he must count the votes with the ballot papers face upwards.

All rejected ballot papers shall be put in a special envelope which must be returned to the officer.

The total number of voters scored by each candidate must be entered in a statement of result forms signed and stamped by the presiding officer and also signed by the candidates or their agents.

The presiding officer must give a copy of the statement of the result to the police officer and other security officers at the units.

She/He must also provide copies of the result forms to party agents upon request.

The result of the election should be announced at the collation center for the particular constituency.

Lest We forget – GEJ’s Successful Agricultural Revolution in Nigeria By Danjuma Lamido

When Nigeria announced recently that it had become Africa’s biggest economy, you could be forgiven for thinking that its a lie or oil was the only reason. After all, Nigeria is the biggest oil producer in Africa.
What many people didn’t realize was the growing role of agriculture in boosting Nigeria’s economy and the lives of its large rural population.
Agriculture was the backbone of the economy before petrol grew in importance, and this administration is working to regain this strength by increasing GDP from farmed products.
Since the inception of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, agriculture has seen a new day. What is evident across the country today, is that an agriculture revolution is taking place.
The first success recorded was in the sanitation of the Nigeria’s agricultural sector by implementing numerous programs to encourage growth and prevent corruption.
As we know, the government is in charge of providing subsidies for farmers (fertiliser, seeds, and farming equipment). However, corruption and rent-seeking prevented the majority of them from making it into the farmers’ hands. These bottlenecks and corrupt practices were tackled headlong, saving the government the sum of N25 billion in 2012 alone, while farmers now receive subsidies without stress.
In Kogi State, over 7,000 hectares land of rice have been cultivated in the dry season, the first ever in the history of the state.
A major foreign investor, Dominion Rice, came into the country, investing $40 million in a 30,000-hectare commercial rice farm with international grade rice mill in Taraba.
Governor Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi State testified that “the dry season support for rice farmers is the best thing to have happened in the sector in the past 40 years”.
Dan Rabi, a local entrepreneur who provides mobile threshing services for rice farmers, said “agriculture under the administration of President Jonathan has been greatly transformed”.
It is not only in the production of rice that the transformation agenda of the current administration has paid off. It is on record that Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with a total production of 40 million metric tons.
The federal government, had distributed 24 million stems of improved cassava varieties to farmers which were cultivated on 8,000 hectares of land. Through 2013 and 2014, the Federal Government had also distributed an additional 65 million stems to farmers to boost cultivation as 21,000 hectares of cassava would have been cultivated.
Additionally, through encouraged research and collaboration, 40 per cent substitution of cassava flour for wheat flour in bread was achieved in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the Federal Institute for Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos.
The benefits of Government’s renewed focus on local production is already yielding with China ordering 3.2 million metric tonnes of cassava chips from Nigeria for ethanol production.
The administration is also transforming the way the country produces sorghum and cocoa, offering high-yield hybrid seeds to farmers as well as developing implementation agreements with private companies to increase production and create jobs. Over 3.6 million hybrid cocoa pods are being distributed to local farmers as well as 1,506 tonnes of improved cotton seed in the 2012 season alone, all free of charge.
Clearly, these commendable strides in the agricultural sector by the Jonathan administration has considerably reduced the number of unemployed youths in the country. Gone are the days when agriculture was not attractive to young people. Now young people are going into agriculture because of the enabling environment created by the current administration.
Jonathan is encouraging youth to join commercial agriculture with a new self-employment initiative, the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP), unveiled in 2014, with a plan to support over 750,000 youth.
Some are already beginning to see success: Mosumola started a small farm in her grandmother’s backyard, which has now grown to 25-hectares with the help of YEAP. Muniru Umaru, another Nagropreneur, went from being unemployed to owning a 70-tonne fish farm. The Youwin also complement the efforts.
Today, the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan of the Federal Government with the goal of decreasing reliance on imported foods and improving farming as a way to earn a living has become a reality. This is the first time we have reduced our imported food cost astronomically, from 1.1 trillion naira in 2009 to 448billion naira in 2014.
Between 2011 and 2014, local food production has expanded by 21 million metric tonnes, ahead of the 2015 deadline set by the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goal on agriculture.
True to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s words, “The prosperity of Nigeria must start with improving the living standards of our farmers, and revitalising rural economies across the nation,”
“Agriculture is now the lifeline for Nigeria. As crude oil prices decline, we must create new wealth from the richness of our soils, the vastness of our rivers and the abundance of our cheap labour. We will produce more, and we will industrialise the agricultural sector.”
As a nation, a strong agricultural force is the key to eradicating widespread poverty, as well as increasing food security and promoting self-reliance.
This notion has renewed the determination of President Jonathan as he announced the release of N26 billion for the 2015 Dry Season Farming Program.
No doubt, what has been destroyed over the years would sure take time to be better, however under this government, president Good luck Ebele Jonathan is gradually and silently showing genuine concern and great transformational change.
“Lest you forget” there was a time in Nigeria when lip services were paid to revitalising agriculture, that was the era when fertillizers and seedlings got into wrong hands.
Though they are destroying his image daily to make him look like a weakling to an average Nigerian. You need to STOP listening to concocted lies, vile propaganda and well orchestrated deceit of the desperados who are hell bent on seizing power for their selfish ends by playing on your psyche.
Let’s give it to this man of honour who is busy transforming Nigeria positively, by supporting Jonathan for a second term in office to enable him to finish the good work he has started.
Its not about noise, GEJ has genuinely done well!

Amaechi pressurising me to free hardened criminals – Rivers CP

The Commissioner of the Rivers State Police Command, Dan Bature has said that Governor Chibuike Amaechi has being raising false alarm against the Command because he refused to bow to pressure to release hardened criminals involved in heinous cases of murder, deadly cult activities, unlawful possession of firearms, kidnappings and sundry acts of lawlessness that ordinarily would have been charged to court but for the industrial action of the Rivers state judiciary.
In a strongly worded press statement signed by the CP Dan Bature, he said: “It is strongly believed that the vituperations are frustrating signs of the Government’s inability to pressure the Command to release hardened criminals involved heinous cases of murder, deadly cult activities, unlawful firearms possession, kidnappings and sundry acts of lawlessness that ordinarily would have been charged to court but for the industrial action of the Rivers State Judiciary”.
The CP said he has restrained himself from joining issues with the state governor but is once again constraint to respond to what he called “the spurious and wispy allegations against it and false alarm raised by His Excellency, Rt Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi, the Executive Governor of Rivers State, to the effect that the Command exposes Hon. Dakuku Peterside, the Rivers State’s All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate to danger by withdrawing policemen attached to him, unsubstantiated killings and plan to arrest supporters of his party”.
He denied ever withdrawing the police cover to Dakuku Peterside as alleged by the Governor.He said that it is on record that since he assumed duty as the Commissioner of Police six months ago, he has remained focused and committed to performing my constitutional duties and responsibilities of protecting lives and property amongst others. And has refused to be provoked or drawn in unnecessary responses to the avalanche of unsubstantiated allegations, in most cases wild imaginations that are predicated in falsehood that seem to be the penchant of the State Government.
Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State
Bature said he does not intend to dignify the false alarms raised in the recent press briefing by the State Government, but it is necessary to put records straight.
On the recent redeployment of C4i Policemen from Hon. Dakuku Peterside a few days after the Rivers PDP called for its disbandment on allegation that it has been engaged in terror activities, Bature explained that the C4i unit were redeployed to their traditional duties of fighting violent crimes and their immediate replacement with the elite Special Protection Unit (SPU) has now been attributed to withdrawal of the policemen attached to him.
He dismissed claimed by Amaechi that APC supporters were politically assassinated or hounded to prison at the behest of the state PDP. He wondered why cases of cultists’ related clashes that sometimes resulted in deaths have suddenly been attributed to killing of political party supporters.
The CP said the alleged killing of seven supporters of a political party is not only unfounded as the Command has not received such report.
He also wondered why arrests made on cases of unlawful possession of firearms, robbery, cultism and murder are now attributed to politics. What a mathematical wonder! Six suspects arrested and charged to court for unlawful possessions of firearms have now become over 400 supporters of a political party in our custody.
He debunked the allegation of the purported plan to arrest 307 leaders of a political party is nothing but a ruse to whip up public sympathy.
Bature said the Command has no plan to arbitrarily arrest anybody. But that anyone who is not planning to cause or foster violence or breach of public peace has no cause to fear or raise false alarm.
He cautioned that on security matters, “ we should be mindful of the fact that security issues are not matters for comical entertainment”.
The CP said the Command remains focused in its mandate to serve and protect the people and overall interest of the State. No amount of distractions would deter us from performing our constitutional assigned roles, please.

THE ONLY MAN GOOD FOR THE JOB