Police officers refuse transfer to North....

Threaten to resign rather than be the target of Boko Haram attacks

Mass resignation looms in the Nigeria Police Force, following the transfer of police officers to the northern part of the country.

Investigations revealed that more than two thousand police officers are affected by an ongoing mass transfer in the Force.

A number of police officers from the western part of the country are facing transfer to the troubled northern region, while their colleagues from the north are being moved down south.

Those affected by the mass transfer include police officers from the rank and file to the Chief Superintendent Police (CSP) cadre.

It was gathered that the move is part of the police's strategy to combat activities of the dreaded Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which has targeted police stations and other government offices in the northern part of the country.

Sources say that police officers in the north may have been compromised and as such, may be jeopardising the government’s efforts to tackle the dreaded sect.

Though the mass transfer is legitimate and compulsory for the officers, most of those transferred to the north are unhappy and scared of the fate that could await them there.

Many officers, especially from Lagos State, have begun desperate moves to prevent being transferred to the troubled spots in the north.

Also, some affected officers who have been unable to revert their transfers to the west, have threatened to resign.

A lawyer working with the police, who requested anonymity, said she has been besieged by police officers to help revert their transfer from the north.

“Some of them were weeping and kneeling down that they do not want to work in the north, saying the police high command is sending them to an early grave," said the lawyer.

"Some of them were even lobbying me with money to talk to the Inspector General of Police on their behalf, so it is really a worrisome trend."

Most of the affected police officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the recent transfer policy as 'wicked' and 'unfair'.

"Most of us that are being transferred to the north are Yoruba, Igbo, Benue and other tribes, while those they are bringing to the west are Hausas. Is it that the Inspector General wants Yoruba policemen to be slaughtered by the Boko haram sect?" Asked a police officer.

"Why can’t the Inspector General allow the northerners to remain in their states since they know the terrain and speak the language fluently?" Another officer added.

"Most of our colleagues who went to the north have been killed. Some officers who will not be transferred back to Lagos have already threatened to resign."

It will be recalled that there was a major shake-up in the police force in February, when over 20 Police Commissioners were transferred to different states in the country.

Subsidy: List of those to refund and amount to be refunded...VANGUARD

S/N NAME OF MARKETER AMOUNT

1. ACORN PLC ..... N8,514,900,513.00

2.ALIMINNUR RESOURCES LTD ....N2,543,800,931.00

3. AMG PETRO-ENERGY LTD .... .N7,226,773,136.00

4. ANOSKYE GROUP OF COMPANIES LTD .....N1,318,443,535.00

5. ASCON OIL AND GAS COMPANY .....N4,451,932,090.00

6. AVANT GARDE ENERGY ..... N1,154,824,298.00

7. A-Z PETROLEUM ..... N8,065,557,645.00 owned By Chika Okafor

8. CAH RESOURCES ASSOCIATION LTD .....N24,206,727.00

9. CONOIL PLC .....N3,027,526,589.00 owned Mike Adenuga

10. CRUST ENERGY LTD .....N1,192,651,581.00

11. DOWNSTREAM ENERGY SOURCE LTD .....N2,947,780,261.00

12. DOZZY OIL AND GAS LTD .....N1,587,298,801.00

13. DUPORT MARINE LTD .....N3,555,127,358.00

14. ECO-REGEN LTD .....N3,339,101,218.00

15. EURAFIC OIL AND COASTAL SERVICES LTD ..N3,868,147,024.00

16. FIRST DEEP WATER DISCOVERY LTD .....N932,207,739,.00

17. FRADRO INTERNATIONAL LTD .....N3,661,643.268.00

18. FRESH SYNERGY LTD .....N1,417,029,059.00

19. HEYDEN PETROLEUM .....N3,345,456,733.00

20. IBAFON OIL LTD .....N1,474,479,459.00

21. IMAD OIL &GAS LTD .....N2,701,002,852.00

22. INTEGRATED OIL & GAS .....N13,252,055,429.00

23. INTEGRATED RESOURCES LTD .....N1,166,486,995.00

24. IPMAN INVESTMENT LTD .....N7,538,586,178.00

25. KNIGHTS BRIDGE .....N1,685,869,439.00

26. UNETRALE OIL SUPPLY & TRADING CO. .....N1,213,903,930.00

27. UNGO OIL AND GAS COMPANY LTD .....N1,201,297,922.00

28. LLOYDS ENERGY LTD .....N4,370,512,172.00

29. LOTTOU OIL &GAS LTD .....N1,427,429,910.00

30 MAIZUBE PETROLEUM LTD .....N5,509,407,903.00

31. MATRIX ENERGY OIL & GAS LTD .....N11,211,040,786.00

32. MENOL OIL & GAS LTD .....N4,333,348,489.00

33. MOB INTEGRATED SERVICES .....N5,066,786,851.00

34. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC .....N2,660,968,597.00

35. MUT-HASS .....N1,102,084,041.00

36. NADABO ENERGY LTD .....N2,660,902,801.00

37. NASAMAN OIL SERVICES LTD. .....N3,441,253,193.00

38. NATICEL PETROLEUM LTD .....N5,276,169,320.00

39. NEPAL OIL &GAS SERVO LTD .....N2,353,911,978.00

40. NIPCO PLC .....N7,838,353,057.00

41. OAKFEILD SYNERGY NETWORK LTD .....N988,920,219.00

42. OCEAN ENERGY .....N1,778,180,051.00

43 OILBATH NIGERIA LTD .....N1,019,644,138.00

44. ONTARIO NIGERIA LTD .....N4,248,727,148.00

45. ORIGIN OIL &GAS LTD .....N4,141,367,099.00

46. PETROTRADE ENERGY LTD .....N908,805,371.00

47. PHOENIX OIL COMPANY LTD .....N1,827,838,204.00

48. PRUDENT ENERGY & SERVICES LTD .....N1,360,898,638.00

49. RAINOIL LTD .....N1,266,773,492.00

50. ROCKY ENERGY LTD .....N1,620,110,167.00

51. RYDEN OIL LTD .....N451,150,983.00

52. SEA PETROLEUM & GAS CO. .....LTD N1,019,571,609.00

53. SEDEC ENERGY LTD .....N845,226,771.00

54. SETANA ENERGY LTD .....N2,791,264,070.00

55. SHEILD PETROLEUM CO. NIG. LTD .....N1,502,198,610.00

56. SIFAX OIL &GAS COMPANY LTD .....N3,589,063,041.00

57. SOMERSET ENERGY SERVICES LTD .....N2,172,206,037.00

58. STONEBRIGDE OIL LTD .....N1,784,158,258.00

59. SULPHUR STREAMS LTD .....N4,758,693,054.00

60. SWIFT OIL LTD .....N5,062,403,555.00

61. TAURUS OIL & GAS LTD .....N6,472,821,001.00

62. TECHNO OIL LTD .....N547,179,342.00

63. TONIQUE OIL SERVICES LTD .....N3,827,112,622.00

64 TOP OIL & GAS DEV CO. LTD .....N7,367,662,306.00

65. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC .....N1,931,075,306.00

66. VALCORE ENERGY LTD .....N8,709,548,082.00

67. VIVENDI ENERGY LTD .....N1,127,773,642.00

68. YANATY PETROCHEMICALS NIGERIA LTD ..N4,682,342,275.00

Boko Haram Kills Spokesman Abu Qaqa II

15 Apr 2012

Font Size: a / A

Boko Haram's spokesman Abu Qaqa

•Sambo: Attacks not religious

By  Ike Abonyi  and  Tokunbo Adedoja 

The division in the dreaded Islamist sect Boko Haram deepened at the weekend with the murder of Abu Qaqa II, the spokesman of the militant group suspected to have taken over from Abu Qaqa I who was captured last January and has been in the custody of the State Security Service.

Abu Qaqa II was believed to have been killed on the instruction of the leader of the sect, Abu Shekau, for attempting to back out of their reign of terror.

He was said to have tried to denounce the sect after being trailed intensively by security agents, which forced him to change locations on several occasions.

The news of his killing coincided with the disclaimer by Vice President Namadi Sambo that the Boko Haram attacks have religious undertones.

Abu Qaqa II, whose real name is Mohammed Anwal Kontagora, was from Kontagora in Niger State. He adopted the name Abu Qaqa in February after the original Abu Qaqa, also known by many aliases, including Abu Dardaa, Mohammed Shuaibu and Abu Tiamiya, was arrested in January.

Kontagora, like his predecessor, was non-Kanuri, so the decision to terminate his life by the Boko Haram leader, as has transpired with other non-Kanuri members of the sect, was said to have been decided summarily.

THISDAY learnt that the sect was said to be shopping for Abu Qaqa III as its new spokesman.

Security sources revealed that the division and subsequent killing of the spokesman resulted from the sect’s inability to either own up or disassociate itself from the Easter Sunday bomb blast in Kaduna that killed so many commercial motorcyclists and tea vendors.

“This again might have forced Abubakar Shekau (now looking leaner) to personally appear on You-Tube to reply to a statement credited to President Goodluck Jonathan while he was in South Korea,” the source said.

However, Sambo, in Washington D.C. at the weekend, dismissed claims that attacks by Boko Haram terrorists have a religious undertone. 

Sambo, while fielding questions from Nigerians in the Diaspora at a meeting on Friday in Washington DC, said the bloodletting in the north was the handiwork of terrorists.

He also spoke on efforts being made by the federal government to restore normalcy and tackle other problems besetting Nigeria.

“The security issue that is happening in the north is not a religious problem. It is an unfortunate problem being created by some hoodlums, people that have terrorist tendencies in their mind,” stated Sambo who also disputed the claim that there was religious violence-inspired emigration in various parts of the country.

“I will like to correct one impression. This issue that Christians are moving from the north and the Muslims are leaving the south is wrong. I beg to disagree with that notion because it is not happening,” he said.

According to him, as part of efforts to tackle terrorism, the government has reached out to major stakeholders, especially religious leaders to “direct Nigerians in the right directions.”

He assured the gathering that Jonathan had been holding security meetings aimed at addressing the challenges.
Sambo also listed the programmes of the current administration to put the country on a strong footing.

He said Jonathan had assured Nigerians of free, fair and credible elections when he came on board and had delivered on that promise with the successful conduct of the 2011 general elections.

“Besides, the current administration is bringing integrity, honesty and competence into governance through the appointment of seasoned persons to fill top public offices and the way the government runs its business.”

He listed the reform in the power sector and other efforts being made to revive the sector as well as attempts to fight corruption as part of the determination of the Jonathan administration to create a new order.

He pledged that by the end of this year, rail transportation would commence from Lagos to Kano, while government was also working on fast rail transportation from Lagos to Ibadan, and from Kaduna to Abuja.

In addition, the vice president said four international airports – Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano – were being expanded, while remedial work was ongoing in all other airports across the country.

One of the highlights of the meeting was when a clergyman, who said he had come from Nigeria purposely to attend the event told Sambo, before asking his question, that he sees him becoming the president.

In a quick response, Sambo said: “I forgot to mention to my Lord Bishop that I like being vice president and thank God for the president.

“I recalled that when I met with Vice President Biden (his US counterpart), we did hold discussions during which he assured me that he likes meeting with vice presidents and he likes being a vice president.

“So, the same thing is applicable to me. As vice president, I like being vice president and I will support our president.”

Threat to the life of the Founder of Nigerians Saving Nigerians

Posted on 14 April 2012.

Founder of Nigerians Saving Nigerians, Mr. Omololu Omotosho and Houton, Texas, United States of America Congresswoman, Sheila Jackson Lee“This is a comment on the Facebook status update of the Founder of Nigerians Saving Nigerians by Itoro Akpakpan: “Omololu we have an understanding with Nigerian Airport to notify us when you come into Nigeria to mix your blood with ‘cc’ and drink, dead man walking”
This was the reply by Omololu Omotosho: Any threats against my life will be fought legally including internationally and anyway possible according to how I and my support knows best. I will block you but you are noted. And the World including CNN, BBC, e.t.c will cover any threats to my life”
What are you thinking?

I Have No Plan To "Islamise" Osun State Or Secede From Nigeria- Governor Aregbesola

Governor Rauf Aregbesola

An address to the people of the State of Osun over an alleged security report as reported in the media, on Saturday April 14, 2012
My good people of the State of Osun: As you may be aware, some reports in the adversarial section of the media concerning our state and my person should give enough room for concern. There is purported security report alleging that I am working towards islamising the State of Osun and plotting to secede from Nigeria. The first is patently false while the second is laughable.
Nigeria is a secular state in which the people are adherents of diverse religious faiths, while some are not religious at all. In our state here, we have large populations of members of all religious groups, including traditional, who have lived in harmony in the past 150 years, at least. Yoruba cosmogony which accommodates polytheism has made it easy for all religious groups to cohabit, interrelate, intermarry and accommodate each other without the tension and conflict prevalent in other parts of the country on account of religion. There is no family without members of different religious persuasions in Osun.

I have never hidden the fact that I am a Moslem. This is within my constitutional right as a Nigerian. This notwithstanding, within my own family, there are Christians who practice their choice religion freely, without let or hindrance. It is therefore impracticable for any religious group to lord it over anyone, or for a particular government to islamise the state as alleged.
As governor, I am not in any position to promote one religion over another. My cabinet, as is apparent to all, is dominated by Christians. Every member is chosen strictly on the considerations of professional competence, integrity, party membership and loyalty. At no time was their religion considered as the basis for appointment.
Rather, I have promoted personal liberty and every aspect of freedom, including freedom of religion, since we came to power. Ours is the only state where traditionalists, Christians and Moslems are given absolute latitude in all official engagements.

The issue of hijab in schools came up in the last quarter of last year and it was amicably resolved to the knowledge of all security agencies. A meeting was held at the government house attended by religious leaders and security agencies in the state where the matter was laid to rest. There has been no complain or expression of dissatisfaction on the resolution by any group since then.
It is a reflection of our openness, fairness, accommodation and impartiality that prominent Christian religious leaders, including Pastors Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Mathew Ashimolowo of Kingsway International Christian Church in London, Prophet Samuel Abiara of Christ Apostolic Church, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Dominion), Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Prophet Gabriel Fakeye of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ayo ni o, among others, have visited me at the Government House and commended our administration for promoting religious harmony in the state.
Of course, I have visited the Redemption Camp and several parishes of RCCG and other churches before and since we came to government. Those familiar with church history in Nigeria will know of the Christian revival that broke out in the middle of the last century in Oke-Ooye in Ilesa under Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola which have produced many of today’s great men of God within 30-mile radius of the town. As an Ijesa, I am proud of this religious heritage.

As you are all aware, school uniform in our public schools is part of our well-thought-out policy on education reform. We are constructing state-of-the-art buildings for our schools. We are also introducing free meals in elementary schools. Computer tablets will be given free to our senior secondary schools pupils. It is therefore an infernal mischief straight from the pit of hell for this lofty scheme to be portrayed as an Islamising agenda.
The school uniform, in particular, is a scheme by which Osun-made batik will be sewn as school uniform and, through this, promote the economy of the state. This was not surreptitious. It was nationally advertised for all gifted designers to participate in the bidding process. It is noteworthy that the selection of uniform was made out of the designs shortlisted by officials of the Ministry of Education during the Executive Council meeting of Wednesday April 4, 2012. That council, as I said earlier, is dominated by Christians.
Since coming to power, we have enjoyed a good working relationship with all security agencies in the state. We have promoted peace and harmony among our people. This is in line with a key objective of our administration which is to promote communal peace and harmony. You will all recall that the eight years preceding our coming into office was characterised by brigandage, social upheaval, insecurity of life and property, indiscriminate arrests and detention on false charges, and a virtual state of siege.

During this period, a teenage girl was tied to a tree and physically violated by leaders of a political party, while a celebrated industrialist, an indigene of the state, was beaten to death in a filling station by agents of that party. I do not need to mention members of our party that were hounded, wounded, physically eliminated or driven into exile. My own mother was a victim.
We have however promoted peace by the non-retaliatory and non-vindictive policy we have adopted since coming into office. Our people have embraced peace, and in an exceptional display of large-heartedness, have forgiven the hurt of the past. This has ushered in an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity in the state. All fears are gone; the exiles are returning home; and the economy of the state is growing in leaps and bounds.
If there is any threat to peace, we should look in the direction of a party whose national vice chairman vowed recently to make our state ungovernable. This is not going to happen. Our people have vowed not to allow themselves to be provoked. Their collective resolve is to enjoy all aspects of freedom, including freedom from fear, and live in peace and harmony with one another.
We are Omoluabi, the very epitome of the virtuous, and we have indicated our desire to be projected as such to the world, within our constitutionally guaranteed right in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are proud of our ancestry, noble heritage and our history. We are therefore unapologetic if we cut an image for ourselves that projects who we are within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We are in a federation. It is our bounden duty to reflect this in governance and everyday life.

It is appalling that there is semantic misunderstanding of the difference between ‘Osun State’ and the ‘State of Osun’ which we have adopted. This grammatical hair-splitting will be considered laughable in an elementary English language class.
Our crest is a reflection of our history and proud heritage. Indeed, all the states of Nigeria had their separate crests until 1975 when the military embarked on a more unitarist state policy. Even now, other states and regions have their emblems, crests, flags and slogans.
I want to assure you therefore that there is no cause for alarm. What you are seeing is the handwork of an overzealous and misguided leadership of a security agency that has mixed up allegiance to the constitution, the Nigerian people and their welfare with the partisan interest of a transient occupier of state office. This intelligence, we must assure you, has been in our possession and we have duly notified President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, who we believe has sensed the urgency in the matter and is working to correct this embarrassing disposition of a tiny leadership of a federal agency capable of causing chaos and destabilisation. The shenanigan will pass.

I want you to go about your normal duty without fear or intimidation. You are a strong people, virtuous, indomitable and indefatigable. You overcame the persecution of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, military dictatorship, the travails of Basorun Moshood Abiola and the recent civilian despotism in the state.
Please note and report any strange movements to the police and inform us. It is our duty to ensure your protection and security and we will not fail or disappoint you.
Thank you for listening.

OSUN A DARA O.

A nation’s endless tale of woes....

 BY KUNLE FADIPE 

When I was growing up, agood education was everybody’s ultimate goal. We were told that with sound education, we could look forward to a bright and secure future. In school, members of my generation were always addressed as ‘leaders of tomorrow’.

At the time, the odds that stood between us and a promising future were enormous. The path to success and fulfillment, no doubt, was strewn with rocks and thorns. But, most of us trudged on fearlessly.

I chose to study law and after a few years of hard work, finally qualified as a lawyer. Yet, my struggle to impact positively on society gradually paled into insignificance, as the country remained in the grip of wicked, self-centred, and clueless leaders for many years.

These so-called leaders would not provide the tools that I needed to succeed, including an enabling environment and a fearless and upright judiciary.

By the time I started practising as a lawyer, court procedures were no longer what they used to be. Traditionally, the rules require all the things I need to do in court to have been concluded in the legal chambers.

They require that my argument must be written down and attached to the court processes that I need to file in order to plead my client’s case. And that includes the evidence provided by all the witnesses that I want to call, as well as the list of exhibits that I want to rely upon.

In short, anything I want to do must be in writing, notwithstanding the length. But it was not the procedure at the time I took to the trade.

The procedure was that I filed my processes and come to court with my witness to give evidence. I didn’t have to reduce their evidence into writing. I was also not expected to compress my argument into writing, I was expected to stand up in court and make my submission orally. This is what is known as advocacy.

The biggest problem is the poor and inadequate infrastructure. I need constant electricity to power my computer, to typeset addresses and witnesses’ deposition, since typewriter is rather old fashioned, and to make photocopies of the processes.

Unfortunately, dreaming of constant power supply is increasingly becoming a futile exercise. Imagine that in the last 10 days, I have not had electricity in my office. Yet, I have an obligation to my client, which I am officially and morally bound to fulfil.

Insufficient power supply has somewhat become a recurrent decimal. For many days at a stretch, the situation could be so bad that I would be unable to finish a great deal of work in my office.

Since I am obliged to my clients, I have to rely on a generator. In spite of the huge cost, I have no other choice than to depend on this alternative source of electricity. I spend a lot on fuel. Recently, I took stock of how much I spent on fuelling the generator in the last two weeks and found out that I had spent about N27,000.

The truth is that any business that spends so much on generating its own power will end up collapsing. What about those youths that the economic team advised to think of how to set up businesses of their own instead of looking for paid employment?

Can the young men operate in this kind of scenario? Can a new entrepreneur afford to spend N20,000 on fuel in two weeks? Will his business not collapse if he is to meet the expectations of his customers?

Those who fuel subsidy removal would only affect vehicle owners have forgotten that Nigeria is not like the developed countries where basic infrastructure are in place.

In the heat of the argument on fuel subsidy removal, apologists of the government forgot the role that fuel plays in the sustenance of private businesses. They forgot that fuel means a lot to every Nigerian, whether or not he owns a car.

The amount of fuel that vehicles consume is probably not as much as what generators consume. In the developed countries, you don’t need self generated electricity. And there are alternative means of transport for those who find the cost of fuelling their vehicles prohibitive. Do we have that in Nigeria?

There is danger in importing personnel from overseas to run our affairs. Such so-called experts often end up making the mistake of comparing the equal with the unequal.

It becomes all the more painful and mind-boggling when one considers how our money is squandered. Our treasuries are daily looted by unscrupulous government officials. It is sad when we see opulence and profligacy in high places, even when we are told there is no money to make life more abundant for ordinary Nigerians.

Anytime there is a probe, you hear of billions of naira that have been pocketed by few individuals. If you investigate those who are doing the probing, you will also find huge sums of money stashed away in their closets.

- Kunle Fadipe is a Legal Practitioner.

MEND Vows Sustained Attacks on Nigerian Oil Industry

Posted: April 14, 2012 

Weapons reportedly recovered through amnesty program

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), says it will now embark on sustained strikes on all pipelines and facilities remotely related to the Nigerian oil industry, and on MTN South Africa infrastructure in the Niger Delta region in response to the conduct of President Jacob Zuma in the continued incarceration of Henry Okah in that country.    
In a statement signed by Jomo Gbomo, MEND, which yesterday said it had attacked and destroyed one manifold and one wellhead on a trunk line operated by Agip Oil Company in Bayelsa State, said that on this new policy, there will be no pause in its assault. 
The Movement also took the opportunity to dismiss the performance of the government. “President Goodluck Jonathan has mismanaged the goodwill demonstrated by M.E.N.D. by misrepresenting himself and his band of charlatans as the reason for the relative calm experienced in the Niger Delta,” the statement said.  “We have never had any respect for Jonathan and today, most Nigerians understand why.”      
Recalling the unconditional offer of amnesty by the late president Umaru Yar’ Adua, MEND said it was intended to create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue aimed at addressing the demands of the people of the Niger Delta. 
“A Jonathan presidency and amnesty for militants were not a part of our demands and therefore will never be a solution to armed agitation for justice in the Niger Delta,” it said, noting that up till now, “not one of the demands put forward to the Yar Adua government has been met; neither has the Nigerian government initiated dialogue aimed at addressing any” of MEND’s demands.          
With reference to its intended attacks on MTN-related infrastructure, MEND said it will shortly issue a set of guidelines to MTN employees, customers, and owners of properties accommodating MTN related communication equipment in order to minimise civilian casualties and forestall unnecessary destruction of privately owned properties.

Dismissing a “misinformed” editorial published by the Nation newspaper on February 12 concerning the Henry Okay trial in South Africa, MEND argued that the newspaper affirmed its confidence in the South African government and justice system, and wondered how the newspaper, in view of a previous story it had published, could turn around and declare the continued detention of a Nigerian citizen for almost 19 months without trial or proof to be a just action.
                    
“The Nigerian media industry is at its lowest point with unscrupulous journalists, editors and publishers on the payroll of Goodluck Jonathan,” it asserted.  “The Nation newspaper appears to lean towards this direction.”            
According to MEND, what is happening in South Africa is a travesty of justice which must be condemned by all.  “What country on earth besides Nigeria will so easily surrender its right to try someone it accuses of masterminding a bombing on its national day? Why does the South African government seek the extradition of Shrien Dewani from England for a murder committed in South Africa?
MEND further stated that the South African government is simply being used by the Nigerian government to hold Okah in prison for as long as it possibly can, and had also knowingly provided fabricated evidence to ensure Okah was denied bail in 2010.
In the Niger Delta, MEND said the Jonathan administration has  used the dubious "amnesty programme" as a guise to line the pockets of Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Patience, Jonathan’s cronies and members of the amnesty committee whose sudden wealth remains unchallenged by the Nigerian media.  “Fighters in the delta do not possess relevant high school qualifications,” the statement said.  “Those being sent abroad are relatives and friends of Jonathan, amnesty committee members etc.”                      

Of its promised assault, it said MEND will once and for all “expose Goodluck Jonathan and his band of so called ex-militants and shameless Ijaw elders for the frauds they are.”


By SaharaReporters, New York

President Goodluck Jonathan use ‘God’ blasphemously as excuse for his failures as President of Nigeria

Posted on 14 April 2012.

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared that though he and his team may not have been the best hands for the job, God knows why he put them at the helm of affairs in Nigeria.

Speaking at a national breakfast meeting which was held at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa, Saturday morning to intercede for the nation, the President noted that by God’s grace this government will not fail and was very optimistic that the nation will change for good.

“I always make my supplications to God that in selecting me as the President of this country, the Vice President, the Governors, members of the national assembly, the ministers, we are not the best material but God knows why he choose us and we pray He should use us to change this country.

“We believe that with God using us collectively we will be able to transform this country. We all as Nigerians we want a better country, we want a country that there would be peace, power, that will take care of our health needs, that we can move freely from one part of the country to the other, that our children will have hope. And God sometimes use most impossible cause to solve human,” he said.

President Jonathan also said that as daunting as the challenges facing Nigeria may appear, he trusts in the efficacy of the Bible truth that the prayer of the righteous avails much adding that Nigeria will emerge from this, a stronger nation.

“With unwavering faith in God and renewed recommittment to the national course by us all, I’m confident that Nigeria will emerge from these trying times a stronger, more united, more stable and more prosperous nation.

“Now than ever before our nation’s leadership needs to rededicate itself to the realisation of the grand vision of one big strong multi ethnic, multi cultural, diverse but united nation which steered our founding fathers. We must live above that primordial tendencies which can only compromise our growth as nation. We should be guided by the ideals of justice, equity, selflessness and above all the fear of God in every conduct public or private,” he said.

President Jonathan noted that the country can only attain its heights and endowement which God has destined if Nigerians are individually prepared to make the requisite sacrifice as “championing narrowing sectional courses does not add value to our national development efforts”.

He reiterated his commitment to fulfilling promises made during his electioneering campaign saying “Our administration was voted into office by overwhelming majority of Nigerians cutting across ethnic, social, cultural and even political barriers. We therefore owe all Nigerians the sacred duty to toil endlessly for the enhanced welfare and wellbeing of all. This is a duty I have vowed to commit my all to achieve.

“I am aware that the task of national transformation is daunting one, I am however more aware that there is nothing that God cannot do. With Him on our side I am confident every stumbling block on our way shall become a stepping stone into national rebirth.I assure you that our trials at all times for the greatest good of the greatest number guided always by the fear of God.”

The President enjoined Nigerians to continue in prayers for the nation and those at the helm of affairs and to focus on building the bridge of love and enduring harmony across all barriers. “We all have equal stake in the Nigerian project” he said.

Earlier in his message, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor said it was pertinent that Nigeria builds an altar.

Reading from the book of Judges 6:25-26 he explained in his own words that an altar is a place where God meets with man and man meets with God. A place where there is a trafficking of spirits either positive or negative.

He identified four altars, the family, church, personal and national altar and said the gathering of the day was that of the national altar and at the national altar there is power to change the situation of Nigeria.

He spoke of Gideon who was supposed to be a great man instead lived like a mere man because the people of Isreal were sacrificing on the wrong altar and asked “Is this not the situation with Nigeria today? A rich but poor country, a giant yet crawling”. He noted that this maybe because of wicked men who sacrifice different things on different altars.

He noted that there are two kinds of sacrifices that Nigeria has to make. The sacrifice of righteousness: he explained that Holiness is not necessarily the absence of sin, but the presence of repentance.

“One of the greatest things that ever happened to Ngeria is the transformation agenda. But it must find its expression on the altar” he said adding that men and women must go to God with conscience in their hearts.

Speaking of the pension scam he said a lot of people have lost their conscience. Lack of conscience he said is also why people can go into worship houses and detonate bombs.

“I believe Nigeria will be transformed but there must be a conscioous effort by those handling the affairs of the nation to constantly go to God’s altar”.

The second sacrifice is that of prayer. He noted that christians are becoming discouraged by their continuous prayers as nothing seems to be happening. “we must not judge God’s ability to perform by what we see but by what we know” he said.

Oritsejafor concluded his message by using the example of Elijah and his servant in the days of famine. He said, “the hand of man is not on Nigeria, but the hand of God is on Nigeria and it shall not go under”.

Former Heads of State, Governors, ministers, members of the diplomatice corps, the Vice President of Kenya, judges, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives as well as leaders from churches in Nigeria were present at the breakfast prayer meeting which held at the banquet hall of the Preidential Villa.

The programme which was birthed by the current administration, is the second to be held in what has turned to be an annual gathering.
Culled from Daily Times