I won’t tolerate laxity, laziness, Obi warns new commissioners
From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Friday, April 02, 2010
http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/apr/02/national-02-04-2010-007.htm

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State yesterday inaugurated his new cabinet with the swearing in of 16 commissioners and four special advisers with a stern warning against non-performance.

The swearing-in ceremony which took place at the Governor’s Lodge without the usual fanfare associated with such activities followed the clearance of the 20 cabinet members by the State House of Assembly.
Addressing the cabinet members who were all returned from the first tenure cabinet, Obi stated that he was impatient to actualise the vision of the government, hence he would not tolerate laxity, laziness and complacency.

He, however, gave any member of the cabinet the opportunity to quit if he or she was not ready for the job as anyone that performs below expectations would be shown the way out without hesitation.
The state chief executive while thanking them for the services rendered to the state in the first tenure, urged them to be of good cheers and love their ministries.

He also charged them to be at peace with themselves, their ministries and local government areas, insisting that now was time for reconciliation and not for hostility. “No ministry is better than the other. It depends on what individual Commissioners make out of it. This calls for creativity and ingenuity on the part of the Commissioners. At the end of the day, you will not be judged by how rich or poor your ministry is, but how you used it to serve the people of Anambra State and humanity,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the cabinet members, the Commissioner for Lands, Barr Peter Afuba expressed gratitude to the governor for the renewed opportunity given them to work with him in his “undoubted vision of transforming Anambra State.”

Afuba noted that Obi scored another first by being the first governor to return his cabinet, stressing that the gesture was a vote of confidence in them which he pledged on behalf of others to strive at all times to justify.
“Our return by the Governor is a mark of recognition that we worked well with him and a challenge to even do better. We shall not let you down, whatever we did well, we will do better. Whatever we did not do well we shall amend. We are bound with you in your desire to transform the State,” he assured.

Speaking shortly after the swearing-in on why the occasion was without fanfare, the Commissioner for Information, Chief Maja Umeh said it implied “that work has started in earnest and that there is no room for partying or epicurean indulgence,” adding that all the commissioners were retained in their former ministries.
The commissioners are Professor Chinyere Okunna (Economic Planning And Budget), Mr. Calistus Ilozumba (Works), Lady Chinwe Anowai (Youth And Sports), Mr. Dubem Obaze (Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs), Mr. Emeka Nwankwu (Public Utilities), Chief G. C. Ezenagu (Agriculture And Natural Resources), Dr. Michael Egbebike (Environment), Chief Maja Umeh (Information) And Mr. Alloy Egwuatu (Science And Technology).

Others include Mr. Emmanuel Chukwuma – Attorney General And Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Eze Echesi (Finance), Mr. Chima Okafor (Commerce And Industry), Dr. Kay Onyechi (Education), Mr. Peter Afuba (Lands And Survey), Professor Amobi Ilika (Health) And Dr. Ego Uzoezie (Women Affairs And Social Development).
The Special Advisers are Mr. Chuks Iloegbunam (Communication), Chief Sylvester Nwobualor (Parks and Markets), Chief Law Chinwuba (Housing) And Mrs. Victoria Obi (Internally Generated Revenue).

2011: IBB gives condition
From MOSHOOD ADEBAYO, Abeokuta
Friday, April 02, 2010
•Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section

Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida yesterday gave a condition for any Nigerian who wishes to mount the presidential saddle in 2011, saying such a person must see true federalism as a critical issue.

Babangida who spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital during the 54th birthday of the state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel said Nigeria as a nation had lived together for 50 years and the citizens should not look back.
The former president who was making his first public appearance in Abeokuta after the annulment of the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election said: “I believe that true federalism is the issue of this country. We have lived together for 50 years, there are a lot of things in Nigeria’s political system.

“We don’t have to make a distinction whether we run a parliamentary or presidential system or whether we call ourselves republic. Why can’t we look at Nigeria as a nation of 50 and try to know those things that create problems for us.?
“We don’t have to say government must do everything. Some of the best brains who are in Europe are Nigerians. So why can’t you use your brain thinking and brainstorm where the leadership should be able to provide.
‘’I believe that true federalism is the issue for this country. Many of us who are very close to 70 years are very proud that we are leaving Nigeria in safe hands. There are lots of things called settled issues in the country’s political system
“We don’t look back. Why clamouring whether we want to call ourselves republic and so on. Those are the issues that are settled.”

However, he expressed preference for federal system of government whereby the impact of governance could be easily felt by the people. His words: “I believe in small government than big government.”
While eulogising Daniel, Babangida said: “Daniel represents potential of the nation’s younger generation who truly has vision and sterling leadership qualities.” The former president told the gathering that he was attracted to Daniel based on the fact that he had domineering presence everywhere the governor goes.

‘’When he invited me for this occasion, I promised him that I will be here. My coming to Abeokuta is indeed homecoming, having been here 44 years ago. There is an established romance between me and OGD.
‘’I saw in him somebody that Adeniyi described as somebody that sees far beyond the present and I am glad I am proud of him.”

Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi who also spoke in the same vein lamented that the only Federal Government presence in the state was done during the military administration of Babangida.
“Nigeria is bereft of a productive economy. What we have is a government economy. And that is the fact that the rich want to be sure of who becomes the president or governor, because their existence depends on the condition of that government’s economy.”

He recalled how he got to power saying the grace of God and prayers saw him through.
The guest speaker at the ceremony, Dr. Don Kroah in his paper entitled: The Personalities, the Institutions and the Future of Democracy in Nigeria, noted that personality and the institution determine how exactly democracy will be practised.”

The founder and president of Reach Africa Now, while tracing Nigeria’s democratic experience since independence in 1960, submitted that the various personalities and institutions of the country had been deficient.
“Where the institutional roles and responsibilities as prescribed by any document such as the constitution are in line with the roles expected of the institution, but where wrong personalities are assigned to execute such roles, the consequence and effect are that the roles that the institutions are expected to perform are totally ignored,” he argued.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/apr/02/national-02-04-2010-001.htm

@poster,
you've got little or no respect for the church y? you allowed your self to be used as a satanic tool to spread lies against the church.
the whole crap about pope devoting his life to ensure priests marry and emergence of female priests is false. this aint april fool men.

http://pointblanknews.com/os3113.html
Top security sources in Abuja have hinted Pointblanknews.com that the international passports of former Agriculture minister, Sayyad Abba Ruma, and ex Economic Adviser to Umaru Yar'Adua, Tanimu Kurfi, have been seized.
advertisement

It could also not be confirmed if the passport of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Michael Aondoakaa has also been seized. He is said to have backed all the illegal financial dealings hatched by the duo of Ruma and Kurfi.


The move, it was learnt, is to stop the two top guns of the Yar'Adua's cabal from fleeing abroad and compromise efforts by the Goodluck Jonathan's administration to hold some former cabinet members accountable.

The trio of Ruma, Aondoakaa and Kurfi are alleged to have been responsible for the disappearance of over N70 Billion from the security votes of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua between the months of November 2009 and January 2010.
advertisement


Ruma and Kurfi allegedly disbursed huge sums of money running into billions while Yar'Adua was in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, before the budget was 'signed' Ruma allegedly spent over N16Billion without recourse to the then Vice President. As Economic Adviser, Kurfi gave the go-ahead to the likes of Ruma.

Sources told Pointbanknews.com that while part of the N70 Billion went into the fight to sustain the Yar’Adua Presidency during his over 90 days in a Saudi Arabia Hospital, majority of the sums went into private foreign accounts operated by the trio in Saudi Arabia, Isle of man and Mauritius.

The trio was also the custodians of the multi billion naira propaganda war chest used during Yar'Adua's stay in hospital, and after he was brought to Abuja. They were alleged sponsors of the likes of Tanko Yakassai, and his co-travellers who made several divisive remarks, and eventually went to court to challenge Jonathan's emergence as Acting President.

Pointblanknews.com also gathered that the EFCC is looking at the dosier. A source close to the EFCC said on friday " i am not aware of the passport seizure but we were waiting for security reports on some of them, and if there are evidence of mismanagement we will act. There is no doubt that eventually some of them will end up with us'

Pointblanknews.com could not confirm as at press time how many of the ex cabinet members are under scrutiny by the security agencies, but another source hinted that former special duties minister, Mike Aondoakaa, ex power minister, Remi Babalola, ex oil minister, Rilwan Lukman are under scrutiny.

A showdown is imminent between Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State and the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the recent resurfacing of Professor Dora Akunyili as a ministerial nominee from the state.

Specifically, the Anambra PDP caucus in the National Assembly is incensed by the realization that Governor Obi may have been instrumental to the “eleventh hour” emergence of Akunyili as ministerial nominee from Anambra State. Even though from Anambra State, the slot which Mrs. Josephine Anenih has filled is the South-east’s.

The caucus is billed to meet with Acting President Goodluck Jonathan any moment, to register their displeasure with Akunyili’s re-nomination. Should Akunyili remain on the list, the caucus would use every means at its disposal to stop the Senate from clearing her, a federal legislator assured Pointblanknews.com.

The caucus, Pointblanknews.com gathered, is giving serious thought to Senator Joy Emordi emerging as the preferred Anambra nominee. Emordi was sacked from the Thursday morning by a five-man panel of judges in the Court of Appeal, Enugu, who maintained that Alphonsus Igbeke of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), and not Emordi, is the rightful winner of the 2007 Anambra North senatorial election.

Until her ouster, glamorous Emordi was a very influential ranking senator and chairman of its committee on education. She has a strong political following in Anambra PDP.

It is the rule of the thumb in the Nigerian Senate for ministerial nominees to, first, get the endorsement of all the senators from their home states before seeking clearance on the floor of the House. “We shall make it clear that we don’t want Dora (Akunyili), and it is nothing personal. She has never identified with Anambra PDP. We would want to know if she is an APGA nominee, because that is the party she has offered her most to,” said the lawmaker.
advertisement


“Her anti-party began from 2007, when Andy Uba contested the election. Her body language and utterances during and after the elections clearly gave her away as the black sheep of PDP. She put in everything she had to frustrate Andy simply because she is related to Peter Obi by marriage.

“When the Supreme Court threw out Andy (Uba), Dora couldn’t conceal her excitement. She and (Prof.) Chukwuma Soludo were all over Peter (Obi), accompanying him to all the thanksgiving services he held, all under the pretext of being Roman Catholics,” the source alleged.

“When Soludo got the PDP ticket,” continued the lawmaker, “one would have assumed that Dora would have been pleased. No. she immediately began to plot Soludo’s downfall. Even though some other persons sabotaged Soludo, Dora, beyond doubt, contributed the most to the sabotage. Why do you think PDP supporters attacked her at every charade of a party meeting she tried to convene?” demanded the legislator.

He averred that “Dora has never been a predictable character, which became clear to all in her much advertised volte-face over the issue of President Yar’Adua’s health,” adding, “this is the same woman who wined and dined with persons she now conveniently prefers to address as ‘cabal.’”

He narrated: “Unsuspecting Nigerians applauded her as a woman of courage. For us, nothing could be more horrifying. The same Dora, who worked over time to be the alter ego of Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua, now denouncing everything that Turai stood for,” stressing, “That is the height of perfidy.”

He added that his colleagues were guided by the belief that it would be immoral to clear Akunyili for another ministerial appointment, only for her to dump Jonathan “if as much as a storm begins to brew in a teacup.

“Anambra is not lacking in men and women of substance, who are better educated and more adept in managing situations. We are not a fair-weather people, people who choose and dump friends at will. We want men and women of honour, whose words shall, under every circumstance, be their bonds. That is why we are united in rejecting Prof. Dora Akunyili,” he affirmed.

The lawmaker disclosed that Emordi’s ouster by the courts came as a mixed blessing, in that they were going to mount a campaign that would see her substituting Akunyili as the authentic and acceptable ministerial nominee from Anambra State.

We need people like Dora Akunyili in key positions for the country to move forward.

FG please use that fund to strngthen our universities first pleasssseee.

Coup invitation: SSS to quiz Nzeribe

By Olusola Fabiyi, Abuja, Published: Saturday, 20 Mar 2010


Nzeribe

Indications emerged in Abuja on Friday that the State Security Service would interrogate Senator Arthur Nzeribe following his recent call on the military to take over.

It was gathered that the SSS had collated newspaper publications where the maverick politician made the call.

A security source told our correspondent that Nzeribe’s statement had been analysed and that there were enough reasons for him to be questioned on the motive behind his statement.

The source said, “Yes, we have seen the publications and I can tell you that action is being taken on the issue. We have also seen the advertorial placed in a national daily after the man addressed a press conference. This shows that he is determined in this unpatriotic call to truncate this democracy.”

Asked when Nzeribe would visit the security office, the source said, ”I have not even said he was coming. Anyway, we will keep you posted anytime he comes.”

Nzeribe had at a media briefing on March 9 said, ”For how long will the military take all these praises for doing nothing? How long will soldiers accept praises for merely sitting by and watching as their old relatives are kidnapped in their villages and they are asked to pay ransom?, My position is that the military should strike if they think the environment is ripe for that.”
http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201003203352751

My favourite rapper d'banj is ."SUDDENLY"

Rap song!!!!!

Too Much For Turai: Turai’s secret agony
•Yar’Adua’s wife now prisoner in Aso Rock • Dad ill, flown to Egypt • Abandoned by friends and associates

First Lady, Mrs. Turai Yar’Adua, is currently in agony, which is known by only a few people. Although she cuts the image of a toughie and a superwoman, who, through her iron will, has held on doggedly to the reins of power on behalf of her ailing husband, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, Saturday Sun can exclusively reveal that she is in much more pains than is known to the public.
Sources revealed that the First Lady has many woes, which has left her devastated.

Her father, Alhaji Alkali, suffers a serious illness. Also, her once-upon-a-time close friends and associates have not only shunned her but now hobnob with Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.

Saturday Sun also gathered that Mrs. Yar’Adua has been quarantined in Aso Rock villa, where she’s stuck with a husband in dire need of midwifery and cannot venture out to even see her daughter, who recently gave birth to a baby girl. To compound her problems, it was gathered, many Nigerians are calling her names, describing her as a ‘greedy, power-hungry woman’ who won’t let go despite strident calls for Yar’Adua to step down due to his health constraints.

Impeccable sources at the presidential villa revealed that this catalogue of woes has traumatised the First Lady, to the extent that she has become a shadow of herself and in most cases stays indoors to avoid the scorn of former members of the federal cabinet, especially, before they were sacked by Jonathan on Wednesday.

Saturday Sun learnt that the grandeur and perks of office, which, before the illness of President Yar’Adua, were at their peak, have reduced. At present, it was gathered, governors’ wives, who used to visit her as well as other dignitaries, who do her one favour or another, while in Abuja to see Yar’Adua, no longer do so.

The expansive living room, that used to burst at the seams, prior to last November, is now desolate. The army of sycophants, including those older than her, who called her ‘mama,’ has found other allies in the family of the acting president.

The fragile health of President Yar’Adua has weakened the First Lady as we reliably found. This was made worse, it was gathered, when the National Assembly approved Jonathan as acting president. She complains to the few remaining close associates that the transfer of power to Jonathan has banned her from reckoning. She is said to be greatly pained that Mrs. Patience Jonathan, wife of the acting president, who she earlier had brushes with, is now the person holding court at the presidential villa and getting all the attention at the villa.

The source said of the agony of the First Lady: “She still can’t believe that people like Prof. Dora Akunyili will turn against the president and his family. Of all the ministers, Dora was the closest. She had access to everywhere in her house, including the kitchen. Every Friday, Madam Turai used to prepare masaran (Hausa delicacy) and send to her. She used to fall over her. But today, she’s calling them names.”
It was gathered that Akunyili is not the only person in the recently dissolved cabinet who has deserted Turai and her ailing husband.

“There are some governors and ministers who made Aso Rock their second home. You will think that these governors live in Abuja, but now you can’t find them. The ministers have turned their back against the president and his family. Madam is shocked at this cruel and insensitive side of human nature,” the source said.

Saturday Sun learnt that even more agonising for the First Lady is her dad’s ill-health, which came about the same time her husband was in critical condition in Saudi. According to sources, Alhaji Alkali (her father) had to be flown to Egypt for urgent medical care, which was supervised by Turai’s personal doctor, Rasheed.

“She has been deeply troubled. Imagine a woman saddled with taking care of an ill husband and father at the same time. Imagine a woman who, because of these two critical events, couldn’t go and take care of her new grand daughter in Kebbi State. That woman is in pains and she is being abused daily and portrayed as a bad woman,” the presidential villa source said.

It was gathered that the dissolution of the federal cabinet devastated the first lady, as it means she has completely lost power. Sources said that until the sack of the Federal Executive Council, she was still getting information on the plans in government from the few ministers, who remained loyal to Yar’Adua. But with the dissolution of the cabinet and the planned constitution of a new one, she fears that she and her husband would not make any input.

The First Lady’s close confidant told Saturday Sun: “Wednesday’s dissolution of the federal cabinet would be the most fatal blow the First Lady got in recent times. She never thought it would happen. She had reckoned that with the presence of her husband in the villa, Jonathan would be cautious in taking some actions. Now with the ministers sacked, she is greatly in agony.”

When Saturday Sun sought answers to why Yar’Adua can’t simply quit over these travails, our sources said: “Madam would want her husband to leave power. She doesn’t believe it’s a do-or-die matter. She is only after protecting the family name and ensuring that they are not humiliated out of office. She doesn’t think it is right to continue to abuse a sick man and heap all kinds of blame on him.”

As the clock ticks in the nation’s volatile political terrain, with all kinds of permutations and gladiators posturing for the plum job, it remains to be seen if Turai’s wish for her ailing husband (not to be humiliated out of power) will be met or not. For now, the waiting game continues as the big woman continues in her agony.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/mar/20/national-20-03-2010-001.htm

Mark said gadaffi is a mad man. how is he a mad? because he said the truth.

oh yes i'll support Dora led INEC, but we all know that it can never happen in Nigeria. once Iwu is removed, a mallam or another hungry prof will replace him. I rest my case.

they should hasten up, this mosquitoes are like witches, alwayz out for blood

@eyodad. He's 4rm ur village then?
Wole might be the best writer out of Africa but he's not that sincere,he accepted an appointment 4rm a military dictator! Chinue Achebe rejected national award 4rm the presido who hates and has vowed 2 destabilize his home town.

i know he has order agendas, all this SNG crap.

yaradua the fulani is in fact the best nigerian president in history.
lie!!! big lie!!!!!

he deserved it, come to Anambra state and see 4 urself.
He was indeed sent by God

ME! as minister for women affairs. Grin Grin
shut the Bleep up.

Dora for power so she can privatise the sector

What's this? Ur story didn't add up. How did u manage to unlock the door when PHCN restored power? Ur story sounds like a nollywood script.

1.U kno is a 9ja film when part 1 is contained in 1 VCD.
2.Someone get to cry 4 more than 30 mins.
3.U get to predict the end after watching 2 scenes.
4.Mr Ibu, Osuofia, Aki & Pawpaw must feature in comedy.
5.The rich always have pot belly nd wears agbada relaxin in his garden. 1 of his offspring must be rude and spoilt.
Nollywood enough is enough, get some trainin on the art of acting.

Lol,

Is it really black as white men made us believe? Does it have 2 horns at d head & a dinosaur-like tail? Is devil male or female? PS i need bible proofs if u've answers.

I don't know if this latest development calls 4 celebration, i don't think so because this move by the red chamber is just a self defence mechanism designed to make Jonathan commander in chief so as to protect their future as legislators. I said these because we don't need T B Joshua to prophesy to us b4 we know that the military is planning seriously to move and fill the power vacuum created by Musa's absence. So the senators and soon the reps need to act fast and make Jonathan president or risk their jobs when the military strikes, they don't have the interest of the masses in mind rather this move is to protect their best interest. I rest my case

We need neither the Americans nor the Europians to tell us what to do about our ailing president. National Assembly should move to impeach him for breach of section 145 of 1999 constitution

That's a nice move from the red chamber. He should hand over power to his vice pending the time he is fit to rule.

Obj is a man of honour regardless what people might say, for him to advise UMARU to step down publicly, he might have learnt that his health is fast fallin. I do understand the northerns about the issue of power rotation but the constitution clearly stated what should be done and it must be respected to save our nascent democracy