tit:


let me humor you.
we have seen pictures of NA operations in the NE and videos of Buhari boys attacks ob our towns and villages.
I have worked in Munguno, Borno State and have relatives from Borno and Adamawa States.

we all know sambissa is, at best savannah with scattered medium sized trees. it is not a tropical rain forest!
it is not dense!
if the drones have been flying over "dense forest", then they have not been flying over Borno.

the fact is, there was "actionable intelligence" the clueless governmen of Dumbo ignored because he was listening to his commander in chief Asari Dokubo, that chibok is a scam. The type of Forrest is irrelevant here. Even the military and bastard Doyin okupe confirmed in different media that chibok Forrest is a difficult terrain and do not have adequate technology to navigate it. For them to ignore any intelligence, without any alternative shows how clueless the government is.

tit:


no wonder!
they must have been flying over some other forest since we all know Sambissa forest is not dense!

where does Thisday get this kain reporters?
from motor park?

your point is?

Mutual mistrust between US and Nigeria at heart of failed cooperation on Boko Haram
• Double suicide bombings claim eight lives in Gombe
Senator Iroegbu in Abuja and Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi with agency report

A revealing report by the New York Times on the faltering relationship between Nigeria and the United States of America has shown that when the Pentagon came up with what it called “actionable intelligence” from drone flights on information that might have indicated the location of some of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls and turned it over to the Nigerian military commanders to pursue, they did nothing with the information.


Quoting unnamed Africa Command officials in Stuttgart, Germany, the New York Times, however, reported that shortly after the US offered to help rescue the girls, it flew several hundred surveillance drone flights over the vast, densely forested regions in the North-east (Sambisa forest) where the girls were seized, but officials in Stuttgart said that with few tips to guide the missions, the flights yielded little information, while diverting drones from other missions in war zones like Iraq and Syria.


The lack of result was also blamed on mutual mistrust between US and Nigerian officials: “Although the United States reached an agreement with Nigeria last spring to share some intelligence, American officials did not include raw intelligence data because they believed that Boko Haram has infiltrated the Nigerian security services.”


According to the New York Times, “Soon after the Islamist group, Boko Haram, kidnapped nearly 300 teenage girls in Nigeria in April, the United States sent surveillance drones and about 30 intelligence and security experts to help the Nigerian military try to rescue them.
“Gen. David M. Rodriguez, the top general for American missions in Africa, rushed from his headquarters here to help the commanders in the crisis.


“Seven months later, the drone flights have dwindled, many of the advisers have gone home and not one of the kidnapped girls has been found. Many are believed to have been married off to Boko Haram fighters, who in the past six months have seized hundreds more civilians, including children, planted bombs in Nigerian cities and captured entire towns.”


In Washington, the newspaper added that the fleeting moment of cooperation between Nigeria and the United States in May has now devolved into finger pointing and stoked the mistrust between the two countries’ militaries.


“Nigeria’s ambassador to the United States has accused the Obama administration of failing to support the fight against Boko Haram, prompting the State Department to fire back with condemnations of the Nigerian military’s dismal human rights record.


“Tensions in the US-Nigeria relationship are probably at their highest level in the past decade,” Johnnie Carson, the State Department’s former top diplomat for Africa, said in an interview. “There is a high degree of frustration on both sides. But this frustration should not be allowed to spin out of control.”


In Stuttgart, the New York Times reported, officials at the headquarters of the United States Africa Command offered their own bleak assessment of a corruption-plagued, poorly equipped Nigerian military that is “in tatters” as it confronts an enemy that now controls about 20 per cent of the country.


“Ounce for ounce, Boko Haram is equal to if not better than the Nigerian military,” said one American official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss operational reports.


The violence is in the meantime spilling into neighbouring countries like Cameroun, which carried out its first airstrikes against Boko Haram this week, after militants overran a military base and attacked five villages there.


Despite Boko Haram’s advances, United States Embassy officials in Abuja said Nigeria has cancelled the last stage of American training of a newly created Nigerian Army battalion.


The lack of cooperation was magnified when Maj. Gen. James B. Linder, the head of American Special Operations forces in Africa, visited Nigeria in late October, but was barred from visiting the base where American trainers were instructing the new Nigerian Army battalion created to help fight Boko Haram.


General Linder was left waiting at the gate in what some American officials viewed as another dig at the Pentagon. Africa Command officials insisted it was a “coordination issue that was remedied with a meeting later in the day”.


“We continue to engage with Nigeria on a broad range of training, equipping, and information-sharing projects across all of the military services,” Benjamin Benson, an Africa Command spokesman, said in an email to the New York Times.


Although Secretary of State John Kerry called Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday in part to discuss Boko Haram, the strains between the two militaries are not new, and with Nigeria preparing for national elections in February, US officials fear that earlier assessments may overtake their cautious optimism from the spring.


Meanwhile, less than 12 hours after a female suicide bomber was killed in an attempt to detonate an explosive at the army barracks in Gombe on Wednesday night, another suicide bomber died yesterday morning at ECWA Church behind Gombe State University.


THISDAY checks revealed that the Boys Brigade members, a local vigilante group, who arrived early to provide safety for the church saved what could have been a disastrous New Year celebration in Gombe.


According to one of the members of the Boys Brigade, who was on duty at the church, the suicide bomber arrived on a motorbike but could not get close to the church because the road had been barricaded.


He said the bomber was asked to alight for normal screening but he refused.
The Boko Haram suspect then tried to sneak through the barricade when the explosive blew up and killed the suicide bomber instantly.
Five of the vigilante members sustained minor injuries with the exception of one who was probably closest to the bomber and had one of his arms almost ripped off.


At the army barracks, an eyewitness said soldiers on guard at the entrance were searching a vehicle when a motorcycle arrived with a female passenger.


When the woman failed to obey the soldiers’ orders stopping her from advancing towards them, they shot at her and detonated the bombs concealed on her person.


The bomb explosion led to the death of seven persons.
According to AFP, soldiers opened fire on the woman when she refused to be searched as she approached the barracks in Bolari, in Gombe State, detonating the explosives belt she was wearing, according to eyewitness accounts.
The woman, who was wearing a hijab, was killed instantly, witnesses said.


"The woman refused to stop and continued to advance towards the military guards at the gates despite repeated orders for them to stop at a distance," said Shuaibu Nasir, who lives near the gates of the barracks.


"The soldiers opened fire on the woman who quickened her pace towards them and as they fired shots at her she exploded with a loud sound that shook our buildings," Nasir said.


The entire place was immediately cordoned off and those trapped within the Mami Market near the barracks were released about two hours later after a thorough search.


Speaking on both incidents, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Gombe Police Command, DSP Fwaje Atajiri said he could not comment on the barracks incident.


However, he said the incident at the church involved a young man who tried to drive through a security barricade on his motorbike when the bomb exploded on him.


The PPRO said the bomber died on the spot while a few people present at the scene sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment.


Atajiri further confirmed that the suicide bomber did not look like a Nigerian, judging by his facial marks.
He urged members of the public to always report suspicious individuals and movements to enable the security operatives nip possible security breaches in the bud.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/revealed-actionable-intelligence-from-us-on-chibok-girls-was-ignored-by-military/198212/

SweetJoystick:
Now, this is the reason why Ayeni could part away with N5 billion, he knew he would reap more than that in a number of days.... God punish stealing is not corruption government

ofcourse what else do you think eas the reason, charity or love for Nigeria? Thief Jerry Gana will soon get his own.

The Chief Executive Officer/founder of Pan African International (PAI) Group, Mr. Ike Ejizu and the Chairman of Skye Bank Plc, Mr. Tunde Ayeni, among others, have partnered to acquire Ascot Offshore Nigeria Limited for an estimated N16 billion ($95.24 million) from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

PAI is a mechanical engineering and equipment supplies company operating in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

Confirming this on Tuesday, a senior official with AMCON informed THISDAY that the deal was closed recently when the PAI Group paid N16 billion for 95 per cent of the equity interest in Ascot.

Under the terms of the deal, he said the group would also take over the non-statutory liabilities of Ascot while AMCON would shoulder the company’s statutory liabilities amounting to some N6 billion.

“Ascot has a tax liability of N6 billion, of which AMCON will pay N3 billion to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) while the balance will be paid to other agencies of government that Ascot owes,” he said.

He said with the sale of the firm, its new owners would be able to revitalise its massive fabrication yard in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, and provide jobs for thousands of Nigerians.

Although efforts by THISDAY to reach Ejizu were not successful, industry sources conversant with the transaction disclosed that the Ascot acquisition could prove to be very lucrative for PAI and its partners.

THISDAY learnt that Ejizu, who holds controlling interest in PAI, also doubles as the Country Director/agent of Samsung Heavy Industries, which was awarded the $3.3 billion contract for the Egina deepwater oil field operated by France’s Total.

Industry sources confirmed that the Ascot fabrication yard in Port Harcourt has been certified by Total for the local fabrication of the Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel that will service the oil multinational’s Egina field.

Ascot Offshore, an energy services firm once led by Mr. Henry Imasekha, came into prominence in 2007 after its $155.25 million acquisition of Willbros Group Nigeria Holdings from its US parent, Willbros Group.

Willbros was forced to withdraw from Nigeria, following its indictment alongside Halliburton and others by the US Justice Department and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for bribing Nigerian officials to obtain and retain $387 million in Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) contracts.

In May 2008, Willbros was fined $32 million in combined penalties, disgorgement and pre-judgment interest by the US SEC and Justice Department on allegations relating to its operations in Nigeria, Ecuador and Bolivia.

However, after Willbros was taken over by Imasekha’s Ascot, it borrowed heavily from the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc in order to complete the West African Gas Pipeline contract that had been awarded by Chevron Nigeria Limited to Willbros before its departure from Nigeria.

Ascot’s ability to deliver the project was however hampered following a disagreement with Chevron on the execution of the gas pipeline contract from Escravos to Benin Republic, which resulted in the former defaulting on its loan obligations to Intercontinental Bank.

Owing to its inability to repay Intercontinental Bank, AMCON took over the firm and has managed Ascot’s operations until it was sold to PAI.http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ejizu-ayeni-others-acquire-ascot-offshore-for-n16bn-from-amcon/198071/

OING BY BELOW CAMPAIGN PROMISES COMPARED WITH THE PRESENT POSITION OF THINGS IN NIGERIA, HOW WOULD YOU RATE GOODLUCK JONATHAN'S PRESIDENCY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS?

PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN'S 2011 ELECTION CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO NIGERIANS (STATE BY STATE WITH DATES)

As the 2011 presidential elections approached, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was overflowing with promises.

Dispensing the promissory notes, Jonathan promised such things as ELECTRICITY, SECURITY, JOBS AND EDUCATION as well as to transform the ECONOMY and combat CORRUPTION.

Here, in state by state order with dates, are a few:

In Lafia, Nasarawa State on 7th February 2011 at the North Central Zone launching of his campaign, Jonathan promised to end chronic power shortages; improve health and education; ensure food self-sufficiency; manage oil revenues better; create a Sovereign Wealth Fund. He would also clampdown on kidnappers and criminals; pursue law breakers to the ends of the Earth, and ensure there would be no sacred cows. He guaranteed a university in every state; proper care for communities along the water ways; and construction of a refinery.

In Ibadan, Oyo State on 8th February 2011 at the South West launch of the campaign, Jonathan promised to: run a transparent government; treat all citizens equally; respect law and order; turn around the nation's bad road network. He also promised road construction to take new five-year structure, ending yearly budgetary allocations.

In Bauchi, Bauchi State on 9th February 2011, Jonathan promised to intensify oil and gas exploration in the North-East Zone; boost agriculture, power and water supply; provide dams and power projects; establish two universities in the region; construct schools with modern facilities for 9.5 million Almajiris; and combat rising terrorism in the area.

In Enugu, Enugun State on 12th February 2011, Jonathan promised to stamp out kidnapping, ensure facilities that would enhance the enterprising spirit of the Igbo; upgrade the Enugu airport to international level; dredge the River Niger; build a dry port in Aba for easy access to Igbo traders; and complete the Second Niger Bridge.

In Aba, Abia State on 12th February 2011. Jonathan promised to stamp out kidnapping; provide facilities that would boost the enterprising spirit of the Igbo; upgrade the Enugu airport to international level; dredge the River Niger; build a dry port in Aba for Igbo businessmen; complete the Second Niger Bridge; rehabilitate all the main roads into Abia; tackle the erosion crisis; and make Aba the Ground Zero of eventual aircraft production in Nigeria.

In Port Harcourt, River State on 12th February 2011 at the launching of his South-South Campaign, Jonathan promised to commence “transformational changes” in the South-South; said the NNPC had begun investing in the petrochemical industry in the region; that the people in the region would be given a voice in the oil and gas sector. He also promised to make the Niger Delta region the hub of the petrochemical industry in Africa.

In Oturkpo, Benue State on 17th February 2011, Jonathan promised a five-year plan to revolutionize agriculture and establish industries in the country.

In Jos, Plateau State on 17th February 2011, Jonathan promised “a straight fight” against poverty; to create wealth by improving power and water supply; to build more dams and complete ongoing ones in order to boost irrigation farming in Plateau. Also promised to complete the Vom-Manchok-Jos road to boost economic links between Plateau and Kaduna states; to encourage more agricultural research institutes; refocus on solid mineral development.

In Lokoja, Kogi State on 21st February 2011, Jonathan promised to revive the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and the Itakpe Iron Ore Company. Also, promised to explore the agricultural potential of the state to boost food security; establish a new federal university; ensure the speedy completion of the Lokoja-Abuja road project, and dredge the lower and upper River Niger.

In Ilorin, Kwara State also on 21st February 2011, Jonathan promised to end discrimination along ethnic and religious lines; tackle poverty; agricultural transformation of Kwara State; rehabilitation of the nation’s railway system; rehabilitation of the Ilorin-Mokwa road. He would also revitalize ailing industries and grant loans to farmers (objectives for which, he said, funds had already been earmarked).

In Bida, Niger State on 23rd February 2011 Jonathan promised to establish three power projects in the state at a cost of $2.1bn (about N315bn). In Minna, he promised five-year strategic plan for road projects.

In Abakaliki, Eboyin State on 24th February Jonathan promised the South East geo-political zone priority attention, especially in fixing its dilapidated road network and in healthcare delivery; dualize the Enugu-Abakaliki Express Road within one year; convert the Federal Medical Centre in Abakaliki to a teaching hospital.

In Awka, Anambra State on 25th February 2011, said he would construct all the major roads which link Anambra with its neighbours; complete the on-going aero-dynamic survey of gas in the Anambra River basin, which (leading to) power supply, then Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) industry”; complete the second Niger Bridge; and complete the Onitsha Inland Port. Nigerians would not be talking about generators after his four years in office, he vowed.

In Asaba Delta State on 25th February 2011, he announced that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would create jobs for over 5,000 youths in the region also promised to transform the Nigerian oil and gas industry and make it the destination of choice for investors in Africa; convene a stakeholders meeting across the country where communities will be able to determine their priority programmes. Jonathan promised a five-year development plan to accelerate development in the country.

In Onitsha, Anambra State on 27th February 2011 Jonathan said "I do not make empty promises in my campaign because whatever I promise to do, I had already carried out adequate study to make sure I can accomplish it in the next four years.”

In Lagos on 1st March 2011, Jonathan promised to partner with Lagos State in the interest of its continuous growth and the nation’s economic buoyancy. “We have taken this period to study what we are going to do and by your mandate in May 29, we will hit the ground running,” he said.

In Akure, Ondo State on 2nd March 2011 Jonathan said N50 billion has been set aside in 2011 Budget to facilitate employments for the youths. Roads and other basic infrastructure to be developed in four years. Jonathan promised that the bitumen deposits in the state would be exploited for economic development and employment generation; to provide funds for small and medium scale enterprises, mechanised farming and agro-based industries; and to partner with relevant agencies to harness the agrarian nature of the State. He promised to open up the flank of semi and mechanized farming in the State to engender a paradigm shift from subsistence farming to reliable modern agricultural practices.

In Osogbo, Osun State on 2nd March 2011, Jonathan promised to complete the Lagos-Jebba rail project right away; complete the Ife-Ijesa dam; enhance agricultural irrigation; provide farmers with adequate information; invest in petrochemicals, mining, research and development.

In Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State on 7th March 2011, Jonathan promised to build coastal roads and rail from Lagos to Calabar.

In Calabar, Cross River State, 7th March 2011 Jonathan promised a four year development plan that would open up the South-South geo-political zone; it includes a blueprint for coastal roads and railways.

At Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife Osun State on 12th March 2011 Jonathan promised a holistic review of the nation’ education policy.

In Abeokuta, Ogun State on 12th March 2011, Jonathan promised to revive ailing oil refineries and build new ones.

In Birni Kebbi, Kebi State on 14th March 2011, Jonathan promised to establish schools for Almajiris, boost agricultural produce, ensure the take-off of the Federal University in Kebbi next year (2012).

In Gusau, Zamfara State on 15th March 2011, Jonathan promised to establish a federal university of technology within one year and collaborate with state governments to explore the solid minerals sector.

In Dutse, Jigawa State on 17th March 2011, Jonathan promised to establish airports in all the states without airports, with Jigawa as his starting point.

In Kaduna, Kaduna State (Northern Economic Summit) on 19th March 2011, Jonathan promised to spend N350 billion in building small dams across the North in the next four years to stimulate “massive irrigational farms”

In Abuja on 21st March 2011 (meeting with leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers), Jonathan promised to build car manufacturing or assembly plants.

In Abuja on 21st March 2011 (during his one-man debate), Jonathan promised to expand and develop the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry to provide about one million jobs.

In Abuja on 12th April 2011, (Presidential Summit on Job Creation) Jonathan promised to make Nigeria an exporter of rice and crackdown on piracy in the entertainment industry.

The clock started ticking from the 18th of April 2011 when Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (a sitting president) was declared the winner of the 16th April, 2011 presidential election by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC. Also, based on Jonathan's teased and tantalized promises coupled with his declaration that "I do not make empty promises in my campaign because whatever I promise to do, I had already carried out adequate study to make sure I can accomplish it in the next four years” (Onisha 27th February, 2011). The expectation was that he (Jonathan) would hit the ground running after he was sworn in as Nigeria's President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces on the 29th May 2011”.

Balkan:
Please what is Buhari?

you grandfather's mate. Mumu

Btw any update about this case?

deletrue:
You are then a bigger clown. That post you are responding to is telling you the number of years the north ruled without any thing to show, you are telling us rubbish from your rotton mouth. What is relevant in apc and Tambuwal? You remember when Tambuwal and Bankole awarded contracts to themselves without following due process? He is as corrupt as Thiefnu.bu. Explain to us the achievements when your sokoto brothers were rulling.

I can now see comprehension is your problem. What has the duration of military rulership got to do with democratically elected leader's defection to a different political party? In your cocoa nut brain, you every single topic is about regionalism, religious and tribalism? May you should enlightened me about the contract Tambuwal awarded himself...I don't talk about Bankole because he is not the topic of discussion here. For your information, Nigeria is my country and I only care about a leader that can make it a better place for all. If you don't have anything to say, or your dumb brain can't comprehend the topic, then go back to school.

Bliss4Lyfe:
Time and Time again, politicians of Northern extraction have shown themselves to be disloyal to the principles of one Nigeria. First it was Sanusi and now Tambuwal.

I can't help but look back at the many years of Northern leadership of our great nation Nigeria and the decorum with which Nigerians of all works of life, religion and tribe rallied under the banner of one Nigeria.

Politics is not entirely a game of power but unity, the unity that was hard won by the likes of Nnamdi Azikiwe and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, may their soul rest in perfect peace.

If Northern politicians continue to show distaste and intolerance to other Nigerians in authority, then even if by a miracle APC wins an election which is highly unlikely, there will be no one Nigeria treasury to loot.


A House divided against itself cannot stand.

you really are a clown! It is called political relevance, Jonathan is not his principal neither did he elect him to the house of Representatives. Am from sokoto state, and the people that elected him, detaste anything PDP and he can't win any election on that platform therefore, for him to remain politically relevance he has to defect. So please take emotions out of politics and shine your blind followership eyes my friend.

rigarmortis:



you are a m oro n

talkintruth:


You strike like a senseless person. I noticed that all your post on nairaland does not have content. Can you ever post a sensible piece? All you do is insult the Mr President...well someone once said that is the easiest way to get likes on nairaland.

APCheat e-diot

and all you do is to insult who insults the president(you pay master). Abeg get a brain lol

egift:
Now PDP have activated Fear-Mongering - It will not stop the Zoologist heading back to the Zoo.

you're hilarious man..lol

I mean how did they know they were members of Boko Haram? Something is fishy here....politics is dirty men

The Head of the Hausa Community in Lagos, Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos, Alhaji Sani Kabir has revealed that northerners in the South West have arrested more than 1000 members of the Boko Haram insurgents in various parts of the region.

Kabir disclosed this Thursday in Abuja when the Arewa Council of Chiefs in the South West visited the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).

He said the arrests were made at different times, adding that those arrested were Boko Haram members who fled from the Civilian JTF/military onslaught on the insurgents in the North East and those who came to the South West to further the insurgency.

Details LATER

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/we-arrested-over-1000-boko-haram-members-in-the-south-west-says-sarkin-hausawa-lagos/191454/

My goodness this man simply radiates civilization in real terms. Its unfortunate that "my turn, not your turn" politics will make APC present a candidate who will ride jonathan swiftly to power next year rather than this man. Such indepth understanding of the real essence of governance is a rarity in our ailing nation. As they often say, Nigerias politics isn't one plus one. I live so far away from lagos but this man hugely inspires me. With people like him, there is hope in nija! God bless you Fashola..

TUNDE FASHOLA (GUEST COLUMNIST)

As we grapple with the challenges of participatory governance and the cost implication of keeping the wheels of government turning, it seems to me that there are little things that can be done that may lead us to big things. I like little things because they are simple to understand. They are also useful for preparing to do big things. One of the little things is the protocols of governance. Is it a frill or a necessity? If it is a necessity, does it apply at all times or at some times? If it applies at some times, have we defined those times, and if we have not, should we not? As I will show later, they have cost consequences, but for now let me get to the specific protocols.

The National Anthem

I know that Section 24 (a) of the Constitution impose an obligation of respect on citizens for the National Anthem whenever it is rendered. The constitution provides, and I paraphrase: “It shall be the duty of every citizen to…respect…the National Anthem…” What the constitution does not provide for, is when the National Anthem should be rendered. Should it happen at every event attended by our president and governors, such as social parties, political party rallies, book launches, conferences, seminars and all types of events to which our public officers are invited?
Should the National Anthem be rendered at the beginning or at the end or at both times, or indeed at any time these public officers arrive even if the event is halfway through and has to be interrupted for the National Anthem, as is sometimes the case? Indeed, there is the wider question about the appropriateness or otherwise of inviting public officers to these events and the infringement on executive time on the one hand, and their own response or refusal to respond on the other hand, and the political costs of their decisions.
How many times are presidents, governors, ministers and commissioners in other parts of the world invited to these functions as ‘chief host’, ‘chief guest of honour’ etc, and what is the impact on national productivity? But this is a matter for another discourse. For now, I will return to the subject of protocols. I must confess that the limited research that I have had the opportunity to conduct has not revealed the existence of any laws or regulations on this matter. But I can assert that these are matters where the federal government, whether through the National Assembly or the Presidency, can help to establish clear guidelines by legislative action or executive orders.
In case you are wondering how this affects the cost of governance, it might interest you to know that people are hired and paid to provide electronic equipment, speakers and amplifiers; and in some cases full bands such as the police, navy, army or prison bands to render the anthem at some of these events. Rental costs, transport costs, honoraria all go into the costs of government where the contract is at the instance of government. The issue therefore is not about rendering of the anthem. It is about direction as to when it is necessary to do so and, consequently, when it is necessary to spend public funds.
In Lagos, I have issued an executive order since October 2010 to direct that the rendering of the National Anthem be done by singing rather than by electronic recording of the instrumentation, so that we can at least internalise the words which are rich and inspiring; and in some way hope to act and live those words.

Receiving Visiting Dignitaries at the Airport or Border Post

This is perhaps a more difficult protocol to understand. My attention has not been brought to any clear directive or regulation about what type of dignitary is deserving of an airport reception party or delegation, and if we have identified the dignitary that is deserving, what type of ‘visit’ deserves an airport reception? Is it every visiting head of state who is on a personal visit to our country or a state within it, that should be received by the governor or his designated representative? Is it every time the president visits a state (whether or not on a state visit) that he must be received at the airport by the governor or his delegate, irrespective of the commitments of the state on that date?
Put differently, does every visit, even for a political rally, qualify as a state visit? In other words, if a governor and a president are of opposing parties, should the governor go to receive the president when he comes to that state to campaign to defeat the party of the governor? What is the appropriate protocol when governors of opposing parties visit each other’s states for campaign rallies? What kind of reception should they get at the airport? It might surprise members of the public that a serving governor is raising these issues. The truth is they are simple, as I have said. But I am not aware that there are clear or set rules on the matter.
When you factor the number of vehicles that are deployed from one end of town to the other, the cost of fuel, the man hours lost, the work not done, the gridlock that characterises VIP movements and the cost of governance in actual terms and in lost opportunities, you are likely to see the point that small things are simple, but very important, because they accumulate to big things. Personally, speaking for myself, the only reception I expect at the airport is the vehicle that will take me to my destination. But my personal disposition cannot be the rule.

Salutations, Public Speaking and VIPS

“All protocols observed.” That must be a familiar phrase. To my mind, this is uniquely Nigerian, as I do not know any other country where this is done. Why is this important? It consumes time, it diminishes the real message, confuses people, and it is expensive.

Time Consumption

I think the accepted practice from where these protocols originated is to acknowledge the most senior public office holder, your host, if you are a guest at the event, to end by saying “distinguished ladies and gentlemen”. The truth is that if you are at any event worthy of the name and you do not find yourself able to fit into the class of those addressed as “distinguished ladies and gentlemen” then you are probably undeserving of being at the event. I once attended an event in “you know where”, and it took all of one hour and seven or so minutes to recognise all the guests and address protocols before the event started.
Our country is behind on many developmental fronts, and we must be seen to seek to gain time, optimize its value and avoid waste of time, because the world will not slow down or wait for us. Time is the REAL MONEY.

Message Diminishes

It is now customary for aides of public officers to go ahead of them and write down a list of VIPs to be recognised by their principal before he gives his speech. Because we are all VIPs with brittle ego that have become bigger than ourselves, we take offence when our names are not mentioned. My stomach turns when I see aides of public officers, getting on the podium after their principal has commenced his address to pass notes of names of persons he did not acknowledge or even walking behind him on stage back and forth. Only in Nigeria.
Somebody (not one of my staff) once walked on to the stage while I was speaking, to pass me a note that I did not mention a particular public servant’s name. I believe he now knows better not to do it again. It is nothing but bad behaviour. What you then see is a protocol list that is two pages long which the speaker must go through before his message. In the event he first gets a huge applause for reading people’s names, and it may be either the speaker’s biggest applause for the day: because there may really be no message thereafter or “it is lost”. Try to see if you can connect this with idea of “Talk Shops”. When you evaluate what has come out in terms of development or quotable quotes that are indigenous, from the many conferences, summits and seminars that we hold. Put the best of these seminars together, and see if you can find the value that they have delivered in terms of speeches and contents.

Confuses People

Everybody now apologises for messing up the protocol or mixing it up simply because we have not stayed with the simple one of “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen”. Instead, after going through a two-page long list of names, we then say “All protocols observed”. This in itself is contradictory in my humble view. If you choose to observe all protocols, it should automatically dispense with the need or desire to mention anybody by name.

Expensive

I take this opportunity to suggest for our consideration a draft like the one below as a full version:
“Mr President/ Governor (if he is the most senior public officer present or represented), Your Excellencies (to cover vice-president/deputy governors, and other governors, diplomats present), Your royal majesties/highness (to cover traditional institutions where present) Distinguished ladies and gentlemen.”

It seems to me that in this its longest format (which may be shorter, where some classes of people are not present), we can dispense with salutation protocols in under one minute and save a lot of time and money. These uncertainties about protocols of governance make it difficult to totally disagree with those who contend that our democracy is nascent. That said, it must be beyond contention that their resolution is one of the challenges that we must overcome in our democratic journey. As we seek to rebuild our union and renew our nation, we must find consensus on these little issues because they have larger consequences on time management, productivity and national development.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/governance-protocols-frills-and-cost-my-takeaways/190604/

ROSSIKE: I honestly don't know what David Mark is still doing in the corridors of power. All his mates from the IBB/Abacha era have retired. What is he still looking for in politics that he hasn't gotten after all these years?

same thing people like senator McCain and Reid are looking for to represent and serve his people!

•Budgets N280m for Nigeria prisons
Senator Iroegbu and Grace Chimezie


The government United Kingdom (UK) in line with prisoners transfer and exchange agreement with the Federal Government has concluded plans to repatriate former governor of Delta state, James Ibori and many other Nigerians in various UK Prisons, in order to complete their jail terms in the country.

In addition, the British government has also promised to give the country one million pounds [about N280 million] to assist on comprehensive reformation of the Nigerian Prisons for the comfort of the inmates.

This was disclosed Thursday by the UK Minister of Justice, Mr. Jeremy Wright while fielding questions with journalists when he visited the Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro to finalise the process of prisoner exchange between Britain and Nigeria.
Details to follow
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/uk-james-ibori-others-to-complete-jail-terms-in-nigeria/168430/

na_joke:

PapaBrowne:
Did you guys notice the serious cheat in this video??
The parts where the committee chairman was rude and provoked the Minister is completely edited.
Nigeria!! Sincerity is lacking in journalism as everybody has a price!

^

look my friend this was just to reveal what was hidden to the public and to balance the news. There's no need to show what is already in the public domain.

na_joke: I remembered some fishbrain(inscere9jarian and others) insulting the house for their actions...that the minister was very CALM,that she studied in havard...etc,etc.
Now that we have this video to show that our HAVARD minister has no manners, with her I DONT GIVE A DAMN attitude and that degrees in HAVARD does not equally mean wisdom.
You guys needs to bury your head in shame.
I will say the same thing i said when the video first came out.......KUDOS TO THE HOUSE MEMBERS ESP THE CHAIRMAN.

Exactly I remember even Madam due process (Oby Ezekwesly) going on twitter to insult the honorable chairman, even though she later retracted her statement and appologise. Bigotry I believe is the bane of Nigeria's development.

I believe the committee base on this video, treated the minister with utmost respect. And I think the minister is just full of herself.

The video shows how a meeting that started on a good note suddenly went sour.
When on December 19, 2013, members of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance gave Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, 50 questions on Nigeria’s current economic situation, they asked her to respond within two weeks.
A reliable source in the House told PREMIUM TIMES that the minister was, as at Monday evening, yet to respond to the questions, three days after the two-week ultimatum given by the lawmakers expired.
The source, however, said the minister could still answer the questions before the lawmakers resume from their Yuletide vacation next Monday.
However, the presentation of the questions to the minister had its own drama, with an exclusive video, sourced by PREMIUM TIMES showing the minister initially making jest of the lawmakers after they informed her of their decision to hand her the 50-question homework.
The video indicates that the controversial meeting started on a warm note with exchange of pleasantries between the executive team, led by Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala (and including the Director General of the Budget Office, Bright Okogwu) and the lawmakers led by the committee chairman, Abdulmumini Jibrin.
Despite starting on a good note, the meeting, which centred around the 2014 budget earlier presented by the minister to the House and the Senate, degenerated when the lawmakers told the finance minister not to respond to their questions on that day after she said she was ‘feeling ill’.
Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said she came to the meeting ‘out of respect’ to the lawmakers as she was not healthy enough to attend.
After the presentation of the questions, however, the minister insisted she would answer the questions on that day, a request refused by the lawmakers who said they wanted her to come back when she was ‘strong and energetic.’
While the session ended on a sour note, the drama is expected to continue when Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala eventually responds to the lawmakers’ questions and appears to defend her submission.

Watch video:http:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAsBLtIbcnA
//premiumtimesng.com/news/152785-exclusive-video-okonjo-iweala-vs-house-finance-committee-untold-story.html

And.what is your headache he talked to the church members not you!

sukswed81@gmail.com pls need a copy. God bless

samuelkaykay: The plan to eliminate GEJ,those behind it will be revealed and punished.The opposition is going too far.If anything happen to that guy,Obj and mallam Amaechi are behind it.

hybridtm: It shall not stand,,neither shall it come 2 pass,,,,,,
dem wan kill our jonah abeg oh..2015 don reach ground,.finish..we nid am oh
dis APC guys wan use ..anoda means enta jonah body.. Dem lie

abeg no be everything you go take glorify opposition my friend!! Nigerians spiritualise everything. C'mon food poisoning pointing fingers already