PDP accuses ACN of wasting own share of subsidy fund

The ruling party said that the SURE-P initiative is yielding results.
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has challenged the
opposition Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN to show Nigerians what
programmes they have in their states based on their own share of the
saved petrol subsidy funds.
The ruling party also accused the ACN of politicising the Subsidy
Re-Investment Programme, SURE-P, initiative of the PDP-led Federal
Government.
The ruling party also accused the opposition states of frittering away
their own share of the funds instead of using such for the benefit of
the people.
The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, while reacting on
Monday to media reports by the ACN that the SURE-P fund was being
shared to PDP members, noted that there ports were part of a grand
plot by the opposition to unnecessarily stir up animosity among the
people and ensure that they do not benefit from government programmes.
The party said the leaders of the ACN, "who are used to siphoning
public funds" are clearly frustrated that the PDP SURE-P initiative is
yielding results and that Nigerians across the board are benefiting
from it.
"We challenge the opposition to come out and tell Nigerians what
programmes they have in their respective states for their own shares
of the saved fuel subsidy fund. It is clear that by every indication
they have none, as the funds would have since been diverted to the
pocket of their godfather.
"The leaders of the opposition parties are used to frittering away
funds meant for the people. They are not happy that Nigerians are
benefitting from the SURE-P and are hell bent on using any means to
discredit the programme and deny the people the benefits," the ruling
party said in the statement.
The party assured that it would not be distracted by the antics of the
opposition but will remain committed to the welfare of all Nigerians
at all times.

Source: Premium Times Nigeria

Nigeria to establish cultural centre in South Africa–Minister

Nigeria already has cultural centres in Brazil and China.
The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke ,
on Monday said plans were underway to establish a Nigerian Culture and
Information Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. A statement signed
by Taiwo Oladokun, Special Assistant (Media) to the minister said the
centre would be established by the end of the year.
Explaining why Nigeria decided to site her first culture house in
Africa in Johannesburg, the Minister said the decision followed the
successful opening and operations of Nigerian Cultural Centres in
Brazil and China in 2008 and 2012 respectively.
"It would also be used to strengthen cultural relations not only with
the government and people of South Africa but also with other
countries in the southern part of the continent. This choice is also
in recognition of the role Nigeria played and continues to play in the
history of Southern African countries.
" We recall the very elaborate and robust relations between Nigeria
and South Africa, especially in the years of struggle against
apartheid as well as the leadership role the two countries are playing
in the advancement of the cause of Africa globally," the minister
said.
The statement also quoted the minister as saying that the centre would
serve the purpose of promoting Nigerian culture while also providing
general information about the country.

I am the next Ekiti governor —Fayose

Ahead of 2014 governorship election in Ekiti State, former governor
Ayo Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party has vowed to recapture
power and become the next governor of the state.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan, Mr. Fayose
said "there is no agenda in 2014, I am the next governor in Ekiti
state''.
Sounding spiritual and philosophical, Mr. Fayose said he left office
through the State House of Assembly on Oct. 15, 2006 and Mr Segun Oni
also left on Oct. 15, 2010 while the incumbent Gov. Kayode Fayemi was
sworn in on Oct. 16, 2010.
"So the issues are very clear. The historic importance are very clear,
my exit marks the end of every government in Ekiti State.
Mr. Fayose said automatically, Mr. Fayemi would leave office on Oct.
15, 2014 and a new government by him would start on Oct. 16, 2014,
"exactly eight years, after I left office".
"Apart from that, I am working. People love me and people want me. I
am endearing myself more to them. I don't like to make too much
noise, May God help all of us'', he prayed.
On the reconciliatory meetings going on in the PDP, Mr. Fayose said
it was a welcome development as "It shows that PDP is moving forward".
"We should all come together and do more, if we do more, we will get
more. PDP will take over power in the South-West'', he said.
"Forever, there will be internal problems, it will never end, that is
the hallmark of politics, that is why we call it politics, it is a
game of interest and intrigues.''
Mr. Fayose said PDP as a large party should expect a lot of intrigues
and interest but expressed the hope that at the end of it all, members
would come together.
"When you see a party fighting, and not ready to decamp, you should
be afraid of them, because when they come together, it is a crisis
for the opponents they are fighting.
"We should forget about the crisis, crisis is normal and we should
expect more. That does not take away that they are in PDP and want PDP
to win."
Mr. Fayose was impeached in 2006 and is currently being tried for
corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Culled from: Premium Times Nigeria

First Lady Patience Jonathan Fires Her Spokesman, Appoints US-Based Satirist As Media Aide

As fresh crisis surrounding the health of the First Lady Mrs. Patience
Jonathan brews, the presidency has fired her spokesman, Mr. Ayo
Osinlu. The news is contained in a press release issued by the
president's Special Assistant on the Media, Dr. Reuben Abati.
Sahara-reporters sources say that the decision to fire Mr. Osinlu was
taken by the First Lady from her hospital bed in Europe. Mrs. Patience
Jonathan was mad at the inability of Mr. Osinlu to provide a foolproof
decoy of a story to distract the media from her current medical
surgeon abroad.
Mr. Osinlu was roundly criticized for the way he handled the news
about the whereabouts of the First Lady last year. During the period,
Mr. Osinlu told journalists that the First Lady went to Germany on
vacation but Mrs. Jonathan later confirmed the story published by
Sahara reporters that she was hospitalized in Germany for weeks.
Our sources in Abuja said that the presidency felt that Mr. Osinlu had
lost credibility with the media establishment and that the First Lady
needed a heavy hitter the way the president recruited Dr. Doyin Okupe
to strengthen his media team that was once in disarray.
All efforts by Sahara reporters to reach Mr. Osinlu by phone and text failed.
In the press release, the presidency named Rudolf Okonkwo as the new
spokesman of the wife of the President. "Mr. Okonkwo," the release
says, "has a good understanding of social media and the internet world
and will use those skills to counter the barrage of lies being peddled
by some disgruntled Nigerians on the web about the person of our First
Lady."
Until his new appointment Mr. Okonkwo was a columnist for
Saharareporters.com and the host of Dr. Damages Show. His satirical
show routinely makes fun of the First Lady as well as mine President
Jonathan's utterances to create an unflattering portrayal of the
president.
Since the announcement all efforts to reach Mr. Okonkwo by phone and
text has failed. Sahara reporters cannot ascertain his whereabouts at
press time.
A friend of Mr. Okonkwo told Saharareporters.com that he was not
surprised at Mr. Okonkwo's acceptance of this position in a government
he had roundly condemned. "The man is as poor as a church rat and I
knew it was a matter of time before he jumped ship," he said. "He is
following the lead of the likes of Reuben Abati and Femi Fani-Kayode.
They are all shameless hypocrites."
The move to appoint Mr. Okonkwo as Mrs. Jonathan's spokesman is seen
by some Aso Rock observers as "a coup" of some sort as one of voices
critical of Jonathan's administration will effectively be silenced.
Speaking to our correspondent, an Abuja based editor who pleaded
anonymity said that he doubted if this appointment would work. "Rudolf
Okonkwo was at one time a promising journalist," he said. "But right
now, for all intents and purposes, he is just a clown. You don't use a
clown to defend another clown."
The Abuja editor went on to say, "I hope this is just an April Fools' joke."

S/Court Judgment Saves The Day For PDP In Ondo State

People Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the October
20, 2012 election in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has hailed the
judgment of the Federal Court of Appeal, sitting in Akure, which
quashed the ruling of Ondo State Governorship Election Petition
Tribunal.
He described it as another signal that Nigerian judiciary has men of
impeccable character, who are determined to ensure that justice is
done at all times.
Oke, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, said
the justices of the Federal Court of Appeal had shown that the
judiciary was capable of regulating itself thereby saving the common
man from arbitrary justice.
He had earlier approached the Appeal Court to challenge the February
ruling of the Tribunal which struck out the name of PDP as a part of
his Petition on account of its name being signed for by Mr. Chris
Omotuyi, state Director of Organisation of the party, whom the
tribunal ruled was incompetent and defective.

Awolowo’s leadership qualities “in tune with our transformation agenda” – President Jonathan

Wole Soyinka was honoured with Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership in Lagos.
The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan , has said that the
leadership qualities that typified the live of the late Obafemi
Awolowo is "in tune with his government's transformation agenda" which
recognizes excellent leadership.
Mr. Jonathan stated this on Wednesday, while congratulating Nobel
laureate, Wole Soyinka, who was honoured with the Obafemi Awolowo
Prize for Leadership in Lagos.
"Awolowo was a foremost nationalist and statesman. He deployed his
intellect in the promotion of our country and the good of the people,"
said Mr. Jonathan, who was represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
"He (Soyinka) has not only contributed to the survival of our country
but also strengthened our national and international profile.
"He fits the award because he is imbued with leadership qualities that
marked Awolowo out. It is also in tune with the transformation agenda
of our government which recognises quality in leadership and service,"
Mr. Jonathan added.
The Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Prize was instituted in 2011 by the
Obafemi Awolowo Foundation on the basis of one of the major
recommendations of its special dialogue on 'Transformational
Leadership and Good Governance: Lessons from Awolowo Example.
Though Mr. Soyinka was announced as the recipient of the maiden
edition at a press conference last December, he formally received the
prize – a medal, certificate, and plaque – on March 6, Mr. Awolowo's
birthday.
In his speech, Mr. Soyinka called on the Nigerian government to
emulate the leadership qualities of Mr. Awolowo in its dealings with
the citizenry.
"Government at all levels must ensure that they do not continually
encroach on the intelligence of the ordinary citizens," Mr. Soyinka
said.
"Today's event may yet make a Christian out of me since, from my
admittedly imperfect recollection of the Christian bible, somewhere it
is written: to him who hath, even more shall be given.
"Despite the numerous explications I have encountered from childhood
regarding that problematic passage, I have never been at ease with its
implicit inequity," said Mr. Soyinka.
"Today, however, I am setting aside all such objections. I was a
beneficiary of the liberal educational policy, at tertiary level, of
the man whose memory we are here to honour, and now, today, I find
myself recipient of yet another largesse, an inestimable honour at the
hands – albeit posthumously – of that same sage," he added.
Emeka Anyaoku, the Chairman of the Award Selection Committee, said
that the award will be awarded every two years.
"The prize is established to encourage, recognise, reward and
celebrate excellence in Nigerian leadership. It is awarded to a
Nigerian who has demonstrated excellence in leadership and good
governance, a Nigerian who has made relevant vital contributions
within the country or abroad," Mr. Anyaoku, a former Commonwealth
Secretary General, said.
"The recipient could be a former head of government at various tier of
government, a vice chancellor of university, community leader and a
contributor to good governance and leadership through advocacy, such
as a human rights activist," he added.
Six state governors attended the event including Olusegun Mimiko
(Ondo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), and Babangida
Aliyu (Niger).
Former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon , and former Lagos State governor,
Bola Tinubu , were also in attendance.

Culled from: Premium Times Nigeria

Alams Pardon: Nigeria Is In Emergency Ward; Radical Revolution Inevitable-Dino Melaye

It is pathetic that Nigeria is not only sick but equally suffers from
a dreadful continental abnormality. The powers of the president to
grant pardon in the constitution should be taken away because it has
been grossly abused by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Mr. President has grown from being a weak President to a wicked
president. He lacks capacity,intellectual mobility, courage and
dexterity to move us forward. The granting of pardon to Alams by
president Jonathan signifies his endorsement, romance, marriage and
love for corruption. Stealing under president Jonathan has grown from
the stealing of millions to billions and now trillions. This
government is behaving as if they have no legacy intentions. Nigeria
is now like a car been driven by a drunken driver.
The worst in the recent national pardon granted by our president is
the pardon granted major Magaji, a man who committed sodomy. A man who
slept with four men and lost his case both at the court of appeal and
Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in her judgement against Magaji
described the man's act as a brazen bizarre and barbaric. That his the
man our president granted national pardon.
Our country is now in the emergency ward. The amount of tax payers
money wasted on the prosecution of this criminals through the anti
graft agencies is now wasted. What history and lessons for the future
generation? Will these satanic pardon for instance vacate the
international warrant on Alams? I dare him to travel to U.K and flash
Jona's pardon at Heathrow. No single politically exposed person has
been successfully prosecuted and jailed under Jonathan.
Today all the high profile cases of corruption are buried and
forgotten, examples of Halibouton, Siemens, National I.D card,
MalabuOil deal, subsidy fraud, e.t.c. But we shall not keep quiet till
the day of reckoning comes.
The battle to salvage Nigeria is the battle of no retreat no
surrender. Radical and bloodless revolution is inevitable in Nigeria.
We must all come out of our cocoon and do something before something
do us. The minister of petroleum has been indicted by four reports yet
she is still elegantly attired and fashioned every Wednesday in
diamonds attending the federal executive council meetings under the
watchful eyes of an unperturbed President.
Nigeria Omase ooooo. ( Faruk Lawal , imoukode ,Ribadu and NEITI
reports). Orubebe and co's international jet setting lifestyle is
being subsidized by the masses. We can not continue like this.
Government protecting criminals like Maina ofpensions against the
Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Every Nigerian must decide
to either walk in the light of creative altruism or we perish in the
darkness of relative selfishness. Above all we shall overcome.
Report by:
Dino Melaye
Executive secretary
Anti Corruption Network
Abuja.

Jonathan can contest in 2015, OPC leader, Gani Adams, says

The OPC boss, Gani Adams, said that the Yorubas have been marginalised
by the Jonathan administration.
The Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) has added its voice to the race for
the 2015 presidential election saying President Goodluck Jonathan has
the constitutional rights to contest.
The National Coordinator of the Congress, Gani Adams , made this known
to journalists in an interview shortly after his condolence visit to
the Awolowo family in Ikenne Town of Ogun State over the death of
Oluwole Awolowo.
He argued that it was wrong for anybody or group to regard his
(Jonathan) tenure as Acting President after the demise of late
President Umaru Yar'Adua as the incumbent's first term in office.
Mr. Adams said that the only time Mr. Jonathan contested for the
Presidency was in 2011 and he won the election for that term.
"He (Mr. Jonathan) still has the right and if Nigerians still want him
to be their leader in 2015, he has the right to contest as the
president in 2015," Mr. Adams declared.
On the alleged marginalisation of the Yoruba race by the Jonathan
administration, the OPC leader said Yorubas have already said a lot
about it and it is very clear for anybody to see.
"In the history of governance in this country, we have never been
marginalised like what we are experiencing from 2011 till now. If you
look at the protocol and the portfolio in the country today, you will
see that the Yoruba race has been relegated. We lost the Speakership
position, we lost the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
we lost the Chief Whip of the House and at the end of the day, we were
also denied of the opportunity of being the Chief Justice or the
Attorney General and even most of the juicy Ministerial positions was
not also allotted to the Yoruba people. So, it's so sad," Mr. Adams
emphasised.
"If we should go back memory lane and recall how Mr. President
attained that position, you'll discover that agitation to swear him in
as Acting President consequent upon the sickness of former President
Yar'Adua, when it became too obvious that he couldn't continue again,
came from the West," he added.
"Even before the Niger Delta people started their clamour, it was
people like me and other progressives that began it, calling that the
power that be must swear him in as Acting President. Even at the last
April 2011 general election, the Yoruba people voted for President
Goodluck Jonathan without minding the political party that was on
ground then. Even the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) voted for him
against Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. That showed how progressive the Yoruba
people are and voting the person they want.
"So, I believe Mr. President has to flash back on what happened and
address the injustice done to the race. A particular governorship
candidate even lost his ward to President Jonathan and till date,
there is nothing to show for that or for the President to justify that
we do not deserve to be within the first position to the 6th in the
hierarchy of position in Nigeria," Mr. Adams declared.
Speaking on late Oluwole Awolowo, the OPC chieftain said, "It is
rather unfortunate that we lost him at this time because of mama (HID
Awolowo). My concern is for her age; for losing a son at this time.
Yoruba leaders must come close to her so that she can have a long life
till her time comes.
"Uncle Oluwole was a nice man, very reserved person. He was a person
that believed in God, an Evangelist and one of the proud sons of
Oduduwa land."
Mr. Adams also expressed the congress' gratitude to the president for
honouring the Awolowo family.

Culled from: Premium Times

FIFA Warns SA Government

FIFA has written to the South African government warning them against
a judicial inquiry into the recent soccer match-fixing scandals,
saying the matter should rather be handled by the country's football
association.
Several of South Africa's warm-ups before they hosted the 2010 World
Cup were found to have been fixed, which led to the brief suspension
of senior South African Football Association (SAFA) officials,
including its president Kirsten Nematandani.
South Africa's Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC)
recommended a judicial commission of inquiry but FIFA warned them of
possible consequences should the government be seen to be intervening
in football matters.
South Africa's sports minister Fikile Mbalula told local media he
would travel to FIFA headquarters in Zurich next week to discuss the
issue with world football's governing body.
"SASCOC have made a recommendation to us that we must go ahead with a
judicial commission of inquiry into the matter," Mbalula said.
"Match-fixing is about fraud, corruption and mismanagement. There is a
rule of law in South Africa. Where there are suspicions, they must be
investigated. SAFA must understand that you can't be a referee and
player at the same time," he said.
SAFA vice president Danny Jordaan told Reuters his organisation had
already asked police to investigate the matter.
Nematandani and four other top officials were briefly suspended
following the handingover in December by FIFA to SAFA of a 500-page
investigation into the activities of Wilson Raj Perumal and his
Football 4U organisation.
But within a month their suspension was lifted on procedural grounds.
FIFA found the results of pre-World Cup warm-up matches against
Thailand, Bulgaria, Colombia and Guatemala in the weeks leading up the
2010 finals were fixed.
Allegations of match-fixing were first revealed in the South African
press in July 2011 year but SAFA did not immediately act, only raising
the issue once FIFA had incorporated the country into a wider
investigation into Perumal's activities.