Understanding implies abilities and disposition with respect to an object of knowledge. It is the power and the driving force of knowing; the getting to know. To understand something is to have conceptualized it to a given measure. Understanding is the product of diligent search, the uncompromised knowhow pertaining things and people around us.
The world we are in today, classifies people on the basis of their knowledge about things of necessities. Things of necessities in that, people most often have knowledge, idea and understanding on things which are irrelevant and immaterial to things and people around them. Their environment benefits nothing from their contributions but rather their own understanding poses threat to the environment.
Right from inception of the world (heaven and earth), understanding had been a key factor in creation and making. The understanding between God the father, son and Holy Spirit. When man was created, it was also through this understanding. And God said in Genesis 1:26 let us (i.e. Father, Son and Holy Spirit) make man in our image, after our likeness, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth. According to that bible verse, there existed a mutual understanding between God in three persons. One cannot create, make or produce something with whom he lacks understanding about or with whom a mutual relationship of understanding exists not.
Also, through the lack of this same understanding, tribulations, sin and all sort of negativities poisoned the world. It was the absence of this understanding that created a bridge between God and one of His then angel Lucifer. This can be extracted from Revelations 12: 7-12. The betrayer of understanding between God and His then pompous angel Lucifer led a utopia earth to absurdities and sin in it. All this started right from the very moment Lucifer was cast down to the earth. He became a trouble and threat to every existence.
For everything in existence, there is an equal pulling force holding them together. And that force is understanding. Take for instance, the trees and grasses in the forest, there exist a mutual understanding between the tree and the soil. This is why the soil is supplying the tree with the needed nutrients to grow and produce fruits. The day this understanding is shattered, the tree dies because the soil will tend to hold back its nutrient. So is applicable to life. When a man wallows in principles outside God’s principle he ceases to be a tree planted by the river side and as such that understanding being broken, the person suffers the consequences of eternal condemnation.
Now, I am beginning to understand why Socrate in his wisdom said KNOW THYSELF. The only true wisdom after knowing God is in knowing who you are. Having indebt knowledge of yourself. You are who you are today because of your knowledge and understanding of self. Greatest of men are those who had a better understanding of themselves. I believe no one can make you inferior because you know yourself better than anyone else.
Life is in stages. The stage of life begins with a foundation of which without, life becomes miserable and meaningless. This foundation is understanding of self. It is the level of understanding you have about yourself that determines how solid your foundation tends to be. There is nothing on this planet earth worth getting that does not have the foundation, understanding. The success we often desire and the goals we aim at begins with understanding of self; where you are coming from, where you are at present and where your destination is. There is no ignorance as deadly as not knowing yourself.
It is more poisonous than a scorpion’s bite and more deadly than a cancerous cell.
To find yourself, think for yourself said Socrate. Knowing your bearing in life as to the better you, begins with a simple giant step of thought. This thought and thinking process creates a forum for you to understand yourself. Understanding of oneself is a product of thinking for oneself. You cannot be better than the understanding you have about yourself. Many of life challenges and tribulations arise most often due to our daily routine in not knowing ourselves.
Lack of understanding is the ulcer of a relationship. Amos 3:3 says: can two work together except they agree. A relationship cannot blossom where there is no understanding between the parties involved. Its then becomes synonymous with the case of beating a dead horse. For it takes you nowhere. It also builds a relationship; it brings out the beauty of love and despises hatred. Romeo and Juliet did just not die for love but were strucked by the death of best understanding; being well informed that living without each other is as good as death. Sequel to that, it is obvious that love begins with discernible self; self as an intimation aid for a better relationship. Hence, in marriages were there is no clear cut understanding between the couples, most often ends up a fiasco. Show me a perfect relationship and I will show you a relationship where perfect understanding exists. It is as important as oxygen is to man. It is axiomatic that from the deepest understanding comes the deepest of love.
Understanding is germane in all walks of life. It cannot be done without except such a person wants to embark on voyage of disharmony or higgledy piggledy. Take for instance, a psychiatrist understands another person’s anxieties if he knows that person’s anxieties, their causes, and can give useful advice on how to cope with the anxiety. For such a psychiatrist to give an advice to someone on how to manage any mood, he must first understand the person. Lack of this understanding might lead him/her to proffer a false advice to the person which may be detrimental to the person in question. One understands reasoning, an argument or a language if he can consciously reproduce the information content conveyed in the message. You don’t expect a French man to speak with a Nigerian without a middle person, the translator. The translator must be a person who understands both languages and should be able to bridge the communication gap between the different country men.
Getting to know brings peace but its absence brings war, crisis and conflict. Argument can be likened to lack of mutual dealings resulting from different belief. Right from the days of the bible, disagreement had been due to berated savvy. It was it that prompted the fight between the philistine mighty giant, Goliath and the great David. Also in the case of Saul and David, the Egyptians and the Jews, to mention but a few. Misunderstanding if not tamed at the early stage might lead to settlement by swords and machete. War is not the opposite of peace, but rather the absence of understanding. Where there is understanding, there you find peace, love, joy and happiness. In all things we desire, in unity and earnestly work towards it in apprehension, we can achieve.
This uncompromised ability cannot be exterminated where success exist or seems to exist. Its establishing power of success comes from the knowledge of the principles of success. Napoleon Hill once said, “No man has a chance to enjoy permanent success until he begins to look in a mirror for the real cause of his mistakes”. In the words of Hill, to enjoy long lasting and fulfilling success you must understand and have a lucid view into what is the real cause of your mistake. Just as success is a process, so is understanding. It is a process mapped with action and optimism. You too can hit the success line if only you would understand why that route didn’t lead to your destination. Will Rogers elaborated it when he said that “if you want to be successful, it’s just simple: know what you are doing, love what you are doing and believe in what you are doing” Rogers simply talks about understanding as the foundation and rudiments of success. Champions, professionals, experts, genius and intellects are nobody but men who have found nothing more interesting than understanding.
Lastly, whosoever you want to become in life, whatever height you want to attain, the kind of life you want to live are all embedded in your understanding of life. Tune your perception in knowing yourself, environment and laws of nature. I tell you only death can stop your star on this planet earth because it’s already certain that the star must shine beyond this earth which is our home; the saint utopia, heaven. THANKS. ACHA HARRISON CHINEDU.
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Monday, 19 May 2014
PREPARATION THE KEY TO GREATNESS
Preparation is the process of making something ready or becoming ready for something. It also connotes prior action and anticipation to an expected stimulus. Preparation defines future action with the present plans and act of expectancy; the gestation period or lead time. It is the binocular of the future, the ticket to the desired future. Also, it is the covet work done in respect to our desired success. Based on researches and findings, preparation has being a sacrosanct key factor in generating the best out of anything you can imagine. It cannot be derailed when it comes to getting what one so desires. This adequate readiness, plan or act of what is hoped for, defers from human to human. Of course, this is why everybody cannot equally be successful. It is the level of preparation that defines where your success loci or bearing falls.
Preparation fuses one with the equivalent strength to fulfill an expected task. It rekindles the fire of enthusiasm and passion for something. For everything done with requisite preparation often yields great result. But they that wait upon the lord shall renew their strength; they mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not to faint (Isaiah 40:31). The above wisdom of prophet Isaiah to the sons of God, explains the importance of waiting upon the lord; which is preparation for the coming of the lord.
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend my first four hours sharpening my axe” said Abraham Lincoln. That’s getting set Lincoln talks about. Preparation is the paucity of hard work with outstanding result. It makes less work to be done on something in the real sense; the strength and power to get a given task done lies in your preparedness.
Preparation awakens inspiration. It is in the process that inspiration befalls man; inspiration that amazes and challenges you. Preparation and inspiration works hand in hand, it encourages you from within; that encouragement that no man can offer you. The turning point of your future and dreams lies on your inspiration through preparation. This is why Samuel Coleridge rightly opined that “He who is best prepared can best serve his moment of inspiration”. There comes in a man’s life when preparation diversifies into two. This two aspects of preparation is what I tagged
Preparing for the best.
Preparing for the worst.
These two different aspects of preparation are products of the mind’s activity; the activity of thinking (AOT). There is always this part of the mind that challenges one to prepare for the worst. It acts as a plan B to preparing for the best. Just as Will Hancock would put it, “you don’t have to develop plan B because it distracts plan A”. If sufficient preparation is done for a given task, getting ready for the worst isn’t an option. When you sincerely and doggedly float in the realm of adequate readiness for your goals, attaining it becomes easier. The strength and energy powered in the making of plan B can be channeled in making the plan A better.
Readiness is everything. Winning is as a result of prior action both in spirit and in body. Zig Ziglar once said “you were born to win but being a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win and expect to win”. Aligning all of your attention to what matter, matters in preparation. It is the seed to reality, the best and uncompromising route to success and the shining light of the darkest moment. Your tomorrow to a large extent depends on the preparation you make today. The best of your tomorrow cannot be better than the good of your today. It can only be better than the best of your today. Tomorrow belongs to those who make adequate plans today.
There is a generally accepted notion that; time is one great factor that cannot be regained when lost. This axiom failed to notice time on investment. Time invested on preparation today can be regained on tomorrow’s fulfilling achievements and goals. It produces outstanding fulfillment. A man like Mark Twain cannot be caught unaware. I was strucked with passion for preparation when I came across one of his statements when he said and I quote, “it usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech”. One of the elements of preparation is, no matter how strong the storm of challenges tends to be, your preparation balances your ship of dream and success from shipwreck and you will arrive your destination safely.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail says Benjamin Franklin. This is one of the commonest quotes to many. It explains the stake of preparation in success and failure. Most men fail, not because they lack the will to succeed but the lack of will to prepare. If you busily rush into a given task without adequate readiness, you will be richly blessed with the barrenness of such task.
Also, on preparation and failure, there is this mnemonics I so much love, the 5Ps. This connotes:
Prior Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. To avoid fiasco in your field of endeavor always be a good follower of preparation. Is not possible to get something for nothing, you must give something for such a thing worth getting; and that’s preparation.
Decisions of great transformation are made by those who understand the wisdom of preparation. Adequate preparation is what gives the big wigs edge over the rank and file.
Take for instance, students in the examination hall taking their final year exam; everyone seated for the examination has idea about the course to be written. You will get to know that some among them have facts. Those with fact performed better than those with idea; which is a result of proper preparation. The time table of the desired future is making every seconds, minute, hour and day a preparatory moment. To avoid being caught unaware, you must follow the time table obediently.
The key is not the wish for greatness but the will for preparation which is the key to greatness. The key is only for those who realizes and understands the benefits of getting ready. A prepared man does not accept everything he is told until its validity has been ascertained; he is a man of extraordinary abilities. This can be seen in the lives of the Berean Jews in the bible (Acts 17:10-13). An American singer and a song-writer, Taylor Alison Swift once said, “I try to prepare for everything beyond the extent of preparation”. Prior action minimizes error and mistake in whatever one is doing, it empowers one to operate beyond the shores of mistake and error.
As believers would say, heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. Success is not by luck but the outcome of adequate preparation. It is not a lottery or something that you can gamble to attain. You don’t learn how to shot gun at the battle field. You learn how to shot gun before the battle begins says Bishop David Oyedepo in one of his exhortations titled ‘preparing for marriage’.
When one is done the job of putting necessary parameters in order, one’s goal is easily achieved. Take for example, in an organization, a man was asked to give a lecture on a business topic. This man started his preparation two days to the day of presentation, he went to a nearby library and obtained five different world class text books on the topic and he consumed them voraciously. The day came and he was able to reproduce what he has gotten from those texts word for word. He plagiarized those books so to say. A round of applause was offered to him when he was done for he did well. But when the session for question and answer came, he inept ability was divulged as he was unable to provide appreciable answer to most of the applicable questions asked. Getting ready for something at the eleventh hour isn’t a good idea. It only convinces you that you are able to do it without preparation and mask your inabilities for the task. It is deceptive in all aspect. Readiness at the last hour will only bring embarrassment upon one. It is a stage by stage process and not what is approached with a fire brigade mentality. Now I understand why Friedrich Nietzsche in his wisdom said “better know nothing than half know things”.
Just the nemo dat rule puts it, “Nemo dat quod non habat” literally meaning “no one gives what he doesn’t have”. It is what you have that you can give and you can’t have what you do not make plans for to having. What you have today is the product of your yesterday’s plans and what you lack today are as a result of the plan you failed to carry-out yesterday.
Before a child is born, he spends nine months of his first phase of life in the womb. During this period the child develop and is equipped with the necessary organs and ability to adapt to the new environment he is about to find himself. After this period of acquisition has elapsed, the womb comfort zone becomes uncomfortable for him and he comes out with all the acquired qualities to adapt.
This period is for the child to prepare and the mother to get ready to becoming a parent. Everything in existence has been given such a time to adequately make provisions for whatever he wants. Most people lavish this time on inapt things of life. People nowadays choose to do the things right rather than doing the right thing. It takes preparation for an iroko tree to be cut down with a razor blade.
Unfortunately, there seems to be far more opportunity out there than ability. This is why only a few with understanding of preparation can harness it. “We shall remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets preparation” said Thomas A. Edison.
Preparation brings about freedom, freedom brings opportunity and opportunity makes your future. Opportunity world can only be accessed by esoteric indefatigable ready men. The blessings of opportunity showers only on those who have all it takes and are ready to get ready. A Roman statesman and a philosopher, Seneca once said that there exist nothing like “luck”. Luck is simply the outcome of preparation mating with opportunity.
Fortune favors the alert mind. The journey into the future begins with a simple giant step; a foresight called preparation. It builds confidence, self esteem and obliterate fear. I have come to apprehend that majority with low self esteem are those with dearth foresight of the future .Confidence is the outcome of who you are viz a` viz understanding of self via readiness. The pill to low self esteem and inferiority complex is adequate preparation.
Power is one of those attributes many kill to have; power to dominate those around them. People tend to give up what they want when they want power. People desire it to become god in their various field of endeavor in life. Power is not about having a thick bicep muscles or broad chest, HELL NO. Powerful people are those who can influence their world and people around them with their actions and inactions. This power comes from the might of readiness. Yearly, the list of world’s most powerful country is being released based on their National Power Index. This national index of these countries to a large extent depends on their build up. That is why Herschel Walker in his knowledge opined, “if you train hard, you `II not only be hard, you will be hard to beat. It all boils down to what you do with your lead time; this classifies you in life based on you level preparation.
Matthew 25:1-13 talks about the kingdom of God being likened to the case of ten virgins. Five were considered wise because they took extra oil for their lamp and the other five as foolish due to non-readiness. The journey of the foolish virgins was futile due to their lack of wisdom of getting set. He who knows the importance of preparation in life is considered wise and hardly does such a person miss the track.
Rome was not built in a day. The foundation can be traced to adequate preparation. It requires unity of body, soul and mind to get ready for something. The starting point of it is the mind before the body is charge with the responsibility of action. The enemy of man is the lack of proper provisions.
The map and the route to ones destination are all concealed in one’s readiness for the journey. Your ability to understand this map and extracting the useful content of it lies in your preparedness. Men who can stay longer in problem, who doggedly believe they can render a solution to a particular problem are them who are set for it. Just as Albert Einstein would say “not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer. Preparation ignites the fire of determination and they work hand in hand. A thoroughly prepared man is a determined man. Thomas Edison made this point clearer when he said “I haven’t failed; I just discovered 10000ways that won’t work. He who is not determined; determination via preparation is not qualified to be great. Preparation is a necessary prerequisite for greatness.
The history of the world is nothing but biography of well prepared men. Putting things in order to achieve a given task isn’t necessary for everybody but compulsory for a few who desires the best. Most often, people tend to shy away from it due to ignorance and lack of will. Laziness is one of those elements that rip off this ability of preparedness. A lazy man cannot carve out time to foresee the future; he believes so much in luck. Procrastination is another bad influence on preparation. It harbors beliefs like; I have more time to do it later, let me rest now and do it later. There is no better time to prepare than now. Do it now and you will be amazed with the quality of your result. I believe that is only a dead man that is bound not to prepare. As long as you still have that breathe of consciousness in you, preparation remains the key to harnessing your potentials and greatness pathway. Leave that comfort zone, retreat from all unprepared venture and make necessary amendments in preparation. Your comfort zone has nothing to offer you as his candidate; because it’s too rich in nothing. You are a step closer to your destiny the day you leave your comfort zone.
Do not always wait for the right time to pick up action, pick up action before the right time comes. As we all know, the time is always right to do right. The best time the right state of mind is gotten and strategies developed are during this incubation period called preparation.
Lack of adequate preparation keeps people small and below their potentials. The best time to begin better with preparation is now.
THANKS.
ACHA HARRISON C.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
My father is judge, prosecutor at home – Charlie Boy
Charles Oputa, first son of the late Justice Chukwudifu
Oputa, said that his father was not just a legal icon but also
a judge and prosecutor at home.
Oputa, popularly called, `Charlie Boy in Nigeria’s social
circle’, made this known in an interview with the press in
his house in Gwarimpa, Abuja at the weekend.
According to him, Oputa is an uncompromising upright man,
strict disciplinarian and an overbearing father who never
compromised on whatever standards that he set for his
children.
He said that when he was growing up he felt that his
father’s influence was an albatross on his neck.
Oputa said that he had to rebel against the ‘status quo’ by
taking to the entertainment career which was not in line
with his father’s wish for him.
“My late father was not just a renowned legal icon but he
was also a responsible family man, a judge and prosecutor
at home because nobody could win any argument against
him on all issues
at home.
“While growing up I thought my dad was unnecessarily
overbearing and an albatross on my neck, so I decided to
rebel against him and be far away from his shadow.
“So, when I returned from the USA, I decided to relocate
from my father’s Lagos base to the village and later set up
Charlie Boy Music and Brand through personal hard work
and tenacity of
purpose,’’ he said.
He said that when he made a success of his brand, his
father had no choice than to have total respect for him and
sought his opinion on ‘everything under the sun’.
Oputa said that 10 years before his death, his father became
his best friend and would never take any major decision
without seeking approval first from him.
Charlie Boy said he would miss his father’s friendship and
intimate conversations with him, which he said, bordered on
`everything under the sun, ranging from law, politics, sex
and religion’.
“To underscore this cordial father-son relationship, I
literally died for the two days that he was ill that led to his
death,’’ he said.
Oputa, however, expressed dismay over the fact that the
report of the Obasanjo administration’s Human Rights
Violation Panel which was chaired by his father had yet to
be implemented.
NAN recalls that the late Oputa, popularly called the
Socrates of Nigeria’s Supreme Court, died on May 4 in
Abuja at the age of 96. (NAN)
Chibok Girls: Obasanjo condemns abduction, says FG could have acted quickly
Former Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday,
condemned the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in
Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok in Borno State.
Obasanjo spoke in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital during
the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with
the state government on the adoption of a junior secondary
school and a primary school in Kudai, Dutse.
Obasanjo, however, faulted Federal Government for its
lackadaisical attitude towards saving the lives of the
abducted students.
Speaking shortly after the signing of MoU between Jigawa
State government and Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, at
Government House, Dutse, Chief Obasanjo said the delay by
the government over the matter led to their being moved
away from the school, adding that if urgent rescue action
was taken, the girls could have been saved from their
current hardship.
“The Federal Government could have acted quickly when the
news broke so as to save the innocent girls, but nothing
was done,” he lamented.
Obasanjo described the abduction of the girls as unfortunate
and pathetic, considering the future of their lives.
“Their future is significant as such everything possible must
be done to rescue them,” he said.
He, howeverm said that, “whatever might have been the
grievances of the group of people behind the adoption of
these girls, whatever might have been their anger or
objectives, it was uncalled for, considering the importance
of these girls.”
He said his foundation has established itself in four
countries in Africa among which Nigeria, Liberia and Ghana
are beneficiaries.
Governor Sule Lamido thanked the former president for his
wisdom in establishing of his foundation.
Chibok abduction: “It is political manipulation that got out of control” – Southern Borno Group
The Southern Borno Development Association, SBDA, says
the psychological trauma of the school girls abducted by the
Boko Haram insurgents will leave permanent imprint on
their minds long after their release.
The association was speaking on Monday, in Maiduguri, the
Borno State capital.
While addressing the media, Chairman of the Association,
Mallam Yahaya Gaya said, “To imagine what the victims
are undergoing in the hands of bandits who are
masquerading under the banner of Islam can only send cold
down our spines.
“Their antecedents have shown that they are capable of the
most horrendous acts. The razing of entire villages with
their inhabitants, the brutal murder of defenseless and
innocent people including women, babies, the old and
feeble, extortion, kidnapping and lack of respect for the
places of worship is their trademark.
“To spend only an hour in the company of such people is
blood chilling, let alone some weeks. In short, their action
has shown that they are worse than barbarians. While there
is no local government or community in Borno that has not
lost a son or daughter to the insurgency either directly or
indirectly, the abduction of the students has proved to be
the most painful considering the implications”, he said.
The group also said, “while we lament the predicament
which we have found ourselves, we should sincerely ask
ourselves how a small group of people is holding an entire
state, albeit a region hostage.
“How did it start? Is it a failure of intelligence or is it
political manipulation that got out of control that the falcon
cannot hear the falconer and things fall apart?”
Monday, 12 May 2014
FG rejects Boko Haram prisoner swap for hostage schoolgirls
ABUJA- The federal government on Monday rejected
conditions set out by Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau
for the release of more than 200 schoolgirls held hostage by
the Islamists.
Asked if the government would reject the suggestion by
Shekau in a new video that the girls may be released once
Nigeria frees all militant prisoners, Interior Minister Abba
Moro told AFP: “Of course.”
“The issue in question is not about Boko Haram… giving
conditions,” he said.
Shekau made the claim in a video obtained by AFP on
Monday claiming to show about 130 of the 276 girls
abducted from their school in the remote northeastern town
of Chibok, in Borno state, on April 14.
“We will never release them (the girls) until after you
release our brethren,” he said.
The militant leader, who has made prisoner exchange
demands before, said that some of the teenagers had
converted from Christianity to Islam.
The International Crisis Group said in a report published last
month that Boko Haram had written an open letter in 2011
to the governor of northern Kano state, demanding the
release of detainees.
Shekau repeated the demand in a video released last week
claiming responsibility for the mass kidnapping that has
sparked global condemnation and calls for action.
Nigeria’s military has been accused of rounding up
thousands of Boko Haram suspects, including women and
children, and holding them in atrocious conditions that have
been criticised by rights groups.
On March 14, Boko Haram fighters stormed the notorious
Giwa military barracks in the state capital of Borno,
Maiduguri, freeing hundreds of militants.
Amnesty International, however, said on March 31 that
there was “credible evidence” that more than 600 people,
most of them unarmed recaptured detainees, were
summarily killed in the military response.
See photos of abducted Chibok girls from new Boko Haram video
Video of dozens of abducted school girls has been released
by Boko Haram. The girls, numbering about 130, said to be
held at Sambisa forest, a border between Cameroon and
Nigeria, are seen praying in Arabic.
In the video, Boko Haram leader said he's ready to do a
deal to free some or all the girls. He said;
"We will never release them unless our brethren are
released. It's been 6 years you held our brethren and
torturing them. We will not release the girls until you
free our brothers"
He also mentioned that the girls have been converted to
Muslims. The girls are believed to be held in six different
locations. Continue to see more pics...
Nigerian spends $1bn annually on medical tourism
Abuja — The Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign
Investment Authority, Uche Orji has said that about 30,000
Nigerians spent $1 billion annually on medical tourism.
Orji disclosed this while speaking at a side session of the
just concluded World Economic Forum on Africa, organised
by PriceWaterhouseCoopers, PWC.
He said opportunities abound in the Nigerian healthcare
sector for private sector participation, if the affluent class
had the will and determination to end the capital flight and
invest the money back in the local economy.
According to him, 60 per cent of the said amount is spent in
four major areas of healthcare, namely: cardiology,
orthopaedic, renal dialysis issues and cancer, saying those
entrepreneurial opportunities abound in the field only for
those who could seize the opportunity by redirecting the
cash flow into the comatose local health sector.
Kaduna State Govt. imposes 24-hour curfew in Kachia LGA
Kaduna State Government yesterday imposed a 24-
hour curfew on Kachia Local Government Area and its
environment.
The Director-General on Media and Publicity to the
Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, announced this in a
telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
in Kaduna.
Maiyaki said the curfew became imperative following crisis
in the area which led to the burning of various structures on
Sunday.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mukhtar Yero had earlier in a
statement issued by Maiyaki, called on the people to shun
attempt to create misunderstanding and cause confusion in
the state.
The governor said that the state government had brought
the situation under control.
He said that government was already working with all
security agencies to ensure the protection of life and
property of the people.
“Government will not fold its arms and allow `enemies of
peace’ to cause mayhem in our state.
“I call on all law-abiding citizens to go about their
businesses without fear of intimidation as security forces
have been directed to deal decisively with trouble makers.
“No matter their status in the society, we will no longer
tolerate these acts of unwarranted violence against
innocent citizens, enough is enough,” he said.
The governor further urged the people in the state to
continue to coexist peacefully, irrespective of diversities.
Yero said that differences in tribe or religion should not
affect the common aspirations of the people to live in peace
and tranquility.
“The state government will continue to pursue its peace
building agenda and will not rest on its oars until Kaduna is
returned to its pre-crises era when all the people lived
harmoniously.”
Yero also urged them to support the ongoing peace building
process in the state and contribute their quota toward the
goal. (NAN)
T.B. JOSHUA SPONSORS BOTSWANA STUDENT TO HARVARD
Nigerian Prophet T.B. Joshua has made the dreams of a
prodigious young student from Botswana come true after
sponsoring her to study a Masters Degree in the prestigious
Harvard Law School, USA to the tune of over $82,000
(N13,000,000).
Mary Jean Nleya, 22, shared her testimony during the
church service at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations
(SCOAN) in Lagos on Sunday 11th May 2014.
According to Mary-Jean, she met T.B. Joshua several
years ago as a visitor to The SCOAN and explained her
educational plights to him. “I told him that I had no father
that was taking care of my educational fees,” she said.
“He informed me that I needed only Jesus Christ to be my
Father and that He would take care of all my needs. From
then on, I became a SCOAN scholarship recipient.”
The gifted student narrated how the controversial cleric had
been like a father to her both morally and materially ever
since. “If there is any word to describe the role Prophet T.B.
Joshua has played in my life, it is like that of a father,” she
emphatically told the congregation.
Motivated by the pastor’s financial backing and practical
sermons, Nleya received a distinction in law in the
University of Pretoria, South Africa. Thereafter, the
Motswana had a successful internship at the International
Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands.
“When I was there, he told me that I should go for my
masters in the best university in the world, which is Harvard
University,” Mary-Jean narrated, adding that she was
daunted by the prospect as it is a well known fact that
“admission into Harvard University is incredibly difficult.”
Remarkably, the talented law-student received admission to
the revered university. “I am thrilled and excited to tell you
all today that I gained admission into Harvard University,”
she declared to the joyful congregation.
However, upon learning of the huge fees involved, she was
doubtful as to whether the scholarship would be continued.
“I ended up telling him (T.B. Joshua) and he committed to
paying $82,123! I will be going to commence my studies
any moment from now,” she gratefully remarked.
Mary-Jean advised youth to look for a ‘mentor’ who would
inspire them in life. “I didn’t believe in myself enough and
my potential to apply to the world’s best university,” she
openly admitted.
“But because I had a mentor, a father to inspire and
encourage me to apply, I drew a greater plan. I was
inspired to stop living within a four foot ceiling and to reach
for the top and make the sky my limit.”
In his comments, Joshua stated that Mary-Jean was just
one of the many students worldwide who were receiving
scholarships. “What you make happen for others, God will
make happen for you,” he advised the congregation.
Despite being better known for his controversial prophecies
and miracles, T.B. Joshua is also recognised for his
extensive humanitarian endeavours, Forbes Magazine
reporting that the Nigerian cleric spent an estimated
$20,000,000 in charitable projects in the last three years.
Border residents threaten to dump Nigeria
Residents of Gamborou, a commercially thriving border
community in Borno State have threatened to migrate to the
neighbouring communities in Cameroon should the Federal
Government fails to stop incessant attacks on their town
and mindless killings by Boko Haram.
Gamboru located about 200 kilometres from Maiduguri,
the state capital, witnessed violence last week as Islamist
sect members invaded the busy town in broad day-light,
killing over 200 people.
Angered by the incessant attacks on the town especially
with the killing of their kits and kin as well as the massive
destruction of houses and other properties last week,
residents told journalists during the visit of Gov Kashim
Shettima to the town weekend that they were determined to
migrate to areas where their security can be guaranteed.
The residents said their lives are under serious threat. Last
Sunday’s attack was the third since insurgency heightened
in Borno State.
One of the residents, Malam Modu Bulama, who spoke to
newsmen, expressed worry on why the community had been
left unprotected. He said that Boko Haram had the effrontery
to destroy offices belonging to Nigeria Immigration and
Customs with alleged little resistance from the men and
officers of these services. “Government must do something
urgently because Boko Haram can’t be as strong as that,
“We have been patient for a long time, even as our people
have continued to suffer serious losses of both lives and
properties in the past without the Federal Government and
security operatives not doing enough to protect us. Now
that the level of killings and destructions inflicted on us
have reached the peak, the alternative before us is to take
away our families and seek refuge in Cameroon, our
neighbours, because our lives will be more secured there,”
he stated.
Another resident, Zannah Yerima, said he lost three brothers
in last Sunday’s attack even as he berated the government
“for not doing enough” to protect them.
Gov Shettima, who was accompanied by his deputy, Zannah
Umar Mustapha, appealed for patience, saying it was time
for all Nigerians to fight the common enemy (Boko Haram)
rather than apportioning blames. He called on them to
consider the incident as an act of God, assuring that
government will rebuild the burnt market and assist the
traders to cushion the impact of the financial losses.
Boko Harm had on April 14 this year stormed the
Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State
and abducted over 200 schoolgirls. The kidnapping
attracted global outrage, condemnations and protests.
World powers including the United States, Britain and China
have intervened with the U.S. and UK sending their military
experts to assist Nigerian Armed Forces in the search and
rescue operations.
Prime Minister Benjamin Nethanyahu promised at the
weekend to send in counter-terrorism experts.
#BringBackOurGirls: Netanyahu calls Jonathan, ready to help
JERUSALEM (AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu on Sunday offered to help Nigeria search for
hundreds of schoolgirls kidnapped by extremist Islamist
group Boko Haram, his office said.
A statement said that Netanyahu, currently on an official
visit to Japan, made the proposal in a telephone call to
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Israel expresses its deep shock at the crime against the
girls,” it quoted the premier as saying.
“We are prepared to help in locating the girls and to fight the
cruel terror which has struck you.”
Boko Haram, whose name is loosely translated as “Western
education is forbidden” kidnapped the girls from their
dormitory on April 14, and has threatened to sell them.
The abduction caused worldwide outrage and offers of help,
including from US President Barack Obama.
2015: ‘Bombings Will Increase, If Jonathan Fails To Win’, Francis Fadahunsi Declears
As a result of persistent bombings across states in Northern
Nigeria, a retired Deputy Comptroller General of Customs,
Chief Francis Fadahunsi, has warned against forcing
President Goodluck Jonathan out of office through
insurgency, contending that if the president fails to return in
2015, bombings will increase.
The PDP stalwart, who spoke to reporters noted that those
behind the incessant bombings intend to stop Jonathan
from re-contesting in 2015; the strategy which he said will
spell doom for the economy of the country.
Speaking on the recent Nyanya bombing Fadahunsi, who
once headed customs operations for Federal Capital
Territory, FCT, posited that South South remained the major
source of resources for the country and that “sending
Jonathan back to the creeks to meet those militants will
shut down the nation’s economy”.
The chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said from
the disposition of Mr. President, it could be inferred that he
does not see his second term as do or die affairs, but feared
that people of South South may destroy the nation’s source
of income by 2015, “if northern elements behind the
heightened insecurity failed to adopt better strategy towards
achieving their ambition”.
“I have always told my northern friends that are close to the
presidency of the need to avoid forcing Jonathan out of
office. Whether he had performed or not, no sane Nigerian
should create crisis for him, when there are pressing
matters that affect the generality of Nigerians.
“The irony of it is that those behind this Boko Haram are
close to the seat of power. The man that was governor when
these miscreants started their problem is in the Senate now
and a lot of them are hobnobbing with the president and yet
they want presidency to go to the North by creating tension,
which I believe will work against the north.
“The South South presently is not the same South South that
was not conscious of its importance to the rest of the
country few years ago. Now they have money and they can
match any individual or group that wants to indulge in act of
violence. My fear is that, should Jonathan fail, all oil
installations in their domain will just be blown off and
Nigeria will cease to exist”, Fadahunsi noted.
Ejide injured!
One of the players in Stephen Keshi’s 30-man list for Brazil,
goalkeeper Austin Ejide, suffered an injury in Hapoel Beer
Sheva’s match in Israeli league yesterday.
Ejide recently missed one game for Hapoel due to minor
problems, but he has played four matches until suffering
another injury yesterday. In the 52nd minute of the clash
against Hapoel Tel Aviv, Ejide apparently injured his hip
while trying to collect the ball and had to be substituted by
Shlomi Ben Hamo.
Vincent Enyeama’s understudy in Super Eagles’ team was
almost certain to go to Brazil, being widely regarded as
Nigeria’s second choice between the posts, but now there’s
a question mark over Ejide’s place in the 23-man World
Cup squad as the extent of his injury is not known yet.
Ejide was replaced when his team were 1-0 up in Tel Aviv
and Hapoel Beer Sheva eventually won the game 2-1,
clinching runners-up spot in Israeli league with 2 games to
go.
It’s the club’s best season since winning the domestic title
in 1976 – a feat Ejide should be largely credited for, having
conceded just 27 goals in 33 games.
Open secret: See WHY Nigerian police placed N50m reward on abducted girls
Security experts have described the N50m reward for
information offered by the Nigeria Police as medicine after
death.
The President of Association of Industrial Security and
Safety Operators of Nigeria, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, stated that
reward for information could be a good idea but that it came
late.
“Sometimes, it does help. There could be a mole within the
group but the fear of being arrested may prevent such
individual from giving information. A third-party who has
relevant information can easily do that,” Dr. Ekhomu
explained.
He, however, added that the request for information did not
come at the right time. “The Nigeria Police’s response to
the abduction of the schoolgirls is absolutely inept and
irresponsible. It is medicine after death. The security outfit
waited till there was a rise in global concern prompted by
media action weeks after the abduction. It is an effort too
little, too late,” he said.
Similarly, a security consultant at Frontier Guards Services,
Mr. Simon Udie, while commending the police for coming to
the public for information that can lead to the rescuing of
the abducted schoolgirls in Bornu State, told Sunday Punch
that the force lacked credibility.
“It may suggest that the Nigerian police have exhausted all
within their capacity. But what have they done? Nothing.
They hide information when they ought to share with the
public. They should know how to make certain aspects of
their investigations known to the public. They should have
made available nationwide investigation desks where
citizens can volunteer information unhindered.
“It shouldn’t be the regular police story where someone
who volunteers to give information soon becomes the
accused. There’s no confidence in the Nigerian police;
confidence should be restored. ,” Udie said.
Similarly, certified protection officer and security analyst at
HJ Supranumedia, Mr. Segun Elijah, described the effort of
the police in requesting for information as half-hearted.
“I think the Nigeria police is just trying to show they are
working –belatedly, though. A prompt response based on
sound risk management should have been activated
immediately after the Chibok abduction.”
Speaking further, he said, “Instead of throwing bounties
around now, they should find a way of broaching a
negotiation for the release of the girls. That’s one aspect of
security that hasn’t been employed in Nigeria’s counter-
terrorism efforts. Remember armed rescue operations
mostly lead to the death of the hostages.
“Many will remember the Nigeria-British rescue operation in
2012 first led to the death of some foreigners Boko Haram
took hostage then.”
Last week, the Police High Command had offered a cash
reward of N50m to anyone who would volunteer credible
information that would lead to the location and rescue of the
over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls
Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
“While calling on the general public to be part of the
solution to the present security challenge, the Police High
Command also reassures all citizens that any information
given would be treated anonymously and with utmost
confidentiality,” the Police Public Relations Officer, Frank
Mba, said.
The Force appealed to everyone with such useful
information to contact the following numbers: 09-2914649,
08081777309, 08055547536, 08032125050, 08034617591,
and 08035969731.
Peter Okoye's loving message to his wife, Lola, on Mother's Day
But really, is that the most important thing a father can do
for his children...love their mum? This is generally
speaking...
Nigerian Immigration reacts to Davido's claims of harrassment by their officers
A few days ago, Davido tweeted that he missed his flight to
London because of immigration officers who were
harassing him at the Murtala Mohammed International
Airport, Ikeja because of money. The Nigerian Immigration
Service has responded to Davido's claims.
In a statement released today by the NIS Public Relations
Officer, Emeka Obua, they said Davido had approached
immigration officers at MMIA on the fateful day with the
intention of travelling out of the country and presented a US
passport number 460918874 issued at Georgia on Dec. 14,
2009 and valid till December 14, 2019.
It explained that the officer that attended to him drew his
attention to the fact that his US passport had no Nigerian
visa on it with which he would have been admitted into the
country, and Davido reportedly responded that he had a
Nigerian passport but forgot it at home. Continue...
The statement said,
“The officer now informed him that he should go and
bring the Nigerian passport to convince him that he
did not enter Nigeria illegally with a foreign passport
without visa. Adeleke started arguing with the officer,
who had to refer the case to his superiors and the
verdict was that he could not make the trip unless he
produced the said Nigerian passport.
“Livid with anger, Adeleke, in company with his
bodyguards, started protesting in a disorderly
manner, prompting the Comptroller of Immigration in-
charge at MMIA to intervene. He advised Adeleke to
call his bodyguards to order (caution) and comply
with the lawful instruction which would not only erase
any doubt as to his immigration status but also
establish his claim to dual citizenship.”
Davido was said to have left and on the following day
produced his Nigerian e-passport with number A02227477
issued at Abuja on August13, 2010 and valid till August 12,
2015.
The NIS stated that the passport was endorsed and the
artiste then proceeded on his trip.
The statement added,
“This behaviour of Adeleke is quite unfortunate. One
would ordinarily have expected some form of
commendation from him for the professional manner
the officers, who attended to him, conducted
themselves especially in saving him from
embarrassment at some international port of entry by
ensuring that his passport is endorsed as is the law
and practice in Nigeria .
“The intention of this statement is not to to join
issues with Mr. Adeleke but to set the facts of the
incident, as it happened at MMIA on the said day
straight."
Another Boko Haram member captured in TB Joshua's church...
Let me just put a disclaimer here...I didn't write this o! :-).
Article written by Ihechukwu Njoku - a freelance Nigerian
journalist who writes for Synagogue Church. Read his new
piece below...
Another member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect
allegedly confessed at Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua’s
church today, stating that he was being paid
N2,000,000 to bomb churches.
Nearing the end of the service, during the time
Joshua’s ‘Wise Men’ were minisring ‘deliverance’ to
people, an aggressive young man dressed in a
shabby suit was ushered forward.
“I am one of the Boko Haram,” the man declared to
the wise man, clearly under an unusual
influence. “They said they would give me N2,000,000
if I went to blow up a church,” the man continued
upon questioning as to how he joined the infamous
group of insurgents. “Every church would be
N2,000,000. They said would be give me big house
and a wife.” Continue ...
Boko Haram has been the focus of huge international
media attention following their claiming responsibility for
the kidnapping of over 200 girls several weeks ago.
Queried as to why he came to the church, the man stated,
“I have been hearing of T.B. Joshua – that is why I came
here.” The wise man then prayed for the man who fell
heavily to the ground, before being declared free from the
‘evil spirit’.
Several minutes later, T.B. Joshua himself returned to the
service simply clad in jeans and a t-shirt. “I was in the
prayer room when I heard the deliverance going on and
listened to the confession of this guy. What he was
confessing is mind-boggling,” the cleric told the
congregation.
Bringing the man back before the congregation, Joshua
questioned him further as to how he was initiated into the
sect. “My name is Hosea Bulus,” the man began. “They
gave me blood; they gave me charms. I took it inside
food.”
According to Bulus, upon taking the diabolic ‘blood’, the
urge to kill and destroy entered him. “If you talk to me, I
will fight you very well,” he confessed.
Joshua emphasised to the congregation that the battle was
more spiritual than physical. “One thing you must know –
we are fighting evil spirits that steal, kill and destroy. Let
us not fight our neighbours.”
He insisted the problem was not a Muslim-Christian issue.
“They are using that name as a camouflage, as a cover
up,” he stated, adding that no one could bring himself to
killing innocent lives without being under the influence of
an ‘evil spirit’.
Joshua then prayed for the man, who fell to his knees and
immediately complained that he wanted to visit the toilet.
The popular pastor reminded the congregation of the well-
publicized deliverance of an alleged Boko Haram member
named ‘Mustapha’ two months ago at The SCOAN who
stated he came to bomb the church with four accomplices.
He explained that authorities in Abuja have certified the
authenticity of his confession, contrary to the statement
released by Lagos State Police Commissioner Umar Manko
who initially dismissed the claims.
“At the beginning they said it’s not true but the authorities
in Abuja came out to confirm that he is truly a Boko Haram
member… They are following it up.”
The cleric concluded by stating he would not ask any
further questions publicly so as not to undermine the
intelligence Hosea would be able to provide to the relevant
authorities.
Several minutes later, the man was shown excreting out
some blackish substances following the prayer.
Why I dumped acting for movie productions – Chinney Eke
Behind every great movie is a movie producer at the
background supervising and guiding the cast and crew in its
creation, seeing the movie project through to its
completion. Chinney Eze popularly known as Chinney Love
has been credited as one of the youngest starlets to grace
the Nollywood movie producing scene. Formerly an actress,
the 25 year old plunged into producing with her debut movie
‘The Cartel’. The movie got a lot of buzz bagging 5
nominations at ZAFAA awards as well as 4 nominations at
the Best of Nollywood Awards. It featured star Nollywood
Actor Mike Ezuronye, Luclay of Big Brother Amplified to
name a few. In this exclusive interview with Vanguard, she
talks about her career and Nollywood.
BY DAMILOLA SHOLOLA
When did you start producing movies?
My first movie that I ever produced was in 2012. ‘The
Cartel’. It was a cinema movie.
What other movies have you done apart from The Cartel?
I’ve done Maduka Daughters. I’ve done Sisters Quest.
There’s a comedy I just did called Okrika and now, I’m
working on a movie that I’m supposed to start in 3 weeks’
time but no title yet.
Why did you decide to go into movie production?
Okay, basically I started as an actress. I did a couple of
movies. I think I acted over 12 movies first then I thought to
myself, I’m a business person. I’m a core business person.
Maybe it’s because of where I’m from, Anambra state. So I
told myself, why don’t I just go into this part of
management. I’ve always liked to manage, I’ve always
liked to put things together. So instead of always being in
front of the camera, why don’t I just put things together
since I’m good at that. So I tried it, I did my movie. It was a
big movie. A movie that had cast from all over Africa when I
did it, it came out big, it came out well. I loved every bit of
it so I just thought that this is it. This is what I’m doing. So I
quit acting
How was it like working with the cast & crew of The Cartel?
I loved working on that set. It was amazing. The Cartel
comprised of artistes from all over Africa. I had an artiste
from South Africa, from Ghana, from Tanzania then I had a
star artiste from Nigeria. These people, I’m not trying to
downplay our artistes here, have a kind of discipline when it
comes to work ethics. They keep to the core time, there’s
nothing like a celebrity thing. If you say 7am, it is 7am, it
doesn’t matter how hard or late they worked the previous
night. I didn’t have to start battering ‘Oh now come and
shoot now’ and stuff like that. They knew their job. They
knew it was work so it was quite easy for me. They knew
what they came for and they did it well. Everybody was on
point I would say
Your new movie is Maduka Daughters?
That’s not the latest. Maduka daughters is already out.
Maduka daughters is a family story and I had to shoot it in
the east because of the kind of story I was trying to sell and
it was for commercial value. So I looked at a story that
would appeal to our commercial people because this
Nigeria, 60% of Nigerians live below the poverty line so I
just did a story that would appeal to them. Basically it’s a
family story. I used artistes like Michael Godson, he’s
raving at the moment now. Artistes like Moyo Lawal,
Chinyere Wilfred and Walter Anga
What has been the high point of your career?
You know when you actually do work and you get
appreciation for it and people are like ‘Are you the one that
did this movie? I love your movie,’ it means people
appreciate you. Those are the most amazing moments.
When I know that I just did something that people love, that
people can associate with and can’t get enough. To me,
that’s the most amazing thing ever. Doing something that
appeals to the society.
How do you view Nollywood in general?
We are growing but we still have a long way to go. We still
need a lot of discipline, a lot of schemes that have not been
applied like distribution strategy after doing a movie. As a
producer, you should be able to get returns but I think that
our distribution system here is not as strong as its
supposed to be so we still need to work on that.
If you could change one thing in Nollywood, what would it
be?
I would stop the piracy stuff. It’s killing the business. I’m
talking as a producer because I’m not an artiste. You would
do your work, spend money and then you don’t make as
much as you expected because little boys on the streets are
pirating your movie. It’s a ripoff. It’s really painful.
In terms of movie production, who is your biggest
inspiration in Nollywood?
Basically, I’ve never met Emem Isong before. I’ve met her a
couple of times in premieres but I don’t know her one on
one but I like her spirit. I like the fact that she just gave it a
try and there’s no going back for her. She’s doing it big and
she’s one of the biggest Nollywood producers in Nigeria. So
I saw it, I liked it and I said let me follow her trend. When I
see her movies come out day in day out, month in month
out, she inspires me to want to work.
Are you currently in any relationship?
No, I’m single. Right now, I’m just facing my career
What qualities do you look out for in a man?
I like guys that are very funny, I like witty guys. Great sense
of humor. Aside God-fearing, a funny guy that can make me
laugh and I’m fine
What’s your main philosophy of life?
Be the best you can be. Don’t let people dictate to you. Just
be the best you can be. Don’t listen to people. Don’t let
negative comments bring you back. Just do what you want
to do, do what make you happy and everybody else that
does not like it can jump inside the river
Which actor/actress are you looking forward to working
with in the future?
I would love to work with Majid. I think that’s the only
person I want to work with very soon
What more should people expect from you?
They should just expect lots and lots of good things. All the
movies I’ve done have always had positive comments, so
just expect lots of good stuffs. A lot of good movies coming
from me. I’ve just started and I’m going to get bigger and better.
Troops on alert as Boko Haram insurgents surround Gwoza
Troops have been placed on red alert following information
that Boko Haram insurgents had surrounded Gwoza, Borno
State.
A military source said the insurgents had been “massing up
in Gwoza with intent to strike.”
“We have placed troops on red alert. We are also sending
reinforcement as I speak with you. We are taking pre-
emptive measures to avert a repeat of what happened in
Gamboru during the week.”
The news broke as the terrorists blew up another bridge,
killed an unknown number of people and abducted the wife
and two children of a retired police officer at Limankara
village in Adamawa State.
The Limankara bridge served as a link between Adamawa
and Borno states.
A team of French experts arrived Abuja yesterday to join
those from the USA and UK to help look for the girls.
An official in President Francois Hollande’s office in Paris
said they are experts in collecting intelligence from
technical and human sources and in image analysis.
Father of two of the abducted girls, the Rev. Enoch Mark,
described his despair and anger at the military for not yet
finding his daughters.
“For a good 11 days, our daughters were sitting in one
place,” he told The Associated Press. “They camped them
near Chibok not more than 30 kilometres, and no help in
hand. For a good 11 days.”
Chibok girls: SERAP urges further action from UN Security Council
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP,
yesterday urged the United Nations, UN Security Council to
go beyond mere expression of concern over the plight of
school children seized by armed groups, as well as those
affected by violence from Boko Haram insurgency.
In a statement by its executive director, Mr Adetokunbo
Mumuni, it is now time for the Council to act decisively
against Boko Haram by imposing “targeted sanctions
against them and their backers to end persistent attacks
against children and other civilians.”
SERAP stated: “The Council should consider a broad range
of options for increasing pressure on Boko Haram and their
backers if it is to contribute to stemming the persistent
abuse of children by the extremist group, and assist Nigeria
in the fight against terrorism.
“This will certainly increase international action against the
impunity with which Boko Haram operates, and may be the
turning point to secure the safe return of the missing
schoolgirls.
According to the group, the suggested action is consistent
with the 2012 ‘Resolution 2068’ of the Council.
It said, “This resolution reiterates the primary responsibility
of the Council for the maintenance of international peace
and security and its commitment to address the widespread
impact of armed conflict on children.”
It further said, “The cost of inaction is simply too high to
contemplate. Taking strong action would send a strong
signal that the resolutions of the Council are not only words
on paper, and that vigorous action can be taken when they
are not implemented.”
It noted, “Sanctions send a powerful signal to the
perpetrators and contribute to greater compliance with the
Council’s agenda on children in armed conflict.”
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Four Nigerians jailed in the UK for involvement in fake marriages
Found this report on UK Daily Mail . Four Nigerians, a man
and three women have been jailed in the UK for their
involvement in many fake weddings in the country. Read
full report below...
Four fake brides and an ex-security guard fixer
involved in an eight-month sham marriage scam
have been jailed.
Azuha Izegbune, 38 (pictured left), was the
mastermind of the visa con - which saw fake
weddings staged at registry offices in Birmingham,
Stoke and Glasgow.
The former security guard from Birmingham, West
Midlands, was paid to arrange fake weddings
between Hungarian and Nigerian nationals so they
could remain in the UK.
The weddings were arranged so both brides and
grooms could secure European Area Residence
Cards.
Nwanunwanne Eze, left, was jailed for 17 months for her
attempted sham marriage in Glasgow - which was raided
by investigators. Hellen Adejumo-Dani, right, was jailed for
22 months
Some of the grooms were flown in to the UK just hours
before the fake ceremonies took place.
Following a Home Office probe, the scam was exposed -
and those involved have now been sentenced to a total of
nine years in jail at Birmingham Crown Court.
Sentencing, Judge Elizabeth Stacey said Izegbune had
undermined the UK’s border controls and described him as
'the lynch-pin, the organiser and the fixer' of an eight-
month conspiracy between December 2012 and September
2013.
She said: 'You met registrars, bought plane tickets, acted
as witness and interpreter and recruited Ivett Szanto to
help you find Hungarian grooms and brides.
'I have read the wonderful testimonies about you. It’s just
desperately sad that you have used your considerable
charm and skills to take part in these activities.'
Izegbune is himself married to a Hungarian and has lived
legally in the UK since 2009 with dual Nigerian and
Hungarian nationality.
The father-of-two was jailed for 31 months after pleading
guilty to five counts of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of
UK immigration law.
The court heard the fake brides handed over an unknown
amount of cash in a bid to win the residence cards - which
would have given them the legal right to remain in the UK
and Europe.
But two of the weddings were stopped halfway through and
a price list for a £7,500 ceremony was later recovered.
It showed just a £20 budget was allocated for the wedding
dress, rings and shoes.
One of the fake brides, pregnant Nigerian Hellen Adedjumo-
Dani, 31, took photos of herself with her fake partner
outside McDonald's restaurants across Birmingham to try
and make her relationship appear real, the court heard.
She had images of herself in a dressing gown on her bed
and even saved her fake groom as 'Babe' on her phone.
She married her groom at a registry office in Birmingham in
June 2013.
Adedjumo-Dani, who is due to give birth in October, was
found guilty after a separate two-day trial in March of this
year and was jailed for 22 months.
Nigerian women Nwabunwanne Eze, 35, and Chioma
Nwangwu, 28, both from Birmingham, were all jailed for
taking part in their own fake marriages.
Nwangu married her groom Birmingham registry office in
June 2013.
Eze attempted to marry at Glasgow registry office in August
2013 - but the ceremony was raided by investigators.
She and Nwangwu pleaded guilty to one charge of
breaching immigration law and were jailed for 16 months
and 17 months respectively.
*FUNNY*Basketmouth Decides To Turn Into A Woman
With the recent trends of photoshop these days, any kind of
photo can possibly come up.. Hilarious award winning
comedian Bright Okpara also known as Basketmouth put up
an Hilarious photo on his social media page and asking
fans of their thoughts.
The comedian is one person who is good at making his
audience laugh in many hilarious ways and not just only
saying jokes on stage. He uploaded this pic of himself and
captioned it “If I was a girl…does Basketmouth fit into a
woman’s being? Does he look beautiful if he were a
woman? what do you think, would he have been sexy and
beautiful or contrary …
Chibok abduction: Don’t sell our girls; we won’t pay you any ransom – FG tells Boko Haram
The Presidency has stated that it would not pay any ransom
for the release of the schoolgirls abducted from Government
Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State 26 days ago.
Leader of the terror group, Abubakar Shekau while claiming
responsibility for the unfortunate abduction had said he
would sell off the over 200 girls, an indication that he was
asking for ransom from the government for the release of
the girls.
However, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and
Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, in an interview with Punch
averred that the government would not pay a ransom or
engage in any form of sale of human beings.
He said, “The Federal Government is not going to engage in
any form of selling human beings. The sale of any human
being is an assault on the dignity of that human being.
“Slavery is one of the major crimes against humanity in the
UN Conventions. There will be no amount of provocation
that will push the Federal Government of Nigeria to engage
in anything that is remotely associated to the promotion of
slavery.
“The position of the Federal Government is that even if Boko
Haram goes ahead with its threat to sell human beings,
whoever buys such human beings will be held culpable for
promoting slavery.
“What we are dealing with and which must be stressed is
that when there is a crime against humanity, the whole
world must come together to condemn that crime.
“The question of turning human beings into merchandise
and that being supported by government should be ruled
out. I don’t think that will happen.
“But government of course will do everything within its
capacity to ensure that the girls are brought back to safety.
But turning them into items of merchandise is not part of
the strategy at this time.”
On government’s position on the North-East leaders
demand that President Goodluck Jonathan should not
extend the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe
states, Abati said the President would take a stand on the
issue this week.
He however explained that the decision would not be based
on what the elders wanted but on the interest of the people
of the affected states and Nigeria in general.
“President Jonathan has already addressed this (the issue
of state of emergency) in his last media chat. I think that in
the coming week, it will be exactly six months since the last
state of emergency was declared.
“By next week, we are likely to see the President taking a
close look at the issue and taking a decision on it.
“It is not a question of what the North-East leaders want, it
is a question of what is in the best interest of the people of
the affected area and in the best interest of Nigeria,” he
stated.
CHIBOK GIRLS: Kidnapped Chibok Girls Moved To Ashaka Forest, Gombe
The kidnapped Chibok girls have been moved from the
Sambisa forest towards the forest around Ashaka in Gombe
State, a top security official said.
The security official, who sought anonymity as he was not
authorised to speak, also denied the rumor that some of the
girls were rescued on Saturday.
He, however, said there were high hopes for the quick
rescue of the girls based on the ongoing cooperation
between Nigerian officials and their counterparts from the
U.S. and U.K. on the rescue efforts.
“It is not true that they have been rescued yet, but we
noticed and observed movement of some of the girls from
the Sambisa region towards Ashaka forest in Gombe state”,
said the security personnel.
The officer added that efforts are being put in place to
“carefully track” the abductors and get the girls freed.
“We have not, even for once, lost hope that these girls
would be freed. This is a delicate matter which must be
handled with all professionalism and absolute care”, the
source added.
For almost a month that the over 250 girls were kidnapped
from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, the
Nigerian military has decided not to provide information on
details of its rescue efforts.
The military has, however, said it is doing its best to free the
girls.
Efforts to speak to the military spokesperson, Chris
Olukolade, on the latest report of the girls’ sighting were
unsuccessful as he did not pick or return calls nor respond
to a text message sent to his phone.
'Why Japan Didn't Join Search for Abducted Nigerian Girls'
Japanese government Friday gave an insight to why it
hasn’t offered any military assistance to Nigeria in its
search for the over 2000 girls kidnapped from the Federal
Government Girls College Chibok, Borno State, by members
of the Boko-Haram sect.
Japan however said it would support any United Nations
(UN) activities in Nigeria by deploying its Self Defence
Force through the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA).
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Environment in Japan,
Ideki Makihara stated this while fielding questions from
journalists during a media interaction yesterday in Abuja.
Makihara who was a delegate at the World Economic forum
for Africa (WEF) explained that the Japanese government
since the end of World War II, has no standing army and
would not deploy its local police to any mission beyond the
shores of Japan.
“I do not say that we want to do any help for the security,
after the World War II, we set a new constitution, we are
prohibited to have army. But we have a Self Defence Force,
we always cooperate with the United Nations and our Self
Defence Force is in South-Sudan. So if the UN has some
activities in Nigeria, we will be able to cooperate with the
UN activities", he said.
He explained that it would be difficult for Japanese
government to offer any military assistance to the Nigerian
government without involvement of UN, but said Japan may
consider technical assistance if required.
"Without the UN decision, it is difficult for us to send our
Self Defence Army, and we will never send our police to
other countries, police is just for national security, that is
our restriction under the constitution, but we may be able to
send technology or machines,” he added.
Also, the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ryuichi
Shoji revealed that Japan was in the process of determining
the nature of assistance it would offer to Nigeria through
the ODA.
“We have been discussing these issues; we are determined
to help, like in the Mali situation, we provided a huge
assistance but not directly to help directly in terms of
military strength", he said.
He added; "We provide humanitarian assistance and
economic support. We are consulting with the UN to know
in which field we can support that suit the UN-ODA
activities, we are in the process to determine which project
we are going to finance, through the UN-ODC in Nigeria,”
Shoji said.
Abubakar Shekau is Title, Not Identity, Says Military
Don't blame abduction on FG, Oronto Douglas tells
Washington Post
Yemi Adebowale and Adebiyi Adedapo
The Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Chris
Olukolade has said that Abubakar Shekau, known as the
leader of the terrorist Boko-Haram sect is more of a title
than a name.
In a related development, President Goodluck Jonathan’s
Special Adviser on Research, Strategy and Documentation,
Oronto Douglas yesterday in an interview with The
Washington Post said “it is not helpful to heap blames
upon the Nigerian government as it struggles to rescue
more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped in Borno State by the
terrorist Boko Haram sect.”
Olukolade spoke on “Shekau” in Abuja, during the maiden
press briefing of the newly constituted National Information
Centre, comprising the information officers of the State
Security Service, Mrs. Marylyn Ogar; the Nigerian Police
Force, Mr. Frank Mba; the Directorate of Defence
Information Olukolade and the Director General of the
National orientation Agency (NOA) Mr. Mike Omeri.
He also said that many of the information provided to the
military about the abduction of the schoolgirls were
misleading, adding that many of the information were
concocted to unsettle the populace.
"Talking about the personality that has been presenting
himself as head of that group, besides knowing the fact that
the term Shekau is more of a title than a name, there are
many issues around it that makes it still fake. I don't want
to get into the details of that," Olukolade said.
He added that several pictures being circulated on the
Internet were recycled for mischievous purposes, as he said
some of the pictures were activities of what took place in
Central African Republic (CAR) and it is being presented as
a recent event in Nigeria.
According to him, the terrorists want to unsettle the
populace with concocted images, and do anything that will
promote fear. The phase we are in with them now, is to
engage in activities that will make the populace so scared
to the extent of almost losing confidence in government and
its institutions and also targeted at a situation whereby the
institutions of state will be so stressed and warn out.
“We want to assure Nigerians that the institutions of state
are still functioning and still capable of assuring them their
security, regardless of the activities of the terrorists," he
said.
Giving updates on the search for the kidnapped Chibok
girls, Olukolade said efforts have been more concerted in
conjunction with Multi-national Joint Task Force.
"A the moment, we have two divisions of the Nigerian army
infantry devoted on looking for these girls, and they are all
operating in the nethermost part of the federation
contiguous to various borders. There are also other military
and security agencies located close to border location in
the north and south. All our border locations have been
activated to operate at their optimum in looking out for
these children.”
He added that The Nigerian Air Force has flown over 350
sorties with a view to ensuring that not just surveillance but
air patrol is sustained on a near 24-hour basis over
locations that information has indicated as likely position of
these girls.
"The facilities of the Nigerian Army signals as well as all
the communication facilities of the Nigerian Police and all
the services have been devoted in coordinating this search
and ensuring that information gets back to the control post
where all the operations are being monitored and guided,”
Olukolade said.
In the interview with Washington Post, Douglas called for
greater international assistance in the country's struggle
against terrorism.
"The Nigerian government is doing all it can - everything in
its power - in collaboration with its allies to ensure that our
daughters, the girls, are brought back home," said Douglas,
who was on a visit to Washington.
The perceived slowness of Abuja's response to the mass
abduction has sparked protests both inside and outside
Nigeria. Douglas said such criticisms "are normal for
democracies," though he did not say whether they were
justified.
"This is not about politics; it is about the protection of
human lives. In an attempt to rescue the girls, we must not
also endanger their lives," Douglas says.
Douglas pointed to the transnational threat posed by Boko
Haram, whose base of operations in Nigeria's northeast
extends across borders into three other countries. "The
days when nations act alone are over," he said. The United
States and other Western countries have promised technical
assistance in the hunt for the missing girls, and Douglas
appealed for more help. "Terrorism is very new in Nigeria.
You need international support," he said.
He finds it particularly galling that his government has
come in for the sort of criticism it has faced since the
disappearance of the Chibok schoolgirls. “When a terrorist
bomb goes off in Afghanistan, they don't blame the Afghan
government. So, why the reverse with Nigeria?" Don't see
the Nigerian government as the problem. Don't blame
Nigeria going forward. The blame game should be taken to
the back burner," he insisted.
PLANE CRASH: IRS Aircraft Crashes into Niger Republic
An aircraft, Fokker 100, owned by IRS airlines crashed
yesterday in Niger Republic on its way back to Nigeria after
C (maintenance) checks.
Although information relating to the crash was sketchy as
at the time of going to press, it was learnt that the only
two persons on-board the aircraft, the pilot and an
engineer, survived the crash.
IRS Airlines, which is one of the indigenous carriers that
has operated for a long time, stopped scheduled services
last October due to technical problems with its fleet.
The airline, which operated three Fokker 100 aircraft,
stopped operation when its aircraft developed hydraulic
problem while landing at the Kaduna airport last year,
prompting the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to
ground its operations.
The airline successfully carried a C check in one of its
aircraft and was waiting for the return of the second aircraft
that was taken for another C check for a long time, but it
crashed in Niger Republic, few minutes before it could enter
Nigeria’s airspace.
An official of the airline said the crash had done a death
blow to the IRS, which had planned to resume operation on
the arrival of the ill-fated aircraft, which would have
doubled the number of its aircraft to meet the minimum
requirement of NCAA.
“I have not heard about the crash before now but I know
that we are waiting for this aircraft to arrive today
(yesterday) so that we could resume operation
immediately. We already have one that had gone through C
check; we are just waiting for this one. So if it has crashed
it will be a great setback to us,” lamented the IRS official.
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