Why Buhari Must Be Our Next President - By Festus Odimegwu

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2VYiwopoDO0TjvOfzf54JvTH3kLdtHx5uby7hyphenhyphenvVSfAQBDI-9aJCqZUSE5BvYsPFhF3mnRR1v3k01X6L73Tg3qO5iQPtlZwQdLCHjB-xouRzzc0m9EmQmw_3MVVPMxAdJ_jCEkGHUPZt/s1600/Odimegwu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2VYiwopoDO0TjvOfzf54JvTH3kLdtHx5uby7hyphenhyphenvVSfAQBDI-9aJCqZUSE5BvYsPFhF3mnRR1v3k01X6L73Tg3qO5iQPtlZwQdLCHjB-xouRzzc0m9EmQmw_3MVVPMxAdJ_jCEkGHUPZt/s1600/Odimegwu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Immediate past Chairman of the National Population Commission, Eze Festus Odimegwu has endorsed Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress. Odimegwu made his position known in an article he sent to <a href="http://dailypost.ng/2015/02/14/former-npc-chairman-festus-odimegwu-endorses-buhari/">DAILY POST</a>, stating several concrete reasons why Gen. Buhari deserves to be voted as Nigeria’s next President.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Read full article below:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The topic of this intervetion recommended itself as it is very evident that Nigerians want change. It is also very clear to the discerning that majority will vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) to save Nigeria from bad leadership and an under-performing administration. The contrived postponement of the election also attests to this. And the international community supports this. This is good for our democracy in many ways and good for Nigerians.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> President Goodluck Jonathan is therefore better advised to conduct a free and fair election. Any other planned election manipulation projects should be shelved, as the dark forces lurking even within the administration can hijack and truncate the nascent democracy and tip the current groundswell in the country into avoidable crisis. The inclination, alluded to in some quarters, to take the country down, than lose honourably, is not necessary. And any rigging that denies Nigerians their need for change, will have the same effect. The only sensible option is to allow the will of the people to prevail; support free and fair elections without further manipulations and let every vote count.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The second introductory issue worth raising in this intervention is the erroneous assumption that the unity of Nigeria is not negotiable even when all evidence show that Nigeria is never united. Has never had unity. How can one sustain what does not exist? A lot of people make a lot of noise about unity even while doing things that keep the country severely divided. Unity can never be achieved by rhetorics, or as a wishful thinking or by force but can only be a reality if we all work on it, with our political actors leading by example. It can be an outcome and not a given as some un-informed delusionists assume, claim and posture with.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> My full name, for instance, is Eze'kulie Festus Anthony Boniface Oha Odimegwu Okonkwo Nwa-Uboh Ikpendu Ndieze Umuozo Okanadiji UbiriElem…Nnemiriukwu-Chukwuabiama. This bloodline extends almost 1000 years ago, into perpetuity. Within its Obidigboness, the central issue here is that Odimegwu, who was born in 1868 and died in 1969 at the ripe age of 101 years, was born a proud Igbo man and not a Nigerian, as Nigeria did not exist then. My Ancestors into perpetuity from Odimegwu were Igbos. Never Nigerians. Nigerians is what the British want us to be from 1914, a mere 100 years ago.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I can be a Nigerian from proud Igbo extraction, but only under an agreed basis that is irreversibly committed to and maintained in reality. This Unity in Diversity with other nationalities is only possible under certain conditions. It is not as automatic or to be assumed as me being Igbo. And the basis of this, as enshrined in our Constitution, is that our Union must be built on Truth, Justice, Equity and Fairness to lead to unity, peace, and sustainable progress. This progress within Nigeria must be better than progress within the ethnic nationalities to make it attractive to all participating nations. It is only under such conditions precedent that it makes sense to become fully and happily a Nigerian. Otherwise it will be to your tents for every one irrespective of what anyone or any nationality thinks. And understanding this simple idea by all participating nationalities and persons, no matter who, is essential for progress.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The third introductory issue, another fallacy and delusion, shared by most of the predatory ruling cabals in Nigeria, is the wrong notion that they understand Nigerians as gullible and naive people who can always be divided along ethnic and religious lines and therefore incapable of rising up in revolt over predatory leaders. The insult of postponing the elections, with belief of no consequences, is the most recent example. The examples of impunity and massive looting of public treasury, without fear of consequences, is also ongoing. The emerging conspiracy to scuttle the election altogether is another: one reads of coups, interim governments, at least six weeks open ended postponement, and from the same characters of the June 12 annulment, the same dynamics that led to the death of MKO Abiola and even Sani Abacha, the possibilities of an unsigned press release that annulled June 12 etc.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The dark forces that have held Nigeria down over 100 years now are rearing their ugly heads again, double-speaking, contriving, unable to give clear answers to simple direct questions and all for personal and self-serving reasons, for continued exploitation of Nigeria and Nigerians that are already laying prostrate. The Arab Spring examples recommend themselves for all. Muammar Ghadafi of Libya was extracted from a waste pipe. Mubarak of Egypt, the lost Pharaoh, was put in a cage in Egyptian courts. The wise can learn from examples like these. The corrupt leaders of Nigeria should let Nigerians be!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And the Federal Government, as distinct from the ruling party, must take steps to secure the life of General Buhari as these intrigues thicken. Nothing should happen to him. He may not be a saint. Even the late Nelson Mandela rightly said he was not. No one is. But he now personifies the new hope for Nigeria. Nigerians need him. Nigerians need change. What happened to Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, MKO Abiola and even Sani Abacha must not happen to him. Nigeria may not survive if it does. And the Federal Government should keep on a straight and narrow path to avoid boxing itself into a corner that can be hijacked out of its control. Deductive reasoning and good sense of applied history recommend this caution, given in the overall interest of our country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> With these introductory advise, let us put the challenges before President Buhari in historical context. The important question here is: what is the unedited story of Nigeria to date? In summary the narrative is as follows: History and papers in the colonial archives have it that, Britain colonised Nigeria and ran it for their interest from 19th century to 1914 when they amalgamated the poor North with the rich South with an obnoxious concept of Northern husband and Southern wife of means in a new creation called Nigeria and held the colonised captives without their consultation or agreement. 1914 to 1960 represented 46 years of exploiting the amalgamated protectorates according to the wishes of the British Crown. And this, unfortunately, should be expected. On their exit at independence they found it wise to impose a fraudulent census data on Nigeria that enabled them to rig the elections and hand over power to the northern part of the union in preference to the troublesome (enlightened) southern part: in their continued self-interest.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The first republic was soon showing signs of un-informed leadership, with no clear national vision for the young nation and it is not surprising that the centre could not hold sooner than later. The regions were antagonising themselves in absence of a capable and independent leader at the Federal Government level; the Prime Minister reporting to the Northern Premier as it were, violating basic principles of organisation. And entrenching the interest of the Caliphate against pursuing a national vision of greatness.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Young crazy army officers struck in 1966 but killed political leaders of Northern origin more than from other regions but the coup was significantly quelled under an Igbo head of the army, who himself was also not particularly well educated. Northern officers labelled the coup an Igbo coup for convenience and butchered Igbos in their thousands including the Head of the army that had also become the Head of State for about six months. The savagery of this pogrom is not yet matched, even in modern terrorist enclaves. In self defence and to avoid genocide against them, the Igbos retreated to Eastern Nigeria and hastily declared the Republic of Biafra, where all Igbos could have a safe haven: A Home land since Northerners do not want them in the North and the seat of Federal Government, now managed by also uneducated northern army officers, was in Lagos, western Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> An accord was reached in Aburi between the antagonists, where the new nation of Biafra was led by its Oxford University trained Head of State with an upper-class mien and confidence that seem to have raised envy, hatred and the general Nigerian “let us deal with him” antagonism. On return, the Nigerian side was now educated by their supporters that what they agreed with the state of Biafra is not good for implementation as it will prevent continued exploitation of the rest of the country by the new northern overlords.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Biafra stood on Aburi, Nigeria stood on keeping Nigeria one: two positions that can be resolved at the level of creative synthesis, but the young hot heads on both sides, driven by idealism from the Biafra side and by regional domination from the Northern side and an avoidable war was started, first as a police action and later a full scale war against the Eastern part, now called Biafra and the rest of Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The North procured Western support by releasing their leader from prison and later procured Eastern minority support, to sabotage the Biafra position with all sorts of promises that included taking over the real estate assets of their fellow easterners, Biafrans, at the end of the war. Almost two million lives were lost on both sides, but more on Igbo side; including the use of hunger and starvation as instruments of war, even if against women and children! After the war, no victor and no vanquished was declared and reconciliation, rehabilitation, and restoration announced. All have been observed in breach, with all rich Igbos reduced to twenty pounds, as the Igbo political marginalisation also continues till today, to the detriment of Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The emerged, mostly Northern, army of occupation now operating as a full army of fortune, re-colonised Nigeria and established a corrupt political leadership class that rotates between the Northern military and civilian political wings. No thought was spared for Nigeria. The other Nigerians became onlookers as the Northern impunity held sway replacing one clueless government with another without even sharing with their collaborating western and conspiratorial eastern minority partners in the war against the Igbos, beyond the indigenisation timing and so called abandoned property execution.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Then a prominent and loved cosmopolitan Yoruba won the presidency, beating the north to their own game of deception. The election was mindlessly and thoughtlessly annulled and the Yorubas cried foul. The caliphate North said they were born to rule. The Yorubas refused. Brutality was deployed against the Yorubas by the North. Another Yoruba, a former military Head of State, was jailed. The military maximum leader from the North was himself cornered by colleagues he sidelined, inside his military Presidential fortress, and offered an unholy apple. And MKO then had to be honoured with an executive supervised tea service to return to ground zero.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Olusegun Obasanjo was preserved at this point as the North needed a trusted ally to calm things down before taking power over again, as their birth right. He was released from prison and taken to the presidency. The military continued in power by other means! The army of fortune that claimed to have fought to keep Nigeria one continued to exploit the country without let, united in sharing the oil money and the loot of war as they would have seen it. Learning nothing from recent happenings.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But Obasanjo was not quite like the Obasanjo before prison experience; he became his own man and grew into power as in office: The north refused and invented sharia to destabilise him. But he is a General and also experienced and well known internationally, having being a military Head of State that handed over to a northern civilian with an unbalanced mathematics. He even negotiated in desert tents and being who he is, that also made him survive in prison, he also survived these intrigues. He attended to the army wing of politics and executed a strategic handover that eventually enthroned a Minority in the Presidency. Jonathan emerged with a lot of goodwill and as a breath of fresh air: not from the Caliphate North, not an ex-military man, and not from any of the majority tribes. A younger man than the immediate past Presidents. And above all a University graduate. A PhD!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Nigerians were very hopeful that a new era that would be better than the British colonial era of exploitation from 1914-1960 and better than the caliphate North mis-rule from 1960-2010 effectively (OBJ being a creation of the North) has started. A new era where an ordinary (qualified) Nigerian will truly enable Nigeria to practice democracy: a government of the people for the people by the people!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The President Goodluck Jonathan presidency, is ultimately an OBJ creation, even if not originally planned so. It is therefore very significant if this presidency is rated low by its main promoter and its low performance rating then becomes comprehensive with the latest endorsement of Buhari by Obasanjo despite all the hedging. Other prominent Nigerians, with objective minds have also made direct calls that Buhari be supported and be voted for. From my detailed analysis and observations, I am aligned to that thinking.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, I have not seen anyone that truly captured why the Jonathan Presidency failed the hope of ordinary Nigerians. It is my conviction that all the failings of his Presidency emanated from one mortal leadership sin: the deliberate and sustained replacement of a presidential vision that should be good for Nigeria and Nigerians with a personal vision uncompromisingly focused on re-election! He sacrificed and was ready to sacrifice anything and everything, anyone and everyone for re-election! He continuously saw himself as a politician instead of the President of Nigeria! This is really frightening and dangerous when the full ramification is internalised. Anything and everything that can lead to re-election is allowed no matter how wrong or unwholesome, and anything and everything that is good for Nigeria and Nigerians, but that has no immediate direct link to re-election can be traded for re-election! This is not leadership. This led to leadership failure including the Kano Governor taking over our Presidential Villa to abort Nigeria having a credible and accurate census!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Analysing it further is not necessary for the initiated. Where there is no vision, the people suffer like we have also seen with the North currently at the receiving end of insurgency and displaced persons, including trafficking of children and heart-aching forceful slavery of about 300 Chibok young school girls. It is providential that APC provided an alternative platform. If not, a real crisis is possible, if the Jonathan Presidency, with PDP as a party, continued the current governance deception or charade.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And for APC to make change possible, like a done deal, Nigerians must thank the <i>Jagaban of Nigeria</i>, the last standing Governor of the 1999 class, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for unmatched vision and patriotic role in forming the APC. Nigerians must also thank General Buhari of CPC, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu of ANPP, Owelle Rochas Okorocha of an APGA faction and HE Atiku Abubakar, Turaki Adamawa for leading the New PDP team to reinforce APC. Special thanks to the <i>Lion of the South South</i>, HE Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi for being a man and a leader of character: committed to his people till death if necessary.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> These are the great Nigerians, with their teams, that gave a platform to save Nigeria. The Good Lord has forgiven all their shortcomings and prepared a special abode for them in paradise. As already well said elsewhere, General Buhari is educated enough. Experienced enough and meaning well enough to be our President. No more unnecessary distractions. And the only advice one can give APC at this point is to make Tinubu the Party Chairman (forget zoning) so that he can build APC into an ANC type party, with internal democracy and where the elected President cannot dictate to the Party, and the Party can discipline an erring President. Where the Leader of the Party is the Chairman of the Party and not the President to allow for separation of powers, for checks and balances. PDP was ruined doing the opposite as an evidence of this need.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This short historical excursion shows that all Regions of Nigeria have tasted what it feels like to be under a country where things are not done properly. Overall, Buhari has remained above the rot and now positioned to save Nigeria. And Buhari himself said: “My dear friends, this is very important to note: it doesn’t matter if you are Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Hausa, Idoma, Efik, Ikwere, Urhobo, Igala and, no, it doesn’t matter if you are a Christian, Muslim, Animist or Atheist: we need a new direction under a new leadership. The task ahead will be very challenging and daunting, but it is surmountable. This is what leadership is about; my only desire is to prove to you that Nigeria can truly work. Allow me to prove to you that in your lifetime, you can be proud of this country. Let me make you this promise today: we will protect your children; we will protect your wealth. We will make this country work again. This is why I am running for the office of the President of Nigeria. This is my promise.” The pertinent question is: Why General Buhari? I believe him because he is believable. I believe him because he has a track record of being a serious leader. I believe that General Buhari will do well as President of Nigeria and that he needs the support of all for seven reasons:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> </div> <ol> <li>He has the personal example of honesty and integrity. He will not steal with compulsion.</li> <li>As Fulani he can relate better with the Caliphate to help redeem its image of misrule and establish once and for all that where a leader comes from is not important. What is important is that he performs well for Nigeria and all Nigerians.</li> <li>As a General he will relate best to the Nigerian military to help redeem their image of mis-rule too and show that our military is a worthy national institution and not army of occupation with soldiers of fortune.</li> <li>He is committed to fight corruption and compulsive stealing. This is key now, with 5 and 6 as well.</li> <li>He is committed to fight insurgency and can handle it better.</li> <li>He cares about ordinary Nigerians and will serve them wholeheartedly.</li> <li>He is supported by many prominent objective Nigerians, international objective media and the civilized world. He is dreaded by many that have looted Nigeria dry. And I am happy in this worthy company of free citizens of the world and institutions that endorses General Buhari and recommends him to all Nigerians.</li> </ol> <br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> What General Buhari and APC owe Nigeria and Nigerians, during this extra and unnecessary six weeks delay to election day and even long after is to SECURE THE LIFE of General Buhari. It is imaginable, given the annulment of June 12 under unclear circumstances, that this six weeks delay can have more supporters than are known. President Jonathan himself can lose control as during the trying time of the 1993 election crisis. It is imaginable that some vested interests may not want both President Jonathan and General Buhari and may work alone or in cooperation with others to impose a contrived and orchestrated interim government that is now gaining traction. Or coups or coups baits that are being mentioned, worsened also by giving security agencies more roles over election matters than necessary.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The forces that aborted June 12 could still be alive. General Buhari in many ways reminds one of MKO. Nigerians must shine their eyes beyond the ordinary and the conventional. Things seem to me now like the more one looks, the less one sees. There is a logical need therefore, based on the history of MKO’s political struggle to have cause for concern. Similarities, comments, personalities, etc. are emerging and trending. APC as a priority should secure the life of General Buhari. It is important for Nigeria and Nigerians. And as said earlier, this is also the task for the Federal Government, specifically the President. This bulk must stop on this table: no relegation, no excuses.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Now, what are the key challenges before President Buhari when elected? Nigerians are hopeful that General Buhari will live for them and win the coming election. And I want him to be the best President Nigeria ever had after his two terms in 2023. But this will be based on his performance in office, for Nigeria and all Nigerians, and not on sentiments. For that to happen, he needs to meet the following seven challenges as an absolute minimum:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One Nigeria for All Nigerians: He must come with a Vision of One Nigeria for All Nigerians. Based on Truth, Justice, Equity and Fairness as the only basis for sustainable Unity, Peace and Progress. This progress must be bigger and greater than progress under ethnic, regional, religious or other identity platform.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Every thing he does must be driven by this Greater Nigeria, Greater Nigerian Vision. He must rally the Nation, the Nigerian Nation and all Nigerians with this inspiring leadership vision based on his continued honesty, integrity and personal example. Nigerians will believe and follow him. And that is what leadership is all about. This will ensure that the two million or so Nigerians who died during the Nigerian civil war will not die in vain and for their souls to finally rest in peace. Keeping Nigeria One is good but certainly not the current Nigeria. To keep Nigeria One for ALL NIGERIANS is a task that must be done!! On that vision we must all stand.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> First Class Cabinet: He must establish a credible and competent cabinet and Presidency with only credible, honest and competent professionals with integrity and personal examples too: extending himself and his goodness into the total executive arm at the Federal level that will impact on executive arms at the Regional levels and the Legislative and Judiciary arms at all levels. This is the magic of honest leadership!! This Presidency can lift the entire nation, all sectors.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Assemble the best Team of Nigerians from anywhere in the world to give the best cabinet and Presidency ever designed and in placed in Nigeria. Really qualified persons may be begged to join the cabinet/Presidency. This Presidency under the President, should then develop the strategic Architecture to develop Nigeria in 8 years, even without a drop of oil and oil revenue!!!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This Presidency will, by example, provide leadership for the Legislature, Judiciary and all public servants/civil service at both the Federal and Regional Government levels, even with separation of powers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This presidency, by absolute dedication to the well-being of Nigerians, and well-being of all Nigerians ALONE will have the moral suasion and audacious impact to mobilize all civil society organizations, media, academia, labour, youths, women and the international community to enforce what is right on all Nigerians and all institutions of state.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Strong and patriotic leadership precedes all strong institutional formulation, building and establishment. Strong institutions and maintenance culture are outcomes of strong leadership that also establishes good laws and enforce them no matter who is involved. Nigeria cannot be an exception. And the President and his Vice are not the first and second citizens by order of protocol for nothing. The President, can and should take the lead. And if doing the right things, all will follow. And all will be made to follow one way or the other. Leadership determines followership in our type of society. Leaders with integrity and personal example like Buhari are needed for progress. And their goodness cascade down and permeate the Nation.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Countries without the likes of Buhari in power ultimately perishes. There are really no other options to greatness than through great leaders. Buhari has the qualities. And he has a date with destiny in the Nigerian presidency from 2015-2023. May God give him the right vision and guide him.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Security for all Nigerians: Security has socio-economic and political inclusive, vision-driven and effective governance aspects that needs to be handle in conjunction. But directly he needs:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> To degrade, destroy and eliminate Boko Haram insurgency in the North, including immediate arrest and prosecution of sponsors, financiers and hate religious preachers and severe punishment of those implicated in the abuse of IDPs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> To degrade, destroy and eliminate kidnapping and armed robbery kingpins and drug barons in the South East including removal of all criminals in traditional institutions and in political offices and parties through special courts for accelerated no nonsense hearing.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> To continue to contain militancy in the South South including arresting and prosecuting all sponsors and leaders of massive oil thefts and collaborating security organizations – private and state.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> To carry out a massive youth empowerment job creation and invest in education and vocational training targeting elimination of prostitution, human trafficking, modern day slavery and idleness of youths.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Restore sanctity in the military and security agencies including severe disciplinary actions, jail terms and court marshalls for those who perpetrate corruption in security matters and intelligence officers that collaborate with criminals, by sitting on their files, allowing them into political offices.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Eliminate Corruption (reduction will not do!): Corruption has killed Nigeria. People steal without consequences. The rule of law is in breach. Some Nigerians are more equal than others. Write your name in gold to stop this.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> First work with the National Assembly and all Nigerians to close all office duplications that will reduce the 2000 + MDAs to just the Constitutional Bodies and maximum of 24 Ministries with eye to reduce recurrent expenditure to 30 % max and capital expenditure to 70% minimum by design / planning. And enforce the monetisation policy. This will be a good signal of serious leadership and no business as usual.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Take all Audit Reports on corruption cases since independence till date and set up a small body of 10 incorruptible Nigerians to vet it and sieve out all refunds needed. Work to set up special courts, with high integrity known judges with modern ICT-based court process and with international support and ask them to recover all stolen Nigerian funds in one year maximum. This will generate more funds than your Administration will ever be able to invest in Nigeria in eight years even without selling a drop of oil.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This is the best thing you can do for Nigeria with your integrity and honour. If it is not done, people will continue to steal turn by turn and kill themselves for political office. Public service must not be a route to material wealth. Public service should not be the best economy. It should only be an avenue for sacred service to fellow Nigerians. Once there is the political will to do this, you will be surprised how easy it is to execute. It is the criminals that should be afraid and not honourable Nigerians working on behalf of the Nation and on behalf of Nigerians. Stand firm on this.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The well-being of all Nigerians Imperative: The economy should be managed for 12% growth that creates Jobs, Jobs and Jobs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Having a credible census for Accurate Demographic Data is key to professional management of the economy. The envelope system without data, without strategy and plan supports corruption.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Physical and Social Infrastructure (Education, Health, Transport, ICT etc) and Development strategy and plans coordinated by the CEO of Nigeria Plc / The President are all key. You cannot delegate this. Technocrats with performance track records abound to handle this area but under your supervision to benefit all Nigerians. Regulators and the regulated must never sleep in same beds, to avoid massive scams and absolute conflicts of interests as presently the case.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Sustained Re-orientation Policy, Projects and Programmes to convert ethnic nationalities with different religious orientations and economic backgrounds into PROUD NIGERIANS: This is key. A national education and re-education programme aimed at all levels for Nigerians.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The elite must be educated that their lives can only be better in a united and peaceful Nigeria. And that they will NOT be allowed to ruin Nigeria and run away.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Justice, Truth, Equity and Fairness must be entrenched in every public affairs for continued work towards Unity, Peace and Progress that will be sustained. Forced unity is not possible. And good peace for real progress will not be possible without sustainable unity. Experts abound to do this work for Nigeria and Nigerians but only the President will guarantee the foundation: that Truth, Justice, Equity, Fairness and Rule of ‘good’ law for sustainable Unity, Peace and Progress must never be violated with impunity as we march towards a Greater Nigeria and Proud to be Nigerians Vision.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Credible People-based Constitution: Above all, all these ingredients of greatness for our country and improved well-being of all Nigerians should be coded and encapsulated in a People-based Constitution, and the constitution that Nigeria needs and that should be put in place must enshrine the values of truth, justice, fairness and equity as organising principles to guide all our national actions. The route to it can be through the National Assembly that is willing or through other many possible routes. But it is a must have. It must abolish all obnoxious frauds in our constitution that keep us divided, removing ethnic, tribal, religious and unmerited advantages out of national limelight and the constitution into personal lives where they belong by establishing the following minimums:</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> True fiscal and cultural Federalism, with well demarcated 6 Regions. Each Region has potential for viability if well led. And, competition will be good for the regions and their people. Easy money, ultimately kills a soul that is housed by a lazy body. And the North has lagged behind the Southern Regions for this reason as evidence. Hardwork is part of a good life.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Specified directives for an accurate and credible census, with ethnic, religious and place of origin as part of data collected and collated, and executed as per international best practices as per the plans that we already developed and left behind in National Population Commission. This will have a comprehensive Vital Registration infrastructure to deliver, not just the Accurate and Credible demographic data for planning but for its updating on a continuous basis. 80% of our current problems in Nigeria will be cured by having ACCURATE DATA alone. It is the DATA stupid as the Americans say. Management starts with it. Leadership without competent management will lead to no where and burns out.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We cannot plan or coordinate the economy or anything else without credible data. Celebrating the documentation of 4 million farmers is fool-hardiness given what is possible from a comprehensive National soft data infrastructure. Specifics should be put in the constitution that should enable National population commission to carry out its constitutional mandate without political interference. The political requirement that census result is subject to council of state acceptance is nonsensical and should be deleted.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> All other bodies in the constitution, including security agencies, should be sharpened and protected from political interference. A functioning Council of State for instance cannot be there and certain things are happening. The constitution should specify directions and implementation imperatives and matrices.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Anti-corruption policies, practices and sanctions must be better specified and the body made independent of all arms of Government and immunity clause expunged. Plea bargain provision must not be extended to issues of corruption and stiffer jail terms and recoveries must be enunciated to serve as deterrents. Corruption should be made unprofitable from all dimensions.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The 2000 or so MDAs under the Federal Structure should be reduced to a level where recurrent expenditure is maximum of 30% with capital expenditure minimum of 70%. All extra constitutional bodies like efcc, icpc etc etc should be abolished and absorbed in their constitution most relevant bodies or MDAs. The assignment of responsibilities to Federal and Regional governments should be aligned, including security agencies.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A two-party system should be enshrined into the constitution with ideological orientation and broad socio-economic development directives specified.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Job creation growth routes should be favoured given our huge population. Party primaries to sieve out criminals and any one with criminal records should be specified. The minimum qualification for political office should be aligned to weight of office (Buhari is qualified under current specification that ask for up to secondary school which is really JSS 1, even for one day. But Buhari with his military training and on the job experience up to former Head of State, GCFR, is more than qualified.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> A provision should be added that the NSA should be prosecuted and sent to jail if his agency withholds the criminal records of criminals and refuse to give them to political parties and INEC to sieve out useless people from aspiring to political office. And if the occupant of that office becomes a threat to national security with inappropriate conducts that are corruption or politically motivated, like scuttling planned elections, he should be prosecuted and sent to jail. It is more dangerous when those that should protect us become the threats to national security.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> INEC should have powers to disqualify at the last minute without replacement option by political parties. This will make the parties to be more careful and for Nigeria to start the process of evolving credible and competent political leadership. Given the numerous problems in the land, our brightest and the best should be attracted to public service in place of corrupt scums and economic predators, criminals, professional thugs and uneducated jesters. In matters that determine national security and well-being of the nation, only the very best will do.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Conclusion: Size matters. So, I believe that progress within Nigeria will be better than progress as ethnic champions. Nigeria has had a chequered history from colonial times through the years of the locusts, years of occupation army of fortune to the recent years of the Jonathan failed Presidency. Upcoming democratic election gives Nigeria another chance and all signs point to Change, as a popular choice of most Nigerians and nothing should be allowed to derail that.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> General Buhari needs to be secured. Nigeria needs him. Nigerians want him. When his party wins the Presidency, Buhari should continue to provide integrity-based leadership. He should then lead the Presidency, as the first citizen, doing the right things for all Nigerians at all times. Leadership by example is the best way to lead. The best way to think. The best way to speak without words. And the best way to act. It will be there for all to see, feel and honour. Leadership to secure Nigeria and improve the well-being of all Nigerians.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Leadership by example, will be a product that does not need propaganda or display of obscene advertisement to sell. It will sell itself. It has sold itself without making effort as it can be perceived and felt. Truth is self-evident. Facts do not need debates. All the propaganda in the world cannot make a lie true. What is Right, like Goodness, uplifts. Evil depresses, even to one who pretends they are hardened.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> With a continued personal example, a Greater Vision for Nigeria and all Nigerians and with an honest hard work towards the seven key challenges identified here as the basic minimum, the Golden Era of Nigeria will start and the life of Nigerians will be properly rebased in reality. For now, all should do whatever is in their power to support the election of Buhari and ignore all campaign propaganda and mis-information and even assassination threats from panic-stricken political thugs. It is too late in the day for PDP. The party needs to take stock after losing and reform to become an effective opposition party. It will be good for its soul. And good for Nigeria. Above all, it will be good for Democracy: to keep the ruling party then, APC, in check. No condition is permanent, says the visionary Zik of Africa.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And may God continue to bless Nigeria, our HomeLand, and all Nigerians!!!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Eze Festus Odimegwu, CON, is former MD/CEO NB Plc and immediate past Chairman of National Population Commission.</b></div>

Why Buhari Must Be Our Next President - By Festus Odimegwu

Immediate past Chairman of the National Population Commission, Eze Festus Odimegwu has endorsed Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progre...

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VIDEO: Obasanjo Speaks On Buhari's Certificate Saga

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK10s7B8frIj0a8PILEhXZCC3W6n0dQ6leYWopV-Co6e9REhVeI-fUMHMw9tR2hK9rUvNT2q-MxPqf35eayu_qR2i5N1aWIcBZrboY9Npjna6ipWVSfeutwROyXw4KQDVzrcHt70ho5yC/s1600/Obasanjo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK10s7B8frIj0a8PILEhXZCC3W6n0dQ6leYWopV-Co6e9REhVeI-fUMHMw9tR2hK9rUvNT2q-MxPqf35eayu_qR2i5N1aWIcBZrboY9Npjna6ipWVSfeutwROyXw4KQDVzrcHt70ho5yC/s1600/Obasanjo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that at the time General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) joined the military, nobody in the Nigerian Army could have been admitted without a qualification equivalent to a school certificate.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Obasanjo was fielding questions during an event to promote his book <b>My Watch</b> in London during the week, when he revealed that Buhari joined the military four years after him.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a video of the event on <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYLYKeZbBC4">YouTube</a></b>, transcribed by our correspondent, he said, "When I joined the Army in the 1950s, I needed to have a Cambridge certificate or West African School Certificate or GCE with a minimum of six subjects to be able to join the military at the time.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "I don't know of anybody who was an officer at that time that did not have similar certificates.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Buhari joined the Army about four years after me and if I needed such a certificate to be admitted into the Army, I don't know how he could have avoided it.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Assuming he was able to avoid that certificate, Buhari went through a military academy, and went through what you call a staff college which would be the equivalent of a first degree. He went through what you call a war college in America where he would have got an equivalent of a master’s degree.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Our constitution or electoral law requires a school certificate (to become President). Rather than campaign and debate on real issues, we then degenerated to trivialities."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Obasanjo explained that during his school days, he had a record that was unrivalled, adding that if anybody were to challenge his education, 'I will say, read my book (My Watch)."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AQvlSgWPpsY" width="640"></iframe></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He explained that Nigeria’s unification achievement after the country’s civil war had not been matched by any other nation.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Obasanjo said, "Nigeria fought a civil war for three years, and we concluded that war by uniting our country. The slogan was 'No victor, no vanquished'.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Within ten years of the end of that war, Alex Ekwueme, who was on the side of Biafra, became the vice president after an election in Nigeria. No country has achieved such a feat. I think we deserve applause."</div>

VIDEO: Obasanjo Speaks On Buhari's Certificate Saga

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that at the time General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) joined the military, nobody in the Nigeri...

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APC Planning Attacks On Own Leadership - PDP Campaign

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGukldlpg-kiJz3PvEtc6UJEOgSWpr7dA7e3U8hVRuaHls4fmBrMcbpma9By8qtAvHHrt-Wml_gWFNf02ITqXARgqiKI61pliyh7aGExUpqso4-6X6xp6QXn4UsRnFsDKxEs_yDaYXoOTz/s1600/femi-kayode.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGukldlpg-kiJz3PvEtc6UJEOgSWpr7dA7e3U8hVRuaHls4fmBrMcbpma9By8qtAvHHrt-Wml_gWFNf02ITqXARgqiKI61pliyh7aGExUpqso4-6X6xp6QXn4UsRnFsDKxEs_yDaYXoOTz/s1600/femi-kayode.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), on Friday, raised the alarm over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to simulate attacks on some of its own leaders with a view to accusing the PDP of being responsible for the attacks.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja by its Director of Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The statement read in part: "It has been brought to our attention that a section of the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has now perfected plans to simulate violent attacks on members of their own party and then point accusing fingers at supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP for such attacks in order to portray us as being violent", the statement said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "As diabolical as this plan appears to be, it should come as no surprise to the Nigerian people given the antecedents of the APC.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "It is their stock-in-trade and their hallmark to engage in cheap propaganda and blackmail and to indulge in the most hideous form of violence.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The recent torching of some of the branded buses of our party by the APC in Jos (Plateau State) did not come to us as a surprise.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Again, the attacks on the convoy of our candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, while he was campaigning in Katsina, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa and Kaduna States were all carried out by members of the APC and the supporters and disciples of General Muhammadu Buhari.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "As an example of their sheer deceit and chicanery, there is a video of the burning of our campaign buses all over social media. This video footage showed a group of hoodlums offering songs of praise to General Muhammadu Buhari and chanting war songs whilst they indulged in a gruesome and unrestrained orgy of violence. Yet, the APC still attempted to deceive Nigerians by claiming that the burning of the buses was carried out by members of the PDP in Plateau State.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "The fact of the matter is that our party was not embroiled in any violent intra-party fracas in Plateau State. Furthermore our party leaders and members in Plateau State have demonstrated the highest level of decorum and civility even in the face of sponsored violence in the State.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "It would be recalled that a serving Senator (Gyang Dantong) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria lost his life in one of such sponsored acts of violence by the agents of darkness who have serially supported amnesty for terrorists. It is self-evident that those who burnt our buses in Plateau State were supporters of the APC and not members of our party.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Yet rather than accept full responsibility for these attacks the APC quickly linked the attack on the residence of their party's National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, to the PDP, insinuating that there were more attacks to come.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "It has now come to our knowledge that a section of the leadership of the APC is perfecting plans to sponsor a series of simulated attacks on some key members of their own party".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Source: <a href="http://www.tribune.com.ng/news/news-headlines/item/29469-pdp-alleges-apc-s-plot-to-simulate-attacks-on-own-leaders">Nigerian Tribune</a></b></div>

APC Planning Attacks On Own Leadership - PDP Campaign

The Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Organisation (PDPPCO), on Friday, raised the alarm over alleged plot by the All Prog...

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Niger Republic Supplying Mercenaries To Boko Haram - Olukolade

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx2aM4xGs_PFSS681Lru_2FaFydW9RURujc_XYYC0v4zMpZoypZcvukCu9MRxdFVF3broqCbikna6xd72bzFXRpAtEK6Gman4UN5RZyoyFkP8SRnCanAvAZnb-nXfmPvxoI5WpZSdIF1l/s1600/Olukolade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx2aM4xGs_PFSS681Lru_2FaFydW9RURujc_XYYC0v4zMpZoypZcvukCu9MRxdFVF3broqCbikna6xd72bzFXRpAtEK6Gman4UN5RZyoyFkP8SRnCanAvAZnb-nXfmPvxoI5WpZSdIF1l/s1600/Olukolade.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <b>The Nigerian military has accused Niger Republic's Defence Ministry of aiding Boko Haram activities in the country by supplying the terror group with mercenaries.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a series of tweets on Thursday, Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, described soldiers from the neighbouring country as looters who collaborate with terrorists "as a way of surviving the poverty in their country."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The military spokesperson was reacting to a comment credited to Niger's Defence Ministry, suggesting that Nigerian troops are cowards.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In one of the tweets, Olukolade said, </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> Welcome our friends from Niger. No way for your infamous looting here. How the poor country compensates it's soldiers & claim they don't run<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565993489125892097">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> Our soldiers have been defending our people & Nations wealth from mercenaries supplied to Boko Haram by those who boast that they don't run<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565993851018809344">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Olukolade criticised the comment made in a statement signed by Nigerien Defence Minister, Mahamadou Karidjo, which said, "Our soldiers are not like Nigerians. They don’t run."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Olukolade said, Nigerian soldiers are "brave" and "patriotic", adding that it was unacceptable for a foreign government to accuse them of running away from duty.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Olukolade's tweets read,<br /> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> Our soldiers have remained professional & sacrificial in protecting their fellow Nigerians, preserving the nation's assets /4<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565991050201006080">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> Despite these jeerings, insults & ill wishes from within or without Nigeria, the Nigerian Soldier has not & will not be deterred /5<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565991554343792640">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> He remains the gallant, brave and patriotic Nigerian Soldier. Although these battles continue, and others are now joining him, never mind /6<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565992084671590400">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> very soon, it will be <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VictoryforNigeria?src=hash">#VictoryforNigeria</a>. The Nigerian Military remains a great asset and the envy of other Nations. /7 RE: Niger<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565992463224291330">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> The Nigerien Defence Ministry's irresponsible comment is noted. It is sad a few partisan elements join the Poor Country to insult our Troops<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565995739877490688">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> We don't cross our boundaries. It is unacceptable for any Foreign Government to say our Soldiers run. This is your Motherland! Defend Her!<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565997290280992768">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> Poor Niger! Treacherous ones amongst us accorded them effrontery to insult our troops to gain bad press. Don't compromise your Patriotism!<br /> — Gen. Chris Olukolade (@GENOlukolade) <a href="https://twitter.com/GENOlukolade/status/565998792345128960">February 12, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> At least, 750 Nigerien soldiers are among the 7,500 regional joint force currently fighting against the Boko Haram insurgents.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The leader of the Boko Haram terror group, Abubakar Shekau, had in a 36 minutes video released via YouTube, in January 2015, described Nigerian soldiers as cowards.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, "Your army kept deceiving the world that you can't fight us because you have no arms. Liars! You have all that it takes; you are just coward soldiers. You forgot that it is God that arms.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Is it not amazing that we, who started with sticks and machetes, are today the biggest headache to the almighty Nigerian soldiers? What a shame!!"</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In the video, a turbaned member of the group, who was with a camera, boasted about its collection of ammunition.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, "All these arms and ammunition you see in their thousands are gotten from Baga. As you can see, we have thousands of AK 47 rifles; we have so much that we are still conveying them to our camp here.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "We have AA, we have different kinds of them that can be mounted on vehicles. We have Shell Car; we have RPGs; we have mag and so on. We cannot just mention them. We have dozens of vehicles and thanks to God that has given us."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However, a Nigerien journalist, Patrouillle Fan Malil, described his experience with the Nigerian military as great, as reported by Nigerien online newspaper, <a href="http://nigerdiaspora.net/">nigerdiaspora.net</a>.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Malil said he stayed with the Nigerian soldiers deployed in his locality in the war against the Boko Haram terrorist group in North-Eastern Mali.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said, "Kudos to you, Nigerian soldiers deployed in Gao and Ansongo! Good luck for the fulfilment of your mission to restore the territorial integrity of Mali and population security!</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "For your remarkable work, done with professionalism and bravery, you honour our country, Niger Republic appreciates you. Certainly, this is what I saw, but I know also elsewhere, you do your assignments professionally and live in harmony with the people you keep safe."</div>

Niger Republic Supplying Mercenaries To Boko Haram - Olukolade

The Nigerian military has accused Niger Republic's Defence Ministry of aiding Boko Haram activities in the country by supplying the ...

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24-Hour Curfew In Gombe After Boko Haram Invasion

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9zSlnggbBP7pNgiRlmnb9aQwg6KuCVroxBTCQBHjCkQEe0KJIHAste7JuAutXZvoLiJ5J1Yb4S1TyeYnRNiaL5aaycjDFGKXnSIfYn7e6n4Xt-wIn1I-KUnVIBwFd9zGPWgsvQd5kDUQ/s1600/Boko+Haram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE9zSlnggbBP7pNgiRlmnb9aQwg6KuCVroxBTCQBHjCkQEe0KJIHAste7JuAutXZvoLiJ5J1Yb4S1TyeYnRNiaL5aaycjDFGKXnSIfYn7e6n4Xt-wIn1I-KUnVIBwFd9zGPWgsvQd5kDUQ/s1600/Boko+Haram.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Gombe State government has imposed a 24 hour curfew in Gombe town, capital of Gombe State after Boko Haram militants attempted to overrun it on Saturday.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Eye witnesses said the militants attacked soldiers at the security checkpoints at the edge of the town and forced their way into the Quarter Guard of the 301 Artillery Regiment.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Quarter Guard was burned but they could not proceed into the main barracks which is a little far off.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> :Explosions and gunfire could be heard after the fighters overwhelmed a checkpoint at the edge of the city, which has been bombed before but has never had the insurgents attempt to take it over", Reuters reported.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><a href="http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/weekly/index.php/top-stories/19043-24-hour-curfew-imposed-in-gombe-over-boko-haram-invasion">WEEKLY TRUST</a></b> correspondent said panicked residents have largely remained indoors for fear of being caught in the cross fire between the military and the insurgents.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Military helicopters have been reportedly drafted to the troubled areas to push the militants back.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The federal government last week announced the postponement of the presidential and parliamentary elections which were supposed to hold today due to the spate of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram terrorists.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Earlier on Saturday, the terrorists invaded Dadikowa town, 40 kilometers from Gombe.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> They were sharing pamphlets warning people to stay away from voting in the coming elections.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The military were not immediately available for comment.</div>

24-Hour Curfew In Gombe After Boko Haram Invasion

The Gombe State government has imposed a 24 hour curfew in Gombe town, capital of Gombe State after Boko Haram militants attempted to o...

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Jonathan, Buhari To Hold Joint Broadcast Against Violence

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqnRboUgIuMCpLUWQb9eSkTpKWCIpf7ISYuD13_V2SBuu9nY_PVoZWifAJDS_ADOXdr_pUoqyRI80yAd972-X1Ea2oGrnEfZ5PHw1k786S0NQTnSmeRbiZDP6u_2zaNl-ziyFDcOkCHDk/s1600/GEJ+GMB_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqnRboUgIuMCpLUWQb9eSkTpKWCIpf7ISYuD13_V2SBuu9nY_PVoZWifAJDS_ADOXdr_pUoqyRI80yAd972-X1Ea2oGrnEfZ5PHw1k786S0NQTnSmeRbiZDP6u_2zaNl-ziyFDcOkCHDk/s1600/GEJ+GMB_0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><br /></b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>If ongoing efforts by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, pull through, Nigerians are expected to witness President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) of the All Progressives Congress, APC, holding a joint broadcast where they would condemn election violence.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Chairman of the Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, who revealed this, said the idea is for Jonathan and Buhari to jointly speak to Nigerians and tell them that the election is between brothers and not a war, and that the country belongs to every Nigerian.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Odinkalu, who was speaking at the presentation of a pre-election report and advisory on violence in the 2015 general election in Abuja on Friday, noted that an estimated 58 Nigerians had been killed in pre-election violence across 22 states in the country in the past 52 days.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Let us change the messaging for this election and show we can do better", he admonished Nigerians, stating that, "We want to show that Nigerians can hold elections without killing one another."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The Chairman restated his Commission's aim of naming and shaming hate-speech perpetrators, saying such people have no business in politics.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking about the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, <b><a href="http://dailypost.ng/2015/02/14/jonathan-buhari-hold-joint-broadcast-election-violence/">DAILY POST</a></b> reports that Odinkalu advocated that they should be accorded respect and not condemnation. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Let us respect the man and his team. Let us stop the business of tarnishing INEC and Jega", he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Observing that the 2015 elections would be decided by Nigerians who have no memory of past episodes of violence in the country, Odinkalu urged citizens to eschew provocative utterances and comments, particularly on the social media.</div>

Jonathan, Buhari To Hold Joint Broadcast Against Violence

If ongoing efforts by the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, pull through, Nigerians are expected to witness President Goodluck Jo...

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