Int'l Friendlies: Amokachi Takes Over From Keshi

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKBIslpt1f9arbGev4y2WUIxXRL8TiKcB47Nr9QsYBOD6SHJsSsTRKNCwkxoCss7IRQ8qVXHjWrcPKScM9oTgcw5PpngU2uSIv3FUT9Sd5R16YVLyLo8uCmguhANeMU9wXvf0BsWcmrg/s1600/Keshi+Omokachi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKBIslpt1f9arbGev4y2WUIxXRL8TiKcB47Nr9QsYBOD6SHJsSsTRKNCwkxoCss7IRQ8qVXHjWrcPKScM9oTgcw5PpngU2uSIv3FUT9Sd5R16YVLyLo8uCmguhANeMU9wXvf0BsWcmrg/s1600/Keshi+Omokachi.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appears to have finally parted ways with out-of-favor Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi as it was Keshi’s assistant, Dan Amokachi that yesterday called up players that are to prosecute two international friendly matches early next year.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The NFF in a release made available to <i>Daily Sunsports</i> disclosed that Amokachi had invited 24 players to camp ahead of the friendlies against Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The two matches come up on the 9th and 13th of January.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Cote d’Ivoire and Mali are using the matches to prepare for the AFCON 2015 tournament in Equatorial Guinea. Keshi’s Eagles failed to qualify for the tournament in spite of being drawn into a weak group that had South Africa, Congo and Sudan as their opponents.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, while confirming the two matches stated that the soccer federation was determined to keep the Eagles busy in 2015. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed,” Amadu stated, adding: “Already, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi has drawn a list of 24 players who will do battle for shirts for the two matches.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Gombe United goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim leads the invitees, with Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kwambe Solomon, Umar Zango, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok, Kingsley Sokari, Mfon Udoh, Gbolahan Salami and Gambo Muhammad also called.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 28th December with their international passports and four passport photographs.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> See the full list of invited players;</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Goalkeepers</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United);</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Defenders</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance);</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Umar Zango (Kano Pillars)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Midfielders</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ammel Angel Wilfred (Kogi United); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Charles Henlong (Giwa FC);</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Chinedu Udeaga (Enugu Rangers); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC);</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Forwards</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC);</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Osaguona Christian (Enugu Rangers);</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers)</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Source: The Sun</b></div>

Int'l Friendlies: Amokachi Takes Over From Keshi

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appears to have finally parted ways with out-of-favor Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi as ...

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I Get Contradictory Advice On Issues - Jonathan

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gEbhXEAdhtvS8EZljO8wUyc-TsgQRF93B3ws14Wel9vuyOtnXhdeZxLhZkQYaxn7T8TTP1eUgDhOU0QmGECqRwOJSZKIqp459ZnZS7wcBbsBGg18zWWfx9WRlnXbWBDYL3idI7QzRD4/s1600/Goodluck+Jonathan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gEbhXEAdhtvS8EZljO8wUyc-TsgQRF93B3ws14Wel9vuyOtnXhdeZxLhZkQYaxn7T8TTP1eUgDhOU0QmGECqRwOJSZKIqp459ZnZS7wcBbsBGg18zWWfx9WRlnXbWBDYL3idI7QzRD4/s1600/Goodluck+Jonathan3.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday disclosed that for every issue he had to take a decision on, multiple suggestions that were most times contradictory were given to him.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said it was therefore important for Nigerians to continue to pray to God to give him wisdom to take right decisions that would not bring suffering to the people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan spoke at the 2014 Christmas Carol organised by the Aso Villa Chapel, at the old Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While saying that nobody places oneself in position of authority without the consent of God, he expressed the belief that God who chose him would see him through.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The President said, “We pray that God should give those of us who are in charge the grace to do things with the fear of God. If we begin to do what is right in our own little way, this nation will survive.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “God knows why we are here. Nobody will place himself in any position without God. So, God that gives all of us the opportunity, will see us through.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “For me, your servant today, I will continue to request for your prayers that God should give me the wisdom to do what is right in His sight.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Because it is quite challenging for a leader; for every subject that you want to take a decision on, you will have multiple suggestions. Some contradictory, some to the left, some to the right, some to the centre. But you must take a decision.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “It is only God that can guide you to take the right decision that will not bring suffering to your people.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “We will try our best and we will continue to do our best. We promise that any opportunity given to us, we will use it to serve mankind.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jonathan thanked all Nigerians that had been praying for the country, saying the security situation would have been worse without divine intervention.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said it was unfortunate that Nigeria had been sharing in the ugly news that have become the norm globally.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “I appreciate all of you, Christians and other religious bodies, that have been praying for this great country.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “You will all agree with me that you rarely listen to any good news globally. Either people are killed, people are slaughtered, people are kidnapped, bomb exploded here and there.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Of course, our country is not spared in this world ugly history. Every day, we hear ugly stories in this country. It could have been worse than this but for your prayers.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Credit: <a href="http://www.punchng.com/news/i-get-contradictory-advice-on-issues-says-jonathan/">The Punch</a></b></div>

I Get Contradictory Advice On Issues - Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday disclosed that for every issue he had to take a decision on, multiple suggestions that were mos...

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Buhari, Jonathan: No Basis For Comparison - Maduekwe

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABGQQ0NdAf9S-br94tcDNooL7exTT-JVK9gUzHZ3zBJlnls6Xgbh8WpryACEaPY-AuXPfRmLwlsJJKoIjbd5SZNwdmUDFW6riUDpXjkRAy6LtThe_v33FrGK4e15DMRxx33HFS3lNmIg/s1600/Buhari+Jonathan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABGQQ0NdAf9S-br94tcDNooL7exTT-JVK9gUzHZ3zBJlnls6Xgbh8WpryACEaPY-AuXPfRmLwlsJJKoIjbd5SZNwdmUDFW6riUDpXjkRAy6LtThe_v33FrGK4e15DMRxx33HFS3lNmIg/s1600/Buhari+Jonathan.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>The Head of Media and Publicity of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, has said it will be a futile effort for anyone to seek to compare the leadership qualities of the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and that of President Goodluck Jonathan.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Maduekwe, in a statement issued on Thursday took a swipe at the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr. Doyin Okpe, for describing the emergence of Buhari as APC presidential standard-bearer as a fatal error.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Okupe had upon the emergence of Buhari as the presidential candidate of APC for 2015 elections declared on Tuesday that Buhari’s candidacy was a fatal error.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Okupe further described Buhari as a serial loser. His words: “The choice of APC or their decision to elect Buhari as their standard bearer is a fatal error. I have been in this game for nearly 30 years or more. I understand this game of politics very well. Buhari is not a winner, has never won, and will not win; and it is for a reason that he has never won.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However Maduekwe said it was unfortunate that the likes of Okupe had failed to see the imminent change in the political landscape of Nigeria which Buhari champions.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He wondered why Okupe would fault a transparent process that brought Buhari as the presidential candidate of APC.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Numerous commentators have commended the APC for a flawless presidential primary and the emergence of Buhari as the presidential candidate. It is only the PDP and their several human megaphones with jaundiced sight that has failed woefully to appreciate what every other person in the world has seen and commended.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “With the current emergence of Buhari, most Nigerians are beginning to have a sense of relief that we are getting back on good democratic culture reminiscent of the MKO Abiola days.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “APC has demonstrated that democratic culture of Nigeria has come of age and there is hope that things from now will start getting only better. Nigerians can start learning how to walk tall once again among comity of other successful democratic cultures that is distilled in the values of transparency and fairness.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “One is at loss as to why Okupe should be losing sleep and bashing emerging democratic values that Nigerians have all been yearning for all these years. Online media, the common man on the street and the global community are all pouring in applause for this new culture.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “It is on record that about 6,000 APC delegates expressed their democratic rights transparently and massively and voted for Buhari out of the choices presented to them.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The process was streamed live, states by states delegates fulfilled their obligation as prescribed within the rules of democracy which requires secrecy and individual expression of choice .The democratic rights of these delegates should be respected and not condemned.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Okupe has spent 30 years on the wrong side of history in politics. He is shocked that what he represents was dislodged at the last APC presidential primary. Nigeria is set to move on to the new level under the leadership of Buhari. Integrity in Nigeria will be moved from the mud that is currently located,”, he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Maduekwe recalled that the ruling PDP in its 16 years of being in power has never witnessed a presidential primary election so transparent as that of APC.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He further stated that Buhari deserved Okupe’s commendation for not looting the public treasury despite occupying various exalted offices.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “The PDP for 16 years of their misrule have never held any convention that came close to this very first APC presidential primary.”</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Nigerians are not blind like Jonathan’s men which Okupe speaks for. Nigerians are simply saying the time for integrity and good governance has come. APC delegates saw expression of their idea for a new Nigeria made possible under Buhari leadership and massively voted for his candidacy at the APC primaries,” he said.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Credit: ThisDay</b></div>

Buhari, Jonathan: No Basis For Comparison - Maduekwe

The Head of Media and Publicity of Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, has said it will be a futile effort for anyo...

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Igbos Are Better Off In APC - Okorocha

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4HWdHKe4u-s8YOQzUBCF6XjvBMNlVwoiTsFL2pYBk8Yo9xyB9g_z4M7Qo0eXa9Fo4V7HY8M3Z7a8QMy60P6afxN6NpD5JIl5b6qbTHM-HDlrakjwc_HqsR0bMBClkbwY6BZP3flj5fs/s1600/Rochas-Okorocha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4HWdHKe4u-s8YOQzUBCF6XjvBMNlVwoiTsFL2pYBk8Yo9xyB9g_z4M7Qo0eXa9Fo4V7HY8M3Z7a8QMy60P6afxN6NpD5JIl5b6qbTHM-HDlrakjwc_HqsR0bMBClkbwY6BZP3flj5fs/s1600/Rochas-Okorocha.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has called on <i>Ndi Igbo</i> to work with team spirit and unity of purpose as to reposition the zone at the main stream in Nigeria polity and that the Igbos are better off in APC.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The governor who made this call while receiving <i>Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo</i>, Imo State Chapter, who paid him courtesy call at the Government House Owerri, regretted the level of marginalization of the Igbos in the affairs of the nation, irrespective of the fact that they are part of the tripod of Nigeria.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Governor Okorocha stated that all the key positions in the country eluded Ndi Igbo including the citing of developmental projects by the Federal government in the name of marginalization, he stressed that he contested the Action Peoples Congress (APC) Presidential Primaries to ensure that Igbos are given their pride of place in Nigeria, pointing out that “for me time has come for Igbos to reason together, Ndi Igbo should no longer be relegated to the background, we should take our rightful position in Nigeria polity and say no to second fidel. With my action it is critical clear to APC and entire Nigeria that Igbos are alive to take their position. I will not stop the struggle till there is liberation for <i>Ndi Igbo </i>and until ordinary man is liberated”.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “What we need is a national party that will carry Ndi Igbo along, Igbos are better off in APC”, as he took the group down memory lane.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Governor Okorocha enumerated some of the achievements of Rescue Mission Government in the State in the areas of massive infrastructural development, free education including the up spring of four new Universities in Imo State under three(3) years and 7 months, among others, maintaining that the difference between APC and PDP’s years of maladministration in the State bear eloquent testimonies for 2015’s general election as he assured of his preparedness backed with vision to take the State to greater height.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Owelle Okorocha challenged <i>Ohaneze Ndi Igbo</i> to reconcile their differences and speak with one voice, as an apex “umbrella that covers the entire Igbo nation. You must speak for Ndi Igbo, raise good leaders,” he continued as he called on the group to partner with the Rescue Government.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Speaking on behalf of the <i>Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo</i>, the President Imo State Chapter, Dr Ezechi Chukwu commended governor Okorocha on his tremendous achievements in the State based on his administrative acumen which has transformed the image of the State within and beyond the State as the envy of many.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Dr. Ezechi Chukwu described Ohanaeze as a mass movement organization which stands to support every government that is people oriented. He stated that governor Okorocha’s inability to secure the APC Presidential ticket is an answered prayer for him not to leave Imo State at this point in time. He expressed the group’s unalloyed support to Okorocha even in his second term bid and urged him to consolidate on his landmark achievements which are second to none in the State.</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.vanguardngr.com/2014/12/igbos-better-apc-okorocha/">Vanguard</a></b></div>

Igbos Are Better Off In APC - Okorocha

Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State has called on Ndi Igbo to work with team spirit and unity of purpose as to reposition th...

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Obanikoro Needs Psychiatric Help, Says Bode George

<div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI_btTZBJlZG3Do-hq8YPH6UraNnKVAVwEf6-XEAzNGblxnrdsQerkP3zdYtIdEhdZfqgzlW66Zn0qPL3KfwPxnNeB-zw6NUlaOHMmkNMeNODeYxTXVawCCFLu_AYx0C4UA_Vck82fDQ/s1600/Bode-George.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPI_btTZBJlZG3Do-hq8YPH6UraNnKVAVwEf6-XEAzNGblxnrdsQerkP3zdYtIdEhdZfqgzlW66Zn0qPL3KfwPxnNeB-zw6NUlaOHMmkNMeNODeYxTXVawCCFLu_AYx0C4UA_Vck82fDQ/s1600/Bode-George.jpg" /></a></div> <br /> <b>Chief Olabode George, leader Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state has said former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro is a “desperate, sinking man” in need of psychiatric help.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In a statement issued by the PDP chieftain on Thursday he said Obanikoro has been unable to take his defeat at the governorship primary by Jimi Agbaje in good strides, instead he has gone about spreading obscenities about him and the party.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It would be recalled that Obanikoro had accused George of working with Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe to manipulate the Lagos State governorship primaries. He also described the primary a ‘sham’ after the total number of votes cast, 863, was higher than the total number of accredited delegates, 806.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He also accused George of bringing armed thugs to the venue of the convention, who scared away his supporters and delegates. Above all, he said the number of votes announced at the end of the primary election was at variance with the accredited delegates.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But in response to Obanikoro’s actions and statement, George said: “One has refrained from engaging Senator Musiliu Obanikoro despite his gross and alarmist provocations. I have deliberately remained distant and quiet, ignoring the stark obscenities of a desperate and obsessed man who is apparently incapable of absorbing the reality of his defeat by a well-bred and better man.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “For Obanikoro to claim in sheer ludicrousness that I, even remotely, identify with any intimations of violence is utter lunacy and blind, vindictive madness. Surely, Obanikoro is possessed and obsessed. He needs immediate psychiatric treatment. He is a desperate sinking man, grasping and thrashing in self inflicted chasm.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “What is the pedigree of this young man who has abandoned the typical African deference to Elders? We know who sprung from violence and banditry. We know whose antecedents reek in noisome, vagrant, untidy ruffianism.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Politics is not a do or die affair. No civilized person with impeccable pedigree will seek a tacky refuge in destruction and ruin simply because he has lost in a free and fair contest. Obanikoro should go quietly into that good night if he means well for Lagos.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “Enough of his desperate tantrums and lunacy. Lagos has moved on, far beyond the primitive wretchedness of little, ill-bred hooligans,” the statement read.<br /> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Obanikoro has since taken his case to a Federal High court in Abuja. The court has asked PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission to appear before it on 23 December.<br /> <br /> <b><a href="http://nigerianewsroom.blogspot.com/2014/12/for-his-stint-in-jail-bode-george-needs.html">Click here to READ MUSILIU OBANIKORO'S REPLY TO THIS OUTBURST</a></b><br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <b>Source: PM News</b></div>

Obanikoro Needs Psychiatric Help, Says Bode George

Chief Olabode George, leader Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos state has said former Minister of State for Defence, Senator Musili...

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Letter To Gen. Buhari - By Prof. Banji Akintoye

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkTM-LlcaKnjRFJg8xD8vv8NWdXY7O-zknsDJ7R612H7uEpgoTHiIeAz26s1G8fXvnZNaJYfhgxvw84R4pRNpy00Wj9Cv69tssukCuT-atm3H0ZN6b96eGqcU1wxXb61VMhwLPR-EDxg/s1600/BuhariOsibajo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkTM-LlcaKnjRFJg8xD8vv8NWdXY7O-zknsDJ7R612H7uEpgoTHiIeAz26s1G8fXvnZNaJYfhgxvw84R4pRNpy00Wj9Cv69tssukCuT-atm3H0ZN6b96eGqcU1wxXb61VMhwLPR-EDxg/s1600/BuhariOsibajo.jpg" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>First of all, I congratulate you warmly for winning the nomination of your party for the presidency of Nigeria.</b></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Though you and I are different in ethnicity and religion, we have many important things in common. I am a few years older than you – which means that if you and I had been Yoruba boys born in the same Yoruba town or village, we would have belonged to about the same age-grade Association ( with us Yoruba, age-grade loyalty is traditionally a very important factor of life).  Moreover, you and I were young Nigerians in an era, the 1950s, when our up-and coming country of Nigeria was a source of great pride to its citizens, and an emerging titan eagerly awaited by most informed people all over the world.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The three regions of our federation (East, North and West) were engaged in an ambitious rivalry for progress and for improvements in the quality of life of our people. They were able to do that and achieve considerable successes because our constitutional structure gave them much leeway to manage their own affairs within the common Nigerian family. We arrived at independence in 1960 believing that our country was set on the path to becoming the blackman’s world power of modern times. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Unhappily, now that you and I are in our seventies, there is nothing left of our country’s ambitions and pride – indeed, there is hardly anything left of our country itself. Relentlessly crooked up, violated, robbed and depleted since 1960, our Nigeria seems now to be stumbling towards its demise. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> As you prepare for your election, I decided to write you this open letter concerning our country, because I know you will understand the pain and expectations behind my words. The purpose of most of Nigeria’s rulers since 1960 has been to weaken and even destroy regional and local initiatives in order to gather all power, control and influence together at the federal center. Their success in doing that has enabled them to remove the management of development far away from our people, and to institute at the federal centre a viciously corrupt, wasteful and incompetent monstrosity. Reduced to the status of beggar clients of the federal robber barons, the state governments, as well as the local governments, collapsed and fell in line as submissive incompetents and mini-robbers. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In the process, real and productive enterprise quickly declined among our people, as the best and most ambitious rushed to join the ranks of the sharers of fraudulently acquired wealth from the public coffers. Our schools and universities, our public service, our police force, our military, our judiciary, all our governmental agencies (electoral commission, secret service, central bank, ports service, immigration service, public examination bodies, etc) – all collapsed under the weight of crooked control, massive corruption and generalized disloyalty. Poverty descended mightily into our country and became the lot of the overwhelming and increasing majority of our people. Our government itself admits that, today, about 70% of our citizens live in “absolute poverty” and that that percentage keeps increasing. With the growing poverty have escalated horrific crimes, a culture of dishonesty, a rush of our youths to Salafist fundamentalist terrorism, and mass flights of the educated to other lands – all of which are compounding the poverty.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> From your well-known record as a leader of our country, I know that you are not only aware of these things, but that, in common with many members of our generation, you are seriously pained by them. I confess that I was very angry with you during your brief stint as military ruler, 1983-5. First, you seemed to me to be power-drunk at the time - because you made no distinction between the corrupt who had been stealing and sharing public money under Shagari and those who were known to have been resisting the robbery. I belonged to the frontline of senators who were well known to have, on the floor of the Senate, resisted the mass corruption, and yet your military government detained me (and many like me), and I languished for four months in prison without any accusation - even without being asked any question by any official. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And then, you and Idiagbon expended most of your obviously shining capabilities in pursuing nebulous and amateurish programmes like WAI (War Against Indiscipline), when what our country really needed was (after you had fiercely shot down corruption as you did)  to massively divert our enormous oil revenues into investments in the lives of our people - through programmes for expansion and diversification of education, modern job skills development, entrepreneurial development, small business development, promotion of modern farming, policies for improving the quality and reputation of our labour force and thereby attracting investments and businesses into our country, policies for promotion of exports, etc. Put a people to work and persistently multiply the economic opportunities available to them, and the attraction to prosperity through competitive enterprise will gradually suppress indiscipline in their land. Fanciful programmes like WAI can have no lasting benefit or future – as I hope you must know by now. That is why the man who ousted you, Babangida, was able quite easily to wipe out all the patriotic gains of your regime.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Furthermore, I though t it was a pity that you did not appear to recognize that the over-centralization that was being given to our federation was the foundation of our ills as a country. You were wrong in thinking that punishing the corrupt leaders would destroy corruption abidingly. What is needed is to change the system into which corruption has been built. In our country’s case, we needed (and we need) to reduce the magnitude of our federal government and empower our state and local governments, which are nearer the people, to bear most of the burden of development. Then we need to give recognition and respect to our various nationalities in structuring the federation – which should mean that our larger nations would each constitute a state, and contiguous groups of our smaller nationalities would be assisted to form states, just as the Indians sensibly and profitably did in the 1960s. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> By refusing to go that route, Nigeria has abysmally depressed its nationalities. For instance, my Yoruba nation came into Nigeria in 1914 as easily the fastest modernizing nationality in Black Africa; and we entered into independence with Nigeria in 1960 as the development front-liner and pace-setter in Africa. Today, we are a battered, poor, and disoriented nation, and most of our achievements have been wrecked, thanks to our being part of a Nigeria that destroys its peoples. Every other Nigerian nationality has similar stories to tell. My brother, I am, by nature and by upbringing, averse to merely lamenting an evil development; I act to change it. My potential urge, even as I write this, is to exert myself with others like me towards pulling my Yoruba nation out of Nigeria if Nigeria will not change course – and that is something that we Yoruba are perfectly capable to achieve if we are pushed to start upon it. And the same is true of some other persons and nations. In short, let’s not ignore or minimize the danger of Nigeria’s dissolution. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> I know you have what it takes to change and save Nigeria. I wish you luck in your election – and I wish Nigeria luck.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <b>Source: SaharaReporters</b></div>

Letter To Gen. Buhari - By Prof. Banji Akintoye

First of all, I congratulate you warmly for winning the nomination of your party for the presidency of Nigeria. Though you and I ar...

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