*PROF. ANGO ABDULLAHI REPLIES EMIR OF KANO*

*PROF. ANGO ABDULLAHI REPLIES EMIR OF KANO*

"With due respect to the Emir of Kano, the statement he made was misleading & misrepresentation of facts about the true state of Northern Nigeria.

You see, what I have been saying for a long time is that the North HAS ADVANTAGE OVER OTHER PARTS of Nigeria, in terms of population, proportion & resources. What I am saying is that Northern Nigeria *SHOULD WAKE UP TO ITS CHALLENGES, LIKE OTHER PARTS* of the Nigeria. Of course, every part of Nigeria, has its peculiar development challenges and problems, likewise Nigeria as whole.

I am an ADVOCATE of DIVIDING Nigeria, at the different levels and so DISAGREE with the Emir’s position.”

“The North SUSTAINED and CAN STILL SUSTAIN this country..., The greatest ADVANTAGE of the North over other regions, is that 75% land in Nigeria is in the North; besides Agriculture contributes 45 per cent of the GDP against Oil, which contributes only 14%. Apart from the foreign exchange which Oil provides, which in fact has always been stolen by the elites, there is nothing much more to it.

Presently, there is potential of Oil in many parts of Northern Nigeria. Let me tell you that Oil money is idle money, which Nigeria has not worked for. The only place where there is availability of work is the North because it produces a greater percentage of the FOOD WE EAT as well as THOSE USED BY SOME OF OUR INDUSTRIES. In any case, there are countries who felt they were not moving forward and decided the best was was to seperate. So, what is wrong in splitting the country?”

“You see, the Emir of Kano is a VERY YOUNG MAN. He SHOULD GO and READ the HISTORY of Nigeria. He is an Economist; and so needs to go and do a little more RESEARCH IN FACTORS for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. North POSSESSES ALL WHAT IT TAKES to DEVELOP.”

“Northern Nigeria has land, population and CAN GENERATE CAPITAL. His views are personal, not that of Northerners. Many Northerners disagree with him. There are many documented Research Studies that revealed Northern Nigeria SUSTAINED THE ENTIRE Nigeria State between 1914 - 1974.

If one tells me that there has been irresponsible leadership in the North, I can accept that. But that  is also a problem experienced in the whole of Nigeria of today."

- *Prof Ango Abdullahi*

PRESIDENT BUHARI: AFRICAN LEADERS MUST SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

PRESIDENT BUHARI: AFRICAN LEADERS MUST SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE TO DRIVE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that African leaders must speak ‘with one voice’, independent of foreign influence, to achieve economic integration, development, peace, and security on the continent.

Speaking at a bilateral meeting with President Alpha Conde of Guinea on Friday night in Istanbul, Turkey, President Buhari said leaders should learn from history to effectively tackle conflicts, violent extremism, and proliferation of small arms and light weapons.

The two Presidents, who met on the margins of the ninth D8 Summit in Istanbul, exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

President Buhari assured his Guinean counterpart, who is also the current Chairman of AU that Nigeria would continue to strengthen its engagement with all AU member states to address current security challenges in restive areas such as South Sudan and Libya, and the political crisis in Togo.

In his remarks, Conde praised Nigeria’s leadership on the continent, particularly President Buhari’s great job on anti-corruption and his strong voice on African issues at the international stage.

The Guinean leader stressed the need for Guinea and Nigeria to accelerate economic cooperation, particularly in the natural resources sector, where Guinea boasts of 25 percent or more of the world’s known bauxite reserves.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 21, 2017

SOUTHEAST WILL BENEFIT MORE FROM ROAD, COASTAL RAIL PROJECTS: PRESIDENT BUHARI

PRESIDENT BUHARI: SOUTHEAST WILL BENEFIT MORE FROM ROAD, COASTAL RAIL PROJECTS

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday assured stakeholders from the South East that the region will benefit more from roads and coastal rail projects, which are of critical importance to the economy.

Speaking at an audience with leaders from the region led by the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, the President declared that 2nd Niger Bridge, the East-West Road and the Coastal rail project, are receiving utmost attention from his administration.

The President said counterpart funding from the Chinese government would substantially fund these projects, which when completed will improve the welfare, well-being and economy of the people in the region.

``I know the Chinese are very competent in handling such projects and we will ensure that we get the money for the projects to take off.

``I thank you for articulating your demands and I want to assure that we are doing our best for the country. If we can stop people from stealing, then there will be more resources to put into projects that will create employment for Nigerians,’’ the President said.

Responding to allegations of under-representation of Igbos in his government, the President said: `` I gave south-east four substantive ministers in the ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Investment, Science and Technology and Labour.

``Seven states in the North got Ministers of State and of the two Ministries headed by your sons, I cannot take any decision on foreign policy and investments without their input,’’ he said.

The President also promised the leaders, comprising governors and ministers from the region, the President of Ohaneze, Chief Nnia Nwodo and representatives from the National Assembly, that he will visit states in the zone soon.

``I want to assure you that I came into government with a clear conscience and I will also leave with a clear conscience,’’ he said.

Earlier, the President of Ohaneze, while articulating the demands of the zone to the President highlighted the issue of state creation, restructuring, federal projects in the South East namely Enugu-Onitsha road, Enugu-Port Harcourt road and Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road, among others.

Nwodo also demanded urgent presidential interventions on the Enugu Airport, reticulation of the gas-pipelines in the South East and the standard gauge plan for railway construction.

Commending the President’s remarkable achievements on security and the fight against corruption, Nwodo declared: ``we are ready to work with you. We are determined to work with you. We know you are a decisive leader and we know God will continue to give you the wisdom to govern Nigeria.’’

Also speaking, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State expressed satisfaction on the outcome of their discussions with the President on critical issues and topics affecting the region.

``You have no hatred for any state. You have treated all states with equality. What one state gets in the north, the other gets in the south,’’ the governor said, referring to budget support facility and stabilisation fund released to states and local governments since the inception of the administration.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
October 13, 2017

STRESS AND INTONATION

Stress and intonation

Stress is an extra force when pronouncing particular word in a sentence or syllable in a word.

          Intonation is the rising and falling of voice when pronouncing a particular word or syllable.

          Study the following questions

1.   How long will you stay in the school

2.   Did Musa call you a thief ?

Note that in question (1) the intonation falls while in question (2) the intonation raises.

Now, to answer question (1), you must answer with either “yes” or “No”

     Now Notice the differences

 

Raising intonation(Yes/No )                         Falling intonation                  

1. Did Musa call you a thief ?            1. How long will you stay?

Ans: No, he didn’t                       Ans: Just one week

2. Did I ask you to come?         2. Who ask you to come ?

Ans: yes, you did                          Ans; It was you

3. Did you buy a car ?              3. How much did you buy the car ?

Ans: No, I didn’t                            Ans: fifty kobo

4. Did you finish your home       4. Who among the teacher gave         

Homework?

    Ans: yes, he does                       Ans: our English Tutor

5. Does your father pay him salary        5. Who pay him salary?

          Ans: Yes, he does                          It is our father

Exercise 1

Now answer the following questions

(1)  How many teachers are there in your school?

(2)  How old is your youngest sister?

(3)  Do you think your elder brother is your mate?

(4)  Can you read a passage without any assistance?

(5)  How many Kilometers from here to Lagos?

(6)  Where is your younger sister now?

Read what GoodLuck Jonathan said on Biafra.

Goodluck Jonathan Speaks From US- Why Niger Deltans Do not Want To Be Part Of Biafra

I begin this write-up by saying that I mean no ill-thought towards the Biafran struggle or Igbos in general. What I’ve written here are mainly my personal reflections concerning the Niger Delta, especially with regards to non-Igbo groups and their stake in the Biafran movement which has been rebirthed for some time now. I am not a mouthpiece for the Niger Delta but I believe I’ve been in the Niger Delta long enough to know our problems and our stand. I’ve also interacted with many Niger Deltans to know their stand in the Biafran struggle.

When I use the term Niger Delta, I am referring to the region covering Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. However, I understand that the region also covers Ondo, Imo, and Abia states. I’m not concerned with the latter because they are either Igbos or Yorubas and have their own struggles. The ethnic groups within my coverage include Urhobo-Isoko, Bini, Esan, Itsekiri, Ijaw-Epie-Ogbia, Ogoni, Afemai, Efik-Annang-Eket-Oron-Ibibio, Ogoja, Ejagham, and other groups in Cross River North. Ikwerre, Ukwuani, Ika, Aniocha, Ogba, and other Igboid groups, are not included. Historically, Biafra covered all the Niger Delta states EXCEPT Delta and Ondo states. This fact must be emphasised.

Pro-Biafrans are welcome to debate and address my issues in a civil manner. I understand that most pro-Biafrans resort to insults when salient issues are addressed.

Please let’s set a good precedence from hereon.

1. Biafra may not be better for Niger Deltans because Niger Deltans may end up living one form of subjugation for another. The argument Igbos have made for their freedom is the desire to be free from Hausa-Yoruba domination. That argument also applies to the average Niger Deltan. Igbo, no doubt, will be the major ethnic group if Biafra is actualised. Ijaws may have a stake due to their numbers. What about the Ogonis, Urhobo-Isokos, Itsekiris, Efiks, etc? Where will they fit in at the national level? The sad reality is that another Nigeria will just be made manifest and resentments will build up. What will really be the fate of minorities? Will they fare better in Biafra or alone? In Nigeria, big groups such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo checkmate each other’s excesses very well. Who will checkmate that of Igbos in the new nation?

2. Where will the capital be located? If we are to follow the notion of central location, the capital of Biafra won’t be Enugu but around Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis. Will Igbos allow their capital to be sited in a non-Igbo location? This is a very salient issue because you don’t expect the riverine Niger Deltan in Twon-Brass, for instance, to journey all the way to Enugu to see their President. It has to be a location where ALL BIAFRANS can access easily. Enugu won’t go.

3. The issue of annexation comes to play. For so long, e-Biafrans have annexed Niger Delta as part of the proposed nation. The map below shows us what Biafrans have drawn to constitute the new nation:

If we judge from this map, it means all groups in the Niger Delta have been annexed. My question is whether the leaders of these groups have been consulted before the annexation was done. I, for one, know that Urhobo-Isoko and Efik-Ibibio leaders have not approved of Biafra neither have anybody in these regions declared Biafra. So how and why were they included in the proposed map? Little things like this bring distrust and I understand that many of these non-Igbo regions have disowned the map and pledged allegiance to Nigeria. The declaration by the Delta State government is a case in point. I see this as forceful annexation. The so-called e-Biafrans have also not done much in calming the nerves of the people of the annexed regions. I’ve seen comments such as “if you don’t like it, go and stay in Sokoto”, “all land in the South is Biafraland”, etc. Is it not ironic that a group of people who want freedom want to annexe others?

4. What languages will be made the official languages of the new nation? I have seen several posts by e-Biafrans where Igbo was proposed as the official language of the new republic. What then will happen to other languages such as Urhobo, Isoko, Okpe, Efik, Ibibio, Oron, Ogoni, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Bini, Esan, etc? Will they die off because of Igbo? Certainly NOT! If English is made the official language, the Igbo majority factor will kick in. If your name isn’t Chukwuemeka or Oliseh, Amarachi or Nneka, etc, you won’t get any appointment nor shall you be recognised. These are things we can’t deny. We are very ethnocentric in Africa.

5. What and what have Igbo nation done for Niger Deltans to gain their trust? Every day I see Igbo youths making enemies where there were none. They constantly use the agency of the internet to sprout controversy, hurl insults at dissenters and make unfounded claims. There is this general air of mistrust for Igbos by some Niger Deltans, particularly by Urhobo-Isoko and Bini people. What have Igbos done to checkmate this? Has any Igbo leader or group extended the hand of friendship to the Niger Deltans. Mistrust cannot be wished away. Most Niger Deltans would rather follow Hausas as slaves than follow Igbos as kings. This is the real reality and truthfully, Igbos caused this.

6. Who will lead the new nation? Obviously, Nnamdi Kanu, their hero, has fought tooth and nails for Biafra and he is currently cooling off in jail. If Biafra comes today, who will be the interim leader and what modalities are in place for subsequent leaders to be elected? Igbos have been the only ones fighting for Biafra since time immemorial with a handful of other groups here and there. Will Igbos allow other groups to rule over them? Will they allow an Urhobo man to be President, for instance? This is not a case of mere wishing. We have to understand that Niger Delta groups MAY NEVER BE ALLOWED TO RULE BIAFRA IF IT IS ACTUALISED.

7. Still on the issue of leaders, are the new leaders going to fall from the skies or they are simply going to change addresses from Abuja to Enugu. If so, what will change in the new nation? It is not arguable that Igbo national leaders are the most corrupt persons in Nigeria. If these same people are the ones to rule the new nation then there is no hope because corruption will be so rife that the economy of the new nation will shut down like a knocked engine. If we argue that new and younger leaders will arise, we still have the issue of who fought for Biafra to contend with. Most pro-Biafrans will not allow someone who sat at the periphery of the struggle to just come and waltz power away from the “heroes” of Biafra. If this is true then we will not have a proper democracy in Biafra.

8. Will Biafra be a utopia? The impression that e-Biafrans give is that Biafra will be perfect and we all know for a fact that this is not true. Apart from the issue of corruption and sentimentalism that have been addressed, we still have the issue of development. Where will money be generated from to develop the nation? In the whole of the proposed Biafra, only Port Harcourt and Onitsha are economically viable cities. Where will the investors come from? Why should they invest in a volatile country? Only in Warri, we have Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo at loggerheads, imagine what would happen to the whole nation. Secondly, I am sure that no Niger Deltan will allow his “oil” to be used to develop Enugu like what happened with Abuja, and is still happening today. Niger Deltans are getting wiser and by the time the new nation is formed, matters that border on oil, wealth distribution and infrastructural development will be raised.

9. The current structure of the proposed nation, as shown in the map earlier embedded, favour Igbos with more states. Urhobo has one, Efik-Ibibio has two, Itsekiri has none, etc. How will this be addressed? Certainly, every ethnic nationality will want adequate representation and so the structure on that map will never work.

10. Last, but not the least, is the issue of referendum. Some Biafrans are already calling for a referendum which will involve all parts of the proposed nation. I am pretty sure how this referendum will turn out. However, for the sake of being hypothetical, let us imagine that some ethnic groups/states vote against Biafra by the majority, what will be their fate at the end of the day? Secondly, will the result of such a referendum be true and honest? I understand that electoral malpractice forms a part of our identity. How are we going to get a true reflection of people’s thoughts? Thirdly, if states and ethnic groups do decide to vote for Biafra, what mechanisms are in place to contain Igbophobia, Igbomania, Igbocentrism, Igbo hegemony, Landgrabbing, and all issues that minorities have raised?

Above are the reasons why I feel that Niger Deltans will NOT subscribe to the Biafran movement. I have been very practical, philosophical and hypothetical in my approach. I do not speak for any group or persons but I present these issues for the pro-Biafrans to address. Niger Deltans can raise more issues that I have not raised. Finally, it should be noted that I expect insults directed at my person by e-warriors and keyboard mercenaries, as usual, but I won’t pleasure such persons with answers or altercations. If you raise good points, we can discuss like intellectuals.

Read what GoodLuck Jonathan said on Biafra.

Goodluck Jonathan Speaks From US- Why Niger Deltans Do not Want To Be Part Of Biafra

I begin this write-up by saying that I mean no ill-thought towards the Biafran struggle or Igbos in general. What I’ve written here are mainly my personal reflections concerning the Niger Delta, especially with regards to non-Igbo groups and their stake in the Biafran movement which has been rebirthed for some time now. I am not a mouthpiece for the Niger Delta but I believe I’ve been in the Niger Delta long enough to know our problems and our stand. I’ve also interacted with many Niger Deltans to know their stand in the Biafran struggle.

When I use the term Niger Delta, I am referring to the region covering Delta, Edo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states. However, I understand that the region also covers Ondo, Imo, and Abia states. I’m not concerned with the latter because they are either Igbos or Yorubas and have their own struggles. The ethnic groups within my coverage include Urhobo-Isoko, Bini, Esan, Itsekiri, Ijaw-Epie-Ogbia, Ogoni, Afemai, Efik-Annang-Eket-Oron-Ibibio, Ogoja, Ejagham, and other groups in Cross River North. Ikwerre, Ukwuani, Ika, Aniocha, Ogba, and other Igboid groups, are not included. Historically, Biafra covered all the Niger Delta states EXCEPT Delta and Ondo states. This fact must be emphasised.

Pro-Biafrans are welcome to debate and address my issues in a civil manner. I understand that most pro-Biafrans resort to insults when salient issues are addressed.

Please let’s set a good precedence from hereon.

1. Biafra may not be better for Niger Deltans because Niger Deltans may end up living one form of subjugation for another. The argument Igbos have made for their freedom is the desire to be free from Hausa-Yoruba domination. That argument also applies to the average Niger Deltan. Igbo, no doubt, will be the major ethnic group if Biafra is actualised. Ijaws may have a stake due to their numbers. What about the Ogonis, Urhobo-Isokos, Itsekiris, Efiks, etc? Where will they fit in at the national level? The sad reality is that another Nigeria will just be made manifest and resentments will build up. What will really be the fate of minorities? Will they fare better in Biafra or alone? In Nigeria, big groups such as Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo checkmate each other’s excesses very well. Who will checkmate that of Igbos in the new nation?

2. Where will the capital be located? If we are to follow the notion of central location, the capital of Biafra won’t be Enugu but around Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene axis. Will Igbos allow their capital to be sited in a non-Igbo location? This is a very salient issue because you don’t expect the riverine Niger Deltan in Twon-Brass, for instance, to journey all the way to Enugu to see their President. It has to be a location where ALL BIAFRANS can access easily. Enugu won’t go.

3. The issue of annexation comes to play. For so long, e-Biafrans have annexed Niger Delta as part of the proposed nation. The map below shows us what Biafrans have drawn to constitute the new nation:

If we judge from this map, it means all groups in the Niger Delta have been annexed. My question is whether the leaders of these groups have been consulted before the annexation was done. I, for one, know that Urhobo-Isoko and Efik-Ibibio leaders have not approved of Biafra neither have anybody in these regions declared Biafra. So how and why were they included in the proposed map? Little things like this bring distrust and I understand that many of these non-Igbo regions have disowned the map and pledged allegiance to Nigeria. The declaration by the Delta State government is a case in point. I see this as forceful annexation. The so-called e-Biafrans have also not done much in calming the nerves of the people of the annexed regions. I’ve seen comments such as “if you don’t like it, go and stay in Sokoto”, “all land in the South is Biafraland”, etc. Is it not ironic that a group of people who want freedom want to annexe others?

4. What languages will be made the official languages of the new nation? I have seen several posts by e-Biafrans where Igbo was proposed as the official language of the new republic. What then will happen to other languages such as Urhobo, Isoko, Okpe, Efik, Ibibio, Oron, Ogoni, Eleme, Okrika, Kalabari, Bini, Esan, etc? Will they die off because of Igbo? Certainly NOT! If English is made the official language, the Igbo majority factor will kick in. If your name isn’t Chukwuemeka or Oliseh, Amarachi or Nneka, etc, you won’t get any appointment nor shall you be recognised. These are things we can’t deny. We are very ethnocentric in Africa.

5. What and what have Igbo nation done for Niger Deltans to gain their trust? Every day I see Igbo youths making enemies where there were none. They constantly use the agency of the internet to sprout controversy, hurl insults at dissenters and make unfounded claims. There is this general air of mistrust for Igbos by some Niger Deltans, particularly by Urhobo-Isoko and Bini people. What have Igbos done to checkmate this? Has any Igbo leader or group extended the hand of friendship to the Niger Deltans. Mistrust cannot be wished away. Most Niger Deltans would rather follow Hausas as slaves than follow Igbos as kings. This is the real reality and truthfully, Igbos caused this.

6. Who will lead the new nation? Obviously, Nnamdi Kanu, their hero, has fought tooth and nails for Biafra and he is currently cooling off in jail. If Biafra comes today, who will be the interim leader and what modalities are in place for subsequent leaders to be elected? Igbos have been the only ones fighting for Biafra since time immemorial with a handful of other groups here and there. Will Igbos allow other groups to rule over them? Will they allow an Urhobo man to be President, for instance? This is not a case of mere wishing. We have to understand that Niger Delta groups MAY NEVER BE ALLOWED TO RULE BIAFRA IF IT IS ACTUALISED.

7. Still on the issue of leaders, are the new leaders going to fall from the skies or they are simply going to change addresses from Abuja to Enugu. If so, what will change in the new nation? It is not arguable that Igbo national leaders are the most corrupt persons in Nigeria. If these same people are the ones to rule the new nation then there is no hope because corruption will be so rife that the economy of the new nation will shut down like a knocked engine. If we argue that new and younger leaders will arise, we still have the issue of who fought for Biafra to contend with. Most pro-Biafrans will not allow someone who sat at the periphery of the struggle to just come and waltz power away from the “heroes” of Biafra. If this is true then we will not have a proper democracy in Biafra.

8. Will Biafra be a utopia? The impression that e-Biafrans give is that Biafra will be perfect and we all know for a fact that this is not true. Apart from the issue of corruption and sentimentalism that have been addressed, we still have the issue of development. Where will money be generated from to develop the nation? In the whole of the proposed Biafra, only Port Harcourt and Onitsha are economically viable cities. Where will the investors come from? Why should they invest in a volatile country? Only in Warri, we have Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo at loggerheads, imagine what would happen to the whole nation. Secondly, I am sure that no Niger Deltan will allow his “oil” to be used to develop Enugu like what happened with Abuja, and is still happening today. Niger Deltans are getting wiser and by the time the new nation is formed, matters that border on oil, wealth distribution and infrastructural development will be raised.

9. The current structure of the proposed nation, as shown in the map earlier embedded, favour Igbos with more states. Urhobo has one, Efik-Ibibio has two, Itsekiri has none, etc. How will this be addressed? Certainly, every ethnic nationality will want adequate representation and so the structure on that map will never work.

10. Last, but not the least, is the issue of referendum. Some Biafrans are already calling for a referendum which will involve all parts of the proposed nation. I am pretty sure how this referendum will turn out. However, for the sake of being hypothetical, let us imagine that some ethnic groups/states vote against Biafra by the majority, what will be their fate at the end of the day? Secondly, will the result of such a referendum be true and honest? I understand that electoral malpractice forms a part of our identity. How are we going to get a true reflection of people’s thoughts? Thirdly, if states and ethnic groups do decide to vote for Biafra, what mechanisms are in place to contain Igbophobia, Igbomania, Igbocentrism, Igbo hegemony, Landgrabbing, and all issues that minorities have raised?

Above are the reasons why I feel that Niger Deltans will NOT subscribe to the Biafran movement. I have been very practical, philosophical and hypothetical in my approach. I do not speak for any group or persons but I present these issues for the pro-Biafrans to address. Niger Deltans can raise more issues that I have not raised. Finally, it should be noted that I expect insults directed at my person by e-warriors and keyboard mercenaries, as usual, but I won’t pleasure such persons with answers or altercations. If you raise good points, we can discuss like intellectuals.

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE NORTH-EAST: DELIBERATE TWISTING OF PRESIDENT BUHARI'S COMMENDABLE INTERFACE WITH WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

NORTH-EAST: DELIBERATE TWISTING OF PRESIDENT BUHARI'S COMMENDABLE INTERFACE WITH WORLD BANK PRESIDENT

Those who specialize in a deliberate twisting of information have wailed and raged endlessly on the news item credited to the World Bank Group President, Jim Yong Kim, who disclosed in Washington DC, United States of America, that President Muhammadu Buhari had requested a concentration of the Bank's intervention efforts in the northern part of Nigeria, particularly in the North-east.

The ignorant and mischievous people, who twist everything for their vile purposes, are making it seem that it was a calculated attempt to give the North an unfair advantage over other parts of Nigeria.

The truth of the matter is that President Buhari, right from his first week in office in June, 2015, had reached out to the G-7 in Germany that Nigeria needed help to rebuild the North-east, which had been terribly devastated by insurgency. He said the country would prefer help in terms of rebuilding of infrastructure, rather than cash donation, which may end up being misappropriated. In concert with Governors of the region, a comprehensive list of needed repairs was sent to the G-7 leaders.

Also, during a trip to Washington in 2015, and many other engagements that followed, President Buhari sought the help of the World Bank in rebuilding the beleaguered North-east, which was then being wrested from the stranglehold of a pernicious insurgency. It was something always done in the open, and which reflected the President's concern for the region.

Those ululating over the disclosure by the President of the World Bank should be a bit reflective, and consider the ravages that the North-east has suffered since 2009, when the Boko Haram insurgency started. Schools, hospitals, homes, entire villages, towns, cities, bridges, and other public utilities have been blown up, laid waste, and lives terminated in excess of 20,000, while widows and orphans littered the landscape. The humanitarian crisis was in monumental proportions.

President Buhari simply did what a caring leader should do. He took the battle to the insurgents, broke their backs, and then sought for help to rebuild, so that the people could have their lives back. Should that then elicit the negative commentary that has trailed the disclosure from the World Bank? Not at all, except from insidious minds.

President Buhari has a pan-Nigerian mandate, and he will discharge his duties and responsibilities in like manner. Any part of the country that requires special attention would receive it, irrespective of primordial affinities, which narrow minded people have not been able to live above. This President will always work in the best interest of all parts of the country at all times. Let ethnic warriors sheathe their swords.

FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
October 13, 2017

BUHARI'S ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR

BUHARI'S ANTI-CORRUPTION WAR

Buhari's anti-corruption war is an anti-graft war declared by Muhammadu Buhari, the 4th democratic President of Nigeria. This is a war against all forms of corruption in Nigeria. During the president's election campaign in 2015, he vowed to fight against corruption and insecurity if elected. Since his election in April 2015, anti-graft war remain one of his topmost priority.The anti-graft war was endorsed by the President of the United States. The United States Secretary of State, John Kerryat the World Economic Forum held at Davos in Switzerland extolled Buhari's anti-graft war^. In October 2015, the United Kingdom pledge her support for Buhari's anti-corruption war. According to Grant Shapps, the minister for international development, "UK is fully committed to helping Nigeria increase its security, stability and prosperity. "We would continue to provide capacity building, technical and investigative support to Nigeria to tackle corruption. Corruption in Nigeria also affects the UK directly. Where we have evidence, we will continue to take action to protect the integrity of the UK's financial system and prevent. Some Nigerian described the war as "perfect" while others described it as "selective". William Kumuyi, the founder and general overseer of Deeper Christian Life Ministry described Buhari's anti-corruption war as a step in right direction. However, the president has been criticized and accused of leading a selective war against corruption. Several people claimed that his war against corruption focus on members of the opposition party, the People's Democratic Party.

Criticisms.

On 24 January 2016, Chief Olu Falae, a prominent Nigerian politician and former secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria said "Buhari's anti-corruption war is selective and getting out of hand". Olu falae was named as one of the beneficiary of the controversial $2 billion arms deal, an allegation he refuted in an exclusive interview with The Punch.

 On 24 August 2015, Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, a former governor of Kaduna State challenged President Muhammadu to probe his military regime between 1983 and 1985 if he is really serious about anti-corruption war. He accused the president of violation of federal character law. On 8 February 2016, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State and former minister of state for education in the Cabinet of President Goodluck Jonathan accused the president of bias in his anti-corruption war. He said he would rather fight corruption in his own way than to support Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption war. On 27 September 2015, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress advised the president to shun selective justice and focus on good governance. On 21 January 2016 Fasheun urged the president to slow than in his fight against corruption. Saying that the government may run into problems in the way the anti-graft war is been handled by the president. He strongly condemned the handcuffing of Chief Olisa Metuh, the National Publicity Secretary of the People's Democratic Party. He described it as unhealthy for Nigeria.

In a report titled "Heavy Knocks For Buhari’s Anti-Corruption" published by Sahara Reporters on 31 October 2015, Debo Adeniran, the Executive Chairman of the Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders claimed he had on several occasion, petitioned the president and the anti-graft agencies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission levying corruption and misappropriation of fund against Babatunde Fashola, a former governor ofLagos State and the incumbent Minister for Power, Works and Housing in the Cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.^[12]He also mentioned that several allegation of corruption and misappropriation of fund were slammed on Kayode Fayemi, the former governor of Ekiti State, Kemi Adeosun, the incumbent minister of finance, Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor ofRivers State and current minister of transport. He expressed concern on why these people had not been invited by the anti-graft agencies for questioning. He said "We are dissatisfied with the way the anti-corruption war is being fought and we are afraid that we may not achieve anything better than what we had before Buhari assumed office.

In January 2016, Bishop Hyacinth Oroko Egbebo of Apostolic Vicariate of Bomadi , during the consecration of a Catholic priest under his vicariate, expressed concern over what he described as "high level of impunity and abuse of human rights in the anti-corruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari". He accused Buhari of selective anti-graft war. He raised a concern over how disobey court order in his fight against corruption. He said "In as much as we would want to commend President Buhari on his zero tolerance on corruption, it is very disheartening and a risk to our democracy that the President would have the impunity to set aside court orders under the guise of his anti-corruption war".

In January 2016, Carol Ajie, a constitutional lawyer petitioned President Barack Obama and National Judicial Council over the disobedience of court order by President Muhammadu Buhari in his fight against corruption. She called for Buhari's resignature or face impeachment proceedings. The petitioned was signed by over 200 lawyers in the country.

Cases reported.

Sambo Dasuki, the National Security Adviser who allegedly masterminded the $2 billions arms deal

On 3 June 2015, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the former governor of Borno State was arrested by the anti-graft agency, EFCC on alleged misappropriation of 300 billion naira received from the federation account during his tenure as governor of Borno State, between 2003 and 2011. Although the investigation began in 2012 but was intensified in April 2015. Premium Times reported that Sheriff surrender himself to the EFCC for questioning and was released on bail on 4 June 2015 according to Wilson Uwujaren, the anti-graft agency's spokesperson. Sheriff denied the claimed by the media that he was declared wanted, arrested and detained by the EFCC. According to Daily Post, a Nigerian newspaper, Sheriff said "I was never invited, the EFCC never said they were declaring me wanted. It was the reports in the media that attracted my attention and I paid EFCC a visit. There was nothing about N300 billion. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Emir of Kano and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria exposed part of the illegal oil deals during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. He raised a concern over the failure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to deposit the sum of $20 billion of oil revenues into the federation account. Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former minister of Petroleum resources named all the persons involved in the deal and others in controversial concession of oil wells, Jide Omokore and Kola Aluko were named. Jide Omokore had volunteered to return the sum of $500 million to the federation account. In June 2015, six top officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria and 16 other employees of commercial banks was arrested by the anti-graft agency, the EFCC over 8 billion naira currency scam. They were sacked and arranged before a Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, from Tuesday June 2, 2015 to Thursday June 4, 2015. They were sacked and imprisoned. In June 2015, President Buhari ordered the EFCC to reopen the Buhari reopens the $182m Halliburton bribery case following a request by the Federal government of the United States. The U.S government said about $140 million recovered by the government would be repatriated to Nigeria if those involved in the scandal were arrested and prosecuted.

The $2 billion arms deal was exposed following the interim report of buhari's investigations committee on arms procurement under the Goodluck Jonathan administration. The committee report showed an extra-budgetary spending to the tune of N643.8 billion and an additional spending of about $2.2 billion in the foreign currency component under the Goodluck Jonathan's watch. Preliminary investigation suggested that about $2 billion may have been disbursed for the procurement of arms to fight against Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria. The investigative report indicated that a total sum of $2.2 billion was inexplicably disbursed into the office of the National Security Adviser in procurement of arms to fight against insurgency, but was not spent for the purpose for which the money was disbursed. Investigations on this illegal deal led to the arrest of Sambo Dasuki, the former National Security Adviser who later mentioned prominent Nigerians involved in the deal.Those that were mentioned and arrested includes Raymond Dokpesi, the Chair emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc,Attahiru Bafarawa, the former Governor of Sokoto State, and Bashir Yuguda, the former Minister of State for Finance,Azubuike Ihejirika, the Chief of Army Staff, Adesola Nunayon Amosu, the former Chief of the Air Staff, Alex Badeh and several other politicians were mentioned

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA 

CONFUSED? TELL, SAY, SPEAK, AND TALK? Part 1. TAMEEM GARGA

CONFUSED?    TELL, SAY, SPEAK, AND TALK? Part 1.

TAMEEM GARGA

These words used to confuse many English speakers. Today, I would like to explain how to use them with examples.

First and foremost, we have to understand that these words are verbs.  They are DOING words (where they are used as Nouns, are not confusable). And there is a relationship between TELL & SAY on one hand, and SPEAK & TALK on the other hand.

SPEAK and TALK are used to talk on a general topic. Eg.  I will speak to him about school.  I will talk to her about school.

TELL and SAY are used to talk on details of the topic. Eg.  I will tell him what our school programs are  during the summer.  He knows that I know whatever he says.  

You can use both say and speak to express your viewpoint or idea. Eg. Say your mind; speak your mind. You cannot use talk or tell with mind to express your idea. But in a specific way, you can use tell+object+mind. Eg. Go tell him your mind. This is not talking about general viewpoint; it talks about a specific idea on a specific problem.

RETURN POST UTME MONEY TO THE STUDENTS- MINISTER OF EDUCATION

The minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu has ordered tertiary institutions that have conducted Post UTME examination across the country to, immediately refund the respective students their money. It can be recall that the said Examination was scrapped last years adding that it is baseless and useless form of extraction of money from the feeble Nigerians, but many Universities embark on conducting the examination as against the Minister's order.

The Minister made this warning yesterday via Deputy Director of Press and Public relation, Ben Bam Goong. According to the Minister, any institution that presumed dump to the warning shall be sanctioned accordingly. He added that it is a form of torture to further subject the students to another Examination after they have been offered admission.

Jobs At Railway cooperation

Presently, the Railway system is made up of 3’505 route kilometres and 4332 track kilometres. In addition to this is the 19km 1067mm gauge extension from Port-Harcourt to Onne deep sea port and the 277km standard gauge rail construction of 1435mm from Ajaokuta to Warri.
Due to recent expansion and introduction of new routes, Nigerian Railway Corporation is hereby recruiting into the following under-listed positions:
A. MECHANICAL/ELECTRICAL/S&T DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL ENGINEER (GL 08) To Apply, Click box Below..
II. HIGHER TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL.08)
III. TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL 07)
IV. ASSISTANT TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL 06)
B. CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL ENGINEER (GL 08)
II. HIGHER TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL. 08)
III. TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL. 07)
IV. ASSISTANT TECHNICAL OFFICER (GL. 06)
C. CORPORATE PLANNING DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER (GL. 08)
II. PUPIL RESEARCH OFFICER (GL. 08)
III. PUPIL SENIOR STORE OFFICER (GL.08)
IV. EXECUTIVE STORE OFFICER (GL. 07)
V.  HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT ASSISTANT (GL. 06)
VI. RESEARCH LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (GL. 06)
D. ADMINISTRATION/HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER (GL. 08)
II. CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY (GL. 07)
III. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL. 07)
IV. SENIOR NURSING SUPERINTENDENT (CONHESS 8)
V. PUPIL PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER (GL.08)
VI. PUBLIC RELATION ASSISTANT (GL.07)
VII. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL06)
VIII. CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY (GL.06)
E. ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL ACCOUNTANT (GL08)
II. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.07)
III. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.06)
F. AUDIT DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL INTERNAL AUDITOR (GL.08)
II. EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.07)
III. ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE OFFICER (GL.06)
G. OPERATIONS & COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT
I. PUPIL TRAFFIC OFFICER (GL.08)
II. PRINCIPAL STATION MASTER (GL.07)
III. SENIOR STATION MASTER (GL.06)
QUALIFICATIONS
GRADE LEVEL 06
QUALIFICATION: OND IN RELEVANT FIELDS
GRADE LEVEL 07
QUALIFICATION: OND WITH MINIMUM OF THREE(3) RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
GRADE LEVEL 08
QUALIFICATION: HND OR UNIVERSITY DEGREE IN RELEVANT FIELDS.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested candidates should send detailed curriculum vitae with a covering letter by e-mail to nrc.recruit@nrc.gov.ng
APPLICATION DEADLINE
18 November, 2017

Nasiru El-rufa'i Kayi Kuskure- Sunusi Khalil.

Shahararren malamin addinin islama nan da Ke garin Kaduna, Sheikh Sanusi Khalil, ya ce da gwamna Nasiru Ahmad El-Rufa'i da shugaban "yan sandan Najeriya sun tabka babban kuskure da sukece a kama matasan Arewa da suka bada wa'adi ga yan kabilar Ibo da subar yankin Arewa kafin daya ga watan goma na 2017. A cewar sa, duk da cewa matasan sunyi kuskure.

NAMDI KANU YA NEMI SULHU

Jim kadan bayan Orji Kalu ya bayyana yadda shugaban masu rajin kafa kasar Biafara, Namdi KANU, rahotanni na nuna cewa mai gida Namdi KANU yana Neman a sasanta. Masu sharhi kan al'amura sunce hakan bai hana nasaba da aikin OPERATION PYTHON DANCE karkashin jagorancin wuta wuta wuta Brutai yayi a kan tsagerun.

Amma ko wannan batun da gaske ne? Shi Namdi KANU ya kasance mai cika baking cewa najeriya wata yar akurki ne na kiwon kaji; Zai iya kona ta a duk lokacin da yaga dama. Bugu da kari, yace dole sai an zubda jini kafin kasa Ke samin "yancin kai. Ba'a sani ba ko Namdi KANU ya gudune ko kuma ya yi mai-ja-da-baya ba tsoro bane, shirin yaki ne. Idan ko haka ne babu batun neman a sasanta tsakninsa da gwamnati.

Tuni dama gwamanti ta ayyana kungiyar a matsayin kungiyar yan ta'adda. To Allah Ya kyauta.

Orji Uzor Kalu: The quintessential Hausa Fulani Slave. A Drowning Man, looking for where to Perch: EMMA POWERFUL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB

Orji Uzor Kalu: The quintessential Hausa Fulani Slave.  A Drowning Man,  looking for where to Perch.

 

It has come to the knowledge of the worldwide family of IPOB and it's leadership concerning the wild and widely reported comments of Orji Uzor Kalu regarding the whereabouts of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This man Orji Uzor Kalu have again made claims that could only classify him as either mentally unstable or beholden to the Fulani caliphate interest, to the extent that he has almost lost his senses. His spurious claim that the overall leader of IPOB and prophet of our time Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has made his way to London via Malaysia is confirmation that he would do or say anything to escape his ongoing corruption scandal. Worse still, he might be a hapless victim of a well orchestrated blackmail by his Hausa Fulani Islamic masters or on hallucinogenic drugs. That men like Orji Uzor Kalu rose to the lofty height of a governor in the South East is indicative of the mess and moral bankruptcy at the heart of governance in that region, he should not be blamed. In the second republic, men like Orji Uzor Kalu would only be found useful as a political thug. 

That a man that have spent his entire fraudulent life lying, deceiving and running errands for his Hausa Fulani Islamic caliphate masters made this laughable outburst is not entirely unexpected. We expect many more compromised Efulefus to follow suit in the coming days. After all selling collective Igbo interest and by extension that of Biafra has been their hallmark all their political lives. It didn't start today but their era is coming to an end.

Biafrans are now well accustomed to Hausa Fulani errand boys euphemistically referred to as Igbo leaders coming out once in a while to condemn what is in the collective interest of the people. They have no qualms about conniving with Hausa Fulani Islamic soldiers to kill and maim their own people as long as their meaningless and fake status of Igbo leader is left intact. Only a man without honour,  a clearly definable paternal lineage as tradition demands and devoid of honour will spout such unfounded uncorroborated nonsense in the hope of letting Buratai off the hook for the abominable atrocities his soldiers committed in connection with the disappearance of our leader when his home was raided on the 14th of September 2017.

Both the United Kingdom and Malaysia are civilised countries and not as corrupt as Nigeria, where there is no accurate record  of migration in and out of the country. What Orji Uzor Kalu is saying in essence is that United Kingdom government officials are lying when they rightfully demanded the whereabouts of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. For the information of those who may have fallen for the bare faced lies of Orji Uzor Kalu, United Kingdom is an island nation surrounded by water and near impossible to enter without being documented. If our leader is in the UK their government will not bother demanding he be produced by the Buhari regime. Lying it seems runs deep in APC. 

It is not right to apportion blame to Orji Uzor Kalu alone but to the entire people of South East and Abia State in particular for allowing such a shamelessly proud Hausa Fulani slave to rise to political prominence. There is no other more humiliating indictment of the an entire race than that of a man who in traditional Igbo setting would not be allowed to speak in public, suddenly rose to political prominence in a land brimming with academic brilliance and excellence in every field of human endeavor. There seems to be an ongoing battle among so-called political leaders in Biafraland as to who will emerge the anointed son of the Fulani caliphate. 

IPOB through her lawyers will compel Orji Uzor Kalu to appear in court alongside Buratai on the October 17, 2017 to tell the world, under oath, what he claims to know about the whereabouts of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. His laughable assertion that the IPOB leader is in London is confirmation that all along he has been working in tandem with Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu,  Willie Obiano,  Rochas Okprocha and others to slaughter as many IPOB family members as possible in order to please the core North. Any right thinking person,  aware of the dubious upbringing of Orji Uzor Kalu and his fraudulent paternity claim against the famous businessman Nnanna Kalu, a man that publicly denied him,  should dismiss his latest antics as another calculated attempt to endear himself more to his Hausa Fulani Islamic handlers. The question Orji Uzor Kalu must answer is this, if indeed you are Nnanna Kalu's son, why do you tell people you come from Igbere when the man you fraudulently claim is your father is not from there. 

Our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before his abduction by Nigerian Army has brought an end to the era of cash and carry politics politics of subservience to Hausa Fulani to the detriment of Biafra. That was why he flatly 

 rejected your monetary offer to him to compromise his uncompromising stance on Biafra restoration. Thankfully today you have told the world that Nnamdi Kanu cannot be bought. The politics of selling the interest of the East to the North is why all Hausa Fulani stooges in government houses across the South East ganged up with their Hausa Fulani masters to kill Nnamdi Kanu and proscribe IPOB. Their wish having come through, they are now lining up to exonerate the military because they know their names will be mentioned as accomplices to mass murder of IPOB family members.

Orji Uzor Kalu and his co-conspirators must await the fury of the people which is slowly building up. The same way Romans rose against the murderous Brutus and his gang that slayed the popular Julius Ceasar,  so will the mob in Biafraland descend on all traitors in no distant time. Planning and executing the mass murder of IPOB members including our leader and looking to cover up your complicity with bare faced lies, will expose and render Orji Uzor Kalu inconsequential and expose him for the Hausa Fulani slave he truly is. The masses will set an example with the likes of Orji Uzor Kalu, Okezie Ikpeazu and Willie Obiano in no distant time that other quislings like them may learn. 

We have formally instructed our attorneys to add the name of Orji Uzor Kalu as one of those who might help in locating of our leader. He should be prepared to present his evidence in a court of law and be cross examined under oath. The surviving members of Kanu family have all denied ever talking to the lying Orji Uzor Kalu about the whereabouts of our leader, so he should be prepared to mount the witness box because his lies have gone on for far too long. 

Signed:

EMMA POWERFUL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB