Why am I not surprise that after blowing hot and cold on the floor of the Senate with a threat to name 419 lawmakers that the chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Nuhu Aliyu has backed out.
I particularly like the way my Colleague Sufuyan Ojeifo who covers the Senate puts it: "He shouted on rooftop that the National Assembly was riddled with fraudsters. On the floor of the Senate, he threatened to name the alleged ‘419’ lawmakers but he was cut short. But when he was given a field day and was expected to savour the moment, he chickened out. It was an anti-climax of sort yesterday in the Senate. Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Senator Nuhu Aliyu, dramatically withdrew his statement that there were fraudsters in the National Assembly".
Some colleagues wore to high heavens that the man was fearless and was going to do just that. But guess what? According to Aliyu, he was chickening out because of his friends that he wants to keep and the respect that he doesn't what to loose. If that is not selfishness tell me what is?
Hear him: "During the debate my contribution became controversial and angered many of my colleagues and members of the House of Representatives. The media had a field day. I have come to realise that I am losing my friends in the Senate because of that debate. I do not want to lose them. “The controversy of that debate must end. We must be our brothers’ keepers. We must remain absolute, strong and united as a single family. I know both members of the House and Senate have tremendous respect for me. I want to keep that respect. “I have made contacts with my lawyers who have advised me strongly to withdraw that aspect of the statement I made that there are 419ners in the National Assembly".
But to fool himself and not us he then made mention of the late member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Morris Ibekwe, who was arrested, detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with fraud and eventually died in detention, as a fraudster.
I am sure if Ibekwe was alive he would not have dared.
You see why in politics there is only permanent interest but no permanent friend or enemy?
But my happiness is that the members of the National Assembly his friends inclusive have decided to throw his apology to his face and they insist he must mention the names. If he doesn't he must be sanctioned.
I agree with the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu that “Senators are part of the political leadership of the country and their statements carry much weight and influence.” While insisting that since the matter had already been referred to the Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions Committee, the letter should be sent to the committee to handle along with the main investigations. The deputy Senate president pointed out that “Parliamentary immunity does not preclude parliamentary decency.”
Friday, February 1, 2008
In February
You must refuse any form of delay in your life
Every path that will lead to destruction God will deliver you
Everything you experience throughout the month will work together for your good
All the seasonal blessing this month you shall not miss
God will satisfy your mouth with good things
All the benefits accrue to you this month must come to you
God will beautify and satisfy you early
But remember what you can't chance you can't confront
Every path that will lead to destruction God will deliver you
Everything you experience throughout the month will work together for your good
All the seasonal blessing this month you shall not miss
God will satisfy your mouth with good things
All the benefits accrue to you this month must come to you
God will beautify and satisfy you early
But remember what you can't chance you can't confront
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Gas Flaring to Stop Dec 08
The Federal Government yesterday countered the Minister ofState for Energy (Petroleum), Mr. Odein Ajumogobia assuring that there was no going back on the December 31, 2008 deadline for oil companies operating in the country to stop gasflaring.
Ajumogobia had said that the December 31, 2008 date was not “firm” ,saying it was difficult to put a definite date on the discontinuation of gas flaring.
It is very interesting that Ajumogobia who is heading such sensivity position and knowing the volatile nature the area is, is unaware that officials of the Ministry of Energy(Gas) were putting finishing touches to arrangementsthat that would ensure that no gas is flared by the final date and the policy on gas flaring, which stipulates sanctions and penalties for non-compliance,amongst others, was being prepared for approval byPresident Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
And to think that the detailed policy would soon be unveiled by the Minister of State for Energy (Gas), Emmanuel Odusina (his counterpart on the same sector) and that under the new arrangements, the Department of PetroleumResources (DPR) would be empowered to enforce all the new sanctions and penalties.
Anyways it is commendable that this Yar'Adua Administration has done what successive Militarygovernments and even Obasanjo administration have not been able to do.
This is good news because over the weekend while returning from the Vice President father's burial I passed through one of the gas flaring site and it was unbelievable. I have never seen one before so I naturally thought there was fire outbreak in the area but the calmness with which those around the area walked told me it was a normal phenomenon.
Our prayers is that the president will stick to this excellent decision and allow full penalties be paid bydefaulters. (As a matter of fact, penalties should bereviewed upwards in line with current gas prices). According to one of my colleagues
Ajumogobia had said that the December 31, 2008 date was not “firm” ,saying it was difficult to put a definite date on the discontinuation of gas flaring.
It is very interesting that Ajumogobia who is heading such sensivity position and knowing the volatile nature the area is, is unaware that officials of the Ministry of Energy(Gas) were putting finishing touches to arrangementsthat that would ensure that no gas is flared by the final date and the policy on gas flaring, which stipulates sanctions and penalties for non-compliance,amongst others, was being prepared for approval byPresident Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
And to think that the detailed policy would soon be unveiled by the Minister of State for Energy (Gas), Emmanuel Odusina (his counterpart on the same sector) and that under the new arrangements, the Department of PetroleumResources (DPR) would be empowered to enforce all the new sanctions and penalties.
Anyways it is commendable that this Yar'Adua Administration has done what successive Militarygovernments and even Obasanjo administration have not been able to do.
This is good news because over the weekend while returning from the Vice President father's burial I passed through one of the gas flaring site and it was unbelievable. I have never seen one before so I naturally thought there was fire outbreak in the area but the calmness with which those around the area walked told me it was a normal phenomenon.
Our prayers is that the president will stick to this excellent decision and allow full penalties be paid bydefaulters. (As a matter of fact, penalties should bereviewed upwards in line with current gas prices). According to one of my colleagues
Monday, January 28, 2008
NFA back Berti?
Kickoffnigeria.com reports that Nigeria Football Association (NFA) despite Coach Berti Vogts poor outing thus far in the Nation's Cup has received kudos from the body.
I am of the opinion that this is the time for Nigerians to have their pound of flesh once the Super Eagles are flush out of the competition.
It is so sad that some Nigerians just for what they can get will deliberately ruin the only thing that brings out together. First they had to travel to England to beg Vogts to come coach the team. Else where the position is advertised and interested parties come to prove why they should be given the job. From day one, Vogts record has not been encouraging and yet NFA signed spurious contract that allowed the man to dictate how he does his thing and today we are seeing the result in Ghana.
Vogts Eagles have picked up just one point from their first two group games at the African Nations Cup and are on the brink of elimination, with their slim chances of progress resting on Ivory Coast beating Mali on Tuesday, and the Nigerians triumphing by at least two goals against Benin. We are now relying on mathematics to qualify. I want the Eagles out of that championship. It is not fair that other teams will put in their best and prepare for a competition while we use the fire brigade approach and expect to win the cup.
Somebody will sure taste the anger of Nigerians very soon because I think we have been too patient with these people without ideas.
I am of the opinion that this is the time for Nigerians to have their pound of flesh once the Super Eagles are flush out of the competition.
It is so sad that some Nigerians just for what they can get will deliberately ruin the only thing that brings out together. First they had to travel to England to beg Vogts to come coach the team. Else where the position is advertised and interested parties come to prove why they should be given the job. From day one, Vogts record has not been encouraging and yet NFA signed spurious contract that allowed the man to dictate how he does his thing and today we are seeing the result in Ghana.
Vogts Eagles have picked up just one point from their first two group games at the African Nations Cup and are on the brink of elimination, with their slim chances of progress resting on Ivory Coast beating Mali on Tuesday, and the Nigerians triumphing by at least two goals against Benin. We are now relying on mathematics to qualify. I want the Eagles out of that championship. It is not fair that other teams will put in their best and prepare for a competition while we use the fire brigade approach and expect to win the cup.
Somebody will sure taste the anger of Nigerians very soon because I think we have been too patient with these people without ideas.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Distinguished 419ers
May I ask why the Senate President, David Mark choose to prevent the Chairman, Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence, Senator Nuhu Aliyu, from naming members of the National Assembly whom he investigated for Advance Fee Fraud (419) when he was Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department? I hope he is not in the list o!
Even the dumbest Nigerian knows Senator Aliyu was not making a frivolous threat because he has records to prove his allegations. Why will Senator Mark prefer the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to do the investigations?
Like Hon Eziuche Ubani said today while contributing to the debate at the floor of the House of Representatives, the former DIG being a cop knows what he is talking about and should be allowed to present his list.
Senator Aliyu we are waiting to see your next line of action if you will allow this conspiracy in the name of Ethics Committee to deprive Nigerians from knowing the looters of our treasury and the destroyer of our image in the international commmunity. While they hardly face the embarrassment genuine Nigerians go through abroad, we are left to bear the brunt of snifing dogs and mean security operatives at the national airport.
Even the dumbest Nigerian knows Senator Aliyu was not making a frivolous threat because he has records to prove his allegations. Why will Senator Mark prefer the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to do the investigations?
Like Hon Eziuche Ubani said today while contributing to the debate at the floor of the House of Representatives, the former DIG being a cop knows what he is talking about and should be allowed to present his list.
Senator Aliyu we are waiting to see your next line of action if you will allow this conspiracy in the name of Ethics Committee to deprive Nigerians from knowing the looters of our treasury and the destroyer of our image in the international commmunity. While they hardly face the embarrassment genuine Nigerians go through abroad, we are left to bear the brunt of snifing dogs and mean security operatives at the national airport.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
O super Eagles!
I was very excited yesterday when i saw the crowd at the sekondi stadium where Nigeria's Super Eagles were going to play against the Elephants of Cote d' Ivore. I abandoned all and focused my eyes on the TV screen but 90 mins later, all my confidence was boosted as our boys lacadiscal play cost us dearly.
I had argued with my colleagues that we will beat them silly despite the confidence of others that the Dragba led team were no push overs.
Now Vogsts is giving us hope again and talking tough, i hope this is no false hope and the boys will make sure they win their remaining two matches convincingly and not try to toy with our delicate hearts again o!.
I had argued with my colleagues that we will beat them silly despite the confidence of others that the Dragba led team were no push overs.
Now Vogsts is giving us hope again and talking tough, i hope this is no false hope and the boys will make sure they win their remaining two matches convincingly and not try to toy with our delicate hearts again o!.
Ateke Ready to Surrender
It is heartwarming to hear that the leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante Movement, Mr. Tom Ateke, has said he is ready to lay down arms.
Atake declared wanted by security agencies, said he has grown tired of fighting and killing human beings and called on those brokering the peace between him and the government of Governor Rotimi Amaechi to hasten the process.
He also assured that if adequate arrangements were made to secure his freedom, he would be willing to embrace peace but warned that “Nobody should talk about surrender of arms for now until when it will be discussed, let’s face peace now as me and my boys are not animals to live in the creeks this way”.
There is no gain saying that the loosers of this militants fights have been the poor in the region.While the funders and militants themselves have been smiling to the bank, the people of the area have continued to suffer environmental degradation, poverty, health issues, homelessness among others.
Atake will be doing his people a lot more good if he indeed lay down arms.
Atake declared wanted by security agencies, said he has grown tired of fighting and killing human beings and called on those brokering the peace between him and the government of Governor Rotimi Amaechi to hasten the process.
He also assured that if adequate arrangements were made to secure his freedom, he would be willing to embrace peace but warned that “Nobody should talk about surrender of arms for now until when it will be discussed, let’s face peace now as me and my boys are not animals to live in the creeks this way”.
There is no gain saying that the loosers of this militants fights have been the poor in the region.While the funders and militants themselves have been smiling to the bank, the people of the area have continued to suffer environmental degradation, poverty, health issues, homelessness among others.
Atake will be doing his people a lot more good if he indeed lay down arms.
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