RESIDENCY CARD: Ondo Breaks New Ground

This is part of planning. Mimiko has taken us back to the Awolowo school of leadership, that leadership is not by permutation but good planning for the welfare of the people” .“That was how human rights activist, Yinka Odumakin, summarized the Residency Card initiated by Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko at the flag-off ceremony of its utilization phase.

On his part, a former Statistician General of the Federation, Prof. Doyin Akinyosoye, recommended the Residency Card, otherwise known as Kaadi Igbe Ayo, to the National Economic Council (NEC) for effective planning in Nigeria.“He said the card, which captures the data of each resident, if adopted nationally, will be useful as a platform for effective planning for the citizens, and consequently enhance the development of the country.“Perhaps,the usefulness of the multi-purpose smart card was better exposed to the audience at the launch by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Ondo State, Mr Segun Agbaje, who represented the Independent National Electoral Commission boss, Amina Zakari, who promised to recommend the scheme to the electoral body.“

According to him, the scheme would be recommended to the Federal Government for adoption by the electoral body since the card would enable the owner vote in any part of the country, irrespective of place of residence without the risk of duplication of votes.“Chairman of Globalcom, Mike Adenuga Jnr, said a number of states have tried to adopt the smart card initiative without success. Represented at the event by Mr Olushola Ajayi, the Globacom Chairman said: “We are part of the scheme because we are part of the Abiye project which has been used to successfully demonstrate the work-ability of the Residency Card.”

He thus implored other states to emulate Ondo and adopt the initiative.“Describing Mimiko as a trailblazer, the Secretary of the Yoruba delegates to the National Confab, Dr.Kunle Olajide, who noted that no state can succeed without proper planning, maintained that the Kaadi IgbeAyo project is key in that regard and described the introduction of the scheme as a history making process. “”This is history making process. It is a clear planning process. You are a trailblazer in the country. You have made the Yoruba proud, other states should come and learn from you. I am proud to be part of this,” he submitted.“If the disclosure of the Ondo governor concerning the initiative coming into being is anything to go by, the smart card idea came as a result of his deep thought on how to make the difference in governance and give the people value for their mandate.“Speaking at the launch, he said, “You would recall that at the inception of this administration in 2009, a12- point programme, tagged ‘A CARING HEART’, was rolled out as a guiding paradigm of our people-oriented administration.

This underlying philosophy formed the platform for our mission to mobilize the people of Ondo State to harness all God-given resources, create and use wealth for the collective fulfillment,individual happiness, and peaceful co-habitation in an environment of transparent and honest leadership’’.“As a means of transmuting this mission into reality therefore, Mimiko said the government introduced the Residency Card to facilitate the identification of all residents of Ondo so as to deliver to them, directly, the inherent social and welfare programmes contained in the 12 –point programme.“Declaring that the card will be the prerequisite for all residents of the state to access government facilities, the governor listed the facilities to include Abiye Safe Motherhood programme, the micro-credit and economic empowerment project, the highly-subsidized agric input and supplies and free education. “

He explained that Kaadi Igbe Ayo will not just be a new lexicon in the vocabulary but an integral part of life in the Sunshine State.“”Kaadi Igbe Ayo is a state-wide, dynamic, chip-based multi-purpose transaction card that contains the basic bio data as well as socio-economic data of holders and the state welfare package solutions and applications. “”It is a smart card that serves as an interface between the state government and all residents. It is the instrument of access to all democratic dividends of the present administration”, Mimiko submitted.“
He thus urged the people of the state to ensure prompt payment of their tax in order to help government execute and maintain the projects and other social facilities.“Following the successful take off of the scheme, government has embarked on its full implementation with initial focus on the health sector.“The choice of the sector for the enforcement may not be far-fetched considering that over 70% of beneficiaries of the state’s free healthcare are non-residents.“

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, during a visit to inspect health facilities in the capital city, Akure, as part of the measures to ensure the usage of the smart card, warned that any pregnant woman who does not have her Residency Card may not have access to free healthcare programme of the Ondo government as it was determined to ensure that the multitude that flock to the state from other states to enjoy its health services pay for the services.“According to him, the essence of the visit was to ensure that people complied with the directive that everybody in the state should have ‘Kaadi Igbe Ayo’.

450 Nigerians Deported From Cameroon Over Boko Haram Fears

Four hundred and fifty Nigerian nationals who could not present valid documents permitting them to stay in Cameroon were deported by the immigration authorities of the neighbouring country from Kousseri, a town that borders Chad in the Far North.

Cameroon’s authorities say the preventive measure was dictated by the growing threat from the Nigerian Boko Haram terrorist organization, and affected only foreign nationals who resided in Cameroon illegally, Kenya’s Africa Review reported on Friday.

Albert Mekondané Obounou, the prefect of Cameroon’s Logone and Chari Division, said: “They are foreign nationals without valid documents. We are working towards identifying those who are living with us [legally]. The expulsion concerns only foreign nationals without valid documents.”

The Nigerian nationals, who were part of a larger group, ferried to Mayo-Oulo on border with Nigeria and handed over to the Nigerian authorities in the neighbouring town of Mubi in Adamawa state.

Commenting, a Cameroonian security source said: “We decided to send home all foreigners without valid papers. Other countries of the sub-region involved in the fight against Boko Haram had advocated this solution to truly fight against the terrorists who infiltrate people.”

Those Nigerians who faced expulsion called the action “inhumane”.

Only 5,289 Nigerian refugees out of 8,128 in Cameroon’s Far North region are registered by the UNHCR. Cameroonian security sources say the crackdown on undocumented foreign nationals will continue. So far, refugees from Chad, Mali have faced similar fate.

Photos: VP Yemi Osinbajo visits Fashola at Lagos home

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo paid a visit to former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, at his home in Lagos earlier today.

YOU WILL SURELY LIKE TO SEE THESE TOO:-

• Nigeria's Hairiest Woman, Queen Okafor Shows Off Her Hairy Body { see photos }

PHOTOS : PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S MANSION IN OTUOKE, BAYELSA

See Lucky Igbinedion’s Multi-Billion Naira Signature Mansion in Abuja

PHOTOS: Gov Fayose drinking palmwine with Ekiti residents at a local joint

MUST READ: Some Legendary Nigerian Pictures And Quotes

Bashir El-Rufai Eating Pounds And Kissing His Girlfriend [PHOTOS]

See Photos: Comedian Akpororo buys Range Rover SUV

My wife died 14 days after God told me He would take her away’

After 44 years of marriage, Sir James Joseph Itapke,  a knight of the Catholic Church, lost his wife and mother of his five children, Lady Angelina Itakpe, to a brief illness on October 1, 2014. He told Sunday Vanguard that 14 days before then, precisely September 17, that year, God informed him  that He would take away what Itakpe loved most.

• READ: Nigeria's Hairiest Woman, Queen Okafor Shows Off Her Hairy Body { see photos }

Itakpe retired as a Manager in Union Bank and  hails from Afowoh in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

“I usually gather my family every morning and evening for prayers. On September 17, 2014,  I told my wife to read the Bible and pray before we went for the activities of the day. My wife and I read the daily verses according to the Roman Catholic Church. We read Ezekiel in which God was talking to Ezekiel, sending a message to Israelites. We read the gospel and we did all normal prayers,”he started.

The knight continued: “But when we finished, she took her Bible and went into the room. She said l should expatiate more on what God was telling Ezekiel. All of a sudden, a paper appeared before me.

James-Joseph-Itapke

“The Lord said in that paper, ~Very soon, I am going to take the one you love most. I am going to kill your wife and, when that happens, do not mourn, do not cry, do not shave your hairs as mourners do’.

“I could not completely digest it; so I took the Bible and went into my room and I asked if it was me God was talking to or Ezekiel. And I said, ‘ No, it couldn’t have been me but Ezekiel’. I  came out  of my room and behold my wife was coming out of her room looking gaunt in her structure, weary and weak. I kept my gaze, I just shook my head and turned my face.

“On September 21, 2014, we had our annual harvest thanksgiving during which  my wife danced to the altar, and we presented  gifts with smile and everything..The  following Sunday, September 24, she did her work as Church Warden in the parish. During the Holy Communion, she caught a small girl in the parish with the Holy Eucharist on her palm even as the church had ordered that only priests should serve the Eucharist because of the fear of Ebola.

READ: MUST READ: Some Legendary Nigerian Pictures And Quotes

“This little girl went to the altar, took the Eucharist and closed her hand without anybody seeing her and was going to her seat. Mumise, as my wife was fondly called, took the little girl to the priest after Holy Communion and opened her hand and the Eucharist was there. She asked her where she was going with it. The little girl replied that she was going home with it. The priest  took her to the altar and  told the congregation that girl had committed a sacrilege. The priest then took the little girl to his office and started interviewing her; more revelations came out after which we left.

“By September 27, 2014 midnight, my wife broke down. She said  her stomach was cold, and I said we had to go and see a doctor. She agreed but said we would go in the morning as it was risky to go out that late. Efforts to persuade her failed and we waited till early morning of the 28th and phoned our doctor for an appointment and the doctor said he would be at the clinic by 5pm; we had to wait till 5pm to see the doctor.

READ: See What Girls Now Wear To Pop Out Their Buttocks And Other Parts of Their Body

“When we got to the hospital, the doctor was in the theatre, so we waited. After the operation, around 6pm, the doctor came our and administered some drugs to calm her. While we were at it, Mumie started belching and wanting to vomit. I held a bowl by her mouth, she vomited in it. It was then that the doctor realised it was more serious than is he looked. She was admitted and given drip. She felt better  and was subsequently discharged.

“On the way home, she started belching again, trying to vomit but nothing to vomit because she had  not eaten. By midnight of the 30th of September, the sickness got worse, Mumise became very restless. She advised against going out in the midnight. She sat down and requested for water to drink.  I gave her water but she vomited again. In the morning of October 1, we again went to hospital.

“As soon as we got to the hospital, she started breathing very heavily. All the doctors in the hospital, about five of them, and the nurses rushed out and they started calling out to Mumie because they all knew her very well. They asked why l did not bring her in the midnight. I could not answer because I was dumb founded.

“They rushed her to the ward. By the time they got to the ward, Mumsie turned to me and said the Matron told her that l was crying; she asked  why l was crying. I could not answer her.

“They brought in oxygen to stabilise her breathing. While they were on it, I could not bear it any longer and was going in and out of the ward. I was just by the door of the ward when l heard a loud voice commanding me to go back to my wife. The voice was sharp and clear; so l went back to my wife and held her by the hand while I placed my right hand on her shoulder.

• READ: Nigeria's Hairiest Woman, Queen Okafor Shows Off Her Hairy Body { see photos }

“All of a sudden, my wife turned with all the energy in her and looked at me straight in the eyes. I noticed that her eyes had changed. I gave her a peck on the cheek, I covered her eyes, I took her hands again and  prayed. I laid her back on the bed, closed her eyes and put her hands on her body and then I walked out. She was dead.

“As I was  going out, the Medical Director instructed some nurses to follow me, as though I looked strong, l was lost.  I went to his office straight and sat down on a chair after which we discussed.

“At that point, the warning echoed again that l must not cry, mourn or shave my hair. That  encouraged me because Christ actually supported me very strongly. He had told me what was going to happen; therefore, I was not moved to tears because I would be offending God if I did so. It is painful to me but God knows best.

“In my hometown, men can shave a little of their heads to show they are mourning or wear all black to show that you are really mourning a wife.”

• READ: The Rich Also Cry: Heavy Rainfall Floods VGC (SEE PHOTOS)

Recounting how life is without his wife, Itakpe said, “She was a real companion who got to understand and accept me for what I am and tried to make the best of me and that is what I am missing. She was the one who would look at me and say ‘you’re wrong’ and I had to accept and bury my pride and I will say ‘sorry, you’re right’. That is the sort of counselling I am missing now.”

YOU WILL SURELY LIKE TO SEE THESE TOO:-

Mikel Obi's House In London And His Cars (photos)

• PHOTOS : PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S MANSION IN OTUOKE, BAYELSA

President Buhari's N2.1 Billion Asokoro Mansion, Abuja {PHOTOS}

I know for a fact that Saraki worships Tinubu — Dele Momodu (Interview)

Mr Dele Momodu, the publisher of the Qvation magazine, was the presidential candidate of the National Commission Party (NCP) in the  2011 general elections. In this interview, Momodu speaks on the Buhari administration, the elections of the leaders of the two chambers of the National Assembly and his relationship with the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the late politician, Chief MKO Abiola, among other issues.

Talking about sudden change, you were known to be a  friend and admirer of the APC National Leader, Ashiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, but suddenly you started supporting the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, against his party?

 There is nothing sudden in that. From day one, I supported Saraki for various reasons. I will say that, boldly, any where. And I stand by it. I supported him based on empirical facts of what I know. One of it…..

READ: Police Demolish Kidnappers’ Dens In Anambra

(Cuts in)But you are not a member of the party?

Yes, that is the beauty of it all.

So how come you are saying authoritatively that ‘’from what I know’’?

I interact with people. At my level, a 55-year-old man, I have friends everywhere. I have contacts. I say this with every sense of responsibility. I don’t know of anybody who worked harder than Saraki, Amaechi and the rest of them for Buhari. Yes, so many people worked for Buhari, but I am telling you that from my own stand point, from my interactions, these people mentioned almost worked themselves to death for Buhari. As a matter of fact, at a time, some people were saying  it was better to have consensus candidate for the party so that there won’t be rancour after the primaries; but some people refused, saying they were not ready to step down for Buhari.

Saraki was one of the first people who declared total and unflinching support for Buhari. Amaechi adores Kwankwaso. I know that for a fact.  Ameachi loves Kwankwaso to death. But because of Buhari, Amaechi refused to support Kwankwaso. I don’t know if Kwankwaso will forgive him for that. But, he was honest enough to tell Kwankwaso that ‘’I have given my word to Buhari, I cannot turn back’’.  Same thing with Saraki. I know for a fact that Saraki worships Tinubu. Quote me. Maybe our Oga (Tinubu)does not know it. You know, sometimes, you don’t know those who love you if you have a lot of crowd around you. But I am saying it to you that Saraki, the Senate President, worships Tinubu.

READ : FFK makes it offiicial, changes his name on his social media platforms

Then or till now?

I am sure till today. Saraki was one of Tinubu disciples. In fact, when some people were saying Tinubu wanted to hijack  the party by installing his men,  Saraki and Amaechi were among  those who said ‘no, we must give our leader whatever he wants;  we must not humiliate our leader’, because they(new PDP) had the power at that time to install their own candidate and they would have won, because the new PDP that joined APC at that time was formidable enough. But, they insisted they must defer to Tinubu. It is what I know, not that they told me.

There are people who may go behind and tell the leaders lies, but I love Tinubu to the extent that I will never tell him a lie. I will tell him only what I know. So, among those who worked so hard day and night, gathered those who could support the campaign, Saraki was one of them. Amaeachi risked his entire life for that campaign. In an association of five or more political parties, I expected that immediately after victory, all of you would have come together to decide which of the parties in the association takes what. That was not the case.

My advice to those of us who are close to Asiwaju Tinubu is that people should prevail on him not to oppose Saraki because he is one of his men. If you have children and you show one that he is the preferred child  above other ones, they will be angry. I think Saraki felt betrayed. If I were  Ashiwaju, I would have done what the president did. I can almost bet my life that the President Buhari had a preferred candidate even though we didn’t know who the person was, but he said he would not interfere.

It will get to a stage in life where two of your children are fighting for something, you stand back and let them go to the field and whoever wins, you support him, not that you tie the arms of one against the other. You have not even told us why you are supporting one against the other. I have not read it anywhere. The only thing I have so far read was that Senator Lawan is a ranking member, beyond that, what else? Beyond that, nobody sold Lawan to us.

READ: Suspected Oil Theft Kingpin Nabbed in Akwa Ibom

THE CONFESSION OF A NIGERIA SERIAL KILLER

At the age of 16, Lukman Mohammed (not real name) said that he was lured into be­coming a member of Black Axe Confra­ternity. An unholy union which turned him into a serial killer. He was said to have done exceptionally well and rose in ranks to become the Chief Protocol Officer of the dreaded cult group in Nigeria.

HIS EXPLOITS WERE MORE IN THE NORTH ESPECIALLY ABUJA WHERE HE CONFESSED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF A KILLER GANG THAT HAD ASSASSINATED A LOT OF PERSONS AT THE INSTANCE OF THEIR SPONSORS WHO ARE MOSTLY POLITICIANS. HE ALSO CLAIMED TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN SEVERAL BIG ROBBERIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ESPECIALLY IN KADUNA. IT TOOK DIVINE INTERVENTION WHEN HE AT­TENDED A CHURCH PROGRAMME  RECENTLY TO REPENT.

Insisting that he has changed, Mohammed aged 29 is now on a mission to save other lost souls like himself through gospel music. He told the story of his exploits in a chat with Saturday Sun.

Father’s love 
As a boy, Mohammed had all the love and atten­tion he could get from his family especially his fa­ther. Determined to get accustomed to his religion as a Moslem, his father sent him to Saudi Arabia to learn everything about the Holy Koran. Within the one year duration of the course, Mohammed had so many friends including one who later thought him how to be in control of the society and live his life as a king.

 “HE WAS MY CHILDHOOD FRIEND, AND WHILE IN SAUDI ARABIA, HE TOLD ME EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BLACK AXE CONFRATERNITY. I EVEN REMIND­ED HIM THAT OUR PARENTS SENT US TO SAUDI ARABIA BECAUSE THEY WANT US TO BECOME ISLAMIC CLERICS.
“WHEN WE RETURNED BACK TO NIGERIA, HE PER­FORMED ALL FORMS OF MAGIC TO CONVINCE ME THAT THERE IS MORE TO GAIN AS A MEMBER OF THAT CULT. IT WAS WHEN I SAW HIM COMMAND A LIVING MAGGOT TO SWALLOW A FAR BIGGER ANIMAL THAT I WAS CONVINCED TO JOIN IN 2001. I WAS VERY YOUNG THEN BUT DETER­MINED TO BE POWERFUL,” MOHAMMED SAID.

Darkness and deaths 

After the initiation, Mohammed said he was shocked when they told him that part of their duties was armed robbery and assassination.

“I THOUGHT THAT PART OF THE MAGIC WAS THAT ONE WILL COMMAND MONEY TO FALL FROM THE SKY AND IT WILL. I NEVER KNEW THAT WE HAD TO STEAL TO BE RICH. INITIALLY IT WAS NOT EASY ESPECIALLY WATCHING PEOPLE DIE BUT GRADUALLY, I BECAME PERFECT TO THE POINT THAT I WAS APPOINTED THE CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER.
“DURING THE INITIATION, WE WERE FORCED TO DRINK HUMAN BLOOD AND SPRINKLE PART OF IT ON OUR CLOTHS. EVERYONE WAS ASKED TO KEEP THAT CLOTH SAFE AS LONG AS WE LIVE AND STILL A MEMBER OF THE CULT. I WAS ASSURED THAT THE BLOOD THAT WE DRANK HAD FORTIFIED OUR BODY AND WE WILL NEVER BE KILLED. AS A MEM­BER, YOU ARE CONSTANTLY REMINDED THAT FORGIVENESS IS SIN AND WHATEVER COMES YOUR WAY, YOU MUST AC­CEPT IT.”

On the number of persons that he killed, Mo­hammed confessed that he had lost count.

“MOST OF THE TIME, IT IS NORMALLY A BATTLE FIELD AND SEV­ERAL PEOPLE GET SHOT. THE ONLY TIME I GOT HIT WAS IN 2011 IN KADUNA, WHEN WE HAD GONE TO SNATCH BAGS OF MONEY FROM A POLITICIAN. WE NEVER KNEW THAT HE HAD MILITARY ESCORT. I WAS SHOT AT THE LEG BUT SUCCEEDED IN SNATCHING THE MONEY WHICH IS CLOSE TO A BILLION. IT WAS ONE OF OUR MOST REWARDING OP­ERATIONS. NOT TO LEAVE A TRACE, WE SHOT THE DRIVER WHO WAS OUR INFORMANT SO THAT HE WILL NOT BE A SUSPECT.”

Worried that he sustained a bullet wound, Mo­hammed said he was advised to visit a herbalist.

“THE HERBALIST KNOWN AS OYO BABA, GAVE US TWO RINGS TO WEAR ALWAYS. HE CLAIMED THAT ONE IS TO SNATCH THE DESTINY OF BABIES WHICH WILL HELP RENEW OUR POWERS. THE SECOND RING WILL BECOME HOT IF THERE IS A DANGER AROUND THE CORNER.”
MOHAMMED FURTHER ALLEGED THAT MOST OF THEIR OPERATIONS, THEY HAVE THE CONSENT OF SOME CORRUPT POLICEMEN WHO ARE ON THEIR PAYROLL.
“AS THE CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER, IT’S ALSO MY DUTY TO ORGANIZE EVENTS THAT WILL LURE THE YOUTHS. I HAVE ORGANIZED SEVERAL PARTIES IN ABUJA AND NORMALLY IT IS FREE FOR ALL. WHEN YOUNG MEN ARE INTOXICATED, IT IS EASIER TO CONVINCE THEM TO TAKE DRUGS AND GIVE YOU INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR FAMILY. OUR TARGETS ARE NORMALLY CHILDREN FROM VERY RICH HOMES. THEY EN­JOY ATTENTION AND ARE DESPERATE TO FREE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR PARENT,” MOHAMMED SAID.

Repentant 
Intoxicated by the power being a member of the cult had given him; Mohammed said that he feared no one because the potency of the ring on his finger had been proven.

 “I FELT INVISIBLE TILL I WAS ARRESTED BY A FORCE BIGGER THAN ANYTHING IN THE WHOLE WORLD. A NEIGHBOR WHOM I RESPECT A LOT INVITED ME TO A PROGRAM. HE NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A CHURCH PROGRAM, AND OUT OF EXCITEMENT, I FORGOT TO GO ALONG WITH MY RING.
“IT WAS WHEN WE ENTERED THE HALL THAT I REALIZED THAT IT WAS A CHURCH PROGRAMME. SUDDENLY, I FELT AS IF MY WHOLE BODY WAS ON FIRE. I KEPT SCREAMING TILL I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. WHEN I FINALLY OPENED MY EYES, I SAW SEVERAL PERSONS PRAYING FOR ME OUTSIDE THE CHURCH. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD CONDUCTED A DELIVERANCE SESSION FOR ME WHEN I STARTED SCREAM­ING. I KNEW THAT IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO CHANGE WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE RING HAD DISAPPEARED. I ALSO DE­STROYED ALL THE MILITARY UNIFORM AND ARMS IN MY POSSESSION. I ONLY ASK GOD TO FORGIVE ME AND HEAL THE SEVERAL FAMILIES THAT I HAVE HURT WHEN I WAS A MEMBER OF THE BLACK AXE,” MOHAMMED SAID.

Culled from Saturday Sun

Police Demolish Kidnappers’ Dens In Anambra

The efforts to end crime and bring criminal elements in Anambra State to book are still on, as the police have demolished two kidnappers’ dens in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area of the state.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Agugoesi, led the group that demolished the buildings.

He narrated the ugly activities of one Mr Solomon Chibuzo Morah, alias Mmili, one of the most notorious kidnap kingpins in the state who had been on the Police wanted list for many years. He is now in police custody.

Mr Agugoesi said the suspect had terrorised his community and environs and had in one kidnap activity with his gang collected about 70 million Naira from a victim as ransom.

Kidnapper’s ‘Charm House’

According to him, Morah’s building and another kidnap den had been demolished, as he had confessed using proceeds from his nefarious activities to erect the structure.

The Assistant Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the State government to ridding the State of crime and criminality, by dealing decisively (according to the laws of the state) with anyone caught perpetrating crime.

At the site of the demolition, inside the fenced compound was a completed building filled with all kinds of fetish materials which, according to some villagers, was the kidnapper’s ‘charm house’.

The villagers also said the suspect was a lay-about, who had no clear means of livelihood, but suddenly started living big before they discovered he was into kidnapping activities.

According to Mr Agugoesi, the action taken by the Police was not meant to punish the innocent, but the offender, as the building of Hyacinth Chibuodu, another kidnap suspect from the same Umueri, was spared for the day, to allow tenants move their property.

READ : FG Bailout Not With States Yet

However, another structure belonging to one Mr Matthew Nwankwo, a gang leader from Nteje in Oyi Local Government, who is presently on the run, was completely crushed.

Addressing reporters after the demolition, the State Governor, Willie Obiano, reiterated his commitment to fighting crime, stressing that the huge benefit of having a crime free environment had earned the state over $2.4 million in investment.

FG Bailout Not With States Yet

Ondo state Government says it was yet to receive any bailout from the Federal government to pay outstanding  workers salary. However, it received N2.2 billion accrued to it from taxes, being part of June allocation from the Federation account.

At a joint media briefing addressed by the state’s Commissioner for Information Hon. Kayode Akinmade and his Finance counterpart, Chief Yele Ogundipe in Akure yesterday, the government noted that the bailout proposal presented to the President at a recent meeting by state governors was yet to bear fruit as modalities on it are still being worked out.

“I can tell you that so far, no concrete action has been taken in that direction, notwithstanding the fact that all across the nation and in particular in Ondo, most people have read in the newspapers and heard that the Federal government distributed over N720b to assist the states in the payment of salaries on Monday,” the Finance Minister said.

Before APC falls apart: A reply to Dele Momodu

By Remi Oyeyemi

“ ….there is need for the competence and character of public men to be subjected to severer and stricter scrutiny…”- Chief Obafemi Awolowo

“Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong.”- Daniel O’Connell.

One of the challenges of building a country or if you like as in the case of Nigeria – a Nation- State is the inability of all the players to agree on the definition of political lexicons such as fairness, good, bad, consistency among several others. The dishonest desire to apply different definitions and rules in all situations that concern segments of the same people in the same country is what often causes problems and challenges for the building of a prosperous and united country.

Bukola Saraki: will he allow peace to reign?

The recent Dele Momodu’s article on the subject above really raises the spectre of partiality and unfairness as an instrument of political management of and in our polity. The article, an epitome in subtle double-speak, dexterous meandering as well as an exemplification in flagrant double standard is also an invitation to lowering the standard of integrity in public offices in the name of political correctness. Coming from a respected colleague like Mr. Momodu is very disappointing, and indeed very scary.

I am sure that Mr. Momodu would agree with me that there are universal basic definitions of “good”, “bad”, “fairness”, “treachery”, “greed”, “perfidy”, and other lexicons. So, it should not be difficult to identify any “bad” and “treacherous” behavior(s) for what they are. Thus for Mr. Momodu to suggest in the referenced article that the victims of the treachery of Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara have the responsibility of allowing peace to reign in the APC and the country is not only disappointing, it is shocking. Rather than address the real issues and the implications of treachery and undue brinksmanship, Mr. Momodu was speaking in “tongues” from all sides of the issue at stake.

If political correctness is the path that people like Mr. Momodu are championing in rectifying the impasse that are evolving within the APC and the country at large in the glare of all, then it is either he is not sincere in his admonitions or he is really angling for the destruction of the APC house that took the sweat of many to build. The ability to speak the truth “as is” is a challenge that those who sincerely wish President Mohammadu Buhari success must adopt and practice. Even, those who are going to be his critics could not afford to be pejorative or propagandist, since such would devalue from the integrity of the issues at stake.

Mr. Momodu had written inter alia:-

“I have had the honour and privilege of sitting with the two principal actors in the middle of this raging imbroglio, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara and I’m reasonably assured and definitely convinced that they both love their Party despite the storms in the tea-cups that almost damaged their relationships irreparably. Though labelled as modern day Judases, they both continue to plead for the understanding of those who might not have known what actually transpired behind the scenes.”

When Mr. Momodu sat down with his friends what did he stress to them as what ought to be the course of action moving forward? Did he underscore the need to put the interest of the country above their selfish interests? Did he implore them to really let the “sleeping dog lie” and negotiate with others by giving some after they had taken some? Was he very forthright in letting them see the damages they are doing to the country, their party and the Presidency of Buhari by their acts of treachery and uncontrolled greed? Is Momodu suggesting that Saraki and Dogara are not Judases? Is Mr. Momodu trying to launder the soiled and dirty reputations for these two perfidious elements?

Then Mr, Momodu wrote:-

For now, they are willing and ready to bear their crosses courageously till that auspicious moment when the jigsaw would fit into place. For myself, I am aware that all the contending factions have points that would justify their position and this is the more reason that the swords should be sheathed without further delay. Nobody can come out of this smelling of roses as all the contending forces acted selfishly including the party supremacists!

The question Mr. Momodu failed to address is how to forgive treachery and perfidy? As contended by the Bologna Socialist Party of old, “He who betrayed once, will do it again,” could Saraki and Dogara be meaningful partners going forward given the sort of exudation we have witnessed from them so far? How do you forgive an intruder who came into your house and took the valuables you have sweated for? How do you reason with such a perfidious element when he is not even considering remorse? How do you move on when such treacherous element as in Bukola Saraki and his accomplice in the Federal House of Representative are refusing to even negotiate and give some after they had taken some? Since Saraki has stolen the Senate Presidency why was he not willing to concede the post of principal officials to the “party supremacists” as Mr. Momodu called them?

What exactly is Mr. Momodu advocating? So when Momodu sat with Saraki, a serial bank robber, why did he not prevail on him to give and take in the name of peace and progress of the country? Why did Momodu not help Saraki see the need to not be too greedy and consider other interests in the party? Why did Momodu fail to impress it on his “greedy” friends to find a way to bring everyone together for the interest of President Buhari who has a task to accomplish?

When Mr. Momodu sat down with his friends what did he stress to them as what ought to be the course of action moving forward? Did he underscore the need to put the interest of the country above their selfish interests? Did he implore them to really let the “sleeping dog lie” and negotiate with others by giving some after they had taken some? Was he very forthright in letting them see the damages they are doing to the country, their party and the Presidency of Buhari by their acts of treachery and uncontrolled greed?

Rather than be blunt and honest with his friends when he sat with them, Mr. Momodu did not do that. But Mr. Momodu was more comfortable to provide the following preposterous counsel:-

“My candid advice to the APC leadership is to urgently put its house in order because if united they will stand proudly but if divided they will fall miserably. Such is the sad reality I foresee if members of the same party find it impossible to forgive even if they cannot forget.

What Mr. Momodu did in that article is like blaming the victims of armed robbery who did not wish to be robbed. He is blaming the victims and advising the victims not to fight back even when the victims have the means and wherewithal to do so. Instead of speaking the truth to his friends and call their attention to the effects of their greed, Mr. Momodu is advising the victims to accept their fate and move on when they (the victims) have the means to stand up and fight for their rights? What makes Mr. Momodu think that there could be peace without justice? How could Mr. Momodu not know that justice is a precondition to peace and progress

Mr. Momodu’s position in the referenced article is an example of why Nigeria would never make it. The inability to be candid, honest and forthright in matters of concern to all and sundry is creating enmity, bad blood and a sense of unfair treatment to some. Instead of us all to come together and condemn the condemnable, Mr. Momodu is advocating the tolerance and acceptance of perfidy and treachery. Mr. Momodu is advocating that we should just leave them alone and allow their travesty to stand regardless of the implications of such to the country and to the party. Mr. Momodu is advocating allowing shenanigans to be part of our public behaviors, discourse and administration. He is trying to validate all the wrong things for the right reasons.

In that article, Mr. Momodu is creating a serious foreboding. He is sending dangerous signals to anxious Nigerians who want to fight corruption. He is sending perplexing indication for fraud, shenanigans and perfidy to be tolerated and accepted as part and parcel of our public life. Mr. Momodu is sending signals that if tomorrow, President Mohammdu Buhari wakes up and wanted to know what happened in the Societe Generale Bank looted by Bukola Saraki and his sisters, Trade Bank owned by Kwara and Kogi States but looted to liquidation by Saraki and the Intercontinental Banks where he colluded with Sanusi Lamido to write off about 40 billion naira loan, he (Mr. Momodu) would plead that President Buhari should not go forward with it? Yet the sage Obafemi Awolow advised “…there is need for the competence and character of public men to be subjected to severer and stricter scrutiny…” Is it that Mr. Momodu does not buy into this principle?

In every situation where there are no consequences for negative behaviors, that is an open invitation to others to engage in such behaviors again. It is an open validation of wrong doing and that wrong doing would be acceptable. Mr. Momodu should go back and sit down with Saraki and Dogara once again and tell them the truth. He should not sugarcoat their perfidy to them. He should go and tell them that they are destroying the country and the APC. Mr.Momodu should point out to them that since they have stolen the Senate Presidency and the Speakership from the “party supremacists”, they should concede the principal offices of the NASS to them for the sake of peace, unity and progress of the country and their political party.

Mr. Momodu should not blame the victims here. He should not engage in subtle rebuke of Chief Bisi Akande who is well known to be a very serious mind. Chief Akande is not a frivolous person. He does not fool around. He is a man of integrity. Rather Mr. Momodu should develop a backbone to tell his friends (Saraki and Dogara) the home truth and let them know that they are Judases as implied by their conducts. He should warn his friends to moderate their greed and be more considerate of others. He should advise them to make sacrifices if they are genuine “patriots” and allow peace to reign in the country and APC. Mr. Momodu should stop beating around the bush and desist from speaking from all sides of the issue. I plead with him in the name of justice, progress and peace. This is because as contended above by Daniel O’Connell, “Nothing is politically right which is morally wrong.”

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it.” –John F. Kennedy

Remi Oyeyemi

Osinbajo At Tony Elumelu Bootcamp 2015 Program

Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo arrives Covenant University for The Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship program Bootcamp 2015.However,Kaduna state Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai was also present.

FFK makes it offiicial, changes his name to Olukayode on his social media platforms

For those of you who didn't think he was serious, the former Minister has officially changed his name to Olu-Kayode from Fani-Kayode on all his social media platforms. He'd said on July 1st after a federal High Court discharged and acquitted him of fraud and money laundering that he would do it.

YOU WILL SURELY LIKE TO SEE THESE TOO:-

My Daughter's Twitter Account Hacked - Buhari

Mikel Obi's House In London And His Cars (photos)

• Nigeria's Hairiest Woman, Queen Okafor Shows Off Her Hairy Body { see photos }

PHOTOS : PRESIDENT JONATHAN'S MANSION IN OTUOKE, BAYELSA

See Lucky Igbinedion’s Multi-Billion Naira Signature Mansion in Abuja

10 of the Most Expensive Homes of Pro Footballers

PHOTO: SEE THE TALLEST CORPS MEMBER #NYSC

PHOTOS: Gov Fayose drinking palmwine with Ekiti residents at a local joint

MUST READ: Some Legendary Nigerian Pictures And Quotes

El-rufai’s Son Calls Fayose A ''VAGABOND'' (photo)

10 Funniest Nollywood Actors And Actresses Of All Time

See Photos: Comedian Akpororo buys Range Rover SUV

BREAKING: Boko Haram militants seize Damaturu-Maiduguri road

Reports reaching PREMIUM TIMES say Boko Haram militants have taken over the highway linking Maiduguri and Damaturu, capitals of Borno and Yobe states respectively.

A police officer stationed in one of the villages along the highway, told PREMIUM TIMES that travellers are being asked to return as the terrorists have taken over the road between Benisheik (a town 85km away from Maiduguri) and Ngamdu (35km away from Damaturu).

The officer, who asked that his identity be protected for security reasons, said the terrorists had attacked Ngamdu village and killed 10 persons there.

“As I am talking to you now, soldiers are moving towards Benisheik, while we are here asking motorists to return to Maiduguri until the road is cleared,” he said.

There is no security checkpoint between Benisheik and Ngamdu, which is about 25km stretch of road.

READ: My husband goes mad after smoking ‘igbo’ every morning – Wife tells court