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Former Special Assistant to Nigerian ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has condemned Senator Elisha Abbo for his inglorious act of assaulting a woman at a sex toy shop while advising the senator to attend anger control classes.

The senator, who was shown in a video assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop, had denied hitting the woman saying the video did not reflect the actual sequence of the incident.

He said, “We will soon release an official statement to the viral video which happened before I became a senator where my younger sister was beaten to a pulp in a shop and I was called upon there; where I had to call an ambulance and a police to come to the scene and it got out of hand I was also assaulted.

“It is an old video, but we will soon release a statement to that effect. It was my sister that was at the store and she was assaulted. In fact, she fainted in the shop but they compressed the video and cut that part out of it.”

However, in a tweet thread, Reno Omokri berated Abbo stating that apology is not all that is needed from the senator.

Omokri demanded that the senator make amends to the lady, who was later identified as Bibra and attend anger management classes.

His tweet read: “Elisha Abbo has reached out to me and promised to apologise to the lady in question and all Nigerians in general. It is NOT ENOUGH. But it is a beginning. He has also promised that he will make amends and also abide by whatever the law provides #SenatorAbboAdmitsAndApologises.

“His apology is NOT ENOUGH. But it is an important step. I will hold him to his promise to make amends to the lady in question and to attend anger management classes. 

"What he did is UNACCEPTABLE. But I am glad that he had fessed up and manned up #SenatorAbboAdmitsAndApologises.”

CRIME Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Former Special Assistant to Nigerian ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has condemned Senator Elisha Abbo for his inglorious act of assaulting a woman at a sex toy shop while advising the senator to attend anger control classes.

The senator, who was shown in a video assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop, had denied hitting the woman saying the video did not reflect the actual sequence of the incident.

He said, “We will soon release an official statement to the viral video which happened before I became a senator where my younger sister was beaten to a pulp in a shop and I was called upon there; where I had to call an ambulance and a police to come to the scene and it got out of hand I was also assaulted.

“It is an old video, but we will soon release a statement to that effect. It was my sister that was at the store and she was assaulted. In fact, she fainted in the shop but they compressed the video and cut that part out of it.”

However, in a tweet thread, Reno Omokri berated Abbo stating that apology is not all that is needed from the senator.

Omokri demanded that the senator make amends to the lady, who was later identified as Bibra and attend anger management classes.

His tweet read: “Elisha Abbo has reached out to me and promised to apologise to the lady in question and all Nigerians in general. It is NOT ENOUGH. But it is a beginning. He has also promised that he will make amends and also abide by whatever the law provides #SenatorAbboAdmitsAndApologises.

“His apology is NOT ENOUGH. But it is an important step. I will hold him to his promise to make amends to the lady in question and to attend anger management classes. 

"What he did is UNACCEPTABLE. But I am glad that he had fessed up and manned up #SenatorAbboAdmitsAndApologises.”

CRIME Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2JnxPYE

Former Special Assistant to Nigerian ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has condemned Senator Elisha Abbo for his inglorious act of assaulting a woman at a sex toy shop while advising the senator to attend anger control classes.

The senator, who was shown in a video assaulting a woman in a sex toy shop, had denied hitting the woman saying the video did not reflect the actual sequence of the incident.

He said, “We will soon release an official statement to the viral video which happened before I became a senator where my younger sister was beaten to a pulp in a shop and I was called upon there; where I had to call an ambulance and a police to come to the scene and it got out of hand I was also assaulted.

“It is an old video, but we will soon release a statement to that effect. It was my sister that was at the store and she was assaulted. In fact, she fainted in the shop but they compressed the video and cut that part out of it.”

However, in a tweet thread, Reno Omokri berated Abbo stating that apology is not all that is needed from the senator.

Omokri demanded that the senator make amends to the lady, who was later identified as Bibra and attend anger management classes.

His tweet read: “Elisha Abbo has reached out to me and promised to apologise to the lady in question and all Nigerians in general. It is NOT ENOUGH. But it is a beginning. He has also promised that he will make amends and also abide by whatever the law provides #SenatorAbboAdmitsAndApologises.

“His apology is NOT ENOUGH. But it is an important step. I will hold him to his promise to make amends to the lady in question and to attend anger management classes. 

"What he did is UNACCEPTABLE. But I am glad that he had fessed up and manned up #SenatorAbboAdmitsAndApologises.”

CRIME Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Another 47 people are rescued from the vessel, which sank off the country's eastern Mosquitia region.

Former Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika The immediate past Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika Hadi, is using his position and influence to fraudulently employ his favorites into the ministry, SaharaReporters has learned.

Hadi, who hails from Katsina State, is a former pilot and General Manager, Katsina State Transport Authority.

The former minister is still acting in proxy as a shadow minister, giving instruction and sponsoring illegal employment in the ministry, a source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

Late last year, the aviation ministry started working on employing new workers based on shortage of manpower in ARFFs (Fire Dept) and AVSEC (Security dept).

The employment (grade level 04- 06) was designed strictly for WASSCE and National Diploma holders.

The source said, “Some of the bosses from Human Resources, AVSEC and ARFFS went to the four zones/regions to conduct the exercise. Meanwhile, the benchmark for the employment of such, after much deliberation, is 30 (age). However, the GM ARFFS is bent on 26 olds.

“The number of people to be employed is about 1500. Now, people invited to start training at the DSS office at Kaduna were not people being interviewed. Secondly, the people who were called are far above the age of 30. Some are as old as 50 years old but they have been encouraged to falsify their age and documents.

“Subsequently, Hadi Sirika brought about 700 Katsina indigenes who are aged, some physically unfit…While they were asked to go back, people started calling Hadi who then instructed them to return to the (training) camp.

“Last week, some of the General Managers insisted that they won't start the training until those unfit, those who falsified documents and those not interviewed, leave the training center.

“This is three weeks into the time the training is meant to commence. Nothing has started because of these challenges and the said training is said to last for three weeks at the DSS college.

“While they asked them to go back, people started calling Hadi who then instructed them to return to the camp. Even the DSS team is not in agreement with the old faces they are seeing. The union has come in also to say NO to the impunity. Hadi is also moving the FAAN Headquarters to Abuja and from information, the building was contracted to his cronies that he'll also gain from."

The source added, “Meanwhile, there are two directors that are due to leave the service. They are under contract, however, they're now 60 years of age. They are, the Director of Human Resources & Admin in the person of Anozie Honorius and the Director of Commercial & Business Development in the person of Abdulkadir Sadiku Rafindadi: Yet they are still being used by the same Hadi.

“He (Hadi) is doing what he's doing with every confidence that he would be re-appointed and that he would get more money that he'll use for his governorship ambition. It's really messy though, so many things wrong.

“Prior to this time, he's been giving his favorites employment, siphoning funds, using people's names for international training and cornering it.  He's doing what he's doing with every confidence that he's returning to get more money that he'll use for his governorship ambition.”

 

 

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Former Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika The immediate past Minister of State for Aviation, Sirika Hadi, is using his position and influence to fraudulently employ his favorites into the ministry, SaharaReporters has learned.

Hadi, who hails from Katsina State, is a former pilot and General Manager, Katsina State Transport Authority.

The former minister is still acting in proxy as a shadow minister, giving instruction and sponsoring illegal employment in the ministry, a source told SaharaReporters on Wednesday.

Late last year, the aviation ministry started working on employing new workers based on shortage of manpower in ARFFs (Fire Dept) and AVSEC (Security dept).

The employment (grade level 04- 06) was designed strictly for WASSCE and National Diploma holders.

The source said, “Some of the bosses from Human Resources, AVSEC and ARFFS went to the four zones/regions to conduct the exercise. Meanwhile, the benchmark for the employment of such, after much deliberation, is 30 (age). However, the GM ARFFS is bent on 26 olds.

“The number of people to be employed is about 1500. Now, people invited to start training at the DSS office at Kaduna were not people being interviewed. Secondly, the people who were called are far above the age of 30. Some are as old as 50 years old but they have been encouraged to falsify their age and documents.

“Subsequently, Hadi Sirika brought about 700 Katsina indigenes who are aged, some physically unfit…While they were asked to go back, people started calling Hadi who then instructed them to return to the (training) camp.

“Last week, some of the General Managers insisted that they won't start the training until those unfit, those who falsified documents and those not interviewed, leave the training center.

“This is three weeks into the time the training is meant to commence. Nothing has started because of these challenges and the said training is said to last for three weeks at the DSS college.

“While they asked them to go back, people started calling Hadi who then instructed them to return to the camp. Even the DSS team is not in agreement with the old faces they are seeing. The union has come in also to say NO to the impunity. Hadi is also moving the FAAN Headquarters to Abuja and from information, the building was contracted to his cronies that he'll also gain from."

The source added, “Meanwhile, there are two directors that are due to leave the service. They are under contract, however, they're now 60 years of age. They are, the Director of Human Resources & Admin in the person of Anozie Honorius and the Director of Commercial & Business Development in the person of Abdulkadir Sadiku Rafindadi: Yet they are still being used by the same Hadi.

“He (Hadi) is doing what he's doing with every confidence that he would be re-appointed and that he would get more money that he'll use for his governorship ambition. It's really messy though, so many things wrong.

“Prior to this time, he's been giving his favorites employment, siphoning funds, using people's names for international training and cornering it.  He's doing what he's doing with every confidence that he's returning to get more money that he'll use for his governorship ambition.”

 

 

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A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called for the arrest of Senator Elisha Abbo who physically assaulted a nursing mother in a sex toy shop.

The senator went to the shop to purchase some sex-satisfaction items when he assaulted the lady.

The group, however, applauded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for condemning the alleged misconduct of a senator elected on its platform.

“The thorough, transparent and open investigation, prosecution of the senator before the competent court of law in line with section 6 of the Nigerian Constitution would convey the direct message that nobody is above the law just as the group believes that the victim of his unprovoked attacks must be protected and granted legal remedies for those violations,” HURIWA said in a statement.

“The PDP has immediately invoked her powers to deploy internal mechanisms to deal with the matter as stated the media statement in which the National Publicity Secretary of PDP Mr. Kola Olagbodiyan disclosed that In the light of this, the NWC has commenced investigation into the matter and summons Senator Elisha Abbo in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP and code of conduct of our members.”

CRIME Police Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called for the arrest of Senator Elisha Abbo who physically assaulted a nursing mother in a sex toy shop.

The senator went to the shop to purchase some sex-satisfaction items when he assaulted the lady.

The group, however, applauded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for condemning the alleged misconduct of a senator elected on its platform.

“The thorough, transparent and open investigation, prosecution of the senator before the competent court of law in line with section 6 of the Nigerian Constitution would convey the direct message that nobody is above the law just as the group believes that the victim of his unprovoked attacks must be protected and granted legal remedies for those violations,” HURIWA said in a statement.

“The PDP has immediately invoked her powers to deploy internal mechanisms to deal with the matter as stated the media statement in which the National Publicity Secretary of PDP Mr. Kola Olagbodiyan disclosed that In the light of this, the NWC has commenced investigation into the matter and summons Senator Elisha Abbo in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP and code of conduct of our members.”

CRIME Police Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Ly681S

A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called for the arrest of Senator Elisha Abbo who physically assaulted a nursing mother in a sex toy shop.

The senator went to the shop to purchase some sex-satisfaction items when he assaulted the lady.

The group, however, applauded the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for condemning the alleged misconduct of a senator elected on its platform.

“The thorough, transparent and open investigation, prosecution of the senator before the competent court of law in line with section 6 of the Nigerian Constitution would convey the direct message that nobody is above the law just as the group believes that the victim of his unprovoked attacks must be protected and granted legal remedies for those violations,” HURIWA said in a statement.

“The PDP has immediately invoked her powers to deploy internal mechanisms to deal with the matter as stated the media statement in which the National Publicity Secretary of PDP Mr. Kola Olagbodiyan disclosed that In the light of this, the NWC has commenced investigation into the matter and summons Senator Elisha Abbo in line with the provisions of the Constitution of the PDP and code of conduct of our members.”

CRIME Police Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Following the approval of the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on the Impact and Readiness Assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area, #AfCFTA agreement, President Buhari is set to sign the agreement.

President Buhari stated that his government would seek to include terms that engender the development of policies that promote African production, among other benefits.

The signing of phase one of the agreement would make the country go into country-level discussions leading to treaties after safeguards are agreed to.

He said, “Africa, therefore, needs not only a trade policy but also a continental manufacturing agenda. Our vision for intra-African trade is for the free movement of made-in-Africa goods."

That is, goods and services made locally with dominant African content in terms of raw materials and value addition.

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Following the approval of the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on the Impact and Readiness Assessment of the African Continental Free Trade Area, #AfCFTA agreement, President Buhari is set to sign the agreement.

President Buhari stated that his government would seek to include terms that engender the development of policies that promote African production, among other benefits.

The signing of phase one of the agreement would make the country go into country-level discussions leading to treaties after safeguards are agreed to.

He said, “Africa, therefore, needs not only a trade policy but also a continental manufacturing agenda. Our vision for intra-African trade is for the free movement of made-in-Africa goods."

That is, goods and services made locally with dominant African content in terms of raw materials and value addition.

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Senator Elisha Abbo has apologized to Bibra for physically assaulting her at a sex toy shop.

The Senator representing Adamawa North at the Upper Chamber of the Assembly also apologized to the rest of the country for his act saying that the action has “brought immense discomfort in our body polity.”

While addressing the media today, Senator Abbo described himself as an ambassador of Christ, whom so much is expected from.

In his words, “I personally apologize to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity. See Also CRIME Sex Toy Shop Assault: Senator Elisha Abbo Says Attack Happened Before Becoming Lawmaker 0 Comments 11 Hours Ago

“I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

“To the Church of God everywhere in the world, I am sorry. As an Ambassador of Christ, much is expected of me.

“My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and for this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action.

“Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a public officer, particularly as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is bestowed.”

He promised his constituency members to be of good conducts and remain a good patriot of the state.

CRIME Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Senator Elisha Abbo has apologized to Bibra for physically assaulting her at a sex toy shop.

The Senator representing Adamawa North at the Upper Chamber of the Assembly also apologized to the rest of the country for his act saying that the action has “brought immense discomfort in our body polity.”

While addressing the media today, Senator Abbo described himself as an ambassador of Christ, whom so much is expected from.

In his words, “I personally apologize to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity. See Also CRIME Sex Toy Shop Assault: Senator Elisha Abbo Says Attack Happened Before Becoming Lawmaker 0 Comments 11 Hours Ago

“I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

“To the Church of God everywhere in the world, I am sorry. As an Ambassador of Christ, much is expected of me.

“My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and for this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action.

“Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a public officer, particularly as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is bestowed.”

He promised his constituency members to be of good conducts and remain a good patriot of the state.

CRIME Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Ly67uQ

Senator Elisha Abbo has apologized to Bibra for physically assaulting her at a sex toy shop.

The Senator representing Adamawa North at the Upper Chamber of the Assembly also apologized to the rest of the country for his act saying that the action has “brought immense discomfort in our body polity.”

While addressing the media today, Senator Abbo described himself as an ambassador of Christ, whom so much is expected from.

In his words, “I personally apologize to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity. See Also CRIME Sex Toy Shop Assault: Senator Elisha Abbo Says Attack Happened Before Becoming Lawmaker 0 Comments 11 Hours Ago

“I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

“To the Church of God everywhere in the world, I am sorry. As an Ambassador of Christ, much is expected of me.

“My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and for this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action.

“Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a public officer, particularly as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is bestowed.”

He promised his constituency members to be of good conducts and remain a good patriot of the state.

CRIME Politics Scandal News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2Ly67uQ

Following the shutdown of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, by many youths and about 500 support staff on Wednesday, Ndu Ughamadu, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), told Punch that there was no discrimination in how the recruitment process and staff regularization was being handled. 

He, however, said he was unsure if the corporation had any prior agreement to convert the demonstrating casual staff to permanent staff.

“There’s no discrimination in the process. I am not aware if there was any agreement with them,” Ughamadu said on Wednesday. 

Punch reports that the protesters had all entrances to the complex barred. They said the government owned subsidiary of the NNPC, gave them assurances that they would be upgraded from contract to full staff. Ughamadu also noted that the casuals had not been sidelined by the recruitment process.

“The casuals were also invited; but that aside, we have engaged them. We told them that after this exercise, there is another stage.

“If they didn’t fall into the first category, they may fall into the second category. That is what we are on. We don’t have casuals only in Warri refinery.

"We have casuals in all of our subsidiaries, including the headquarters and many of them applied, and they are undergoing interviews now. Jemi Mene-Ijegi, National Secretary of the Itsekiri National Youth Council, said the casuals were not included in the job conversations.

“Initially, we wrote a letter and they called us, excluding the casual staff, that the issue will be resolved. We told them to attend to the casual staff first. The second time, the same thing happened, which prompted the first protest,” Ijegi said.

Both the police and army were unable to dislodge the demonstrators even after pleas from officials of the refinery. 

The Warri refinery is situated in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

ACTIVISM Human Rights LABOR/WORKERS' RIGHTS Oil News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Following the shutdown of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, by many youths and about 500 support staff on Wednesday, Ndu Ughamadu, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), told Punch that there was no discrimination in how the recruitment process and staff regularization was being handled. 

He, however, said he was unsure if the corporation had any prior agreement to convert the demonstrating casual staff to permanent staff.

“There’s no discrimination in the process. I am not aware if there was any agreement with them,” Ughamadu said on Wednesday. 

Punch reports that the protesters had all entrances to the complex barred. They said the government owned subsidiary of the NNPC, gave them assurances that they would be upgraded from contract to full staff. Ughamadu also noted that the casuals had not been sidelined by the recruitment process.

“The casuals were also invited; but that aside, we have engaged them. We told them that after this exercise, there is another stage.

“If they didn’t fall into the first category, they may fall into the second category. That is what we are on. We don’t have casuals only in Warri refinery.

"We have casuals in all of our subsidiaries, including the headquarters and many of them applied, and they are undergoing interviews now. Jemi Mene-Ijegi, National Secretary of the Itsekiri National Youth Council, said the casuals were not included in the job conversations.

“Initially, we wrote a letter and they called us, excluding the casual staff, that the issue will be resolved. We told them to attend to the casual staff first. The second time, the same thing happened, which prompted the first protest,” Ijegi said.

Both the police and army were unable to dislodge the demonstrators even after pleas from officials of the refinery. 

The Warri refinery is situated in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

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Whatever form or content the Ministerial List that President Buhari is soon to announce takes, there is no debating that Nigerians have turned this crowning entry in the governance franchise into a major event.

Apart from the outcome of election results, there are few other entries in the process of government that are as awaited with the kind of anticipation Nigerians have attached to the individuals who will eventually make the Ministerial List.

Unfortunately, the List has now become the tale of 36 or 42 men and women where some embark on a journey of wealth, authority and influence. Sadly, for a few, it is a shortcut to power and a way out of poverty while many civilians lean on them for assistance and connection, creating a sense of infinite possibilities. For that and several other reasons, you have a few Nigerians who are so desperate and ready to do anything in order to make the shortcut of The List.

The reports of endless closed-door meetings, particularly by leaders of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC), as to who will make this electrifying List and President Buhari’s somewhat silence on the issue is alleged to have engendered desperation and the infamous do-or-die mentality.

If the reports emanating around the Villa are true and frantic lobbying is already taking place by some Nigerians scraping the bottom of the desperation barrel for ministerial slots, one would hope that the allegations that huge sums of money are purportedly changing hands are untrue. If the reports that there are those giving money to individuals around the seat of power for a chance to feature on The List pans out to be fact, then, “Nigeria… We have a problem!” If so, the ministerial list isn’t even out and yet the hydra-headed monster called corruption has already begun to rear its tentacles. It is important for President Buhari to make enquiries about this and make sure that this doesn’t spill into his team.

If by peradventure money changes hands and some ministers emerge through this dodgy means, what is to be expected in terms of performance and deliverables? What is going to stop them from recuperating their supposed investment with lots of interest when they get into the seat of power, usually at the detriment of Nigeria?

Reports also have it that the battle to feature on The List especially by former ministers who are itching to return to office as well as former governors who have completed their two-terms in office and those who lost reelection bids or lost the ticket seems to have made the run-up to the premier of The List cutthroat. Others looking to be in the cabinet are those within the ruling party who feel they need to be compensated for the roles they played in the 2019 elections.

The naked truth of our nation is that a lot of energy seems to be expended on wanting to be in governance but sadly for the wrong reasons. From all indications, many people want to be in governance for the perks and to have access to the proverbial national cake. They see governance as a means to an end, as an avenue to gain access to the treasury, and a means to amass unlimited power rather than a privilege to serve the generality of Nigerians.

For a long time now in Nigeria, we have been suffering from the norm of placing round pegs in square holes and vice versa when it comes to political appointments; all in a bid to satisfy and placate ethno-religious sentiments, political affiliation, the cabals and godfathers lurking at the corridors of power. As a result, we have been left with the culture of mediocrity that we have been witnessing since the advent of this our fourth. 

Right now, there is a whole lot of expectation on President Buhari, particularly on doing the needful. It is said, “To whom much is given, much is expected… With great power also, comes great responsibility.” The majority of Nigerians who came out en-masse earlier in the year to vote for the President expect and deserve capable lieutenants with the same vision and mission as the President at the helm of affairs. 

The importance of ministers in an administration cannot be overemphasized and their effectiveness is crucial to an administration’s success. Hence, the interest of Nigeria should be paramount when selecting these men and women. The President needs to ensure that capable hands are brought on board in making the “next level” a reality.

This time around, one would hope and expect the President not to limit his choice of lieutenants to a minor pool in and around the Villa. There are a whole lot of Nigerians within and outside the country, not involved in politics who are experts in their fields, making huge strides, country men and women on the precipice of greatness all over the globe that would be more than willing to serve their fatherland if asked to do so. In medicine, law, engineering, aeronautics, one can name it, Nigerians all over the world are excelling and can bring their expertise and experience home if given a seat at the table towards making Nigeria better. 

This is President’s Buhari’s second and last term in office and he needs to put his best foot forward. His ministers, this time around, should be a whole lot better in terms of quality and expertise when compared to the ministers in the last four years. Nigerians are in dire need of effective representation and governance.

As the President makes his selection, one would naively hope for a Utopia where he would break from the norm and select competent hands, even if they are from opposition parties. The nominees should be tested, trusted and accomplished technocrats rather than politicians who may turn out to be entitled, egocentric or even mediocre. 

Also, in selecting talented men and women, it would be ideal if The President were not restricted by the Constitutional Character element. If we were not so shamelessly hung up on the innate tribalism, and regionalism as we all silently seem to have, it shouldn’t matter whether those selected are from the same state, region or tribe. Creed, gender or status shouldn’t come into it. It should only matter that they are Nigerians who have the capacity and expertise to move this nation forward. If there is more than one person in a state that is at the top of their game, the President should be allowed to absorb them into government rather than being restricted. Regrettably, the President is limited by the Constitution to a single candidate per state. Federal character in this instance is the causative factor. The truth is that this requirement shortchanges Nigerians, as two or more capable individuals might hail from the same state. It deprives Nigerians of their expertise and service.

What this administration needs are credible and patriotic Nigerians who have a roadmap on how to tackle insecurity, improve infrastructure, meet the demands of workers with regards to the N30, 000 minimum wage, advance job creation, transform healthcare delivery, revolutionize the education sector, reduce the number of children not in school, decrease the carnage on our roads, combat partisanship, ameliorate tribal and regional divide and be a unifying factor for all of Nigeria.

Furthermore, the culture of nominating ministers and attaching portfolios to them after the Senate has approved the list could be seen as an ambush to the public. In the United States, where we copy our democracy from and in other countries, ministerial nominees are announced together with their portfolios. This gives the public and media ample opportunity to discuss the suitability or otherwise of the candidate for the job based on antecedents and track records.

All those fervently lobbying for a position in this government need to take a Chill-Pill and calm down. Leadership is divine and comes ‘only’ from The Almighty. Instead of putting all that energy into lobbying, they should concentrate it on praying to the Almighty to ordain on them the position they seek ‘ONLYif it is in their best interest for the unknown future and in the best interest of Nigeria.’

For those who will eventually feature on The List and make it into President Buhari’s second term government, “give your gratitude to The Almighty who fated you to have the position. As you take the mantle of leadership, pray for The Almighty to guide you in offering exemplary, accountable and selfless leadership service that will better the lot of Nigerians, while also helping to entrench good governance. …That will become your burden!”

The wait for The List has made Nigerians apprehensive; it feels like it has been ages since the Inauguration for many reasons, but the fact that the last List in 2015 took months to come out doesn’t help. The List will soon be announced and over 200 million Nigerians are anxious to see which direction President Buhari will take. 

While I’m not as anxious as many to see who makes The List, I can understand the trepidation. But I am also kind of afraid and nervous, because I don’t think there’s any possible selection that President Buhari will make that will be truly satisfying to a majority of the Nigerian public. Such a selection will always be divisive and hard to do satisfactorily, period! It is possible that one of the things that will unite our country will be in our universal agreement that the 2019 Ministerial List was genius or whether it totally blew.

As we await the expected blockbuster Ministerial List, one sincerely hopes the masses welfare would and should be prioritized and corruption, undue sentiments and ethno-religious consideration eschewed. This is what we hope and we pray it is what we get.

“Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be.” As he makes the selection for The List, may President Buhari be guided by The Almighty on what is ultimately in the best interest of Nigeria, not by the lobbyists.

 

Written By Hannatu Musawa
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hannatumusawaspokenword@gmail.com

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After allegations of rape made by Busola Dakolo against pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA, the media space is awash with tales of many cases of sexual assault and pedophilia. While we must be careful not to condemn the accused to guilt until they are proven guilty by a competent court of law, however, it is evident that we are a nation with so many victims of sexual assault. 

Hardly would you go through the dailies without reading of sexual assault, however, nobody is bothered as the victims are those without connection and the social media coverage to punish and bring their assaulter to the court of public opinion. Had Bukola Dakolo lacked the celebrity connection, her story would have been one of the several cases thrown to the dustbin. 

While sexual predation in our university system are gradually being exposed by several sex for marks scandals, two major sources of sexual abuse have continually being thrown under the carpet; sexual abuse by family members or religious leaders are continually being covered and the victims forced into silence. It seems we are a people who value family stability and religious comfort over justice for victims. 

Day after day, tales of young girls defiled by family members  (fathers, uncles, brothers, family friends) and young boys defiled by family members are exposed. However, little progress is made in getting justice. In most of the exposed cases, it is after several occurrences that the mother of the victim would be forced to talk and when they do, most of the cases are not followed to the logical conclusion of the perpetrator getting sentenced. There seems to be a routine in most of the cases, settlement out of court after pressures from family members and the reason is the same, the precious name of the family must not be dragged in the mud. In a twinkle of an eye, the victims are sacrificed to protect the name of family pedophiles and criminals.

The religious centers have also become a hotbed for sexual abuse. The religious leader-member relationship is a very deep one as the average member sees the leader as a god who is to be revered. This automatically present a loophole for any criminal on the pulpit to exploit. In a state of the continued illusion of their members in them, cases of sexual assault are seen just like a flash in the pan. Many women facing challenges believing the religious leader as a solution to their problems are lured by the preacher to the bed. Women desperately seeking children are the mostly victims of this, many childless women have ended up carrying the baby of a prophet because sex with the prophet was proposed as a solution. In some cases the religious leader forces himself on his victims and after the act, cajole and threaten them with spiritual propaganda. The “touch not my anointed “ chorus is chanted and the victims fearing a spiritual backlash and the fear of going to hell go into eternal silence.  

As a country, our law protecting minors against sexual abuse is weak. Not many Nigerians know that the age of consent is 18 and sex with anyone below 18 is a crime. In contrast to the law, anything goes in the Nigerian reality. A Nigerian senator had gotten married to a 13-year-old, many Nigerians take advantage of girls below 18 just because the girl's family is not well to do and they can provide some means of subsistence for the girl, many even flaunt on social media what in a sane society would land them in jail. It is my belief that enforcing this law and jailing offenders would go a long way in curbing sexual predation. 

As the revelations and confessions, if sexual abuse rages on, we must know that a rapist or pedophile left off the hook because of family connection or religious position would never show remorse but he would become bolder in perpetrating the act on other innocent victims. 

Bright Ogundare is a social commentator and he can be contacted via brightogundare@gmail.com

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More than 50 people have died and at least 100 people were injured after scrambling to scoop petrol from a tanker that crashed and later exploded in Benue State.

The fuel-laden vehicle was said to be trying to avoid a pothole when it fell on its side and off the road in Ahumbe village.

The spokesperson for the Benue State government, Terver Akase, stated that the death toll could increase. 

Apart from people who burnt following the explosion, many buildings within the vicinity of the fatal crash also razed many structures including shops within the area.

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More than 50 people have died and at least 100 people were injured after scrambling to scoop petrol from a tanker that crashed and later exploded in Benue State.

The fuel-laden vehicle was said to be trying to avoid a pothole when it fell on its side and off the road in Ahumbe village.

The spokesperson for the Benue State government, Terver Akase, stated that the death toll could increase. 

Apart from people who burnt following the explosion, many buildings within the vicinity of the fatal crash also razed many structures including shops within the area.

Environment Oil News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/323jhWy

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