Tuesday
Boko Haram terror tops ECOWAS meeting agenda
The two-day event will start on Thursday, the regional body confirmed from Abuja.
"The meeting will among others consider and endorse the Report of the Ministers in charge of security and integration as well as the Memorandum on the ECOWAS Declaration on the Events in Northern Nigeria in the wake of repeated Boko Haram terrorist attacks that have claimed hundreds of lives and kidnappings, including more than 200 school girls," read an ECOWAS statement.
It added that other items on the agenda of this Council's first session to be held in Accra since Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama assumed the chairmanship of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government last March, also include swearing in of new Commissioners and Financial Controller who assumed duties in February and the presentation
and consideration of the 2014 Interim Report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Desire Ouédraogo.
The statement said the council would also endorse Report of the Meeting of Ministers in charge of the ECOWAS Community Development Programme (CDP); consider the Report on Institutional Reforms, Financial Controller's 2013 Final Report; Status of Tasks Assigned by the 71st
Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers, and the Draft Agenda of the 45th Ordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
The Council of Ministers meets at least twice a year in ordinary session and makes recommendations to the Authority on Community development as well as coordination and harmonization of economic integration policies.
Monday
I Don't Mind Being Shot, I Will Lead The Protest To Chibok- Patience Jonathan
Oh dear, she actually said that! Words are easier said Than done sha.. First Lady Patience Jonathan has said she's ready to lead a protest to Chibok, Borno state if the kidnapped girls are not released soon, and doesn't mind being shot if that's what it will take to release the girls #yimu#. I personally think this is part of the campaign strategy for her husband's 2015 Election! Mama peace made this statement during a meeting with wives of government functionaries, female Senators and Commissioners.
"I do not mind being shot as long as they return our girls to us safely, we are tired of the kidnapping," she said.
According to her, First Ladies of other countries such as Cameroon, Chad, Niger and others have being calling to ask her questions and offer assistance on the matter.
"They intimate me of their readiness to help. They also asked me questions that I could not answer and as women we are the last hope of this nation. We cannot fail our fellow women and the nation. If need be, we will call on the northern elders to help us so that our children and husbands will not die," Dame Jonathan said.
She said a committee would be set up at a stakeholders meeting involving wives of all the relevant bodies tomorrow May 4th. She warned that failure of any relevant agency to honour their invitation to the meeting would force her and others to make the Chibok protest a reality.
"I cannot perpetuate hearsay and rumor; I must have facts to tell the international community. We will set up a committee to seek the truth as women. If any of those we call refuse to come, we will take the protest to Chibok" she said
"I do not mind being shot as long as they return our girls to us safely, we are tired of the kidnapping," she said.
According to her, First Ladies of other countries such as Cameroon, Chad, Niger and others have being calling to ask her questions and offer assistance on the matter.
"They intimate me of their readiness to help. They also asked me questions that I could not answer and as women we are the last hope of this nation. We cannot fail our fellow women and the nation. If need be, we will call on the northern elders to help us so that our children and husbands will not die," Dame Jonathan said.
She said a committee would be set up at a stakeholders meeting involving wives of all the relevant bodies tomorrow May 4th. She warned that failure of any relevant agency to honour their invitation to the meeting would force her and others to make the Chibok protest a reality.
"I cannot perpetuate hearsay and rumor; I must have facts to tell the international community. We will set up a committee to seek the truth as women. If any of those we call refuse to come, we will take the protest to Chibok" she said
US offers to help Nigeria in hunt for abducted girls
Washington - The United States said on Thursday it had offered Nigeria help in its search for around 200 girls abducted by militants.
"We have been engaged with the Nigerian government in discussions on what we might do to help support their efforts to find and free these young women," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told a daily briefing. "We will continue to have those discussions and help in any way we can."
Suspected Boko Haram gunmen on April 14 stormed an all-girls secondary school in the village of Chibok, in Borno state, packing the teenagers onto trucks and disappearing into a remote area along the border with Cameroon.
Harf did not elaborate on the kind of assistance Washington is offering, but said: "We know Boko Haram is active in the area and we have worked very closely with the Nigerian government to build their capacity to fight this threat."
In fiscal year 2012, the United States provided over $20 million in security assistance to Nigeria, part of that to build the military, boost its capacity to investigate terrorist attacks and enhance the government's forensic capabilities, she said.
Nigerian Government Orders Closure Of All Public Schools, Offices In Abuja For World Economic Forum
A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, stated that the directive is to ensure free flow of traffic in the city centre.
The Federal Government has ordered the closure of all government offices and schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, during the period of the World Economic Forum, WEF.
The WEF on Africa is scheduled to hold from May 7 to 9.
A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, stated that the directive is to ensure free flow of traffic in the city centre.
“This is to inform the general public that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, has approved, as part of arrangements for the successful hosting of the World Economic Forum Africa, that all Government Offices and Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, expect those on essential services, are to be closed from Wednesday, 7th to Friday, 9th May, 2014. Private Organisations with large number of staff may also wish to close down.”
Observers, however, believe the closure is due to the security concerns in the Nigerian capital following two bomb explosions in three weeks, killing scores of people.
Friday
Explosion on edge of Nigerian capital kills at least 15
People who were injured during an explosion are seen on stretchers at Asokoro General Hospital in Abuja May 1, 2014. The suspected bomb exploded in the suburb of Nyanya, on the outskirts of Nigeria's capital Abuja on Thursday, killing at least nine people, a week before the city was to host a summit of leaders and business executives focused on Africa's growth prospects.
A suspected car bomb exploded on the outskirts of Nigeria’s capital Abuja on Thursday, killing at least 15 people a week before the city was to host a conference of leaders and business executives focused on Africa’s growth prospects.
The explosion hit the suburb of Nyanya, close to the site of a morning rush hour bomb attack at a bus station last month that killed at least 75 people. The April 14 attack was claimed by the radical Islamist movement Boko Haram which is waging an insurgency against President Goodluck Jonathan’s government.
Flames lit up the area around the blast, which was strewn with drying blood and contorted bodies, and sirens wailed.
“There was a loud blast then a ball of fire,” witness told opinionvoices by telephone from Nyanya. “There were many dead bodies and ambulances were rushing there.” Kayode Adeyemi said he counted at least 15 bodies at the scene of the blast, which shook the ground next to him.
“It exploded just as commuters were waiting to board buses,” he said. “I was about 100 metres away.” National Emergency Management Agency spokesman Manzo Ezekiel said at least 9 dead and 11 critically wounded were taken to hospital. Other wounded victims were being treated at the site.
A Reuters photographer in a nearby hospital saw 11 charred bodies that medical staff said had been brought there from the place of the blast.
Another witness to Thursday’s blast, Joe Udofia, said there was a “deafening explosion, then the area near Nyanya bridge was on fire. There were many people in the vicinity.” There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Boko Haram, which is seeking to carve out an Islamist enclave in Africa’s No. 1 oil producer, had threatened further attacks after the April 14 bombing.
The latest attack is an embarrassment for Jonathan’s government, which had announced a massive security operation to protect the World Economic Forum on Africa scheduled for May 7-9 in Abuja. The forum, a regional replica of the Davos, Switzerland event, brings together international leaders, policy makers, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
Nigeria’s government had announced that 6,000 soldiers and police would be deployed to protect next week’s summit which is due to be attended by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, African leaders and a host of other international personalities.
The government and the military have been under intense pressure to step up security in the country following the April 14 attack and the mass abduction by suspected Boko Haram militants the same day of more than 200 teenage schoolgirls from a northeastern school. Some of the girls escaped but most are still missing.
This abduction has shocked Nigeria, triggering protests in Abuja and exposing the security forces’ inability to contain a ruthless anti-government insurgency whose targets also include Christian churches and civilians of all races and creeds.
The West African oil producer, which recently replaced South Africa as the continent’s biggest economy through a rebasing of its GDP, faces an election 10 months away which many fear will exacerbate existing political, ethnic and religious tensions.
A Terrorist
The Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON (born 20 November 1957) is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria. Prior to his role as President, he served as Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Governor of Bayelsa State and Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Jonathan is a member of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Since the inception of his administration as president, Nigerians has never known any genuine peace. Kidnapping and robbery in the entire southern region zones, Boko Haram Insurgents and the herdsmen Killing spree in the entire North of the country. His regime gives room fall all things including stealing at the highest order. With the Mr. President saying and confirming it that Boko Haram are in charge of his government without any cares to flush them out of the system.
If President Jonathan is not a terrorist, Nigeria state would have known peace and overcome the security challenges posed by Boko Haram Islamic Jihadists, who have been terrorizing our peaceful co-existence for the almost past five years of of his reign as president.
One unique and genuine attribute of Terrorists any where in the world is that they don’t care how many innocent people died in their bid to to achieve their own aims, (MINDSETS OF MASS DESTRUCTION) and that most of the terrorist groups making headlines were groups with political supports. So inclusively, apart from the Boko Haram mass killers that are killing in the North and the FCT, which Jonathan knows many about, President Olusegun Obasanjo while sensing danger raised an alarm that the Incumbent is training more highly sophisticated terror group to terrorize the country the more. (Obasanjo’s letter to president Jonathan)
May be his now estranged godfather (Former President Olusegun Obasanjo) that imposed him (Jonathan) on Nigerians in 2007 , first as vice president and later as president of the federal republic of Nigeria was blind to some facts that there were no different between Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his boss, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha who was the major backbone and sole financial of the Niger Delta Militants at that time. Or perhaps, Obasanjo was just too desperate to use Ya’Adua and Jonathan, knowing fully well that they will cover up most of the atrocities that he too committed while in office ( Siemens and Halliburton scandals, Fake Power projects among many others)
If Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is not a terrorist, he would have resolved all the security issues affecting the country, with all the security apparatus and federal financial strength at his will of command . Suffix to this is that, when it was mattered for the federal government, President Jonathan confirmed it that he personally called the Militants to order (though through the help of his master, Alamieyeseigha, whom he later re-payed with the state pardon for the assignment).
To ascertained If president Jonathan is not a terrorist, we will need to itemize and analyze individuals around him such as aids, ministers, advisers, security chiefs, etc, whom the president alleged are Boko Haram in his government.
If president Jonathan is not a terrorist, he would have not called the Boko Haram Islamists guerrilla groups a faceless ghosts after his government mastermind the killing of the sect leader in the police custody who was arrested unhurt.
Nigerians need to prevail on Mr. president and his Boko Haram government to hurt their killings of innocent citizens now, before its too late.
Nigerian abducted girls' families fast losing hope of rescue
The families of more than 230 Nigerian schoolgirls abducted by Islamist insurgents more than 10 days ago say they are fast losing hope of seeing their daughters again despite government assurances they will be found.
The mass abduction of the girls watched over by government soldiers is the most devastating in a series of recent attacks on state schools – and comes as the government debates extending a year-long state of emergency across three north-eastern states from which the militants have operated for five years. On the same day as the kidnappings, a massive bombing by Boko Haram insurgents killed more than 75 commuters hundreds of miles south on the outskirts of the capital.
The girls, who were mostly between 16 and 18 years old, were rounded up at gunpoint after militants overpowered a military guard assigned to a boarding school in Chibok, in north-eastern Borno state. They had just finished their final school exams. The school was the only one still open in the area following threats and attacks by Boko Haram, whose ideology opposes both so-called western education, and particularly women's education.
Danuma Mpur, the chairman of the local parent-teacher association, whose two nieces are among the missing, said: "Even this morning we've had no update. We pinned our hopes on the government, but all that hope is turning to frustration. The town is under a veil of sorrow."
After several attempts by unarmed parents to comb the vast forests where militant camps are located – and where near-daily air raids by the Nigerian army have been halted since the kidnappings – many said they had little faith in the government.
Hamma Balumai, a farmer whose 16-year-old daughter Hauwa was snatched, pooled his savings with other parents and ventured on a two-day trek into the forest this week. "Even my wife was begging to come as she is so disturbed she hasn't been able to eat anything. Our daughter Hauwa is only 16 years old and she has been missing for 11 days now,".
The parents turned around only after being warned by communities in the forest that their rag-tag group, armed with machetes and knives, would be gunned down by the militants, who wield sophisticated weapons.
Parents expressed their despair after President Goodluck Jonathan convened an emergency security council on Thursday with state governors, security chiefs and spiritual leaders from across Africa most populous, religiously mixed country. The government said its priority was to rescue the girls, kidnapped almost two weeks ago on 14 April, amid a deteriorating security situation.
Anxiety, Panic As Lagos APC Holds Congress
As part of preparations toward ensuring electoral victory in the forthcoming 2015 general elections in the country, particularly in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State chapter, will today holds its all important state congress that will produce the executive members of the party to steer the ship for the next four years. APC had earlier postponed its state congresses scheduled for Wednesday, April 23rd, to allow state governors under the a egis of the party to attend the rescheduled expanded National Security Council meeting, fixed for that day to discuss the security situation in the country. In a statement issued in Lagos by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, "the postponement is a confirmation of the party's stated stand to be part of all genuine efforts to end insurgency in the country, and its strong belief that bi-partisanship must replace the crass partisanship of the presidency and the ruling party if the security crisis is to be overcomed." It will be recalled the APC is an amalgamated party following agreed merger of different political parties. The parties were: Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN; Congress for Progressive Change, CPC; All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP and the new Peoples Democratic Party, led by Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo. Meanwhile, tension is currently high in Lagos chapter of the party as delegates from the 374 wards across the 20 Local Government Areas, LGAs and 27 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, file out today to elect 23 new state executive members that will oversee affairs and functions of the party in the next dispensation. Five delegates from each ward will vote at the open ballot. Leading the pack in the fight for the chairmanship seat is the incumbent, Chief Henry Ajomale; Ademola Seriki; James Odunbaku, alias Baba Eto and Mr. Sunny Ajose, former Chief of Staff to former Governor of the state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Among other offices to be filled include: Vice- Chairman from each of the three senatorial districts; Secretary; Publicity Secretary, and Treasurer. It was gathered that new members from other political parties prefer to have considerable number of representatives in the new executive members particularly, the chairmanship. They argued that the present chairman, Ajomale should step aside for a new person to reflect the new status of the party. Also, majority were said to be stoutly, behind the incumbent chairman because of his laudable achievements and well-rooted knowledge of the state's terrain. At the end of today, the winners and losers would be known. But the big issue among faithful members is, who will Tinubu
pick as the chosen one to fly the party's flag in the forthcoming 2015 governorship election? Many political watchers believe that Tinubu is the one who will ultimately pick the party's flag bearer as he did years back when he singularly picked Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who was then his Chief of Staff for eight years. It was gathered that because of Tinubu's unmatched influence within the Lagos political circle and especially the APC, his role in who emerges is paramount. According to feelers, Tinubu is most likely to settle for a Christian candidate. Also within the party, the choice of who the party anoints has been zoned to Lagos East. This is because the Christian community in Lagos State believes that the next choice has to be a Christian after 16 years. Besides, Lagos West has produced a Governor (Tinubu) and also Lagos Central (Fashola) leaving Lagos East made up of Ikorodu, Epe, Ibeju Lekki and some areas in Ajah out. Though, Fashola had once said that he was interested in who succeeds him, recently, it had been confirmed that Fashola has resigned to fate by supporting Tinubu's choice on the strength that he (Tinubu) is his political leader and mentor. Recently, a lot of names of possible aspirants have come up in public. On the list of aspirants are: Akin Ambode, former Auditor General in the state; Senator Bareehu Gbenga Ashafa; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan, member, House of Representatives; Femi Gbajabiamila, the Minority Leader Federal House of Representatives and few others. The national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu had at a stakeholders' meeting early in the year declared that APC was indivisible despite efforts from different quarters to divide the party. He however, assured all members and intending members that the party would follow due process to the letter in the selection of candidates for various offices and urged all prospective and old members to register in accordance with the party's constitution, saying that only registered members would get the party's identity cards and be recognized as such. Tinubu, said:
"We love peace in this state. We want peace at various senatorial districts, local governments and ward levels. Let there be peace. We will not allow those who are trying to divide us, we are indivisible. We are five and six, twin brothers and sisters and that is the only way we can achieve victory. "If you are contesting and start running a caucus and campaign organization, once that campaign is over, dissolve into the party like a cube of sugar. "We want to show example with Lagos State, because I'm still sending some of you to other South West states because we want to show maturity, leadership and good quality that we know what we are doing and we will bring it to victory. In this party, we will remain as one to victory and it must start from now." Tinubu also warned members against using the congress to create divisions among the rank and file. "There is discipline in APC. If you are caught promoting division, you will be suspended pending trial. APC is my party. I do not have a group. We cannot encourage grouping or caucuses in APC. If you want to contest for any office, the procedure is in the party constitution". Dismissing the allegations that he was planning to impose the former Accountant-General of Lagos, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, as the next governor of the state, Tinubu described it as not unusual especially as elections are around the corner. Speaking through his Media Adviser, Mr. Sunday Dare, Tinubu said;"It's the season of politics and an election year. Such allegations and insinuations will be commonplace. This particular one is unfounded. Let them provide proof. He who alleges must prove. "Just like he governed Lagos and laid a foundation for Governor Babatunde Fashola, the next governor of Lagos must also be competent and qualified." Also commenting on the allegation, Lagos State chapter of APC, through Interim Publicity Secretary, Mr. Joe Igbokwe, described it as false, unfounded, baseless and mere rumours. According Igbokwe, "it was a well known pattern in political de-marketing which the opponents of the party use to try to confuse and deceive Lagos residents". The party therefore explained that at present, the party merely zeroed the choice of its governorship to the Lagos East senatorial zone in line with the tenets of justice, equity and fair-play and that there are many credible aspirants of the party that had indicated interest in governing Lagos and "these would meet in a credible primary to elect a worthy, competent candidate who would be expected to continue the great works the APC
had been doing in Lagos for the past fifteen years." Igbokwe, said, "The unholy rumour about the imposition of a candidate when we are still far from the process of gubernatorial primaries fits into the sorry political calculation of the perennial losers who will cling to any straw to whittle down the overwhelming support APC enjoys in Lagos." The state party therefore, urged members and residents to ignore the false and syndicated rumours and join the party in the present building process for the purpose of securing the change Nigerians seriously needed. "We therefore, counsel our members to remain steadfast and continue to chart the progress of the party. We enjoin the aspirants to continue their mobilization towards a free primary and be assured that they will have a level playing field." Other big wigs expected at the congress include:Governor Babatunde Fashola, Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Senator Tony Adefuye; Admiral Lanre Amosu (rtd.); Prince Abiodun Ogunleye; Mr. Ademorin Kuye; Mr. Rotimi Agunsoye and State Woman Leader Mrs. Adetoun Adediran, members of the National Assembly, representing Lagos, council chairmen among others. The four merging parties are: the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, and Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, later joined by new Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos.
Tuesday
Funke Akindele, Desmond Elliot, Others Shine As Nominees Of AMVCA
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) is less than a month away and nominees of the prestigious and well-celebrated awards have since been announced to the delight of fans, who still have the opportunity to vote for their favourites.
The 1st edition, which held in 2013, had the likes of O.C Ukeje, Mercy Johnson, Tunde Kelani and other notable movie stars as winners of different award categories.
According to organisers, this year promises to be even more exciting as there are speculations as to which celebrities will win in the different categories.
Nominees List:
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Stephanie Wilson – Living Funeral (3A)
Veronica Waceke – Higher Learning (3B)
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Journey To Self (3C)
Nkiru Sylvanus – Kiss And The Brides (3D)
Ivie Okujaye – The Volunteers (3E)
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Juma Rajab Rashid – Siri Ya Mtungi (2A)
Majid Michel – Somewhere in Africa (2B)
Hlomla Dandala – Contract (2C)
Majid Michel – House of Gold (2D)
Tope Tedela – A Mile from Home (2E)
BEST MOVIE (DRAMA)
Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja (6A)
Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life (6B)
Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral (6C)
Frank Rajah Arase – The Price (6D)
Frank Rajah Arase – Groom’s Bride (6E)
Chris Eneaji & Jumafor Ajogwu – Murder at Prime Suites (6F)
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Hlomla Dandala – Contract (7A)
John Okafor – Return of Sheri Koko (7B)
Osita Iheme – The Hero (7C)
Osita Iheme – The Fighter (7D)
Chinedu Ikedieze – The Hero (7E)
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Funke Akindele – The Fighter (8A)
Funke Akindele – The Hero (8B)
Funke Akindele – The Return Of Sheri Koko (8C)
Mary Ogbonna – Clinic Matters (8D)
Jackie Appiah – Cheaters (8E)
Yvonne Okoro – Contract (8F)
BEST MOVIE (COMEDY)
Uche Jumbo – Lies Men Tell (9A)
Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract (9B)
Elvis Chucks – A Wish (9C)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Fighter (9D)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Hero (9E)
The 1st edition, which held in 2013, had the likes of O.C Ukeje, Mercy Johnson, Tunde Kelani and other notable movie stars as winners of different award categories.
According to organisers, this year promises to be even more exciting as there are speculations as to which celebrities will win in the different categories.
Nominees List:
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
Stephanie Wilson – Living Funeral (3A)
Veronica Waceke – Higher Learning (3B)
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Journey To Self (3C)
Nkiru Sylvanus – Kiss And The Brides (3D)
Ivie Okujaye – The Volunteers (3E)
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
Juma Rajab Rashid – Siri Ya Mtungi (2A)
Majid Michel – Somewhere in Africa (2B)
Hlomla Dandala – Contract (2C)
Majid Michel – House of Gold (2D)
Tope Tedela – A Mile from Home (2E)
BEST MOVIE (DRAMA)
Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja (6A)
Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life (6B)
Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral (6C)
Frank Rajah Arase – The Price (6D)
Frank Rajah Arase – Groom’s Bride (6E)
Chris Eneaji & Jumafor Ajogwu – Murder at Prime Suites (6F)
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Hlomla Dandala – Contract (7A)
John Okafor – Return of Sheri Koko (7B)
Osita Iheme – The Hero (7C)
Osita Iheme – The Fighter (7D)
Chinedu Ikedieze – The Hero (7E)
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Funke Akindele – The Fighter (8A)
Funke Akindele – The Hero (8B)
Funke Akindele – The Return Of Sheri Koko (8C)
Mary Ogbonna – Clinic Matters (8D)
Jackie Appiah – Cheaters (8E)
Yvonne Okoro – Contract (8F)
BEST MOVIE (COMEDY)
Uche Jumbo – Lies Men Tell (9A)
Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract (9B)
Elvis Chucks – A Wish (9C)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Fighter (9D)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Hero (9E)
I Have Absolute Power To Suspend Central Bank Governor – Jonathan
The Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan says he has absolute power to suspend the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), addressing controversies tailing the suspension.
At a Presidential Media Chat held in Abuja on Monday, President Jonathan touched on some issues of national interest – the National Conference, suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Kerosene subsidy, power stability and the insurgency in the north-east.
He pointed out that “Mr Sanusi is still the governor of the CBN”, explaining that the suspension was not an outright removal.
“The issue of suspension and removal are different. The CBN Act specifies that the two-third of the Senate will have to give approval to the ‘removal’ before it is implemented. They are not to give an approval before a suspension,” he said.
“Sanusi’s issue is that of financial auditing and we must allow the Financial Reporting Council to work and if Sanusi has no case to answer, when the investigations are over, he will not be prosecuted.”
The Nigerian president pointed out that “when dealing with the treasury of a country, you must be careful”, emphasising that no president will wake up and take a decision when the Central Bank is involved.
He reassured Nigerians and the international community that the suspension would not affect the leadership of the Central Bank.
Alleged Missing Money
Sanusi had accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of not remitting $20 billion to the Federation Account before he was suspending, a claim that some critics have linked to his suspension.
But Jonathan dismissed the claims, saying that investigations on the alleged missing money had started.
“Any amount missing must be investigated and recovered. Nobody is covering anybody or group of persons. We must look into it, even if its $1 that is missing, we must get it back. That amount of money will do a lot in giving Nigerians job and infrastructure they need,” President Jonathan said.
National Conference Begins March 10
The President also said that the National Conference would begin on March 10 after the inauguration of the chairman, deputy chairman and the secretary in March 3.
The modalities of the conference had specified that issues bordering on the disintegration of Nigeria are no go area and President Jonathan explained that the report submitted by the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference showed that only one person raised the issue of disintegration of the country during their tour of the six geo-political zones.
“The chairman, deputy chairman and the secretary of the National Conference will work out how the conference will be managed.
“Nobody wants disintegration of Nigeria to be the focus of the National Conference. The purpose of the National Conference is not for disintegration. Nigeria will not disintegrate.
“The conference is necessary to prepare the new administration with a mindset that Nigerians have chosen a way they want to go,” the President said.
He expressed optimism that the conference would engender a lot of changes, but stressed that the administration would not be affected by the outcome of the conference.
Kerosene Subsidy Removal
Sanusi also accused the NNPC of sustaining the subsidy on Kerosene even after late President Umaru Yar’Adua gave a directive to suspend it.
But President Jonathan, who was the vice president at that time, said that the subsidy was not removed.
“Somebody may have found a document forgotten in a file and begin to circulate it claiming that subsidy was removed,” he said.
At a Presidential Media Chat held in Abuja on Monday, President Jonathan touched on some issues of national interest – the National Conference, suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Kerosene subsidy, power stability and the insurgency in the north-east.
He pointed out that “Mr Sanusi is still the governor of the CBN”, explaining that the suspension was not an outright removal.
“The issue of suspension and removal are different. The CBN Act specifies that the two-third of the Senate will have to give approval to the ‘removal’ before it is implemented. They are not to give an approval before a suspension,” he said.
“Sanusi’s issue is that of financial auditing and we must allow the Financial Reporting Council to work and if Sanusi has no case to answer, when the investigations are over, he will not be prosecuted.”
The Nigerian president pointed out that “when dealing with the treasury of a country, you must be careful”, emphasising that no president will wake up and take a decision when the Central Bank is involved.
He reassured Nigerians and the international community that the suspension would not affect the leadership of the Central Bank.
Alleged Missing Money
Sanusi had accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of not remitting $20 billion to the Federation Account before he was suspending, a claim that some critics have linked to his suspension.
But Jonathan dismissed the claims, saying that investigations on the alleged missing money had started.
“Any amount missing must be investigated and recovered. Nobody is covering anybody or group of persons. We must look into it, even if its $1 that is missing, we must get it back. That amount of money will do a lot in giving Nigerians job and infrastructure they need,” President Jonathan said.
National Conference Begins March 10
The President also said that the National Conference would begin on March 10 after the inauguration of the chairman, deputy chairman and the secretary in March 3.
The modalities of the conference had specified that issues bordering on the disintegration of Nigeria are no go area and President Jonathan explained that the report submitted by the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Conference showed that only one person raised the issue of disintegration of the country during their tour of the six geo-political zones.
“The chairman, deputy chairman and the secretary of the National Conference will work out how the conference will be managed.
“Nobody wants disintegration of Nigeria to be the focus of the National Conference. The purpose of the National Conference is not for disintegration. Nigeria will not disintegrate.
“The conference is necessary to prepare the new administration with a mindset that Nigerians have chosen a way they want to go,” the President said.
He expressed optimism that the conference would engender a lot of changes, but stressed that the administration would not be affected by the outcome of the conference.
Kerosene Subsidy Removal
Sanusi also accused the NNPC of sustaining the subsidy on Kerosene even after late President Umaru Yar’Adua gave a directive to suspend it.
But President Jonathan, who was the vice president at that time, said that the subsidy was not removed.
“Somebody may have found a document forgotten in a file and begin to circulate it claiming that subsidy was removed,” he said.
Thursday
The world reacts to Sanusi’s suspension
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan suspended respected central bank governor Lamido Sanusi on Thursday.
This was a shock decision that caused the naira to fall more than 1 percent against the dollar.
Sanusi, who was due to end his term in June, had been an increasingly outspoken critic of Jonathan's government and its record on tackling endemic corruption in Africa's biggest oil producer.
Following are analysts' reactions:
ANGUS DOWNIE, HEAD OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, ECOBANK
"Sanusi did a fantastic job as governor and it will be very difficult to find someone that can continue his line of effort in restructuring the banking sector and strengthening monetary policy to the next phase.
"He was due to step down in June but when something unexpected like this happens it does raise concerns about what is happening with the direction of policy in Nigeria.
"The immediate reaction to Sanusi's dismissal is a knee jerk reaction. This immediate fall in the naira would be expected in any emerging market or frontier market. Fundamentally there's no reason for the naira to fall further.
"You've got a very safe pair of hands that are taking over in the immediate period, Sarah Alade. In terms of the economic policy agenda, that's her remit. She's the deputy governor responsible for economic policy."
ALAN CAMERON, ECONOMIST AT NIGERIAN STOCKBROKER CSL
"It's not so much what it does to the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria), which we believe had a strong institutional foundation and skilled leaders, but what it says about the Presidency itself.
"If the Jonathan administration is willing to discard a safe pair of hands at a time when the currency is being tested anyway, it shows more political motivation than economic awareness.
"Speaking from the perspective of international investors, this is likely to go down badly."
MELISSA VERREYNE, ECONOMIST, NKC ECONOMISTS IN CAPE TOWN
"This is very worring for the central bank's independence, and creates uncertainty about the future monetary policy direction.
"The strange allegations made against Mr Sanusi, and the fact that the government was not content with simply letting his term expire, appear to be aimed at sending a warning to outspoken central bank officials.
"The ability of the central bank to criticise fiscal policy and the remittance of oil revenue is important, as it improves the accountability of the public sector.
"Any reversal of this will jeopardise the central bank's ability to maintain price and exchange rate stability, due to the pressure on foreign exchange reserves caused by corruption and government withdrawals."
YVONNE MHANGO, AFRICA ANALYST, RENCAP
"His suspension does raise concern among investors about the ability to sustain the naira at present levels. We will see more pressure on the currency between now and June, and more weakness than we had anticipated prior to this news.
"You're going to get a much more conservative CBN governor.
The impression from the statement is that he (Jonathan) thought the governor had gone above and beyond his mandate. It suggests that whoever he selects going forward will toe the line and be more conservative."
RAZIA KHAN, HEAD OF AFRICA RESEARCH, STANDARD CHARTERED
"The nature of the suspension will come as a significant shock to foreign portfolio investors, whose willingness to invest in Nigeria was very much influenced by the transparency and anti-inflation credibility associated with Sanusi's policies.
"This will be a significant negative for the Nigerian naira and Nigerian financial markets. Investors will pay attention to whichever successor is announced, but this is unlikely to sit comfortably."
SAMIR GADIO, EMERGING MARKET STRATEGIST, STANDARD BANK
"This is a disruptive move which indicates that the CBN has de facto lost much of its independence.
"Clearly it is driven by political motives given Sanusi's vocal criticism of oil revenue leakages and the opaque fiscal system in Nigeria.
"If anything, this development will compound upside risks to USD/NGN by precipitating the foreign exit and a negative domestic positioning against the naira.
"Foreign investors are likely to be active sellers of Nigerian assets in coming days subject to market liquidity constraints."
Nigerian central bank governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Sanusi, who was due to end his term in June, had been an increasingly outspoken critic of Jonathan's government and its record on tackling endemic corruption in Africa's biggest oil producer.
Following are analysts' reactions:
ANGUS DOWNIE, HEAD OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, ECOBANK
"Sanusi did a fantastic job as governor and it will be very difficult to find someone that can continue his line of effort in restructuring the banking sector and strengthening monetary policy to the next phase.
"He was due to step down in June but when something unexpected like this happens it does raise concerns about what is happening with the direction of policy in Nigeria.
"The immediate reaction to Sanusi's dismissal is a knee jerk reaction. This immediate fall in the naira would be expected in any emerging market or frontier market. Fundamentally there's no reason for the naira to fall further.
"You've got a very safe pair of hands that are taking over in the immediate period, Sarah Alade. In terms of the economic policy agenda, that's her remit. She's the deputy governor responsible for economic policy."
ALAN CAMERON, ECONOMIST AT NIGERIAN STOCKBROKER CSL
"It's not so much what it does to the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria), which we believe had a strong institutional foundation and skilled leaders, but what it says about the Presidency itself.
"If the Jonathan administration is willing to discard a safe pair of hands at a time when the currency is being tested anyway, it shows more political motivation than economic awareness.
"Speaking from the perspective of international investors, this is likely to go down badly."
MELISSA VERREYNE, ECONOMIST, NKC ECONOMISTS IN CAPE TOWN
"This is very worring for the central bank's independence, and creates uncertainty about the future monetary policy direction.
"The strange allegations made against Mr Sanusi, and the fact that the government was not content with simply letting his term expire, appear to be aimed at sending a warning to outspoken central bank officials.
"The ability of the central bank to criticise fiscal policy and the remittance of oil revenue is important, as it improves the accountability of the public sector.
"Any reversal of this will jeopardise the central bank's ability to maintain price and exchange rate stability, due to the pressure on foreign exchange reserves caused by corruption and government withdrawals."
YVONNE MHANGO, AFRICA ANALYST, RENCAP
"His suspension does raise concern among investors about the ability to sustain the naira at present levels. We will see more pressure on the currency between now and June, and more weakness than we had anticipated prior to this news.
"You're going to get a much more conservative CBN governor.
The impression from the statement is that he (Jonathan) thought the governor had gone above and beyond his mandate. It suggests that whoever he selects going forward will toe the line and be more conservative."
RAZIA KHAN, HEAD OF AFRICA RESEARCH, STANDARD CHARTERED
"The nature of the suspension will come as a significant shock to foreign portfolio investors, whose willingness to invest in Nigeria was very much influenced by the transparency and anti-inflation credibility associated with Sanusi's policies.
"This will be a significant negative for the Nigerian naira and Nigerian financial markets. Investors will pay attention to whichever successor is announced, but this is unlikely to sit comfortably."
SAMIR GADIO, EMERGING MARKET STRATEGIST, STANDARD BANK
"This is a disruptive move which indicates that the CBN has de facto lost much of its independence.
"Clearly it is driven by political motives given Sanusi's vocal criticism of oil revenue leakages and the opaque fiscal system in Nigeria.
"If anything, this development will compound upside risks to USD/NGN by precipitating the foreign exit and a negative domestic positioning against the naira.
"Foreign investors are likely to be active sellers of Nigerian assets in coming days subject to market liquidity constraints."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)