The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the nation's Senate President
has pointed glooming and dooming parts for the vanquished nation. By
their ascendant - Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu and David Mark -
Nigerians' conscious hope and crave to extricate themselves from the
grip of legislative banditry, political corruption and virtual
criminality has been dashed.
The emergence of Senator Bukola Saraki as the nation's Senate
President has pointed glooming and dooming parts for the vanquished
nation. By their ascendant - Bukola Saraki, Ike Ekweremadu and David
Mark - Nigerians' conscious hope and crave to extricate themselves from
the grip of legislative banditry, political corruption and virtual
criminality has been dashed.
More damning is the dampening of Nigerians' aspiration to replace the
tactile of humanity that have dominated the "hollow" chambers of the
national assembly, whose over-blotted salaries, emoluments, overhead,
constituency allowances, and other perquisites of office have been
responsible for depriving the nation of basic amenities. Those who are
celebrating the elections or selections of the present national assembly
leadership because it is devoid of godfathers' manipulation are either
apostles of status quo or are bluntly ignorant of what they actually
voted for.
If Nigerians realized that the defeat of one perceived political
godfather gives birth; even attenuates hydra-headed looting bandits,
morbid avarice, and conscious embodiment of the Sarakis, Marks and
Ekweremadus, the story would have been different. It is less likely that
Nigerians averred their minds to it since sentiment takes usually the
better parts of our national disequilibrium.
The band and club of looters that have been parading and recycling
themselves since the Fourth Republic can only become monstrous and more
murderous now that a fertile ground has been yielded to them for further
plundering. As Vice Chairman, it is still fresh in our minds how
Senator Saraki failed to come up with the report that indicted the then
minister of petroleum, Diezani Alison and NNP, which was later allegedly
sexed up to shortchanging Nigerians to a whooping sum of $20 billion.
How about Senator David Mark, now Senate Leader, who sat as president
of the senate while the Senate Committee which investigated the NNPC
over allegations of fraud by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank,
Mallam Lamido Sanusi, allegedly submitted its report to the Senate
saying no funds were missing? The Committee in its report said Sanusi
was merely spurious in his claimed in a leaked letter to President
Goodluck Jonathan that $49.8 billion in crude oil revenue was missing.
David Mark elixirs for political banalities, expert in political
poking, longing for graft and purposeful impunity is one of the crudest
deals of the present shabby epoch. All his life, David Mark has been a
fraud and an ultra-conservative military impudent, who stoically but
consciously advocated the retention of existing traditions and tractions
so as to limit desirable changes.
While the heat was on and Nigerians were eagerly clamoring for the
release of the report, Senator Saraki leisurely, vaguely and evasively
voiced deceptive trash: “The Committee is yet to receive the report on
the forensic audit and independent analysis on the subject clearly
indicate we have a lot of grounds to cover in order to determine the
level of culpability or otherwise of agency on the alleged
non-committal, so to suggest any clearance for anybody at this stage is
out of the question.
Saraki retorted further: “Nothing significant has changed to suggest
clearing anybody. I can say on behalf of the Committee that these media
reports bear no correlation to the content of the Senate Committee
report and I would urge the public to disregard it in its entirety. “I
will further advise that the media should wait for the senate to release
the details of the Committee report to the public before they jump into
spurious conclusions".
Painful, no significant reports or bills were credited to Senator
Saraki as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment as well as
Ecology and a member of the Senate Committees on Capital Markets and
Finance in the last four years. Rewarding a blatant fraudster with the
nation's exulted Senate Presidency and his co-travellers in crime is
pure delusion, diluted change and a putsch, stage-managed by the same
political class Nigerians have supposedly ousted in the last elections.
Except Nigerians only have their memory to forget, the inglorious
escapade of Senator Bukola's financial recklessness that rocked his
post-political engagement and drown several families will not
escape unnoticed. Mr. Bukola has been severally fingered in the
financial scandal that rocked and ultimately grounded the once
boisterous Societe Generale Bank, GGB, owned by the Saraki family. Mr.
Bukola was reported to have siphoned the bank’s depositors’ money to the
sum of N17 billion to pursue his gubernatorial ambition in 2007, in the
wake of an unprecedented political battle the family faced in the hand
of another former Governor of the state, late Alhaji Mohammed Lawal.
At another occasion, the police repeatedly sought after Mr. Bukola to
explain how a debt of N9.7 billion was dramatically written off in a
certain account, which was suddenly closed by one Abdul Adamu, who they
found out to be an aide of Mr. Saraki. This is different to the Special
Fraud Unit of the Nigerian Police Force trail on his heist with
revelation that the former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, was
wanted over a N21 billion-bank loan fraud at the defunct
InterContinental Bank of Nigeria.
Now, who says crime doesn't pay? How would Mr. Saraki attain his
present prestigious position without his ugly past? Who will tame him
now that he rose on the people's grave to the pinnacle? Mr. Bukola
through his unholy acts sent tens of thousands of bank depositors to
early grave without remorse. Those who survived from the brazen looting
and mindless fraud are yet to recover from it.
The current scenario playing out at the national assembly should
further constrain Nigerians the more to know whether they are in for
better times or in despairing conditions after they have been roundly
cheated and raped by David Mark and his minders. If we have not, we may
need to learn one or two things from The Economist Magazine, which
exposes the former and present national assembly, as presently
reconstituted.
About two year ago, The Economist Magazine came up with the report
that Nigerian legislator are the highest paid in the world. The magazine
reveals that Nigerian federal legislators are the highest paid in the
world with an annual basic salary of $189,500 (N30.6 m). The report,
quoting data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), considered the
salaries of lawmakers around the world and expressed it as a ratio of
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita.
It reveals that the annual salary of a Nigerian federal lawmaker at
$189,500 is 166 times the country's GDP per capita, estimated at $1,600.
According to the Daily Trust, British MPs earn 2.7 times their
country's GDP per capita. The study listed the annual salaries of
legislators from different parts of the world: The US ($174,000), and
Brazil ($157,600), UK ($105,400) yearly, South Africa ($104,000), France
($85,900), Kenya ($74,500), Saudi Arabia ($64,000). Other countries
according to the Daily Trust: Ghana ($46,500), Indonesia ($65,800),
Thailand ($43,800), India ($11,200), Italy ($182,000), Bangladesh
($4,000), Israel ($114,800), Hong Kong ($130,700), Japan ($149,700),
Singapore ($154,000), Canada ($154,000), New Zealand ($112,500), Germany
($119,500), Ireland ($120,400), Pakistan ($3,500), Malaysia ($25,300),
Sweden ($99,300), Sri Lanka ($5,100), Spain ($43,900) and Norway
($138,000).
It sounds out of place that Nigerian federal legislators receive
higher salaries than lawmakers from richer countries such as the US
should strike anyone as outlandish, but according to The Economist
magazine that is the obvious truth. The Economist report on the Nigeria
thieving legislators firmly established the massive gap between the rich
and poor in Nigeria, which the figure of $1,600 as Nigeria's per capita
income conceals. The annual income of middle class professionals would
range between $15,000 and $30,000, senior middle class professionals up
to $60,000, while executives would typically exceed $100,000.
Nigerian lawmakers' allowances include accommodation (Senator N4m,
Rep N3.97m), vehicle loan (Senator N8m, Rep N6.948m), furniture (Senator
N6m, Rep N5.956m) and severance gratuity (Senator N6m, Rep N5.956m),
which are due once in four years. Other allowances, which are payable
every year, are car maintenance (Senator N1.52m, Rep N595,563),
constituency (Senator N5m, Rep N1.687m), domestic staff (Senator N1.5m,
Rep N1.488m), personal assistant (Senator N506,600; Rep N496,303),
entertainment (Senator N202,640, Rep N198,521), recess (Senator
N202,640; Rep N198,521), utilities (Senator N607,920; Rep N397,042),
newspaper/periodicals (Senator N303,960; Rep N297,781), house
maintenance (Senator N101,320; Rep N99,260) and ward robe (Senator
N405,280; Rep N397,402).
There are also estacode (Senator $600, Rep $550) and duty tour
allowance (Senator N23,000; Rep N21,000) payable per day when a lawmaker
is on official trip. The RMAFC submitted a report alleging that the
various government departments were violating the rules and provisions
governing appropriate remuneration through lavish allowances. Before the
expiration of his tenure as two times Senate President, David Mark
never spare a thought on balancing the National Assembly satanic
remuneration package with a view to equalizing Nigeria's GDP with their
criminal salaries and allowances so as to reflect it on the development
index as obtained in other developed democracy's.
From the benefit of hindsight, the APC ought to have drawn the battle
line from the very beginning and tame ambitious and corrupt individual
like Bukola Saraki in the fold. The abrasive prevarication of the APC
leadership was uncalled for, where concentrate on the managing of
victory was all that was needed. Allotment or zoning political position
before elections is a timeless political strategy for party stability.
The APC has to strategize now that her political nose has been bashed
and blooded. Buhari and the APC may well fritter away the hope of the
Nigerian people, so earnestly entrusted to them a few months ago, if the
crisis rocking the party remains unresolved, and timely too.
News, Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Inspiration and yes... Gossip! *Wink*
Thursday, 11 June 2015
Former Gov. Babangida Aliyu Asked To Refund N3bn He Allegedly Looted From Niger State Treasury
The Niger State Government has asked former Governor Babangida Aliyu to
refund N2.9bn, which the state government alleged was embezzled.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dooba, indicated that the money was taken as loan on the eve of Aliyu’s departure.
It stated that although the new administration of Governor Abubakar Bello was not on a witch-hunt, but noted that “the misappropriated money” belonged to the people.
The government said, “They took this loan on the eve of their departure. And as was customary with that administration, they did nothing with the money.
“You can’t collect a loan on behalf of the people and share it among yourselves. That’s literally what they did. They simply raised a list and allocated money to those on the list.
”The office of the SSG, for example, was given N600m. The records did not say what he would do with the money. Well, we want our money back. The money belongs to the people.”
The statement added that the present administration had prioritised the needs of the people, stressing that such looted but recovered funds would be expended on projects.
It added, ”Our people need food, shelter, security, roads, water and so forth. For example, the governor wants to start with the provision of potable water and in the coming weeks, we’ll provide water at predictable intervals to Nigerlites.
“On the problem of electricity, we have started an arrangement to rent a power plant from overseas to provide regular electricity before a permanent solution is found.
“Also, Minna-Kataeregi road, Kontagora-Tegina, Minna-Suleja, Bakeko-Katcha, Kaffin-koro, Kuta-Sabon Gari and Maitumbi-Maikunkele roads among others, are receiving urgent attention.”
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Dr. Ibrahim Dooba, indicated that the money was taken as loan on the eve of Aliyu’s departure.
It stated that although the new administration of Governor Abubakar Bello was not on a witch-hunt, but noted that “the misappropriated money” belonged to the people.
The government said, “They took this loan on the eve of their departure. And as was customary with that administration, they did nothing with the money.
“You can’t collect a loan on behalf of the people and share it among yourselves. That’s literally what they did. They simply raised a list and allocated money to those on the list.
”The office of the SSG, for example, was given N600m. The records did not say what he would do with the money. Well, we want our money back. The money belongs to the people.”
The statement added that the present administration had prioritised the needs of the people, stressing that such looted but recovered funds would be expended on projects.
It added, ”Our people need food, shelter, security, roads, water and so forth. For example, the governor wants to start with the provision of potable water and in the coming weeks, we’ll provide water at predictable intervals to Nigerlites.
“On the problem of electricity, we have started an arrangement to rent a power plant from overseas to provide regular electricity before a permanent solution is found.
“Also, Minna-Kataeregi road, Kontagora-Tegina, Minna-Suleja, Bakeko-Katcha, Kaffin-koro, Kuta-Sabon Gari and Maitumbi-Maikunkele roads among others, are receiving urgent attention.”
Letter from the prison to Nigeria
Sivan A.J. Emeka Onoh
13:27 10/06/2015
My good people of Nigeria, it gives me joy to write to you from the four-wall of the prison custody abuja, on the issues that concern the peace, justice and progress of our Nation "Nigeria" I am happy that the election has come and gone, and the handing over has taking place for that great change which starts today!
But what beats my imagination is how some son's and daughter's of this great Nation are still been manipulated to be used against the future of this great land of ours, by some selfish and unproductive politicians, this so called politicians are the gready money mongers who never have the nation and it's people at heart, but only focused on our mineral and natural resocies, embezuling our national treasuries, for just themself, their children, grand children and generation yet unborn, without minding the poor and less privilage in our society.
As an inmate who has been in prison for over five years awaiting trial, even before now, I see inpunity and injustice all over our street, I see intimidation, discrimination and centiment pointing at the faces and homes of the poor and lesser privilage in our nation "Nigeria".
My good people of Nigeria, as we all know, our nation is blessed with all kinds of natural and mineral resources, which if utilised very well, will be used to meet up with 70% needs of the masses. If you agree with me, Nigeria is a country where free education is expected, it is where good jobs opportunities is expected, it is where our fuel, disiel and kero should be sold as same price with sarchet pure water in the stations, it is where every citizen should be paid a specifice amount, wheghter you own a business, work with government or private sector, including the students and those who are yet to secue a job, it is where equal right and justice is expected for a lasting peace and unity for all.
So my dear people of this great country Nigeria, the hour has come again for we to stand out for a new Nigeria that we always hope for, it is in our power to make the change we need as a people, for our own good and for the good of our children and children children. It is time to come together as one, and join hands to lift up the glory of this nation up for the world to see the goodness of the Lord in Nigeria. We can make it if we try, we can reach the finish line, if we take the step, we can repear the mess of our past leaders if we believe.
We are Nigerians, and we have all that it takes to make our dreams come true, to make this nation a better place for all, we are one, becouse God our creator is one, we are Nigeria, and united we will stand. The new Nigeria has come for good, we have no other land than Nigeria, it is our fathers land, it is our mothers land, it is our country, we must join hands together as one to build up the mess of our past leader's and make things work again in our Nation. Its time to start changing the way we think, the way we speak, the way we work, the way we do things and the way we see each other. We must turne away from fighting, stealing, robbery, raping, killing, terrorism and every other criminal activitys and all kinds of evils. We must lean to love, care, stand, suport and give a helping hand to one another, for the joy of this day new Nigeria to be fulfilled through us... Thank You All And God Bless Nigeria
13:27 10/06/2015
My good people of Nigeria, it gives me joy to write to you from the four-wall of the prison custody abuja, on the issues that concern the peace, justice and progress of our Nation "Nigeria" I am happy that the election has come and gone, and the handing over has taking place for that great change which starts today!
But what beats my imagination is how some son's and daughter's of this great Nation are still been manipulated to be used against the future of this great land of ours, by some selfish and unproductive politicians, this so called politicians are the gready money mongers who never have the nation and it's people at heart, but only focused on our mineral and natural resocies, embezuling our national treasuries, for just themself, their children, grand children and generation yet unborn, without minding the poor and less privilage in our society.
As an inmate who has been in prison for over five years awaiting trial, even before now, I see inpunity and injustice all over our street, I see intimidation, discrimination and centiment pointing at the faces and homes of the poor and lesser privilage in our nation "Nigeria".
My good people of Nigeria, as we all know, our nation is blessed with all kinds of natural and mineral resources, which if utilised very well, will be used to meet up with 70% needs of the masses. If you agree with me, Nigeria is a country where free education is expected, it is where good jobs opportunities is expected, it is where our fuel, disiel and kero should be sold as same price with sarchet pure water in the stations, it is where every citizen should be paid a specifice amount, wheghter you own a business, work with government or private sector, including the students and those who are yet to secue a job, it is where equal right and justice is expected for a lasting peace and unity for all.
So my dear people of this great country Nigeria, the hour has come again for we to stand out for a new Nigeria that we always hope for, it is in our power to make the change we need as a people, for our own good and for the good of our children and children children. It is time to come together as one, and join hands to lift up the glory of this nation up for the world to see the goodness of the Lord in Nigeria. We can make it if we try, we can reach the finish line, if we take the step, we can repear the mess of our past leaders if we believe.
We are Nigerians, and we have all that it takes to make our dreams come true, to make this nation a better place for all, we are one, becouse God our creator is one, we are Nigeria, and united we will stand. The new Nigeria has come for good, we have no other land than Nigeria, it is our fathers land, it is our mothers land, it is our country, we must join hands together as one to build up the mess of our past leader's and make things work again in our Nation. Its time to start changing the way we think, the way we speak, the way we work, the way we do things and the way we see each other. We must turne away from fighting, stealing, robbery, raping, killing, terrorism and every other criminal activitys and all kinds of evils. We must lean to love, care, stand, suport and give a helping hand to one another, for the joy of this day new Nigeria to be fulfilled through us... Thank You All And God Bless Nigeria
Saraki denies plans to defect to PDP
10:12 11/06/2015
Abuja - Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied rumours that he is planning to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC )for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reports Leadership.
He described insinuations that he would return to PDP as absurd and laughable.
Saraki accused his political adversaries for spreading the rumour in order to call a dog a bad name.
He restated his commitment to the APC, saying he remains a loyal and leading member of the party who is committed to contributing his quota to building the party.
Saraki also described President Muhammadu Buhari’s reaction to Tuesday’s election of National Assembly leaders as a great mark of leadership and a demonstration of his commitment to democracy.
Read more at Leadership.
Abuja - Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied rumours that he is planning to dump the All Progressives Congress (APC )for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reports Leadership.
He described insinuations that he would return to PDP as absurd and laughable.
Saraki accused his political adversaries for spreading the rumour in order to call a dog a bad name.
He restated his commitment to the APC, saying he remains a loyal and leading member of the party who is committed to contributing his quota to building the party.
Saraki also described President Muhammadu Buhari’s reaction to Tuesday’s election of National Assembly leaders as a great mark of leadership and a demonstration of his commitment to democracy.
Read more at Leadership.
Enyeama: I might quit before 2017 AFCON
10:13 11/06/2015
Abuja - Captain of the Super Eagles Vincent Enyeama, says he might quit the Super Eagles before the AFCON 2017 in Gabon.
Enyeama made this known to News24 during the Super Eagles media parley while responding to questions about reports that he may quit the National team, after the Cup of Nations in two years’ time.
"I might quit earlier than 2017, for the meantime I’m focused on the game against Chad but, I do know that one day I will quit,” he told News24.
On if he thinks Nigeria will be able to replace him after 13 years of being first choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, the Lille shot stopper insists there are enough replacements for him.
”There are a lot of capable hands, I came in for some other people and I am confident there are those that will replace me, if I chose to leave.”
Abuja - Captain of the Super Eagles Vincent Enyeama, says he might quit the Super Eagles before the AFCON 2017 in Gabon.
Enyeama made this known to News24 during the Super Eagles media parley while responding to questions about reports that he may quit the National team, after the Cup of Nations in two years’ time.
"I might quit earlier than 2017, for the meantime I’m focused on the game against Chad but, I do know that one day I will quit,” he told News24.
On if he thinks Nigeria will be able to replace him after 13 years of being first choice goalkeeper of the Super Eagles, the Lille shot stopper insists there are enough replacements for him.
”There are a lot of capable hands, I came in for some other people and I am confident there are those that will replace me, if I chose to leave.”
INEC to hold three-day post elections review meeting
10:12 11/06/2015
Abuja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had concluded arrangement to hold a three-day post election review meeting for Electoral Officers, Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners.
This is contained in the commission’s Daily Bulletin issued in Abuja on Wednesday which quoted a statement signed by the Director of Secretariat of INEC, Ishiaku Gali.
It added that it would be the turn of the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on June 17 and 18 respectively, at the Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
The statement said that INEC would also validate the 2015 Election Report on June 15, adding that "the validation will be a prelude to the printing and presentation of the Election Report on June 29."
The statement recalled that the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, had on April 22, inaugurated a Committee, headed by Dr Chris Iyimoga, INEC National Commissioner, to author the 2015 Election Report.
Abuja - The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it had concluded arrangement to hold a three-day post election review meeting for Electoral Officers, Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners.
This is contained in the commission’s Daily Bulletin issued in Abuja on Wednesday which quoted a statement signed by the Director of Secretariat of INEC, Ishiaku Gali.
It added that it would be the turn of the Administrative Secretaries and Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) on June 17 and 18 respectively, at the Le Meridien Hotel in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
The statement said that INEC would also validate the 2015 Election Report on June 15, adding that "the validation will be a prelude to the printing and presentation of the Election Report on June 29."
The statement recalled that the INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, had on April 22, inaugurated a Committee, headed by Dr Chris Iyimoga, INEC National Commissioner, to author the 2015 Election Report.
Ekiti offers reward for rescue of kidnapped cleric
Augustine Osayande
10:11 11/06/2015
Abuja - The Ekiti State government is offering N2 million as reward for the rescue of Reverend Father Emmanuel Akingbade, the Catholic cleric recently kidnapped in Ido-Ekiti area.
Ayodele Fayose, the governor, was confident this would ensure the church leader was freed.
His Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the governor noted that plans were underway to rid the state of kidnappers.
He promised to give the sum of N2 million to anyone that could provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the kidnappers.
Fayose emphasized that the modalities of dealing with kidnapping was different from other criminal activities and appealed to the people of the state to shun staging protests.
He said “all hands must be on deck” to ensure prevalence of peace in the state.
He meanwhile confirmed that the kidnappers earlier arrested were still in the police custody and the rest of the criminals would be apprehended as soon as possible.
“The issue of kidnapping goes beyond political matters, everyone irrespective of party affiliation must team up with the government to deal with the kidnap menace in the state,” he said.
The governor also notified people of the state of the necessity of police checking vehicles at strategic points across the state, with an appeal to residents to bear with whatever inconveniences the action might cause.
Unknown gunmen abducted Akingbade on Tuesday.
It was reported that a three-man gang stormed the residence of the cleric, who is the Parish Priest of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido Ekiti. It is reported they are demanding N20 million.
10:11 11/06/2015
Abuja - The Ekiti State government is offering N2 million as reward for the rescue of Reverend Father Emmanuel Akingbade, the Catholic cleric recently kidnapped in Ido-Ekiti area.
Ayodele Fayose, the governor, was confident this would ensure the church leader was freed.
His Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, said the governor noted that plans were underway to rid the state of kidnappers.
He promised to give the sum of N2 million to anyone that could provide useful information that could lead to the arrest of the kidnappers.
Fayose emphasized that the modalities of dealing with kidnapping was different from other criminal activities and appealed to the people of the state to shun staging protests.
He said “all hands must be on deck” to ensure prevalence of peace in the state.
He meanwhile confirmed that the kidnappers earlier arrested were still in the police custody and the rest of the criminals would be apprehended as soon as possible.
“The issue of kidnapping goes beyond political matters, everyone irrespective of party affiliation must team up with the government to deal with the kidnap menace in the state,” he said.
The governor also notified people of the state of the necessity of police checking vehicles at strategic points across the state, with an appeal to residents to bear with whatever inconveniences the action might cause.
Unknown gunmen abducted Akingbade on Tuesday.
It was reported that a three-man gang stormed the residence of the cleric, who is the Parish Priest of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Ido Ekiti. It is reported they are demanding N20 million.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)