On the Proposed Seven (7) Years Jail Term for Social Media critics in Nigeria, hear what Atiku Abubakar has to say;

 Social media may yet change governance in Africa

I have recently had to answer many questions from friends and contemporaries, seeking to understand why I decided to join social media and expose myself to potential fire from young Nigerians. This is mostly because people who have known me for a long time know me to be a rather quiet person.
But the reality is that over the last months, I have learned that the positives of social media participation far outweigh the negatives.

Social media is where young people, the bulk of Nigeria’s population, gather to share their thoughts, often venting their frustrations with the inefficiencies of the country.

I may not always like what is written about me; indeed some commentators could be very insulting. Our society has always been one where older people expect a lot of respect from younger people, so the relative equality of voice that social media provides may shock newcomers to the platforms.
Overall, social media has allowed me to listen a diverse array of Nigerian voices without filters.
I am going to guess that colleagues in public service may see social media as a threat, and indeed seek to censor social media networks. But I think such an attempt would be a mistake.

"Atiku Abubakar is the best President Nigeria has not gotten yet" -- Babangida Aliyu.

"Atiku Abubakar is the best President Nigeria has not gotten yet" --

Babangida Aliyu.

The Executive Governor of Niger State, Gov. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu today appraised the efforts of Fmr. Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for his continous efforts in fighting for the sustenance of Democracy in Nigeria despite the huge oppositions he encountered in the course.

Gov. Aliyu while delivering a keynote address at the Official Launch of the Book Titled: LANDMARK CONSTITUTIONAL LAW CASES IN NIGERIA 2004-2007 THE ATIKU ABUBAKAR CASES gave instances on the exemplary lifestyle and great leadership qualities of Atiku Abubakar referring to him as best President Nigeria has not gotten yet.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN RINGS THE CLOSING BELL OF THE NEW-YORK STOCK EXCHANGE (NYSE) IN STYLE.

In 2006, President Obasanjo met with the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange in Davo, Switzerland and requested to ring the closing bell at the NYSE. He cited instances with the economic reforms being pushed by Dr. Iweala( whom 'our' governors wants sacked) and finally got a subtle and tentative invite by the new CEO.

The NYSE uses its selection of bell ringers to make strategic statements about the direction of the exchange and its seen as a strong endorsement to potential investors all over the world .

On arrival for the ceremony , the NYSE told President Obasanjo that the request was not approved and that the President can come for a 'lunch', which is a lesser endorsement at the Stock Exchange. Characteristic of OBJ, he got infuriated and shunned the Lunch.

A few months earlier, three African Presidents have been lumped together to ring the closing bell at the exchange. They were the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf,
the President of Mozambique, Armando Guebuza and the President of Tanzania, Jakaya M. Kikwete.

Many African analysts saw this as a let down on Africa as many smaller European country's presidents had rung the closing bell alone.

JULIE A DEE TESTIMONIAL FOR MARY AGBAJOH

In further confirmation of her outstanding pedigree and reputation for the sustenance of our Democracy through her unwavering and unflinching support for the Uduaghan’s administration which she remains an ardent believer thereof, thus more Testimony seem to be outpouring from the lips of Notable Nigerians who are vouching for her credence and credibility towards good governance in the polity both In the State and beyond.

RE: BARRISTER MARY AGBAJOH CARPETS UDUAGHAN’S ADMINISTRATION SEEKS BETTER LEADERSHIP IN 2015.

RE: Barrister Mary Agbajoh Carpets Uduaghan’s Administration Seeks
Better Leadership in 2015.

It was just few hours to departure while coxing at the VIP LOUNGE
awaiting the arrival of the Bombadier CRI-900ER Jet which happens to
be our Transporter for the afternoon. At this point in time we were
engrossed in rare admiration of the Massive Transformation Work at the
newly remodeled Airport and its State of the Art Facilities when an
online publication caught my attention.

At the initial i was dazed beyond comprehension at the deteriorating
trend of Journalism in Nigeria and how much some persons choose to
acquire cheap publicity for themselves in order to cause an
unwarranted stir and maybe attention as they wholly desire.
It became so imperative and necessary to bring her attention into this
for some well obvious and factual reasons. Yes, she was sitting right
beside me and i had to beckon. “Ma’am take a look at this”, like the
taciturn and phlegmatic lady i have always known her for she smiled
even with a bemoaning remark. Though i had anticipated a harsh
reaction for such a derogatory publication.

AL-MUSTAPHA'S PRISON NOTES

AL-MUSTAPHA'S PRISON NOTES
**I would Have Gunned Down Abdulsalami.
**I noticed how Abacha's body changed when President Yasser Arafat security operatives shook hands with him
**Abacha and MKO's death were organized.

"My Boss, General Sani Muhammad Abacha, died at the early hours of Monday, 8th June, 1998. I had prepared him for a workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Information for that day as he was expected to deliver an address as the Special Guest of Honour. His speech was drafted and fine tuned by the Chief Press Secretary, Chief David Attah who had submitted it to the Aide-De Camp for vetting and necessary amendments by the Commander-in-Ch­ief. When I got to the bedside of the Head of State, he was already gasping. Ordinarily, I could not just touch him. It was not allowed in our job. But under the situation on ground, I knelt close to him and shouted, “General Sani Abacha, Sir, please grant me permission to touch and carry you.”

"Contrary to insinuations, speculations and sad rumours initiated by some sections of the society, I maintain that the sudden collapse of the health system of the late Head of State started previous day (Sunday, 7th June, 1998) right from the Abuja International Airport immediately after one of the white security operatives or personnel who accompanied President Yasser Arafat of Palestine shook hands with him (General Abacha) I had noticed the change in the countenance of the late Commander-in-Ch­ief and informed the Aide-de-Camp, Lt. Col. Abdallah, accordingly. He, however, advised that we keep a close watch on the Head of State. Later in the evening of 8th June, 1998, around 6p.m; his doctor came around, administered an injection to stabilize him. He was advised to have a short rest. Happily, enough, by 9p.m; the Head of State was bouncing and receiving visitors until much later when General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, came calling. He was fond of the Head of State. They were very good friends. They stayed and chatted together till about 3.35a.m. A friend of the house was with me in my office and as he was bidding me farewell, he came back to inform me that the FCT Minister, General Useni was out of the Head of State’s Guest House within the Villa."

Power generation in Nigeria hits new record high at 4,349.7MW; best is yet to come Government says

Power generation seems to be on an upward trajectory as it is reported to have reached a new all time high of 4,349.7 megawatts on December 17th.
The increase in power generation is attributed to an increased capacity in the country’s national grid. The Egbin Power Plant, the Omotosho NIPP and the Chevron gas plants all contributed to the increased capacity.

Power generation seems to be on an upward trajectory as it is reported to have reached a new all time high of 4,349.7 megawatts on December 17th.
The increase in power generation is attributed to an increased capacity in the country’s national grid. The Egbin Power Plant, the Omotosho NIPP and the Chevron gas plants all contributed to the increased capacity.
“The peak of power availability can be an instantaneous occurrence; you can stay there for a second and go off it; whereas energy is constantly delivered to homes. And so it is a thing of joy that for the first time, Nigeria has hit a new energy peak of 97,749.11 megawatt hours per hour which translates into over 4,000 megawatt hours per hour,” he said.
Nigeria is widely known to be held back economically by its epileptic power supply. Improvement in the power sector could significantly jump start the nation’s economy and increase productivity.
Previously, the nation’s Power Minister, Professor Barth Nnaji was fired based on allegations of conflict of interest. It is refreshing to see continued improvements in the power sector after his departure. Many had worried that  further progress would be stalled as a result of his absence

PRESS RELEASE--FED. MINISTRY OF WORKS.

PRESS RELEASE

On the 10th of August, 2012, I addressed you on the scope of the contract awarded by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for the repairs of damaged 8Nos. Expansion Joints on third mainland bridge, scheduled to be completed at about November 6, 2012. During that briefing, I on behalf of the Federal Government promised to do everything possible to cushion the frustration and other inconveniences that would be caused to road users due to the partial closure of this very important bridge, and pledge further to complete the project ahead of schedule. Today, we have kept faith with that promise, as we draw the curtain on the repair works on the bridge which will be re-opened shortly to road users. Not only was the repair work completed about 10 days ahead of schedule, it was also completed at the awarded contract sum, devoid of variation. I wish to thank Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, for his support and sustained funding of the repair work.

I wish to use this opportunity to thank the contractor, M/s Borini Prono for the technology and expertise they brought to bear on the project and the good quality workmanship exhibited during the repair work. My thanks also go to my friend the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) for his wonderful cooperation and collaboration not just on this project, but on all our activities in Lagos State. Let me also thank the Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, for providing adequate and effective security cover for the project.

myOkagbare.com: Inside Aso Rock: The Day Abacha Died

myOkagbare.com: Inside Aso Rock: The Day Abacha Died: Inside Aso Rock: The Day Abacha Died By Orji Ogbonnaya Orji Friday June 5, 1998, was a cool bright day. Before we left the Villa, the ...

Inside Aso Rock: The Day Abacha Died

Inside Aso Rock: The Day Abacha Died

By Orji Ogbonnaya Orji

Friday June 5, 1998, was a cool bright day. Before we left the Villa, the Press Corps was informed that the leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation, Yasser Arafat, would

be making a brief stop-over at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, enroute Morocco. And he was expected to hold a brief discussion with the General Sani Abacha. We were therefore expected to be at the airport to cover the event on Sunday, June 7. It was a topical assignment in view of Nigeria's neutral position in the Middle East conflict. Besides, the rest of us were keen to meet Mr. Arafat, the man at the centre of the storm.

That Sunday morning, the Press Corps headed for the airport to await the arrival of Yasser Arafat. We did not have to wait for too long before the Palestinian leader arrived, accompanied by a very modest delegation. President Arafat and General Abacha immediately went into private discussion at the VIP lounge of the Presidential wing of the airport. The Press outside waited curiously for the possible outcome of the talks between the two leaders, a kind of joint press conference, on all issues involved in the Nigeria-Palestine relations.

After the meeting, which was very brief, there was no press conference. Rather, Yasser Arafat inspected a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the 3 Guards Brigade of the Nigerian Army, and departed for Morocco. The whole airport ceremony lasted about two hours and we all returned to the Villa (Aso Rock).

Before leaving the Villa, I decided to cross-check with protocol officials if the Head of State would still be traveling to Burkina Faso to attend the OAU Summit, which was already at the Ministerial Session in Ouagadougou. The advance team of the Head of State's entourage had already left on Friday night. I was to be in the main entourage expected to leave for Burkina Faso on Monday morning, after Abacha would have declared open an International Information Conference expected to begin in Abuja Monday June 8. The Federal Ministry of Information organized the conference. It was normal during General Abacha's regime, that his movement was always kept topmost secret. As a matter of fact, those of us who used to travel with him would not know until few hours to our departure. So was our trip to Burkina Faso. They told me it was still on course.

THE NIGERIA THEY DON'T KNOW @ 52. - Okagbare Christopher

What many saw as an evil marriage is no doubt waxing stronger with love despite the back stages and shortcomings, though the Amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorate was greeted with high amount of disdain and refute by a vast majority of Nigerians but posterity and providence kept the ship sailing with different captains embarking on the Sail.

A survey on the spate of our Development and Achievements as a Nation in the past decades will definitely set you off balance. As a vast majority of Nigerians has greeted our existence and developmental status with high amount of dissatisfaction and hate. The big question that will always remain on the lips of any and every concerned Nigerian is to know the area we have gone wrong as a Nation, no doubt the blame has always been on the path of the Government and our Leaders.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDEMNS KADUNA CHURCH SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK

PRESIDENT JONATHAN CONDEMNS KADUNA CHURCH SUICIDE BOMB ATTACK

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condemned Sunday's suicide bomb attack on a Catholic Church in Kaduna.The President who was extremely saddened by the explosion, described it as "barbaric, cruel and uncalled for."President Jonathan noted that the apparent objective of the criminal and unpatriotic elements and forces behind the attack is to set back the progress the Administration has made in the fight against

terrorism in the country. "It is obvious that these people do not mean well for Nigeria and its unity and development," he said.The President however, expressed confidence that the war against terrorism would become more unrelenting as the nation would never give in to the forces of terror and retardation. He added that the persistence of messengers of evil will not prevail over the will of the government and the people to secure peace and safety."Our efforts to deal with all acts of terror and violence would only be redoubled even as the security agencies continue to receive all the support they need from government to reverse this unfortunate and unacceptable trend that threatens the peace and stability of our nation," President Jonathan said.

FG to distribute hybrid seedlings to cushion looming food crisis caused by flood

The Federal Government has concluded plans to distribute hybrid seedlings to farmers in a bid to reduce the effect of the flood that destroyed millions of hectare of farmlands across the country.

Minister of Agriculture, Mr Akinwummi Adeshina  revealed this during a courtesy visit on the governor of Niger state at the Government House in Minna as part of an on the spot assessment of the affected farmland in the state.

The Minister stated that “the seedlings which will mature in two months will save the nation from a possible food scarcity that may arise because of the loss of farm products in some parts of the country.”

Over 5,000 farmlands have so far been destroyed by the ravaging flood across the country.

The hybrid seedling to be distributed free of charge to all farmers in the country include that of rice, cotton, cassava and maize.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Muazu Aliyu stated that the state government had released the sum of N150 million for immediate relief to the victims across the state.

GEJ; WORKING FOR YOU

CORRUPTION AND THE TRANSFORMATION AGENDA

Corruption no doubt can be pointed out as the Bane to the development of our Nation Today, and this could be traced to the beginning of our existence and even far beyond our Pre-colonial days. Like a Cancer in the leg it has grown beyond bounds and has prevented us from attaining the desired developmental strides as Nigerians. It is so worrisome the manner which it is taking a footstool in our lives as Nigerians, and this Norm has virtually affected all areas of our existence negatively.

Nigerians saw the emergence of Democracy as a panacea in the fight against this Socio-Economic and Developmental Monster, hopes were raised beyond imaginations as the masses duly anticipate a Government of the People and for the People. A Government that is poised in setting up an exemplary standard in the fight against Corruption. Soon we were greeted with reforms in virtually all arms and agencies of government. Though Corruption and Gross mis-conduct of public office holders still thrived in its

JONATHAN AWARDS PARALYMPIANS

President Goodluck Jonathan has rewarded athletes of the just concluded LONDON 2012 Paralympics Games and the U-20 Female National team (THE FALCONETS) at the just concluded Women World Cup in Japan with Millions of Naira and National Honours.

This approach have recorded accolades from Nigerians and Sports enthusiast from across the Country, no doubt it will further boost the Morales of the athletes but also encourage young and aspiring athletes to develop interest in Sports, thereby doing the Nation proud in both Continental and Intercontinental Events.

Speaking at the Special Reception staged for the athletes at the State House on Saturday night, President Jonathan said the gesture was to appreciate their efforts.

N’Assembly hails ex-militants training in S’Africa

SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 BY SODIQ OYELEKE LEAVE A COMMENT

Members of the Senate and House Committees on Niger Delta have expressed their satisfaction with the utilisation of the Amnesty Programme funds.

This was contained in a statement by the Head of Media and Communications, Amnesty Office, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, on Sunday.

The committee members stated this in Johannesburg, South Africa, after completing their inspection visit to the Africa Union Aviation Academy in Mafikeng and the Flight Training Services in Midrand, where 53 Niger Delta ex-militants are undergoing training as pilots.

FG EMPLOYS 350 YOUNG ENGINEERS.

The Minister of Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen has disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Federal Civil Service Commission, had recently employed over 350 young engineers, and organized training programmes for them before they were deployed to various sites.

This he said is part of the ministry’s target of reducing unemployment among engineering graduates and giving the young engineers the opportunity to understudy experienced professionals, adding that adequate provision is also being made in every contract to provide for students’ industrial work experience scheme [SIWES].

PRESS RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

*$1.1 Billion Facility obtained From China Exim Bank tospeed up 3 projects including Galaxy Backbone

To realise President Goodluck Jonathan’s pledge to boost critical infrastructure in the country, the Federal Government yesterday in Beijing signed an agreement for a $600 billion facility with the China Exim Bank for two high priority, high impact projects expected to be completed by 2015.

The two projects are the Abuja Light Rail project which will cost $500 million and the Galaxy Backbone ICT infrastructure which will be financed with $100 million.

THE NIGERIAN STATE AND UNKNOWN CRITICS.

Sitting down in a discuss with learned minds on issues concerning the goods and bads of the present government policies, my mind routes back to February year before last . Even amidst the enticing discuss, I found myself almost talking inaudibly to me alone. My thoughts bothered about how I eventually got involved in government and it policies and why I believed so much in a government against all...

odds and layman reasoning. I clearly remembered how as a first class cosmological physicist discovered my hidden gift to write at ease. Good enough, I write with less big words. I remembered one of my first articles where I clearly assessed the four major aspirants to the number one seat of the nation that is currently occupied by my principal President Goodluck Jonathan. Those in contention with my principal was, former heads of state Buhari and self acclaimed President Babangida and Atiku. All other aspirants were at the time very inconsequential (without threats).