I’ll fight corruption more in 2014 – Jonathan!

President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday said irrespective of the challenges Nigerians might have faced, the country remained a truly blessed one, whose diversity remained its source of strength.

Jonathan said this in his New Year message to the nation made available by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati.

He added that the Federal Government would fight corruption more  in 2014.

He said, “Our administration believes that the cost of governance in the country is still too high and must be further reduced. We will also take additional steps to stem the tide of corruption and leakages.

“We have worked hard to curb fraud in the administration of the pension system and the implementation of the petroleum subsidy scheme. We have introduced a Pensions Transition Arrangement Department under a new Director-General. This department will now ensure that those of our pensioners still under the old scheme receive their pensions and gratuities, and are not subjected to fraud.

“Prosecution of all those involved in robbing our retired people will continue. The Petroleum Subsidy Scheme is also now being operated under new strict guidelines to tackle previous leakages in the scheme and prevent fraud.

“Foreign travel by government personnel will be further curtailed. This directive shall apply to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government. Our strategy to curb leakages will increasingly rely on introducing the right technologies such as biometrics and digitising government payments.”

He added, “Whatever challenges we may have faced, whatever storms we may have confronted and survived, Nigeria remains a truly blessed country, a country of gifted men and women who continue to distinguish themselves in all spheres of life, a country whose diversity remains a source of strength,” he said.

The President observed that 2014 would be a momentous one for the country for several reasons, including the fact that the nation would celebrate its 100 years of existence in the New Year.

He recalled that the British colonial authorities amalgamated the separate Protectorates of Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria on January 1, 1914 to give birth to Nigeria.

“Year 2014, to Nigerians, is not just the beginning of a new year, but the end of a century of national existence and the beginning of another,” he said.

This, he said, was a moment for sober reflection and for pride in all that was great about Nigeria.

While reiterating his position that the nation’s amalgamation was not a mistake, the President said as they celebrate the 100 years of its nationhood, Nigerians must resolve to continue to work together as one united people.

He assured Nigerians that his administration remained committed to the development of the country and the consolidation of peace, unity and democratic governance.

He added that despite several domestic and global challenges in 2013, Nigeria witnessed many positive developments which his administration would strive to build upon in 2014.

The President admitted that the cost of governance in the country was still too high and must be further reduced.

He also promised to take additional steps to stem the tide of corruption and leakages.

Jonathan added that foreign travel by government personnel would be further curtailed and that the directive would apply to all ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.

The President also reeled out statistics on the strides he said his administration achieved in the agriculture, health, education, water and housing sectors among others and promised to do more in the New Year.

@Fresh prince of Bel Air actor, James Avery dies at 65!

James Avery, the actor who played Uncle Phil on "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," died on Tuesday, his publicist confirmed to pressmen.

According to report, the actor, 65, died from complications of open heart surgery.

Born James La Rue Avery in Virginia, Avery was raised in Atlantic City. After high school, he served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1969 as a member of the U.S. Navy. After returning home, Avery moved to San Diego, where he wrote poetry and TV scripts for PBS, including the Emmy Award-winning production, "Ameda Speaks: Poet James Avery."

How most part of the world ushered in 2014!

Photos:

Photographer collapsed and dies on set!

Dave Martin, a veteran photographer for the Associated Press, collapsed while working the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta on Tuesday night and died from an apparent heart attack, Georgia Dome officials said.

Martin, 59, was on the field after the game to shoot celebration photos after Texas A&M defeated Duke, 52-48, when he collapsed and received treatment from medical personnel on the field.

He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead early Wednesday.

“Dave Martin was an excellent photojournalist, a consummate and dedicated professional and a wonderful person,” said Santiago Lyon, AP's vice president and director of photography. “Wherever his work took him, he made many friends and will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him."

Although Martin primarily spent his career in the southeastern United States, he traveled the world to shoot major sporting and news events, including the Olympics and the Ryder Cup as well as wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Said longtime colleague Jay Reaves: "He covered wars and a revolution, sports and tornadoes, the Alabama Legislature and presidents, and he typically had the best picture no matter what the event."

Nigerian Pastor Arrested For Alleged Fake Currency Printing!

The Kogi State Command of the department of State Security Service has arrested a clergyman, Reverend Godson Akubuiro, his children and 15 man syndicate for printing and circulation of fake Naira notes.

The Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Mr Mike Fubara, told journalists that the major breakthrough came as a result of painstaking investigation for over four months which took the operatives of SSS to Ikorodu in Lagos where they were all arrested.

Fake currency printers and distributors used by the suspects were seized by the SSS.

Godson Akubuiro

He told journalist that the prime suspect, Reverend Akubuiro, who is the general overseer of the Mountain of Breakthrough Deliverance Ministry also known as land of solution located at plot 7 Mountain of Breakthrough Avenue Koya Estate, Igbo Olomu, Agric, Ikorodu Lagos, had been into printing and circulating of fake Naira notes.

Mr Fubara explained that in an effort to trace the source of the worrisome fake Naira currency circulation, his men undertook a covert operation to uncover those behind the criminal act.

‘’This operation took the service close to four months before a breakthrough resulting in the arrest of the 16-man syndicate led by Rev. Godson O. Akubuiro,” he said

“The operation took the service four months to get to the root.

“Over 1.3 million fake Naira notes were found with him,” he stated.

Reverend Akubuiro, 49, from Imo State, told journalists that  he was an anointed man of God and also owned up to the allegation, attributing it to the work of Satan. 

“Satan is always after men of God. Even David in the bible fell to temptation,” he said

He felt remorse and prostrated pleading for mercy from the SSS Director.

Another suspect, Chika Ndukwe, 39, also told Channels Television that he got the fake currency from one of the reverend daughters that he was dating in the last one year.

Equipment and materials used in printing the suspected fake Naira notes and large quantity of the printed fake notes and cut-to-size blank currency notes were recovered from them.

The service said investigation is still ongoing and warned the public to be wary of the existence of fake Naira notes in circulation and to report any suspect to security agencies.

Don’t take Nigerians for granted, Atiku tells leaders!

A former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has charged public office holders not to take the magnanimity of the Nigerian people for granted.

The former vice president, who made the call in a New Year message issued by his Media Office in Abuja, congratulated Nigerians and thanked God for keeping Nigeria together despite its myriad of

security, political and socio-economic challenges.

“With hard work and dedication, elected leaders and public servants can rise to the expected challenges of national development and economic prosperity to redress the deepening poverty of ordinary

Nigerians in 2014.

“Despite our challenges in the area of security, infrastructure, politics and economy, I am grateful to God for keeping us together as one. It is my hope that we all will face the future of our country with confidence and fervent hope that God will grant us the better tomorrow we are working for”, Atiku stressed.

The former VP also urged leaders in political offices at different levels to brace up to the challenges of nation-building and economic prosperity for the nation and its people.

He also urged Nigerians to face the future with optimism that the new-year will bring good tidings.

Atiku described as unacceptable the worsening poverty in the country, which he noted, is daily taking its toll on the ordinary citizens, and reiterated that leaders should not take the continued patience of the Nigerian people for granted.

Dilemma Of Poor Governance In Africa!

As we lunch into 2014, countries around the world retrospect on 2013. From the "Centers" down to peripheries, juxtapose of positive and negative events will determine the future of nations.

The global economic crisis that riddled economies had a blanket effect on both advanced and developing countries. News of marginal economic recoveries in the USA, UK, Canada and Japan gave respite to the crashing hopes of people. However, this contestable positive news was tampered by natural disasters in the Philippines, isolated acts of indiscriminate shootings in the USA, political cleansing in North Korea, uprisings in Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudan. At the tail end, the world was humbled by the death of Nelson Mandela; a man of impeccable and outstanding legacy.

Despite the ups and downs of the receding year, the gap between advanced and third world countries continues to widen. With a greater concentration on third world countries, in Africa and the Far Eastern countries, a common trend that has plagued these regions remain governance and leadership failures.

Africa

World’s cradle of civilization continued to trail behind in its own invention-‘civilization’. One cannot collocate the existence of a great leadership icon like Nelson Mandela in a continent that is constantly challenged by poor governance as evident in African leaders with absolute powers allowing themselves to get corrupted absolutely. 

From the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone which ended in 2002, down to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda with a record breaking killing efficiency, Africa’s achievements has revolved around bloodbath, corruption, greed and poverty. Recently, our breakthroughs was increased with the on-going tussle in the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Death toll is on the increase... Africa continues to break grounds in the negative.

Central African Republic:
Located in the north central region of Africa, the Central African Republic was a French colony and gained independence in 1960. The landlocked country shares border with Sudan (northeast), South Sudan (east), Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo (south), Chad (north) and Cameroun (west). With capital in Bangui, Central African Republic has an estimated 4.6 million population. 

The country which is rich in uranium, crude oil, gold, diamond and lumber, ranks among the world’s poorest. The country’s major GDP driver is agriculture and it also ranks among the ten poorest countries in Africa. 
Since independence in 1960, the Central African Republic has seen five coups, widespread corruption, abuse of power, underdevelopment and instability.

The country’s woes started with the St. Silvestre coup d’etat which saw Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa taking over power from President Dacko.  In 1972, President Bokassa declared himself as life president and suspended the constitution. Violent suppression of opposition started in 1979 when around 100 students and teenagers were killed for protesting against a government Decree. This ignited widespread apathy against his government and President Dacko was reinstated in a French-led coup against Emperor Bokassa (as he was called). Since then, the country has seen violent change in power and abuse of authority with most of its leaders either focused on remaining in power till death or systematic annihilation of other ethnic groups.

In March 2003, General Francoise Bozize overthrew President Pattasse and took over power. President Bozize was re-elected in the widely fraudulent election of 2011 and this led to emergence of rebel groups fighting to unseat the President. The pressure on President Bozize was overwhelming and in January 2013, a power sharing arrangement with the rebels was concluded. The rebel groups had control of some towns in the North while the President had control over the capital and other towns. However, the rebels backtracked on the arrangement in January 2013 and invaded the capital Bangui. 

President Bozize was ousted and Michel Djotodia took over power. Due to long-stayed violence in the country, rebel and militia activities went out of control. The Muslim led Seleka group came under reprisal attacks from the Christian militias. 

Although this appears as a religious uprising, there are political undertones to the recent skirmishes in the country which has seen more than 600 people killed and up to 400,000 displaced.

South Sudan:
Officially the youngest country in the world, the Republic of South Sudan was granted independence from Sudan in 2011 and has its capital at Juba. 
Republic of South Sudan is led by President Salva Kiir Mayardit who serves as the first president of the country. The country is rich is crude oil reserves and on independence from Sudan, the country retained around 4 times the crude reserves of Sudan. 

An oil revenue sharing arrangement is currently operational between Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan. The country relies on pipeline networks and refineries in Sudan for transporting and refining its crude oil. President Mayardit currently faces an uphill task in quelling uprisings from rebels and militia in the country. 

The armed groups cited government’s intention to stay in power indefinitely, unfair representation of ethnic groups as well as under development of the rural areas as their motivation for arming up.

 In a recent turn of events, President Salva Kiir alleged a coup plot against his government by his deputy, Riek Machar. This situation fuelled deadly rivalry between President Mayardit’s Dinka group and Machar’s Nuer clan. 

Heavy fight between government troops and Machar’s ‘White Army’ continues in Bor with more than 1000 people killed and lot more displaced. Although a mediatory talk has was initiated in Ethiopia, heavy fight continued in the city of Bor.  

The two scenarios discussed above shows some similarities. 

Firstly, the Central African Republic and South Sudan have crude oil and other forms of natural resources. This leaves us with the ‘resource curse’ theory where nations with natural resources continued to wallow in abject poverty. Leadership in both countries are hewn on sycophancy, greed and insensitivity. 

It beats my imagination on how best to explain the irony of abject poverty and paucity of infrastructure as seen in both countries, in the face of crude earnings. The answer is not far fetched; few privileged men enriching themselves whilst clinging to power till 'death do them part'. 

African leaders may have gotten away with this motive in the past, but given recent trends in the Arab world (Arab spring) coupled with the impact of the electronic media, one can conclude that the end is indeed near for corruption in Africa.

Secondly, the nature of the crimes committed by purported freedom fighters in Africa leaves one in awe. Arming underage children to participate in killings, a situation where children are forced to kill their own relatives is sickening. 
Raping underage girls, arming women to kill their own husbands, staged horrific killings and maiming as well as slaughtering pregnant women and the newborn all under the guise of fighting for freedom, are a common trends in Africa. 

                            

After these crisis, the people live in perpetual shock and unable to carry on with normal lives. This situation has a long term negative affect on the social and economic recoveries and development in war torn zones.

A visit to Sierra Leon, Congo and Rwanda will confirm the aftershock of internal crisis. Leaders in Central African Republic and South Sudan need to reassess their motives and consider the future they are forcing on the next generation.

Moreso, the motivation of external factors in crisis ridden regions of Africa still leaves some questions unanswered. In most cases, rebels as well as government formations are usually armed by external countries with varied interests in the situation. 


For instance, how can a country like Russia continue to arm militias and rebels in Africa and the Middle East, still turn around to cry foul on humanitarian crimes or genocides. 

How can developed nations of the world intervene only in countries with natural resources, leaving the African Union to cope with “economically unimportant” countries? 

This to me is another form of hypocrisy and sycophancy and requires re-evaluation.

....How long will Africa continue in poverty and underdevelopment in the face of natural abundance? 


....How long till our leaders realise that our current pespective to life and polity could be likened to archaic practises in this modern times and therefore unacceptable? 

...How long till Africans realise that civilization started out right here and must continue?


....How long till failed leaders like Charles Taylor go public and renounce their own actions in true repentance and remorse? 

.......How long till we have true heroes like Nelson Mandela in Africa?

We earnestly wait!  


Write-up by: Obianuju Mbanusi (2014)