News and Resources from the Niger Delta Working Group

S-South youths to oil firms: Relocate hqtrs to N-Delta

2012-02-28T23:26:00.002-05:00

Vanguard

29 February 2012

S-South youths to oil firms: Relocate hqtrs to N-Delta

LAGOS—President of the South-South Youth Council, Lagos State, Mr. Tomzine Benedict has called on oil multinationals operating in the Niger Delta region to relocate their corporate headquarters to their areas of operation.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Benedict said that with their offices in Lagos and Abuja, Niger Delta youths had not benefited in terms of employment.

He contended that if there were no infrastructure on ground to absorb youths being trained in different skills through the amnesty training programme, the essence of the training would be defeated.

Benedict said: “Are they being trained to become useful citizens in the society or they are trained to go back to the creeks to resume hostage-taking and vandalisation of oil facilities?

“If there are no infrastructure to absorb them after their training, they will definitely go back to the creeks.”

He also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the benefits of the amnesty training programme go round all the ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region.

3 top Boko Haram leaders nabbed

2012-02-28T23:25:00.000-05:00

Leadership

27 February 2012

3 top Boko Haram leaders nabbed

*As 2 foreign agencies join counter-terrorism operations

*250 Nigerians died in sect's attacks between Jan and Feb

AS the Boko Haram attacks mount, security agencies in the country are recording successes in rounding up top leaders of the sect through active collaborations with two foreign intelligence agencies said to be very active now in Nigeria.

+++

A security source, who craved anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that series of arrests have been made since Friday but declined to provide details on the grounds that the issue is an ongoing operations.

Findings further revealed that the capacity of Nigerian operatives were boosted by the active participation of the British intelligence service, the M15 and Israeli service, MOSSAD which had both deployed operatives to Nigeria to track the insurgents.

The two agencies were said to be working closely with the Nigeria Police until recently when they switched to the nation's secret police due to series of leakages in the handling of Boko Haram suspects.

Nigerian Tribune was told that the M15 indeed provided the intelligence that led to the arrest of Kabiru Sokoto at the Borno Governor's Lodge, as well as ongoing collaboration with Nigerian operatives in several cities in northern Nigeria.

Further investigations by the Nigerian Tribune, however, showed that the Nigerian intelligence community and their foreign partners are worried that the arrest of top leaders of the sect has not yielded actionable intelligence capable of stopping attacks by the sect.

Statistician Calls For Re-orientation In Niger Delta

2012-02-28T23:22:00.002-05:00

Nigerian Observer

28 February 2012

Statistician Calls For Re-orientation In Niger Delta

ASABA -A statistician and official of Nigerian Statistical Association, Mr. Fidelis Adaka, has called for a re-orientation of the Niger Delta people, to achieve meaningful development.

Adaka told newsmen in Asaba, that that it had become necessary to focus the people towards contributing to the development of the region.

He said both the rich and the poor, the elderly and the youth should be involved and should know that development of the oil-rich region should not be left for oil companies and relevant agencies alone.

He stressed that change in the attitude of people of the area was crucial in attracting investors since the security of investment was paramount to any investor.

MDGs Challenging, But Achievable - Gbeneol

2012-02-28T23:21:00.001-05:00

Leadership

28 February 2012

MDGs Challenging, But Achievable - Gbeneol

interview

With about three years to the target date for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), many are afraid that Nigeria is not likely to meet this global target. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Dr. Precious Gbeneol, speaks to our reporter, Evelyn Okoruwa, on the progress made so far, the challenges and plans to overcome them.

Teachers Reject Employment in Missionary Schools in Delta

2012-02-28T23:20:00.000-05:00

Leadership

27 February 2012

Teachers Reject Employment in Missionary Schools in Delta

Many teachers in public secondary schools in Delta, have rejected employment by Christian missions, who have taken over management of 40 schools in the state.

The teachers, numbering more than 15,000, including those whose schools were handed over to the missions by the state government, opted to remain in government's service.

Prof. Muoboghare, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in the state, confirmed this to the newsmen, in an interview in Asaba.

The return of the 40 schools to their former mission owners was announced by the state government in September, 2011 while a formal handover of the schools was done in October by Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan.

Human Rights Victims Seek Remedy At High Court

2012-02-28T07:51:00.000-05:00

NPR

28 February 2012

Human Rights Victims Seek Remedy At High Court

by Nina Totenberg

Listen to the Story on link

Morning Edition

[7 min 30 sec]

Human rights are front and center at the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday in two cases testing how American law intersects with international law. At issue in both cases is whether foreign nationals in the United States can sue corporations or other entities in U.S. courts for alleged violations of human rights.

The case that has corporate teeth chattering is a lawsuit against Royal Dutch Shell Oil, which is accused of aiding and abetting the Nigerian government in committing atrocities in the 1990s.

The suit was brought by 12 Nigerian citizens, all of whom have been granted political asylum in the United States. They are natives of the Ogoni region of Nigeria where Shell Oil has conducted oil exploration for decades.

In the mid-1990s, local religious, student and civic leaders began demonstrating peacefully against Shell, protesting that their farmland was being ruined by oil spills and that Shell contributed nothing to the local economy and did not pay for clean up or environmental protection.

Soon, the protest leadership was being rounded up, tortured, and even killed....

James Ibori: How a thief almost became Nigeria's president

2012-02-27T20:52:00.002-05:00

BBC

27 February 2012

James Ibori: How a thief almost became Nigeria's president

By Andrew Walker

The story of how James Ibori went from convicted thief in London in the 1990s, to become governor of a wealthy oil-producing Nigerian state and then to a British prison is a remarkable one.

It is the story of a wily political operator, backing the right political horses and shifting allegiances when expedient.

Given slightly different circumstances, according to one observer, it could have seen Ibori in the presidential villa rather than a British jail cell.

OMPALAN appraises state of the nation

2012-02-27T20:51:00.000-05:00

Sun News

28 February 2012

OMPALAN appraises state of the nation

• Urges govs, LG bosses to emulate Jonathan’s non-partisan posture

Elders of the nine oil producing states of the Niger Delta met in Rivers State at the weekend under the aegis of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Landlords Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN), to appraise the state of the nation and prepare for other activities lined up for the year.

+++

Azogu said the association has “repeatedly called on government to look into the nagging issue of the ongoing Federal Government amnesty program with a view to making it more transparent and adaptable to the realities on ground. The amnesty package received wide acceptability and support at the nascent stage of its formation both from the local and international standpoints in the hope that it will pave the way for a broad-based development initiative in host communities of the Niger Delta region.”

He said OMPALAN believed the amnesty package was provided to pacify the restive youths and create a lull in the region to enable consolidation of the ongoing peace process in the Niger Delta region through holistic empowerment initiatives in host communities but regretted that “vulnerable host communities are left to wallow perpetually in abject neglect and penury which is gradually building momentum to generate devastating shocks across the entire Niger Delta region with the concomitant effect of derailing the hard-earned peace process.”

Japan's travel advisory stalls PH refineries turnaround maintenance

2012-02-27T20:49:00.002-05:00

Tribune

28 February 2012

Japan

's travel advisory stalls PH refineries turnaround maintenance

Hopes of early resolution of the fuel importation problem in the country appear dimmed following the revelation on Monday that the Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) for Port Harcourt refineries has been stalled as a result of a travel advisory issued on the Niger Delta by the Japanese government.

The Nigerian government had late last year, approached the Japanese Gasoline Corporation, original builders of the two Port Harcourt refineries, to undertake the Turnaround Maintenance of the refineries at the cost of $146 million.

But the chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, Senator Magnus Abe, told Rivers State governor, Chief Rotimi Amaechi, during a courtesy visit on Monday that the Turnaround Maintenance had been stalled as a result of the travel advisory by the Japanese government.

Chevron Gas Rig Explosion - Oil Wealth of Trouble in Bayelsa Community

2012-02-27T20:47:00.000-05:00

Leadership (Abuja)

26 February 2012

Chevron Gas Rig Explosion - Oil Wealth of Trouble in Bayelsa Community

The Chevron Oil company has incurred the wrath of its host communities ,the people of the Koluama 1 and 2 of Southern Ijaw Local Council, the neighboring Brass Communities and the Nembe neighbors in Bayelsa State.

The oil giant has been accused of abandoning its host communities in their time of need following the devastating pollution of rivers, waters and stop to livelihood following the January explosion from a Gas Rig.

The event of the 16th of January, in which fire broke out aboard the shallow-water jack-up drilling rig KS Endeavor. Contracted by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Limited. The rig was drilling a natural gas exploration well approximately six miles (10 km) off the coast of Nigeria and in roughly 40 feet (12 m) of water.

While the State Government led by the new Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has visited the community and insisted that the oil company must pay for the relocation, supply of Relief materials and compensation to the people, the community has insisted that the company may not be allowed to operate in the area if the raging inferno from the rig is not put off,the mysterious pollutant in the waters are not cleared and the right compensation paid to the people.

Nigeria: Progress in the Crackdown on Boko Haram

2012-02-27T20:45:00.000-05:00

Stratfor.com

27 February 2012

Nigeria

: Progress in the Crackdown on Boko Haram

Conclusion:

The Nigerian government is capable of manipulating media reports to exaggerate the success of its operation against Boko Haram, but indications over the past month suggest that the crackdown has been more effective than those in the past. Personalities who have made statements on behalf of the group have been arrested, but it is still unclear if the SSS has detained Boko Haram's top trainers and operational commanders or if those individuals have simply withdrawn for now. While their current attacks are not tactically complex, they are widespread. As long as the group's regional network of bases remains intact, Boko Haram will retain the ability to re-emerge as it did in 2011 after the death of its founder and leader, Mohamad Yusuf.

Ex-Militants Want EFCC To Probe KuKu

2012-02-27T20:43:00.003-05:00

Leadership

27 February 2012

Ex-Militants Want EFCC To Probe KuKu

Ex-militants of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme Phase 11, at the weekend called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to investigate the activities of the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Niger Delta matters, Mr. Kingsely KuKu, as it has been alleged that he is trading with the money meant for the upkeep of members of the group.

The ex-militants numbering over 200 who stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents Chapel Press Centre, said that KuKu if left to continue on the dangerous path may derail the vision of President Goodluck Jonathan to permanently put a stop to militancy in the region.

States, LGs should establish their own SURE-P –Kolade

2012-02-27T20:42:00.000-05:00

Punch

26 February 2012

States, LGs should establish their own SURE-P –Kolade

The Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme committee, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has advised state and local governments to establish committees similar to SURE-P, to monitor the use of the subsidy savings accruing to them.

Speaking at a Guest Speaker Forum of the Nigeria Leadership Initiative, Kolade said for the saving from the partial petroleum subsidy removal to benefit Nigerians, especially those in the rural areas, there has to be a partnership between the federal, state and local governments in the use of the funds.

He noted that his committee would only monitor the use of about 47 per cent of the total subsidy savings which was the amount accruable to the Federal Government, but that it was necessary for state and local governments to put systems in place to ensure that the amounts that accrued to them were judiciously spent in order to get Nigerians to trust government.

Dickson sets up 11-man Financial Mgt C’ttee

2012-02-27T20:40:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

27 February 2012

Dickson sets up 11-man Financial Mgt C’ttee

YENAGOA—Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has announced the setting up of an 11-man Financial Management Committee led by the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, to offer professional advice on the proposed fiscal policies, revenue generation and allocation of resources of the state for accelerated restoration and development.

Also appointed were Honorary Special Advisers to the Governor to help the government in its restoration agenda.

Meanwhile, Dickson weekend, met with the leadership of the state House of Assembly and the Ijaw leaders from states of the Niger Delta, over the new policy direction of his administration to solicit their support on decisions to be taken to fast-track development in the state.

In Nigeria, a Deadly Group’s Rage Has Local Roots

2012-02-27T20:38:00.001-05:00

New York Times

26 February 2012

In Nigeria, a Deadly Group’s Rage Has Local Roots

By ADAM NOSSITER

KANO, Nigeria — In an imam’s quiet office, two young men in long hooded robes, their faces hidden by checked scarves, calmly described their deadly war against the Nigerian state.

A member of Boko Haram, an Islamist group that has staged deadly attacks in Kano, in northern

Nigeria

. “Millions of people in Kano State are supporting us,” he said.

+++

The group’s lethality is undeniable. Boko Haram unleashed a hail of bullets and homemade bombs here last month to deadly effect: as many as 300 were killed in a few hours in the group’s deadliest and most organized assault yet after two years of attacks across northern Nigeria. It was an unprecedented wave of coordinated suicide bombing, sustained gunfire and explosions, much of it directed against the police.

But while Western and local officials cite the militants’ growing links to terrorist organizations in the region — presenting the ties as a reason behind the group’s increasingly deadly tactics and a cause for global concern — Boko Haram is not the imported, “foreign” menace Nigerian authorities depict it to be.

Jonathan Visits Gas Blast site, Assures on SURE

2012-02-27T13:53:00.000-05:00

PM News
27 February 2012

Jonathan Visits Gas Blast site, Assures on SURE

President Goodluck Jonathan today assured members of the Koluoma community in Bayelsa State and adjoining villages affected by the gas explosion at a Chevron gas exploration well in January, that the Federal Government will provide more relief materials to alleviate the hardship suffered by the people resulting from impact of the explosion.
The President said government was keen on addressing environmental issues and their attendant ecological impact across sections of the country.
The President promised the communities that the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) will facilitate the deployment of more relief materials to them. He commended them for showing restraint, tact and discipline in the way and manner they have channeled their grievances and assured them that government will do its best to address their complaints.

'Oil firms breaching local content policy'

2012-02-27T13:21:00.002-05:00

Vanguard
26 February 2012

'Oil firms breaching local content policy'
TO ensure that oil companies comply with the local content policy, the Federal Government has been enjoined to come down heavily on them.
National president, Rivers Youth Organisation, RYO, Comrade Victor Tulutu Briggs, who made the appeal, said some of the oil companies were yet to key into the local content initiative of the government.

Nigeria ruling party wins vote in Cross Rivers state

2012-02-27T12:42:00.002-05:00

Reuters
26 February 2012

Nigeria ruling party wins vote in Cross Rivers state: CALABAR, Nigeria - Nigeria's ruling party candidate has won a governorship election by a landslide in Cross Rivers state, a relatively peaceful, stable area of the oil-producing Niger Delta, the electoral commission said on Sunday. Incumbent governor Liyel Imoke of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) won Saturday's election with 94.35 percent in the state, where most voters are from President Goodluck Jonathan's Ijaw ethnic group.

DERIVATION FORMULA: Niger Delta Gov, Senators, Reps Blast Northern Govs

2012-02-27T12:23:00.001-05:00

Channelkoos
27 February 2012

DERIVATION FORMULA: Niger Delta Gov, Senators, Reps Blast Northern Govs
GOVERNORS of the South-South region are meeting this week to articulate a formal response to increasing agitation from northern leaders for a reduction in the flow of derivation proceeds to oil producing states in the region.
In their reactions, Niger Delta senators and Reps are accusing the Northern leaders of provocation, insensibility and distraction from the Boko Haram insurgency in the north by their calls for a reduction in the revenue accruable to the oil producing Niger Delta states.
Some South-South leaders, however, welcomed the call as perhaps a possible opportunity for the enactment of the fiscal federalism that has been also canvassed by elements in the South-South region.

Nigeria ex-Delta state governor James Ibori guilty plea

2012-02-27T10:12:00.000-05:00

A surprising turn of events in an eagerly watched case - the second conviction of a former Niger Delta governor for theft of state funds. Charges against Ibori are still pending in Nigeria.

BBC

27 February 2012

Nigeria

ex-Delta state governor James Ibori guilty plea

The wife, sister and mistress of James Ibori have also been convicted of money-laundering

James Ibori, a former governor of one of Nigeria's oil-producing states, has pleaded guilty in a UK court to 10 counts of money-laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

British police accuse him of stealing $250m (£160m) over eight years.

The prosecutor called him a "thief in government house".

Mr Ibori, once seen as one of Nigeria's wealthiest and most influential politicians, was arrested in 2010 in Dubai and then extradited to London.

Some $35m of his alleged UK assets were frozen in 2007.

As his trial at London's Southwark Crown Court was about to begin, Mr Ibori changed his plea to guilty and admitted stealing money from Delta state and laundering it in London through a number of offshore companies.

“We will now be actively seeking the confiscation of all of his stolen assets so they can be repatriated for the benefit of the people of Delta state”

Paul Whatmore, Metropolitan Police

The BBC's Chris Summers says between 20 and 30 of Mr Ibori's supporters turned up to court - some wearing T-shirts with the slogan "Free Ibori". There was not enough room for them all in the public gallery.

Prosecuting QC Sasha Wass said Mr Ibori, 53, had "tricked" his way into becoming Delta state governor, by giving a false date of birth and claiming he had no criminal record.

"He was never the legitimate governor and there was effectively a thief in government house. As the pretender of that public office, he was able to plunder Delta state's wealth and hand out patronage."

He is due to be sentenced on 16 April.

'Lavish lifestyle'

Mr Ibori's wife, Theresa, his sister, Christine, his mistress, Udoamaaka Okoronkwo, and his London solicitor, Bhadresh Gohil, have all been convicted of money-laundering.

Their convictions could only be reported on Monday after reporting restrictions were lifted.

Nigeria

's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had asked the UK's Metropolitan police to look into the ex-governor's financial affairs.

"The vast sums of money involved were used to fund Mr Ibori's lavish lifestyle," Detective Inspector Paul Whatmore, the officer in charge of the investigation, said.

"We will now be actively seeking the confiscation of all of his stolen assets so they can be repatriated for the benefit of the people of Delta State."

He said that the money Mr Ibori stole should have been used to pay for sanitation, power supplies and healthcare for some of the poorest people in the world.

Mr Ibori spent the stolen money on houses in London and put his children in the best private schools in the UK.

DIY theft

He also bought a fleet of armoured Land Rovers and Bentleys and was in the process of buying a $32m private jet.

Three of the money-laundering charges relate to the sale of Delta state's share in V-Mobile to Akwa Ibom state.

This raised $37m which Mr Ibori stole and laundered through his solicitor Gohil, who has been jailed for 10 years.

In 2007, a UK court froze assets allegedly belonging to him worth $35m.

His annual salary as Delta state governor was less than $25,000.

He had already left the UK when his assets were seized but he was arrested in Nigeria later that year.

The charges were dismissed but he was then re-arrested in Dubai on a British warrant.

Mr Ibori has been convicted in the UK before - in 1991 for stealing, in cahoots with his wife who worked as a cashier, from the Neasden, London, branch of the DIY shop Wickes.

He was also found guilty in 1992 for being in possession of a stolen credit card and having used it to fraudulently take out $1,590.

Under Nigeria's federal system, state governors enjoy huge powers and control budgets larger than those of many West African countries.

They have immunity from prosecution while in office.

Two other former state governors have been convicted of corruption charges in Nigeria, after fleeing the UK while free on bail.

Should Corporations Have More Leeway to Kill Than People Do?

2012-02-26T22:30:00.001-05:00

New York Times

25 February 2012

Should Corporations Have More Leeway to Kill Than People Do?

By PETER WEISS

NEXT week, the Supreme Court will hear a case with many potential ramifications for American and international law, and for corporate responsibility for human rights around the globe. The justices will be asked to decide whether the corporations to which they have been extending the rights of individuals should also be held accountable for crimes against human rights, just as individuals are.

The story behind the case begins in 1980, when my colleagues at the Center for Constitutional Rights and I helped obtain the first semblance of justice to the family of a slain 17-year-old Paraguayan youth named Joelito Filártiga.

A police inspector general in Asunción, the capital, had tortured the boy to death in retaliation for his father’s opposition to Paraguay’s brutal dictatorship. But the case was decided in New York, far from Paraguay, where the crime had occurred and where justice had proven impossible for the Filártiga family; the boy’s murderer was ultimately ordered to pay the family $10.4 million in damages.

The precedent-setting case was made possible by a remarkable decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, which allowed it to be brought under a long-obscure law enacted by Congress in 1789. Known as the Alien Tort Statute, the law has been interpreted to mean that foreigners who commit heinous crimes abroad in violation of international law can be held accountable in the United States if they are present or do business here; the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in 2004.

Since that decision, dozens of successful alien tort claims have been brought in American courts — at first against individuals, and eventually against corporations. As a result, many foreign victims of egregious crimes — ranging from torture and slave labor to the execution of loved ones — that were sanctioned, endorsed or commissioned by corporations have found justice in our courts.

Yet in September 2010, a divided Second Circuit — the very court that had rendered the Filártiga decision — held that only individuals, and not corporations, can be sued under the statute.

That ruling, in a case known as Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum, came less than a year after the much more famous — and criticized — Supreme Court decision in Citizens United, which removed restrictions on political spending by contributions and wildly expanded the concept of corporate personhood.

Together, these decisions have triggered a wave of outrage among advocates for human rights, which see in them a signal from the courts that corporations have extensive rights but few responsibilities under American law.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on the alien torts ruling, which could produce its first decision regarding corporate personhood since Citizens United.

Supreme Court to Hear 2 Human Rights Cases

2012-02-26T22:28:00.000-05:00

Background

NYT

17 October 2011

Supreme Court to Hear 2 Human Rights Cases

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to hear a pair of cases on whether corporations and political groups may be sued in American courts for complicity in human rights abuses abroad.

The Supreme Court has offered only limited and tentative guidance on the general question of what sorts of human rights lawsuits may be brought in federal courts in the United States. The lower courts in both cases drew a clean line, saying that only individuals and not artificial entities like corporations are subject to being sued.

One of the cases was brought by 12 Nigerians, who said that oil companies affiliated with Royal Dutch Shell had aided and abetted the Nigerian government in torture and executions in the Ogoni region of the country in the early 1990s. The plaintiffs sued under the Alien Tort Statute, a 1789 law that allows federal district courts to hear “any civil action by an alien for a tort only, committed in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.”

The meaning of that language is not obvious, and the law itself was largely ignored until the 1980s, when federal courts started to apply it in international human rights cases. A 2004 Supreme Court decision, Sosa v. Álvarez-Machain, left the door open to some claims under the law, as long as they involved violations of international norms with “definite content and acceptance among civilized nations.”

A footnote in that decision instructed lower courts to consider a related question, too: “whether international law extends the scope of liability for a violation of a given norm to the perpetrator being sued, if the defendant is a private actor such as a corporation or individual.”

With that prompting, a divided three-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, in New York, ruled that corporations were not subject to the law.

Ijaw Council Upbeat as US Begins Trial of 2010 BP Oil Spill Today

2012-02-26T22:26:00.000-05:00

This Day

27 February 2012

Ijaw Council Upbeat as US Begins Trial of 2010 BP Oil Spill Today

A number of Nigerians, particularly those of the Niger Delta extraction and the civil society groups, are upbeat as billions of dollars are on the line when a United States federal trial opens today over the reams of litigation spawned by the worst offshore oil disaster in US history, though those whose losses cannot be repaid are hoping for something more elusive: justice for lost loved ones.

Concerns about corporate social irresponsibility and the 'crude business of crude oil' has been brought to the fore again with the gas explosion at a Chevron facility in Bayelsa State. For close to a decade now, Chevron has been under trial in the US for the extra-judicial killings of youths in Opia and Ikinyan in Ondo State. As the trial takes on a new life, the worry is the inability of the Nigerian state to put the interest of its citizens first before oil and ensure the ecological health of the region in the face of the increasing level of pollution in the land and creeks.

The founding director of Ijaw Council of Human Rights, Mr. Patterson Ogom, said: “We desire a pollution free environment and wish immediate direct action had been taken since the UNEP report on the Ogoni spill was released. We deserve a better deal and hope the people of Koluama and other affected communities will not wait till eternity for justice to be served.”

PDP's Imoke Wins Cross River Guber election

2012-02-26T22:24:00.000-05:00

Elombah.com

26 February 2012

PDP's Imoke Wins Cross River Guber election

Cross River State Governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke has been re-elected as the governor of Cross River State. Reacting to the victory by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at Saturday’s governorship election in the State, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulated Mr. Imoke on his victory in the election.

INEC returning officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Profesor James Epoke, declared Imoke victorious, for winning with 451,544 votes and beating out 11 other contestants for the seat. with Usani Usani of the opposing Action Congress of Nigeria party coming in a distant second with 31,206 votes.

All Nigeria’s People’s Party (ANPP) candidate, Mr. Patrick Okomiso came in third with 2,235 votes while Mrs. Ima Nsa-Adegoke of the Labour Party stole fourth with 1,922 votes.

INEC returning officer Epoke said: “Imoke having satisfied the requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of votes is hereby the winner and returned elected.”

In a statement released by Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), The President assures the returning governor of the continued support, cooperation and assistance of the Federal Government and urges him to work hard to justify the confidence reposed in him by the people of Cross River State by fulfilling their expectations of faster progress and development.

Apathy Mars C/River Guber Poll

2012-02-26T22:22:00.002-05:00

Guardian

26 February 2012

Apathy Mars C/River Guber Poll .

.No Election In Bakassi

GOVERNORSHIP election held yesterday in Cross River State without the returnees of the crisis-torn Bakassi Council participating.

A high court injunction, issued after close of work on Friday, eve of the election, shut the people of Bakassi out of the election.

Consequently, the people, led by former Senator Ita-Giwa, protested their exclusion from the poll.

However, there was general apathy to the election, as the turnout was poor.

Materials also arrived late, between 9am and 10am, at most of the polling units in the rural areas even though the supplies had arrived at the area INEC offices on time.

Except for essential duties, restrictions were placed on movement of vehicles, businesses and other activities.

In Calabar, accreditation started at 8am and voting commenced on time and situation was peaceful.

As early as 6am, the distribution of sensitive elections materials commenced into the 23 local government areas of the state.

But the major feature in most parts of the state visited was the obvious lack of enthusiasm on the part of voters.

FG deports 7,000 over Boko Haram bombings

2012-02-26T22:20:00.002-05:00

Punch

27 February 2012

FG deports 7,000 over Boko Haram bombings

TO curtail the terrorism acts of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, the Federal Government has deported a total of 7,000 illegal immigrants.

Those deported, THE PUNCH learnt, were mainly from neighbouring Chad and Niger republics.

Government officials had recently said the activities of the sect had been aided by illegal immigrants from these neighbouring countries.

The Nigerian Immigration Service confirmed the deportation to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday even as the Service threatened to prosecute the employers of illegal aliens.

It said it had already sent a bill to the National Assembly to amend the Immigration law in order to allow for such prosecutions.

Oil states reject North’s demand for more revenue

2012-02-26T22:19:00.000-05:00

Punch

26 February 2012

Oil states reject North’s demand for more revenue

Anger dripped from the reply of governors and stakeholders in the oil-producing states on Saturday to the 19 Northern governors’ demand for a review of the revenue formula to give more funds to them.

The South-South governors said such a call smacked of insensitivity to the plight of the zone, evident in its over 50 years of marginalisation and environmental degradation and advised Northern governors to develop their revenue base as each state had a resource to develop.

Similarly, Niger Delta activists said states in the North should find ways of generating revenues to run their states as the region once did through groundnut pyramids, rather than seeking for more allocation from oil.

The Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and governor of Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, had last Thursday, on behalf of his colleagues, asked for a review of the revenue formula that “reflects current realities.”

Oil blocks review: Northern governors insensitive –Briggs

2012-02-26T22:17:00.001-05:00

Sun News

27 February 2012

Oil blocks review: Northern governors insensitive –Briggs

Female Niger Delta activist, Ms Annkio Briggs, has described as insensitive the call by the Northern governors for a review of the revenue allocation formula and the laws on ownership of oil blocks so that more revenue can accrue to the region.

The governors had during the inauguration of the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation Advisory Council on Thursday in Abuja demanded that all revenue from oil blocks outside the 200 kilometres of the country’s continental shelf be shared as a commonwealth.

Niger State Governor, who doubles as chairman of the 19 Northern Governors Forum, Dr Babangida Aliyu, faulted a situation where only a few states currently share the proceeds from oil.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Sun, Briggs said the northern states were already getting more from the federal allocation as they had more local government areas than other parts of the country put together.

Who is afraid of new revenue allocation formula?

2012-02-26T22:14:00.002-05:00

The Nation

25 February 2012

Who is afraid of new revenue allocation formula?

IT is really not surprising that the Northern political elite and technocrats are calling for a new revenue allocation formula, arguing that some states, especially in the South South, are favoured by the formula in operation. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues during the week, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, who is also the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, argued that the existing sharing scheme is inequitable and unsustainable. He posited that many of the states in the North, including Niger, are barely surviving and lack the capacity to undertake major capital projects. He therefore called for a review of the formula within the year.

This has been the song of many political leaders, patriots and scholars from the South in the past decades. However, the prisms are different. During the Obasanjo National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), delegates from the Niger Delta argued strongly for resource control, fiscal federalism and genuine restructuring of the country.

Boko Haram Kills 11, Attacks Police Station

2012-02-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

Guardian

26 February 2012

Boko Haram Kills 11, Attacks Police Station .

TEN people have lost their lives following an overnight attack on the Gombe Divisional Police station by gunmen suspected to be members of the Boko Haram sect.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Orubebe Ebikeme, who confirmed this in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Gombe, said the situation is under control although no arrests have been made.

Ebikeme also said that two policemen, two civilians and a soldier sustained injuries in the attack and are now receiving treatment.

Our correspondent, who visited the scene of the incident, said that the station was badly damaged with its roof completely blown off while 10 vehicles parked at the premises were razed.

Meanwhile, a 24-hour curfew has been imposed on Gombe metropolis, while soldiers and policemen have mounted roadblocks to ensure strict compliance with the directive.

7 Nabbed For Attempting To Bomb COCIN Church In Bauchi

2012-02-26T22:10:00.002-05:00

Leadership

26 February 2012

7 Nabbed For Attempting To Bomb COCIN Church In Bauchi

The Bauchi state police command on Sunday, apprehended seven persons over alleged attempt to bomb ‘COCIN’ Church at ‘Miya Barkatai’ in Toro local government area of the State.

The suspected bombers are Lamba Goma, Filibus Danasa, Joshua Ali, Danjuma Sabo, Joseph Audu, Simon Gabriel, Bulus Haruna, Yohanna Ishaya and Daniel Ayuba (who was the immediate past Secretary of PDP at Tilden Fulani Ward, Toro LGA, Bauchi State).

The suspects are members of the same COCIN church, Unguwar Rimi, a new and small Christian settlement between Tilden Fulani and Shere Hills. The suspects who were thoroughly beaten by the public were rescued by police and then detained at the Toro Divisional Police Division before they were transferred to Bauchi State Police Command, Bauchi.

Nigeria suicide attack targets church service

2012-02-26T22:09:00.002-05:00

AFP

26 February 2012

Nigeria

suicide attack targets church service

LAGOS — A suicide bomber smashed his explosives-laden car through the gates of a packed church during Sunday service in Jos, central

Nigeria

, killing three people and injuring dozens, church leaders said.

Witnesses said a black car crashed through the gate of a perimeter fence and exploded a few metres from the wall of an 800-seater church hall in the volatile city.

The attack is the latest in a country grappling with almost daily bomb and gun assaults, most of them blamed on the Islamist sect Boko Haram.

NDDC Threatens Banks Over Contractors’ Funds

2012-02-26T22:06:00.000-05:00

Leadership

25 February 2012

NDDC Threatens Banks Over Contractors’ Funds

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said it will review its relationship with financial institutions that make the process of accessing funds for project execution by contractors of the commission difficult.

NDDC managing director, Dr. Christian Oboh disclosed this yesterday when the managing director of Fidelity Bank, Mr. Reginald Ihejiehi paid him a visit at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Oboh said the planned review was necessitated by complaints from the contractors following difficulties encountered in the quest for funds to execute the commission’s projects.

He said, “We are going to review relationship with banks that insist on getting approvals from their headquarters in Lagos before funds deposited by the NDDC are released to our contractors. We will not accept that again; give your branches authority to release funds to our contractors.”

Oshiomhole Frowns at NDDC's Poor Job

2012-02-26T22:05:00.000-05:00

Leadership

25 February 2012

Oshiomhole Frowns at NDDC's Poor Job

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State yesterday frowned at the quality of jobs by the Niger Delta Development Commission in the state.

The governor who stated his displeasure during the visit of the newly appointed Edo State representative on the Board of the NDDC, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, to the State House charged the commission to use money appropriated to the region judiciously.

"We do not have to go cap in hand begging for what is our entitlement. The NDDC should ensure that money appropriated for the oil producing communities is spent for the region judiciously and road projects should have drainages on both sides," he said.

According to him, funds appropriated to the people of Niger Delta region are siphoned, while oil wells in Edo State are credited to other states.

Boko Haram: 5 Dead In Kano, Bomb Blasts Rock Gombe

2012-02-26T22:02:00.002-05:00

Leadership

25 February 2012

Boko Haram: 5 Dead In Kano, Bomb Blasts Rock Gombe

Bako Haram operatives yesterday stormed a mosque in Sheka Quarters in Kumbotso Local Governemnt Area of Kano State and killed five persons.

The attack came barely 24 hours after gunmen killed four persons in the same state on Thursday.

According to an eyewitness, the attack was carried out in a bid to get rid of the leader of a vigilance group in the area, Alhaji Sule Kwaran, whom they suspect had been leaking information about the sect to the security agencies.

But in their quest to eliminate the man, the gunmen, who were on top of motorcycles, opened fire and ended up killing five persons on the spot.

The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Mr. Magaji Majia, confirmed the attack and said that investigation into the incident had begun.

Meanwhile, many persons were feared dead when more than 20 bombs planted by persons suspected to be Boko Haram members, went off at the New Army Division and Gombe Police Station yesterday. The Army Division was opened by former GOC, Gen. Adamu Marwa.

Sporadic gunshots also erupted in the state capital forcing many frightened residents to run for safety.

Promotion of DIGs & AIGs tears police apart

2012-02-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

25 February 2012

Promotion of DIGs & AIGs tears police apart

The strands of unity and discipline left in the Nigeria Police Force following the exit of former Inspector General of Police, Hafiz Abubakar Ringim and the appointment of Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, are threatening to boil over following Wednesdays’ promotion of 7 Deputy Inspectors General of Police and 13 assistant Inspectors General of Police with senior officers whose juniors were promoted above them, threatening to dump the force for DIG Parry Osayande led PSC and the Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar.

Many of the senior officers particularly, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and very senior Commissioners of Police are irked that the same DIG Parry Osayande who has all along insisted that he is on a mission to cleanse the promotion and appointment structure of the force, and follow due process in appointment, discipline and promotion, is the one presiding and approving a promotion that is specifically aimed at frustrating and insulting the sensibilities of officers who have devoted their lives to the Nigeria Police force.

At the center of complaint and misgivings by the senior officers, are the promotion of junior Commissioners of Police over and above senior Commissioners as well as AIG’s some of whom have tested and impeccable track records that can stand the test of time.

Our lives, by slain cops’ families - 935 policemen killed by Boko Haram since 1999 – HRW

2012-02-26T21:58:00.002-05:00

Trust

11 February 2012

Our lives, by slain cops’ families - 935 policemen killed by Boko Haram since 1999 – HRW

Written by Hussain J. Ibrahim & Misbahu Bashir, Abuja, Lawal Ibrahim, Gombe, Eugene Agha, Lagos & Bashiru Abdullahi, Port Harcourt

After losing their breadwinners in the line of duty, families of slain policemen cry that they have been abandoned by authorities

At a time of heightened security concerns where criminals and militia groups had targeted policemen for death, some families of policemen slain in the line of duty say they have been left at the mercy of relatives, neighbours and the kindness of strangers. While in the past armed robbers account for the highest rates of death among policemen on active duty, Weekly Trust checks show militias, especially the Boko Haram sect, had significantly bumped up the recent high toll of death among the police.

Human Rights Watch reported that police death from Boko Haram attacks alone nears 1,000 so far, with police deaths from the sect’s attack this year about 250 while an estimated 935 policemen have been killed by the sect since 1999, even though accurate figures are not available for police deaths in the hands of armed robbers and other criminals.

Borno residents cry…‘JTF/Boko Haram war strangling us’

2012-02-26T21:57:00.000-05:00

Weekly Trust

25 February 2012

Borno residents cry…‘JTF/Boko Haram war strangling us’

As civilian casualties continue to mount in the battle between the JTF and Boko Haram insurgents, Borno residents cry of extra-judicial killings

As the battle between the Joint Task Force (JTF) and the Boko Haram sect heightens without any clear resolution, residents of Borno State where the battle has been hard-fought are caught in the middle, between soldiers who are angry with them for not providing enough information about sect members and the sect which is unforgiving towards those who cooperate with authorities and divulge information about their members.

The battle between the JTF and the militant Boko Haram sect is also being fought not only with guns but with propaganda aimed at winning the minds of the people as to who is winning or losing and who is responsible for the needless massacres of civilians recorded almost daily as soldiers and sect members engage with each other in the streets and market places.

These dimensions to the battle became glaring in the recent attack staged by the sect members against traders who arrested and handed over a sect member to the JTF in Maiduguri’s Baga Market, but where the JTF quickly intervened with several civilian casualties recorded.

About twenty people were killed at the Baga Market and the immediate cause of the attack was the incidence of Thursday 16th February, 2011 when some traders and buyers in the market summoned courage and pinned down a suspected member of the Boko Haram who was pulling out an AK47 from inside his gown. The traders later handed over the suspect to operatives of the JTF.

Enraged by the action of the traders, the Boko Haram assailants descended on the market four days after and mercilessly killed many people. On that fateful day, some traders who witnessed the onslaught at the market said about five explosives went off at Jajeri, a ramshackle settlement behind the market and another one inside the market, close to where the Boko Haram member was apprehended. And while attempting to repel the attack, operatives of the JTF stormed the market and engaged members of the Boko Haram in a shootout. Expectedly, many people were killed in the process.

While some people saw what the military did as gallant, many others blamed them for using excessive force, occasioned by killing of many civilians and bystanders as well as the extra-judicial killing of Boko Haram members who would have been captured alive.

+++

Those who saw what happened at the market noted that it will be difficult to strike a balance on what actually happened, whether it was Boko Haram members who shot innocent civilians while exchanging gunfire with the military or whether it was the JTF in the course of arresting the sect’s attack.

Security experts say that is the more reason why the JTF must work hard to introduce a rule of engagement that will differentiate it from the sect members. Thus far, experts say, the people are finding it hard to make that distinction.

FG goes after Boko Haram backers in Army, SSS, NIA

2012-02-26T21:54:00.002-05:00

Punch

25 February 2012

FG goes after Boko Haram backers in Army, SSS, NIA

There are strong indications that the Federal Government has intensified the search for the collaborators of the Boko Haram Islamic sect in the ranks of the security agencies.

A highly-placed security source said on Friday that the outcome of the investigations carried out by the military and police culminated in intensified surveillance on the activities of security personnel, who might have sympathy for the Islamic sect.

It was learnt that security operatives had also intensified the search for the leader of the sect, Sheik Abubakar Shekau, who is believed to still be hiding in the country.

It was also learnt that the dismissed police commissioner, Mr. Zakari Biu, would be prosecuted for the escape of a Boko Haram suspect, Kabiru Sokoto.

A security source, who confided in one of our correspondents, said that security operatives had arrested most of the top operatives of the sect and were on the heels of the sect’s leader.

Northern Coalition Charts Fresh Course

2012-02-26T21:53:00.000-05:00

Trust

25 February 2012

Northern Coalition Charts Fresh Course

Northern elders and political leaders have thrown their weight behind mounting calls for the restructuring of Nigeria to address the lopsidedness in the nation’s politics and economy.

Many individuals and groups in the country have lately renewed their agitation for the convocation of a sovereign national conference to address perceived injustice as well as the economic and political backwardness of some of the regions in the country.

But the majority of the members of the National Assembly, particularly those from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, have flayed the call for the conference, saying that it is unnecessary since a democratic regime is already in place.

But the different interest groups in the north, including politicians, businessmen and academics, who met in Abuja yesterday under the aegis of Coalition of Concerned Northerners, hinted that they would support restructuring of the country with the hope that lopsidedness in the nation’s politics and economy would be at the front burner of the discussions.

There's Massive Corruption In Oil, Banking Sectors — Jonathan

2012-02-24T21:09:00.002-05:00

Leadership

22 February 2012

There's Massive Corruption In Oil, Banking Sectors — Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has admitted that massive corruption exists in the nation’s oil and banking sectors, but he promised to tackle them head-on.

In an exclusive interview with Jonathan Power, a Swedish journalist and commentator, the president said that the administration had succeeded in tackling corruption in fertilizer procurement and distribution.

He said: “Corruption is not just one group of people. Look at fertilizer. When government used to distribute it, there was a lot of corruption. Today the farmer buys fertilizer directly from the manufacturers and dealers. The government subsidies the fertilizer. We give farmers tokens so they can buy it and cut out the middleman. So corruption is reduced.

“That’s exactly what I want to do with the oil sector and also in the banking sector. There are massive corrupt practices.”

Jonathan said, however, that it was not corruption per se that was slowing down the development of Nigeria, as many states with committed and focused leadership have succeeded in transforming their states. He cited Uyo and Port Harcourt as examples.

Cross River Elects New Governor Today

2012-02-24T21:01:00.002-05:00

Guardian

25 February 2012

Cross River Elects New Governor Today .

• Acting gov Urges Orderly

• INEC Assures of Free, Fair Polls

AS the people of Cross River State elect a new governor today, the Acting Governor Larry Odey has called for orderly conduct by all stakeholders to ensure success of the exercise as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) promised to conduct free and fair polls.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Mike Igini, in a chat with The Guardian yesterday said there was no excuses on the arrival of materials as was the case in the past. “All sensitive materials arrived yesterday at the INEC headquarters in Calabar on time and the representatives of political parties were called in to assess them. This was done in the presence of all the parties’ agents, Commissioner of Police, State Security Service (SSS), INEC officials and a few other relevant officers. The materials were separated per local government and the far flung ones, like the six councils in the North, left at the wee hours and have all arrived.

Chevron Confirms First Production from Usan Deepwater Field

2012-02-24T21:00:00.000-05:00

Marketwatch

24 February 2012

Chevron press release

Chevron Confirms First Production from Usan Deepwater Field

Project is company's second multi-billion offshore development in

Nigeria

Chevron Corporation through its Nigerian subsidiary Chevron Nigeria Limited today confirmed first production from the deepwater offshore Usan project in Nigeria.

"Usan represents an important milestone in progressing Chevron's queue of major capital projects," said Vice Chairman George Kirkland. "The project demonstrates our growth in West Africa, which is a leading global resource basin."

N6.5bn fraud: EFCC files 6-count charge against Sylva

2012-02-24T20:59:00.000-05:00

Elombah.com

24 February 2012

N6.5bn fraud: EFCC files 6-count charge against Sylva

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Friday, filed a 6-count criminal charge against the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The prosecuting counsel, Mr Festus Keyamo, perfected the filing processes at the high court registry around 2 pm today.

Specifically, the former governor who was denied a return ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the recently concluded gubernatorial election in the state, was accused of siphoning over N6.5 billion from the Bayelsa State treasury between October 2009 and February 2010.

He will be answering to charges bothering on conspiracy, money laundering and obtaining by false pretence, contrary to sections 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2004 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.

Beside accusing the ex-governor of looting public fund under the guise of using the monies to augment salaries of the Bayelsa state government, the anti-graft agency in the charge sheet it entered at the court registry yesterday, further identified three persons whose Bank accounts, it said was used as conduits pipes for transfer of the illicit funds.

Nigeria charges ex-governor in oil area with fraud

2012-02-24T20:57:00.002-05:00

Reuters

24 February 2012

Nigeria

charges ex-governor in oil area with fraud

* President and governor embroiled in dispute

* Politics often inflames volatile, oil rich Delta

ABUJA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Nigerian authorities charged the powerful ex-governor of a state in the oil producing Niger Delta with fraud and money laundering on Friday, a move likely to further embitter a feud between him and President Goodluck Jonathan.

The charge sheet at Nigeria's Federal High Court accused Timipre Sylva, the former state governor of Bayelsa, of using a fraudulent salary increase scheme to transfer 2 billion naira ($12.7 million) from state accounts and of laundering a total of 2.4 billion naira using various surrogate bank accounts.

It said charges against him included "inducing Union Bank , with the intent to defraud, to deliver to Bayelsa State Government the sum of 2 billion naira, under the false pretence of using the amount to augment salaries of the Bayelsa State Government."

He had also set up an overdraft facility to misappropriate funds, it claimed. He faces four counts of money laundering.

Budget 2012 (6) - Failing Police, Failing State By: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai

2012-02-24T20:54:00.001-05:00

Sahara Reporters

24 February 2012

Budget 2012 (6) - Failing Police, Failing State By: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai

By Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai

+++

What has happened to our Police Force? Why did it attract the brightest and committed people then, and why is it populated by a different set of people now? As every society needs policing, can our police enforce the law when everyone looks upon its officers and men with such disdain and contempt? We will explore these by looking at the history and evolution of the Nigeria Police Force, its current structure and situation, the challenges and its spending priorities in the 2012 Budget. We will ask whether the spending priorities make sense, and then ask the standard quantity surveying question - is Nigeria getting value for the money being spent on our Police? And how do other related agencies in the security sector compare in spending with the Police?

Military officers not involved in oil bunkering -JTF

2012-02-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

Sun News

24 February 2012

Military officers not involved in oil bunkering -JTF

The Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has denied the involvement of its officers in oil bunkering in the Niger Delta region.

The media coordinator of JTF, Lt. Col Timothy Antigha, while reacting to statements credited to some national newspapers (Daily Sun not included) and national television stations, alleging that senior military officers lobby to be posted to the Niger Delta because they want to be involved in oil bunkering, explained that the security outfit has never been and would not be a platform for the perpetration of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta”

Setting the record straight, Anthigha said, the insinuations making the rounds does not reflect the true positions of things on ground.

Ex-KBR chief jailed 30 months for Nigeria bribery

2012-02-24T20:48:00.001-05:00

24 February 2012

Ex-KBR chief jailed 30 months for Nigeria bribery

(AP) HOUSTON - After years of sentencing delays, a former KBR Inc. chief executive received two and a half years in prison Thursday for his role in a scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials in return for $6 billion in engineering and construction contracts.

Albert "Jack" Stanley (pictured) also must serve three years of probation and pay $1,000 a month in restitution after he is released.

Stanley pleaded guilty in 2008 to conspiring in the decade-long scheme related to the company's natural gas operations in

Nigeria

from 1995 to 2004. Stanley was KBR's chief executive until 2001 and chairman until June 2004.

++++

Veselka also argued that Stanley had cooperated with prosecutors and helped the government recover $1.7 billion in fines and restitution; making this case, Veselka said, the most successful prosecution under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The act says it is unlawful to bribe foreign government officials or company executives to obtain or retain business or to secure an advantage to getting the business.

Deprivation & Derivation Principles: Why The North Is Poor (I)

2012-02-24T20:46:00.001-05:00

Elombah.com

24 February 2012

Deprivation & Derivation Principles: Why The North Is Poor (I)

Written by Ross Alabo-George

+++

In 2008 the 18.97m people who lived in the six states in the north-east received on average N1,156 per person.

"By contrast Rivers state was allocated N3,965 per capita, and on average the oil producing South- South region received on average N3,332 per capita. This imbalance is compounded when the cost of an amnesty programme for militants in the delta is included together with an additional 1 per cent for a special development body for the Niger Delta. To boot, the theft of oil by profiteers in the region diverts tens of millions more weekly from federal coffers." – Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Yes, forget these per capita figures! I agree the North is poor. Yes, I agree the poverty has bred millions of destitutes, who have become instant and easy recruits for Boko Haram. But my question is: Who impoverished the North?

Read on for the answer(s)...

Get our oil wells back, Oshiomhole tells new Edo NDDC Rep

2012-02-24T20:41:00.003-05:00

Vanguard

24 February 2012

Get our oil wells back, Oshiomhole tells new Edo NDDC Rep

GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state has assured the State’s new Commissioner on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of Government’s support to ensure that oil wells wrongly ceded to other states are returned to the state.

Speaking on Friday during a visit of the newly appointed Edo State representative on the Board of the NDDC, Mr Henry Okhuarobo, Governor Oshiomhole however frowned at the quality of jobs in the state.

Governor Oshiomhole said, “we do not have to go cap in hand begging for what is our entitlement. The NDDC should ensure that money appropriated for the oil producing communities is spent for the region judiciously and road projects should have drainages on both sides” he noted.

Boko Haram targets govs, emirs — Sani

2012-02-24T20:40:00.001-05:00

This seems like a very good and thoughtful analysis

Sun News

25 February 2012

Boko Haram targets govs, emirs — Sani

As Boko Haram members continue to wreak havoc in some parts of the North, president of the northern-based Civil Rights Congress (CRC), Mallam Shehu Sani, has said that the prominent people from the North may not be spared of the attacks.

In this part of the interview, which we started last week, Sani said Boko Haram sees governors, emirs and the Sultan of Sokoto as enemies.

“The Boko Haram has no respect for the Sultan of Sokoto, the emirs and most of these governors. In fact, most of them are targets of the Boko Haram sect members. I should have been in the forefront of those criticising the governors for such sponsorship,” he said.

Re - 20 Killed As JTF Purses Boko Haram

2012-02-24T20:38:00.002-05:00

Daily Trust

24 February 2012

Re - 20 Killed As JTF Purses Boko Haram

By Umaru Haruna Usman

The front-page photo caption of the Daily Trust of last Tuesday tells a lot about how security agents deal with current challenges. It also shows that it is time for the Nigerian authorities to change tactics and strategies in their efforts to contain the rising security challenges engulfing the nation. They should employ new and sophisticated means, coupled with civil approach, to succeed.
The current stop-and-search at multiple checkpoints has so far proved ineffective if not counterproductive in view of the daily bombings, armed robberies, kidnapping and economics sabotages happening in quick succession across the country.
At the checkpoints innocent people are subjected to various forms of humiliation, brutalization and extortions by security agents. Motorcyclists are forced to dismount and drag their machines while their passengers have to raise their hands up to pass through. Women, old and sick people are not exempted. The security agents are treating the people as war conquered captives who have lost their citizens' rights and privileges.
This cruel measure has no apparent strategy other than humiliating poor and weak people.

Boko Haram targets IG’s home, kills officers, others

2012-02-24T20:37:00.000-05:00

Guardian

24 February 2012

Boko Haram targets IG’s home, kills officers, others

STILL on the prowl despite the Federal Government’s efforts to rein it in, the Boko Haram has left four policemen and two persons dead in the wake of fresh attacks in Kano, Yobe and Niger States.

But an agency report indicated yesterday that the figure of the policemen that were killed was up to six.

The suspected Boko Haram gunmen struck a few metres away from the residence of the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Dahiru Dikko Abubakar, in the Kano metropolis.

The renewed attacks came barely 24 hours after men of the Joint Task Force (JTF) engaged the group in a shoot-out in the Tishama area of the metropolis.

Investigations revealed that the policemen who were attached to the IG’s Kano residence were taking breakfast at a nearby eatery when the gunmen who came on four motorbikes struck.

Debate on National Conference splits House of Reps

2012-02-24T05:35:00.002-05:00

African Examiner

24 February 2012

Debate on National Conference splits House of Reps

The clamour for convocation of a national conference to discuss the state of the

Nigeria nation on Thursday split the House of Representatives with members

maintaining dissenting positions.

While the House spokesman, Mr Zakari Mohammed derided proponents of

national conference as election losers who are desperate to assert themselves,

the Action Congress of Nigeria, A.C.N. caucus insisted that it was a laudable

path towards addressing

Nigeria

’s myriad of problems.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja Mohammed said the proponents were those who

lost in the last general elections but feel they can attain relevance through a

national conference.

Mimiko Advocates States’ Control of Security Agencies

2012-02-24T05:34:00.002-05:00

African Examiner

24 February 2012

Mimiko Advocates States’ Control of Security Agencies

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has canvassed for the

decentralization of security agencies to enable states have control over them

Stressing that such policy would assist in tackling the security challenges in

the country.

Governor Mimiko, who stated this while declaring open the National

Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association, holding in

Akure the state capital, noted that the present situation whereby the state

governors as the chief security officers of their states do not have absolute

control over the security apparatus could not effectively address the security

challenges in the country.

The Governor maintained that if the nation should achieve rapid development,

more funds must be devolved to the periphery to give room for the expected

development at the grassroots level, adding that the political structure of the

Oil Theft: JTF Denies ‘Lobby’ To Serve In N’Delta

2012-02-24T05:33:00.002-05:00

Leadership

24 February 2012

Oil Theft: JTF Denies ‘Lobby’ To Serve In N’Delta

The Joint Military Task Force in the Niger Delta, code-named ‘Operation Pulo Shield,’ yesterday dismissed claims by some politicians and columnists that some senior military officers lobby the Presidency to serve in the hierarchy of the task force in order to engage in rampant oil theft in the region.

Some national dailies (not Leadership) and national television discussion programmes had in the last few days engaged in discussions over the alleged interest and lobbying from some top officers of the Nigerian Army to serve in the Niger Delta region because of the juicy returns from oil thieves in the region.

But the JTF, through a statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa by its spokesman, Lt.-Col. Timothy Anthinga, denied that the task force promoted oil theft in the region, or that the military posted officers to the JTF and region due to lobbying.

He said: “The JTF wishes to note that the allegation by the presenter is clearly not a reflection of the reality on ground.”

NIGER DELTA: Unrest declines, oil theft, illegal refining climbs

2012-02-24T05:31:00.003-05:00

Vanguard

7 February 2012

NIGER

DELTA: Unrest declines, oil theft, illegal refining climbs

Yenagoa – While unrest in the Niger Delta has sharply declined since a 2009 amnesty deal, crude oil theft and illegal refining of petroleum products has increased in the region in spite of the clamp down on the illicit trade by the country’s security forces, the Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Pulo Shield.

Interestingly, Pulo an Ijaw word meaning oil. The implication is that the JTF is now all out to stamp out this business which is causing more harm to the region’s already fragile ecosystem.

Only last week, the Joint Task Force nabbed another batch of suspected crude oil thieves in Bayelsa State and items recovered from them include a generator set, pumping machine, 8hp outboard engine, a pumping valve, a speed boat, and N42, 010,00 among other personal effect.

The suspects were nabbed by men of the Joint Task Force on routine patrol of the creeks of Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.

Destroyed illegal refineries.

Influential Nigerians and even the military itself have been accused of involvement in the lucrative illegal oil business, which include a relatively sophisticated level of theft and refining. But the military has denied involvement in the practice.

Oil firms blame theft and sabotage for the majority of oil spills in Nigeria, a claim strongly disputed by environmental activists.

US offers support to Nigeria

2012-02-24T05:29:00.000-05:00

Tribune

24 February 2012

Boko Haram sets school on fire in Borno

•Kills 4 policemen in Kano, Niger
•As US offers support to Nigeria
Written by James Bwala, Kola Oyelere and Adelowo Oladipo, With Agency Reports

A primary school situated at Abaganaram ward of Maiduguri metropolis was set ablaze on Wednesday night by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, residents of the area alleged.
+++Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Nigeria said, on Thursday, that his country was offering support for the Nigeria’s fight against the Boko Haram sect, but ruled out sending troops into a region vital to American oil supplies.

Ambassador Terence McCulley said the United States (US) was encouraging

Nigeria

to reach out to residents in the North while using security forces to target and apprehend terrorists.

He said the US was also considering opening a consulate in Kano, the biggest city in Nigeria’s North, to burnish

America

’s own image in a region where many people were still suspicious of the Western influence.

However, he was unequivocal when asked in an interview with the Associated Press whether US troops should be deployed in Nigeria.
“That’s not on the table. No, absolutely not.

“It’s of a great concern to us. We’ve seen an increase in sophistication, we’ve seen increased lethality. We saw at least a part of the group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the international community.
“It’s not going to be solved exclusively by treating it as a security issue,” McCulley said, adding that “it needs a holistic solution. Government needs clearly to have a targeted approach on security that targets the bad guys that target perpetrators of these horrible attacks and don’t injure innocent civilians or damage property.”
While McCulley declined to give details, he said that “adequate systems” were now in place to receive such warnings and that the

maintained “robust relations” with Nigerian intelligence agencies.

FG can sink oil thieves with modular refineries – Okirika

2012-02-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

24 February 2012

FG can sink oil thieves with modular refineries – Okirika

CHIEF Wellington Okirika, the pioneer chairman of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, is an old bird in the struggle for better deal for oil communities in the Niger-Delta region and that is what earned him the sobriquet, Mr. 13 per cent derivation fund and Mr. Oil Commission. In this interview, he spoke on the issues pertaining to his stewardship and the present affairs of the petroleum industry. Excerpts:

You are popularly known as ‘Mr. 13 per cent derivation fund’ and ‘Mr. Oil Commission’, how did the appellation come?

Why I am called 13 per cent derivation fund is because of the role I played in the advocacy for the actualization of the 13 per cent derivation fund ...

The communities came together, the traditional rulers, elders, men and women, and the mantle fell on me to lead the delegation at various times to the Constitutional Conference in 1995 and at the end of the day, we got 13 per cent approved by the then Head of State, but it was never implemented until the civilian regime came into place.

So, those, who are implementing the 13 per cent derivation fund, the governors and all of them were not part of the struggle for it. The money was meant to be given to the people directly through the oil commission for the management of their lives, but politicians came and hijacked this money.

Only a few governors then, among them Chief James Ibori of Delta state took the bull by the horn. There was also a creation in Ondo land, Edo and Imo, now in Abia, but the main core producing states like Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom have refused to create this oil commission.

I, however, say that it is not still late for this money to be directed to the people that it is intended for...

New Constitution, panacea to Nigeria’s woes — Kuromiema, IYC Leader

2012-02-23T20:48:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

24 February 2012

New Constitution, panacea to Nigeria’s woes — Kuromiema, IYC Leader

LEADERS and members of various Ethnic Nationalities from the Niger Delta, South East (Igbo land) and the Middle Belt converged in Enugu last weekend to brainstorm on the way forward for the Nigerian nation. The group met under the aegis of Coalition of Nations and Organizations in Nigeria, CONON at the National Secretariat of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo where they reviewed various issues affecting the unity and progress of the nation.

In this interview, President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and Coordinator of the Coalition, Miabiye Kuromiema, gave an insight into the mission of the group.

Read on

Boko Haram kill six policemen in Kano attacks

2012-02-23T20:37:00.002-05:00

AFP

23 February 2012

Boko Haram kill six policemen in Kano attacks

(AFP) Gunmen shot dead six policemen in two attacks suspected to have been the work of Islamist sect Boko Haram, including one incident near the home of

Nigeria

's top police chief, police said Thursday. In the deadliest assault, four policemen were gunned down on Thursday by men on motorcycles at a checkpoint a few hundred metres from the home of Muhammad Abubakar, who was appointed Nigeria's police chief only last month.

The attack occurred in the northern city of Kano, the scene of Boko Haram's deadliest ever assault that left 185 people dead last month after a wave of coordinated bomb and gun attacks mainly targeting police buildings.

There have since been several smaller attacks in the city, the second largest in

Nigeria

"Unknown gunmen on four motorcycles attacked our policemen on foot patrol," Kano State police spokesman Magaji Majia said of Thursday's assault. A morgue official said it had received the bodies of four policemen.

Police said 15 suspects were arrested but did not speculate on the identity of the gunmen.

Rural Dwellers, Urban Poor to Enjoy N60 Billion Electricity Subsidy - NERC

2012-02-23T20:21:00.002-05:00

http://allafrica.com/stories/201202230991.html

Leadership

23 February 2012

Rural Dwellers, Urban Poor to Enjoy N60 Billion Electricity Subsidy - NERC

The Federal Government has failed on its promise to achieve the target of 6,000 Mega Watts (MW) of electricity generation last December (Photo Courtesy Vanguard) Three classes of Nigerians are to enjoy electricity subsidy worth N60 billion this year, the chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, has disclosed.

At an interactive forum with the media in Abuja, yesterday, Amadi said those to enjoy the subsidy, which has been provided for by the federal government in this year's budget, are rural dwellers and the urban poor (otherwise called R1) whose consumption of electricity per household average 60 kilowatts hour per month.

The second group, called R2, includes the middle class and the not-too-wealthy. The third group, called C1 are medium and small-scale enterprises comprising tailors, welders and the like.

Shedding light on the current state of power generation in the country, Dr. Amadi also stated that the output hovers between 3,600 and 3,800 megawatts, adding that "the country has the capacity to generate up to 6,000 megawatts daily".

Exclusive! EFCC Detains Billionaire Businessman, Wale Babalakin For Laundering N1.6Billion For James Ibori

2012-02-23T20:01:00.000-05:00

Ireports

22 February 2012

Exclusive! EFCC Detains Billionaire Businessman, Wale Babalakin For Laundering N1.6Billion For James Ibori

Multi-billionaire businessman, Wale Babalakin has been arrested and detained by Nigeria’s anti-graft police, the EFCC for allegedly laundering over N1.6 billion, funds stolen by former governor of Delta state, James Ibori who is presently facing corruption charges in a London court.

A dependable source in the EFCC told ireports-ng.com that Babalakin was arrested in Lagos on Saturday and detained at the agency’s facility located off Awolowo road, Ikoyi, Lagos where he was interrogated till the following day, Sunday. A source in the team of operatives that quizzed Babalakin said the lawyer turned businessman was interrogated for allegedly providing his company bank accounts through which Ibori transferred over N1.6 billion to offshore accounts.

The funds were said to have been moved from Delta state government accounts through companies owned by Babalakin under the guise of purchasing a jet which was never bought. The senior lawyer turned businessman is the Chairman of Bi-Courteny Aviation which owns the terminal two of the Lagos airport, Ikeja.

The latest information linking Babalakin to funds stolen by Ibori was said to have been provided by the Met Police in London which wants more evidence to prosecute Ibori over money laundering charges in a Southwark court.

Ban Ki-Moon Seeks War Against Organised Crime In Nigeria

2012-02-23T19:59:00.000-05:00

Leadership

23 February 2012

Ban Ki-Moon Seeks War Against Organised Crime In Nigeria

United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, has called for increased regional efforts to tackle security and organized crime in Nigeria and other West African countries, as rising transnational organized crime, drug trafficking and piracy are threatening peace and stability across the region and the Sahel.

“Transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking, affects peace, security and stability wherever it occurs,” Mr. Ban told the Security Council in New York, stressing that upheaval in

Libya

and the growing food crisis and conflict in the region have raised fears that the situation could worsen.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cocaine trafficking in West and Central Africa generates some $900 million annually, and local consumption is also growing rapidly, with about 2.5 million drug users.

Mr. Ban said he was particularly concerned about reports stating that terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, have formed alliances with drug traffickers, and warned that inaction could be catastrophic for oil-producing countries that are frequently targeted for their petroleum assets and for countries that rely extensively on their ports for national revenue.

“Such alliances have the potential to further destabilize the region and reverse hard-won democratic and peacebuilding achievements,” Mr. Ban said, adding that “the growing incidence of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea exacerbates the situation.”

S'Court Dismisses LP's Petition

2012-02-23T19:52:00.002-05:00

This Day

22 February 2012

S'Court Dismisses LP's Petition

The Supreme Court Tuesday dismissed the appeal brought by the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the April election in Abia State, Stanley Ohajuruka, challenging the declaration of Chief Theodore Orji as winner of the election.

The apex court in a unanimous decision read by Justice Aloma Murkta held that by February 20 when the appeal was slated for hearing, the statutory period of 60 days within which the appeal was to be heard and determined had lapsed.

INEC was compelled to shift election dates in five states – Jega

2012-02-23T19:51:00.002-05:00

Punch

23 February 2012

INEC was compelled to shift election dates in five states – Jega

THE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, on Wednesday said the electoral body was compelled to adjust the dates for governorship elections in the five states that the Supreme Court sacked their governors.

Jega said this at a stakeholders’ forum organised by INEC for the 12 political parties and their candidates in the February 25 governorship election in Cross River State.

He explained that the Electoral Act empowers INEC to fix dates for elections.

Jega said INEC agreed to adjust the elections dates in Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River and Sokoto states in order not to leave a vacuum in the governance of the affected states.

The Supreme Court recently sacked governors of the five states, saying their tenure had ended since they had spent four years from the time of their original oath of office.

INEC fixes Feb 25 for Imo re-run polls

2012-02-23T19:50:00.000-05:00

Guardian

22 February 2012

INEC fixes Feb 25 for Imo re-run polls .

THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 25 for re-run election in Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency in Imo State.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Selina Omagha Oko, disclosed this on Monday while addressing a stakeholders’ meeting, including political parties and their candidates for the polls at the Ahiazu-Mbaise Council headquarters.

The

Appeal Court

sitting in Owerri nullified the polls and ordered fresh election.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the polls, Chidi Ibe, had challenged the election of Ralph Igbokwe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Presidency reviews 2012 budget, sets oil benchmark at $90

2012-02-23T19:48:00.002-05:00

Guardian

22 February 2012

Presidency reviews 2012 budget, sets oil benchmark at $90

.PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday forwarded a revised budget for 2012 to the National Assembly in which he sought approval to set aside N180 billion for the fuel subsidy regime.

In the letter read on the floor of both Senate and the House of Representatives, the President wrote: “Recent domestic developments, key among which was the partial withdrawal of subsidy on petroleum products and the ripple effect on government revenue and expenditure items, have necessitated the revision of the 2012-2014 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the 2012 budget proposal which I presented to the National Assembly on 13th December, 2011.”

President Jonathan gave the figure of the revised budget as N4,648,849,156,932 trillion out of which the sum of N372,593,095,601 billion is for statutory transfers and debt service, N559,580,000,000 billion.

The President also said that out of the estimated budget, N2,432,432,108,877 trillion is for recurrent expenditure (non-debt) while the balance of N1,284,243,952,454 trillion is for capital development for the year ending 31st December, 2012.

The revised budget was committed to the Committee on Appropriation.

It would be recalled that the President presented a budget of N4.749 trillion for year 2012 to the National Assembly last December.

2012-02-23T19:46:00.000-05:00

Leadership

22 February 2012

Number of Phones Hits Over 95 Million - NCC

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, has said that the number of phones in Nigeria has hit 95, 886, 714 phones.

Juwah also disclosed this yesterday in Abuja at an interactive session with journalists. He said that NCC has registered over 110 million SIM cards since March 2011 with unregistered cards soon to be disconnected.

However, he admitted that NCC cannot disconnect fake and stolen phones from the communication network. He said, "NCC embarked before my coming there on a project to bar stolen phones but this was not successful because basically in Nigeria 50 per of phones come from China. The phones are fake. Phones have what is called the batch equipment identity number.

Boko Haram: Army recovers sect’s overseas military training videos

2012-02-23T19:43:00.002-05:00

Vanguard

23 February 2012

Boko Haram: Army recovers sect’s overseas military training videos

LAGOS – The Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. General OA Ihejirjka yesterday in Lagos announced that videos and DVDs of overseas military training of the dreaded Islamic fundamentalist group otherwise known as Boko Haram have been recovered and are being studied.

The army boss who urged Nigerians not to panic any longer also said security agencies in the country, particularly the Nigerian Army have made tremendous achievement in the fight against the menace of the sect.

Witness: New attack hits north Nigeria city a month after feared sect’s deadliest attack

2012-02-23T19:41:00.001-05:00

Washington Post (AP)

22 February 2012

Witness: New attack hits north Nigeria city a month after feared sect’s deadliest attack

KANO, Nigeria — Multiple explosions rocked a highway checkpoint in

Nigeria

’s second-largest city, witnesses said Wednesday, just over a month after a radical Islamist sect claimed an attack there that left at least 185 people dead.

The attacks raise fears that the radical Islamist sect is taking root in the northern city of Kano.

Resident Ali Garba, a 32-year-old bus driver, said he heard at least six explosions as he was preparing to head to the mosque for dawn prayers in a densely populated Kano neighborhood.

After that, he said, he heard gunfire for about two hours. By the time he left his house, the military had cordoned his neighborhood to prepare for searches, forcing him back into his home.

The attack occurred during curfew hours, he said, likely reducing its impact.

There were no casualties and four suspects were arrested during searches, said military spokesman Lt. Ikedichi Iweha who declined to comment further.

UPDATE 1-Blasts heard as Nigerian army battles Islamists in Kano

2012-02-22T12:22:00.000-05:00

UPDATE 1-Blasts heard as Nigerian army battles Islamists in Kano

(Updates with details, military spokesman)

By Bala Adamu

KANO, Nigeria Feb 22 (Reuters) - Gunshots and explosions rang out on Wednesday in Nigeria's biggest northern city Kano, as the military exchanged fire with suspected militants from the Boko Haram Islamist sect.

Clashes between Boko Haram gunmen and security forces have flared up several times in Kano since the sect killed 186 people in Nigeria's second largest city last month, its deadliest attack so far.

"There was a shootout and four arrests were made while the early morning operation lasted," local spokesman for the Joint Military Taskforce (JTF) Ikedi Iweha Ikidichi said, declining to take further questions.

Chevron Nigeria oil rig fire 'may burn for months'

2012-02-22T12:17:00.001-05:00

Chevron Nigeria oil rig fire 'may burn for months':

BBC
22 February 2012

A gas-fuelled fire, with flames as high as 5m, may burn for months in waters off the Niger Delta in south-east Nigeria, Chevron has told the BBC.

Two workers died after January's explosion at the KS Endeavour exploration rig, owned by the US firm.

Friends of the Earth says this is the world's worst such accident in recent years.

Chevron spokesman Lloyd Avram says, despite the fire, the situation is now under control and no oil is leaking.

Nigeria is the largest oil producer in Africa.

Court Stops Cross River Governorship Election

2012-02-22T09:20:00.002-05:00

This Day

21 February 2012

Court Stops Cross River Governorship Election

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja Monday restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from going ahead with Saturday's governorship election in Cross River State.

Justice Abdul Kafarati issued the order following an application filed and argued ex-parte by Mr. Nmerengwa Alozie, counsel to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and its governorship candidate, Dr. Obol Patrick Okomiso, who are the plaintiffs.

However, INEC still has a chance to salvage the situation as Justice Kafarati abridged the time for the commission to appear before him to defend the suit.

He ordered INEC to come to court on Thursday, February 28th for its defence.

The plaintiffs had argued that INEC did not have the power to reschedule the election to less than 48 days to the initial date fixed for the election.

According to them, the election had been earlier scheduled by INEC to hold on April 14, 2012 in view of the mandatory timetable set by the Electoral Act for submission of names and addresses of party candidates for that election.

They argued that INEC had no legal justification whatsoever to bring forward the date for the said election.

Presidency orders Chevron to provide electricity to Delta oil communities

2012-02-22T09:19:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

20 February 2012

Presidency orders Chevron to provide electricity to Delta oil communities

WARRI—THE Presidency has ordered Chevron Nigeria Limited to provide stable and sustainable power supply from the Escravos Tank Farm to oil-rich Ugborodo and Gbaramatu communities in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State as part of its corporate social responsibility.

The directive was given in Abuja, after a marathon meeting with stakeholders at the Presidency. The meeting was presided over by Vice-President Namandi Sambo.

Present at the meeting were Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and some Gbaramatu youth leaders as well as representatives of Chevron.

The Ijaw/Itsekiri youth leadership also agreed that with this, work on the multi-million naira Escravos –Gas –pipeline project being executed by Fenog Nigeria Limited, which was stopped by the aggrieved communities would resume immediately.

Vanguard gathered that Chevron has over 90 megawatts of power out of which only 40 megawatts is currently in use and the balance is kept in reserve while all her immediate host communities of Ugborodo and Gbaramatu communities wallow in darkness.

‘Nigeria loses N2.5bn daily to oil theft’

2012-02-22T09:17:00.000-05:00

Daily Trust

22 February 2012

‘Nigeria loses N2.5bn daily to oil theft’

Nigeria is losing an estimated 150,000 barrels of crude oil every day to theft in the Niger Delta region, petroleum company Shell has said.

This volume of stolen crude amounts to about $16 million or N2.5 billion, calculated at oil price of $105 per barrel and a naira exchange rate of N160 to a dollar.

Ian Craig, Executive Vice President, Sub- Saharan Africa Shell Exploration and Production Africa Limited, said in a paper at the on-going Nigeria Oil and Gas Conference in Abuja that the greatest challenge in the sector now is the massive, organised oil theft business and the criminality and corruption which it fosters.

“The volume of oil which is stolen is difficult to estimate but is probably in the region of 150,000 bbls/d,” he said.

“We still face major challenges ... (there is) chronic underfunding of the onshore joint ventures where NNPC (the national oil company) is the majority shareholder,” Craig told the conference.

“The greatest challenge, however, is the massive organised oil theft business and the criminality and corruption which it fosters. This drives away talent ... increases costs, reduces revenues both for investors and the government and results in major environmental impacts,” he added.

FG urged to probe missing contracts in NDDC’s 2011 budget

2012-02-22T09:15:00.002-05:00

Vanguard

21 February 2012

FG urged to probe missing contracts in NDDC’s 2011 budget

PORT HARCOURT— PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has been urged to investigate how some contracts that were awarded in 2010 by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, suddenly disappeared from the 2011 budget.

Speaking under the aegis of Niger Delta Contractors Association, NDCA, the contractors, said they would not hesitate to march to Abuja on a peaceful protest to register their grievance on the issue with the presidency.

Mr. Anderson Braide, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the group had a sizable percent of jobs that were in the 2010 budget of the Commission, which did not make it in the 2011 budget.

He said: “This development would lead to the abandonment of projects because most of those affected had earlier been mobilised to site. Majority of the projects, which were duly awarded to contractors have either been removed from the next budget or cancelled out-rightly.”

He said there had been allegations that the removal was done by some members of the National Assembly during vetting of the budget, adding that the President should urgently investigate the issue.

Braide, who described the development as strange in the history of the Commission, said contractors were worried about the situation, further alleging moves by some powerful persons to also remove awarded contracts in the 2012 budget.

“Right from the time of Timi Alaibe to Chibuzor Ugwoha, any job that was not executed the previous year, was carried over to the next budgetary year. At no time did any contractor lament the removal of his or her job from the budget,” he said.

Fuel subsidy palliatives not possible again – Jonathan

2012-02-22T09:13:00.002-05:00

Punch

21 February 2012

Fuel subsidy palliatives not possible again – Jonathan

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan on Monday said the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment programme promised by his administration was no longer realistic.

The President said SURE was hurriedly conceptualised in January on the heels of the nationwide protest against the removal of the fuel subsidy. Jonathan added that the implementation was no longer feasible since the zero-subsidy policy planned by his administration was not being implemented.

Jonathan spoke at the 58th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party where he ordered his party men to retrieve copies of a SURE publication that had been advertised.

Nigeria, others begin special military exercise in Gulf of Guinea

2012-02-22T09:04:00.000-05:00

Guardian

21 February 2012

Nigeria, others begin special military exercise in Gulf of Guinea .

A FOUR-DAY international maritime military exercise codenamed Obangame Express 2012 began in the Gulf of Guinea yesterday.

The exercise, which is being hosted by Nigeria through the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy, is being attended by 12 nations: Nigeria, United States, France, Italy, Spain, Cameroun, Ghana, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome & Principe, Togo, Benin Republic and Republic of Congo.

Four warships from the Nigerian Navy have been designated to be part of the exercise +++

Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin told journalists in Calabar yesterday that the “Obangame Express is a maritime interdiction exercise based on simulated scenarios of the most prevalent international crimes at sea.

+++

According to him, “the strategic objectives of the exercise is to ensure maritime safety and security through international military partnerships while developing trained and motivated maritime professionals. West and Central African nations can improve international investment significantly if they cooperate to protect oil reserves and shipping lanes.”

+++

Admiral Jibrin, who is the chairman of the Obangame Express Local Organising Committee, expressed regret that “pervasive insecurity in this resource-laden maritime environment has resulted in more than $2 billion in annual financial losses, significantly constrained investment and economic prospects, growing crimes and potentially adverse political consequences.”

Ighodalo: The Nigerian Charter

2012-02-22T08:35:00.003-05:00

Interesting summary overview of current national situation - worth a read

Guardian

19 February 2012

Ighodalo: The Nigerian Charter

By Ituah Ighodalo Opinion

+++

Wole Soyinka’s submission spells out the crux of the trouble with the Nigerian edifice: ‘Centralisation, in short, has been the bane of the nation - on any level you choose - and nothing will answer the necessity of a harmonious relationship and development of its parts other than a severe curtailment of the control of the Centre over the functioning of its parts…any re-designing of the nation’s internal portrait must depend absolutely on strategies that emanate from the people themselves.’

What are our common goals? What should be our National Charter?

The recent fuel subsidy crisis has shown that it is time for us all as Nigerians to stand up and agree on the basic tenets of our nation. We must come up with a contra ct with our Nation that determines how we want to go forward with Nigeria. This will be our National charter.

There must be an end to corruption and suppression by an elite ruling class.

We must ensure we get good, honest leaders with a clean vision of where Nigeria should be.

There must be provision of suitable infrastructure for the ordinary Nigerian. No longer must it occur in our Nation that our major roads in such a state of disrepair, that our power and energy infrastructure is so poor. Any government that cannot fix these basic problems is not fit to rule.

There must be equal opportunity and level playing field for all irrespective of their origin, class, religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

Our processes and National policies must be clear.

We must educate our people and ensure that truth, honesty and righteousness is enthroned in our Nation.

Nigerians must be encouraged to be gainfully employed and economically productive. Harnessing all our National resources and adding value to them to ensure we achieve our full economic potential. Nigeria must be able to feed herself and provide for all her basic needs including fuel, power, water, health, education and transportation.

We all must call a referendum to agree on these things and whichever government cannot deliver must stand down. Every Nigerian must sign to this charter and agree to look for leaders who by history, proven track record and antecedence can deliver.

Shettima - Stakeholders to Unfold Master Plan On Boko Haram

2012-02-22T08:04:00.000-05:00

This Day

21 February 2012

Shettima - Stakeholders to Unfold Master Plan On Boko Haram

Stakeholders in Borno State are to come out with a master-plan to put an end to the Boko Haram insurgency, Governor Kashim Shettima has said.

Equally, the Nigerian Army has denied recent media reports that one of their staff by name Captain Bahago was declared wanted by the Police in connection with the activities of Boko Haram.

Shettima, who disclosed this Monday at the Maiduguri International Airport, while addressing journalists, said the Marshall plan was to draw up a "road map" on how to address the root causes that led the Boko Haram to killings and bombings in the North-east sub-region of the country.

He said stakeholders would work out plan aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment with the belief that it would end the siege on the state by the group, stressing that the report is expected to be submitted in March.

The governor noted that the rising rates of poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and youths' restiveness in the country had facilitated the Boko Haram insurgency,

30 killed in soldiers, Boko Haram gun fight

2012-02-22T08:02:00.000-05:00

Punch

21 February 2012

30 killed in soldiers, Boko Haram gun fight

AT LEAST 30 persons were feared killed in a gun duel on Monday between soldiers and members of the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, at the Baga market in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Though the military boasted that it killed eight members of the sect and that no civilian was killed in the exchange, witnesses and medical accounts confirmed that the death toll included women and children.

The Maiduguri incident coincided with a revelation by the arrested spokesman for the sect, Abu Qaqa, that the Boko Haram leaders drive around town in expensive cars that were stolen.

Qaqa said that security agents were often intimidated to stop such cars “because they believe only big men have such cars and they are not checked.”

How Boko Haram leader, Sokoto escaped from police custody –Senate

2012-02-22T08:01:00.000-05:00

African Examiner

22 February 2012

How Boko Haram leader, Sokoto escaped from police custody –Senate

Senate Committee on Police Affairs on Tuesday presented the report of its

investigation into the escape of a Boko Haram chieftain, Alhaji Kabiru Umar,

alias Sokoto, from Police custody.

Umar who was arrested earlier by the Police on January 14, 2012, reportedly

escaped in mysterious circumstances while in the custody of ten armed

officers, a development that stirred controversy on the capacity of the

Nigeria

Police under former Inspector General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim to tackle

the insurgency.

Umar was however re-arrested recently in Taraba State by a combined team

of State Security Services and soldiers.

+++

“Investigation activities of the police led detectives comprising five officers to

visit the residence of the suspect in Abaji to conduct a search on January 15,

2012.

“On arrival at the residence of the suspect at Bulletin Quarters, Abaji, the

team met one Adamu Salihu, the son of the Onah of Abaji, the traditional

ruler of Abaji in the FCT who was a neighbour of the suspect.

“ Salihu, who was later discovered to be a close associate of Kabiru Sokoto

as well as a suspected member of Boko Haram, suddenly went into his

room, came out with a copy of the Holy Quran, cited Quranic quotes and with

a loud shout of “Allahu- Akbar (God is Great)”, mobilised nearby youths who

attacked the police with hard objects and forcefully took over the suspect

whom they whisked away to an undisclosed location.

How Government Impoverished Citizens

2012-02-20T22:18:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

20 February 2012

How Government Impoverished Citizens

By Omoh Gabriel

analysis

+++

Along the streets, you find children without shoes going to school, some play football naked. It is the same around the country. More pathetic are those who build their shanties on top of water. In all the six geo-political zones of the country, the story is the same, poverty on rampage.

These unfortunate Nigerians have been pushed into their present condition by the ravaging poverty that has hit the Nigerian nation. Recent official figures show that 112 million Nigerians are under some of this condition. They live below poverty line on less than $1 or N160 a day.

Nigerians have come to the hard reality that the various government policies since 1980, have contributed to the rising level of poverty in the country despite claims that the economy has been growing. The poverty data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday last week suggested that 112 million Nigerians are poor going by the economic situation in the country in 2011. While 100 million are in absolute poverty, 12.6 million are moderately poor.

Gallup Poll: Northern Nigerians' Views Not in Line With Boko Haram's

2012-02-20T22:15:00.002-05:00

Most recent release from Gallup on April 2010 and August 2011 surveys of all six geo-political zones. Other findings showed that more people in the South-South (29%) than any other zone feel their standard of living is "getting worse."

Gallup.com

20 February 2012

Northern Nigerians' Views Not in Line With Boko Haram's

Few would support Sharia as the only source of legislation

by Magali Rheault and Bob Tortora

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Gallup surveys suggest Nigerians do not embrace the anti-Western rhetoric of Boko Haram, the militant movement behind a series of deadly attacks in the country. About 6 in 10 Nigerians believe greater interaction with the West is more of a benefit than a threat. In Boko Haram's Northeast home base, nearly 7 in 10 say the same. Majorities of residents in other northern regions, which are home to many Muslims, also view such interaction positively.

Read on for details...

Fed Govt denies security pact with ex-militant leader

2012-02-20T22:13:00.002-05:00

The Nation

20 February 2012

Fed Govt denies security pact with ex-militant leader

The Federal Government has not concessioned maritime security to the private security firm of a former Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpomupolo a.k.a Tompolo, a presidential aide has said.

What the government has with Global West Vessel Specialist Limited (GWVSL) is a boat contract, Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Maritime Affairs, to the President, Leke Oyewole, said in Lagos.

Oyewole also denied claims that President Goodluck Jonathan favoured the Niger Delta region in the concession by involving the former Niger Delta warlord.

What the Federal Government did through Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), he said, was to ask GWVSL to supply the patrol boats and surveillance equipment for NIMASA and the Navy to patrol the waterway.

"Government has not concessioned maritime security to any private firm.

Jonathan orders undergraduates to offer compulsory course in entrepreneurship .

2012-02-20T22:11:00.002-05:00

Business Day

17 February 2012

Jonathan orders undergraduates to offer compulsory course in entrepreneurship .

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday directed that all Nigerian university undergraduates would now be required to offer a compulsory course in entrepreneurship in their degree programmes.

Jonathan gave the directive on the second day of the 2010/2011 convocation ceremony of the University of Lagos.

The two-day ceremony is for the award of first and higher degrees, diplomas, certificates and prizes. The president, who was represented by the minister of Education, Ruquayyatu Rufai, said the move was to ensure that Nigerian graduates were adequately empowered and self-reliant.

Uduaghan faults 2.4mbpd oil production figure, says Niger Deltans are shortchanged in allocation

2012-02-20T22:09:00.000-05:00

World Stage

20 February 2012

Uduaghan faults 2.4mbpd oil production figure, says Niger Deltans are shortchanged in allocation

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State on Monday in Abuja faulted the

Nigeria

's figure of 2.4 million barrels per day crude oil production, arguing that after over 50 years of oil production, the country did not have the correct data of its daily oil output.

Speaking at the opening of the Policy Dialogue on Oil and Gas Management in Federal Countries with the theme: 'Ensuring Transparency and Accountability”, he also bemoaned the inability of the country to appropriately channel the proceeds accrued from the country’s resources, which he said the people of the oil rich region were not happy about.

Nigeria inflation rises on fuel subsidy removal

2012-02-20T22:07:00.002-05:00

Reuters

20 February 2012

Nigeria

inflation rises on fuel subsidy removal

* Headline inflation 12.6 pct in Jan vs 10.3 pct in Dec

* Subsidy removal pushes up transport, food costs

* Cbank expects subsidy-linked inflation to be short term

ABUJA, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Nigerian inflation was higher than expected in January, data showed on Monday after the government removed fuel import subsidies and then only partially reinstated them, sending prices higher.

The government scrapped the subsidies on Jan. 1 but was forced to partially reinstate them to quell protests over the costs of petrol. Fuel prices fell but stayed higher than they had been before the subsidy was removed.

Nigeria

's consumer inflation rose to 12.6 percent year-on-year in January, compared with 10.3 percent the previous month, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said on Monday.

Analysts polled by Reuters expected January headline inflation to rise to 11.75 percent.

Subsidy arrears: N'Assembly may reject N155bn payment

2012-02-20T22:05:00.000-05:00

Punch

20 February 2012

Subsidy arrears: N'Assembly may reject N155bn payment

There were indications on Sunday that the National Assembly might not approve the N155bn the Executive provided in the 2012 budget as arrears of fuel subsidy claims for 2011.

The N155bn is part of the N888bn the Executive announced last week that it provided for subsidy payments in 2012.

Out of the N888bn, a provision of over N656.3bn is the subsidy budget for the year.

Incidentally, both the Senate and the House of Representatives are currently investigating the subsidy claims for 2011. This followed the nationwide outrage that greeted the January hike in the pump price of fuel from N65 to N97 per litre and the consequent allegations that fuel subsidy management was fraught with corruption.

Fuel Protests Memorial - Gani's Wife, Son, 18 Activists Arrested

2012-02-20T22:01:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

19 February 2012

Fuel Protests Memorial - Gani's Wife, Son, 18 Activists Arrested

Wife of late legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Mrs.Bukola Fawehinmi, his son, Mohammed Fawehinmi, former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union University and Chairman of Joint Action Front, JAF, Dr. Dipo Fashina, Secretary of JAF, Comrade Abiodun Aremu and 16other activists were yesterday arrested by police in Lagos while on their way to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Square, Ojota to hold a memorial service for killed victims of the fuel subsidy protests.

The 20 activists were taken to the Police Command while Gani Fawehinmi's wife and son who after being tear gassed came to the police commissioner to secure their bail and were also arrested as part of the group.

One Party South-West A Fallacy ---Mimiko

2012-02-20T21:51:00.001-05:00

Note: Reference to the contest between Labour and the ACN, which holds all governorships in the South-West Zone except Ondo State.

African Examiner

20 February 2012

One Party South-West A Fallacy ---Mimiko

The Ondo state Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has affirmed his belief in the

economic integration of the Southwest geo-political zone of the country

noting however that political affiliation should not be a condition for the

practicality of such a vital policy.

Speaking at the state capital, Akure during a courtesy call on him yesterday,

by the immediate past caretaker committee chairmen of the 18 council areas

of the state and their supervisors, Mimiko expressed his belief in the

economic integration and transformation of the zone, adding that such

development should not be tied to any political party.

Particularly, Dr Mimiko maintained that the people of Ondo State are

intelligent and wise enough to choose their leader, noting that the people are

ready and determined to take their destiny in their hands.

He said “We are of the opinion that there must be economic integration of the

southwest but the issue of one political party dominating the zone, I believe

is a fallacy.

NAOC sabotage suspects to turn themselves in

2012-02-20T21:49:00.000-05:00

Daily Times

20 February 2012

NAOC sabotage suspects to turn themselves in

The seven suspects allegedly bombed an Agip trunkline in Bayelsa

In a move that bodes well for the government’s attempts at ensuring security and peace in the Niger Delta region of the country, the seven suspected bombers of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) trunkline in Nembe Creek, Bayelsa State have resolved to turn themselves in to security agencies in the country.

Earlier, the Joint Task Force (JTF) had given an ultimatum to all seven - Ramsey Omukoro, Friday Burutu, Lord Anipa, Yala Karo, Stanley Odovie, Para Ekiye and Robinson Agadagudu - to turn themselves in for interrogation.

Ramsey Omukoro, the leader of the group, said the suspects would give themselves up rather than allow some faceless persons to claim responsibility in the name of Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND)

Election Petition Tribunal Throws Out ACN’s Petition In Akwa Ibom

2012-02-20T21:47:00.002-05:00

The Will

20 February 2012

Election Petition Tribunal Throws Out ACN’s Petition In Akwa Ibom

The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Akwa Ibom State early Monday morning dismissed the petition of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and its gubernatorial candidate, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, challenging the election of Chief Godswill Akpabio as Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

THE WILL gathered that in upholding the election of Akpabio as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the tribunal based its decision to dismiss the ACN petition on last week’s Supreme Court judgement, which affirmed the 180 days rule for all petitions concerning elections to be concluded.

The tribunal sat for about an hour.

Recall that the Governorship elections were conducted in 24 out of 36 states of the federation on April 26, 2011, and going by the 180 days rule, petitions and suits concerning the elections ought to have been concluded at the end of October 2011.

Cleric, District Head Executed By Boko Haram

2012-02-20T21:46:00.000-05:00

The Will

19 February 2012

Cleric, District Head Executed By Boko Haram

Members of the terror group operating in northern Nigeria, Boko Haram, Sunday assassinated Mustapha Geidam, the District Head of Geidam, Yobe State and Sheik Saina Alhaji Ajiya, 60, an Islamic cleric in Konduga, a town near Maiduguri. The killings occurred on Sunday night.

The district head, Mustapha Geidam, was a former protocol officer to Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim. He was assassinated in front of his residence after the Maghreb prayers.

Asari's Comments On 2015 Presidency Will Harm Jonathan - Group

2012-02-20T21:44:00.002-05:00

Daily Trust

20 February 2012

Asari's Comments On 2015 Presidency Will Harm Jonathan - Group

The Arewa Youths Forum (AYF) said the statement credited to the leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Asari Dokubo, warning the North against 2015 presidency, would do more harm to the success of President Goodluck Jonathan's presidency.

The group, in a statement by its National President, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, said instead of assisting the president to excel, Dakubo's statement has reduced the president to an Ijaw leader.

"We are not ready to join issues with people like Asari, all we are concerned about is the unity and development of the country in the context of one

Nigeria

. All Nigerians are aware of the antecedents of people like Asari and we are not ready to join issues with him.

"We believe that he should keep quiet and channel his energy towards assisting President Goodluck Jonathan to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians instead of working to create tension among the geo-political zones of the country.

Another arrest ‘ll sink Boko Haram – Security agent

2012-02-20T21:43:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

20 February 2012

Another arrest ‘ll sink Boko Haram – Security agent

ABUJA — CONTRARY to the image of invincibility woven around the Islamic terror group, Boko Haram in the media, the sect was not thoroughly organised and may be routed by security agencies with another major arrest, a reliable top source within the security apparatus in Abuja, disclosed yesterday.

According to the source, Boko Haram was no longer as powerful as it used to be, before the arrest of its spokesman, Abu Qaqa and one of its foot soldiers, Kabiru Sokoto, whose arrest had led operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the arrest of several other members of the group who were in their planning council.

Revealing that from the statements and intelligence gathered from the arrested members, the SSS was close to routing the group completely out of

Nigeria

, the source said: “We are on the winning side. We are very close to wiping them out completely as most of their top planners are already in our custody.

Is 13% to Niger Delta cause of Northern underdevelopment?

2012-02-20T21:41:00.000-05:00

Vanguard

20 February 2012

Is 13% to Niger Delta cause of Northern underdevelopment?

GROUP mobilisation using ethnic, religious or class sentiments is a strategy which political elites in Nigeria often use to gain the support of the dominated citizens to give them political legitimacy. They often do this to gain the support of their constructed identity group or sub-groups, irrespective of the consequences to others.

Hence, many politicians in Nigeria prefer to project themselves along ethnic, religious, or regional lines which have been reinforced by Nigeria’s colonial and post-colonial history and the failure of the national socio-political developmental strategies to make Nigerians full citizens of any part of the country in which they are resident. The reason why Mallam Sanusi Lamido, the Central Bank Governor, should regress to this strategy in his interview with the Financial Times of London requires further examination.

As the chief official at the apex of the banking industry, the only plausible reason why Mallam Sanusi Lamido may have ventured into this recursive strategy in Nigerian politics may be that, like many other politico-bureaucrats, he is posturing for the 2015 elections.

He has the right to aspire for any higher office, if he so chooses, but what is unacceptable and most undignified, is his desire to denigrate the cry of the Niger-Delta people for true federalism, by ascribing the underdevelopment of the Northern part of Nigeria to the 13 percent oil allocation, distributed from oil and gas revenue to some Niger-Delta states.

S’East, S’South, Middle Belt Form Alliance

2012-02-20T21:39:00.002-05:00

Detailed report

Information Nigeria

19 February 2012

S’East, S’South, Middle Belt Form Alliance

MEMBERS of a coalition, comprising ethnic nationalities and groups from the North Central, South East and South South geo-political zones of the country, yesterday converged on Enugu to hold an all-night vigil and chat the way on how to retain political power even beyond 2015.

Also leader of Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Asari Dokubo, led the gathering into sending a red signal to the core north, which has ruled the country for the greater part of its existence, saying the core north will no longer smell power in the capacity of a president in the nearest future.

At the occasion, which featured about 3000 youths drawn from Tiv Ndoma Igalla Ibra Ibaji Ibibio Efik Ikwerre Ishekiri, Isoko and various Igbo groups, they insisted the only justice that could be acceptable to every part of the

Nigeria

was for presidential political power to move round all ethnic groups of the country.

In what they described as “hand shake across the Niger” they insisted that the country was bigger than any individual and could only move forward when various groups are given sense of belonging even as they describe the incessant killings in Jos as attempt to destabilise the administration of Goodluck Jonathan.

Led by the president of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Miabiye Kuromiema, the coalition called Coalition of National and Organisations of Nigeria pooled over 3,000 of its members to attend the summit in Enugu and to pay a condolence visit to the family of late Igbo leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

At Ojukwu’s house in Enugu, where the presence of the members of the coalition actually charged the immediate environment, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, Asari Dokubo, literally spit fire as he declared that the movement of the coalition is to ensure that the core northern part of the country, which believe it is born to rule the country, would not rule again in the near future.

Regretting the failure of Biafran revolution led by the late Ojukwu, Dokubo declared that, by 2015, if President Goodluck Jonathan is not interested in contesting, the coalition and other stakeholders working with it would work for the emergence of a president from the South East or North Central zones.

When South-West, South-South leaders met President Jonathan

2012-02-20T21:37:00.002-05:00

Tribune

20 February 2012

When South-West, South-South leaders met President Jonathan

Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu being welcomed by President Goodluck Jonathan to the meeting he held with South-West and South-South leaders, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, recently.

The leaders of the South-West and South-South, in an unusual move, met with President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in the Presidential Villa, last Wednesday, to discuss burning national issues, most especially the imperative of a national conference to fashion out the terms of the nation’s unity. Leon Usigbe reports on the session.

LEADERS of the South-West and South-South geopolitical zones of the country, last Wednesday, met with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House, putting the issue of a national conference firmly on the front burner. In spite of the vociferous call from certain quarters in the country for the convening of the meeting, government has, so far, not showed any inclination towards the gathering. Wednesday’s meeting between the president and the regional leaders also addressed other issues.