Jonathan not target of any probe, says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo yesterday dismissed suggestions that the Buhari Administration is witch hunting former President Goodluck Jonathan with the probe of the activities of some agencies.

On the contrary, he said the administration’s anti-corruption stance is designed to check corruption in all areas of the nation’s life.

“It’s not about a probe of a past government, that’s not what this is about. We are talking about our future, we are saying that we must put in place a clear strategy going forward,” the vice president said at the funeral of Madam Elizabeth Adesola Mamora, mother of Senator  Olorunmibe Mamora, at  the First Baptist Church, Ijebu-Ife, Ogun State..

“Not just about ensuring that people are made to pay for looting the treasury, our system of justice must be fair to ensure that anybody who does anything that is wrong is brought to account. We can’t allow impunity to continue. So it’s not about the previous government, it’s about any form of impunity,” he stressed.

Vice President Osinbajo said the anti-corruption effort of the government is a genuine programme aimed at sanitizing the country.

In his sermon at the service, the head of the Baptist Church in Ogun State, Pastor Segun Jaiyesimi, challenged political leaders to make positive change while alive, especially when they are holding public office as there will be no opportunity to do so after death.

The ceremony drew a large crowd of friends, associates  and relations from far and near including APC leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief  Bisi Akande, Governor  Ibikunle Amosun  of Ogun State, Governor  Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, former governors of Ogun, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and the immediate past governor of Rivers, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

Testimonies galore at RCCG convention

The 63rd annual convention of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, with a theme, “The All-Sufficient God”, comes to a fitting end today with the promotion of 1,184 assistant pastors to the rank of pastors to feel gaps created by the phenomenal growth of the church across the nations of the world.

The number of pastors this year is slightly higher than the figure of 1,125 of last year and their ordination and a charge by a senior minister signals the end of the convention which

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye recently reminded Nigerians that when the church was still very small he predicted   that it would play host to presidents and big time leaders but his listeners’ response was subdued.

“I moved further to say that God said presidents will be members of the church. They will be ushers but the members then found it difficult to swallow that but mark my words, whenever God speaks, the Holy Spirit sanctioned it”, he said matter of factly at a recent Church programme subtly telling doubting Thomases that those prophecies are already manifesting.

One of the highpoints of this year’s annual convention of the church tagged; “The All-Sufficient God” were two remarkable testimonies given by two high profile officials of government, giving credence to the fact that the church’s influence is waxing stronger and stronger. Recall that current Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is a senior pastor with the church.

Major General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, Nigeria’s 16th Chief of Defence Staff and Benue State governor, Deacon Samuel Ortom who attended the Holy Ghost service of the convention in company of the Vice President and the Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, gave testimonies of how their respective elevations were products of Pastor Adeboye’s prophetic utterances. Whereas the chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff’s recent elevation was prophesied by Adeboye at the July Holy Ghost service on July 3 and his appointment was announced 10 days after, that of Ortom was a direct prayer from the man of God.

“In May Holy Ghost service, our Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo thanked the Lord for victory during the general elections. In June Holy Ghost service, the executive governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was also here to bless God for victory. In July Holy Ghost service during Daddy’s ministration, he declared that somebody’s level was about to change and I am here to announce that the prophecy was fulfilled in my life. I am here to bless the name of the Lord because He has changed my level,” the CDS testified.

Ortom’s testimony was as intriguing as it was inspiring. He was written off in 1979 when he dropped out of school in Form Four, worked in a motor park but managed to upgrade himself educationally before delving into the murky waters of politics and rose through the ranks. He resigned his ministerial appointment after Pastor Adeboye prayed for him ending the supplication, saying “my testimony was that in 1979, I dropped out of school in Form Two. At the same time, I met the All Sufficient God. Today through tutorials and distance learning, I have a Ph.D.

“I started working in motor park as motor park tout but through the grace of God, I went through series of leadership positions at the local, state and federal levels; the recent one was being a Minister of State for Trade and Industry. Before contesting the last election, I came to the camp with my pastor for God’s direction and I was asked to go ahead. I told Daddy Adeboye about my intention and he prayed for me, and I still remember the last statement of our daddy. He said: ‘God give me a testimony that May 29, 2015 that my son will be sworn in as the governor of Benue state.’ After passing through various trials, he usually told me that all will be well and today I   am the governor of Benue State,” he narrated.

There were several mind boggling testimonies of the goodness of God in the lives of people. Ekiti State House of Assembly Speaker, Pastor Kola Oluwawole also traced his latest success in politics to his association with the ministry of pastor Adeboye, saying: “The journey of my life in politics as a pastor started 15 years ago. Exactly eight years ago, I contested a primary election, I won but the ticket was taken. But I remember that Daddy Adeboye said that God is aware of our tribulations; God is with us and that at the end of the journey there will be victory. I contested again and to the glory of Lord, on June 5, 2015, I was elected the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly.”

Deaconess Oguntade Grace from Lagos Province 22 also declared: “I have been waiting on the Lord for 20 years for the fruit of the womb but last year Daddy G.O. came to our Province 22 in Ikorodu and publicly express surprise as he was not scheduled to visit another church. “Immediately, I told my husband that Daddy was there for our miracle and shortly after the visit, the womb that doctors said cannot carry a pregnancy carried, not only one, but twins. This is marvelous work of the Lord in my family.”

Brother Olubunmi Ayodele’s aunty was also delivered of a set of twins after 16 years of years of barrenness. “I came to the 2014 convention with a prayer request on behalf of my aunty who has been looking for the fruit of the womb for the past 16 years. I prayed at the auditorium altar and God instructed me to walk round the camp seven times and I was afraid if I could do it but God helped me. Few months after she got pregnant and delivered twins.”

Mrs. Treasure Bello from Delta Province 4 said: “As a teenager, I was possessed by marine spirit but because I renounced and rejected them when I gave my life to Jesus Christ, they tormented me, made me deaf, dumb and paralyzed. My parish pastor came to me, prayed for me and I vomited two keys and since that day I was totally delivered.”

One other feature of Friday’s miracle service was the prayer for all nations of the world especially nations passing through crises and various socio-political challenges, which was handled by the wife of the General Overseer, Pastor Folu Adeboye. The woman of God said Nigeria is lacking lots of things due to sin and that without the help of the All Sufficent God, the giant of Africa can do nothing and therefore urged the congregation to pray against the plagues of sin, corruption, darkness working against the progress of the country.

Leaders occupying place of authority including kings were not left out in the prayer, as the people prayed for divine wisdom and knowledge for the nation’s leaders to rule according to God’s instruction so that Nigeria can move from obscurity to greatness.

“Lord let Your light shine wherever darkness is hibernating in our nation, we cancel any iota of darkness, we challenge them in Jesus’ name. Those in authority from the kings to our president, we concel any power that will not allow them to do God’s will. We pray they will rule with the fear of God for us to live abundant lives, have more than enough so that our nation can move forward and attain her greatness. We are tired of stagnation. God open the gates of heaven and let there be rain of peace and joy.”

Also speaking at the convention, Rev. Joe Olaiya of Living Faith Foundation who preached at one of plenary sessions told our reporter in an interview that Nigeria needs faith and love to overcome the current challenges. Said he: “We need faith, love and truth. Have faith in God. What you want to do to others make sure it is what you want people to do to you. Be truthful and fair. Once we do that, we won’t have problems in life.

“The challenge is that the Church must know that the signs of the last days are complete, with the gay factor being acceptable to leaders of the world, it just shows that the days of Sodom and Gomorrah are here. If you want to know, judgment and rapture are close at hand. It’s better for the Church to wake up and get its harvest and be ready,” Olaiya stated.

Before his main message titled, “The All-Sufficient God”, Pastor Adeboye announced to the mammoth crowd of worshippers that 81 babies had been delivered during the convention, 41 of them being male and the rest 40 females.

He maintained that “God is sufficient for all our needs; physical needs because He is the God of all flesh if only we believe in Him. He is more than sufficent for material, emotional, needs. He is the only One who has the ability to promote man, He can pick someone from the dunghill and set him among princes in the palace. He is able to save to the uttermost end, He also has the ability to pick the worst person to be an Apostle of the gospel.”

One of the expectations of worshippers was to host the convention at the new Arena but Pastor Adeboye told the participants that it was not ready due to the paucity of funds and appealled to his friends, children and supporters to support him to complete of the 9 kilometre square Arena located at Simawa area of Ogun State.

“The new arena is yet to be completed because there is no money. All the people that promised big money have not shown up and I believe they will show up one day,” Daddy G.O. said, adding “for the first time in my life, I am almost becoming a begger. I have never asked for offering online. I did not know how to do fine bara, it is just circumstances beyond my control.”

Adeboye went ahead to appeal for more support for the project, stressing that God will keep on providing for the needs of the congregation and expressed optimism that the arena will be available for use during the December Holy Ghost congress.

Why the phones no longer ring

Dr. Reuben Abati

I read with interest the article written by the former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity Dr. Reuben Abati titled “The phones no longer ring.” The article which generated mixed reactions was a reality of what becomes of a public office holder when he is out of office. As a matter of fact, the frustrations of a very prolific Abati that we used to read in The Guardian newspaper in those days to improve our writing prowess are well understood.

For an Abati, the phones will no longer ring like they used to, at least for now. As a matter of fact, the votes of Nigerians silenced the phones of his former boss from the moment the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Muhammadu Buhari winner of that memorable election.

Foremost, I have never been bothered about any ex- employee or appointee of former President Goodluck Jonathan because they have ‘Buhariphobia’ which is more than enough to cope with if found wanting and needing to make some ‘refunds’ to Nigeria.

However, I must say that I observed clearly an attempt by Abati to make his literary prowess a pedestal for which he needs to launch back into public space which he has hitherto missed during his sojourn to Aso Villa where his phones ranged for four years.

Of course, the truism that “he who pays the piper dictates the tune” cannot be left out of the situation the former spokesperson found himself. My reaction was orchestrated by my observation in what has become the personality of Abati in the last few years, even as he wrote his first article to regain back fans in his literary space.

The narration of Abati was a description of a service in a destabilised, defensive, disorganised and unwilling system. Think of this for a moment, from day one in office, Abati got a clear picture of what he was hired to do and was willing to play the card either for the glory of his esteemed office as a spokesperson for the then President and/or any additional reason(s) best known to Abati himself.

In reality, considering the cluelessness of the Jonathan government, all professionals hired to serve in that government were required to make up for the weakness of their boss which was lack of capacity to deliver on the designated tasks.

Even when out of office, Abati still referred to the then opposition All Progressives Congress as “desperate and hyper negative.” But today, the class Abati referred to as hyper negative elements are making clear difference to school him and his former principal how to run a government with adequate consideration to the feelings of everyone.

In Abati’s submission, I am worried that it is still not clear to him that one can speak for a government without recourse to insulting those with dissenting opinions about the policies of same government one works for. In most civilised world like America and Europe, spokespersons to the President or Prime Minister speak for the government but do not speak against the people as there is a clear cut difference between the two.

But it is obvious that because Abati is used to defence as conflicting strategies he has lived with for few years back, his very first article was premised on making an expose of the kind of pressure he went through in the hands of Nigerians begging for money or for favour. This is a sharp defence mechanism to attract pity and sway emotions on his side as a helpless former public office holder.

To Abati, a very friendly memoir of his account of office suitable for everyone’s consumption, possibly humorous, would have been a very good way to launch back to public space. Well, Abati has become used to verbal missile over the time. There is truly something missing in the public relation skill expected of an ex-spokesperson to the President of a country. The people win no matter how one looks at it.

Clearly, Abati is coping with the loneliness of his time, more so when the glamour of celebrating people who served with a bad government is gradually being detached from our system with on-going seriousness of the present government. I think that if not for ‘Buhariphobia,’ Abati would have bagged several post service awards of excellence weeks after he left office.

Simply, Abati missed those invitations for awards and accolades that would immediately follow his exit from public office.

And now, he should know the reasons why his phones are no longer ringing. The people are simply not interested in talking with him even if he is ready to do so.

Olulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II

FROM BUS CONDUCTORS TO POLITICAL LEADERS

LOOKING at a king’s mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother’s breasts, says an African adage. That seems the case with some occupants of high public offices in the current political dispensation. From total obscurity, they rose to national prominence through determination and a dint of hard work.

From Lagos to Ogun, Ekiti and Benue states, stories abound of individuals who had worked as commercial bus drivers, conductors, motor park touts and other lowly vocations, but are now functioning as governors, commissioners and other high profile portfolios. Numbered among them are Benue State governor, Samuel Ioraer Ortom; Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose; the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and frontline lawyer and commissioner in the recently dissolved cabinet of Governor Ibikunle Amosun in Ogun State, Barrister Segun Odubela.

Samuel Ioraer Ortom

Few individuals’ stories can be as inspiring as that of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State. On Wednesday, 6th July, 2011, he had told the Senate the moving story of his life as he was being screened on the floor of the upper chamber over his nomination as a minister.

Ortom’s account of his life as a school dropout, a motor park tout and one who struggled to attain education through very difficult means to become a highly successful businessman did not only draw a rapturous applause from the senators but compelled them to ask him to just take a bow and go.

The young Ortom was faced with a very bleak future after he dropped out of secondary school in 1979 because his father was unable to pay his school fees. But rather than give up, he girded his loins and found a job as a tout at the motor park in Gboko, Benue State. But like a man destined to succeed, it took a single encounter with a Good Samaritan to change his story. The Good Samaritan taught the young Ortom how to drive while another helped him to obtain a drivers’ license. With the training, he secured employment as a professional driver.

Ortom said: “As a child, I had dreamt of becoming a medical doctor in my primary and secondary school days. Unfortunately, my secondary education was aborted in Form 3 in 1979 because of my father’s retirement from the police. I came back to Gboko on holiday, just like every other child from Idah, which was then part of the present day Benue, for holiday, but couldn’t go back to school because there was no transport fare.

“But instead of idling away or taking to social vices, I decided to join motor park business. It was at the park that a Good Samaritan taught me how to drive a car, perhaps because of my honesty and dedication to duty.”

His diligence and dedication to duty led him to a prominent Gboko-based Christian leader and politician, Pa Samuel Ihugh. His decision to embrace Jesus Christ while he worked as the man’s driver, he said, marked the turning point in his life.

“I must confess that I came in contact with the Lord Jesus Christ,” he said. “I became a born again Christian and in fact, the turning point in my life was that singular move and decision to embrace Christ.

“That was the time I completely embraced the precepts of the Book of Job: 36 verse 11, which says, ‘If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasures.’ And verse 12 which also says, ‘But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.’

“From this passage, I found that the recipe for success and failure was embedded in the scriptures. God made it clear to me that if I desired to succeed, I must have faith in Him and also be determined and work hard, because God can make it happen.”

One day, after the close of work, Ortom was sitting on a bench outside his boss’ house when the wind blew a piece of paper in his direction. He picked up the piece of paper and saw an advert for enrolment into the National School of Salesmanship, Manchester, England. He decided to enroll for the course by correspondence and became a proud holder of Diploma in Salesmanship.

His success at the School of Salesmanship prompted him to sit the General Certificate of Education (GCE), which he passed with four credits at the first attempt.

Armed with the two certificates, he enrolled at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained both the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) certificate in 1995 and Diploma in Journalism in 1998. He also attended the Benue State University where he obtained the Advanced Diploma in Personnel Management in 2001, as well as Master of Public Administration (MPA) in 2004.

He crowned his pursuit of educational excellence with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from the Commonwealth University, Belize, through distant learning.

Ortom later secured employment as a salesman at Gyado Foods Company Limited and rose to become the company’s sales manager.

His meteoric rise in politics began when he was elected as the Executive Chairman of Guma Local Government Area on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) between 1991 and 1993.

Before he became the governor of Benue State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 2015 general elections, he had held several other political offices, including the State Publicity Secretary of the National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN); State Treasurer of the All Peoples Party (APP) and State Secretary as well as Deputy Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He was also Director of Operations of the PDP governorship campaign in Benue State in 2007 and Director of Administration and Logistics of the Goodluck/Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation in 2011. He was PDP National Auditor before his appointment as Minister of State for Industries, Trade and Investments in July 2011.

Ayodele Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, recently revealed that he was no exception to young men who struggled to make a meaning of their lives. He roamed the streets in search of menial jobs that would give him enough to keep body and soul together.

Speaking recently during the swearing-in of the new state executive of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria in Ado Ekiti, the governor told a shocked crowd that he was once a danfo (commercial bus) driver and even had to sponsor himself to school from the proceeds he got from the vocation.

Admonishing members of the transport union not to allow themselves to be used for kidnapping and other criminal and anti-social activities, Fayose said: “I want to commend you for contributing immensely to the development of the state’s economy. But don’t allow yourselves to be used by evil doers.

“You can see that some kidnappers were paraded recently. Information from them revealed that they have been using some of your members.

“I was once a driver like you. I used the money I got from driving to sponsor myself for HND at Ibadan Polytechnic. But I did not get desperate.

“All I’m saying is that being a driver, you can make it in life. You will become what you want to become in life with hard work.

“Don’t join evil gangs for you to get rich overnight. Try and rise through the ladder like we did.”

As a former commercial bus driver, the governor sure know that the greatest problem most drivers battle to overcome is the ability to resist alcohol and to obey the ‘don’t drink and drive’ rule.

So, while addressing the drivers, Fayose warned: “Though I am part of you, if you breach the law, I won’t save or spare you. You will be arrested and prosecuted by the security agents. I don’t want to be the enemies of drivers; I want to be your friend.”

Segun Odubela

Prior to his appointment as a member of the cabinet of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s government in Ogun State, most people only knew the immediate past Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the state, Barrister Segun Odubela, as a brilliant lawyer. The other side of him they never knew was that he was once a danfo (commercial bus) driver and conductor in Lagos.

Coming from a humble background, Odubela recalled how he and another friend whose parents owned a bus used the vehicle for commercial purposes in order to earn some money.

He said: “Mine has been a mixture of memories, coming from a humble background. At a time, my friend and I had an adventure. His mother gave us a Kombi bus and we plied the road from Obalende to Ogba (both in Lagos). When he was the conductor, I would be the driver, and when he was the driver, I would be the conductor.

“My friend is the son of a former secretary of NUT (Nigeria Union of Teachers). So for me, there was a period in life when I also struggled. It wasn’t all a bed of roses. There was a time when I struggled to make ends meet. Definitely, it has been a mixture. There were good days in my early life, but also there were challenging days that inspired me to hard work.

“More importantly, what I have found out in life is that wherever God has destined you to be, nobody can change it. So for me, it’s all about appreciating God. “

But in spite of his exploits as a lawyer and statesman, Odubela is still desirous of earning for himself the title of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

He said: “I still pray to God to assist me since I still wish to become a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). It is in God’s power to do so. I am working hard towards that. I have attended a number of interviews and I have been qualifying since 2005. I even did interviews till 2012. However, I believe that God’s time is the best. I look forward to becoming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria since it is the profession that I enjoy deeply.”

As a young man, Odubela had fallen in love with the police and dreamt of the day he would become a policeman like the young officers around his neighbourhood. To realize his dream, he planned to study Political Science in the university, but his father had other ideas. The old man wanted his son to study Law.

He said: “Initially, I wanted to study Political Science because I loved and wanted to join the Nigeria Police Force. But my father said no, that I must study Law. I just liked the police force. I had seen some young officers and I loved their outlook. I wanted to be like them. That made me to start thinking in that direction. I developed the interest. I also saw many people who worked in the police force; they were actually not doing badly. They usually looked professional to me, and that led to my initial interest.”

Mudashiru Obasa

His story is both inspiring and interesting. As supporters and hangers-on mill around him today, all seeking one form of favour or the other, only a few of them would know that the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly was once a hawker of nylon bags on the streets of Lagos.

Rt. Hon. Obasa, the lawmaker representing Agege Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, actually started life as a hawker, selling nylon bags and wrist watches. He later changed jobs to become a bus conductor and labourer just to eke out a living.

Recalling the tough old days, he said: “I grew up in the Papa Ashafa area of Agege and there is hardly anything I have not done to make money, except armed robbery. Maybe I was too young to be an armed robber, but talking about hustling, there is hardly any type I have not gone into.

“I did all this on my own volition and not because my father could not afford to pay my school fees. The friends I grew up with were always in one engagement or another. We would go to Agege Motor Road to sell nylon bags.

“Then, 12 nylon bags were sold for half the price. So, when we bought, we would make two times the amount we invested. Within a few hours, we would have sold an encouraging amount.

“I was also once a bus conductor, I was a labourer. Just mention them.”

Little wonder Obasa says he hates to see young men idling away instead of engaging themselves in some positive and rewarding ventures. Hence, he is baffled when he is approached for assistance.

He said: “For me, I don’t believe in staying idle and that is why when people approach me, asking for assistance to help them pay their children’s school fees, their accommodation and others, I ask them who is going to pay the next one. So, why don’t you find something to do?

“That’s also why I don’t strongly believe in unemployment. If your father is not a Dangote or Otedola and co, then you must look for something to do. It is only one with such people as a father that can dictate where he wants to work. You have to be engaged, you have to do something to cross to another level.”

A fourth term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Obasa was elected as the Speaker for the eighth session of the state Assembly.

Give Nigeria weapons to fight Boko Haram, Air Marshal Amosu tells US

Immediate past Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu disclosed yesterday that there are military equipment meant for the airforce with capability to track and neutralize Improvised Explosive Devices mostly used for soft target attacks and bombings, which the Boko Haram terrorists  have used to inflict pain and anguish on hundreds of innocent Nigerians.

He however pointed out that this hardware and other such equipment which are produced by the United States of America and could be of immense benefit to Nigerian Airforce can be sold to Nigeria, even as they are only meant for NATO countries and are barred from third world as well as African countries.

Speaking during his flying out ceremony at the NAF base, Abuja, Amosu said, “The decision of the American government to review its ban on sale of military equipment to the Nigerian military is a welcome development. There are some capabilities particularly for the air force that are needed to enhance operations. Essentially there are three issues that affect the operations of this nature (war on terror); one of them is the mission responsiveness; another one is the flexibility and capability, and when it comes to capability, whatever we can get from any nation is welcome.

“These platforms or equipment will come with training. It will come with platform particularly for surveillance, because the kind of enemies we are dealing with, I will like to call them evasive enemies, so we need a lot of surveillance capability.

“With this capability, particularly when it comes to force protection, we can actually do most of the surveillance here so that we will be able to detect if you have IEDs around location with ease. But right now we are not enjoying that so we are hoping that the US will lift ban on that area, and let us have the capability that they extend to NATO nations which I think will be fine”.

Describing the threat of terrorism as very real, and that if the terrorists succeed, no part of the nation will be spared, Air Marshal Amosu said, “hence, it is absolutely critical that we match the determination of the terrorists with an even more ruthless determination of our own to overcome their threats”.

“The fight against terrorism is going to receive higher boost. I want to assure you that the people we have left behind are part of the team, and of course we know that the freedom of movement and action of the Boko Haram terrorists have been substantially depleted. What is left now is mop up exercise and to make sure some of our borders are completely closed and secured”.

Continuing he said, “Nigeria needs its gallant armed forces to rise to the challenge of defending the country against the scourge of terrorism and restoring the peace and security necessary for sustained development. Security and peace will return and then the atmosphere for prosperity will take effect. We are very sure and confident that we are leaving the services in capable hands.”

B’Haram terrorists’ ability to confront military now non-existent – Minimah

Immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Kenneth Minimah (rtd) has declared that his actions of sanctioning hundreds of soldiers who reverted to deserting the force, running away from battle and playing the roles of fifth columnists in the wake of the operations to dislodge Boko Haram terrorists from Nigeria territories during ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’, helped to inspire and rekindle the fighting spirit in the Nigerian military.

He said: “I am happy to state that the story is different today and the situation much better than I met it. Today, the country is more secured and stable. The ability of Boko Haram terrorists to confront our security forces in open combat is virtually non-existent. Its leadership is in hiding, afraid for their lives and no longer intimidating the public with their propaganda videos.”

Recalling that the situation of the Nigerian Army when he assumed office on January 16, 2014, was one that called for concern, Minimah, who spoke at the pulling out ceremony in his honour said: “As I settled down to work, I was confronted with the decay in the service due to long periods of neglect the army had suffered.

Former Chief of Army,Staff. Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah at his pulled out ceremony at the Abacha Barrack in Abuja. Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

“As you would recall, my appointment came at a time our army and indeed the nation was going through one of its worst crises in our history. The level of violence and insecurity unleashed on innocent citizens by Boko Haram terrorists had reached unprecedented heights. There was spate of bombings across the country. Attacks on soft targets such as civilians, and vulnerable communities were on the increase.

“The armed forces and security agencies appeared helpless to address the situation and sadly, the nation began to lose confidence in its army and military. The situation was no less grim in the North Central and North Western zones where armed bandits, cattle rustlers and ethnic militias held sway. The nation seemed to be heading towards the much publicized disintegration many had predicted would occur in 2015.

“An assessment of the situation revealed that the Nigerian Army needed to harness its capabilities and optimize its capacity to deal with the challenges that bedevilled the nation. I, therefore, prioritized efforts towards enhancing our overall operational readiness through the three pillars of improved training, modernization of equipment and enhancement of troop’s welfare. Above all, I inspired and rekindled fighting spirit in troops backed by military sanctions.

“Sensing imminent defeat, Boko Haram has resorted to targeting innocent and vulnerable civilians. I am convinced that this also would soon be a thing of the past as the days of terrorism and insurgency are numbered. In the same vein, I can confidently say that the security threats in the North Central and North Western zones have been sufficiently addressed.”

Threat of terrorism rapidly expanding

Warning that the threat of terrorism is rapidly expanding across the globe and demands the collective action of all nations, Gen. Minimah said: “Boko Haram may have its greatest impact in Nigeria but its ability to hurt other nation’s interests no matter the distance, is real. In the last decade, we have seen the extent to which people who habour evil against their fellow humans can go to inflict pain and death on innocent people.

“This is the time for all to rise in unison to not only condemn but take actions against the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements in order to foster peace and security in our society. Perhaps, if we all stood against the terrorists at the onset through public condemnation of their activities and active collaboration with the military to confront them rather than use it as a tool to advance sectional, tribal, religious and political interests, we would not have been where we found ourselves today. We must, therefore, all unite and support our government and security forces to tackle the current security challenges.”

Thanks media

While thanking the media for its support in the fight against insurgency, Minimah said: “Though our relationship was not always smooth, due to what we perceived to be media insensitivity to our operations and national security, I am glad to note the change in attitude especially when the tide of war changed in favour of our forces in the field.

“While inviting the Nigerian media to be an all-weather ally of our armed forces, I would implore them to always exercise caution and restraint when reporting on national security issues. The call is for the media not to promote the activities of terrorists over those of the security forces or join some foreign adversarial media to castigate or malign our troops who sacrifice their lives to bring peace, stability, security and development to our nation, as no foreign national can love Nigeria more than Nigerians.”

On his advice for the nation, Minimah said: “A nation is as strong as its armed forces and the strength of the armed forces is in the quality of the individual soldier and his fighting spirit. Fighting spirit imbues him with confidence to stand up to the adversary rather than flee like we witnessed in the recent past; while adequate attention to his welfare demonstrates his nation’s commitment to his well-being and motivates him to sacrifice everything including his life; discipline and sanctions confines him within the military laws.

“For long, our nation has toyed with the health and vitality of its military. This is the time for our country to reinvigorate the armed forces by investing in the armed forces.

“Government must provide the necessary resources and right political environment to recruit, train, equip, kit and remunerate our servicemen. We all have a role to play to make our armed forces great again.

“Sometime, all it takes is a simple thank you and encouraging words to the men and women who watch over our freedom and liberty. Never; Never Again’ should we allow ourselves to walk this path. Never Again.”

Kachikwu: Buhari bears no grudge against Igbos, says APC

GMD, NNPC, Dr. Emmanuel Kachikwu

The All Progressives Congress in the South-East on Friday said the appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu as the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had shown that President Muhammadu Buhari does not bear any grudge against the Igbos. 

Buhari got few votes in the South-East during the elections and there are insinuations that the President would sideline the Igbos as a result of the development. 

The insinuations were further strengthened by reports quoting Buhari as saying, during his recent visit to the United States, that he would not give equal treatment to those that did not vote for him.   

However, the South-East chapter of the APC said Buhari would give all sections of the country equal treatment. 

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, it maintained that Kachikwu’s appointment, and some other recent decisions taken by Buhari, had vindicated its belief that the President would not marginalise the Igbos.

“The appointment of Dr. Ibe Kachikwu and Engr. Dennis Ajulu as Group Managing Director, and Group Executive Director, Exploration and Production of the NNPC, respectively, and enlistment of Enugu Airport among those to be upgraded, are clear indication and demonstration that Mr. President bears no grudge against Ndigbo for not voting for him. 

“South-East Zone of the All Progressives Congress salutes President Muhammadu Buhari for vindicating its position that every region of the country under his watch would receive equal and fair treatment,” Okechukwu said. 

Okechukwu recalled that the South-East APC had earlier issued statements assuring Ndigbo that Buhari would not marginalise them for not voting for him. 

He therefore urged Ndigbo to disregard “gossip-terrorists and ethnic merchants who peddle the falsehood that President Buhari hates Ndigbo.”

Okechukwu noted that Buhari had, in the course of his presidential campaign, held various meetings with Igbo leaders, where he (Buhari) promised to address the problem of the Igbos. 

He added that Buhari addressed a letter dated November 7, 2014, to leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the foremost socio-political body of the Igbos. 

According to Okechukwu, parts of the said letter read, “Since I cannot assume to know all the pressing issues facing Ndigbo or what Ndigbo expect of the new Nigeria we wish to build; I would greatly appreciate if you could kindly arrange a consultative meeting with Ohaneze Ndigbo where we could discuss and try to determine how this could best be done. 

“I considered it pertinent to hold consultations with all communities nationwide in order to build a mutually acceptable national consensus. Needless to add, no national consultation will be complete or meaningful without a meeting with the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo.”

Okechukwu also expressed the belief of the South-East APC in Buhari’s inaugural address, particularly where the President said he “he belongs to everybody.”

“He (Buhari) doesn’t take prisoners, his word is his bond,” Okechukwu added,  stressing that the President’s “rapid response to implement the United Nations Environment Programme Report, which recommended the cleansing of hazardous Oil polluted Ogoni land, almost consigned to the dustbin of history by the previous regime, couldn’t have attracted his attention, if otherwise.”

Okechukwu, however, noted that like Oliver Twist, the South-East APC is appealing to Buhari to take note of the dilapidated federal roads in the geopolitical zone, Second Niger Bridge, revamping of Enugu Coal, resolution of the tangle between Geometric Power and Interstate Electric in Aba, among others.

My appointment a national assignment, says Kachikwu, NNPC GMD -

The new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Emmanuel Kachikwu, Friday said he sees his appointment as a serious national assignment and called on well-meaning individuals for support instead of sponsoring congratulatory advertisement on his appointment.

New NNPC Boss, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu

Kachikwu, in a statement by the NNPC, appealed to friends and well-wishers to stop placing congratulatory adverts on him in the media.

He said he sees his appointment as a serious national assignment that does not require the frivolity of congratulatory adverts and the celebration they connote.

He added that he would rather appreciate that friends and well-wishers support him with their prayers for divine guidance to carry out the onerous task ahead.

Kachikwu was appointed, Tuesday, by President Muhammdu Buhari as the chief executive of the NNPC, making him the 17th Group Managing Director of the Corporation.

Prior to his appointment, Kachikwu who took over from Mr. Joseph Dawha, was the Executive Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Exxon-Mobil (Africa).

Kachikwu, is a First Class Graduate of Law from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and the Nigerian Law School. He also has Masters’ and Doctorate Degrees in Law from the Harvard Law School.

He started his working career with the Nigerian/American Merchant Bank before moving on to Texaco Nigeria Limited where he remained for about eight years before joining ExxonMobil.

Barely 24 hours after his appointment, Kachikwu , relieved the eight Group Executive Directors, GEDs, of the NNPC of their appointments with immediate effect.

The GEDs who were relieved of their duties were: Mr. Bernard Otti, GED Finance and Accounts; Dr. Timothy Okon, Acting GED Exploration and Production who also doubles as Coordinator Corporate Planning & Strategy and Mr. Adebayo Ibirogba, Engineering and Technology.

Others are: Dr. David Ige, Gas and Power; Ms. Aisha Abdurrahman, Commercial and Investment; Dr. Dan Efebo, Corporate Services; Engr. Ian Udoh, Refining & Petrochemicals; and Dr. Attahiru Yusuf, Business Development.

Kachikwu, who personally conveyed the Federal Government’s decision to the retiring Group Executive Directors expressed gratitude to them for their services to the Corporation and wished them success in their future endeavors.

The sledge hammer was also meant to hit all the subsidiary chief executives, but the decision was suspended following further instructions from the Presidency.

The NNPC Group comprises of the following subsidiaries: Duke Oil Nigeria Limited; Hydrocarbon Services Nigeria Limited, Hyson; International Data Services Limited, IDSL; Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, KRPC; Nigerian Engineering Technical Company, NETCO; Nigerian Gas Company, NGC and the National Petroleum Development Company, NPDC.

Others are the National Petroleum Investment Marketing Services, NAPIMS; Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC; Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC and Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, WRPC.

Don’t give Fashola appointment, CACOL tells Buhari

Mr. Babatunde Fashola

The Executive Chairman of the group, Mr. Debo Adeniran, told our correspondent during an interview on Thursday that Fashola’s administration was engulfed in several controversies which could not be overlooked.A civil society group, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari not to consider the immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), for appointment.

Adeniran said his organisation was troubled by many dilapidated schools in the state. He noted that when the Socio-Economic Right Accountability Project invoked the Freedom of Information Act to know how the Fashola government spent a $200m World Bank education funds, the state government refused to disclose it.

He said instead, the state government continued to run its affairs in secrecy by claiming that the FOI Act did not apply to state governments.

Adeniran said independent investigations by his organisation showed that the 1.36km Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge which was reportedly built for N25bn, cost only N6bn.

He said he had written a series of petitions to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe the various projects of the Fashola government in the face of the over N500bn debt left behind by the government.

He said he was shocked to find out that the commission had continued to ignore all the petitions despite the fact that Fashsola no longer enjoyed immunity, having left office over 60 days ago.

In a letter addressed to the President titled, ‘Don’t elevate Fashola,’ the group said if Buhari wanted to actualise his mission of ‘change’ he would need to distance himself from controversy.

The letter read, “Mr. President, we are constrained at this point in time to bring to your attention our critical reaction to the unbridled speculation making the rounds for some time now, from the members of the public as well as the media, as to the fact that the immediate past governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, is being considered by the presidency for higher national responsibility. Feelers have it that his name is prominent on the list of the president’s nominees for key offices in your administration.

“It is gratifying that you have promised at various fora that your appointments would be purely based on merit and that tested technocrats, with impeccable records, would be given their rightful places in your administration, as a way of ensuring good governance to the people of Nigeria. It is against this background that our organisation is appealing to you to please take the pains to dig deep into Mr. Babatunde Fashola’s record of performance as well as that of financial propriety on the part of his government while in office.”

Fashola’s spokesperson, Mr. Hakeem Bello, did not respond to telephone calls as well as a text message sent to his phone.

Elite used Boko Haram for selfish interests, says Minimah

Immediate past Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah had a parting shot for the elite yesterday. He accused them of using the dreaded Boko Haram sect to advance political, religious and sectional interests.

The former military chief also regretted that the authorities toyed with the health and vitality of the military through inadequate funding.

Lt. Gen. Minimah made the scathing remarks in his valedictory address at the Pulling-Out held in commemoration of his retirement from service.

Accoung to him, the counter-insurgency campaign would have recorded more successes if the elite had supported government’s efforts.

He said: “The insurgency snowballed into a graver dimension because these people exploited the security challenge to further sectional, religious and political interests.”

The former COAS appealed to the citizenry to support the Federal Government and the security agencies in the ongoing fight against insurgency.

The ex-Army chief urged Nigerians to take practical steps against the terrorists and other criminal elements in order to ensure lasting peace and security in the country.

He went on: “In the last decade, we have seen the extent to which people who harbour evil against their fellow co-patriots can go to inflict pain and death on innocent people.

“This is the time for us to rise in unison not only to condemn but to take actions against the activities of the Boko Haram terrorists and other criminal elements in order to foster peace and security in our society.

“Perhaps, if we had all stood against the terrorists at the outset through condemnation of their activities and active collaboration with the military to confront them, rather than use it as a tool to advance section, tribal, religious and political interests, we would not have been where we find ourselves today.

“We must therefore all unite and support our government and security forces to tackle the current security challenges.”

Lt. Gen Minimah regretted that the country toyed with the health and vitality of the military through inadequate funding, calling for proper funding of the military.

He appealed to the government to create the right environment for recruitment, training, equipping and kitting of military personnel in the country.

According to him, a nation can only be as strong as its military, stressing that the strength of the Armed Forces is in the fighting spirit of officers and men.

He stated that adequate welfare for troops could motivate them into making the required sacrifice in defence of their country.

The former COAS said he took over the Army at a time the security situation in the Northeast was making the citizenry to lose faith in the military.

Claiming to have left the Army better than he met it, Lt. Gen Minimah regretted what he described as decay occasioned by long period of neglect.

RCCG Convention: Adeboye urges Christians to remain pure as light

AT a very colorful welcome ceremony last night, the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who had resolved to limit his messages during the ongoing 63rd annual convention to a maximum of 25 minutes, urged Christians to strive to remain pure as the light.

Speaking at the first plenary of the convention, Pastor Adeboye said this year’s convention will be different in all ramifications; in signs and wonders, miracles and breakthrough.

Drawing inspiration from Bible book of James 1:17, on a topic titled: “Pure as light,” the general overseer took time to introduce the theme of the convention, All Sufficient God, emphasising the need for people to acknowledge that God is the father of light.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye

According to the man of God, anyone who embrace Him as his/her father and “He is the father of light, it shows that you are light. You must be light if you are a child of God because God is the father of light.

“There are two forces controlling the world and affairs of men: they are forces of darkness and forces of light. Forces of darkness have various names including demons, devils, witches, wizards, herbalists, liars, fraudsters. All those evil names are appellations of forces of darkness,” he stated.

He said the characteristics of darkness include shame—anything that can produce shame, you want to do it in darkness. The bible said human beings love darkness than light because their works are evil, pointing out that the characteristics of darkness include sorrow, defeat, failure, losses, death, destruction amongst others.

“On the other hand, characteristics of light include; glory, joy! You remember how people used to shout when the electricity authority used to be called NEPA, when they take off light, darkness comes and people will shout their disappointment and when the light comes on the people shout for joy.

“Victory comes when there is light, the Bible says they overcame the devil by the word of their testimony. Sucess is one of the characteristics of light, progress, abundant life, breakthrough and so on,” he added, asking the large crowd of worshippers if they prefer light or darkness.

And the crowd responded with a loud shout of “Light!”

The former mathematician explained the meaning of “As Pure As Light”, saying he wrote a book about 30 years ago on this same topic where he explained that every child of God must be pure as light, stressing that whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

“If you want to be a Christian, you must be a Christian thoroughly. You must be a Christian in the same way that Jesus Christ said, ‘the prince of this world came to me and found nothing in me.’ Tonight after the service, you will pray until you are satisfied, at least, for almost one hour.

“God is expecting you to take a decision tonight especially all of you that are Christians that from now, no matter how others lived their Christian lives, I want to be pure as light; no more lying of any type—no black, white or red lies. No matter the situation at all be pure as light. No more stealing of any type, no more doing things in a wrong manner simply because others are doing so because our God says you must not follow multitude to do evil,” he counseled.

The holiness preacher proceeded to give three reasons why Christians must live as pure as light. 1. An opportunity to see God on the last day, (Matthew 5:8).

“Pure not just outside, not just pretending but from the heart because the bible said out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. If the heart is pure, one’s speech and life will be pure. I will not lie, cheat, if I am committed to purity as pure as light, if I tell a lie no matter how small, the spirit of the Almighty God will not allow me to rest,” he stated.

He, therefore, counselled Christians to resolve to be in line with almighty God and make a commitment not to take anything that does not belong to him/her, noting, “there is no need calling yourself a Christain when you are not a son or daughter of the Almighty God.

“Some years ago, when I was a lecturer at the University of Lagos, I wrote a letter and I used the school official envelop for the letter but the spirit of God told me that the envelop did not belong to me and I replied how much is an envelop and God spoke to me and said ‘son, if it was so cheap why can’t you buy your own?’

“No impurity, no lie, no picking what is not mine because I want to see God on the last day,” he stated.

The second reason, he further stated, is that “I want to marry Jesus and Jesus said clearly in Ephesians 5:25-27, that Jesus is going to marry a bride without spot, wrinkle and blemish. As pure as light, no blemish, spot, no wrinkle. No blemish of any type”.

Adeboye noted with regret that there is no diffrennce between those who profess Christinity and those who do not; “some say you can be born again and live any kind of life; well if you decide that you will not see Jesus and also marry him on the last day.”

Reason number three “why I want to be pure as light and want you to join me  in living as pure is because I want to dwell with Jesus Christ in heaven. Isaiah 35:8 tells me that in my husband’s kingdom in heaven, there is no unclean thing of any type will be found or allow there.

“I want to be as pure as light becaue I want to see my God, marry Jesus and dwell with Jesus in heaven. Are you wondering why forces of darkness are still disturbing you, why is it that elements of darkness are always attacking you, it is because they are still seeing some elements of darkness in you that they are attracted to,” Adeboye maintained.

Pastor Adeboye was of the opinion that God wants to put an end to every attack of the devil in our lives. The enemy must be able to come and examine you from top to bottom, look at your stand in the office, home, take a look at your speech and ability and discover he has nothing in you.

He emphasized that God has power not only to wash every individual clean from every sin and give the ability, from now, to live as pure as light.