Efcc Investigates Iyabo Obasanjo - Leadership

21 December 2007
Posted to the web 21 December 2007

Ofem Uket

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigations of former president Olusegun Obasanjo's daughter, Iyabo, over alleged N3.5 billion contract scam involving an Austrian firm, M. Schneider GMBH.

A top official of the anti-graft commission told LEADERSHIP yesterday that the petition against Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello was received at the commission in August this year, adding that investigations into the alleged fraud has commenced in earnest.

It was also gathered that the commission would soon issue a formal statement on the issue.

But the source that spoke to LEADERSHIP said, "The EFCC had written the Austrian industrialist M. Schneider GMBH and Co, to provide useful information and further details on the transactions between the Austrian firm and Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello in the power project contract.

"Investigations into the allegations of fraud are not conducted in a hurry because of the stages involved, and the commission has to work to protect its image. that means the job must be thorough, without mistakes." Full Story

AC Demands Cancellation of LG Poll Results - Leardership

21 December 2007
Posted to the web 21 December 2007

Danladi Ndayebo

As reactions continue to trail last Saturday's local government polls,the Action Congress (AC) has called for the cancellation of the outcome of the elections.

The party said yesterday in Abuja that the only way to mitigate the disaster that the council elections turned out to be is to cancel the results and hold fresh polls at a more auspicious time.

A statement by the party's spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was describe as a medicine after death, the plan by President Umaru Yar'Adua, to meet with key stakeholders on the violence, manipulations and fraud that attended the polls in some PDP-controlled states.

Action Congress (AC) said, failure to do so would mean that President Yar'Adua, though not the architect of the evolving one-party state, is helping the part to nurture the evil plans embarked upon by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to emasculate all opposition parties in the country by hook or crook. Full Story

Eid-el-Kabir: Yar'Adua, others task Nigerians on growth - Vanguard

Written by Ben Agande, Abdulla El-Kurube, Tina Anthony, Austin Ogwuda, Olasunkanmi Akoni, Kolade Larewaju, Jose

Friday, 21 December 2007

MUSLIMS across the country yesterday joined their counterparts in other parts of the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Kabir with President Umaru Yar’Adua challenging Nigerians to make sacrifices and work hard for the growth and development of the nation. This, according to him, is to free future generations from poverty, disease, want and misery. The Sultan of Sokoto and President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, in his own goodwill message asked Nigerians to take the nation’s unity seriously and imbibe the culture of tolerance. Similar messages came from state governors and the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. Receiving a delegation, that went to pay him Sallah homage at the State House, President Yar’Adua said Nigerians should “serve God by serving fellow citizens, by applying their talents and skills.” The delegation was led by Vice President Goodluck Jonathan. “We, as a nation, have the strength and capacity to make our nation great and a better place for future generations where the issues of poverty, disease, want and misery will be a thing of the past if only we work hard and make great sacrifices,” he said. Full Story

Politician Advises Yar'Adua On Anti-Graft Crusade - Thisday

21 December 2007
Posted to the web 21 December 2007

Ademola Adeyemo
Lagos

Frontline politician and Chieftain of the Action Congress(AC) in Lagos State, Chief Kayode Olowu, yesterday lamented the country's state of affairs and advised President Umaru Yar'Adua to declare a state of emergency on energy, education, security and others.

Olowu said unless the president swings into action by confronting the nation's problem headlong, things may continue to get worse.

While lamenting the poor state of things in all sectors, Olowu said ordinary Nigerians are presently going through hell, as they found it difficult to earn a decent living.

According to him, only a drastic solution can rescue Nigeria from the present state of decay which it found itself.

"Yar'Adua should rescue this country by declaring a state of emergency on energy, roads, health services, education and security, if need be, we can amend the law to take care of these emergencies, we cannot continue to pretend that all is well, the future generation will not forgive us if we fail to put things right now," he said.

Olowu also advised Yar'Adua to stop the sharing of crude oil earnings to state governments and local governments, adding that past experiences have shown that these funds are diverted by the governors to buy properties in foreign lands. Full Story

Yar'Adua in Washington - Daily Champion

EDITORIAL
21 December 2007
Posted to the web 21 December 2007

Lagos

RECENTLY, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua of Nigeria went on a three-day visit to the United States of America. It was a visit which brought to the fore the nature and tenor of US-Nigeria relations.

It is not always appreciated that even though there is a contrast between the two countries, yet they have a number of features in common. In the first instance, Nigeria and the United States have between them two of the largest black populations in the world. Moreover, both are super-powers in their own right; with Nigeria as a regional super power, while the United States continues to play out on a wider canvass as a global super power.

Also, Nigeria and the United States are locked together in the buyer-seller equation in the international oil market. On this last score it has been asserted that Nigeria is of importance to an energy-hungry US.

Taken together therefore, it is evident that there was a lot for the two presidents to talk about in the course of visit. And if the statements by the two leaders are anything to go by, it was clear that the issues discussed ranged from security through culture to trade diversification and human infrastructure development.

Apparently, the high point of these discussions centred on the US African military command (Africom). While the Americans naturally seek a visible presence on the continent through Africom; it is evident that Nigeria and by extension the African Union, seeks an Africom, which would not in anyway compromise the integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria and other African countries. It was therefore gratifying to note that President Yar'Adua reportedly stood his ground on this particular issue. This was evident in his refusal to endorse the presence of Africom on the continent Full Story

Eid-El-Kabir: Yar’Adua calls for hard work, sacrifice - Nigeria Daily News

In the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir, President Umaru Yar’Adua on Wednesday challenged all Nigerians to make sacrifices and work hard for the growth and development of the country so that the present and future generations would be free from poverty, disease, want and misery.

He threw the challenge in Abuja when he received a delegation of Muslims, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, which paid him Sallah homage, in his residence, saying Nigerians needed to “serve God by serving fellow citizens and applying their talents and skills.”

“We as a nation have the strength and capacity to make our nation great and a better place for future generations, where the issues of poverty, disease, want and misery will be a thing of the past if only we work hard and make great sacrifices,” he stated.

Describing Sallah as a day of worship to God and for self-examination, the president emphasised the need for sacrifice, soul searching and rededication to the service of mankind in order that God and humanity would be better served.
Full Story

Anger over Iyabo Obasanjo’s Contract Row, EFCC Action Urged! - The Times of Nigeria

Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, and the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) have called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the N3.5 billion contract controversy involving Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello.
A statement issued in Lagos yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, noted that there had been allegations against former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, adding that his children could not distinguish between Nigeria and Otta farm.
Afenifere said the Austrian scandal involving Iyabo was a reflected Obasanjo’s “weak moral standard”.
“We therefore call on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately apprehend Iyabo and carry out a thorough investigation. If she is found out to have committed this heinous crime, she should be charged to court immediately and vacate her seat at the National Assembly,” the statement added.
CNPP accused President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of shielding corrupt politicians and their accomplices.
In a statement in Abuja, the coalition asked why Yar’Adua was continuously pointing accusing fingers at vandals, on the embarrassing darkness the country is thrown into. It also queried why probes into Wilbros, Seimens, the Metropolitan Police, M. Schneider and Obasanjo-Bello scandals were emanating from abroad when there are anti-graft agencies in the country.
Full Story

Africa Insight - Country Faces a Tunnel At the End of the Light -The Nation

21 December 2007
Posted to the web 21 December 2007

Tony Eluemunor
Nairobi

The likelihood of renewed and more pronounced insecurity in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta and the possibility of President Umaru Yar'Dua's election being annulled don't augur well for the African giant, writes TONY ELUEMUNOR in Abuja

Nigeria's Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, told the navy in November it would receive new weapons in the first quarter of 2008.

Policemen keeping the peace stops and searches youths on the Buguma Road in Ogbakiri, about 50 kilometres from the oil city of Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta: Armed groups have been demanding autonomy and greater control over oil resources in the Niger Delta. Photo/FILE

The admiral further said that the navy was preparing to handle the insurgency in the country's Niger Delta region because the region had become more complex for ordinary security agencies to manage.

Apparently, the conflict was spreading beyond the Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states to other states such as Calabar.

There are indications that Nigeria will be the great African news maker next year but for the wrong reasons.

One, it is feared that within the next three months, a petition challenging the election of President Umaru Yar'Adua might succeed. Should this happen, Nigeria would be thrown into a situation that its constitution is not equipped to handle. Full Story

Yar'Adua, Nat'l Assembly Leaders Meet Sunday - Vanguard

Posted to the web 21 December 2007

Leon Usigbe
Lagos

PRESIDENT Umaru Yar'Adua is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the National Assembly on Sunday to resolve certain parts of the 2008 Appropriation which have slowed down its consideration by the lawmakers.

Expected at the meeting are the chairmen of the Appropriation and Finance Committees of both houses of the National Assembly.

The issue of appropriate dollar benchmark for the budget and the non-appearance of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to defend their proposals in the budget is stalling its early passage in the National Assembly.

President Yar'Adua is expected to address these issues and brief the lawmakers on specific ideas behind the proposal submitted for approval by the various MDAs.

Similarly, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Shamsudeen Usman is to meet with the chairmen of the

Appropriation and Finance Committees of both chambers in an effort to clear up issues concerning the appropriate benchmark for the budget. Full Story

Citizen Season in Washington - Thisday

Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo
Lagos

The US, Washington and the White House featured prominently in Nigeria's presidential Matrix, beginning from last week. To experienced diplomats dealing with the US on this kind of visit is a piece of cake, but to the Nigerian foreign affairs officials, it was not an easy call. To be precise, before the president left Nigeria for Washington, his visit had assumed a life of its own. First, the grapevine became so busy anticipating the outcome of the visit that even the cloudy skies of Washington turned hazier on a week that was without doubt a Nigerian week. Earlier, the Delta Airlines had commenced a direct flight between Chicago and Lagos.

Nigerians already knew, with certainty that, the meeting would hover around AFRICOM. Until Yar'Adua left, there were talks of his refusal to visit the US. But he was committed against his will and he had to succumb. However, it was his foreign minister who, it is believed, was responsible for putting the meeting together, stanch him by assuring the US government that President Yar'Adua was excited about the arrangement. Yar'Adua on the other hand was said to have given-in to pressure from the hawks in his administration and reluctantly made the trip.

Although the foreign ministry denied this story, several things that took place during the visit indicated the contrary and confirmed the even sinister rumour that preceded the visit. First the shoddy arrangement in Washington depicted Nigeria as an unserious nation, one that could not even prepare adequately for its president's travels. If the president was visiting an inconsequential country, as if there was one, it would have been different, but he was visiting the US and was left at the mercy of people who are still wet behind the ears in diplomatic procedure.

It was no surprise that the occasion of Yar'Adua's first visit to the United States of America turned out the way it did. President Yar'Adua himself looked like a horse that was being forced to the river; distant, throughout the visit, presenting a picture of a bored and uninterested man who simply wants out. By the end of the occasion, the entire entourage was blaming each other. The first lady Turai Yar'Adua, saddened by how things turned out refused to attend the ceremony where the presidential couple was feted. Full Story

Yar’Adua told to drop Ugwu from cabinet - OnlineNigeria

A group, South/South – South/East Development Group (SSSEDG) has called on President Umaru Yar’Adua to sack the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwu as a matter of urgency to avoid portraying the government in bad light.

Speaking through its national leader, Prince Elias Odoemena, the group said that Ugwu constitutes a clog on foreign direct investment to Nigeria.

The group said after the House Committee on Privatisation said that all due process was followed with due diligence in the concession of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, the minister was still working against the privatisation policy of the Federal Government, by calling for a review of the sale.
Full Story

Civilised leadership - Vanguard

Written by Donu Kogbara

Friday, 21 December 2007

I know many PDP loyal ists who grumble about President Yar’Adua in private gatherings. They accuse him of not being dynamic enough and say that their party will be humiliated and destroyed if he doesn’t become more aggressive. When judges declared, a few weeks ago, that Usman Saidu Dakingari, his son-in-law, had unjustly acquired the governorship of Kebbi State, some of Yar’Adua’s critics shook their heads sadly and wondered how he could have “carelessly” allowed his daughter’s husband to endure such embarrassment. “What is the point of being a senior member of a serving President’s family clan if your political career is not going to be protected at all costs?” was the question that one deeply disgruntled detractor asked me. He — and others of his ilk — are also extremely unhappy about the fact that Yar’Adua is not even willing to make an exception for himself and use underhand methods to ensure that he wins his own election tribunal case. They wring their hands in abject frustration and assure me, almost tearfully, that Yar’Adua is “selfishly” jeopardizing the collective interests of everyone whose job or power-base is dependent on the survival of his regime. And they expect me to sympathise with them because I’m a member of a Presidential oil/gas reform implementation committee that will, presumably, be hastily disbanded if Yar’Adua ceases to be President. Full Story

Nigeria's president denies claims of AFRICOM support - Janes

Nigeria's stance on the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has been clarified following confusion sparked by a statement made by Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua during a visit to Washington, DC.

After meeting US President George Bush in the White House on 13 December, Yar'Adua announced that Nigeria had resolved to partner with AFRICOM "to actualise its peace initiatives and security on the continent". Full Story

Eid El-Kabir - Yar'Adua Sues for Peace, Sacrifice - Leadsership

Posted to the web 20 December 2007

Sunday Isuwa

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua has urged Nigerians in the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir, Christmas and the new year to work for the growth and development of the nation in order to free future generations from poverty and disease.

In a statement issued yesterday, by the special assistant to the president on communications, the president made the call while receiving a delegation led by the vice president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who paid him a Sallah homage at the State House after the Eid-el-Kabir prayers.

Receiving the delegation, the president said that Nigerians need to serve God by serving fellow citizens through applying their talents and siklls.

"We as a nation have the strength and capacity to make our nation great, and a better for future generations where the issues of poverty, disease want and misery will be a thing of the past if only we work hard and make great sacrifices," Yar'Adua said. Full Story

Another Strike Looms as ASUU, FG Parley Stalled - Vanguard

19 December 2007
Posted to the web 20 December 2007

Emmanuel Edukugho
Lagos

The long-drawn re-negotiations between Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government may have reached a dead end as no tangible deal has been struck between the two parties.

It should be recalled that Nigerian universities were grounded for several months before the coming of this present administration in May 29, 2007.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had declared an indefinite and total strike on 26th March, 2007, which the union said, "is the direct outcome of consistent Nigerian government's neglect and refusal to pay the necessary attention to education, particularly the university system, which is at the verge of collapse," adding, "this neglect seriously questions the capacity of Nigeria as a country to confront the challenges of the 21st century." Full Story

Africom - President Yar'Adua's Unenviable Burden - Daily Trust

20 December 2007
Posted to the web 20 December 2007

Is'haq Modibbo Kawu

Four weeks ago on this page, I had joined millions of Nigerians to laud the decision of the National Council of States to reject the plan of the United States of America to institute a new military outpost in Africa; the outpost that was titled AFRICOM. I had argued then, that I would have been alarmed were Obasanjo to be in power at the time the idea came to the fore, given his shameless kowtowing to the United States of America. Umaru Yar'Adua, I had believed, naively now, with hindsight, was made of a different stuff, coming, as the propaganda about him had made us believe, from an anti-imperialist background. How foolish we were to have believed such about the man!

Lat week, Malam Umaru Yar'Adua was summoned to Washington, on a so-called state visit, but the true intention of the United States administration was revealed during the photo session which our man, the president, had with George Bush. After rambling through the various issues that he said they had discussed, President Yar'Adua exposed the REAL reason he was summoned out of Abuja, by those who call the shots in today's unipolar world. "We have agreed to cooperate with AFRICOM" came out of our president's mouth, and in that very short sentence, the bubble of his so-called "anti-imperialism" busted like bubble! So in defiance of the resolution of the National Council of States, the overwhelming majority of the African and Nigerian peoples, President Umaru Yar'Adua went to Washington and collapsed on his knees to propitiate the monster of American militarism in Africa, shamelessly and without the mandate of the Nigerian people!

The Americans are past masters of manipulation and this they have shown again with the way that Malam Umaru Yar'Adua was twisted round the small finger of Washington. A few weeks ago, John Negroponte had been sent on a whistle-stop tour of Africa, to sell the idea of colonialism by other means to the African people. It must have been an embarrassing spectacle for the high representative of Washington, to see the "obviously poor and helpless" Africans rejecting emphatically the sugar-coated offer to participate in the re-colonisation of Africa as well as getting African soldiers to be prepared to die in Washington's wars in our continent, the way the Ethiopian Army is presently doing in Somalia. Even a well-known asset of the United States, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, who initially offered to host the HQ of AFRICOM, was given the pause by the weight of African rejection of the AFRICOM idea.
Full Story

Bauchi NUJ Backs Yar'Adua's Reform Agenda - Daily Trust

19 December 2007
Posted to the web 19 December 2007

Muhammad Abubakar
Bauchi

The Bauchi State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has expressed support for President Umaru Musa Yar'adua's reform agenda and the recent agreement with the United States of America to tackle the problems of energy, HIV/AIDS and malaria, among others, in the country.

In a communiqué at the end of a congress meeting on Monday and signed by the Assistant Secretary of the council, Hajia Kaltume Shall, the state council commended the state government for its timely intervention during the recent crisis in Yelwa and appealed to the residents to live in peace.

The NUJ commiserated with the families of those whose lives and properties were lost during the two days crisis and prayed that such ugly incident does not occur in future. Full Story

Group Calls On Yar'Adua to Remove Agric Minister - Daily Trust

19 December 2007
Posted to the web 19 December 2007

Abdul-Rahman Abubakar
Abuja

A group, Coalition for Good Health, has called on President Umaru Musa Yar'adua to remove the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Dr. Sayyadi Abba Ruma over poor budget implementation.

A statement jointly signed by the president of the group, Mr. Arnold Ugbuewu and National Secretary Tunde Ajakaiye, accused Dr. Ruma of withholding budgetary allocations for the water resources sector long after Due Process Office had issued clearance.

"We are forced to pick up issues with the minister of Agriculture and Water Resources and indeed petition President Yar'adua over a fundamental sector of the nation's life that is been handled lackadaisically.

"We dare to state that the current policy of non implementation of budget by the minister, if allowed, will have far reaching negative consequences on the lives of the already pauperized Nigerians," the group said. Full Story

Yar’Adua told to drop Ugwu from cabinet - Daily Sun

A group, South/South – South/East Development Group (SSSEDG) has called on President Umaru Yar’Adua to sack the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwu as a matter of urgency to avoid portraying the government in bad light.

Speaking through its national leader, Prince Elias Odoemena, the group said that Ugwu constitutes a clog on foreign direct investment to Nigeria.

The group said after the House Committee on Privatisation said that all due process was followed with due diligence in the concession of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, the minister was still working against the privatisation policy of the Federal Government, by calling for a review of the sale. Full Story

Yar'Adua stops Ministers' last-minute contracts award - Vanguard

Written by Ben Agande

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua, yesterday, shot down last minute proposals by ministers for 27 contracts two weeks to the end of the current fiscal year. Reason: breach of fiscal discipline. But Council said a total of $3.3 billion concessionary loans had been received between 1999 to President Umaru Yar’Adua date from agencies like the World Bank, ADB, Islamic Development Bank and IFAD by both federal and state governments Of this amount, $2 billion was received by state governments for various development projects while the Federal Government received $1.3 billion. Finance Minister, Dr Shamsudeen Usman, and his Information and Communications counterpart, Mr. John Odey, told State House correspondents after the last FEC meeting of the year that the president’s abortion of the planned contracts was to ensure strict budgetary discipline. Full Story

Council Polls: CPP chides Yar'Adua over violence - Vanguard

Written by Chris Ochayi

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

The Citizens Popular Party (CPP) has described as “medicine after death” President Umaru Yar’Adua’s lamentation of violence and apathy that characterised the conduct of the Local Governments council elections held in some states recently. President Yar’Adua, worried by reports of wide spread of irregularities and frauds which marred the council polls, had summoned a meeting of the 36 State Governors, some political parties chairmen/secretaries and the security chiefs in the 36 states of the Federation to Abuja to rob minds on the matter. Full Story

Yar’Adua cancels contract awards - Nigerian Tribune

PRESIDENT Umaru Yar’Adua on Tuesday cancelled all the memos presented for approval for contract awards by the ministries and government units.

Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Odey, disclosed this when he briefed State House reporters after Tuesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

The meeting, which traditionally holds on Wednesday, was held a day earlier because today (Wednesday) has been declared a public holiday for the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir.

Mr. Odey told State House reporters that President Yar’Adua decided to stop the contracts because 2007 had almost come to an end and that there would be no time to execute such contracts if approved.

He disclosed that at the end of the year, the money budgeted for projects not executed would be returned to the treasury as required by public service regulations.

Yar’Adua’s decision not to approve the contracts is a departure from the past when contracts were approved even on December 31, the last day of the year. Full Story

Yar’Adua Restates Resolve to Cleanse NNPC - Thisday

President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has identified the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as one of the main focal points of his administration’s war against corruption.
Making this known in Washington D.C. yesterday, the president said in furtherance of his administration’s war against corruption, Nigeria shall subscribe to the joint United Nations and World Bank Stolen Assets Recovery (STAR) initiative.
The president’s accession to the STAR initiative coincided with his clarificaton that the partnership with the US/African Command (AFRICON) does not translate to an acceptance of the command.
Yar’Adua’s sudden volte face is coming on the heels of his meeting with President George Bush of the US at the White House, Thursday, during which he affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partner with the US on AFRICON for the provision of security in the continent.
But in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA) in Washington DC , monitored by THISDAY, he said Nigeria plans to establish military bases in Africa to be managed by Africans for the protection of oil reserves.
He stated: "I did not accept AFRICOM in my discussions with Bush. I asked for assistance and told Bush that we have our plans to establish bases for African countries. We asked for training on weapons and training to establish our bases to be managed by our people.”
“Seven countries in the Gulf of Guinea will be involved,” he stated. The president said he asked for training from the US government. The US insisted it can only render help through its AFRICOM base in Stuttgart, Germany, said Yar’Adua.
The President claimed there was a misunderstanding of his comments at the White House on Thursday. It is a partnership, not an acceptance, he stressed.
His acceptance to partner with the US on AFRICOM during his meeting with the US president on Thursday, strayed from the opposition to the establishment of the command by the Council of States of which the president is the chairman.
Also, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Madu-ekwe, who is part of the president’s delegation to the US had himself stated that Nigeria would not support the presence of US troops on African soil under the auspices of AFRICOM. Full Story

Nigeria Ready for U.S. Military - The Jawa Repot

(Washington, D.C.) Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua met with President Bush yesterday and stated that his country will partner with the U.S. military Africa Command (AFRICOM) for security on the continent.

The statement is a reversal of his country's position with regard to AFRICOM. Previously, the official position was that Nigeria would not support the presence of U.S. troops on African soil.

But at a press briefing at the Oval Office, with President George W. Bush in attendance, Yar'Adua made known his new position.

"We have discussed on security issues, security within Nigeria, the Niger Delta, the Gulf of Guinea and peace and security on the African continent. We shall partner AFRICOM to assist not only Nigeria but also the African continent to actualise its peace and security initiatives. It is an initiative to have standby forces in each of the regional economic groupings in Africa," said the President.

The President did not give details of the discussion on AFRICOM, such as whether Nigeria will be used as the Command's base, an issue that has emerged contentious in recent times.

Source: http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/190466.php

Nigerian president pledges to fight corruption - Earthtimes

Washington - Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua said his government will take a "zero tolerance" approach toward corruption in his country during a meeting with US President George W Bush on Thursday. Yar'Adua took office earlier this year after prevailing in April elections to lead Nigeria, one of the world's leading oil producers but also one of the most corrupt. He told Bush oneof his top priorities will be combating corruption. Yar'Adua also said he was committing to building strong democratic institution in the West African nation as the foundation for improving economic life for Nigerians.
Full Story

Yar'Adua Promises Better Days for Youths - Thisday

13 December 2007
Posted to the web 13 December 2007

Juliana Taiwo
Abuja

President Umaru Yar'Adua yesterday restated the commitment of his administration towards ensuring the development of Nigerian youth, stressing his administration's is committed to youth development in all ramifications in its quest to evolve a dream country and ensure that tomorrow's leaders are well equipped for the tasks.

The President gave the assurance at this year's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Honours Award in Abuja where a total of 35 youth corps members were conferred with honours for distinguishing themselves in community development service during the last service year.

He said apart from his administration's 7-point agenda, which gives priority to the youth, the 2008 budget currently being considered by the National Assembly paid quite some attention to youth development.

Yar'Adua commended efforts of Corpers to the development of the country over the years and pledged to make public the proposal for the repositioning of the NYSC public soon in a bid to deal with the problem of increasing number of Corpers each year. Full Story

Editors Laud Yar'Adua Over Electoral Reform Committee - Vanguard

12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007

Dapo Akinrefon

THE Nigerian Guild of Editors has lauded the efforts of President Umaru Yar'Adua in setting up the Electoral Reform Committee (ERC), saying that the measure is in the best interest of the nation's democracy.In a communique issued at the end of the All-Nigerian Editors' Conference held in Bauchi State, the forum said that the initiative would help enhance Nigeria's polity.

The editors resolved that the media should also partner with INEC to chart a new course for the electoral process even as it urged Nigerians to cooperate with the committee as it strives to achieve its mandate.

The communique said "INEC is not truly independent, especially in the area of funding and appointment of its key officers and therefore called for a truly independent INEC empowered by the constitution to conduct free and fair elections."

It also commended the judiciary for its role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process urging it to sustain its tempo. Full Story

N'Delta Crisis - Why FG's Cautious, By VP - Thisday

12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007

Juliana Taiwo
Abuja

The Federal Government yesterday allayed fears over perceptions in some quarters that its handling of the Niger Delta crises so far has been slow, explaining that it adopted a more cautious approach because of its strong commitment to pursue comprehensive peace deal acceptable to all.

The Vice President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this when he received a 9-man delegation of All Niger Delta Peoples Congress, United States of America chapter, led by its Secretary General, Mr. Lincoln Snithers, at the State House, Abuja.According to him "as a government, we are committed to resolving the issue of Niger Delta this time.

We believe that the issue of the Niger Delta will be properly handled this time. We must have a clear roadmap. We no longer want to take things on an ad- hoc basis. That is why sometimes, people feel that we are slow in doing things.

The issue of the Niger Delta is not the type that can be solved overnight. If you attempt that, the peace deal that will result from such attempt will not be sustainable"Jonathan told the delegation that government is working with all stakeholders to ensure that all agree on a common approach so as to ensure that total and comprehensive peace returns to the area in the shortest possible time. Full Story

N'Delta Crisis - Why FG's Cautious, By VP - Vanguard

12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007

Juliana Taiwo
Abuja

The Federal Government yesterday allayed fears over perceptions in some quarters that its handling of the Niger Delta crises so far has been slow, explaining that it adopted a more cautious approach because of its strong commitment to pursue comprehensive peace deal acceptable to all.

The Vice President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan disclosed this when he received a 9-man delegation of All Niger Delta Peoples Congress, United States of America chapter, led by its Secretary General, Mr. Lincoln Snithers, at the State House, Abuja.According to him "as a government, we are committed to resolving the issue of Niger Delta this time.

We believe that the issue of the Niger Delta will be properly handled this time. We must have a clear roadmap. We no longer want to take things on an ad- hoc basis. That is why sometimes, people feel that we are slow in doing things.

The issue of the Niger Delta is not the type that can be solved overnight. If you attempt that, the peace deal that will result from such attempt will not be sustainable"Jonathan told the delegation that government is working with all stakeholders to ensure that all agree on a common approach so as to ensure that total and comprehensive peace returns to the area in the shortest possible time. Full Story

Supreme Court Gives Yar'Adua Time to Reply Atiku's Suit - Daily Trust

12 December 2007
Posted to the web 12 December 2007

Sunday Ejike Benjamin
Abuja

The Supreme Court yesterday gave President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua 21 days to file his appeal against the case by Presidential Candidate of the Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar challenging the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal's decision not to allow oral testimony.

Presiding justice Justice Niki Tobi adjourned the case to January 17, 2008 for hearing into the substantive appeal of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

President Yar'adua's team, led by Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN) assured the court that their reply brief will be filled as directed.

Atiku is contesting the election of President Umar Musa Yar'Adua and Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan in the April presidential elections.

Atiku had gone to the apex court to challenge the refusal by the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to allow subpoenaed witnesses to give oral evidence as well as submit their reports.

Speaking to newsmen at the court premises, Counsel to Atiku Abubakar, Prof. Alfred Kasumu expressed confidence in the judiciary. Full Story

President's Visit Represents Start of New Relationship - US Dept of State

Charles W. Corey
Washington, DC

The visit of Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua to the White House December 13 represents the beginning of a "new relationship" that will signal closer bilateral relations between Nigeria and the United States on a broad range of important issues.

Previewing the visit, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Todd J. Moss considered the U.S.-Nigeria relationship in a December 10 interview with USINFO.

"Because of the problems" that surrounded Nigeria's recent presidential election, Moss said, "there was a pause in our close relationship."

The U.S.-Nigeria relationship had been "very strong" under the previous Obasanjo government, which ran from 1999 until early 2007, he said, but the elections of April 2007, which brought Yar'Adua into office, were "deeply flawed."

The conduct of those elections, he said, "gave us some serious pause as to how close we could be. We expressed our concerns with the Nigerians ... and we set some very clear expectations. I am happy to say that, so far, those expectations have been met."

Moss said the expectations included allowing the electoral tribunals that are reviewing the elections "to move forward unimpeded by politics." As a direct result, he said, "we have already seen several governorships overturned. We have seen no evidence of political interference from the [presidential] villa in these tribunals or in the judicial process. We think that is moving forward in a very positive way. We want to continue to see that play out."

Moss said the United States and Nigeria are having a series of reciprocal visits and that Yar'Adua's White House visit is part of that process. Full Story

Worry slows Yar’Adua’s economic agenda, says Citibank report - Business Day

President Umaru Yar’Adua is making little or no progress in pushing a new economic reform agenda because of fear of a possible unfavourable outcome at the presidential election tribunal, says an analytical document on Nigeria by Citibank, London.

The document, prepared and released across the world by the bank plate last month, says there is political uncertainty in Yar’Adua’s presidency and that there might be no major economic move until early next year.

According to the Citibank document, "there is concern that the presidential tribunal hearing petitions against the conduct of the election will demand a re-run of the poll.

"Given the political uncertainty, progress on announcing a new economic reform agenda has been limited, there were no major initiatives in the 2008 budget, presented in November, and we expect no major policy document until 2008."

Prepared by Citibank’s Africa economist, David Cowan, the document identifies what it called the presence of "important political fault lines in the country," noting that progress with the presidential petition has been moving slowly, and that a ruling was not likely until early 2008. Full Story

Bakassi - Yar'Adua Seeks Senate's Ratification - Thisday

Posted to the web 12 December 2007

Sufuyan Ojeifo
Abuja

President Umaru Musa Yar' Adua has forwarded the Green Tree Agreement entered into by former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Cameroonian President Paul Biya, ceding the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, to the Senate for ratification.

Obasanjo had ceded the oil-rich Peninsula to Cameroon in August last year following the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague on October 10, 2002 and a June 12, 2006 agreement at Green Tree, New York.

But the Senate had on November 22, this year, rejected the cession saying the former president ceded the area to Cameroon without ratification by the National Assembly.

The Senate then urged the President to submit the agreement to the National Assembly for scrutiny without further delay to enable the assembly determine whether or not it is in the interest of Nigeria to ratify the agreement.

Yar' Adua, in a letter dated December 7, 2007, which was read on the floor of the Senate yesterday, requested that the Senate ratify the agreement as demanded by the 1999 Constitution.

In the two-page letter, copies of which were sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation and the Cross River State Governor, the President asked the Senate to take other appropriate actions as prescribed by the constitution.

In the letter entitled: "Re: ICJ Judgment: The Green Tree Agreement Between Nigeria and Cameroon," he said: "You may kindly note that having subscribed to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, Nigeria became duty bound to respect its judgment of 10th October, 2002, which confers the sovereignty of Cameroon over the Bakassi Peninsula.

"Similarly, recall that in furtherance of that, and, as a responsible member of the comity of nations as directed by the International Law and procedure, Nigeria entered into the Green Tree Agreement with Cameroon on the modalities of implementation of that judgment.

Full Story

'Adedibu - a Notorious Barbarian-Soyinka' - Daily Trust

Olumide Bajulaiye
Lagos

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described the Ibadan Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, as " notorious barbarian for his gross violation of human rights."

He said the attempt by President Umaru Yar'Adua to restore the rule of law appeared a mockery with the recent ridiculous charges brought against Adedibu.

Soyinka, who spoke Monday in Lagos at a conference organised by the Campaign for Democracy (CD) to mark this year's World Human Rights Day celebration, said he was surprised that Adedibu, who has been long overdue for arraignment for alleged multiple crimes, was only charged with attempt to disturb public peace.

"We are passing through extra-ordinary times. The rule of law appears to be regaining its place as one of the pillars of civilised existence, and the gospel of the garrison is falling on deaf ears, never mind the desperate efforts of a discredited ruler to shore up the rotted house posts of garrison power, and the lackadaisical conduct of the police towards public felons and enforcers.

"The mockery of the law continues in cynical forms. Impunity mounts impunity as a notorious barbarian, long overdue for arraignment on multiple crimes, is escorted far from the scene of his crimes and accused of nothing more alarming than attempting to disturb the peace," says Soyinka, whose speech was read by the CD National President, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin.

"Attempting to disturb the peace? Sacking a legislative house in broad daylight? Attacking lawyers even within court premises? Unleashing violence on a place of worship for the sole purpose of hijacking a motor vehicle?" Soyinka asked. Full Story

Saraki presents Yar’Adua Cup for veterans - Vanguard

Written by Philips Adefioye

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

The President Umar Yar’Adua Cup for squash will be presented to the public on Thursday at the Government House, Ilorin, Kwara State. Governor Bukola Saraki is expected to present the trophy which he said was in fulfilment of the promise he made when the project was hatched. President Yar’Adua Cup for squash is scheduled to take place in Abuja next January and will feature veterans between the ages of fourty-five and sixty years from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja. Full Story

'I won’t withdraw my petition against Yar’Adua - Atiku' - Nigerian Tribune

FORMER vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has said he has been insisting on pursuing his petition against the victory of President Umaru Yar’Adua in the April presidential poll, to avoid disappointing his late mentor, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

Atiku said his rigid stance on the petition was in line with the political philosophy which he said he inherited from his late political godfather.

He said the former second-in-command during the military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo would have been utterly disappointed if he had failed to take up the challenge of exposing the ills that allegedly characterised the last April polls in Nigeria.

The Turakin Adamawa made this known in his message to the 10th memorial anniversary of General Yar’Adua made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja on Monday.

The message by Atiku is, however, to disabuse the minds of his supporters on the view they have reportedly been holding about his last meeting with President Yar’Adua. Full Story

Niger Delta militants embrace Yar’ Adua’s peace offer - BusinessDay

The four-day campaign in Bayelsa State began on Thursday November 29 2007, with a four hour boat ride through the dense mangrove forest to militia leader Commander Boy Loff’s camp. Commander Boy Loff addressed the peace emissaries with his face heavily turbaned and surrounded by his heavily armed guards’s. He declared that the militants were willing to give Yar’ Adua a chance but with one rider which he termed a ‘clause’.

The clause was the demand for the release of their leader Jomo Gbomo whose arrest he accused the Federal Government of conniving with a foreign government to arrange and execute. Boy Loff stated that prior to the arrest of Jomo Gbomo, militia leaders in the Niger Delta had agreed in-principle to a cease fire as directed by their leader Jomo Gbomo, following the various consultative moves made to them by the Chairman and members of the Peace Committee. He added that Jomo Gbomo’s release was their ‘only clause’ left before formally announcing the twelve month ceasefire. Without his release, Commander Loff said he could not guarantee the coming into effect of a ceasefire. He praised the Bayelsa State Government for fully meeting their part of the negotiated but unannounced peace deal which was done through the state chapter of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee headed by James Jephtah, adding that only the Federal Government was defaulting by arranging the arrest and detention of Jomo Gbomo in Angola.

Getting to the venue of the joint meeting with commanders Africa and Joshua also took some three hours non-stop boat ride to their camps. They refused to allow committee members into their camps. Commander Joshua, a rather taciturn man of few words, opened discussion on behalf of the duo. He confirmed contact with the State chapter of the Niger Delta Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee who hammered out the outlines of the peace deal. Top on his list of demands were a general amnesty for the leadership and others in the resistance and the release of Jomo Gbomo. Commander Joshua accused the federal government of being behind the arrest and detention of Jomo Gbomo by the government of Angola. Full Story

'Election Petition - No Plan to Drop Yar'Adua, Says PDP' Thisday

11 December 2007
Posted to the web 11 December 2007
Chuks Okocha
Abuja
As the various forces within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continue to plot their strategies for the chairmanship position, the party has doused speculations that it is planning to drop President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua as its candidate should the tribunal nullify his election.

The party said yesterday in Abuja that Yar'Adua would remain its presidential candidate if the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal cancelled his election as President and ordered a fresh poll.

Former head of state and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate in the April 21 poll, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) and his Action Congress (AC) counterpart and former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, are at present challenging Yar'Adua's election at the tribunal.

A newspaper had alleged in a report at the weekend that former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, was rooting for a change of President Yar'Adua as PDP's candidate should the presidential election tribunal nullify his election.

President Yar'Adua Steady And Systematic Progress - Nigeria First

Posted to the web 8 December 2007

Olusegun Adeniyi

In the course of a dinner at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kampala , Uganda two weeks ago, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua had a long conversation with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown. It was during the session that Mr. Brown asked President Yar'Adua what the immediate priorities of his administration are and in what capacity Britain could help.

President Yar'Adua said he had always been fascinated by the British justice system in which investigations into crimes continue even decades after they occur such that regardless of the passage of time, culprits could still be brought to justice. He said the efficiency of the UK police is a standard to which our nation aspires and that, as he seeks to reform the Nigerian Police, he would specifically request assistance from Britain in that direction, especially with regards to logistics, training and finance. This is indeed in tandem with the President's philosophy and explains why he recently directed the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, to re-open all unresolved criminal cases, especially those relating to assassinations, and ensure that investigations continue until there are breakthroughs.

The attraction for crime, in our country, according to the President, is due in part to the fact that investigations are rarely ever concluded, and culprits are most often, never found by the security agencies, even in high-profile cases like assassination of prominent people in the society.

It was the outcome of this discussion with the British Prime Minister who pledged the assistance of his government that the President narrated at the meeting with the Internal Affairs minister, Major-General Godwin Abbe (rtd.) and the IGP where he called for a committee to harmonise the many existing reports on the reform of the Police.

The plan is to come up with a coherent and practical programme of action with specific timelines while mapping out areas where the assistance of the UK authorities will be needed in the implementation of the reform process.

That was what transpired at the meeting, which the Minister recounted in his media briefing. But perhaps to give effect to the cynical journalism axiom of not allowing the facts to get in the way of a good story, what we now read in a section of the media is that the President has decided to surrender the Police to the British Government with scathing editorials and commentaries that fly in the face of objective reality. Full Story

Nigeria: Group Asks Yar'Adua to End Niger Delta Crisis - Daily Trust

Posted to the web 7 December 2007

Sunday Williams
Abuja

A non-governmental organization, International Crisis Group (ICG) has urged President Yar'Adua to take urgent and decisive action to stop the persisting violence in the Niger Delta and avoid its escalation.

In its latest report titled, "Nigeria: Ending Unrest In The Niger Delta" which was made available to Daily Trust, the group said despite the opportunity presented by the inauguration of the new government and the truce declared by the armed groups thereafter after, attacks on oil installations by militants and hostage-taking by criminals has been on the rise. "Hostage-taking has turned into a lucrative criminally driven enterprise. The practice is threatening to spread beyond the core Niger Delta to other part of the country", the group said.

It noted that Yar' adua's early statement and actions were positive steps that raised hope in the area, but the ambiguous provisions for the Niger Delta and security in the 2008 budget are also threatening a relapse into more conflict. Full Story

GNU: ANPP, PPA seek fresh deal - Members to get board appointments - Nigerian Tribune

Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 09.12.2007

The two component political parties participating in the Government of National Unity (GNU) put together by President Umaru Yar’Adua, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) are seeking a better deal in the coalition government.

Sources in the presidency told the Sunday Tribune that recent meetings between leaders of the ANPP and the PPA and President Umaru Yar’Adua had focused on the discontent within the two parties over the way they have been treated so far by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Yar’Adua government had invited the two political parties which won a number of states as well as seats at the National Assembly to participate in a coalition government to enhance reconciliation in the polity.

Thereafter, the PDP government allocated two ministerial slots to ANPP and one to the PPA. It also allotted two ambassadorial slots to the ANPP and gave none to the PPA.

But discontent within the ANPP particularly was said to have forced the party’s National chairman, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke to meet with President Yar’Adua two weeks ago, while the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PPA, Chief Orji Kalu also met with the President last week. Full Story

GNU: ANPP, PPA seek fresh deal - Members to get board appointments - Nigerian Tribune

Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 09.12.2007

The two component political parties participating in the Government of National Unity (GNU) put together by President Umaru Yar’Adua, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) are seeking a better deal in the coalition government.

Sources in the presidency told the Sunday Tribune that recent meetings between leaders of the ANPP and the PPA and President Umaru Yar’Adua had focused on the discontent within the two parties over the way they have been treated so far by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Yar’Adua government had invited the two political parties which won a number of states as well as seats at the National Assembly to participate in a coalition government to enhance reconciliation in the polity. Full Story

Thereafter, the PDP government allocated two ministerial slots to ANPP and one to the PPA. It also allotted two ambassadorial slots to the ANPP and gave none to the PPA.

But discontent within the ANPP particularly was said to have forced the party’s National chairman, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke to meet with President Yar’Adua two weeks ago, while the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the PPA, Chief Orji Kalu also met with the President last week. Full Story

PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION : Generals at war over Yar'Adua - Vangaurd

Written by Dapo Akinrefon, Gbenga Oke & Cynthia Ojideagu
Saturday, 08 December 2007
THERE appears to be a split among Generals Yakubu Gowon, Theophilus Danjuma and Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as they have disagreed over opposing the government of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. While Buhari and Danjuma are advocating the need for a strong opposition in the polity, Gowon is putting pressure on Buhari to withdraw his petition from the tribunal. But Minister of Defence, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed said the PDP-led government under President Yar’Adua will not recognize any opposition party.
Presidential candidate of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and former military Head of State, Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari reiterated for the umpteenth time that he will not withdraw his petition against President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua at the presidential election tribunal, which adjourned further hearing till January 2008 in the matter.

Also, former Minister of Defence, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd) threw his weight behind Buhari’s stand not to withdraw his petition from the tribunal saying there is need for a strong opposition in the nation’s polity.

Yayale, incumbent Defence Minister and former head of service said “the problem of this nation cannot return to normal except we have people who have great sense of humility, are determined to serve with hard work and honesty. We know the level we are politically and economically but our government will improve on it, we won’t add to the problems on ground. We do not recognize any opposition as far as the PDP government under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua is concerned.”

All these came to light during the 70 birthday anniversary lecture of the former Chief of Army Staff and Defence Minister, General Theophilus Danjuma (rtd).

The ANPP presidential flag-bearer while fielding questions from newsmen at the event explained that overtures had been made to him from well meaning Nigerians, especially General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) to withdraw his petition against President Yar’Adua.

When asked about the crisis rocking the ANPP and the party’s failure to field him as its presidential candidate though a run off is called, the retired general simply said “let us wait till the legal battle is over.
”
The celebrant, General Danjuma, who supported Buhari’s resolve not to withdraw his petition said his (Buhari’s) case was in the interest of democracy and the nation as well.

His words: “I thank Gowon who took me as a younger brother because he catapulted me to major (rank) beyond my seniors in the Nigerian Army. Buhari is a professional and upright soldier. Buhari is a little inflexible, which is necessary for survival inpolitics. Nobody should push him to withdraw his case.”

The one time Minister of Defence during the Obasanjo administration further said: “In democracy, we must have an alternative, opposition is necessary or else we will have dictatorship. I support Buhari fighting. If he fails to pursue his case, then, it is not in the interest of democracy nor is it in the interest of the nation.”
Full Story

Court sets aside Abia white paper indicting Yar'Adua, Obasanjo, others - ndn nigeriadailynews.com

The Abia State Government White Paper, which indicted some serving and past public office holders, including President Musa Yar’Adua, Vice President Jonathan Goodluck, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the April general elections, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu amongst others has been set aside by a Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia. Justice H.T. Soba, the presiding judge in the enforcement right suit, brought by Chief Ugochukwu, who had prayed the court to quash report of the panel, which indicted him alongside other notable Nigerians of corruption and misconduct, held that procedure adopted by the administration of the former government of Chief Orji Kalu in setting up the panel was ultra vires, as it offends the provision of section 36 of the 1999 constitution. Full Story

Revoke Obasanjo’s radio, TV licences, AC tells Yar’Adua - nm.omlinedailynews.com

The Action Congress (AC) has asked the Federal Government to immediately revoke the four radio and television licences which former President Olusegun Obasanjo reportedly approved for himself a day before leaving office.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party also called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the award of other broadcast licences, totalling 38, to himself and his cronies, including PDP stalwart, Tony Anenih. AC said the probe must unravel the owners of the other licences which were hurriedly signed on May 28, 2007, whether their applications followed due process and whether they gained an unfair advantage over other applicants.

‘We have always said that this self-professed anti-corruption Czar is himself an epitome of corruption. The signposts were all there, but no one paid attention to the antics of a supposedly graft-fighting president, who acquired 200,000 shares in UBA, acquired huge shares in Transcorp just to name a few.
“What is so urgent about acquiring radio and television licences that cannot wait until he (Obasanjo) has left office, at least to avoid any perception of impropriety by a sitting president?
Full Story

From Obasanjo’s obstinacy to Yar'Adua’s earnestness for real due process - Vanguard

WANT to know why Nigeria’s development is arrested? Consider this:A delegation of the Senate Committee on Education, led by its chairman, Senator Joy Emodi, and comprising Senators Ahmad Lawan, Ahmed Mohammed and Senator Kaka Mallam, was the first to raise the issue during the current budget round. At the beginning of its oversight visit to the Ministry of Education and its parastatals on November 11, 2007, the Education Committee members expressed outrage at what they described as the yearly expenditure of N110 million reportedly spent on HIV/AIDS awareness in the ministry headquarters. The Education Ministry is not in the business of HIV drugs manufacturing. It is also not in the business of importing equipment with relevance to HIV.

“How can we justify spending N110million just for sensitisation in the Ministry of Education not even (for) the parastatals or the unity schools but just the Ministry for AIDS sensitisation. I am worried about that because we need a lot of money to be channeled towards repair of our infrastructure in the schools,” Senator Emodi said at that occasion.

“It is very important to sensitise people but, certainly, not to use this kind of money. Colleges of Education and small schools got N50m for sensitisation and not even buying AIDS drugs but just to tell them in Colleges of Education about AIDS. Does that make sense? It doesn’t”.
This was the type of budgetary proposals Nigerians have been saddled with for a very long time. Full Story

Darfur tops agenda as Yar’Adua, Bush meet - Daily Sun

By LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja
Monday, December 10, 2007

President Umaru Yar‘Adua said at the weekend in Lisbon, Portugal, that resolution of the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan would top the agenda of his talks with President George Bush of the United States when they meet this week in Washington.

He gave this hint during a bilateral meeting with the Sudanese President, Omar El-Bashir who sought audience with him in the course of the on-going EU-Africa Summit.

A statement from presidential spokesman, Mr. Segun Adeniyi said the Sudanese leader who thanked President Yar‘Adua for the leadership role Nigeria had been playing in the resolution of the crisis, called for more intervention to ensure a speedy deployment of the UN/AU Hybrid Force as well as better funding of the operation.
El-Bashir listed the immediate challenges in the region as including funding for the hybrid force, the preparedness of African countries to take up the challenge, and the logistic problems associated with the deployment of the troops. Full Story

Why Yar’Adua is slow - Presidency - Nigerian Tribune

SPECIAL Adviser on Public Communication to President Umaru Yar’Adua, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, has explained why President Umaru Yar’Adua is slow in implementing certain policy decisions he promised during his electioneering campaign.

Adeniyi, who stated this in a piece he wrote for publication, noted that “the president has adopted an approach which does not lend itself to easy applause; one which outlines a hybrid public/private approach to restructuring our troubled economy.”

To achieve the seven points agenda the president set out to achieve during his four-year tenure, Adeniyi said “this requires a lot of planning, something that has been in short supply in our nation in recent times. It also requires putting in place the relevant legislative frame works which also involves painstaking efforts to guard against future pitfalls.”

According to the president’s spokesperson, “Having been privileged to work closely with President Yar’Adua, in the past six months, I know the very serious efforts he has been making to create the right environment, establish solid foundation and put the necessary machinery in place for the speedy realisation of the seven points agenda of this administration. I have no doubt in my mind that the President is on the right course. I am also certain that at the end of his four year tenure, President Yar’Adua who believes very much in the power of ideas, will be satisfied that he has impacted positively on Nigeria.”

He stressed further that “the emphasis on a planned, systematic approach to governance by President Yar’Adua, reflects an awareness of problems encountered over the years due to haphazard and uncoordinated efforts for which colossal amount of money has been wasted. Full Story

CLO Petitions Yar'Adua - Daily Champion

Kalu Okwara
Lagos

CIVIL Liberties Organisation (CLO) has called on President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to investigate the conducts of the commander, NNS, Western Naval Command Headquarters, Apapa and the Commanding Officer, NNS Western Navy Command Base, Apapa, even as it reiterated its call for immediate release of Commodore Allen Benson Edema and 10 others.

It will be recalled that, following the arrest, torture and subsequent detention of Commodore Edema of the Navy Merchant and other 10 of his personnel, on November 24, 2007, the CLO in a statement called for their release, condemning the brutality meted out to those 11 personnel by the Navy.

However, the Director of Naval Information, Captain Henry Babalola in his reaction said Edema was detained for "impersonation, abuse of naval uniform and molestation of innocent members of the public."

But addressing the press yesterday, Head, Annual and Periodic Reports, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, insisted that the alleged offences were within the jurisdiction of the police and were bailable. Full Story