Abuja - The Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, says President Goodluck Jonathan is laying the foundation for a new Nigeria anchored on equality and social justice.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by the minister’s Press Secretary, Mr Joseph Mutah.
The statement said Maku made the remark in Lokoja, Kogi, at a special church service to mark 100 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation.
“Through sound policies and commitment to the nation, the President is developing all parts of the country simultaneously.
“In the last three years, the President has founded thirteen universities, 10 of them are located in northern Nigeria and only three in the south.
“That is what we call justice, we believe a new generation must rise and give this nation leadership’’, the Minister was quoted as saying.
It stated that the federal government was constructing a seaport in Lokoja to convey vessels to the newly constructed Baro seaport following the dredging of River Niger.
The statement said the development would enhance inland waterways transportation that would open up the northern part of the country for more commercial activities.
It stated that train services which broke down before the advent of the present administration had been revived with the movement of trains from Lagos to Kano.
The statement also said that the minister preached forgiveness among the various ethnic and religious groups as a conscious effort to promote brotherhood and strengthen the bond of unity in the country.
It assured Nigerians that the nation was being reinvented based on sound principles and virtues that would bring about prosperity and development through the firm belief in God.
The statement said that the minister flayed proponents of the division of Nigeria and noted that Nigeria would surmount its challenges and endure perpetually.
“From today onward, Nigeria will begin to witness new peace; from today onward, those who doubt the unity of this country, will be converted like Paul on the road to Damascus.
“From today onward, God will touch the heart of those who use religion to divide, to destroy rather than to build”, Maku was quoted as saying.
It also said that Kogi Governor, represented by his deputy, Mr Yomi Awoniyi, thanked the congregation for seeking a new path for Nigeria through God.
It said that he was optimistic that God would always provide wisdom, guidance and knowledge for the country to overcome its challenges.
It stated that the founder of Throne Room Ministry, organisers of the special prayer session, Apostle Emmanuel Kure, said the service was to strengthen the unity among the diverse groups in the country.
“I advise Nigerians to appreciate the virtues and values in living together as a united nation. I urge politicians to be cautious with their utterances on peace and unity of the country.’’
It said that prayers were offered for peace to reign and abort any plan to cause confusion and division in the country. (NAN)
Saturday, 1 February 2014
Man to die by hanging for stabbing wife to death
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, has upheld the death sentence handed a man, Edet Okon, who was found guilty of the offence of murder by a Lagos State High Court and was sentenced to death by hanging, for stabbing his wife to death with a spoon at night.
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh ordered that Okon be hanged for killing his wife.
The appellant had appealed the judgement, arguing that the lower court erred in law when it dismissed his plea of insanity.
But in a unanimous judgement, the Court of Appeal held that Appeal No. CA/L/553/10 lacked merit and dismissed it.
Justice Ikyegh, who delivered the leading judgement, said Mrs. Okon’s blood was crying for vengeance and her killer husband should “reap what he has sown; blood for blood.”
Okon had claimed at the lower court that he was insane at the time he stabbed his wife to death and two witnesses called by the defence had given evidence that there were cases of insanity in the family of the appellant.
However the court rejected the evidence adduced in support of Okon’s claim, convicted him of murder and ordered that he should die by hanging.
Aggrieved, Okon took his defence of insanity to the Court of Appeal, urging it to upturn the judgement of the lower court.
But in their judgement, the Appeal Court justices said the High Court was right in rejecting the plea of insanity.
The court further held that the burden of proving insanity rested on the appellant. The appellant, the court added, failed to discharge the burden on him to prove that he was insane at the time of committing the offence.
A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal led by Justice Joseph Ikyegh ordered that Okon be hanged for killing his wife.
The appellant had appealed the judgement, arguing that the lower court erred in law when it dismissed his plea of insanity.
But in a unanimous judgement, the Court of Appeal held that Appeal No. CA/L/553/10 lacked merit and dismissed it.
Justice Ikyegh, who delivered the leading judgement, said Mrs. Okon’s blood was crying for vengeance and her killer husband should “reap what he has sown; blood for blood.”
Okon had claimed at the lower court that he was insane at the time he stabbed his wife to death and two witnesses called by the defence had given evidence that there were cases of insanity in the family of the appellant.
However the court rejected the evidence adduced in support of Okon’s claim, convicted him of murder and ordered that he should die by hanging.
Aggrieved, Okon took his defence of insanity to the Court of Appeal, urging it to upturn the judgement of the lower court.
But in their judgement, the Appeal Court justices said the High Court was right in rejecting the plea of insanity.
The court further held that the burden of proving insanity rested on the appellant. The appellant, the court added, failed to discharge the burden on him to prove that he was insane at the time of committing the offence.
Friends bag 10-yr jail term over kidnap of business man
The long arm of the law yesterday finally caught up with two friends who masterminded the kidnap of an Osogbo based businessman Alhaji Rauf Olaiya and another woman Mrs Victoria Babatunde as an Osun state High court sentenced them to ten years imprisonment.
Olaiya, was kidnapped on March 20, 2011 in Osogbo, while Mrs Babatunde was kidnapped on 6th August, 2011 at Inisha in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.
The convicts, Fawole Abimbola and Peter Tominiyi who were both friends were said to have been involved in the kidnap of the two people and they had since 2011 been standing trial over the case following their arrest and subsequent detention by the Police.
The convicts had upon the kidnap of Olaiya received a ransom of N300million from him, while they received a ransom of $500 from Mrs Babatunde.
Ruling on the case yesterday, Justice Oyejide Falola sentenced the two accused persons to 10 years imprisonment at the Federal Prison, Ilesa.
Olaiya, was kidnapped on March 20, 2011 in Osogbo, while Mrs Babatunde was kidnapped on 6th August, 2011 at Inisha in Odo-Otin Local Government Area of the state.
The convicts, Fawole Abimbola and Peter Tominiyi who were both friends were said to have been involved in the kidnap of the two people and they had since 2011 been standing trial over the case following their arrest and subsequent detention by the Police.
The convicts had upon the kidnap of Olaiya received a ransom of N300million from him, while they received a ransom of $500 from Mrs Babatunde.
Ruling on the case yesterday, Justice Oyejide Falola sentenced the two accused persons to 10 years imprisonment at the Federal Prison, Ilesa.
How South Africans worked against Nigeria
Fireworks and jubilant scenes marked the end of the thrilling semi final match of the 2014 African Nations Championship between Ghana and Nigeria in Bloemfontein Wednesday night. Officials In attendance were 12, 560 spectators and almost three quarters of that number cheered endlessly for Ghana.
Either by arrangement or sheer happenstance, the majority of Ghana fans were stationed behind the goal post manned by Nigeria goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim. They sang noisily, made catcalls, beat their drums and blew their trumpets all in a way to distract the Nigerian captain.
The penalty shootout took place at that particular goal post in front of Ghana fans. Their catcalls and senseless roars behind the keeper, perhaps, had an impact in the performance of the Super Eagles players in the penalty shootout.
It must be noted that most of those fans that rooted for Ghana Black Stars are South Africans. Ghana played all their matches, up to the semifinal duel against Nigeria in Bloemfontein. They formed a large support base. This was enhanced by the fact that some of the locals were still pained for the fact that The Super Eagles eliminated the Bafana Bafana in the group stage. Most of South Africans have not forgiven the Nigerian team for that. So the game against Ghana provided an avenue for payback time.
The booed every move by the Super Eagles and cheered the Ghanaians even when they missed the ball.
Ten man Ghana team was galvanized by the hospitality of their host community and that clearly gave them a psychological edge. Ghana coach, Maxwel Konadu admitted after the match that the supporters were his twelfth player. “Support from the fans played a major role in our progress. They did everything for us and I thank them for helping us against Nigeria,” he said, adding, I will attribute today’s victory to them.”
Either by arrangement or sheer happenstance, the majority of Ghana fans were stationed behind the goal post manned by Nigeria goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim. They sang noisily, made catcalls, beat their drums and blew their trumpets all in a way to distract the Nigerian captain.
The penalty shootout took place at that particular goal post in front of Ghana fans. Their catcalls and senseless roars behind the keeper, perhaps, had an impact in the performance of the Super Eagles players in the penalty shootout.
It must be noted that most of those fans that rooted for Ghana Black Stars are South Africans. Ghana played all their matches, up to the semifinal duel against Nigeria in Bloemfontein. They formed a large support base. This was enhanced by the fact that some of the locals were still pained for the fact that The Super Eagles eliminated the Bafana Bafana in the group stage. Most of South Africans have not forgiven the Nigerian team for that. So the game against Ghana provided an avenue for payback time.
The booed every move by the Super Eagles and cheered the Ghanaians even when they missed the ball.
Ten man Ghana team was galvanized by the hospitality of their host community and that clearly gave them a psychological edge. Ghana coach, Maxwel Konadu admitted after the match that the supporters were his twelfth player. “Support from the fans played a major role in our progress. They did everything for us and I thank them for helping us against Nigeria,” he said, adding, I will attribute today’s victory to them.”
Why I have not remarried -Victor Essiet
Victor Essiet of The Mandators fame, who just
returned to the country after sojourning in the United States for over
two decades now speaks on why he has not married again after the death
of his former wife, Peggy. He also talks about his upcoming album, his
American experience and his plans to revive the reggae music in Nigeria
By SAM ANOKAM
What’s your latest album, ‘Freedom Train’ all about?
You
must know that the track is an introduction of the upcoming album which
is 15-tracks. The message of redemption is still strong today. There is
no prosperity for the suffering masses and their ordeals are on the
increase. Freedom is our right, it should be demanded for; it is not
earned. We are not going to beg for our freedom.
But
it is a collective effort of the masses; the masses should come together
and demand for their freedom. It is a message that we are bringing as
usual that since the world is not getting better, we cannot relent on
our efforts to mount pressure on those oppressing us.
I
am working with independent records companies such as Mystic Records
California and PP Records based in New York to release this major work.
We are still working on this album.
This is one
single that is dropping very soon. I will be shooting a video of this
very track in Los Angeles before we embark on a world tour. We are
planning to release the first single in February while the second
single will be released in April. The album itself will be released in
June.
Were you surprised that no Nigerian artiste was invited to perform at Mandela’s funeral?
I
was not surprised because this is Africa, and in Africa we have a lot
of wicked people. They do not believe in doing the right thing. Yes, we
stood for our sister country during the apartheid era, and one had
expected South African leaders to use Mandela’s funeral to honour
Nigeria.
Until Africa finds the right people who would put things in perspective, things would remain this way.
What is the essence of this event?
Do
you know that Nigerians keep asking me why I left Nigeria for America? I
went for a radio and television interview session, and the listeners
were calling to find out what I’m doing currently and why I travelled
out of the country.
I realised that I am so much
loved and the things I did while I was in Nigeria and which I took for
granted were appreciated by the masses. Yes, I sojourned in America for
a long time and while I was there, I got blessed by God.
I
didn’t make much name in America like I did in Nigeria. But I gained
in terms of monetary compensation much more than I did in my own
country. The big names in Africa didn’t buy my cassettes and video
cassettes. The masses bought my video cassettes and listened to my
songs. The masses made me who I am today.
I got to
America and I didn’t have to introduce myself because I was seen on TV,
the papers, recordings and so much more. The Americans were elated by
the way Africans applauded my arts.
So, I got their
attention and made something for myself because of my popularity in
Africa. As you know, Nigeria is dying because the truth is suppressed. I
am using this medium to tell all my contemporaries that I am back home
and ready to support everybody.
Is it a way of reviving reggae music in Nigeria?
Yes.
Reggae is about truth and justice and the reggae artistes need to earn a
good living singing their songs. I have just signed a franchise in
America known as ‘Reggae meets Africa’. Reggae in Africa has to be
exported. I happened to be the only reggae artiste from Africa known in
America, and this is not supposed to be so.
Honour is
never given to whom it is due. But I have won an award in America as
‘Best New Entertainer’ by International Reggae World music. If I have
won the award, that means I have what it takes to stand the test of
time. My coming back is to show them that I appreciate them and wants to
carry them along in whatever I am doing.
When I
left Nigeria for America, I didn’t relocate because I don’t like my
country. But I left for America because I got to go to somewhere else
and do something differently. I am not using this medium to try to get
back into the Nigerian music scene because I am ever present in the
scene.
I am going to continuously offer quality
music. I am looking at the situation where every good reggae artiste in
Africa would be known by the world because of the message they are
conveying to the masses.
For instance, Rhymzo is a
very good reggae artiste, but he hasn’t done much for himself in
monetary value. How can he survive this way?
There
are other good reggae artistes wallowing in poverty because of the truth
and justice in their songs. Meanwhile, the government is sponsoring
artistes doing meaningless songs because these musicians are not
condemning their wicked attitudes toward the masses.
I
cannot fight this battle alone. That’s the reason for this invasion. We
are not only talking about reggae artistes in Nigeria, but all my
brothers in Africa. We want a situation where we can take a reggae
artiste from Nigeria to South Africa and bring in Ghanaian reggae
artiste to Nigeria.
You were known to be a social crusader. Is it that you have changed since you got to the United States?
This
is the mistake we make. Back in the days, I made my first album; it
didn’t make it because it was not promoted very well. I made another
album, it didn’t also fly. I produced the two albums while I was still
in college in Lagos.
The third album which was Crisis contained
songs such as ‘Rise to the Top’, ‘Inflation’, ‘System’, ‘Redemption’
which canvassed for the emancipation of the blacks in South Africa and
the song, ‘I love You’, which preached love and unity in Africa
became a major hit and automatically turned the music industry around in
this country.
There are ghettos in America;
joblessness, sufferings but it is not in the same magnitude that we have
here. Wherever I am, I represent the voiceless people, the downtrodden
people.
I am not going to be shooting a music video
depicting some kind of things that is not part of me. I am a sufferer
from time immemorial. As long as there are suffering people, people
that are not having enough to eat then, I’m a sufferer.
We
are not alright until my African brothers or sisters are doing well.
Again, I said there are 15 songs in the album. We will be shooting the
video in Nigeria as well as other parts of Africa.
How have you been able to maintain your dread locks?
It has been with me almost all my life. I handle my dreadlocks just as you wash or comb your hair.
Have you re-married?
Not
at all. I am just being focused on my career. It is very difficult to
make it on the international scene. It demands a lot of commitments.
So, I have been putting a lot of energies into my music to be able to
achieve what I have achieved internationally. I’m still a single father.
I have a son and his name is Essien. I love him so much.
Don’t you think you belong to the old school, and hip hop has taken over in Nigeria?
I
just want to correct another thing. I lived in the US and I would want
somebody to tell me where music is highly sophisticated in the world? I
want somebody to tell me where the centre of entertainment is located in
the world today?
When you tell me that, then I am
going to tell you that hip-hop that we are talking about today is not
the hip-hop we know internationally.
If I belong to the past, King
Sunny Ade was in the past, Chief Ebenezar Obey, Late Sonny Okosun,
Fela, Victor Olaiya et al were there before I was born.When I came into the scene, I had a place in the Nigerian music industry. I am strong and resolved in the things that I do. I can do anything. As a matter of fact, I am not boasting, I can do what every other musician is doing. But they cannot do what I do.
I was there before so many musicians that are here today just like many where there before me. They made ways for all of us like I made ways for others. Others came to make way for us, they did not come to destroy or drive away other people.
I have been doing music for a long time now and I have been growing from strength to strength even when I am not here. I am here joining hands with the young people who we have paved the way for .
Myself, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, Onyeka Onwenu, Evi Edna, late Xtian Essien, among many others were in the forefront and are still doing it. Let’s face the reality. The reality is that old school is the real music. All the songs I have released are evergreen.
What is going on in the country today? It’s the same thing I was singing against in the 1980s. We are yet to have another Moses who would lead us to the promised land. What we have today is hypocrisy.
It pains me because I went through this and only God helped me to be able to be sitting here. Not that I am fully back but I am going to be here doing the things that we need to do to move our country forward.
I don’t have problem with what kind of music we have in the country today. But the problem is within us as a people, let us promote whatever we have but gear towards the emancipation of the real people.
Govt shutdown:Why Jonathan will not intervene in Rivers crisis — Ben Obi
SPECIAL Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi, in this interview spoke on why the president may not intervene in the crisis ravaging Rivers State as demanded by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders while directing APC federal legislators.
He also spoke on how the president is handling pressures to declare his 2015 political ambition, allegations that the president is not fighting corruption and the leadership tussles between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC in the National Assembly. Excerpts:
ON the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC 2015 timetable
First of all, they have a constitutional responsibility to take care of elections; it is that responsibility they have adhered to. For me, it is part of the transformation agenda that those who are given responsibilities to perform do so without let or hindrance. That is what the Professor Attahiru Jega-led INEC has done.
Nobody was expecting it. If anybody was saying that they were under some influence that person is wrong in his presumption.
It is the independent nature of the various organizations under this administration that is coming to play. We must thank the president for making sure that these organizations have a free atmosphere to function.
So, when is President Goodluck Jonathan declaring whether or not to run?
I want Nigerians to understand one thing. I have been on the side of the opposition for very long. Now, I am in the executive, current leadership.
Path of governance
President Jonathan appealed to Nigerians and said he would not discuss politics until 2014. Despite all the pressure mounted on him by the opposition to draw him into politics much earlier than 2014, he resisted it; he continued on the path of governance and maintained that he would say something in 2014.
Now we are in 2014, now INEC has spoken, we do expect that with all of these, I am sure he will sit down with his kitchen cabinet and look at the pros and cons, what his administration has done and then take a position clearly on what his next line of action will be.
I want say, as somebody who has been deeply involved in the management of political parties; a political party will only sponsor a candidate, whose achievements they are proud of. So, when I see people talking about who the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going to sponsor or not, I feel sorry for them because they don’t understand how political parties are run. I cannot tell the APC that because I had been associated with most of them one way or the other that A or B is a better candidate. I can’t do that.
And I expect that they too will not try to put themselves in a situation where they will be dictating to the PDP. Their business is to go and wait for whoever it pleases the PDP to produce.
In every climate and political understanding that I know of, particularly, when the constitution is on his side, they concede the first, the right of refusal to seek re-election to the incumbent.
The constitution is on the side of President Jonathan. His achievements speak for him.
If you feel offended or aggrieved, he has put out a mid-term report, cataloguing his entire achievements. I am still waiting to see a critical objection and rejection of that document rather than people just shooting in the dark.
He has put down his achievements in black and white. Take them one-by-one and dismantle or dislodge them but that has not been the case.
So, as far as I am concerned, I serve a president who has made a tremendous impact in the lives of Nigerians judging particularly from where he took off. What was the situation when he came on board and what is the situation today?
How soon will the President meet with his kitchen cabinet over the issue?
Like I said he will meet with his kitchen cabinet, they will study the INEC guidelines and timetable and decide: what do we do? Where do we go from here? Nigerians will be adequately informed at the appropriate time.
As far as I am concerned, they (president and his kitchen cabinet) still have some two to three months to really concentrate on governance and that is the Jonathan philosophy.
His New Year message was very clear: ‘Nigerians will enjoy a better 2014,’ which means there are certain things he will want to put up that will make a difference. Let’s complete that process before we go into the political event. Let’s create the atmosphere for a better Nigerian environment.
On allegations that the government influenced INEC to put the presidential election first to create a bandwagon effect in favour of the PDP
Go back to the past INEC elections and draw your analogy from there. There is nothing INEC will do today that people will not say it is doing it in favour of the president in power.
But those of us who are part of the government in power are really a bit perturbed the way things were done without consultations. Consultations I mean here is the council of state and various bodies. They are performing their responsibility as a body under the constitution. For anybody to think that all they are doing is in our interest is unfortunate.
On leadership tussle in the House of Representatives between APC and PDP with APC claiming majority over PDP
We have legislators from APGA and Labour Party. Have you taken their numerical strength? Where do they stand? APC has 172 and PDP 171 members, if you add APGA and Labour, who then constitutes the majority? It is always better we do stocktaking before we come to the public domain.
I must commend the Speaker for the matured manner he handled the issue that day. Both camps, APC and PDP poured encomiums on him.
APC tied its directive to shutdown government to the resolution of the crisis in Rivers State…
Again it is a vindication of the position of the President. If the president dabbles into the issue of Rivers, he should be ready to dabble into the issues of the 36 states plus one – the Federal Capital Territory.
Having appointed people to take charge of the various departments of government –the Inspector General of Police, Director, Department of State Services, etc, it is when the matter overwhelm these people that there can now be a communication to the government.
Like many people talk about corruption, have we had complaints from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC) that they are under-funded? Have they said there is this intervention from the government that is making us not perform? As far as the presidency is concerned, the right people have been put in place and they have been doing their assignments. Until they fail, there is no point to intervene. I was listening to Amaechi, he said he spoke to the IG, ‘I am going to lead this Save Rivers Rally myself.’ And he thanked the IG because the IG sent men to make sure that they are protected. Some of these things are due to gap in communication.
On Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s comment that President Jonathan is not fighting corruption the way he should given issues around Aviation Minister, Princes Stella Oduah and Director General of the Stock Exchange Commission (SEC), MS Arunma Oteh?
On Oteh, I am a member of the Presidential team, I do not know nor have I heard of how the president found a way to fund SEC.
International politics
But I do know that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the Economy, a highly respected international figure, who but for international politics would have been president of the World Bank and the President of the World Bank pays her absolute respect, set up a committee and that committee vindicated Oteh.
The legislature came up with its own issue. Ordinarily what needs to be done here is to look for solutions. It is not my duty to start educating the legislature on what to do. I just want to make sure, as somebody who has served on both sides, I can tell you there is always a way out of such a dilemma.
That is a way that must be looked into at resolving the issue so that both sides can sleep with their eyes closed.
On the issue of Speaker Tambuwal talking about body language, when I was in the Senate a couple of people talked to me about the Third Term agenda. I was the person who coordinated the project. I was not the chairman. Senator Idris Kuta of blessed memory was the chairman.
A lot of offers were made to me on how we should allow the third project sail through. The speaker talked about body language, when you are in the legislature, the truth of the matter is that you see permanently a challenge from the executive. And the more challenge you put across to the executive the more assured you are of your position.
Purview of the executive
I say to my colleagues in the executive, the young man (speaker) is managing 360 legislators from different political parties, background and interest, etc.
So he has a duty to navigate the storms and as long as whatever he says cannot be used against him, all well and good. Talking about Stella Oduah, the president did what he should do. Within the purview of the executive, he set up a committee immediately to investigate Stella Oduah.
Let me tell you something and I say this with all seriousness and experience as a politician, 35 years experience: this woman has done what no minister of Aviation had done. She has done so much in improving our aviation sector. I don’t see how on earth she will bring herself to a level of deliberately engaging in unexpected and unbelievable scam.
A lot of Nigerians across the country have commended her. I, as a son of Anambra State where she comes from, I am exceedingly very proud of her. I am happy. Whatever it is, a committee has been set up. By the time a decision is taken, it will be clear that the president will not go out of his way to shield anybody that is indicted. The President Jonathan that I have seen and known in the last two and a half years will not shield you if you are found wanting President Jonathan is not the typical Nigerian politician, who lies and promises you what he would not do. He is not the aggressive type of person. He is somebody who means well for this country. He is committed to seeing a true Nigerian nation unfold. That is why he is all-accommodating. No president has been bashed by the media as him.
Divine message
I keep telling our people, the way you make your bed so you lie on it. If we ridicule our president that is the way people outside will see us. It is not about Jonathan. Beyond all of these, there is a divine message in Jonathan’s appearance on the political scene. It will be better if all of us join hands to make this country better.
Jonathan’s critics say he is too slow compared to rulers like Obasanjo…
I was a victim of the Obasanjo era. All those who say this now were saying a different thing when Obasanjo was in power. Today, President Jonathan is consulting. For every action he takes, he consults. Every action he had taken that needed to be reversed was reversed. Let us give him his dues.
On comments that the national conference is now threatened with discordant tunes trailing the report of the Senator Femi Okurounmu committee
I don’t agree. The national confab is not threatened. The President set up a committee, to come up with a template. The committee has submitted its report and people are reacting. Naturally, that is what it should be.
The committee is not all-knowing, it is not omnipotent. People are reacting from the various zones of the country, that is what it should be so that by the time the report is finally collated and the way we are going to hold the confab is decided, everybody will feel included and involved. I see the president’s position as purely defined and straightforward.
He also spoke on how the president is handling pressures to declare his 2015 political ambition, allegations that the president is not fighting corruption and the leadership tussles between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and APC in the National Assembly. Excerpts:
ON the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC 2015 timetable
First of all, they have a constitutional responsibility to take care of elections; it is that responsibility they have adhered to. For me, it is part of the transformation agenda that those who are given responsibilities to perform do so without let or hindrance. That is what the Professor Attahiru Jega-led INEC has done.
Nobody was expecting it. If anybody was saying that they were under some influence that person is wrong in his presumption.
It is the independent nature of the various organizations under this administration that is coming to play. We must thank the president for making sure that these organizations have a free atmosphere to function.
So, when is President Goodluck Jonathan declaring whether or not to run?
I want Nigerians to understand one thing. I have been on the side of the opposition for very long. Now, I am in the executive, current leadership.
Path of governance
President Jonathan appealed to Nigerians and said he would not discuss politics until 2014. Despite all the pressure mounted on him by the opposition to draw him into politics much earlier than 2014, he resisted it; he continued on the path of governance and maintained that he would say something in 2014.
Now we are in 2014, now INEC has spoken, we do expect that with all of these, I am sure he will sit down with his kitchen cabinet and look at the pros and cons, what his administration has done and then take a position clearly on what his next line of action will be.
I want say, as somebody who has been deeply involved in the management of political parties; a political party will only sponsor a candidate, whose achievements they are proud of. So, when I see people talking about who the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going to sponsor or not, I feel sorry for them because they don’t understand how political parties are run. I cannot tell the APC that because I had been associated with most of them one way or the other that A or B is a better candidate. I can’t do that.
And I expect that they too will not try to put themselves in a situation where they will be dictating to the PDP. Their business is to go and wait for whoever it pleases the PDP to produce.
In every climate and political understanding that I know of, particularly, when the constitution is on his side, they concede the first, the right of refusal to seek re-election to the incumbent.
The constitution is on the side of President Jonathan. His achievements speak for him.
If you feel offended or aggrieved, he has put out a mid-term report, cataloguing his entire achievements. I am still waiting to see a critical objection and rejection of that document rather than people just shooting in the dark.
He has put down his achievements in black and white. Take them one-by-one and dismantle or dislodge them but that has not been the case.
So, as far as I am concerned, I serve a president who has made a tremendous impact in the lives of Nigerians judging particularly from where he took off. What was the situation when he came on board and what is the situation today?
How soon will the President meet with his kitchen cabinet over the issue?
Like I said he will meet with his kitchen cabinet, they will study the INEC guidelines and timetable and decide: what do we do? Where do we go from here? Nigerians will be adequately informed at the appropriate time.
As far as I am concerned, they (president and his kitchen cabinet) still have some two to three months to really concentrate on governance and that is the Jonathan philosophy.
His New Year message was very clear: ‘Nigerians will enjoy a better 2014,’ which means there are certain things he will want to put up that will make a difference. Let’s complete that process before we go into the political event. Let’s create the atmosphere for a better Nigerian environment.
On allegations that the government influenced INEC to put the presidential election first to create a bandwagon effect in favour of the PDP
Go back to the past INEC elections and draw your analogy from there. There is nothing INEC will do today that people will not say it is doing it in favour of the president in power.
But those of us who are part of the government in power are really a bit perturbed the way things were done without consultations. Consultations I mean here is the council of state and various bodies. They are performing their responsibility as a body under the constitution. For anybody to think that all they are doing is in our interest is unfortunate.
On leadership tussle in the House of Representatives between APC and PDP with APC claiming majority over PDP
We have legislators from APGA and Labour Party. Have you taken their numerical strength? Where do they stand? APC has 172 and PDP 171 members, if you add APGA and Labour, who then constitutes the majority? It is always better we do stocktaking before we come to the public domain.
I must commend the Speaker for the matured manner he handled the issue that day. Both camps, APC and PDP poured encomiums on him.
APC tied its directive to shutdown government to the resolution of the crisis in Rivers State…
Again it is a vindication of the position of the President. If the president dabbles into the issue of Rivers, he should be ready to dabble into the issues of the 36 states plus one – the Federal Capital Territory.
Having appointed people to take charge of the various departments of government –the Inspector General of Police, Director, Department of State Services, etc, it is when the matter overwhelm these people that there can now be a communication to the government.
Like many people talk about corruption, have we had complaints from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or Independent Corrupt Practices and related offences Commission (ICPC) that they are under-funded? Have they said there is this intervention from the government that is making us not perform? As far as the presidency is concerned, the right people have been put in place and they have been doing their assignments. Until they fail, there is no point to intervene. I was listening to Amaechi, he said he spoke to the IG, ‘I am going to lead this Save Rivers Rally myself.’ And he thanked the IG because the IG sent men to make sure that they are protected. Some of these things are due to gap in communication.
On Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s comment that President Jonathan is not fighting corruption the way he should given issues around Aviation Minister, Princes Stella Oduah and Director General of the Stock Exchange Commission (SEC), MS Arunma Oteh?
On Oteh, I am a member of the Presidential team, I do not know nor have I heard of how the president found a way to fund SEC.
International politics
But I do know that Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the Economy, a highly respected international figure, who but for international politics would have been president of the World Bank and the President of the World Bank pays her absolute respect, set up a committee and that committee vindicated Oteh.
The legislature came up with its own issue. Ordinarily what needs to be done here is to look for solutions. It is not my duty to start educating the legislature on what to do. I just want to make sure, as somebody who has served on both sides, I can tell you there is always a way out of such a dilemma.
That is a way that must be looked into at resolving the issue so that both sides can sleep with their eyes closed.
On the issue of Speaker Tambuwal talking about body language, when I was in the Senate a couple of people talked to me about the Third Term agenda. I was the person who coordinated the project. I was not the chairman. Senator Idris Kuta of blessed memory was the chairman.
A lot of offers were made to me on how we should allow the third project sail through. The speaker talked about body language, when you are in the legislature, the truth of the matter is that you see permanently a challenge from the executive. And the more challenge you put across to the executive the more assured you are of your position.
Purview of the executive
I say to my colleagues in the executive, the young man (speaker) is managing 360 legislators from different political parties, background and interest, etc.
So he has a duty to navigate the storms and as long as whatever he says cannot be used against him, all well and good. Talking about Stella Oduah, the president did what he should do. Within the purview of the executive, he set up a committee immediately to investigate Stella Oduah.
Let me tell you something and I say this with all seriousness and experience as a politician, 35 years experience: this woman has done what no minister of Aviation had done. She has done so much in improving our aviation sector. I don’t see how on earth she will bring herself to a level of deliberately engaging in unexpected and unbelievable scam.
A lot of Nigerians across the country have commended her. I, as a son of Anambra State where she comes from, I am exceedingly very proud of her. I am happy. Whatever it is, a committee has been set up. By the time a decision is taken, it will be clear that the president will not go out of his way to shield anybody that is indicted. The President Jonathan that I have seen and known in the last two and a half years will not shield you if you are found wanting President Jonathan is not the typical Nigerian politician, who lies and promises you what he would not do. He is not the aggressive type of person. He is somebody who means well for this country. He is committed to seeing a true Nigerian nation unfold. That is why he is all-accommodating. No president has been bashed by the media as him.
Divine message
I keep telling our people, the way you make your bed so you lie on it. If we ridicule our president that is the way people outside will see us. It is not about Jonathan. Beyond all of these, there is a divine message in Jonathan’s appearance on the political scene. It will be better if all of us join hands to make this country better.
Jonathan’s critics say he is too slow compared to rulers like Obasanjo…
I was a victim of the Obasanjo era. All those who say this now were saying a different thing when Obasanjo was in power. Today, President Jonathan is consulting. For every action he takes, he consults. Every action he had taken that needed to be reversed was reversed. Let us give him his dues.
On comments that the national conference is now threatened with discordant tunes trailing the report of the Senator Femi Okurounmu committee
I don’t agree. The national confab is not threatened. The President set up a committee, to come up with a template. The committee has submitted its report and people are reacting. Naturally, that is what it should be.
The committee is not all-knowing, it is not omnipotent. People are reacting from the various zones of the country, that is what it should be so that by the time the report is finally collated and the way we are going to hold the confab is decided, everybody will feel included and involved. I see the president’s position as purely defined and straightforward.
American Apparel's 62-year-old lingerie model
American Apparel's 62-year-old lingerie model
Keen to show that sexy has no expiration date, American Apparel has cast 62-year-old Jacky O'Shaughnessy to model its lingerie
BY Olivia Bergin |
31 January 2014
Jacky O’Shaughnessy for American Apparel
READ: American Apparel in trouble again with advertising watchdogs
Posting a picture of 62-year-old Jacky O'Shaughnessy sporting a lace bandeau bra and kickers (and nothing else except for a slick of red lipstick) on Instagram and Facebook, the caption reads: "Sexy has no expiration date. Jacky in Floral Lace Lingerie".
Feedback on the social networking sites ranged from anger and abhorrence to comments made by those who are perhaps more mindful that one day they will be the same age as O'Shaughnessy.
"Now she looks amazing. Honestly, not a flaw. Such a great figure and beautiful, long hair. Her skin looks healthy as does her entire body. And she doesn't look 'too old' for those pieces" wrote one user.
O'Shaughnessy, who is not a professional model and was scouted on the off-chance by American Apparel in New York two years ago, starred in an 'Advanced Basics' campaigns for the brand in 2012 - but was fully clothed in the images. It is thought that the picture above was taken in 2012, but hasn't been used by the brand until now.
At the time she told Fashionista: "Marsha [the photographer] introduced me to American Apparel and all of a sudden I discovered clothes that are beautiful, affordable and actually fit. I don't need to alter anything. They're perfect for my lifestyle, I like to be comfortable. You could say American Apparel and I discovered each other. It's a new world."
There's no denying that O'Shaughnessy is striking, but perhaps it's actually the underwear chosen that isn't doing her justice.
Who could succeed Anna Wintour at US Vogue?
Who could succeed Anna Wintour at US Vogue?
As rumours that Sarah Jessica Parker will succeed Anna Wintour
at US Vogue are shot down, we ask: Who could step into Wintour's Manolo
Blahniks when the time comes?
Anna Wintour and Sarah Jessica Parker
Victoria Beckham: the chameleon
She's come a long way since her days as a Zig-a-zig-ah-ing Spice Girl and now sits firmly at the top of the international fashion tree. Who's to say she can't morph into a magazine editor next?
Anna Dello Russo: the exchange programme
Can you imagine Vogue in the hands of the woman that brought us 'Fashion Shower'. Wouldn't it be amazing? A stalwart fashion editor, Dello Russo certainly has the vision, even if it is a bit, umm, outrageous.
Victoria Beckham; Anna Dello Russo
Amy Astley: the safe choice
The editor-in-chief of Vogue's little-sister publication Teen Vogue, Amy Astley has worked with Wintour before when she was a beauty editor at Vogue. Well respected in fashion circles, Astley would be a very safe pair of hands to leave big Vogue in.
Natalie Massenet: the business guru
The founder of Net-A-Porter, Natalie Massanet is an omnipotent presence in British fashion as the chair of the BFC. However, she's US-born, used to be a fashion editor at Tatler and she's got Wintour's seal of approval. "Natalie's doing a very good job," said the editor-in-chief of Massenet's impact on London Fashion Week. "She's a very organised person and she's obviously having an impact on where the shows are located."
Amy Astley, Natalie Massenet
Eva Chen: the protegée
When Wintour became artistic director of Condé Nast she immediately bumped former beauty editor Eva Chen up to editor of Lucky, one of Conde Nast's US titles. Chen is very well known, and liked, in the industry meaning the top title at Vogue may well be hers one day.
Marc Jacobs: the curveball
Think about it. "He's opinionated and has some spare time now [that he's left Louis Vuitton]," says Lisa Armstrong, "also a brilliant stylist in addition to knowing what we all want to wear."
Eva Chen; Marc Jacobs
Tamara Mellon: the all-rounder
The Jimmy Choo co-founder has business savvy and a creative mind. Since setting up her eponymous label (in NYC, no less) she knows how to stand up to a boardroom of investors and get ideas off the ground. Plus she's glamorous, supremely well-connected and used to work at British Vogue.
Tonne Goodman: the internal hire
Surrounded by British-born counterparts at US Vogue, Goodman, the magazine's fashion director is like a fresh breath of Manhattan air. Styling tricky celebrities is her bread and butter, and no-one understands the demands of the high-earning American woman better than she.
Tamara Mellon; Tonne Goodman
Roger Federer: the sporty spice
OK, this suggestion is as likely as Andy Murray winning Wimbledon (oh… hang on) but the tennis supremo attends shows with Anna, while she cheers him on from the stands. He certainly knows how to wear a suit, and has probably learnt more than meets the eye from those fashion soirees the two love to hang out at.
John Galliano: the provocateur
A curveball perhaps but it's well known that Anna is a huge supporter of Galliano's. It was her that got him his first post-scandal job at Oscar de la Renta and what better way to bring him back to the top than to seat him in her big, shiny editor's office?
Roger Federer, John Galliano
Lena Dunham: the voice of a generation
Dunham is US Vogue's current flavour of the month, quite literally, as she appears on the February cover - the result of months of wooing by Wintour, apparently. Often dubbed 'the voice of her generation', she would certainly bring a new voice.
Lucy Yeomans: the Brit pick
Yeomans was appointed editor of Harper's Bazaar in the UK when she was just 29 years of age. Now masterminding the launch of Net-A-Porter.com's first print magazine, Porter, fashion journalism runs through her veins.
Lena Dunham, Lucy Yeomans
Meryl Streep: when life imitates art
As The Telegraph's fashion editor Lisa Armstrong comments: "If we're choosing editors based on the fact they once played writers, what about someone who actually played an er, editor - Meryl Streep?" A valid point we're sure you'll agree.
Stefano Tonchi: the editor's choice
Italian-born Tonchi would be a publisher's dream; he's the current editor of style bible W (also owned by Conde Nast) and has previously worked at Esquire, L'Uomo Vogue and edited T: The New York Times Style Magazine. He moves in similar circles to Wintour and would be editorially-focused.
Meryl Streep; Stefano Tonchi
Photos: AP/AFP/Rex/Getty
Would You Wear This?Fashion Finds...Yea Or Nay? Can you pull off this Celine Pedicure shoe?
In the world of 'many fashion' trends, we get lost! Literally. We
come across various pieces that leave us in awe (most times) and
majority that works.
We all really love to stand out hence our quest to shop for unique items. Talking about unique items, we stumbled on this Celine Pedicure Shoes and we couldn't get over the actual 'pedicure look' it features! It is a piece that got rave reviews and caused major stir across fashion week in 2013.
The Celine pedicure shoe is featured in the Celine spring/summer 2013 collection. Is it a look you can pull off? Tell us how you will rock this unique footwear!
We all really love to stand out hence our quest to shop for unique items. Talking about unique items, we stumbled on this Celine Pedicure Shoes and we couldn't get over the actual 'pedicure look' it features! It is a piece that got rave reviews and caused major stir across fashion week in 2013.
The Celine pedicure shoe is featured in the Celine spring/summer 2013 collection. Is it a look you can pull off? Tell us how you will rock this unique footwear!
Celebrity Fashion: Refreshing Looks From The 56th Grammy Awards!
http://pulse.nThe 56th edition of the annual Grammy awards held last night and as expected. our favourite celebrities turned up, boy did they! From their dresses to jewelry and flawless make-up, most of them sparkled like gemstones (or maybe the gemstones did!)
The celebrities played up their different games as they brought out their best designer frocks to play, the red carpet saw a whole lot of pieces from luxury brands.
The 2014 Grammy awards was a little modest, nothing really was over the top, it was genuinely refreshing!
g/lifestyle/fashion/refreshing-looks-from-the-56th-grammy-awards-id2639719.html
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