Sunday, 12 July 2015

Nigerians expectations from Buhari is like Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead-Dele Momodu


Ovation International CEO and former Presidential candidate,Dele Momodu has opened up to 
Vanguard
 on President Buhari and why Nigerians are impatient for change..The staunch supporter of Buhari also opened up on the National Assembly crises ad the alleged rifty between Tinubu and Bukola Saraki..

On his thoughts about president Buhari changing..

I am surprised at your comment because I have never changed. I am the biggest supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari today. All I have done is to tell the president what people are saying outside, that is my job. We don’t tell our leaders the truth. I told former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the truth throughout his tenure. This is detailed in my forthcoming book, titled, ‘’Pendulum, a book of prophesy’’. Everything I told President Jonathan happened. I owe that to our president too today.
Once you become the president in Nigeria, people stop telling you the truth. They only tell you what you want to hear. I am a stakeholder in this government. I wonder what would have happened to me if the PDP had returned to power. I was already under constant threat. I received threat messages. I had to name all the numbers anonymous because they were all attacking me for supporting Buhari. I didn’t support the president because I wanted anything from him. I supported him because I believed at this time of our lives, we need a father-figure, what I called the Mandela- option in Nigeria. And I thought Buhari, as a man of integrity, of impeccable character, fits that bill.
But, three months after the election, Nigerians are getting impatient because most of them cannot wait for even one second. I was the first to write an article titled, ‘’In Search Of Patience’’, telling the people to exercise patience with the man. But being patient does not mean we should fold our arms indefinitely. There are things that can still be done. I found a proverb some where which says ‘’the meat of antelope tastes very good, but while it is cooking, we can still make do with groundnut’’. While we are waiting for that big action, some things must keep us going, whether pop corn, ice cream or something. If the National Assembly, within some minutes, approved about 15 Special Advisers; so, what is stopping us from picking our National Security Adviser, if we have to change the one there now.
How about the Chief of Staff, the Principal Secretary, the Secretary to the Federal Government. The longer it takes, the longer the tension, and also the longer the pressure on Mr President. I want the president to know that if they begin to put pressure on him, things may begin to fall apart. Had it been some things are already in place, I am sure the tension would have reduced.
But things have rotten so much so that many people support the president taking his time before making any appointments.
No. I was once a presidential candidate. Before a man says he wants to be president, he must have his plans and blue print of things that he saw not working properly. As such, he thought he had solution to them. Yes, you might not have 100% solution to the problems, but you have a fair idea of what needed to be done urgently. And you said you have the answer to them before you offered yourself to serve. And there is nobody more experienced than President Muhammadu Buhari. He was there over 30 years ago. He also acted in other capacities before now.
So, I expect him to be able to know what he wants to do. Your principal staff, you will know who they are, and you will appoint them. Even the ministers, by now, there is no law that says all the ministers must be ready at the same time. The problems we have in Nigeria are so big that one second is like eternity. I pleaded with people few weeks back to be patient, but I am telling you that the public outcry is no longer favourable to our cause. And I don’t want us to lose that moment to the concerns of the people. It is like a plane that is about to take off..
The outcry, some have said, is genuine but that people are not well informed about the enormity of the problems at hand?
No one is crying foul. Don’t let us misuse language. They are only asking for action. They have the right to that. Their expectation was that of a magician. That was what I wrote in my article. What the Nigerians expect of you is like that of Jesus Christ turning water into wine, raising Lazarus from the dead. I wrote another article, ‘’Buhari and the burden of expectations’’. To whom is given, much is expected. Nigerians saw him as magician. They believe he has talismanic powers to transform Nigeria from penury to prosperity. You can’t blame them. Nobody is blaming Buhari, we are just saying ‘please sir, time is not on your side’. I am not one of those who will rush him.
Talking about sudden change, you were known to be a friend and admirer of the APC National Leader, Ashiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, but suddenly you started supporting the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, against his party?

There is nothing sudden in that. From day one, I supported Saraki for various reasons. I will say that, boldly, any where. And I stand by it. I supported him based on empirical facts of what I know. One of it…..
Saraki was one of the first people who declared total and unflinching support for Buhari. Amaechi adores Kwankwaso. I know that for a fact. Ameachi loves Kwankwaso to death. But because of Buhari, Amaechi refused to support Kwankwaso. I don’t know if Kwankwaso will forgive him for that. But, he was honest enough to tell Kwankwaso that ‘’I have given my word to Buhari, I cannot turn back’’. Same thing with Saraki. I know for a fact that Saraki worships Tinubu. Quote me. Maybe our Oga (Tinubu)does not know it. You know, sometimes, you don’t know those who love you if you have a lot of crowd around you. But I am saying it to you that Saraki, the Senate President, worships Tinubu.
Then or till now?
I am sure till today. Saraki was one of Tinubu disciples. In fact, when some people were saying Tinubu wanted to hijack the party by installing his men, Saraki and Amaechi were among those who said ‘no, we must give our leader whatever he wants; we must not humiliate our leader’, because they(new PDP) had the power at that time to install their own candidate and they would have won, because the new PDP that joined APC at that time was formidable enough. But, they insisted they must defer to Tinubu. It is what I know, not that they told me.
There are people who may go behind and tell the leaders lies, but I love Tinubu to the extent that I will never tell him a lie. I will tell him only what I know. So, among those who worked so hard day and night, gathered those who could support the campaign, Saraki was one of them. Amaeachi risked his entire life for that campaign. In an association of five or more political parties, I expected that immediately after victory, all of you would have come together to decide which of the parties in the association takes what. That was not the case.
My advice to those of us who are close to Ashiwaju Tinubu is that people should prevail on him not to oppose Saraki because he is one of his men. If you have children and you show one that he is the preferred child above other ones, they will be angry. I think Saraki felt betrayed. If I were Ashiwaju, I would have done what the president did. I can almost bet my life that the President Buhari had a preferred candidate even though we didn’t know who the person was, but he said he would not interfere.
It will get to a stage in life where two of your children are fighting for something, you stand back and let them go to the field and whoever wins, you support him, not that you tie the arms of one against the other. You have not even told us why you are supporting one against the other. I have not read it anywhere. The only thing I have so far read was that Senator Lawan is a ranking member, beyond that, what else? Beyond that, nobody sold Lawan to us.

SEE The Names Of Officials Who Will Accompany Buhari To The Crucial Meeting With Obama


Some important details of the upcoming visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the United States have come out.
The meeting is to be held on July 20 and is expected to be a serious step in the advancement of diplomatic relationships between the two countries. 

Sahara Reporters has disclosed the names of some key figures, in particular five governors, who are likely to accompany the president to Washington D.C., where he will meet his counterpart Barack Obama.
The five governors include those of Oyo, Imo, Edo states and two other governors. They are set to accompany Buhari in addition to the 18-man delegation made up of top presidential aides, including Rotimi Amaechi, Tunde Bakare and Farouk Adamu.
The major issue of the July 20 discussion will be the effective ways of collaboration between the two countries to ensure success in the fight against terrorism and corruption in Nigeria.

Buhari sacks Bianca Ojukwu, Maduekwe, other Ambassadors


biancaPresident Muhammadu Buhari has sacked all ambassadors appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
They were recalled home Friday night by Buhari after three years of service abroad.
Topping the list of the disengaged envoys are a former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe (Canada); Chairman of the Jonathan Presidential Campaign Organisation in the 2011 election, Dr. Dalhatu Tafida (UK); Professor Ade Adefuye (USA); widow of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Bianca (Spain); and former deputy governor of Oyo State, Mr. Taofeek Arapaja (Jordan).
Others include, a former aviation minister, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze (Switzerland); ex-General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ibadan, Mr. Yemi Farounbi (Philippines); a one-time governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Olatokunbo Kamson (Jamaica); a PDP front liner in Ondo State, Mr. Cornelius Oluwateru (UAE); Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Bunu (Saudi Arabia); a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Benue State, Mr. Chive Kaave (Argentina); a former financial secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Tukur Mani (Iran); and former permanent secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA Biodun Nathaniel Olorunfemi (Namibia).
Also on the list are: Chief Asam Asam (SAN), (Russia); Mr. Okwudili Nwosu (Burundi); Mr. Okeke Chukwuemeka (Vatican); Mr. Eric Aworahbi (Italy); Dauda Danladi (Pakistan); and Mrs. Katherine Okon (Czeck Republic); Mr. Nwofe Alexander; Princess Victoria Bosede Onipede (Republic of Congo); Senator Haruna Garba (Kuwait); Mrs. Nonye Rajis-Okpara (Singapore); Chief Eddy Onuoha (Hungary); Mr. Adamu Babangida Ibrahim (Syria); Dr. Sam Jimba (Poland)
They were among the 93 envoys posted out in June 2012.
Nation reports that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had communicated the President’s directive to the affected ambassadors.
They were told to hand over to the highest ranking officer in their various locations.

RitaDominic@40: What Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, other showbiz stars are saying!


Award-winning screen diva Rita Dominic, who is away in England, is 40 today. Born 12th July 1975, she has featured in hundreds of movies since she hit Nollywood in a big way. Today as she turns 40, her friends and close associates have taken to their various social media accounts to celebrate a diva who isn’t looking any inch a 40-year-old!
Kate Henshaw: Happy Birthday to you my Yellow Glossy gal @ritadominic .Thanks forYOUR friendship over the years apart from being colleagues. Love ya gurl.. Continue to grow in leaps and bounds. The Lord strengthen you and give you peace. Immense joy and favour will be your portion. IJN. Amen. Huge hugs all da way to Queensland.
Ajoke Silva: This is the big ONE founder Audery-Silva HBD Rita dee. Trust you are having a blast in that your hide away. You go come back come do dee parry no escape
Joselyn Dumas: Happy birthday beautiful queen @ritadominic you know I love you xx
Uche Jombo: The fabulous ReeDee is a year older today @ritadominic may you always be celebrated as the amazing person you arehappy birthday luv God bless you.
Funke Akindele: My darling sister Riri,Love u so much! I pray you live long in good health and abundant wealth. Enjoy your day sis! Happy Birthday sis! @ritadominic

After 72 hours in Kano prison, ex-governor Sule Lamido cries out


The immediate past governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido who is in Kano Central Prison with his 2 sons has said he’s being witch-hunted for political reasons. Recall Lamido and his 2 sons were arraigned at a Federal High Court sitting in Kano over allegations of money-laundering worth N1.35 billion. They were slammed with a 28-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust.
Speaking to Sunday Vanguard through his media aide, Umar Kyari said, “Lamido remains nothing but a scion of accountability and integrity who has always fought on the side of the people, particularly the downtrodden and the vulnerable, since he came into the national political scene.
“He remains unshaken over the trumped-up charges slammed on him by the EFCC knowing that he has not committed any offense to warrant being thrown into the prison over a bailable offense. But the refusal by his traducers to grant him and his sons bail when others charged same day and time for even more grievous offences were admitted to bail speaks volume of the intention and mindset of those who are after him.
“Nonetheless, Sule Lamido strongly believes that, after being imprisoned several times all in a bid to pave the way for sustained democracy in Nigeria, the current effort by the EFCC and others to humiliate him and his family over the so-called money laundering charges will not break his resolve to continue to fight on the side of the people. It is Lamido’s strong belief that having not committed any offense against the state to warrant being sent to prison, he and his two sons will be freed and vindicated against the wicked plot of their adversaries”.
In a related development, here are reports that a bail may be considered for the Lamidos on Monday, 13th July 2015 since the trial judge, Justice Evelyn Anyadike, who adjourned the case till September 28 ruled that the case will be handed over to a vacation judge to listen to the accused persons bail application

We Will Probe Davido For Displaying Hard Drugs In His New Video- NDLEA


The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency has said they are ready to prosecute young hip-hop act, Davido for displaying hard drugs in his video as a means of living. According to them, what Davido did in his new video, Fans Mi, is against the NDLEA rules and he will be probed.  Here is what the Director of Public Affairs of the NDLEA, Mr. Mitchell Ofoyeju, told Sunday Punch.
“I am aware that a panel is working on it (the video). The panel was set up soon after the video was released few weeks ago. When our attention was drawn to it, we viewed it and we discovered that it was improper. There is no moral lesson in it and he was just advertising drug trafficking.

“In the video, he exchanged a brief case supposedly containing narcotics for dollars. He was displaying affluence in the video. If it (the plot) had climaxed in an arrest and possible detention, we would have congratulated him for partnering with us. But the way he portrayed drug trafficking in the video was a means to an end, which the end is a life of affluence which we disagree with”, he said.

Mexican drug lord Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman escapes from max-security jail


Mexican authorities have launched a manhunt to find drug kingpin Joaquin Guzman, who has broken out of prison again, the country's National Security Commission said Sunday.
Guards at the Altiplano Federal Prison discovered during a routine check on Saturday that Guzman, who known as "El Chapo," was missing, a statement from the commission said.
Guzman was captured in early 2014 after having eluded capture for more than a dozen years.
Guzman is the storied boss of one of the world's most powerful and deadly drug trafficking operations.
He escaped in 2001 from a high-security prison in a laundry cart, and was not apprehended again until February, 2014, when he was arrested at a Mexican beach resort.