Google Marks Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day With A Flying Eagle Doodle

The search engine giant today posted a doodle on its homepage featuring a flying eagle to commemorate Nigeria’s 55th Independence Day.

Independence Speech: Why I Sent Ministerial List Late – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari explained this morning why he eventually sent the list of the first batch of his ministerial nominees to the National Assembly for the Senate late yesterday.

According to him, the procedure for handing over to his government by the immediate past administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan contributed to the delay in the appointment of cabinet members.

Buhari who made this explanation in a nationwide address broadcast live on national television and radio station at 7am this morning noted that he was not unaware of the anxiety and heat generated both home and abroad by the delay in appointing his ministers.

“October 1st is a day for joy and celebrations for us Nigerians, whatever the circumstances we find ourselves in because it is the day, 55 years ago; we liberated ourselves from the shackles of colonialism and began our long march to nationhood and to greatness.

“No temporary problems or passing challenges should stop us from honouring this day. Let us remind ourselves of the gifts God has given us. Our Creator has bequeathed to us Numbers – Nigeria is the ninth most populated country on the planet. We have in addition arable land; water; forests; oil and gas; coastline; and solid minerals

“We have all the attributes of a great nation. We are not there yet because the one commodity we have been unable to exploit to the fullest is unity of purpose. This would have enabled us to achieve not only more orderly political evolution and integration but also continuity and economic progress.

“Countries far less endowed have made greater economic progress by greater coherence and unity of purpose.
“Nonetheless, that we have remained together is an achievement we should all appreciate and try to consolidate. We have witnessed this year a change in our democratic development.

“The fact that an opposition party replaced an entrenched government in a free and fair election is indicative of the deeper roots of our democratic system. Whatever one’s views are, Nigerians must thank former President Jonathan for not digging-in in the face of defeat and thereby saving the country untold consequences.

“As I said in my inaugural speech, I bear no ill will against anyone on past events. Nobody should fear anything from me. We are not after anyone. People should only fear the consequences of their actions. I hereby invite everyone, whatever his or her political view to join me in working for the nation.

“My countrymen and women, every new government inherits problems. Ours was no different. But what Nigerians want are solutions, quick solutions not a recitation of problems inherited.

“Accordingly, after consultations with the Vice President, senior party leaders and other senior stakeholders, I quickly got down to work on the immediate, medium-term and long-term problems which we must solve if we are to maintain the confidence which Nigerians so generously bestowed on us in the March elections and since then.

“As you know, I toured the neighbouring countries, marshalled a coalition of armed forces of the five nations to confront and defeat Boko Haram. I met also the G-7 leaders and other friendly presidents in an effort to build an international coalition against Boko Haram.

“Our gallant armed forces under new leadership have taken the battle to the insurgents, and severely weakened their logistical and infrastructural capabilities. Boko Haram are being scattered and are on the run.

“That they are resorting to shameless attacks on soft targets such as I.D.P. camps is indicative of their cowardice and desperation. I have instructed security and local authorities to tighten vigilance in vulnerable places.

On power, government officials have held a series of long sessions over several weeks about the best way to improve the nation’s power supply in the safest and most cost-effective way.

“In the meantime, improvement in the power supply is moderately encouraging. By the same token, supply of petrol and kerosene to the public has improved throughout the country. All the early signs are that within months the whole country would begin to feel a change for the better.

“Preliminary steps have been taken to sanitize NNPC and improve its operations so that the inefficiency and corruption could be reduced to a minimum.

“Those of our refineries which can be serviced and brought back into partial production would be enabled to resume operations so that the whole sordid business of exporting crude and importing finished products in dubious transactions could be stopped.

“In addition to NNPC, I have ordered a complete audit of our other revenue generating agencies mainly CBN, FIRS, Customs, NCC, for better service delivery to the nation. Prudent house-keeping is needed now more than ever in view of the sharp decline in world market oil prices. It is a challenge we have to face squarely. But what counts is not so much what accrues but how we manage our resources.

“We have seen in the last few years how huge resources were mismanaged, squandered and wasted. The new APC government is embarking on a clean up, introducing prudence and probity in public financing.

“At an early stage, the federal government addressed the issue of salary arrears in many states, a situation capable of degenerating into social unrest. The APC government stepped in to provide short-term support to the debtor states and enabled them to pay off the backlog and restore the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

“Fellow Nigerians, there have been a lot of anxiety and impatience over the apparent delay in announcement of ministers. There is no cause to be anxious. Our government set out to do things methodically and properly. We received the handing over notes from the outgoing government only four days before taking over. Consequently, the Joda Transition Committee submitted its Report on the reorganization of Federal Government structure after studying the hand over notes. It would have been haphazard to announce ministers when the government had not finalized the number of ministries to optimally carry the burden of governance.

“Anyway, the wait is over. The first set of names for ministerial nominees for confirmation has been sent to the senate. Subsequent lists will be forwarded in due course. Impatience is not a virtue. Order is more vital than speed. Careful and deliberate decisions after consultations get far better results. And better results for our country is what the APC government for CHANGE is all about.

“I would like to end my address this morning on our agenda for CHANGE. Change does not just happen. You and I and all of us must appreciate that we all have our part to play if we want to bring change about. We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust. We must change our unruly behaviour in schools, hospitals, market places, motor parks, on the roads, in homes and offices. To bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.

“Happy Independence Celebrations. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Caitlyn Jenner Won't Be Charged For Manslaughter In Fatal Car Crash

Seven months after a fatal car accident in Malibu, California, prosecutors have announced that they will not file charges against Caitlyn Jenner, who was involved in the three-vehicle collision.

“The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office determined prosecutors would not be able to prove in court that Jenner was responsible for the crash,” reports the Los Angeles Times, “so they declined to file a misdemeanor manslaughter charge against her.”

Although deputies previously alleged that Jenner, who was hauling an off-road vehicle in her Cadillac Escalade at the time of the incident, caused the collision, prosecutors revealed on Wednesday that “she applied brakes 4.2 seconds before the crash and was driving slightly below the speed limit.”

The crash, which Jenner previously called a “devastating tragedy,” killed 69-year-old Kim Howe when her Lexus was pushed into oncoming traffic.

The fatal collision occurred months before Jenner confirmed her transitionon the cover of Vanity Fair.

Wizkid, Olamide lead the pack as The Headies release nominations list

What many artistes have been waiting for, to further add an accomplishment to their resume, is finally out.

The long awaited nominees list for The Headies 2015 has surfaced.

Here they are;

BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

A NON-VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE BEST SINGLE RECORDING BY AN ARTISTE OR GROUP IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

OJUELEGBA – WIZKID

EYO – ASA

WISH ME WELL – TIMI DAKOLO

BEZ – THERE’S A FIRE

COBHAMS – DO THE RIGHT THING

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

AN INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCING THE MOST ACCLAIMED SONG OR ALBUM IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

DON JAZZY – GODWIN (KOREDE BELLO)

MASTAKRAFT – WISER (FLAVOUR)

YOUNG JOHN – BOBO (OLAMIDE)

SHIZZI – FANS MI (DAVIDO)

LEGENDURY BEATZ – OJUELEGBA

COBHAMS – THERE’S A FIRE (BEZ)

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE BEST CONCEPTUALIZED, BEST DIRECTED AND MOST EXCITING VIDEO IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.THIS AWARD GOES TO THE VIDEO DIRECTOR.

JAMB QUESTION (SIMI) – MEX

CRAZY (SEYI SHAY) – MEJI ALABI

THE SOUND (DAVIDO FEAT. UHURU & DJ BUCKZ) – SESAN

KATAPOT (REEKADO BANKS) – UNLIMITED LA

BABY JOLLOF (SOLID STAR FEAT. TIWA SAVAGE) – CLARENCE PETERS

BEST R&B/POP ALBUM

A CATEGORY FOR THE BEST R&B/POP ALBUM IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW (BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP).

BED OF STONE – ASA

A.Y.O. – WIZKID

KING OF QUEENS – YEMI ALADE

RICH & FAMOUS – PRAIZ

DOUBLE TROUBLE – PSQUARE

BEST R&B SINGLE

A CATEGORY FOR THE BEST R&B SINGLE IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW (BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP).

1. HEARTBEAT – PRAIZ
2. BABY DADDY – IYANYA
3. SAY YOU LOVE ME – LERIQ FT. WIZKID
4. DO THE RIGHT THING – COBHAMS FT. BEZ
5. WISH ME WELL – TIMI DAKOLO

BEST POP SINGLE

A CATEGORY FOR THE BEST POP SINGLE IN YEAR UNDER REVIEW (BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP)

OJUELEGBA – WIZKID

COLLABO – P-SQUARE FEAT. DON JAZZY

MY WOMAN, MY EVERYTHING – PATORANKING FEAT. WANDE COAL

WOJU – KISS DANIEL

GODWIN – KOREDE BELLO

BOBO – OLAMIDE

BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE

A CATEGORY FOR THE BEST REGGAE/DANCEHALL SINGLE IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW (BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP).

GERMAN JUICE – CYNTHIA MORGAN

SANKO – TIMAYA

MY BODY – SOLID STAR FEAT. TIMAYA

DANIELLA WHYNE – PATORANKING

CHEQUES AND BALANCE – BURNA BOY

BAD GIRL SPECIAL (REMIX) – MR. 2KAY FEAT. CYNTHIA MORGAN & SEYI SHAY

BEST RAP ALBUM

A NON-VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE BEST ALBUM BY A RAP ARTISTE OR GROUP IN YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

BABA HAFUSA – REMINISCE

STREET OT – OLAMIDE

CHAIRMAN – M.I.

ABOVE GROUND LEVEL – MODENINE

BEST COLLABORATION

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE BEST R&B, POP OR HIP-HOP COLLABORATIVE TRACK (INCLUDING CAMEOS).

LOCAL RAPPER – REMINISCE FEAT. OLAMIDE & PHYNO

HOLD ON – JOE EL FEAT. 2FACE IDIBIA

BAD GIRL SPECIAL (REMIX) – MR. 2KAY FEAT. CYNTHIA MORGAN & SEYI SHAY

SHOKI (REMIX) – LIL’KESH FEAT. OLAMIDE & DAVID O

DO THE RIGHT THING – COBHAMS FT. BEZ

SISI – PRAIZ FT. WIZKID

BEST RAP SINGLE

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR A SINGLE (RELEASED ON-AIR) RECORDING OF A RAP.

KING KONG – VECTOR

BAD BELLE – M.I

BANK ALERT – ILL BLISS

LOCAL RAPPER – REMINISCE FEAT. OLAMIDE, PHYNO & STOMREX

G.O.D – T.R

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (MALE)

A NON-VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE SINGLE MALE ARTISTE WITH THE MOST OUTSTANDING VOCAL PERFORMANCE ON A SINGLE OR ALBUM.

PRAIZ – IF I FALL

SHAYDEE – HIGH

TIMI DAKOLO – WISH ME WELL

COBHAMS – DO THE RIGHT THING

BEZ – THERE’S A FIRE

BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FEMALE)

A NON-VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE SINGLE FEMALE ARTISTE WITH MOST OUTSTANDING VOCAL PERFORMANCES ON A SINGLE OR ALBUM.

WAJE – COCO BABY

ARAMIDE – IWO NIKAN

ASA – BED OF STONE

SIMI – TIFF

YEMI ALADE – DURO TIMI

NEXT RATED

THIS CATEGORY IS A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE MOST PROMISING UPCOMING ACT IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

REEKADO BANKZ

KISS DANIEL

CYNTHIA MORGAN

KOREDE BELLO

LIL’ KESH
HIP HOP WORLD REVELATION

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE BEST NEW ARTISTE IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

PRAIZ – RICH N FAMOUS

YEMI ALADE – KING OF QUEENS

SKALES – MAN OF THE YEAR

LYRICIST ON THE ROLL

A NON-VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE RAP ARTISTE WITH THE BEST LYRICAL DEPTH AND PERFORMANCE ON A SINGLE OR ALBUM.

ILL BLISS – BANK ALERT (REMIX) FEAT. ICE PRINCE, EVA ALORDIAH & PHYNO

VECTOR – KING KONG

REMINISCE – BABA HAFUSA

G.O.D – T.R

BEST STREET-HOP ARTISTE

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE ARTISTE WHOSE SONGS ARE INSPIRED BY THE STREETS. SUCH SONG SHOULD CAPTURE LINGUAL, WHICH MAY ALSO BE ORIGINATED BY THE ARTISTE AND POPULAR ON THE STREET.

REMINISCE – SKILLASHI

OLAMIDE – BOBO

SMALL DOCTOR – MOSQUITO KILLER

MASTAKRAFT FEAT. OLAMIDE, CDQ AND DAVID O – INDOMIE

FALZ THE BAD GUY FEAT. YEMI ALADE & POE – HELLO BAE

BEST ‘ALTERNATIVE’ SONG

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE ARTISTE WHOSE SONGS REFLECT ANY FORM OR STYLE OF MUSIC WHICH FALLS OUTSIDE THE MAINSTREAM OF RECENT OR PAST POPULAR MUSICAL TRENDS.

DI’JA – AWWWWWW

BEZ – THERE’S A FIRE

ASA – SATAN BE GONE

ADEKUNLE GOLD – SADE

UGOVINNA – RAIN ON ME

SIMI – TIFF

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE BEST ALBUM (SOLO OR GROUP) IN YEAR UNDER REVIEW, THAT MEETS JUDGES REQUIREMENTS BASED ON EXCELLENCE SONGWRITING, PRODUCTION, RENDITION,  PROMOTION AND ACCEPTABILITY IN TERMS OF SALES AND POPULARITY.

RICH N FAMOUS – PRAIZ

KING OF QUEENS – YEMI ALADE

STREET OT – OLAMIDE

CHAIRMAN – M.I.

A.Y.O. – WIZKID

DOUBLE TROUBLE – P SQUARE

ARTISTE OF THE YEAR

MOST CRITICALLY AND COMMERCIALLY ADJUDGED ARTISTE IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW. OVERALL MOST SUCCESSFUL ARTISTE FOR THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

OLAMIDE

DAVID O

WIZKID

YEMI ALADE

P-SQUARE

SONG OF THE YEAR

A VOTING CATEGORY FOR THE MOST POPULAR SONG IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

OJUELEGBA – WIZKID

GODWIN – KOREDE BELLO

KISS DANIEL – WOJU

OLAMIDE – BOBO

AFRICAN ARTISTE

A NON-NIGERIAN AWARD CATEGORY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL AFRICAN ARTISTE OR GROUP WITH THE MOST OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT, IMPACT AND INFILTRATION INTO THE NIGERIAN MUSIC SCENE IN THE YEAR UNDER REVIEW.

DIAMOND PLATNUMZ

CASSPER NYOVEST

SARKODIE

UHURU

AKA

Amaechi, Fashola, Fayemi, others reportedly make Buhari’s ministerial list

The former governors of Rivers and Lagos states, Rotimi Amaechi and Babatunde Fashola, respectively, are reportedly named in the ministerial list of President Muhammadu Buhari.

TheCable reports that others who are also nominated, include: Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti state, Lai Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Chris Ngige, former governor of Anambra state as well as Ogbonnaya Onu.

Another former senator, Udoma Udo Udoma, and a governorship aspirant of Taraba state, Aisha Alhassan, were also said to be on the ministerial list.

The President is reported to have also included on the list Malami Abubakar, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Hadi Sirika, a former CPC senator and Adebayo Shittu, former governorship candidate of the legacy party in Oyo state.

Ibe Kachikwu, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC), is also rumoured to be on the list.

Amina Mohammed, special adviser to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on post-2015 development planning and Kemi Adeosun, former commissioner for finance in Ogun state, were also named as being on the ministerial list.

At last, Buhari sends ministerial list to Senate

Senate President, Bukola Saraki received the ministerial list from President Muhammadu Buhari, late on Wednesday.

The President is believed to have sent 21 names as Ministerial nominees to the Senate President, with plans to send the remaining 15 names next week Tuesday before plenary session.

Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, made the submission to Saraki’s ofice.

Chris Brown vows to raise awareness about domestic violence, begs for Australia visa

R&B singer Chris Brown has said he will raise awareness of domestic violence if he is granted a visa to tour Australia, after authorities indicated he could be banned from entering the country.

Brown, who was convicted of assaulting his then-partner pop star Rihanna in 2009, may be refused entry despite plans to bring his “One Hell of a Nite” tour to Australia in December.

The government confirmed on Sunday, just a day before tickets were due to go on sale, that he had been issued with a “notice of intention to consider refusal”.

“People to whom these notices are issued have 28 days to present material as to why they should be given a visa to enter Australia,” Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Sunday.

Now Brown has taken to social media to say he could help shed light on domestic violence if he is allowed entry.

“I would be more than grateful to come to Australia to raise awareness about domestic violence,” he tweeted late Tuesday.

“I’m not the pink elephant in the room anymore.”

“My life mistakes should be a wake up call for everyone,” he said. “Showing the world that mistakes don’t define you.

Brown’s clean image crumbled in June 2009 after he pleaded guilty to assaulting Rihanna while they were driving to a pre-Grammy Awards party.

The Grammy award-winning performer was sentenced to five years’ probation — now lifted — a year-long domestic violence programme and 180 days of community labour.

Brown has visited Australia twice since 2009 but newly appointed Minister for Women Michaelia Cash last week suggested he may be banned this time amid heightened awareness about family violence.

Nigeria now has 3rd highest death toll in Hajj stampede

Coming in on the heels of Iran and Egypt- Nigeria is the country with the third highest casualty rate in the tragic Hajj stampede in Mina, Saudi Arabia.

Before now, 54 casualties had been identified by the National Hajj Commission, but as of Tuesday, that number jumped up ten places to 64.

National Hajj Commission spokesperson, Uba Mana, pointed out that about 244 Nigerian pilgrims were still missing.

While authorities at Saudi Arabia, are being conservative with the death toll, countries who lost their citizens in the stampede, have begun to release their casualty rate.

Below is the breakdown thus far;

– Iran: 228 dead and 246 missing

– Egypt: 78 dead

– Nigeria: 64 dead

– India: 45 dead

– Indonesia: 41 dead

– Pakistan: 40 dead, more than 60 missing

– Cameroon: at least 20 dead

– Niger: 22 dead

– Ivory Coast: 14 dead, 77 missing

– Chad: 11 dead

– Algeria: 9 dead

– Somalia: 8 dead (media reports)

– Morocco: 5 dead, 34 missing

– Senegal: 7 dead, 57 missing

– Libya: 4 dead, 16 missing

– Tanzania: 4 dead

– Kenya: 3 dead

– Tunisia: 2 dead

– Burkina Faso: 1 dead

– Burundi: 1 dead (Muslim association)

– Netherlands: 1 dead

– Benin: unspecified number of deaths

PICTURES: Ini Edo Set To Unveil Her New Nightclub Today

Veteran Nollywood actress and divorcee, Ini Edo is officially opening her nightclub in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

The talented actress called it Mimz Lounge and she will open her new jewel on Wednesday, September 30, 2015.

The launching will be hosted by Cool FM’s OAP and hypeman; Dotun, with several A-list celebrities expected to grace the event.

The event kicks off by 7pm with a black carpet reception.

Buhari Names Himself Minister For Petroleum Resources

President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he would oversee the activities of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Buhari reportedly made the utterance in an interview with a foreign journalist in his hotel on Tuesday, before leaving New York, where he had been a participant at the 70th United Nations General Assembly.

The President was quoted to have told his interviewer: “I will serve as the Minister of Petroleum Resources myself”.

It had been rumoured in several circles that Buhari may chose to head the petroleum minister, owing to his inability to get capable and trusted handlers for the ministry.

Buhari is particularly keen at revamping the petroleum sector, which has over the past few years, been a cesspool of corruption.

Billions have been reported missing from the coffers of state oil corporation- the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Former Minister of Petroleum, Allison Diezani-Madueke, has been accused of mismanagement and gross corruption while serving, but so far, no charges have been filed against her.

Nicki Minaj To Produce And Star In ABC Comedy Show About Her Early Life

The search for a youngNicki Minaj is on…

ABC Family and Her Minajesty announced Tuesday (Sept. 29) that a comedy based on the rapper’s childhood in Queens, NY is in the works. Minaj, who moved from her birthplace of Trinidad and Tobago to the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens when she was 5 years old will serve as the show’s executive producer. She’ll also appear in the comedy series. 

Kim Kardashian On Kanye West’s Presidency Bid: “He Is Serious”

Kim Kardashian believes husbandKanye West is serious about his presidency bid, and says he’ll do his best.

Kim said this during an appearance on Ellen DeGeneres’ The Ellen Show, adding that she wasn’t aware of it before he made the public declaration.

“That was news to me,” Kim said. “That wasn’t a discussion in our household.”

“I believe he is serious and I know that ya know he if he puts his mind to something he’ll do his best,” Kimadded.

“And he will. Ya know it’s been fascinating just hearing all of the conversations that have gone on since that announcement. I don’t know if that was planned and I just didn’t know about it or if he came up with that idea right then and there.”

“She’s not your daughter” - Emir Sanusi fires back at those criticizing him for marrying 18-year-old

Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, drew the ire of millions of Nigerians, when it became public knowledge that he got married to an 18-year-old Adamawa princess.

The Emir wedded his fourth wife, Sa’adatu Barkindo-Musdafa, on Friday, September 25.

Ever since, the criticisms have continuously flowed in from various quarters.

Now, the monarch has fired back in a statement released on Tuesday, explaining  why he chose to marry the new bride as well as justifying the reason behind his action. 

Read below:

“I am sure NC members all have their views and have kept quiet out of (appropriate) deference to our right to make our individual choice. Obviously I do not need to explain anything to anyone in a purely personal matter but a few points are worthy of note:

1. The lady in question is 18 and thererfore legally of age to marry under all laws and certainly inder Muslim law

2. She is proceeding for her undergraduate education in the UK in january. She had an A in computer science in her O levels and plans to get a degree in computer science

3 each and everyone of my wives is a university graduate and some have worked and fhen stopped and in each case the choice was purely theirs

4. It is a tradition in Kano that emirs and princes in choosing wives consider issues beyond the individual. The family is in every sense a social unit. My predecessor was married to princesses from Ilorin, Katsina and Somoto

5 The relationship between the late Lamido of Adamawa Aliyu Musdafa the father of the current Lamido is well known. Lamido Aliyu was the first emir turbanned after emir Sanusi I and they remained close until Sanusi’s death.

6. My own relationship with the current Lamido dates back to 1981 when he was Ciroma and commissioner for works. By the way the Lamido and I are not illiterates we know what we are doing and he does have a PhD in Engineering

7. My own mother was married in Adamawa and lived there for more than two decades and I have eight younger brothers and sisters from there

8 it is therefore natural that if I choose to marry from another kingdom Adamawa would be the first choice for me and I am extremely happy to strengthen these ling historical bonds

9. The young lady in question gave her free consent and even after the contract the wedding will not happen for a few years. By then she may be 21. If she freely consents to this I do not know on what moral grounds anyone has a grouse. She is an adult, she gave her consent, her education is not being in anyway interrupted.

10. The real issue is that people do not accept cultural difference. And you can see it in the approach to these issues. I am supposed to be urbane and western educated. Yes but i am not European. I am a northern Nigerian Fulani Muslim brought up in a setting exactly like the one my children are being brought up in.

If you read this and it improves your understanding of this issue that is fine. If it does not justvremember it us not your life, it is not your daughter and you are not my wife therefore it is not your business.

I obviously cannot stoop to the level of responding publicly to these kinds of articles. I have always been an advocate of girls marrying after maturing. I personally like the minimum age of 18 even though i understand those who say 16 is fine and indeed this is the law in most so calked ‘advanced’ countries.

Is this something that I expect an European or western trained or feminist mind to appreciate or endorse? Not at all. But has any american been bothered about my views on men marrying men or women marrying women which frankly I find primitive and bestial? No and my views do not matter. These are cultural issues.

Even in Nigeria I have heard all this stuff as in Pius article about “north” and northerners. Again it is a failure to respect difference. There are parts if this country where parents expect their daughters to live with their boyfriends for years and actually get pregnant before they marry. It has become culture. We do not have that in the north and if your daughter gets pregnant before marriage she brings nothing but shame to the name. But we do not issue condemnations. We agree that this is how they choose to live. And i can give many other examples.

When people use the term libido they do themselves injustice. First of all it shows how they view women and marriage. Women are nothing but the object of sexual desire. Marriage is nothing but sexual gratification. Well I am sorry but in my tradition it is not. Beauty and attraction rank third after religion and lineage in the choice of a wife. They see an 18 year old young lady. I see a princess of noble birth whose mother is also a princess, and who has been brought up in a good muslim home.

This is the kind of woman that is prepared for hiving birth to princes and bringing them up for the role expected of them in society.
Martiage is both social and political. Expanding the links of kano which have already been established by my predecessors through inter marriage with katsina, sokoto, ilorin, katagum, ningi, bauchi etc to adamawa is an important and signifant step and this is obvious to anyone with a sense of how royal families work and Ibn Khaldun’s sociological concept of Asabiyyah.

When the emir of Kano marries it has to be something beyond what he oersonally desires to what is appropriate for that position and the expectations of the people he represents. You dont just pick up any girl on the street. And by the way for thise who shout libido sex is cheap and available everywhere in all shapes and sizes and all colours if that is what they want. And all ages too. Martiage is a very different proposition. The mother of your children has to be something other than, or at least much more than a mere object of sexual fantasy. But if you do not know that you need to buy yourself a brain.

I have daughters. And they know they can only marry from certain backgrounds. I always prefer family. When my daughter wanted to marry mouftah baba ahmed’s son and she asked me, knowing my views on family, i told her mouftah is family. And this is not about me and mouftah or me an hakeem or nafiu. No. It goes back to Baba Ahmed and Emirs Sanusi and Bayero. And the same rule applies to my sons. And it applied to me as well.

It is I am sure very strange that I should even bother to comment on this. But it would be hypocritical for me to just keep quiet so long as these things are being posted and commented upon explicitly or in a snide manner. There was no secrecy in the marriage fatiha.

The date was fixed and it was to be done in the central mosque after friday prayers. The day before we had a tragedy in Saudi Arabia and decided the fatiha must be very low key as a mark of respect for the dead. All traditional rulers in adamawa were there, as were governors and commissioners, members of my own emirate council and adamawa people. There is nothing here to hide or be apologetic about.

The emirs of adamawa have shown love to my parents and grandparents and it is a sign of my appreciation of their love that i marry their daughter. This is the highest statement of friendship and loyalty on both sides.

Again if you understand this this is fine. If you do not buy yourself a brain, A la Pius.

In any event this is my one and final and only comment on this. And I am making it out of respect for NC members.”
MSII “