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Why I Haven’t Lost My Virginity – Adokiye

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div trbidi='on' style='text-align: left;' dir='ltr'><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1BoUruJ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1BoUruJ"/> </a> </div><br /><p>She was in the news for her controversial plea to Boko Haram to take her virginity and release Chibok girls. She previously said she would only give her virginity to a man who buys her mum a private jet. In a new chat with Vanguard, the 23 year old musician explained why she is still holding on <a id="more" name="more"> </a> </p><br /></div><br /></div>

Why I Haven’t Lost My Virginity – Adokiye

Why I Haven’t Lost My Virginity – Adokiye

She was in the news for her controversial plea to Boko Haram to take her virginity and release Chibok girls. She previously said she would...

Photo: Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite Welcome Son

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1tawEM1"/> </div><br /><div style='clear: both; text-align: center;' class='separator'><a href="http://ift.tt/1pUyfbi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1pUyfbi"/> </a> </div><br /><p>Chris and Damilola just welcomed a son. The Ghanaian actor took to instagram to announce it and share a picture. So happy for them. Big congrats to them…</p><br /><p>Source: Lindaikeji’s blog</p><br /></div>

Photo: Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite Welcome Son

Photo: Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite Welcome Son

Chris and Damilola just welcomed a son. The Ghanaian actor took to instagram to announce it and share a picture. So happy for them. Big...

Nigeria’s Adolescent Population Hits 60.4m

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p>Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze Duruiheoma SAN, has disclosed that the adolescent population figure of young Nigerians aged between 10 and 24 years has risen from 44.4 million or 33.1 per cent of the total population in 2006 census to 60.4 million this year.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The NPC chairman disclosed this in Akure, the Ondo State capital, at a press conference marking this year’s World Population Day.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Duruiheoma, whose speech was read by the Commissioner representing Ondo at the Commission, Dr. Oluremi Akinbobola, revealed that by 2020, when the country’s population estimates would be 221.3 million, the figure of youth population would have reached the 73.1 million mark.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>While harping on the theme of this year’s celebration which is ‘Investing in Young People’ the NPC boss said it was time that all concerned stakeholders should ensure safe, successful and healthy passage from adolescence into adulthood which is the right of every child.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>He said the task can be fulfilled if families and societies make sustained investments and generally provide opportunities aimed at ensuring that adolescents and youths progressively develop the knowledge, skills, resilience needed for a healthy, productive and fulfilling life.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“Adolescents and youths are central to the development agenda. Safeguarding their rights and investing in their future by providing quality education, decent employment, effective livelihood skills, access to s*xual Reproductive Health and comprehensive se*uality education which emphasises gender and power, are essential to their development and that of their families, communities and countries”, he said.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Duruiheoma also advocated the creation of awareness among all the stakeholders on the need to invest in young people, which he said requires attitudinal change and value orientation.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In order to generate awareness, the NPC boss said focus should include partnering the young population, launching of social media campaign, focusing attention on key issues and encouraging mentoring to prepare the young for adulthood. [Thisday]</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Nigeria’s Adolescent Population Hits 60.4m

Nigeria’s Adolescent Population Hits 60.4m

Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Chief Eze Duruiheoma SAN, has disclosed that the adolescent population figure of young...

Investors Unperturbed By Insecurity In Nigeria – Okonjo-Iweala

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p>Insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria has not discouraged foreign investors from exploiting the myriad of opportunities in the country, as a new set of foreign investors have expressed interest in the economy.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disclosed this recently, saying not less than 25 foreign investors have signified interest to make significant investments in Nigeria notwithstanding the deadly activities of Boko Haram, a militant sect prosecuting a campaign of terror in northern region.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>According to the finance minister, who briefed journalists on the outcome of Nigeria’s participation in the 2014 Annual Meetings of the African Development Bank (AfDB), all the investors wanted was an assurance that the macroeconomic stability would be maintained.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“We had a meeting with Standard Bank, the next thing they told me was that there were 25 investors, portfolios and that they wanted to ‘meet with you’. We had to organise a meeting with 25 portfolio investors, most of them from the US and the UK. And what they had to tell us was that we (should) maintain the macroeconomic stability, they were not talking about the insecurity which shocked me because the bulk of their questions were focused on the economy. Our economy is resilient, they want to know: Are we going to keep steady? In the face of the coming elections, would there be pressure on the military expenditure? What trajectory?,” she said.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Okonjo-Iweala, who noted that the investors did not raise any concern about the insecurity in Nigeria, said that the insurgency was temporary as the country would prevail at the end.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>She also stated that the investors believed the Nigerian economy was so strong and resilient that it would weather the security challenge.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“They believe Nigeria will overcome the security challenge. They believe this is a temporary thing. They believe that the economy is strong and that it would weather all these insurrections.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“They believe that the Nigerian government will prevail at the end and that is why they are staying because of the yields on our bonds. Our Eurobonds yields there are holding very steady. We have our yield at 4 and 5 per cent, which is good. It’s not just that they are talking, there are evidences. If they don’t believe in us they would start selling and pull out,” the minister said.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“For the country, this has been an encouraging meeting in terms of the significant interest.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“As you hear everywhere Nigeria was mentioned as the largest economy in Africa; I think this is really playing very well to our advantage and it’s making investors, no matter what happens, to still want to stick with us. So we need to build on it and continue to make sure that we have a steady performance of the economy because people are looking at performance, they are not looking at television sound bites.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“May be if there is a perception on TV and all that but there is what investors see; the reality they see is a steady economy with sources of growth. Of course people will look and see and say this part, there will be some impact from low activities in the North-east, but it is going to be made up by increased activities all over the rest part of the country, remember that is just a small part of the country,” she added.</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Investors Unperturbed By Insecurity In Nigeria – Okonjo-Iweala

Investors Unperturbed By Insecurity In Nigeria – Okonjo-Iweala

Insurgency in the northern part of Nigeria has not discouraged foreign investors from exploiting the myriad of opportunities in the country,...

Chibok Abduction: Military Closing-in On Boko Haram

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p>Indications, yesterday, emerged that the military was closing-in on the abductors of school girls from Chibok, Borno State.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>According to information available to Vanguard, massive deployment of troops, intelligence sharing between Nigeria and neighbours, as well as support from Britain, France and the US are yielding positive results.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“We have made significant progress,” Coordinator, National Information Centre, Mike Omeri told Vanguard.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>According to him, the efforts of officers and men of Nigeria’s defence forces as well as the police and the Department of State Service, DSS, were paying off.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Omeri, who is also the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, added, “The very nature of the sensitivity of what we are doing demands that we provide information only on a need to know basis. That is why some of the posers you have raised, I would not be able to yield”.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Omeri however hinted, “By God’s grace, we are looking at a matter of days”.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“We are already winning the war against terror because when you look at the activities of our defence forces, including the police and the DSS, especially the number of attempted bombings that have been thwarted, you will agree with me that we are winning the war.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The total attention and focus of the military on this war gives the confidence that by the time this chapter in this war is over, Nigerians would be pleasantly surprised and happy.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“Already, our troops are smoking the terrorists out of their hiding places.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“For instance, one of their hideouts in Darazo, Bauchi State, has been bombed repeatedly and they are now on the run.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The support we are also receiving from our foreign partners has upped the tempo and we are confident that soon, very soon, the parents would have their children back and, by God’s grace, in safe and sound health.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“We are closing-in on them. But there is a limit to what I can volunteer,” Omeri said.</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Chibok Abduction: Military Closing-in On Boko Haram

Chibok Abduction: Military Closing-in On Boko Haram

Indications, yesterday, emerged that the military was closing-in on the abductors of school girls from Chibok, Borno State. According to inf...

Jonathan must show leadership - APC governors

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1hOc1Uj" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://ift.tt/1hOc1Uj" width="400"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Governors of states under the control of the All Progressives Congress have urged President Goodluck Jonathan, to play his part as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and do whatever is necessary to protect Nigerians.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The governors said this when they visited some of the victims of the Nyanya Motor Park bomb explosion at the National Hospital, Abuja. Four Boko Haram members carried out the bombing which left more than 89 people dead and over 246 others injured on Monday.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The APC governors, who were led on the visit by Owelle Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, described the explosion as unfortunate and said they had decided to set up a trust fund to support the victims’ families.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />They said through Okorocha that they had observed that the spate of killings had reached a worrisome level and therefore must be stopped because it was not doing the country any good.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Noting that this was not the time to apportion blame, Okorocha advised all Nigerians irrespective of their party or religious affiliation, to close ranks to ensure the safety of lives and property in the nation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said, “We also want to request Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief to defend that part of our constitution that guarantees the safety of lives and property of Nigerians.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We urge him to show leadership at this moment by doing whatever is within his capacity and capabilities as a President, to fish out those who were involved in this act. Just as we are talking about what happened in Nyanya on Monday, a few hours ago we also learnt about the kidnap of 100 young girls.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Some reports even say it is 200. A nation cannot live like that. While we urge all Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful, we should unite at this moment to fight this evil.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Our nation has experienced an increasing loss of lives; almost on a daily basis, we hear one ugly story or the other about the loss of lives.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“For the Nyanya incident, we the APC governors join millions of Nigerians to condemn this unholy act which does not do our nation any good.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“This is not the time to talk about (playing) politics with peoples’ lives. We appeal to all Nigerians irrespective of political party and religion to come together and unite to fight this evil of the moment which has afflicted our nation.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He promised that the APC governors would join forces with other democrats to ensure that the bad story ended as soon as possible.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also, the governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, called for vigilance among Nigerians.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Al-Makura said “In a lot of countries that have advanced, everybody has taken the issue of security seriously. Everyone must contribute his own quota in bringing about the protection of the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“My advice is that we should be more careful. We should be more observant. Once more we condemn this act.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Others on the visit were Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zanna Mustapha.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But as the APC governors challenged Jonathan to find an end to the insurgency in the country, the Federal Government said Jonathan’s presence at a Peoples Democratic Party’s rally in Kano on Tuesday was a loud statement to terrorists that they could not succeed in their bid to stop it from working.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, said this in an interview with State House correspondents shortly after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Barely 24 hours after the motor park explosion, the President led the Peoples Democratic Party chiefs to Kano where they received former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The development drew the ire of the APC and many who accused Jonathan of being insensitive.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />But Maku said the President’s critics were not fair in their judgment.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He recalled that Jonathan had on the day of the incident called off his planned trip to Ibadan for the centenary birthday of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana Odugade.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The minister added that the President visited the scene of the incident personally to assess the situation.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He argued that Jonathan himself had suffered psychologically by the acts which he claimed were meant to demoralise and destabilise his government.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The minister argued that terrorists would continue to unleash violence on the country once they knew that government would stop working any time they struck.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He urged politicians to stop exploiting the nation’s darkest moment to score cheap political points.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Maku said, “You will notice that whenever there is any significant story, something will just come negatively. So the purpose is to demoralise, disrupt government, society and to set people against each other and create paralysis.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“If we are to say we will do nothing because of the strike, then it means that terrorists would have successes in putting a stall each time they strike.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Going to Kano was a loud statement that terrorists would not stop this country from moving and from working.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“On the day it happened, the President had already suspended all his activities and focused on it. Politicians will still want to exploit even the most dark moment for political advantage and this is what we should not do.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We should not be exploiting the emotions of citizens for cheap political points. People will use everything including murder, trauma like what we have gone through to score cheap political points and this is really very sad.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“Politicians must not exploit the suffering of people just to score cheap political points.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The President is mourning and is already working with everybody and with every institution to ensure that we not only meet the needs of the living and care for those who have survived but continuously work to perfect our security architecture to ensure greater safety of Nigerians.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />However, the Peoples Democratic Party described a statement by the APC portraying Jonathan as ‘heartless’ for travelling to Kano for a political rally as yet another demonstration of the party’s support for the terrorist agenda against the country.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, added that it was common knowledge that those backing attacks always seek to impose a reign of terror in order to cow the President, dictate the tempo of government and ultimately shut down governance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It said the PDP-led Federal Government could not in anyway be cowed or intimidated to abandon its mandate.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

Jonathan must show leadership - APC governors

Jonathan must show leadership - APC governors

Governors of states under the control of the All Progressives Congress have urged President Goodluck Jonathan, to play his part as the Com...

6 Killed By Suspected Fulani Herdsmen In Benue

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1sPHDMw"><img alt="fulani-600x423" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-194792" height="211" src="http://ift.tt/1sPHDMy" width="300"/> </a> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Suspected Fulani herdsmen, Thursday evening invaded the home town of Governor Gabriel Suswam; Anyii, killing six persons.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The Fulani militia numbering over 100 was said to have also attacked Chembe, Ifer and Tse Gundu, Anawah settlement at Ukemberaga/Tswarev ward of Logo local government area.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>One of the fleeing natives told Saturday Vanguard that the invaders launched their attack on the affected communities from two fronts.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“They came in two groups numbering over hundred; one of the groups came through Ikapa-Tse Gundu road to attack Chembe village while the other group emerged from a far route and bursting out at Achive compound.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“At Achive, they mounted a road block along Anyiin-Wukari road shooting sporadically, forcing the people who had returned to their homes after fleeing previous attacks to scamper into the bush for safety.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“The attackers carried out the operation for several hours killing about six people without molestation despite the supposed presence of security operatives in the area.”</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Senior Special Assistant to the state Governor on Media, Chief Anawah Joseph who hails from one of the affected communities confirmed the attack, adding that two bodies have so far been recovered from his community.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Superintendent Dan Ezeala confirmed the attack, but said it was not by the Fulani, but robbery at Chinwe community where he said two corpses were found.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>According to him, the information got to the anti terrorists squad stationed in the area who stormed the affected community; “it was discovered that there was no destruction of property, which clearly indicated that it was not a Fulani attack but robbery incident.”</p><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

6 Killed By Suspected Fulani Herdsmen In Benue

6 Killed By Suspected Fulani Herdsmen In Benue

Suspected Fulani herdsmen, Thursday evening invaded the home town of Governor Gabriel Suswam; Anyii, killing six persons. The Fulani milit...

Minister In Private Jet Mess As Aviation Professionals Petition Jonathan

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br /><p><img alt="Private Jet" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-118398" height="167" src="http://ift.tt/1efkFEU" width="301"/>Aviation experts under the aegis of the Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) have sent a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, detailing what might be considered an embarrassing allegation over the activities of an unnamed Minister.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The group accused the minister of spending not less than N10 billion of public fund on maintaining a private aircraft in the past two years.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>It would be recalled that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been accused of similar allegations in the past. It is not known if the latest allegation refers to her or another minister in the present administration, which has become notorious for turning a blind eye to alleged cases of corruption against its officials.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The aviation professionals in a recent letter to the president titled “Re: Mindless waste of Nigeria’s resources: Who owns this Challenger 850 Aircraft marked OE-ILA?” signed by Chairman, Abdul Malik Masaya, and Secretary, John Obande Anihinru, asked the presidency to as a matter of importance, beam its searchlight on the ownership, maintenance and usage of the aircraft marked OE-ILA, parked at one of the private hangers in a Nigerian airport in the last two years.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The group, which said it is worried that the “Super Minister, who is one of the celebrated members of the Federal Executive Council, parades fluke, erroneous and complete misrepresentation of the reality in the concerned ministry as successes of the past years”.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>They accused the said minister of sinking 500,000 Euros, about N130 million, monthly to maintaining the aircraft since it surfaced under mysterious circumstances at the airport in 2012.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>They prayed: “Sir, we have details and impeccable records which confirm that the ‘Super Minister’ has been frittering away the scarce resources of Nigeria in maintaining the Challenger 850 aircraft in the last two years. The incontrovertible evidence we have is that the Minister has been committing 500,000 Euros (N130 million) monthly to maintain the aircraft in the last two years. Thus, in two years, the Minister has committed the sum of N3.120 billion to keep the jet which is used for personal use and that of the Minister’s family alone”.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The aviation professionals added, “We make bold to say that the amount above is just a tip on the iceberg. Several other billions have been wasted flying the jet around the world obviously for leisure by the Minister and solely members of the immediate family. Our records showed that the amount already wasted by this Minister and members of the family on trips that are in no way beneficial to Nigeria runs into not less than N10 billion. The worst of all Sir, is the fact that an agency of government is paying all the billions used to maintain this jet”.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The group revealed that a subtle crisis is currently brewing in a notable government agency following the recent discovery that some of its directors allegedly spent several billions on the mystery jet. The professionals urged the federal government to establish the real owner of the mystery aircraft and demand explanation on why public funds is spent on maintaining it.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>They observed, “We are aware of a war that is now brewing in the lucrative government agency when some directors got wind of the huge funds being channeled into maintaining the Minister’s private jet. We want you to investigate sir, who entered into the contract for maintaining the Challenger Jet on behalf of Nigeria. Is it a formal or informal contract? Why is Nigeria paying for the jet?</p><br /><br/><br /><p>“We cannot comprehend the sense in keeping a plane solely for the use of a Minister, especially when the plane is not part of the Presidential fleet. We also know that Mr. President will promptly and readily oblige the Minister the use of any of the Presidential jets if it becomes imperative for the minister to embark on official trips on behalf of the government. Details at our possession include the series of flights the Minister had engaged in with the said plane in the last two years. The details include the different locations, time and date of the flights as well as the dates the plane returned to Nigeria at each instance. In fact we can confirm to you that the plane has been in use since July 2012”.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The aviation professionals are seeking to know if the unnamed minister was above the law and asked that “a thorough probe of this allegation should start from the FAAN, NCAA and NAMA. The agencies have records of all the trips the Challenger 850 jet made on the payroll of one of the nation’s top revenue earning agencies”.</p><br /><br/><br /><align><ins class='adsbygoogle' data-ad-client='ca-pub-0909255462614293' data-ad-slot='7578597399'> </ins> </align><br /><br/><br />="left"><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /></div>

Minister In Private Jet Mess As Aviation Professionals Petition Jonathan

Minister In Private Jet Mess As Aviation Professionals Petition Jonathan

Aviation experts under the aegis of the Concerned Aviation Professionals (CAP) have sent a petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, detailin...

PDP State chairmen - 'Tukur must go'

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<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://ift.tt/lH0Osb'><br/><br /><br/><br /><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'><a href="http://ift.tt/1duGZi6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://ift.tt/1dPd66W" width="640"/> </a> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The odds against the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur increased, yesterday, when the state chairmen of the party passed a vote of no confidence on him and asked that he should be removed to enable the party move forward.<br/><br /><br/><br /><a id="more" name="more"> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The resolution of the party chairmen came amid moves by party stakeholders to resolve the leadership crisis in the party with the embattled Tukur fighting on all fronts and changing strategies to retain his office.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />His efforts, including the conscription of peacemakers to meet aggrieved governors, however, suffered a setback, with the resolution of the chairmen who joined Tukur’s colleagues in the National Working Committee, NWC to reject his continued leadership of the party.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Besides the state chairmen, all but two of the deputies to the members of NWC were said to have also turned against Tukur despite his earlier efforts to court them.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The state chairmen at press time met in the Utako area of the Federal Capital just as about the same time that the national caucus, comprising leading stakeholders including President Goodluck Jonathan, principal officers of the National Assembly; the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih; Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio commenced a meeting in the presidential villa.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The chairmen said that the party had suffered seriously under Tukur’s leadership and pledged their determination to use every energy to ensure he was removed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Sources at the meeting of the state chairmen told newsmen last night that they were convinced that only the removal of Tukur from office would save the party from implosion.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The meeting which was taking place at 3J Hotel, Utako under the chairmanship of Eng. Emmanuel Agbo, the Benue State chairman of the party Vita Abba, (Enugu), Chief Dan Orbih, (Edo), Peter Nwaoboshi, (Delta), Alhaji Rabiu Gambo Bakori (Katsina) and 25 other chairmen in attendance.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One of the state chairmen present at the meeting told Vanguard last night that they were prepared to use their number, 37, which is the single highest voting bloc in the National Executive Committee, NEC, to force Tukur out.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>Why we want Tukur out</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We have passed a vote of no confidence on Tukur as National Chairman of the party,” one of the chairmen said.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“The truth is that while the PDP governors are only found in PDP governed states, we have PDP chairmen in all 36 states and we have said that our action is predicated on our determination to save the party. We want to save the party and we have the controlling bloc vote,” the state chairman told Vanguard on the sidelines of the meeting last night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the state chairmen had been exchanging views on the problems in the party and were now preparing strategies to ensure that Tukur is removed.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It was learnt that the chairmen at that meeting lamented the dwindling fortunes of the party as a result of what one described as “Tukur’s lack of direction and his inability to give leadership to the party.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />One source said that the chairmen threatened that they would abandon the party for Tukur if he refuses to resign saying: “It is evident that some of the state chairmen are threatening that they would resign enmasse from the party if Tukur is not relieved of his position as the future of the party cannot be guaranteed by the clueless leadership of Tukur,” a party chairman present at the meeting said, though he was not categorical if he would himself resign.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><b>I’m on the same page with Jonathan — Tukur</b><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Earlier yesterday, Tukur in a bid to save his job issued a statement clarifying his assertion on Monday that only the national convention could remove him from office.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />He said that his mission ahead of the 2015 Presidential election was to provide a shield for President Jonathan, saying that they were on the same page to move the party and the country forward. He affirmed that he would never dare his leaders especially President Jonathan, but support him in all ramifications.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />In the statement he personally signed, Tukur said:<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I want to assure Nigerians and outside world that the Chairman of PDP (my humble self) and Mr. President are standing shoulder to shoulder to transform Nigeria. As for the mischief makers, all I can say is that “from their works ye shall know them”.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I have stated, it is totally out of place for me to lecture Mr. President as suggested in the scurrilous article and write up. It is preposterous and smacks of indiscipline. The sad aspect of these mischief makers is that they tarnish the image of Nigeria at home and abroad. They present a picture which must be scaring investors. They join the enemies in fanning the embers of disunity.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“I am confident that any discerning Nigerian particularly his Excellency the President, Commander-in-Chief, will easily see through this shallow mischief.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Also yesterday, Tukur raised a team comprising mainly stakeholders from his native Adamawa State to help reach out to strategic stakeholders in the party.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The meeting with the stakeholders in Tukur’s Wuse 2 residence in Abuja lasted for about one hour following which it was agreed that the team would meet with Governors Jonah Jang, the factional chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF and Governor Godswill Akpabio, chairman of the PDP Governors Forum.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />It could not be confirmed if the meeting with the two men had held though Governor Akpabio was confirmed to be in Abuja while Jang was said to be on his way to Abuja as at last night.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The Adamawa stakeholders it was learnt urged Tukur not to continue with his confrontational stance as they reportedly urged him to negotiate especially with the two key governors.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />The committee set up to meet with Akpabio and Jang has former Military governor of Plateau State, retired Air Commodore Dan Suleiman; Former Head of Federal Road Safety Corps, General Anthony Haladu Hananiya, rtd; former Adamawa State governorship aspirant, Dr, Umar Ardo and erstwhile governor of Adamawa State, Wilbersforce Juta as members.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />A source also revealed that members of the committee immediately moved into action soon after they were constituted and had called the two governors to get an appointment with them, just as the source disclosed that the outcome of the meeting would determine the posture Tukur will take in reaction to moves to remove him from Office.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Confirming the efforts by the committee, yesterday, Dr. Ardo noted that the need to approach the two governors became imperative given the positions they hold on behalf of the party.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />“We decided to explore this option with the national chairman as we agreed that it would not be right to take any action without hearing from them since they hold key positions on behalf of the party and our position would be decided by the outcome of the meeting with them.”<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Rebuffing reports that he had resigned upon the pressure on him, Tukur blamed the reports on hawks who were bent on seeing him out of office.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />Tukur said he neither resigned, planned to resign, nor told anyone in confidence of his intention to do so.<br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />via nigerianeye</div><br /></div>

PDP State chairmen - 'Tukur must go'

PDP State chairmen - 'Tukur must go'

The odds against the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur increased, yesterday, when the state cha...

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