Canadian government designates Boko Haram terrorist organisation

Abubakar Shekau

Following the United States designation of Boko Haram as a terrorist organisation, the Canadian government, Monday, listed the outlawed group a terrorist organisation under the country’s Criminal Code.

The Canadian government also listed the Caucasus Emirate blamed for recent bombings in Russia a terrorist organisation.

Rights groups have blamed Boko Haram for the death of more than 3000 people mostly in the Northern part of Nigeria.
Boko Haram started an insurgency against the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2009. The group says it wants the northern states of Nigeria placed under Sharia law.

The U.S. government says the leader of the group, Abubakar Shekau, is the ninth most wanted person in the world and has placed a $7 million (N1.1 billion) bounty on his head. The Nigerian military, however, believes Mr. Shekau might be dead after getting caught in a shootout.

“Boko Haram is an organization that is responsible for over 300 attacks in Northern Nigeria, which have resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people,” says Steven Blaney, Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

“The actions of Boko Haram and the Caucasus Emirate meet the legal threshold set out in the Criminal Code, which requires the existence of reasonable grounds to believe that the entity has knowingly participated in or facilitated a terrorist activity or is knowingly acting on behalf of, at the direction of, or in association with such an entity,” reads a statement from the ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

“The Government of Canada is keeping our streets and communities safe. Listing terrorist entities facilitates the prosecution of perpetrators and supporters of terrorism, as well as countering terrorist financing,” added Mr. Blaney.

By virtue of these listing the asset of the groups and anyone associated with them in Canada will be “seized and forfeited.”

“There may be severe penalties for persons and organizations that deal in the property or finances of a listed entity. In addition, it is a crime to knowingly participate in, or contribute to, any activity of a listed entity for the purpose of enhancing the ability of the entity to facilitate or carry out a terrorist activity,” the statement reads.

Boko Haram Kills 12 Borno Villagers

Boko Haram sect between Saturday and Sunday killed 12 villagers in two villages of Borno State and escaped without any resistance, several other villagers sustained serious injuries by the Boko Haram fighters.

A Christian pastor on mission work in the villages and another military source in the 7th Division of Nigerian Army, Maiduguri confirmed in a separate telephone interviews.

The sources who don’t want to be mentioned, said, the attacks occurred in Tashan-Alade on Saturday during a wedding ceremony and also on Sunday.

The attackers stormed the villages on motorcycles and left over 20 persons with serious gun wounds, some of whom are being treated in Maiduguri and Michika in Adamawa state.

Almost 500 PDP Chieftains In Sambo’s LGA Decamps To APC

In a move to further confirm his political irrelevance in the North, about 500 chieftains of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Vice President Namadi Sambo’s home base local government in Kaduna State will on Wednesday morning finally decamp to All Progressive Congress (APC).

A competent source in the Presidency confirmed that Sambo who hailed from Kaduna North local government have been going through hard political moment recently, and was tip of the move on arriving Kaduna this evening.

A pro-President Goodluck Jonathan organization, Youth for Change Initiative had on Sunday appealed his ousted as Jonathan’s running mate in 2015 election due to what they described as ‘weaknesses and failed Vice President’ from the North who has failed to form a political base.

The source said, “We got tips and it is true, about 500 chieftains of our party in Sambo’s own local government, Kaduna North local government area of Kaduna State will join APC, it is unfortunate that his relevance keeps diminishing astronomically.”

The source added that in the same local government, all elected representatives are members of APC, he explained, “The LGA chairman is APC, all members in the State and National Assemblies are APC. The Senator too, and it is a bad omen for a sitting Vice President to be left in such a political cold.”

It would be recall that Sambo lost all elections in his own polling unit situated at Camp Road, Kaduna during 2011 elections that later turned out to be bloody.

As at the time of publishing this report, Sambo’s office is yet to respond to the development. But another source in Kaduna said he will be in the town for four days, following crucial issues related to PDP abysmal failure and crisis emanating from an open letter addressed to him by his associate, one Engr. Umar Gana who exposed his political weaknesses in the state and North-West Zone.

I begged Jonathan to appoint Wike minister —Amaechi

GOVERNOR Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday, opened up on the role he played in the emergence of Mr. Nyesom Wike as a Minister in the country, saying that President Goodluck Jonathan, initially rejected Wike, but he (Amaechi) persistently appealed to the President to consider Wike for the job.

Gov. Rotimi Amaech:…“As a child growing up in that area, your parents are not able to take you to hospital because they are not able to fund the cost”

Wike is the supervising Minister of Education.

Amaechi, at the convention of the apex Ikwerre body, Ogbako Ikwerre, in Emohua Local Government Area of the state, said President Jonathan, initially rejected Wike when he recommended him for ministerial appointment.

Amaechi said his reward for his efforts at creating political visibility for his kinsmen in the country had been gross betrayal. He also recalled that he made Austin Opara Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He said: “When you see Nyesom Wike, tell him I nominated him to be a minister. And I have one witness sitting here today (yesterday). Chief Sampson Agbaru is my witness. He led other prominent sons and daughters of Ikwerre to see President Jonathan and the President told them that he had not known Nyesom Wike from Adam, that when Amaechi brought Wike’s name, he (Jonathan) opposed it. The President opposed the appointment of my former Chief of Staff as minister.

“He (Jonathan) rejected Wike and I begged President Jonathan several times and consistently because I wanted Wike to be appointed a minister. But today, Nyesom Wike has betrayed me for selfish reasons. Also, by the grace of God, I made Chief Austin Opara Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives. God used me. Prominent politicians met me and told me that there cannot be two captains in a boat, if I make Austin Opara, Deputy Speaker, I might not be the political leader in Ikwerre. But I said, I want my people to benefit and I picked Austin’s name and we battled to make him Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives in 2003.”

How Opara  master-minded my arrest and detention in 2006

“In 2006, I was arrested through the machinery of Austin Opara and was detained for one day. Meanwhile, he was supposedly one of my supporters to be governor. Among those I have also helped who are now fighting me is Prof. Achinewhu, Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University of Science and Technology. Achinewhu was sick and at the point of death, when I flew him out of the country for medical treatment, but he is now one of those accusing me and writing against me in the media.

As for those I gave contracts, they are so many for me to mention. But, if they deny, call the Ogbakor Ikwerre Convention and summon them, I will go there and mention them one after the other. For instance, Paul Nwonodi is one of them. He is now fighting me, writing and signing all sorts of petitions against me.”
On development of Ikwerre areas

The governor also spoke extensively on the impact he made in the development of Ikwerre areas in the state, adding that he also awarded  scholarships to several Ikwerre sons and daughters as part of his empowerment programme for the people.

He said: “Gradually, we are beginning to wind down in government and I have started counting either my blessings or losses as governor of Rivers State, not just for all Rivers people but for those from Ikwerre ethnic nationality. I have started asking what I have done for Ikwerre people and I am convinced that the Ikwerre history cannot be complete if my name is not mentioned.

“I am not saying this because I am the governor. As Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, I ensured that most parts of Ikwerre had roads. The ones that didn’t get then, when I became governor they got roads.

Only a few communities may not have roads in Ikwerre now, and before we go, I will make sure they have roads like most parts of the state. We will ensure that those communities have roads. As Speaker, I asked for the grading of the Ogbakiri Road.”

Security: Army moves to retire 40 Generals

In its bid to reposition the Nigerian Army for expected operational challenges in the coming year and beyond, the Nigerian Army Council has commenced issuing terminal letters to over 40 generals preparatory to their leaving the force.

The letters from the Military Secretary’s office said the letters are being issued to officers of the rank of colonel, brigadiers-general and majors-general and the letters take effect from January 2014. Many of the officers are to commence their retirement with immediate effect from this December.

Among the generals who have so far received the letters were some Principal Staff Officers at Army and Defence headquarters, Commandants of Tri-service institutions, Corps Commanders as well as those of Army-owned training institutions. Officers from TRADOC, Divisions and Corps headquarters are also involved.

Vanguard gathered that while some of the Generals have served the mandatory 35 years in service, others have been caught up by the age on rank requirement for retirement while some can no longer be promoted on the ground that they failed three opportunities given them by the promotion board.

Army Chief  on repositioning

Vanguard gathered that the decision of the Army authorities to issue the terminal leave letters followed the determination of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika to commence the repositioning of the Nigerian Army for the expected operational challenges in year 2014 and beyond.

When Vanguard sought to know why such a large number of generals would be allowed to leave service even when President Goodluck Jonathan had in the past, reiterated the need to keep these officers that cost the nation colossal amounts of money to train, an Army source said: “Yes, the services of the officers would still be needed by the Army but it will be in a different capacity.

“To ensure that the top of the service is not too heavy, thereby hindering deserved promotions and movements (postings) of officers with new ideas and innovations, these officers (retirees) have to be retired in line with the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS).

“However, the experts among them whose services are still relevant, will be deployed to our training, engineering and tactical institutions to continue to impart knowledge and practical experience to upcoming soldiers”, the source said.

According to the source, “the ever dynamic internal security crisis involving Boko Haram, kidnapping, armed robbery and renewed banditry along the nation’s border areas are also areas the Army intends to pay more attention in the coming months.

“Towards this end, tested and highly trained officers who have garnered both local and international experience will not just be discarded. Their services will be required in strategic planning, training and support in dealing with moves aimed at containing and curtailing the myriads of security challenges facing the nation”.

It will be recalled that 27 majors-general and over 50 brigadiers-general of the Nigerian Army were recently promoted by the Nigerian Army Council.

Army kills 63 terrorists in Borno, Lake Chad area

Defence headquarters disclosed, yesterday, that the Special Force of the Nigerian Army killed 56 Boko Haram terrorists that have been making life unbearable for citizens living in the North-East of Nigeria, while seven other terrorists were killed in the Lake Chad islands.

According to a statement by Major-General Chris Olukolade, Director of Defence Information, the operations were carried out at Alafa in Borno State and the Lake Chad islands, respectively.

It said: “Nigerian security forces have launched ground and air operations on terrorists’ locations in the forest at Alafa, about 21 kilometers from Bama, Borno State.

“Over 56 terrorists died in the ensuing intensive fight over the weekend. Two soldiers were wounded in the operation, which is meant to track fleeing terrorists.

“Acting on intelligence reports, which indicated renewed efforts by the terrorists to establish a new camp in the forest locations, the land and air operations has inflicted heavy casualty on the insurgents as indicated by the high level of their loss of men and materials.

“Air and land bombardments are continuing in different locations, where terrorists have been reportedly sighted.

“The Multi-National Joint Task Force foiled an attempt by terrorists that were massing up on an island on Lake Chad with a view to carrying out an attack on some Nigerian communities.

“Seven of the terrorists died, while others fleeing in different direction towards Niger and Chad Republic are being trailed by troops.

“Intelligence reports have confirmed that some of the wounded terrorists were seen in a canoe, paddling towards Tumbun Telkandam in Chad Republic.”

Gunmen attack state TV, airport in DR Congo

Gunmen attacked the airport and seized control of the state television headquarters in Kinshasa on Monday, in what appeared to be an attempt to seize power by supporters of religious leader Paul Mukungubila.

The Police put a security cordon around the state television building where gunmen had taken several people hostage, journalists told Reuters.

Witnesses also reported shooting at the Tshatshi military camp, close to the Defence Ministry.

Report says Congo is struggling to emerge from decades of violence and instability, particularly in its mineral-rich east, in which millions of people have died, mostly from hunger and disease.

Congo is home to a 21,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO).

Before transmission was shut down at state television, two gunmen appeared on camera to deliver what appeared to be a political message against President Joseph Kabila, who took office in 2001 after the assassination of his father Laurent.

“Gideon Mukungubila has come to free you from the slavery of the Rwandan,” said the message, according to a Reuters reporter who saw a tape of the transmission.

Gideon is the nickname used for Mukungubila by his followers.

Mukungubila, who calls himself ‘The prophet of the Eternal’, ran unsuccessfully for the presidency against Kabila in 2006.

He has been an outspoken critic of a peace deal signed in Dec. with the Tutsi-led M23 rebel group in eastern Congo, accusing Kabila’s government of bowing to Tutsi interests and pressure from neighbouring Rwanda.

The Information Minister, Lambert Mende said that security forces had the situation under control.

“The attackers presented themselves as supporters of Mukungubila, we are checking because this could be an attempt to fool us,’’ he said.

In central Kinshasa, the streets emptied and shopkeepers closed their shutters.

A customs official at the international airport on the outskirts of Kinshasa reported heavy gunfire there just minutes after the attack on state television.

“Shooting has started here, they are shooting everywhere, we are all hiding,’’ the official said.

The Massive Real Estate of the Jonathans in Bayelsa

A billion naira hotel belonging to Nigeria's first lady Patience Jonathan under construction in Bayelsa State. Lying next to it is an elephant project that could not be completed since tenure of corrupt former governor of the State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha. President Goodluck Jonathan while he was governor of Bayelsa State took over the project but also did not finish it. The first lady's new hotel is only few months away from completion and almost ready for business.

Also in Otueke the family compound of the Jonathans is being fully guarded by military men.

Nigeria’s amalgamation ordained by God- Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday said the amalgamation of Nigeria was ordained by God and not a mistake.

He also stated that his administration was doing all it could to ensure that future generations meet a more united Nigeria without the ethnic challenges.

Nigeria will next year celebrate 100 years of amalgamation of north and south, an amalgamation done under the British colonial government in 1914. The most populous African country eventually got its independence in 1960.

Speaking at the Apostolic Faith Church, Awolowo Road, Jabi, Abuja, Mr. Jonathan said Nigeria has its own fair share of challenges with the major problem being absence of love and unity among citizens.

“As a nation, we have our challenges, no doubt about that and anytime I look at the history of Nigeria and the challenges we face and when I read parts of the old testament about when the Israelites decided to move out of Egypt to the Promised Land, we have something quite similar.

“As you are getting closer, you meet more obstacles and thank God for the sermon we heard and of course the songs showed that the greatest problem we have is love and unity. Yes, Nigeria was amalgamated by our colonial masters in 1914. By 1st January next year, Nigeria as a state will be 100 years old. But I totally agree with our man of God that it was not by chance, it was ordained by God. If God didn’t will it at that point, the north and south would not have come together.

“The details of the north and south coming together makes Nigeria a very great country. I use to say that Nigeria is great not because of oil, we have countries that produce more oil than Nigeria but nobody talks about them,” the president said.

“We have countries that have multi billion dollars in reserve because of their wealth and nobody talks about them. But the biggest to the smallest country talks about Nigeria. Why? Because of the diversity from the north to the south, the human and natural resources, the potentials and the population that we have.

“So, Nigeria is a country that has a special blessing from God. It is left for us to appreciate God and continue to pray for God’s intervention and this country will continue to be great.

“I promise our children that we are totally committed to make sure that they meet a different Nigeria.

We will collectively work hard to overcome these barriers, these feelings of oh that I am Christian, I am a Muslim, I am Hausa, I am Ijaw. Immediately we cross that barrier and we begin to believe that we are all Nigerians and we are committed to the development of this country , our children will surely meet a better Nigeria, we will try our best but this is not the time to reel out what we are doing or what we are not doing, otherwise they will think I am here to campaign.

But I assure you, this congregation and indeed all Nigerians that by the will of God and your support, I am here today from nowhere. Any child of Nigeria can be where I am. I come from the smallest state in this country, even within the state, one of the smallest communities in Bayelsa state. Even within the community, one of the smallest families, but I am here today by the grace of God. That is the type of Nigeria we want to create, a Nigeria where you can get what you want if you work hard, its not because you know somebody who know somebody that will talk to somebody. A Nigeria that our children If they work hard will get whatever they want just like in other free societies like America and so on. We will work with you to help you to get to wherever you want to go,” he said.

Mr. Jonathan also commended clerics for all they have “been doing for this country, for your prayers and I always say that I will continue to say it but for your prayers probably it would have been worse than this”.

APC sweeps Yobe local government polls

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all 17 chairmanship seats contested for in the Yobe local government elections.

Announcing the results on Sunday in Damaturu, the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, Mohammed Jauro, said APC secured 999,700 of the 1.2 million votes cast during Saturday’s elections.

He said the party also won the entire councillorship seats contested for.

The chairman said the electoral body did not receive any complaints from any quarters on the conduct of the elections.

“The successful conduct of the polls is a proof that peace has returned to the state,” Mr. Jauro said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there had been fears that the poor security situation in the state, following insurgents’ activities, would affect the polls’ conduct.

However, the spokesperson of the Military Joint Task Force in the state, Capt. Eli Lazarus, said that the force had not received any report of security breach during the polls.

Ten political parties participated in the elections, with the main opposition party in the state, the PDP, boycotting the polls.

The PDP had cited the security situation as its reason for not taking part in the elections.

New Regent of Akure installed

A new regent, Princes Adetutu Adesida Ojei was yesterday installed to fill the stool of the Deji of Akure which became vacant  on December 1, this year.

Princes Ojei, after the installation, assured all sons and daughters of Akure that she was ready for the big task ahead with God on her side.

Meanwhile, the family of the battered wife of the deposed Oba, Prince Oluwadare Adesina, Olori Bolanle, who is now late, has appealed to the state government and the council of chiefs in Akure to consider his reinstatement appeal.

*The new regent, Princes Adetutu Adesida Ojei

The battering of late Bolanle by the deposed monarch on May 30, 2010, lead to his removal and banishment on June 10, 2010 by the state government.

However, the occupier of the stool that was vacant on December 1, the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida, joined his ancestors after reigning for three years and three months.

Princes Ojei, a pharmacist based in the United Kingdom, is the  first female child of the late Oba Adesida.

Speaking with newsmen after her installation, the regent said it was a privilege to step into her father’s shoes.

She, however, promised to continue where her father stopped in his effort to bring development to the town.

The regent said it was an open secret that the development witnessed during her father short reign is unprecedented in the history of the town.

Development to Akureland

She said: “I promise that during my short reign I will bring further development to Akureland. We are all witnesses to what happened during my father’s reign.

“Akureland witnessed unprecedented development and I will, by the special grace of God, do more.

She pleaded with the king-makers to seek the face of God in their selection of a new oba for the town.

Princes Ojei added that they should hasten the selection process to enable her continue with her life after the selection and installation of another oba.

Bolanle’s family wants deposed Oba’s reinstatement

Meantime, the deposed Oba, Prince Adesina last week wrote a letter to the state government and Akure Council of Chiefs pleading for reinstatement.

But the family of High Chief Ojumu Fadeyi of Owo, from where the late Olori Bolanle came from, in a statement said both families have since reconciled and viewed the incident of 2010 as blown out of proportion.

According to the statement, signed by the Head of the family, Chief Akinola Fadeyi and its Secretary, Mr. Olanrewaju Fadeyi, the family said it was aware of the letter written to the state government by Adesina and agreed with the content of the letter pleading for his reinstatement as the Deji of Akure.

It said: “We have read the said letter from the print media and we have also heard the comments on the letter from the public domain, particularly media discourse on same.

“We are particularly touched by the frank, honest and humble content of the said letter.

“We  are more touched by the gestures of forgiveness, godliness and love extended to our daughter even in her death and the dignity with which her memory has been treated by her husband.

“Our family has considered all the issues that ensued before, during and after the deposition and banishment of our in-law, Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina, and we, by this forum (as we had done on many occasions before), appeal to Governor Olusegun Mimiko and the good people of Akure to please consider the appeal of our in-law.”

“We have since reconciled our differences and it is our belief that rescinding the orders of deposition and banishments would be more in tandem with the wishes of our late daughter – Olori Bolanle Adesina nee Fadeyi – who practically went about pleading with all that mattered for her husband’s reinstatement before her death.”

“It is our belief that reinstating our in-law to his position as the Deji of Akure will be a rare honour done to our family and the memory of our late daughter.”

Jonathan, Minister’s Cronies To “Buy” Port Harcourt Refineries

It was discovered that the shady plan to sell off Nigeria’s four refineries to cronies of the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reached an advanced stage, with cronies of President Goodluck Jonathan and Petroleum Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke in line to snatch some of the best assets.

Our highly reliable sources revealed that Jide Omokore, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has been penciled down to “buy” one of two refineries in Port Harcourt in what a highly reliable source described as “a rushed privatization process.” Our sources, who are in the Presidency and oil sector respectively, also disclosed that the second refinery in Port Harcourt will be sold to Benny Peters, the owner of Aiteo Energy. Mr. Peters is one of the major beneficiaries from Nigeria’s notoriously fraudulent fuel subsidy payments. A well known crony of Ms. Alison-Madueke, he is also quite close to President Jonathan.

The sources confirmed that the Warri refinery will be handed over to Igho Salome's Televaras while the Kaduna refinery will go to Sahara Energy, an oil firm whose owners are also cronies of the Petroleum Minister.

Industry experts have questioned the Federal Government’s rush to sell the refineries when the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has not been passed by the National Assembly. The omnibus bill covers virtually every aspect of the oil industry and is currently being considered by the federal lawmakers. Various interest groups have protested and questioned several aspects of the proposed law.

“By rushing to make a pronouncement on the sale of the refineries, it does not need a genius to know that Alison-Madueke is up to something,” a source at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) told SaharaReporters. He added: “If you go to the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) today, honest officials will tell you that they are under pressure to proceed with the sale. The agenda is very clear.”

An official at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources said the major worry in the ministry was that most of those positioned toemerge as “preferred bidders” do not have any history in themanagement of refineries.

“Even though Madam (Diezani) may not listen to anybody, we believe that she should allow other players to come into the sector. All these favored guys are getting the juiciest assets in the country. The feeling we have here is that they are just fronting for her. She is basically going to sell these assets to herself. It makes sense to throw the process very open and allow new players to come in,” said the official, who added, “I am already a marked man because of the critical questions I have raised on these things.”

Last month, SaharaReporters had first exposed the scheme to hand over the national assets to friends and associates of the president and minister by any means necessary. Our sources revealed that Ms. Alison-Madueke had rigged the process to enable her cronies to emerge as the preferred bidders.

A BPE official confirmed that some of its officials were worried by the sudden haste in the privatization process, adding that the bureau was already feeling teleguided on the proposed sale.

“Under normal circumstances, and I am talking about the international standards we have adopted in this agency, the privatization would not have ended by the 2015 general election. That is if we want to do things normally. But we are being asked to sell as quickly as possible and this is certainly fishy,” the official said.

The official said, however, that he was not in support of the view that the sale of refineries should wait until the PIB is passed. He warned that “politics has already consumed the PIB and nobody knows for sure when it will be passed.”

Mr. Omokore, one of the “preferred” buyers, is a multi-billionaire PDP member who has received several lucrative deals since Ms. Alison-Madueke was made Minister of Petroleum Resources by President Jonathan in 2010. Mr. Omokore is the chairman of Energy Resources Group, whose subsidiary, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited, was involved in a highly  controversial  operatorship take-over of theNNPC’s oil mining licenses (OMLs) in 2011.

The other two “preferred” buyers are Televaras, owned Mr. Igho Salome, and Sahara Energy, owned by Tonye Vole, Tope Osinubi and Ade Odunsi. Little is known about Mr. Benny Peters, but his company, Aiteo, has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of fuel subsidy payments from Mr. Jonathan's government.

Televaras has been under the spotlight because of its sudden rise to prominence. It recently secured the Afam Power Plant in a privatization deal, despite not having any previous experience in the power sector. A BPE source said the company was arbitrarily announced as the “winner.” The Afam Power Plc was among the 18 PHCN successor companies which were put up for sale. None of the bids received for Afam Power Plc was deemed qualified, but Televaras was curiously announced as the winning bidder.

Sahara Energy was also indicted in a report by a Swiss non-governmental organization, the Berne Declaration. The report revealed how Nigerian oil marketing companies perpetrated widespread subsidy fraud running into several billions of dollars. Titled “Swiss Traders’ Opaque Deals in Nigeria,” the Berne Declaration also accused the NNPC of colluding with international oil traders to defraud Nigeria. The Swiss report revealed that Sahara Energy, Rahamaniyya Group, Aiteo Energy Resources Limited, Ontario Oil and Gas Limited, Tridax Energy, Mezcor Limited and MRS Group had established subsidiaries, also called “letter-box” companies, in Geneva, Switzerland, with no real business activities.

The Swiss document noted that the Nigerian oil firms established the so-called subsidiaries primarily for tax advantages and also for easy access to international capital. But four of the companies, namely Sahara Energy, Rahamaniyya, Aiteo Energy and MRS, were investigated by the House of Representatives ad hoc committee and cleared in a widely discredited report that culminated in the infamous $300,000 bribery scandal involving Farouk Lawan, the chairman of the House probe committee, and billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.

According to the Swiss report, the opaque partnership between the NNPC and some Swiss oil traders ensured that the profit generated in transactions escaped state coffers. Describing the scam as “not trivial,” the report added: “By way of example, in 2011 the amount withheld from state coffers came to $8.739 billion. The public coffers were directly penalized. The same year, the revenues from oil fell by 39 per cent against the amount budgeted. And this is despite a rise in the price of oil.”

Two weeks ago, a letter Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi of the Central Bank of Nigeria addressed to President Jonathan was leaked to the media. 

The letter alleged that the NNPC had failed to remit nearly $50 billion in crude oil earnings at the country’s bank. After a series of meetings between CBN officials as well as officials of the Finance and Petroleum Ministries, Mr. Sanusi disclosed a week ago that the amount of oil export earnings the NNPC had not accounted for now stood at $12 billion. Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala disputed his figure, asserting that the discrepancy stood at $10.8 billion. There has been no further information about the whereabouts of the missing funds.

Nigeria Aviation Near Tragedy : El-Rufai, 103 Passengers Escape Death As Aero Aircraft Loses Tyre Upon Landing

A former Abuja Minister, Nasir El-Rufai was among the passengers.
An Aero Contractors aircraft Boeing 737-500, with Registration No 5N-BLC, landed safely at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Sunday, after a loss of pressure in one of the tyres.

The aircraft which landed at 10.50 am had a total of 104 passengers and crew members on board.

Nasir El-Rufai, who was aboard the plane, said in a tweet that the pilot and the crew of the plane did “a great job.”

“Upon landing in Lagos, our Aero aircraft lost a tyre. The pilot did a great job of breaking to a halt suitably. My phones flew under seats,” Mr. El-Rufai, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, said via his official handle.

“It was amusing hearing shouts of Allah Akbar and Jesus…while the dutiful captain was trying to slow down the plane to a safe location.

“One of the passengers joked that he knew nothing would happen to us as I was onboard, nice of him, but Allah Decides our fate in His way,” he continued.

“The Aero pilot was good, the cabin staff calm and professional in the midst of mild drama and little panic by a few passengers. We thank God,” he added.

Confirming the incident, Yakubu Dati, Coordinating General Manager Aviation Parastatals, said that the aircraft had, immediately after arrival, been towed to the apron and that the Accident Investigation Prevention Bureau, AIPB, had commenced investigation.

“We wish to assure all air travelers of their safety and caution against magnifying a manageable incident out of proportion,” Mr. Dati said.

Nobel Laureate Soyinka’s Daughter Dies

Iyetade Soyinka, a daughter of Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, has died. Ms. Soyinka, who was born June 6, 1965, died at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

The death was disclosed in a statement signed by Jahman Anikulapo, an aide to Mr. Soyinka, one of the world’s foremost dramatists and winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in literature. The statement noted that the late Iyetade Soyinka was a student at the Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before she studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan.

Mr. Anikulapo’s statement described the deceased as “affable, intelligent and sometimes capricious,” adding that she “struggled with her health in recent years.” Despite her health woes, the late Iyetade Soyinka “greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children.”

The statement, which was issued on behalf of the deceased’s family, revealed that Ms. Soyinka “took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan.

“Iyetade leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews.” 

No funeral arrangements were announced in the statement. 

Namadi Sambo’s furniture, house upgrade gulp N2.1 billion in four years

Vice President Namadi Sambo

Vice President Namadi Sambo is spending a fortune to furnish and upgrade his official residence and guest house, two projects costing N2.1 billion and lingering since his election alongside President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

In three years leading up to 2013, the government has spent a minimum of N300 million annually to furnish and upgrade the vice president’s residence and guest house, according to past and present federal budgets.

The biggest spending -N900 million- for the upgrade and furnishing was done in 2011.

That year alone, N500 million was channelled into acquiring, upgrading and furnishing the vice president’s guest house at Aguda House, while a separate N400 million was spent on purchasing some more furniture and extending the vice president’s lounge there.

In 2012, the government spent additional N437.1 million for the “upgrading and furnishing” of the same guest house, and squandered additional N112 million solely on “household equipment” for Mr. Sambo’s residence.

The installation of Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) facilities at the residence, was completed at a whopping N202 million.

This year, the vice president’s Aguda guest house and his residence were furnished at a relatively modest N75.7 million, while landscaping at the residence alone was done at N26 million.

A new guest house for Mr. Sambo, at Yakubu Gowon crescent, Asokoro, was also given N170.7 million worth of furniture.

It could not be immediately confirmed how much of the proposed works have been implemented after spending more than N2 billion, an amount enough to furnish at least 200 primary schools where pupils attend classes under tree shades and sit on bare floors.

Such school furnishings are estimated at an average N10 million per school in the federal budgets.

Used differently, the amount can provide water in at least 200 Nigerian communities, based on the same budgetary estimates of N10 million community water scheme.

Despite the huge funding already, the government has made new allocations for the project for 2014, with the likelihood of even more spending for the vice president’s furniture and upgrading coming in 2015.

If the National Assembly approves a new budget proposal submitted by President Jonathan, as it likely would since previous furniture allocations for Mr. Sambo were not blocked, then the government will spend an extra N123 million on Mr. Sambo’s new guest house at Yakubu Gowon crescent.

Taxpayers will also buy kitchen utensils worth N8 million for the vice president.

The total N2.1 billion for furnishing and upgrading is far ahead of government’s allocation for some key road projects within the same period.

The obscene allocations for Mr. Sambo’s home and guest houses follows a trend that has seen the government repeatedly channel more funds for the convenience of public office holders while key projects suffer.

While the government claims it was cutting the cost of governance to address dwindling revenues and mounting developmental needs, it has for years continued to direct scarce funds for the luxury of its officials, providing them with exotic cars, homes, and other perks while more than half of Nigerians live on less than a dollar per day.

The presidency is one of the biggest beneficiaries of that anomaly.

In 2012, the presidency budgeted N1 billion for feeding, and half a billion naira for cars for President Jonathan and Vice President Sambo.

The car purchase was suspended after public outrage following media reports.

Mr. Sambo’s office has become notorious for some of the administration’s most outlandish spending. The cars the vice president was to receive would have been his second set in two years, having already spent N323 million on cars in 2011.

Also in 2012, the Federal Capital Territory Administration raised an already outrageous N7 billion for the construction of a home for the vice president by adding extra N9 billion to make it N16 billion.

The National Assembly finally blocked that request.

The furnishing and upgrading for the vice president was also listed in 2010, but under relatively modest subheads. The extension of the VP lounge, proposed for N207 million in 2012, was N30 million in 2010.

	Furniture/household items	Upgrade	Total
2011	Acquisition, upgrading & furnishing of VP’s guest house at AgudaN400 million	Extension of VP lounge at Aguda house + furnishing of Aguda houseN500 million	N900 million
2012	1.       Purchase of household equipment & materials for VP’s residence  N112 million  2.       Acquisition, upgrading & furnishing of VP’s guest house at Aguda N230 million 3.       Extension of VP lounge at Aguda house + furnishing of Aguda houseN207.1 million 4.       Installation of UPS facilities at the Vice President’s residence N202 million		N751.1 million
2013	1.       Furnishing of the new vice president’s guest house at 41 Yakubu Gowon crescent, AsokoroN170.7 million 2.       Furnishing of ancillary offices at Aguda house and new vice president’s residence N75.7 million 3.       Landscaping of new VP’s residence    N25.9 million	Remodelling of the new Vice President’s guest house at #41 Yakubu Gowon Crescent AsokoroN120 million	N392.3 million
2014		1.       Remodelling of the new Vice President’s guest house at #41 Yakubu Gowon Crescent Asokoro N115 million  2.       Purchase of household and kitchen equipment for VP’s residence N8 million	N123 million
			Grand totalN2.17 billion