See reasons why Vice President Osinbajo cannot be allowed at security meetings for now

There has been some disquiet in many quarters over the non-participation of Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, at different security meetings held by President Muhammadu Buhari since assumption of office.

One was held on Tuesday, June 2, 2015 while another one was on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 and the Vice-President was not allowed to be at both meetings. A source however explained to Dailypost why the VP cannot attend the meetings for now.

Read the reasons below.

“I am sure he would have been invited if he had security background. Being a Professor of Law is fine, but in terms of intelligence and access to security information, you are nowhere near the rank of Colonel or equivalent in the Nigeria Military. Look, I have watched some footages that if the VP gets to see, he would lose appetite for days.

Now, we have someone who has been in luxury virtually all his life, attaining the position of VP and some people are clamouring for his presence in highly sensitive talks.

The truth is that the military hierarchy would not even feel comfortable saying some things in his presence. I can tell you that they respect Prof. Osinbajo as VP but they cannot trust him with information yet.

You cannot compare him to Buhari who served in many military roles, chased away a militia that was threatening Nigeria security, overthrew a military government, became Head of State, fought corruption and went ahead to instill discipline among a stubborn citizenry. The VP would have to go through what is called ‘Stimulation’.

This is a process where he is lectured on terms, dealings, operations etc. of the military. His inner strength, strong heart and ability to keep things to himself will first be put to test before he gets access to some classified materials and information.

We must understand the fact that Osinbajo was a candidate promoted by Bola Tinubu (ex-Lagos Governor), he was not handpicked by Buhari. If the President had picked a vice, it is likely that such individual may get the access Osinbajo isn’t getting now.

Everyone knows the VP has been loyal to Tinubu for decades and he cannot swear that he would not divulge details of these security meetings to his political godfather. So he has to earn it.

Tinubu may have used his influence to put him in this position but he must draw a line between blind loyalty and national duty.”

Man trekking to honour Buhari goes missing

One of those people, who left the comfort of their homes to honour President Muhammadu Buhari is nowhere to be found – According to the report, the 38year-old man, who left Bauchi on foot to Abuja, to attend Buhari’s swearing-in ceremony has been declared missing by Bauchi police command.

A statement from the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Haruna Mohammed, says:

“On the 3/6/2015 at about 11:15am, one Muhammadu Hussaini, male, of Dass town, reported at Dass Divisional Police Headquarters, that on 15/5/2015 at about 6.00am, his son, one Nuruddeen Maimako, male and 38 years, left Dass on Foot Solidarity to attend the swearing in ceremony of President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.

“Since then, his whereabouts is not known and all efforts made to locate him proved abortive.“The last contact he (father) had with Maimako was when he (son) informed them that he was in Jos, Plateau State.

“Particulars of the son are: 1.50 metres tall, Jarawa by tribe, light in complexion and speaks English and Hausa fluently.

Anyone with useful information should please contact the nearest Police Station or his father through GSM no 07051789119” the statement reads.

From a poor Mushin boy to the President’s official photographer – The inspiring story of “Bayo Omoboriowo”

For many Nigerians on social media, we always admire the beautiful pictures of our new President, Muhammed Buhari. We admire the elegance and the story the pictures portray, we salute the aesthetics behind the image but not many know that the guy behind it all is Bayo Omoboriowo the official photographer of the president and amazingly, he’s just 28.

When I met Bayo for the first time February 14 this year at Buhari Valentine dinner here in Lagos, I did not know who he was, he was dressed in an impeccable manner, with suit and tie and then was carrying his camera like a baby I thought he was just one of those “I just came back to Nigeria” guys who like over dressing with their camera not until he told me to stand for him to take a snap shot of me, I did and after the shoot, we got talking, when he mentioned his name, I remembered I had read his interview 3 years back, an Interview he did with Bella Naija talking about his passion for photography, his dreams and where he want to be in the years to come using the instrument of his camera.

My respect for him grew higher that moment and I told myself: “Indeed dreams come true” Bayo Omoboriowo was born without silver spoon, he tasted poverty, experienced the low esteem poverty inflicts on its victims but never allowed his past to define him, he decided to change his story and that he has successfully been able to do looking at what he has done for himself within a space of 6 years

He took his destiny by his hand, discovered his passion which was photography, refined and turned it to a business and income making project.

One thing you have to give to this young man is this, he never allowed the distraction that being a youth bring to distract him from his focus , he graduated from University Of Lagos in 2009 and since then he has only been doing one thing, photography and today, he is the official photographer of our dear President.

Bayo is one of the 20 man delegation that followed Buhari to Germany on Sunday , seeing his name on that list brought smile to my face, this shows how far he has gone and where God has taken him to. I could not have been prouder of my generation and the envelop we are pushing, the stories we are changing and the boundaries we are taking in spite of the difficulties of being a Young Nigerian.

Bayo’s life is teaching young people what is possible and doable, , a man born in poverty at Mushin Lagos 28 years ago is flying with the President all over the world today because of his passion and determination to give meaning to his life, what then is your excuse?

Life is too short to just waste on unnecessary gallivanting. Discover your passion, key into it and start now. You don’t need capital to start, you just need few people who believe in your passion and would do anything to see it come to fruition.

Your network determines your net worth; those friends around you have a lot to do with your tomorrow, more than you know. Bayo’s of this world are passing a compelling message to young people to leave every other thing that is distracting them and run with their dreams. Lives and destinies are tied to that dream and that is the more reason you need to take that bold step and believe in your ability to do it.

Again let me emphasize, Bayo started from the bottom, he started with zero capital. he had nothing except his incredible belief in God and the dream he has and nothing more.

I wish you all the best in this journey and hope to celebrate your journey tomorrow.

Credit: Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a PR Consultant and lawyer

Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi to marry 4th wife, 17-year-old daughter of Lamido of Adamawa

The Emir of Kano and ex-CBN governor Sanusi Lamido is set to take a new wife.

This coming month, Sanusi will marry the beautiful daughter of Lamido of Adamawa.

The wedding ceremony will hold inside his palace.

Sources close to him said his decision to marry a new wife is in line with Islamic injunctions which prescribes a maximum of 4 wives for those who can treat all of them equally.

The influential Emir has sent out invitation cards to dignitaries across the country.

Sanusi already has 3 beautiful wives, Rakiya, Maryam and Sadiya.

APC Chieftain urges Party to make peace with Saraki, Dogara

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Francis Onabis has appealed to the leadership of the party to support Senate President, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

In a statement signed in Lagos by his Media Officer, Ayokunle Oloye, Onabis said it will be undemocratic for the party not to recognize the leadership of the National Assembly who are its members.

“Their emergence is good for democracy in Nigeria. In an as much they are our party members, they were free to contest for the post of the president of the senate and Speaker,” Onabis said.

He warned of overheating the polity, should Saraki and Dogara be sanctioned by the APC over the manner they emerged as Senate President and Speaker respectively.

According to Onabis, while the party leadership must not condone indiscipline of its members, it must also provide a level playing ground for all members at all time.

“In as much as they are prepared to make the necessary change in the senate and work with both executive and judicial arm of government for the betterment of the Nation in line with our party blueprint for a new Nigeria, APC leadership must give them total support,” Onabi said.

He warned that the overall goal of the APC to bring positive change must not be traded on the alter of internal rancor.

We lose female fans when we announce wedding - Harrysong

Popular Nigerian musician, song writer and dance hall artiste, Harrison Tare, a.k.a “Harrysong” or “Better Pikin” revealed that most male celebrities lose female fans whenever they disclose their wedding dates or reveal their lovers.

He said this happens because majority of their fans are usually females and when they realise they are engaged or hanging around a particular babe, it becomes an issue for them to comprehend. They take it personal and begin to unfollow them.

Mr. Songs as he is popularly called noted that he can’t say the reason why this happens but he feel some of them probably think they could have a chance or possibly they are more active and free when they aren’t engaged or married.

Harrysong, who is a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt where he studied political science hails from Delta state, South-South Nigeria. He has not relented on his quest for a suitable place in the Nigeria music industry.

The fine young artiste was formerly an R&B singer, but later changed his style of music to suit his fans who wants to feel relaxed at all times with the hip-hop hits.

He has released several singles like “I’m in love”, “Beta pikin” “Colombo”and recently “Ofeshe”. He will be releasing his Album soon.

Ogogoro kills faster than HIV – OOU student warns

Festus Eugene Ogun, a 100 level law student of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State has added his voice to the conversation about “Ogogoro” ban in Nigeria.

Read his interesting piece below:

The rate at which people die of ogogoro, the local gin, is getting out of hand. Over 50 deaths of Nigerian citizens have been recorded over the guzzling of ogogoro. To the dead, RIP, to those that are fond of drinking it like water, it’s high time you put a stop to it. The issue of ‘OGOGORO- death’ has not just started today nor yesterday, many unreported cases have been in place over the years. But now that we have good number of people that have lost their lives, we have to tell them to repent, lest, they’ll still continue to die.

85 percent of those drinking ogogoro are the male folks. They take it the same way they take their normal daily food; three square meal. They drink it in the morning, evening and night. Some of these men are irresponsible to their family affairs at home. Some of them are irresponsible at their place of work. Amidst“serious” people, they talk rubbish. They drink off their senses in the name of‘enjoyment’ instead of them sitting down at home and planing for a good family life ,they spend most of their time in “beer parlours”, “iya junction shop” and all other “junk shops”.

We have some too that drink theirs at home secretly. They constitute nuisance around the street. Some even drink to stupor. They use their “last kobo’ in consuming good “cups” of this “dreadful ogogoro” at the detriment of their personal well-being.

Inspite of the fact that they are aware of the evils and disadvantage of the gin, they still persist to drink it. They are stubborn, recalcitrant, disobedient and tenacious to drinking “ogogoro”. They are not ready to heed to correction and advice. Illiteracy truly is a disease can be cured only by supernatural intervention or education. It’s illiteracy that makes someone to consume something that kills him after having full knowledge about it. This however doesn’t mean educated once aren’t guzzling too, they ‘educated-illiterates’ . Perharps because they are addicts.

Prevention, they say, is better than cure and I think there is no medicine after death. Even if you’re an addict of ogogoro you have to stop it willy- nilly. This is the time you have to metamorphose from a drunkard to a teetotaler; ‘ogogoro’kills faster than ebola”and hiv/aids. The rate at which “ogogoro- spirited” ones die is just getting uncontrolled and sky rocketing. The time to stop “ogogoro” is now and not tomorrow. For those who are enjoying ‘ogogoro’ in one corner while reading this piece, drop it now, life is dear.

Kudos to the government! But, to make law is easy, to enforce the law, legally, is another challenge. Enforcing the law is a great problem that we are facing in this country. For the law to be effective, the law enforcement agencies should show the right attitude to work. Also, the sellers of the gin should be banned for selling such gin. If the “iya junctions” are banned from selling it, their will be reduction in those that’ll die of ogogoro.

This advice is not binding on the “ogogoro drunkard” alone but also to those who do not drink it as often as the “drunkards” . In the traditional African setting, ogogoro is having its own significance and usefulness. It’s used in traditional marriage, house warming, naming ceremony, etc. Some even use it in preparing or preserving locally herb or concoction; ‘agbo-jedi’. Our culture is our culture, that’s very sure, but I’ll advice us to substitute “ogogoro” with Seaman Schnapps, 7up or Sprite. I think these will still serve the different purposes “ogogoro” serves, if not perfectly, it will at least be manageable.

Our health is very paramount to our living. Let’s try to be law abiding and not be recelatrant. Life is dear; OGOGORO KILS!!!

Boko Haram kills 37 in fresh attack

According to the information provided by The Punch, Boko Haram terrorists killed 37 people in separate attacks on six villages in Borno state on Thursday.

A youth vigilante told journalists that the group drove in a convoy of sport utility vehicles to Koshifa, Matangale, Buraltuma, Dirmanti, Almeri and Burmari villages – all in Damboa local government area of Borno state.

He said that the insurgents opened fire indiscriminately on the villagers and burnt down houses.

The source states that a top member of the youth vigilante group in Biu said some of the villagers who fled from the villages under attack told of their horrible experiences to vigilantes in Biu.

He added that those that escaped were mostly women, who said the insurgents killed their husbands and burnt down their houses.

According to him: “At least 37 persons were killed in coordinated attacks on the six villages and they were mostly men and youths and their homes razed down completely. The women said many people were still missing but they believed that they will still come to Damboa or Biu town so that they can reunite with their families. I must say Boko Haram has almost wiped out everybody. ‘’

A police officer confirmed the attacks but could not state the exact number of victims.

On Thursday he told to The Punch in Maiduguri: “We are aware of yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) raids on the villages in Damboa Local Government; many of them were killed and some weapons were recovered by the troops.’’

PM News reports that Boko Haram gunmen killed at least 43 people and burnt down three villages (Matangale, Buraltima and Dirmanti) in northeast Nigeria.

Resident Dala Tungushe said:  “They came around 4:00 pm (1500 GMT) on 20 motorcycles, three gunmen on each, and attacked Matangale before proceeding to Buraltima and Dirmanti. They killed 43 people and burnt all the houses in the three villages after looting food supplies”.

Another resident Bulama Karuye stated: “In all, we lost 43 people in the attacks. All the three villages were completely burnt.”

He noted the number of casualties could have been much higher had some of the villagers not been away at a weekly market around 40 kilometres away.

“The soldiers and the hunters brought back a pickup truck and some motorcycles they recovered from the Boko Haram attackers… but we don’t know how many of the gunmen they killed,” Tungushe said.

NASS Elections: Buhari intervenes in crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari has allegedly decided to settle the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress following the National Assembly elections.

According to The Nation, the country leader invited Senator Ahmed Lawan’s Unity Forum for a meeting to be held on June 12, Friday.

Recalled that Senator Lawan was the major contestant of Bukola Saraki for the Senate presidency. Although Saraki’s election generated outrage within the party leadership because of the internal irregularities, President Buhari accepted the results.

However, as the situation remains tense, Buhari is set to intervene to save the unity of the party.

An APC source disclosed:

“It is all to save the party from being factionalised.”

The today’s meeting is expected to handle the crisis which occurred after:

-the APC National Working Committee called off a proposed visit by Senator Saraki; and

-some members of the Senate discovered that the chamber breached its rules in electing Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

It has been obtained that violation throughout the election might result in annulment of Ekweremadu’s victory. The source explained that instead of using division as contained in Rule 3 (1) (e)(i, ii, iii) and (f), the Senate opted for an open secret ballot system.

However, another source insisted that there were no violations saying that the clerk is authoritized to chose the election conduct system.

Rule 3 (1) (e) (i, ii, iii) and (f)

“When only two senators-elect are nominated and seconded as President of the Senate, the election shall be conducted as follows:

“(i) the Senate shall divide with the proposers and seconders as tellers.

“(ii) Voting shall be conducted by the clerks-at-the-table using the division list of the Senate with the tellers in attendance. The clerk of the senate shall submit the result of the division to the clerk of the National Assembly.

“(iii) the clerk shall then declare the senator-elect who has received the greater number of votes elected as President of Senate.

“(f) When more than two senators-elect are nominated and seconded as President of the Senate, the division shall be conducted in the manner prescribed in section (e) and the senator-elect who has received a majority of votes shall be the President of the Senate.”

The procedure of Senate deputy president election is similar.

***

One of the senators who pleaded for anonymity doubted the legal character of Ekweremadu’s election:

“By every definition of the rules of the Senate, Ekweremadu was not properly elected. He may need to step aside and allow for a fresh election into that office.

“The alternative is to leave the court to decide his fate. This might lead to many litigations which can hinder the activities of the Senate.

“This is the fresh challenge at hand. They claimed that the Seventh Senate amended the rules to allow for open secret ballot but there is no record to show for it. We cannot accept any under-the-table amendment of rules for the sake of political exigency…”

“I think once Ekweremadu steps aside, he will have to recontest for the post with an APC candidate in a united APC Senate.

“This will pose a challenge to the alliance between Saraki and the South-East/ South-South caucus. This is going to be an acid test for Saraki to prove that he is still a loyal member of APC or an ally of PDP.”

Buhari’s part

One more source on the condition of anonymity that President Buhari had no other choice by try to reconcile the party members.

“I think a win-win formula might be designed by the presidency to save the party from any further embarrassment. You know, there are still some principal officers to be elected for the Senate.

“The development may lead to an enlarged session of the APC caucus in the Senate with the President and the leadership of the party.”

It should be noted that the crisis started after the APC had officially rejected the NASS election outcome, as it was totally contradictory to the results of the previously conducted mock polls. Moreover, the party called for sanctions against the “treacherous members” of the party.

Credit: Nation

Atiku Abubakar meets PDP Members

The former vice president Atiku Abubakar received some visitors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, June 11.

Those who visited the APC chieftain included the former governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, the PDP governorship candidate for Lagos state in the just concluded 2015 election, Jimi Agbaje and others.

Atiku meets Akpabio and other PDP members Photo Credit: Nigerian Eye
Reports had earlier suggested that Atiku and five former PDP governors who defected to the APC, had a hand in the victory of Saraki. They were said to have used their influence to help Saraki emerge as the Senate president, stopping Ahmed Lawan, who is believed to be Tinubu’s candidate.

Atiku had received the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, after he won the election against the wishes of his party, the All Progressives Congress.

Saraki’s visit had raised questions and got tongues wagging. Some Nigerians took to social media to share their opinion. While some supported Atiku, others accused him of plotting a coup against his party.

There are reports that the APC may introduce sanctions against Atiku.

APC Leadership meets with 'unerring' Senate Members

The  National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lai Mohammed has said that the party will follow due process in punishing Senate President, Bukola Saraki, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, and alllies for defying its directive on the election of the National Assembly leadership.

Speaking after an emergency National Working Committee meeting of the APC in Abuja,the spokeman said party had not made a U-turn on position topunish the green chamber leaders adding that “sanctions would follow due process.”

Earlier today it was reported that President Buhari had intervened in the crisis the election of Saraki and Dogara on Tuesday had generated.

Speaking to Channels TV on Tuesday, Mohammed said, ‘‘The APC leadership is meeting in a bid to reestablish discipline in the party and to mete out the necessary sanctions to all those involved in what is nothing but a monumental act of indiscipline and betrayal to subject the party to ridicule and create obstacles for the new administration.’’

Mohammed said Saraki, Dogara and other erring party members will be notified of their offences and given the chance to respond.

The spokesman said the NWC meeting,was attended by“senators that wanted to confer with the party leadership; they came to confer on the crisis in the National Assembly.”

On APC senators contesting Saraki and Dogara’s victory, he said, “I think the party made its expression clear on the matter, that it is unhappy with the outcome of the election and I think we won’t say anything beyond that.

“What the senators will do is within their capability and rights.”

Punch gathered that Saraki had planned a visit to the APC leadership in Thursday but changed his movements when he learnt the Senate Unity Forum were in a meeting with the NWC.

Mohammed denied knowledge of any planned visit.

“I’m not aware, probably if you wait you will see him.”

It was learnt that the APC leadership also met members of the House of Representatives members  on Thursday in a bid to ease the tension in the house caused by Saraki and Dogara’s election led by Gbajabiamila and Mungono.

A reps member Sani Zoro, said the meeting was planned to find a solution to the national assmebly crisis adding that the the presidency, national assembly and APC leadership will be brought together to end the situation.

He said, “The solutions that are being worked out by the party, the Presidency and the National Assembly are being triangulated.

“I can assure you that it will accommodate all the concerns and fears and at the end of it, it will provide a single template that all will key into.   All that has happened is in the past because we have to defend the government that we have put in place, war cannot be the solution.”

“Measures have been agreed upon that will deescalate the crisis. I assure you that those who are the masterminds of the crisis who thought they are going to benefit politically from it will be surprised.”

Zorro said the APC will be within its rights to punish Saraki, Dogara and their allies.

The tension in the national assembly was caused by the election of Saraki and Dogara as against the party’s ish to have Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila emerge candidates for the Senate Presidency and House speakership.

APC conducted mock elections and Lawan and Gbajabiamila were touted to become the National Assembly leaders.

But Saraki and Dogara went against party directives, contested and won with the support of opposition Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers.

In the Senate, PDP member, Ike Ekweremadu, retained his post as Deputy Senate President.

Ekweremadu defeated an APC Senator, Ali Ndume, who also defied the party’s directive by contesting. The APC anointed candidate for the post was Mohammed Mungono.