An Open Letter to President Muhammad Buhari

Dear Mr President

From afar, I bring to you warm greetings. I quickly want to use this moment to specially congratulate you on the successful inauguration and ascension to the glorious and exalted office of the Presidency.

Your election victory serves as an inspiration to all; most especially to the young and aspiring youth. It is reassuring that if only you can conceive and believe in a dream, you can achieve it. It does remind me of a slogan common amongst the campus community of the ever prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University- "if we don't try, we shall fail; if we try ,new might win".

Many accolades have since greeted your inauguration speech which holds the record as the shortest inauguration speech every by an elected Nigerian President.

I shall not condemn the speech in its entirety but I must say as a Nigerian I am highly disappointed. The speech was not only watery but was devoid of any standard expected of a party candidate from whom much is expected.

EFCC Challenges Lashann Energy to Provide Evidence of Sale of Stolen Crude Oil

 

Following reports by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) regarding investigation by the United States Government into the alleged sale of stolen crude oil from Nigeria to a Ghana-based company, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has challenged claims by Lashann International Energy Corporation to provide evidence of the commission’s involvement in the said deals.

Lashann International Energy Corporation’s  owner, Quincy Sintim, was quoted by WSJ as stating that the company purchases the crude oil from Nigeria legally, stating that: “We have invoices that we paid to EFCC in Nigeria.”

[CBN] Banks Get Authorised Signatories Verification Portal

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has developed an industry portal for the verification of authorised signatories in the Nigerian banking system. The banking sector regulator explained that the move was in furtherance of its efforts in developing a safe, reliable and efficient payment system in the country. The central bank stated this in a circular addressed to all deposit money banks, registrars, insurance companies, embassies and other stakeholders, a copy of which was posted on its website.

Nigeria, Namibia to Build Joint Oil Refinery

The federal government and the Republic of Namibia have proposed to construct a joint oil refinery to maximise cooperation in the area of energy.The decision was reached during the two-day official visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Namibia at the invitation of his counterpart, President Hifikepunye Pohamba. 

To Sadiq Abacha, On Behalf Of Wole Soyinka – Ayo Sogunro Replies Abacha’s Son

 

This morning we published an open letter to Professor Wole Soyinka by Gen. Sani Abacha's son but as the season of open letters continue, here is a swift reply by Ayo Sogunro to Sadiq Abacha's open letter to professor Wole Soyinka.I find these letters educative and interesting as well...Find full details after the cut. #Enjoy

(READ) The Canonisation Of Terror: Prof. Wole Soyinka

The sheer weight of indignation and revulsion of most of Nigerian humanity at the recent Boko Harma atrocity in Yobe is most likely to have overwhelmed a tiny footnote to that outrage, small indeed, but of an inversely proportionate significance.  This was the name of the hospital to which the survivors of the massacre were taken. That minute detail calls into question, in a gruesome but chastening way, the entire ethical landscape into which this nation has been forced by insensate leadership.  It is an uncanny coincidence, one that I hope the new culture of ‘religious tourism’, spearheaded by none other than the nation’s president in his own person, may even come to recognize as a message from unseen forces.

US Govt. Urges N’Assembly to Pass Legislation for Electoral Offences Tribunal

The United States has called on the National Assembly to pass a legislation to establish an Electoral Offences Tribunal to dispense justice in all cases of electoral malpractice, ahead of the 2015 general election.

General Murtala Muhammed: Murdered 38 Years Ago, Aged 38

General Murtala Ramat Muhammed

It was an incident that shocked the nation. A sitting military head of state had just been assassinated. It was the first and only time in the political evolution of the country. Ironically, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed was just 38 years at the time of his murder and today, February 13, this black day will is 38 years in history, writes Ojo. M Maduekwe.

Cashless Policy to kick off Nationwide July 1

The Bankers’ Committee Tuesday resolved to extend the cashless policy to all states in the country from July 1, 2014.

Speaking to journalists at the end of a meeting by the committee in Lagos, the Head, Shared Services, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Chidi Umeano, said the decision was taken as a result of the success recorded in states where the policy had been implemented.

Reactions from the $20 billion missing kerosene funds

Reactions have continued to trail the allegation by the CBN governor that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC,  has failed to remit $20 billion into the coffers of the Federal Government, in a public hearing at the Senate, Tuesday.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in his reaction told Vanguard that it’s a shame that such a huge amount could not be accounted for. “It simply brings home the position our caucus took at the budget debate,(Tuesday). The reason such colossal sums can disappear is because of the non-compliance with Section 21 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act and refusal of the Minister of Finance to submit the detailed estimates of agencies such as NNPC to the National Assembly as prescribed by law. It is a crying shame and an indictment on the NASS that it has taken the Governor of CBN to discover what we should have, had we properly discharged our oversight functions by insisting on compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act,” he said.

Homosexualism, lesbianism animalistic-Ambassador Suleiman

However, former Ambassador Suleiman, yesterday, described homosexuality and lesbianism as animalistic acts, degrading to humanity. Suleiman served as Nigerian envoy in several countries, including Pakistan, Brazil, Angola, United States of America, Ivory Coast, Poland, Australia and Sudan, among others.

Reacting to US threat of sanctions against Nigeria over the anti-gay law, Suleiman stressed the need for Nigerian leaders not to be dependent on foreign assistance for governance.

100 Years and 100 Interesting Facts About Nigeria-Dr. Peregrino Brimah

In the spirit of a Centenary celebration,it is important we look back at history on how Nigeria our nation has evolved over time.Just like the current affairs books we read while preparing for class six entrance,this piece has a lot of  info. I hope you find it interesting. Be sociable! Read and share. Find article after the cut.

Beyond the letter writers- Dele Momodu

Fellow Nigerians, let me start by sending you my warmest compliments of this special season. It has been one hell of a year for our beloved country and most of us in general. The tempo of politics has nearly reached a crescendo as we meander our way towards the year 2014. Next year promises to be an interesting one already as those masquerades seeking political offices or simply waiting to renew their tenure must unmask eventually. There would be no hiding place for the goldfish by this time next year.

The power of letters By Gbenga Omotoso

It is easily our most exciting season. The weather may be a bit nasty- cold, dry and dusty, clogging our nostrils and impairing visibility. The travel chaos. The shopping spree and the upsurge in crime. Never mind them all. Consider the revelries. Rejoice.

Carols. Streets festooned with flowers. Blinking lights from giant Christmas trees. And those colourful greeting cards with moving words. The messages are sometimes lyrical, expressing deep emotions. Other times, they come in simple, everyday language, signed by the sender and tucked in bright envelopes that we are tempted to keep rather than trash. How I love reading those soothing messages. At the end of it all, I sometimes ask myself if the emotions expressed in those cards are actually reflective of the senders’ true feelings.

SAVING NIGERIA FROM PROFESSIONAL POLITICIANS - Pat Utomi

Post by Pat Utomi.

Olunloyo and the `Wild, Wild West- By Fani-Kayode

Fani Kayode

In an interview with a newspaper on November 30, 2013, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo, a great nationalist, a two-time former Commisioner of Education of the old Western Region, a former Governor of Oyo State, one of our few remaining elderstatesman and a man that played a prominent role in the politics of both the First and Second republics, said the following:

Tony Elumelu Makes A Fortune In Just Three Weeks- Forbes Africa

Tony Elumelu (Owner:Heirs Holdings)

The Former Bank Executive turned Business Guru is the Owner and Chairman of the Investment Company; Heirs Holdings a young but Big Investment initiative from Mr Tony.

According to Forbes, Nigerian banker Tony O. Elumelu has become at least $123 million richer between November 1 and November 21 as shares of Transcorp PLC, a Nigerian-Stock Exchange-listed conglomerate, surged 186% in that period.

Big Lessons from Abu Dhabi- Dele Momodu

Photo Credit: Thisday live

Fellow citizens, this is certainly a good time to be a proud Nigerian. It must be obvious to all and sundry what the source of that pride is. If you missed the Nigeria-Mexico under-17 final match played in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, last night, you missed a great deal. The game was that wonderful. Our guys played with mathematical precision. Their approach was scientific. And they had no time to waste. They must have realised the hopes of 170 million people rested on them. Ours is a country where bad news has been the order of the day. We could afford to indulge in the giddiness of football and derive some fun in a rare moment of ecstasy.

Updated: Corruption- The State of the Nation

Nigeria is now officially a laughing stock to the world. Her glory no more to be seen., like an alcohol has evaporated so fast into the thin air. Corruption enshrined in our very make-up. We celebrate it, condone it and nurture it with all diligence.

A lot of us were taken aback by the comments credited to the Latino US Senator, Ted Cruz who made a mockery of Nigerians in a bid to discredit the OBAMACARE health program. The contribution of Nigeria to America's economy especially our health professional has since being overshadowed by our corrupt antics; we are now christened Internet scammers.

Nigeria Overwhelmingly Wins New Security Council Seat

Sincerely speaking I personally think Nigeria has no business or contributions to make in the World stage. We should focus on dealing with problems on the home front. For to remove the log from another man's eye, yours have to be clear of any impediment. We lack strong institutions to force any change in International stage. Lets build our economy, the military and democracy. Only then can we seem to make any mark that can force policy change in the World arena.

Reports has it that Nigeria has been elected for a two year term into the non-permanent seat of the United Nations. She received about 186 votes out of the 191 votes cast at the elections. This re-election comes as a surprise to many as Nigeria not too long ago, precisely in 2011 served in same capacity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations. To the informed few, her election came not as a surprise as she had already before now received endorsement from the African Union and ECOWAS.

The new term, which begins on January 1, 2014, will end on December 31, 2015.