FG warns Buhari against running parallel government

April 29, 2015 : Ola

Jonathan and Buhari

The Federal Government on Wednesday said it took exception to some of the terms of reference of the transition committee set up by the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).

Minister of National Planning, Dr. Abubakar Sulaiman, disclosed this at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

Sulaiman, who is the chairman of the Technical Subcommittee of the outgoing government’s transition committee, said the council warned the incoming government against running a parallel government.

He said President Goodluck Jonathan’s magnanimity should not be taken as a sign or cowardice.

Details later…

Change Of Power: 5 Celebs That May Lose Juicy Federal Appointments

        

 

         

In precisely one month from today, April 29, President Goodluck Jonathan will hand over the mantle of leadership to the President elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.
This transition of power may likely affect some showbiz personalities currently holding federal government appointments as they might all step down with Goodluck or perhaps back out of politics, at least, for now.
According to the list compiled by Expressng, the political life of five of Nigerian's notable celebrities would never remain same after May 29.

Onyeka Onwenu
She is often referred to as an ‘elegant stallion’. Onwenu is an ageless Nollywood actress-cum-singer who has been the official musician for most presidential gatherings lately.
The ‘One Love’ crooner was appointed as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, Abuja.
This development made her to campaign vigorously for the incumbent president before the March 28 presidential election, which the President lost. Onyeka, who put in all she got, including paid adverts to ensure the continuity of Jonathan’s government, may have resorted to fate ahead of May 29. She is one of the few artists whose political career may remain dimmed in the next dispensation.

Ibinabo Fiberesima
Another actress who would be deeply affected is no other than Ibinabo Fiberesima. She is no doubt one of the many Nigerians who were heartbroken following the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan by Buhari in the March 28 Presidential election.
As the first female Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) president, Ibinabo was appointed into the board of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, by President Jonathan. She however came under heavy criticisms by Nollywood buffs for dragging the motion picture industry into politics by using its actors to campaign for Jonathan.
The recently married actress, who led 80 Nollywood delegates to Aso Rock for a courtesy visit to President Jonathan, making him their Grand Patron, flew abroad after Jonathan’s defeat as she knew her time was up. Ibinabo may be the last actress to be considered for any position under the incoming administration.

Obi Asika
The Storm Records boss was appointed in the last minute by President Jonathan as his Senior Special Assistant on Social Media.
Obi Asika replaced Reno Omokiri, who was the Special Assistant to Jonathan on New Media in what is pretty much the same office. However, Asika’s appointment and his huge online presence could not save his boss from defeat on March 28.
The Anambra State-born entertainment personality? founded the famous Storm 360 Limited in 2008 alongside Olisa Adibua. Asika has however reached the climax of his political career and may want to return to his business of entertainment.

Richard Mofe Damijo
Journalist-turned-actor, Richard Mofe Damijo, famously known as RMD is no doubt one of the longest serving entertainers in the present administration.
RMD has been the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Nigeria under the government of Emmanuel Uduaghan since 2009.
Until his appointment as Commissioner, the ex-Concord reporter was the Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment/Talent development where he used his wealth of experience in the entertainment industry for the development of Delta State.

Bongos Ikwue
Idoma-born music star and ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ crooner, Bongos Ikwue has been enjoying a quiet lifestyle in his Otukpo country home for a while now.
At a point, he was rumoured to be having serious financial crisis before he resurfaced with a 70-tracker album entitled, The Way It Is. The Double K Resort boss was recently appointed Chairman of the board of the Nigerian Film Corporation by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan. His age may count for him this time around as the incoming government may likely keep him.
Aside his age, his political affiliation was at no point clearly defined, even as he never made any awful utterances against the opposition.

Kanayo O Kanayo
Veteran actor, Kanayo O Kanayo is one of the few entertainers who have been benefitting from the leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan. His stanch support for the outgoing government earned him an appointment as board member of one of Federal Government’s parastatals. The ace actor is currently a member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies.
KOK, as he is fondly called, has been one of the major ‘bridges’ between the FG and Nollywood. With the emergence of Buhari as President-elect, KOK may have started arranging some files in his office ahead of the May 29 handover if the board is not dissolved before then.

Indonesia Convicts Sang Praises To God Before Execution – Witnesses

 

Posted by:  April 29, 2015

As they walked to face the firing squad on an Indonesian prison island, eight condemned drug traffickers defiantly sang praise to God, witnesses said, while in a town across the water a group of tearful supporters was also uniting in song.

The convicts — two from Australia, one from Brazil, four from Africa and one Indonesian — made the long journey from their prison to clearings on a prison island to meet their fate early Wednesday. But rather than bow their heads in defeat and resignation, the convicts all reportedly refused blindfolds and raised their voices in song, including a rendition of “Amazing Grace”, until the gunfire from the firing squads rang out.
The husband of Pastor Christie Buckingham, who gave spiritual guidance to one of the Australians in his final moments, said his wife told him the men conducted themselves with “dignity and strength until the end”. “She told me the eight of them walked out onto the killing field singing songs of praise,” Rob Buckingham told 3AW radio in Australia.
Across the water in the town of Cilacap, the final crossing point for inmates destined for death on the high-security Nusakambangan island, a small band of mourners held a candlelight vigil, and also sang “Amazing Grace”. The haunting sounds filled the night sky, drowning out the sobs of those too distressed to contemplate what was taking place in the jungle-clad hills of the prison island. One man wailed loudly and implored Indonesian President Joko Widodo to have mercy. Another supporter read out the names of each inmate one by one.

Oge Okoye’s Short Gown Causes Uproars

Sultry actress, Oge Okoye is truly a movie star that can make a man forsake his lover just to be with her for at least a second. This is because her sexiness is what some men cannot resist.
To say Oge Okoye oozes radiance and beauty is stating the obvious. No wonder some men cannot take their eyes off her and would try everything possible to have her for keeps.
Recently, the mother of two was at the birthday bash organised in Lagos to celebrate another sexy actress, Ini Edo.
Her dress to the occasion, a short and sexy gown, caused some dudes at the party have factory resets. The actress was truly looking angelic in her outfit.
Oge Okoye was all smiles at the event as she rocked the dance floor with her high footwear.

The Trekker Meets Buhari After Trekking From Lagos To Abuja (Photos)

 

The Trekker Meets Buhari After Trekking From Lagos To Abuja (Photos)

 

 

 

The Traveller  named Suleiamon Hashimu, who vowed to trek from Lagos to Abuja if General Muhammadu Buhari wins the March 28 Presidential election to celebrate his victory, has finally met the President-elect.
The Ibadan-based man, Mr Hashimu, met Buhari in Abuja on Friday, April 24, 2015. Hashimu spent 18 days trekking from Lagos to Abuja.
He narrates his experience; “I made a promise because of the love I have for Mr. President that if Buhari should win the 2015 elections, I will trek from Lagos to Abuja which I have done. I thank God that I made a promise and I fulfilled the promise. I passed through Kwara and Niger states to Abuja. I was trekking from 6.00am to 6.00pm and anywhere I find myself when it is 6.00pm, I pass the night there.I spent 18 days from Lagos to Abuja.
“Once I found myself inside the bush by 6.00pm and I managed to continue the trek till 9.00pm to a nearby village. I made this promise two years ago. I am based in Ibadan and I started my journey from Lagos because Lagos is the most popular city in Nigeria and I started from Berger junction in Lagos. I am not bothered about what people think. It is a promise between me and my God. I don’t want anybody to believe me. I left Lagos because I made a promise. Right from Kwara state, I never walked alone for five kilometres. People always walk with me to the next village. I work with a construction company based in Ibadan.” he said.

South African govt expresses anger over Nigerian govts recall of her ambassadors

Sunday, April 26, 2015

 

South African government has released a statement expressing their displeasure over Nigerian government's decision to recall her envoys following Xenophobic attacks in SA. In a statement released by the South African government's Department of International Relations and Co-operations, SA government described the decision as an unfortunate and regrettable step, adding that only Nigeria has taken such a decision since the xenophobic attacks began. 

 

According to the statement, the South African government did not blame Nigeria when 84 of her citizens died in the Synagogue  Church of All Nations building collapse some months back. (how is it the same thing?) Find the statement released after the cut...

The South African Government takes note that the outgoing Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has recalled its Acting High Commissioner to South Africa. A government resorts to such an extraordinary diplomatic step to express outrage at actions or Behavior of another government.

We are not sure which actions or behavior of the South African Government the Nigerian Government is protesting. It is only Nigeria that has taken this unfortunate and regrettable step.  If this action is based on the incidents of attacks on foreign nationals in some parts of our country, it would be curious for a sisterly country to want to exploit such a painful episode for whatever agenda.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has just returned from Indonesia to attend the Africa-Asia Summit and the 60th Anniversary of the historic Bandung Conference.  At no stage did the Nigerian delegation present at that gathering, expressed its intention to formally raise the issue with the South African side.
South Africa remains committed to a strong bond of friendship and bilateral relations with Nigeria.  It is for this reason that when 84 of our citizens perished on Nigerian soil, we did not blame the Nigerian Government for the deaths and more than nine (9) months delay in the repatriation of the bodies of our fallen compatriots, or for the fact that when these bodies eventually returned, they were in a state that they could not be touched or viewed as required by our burial practice.
We will raise our concerns through diplomatic channels with the new administration that will assume office in Nigeria next month.

The South African Government, as well as all political parties, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations, business, sports fraternities, including artists, musicians  and ordinary people of South Africa, have been decisive and unequivocal in condemning and rejecting the attacks on foreign nationals.

Through our interventions, relative calm and order has been restored. We are encouraged by the solidarity our country continues to receive from other African countries and the international community. We shall also continue to support and not blame the Nigerian Government as it battles to deal with Boko Haram that continues to kill many innocent civilians. We hope that the more than 200 girls kidnapped by Boko Haram will someday be reunited with their families.

John Fashanu claims wife (Adaeze Yobo’s mum) tried to kill him after accusing him of threesome

 

Posted by: dab  April 26, 2015

In 2011, former footballer John Fashanu married Abigail Igwe, Adaeze’s mother (read here) fast forward to 2015 and John, 52, claims Abigail tried to kill him after she found him having a threesome

UK Mirror reports

Soccer legend John Fashanu has accused his wife of trying to kill him – after she allegedly found him bedding two women at the same time. The retired former Wimbledon and England striker said estranged Abigail Onyekwelu went for him with a knife during a furious row at their home.

Fashanu, also a former Gladiators host, is now at the centre of a bitter divorce battle with Abigail – and insists she cheated on him with a woman. She denies his claims and the ­astonishing battle – which includes the ­accusation that he bedded their maid – is to be played out in the high court in Abuja, Nigeria.

Furious Abigail, 48, said last night: “Good riddance to bad rubbish! I’ve left him and washed my hands.”
But Fashanu, 52 – dubbed Fash the Bash for his hardman reputation in Wimbledon’s famous “Crazy Gang” – hit back with an extraordinary series of allegations.
He said he had to call in police to protect him from knife-wielding Abigail and was devastated to find her in bed with another woman.
He also alleged that she stole thousands of pounds in cash from their marital home.
Speaking exclusively to the Sunday People the star – who now presents the Nigerian version of TV’s Deal or No Deal – said: “She attempted to use knives on me. It was terrifying.
“My life was at stake, there’s no two ways about that.
“Even if you did think I was sleeping with the maid, or even if you thought I was sleeping with Miss Nigeria, don’t kill me! Just leave me and go. The ­violence was just too much.”
6ft 2in Fashanu added: “My life was at risk and I didn’t want it to happen again. That’s why I filed for divorce.”
He denied his wife’s claim to have discovered him in bed with two other women – one of them their maid.
“I’ve been very fortunate to date some of the most beautiful women in the world,” Fash insisted. “I certainly don’t have to sleep with my cleaner!
“This is me, John Fashanu, you’re talking to. It’s absolute nonsense. If she wants to make up that ­story, at least let her say it’s Beyoncé or someone.
“Don’t say it’s my cleaner, that’s just b******s. It’s not true at all.
“The truth is she’s been cheating on me with a woman she calls her spiritual partner.
“I caught them in the bed many times. That was why I kicked her out of my house.”
Abigail is the mother of former beauty queen Adaeze Yobo. Fashanu met her in 2009. They married two years later but the relationship hit the skids last year.
Father-of-five Fashanu claimed police are now investigating an attack on him. He also ­alleged that officers are trying to retrieve missing cash from Abigail.
He said: “I’m the one who is filing for divorce. I couldn’t stand her and, to be honest, she probably couldn’t stand me. With Abigail it was just money, money, money.
“I’ve never seen a woman who has such an appetite for money. Nearly one million Nigerian naira (around £3,300) was stolen from my house in Abuja. There are police reports you can see.
“There were so many assaults, it was just getting too much. It was absolutely ridiculous. She attacked me on multiple occasions. The whole situation was far too hot for me. There are some wonderful, wonderful women. It’s just that I met the wrong one.”
Glamorous socialite Abigail, a ­qualified lawyer and mother-in-law to former Nigerian football captain Joseph Yobo, paints a totally different picture of the marriage breakdown.
The mother of four said: “John’s saying I tried to kill him? Oh my God, this is so funny. I don’t quite ­understand all this.
“How can I kill him? How can ­somebody like me kill this huge man who is an expert in karate. I don’t ­understand how I can kill him.”
Told that he had accused her of going to his house armed with knives before trying to attack him, Abigail retorted: “Oh my God, that is ridiculous.”
She also rejected Fashanu’s claim that he threw her out of his house
after finding her in bed with another woman.
Abigail said: “He didn’t kick me out of his house. We were living in my house. He couldn’t have kicked me out of my own house – I kicked him out.”
Of the woman concerned, she ­insisted: “She is a good friend to me. She has a husband and children. It is ridiculous. She was living with me for a while to get back on her feet.”
Abigail went on: “I caught him in bed with two women, the housemaid and one other woman. There were two women, it was awful.
“They were on the bed. They were undressed. I said to them, ‘Who are you and what’s going on here?’
“He told me that he doesn’t know what he’s doing and I should pray for him. He knows how to manipulate people, that’s one thing he is good at.
“I last saw him in April last year. I didn’t know he’d filed for divorce. He has been calling people asking them to plead with me to get back with him.
“I would have filed for divorce myself but I haven’t because I’ve been very busy. And he asked me not to because he did not want to make it known that we had separated.
“So I went on my way and I left him but I didn’t tell anybody anything.
“I’ve told him, ‘I don’t want you any more, I have forgiven you, I’m a Christian. But I don’t want you any more, just leave me alone.’
I don’t take him seriously. I don’t have time for him. If I should be angry at anyone, I should be angry at myself for descending so low as to enter into marriage with such a person.”
Responding to claims she stole money from Fashanu, Abigail added: “Anybody can say anything – but how can I go to his house and steal from him in his house?
“I wasn’t living there with him. He’s sick and he needs help.”
Wife Abigail claims he has fathered six children by three different women.
Meanwhile he added: “I filed the ­divorce petition in September and it’s listed for mention on the 19th of next month at the court in Abuja. We’re trying to move it through.”

Jonathan Commissions N600 million CAN resort in Abuja

 

Posted by: dan April 26, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday inaugurated the over N600 million Jubilee Resort and Leadership Centre constructed by the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) in Abuja.
The Centre, which is within the premises of the National Christian Centre, Abuja, provides rooms, accommodation and halls for conferences to the public at a fee.

Thanking God for giving him the privilege of flagging off the construction and eventual commissioning of the project, Jonathan said that with unity of purpose, the body of Christ can achieve greater things.
He said: “I urge Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of unity and with it nothing can stop us from reaching greater heights”.
He noted that one of the greatest assets from a family to the nation is good leadership.
“I believe this centre will be used to re-orientate and re-focus us”, he said.
The president, however, warned that it will not be worth the effort if the multi-million Naira edifice cannot generate income to at least cater for its maintenance.
Commending the prudence in the cost of the building, Mr. Jonathan added that building and its facilities would have cost three times the cost expended if it was executed by the government.
In his remarks earlier, CAN President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, stated that the cost of the building came down because some engineers and other people rendered their services free of charge.
Stressing that there are many five-star and four-star hotels in Abuja, he said that none of them could boast of a serene and godly environment like the resort.
Also noting that the presence of God is worth more than any other thing, Oritsejafor said that the resort has become a revenue earner for the CAN already.
Among those who received plaques for their donations to the project included Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio and FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed.

Be Transparent to Electorates, Islamic Cleric urges Buhari, other elected leaders

 

Posted by: dan April 26, 2015

An Islamic cleric in Nasarawa State, Malam Ishaq Adudu, has called on the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other elected leaders, to be transparent in the discharge of their duties.
Adudu, who is the Chief Imam of Kidi Magoron Mosque in Lafia, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lafia.

He said it was imperative for all elected leaders to ensure prudence in the management of public resources and be transparent in the discharge of their duties.
“As religious leaders, our role is to preach peace and unity because no meaningful development can be achieved in any society without peace.
“Peace is priceless and non-negotiable and Nigerians must embrace peace for speedy development to be achieved.
“I also want to task our president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other incoming leaders on the need to be prudent and transparent in the discharge of their duties.
“Corruption, injustice, violence, among other social evils have affected the socio-economic development of the country negatively for too long; there is need for all hands to be on deck to redirect the affairs of this country.
“For Nigeria to achieve speedy development, all incoming elected leaders, political office holders, civil servants and ordinary Nigerians in general must do away with sentiments, corruption, injustice, abuse of office among others social ills.
“We must all imbibe the culture of transparency in the discharge of our duties in order to improve on the standard of living of the ordinary people”.
According to Adudu, henceforth, every public office holder will be expected to exhibit exemplery traits in the management of public resources.
He called on leaders at all levels to be fair and just in order to earn the confidence of the public, adding that people would account for their actions before God on the Day of Judgment.
The cleric urged Nigerians to pray for the new leaders to take up the task of restoring the glory of Nigeria with vigour.
He said the leaders would need God’s guidance to execute luadable projects, alleviate poverty, reduce youth restiveness and unemployment as well as boost the country’s economy.
The cleric enjoined people of the state and all Nigerians to live in peace and tolerate one another irrespective of ethnic, religious and political affiliations, for the overall development of the country. (NAN)

Boko Haram has re-named itself Islamic State in West Africa.

Utter madness.

Reading keeper apologises to fans after Alexis Sanchez’s shot slip through his leg during FA cup semi-final

Sport report gathered that goalkeeper Adam Federici has apologised to Reading fans after allowing Alexis Sanchez’s shot slip through his legs during Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal.
With the game locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the Australian let a tame effort from Sanchez spill through his grasp and over the line in the sixth minute of extra-time, allowing Arsenal to book a second successive FA Cup final appearance.
The 30-year-old was inconsolable after the match and was comforted by Reading staff on the Wembley pitch.
Nevertheless, Federici felt compelled to apologise to Reading’s fans on Monday morning and took to Twitter to get his message across.
“Just like to say thank you for all your messages and how sorry I am for my mistake, we gave our all and deserved to at least take it pens,” he posted on his official account.

Rihanna Acts As Bridesmaid For Her Friend, Jennifer Morales

The Famous Singer,Rihanna, ditched her usual style for a more demure look as she acted as a bridesmaid for her friend, Jennifer Morales’ wedding yesterday in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The 27-year-old looked gorgeous in a pretty lilac floor-length gown with white flowers emblazoned throughout. The dress was a tulle sleeveless and low-backed number with a small train.
For the day, Rihanna piled her new red locks high on her head and added an extra touch of purple to her look with a slick dark purple lipstick.
Check out more photos below

 

MTN condemns attacks on foreigners in South Africa

Report gathered that the management of telecommunications giant in Nigeria, MTN, has condemned the wave of xenophobic attacks targeted at foreigners in South Africa.
In a statement by MTN’s Corporate Services Executive, Akinwale Goodluck, on Tuesday, the company said the attacks constituted an assault on “the much-celebrated, common” African humanity.
“The recent spate of xenophobic violence in Johannesburg and Durban focusing on foreigners and their businesses is unwarranted, and indeed worrisome. In Africa, we are our brother’s keeper; and at MTN, we align with the concerted efforts of the South African government in stopping the attacks and protecting the lives and properties of foreign nationals, most especially Nigerians,” he said.
Goodluck said as a mark of its support to the victims of the attacks, MTN Group had provided financial support to the transit camps, where many were presently being sheltered, adding that the money provided would be used to purchase food, medicals, bedding, clothing and other necessities.
Against the backdrop of some calls for reprisal on some Nigerian businesses with South African affiliation, he said such knee-jerk reactions would be counter-productive and unjustifiable.
He stated, “MTN Nigeria is a Nigerian business employing 99 per cent Nigerians. Out of our over 6,000 staff, only 12 are expatriates; the rest are Nigerians. Also, when you look at our value chain, over 500,000 Nigerians are gainfully employed indirectly by MTN. So, you see that attacking us or boycotting our services will negatively impact Nigerians, the very people we seek to serve and empower.”

Egyptian President, Abdel invites Buhari, to discuss anti-terrorism

 

Egyptian President, Abdel invites Buhari, to discuss anti-terrorism    

 

Report gathered that the President of Egypt, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, has extended an official invitation to President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in order for the two African leaders to discuss how to strengthen the bilateral relations between both countries and the fight against terrorism.
A statement on Tuesday in Abuja by the Head of Press and Information in Egyptian Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Ahmed Maher, explained that this was discussed when al-Sisi called Buhari on the telephone to congratulate him on his victory during the recent presidential election.
The statement quoted the spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency, Ambassador Alaa Youssef, as stating that “during the call, they discussed the bilateral relationship between the two countries and agreed on the importance of this relationship and the need to develop it on various levels.”
The also agreed to have more dialogue and coordination at the African level for the interest of the continent, which it described as a priority in Egypt.
During the visit, Buhari and the Egyptian President will also “discuss the regional and international common  interests like fighting terrorism and enhancing the security and the stability of the continent for the desired development of their people

The Answers You Need – 7 Serious Questions To Ask About Your Love Life

 

Posted by:  April 18, 2015

Dating can be complicated for many reasons, but none so pervasive as this: We have the answers, but we choose to ignore them.

We see the signs; we feel the discomfort, but we proceed anyway.
We attempt to defy logic by going against it, and then we expect a new outcome.
When you face challenges in your love life, remember that you know what to do.
If you’re willing to ask the tough questions, you’ll find every answer you need.
“Is this the love I deserve?”
Stephen Chbosky once wrote, “We accept the love we feel we deserve.” When we feel good about ourselves, we pursue those who echo the same upbeat energy.
When we feel badly, we choose partners who are negative and detrimental to our self-esteem. In your relationships, it’s important to continually ask yourself this tough question.
The answer is tied closely to your self-worth. If you feel you deserve more, don’t be afraid to admit it. More importantly, don’t be afraid to go out and find it with someone else.
“Am I confident enough to speak up for myself?”
Communicating in a relationship means sharing how you feel and standing up for yourself when you know you should. Can you openly voice your concerns in the relationship?
Are you comfortable bringing up certain subjects? Do you and your partner talk about everything? If you can’t share how you truly feel, then another important question is, why not?
Confidence is a muscle we build with practice. By voicing the small issues, you gain the courage to speak up about what’s important.
If you’re afraid that speaking up means rocking the boat and losing your partner, then there’s a bigger issue than just communication.
“Do I set boundaries in my relationships?”
“‘No’ is a complete sentence.” I’m not sure who said it first, but business coach Marie Forleo says it often. You know your own limits. When others push you to the edge, it’s your responsibility to tell them no.
Setting boundaries is a form of self-love. You can’t be at your best when you’re pushed past your limits. If it doesn’t feel safe or comfortable, it might be beyond your personal threshold.
Learn to say no with the same love and respect you would use to say yes. Boundaries help to keep us safe, and all healthy relationships operate within them.
“Do I like myself?”
There are people we date who will literally drive us crazy; they will make us feel like we’re losing control.
Under typical circumstances, we may be the most rational and practical people, but in certain relationships, we are hot messes.
Some relationship dynamics just aren’t healthy. Something as small as over-compromising can make us feel weak and insecure, even though we know we’re not.
The decisions we make to accommodate our partners can eventually take a toll on our self-image. Be aware that relationships change us, but not always for the better.
“Am I making the same mistakes?”
Some relationships are déjà vu all over again, and we find ourselves wondering how we let this happen. We have s*x too soon, we call too much or we get jealous too easily.
Anything done once is an accident, but done twice is a habit. It’s important to identify the situations that constantly repeat themselves and change the habits that allow them to occur, even when it means avoiding your “type.”
If the same scenarios unfold with the same people, then they might not be your “type” after all.
“Is it my choice or someone else’s?”
The pressure to feel liked and accepted can make dating feel like a continual game of “Simon says.”
We bend over backward to please others, hoping they’ll see our devotion and like us more or, at the very least, reciprocate our feelings.
Influence is the reason we make decisions that don’t feel like our own.
It can come from family, friends, society and the person we’re dating. It’s okay to cooperate, but don’t make decisions based on what others want; choose for yourself.
“Do I feel fulfilled?”
All the logic in the world won’t erase the loneliness of a relationship that has a void. “Is this what I want?” “Am I happy?” These questions can determine if your core needs are being met.
The hardest part can be identifying where that void is and communicating this need to your partner. Feeling unfulfilled doesn’t mean you’re in the wrong relationship, so don’t take it as a sign to breakup.
Take the insight as an opportunity to communicate your needs and get closer to the person you’re dating.
In your relationships, you are the expert because you know yourself better than anyone else.
Check in with your feelings from time to time and let them guide you. When something isn’t right, you’ll know it.
The challenge lies in doing something about it.

One of my greatest regret- Paul Okoye

One of my greatest regret- Paul Okoye

 

It was gathered that Paul Okoye ,one half of the group P-square took to Instagram recently to share with his fans one of the regrets he has as an artiste. According to him: “ One song I regretted we never did the video is Forever. It’s a love song ,a very good song written by me, produced by me and performed by me. It is a special song meant for the ladies”. He also hinted on the inspiration behind Psquare’s hit song Do me.
“I was dreaming one night and I woke up singing this song. Then J Martins was at our place. I called him,woke my twin brother up and told them I think I have a hit and it was a dream come true”

Gunmen kills NBA Chairman in Ughelli in Delta state

 

Gunmen kills NBA Chairman in Ughelli in Delta state

 

It was revealed that the series of killings rocking Ughelli metropolises, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, took a different dimension on Thursday night when gunmen suspected to be assassins killed in cold blood, the Ughelli branch chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Barr Austin Icheghe.
The incident it was gathered happened around 9pm at the 14 Ekredjebor residence of the victim in the presence of his immediate family.
When newsmen visited the Icheghe residence on Friday, the pool of blood of the victim was still on the ground with sympathizers and family members thronging the residence to mourn with the family.
Speaking to newsmen, a niece of the deceased, Egunor Uviesa said her uncle was shot in front of his apartment while alighting from his vehicle at the close of work.
She said: “As soon as he came down from his vehicle, they accosted him, and shot him on the head with the bullet damaging part of his face. He was immediately rushed to a private clinic here in Ughelli were he was confirmed dead.”
Meanwhile, the Executive Director, Center for the Vulnerable and the Underprivileged, CENTREP, Barr Oghenejabor Ikimi while condemning the incident, described it as barbaric and wondered why anyone would want to sentence a lawyer to death.
Reacting to the incident, Ikimi said: “The killing of the NBA chairman brings to mind the incessant killings in Ughelli which is on the increase in recent times. We are tired of cases of unresolved murders and assassinations nationwide.
“A year ago, two lawyers in the State were murdered by unknown gunmen on their way to court and the police are yet to arrest the culprits till date. We are calling on the State Commission of Police and his men to wake up and checkmate these killings because we are tired of these killings.”

UK Taxpayers face huge bill to recover profits from £50m fraudster (James Ibori)

Saturday, April 18, 2015

 

Here's a report I found on Standard UK. UK Taxpayers are blaming former Delta state governor James Ibori for a huge new bill. Find the report below...

Taxpayers are facing a “huge” new bill after efforts to force a former Nigerian state governor from London to repay profits from a £50 million fraud were delayed for more than a year.

James Ibori, who began his working life as a £5,000-a-year cashier at a Wickes DIY branch in Ruislip, became a multi-millionaire after returning to his homeland and committing a series of scams during an eight-year career running its oil rich Delta State.

His wealth allowed him to buy expensive homes, a £12 million jet and a £1 million fleet of cars including a Bentley, Mercedes and armoured Range Rovers. His crimes were detected in a Scotland Yard investigation that led to him being jailed in April 2012 for 13 years for fraud and money laundering.

But a decision on how much he will have to repay has now been postponed again, to June next year, after lawyers for Ibori and two other defendants told Southwark crown court that more time was needed to prepare their cases.

It means Ibori will not have to repay any of the money until at least 2017.

Prosecuting barrister Sasha Wass QC said the delay to the hearing, which was due to start in 2013, meant the cost to the taxpayer of dealing with Ibori would spiral further. She said £2 million had already been spent on his defence. Ivan Krolick, representing Ibori, told the judge that he and another defence barrister needed more time because of the recent submission of a 66,000-page file of prosecution evidence.

Ms Wass said the new file contained evidence already given to the defence, repackaged to make it easier to read.

Judge Pitts agreed to delay the hearing after barristers for the other defendants, London solicitor Bhadresh Gohil and Ibori’s former mistress Udoamaka Onuigbo, also called for a delay.
Ms Onuigbo’s barrister, Ami Feder, said his client — deported after serving her prison term for money laundering — wished to return to Britain for the hearing but failed to obtain a visa and needed time for a new application.

Ibori was governor of Nigeria’s Delta State between 1999 and 2007. He admitted fraud totalling nearly £50 million, but now denies making personal profit from his crimes

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari plans to focus on ending corruption

 

Posted by: April 16, 2015

President-elect Muhammadu Buhari plans to focus on ending corruption and reforming the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) before looking into other reforms in the oil sector, it has emerged.

Four party sources from the All Progressives Congress (APC) told Reuters that the issue of fiscal terms, seen as crucial by the industry, will have to wait on current thinking about oil and gas policies, reports Vanguard.
“We need to address the structural issues and leave the fiscal for now,” Senator Bukola Saraki told Reuters.
“A more transparent Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is needed with reasonable accounting,” he said.
While Nigerians are eager to see change in the national oil company and the oil sector as a whole where corruption is perceived to be pronounced, some worry that time spent on trying to catch people who stole money may affect the real work expected of the incoming administration.
“The worry is that there’s going to be a lot of time wasted in witch-hunting. That could take a year in which nothing else will happen,” a Nigerian investment banker focused on upstream oil and gas projects, who declined to be named, said.
Buhari will be inaugurated on May 29 after an official handling over by President Goodluck Jonathan, a day earlier. One he assumes office, one of the things Nigerians will be watching closely is his stance on corruption, one of the very reasons he won the March 28 election.

Jonathan’s rejection of amended constitution shocks Senate

 

April 16, 2015 :

  

Senate President, David Mark

President Goodluck Jonathan’s letter to the National Assembly rejecting amendments to the 1999 Constitution was received with shock by some members who openly expressed surprise at the reasons given by the President to veto the bill.

The letter was read on the floor of Senate on Wednesday by the Senate President, David Mark.

Consequently, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (4th Alteration Bill 2015), Senator Ike Ekweremadu, announced that his members would hold a two-day retreat to review the development. The retreat, which started on Wednesday, would end on Thursday (today).

Efforts by members to subject Jonathan’s letter to debate were frustrated by the Senate President who said there was the need for them to have a copy of the letter each before they would be able to make meaningful contribution.

But Senator Abubakar Yar’Adua (Katsina Central) raised a point of order and insisted that the issue be discussed because of the serious fundamental issues raised by Jonathan which affected the integrity of the National Assembly.

Yar’Adua said, “I think it is important for us to discuss that letter and see whether there is need for us to consider the letter or not.

“I think the President has raised very serious fundamental issues, especially in terms of our conscience as lawmakers and his own position as the chief executive officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is why I am raising this point or order.”

Although Mark agreed with Yar’Adua that the letter should be extensively discussed, he maintained that the debate could only make meaning after members would have studied the letter.

Mark said, “Obviously, this letter is not like any other normal letter. We can’t discuss the letter unless you have a copy of it. So, the first reaction is for me to make copies available to everybody so that you can go and study it.”

One of our correspondents observed that the members had started the retreat and would come up with their position which would also enable the Senate to take appropriate action on the issue.

Jonathan had, in the letter, said he would not assent to the amendments because they did not satisfy the requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution.

He queried the decision of the National Assembly to whittle down some executive powers of the President.

He also faulted some amendments which would give executive powers and duties to the legislature and the judiciary.

Jonathan made his position known in a seven-page letter to the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal.

The President listed 12 errors in the amendments.

They are non-compliance with the threshold specified in Section 9(3) of the 1999 Constitution on amendments and the fact alteration to constitution cannot be valid with mere voice votes unless supported by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority all the members of the National Assembly and two-thirds of all the 36 State Houses of Assembly.

Others are imposition of right to free basic education and primary and maternal care services on private institutions; flagrant violation of the doctrine of separation of powers; and the whittling down of the Executive powers of the Federation vested in the President by virtue of Section 5(1) of the 1999 Constitution; and 30 days allowed for assent of the President.

The President also faulted the limiting of expenditure in default of appropriation from six months to three months; and creation of the Office of Accountant-General of the Federation distinct from the Accountant General of the Federal Government.

The rest are empowering the National Economic Council to appoint the Accountant-General of the Federation instead of the President; allowing National Judicial Council to appoint the Attorney-General of the Federation rather than the President; and the whittling down of the discretionary powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The President said he had no choice than to veto the amendments to the Constitution as forwarded to him by the National Assembly.

He said, “In view of the foregoing and absence of credible evidence that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 satisfied the strict requirements of Section 9(3) of the 1999 constitution, it will be unconstitutional for me to assent to it.

“I therefore withhold my assent and accordingly remit Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fourth Alteration) Act 2015 to the Senate /House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Jonathan also queried the limitation of the power of the President to withhold assent to bills to 30 days. He said 30 days might not be sufficient for a President to go through such bills.

The President disagreed with the lawmakers for restricting the President’s right to spend funds in default of appropriation to three months instead of six months.

He said the amendment by the lawmakers did not take into cognisance unforeseen circumstances the nation might go through any time.

Also, the principal officers of the House of Representatives admitted on Wednesday that President Jonathan raised fundamental issues in his refusal to assent to the bill on the Fourth Amendment to the 1999 Constitution.

Two key House officials, one each for the Peoples Democratic Party caucus and the All Progressives Congress caucus, told The PUNCH that the rejected bill would be referred to the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review to examine Jonathan’s position and report back to the House.

They spoke after Tambuwal had read the letter to members on Wednesday, the second day after they reconvened in Abuja on Tuesday from their election recess.

The Deputy House Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, said there was no “harm” in the President making his observations on a proposed law, as doing so was the “essence of democracy.”

He added, “However, much as making his observations does not mean that Mr. President is right, we shall subject his views to work.”

Ogor claimed that the National Assembly could still examine the President’s arguments and further amend the bill for his assent before the expiration of the current legislature.

The tenure of the current legislature will expire on June 5 for its full cycle, though the National Assembly too will wind down on May 28.

The House Minority Whip, Mr. Sampson Osagie, who agreed with Ogor’s submission, noted that the power of the President to withhold assent to a bill was guaranteed by the same constitution.

You Must Avoid OBJ If You Want To Succeed As President, Owie Tells Buhari

 

Posted by:  April 16, 2015

Rowland Owie

Former Senate Chief Whip, Rowland Owie, has advised president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari to be wary of former President Olusegun Obasanjo if he desired to succeed as Nigeria’s leader.
In a statement in Benin City, capital of Edo State, yesterday, Owie said: “To Buhari, I thank God for you, but you must deliver on your promises and also build on what president Jonathan did.

“Above all, you must run far from OBJ! (Olusegun Obasanjo). If he can’t control your government, he will fight you.
“He has done it to all former presidents of Nigeria and even against MKO Abiola who was not sworn in.
“Never! never! I say never discuss with OBJ unless you have at least two of your aides present!”
“Half way into the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, a man who sees nothing good in anybody, except himself, Obasanjo, started trouble making by naming presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
“First, it was Governor Sule Lamido as president and Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his Deputy! A respectable Lamido, a founding father of PDP, was being urged to fight PDP.
“Obasanjo lured most PDP governors in the North into rebellion against the PDP to destroy the platform that gave all of them relevance, including himself. The hate mood in the North for this election against Jonathan was such that, any candidate from the North would have won the election.
“The anger was that power must return to the North. Nigerians can see that rebellion against one’s own and betrayer of one’s party doesn’t pay.
“Governor Aliyu Babangìda of Niger State, who led the rebellion against Jonathan and the PDP, lost his election to the Senate and also lost his state,” Owie added.
Owie congratulated Nigerians and President Jonathan over the peaceful polls. “I congratulate Nigerians for their commitment to democracy and particularly, congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan, for choosing to go the ‘Way of The Cross’, by quickly conceding defeat in this election which averted the impending chaos that would have enveloped the nation.
“Only those who believe in God and live life that protects his or her live and also value life.
“No child born in the street, lives on the street permanently without parental love, can keep life.
“Nigeria would have been burning now particularly in the North. Keen observers of events in Nigeria since the 2011 general election, will agree that the Boko Haram activities escalated in Nigeria when the president was elected.
“Innocent citizens, mainly Christians, were murdered and churches burnt down. Why? Yes! Politicians and non-politicians, mainly in the North, believed that a Northerner should have replaced Jonathan in 2011 to continue with the late Yar’Adua’s tenure.”
Owie therefore called on PDP members across the country to wake up so that the party can be rebuilt
“When Our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified and buried on the Good Friday, nobody, apart from the mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, knew that Christ would rise from the grave on the third day. PDP shall rise again,” he said.

UN Yemen chief resigns amid crisis

 

April 16, 2015 :

Jamal Benomar, the UN special adviser on Yemen, has resigned, diplomatic sources have told Al Jazeera.

James Bays, Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor, said the Moroccan diplomat told Ban Ki-moon, the UN chief, that it was time for him to end his role.

“Jamal Benomar has told the secretary-general it is time for him to end his mission in Yemen but that he remains willing to help the UN in any capacity that is needed,” he reported, citing diplomatic sources.

A UN spokesperson confirmed in a statement that Benomar wanted to move to another assignment, adding that a successor “will be named in due course.”

Pres. Jonathan to Officially Hand Over Power to Buhari on May 28

 

16.04.2015 

President Goodluck Jonathan will officially hand over power to president-elect Muhammadu Buhari on May 28, 24 hours before the actual inauguration date, Punch reports.

Minister of Information,  Patricia Akwashiki, disclosed the news to State House correspondents during a Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Wednesday.

Akwashiki stated that:

By May 28, the President intends to have the formal handover done at a dinner so that we can reserve May 29 for the incoming government.

By May 28, we are expected to have concluded our own government and we are welcoming the incoming government.

Also you know May 29 is our Democracy Day. So, we have activities lined up all through that week, showcasing all what we have achieved and all other things we do normally on our Democracy Day except that this year is special with the inauguration of our new President that is coming up on May 29.

The President emphasised on the need for all MDAs to submit their handover notes to the Office of the SGF by the 20th of this month, that is next Monday. So we are going to be very busy this weekend putting our handover notes together.

The President also emphasised that he would require another little briefing from all MDAs to indicate inherited projects, how far they have been executed and initiated projects by his administration and the level of completion, whether completed, ongoing or abandoned.

That is not to say that governance has stopped. Of course, we are in government until the day he President-elect takes his oath of office,” she explained.

Photos: Another Nigerian soldier dies

Thursday, April 16, 2015

 

Another Nigerian hero has died. Charles Onyia died yesterday during battle with Boko Haram. May his soul rest in peace, Amen.

National Air traffic control strike, all flights suspended till 12noon

Thursday, April 16, 2015

 

According to various twitter users, there is a strike action at the Lagos, Abuja and other airports in Nigeria. All planes are currently grounded. Passengers were also made to disembark from already boarded flights. Details later...

Imo lawmakers protest non-payment of 2 months salaries

 

on April 16, 20

OWERRI—Imo State   lawmakers rose from a plenary, yesterday, and marched straight to the Office of the Accountant-General, AG, to protest the non-payment of their two months salaries and allowances.
The legislators were also irked that workers in some ministries and parastatals had reportedly not been paid their February and March 2015 salaries.
The lawmakers reacted angrily to the motion raised by the member representing Onuimo state constituency, Mr. Robertson Ekwebelem, and was seconded by the member for Ehime Mbano constituency, Mr. Kingsley Dimaku.
Following the motion, the House resolved to meet with the Accountant-General and the Commissioner for Finance, to ascertain why civil servants and lawmakers were being owed their legitimate earnings.
The obviously angry lawmakers, on arrival at the Accountant-General’s Office, were heard as they sought to know the reason their salaries and that of civil servants remained unpaid for two months.
Vanguard, however, gathered that their trip to the Accountant-General’s Office was fruitless as the AG, Mrs. S. N. Udogu, was said to be attending to another official assignment somewhere.
It was also gathered that Mrs. Udogu was promptly alerted of the lawmakers’ protest march and quickly scampered into safety before their arrival.
A senior staff member in one of the state ministries told Vanguard that “when the trip to the AG’s office failed, the legislators stormed the office of the Commissioner for Finance, before returning to the House to conclude the day’s sitting.”

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/04/imo-lawmakers-protest-non-payment-of-2-months-salaries/#sthash.OeRY2iY6.dpuf

PDP is not dead - Governor Aliyu says

Thursday, April 16, 2015

 

Despite the defection of some of its members to the APC in recent times, the Governor of Niger state and a chieftain of the PDP, Babangida Aliyu says PDP is not dead and that the party will now work towards creating a formidable political strength. Governor Aliyu said this while receiving the Niger state PDP governorship candidate Umar Nasko Campaign Organization led by Alhaji Aminu Yusuf at the Government House, Minna yesterday April 15th.

"Our party is not dead. When all these cool down, we will properly reorganize to bring PDP back to its formidable political strength. Many things have happened and this is not the time for us to apportion blames. I, therefore, hope that during the time we will have to reorganize our party, we would add more ideologies to what we have. Let me urge you to stop thinking you have failed; it went beyond the limits of individual efforts.”he said

ISIL overruns several villages in western Iraq

 

April 16, 2015  

 

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group have gained ground in western Iraq, overrunning several villages on the edge of the capital of Anbar province, police sources and local officials said.

Iraqi police came under attack from the fighters at dawn on Wednesday in Albu Ghanim and withdrew from the area, about 5km northeast of the provincial capital Ramadi, sending hundreds of families fleeing.

The fighters blew up the police station in Albu Ghanim and advanced further towards Ramadi, seizing the villages of Sofia, Albu Khalifa and Sor, police sources and members of the provincial council told the Reuters news agency.

Abu Jasim, who left Albu Ghanim soon after it fell early on Wednesday, said the fighters had set up a checkpoint at the main entrance to the village and planted their black flag there.

“[ISIL fighters] stopped us and said we have came to liberate you,” Abu Jasim told Reuters.

The fighters’ push comes after ISIL was dealt a major blow earlier this month, when Iraqi troops and allied militias retook Tikrit.

Imo State Governorship Supplementary Election to Hold on April 25th

 

16.04.2015 

INEC has announced that the Imo State governorship election will be re-run on Saturday, April 25th in 256 polling units across 23 local government areas, Channels TV reports.

You will recall that INEC declared the initial governorship election in Imo State inconclusive due to the number of cancelled votes (144,715) in relation to the margin of win (79,529) by APC candidate, Rochas Okorocha.

According to reports, “INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Gabriel Ada, on Wednesday said the commission was more prepared and ready to conduct the supplementary election.”

Read what Ali Baba wrote about actors and piracy

Thursday, April 16, 2015

 

Actor Yemi Shodimu and others stormed the streets of Lagos to seize pirated copies of Kunle Afolayan's movie, October 1. This prompted this write-up above from Ali Baba. Is he calling actors intellectual imbeciles or I'm the one who doesn't get what he's trying to say?

Buhari to move against pension for ex-governors

Buhari to move against pension for ex-governors

         

 

Report gathered that President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), is to lead a campaign to repeal the pension laws for governors enacted by many states of the federation, newsmen has learnt.
The proposal by the incoming president is based on what sources close to him affirm as the incongruity of the laws under the country’s socio-economic environment and also, as a way of demonstrating moral leadership from the top.
Majority of the nation’s 36 state Houses of Assembly have enacted generous pension entitlements for governors that in many cases provide 100 per cent pay for the incumbent governors buildings, generous medical allowances for them and their family members and annual holiday provisions, all of which are to last for life. Provisions in the pension allowances are also made for staff, security and vehicles that are renewable every three or four years.
Buhari’s inclination towards a review of the pension for former governors was first publicly declared few days to the presidential election at the All Progressives Congress, APC, retreat in Owerri, Imo State.
States that have passed the law
Many states of the federation had steadily been passing the law since return to civil rule. States like Lagos, Edo, Gombe, Oyo, and Rivers have passed the law, through which several former governors are already drawing applicable benefits, which in some cases are 100 per cent of what the incumbent is earning, while in others, some benefits in the pension laws are as high as 300 per cent of what obtains in some states.
100% of basic salary in Lagos
The Lagos State Governor and Deputy Governor Pensions Law of 2007 provides that “a former governor and family (spouse and children both married and unmarried) are entitled to free medical treatment which is not capped. Another highlight is that the ex-governor is entitled to a cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff who are pensionable.
The benefits:
Annual Basic Salary: 100% of annual basic salaries of the incumbent governor and deputy.
Accommodation: One residential house in Lagos and another in FCT for the former governor; one residential house in Lagos for the deputy.
Transport: Three cars, two backup cars and one pilot car for the ex-governor every three years; two cars, two backup cars and one pilot car for the deputy governor every three years.
Furniture: 300 per cent of annual basic salary every two years.
House maintenance: 10 per cent of annual basic salary.
Domestic staff: Cook, steward, gardener and other domestic staff (no limit) who shall be pensionable.
Medical: Free medical treatment for ex-governor and deputy and members of their families (not just spouses).
Security: Two DSS operatives, one female officer, eight policemen (four each for house and personal security) for the ex-governor; one SSS operative and two policemen (one each for house and personal security) for the deputy. PA: 25% of annual basic salary.
Car maintenance: 30% of annual basic salary.
Entertainment: 10% of annual basic salary.
Utility: 20% of annual basic salary.
Drivers: Pensionable (no limit to number of drivers).
Severance gratuity: Not specified.
100% of basic salary in Kwara
The law stipulated that qualified former governors and their deputies be paid pension for life, without other perks like accommodation, cars, etc.
The law was reviewed in 2010 by Bukola Saraki, a former governor of the state and a serving senator, who with the support of the state House of Assembly imposed outrageous raises on all the benefits.
The 2010 law gives a former governor two cars and a security car, replaceable every three years. The governor is also entitled to a “well-furnished 5-bedroom duplex,” furniture allowance of 300 per cent of his salary (which totals over N6 million).
The law also gives the governor five personal staff paid for by the state, eight policemen, three DSS operatives (of which one must be a female), free medicals for the governor and the deputy.
Other entitlements are 30 per cent of salary for car maintenance, 20 per cent for utility, 10 per cent for entertainment, 10 per cent for house maintenance.
100% of basic salary in Rivers
The Rivers pension law was first approved in 2003 by former governor, Peter Odili, having been passed by a state assembly headed by the present governor, Chibuike Amaechi as speaker.
The 2003 pension law provides pension for life for governors and deputies, defining “pension” as embodying annual terminal basic salary, annual transport allowance, annual rent subsidy, annual utility allowance, entertainment allowance, domestic staff of not more than four.
Like Lagos, the new law gives the former governor a house in Rivers State and anywhere in Nigeria. The former governor is also entitled to pension for life at the rate of the governor’s basic salary, 300 per cent of salary for furniture paid every four years, three cars every four years, free medical and 10 per cent for house maintenance.
The law gives the former governor a security detail comprising two DSS operatives, four police officers, 30 per cent for car maintenance, 10 per cent entertainment, 20 per cent utility and several domestic staff.
100% of basic salary in Edo
The Edo State House of Assembly on May 16, 2007 passed a law entitled ‘Provision for the Pension of Rights of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the state.’
This law was passed few weeks before Governor Lucky Igbinedion left office as Governor of Edo State.
It provides for 100 per cent pension for the governor at a rate similar to the salary of the incumbent office holder and for domestic staff among others for the former governor.
300% of annual salary in Oyo
The Oyo State Pension Law 2004 provides that the Governor and Deputy Governor after leaving office shall be entitled to Pension for life at a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent Governor or Deputy Governor. Furniture Allowance of 300 per cent of the annual basic salary, Leave Allowance of 10 per cent of annual basic salary and severance allowance of 300 per cent of the annual basic salary.