Three soldiers were injured Wednesday when a bomb hit a military checkpoint in the troubled northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri where attacks by suspected Islamist radicals have killed dozens, the army said.
The blast occurred early morning near a food market in a densely populated low-to-middle class neighbourhood in the heart of the city.
"Two men on motorcycle tossed the bomb at our men which exploded causing panic and fear in the neighbourhood," Brigadier-General Jack Okechukwu Nwaogbo, the commander of a recently deployed unit, told AFP by phone.
A resident, Mahmud Kumalaia said the bomb appeared to have been hidden in a food flask left close to the checkpoint.
"The bomb was concealed in a food container and kept at an open air eatery close to the checkpoint, disguised as food left by a food vendor," he said adding it went off with "a very loud blast and smoke enveloped the area."
"It is not clear if the bomb was timed or remote-controlled. I can't say if any soldiers died but it is evident many of them were injured.
After the attack, the explosion site was cordoned off and the city's main markets elsewhere were closed by security officials.
"The market has been shut down. I was turned back and told the market would not open today. Soldiers at checkpoints are firing sporadically into the air. It's quite scary,
Attacks have become an almost daily occurrence in the city, and they are claimed by or blamed on Boko Haram, an extremist sect that sprung up in 2004, drawing inspiration from the Afghan Taliban.
Two years ago, Boko Haram launched a short-lived armed uprising in a doomed bid to establish an Islamic state.
Although the rebellion was crushed in a military assault that killed hundreds, mostly sect members, it failed to deter further attacks.
In recent months the attacks have escalated.
Close to 50 people have been killed in the city since July 26 when more than two dozen people died in a single attack.
President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered the deployment of a special force comprising hundreds of military, navy, air force, police, immigration and customs personnel to end the unrest.
The state security police this week said it had arrested more than 100 suspected militants in the north of the country, but that they were unlikely to be prosecuted.
Political leaders from three northern states have in recent days tendered apologies to the sect over their role in the brutal military crackdown on the Islamist sect in 2009.
A heavy explosion followed by bursts of sporadic gunfire hit Maiduguri, Wednesday, where a militant Islamist sect, Boko Haram has been waging a campaign of violence.
The blast, which appeared to come from the centre of the town, shattered windows in surrounding neighbourhoods shortly after 7 am (0600 GMT) and was followed by sporadic bursts of automatic gunfire, a Reuters witness and local residents said
Friday, 8 July 2011
Islamic banking, Non interest banking and religion in nigeria
What is Islamic banking?
Islamic banking or non interest banking focuses on the existence of a real and tangible asset. When money is rented for interest, the trade of money for anything except at par is not permissible as this form of banking is seen as exploitative to some of the parties in the transactions.
Universally world economies as part of a dynamic way of life promotes social interaction at the highest possible level, Islamic banking aims that wealth must be distributed in a way that earns pleasure to the one who provides it and prohibits its earnings like return on interest or sale of product and services that the one that provides the money doesn’t like.
Nigerians are very religious people and it plays an important part in their lives and in the quest for changes and reforms which when viewed more closely, that Nigerians constantly resists anything that will change that form of perception for them or that the reform or change may affect their religious beliefs.
Do you know that the concept of Islamic or non interest banking is not new in Nigeria? When Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was the governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN), he actually approved the non interest banking. The BOFIA Act 1991 as amended, section 9, 23 & 52 provides for the establishment of Islamic banking in Nigeria. As a result of the provision, the former Habib bank was given approval in 1992 to operate Islamic banking, which is still operational even after the merger with bank PHB.
Among countries that have embraced and are operating or in the stages of operating Islamic banking but not limited to this countries are South Africa, Dubai, UK, Japan and even China.
The principle of the non interest banking or Islamic banking is not limited to the following:
(1) Making interest on money is not allowed or accepted in non interest banking
Islamic banking sees money only as a medium of exchange, a way of defining value of a thing, just like “Trade by Barter”; the money has no value in itself and should therefore not be allowed to give rise to money.
(2) Islamic bank prohibits payment above the principal sum
Islamic banking allows for only one kind of loan whereby the lender or the Islamic bank does not charge any interest or additional amount over the sum of money lent.
(3) The borrower and the lender shares in the profit and loss of the business venture
Islamic banking encourages Muslims or other people to invest their money and to also become partners in the business in order to share the profit and risk instead of becoming creditors only.
(4) The lender or borrower in Islamic banking support only product and services that are not forbidden
Islamic banking will not invest in products and services that are prohibited in Islam such as financing alcoholic trade or services and investing in gambling activities. Any transaction entered into by the bank should be free from uncertainty and or speculation. Parties to a business venture in Islamic banking cannot predetermine guaranteed profit. This is based on the “Principle of Uncertain Gains”
Having X-rayed some of the bellying factors on Islamic banking; the people of Nigeria deserve to be educated on the principles, practice and use of the Islamic banking in Nigeria in order for them to know the Advantages and disadvantages of this kind of banking. Some of the fears that is been entertained is somehow seen to be sectional but is based on constructive critism on the issue.
This teething phase will pass and we shall see what this kind of banking holds for us, but what does the president of Nigeria think on this issue? As at the time of going online the president Dr Goodluck Jonathan has not said anything on the issue, that is if it is in line with his policies in this dispensation and the cashless society policy.
Islamic banking or non interest banking focuses on the existence of a real and tangible asset. When money is rented for interest, the trade of money for anything except at par is not permissible as this form of banking is seen as exploitative to some of the parties in the transactions.
Universally world economies as part of a dynamic way of life promotes social interaction at the highest possible level, Islamic banking aims that wealth must be distributed in a way that earns pleasure to the one who provides it and prohibits its earnings like return on interest or sale of product and services that the one that provides the money doesn’t like.
Nigerians are very religious people and it plays an important part in their lives and in the quest for changes and reforms which when viewed more closely, that Nigerians constantly resists anything that will change that form of perception for them or that the reform or change may affect their religious beliefs.
Do you know that the concept of Islamic or non interest banking is not new in Nigeria? When Prof. Chukwuma Soludo was the governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN), he actually approved the non interest banking. The BOFIA Act 1991 as amended, section 9, 23 & 52 provides for the establishment of Islamic banking in Nigeria. As a result of the provision, the former Habib bank was given approval in 1992 to operate Islamic banking, which is still operational even after the merger with bank PHB.
Among countries that have embraced and are operating or in the stages of operating Islamic banking but not limited to this countries are South Africa, Dubai, UK, Japan and even China.
The principle of the non interest banking or Islamic banking is not limited to the following:
(1) Making interest on money is not allowed or accepted in non interest banking
Islamic banking sees money only as a medium of exchange, a way of defining value of a thing, just like “Trade by Barter”; the money has no value in itself and should therefore not be allowed to give rise to money.
(2) Islamic bank prohibits payment above the principal sum
Islamic banking allows for only one kind of loan whereby the lender or the Islamic bank does not charge any interest or additional amount over the sum of money lent.
(3) The borrower and the lender shares in the profit and loss of the business venture
Islamic banking encourages Muslims or other people to invest their money and to also become partners in the business in order to share the profit and risk instead of becoming creditors only.
(4) The lender or borrower in Islamic banking support only product and services that are not forbidden
Islamic banking will not invest in products and services that are prohibited in Islam such as financing alcoholic trade or services and investing in gambling activities. Any transaction entered into by the bank should be free from uncertainty and or speculation. Parties to a business venture in Islamic banking cannot predetermine guaranteed profit. This is based on the “Principle of Uncertain Gains”
Having X-rayed some of the bellying factors on Islamic banking; the people of Nigeria deserve to be educated on the principles, practice and use of the Islamic banking in Nigeria in order for them to know the Advantages and disadvantages of this kind of banking. Some of the fears that is been entertained is somehow seen to be sectional but is based on constructive critism on the issue.
This teething phase will pass and we shall see what this kind of banking holds for us, but what does the president of Nigeria think on this issue? As at the time of going online the president Dr Goodluck Jonathan has not said anything on the issue, that is if it is in line with his policies in this dispensation and the cashless society policy.
boko haram threats on the nigerian people
The meaning of “Boko Haram” means getting “western education is a sin”, lately the Boko Haram have intensified terror on the Nigerian people. Their attacks have greatly intensified in the last nine months, hardest hit are public places which we have seen these past fews days and month like public areas, nightclubs, bars and relaxation areas that depicts or portrays western style of living or standard.
There have been frantic efforts by the security personnel in the country to curtail their bomb scare and to try to protect the populace, "These measures are necessitated by the need to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the federal capital territory.
The high profile attack on the police headquarters in Abuja on June 16 was reported to have killed eight innocent people.
This was followed by an attack at a beer garden in Borno state that killed 25 people.
Some security analysts, after a reassessment of Boko Haram's capacity, believe the radical Islamist group is receiving training from outside Nigeria.
Security sources have alleged that Boko Haram fighters are traveling to Somalia, Afghanistan and other areas for training on how to make explosives and other dangerous weapons.
However, this claim is yet to be officially corroborated by the Nigerian police authorities.
Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government- by fighting political and social activity associated with the West, with an aim of creating an Islamic state.
Reportedly influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: "Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors," Boko Haram seeks to prevent Nigerians from voting, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education which is a farce in this day and age.
Conflict resolution analysts in the country advocate for dialogue and negotiations but Boko Haram has shown little interest in dialogue and amnesty.
There have been frantic efforts by the security personnel in the country to curtail their bomb scare and to try to protect the populace, "These measures are necessitated by the need to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the federal capital territory.
The high profile attack on the police headquarters in Abuja on June 16 was reported to have killed eight innocent people.
This was followed by an attack at a beer garden in Borno state that killed 25 people.
Some security analysts, after a reassessment of Boko Haram's capacity, believe the radical Islamist group is receiving training from outside Nigeria.
Security sources have alleged that Boko Haram fighters are traveling to Somalia, Afghanistan and other areas for training on how to make explosives and other dangerous weapons.
However, this claim is yet to be officially corroborated by the Nigerian police authorities.
Boko Haram is fighting to overthrow the government- by fighting political and social activity associated with the West, with an aim of creating an Islamic state.
Reportedly influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: "Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors," Boko Haram seeks to prevent Nigerians from voting, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education which is a farce in this day and age.
Conflict resolution analysts in the country advocate for dialogue and negotiations but Boko Haram has shown little interest in dialogue and amnesty.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
The nigerian national Assembly
Close to the 7th National Assembly, the race for the speakership of the House of Representatives is less than settled. But the House looks to be in high spirits as members have narrowed the search to Ajibola Saubana Ajibola, 48 and Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, 45. Also in the race is Hon Adeola Mulikat Akande, 51. A lawyer, she was first elected into the House in 2007.
The factors that will determine the next Speaker of the House of Representatives have excluded aspirants from the South East. And this has forced the ambitious lawmakers from the South East to shuttle between the Ajibola camp and Tambuwal camp as they look forward to settling for the deputy speaker position.
The incumbent Chief Whip of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, a leading contender from the South East, is angling to grab the deputy speaker and there are reports that he has deployed resources to support the Tambuwal campaign. Ihedioha is the main brain behind the solidarity and unusual political unity in the South East against the retention of the position of Speaker by the South West. However, it was learnt that the choice of Ihedioha is raising concerns and some lawmakers in the team were have suggested that a search be opened for an alternative to Ihedioha. A source in the camp said last night, “it is true but he is a very accomplished member of the House from the South East. We will work round it.”
As the horse-trading continues, the two camps are making efforts to woo the other parties for support. And in this regard, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is seen as the beautiful bride.
The Tambuwal camp claims that it has struck a working arrangement with members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The CPC caucus in the House has not yet said anything in favour of any candidate. Perhaps the only way to x-ray the political manipulations and maneuvers is by looking at the factors working for the camps.
Tambuwal, a lawyer, was first elected into the House in 2003 and has been re-elected twice since then. His candidacy is propelled by a group of lawmakers who oppose the retention of zoning for the leadership of the House by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His support base is the North West, South East, but he has an even wider support from a few other zones.
According to those supporting Tambuwal’s cause, the desire to push him forward was borne out of considerations like:
1. Tambuwal’s rich legislative background having been in the House since 2003.
2. the image of the House required serious improvement
3. PDP ignored the need to stabilise the House when it reeled out its zoning formula in the National Assembly
4. since the retention of the present zoning formula was aimed at the stability, which Senate President David Mark has enthroned in the Senate, should not this apply in the House?
5. the argument against the North holding the offices of the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker and PDP National Chairman at the same time is not unusual. They cite the example of 1979 when the South produced the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker, the party chairman when the President was from the North.
6. that there is no compelling reason for the PDP to restrict itself to the zoning formula at the expense of the stability of the House, after it abandoned the principle of zoning for Jonathan.
7. that the leadership of the PDP fails to appreciate the enormity of the problems in the House and therefore cannot offer solutions regarding the kind of leadership required to deal with the problems.
8. that the party leaders pretended to be retaining the zoning formula even when they had ulterior motives.
9. the question of the massive loss of seats is also noted
10. the number of members elected under the PDP to the House at the moment has hampered the opportunity for the House to source for the best.
A source close to the Tambuwal camp said, “we are determined to elect our own leader in the House. We are convinced that we can manage the failure of our leaders if we elect them than if they are imposed on us by other interests. This is also our own way of entrenching democracy.
“Essentially this is a House project designed to insist on independence of the Legislature. Imposition doesn’t work in the House. Moreover, if the Senate can pick its own leaders, why will that not apply to the House? They talk about ranking there, and we talk about experience.”
But a problem the group will contend with is the PDP leadership, which has viewed their action as anti-party. The lawmakers supporting Tambuwal are made to understand that without the support of the party they wont have secured reelection. They were also been told that the party might not support them in future if they refuse to tow the party’s line on Ajibola.
Tambuwal, from Sokoto State is also running against the interests of Vice President Namadi Sambo who is also from the same North West zone. Members of the group have deliberately avoided meeting with the party national chairman and the Vice President, amidst efforts to get Tambuwal to retrace his steps. It recently emerged that the pressure coming from the state governors is said to have added to the problems faced by Tambuwal. Most of the governors from the North including Sokoto and North West are from the PDP.
Ajibola’s candidacy gained currency when the PDP had decided to retain the existing zoning formula in the National Assembly. A lawyer also, Ajibola was elected in 2007, he played an outstanding role in the House probe into Federal Government’s expenditure in the power sector, a role his colleagues interpreted as a defence for former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. This perception has attracted criticism against his candidature, as many returning lawmakers believe that a Ajibola leadership would make the House a stooge in the hands of Obasanjo. This is a huge battle Ajibola has got to contend with so far as his camp has tried to explain that Ajibola’s perceived support for Obasanjo in the power probe was nothing but an attempt to ensure that the House complied with the ethics of legislative investigation including of fairness and innocence until proven guilty.
Ajibola was the only member of that Power probe committee who wrote a minority report against the original report submitted by the Elumelu-led committee.
His campaign message has centered on a five-point agenda including running an open and transparent leadership, creation of enabling environment for good laws made by the legislative arm to sail through, and in a manner that would touch on the lives of all Nigerians.
He has the support of the PDP going for him and this ironically can also be a major handicap with the House determined to resist the influence of external factors in the search of its leadership. After the meeting of the extended PDP caucus, which ratified the retention of the position of speaker in the South West, the zone’s caucus of the PDP met and chose Ajibola and communicated the choice to the party’s national leadership and President Goodluck Jonathan. Sambo is coordinating the campaign together with the acting National Chairman of PDP, Bello. Also, the 15 governors of PDP from the North met in Abuja and endorsed the decision of the PDP leadership to retain the existing zoning formula regarding the leadership of the National Assembly.
The choice of Dogara Yakubu last week as the running mate for Ajibola has equally boosted the team, as there are speculations that the PDP is playing the Dogara card to stabilise the team.
Dogara, one of the king makers in the House is a member of the kitchen cabinet of the incumbent Speaker Dimeji Bankole. He was the Vice Chairman of New Agenda Forum (NAF), an umbrella association of new members-elect that was formed as a pressure group, which played a crucial role in the emergence of principal officers of the House. He was appointed a member of the Ad-Hoc Selection Committee responsible for the structure and composition of standing committees of the House.
Between 2007 and 2010, he was Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise from where he moved last year to the House Services Committee as Chairman till date. It is to his credit that his activities as chairman of these committees have been devoid of controversies. In fact, he rather deployed his skill to good effect when he was appointed Chairman, Nigeria Customs Service probe panel, member House Contract Scam probe panel and member, Hijack of Fishing Vessels and Maritime Security Probe Panel.
However, Ajibola is strongly criticised on account of allegations of being a lone-ranger with an uncompromising personality. Many believe that there would not be any difference between Ajibola and Bankole in terms of legislative stubbornness and rascality.
In the meantime, a strategy to ease the pressure from the PDP and the governors was devised last week by the Tambuwal camp, which influenced the House to change the method of voting from open to open secret voting. By this open-secret method, the party would not be able to detect how lawmakers voted. This was made possible by majority of the serving lawmakers in the House that have sympathy for Tambuwal and have vowed to resist the imposition or interference by the party leadership and the Presidency in the choice of Speaker of the House.
Akande, 51, is regarded as a very articulate and intelligent lawmaker, her strongest point is that she has a very humble disposition. And this has made her very acceptable to those kingmakers in the House who are opposed to electing a speaker that could turn out to be a bully.
Her supporters are counting on possible resistance by lawmakers against what they called imposition of speaker. A Mulikat speakership can only be realised if majority of lawmakers decide to abandon the dictate of the PDP leadership. It was gathered that some ranking lawmakers had started lobbying the PDP leadership to allow members choose whoever they wanted from the South West instead of narrowing the speakership to only one person from the South West zone.
The days ahead of the inauguration are certainly going to be tense in the House as the lawmakers approach the crucial time where the decisions will be taken by either of the groups and their supporters.
Meanwhile, the PDP is unhappy with some party leaders, which it observed were playing double standards in this speakership race.
According to a principal officer in the House, “it has become clear that some party leaders would declare support for Ajibola in the daytime and go back to encourage Tambuwal in the midnight. We are also aware of the secret meetings, which Tambuwal and his group are having with some prominent persons who simply want to use the opportunity provided by this speakership contest to settle scores with the party.
The factors that will determine the next Speaker of the House of Representatives have excluded aspirants from the South East. And this has forced the ambitious lawmakers from the South East to shuttle between the Ajibola camp and Tambuwal camp as they look forward to settling for the deputy speaker position.
The incumbent Chief Whip of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, a leading contender from the South East, is angling to grab the deputy speaker and there are reports that he has deployed resources to support the Tambuwal campaign. Ihedioha is the main brain behind the solidarity and unusual political unity in the South East against the retention of the position of Speaker by the South West. However, it was learnt that the choice of Ihedioha is raising concerns and some lawmakers in the team were have suggested that a search be opened for an alternative to Ihedioha. A source in the camp said last night, “it is true but he is a very accomplished member of the House from the South East. We will work round it.”
As the horse-trading continues, the two camps are making efforts to woo the other parties for support. And in this regard, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) is seen as the beautiful bride.
The Tambuwal camp claims that it has struck a working arrangement with members of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). The CPC caucus in the House has not yet said anything in favour of any candidate. Perhaps the only way to x-ray the political manipulations and maneuvers is by looking at the factors working for the camps.
Tambuwal, a lawyer, was first elected into the House in 2003 and has been re-elected twice since then. His candidacy is propelled by a group of lawmakers who oppose the retention of zoning for the leadership of the House by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His support base is the North West, South East, but he has an even wider support from a few other zones.
According to those supporting Tambuwal’s cause, the desire to push him forward was borne out of considerations like:
1. Tambuwal’s rich legislative background having been in the House since 2003.
2. the image of the House required serious improvement
3. PDP ignored the need to stabilise the House when it reeled out its zoning formula in the National Assembly
4. since the retention of the present zoning formula was aimed at the stability, which Senate President David Mark has enthroned in the Senate, should not this apply in the House?
5. the argument against the North holding the offices of the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker and PDP National Chairman at the same time is not unusual. They cite the example of 1979 when the South produced the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker, the party chairman when the President was from the North.
6. that there is no compelling reason for the PDP to restrict itself to the zoning formula at the expense of the stability of the House, after it abandoned the principle of zoning for Jonathan.
7. that the leadership of the PDP fails to appreciate the enormity of the problems in the House and therefore cannot offer solutions regarding the kind of leadership required to deal with the problems.
8. that the party leaders pretended to be retaining the zoning formula even when they had ulterior motives.
9. the question of the massive loss of seats is also noted
10. the number of members elected under the PDP to the House at the moment has hampered the opportunity for the House to source for the best.
A source close to the Tambuwal camp said, “we are determined to elect our own leader in the House. We are convinced that we can manage the failure of our leaders if we elect them than if they are imposed on us by other interests. This is also our own way of entrenching democracy.
“Essentially this is a House project designed to insist on independence of the Legislature. Imposition doesn’t work in the House. Moreover, if the Senate can pick its own leaders, why will that not apply to the House? They talk about ranking there, and we talk about experience.”
But a problem the group will contend with is the PDP leadership, which has viewed their action as anti-party. The lawmakers supporting Tambuwal are made to understand that without the support of the party they wont have secured reelection. They were also been told that the party might not support them in future if they refuse to tow the party’s line on Ajibola.
Tambuwal, from Sokoto State is also running against the interests of Vice President Namadi Sambo who is also from the same North West zone. Members of the group have deliberately avoided meeting with the party national chairman and the Vice President, amidst efforts to get Tambuwal to retrace his steps. It recently emerged that the pressure coming from the state governors is said to have added to the problems faced by Tambuwal. Most of the governors from the North including Sokoto and North West are from the PDP.
Ajibola’s candidacy gained currency when the PDP had decided to retain the existing zoning formula in the National Assembly. A lawyer also, Ajibola was elected in 2007, he played an outstanding role in the House probe into Federal Government’s expenditure in the power sector, a role his colleagues interpreted as a defence for former president, Olusegun Obasanjo. This perception has attracted criticism against his candidature, as many returning lawmakers believe that a Ajibola leadership would make the House a stooge in the hands of Obasanjo. This is a huge battle Ajibola has got to contend with so far as his camp has tried to explain that Ajibola’s perceived support for Obasanjo in the power probe was nothing but an attempt to ensure that the House complied with the ethics of legislative investigation including of fairness and innocence until proven guilty.
Ajibola was the only member of that Power probe committee who wrote a minority report against the original report submitted by the Elumelu-led committee.
His campaign message has centered on a five-point agenda including running an open and transparent leadership, creation of enabling environment for good laws made by the legislative arm to sail through, and in a manner that would touch on the lives of all Nigerians.
He has the support of the PDP going for him and this ironically can also be a major handicap with the House determined to resist the influence of external factors in the search of its leadership. After the meeting of the extended PDP caucus, which ratified the retention of the position of speaker in the South West, the zone’s caucus of the PDP met and chose Ajibola and communicated the choice to the party’s national leadership and President Goodluck Jonathan. Sambo is coordinating the campaign together with the acting National Chairman of PDP, Bello. Also, the 15 governors of PDP from the North met in Abuja and endorsed the decision of the PDP leadership to retain the existing zoning formula regarding the leadership of the National Assembly.
The choice of Dogara Yakubu last week as the running mate for Ajibola has equally boosted the team, as there are speculations that the PDP is playing the Dogara card to stabilise the team.
Dogara, one of the king makers in the House is a member of the kitchen cabinet of the incumbent Speaker Dimeji Bankole. He was the Vice Chairman of New Agenda Forum (NAF), an umbrella association of new members-elect that was formed as a pressure group, which played a crucial role in the emergence of principal officers of the House. He was appointed a member of the Ad-Hoc Selection Committee responsible for the structure and composition of standing committees of the House.
Between 2007 and 2010, he was Chairman, House Committee on Customs and Excise from where he moved last year to the House Services Committee as Chairman till date. It is to his credit that his activities as chairman of these committees have been devoid of controversies. In fact, he rather deployed his skill to good effect when he was appointed Chairman, Nigeria Customs Service probe panel, member House Contract Scam probe panel and member, Hijack of Fishing Vessels and Maritime Security Probe Panel.
However, Ajibola is strongly criticised on account of allegations of being a lone-ranger with an uncompromising personality. Many believe that there would not be any difference between Ajibola and Bankole in terms of legislative stubbornness and rascality.
In the meantime, a strategy to ease the pressure from the PDP and the governors was devised last week by the Tambuwal camp, which influenced the House to change the method of voting from open to open secret voting. By this open-secret method, the party would not be able to detect how lawmakers voted. This was made possible by majority of the serving lawmakers in the House that have sympathy for Tambuwal and have vowed to resist the imposition or interference by the party leadership and the Presidency in the choice of Speaker of the House.
Akande, 51, is regarded as a very articulate and intelligent lawmaker, her strongest point is that she has a very humble disposition. And this has made her very acceptable to those kingmakers in the House who are opposed to electing a speaker that could turn out to be a bully.
Her supporters are counting on possible resistance by lawmakers against what they called imposition of speaker. A Mulikat speakership can only be realised if majority of lawmakers decide to abandon the dictate of the PDP leadership. It was gathered that some ranking lawmakers had started lobbying the PDP leadership to allow members choose whoever they wanted from the South West instead of narrowing the speakership to only one person from the South West zone.
The days ahead of the inauguration are certainly going to be tense in the House as the lawmakers approach the crucial time where the decisions will be taken by either of the groups and their supporters.
Meanwhile, the PDP is unhappy with some party leaders, which it observed were playing double standards in this speakership race.
According to a principal officer in the House, “it has become clear that some party leaders would declare support for Ajibola in the daytime and go back to encourage Tambuwal in the midnight. We are also aware of the secret meetings, which Tambuwal and his group are having with some prominent persons who simply want to use the opportunity provided by this speakership contest to settle scores with the party.
Friday, 4 March 2011
Six unarmed female were killed by forces loyal to ivory coast sturbbon leader
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Soldiers backing Ivory Coast’s defiant leader shot and killed six women yesterday as they protested his refusal to leave power. The attack shocked a nation where women’s marches have long been used as a last resort against an unrestrained army.
Women had decided this week to organize women-only marches in the nation’s commercial capital, assuming soldiers would be too ashamed to open fire.
But at least six of the thousands of women who were demonstrating yesterday were killed on the spot, said Mohamed Dosso, an assistant to the mayor of Abobo who said he saw the bodies.
The three-month-old conflict in Ivory Coast has entered a new level of intensity. With each passing day, the regime of Laurent Gbagbo is proving it is willing to go to any length to stay in office after an election that international observers say he lost.
Sirah Drane, 41, who helped organize the march, said she was holding the megaphone and preparing to address the large crowd that had gathered at a traffic circle in Abobo.
“That’s when we saw the tanks,’’ she said. “There were thousands of women. And we said to ourselves, ‘They won’t shoot at women.’ . . . I heard a boom. They started spraying us. . . . I tried to run and fell down. The others trampled me. Opening fire on unarmed women? It’s inconceivable.’’
The attack prompted an immediate rebuke from the United States, which like most governments has urged Gbagbo to step down and has recognized his rival as the country’s legitimate president.
Nearly 400 people have been killed in the country, including 32 in the last 24 hours, according to UN figures and combined with deaths confirmed by the Associated Press.
Last week, Gbagbo’s forces entered the Abobo neighborhood and began shelling it with mortars, an escalation indicating the army is willing to use war-grade weapons on its citizens.
Women had decided this week to organize women-only marches in the nation’s commercial capital, assuming soldiers would be too ashamed to open fire.
But at least six of the thousands of women who were demonstrating yesterday were killed on the spot, said Mohamed Dosso, an assistant to the mayor of Abobo who said he saw the bodies.
The three-month-old conflict in Ivory Coast has entered a new level of intensity. With each passing day, the regime of Laurent Gbagbo is proving it is willing to go to any length to stay in office after an election that international observers say he lost.
Sirah Drane, 41, who helped organize the march, said she was holding the megaphone and preparing to address the large crowd that had gathered at a traffic circle in Abobo.
“That’s when we saw the tanks,’’ she said. “There were thousands of women. And we said to ourselves, ‘They won’t shoot at women.’ . . . I heard a boom. They started spraying us. . . . I tried to run and fell down. The others trampled me. Opening fire on unarmed women? It’s inconceivable.’’
The attack prompted an immediate rebuke from the United States, which like most governments has urged Gbagbo to step down and has recognized his rival as the country’s legitimate president.
Nearly 400 people have been killed in the country, including 32 in the last 24 hours, according to UN figures and combined with deaths confirmed by the Associated Press.
Last week, Gbagbo’s forces entered the Abobo neighborhood and began shelling it with mortars, an escalation indicating the army is willing to use war-grade weapons on its citizens.
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Beyonce returns Gaddafi's Money, Dutch soldiers taken prisoners and African mistaken as mercenaries
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Libya's embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi have discussed plans for an international peacekeeping mission to mediate the crisis in Libya, say officials.
"We do confirm that Comandante Chavez had a conversation with Gaddafii yesterday (Tuesday) on a Peace Commission for Libya proposal," Communications Minister Andres Izarra tweeted.
Izarra did not offer more details on the talks between the close allies.
Gaddafi's government has been rocked by two weeks of bloody clashes with protesters seeking to topple his 41-year-old regime.
Chavez on Monday proposed creating an international peace mission with forces from friendly nations to try to mediate the unrest gripping the North African nation and avoid civil war.
As rebels repulsed a fierce onslaught by Gaddafi's forces on a key oil town, the longtime leader warned earlier that "thousands" would die if the West intervened.
The United States and its allies meanwhile cooled talk of imposing a no-fly zone over his country amid growing global calls for action to stop Gaddafi from using warplanes against his own people and to protect refugees scrambling to escape.
Chavez claims the United States is "exaggerating things and twisting things to justify an invasion" of Libya.
Both leaders regularly make public condemnations of US "imperialism" and have exchanged visits in recent years. Ties are so close that Gaddafi was rumoured at one point to have fled to Caracas, claims later denied.
Dutch soldiers taken prisoner
In other developments, three Dutch soldiers were taken prisoner at the weekend by armed men during an operation to evacuate civilians from Libya, the Dutch defence ministry said today.
"We confirm it," a navy official told AFP when asked about the capture of three marines reported by Dutch daily De Telegraaf.
The paper said the three marines were helping with the evacuation from Sirte of two civilians, one Dutch and another European, in a helicopter that crashed.
The marines were attacked by armed men loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who captured them. The two civilians were handed over by the Libyans to the Dutch embassy and have since left Libya, according to De Telegraaf.
Thousands of Africans fear being mistaken for mercenaries
In the rush to get foreigners out of Libya, thousands of migrant Africans are being left behind, holed up at home terrified as insurgents mistake them for mercenaries fighting for Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
Rumours that Gaddafi has hired fighters from south of the Sahara to quash a popular revolt against him have made hordes of Africans targets of popular anger, many from poor countries unable to organise their evacuation.
Libyan border crossings were overwhelmed on Wednesday by tens of thousands of hungry, fearful people fleeing its burgeoning civil war.
Egypt and a handful of European nations launched emergency airlifts and sent ships to handle the chaotic exodus.
UN refugee agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said over 180,000 refugees have reached the border.
Beyonce donates Gaddafi fee
Beyonce says she donated money she received for performing for the Gaddafi clan to Haiti relief efforts more than a year ago.
The superstar made the revelation in a statement on Wednesday to The Associated Press. Her announcement comes days after singer Nelly Furtado tweeted that she had gotten $US1 million from the Gaddafi clan to perform in Italy in 2007. Furtado says she's donating that money to charity.
Beyonce's publicist says she performed at a private party on the island of St Barts on New Year's Eve in 2009. Once it was revealed that the performance was linked to the Gaddafi family, she gave the money and commissions to earthquake relief in Haiti.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is being investigated for possible war crimes.
"We do confirm that Comandante Chavez had a conversation with Gaddafii yesterday (Tuesday) on a Peace Commission for Libya proposal," Communications Minister Andres Izarra tweeted.
Izarra did not offer more details on the talks between the close allies.
Gaddafi's government has been rocked by two weeks of bloody clashes with protesters seeking to topple his 41-year-old regime.
Chavez on Monday proposed creating an international peace mission with forces from friendly nations to try to mediate the unrest gripping the North African nation and avoid civil war.
As rebels repulsed a fierce onslaught by Gaddafi's forces on a key oil town, the longtime leader warned earlier that "thousands" would die if the West intervened.
The United States and its allies meanwhile cooled talk of imposing a no-fly zone over his country amid growing global calls for action to stop Gaddafi from using warplanes against his own people and to protect refugees scrambling to escape.
Chavez claims the United States is "exaggerating things and twisting things to justify an invasion" of Libya.
Both leaders regularly make public condemnations of US "imperialism" and have exchanged visits in recent years. Ties are so close that Gaddafi was rumoured at one point to have fled to Caracas, claims later denied.
Dutch soldiers taken prisoner
In other developments, three Dutch soldiers were taken prisoner at the weekend by armed men during an operation to evacuate civilians from Libya, the Dutch defence ministry said today.
"We confirm it," a navy official told AFP when asked about the capture of three marines reported by Dutch daily De Telegraaf.
The paper said the three marines were helping with the evacuation from Sirte of two civilians, one Dutch and another European, in a helicopter that crashed.
The marines were attacked by armed men loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who captured them. The two civilians were handed over by the Libyans to the Dutch embassy and have since left Libya, according to De Telegraaf.
Thousands of Africans fear being mistaken for mercenaries
In the rush to get foreigners out of Libya, thousands of migrant Africans are being left behind, holed up at home terrified as insurgents mistake them for mercenaries fighting for Muammar Gaddafi's regime.
Rumours that Gaddafi has hired fighters from south of the Sahara to quash a popular revolt against him have made hordes of Africans targets of popular anger, many from poor countries unable to organise their evacuation.
Libyan border crossings were overwhelmed on Wednesday by tens of thousands of hungry, fearful people fleeing its burgeoning civil war.
Egypt and a handful of European nations launched emergency airlifts and sent ships to handle the chaotic exodus.
UN refugee agency spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said over 180,000 refugees have reached the border.
Beyonce donates Gaddafi fee
Beyonce says she donated money she received for performing for the Gaddafi clan to Haiti relief efforts more than a year ago.
The superstar made the revelation in a statement on Wednesday to The Associated Press. Her announcement comes days after singer Nelly Furtado tweeted that she had gotten $US1 million from the Gaddafi clan to perform in Italy in 2007. Furtado says she's donating that money to charity.
Beyonce's publicist says she performed at a private party on the island of St Barts on New Year's Eve in 2009. Once it was revealed that the performance was linked to the Gaddafi family, she gave the money and commissions to earthquake relief in Haiti.
Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi is being investigated for possible war crimes.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Longest ruling presidents and advances of Gadafi of libia
List of longest ruling non-royal leaders
The list of longest ruling non-royal leaders of all time details leaders of countries who ruled for more than 30 consecutive years, and were not royalty, names in bold are still ruling:
No. Name Country Office Tenure Began Tenure Ended Length of Tenure
1. Fidel Castro
Cuba
First Secretary/Prime Minister/President 16 Feb 1959 24 Feb 2008 49 years, 8 days
2. Chiang Kai-shek
Republic of China
Director-General/Premier/President 10 Oct 1928 5 Apr 1975 46 years, 177 days
3. Kim Il-sung
North Korea
General Secretary/Prime Minister/President 9 Sep 1948 8 Jul 1994 45 years, 302 days
4. Omar Bongo
Gabon
President 2 Dec 1967 8 Jun 2009 41 years, 188 days
5. Muammar al-Gaddafi
Libya
Prime Minister/Leader and Guide of the Revolution 1 Sep 1969 Present 41 years, 182 days
6. Enver Hoxha
Albania
First Secretary 22 Oct 1944 11 Apr 1985 40 years, 171 days
7. Khalifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa
Bahrain
Prime Minister 16 Dec 1971 Present 39 years, 76 days
8. Francisco Franco
Spain
Prime Minister/Head of State 1 Oct 1936 20 Nov 1975 39 years, 51 days
9. Gnassingbé Eyadéma
Togo
President 14 Apr 1967 5 Feb 2005 37 years, 297 days
10. Josip Broz Tito
Yugoslavia
Prime Minister/President 29 Nov 1943 4 May 1980 36 years, 157 days
11. António de Oliveira Salazar
Portugal
Prime Minister 5 Jul 1932 25 Sep 1968 36 years, 82 days
12. Todor Zhivkov
Bulgaria
First Secretary/President 4 Mar 1954 17 Nov 1989 35 years, 258 days
13. Paul Biya
Cameroon
Prime Minister/President 30 Jun 1975 Present 35 years, 245 days
14. Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Cote d'Ivoire
Prime Minister/President 1 May 1959 7 Dec 1993 34 years, 220 days
15. Alfredo Stroessner
Paraguay
President 15 Aug 1954 3 Feb 1989 34 years, 172 days
16. Ali Abdullah Saleh
North Yemen/ Yemen
President 18 Jul 1978 Present 32 years, 227 days
17. Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal
Mongolia
Prime Minister/Head of State 26 Jan 1952 23 Aug 1984 32 years, 210 days
18. Dawda Jawara
Gambia
Prime Minister/President 12 Jun 1962 22 Jul 1994 32 years, 40 days
19. János Kádár
Hungary
General Secretary/Prime Minister 25 Oct 1956 27 May 1988 31 years, 214 days
20. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Equatorial Guinea
President 3 Aug 1979 Present 31 years, 211 days
21. Habib Bourguiba
Tunisia
Prime Minister/President 11 Apr 1956 7 Nov 1987 31 years, 210 days
22. Lee Kuan Yew
Singapore
Prime Minister 5 Jun 1959 28 Nov 1990 31 years, 176 days
23. José Eduardo dos Santos
Angola
President 10 Sep 1979 Present 31 years, 173 days
24. Mobutu Sese Seko
Zaire
President 24 Nov 1965 16 May 1997 31 years, 173 days
25. Hastings Banda
Malawi
Prime Minister/President 1 Feb 1963 21 May 1994 31 years, 109 days
26. Suharto
Indonesia
President 12 Mar 1967 21 May 1998 31 years, 70 days
27. Joseph Stalin
Soviet Union
General Secretary/Prime Minister 3 Apr 1922 5 Mar 1953 30 years, 336 days
28. Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwe
Prime Minister/President 18 Apr 1980 Present 30 years, 318 days
29. Abdou Diouf
Senegal
Prime Minister/President 26 Feb 1970 1 Apr 2000 30 years, 35 days
30. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maldives
President 11 Nov 1978 11 Nov 2008 30 years, 0 days
Forces loyal to the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are moving into rebel territory in the east, taking an oil installation in the town of Brega.
The BBC's John Simpson in the nearby city of Ajdabiya says the 100-vehicle convoy is expected to head towards it, and an arms dump there has been bombed.
The city's defenders are in a high state of excitement and expecting an attack, our correspondent says.
In two weeks of unrest Col Gaddafi has lost control of large parts of Libya.
The violence has led to a major humanitarian crisis on the Tunisian border, with tens of thousands of foreigners, most of them Egyptian, stranded and unable to get home.
The UN says a mass evacuation is needed and thousands of lives are at stake.
Meanwhile in the capital Tripoli, where Col Gaddafi is still in charge, a fuel tanker overturned causing several large explosions.
It is not clear whether the incident was an act of sabotage.
Rebels determined
Our correspondent says Brega was defended by a handful of lightly armed rebels, but Ajdabiya is a more important target.
It has a large arms dump which has been bombed several times by pro-Gaddafi forces.
The loyalists are now only a couple of miles from Ajdabiya, the defenders say.
The rebels are determined to put up a fight but it remains to be seen whether this translates into an organised defence of the city.
The list of longest ruling non-royal leaders of all time details leaders of countries who ruled for more than 30 consecutive years, and were not royalty, names in bold are still ruling:
No. Name Country Office Tenure Began Tenure Ended Length of Tenure
1. Fidel Castro
Cuba
First Secretary/Prime Minister/President 16 Feb 1959 24 Feb 2008 49 years, 8 days
2. Chiang Kai-shek
Republic of China
Director-General/Premier/President 10 Oct 1928 5 Apr 1975 46 years, 177 days
3. Kim Il-sung
North Korea
General Secretary/Prime Minister/President 9 Sep 1948 8 Jul 1994 45 years, 302 days
4. Omar Bongo
Gabon
President 2 Dec 1967 8 Jun 2009 41 years, 188 days
5. Muammar al-Gaddafi
Libya
Prime Minister/Leader and Guide of the Revolution 1 Sep 1969 Present 41 years, 182 days
6. Enver Hoxha
Albania
First Secretary 22 Oct 1944 11 Apr 1985 40 years, 171 days
7. Khalifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa
Bahrain
Prime Minister 16 Dec 1971 Present 39 years, 76 days
8. Francisco Franco
Spain
Prime Minister/Head of State 1 Oct 1936 20 Nov 1975 39 years, 51 days
9. Gnassingbé Eyadéma
Togo
President 14 Apr 1967 5 Feb 2005 37 years, 297 days
10. Josip Broz Tito
Yugoslavia
Prime Minister/President 29 Nov 1943 4 May 1980 36 years, 157 days
11. António de Oliveira Salazar
Portugal
Prime Minister 5 Jul 1932 25 Sep 1968 36 years, 82 days
12. Todor Zhivkov
Bulgaria
First Secretary/President 4 Mar 1954 17 Nov 1989 35 years, 258 days
13. Paul Biya
Cameroon
Prime Minister/President 30 Jun 1975 Present 35 years, 245 days
14. Félix Houphouët-Boigny
Cote d'Ivoire
Prime Minister/President 1 May 1959 7 Dec 1993 34 years, 220 days
15. Alfredo Stroessner
Paraguay
President 15 Aug 1954 3 Feb 1989 34 years, 172 days
16. Ali Abdullah Saleh
North Yemen/ Yemen
President 18 Jul 1978 Present 32 years, 227 days
17. Yumjaagiin Tsedenbal
Mongolia
Prime Minister/Head of State 26 Jan 1952 23 Aug 1984 32 years, 210 days
18. Dawda Jawara
Gambia
Prime Minister/President 12 Jun 1962 22 Jul 1994 32 years, 40 days
19. János Kádár
Hungary
General Secretary/Prime Minister 25 Oct 1956 27 May 1988 31 years, 214 days
20. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Equatorial Guinea
President 3 Aug 1979 Present 31 years, 211 days
21. Habib Bourguiba
Tunisia
Prime Minister/President 11 Apr 1956 7 Nov 1987 31 years, 210 days
22. Lee Kuan Yew
Singapore
Prime Minister 5 Jun 1959 28 Nov 1990 31 years, 176 days
23. José Eduardo dos Santos
Angola
President 10 Sep 1979 Present 31 years, 173 days
24. Mobutu Sese Seko
Zaire
President 24 Nov 1965 16 May 1997 31 years, 173 days
25. Hastings Banda
Malawi
Prime Minister/President 1 Feb 1963 21 May 1994 31 years, 109 days
26. Suharto
Indonesia
President 12 Mar 1967 21 May 1998 31 years, 70 days
27. Joseph Stalin
Soviet Union
General Secretary/Prime Minister 3 Apr 1922 5 Mar 1953 30 years, 336 days
28. Robert Mugabe
Zimbabwe
Prime Minister/President 18 Apr 1980 Present 30 years, 318 days
29. Abdou Diouf
Senegal
Prime Minister/President 26 Feb 1970 1 Apr 2000 30 years, 35 days
30. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom
Maldives
President 11 Nov 1978 11 Nov 2008 30 years, 0 days
Forces loyal to the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi are moving into rebel territory in the east, taking an oil installation in the town of Brega.
The BBC's John Simpson in the nearby city of Ajdabiya says the 100-vehicle convoy is expected to head towards it, and an arms dump there has been bombed.
The city's defenders are in a high state of excitement and expecting an attack, our correspondent says.
In two weeks of unrest Col Gaddafi has lost control of large parts of Libya.
The violence has led to a major humanitarian crisis on the Tunisian border, with tens of thousands of foreigners, most of them Egyptian, stranded and unable to get home.
The UN says a mass evacuation is needed and thousands of lives are at stake.
Meanwhile in the capital Tripoli, where Col Gaddafi is still in charge, a fuel tanker overturned causing several large explosions.
It is not clear whether the incident was an act of sabotage.
Rebels determined
Our correspondent says Brega was defended by a handful of lightly armed rebels, but Ajdabiya is a more important target.
It has a large arms dump which has been bombed several times by pro-Gaddafi forces.
The loyalists are now only a couple of miles from Ajdabiya, the defenders say.
The rebels are determined to put up a fight but it remains to be seen whether this translates into an organised defence of the city.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)