Monthly Archives: March 2013

Pope’s First Easter Mass Sends Messages Of Peace

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Pope Francis, washing and kissing the feet of prisoners.

Pope Francis, washing and kissing the feet of prisoners.

Pope Francis celebrated his first Easter Sunday Mass praying for world peace and urging a diplomatic solution to the standoff on the Korean peninsula.

Only two weeks after his election, the first pope from the developing world continues to make his mark on the Catholic Church.

St. Peter’s Square was bedecked with flowers and packed with joyous pilgrims and tourists as Pope Francis celebrated Easter Mass.

In his first message to the city and to the world, Francis urged peace for the Middle East and for Israelis and Palestinians to resume negotiations to end a conflict that has lasted too long.

“Peace in Iraq,” Francis said, “that every act of violence may end, and above all, for dear Syria. … How much suffering must there still be before a political solution can be found?”

The Argentine-born pope also decried terrorism in the war-torn countries of Africa: Mali, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic. He appealed for peace in Asia, especially on the Korean Peninsula. May disagreements be overcome, he said, and a renewed spirit of reconciliation grow.

Francis’ most intense appeal was for what he called a world divided by greed, looking for easy gain, wounded by selfishness. He singled out human trafficking, calling it the most extensive form of slavery in this 21st century. He urged peace for a world torn apart by violence linked to drug trafficking and by the iniquitous exploitation of natural resources.

In keeping with his humble image, Francis wore simple unadorned vestments and celebrated the Mass alone, without his cardinals. In another contrast with his predecessor, the rituals this holy week have been shorter than in past years.

The new pope has struck a chord with his direct language and by referring to himself as the bishop of Rome rather than supreme pontiff.

One of Francis’ most surprising acts was at the holy Thursday ritual last week, when, in an unprecedented move, he washed the feet of two women. This raised eyebrows among traditionalists, who say that only men can partake of the rite since Jesus’ apostles were all male.

Vatican analysts say it’s too early to say whether Francis is ushering in a Catholic Church spring; up to now the changes have been in tone and symbolism, but they’ve already galvanized the hopes of many Catholics that the church will soon embrace needed and substantial reforms.Pope Francis

Akwa Ibom State, Smoke Screens and Mirrors:The bane of a Profligate & Illegitimate Governor

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Akwa Ibom State, Smoke Screens and Mirrors:The bane of a Profligate & Illegitimate Governor

CCAIN 

CONCERNED CITIZENS of AKWA IBOM STATE

GLOBAL DIASPORA

United States of America (U.S.A.) 

Ccain.ccain@gmail.com

 

 

Akwa Ibom State, Smoke Screens and Mirrors:

The bane of a Profligate & Illegitimate Governor

 

It is with dismay that we, the Concerned Citizens of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria (CCAIN), observe recent drama around the profligate and illegitimate governor of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, Godswill Obot Akpabio.

 

Irresponsible Automobiles (Prado) gift, Million Naira burger lunches, 50 bullets proof jeeps worth of millions of dollars  and Million Naira tithes to a church in Otuoke, these are but symptoms of a deep seated flaw in the management of Akwa Ibom State resources.

 

In a state with acute poverty, helpless widows begging for micro credit, unemployed youths finding shelter in cults and crime syndicates, clearly the focus and priorities of Akwa Ibom State leadership leaves much to be desired.

 

While Akwa Ibom State Government propaganda machine and spin doctors would like the world to believe that Akpabio’s squander mania is sanctioned under State law and budgetary provision, common sense dictates that roaming the countryside and doling out Akwa Ibom commonwealth while Akwa Ibom schools are not good enough for Akpabio’s children to attend, hospitals are not suitable for Akpabio’s wife to give birth in, public safety still dismal, this continuing behavior simply smacks of being tone deaf!

Charity works should begin at home and remain focused on the welfare of the impoverished Akwa Ibom citizens, helpless widows, and assorted underprivileged.

 

The much touted “development/uncommon transformation” in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria is nothing but smokescreens and mirrors.

 

 

 

A governor that visits Guangzhou or Dubai, sees a musical fountain or some rollercoaster, and is so tingled between the legs that he convinces himself, that is the “development and uncommon transformation” Ikot Ekpene needs!

Such basis for investment decision is symptomatic of a defective psyche.

 

We at CCAIN see the so called “development/uncommon transformation” in Akwa Ibom State as nothing but smokescreens and mirrors; a devise, a con system used for robbing Akwa Ibom State treasury.

The evident profligacy is just but a symptom of the gross financial abuse that has characterized Godswill Akpabio’s history; so what’s new?!

 

So let it be known, we at CCAIN are not aligned with any political party; we have nothing against the PDP or any political party, but we have poor and struggling relatives in Akwa Ibom State, we remember the murdered and the kidnapped during Akpabio’s second term bid; the hundreds of cold cases. We remember intimidation of citizens and journalists, and the still prevailing suppression of free speech in Akwa Ibom State. We know that citizens of Akwa Ibom State, and for that matter, any human being that visits Akwa Ibom State today, does so at the risk of being hauled into jail without due process under Akpabio’s Decree 2 (a monstrosity of human rights abuse tool). And let it be known that contrary to Godswill Obot Akpabio’s claim, very few Akwa Ibom citizens care about their profligate and illegitimate governor. They have been intimidated and subdued.

 

Now then, what Akwa Ibom Citizens and every person that care about democracy in Nigeria should contemplate are the various confessions of Godswill Obot Akpabio regarding elections rigging and fraud. Whether in the gubernatorial elections, or legislature elections, even local government elections…..Godswill Obot Akpabio in his own voice and words have confessed to violating election laws, and we must not let him get away with these admissions.

Despite Godswill Obot Akpabio employing all manners of mechanization to dissuade us from his clear words and actions, no immunity should protect an admitted criminal.

 

Our energy, resources, and efforts must therefore be focused on ways and means of improving voters’ education, preventing elections fraud, making electorate votes count, enabling elections legitimacy, and challenging a corrupt judiciary that has collaborated with the likes of Godswill Obot Akpabio in making a mockery of democracy.

 

For, till the people of Akwa Ibom State can have the wherewithal to elect their leaders (and not be saddled with the criminal and the profligate!), the Akwa Ibom promise cannot be kept.

 

The Akwa Ibom promise is not kept in lousy flyovers, not kept in phantom eLibraries, not kept in overpriced highways, not kept in white elephant entertainment complexes, or in filthy hospitals and prisons.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in value add investments that provide social safety net for Akwa Ibom citizens;

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in empowering destitute widows and other entrepreneurs;

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in paying teachers’ salaries on time; 

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in putting an end to the search for healthcare in India;

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in enabling the development of  local capacities – teachers, healthcare workers, engineers, journeymen, lawyers, pharmacists, farmers, artists, philosophers, and entrepreneurs;

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in bringing education to peasants in Akwa Ibom countryside…rethinking education, not just quantitatively, but qualitatively through sampling ratio schools siting model;

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in enabling creation of jobs and poverty alleviation;

The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in enabling safe communities, defending liberties and the pursuit of happiness.

 

When these things are made manifest, that is when the Akwa Ibom promise would have been kept indeed.

 

Godswill Obot Akpabio seeks to inflate his ego with worthless proclamations, awards, and banter of “Uncommon Transformation”. He wishes to talk about “Development” instead his profligacy!

The bar is too low, the waste is enormous, and the con is dark!

 

Money can’t buy you love! Money cannot cleanse this generational curse!! Ibanga.

 

Should Nigerians be frightened of Godswill Obot Akpabio?! You bet!

Just ask Ini Udonwa, ask John Udoedeghe, ask the kidnapped, and if the dead could talk, ask them too…Nigeria, be very afraid!

 

Godswill Obot Akpabio remains in the company of the likes of the infamous Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, Mubutu Tsese Seko of Congo, Sadam Hussein of Iraq, and in recent time, the Syrian ruler Assad, who together with Godswill Obot Akpabio share a common trait: they suppress opposition with deadly force, they thrive on repression, human rights abuse, profligacy, and autocratic governance.

 

Be alert Nigeria, don’t be fooled by smoke screens and mirrors, and remember …..

 

Pity the Nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion,

Pity the Nation that wears cloth it does not weave,

Pity the Nation that eats bread it does not harvest,

Pity the Nation that drinks wine that flows not from its own wine-press.

Pity the Nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful,

Pity the Nation that despises passion in its dream, yet submits in its awakening.

 

 

 

Pity the Nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral,

Boasts not except among its ruins,

And will rebel not save when its neck is laid between the sword and the block.

 

Pity the Nation whose statesman is a Fox and a “Master of Cold Cases”,

Whose philosopher is a juggler and “Treasury Bugler”,

And whose art is the art of murder, kidnapping, and intimidation.

 

Pity the Nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation.

 

Adapted from Khalil Gibran

*The Garden of the Prophet* (1934)

 

 

Who We Are:

CCAIN are citizens and residents of the United States of America.  All of us are working professionals while some are small business owners.  Our common bond is that we are all originally from Akwa Ibom State (one of the states in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria) who, at different times, migrated to the United States of America.  All of us are strong advocates for a better Nigeria through effective leadership, guided by the rule of law and the principles of participatory democracy.  Unfortunately, we have watched in great despair as our home country, Nigeria, has continued to deteriorate with successive corrupt and repressive leadership.

 

CCAIN understands the seriousness of our action and assert that we are guided by our desire for good governance, passion for and commitment to the rule of law in Nigeria.  We also affirm our desire for the rule of law in our chosen home – the United States of America.

 

If you need further information, please contact Obong Umana of CCAIN at 586-260-7506 or write throughccain.ccain@gmail.com.

 

We at CCAIN thank you in anticipation that you will carefully review the contents of this communication as youcontemplate the democracy project.

Make your own judgment and come to your own conclusions regarding Mr. Akpabio’s leadership of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.

 

When called upon, please commit your resources (money and time) toward this cause, the Democracy Project.

 

Sincerely,

 

Obong E. Umana

for CCAIN

 

Governor Akpabio Fraud Confession

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Governor Akpabio Distributes N1 Million To PDP Chairmen For ‘Mr Biggs’ Play video The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio on Sunday gave N1 Million each to the six Chairmen of the Peoples’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the South-South geopolitical zone who had converged in… 00:01:11 Added on 3/18/13 13,544 views CONCERNED CITIZENS of AKWA IBOM STATE GLOBAL DIASPORA United States of America (U.S.A.) Ccain.ccain@gmail.com Akwa Ibom State, Smoke Screens and Mirrors: The bane of a Profligate & Illegitimate Governor It is with dismay that we, the Concerned Citizens of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria (CCAIN), observe recent drama around the profligate and illegitimate governor of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, Godswill Obot Akpabio. Irresponsible Automobiles (Prado) gift http://latestnigerianforum.com/forum/entertainment-news/governor-akpabio-gives-2face-and-annie-idibia-a-toyota-prado-suv, Million Naira burger lunches http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3XpBKxc2eQ&sns=em , and Million Naira tithes to a church in Otuoke, these are but symptoms of a deep seated flaw in the management of Akwa Ibom State resources. In a state with acute poverty, helpless widows begging for micro credit, unemployed youths finding shelter in cults and crime syndicates, clearly the focus and priorities of Akwa Ibom State leadership leaves much to be desired. While Akwa Ibom State Government propaganda machine and spin doctors would like the world to believe that Akpabio’s squander mania is sanctioned under State law and budgetary provision, common sense dictates that roaming the countryside and doling out Akwa Ibom commonwealth while Akwa Ibom schools are not good enough for Akpabio’s children to attend, hospitals are not suitable for Akpabio’s wife to give birth in, public safety still dismal, this continuing behavior simply smacks of being tone deaf! http://theibompulpit.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/gov-2.jpg?w=290&h=277 Charity works should begin at home and remain focused on the welfare of the impoverished Akwa Ibom citizens, helpless widows, and assorted underprivileged. The much touted “development/uncommon transformation” in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria is nothing but smokescreens and mirrors. A governor that visits Guangzhou or Dubai, sees a musical fountain or some rollercoaster, and is so tingled between the legs that he convinces himself, that is the “development and uncommon transformation” Ikot Ekpene needs! Such basis for investment decision is symptomatic of a defective psyche. We at CCAIN see the so called “development/uncommon transformation” in Akwa Ibom State as nothing but smokescreens and mirrors; a devise, a con system used for robbing Akwa Ibom State treasury. The evident profligacy is just but a symptom of the gross financial abuse that has characterized Godswill Akpabio’s history; so what’s new?! So let it be known, we at CCAIN are not aligned with any political party; we have nothing against the PDP or any political party, but we have poor and struggling relatives in Akwa Ibom State, we remember the murdered and the kidnapped during Akpabio’s second term bid; the hundreds of cold cases. We remember intimidation of citizens and journalists, and the still prevailing suppression of free speech in Akwa Ibom State. We know that citizens of Akwa Ibom State, and for that matter, any human being that visits Akwa Ibom State today, does so at the risk of being hauled into jail without due process under Akpabio’s Decree 2 (a monstrosity of human rights abuse tool). And let it be known that contrary to Godswill Obot Akpabio’s claim, very few Akwa Ibom citizens care about their profligate and illegitimate governor. They have been intimidated and subdued. Now then, what Akwa Ibom Citizens and every person that care about democracy in Nigeria should contemplate are the various confessions of Godswill Obot Akpabio regarding elections rigging and fraud. Whether in the gubernatorial elections, or legislature elections, even local government elections…..Godswill Obot Akpabio in his own voice and words have confessed to violating election laws, and we must not let him get away with these admissions http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc3kww4BcyE&sns=em http://legisreportsng.com/politics-vote-rigging-saga-i-am-disappointed-in-akpabio-senator-etok/ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1gu0UTAH1E&sns=em . Governor Akpabio 2011 Nigeria Election Corruption and Bribery Undercover Video (Part 1) – YouTube ObongEto youshow details http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=U1gu0UTAH1E&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DU1gu0UTAH1E%26feature%3Dyoutu.be Despite Godswill Obot Akpabio employing all manners of mechanization to dissuade us from his clear words and actions, no immunity should protect an admitted criminal. Our energy, resources, and efforts must therefore be focused on ways and means of improving voters’ education, preventing elections fraud, making electorate votes count, enabling elections legitimacy, and challenging a corrupt judiciary that has collaborated with the likes of Godswill Obot Akpabio in making a mockery of democracy. For, till the people of Akwa Ibom State can have the wherewithal to elect their leaders (and not be saddled with the criminal and the profligate!), the Akwa Ibom promise cannot be kept. The Akwa Ibom promise is not kept in lousy flyovers, not kept in phantom eLibraries, not kept in overpriced highways, not kept in white elephant entertainment complexes, or in filthy hospitals and prisons. The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in value add investments that provide social safety net for Akwa Ibom citizens; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in empowering destitute widows and other entrepreneurs; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in paying teachers’ salaries on time; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in putting an end to the search for healthcare in India; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in enabling the development of local capacities – teachers, healthcare workers, engineers, journeymen, lawyers, pharmacists, farmers, artists, philosophers, and entrepreneurs; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in bringing education to peasants in Akwa Ibom countryside…rethinking education, not just quantitatively, but qualitatively through sampling ratio schools siting model; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in enabling creation of jobs and poverty alleviation; The Akwa Ibom promise is kept in enabling safe communities, defending liberties and the pursuit of happiness. When these things are made manifest, that is when the Akwa Ibom promise would have been kept indeed. These are the things we wish to talk and write about in the social media and newspapers. Godswill Obot Akpabio seeks to inflate his ego with worthless proclamations, awards, and banter of “Uncommon Transformation”. He wishes to talk about “Development” instead of his profligacy! The bar is too low, the waste is enormous, and the con is dark! Money can’t buy you love! Money cannot cleanse this generational curse!! Remember Ibanga? Can you imagine cannibalism and a barn of skulls for Nigeria?! Should Nigerians be frightened of Godswill Obot Akpabio?! You bet! Just ask Ini Udonwa, ask John Udoedeghe, ask the kidnapped, and if the dead could talk, ask them too…Nigeria, be very afraid! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xscVLPDt70&sns=em http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OuJxUtI2JE&sns=em Godswill Obot Akpabio remains in the company of the likes of the infamous Idi Amin Dada of Uganda, Mubutu Tsese Seko of Congo, Sadam Hussein of Iraq, and in recent time, the Syrian ruler Assad, who together with Godswill Obot Akpabio share a common trait: they suppress opposition with deadly force, they thrive on repression, human rights abuse, profligacy, and autocratic governance. Be alert Nigeria, don’t be fooled by smoke screens and mirrors, and remember ….. Pity the Nation that is full of beliefs and empty of religion, Pity the Nation that wears cloth it does not weave, Pity the Nation that eats bread it does not harvest, Pity the Nation that drinks wine that flows not from its own wine-press. Pity the Nation that acclaims the bully as hero, and that deems the glittering conqueror bountiful, Pity the Nation that despises passion in its dream, yet submits in its awakening. Pity the Nation that raises not its voice save when it walks in a funeral, Boasts not except among its ruins, And will rebel not save when its neck is laid between the sword and the block. Pity the Nation whose statesman is a Fox and a “Master of Cold Cases”, Whose philosopher is a juggler and “Treasury Bugler”, And whose art is the art of murder, kidnapping, and intimidation. Pity the Nation divided into fragments, each fragment deeming itself a nation. Adapted from Khalil Gibran *The Garden of the Prophet* (1934) Who We Are: CCAIN are citizens and residents of the United States of America. All of us are working professionals while some are small business owners. Our common bond is that we are all originally from Akwa Ibom State (one of the states in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria) who, at different times, migrated to the United States of America. All of us are strong advocates for a better Nigeria through effective leadership, guided by the rule of law and the principles of participatory democracy. Unfortunately, we have watched in great despair as our home country, Nigeria, has continued to deteriorate with successive corrupt and repressive leadership. CCAIN understands the seriousness of our action and assert that we are guided by our desire for good governance, passion for and commitment to the rule of law in Nigeria. We also affirm our desire for the rule of law in our chosen home – the United States of America. If you need further information, please contact Obong Umana of CCAIN at 586-260-7506 or write through ccain.ccain@gmail.com. We at CCAIN thank you in anticipation that you will carefully review the contents of this communication as you contemplate the democracy project. Make your own judgment and come to your own conclusions regarding Mr. Akpabio’s leadership of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. When called upon, please commit your resources (money and time) toward this cause, the Democracy Project. Sincerely, s/Obong E. Umana/ for CCAIN

Getting Power Drunk.

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By Arch Ezekiel Nya-Etuk

Honestly I am getting sick, sick, very sick and tired of these power drunkenness with OPM (Other People’s Money). Yesterday I wrote about Gov Peter Obi and his simplicity. It was a one-off meeting so I really wasn’t giving a testimonial of his lifestyle but a report of an event. I was however glad to read from those that have had closer dealings with him reporting that it is his style. Same, according to others, could be said of other persons like Comrade Oshiomhole, Mimiko, and Fashiola. Story made the rounds of how Fashiola rides in traffic in Lagos and once had to stop one oga ‘soja-man’ that tried to power his way through a BRT lane. Another was how his wife stays on the queue at the airport to buy her ticket.
In my submission of yesterday, a friend, Mr Ikiddeh brought out the need to balance between simplicity and right thinking with respect to security risk. To this, I completely agree in principles. However, I find it really difficult to imagine how a governor will be attacked in a public space as an airport. If this argument is to be taken in totality, then none of them will attend any church or mosque services. They will all need to have private chapels and mosques. In my limited opinion (considering that I am not a security expert but a ‘bloody’ Architect), I believe that the effective security is the unseen security called “Intelligence”
No matter the grammar that we speak, we are all Nigerians and we know the truth though we try to play along and act the fool. The question is, Who are they afraid of? Their sins, their shadows, or real threats emanating from where?

Just this morning, there was an exclusive report on CNN of the new Pope Francis turning down the sprawling usual accommodation reserved for popes, and rather opted for a modest apartment. I LOOOOOVE THAT!!!
Nya-Etok, how can you talk of that? Where is your modesty in MUDI clothes and Business Class tickets? The difference? MY MONEY, NOT OPM, period!
A governor’s bottle of coke, is MY money, YOUR money, OUR money. Same goes for the car that is driven by Mr President, Senate President, National and State Assemblymen, Public Officers. All these people MUST SHOW SENSITIVITY TO THE PLIGHT OF THOSE WHOSE MONEY THET ARE LIVING LARGE, AND FEEDING FAT ON!!! It is not their money, their estate, their sweat, but the corporate and common wealth of ALL OF US! There should be some level of sensitivity.
Modesty, moderation, consideration, concern, must be words that Mr President, and EVERY governor, in particular, must reconsider. In a country where over 90% of the population live on less than N10,000.00 per month, flaunting common wealth on the faces of these poor souls in nothing but bare faced provocation.
Is this why they must protect themselves?
You may wish to single out your governor, but the truth is that it is a National ethical malaise.

Can Mr President INSTRUCT all Ministers and aides to go LOW PROFILE?
Can the governors INSTRUCT all commissioners and aides not to have more than one or two police orderlies, and start to go on the path of MODERATION?
Can our Assemblymen please spare us this agony of provocative display of wealth and let us be?
How will politics not be a do-or-die affair when the seeming only way to affluence is politics? How will the practitioners be careful when they are sure of ‘adequate’ protection?
Drop the protection level and politics will become more sane. When you know that you will eventually face the thugs that you hired when the game is over, you will be compelled to reconsider their recruitment into your camp.
Let us drop the protection level. Let us all be exposed to consequences. Let us reconsider our strategies to gaining political powers. Let the gains of power be modest, moderate, considerate, commensurate, and sane.
Let us see it coming and nip in the bud.

Mr President, Mr Governors, 2015 is around the corner.
If you expose more innocent souls to bloodbath, the God of Justice will not hold you guiltless.
Enough, by now, should be Enough.
It is never too late to change.
Learn from the POPE and LIVE!

God Bless Nigeria.

The courage to believe change is possible: A Q&A with Melinda Gates

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Reblogged from TED Blog:

Click to visit the original post

Can a person change a world rife with problems -- villages without basic healthcare, girls turned away from schools, hospitals unable to get life-saving vaccines to the people who need them? For three years, TEDxChange, a partnership between the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the TEDx program, has said yes, by spotlighting people who are taking risks, thinking big and making change happen.

Read more… 731 more words

PDP Governors Boycott Party’s Grand Reconciliation Gathering

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By SaharaReporters 

PDP BOT chairman, Anthony Anenih

PDP BOT chairman, Anthony Anenih

Twenty-one governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today boycotted what was billed as a grand reconciliation to bring together disaffected members of the party. In addition, the Senate President, Speaker and several prominent members of the party failed to turn up, making the event “a woeful failure” in the words of one of the party’s prominent members.
The planned reconciliation took place at the International Conference Center in Abuja. It was also planned to celebrate the first anniversary of the party’s National Working Committee headed by Mr. Bamanga Tukur.
The event started at 3 p.m. with only a single governor, Idris Wada of Kogi, in attendance. Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, the embattled chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, later arrived late. Speaking at the event, Mr. Akpabio said he wished to debunk newspaper reports that eight PDP governors were planning to leave the party to join the newly formed coalition of opposition parties.
Several PDP members in attendance at the event told a correspondent of SaharaReporters that they were shocked that the reconciliation failed to attract more than two of the party’s governors. Several of the governors sent their deputies to represent them, underscoring that the event was low on their priority list. SaharaReporters could not immediately ascertain whether Senate President David Mark and House Speaker Tambuwal sent any representatives.
The event was chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.
A little drama ensued at the venue when the Deputy Governor of Niger State was introduced as acting governor.
A party member told our correspondent that he was unable to say why President Goodluck Jonathan failed to attend the event which ended at 6 p.m. (Nigerian time)

Oil Theft: ‘FG, Security Agencies Have Case To Answer ’

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The Federal Government and the various security agencies have been blamed for the rate at which oil theft has been going on in the country.

Director-General of the Braced Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi, who stated this, Thursday, blamed the increasing theft of the nation’s common wealth on what he described as a collaboration between the Federal Government and the security agencies.

The Braced Commission comprises Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta States.

Speaking at the summit on Oil Theft, Poverty and Violence in the Nigeria Delta held at Le’Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo Akwa Ibom State, Keshi said the whole scenario of oil theft raises a lot of questions on the Federal Government and the security agencies.

“The whole scenario raises a lot of questions and the answers are in no way complementary to the Federal Government and to the security services under whose watchful eyes the nation’s wealth are stolen in a collaborative venture in which the services are suspected to be deeply involved,’’ he said.

The Director General, who was represented by the secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Remeo Isokariri, warned that if the situation was not tackled immediately, the activities of the cartel could constitute a great danger to the Nigerian political process.

According to him, ‘’There is also the present and future danger that the criminals and their benefactors could grow so powerful and be tempted to hijack the political process and already, we have enough share of criminals in the political system.’’

He said the lesson Nigeria must learnt from crisis management is that if more actors and interests are allowed to get involved, resolving the crisis would become complicated and intractable.

Stressing on the need to act now to secure the future and the environment, Keshi said the summit was designed to address the challenges in the sector.

Executive Director of Cleen Foundation, Mr. Kemi Okenyodo, in a remark, said cruel oil theft in the Niger Delta has become a big business on an industrial scale.

He expressed the fear that if the trend is not checked, it could constitute a great to fishing and farming as these professions could become extinct in the near future.

According to Okenyodo , estimates from informed sources within the oil industry suggest that the country losses several billion of naira monthly to oil theft .

He noted that the there are evidences that the many arms circulating in the Niger Delta Region including sophisticated weapon have been purchased with money derived directly or indirectly from oil bunkering.