Wednesday 4 April 2012

Goodluck Jonathan’s acceptance of a multi-million church building donation is he right or wrong for accepting it?


It’s not easy to be a president/leader or do you think otherwise? Are people born leaders or it’s an acquired taste?
 
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan appears to have a fresh battle on his hands as civil rights groups and opposition parties on Monday blasted the President for accepting the donation of a multi-million naira church building by an Italian construction firm.


Jonathan was reported by a national newspaper (not THE PUNCH) to have said that the church building was donated to his home community of Otueke, Bayelsa State, by Gitto Construzioni Generali Nigeria Limited following his complaint that the old church building in the village was unbefitting of a president’s village.

 Already, one of the rights groups questioning the propriety of the gift, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe the donation of the church building that has capacity to seat 2,500 at a time to Jonathan’s Otueke community. The Executive Director of SERAP, Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, in a petition to the Chairman of EFCC, Mr. Ibrahim Larmode, in Abuja on Monday said the President confirmed during the dedication of the church building that it was donated to him by the Italian construction firm.

The donation, according to SERAP, violates Section 6 of the Code of Conduct for public officers embodied in the First Schedule of the 1999 constitution and the Code of Conduct and Tribunal Act (CAP C15) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. The section provides that, “A public officer shall not ask for or accept any property or benefits of any kind for himself or any other person on account of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the discharge of his duties.

“For the purposes of subsection (1) of this subsection, the receipt by a public officer of any gifts or benefits from commercial firms, business enterprises or persons who have contracts with the Government shall be presumed to have been received in contravention…unless the contrary is proved.” A lawyer in constitutional law, Prof. Itse Sagay, said it was morally wrong for the President to accept the building as a donation. In a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Monday, Sagay described the donation as “very devastating misconduct if Jonathan had accepted the offer.”

According to the lawyer, the donation has the propensity to compromise Jonathan and constitute a blow to transparency and anti-corruption fight. Sagay said, “It is highly improper and absolutely improper. It is the last thing he should ever do. That is why I want to be sure that he accepted it. Maybe they want to embarrass him by building it and announcing that they have donated it to him without consulting him. “He should know better. I do not think he will expose himself to such very devastating misconduct. “If he has accepted it, I will be greatly disappointed and really, it is very sad because it would not augur well for the future of transparency and the fight against corruption. “Obviously anybody doing that is trying to compromise him.” Another activist and Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, said the church building should be forfeited to the government. Falana said, “It is illegal under the Constitution and the Code of Conduct, which say no public officer can even take a national honour while in office.They must also not take or collect any gift, except gifts such as kola nuts.” He added that the church should be forfeited to the government under different sections of the Code of Conduct Tribunal Act and Bureau.

He added that former President Olusegun Obasanjo was also guilty of the same offence by gathering public officers to donate for him while building his presidential library. He said, “What Jonathan has done is an impeachable offence. The contractor’s aim was to bribe him, which the President has fallen into. “The contractor has some contracts which it has failed to execute and now went to build a church for the President. “It is a bribe to the President, who presides over the award of contracts at the Villa.” The Congress for Progressive Change, the Campaign for Democracy and a former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, in separate reactions said the acceptance of the donation by Jonathan was a setback to the anti-graft war.

The CPC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashakin, said that it was an unfortunate thing that it was “the chief of state that is whittling down the fight against institutional corruption” The opposition party stated, “Leadership comes with a price. The leaders must not just be above board, but must be seen to be above board. “The acceptance of a gift of that magnitude is definitely a faux paux (whether a church or not is immaterial). In a saner clime, heads of government have been known to resign their appointments over matters as this. “This is definitely not a thing to gloat about as regards our President’s demeanour. Would this not give an undue advantage to Gritto in matters of plum government contract?”

The president of the CD, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, said the President should not have accepted the gift because the company was “doing business with the Federal Government and has a record of poor performance.” Musa described the donation as improper but noted that it was no longer strange in the country, submitting that most Nigerian leaders were guilty of corruption, which he said had soiled the image of the country. SERAP, in its petition states, “Foreign bribery is a crime even if the briber would have been awarded a contract or business advantage. SERAP is seriously concerned that given the huge sums of money involved and the timing of the church gift, the alleged gift may amount to a bribe to the government by a construction company that has sought and obtained contracts from the Federal Government. “Procurement and investment agreements corrupted by this kind of ‘gift’ invariably lead to increased costs not only in higher prices but also in needlessly expanded and ultimately inefficient projects.”

According to SERAP both the acts of giving and accepting the disguised bribe undermine the institutions and values of democracy, ethical values and justice, and jeopardise sustainable development and the rule of law. The organisation said, “The acts also hurt the government and ordinary Nigerians who may suffer as a result of bad execution of projects by GCG. “The allegations also constitute a breach of national anti-corruption legislation and the UN convention against corruption to which Nigeria is a party. “It is very important that the commission sends a strong message that it is willing and able to step up its efforts to detect, investigate and prosecute cases of bribery in international business deals.

SERAP therefore urged the EFCC to ensure that the allegations were fully and effectively investigated. It said that the findings of the investigation should be published, adding that suspected perpetrators should be brought to justice. Efforts to reach the spokesman for Jonathan, Dr. Reuben Abati, on Monday failed as the Presidential Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, did not pick calls to his mobile phones. Abati did not also respond to our correspondent’s text messages asking for his reaction on the subject matter. When contacted, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, refused to confirm the receipt of the petition submitted by SERAP.

THE PUNCH however learnt that the petition was duly submitted and received at the commission. A source in the commission told one of our correspondents that the petition would be looked into and that proper investigation would be carried out on its merit. “The petition is not going to be different from others. When we receive any petition we despatch our team of investigators and this one will not be different from others,” the source which craved anonymity said.

Extracted from Punch.


Former Managing Director of Intercontinental Bank Plc, Erastus Akingbola, has been dismissed by the Federal High Court for lack of diligent prosecution.


Seriously, this is no news to any Nigerian, our system is faulty, almost on daily basis huge amount of stolen  money and the accused is not punished….my question on this particular news is  why then the shame and humiliation on Mr. Akingbola and his family if all along his lawyers  knew he was innocent?
This took place on Monday 3rd April 2012, Mr Akingbola was standing trial on a 26-count amended charge of financial impropriety and alleged stealing of N36.4 billion preferred against him by the Federal Government and his case was dismissed for lack of diligent prosecution.

Vanguard News reports that “The court also ordered the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Mohamemd Adoke, SAN, to disband the team of the five SANs prosecuting the case for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. Justice Archibong said he would forward the court’s ruling to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, LPPC, to sanction the senior lawyers.

Trial judge, Justice Charles Archibong described the prosecution team as “a drain to the public purse”.  Archibong said the prosecution team or any part of it shall not be given further audience in this court in relation to the charges against the accused either before the presiding judge or any other judge of the Federal High Court.
He added that the prosecution team has been dismissive of Akingbola’s right to a “speedy trial which in reality should be the credible procedure.
I, therefore, dismiss the charges amended or otherwise for this incompetent and abusive prosecuting team,” he said.

Hmmm!

Tuesday 3 April 2012

Sandra Ekewenu is Now a Mum! Ex-Beauty Queen Gives Birth to a Baby Boy

The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (Universe) 2009, Fovwe Sandra Ekewenu (nee Otohwo) and her husband, entrepreneur Oghenekaro Ekewenu, gave birth to Jaden (a boy) in Calgary, Canada on the 24th of March 2012.
Congrats  Mr & Mrs Ekewenu.




Monday 2 April 2012

Bryan Okwara- presenter, model, actor… hmmm! Audi commercial…We must learn to celebrate our own


Who says you can’t make it….remember the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, one of such stories is that of Bryan Okwara: Ex-Mr.Nigeria. 

According   to him “originally started out as a model, and coming from back then, it wasn’t anything to look forward to. And then, I went in to NIGEZIE and started working as a TV presenter for a couple of years before I went in for Mr. Nigeria pageant. Luckily I won and then moved on from there. For someone who is multi-talented, you get to a point in life where you ask yourself that “Are you going to die with all these talent, why don’t you just explore” so I came out and here I am.”

What do you make of that voice and the dance?

Last weekend Chris Brown acquires $100k 2012 Porsche S Sedan for his girlfriend ( Karrueche Tran)



First was the cooking for his woman http://xpressurselfshow.blogspot.com/2012/03/chris-girlfriend-karrueche-tran-couldnt.html …..Do you remember?  And now this……..Hmmm!

Karrueche couldn't contain her excitement when she quickly posted a picture of her posing beside her new whip on Twitter, captioning it: "Me and my new b***h."

It seems their love is waxing stronger and stronger; they were spotted last night together having a blast. The couple appeared to be in good spirits despite endless rumours that their relationship is on the rocks.

Cool Ride!  Does that mean he doesn’t have any soft spot for his ex- girlfriend Rihanna anymore and  erm ! ......Is this a question of Chris Brown redeeming himself from being a boyfriend beater to being the best boyfriend ever?





UNIBEN Bursar (Dr. May Nwoye) receives death threat with coffins


Mrs Nwoye(the Bursar of University of Benin)who has been receiving death threats on her phone few weeks back, had the shock of her life when she got this on a Friday morning 30th of Mrach with a doll in a coffin at her door step



 and two coffins and some juju objects in front of her residence at the senior quarters in the university premises.



According to sources, Mrs  Nwoye  got a priest to burn the coffins .



Hmmm! Are you as speechless as I am in this matter?
                        

Sunday 1 April 2012

‘Commissioner slapped nurse in Delta’ – Did he have the right to have done what he did?


That is the question most people are asking.….. What will be your reaction, if you witnessed a commissioner slap a nurse in a hospital?
THERE was controversy, at the weekend, in Delta State over the allegation that the Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Otumara, slapped a nursing officer at the Central Hospital, Mrs. Akata Oghenero, just as the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, NANNM, in the state  is spoiling for a showdown over the matter.


But the commissioner, Dr. Joseph Otumara, swore to Sunday Vanguard on phone, yesterday, that he didn’t slap Mrs. Oghenero, saying that he only tried to stop her from making calls with her GSM phone while work was going on during his visit to the hospital on March 29. The incident was said to have happened at the gynecologist ward of the Central Hospital in the presence of many nurses and officials of the Ministry of Health, Asaba.

Otumara said the medical director of the hospital cautioned the nurse to stop her noisy phone call, but she rebuffed the order, adding that it was her defiance that attracted his attention, and action in trying to stop her from disturbing others. However, nurses at the Central Hospital, Warri commenced a strike action on Friday over the incident and, according to a privileged source, “They are waiting at home for the state leadership to declare a state-wide action from tomorrow (Monday).

But, a reliable source hinted that the bone of contention was being discussed between the commissioner and the leadership of the nurses, and the differences might be sorted out. However, the Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, in Delta State, has demanded that the commissioner should tender an unreserved apology to the nurse or resign his appointment. The group, in a statement by its national coordinator, Oghenejabor Ikimi, stated, “We are in receipt of a protest letter minuted upon and sent to our office by Comrade Ojei J.O, the Central Hospital, Warri Unit Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives.

 “The said letter is headlined thus: Letter of protest: Physical Assault on the person of Mrs. Akata Oghenero, a Nursing Officer II at the Central Hospital, Warri by Dr. Joseph Otumara, Hon Commissioner for Health, Delta State.” The letter went on: “On 29 March, 2012, while Mrs. Akata Oghenero, a Nursing Officer II at the Central Hospital, Warri was on duty in the Gynae ward of the said hospital, the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Delta State, Dr. Joseph Otumara, and his entourage came into the said ward and, in the process, Mrs. Akata Oghenero, in company of some student nurses who were present, immediately stood up to acknowledge his presence, while the said commissioner and his entourage walked through to the maternity ward. “Shortly afterwards, Mrs. Akata Oghenero, while seated and receiving an emergency call on her mobile phone, suddenly heard a slap on her right check with a thunderous voice, ‘Why did you not stand up the second time’ and, upon turning her face, Mrs. Akata Oghenero discovered her assailant to be Dr. Joseph Otumara, the Health Commissioner, who was still fuming. “At that point, Mrs. Akata Oghenero was speechless, humiliated, battered and weeping; there and then, the permanent secretary, Hospitals Management Board, Asaba, requested for the name of Mrs. Akata Oghenero, threatening to issue her a query and relieve her of her job”.

Ikimi went on: “Assuming, without conceding that Mrs. Akata Oghenero had committed an offence while Dr. Joseph Otumara was visiting, slapping a nurse on duty is definitely not one of the ways to discipline an erring public officer and, as such, we call on the said Health Commissioner to publicly tender an unreserved apology to the said Mrs. Akata Oghenero or, in the alternative, resign his appointment as he is not a fit and proper person to hold a public office. ‘’In the final analysis, we shall not hesitate to enforce the fundamental rights of Mrs. Akata Oghenero on her behalf and claim damages at large against the said Dr. Joseph Otumara in person, should he fail to heed to our above warnings”.

 Extracted from Vanguard.


Wedding Photos of Timi Dakolo and wife Busola

They may not have done it in the traditional way, they ‘ve had their first baby boy  and now the new wife Busola  is expecting  their second  baby, but it’s crystal clear that this two are in love.

What a joyous day for this couple, congrats Mr &Mrs  Dakolo.