Arab coalition resumes Yemen air strikes

Arab coalition nations have resumed air strikes against Houthi fighters in Yemen as a UN envoy called for an extension of a five-day humanitarian ceasefire that expired late Sunday.

The coalition targeted Houthi rebel positions in Al-Sawlaban and Al-Arish in Aden province, Saudi military officials said early on Monday.

Al-Masirah TV, a Houthi-backed channel, reported that Saudi troops were also shelling Al-Manzala district in Al-Dalih near the Yemen-Saudi border, in addition to Al-Ghawr mountain.

“I call on all parties to renew their commitment to this truce for five more days at least,” UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said earlier in Riyadh. “This humanitarian truce should turn into a permanent ceasefire.”

His appeal followed clashes between rebels and pro-government forces across south Yemen on Saturday despite the truce, which has largely held since starting on Tuesday at 2000 GMT.

Speaking in Seoul on Monday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the US continues to support the idea of a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen, but that such a truce was difficult given the current circumstances.

The official Saudi Press Agency, meanwhile, reported that the UN envoy met Saudi chief of staff Lieutenant General Abdulrahman bin Saleh al-Bunyan and discussed “humanitarian aid efforts” in Yemen.

Aid groups have called for a lasting truce in the impoverished country, where a Saudi-led regional coalition has waged an air war Houthis and their allies since late March.

Goodluck Jonathan Returns to Otuoke!

“Average leaders raise the bar on themselves; good leaders raise the bar for others; great leaders inspire others to raise their own bar.”  ― Orrin Woodward, Life
It's only a matter of time before Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria's president-elect, becomes prayer points in churches, mosques and other places of religious worship. After all, here's a man whose name almost entered the infamous 'Book of Perennial Contestants' before providence smiled on him: President Goodluck Jonathan failed to redeem his campaign promises and the electorate expressed their anger with their thumbs.

That some people once wished Buhari dead and that he's an 'unelectable illiterate' who'd not win the March 2015 presidential election is no longer news. Be that as it may, that God, in His infinite mercies, turned the counsel of their Ahithophel into foolishness is Good News to all lovers of a just and egalitarian society. 

In a desperate bid to return to power, President Jonathan acted King Rehoboam but God again demonstrated the 'bringing down one and exalting another' power that is His exclusive preserve.

Brandon Sanderson, in 'The Alloy of Law', wrote: "The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.” In my humble view, one good quality of a great leader operating with the led on a plane pane under a “we” kind of agreement. Another is living by choice, not by accident; and exerting influence, not authority. Impliedly, a true leader is a product of anointing, not annoyance. He is patient, humorous, courageous, flexible, resourceful and stubborn. He doesn't necessarily have to go along with huge crowds or lead by hitting people over the head. Instead, he goes his own way without caring, or even looking to see, whether anyone is following him. 

In addition to possessing a keen sense of reality, he also has the ability to keep a cool and clear head, even when things are going badly. The leader who holds power in trust for the people neither wanes in his duties nor delights in the extinction of those over whose destiny he presides. To him, leadership is not a language of 'how far' but 'how well.' In short, a true leader, to quote Kenneth Blanchard, does "not make people into followers, but into other leaders.”

As we all know, future history is always a baby of today’s pregnancy. For a fact, one major pitfall of the outgoing government was the myonization of the Jonathan presidency by a section of Nigerians who only helped him to increase the nature and number of his enemies. To these people, it was as if votes cast by our brethren from one or two geopolitical zones alone were enough to win a second term for their preferred candidate. Like typical men with artificial intelligence, they were stubbornly hitting out with dangerously inflated egos without caring a hoot about what the shape or size of the consequence would take.

Another factor that led to the president's dismal outing was the calibre of politicians his party paraded as leaders. Bode George! Buruji Kashamu! Asari Dokubo! Government Tompolo! Mohammed Abacha! Alli Modu Sheriff! Chris Ubah! Gbenga Daniel! Iyiola Omisore! Godsday Orubebe! Adeseye Ogunlewe! Ayo Fayose! Doyin Okupe! Gani Adams! Godswill Akpabio! Femi Fani-Kayode! Politricians with nocharisma and no followership! All hay; no bacon! The People's Democratic Party, PDP failed to interrogate the political values of its foremen and the outing has never been this bad for the party. 

For instance, in the activities leading to the Year 2007 General Elections in which Musliu Obanikoro contested as PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, I remember his invidious exploits on the Ebute-Metta-Oyingbo axis of Lagos where guns and other dangerous weapons were freely used during one of his campaign rallies. Again, I am sure – and, Obanikoro knows, too - that history will never forgive him for the roles he played in last year's governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States. Now, the chickens are back home, roosting and PDP's loss is yet another in the series of payback packages that await troublers of Nigeria's Israel.

Put succinctly, it's President Jonathan's inability to act presidential when and where need be that led him into being such a disappointment unto those who voted for him in 2011. The threateningly interesting aspect of it is that the president failed to understand that 'good governance' is not synonymous with 'good luck'. Added to this was his inability to know when to die! Nelson Mandela learnt the trick of dying when the ovation was still ascending and he remains celebrated even in death. Murtala Muhammed was luckier as he left the stage, possibly, before his true identity became revealed. Olusegun Obasanjo embarked on a 'Third Term' misadventure and he ended up making a complete mess of his previous achievements.

Breakdown of governance! Betrayal of trust! Perverted dispensation of justice! Nigeria is an interesting country, inhabited by wonderful people who, in their wonderful splendour, take with kindness anything imposed on them by their rulers. Things are with each passing day falling apart and, since we lack the spirit of applying caution with courtesy, the centre has refused to hold. Liars are leading liars and the results have been undeniably pathetic. Here, we relentlessly demonize non-thieves as armed robbers but resiliently celebrate robbers as saints. In our country, riggers shamelessly accuse others of rigging; riggers probe others of rigging; and riggers expel others under the guise of rigging. And when an endowed race devotes so much time to praying for light, water and other things, which are, in sane climes, given, they end up hardly having time to pray for things that are naturally spiritual.

Tragically, under Jonathan's leadership, Nigeria became so 'great' that all her great potentials lay prostrate, courtesy of failure of vision, failure of action, failure of governance and failure to accept responsibilities. In Jonathan's Israel, there's no king. So, everybody was a king in his own right! Not unsurprisingly, Nigeria, under him became a conflagration of desperate and adulterous politicians; nothing but super-idiotic representation of fallacious innuendoes in a precarious reciprocity of pomposity that impressed no one. 

Our dear country was socio-economically depressed, ethno-religiously fractured and geo-politically destabilized. The president presided over the affairs of a 'Power' government comprising domain defenders and reluctant reactors who hid under the cloak of darkness to activate hatred but explored the openness of daytime to commiserate with their victims. Probably not a man primed for great accomplishments, Jonathan could neither dream nor act; he could neither plan nor believe. Ironically, while the president and those who surrounded him were seeing 'all things bright and beautiful' in a dying nation, all that those outside the perimeters of power could do was bemoan the Jonathanian's sycophancy, showiness, showmanship and shallowness.

With Jonathan at the helm of affairs, frustration became the best description of the state of most Nigerians. It was such a throwback into an ugly past that our policies, rather than mirror us, mocked us; our state, rather than being an ideal one, became nothing but an ordeal; and the individual components of the polity, rather than be in concord, were in discord. Coincidentally, the crowning of Ahab as king over Israel led to the elevation of Jezebel as the de jure controller of the affairs of state in Israel. There and then, decency took flight and lasciviousness took control. Corruption and self-adulation suddenly took over the affairs of Nigeria and, rather than give to Peter what was Peter's, the Jonathanian exploited almost all the rules under the sun to rob Peter in order to pay Paul.

Thanks be to God for the lives of those who made 'Change' happen; for 'if Columbus had turned back, no one would have ... remembered him.' The timely turn of events has again shown that we cannot continue to do things the same old way and expect to get a different result. With regard to the incoming government, expectations of Nigerians are high. But that's not unexpected! With regard to Buhari, there is no doubt that the people expect this spectacularly striking, enviably erudite, bravely beloved and giftedly gracious blueprint of integrity to deliver on his promise. Without doubt, there is a basketful of options placed before the Daura-born politician: he may choose to idealize the vibes of truth or glamourize the thrills of deceit. Like Jonathan, he may opt for puffing and huffing. If he likes, instead of lightening Nigerians' harsh labour, he may also put a heavier yoke on them. The truth is that each option has its rewards and Nigerians can only wish him well!

As things stand, there's no denying the fact that we are living in a country that thrives in contradictions. Nigeria's common men have, in their commonness, been shouting but, since there are some invisible hands somewhere, nobody has deemed it fit to listen to the common men’s common voice. Our long aim of technological advancement has been that of mere illusions: emotions, instead of reality; and romance, instead of realism. We have in power men who possess power without principles and, since they did not pass through any test before they were foisted on us, it has been difficult for them to deliver unto us their testimonies of performance. 

Our leaders are quick to respond to Nepal in other climes while we have on our hands a gestating Tsunami. When it is time for them to defend their shortcomings, they go a-sloganeering: “we are in a learning process”; “ours is teething or home-grown democracy”; “every patriotic Nigerian must support our democracy, no matter its imperfections”; and “we will soon get there”, even when they are already on a road to nowhere. But that is where integrity comes in. Without doubt, a nation without men of integrity is like an enclave in crises.

Essentially therefore, until Nigeria’s market men and women realize that, even, illegal hiking of the prices of foodstuffs is jailable under the relevant laws guiding corruption, we may continue to move in circles.

And as the once-shoeless Goodluck returns to Otuoke, may Nigerians have Good Governance in return!

abiodun KOMOLAFE, AMNIM
*KOMOLAFE writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria (ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

The Pathetic Bandwagon Of Nigerian Trekkers – By Paul Olarewaju

Hunger is indeed not the worst feature of unemployment, idleness is! Idleness plays tricks on the human mind, as it convinces one to turn boredom to pathetic pleasure most times. 

Little wonder in a country like Nigeria where about 70 per cent of our 80 million youths are either pitiably unemployed or underemployed, idleness has gotten the better part of some people who now see trekking form one state to another as a ‘full time job’. 

Simply because a man identified as Suleiman Hashimu, got the attention and recognition he desired when he trekked from Lagos to Abuja for thirteen days to celebrate the victory of Nigeria’s president elect, so many feeble minds now see long distance trekking as a short cut to fame and fortune. 

A couple of days ago, I read an annoying story of a heartless and selfish woman, who decided to embark on a trek from Minna to Abuja with her 40-day-old baby, all in the name of honouring the president elect whom I am very sure will be extremely disappointed at such stunt. 

Another desperate young man, Oladele Nihi obviously decided to embark on a trek from Abuja to Otuoke for the outgoing president, after seeing how Suleiman Hashimu was celebrated in Abuja. He evidently must have thought trekking for the outgoing president will fetch him more goodies and attention since he is the first to do such in ‘honour’ of his deeds. As if that wasn’t enough, in the chase for better media buzz and attention, a lady identified as Gloria squeezed her way into the trek. And ever since, lots of inept minds have been joining the chase for that which is not missing. 

Is it worth it? Are there no better logical and reasonable ways to celebrate an achievement, success or heroic deed of a political leader without wasting precious days or weeks of your life? It is a common saying in this part of the world that time is money. Since time is equal to money, and money is essential to life, this simply implies that some un-calculative, less privileged Nigerians are just pathetically wasting a precious part of their lives and opportunities to better their world and that of others. 

If 9yr old Nicole Eniiyi Benson could understand and put into practice the power of proper time and financial investment, by donating N10, 000 out of her savings to the political party she celebrates and the candidate of her choice, while still chasing her precious dreams and aspirations, I think adults should know and do better! 

Why pause your life because of the achievement(s) of another person and contribute nuisance to the society? I’m pretty sure majority of these feeble and desperate minds didn’t even exercise their civic responsibility of voting during the election. 

I am almost certain that NO political leader in present Nigeria will trek just one local government to another for your sake even if your life depends on it! Wisdom is highly profitable Naija trekkers, don’t trek away your future in exchange for peanuts and a few moment of fame. 

To aspiring trekkers, avoid the beaten path and save yourself from the traps of a futile journey. 

By Paul Olarewaju

Access Bank is winning with their new recruitment style

People are calling it the most exciting bank recruitment exercise in Nigeria. And they are not far from the truth. Go to the site before 10am and you’ll see a timer counting down to the next ‘window’. But between 10:00and 10:10am everyday, from now till June 10, 2015, prospective applicants are granted Access to the bank’s ‘1010’ portal, where they are required to answer one puzzling question. 

Those who answer correctly are taken to another page where they can apply for the job by uploading their CV. It's actually that simple. 

 
Those who do not answer correctly are given a chance to take the test two more times, although you can only take the test once a day. 

  

According to our source at Access Bank, the recruitment portal got so many hits that it crashed the first two days. They fixed it though, and since then, thousands have taken the test, and uploaded their CVs.  

Access Bank could have done the recruitment the normal way, but I guess they’re taking this #TakeTomorrow drive seriously by making their recruitment process futuristic, different, fun, transparent and open.

So, if you’re smart and you think you’re good enough to work in one of Africa’s leading banks, Clickhere and get your dream job!

I may lose my virginity soon - Adokiye Kyrian

 

Nigerian singer, actress and Self professed Virgin Adokiye has revealed she may lose it soon. If you recall, last year,she offered her virginity to Boko Haram in exchange for the Chibok girls..In a new chat with Vanguard, she said

“I will let that go soon (meaning her virginity)” what’s the point of having all the endowment and not enjoying life as a woman. Plus, people are beginning to call me names, like mumu and all. I have been thinking lately, you know, though my mind is not made up yet”.

On if she misses intimate contact, she said

“Yes, I guess I’m human “Don’t get it twisted. Sometimes I feel like I’m missing but each time I want to make that move, I get scared because I know once it’s gone, it’s gone”.

On if she has found a guy she doesn’t want to lose because of sex. She replied

“They always push” . “Push, push and push. Don’t you know men? Aren’t you a man?” “Man, I’m so scared “But why not? I came with it I may leave with it”.

I told her that would be an awful thing to do, afterall God gave it to us to enjoy. She cut me short and replied, 

“But God didn’t make it compulsory for me to share it with someone. Don’t forget about the Reverend Sisters. You know I’m a staunch Catholic. I was almost going to be one anyways during high school days. I grew up around Reverend Sisters and at some point I told my mum I wanted to become one”

Fasehun, Akinterinwa, seek true political ideologies among politicians

National Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Dr. Fredrick Faseun, has advocated true po­litical ideologies among Nigerian politicians. Speaking at the first post-elections Summit organised by his party in Lagos, Faseun said this would enable politics and politicians to have a clear sense of direction.

“The 2015 elections have indeed come and gone, positions have been won and lost, but it would be necessary for stake­holders like us to dissect germane issues thrown up in that exercise.And we, politi­cians and democratic activists alike, are here not only to do a post-mortem on the polls, but to raise some salient issues that cropped up before, during and after the exercise.”

Faseun who disclosed that the gather­ing was organized to do a post-mortem of the 2015 general elections said the ruling party is on the downside of history and new administrators are about to take over power.

“We congratulate both sides, but we must sound a note of warning that Nigeria should prevent a one- party monopoly. The system that does not breed democracy but totali­tarianism. He said: “Nigerians have gone through various regimes of mutual distrust, civilian, military, liberal militocracy and totalitarian dictatorship, all these have made Nigeria a country where patriotism has taken flight, but as we always say, there is no country to call our own except Nigeria.

Describing the political ideology of an ordinary Nigerian politician, Director-Gen­eral of the Nigerian Institute of Internation­al Affairs, (NIIA) Prof Bola Akinterinwa, noted that it is sad that presently in Nigeria, party politics is not necessarily based on party ideology.Akinterinwa blamed politi­cians for not putting the interest of the elec­torate first, before party interest,” he said.

How to stop kidnapping in Ekiti –Falana

Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana has given recipe for stopping the wave of kidnap­ping in Ekiti State accus­ing the state government of being the mastermind.

Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria ( SAN) in a press statement issued yesterday also lamented the continu­ous shielding of criminals by the government.

According to him, provid­ing official cover for armed gangs and other criminally minded individuals, who had taken over the monopoly of violence, was not the best for the state.

His words: “In the atmo­sphere of impunity, which currently obtains in the country, the well-known armed thugs operating in Ekiti State have been grant­ed immunity by the Federal Government.”

He blamed the state gov­ernment for the continu­ous occupation of the state House of Assembly since November by those he called ‘armed lumpen elements.’

The human rights activist alleged that police officers were under strict instruction not to prosecute any of them.

A commissioner of po­lice, who was determined to rid the state of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes, Falana noted, was queried and investigated by the Police Service Com­mission (PSC)

“Even though, he was not indicted in the dubious probe, set up by the Police authorities, the PSC ensured that he was removed and posted out of the state. Based on such official endorsement of criminality, kidnappers and other criminal elements have been having a field day in Ekiti State.”

Falana also noted that the crisis of maintaining law and order in the state had been compounded by the six-month old industrial action of judicial workers.

Female student cries out: Jim Iyke is marrying me in my dream

Jim Iyke has never had it easy with the womenfolk. Most issues he has had with them he never bargained for. Just like last Monday, the actor was doing the regular thing everyone would do after meeting with who you consider your favourite governor in Nigeria. He posted a picture of himself with Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, with catchy captions to show how much he respects the governor for his wonderful achievements in his state.


His post was harmless but one of the comments he got in return must have stopped him in his tracks. It was from a lady. What has Jim Iyke done to these ladies?

In a shocking post, the female student said:
“Jim I beg you in the name of God, stop getting married to me in my dreams. For more than three years now I have always seen you in my dreams, married to me. I have been praying every time about it but it always reoccurred. Even last night it happened again...

I am tired of this. If you are his PA show him this text message and if this is you, I beg you in the name of God, to do something about it.”

The comment definitely got attention of Potpourri who decided to seek the girl out who simply signed her name as Jackiify. 

In a BBM chat with her later on, Potpourri found out that the girl is a Nigerian schooling in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She goes by the name Ify Jacob. The first thing that struck about her comment was that this could be a girl acting out her fantasy and laying it out in a dramatic way. Then I asked her if she had ever had any crush on Jim, many girls do.

“That is where the problem is” she claimed. “I never had a crush on him before but all of a sudden I started having dreams that I am married to him for more than three years now. You cannot understand because you are not Jim or a pastor. I don’t like it. It is disturbing to me” she cries out.

Nigerian Nurse In Enugu Suspended Over Facebook Post

The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, has placed a male nurse on three months suspension for allegedly injecting a patient with unprescribed drugs because of the patient's support for President Jonathan. 

The nurse, identified as Alozie Ejimadu, allegedly carried out the act during the March 28 presidential election. 

 Ejimadu, had gone to his Facebook wall where he boasted that the patient would sleep till when the result of the presidential election would be announced.

However, a non-governmental organization, Centre for the Right of Psychiatric Patient, irked by the Facebook post, petitioned the Board Chairman of the Hospital.

 It was gathered that the Head of Clinical Services of the Hospital, in a letter dated May 07, 2015, sent the nurse packing.

The post on his facebook as obtained read in full: 

“The announcement of presidential election has reached its crescendo to the point that one of my patient was crying, saying she is not happy because Jona failed election; i didn’t hesitate to silence her with injection Paraldehyde 10 ml stat, I’m chlorpromazine 150 mg and iv diazepam 20 mg stat. At least this will keep her sleeping till tomorrow when the final result must have been announced. “Anybody who dare think like my patient will certainly receive a double of the injection I gave my patient…(ARA GBAKWA NDI ARA AHU- meaning those mad people should get mad the more).‘’

The organization had in the petition, stated: “His activities as was posted on facebook by himself is a cross violation and abuse of the right of a psychiatric patient.

“Mr. Alozie’s activity is unbecoming of a psychiatric nurse of whose care a patient is left. We demand the hospital to immediately remove him from the clinical area and suspend him to identify the patient and assess possible damage to the patient.” 

The two-paragraph letter signed by Dr. Iteke O.C read: “I am directed by the Medical Director to interdict you for the next three months on half-salary starting from April 2015.

“You should stay away from clinical duties until after the investigation by Nursing Council of Nigeria on your internet posting of March 30, 2015, in which you claimed to have silenced a patient with diazepam, paraldehyde and chlorpromazine medications.”

Nurse Ejimadu has however taken to his Facebook page again to say it was only an imagination, but that didn't stop the disciplinary action taken against him.

Dencia Rocks Candy Crush Inspired Catsuit To Billboard Awards, Gets Mistaken For Nicki Minaj, Claps Back

The 2015 Billboard Music Awards went down a few hours ago at the MGM Grand Hotel, Las Vegas and one of the most talked  about outfits on the red carpet was Dencia‘s. The Cameroonian singer showed up in a Candy Crush inspired catsuit and at first US mainstream media thought she was Nicki Minaj…but she quickly corrected them.

Her multicolored outfit was teamed with Guiseppe Zanotti heel-less shoes, a sparkly blue on one feet and sparkly pink on the other. She wore her hair in a high braided ponytail and finished off her look with a sun visor

See more pictures after the jump...

ARE YOU FEELIN’ HER LOOK?

Image Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images North America

Buhari’s Close Men, Ex-Governors set to Fight Bola Tinubu

According to Punch report, a gigantic test of wills is rocking the All Progressives Congress just days to the official inauguration of President-elect Mohammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s substantive President.


Impeccable sources within the party said that some ex-governors, Buhari’s associates and mutinous party men from the South-West are trying to whittle down the influence that the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, will have on the incoming government in Abuja and across Nigeria.

Tinubu, the party’s undisputed leader, is widely feted as the force behind the

merger of all the parties in the country which led to the emergence of APC as Nigeria’s major party.

On many occasions, Buhari, who defeated Goodluck Jonathan in the March 28 presidential elections, has also acknowledged the efforts of Asiwaju Tinubu, fondly referred to as Jagaban by his admirers.

Sources within the party told Punch that the relationship between the duo might have become strained in recent times as forces within the party are bent on making Buhari to see Tinubu in another light.

Some power-brokers within APC, some of whom are trusted by the president-elect, are said to be mounting pressure on him to reassess his ties with the APC national leader. These power-brokers are also said to be questioning Tinubu’s and the South West’s contributions to Buhari’s election victory.

Recently, at a public function, the Oba of Lagos, Rilwanu Akiolu, gave indications of the duo's strained relationship, even as he asked people to pray that Tinubu’s “labour” would not be wasted.

“All Lagos residents should pray that the labour of Tinubu should not be in vain. A lot of things have been happening now. Some people have been telling Buhari all sorts of things. Awujale (Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland) and I have decided to meet Buhari because Lagos and South West states must benefit from the General Buhari administration,” he said.

Reliable sources within APC however told Punch that the gang up against the party leader started before the party’s victory at the elections.

One of the sources, said hat those opposed to Tinubu within the party first moved against the national leader during the APC’s national convention in June last year.

According to him, some ex-governors and other high-ranking members of the party backed a former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, against Tinubu’s candidate, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

The source, an associate of Tinubu, said, “Even before Buhari emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, some people in the party, particularly the governors and some ex-governors, wanted another candidate as chairman. They were totally opposed to Odigie-Oyegun who was Tinubu’s choice. They believed that if they succeeded in getting their man as the chairman, they would have more control of the party, but they failed.”

The source added that the same scenario played out during the party’s presidential primaries. “It is not a secret: initially, the same group of people in the APC were totally opposed to Asiwaju’s choice of Buhari. They wanted either former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar or Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State. When you look at it critically, their choice of these candidates then was not based on any fundamental reason but just to oppose Tinubu and gain more ground in the party. It is funny that some of them who now move around with Buhari were totally against his candidature as APC’s flag bearer,” he said.

The source added thus, “We are optimistic that Buhari and Tinubu will manage their relationship well. They will not allow anyone to come between them.”

I’ll Leave With Jonathan On May 29 – Kuku

Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on the Niger Delta, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, has said that he has no intention of staying in office after his principal leaves office on May 29.

Kuku made this known yesterday in a statement while reacting to media reports that he is lobbying to retain his job under the incoming government of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, describing the report as speculative, highly provocative and that of the imagination of the writer.

The Amnesty Programme chairman said he was very proud to serve Nigeria under the outgoing administration of President Jonathan and that he is ready to leave with his boss on May 29, 2015.

“As a special adviser and chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme, I served this country for four years and four months under President Jonathan. If it was an elected four-year term, the four months would have been a bonus.

“I am, however, proud of my achievements and for lifting the amnesty programme beyond what I met on ground. I’m leaving this office 200 per cent better than what I inherited. I, therefore, challenge my successor to better my record,” Kuku said.

Kuku stated further that such reports were the handiwork of political jobbers and spin-doctors who had become uncomfortable with his soaring profile and were doing everything to tarnish his image and discredit his record of service to the country.

Contrary to the report, Kuku said he had not met the All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, since 2012 and that the last time he saw him was at a wedding in Port Harcourt in December 2014.

He also said he had not seen the former Head of Service of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, since 2011 neither has he held any meeting with any APC chieftain as claimed in the report.

“On May 29, I will leave with President Jonathan. I will continue to focus on my peace and conflict resolution assignments, which this job has placed on my shoulders. I remain undeterred by those embarking on this smear campaign against my person in order to discredit the work we have done for this country. My advice to all those doing hatchet jobs, particularly for some persons in the Niger Delta, is for them to retrace their steps.

“I also advise the APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to save his breath and his strength for the job ahead of him rather than responding to every illiterate comment,” Kuku said.

I’ve met my people’s needs –Akpabio

Akwa Ibom State G o v e r n m e n t Godswill Akpa­bio, has taken stock of his eight-year rule, insisting that he has satisfied the desires of his people.

Addressing a press confer­ence in Uyo yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. An­iekan Umanah, said though the journey was a long and challenging one, Akpabio’s administration had made very remarkable strides in the last eight years.

“Within eight years of the outgoing administration, so much has been achieved in all sectors, and encapsulated into what has been generally referred to as the uncommon transformation of our dear state. This has been made pos­sible by properly channelling the resources of the state to ar­eas of critical needs,” he stated.

Umanah enumerated the government’s achievements to include free medical care for children and pregnant women, five brand new flyovers and 35 bridges across the state, completion of the 191 mega­watts Ibom Power Plant, con­struction and commissioning of a glass processing plant and 24,000 housing units.

The commissioner applaud­ed the Federal Government for approving the Ibaka Deep Seaport project, assuring that the incoming governments at the centre and the state would ensure the realization of the project in partnership with the private sector.

Messi’s goal wins Barcelona La Liga title

Lionel Messi scored the goal that clinched the Spanish league title for Barcelona on Sunday, securing a 1-0 win at dethroned champion At­letico Madrid.

Messi slotted in the decisive goal in the 65th minute after working a sublime one-two passing combination with Pedro Rodriguez, who started for the injured Luis Suarez.

It was the Catalan club’s 23rd league crown and its seventh in the last 11 years.

Barcelona can now focus on the final of the Champi­ons League and the Copa del Rey as it aims for a treble of trophies.

Real Madrid will finish runner-up despite Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a hat trick in a 4-1 win at Espanyol. It trails Barcelona by four points with one round left.

We Will Not Change Party’s Name – PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is not contemplating a change of identity, saying the unassailable vision of its founding fathers remains timeless in building a country of the collective wish and aspirations of all citizens.

The party in a statement issued by its national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, yesterday, and made available to journalists, remarked that despite losing control of the federal government and some of its states in the last general elections, it is still the truly national political party with strength and spread enough to regain pre-eminence.

PDP said having been the guardian of Nigerian democracy for 16 years during which it nurtured and blossomed democratic governance as well as etched its name in the pantheon of good governance, it will not in the circumstance of ephemeral loss of power change its identity or its time-honoured characteristic values.

The party said though it is resolutely committed to its present structures, it would not close its doors to other political parties wishing to be assimilated into its fold as the best vehicle for the fulfilment of political aspirations of all Nigerians regardless of tribe and religion.

Kashamu’s extradition: CSO writes Obama

The Coalition of Civil Society Group yesterday revealed that it has formally written to the United States of Ameri­ca’s President, Barrack Obama, condemning the planned extradition of businessman and sena­tor-elect, Prince Buruji Kashamu.

It described the plot as an act of abduction, torture and impunity not tenable in Unit­ed States and international laws.

Addressing newsman in Abuja, the group’s President, Etuk Bassey Williams, said the process had been found damaging. “It is imperative that the war against terror or any other illegality is con­ducted within the rule of law otherwise those fighting such crimes will lose their moral authority to do so,” he said.

The group said rendition, which is the legal process of sending a suspected criminal to another country to be in­terrogated or detained, usu­ally for law-enforcement pur­poses, been condemned by the United States president during his 2008 presidential campaign.

The letter read in part: “The high rate of erroneous renditions clearly defines its failure thereby making the need for an alternative to be inevitable. It is in lieu of this that we propose that the technique of empathy and non-torture as used by former FBI counter terror agent, Ali Soufan, which has been very effective to be adopted in ad­dition to developing other tactical and operational tra­decraft.”

The coalition listed why it was against the policy, say­ing: “Amnesty International had criticised European countries and the US for op­erating contrary to basic legal principles and has called on the US to put an end to ren­dition, conduct independent and thorough investigations in the practice.

“The high rate of errone­ous renditions, ineffective­ness of coercive interroga­tion, and the reason that it instigated an unwarranted war in Iraq, make the practice undesirable.”

The group said the US remained the undisputable hope of the world, imploring it to re-evaluate how it imple­mented the policy on a tacti­cal, operational and strategic level.

Kashamu’s lawyer had raised the alarm over alleged moves by the United States government to extract his cli­ent, a move Kashamu said was the handiwork of oppo­nents.

The Billboard Music Awards 2015: Here Are The Winners

In their attempt to continue their growth as a serious award show, those organizing the 2015 BIllboard Music Awards made sure that every minute of this year’s ceremony was worth watching, packing the three hour-long program with incredible performances by both newcomers and some of the biggest names in music.

It would be hard to say who had the “best” showing, as so many acts were truly amazing. Vocalists Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey proved to the world that though newer artists like Ariana Grande may be known for their impressive chops, these women can still teach them a thing or two. Rock group Imagine Dragons slowed things down in their tribute to singer Ben E. King, new name Tori Kelly made the most of her opportunity to impress the crowd with  breakout hit “Nobody Love”, and Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth joined with violinist Lindsey Stirling to pay tribute to fallen actor Paul Walker with the number one hit “See You Again”.

Taylor Swift poses in the press room with the awards for top Billboard 200 album for “1989”, top female artist, chart achievement, top artist, top Billboard 200 artist, top hot 100 artist, top digital song artist, and top streaming song (video) for “Shake It Off” at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, May 17, 2015, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Eric Jamison/Invision/AP)

The night ended on an odd note, as the majority of the crowd booed Kylie and Kendall Jenner as they introduced their brother-in-law Kanye West. The rapper’s performance may have been high energy, but nobody at home saw or heard much of it. Not only was over one minute of his five minute-long set bleeped out (including several long snippets), but the pyrotechnics obscured any view of West, making it hard to see anything he was doing.

Arguably the world’s biggest music star at the moment, Taylor Swift was the big winner of the night, taking home eight awards, including Top Artist, Top Female Artist, and Top Billboard 200 Album. Iggy Azalea and Sam Smith came in second place, both winning three trophies.

Here is a full list of the winners from the 2015 Billboard Music Awards:

Top Artist – Taylor Swift

Top Male Artist – Sam Smith

Top Female Artist – Taylor Swift

Top New Artist – Sam Smith

Top Duo/Group – One Direction

Top Billboard 200 Album – Taylor Swift – 1989

Top Hot 100 Song – Meghan Trainor – “All About That Bass”

Top Billboard 200 Artist – Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist – Taylor Swift

Top Digital Songs Artist – Taylor Swift

Top Digital Song – Meghan Trainor – “All About That Bass”

Top Radio Song – John Legend – “All of Me”

Top Radio Songs Artist – Sam Smith

Top Touring Artist – One Direction

Top Social Artist – Justin Bieber

Top Streaming Artist – Iggy Azalea

Top R&B Artist – Pharrell Williams

Top Rap Artist – Iggy Azalea

Top Country Artist – Florida Georgia Line

Top Rock Artist – Hozier

Top Latin Artist – Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist – Calvin Harris

Top Christian Artist – Hillsong

Top Soundtrack – Various Artists – Frozen

Top R&B Album – Pharrell – GIRL

Top Rap Album – J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hill Drive

Top Country Album – Jason Aldean – Old Boots, New Dirt

Top Rock Album – Coldplay – Ghost Stories

Top Latin Album – Enrique Iglesias – Sex and Love

Top Dance/Electronic Album – Lindsey Stirling – Shatter Me

Top Christian Album – Lecrae – Anomaly

Top R&B Song – Pharrell – “Happy”

Top Rap Song – Iggy Azalea – “Fancy (ft. Charli XCX)”

Top Country Song – Jason Aldean – “Burnin’ It Down”

Top Rock Song – Hozier – “Take Me to Church”

Top Latin Song – Enrique Iglesias – “Bailando (ft. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona)”

Top Dance/Electronic Song – DJ Snake & Lil Jon – “Turn Down For What”

Top Christian Song – Carrie Underwood – “Something In The Water”

Top Streaming Song (Audio) – John Legend – “All of Me”

Top Streaming Song (Video) – Taylor Swift – “Shake It Off”

Billboard Chart Achievement Award – Taylor Swift