Defeating Them Won’t Be Tough - Buhari to Niger Delta Militants,

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed to deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalism of pipelines and insecurity in the Niger Delta.
Declaring that the Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, Mr. Buhari said the activities of oil thieves and vandals would soon be brought to an end, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday.
“The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them,” he was quoted as saying.

Spirit Told Me To Stab The Pregnant Woman –suspect (pictured)

A 19-year-old man, Ibibe Okonta, who stabbed his seven-month-old pregnant neighbour seven times, leading to loss of the pregnancy, said he was told by an evil spirit to carry out the dastardly act.

The victim, Mrs. Oyinyechi Chinaka, a mother of two, was said to have been rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Idi-Araba, Mushin.

Although Mrs Chinaka survived, she lost the pregnancy. Okonta was said to have stabbed Chinaka in her stomach, arm and neck and left her to bleed to death. Chinaka would have died, but for the timely intervention of neighbours. Chinaka, who is now recuperating in the hospital, said that Okonta stabbed her in their compound in Mushin.

Activating The Koboko Revolution

Activating The Koboko Revolution
By Adekoya Boladale

Apart from institutional leakages where deliberate non-implementation of policies has continued to lead to porosity of public funds; braze greed of unpatriotic public servants and sheer lust to climb the ladder of societal superiority are elements that have continued to rekindle the flames of corruption in Africa.

Iran versus US: Iran Wins

The lifting of sanctions is an unequivocal victory for Iran, sealing its regional position, and leaving its nuclear capability intact

by Alexander Mercouris for Russia Insider.

Confirmation that international sanctions on Iran have at last been lifted is unequivocally a victory for Iran.

The sanctions should never have been imposed in the first place.

Israel vs Iran: Israel loses, *big* time

Today I have already posted to excellent analyses of the (possibly temporary) failure of the USA to submit Iran to its will: one by Alexander Mercouris, the other by Soraya Sepahpour Ulrich.  I shall not repeat their very arguments here, mainly because both see this as a conflict between the USA and Iran, whereas I see that as a conflict between Israel and Iran in which Israel attempted, but failed, to get the USA to fight on its behalf.  This is also, albeit to a lesser degree, a conflict opposing the House of Saud to Iran, and the KSA is the other big loser here.  But first, let us look at the real causes of this confrontation.

Britain Awakes to Reality: The European Crisis of 2016

by Henry Mangold

Britain, once a great world power, is now in most respects ruled from Brussels, as part of the European Union. This transfer of power was carried out, essentially, by a conspiracy. To understand how this conspiracy was possible, it’s necessary to understand the present British constitution.

In the eighteenth century, Britain had a hereditary king, who was responsible for defence and foreign affairs. Taxation and legislation were the responsibility of two houses of parliament, one of them elected (The House of Commons), the other hereditary (the House of Lords). The king could veto new laws. Equally the two Houses of Parliament had a degree of control over royal policy, through the power of the purse. Armies and navies cost money, which must come from taxation.

The Day After

by Soraya Sepahpour Ulrich

Some final thoughts – the day after

Not the movie about a fictional war between NATO forces and the Warsaw Pact and a nuclear exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union, but the Day After the Implementation Deal of the Iran Nuclear Deal.

Although I said and wrote repeatedly in the past that the US stance toward Iran will not change, by now it should be obvious to all that this is the case.   America “thanked” Iran by imposing further sanctions on Iran for its defense capabilities – the ballistic missiles.

Anambra Central: Stop Parading Yourself As A Sole Candidate – APC Cautions Umeh

Ahead of the scheduled rerun for the Anambra Central Senatorial District, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on Chief Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to brace up for the polls and stop presenting himself as the sole candidate for the election.
In a statement by Mr. Osita Okechukwu, the Spokesman, South East, APC Leadership Caucus, he said Umeh was clearly displaying his fear of facing other parties in the polls.

Nigerians Must Support Anti-Corruption War –Kashamu

SENATOR Buruji Kashamu is a household name in Nigeria. Cur­rently, he is the lawmaker rep­resenting Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assem­bly and Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on State and Local Government Administration. At an interactive session with some journalists, he spoke on a wide range of issues, including the ongoing anti-corruption cam­paign of the Federal Govern­ment, among others. Excerpts:
What are your views on the na­tion’s state of affairs?

Pipeline Bombings: Nigerian Military Declare War On Militants, Comb Creeks

Tompolo writes Buhari, accuses APC chieftain of masterminding attacks

COMMANDER of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Ma­jor General Okunola, who led his troop to inspect one of the blown up pipelines at Egwa II community in Warri South West, has said the Army will hold commu­nity leaders in whose domain such bombing took place re­sponsible for any act of sabo­tage in their area.  He said that the Federal Government would do all it can to bring the saboteurs of national assets to book as they were already closing in on the criminals. Okunola said henceforth, security agencies would en­force extant law banning the use of outboard engines with 200 HP and above.

At $29 Per Barrel: Oil Markets Tumble As Iran Begins Production

Global oil prices are in for a tumble this week after Iran said it was ready to add half a million barrels a day to crude exports after international sanctions were lifted this weekend.
The prospect of Iran flooding the market with more crude had already dented prices last week, pushing Brent crude below $30 a barrel, to $29.20 by yesterday.
Iran’s return to the international oil market may worsen the global oil glut as the country looks to ramp up its crude oil exports with estimated 500,000 barrels per day.
Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, hailed a “glorious victory” as his country relished reconnecting to the global economy following the formal announcement, late on Saturday, that sanctions were ending thanks to moves by Tehran to scale back its nuclear programme.

PDP Concocting My Interviews To Discourage Frequent Defection – Tinubu

Former Lagos State governor and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of concocting interviews supposedly granted by him to discourage frequent defection of its members and chieftains.
Tinubu, who stated this in a statement made available to journalists by his media office yesterday, insisted that he never granted any interview where he said he is afraid that the PDP will stop Buhari in 2019.

Falana To Buhari: Grant Presidential Pardon To Convicted Soldiers

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has written an open letter to Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari asking for presidential pardon for all convicted members of the armed forces.
Falana who defended the soldiers accused of mutiny in court, explained to Buhari that at the trials the only “offence” proved against the accused soldiers was that they had the temerity to demand for weapons to fight the well armed terrorists. But the soldiers whose cases were handled by us anchored their defence on Section 179 of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 which permits “a soldier, rating or aircraftman to make a complaint to his commanding officer and that he shall not be penalised for having made a complaint”.

If Chief Obafemi Awolowo Reincarnates Today, He Will Join The APC – Alaafin

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has attributed his close to six-year cordial relationship with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, to the monarch’s altruism, understanding and sense of balancing in all matters since he became governor. The governor made the revelation during a celebratory session between the Alaafin and Oyo Metro community as part of activities marking the monarch’s 45th coronation anniversary, in Oyo, on Saturday. Describing the monarch in glowing terms, the governor said that their intimacy had continued to surprise many people; especially those he said had predicted that the monarch’s support for him would not last beyond one year. He urged Yoruba sons and daughters to accord more respect to the stool of Alaafin, whom he described as a repertoire of Yoruba history and culture, savvy and intellectually deep.

Burkina Faso: 126 Hostages Freed, 3 Militants Killed as Hotel Siege Ends

News emerged of gunmen taking over a hotel close to the Splendid Hotel and the Cappuccino restaurant in the capital of Burkina Faso where a security rescue operation recently ended after an unknown number of gumen linked to al-Qaeda took hostages, according to AFP with reference to the Security and Internal Affairs minister.


LAGOS – A security operation at a hotel and restaurant in the capital of Burkina Faso has finished with 126 hostages freed and four militants killed, the Security and Internal Affairs minister said.
Up to 33 people have been wounded in the hours-long siege at the Splendid hotel and Cappuccino cafe in Ougadougou claimed by al-Qaeda in Maghreb, France Info news radio cited Burkinabe Interior Minister Simon Compaore as saying.

EFCC Slams 7-Count Charge Of Corruption On PDP Spokesman, Metuh

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed a seven-count charge of corruption against the spokesperson of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh.
The EFCC also listed a former Board of Trustees chairman of the PDP, Tony Anenih, as one of the recipients of payments from N400 million it says Mr. Metuh received from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.
The first four counts, filed Thursday, accuse Mr. Metuh of receiving N400 million from Mr. Dasuki.
Here are the details of the charge:

Boko Haram Terrorists Now Disguise As Fruit And Vegetable Sellers – Nigerian military

The Nigerian military has warned the public of a new tactic in use by the extremist Boko Haram sect to move Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) around in order to unleash deadly attacks on the public.
A statement by the acting director, defence information, Rabe Abubakar, said the military found that members of the terrorist group now disguise as legitimate fruit and vegetable sellers to smuggle IEDs within groceries to crowded areas.
Mr Abubakar advised the public to be on the alert of this tactics by the terrorists and not to hesitate in reporting any suspicious persons to security agencies.

2.5 million unwanted pregnancies prevented in Nigeria – Report

The Society for Family Health has said that no fewer than 2.5 million unwanted pregnancies were prevented in Nigeria between 2009 and 2014 through an initiative, Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV/AIDS.

The initiative also facilitated the distribution of 1.2 billion male and four million female condoms, as well as an increase in access to condoms in rural areas from 50 per cent in 2007 to 90 per cent in 2014.

The SFH Managing Director, Mr. Bright Ekweremadu, made this known at an ENR programme in Abuja.

Transport Minister, Amaechi Emerges Ohanaeze Igbo Man Of The Year

National Secretary of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, who disclosed this to journalists at a press briefing on Thursday, said “the former Governor of Rivers State from the Ikwerre sub Igbo clan won the award after a stiff poll organised by the OYC.”
While disclosing that the award will officially be conferred on Hon Amaechi on Saturday, 30th January, 2015 at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, he stated that the Deputy Senate President, Chief Senator Ike Ekweremadu emerged as the outstanding Igbo politician of the year.

Metuh Transferred N21m To Anenih, EFCC Alleges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that a former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anthony Anenih, benefited from the N400million allegedly received by the party’s spokesman, Olisa Metuh.


EFCC accused Metuh of receiving the N400m from “an unlawful activity” of the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Mohammed Sambo Dasuki.

January 15 1966 Coup: It Was The Quarrel Between Mrs. Awolowo And Mrs. Akintola — Yakassai

D r. Tanko Yakassai was an active political player in the First Republic having held several national positions in the defunct Northern Elements Peoples Union, NEPU among which were National Financial Secretary, National Youth Leader, National Organising Secretary and subsequently National Secretary of the Aminu Kano led party. In the Second Republic he shifted to the National Party of Nigeria, NPN and was the Presidential Liaison Officer to the National Assembly. He currently chairs the Northern Elders’ Council. He speaks on the factors that led to the January 15, 1966 coup and the consequences thereafter.

Buhari Copied Jonathan’s Budget – Soludo

Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Charles Soludo has stated that the 2016 budget presented by President Muhammadu Buhari was almost the same as the one presented by his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan. According to Soludo, the present budget was a carbon copy of the one by Jonathan’s government, adding that defeating old bad ideas could be better that initiating new ones.

Court Remands Metuh In Kuje Prison.

A federal high court in Abuja has remanded Olisa Metuh, spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Kuje prison. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had earlier arrested Metuh, arraigned him on a seven-count charge but Metuh pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Ifedayo Adedipe, Metuh’s counsel, filed an oral application for bail but the prosecuting counsel opposed the application. In his ruling, Okon Abang, the presiding judge, ordered that the application be properly filed so that the EFCC could respond before it would be entertained. Obong directed that the PDP spokesman be transferred to the prison from EFCC custody. More to follow...

Iranian Navy Commander: Coast-to-Sea Missiles Readied to Fire at US Warship

After Iran arrested ten US sailors on Tuesday, the Iranian Navy locked its missiles on an American aircraft carrier deployed in the region, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said. Iran seized and detained two US Navy boats on Farsi Island in the Persian Gulf. Tehran claims the personnel were in Iranian territorial waters illegally when they were captured.

The Americans have since been released. Following the capture, two US and French aircraft carriers, along with their accompanying fleets and military aircraft, began operations near Iranian waters. "The USS Truman Aircraft carrier showed unprofessional moves for 40 minutes after the detention of the trespassers, while we were highly prepared with our coast-to-sea missiles, missile-launching speedboats and our numerous capabilities," Fadavi said, according to Fars News Agency.

FG approves $200 million loan for Lagos

The Federal Executive Council, FEC, today approved a $200 million loan for Lagos state government. Announcing this to state house correspondents after the FEC meeting, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Works, road and Power Babatunde Fashola, said the loan was part of a $600 million loan granted by World Bank to finance the construction of roads and other infrastructural development projects in the state.