Jonathan is overwhelmed by Boko Haram- Obasanjo

x-President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday insisted on a carrot and stick approach to end the Boko Haram insurgency.
He said there could be no other means since President Goodluck Jonathan “is overwhelmed “by the Boko Haram (insurgency).

According to The Nation, Obasanjo spoke on a BBC programme, Focus on Africa, which aired a special edition on Nigeria’s insecurity last night.Obasanjo said he took it upon himself in 2011 to go on a fact- finding mission when Boko Haram insurgency became uncontrollable to see how to mediate.
He said he met people, especially families who knew them. “I wanted to find out if it was an organisation which has aims and objectives and if they have foreign backing.”
Obasanjo said Boko Haram has leaders, adding that there was somebody who acted as a lawyer to the sect.
“The lawyer, who was acting in proxy told me: ‘Mr President if you want to meet their leaders give me three hours. I will gather their leaders, not in Nigeria but outside Nigeria. Obviously, they have leaders,” Obasanjo said.
When asked if carrot and stick approach would work in dealing with Boko Haram, he said: “Well, if you had tried stick and stick alone and it has not worked, is there anything wrong to try something along with the stick?
“I doubt it very much if you will consider that as wrong because in your introductory statement on this programme, you made the point that no matter how well-meaning the President might have been with his assertion that he will be on top of Boko Haram, it has not been achieved.”
Human rights activist Shehu Sani said Boko Haram is a sect that has a theocratic agenda.
He said the sect is unlike others in the north, adding: “There are sects in the North that say Nigeria should adopt Islam but they are not as fundamental.”
Sani said force had not been able to yield any result.
He cautioned the Federal Government to get the girls out first before using force to subdue the sect.
According to him, Obasanjo has a list of the leaders of the sect.

Rally in Nigeria consulate in U.S #bring back our girls

Kidnapped Girls: I Was ‘Misunderstood’ – Kema Chikwe

                                                                              

“It has come to my attention that part of my speech at the prayer session especially the questions I raised concerning the circumstances surrounding the abduction of these innocent girls was largely misunderstood.”

The National Woman Leader of Nigeria’s ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kema Chikwe, has said her statements on the kidnapped girls were ‘misunderstood.’

Ms. Chikwe was quoted as saying she doubts the authenticity of the kidnap of over 250 girls from the Government Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State.

“How did it happen? Who saw it happen? Who did not see it happen? Who is behind this?” the former minister was quoted as saying by Sahara Reporters during a prayer session for Nigeria at the PDP headquarters in Abuja.

The statement has already drawn flaks from several Nigerians including the opposition All Progressives Congress which said the statement “plumbed the depths of absurdity and insensitivity.”

Ms. Chikwe, however, said in a statement she signed on Thursday that she was misunderstood and her intention was not to doubt the kidnap.

“It has come to my attention that part of my speech at the prayer session especially the questions I raised concerning the circumstances surrounding the abduction of these innocent girls was largely misunderstood,” the PDP leader said.

Read her full statement below

May 1, 2014
Press Statement

My Official Position On The PDP Women’s Prayer Session – Kema Chikwe
 My attention has been drawn to reports in some section of the media regarding my speech at the occasion of PDP Women’s Prayer Session organised on Wednesday, April 30th, 2014 to among others things, seek divine intervention for the release of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls. As a mother, I have remained heartbroken and deeply pained by the unfortunate incident. My heart and thoughts have continued to go out to these girls and their families, hence my decision to mobilise other women to pray for them. Our prayer points included prayers for security in Nigeria, prayers for the quick recovery of the victims of the Nyanya bomb blast and consolation prayers for families of the dead, prayers for the release of the abducted Chibok school girls in Borno State, prayers for all terrorist victims in Nigeria, and prayers for Nigerian Women and Children amongst other prayer points. Christian and Muslim religious leaders led these prayers.

However, it has come to my attention that part of my speech at the prayer session especially the questions I raised concerning the circumstances surrounding the abduction of these innocent girls was largely misunderstood.

Indeed with every sense of responsibility, I wish to reiterate that this is not the time to sensationalize issues particularly those relating to these innocent girls whose fate we are all deeply worried about.

In this regard, we all must ensure that we are not distracted in anyway whatsoever but collectively focus our energies towards actions that will accelerate the rescue and safe return of these girls to their families, a cause for which I and the PDP family will continue in prayers.

I therefore appeal to all Nigerians, especially the women not to relent but continue to pray along with me especially as we have been reassured that the Government and the security agencies are doing their best to ensure the rescue of our daughters.

Leader of APC, Bola Tinubu allegedly acquires 2nd private jet for $50millione

#eyes rolling#

Still on Chibok abducted girls

   

Presidential media chat holds on Sunday

President, Goodluck Jonathan will host the Seventh Presidential Media Chat on Sunday.
In a statement tweeted by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Dr. Reuben Abati, he urged members of the public to send questions they want President Jonathan to address via twitter to @mediachatng1

First Kwara Civilian Governor, Alhaji Adamu Attah is dead

Adamu Atta was an indigene of Ebira land, in present Kogi State. Born in Okene in 1927, he was son of warrant chief Ibrahima Atta, whom the British granted wide powers under the Native Authority system, which undermined the traditional process for selection of a leader in the community. He became the first civilian governor of the state, representing the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), although he came from a minority ethnic group In January 1967, he was permanent secretary for the federal Ministry of Finance, and was in discussions with the Soviet Union over possible development loans.

In the contest between Adamu Atta (a son of Ibrahima Atta) and Obatemi Usman for a seat in the Constituent Assembly in 1977, Obatemi Usman lost, and resorted to appeal to his Oziogu clan, accusing the Aniku sub-clan of Adavi to which Atta belonged, of occupying most of the public offices in Ebira land. Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki supported Atta in his bid to become governor of Kwara State in 1979^.

Atta was responsible for establishing the Obangede Specialist Hospital.

Adamu Atta is a polo enthusiast, and owner of the Fifth Chukker Club and Resorts. The 2008 annual IWC Laureus Polo Cup in England was won by the Laureus Team in a close match against the Julius Baer Team. Highlights were goals scored by Miquel Novillo Astrada (Team Laureus) and Adamu Atta (Team Julius Baer) hammered in from 80 yards. His team was a strong contender in the 2009 Katsina International Polo Tournament. He was a two times MVP award winner. He died on May 1, 2014.