French rail worker paid N1.2million monthly to do 'absolutely nothing' for 12 years files 'complaint'

The employee worked for France's national rail operator SNCF

A French employee of national rail operator SNCF earned €5,000 per month after tax since 2003 for doing "nothing", but in a Gallic twist has filed for "compensation" saying the sinecure ruined his promising career 

An employee of France’s national rail operator SNCF has revealed being paid €5,000 (£3,550) per month to do absolutely "nothing" for 12 years, it emerged on Friday.

However, rather than being delighted with the situation, he has filed a complaint for "compensation", saying the sinecure put the brakes on his promising career.

Charles Simon told French media that his employer, which runs France’s trains including the fast TGVs, took him off his day job in 2003 after he blew the whistle on a case of suspected fraud to the tune of €20 million.

Since then he has received €5,000 per month net while staying at home with the status "available" for work.

“Each month I receive a new salary statement and a bank transfer. Last month, just like every year in June, I also received a bonus of €600 for the holidays,” he told BFM TV.

In 2003, Mr Simon, from Saint Quentin in the Aisne department, northern France, said he was working for a subsidiary of SNCF called Geodis Solutions, which handles transport logistics.

“After three years of normal activity, I discovered a fraud based on false disputed transport invoices amounting to €20 million,” he told BFMV, producing his personal archives on the bills to back up his claims.

Part of the “misused funds” were due to go into building the new TGV Nord line, he told Le Point. Others related to the E line of the overground RER network.

He said he alerted his managers, but was promptly moved from Geodis back to SNCF. However, instead of being given a new post, the company offered him no new role. He said he had no choice but to stay at home but continued to be paid the same monthly wage.

However, rather than simply taking the money and enjoying his free time, he said he wrote several letters to Guillaume Pepy, the president of the SNCF, asking for “compensation”.

“I am asking for recognition for the wrong this has caused me because if I hadn’t been sidelined, I could have had a fine career,” he said.

He added that he hoped his predicament as a “whistle blower’ would help others placed in “the cupboard” – given a sinecure - after having denounced fraud.

Contacted by Le Point, SNCF confirmed that Mr Simon was indeed an employee and that he had already made a request for “damages”, which was rejected by the Paris workers’ tribunal in 2011. It said it could not comment further given its continued “contractual link” to Mr Simon.

A MUST READ! REUBEN ABATI NEVER BETRAYED ME! – by Kayode Ajala

Mr. Kayode Ajala

Writer, Journalist and Publisher

Ever since my very good friend and brother, Dr Reuben Abati was appointed as the Special Adviser, Media, to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, I’ve had to contend with a number of issues concerning my relationship with him. Issues which, I must say, I consider quite unsavoury. The most disturbing of such issues is the one which postulates that Reuben Abati is a traitor, a betrayer and one who abandoned his friends immediately after he got the plum job at the Presidency. I was often singled out for mention as one of those betrayed by the former presidential spokesman.

My initial reaction was to simply ignore this falsehood, believing that it was just another tale that would blow away without causing any harm. But lately, I began to have a rethink, especially when I read a story in an online platform stating categorically that Reuben had shamelessly betrayed me and Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu. And you know, when a lie is repeated over and over without being challenged, it soon begins to sound like the truth.

To start with, I do not remember complaining to anyone, living or dead, that Reuben had ever betrayed me in one way or the other. Never! It’s true that society has expectations. I recall that no sooner had Reuben Abati been announced as the presidential spokesman than my phones began to ring nonestop. And I couldn’t help but wonder as to why I was getting all the attention that I got at that time. Those who knew of my closeness to Reuben called me, those who didn’t even know but who heard from somebody who also heard from somebody called me; those who had never called me sought out my phone number and called me up. My phones rang endlessly. What were they all calling me for?


Reuben Abati

Fmr Presidential Spokesman

Well, my friend Reuben had gotten a job at the Presidency of Nigeria where the ‘only thing they do is share money in different currencies of the world’, so they were all calling to congratulate me. Some even went as far as saying that it was my time to ‘chop and clean mouth,’ after all, my friend had been appointed and it was certain that he would put me in his portfolio and sneak me into Aso Rock. Others came up with different proposals as to how Reuben and I could become billionaires within months. For me, it was quite amusing. I listened, I smiled and I kept my cool while praying for the success of Reuben Abati on this serious national assignment.

Predictably, when days turned into weeks and weeks into months and months into years and the foregoing expectation did not turn into reality, the rumour mills went agog. The same set of people who called me up to congratulate me (as if I was the one appointed) when Reuben got the appointment,turned around to begin to spread stories of condemnation and bitterness. They became overnight historians, reminding me of so many things that they actually know nothing about.

According to them, I was the one who brought Reuben to Lagos, took him to Dr Ibe Kachikwu (Hints magazine publisher now N.N.P.C. Group Managing Director) and helped him to get a column at Hints. I was also the one who accommodated him for years before he found his feet and bla, bla, bla. They wanted me to be angry with Reuben, they wanted me to be bitter with him but even as they spoke, my indifference was clear.

What they probably forgot to add was that I was also the one who married a wife for Reuben, I was the one who helped him to sleep with his wife to bear all the children they have, I was also the one who bought him his first car and built his first house for him, I was the one who got him a job at the Guardian and even helped him to make a success of his career. Yes! I was the one who instructed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to appoint Abati as presidential spokesman. Arrant nonsense!!!

Now, I need to tell them what they don’t know about ReubenAbati and I. Reuben and I enjoy a relationship that dates back to a time that both of us can hardly remember. But I do remember that we were kids when we first met. His parents’ house at Abeokuta was not too far from mine. And the secondary schools we attended at Abeokuta were just a stone throw from each other. As secondary school students, Reuben and I belonged to the Literary and Debating Society of our different schools and whenever the schools had a contest, Reuben and I would lead the debating teams against each other.

When I wrote my first degree project in 1986, it was to Reuben that I reached out for help when the whole thing became too complicated for me. When I got married in 1992, Reuben Abati was my Best man. When he got married later in the same year, I was the Best man. His first son, Funlade, who is now a Lawyer, shares the same birthdate of February 21stwith me. His late father was my father. My late father was his father as well. After his wedding in 1992, it was to my late father that we went, straight from the venue of the wedding,for blessings.

I recall one night when Reuben and I sat on the bed with his aged father and the old man spent hours advising us and telling us that no matter what happens, we must remain brothers and friends. I recall other times when we would sit with my own father and he would shower prayers on us…Reuben Abati and I have come a long way. Even now, there are things that Reuben and I have shared that remain our closely guarded secret, between just the two of us! My relationship with Reuben Abati transcends what I can get out of him or what he can get out of me.

Having said that, if I need to reach out to him for any form of assistance, I would not think twice before doing so ditto for him! Unlike what was written in the online report, we are still very much in touch. He, it was who sent me the link of the story written about us, in that online medium. Just a few days back, I called him concerning the plan of some ex Hints staff to honour our former boss, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, who had just been appointed as Group Managing Director of N.N.P.C. A couple of years back, I fell quite ill and it was my friend who picked up the hospital bill. When my last child was born a few years back, Abati was there for my family. Recently, I reached out to him on a pressing issue and he responded with alacrity… So please, let the tales stop. Reuben Abati has never betrayed me and I don’t even see that ever happening.

True, there has been a groundswell of resentment and condemnation against Reuben Abati since he took the appointment under President Jonathan. Many can simply not come to terms with the reality that a man who’d been seen as the voice of the masses could turn around to join the establishment. Reuben’s plight, methinks, stems from the resentment against the Jonathan government. How does one function as the spokesman of such a President without receiving a backlash? Perhaps if Reuben’s appointment had come under President Buhari, the heat wouldn’t have been this intense…Who knows?

I know that there have been cases of favour seekers, sycophants and bootlickers who have gone to Reuben to bad mouth me because they believe that is the most effective way to get favours from him. Such people have come to me too, to badmouth him. They shuttle between the two of us driven by the pangs of hunger in their stomachs. But I tell you; between Reuben Abati and I that strategy won’t work…It just can’t work. Reuben Abati has never betrayed me!

kayodeajala@yahoo.co.uk

President of the copyright Society of Nigeria, Tony Okoroji, Others visit Majek Fashek In Abuja Rehab

Majek Fashek with friends

After battling with drug addiction for several years the reggae legend has shown tremendous improvement since he’s arrival at the rehab center in Abuja. Warri oil baron and billionaire, Ayiri Emami has taken care of Majek’s medical bills, he also flew in specialist on behalf of the reggae icon. 

Majek is to embark on a nationwide tour after leaving rehab.

Fashek and Okoroji

Photos Credit:THESUMMARY.COM

Opinion: SOS: Environmental Degradation In My Town, Odogbolu - By Badero Olusola...See Photos of Uren river too

Badero Olusola

...Save the rivers and streams in Odogbolu;

While growing up in Odogbolu, in the 80s, my first understandings of responsibility started from cleaning my personal belongings, to cleaning the house and of course, fetching water from kilometers-long source -- rivers and streams.

Odogbolu is the headquaters of Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Apart from the time of General Oladipo Diya, the Asiwaju of Odogbolu, as the Vice President of Nigeria, when we had regular water supplies in our public taps, people of Odogbolu would fetch their water from the streams for domestic use -- not sure if it was better before I was born, but the picture I painted above is my personal experience.

I am not sure of how many they are in all, but I'll list few major ones here;

In Odogbolu we have three (3) quarters, they are; Odo, Efiyan and Agada. Within these three quarters, we have another sub-quarters with their own Olorituns as the heads and they are; Igbodile, Ikosa, Iloda, Eyin-Edi, Igbepa, Itun-Oke, Ibu, Idena, Itun-Węna, Ipebi (and others I can't remember right now).

Each quarter hosts at least a river in Odogbolu.

In Odo Area, the river there is called Eri-Odo (Odo river). It is small and can't be more than 4 feet deep. It is along the Ita-Odo Ikenne-Ilisan link road. This same stream linked another stream of about 2km away called Ayetutu. That stream is located at the back of Gen. Oladipo Diya's house in Agada.

Agada, Quater; the biggest river in Odogbolu is located in this part of the town. It is called "Uren". It is longer than 2 Olympic size swimming pool. It 10-12ft deep at the extreme end, and about 6ft deep near the bridge. It play host to largest number of visitors during festive seasons. Ileya period is the busiest. From DJs to food vendors to booze merchants, Uren river is a top tourist destination in my town. It is along Odogbolu Aiyepe Road, before the police station at Oke Uren.

We have Eri Ikosa for the Ikosa people. A big river is also at the back of Odogbolu Grammar School in Oko Oke Hill, Efiyan, serving the people of the area. We have Eri Kekere and so on.

What this post is all about is to awaken the minds of every stakeholder in the "Project Odogbolu" and remind them that these monuments are no longer what they used to be.

Their natural existence, valor, and beauty have been altered by environment abusers.

Micro economic businesses are good for our town, so also our is environmental wellbeing. Constructing fish ponds near rivers is not a bad idea as long as the the environment is protected and nature is allowed to enjoy its ambience.

A situation where waste waters are emptied into a already contaminated river, due to your business location, is unacceptable.

The Caretaker committee Chairman in the Local Government, Mr Opanuga should as a matter of necessity take a very good look into the activities of these fish pond businesses located around our rivers in the local government -- especially in Odogbolu.

An environmental sanitation task force should be commissioned to check the day-to-day activities of the businesses. A policy should be formulated that will guide and sanction any abuser of our environment.

We all know the daily harrowing experiences our people goes through in getting drinkable water. Government's efforts in providing clean and drinkable water running from our taps is still very poor and unimpressive. Therefore, the continuous drinking from the river by major part of our people, on Odogbolu, can't be under-emphasized.

Waiting for disaster to happen before acting won't do anyone any good. The epidemic cholera outbreak of last year in Abeokuta is still fresh in our memories. Many of the dead victims died drinking from a contaminated river after road construction had disrupted water supply in the area at the time.

Odogbolu must not experience that too.

Prevention they say, is better than cure. The time to act is now.

Badero Olusola
Maiyegun General,
Glasgow, Scotland UK.

See Photos of fun seekers at Uren river in Odogbolu


The river can take hundred at a go if weed is cleared


More funseekers waiting to take a dive



This is the Ayee Ugborowo's shrine. The Official deity in-
charge of the river


Uren river attracts tens of thousand visitors during Muslim-
festive periods-- mostly first timers

Restructuring: Kachikwu Accused Of Sparing Friend

GMD NNPC 

The new Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu has been accused of sparing his friend in the ongoing restructuring at the national oil company.

Sources said Mr Gbenga Komolafe, who is allegedly linked to several transactions that shortchanged the nation in the oil sector during the last administration, was retained while his counterparts in other departments were forced to resign.

Komolafe who held positions in commercial divisions including Executive Director Commercial, Pipeline and Products Marketing Company and recently the Group General Manager (GGM), Crude Oil Marketing Division, has now been posted as GGM Special Duties in the oil tower, a new position created by the new GMD.

Sources said the retirement which affects all the senior staff in his former departments for the roles they played didn’t affect Mr Komolafe due to his closeness to the new GMD.

A total of 38 senior management staff were affected in recent retirement as part of the effort of the new administration to clean the system and reposition the company as international oil giant.

“He is believed to be a close friend to the new GMD and is deeply engaged in the recent restructuring in the NNPC,” one of the concerned staff told Daily Trust.

“If people like Haruna Momoh are among the list of the retirees due to their closeness with the former minister of petroleum resources, then there is no reason Mr Komolafe should be spared because he is even closer to the former minister than any body,” the source said. 

The new GMD had said that the restructuring in the NNPC was in line with the Federal Government’s aspiration to transform the corporation into a lean, efficient, business-focused, transparent and accountable in keeping with international best practices.

But the sources said with the retention of Mr Komolafe in the tower and even positioned him as GGM Special Duties, the clean up is just a window dressing. “Nothing will change because these are the people that are very loyal to the last administration and his new position empowers him to participate in all the activities in the NNPC, one of the sources said.

When contacted for reaction over the allegation, the NNPC spokesman, Mr Ohi Alegbe, said the exercise which saw the exit of all senior managers who were billed to retire between now and December 2016 is also a cost-saving measure but he didn’t comment on the retention of Mr Komolafe as requested by our reporter.

He said “the task of restructuring the NNPC into a lean, efficient, and business-focused organization has commenced with Management’s approval of the retirement of thirty-eight senior managers.

“The exercise, apart from gearing the Corporation in the direction of a leaner and more efficient organization, has enormous cost-saving benefits,” he added.

Meanwhile the NNPC yesterday announced the appointment of 15 new GGMs to man some Divisions of the corporation.

Travel: Emirates airline to launch world’s longest non-stop flight

Emirate Crew

Emirates Airline is set to operate the world’s longest non-stop commercial flight starting 2016 between Dubai and Panama City.

The Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Ahmed-bin-Saeed al-Maktoum, said on Friday in Dubai that the flight is set to be 17 hours and 35 minutes long would commence from Feb. 1.

He said Emirates would be using a Boeing 777-200LR with a capacity to carry 266 passengers over the 13,821-kilometre stretch.

Al-Maktoum said the new stretch is 17 kilometres further than the world’s currently longest non-stop flight, the Qantas route between Sydney and Dallas.

He noted that Singapore Airlines for financial reasons in 2013 cancelled the 15,344-kilometre-long flight between Singapore and Newark, New Jersey.

Abobaku Title Is In Our Past - Ogunwoye Gbemiga Samson

Ooni Of Ife

Let me set the record straight...in this age of information, ignorance is a choice.

I have watched the show of vacuity as it is been displayed by some of the online gurus (mediocre) in the recent time about the Abobaku saga. It is ignoramus to jump into the pool you have not delved before. Let me set the record straight...

Abobaku is a traditional practice in the ancient Yoruba Empire. Abobaku system is peculiar to the Ancient Oyo-Yoruba Empire. It is not heinous as some people take it to be, rather it is a matter of choice, people compete to occupy the position of Abobaku just as other positions because while the king is alive, the Abobaku enjoys de facto power and he shares in the glory of His Royal Highness.

In the Ancient Oyo-Yoruba Empire, it was constitutional for Aremo to be Abobaku, he is to be buried with his father. After the Owu War in 1827, there came the creation of Ibadan and Ijaye in 1829 and 1830 respectively.

Ogunmola headed Ibadan as Kurunmi who later became Are Ona Kakanfo became the leader of Ijaye. Alaafin Atiba succeeded Alaafin Oluewu in 1837, but at the demise of Alaafin Atiba in 1859, Adelu who was Aremo and supposed to be Abobaku (someone that dies with king) refused to die with the king and wanted to succeed his father. And because of the benefits Ibadan enjoyed under Alaafin Atiba, they wanted continuity by supporting Aremo Adelu to become Alaafin against the tradition.

On the contrary, Ijaye did not want the continuity and wanted to protect the culture of the kingship, there started a war of superiority between Ibadan's combatants and Ijaye's warriors in which Ibadan came out victorious and Aremo Adelu became Alaafin Adelu in 1859. This was how the doctrine of Abobaku ended in Oyo-Yoruba Empire.

Ife has never practiced the tradition of Abobaku before and no one can point to anywhere in Yorubaland today where the tradition is under vogue.

Abobaku is a system in the past and it has gone with the past. It is vicious and malicious to peddle what you know nothing about to score a mere rhetoric point. We are proud of our ancestral past!

Eledumare bless Oduduwa Republic.

-Ogunwoye Gbemiga Samson

The Ooni will be buried today.

Photos of His Burial Procession:

A Video You Should Watch If You Are A Parent With Teenage Daughters

The Dangers Of Social Media (Child Predator Social Experiment)

He Is About To Rape A Girl He Met On Facebook. But Watch What Happens When Her Parents Show Up!

There are over 750,000 registered child predators in the United States.

And Social media is an ever growing platform that we use to connect with current and long lost friends, and family members. We also use to to connect with new friends we make. But in some instances, it’s used to connect with people that we don’t know. In this video, Coby Persin creates a social experiment with thepermission of the teenage girl’s parents, creates a fake facebook profile and starts chatting with these underage girls.

In all cases the girls respond, and then something more surprising happens… they agree to meet up with acomplete stranger when their parents are not around. What was found in this video is shocking and everyone should see. Be sure to watch until the end, and use what we’ve learned in this video to better educate your friends and family.

Watch Video Here:

Terrorism: Isis bomber Sally Jones ‘seen in Birmingham’

Jones has abused Jewish people online and said she wants to behead Christians with a ‘blunt knife’ (Picture: Twitter)

An Isis recruiter who told an undercover journalist how to build a bomb and said the Royal Family was a target has allegedly been spotted in Birmingham.

Sally Jones, a former punk singer and husband of fellow Isis recruiter Junaid Hussain, was thought to have left the UK for Syria in 2013 to fight for the terror group.

But Special Branch officers are now on full alert after Jones was apparently spotted in Birmingham with two fellow jihadis just days after it was revealed that she told a Sky News undercover journalist that the Royal Family was a target at Saturday’s VJ celebrations.

Sally Jones played guitar in a punk rock band

‘This is worrying but Special Branch officers are working on this to track her down,’ a source told The Mirror.

‘Officers are in place at various airports to keep an eye out for her.

‘There is intelligence that she was last seen in Birmingham with two individuals, aged 18 and 22.’

About Sally Jones

Sally Jones, 45, once played guitar in an all-female punk band, but ran away from her home in Chatham, Kent, with her 10-year-old son Jojo to wage jihad with her young husband Junaid Hussain in 2013. She left her 18-year-old son behind and has since renamed her 10-year-old Hamza.

She has been linked to the female Isis arm al-Khanssaa Brigade and is believed to be seen chanting in propaganda videos. She has posted threats on social networking sites, posed for photos with an AK-47 and said she wants to behead Christians with a ‘blunt knife’. She has also harassed Jewish people over the internet using the pseudonym Umm Hussain al-Britani.

Scotland Yard refused to comment on the reported sighting.

In online conversations with a journalist working in a Sky News undercover investigation, the 45-year-old Jones sent ‘guidebooks’ which included information on how to raise funds quickly and how to build explosives.

Jones’ husband, 21-year-old Hussain, runs the recruitment arm of Isis from the group’s designated capital of Raqqa in Syria. 

The 45-year-old left one son in the UK and took the other, a 10-year-old, to Syria

Shocking!! Anambra PDP sacks Metuh

Olisah Metuh PDP Spokesman

The Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suspended the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisah Metuh.

His suspension followed one allegedly handed to him by his Otolo Nnewi Ward I, ratified by his local government – Nnewi North.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary Kenneth Arinze and Victor Osy Ezenwa, Basil Ejidike (secretary), Dr. Maduka Nwankwo (chairman, South), Kelue Molokwu (vice chairman, Central) and Chief Osy Chinwuba (chairman, North), alleged that Metuh embezzled party funds.

The statement reads: “Following the suspension of Chief Olisa Metuh by the Otolo Ward 1 Nnewi of the PDP (where Olisa hails from) and the ratification of same by the Nnewi North Local Government chapter, the sState executive committee, after assessing the weighty allegations against Olisa Metuh and finding them heinous, in compliance with the PDP Constitution, hereby, ratifies the suspension and forward same to the National Working Committee (NWC)”.

WHY WE MUST PRAY FOR WOLE SOYINKA -Gbenga Daniel

Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Press Statement

We have read with disappointment and mixed feelings some of the uncharitable statements credited to the Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka in Zero Tolerance, a publication of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the said interview, we noticed what has now become character about the respected literary Icon, the disparaging reference to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State.

We need to state unequivocally that we are disappointed because by training, conduct and culture, a younger man is disadvantaged to respond to elders in this part of the world, and we relate to this statement with mixed feelings because, Professor Soyinka is somebody Otunba Gbenga Daniel holds in high esteem as a great Ambassador of Africa, part of the reason why his 70th birthday was celebrated with pomp and ceremony during the administration of Otunba Daniel.


Prof Wole Soyinka 

However we need to set certain records straight on some of the issues raised so that the unsuspecting public would not continue to be misled and misguided by the misrepresentation of facts on our recent history especially coming from someone of Professor Soyinka's standing.

1. Perhaps, Prof needs to be reminded that the police institution had never been, was and is not yet in the hands of any state's governor to use at his whims and caprices as suggested by Professor Soyinka. For clarification, State police commissioners are appointed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who in turn is responsible to, and takes his 'order' from the President and Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. So, accusing Otunba Gbenga Daniel of putting the Ogun State House of Assembly under lock with "Mopol guiding it" is totally out of place and reprehensible. It is also instructive to note that Otunba Gbenga Daniel was one of those who believe in the idea of State Police as a veritable way of curbing crime, but the reality is that it is still a Federal Government institution.

2. In case it might also not have crossed the mind of Professor Soyinka, what transpired in the Ogun State House of Assembly in the period under reference was taken to court, before Justice Onamade, and one would wonder what line of argument would Professor advanced had OGD interfered again in an issue which was already taken before another arm of government competent enough to decide on such sensitive matter and contradictions in affairs of government. That judgment has not been appealed by anyone, including Professor Soyinka even after five years.

3. We also need to remind Professor Soyinka that the ruling of the court recognised the Soyemi Coker- led House of Assembly which Prof and some others who took same line of thoughts with him decided to deride and condemned using only 'abstract' knowledge to interpret. We are well aware that Professor Soyinka is too intelligent to know that not everything that "looks" morally permissible can be constitutionally right. Except of course, Professor is advocating the abrogation of our secular state for an ecclesiastical style of government where affairs of government will be conducted on spiritual morality. The facts of what transpired in the Ogun State House of Assembly are well documented, including the personal accounts of Otunba Gbenga Daniel in his Autobiography "Daniel in The Lion's Den", a follow-up edition which is in due course.

5. We frowned at the 'selective' advocacy Professor Soyinka had recently descended to in his version of 'activism' as if the whole world should be made to look at political issues ONLY from the 'selective' prism and perspective of Professor Soyinka. We think not. The world had moved on with a lot of sophistication which Professor should endeavour to relate to with open minds. We recall that Professor Soyinka, with some known members of the Opposition to our government in 2010 had stormed the Ake Church Cathedral for what they claimed was a "Town Hall Meeting". We do not want to believe Prof is still smarting from that failed political encounter which was obvious to all discerning minds was politically motivated, ostensibly aimed at promoting the interest of other political parties and interest in which the son of Professor Soyinka was already slated to serve, as follow-up event eventually proved.

6. We would rather think in consonant with age, status and accomplishments and respects which go with all these, Prof should wake up to the reality of the law of diminishing returns and be circumspect in speech and public utterance, especially as he has the latitude of personal intervention on matters of conflict in Ogun State; he could simply call and seek audience with Otunba Gbenga Daniel and or any of the other principal actors involved then to make an unbiased judgment.

7. We have followed the rather condemnable reference to Professor Soyinka by a former President of Nigeria (a member of the same generation with Prof) referring to him in as a "respected wine connoisseur" whose political judgment is suspect. While not subscribing to this derisive comment, it remains for Professor Soyinka to prove this wrong with his well researched and highly informed judgment and comments on issues of politics. He should endeavour to ask what ACTUALLY transpired and Why.

8. We also need to put on record, that despite of the various attempts to demonise the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration by Professor Soyinka and some others who constituted themselves as Opposition to the government, in contrast to the experience in other parts of the country, while the opposition simulated crisis lasted in Ogun State, no single soul was lost under the watch of His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel and no single act of violence was recorded contrary to the Propaganda they painted to the outside world.

9. We believe that while it lasted, OGD have proven to have a better democratic credentials than most people, especially politicians that Professor Soyinka had chosen not to cristicise in his self-styled social activism.

10. Let us also place on record that President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Otunba Gbenga Daniel as his Campaign Coordinator for the South West in 2011 (and not 2015 as misrepresented) and he delivered overwhelmingly; and despite the strong wind of change and the very unusual circumstances in 2015 Otunba Daniel still delivered his Federal and Senatorial constituencies for President Jonathan.

We implore those who have been so misguided by the orchestrated falsehood, lies and deceits and misrepresentations spurned out to encourage Professor Soyinka to do critical review of the performances of some of the governments and political actors he had promoted, supported and helped installed in relation to the commonwealth and improvements of the living conditions of the average citizens.

Signed:

Steve Oliyide

Media Aide to Otunba Gbenga Daniel.

Governor, Ogun State (2003-2011).

Nigeria: Don’t encourage corruption, APC cautions Sultan, Oritsejafor, Kukah, others

From Left: President Muhammadu Buhari (M); Former Head of State And Chairman of 2015 Election Peace Committee, Retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (4th-L); Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (5th-L); Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar Iii (5th-R); National President of C.A.N, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor (4th-R); John Cardinal Onaiyekan (3rd-R) And other Members of the Committee, During Their Courtesy Visit To President Buhari at the Presidential Villa In Abuja

Two days after the National Peace Committee met with President Muhammadu Buhari and cautioned him on the probe on the immediate past administration, the president’s party has risen in his support.

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in seeming reference to the committee members, asked opinion leaders to ensure that their actions and utterances do not give comfort to those who looted the commonwealth of the country.

Some members of the peace committee, headed by former military ruler Abdulsalam Abubakar, include the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor; and prominent Catholic cleric, Matthew Kukah.

Speaking after the committee met Mr. Buhari, Mr. Kukah said although the leaders were not in support of corruption, they were worried about the process.

“I think what we are concerned about is process,” he said. “It is no longer a military regime and, under our existing laws, everybody is innocent until proven guilty.

“Again, our own commitment is not to intimidate or fight anybody. The former President’s commitment and what he did still remains spectacular and I think that President Buhari himself appreciates that.”

However, on Thursday, the APC, in a statement issued in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed, warned against any attempt to truncate the ongoing fight against corruption in the country. It expressed total support for President Buhari’s determination to end the scourge in the country.

It appealed to all Nigerians, especially opinion leaders, to ensure that their actions and utterances do not give comfort to those who looted the commonwealth of the country.

”Our party promised Nigerians change, but the change that we promised and which Nigerians desire so much cannot be achieved if we allow the resources that belong to all Nigerians to be appropriated by a few.

”How do we upgrade our decayed infrastructure and provide jobs for our people when the money meant for that has been embezzled by a few?

”President Buhari has promised to break the vicious cycle of corruption that has held Nigeria down.

”How can he do that if he allows those who have looted the treasury to escape justice, and then use their ill-gotten wealth to fight the government?

”How can he do that if he turns a blind eye to the monumental cases of corruption in all sectors?

”We know that fighting corruption in a society where the cankerworm has eaten deep into its fabric will not be easy. We know that corruption will always fight back.

”But there is no other choice than to confront and destroy this monster once and for all, lest it destroys Nigeria,” it said.

The party said the President’s sincerity of purpose could be seen from his statement that any of his party members who was found to be corrupt would not escape justice.

”Therefore, those who are shouting themselves hoarse by saying the Buhari Administration’s fight against corruption is selective or is a distraction, are only seeking to sabotage the epic battle.

”If they have any case of corruption against any member of the APC, they should forward their evidence to the appropriate anti-corruption agency,’’ it said.

The party said that the danger in truncating the fight against corruption was that it would consign Nigeria to poverty, insecurity and unemployment in perpetuity.

”That is why we are restating our unalloyed support for the President, and urging him not to be deterred or distracted by those hiding under sophistry to weaken the fight.

”We are glad that most Nigerians have lent their support to the government’s fight against corruption, going by their interventions on the Social Media, which has now become a people’s parliament of sorts.

”We urge them not to relent in their support, irrespective of the antics of the naysayers,” it said.


(NAN)

Photos: Speaker Dogara visits VP Osinbajo

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara visited Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the presidential villa yesterday, August 13th.







Photo Credit: Lindaikejiblog

BOKO HARAM: Borno State Commences Post-insurgency Reconstruction, Says Shettima

Gov. Kashim Shettima

Borno State Government has said it has commenced the reconstruction of public and some private buildings destroyed by the insurgency.

The governor of the state, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, said among the infrastructure under reconstruction are primary and post-primary schools, hospitals and clinics across the state.

He said also being rebuilt are some destroyed residential houses including total overhauling of palaces of traditional rulers.

He said the massive reconstruction was being undertaken in order to win the confidence of fleeing people so that they can return back to their communities following the relative peace now enjoyed in the state.

Speaking while leading a team led by the United Nations Resident Coordinator/ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Mr. Daoud Toure and Director- General (DG), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Sani Sidi to Auno village in Konduga Local Government Area for inspection of ongoing renovation and construction of Central Primary School, General Hospital, a mosque and the palace of the District Head on Wednesday, Shettima lamented that during the peak of the Boko Haram deadly activities, many schools, particularly the ones owned by government, were destroyed by insurgents.

"Stay away from Benue", Ortom warn Homosexuals

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has cautioned gays to stay away from the state, warning that his administration would not spare anyone caught practising homosexuality in the state.

The governor gave the warning when he hosted the Prelate of the Anglican Communion of Nigeria, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, in Makurdi, the state capital Tuesday.

He said: “Gay lifestyle is alien to the customs, lifestyles, and the belief of Africans and the church, even though it is being promoted in the Western world.

“I sincerely pray that a revival would spring from Benue State and produce evangelists that would drive evangelization in Africa and the Western world because the personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus is the solution to the decadence sweeping across many nations today.”

Ortom commended the Anglican Communion in Nigeria for its stand on gay marriage and reiterated that his administration would entrench core values that would enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people.

He assured the Prelate of his readiness to personally participate in the scheduled programme of the Anglican Communion taking place in the state next year, and wished them well in their current conference at Zaki-Biam.

NIGERIA: 'Stop talking too much about probe, concentrate and do your work' – Kukah tells Buhari

Frontline cleric and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Rev. Matthew Hassan-Kukah, yesterday advised President Muhamma­du Buhari not to be distracted from what is on ground on account of too much attention on probe.

Kukah, who doubles as spokesman of the General Abdulsa­lami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee, gave this charge after a meeting between the committee and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Doga­ra.

He said though probing treasury looters was important, govern­ment must place premium on providing the desired governance.

His words: “There is no such thing as probe in a democratic setting like ours. What obtains is investigation, and once people lead and things are not right, in­vestigation becomes necessary.

“However, in doing that, we must never be distracted from the spectacular actions undertaken by former President Jonathan. He is an individual. I think this whole thing about probe can be ascer­tained once investigations are concluded. But we are saying that a lot of talks and speculation about this probe are the dis­tractions nobody needs.

“So, the most important thing is that we need a stable country first, before we can talk about these things. And they will have happened down the line”, he said.

Speaking on whether all was well between the ex­ecutive and the legislature given the committee’s visit to both the Presidency and the National Assembly, the Catholic Bishop said things were not the way they ought to be in the polity.

The cleric said, “Everybody knows that things are not the way they ought to be. We are just trying to encourage people that let’s get on with this business of fix­ing this country. Let’s get to the business of realising the change that we dreamt of. And also most importantly, let’s get down with the business of co-operating with God so that Nigeria can move for­ward.

“I think that is what ordinary Nigerians are expecting, this is what they voted for. The truth of the matter is that time is not on our side. Our responsibility is to en­courage politicians to do what they were elected to do,” the Catholic Bishop said.

Kukah said the meeting with the Speaker was part of the committee’s con­sultations which he noted, were aimed at getting a feel from the stakeholders about their thinking of the National Peace Committee and its role.

POLITICS: 78Million for a personal website: Fashola Blows Hot, says; “When you wrestle with a pig, the pig gets happy and you get dirty.”

*Fashola

This statement of profound wisdom informed my silence in the wake of manipulated and unsubstantiated allegations of wrongdoing recently being levelled against me. They started a few weeks to the end of my tenure, and have continued till date. They range from allegations of extra marital paternity of children, to mundane and phantom conspiracy in the National Assembly, a debt profile for Lagos State and lately a website upgrade contract of N78 million, which is being distorted.

In so far as the allegations of paternity are concerned, they are wicked and false. I have no biological children other than my two children. Of course, I adopted three children who became orphaned as a result of the tragic DANA Airplane crash of 2012 and the adoption followed due process.

Those who do not care whether they hurt innocent children or invade the privacy of other citizens in their mindless rage against me will have their rewards served upon them in the fullness of time. As far as my alleged involvement in the National Assembly elections are concerned, they remain only the products of the imagination of those who made the allegations.

I was out of the country at the material time and returned only in the early hours of that morning to Abuja, and from there proceeded to Lagos. As far as debts of Lagos State are concerned, the fact is that Lagos had always had debts. Her population is growing and for a long time she has run deficit budgets to cater to the needs of that growing population.

All the debts contracted in my time were approved by the Parliament in the annual budgets, some have been paid back and the financial status was healthy and stable when I left. The outlook for the state and her rating by Fitch was long-term foreign and local currency IDRs at ‘BB-‘, short-term IDR at ‘B’ and national long-term rating at ‘AA+(nga)’.

When we all pause to reflect and think ,we will realise that there are a sizable number of companies who are running business, who have no responsibility for Security, Public Health, Public Education and other responsibilities of Government, who borrow more than Lagos State Government, whether collectively or individually. As far as the website contract is concerned, yes there was a contract. It went through procurement and was approved by the Government agency authorised to do so.

One of the services was an “upgrade” quoted for N12.5 million but awarded for N12 million. There were other services that were new; like a handover countdown clock, mobile Apps for Google, for IOS and ipad, for Microsoft, and for Research in Motion (Blackberry), which the existing website did not have, as well as the annual maintenance cost for managing the website.

It was for all these services that the contract was issued for N78 million, which the Lagos State procurement agency gave a No Objection based on the advice of the Ministry of Science and Technology, who are the Government adviser on ICT matters. In publishing this Contract award which was the Government tradition under my watch, the procurement agency’s website summarised it as “upgrade” only without detailing the other services and this has been distorted by the agents of hate as their suspected “smoking gun”.

For those who are familiar with mobile Applications, they will know that users either pay for them online or download them for free. What is usual is that applications for service are usually provided to users free, but somebody bears the cost. Since these applications were to be made available to the public for free access and to assist Government communication, we decided to pay for them. The entire documents are with the Lagos State Government and are available for those who seek the truth.

For the record, since 2008, long before the Freedom of Information Act was ever passed, we had put out all our contracts on the State website because I believe people deserve to know. It is regrettable that a “summary” of the contract has been deliberately distorted to misinform the public. This particular website came into being as a result of the decision I made to make my telephone number public for the several thousands of people seeking to reach me daily.

The website that is now under attack helped me to do my job and to respond to citizens, and the contract was issued to run till my last day of office. It stands logic upside down for to “fraudulently” award a contract and then have it published on a website. To date, there have been 27.666 million hits on this website, with 1,844 videos, 34,381 photographs, 2,531 Press Releases and 595 Speeches, among other items of public communication.

I have chosen to make this personal response because as the head of government at the time of the transaction, the buck as they say stops on my desk and also because of the many calls, text messages and mails coming from many people seeking clarification and to prevent fiction from being mistaken for truth. I expect that there may be more distorted allegations without evidence, for reasons that remain in the realm of speculation, because, I have been informed reliably that large amounts of money are being paid to some of these agents to bear false witness.

I cannot conclude without responding to the crusade of CACOL and their ilk, seeking my prosecution on allegations that have no proof and writing “pre-emptive” letters to the Presidency. In case they are unaware, I am not looking for a job. I expect them to know that allegations of wrong doing are not resolved without evidence, neither are they resolved in press conferences.

I have served my state, and by extension, my country for Twelve and half years and I did so with my heart. I am taking the rest that I believe I have earned. For those who still wish to remain in the mud, they should look in the mirror. For those who wish to throw mud at me, they should look at their own hands. As for me, I have moved on. My job is done.

PHOTOS: Official press statement by former Governor Raji Fashola on website allegations

UPDATE: How dead pilot, co-pilot were recovered from Lagos helicopter crash

...pilot and co-pilot identified.

A Rescue Team with the Bodies of the Victims that were involved in the Helicopter crash

A few women sobbed and mothers held tightly to their kids at the bank of the lagoon as fishing boats arrived with two corpses from the helicopter crash‎ on Wednesday.

The bodies – the white pilot and his black co-pilot – brought ashore at about 11 a.m.‎ on Thursday marked the end of rescue operations, according to emergency rescue officials.

A back pack, life jacket, and a dark book were some of the items recovered along with the corpses. But the carcass of the helicopter remained at the bottom of the lagoon.

‎A Bristow Helicopter flying from an oil rig in Escravos, Delta State, with two crew members and ten passengers crashed into the Lagos lagoon on Wednesday afternoon.

Six people were rescued and had been taken to the hospital while while four dead bodies were recovered by Wednesday night.

‎Michael Akindele, General Manager, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, said that the manifest of the flight to confirm the identities of those on-board was still being expected.

“But the rescue mission, as far as we are concerned, with all relevant agencies here present, and even the local divers, I must commend the marine police and LASWA for a wonderful job done, even the merchant navy,” Mr. Akindele said.

“All hands were on deck, like we promised yesternight, till this hour, just about ten minutes ago, we are able to recover two more fatalities.

“And like I have directed, they will be taken to the Mainland General Hospital mortuary to be added to the four previously there for further investigation.”

‎Bandele Onimode of the National Emergency Management Agency said that there is no timeline for the recovery of the helicopter since search and rescue is not a time bound operation.

“But I can tell you the recovery exercise is over. That is first phase. The second phase which should be anchored by the Accident Investigation Bureau, they are here, will commence immediately,” said Mr. Onimode, South-West Coordinator, NEMA.

The cause of the helicopter crash is still unknown and the AIB said they are yet to begin an investigation.

Clement Onyeyiri, an AIB investigator, said that claims of a technical fault are still early.

“The wreckage of the aircraft is still at the bottom of the lagoon, we are yet to recover it,” said Mr. Onyeyiri, Senior Investigator in charge of the investigation.

“As soon as we get to it, we will remove the recorders, play them, download them so that we will be able to understand and know what to tell you guys.

“As of today, there was an accident. The nature of the accident? Nobody can tell you.”

‘A hard work’

Almost a dozen local divers collaborated with emergency rescue agencies in the search and rescue operations.

Other agencies present at the site include the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Waterways Authority, and the Nigeria Police.

Adedayo Hassan, a diver, said that the rescue operation was a “very hard work.”

“Yesterday, we were in the middle of the water when the incident happened,” said Mr. Hassan.

“I rushed there to rescue some people. The helicopter was smoking an‎d turning before it crashed into the water.

“We were the first person to get there. When we got there, we rescued six people yesterday. We went back and rescued four people, the four people were dead. We discovered that there were two left in the helicopter so we now went there this morning to bring them out.

“We went there, we cut the belts and some ropes they used to tie themselves. They were at the front of the helicopter. We broke the louvres of the helicopter.”

There were visible cuts and bruises on the hands and legs of some of the divers.

Haruna Ishola, their leader, said that they stopped working late last night and continued this morning.

“When they went there, we were picking them. First of all we first picked two, they were alive, another four, alive” said Mr. Ishola.

“‎After that, another four dead corpse. Yesterday night they now told us they were 12 in population, we now went back and recovered the remaining two.”

‘Will of God’

Capt. Joseph Wyatt & First Officer Peter Bello, pilot & co-pilot of-
the Helicopter that crashed in Lagos

Efforts to ascertain the medical condition of those taken to the hospital on Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Officials at the General Hospital in Gbagada where some of the survivors were taken declined to speak to journalists.

Binta Bello, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, described the accident as the “will of God.”

“Just as I was coming to Lagos, I read in the paper that a United States military helicopter had an accident just yesterday. So these things are natural occurrences but we sincerely regret it,” said Mrs. Bello.

“We have to wait for the outcome of the investigation to see what actually happened, what was the main cause of the accident. Otherwise, regulatory agencies are doing their work.”

Football: Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood Pictures, You May Haven’t Seen

Wanna know how your star player grew up? here we are presenting to you some of his childhood pictures you may haven’t seen before.

Fourth child of Maria Dolores dos Santos and Jose Dinis Aveiro born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.

Ronaldo grew up in a largely working class neighborhood, his home a small tin roofed shack that overlooked the ocean. His early life was shaped by hardship; his father, a gardener, often drank too much, and eventually died from kidney problems in 2005. To help keep the children fed, and maintain some financial stability, Ronaldo’s mother worked as a cook and cleaning person.

Cristiano Ronaldo was first introduced to the world’s most popular sport “soccer” through his dad’s work as an equipment manager at a boy’s club. he was 10 year boy at the time. (source)

than his godfather, Fernao Sousa begin his polishing. Ronaldo started with Nacional da liha da Madeira than signed with Sporting Portugal in 2001.

Same year (2001), at the age of 16, Cristiano Ronaldo turned heads with a mesmerizing performance against Manchester United, wowing even his opponents with his footwork and deft skills. He made such an impression that a number of United players asked their manager “Alex Ferguson” to try and sign the young player. It wasn’t long before the club paid Ronaldo’s team more than £12 million for his services – a record fee for a player of his age. After spending some great time at Manchester United he Transferred to Real Madrid in record breaking Fee, remained world record for several years.

He's won ballon d’Or 3 times. Famous all around the globe. only athletes who have more than 100 million fans on facebook. at the moment he is the 2nd highest paid athlete in the world, have best cars collection in the world.

Lets have a look at his life Journey through Pictures.

Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood Picture


Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood Picture



Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood Picture


Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood Picture


Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood Picture


Rare pic of Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood

Cristiano Ronaldo Childhood image


Cristiano Ronaldo approximately 10 years old


Another Rare Pic Of Cristiano Ronaldo Young Age


Pure Young-man Cristiano Ronaldo






Ronaldo With his Coach during Manchester United Time


Signing with real madrid. record breaking transfer fee


Won Ballon d’Or 3rd time in his awesome career