National PDP chairman, Mu'azu resigns

From TAIWO AMODU, Abuja
Former Bauchi State governor, Adamu Mu’azu, has finally succumbed to pres­sures on him to resign as Na­tional Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
Mu’azu’s letter of resigna­tion dated May 19, 2015 was addressed to the Deputy Na­tional Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, who had since assumed office as acting national chairman of the party.
In a related development, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, has stepped down from the posi­tion, citing the current state of affairs in the party as reason.
In a one-page letter he signed and sent to President Goodluck Jonathan dated May 20, and entitled: Notice of my decision to step down as Chairman, Board of Trust­ees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Anenih said his decision would enable President Jona­than to effectively assume the chairmanship of the BoT.
The letter read in part: “Your Excellency will recall that in a conversation I had with you a few weeks ago, I had offered to step down from the office of the chairman of our party’s Board of Trustees and pro­posed to handover to you as its new chairman in a ceremony that would have taken place on May 23. I had also repeated this position in our subsequent meetings.
“As a follow up to the above proposal and in view of the current state of affairs in our party, I have decided to formally put my offer in writ­ing to enable you effectively assume the chairmanship of Board of Trustees or approve a process that will enable any other member of the BoT, who is considered competent, to as­sume the position.
“Kindly accept, therefore, this letter as notice of my deci­sion to step down from the po­sition of chairman of the BoT of our party with effect from today, May 20, 2015.
“I am happy to inform you that, I remain a loyal founda­tion member of our great party and will continue to pray for the prosperity of Nigeria, our party, and for you and your family.
“Your Excellency, kindly accept the expression of my highest regards.”
The national chairman and some aides of President Good­luck Jonathan and PDP gover­nors had been trading blames in the last three weeks over which organ of the party was responsible for its failure to win the presidential election as well as the routing of the party in its strongholds in the gover­norship elections.
In the past two weeks, Mu’azu had successfully staved off moves by those smarting to unseat him by travelling out of the country, thereby frustrating the agita­tion for an emergency meeting of the party’s national execu­tive committee meeting. But he lost out at the weekend as President Jonathan instructed him to resign from his posi­tion.
National Publicity Secre­tary of the party, Olisa Metuh, confirmed the resignation of Mu’azu, but gave indication that he threw in the towel due to health challenges.
He further disclosed that Deputy National Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus, had assumed office as acting national chairman, pending replacement from North-East zone.
Also briefing newsmen, National Secretary of the party, Prof. Wale Oladipo, acknowl­edged that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had received the resignation letter of Adamu Mu’azu. He was, however, silent on the fate of Chief Anenih.
“The NWC of the PDP at its 399th meeting today (yes­terday) received and accepted the voluntary resignation of the National Chairman of our great party Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu.
“Consequently, in line with the provisions of sections 45 (2) of the PDP constitution, the Deputy National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, acts in place of the national chairman pending a replacement from the North-East zone.
“On the correct position of the status of the Chairman of BoT of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, the NWC will make its position public today,” Ola­dipo said.
He further disclosed that the PDP NWC resolved to set up a seven-memeber disciplinary committee with Chief Michael Addul as chairman while Tony Okeke will serve as secretary.
Daily Sun checks revealed that the committee might axe former Aviation Minister, who was Director of Media and Publicity of the PDP Presiden­tial Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode, for his sustained criticism of the party national leadership.

Source: Sun News

"Address oil subsidy in three months..."- Blare to Buhari

From IHEANACHO NWOSU, Abuja
Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, yesterday, advised the President-elect, Mu­hammadu Buhari, to take tough and sweeping deci­sions on key issues militating against Nigeria within three months of inauguration as President.
Specifically, he advised Bu­hari to re-organise the Nigeria National Petroleum Corpora­tion (NNPC) and address the oil subsidy controversy that has resulted in lingering fuel scarcity .
Blair spoke at the two-day Policy Dialogue on the Im­plementation of the Agenda for Change, organised by the Policy Research and Strategy Directorate of the All Progres­sives Congress (APC). The Prime Minister, who was rep­resented by the British former Secretary of State, Peter Man­delson, said the incoming ad­ministration must take tough decision on major issues at a time it enjoyed widespread goodwill.
Meanwhile, the Vice Pres­ident-elect, Prof Femi Osin­bajo, has declared that the nation’s economy was at its worst moment in history. He put the local and international debts of the nation at $60bil­lion even as he said the coun­try was using N953.6 billion, 21 per cent of the nation’s budget, to service debts.
Decrying the current situ­ation of the country, Blair said a quick and well-tailored policy, was needed and urged the incoming Buhari adminis­tration to move swiftly after inauguration to tackle key is­sues that made Nigerians lose confidence in the government.
He said: “A country like this has extraordinary resourc­es -oil-and has this amazing privilege of source of energy, yet, power generation is not a happy issue. People have to wait for hours queueing to get fuel and end up buying it else­where. I think it needs to be addressed.”
The former Prime minister called for more investment from oil revenues in areas that would have long term impact on the welfare of the people. He named such areas as edu­cation, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure and power gen­eration. He emphasised the need to apply revenues from oil better, saying: “They can be invested in a long term good of the country- infra­structure, human capital, edu­cation system. This is where the money should be going to.”
Source: Sun News

PHOTO: Meet Mr. Bangs the killer producer

All work and no play makes jack a dull boy, maybe it makes Mr. Bangs a dull producer too...
When celebs need to chill, their choice of beaches and water falls are always beyond the expectation of fans.
The season is the best bet for relaxation and Mr. Bangs is not slacking in his seasonal chill outs  with members of his crew in water falls.
Mr. Bangs is a major stake holder in coalBelt entertainment, fastest growing entertainment company in eastern Nigeria. He has produced so many artist till date and is known for his magics in Hip Hop and RNB beats.
Below is a pic that leaked from his recent hangout in an undisclosed waterfall. The picture is unedited and the water body natural and a wonderful place to chill
 

PHOTOS (18+): Female Student shows off bare b*obs to mark Cultural day at Rivers State University of science and Technology

To mark the cultural day at the Rivers state University of Science and Technology, a female student from Kalabari ethnic nationality in Rivers state took the day to another dimension,as she exposed her boobs all day, celebrating her culture.
The female student whose full identity is still not known took students of the institution by surprise as she marched round the school campus accompanied by some friends,well-wishers and cheering crowds who took photos of her.

Fashola asks Lagos residents for forgiveness

From OLUWOLE FAROTIMI
Outgoing Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has sought forgiveness of those he may have offended in the course of his eight-year stewardship.
The governor who appeared to be giving his valedictory speech during an event to mark his 2,900 days in office at the Blueroof Agidingbi in Ikeja yesterday said: “On a daily basis for 2,900 days, I was saddled with the responsibility of taking decisions on a lot of files, both in the afternoon, morning and night and there is no way I could have gotten all of them right. It is impossible. I took those decisions in the best interest of Lagosians based on the facts presented to me. To those we have not reached, I apologise to them. My successor, the new governor, will take over from me.”
Speaking on the achievements of his administration, the governor said he had delivered on the promises made to Lagosians on assumption of office on May 29, 2007.
“I make bold to say that there is no area of human endeavour that we have not touched. We have built modern hospitals across the state, constructed and upgraded roads, built affordable housing scheme (Lagos homs), created a new face of environment, provided employment and a new face of the economy, new face of transportation and perhaps provided an avenue for business to thrive through the introduction of the Security Trust Fund to secure the environment,’ he said.
Reacting to a question on the Apapa gridlock Fashola said: “It is a sad story of our nation. I apologise for the inconveniences the residents of Apapa go through daily due to the traffic caused by the tankers who come to that axis to lift fuel.
“And by extension, the traffic has spread to other parts of the state, especially Ikorodu Road. And if you can really avoid going to that axis, please do so. I urge you to listen to the Traffic Radio and get an update as you plan your journey. For me, if you can do that business on the phone rather than going to such a place, please do so.
“Specifically, Apapa is one of the many reasons people voted for change at the last elections. This was because it was an inappropriate way to transport petroleum products by road. They must move by rail. And the state government doesn’t control the importation and distribution of petrol in the country. It is a Federal Government responsibility. But the residents of Lagos are the victims of the circumstances that we don’t control. This is because the Federal Government is not doing its job effectively. I hope that we will be able to transport fuel properly over the next few years by rail and more importantly, I hope that we will stop the idea where the entire nation will depend on only one source for fuel.”
Source: Sun News
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I won’t discriminate against South-East, says Buhari

From Iheanacho Nwosu,Abuja
The President-elect, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday assured that he will not discriminate against the South-East or any other section of the country, saying Nigeria is his constituency.
He also promised to look into the demands of the South-East caucus of the All Progressives Congress(APC) handed to him recently .
Gen Buhari spoke when he met with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee led by its Chairman, Chief Ralph  Obioha. Other members of the delegation include former Anambra State governor, Sen. Chris Ngige, former Managing Director of Nigerian Breweries, Eze Festus Odimegwu, Chief Onwuka Ukwa, Osita Okechukwu and Anike Nwoga .
Dismissing fears that his incoming administration may work against sections of the country that didn’t vote for him in the last polls, the President-elect said he will fulfil the promise he made during the campaigns to treat every Nigerian equally.
He commended some South-East leaders who, he said, stood for the truth and ensured that residents of the area were fed with the truth.
In his address, Obioha thanked Gen. Buhari for his promise to run  a competent and corruption-free government.
He described as false claims that South-East did not vote for Buhari. According to him, if the Card Reader was allowed to work in the zone, Nigerians would have known that the zone was for APC .
The Ohanaeze caretaker committee boss singled out Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Sen Ngige and Governor Rochas Okorocha for praise, describing the trio as wise men. Apart from the three, Obioha listed prominent Igbo leaders like former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, Odimegwu as those who worked for the APC candidate.
He said: “We are only a representative delegation and on behalf of the whole house, we wish to mention the outstanding, extra efforts and contributions of H.E Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen Jen Nnamani, Chief Emeka Okwosa, Eze Festus Odimegwu, Chief Enechi Onyia, Sen Offia Nwali and Chief Onwuka Ukwa .
“The three wise men from the South-East, Governor Rochas Okorocha, Ogbonnaya Onu and Chris Ngige are our illustrious sons.
“Your Excellency, as the head of the APC leadership, you are aware that the South-East was a target by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rigging machine which produced an election result that denied the zone of even a single senator and only three non-ranking members of the House. Ndigbo request that you adopt the principle of necessity to give the zone the position of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)which is your prerogative and in addition, a position of one presiding officer in the House of Representatives “.
Also speaking, Eze Odimegwu thanked Gen Buhari for nominating him into the Transition Committee even when he had not met him before. He said it was a sign that the incoming government will pay attention to merit than other considerations.
Meanwhile, Ngige has dismissed insinuation that the South-East APC caucus was fighting over the SGF slot that is likely to be zoned to the region. He said the zone is working together, disclosing that the caucus’ decision on that will be made known soon.
He said: “We have a caucus, we have a position, when we get to the bridge, we cross it.”
Source: Sun News
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Diezani Allison-Madueke is a trap set for Buhari - Boyloaf

A former militant leader in the Niger Delta, Ebikabowei Victor Ben, a.k.a General Boyloaf has described Petroleum minister, Diezani Allison-Madueke as a trap set for the in coming government , also said she made so many enemies because she in concert with Jonathan tried to stop the graft in the oil industry with the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is yet to be passed into law.

She maintained that any attempt to “deal with” Allison-Madueke by the Buhari government would be resisted. Adding that the oil importation and subsidy cabal are one of the groups that ensured President Goodluck Jonathan did not return.

He also warned that General Muhammadu Buhari should  not attempt to outlaw or scrap the Amnesty Programme, which he said was the original idea of late President Umaru Ya’Adua.

In an interview with Premium Times, Boyloaf who said Jonathan tried to please the north at the detriment of the Niger Delta said ” We know about the importation; we know how they killed the refinery system just for them to be importing products. Government should be subsidizing for them. All those types of bad deals we know. We are not kids; they are just telling people they are increasing fuel price. That is rubbish. We know what is going on. I am a full mariner. We know what is going on. They know what they were doing. When Jonathan stopped all these things, that was when they were mad. Look, these people import 30 per cent of fuel into the country and they know their landing costs. As soon as they get to the country they will queue. Sometimes, they don’t come with the 50, 000 metric tonnes. They will come with 30,000 metric tonnes and sign for the 50,000 metric tonnes. They will look for a tank farm pump into it and take 10,000 aside to the neighbouring country and sell.

That is what is done. So, the masses don’t know because they are not in the river. We know the deals they are doing. So, when Jonathan came and saw these things and stopped them they were mad. They are ready to throw Jonathan. We know everything going on. So, that’s the deal they’ve been doing. Even Diezani (Petroleum Resources Minister) that you are talking about saw all the rubbish they are doing and she sacked some people and stopped so many things they were doing. That is why they are accusing Diezani. She didn’t do anything. She is from my region. They thought we are fools. Who are the major beneficiaries of the oil blocks? It is the northerners and a few from East and West. The northerners are the major owners of oil blocks. Is it their region? What are you telling us? Are we fools? Were we born to be a second class citizen in this our country”

“No matter her stand she is from Niger Delta. Even if she didn’t take care of her people we don’t care but sometimes Niger Delta people unite and I believe Diezani is a trap set for the Nigerian Government. They believe the Buhari Administration would want to deal with her and so she is like a trap, and that is my own belief. I have heard people talk about it and if you are a northerner in that position if he leaves they will not touch him. What about that man Diezani took over from? What is his name again? I think he is dead now. They did a lot of deals, oil blocks and all the rest. People are aware of it and even the northerners. When Yar’Adua was even sick, even dead, they forged his signatures and did all those things, nothing happen. So, Niger Delta people are not fools.”

Boyloaf who warned that any attempt by Buhari to outlaw the Amnesty Programme would resisted said “There is one thing you need to know. Let me tell you something – the production this time around compared to some years back is increasing and the amnesty is something that has come to stay. And if the government wants to scrap the amnesty it means the government doesn’t mean well for the nation. That’s my own belief. Let me tell you something – people were also inciting others that the government wants to scrap the amnesty. I have been in the Niger Delta trying to pacify them and telling them that it is a lie and that the government will work with them. They wanted to start destruction. There is no way that you will come out and say you will scrap the amnesty. How many people can you kill? How many? The Niger Delta terrain is very different and our struggle is very sacrosanct. That is one thing you get. So you cannot kill everybody. Look at Boko Haram – their area is a desert and it is easy for vehicles to move.

When you talk about our area it is not a desert. It is not passable by vehicle but strictly on water and by the time you use your chopper in the night and come and finish and go, what will happen in the night? All these are just sycophants that don’t mean well for this nation. With what I have seen in Buhari, he will want peace. That is my belief

Niger Delta ex-militants threaten war over unpaid benefits

From ROMANUS UGWU, Abuja
Members of Niger Delta ISAC Israel Trained Agricultural Group of Nigeria (NDITAGON) have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to direct the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to fulfill its promise to empower them financially after their one-year training in Israel or be ready to face their wrath.
President of the group, Azubuike Chiemeka Emmanuel, who issued the threat on behalf of 98 members of NDITAGON in Abuja, regretted  that they had been sleeping on the streets of Abuja for more than two weeks now due to the failure of the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Darius Ishaku  to attend to them.
The group warned that since their appeals to President Goodluck Jonathan, the National Assembly and other well-meaning Nigerians had failed to produce any result, it would resort to both legal and non-legal actions, including returning to the creeks to seek redress.
The ex-militants said the ministry gave them $300 each for a training in advanced agriculture in Israel  on May 24, 2013 and promised to financially empower them after their programme.
They, however, said since their return, several attempts they made to get the ministry to fulfill its promise failed to yield any result.
“On the eve of our departure to Israel, the Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Abuja, Arch. Darius Ishaku openly told us that on arrival from Israel, we would be empowered for immediate establishment of our farm(s) while the Israel partners would arrive as well to provide more technical assistance in our different farms.
“This was supported by the Permanent Secretary, Directors, and even the staff that were present, as they said we should count urns elves lucky that we are all made are we return from Israel. It is empowerment for life and a millions naira projects for each of us,” he explained.
Speaking further, he said: “On return to Nigeria in June 21, 2014, nobody from the ministry came to receive us at the airport. We lost our cloths, olive oil, money and luggage by Ethiopia airline. The ministry however paid for our accommodations for three days and received us at the ministry.
“However, behind closed doors, the Minister told us that federal government has not released funds to the ministry to pay us. Since then, we have been running up and down appealing to everyone to intervene on our matter without getting any result.
“We have exercised enough patience including sleeping on the road in Abuja and we cannot no longer continue like this. We don’t want them to push us to the wall again because we can still return to the cricks. Since our demonstration has not yielded any concrete result, we want to give them seven days ultimatum to attend to us or be ready for legal action.
Source: Sun News
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Bar. Chime Obieze's grand attitude of gratitude

By: Abah Joe Idenyi
"Gratitude they say is the least of all virtues but when omitted becomes the worse vice." 
After the just concluded 2015 general elections, only few elected officers has considered it worthwhile to appreciate the electorate. 
 This is not a thing of surprise anyways, same happened in Luke 17 with the ten lepers healed by Jesus  "...And one of them (just one), when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God,  and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks." Luke 17:15-16.
Hon. Chima Obieze who was elected into the Enugu State House of Assembly in the just concluded 2015 general election took the part of the grateful leper in thanksgiving to his people for giving him the opportunity to serve them; he is indeed a man moved by passion for service...
He took to his facebook page shortly after the election in touching words, thanking his friends, well wishers and constituency members and prayed God to bless Senator Ike Ekweremadu (GCFR).
This were the words of the young comrade:

"Many of my friends have wondered why I have not come out to celebrate or announce my victory to my Facebook family since my triumphant outing on 11th of April 2015 that saw me as the honorable Member-elect, Enugu State House of Assembly, to represent the good people of Ezeagu constituency. The truth is that I didn't know what to write. Overwhelmed with Joy & silenced by Happiness.

In this picture, with tear drops in my eyes I read my result in the election as handed over to me by the INEC returning officer for Ezeagu.

Bar. Chima Obieze going through the INEC result sheet in tears

I just have to say; to you all my friends, comrades, family members, political allies, party faithfuls, stakeholders, classmates, in a special way...d good people of Ezeagu and all of u my Facebook pals...I thank u for ur confidence in me, ur prayers, calls, care, concern, contributions and ur support.

The mandate I have is the mandate to serve the Ezeagu people but I will by God's grace be a good ambassador of the youths of Nigeria, a picture of what an ESUT ex-comrade should be and a reflection of d life & teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I ask for ur continued support, friendship and solidarity. My numbers will remain my numbers and my Facebook account will remain same. It's an all inclusive project. Together we can do this.

The result of this election and my emergence is just so incontestable, but for anyone or persons who may wish to try I have just one statement....

It's not by my power, might, intelligence or making. It's been God God God.

So "make them try their best my God go win o, my God go win o, my God go win o!!!!"

Sing along with me jare!- Hon. Chima. E. Obieze

The Igbo adage rightly says "when you appreciate a doer for doing good, he does more..." we look up to the people of Ezeagu to give the young comrade greater platforms to serve the people he so much cherish. 

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PDP heading for self-destruction –Mark

From ADETUTU FOLASADE-KOYI, Abuja
Senate President, David Mark, yes­terday, warned the Peoples Demo­cratic Party (PDP) to curb the raging in-fighting in the party or head for final de­struction.
A worried Senator Mark, gave the advice when the Senator Ike Ekweremadu-led Post-Election Assessment Committee visited him .
He noted that with the con­tinued acrimony between fac­tions in the party, “the PDP is already hemorrhaging,” pointing out that, “unless we halt the bleeding and find the necessary therapy, we may be heading for the final burial of the party.
Mark added: “The PDP is already in a comatose status and we should do all we can to resuscitate the party, rather than this unnecessary rancour and bulk passing.
“The emerging factions are absolutely unnecessary. The combatants must sheathe their swords and embrace dia­logue. My appeal is that we should not do anything further that would damage the already fragmented house.
“Everybody should come together and rebuild the par­ty. We have gotten enough bruises. We need not inflict further pains on ourselves, with continuous bickering.
“Enough of this blame-game. We should return to the drawing board and need not wash our dirty linen in the public anymore.
“I believe a useful lesson has been learnt from the PDP electoral misfortune. As for me, it is time to put on our thinking caps and chart a new course.
“I trust Senator Ekwerema­du that he and his team will do a good job and unearth the remote and immediate causes of our misfortune and make recommendations that will en­hance the future of the party.
“I have worked closely with the Deputy President of the Senate over the years and I know his capability and ca­pacity to handle issues.”
Senator Mark urged all stakeholders to rise above the present circumstances and work hard to rejuvenate the party.
He said the new status of the PDP, as an opposition is, “a challenge which we must face with all honesty, sincer­ity of purpose and dedication to duty.”
Senator Mark reasoned that democracy and the nation would be better for it, “if we play credible opposition to ensure good governance and delivery of dividends of de­mocracy to Nigerians.”
Source: Sunnews
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soldiers overrun seven terrorists' camps

By DORIS OBINNA
The clock appears ticking for Boko Ha­ram, as the military continues to record successes in its operations in Sambisa Forest, the last stronghold of insurgents.
In another major success yesterday, soldiers overran seven terrorists’ camps, kill­ing more insurgents in the final push against Boko Ha­ram.
According to Director of Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade, the military also rescued addi­tional 25 women and children in the operation.
He revealed that soldiers scaled series of land mines, as they advanced in Sambisa Forest bases, capturing insur­gents’ camps in Alafa, Rogo Fulani, Laraga and other lo­cated, including those used as training camps.
Olukolade revealed that rocket propelled grenades, anti-aircraft guns were among weapons captured. Also, a number of vehicles, he stated, were either cap­tured or destroyed during the operation.
Four soldiers were wound­ed and have been evacuated for treatment, he revealed, while stating that the opera­tions continue with “troops demonstrating high morale and fighting spirit, as they search the forests for terror­ists, arms and hostages.”
In the last couple of weeks, the military has been record­ing successes in the onslaught against Boko Haram, as in­surgents’ camps have been destroyed and captives res­cued.
In one of the operations, 200 girls and 93 women were rescued.
While confirming the res­cue of the first set of women and girls from Sambisa For­est, Olukolade, said, three major terrorists’ camps were destroyed, including the no­torious Tokumbere camp in the Sambisa Forest.
He stated however, that he could not confirm the identity of the freed victims and their origins and, therefore, could not state if any of them were from Chibok, where more than 200 schoolgirls were ab­ducted one year ago.
He said: “I can only con­firm the rescue this afternoon of 200 girls and 93 women in different camps in the forest. We are yet to determine their origin as all the freed persons are now being screened and profiled.
“Please, don’t misquote me on their origin. We will provide more details later.”
The military has hit the bull’s eye with the killing of one of the most notorious terrorist commanders, Abu Mojahid, in a gun battle on the outskirts of Alagarno on Tuesday morning. Many oth­er insurgents were also killed.
A statement by Major Gen­eral Chris Olukolade, Direc­tor of Defence Information yesterday, said Boko Haram launched a daring attack on troops on patrol of the area and met their Waterloo.
He revealed that in the en­suing gun duel, a number of insurgents were killed.
“Some rocket propelled grenades as well as vehicle mounted anti-aircraft guns were either captured or de­stroyed in the encounter,” he stated.
Before this successful operation, the military con­tinued attacks on identified terrorists’ camps, with ag­gressive patrols in affected areas. Also, mop up opera­tions, involving cordon and search is also continuing in other locations, as the mili­tary goes in search of weap­ons and terrorists, the De­fence spokesman stated.
He revealed that impro­vised explosive devices planted by the terrorists to frustrate and or abort the offensive by soldiers were being cleared, while troops were advancing into Boko Haram controlled areas.
“The operations, espe­cially in forest locations are progressing in defiance of obstacles and land mines em­placed by the terrorists,” Olu­kolade said.
The National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, had promised that the military would totally liberate Sambisa Forest, the dreaded base of Boko Haram before handover date.
 Source: Sun News
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"Anyone who believes what I am alleged to have said must be a moron..."- Soyinka

By WILLY EYA
Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, has refuted a state­ment on The Cable, where he was quoted to have given a damning verdict on the Igbo at a lecture he deliv­ered at the Hutchins Centre, Havard University, U.S.A.
He said it was “demeaning, sickening and boring” to have to deal with those he described as cowards, who cannot fight their own battles but must fas­ten their pronouncements on others.
His words: “I have just read a statement attributed to me on something called The Cable, a news outlet, evidently one of the Internet infestations. My lecture at the Hutchins Cen­tre, Harvard University, was video recorded. Anyone who believes what I am alleged to have said must be a moron-repeat, a moron.
“It is demeaning, sicken­ing and boring to have to deal with these cowards who can­not fight their own battles but must fasten their imbecilic pronouncements on others.
“Only the mentally retarded will credit this comment at­tributed to me regarding the Ndigbo voting pattern in the last elections. I strongly sus­pect the author of this despica­ble concoction, and may make a further statement, once the source is verified.”
Meanwhile, former gov­ernor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has said that since Soyinka denied making the statement, he should be given the benefit of the doubt.
“Let us believe Prof. Wole Soyinka’s rebuttal of the ear­lier statements credited to him about the Igbo nation, unless there is incontrovertible proof indicating otherwise. But the Nobel Laureate is a man of honour. He will not say one thing and turn round to deny it. “I believe the statement he has issued. Let us allow sleep­ing dogs to lie,” Kalu said.
In the Cable story on the pattern of voting by Igbo in the recent election, the Nobel laureate was quoted to have said: “Igbo remained unre­pentant and resolute towards their strategic objective of se­cession at worst or a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction at best,” adding: “The climax of MASSOB’s war against the Nigerian state was the call for sit-ins and civil disobedi­ence that shut down markets and public services, as Igbo stayed at home in a symbolic gesture to assert Biafran inde­pendence. The call was hon­oured by governors in the two principal Igbo states, though without fanfare.”
He was also quoted to have said that the Igbo have become predictable “with great accu­racy, whom they will vote for in an election, because they tend to put their votes, where their stomachs take them; suf­fering, as it were, from incur­able money-mindedness, as they would stop at nothing in their quest for personal finan­cial gain.”
Source: Sun News