Africa Finance Corporation boosts 9mobile with $230m - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Efforts by the new Board and Management of Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS), trading as 9mobile, to reposition the company have started yielding positive results as the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), has approved a $230 million (two hundred and thirty million US Dollars) loan facility to help it attain its long-term growth plans, reports ITREALMS.

The AFC is a pan-African multilateral development financial institution established to bridge Africa's infrastructure investment gap through the provision of debt and equity finance, project development, technical and financial advisory services.

Convinced by the initiatives so far taken by the Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero-led Board and management headed by Acting Managing Director, Stephane Beuvelet, to return the multi-award-winning company to the path of growth and profitability through cost efficiency, innovative product development and network efficiency, the AFC announced the approval of the loan on Friday, August 23.

In a letter addressed to both Bayero and Beuvelet, the financial institution said, "Africa Finance Corporation is pleased to inform Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services that it has received full Board approval to support the turnaround strategy of EMTS through a US$230 million super senior debt investment."

The facility divided into two tranches would, among others, be used to repay historic vendor obligations, finance costs and an interest reserve account and payment towards quick win capex initiatives.

Commenting on the approval, the Board Chair, Alhaji Ado Bayero, expressed happiness that EMTS' effort to recover previously ceded ground through an innovative growth plan is being supported by a prestigious Pan-African financial institution as the AFC.

"We can only express gratitude to the AFC for approving this loan facility that would not only help our business sustainability but also grow it to serve our teeming and loyal customers in Nigeria better. We have completely reviewed our operational, regulatory, financial and technical architecture to ensure we deliver quality services and this facility would go a long way in giving best in class services to Nigerians," he said.

Ado Bayero further assured of the company's resolve to continue its aggressive enhancement of network capacity and innovative features to guarantee optimum value to customers. He added that "our turnaround efforts are well and truly underway. We had promised when we took over that we would justify the confidence in our brand by making significant investments that will improve the value Nigerians get for using 9mobile. This is part of fulfilling our promise."

Also commenting on the transaction, 9mobile’s Chief Financial Officer, Phillips Oki said, “the success of this transaction by way of the approval of the Board of Africa Finance Corporation is a sound affirmation of our belief that the fundamentals of the 9mobile business are indeed strong. It is also an attestation to the fact that the operational restructuring and financial reengineering we have done since we assumed ownership have launched 9mobile on the path of growth and profitability. With this facility, our subscribers, staff and vendors should get ready to switch on to better days with 9mobile. We will reclaim every lost ground in the market in the coming months.”

It will be recalled that the new Board led by Alhaji Bayero took over 9mobile in November 2018 following a successful acquisition by Teleology Nigeria Limited.

Other members of the Board include non-executive directors, Asega Aliga, Mohammed Edewor and Winston Ndubueze Udeh. Executive Director, Abdulrahman Ado and Acting Managing Director, Stephane Beuvelet.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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InfiNet Wireless to showcase latest spectral efficiency solutions @ANDICOM - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Global leader in fixed broadband wireless connectivity, InfiNet Wireless, has confirmed readiness to showcase its latest high spectral efficiency solutions and highlight their significant benefits to service providers of all types at ANDICOM, reports ITREALMS.

At a time of exceptional demand within the industry for better, more reliable and higher throughput wireless infrastructures, ANDICOM sets the scene for InfiNet Wireless to share more details about its latest solutions aimed at serving the growing needs of the Latin American market.

Sporting a brand-new look, InfiNet Wireless’ new Software Defined Radio (SDR) solutions, such as Quanta 5 and Quanta 70, use even less spectrum than previous generations of wireless technologies but deliver even more capacity and at a lower cost to the end-users.

“The timing of ANDICOM is perfect for us as our latest solutions, such as Quanta 5, are ready to be deployed and are poised to bring many exceptional benefits for operators, right across Latin America,” said Carlos de Lamadrid, Business Development Manager for LATAM at InfiNet Wireless. “Our presence in Latin America is a very strategic one and we are placing even more focus on what is becoming a rapidly developing region for our company. We are already receiving a lot of valuable and positive feedback following our initial Quanta 5 deployments in the region, and it will be important for us during ANDICOM to gain more insight from our customers about the benefits they have gained so far thanks to the exceptional levels of spectral efficiency we have achieved with our new SDR platforms.”

Exhibiting at Stand 85, InfiNet Wireless will showcase Quanta 5. This 5 GHz Point-to-Point (PTP) solution can function seamlessly at extreme temperatures and provide some of the highest spectral efficiency available in today's wireless marketplace. InfiNet Wireless’ constantly evolving new wireless portfolio is enabling it to continue to cater for the more complex needs being placed on service providers around the world.

“Being part of the biggest ICT conference in Latin America is very important to us. We have already achieved a significant customer base in the Latin American market and we look forward to not only strengthening our presence and current relationships in the region at all levels, but also to identifying new and strategic partners, adding more value to their businesses and building our presence in the region even more,” said De Lamadrid.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Facebook celebrates 'Icons of Change' @Youth Gathering in Accra - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Facebook is bringing together 40 young leaders, developers, entrepreneurs and change makers from across Sub-Saharan Africa, to a two-day event in Accra, Ghana, titled “Celebrating Icons of Change”. Taking place on 23 & 24th August, the event aims to celebrate Africa's next generation of leaders and innovators, whilst providing opportunities to network, connect and create positive dialogue. To celebrate Facebook also created a short film featuring five of the participants in their home country - titled 'Icons of Change'.

With attendees hailing from 15 countries from across Sub-Saharan African, participants will be made up of Facebook Community Leaders, Developer Circle Leads, entrepreneurs, SMBs, as well as future change makers from the Africa Leadership University (ALU). Spending two days networking, attending leadership and digital skills workshops, and hearing from other young inspirational leaders from across the Continent, attendees will also be given the opportunity to give back to local communities in Accra by hosting workshops such as Coding for kids, and mentorship sessions for other young, up-and-coming SMBs and entrepreneurs.

Kezia Anim-Addo, Facebook Comms Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, commented: “I'm so proud that we're bringing the first event of its kind for Facebook to the Continent and to Ghana. At Facebook, we see our role as supporting and investing in various communities here on the continent, in particular the youth. This event is about celebrating those people, the amazing talent, innovation and businesses we’re seeing emerge, and the young people who are accelerating this growth, and building an incredible future for the Continent. It's a privilege for us to be able to bring together 40 icons of change, and we look forward to what the two days will hold.”

Attendees represent countries from the region, including Ghana, Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Botswana, DRC, South Africa, Cameroon and Zambia, and include:
Facebook Community Leaders who have started Facebook Groups dedicated to a topic or collective experience, and are having a positive impact in their community. Martin Beck Nworah, for example, oversees a community of more than 100,000 members on the Tale of Nigerians page, while Gameli Adzaho from Ghana, who runs GLabGhana - a community group who bring together students, teachers, researchers, scientists and science enthusiasts to network, learn and share scientific knowledge, for the good of humanity.

Facebook Developer Circle leads, a community-driven initiative for developers, that members join for free - allowing them to connect, share ideas, learn, and collaborate.
SMBs & Entrepreneurs, these are young people who have started businesses which are making an impact in their communities and beyond. For example, Kahitouo from Burkina Faso, founder of FasoPro which specialises in packaging and selling African insects as alternative sources of protein, and now has 360 sales outlets across 25 cities in Burkina Faso.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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AfICTF congratulates Pantami on latest appointment - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The African ICT Foundation (AfICTA) is optimistic that going by the track records of the newly appointed Minister of Communications, Dr. Ali Isa Ibrahim (Pantami) on the pursuit of the Federal Government of Nigeria local content policy as well as data protection at the Nigeria Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA) there will be improved patronage made in Nigeria IT hardware and software.

The Foundation made the observation in a congratulatory message to Dr. Pantami, the former Director General of NITDA following his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari last week as Minister of Communication.

In the congratulatory message signed by President of the Foundation, Mr. Tony Ojobo, it commended President Buhari for appointing a core ICT professional to manage the Communications Ministry noting that the industry should leapfrog into a new beginning when the new minister goes into work.

According to Ojobo, the former NITDA Director-General has a formidable track record at the NITDA which prompted his choice for the Ministry saying that NITDA’s unwavering commitment to local content under Pantami, enhanced the purchase of indigenous brand of ICT devices by over 60% within the last three years.

He said that local hosting of data doubled in value and local software consumption has significantly increased and that there was also a cumulative effect of these efforts is that ICT contribution to GDP reached an unprecedented mark of 13.63% in Q4 of 2018.

While expressing the commitment of the AfICTA to the growth of the industry through its advocacy role, Ojobo said that the leadership acumen of Pantami at NITDA speaks for him adding that he has been able to restore confidence in indigenous technology development which has led to more foreign direct investment in the IT sector than any other sectors since 2018.

He recalled that under Pantami, NITDA issued several policies, guidelines, and frameworks to help stimulate broadband penetration in the country such as the Framework and Guidelines for Public Internet Access, Guidelines for Clearance of IT Project by Public Institutions, NITDA Public Key Infrastructure Regulations, Framework on Data Localization and Local Content Policy.

He noted that replicating such feat through office as Minister of Communications facilitate the implementation such policies and guidelines adding that AfICTF is aware that under him over 660 IT intervention centers were established nationwide, Digital Divide Bridging Centers, Digital Job Creation Centers, Campus Area Networks for educational institutions, e-Learning Centers for educational institutions, Virtual/Digital Library Centers and IT hubs.

Ojobo said that AfICTF certain of the achievement of the 70-80 per cent broadband penetration as endorsed by the industry with Pantami at the helm of affairs at the Ministry of Communications and with all stakeholders support building a broadband ecosystem that will help improve existing broadband services and significantly increase broadband penetration in the country is sure.

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Good governance: Fayemi tasks media on social justice, agenda setting - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has charged the Nigerian media to rise above its traditional role of news reportage and start promoting social justice and holding government accountable for its policies and programmes.

Delivering a paper titled Excellence in Governance: “Exploring a Synergy between Think-tanks and Mass Communicators” at the first Governors’ Lecture of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, the Governor stated that the media should quit its adversarial tradition, become less antagonistic and start being highly critical in setting agenda for good governance.

The maiden lecture which also featured the public presentation of a new book “ Introduction to Philosophy of Mass Communication, was attended by journalists, journalism teachers, students and public relations practitioners as well as members of the public.

Dr Fayemi who called for a deliberate shift from market-driven sensationalism to development- driven reportage, said there is need to deliberately train media practitioners in policy development, implementation and evaluation; adding that speculative and sensational journalism serves no good other than creating fickle excitement which subsequently engenders mental paralysis.

He noted that research has shown that consistent exposure to negative news brings apathy, hopelessness and cynicism among the populace.

"Communication has a great role to play in promoting good governance. In order to play this role, the Nigerian media must rise above the traditional role of information, education and entertainment to promote social justice and hold government to account. The media should set agenda for good governance and ensure discussion on issues of good governance. Politics is too important to be left for charlatans and practitioners with shenanigans. The media should encourage more decent people to get involved in politics as the penalty for refusing to participate in politics is that you will be ruled by your inferiors.

"Again, we need to reset our communication philosophy around participation and collaborative development rather than predation on scandals and woes. In our own experience in Ekiti State, we find that positive human connection stories from government gets massive public support and acclaim so we work to establish continuous contact between government and the people. In governance, communications is much more than media coverage and publicity. It involves the right message, appropriate timing, appealing tone, and the most effective channels", he said.

Speaking further, Dr Fayemi, who is Chairman, Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF), urged the media to return to investigative journalism that can open governments secret records to external scrutiny and hold authorities accountable for their actions.

He said the media can play an important role in promoting transparency and public scrutiny of decision makers by highlighting “policy failures, maladministration by public officials, corruption in the judiciary and scandals in the corporate sector".

Fayemi however faulted the idea of “commercial news”, which is fast gaining ground in broadcast media, describing the trend as a major threat to good governance. He pointed out that the media seems to have surrendered its independence to paid news , adding that paid news gets the citizens deceived.

"The advent of commercial news or commercialization of news therefore, is a serious threat to democracy and good governance. It affects the democratic process in various ways. Firstly, with paid news, the media is compelled to surrender its independence. A media without independence is nothing more than a propaganda pamphlet. Secondly, with paid news, the media deceives the citizens. The reader of the press or the viewer of the television is betrayed into believing that what is basically an advertisement is in fact independently produced news content. Ultimately, this practice does harm to the decision making process in a democratic society."

"How can people judge the government without proper information? The third important information is related to media role in protection of human rights. No market regulated media can discharge their responsibility to the masses," he stated.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ralph Akinfeleye had said that there cannot be sustainable democracy without free press.

Akinfeleye who charged the Nigerian media to be alive to its duties and tackle the social media by curbing fake news making the rounds on the social media said the press should be socially responsible and perform their duties as spelt out in the Nigerian constitution.

In his remarks, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe said the varsity is setting the pace by making the department of Mass Communication one of the best in the continent, even as the department now has a television station which would enhance professionalism of student-communicators.

Prof Ogundipe thanked Governor Fayemi for his belief in the media as a major stakeholder in good governance.

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Olukoya rewards 300 MFM members that Made First Class in 2019 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Some 306 members of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) who graduated with first class honours from various universities were Sunday given cash awards by the General Overseer of MFM Ministries Worldwide‎, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, reports ITREALMS.

‎The award ceremony marked the highlight of activities that brought to a close, the church's 30th year anniversary celebrations and international convention held at the Prayer City, Lagos - Ibadan Expressway.

Under the auspices of "Dr. D.K Olukoya's Academic Award of Excellence", this year's award event, attracted highest number of beneficiaries since its inception ‎in 2010.

Olukoya, while announcing the numbers, told the congregation that ‎the "Dr. D.K Olukoya's Academic Award of Excellence"‎, which is one of his 70-point agenda to reach out the youth, was focused on presenting car gifts to the beneficiaries, could not be sustained after two editions as the numbers grew exponentially.

He said at the first edition, there were only 19 recipients, who also got car gifts.

The second edition, according to him, ‎had 15 recipients and were presented with brand new QQ3 and QQ6 cars and certificates of honour.

Dr. Olukoya told the congregation that by the third edition, the number rose to ‎77 and because of the number, each recipient was given a cheque of N500,000 and certificates of honour.

He also said that at fourth edition, the number of first class graduates within the membership of the church rose to 106 and each got a cheque of N500,000 and a certificate of honour.

Sunday's event, which marked the fifth edition, ‎brought in over 300 recipients.

‎Olukoya's wife, Pastor Shade, was assisted in the presentation ceremony by Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Udom Emmanuel of Lagos and Akwa-Ibom states respectfully.

Olukoya admonished the youths to take advantage of the awards, adding that, "Of all churches I know of, MFM now produces the largest number of first class graduates every year. "

Olukoya had, during the convention, revealed to members how God gave him the vision to start the church in 1977.

‎He said: "I was sleeping in my one-room apartment in the Boys Quarters of a house located on Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, in 1977, when I heard a sharp voice. I then woke up and walked towards the door. But I did not see anybody.

Again, for the second time, the voice came and as I was whose it was, the Holy Spirit said: 'son remember the call of Samuel'.

"Then he started giving the covenant that led to the establishment of the MFM."

He also said, though he got the messages and the covenant from God, the MFM was not founded until 12 years later.

‎The convention, which opened for real spiritual activities, attracted hundreds of thousands of worshippers to the venue while millions of others are following the activities through the various alternative channels of the church.

‎Today's activities include three Manna Water prayer sessions, 30 prayer sessions and 30 deliverance sessions.

The convention kicked off on Friday evening‎.

Worshipers, in their thousands from all over the world, who had arrived early for the convention were treated to a highly-anointed and spiritually-packed concert on Friday evening as a prelude to today's service.

The closing ceremony of the convention attracted total fathers, politicians and business personalities.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Recovery of Bailout to States: Who Repays Imo Bailout Funds? - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

The Federal Government of Nigeria recently constituted a Committee to facilitate the recovery of Six Hundred and Fourteen billion Naira (N614b) given to thirty five states of the federation on budget support.

Imo, expectedly, is one of the states that benefitted from the gesture, while Chief Rochas Okorocha held sway as Executive Governor of Imo State. The state received Twenty Six billion, Eight Hundred and Six million Naira (N26.806b).

According to a 2016 report by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) which monitored how states spent the bailout funds given to them by the Federal Government, funds released to Imo State were diverted. The report, which was signed by Mustapha Hussain on behalf of the Commissioner in charge of Public Enlightenment of ICPC also indicted Benue State.

President Buhari had approved the funds to assist states that were unable to pay months of salary arrears and pensions. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who heads the National Economic Council, had explained that the loan is repayable at an interest rate of nine percent over a 20-year period and it was meant for the singular purpose of paying the backlog of salaries.

As at the time former Governor Okorocha left office on May 29, 2019, pensioners were owed nearly three years of arrears, workers in Imo State received seventy percent of their salaries for about three years, while many were owed several months arrears of salary. This is a clear indication that the funds may have been mismanaged, validating ICPC’s report.

The ICPC report was released less than a month after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission –EFCC arrested the then Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Paschal Obi and two others – Uzoho Casmir and Iheoma Kenneth, identified by the Commission as the Director of Finance and Treasurer, respectively.

According to the ICPC report, “Imo State applied for and received bailout funds of N26,806,430,000.00 from the Central Bank of Nigeria, which were domiciled with two commercial Banks namely Fidelity and Zenith banks. In the course of analysis, it was discovered that some transfers were made into certain Imo State Government accounts, which are not related to salaries and emoluments as follows: N2bn paid into a Government Account; N2bn paid into an Imo State Project account; N2bn transferred into microfinance bank; and a management fee of N21,017,810.00 was paid into an unspecified account.”

Former Governor Okorocha had in a public function in the state, announced the then Secretary to the State Government, Sir Jude Ejiogu, his son in-law that also doubled as his Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu and others as constituting the committee to manage the bailout funds. That was the last that one heard. I join well-meaning Imo people to ask former Governor Rochas Okorocha and his allies what they did with the bailout fund.

When Governor Emeka Ihedioha recently raised the alarm over the existence of about Two Hundred and Fifty different Bank accounts in the name of the state government under Okorocha, many probably did not understand his worries. With the ICPC report on how the bailout funds were diverted and the different accounts the monies were transferred to, the coast is getting clearer. By the way, who were the signatories to the various accounts opened in the name of the State Government? Available reports show that many of the said accounts were managed by the former Governor’s relatives, allies and friends that ordinarily should have no business managing government accounts.

Now that the Treasury Singular Account (TSA) has been introduced in Imo, it is easier to monitor and control movement of state funds.

One of the many other cases of mismanagement of funds is that of the Paris club refunds. Just before the 2019 general elections, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission- EFCC said it froze N5bn funds belonging to the Imo State Government because “…Rochas Okorocha was spending too much on election.”

The EFCC stated that N8bn Paris Club loan refunded to the state for the payment of salaries was mismanaged by Okorocha. The EFCC’s Zonal Head for South East, Usman Imam said their timely intervention saved the state over N5bn that would have been deployed in vote buying by the Okorocha administration during the last elections.

Imam said that about N8bn from Paris Club refund bailout meant for payment of workers’ salaries was kept by the government, only to begin spending it frivolously on the eve of the elections.

Considering the way the bailout funds and even the Paris refunds were mismanaged, one is forced to ask- who repays the bailout funds for Imo? Should Governor Emeka Ihedioha use the meager resources that will hardly meet the needs of governance in the state to repay funds stolen by the gang that mismanaged Imo up till May 29, 2019?

Is there any reason why the country’s anti-corruption agencies are being slow in bringing all those that almost stole the state to death to justice?

It is common knowledge that those involved stole so much; enough to derail the course of justice and compromise the law enforcement and judicial system. But, can the law enforcement agencies and the country’s judiciary stand tall?

Again, allowing criminals to enjoy their loot makes them negative role models and enables them interfere in the process of their own investigation.

Governor Emeka Ihedioha must intensify efforts to recover all that were stolen from Imo State by the last administration.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission - ICPC must rise to the challenge of ensuring that there is no safe haven for all those that have stolen the future of generations yet unborn in Imo State and beyond.

Imo State needs every kobo stolen from the state and all hands must be on deck to recover all and bring the perpetrators to justice. Imo citizens must rise to name and shame all those involved in the looting of our collective purse.

Ultimately, former Governor Rochas Okorocha and his team must be made to explain to ndi Imo and Nigerians at large, what they did with the Bailout and Paris funds. All Imo sons and daughters must join the campaign to compel Okorocha to account for his stewardship.

The time to act is now!

Onye kpara nku ahuhu kporo ngwere oru!!!!!!!!

*Contributed by Dr. Walter Duru is a Communication Teacher and Public Affairs analyst. He can be reached on: walterchike@gmail.com

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PMB: False morality and societal loss of value system - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Saturday 24-08-2019, between 4:30pm to 4:45pm on AIT, I watched a documentary on the academic qualifications and false claims of President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB), the summary I present below. 

1. PMB claimed he went to middle school at Daura between 1948-1952. Records showed there was no such middle school in the whole of northern Nigeria or even Katsina until 1956. Middle school then offered only primary school certificate. 

2. Buhari claimed he had his WAEC in 1956. Both WAEC and it's offices have denied having such records. PMB only got military commissioning under the recommendation of his school principal.

3. PMB claimed he had masters in security studies in 1980 from USA war college. But USA war college started master degree programs in the year 2000(19 years ago). The war college hitherto offered diploma courses. 

4. PMB claimed the military board has his original certificates. But the then military spokes person General olajide in 2015 denied same and opined that military board did not and does not keep in safe custody any military personnel certificates. Gen. Olajide further said that it was discovered that due process were not adhered to in military commissioning of the former head of state. Rtd Gen. Paul Tarfa a class mate of PMB and APC witness in presidential election tribunals affirmed the army spokesperson position that military board does not keep officers certificate for any reason. 

5. INEC chairman knows these very well and deliberately closed its eyes.

That's my summary of the documentary. There could be more. 

Now, there's an inherent moral decadence in Nigeria society and it has its tolls on Nigerians that legitimately pursue their daily bread. 

There's the current list of 77 high profile internet fraud accused defendants of Nigeria descents from USA federal bureau of investigation FBI.

There's a current case of high profile kidnap kingpin suspect, Alhaji Wadume in which 3 senior police officers lost there lives and military been accused of collusion.

There's a current wide spread of kidnapping and killings by suspected fulani herdsmen across Nigeria with accusations that PMB does nothing about it.

Additionally, is the issue of nepotism and jettisoning of federal character in most govt businesses by PMB govt.
Of equal note is the current controversial #5billion of #50m to each senator to buy imported official cars including for returning senators.

The unannounced closure of seme border causing untold hardship to innocent people is one not to forget in a hurry. The lists are endless. 

Chinua Achebe said that when the stream get polluted from the source, then the outlets and the one in the bucket will be no better. 

If the head is sick, be rest assured that the component parts will be sick as well. 

False morality from the top will be replicated down the Ladder. 

The issue of moral decadence and faked integrity predates Nigeria of today. 

However some questions remain unanswered, did PMB really enter the military with the prerequisites qualifications in 1956?

If there were doubts and serious doubts about Buhari certificates within and outside Nigeria since 1960, how was Buhari able to navigate the system to serve as military governor, minister, head of state and now president already on 8th years journey?

Was there collusion or deliberate attempt to beat the system and to whose advantages?

If our PMB could hold such enviable positions since 1960 with doubtful qualifications, would it be right to condemn Wadume, internet fraud accused persons or such false morality carriers in our society? 

The mess has been there and the purging must start from the top. 

Wrong is not right and false morality is wrong.

PMB was adjudged a poor man that has no house anywhere except the mud house he inherited from his grand parents at daura. But during the recent Sallah holiday, many governors and president of other countries were passing the nights at Buhari house in Daura Katsina State. I guess they were sleeping in the mud house. 

PMB as at 2014 claimed he had no money for APC tickets but his children were graduating from expensive universities in England. Yet no one ask the source of the funding.
Gentlemen, Nigeria moral decadence must be purged otherwise it will consume us all. 

The first step is restitution from the top and Return Of all that were acquired with doubtful credentials and appropriate sanctions. There and then can It serve as a deterrent and appropriate sanctions given to operators. 

Until then PMB false morality and clueless governance style remains a push to increase in moral decadence as the downtrodden keep looking for anyway out of hardship and poverty. 

*Contributed by Nwankwor Chukwudi writing through Chukwudinwankwor@gmail.com

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InterSociety: 139 Igbo communities undersiege by Fulani herdsmen, lists locations by State - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The International Society for Civil Liberties & Rule of Law (Intersociety) has revealed that 139 Igbo communities are under siege by Fulani herdsmen, reports ITREALMS.

Intersociety in a report made available to ITREALMS on Saturday, disclosed that Fulani herdsmen, “backed by the present Government of Muhammadu Buhari and Yemi Osinbajo are presently in violent control of 139 communities, villages and areas in Igbo land.”

“The violent occupation, also backed by the country’s security forces, is widely and strongly believed to have religious undertones or done for purposes of propagation and imposition of radical Islamism in the Judeo-Christian dominated Southern Nigeria and the Middle Belt including seven Igbo speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers State as well as Igbo areas of Benue and Kogi states and their Christian and animist neighbours,” the group said in a statement released from its headquarters in Onitsha, Anambra State.

“The present Government of Nigeria is also bent on erasing the Igbo Nation particularly the Southeast Region from the top command structure of the Nigeria Police Force and other branches of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It must be alerted that no senior police officer from the Southeast is among members of the Nigeria Police Management Team, made up of serving IGP, seven DIGs and 20-22 AIGs including the Force Secretary. Presently, no serving senior police officer from the Southeast is AIG and DIG and out of 95 CPs, only two are from the Igbo Southeast,” Intersociety further said in the statement signed by Board Chair Emeka Umeagbalasi; lawyers Obianuju Joy Igboeli, Head of Civil Liberties & Rule of Law; and Evangeline Chidinma Udegbunam, Head of Campaign & Publicity Department.

Continuing, the statement said: “The Federal Government and its security forces backed violent occupation is also likely to be (or not) of the ‘Nigerian Forest Mapping’ assignment, reportedly ordered by the Buratai led authorities of the Nigerian Army in late 2015; said to have been carried out for purpose of tackling insurgency and other ‘internal insecurity challenges in Nigeria’. The violent presence of the Jihadists in Igbo Land is also independently linked to insider gubernatorial conspiracy. In other words, suspicions are widely and independently strong and viral that the violent presence of the Jihadists and patterns and trends of their criminalities and crimes in Igbo Land are conspiratorially made possible by gubernatorial second term or office succession bids of the Southeast Govs starting with Anambra State in 2017. Though gubernatorial denials have been made, but such denials have not flown convincingly among the mainstream homeland, outpost, traveler and Diaspora Igbo People and their neighbours.

“Facts of the Matter: The violent takeover of 139 Igbo Communities, Villages and Areas was according to the account of the monthly Eastern Outlook, vol.003, 13th August-14th Sept 2019 (p.15): the (Jihadist) Fulani Herdsmen have taken over 139 Communities and Villages in Igbo Land. The story was also authenticated by the publisher of the Newspaper, Mr. Abia Onyike; a seasoned rights activist, former Chair of CLO Southeast Zone and onetime Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, Mr. Abia Onyike, who was met by Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi in Owerri at the venue of the 2019 Igbo Summit on Security, Peace & Dev in Igbo Land & her neighbours, where Mr. Umeagbalasi was the key speaker.

“Mr. Umeagbalasi had at the summit spoken on: Highlighting the Challenges of State and non State actor created Insecurity in Igbo Land & her Neighbors. The special summit, organized by the Alaigbo Dev Foundation, the World Igbo Congress, the Association of Southeast Town Unions and the Christian Association of Nigeria, Southeast, etc, took place on 22nd August 2019. The 20-page special security lecture will be made public in coming days. Mr. Abia Onyike had further disclosed that Enugu State has the highest Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen presence with 56 spots, followed by Anambra with 23, Imo 17, Ebonyi 12 and Abia seven. In Igbo areas of Delta and Rivers States, there are 15 spots in Delta and nine in Rivers.

“Names of the 139 Igbo Communities, Villages & Areas & Their Locations By State: Anambra: Nteje, Ogbunka, Ufuma, Ezira, Umunze, Umuchukwu, Akpu, Ndikeilionwu, Ogboji, Ndiowu, Anam, Achala, Ebenebe, Ogbunike, Osina, Okija, Ihiala, Ukpo, Dunukofia, Agulu, Neni, Ogbu and 3-3 Area of Nsugbe. Abia: Lokpanta, Leeru, Nkpa, Ohafia, Bende, Ubakala and Owerre-Nta. Ebonyi: Emoha, Nkalagu, Afikpo, Izzi, Ezza, Ezzaegu, Ezamgbo, Ukpo, Ekeimoha, Akpoha, Abomege and Onicha. Enugu: Ibite Ogbaku, Akpugo, Achi, Amansii, Nachi, Ukpabi-Nimbo, Ukpata, Akegbe-Ugwu, Ugwuoba, Eka Aku, Igbo-Etiti, Amagunze, Amaechi Idodo, Ugwu-Onyeama, Egede.

“Other Jihadist Fulani Herdsmen spots in Enugu are: Adada, Nkpologwu, Afa, Opanda, Uzo Uwani, Uvuru, Adani, Ugwu Aboh, Waziri Estate-Nsukka, Enugu-Ezike, Neke-Uno, Akpogasi, Ugwuogo, Ekpebe, Madonna University Layout, Ihuokpa-3-Corner, Akwuke, Industrial Layout-Emene, Unity Layout, Ibagwa-Nike City Layout-Amokwe, Heritage Layout-Oyoho-Nike, Odo Rice-Emene, New Zion State Layout-Ugwu Onyeama, Phase 11, Independence Layout, 4-Corner, Redemption Layout, Amokpo, Ugbaka-Nkanu, Aninri and Awgu.

“Others Are: Delta (Anioma Land): Agbor, Okpanam, Iselleukwu, Oshimmili, Onicha-Ugbo, Ndokwa, Umunede, Ogwasiukwu, Ibusa (Igbo-Uzor), Kwale, Obiaruku, Igbanke (Igbo-Akiri), Asaba (Ahaba) and Ella. And Rivers: Onuimo, Ugurunta, Omoku, Ahuada, Omuha, Emeoha, Okehi, Isiokpo, Oleh and Umuechem.”

*Chuks Egbune/Editor with additional reports from NewsExpress.com.

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Prince Dapo Abiodun must hear this: Ogun orphan under hostage @LUTH - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun must hear the story of a 25-year-old orphan, Adeniyi Onalaja, an indigene of the state, who is now healthy, but held hostage by the authorities at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, over unsettled N600,000 hospital bill, reports ITREALMS.

Onalaja, a generator repairer, had undergone a surgery in the stomach on April 4, 2019 at the hospital to get rid of a tumour that weighed him down.

Further report by The Punch’s City Round showed that his ordeal started in March when he started experiencing chronic pains in his stomach. He was taken to a hospital at Agbowa, Ikorodu and was later referred to LUTH on April 4, 2019.

Upon medical examination, he was advised to go for a scan which revealed that a tumour was growing in his stomach.

He was scheduled for an emergency surgery on April 10, 2019 after signing an undertaking that funds would be made available.

His recovery suffered a setback on April 23 as he could not sleep or eat and he had to undergo another surgery. He has been fine after the second surgery, but remains a resident of Ward E6 in the hospital.

“I have no means to pay the hospital bill. My father died in 2006. It was during the course of trying to raise funds so that I can be discharged from the hospital that my mother died last month.

“I owe the hospital about N600,000, including expenses incurred for surgery, admission, laundry and drugs from the pharmacy,” Onalaja, who hails from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, said.

Sadly, the orphan currently lives on the generosity of other patients on admission in the ward as he had nobody to cater for him.

“I can fend for myself through my generator repairing skills once I leave the hospital. I am appealing to well-meaning Nigerians to please help me out of this travail,” he added.

Onalaja can be reached on 08165635903 while donations can be made into his sister’s First Bank account – Bassey Rukayat Aduke: 3107620191.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Pix: Executive Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and LUTH