What Nigeria Expects from Buhari First 100 Days in Office

Ahead of the presidential poll General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) published a public letter titled ‘my covenant’. The letter particulars what Nigerians should expect from Buhari’s first 100 days in office.

Nigerians tossed out the incumbent leader of the country and chosen a 72-year-old former military ruler in a historic transfer of power formally announced early Wednesday, April 1, following the nation’s most hotly contested poll ever.

The chairman of the electoral commission Attahiru Jega said Buhari scored 15,424,921 votes to Jonathan’s 12,853,162. Among 12 contesting aspirants the only woman, Remy Sonaiya, got 13,076 votes.

Read letter below: 

My Covenant With Nigerians

Dear Compatriots,

In the past few months that I have traveled round this country on campaigns, I have experienced the sheer beauty of our diversity. From Port Harcourt to Kano, from Abeokuta to Gusau, I experienced first-hand the daily sufferings and struggles of our people. I also experienced the overwhelming desire of our people for change.

When I arrived in Port Harcourt on the 5th of January to start my campaigns, I was met by our teeming supporters, who stayed till late in the evening to welcome us. Among them were many young men and women, who in the few minutes that I shared with them at the airport, made me to reflect on what kind of future awaits them in our country.

The gestures of 90-year-old Hajia Fadimatu Mai Talle Tara from Kebbi State and 9-years-old Nicole Eniiyi Benson from Lagos State, who donated their life-savings to my campaign, reflect the overwhelming desire of our people for change. In their gestures, I perceived a longing for the days when honour, national pride and dignity of labour were the fundamental social principles that governed our country. As I encountered millions of our youths, who sometimes run for hours in front of my car and hanging precariously on our campaign vehicles at our state rallies, I also pondered the enormity of the task ahead. How do we give jobs to our youth? How do we reform our economy and make it work for every Nigerian?

READ ALSO: Jonathan Delivers Concession Speech

I know however, that what we require to revamp our economy and rebuild our country is our ability to galvanize all our citizens to believe once again in their government, in their country and especially, to believe in themselves. This can only happen if we are able to rebuild the trust and belief that our people used to have in government, and indeed, in our nation. The leadership that I will provide will be built on this critical awareness. I intend to lead with integrity and honour and commit myself totally to everything that is of concern to our people: security, employment, health, education, good governance and others.

This Covenant is to outline my agenda for Nigeria and provide a bird’s eye view of how we intend to bring about the change that our country needs and deserves. This Covenant is derived from the manifesto of my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). It however, represents my pledge to you all when I become your President.

I have no doubt that God being on our side, with the abiding support of all Nigerians, we shall all witness the great change that we desire and achieve the Nigeria of our dream.

Corruption and Governance

No matter how vast our resources, if they are not efficiently utilized, they will only benefit a privileged few, leaving the majority in poverty. I believe if Nigeria does not kill corruption; corruption will kill Nigeria.

I pledge to:

· Publicly declare my assets and liabilities and encourage my political appointees to also publicly declare their assets and liabilities.

· Affirm that our strategy for tackling corruption will not only focus on punishment. Rather, it will also provide incentives for disclosure and transparency.

· Show personal leadership in the war against corruption and also hold all the people who work with me to account.

· Inaugurate the National Council on Procurement as stipulated in the Procurement Act so that the Federal Executive Council, which has been turned to a weekly session of contract bazaar, will concentrate on its principal function of policy making.

READ ALSO: Top Points Of 2015 Buhari’s Campaign Promises (Part 2) 

· Review and implement audit recommendations by Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI).

· Work with the National Assembly towards the immediate enactment of a Whistle Blower Act.

· Work with the National Assembly to strengthen ICPC and EFCC by guaranteeing institutional autonomy including financial and prosecutorial independence and security of tenure of officials.

· Make the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) an autonomous and operational agency.

· Encourage proactive disclosure of information by government institutions in the spirit of the Freedom of Information Act.

· Ensure all MDAs regularly comply with their accountability responsibilities to Nigerians through the National Assembly.

· Work with the leadership of the National Assembly to cut down the cost of governance.

· Present a national anti-corruption Strategy.

Access to Justice and Respect for Fundamental Human Rights

One of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria is building a country that is fair to all of its citizens; a country in which all individuals feel and know that they are valued members of society with constitutionally guaranteed rights; a country that respects human dignity, promotes human development, fosters human equality and advances human freedom.

I pledge to:

· Lead a government founded on values that promote and protect fundamental human rights and freedoms. I will promote the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, affirm separation of the powers of government and support an independent judiciary.

· Present a detailed strategy for protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms provided for in our Constitution. There will be emphasis on the rights of vulnerable persons including women, children and persons living with disabilities as well as access to justice and prisons reforms.

Insurgency and Insecurity

I have had the opportunity to serve my country in the military up to the highest level, as a Major General and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. In the course of my service, I had defended the territorial integrity of Nigeria. And if called upon to do so again, I shall rise to the occasion. As a father, I feel the pain of the victims of insurgency, kidnapping and violence whether they are the widows and orphans of military, paramilitary or civilians.

I pledge to:

· Ensure that under my watch, no force, external or internal, will occupy even an inch of Nigerian soil. I will give all it takes to ensure that our girls kidnapped from Chibok are rescued and reunited with their families.

· Deliver a Marshal Plan on insurgency, terrorism, ethnic and religious violence, kidnapping, rural banditry and ensure that never again will Nigerian children be slaughtered or kidnapped at will.

· Boost the morale of our fighting forces and the generality of Nigerians by leading from the front as the Commander-in-Chief and not hide in the comfort and security of Aso Rock.

· Give especial attention to the welfare of our armed forces and all other security personnel and their families, including State-guaranteed life insurance for all officers and men as well as protect the families of our fallen heroes.

READ ALSO: Top General Buhari’s Promises During Presidential Campaign

· Ensure that acts of heroism and valour in the service to the nation are publicly recognized and celebrated.

· Establish close working relationship with governors of the states affected by insurgency, with leaders of our neighbouring countries and with leaders around the world to cooperate in combating insurgency, oil theft, piracy and criminality.

· Activate regular meetings of the National Police Council to ensure the discharge of its true constitutional roles in a transparent and accountable way.

· Fight for you, and alongside you. We will fight together to defeat terrorism. But I will be honest with you about our challenges and I will bear the responsibilities of my charge. I will not lie to you or exaggerate our triumphs. My administration will be thoroughly transparent in every step of our daily struggle and together we will win the war.

Niger Delta

In many years of oil exploration, the Niger Delta has become perhaps, the world’s worst eco-system, a byword for environmental degradation, exploitation and diseases. I believe that protecting the livelihood of our people in the Niger Delta should transcend our interest its oil.

I pledge to:

· Commit myself and my administration to the protection and regeneration of the environment in the Niger Delta and to ensure that oil companies comply with global best practices on environmental protection.

· Sustain and streamline the human capital development in the Niger Delta, especially focusing on youth and women.

· Reform investment in infrastructural development of the Niger Delta and ensure that the NDDC is held accountable to its mandate.

Diversity

Nigeria’s greatest asset is her people. My commitment is to invest in our people and ensure that they have the opportunity to achieve their full potentials and enjoy the full benefits of their citizenship, regardless of their religion, region, ethnicity, gender or disability.

I pledge to:

· Continually acknowledge our diversity and consciously promote equality and equity in all government businesses and activities.

· Implement the National Gender Policy including 35% of appointive positions for women.

· Work with the National Assembly to pass the National Disability Act and the Equal Opportunities Bill.

Health

We must give real meaning to the old saying that Health is Wealth. We must take all possible measures to ensure that our people stay healthy, but we must also ensure that when they fall ill, they can get help.

Healthcare in Nigeria is in crises. Too many people do not get any treatment. For those who do get treated, all too often, the care they receive is poor. Far too many die from easily treatable diseases and what should be routine treatment often end in death. Furthermore, Nigeria is set to miss our MDG targets. The statistics speak for themselves.

I pledge to:

· Unveil a health sector review policy to ensure efficient and effective management of our health systems with focus on prevention.

· Ensure that no Nigerian will have any reason to go outside the country for medical treatment.

· Guarantee financial sustainability to the health sector and minimum basic health care for all.

· Review occupational health laws and immediately commence enforcement of the provisions to reduce hazards in the work place.

· Partner with State Governments and development partners to ensure all-round implementation of our primary health plans by expanding access to health insurance for rural communities.

Education

I believe that our education system must prepare our children for the responsibilities of citizenship and prepare our youths to contribute to the development of our country. Therefore, I shall focus on restoring the lost glory of our education by implementing reforms that will bring quality back into our schools and position our universities and polytechnics to provide market-relevant skills to our youths.

I pledge to:

· Embark on a program of mass mobilisation to ensure that all children of school age, no matter where they may reside in our country, and no matter the social conditions of their parents, are in school. Working in co-operation with the State Governments, we shall make the required investments in infrastructure, learning materials, nutrition and children healthcare. To this end, UBEC Fund will be reviewed to ensure greater efficiency in utilization.

· Provide on-the-job retraining opportunities for existing teachers at both the basic and secondary levels while providing the right incentives to keep teachers in the classrooms and attract bright young men and women to take up career in teaching.

· Work with other levels of government and through relevant government agencies to allocate resources to schools while strengthening community participation in school management.

· Implement a comprehensive review of the goal and content of our secondary education to ensure that it also serves the purpose of skills acquisition and fits purpose.

· Set up Colleges of Skills and Enterprise to replace the old technical colleges. This will be done with direct participation from relevant industry and professional groups in the private sector. Based on local market demands, each of the colleges will focus on high job demand sectors of the economy such as agriculture, ICT, telecommunications, entertainment, construction, oil and gas and sports.

· Establish special purpose fund for a Secondary School level education.

· Improve the competitiveness of our universities and polytechnics and position them at the heart of the national productivity, innovation and enterprise.

· Pursue a policy of non-discrimination between the universities and the polytechnics.

Agriculture

Oil has served our country, but it has also excluded majority of Nigerians from the mainstream of our economy. I am convinced that our guarantee for inclusive growth is agriculture.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Jonathan’s Electoral Promises

I pledge to:

•Make agriculture a major focus of the government and lay the institutional foundation to attract large-scale investments and capital to the sector.
•Actively promote a well-coordinated and innovatively funded Youth in Commercial Agribusiness Programme.
•Establish agricultural produce storage, pricing and marketing systems to ensure real commercial value and minimize waste.
•Work with State Governments to launch Agricultural Support Programmes that will drive agricultural land development and mechanization.
•Revamp, revitalize and improve on the national agricultural extension and rural support service system.
•Lay the groundwork for a standardized market uptake and aggregation outlets for specific agricultural produce.
•Revamp the key development banks (Bank of Agriculture, Bank of Industry and Nigeria Import & Export Bank) to fund inclusive agricultural value chain operations
•Liberalise and expand agricultural and rural insurance system with premium subventions support to farmers
•Revamp the agricultural cooperative system to drive rural agriculture and improve stakes for smallholder farmers.
•Develop a system of small-scale irrigation systems to ensure all-year round farming.
•Revamping key agriculture research institutions and deliver their outputs through effective network of extension services.

Management of the Economy for Shared Prosperity

All Nigerians deserve to benefit from our collective wealth. We promise not to leave any Nigerian behind in our determination to create, expand and ensure equitable and effective allocation of economic opportunities. No matter the amount of wealth we create, it would be meaningless unless it benefits the majority of our people.

Power

Our failure to ensure a stable supply of electricity has been an impediment to economic growth, productivity and national security.

I pledge to:

· Address the gaps in power sector privatization to ensure it serves the needs of our people.

· Explore and develop alternative sources of power such as small, medium and large hydro plants, wind, coal and solar and other forms of renewable energy to ensure efficient and affordable power supply.

· Invest in technical skills development for efficient management of energy resources.

Sports and Culture

Sports and culture are important instruments for social cohesion, national integration and promotion of positive national image. They also provide a strong platform for youth development and the expression of our abundant creative talents.

I pledge to:

· Invest and encourage investments in both small and large-scale sports facilities to enable mass participation in sports.

· Ensure that participation in sports become a core component of our education at all levels.

· Activate incentives for the private sector to invest in the development of high performance sports.

Culture

I pledge to:

· Support real investments in the entertainment, arts and creative industries.

· Strengthen the regulatory framework to protect and preserve our culture and creative industry and prevent it from the scourge of piracy.

· Develop and strengthen the value link-chain of the culture industry to deepen the industry and provide jobs.

I pledge to:

· Support real investments in the entertainment, arts and creative industries.

· Strengthen the regulatory framework to protect and preserve our culture and creative industry and prevent it from the scourge of piracy.

· Develop and strengthen the value link-chain of the culture industry to deepen the industry and provide jobs.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Batibo Council to Organize Water Forum

Fai Cassian N

Tanjoh Fridrick Tetuh

Tanjoh Fridrick Tetuh, the mayor of Batibo council in the North West Region of Cameroon has disclosed that his council will organize a Water Forum on April 21, 2015. The information was made public during the 2014 administrative, management and stores account session that took place in the conference hall of the Batibo council on April 1, 2015. According to Tanjoh Fridrick, the 2015 Water Forum will permit the council to sign Memorandums of Understanding with CAMAAY. Besides, he also revealed that through the partnership, a chemical Engineer from France is currently conducting a baseline survey on the sustainable management of existing water schemes with emphasizes on the quality and treatment of water as well as the protection of catchment areas. He lamented that accessibility to some water catchment is the municipality is poor and preoccupying. He said the main objective of the Forum is to reflect on ways on how water could be made available to each household in the municipality. Water is one of the most basic elements for life in his municipality.

Accordingly, he said that shortages of water and sanitation are priorities reasons why Batibo council is taking water issues seriously.

“Our intention is to design a water policy for our municipality and demarcate the catchment areas”. He also revealed that fortunately for the municipality, there are 21 water catchments which should be protected. “We are establishing a tree nursery for the purpose and we intend to train water management committees for sustainability”. For example, he disclosed that the Guzan water supply scheme needs to be improved by connecting to another network while in Kuruku, poor maintenances is acute. Talking to the press, Tanjoh Fridrick added that bringing stakeholders together will ignite communities to engage in the protection of water catchments, and maintenance of existing water schemes. One of the council commended the clarion call by the councilor of Ashong for other communities to tap water from their land.  

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

SDO Lauds Mayor for Transparency at Council Administrative, Management and Stores Accounts Session

By Fai Cassian N

Left to Right: DO Batibo, SDO Momo, Mayor Tanjoh

The Senior Divisional Officer for Momo has lauded the mayor of Batibo for transparent management skills. Ngong Justin Dieudonne made the statement in Batibo today after councilors adopted the 2014 Administrative, Management and Stores Accounts overwhelmingly. According to the Senior Divisional Officer for Momo Division, “democracy is a reality in Batibo council”. He emphasized that Tanjoh Fridrick managed the council resources as a good family head. Ngong Justin Dieudonne also recommended that the council administrative and management account should be convivial given that the fight against poverty starts first from the council. And he concluded that all council deliberations should be submitted to the supervisory authority and councilors ahead of time before submission for deliberation and adoption. The Batibo administrative, management and stores accounts, it should be noted stood at FCFA 321.101.489 in income and FCFA 312.816.478 expenditures.

Quoting Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan who said that “nobody’s ambition is worth he blood of any Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else”, the mayor of Batibo called on the councilors to adopt Goodluck’s idea to their micro level. He urged those who spend time complaining on what has not been done well, those who sit, watch and do nothing to instill change for fear of creating conflict to sit up.

Major Projects Realized in 2014:

VIPs

Tanjoh Fridrick congratulated the entire executive body of the council as well as councilors, partners for the great hardwork recorded last year. Some of these projects were executed with the support of partner structures like the Government of Cameroon (BIP), FEICOM, PAEPA, European Union, and the African Development Bank. Some of the major projects so far realized include.

·         Construction and equipping of Bole Hole at Batibo

·         Construction of two classrooms at GS New Town Ashong

·         Rehabilitation works at GNS Batibi

·         Construction of two classrooms at GNS Awom

·         Supply of medical equipment to DH Batibo

·         Supply of medical equipment to IHC Larinji

·         Supply of medical equipment to Olunriti

·         Rehabilitation of roads in Batibo municipality

·         Equipping classrooms with 2 teachers’ tables and chairs at GNS Awom

·         Equipping classrooms with small tables, blackboards, chairs at GNS Awom

·         Equipping classrooms with 2 teachers’ tables and chairs at GS New Town Ashong

·         Equipping classrooms with 60 benches

·         Equipping OF Batibo registry

·         Construction of two classrooms at GS Kuruku

·         Rehabilitation of Guzang-Bessi-Ashong road

·         Rehabilitation of Ewoh Agric Post

·         Construction of a grandstand at Ashong Youth Day Centre

·         Construction of a twin water catchment at Kurubei

·         Supply of roofing sheets to GS Batibo and GSS Angie

·         Construction of open sheds at the motor park

·         Opening of the Njen-Barabi farm to market road

·         Construction of 9 VIP toilets in some Palaces in the municipality

·         Construction of the Kurubei-Ewoh water scheme

·         Construction of the Enyoh Water Scheme

Mayor Tanjoh Presenting 2014 achievements

·         Construction of the Bijong-Efah Water Scheme

·         Construction of the Bessom water scheme

·         Construction of two classrooms at GS Ofen-Tiben

·         Construction of the Town Hall

·         Construction of Ofen-Tiben Market

Ongoing Road Projects

·         Tarring of the Guzang road

·         The Batibo Old Park-Kwenji-Upper Bessi

·         The Ambo-3 corners-Newtown Ashong road

·         Ewoh-Kuruku road

·         Ewoh-Njifong and bridge

·         Nenn-Kushighe-GS Kuzam road

 Social Projects

·         Training of 40 fish farmers

·         Recruitment of 100 youths (holiday job)

·         Organized the Mayor’s cup to promote young talent

·         Organized youth connection with CRTV Bamenda

·         Provision of prizes to the best pupils and students of the municipality

·         Creation of the Batibo Council website…www.batibocouncil.com/partners

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

We'll Pursue Robust, Dynamic Foreign Policy, Says Buhari

Buhari's Acceptance 

Courtesy: SaharaReporters

Addressing Journalists and party supporters who waited at the party national secretariat in Abuja to receive him till the wee hours of today, the President-elect said he would begin the process of healing the wounds caused by the intense electioneering campaigns by extending a hand of friendship and conciliation across the political divide.

The President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari ( rtd) has said his administration will engage in a dynamic and mutually rewarding relationships with foreign countries.

Buhari who was formally declared winner of the 2015 presidential election by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  Prof. Attahiru Jega in the early hours of today said in his acceptance speech that President Goodluck Jonathan has exhibited statesmanship by willingly conceding defeat.

Addressing Journalists and party supporters who waited at the party national secretariat in Abuja to receive him till the wee hours of today, the President-elect said he would begin the process of healing the wounds caused by the intense electioneering campaigns by extending a hand of friendship and conciliation across the political divide.

Buhari also promised to extend my hand of fellowship to President Jonathan, adding that he looks  forward to meeting him soon to plan the transition from one administration to another.

"The International press and our friends abroad deserve special commendation for their support throughout the process. We promise a robust and dynamic engagement with your countries in matters of mutual interest to nations.

"At exactly 5:15pm this evening President Jonathan called to congratulate me on my victory. For this I want all Nigerians to join me in congratulating and appreciating Mr President for his statesmanship.

"This was a hard- fought contest. Emotions are high. We must not allow them to get the better of us. This is not the time for confrontation. This is a moment that we must begin to heal the wounds and work toward a better future. We do this first by extending a hand of friendship and conciliation across the political divide. We hope and pray our friends in other parties reciprocate," he said.

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Competitive Entrance Examination into the Police Corps: CJA-Cameroon Frowns at Discriminatory Treatment of Anglophones

Commonwealth Journalists Association, CJA- Cameroon

Press Release

Shameful and Discriminatory Treatment of Anglophones at the Competitive Entrance Examination into the Police Corps

The Commonwealth Journalists Association, CJA Cameroon has observed in total disbelief, shock and consternation, manipulative steps taken to cheat and disqualify English Speaking candidates at the competitive entrance examination into the Police Corps in Cameroon, the written part of which was taken on Saturday the 28th of March, 2015.

While questions in the French Language were clear, concise and written in good grammar, those meant for candidates of English expression were presented in a language unfamiliar to the Anglo Saxon world. The net consequence of this was that the questions could not be understood and interpreted, making answers to them seemingly impossible even to those who shall eventually be examiners.

The question we ask is who can respond to an interrogation which reads thus; who shall represent each member of the National Assembly? Or worse still; who shall represent each Senator? And that is just the tip of the iceberg, as the entire question paper for inspectors of police was in a strange language.

This deliberate resolve to sideline Anglophones at the said examination is unambiguously demonstrated, as from the point go, the playground is not level for all participating candidates. At the end of it all, and without any element of surprise, there would be no Anglophones on the final list, a thing that is neatly desired and implemented.

This other incident is one provocation too many, coming after the IRIC saga where Anglophones are permanently set aside, the total Francophonisation of ENS/ENSET Bambili and the appointment of mainly Francophone judges to the North West Appeals Court where Common Law lawyers found themselves being forced to make submissions only in French.

CJA- Cameroon notes with dismay, that such separatist, tribalist and exclusionist measures are being taken at a time the country is faced with a common challenge of protecting our territorial integrity and when everyone is expected to show and enjoy a feeling of belonging to one nation with one objective which is working towards emergence by the year 2035.

CJA- Cameroon therefore calls on the powers that be, to without delay, cancel the said examination in the interest of national unity, social justice and peace which is indispensable in the economic and political development of our country, Cameroon.

Signed;

HRH Chief Foanyi Nkemayang Paul                    John Mbah Akuroh

President                                                              Secretary General

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

What we observed in Nigeria’s election —EU, Commonwealth, NDI

Courtesy: (Christian Okeke-Abuja) Nigerian Tribune

The European Union (EU), Commonwealth and National Democratic Institute (NDI) observation missions on Monday gave accounts of what they observed during the last weekend’s presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria. 

EU stated that its observers saw no evidence of systematic manipulations, despite the fact that the process was said to be disordered and prolonged.

The Commonwealth said it was concerned with the tendency of some politicians, activists and party spokespersons, who resorted to highly emotive rhetoric, which could be regarded as incitement to violence.The NDI noted that security personnel, on the overall, played a positive and professional role in the majority of polling stations that the delegation observed. Briefing newsmen in Abuja, the EU chief observer, Santiago Fisas, noted that systematic weaknesses left the process open to abuse by political contenders.

According to him, there was misuse of incumbency by parties at federal and state levels, and escalated incidents of violence and intimidation. Santiago stated that excessive deference to judicial mechanisms for enforcement and corrective action risked protracted resolution. According to him, given the lack of possibility to run as an independent candidate, the Nigerian system of primaries overly excluded and concentrated unchecked power in the parties, thereby reducing the choices available to voters on election day and weakened the accountability function of elections.

He said: “EU experts observed parties establishing excessive non-refundable fees, subjective party criteria risking arbitrary application and parties not respecting the results of their own primaries.” Santiago went further to state that “issue-based campaigning was overshadowed by prevailing negative tactics, with escalating mutual accusations and fierce personal attacks. “There was also an increase in the use of religion, ethnic and sectional sentiments and appeals in the campaign with both parties accusing the other of dividing the nation on religious grounds.

“The growth in hate speech and violence took place, despite the signing of the Abuja accord on January 14 and comparable peace accords in all 36 states and the FCT,” he said. In his own briefing, the chairman of the Commonwealth observers, Bakili Muluzi, noted that the March 28 polls marked an important step forward for democracy in the country as the elections were generally peaceful and transparent despite the organisational and technical deficiencies.

He said “publicly-owned media outlets, especially broadcast media were clearly partisan. It was noted with concern that the flagship nightly television news on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) channel was completely dominated by reports of the incumbent party’s campaign rallies.“It is of concern that print and broadcast media were all too willing to publish and broadcast these lucrative adverts without censor by the regulatory authorities.” 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Davido’s Uncle Wins Senatorial Seat In Osun State

Ace Musician Davido

A super wealthy family Indeed. Former governor of Osun State, Isiaka Adeleke has won the Osun West senatorial district, reports National Mirror. Adeleke, who is also an uncle to topnotch musician, Davido, contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The newly-elected senator, would be returning to the Senate for the second time, after winning in all the 10 local government areas of Osun West senatorial district. According to him, he was prepared, more than ever before, to render selfless service to the people of his senatorial district, saying he was not out to push personal agenda. Adeleke urged for the support of the Osun people for Governor Rauf Aregbesola at this sensitive time of economic downturn, stating that tough times do not last, but tough people do, adding: “All hands shall be put on deck to ensure, that workers’ salaries and pensioners allowances are paid as and when due.” Meanwhile, Davido is currently receiving backlash from his Kenyan fans for being too childish, too rude the organizers and full of himself. They said he was too drunk at the show, smoking too much weed. Those who were at the show say they were disappointed.

Read more at: http://dailytimes.com.ng/davidos-uncle-wins-senatorial-seat-osun-state/


When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

With 95% Polling Units Collated, SaharaReporters Projects Buhari As President-Elect SaharaReporters Say

Buhari leading

SaharaReporters is confidently projecting Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of last weekend’s presidential election based on collated poll results from 95 percent of Nigeria’s polling units. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will resume the official release of the poll figures at 10 a.m. Nigerian time today, with Mr. Buhari all but certain to be declared the president-elect.

Last night, INEC suspended the official release of the state-by-state vote counts for the keenly contested presidential election. However, with only five percent of votes remaining to be added up, our figures indicate that Mr. Buhari is leading incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan by more than two million votes. In addition, the APC candidate has secured at least twenty-five percent of votes cast in two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states. Mr. Buhari has so far won 14,855,820 million votes, with Mr. Jonathan trailing him with 12,107,628 million. 

Our analysis, based on collated votes that were already announced in different states, shows that there is no statistical pathway open to Mr. Jonathan to surmount his vote deficit with very few polling units left to account for.

INEC’s formal declaration of Mr. Buhari as the winner of the presidential election will represent a historic moment in Nigeria’s history, being the first time that an opposition candidate would unseat an incumbent head of government at the federal level. Another historic aspect is the fact that Mr. Buhari finally triumphed on his fifth run as a presidential candidate of one of Nigeria’s parties

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

The Guardian Post National Award of Excellence: How Bamenda II Mayor Balick Awah Fidelis Won Big

Balick Awah Fidelis

One of the major challenges nationwide has been the capability of some elected officials to tackle development process in their sphere of influence. In 2014, the Bamenda II Council entered into record when the Minister of Territorial Administration personally inaugurated a magnificent edifice constructed by the mayor.  To grease this landmark achievement, the mayor of Bamenda II Council, Balick Awah Fidelis was recently honoured by The Guardian Post Newspaper as Best Mayor of The Year. This is so because Balick Awah has been able to delineate that politics is development and that alleviating poverty and miseries in rural areas is precedence of priority that makes politics and development bedmates. 

Life, they say is a combination of trials and tribulations but great people look beyond trials and tribulations. They look beyond the horizon that appears to be the end of the world and see other opportunities that nobody imagines can exist. And their interested act of dreaming, acting and realizing the dreams have positive multiplier effect on society. This is because they are born with talent and to make things happen, they combine talent with hard work and determination. The very essence of rural development is that you need to have vision since you can’t blow an uncertain trumpet. Nevertheless, innovation distinguishes between a great politician and a charlatan. 
Balick Awah Fidelis has proven beyond reasonable doubts to be a great developer. While at the helm of the Bamenda II Council he has taken development to the doorsteps of his people with the “Small Money Big Project Initiative” with councilors. But unlike ordinary visionaries who see far and remain on their original position, Mayor Balick does not wait on the spot for things to happen for his municipality. As a great lobbyist, he lobbied and obtained financial support from FEICOM, PNDP, GP DERUDEP and other partners in development to achieve his vision. The most interesting thing about this innovative mayor voted by readers of The Guardian Post as Best Mayor of the year is found in the knack that he has rumbles of serious innovative ideas that have kept afloat all development initiatives. For these reasons, Mayor Balick is succeeding where others have fumbled, stumbled and tumbled over. 

Rudyard Kipling, one of the finest English writers once said that “if you can keep your head when all around you are losing theirs and if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat the two the same, yours is earth and everything that is in it”. This is a straightforward reality and in fact there is no doubt that Rudyard Kipling had this inspiration from the obstacles and barriers we often crush to get to prominence. In our contemporary society this statement could only be referred to one person, Mayor Balick. 

What is important about this award winning mayor is that he is innovative, down to earth and fertile in expedients. He falls within the ranks of the new breed of politicians born with extra abilities to surmount all sorts of barrier to emerge successful. If we go by Albert Einstein who declared that genius is 1/10 inspiration and 9/10 perspiration, Balick is a genius. This means that for somebody to be termed a genius that person must be a workaholic. In this light, Balick Awah merits to be mentioned first among development luminaries if not the story of North West politicians will remain unfinished. What is so interesting about this pragmatic mayor is that he has done extraordinary things in a very common way. 

 If has become a celebrity it is because he is doing extraordinary things and he is entering history books in great names: Meet him for a discussion then you will discover you have met an honest intellectual. The courage and the frankness he expresses tell you that he was naturally born a workaholic. It is this frankness, hard work and determination that have made him the most admired man of all men in action.

The Great Politician

John Quincy Adams says that if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. Balick is a politician with exceptional leadership qualities. He has served the Social Democratic Front in various capacities. He is being remembered as one of the most vibrant District Chairman the SDF ever produced in Bamenda II. He planted the SDF in almost all the homes.  Being a great support of Ni John Fru Ndi and the SDF, Balick has distinguished self as a developer and career politician. In Mankon, they say he is the litmus test of what a politician ought to be. And since the final test of a politician is that he/she leads the young as their role model, Balick is actually youth emancipator who doesn’t talk about development politics in speeches but puts them into practice. In getting to where he is today and especially excelling in local politics, he toiled laboriously to transform vision into concrete reality. That is why today he is building common frontiers for all segments of society. In doing this, he followed the principle outlined by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that ‘heights by great “men” reached and kept were not obtained by sudden flight but, while their companies slept, they were toiling upward in the night’.

The Result-oriented Mayor

Inauguration of Bda II Council chamber by Minister Rene Sadi

Those who have had the pains to visit the Bamenda II Council chamber would agree, Balick Awah is an exemplary man. The newly constructed edifice which was commissioned by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralization is the best in the region. Even FEICOM Director was flattered the day of the inauguration to the point that he described Mayor Balick as a true manager in council activities. Minister Rene Sadi even advised other mayors to learn from Balick’s dynamism and workaholic nature. A major challenge in Cameroon is accountability and transparency. But Balick Awah on the contrary is hailed for being accountable, transparent and result oriented at the helm of Bamenda II Council. From Mankon to Mbatu down to Nsongwa, and Chomba, every community in the municipal has something to be proud of.  For being a mark of difference in the fight against poverty, Balick’s legacies are many ranging from the provision of potable water to construction of classrooms, market sheds, slaughter houses, community halls, health centers, farms to market roads, etc.

In fact The Guardian Post was absolutely right to have given him that distinction given that he has proven exceptionally that his being there at the helm of the Bamenda II Council was by merit and not a favour. He established a program aimed at supporting local initiatives and projects that are geared towards sustainable development. From all practical demonstrations, he is going into history books in big names: the development luminary, promoter of sustainable development, Best Mayor etc…Ever since he became mayor, the administrative account of the council has registered sanity and has also risen. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Mighty Storm Gathering in PCC As PC USA Embraces Homosexuality

By FC Ndi  with additional inputs from Examiner

PCC Hierarchy 

Less than a year after the creation of PCC Houston in the United States of America, the unexpected is said to have just happened. It is no more rumours that PCUSA has decided to embrace gay marriage. Homosexuality is not legal in Cameroon. President Paul Biya even made it clear in an interview in Paris after meeting with Francios Hollande. He said homosexuality remains a taboo in Cameroon. Yet, the PCC is reportedly wrapped in the most controversial issue of its existence in the USA. Allegedly, the issue is a hot potato in the hands of PCC hierarchy given that most of the funding/projects are sponsored from that end. It is not clear whether PCC hierarchy in Cameroon will issue a communiqué dissociating self the scandal. It should be recalled that that the out-gone Moderator Asana took part in the birth of the first ever PCC Houston on July 27, 2014 with over 400 Christians in attendance. Allegations abound that he rejected the change in constitution. The question of every lip is what then happened after Asana? Another question begging for answers is whether Fonki will succumb today?

According to the Examiner.com, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is extremely large. The story goes that PCUSA approved a change in the wording of its constitution to allow gay and lesbian weddings within the church, a move that threatens to continue to split the mainline Protestant denomination.

The 171 regional presbyteries (local leadership bodies within the PCUSA) have been voting on whether to change the wording to call marriage a contract “between a woman and a man” to being “between two people, traditionally a man and a woman.” Accordingly, the denomination reached its needed majority of “yes” votes from at least 86 presbyteries to take effect. The change will be included in the church’s “Book of Order,” part of its constitution, taking effect on June 21.

The church, which has more than 1.7 million members, voted last June to allow clergy to perform same-sex weddings. That vote gave clergy the choice of whether to preside over same-sex marriages in states where they are legal, an action which is now allowed in 36 states and the District of Columbia. Clergy will not be compelled to perform same-sex marriage.

Tuesday’s vote carries significance, writes Leslie Scanlon for The Presbyterian Outlook, because it will be much more difficult to reverse.

“Changing the constitutional language regarding the definition of Christian marriage would take the approval both of an assembly and a majority vote by the presbyteries,” Scanlon writes. “It also matters to many Presbyterians that their denomination is willing to put language affirming marriage equality directly in the denomination’s constitution.”

The vote comes amid a larger debate over whether gay marriage conflicts with Scripture and would cause more Presbyterian churches to break relations with the PCUSA. The church has lost 37 percent of its membership since 1992. Most of the congregations that depart opt to affiliate with either the Evangelical Presbyterian Church or a newer body called Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians. The formality of Tuesday’s decision could accelerate more departures.

Like other mainline denominations, the PCUSA has grappled with the issue as gay marriage has become legal in more states. In 2012, the church’s General Assembly narrowly voted to reject a proposal to redefine marriage as a union between “two people.” Many of the congregations that rejected the move in 2012 have since left the denomination.

The nation’s largest denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church and most evangelical churches, recognize marriage only as between a man and a woman. The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ allow same-sex marriage. The debate has roiled the United Methodist Church, another mainline denomination. Property disputes and litigation that have occupied the Episcopal Church in the past decade are now taking place among some Presbyterian 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)

Why Hon. Njingum Musa Won The Guardian Post 2014 Award as Best MP

Hon. Njingum Musa

Hon. Njingum Musa was recently honoured by The Guardian Post Newspaper as the Best MP of the year. It was not by error. The award is the fruit of hard work, determination, development orientation and dynamism. Anybody who has never seen excellence incarnated in one person should go for Honourable Njingum Musa. Over the years, he has proven himself as an exemplary organized person and refined politician. As one of the prominent sons of Ngoketunjia and MP, his largess knows no boundary. Hon. Njingum Musa is a seasoned politician especially as one who preaches the politics of inclusion as prescribed by President Paul Biya. But unlike most intelligent people who are composed, Hon. Njingum talks only when it is necessary. As Representative of the people, Hon. Njingum knows the value of empowering youths, farmers and social cohesion which makes him a super achiever in 2014. With his accommodating nature, Hon. Njingum has attracted a lot of youths; women and farmers’ groups join in the battle to disenclaved his constituency. What makes him unique is that he has succeeded in blending politics and development.

Today’s glories, they say are the products of yesterday’s planning. Thus tomorrow’s better days are also the product of today’s planning. But do people ever plan for tomorrow? Most people do not, relaying on the adage that let tomorrow take care of itself. This is however a defeatist nature by those who are weak. That is why those who adopt this do not excel in life. But those who do are always able to draw a line from one cause to effect. This is certainly so because development has become a singsong on every lip and modern technology has placed humanity on a fast line. But on this fast line, many do falter especially the politicians.

One of those politicians who is leaving no stone un-turned in Cameroon for his constituency to emerge is Hon. Njigum Musa, the Member of Parliament for Ngoketunjia (Babessi sub Division and Ndop Central). Hon. Njigum Musa is Questor at the National Assembly. He is presently on his second mandate as the Representative of the people. With a very large constituency that covers two sub Divisions (Ndop Central and Babessi Sub Division), Hon. Njigum is constantly with his people. In fact, the image people very often cut of a politician is that of lies. But Hon. Njigum Musa has over the years proven that even though politicians are often referred to as people of the lie, there are still politicians of conscience and character. And he is one. Some people usually think that the work of a Member of Parliament is limited to voting laws and executing micro projects in bars, restaurants and snacks around Bamenda, Yaounde and Douala. Or that theirs is always to dish out empty promises. This is a very erroneous notion about politicians of conscience and character like Njingum Musa. The prologue indicators of this great political leader and development luminary are that he keeps to all his political promises and fulfils them one by one. His intervention in any

Career Politician

Hon. Njingum is a devoted militant of the CPDM and diehard supporter of President Paul Biya’s political ideologies. He is a heavyweight. The fact that he trashed Hon. Yoyo Emmanuel in the pools twice to go to Parliament is indicative. It happened in the 2007 and 2013 Twin elections. If the entire Ngoketunjia is now CPDM, it is thanks to Njingum Musa. As the brain behind CPDM, he could have decided like others to do the simple things, but because he believes like Lance Armstrong that ‘greatness is not a measure of how great you are but of how great others came to be because of you’, he decided embark on the disenclavement of his constituency using politics as a tool. Putting politics and development in one basket to sermonize the ideologies of the CPDM has put him into the minds of all and sundry. That is why as a pragmatic politician he is loved, admired and cherished by the poor, the middle class and the rich without any barriers. Today, he is scoring high for the CPDM because of that firm choice.

 What makes him the shinning political icon in the eyes of his people is that he is a politician with a vision who acts promptly. Vision and action are two cardinal ingredients for success and as the Japanese proverb hold: ‘vision without action is daydream; Action without vision is nightmare’. He neither daydreams nor entertains nightmares. This is because of his zeal to recreate passing through politics and knowing like Abraham Lincoln that ‘the best way to predict the future is to create it’; Hon. Njingum puts into CPDM vision the necessary ingredients that make him to succeed. 

Excellent Developer

Ngoketunjia as one North West political elite once observed is lucky to have Hon. Njingum Musa. Through his lobbying skills, government constructed schools, health centres, roads provided potable water for the people of Ndop Central and Babessi Sub Divisions. With the micro project grants he has impacted the lives of several youth groups, farmers groups and communities. Whenever two or more are gathered to talk development, count him present. Promoting the welfare of women and the education of the girl child is top on his agenda. Every farming season, he donates seeds to farming groups, youth groups and the entire farming population. Women in Ngoketunjia have him in high esteem given the support he gives every March 24^th to them. If you want to see a Member of Parliament who has used micro grants to carryout giant projects, Hon. Njingum is the right person. His achievements are many and speak by themselves. 

When News Breaks Out, We Break In. (The 2014 Bloggies Finalist)