Donga Mantung Mayors, Fons Applaud Solar Energy Project

Group picture with the Fons

Talking to participants during the one-day International workshop on solar energy, the Director of NOVE Consulting, Dr. Fabio Santoni explained that “Yellow Project” which he initiated is an initiative that seeks to provide lasting solution to the rampant electricity problems in the Division. Holding at a point in time that the divisional headquarters of Donga Mantung, Nkambe, has gone for three days without electricity, participants who were mostly made up of mayors and traditional rulers unanimously agreed that solar energy is the best solution.

Dr. Fabio Santoni who was the main speaker presented a vivid picturesque of the various standalone solar modules. He said the systems would be designed depending on the needs of the population ranging from individual households, to communities, water pumping systems and even water irrigation for those who want to engage in large agricultural exploitations. He also said that the idea is not just to sell Italian technology, it is also geared towards transferring of technological know-how given that some Italian experts will have to train some youths of the Division to ensure on the spot repairs and maintenances.

The Facilitator of the seminar, Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh Ndamnsah was categorical that renewal energy is the best solution to energy problems in rural areas. He reminded participants that Nove Consulting Italy and Nove Consulting Cameroon introduced the idea as a way to curb electricity problems in Donga Mantung Division through the introduction and installation of standalone solar modules.  

Welcoming participants at the seminar, the Mayor of Nkambe Council Ngabir Paul Bantar said the project was a laudable one and would have loved to have it being implemented as soon as possible. He congratulated the Managing Director of NOVE Consulting, Dr. Fabio Santoni and Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh Ndamnsah for the laudable initiative that will go a long way to impact lives in communities.

It should be recalled that the seminar was organized under the patronage of EuroAfricand, ANOLF and the Frontier Agricultural and Industrial Programme-FAINAP.

What They Said:

Bunyui Emmanuel Nyugab, Mayor of Ndu Council

Solar energy is the only means for this Division to emerge. The epileptic nature of electricity supply in the Division can only be solved if we embrace this project. It is a laudable initiative and I think my council will use it wisely to solve energy problems in Ndu.

Akio Augustine, Mayor of Ako Council

We are watching. Electricity is something that is farfetched in my municipality. We can only rely on solar energy for now. This is a good programme.

Mr. Mungusi, 3^rd Deputy Mayor of Nwa Council

We are in the same situation like Ako. We do not have electricity in the entire municipality and I think this project to produce energy from the sun will be very useful in my municipality.

Ngariwa Lawrence, 2^nd Deputy Mayor Misaje Council

Electricity lines have reached Misaje town but we are not yet connected. Apart from the fact that Misaje town is hoping to have electricity, all the other parts of the municipality are in the dark. This project will surely help in providing electricity to the villages. It is a welcome idea.

HRH Fon Mbunwe of Mbot, Warr Clan Head

I feel like Dr. Fabio is a savior sent to us. We have a technical school in Mbot with a woods work workshop which has been unable to go functional for three years just because we cannot afford a three phase electricity. It is pathetic that government has invested millions to acquire this machine yet students cannot use it and it is also deplorable that children graduate from this school when they have only been taught theories. My elite(s) and I are ready to raise funds to acquire an industrial grid that could serve these future technicians. This idea of solar energy is a good one.

The Fon of (Nkanchi) Misaje

I am happy that this project has been introduced to us and we should behave like hunters. We should embrace it and see how we can move from the dark. Today, one of the instruments of development is not only roads, electricity is also primordial. Come to my area and see how people struggle to charge phone before you will understand that this project is not only a necessity but very timely. Modern communication needs electricity, and with this project we will surely merge by 2035.

Fabio, Blaise flanked by FAINAP Coordinator, others

Flanked by local solar solar technicians

Flanked by President of National Youth Council, Donga Mantung

Group picture with mayors

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

Governor of the Centre Region is No More

The Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation has announced the death of the Governor of the Centre Region, Joseph Otto Wilson.

He died from an illness in an American Hospital in Paris in the capital of France where he had been evacuated for medical treatment. He has been Governor of the Centre Region since July 2014.

Governor Joseph Otto Wilson who was flown out of the country on the 8th of September 2016 for specialised medical attention.

The Senior Civil Administrator was born in the Littoral region of Cameroon some 52 years ago.
Prior to his appointment as Governor of the Centre Region, Otto Joseph Wilson had served as Governor of the North Region.

He had also been Inspector General in charge of Electoral Matters at the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Decentralization.

The Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation has extended heartfelt condolence of the President of the Republic, Paul Biya and that of the entire Government to the family of late Governor Joseph Otto Wilson.

'

Courtesy of CRTV

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

Gov't Offers Free Medical Care to Victims of Eseka Train Accident President Says

President Paul Biya has said that government will take care of all the victims of the train fatal accident of last week. President Biya who rushed from Europe on Sunday  also instructed that a proper investigation be carried out to detect  the causes of accident that killed close to a hundred and or more Cameroonians.  On Sunday, the government appealed for additional blood donations to assist with the treatment of some 600 people who suffered injuries.“I have ordered an in-depth inquiry into the causes of this accident,” Biya told state TV in French on returning to Cameroon on Sunday afternoon after a trip in Europe.“I have ordered for victims’ (medical) costs to be paid for by the state,” he added.Operator Camrail, a unit of French industrial group Bollore, said on Sunday it had set up a special train service to fetch bodies from the crash site.Witnesses said that before the crash extra carriages had been added to the train to accommodate exceptionally high demand for the service, due partly to the collapse of a portion of the main road linking the two cities after heavy rain.It was not clear if that had played a role in the accident.Camrail said on Sunday it had received permission from the command post managing the lines before commencing its journey.Technicians from the firm have been made to help police with their inquiries and psychological support is being offered to victims, the firm added.

As Cameroonians dress in black today to mourn those who died in the accident, President Paul Biya sources say is expected to address the nation today. Tongues are now waging as to what President Biya will tell Cameroonians. 

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

After tragic rail/road incidents, The President of The Fomunyoh Foundation, Dr Christopher Fomunyoh sends sympathy message to grieved Cameroonian compatriot

After tragic rail/road incidents, The President of The Fomunyoh Foundation, Dr Christopher Fomunyoh sends sympathy message to grieved Cameroonian compatriots...FULL MESSAGE..........
Fellow compatriots, yesterday Friday, October 21, our country experienced the worst train accident in its history when the Yaounde -- Douala inner-city train derailed in Eseka, Nyong & Kellé division of the Center region. According to reliable sources, the accident caused over 100 deaths and over 600 wounded.
I hereby express my deepest heartfelt condolences to those that lost family members, friends and loved ones in this ghastly accident. I also wish a rapid recovery to those that sustained injuries. Indeed we are all in shock and tears because a disaster of this magnitude is a real national catastrophy. Moreover this accident occurred only a few hours after the collapse of a pavement on the Yaounde - Douala road around Boumnyebel in the same division that cut off road communications between the two main cities of the country.
During these challenging times of national mourning, and as we pay homage to our fallen compatriots, we must stay strong and resolute so as not to give room to a national psychosis or perverse sense of pessimism.
I hope that à thorough investigation by competent authorities and relevant services would allow us to determine the responsibilities of those involved. Such an investigation would facilitate an honest indemnification of victims and their families, and proper medical treatment of the wounded. Ultimately, we must draw lessons learned from these sad occurrences to institutionalize appropriate policies on crisis management and the maintenance and upgrading of our national infrastructure.
May the good Lord (Allah) bless our dear country Cameroon, and reinforce our sense of national solidarity so we can continue to be each other's keeper.
Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh
President
The Fomunyoh Foundation
www.tffcam.org///////////// ////////////



Mes chers compatriots, dans la journée du 21 octobre 2016, notre pays a été secoué par le déraillement d'un train passager au niveau d'Eseka dans le Département de Nyong et Kellé, région du Centre. Selon de sources credible, ce deraillement du train inter-city assurant la liaison Yaoundé -- Douala a causé plus de 100 morts et plus de 600 blessés.
Je saisis cette occasion pour exprimer mes condoléances les plus attristés à toutes nos familles qui sont en larme depuis hier. En effet, nous sommes tous en larmes car une perte en vies humaines de cette envergure est une catastrophe nationale inédite. Je souhait vite rétablissement aux blessés. Nous sommes tous sous le choque, surtout que le déraillement en question s'est produit quelques heures seulement après l'effondrement d'une partie de la seule axe routière lourde Yaoundé -- Douala au lieu dit Maniya prêt de Boumnyebel, dans le même département.
Pendant ces moments de recueillement et de deuil; pendant que nous rendons hommage aux valeureux compatroits donc les vies ont été arrachés prématurément, nous devons rester serein pour éviter que la psychose ne s'installe et ne nous paralyse dans un pessimisme ambiant.
J'espère qu'une enquête profonde sera diligenté au plus vite par les autorités et les services compétents pour nous permettre de situer les responsabilités. Une enquête devrait aussi faciliter le dédommagement des familles endeuillés, la pris en charge des blessés, et l'identification des leçons à tirer de ces événements malheureux quite devraient nous orienter dans l'adoption d'une véritable politique de gestion des crises et d'entretien des infrastructures dans notre pays.
Que le Seigneur (Allah) renforce notre esprit de solidarité en veillant sur notre cher pays, le Cameroun.
Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh
President
The Fomunyoh Foundation
www.tffcam.org

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

Train Derailment near Eseka: Dead Toll Rises to 54..........

The train was traveling between Yaounde and Douala, when it overturned near Eseka. Eye witnesses say there were approximately 1,300 people on the train instead of the usual 600. Transport minister Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo'o said 54 (55) persons died and over 575 sustained injuries in the train derailment near Eseka, today October 21, 2016. Speaking on CRTV, Transport minister added that the accident has recorded significant human and material damage.  However, classified sources say about 14 persons are still trapped in some of the wagons and many may die at night fall. The cause of the derailment is still to be established.

The derailment came after the road linking Yaoundé and Douala collapsed today morning at Matomb, momentarily interrupting traffic between the two main cities. Following these incidents, the airline Camair-Co announced that it will increase the frequency of its flights between Yaounde and Douala.

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

Who Killed Dele Giwa?

As Nigeria remembers popular and fiery journalist, Dele Giwa 30 years after his brutal murder, Bayo Oluwasanmi has penned a glowing tribute to the legendary figure, asking pertinent questions needing urgent answers.

Dele Giwa

 Today is the 30th anniversary of the assassination of Dele Giwa, the unapologetically brash journalist, the founding editor of Newswatch magazine.

 Every October 19 Nigerians are forced to lock their eyes on screaming newspaper headlines: “Who Killed Dele Giwa?” 

For a quarter of a century now, the same question had burned like acid in our brains.  The gory picture of a badly shattered body of Giwa continued to plague our minds after 30years. And oddly enough, the Nigerian judicial system had successfully tap danced around the question.

 Giwa was a flaming journalist with a fiery message of rebuke for the oppressive military regime of Ibrahim Badamosi Babaginda (IBB). Giwa was the pioneering journalist in Nigeria who blazed the path for investigative journalism bottled in a weekly authoritative brand known as Newswatch.

 He was a watchman with bravura and strong moral fiber committed to a strong sense of right and wrong. Giwa’s creative message and method earned him reputation as a skilled writer, tough, and uncensored in his style.

 He had a knack for packaging stories that injected sleeplessness and nightmares in the tyrants of his days. Needless to say, his fierce and uncompromising style made him a natural target of IBB administration.

 Giwa writes with the supple grace of a swan and the boldness of a beaver.

 Giwa, on that fateful day of 1986, had been extracted from our midst through a parcel bomb. We all felt the ripples of the bomb and we sobbed like milk-less baby.

 The indefatigable legal surgeon, late Gani Fawehinmi was bent on finding the killer (s) of Giwa. Fawehinmi literally armed with a defibrillator as it were, relentlessly shocked back to life the question: Who killed Dele Giwa?

 Two days before the arrival of the death parcel, Giwa had been accused by a senior member of the Directorate of Military intelligence of “illegally importing and stockpiling arms and ammunition for the purpose of staging a socialist revolution in Nigeria.”

 In one of his columns, Giwa had criticized the Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) which the government believed would recalibrate the sagging economy.

 To assuage Giwa of the trumped up accusation by the government, Colonel Halilu Akilu a top security chief of IBB administration told Giwa not worry of anything.  

 Furthermore, Akilu had told Giwa that he should expect a parcel – an invitation- from the Commander-in-Chief for official function.

 Sooner than later, a man with a parcel arrived Giwa’s house. The parcel was received by Giwa’s son, Billy. Billy handed the parcel to his father. The parcel “bore the seal of the Presidency, was marked: “To be opened by addressee only.”  Receiving the parcel, Giwa said “this must be from the Presidency.”

 Giwa had placed the parcel on his laps while it was being opened. The parcel exploded and torn Giwa into shreds. Giwa’s life expired on the way to the hospital.

 

Who killed Dele Giwa?

 The denial of Giwa’s death by his killer (s) had gathered such velocity and punch to the extent that the rest of us have been rendered helpless and powerless.

 

Who killed Dele Giwa?

 IBB and his henchmen had before the act relentlessly breathed threats and murder against Giwa. IBB the procurer of wickedness and destroyer of our nation is of a deceiving spirit and doctrines of demons full of lies and hypocrisy and with a conscience that has been “seared with a hot iron.”

 

Who killed Dele Giwa?

 “If one person tells you it’s a horse, “goes the adage, “may be it is a horse, but if three people tell you it’s a horse- saddle up!”

 

Who killed Dele Giwa?

 

*****

- By Bayo Oluwasanmi

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

U.S Third Presidential Debate: Hillary Clinton Crushes Donald Trump

 Democratic Party presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton has defeated Donald Trump of the Republican Party in the third presidential debate as she approaches the election in high spirits.

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton

 

Hillary Clinton won the final presidential debate, topping Donald Trump by a 13-point margin according to a CNN/ORC poll of debate watchers, giving Clinton a clean sweep across all three of this year's presidential debates.

But Wednesday's debate watchers were closely divided on which candidate they trusted more on the issues most important to them.
Overall, 52% who watched tonight's matchup thought Clinton did the best job, to the 39% that thought Trump did. That's a tighter margin than in the first two debates. After the first debate, 62% of those who watched said Clinton won, 27% Trump, followed by a 57% Clinton to 34% Trump margin for the town hall debate held October 9.

Half of voters (50%) who watched Wednesday's debate said Clinton agreed with them more on the important issues, while 47% thought Trump did, but by wide margins, they thought Clinton had the better understanding of the issues, 61% to 31%, and was better prepared to handle the presidency, 59% to 35%.

Still, most said their minds weren't changed by tonight's debate, 54% of those who watched said it would have no effect on their vote, and those who did feel swayed were about evenly split between Trump (23%) and Clinton (22%).

 Voters who watched were divided on who would better handle the economy (50% said Clinton, 48% Trump), immigration (50% Trump to 48% Clinton), or nominations to the Supreme Court (49% said Trump, 48% Clinton). Clinton held a narrow edge on handling the federal budget (50% to 46%) while she held a wide advantage as better able to handle foreign policy (55% to 41%).

Trump was again seen as spending more time on the attack, by a 60% to 23% margin, and more said his attacks were unfair (43%) than said so of Clinton's jabs at Trump (34%). Even among Republicans, 41% said they considered Clinton's attacks on Trump's fair, but Democrats were not nearly as accepting of Trump's attacks on their nominee (19% said his attacks against Clinton were fair).

Watchers were split on who was more sincere and authentic during the debate, with 47% saying Trump was and 46% seeing Clinton that way. Clinton had a clear edge on this question after the first debate, 53% to 40%.

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

Association of Common Law Lawyers Extends Strike Indefinitely

A communique jointly signed by the Fako Lawyers' Association, Meme Lawyers' Association, Manyu Lawyers' Association and North West Lawyers' Association states that the strike action shall continue indefinitely subject only to a majority decision of the joint conference of the executives in a date to be agreed and announced. Here attached is the communique signed today by the four Presidents that make up the Association of Common Law Law Lawyers.  





















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

President of National Episcopal Conference Urges Paul Biya to relinquish

Archbishop Samuel Kleda

 Archbishop Samuel Kleda, the Archbishop of Douala who doubles as the President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon has urged President Paul Biya to quit power before the 2018. In making the demand, the Archbishop of Douala while granting an interview to Canal 2 International  described the plethora of memoranda from various groups across the country to the Presidency of the Republic the signs of the grief nationwide.

He said President Biya should take his retirement before the 2018 Presidential Election. "When we get old and we can no longer work, it means we have come to a point where, in order to save the country and for the good of the masses, we have to give way to some other person,” he said. 

He equally called on Cameroonians to accept the reality of the imminent exit of Biya and prepare grounds for fruitful national dialogue so as to save the country from imminent disintegration in the aftermath. He blamed the tension that is enveloping as fallout of a bad political system under Biya.“Presidential elections in this country have been plagued by fraud and vote rigging. This has prevented the right successor from being groomed. Electoral systems that are guided by democratic principles are the only sure way through which the younger generation can be groomed to succeed the older. Unfortunately, such a system has never existed in Cameroon,” Kleda lamented. “The way Cameroon is governed; is no different from the way a traditional ruler or chief runs his village. This is unfortunate for the entire country,” said Kleda.

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

Mfoundi Elite(s) at Each Other’s Throat over Memo to Biya

Political elite(s) of the Mfoundi Division (four ministers)have distant themselves from the memorandum allegedly signed patriarch Onambele Zibi which accused Biya of marginalization. The Mfoundi elite held an emergency meeting last week to analyze the stakes and implications of the memo before declaring their total for President Paul Biya. In reaction, Philippe Mbarga Mboa said they were not part of the mess and unpatriotic action.
For these elite Department of Mfoundi Division, Mfoundi is a heaven. "The Mfoundi said yes to Paul Biya and we remain faithful to him. In the Mfoundi, we are well-educated people and we do not talk anyhow, "insisted Minister, Mbarga Mboa.
Talking over Equinox TV, Onambele Zibi described the so-called political elites as hypocrites. He allegedly questioned whether it wasn’t Minister Mama Fouda who said the Bamilekes should leave Yaounde in 2014?

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

Not in the Kitchen: Aisha Buhari Glows in Europe as She Speaks for the Women (Photos)

Aisha Buhari has progressed with her mission in Europe as she makes yet another public appearance in an African outfit.

 

The rave of the moment, Aisha Buhari who has blossomed in popularity among the Nigerian masses for speaking up against the direction of her husband, President Muhammadu Buhari's administration has attended the African Women's Forum, Crans Montana in Brussels - Belgium.

 She was pictured alongside her team members stepping out of the high-profile Sheraton Hotel - Brussels. The reports concerning the conference are still sketchy but it was confirmed to be successful.

 See more photos as published by Sahara Reporters:

 

 

 

 

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

International Seminar on Renewal Energy to Hold in Nkambe

 Blaise Nkfunkoh Ndamnsah

Dr. Fabio Santoni

This project which is code named “Yellow Project: Develop energy from the sun” is an initiative of Nove Consulting Italy and Nove Consulting Cameroon seeks curb electricity problems in Donga Mantung Division through the introduction and installation of standalone solar modules.  The International seminar which has been scheduled for October 26, 2016 shall take place under the patronage of EuroAfricand, ANOLF and the Frontier Agricultural and Industrial Programme-FAINAP. According to Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh Ndamnsah (Project initiator/ Africa Team Nove Consulting) Donga Mantung elite based in Italy, the seminar will bring onboard Italian experts in renewal energy sector. The intention he added is to introduce Italian technologies and equipment in the solar energy sector which could be acquired at affordable rates. Accordingly, Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh said that the main speaker at the forthcoming International seminar shall be no other person than Dr. Fabio Santoni, the General Manager of Nove Consulting Italy and Cameroon cum main promoter of the project.  The awareness and sensitization seminar is also open to traditional rulers, chiefs, sub chiefs, business owners, quarter heads, heads of services, and everyone interested in solar energy.

The workshop is fruit of the collaboration between the Nkambe, Ndu, Misaje, Nwa, Ako and Misaje councils of Donga Mantun Division with its Italian partners. Though the seminar is opened to the general public, some of the key personalities expected at the seminar include amongst others, H.E Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, H.E Shey Jones Yembe and scores of other Donga Mantung elite(s) as well as traditional rulers. Participants, according to the project initiator shall have the opportunity to see the various standalone solar panels as well as the numerous technologies that is available to the public, it various prices as installation and maintenance techniques.

 


















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

International Seminar on Renewal Energy to Hold in Nkambe

Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh Ndamnsah

This project which is code named “Yellow Project: Develop energy from the sun” is an initiative of Nove Consulting Italy and Nove Consulting Cameroon seeks curb electricity problems in Donga Mantung Division through the introduction and installation of standalone solar modules.  The International seminar which has been scheduled for October 26, 2016 shall take place under the patronage of EuroAfricand, ANOLF and the Frontier Agricultural and Industrial Programme-FAINAP. According to Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh Ndamnsah (Project initiator/ Africa Team Nove Consulting) Donga Mantung elite based in Italy, the seminar will bring onboard Italian experts in renewal energy sector. The intention he added is to introduce Italian technologies and equipment in the solar energy sector which could be acquired at affordable rates. Accordingly, Ta Ngwang Blaise Nkfunkoh said that the main speaker at the forthcoming International seminar shall be no other person than Dr. Fabio Santoni, the General Manager of Nove Consulting Italy and Cameroon cum main promoter of the project.  This public awareness and sensitization workshop is also open to councilors, fons, chiefs, sub chiefs, quarter heads, business owners and the general public.

The workshop is fruit of the collaboration between the Nkambe, Ndu, Misaje, Nwa, Ako and Misaje councils of Donga Mantun Division with its Italian partners. Though the seminar is opened to the general public, some of the key personalities expected at the seminar include amongst others, H.E Dr. Fuh Calistus Gentry, H.E Shey Jones Yembe and scores of other Donga Mantung elite(s) as well as traditional rulers. Participants, according to the project initiator shall have the opportunity to see the various standalone solar panels as well as the numerous technologies that is available to the public, it various prices as installation and maintenance techniques.

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

Revealed: The Untold Story of the Deal that Yielded the Rescue of 21 Chibok Schoolgirls

An exclusive investigative report has revealed the untold story of the deal that gave birth to the peaceful release of 21 Chibok school girls by Boko Haram group on Thursday.

 

The release of 21 Chibok girls by the terrorist Boko Haram group Thursday was the culmination of more than two years of negotiation and perseverance by a team which first assembled about two years ago.

 The key actors who first initiated the process made their initial attempt to rescue the girls around July 2014, during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, but that effort floundered in the last minutes.

 The initial team comprised Shehu Sani, now a senator; rights activist, Fred Eno; a lawyer, Mustapha Zanna; the Nigerian Army, then led by Kenneth Minimah; the Swiss government; and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which was called in to play a neutral intermediary role.

 Mr. Sani, the sources said, began the process when he reached out to the Swiss Government through its Embassy in Nigeria and then linked them to Mr. Zanah who in turn connected the Swiss authorities and the International Committee of the Red Cross with the leadership of Boko Haram.

 Mr. Jonathan appointed elder statesman, Edwin Clark, to liaise with the team and government. After a few weeks of work, the team nearly secured the release of the girls in 2014.

 Highly placed sources familiar with the negotiation revealed at the time that the deal fell through due to the clumsy manner in which the Jonathan administration handled it.

“It boils down, basically, to three key issues: inflexibility and lack of realism on the part of the insurgent forces; lack of support for a negotiated settlement to the insurgency on the part of security forces; and what appears to be government’s acceptance that the security forces were right,” the sources said.

“The president desperately wanted the girls released, but politics of positioning stood in the way of progress,” Mr. Eno told Premium Times at the time.

 After the initial effort failed, according to our sources, Messrs Sani, Eno and Clark moved on to other things. But other members of the team remained tenacious and kept exploring available options for the release of the girls, this newspaper learnt.

 The State Security Service (SSS) led the fresh negotiation with the team using the existing line of dialogue established in 2014.

 The Nigerian military was left out of the initial negotiation after the Boko Haram leadership reportedly insisted it would have nothing with an organisation that had been killing its members, and had killed some of the Chibok girls in aerial bombardments.

It was learnt that the SSS was therefore enlisted to lead the negotiation, gather intelligence regarding the reliability of the release window and provide other support services essential to the operation.

 After a deal had been struck, the Red Cross was called in to meet the leadership of the sect as well as sight the girls.

 A date and location was then agreed for the release of the girls. On Wednesday, October 14, the military was contacted to deploy some of its men to a particular location in Banki, a border town in Bama local government area of Borno State, to pick up the 21 girls, officials said.

 The girls were released at 5:30 am on Thursday and immediately flown to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in a chopper.

 The Nigerian government announced the release of the girls on Thursday morning, hours after they were successfully received from insurgents in the highly confidential operation.

 The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, dismissed reports that the girls were rescued in exchange for top-level suspected Boko Haram detainees across the country.

 The release was a “product of painstaking negotiations and trust on both sides,” Mr. Mohammed said at a world press conference Thursday afternoon. “Please note that this is not a swap. It is a release.”

 Mr. Mohammed’s comments that the girls were not released based on a prisoner swap deal immediately sparked speculation that the government may have paid ransom.

 However, presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, denied that any ransom was paid.

 Mr. Buhari had repeatedly stated his willingness to rescue the girls even if it required swapping them with suspected terrorists in custody.

 

A government source said negotiations for the release of the remaining girls was continuing.

 

Credits: Premium Times

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

Int'l Red Cross Society Reveals Own Role in the Release of 21 Chibok Schoolgirls

The International Red Cross society has exclusively explained its role in the Boko Haram release of 21 of the over 200 Chibok school girls abducted by the terrorist group since 2014.

VP Yemi Osinbajo during his meeting with the released 21 schoolgirls in Abuja on Thursday

 

In an exclusive interview with Premium Times on Thursday, the Red Cross Society who reportedly collaborated with the Swiss Government and mediated in the release of the abducted Chibok girls, has explained its role in the Boko Haram release of the 21 school girls abducted by the terror group in 2014.

 Elodie Schindler, the spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Africa, said; “The role we played was neutral intermediary. We were not involved in the negotiation.

“What we usually do is when two parties are negotiating, we don’t get involved. But when they have struck a deal, they can then call us in to mediate,” he said.

 Ms. Schindler said when the Nigerian government and Boko Haram reached a deal, they contacted the Red Cross to come in, inspect, and receive the girls, adding that her organisation played no other role beyond that.

 The Red Cross was also involved in a 2014 negotiation between the Nigerian government, under President Goodluck Jonathan, and the terror group. 

 A former information minister and Ijaw leader, Edwin Clark, led the government team to the negotiation said to have been bungled at the last hour by the government‘s exuberant display of enthusiasm and excessive show of force.

 The Swiss Embassy is yet to speak on its role in the release of the girls.

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

Good News: Nigeria Government Offers Scholarship, Jobs to the 21 Freed Chibok Schollgirls

Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo has given the 21 released Chiboks renewed hope with the decision to cater for them educationally and otherwise.

Some of the 21 released Chibok Girls

 

The Federal Government has promised to take care of the education and job needs of the the 21 freed Chibok girls. The promise was made by the Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo while visiting the girls at the DSS Medical Centre, Abuja, where they were receiving medical attention on Thursday.

 According to a statement released by his spokesman, Mr. Laolu Akande, Osinbajo as saying that the government will make provisions for girls to go back to school and also provide employment for those who wish to work.

 He said, “You can’t immediately be taken out of here because we need to be sure that you are in very good health.

 “I am sure you are going to be very well taken care of. We have provided very good accommodation for you where you will stay where you will sleep and your parents will come and meet you there also.

“We are also going to see to it that everything that you require going forward, perhaps your education, those who need to go back to school, those who need to find employment, we are going to make sure that we make all the provisions for you.

“The Federal Government is very committed. The President in particular, has asked me to tell you, how excited he is. When you were away, he kept saying that if it were his daughter, he wouldn’t even know what to do.”

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

Photos, Full Names of the Released 21 Chibok Schoolgirls

There were tears of joy on Thursday when the freed 21 Chibok schoolgirls met with Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja.

 

Speaking with journalists on Thursday when he received the freed 21 Chibok schoolgirls at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters in Abuja with his wife, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said the President Buhari-led federal government would use the rescue of the 21 girls as template for the securing the freedom of others in captivity of the Boko Hama Islamic sect.

 “We must be sensitive to the fact that the government wants these girls back and alive. Again, we must balance this against the security and safety of the country.

“In the process of negotiation, we will look at all options and we will weigh the options carefully and decide what to do.

“We believe that in the next few days and months, we will be bringing in more of these girls using exactly the same kind of negotiation and the same template that we used,” he said.

 

 

VP Osinbajo also said that only one of the 21 girls had a baby.

 “About an hour ago, I met with the 21 Chibok girls who have been brought back and they are in good health, considering the circumstances they have been held in and they are now being well taken care of in a medical facility.

“They will be staying there for sometime until we are satisfied about their health. Their parents will be coming to join them, hopefully by tomorrow.

“There will be therapy, there will be counselling. Of course, we can imagine what they have gone through. So, we expect that a lot of psychological therapy and so much needs to be done to get them back,” he said. 

See more photos and video below

 

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

Read the Full Text of Aisha Buhari's Interview With BBC Hausa

 The wife of the President, Aisha Buhari recently courted controversy after granting an interview to the BBC Hausa Service in which she alleged that some people have hijacked her husband's government.

Mrs. Aisha Buhari

 

This is the full text of First Lady of Nigeria, Aisha Buhari's interview she granted to the BBC Hausa Service as translated by www.nishadi.tv.

 

BBC Hausa: It has been One and a half years since President Muhammadu Buhari came into power, a lot of people are expressing their unhappiness over the way few acquaintance of the President have hijacked power while neglecting people that work for his success. Like we have promised, here is how the interview with Aisha Buhari and Naziru Maka’ilu from Abuja goes.

 

BBC Hausa: People have goodwill towards President Muhammadu Buhari, especially looking at the things he did before, but since coming into power things have not been working the way they should, what do you thing is the cause?

 

Aisha Buhari:  I am not a government official, but in my opinion as a woman, a mother, what I think is it is well known that the first 4 years are not going to be easy. Firstly, it was people that brought the government into power. More than half of those people are not appointed into the government. Some people that are not politicians, not professionals were brought into the government. They don’t even know what we said we want and what we don’t during the campaign.  They even come out and say to people we are not politicians, but they are occupying the offices meant for politicians. Some have parted with their wives, some lost their children lost, some women too have parted with their husbands because of politics, a lot happened during the time. The way things are going I too I am not happy. We are just starting, we have not finished. Some people that worked for the government have been appointed. But those heading government agencies you can find one fighting his state governor, they contested together during election one in APC while in PDP.

 

BBC Hausa: Who are those doing these kinds of things?

 

Aisha Buhari: Everybody knows them. Those people should know that people voted singly. Even Buhari too had one vote. Nobody voted 5 times. 15.429 Million People. That one that people are thinking too, he had only some 2 or 3 people. I am pleading to them to have the people at heart and embrace everybody so that we can all move together. Not even now in 2016 or 17, lot of people are creating divisions within the APC, which is our source of concern. They think they have worked for the government while those appointed some of them had no voter’s card. What I fear is uprising of 15.4 million people.

 

BBC Hausa: Is the President aware some people are subverting his government?

 

Aisha Buhari: Whether he knows or he do not, those that voted for him knows.

 

BBC Hausa: But you are the most closest to him, did you tell him?

 

Aisha Buhari: There is nothing I can tell him, he is seeing things himself. Out of the people he has appointed, take 50, 45 of them I don’t know them. Perhaps he doesn’t know them too. I have been living with him for 27 years.

 

BBC Hausa: Do you think there are some people that are dictating to the President things to do, not him?

 

Aisha Buhari: That is what I am saying, those that know they don’t have voters card, they should give chance to those that have, they are the ones that struggled and knows what we want to do. Some of them if you go to a meeting with them they will tell you, we are not politicians, if somebody is wise, they will not accept to take any political office. They didn’t even work for it. Even if you are asked to, you should say it is not my profession.  Those places not headed by politicians will cause people discontent.

 

BBC Hausa: One would wonder to hear you say some people have hijacked the government without him knowing, but who do you think are those people?

 

Aisha Buhari: I don’t know them, I don’t know them. I don’t know them

 

BBC Hausa: But some people are calling names, saying 2 or 3 are the ones, do you that as well?

 

Aisha Buhari: Yes I agree. Because of those appointed apart from Fashola, Ameachi and some others, not much, I don’t know them, most of us too don’t know them, and he too does not know them

 

BBC Hausa: One would wonder that Buhari is not the one charge knowing him as a person who had leadership experiences, people would not believe.

 

Aisha Buhari: Yes it is surprising; nobody thought it is going to be like this. But now that it is so…sometimes when one is doing something wrong without him knowing, but when people talk to them, they should listen. Because in the future, whether he is going to contest or not, it is that same people that would vote for APC. We hope those people don’t come back, and everybody don’t hope so too

 

BBC Hausa: You said “Whether he is going to contest in the future or not”, has he disclose it to you whether he is standing or not?

 

Aisha Buhari: He didn’t tell me, but I have made up my mind.

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

Aisha Belongs in My Kitchen and Living room - President Buhari Reacts to His Wife's Controversial BBC Interview

President Muhammadu Buhari has officially reacted to his wife's much-talked about BBC exclusive interview, saying his wife, Aisha belongs in his kitchen and bedroom.

 While speaking with journalists in Germany, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently in the country on an official visit, has responded to an interview his wife, Aisha granted the BBC, where she said that her husband's government had been hijacked by those who did not labour to put him there.

 We had earlier reported that in an exclusive interview with BBC Hausa service, the wife of the president, Aisha, also said that she might not support her husband under the present circumstances if he seeks re-election in 2019.

"The president does not know 45 out of 50, for example, of the people he appointed and I don't know them either, despite being his wife of 27 years.

"Some people are sitting down in their homes folding their arms only for them to be called to come and head an agency or a ministerial position," Mrs Aisha was quoted to have told BBC.

 

President Buhari when he arrived Germany late on Thursday

 

According to TheCable News, while reacting to his wife's comments to newsmen in Germany the president who is on a three-day visit to the country, said;

“I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room,” he joked.

“I claim superior knowledge over her and the rest of the opposition, because in the end I have succeeded. It is not easy to satisfy the whole Nigerian opposition parties or to participate in the government,” Buhari said.

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