‘I’m not ready to attack Jonathan yet, but he misruled us’

Gbagi

Lawyer, criminologist and former Minister of State for Education under President Goodluck Jonathan, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on the new administration and where Jonathan missed the mark. Excerpts:

What’s your take on the state of the nation?

I believe that a nation that went down to the level we got to under the last administration will find it difficult to get out of it hale and hearty. I believe Dr Goodluck Jonathan is, in fact, a lucky man that President Muhammadu Buhari won the election. We had reached the end of the road under him.

That we had a change of government, itself, had given us a breather. What the breather means is that we have a better hope than before. A lot of Nigerians now expect something as against when we had no expectation. What we are looking for now is how President Buhari will get us out of the messy situation we are in.

They have started arresting some criminals. What we had in the past were inconclusive arrests and investigations. We must make people account for what they did. Our security agencies must arrest looters. Instead of just taking money from them, we must take the current arrests to a logical conclusion.

You were part of the Jonathan’s years. Are you dissociating yourself from the failures of that administration?

I became a minister in that government by a lot of interferences. For instance, when I refused to be a minister, no less a person than Theophilus Danjuma was contacted to prevail on me. I accepted the appointment and worked for Nigeria. The duty of Jonathan was to appoint, mine was to work. I did my work unblemished.

However, there were things in government that went on while I was there and after I had left that I dissociate myself from. I’m dissociating myself from the infractions of the government.

I want Nigerians to know that there are people in this country who have made money and had wealth before going into government.

The former president himself said several times that he didn’t know I was that wealthy before I joined his government.

The point is I’m not directing any attack at anybody but what I’m saying is that the country was misruled and if Jonathan was my father or brother, I will say so. I won’t keep quiet when things are bad. You will recall I told Jonathan two months before the elections that there was no way he could come back.

Do you think the steps Buhari have taken so far are taking us back to the right tracks?

As somebody in the business world, I will say that Buhari himself might not have done something but the fact that you cannot carry $100,000 to the president for any favour has put a different orientation into our heads that it is no longer business as usual. It is clear that at over 70, Buhari will never get to a stage where he would have any other interest at heart than the good of Nigeria.

But some have alleged that 95 percent of his appointments are from a section of a country where he comes from. What’s your take on that?

There are appointments that the President has to make under constitutional conditionality but there are some that are strictly under his prerogative. We can compare him with other former presidents of Nigeria and see if he had done anything different. You cannot appoint a Minister of Niger Delta from Lagos. It is not possible because the constitution has taken care of that. But if you talk about some appointments, it is based on what the President wants.

For the first time in the nation’s history, the president and the head of the electoral commission are from the same region. Will this augur well?

I can confirm to you that Amina Zakari will never be chairperson of INEC. A government’s business cannot be left in a vacuum. When the last chairman was leaving, somebody necessarily must take over in an acting capacity. What we have is a transition to a different government.

In a country where the President is inundated with many criminals, he has to take his time to appoint the right person for an important agency as INEC.

But I can assure you that Buhari is too sensible to make Amina the substantive INEC chairperson no matter how competent she is. The history of Nigeria has made it that the President and the INEC chair always come from different regions. Amina is only bidding time in INEC. She will go when Buhari finds a competent person.

What about the appointment of the Department of State Services (DSS) Director-General, a man from the President’s village, more or less a cousin?

Nigerians must learn to remove pettiness from our reactions. Given the sensitive nature of this country, in terms of coups and counter-coups, it has become a practice to appoint someone you can trust as DSS chief.

Let me start by saying that Daura is a wonderful and honest man. He has not been found wanting or accused of corruption. We have had several instances of Presidents only entrusting security to persons they are comfortable with.

The former DG SSS, Sunday Areh, was dismissed for allegedly plotting a coup. He was a Lt. Col when he was dismissed from the military. He was brought back by former President Obasanjo. Areh was like his son. He became DG DSS.

Lt. General Patrick Azazi was appointed as Director of Military Intelligence, then National Security Adviser (NSA) because former President Jonathan believed in him. Azazi was from Jonathan’s region. Every major appointment in the security forces then were coordinated by Azazi. That was what the former President was comfortable with.

The point is that today people feel comfortable with certain persons. Nigeria has become so distrustful that you need persons you can trust for certain roles. So, what is wrong with Daura who left the service voluntarily because he couldn’t cope with the level of corruption?

So, the President has not done anything wrong by picking a man who left the service voluntarily. We have to be careful with many of the things said in the social media because most of the activists are sponsored and paid by certain vested interests.

Are you not bothered that Buhari is taking eternity to form a cabinet?

Let me tell you that because of the level of rottenness in the polity, you have to be extra careful with some appointments. I know that Nigerians can be impatient. We are becoming restless. What Buhari is going through is as a result of the distrust we have for our leaders.

Do you agree with Buhari’s limiting his probe of past administrations to Jonathan’s government?

Buhari has no business going to probe Obasanjo regime. It will just be an unnecessary and irresponsible distraction, because whatever Obasanjo did, Yar’ Adua came, and I can tell you I worked with Yar’ Adua. I was then the Chairman of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria and in my meetings with Yar’ Adua he would have probed Obasanjo.

I can tell you that without making mistakes. And Obasanjo knows himself that Yar’ Adua would have probed him. If Yar’ Adua did not probe him, Jonathtan came and did not probe him then that government is gone and gone.

Whatever Obasanjo did in his government obviously will have effect on Yar’ Adua/Jonathan’s government and if they felt that there was nothing wrong and nothing to probe that was the business of that government.

But whatever happened in Jonathan’s government has direct and immediate bearing and consequences on this government. It is a back- to- back government. Buhari has a duty to probe Jonathan. And in any case what is wrong with that? I was a minister before, what is wrong in probing me? Why is anybody afraid of Buhari’s probe? What is causing anxiety over the issue of Daura now?  Why are they afraid? If your hands are clean, why are you afraid of probe? I have properties all over Nigeria and abroad. I have every cheque that I have received in my life as a human being. So, why is anybody afraid of probe?

Are you still open to returning to politics?

It destroyed all my businesses. I can play an advisory role. I can play roles that are not directly opposed to my successes, my business successes in life. I don’t think I want to be involved. I am too old now. At 53, I should bow out.

What then happens to the infatuation you have of ruling Delta, which you are passionate about?

 I am still passionate. We have a governor who is my friend, who we all started the party together. Let us see him succeed instead of heating up the polity of Delta State. I am very certain that is what we need to do right now.

But as God wishes, if He calls you, you cannot reject. But I am saying that I won’t go to anybody; that I have never done before to submit my CV to beg for appointment that I want to work for you.

You didn’t lobby to be a minister?

Never! I did not. EK Clark was the one who insisted that I must be a minister. He did everything possible and I said I will not be. When it became so bad he spoke to my friend Theophilus Danjuma to persuade me.

Some persons are of the opinion that you are attacking Jonathan because he removed you as a minister?

It is very childish for anybody to make such statement. Jonathan himself feels guilty that he will have to leave politics for nothing. We held that administration and made it work without any interest. Jonathan has not given me one kobo in my life; I was the one who spent my personal money and I am not attacking him.

If you see all my discussions, I have not attacked him. If I have to do so, I have enough reasons to do so because I have enough facts to do so but I have not gotten to that stage yet .

The Nation

Wow! Check out how the military disciplined one of its Army officers (photo)

Check this out guys,  Saw this online and decided to share it.  This Army officer was disciplined military  style.  Is this right or wrong guys?

Australia Cities rally to Support Same Sex Marriage

Thousands of people rallied in Australian cities over the weekend in support of same-sex marriage, as politicians across multiple parties prepared to submit a bill to make the unions a legal right.

More than 4,000 gathered in central Sydney Sydney in a colourful march, chanting “Put the bill, pass the bill, marriage rights now!” and carrying banners reading “Love is love”.

“We’re going to come back to the streets again and again until we win,” march organiser Rachel Evans from activist group Community Action Against Homophobia told the cheering crowd.

Similar rallies were held in Perth on Sunday and in Brisbane and Hobart on Saturday. Supporters of marriage equality will hold rallies in Melbourne and Adelaide next weekend.

Similar rallies were held in Perth on Sunday and in Brisbane and Hobart on Saturday. Supporters of marriage equality will hold rallies in Melbourne and Adelaide next weekend.

"This is the height of the campaign," Evans told AFP in Sydney. "It's one of the largest rallies."

One of those taking part, Matthew Higgs, said he was raised by his mother and her partner and wanted equal rights for them.

"She's been with her partner for a long time," he told AFP.

Sally Rugg, with activist group GetUp, told the crowd that support for the issue went beyond marriage rights and sent a message to the community that gay people were accepted.

A backbencher from the ruling Liberal Party -- seconded by an opposition Labor representative and with co-sponsors from other parties -- was set to introduce a marriage equality bill as parliament resumes this week.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a staunch Catholic who opposes changes to the Marriage Act, last month played down prospects of the private member's bill being debated and voted on in parliament.

His conservative government is opposed to gay marriage and the party has previously refused to allow a conscience vote among its members, in contrast to the Labor opposition.

A vote on the issue in 2012 was defeated 98-42 after Abbott -- whose sister Christine is gay -- did not allow his MPs, then in opposition, to break party lines.

But there has been increasing support for same-sex marriage, with a poll last year finding those in favour of equal rights had reached a record high of 72 percent.

There has also been growing pressure on the issue following the US Supreme Court's recent ruling legalising same-sex marriage nationwide, and Ireland's referendum in favour of gay marriage.

Local celebrities including Hollywood actor Hugo Weaving are set to star in a series of "We Can Do This" television advertisements airing from Sunday and supported by gay rights group Australian Marriage Equality.

FRSC Confirmed, 14 people Dead In Ebonyi road accident.

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), on Sunday confirmed the death of 14 persons in an auto crash that occurred on Saturday at Amasiri Secondary School junction, along Afikpo-Okigwe road in Ebonyi.

Mr Roland Ogbuke, Afikpo Unit Commander of FRSC , told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the accident involved an articulated vehicle and a 14-seater bus.

According to him, the bus was conveying members of the Assemblies of God Church, Isu in Ohaoazara Local Government Area, who were returning from a burial.

“We received a distress call on Saturday and immediately mobilised my rescue officers to the scene of the incident. 

The Guardian. 

Kim Kardashian displays a boob photo to celebrate 42 mil followers.

Kim Kardashian shares this hot boobs  photo with her followers,  to celebrate reaching 42 follower on Instagram page.

Photo credit :Instagram

Murder Crime :A mother Throws Her New Born baby from a fourth-floor window of their New York City apartment.

A newborn baby was killed when his mother tossed him from a fourth-floor window of their New York City apartment building and he landed on courtyard pavement 40 feet below, a prosecutor said Saturday in announcing her arrest on a murder charge.

Rashida Chowdhury, 21, was awaiting arraignment a day after 3-week-old Rizwan Ahmad was found dead in a onesie on the barren courtyard of the Queens building.

"This is a truly horrific and disturbing case," Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said. "The alleged actions of the defendant are totally incomprehensible."

Medical examiners ruled the baby's death a homicide, saying he died of blunt impact injuries and had suffered skull fractures and lacerations to his brain, liver and spleen.

Neighbor Mazol Ilyayeva told reporters she heard something fall around 4 a.m. Friday and then saw the child's lifeless, bloody body in the courtyard.

"I couldn't move. I couldn't scream," she said. "I couldn't even look. ... It's horrible."

She said the parents had seemed stricken as they stood in the courtyard afterward.

"The mom was holding the husband," Ilyayeva said. "Their faces were blank."

It was unclear if Chowdhury had a lawyer who could comment on the charges; no telephone number could immediately be found for her Queens apartment.

AP

Adams Oshiomole and his pretty wife Iara in Zambia

The couple attended  the opening of Dangote cement in Zambia last week. Beautiful couple. 

Photo credit :Dele Moody 

People think I'm Gay - Emma Oh My God

Emmanuel Edunjobi, also known as Emma Oh My God, is behind the popular comedy skit, There is God O! He talks about his foray into comedy

Your style of comedy is different, what influenced it?

I have always loved music and I like to make people laugh. I looked for a way to infuse music into my jokes. I used to do stand-up comedy, but it is difficult to tell original jokes in Nigeria. 

I decided to change my style in 2007, while I was in school. I told a joke, and my girlfriend who just got back from Abuja told me she had heard the joke somewhere else and asked me to stop stealing people’s jokes.

 I decided that since I could play musical instruments and loved music too, I could use that to make it difficult for people to steal my work.

Does that mean you are no longer scared of having your jokes stolen?

With the way I tell my jokes, I am no longer scared of having them stolen. It would be really obvious if someone did that.

Since you have a flair for music, would you add music to your list of craft?

Before I started my popular comedy skits, I was into music but it was known to only a few people. I decided to focus on the comedy because the skits went viral and I gained more popularity with it.

How did you develop the love for entertainment?

I could say it started from childhood. I was the kind of child that used to stay at home because my parents did not let me go out often. While at home, I found ways to keep myself busy, like finding instruments to make music with. 

Also at that period, my mum when through a lot and I always tried to make her laugh using my music. I realised that I had the talent. When I gained admission to the university, I became the most sought-after comedian in school.

What course did you study in school?

I studied Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Covenant University, Ota and I graduated in 2010. I have yet to collect my certificate from the school. I discovered my passion while I was a student at the university, but the major challenge I had was that I missed classes a couple of times.

Do you have an interest in Nollywood as well?

Hopefully, I intend to join Nollywood soon. I am starting my own television series too, but I have been approached by a lot of Nollywood producers that want me to come on their set.

Have you ever been chided by the celebrities you mimic in your skits?

I do not really mimic them, but I make a parody of their songs. I have yet to get into trouble with any of them. Rather, I get commended for my works and artistes now want me to do a parody of their songs as a marketing strategy. My parody makes their songs more popular and it encourages me.

Does your style give you an edge over other comedians?

I believe everybody is good in his or her own way. As long as you are real and your jokes are original, the sky is your limit. The sky is big enough for everyone.

How do you generate the jokes?

I could get inspiration for the jokes while I am busy with something else. I only sit and think of ideas for the jokes when I want to start a comedy series.

Your skit on Dame Patience Jonathan, made you popular…

The major skit that made me popular was my version of Davido’s Aye. But, I was the first person that made a skit on Dame Patience Jonathan when the Chibok schoolgirls got missing. People already knew me before then, but it made me more popular.

Were you not sceptical about mimicking a First Lady?

The skit was done in a diplomatic way; it was meant to be hilarious and not to spite her. Also, I tried not to attach it to the missing Chibok schoolgirls. I am always very diplomatic about doing comedy on sensitive issues.

Was your family in support of your decision to do comedy?

My mum has always supported me. She bought me my first set of instruments in school. She also loved that I did well in school and encouraged me in my craft. She was more proud whenever she stepped out and people told her about my jokes.

How would you describe your growing up years?

Growing up was meant to be tough, but my mother tried to make life easier for us. She provided everything we had in life and I do not know if things would have been better if I had a dad. Generally, it was adventurous, although my mum went through a lot and it was a tough time for her.

You seem to leave out your dad in the picture…

My dad had another wife and never really lived with us. Although, I heard he was always proud of me and always talked about me, but we were not really close. He died in 2002.

How do you handle your female fans?

I am used to being liked by girls. I used to get a lot of attention in school, but I have been getting more of it lately and it is normal. I do not have any difficulty handling them.

Would you consider yourself a womaniser?

No, I am not. Although to an extent, it would be awkward if I do not get any attention from ladies. I do not take undue advantage of it. 

Some of the people who like me have been useful to me, mutually. The more you are liked by your fans, the better for you.

You were a cross-dresser in one of your videos, have you been wooed by gays?

The major cross-dressing I did was in Davido’s Ayebut the others were mild. However, I have been hit on by gays at one point or the other. 

Sometimes, people look at me and they think I am gay. The major encounter I had was a chat I had on Blakberry Messenger. The guy got my pin, added me and started chatting with me as he would with a girl. Initially, I thought he was a girl because he kept calling me pet names.

 When I became curious, I asked him to send his picture and I discovered he was a mature guy. I told him off and deleted him. I also posted it on my Instagram wall as well. I am not trying to judge gays, but I am very homophobic.

How do you handle fame?

I do not really think I am famous yet, but it still has its negative and positive sides. People always want to take pictures with me, elderly people pray for me and I have gotten access to some CEOs of major companies.

 But sometimes, some people could give negative feedback that could tear you down, especially on social media but I have learnt to deal with it.

Do you have any plans for a baby mama?

My plans are to get married and have a child. I do not want to have a child outside wedlock. I am not judging anyone because one can get carried away at any time, but I try to have self-control.

Are you saying that marriage is in the pipeline?

I am not saying there is a plan for marriage at the moment. There would be someone very soon though.

Do you have any workout routine?

I do not work out because I am always too busy, but I jog once in a while.

How would you consider your style?

I am not very fashion-conscious. I wear what suits me. I have stylists and designers that clothe me when I have an event to attend. I am not always found wanting in the style department.

PUNCH. 

(photos) Rihanna puts her sexy body on display as she enjoys a day of watersports in Barbados alongside 'love interest' Lewis Hamilton

They recently sparked dating rumours when they were seen cosying up at the Kadooment Day event in Barbados on Sunday.

And Rihanna and Lewis Hamilton did nothing to hinder the speculation as the pair were spotted partaking in watersports together as they continued to enjoy life on the sun-soaked Caribbean island on Friday.

Joined by a group of friends, the duo looked to be having the time of their lives as they surfed the waves on a catamaran, though opted against sharing the same inflatable.

Lewis has been linked with a number of women including model Kendall Jenner since splitting with Nicole Scherzinger in February after an eight-year on/off romance. 

Skimpy: The mystery lady put her pert derrière on full display as she flaunted her enviable assets about the boat in a yellow and pink thong bikini. 

Getting to know each other: Lewis chatted away to the blonde haired beauty who wore a bright sequin bikini for her day on the boat with her famous pals. 

Sharing tunes? The gorgeous lady seemed to be wiring up her phone with Lewis, as the two could have decided to listen to each other's music choices. 

MailOnline. 

Check out Don Jazzy Reaction, when Wikipedia said he is 46 years old.

Wikipedia mentioned Don Jazzy's as 46years old.  Don Jazzy reacted saying " Hahahahahaha I don't Laugh die for here. See my age ooo. Haha naaaa. Who do this to me? Lol! It has been corrected since then to 32 years old.

Sex workers in Ogun battle ritual killers

Ritual killers are on the prowl in Ogun State. Last Sunday, they killed a commercial sex worker identified as Sitira. SAMUEL AWOYINFA X-rays the incident

It was some few minutes past 9pm last Monday.

 The location was the frontage of Iwe Iroyin, the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, at Oke Ilewo area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The two restaurants in the premises brimmed with fun lovers who were unwinding after the day’s work. Music blared from the speakers in one of the restaurants as cars were driven into the premises.

Suddenly, a dirge was heard from a distance. There was pandemonium as everyone rushed towards the main entrance to know those singing. It was a spectacle.

Scores of young ladies, dressed in black attire, held brightly-lit candles.

They wept, sang and cursed. On a closer look, many of the on-lookers identified the ladies as the commercial sex workers who are regular callers to the secretariat and its environs.

The group of commercial sex workers held the candlelight procession in honour of their colleagues murdered by an unknown customer. The victim was identified as Sitira.

During the procession, they ventilated their grievances on the spate of the killing of prostitutes in Abeokuta for ritual purposes.

Sitira, 23, was said to have been murdered last Sunday by suspected ritual killers while her remains were dumped at a refuse site. 

Eyewitness said her remains were dropped from a moving Sport Utility Vehicle at Oloomore junction, Abeokuta in the early hours of that fateful day.

A chunk of flesh was severed off her right arm by her killers. The protesting sex workers, numbering about 50, identified their slain colleague with different names such as Titi and Folake.

They sang, “Oro nla leda, oro nla leda, eyin tepa Titi, t’eje odagba, oro nla leda. Omo yin maku, Omo yin maku, eyin tepa Titi t’eje odagba, omo yin maku.”

When translated literally, it means, ‘‘You have done something grievous by killing Titi prematurely. 

The killers of Titi (Sitira) have done something grievous. Their children will die, those that killed Titi will lose their children.”

They later departed for the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, another spot where they ply their trade to continue mourning.

 Speaking with journalists, some of them claimed that aside Sitira, another colleague was killed in the same manner and her mutilated body was discovered in a ditch at the same Olomoore, Abeokuta.

They stated that they were not unaware of the antics of the suspected ritual killers who are currently on the prowl, and they would do anything to check their activities.

Our correspondent, who posed as a customer spoke to some of them at Iwe Iroyin and the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto.

They expressed anger about the development, vowing to go diabolical to bring the suspects to book.

For someone like Ajike (not her real name), no amount of money would make her follow any ‘client’ to his home again.

“I have vowed that nothing would make me follow any customer home again. That is why they have been able to kill some of us for rituals. It’s either they follow me to where I stay or we go to a hotel. 

If our dead colleagues had brought these men to the places we operate (hotels), this wickedness would not have taken place,” she said.

Another prostitute, who identified herself as ‘Tee baby,’ expressed grief over the death of their colleagues. While hitting her hands on her chest, she said she was ready to challenge any ritual killer who crosses her path.

She said, “Any ritual killer, who attempts to take my life will be punished. If he thinks that I am a prostitute and has no worth, I am going to make sure he does not live to tell his own story. 

I am saying it now and confirming it, that as far as we are concerned here in Stadium, my babes (colleagues) are ready for them. They should come with their charms. We will deal with them. 

I will no longer follow anyone to anywhere other than a hotel. Now, we are potent as a bomb.”

Abimbola, another sex worker, told our correspondent that she saw Sitira being driven away in an exotic car the night she was murdered.

“She was with another prostitute and they entered one fine car that night. I was shocked to learn that Titi was dead. In fact, I have decided to fortify myself spiritually since this is the only job I do and I have not been able to secure any good job aside prostitution.

“But as far as they cannot get me a job, they cannot stop me from prostitution. The only thing they have succeeded in doing is that they have called my attention to the fact that I am too far from my spiritual fathers and mothers. Anyone who knows any ritual killer should let them know that it is payback time. 

They should come with their charms, we are ready for them.”

Sidikat who is also a prostitute preferred to rain curses on the ritual killers who murdered her colleagues. She said, “None of them will live up to old age, and they shall use their own hands to bury their own children.”

She added, “I will however be more cautious of the men I follow to hotels. But any of them nursing any evil thoughts will meet their waterloo with me. I am set to do the unthinkable with them. 

I know they (ritual killers) will still come around, but they should remember that every day is for the thief, one day will be for the owner. I will not say more than that.”

The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, on Thursday read the riot act to ritual killers, cult members and other criminals in the state.

Ali stated, “I have told my men to shoot any cult member or ritual killers caught in action. We will no longer tolerate all these killings.

“So many developmental activities have taken place in the state. So many companies are in the state and some expatriates are here. These activities might scare them.”

Punch.