Dame Patience Jonathan thanks God

Those who operate in the public arena must understand that lying to the people who elected them is a grave matter. If the Presidency considered the illness of the First Lady a 'private' matter, why did they decide to make the celebration of her recovery a 'public' event?

Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited

Michael Jegede, a media practitioner wrote this piece about the abandonment of Ajaokuta Steel Company, a parastatal under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development and after reading, decided to post it here for all to read. Ajaokuta is a Nigerian government's company that is supposed to be producing steel of all sizes and other allied products. But like the writer pointed out, the government has deliberately allowed it to rot. No willpower by the government to fight the superpowers who are bent on stopping production on the plant.

'THE careless abandonment of the Ajaokuta Steel Company (ASCO) by the federal government, after spending about $7billion (US dollars) on the project, with less than one $1billion (US dollars) to complete it has for some time been an issue of great concern to most Nigerians; particularly those who are versed enough to know what we are losing as a nation from not ensuring the full operation of the steel complex.

All over the world, steel development is believed to be an essentially fundamental component to enhance economic growth. This is why many countries, including third world nations, have continued to do everything possible to ensure the sustenance of their steel sector. The case in Nigeria is evidently different as we seem to have closed our eyes to the numerous benefits derivable from having a sound and robust steel sector.

The New Sole Administrator, Engineer Joe Isah Successive governments, for instance, have heedlessly abandoned the Ajaokuta steel project, not minding its strategic role to the industrialization of our great country, and the significant growth and development it can bring to the economy.

In October 2002, Secretary-General of African Iron and Steel Association (AISA), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, an expert on iron and steel matters, had in a paper observed as follows: “To industrialize, there is the need to have a sound industrial base. This will provide the solid foundation on which the industrial super-structure will be built. This industrial base is nothing other than a well-developed iron and steel industry that will be producing such critical industrial raw materials as: Cast iron (different categories); rods and bars (both high tensile and mild steel varieties); wires (in all its ramifications); structural steels (light, medium and heavy structural); flat sheet steels (plain and galvanized, and also the entire spectrum classified as flats); stainless and other special alloy steels; rails and pipes; plates (various sizes in width and thickness)”.

For Sanusi, it is only governments that can provide the initial developmental funds in view of the high capital costs and the long gestation period of steel projects. This, he noted, is the trend worldwide where all pioneer steel industries and accompanying infrastructures of any nation are public-owned.

Explaining further, the steel pundit had said: “It is after several such facilities are available and have proven themselves in a country; then the industry is privatised to allow the government to move on to other strategic areas of development. “This is how today’s industrialised nations became what they are.

Taking cognizance of the above, many third world countries followed suit and have been able to lift their economies away from third world poverty and starvation, and seriously threatening the developed countries of the world in economic wellbeing for their people. A few examples will suffice, thus; India, South Korea, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Algeria, Libya, Turkey, Venezuela, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Mexico. The steel projects in all these countries started as serious national projects, with their Governments taking active interest in the steel development.”

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru (1889-1964), first Prime Minster of India, who worked with Mahatma Gandhi to achieve Independence from British rule called the giant steel structures in Bhilai, Durgapur and Ruerkela in the late fifties, the “Temples Of Modern India”. Nehru must have made that pronouncement to demonstrate how much value and importance he attached to steel development.

Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Venezuela, Indonesia and Mexico are oil producing countries with excellent oil reserves. Yet, they deemed it fit to also have developed viable steel industries. In Nigeria, we have continued to depend solely on crude oil and refused to diversify our economy. Even though we have other numerous natural resources at our disposal, we choose to remain a monolithic economy with strong dependence on the oil sector.

This obsession, as it were, has made our economy to be susceptible to external manipulation and it negatively affects the planning horizons in the country.

Senator Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman, an accomplished professional with a wide range of experience in engineering, agriculture and management consultancy, visited ASCO and National Iron Ore Mining Company (NIOMCO), Itakpe, last year to assess the facilities on ground in the firms, he argued vehemently that with proper development, the steel sector can conveniently rival the oil sector. In fact, the Senator representing Kogi Central in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, where ASCO and NIOMCO are located, said he would not go to sleep until the project fully comes to fruition, simply due to what he believes it owns not just for the people of his constituency, but for the country at large.

The Senator had pointed out: “Nigeria for the past nine years has spent over N2.1 trillion to import steel into the country. This shows that the country would have saved a lot of money if the Ajaokuta steel company was working. So, Ajaokuta Steel project is a must-do deal.”

The eventual discovery of good iron ore deposits in Itakpe in 1973 led to the formal signing of the Global contract for the implementation of the Ajaokuta steel project between the Federal Government of Nigeria and Messrs Tyajzhpromexport (TPE) of the defunct USSR on July 13, 1979 during the Administration of General Olusegun Obasanjo as Military Head of State. It was originally programmed for completion in 1986. But a combination of factors including policy inconsistency and massive corruption was responsible for the failure to meet the deadline.

Upon assumption of office in 1985, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) visited the Ajaokuta Steel Complex, and in 1986 he signed a new protocol agreement on the project with the same TPE, rescheduling its completion date to 1989. This target date was equally never met and operations at ASCO and NIOMCO had to be halted in 1992. Amazingly, the project was said to have reached 98 per cent technical completion before work on it was stopped.

With an estimated $7 billion already engulfed by the Ajaokuta Steel Company since the contract for the project was awarded in 1979, and about $650 million required for it to become fully operational, enlightened Nigerians, have contended in different fora that it would make much sense for it to be completed. Minister of National Planning, Shamsudeen Usman, for instance, had in the course of his ministerial screening on the floor of the Senate last year, wept for Nigeria on what has become of the largest integrated steel company in West Africa. He was responding to a question on the Ajaokuta Steel Company raised by Senator Abatemi-Usman, the young engineer turned politician, who appears to have become a champion for steel development in the country. The minister lamented that in spite of the huge amount of money spent on the scheme, there was nothing on ground in the steel firm to show for it.

A presentation by an official of ASCO during the visit of the 41-year-old lawmaker to the Company, painted a pathetic picture of the position of Nigeria in steel production among some countries of the world. It showed Nigeria as the least in the ranking of 41 countries according to the volume of steel production as at 2008. While China produced 489 million tonnes of steel in 2008, United States 97, United Kingdom 16, South Africa 9 and Australia 8, Nigeria could only manage to produce 0.30.

According to data provided by the World Steel Association (WSA), the total world crude steel production in 2010 was 1,413.6 million metric tonnes (mmt). China, which is at present the largest steel producing country in the world, accounted for 626.7 mmt (44.3%) of world steel production in 2010. Nigeria is not on the WSA 2010 list of 40 countries ranked on the basis of steel production volume, which showed that Venezuela the least produced 2.2 mmt. Irrefutably, Nigeria would have been among the top 10 countries in terms of steel production, if only we had properly harnessed the great potentials in our steel industry, and our economy would have been better for it.

The same TPE which had a frustrating encounter with the Nigerian authorities on the Ajaokuta Steel Company, commissioned and delivered on schedule similar steel projects in China and other countries, where steel development have had significant impact in the advancement of their economies.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the economic wellbeing of Nigeria will be enhanced to a large extent if there is the willpower on the part of government to make Ajaokuta Steel come to life. The project if completed is said to have the capacity to engage over two millions Nigerians directly and indirectly.

The high rate of unemployment in Nigeria is partly responsible for the destructive spiral of violence and criminal activities across the country. Nigeria’s unemployment rate increased to 23.9 percent in 2011 compared with 21.1 percent in 2010 and 19.7 percent in 2009 as revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in January this year. 23.9 per cent of our population of over 160 million is about 38 million. Do we therefore need to be told that it will be a worthwhile investment to complete the abandoned ASCO/NIOMCO project?

President Goodluck Jonathan at his presidential electioneering campaign rally in 2011 in Lokoja, Kogi State, clearly agreed with the position of many Nigerians when he said: “One thing that is dear to Nigerians is the Ajaokuta Steel Complex and until we revive that complex, we cannot talk about Vision 20:2020. This is because for you to play big globally, you must industrialize and for you to industrialize you must produce steel. The Ajaokuta complex must be revived.”

With this comment of Mr. President, it is expected that by now he would have marched his words with action by showing total commitment to the actualization of the project that is capable of turning around our economy in line with his much-proclaimed transformation agenda. But we really have not seen much in that regard. In the 2012 and 2013 appropriation bill, nothing was allocated for capital budget in ASCO and NIOMCO, except for the infinitesimally paltry N50 million for both companies in 2012 and N47.34 million in the 2013 budget which is still before the National Assembly for consideration.

I am absolutely worried about the pitiable condition of Ajaokuta Steel Company having visited the complex. I am therefore calling on our federal legislators to use the power vested in them by the constitution to make provisions for a substantial amount of money for the project in their ongoing scrutiny of the 2013 budget proposal presented to them by the President.'

Surviving Cheating!

Read an article few minutes ago about a young woman who reacted violently to her husband's infidelity.  This affected her health and she was institutionalised for weeks before she became calmer and better. I feel for her. No woman wants to be cheated on and lied to. In her case, her husband continued the relationship despite their marriage and it was a common knowledge to her other friends and no one wanted to tell her. When she found out, she reacted badly and became a serious medical issue for her family. 

Why will anyone allowed herself to be institutionalised because of a man? I know it hurts but hurting yourself again by being violent and allowing your BP to rise is not the way to go. That is adding salt to injury. I know its not easy but Woman take it easy. If you die, the man will go ahead and probably marry the lady you caught him with cheating against you. 

I now remembered an article i read two years ago on how to deal with cheating spouses. Cheating by African men is very common. In fact not only in Africa but all over the world. Its just that in Africa, polygamy is accepted as culture and a man sleeping with many women at a time is regarded as virile and wealthy to be able to cater for all those women at the same time. 

The article was Expert Cheating Advice by Jessica Padykula. I saved it on my desktop because it was simple to read and very instructive. 

He cheated. Now what? If you've recently discovered your spouse was unfaithful, your head is probably spinning. To help you handle the initial shock and avoid an anxiety-induced meltdown, we've put together six survival strategies for dealing with a cheater. 

For expert input, we turned to argument and affairs expert Sharon Rivkin, author of 'Breaking the Argument Cycle: How to Stop Fighting Without Therapy'. 
She outlines six steps to follow when you first find out your partner has cheated.

Take deep Breathe

Finding out that your partner has cheated can be a serious shock, especially if you didn't suspect or see it coming. Ward off panic by taking some really deep breaths, Rivkin advises. This may seem like an overly simplistic first step, but it's an extremely effective way to help shift from panic mode to functionality. Unless you breathe deeply, you're going to continually feed your panic and it will be much harder to calm down. "When you're not breathing deeply, your brain is deprived of oxygen and your body tenses, feeding the cycle," she explains. "The probability of making bad decisions increases." 

Confront the cheater

Depending on how you found out, you need to confront the cheater. Sitting on the information isn't going to make you feel any better, but how you choose to deal with the betrayal is an individual decision. Who you are, how you found out, what your relationship is like with your partner, how much shock you're in, etc., will all be factors that lead you to decide what you want to do right after you've found out that your partner is cheating, explains Rivkin. "Your whole world has fallen apart, similar to experiencing an earthquake or natural disaster, so do what your instincts dictate," she says. "Do not judge or be hard on yourself for whatever you choose to do." 

Think about logistics

Even though you're in the midst of a relationship crisis, life still goes on. Things need to get done (going to work, getting the kids to school, chores), but it can all feel like a huge task. "Nothing comes easily right now," Rivkin says. Feeling overwhelmed is normal, but don't let that feeling overtake your day-to-day life, especially if you have kids.
If you have kids, and if they see you crying and/or fighting, let them know immediately that it has nothing to do with them.
If you feel immobilized and simply can't drive your kids to school and/or their activities, make arrangements for them until you feel you are okay to drive.
"Remember, you're in crisis mode, so be kind to yourself by getting some temporary help with basic functioning," says Rivkin. 

Create a support team

Because of the deep damage to trust that this kind of betrayal brings, it's important that, if you can afford it, you find a good therapist and get help as soon as possible. "I've discovered that the couples who seek help the quickest after an affair have the best recovery results," Rivkin says. Good therapy can help a couple determine their direction (to stay or go) and whether trust can be rebuilt or not. In addition to seeking professional help, creating your support team will be a huge help. "Your team and connections will help you survive and recover from the affair quicker," she explains. "Carefully assess your relationships with others to figure out who you think will be the most understanding, nonjudgmental and supportive person." 

Ask questions

After you've confronted your partner about the affair, tons of questions will flood your mind (Why didn't I know? Why didn't I trust my intuition? Why did this happen?). It's through asking questions and feeling all your feelings that the healing starts, Rivkin says. "The questions and their answers are the first step to piecing together what happened to your relationship." It's important to look at the history and the patterns of your relationship and begin to understand where the breach of trusting each other really started. 

Create a plan of no action

Most people usually have the tendency to want to take some kind of action right after discovering a cheating partner. It may help for the moment, but because you're in crisis, your judgment can be impaired, so it's wise not to make any big decisions at this time, Rivkin explains. Instead, make the smaller decisions first: Get a therapist, read a book, talk to your support system, do some writing and do some talking with your partner. "You will ultimately have some major decisions to make as to what direction you want your relationship to go, but these decisions will be made with time and clarity," she says. So for now, don't make any major decisions.


Now critically assess the situation and answer this question:

Can you end your relationship or marriage because of cheating? 
a) Yes 
b) No. 
c) It depends on the situation

Send your response.       

Adieu GOLDIE HARVEY

On the day that the World celebrates LOVE, 14th February, fast-rising Nigerian Singer and Big Brother Africa star game housemate, Susan Oluwabimpe Harvey popularly known as Goldie died. She died the evening of Thursday, 14th February 2013. So sad. The supposed day of love, giving, caring and celebration was the day of sorrow and grieving to her family, friends and record label.

I read it first on twitter but I could not relay it. Needed to be careful. I remember once,  I read that HID Awolowo was dead and i did not cross check before posting it on my Facebook page. I was embarrassed when it turned out the info was false. So i vowed that any news received via twitter or any other Social Media  must be verified first before I share it.

According to reliable sources, Goldie passed on after she returned from a trip to the United States where she went to attend the 55th Annual Grammy Awards which took place in Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
Goldie was pronounced dead in the late hours of Thursday shortly after she was rushed to Reddington Hospital,Victoria Island, Lagos.

Its only now that news is filtering out that the cause of death is Pulmonary Embolism. According to the report on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute  “pulmonary embolism is a very serious condition. It can damage the lungs and other organs in the body and cause death. It is  “Life-threatening blood clots caused by cramped seating condition from long travels. A study  of business travelers confirms the risk, particularly for those who take long flights or fly frequently.

“Immobility is considered a major factor behind the condition, called deep vein thrombosis. People who fly four hours or more, the study found, have three times the risk of developing clots compared with periods when they did not travel. D.V.T. occurs when a blood clot forms within the large deep veins of the body, usually in the leg. If untreated, part of the clot may break off and travel to the lungs, where it can cause a pulmonary embolism, a potentially fatal condition.”

Goldie after the Big Brother Africa Stargame, has been traveling according to close friends. She was a frequent traveller, going to Kenya, Uganda, US for Jay Z Concert with Prezzo, South Africa etc. The friends confirmed that she had complained of stress in the past weeks, but insisted she was fine.Unfortunately, she was not fine at all and died before medical help could get to her. 

“It is with heavy heart that I have to inform you all that Goldie passed this night shortly after arriving Lagos from LA. May her soul rest in the eternal peace of the Lord"

The above message was posted on her twitter handle by one "admin". With this post at least we can confirmed that it was not a rumour after all. That its true! What a loss!

The singer’s corpse has since been taken to the General Hospital, Ikeja morgue.


 Goldie with Prezzo in Big Brother Africa Stargame, her in-the-house boyfriend. She showed in that game that she is humble, kind and very domesticated. What she used to portray in her music was quite different from who we saw in BBA. She was really down to earth, very caring and sensitive.



Goldie was called  Susan Filani and from Ekiti State, before she travelled to London. She changed her name to Susan Harvey on arrival from London but fondly called Goldie which she says is derived from her bronz complexion. 



 

Recently I read in the National dailies that someone showed up claiming he was her husband. Would not know how true because she is not here to defend herself, her actions or inaction. The only think I can ask is where was this man when she admitted to IK Osakioduwa, the presenter of BBA  last year,  that she cared very much for Prezzo? Was the man not watching telly or reading papers? What is the man's motive? 

Whatever it is, may her soul rest in perfect peace.
 

Genevieve Nnaji - Nigerian Superstar

Genevieve Nnaji - face of Mud

The first time I actually sat down to watch Nigerian Home Video was when I watched 'Keeping Faith' by Ego Boyo starring Genevieve Nnaji and Richard Mofe Damijo . I went to the camp to buy a Christian movie and the Lady showed me a rack of Nigerian movies. I saw the DVD and I bought thinking it was a christian movie because of its title. But after watching it, I fell in love with Genevieve Nnaji's acting or interpretation of her role. It was so beautifully acted that from then I became a fan.

To me she is the real Superstar of Nigerian Home Video popularly  called Nollywood. She is unarguably the most famous and consistent actress of them all. She has became the most demanded for leading lady by most Directors and Producers. She is the best paid actress in Nollywood.

In fact Oprah Winfrey hailed her as the Julia Roberts of Africa. This is not a mean feat to be compared with the best in Hollywood. This was when she featured in Oprah Winfrey programme called ‘Meet the Most Famous People in the World of Entertainment. She was described as the most famous actress in Nollywood. Am very sure Oprah and her team would have done their research unlike Nigeria where there are no statistics, to come up with that conclusion. This is true. Genny has been around for a while and has grown over the years.

Not long after that she was chosen as Connector of The Day on CNN’s Connect The World program. 

So on November 23, 2010, she was interviewed by Max Foster on CNN. She spoke about the challenges Artists and Entertainers go through in AFRICA and especially in Nigeria with rigid culture and custom.

She was the real Genevieve,  bold, articulate and confident. Telling it like it is as Dolapo Oni, the presenter of MNET Studio 53 Extra will say it.  

Genevieve Nnaji did not just come suddenly. She started her acting career as a child actress in the popular television soap opera Ripples at the age of 8.  Most of Nigerian A-list Actors and Actresses actually starred in that soap and Fortune. People like, Ramsey Nouah, Pat Attah, Lizzie Benson, Regina Askia, Bob Manuel Udokwu etc. It was a learning ground for all under the Sheik of Nollywood , Zeb Ejiro. I remember then that Zeb Ejiro's office was close to Pako, Aguda in Surulere and a lot of them were always milling around there. Ramsey was close to my sister then, that is another story for another day.
By 1998, at the age of 19 she was introduced into the Nigerian film industry which was just coming up with the movie “Most Wanted”. She went on to Starr in several other movies like  Last Party, Mark of the Beast, Ijele, Passion and Pain, Wind of Glory, Blood Sisters, Promise me Forever and Keeping Faith which I watched.  So far she has starred in over 85 movies and still counting. 
For her versatility, consistency and professionalism, she won the African Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2005.

To show that her creativity and talent is not only in acting, she signed a recording contract with EKB Records, a Ghanaian record label in 2004, and released her debut album One Logologo Line. I remember the chorus of the song 'No more fighting o oh'. The song was more of women empowerment slogan than any thing else. Well it enjoyed air time then. 
That same year she became the Face of Lux in Nigeria. She went around as Lux ambassador giving motivational speeches since Nollywood decided to rest all of them in 2005 and introduced new faces like Ini Edo and Mike Ezuruonye. 

Othe Brands tapped into it and signed her up to represent them - MUD cosmetics, Coscharis Motors and now Range Rover ,

She has acted so many roles but i like when she acts the part of  a naive little girl or this helpless poor lady. She is really natural, really talented when it comes to acting. After that her debut album, she concentrated on acting and it has paid off.

In 2010, Genevieve Nnaji starred in the award winning film Ijé: The Journey

GENEVIEVE NNAJI is also a philanthropist. She did a lot of that when she was the Lux ambassador. She was in London for Naomi Campbell gala launch of Fashion For Relief pop-up shop. The charitable venture received donations from designer brands. The donation went into the Prince’s Trust, a UK based youth charity that helps change young lives. Genevieve was there to celebrate with Naomi. She wore a beautiful green dress with nude platform pumps. She looked good when i saw it that i took the picture and stored it on my phone. She is one of the Nigerian actresses who is conscious of her weight and has kept it slim over the years.  In London, she was also promoting her movie, Mirror Boy.

I have her pictures on my phone and am always interested in any activity she is involved with. Actually when i opened a twitter handle, she was the first person I followed. I keep wanting to do a story on her but never came around to it until I saw this picture and others claiming she has a secret daughter hiding somewhere and I now decided to do this story to celebrate her. She has done so much in portraying the Can-do spirit despite all odds. She is a role model. She is the only one in her chosen profession who keeps her life out of the public glare. I remember when she was interviewed on Teju Baby's show and was asked about Dbanj , she just said he has a good heart and that was all. Others would have started talking about the relationship, but not my Genevieve who is calm, cool and collected all the time.


People should let her be. Having a daughter early in ones life is not a bad thing but a blessing. So why this castigation or criticism?

She has done well for herself and has become the face of NOLLYWOOD globally. She is the black beauty that should be celebrated.

Ride on GENEVIEVE. Your best is yet to come.

Police and the issue of Leadership

Read in the dailies the comment of Mr. Michael Askew, the retired superintendent in UK Metropolitan police and Company Director Pointman Leadership Institute based in the UK that corruption in Nigeria Police Force is due to underfunding by government. Askew said this while answering questions from newsmen at a workshop on “Creating Inspirational, Trustworthy Leaders,” in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State last week. He went further to say that it was illogical for the police to give their utmost if funds are withheld from them.

“Inadequate funding can hamper police efforts in Nigeria. If they do not have necessary tools to work; you are now providing room for what will aid corruption in the sector’’

Boko Haram and Bombing of Churches in Nigeria

Safety is of the Lord! The Bible says in Psalm 127: 1 "...Except the Lord Keep the City, the Watchman waketh but in vain". Which s to say except the Lord watches over the City, they that watch are just awake for nothing.

What a shock that inside a military formation bombs went off and killed people. Military authorities have confirmed 11 people dead and 60 injured in the  two suicide bomb attacks on St. Andrews Military Protestant Church inside the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State.
Its shocking that the suicide bombers successfully infiltrated the heavily guarded cantonment, which is a major training institution for the armed forces, and detonated their Improvised Explosive Devices.
The first bomber reportedly  detonated his IED, killing himself and five others inside the church as service was ending. Just as people rushed to the scene of the blast, a second suicide bomber drove his car to the entrance of the church and detonated another set of IEDs, killing five more people.
Who would have thought that all the Trillion of Naira given to Nigerian Security chiefs most especially the Chief of Army Staff Lt.Gen Ihejirika and his Colleagues, that a Military not civilian settlement would be easily over run by rag tag rebels. Vehicles laden with bombs passed through the gates of a whole "Military Cantonment" as big as Jaji to kill and destroy? Its so strange, unbelievable and unfortunate. Where has all the Intelligence Reports and technology to combat terrorism gone?

 How can you say a bomb exploded in a church at Jaji (which is probably the most strategic and most important base for the Nigerian military) of all places? This looks more like a direct attack on the military if you ask me except the military is aware or preparing us for something else.

On Friday, Nigeria's military offered a reward of 50m Naira for help in tracking down suspected Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, and N10m each for other suspected leaders of the group. Will this solve this problem? No It wouldnt? What they need is Security consciousness and alertness. Because as it is the the Northern Elders Forum described the act of offering cash rewards for the apprehension of Boko Haram's leaders by government as an act of insincerity on the part of government.

The forum insists that rather than focus on trying to apprehend the leaders of Boko Haram the government should treat them like it treated the Niger Delta militants and rehabilitate them.

Spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Paul Unongu said that the militants of south south "were rehabilitated and compensated with huge sums of money; some of them were given big contracts. If it was possible for the militants in the Niger Delta, which is Jonathan’s part of the country, why would it not be possible for Boko Haram in the North? On the surface, placing a bounty on the heads of the leaders of Boko Haram shows that the FG has dropped negotiation.When we (NEF) met the President, we suggested the carrot-and-stick approach to him and he accepted it. However, what is reprehensible is the excessive application of the stick. What Nigerians want to see is the end of the violence and loss of innocent lives.
If Jonathan applies himself to it, he would identify people he can talk to and they would relate his message to Boko Haram. He has to create the atmosphere for that negotiation to happen.”

Another Northern elder, Dr. Bulama Gubio, said "Since the President has said there is no negotiation going on between the Federal Government and Boko Haram, what else can we say? All we can do is to continue to appeal to both sides to negotiate in the interest of the people. Our people are dying every day and our economy is paralysed. Borno State is still part of Nigeria, so the Federal Government should swallow its pride and go the extra mile to make sure the negotiation works. I don’t think Federal Government can solve the problem without negotiation.”

But  the Delta militants never killed innocent civilians nor did they bomb churches. They were fighting for the economic rights of the people whose farmlands were taken over by oil spills. It was a legitimate cause. The Niger Delta area or the south south area Is contributing to the mainstay of the economy yet they were not getting much hence their fight.
What are Boko Haram fighting for? What have they contributed naturally or academically to Nigeria? What are they contributing to the economy that they are being deprived of?
.
If the Northern Elders want Boko Haram compensated, with what will they used to compensate them? What exactly is the North being deprived? Out of several years of military rule and civilians Head of State, the North has more years. Infact one of the states in the North used a slogan 'power State' on their plate numbers because most of the leaders of this Country came  from that state. All the Military formations and Institutions are in the North. The Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, which is in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, The Warrant Officers Academy, Nigerian Army Peacekeeping Centre, Nigerian Army School of Infantry and Infantry Corps Headquarters. 

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the blast, the Joint Task Force on Operation Restore Order in Borno State declared the leader of the Boko Haram sect, Ibrahim Shekau, and 19 other top guns of the group wanted for the attacks.
Institutions in Kaduna State have been the target of several bomb attacks this year, including churches. Last February, there was a blast at the gate of the One Mechanised Division in Kaduna, which killed the suicide bomber and some other people.

Ihejirika said during the opening ceremony of the 2012 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference in Asaba, Delta State, that the blasts, which he described as saddening, could have been prevented  “The event of yesterday is certainly a very sad one. A board of inquiry is already instituted to unravel what happened, which we believe could have been prevented.”

It was learnt that the military high command was embittered by the fact that the second vehicle, which exploded and killed several people including the two suicide bombers and injured many, was packed within the premises of the the Military formation. It was reliably gathered that the military authorities were of the view that it would be difficult for such an operation to have been executed without the collaboration of insiders. The belief is that the second vehicle came into the premises through a route at the back of the college.

So far, Investigations showed that security was not very tight as the vast settlement has no perimeter fence thereby making it possible for the facility to be accessed from other outlets. A car cannot drive through  a broken down fence or  through the bush. It drove through the main road so why didn't security on ground seen them? Or is the owner of the vehicles living inside the cantonment ?

It was further learnt that there are several civilian settlements within which complicate the problem of a watertight security observance in the area.

Also the manpower for an effective security maintenance in the facility could not be said to be adequate as most of the staff entrusted with the responsibility of security maintenance in the area are involved in the internal security operations in other parts of the North like Jos, Maiduguri etc. 

Whatever it is, SECURITY should be of utmost importance to our leaders now. Enough of this slaughter of Christians almost every day now. I know this wouldnt have happened if people inside did not make passages into the cantonment easy. Oh God defend your children.