OPC Leader Fasehun: Why I’m Backing Al-Mustapha

(The leader of Oodua People Congress (OPC) Dr.  Fredrick Fasehun, on Monday, explained why he has thrown his support for  the freedom given to Major Al-Mustapa, the former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha and had to follow him down to Kano after being released from prison.

Fasehun said he had to support the freedom because the Court of Appeal has cleared Al-Mustapha, who was incarcerated for 14 years, of any complicity in the killing of late Kudirat Abiola, wife of the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election, late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola.

Wondering how people would believe that the same Al-Mustapa who tried to save Abiola and even  allowed his wife, Kudirat, to visit him (Abiola) while being detained by Abacha, Fasehun said  there was no  reasonable evidence to link Al- Mustapha with the killing.



Dr Fedrick Fasehun Accompanies Major Hamza Al-Mustapha On Arrival At The Aminu Kano Int’l Airport, Kano. July 14, 2013

“Therefore I  resolved to spearheaded bringing Major Al-Mustapha to the ancient city of Kano, to let them know that though we lost our sons and daughter during the June 12, 1993 presidential election, we still believe in the fact that since court has exonerated Major Al-Mustapha, we the Yoruba had nothing against him,” he said.

Fasehun, who gave the explanation while speaking with the Yoruba Community Association (YCA) and the Kano chapter of the OPC at the YCA hall in Kano, said though some people may  see him  as betraying  the Yoruba people  because of  his action, posterity would never forget him.

 He noted that the Yoruba people resident in the Northern part of the country would have suffered immensely if Al-Mustapha had died in detention, maintaining that at his age, he was not looking for anybody to give him money, but would always fight  for the Yoruba race even as he called  on the Yoruba people  to unite and fight a common cause.

His explanation came as the deputy president of Yoruba Association in Kano, Chief Jerry Agunbiade, commended Fasehun for following Al-Mustapha to Kano. Agunbiade urged him to  continue in his noble roles despite current criticism. He said the Yoruba people were also happy for the kind gesture of  Governor  Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State  who donated  N6million  towards the purchase of the association’s building in Kano.

Also, the governor of OPC, Alhaji Shaq Olorunfemi, said OPC members were happy that at last,  their leader has visited them in Kano, saying the group will continue to work for the liberation of the Yoruba race.    

Source: The Will
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VIDEO: Army Confirms Al-Mustapha’s Status In Military

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i8hMQJz-lQA

VIDEO: Army Confirms Al-Mustapha’s Status In Military

The Nigerian Army has confirmed claims made by Major Hamza al-Mustpha that he is still personnel of the Nigerian Army.

At a briefing by the joint security information committee, the Director of Army Public relations who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Colonel Joe Agim, said that Major Al-Mustapha, the Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha, is still enlisted in the Nigerian Army.

“With regards to Mustapha’s release, well, I want to confirm that he is still in the army” he stated.

“The case is going to be handled by the army administratively in line with the harmonised terms and conditions of service.’’

He goes on to add that his case will be handled administratively by the Army in line with the harmonized terms of service.

Major Hamza al-Mustapha and Lateef Shofolahan were on Friday discharged and acquitted in the case of the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, which last 14 years.

The former CSO admitted to journalists that he was still in Army on Sunday during his reception by the Kano state government, a status he claimed the Appeal Court Judges also confirmed in their ruling.

The director for Defence Intelligence, Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade dismissed claims of renewed threats made by Abubakar Shekau, leader of Boko Haram.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i8hMQJz-lQA

National Assembly Must Reveal Lawmakers Salary In Its Own Interest

Chairman of Diaspora Committee in the House of Representatives, Abike Dadiri-Erewa, has revealed that the National Assembly will open up its books and reveal the controversial salary and emoluments of lawmakers “in its own interest.”

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa made this known at the 5^th Wole Soyinka Centre media lecture series on Saturday in Lagos where she challenged the media and civil society organisations to further ask questions as she claim the National Assembly is ‘opening up’.

Reacting to the claim that Nigerian lawmakers are the highest paid in the world according to guest speaker at the lecture, Prof Biodun Jeyifo, Mrs Dabiri-Erewa declined to state her personal salary but stated that it will be in the best interest of the National Assembly to open-up.
When asked about her salary, she hinted that “I am a member of six different committees in the House of Representatives and I get less than N2million to run these committees in a month.”
According to her the annual budget of the National Assembly is N150billion while that of the Central Bank of Nigeria is N300billion.

She challenged Nigerians and the media to ask questions, maintaining that “the National Assembly is opening up and Nigerians should ask questions.”
The House chairperson on Diaspora accused the Nigerian media of a disappointing lackadaisical attitude towards the use of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), passed two years despite the rigours undertaken to get the bill passed and signed into law.
The politician, who moved the FOIA motion in the House of Representatives, further challenged a member of the audience who she identified as Komolafe saying, “Go to court Mr Komolafe and let me see who will not answer the FOI in the National Assembly.”
The National Assembly is currently embroiled in a legal battle, appealing the judgment of a Federal High Court which ruled in favour of a civil society group request on the publication of the lawmakers’ salary.

Reps N15million Ramadan Gifts

Reacting to another claim by Prof Jeyifo lecture’s that the Nigerian political sphere is pervaded by massive corruption and mediocrity thereby election victories are not based on performances, the journalist turned politician averred that as a lawmaker, most of constituents do not ask her about her doings on the floor of the house but rather what is she bring to the table.
“People do not ask about bills passed or motions moved, what I’m asked is: what are you bringing to the table?”

She claimed that gifts that would be given out by some of her colleagues in the House during this Ramadan period is about N15million as she traced the anomaly to loss of values in the country and misuse of people’s power to vote.
She enjoined Nigerians to use their voting power to see they desired change by electing the right candidates and defending their votes.
“Look at the people you are voting for and make up your mind on what you want” she affirmed.

ChannelsTv

NIGERIA, CHINA SIGN AGREEMENT ON COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL COOPERATION

NIGERIA, CHINA SIGN AGREEMENT ON COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL COOPERATION AFTER TALKS BETWEEN PRESIDENT JONATHAN AND CHINESE LEADER



STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Goodluck Jonathan and President Xi Jinping of China Wednesday in Beijing presided over the signing of five agreements to boost financial, trade, economic, technical and cultural relations between Nigeria and China.

The agreements which were signed after bilateral talks between the two leaders and their delegations include the Framework Agreement on  Comprehensive Financial Cooperation In Support of Nigeria’s Economic Development and a Preferential Buyer Credit Agreement for Nigeria’s Four Airports Expansion Project.

Others were a new Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between Nigeria and China, an Agreement on Mutual Visa Exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports from both countries and an Agreement for the Prevention of the Theft, Illicit Import and Export of Cultural Property.

Speaking before the commencement of the talks, President Jonathan thanked President Jinping and the people of China for the warm reception accorded him and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan since their arrival in Beijing yesterday.

The President assured President Jinping that the Federal Government is fully committed to sustaining and developing the strategic partnership between Nigeria and China for the mutual benefit of the two countries and their people.

He said that in spite of the many positive developments in bilateral relations between the countries in recent years, there was still ample scope for increased trade and direct investment from China in Nigeria.

President Jinping assured President Jonathan that China will continue to work with Nigeria in all possible areas in furtherance of the development agenda of both countries.

Earlier in the day, President Jonathan met and invited Senior Executives of several Chinese conglomerates to initiate fresh investments in Nigeria or increase existing ones, saying that the Federal Government was committed to doing all within its powers to expand Nigeria’s domestic manufacturing capacity.

Those the President met with included top executives of Huawei Technologies Limited, China Great Wall Industries, ZTE Corporation, the State Grid Corporation of China, the NIC/SINOPEC/CGC Consortium, the China Railway Construction Corporation and the China Harbour Engineering Corporation.

At a breakfast meeting with African Ambassadors to China, President Jonathan reaffirmed his conviction that African countries needed to strengthen their institutions of democratic governance to guarantee political stability and sustained development.

He said that democratic governance ought to be nurtured and encouraged until it takes firmer root across the continent, adding that the African Union must continue to stand against unconstitutional changes of government in member-states.

 The President regretted recent political developments in Egypt and called for a speedy return by the country to constitutional order and governance.

Noting that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has become a useful framework for engagement between Africa and China, President Jonathan said that the African Union may consider the establishment of a representative office in Beijing to facilitate closer ties between the Asian economic giant and African nations.

President Jonathan will meet with Premier Li Keqiang and the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National Peoples Congress, Mr. Zhang Dejiang tomorrow for further bilateral talks.

He will also address Chinese investors and their Nigerian counterparts at a business forum in the China World Trade Centre in continuation of his state visit to the country.



Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 10, 2013

Tinubu Releases Statement on Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele

STATEMENT BY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU, NATIONAL LEADER, ACTION CONGRESS OF NIGERIA ON THE PURPORTED REMOVAL OF HON. OPEYEMI BAMIDELE AS THE LEADER OF THE EKITI STATE CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

It has been reported that members of the Ekiti State Caucus in the House of Representatives suspended Hon. Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, as their leader because of his alleged declaration to contest the governorship election next year.  I have not seen an official word through the party machinery about this action. However, I feel compelled to speak to dispel rumor and false report from assuming the aspect of fact.

The news of the purported removal of  Opeyemi Bamidele came as a surprise. The decision of the members of the Ekiti House Caucus in this regard truncates ongoing efforts at reconciliation, notwithstanding the fact that the party leadership is working hard to reconcile all sides. What took some members of the leadership of the party to Ekiti State recently was a continuation of the process of appeal and reconciliation. The objective here is to first understand and iron out the issues that have resorted in a gulf between Opeyemi Bamidele and Governor Kayode Fayemi on one hand and the party towards building a formidable political house in Ekiti. From my vantage point, I don’t believe the members of the Ekiti caucus could possibly take such a step for such a scant reason.  I trust their democratic pedigree to highly believe that they would not be used to take this false step which would violate established party rules, processes and traditions.

For instance, decisions of this critical nature must be done with the consultation of the national leadership of the party.  From what I can gather, our National Chairman and the party’s leadership were never consulted nor notified about the pendency of such a stark action.  For that reason alone, if such an action has been taken, those who did so should retrace their steps to avoid creating an unnecessary difficulty for themselves and the Ekiti chapter of the party. ??Beyond the issue of procedure and rules, there is the tiny matter of internal party democracy to consider. I  have said before, any party member has a right to contest the governorship of Ekiti  or any other state. Any other person, including Opeyemi Bamidele, has the right to. This right is so fundamental to internal democracy that I do not believe he should be sanctioned at this point where the most he has done is make unofficial statements about contesting. Our party cannot join the club of other parties that punish members for expressing interests in an office.

While Opeyemi Bamidele’s position may not be popular among his colleagues, he has the right to believe as he does. We must protect and smother unpopular and minority positions. If we don’t like it, we vote against it at the appropriate time but we do not punish people simply for thinking differently, this is how we must grow our democracy. Thus, Opeyemi Bamidele was expressing his democratic rights. To unilaterally suspend him as leader of the House Caucus is a questionable one they should reconsider.  It would appear to contravene the letter and best spirit of  party democracy. While we have no problem in him pursuing his democratic ambition without intimidation and persecution, we will continue our efforts at persuading him not to rock the boat and play into the hands of our opponent particularly the PDP shenanigans. Political conflict, challenges and resolutions are the hallmarks of political association and leadership, orderly means of all efforts at democratically resolving those conflicts are not endless in any way. Accordingly, I urge our five lawmakers; Robison Ajiboye, Bamidele Faparusi, Bimbo Daramola, Dr. Ifeoluwa Arowosoge, and Oyetunde Ojo to  reverse themselves and embrace the process of amicable resolution already put in place by the party and that have been producing good fruit. To do otherwise is to give comfort to those who would seek to divide the Ekiti State chapter  of the Action Congress of Nigeria. We appeal to those promoting these divisions to sheathe their swords in the interest of the party and its ardent followers. We cannot forget so soon the struggle and what it cost us to get to where we are today. We owe it to the Ekiti people and all democrats in the country to sustain and protect this hard won democracy. All true progressives must rise up in defence of individual freedom and promotion of democratic values. We shall overcome for the good of all. Thank You.

Signed- Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

July 10th, 2013

TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY DR DOYIN OKUPE, 10th JULY 2013

TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS, DR DOYIN OKUPE ON WEDNESDAY 10TH JULY, 2013.

Gentlemen of the Press,

The reaction of the Action Congress of Nigeria to the event in the Rivers State House of Assembly as contained in a Press release issued by the party’s publicity secretary this afternoon calls for concern by all patriotic Nigerians.

The statement blamed Mr President for the crisis and accused him of abhorrence for the rule of law, and supporting a group of Rivers state Assembly members to disrupt proceedings in the House.

Once again, this position of the ACN is another condemnable, extremist and fundamentally flawed position by the opposition party.

For the avoidance of doubt and at the risk of repetitiveness, we wish to state categorically that in spite of what the ACN will want the Nigerian people to believe, President Goodluck Jonathan is absolutely unconnected and definitely not involved in the political crisis that seemed to have engulfed Rivers State in recent times.

The President is not, has not and will never engineer any act that can cause disaffection between Governor Rotimi Amaechi or any other Governor and the state legislature or any other institution of government.

To avid watchers of Nigerian politics, President Goodluck Jonathan has not shown himself as a person who will deploy his immense constitutional powers against any governor or democratic institution to achieve personal goals.

Since his election as President, his personal and official mien reveals a personality that has utmost and distinct respect for democracy and rule of law.

It is sad therefore, that despite repeated clarifications including one recently made by ACN Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state absolving President Goodluck Jonathan from the NGF crisis, Alhaji Lai Muhammed in his characteristic deafness to truth, continues to mischievously drag the exalted office of the President into controversies arising from the election of the Chairman of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum.

The call by the Action Congress of Nigeria for the impeachment of Mr President based on these frivolous, unsubstantiated allegations is the limit of tolerable nonsense and a clear descent into inglorious political rascality.

It is now increasingly obvious that the desperation of the ACN to bullishly acquire power by all means and at all cost, including mindless precipitation of anarchy, disaffection and break down of public order is the driving force behind their incessant, irresponsible and unpatriotic politics of hate and deceit and their high propensity to fan the embers of national discord, disunity and social disorder.

We therefore call on our distinguished and honorable parliamentarians and the general public to ignore and disregard the self-serving and unpatriotic call for impeachment of the President by the Action Congress of Nigeria.

Thank You

DR DOYIN OKUPE

SENIOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS

10TH JULY, 2013

Computer mouse inventor Doug Engelbart dies at 88

Doug Engelbart, who introduced the world to the computer mouse, has died at the age of 88.

His first significant breakthrough in computing occurred in December 1968. It was described as the mother of all demos. On 9 December 1968, Engelbart and a group of researchers from the Augmented Human Intellect (AHI) Research Center at Stanford Research Institute gave a public demonstration of how they saw IT would change the way people work.

At the time, one of the most significant things Engelbart said relates to personal access to enable users to collaborate and access shared computer resources.

He showed how users could each have their own computer workstation connected to a shared computer system, with each user having a private file space and groups of users sharing a community space.

'Mother of all demos'

He studied electrical engineering at Oregon State University and served as a radar technician during World War II.

He then worked at Nasa's predecessor, Naca, as an electrical engineer, but soon left to pursue a doctorate at University of California, Berkeley.

His interest in how computers could be used to aid human cognition eventually led him to Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and then his own laboratory, the Augmentation Research Center.

His laboratory helped develop ARPANet, the government research network that led to the internet.

Engelbart's ideas were way ahead of their time in an era when computers took up entire rooms and data was fed into the hulking machines on punch cards.

At a now legendary presentation that became known as the "mother of all demos" in San Francisco in 1968, he made the first public demonstration of the mouse.

At the same event, he held the first video teleconference and explained his theory of text-based links, which would form the architecture of the internet.

He did not make much money from the mouse because its patent ran out in 1987, before the device became widely used.

SRI licensed the technology in 1983 for $40,000 (£26,000) to Apple.

At least one billion computer mice have been sold.

Engelbart had considered other designs for his most famous invention, including a device that could be fixed underneath a table and operated by the knee.

How the computer mouse got its name

He was said to have been driven by the belief that computers could be used to augment human intellect.

Engelbart was awarded the $500,000 Lemelson-MIT prize in 1997 and the National Medal of Technology for "creating the foundations of personal computing" in 2000.

Since 2005, he had been a fellow at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

He is survived by his second wife, Karen O'Leary Engelbart, and four children.