HIS (41)
Marim Maged M. Eladly was brought into Nigeria alongside 32 members of her family for the marriage to the 50-year-old Mr. Yerima because he could not marry her in Egypt, as it is against Egyptian law for a man to marry a girl who is under 18 years old..
A United Nations official who was recently in Egypt told NEXT on condition of anonymity that the Nigerian Senator literally induced the poor family of the child to give her away to him.
Mr. Yerima had loudly protested that the age of his new bride was not the much-talked about 13, although he did not state the age of the girl.
“She is the daughter of Yerima’s driver in Cairo - exploiting further their vulnerability due to poverty,” the source wrote. “I couldn’t verify the payment of $100,000 (to the bride’s family), although some money may have been paid.
But, in this case, there is no broker involved, unlike similar marriages of minors to foreign men where the broker gets all the money and the victim and their family a pittance.
Some people who attended the marriage ceremony at the Central Mosque, Abuja, said Mr. Yerima personally admitted to paying the said sum.
“The marriage took place in Nigeria and there was no marriage in Egypt, as Egyptian law is clearly against underage marriage of girls under 18 years of age.
Although, unofficially through what is called “urfi marriage” or seasonal/temporary marriage, such marriage to minors continue to exist, particularly by older men from the Gulf States who come to Egypt for such purposes,” the source said.
“Furthermore, Egyptian law also forbids marriage where the man is more than 25 years
older than the woman, as is in this case. A Saudi Arabian man over 70 who married a girl under 20 years was prosecuted based on this law.”
Human rights petition
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had, Monday, forwarded letters to the United Kingdom as well as all embassies to revoke Mr. Yerima’s visas. The commission has also decided to re-draft and send another letter to the Egyptian embassy, following what they called new discoveries.
Miss Eladly, who entered Nigeria with a tourist visa, has returned to Egypt to continue her education after what sources said was a consummation of her marriage. She might, however, not be able to have her visa renewed, as human rights groups also said letters would be sent out to the immigrations office to demand such.
Well not exactly yet as our juliet has not decided yet to join him .
A heartbroken pensioner who thought his wife was going to die killed himself near the spot where the couple first courted - only for her to
get better.
The body of 84-year-old Reginald Heydon was found by police in the River Trent at Shardlow, near Derby, more than three
weeks after he disappeared.
An inquest heard that at the time he went missing, Mr Heydon's wife of 60 years, Marjorie, 83, was in a
critical condition in hospital.
Derby Coroner's Court was told doctors had told Mr Heydon and his family that his wife was not
expected to live much longer.
Hours later on November 2 last year, the pensioner wrote a note to his family, left his home and was
never seen alive again.
But in a tragic twist, his critically ill wife recovered from her illness and was discharged from hospital.
Last night Mr Heydon's son, Paul, said: 'We had the impression she had hours
to live. We were told that on the day that she went into intensive
care.'
But after his father had been found dead, his mother recovered and was able to come home.
'That was the real tragedy. If only he had waited,' he said.
Derby and South Derbyshire Deputy Coroner Louise Pinder said the note Mr Heydon left had made it clear what his intentions were.
She said: 'The contents of the letter do suggest he was contemplating taking his own life. There was a
suggestion he was going to the river.'
Despite a police search involving helicopters, dogs and a special task force to search
the river his body was not found until November 25 by a passerby.
Acting Sergeant Robert Buckley told the court that the area had a
significance. He said: 'The river had been a courting area to which they
went.'
A postmortem examination carried out on the body gave the cause of death as a vasovagal attack - a nervous attack leading
to fainting - caused by submersion in cold water.
Ms Pinder said he would not have suffered. She gave a verdict that Mr Heydon had
taken his own life.
The court heard that, during his later years, Mr Heydon had been inclined to drink to alleviate anxiety.
He was taking an anti-depression and his the deterioration of his wife's
condition in hospital had exacerbated that.
The inquest was told his wife had undergone surgery at the Royal Derby Hospital for a
swallowing problem, after which her condition became critical.
Mr Heydon said of his father: 'When the news came about mum he seemed like
he knew how serious it was.
'He had accepted things were not going to be the same. But she got better and she was able to come home afterwards.'
He was said to have brought her from Egypt
Criticisms continued to trail the alleged marriage of former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani to a
13-year old Egyptian girl.
The former governor reportedly paid $100,000 as bride price to the parents of the minor.
But in a statement made available to our correspondent in Lokoja on Monday,
the National Council of Women Societies condemned the action of the
senator, describing it as shameful.
Speaking through its National President, Hajia Ramatu Usman, the umbrella women’s
organisation said Sani’s action did not come to Nigerian women as a
surprise because, according to them, many northern governors had been
using religion as an excuse for not passing the Child Rights Act.
She further stated that the council had been mounting a campaign against
young girls being given out for marriage at ridiculously early ages of
12 or 13 years, adding that the action was against all reasoning.
According to Usman, “Vesico vaginal fistula has been attributed to under age
marriages due to the practice of early marriages in Nigeria, where young
girls are given out for marriage at ridiculously early ages as 12 or 13
years. They get pregnant and when they are ready to deliver, their
pelvises are so small for the babies to pass through.
“The baby gets stuck in the birth canal and in some cases dies. The baby‘s
head wears a hole between the birth canal and the bladder (VVF) or
rectum (RVF).
“So, when the dead baby is eventually delivered, the young mother is left with a dead child and she begins to
drain urine and/or stool continuously. She develops sores on her skin
and smells horribly from the constant drips of urine and stool on her
clothes.”
The body therefore advised parents to avoid giving out their under age daughters in marriage in order to check cases
of this health risk, which it said is particularly common in the
northern part of Nigeria.
The statement further said, “It is a shame that while we are seeking ways to view closely what pushes
parents into giving out their underage daughters into early marriages, a
former governor of a state is celebrating this act of child trafficking
and abuse.”
It also called on well-meaning Nigerians to mount pressure on northern governors to immediately commence work on the Child Rights Act.
Pa Alimi Olarenwaju Amodu, popularly known by his admirers as the ‘youngest student,’ is a 73-year-old man whose story is unique. From Pa Amodu, the saying that what the mind can imagine the man can accomplish comes true. For him, the brain is like a battery and if charged, it works effectively. His educational activities have shown that no time is late for one to achieve his heart’s desires...
PHOTO:Pa Amodu in class at LASU
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At 60, the Lagos-based Ibadan indigene retired from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), as a clerk, after which he went back to his hometown to engage in farming. During the time, he attended a professional course in Agriculture. At 68, in 2005, he returned to Lagos, with the quest to have a university education.
Shortly, he enrolled for a diploma course in Philosophy at the Lagos State University (LASU). Two years after, he converted to a degree course in Sociology, in the same university. After all challenges and struggles, he graduated last January, in Sociology. Now, he plans to go for his Master’s degre and afterwards, PhD.
Perhaps, one would want to know why the grandpa is still struggling, with those young enough to be his grandchildren, to acquire university education up to doctorate degree level in the eve of his life.
Saturday Sun had an encounter with the supposed oldest graduate in Nigeria and he told the story of his journey.
He said: “Though I am old, I still believe that I can achieve my heart’s desires. I had my early education in 1945, at St. Andrew’s Primary School, Aba Oke Village, in Oyo State. That time, there was no means of transport and it was not easy for me to go to school. My father was an active farmer, so, I used to go to the farm before going to school. But in spite of the stress, I passed very well because I have always been a determined person. Having passed standard three, I moved to Ibadan and my first point of call was St Paul’s School, Yemetu. There, I read up to Standard Four and proceeded to St. David’s School where I obtained standard six certificate in I952. I was lucky to meet Mama Morakinyo, our class teacher, who did her best to give us a good foundation. Former Secretary to Oyo State Government, Dr. Adebisi, was my classmate. We used to close at 6pm, as a result of tutorial,” he said.
Pa Amodu was an intelligent pupil and would have continued his education, but for lack of finance. Yet the obstacles did not stop him from doing his best as a young man.
Meanwhile, having obtained the Standard Six certificate, which was an outstanding qualification those days, Pa Amodu secured a job at Costain West Africa. He worked there briefly and moved to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Ibadan in 1958, as a clerical assistant. In 1962, he was transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) to assist in establishing the Medical Records Department. In the process, he attended overseas correspondence courses to upgrade his status.
“While in service, I had the interest to further my education because I knew that I have the brain. I attended some overseas courses. And in 1987, I registered for the GCE, but I did not do well. At the second attempt, I made five papers, which qualified me for university admission. So, after my retirement in 1992, I went back to Ibadan to farm. After sometime, I returned to Lagos with the intention to go back to school. When I told my children that I wanted to go back to school, they did not believe me; they asked how I could go back to school when I was supposed to be resting, but I insisted and told them that the brain is still active. I only needed to charge it. At a stage, they agreed to sponsor me to any level. Later, I enrolled for a diploma in Philosophy at LASU in 2002. In 2004, the university placed an advert for admission, I did the exam and passed and they offered me admission in Sociology; so I had to switch over,” he stated.
Narrating his university experience and activities, he said: “Though it was challenging, I enjoyed it because I have been able to achieve much. I studied Sociology for five years, and by the grace of God, I did not have any carry over. During my university days, I discovered that the brain is like the battery and if charged, it will start working again. Take, for instance, if you don’t charge the handset battery, it will stop working; so also the brain. The moment one stops reading, the brain will go down. Therefore, the brain battery needs regular charging to remain effective. I really enjoyed my university education to the fullest. I observed that there is discipline in LASU. One needs to behave well and work hard to make it there.
“As an elderly person, the school authorities respected me, but they never compromised disciplining me when necessary. We were always asked to put off our phones, while the lecture was on. There was a day I forgot to put off my phone, and it rang during lectures and our class coordinator seized it. Also, when I was in the 100 level, there was a day I slept off while lecture was on and my lecturer asked me to stand up. After sometime, he warned me not to sleep and later asked me to sit.
Thereafter, he asked me what I ate before coming to school, and when I told him that I ate rice, he advised me to always take tea instead to avoid sleeping in the class. In LASU, one has to work hard in order to pass exams. If they give you assignment, they give you deadline and there was no variation of the rule for an old student.”
At 73, one would expect that Pa Amodu should be thinking of relaxing and enjoying his investments, having trained many graduates, but he has a different plan for himself.
“I work according to my name, Olanrewaju (someone that always looks forward). I am someone who always wants progress and I still crave to contribute my quota anywhere I find myself. In fact, I want to be more relevant. My main aim is to be addressed as Dr. Alimi Olanrewaju Amodu. Then, after my doctorate degree, I hope to be a consultant or I may go into business. I am still strong at 73. I read always, sleep between 10 and 11pm and wake at 3am. If you come to my house, you will see my library. My final exams at LASU was on January 28. And the result so far was good. By the grace of God, I will commence my master’s degree programme in Social Work. Thereafter, I will go for my PhD. I decided to enroll after retirement because I want to have enough time for my education and I thank God that I have good children who really support my ambition. They cater for my education and other needs and they have promised to support me achieve my goals,” he stated.
As an elderly person among the young, Pa Amodu garnered himself so much respect that fostered good relationship among him, his lecturers and course mates. Because he actually integrated well with the system, many students got so close to him, so as to tap from his gifts and the wisdom and experience of his age.
“My relationship with the lecturers was so cordial, and they did their best to put me through. They saw me as a father and a student as well and I took them as my lecturers and children. In fact, we related very well. My relationship with my course mates was great and exciting. Even as we have graduated, we still relate. I was their key informant because I was always at the library reading. I gave them relevant materials without charge. Almost everyone in my class liked me and I played the role of a father to all of them. They respected me, as a father, but when it was time for the real business, you hardly know who is older; we played, chatted and studied together. My first grandchild is in the 200 level in the University of Lagos. That shows that most of my classmates were of my grandchildren’s age. You can see that I am now competing with my grandchildren. All my children graduated before me, and I struggled to graduate before my grandchildren.”
The advantages of his going back to school at old age are so enormous that he cannot forget them so easily. Before he enrolled in school, he could not read or write without eyeglasses. And when he got admission, he used it during lecture. But a miracle happened and he regained his sight. Today, he does not use eyeglasses again. Pa Amodu narrated: “One day, I forget to wear it. While lecture was on, I was seeing as if I was wearing the glasses. When I wanted to adjust it, I did not find anything on my eyes. So, since that day, I have not used glasses again. The more I read the more I see clearly. In fact, it was like a miracle.”
In as much as he enjoyed his educational career, Pa Amodu also met a lot of challenges, but put extra efforts to meet the required demands. “As an old man struggling with those of a different generation, I had a lot of challenges in the process. I had to struggle to board the bus and sometimes, trek in order to catch up with my lectures. I also studied day and night to ensure that I passed my exams and assignments because at my age I cannot cheat. It is just unimaginable that a grandfather should cheat where his children are the examiners and his grandchildren the course mates. I always go to the library to read. My experience in LASU opened my eyes to the truth that it is very difficult for people to survive in this country due to lack of encouragement. The government has no provision for the aged and does not encourage them in any way. So, it was just by sheer perseverance and resolve that made me succeed.”
Interestingly, Pa Amodu’s seven children, Ade, Funmilayo, Dr. Akeem, Morenike, Niyi, Sikira and Azzez, who initially did not support the decision of their aged father to return to school, but later gave him full support, were surprised at how their father excelled in an environment dominated by young people. They were later to describe their father as one who believes that learning has no limited time in human life.
One of his sons, Dr. Akeem Amodu, a senior lecturer at the Leads University, Ibadan, who spoke with Saturday Sun, admitted that he opposed his father’s decision to return to school at old age, but after much pressure, he accepted his position.
“Really, when our father told us that he wanted to enroll for his first degree at LASU, after his retirement, we advised him not to do that, because, having worked for many years and retired, the next thing is for him to rest, so that we can take care of him. But, when we saw that he was serious, we allowed him. Since then, we have been sponsoring him and we are ready to sponsor him to any level he wants to go,” he said.
At the beginning, Pa Amodu trained and sponsored the education of his seven children, and at the end, the children now sponsor Pa Amodu’s education. One good turn or investment really deserves reciprocity, you may say.
This newsBlog has not been completely Verified and it is the personal opinion of Somebody who attributes a portion of this article from Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Who we hear might investigate Adenuga on his return . Keep on reading !
Relationship with IBB explained
Ibb "shareholder" in Globacom
Otumba Mike Adenuga is the Chairman of this bank and it was the second bank, where $I65million PTDF funds were fixed at various times. The first placement was on June 25, 2002 in the sum of USD50million transferred from its account in UBA Plc, New York, US. After the deposit, Mr. Mike Adenuga, an associate of the VP, paid the sum of $20million sometime in 2002 as part payment for Globacom's license. Some few months after the receipt of the $50million, Mike Adenuga, through one of his accounts called Deep Sea Ltd, gave Marine Float Ltd the sum of N300million (on 27/11/02). Deep Sea Ltd is an internal account in ETB funded by another related account, Yuletide Ventures, whose source of funds was unauthorized overdrafts granted by the bank. Another N22 million was also given to Marine Float on 06/03/03 by same Mike Adenuga through Deep Sea Ltd. These funds were transferred from Lagos to Messrs Akinyera and Ajibade in Abuja but drafts were raised in favour of Marine Float Limited. These payments showed direct benefit of the VP in ETB. There was another ETB draft of N21million issued in favour of Alhaji Umar Pariya, an aide to the VP around the same time the $50million deposit was made. Messrs Akinyera and Ajibade are close aides of Otumba Mike Adenuga just as Alhaji Umar Pariya is a close aide of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
The trio of VP, ES of PTDF (Alhaji Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar) and Otumba Mike Adenuga met in the office/residence of the VP to discuss the placement of the USD115million in ETB by PTDF. It was at this meeting that Hamisu Yusuf Abubakar was introduced to Otumba Mike Adenuga as the chairman of ETB. Immediately after the meeting, the placement of the $115million by the PTDF in ETB followed and Mike Adenuga rolled out his Globacom Network in the country.
A scrutiny of Globacom revealed its ownership structure as follow; Conpetro Limited-51%; Alhaji G. Subair-24%; Prince Babatunde Akinyera-12.5% and Festus Okechukwu Igbomor-12.5%. This is contrary to Otumba Mike Adenuga's statement of being the sole owner of the company. The given address of Alhaji G. Subair of 2/3, Dawaki Road, Kaduna, was found to be a property belonging to Mohammed Badamasi Babangida. When the other addresses of the shareholders were checked, they were found to be non-existent.
Mr. Jeffrey Tesler, a business associate and friend of both Ibrahim B. Babangida and Mike Adenuga facilitated the payment of $180milion for Globacom license. Jeffrey Tesler also facilitated the granting of a loan of $700million to Con Oil, a company owned and controlled by Otunba Mike Adenuga.
The ES was rewarded with a so called loan in excess of N200million by ETB after the placements of the $165million in the bank, for transportation/dealership business with Conoil, a company belonging to Otumba Mike Adenuga. The duos are now fugitive from justice.
The business of banks is basically to mobilize funds (deposits) and advancing them as loans to their customers, among others, but not as unsecured and unauthorized loans that was distributed to companies, relations and politicians. It is clear that these monies were paid to companies and individuals contrary to the original intention of the so called loans
iGate Inc. US (iGate)
iGate is a US based technology company that is into communication technology. Sometimes in June 2003, while in Nigeria, Congressman Jefferson introduced the officials of NDTV (Otumba Fashawe, Dumebi Kachikwu and Ahmed Vanderpuije) to Vernon Jackson, the Chief Executive of iGate Inc. Through various negotiations, NDTV ultimately entered into a Distributor Agreement with iGate whereby NDTV agreed to pay iGate $44,943,400 for the rights to iGate's technology and to distribute its products in Nigeria. By January 2004 and in accordance with the agreement, NDTV paid approximately 15% or $6.5million to iGate as an advance for the right. $1.5million was initially remitted to iGate and the balance of $5million was later wired to iGate being the balance of the 15% with the remaining 85% or $38.4million expected to be financed by US EXIM bank.
Business relationship between NDTV and iGate became strained towards the end of 2003 and ultimately broke off in 2004. Consequently, NDTV hired legal representative, Jean Micheal Malek, in the US to seek the refund of the $6.5million it paid iGate. The sum of $5000 was paid to the lawyer as his fee to facilitate the refund to NDTV.
iGate agreed to return $4million after negotiation but only $1.7million had been refunded to NDTV through TIB, leaving a balance of $2.3million unpaid. It was at this stage that Congressman Jefferson wrote to the President in defense to an alleged petition sent to the president by Otumba Fasawe. Jefferson wrote that Mr. Vernon Jackson had told him that before the payments to iGate, the MD of NDTV, Ahmed Vanderpuije, informed him that they were expecting funds from PTDF which would be used for the payments for the contract between NDTV and iGate.
After the business relationships between NDTV and iGate soured, Congressman Jefferson continued to look for an investor in telecommunication venture that would utilize iGate's technology and products. This effort yielded fruits with the agreement between Rosecom. Net, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and iGate Inc. for the use of iGate technology to provide internet services in Nigeria over Nitel's copper wire infrastructure (Co-location). However, Nitel refused to allow the co-location agreement to subsist because it had already entered into another agreement with a Chinese based company for the same purpose.
As a result of Nitel refusal, Congressman Jefferson decided to enlist the cooperation of the VP, first, for assistance in extinguishing the $2million debt to NDTV relating to the previous NDTV procurement of the right to use iGate technology in Nigeria and secondly, for assistance in gaining Nitel's cooperation for the co-collocation of iGate technology at Nitel's facilities.
It is pertinent to note that on May 3, 2006, Mr. Jackson pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to bribe and bribery in the US. He claimed to have bribed Jefferson with more than $400,000 in cash, company stock and shares in iGate technology business ventures in Nigeria and other African countries.
7. The VP, Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar is the Vice President of Nigeria and he was the one overseeing the activities of PTDF. He inaugurated the Interim Management Committee of the Fund in September 2000.
He played prominent roles in the approvals for release of PTDF funds and their placements in two banks. The VP had an outstanding interest in the placement of the PTDF funds in these two banks. For one, even the $125million for the implantation of some specific projects was not utilized for that purpose, rather caused their diversion to their placements in the two banks (TIB & ETB). Prior to the placements of the PTDF funds, the VP held several meetings with either the ES alone and sometime the ES and Mike Adenuga to discuss modalities regarding the placement of the funds either in TIB or ETB. The placements were done at the detriment of the Fund as they were made at interest rates below the average CBN Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) even when he was strongly advised against that.
The request for the release of the $20million, was predicated on the issue of the ongoing projects being executed by the Fund, whereas it was not so. The funds were released again by the VP and were sent straight to the same placement in TIB. This second release was done without the knowledge and approval of the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum and Energy, Mr. President and the FEC. As these funds were hitting the two preferred banks, "loans" were packaged by TIB, even without adequate collateral, for his long time friend and business associate, Otumba Oluwole Johnson Haliru Fashawe through NDTV and Mofas. In Mofas, one of the directors is Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, a son of the VP. Though the VP's name was not stated as a director of Marine Float, evidence abounds that the account is controlled by him. First, the VP admitted he paid N30million for the property from that account; secondly, most of the beneficiaries from the account are his friends, associates.
Similarly, as the funds were hitting ETB, Otumba Mike Adenuga made $20million deposit for Globacom license, the second national carrier. A little scrutiny of the equity ownership structure of the company revealed that Otunba Mike Adenuga lied about the ownership of the company. When the transfer of the $50million by PTDF from its account in UBA Plc New York was made in ETB, Mike Adenuga gave the VP the sum of N322million (i.e N300m on 27/11/02 & N22m on 06/03/03) through his Marine Float account domiciled in Bank PHB Plc through his aides - Akinyera and Ajibade. The sum of N21m was paid to the VP through a draft raised in the name of Umar Pariya, his Personal Assistant.
The VP held several meetings with the US Congressman Williams J. Jefferson both in Nigeria and abroad in relation to business ventures which included NDTV and Rosecom.Net, an ISP. When the business relationship between NDTV and iGate collapsed, his assistance was sought to extinguish the outstanding approximately $2million already paid by NDTV. Even though he denied assistance on extinguishing the amount, he accepted conveying a letter from US Congressman Jefferson to the Honourable Minister of Communication, Chief Cornelious Adebayo in relation with iGate and Rosecom.Net business venture.
The VP's business interest in NDTV was confirmed when he made an initial deposit of N30million on January 7, 2003 from his Marine Float account in Bank PHB Plc for the purchase of the N200million property being used as NDTV Head Office. His interest also influenced the placement of PTDF funds in TIB from where Otunba Fashawe obtained 'loan' and completed the payment of N170million for the property at Wuse. The VP's interest in NDTV is further buttressed by the fact that he even acted as a referee to Otumba Fashawe for the sourcing of the licensing of NDTV in Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC). Ref. Appendix AB. Investigation also revealed that the VP severally met contractors of NDTV at Jada, his hometown on his interest in the company.
Distinguished Senators, this is submitted for your necessary action.
Thank you very much.
NUHU RIBADU
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
iGate is a US based technology company that is into communication technology. Sometimes in June 2003, while in Nigeria, Congressman Jefferson introduced the officials of NDTV (Otumba Fashawe, Dumebi Kachikwu and Ahmed Vanderpuije) to Vernon Jackson, the Chief Executive of iGate Inc. Through various negotiations, NDTV ultimately entered into a Distributor Agreement with iGate whereby NDTV agreed to pay iGate $44,943,400 for the rights to iGate's technology and to distribute its products in Nigeria. By January 2004 and in accordance with the agreement, NDTV paid approximately 15% or $6.5million to iGate as an advance for the right. $1.5million was initially remitted to iGate and the balance of $5million was later wired to iGate being the balance of the 15% with the remaining 85% or $38.4million expected to be financed by US EXIM bank.
Business relationship between NDTV and iGate became strained towards the end of 2003 and ultimately broke off in 2004. Consequently, NDTV hired legal representative, Jean Micheal Malek, in the US to seek the refund of the $6.5million it paid iGate. The sum of $5000 was paid to the lawyer as his fee to facilitate the refund to NDTV.
iGate agreed to return $4million after negotiation but only $1.7million had been refunded to NDTV through TIB, leaving a balance of $2.3million unpaid. It was at this stage that Congressman Jefferson wrote to the President in defense to an alleged petition sent to the president by Otumba Fasawe. Jefferson wrote that Mr. Vernon Jackson had told him that before the payments to iGate, the MD of NDTV, Ahmed Vanderpuije, informed him that they were expecting funds from PTDF which would be used for the payments for the contract between NDTV and iGate.
After the business relationships between NDTV and iGate soured, Congressman Jefferson continued to look for an investor in telecommunication venture that would utilize iGate's technology and products. This effort yielded fruits with the agreement between Rosecom. Net, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), and iGate Inc. for the use of iGate technology to provide internet services in Nigeria over Nitel's copper wire infrastructure (Co-location). However, Nitel refused to allow the co-location agreement to subsist because it had already entered into another agreement with a Chinese based company for the same purpose.
As a result of Nitel refusal, Congressman Jefferson decided to enlist the cooperation of the VP, first, for assistance in extinguishing the $2million debt to NDTV relating to the previous NDTV procurement of the right to use iGate technology in Nigeria and secondly, for assistance in gaining Nitel's cooperation for the co-collocation of iGate technology at Nitel's facilities.
It is pertinent to note that on May 3, 2006, Mr. Jackson pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to bribe and bribery in the US. He claimed to have bribed Jefferson with more than $400,000 in cash, company stock and shares in iGate technology business ventures in Nigeria and other African countries.
7. The VP, Atiku Abubakar
Atiku Abubakar is the Vice President of Nigeria and he was the one overseeing the activities of PTDF. He inaugurated the Interim Management Committee of the Fund in September 2000.
He played prominent roles in the approvals for release of PTDF funds and their placements in two banks. The VP had an outstanding interest in the placement of the PTDF funds in these two banks. For one, even the $125million for the implantation of some specific projects was not utilized for that purpose, rather caused their diversion to their placements in the two banks (TIB & ETB). Prior to the placements of the PTDF funds, the VP held several meetings with either the ES alone and sometime the ES and Mike Adenuga to discuss modalities regarding the placement of the funds either in TIB or ETB. The placements were done at the detriment of the Fund as they were made at interest rates below the average CBN Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) even when he was strongly advised against that.
The request for the release of the $20million, was predicated on the issue of the ongoing projects being executed by the Fund, whereas it was not so. The funds were released again by the VP and were sent straight to the same placement in TIB. This second release was done without the knowledge and approval of the Presidential Adviser on Petroleum and Energy, Mr. President and the FEC. As these funds were hitting the two preferred banks, "loans" were packaged by TIB, even without adequate collateral, for his long time friend and business associate, Otumba Oluwole Johnson Haliru Fashawe through NDTV and Mofas. In Mofas, one of the directors is Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, a son of the VP. Though the VP's name was not stated as a director of Marine Float, evidence abounds that the account is controlled by him. First, the VP admitted he paid N30million for the property from that account; secondly, most of the beneficiaries from the account are his friends, associates.
Similarly, as the funds were hitting ETB, Otumba Mike Adenuga made $20million deposit for Globacom license, the second national carrier. A little scrutiny of the equity ownership structure of the company revealed that Otunba Mike Adenuga lied about the ownership of the company. When the transfer of the $50million by PTDF from its account in UBA Plc New York was made in ETB, Mike Adenuga gave the VP the sum of N322million (i.e N300m on 27/11/02 & N22m on 06/03/03) through his Marine Float account domiciled in Bank PHB Plc through his aides - Akinyera and Ajibade. The sum of N21m was paid to the VP through a draft raised in the name of Umar Pariya, his Personal Assistant.
The VP held several meetings with the US Congressman Williams J. Jefferson both in Nigeria and abroad in relation to business ventures which included NDTV and Rosecom.Net, an ISP. When the business relationship between NDTV and iGate collapsed, his assistance was sought to extinguish the outstanding approximately $2million already paid by NDTV. Even though he denied assistance on extinguishing the amount, he accepted conveying a letter from US Congressman Jefferson to the Honourable Minister of Communication, Chief Cornelious Adebayo in relation with iGate and Rosecom.Net business venture.
The VP's business interest in NDTV was confirmed when he made an initial deposit of N30million on January 7, 2003 from his Marine Float account in Bank PHB Plc for the purchase of the N200million property being used as NDTV Head Office. His interest also influenced the placement of PTDF funds in TIB from where Otunba Fashawe obtained 'loan' and completed the payment of N170million for the property at Wuse. The VP's interest in NDTV is further buttressed by the fact that he even acted as a referee to Otumba Fashawe for the sourcing of the licensing of NDTV in Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC). Ref. Appendix AB. Investigation also revealed that the VP severally met contractors of NDTV at Jada, his hometown on his interest in the company.
Distinguished Senators, this is submitted for your necessary action.
Thank you very much.
NUHU RIBADU
EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)
The Singular Reason he died was that by his blood we would accept salvation not by our WORKS !
Why is it that a person who is seeking so hard to please God can be rejected, while a person who has not sought God at all can come into a righteous relationship with Him? This is an important question and its answer is one of the most profound doctrines in scripture. The answer is faith and its object.
The Jews were zealous for the things of God, but their faith was in themselves. They were trusting that they could earn God's favor by their acts of righteousness. On the other hand, the Gentiles had no holiness to trust in. So, when they heard the Gospel message that Jesus paid our debt for us, they readily accepted His "gift" of salvation, while the religious Jews could not abandon their trust in themselves for salvation.
The same problem exists today. Millions of church people are trying to live holy lives, but they do not have a true faith in Jesus as their Savior. If they were to stand before God and He was to ask them what they had done to deserve salvation, they would immediately start recounting all their acts of holiness such as church attendance, giving receipts, etc. Regardless of how good our actions are compared to others, they always come short of the perfect standard of God. The only response to this kind of question that would grant us entrance to heaven is to say, "my only claim to salvation is faith in Jesus as my Savior." Let Him be the object of your faith today. He is all you need.
HAPPY EASTER !
03.10.2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Africa ’s most decorated football player, Nwankwo Kanu has joined the ranks of global figures whose compelling stories_have been immortalized on the silver screen (i.e. Pele, Muhammed Ali,_Maradona and Mike Tyson). But Kanu takes it a notch further as his feature_is to be released simultaneously with his biography, after the World Cup_in South Africa. Kanu considers this movie and book to be his heartfelt gift to Nigeria on her fiftieth anniversary, to Africa and indeed the world...
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Titled Lion Heart: The Kanu Story, the movie is a documentary feature,_directed by BBC London-trained Nigerian director, Bayo Awolaja, and_produced by Neil Oyenekan (Dragons Den Nigeria, Taking Sides, 2002, UK ).
The Executive Producers include Kanu Nwankwo, Lighthouse, IBST Media, Worldwide Management Ltd. and Connect Marketing. The movie is currently being filmed in Nigeria, London, Amsterdam, the USA, South Africa and_India, and has a plot that chronicles Kanu’s inspiring rags to riches_story from a unique perspective that delves into his journey into the world of soccer from his humble beginnings in Owerri, to his struggle with a near fatal heart condition at the peak of his football career, to his heart surgery in Cleveland, Ohio, and back to his tribulations and triumph at Arsenal, Ajax, Portsmouth etc.
In addition to his exploits on the football pitch, the movie also unveils one of the most recognisable UNICEF ambassadors as a mentor, businessman, husband, and friend. According to the Lighthouse Productions CCO, “ this film isn’t just about Kanu the footballer, we intend to reveal the Kanu story through interviews with all the world renowned players, coaches, administrators, including his wife, his child-hood friends, his doctors and those people that played very important roles in his life.
“It’s going to be a three dimensional documentation of Kanu’s story according to Kanu, his fans, and his critics too – it’s definitely going to be compelling and well-balanced because we intend to highlight the challenges he’s encountered and how he overcame_them, in order to inspire many young Africans with his exceptional story of hope, determination and success”
Explaining the plot a step further, the film director, who used to work with BBC Wales, added that “it’s not just about Kanu and his story, but Lion Heart: The Kanu Story is a film with a strong message that will greatly touch audiences across the globe, because despite the fact that his role as a great sportsman is emphasised, yet the salient themes in the movie revolve around determination, overcoming tribulations, triumphing over life-threatening obstacles and circumstances to soar to heights of iconic greatness.”
Kanu expressed his excitement when he spoke about the project, saying: “I’m a very private person, but it has been a very interesting experience to watch my colleagues, team mates, coaches, doctors, fans, friends and family telling my story in a very passionate manner. This movie humbles me – I can see the aspects of my life that the world identifies with, and it’s not easy to open up your life to the world, but then it is very noble to do so in order to inspire those who wish to do the things you have done – at least so that they can see how you did it.”
But why do we have to wait until after the World Cup to see this movie? And to this Kanu replied: “The producers have been working tirelessly for a very long time now, but I believe this World Cup should be part of the film. Whether I play or not, I definitely want the experience to be part of the film…”
Lion Heart: The Kanu Story is scheduled for a global premiere in_September, but so far the film parades an excellent cast of renowned footballers from some of the teams Kanu has played for, alongside coaches, and revered FIFA officials, all passionately telling the story of a true African icon in more than four languages.
An official movie trailer, posters, and snippets from the projects will be leaked to the media soon. Also, an interactive website is also in the works, and fans can participate in fun trivia for a chance to win a front-row seat at the London premiere of the movie.
January 31, 2010
A Turkish man has decided to divorce his wife after DNA tests showed he was the father of only one of their twin boys.
The Turkish daily newspaper Sabah reported the security guard from Istanbul, identified only as A.K., had DNA tests done on the three-year-olds after becoming suspicious his wife had been unfaithful.
The tests established with a 99.99 per cent certainty that the man was the father of only one of the boys, adding that the result was confirmed by a forensic medicine institute upon the request of the court handling the divorce case.
The mother, identified as C.K., had maintained a relationship with a lover she had dated before her family forced her to marry A.K., the newspaper said.
The phenomenon of twins with different fathers - known as heteropaternal superfecundation - is very rare in humans but more common in animals such as cats and dogs.
It becomes possible in rare circumstances when a woman produces two ova in a menstrual cycle, said Professor Rusen Aytac, head of the gynaecology department at Ankara University's medical faculty.
In this abridged essay, Funsho Ogundipe, Nigerian pianist, composer, movie-maker, leader of the band, Ayetoro, and one, who was also privileged to play in the band of the late Afrobeat attempts to lead our teeming readers into the musical world of Fela and how he did his thing.
In the afrobeat underground it normally started with whisperings. One of the guys in the house may have observed the master humming a melody… or clapping a drum pattern… or scribbling away at paper. Perhaps, simply writing some chords…
The next stage would see him at the old upright piano, which sat in the hallway of his house, Kalakuta, checking out different chords and working out individual parts for each instrument in his Egypt 80 Orchestra.
He would usually Have a joint in hand, in Y-fronts, and not much else. Hitting notes and feeling them. Then you knew for sure — if you lived in the house, or was one of the frequent visitors to Kalakuta — because his dancers and the girls in his harem would start the rumor:.
Fela don get new song… Fela don begin new number…Fela dis… Fela dat… Na fire……
By this time, the word was up. Everyone knew. From the runners selling weed on the streets to the call girls by the street corners waiting for their johns to relieve their boredom. Everyone knew a new number was coming.
The punters in the local pubs, musicians waiting on the latest tune in case they wanted to sit in with the band later… Students, workers, market women… The closer you were to Ikeja — the Lagos suburb where Fela both lived and worked before his transition — the stronger the rumors grew, and as the days go by, they became more than rumors.
Soon Wednesday evenings at the Shrine would have the familiar sounds and smells that accompany a Fela Kuti rehearsal.
First, having decided that the tune he had been hearing in his mind had come to stay, he would send for his rhythm section, jazz drums and miscellaneous percussions: five in all… add to that twin guitars (tenor and rhythm), then twin basses and electric piano. Since he writes his music line for line, he would dictate parts to each musician. They would work on their parts until the whole thing became the groove he wanted, adding layers and layers of sound, until the wall of sound was ready to hit you.
By this time, fans would be waiting outside his house — drinking, smoking, flirting, eating or just listening to the sounds conjured by the sonic scientist. A few bold enough to venture inside would press their bodies against the walls adjourning the rehearsal rooms and cup their hands to their ears for a closer listening to the band. At this stage, only the diehards would be around. You could hear the harmonic carpet but not much else. No majestic horn melodies, no breaks — and yes, no killer vocals. Those would come later. What you heard now though was a wicked groove and some super bass lines…..
Fela:
He sits facing the band. Shirt open, smoking a cigarette. He drags on the cigarette and looks at the horn section. Sitting opposite him, ten-man strong, they range from trumpets through flugal horns to the reed section with twin alto tenor and baritone saxophones. They are flanked by the chekere and sticks players.
He counts off a tempo and the rhythm section come in on the one. He plays a melody again over the groove. The horn players pick up the melody and play together with different degrees of success. He plays the melody again. Some musicians have scraps of paper with the melody sketched out and they look at this while they blow. Others prefer their ears and play patiently listening to his lines on the electric piano.
After a few attempts they get it right. Then he guides them more gently, sketching the form of the tune aurally: how many times the melody must be played; how many sections there were; what harmonies were for the horns… He plays the backing riffs for instrumental solos and they fall in behind him, riffling away until they were one tight, loud, section.
When Fela has a new number to work on, Wednesday nights at the shrine were rehearsal nights. The club would be as full as on a regular day of performance with people listening intently. The only difference would be that only vibe will be heard and no dancing. Everyone is quiet. Lagosians are witnessing one of their most innovative composers at work and the atmosphere is one of respect for his craft. At the first sign of the melody from his keyboard, someone somewhere picks it up and starts humming.
