I make no apologies for treading on toes - Obasanjo

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKliFJZk4UaQEmQpIHoLFZIty5cA_SL0tVmxsX0X_Yqqxl49irzMhkxsZLIhvtEf61E28y65sDNAnaNoRk6WTNOuXY0K3vororxN-obSSsx7My1wdGh4QVd2S1BibNWUmPP3-jVmGhXG0/s1600/Obasanjo+obj+blast+angry.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKliFJZk4UaQEmQpIHoLFZIty5cA_SL0tVmxsX0X_Yqqxl49irzMhkxsZLIhvtEf61E28y65sDNAnaNoRk6WTNOuXY0K3vororxN-obSSsx7My1wdGh4QVd2S1BibNWUmPP3-jVmGhXG0/s640/Obasanjo+obj+blast+angry.gif" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he will not apologise for treading on anybody’s toes during his reign as president of the country between 1999 and 2007.<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Obasanjo said he did what he had to do and had no regrets.<br /> <br /> The elder statesman spoke in Lagos on Friday during a reception organised by his close associates to celebrate his 80th birthday.<br /> <br /> “I make no apologies for treading on anybody’s toes. If anybody put their toes on my path, I will tread on them,” Obasanjo said.<br /> <br /> He attributed Nigeria’s woes to inconsistencies in government policies.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo said the failure of successive leaders to consolidate on the achievements of their predecessors had made governance look like an impossible task.<br /> <br /> Obasanjo recalled that during one of his visits to Singapore, he asked the country’s former Prime Minister, Harry Lee Kuan Yew, the secrets of the Asian country’s success.<br /> <br /> The former president said, “He (Yew) simply told me their secret was that they did a few things right and continued to do them right. We keep lamenting as if Nigeria is impossible to run or get things rights.<br /> <br /> “I think that during my tenure as president, we did quite a few things right but our failure to continue to do what we have done right is the problem.<br /> <br /> “One of the things we got right was the Universal Basic Education. We said Nigerians had no reason not to have at least nine years of education.<br /> <br /> “On primary healthcare, we did things right because we realised that if we provided basic care for malaria treatment, we would reduce infant and maternal mortality.<br /> <br /> “On anti-corruption, I think we got it right. But did we continue to get things right?”<br /> <br /> Speaking earlier at the occasion, two former governors, Gbenga Daniel (Ogun State) and Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun State) had claimed that Obasanjo trod on their toes during his administration.<br /> <br /> “In fact, Baba almost crushed my toes. But Baba is a great man who cares for the nation and wants things to be done the right way,” Daniel said, with Oyinlola expressing the same sentiment.<br /> <br /> A former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, in his remarks, praised the former president for his leadership achievements in the country, adding that Obasanjo contributed immensely to his personal career.<br /> <br /> “Things really happened during that period and there were a couple of difficult moments because 99 per cent of the people we arrested were Peoples Democratic Party members.<br /> <br /> “He (Obasanjo) exercised self-restraint; he refused to interfere with the day-to-day running of the EFCC. Obasanjo is a living proof that hard work does not kill. I wish he would never retire. You can’t afford to retire.”<br /> <br /> Similarly, a former Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, while praising Obasanjo during the event, described the ex-president as “a bad man” who pushed everyone in his team to work hard.<br /> <br /> “Baba is a bad man; even though he was the oldest in the team, he worked very hard and expected others to do as well. I told him I did not have as much strength as he would expect, Baba retorted, ‘Ole, ole!’ (lazybones; thief!).”

Latest-News I make no apologies for treading on toes - Obasanjo

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he will not apologise for treading on anybody’s toes during his reign as president of the co...

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Saudi Arabia To Kill ‘Atheist For Insulting Prophet Muhammad

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4B-D1AUmBbfhVKvB-xp7Zv2xkeO8DiM8XPh9UyYJPZUeNAamEZQ-Ggpg72mHGRItDLiXz_iiFH8OK5HXemXzns5CZ03D3QPvhoohBWUUquT1J0naFLTukDQdQC-nFQF9jEKuAT9Z8q4/s1600/murder+knife+3+kill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF4B-D1AUmBbfhVKvB-xp7Zv2xkeO8DiM8XPh9UyYJPZUeNAamEZQ-Ggpg72mHGRItDLiXz_iiFH8OK5HXemXzns5CZ03D3QPvhoohBWUUquT1J0naFLTukDQdQC-nFQF9jEKuAT9Z8q4/s400/murder+knife+3+kill.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> A Saudi Arabian man who renounced Islam and made disparaging remarks about the prophet Muhammad has been sentenced to death.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Authorities became aware of Ahmad Al-Shamri in 2014 after he uploaded a series of videos reflecting his views on social media. He was subsequently arrested on charges of atheism and blasphemy, faced trial and was sentenced to death in February 2015.<br /> <br /> Al-Shamri is reportedly in his early 20s and comes from the city of Hafar Al-Batin, located in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.<br /> <br /> The defendant initially pleaded insanity, saying that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he made the comments, Hala Dosari, an advisory board member of Human Rights Watch (HRW) told the Washington Post.<br /> <br /> She added that “his trial focused heavily on Quranic law and little on any mitigating mental illness. As a result, Al-Shamri has been sentenced to death for being an atheist.”<br /> <br /> After a lengthy appeals process, Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court ruled against Al-Shamri on Tuesday (25 April).<br /> <br /> According to Amnesty International, the Gulf oil giant carried out at least 154 executions in 2016. The country has been habitually criticised by human rights groups over its human rights record, but it is still a member of the UN’s Human Rights Council. Its term expires in 2019.<br /> <br /> Leaving Islam is punishable by death in the ultra-conservative kingdom.<br /> <br /> “The conservative religious folks have full control of the justice system,” said Adam Coogle, Middle East researcher at HRW.<br /> <br /> “Judges come from religious seminaries in Saudi Arabia. They see themselves as preservers of Saudi Arabia’s character as an Islamic state,” he added. “And they come down hard on people who step out of line.”<br /> <br /> Saudi Arabia was ranked third by Amnesty International for recorded executions in 2016 behind China (which was in the thousands) and Iran (567+). The true figures are thought to be significantly higher as the figures only cover the judicial use of the death penalty.<br /> <br /> Those sentenced to death are killed by beheading or shooting.<br /> <br /> Social media users were divided over Al-Shamri’s death sentence, with some saying such an extreme course of action is unjustified. Others, however, appeared to celebrate the verdict and even went as far as saying they wished “there could be live streaming” when the execution is carried out.

Latest-News Saudi Arabia To Kill ‘Atheist For Insulting Prophet Muhammad

A Saudi Arabian man who renounced Islam and made disparaging remarks about the prophet Muhammad has been sentenced to death. Authorit...

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UNIBEN student drowns

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueROEoT8vTrI0F9pynVh0CA8uDJFPAWPeBKfcUbJENwPBqEUWbpxPUXVaAngLNoQHRoPluigqrBktOklzK_pESDXA4ig6wiCYTk3Kxa5BWGnnP53iQ06dfVhDkL3XZCeqxyyToHBLwuo/s1600/drowning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueROEoT8vTrI0F9pynVh0CA8uDJFPAWPeBKfcUbJENwPBqEUWbpxPUXVaAngLNoQHRoPluigqrBktOklzK_pESDXA4ig6wiCYTk3Kxa5BWGnnP53iQ06dfVhDkL3XZCeqxyyToHBLwuo/s320/drowning.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <br /> A yet to be identified University of Benin student has drowned in River Benue, on the closing day of the Nigeria University Games Association, NUGA, in Makurdi, Benue State.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Omeche Onoja, Chairman, NUGA games medical and sanitation sub-committee confirmed the incident.<br /> <br /> The name of the student was not disclosed.<br /> <br /> Ms. Onoja said the student had gone to the river to swim when the incident occurred.<br /> <br /> She said his corpse had been deposited at Madonna Hospital in Makurdi.<br /> <br /> “We had a distress call from some students of the situation but on reaching the river, we found the lifeless body of the student, who has been identified by his colleagues. He was said to have participated in some games.<br /> <br /> “The whole incident could have been avoided”, she said.<br /> <br /> The NUGA Games was hosted by the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi.<br /> <br /> Fifty-seven universities participated.

Latest-News UNIBEN student drowns

A yet to be identified University of Benin student has drowned in River Benue, on the closing day of the Nigeria University Games Associat...

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I kept my promise to Americans – Donald Trump

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwnFIoF_6QzB0WYrnCsRYOGvne-6ah10v39lS7t4nXh7MQ_TuwbyhlT1J4RdpzYW-g2LKKekSXTiWjG9HdDuSndMeedKrYc9yx7sOH3XLijHcti8ng8hkqrtVjDjImYXPBEA-FLeguFA/s400/Donald-Trump_-.jpg" width="400" /></div> <br /> The president of the United State of America, Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has kept his campaign promises to the people of Americans. He made the remark while addressing citizens of American, exposing his achievements since he took over from his predecessor, Barack Obama.<br /> <br /> See his speech bellow:<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <blockquote>One hundred days ago, I took the oath of office and made a pledge: We are not merely going to transfer political power from one party to another, but instead are going to transfer that power from Washington, D.C., and give it back to the people.<br /> <br /> In the past 100 days, I have kept that promise — and more. Issue by issue, department by department, we are giving the people their country back. After decades of a shrinking middle class, open borders and the mass offshoring of American jobs and wealth, this government is working for the citizens of our country and no one else. The same establishment media that concealed these problems — and profited from them — is obviously not going to tell this story.<br /> <br /> That is why we are taking our message directly to America. We have opened the White House doors to listen, engage and act. We’ve invited in labor leaders, factory owners, police officers, farmers, veterans and Democrats, Republicans and independents. The change began with the termination of the Trans- Pacific Partnership— a 12-nation pact that would have shipped millions more jobs to other countries. But leaving the TPP was only the beginning. We have also launched an investigation into foreign trading abuses and taken steps to protect the production of American steel and aluminum.<br /> <br /> After years of federal contracts going to foreign bidders, we are ensuring that government agencies enforce “Buy American” rules and give preference to American companies — and that American companies hire American workers. Crucially, to bring back our jobs, we are going to pursue a complete renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement: We’ve lost nearly a third of our manufacturing jobs in the 23 years since that terrible deal was approved.<br /> <br /> At the center of our economic agenda, we’ve undertaken the most far-reaching effort in history to remove job-killing regulations.I ‘ve ordered that for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated. We’ve signed a record 13 Congressional Review Act resolutions to scrap job-crushing regulations, and I’ve signed 29 pieces of legislation in total — a mark not surpassed in the first 100 days since Harry S. Truman. Those newly enacted laws include Veterans’ Choice legislation — which became law while at the same time we’ve increased by 42 percent the number of veterans approved to see the doctor of their choosing.<br /> <br /> And we’ve provided transparency by publishing all wait times at the Veterans Affairs health system online, backed up by a new Veterans Affairs Office of Accountability. On energy, the change has been profound. We’ve canceled restrictions on the production of oil, natural gas and clean coal. What we’ve accomplished on immigration and criminal enforcement is nothing short of historic.<br /> <br /> After decades of unending illegal immigration and mass uncontrolled entry, we’ve turned the tide as never before — illegal border-crossings are down 73 percent.<br /> <br /> Visa processes are being reformed to substantially improve vetting and screening, and we’ve launched prototypes and bidding for the border wall to stop the scourge of drugs, human trafficking and illegal immigrants from coming into our country. Federal law enforcement has begun a crackdown on sanctuary cities that harbor criminal aliens — because we know the first duty of government is to protect American citizens.<br /> <br /> The Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and State, and the director of national intelligence, have formed an inter-agency group for the express purpose of dismantling transnational criminal cartels. The handcuffs have been removed from our prosecutors, and they’re targeting the drug dealers and gang members who prey on our citizens — and they’re working to eradicate the violent cartel MS-13. The change on defense has been profound as well.<br /> <br /> The Defense Department has begun to rebuild and restore our military readiness. We’ve reasserted American leadership by holding the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria accountable for its monstrous use of banned chemical weapons against helpless, innocent civilians. Our successful missile strike enforced the red line that the previous administration drew but ignored, thus restoring our credibility with our friends and our deterrence with our foes.<br /> <br /> Finally, NATO countries are starting to pay billions of dollars more since I have made clear that the United States expects all of its allies to pay their fair share. I delivered on one of my biggest promises, appointing and confirming a new justice to the Supreme Court who will be faithful to the U.S. Constitution.<br /> <br /> This is the first time a new justice has been confirmed in the first 100 days in 136 years. As we’ve made these changes — on the border, on our economy, on our security — confidence has soared. And a survey of manufacturing reveals record-breaking optimism in the future. Consumer confidence hit a 16-year high .<br /> <br /> Thousands of new jobs are being re-shored back to America — including jobs at Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Sprint, Intel and so many more.<br /> <br /> We are proving that Buy and Hire American isn’t just a slogan — it’s now the policy of the U.S. government. It, along with the many other things we are doing, will Make America Great Again. No longer will we listen to the same failed voices of the past who brought us nothing but war overseas, poverty at home and the loss of companies, jobs and our wealth to countries that have taken total advantage of the United States. The White House is once again the People’s House.<br /> <br /> And I will do everything in my power to be the People’s President — to faithfully, loyally and proudly champion the incredible citizens who love this nation and who call this God-blessed land their home.</blockquote>

Latest-News I kept my promise to Americans – Donald Trump

The president of the United State of America, Donald Trump on Saturday said that he has kept his campaign promises to the people of Ameri...

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VIDEO: Buhari’s govt facing obstacles seemly insurmountable – Richard Quest

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaHTPuKIMjZqjPQqTSxNivYY886N7lUvAnsnuh7v_LTKoen2vfrT0vcgHkqEHRA7id27LhyphenhyphenU0RgCSS6kDObxcmx0z0o2DFmIB1-XuLPXuxvXCXFcEYqp0eR68QosD6pyErXwLe2z__mU/s640/richard+quest.png" width="640" /></div> <br /> Richard Quest has said that the two year government of President Mohammadu Buhari is facing ‘obstacles seemly insurmountable’.<br /> <br /> Richard Quest made this statement in a video on Cross Road on CNN<br /> <br /> Watch video below...<br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> <iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://web.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fweb.facebook.com%2FquestCNN%2Fvideos%2F10154592085355922%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe>

Latest-News VIDEO: Buhari’s govt facing obstacles seemly insurmountable – Richard Quest

Richard Quest has said that the two year government of President Mohammadu Buhari is facing ‘obstacles seemly insurmountable’. Richard Q...

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Police replies Governor Wike on alleged plot to plant dollars, expensive wristwatches and guns in his residence

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7EyDCPru6EpnLjxqwg2aM2PoBZTZCLhDX38aYs4zSdi0qIl7nG6oDvSJV9R0Nh4b2LwkEAEOa2cQyIxws885eGal0rBfEn0IQ0-ksVQWGTu_dJCi4MbeUIAmCRun8bweqO8LXjYBuZA/s1600/wike-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig7EyDCPru6EpnLjxqwg2aM2PoBZTZCLhDX38aYs4zSdi0qIl7nG6oDvSJV9R0Nh4b2LwkEAEOa2cQyIxws885eGal0rBfEn0IQ0-ksVQWGTu_dJCi4MbeUIAmCRun8bweqO8LXjYBuZA/s400/wike-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> Governor Nyesom Wike has raised the alarm over alleged plot to frame him up, saying the police were planning to plant foreign currencies and incriminating items in his Asokoro residence in Abuja.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Wike, who spoke, yesterday, in Government House, Port Harcourt, alleged that the police leadership had concluded plans to secure a court injunction in Abuja to search the residence this week, alleging that the incriminating items it intended to plant there would now be recovered.<br /> <br /> He alleged that the police had approved the raid of his Abuja residence. According to him, some other items to be planted include guns, explosives and expensive wristwatches His words, “I had an interview where I said the IG of police is after my life. Yesterday (Friday), the IG approved that they should go my house in Abuja to raid the place.<br /> <br /> And that they would get the court order on Tuesday in Abuja. “First of all, I don’t stay in the lodge; I have never stayed in the lodge since I became governor. I live in my private house in Asokoro, Abuja. Now, what they have done in that order they want to get from the court is that they did not indicate who owns the house or who is living there. “Obviously, the court will be wary of searching a governor’s house because of immunity.<br /> <br /> But to beat that, they did not indicate that it is the house of the governor of Rivers State. I am not afraid. If you want to search my house, I live in Port Harcourt. I have my house in the village and I have my house in the Old GRA.<br /> <br /> So, you can come and search. “All attempt is being made so that they will go and plant either AK47 or millions of dollars in the house.<br /> <br /> They can even plant costly wrist watches as propaganda tool”. Meanwhile, spokesman for Rivers State Police Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said he was not aware of the alleged plot, referring our correspondent to the Force PRO in Abuja. “ Since the IG has been mentioned, I am not competent to speak on it. Get to the Force PRO in Abuja. But as a command, we are not aware of such plot “, he said.

Latest-News Police replies Governor Wike on alleged plot to plant dollars, expensive wristwatches and guns in his residence

Governor Nyesom Wike has raised the alarm over alleged plot to frame him up, saying the police were planning to plant foreign currencies ...

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Deputy Speaker, House of Reps alleges threat to his life

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSZv3xVJGJV8xC-bMao48uE6Z6ehXk38rmqESgwOb-CUaQGbQ-wkCxaFYvFCqiqz_SX_nzgIJdajYqUN8J_s7SxN22j_W62jVf_vg3OhOsjVf-c6uTLVDM4uK4Y5Ppqika-f4vlCoRkI/s1600/FG-House-of-Reps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSZv3xVJGJV8xC-bMao48uE6Z6ehXk38rmqESgwOb-CUaQGbQ-wkCxaFYvFCqiqz_SX_nzgIJdajYqUN8J_s7SxN22j_W62jVf_vg3OhOsjVf-c6uTLVDM4uK4Y5Ppqika-f4vlCoRkI/s400/FG-House-of-Reps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun Yusuf, has raised the alarm over alleged threat to his life by unknown people over his interest in the 2018 gubernatorial election in Osun State.<br /> <br /> <a id="more" name="more"></a><br /> <br /> Yusuf’s allegation came on the heels of the sudden death, last Sunday, of Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, another frontline politician from Osun, who was also an aspirant ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state. Speaking yesterday at a press conference addressed by his Special Adviser on Constituency Matters, Dr. Remi Ajala, the Deputy Speaker recalled that consequent upon his declaration of interest in the governorship race of Osun State in 2018, he had received threat messages.<br /> <br /> He made reference to a statement credited to a leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, warning him and Adeleke to suspend their governorship ambition.<br /> <br /> Yusuf contended that the actions that followed his declaration for the Osun number one seat were pointers to the fact that his life was in danger. He recalled that on one occasion, his mission to attend the birthday of a political leader in Ikirun on January 27, 2017 was aborted following a text message threatening his life which was investigated by the Directorate of State Service and allegedly linked to an individual who confessed that he was directed to send the message by a top government official in Osun.<br /> <br /> The threat message reported to the DSS according to him read: “Sir, it’s very unfair for you to want to attend Baba Owoseni’s birthday ceremony tomorrow.<br /> <br /> If you insist to come and anything comes against you, you have to bear it. My advice is that you should not come.” Yusuf also recalled another occasion when another top government official in the state mobilized thugs in the first week of April to stop him from the construction of Eid’s perimeter fence along Ibokun Road in Osogbo.<br /> <br /> While pledging his commitment to the success of APC in Osun State, the Deputy Speaker contended that he did not want any death in “ such a mysterious way as it had happened in the case of Senator Isiaka Adeleke”.

Latest-News Deputy Speaker, House of Reps alleges threat to his life

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Sulaimon Lasun Yusuf, has raised the alarm over alleged threat to his life by unknown ...

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