Sunday, 2 March 2014
'Why I Rejected The Centenary Awards' - Soyinka Opens Up
100 persons were honoured with Centenary awards by the Federal Government as part of Nigeria’s Centenary celebration.Professor
Soyinka who was among the 100 rejected the award as the late Nigerian
tyrant, General Sani Abacha and other known killers and looters of
Nigeria’s treasury were also on the list.
In a rejection note headlined "The Canonisation of Terror", Soyinka observed that the inclusion of Abacha on the list does not only show a failure of a moral rigour but it calls into question "the entire ethical landscape into which this nation has been forced by insensate leadership".
According to Soyinka, Abacha's regime was known for assassinations, torture and other forms of barbarism. An elected president and his wife, M.K.O and Kudirat Abiola were snuffed out by Abacha as well as nine Nigerian citizens, including the writer and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, were hanged after a trial that was stomach churning.
"We are speaking here of a man who placed this nation under siege during an unrelenting reign of terror that is barely different from the current rampage of Boko Haram. It is this very psychopath that was recently canonised by the government of Goodluck Jonathan in commemoration of one hundred years of Nigerian trauma.
"What the government of Goodluck Jonathan has done is to scoop up a century’s accumulated degeneracy in one pre-eminent symbol, then place it on a podium for the nation to admire, emulate and even–worship."
"There is a deplorable message for coming generations in this governance aberration that the entire world has been summoned to witness and indeed to celebrate. The insertion of an embodiment of governance of terror into the company of committed democrats, professionals, humanists and human rights advocates in their own right, is a sordid effort to grant a certificate of health to a communicable disease that common sense demands should be isolated. It is a confidence trick that speaks volumes of the perpetrators of such a fraud," Soyinka said.
In a rejection note headlined "The Canonisation of Terror", Soyinka observed that the inclusion of Abacha on the list does not only show a failure of a moral rigour but it calls into question "the entire ethical landscape into which this nation has been forced by insensate leadership".
According to Soyinka, Abacha's regime was known for assassinations, torture and other forms of barbarism. An elected president and his wife, M.K.O and Kudirat Abiola were snuffed out by Abacha as well as nine Nigerian citizens, including the writer and environmentalist Ken Saro-Wiwa, were hanged after a trial that was stomach churning.
"We are speaking here of a man who placed this nation under siege during an unrelenting reign of terror that is barely different from the current rampage of Boko Haram. It is this very psychopath that was recently canonised by the government of Goodluck Jonathan in commemoration of one hundred years of Nigerian trauma.
"What the government of Goodluck Jonathan has done is to scoop up a century’s accumulated degeneracy in one pre-eminent symbol, then place it on a podium for the nation to admire, emulate and even–worship."
"There is a deplorable message for coming generations in this governance aberration that the entire world has been summoned to witness and indeed to celebrate. The insertion of an embodiment of governance of terror into the company of committed democrats, professionals, humanists and human rights advocates in their own right, is a sordid effort to grant a certificate of health to a communicable disease that common sense demands should be isolated. It is a confidence trick that speaks volumes of the perpetrators of such a fraud," Soyinka said.
I Don’t Believe In Gender Equality —Omotola
Award-winning actress and one of TIME 100 most influential
persons, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, is a reporter’s delight. After several
months of chase, she and her husband, Matthew, agreed to an interview
last Saturday. Held in their Lagos home, they talk about their
18-year-old union
What was the initial attraction?
Matthew: She was beautiful, fresh and untouched. I decided to start with someone who hadn’t seen the world yet.
Omotola: He was good looking but basically, it was his sense of humour and sense of responsibility. He is God-fearing too and a serious-minded person.
When did you propose to her?
Matthew: We didn’t court. I met her when she was 16 and I was 26. We got married when she was 18. She clocked 36 recently. We were family friends and I met her through my elder sister. She used to come around the house and when she turned 18, I decided she was ripe. I told her I would marry her and she didn’t believe. I went to tell her late mother, who said I should wait till after four years because Tola had just gained admission to the university then. I told the mother that I couldn’t wait because I didn’t trust the guys in the university.
How did he propose?
Omotola: That was when I turned 18. We had been friends for about two years. He was like a family friend then but I knew he had some plans. He didn’t say anything serious and I was somehow underage. When I turned 18, on my birthday, he jokingly said, ‘babes you don grow o.’ He told me his plan.
Were you scared of getting married then?
Omotola: I wasn’t. I have always been very mature for my age. But otherwise, I had already known him for so long and was very comfortable with him. I just knew that life with him would be comfortable and easy. I didn’t know I would conform to a marriage setting because my mother used to tell me that I was very headstrong. I just thank God that I found someone who could understand me.
How has the journey been for 18 years?
Omotola: Nothing has changed really. It is still the same relaxed, easy-going relationship. There are times when we have misunderstandings but it is never anything serious or unbelievably scary. It has been the grace and fear of God. Everything results in what God thinks about the situations and we pray about it. Everyone is conscious of the fact that we must respect God in the relationship and then your spouse. We don’t just do things. Secondly, we are very grounded and real. We try the best we can to make everything natural. We don’t stress ourselves.
How did you manage the fame?
Omotola: It is just by God’s grace. If a couple cooperates with God, then He gives them the grace to tolerate each other.
How do you react to alleged scandals about your wife?
Matthew: I have heard and seen a lot that were untrue about her. I trust her. I know they will always write a lot of nonsense, why should I bother myself?
How do you feel when she plays romantic roles in movies?
Matthew: They are all make-believe. They are not real and most of her movies are pecks and not kisses. I told her not to cross that boundary.
What are the secrets of your successful marriage?
Matthew: It is God’s grace. We are disciplined and prayerful.
Omotola: It has to be God. There is no other strategy. One person can be perfect and the second person can be nasty. On our part, I’d say also that we don’t look at the relationship as something we can walk away from. We look at it as a life commitment. When you parents upset you, you cannot divorce them. Even the bible says you will leave your father and your mother and cleave to your spouse. Luckily, he doesn’t drink or smoke or abuse me. I don’t have any major thing to complain about, and I hope it is the same thing for him.
Do you quarrel?
Matthew: Yes we do. A lot. She is very argumentative. She always wants to be right. You can never win an argument with her. But she is the first to apologise.
Omotola: When there is a quarrel, I usually apologise first. He doesn’t say sorry. Overtime, I have come to realise that it is an ego problem. Even when he knows he is wrong, he will rather do every other thing or buy things for me than say, ‘I’m sorry.’ Fortunately, the ‘sorrys’ are not too many. He is very responsible and more hardworking than me. By God’s grace, we have been able to understand our routine.
What is your advice to celebrity couples?
Matthew: Foundation really matters. Some people get into the relationship for one wrong motive or the other. Most of them live false lives. Couples that are in the same profession hardly last in a marriage. There is always competition. The best thing is to marry someone that is compatible with you.
What are the reasons for break up in celebrity marriages?
Omotola: It is really hard but you both have to feel extremely secure. You have to be extremely confident and trust each other. There are so many things to deal with, especially in this environment where some people just thrive in hurting other people. The weird part is that you cannot believe that people are capable of such wickedness. You are sane and cannot believe other people are insane. These are the things that cause break up in celebrity marriages. A lot of people are talking and saying nasty things that are not true. It is just as if there is a gang up to break you up once they know you are a celebrity or in a relationship. Most times, they are all lies! Celebrity lifestyle gossip is getting to a point where they are getting close to your kids and family. They try to put your relationship in jeopardy. Then, petty things that wouldn’t cause any problems become issues. I hope there would be legislation that will protect families.
Have you ever felt threatened by her success?
Matthew: There is no reason or room for it. When I met her, she was just Omotola Jalade, and she had done just one movie. I am happy for her. When I met her, she was just getting into the movie industry. I always encourage her and hope for the best. I don’t feel threatened in any way.
How do you switch from the lifestyle of a celebrity to that of a wife?
Omotola: It is easy for me. It starts with who you truly are. The real me is not very glamorous. People may not believe it. I know what people’s perception can be. I am a homely person. If I had my way, I wouldn’t go out. When I am at home, I am Omotola. When I am with my close friends, we don’t impress each other and we try to keep it very real.
With the children, who is stricter?
Matthew: She is. We are blessed with kids that behave themselves. We do not have children that are into all sort of funny things.
How about the recent warning to bloggers about your daughter’s pictures?
Matthew: I do not know why they would do that but it is just another lesson for the kids to be very careful about what they put out there. Actually, she did it with the intent of exchanging with her friends, not knowing that people will get into her private business. We have told her to take down all the pictures and leave only one.
How do you handle finance in your marriage?
Matthew: When we first started, we had one account. We had goals and things that we wanted to do. Whatever we earned had to be in one purse. Then, we sat at the end of the month and drew a budget. We did that for so many years and were successful until she started her own company and we decided she needed to have her own account. In most marriages, the man goes into the marriage with the mindset that he will be the sole provider even when the wife is working. That does not make any sense. He uses his money to pay bills while the woman will use hers to buy only make-up, clothes and shoes. If the couple is one, they should join resources together to move ahead. Money causes problems in a family when one person is being selfish. It doesn’t matter who earns more or less. They should have a common goal. Save together and accomplish things together.
Omotola: When we first started, we used to have a joint account and I was in charge of the finances. But as time went on, he started expanding. He has his own businesses and I have my own too. It is very difficult keeping a joint account. One of the things that scare couples about finance is trust. Luckily for us, we do not have vices. The trust is intact and I know how he spends money. He is more organised than I am. He has his budgets and it is always open. Sometimes, he even tells his kids to go and look at his budget because he is trying to teach them how to make budgets. Pilots are every meticulous about schedules. For that reason, his life is almost boring because everything is to the letter. I am the one who never has a budget because I am a spontaneous person. But he knows I am not a trivial person. I don’t just go about buying jewellery. That’s why I don’t have many girlfriends because I don’t talk about those things girls talk about. I am like a dude. I am always checking out cars or properties. He knows the kind of things I would invest my money on.
How can a woman have a successful marriage?
Omotola: I don’t believe in gender equality. I do not believe that God made man and woman to be equal in any way. I believe that in every organised institution, there is always a head and an assistant. It doesn’t mean that one should take the other for granted, or disrespect the other. I believe the husband is the head of the home and the wife is an assistant. My husband is a pilot, I have flown with him several times and I understood that here is a captain and a co-pilot.
They are both responsible for the passengers’ lives. But when there is a final decision to make, it is up to the captain to make it. He is more experienced and the one with the responsibility. But any mature captain will not ignore his co-pilot because the co-pilot is not a cabin attendant. He is there for a reason. It just depends on how you understand and play your roles. I believe women should understand this. When a woman starts a struggle for power tussle with him, it tends to cause friction in the home. The woman should give the man the respect as the head of the home and also prove herself as a worthy co-pilot. He needs to see you as a reliable co-pilot.
Sometimes, he may not be the one running the house day-to-day, you are the one to take decisions but you have to do it in such a manner that he is comfortable enough to see you as someone he can rely on. When you have a proud and egocentric husband, hand him over to God. If you feel like your life is being threatened, or that of your children, get yourself out of that situation. You owe your children that. Try separation for a while, but before that, you must have tried other things. I do not believe that people should throw in the towel in their marriage at every flimsy excuse. You must have been a diligent wife and tried prayers and intervention. If all those fail, then you can remove yourself from that situation. Also, couples should be friends and communicate. What we call love sometimes fizzles out. True love comes from friendship. When you don’t feel those initial sparks, friendship is what keeps you together, until when the spark comes again.
Do you still have time to cook?
Omotola: I cook all the time. I love to cook. I don’t go to the market but I do the cooking
You go to the market for her?
Matthew: Yes and I don’t feel bad doing it. I am not just doing it for her; I do it for the family. I enjoy it a lot and I have been doing it since we got married.
He said you are stricter with the children
Omotola: My kids think I am the strictest parent on the planet. I was brought up under very strict parents but I try to balance it. I know the things that really matter and the things that don’t. When you meet my kids you will know that they are well brought up. That’s what gives me the biggest joy.
How do you feel with bad press?
Omotola: I don’t think about it because I have a lifestyle that corrects everything. Talk is cheap and I tell them to come out with proof if they have any. But if they don’t have anything, they should shut up for life. I am not interested in those kinds of talks. My husband knows me, I know myself and the people who are close to me know I can’t do the things they write about. They know what I stand for and what I signify. My hands are clean and I don’t have any hidden skeleton in any cupboard. I meet people that I want to meet but in everything I do, I make sure that I do not do what I cannot explain.
How would you describe your wife?
Matthew: She is a go-getter. She is very determined to succeed. As a wife, she is good. But sometimes, I wish she was a lot more around. She travels almost as much as I do. Sometimes, I wonder who the pilot is. As a mother, she does well; the kids are even more scared of her than they are of me. I keep thanking God because of my family because when I look around me, I see marriages that are still struggling.
How do you spend time together?
Matthew: We always talk, spend time the best way we can and usually stay at home, to do what couples do.
Omotola: Whenever we decide to spend time with the family, we dedicate sometime. My kids do not go out without us. They do not visit friends. They are very sheltered. They are always in the house with us and we hang out together.
What would you like to change about him?
Omotola: I don’t know if it is even possible to change it. I am not someone who tries to change anyone. I just try to manage situations and people. I live with them in such a way that it does not hurt me. Maybe if he can talk more. Generally, I wish he could be more communicative. But they say women are talkative.
What is your advice to couples who want to stay successfully married?
Omotola: If they want to be successfully married, they have to take time to be so close to each other that every other thing does not matter. There should never be third parties in your marriage. It is like a wall. The minute it’s cracked and lizards start coming in, it will be hard to find the lizards and throw them out. And they will start creeping into your family. Try and always sort out the issues between you. Moreover, pay your tithe individually. It’s a covering. This is our secret. When you don’t pay your tithe, you have not committed yourself and your home will not be put together. It is your foundation. But when you pay your tithe, God helps you take away every devourer. When that is taken care of and you are God-fearing, as darts are coming from every angle, you are already fortified. If you trust each other, tell each other the truth even if one person errs.
What pet names do you call each other?
Matthew: I call her Omosexy.
Omotola: I call him Honey Boy
Do you see this love lasting forever?
Omotola: Yes, though I’m not playing God, I believe our love shall be forever.
What was the initial attraction?Matthew: She was beautiful, fresh and untouched. I decided to start with someone who hadn’t seen the world yet.
Omotola: He was good looking but basically, it was his sense of humour and sense of responsibility. He is God-fearing too and a serious-minded person.
When did you propose to her?
Matthew: We didn’t court. I met her when she was 16 and I was 26. We got married when she was 18. She clocked 36 recently. We were family friends and I met her through my elder sister. She used to come around the house and when she turned 18, I decided she was ripe. I told her I would marry her and she didn’t believe. I went to tell her late mother, who said I should wait till after four years because Tola had just gained admission to the university then. I told the mother that I couldn’t wait because I didn’t trust the guys in the university.
How did he propose?
Omotola: That was when I turned 18. We had been friends for about two years. He was like a family friend then but I knew he had some plans. He didn’t say anything serious and I was somehow underage. When I turned 18, on my birthday, he jokingly said, ‘babes you don grow o.’ He told me his plan.
Were you scared of getting married then?
Omotola: I wasn’t. I have always been very mature for my age. But otherwise, I had already known him for so long and was very comfortable with him. I just knew that life with him would be comfortable and easy. I didn’t know I would conform to a marriage setting because my mother used to tell me that I was very headstrong. I just thank God that I found someone who could understand me.
How has the journey been for 18 years?
Omotola: Nothing has changed really. It is still the same relaxed, easy-going relationship. There are times when we have misunderstandings but it is never anything serious or unbelievably scary. It has been the grace and fear of God. Everything results in what God thinks about the situations and we pray about it. Everyone is conscious of the fact that we must respect God in the relationship and then your spouse. We don’t just do things. Secondly, we are very grounded and real. We try the best we can to make everything natural. We don’t stress ourselves.
How did you manage the fame?
Omotola: It is just by God’s grace. If a couple cooperates with God, then He gives them the grace to tolerate each other.
How do you react to alleged scandals about your wife?
Matthew: I have heard and seen a lot that were untrue about her. I trust her. I know they will always write a lot of nonsense, why should I bother myself?
How do you feel when she plays romantic roles in movies?
Matthew: They are all make-believe. They are not real and most of her movies are pecks and not kisses. I told her not to cross that boundary.
What are the secrets of your successful marriage?
Matthew: It is God’s grace. We are disciplined and prayerful.
Omotola: It has to be God. There is no other strategy. One person can be perfect and the second person can be nasty. On our part, I’d say also that we don’t look at the relationship as something we can walk away from. We look at it as a life commitment. When you parents upset you, you cannot divorce them. Even the bible says you will leave your father and your mother and cleave to your spouse. Luckily, he doesn’t drink or smoke or abuse me. I don’t have any major thing to complain about, and I hope it is the same thing for him.
Do you quarrel?
Matthew: Yes we do. A lot. She is very argumentative. She always wants to be right. You can never win an argument with her. But she is the first to apologise.
Omotola: When there is a quarrel, I usually apologise first. He doesn’t say sorry. Overtime, I have come to realise that it is an ego problem. Even when he knows he is wrong, he will rather do every other thing or buy things for me than say, ‘I’m sorry.’ Fortunately, the ‘sorrys’ are not too many. He is very responsible and more hardworking than me. By God’s grace, we have been able to understand our routine.
What is your advice to celebrity couples?
Matthew: Foundation really matters. Some people get into the relationship for one wrong motive or the other. Most of them live false lives. Couples that are in the same profession hardly last in a marriage. There is always competition. The best thing is to marry someone that is compatible with you.
What are the reasons for break up in celebrity marriages?
Omotola: It is really hard but you both have to feel extremely secure. You have to be extremely confident and trust each other. There are so many things to deal with, especially in this environment where some people just thrive in hurting other people. The weird part is that you cannot believe that people are capable of such wickedness. You are sane and cannot believe other people are insane. These are the things that cause break up in celebrity marriages. A lot of people are talking and saying nasty things that are not true. It is just as if there is a gang up to break you up once they know you are a celebrity or in a relationship. Most times, they are all lies! Celebrity lifestyle gossip is getting to a point where they are getting close to your kids and family. They try to put your relationship in jeopardy. Then, petty things that wouldn’t cause any problems become issues. I hope there would be legislation that will protect families.
Have you ever felt threatened by her success?
Matthew: There is no reason or room for it. When I met her, she was just Omotola Jalade, and she had done just one movie. I am happy for her. When I met her, she was just getting into the movie industry. I always encourage her and hope for the best. I don’t feel threatened in any way.
How do you switch from the lifestyle of a celebrity to that of a wife?
Omotola: It is easy for me. It starts with who you truly are. The real me is not very glamorous. People may not believe it. I know what people’s perception can be. I am a homely person. If I had my way, I wouldn’t go out. When I am at home, I am Omotola. When I am with my close friends, we don’t impress each other and we try to keep it very real.
With the children, who is stricter?
Matthew: She is. We are blessed with kids that behave themselves. We do not have children that are into all sort of funny things.
How about the recent warning to bloggers about your daughter’s pictures?
Matthew: I do not know why they would do that but it is just another lesson for the kids to be very careful about what they put out there. Actually, she did it with the intent of exchanging with her friends, not knowing that people will get into her private business. We have told her to take down all the pictures and leave only one.
How do you handle finance in your marriage?
Matthew: When we first started, we had one account. We had goals and things that we wanted to do. Whatever we earned had to be in one purse. Then, we sat at the end of the month and drew a budget. We did that for so many years and were successful until she started her own company and we decided she needed to have her own account. In most marriages, the man goes into the marriage with the mindset that he will be the sole provider even when the wife is working. That does not make any sense. He uses his money to pay bills while the woman will use hers to buy only make-up, clothes and shoes. If the couple is one, they should join resources together to move ahead. Money causes problems in a family when one person is being selfish. It doesn’t matter who earns more or less. They should have a common goal. Save together and accomplish things together.
Omotola: When we first started, we used to have a joint account and I was in charge of the finances. But as time went on, he started expanding. He has his own businesses and I have my own too. It is very difficult keeping a joint account. One of the things that scare couples about finance is trust. Luckily for us, we do not have vices. The trust is intact and I know how he spends money. He is more organised than I am. He has his budgets and it is always open. Sometimes, he even tells his kids to go and look at his budget because he is trying to teach them how to make budgets. Pilots are every meticulous about schedules. For that reason, his life is almost boring because everything is to the letter. I am the one who never has a budget because I am a spontaneous person. But he knows I am not a trivial person. I don’t just go about buying jewellery. That’s why I don’t have many girlfriends because I don’t talk about those things girls talk about. I am like a dude. I am always checking out cars or properties. He knows the kind of things I would invest my money on.
How can a woman have a successful marriage?
Omotola: I don’t believe in gender equality. I do not believe that God made man and woman to be equal in any way. I believe that in every organised institution, there is always a head and an assistant. It doesn’t mean that one should take the other for granted, or disrespect the other. I believe the husband is the head of the home and the wife is an assistant. My husband is a pilot, I have flown with him several times and I understood that here is a captain and a co-pilot.
They are both responsible for the passengers’ lives. But when there is a final decision to make, it is up to the captain to make it. He is more experienced and the one with the responsibility. But any mature captain will not ignore his co-pilot because the co-pilot is not a cabin attendant. He is there for a reason. It just depends on how you understand and play your roles. I believe women should understand this. When a woman starts a struggle for power tussle with him, it tends to cause friction in the home. The woman should give the man the respect as the head of the home and also prove herself as a worthy co-pilot. He needs to see you as a reliable co-pilot.
Sometimes, he may not be the one running the house day-to-day, you are the one to take decisions but you have to do it in such a manner that he is comfortable enough to see you as someone he can rely on. When you have a proud and egocentric husband, hand him over to God. If you feel like your life is being threatened, or that of your children, get yourself out of that situation. You owe your children that. Try separation for a while, but before that, you must have tried other things. I do not believe that people should throw in the towel in their marriage at every flimsy excuse. You must have been a diligent wife and tried prayers and intervention. If all those fail, then you can remove yourself from that situation. Also, couples should be friends and communicate. What we call love sometimes fizzles out. True love comes from friendship. When you don’t feel those initial sparks, friendship is what keeps you together, until when the spark comes again.
Do you still have time to cook?
Omotola: I cook all the time. I love to cook. I don’t go to the market but I do the cooking
You go to the market for her?
Matthew: Yes and I don’t feel bad doing it. I am not just doing it for her; I do it for the family. I enjoy it a lot and I have been doing it since we got married.
He said you are stricter with the children
Omotola: My kids think I am the strictest parent on the planet. I was brought up under very strict parents but I try to balance it. I know the things that really matter and the things that don’t. When you meet my kids you will know that they are well brought up. That’s what gives me the biggest joy.
How do you feel with bad press?
Omotola: I don’t think about it because I have a lifestyle that corrects everything. Talk is cheap and I tell them to come out with proof if they have any. But if they don’t have anything, they should shut up for life. I am not interested in those kinds of talks. My husband knows me, I know myself and the people who are close to me know I can’t do the things they write about. They know what I stand for and what I signify. My hands are clean and I don’t have any hidden skeleton in any cupboard. I meet people that I want to meet but in everything I do, I make sure that I do not do what I cannot explain.
How would you describe your wife?
Matthew: She is a go-getter. She is very determined to succeed. As a wife, she is good. But sometimes, I wish she was a lot more around. She travels almost as much as I do. Sometimes, I wonder who the pilot is. As a mother, she does well; the kids are even more scared of her than they are of me. I keep thanking God because of my family because when I look around me, I see marriages that are still struggling.
How do you spend time together?
Matthew: We always talk, spend time the best way we can and usually stay at home, to do what couples do.
Omotola: Whenever we decide to spend time with the family, we dedicate sometime. My kids do not go out without us. They do not visit friends. They are very sheltered. They are always in the house with us and we hang out together.
What would you like to change about him?
Omotola: I don’t know if it is even possible to change it. I am not someone who tries to change anyone. I just try to manage situations and people. I live with them in such a way that it does not hurt me. Maybe if he can talk more. Generally, I wish he could be more communicative. But they say women are talkative.
What is your advice to couples who want to stay successfully married?
Omotola: If they want to be successfully married, they have to take time to be so close to each other that every other thing does not matter. There should never be third parties in your marriage. It is like a wall. The minute it’s cracked and lizards start coming in, it will be hard to find the lizards and throw them out. And they will start creeping into your family. Try and always sort out the issues between you. Moreover, pay your tithe individually. It’s a covering. This is our secret. When you don’t pay your tithe, you have not committed yourself and your home will not be put together. It is your foundation. But when you pay your tithe, God helps you take away every devourer. When that is taken care of and you are God-fearing, as darts are coming from every angle, you are already fortified. If you trust each other, tell each other the truth even if one person errs.
What pet names do you call each other?
Matthew: I call her Omosexy.
Omotola: I call him Honey Boy
Do you see this love lasting forever?
Omotola: Yes, though I’m not playing God, I believe our love shall be forever.
We Don’t Have N500m Ransom For Jonathan’s Uncle — Family
The kidnappers of Chief Inengite Nitabai, an uncle to
President Goodluck Jonathan, have reportedly insisted on N500m ransom
before the victim can be freed.
On
Friday, the kidnappers spoke with the family and demanded N500m ransom
as a condition for the release of Nitabai, Jonathan’s adopted father.
The demand, which the family said was outrageous, has thrown the members of Jonathan’s compound into panic.
When our correspondent called one of the children of the victim on Saturday night, he said family members were still apprehensive.
The child, who craved anonymity, said the kidnappers’ demand had caused serious tension in the family.
He said, “The amount the kidnappers are demanding is too high. Where do they expect us to raise such money?
“I am appealing to them to release our father. He is a good man; a God-fearing individual and symbol of peace in Otuoke and its environs.”
The abductors had threatened on Friday to kill Nitabai if the family failed to produce the money as soon as possible.
It was learnt that the Nitabais had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate the victim’s release.
“The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded the sum of N500m. Negotiations are ongoing between the family and the captors of Nitabai,” the child stated.
On
Friday, the kidnappers spoke with the family and demanded N500m ransom
as a condition for the release of Nitabai, Jonathan’s adopted father.The demand, which the family said was outrageous, has thrown the members of Jonathan’s compound into panic.
When our correspondent called one of the children of the victim on Saturday night, he said family members were still apprehensive.
The child, who craved anonymity, said the kidnappers’ demand had caused serious tension in the family.
He said, “The amount the kidnappers are demanding is too high. Where do they expect us to raise such money?
“I am appealing to them to release our father. He is a good man; a God-fearing individual and symbol of peace in Otuoke and its environs.”
The abductors had threatened on Friday to kill Nitabai if the family failed to produce the money as soon as possible.
It was learnt that the Nitabais had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate the victim’s release.
“The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded the sum of N500m. Negotiations are ongoing between the family and the captors of Nitabai,” the child stated.
Chris Brown diagnosed with mental illness
He appeared in court yesterday for a probation hearing and a letter from his rehab facility gave the singer high marks for improvement but suggested he remain in treatment.
The letter, obtained by E! News, reads in part,
"Mr. Brown will also require close supervision by his treating physician in order to ensure his bipolar mental health condition remains stable. It is not uncommon for patients with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Bipolar II to use substances to self-medicate their biomedical mood swings and trauma triggers."
"Mr. Brown became aggressive and acted out physically due to his untreated mental health disorder, severe sleep deprivation, inappropriate self-medicating and untreated PTSD."Chris was ordered to remain in treatment for two more months. His next hearing is set for April 23.
Photos: Genevieve Nnaji, Chaka Chaka, open Mudi South Africa
Mudiaga Enajemo pictured above with Ms Genny.
Mudi Africa also branches in Kenya and Ghana. See more photos after the cut...here
Explosions rock football viewing centre in Maiduguri killing many people
The Improvised Explosive Devices (IED), said to have been planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists at the viewing centre at Ajilari Railway Cross, exploded at about 6pm, killing many fans, while several others sustained injuries.
A residents of Ajilari told a Vanguard correspondent that, “Some suspected terrorists in two Toyota Hilux Pick Up vans, pretending to be firewood suppliers, detonated the bombs near the football viewing centre, resulting in loss of several lives.
Saturday, 1 March 2014
[PHOTOS] Welcome To The Fabulous Mega Rich Life Of Togolese Striker Emmanuel Adebayor
Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor, known as Emmanuel Adebayor, is a Togolese footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur and the Togolese national team.
Welcome to his fabulous world.
He is not just a footballer, he is also a super star,
Do You Know Samuel Eto’o Has 400 Mobile Phones? Here Are 10 Interesting Facts About The Chelsea Striker
Did you know that Samuel Eto’o became the first Chelsea striker to score in the English Premier League this season?
Well, here are 10 other interesting things you probably didn’t know too:
1. He is a collector of supercars and mobile phones
2. He has racked up a collection of 400 mobile phones scattered around various homes
3. He currently has 14 active phones, so it’s a nightmare for people trying to reach him via phone
4. He does loves his phones and has never thrown one away as he likes to collect them
5. The phones have different numbers and work in various countries.
6. Samuel is one of the world’s richest footballers
7. He earned 20 million euros in one year he spent at Russian club Anzha before joining Chelsea in August.
8. His salary at former clubs Barcelona and Inter Milan was decent too.
9. He has a supercar fleet worth 4.7 million euros.
10. That’s slightly more than he’d get for his old Nokia 3210 (humour, I think).
WOW: Check Out The Expensive Gift Footballer, Samuel Eto'o Gave Davido (PHOTOS)
Skelewu crooner, Davido who has been in the news lately from reports of hisgirlfriend having a set of twins for him to showing off his Gold-plated iphone. This time around he shared a photo of the gift footballer, Samuel Eto'o got him.The
'Omo baba lowo' who called the Cameroonian footballer /Chelsea striker,
Samuel Eto'o his big brother shared the photos below on instagram with
caption "Thanks for the gift big bro !! Brand new rose gold rolly!!
Davido who seem to be having fun and enjoy hanging out with the footballer also shared another photo of him dinning with Samuel Eto'o.
Davido who seem to be having fun and enjoy hanging out with the footballer also shared another photo of him dinning with Samuel Eto'o.
Premier League: Felix Magath hopes to benefit from a tired Chelsea on Saturday
Felix Magath hopes his Fulham side will be facing a tired Chelsea in their key Premier League derby on Saturday.
The
Blues were held to a 1-1 draw against Galatasaray in Istanbul on
Wednesday night and Magath insists they will have been drained by
travelling for their Champions League last-16 clash.The German feels there is bound to be some kind of fatigue factor for them less than three days after that game and he would love to secure his first win since taking over from Rene Meulensteen at home in a passionate local derby.
"When a team has played in the Champions League, it is always an advantage," Magath said. "We are lucky that Chelsea have had such a long trip to Istanbul to play on Wednesday. It's a good situation for us.
"I remember the situation - you have to stay at the airport, fly for a few hours and then play the game at night.
"Players can't sleep so well and are tired and then they have to spend more time at the airport. It bothers the players a lot.
"It gives us a chance. Chelsea are favourites, everyone knows that, but we'll try to fight and make a fast game. If we pressurise Chelsea then we have a good chance to win the game.
"It's an important game for me because it's my first appearance at Craven Cottage. If we show fighting spirit on the pitch, we can get the crowd behind us.
"At home games the crowd will be the 12th man and that's what we need. We need all the support we can get."
Magath also confirmed there would be no second first-team game for Greece striker Kostas Mitroglou, as he remains short of fitness.
"Kostas is a very dangerous striker, but in this league you have to be fit if you are to be ready to score," Magath said. "Next weekend (against Cardiff on March 8) I'm convinced that he will be back in the squad."
World Cup: Jose Mourinho backs Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard for England places
Jose Mourinho feels Ashley Cole deserves a place in England's World Cup squad
Hodgson's
30-man party for the friendly with Denmark next week includes a number
of inexperienced players, including Southampton left-back Luke Shaw.
Shaw is seen as a big threat to Cole's international future, and the 33-year-old has not been part of Mourinho's starting line-up recently, but the Portuguese feels Hodgson should stick with the senior men who secured qualification.
Hodgson has hinted that at least one of his elder statesmen will not make the plane to Brazil, with Cole and Lampard - who have more than 200 caps combined - among those potentially under threat.
But Mourinho said: "It is not my decision, but I try to be pragmatic, so if one day I am the national team manager of any country, I think the players that take me to the Euros or to the World Cup are the players I am going to take to the Euros or the World Cup.
"They took me, by qualifying, so after that, I take them on my plane.
"I don't think it makes a lot of sense if you trust some players to do qualification and, after that, you don't select them and pick others."
Mourinho remains keen on a national coaching role, having been touted as a potential replacement for Steve McClaren in 2007, but one thing he will not get involved with is players being chosen via naturalisation.
Much has been said about players choosing which country they want to represent, especially over the future of Manchester United's Belgium-born Kosovan midfielder Adnan Januzaj.
Mourinho added: "When, one day I am a national coach, I will take only players born in my country, that is for sure, or if not born in my country, then with parents with a big connection with the country.
"I will never take a player just because he has a passport from my country thinking he can make my team stronger.
"For me, the national team means a lot, my national team means a lot. If, one day, I coach Portugal, I will go with the Portuguese. The national team is Portugal. It's not Portugal & Friends. Portugal is for the Portuguese.
"It is an option, and anyone is free to have his options, and I'm not criticising, I am just saying (what I would do) when I am a national coach - and normally that would be the Portuguese national coach."
Shaw is seen as a big threat to Cole's international future, and the 33-year-old has not been part of Mourinho's starting line-up recently, but the Portuguese feels Hodgson should stick with the senior men who secured qualification.
Hodgson has hinted that at least one of his elder statesmen will not make the plane to Brazil, with Cole and Lampard - who have more than 200 caps combined - among those potentially under threat.
But Mourinho said: "It is not my decision, but I try to be pragmatic, so if one day I am the national team manager of any country, I think the players that take me to the Euros or to the World Cup are the players I am going to take to the Euros or the World Cup.
"They took me, by qualifying, so after that, I take them on my plane.
"I don't think it makes a lot of sense if you trust some players to do qualification and, after that, you don't select them and pick others."
Mourinho remains keen on a national coaching role, having been touted as a potential replacement for Steve McClaren in 2007, but one thing he will not get involved with is players being chosen via naturalisation.
Much has been said about players choosing which country they want to represent, especially over the future of Manchester United's Belgium-born Kosovan midfielder Adnan Januzaj.
Mourinho added: "When, one day I am a national coach, I will take only players born in my country, that is for sure, or if not born in my country, then with parents with a big connection with the country.
Roy Hodgson calls up Luke Shaw for his England
squad ahead of next week's friendly against Denmark at Wembley.
"For me, the national team means a lot, my national team means a lot. If, one day, I coach Portugal, I will go with the Portuguese. The national team is Portugal. It's not Portugal & Friends. Portugal is for the Portuguese.
"It is an option, and anyone is free to have his options, and I'm not criticising, I am just saying (what I would do) when I am a national coach - and normally that would be the Portuguese national coach."
CBN Governor, Sanusi, Replies Jonathan’s Query, Defends Bank’s Multibillion Naira Spending
The suspended Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido, has
defended his bank against allegations of spending billions on extensive
loans, staff emoluments, and maintenance of devices.
In
suspending Mr. Sanusi last week, President Jonathan accused the CBN
governor of “financial recklessness”. PREMIUM TIMES had reported
exclusive details of the president’s second query to Mr. Sanusi early
2013, in which Mr. Jonathan demanded prompt clarification on key
spending in excess of a trillion naira.
The president’s query followed the submission of the CBN’s audit report by Mr. Sanusi to the president on February 26, 2013. The president claimed in his letter that Mr. Sanusi’s swift response on the issues raised would be helpful in providing proper “appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook”. It was, however, Mr. Sanusi’s reply that the president forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, on whose recommendation the president said it relied to suspend the embattled governor.
In the 22-point query, the Mr. Jonathan demanded amongst other things, the domestic report on the CBN’s 2012 financial statements by external auditors and the financial reporting framework under which the financial statements were prepared.
He also directed the CBN governor to provide names of the trustees of the CBN’s self-insurance, including the board minutes approving the said self-insurance scheme and trustees and the entries of the annual appropriations indicating where it was posted in the financial statements.
Mr. Sanusi was also directed to explain the composition of CBN’s gratuity of N72.653 billion in 2012 and N64, 280 billion in 2011 and how it was determined as well as the board minutes and approval practice of making provisions for internal currency insurance based on the premium that would have been payable to external insurers had they been engaged. The president also wanted names of the insurance companies that were filed tested in the exercise and the modalities thereof.
The president also demanded the justification for the “Repairs and maintenance expenses” of N2.268 billion in 2012 and N2.070 billion in 2011 and the extent of repairs of printing machines and intervention activities of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as well as the administration of expenses of N42.596 billion and N48.340 billion in 2011.
This newspaper learnt that the query raised by the president contained basically the same questions that the Financial Reporting Council had asked CBN’s auditors who had sent a copy of the audit report to it. The auditors, Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhousecoopers had responded to the questions, attaching relevant documents to back their submissions.
Those familiar with the matter said it therefore came as a surprise to the CBN when the president wrote to Mr. Sanusi asking the same questions to which the auditors had provided “satisfactory answers”. Our sources said in responding to the president, the CBN governor simply reproduced and forwarded the same answers that the auditors provided to the Financial Reporting Council. In his response to the president, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sanusi said the repairs and maintenance expenses relate to “general office equipment and ICT maintenance”.
The letter is dated May 20, 2013, two weeks after the president’s query. The CBN governor said about 92 percent of the maintenance expenses were for information and communication technology equipments.
The CBN does not have printing machines, he said. On why he granted N50.06 billion as loan to Wema Bank and another N500 billion to Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the CBN governor said the loans were necessary because AMCON was sustaining “heavy losses” while WEMA was still having liquidity challenges. He said the bank was working to recover the loans.
On the composition of the CBN’s N72.65 billion gratuity in 2012 and N64.28 billion in 2011, Mr. Sanusi said employees of CBN are entitled to gratuity payments after completing five continuous full years of service with the bank. He said the gratuity is computed based on the number of years of service, gratuity rate, and gross emoluments for final year of service.
The CBN governor, defended his spending of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as “intervention activities” of the bank, saying the funds were channelled to critical sectors of the economy. “These activities were carried out as part of the bank’s developmental role,” he said.
 |
Sanusi Lamido
|
The president’s query followed the submission of the CBN’s audit report by Mr. Sanusi to the president on February 26, 2013. The president claimed in his letter that Mr. Sanusi’s swift response on the issues raised would be helpful in providing proper “appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook”. It was, however, Mr. Sanusi’s reply that the president forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, on whose recommendation the president said it relied to suspend the embattled governor.
In the 22-point query, the Mr. Jonathan demanded amongst other things, the domestic report on the CBN’s 2012 financial statements by external auditors and the financial reporting framework under which the financial statements were prepared.
He also directed the CBN governor to provide names of the trustees of the CBN’s self-insurance, including the board minutes approving the said self-insurance scheme and trustees and the entries of the annual appropriations indicating where it was posted in the financial statements.
Mr. Sanusi was also directed to explain the composition of CBN’s gratuity of N72.653 billion in 2012 and N64, 280 billion in 2011 and how it was determined as well as the board minutes and approval practice of making provisions for internal currency insurance based on the premium that would have been payable to external insurers had they been engaged. The president also wanted names of the insurance companies that were filed tested in the exercise and the modalities thereof.
The president also demanded the justification for the “Repairs and maintenance expenses” of N2.268 billion in 2012 and N2.070 billion in 2011 and the extent of repairs of printing machines and intervention activities of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as well as the administration of expenses of N42.596 billion and N48.340 billion in 2011.
This newspaper learnt that the query raised by the president contained basically the same questions that the Financial Reporting Council had asked CBN’s auditors who had sent a copy of the audit report to it. The auditors, Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhousecoopers had responded to the questions, attaching relevant documents to back their submissions.
Those familiar with the matter said it therefore came as a surprise to the CBN when the president wrote to Mr. Sanusi asking the same questions to which the auditors had provided “satisfactory answers”. Our sources said in responding to the president, the CBN governor simply reproduced and forwarded the same answers that the auditors provided to the Financial Reporting Council. In his response to the president, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sanusi said the repairs and maintenance expenses relate to “general office equipment and ICT maintenance”.
The letter is dated May 20, 2013, two weeks after the president’s query. The CBN governor said about 92 percent of the maintenance expenses were for information and communication technology equipments.
The CBN does not have printing machines, he said. On why he granted N50.06 billion as loan to Wema Bank and another N500 billion to Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the CBN governor said the loans were necessary because AMCON was sustaining “heavy losses” while WEMA was still having liquidity challenges. He said the bank was working to recover the loans.
On the composition of the CBN’s N72.65 billion gratuity in 2012 and N64.28 billion in 2011, Mr. Sanusi said employees of CBN are entitled to gratuity payments after completing five continuous full years of service with the bank. He said the gratuity is computed based on the number of years of service, gratuity rate, and gross emoluments for final year of service.
The CBN governor, defended his spending of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as “intervention activities” of the bank, saying the funds were channelled to critical sectors of the economy. “These activities were carried out as part of the bank’s developmental role,” he said.
The suspended Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido, has
defended his bank against allegations of spending billions on extensive
loans, staff emoluments, and maintenance of devices.
In
suspending Mr. Sanusi last week, President Jonathan accused the CBN
governor of “financial recklessness”. PREMIUM TIMES had reported
exclusive details of the president’s second query to Mr. Sanusi early
2013, in which Mr. Jonathan demanded prompt clarification on key
spending in excess of a trillion naira.
The president’s query followed the submission of the CBN’s audit report by Mr. Sanusi to the president on February 26, 2013. The president claimed in his letter that Mr. Sanusi’s swift response on the issues raised would be helpful in providing proper “appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook”. It was, however, Mr. Sanusi’s reply that the president forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, on whose recommendation the president said it relied to suspend the embattled governor.
In the 22-point query, the Mr. Jonathan demanded amongst other things, the domestic report on the CBN’s 2012 financial statements by external auditors and the financial reporting framework under which the financial statements were prepared.
He also directed the CBN governor to provide names of the trustees of the CBN’s self-insurance, including the board minutes approving the said self-insurance scheme and trustees and the entries of the annual appropriations indicating where it was posted in the financial statements.
Mr. Sanusi was also directed to explain the composition of CBN’s gratuity of N72.653 billion in 2012 and N64, 280 billion in 2011 and how it was determined as well as the board minutes and approval practice of making provisions for internal currency insurance based on the premium that would have been payable to external insurers had they been engaged. The president also wanted names of the insurance companies that were filed tested in the exercise and the modalities thereof.
The president also demanded the justification for the “Repairs and maintenance expenses” of N2.268 billion in 2012 and N2.070 billion in 2011 and the extent of repairs of printing machines and intervention activities of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as well as the administration of expenses of N42.596 billion and N48.340 billion in 2011.
This newspaper learnt that the query raised by the president contained basically the same questions that the Financial Reporting Council had asked CBN’s auditors who had sent a copy of the audit report to it. The auditors, Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhousecoopers had responded to the questions, attaching relevant documents to back their submissions.
Those familiar with the matter said it therefore came as a surprise to the CBN when the president wrote to Mr. Sanusi asking the same questions to which the auditors had provided “satisfactory answers”. Our sources said in responding to the president, the CBN governor simply reproduced and forwarded the same answers that the auditors provided to the Financial Reporting Council. In his response to the president, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sanusi said the repairs and maintenance expenses relate to “general office equipment and ICT maintenance”.
The letter is dated May 20, 2013, two weeks after the president’s query. The CBN governor said about 92 percent of the maintenance expenses were for information and communication technology equipments.
The CBN does not have printing machines, he said. On why he granted N50.06 billion as loan to Wema Bank and another N500 billion to Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the CBN governor said the loans were necessary because AMCON was sustaining “heavy losses” while WEMA was still having liquidity challenges. He said the bank was working to recover the loans.
On the composition of the CBN’s N72.65 billion gratuity in 2012 and N64.28 billion in 2011, Mr. Sanusi said employees of CBN are entitled to gratuity payments after completing five continuous full years of service with the bank. He said the gratuity is computed based on the number of years of service, gratuity rate, and gross emoluments for final year of service.
The CBN governor, defended his spending of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as “intervention activities” of the bank, saying the funds were channelled to critical sectors of the economy. “These activities were carried out as part of the bank’s developmental role,” he said.
|
Sanusi Lamido
|
The president’s query followed the submission of the CBN’s audit report by Mr. Sanusi to the president on February 26, 2013. The president claimed in his letter that Mr. Sanusi’s swift response on the issues raised would be helpful in providing proper “appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook”. It was, however, Mr. Sanusi’s reply that the president forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, on whose recommendation the president said it relied to suspend the embattled governor.
In the 22-point query, the Mr. Jonathan demanded amongst other things, the domestic report on the CBN’s 2012 financial statements by external auditors and the financial reporting framework under which the financial statements were prepared.
He also directed the CBN governor to provide names of the trustees of the CBN’s self-insurance, including the board minutes approving the said self-insurance scheme and trustees and the entries of the annual appropriations indicating where it was posted in the financial statements.
Mr. Sanusi was also directed to explain the composition of CBN’s gratuity of N72.653 billion in 2012 and N64, 280 billion in 2011 and how it was determined as well as the board minutes and approval practice of making provisions for internal currency insurance based on the premium that would have been payable to external insurers had they been engaged. The president also wanted names of the insurance companies that were filed tested in the exercise and the modalities thereof.
The president also demanded the justification for the “Repairs and maintenance expenses” of N2.268 billion in 2012 and N2.070 billion in 2011 and the extent of repairs of printing machines and intervention activities of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as well as the administration of expenses of N42.596 billion and N48.340 billion in 2011.
This newspaper learnt that the query raised by the president contained basically the same questions that the Financial Reporting Council had asked CBN’s auditors who had sent a copy of the audit report to it. The auditors, Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhousecoopers had responded to the questions, attaching relevant documents to back their submissions.
Those familiar with the matter said it therefore came as a surprise to the CBN when the president wrote to Mr. Sanusi asking the same questions to which the auditors had provided “satisfactory answers”. Our sources said in responding to the president, the CBN governor simply reproduced and forwarded the same answers that the auditors provided to the Financial Reporting Council. In his response to the president, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sanusi said the repairs and maintenance expenses relate to “general office equipment and ICT maintenance”.
The letter is dated May 20, 2013, two weeks after the president’s query. The CBN governor said about 92 percent of the maintenance expenses were for information and communication technology equipments.
The CBN does not have printing machines, he said. On why he granted N50.06 billion as loan to Wema Bank and another N500 billion to Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the CBN governor said the loans were necessary because AMCON was sustaining “heavy losses” while WEMA was still having liquidity challenges. He said the bank was working to recover the loans.
On the composition of the CBN’s N72.65 billion gratuity in 2012 and N64.28 billion in 2011, Mr. Sanusi said employees of CBN are entitled to gratuity payments after completing five continuous full years of service with the bank. He said the gratuity is computed based on the number of years of service, gratuity rate, and gross emoluments for final year of service.
The CBN governor, defended his spending of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as “intervention activities” of the bank, saying the funds were channelled to critical sectors of the economy. “These activities were carried out as part of the bank’s developmental role,” he said.
CBN Governor, Sanusi, Replies Jonathan’s Query, Defends Bank’s Multibillion Naira Spending
The suspended Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido, has
defended his bank against allegations of spending billions on extensive
loans, staff emoluments, and maintenance of devices.
In
suspending Mr. Sanusi last week, President Jonathan accused the CBN
governor of “financial recklessness”. PREMIUM TIMES had reported
exclusive details of the president’s second query to Mr. Sanusi early
2013, in which Mr. Jonathan demanded prompt clarification on key
spending in excess of a trillion naira.
The president’s query followed the submission of the CBN’s audit report by Mr. Sanusi to the president on February 26, 2013. The president claimed in his letter that Mr. Sanusi’s swift response on the issues raised would be helpful in providing proper “appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook”. It was, however, Mr. Sanusi’s reply that the president forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, on whose recommendation the president said it relied to suspend the embattled governor.
In the 22-point query, the Mr. Jonathan demanded amongst other things, the domestic report on the CBN’s 2012 financial statements by external auditors and the financial reporting framework under which the financial statements were prepared.
He also directed the CBN governor to provide names of the trustees of the CBN’s self-insurance, including the board minutes approving the said self-insurance scheme and trustees and the entries of the annual appropriations indicating where it was posted in the financial statements.
Mr. Sanusi was also directed to explain the composition of CBN’s gratuity of N72.653 billion in 2012 and N64, 280 billion in 2011 and how it was determined as well as the board minutes and approval practice of making provisions for internal currency insurance based on the premium that would have been payable to external insurers had they been engaged. The president also wanted names of the insurance companies that were filed tested in the exercise and the modalities thereof.
The president also demanded the justification for the “Repairs and maintenance expenses” of N2.268 billion in 2012 and N2.070 billion in 2011 and the extent of repairs of printing machines and intervention activities of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as well as the administration of expenses of N42.596 billion and N48.340 billion in 2011.
This newspaper learnt that the query raised by the president contained basically the same questions that the Financial Reporting Council had asked CBN’s auditors who had sent a copy of the audit report to it. The auditors, Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhousecoopers had responded to the questions, attaching relevant documents to back their submissions.
Those familiar with the matter said it therefore came as a surprise to the CBN when the president wrote to Mr. Sanusi asking the same questions to which the auditors had provided “satisfactory answers”. Our sources said in responding to the president, the CBN governor simply reproduced and forwarded the same answers that the auditors provided to the Financial Reporting Council. In his response to the president, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sanusi said the repairs and maintenance expenses relate to “general office equipment and ICT maintenance”.
The letter is dated May 20, 2013, two weeks after the president’s query. The CBN governor said about 92 percent of the maintenance expenses were for information and communication technology equipments.
The CBN does not have printing machines, he said. On why he granted N50.06 billion as loan to Wema Bank and another N500 billion to Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the CBN governor said the loans were necessary because AMCON was sustaining “heavy losses” while WEMA was still having liquidity challenges. He said the bank was working to recover the loans.
On the composition of the CBN’s N72.65 billion gratuity in 2012 and N64.28 billion in 2011, Mr. Sanusi said employees of CBN are entitled to gratuity payments after completing five continuous full years of service with the bank. He said the gratuity is computed based on the number of years of service, gratuity rate, and gross emoluments for final year of service.
The CBN governor, defended his spending of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as “intervention activities” of the bank, saying the funds were channelled to critical sectors of the economy. “These activities were carried out as part of the bank’s developmental role,” he said.
|
Sanusi Lamido
|
The president’s query followed the submission of the CBN’s audit report by Mr. Sanusi to the president on February 26, 2013. The president claimed in his letter that Mr. Sanusi’s swift response on the issues raised would be helpful in providing proper “appreciation of the nation’s economic outlook”. It was, however, Mr. Sanusi’s reply that the president forwarded to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, on whose recommendation the president said it relied to suspend the embattled governor.
In the 22-point query, the Mr. Jonathan demanded amongst other things, the domestic report on the CBN’s 2012 financial statements by external auditors and the financial reporting framework under which the financial statements were prepared.
He also directed the CBN governor to provide names of the trustees of the CBN’s self-insurance, including the board minutes approving the said self-insurance scheme and trustees and the entries of the annual appropriations indicating where it was posted in the financial statements.
Mr. Sanusi was also directed to explain the composition of CBN’s gratuity of N72.653 billion in 2012 and N64, 280 billion in 2011 and how it was determined as well as the board minutes and approval practice of making provisions for internal currency insurance based on the premium that would have been payable to external insurers had they been engaged. The president also wanted names of the insurance companies that were filed tested in the exercise and the modalities thereof.
The president also demanded the justification for the “Repairs and maintenance expenses” of N2.268 billion in 2012 and N2.070 billion in 2011 and the extent of repairs of printing machines and intervention activities of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as well as the administration of expenses of N42.596 billion and N48.340 billion in 2011.
This newspaper learnt that the query raised by the president contained basically the same questions that the Financial Reporting Council had asked CBN’s auditors who had sent a copy of the audit report to it. The auditors, Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhousecoopers had responded to the questions, attaching relevant documents to back their submissions.
Those familiar with the matter said it therefore came as a surprise to the CBN when the president wrote to Mr. Sanusi asking the same questions to which the auditors had provided “satisfactory answers”. Our sources said in responding to the president, the CBN governor simply reproduced and forwarded the same answers that the auditors provided to the Financial Reporting Council. In his response to the president, obtained exclusively by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr. Sanusi said the repairs and maintenance expenses relate to “general office equipment and ICT maintenance”.
The letter is dated May 20, 2013, two weeks after the president’s query. The CBN governor said about 92 percent of the maintenance expenses were for information and communication technology equipments.
The CBN does not have printing machines, he said. On why he granted N50.06 billion as loan to Wema Bank and another N500 billion to Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, the CBN governor said the loans were necessary because AMCON was sustaining “heavy losses” while WEMA was still having liquidity challenges. He said the bank was working to recover the loans.
On the composition of the CBN’s N72.65 billion gratuity in 2012 and N64.28 billion in 2011, Mr. Sanusi said employees of CBN are entitled to gratuity payments after completing five continuous full years of service with the bank. He said the gratuity is computed based on the number of years of service, gratuity rate, and gross emoluments for final year of service.
The CBN governor, defended his spending of N19 billion in 2012 and N23.865 billion in 2011 as “intervention activities” of the bank, saying the funds were channelled to critical sectors of the economy. “These activities were carried out as part of the bank’s developmental role,” he said.
Muslim extremists cut off a man's hand as punishment for stealing - and posted pics live on Twitter
Extremist Syrian organization named ISIS - Islamist State in Iraq and
Syria - cut off a man's hand for allegedly stealing and tweeted the
event and photos live. Daily Mail UK reports that ISIS claimed the man
had asked for the punishment to be carried out in
Maskanah, northern Syria, so he could be 'cleansed of his sins' of
stealing.The first tweet showed a blindfolded man being held down, surrounded by a large group of rebels, moments before the amputation. Two other images show a sword as it is brought down on the man's wrist... and seconds after, as the man's hand lies separated. See the graphic photos after the cut...here
TF? Rihanna bares her bare breasts in see-through top (see photos)
Kidnappers demand N500m ransom to free Pres. Jonathan's uncle
A security source said that the abductors threatened to kill him if the family fails to produce the money. The source also said the family had constituted a committee to evaluate the demand, establish negotiations with the abductors and facilitate his release.
He said the kidnappers had also warned against the involvement of security operatives in the matter.
"The kidnappers contacted the family four days after and demanded a whopping sum of N500m. It is believed that the family of the victim has begun negotiations with the hoodlums," he said.
Tension and panic set in when the kidnappers failed to establish any contact with the family of their victim three days after he was abducted.
That development was said to have rattled the Presidency, which reportedly ordered a massive deployment of security in Otuoke, the hometown of the Jonathans, and the Niger Delta creeks.
The gunmen abducted Nitabai on Sunday after collecting about N400,000 from his wife.
Ronaldo's girlfriend poses nude with R.Kelly in raunchy shoot for V magazine
Friday, 28 February 2014
Yobo Back In Keschi's Plans
Super Eagles boss Stephen Keshi has praised Norwich's Joseph
Yobo fitness and form as the skipper makes his return to the Eagles line
up against Mexico.
Keshi
told journalists that he hopes all goes well with Yobo and he does't
get injured, and the only way Yobo will make the brazil squad will be
only if he continues his impressive form.
He said: "I’m happy he's coming back, he's playing well and it's one of the respectable leagues in the world and he's doing well.
Right now, I can't ask for more but to pray that most of them stay in good health because that's the major problem, if they're not in good health, there is nothing you can do, so that's all.
Keshi had previously excluded Joseph Yobo since after 2013 AFCON's conquest to the dismay of many pundits who believes that the skipper still has a role to play in the National team.
Keshi
told journalists that he hopes all goes well with Yobo and he does't
get injured, and the only way Yobo will make the brazil squad will be
only if he continues his impressive form.He said: "I’m happy he's coming back, he's playing well and it's one of the respectable leagues in the world and he's doing well.
Right now, I can't ask for more but to pray that most of them stay in good health because that's the major problem, if they're not in good health, there is nothing you can do, so that's all.
Keshi had previously excluded Joseph Yobo since after 2013 AFCON's conquest to the dismay of many pundits who believes that the skipper still has a role to play in the National team.
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