Dreaming away my time with Venatius Ikem, and his legion of black critics          

Be Wise          
by Paul Ojeka 

To a layman, leadership is a responsibility of a few. There is no harm or crime in presenting expressions from opinions that fall below sound reasoning since a high performance brain is not so common. However, it is unfortunate to develop passion for products of a shallow, hollow reasoning. It is indeed clear that it is easier to appreciate what is harmful to consume than how to produce what is better for consumption. For instance one who may lack the skills on how to prepare pizza, may not be constrained in identifying pizzas that lack essential ingredients due to lack of professional skills by the producer of the sausage. It therefore defies logic to feel that one who has less knowledge on how to produce pizza should equally lack the requisite knowledge on how to spot the spots on a poorly prepared pizzas.

Poor criticisms on my mind.  

"You can fool some of the people some of the time, all of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the times" says Bob Marley.

Reckless and lethal critics whose criticisms are restricted to their enemies are not friends of the society. They are the category of people that Jesus Christ admonished to pull the log of woods on their eyes before asking their neighbours to take away the specks in their eyes. Verily, impartial critics open wide their eyes to trace errors across boundaries of interpersonal links ; their eyes do not close until they see that the right thing is done by everybody irrespective of personal relationship. This is not so with egocentric, arrogant, reckless and myopic critics. These pseudo critics have grown so wild in recent times in our social media environments. Most of them belong to political parties. They are only good at seeing the spots in leaders from other political families , their eyes are configured to trace and magnify any micro mistake in a leader that does not belong to their party. In other words you are a sinner so long as you disagree with their warped judgement against anyone that they resent merely on differences along the line of political affiliation. One would have avoided describing these guys as hypocrites if they do not parade themselves as Social Activists and ambassadors of the poor. How would you call them ambassadors of the poor when they fight against any plan of government that is meant towards poverty alleviation? On the other hand, why would they support any programme that is meant to uplift the poor from poverty so as to close the gap between the rich and the poor; or how can they be comfortable with leaders who would help the poor to regain their dignity and automatically demand freedom from the shackles of the slavery that is imposed on them by this few rich, reckless critics of good administrations which focus on putting food on the table for the poor; housing the homeless; and clothing the naked? How can the selfish well-to-do see building of free houses for the poor or abolishing tax payments for low-income earners as noble projects when they dine with the kings and have their GOLD MINDS? What business do they have with bad roads when they fly first class airlines to all the nook and crannies of the world? In this age of enlightenment, criticisms that are borne out of personal interest hold no water; now it takes even the deaf and dumb to differentiate between a personal attack on individuals that is triggered by malice (triggered by jealousy and lousiness which is fundamentally designed to keep the poor down). Now is a time to easily detect who the friends of the society are in the strictest sense of the word: the true friends and ambassadors of the poor do not need a megaphone to make a noise about what someone is not doing right.Actions speak louder than words. Show the society what you have done to prove that you are equal to the task. The citizens of the global village are now so enlightened to be hoodwinked by the blackmail of blackmailers and disgruntled elements in the society who team up to misinform, mislead and fan the embers of social crises in our social environments.

CEREMONY FOR GROUNDBREAKING OF THE POST-SERVICE HOUSING SCHEME FOR THE MILITARY

Governor Ben AYADE performs the ceremony for groundbreaking of the post-service housing scheme for the military & AYADE Mega City at Adiabo along Tinapa Rd in Calabar.The ceremony was performed in the presence of the Chief Of Army Staff,Lt.General Yusuf Buratai,Service Commanders,Members of the state executive Council,Special Advisers/Assistants,Heads of Boards and Parastatals,Traditional Rulers/Opinion Leaders as well as other dignitaries.The Gesture according to his excellency Governor Ayade will ameliorate the challenges of housing deficit in the state as well as attracting development to the area.He used the occasion to thank Lt.General Buratai for choosing cross river state for the partnership.High light of the occasion was traditional dances as well as good will messages & words of appreciation.

           

Cops seize VIP’s Rolls Royce, Lamborghini

Kuala Lumpur police chief Commissioner Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh shows the two luxury cars worth RM3.4 million seized for investigations under the Customs Act October 19, 2016. — Picture by Ida Lim

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 19 — Kuala Lumpur police today said it confiscated two luxury cars valued at RM3.4 million belonging to a businessman with the title “Datuk Seri.”

Kuala Lumpur police chief Commissioner Datuk Amar Singh Ishar Singh said police had first seized a gold-and-grey Rolls Royce limousine worth RM1.6 million at 1pm on October 17 after acting on a public tip.

“After checks were done, it was found this car has no documents or registration with JPJ,” he told reporters, referring to the Road Transport Department by its Malay initials.

He added that the Rolls Royce's bore a non-existent registration number of “DSS” and had an invalid road tax affixed.

He said police detained a 39-year-old man — who had stepped forward and identified himself as the car's driver — for further questioning.

The seizure of the Rolls Royce was made at the valet parking of Tower B Pavilion at Jalan Raja Chulan and the case will be investigated under the Customs Act, he said.

“Under our investigation, this car is owned by a Datuk Seri with business interests in Kelantan,” he said, adding that the man in his 50s is currently abroad.

“So far, we checked there are no criminal records (on him),” he said, later adding that police believe the businessman's residence was in the central business district of KL.

Yesterday afternoon, Kuala Lumpur police seized another of the businessman's cars — a yellow Lamborghini supercar worth RM1.8 million — at the same area.

This car bore a valid registration number “G1M 5555” and was in the Road Transport Department database, but is being held by police for investigation over suspected breach of customs offences, Amar said.

The two cars are currently impounded pending investigations.

“So the message is we will investigate all cases, whether it's a policeman involved, whether it's a Datuk Seri involved, we will investigate all cases,” he later said

Photos: Mad man falls in love with mad woman
A mentally handicapped man and woman have been seen displaying affection for each other in the streets of Lagos while on-looker watched in amazement. The woman is seen with pregnancy alleged to be the work of her mad lover.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Tears of joy as Chibok girls reunite with parents
– Tears of joy flowed freely as the 21 Chibok girls were reunited with their parents
– The girls recounted tales of horror at the thanksgiving service held at the presidential villa
– Lai Mohammed the information and culture minister represented the government at the service

One of the Chibok girl with her parents It was a day for tears of joy and emotion, when the 21 Chibok girls were reunited with their parents. The venue was the church at the presidential villa in Abuja on Sunday, October 16. It was a special church thanksgiving filled with emotions, which was organised by the Nigeria government for the schoolgirls who were released on Thursday, October 13.

Lai Mohammed the information and culture minister who represented the Nigerian government was at the church during the service. Speaking about their experiences, Miss Gloria Dame, one of the released girls who spoke on behalf of her colleagues was so happy, she was jumping for joy, as she said: “We stayed for one month without food.”

“I narrowly escaped bomb blast in the forest. I never knew there would be a day like this. I will give thanks to God ,’’ she said, as she went on to plead with Nigerians to pray for the girls still in captivity. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter One of the Chibok girls in tears Shiktra Kwali who delivered the sermon at the interdenominational service, urged the girls not to let the experience define them or stop them from achieving their dreams. Lai Mohammed during his speech, said that the reuniting of the girls, with their parents was the day, a lot of people have been waiting for. “It is day of joy,’’ he said. Mr Yakubu Nkenke, the chairman of Chibok girls parents association said that the girls had eventually been identified by their parents. While, Mr Yaya Yarakawa, the chairman of Chibok local government, confirmed the positive identification of all the 21 girls and states that only those with sinister motives would doubt the authenticity of the girls. Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Tears flowed at the thanksgiving service He also expressed satisfaction with the role played by the government, saying: “I am travelling to Abuja with all the parents of the freed girls, all of us are here.

We are overwhelmed with joy that our girls have been found alive. I cannot talk more because we are approaching security check- points,” he said. Meanwhile, a Chibok woman wrote an emotional open letter to all those doubting the release of the girls saying in part: “I cannot put into words the pain I have been through since 2014 when I was informed of the news of the abduction of my daughter by Boko Haram terrorist. “I cried because I felt she alongside other girls who were taken from their school in Chibok would be killed immediately. I resigned myself to fate that I had lost a daughter all because I chose to send her to school.” More photos from the occasion above

9 FACTS ABOUT THE SHIITE ISLAMIC SECT IN NIGERIA

shite sect Nigeria

 Ibrahim Zakzaky is the primary figure and spiritual leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN). The Islamic sect has established itself in all strata of the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. They are identified as Shiite followers.

IMN drew its followers from among the uneducated urban and rural underclass. Formerly, the Muslim Brotherhood constituted of northern university intellectuals, some of whom became leading northern politicians and technocrats.

Here are 9 facts you must know about this Islamic sect in the Northern part of Nigeria:

1. Self-flagellation

On the tenth day of Muharram, which is the first month of the Islamic calendar, thousands of men of all ages take to the streets with swords, chains with blades and various sharp objects to take part in the bloody flagellation rituals.

Some Shi’a believe that taking part in self flagellation which is also known as Ashura washes away their sins.

2. Propagating of Shi’a Islam

Zakzaky began propagating Shi’a Islam around 1979. He started at the time of the Iranian revolution which saw Iran’s monarchy overthrown and replaced with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.

The resource forum of IMN held a symposium on “The creation of the illegal state of Israel” at the Arewa house, Kaduna on May 21, 2008.

Zakzaky said: “When Israel is celebrating sixty years of occupying Palestine’s land, we are mourning because the truth is Israeli State is created on the basis of terrorism and what is not yours is not yours, no matter years of oppression and hostage it would slip someday along with those supporting them. Israel will fall with her allies certainly.”

3. Shiite’s Location

The establishment of Nigerian Islamic institutions is like the Sufi brotherhoods and other Islamic reformist organizations like the Izala which is to fight innovation practiced by the Sufi brotherhoods.

The IMN has been most popular across the emirate states, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Zaria, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Gombe because of its criticism of the emirs.

4. IMN’s founder is an intellect

Nigeria’s Islamic Movement (IMN), formerly the Muslim Brothers was founded by Ibrahim Zakzaky in the late 1970s. Zakzaky is also an outspoken Shi’a Muslim cleric in Nigeria.

He was a student at Ahmadu Bello university where he bagged his first degree as an economist before his certificate was withdrawn due to his religious activities.

5. The belief of the leader

Zakzaky believed that the establishment of a republic along similar religious lines (both Sunni and Shia schools of thought) in Nigeria would be feasible.

IMN under Zakzaky is to ensure more stringent application of Islamic legal and administrative systems then ultimately to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.

6. The leadership is perceived as a threat

He, Zakzaky has been detained several times due to accusations of civil disobedience under military regimes in Nigeria during the 1980s and 1990s and is still viewed with suspicion or as a threat by Nigerian authorities.

7. Pilgrimage rites

The Shi’a organize an annual pilgrimage to Zaria, El Zakzaky’s base. They trek in large groups from certain points to meet their leader.

While trekking, they block major highways and create a lot of trouble for travelers, and security agents turn a blind eye to it.

8. IMN condemns other Islamic groups

Zakzaky’s movement maligns other Islamic reformist organizations to be too corrupt and un-Islamic government.

9. Eruption of violence

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria reportedly mobilized millions of people for Shi‘a religious events and 50,000 people for political rallies where Khomeini and his successors were revered, while flags of the United States and Israel are burned.

Meanwhile in a related development, an associate professor and head of the department of mechatronics engineering in Bayero University urges the President Mohammadu Buhari to beware of having Shi’a Islam adherents in his government.

NIGERIAN SENATE ADOPTS E-VOTING SYSTEM

The Nigerian Senate has adopted the E-Voting System to vote on the confirmation of new Supreme court judges. They took to their twitter page to announce this new development. — Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) October 18, 2016 In confirming the appointments, the 8th Senate employed the electronic voting system for the first time since its inauguration in June 2015. Recall that the last time the electronic voting system was employed by the Senate was in 2014 during the 7th Senate under the presidency of Senator David Mark.
The upper chamber at the time used the electronic system to vote during the Constitution review of 2014. Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has confirmed Hon Justice Ejembi Eko JCA and Hon. Justice Amina A. Augie JCA as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Out of 109 senators, 38 supported the appointment of Justice Eko while 39 senators supported Justice Augie’s appointment while the others did not vote for either of the two. The deputy president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over plenary commended the two justices and charged them to uphold and defend the tenets of their calling.