Nedu Echianu's Blog

Trust me, Nigeria is not all about corruption and Boko Haram, its diverse people, rich cultural heritage, and scenic views are a wonder to behold, why not take a trip to Nigeria today, you'd be glad you did.

Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke, yesterday, described as mere fabrication, allegations by her traducers that she spent N10 billion in leasing jets for her use.

Reports just coming in says, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday morning dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He handed over his PDP membership card to the Ward 11 leader in Abeokuta North local government, Alhaji Surajudeen Oladunjoye and instructed him to tear it. Oladunjoye, who led about 350 members of the ward to a fact-finding mission at Obasanjo's residence, tore the card into shreds to the admiration of the party followers, some of whom also tore their cards. Addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, he said if his involvement in partisan politics would stop him from having a better Nigeria, then he is ready to sacrifice membership of the PDP and become a statesman. Obasanjo who was responding to enquiry on rumours of his imminent expulsion from the party, directed his aide to get his membership card and few minutes later he was given, instructed that it be torn and thrown away.                           

During a book launch in London, former President Olusegun Obasanjo told a packed hall that the controversy surrounding Muhammadu Buhari's possession of a school certificate was trivial distraction by President Goodluck Jonathan's team. Obasanjo stated that there was no one during his time in the army that didn't have a prerequisite qualification to enter the army. Speaking further, he said even if that wasn't the case Buhari's training at the Nigerian Army staff college and the US War College were more than the required qualification to become president. The former president's book, "My Watch" is banned in Nigeria by a court order obtained by President Jonathan's political associate and a wanted drug baron, Kashamu Buruji. Source; Sahara Reporters

After a marathon meeting with political parties, stakeholders and members of its own staff, Nigeria's electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has postponed the 2015 General elections from the 14th and 28th of February to the 28th of March and the 11th of April 2015 for National and state elections respectively. The announvement was made by the chairman of INEC Prof. Attahiru Jega, saturday night to newsmen who had been waiting patiently for the conclusion of the series of meetings. This is coming as the opposition All Progressive Congress had earlier warned against the shift of the polls, but reports say the postponement became imminent due to the security challenges in the country and the slow pace in the distribution of permanent voters card.

Check out this piece culled from The Economist ; A three car convoy is considered modest for leading Nigerian politicians, and modesty appeals to Muhammadu Buhari, the leading opposition candidate in the presidential election due to be held on February 14th. From his rented house made of simple concrete with few windows, his cars drive into a busy street and are almost immediately stuck in traffic. Without the armed outriders and flashing lights that ease the passage of officials in the ruling party he inches his way to the airport in Abuja, the capital, his aides glancing around nervously.

Undated Photo of Jigawa state Governor, Sule Lamido (right) and Rivers state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi...lol Source: Dele Momodu's Instagram Page

A Nigerian Army Captain, who leaked the audio evidence of how some top officials of the Federal Government and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, used the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to rig the governorship election in Ekiti and Osun States last year, has spoken out about the matter. In a statement entitled: “How Nigerian Army personnel were used to rig Ekiti and Osun States Gubernatorial Elections 2014″, Captain Sagir Koli gave details of all that transpired between himself, his commanding officer, two ministers and some politicians prior to the elections in Ekiti state. He also spoke about the elaborate plans made to replicate the Ekiti scenario in Osun state last August. See the full text of his submission below:

As reported by Sahara Reporters. Saharareporters earlier story of February 5, 2014, “How Obanikoro, Fayose, Chris Uba And General Olukolade Rigged Ekiti Governorship Election In Collusion With The Nigeria Army,” unveiled clearly how the Peoples Democratic Party “won” that election. The audio recording on which it was based was surreptitiously made by Captain Sagir Koli of the 32nd Artillery Brigade stationed in Ekiti State who accompanied to the meeting the military general in charge of the Ekiti plan. He has since left Nigeria in order to protect his life, leaving behind the patriotic body of work behind this story.

If you intend to travel to Israel this Easter for pilgrimage, then this piece of information is for you, the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), has unfolded its 2015 Easter Pilgrimage package. The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mr. John Kennedy Opara disclosed this in Abuja at a meeting with his Management team. He explained that the Easter Pilgrimage package for this year would cost an intending pilgrim N367, 540 for eight days and seven nights in Israel. He revealed that the Commission would include 3 days leadership training programme for interested pilgrims to expose them to some of the critical sectors the Israeli authorities have made tremendous success in order to replicate it back home. According to him, the Commission would commence the Easter pilgrimage on 1 st March 2015 and it would run through April. Mr. Opara added that the Commission would do all it takes to ensure a smooth pilgrimage operations during the pilgrimage period.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in collaboration with some civil society organisations will be organizing a political debate to engage candidates and their political parties on public Administration in Nigeria. The Civil Society Organisations include, African Center for Leadership, Strategy and Development(CLDS), ActionAid, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) among others.

(1953) Mary Nzimiro , one of the 1st Igbo female Millionaires, bank-rolled her husband’s successful Mayoral bid in 1951. Photo Courtesy; See me see Nigeria

Nigeria's Vice President, Architect Namadi Sambo has been rated very high in the Election debate for Vice Presidential candidates organized by the Nigeria Election Debate Group on the 1st of February 2015. A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of Voters Initiative led by Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, in a press conference in Abuja said the Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP and the incumbent Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. Namadi Sambo was well articulated while coherently highlighting the achievements of the Present administration. 

Rivers state Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has warned the people of the state not to vote for the PDP gubernatorial candidate, Nyesom Wike in the forthcoming election on February 28, he issued the warning at APC's governorship campaign rally in Emohua local government area of the state. According to him, if elected into office, Wike would squander the commonwealth of Rivers people on alcoholic beverage. He specifically mentioned Louis XIII as Wike's favourite, a bottle of which he says costs up to 1.3 million Naira. This is really an issue based election campaign, ride on Amaechi........Ikwerre mekaa!!!!......lol

Jailed al-Jazeera journalist Peter Greste has been deported from Egypt, state media say, and is flying to Cyprus. The Australian ex-BBC correspondent was arrested in December 2013 and imprisoned last June on charges that included spreading false news. He was jailed with two other al-Jazeera men - Mohamed Fahmy and Baher Mohamed. Presidential sources said Mr Fahmy would be deported to Canada after his dual Egyptian nationality was dropped. All the defendants denied the charges against them and said their trial was a sham. They were accused of collaborating with the banned Muslim Brotherhood after the overthrow of President Mohammed Morsi by the military in 2013. The three men said they were simply reporting the news. Mr Greste's brother Andrew said in a statement: "We're ecstatic that Peter has been released and we now ask if the world could respect his privacy, to give him time to appreciate his freedom before