WHAT IS ON SENATOR SARAKI'S MIND

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What Is On Senator Saraki's Mind?  By Joe Igbokwe

Given the overwhelming weight of evidence against Saraki and the excess baggage of cartons of corruption dating back to his days at Societte General Bank, his days as Governor of Kwara State for 8years, his heavy financial deals across Nigeria via salaries even after serving the State as governor, his massive involvement in Panama Papers scandal, his fraudulent manipulation to get the Senate Presidency, his trials at CCB, High Court, Supreme Court and now CCT, I had not thought that the Senate President, Senator Saraki will learn his lessons and quit the stage when the ovation has ceased to be loudest but this is Nigeria where impunity is not a crime.
Joe Igbokwe writes from Lagos
In mind silent moments, I have been trying to figure out who is beating the drums for Saraki or what is giving this guy the confidence that he will stand tall at the end of the day. It has never ceases to fill me with wonders why a supposed intelligent mind like Saraki who is also a medical doctor think he can overcome a precarious and delicate situation like this when somebody like President Buhari is on the throne. I am at a loss that Saraki’s many friends and well-wishers have not been led to see the hand writing on the wall and consequently advise their friend to bow to the exigencies of the moment and follow the path of honour and grace. I am stunned that Senator Saraki cannot understand that we are in a new dispensation that has zero tolerance on corruption and impunity.
How I wish that friends, family members, associates and hangers on will find the need to persuade Senator Saraki that it is all over for him. Did Saraki hear the Chief Justice of Nigeria when he lamented on long delays and adjournments that have associated with corruption trials and promised robust support to fight corruption by encouraging speedy trials? Did Saraki take notice that it is the biggest institutional support for fight against corruption in recent times in Nigeria? Did Saraki take mental notice of this signal from the CJN? Did Saraki get the signal from his primary constituency in the Senate when the number of Senators following him to CCT suddenly dropped to 30 from almost 80 Senators? Can Senator Saraki deduce anything from this vote of no confidence? Did Saraki get the signal when President Buhari said he would have left the stage if he is Saraki? How can Senator Saraki see the weighty cases against him as an act of witch-hunting and political persecution? Has Saraki sat down to reflect on his political history, his antecedents, his many shady deals, his actions and deeds, his love for money, his many penchant for cutting corners, his many acts of impunity, his many betrayals, and selfish tendencies? Can Saraki overcome these problems and still hold his head high as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
As I write this, the British Prime Minister David Cameron is before the British Parliament defending himself concerning the Panama papers scandal. The Iceland Prime Minister has resigned his position as a result of the Panama papers scandal. Across the world many leaders whose names were mentioned are responding to the scandal but not in this clime. Senator does not see anything wrong in becoming the Senate President through the backdoor. Senator Saraki did not see anything wrong with fraudulent assets declaration as a public servant. Senator Saraki does not care about receiving salaries even when he has vacated office. Saraki does not worry about using State Government money to service personal loans. The 2016 Budget padding by the National Assembly does not bother Senator Saraki. Moving from one Court to another to try to circumvent justice has not bothered Senator Saraki. Abandoning his duty as the Senate President to go to courts has not worried Saraki. Going to courts with 90 lawyers and tens of Senators does not perturb Senator Saraki. The tide of public opinion on Saraki’s many troubles has not pricked the conscience of Senator Saraki...read more...http://sh.st/EUKVr

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5Things To Never Do At Nightclub...http://sh.st/EUKVr

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UPDATES

UPDATES: NNPC: Oil Workers Embark on Indefinite Strike Over Government’s Restructuring. Switzerland reopens Consulate office in Lagos, after 55 years. Magistrate kidnapped in Edo. No food import for school feeding progrmme —Osinbajo. Nigeria animal feed production hits 5.3m metric tons. Transcorp Hilton Abuja named 2015 Hilton brand awards winner. Ghost workers: FG probes 11,000 more suspicious names on payroll •FEC okays presidential initiative on audit. Jigawa to enforce use of live jackets by canoe paddlers, passengers. Alleged perjury: Court strikes out Aluko’s bid to stop arrest, prosecution. Delta govt plans sale of Oghara IPP project. Power Supply Drops to 1580.6MW. UI workers protest unpaid allowance, as students scamper for safety •Management suspends matriculation. Unlicensed Driver, Over-speeding Caused Ocholi’s Death – FRSC. Jubilation rocks Modakeke over new LCDA. Strike: We are not afraid of arrest, Ogun workers dare Amosun. MTN: Reps Insist On N1.04trn Fine. FG Orders EFCC to Probe Banks, Others Behind Forex Malpractices. Owner of Collapsed Lagos Building Exceeded Approved Floors, Contractor Arrested. Candidates Record Improved Performance In English, Maths As NECO Releases Results. Alleged misappropriation of N852m UBEC fund: Ekiti Assembly summons Fayemi. EFCC Arraigns Tarfa, Nwobiko Over Perversion Of Justice. Kachikwu: We Have Not Unbundled NNPC. Osinbajo Marks 59th Birthday, Donates Consumables To IDPs In Abuja. Imo Workers To Get Only 70% Of January Salary. Senate Resolutions Not Binding On JAMB – Sagay. Gowon accepts son, 48 years after. Building collapse: 34 confirmed dead as evacuation ends...http://sh.st/s/dxclusivefindings.com

NEWS UPDATE

UPDATES: Rivers: Wike Is After My Life – Abe. Al-Makura Sacks Female Worker Over Facebook Comments. Zimbabwe Plans Lavish Parties As Mugabe Turns 92. NDLEA Nabs 4 Suspects With N61m Narcotics. Benue uncovers 1,061 ghost workers. Ooni Declares Ife As Tourism Zone, Calls For Support. Biafra: Ohanaeze seeks creation of South-East commission. EFCC not probing me —UNILORIN VC. Group Writes CJN, Seeks Live Broadcasts Of Court Proceedings. Army launches motorbike battalion. N330m vehicles: Senate under fire for buying exotic cars. Buhari plotting to turn Nigeria into Islamic country –Fayose. Sign Rev. King’s death warrant, neighbours beg Ambode. Osun workers meet, demand full salary payment. Army reopens Borno highways 3 years after. NCC charges telecoms operators on unsolicited messages. Stallion Group targets 80% Nigerian content for its cars in 4 years —Manager. N/Delta youth leader cautions FG on Tompolo. Budget padding: Fire-spitting Buhari unleashes detectives on suspects. RCCG 50-Day Fasting Ends Tomorrow, Begins 74-Hour Marathon Praise. Bloody farmers/Fulani herdsmen’s clashes in Benue: 40 killed, scores injured, 2,000 displaced.

Fight in the Parliament

EXPERTS CALL FOR INTRODUCTION OF BIO ENGINEERING COURSES INTO...

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PRINCE WILLIAM APPEARS TO BACK BRITAINS

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A President and His Exemplary Leadership

A PRESIDENT AND HIS EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP

There is so much grim news coming out of Nigeria everyday, but when you look closely, you will find bits and pieces of progress here and there that bring good cheer and nourish the roots of hope:

One, for the first time in recent memory a sitting elected President of Nigeria formally and properly handed over to his vice-president before proceeding on vacation....without controversy. I guess this lays to rest the contrived logic of old that "the Nigerian President can rule from anywhere he is in the world, including planet mars."

Two, I read today that as at January this year, Nigeria has saved 2.2 trillion  Naira through the effective implementation of the TSA alone. President Buhari assures citizens that this sum is sufficient to fund the 2016 budget deficits. Meanwhile more savings are still expected as we go forward.And we have not even added recoveries from 'our common-yam thieves' and Abacha funds returns.

Three, The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed that Nigeria has for the first time in the history of her electricity generation profile, generated about 5,074 megawatts (MW) of electricity.The nation is also on target to add an additional 2000 megawatts by December 

And four, we also learnt today that Directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria  are the real owners of majority of the so called Bureau de-change (BDC)  in Nigeria. This explains why Burea de-change owners will buy a dollar for N190 from the CBN and then sell to ordinary Nigerians at N305 to a dollar. Well, you guessed right, this discovery further explains why President Buhari directed the CBN governor to stop selling dollars to BDC's. A potent shot in the arm of our economy.

There are those who will have us  give up in the false believe that nothing good is happening in Nigeria particularly under this government. Every time i hear or read such comments, I am reminded of two basic facts of life: One, that opinions are free and cheap but facts are sacred and respected. And two, that life is very difficult for the blind, so we must learn to be sympathetic to them that suffer such great an affliction.

The truth is that, slowly but surely, Nigeria is making progress and taking baby steps forward into the hallowed arena of civilization and development. The pains are there. The doubts persist. The disappointments and betrayals of many decades gone by stubbornly linger. But we must dare to dream again. Hope again. Believe again, particularly when we see the convincingly bold and beautiful steps of integrity of a leader who is truly accountable to us, citizens.

The good news might be coming in bits and pieces now rather than in droves and floods. But given what this country has gone through in its recent history, we ought simply to be thankful that there is any good news at all.

The message is that, a New Nigeria is Possible. Believe!

Anthony Ubani

LIVING IM FRATERNITY

LIVING IM FRATERNITY...

In 1923, nine of the wealthiest people in the world met at Chicago's Edge Water Beach Hotel.

Their combined wealth, it is estimated, exceeded the wealth of the Government of the United States at that time. These men certainly knew how to make a living and accumulate wealth. Attending the meeting were the following men:

1. The president of the largest steel company,

2. The president of the largest utility company,

3. The president of the largest gas company,

4. The president of the New York Stock Exchange,

5. The president of the Bank of International Settlements,

6. The greatest wheat speculator,

7. The greatest bear on Wall Street,

8. The head of the World's greatest monopoly &

9. A member of President Harding's cabinet.

That's a pretty impressive line-up of people by anyone's yardstick.

Yet, 25 years later, where were those nine industrial giants?

Let’s examine what happened to them 25 years later.

1. The President of the then largest steel company (Bethlehem Steel Corp), Charles M Schwab, lived on borrowed capital for five years before he died bankrupt.

2. The President of the then largest gas company, Howard Hubson, went insane.

3. One of the greatest commodity traders (Wheat Speculator), Arthur Cutten, died insolvent.

4. The then President of the New York Stock Exchange, Richard Whitney, was sent to jail.

5. The member of the US President’s Cabinet (the member of President Harding's cabinet), Albert Fall, was pardoned from jail just to be able to go home and die in peace.

6. The greatest “bear” on Wall Street, Jesse Livermore committed suicide.

7. The President of the then world’s greatest monopoly, Ivar Krueger, committed suicide.

8. The President of the Bank of International Settlement, Leon Fraser, committed Suicide.

9. The president of the largest utility company, Samuel Insull, died penniless.

What they forgot was how to "make" life while they got busy making money!

Money in itself is not evil; it provides food for the hungry, medicine for the sick, clothes for the needy. Money is only a medium of exchange.

We need two kinds of education:

a) One that teaches us how to make a living,

and

b) One that teaches us how to live.

There are many of us who are so engrossed in our professional life that we neglect our family, health and social responsibilities.

If asked why we do this, we would reply that "We are doing it for our family".

Yet, our kids are sleeping when we leave home. They are sleeping when we come back home!! Twenty years later, we’ll turn back, and they’ll all be gone, to pursue their own dreams and their own lives.

Without water, a ship cannot move. The ship needs water, but if the water gets into the ship, the ship will face existential problems. What was once a means of living for the ship will now become a means of destruction.

Similarly we live in a time where earning is a necessity but let not the earning enter our hearts, for what was once a means of living will surely become a means of destruction for us as well.

So take a moment and ask yourself, "Has the water entered my ship?"
I hope not!

Hope the above story will drive all of us in a better direction in 2016.
   
    ''Alone I can 'Say' but
    together we can 'talk'.

    'Alone I can 'Enjoy' but
     together we can
    'Celebrate'.
   
    'Alone I can 'Smile' but
    together we can 'Laugh'.

    That's the BEAUTY of
    Human Relations.

We are nothing without each other

DON'T LIVE FOR JUST YOU, LIVE FOR OTHERS TOO....
THAT'S WHAT FRATERNITY IS ALL ABOUT.