Uncle convicted of murder after giving his niece a gun which she used to kill a teen over a Facebook dispute

A 27-year-old man has been convicted of murder after he gave his 14-year-old niece a revolver, which she then used to kill another teenager over a Facebook dispute.

A jury found him guilty of murder in the killing of the teen girl rejecting a claim by his defense attorney that the man was only trying to protect his niece when he brought a revolver to the confrontation that ended with Endia Martin dead.

United Kingdom Ambassador to Nigeria Visits Emir of Kano

The United Kingdom ambassador to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright and other delegates paid a 2-day visit to Kano recently were they visited the Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II.

More Photos Below...

Three Boys From Same Parents Die In Fire Incident In Bayelsa

The three sons of Mr and Mrs Udoh were killed in a fire incident at their home in Bayelsa on January 14th. Narrating the sad incident to Daily Sun, Udoh, who is a commercial motorcyclist, said on the day of the incident, he had returned from work and had asked his daughter to buy him some drugs. He said his wife who sells food had gone to the market to buy materials she needed to make Suallu bean cake and pap, which she sells to residents in the neighbourhood.

He said after waiting for his daughter who did not return on time, he decided to go and look for her and left his three sons who were asleep at home. Unfortunately, he locked them inside the house, hoping to come back on time.

Not long after he left the house, neighbors started shouting "Fire, Fire" and running to his house. Before they could break open the door, the boys had burnt to death. Preliminary investigation by the police concluded that the fire incident was caused by a lit candle, but residents of the area held the contrary view that the fire was a mystery.

One of the neighbors of the family, who gave her name simply as Josephine, said nobody could explain how the fire started because it burnt the two rooms of the landlord before consuming the house of the Udohs. According to her, the fire was so intense that before people could rescue the children, they had been burnt to death. However, she noted that the children might have been able to escape if the door was not locked from outside.

The mother of the boys has remained inconsolable since the incident happened. When she was visited at her new apartment, she couldn't speak at all. A relative of the Udoh's, Victoria Dominic also narrated the sad incident. She also believes that the fire incident was mysterious.

“On Thursday around 8 pm, her husband was in the house, she sells bean cake and akamu. She went out to buy some ingredients and collect her phone from where she used to charge it because she does not want to use lantern or candle because of the kerosene in the house. From there the husband went to check their first daughter who was sent to buy drugs. It was from there they heard shouts of fire and when they got to the house and open the door, the three boys inside had been roasted to death. There was no way to rescue them. They are in a terrible state and they are in need of help. They have nothing left. The husband’s motorcycle is gone, and all their life savings are gone too. The Apostolic church where we are worshiping has been helping but people need to come to their assistance and provide the capital they need to start their business again. People are donating clothes to them. We appeal to the state government and well meaning Bayelsans to come to their aid,” she said.

The corpses of the dead sons were initially deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre for autopsy and further investigations but the bodies were later released to the family for burial.

Source; Linda Ikeji, Daily Sun

Chibok Girls: Army Makes Significant Arrest

Jarasu Shirawho, who is believed to be the sect leader around Damboa-Chibok-Askira axis of Borno state before he was apprehended last week in the state is believed to be one of the masterminds of the Chibok girls abduction.

Disclosing details of the arrest of the suspected leader of the Boko Haram sect, Major General Lucky Irabor, the deputy theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri that the suspect was arrested in one of the routine operations by soldiers.

He said: “We have in our custody a good number of suspected terrorists that were apprehended as a result of our routine operations.

“One of those suspects is believed to be on the list of our 100 most wanted terrorists’ leaders.”

General Irabor however noted that there was need to ascertain the true identity of the suspect before final confirmation to the media.

He said this was to avoid past mistakes where individuals were arrested based on mistaken identities.

“There are checks that must be done before final confirmation, facial attributes tended to show that he is the one.


“But then, there are other things we need to do to ensure that is he who we said he is. Although the facial attributes confirmed he is the one, but it is not just by looks alone.

“We have had cases where we had mistaken identity only to come up to say we are sorry, that is what we are trying to avoid this time,” he said.

Meanwhile, an attack by three suicide bombers in Maiduguri on Friday, January 22 was foiled by the military just a kilometre into the troubled town.

Brigadier General Lucky Irabor who disclosed details of the botched attack said the suicide bombers were intercepted while trying to get passage into Maiduguri by vigilant men a kilometre ahead of the town, along Mafa road.

President Buhari Departs For UAE (Photos)

President Buhari this morning departed Abuja for the United Arab Emirates, UAE, where he will be joining other world leaders to attend the World Future Energy Summit. ‎He is expected back in the country on Tuesday January 19th.

More Photos Below..

Ritualist Beheads 4 Year Old Boy In Osun State (Photo)

Tribune reports that Ganiyu in connivance with other member of his ritualistic gang namely Aremu Moshood (48), Agboola Abdulwasiu (31) and Ganiyu Abidoye (60), lured little Bakare from his parent's home under the pretext that they wanted to buy him groundnut and then proceeded to kill him and behead him in Iragbiji, the headquarters of Boripe Local Government Area of Osun State.

Police sources say the matter came to the open after Bakare did not return with Ganiyu who promised to buy him groundnut. When Bakare's father, Ismail, sought to know his son's where about, Ganiyu denied that he ever saw the little boy. His claim was however contradicted by an elderly woman who lived in the same compound with Bakare's father who said she saw Ganiyu take the young boy out.

See Photo Below..

The matter was reported to the office of the FSARS and through intensive interrogation, Ganiyu confessed to have taken the boy to an unknown destination with the sole aim of using him for money ritual. He said that himself and his gang members had cut off Bakare's head and buried it in a shallow grave and then threw his body within the same vicinity and buried it with leaves 

Ganiyu while confessing said.

“I am a palm fruit cutter. The mother of the body came to my house to tell me that she would need my services to cut palm fruits, asking me to come the following day. But I went to her house at about 5.30p.m same day. I took the young boy with me, with the belief that no one noticed when he was going with me. I bought N20 worth of groundnut for him before taking him to my house at Iyana Olofa.”

Ganiyu initially claimed that he got Bakare at the prompting of his partner, Moshood, who had earlier asked him to bring the urine, blood and hair of a young boy when he went to Moshood for money ritual and for protection. The suspect added that he went to Abdulwasiu for the same ritual and he also asked him to bring a boy. Ganiyu also indicted his father, Abidoye, in his statement, saying that he was the one also told him to kill a boy and bury his body so that his acts would not be exposed.

He told the police that he took the deceased to Olokede bush where he cut his head with a knife and buried it, while he threw the body away. Investigations showed that Ganiyu had once been arrested in 2012 for stealing a child at Otapete area of Iragbiji. He was said to have been beaten and macheted by indigenes of the town before he was taken to the police station, while the rescued boy was returned to his parents. Ganiyu was eventually charged to court and spent seven months in Ilesa prison.

Ganiyu and his other accomplices have been dragged before an Osogbo magistrates’ court on a four-count charge of conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and unlawful and intentional killing of Teslim Bakare. The suspects, whose pleas were not taken by Magistrate B.B Idowu Ajao, ordered that the suspects be remanded in prison till February 18th for the next hearing on the case.

"Not in my time will the senate spend N47bn on cars" - Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied allegations that the senate is planning to spend N47 billion for car purchase. President Buhari during his media chat yesterday alleged that the senate was planning to spend the said money on cars but said he won't allow it.

Tweet Below..

"Not in my time" will @NGRSenate spend 50Billion, or 47 Billion Or 4.7 Billion on cars for Senators

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 31, 2015

Not in my time will senate spend 47b on cars. Details of #2016Budget will be made available and open for public debate and scrutiny

— Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) December 31, 2015

Appeal Court sacks Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, declares APGA’s Alex Otti winner

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Owerri, has removed Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party as governor of Abia State.

The court also declared Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance  the winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections in the state.

Delivering judgment in an appeal filed by Mr. Otti, the five-member panel, headed by Justice Oyebisi Omoleye, said the APGA candidate scored 164, 444 valid votes to defeat Mr. Ikpeazu who scored 114, 444 votes.

The court declared that Mr. Otti was the winner of the April 11 and April 25 supplementary elections in Abia.

Justice Omoleye said the cancellation of the elections held in three LGAs of Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa and Isiala Ngwa by the returning officers after the results were uploaded to INEC was wrong.

“In the Electoral Act, the Returning Officer has the right to only declare results of elections and not to cancel elections.

“This panel discovered that the earlier results uploaded to INEC headquarters correspond with the correct valid registered voters in the three LGAs, while that awarded to the respondent shows over voting and therefore null and void.’’

Justice Omoleye had while reviewing preliminary objections and issues raised by both parties, struck out the preliminary objections by Mr. Ikpeazu’s counsel to the effect that the appeal lacked merit.

The court also turned down the objection raised by the PDP that the members of the panel were wrongfully constituted and affirmed the arguments of Mr. Otti’s counsel.

The appellate court maintained that the lower tribunal erred by not handling all the issues raised before it on their merit.

“It was wrong for the court below to insist that because the appellant failed to appear in person, his matter will not be given due attention.

“For not appearing in person, the first appellant did not abandon his case,” she said.

The court insisted that there was no need to call for re-run because the results of the April 11 and 25 polls clearly present Mr. Otti as the genuine winner of the exercise.

The court therefore directed INEC to issue Certificate of Return to Mr. Otti and swear him in as winner of the Abia Governorship election.

In his reaction to the judgment, Oracle Nwali, a lawyer in Mr. Otti’s legal team, described the victory as “an end of the year gift to APGA”, saying Mr. Otti would not disappoint Abia people.

On his part, Charles Esonu, the PDP secretary in Abia, said the party and its candidate would study the judgment and decide on the next line of action.

Mr. Otti had proceeded to the Court of Appeal after the Abia tribunal gave its judgment on November 3, saying the PDP validly won the election.

In that 85-minute judgment, delivered by its Chairman, Usman Bwala, the tribunal said  the petitioners – Mr. Otti and APGA – failed to prove their claim to have won the election ‘’beyond doubt”.

Mr. Bwala said the petitioners had, on one hand urged the court to nullify the election on grounds that it was marred by irregularities and massive fraud and on the other hand, sought that they should be declared winners of the same election.

He said the petitioners reckoned with the card reader as a means of accreditation during the election of April 11 but failed to agree with use of voter’s register.

The tribunal further refused to grant the petitioners’ request to uphold the cancellation of the results of the election in Obingwa, Osisioma and Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Areas of the state.

Mr. Bwala said the State Returning Officer, Benjamin Ozumba, was not allowed under the law, to cancel the said results in the first place, hence the subsequent reversal by him had no effect.

He said the onus lay heavily on the petitioners to prove beyond doubt that they won the election as they claimed in their petition.

The tribunal chairman, therefore, dismissed the petition because of the failure of the petitioners to convince the tribunal beyond doubt that they won the election.

Mr. Otti had urged the tribunal to annul the declaration of Mr. Ikpeazu as governor, saying the election was marred by irregularities and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

He, however, urged the tribunal to declare him (Otti) the winner on account of the lawful votes cast during the election.

He also asked the tribunal to uphold Mr. Ozumba’s cancellation of the results for Obingwa, Osisioma and Isiala-Ngwa North LGAs.

He said that Ozumba, having cancelled the results, did not have the power to cancel the result and reverse himself, adding that only the tribunal had the power to reverse the cancellation.

SOURCE: Premium Times Ng

Photos of 19-year-old young girl with half a body in Kano State who begs for alms

According to a photojournalist Sani Maikatanga who posted the photos on Instagram, her name is Rahma Haruna, a resident of Lahdin Makole village, Kano. She has no functional limbs and arms. Her brother carries her around in a plastic bowl to beg for alms.

After seeing this photo this morning i was happy and sad. First i was sad because of the condition this little girl is into. Everyone walking and working for a living but here she is unable to move or work. And i was happy because she might be a victim of misfortune but she is better than those that lost their lives in 2016, She can breathe and talk, that means one thing. There is hope.

Message: This message goes out to you out that there, reading or hearing about this. Don't just laugh of cry rather take this as an inspiration and do something better for yourself this 2016 because a physically crippled person is far better than a man with two hands and legs that can do nothing for himself.

Source: Linda Ikeji Blog

Appeal Court Upturns Mama Taraba’s (APC) Victory And Declares Ishaku (PDP) Winner

A court of appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday, December 31, upturned the decision of the Taraba state election tribunal which declared the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s Aisha Alhassan the winner of the Taraba governorship election.

The court decided in favor of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, ruling that Ishaku’s nomination by the PDP could not be questioned by a non-member of the party.

The Justice Danladi Abubakar-led tribunal had on November 7 sacked the Peoples Democratic Party’s Ishaku and declared All Progressives Congress’ Aisha Alhassan the winner.

But Governor Darius Ishaku, who expressed confidence in holding on to his position, following the possibility of going to the poll for a third time, filed an appeal asking the court to set it the judgement of the state tribunal aside.

Ahead of today’s judgment, on December 21, the Justice Abdul Aboki-led five-man bench of the appeal court heard three appeals and a cross-appeal by the APC.

Below are our updates from the court ruling:

15:19 Ishaku wins the appeal.

15:18 Declaring Alhassan/APC winner of the poll by tribunal violates section 140(2) of Electoral Act is null and void.

15:17 “It was a gross misdirection on the part of the tribunal to have declared APC/Alhassan as the winner.”

15:07 This tribunal is like a football match: two issues are in favour of the APC, two are in favour of the PDP.

15:02 Issue 5 is resolved against APC/Alhassan, however, the justice is back to issue 4 (whether the tribunal has power to declare APC/Alhassan the winner even after disqualifying PDP/Ishaku).

14:50 Issue 5 is in progress.

14:30 Appeal Court: – APC/Alhassan has no locus standi to complain about the improper conduct of PDP’s primary; – The only participant in a primary can complain about its improper conduct; – The issue of conduct of primary cannot be subject of dispute for adjudication by election petition tribunal.

14:03 Third issue is in process. A correspondent of The Punch reports on ground:

Alhassan, who is fondly called Mama Taraba, is currently serving as the minister of women affairs after being nominated and sworn in by President Muhammadu Buhari. If she secures the Taraba governorship seat, she would become Nigeria’s first female governor elect.

SOURCE: Naij.com news, Punch Nigeria, Sahara Reporters

"I See Warri, Delta State Being Bombed And Nigerian Governor Dying In 2016" - Apostle Johnson Suleiman

Nigerian political class is in for many tragedies in 2016, this is If prophesies coming from the spiritual leader of the Omega Fire Ministries are anything to go by.

According to the President of  Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, who spoke in a statement signed by his media adviser, Mr Phrank Shaibu and sent to Naij.com, said the nation will witness many heart rending political developments this year.

Apostle Johnson Suleiman

The cleric said a sitting governor of one of the 36 states of the federation will not see the end of the new  year, declaring that, “we have to pray, if not a governor of one of the 36 states may not see the end of 2016, ” in a prediction which is one of his 30 Shocking Predictions for the Year 2016.

He also predicted that scores of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ministers may be absent from cabinet meetings for a good part of the year for health related issues.

According to him: “ I don’t see some Ministers in President Buhari’s Cabinet in office in 2016. They will be abroad for medicals”.

Apostle Suleman also warned the United States of America against possible terrorist attacks in the cities of Washington and New York.

He also predicted the possibility of an epic political upheaval in the United States, the outcome of which may be unimaginable. He said President Barack Obama may seek a third term in office, a move which will throw up  issues relating to marital laws.

Apostle Suleman also said the United States may go to war with Russia in in 2016.

Some of Apostle Suleiman’s predictions below:

• If Americans don't pray, there will be no 2016 presidential elections as Obama wants a Third Tenure. He will throw up issues relating marital laws
• I see a Nigerian Governor dying.
• I don't see some Ministers in President Buhari's cabinet in Office this 2016. They will be abroad for medicals.
• I see another World War (Russsia Vs America).
• Washington and New Yorkl should pra against terrorist attack in 2016.
• Boko Haram has devised new strategies. They will come to public places screaming for help and when people gathers to assist they blow off the bomb.
• I see Warri, Delta state being bomb.

Apostle Suleiman who is reputed for predicting the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress governorship aspirant in Kogi state.

In an interview with a National newspaper last month, Apostle Suleiman said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will fight Christians.

Source: Naij.com

Dasuki Rearrested After Being Granted Bail Yesterday

Former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, who was recently released on bail by the Department of State Services (DSS) has been rearrested.

As seen on Naij.com and composed by Daily Trust, Dasuki’s rearrest took place shortly after being released from the Kuje Prison in Abuja.

The former NSA, who is standing trial in three different courts in Abuja for alleged money laundering offences running into billions of Naira, was taken to court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but regained his freedom temporarily after being granted bail last week along with former Sokoto state governor, Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir, as well as a former NNPC top official, Aminu Baba Kusa.

But, in a rather stunning twist of fate, Dasuki’s lawyer, Ahmed Raji (SAN) confirmed his re-arrest to Daily Trust last night.

This report was also corroborated by Chief Olufemi Fani-Kayode in a tweet on Tuesday, December 29, 2015.

View Tweet Below

Dasuki met his bail conditions and was released from prison today. Against court orders he was immediately re-arrested and detained by DSS.

— Olufemi Olu-Kayode (@realFFK) December 29, 2015

Source: Naij.com

75% of Fuel in Nigeria Will Still Be Imported in 2016 - NNPC

Group Managing Director NNPC and Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, during his tour of Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company, KRPC, yesterday, said the country will still rely on 75 per cent importation of fuel throughout the whole of next year.

According to him:

“The future is that, Nigeria is still going to import fuel in 2016 and beyond. Best case situation is 25 per cent local and 75 per cent importation. Worse case is what we are experiencing now.

“Until we begin to get individuals who can co-relocate, we are going to be doing a mixture of local and importation of fuel to meet up demands. In the next few weeks, however, queues will disappear in fuel stations.”The minister said that the Kaduna refinery will soon be producing more than two million litres per day capacity as soon as an Fluid Catalytic Cracking, FCC, unit is fully on stream.

He said:

“We need to get it back to re-kit it to work well. We will do that with some level of production going on. Our concern is to have a consistent production and provision of products at all times.”

“We will not be fluctuating prices, we will take an average. Today no subsidy, in January we will look at the situation and announce it.”

In regards to privatization, he said:

“President Muhammadu Buhari has not approved any policy about selling the refineries.” - says Vanguard

Female Suicide Bomber kill family of 15 in Maiduguri

A female suicide bomber attacked the home of a village head, Bulama Isa in Maiduguri yesterday evening, killing his three wives and their 10 children yesterday December 27th. The incident happened as Boko haram members engaged the Nigerian troops in a gun battle earlier yesterday evening.
Eyewitnesses say the woman pretended Boko Haram was chasing her, as she ran into the compound of the village head.

According to Eyewitness

“She ran into Bulama Isa’s compound shouting ‘Boko Haram, Boko Haram. When the families of Isa all came out of their rooms to meet the woman in the center of their compound, the woman simply detonated the bomb she had under her garment killing the man his three wives and ten children” a witness said

Bulama Isa who had not returned home yet at the time his home came under attack managed to survive another suicide attack at the entrance of his home. Sources said another female suicide who was lurking in the dark as the grief struck head of the family walked into his attacked compound, jumped out and detonated herself: but the village head was lucky again.

 

He was able to escape with minor injury, but the blast had succeeded in killing a woman with her baby.

Ghastly Car Accident Along Abuja-Kaduna (Photos)

According to @Aliyu_babs, this accident occurred on Abuja-Kaduna expressway, before Jere junction. In other for easy identification, a closed up photo is shown below with car's plate number.

Boko Haram Bomb Experts Arrested in Kaduna (Photo)

Press statement as released by the Nigerian Army below..

Another catastrophe was averted in Kaduna State and other contiguous areas when troops of the Nigerian Army arrested 7 suspected Boko Haram terrorists bomb and Improvised Explosive making Devices (IEDs) specialists. The terrorists were arrested in Kaduna after painstaking surveillance and proactive intelligence operations over a period of time.

From all indications, the suspects were in Kaduna to conduct suicide bombings, kill and maim innocent citizens in the state and other surrounding areas during the Christmas period. Recall that recently in Maiduguri some of them were arrested while trying to detonate IEDs carried in food containers in public places.

The arrest of these suspects would no doubt assist in the fight against terrorism in the country, more so as the military have technically defeated the Boko Haram terrorists in the field, the terrorists have resorted to attacking soft targets through suicide bombings, IEDs and harassing attacks on isolated communities.

Therefore, the public is please requested to continue to be more vigilant and security conscious by reporting suspicious persons and their movements to security agencies. This request has become necessary because the terrorists have resorted to mingling with the public across the country after sensing the futility of their encounter with troops in the northeast.

Therefore, they adopt other methods of perpetuating violence in the society. Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman Acting Director Army Public Relations

Nigerian Man And His 3 Year Old Son Killed in Car Crash on Christmas Day

A man and his young child were killed in a tragic Christmas Day car crash on A421 near Marston, Bedfordshire, at 11.10pm. The man was pronounced dead at the scene after a single vehicle collision, while his 3 year old son was pronounced dead at the hospital. The man's wife, who was also in the vehicle, survived and is being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, with serious injuries.

Investigating, Bedforshire Police Sergeant Simon Goldsmith said: 'Any death on the road is tragic but this incident is even more poignant given the day it occurred. Next of kin have been informed and our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to relatives.'

Merry Xmas Readers and Christians Worldwide

Was in the market yesterday to do some shopping and i felt the breeze of the celebration. It was all selling and buying. A day to celebrate. A day to be  happy and appreciate the birth of Jesus. Something i learnt last night is that Jesus Christ, son of Joseph who was born thousand years back has been reborn-ed and now he has been placed inside our hearts. Receive him and show love

Lets celebrate this festive season in jubilation, dancing and eating. If you have a girl surprise her and take her out. if you are married then its that perfect time to go to the park. As for me i will just keep you updated.

MERRY XMAS......... HURRAY

Man Engages Wife's Best Friend After 4months of Wife's Death

Friends and family are crying foul as winner of Queen of Aso Nigeria 2014, an Abuja-based beauty pageant Florence Esu is engaged to her friend’s husband, Dr. Bright Echefu, four months after the friend died during pregnancy.

The pair got engaged this past Saturday, December 19, 2015 and invited Queen Of Aso Nigeria 2009 Jennifer Igwegbe and other members from the pageant’s management team.

Cindy Echefu, Bright’s late wife, died less than a month after turning 28 years old, this August, 2015, when she was pregnant with the couple’s third child.

 The pair were close friends when Cindy was alive.

Friends and some family members, including Cindy’s cousin, have taken to Facebook and Instagram to pour out their suspicions and frustrations on Bright moving on too quickly, in their opinion.

A photo of his new fiancee is now his profile picture on his Instagram page.

He has replied,

“Engagement doesn’t mean we have been sleeping with each other. She is the only friend I can keep in the care of kids.”

He also added his late wife’s family fully supports him and even his late wife would support him if she was alive, saying,

“My late wife’s family are [sic] fully aware of this decision and they knew I did it for the sake of our kids” and “The Cindy I have known and loved so dearly is part of this decision.”

Social media now being a home to help discuss all these wrong and wicked acts, Friends and family takes to Instagram and tell their own part of the story. (Photos Below). Whats your own story?

The Trent Names Goodluck Jonathan As Person Of The Year 2015 (Reasons)

Losing the 2015 presidential elections doesn't seem to be an end to success and fame to this great Nigerian. One of Nigeria's most influential online newspapers, The Trent has named former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan Person of the Year 2015.

 "We are delighted to launch our Person of the Year Award with such a deserving statesman," the newspaper's, President and Executive Editor, Ms. Aziza Uko told journalists in Lagos, Monday. "This marks our second anniversary and our Editorial Board decided to launch this award to celebrate the best among us, to present to the country, especially, the young generation, real symbols of hope."

According to Ms. Uko, “More than any Nigerian alive, we believe that Jonathan represents the spirit of a united Nigeria governed under democratic ideals and principles. By honoring him, we are simply re-kindling faith in the possibility of a new Nigeria.”Earlier, in an editorial to celebrate the former president as Person of the Year 2015, The Trent noted that by leaving the stage when the ovation was loudest, “Jonathan opened a golden page in the chapters of democracy’s history, showing clearly to the world that Africa was not a continent of incompetent leaders and despotic rulers who sit tight in office at the expense of their nations’ future.” Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan has described the Person of the Year Award 2015 conferred on him by The Trent online newspaper as a “pleasant surprise.”
Reacting to The Trent Person of the Year 2015 Award on Monday, December 21, 2015 the former President said he felt deeply touched by the kind gesture and honour coming months after he has left office.

 “This is a pleasant surprise. I feel extremely humbled. I couldn’t have imagined that a group of young people would consider me worthy of this great honour months after I left office as President. 
"Usually, people like us receive awards when we are in office because of the position and power that we have. It is moments like this that you actually realize the people who are truly your friends.
"I see this award as an encouragement not just for me but the upcoming generations of Nigerians. I see it also as a celebration of how far Nigeria has come as a democracy. I commend the Editorial Board of The Trent and wish them the very best in their journalistic endeavors,” he  said.
Since his exit from office in May 2015, former President Jonathan’s profile has risen globally. He has been extolled by local and foreign media, as well as foreign governments for saving Nigeria from what observers say could have been a bloody social-political crisis in the world’s largest black democracy.
Below is the full Editorial Announcing the Award By The Trent

The Trent Unveils Goodluck Jonathan As Person Of The Year 2015 

On May 29, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan left office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He did so after the embarrassment of being the first elected incumbent president who ran for, but lost, re-election—losing to a candidate of the runner-up opposition party. President Jonathan conceded defeat and called to congratulate his opponent even before the end of the electoral process.
 

Since he left office, former President Jonathan’s profile has risen sharply in the global community. He has been lauded by local and foreign media, as well as the foreign government for that historic phone call that conceded defeat and averted a much expected bloodshed that would have ensued had he won the election. To many, Jonathan has become an icon of peace, hero of democracy, and a beacon of hope for a better future, not only for Nigeria, but also for Africa as a whole.
 

A dispassionate appraisal of his administration shows that in many respects, Goodluck Jonathan was not only a sterling democrat, but also an exceptional president that Nigeria has ever had based on his  achievements. These qualities are the reason why our Editorial Board has named former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan The Trent’s PERSON OF THE YEAR 2015.
 

On the domestic front, former President Jonathan had done a great service to Nigeria’s economy to the extent that six months after he left office, his successor’s flagship ministers shocked Nigerians by publicly admitting that rather than embark on new projects in 2016, they would only endeavour to build on Jonathan’s achievements. What are the facts?
 

For a country that had witnessed a rot in infrastructure, President Jonathan’s silent revamping mission, through his Transformation Agenda, had been constructing roads and bridges, building dams for electricity and agriculture, resuscitating the railway, revamping the airports and equipping them, equipping hospitals, creating new schools and universities, especially the almajiri schools in the north, among others. In addition, Jonathan’s government had started the diversification of Nigeria’s economy away from its mono focus on oil. For example, during Jonathan’s administration, services contributed 52 per cent to the economy, while oil’s contribution to the GDP declined to 14 per cent from over 33 per cent.
 

Agriculture, which used to be the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of oil, was given a big boost by Jonathan’s government. He dealt a blow on the racketeering in the fertilizer distribution, ending the N50 billion per annum fraud in less than 3 months. Jonathan’s government introduced e-wallet system to bypass corrupt middlemen and deliver fertiliser and seedlings to 12 million farmers is an innovation that has attracted the attention of the world. The United Nations, World Bank, the African Union, India, China, Argentina, and other countries are all adopting the pioneering initiative of Jonathan’s government.
 

Jonathan’s government gave strong encouragement to local production of food, which increased food production in Nigeria in all fields: rice, cocoa, palm oil, cassava, sorghum, etc. Nigeria is now 85 percent food sufficient. Our export bill on food had dropped from N1.4 trillion per annum to below N700 million. This had created a new crop of young farmer millionaires. That the 2012 flood disaster did not cause any food shortage in Nigeria was a testimony to President Jonathan’s boost in agriculture. Furthermore, that the global downturn and devaluation of the Naira did not affect food prices in Nigeria confirms that there was surplus food in the market. These did not happen by accident.
 

During the Jonathan administration, manufacturing sector’s share of the GDP had climbed from 4 per cent to about 7 per cent. What is particularly significant is that his administration’s automotive policy had given a fillip to local vehicle manufacture and assembly. In addition to Innoson Motors that had started local manufacture of vehicles in Nnewi, Anambra State, other big auto companies like Nissan, Toyota, Honda, etc, which hitherto were importing fully assembled cars into the country for sale, have changed their policy by setting up plants in Nigeria. Automobile imports have dropped by 20%, even as 20 other auto makers had either begun exploration or indicated an interest to set up plants in Nigeria. This had boosted the economy by creating jobs and reducing capital flight.
 

Furthermore, Jonathan’s government policies and practice had placed Nigeria as the number one destination in foreign direct investment in Africa as Nigeria’s economy was placed as the 26th in the world and the biggest in Africa, surpassing South Africa.
 

Since he left office, the former president has been summoned for several high profile international assignments, not because he conceded defeat after serving only one term but based on his democratic credentials while serving the one term. The most important of these credentials is his passionate belief in the transparency of elections, which he executed since he came to power.
 

Through a deliberate policy of granting autonomy to Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and non-interference in the judiciary process, the “Jonathan effect” had taken power away from incumbent political office holders (including, ironically, President Jonathan himself), political god fathers, and electoral officers and returned it to the electorate. The trust the President fostered in the electoral system had encouraged more trustworthy and visionary people to venture into politics, to contest and win in the last (2015) general elections, as attested to by the improved quality of men and women who presently sit in the 8th National Assembly and among the state governors as well.. The trust in the electoral system also makes elected officials to concentrate on satisfying the electorate with superior performance to be returned.
 

On the foreign scene, several months after he left office, former President Jonathan was appointed leader of the 33-nation Commonwealth International observer mission to monitor the Tanzanian general elections held in October 2015. The Daily News of Tanzania reported that Tanzanians were happy that the former Nigerian leader, whom they described as “a hero of free and fair election in Africa” would lead the observer mission believing that Jonathan’s presence would bring credibility to the polls.
 

Yet, another of former President Jonathan’s democratic credential, which has raised his stature within the international community, was his commitment to the multiparty democracy; there were no political assassinations, no political prisoners, and no harassment of opponents or critics of his administration as were obtainable before President Jonathan came to power—and after he was voted out of office. Compared to his predecessors and successor, Goodluck Jonathan’s respect for the rule of law, individual liberty, and freedom of expression had raised the bar as the reference point in the political and social climate of our country.

For example, it is on record that while he was the Commander-in-Chief, former President Goodluck Jonathan was attacked by miscreants twice during his re-electioneering campaign in Katsina and Bauchi. The miscreants went beyond barricading his convoy to actually stoning him. Yet, no single shot was fired at the attackers; nobody was injured other than some of the President’s security details who were wounded by the attackers and hospitalized. President Jonathan did not order his security details to open fire on the miscreants on the spot. Neither did he ask that their leadership be fished out in their various homes and be shot - because President Jonathan believed that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian citizen, including those miscreants who attacked his convoy and stoned him in Katsina and Bauchi.

It is instructive to note that no Nigerian politician alive commands the enormous goodwill, follower-ship and dignity that Jonathan attained in a moment of history bestowed upon him by destiny and fate. By leaving the stage when the ovation was loudest, Jonathan opened a golden page in the chapters of democracy’s history, showing clearly to the world that Africa was not a continent of incompetent leaders and despotic rulers who sit tight in office at the expense of their nations’ future. Jonathan demonstrated rare leadership where others failed to lead, putting him in the class of greatness where leaders only in the mold of Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, Theodore Roosevelt, Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill belong.

Source: TheTrentOnline