News

 FG's Amnesty To Militants: Asari Talks Tough

The leader of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Asari Dokubo has condemned in its entirety the Amnesty proclaimed by the Federal Government towards securing peace in the Niger Delta Region, saying it lacks constitutional weight. Dokubo who was speaking at the conferment of Award  on Prince Tonye Princewill by the National Association of Ijaw Female Students (NAIFS) in Port Harcourt recently said the people of the region have lost confidence in the Federal Government in achieving peace. He stated that what the Federal Government needed to do is to call for a proper round-table discussion with the core Ijaw leaders who actually know the problem facing the common Ijaw man and the neglect meted to the region by the same Federal Government. According to him, until these problems are solved, there shall be no peace in the region and the nation in general. Asari said, he is not a criminal but a freedom fighter for the liberation of the common man in the region.

The NDPVF leader used the event to call for support from well meaning individuals, corporate bodies and NGOs towards assisting the Ijaw Female Students in colleges and higher institutions.

National President of the Association, Miss Florence Kalio, in her address said, under her leadership, this is the first award to any individual or organization. She maintained that  it was given to Prince Tonye Princewill due to his efforts in achieving sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta Region, describing him not just as the Prince of Kalabari Kingdom but also the Prince of the Niger Delta Region.

Conferring the award on Prince Tonye Princewill “The Miss Niger Delta”,  Cynthia C. Pepple said, honour is given to whom honour is due. Therefore this award for excellence is in recognition of his good leadership, human development and struggle for the emancipation of the Ijaw nation in particular and the Niger Delta Region in general.

Responding to the honour, Prince Tonye Princewill said, he never ordinarily accepts honour or awards but that this is significant in the history of the Ijaw struggle.

He thanked them for the honour done him and further stated that the Award will spur him and motivate his spirit to do more for the region, especially the less privileged ones. Among all the students demanded, Tonye Princewill graciously approved one 18 seater coaster bus to be delivered within the week to them ###.

National Union Of Ikwerre Students Swear In New Exco

The National Union of Ikwerre Students (NUIS) now has new executives to pilot the affairs of the union.

The 22 new officers of the union took their oath of office recently at Rumuodamaya, the headquarters of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.

Students  from the four Ikwerre speaking communities in Kelga, Phalga, Obalga and Emolga were fully represented.

In his farewell address, the immediate past president, Comr, Obinali Chukwu Wondikom thanked the body for their co-operation throughout his tenure.

Comr. Chukwu however condemned what he described as poor attitude of the Ikwerre Council Chairmen towards the union. He advised them on the need for a change of attitude.

Also speaking, the new NUIS President, Comrade Omereji Chinedu said the occasion marked a new beginning for the Ikwerre students.

 Commending the developmental strives of the State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he pledged the union's support and preparedness for partnership with government.  Thanking all those who have one way or the other contributed to the welfare of Ikwerre Students, Comr. Chinedu specifically gave kudos to Chief  Andrew Uchendu.

The student president assured that they will always be law abiding by shunning youth restiveness, cultism, kidnapping and other forms of criminalities.

In their separate speeches, Chief Andrew Uchendu, Prof. Chris Ogbodah, Hon. Tony Okocha and Barr. S. C. Dike eulogized the students for the peaceful conduct of their election, promising them improved welfare packages including bursary allowance.

Prof. Chris Ogbodah, a U.S. based journalism teacher used the occasion to call for the upliftment of the standard of education in the country.

He regretted that of over 40,000 universities of excellence listed across the globe, Nigeria was not among.

The ceremony also witnessed paper presentations among others.###

Amadi Makes Case For More Road Traffic Personnel

The employment of more trained and efficient traffic personnel to man some strategic points in the Port Harcourt Metropolis will definitely reduce the incessant traffic jam on the roads.

This is the view of Mr. Destiny Amadi, the President of Omuma Youth Movement.

Making his observation known to newsmen in Port Harcourt, Amadi noted that the busy roads in Port Harcourt Metropolis are too long to be controlled by a few number of traffic wardens and thus require an additional number of personnel to ease  the increasing traffic jams.

“Efforts should be geared towards ensuring that busy road junctions that have no functional traffic lights are manned by traffic personnel to help control movement of vehicles in an orderly manner” he added.

Responding to a question , Amadi frowned at the uncompromising attitude of most road users and opined that it is time stringent measures were taken against defaulters who fail to obey traffic rules.

“Left to me, I subscribe that any road user no matter how highly placed that flouts the traffic rules should be apprehended and prosecuted  so as to serve as a deterrent to others”, the youth leader advocated.

Mr. Amadi, further used the opportunity to call on the contractors handling flyover bridges in Port Harcourt to expedite action, noting that the slow pace of work has undoubtedly contributed to the heavy traffic jam often experienced of late.

“There is no gain saying the fact that the heavy traffic jam being experienced at Eliozu, Artillery, Woji, East-West road etc. would have been drastically reduced if the flyover bridge projects have been completed for motorists to use”, he noted.

The youth leader however prayed the State Government not to lose sight of monitoring the contractors handling the various projects in the State so that they can be sure that all the materials used in carrying out the projects are of good quality and standard.

“I think it beholves on the State Government to go for high profile contractors whose jobs will be of good standard and durable irrespective of the cost involved”, he concluded.###

Aftermath Of Burial Of Oyigbo Traditional Ruler

The remains of HRH, Eze Sunday Elechi Oforji, Eze Ukwu II of Oyigbo may have been peacefully committed to mother earth (Saturday, June 27, 2009) but the dust raised by what the rest of the children see as unwholesome misrepresentation by their elder brother and chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Council, Precious Oforji is yet to settle.

Late Pa Oforji, a firm believer in lineal order was by every definition an epitome of African tradition.

A father of 32 children and scores of grand and great grand children. When alive, the Royal Father played jokes but not with his children he so much beloved and cherished, not even the least among them.

He also believed in, and taught all his children to respect age and seniority. No wonder until his death at the ripe age of 107, there were no cases of in-fighting in the large family.

It was against this background that the children who had grown to respect and trust themselves decided upon the death of their father to share responsibilities to everyone of them in the hope that the burial would be a huge success. There was no suspicion of any kind.

But little did they know that what they considered a wonderful strategy would open them up, to the advantage of their council chairman brother, Precious Oforji who wasted no time in taking advantage of his brothers' trust and prepared the burial poster and programme as though he is the only surviving son of the late monarch.

Throughout the programme, there was no mention of any other son or daughter of the Eze Ukwu II of Oyigbo neither was there any of their photographs.

Hon Precious Oforji while signing the programme on behalf of his siblings, even ascribed to himself the position of the first son of the traditional ruler, a claim he knows to be false.

For all this, the children of the Oyigbo fallen leader have rejected the programme as not that of their father, enjoining the Oyigbo traditional rulers council, the Oyigbo people, the Oyigbo Local Government Area  Ndi Eze, St. Marks Anglican Church, Oyigbo, all in-laws, the State government, friends and well-wishers and the general public to disregard the 'misrepresented' programme part of which they learnt were mistakenly shared out at the funeral service.

A new programme, according to the royal family which will truly and deservedly represent the social status of their late father and king will be sent to all sympathizers and relevant agencies soon.###

ONELGA Council Investigation :Projects Speak For Hon Ochije

While the Rivers State House of Assembly gets deeper and deeper into the investigation of the circumstances that led to the suspension of the chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council, Hon Chris Ochije, it is becoming crystal clear that the suspended council boss is only a victim of deep rooted power play in ONELGA.

His case is no different from that of those who stand in the middle of the road whose fate is certain (they get run over).

Notwithstanding, the numerous projects already put in place within one year of his administration continue to speak for the embattled chairman.

No sooner had Hon Ochije assumed office than he realized the need for adequate security in the rather volatile council if these were to be any meaningful development in the area.

Pursuant of this necessity, Hon Ochije first secured two Toyota Hilux vehicles for the police to boost its operations. He also went further to equip the Okwuzi police station with furniture and computers in addition to provision of a borehole to satisfy their water needs.

Two Hiace buses were also purchased for the council roof and Legislative Assembly respectively.

The ONELGA chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) was equally not forgotten. In their kitty is another Hiace bus courtesy of Hon Chris Ochije.

And like their counterparts in other councils, the members of ONELGA Legislative Assembly were provided with a brand new Toyota car each.

All these are verifiable feats different from the Ochije initiated and executed infrastructure in all parts of  the local government, some of which include two-three bedroom blocks of four flats for ONELGA low cost housing, six classroom block with offices for ONELGA nursery and primary school, Omoku, neighbourhood water scheme Ogbogu II, renovation of Obigwe Health Centre, rehabilitation of Okwuzi low cost housing and old magistrate court, Omoku.

Others are construction of pavilion for the council, chairman's lodge, fencing projects, communication mask for the council etc.

All these are verifiable projects the investigating panel must not lose sight of, if justice must not only be done by seen to have been done in the spirit of democracy which has fairness as its salient feature.

While the investigation lasts it is also hoped that the acting chairmen of all the affected councils do not act beyond their brief of paying only salaries and all other approved emoluments to staff.

Information at our disposal has it that the vice chairman and now acting chairman of ONELGA has started awarding contracts and executing projects after dissolving council exco put in place by the suspended council boss.

It would be recalled that upon inauguration, the State House of Assembly in very unmistakable terms specified the limits of the powers and functions of the acting chairmen pending the conclusion of their investigations and return of normalcy to the councils.###

News

Senator Martyns-Yellowe Is Dead

Dr Martyns-Yellowe, a renowned Psychiatrist and two term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999-2007) was outstanding as the best Senator (1999-2003) and also sponsored the highest number of bills between 1999-2007 in the Senate. 

Senator Dr Ibiapuye Martyns-Yellowe is dead.

According to family source, the distinguished Senator Martyns-Yellowe passed on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness.

Dr Martyns-Yellowe, a renowned Psychiatrist and two term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999-2007) was outstanding as the best Senator (1999-2003) and also sponsored the highest number of bills between 1999-2007 in the Senate.

Senator Martyns Yellowe, a native of Bakana was born on the 25th of November 1945 at the General Hospital, Degema, in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.

Dr. Martyns-Yellowe in his early age practised broadcasting on his own, mimicked radio football commentaries and inflicted satires on whoever stood  his way with strict discipline.

In an emotion laden voice, a former Commissioner for Water Resources in Rivers State and a PDP Chieftain, Hon. Lolo Ibieneye said “we have lost an icon and a determined Statesman”.

Senator Martyns-Yellowe remarkably contested the Rivers State Governorship primaries in 2006 under the platform of the PDP.###

Epilogue -By Jerry Needam

Senator Dr Martyns-Yellowe, a true Riversman believed in the future. He lived in the present. And he always remembered where he was coming from.

On a goodnight, he would quaff his beer with an air of contentment, smoke his cigarette end to end when he was still smoking, discussing with an encyclopedic sweep virtually all subjects under the sun.

He was a prose stylist of uncommon elegance and could sometimes expand the frontiers of the world with telling images and fetching catalytic phrases.

But beyond medical practice, he also aspired to be a very good writer and orator.

Dr. Martyns-Yellowe had everything before him. Life fulfillment. New dreams. Now he has everything behind him. He died at the age of 63.

I remember Senator Dr. Martyns-Yellowe like a homing star who incarnated the spirit of the restless wind and the opening wads. I remember him with a vividness that insists upon the spirit. He was a father, a brother and a friend to me.

All the times I visited Abuja, Senator Martyns-Yellowe would not want me stay in a hotel.

He would lure me by his side in one of his rooms at his residence in Abuja.

Free food, drinks, shuttle services within Abuja.

I met Senator Dr. Martyns-Yellowe at the inception of my publishing business, as publisher of National Network Newspaper. When I met Senator Dr. Martyns-Yellowe, it seemed I had known him all my life, even though I had never met him. We connected immediately because he was my idea of what the publisher of a great newspaper should be. And there is a brotherhood of the spirit that binds all men who can hear the music of the spheres even in the dim of the taproom.

Senator Dr. Martyns-Yellowe was not a poet, but he had poetry in his soul. And I could see the glimmer. He was not a philosopher, but he was a pilgrim on that ghost road in which the song remains the same. I am that I am. And I could hear the voice.

Somehow, Senator Yellowe had seen the maiden edition of National Network I had published and he had been impressed.

He insisted that I keep the standards and maintain the rules. With Senator Martyns-Yellowe you had to prove yourself continually.

He produced several books. He gave me copies of his book, Martyns-Yellowe:! The Path of Honour.

Senator Martyns-Yellowe can bring out the best in you. He will continually challenge you to do the seemingly impossible to move on.

His zest for life was as great as his passion for standards. He was a limitless ocean of pleasure.

One night, we went out to one of his favourite joints in Abuja, got thoroughly plastered and ended up somewhere at Maitama, virtually dead to the world. The next morning Senator Martyns-Yellowe was already behind his desk by 6.00am. And he had to query, a verbal one though, why I should wake up late. He was that kind of man, the best.   

We fed on choice morsels of the nights, drank from the largesse of sleepless bars, etc.

He prodded me into a fuller realization of the reaches of my own spirit. The world was mine. I could be all I wanted to be. He did not know well enough where I was coming from, but he knew fully well where I was going to; the top.

Today, I weep for the untimely and sudden death of Senator Martyns-Yellowe from the depth of my soul. And he still lives. It is simply impossible to think of Senator Dr. Martyns-Yellowe as dead. He had so much life in him that it is like standing reality on its head to imagine him dead. Senator Dr. Martyns-Yellowe was like an open book to everything, and that is why his death, now that it seems we have to accept that reality, is like a farewell to everything. And that is also why his death burdens me with a certain loneliness of the spirit. His spirit and mine.###

Constituency Projects: ICPC, EFCC Insist Rivers Lawmakers Have Questions To Answer-… Demand Apology, Refutal of Press Statement

The rather belated effort of Sam Dede, the Director of Press of the Rivers State House of Assembly to save his benefactors (Rivers Legislators) the embarrassing  summons by both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) for diverting millions of funds granted them for constituency projects in the last two years may have worsened the case of the lawmakers.

Mismanaging the crisis that is currently rocking the Hallowed Chambers, the Director of Press without first confirming from the House Leadership on the veracity of the report scooped by National Network rushed to the press to debunk the invitation of the suspected legislators by the anti-graft agencies, even when some of the lawmakers were at their premises on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 making useful statements on the allegation.

Worse still, the Director of Press, Sam Dede falsely claimed that both the media heads of the two agencies (EFCC and ICPC) denied knowledge of the invitation when they were reached.

Reacting to the press statement, the anti-graft agencies said they are investigating the announcement as there may be more to it than meets the eye.

“We must not allow these press boys who do more of the bidding of their masters to rubbish the corporate image of our organization knowing the vulnerable nature of our assignment as though we are joking. We therefore demand that the press statement be refutted forthwith”, a reliable inside source said.

Meanwhile, most of the lawmakers who went into hiding to evade the invitation have started coming out and reporting to the agencies upon hearing that none of their colleagues who earlier reported was detained. We however have it on good authority that the anti-graft agencies are rather following due process, interrogating them and collecting their statements first after which substantive cases will be preferred against those found culpable.

Already, the anti-graft agencies are in possession of details of the funds granted each lawmaker from 2007 to date as well as all the projects claimed to have been executed and not done.

The last minute rush to initiate projects in their areas to present as such constituency projects by some of these smart ‘lawmaker’ contractors has also caught the prying eyes of the EFCC and ICPC officials.

Other information needed from the legislators include names of contractors executing such projects, names of their directors, some other projects executed by the contractor and, or contracting firm in the State or elsewhere in the past to have qualified it win the bidding etc.

This is against the backdrop that the lawmakers rather than look for specialized indigenous contracting firms, registered and recognized by the relevant agencies, quickly floated their own companies and awarded themselves such contracts, thus legislating and contracting at the same time.

Some of the constituency projects being claimed to have been executed by some of these fraudsters include construction of palaces for their traditional rulers, loan of N5,000 to N10,000 to a few 'indigent widows' most of whom have been discovered to be their girlfriends and relations, borehole without water, electric poles without light, generating plants and pier latrines especially in the riverine areas.

These are the kind of projects being lined up for the over N100 million per lawmaker per year.

An EFCC source said some of the claims which he hopes will be made public in due course are so laughable that after the publication, the entire House may wish to reconsider whether they truly deserve the “Honourable” they pride themselves with.

It would be recalled that National Network had been monitoring the constituency projects for over two years now and consequently reported the monumental illegalities and excesses of the lawmakers that may have prompted the myriad of petitions from their constituents to the anti-graft agencies, necessitating the summons which the Director of Press deliberately denied.

Meanwhile, the EFCC, ICPC invitation to the recalcitrant lawmakers has provoked reactions from the Rivers people.

Some of them who were captured by National Network checks include:

Chief M.J. Mark  (Traditional Ruler)

Am happy that men like the Speaker, Rt. Hon Tonye Harry, my Deputy Speaker till tomorrow, Hon Befii Charles Nwile, Hons Linda Stewart, Aye Pepple, Golden Chioma and Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja have continued to show that they are prudent and men of high esteem. They should keep it up. EFCC should charge those who steal our constituency projects money to court.

Pastor John Lenee -Aebe (Religious Leaders)

“Why are they in a hurry to amass wealth? Don't they have the fear of God? They should note the following few quotations on stealing: Ex 20:15, 21:16; Lev 19:11; Deut 5:19; 24: 7; Psalm 50:18-19; Zech 5:4; Math 19:18; Rom 13:9; Eph. 4:28; 1 Peter 4:15.

The Lord also commended us in the book of Matthew 19:18, not to steal.”

Comrade Nathaniel Oluba - (Youth leader)

“We are waiting for them to come home. They will vomit that money. Their lives or the projects.”

Madam Grace Kom-John - (Woman Leader)

“This crop of “dishonourable” men are a shame to Rivers State.” We should begin to mobilize against these thieves called Lawmakers.

Barrister Chike Amadi Jones (Legal Practitioner)

“Look at the quality of bills they passed into law. What about the hurry with which they passed the 2008 budget. Use that to judge them.”###

N200m ‘Egunje’ Tears Apart Opposition Parties In Rivers

Political parties in Rivers State recently adopted a concensus formula to work with the administration of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, but that move is tearing the forum  apart, National  Network reliably gathered.

In April, 2008, precisely on the 8th, the Forum of Opposition Political Parties (FOPP) comprising 18 political parties at a conference in Port Harcourt declared their support for the Amaechi administration.

The 42 political leaders who signed the declaration hinged their resolve to keep the Amaechi-led government on its toes and act as a catalyst for the much needed change in the government of the State, where service to the people will be guaranteed.

According to them “We take this step therefore, under the premise that Rivers State belongs to us all, regardless of our differences in political opinions, ideology or school”. Few days after the declaration, signatures and names of about 42 political party leaders with the picture of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and their opposition leader, Prince Tonye J.T.T Princewill were placed in almost all local and national papers as advertorial.

Some aggrieved members who signed the declaration told this publication that about N200Million was released for the purpose of the declaration alone.

While some admitted collecting their share of the money, some say they did not get a kobo.

This development has apparently stirred up crisis in the newly inaugurated Forum of Opposition Political Parties (FOPP) in the State.

Some members have positioned for a showdown, insisting on having their share of the money.

They told National Network that they have discovered that money came from government for all those who came together and signed the declaration.

According to about 10 members who did not want their names in print “We were only given mineral, snacks and transport money. We need the complete money declared and shared evenly” they posited.

They also rejected the idea of drafting a constitution for the Forum, querying the rationale behind such idea.

In his reaction, the Action Congress (AC) spokesman in the State, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze described the allegation as a calculated attempt to malign the personality of an innocent man. 'As I much commend Tonye Princewill for his strides in politics, I pity him for the hawks within the system that are hell bent to malign his person”, he said.

“I can swear in the name of God contrary to my faith that Governor Amaechi did not and has never given Tonye Princewill a kobo to organize or set up any opposition in Rivers State, but where will the Governor get such amount of money for such a project. Am not even sure that Amaechi has that type of money to throw around. On the other hand, why should Tonye Princewill get money from the Governor for this and for what? Did Tonye Princewill in the first place, ask any party to join him to form the opposition in Rivers State. Funny enough Tonye Princewill does not even know how the FOPP was formed, talkless of funding it”.

I am the person that Chief Alaye, the Chairman of Coalition approached to inform me of the thinking of the parties under him to join Tonye Princewill. I asked them to go public, while I discuss it with Tonye Princewill. That is how the 18 political parties addressed the press conference adopting Tonye Princewill as the leader on the 8th of April 2009 while parties under CNPP followed suit two weeks thereafter. Did anybody see Tonye Princewill at those meetings.

It may even shock you to know that Tonye Princewill was at Calabar attending the South-South economic submit while the CNPP group was addressing the press adopting him as the Leader.

Sadly, Tonye Princewill was at London throughout the meetings aimed at unifying both the coalition and the CNPP groups and never attended any of our meetings. The unification exercise was midwifed by Dr. Ibiamu, the erstwhile commissioner of Special Duties, Barrister Osima Ginah, Chief Igweh Williams, I, Chief Alaye and Chief Roberts. Most of the funds used were provided by Dr. Ibiamu and Osima and members of this team so where does Tonye Princewill come into all these. Tonye Princewill is just a brand name which some of us are using to curry relevance. The disrespect of the G10 is not only malicious, wicked, uninformed and can only be meant for the gutter not even dustbin, because it is worthless.

Tonye Princewill has not done anybody any wrong by offering himself as a tool to emancipate his people from the shackles of poverty, enslavement. If such fund is within the system why have we not gotten a secretariat of the Forum you may ask?

Why is it that I am still indebted to you and other journalists for works you did for the system. If this trend continues, I will just go home and rest and avoid dying before my time. I am just tired.##

Hon Gogo-Jaja Denies Petitioning EFCC

Hon Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, representing Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly says he knows nothing about the current invitation of his colleagues by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

The indefatigable lawmaker who was the majority leader of the same Assembly for eight years under Gov Peter Odili administration was reacting to insinuations in certain quarters that he was instrumental to the petitions that prompted the investigation of the legislators' constituency Projects by the anti-graft agencies.

According to the vociferous lawmaker, the insinuations are yet another ploy by mischief-makers and his detractors who see him as a torn in their flesh for opposing certain policies of this administration and particularly, for rejecting his own constituency projects money for personal reasons.

Hon Gogo-Jaja said he was equally invited by the anti-graft agencies just like his fellow lawmakers and wondered why he would abandon his lawmaking and oversight functions for petition writing.

He described the rumours as being peddled in bad faith with no other reason than to tarnish his image and create disaffection between him and his beloved colleagues.

“I advise all those behind this evil to restrain and find a more meaningful job to engage in. I don't like talking into my pockets. I am a lawmaker of repute. If I wrote the petitions, I would be bold enough to say I did. But let no one accuse me of what I did not do”, he warned.###

News

EFCC Investigates Amaechi Over $3.5m Support For Ghanaian Election… Also Pajero Cars ‘Gift’ To J.J. Rawlings

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it is investigating an allegation that the former Ghanaian President sourced a whopping $3.5 million from Rt. Hon. Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, to shore up the campaign funding of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 2008 general elections. According to the Commission, it has equally established evidence that offers an indication yet, of a strong bond of “brotherliness” between former President Jerry John Rawlings and the Governor of Nigeria's Rivers State , Rt. Hon. Chubuike Rotimi Amaechi, over the last two decades. The bond, according to EFCC's preliminary investigations, has resulted in the exchange of many gifts, including especially, cars and cash from the Nigerian Governor and Kente, Fugu, Boboo and Stool from the former Ghanaian President. What, however, remains very outstanding in the exchange of gifts between the two, according to the EFCC’s preliminary investigations is the four different types of PAJERO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE vehicles that the Governor gave to Mr. Rawlings in 2001. A Spokesperson for the Commission, Femi Baba Femi, told a section of the Ghanaian media that his outfit could not ignore the allegation of illicit transactions, thus confirming that the commission was investigating the $3.5 million gift that was allegedly given to the former Ghanaian leader by the Rivers State Governor.

A Nigerian-based website, pointblanknews.com alleged few weeks ago that the Rivers State Governor wired an amount of $3.5 to Mr. Rawlings through his aide during the last Ghanaian elections, ostensibly to help boost the dwindling finances of the NDC.

“As a commission charged with the responsibility of investigating economic and financial crimes, an allegation of this nature cannot pass without catching our attention”, the spokesman declared.

According to the report, the EFCC has established that Governor Amaechi bought four brand new Pajero Four Wheel drive vehicles for the ex-Ghanaian President at a time that Mr. Rawlings had refused to use vehicles allocated to him by then President Kufuor's administration.

The Rawlings action TODAY newspaper recollects, was a mark of protest by Mr. Rawlings against what he said were acts of intimidation and harassment against him (Rawlings) and other members of the 1st NDC government which ruled from January 7th 1993 to January 7th 2001.

The customs and excise duties on the vehicles, TODAY gathered were picked and paid for by the Rivers State Governor. The latest discovery, TODAY established is offering a reliable avenue for the EFCC to trace the cash Cheque that was wired to Rawlings by the Governor to offset the excise duties on the Pajero vehicles at the Tema port.

Checks made at Tema port according to the report have confirmed that the cars were retrieved from the port by Victor Emmanuel Smith, the former aide to the former President. The paper gathered from EFCC's preliminary investigations that, the Rivers State Governor gave the Pajeros to Mr. Rawlings at a time that the Governor was the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, a position he held from 1999 to 2007.

The report further indicated that the offer made by the Governor to Mr. Rawlings was as a result of a distressed call the former Ghanaian President made to his friend, alleging that he had virtually been rendered destitude by the Kufuor administration which had then taken over the reigns of power in Ghana .

Rawlings, according to EFCC's initial findings, sent an Aide to the Governor to narrate his ordeal and the kind of ill-treatment being meted to him by his successor.

The former President refused to use vehicles allocated to him as per the recommendations made by the Greenstreet report on emoluments for former State functionaries of the first NDC administration, including the President and his Vice.

It was within that period that the former President made the urgent SOS plea to his Governor friend to send him the vehicles, a plea TODAY found out was immediately obliged to by Governor Amaechi.

Governor Amaechi's interest in Ghana according to sources must have been informed by the fact that Ghana provided him refuge, when the EFCC was probing his multi-million naira investment in bank shares, real estate property etc.

Amaechi was said to have been flown to Ghana at the wake of that historic investigation using not quite real ECOWAS passport though unconfirmed.

The trip was facilitated through the use of Rivers State Government owned jet.

The jet was properly arranged to beat customs and immigration processes.

Meanwhile, an unconfirmed report has it that the Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa may be making frantic efforts to connect Governor Amaechi to the EFCC Chairman for protection in the face of the myriad of investigations affecting him.###

Malaria Eradication:  Health Experts Call For Media Involvement

By Ngozi Anosike

Burdened by the fact that malaria is a disease of public importance responsible for 24% of deaths of children under five years and 11% death occurring during pregnancy, health experts have identified active media involvement as one of the strategies in achieving its eradication.

The programme manager for Roll Back Malaria, Dr. Mrs Justina Jumbo dropped this hint during the training workshop for journalists on Malaria.

According to her, there is need for public enlightenment, adequate media coverage on malaria issues as well as Roll Back Malaria initiatives, stressing the media's role in advocating for improved support for Malaria control, interventions from government at all levels, NGOs and all stakeholders.

She also stated that active media involvement will facilitate the process of achieving a universal coverage with the impact to reduce malaria burden by half come 2010, pointing out that the society will only move from the stage of unchanged behaviour to positive health seeking behaviour to malaria intervention through increased media campaigns.

Mrs Felicia Ewoigbokhan, one of the resource persons noted that the measures and strategies outlined by National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) as well as the milestones achieved so far can only be made known to the public through the informative skills of the journalists and charged them to investigate and report the commitment of government to malaria control.

Earlier in his goodwill message, the State chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Opaka Dokubo acknowledged that malaria is very common in our environment, stressing that the training of journalists on malaria issues is very critical in the fight against the scourge as it will go along way in equipping them for effective and efficient reportage targeted at malaria reduction and eradication.

Mr Dokubo maintained that it was only the media that are capable of successfully educating and sensitizing the populace on government policies and programmes on malaria control, reduction and eradication.###

Independent Monitor Organises Anniversary Lecture For Late Publisher

The 10th year anniversary lecture for the late publisher and founder of the Independent Monitor Newspaper, Evans Osi comes up Monday, July 6, 2009.

The public lecture titled 'Repositioning the Niger Delta through Good Governance: the Rivers State example is a part of the activities packaged for the anniversary.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi will personally deliver the lecture.

According to the organizers, this will be the first time a serving governor of Rivers State will deliver a lecture being organized by a Port Harcourt based media organization in the State and it promises to be epoch-making.

The chairman of the occasion, which will also be used to confer lifetime achievement awards on deserving Rivers people and Good Governance Award on Governor Chibuike Amaechi, is Chief (Hon) Andrew Uchendu, Member of House of Representatives for Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency.

The Special Guest of honour is Prince Uche Secondus, National Organizing Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Royal Father of the day is HRM, Eze Robinson O. Robinson, Eze Ekpeye Logbo, while HRH, Eze Ejike Wali, Nyenw-eli/Paramount Ruler, Mgbuesilaru, Obio/Akpor LGA is the Chief Launcher.

The chief host is the chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Engr. (Hon) Emeka Woke.

Confirmed Lifetime Achievement Awardees include immediate past former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby; former Petroleum Minister, Prof Tamunoemi David-West, former top security chief and OMPADEC boss, Chief Albert Horsfall, industrialist and statesman, Prince Emma Anyanwu, celebrated legal luminary, B.M. Wifa, SAN, Chief Sampson Agbaru and Dr Elechi Amadi.

The venue of the occasion is Ministry of Justice Auditorium, State Secretariat Complex, Port Harcourt.###

News Brief

Work Responsibly, Politician Advises Journalists

The Former Executive Chairman of Degema Local Government Area, Rivers State, Hon. Tony Philmore has blamed the press for most of the social and political instability and unrest in the State.

Addressing the Rivers State House of Assembly Press Corps recently in Port Harcourt, Hon. Philmore reminded journalists of their esteemed role of social responsibility in the discharge of their function of dissemination of accurate information and educating the public.

Hon Philmore was reacting to a recent publication in one of the local tabloids in Port Harcourt (Not National Network) titled “The plot Against Tonye Harry” in which the writer insinuated that he (Philmore) had been tipped to serve as Chief of Staff by the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry in a shadow government in anticipation of a re-run election to be ordered by the electoral appeal court.

The former Delga boss who condemned the level of irresponsiblitiy and lies in the said write-up wondered what the writer would gain in setting the Speaker against Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi or causing unrest and instability in Rivers State by misinforming the Rivers public with untruths, insinuations and outright lies.

He reminded the writer of the ethics of sound journalism that hinges on credibility and balanced reporting.

 “I see the publication as another play for political jobbers to again distract Government and smear the good relationship existing between the governor and the Speaker” he said

Cleric Commends Rivers Legislature

The Archbishop of the newly created Ecclesiastical Province of Niger Delta, Anglican Communion and Bishop of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, Most Rev Ignatius C.O. Kattey, (JP) has commended the cordial relationship existing between the executive and legislature in the State.

Speaking recently during a courtesy visit to the Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Ezekiel Harry, Most Rev Kattey expressed delight for the understanding, rapport and peace existing between the State Executive Governor and the Assembly which he noted has resulted in passing into law most of the Executive bills aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development in the State.

Most Rev Kattery who thanked the honourable members of the Assembly for their commitment and urged them to keep the peace and formally informed Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry, and the House of the creation of Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger Delta by the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and his election as the pioneer Archbishop of the Province.

Responding, the Speaker, Rt. Hon Tonye Ezekiel Harry expressed delight in the creation of the Province and congratulated Most Rev Kattey for his election.

Rt Hon. Harry who traced the spiritual and physical contributions of Most Rev Kattey in the Socio-economic development of the State pledged the support of the State Assembly to the Province and made a token donation of One Million Naira (1,000,000.00) on behalf of the Assembly to the Province. Most Rev Kattery was accompanied by his diocesan officials.###

Rumuekpe Crisis Blamed On Multi-nationals

By Amadi Gilbert

As peace gradually returns to Rumuekpe, a sprawling community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, multi-national companies that operate in the area have been blamed for the crisis that led to the death of many indigenes and sent many others packing.

Regretting the incident  while speaking to National Network , the youth president of the community, Comrade Prince Augustine Chime, disclosed that the companies, namely, SPDC, Agip and Elf have been using 'Divide and Rule' tactics to deal with the natives which resulted to the crisis.

Giving more insight into what caused the crisis, Chima said, the companies since their inception in Rumuekpe community, have operated without MOU and failed to employ indigenes either as casual or full staff.

The president said this created room for jobless, hungry and angry youths to vent their spleen on the community and caused a crisis of unimaginable proportion that has left Rumuekpe community destroyed and deserted.

Now that peace has returned, the Rumuekpe youth boss would want the oil companies to partner with the owners of the land in dispensing largesse, while appealing to them to help those whose houses and properties were burnt during the crisis to rebuild them.

Speaking in the same vein, the president of Ikwerre Youth Movement (IYM), Comrade Prince Igwe said he was devastated when he saw the degree of havoc wrecked on the community, stressing that the multi-national companies should show remorse and concern to the plight of the poor natives.

While calling to the Rumuekpe citizens who ran away during the crisis to return home, Chime appealed to Engr. Emeka Woke, chairman of Emuoha Local government council and Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, governor, Rivers State to come to the aid of the community.###

I Paid N715m Under Threats, Says Ex-NDDC Boss Edem

Former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development  Commission (NDDC), Ambassador Sam Edem, told a Federal High Court in Abuja that he paid N715 million to a native doctor, Matthew Sonoma, under duress.

The monies,  he said, were paid through four companies belonging to his family. They are: Green Earth Nigeria Limited,  Richard Boman Limited, Centro  Global Limited and Diamond Hill Nigeria Limited.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole threatened to dismiss his testimony to newsmen when Edem was reading a prepared script while he was being led in evidence by the police prosecutor, Simeon Lough.

Edem also confessed   to building a church worth several millions of naira in Akwa Ibom State. He gave its name as Believe Assembly, Abak.

He however denied knowing Sonoma as an herbalist. Sonoma, he claimed, was introduced to him as a pastor by a youth leader, Kakas Amgbari.

Edem said: “This man never did any Juju for me as a pastor. I did not know that he wanted to blackmail me. He did not do anything for me to warrant payment.”

The police had, on October 20, last year, arraigned Edem and Sonoma before a court.

Justice Olasumbo Goodluck granted them bail in the sum of  N50 million with two sureties in like sum.

The police, however re-arraigned only Sonoma on October 13, at a Federal High Court, Abuja, for fraud where Edem became a witness.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government had suspended Edem for allegedly spending N270 million on rituals.###

LETTER TO EDITOR

Re:  Amaechi’s Billions of Naira  Waste In Ghana Exposed

I am not a regular reader of local tabloids. Over the yearsI have maintained my passion for Guardian, and no day passes without my going through an edition of the newspaper. I have not also been concerned about what is happening in Rivers State since Dr Peter Odili played god to impose the Rotimi Amaechi on the people of the State.

I had always imagined that Dr Odili will source his successor from Rivers people who have the same level of experience as him (Odili).

But for whatever his reasons are, he went  his own way to squander the gift of leadership given to him by God at that particular time to bring in Rotimi without any remarkable administrative background.

I therefore,  was not surprised when I read National Network edition titled  Gov Amaechi’s billions of naira waste in Ghana exposed. This is because according to a popular proverb  when you give a slave what is not due him, he will ask his master ‘whom’ should I give it to”

I don't blame Amaechi if he carries all the wealth of Rivers State to persons outside the State. After all, what else would he have learnt other than that.

He had not carried files before. His eight years as Speaker was coordinated by Odili who ensured that he was not impeached like Speakers of other States.

I cannot but thank your paper for the heart troubling revelation of how the wealth of Rivers State and Rivers people’s money is being squandered by the Amaechi administration.

You are talking of 3.5 million Dollars, what of the ones we don't know? What of the frequent trips to Europe? What of the ‘uninvited guest’ of Obama during inauguration? How much poverty Amaechi will inflict on Rivers State and her people will be left to God, who in His infinite wisdom, will hunt all those who imposed Amaechi on the people.

May God Grand us peace.###

Johnny Derefaka

No. 4B  Kpolokiri Street

Amadi Ama

Port Harcourt.

Okija Shrine In Ogun State: How Gov Daniel Forced Lawmaker ToTake Oath -Honourable Wale Alausa, representing Ijebu-Ode Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has said that governor Gbenga Daniel forced him to take an oath in 2007, contrary to the report in one of the national dailus recently. Reacting to the story, “Ogun 15 lawmakers on blood oath,” Hon. Alausa said it was a fabrication aimed at ridiculing his person and his colleagues in the house by Daniel and his agents. He confessed that the photographs published issue by the national daily, were genuine but were taken in 2007, inside Daniel's Sagamu mansion and its environs, when he was forced to take an oath before he could get the PDP ticket to the state House of Assembly.

The lawmaker said he and his colleagues (G15) never took any oath  neither did they visit any shrine in Ijebu-Igbo to take an oath, adding that it was pure blackmail by Daniel to stop the House from carrying out its oversight functions. “The photographs on the front page of the newpaper were truly mine but the story was fabricated. I was forced to take the photographs in governor Daniel's Sagamu home in 2007, when he forcefully implemented the oath on me in order to get me a ticket to the House of Assembly. And that is what he has done to everybody.

“Let him come out and deny, if he did not compel my father, Chief Agboola Alausa, to persuade me to take the oath. I rest my case for now. But the struggle continues,” he said. According to the report: “the crisis in Ogun state involving the G 15 members of the House of Assembly was triggered by a blood oath taken at a shrine in Ijebu-Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government, last year.

“The members took the oath to ensure a united front against governor Gbenga Daniel. The oath was sponsored by some politicians including the father of a prominent politician in Abuja, a Senator, a former South-West governor, a former minister and another prominent politician in Ogun state.” The report added that: “the oath, which was taken naked by the members and in daylight, was witnessed by the sponsors and the native doctors, the administrators of the oath.

“Items used for the oath included blood, cow heads, calabash and other fetish materials. Each participant swore to upholding opposition to Daniel at all times and submitted to the death of their first born, should they renege on the oath. “Each of them was required to mention the name of their first child in the course of the oath, setting in motion serious consequences for the children should their fathers go back on the prescribed course of opposition.

We learnt that the finality of this oath is why prominent traditional rulers, such as the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona; the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Sonariwo, and other prominent leaders such as Prince Bola Ajibola, General Tunji Olurin and Yeye Oodua H.I.D. Awolowo were unable to persuade them to change their stance.”###

INSIGHT : Rev (Barr) Iwuchukwu

What Type Of A Steward Are You?

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now, it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Corinthians 4:1-4).

The phrase “those entrusted” refers to stewards. The Greek concept underlying this phrase stands for “House Managers” or stewards. “Secret things” is a reference to the things that human wisdom cannot discover but that are now revealed by God to his chosen people. “Not even judge myself,” refers to the fact that Paul's judgment was merely human and his conscience may be mistaken (vs 3-4). Ultimately only God is fully qualified to judge righteously. By implication, Paul was rather saying “Looking at me and Appollos as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God's secrets. Hence someone who is in charge as a manager must of necessity be FAITHFUL else be disqualified.

Steward: (1) Is translated in Greek as Oikomonos which means a manager of a Household, or an estate usually of slaves or freemen. This equally applies to Gospel ministers, Bible Teachers, Rulers, Leaders, Elders of communities, Bishops, Political Leaders, institutional Directors, Governors, Legislators at different levels, Presidents, Chairmen of political parties or Local Government councils and Christians (2) steward also is rendered “epitropos” (Luke 8:3, Acts 20 : 28) Overseers, superintendents. (3) Stewardship is also translated as “oikonomeo” (Luke 16 : 2-4; 1 Cor. 9.17) which deals with faithful service.

Stewardship Implies Three Things Namely

(a)        The Creator (owner of the entity, and estate, universe).

(b)        The Creator (man/woman) as God's TRUSTEES on Earth. People who hold things in trust for the entity.

(c)         Accountability which touches TIME, TALENTS, and MONEY. Accountability is akin to Responsibility. The world ground us forces us to admit that there is no PRIVILEDGE without RESPONSIBILITY/ACCOUNTABILITY. On earth we have the rare privilege of life, talents, creativity, advancement, status, opportunities, financial spiritual, literary breakthroughs and rare opportunities.

It is evil “to eat alone and die alone”. Your investment in others while you are in charge or in power/authority will count at last for you (Acts 10.1-10). Why not avoid the danger of suffocation strange intrusion, invasion, witches, misfortunes? A person's positive gifts will always open the way for him. (Cor. 4.1; Ezekiel 18.1-3; 48.10, 31).

This action compels God to reveal your enemy's plans to you and to show you an escape route. It will make your family and children to often be in charge and progressively rule over others. It sustains  you at the top and recircles your opportunities for favour from given authorities from tenure to tenure. Both PRIVILEDGE AND RESPONSIBILITY must be viewed together as crucial twins.

Horizontally and Vertically:

Both matter to God and man. It is both man to man and God to man. Responsibility touches on probity. It demands being reliable and steady faithfulness morally, socially, spiritually,  economically, ministerially and politically. It is a proof of your subordination to God (Jer. 48.10).

Self examination is crucial. Hence as per Socrates, “An unexamined life is not worth living”. “it is imperative that our Government(s), Local, State and Federal should not only take motor traffic violators to psychiatric Hospitals but also our politicians who embezzle our collective resources. There are now more hoarders (self enrichment) and wasters of our hard earned Natural resources and masses' taxes. Economic saboteurs are as guilty as the Armed Robbers, Kidnappers/hostage takers for ransom or political expediency. Why have some of our elected, appointed and selected leaders turned themselves overnight into super fraudsters and economic/fiscal embezzlers in Nigeria? Such unpatriotic leaders are NOT JUST NEEDY BUT THEY are terribly GREEDY. Wise users, investors and stakeholder/shareholders must invest in Godly ventures for positive effect on our terribly traumatized ailing economy.

After horrible years of corruption and very bad leadership, our country has been torn between Islam and Christianity and ruled by political divisions, regional militancy and unquenchable agitations. Despite our huge oil deposits and annual revenues, has corruption not ruined over economy and infrastructures? These notwithstanding the remnants mainly the minute percentage of Heroic people who do the hardest tasks will keep the positive ship of State afloat.

The hottest place in Hell are reserved for those who in a time of great moral crisis maintain their neutrality “This is the candid view of Dante Algheri

The submission of William Penn is also useful here, thus “A true friend embosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously and continues as a friend unchangeably”. Do we need to reprove a friend secretly and praise him before others? I challenge our citizens to a greater achievement. I love to relate with those I can directly challenge and who can also challenge me. Remarkably, whatever you cannot acknowledge, you cannot confront and whatever you cannot confront, you cannot conquer.” Hence fear is an enemy to faith. Instructively many men have succeeded only because they had failed after repeated efforts. God does not really consult our past in order to determine our future. Our Nation's past mistakes or sins should no longer be allowed to define our future.

As much as possible we should not just be relating with those people or countries that constantly devalue Nigeria or who see us as we were decades ago. We must individually and collectively build our self-image through sound discipline.

An old Texas saying states thus: “No matter how much milk you spill, make sure you don't lose your cow.” Again “while one person hesitates because he feels inferior, the other is busy making mistakes and becoming superior”, Henry C. Link.

Remarkably, we must be ready to pay a heavy price for our fear of failure.

Let us avoid parking at our success or failures as individuals and Nations. Let us keep our struggle alert for survival and keep afresh because the  breakthrough blessing is between the starting point and ending spot.

Our problem as perceived may not really be so if we engage and employ integrity, transparency and accountability in every phase of our National democratic developments.

Every one or Nation has a problem or the other but not all respond the same way. What we may see in problem may be the perspective or view but what we seek to experience must be purpose and values. Let us not seek without sight as it would lead to blindness. You may be knocked down but not knocked out in your present fight. Inexperienced people expect the problem of lack of probity in our public and private lives to be settled with one blow of the harmmer but seasoned people would persevere by pounding away at the problem being convinced that there will be an eventual success at the end of the tunel. We need the BACK BONES to tackle our problems and not Ijaw bones (talking more and doing less), “Knuckle Bones (knocking people and things against each other without decorum or caution).

“Wish bones”, (who like, beggars wish houses to turn to wishes) what type of Bones? What have you, done of recent with your stewardship? What legacy are you leaving for posterity? Are you a COVENANT KEEPER OR BREAKER? Like David or like Saul? (1 Chron. 12.32).  Do you know what time it is now? Do you know what to do now? God is willing to give you the kingdom (Luke 12.32; Zech. 5.-5).

Corruption is the product of evil materialism. Maintain integrity in your positions of life. Give out handsomely and be free from the Demons of materialism.

Prove carefully who you are now. Do something now to preserve your image or family reputation so that positively you can't be forgotten in a hurry. To what use have you put your talents, time and money to? Are you a good steward? Do you value a good name? The Bible says that A Good Name is BETTER THAN RICHES.

In Acts 20.4 Apostle Paul laid emphasis on the evil of cheating God's people. In the days before electronic Banking, money had to be carried in person. Hence Paul's plan to transfer the famine relief funds collected in Greece and Asia to the Churches in Judges (Acts 24 . 17) posed some initial problems. Desirous of avoiding suspicion, Paul invited representatives from the donating Churches to accompany him. That way he could assure everyone that the money was used as promised and not for personal gain. (See 2 Cor. 8 for details. On this love offering, Religious, Political and Traditional Leaders search your conscience.###

EXTRA

Michael Jackson's Death Sparks Bus Brawl

A fight broke out on a Florida bus when news of Michael Jackson's death sparked debate over whether he should be remembered as a great musical talent, and one passenger was charged with assault, police said on Friday.

The bus was moving through the city of North Lauderdale on Thursday when passenger James Kiernan received a text message about Jackson's death on his cell phone, and he read it aloud on the bus, the Broward County Sheriff's Department said.

The unidentified bus driver opined that "Michael Jackson should have been in jail long ago," prompting Kiernan, 60, to retort that "the world just lost a great musical talent," the police report said.

It said the last remark enraged another passenger, Henry Wideman, who started a swearing match with Kiernan, then pulled out a knife and chased Kiernan down the aisle with it.

The driver called his dispatcher and pulled over near a convenience store to wait for sheriff's deputies, who arrested Wideman, 54. He remained in jail on Friday on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Accused Wash. Woman says 'dog ate my checks'

A woman accused of dipping into her ex-husband's bank account without permission blames her dog. Arlington, Wash., police spokeswoman Kristin Banfield said detectives filed court orders to follow the money trail. They learned the money disappearing from the 42-year-old Arlington man's account was being used to pay for utility bills and other items at his ex-wife's home.

Banfield told The Herald that the woman's first response was, "Her dog got into her purse and ate all her personal checks." The 50-year-old woman reportedly told police she had no choice but to take money from her former husband's account.

The women is under investigation for identity theft and forgery.

College Student Tries To Steal Jail Computer

Western Michigan University student William K. Bradley was sentenced for larceny in a building. He stole a computer. From the Kalamazoo County jail. Where he already was serving a sentence in a different case.

Kalamazoo County Circuit Judge Gary Giguere Jr. sentenced Bradley on Monday, telling the Kalamazoo resident his jailhouse theft was "the dumbest crime I've heard today" and "may be in the top half-dozen in my career."

Bradley, who has racked up six felonies and four misdemeanors by the age of 25, agreed with the judge, saying, "I'm not the best criminal."

Bradley asked for home arrest, but Giguere instead ordered him back to jail for six months.

Western spokeswoman Cheryl Roland tells the Kalamazoo Gazette Bradley is a sophomore at the university.

Man Allegedly Drenches Wife With Hose For Smoking

Authorities said a man has been charged with domestic battery after he drenched his wife with a garden hose and elbowed her for smoking in the house. An arrest report shows that the 51-year-old husband was charged Saturday. Police said the couple began arguing when the wife began smoking a cigarette in their home.

When the victim picked up the phone and began calling a friend, authorities said the husband believed she was trying to call police and elbowed her in the mouth during a struggle to grab the phone.

The woman was soaked with water when deputies arrived. The husband told deputies he had been watering the grass and did not intend to spray her.

The man was taken to the Martin County Jail and released after posting bond.

Couple Jailed For Smuggling Silver From Plant

A husband and wife have been jailed for smuggling $2.1 million worth of scrap silver out of a western Pennsylvania plant in their lunch boxes. Fifty-two-year-old Pamela Shermenti and 57-year-old William Shermenti, of Loyalhanna Township, will begin serving their sentences July 6. A Westmoreland County judge on Monday sentenced the wife to one to two years in the county jail; her husband will serve nine to 23 months.

The couple must also pay $250,000 in restitution to AMI DOCUCO, the company they worked for while stealing the hockey puck-sized silver disks from 2006 to 2008. The plant in Murrysville, about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh, makes electrical equipment.

The couple sold some of the scrap to a dealer for about $600,000.###

CELEBRITY - 2009: Death of Michael Jackson

On June 25, 2009, Jackson collapsed at his rented mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. Attempts at resuscitating him by his personal physician were unsuccessful. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics received a 911 call at 12:22 p.m. (PDT), arriving three minutes and seventeen seconds later at Jackson's location.He was reportedly not breathing and CPR was performed. Resuscitation efforts continued both en route to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and for an hour further after arriving at approximately 1:13 p.m. (20:13 UTC). He was noted to have been in cardiac arrest by the paramedics who attended him at his house. Jackson was pronounced dead at approximately 2:25 p.m. local time (21:25 UTC). Rumors and news of Jackson's death broke web records, triggering a cyberspace traffic jam and creating severe traffic spikes to websites such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and Wikipedia. Vigils were held by members of the general public after the death.

Musical style and performance

Themes and Genres

Steve Huey of Allmusic said that, throughout his solo career, Jackson's versatility allowed him to experiment with various themes and genres. As a musician, he ranged from Motown's dance fare and ballads to techno-edged new jack swing to work that incorporates both funk rhythms and hard rock guitar. Michael, himself, stated at his pre-release party for his Off The Wall album that Little Richard (who inspired James Brown) had a "huge influence" on him.

Unlike many artists, Jackson did not write his songs on paper. Instead he would dictate into a sound recorder; when recording he would sing from memory. Several critics observed Off the Wall was crafted from funk, disco-pop, soul, soft rock, jazz and pop ballads. Prominent examples include the ballad "She's out of My Life", and the two disco tunes "Workin' Day and Night" and "Get on the Floor".

According to Huey, Thriller refined the strengths of Off the Wall; the dance and rock tracks were more aggressive, while the pop tunes and ballads were softer and more soulful. Notable tracks included the ballads "The Lady in My Life", "Human Nature" and "The Girl Is Mine"; the funk pieces "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"; and the disco set "Baby Be Mine" and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)".With Thriller, Christopher Connelly of Rolling Stone commented that Jackson developed his long association with the subliminal theme of paranoia and darker imagery. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine noted this is evident on the songs "Billie Jean" and "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". In "Billie Jean", Jackson sings about an obsessive fan who alleges he has fathered a child of hers. In "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" he argues against gossip and the media. The anti-gang violence rock song "Beat It" became a homage to West Side Story, and was Jackson's first successful rock cross-over piece, according to Huey. He also observed that the title track "Thriller" began Jackson's interest with the theme of the supernatural, a topic he revisited in subsequent years. In 1985, Jackson co-wrote the charity anthem "We Are the World"; humanitarian themes later became a central component of his life and music.

In Bad, Jackson's concept of the predatory lover can be seen on the rock song "Dirty Diana". The lead single "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" was a traditional love ballad, while "Man in the Mirror", an anthemic ballad of confession and resolution, improved on his earlier "We Are the World". "Smooth Criminal" was an evocation of bloody assault, rape and likely murder. Allmusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine states that Dangerous presents Jackson as a stark paradoxical individual. He comments the album is more diverse than his previous Bad, as it appeals to an urban audience while also attracting the middle class with anthems like "Heal the World". The first half of the record is dedicated to new jack swing, including songs like "Jam" and "Remember the Time". The album is Jackson's first where social ills become a primary theme; "Why You Wanna Trip on Me", for example, protests against world hunger, AIDS, homelessness and drugs. Dangerous contains sexually charged efforts like "In the Closet", a love song about desire and denial, risk and repression, solitude and connection, privacy and revelation. The title track continues the theme of the predatory lover and compulsive desire. The second half includes introspective, pop-gospel anthems such as "Will You Be There", "Heal the World" and "Keep the Faith"; these songs show Jackson finally opening up about various personal struggles and worries. In the ballad "Gone Too Soon", Jackson gives tribute to his friend Ryan White and the plight of those with AIDS.

History creates an atmosphere of paranoia. Its content focuses on the hardships and public struggles Jackson went through just prior to its production. In the new jack swing-funk-rock efforts "Scream" and "Tabloid Junkie", along with the R&B ballad "You Are Not Alone", Jackson retaliates against the injustice and isolation he feels, and directs much of his anger at the media. In the introspective ballad "Stranger in Moscow", Jackson laments over his "fall from grace", while songs like "Earth Song", "Childhood", "Little Susie" and "Smile" are all operatic pop pieces. In the track "D.S.", Jackson launched a verbal attack against Tom Sneddon. He describes Sneddon as an antisocial, white supremacist who wanted to "get my ass, dead or alive". Of the song, Sneddon said, "I have not  shall we say  done him the honor of listening to it, but I've been told that it ends with the sound of a gunshot". Invincible found Jackson working heavily with producer Rodney Jerkins. It is a record made up of urban soul like "Cry" and "The Lost Children", ballads such as "Speechless", "Break of Dawn" and "Butterflies" and mixes hip hop, pop and rap in "2000 Watts", "Heartbreaker" and "Invincible".

Vocal Style: Jackson sang from childhood, and over time his voice and vocal style changed noticeably, either through puberty or a personal preference to align his vocal interpretation to the themes and genres he chose to express. Between 1971 and 1975, Jackson's voice "descended ever so slightly from boy soprano to his current androgynous high tenor". In the mid-1970s, the singer adopted a "vocal hiccup" as seen in "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)". The purpose of the hiccupsomewhat like a gulping for air or gaspingwas to help promote a certain emotion, be it excitement, sadness or fear. With the arrival of Off the Wall in the late 1970s, Jackson's abilities as a vocalist were well regarded; Allmusic described him as a "blindingly gifted vocalist". At the time, Rolling Stone compared his vocals to the "breathless, dreamy stutter" of Stevie Wonder. Their analysis was also that "Jackson's feathery-timbred tenor is extraordinarily beautiful. It slides smoothly into a startling falsetto that's used very daringly". 1982 saw the release of Thriller, and Rolling Stone were of the opinion that Jackson was then singing in a "fully adult voice" that was "tinged by sadness".

The release of "Bad" in 1987 displayed gritty lead vocals on the verse and lighter tones employed on the chorus. A distinctive deliberate mispronunciation of "come on", used frequently by Jackson, occasionally spelt "cha'mone" or "shamone", is also a staple in impressions and caricatures of him. The turn of the 1990s saw the release of the introspective album Dangerous; here Jackson used his vocals to intensify the split themes and genres described earlier. The New York Times noted that on some tracks, "he gulps for breath, his voice quivers with anxiety or drops to a desperate whisper, hissing through clenched teeth" and he had a "wretched tone". When singing of brotherhood or self-esteem the musician would return to "smooth" vocals. "In the Closet" contained heavy breathing and a loop of five scat-sung syllables, whereas in the album's title track, Jackson performs a spoken rap. When commenting on Invincible, Rolling Stone were of the opinion thatat the age of 43Jackson still performed, "exquisitely voiced rhythm tracks and vibrating vocal harmonies". Nelson George summed up Jackson's vocals by stating "The grace, the aggression, the growling, the natural boyishness, the falsetto, the smoothnessthat combination of elements mark him as a major vocalist".

Music videos and choreography

Consciousness expresses itself through creation. This world we live in is the dance of the creator. Dancers come and go in the twinkling of an eye but the dance lives on. On many an occasion, when I am dancing, I have felt touched by something sacred. In those moments, I felt my spirit soar and become one with everything that exists. I become the stars and the moon. I become the lover and the beloved. I become the victor and the vanquished. I become the master and the slave. I become the singer and the song. I become the knower and the known. I keep on dancing and then, it is the eternal dance of creation. The creator and the creation merge into one wholeness of joy. I keep on dancing...until there is only...the dance.

Michael Jackson, in Dangerous

Steve Huey of Allmusic observed how Jackson transformed the music video into an art form and a promotional tool through complex story lines, dance routines, special effects and famous cameo appearances; simultaneously breaking down racial barriers. According to director Vincent Paterson, who collaborated with the singer on several music videos, Jackson conceptualized many of the darker, bleak themes in his filmography.

US patent 5255452, filed by Jackson, described the anti-gravity lean used in the music video for "Smooth Criminal".

Before Thriller, Jackson struggled to receive coverage on MTV because he was African American. Pressure from CBS Records persuaded MTV to start showing "Billie Jean" and later "Beat It", leading to a lengthy partnership with Jackson, also helping other black music artists gain recognition. The popularity of his videos on MTV helped to put the relatively young channel "on the map"; MTV's focus shifted in favor of pop and R&B. Short films like Thriller largely remained unique to Jackson, while the group dance sequence in "Beat It" has frequently been imitated. The choreography in Thriller has become a part of global pop culture, replicated everywhere from Indian films to prisons in the Philippines. The Thriller short film marked an increase in scale for music videos, and has been named the most successful music video ever by the Guinness World Records.

In the 19-minute music video for "Bad"directed by Martin ScorseseJackson began using sexual imagery and choreography not previously seen in his work. He occasionally grabbed or touched his chest, torso and crotch. While he has described this as "choreography," it garnered a mixed reception from both fans and critics; Time magazine described it as "infamous". The video also featured Wesley Snipes; in the future Jackson's videos would often feature famous cameo roles. For "Smooth Criminal", Jackson experimented with an innovative "anti-gravity lean" in his performances, for which he was granted U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452. Although the music video for "Leave Me Alone" was not officially released in the US, in 1989, it was nominated for four Billboard Music Video Awards, winning three; the same year it won a Golden Lion Award for the quality of the special effects used in its production. In 1990, "Leave Me Alone" won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form.

The MTV Video Vanguard Artist of the Decade Award was given to Jackson to celebrate his accomplishments in the art form in the 1980s; the following year the award was renamed in his honor. "Black or White" was accompanied by a controversial music video, which, on November 14, 1991, simultaneously premiered in 27 countries with an estimated audience of 500 million people, the largest viewing ever for a music video. It featured scenes construed as having a sexual nature as well as depictions of violence. The offending scenes in the final half of the 14-minute version were edited out to prevent the video from being banned, and Jackson apologized. Along with Jackson, it featured Macaulay Culkin, Peggy Lipton and George Wendt. It helped usher in morphing as an important technology in music videos.

Jackson and sister Janet angrily retaliate against the media for misrepresenting them to the public. The acclaimed video for "Scream" was shot primarily in black and white, and at a cost of $7 million.

"Remember the Time" was an elaborate production, and became one of his longest videos at over nine minutes. Set in ancient Egypt, it featured groundbreaking visual effects and appearances by Eddie Murphy, Iman and Magic Johnson, along with a distinct complex dance routine. The video for "In the Closet" was Jackson's most sexually provocative piece to date. It featured supermodel Naomi Campbell in a courtship dance with Jackson. The video was banned in South Africa because of its imagery.

The music video for "Scream", directed by Mark Romanek and production designer Tom Foden, is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed. In 1995, it gained 11 MTV Video Music Award Nominationsmore than any other music videoand won "Best Dance Video", "Best Choreography", and "Best Art Direction". The song and its accompanying video are a response to the backlash Jackson received from the media after being accused of child molestation in 1993. A year later, it won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form; shortly afterwards Guinness World Records listed it as the most expensive music video ever made at a cost of $7 million.

"Earth Song" was accompanied by an expensive and well-received music video that gained a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video, Short Form in 1997. The video had an environmental theme, showing images of animal cruelty, deforestation, pollution and war. Using special effects, time is reversed so that life returns, wars ends, and the forests re-grow. Released in 1997 and premiering at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival, Ghosts was a short film written by Jackson and Stephen King and directed by Stan Winston. The video for Ghosts is over 38 minutes long and holds the Guinness World Record as the world's longest music video.###

INTERVIEW

Ogbowu Family Blacklists Azubuike Ogbowu .. Says He Is A Disgrace

For anchoring a series of articles in newspapers considered to be insulting, derogatory and injurious to the reputation of their brother, Sir (Hon) Elemchukwu Ogbowu and the entire Ogbowu family, the Ogbowus have blacklisted and disowned Mr Azuibuike Ogbowu, saying he is a disappointment to the family.

Here are the excerpts of the interview granted National Network by Francis Christian Ogbowu and Isioma Kelvin Ogbowu on behalf of the Ogbowu  family.

Y ou are blood relations no doubt. But of recent there have been what could rightly be described as publications born out of bitterness by one of your brothers, Azubuike Ogbowu. What has gone wrong?

Good question; Azubuike Ogbowu is the eldest son of our late father and we are his younger ones born of the same mother and father all of Ogbowu family.

 Azubuike Ogbowu has been a problem right from his secondary school days at Sancta Maria High School Omoku. His class mates then can attest to his truancy. He paid dearly for it though, because he failed to complete his education and rightly be described as a drop-out.

What other reasons do you have for your hard position about this your brother?

Well, like we told you,  Azubuike Ogbowu has been a notorious character that can hardly be tolerated by any reasonable person.

Azubuike Ogbowu had his first wife and could not keep the marriage, had the second wife and could not keep the marriage and also had the third wife and she could not stay with him.

He also went further to take a fourth wife and still the marriage collapsed. This is the clear evidence of his notoriety and stubbornness. He had the habit of fighting and stripping his wife naked, thereby humiliating the family. He is a regular guest of Omoku Police Station. Any doubting Thomas can go and verify from the station where he has a lot of files.

He also in the habit of beating  his father in-laws and mother in-laws and uttering all sorts of derogatory speeches which no reasonable woman can accommodate. He has also negatively influenced his children by smoking Indian hemp (marijuana) in their presence. Of course, his first son is fast learning from him and  currently he is in prison custody for the past three years at Degema prison yard, Rivers State.

What is his relationship with other members of the family like?

This is another good question! A son like Azubuike Ogbowu is a disgrace to any family not only to the father. Basically speaking, Azubuike Ogbowu is a prodigal son of our late father (His Royal Highness Eze-ali Usomini I of Ogbaland), Late Chief M.N. Ogbowu.

The summary of it all is that he had made away with our father’s reasonable sum of money to the northern part of the country in his late twenties and squandered the money and came back home, yet he was still accepted by the family. Azubuike Ogbowu was known to have fought and beaten our father when he was alive and carried out a lot of criminal activities that made our late father to quit from his own residence then at No. 66 Oba Road, Omoku Onelga Rivers State. It is his same bad character that made our late father to move to his uncompleted building then, at No. 157 Ahoada Road Omoku, Onelga now known as White House in Omoku.

So as a result of these too many notorious acts, our late father laid a curse on him. That has been working on him ever since. Take note of this point.

Because of the curse our father laid on him, he never had anything to do with him till his death. In fact, their case was still in the Court before our father died.

What is the current position of things in the large family?

Rather than help to build the family or sustain the already established social status of our family earned through the hard work of our late father, Azubuike has been busy destroying our image etc. He is a known coupon (pool) player particularly in Omoku town and entertains people with his habit of talking carelessly.

He has also failed in training his children and bringing them up properly. In short, we are not sure he knows their whereabouts having shared them out to relations to train for him. Can you imagine this kind of person being granted newspaper interviews meant for public consumption.

What about his relationship with your mother?

Frankly speaking, when our late mother was alive, Azubuike Ogbowu never knew anything about her welfare. If our mother didn’t have other children, it would have been a disaster. But God forbid.   She even developed high blood pressure because of Azubuike. 

Until her death, Azubuike never cared for her and when she died he could not even play any role, not even affording to buy the casket which is the responsibility of the eldest son. All he could do during the burial ceremony was to fight and cause trouble everywhere. He even   stabbed one of the undertakers who came carrying his late mother's casket. As a result of this, Azubuike was almost arrested by the undertakers but due to several apologies from our family he was let off the hook.

 You can image the shame even on the day he was supposed to give his late mother her last respect. Every body that attended this burial in Omoku town was a witness to this misdemeanor.

However, he must have made some contributions to the family no matter how small. Can you speak on this?

To be very candid, Azubuike Ogbowu has virtually done nothing nor contributed meaningfully to anything as far as Ogbowu family is concerned. To start with, his younger ones both men and women born of the same mother and father are not in good terms with him. We are not even at talking terms with him.

Currently he is accommodating another man's wife. This woman's husband is from Abua town here in Rivers State and she had three children with this Abua man.

Azubuike Ogbowu presently is even calling such a woman now his wife. Remember we are Azubuike Ogbowu's younger ones born of the same mother and father. Every thing we tell you is the truth and accurate. This is the highest contribution he has made to the family.

So what is the problem between your two brothers, Hon Elemchukwu and Azubuike?

I must say a very big thank you; because I have been expecting this question. You see, somebody whom God Almighty has blessed is blessed indeed and there is nothing any body can do about it. So, talking of our brother, Sir. Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu, he is a well highly respected citizen of Rivers State and Nigeria at large. He is a role model. A man with a compassionate mind. A man of vision. A mentor and a man of high reputation with positive influence on any body that comes his way. In fact, he is the bread winner of the Ogbowu family today. A brother that has uplifted our late father's name by his personal efforts. Sir Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu is a brother that has held various senior political offices in this State.  A brother that single handedly carried out Azubuike Ogbowu’s late mothers burial. The whole of Azubuike Ogbowu's younger brothers and sisters of the same parents (mother and father) are all well placed and are Sir Hon Elemchukwu Ogbowu’s beneficiaries today, including Azubuike Ogbowu himself. Just to mention but a few, Azubuike’s first daughter got married and our Sir Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu through his compassionate mind bought her a clean salon car as a marriage gift and even the wedding activities majorly were at his expense. Is it to talk of Azubuike Ogbowu's second daughter whom our Sir Hon Elemchukwu Ogbowu sent to Malaysia (Overseas) for study. Even the house where he is living presently was through the effort of  Sir Hon. Elemechukwu Ogbowu's assistance. More so, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu supported Azubuike to become a one time Councilor. All was at Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu expense.  I think that his problems with our beloved and respected brother/father in the person of  Sir, Hon Elemchukwu Ogbowu is just envy, because he (Azubuike) has failed in every area of life as a first son. So who is to blame.

So what is your advice to this your embattled brother, Azubuike?

Well, we will only advise him to pray hard because he is under  curse placed on him by our late father. Thus a fool at forty is a fool for ever, how much more, somebody above fifty years of age, allowing himself to be used by others who exert negative influence on him.

But one thing we must tell Azubuike is that he is never and will never be the class of Hon. Elechukwu Ogbowu, not even in his widest dreams. 

Conclusively, we can remarkably say that Azubuike is almost running mad and have need to be taken to psychiatric hospital before he goes naked on the streets.

Thank you.###

Interview Continued by Nwachukwu Ogbowu - Enough Of This Senseless War

I am Mr. Nwachukwu Ogbowu, an accounting officer with Bedone Group. I am the third son in the Ogbowu family. Some of us have kept quiet for too long with ears on the ground as to settling the rift between our brothers, Hon Azubuike and Hon Elemchukwu Ogbowu. During the marriage ceremony of one of our younger brothers sometime in December last year; something happened but instead of sitting down as family members to reason together on how to settle the problem some of us have resorted to blackmail and cheap popularity. Although the family was never informed, some family members present had varying opinions as to what happened. It will help us if we put the records straight. The oldest son of the Ogbowu family is Ngozi Ogbowu followed by Hon Azubuike Ogbowu. Ordinarily I would not have bothered to correct certain impressions created to the public by Hon Azubuike but I am concerned because the family has persistently been referred to without other members’ consent. This is a rape on our collective heritage as members of the same family with equal stakes. More so I was mentioned as witness in association to Hon Elem's offering of bribe to Hon Azubuike.

He that wants equity must also do equity and he that must go to equity must do so with clean hands. Members of our family have tolerated enough of Hon Azubuike's recklessness in speech and deceiving the public into believing that all the trash written about Hon Elems on the news print are correct, from whom he had benefitted most.

Rather than initiate genuine peace effort if at all a younger brother has a problem of disrespecting elders, you chose to tell the world how he loved and meant well for him by correcting him on the pages of newspaper. Today Azubuike can beat his chest and talk about morality and respect for elders when he beat up our late father. How many publications did l or other members of the family make?

Our father in anger vacated his house at 66 Oba Road to avoid seeing him. Until he died they  were not in talking terms. Did our late father not place a curse on him? Apart from now I have never told anyone virtually every member of the family has tasted his bitter pill of brutality at one time or the other.

The same Azubuike is talking about prudence and accountability  when he squandered all the wealth in goods and cash of our late father used to settle him when no one had dreamt that Yenagoa would be State capital, no one family member queried him. A more peep into the manhole of history indicates that he took a 'bettle' car forcefully from our late father, car bought for conveying our younger ones to school and claimed that he bought him a car. Unfortunately he was involved in a ghastly motor accident in which innocent lives were lost. Our father passed through the rigors and pains of settling the 'ochu'.

When money had value he stole our late father's money and ran away to the north, squandered the money. Speculations had it that he even had accident; who knows whether lives were also lost. Like a prodigal son in the holy bible our late father welcomed him back, no family member antagonized him. Since he has decided to play the role of Judas Iscariot not minding how other members of the family have been managing him and his unblushing hypocritical lifestyle, he should be prepared to apologize to the family for claiming to be the family spokesperson when no mandate was given to him.

Every time he tells the world how he is the oldest son of our late father, how much of his fund went into his burial ceremony given his position as the first son and all he had benefitted from him. Has he not failed the litmus test of appreciation? He has brought so much pains and shame to the family. Was he not suspended as a councilor for fighting in the last dispensation? He beat up two women working for our younger brother some time in the past, even assaulted two others of our brothers. A walk down the highway of history shows he was arraigned before Omoku magistrate court because of this and when plea went to the aggrieved to tamper justice with mercy he was let off the hook. Charity they say begins at home, No man can give what he does not have. He talks so much about morals on the pages of newspaper whereas his own first son is languishing in detention for criminality. Where are his purported qualities of good leadership? How honorable is he who refused to see the corpse of one of his former wives, he  even stopped her children from seeing their mother's corpse before interment. Did he not beat up his late wife's parent?

Today, our brother, Hon. Elems can be called all sorts of names because of his quest and greed for power and gratification of supervisory councillorship and adviser. This same brother gave him a car to present to one of his daughters on her wedding day, sent another as his candidate to Malaysia for studies with other responsible Rivers State children under government Scholarship; Elems gave employment to some of our sisters and brothers yet he (Azubuike) can cast aspersion on him in an attempt to deceive the world that his relationship with him is cordial. Is he not guilty in the court of appreciation? The place he has today as his house, Hon Elems played a vital role. How else can a brother support his brother? Let the world know that those who live in glass house are not required to throw stones. Since he can allow himself to be used to destroy what our father has laboured for, the world and those behind his publications should equally understand that if our family shatters today they are responsible. Why should he constitute a pharaoh and Judas to other family members?

He arrogated to himself the sole right of land lordship for a property that we owned collectively during Prakla Siesmon's operation. He rented out our house single handedly yet we chose the part of peace. Remember that the same Ogbowu blood flows in all of us. Is he the only son of the family? What makes  him think that he has any leverage over other members of the family? Remember that Galatians 6 vs. 7 warns of retributive justice. I am challenging him to go back to God in true repentance, retrieve his conscience from the waste bin of wickedness, ingratitude, envy and greed. Many years after our father had died he still wishes him bad by prosecuting senseless war even with a younger brother who showed so much love to the point of immortalizing his name.  No body can blame God, his roles and conduct within the family would almost tempt me into thinking that certain persons could have been  created in error, after all the gospel according to St. Luke gospel 22 vs. 21 sums it up.###

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