Senate has launched a comprehensive investigation into the whereabouts of $27 million being proceeds from an alleged sale of properties of the Federal Government in the United States of America (USA).

Officials of the Nigerian embassy in the USA allegedly sold the properties. Further checks revealed that the prime properties were sold between 2004 and 2007.

Already, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs  had summoned the former ambassador, George Obiozor; Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Joy Ogwu and Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye.

They appeared before the committee yesterday before newsmen were sent out of the meeting, which held in Senate Committee Room 2.04, shortly after the opening remarks of the committee Chairman, Senator Matthew Nwagwu.

The Senate investigation was predicated on a petition from a non-governmental organization (NGO), Transform Nigeria Movement (TNM), to Senate President David Mark, who mandated the committee to conduct the probe.

The petitioners are demanding that the result of the investigation be made public.
Daily Sun gathered that as part of its investigations, the committee had gone to the US to verify some details raised in the petition.

The petition which was signed by Mr. Daniel Elombah, noted that between 2004 and 2007, the Nigerian embassy sold four prime properties of the Nigerian government located in Washington DC and Maryland.

He said the embassy also commenced the sale of other properties in San Francisco, California within the period.

“Out of those sales, Nigeria realised the sum of approximately $27million. All funds realised from these sales, except those set aside as fees, were remitted to the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington DC.

“As of June 2007, when the law firm that advised the embassy on the sale of the properties met with embassy officials at the embassy premises in Washington, all these funds and transactions were duly confirmed.”

Elombah equally alleged in his petition that it was confirmed that the embassy of Nigeria had placed the funds in a special account with the M and T Bank in Washington DC. This was the status quo after Ambassador George Obiozor returned to Nigeria after his tour of duty in Washington.

The petition continues: “Surprisingly, the Embassy of Nigeria left the money in Washington partly because it yielded substantial monthly interests, which the embassy officials would never have to account for.

“Those funds remained in those accounts throughout the tenure of Ambassador Oluwole Rotimi, then arrived Ambassador Adebowale Adefuye in Washington. When Adefuye got to Washington, those funds were still lodged in the M and T Bank Account intact.

“Between the time Adefuye became the ambassador until March of 2012, the millions in the accounts mysteriously disappeared. This became clear when the M and T Bank was forced to close the bank accounts of Nigerian Embassy and to terminate all banking relations with the embassy at the beginning of 2012,” TNM alleged.

Transform Nigeria Movement also noted that the content of a correspondence between the bank and the embassy which was made public, made it clear that the accounts of the embassy with the bank, including the one containing the proceeds of the sale of the embassy property had been drawn down to barely $400,000.

“Since March 2012, there has not been any explanation of what happened to the millions of dollars that were realised from the sale of the embassy properties in the US, which were in the bank account at the time Ambassador Adefuye assumed office as the ambassador to Washington.”

The organization also referred the president of the Senate to a probe by the National Assembly in 2009 which bordered on the appropriation of $3 million directly from the embassy account in Washington, being proceeds from a similar transaction.

Furthermore, TNM argued that it was disturbing that a much larger amount had disappeared from the embassy account in Washington without any questions being asked.

“The least the government should do is to come out and explain what happened to these funds. To remain silent is really an option you do not have. You have seen your own generation how the issue of the $12 billion oil windfall has refused to go away from the consciousness of Nigerians.

“Why then would you leave another set of funds to go unanswered for, on your watch? This would be a disservice to the National Assembly and a betrayal of the country. I therefore urge you with the utmost humility and respect to investigate the missing millions of dollars and inform Nigerians of the result of your investigation,” it stated.

Shortly before the committee went into a closed session on the matter, the committee chairman told the three former ministers that they would be allowed to say what they know about the missing funds.
Nwagwu added that the committee was determined to unravel the mystery behind the management of the funds.

“We have invited you because of an allegation of embezzlement in our mission in Washington, particularly the sales of property in the US. It was alleged that certain officials have squandered the proceeds of the sales.

“Our job here is to allow you address the committee and tell us what you know about the property sale, management, administration of the accounts while you were in office. The committee has got a petition and we are not taking it on its face value; we want to give the ambassadors a chance to explain their own roles.

“We are not a court of law, we are not going on a trial, we are doing this for posterity and keep the records straight and I am sure most of you will be happy that we have invited you to have the opportunity to clarify the matter,” Nwagwu said.

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Get a full glimpse into the story of the girl who became famous after giving birth in her hostel toilet when many thought she was trying to flush the baby.

When the news first broke, a lot of people vilified her. It was reported that she wanted to get rid of what many would describe as a bundle of joy. People thus wondered why a 22-year-old undergraduate would try to flush away her baby in one of the toilets in Moremi Hall, her hall of residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. 

Without clarifying the circumstances that led to the delivery in the toilet, they went on to social media networks, putting on trial Miss Oyinlola Rotimi, the 400-Level student of Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology at OAU, who delivered a baby boy on Wednesday.

While the news went round the campus, the traumatised young mother was hurriedly taken to the institution’s Health Centre by two cleaners, Mrs. Shipebi Grace and Mrs. Cecilia Ologbenla. The social media was further flooded with stories that Oyinlola wanted to kill her baby. The OAU management investigated the matter and found out it was not true. Rotimi, who was discharged from the hospital on Friday, has also narrated her own side of the story.

In spite of the trauma she had passed through since last Wednesday, the student, a native of Ijabe, a border town between Osun and Kwara states, says she is happy that the embarrassment she received from the controversy that surrounded the birth of her baby has turned into a blessing for her.

She says the baby’s birth has made her more popular and important in the society.

‘God has the best plan for me’

“Why would I flush or kill my baby after going through the pains of carrying him for about good nine months? I am not heartless and I thank God for my life and the safe delivery. I know God has the best plan for me and my baby. I seriously appreciate the cleaners for their assistance because I got here (health centre) before I understood everything that happened to me. I am happy that I am alive and my baby is alive too. I’m also using this opportunity to thank the VC, the doctors and nurses, my lecturers and everybody because they all stood by me. They all became my father, my mother and everything to me.

“Right now, I can call myself a celebrity and definitely I’m going to be greater than a celebrity. My baby too is going to be great. Look at the circumstance that surrounds his birth, just some days old, he is already all over in the news around the world and everybody is happy to see him or hear about his story. He will surely go beyond where I am now. He has turned me into a kind of celebrity. ”

Circumstances surrounding the baby’s birth

“I was purging all through the night and I had no idea of what labour pain was all about. Actually, I was feeling pressed, I can’t call it a labour pain because I was visiting the toilet all through the night till that morning. I just went to the toilet to go and purge when I noticed something just came out of me which I found out was the baby. The baby entered the closet. I was just there shouting, bleeding and people who saw the blood came out to help me alongside the baby.

“I was really scared! I was not expecting a baby. I went to the toilet but seeing a baby was terrifying because I was not expecting him or her to come out yet. It is absolutely not true that I took to my heels when people came to help me. It happened in Moremi Hall toilet and the toilet is a public one where everybody takes their bath, fetch water and clean up. So, some people were around fetching water, having their bath as usual, while I was in the toilet planning to defecate. My friend called the cleaner for help because she was an elderly woman. I was very scared and people around too couldn’t help because we are all young female students. The cleaner later helped to carry the baby out and brought it to the Health Centre along with me.”

Her plan for the baby

“I will continue to keep him more handsome, healthier and nurture him to attain greater height in life. But what he will become later in life is not for me to decide but he will definitely become what God wants him to become. I will just try to train him in God’s way and I am sure His (God) plan for his life will be realised.”

The bean cake she ate deceived her – CSO

According to the institution’s Chief Security Officer, Mr. Paul Ogidi, Rotimi thought she had stomach upset instead of labour pains because of the bean cake she took before going to bed.

“She got to campus late at night on Tuesday and it was learnt that she could not immediately get herself something to eat but later resolved to buy beans cake within the campus. After eating the snack, she complained severely of running stomach, urinated and defecated at regular intervals.

“She felt her stomach disorder was caused by the bean cake that she took the previous night – not knowing it was labour pains.”

Varsity law does not forbid pregnancy - OAU

Authorities of OAU have blamed the improper use of the social media for the allegation that Oyinlola attempted to flush her baby away.

The Head of Public Relations, Mr. Biodun Olarenwaju, who spoke on behalf of the management, described the incident as a “social media rumour.”

He said, “Social media is designed primarily to disseminate information. But in the Nigerian context, many people disseminate rumours. The only information that should be seen there should be those persons who have the authority to speak concerning that particular incident.

“The only truth in the social media episode is that a bouncing baby boy was delivered in the toilet of the female hostel in our university. Other tales on the social media were totally incorrect. Students should not encourage rumour mongering because of the image of the person involved. They have to be careful not to make rumour the news.”

He explained that it was legal for the student to have delivered the baby in the school, stating that universities are institutions for adults.

“It is not a crime for a student to be pregnant. There is no law or decree that states that a student should be punished, an adult for that matter, for getting pregnant. And there is no law in this university that states that an undergraduate cannot become pregnant,” he added.

‘My friend didn’t plan to kill her baby’

Rotimi’s friend, Oluwayemisi Satope, who was in Room 103, Block B of Moremi Hall, together with the undergraduate mother, the night before the incident, said Oyinlola was willing to have the baby.

She explained that there was no attempt by them to kill the boy.

She added, “The truth of the matter is that we don’t know how to go about it when we saw the baby. It was our first time and we didn’t want to make a mistake. I had to call Mama Cleaner to assist us. Immediately it happened, I was the first person to shout for help and two cleaners appeared to assist.

“Diana (Rotimi) had to spend the night on campus to enable her to prepare for her 8:00 am examination the next day, because she stays off-campus. That mid-night, she started complaining of stomach upset and was visiting toilet regularly. A few minutes to 7:00am, she went to the toilet to defecate but delivered a baby.”

Students name baby after VC

And as soon as the birth and survival of the baby became known on campus, students in their characteristic manner, launched into an unsolicited naming feast for the baby. Before the official naming ceremony scheduled to hold on Wednesday (tomorrow), OAU students have named him after the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bamitale Omole.

At the Anglo-Moz Car Park of the university, they gathered and named the baby Moremigbemi (Moremi-blesses-me), Oriyomi (My-head-saves-me), Oluwadayisi (God-protects-this), Eniolorunopa (He-who-God-does-not-kill), Bamitale (Be-with-me-permanently) Omole.

Others at the Moremi Hall named the baby Orisamoremi (Deity Moremi), Moremidayisi (Moremi-protects-this), Omomoremi (Child-of-Moremi), Olorunwa (God-exists), Oniyapupo (One-with-many-mothers) Moremioku (Moremi-is-alive), Iyabo (Mother-Moremi-is-Back), among others.

Moremi is a mythical legend of the Yoruba race.

We forced the door open to rescue Oyinlola, baby – Cleaners

Also, the two cleaners, Mrs. Shipebi Grace and Mrs. Cecilia Ologbenla, in a chat with our correspondents, said there was no evidence to prove that Oyinlola wanted to kill her baby.

The cleaners noted that they had to force the door open when they were called to ensure the safety of Oyinlola and her baby who was crying.

According to them, the baby was in the water closet when they entered the toilet.

“She would not have wanted to attempt to kill the baby the way we saw her. She only panicked when we forced the door in. We had to force the door in because of the cry of the baby. In fact, it was one of them that came to call us, but you know some students are impatient. They didn’t confirm what happened before they started spreading rumour.”

Undergraduate father keeps mum

Meanwhile, efforts made by our correspondents to speak with the baby’s father proved abortive. He is a 400 Level student of Mechanical Engineering, and is sitting for the second semester examination currently on at the institution.

One of his friends who spoke on the condition of anonymity explained that the young father is very sober about the development. The friend alleged that the young man and Rotimi had been friends for some time. Along the line, Oyinlola got pregnant and they decided not to abort it in order not to compound their ‘sin’.

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Sheikh Tamim (left) was named heir apparent by Sheikh Hamad (right) in 2003

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, has handed over power to his son, the Heir Apparent Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

In a speech broadcast on Qatar television, he said it was time for a new generation to take over.
Rumours had been circulating for days that Sheikh Tamim, 33, was preparing to succeed his 61-year-old father.

Qatar-based al-Jazeera TV said Sheikh Hamad told the "ruling family and top advisers" of his decision on Monday.

Diplomatic player
 
Addressing the nation on what is a national holiday, Sheikh Hamad said: "I announce handing the rule over to Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani".

He said his decision opened the way for a "young leadership".
On Wednesday, both Sheikh Hamad and Sheikh Tamim are expected to receive Qatari citizens who want to "swear allegiance" to the new emir.

A cabinet reshuffle is also expected as part of the changes in the government line-up, with younger ministers likely to take charge. It is not clear if the long-serving Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani, will also step aside.

Qatar has been dominated by the Al Thani family for almost 150 years.
Sheikh Hamad seized power from his father Sheikh Khalifa in a bloodless coup in 1995, with the support of the armed forces and cabinet, and also neighbouring states.

Since then the emir has introduced some political and economic liberalisation, and in recent years has made Qatar a major player in regional diplomacy.

In 2003, he named Sheikh Tamim - his second son by his second wife Sheikha Moza bint Nasser - as his heir apparent. He replaced his elder brother, Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Analysts say the British-educated Sheikh Tamim, who is deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces, is unlikely to deviate far from his father's policies.

He chairs the 2030 Vision project which outlines the development goals for the country and has a clear liberalising social agenda. The project has had significant input from his father and mother.

Sheikh Tamim is also head of the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee, which is in charge of preparing the emirate to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

In foreign policy, the emirate is expected to maintain its alliance with the West while at the same time pursuing an activist stance in Syria and other Arab countries.

However, he will also inherit strained relations with some of Qatar's Gulf neighbours, notably Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who have been angered by Qatar's perceived closeness to the influential regional Islamist movement, the Muslim Brotherhood.

The emirate has also tried to increase its diplomatic prestige further afield. Earlier this month, Afghanistan's Taliban movement opened its first office in the capital Doha to facilitate peace talks with the United States.

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His real name is Olumide Adegbulu but he is popularly referred to as Olu Maintain. An accomplished artiste, the Yahooze crooner, is one of the most extravagant artistes in Nigeria.

In this interview, he opens up on his lavish lifestyle and the entertainment industry.
Is it right to describe 2012 as your comeback year?
I think that will be a fair assessment because prior to 2012, l had some level of hiatus locally for about two and a half years. Last year, I redefined my brand and it was very refreshing to test the waters and reaffirm that the brand is still so much in demand. It was a year that defined the second phase of my career and I see myself as starting over again.

What do you mean by ‘the second phase’ of your career?
The first phase lasted for about 14 years. Then, Olu Maintain evolved from Maintain, the group, to Olu Maintain, the solo artiste that has seen it all and done it all. When you are in that state of mind where psychologically, you see yourself not being challenged any longer, it becomes difficult to have the hunger to do more. That was why in 2012, I decided to try another genre of music; another image and path in my career. I was overwhelmed that it worked. That has inspired me to look at myself as one who has given enough to the industry and who has more to offer. Therefore, it is a new beginning, another phase of the journey for me.
Why did you choose to be active only internationally in the last two and a half years?
That was not by choice. If I give you a rundown of my activities since the Yahooze album dropped in 2007, it is remarkable to see how quickly time flies. After the album was released in May 2007, I was on tour in Nigeria from that time until 2008 when I came up with the Kamakazi video. In 2009, I toured America for the first time and I visited 35 states. In 2010, I toured almost all the countries in Europe and in 2011, I started recording again. In September 2011, the Nawti audio was released and in January 2012, the video came out and the rest is history. Therefore, there was no time I sat down doing nothing. You mean the emergence of new artistes in the industry did not force you to beat a retreat and restrategize? I see the Nigerian music industry as one that is saturated but very uncompetitive.

How do I explain an Olu Maintain that has been quiet for some years and only for him to come out with a music video in 2012? This is unarguably the best video in the country ever. That means that I saw what a lot that people were not doing and I capitalized on it. The industry is growing but it is not developing.

Why did you have to do a collaboration with foreign artistes, is it that you cannot hold it down on your own? To start with, the collabo between Olivia and I was purely circumstantial, it was not by choice. I met her at an industry party in Los Angeles by the producer of the Nawti video, Naomi Smith and we took it from there— courtesy her producer, Jerry Wonder. He is one of the best hands in the industry in America. That was how the track ‘Hypnotise me’ was born and Jerry wonder also facilitated my collaboration with Fatman Scoop, an American hip-hop star. So, my collaborations were circumstantial and as a result of me being at the right place at the right time. It was not something I set out to do or part of my agenda. Having watched the Nawti video, it is very hard to believe there was no sexual chemistry between you and the video vixen No comment but the beauty about my personality is that I can be overwhelming because I have a persuasive and likable personality.

When I work with anybody, I like to establish a relationship outside work.
You raised the bar for yourself with Yahooze; do you think you can match that? I am not going to match it, I will surpass it. Living up to it is not an achievement but surpassing it is the beginning of achievement. A DJ once told me that the only competition I have is me.

With your years of absence, don’t you think you have lost your place in the industry especially with the emergence of young artistes? The truth about it is that the industry is my wife, I am married to it. I know what to tell my wife anytime I feel like making love to her. Other people are dating the industry and because I am married to it, I understand her language so I can make her dance to my tune when I so desire. You just wait and see what my new album. It is a ten tracker and each letter stands for a song.

Is there a possibility of Maintain regrouping? Nature has a funny way of taking its natural course; I would not deem anything impossible. If it is nature’s calling and if God says we would come back, who am I to say no? But for the next four quarters, I already have my plans defined and if Maintain is going to do something, it will have to be in the future and not this year.

When will marriage come? Olu Maintain has come of age; I am closer to 40 now, single and with no child. Before now, my career has been my wife and companion and that makes it necessary for me to start prioritising. It will be a safe assumption now to say I am seeking for something that is missing in my life. There is no woman in my life now but I am working towards it. I just want my woman to love me and love what I do. I am not attaching any physical attributes to it because that eventually will go away. It’s better to fall in love with someone because that lasts forever. My parents have been married for 43 years.

Apart from music, do you do other things? Yes. How do you think I have sustained my lavish lifestyle? That is why people attribute my lifestyle to all sorts of negative things. What they don’t know is that I surround myself with friends that are not in my industry and that shows I have been able to sustain my fortune. I respect my colleagues but I don’t have any close friend in the industry. My best friend is a chartered accountant and a bank manager.

Don’t you think your lifestyle is too loud? It is a part of me. I still like to blow, shine, stand out in a crowd and that is with some level of affluence. Besides, it is required for my profession. For instance, when I dress, I do loud colours and really that is just my person, and being an entertainer makes it mandatory for me to be flashy. I like to glow, bling and dress flamboyantly because I am not a conservative in any way. I read somewhere you still live in a rented apartment… It is false because I have tenants.

How can I be collecting rent and still live in a rented apartment? By the special grace of God, I own the place where we are having this interview and many more.
So how much is Olu worth? Olu will be rich for the rest of his life and that is by default. I cannot go broke for the next generation to come. I have planted enough for my next generation to benefit from. That is as a result of being prudent and making wise decisions in my choice of investments and circle of friends. The Nawti video for instance cost a lot of money. It is the only Nigerian video that has 16 looks. Most Nigerian videos have four or five, which costs an average of $20,000 or $25,000. So for a 16-look video, do the arithmetic.

How do you relax when you are not making music? I love to stay in my home. I do not drink, smoke, or go clubbing. I only club when I am being hosted. I watch TV and I like to travel also. My persona is a completely misunderstood one. Contrary to what people think, I am a very warm person. I am Cancerian. so naturally I have a large heart and that is misinterpreted because I am an artiste.

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Rumors have been circulating for months now that Ghanaian footballer and Chelsea star Michael Essien has wedded his publicist, Akosua Puni.

When reports first started circulating, both Essien and Akosua  ignored the stories and it was regarded as just mere rumors.

However,  it was awkward last week Friday when Akosua introduced herself as Mrs Akosua Puni Essien at a cocktail charity event – Game Of Hope – organized by Michael Essien.

Mrs. Essien Akosua was in charge of the event and everyone who worked with her referred to her as Mrs Essien; she is also the head of the Michael Essien Foundation.

Michael Essien and Akosua had a child together shortly after his relationship with Ghollywood star Nadia Buari ended a few years back, though the football star has never acknowledged being married and does not wear a ring.

Essien has three kids from two different women

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Oluwaseun Adaramoye, until her death was an undergraduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lautech. Seun left her hostel last week Sunday to visit her boyfriend and that was the last time she was seen alive. Ngozi her friend explains how Seun left them that evening to her boyfriend's place while they were all chatting.

"Seun Adaramoye was an 100 level accounting student, she stayed in Stadium area around Lawyer Ahmed Junction, she's a hostel mate and also my friend. On Sunday evening (16th of June), we were all gisting outside the hostel as we normally do and around 5pm, Seun just said she's coming and left. She was on casual outfits like all of us, so we thought she had gone to the junction to buy stuffs but she went to her best friend's place not far from the hostel.

"When Seun was leaving her best friend's apartment, she told her that she wants to quickly get to her boyfriend's place in Oke-Anu around 7pm on that same Sunday evening and that was the last time we both saw Seun.

"We didn't even notice on time that she hasn't returned cos she's a female and no one can monitor a grown lady, so we assume that she should be with her boyfriend Lanre(REAL NAME) not until wednesday morning when Seun refused to show up for her last paper. Her friend came to check on her in the hostel and it was then that she informed us that Seun is no where to be found, we searched and searched for Seun but all to no avail.

On Thursday morning, we decided to report her disappearance to the school authorities, that was when we heard the news of a dead body which was discovered at the back of Jastok Guest House…On getting there, we couldn't identify the body because several parts of her body had been cut off, her breast, one hand, half her head was gone. We were eventually able to recognize Seun by her hairdo and mark on her leg, her birth mark and the remains of her cloth on the body.

So the police and the SUG were invited and they went after the boyfriend who had obviously absconded, so he has not been arrested as been speculated but his best friend was arrested. People thought he was arrested because of the search and the arrest of his best friend but he hasn't been found till now, he's gone into exile…On Searching Lanre's house, the police found mysterious things like Calabash, Ladies Bra, Panties, Nails and several underwears. Our friend Seun was NEVER a runs girl, she was a very gentle and loving soul, she was just unlucky to have fallen a victim of some desperate souls. She has since been buried by her brother here in Ogbomosho because the body was already decaying with worms all over and moreover it's an uncompleted body and they won't bury her like that in her hometown…May God console her family.

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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Northern States chapter has disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan’s statement that the Boko Haram sect has killed more Muslims than Christians and that the menace is not a religious by nature.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Elder Sunday Oibe, the association expressed disbelief that Mr. Jonathan actually made that statement. It said it he did, it was “misleading and unacceptable,” pointing out that that Christians and their churches and businesses have been the major targets of the Boko Haram terror group.

“We want to believe that the president was misquoted; we don’t want to believe that with the security apparatus and reports from security intelligence network at his disposal, he made this type of assertion,” CAN said.  “If it is true that Mr. President actually made this assertion, then, we are highly disappointed and sad at this veiled attempt to distort the facts as it concerns the activities of the Boko Haram sect.”

The association stressed that it has no record where a mosque was originally planned to be attacked by the sect.  “We say this because there has never been any bomb that has been exploded in any mosque or targeted at any mosque in the entire activities of the Boko Haram sect in the north. The Boko Haram members even said that when a Muslim is killed, it is by mistake.”

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The former Gunners defender believes that the disgruntled Manchester United striker would struggle to adapt to life in London and questions the 27-year-old's temperament

Former Arsenal defender Tony Adams warns that the club would be taking a "massive risk" by signing Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney.
Rooney is believed to be open to a move to the Emirates Stadium as long as Arsene Wenger's side are able to match his salary demands.

Arsenal's second-biggest shareholder, Alisher Usmanov, has also praised the 27-year-old and claimed that it would be a "great success" if the north London club signed the England international this summer.

But Adams, who spent 22 years at Arsenal, told talkSPORT: "I'm not sure Wayne Rooney could handle London, to be completely honest. That would be a massive risk, for me.

"I don't think it's a question of finances. I think it's his temperament and mentality. London is a different animal. I think it takes a different type of player [to handle it].

"I think Wayne is unquestionably a super player and I'd love to see him at the Arsenal. Technically he's a fantastic player but I'm not sure about his mentally, off the pitch and his professionalism.

"I know Sir Alex Ferguson has dealt with Wayne brilliantly over the last few years and I'm sure Arsene [Wenger] could handle him but I'm not sure. I wouldn't like to spend my money on Wayne.

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 The Office of Ghana Former president, Jerry John Rawlings has reacted to reports going round the Nigerian Media, referring him criticizing Nigerian Government for allowing corrupt politicians to go unpunished.

A copy of the letter and his Address at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on June 17, 2013 was sent to Hope For Nigeria and it frown at the deliberate distortion of the former President Rawlings speech by a section of Nigerian media.

OFFICE OF FORMER PRESIDENT JERRY RAWLINGS.
The attention of His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings has been drawn to a scurrilous news report originally published by the Premium Times of Nigeria, which has received wide coverage on the Internet and other social media.

We wish to state strongly that the report is laced with irresponsible falsehoods, fabricated quotations and wrong allusions that bring the image of His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings into disrepute.

President Rawlings did deliver the keynote address on Emerging Democracies in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, at conference organised by the National Institute for Legislative Studies in Abuja on Monday, June 17, 2013.

His address did not make reference to the government of Nigeria and he made no scathing attack on the Nigeria government as the Premium Times reported.

President Rawlings also did not make reference to the Nigeria leadership’s failure to punish politicians who steal public funds.

The first three paragraphs of the report are complete fabrications.

Paragraph ten and twelve are distortions of what President Rawlings said. Because of the gross distortions and falsehoods the entire report does portray a totally different representation of the fact as took place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on June 17.

We have taken a very serious view of the publication because it is malicious, libellous and a very negative piece of journalism, which is calculated to bring the image of President Rawlings into disrepute and written to demand a retraction of the publication.

We caution other media who have inadvertently republished the said article to note that they will be held equally liable should we decide to take legal action on the matter

Below is the full text of President Rawlings’ address at the conference on Monday June 17.
Thank you.
H. Afeku-Amenyo (Rtd), Captain (Ghana Navy), Director, Office of Former President.

ADDRESS BY H.E. FLT. LT. JERRY JOHN RAWLINGS, FORMER PRESIDENT OF GHANA AT A CONFERENCE ON EMERGING DEMOCRACIES IN AFRICA: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
– TRANSCORP HILTON, ABUJA-NIGERIA – JUNE 17, 2013

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:
It is an honour to be part of today’s conference on Emerging Democracies in Africa. I commend the Nigeria National Institute for Legislative Studies and the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa, for creating such a forum for dispassionate discussion on challenges and opportunities facing Emerging Democracies.

The definition of democracy is complex even though we seem to be comfortable with Abraham Lincoln’s description of democracy as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

That definition goes a long way to justify the election of political leaders where every citizen is expected to have an equal right in the selection of political leaders and the legislature, who then become the voice of the people for a defined period.

Simply put the right of the people to have a voice in the management of their countries and societies is vested in a few selected individuals who are expected to protect the interests of the people.

We can juggle various definitions of democracy, but true democracy is the process where every individual is involved and convinced that his opinion has been factored into the decision-making as far as the management of his society is concerned. A government, irrespective of its mode of appointment, which gives ear to the people and approaches decision-making and policy implementation from a human-centred and continued consultative process is closer to democracy than a duly elected government that fails to consult and also treats the opinion of the legislature – the elected representatives of the people - as of little value.

Soon after Ghana underwent political transition in the 1990s many were those who were quick to state that Ghana had embraced democracy. I strongly disagreed and explained that Ghana had throughout the period of the revolution been practising democracy, because the grassroots participation in local and national affairs was heightened throughout the period. The transition in 1992 was rather a transition to constitutional rule. And let me add that constitutional rule is not necessarily synonymous with democracy. That is why we have a number of leaders across the world who are practising constitutional dictatorships. I must emphasise that this is not unique to Africa.

Emerging democracies are defined as countries with governments that have emanated out of a perceived legitimate democratic electoral process but are still saddled with complexities of dominant political parties and poorly applied rule of law.

Many scholars on the subject have listed a few countries in our region as emerging democracies, but I find it difficult not to refer to most of our continent as emerging democracies. Even more complicated is the fact that many of our countries progress from that nascent stage into well-managed democracies only for them to slip back into a democratically embryonic state partly because some of the managers of our political systems are adept at ensuring that the institutions of state do not perform efficiently leading to their disempowerment and a weakening of the rule of law.

Ladies and Gentlemen, no true democratic arrangement can be successful if the institutions that are meant to serve as checks and balances are not properly structured and equipped to operate at optimum.

These institutions include independent judiciary, security services, the electoral machinery, a well-oiled and independent media as well as a vibrant and non-partisan civil society.

The major factor required to get these institutions operational is to have a well-framed constitution that is not lacking in definition and that protects adequately the independence of these institutions. It is important also that the same constitution protects these institutions from abuse as they are managed by humans – fallible as we are.

Emerging democracies are grappling with problems of incoherent constitutions and weak institutions, allowing some political leaders the leeway to abuse the system through clever and sometimes blatant actions such as the appointment of unprincipled and very partisan personalities to head such institutions. The judiciary and security services are also not free of excessive control. Abuse of the media either through intimidation or inducement is also part of the challenges such countries face.

We are also saddled with civil society who instead of exposing ills in government and society and offering concrete options on the way forward rather metamorphose into partisan political entities attacking or overprotecting government as if their survival depended on it.

Mr Chairman, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen; the average African is in dire need of a working democracy that truly protects not only himself but also guarantees a progressive and development-oriented political system that defends freedom, guarantees justice and ensures that society also remains disciplined and focused on what is good and right.

The primary challenge for emerging democracies in Africa, is the failure of Western democracy to acknowledge its inherent flaws and encourage a system of democracy on our continent that is dynamic, home grown and imbued with the socio-cultural backgrounds of individual African states.

Our societies are borne out of a strong traditional political framework of monarchies that wielded both spiritual and political power as well as judicial authority. Many of these societies still look up to traditional authority for moral fortitude while our ‘imported’ democratic and secular leadership is seen unfortunately as synonymous to immorality and corruption. With such perceptions how do we expect our emerging democracies to evolve?

The biggest misconception in embracing democracy is the argument that it comes with economic progress. The Western sponsors of democracy and their allied institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank who offer democratic prescriptions with the promise of financial support for socio-economic development usually present such arguments.

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to quote Merillee Grindle, a Professor of International Development at the Harvard University, who states that: "Democracy is perceived as not having delivered what was promised. Scholars, NGOs, democracy movements, politicians, and others really have oversold what can be expected from democracy and have raised expectations about what a form of government actually can achieve. Certainly, a democratic regime can deliver, in time, on promises for personal freedom and liberty, for participation in the decisions of government, and on equality of rights. But democracy has also been sold as a way to engender economic growth, as a way to achieve economic and social equality...democracy is not a panacea for economic development."

Democracy should however be made to provide the political stability for development. A practicing democracy that cannot create the climate to correct economic ills and corruption cannot and will not be a democracy. A democracy that cannot protect the sanctity of its electoral process is engaging in a fraudulent electoral coup d’état. Equally destructive is the unfortunate practice of using money to buy the conscience of the electorate.

There is no doubt that when democratic structures are instituted in a manner that recognizes the socio-cultural and socio-political context of individual countries, it will have a better chance of survival and success. Management of countries and societies is still dependent on a system of governance, which requires that every citizen has a role to play in the decision-making process and how leaders are elected. The citizens of every society must have an input in the format their political structures take and it is never too late to modify our constitutions to embrace what we overlooked.

Developments in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire over the past two decades and recent developments in Libya, Tunisia and Egypt call for a thorough revision of political processes and structures in these countries. Some of these countries were also seen as relatively advanced democracies and economies but today a few of them cannot even boast of being emergent democracies having retrogressed within weeks of uprisings or violent electoral dispute.

Kenya has learnt many lessons from the electoral violence of 2007, which had huge ethnic connotations. The constitution has been reviewed and political tolerance was tested through a unity government. The judiciary is more empowered and today the country’s leadership boasts of two former adversaries working together.

Appointment of Supreme Court justices is not the entire prerogative of the President of the land and has to go through a selection and consultative process that ensures that the President — even though he has the final assent — cannot manipulate the appointment.

Nigeria has made strides over the past decade politically but still faces complicated challenges, which many of you will bear with me has socio-cultural implications that have been ignored for a significant period.

That is why institutions such as the National Institute for Legislative Studies should be welcomed as one of the structures that will enhance and strengthen your emerging democracy.

Democratic institutions across the continent are poorly equipped to offer the best support to governments. As a capacity building institution dedicated to provide professional research, advice, training and advocacy for members of the legislature, your organization is in a unique position to be a pacesetter in empowering our senators and parliamentarians to better serve the interests of their constituents.

It is embarrassing sometimes to observe our various legislative assemblies struggle to competently debate issues of serious national concern because members are handicapped information-wise.

Emerging democracies present attractive opportunities for investment and development and we cannot allow the progress that has been achieved over the past few decades to retrogress because of the challenges we have encountered and continue to encounter.

Relative political stability means we have an opportunity to turn our economies around and not only through the exploitation of traditional export commodities but also through investment and improvement in the service related sectors.

Africa’s share of investment within Africa rose from 3.2 per cent in 2007 to 5.6 in 2012 according an Ernst and Young report.

The trend of investment and growth is not related to just a few countries but spread across the continent and this means the potential is huge if we adopt more aggressive efforts at strengthening our monitoring institutions especially those entrusted with the power to stem corruption – a major factor that restricts foreign direct investment.

An African think-tank recently reported that illicit financial outflows cost the continent between $38.4 billion and $25 billion between 2008 and 2010 respectively. Our countries do not fare any better in the annual corruption index of Transparency International. While there may be a lot of factors that enhance corruption including the connivance of major global international players —whose jurisdictions ironically exact huge penalties for white-collar fraud — Africa is primarily saddled with corruption because some members of a minority elite connive to rape the continent and ensure that the positive economic indices are only on paper and do not reach the pockets of the ordinary people at the grassroots.

We cannot continue to pay lip service to the strengthening, empowerment and independent management of our multiple anti-corruption institutions. We live in countries where poor, petty thieves get imprisoned for several years while businessmen who evade taxes in millions of dollars or a politician who misappropriates millions of state funds escape punishment.

These inequalities are recipes for the retrogression of our democracies and we cannot allow the negative tide to continue. As I said earlier a democracy that cannot provide socio-economic justice cannot be a healthy democracy and will remain vulnerable and fragile.

Our institutions are weak because we do not strengthen and protect them adequately in our constitutions. While the legislature can enact laws that empower institutions, constitutional entrenchment of such provisions would ensure that political parties with majority control within legislative assemblies do not manipulate the powers of these institutions.

Institutions in the advanced countries have evolved over time having encountered huge challenges, but we have the capacity to ensure true independence for these institutions in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of the senior politician in government, the critical opposition leader or the cobbler at the street corner.

Africa has bright prospects, but these prospects can only see fruition if we embrace a patriotic desire to witness even development within our societies and not a selfish, myopic desire to enrich oneself at the expense of national development and cohesion.

One of our proudest assets must be our sense of nationalism. Emerging democracies in putting in place structures such as the National Institute for Legislative Studies must endeavour to inculcate in their citizenry the pride in defending one’s country against corrupt practices that sow seeds of disaffection especially amongst the less-advantaged in society who feel disregarded, abused and disrespected by a minority elite.

Can we change the cycle of profiting from wrong to profiting from right? If not, once again our democracy will continue to remain vulnerable and fragile.

Only last Friday, a former Attorney General in Ghana, who has waged a relentless campaign against the payment of questionable judgement debts to individuals and institutions obtained a Supreme Court ruling ordering the retrieval of over 40 million Euros from an international company which had earlier convinced government to pay her the said amount over an alleged abrogated contract.

The former Attorney General who at times faced serious ridicule from his compatriots stood his ground against all odds and won the case for Ghana. Today he is ironically being touted as a hero. But did he have to fight a lonely fight in defence of his country’s meager resources?

Does Nigeria have its lonely heroes too? Yes indeed, you do!

Once again my gratitude goes to the National Institute for Legislative Studies, the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa and the entire Senate led by President David Mark and his Deputy Ike Ekweremadu and the ECOWAS Parliament for inviting me to be part of this important event.

Excellences, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

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Early today, we reported that the mutilated corpse of Oluwaseun Adaramoye, a female undergraduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology was found behind a popular guest house at Under G in Ogbomosho.

According to new information at whisperNaija.com disposal , she left home on Friday to her boyfriend's hostel with the intention of attending a party. Days after, the boyfriend came forward and told Seun's roommates that she had been missing for days, just before her corpse was discovered.

When the boyfriend realized her body had been found, he took to his heels and made an attempt to abscond before he was nabbed and handed over to the Police.

The boyfriend's room was searched today by men of the Nigerian Police force. During the search lasting about 40mins, the police were able to recover several female under garments suspected to be Seun's. They also found a locally made Calabash in his wardrobe.

The boyfriend who is also an Undergrad of Lautech claimed during initial interrogation that he had been out of town(Ogbomosho) since Sunday-the same day Seun went missing.

As at press time, he remains in police custody as investigations into the case continue. 

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