Sense, nonsense, and commonsense (4) By Douglas Anele

The token gesture of reducing the number of ministries by the President notwithstanding, there is no evidence that the cost of governance has gone down significantly to the extent of impacting positively on the lives of average Nigerians. Information in the public domain about the billions of naira earmarked for the renovation of Aso Rock clinic, feeding in the Presidency, purchase of exotic BMW cars, and maintenance of aircrafts in the presidential fleet indicate that the despicable Animal Farm syndrome characteristic of political leadership in Nigeria is still with us despite the propaganda of change by the APC.

Presidents and promises: Undoing of Buhari –1 By Dele Sobowale

“He who fights with monsters should be careful lest he becomes a monster. And if thou gaze long into an abyss, the abyss will also gaze into thee.” Friedrich Nietzsche, 1844-1900. For me and several other people to whom I have spoken, the events leading to the release of the amounts recovered by The Federal Government by the Minister of Information on Saturday, June 4, 2016, without the list of names promised by President Buhari was an embarrassment in many ways.

Can the 2016 budget change the fate of Nigerians? By Tonnie Iredia

If the number of challenges which the 2016 budget has encountered is anything to go by, the document would go down in history as a special budget. To start with, it is the first budget of change by President Buhari’s government. In which case, it ought to depart from the “rub my back and I will concur” posture of the past. Surprisingly, change didn’t quite occur along that line as efforts were made from the beginning to adulterate the budget.

First, after a colourful presentation ceremony by the President to the National Assembly, the budget was suddenly declared missing by one and not both houses of the legislature. That took awhile to resolve because the budget was not hidden or misplaced; it was instead conjured by our many ghosts for editing. That looks incredible, isn’t it?  Well, a compatriot in Diaspora reacting to my last week’s article on Nigeria’s many ghosts accused me of writing mystical things.

Is the Lord Your Pastor?, By Femi Aribisala

Ask the average Christian for his pastor, and he is likely to refer you to mere mortals. But David declares in his most famous psalm: “The LORD is my pastor; I have everything I need.” (Psalm 23:1). If David has everything he needs because he made the Lord his pastor, why do Christians persist in accepting ordinary men as their pastors? Why do we tend to prefer the counterfeit to the original? Why are we inclined to prefer the earthly to the heavenly?

“‘Pass beyond the coasts of Cyprus and see, send to Kedar and consider diligently, and see if there has been such a thing. Has a nation changed its gods, which are not gods? But my people have changed their Glory for what does not profit. Be astonished, O heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid; be very desolate,’ says the LORD. For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns – broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:10-13).

Like the Israelites of old that preferred a human king to God as their King; Christians today prefer fake human pastors to the King of Glory; “the pastor and overseer of our souls.” (1 Peter 2:25).

Remembering MKO and June 12 By Reuben Abati

This day, June 12 will always be remembered by those who have defied the culture of silence and conspiracy against a significant moment in Nigerian history, to remind us of how today, 23 years ago, the battle against the exit of the military from power was fought at the ballot by a determined Nigerian people. It is indeed sad that apart from the Southwest states of Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Osun, which have doggedly continued to celebrate the hero, and later martyr of that battle, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, there has been studied indifference to the June 12 phenomenon by the Federal Government and remarkably, the rest of Nigeria.

This is sadder still because MKO Abiola was not an ethnic champion: he was a man of pan-Nigerian vision and ambition, who went into politics to give the people hope, to unite them and lead them out of poverty. His campaign manifesto was instructively titled “Hope 93 — Farewell to Poverty: How to make Nigeria a better place for all.”

Remembering MKO and June 12 By Reuben Abati

This day, June 12 will always be remembered by those who have defied the culture of silence and conspiracy against a significant moment in Nigerian history, to remind us of how today, 23 years ago, the battle against the exit of the military from power was fought at the ballot by a determined Nigerian people. It is indeed sad that apart from the Southwest states of Oyo, Ogun, Lagos and Osun, which have doggedly continued to celebrate the hero, and later martyr of that battle, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, there has been studied indifference to the June 12 phenomenon by the Federal Government and remarkably, the rest of Nigeria.

This is sadder still because MKO Abiola was not an ethnic champion: he was a man of pan-Nigerian vision and ambition, who went into politics to give the people hope, to unite them and lead them out of poverty. His campaign manifesto was instructively titled “Hope 93 — Farewell to Poverty: How to make Nigeria a better place for all.”

One more adviser for Buhari By Abraham Ogbodo

I ask for forgiveness if the proposal I am about to make will increase the cost of running government in these lean times. It is not my intention to intensify the financial tension of the moment. But it has become absolutely necessary in view of noticeable gaps in the line-up to give President Buhari one more adviser to take care of all other matters that are floating outside definite administrative portfolios.

We can call the fellow to be hired, Senior Special Adviser Plenipotentiary (SSAP). His job shall defy descriptions. If for instance, the President in response to a probing question from a reporter talked about bombing some protesters to submission in a democracy that is 17 years old, the fellow would call a press conference immediately to say the President did not hear the reporter correctly and had only reacted based on what he thought the reporter said.

One more adviser for Buhari By Abraham Ogbodo

I ask for forgiveness if the proposal I am about to make will increase the cost of running government in these lean times. It is not my intention to intensify the financial tension of the moment. But it has become absolutely necessary in view of noticeable gaps in the line-up to give President Buhari one more adviser to take care of all other matters that are floating outside definite administrative portfolios.

We can call the fellow to be hired, Senior Special Adviser Plenipotentiary (SSAP). His job shall defy descriptions. If for instance, the President in response to a probing question from a reporter talked about bombing some protesters to submission in a democracy that is 17 years old, the fellow would call a press conference immediately to say the President did not hear the reporter correctly and had only reacted based on what he thought the reporter said.

Encounter with a probable trump supporter By Fred Ohwahwa

It was early May and my long time friend, Willie, had come to see me in my hotel room in downtown Houston, Texas. We had planned severally to meet either when I was in the US or when he came to Nigeria. None had come to pass, except during one of his visits to Nigeria about 15 years ago.

We have been friends forever. Actually, from Class 1 in secondary school. Three of us, including Austin, were actually a very greedy and selfish lot. How? The three of us held tightly to the first three positions in our set from Class 2 to 5. Just monopolized those positions and competed fiercely amongst ourselves. And the irony was that the three of us were best of friends.

After our tertiary education, with things looking rather gloomy in the country, Willie voted with his feet – he left for the United States. He has since become an American citizen, with an American wife and American children. As I put on the TV to give some background noise to our high-pitched conversation, on cable television was the US presidential campaigns. When I asked my friend his impressions of the campaigns so far, his response jolted me to the reality of American politics.

Attacks: We won’t leave Nigeria, say oil firms

International oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region are not thinking about pulling out from Nigeria at the moment despite the continued bombing and destruction of their facilities by militants in the area.

However, some of the IOCs plan increased production shut-ins, particularly in areas that are worst hit by the activities of the militant group, Niger Delta Avengers.

On Friday, the NDA bombed a pipeline belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The group had carried out series of bombings that had reduced Nigeria’s crude oil production by close to one million barrels per day, and had rebuffed any discussion with the Federal Government on ways to address it grievances.

Euro 2016: Dozens injured as crowds of rival fans brawl

Packs of Russian and English football fans clashed in the French city of Marseille in a third straight day of battles at the Euro 2016 championship.

Fans brawled before and after the game Saturday, forcing police in riot gear to fire tear gas to disperse crowds. Throngs lunged at one another, and hurled bottles and other objects at officers.

After the game, Russian fans charged at the section where their British counterparts sat as chaos ensued. Smoke filled the streets as panicked fans fled.

At least 31 people were injured in the clashes, four of them critically, said Mathieu Duroselle, a spokesman for Marseille police. The number included three officers who suffered slight injuries, he said.

On the field, the Russians and English tied 1-1, but French authorities were determined that fighting fans on the street would both lose.

At least 17 people were arrested over two days, police said Saturday.

France deploys extra security

Ambode appoints 57 sole administrators for LGs, LCDAs

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the appointment of 57 sole administrators expected to oversee the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the State. The governor, according to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, would on Monday, June 13, 2016, swear-in the new appointees at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja.

The appointees include: Ayeni A. Babatunde; Adebayo Taoheed; Adekunle Julius; Samuel Ojo; Jacob Kent; Mrs. Bashorun Bolanle A.; Gbenga Abiola; Olumide Olayomi; Mrs. Yeyintola D. Agaba; Isa Abiola Jubril; Yusuf Temitope; Alh. Musa Nasir A.; Ogunleye Gbolahon; Babatunde Adetunji; Olu Ogunniyi; Sola Akande; Alh. Wasiu Sanni; Abiola Kolawole Esrom; Muyiwa Okesanya and Shukura Okeowo.

Trump: Elizabeth Warren is ‘very racist’

Donald Trump on Saturday again took aim at Elizabeth Warren on Twitter, continuing the feud between the Republican presumptive nominee and Democratic senator from Massachusetts.

“Goofy Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, pretended to be a Native American in order to advance her career. Very racist!” Trump tweeted.

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Donald J. Trump

@realDonaldTrump

Goofy Elizabeth Warren, sometimes referred to as Pocahontas, pretended to be a Native American in order to advance her career. Very racist!

11:28 PM – 11 Jun 2016

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Trump has repeatedly referred to Warren as “Pocahontas,” referring to the senator’s past claims about her Native American heritage.

The two have traded barbs throughout the week. On Thursday, Warren — who has emerged as perhaps the Democrats’ most outspoken Trump combatant — called Trump a “thin-skinned, racist bully” after he criticized a judge with Mexican heritage who is overseeing a lawsuit against Trump University.

“Pocahontas is at it again! Goofy Elizabeth Warren, one of the least productive U.S. Senators, has a nasty mouth. Hope she is V.P. choice.” Trump tweeted in response on Friday.

Tension as Army Council retires 35 officers

The military career of at least 35 senior army officers came to an abrupt end yesterday after the authorities laid them off for their alleged involvement in the $2.1billion arms procurement deal, and ‘unprofessional’ conduct during the 2015 elections.

The affected officers are said to be in the ranks of Major General, Brigadier General, Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel and a Major.

Their names were not announced, neither was the number of those fired given officially confirmed.

The development may have sparked tension in the force, it was gathered last night.

Army spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman who broke the news of the retirement merely said: “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that quite a number of senior officers of the Nigerian Army were retired from service yesterday (Friday).

Reid accuses GOP senator of ‘praying’ for Obama’s death

As if the 2016 cycle couldn’t get any uglier, a nasty war of words broke out Friday when Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid accused a Republican senator of “praying” for President Obama’s death.

The allegations followed Georgia Sen. David Perdue’s remarks Friday to a Faith and Freedom Coalition conference in Washington.

“We are called to pray for our country, for our leaders, and yes, even our president,” Perdue said. “I think we should pray for Barack Obama.”

He added, “We need to be very specific about how we pray. We should pray like Psalms 109:8 says. It says, ‘Let his days be few, and let another have his office.’”

Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthman let Perdue have it, claiming he had just issued a call to prayer for Obama’s demise – as opposed to the end of his term.

Economic crisis: We won’t bail out banks with public funds – FG ……

The Federal Government has ruled out any possibility of providing bailout funds to banks to boost their operations, following the gale of job losses in the banking sector in the last two weeks.

A top government official told one of our correspondents on Saturday that it would be wrong for the government to bail out the banks with public funds because all the other sectors of the economy were faced with one challenge or the other.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not permitted to comment officially on the matter, said if the government announced any bailout for the banking sector, all other sectors of the economy would start requesting for their own package.

According to him, the government does not have enough funds to finance its operations, therefore, bailing out any sector will further compound the current economic situation in the country.

No June 12 holiday in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo

Indications have emerged that this year’s celebration of the anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential election in the South-West may not be marked with the usual.

Unlike what obtained before, only Osun State declared a public holiday for the event while Lagos will only hold a talk cum symposium. Other states, investigations, revealed, have no definite programmes lined up for the day. There are six states in the South-West geo-political zone.

In Ekiti, Governor Ayodele Fayose said he would not declare a public holiday in Ekiti State to celebrate June 12.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, simply said, “No” when asked by our correspondent if the governor would declare a public holiday.

Adelusi did not give a reason for the decision.

Trump, and what he might say next, is burning up GOPs political capital in Washington

Congressional Republicans might not be capable of directly measuring their tolerance of Donald Trump. But there is certainly a metric that helps them gauge the amount.

Most Republicans have gone along grudgingly with Trump — if they support the presumptive presidential nominee at all. Some of those lawmakers are now reviewing that political quotient as they wonder what Trump might say next.

They ponder how many more times they’ll have to condemn Trump’s remarks. They ask themselves if they’ll again have to awkwardly criticize Trump’s comments about a judge or women or Muslims — yet reaffirm allegiance to him in the next breath.

The latest headlines on the 2016 elections from the biggest name in politics.

Only Trump knows what lies in his heart when it comes to race, ethnicity and religion. But some of his comments give people pause and perhaps make them think of the lyrics in the Avenue Q tune. No, Trump doesn’t “go around committing hate crimes.” But his comments certainly sound “a little bit racist” to some and “a lotta bit racist” to others.

Trump’s no-apologies campaign tour hits hard on Romney, Warren …

Donald Trump on Saturday kicked his unapologetic presidential campaign into high gear — saying he won’t apologize for his personal attacks on Sen. Elizabeth Warren and extending his feud with GOP establishment leader Mitt Romney.

“The guy’s a stone cold loser, a choker,” Trump, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, said about Romney at a rally in Tampa, Fla.

Also on Saturday, Romney, who this weekend is holding an ideas summit in Utah, suggested that Trump’s misogynistic and racially insensitive remarks have opened the door for generations of Americans to engage in similar behavior.

Trump told the crowd of about 5,000 in Tampa that Romney, the GOP presidential nominee who lost to President Obama in 2012, “doesn’t even know what a misogynist is.”

Trump and Warren, a leading progressive voice in the Democratic Party, have attacked each other increasingly in recent weeks, with the exchanges appearing to intensify now that Clinton has become the party’s presumptive presidential nominee.

Enugu: Police deny rumours of herdsmen attack on community

The Police in Enugu state on Saturday, debunked rumours that a community in the state had been attacked by suspected herdsmen.

Spokesman of the command, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu that there was no substance in the rumour and urged the public to discountenance it.

US: 'World's oldest' pilot whale dies, SeaWorld says

Bubbles, a female pilot whale at SeaWorld in San D

iego that was believed to have been the oldest animal of her species in a zoological park, has died, the company said.

In an online posting, SeaWorld Entertainment Inc said Bubbles was in her early to mid 50s and had been at the park for nearly 30 years.

"SeaWorld San Diego is saddened to announce the passing of one of the world's most beloved animals, Bubbles the pilot whale," the company said on its website.

Ambode: Governor appoints sole administrators for Lagos LGs

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State on Saturday, June 11, approved the appointment of new sole administrators who are expected to head the administration of 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas in the state.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the governor would swear-in the new appointees on Monday at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House, Ikeja.

Buhar: 'Release results of June 12, 1993 Presidential election,' Afenifere tells Buhari

Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) has called on PresidentMuhammadu Buhari to release the official result of the June 12, 1993, Presidential Election, won by Bashorun M.K.O Abiola.

The group made the call on Saturday, June 11, in a statement to mark the 23rd anniversary of June 12.

In the statement, the ARG chairman, Olawale Oshun, said the President, as the beneficiary of a ballot revolution that mostly mirrored that of 1993, owed Nigerians the duty of declassifying the result, particularly now that 23 years had elapsed and the Official Secret Act could no longer be binding on the document.

Seek Daily NBC: THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE

Seek Daily NBC

Sunday, June 12

Zephaniah 3:6-8

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DISOBEDIENCE

“Therefore wait for me,” declares the LORD, “for the day I will stand up to testify’...” Zephaniah 3:8, NIV

A father once taught his son that God hates stubbornness and disobedience. However, when this son was to travel on an errand, He disobeyed his father by stealing his ATM card with the intention of withdrawing money for his personal use. Fortunately, the father discovered that the card had been stolen and quickly instructed his bank to block the card. The boy became stranded where he went and had to beg for money to return home in shame.