Press Release: DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS ON CURRENT COUNTER-TERRORISM CAMPAIGN

FULL TEXT OF PRESS BRIEFING BY DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS ON CURRENT COUNTER-TERRORISM CAMPAIGN. MARCH 4, 2015.

Gentlemen of the press, 

This meeting today is not so much about briefing you on the development in the ongoing counter terrorist campaign as it is to express the appreciation of the Nigerian military for the outpouring of love, support and understanding of the good people of this great country to our gallant armed forces. Nevertheless, let me proceed by first of all giving you some update on the nation’s campaign against terror.

You will recall that on Thursday, 26^th of February, troops stationed in Mubi and those at Baga got a surprise visit by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Goodluck Jonathan along with the National Security Adviser , Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and  the Inspector General of Police. That surprise visit, apart from enabling the President and his entourage to have firsthand experience and information  on the status of the operation also provided a great lift to the morale of troops generally as the forces consolidate on the current gains. 

Indeed there is no going back or slowing down anywhere.  The air campaigns are continuing with a view to dislodging all the identified terrorist cells, enclaves or hideouts anywhere in the designated mission area. The mandate of working towards ensuring the restoration of normalcy for socio-economic, political and other activities to resume as quickly as possible is being given all it takes toward having the mission accomplished.  

So far, so good things are working out in line with the strategic plans.  A very significant number of identified terrorists enclaves have already been pounded and destroyed in the course of continuing air strikes.  Ground forces are also conducting assaults along with necessary mopping up, cordon and search operations in communities and locations previously occupied by terrorists.  

The stage is also set for the conduct of subsequent phases earmarked as part of the campaign. In the process, many communities have been sufficiently cleared to guarantee the return of citizens to their normal lives. The scope is being expanded to ensure that more communities are mopped up and cleansed of every vestige of terrorism.  All the towns where the activities of the terrorists are still noticeable will be duly mopped up very soon.

Having provided the above update we wish to use this forum to acknowledge the tremendous show of solidarity and support being expressed by the generality of Nigerian public to the Nigerian military. This gesture of goodwill and understanding in the past weeks has been of tremendous encouragement to all well-wishers of the Armed Forces.  Irrespective of the skepticism of ardent critics and cynics in and out of the country, these recent show of solidarity has proved to be a great morale booster.  The sight of every segment of the Nigerian society coming out in unison to cheer and celebrate the modest achievement of the nation’s forces is inspiring indeed. 

We thank the President and Commander-in-Chief for the confidence he reposes on his troops and for the support and encouragement he has always extended to the military. We thank the cross section of the political class for their kind words of encouragement and equally appreciate the wonderful effort of the media and some civil society groups who organized rallies and marches both in Abuja and Lagos to express support for the military. 

However, while these support and show of love are being savored, the attitude and activities of segments of the society who are still hell bent on undermining the morale of our fighting force by deliberately playing down the operational successes so far achieved remains very unfortunate indeed.  In a bid to spitefully drown the efforts of our troops, this group of people have been mischievously and exaggeratingly reporting the supportive roles of foreign allies to the detriment of our operational success in the fight against terror.  They go to every extent to ridicule, taunt or project every falsehood, purely to score some points in the clandestine sympathy for the terrorists. This unpatriotic posture is directly or indirectly undermining the esteemed status of Nigeria in the comity of nations.

The need has therefore arisen for a call on the media to beware of the mischief and conspiracy by some theorists who are still bent on orchestrating a well-rehearsed smear campaign against the Nigerian military.  They have been struggling to attribute the recent defeats inflicted on the terrorists to the invincibility of other forces or military outfits other than Nigeria’s.

The truth of the matter is that the current turn of the tide against the terrorists is an initiative conceived and is being driven by the Nigerian military but enjoying the backing of the reinvigorated Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), which has troops from Niger, Chad and Cameroon.  

The continuous aerial bombardment of identified terrorists’ cells and hideouts by the Nigerian Air Force and subsequent ground offensive by the Nigerian troops pursuing the dislodged terrorists is proving worthwhile.  Our partners are entrusted with employing the instrumentality of the Multi-National Joint Task Force to contain any terrorists who heads towards our borders with neighbouring countries and preventing the formation of any new safe haven elsewhere.

The forces have been working very hard in consonance with the terms and spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding that preceded this operation.  They are effectively checkmating trans-border activities of the terrorists.  There have been instances where these provisions for the operation of the MNJTF has afforded our partners the latitude required to pursue or beat back a retreating band of terrorists into Nigerian territory as was the case in Gamboru and other locations not far from the border.  

Unfortunately, some interest groups who seek to misinterpret this fruitful collaboration are seeking to drive a wedge between the Nigerian military and her supporting military formations or contingent by deliberately trying to denigrate and ridicule the effort of the Nigerian forces.

If other militaries who have just joined the war against the terrorists would be described in some warped reports as “battle-hardened”, how would any sensible commentator or reporter describe the gallant Nigerian forces who have been battling these mercenary-ridden terrorists for over five years now say?

The antics of some foreign media and their local collaborators who will stop at nothing to bring the Nigerian military to disrepute is no longer new or unusual. The Nigerian military will not be distracted or detracted from the current momentum which is geared towards stamping out terrorism not only in Nigeria but in the entire sub-region. 

It is of necessity therefore to reiterate that much as we value and appreciate the ongoing collaborative effort of the troop contributing nations of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), there has been no compromise of any aspect of Nigeria’s sovereignty or soil to any foreign force. This counter terrorist operation is comprehensively driven by Nigerian forces. Other members of the MNJTF have so far successfully denied the common enemy freedom of trans-border operations and this is in consonance with the idea of the multinational coalition initiated as far back as 1998. 

Be that as it may, we are conscious that the fight is not over and the Nigerian military will therefore not relent. Nothing will be taken for granted. All Nigerians are equally enjoined to maintain this posture. We must at all-times remain vigilant and conscious of our environment and be on the lookout for unrepentant terrorists, their collaborators or sympathizers who will stop at nothing in their resolve to destroy our country and civilisation. 

Ladies and gentlemen, the invaluable partnership and collaboration of the media in this whole war against terror is well appreciated. We say thank you for your understanding and support so far. As the fourth estate of the realm, your ideal role as purveyors of truth makes you a key partner in protecting our national security. On our part, we will continue to provide necessary assistance to enable you carry out your job in terms of information dissemination on the ongoing war against terror. 

Please note that there has not been an outright denial of access as erroneously propagated in some quarters.  Rather, the exigency of the current operation has necessitated some arrangement.  You will recall that we have been conducting periodic media visits and tours of the mission area in addition to the activities of the local media close to locations who have also been reporting unhindered. We urge you to show understanding of the peculiar nature of this war as we are more concerned about your safety than any other consideration. In the interim, please continue to make use of the official channel of accessing information until it is safe enough for you to seamlessly source information in the affected areas.

Finally, just as the Chief of Defence Staff has reiterated often, it is worthy of note that, when the country is at war, it is not only the military that should be involved but every segment of the society. We believe that together, we shall certainly defeat the forces of darkness that strive to destroy our country.

 Thank you and God bless Nigeria

 

CHRIS OLUKOLADE

Major General

04 March, 2015.

INEC Vow Best Practices, To Meet Political Parties, Observers Next Week -Commissioner Chris Iyimoga

Nigeria electoral body, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has maintained that best practices in the conduct of the nation's general election would be strictly adhered to. The electoral body official, Commissioner Chris Iyimoga disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing the newsmen in Abuja.


 The INEC Commissioner emphasised that the apex body has achieved a record of 80 per cent distribution and collection of  the digital enabled permanent voters card PVC across the country.
 The same, according to the commission, has ensured a logical deliverey of ballot papers and boxesto be used during the forthcoming elections. Chris Iyimoga  said  at least ''55,232,875 Permanent Voters Cards  have been collected'', indicating that the electoral body has achieved 80 collection.

Commissioner Chris Iyimoga at the Press Briefing. Pic credit: INEC

Chris Iyimoga said, since the rescheduling of elections, the commission taken the advantage of the time to best prepare for the polls. He emphasised local strategic collaboration between the Commission and  other relevant Nigerian government and non-governmental bodies and especially, the practical results identified through collaboration with the National Council of Arts which has been disseminating messages to grassroots among others.

''The Commission will meet with RECs and political parties next week to brief on INEC's readiness.The Commission will also meet accredited observers on the 19th to discuss the best practices for 2015 polls'' according to INEC.


The commision remarked on the on-going processes and preparations towards the elections that ''the Commission has conducted rigorous testing of card readers to test its functionality before Election Day.
Field testing of card readers will be done in different geopolitical zones ahead of 2015 polls''. Iyimoga stated.

On the issue of reported speculations over the removal of its Chairman before the rescheduled dates for the elections, Iyimoga said that the electoral body has no mandate to disclose the procedure of appointment or removal of its officials. ''It is an endorsement from the Nat. Assembly, the Commission is not in position to say when or how the Chairman will be removed from office''. said INEC Commisioner, Chris Iyimoga.

Written by Lashley Oladigbolu

Oladigbolu is the Acting President of Nigeria Union of Journalists Europe.

Chronic leadership failure, threat to good governance

Chronic leadership failure, threat to good governance -Ogunlana

A security expert, Oludare Ogunlana has said that insecurity arose as a result of chronic failure of leadership. This, he said, poses a threat to the sustenance of our democratic rule in Nigeria.

Ogunlana spoke at opening of the Western Zonal Districts' Conference of ICAN held at the Plaza De Haruna Hotel, Oyo.

He said that insecurity is a problem of bad governance which has become a major obstacle to growth in Nigeria

He posited that people continue to die as kidnapping has became a daily incident in the country, noting that there are no drugs in the hospitals; armed robbery is on the increase: poverty is not reducing.

Saying that no community is immuned to the effect of disasters, he argued that only leaders "who are imbued with a deep sense of mission to solve societal problems without creating additional problems are fit to govern other people, no matter what the geographical location may be.

Meanwhile, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi has promised his continuous support towards the progress of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.

The monarch who disclosed this while declaring open the conference advised that those who does not have financial knowledge should not be made to head financial offices.

Oba Adeyemi who revealed how he told Americans that Africa would have been more developed if left alone by the colonialists said "In the Old western region, we recorded many achievements. It was because good men were put in positions.

Documentary Video: Bola Tinubu Threatens Lawsuit !

- Bola Tinubu Threatens Lawsuit Against AIT

- plus FULL TRANSCRIPT of the video 

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has threatened to sue the owners of African Independent Television (AIT) for airing a documentary he deemed slanderous “in all respects”.

In a letter dated March 2, 2015, to the management of Daar Communications Limited, owners of AIT, Tinubu gave the organization 24 hours to apologize and retract the publication.

“We are surprised that your media house – and we hold you responsible for the documentary – lacks simple ability to know what is justifiable for publication or understand that freedom of expression does not include deliberate defamation of character,”  Tinubu said in the letter by his lawyer, Tunji Abayomi.

According to Premium Times, the hour-long documentary, aired on March 1 at 11 p.m., titled“Unmasking the Real Tinubu” showcased various properties and companies across Lagos state purportedly owned by the APC national leader, describing him as “Nigeria’s biggest landlord”.

The programme also claimed that Tinubu was“charged for narcotics” in 1993 in the United States.

Tinubu said that since he was not running for political office, he found the publication about his life“utterly absurd, disrespectful of media responsibility, ethically abusive, malicious and unbecoming of a public institution raised into prominence by shareholders’ funds”.

“More disturbing is your representation that the said documentary was ‘sponsored’ without disclosing the ‘sponsors’. You cannot under law, hide under media freedom or freedom of expression to maliciously injure a citizen’s reputation,”  Tinubu said.

Tinubu warned the TV station against a repeat broadcast of the documentary which he further described as “indefensibly false and malicious.”

“Also note that we are claiming damages of N20 billion from your Company/Media house for the expressly defamatory publication in issue. Failure of which, we will immediately initiate an action against you.”

It would be recalled that the Presidential Campaign Organisation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reportedly alleged that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, is plotting to become the President of Nigeria through what it called the “back door”.

      

Full real images and animated evidences were seen in the Documentary on Sunday.

Below is the content in a FULL TRANSCRIPT of the video Documentary:

"What The Newspapers Forgot To Publish About Gov. Fashola!

"Fashola claims he spent the sum of N1.5Billion of un-appropriated funds, without approval in demolishing and planting grass at Oshodi.

"No newspaper reported this.

"Between January and June 2009, Fashola's Chief of Staff and PAs spent N290 million in sending TEXT Messages and making phone CALLS on their lines.

"Of course, no newspaper reported this.

"P.S: Please, someone, kindly remind me – what did Stella Oduah do again? SMH.

"Now, permit me to introduce Dr. Tunji Olowolafe. He is the owner of DEUX PROJECT LIMITED. He is Bola Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola’s crony. He is also their biggest proxy. Most contracts that Fashola awards to himself are done using DEUX PROJECT LIMITED. For instance, between January and August 2009, 11 out of 19 contracts in the Lagos State Ministry of health were awarded to this company. Out of N5.6Billion contract in the Ministry of Health, Olowolafe alone collected N5.1Billion worth and was paid 70 percent upfront in cash.

"No newspaper or other news media reported this.

"For a State that earns averagely N360Billion, annually, from taxes, isn’t it befuddling that its state-own University, LASU, cannot boast of a hostel facility? Yet, Fashola had the temerity to increase school fees from N25k to N250K.

"No newspaper has ever written a report or editorial about this.

"Remember the Bank of Industry (BOI) building at Lagos Island that partially collapsed in March, 2006?

"On the 21st of September, 2008 the building was eventually demolished. Now guess how much Fashola spent to demolish it? A whooping N1.5Billion! Please, be reminded that this amount is just to demolish a building. Not to build one. Anyway, that isn’t the end of the story. The government of Lagos, a.k.a Fashola administration, later acquired the land (Layeni’s compound) adjacent to the demolished building in the “public interest”. He later resold it to his proxy Tunji Olowolafe.

"No newspaper has ever reported this.

"During the Bola Tinubu administration, he awarded the construction of City Hall for N2.3Billion. When Fashola later came on board, he increased the contract sum to N5.2Billion. This project was increased by 126%. The only input he eventually made to City Hall was to change the floor tiles to marble tiles.

"The news media conveniently missed this news item.

"The SSA (Media) to Fashola spends approximately N200million quarterly on press coverage and on news media editors. In other words, it is from this money that news media editors are paid to gag them from reporting anything unsavoury about Fashola or his administration. Note that this fund is outside the approved budget, but funded directly from the Governor's Office. Now, you know why no news media outlets broadcast or publish anything negative about Fashola and his administration. Also, propaganda against their political adversaries is fuelled by this largesse to the media authorities.

"Of course, this is not the sort of news that Sahara Reporters report about.

"The Critical Care unit at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, built and equipped with state funds, is now owned personally by Fashola’s god-father, BolaTinubu. He put one Dr. Sikiru Tinubu, (a supposed cousin of his) to run the outfit. It is run as a private unit and the proceeds are pocketed by the duo. The unit charges its users exorbitantly and most Lagosians can hardly afford to pay its high charges. Most of the revenue is derived from fees paid by the State Government for patients referred there by its General Hospitals.

"Oddly, this news item evaded all news media.

"Fashola’s god-father, Bola Tinubu, converted all the plots of land where Lagos Polytechnic was located at Ikosi, near the old toll gate. He chased away the Polytechnic in 2006 and went ahead to allocate the choice plots to himself. The headquarters of Television Continental (TVC) and Radio Continental, which is owned by him, is currently located there. He deprived the youths of Lagos of decent education because of his primitive desire to acquire every real estate that he can lay his hands on in Lagos.

"As to be expected,Television Continental (TVC) and Radio Continental did not report this.

"Lagos State generates an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of an average of N25Billion to N30Billion Monthly (At least, that is what they declare. It could be more). The company that is contracted to collect IGR is Alpha Beta Consultants (ABC). The company is owned by Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The company collects 10% commission of taxes collected in Lagos. This amounts to between N2.5Billion to N3Billion monthly. On what basis is this 10% commission when the same work can be done by the Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue?

"No newspaper has ever written a report or editorial about this.

"Fashola administration once spent N1Billion Naira on “bangers” and fireworks during the New Year Crossover Night. This is a state that its university - Lagos State University (LASU) - cannot boast of a hostel facility.

"No newspaper reported this.

"Between January and June 2009, now guess how much Fashola claimed to have used to fuel the fleet of vehicles attached to his office alone?

"Please, brace up for the figure.

"N135 million!

'This amounts to about N800, 000 per day. Interestingly, this was at a time that petrol was sold for N65 per litre, and we all know that government always gets it cheaper. But Fashola claimed to have bought it at N85 per litre.

"This particular revelation surfaced at a time when members of the Lagos State House of Assembly were looking for a reason to impeach him in 2010. These “Honourables”, led by the Speaker of the house - Adeyemi Ikuforiji, are loyal to Bola Tinubu. They were angry with Fashola for daring to suggest a downward review of the 10% that their god-father, Tinubu, earns from all collected taxes in Lagos. Thus, this revelation came to light. However, when the rift between Tinubu and his prodigal god-son, Fashola, was settled, the case was magically swept under the rug.

"Of course, this news never made the press.

"During the Bola Tinubu administration, the LASU IBA road was awarded for N6.2Billion. In less than two weeks when Fashola came on board, the amount was jerked up to N10 Billion. The reason for this reckless increase was never stated.

"No newspaper reported this.

"Fashola awarded the contract for the reconstruction of part of Western Avenue (Funsho Williams Road). The road is a two kilometers road (between Abalti Barracks and Costain). The project was carried out by Julius Berger. This 2 KM road costs a staggering N7.7 Billion. Mind you, the contract didn’t include the construction of any bridge.

"No newspaper reported this.

"The prime land of 157 hectares with 2.5km of Atlantic beachfront valued at about N10billion and stolen by Tinubu from the communities of Siriwon, Igbekodo, Apakin, etc in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and given to Mr. Ibukun Fakeye (his crony) to build a golf course and luxury villa with little or no compensation to the villagers. In addition, Tinubu paid $20million (N4billion) out of public treasury to Ibukun Fakeye to commence the project in late 2006. Fashola has since released additional funding for this project, which is not owned by the state government.

"TVC and Radio Continental will never report this.

"Fashola's wife travels abroad at least once in two months. Whenever she travels, she takes N30million per trip from the State coffers, apart from her monthly running cost.

"No newspaper would report this.

"What is the status of the Bus Assembly Company-a joint venture between the Lagos State Government and Marcopolo Bus Company of Brazil of which about N2Billion was paid to a foreign consultant and a Nigerian friend of Bola Tinubu in 2006? The objective of the project was to build a bus maintenance facility at the old LMTS yard at Cappa, Oshodi of which nothing has been done till date? Gov Fashola should update the public on this.

"No newspaper has reported this.

"Fashola awarded a contract to construct a road and drainage inside Gbagada General Hospital. Of course, the contract was awarded to his usual proxy, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe's company (DEUX Projects Limited). Now, guess the contract amount? Over N1.8 billion!

"No newspaper editorial was ever written about this.

"The Fashola administration boasts of restoring safety and security to Lagos State. However, what is their justification for the Fashola administration, within 6 months (January to June 2009) spending N420million on hiring private security to guard him despite his heavy investment in the Police Force through the State Security Trust Fund.

"No newspaper would report this.

"Over 70% of Lagos State Government contracts are concentrated in the hands of his proxy - Dr. Tunji Olowolafe. However, this is the clearest indication of the betrayal of trust by Governor Fashola. This is against the Oath of Office he swore to. It is a violation of Sections 14(4), 15(5) and 17(2a) of the 1999 Constitution on which social objective of a just, free and equitable social order is founded.

"No newspaper would report this.

"Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, is a road of about 1KM. The contract for the supply of dissel for the generators that power the street lights was awarded to a Bale (community ruler). The Bale is a very close ally of Fashola and Bola Tinubu. The Bale is paid N16m monthly.

"No newspaper reported this.

"In a State where pipe-borne water is almost non-existent, Fashola spent over N13Billion on planting grass and flowers in just a few places that constitute less than 1% of Lagos land mass. According to them, most of the money was spent in importing palm trees from Niger Republic, a sahel region belt, when Lagos is in the rain forest. This explains why most of the trees have dried up.

"The news media conveniently didn’t get a hint of this news item.

"The INDICATOR magazine, a magazine that focuses on the activities of the Lagos State government, is falsely passed off to the public as a private magazine. It is not. It is actually co-ordinated and published by Tunji Olowolafe and Hakeem Bello, SSA (Media) to BRF with government money.

"Of course, no newspaper would report this.

"Fashola’s god-father, Bola Tinubu, while he was the governor, allocated to himself the former Strabag yard that is located beside the Lagos State Secretariat at Alausa, Ikeja. The land has now been developed to bear one of his investments – The Ikeja Shopping Mall (Ikeja Shoprite).

"No newspaper would report this.

"In six months (between January and June 2009) Fashola spent money on several faceless organizations in the form of subventions, grants and donations, A total of N2 billion was given out in the process.

"No newspaper would report this.

"The 14-hectare Parkview Ikoyi Estate foreshore land reclaimed by Lagos State Government is now owned by Bola Tinubu.

"No newspaper has reported this.

"The contract for the installation of CCTVs on the street of Lagos was awarded to one of Fashola’s relatives. The relative claimed to be acting for CISCO. The contract was awarded for $62 million dollars, while the rejected quotation for the contract was $30 million. It is important to note that this was only a pilot scheme.

"No newspaper reported this.

"Prince Dipo Eludoyin is a personal friend and proxy for ex-Gov Tinubu and Gov. Fashola. They had arrangements with him (Eludoyin) for some prime lands in Lagos to be sold to him. These lands were eventually sold to him at ridiculously low prices. Some of the lands include: : The 3.8-hectare of land of Lagos State Fisheries office in VI (beside the Institute of Oceanography), the fishery landing jetty at Badore (where the Ilubirin fishermen were to be relocated); the entire Ogudu foreshore scheme initially earmarked for a low-cost housing scheme; the Ilubinrin housing estate (which used to house Lagos state civil servants and judges up till 2007); the former Julius Berger yard at Oko Orisan, Epe.

"No newspaper would report this.

"The entire maintenance contract and management of hospital equipment at the LASUTH was solely concessioned to Olowolafe’s company by the Tinubu administration at an annual payment of N850m paid upfront. The Fashola’s government retains this arrangement

"No newspaper would report this.

"Billions of naira have been paid not once, not twice for the development of Oyingbo market for which no appreciable level of work has been done? Oyingbo market is still in the same state that it has always been. The evidence is there for the public to see.

"No newspaper would report this.

"Fashola lambasts the federal government, consistently, for its failure to provide steady power supply.

"No newspaper editorial has ever been written to ask him why he has failed, in 8 years, to provide Lagosians with pipe-borne water.

"In a State where children are sitting on the floor in classrooms, where unemployment is rampant and poverty pervasive, Fashola paid the wife of a controversial pastor over N600 million, in two years, for Xmas Decorations for about six streets in Lagos.

"No newspaper reported this.

"A 250-hectare of land valued at about N35billion and strategically located adjacent to the Ajah-Badore junction on Lekki-Epe road. It was original earmarked to build a general hospital to serve the people of Eti-Osa. However, it was stolen by Tinubu and handed over to Trojan Estate Ltd – a company owned by Deji and Wale Tinubu. Today, that property has been developed to become what is today known as the Royal Garden Housing Estate. All these at the expense of the taxpayers of Lagos.

"No news media ever reported this.

"Bola Tinubu appropriated to himself a choice public property situated along the Lekki-Epe expressway. It was on this land that he built and part-owns the multi-billion Naira “Oriental Hotels” at the "Admiralty Circle" Maroko.

"Media houses conveniently turned a blind eye to this news item.

"In 2005-2006, the Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, USA donated a set of medical equipment to the Lagos State government free-of-charge. This was when Bola Tinubu was still the governor of Lagos State. Yet, records showed that a company belonging to Tunji Olowolafe was paid for it by way of Letters of Credit for the same equipment. The payment was made during Fashola’s administration.

"No newspaper editorial was written about this.

"Mrs. Animashahun heads the Lagos State Building Control Agency. She is a relative of the governor. Also, one Dr. Mrs. Adesina who calls the shots as the Special Adviser to the Governor is equally a relative of the Governor. One Ms. Azeez, a sister to the closest friend of the Governor, Demola Azeez, heads the EKO Project and directly reports to him. There is hardly any Agency in the State today that the Fashola family or Animashaun Family does not prominently feature. This is aside from the in-laws and many relatives of the Governor who returned from the United Kingdom to populate most Lagos State agencies.

"No newspaper would report this.

"In 2009, Fashola claimed to have bought two helicopters for an unbelievable N5Billion. It was purchased without a transparent bidding process. They also claimed that the helicopter was built for emergency evacuation, rescue or to even combat urban fire. This was a blatant lie. The helicopters were of generic design. Before public attention was brought to this grand heist by the Fashola administration, the seal of Lagos State was not on it. It wasn’t even in Lagos, but in the Niger-Delta making money for some private people in government. The fraudulent purported acquisition of 2 Bell 412 EP Series Helicopters from a Canadian firm constitute a flagrant violation of Section 123(1) and (2) and Section 120(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

"Only ThisDay Newspaper reported this (See ThisDay December 19, 2009). However, the consequence of daring to report this, is the reason why the beautiful and imposing “ThisDay Dome”, an exquisite event place, situated along the Lekki Epe Expressway, Lekki, is no more there. Emperor Fashola literarily harassed them out of the state.

"The Mayegun Scheme was sold to Olowolafe and other friends and cronies of Fashola against public interest without any independent valuation by relevant agency of government? Why is the size of the scheme shielded in secrecy? Why was N5.2 billion for which the land was sold untraceable? Where is the over N2 billion loan borrowed to sand-fill the place? What is the fate of the Tourism and Art-craft sellers chased away from the place?

No newspaper reported this."

 End of speech.

This is the Documentary Video obtained online. Click to Watch it HERE