Tuesday, June 30, 2009

BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS

SHOW OF SHAME: HOW GOV GBENGA DANIEL FORCED ME TO TAKE BLOOD OATH, BY LEGISLATOR

Embattled Ogun State lawmaker, Wale Alausa, who is enmeshed in blood oath-taking, yesterday confirmed that the photographs exclusively published by the Nigerian Compass yesterday were truly his.

Apparently to save his face, Alausa, who represents Ijebu-Ode State Constituency in the House of Assembly, claimed that he was forced to take the oath to enable him secure a ticket into the legislature, ahead of the 2007 elections.

Alausa told PM News, a Lagos-based evening tabloid: “The photographs on the front page of Compass today are truly mine but the story was fabricated. I was forced to take the photographs in Governor Daniel’s Sagamu home in 2007 when he forcefully implemented the oath on me in order to get me a ticket to the House of Assembly. And that is what he has done to everybody.

“Let him come out and deny, if he did not compel my father, Chief Agboola Alausa, to persuade me to take the oath. I rest my case for now. But the struggle continues.”

But in a swift reaction, the immediate past Speaker, Mrs. Titi Sodunke-Oseni, denied the claim.

She said Alausa lied to save his face in the embarrassment he found himself, as at no time did the governor force any of the lawmakers to swear on oath to seek re-election or get tickets to the House.

The former Speaker said: “He (Alausa) is lying, that is not true. Governor Daniel never forced any of us to take oath to secure our second term or to get ticket into the House; that cannot be correct. There was no oath at all, and if there was by Governor Daniel, why are some of them who claimed to take the oath be opposing the governor?

“And if they want to take such an oath, will they ask all of us to remove our clothes? For what? Let him (Alausa) bring the photographs of others, including mine, who swore on oath to justify his claim. Do you think I will remove my clothes to take an oath? I repeat, it is not true.

“I am not saying this because some people will say I am close to the governor, but that is the truth. Let him bring my own picture where I was naked, swearing to an oath.”

Also in his reaction, the former Deputy Speaker, Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, said that Alausa’s claim was nothing but a blatant lie.

His words: “We did not do that. He (Daniel) did not ask us to take an oath for our second term or anybody at all. The second term or election in the Assembly is our local government thing and if we took an oath forced on us by the governor, like Alausa claimed, how come they are fighting the governor then?

“I am shocked and I am still in shock and that is all I can say for now. I don’t want to pass any further comment.”

Asked if the oath has been responsible for the G15 lawmakers’ recalcitrance, the former deputy speaker said: “I don’t know and it may be so because we tried all channels to make peace, to make them see reason, but they refused all necessary machinery, including religious leaders, traditional rulers, elders in the state and our party machinery at the national level.

“I don’t know whether what we saw in the newspaper is the cause of their recalcitrant posture, but when I see my colleagues, I will ask them.”

Yesterday, the political camp of the G15 lawmakers was thrown into disarray.

A source said the embattled members of the group and some of their sponsors were shocked as to how such pictures found their way to the media.

They embarked on frantic efforts to stave off the opprobrium generated by the scandalous report, including holding what a source described as a “strategic meeting.”

“We are holding a strategic meeting now,” a source close to one of the lawmakers said yesterday, adding that they would come out with a formal position on the matter soon.

The report further confirmed the allegations in some quarters that the G15 lawmakers had refused to rescind their opposition to the Daniel administration due to the clandestine agreement reached among themselves.

The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Council, Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Ayodeji Otegbola, categorically made a statement last week to the effect that the 15 lawmakers, led by Speaker Tunji Egbetokun, obstinately refused to retrace their steps despite several interventions of prominent citizens of the state because of the “clandestine agreement” binding them together for such a purpose.

“As the Chairman of the Elders Forum, in my capacity, I have called them (the two lawmakers from Ado-Odo and Ota constituencies) on three occasions but with their behaviour, I believe that there is something inside them that will never ever make any of those 15 to change their minds, even if they want to because of all the clandestine agreement amongst themselves, on the point of death that they cannot change,” he said.

The outcome of the G15 meeting yesterday was not immediately known as at the time of filing this report, but the PDP leadership in Ijebu- Ode Local Government also convened a meeting to address the situation.

This came as condemnations continued to trail the revelations that the anti-Daniel lawmakers’ opposition was triggered solely by fetish agenda and not any altruistic motive.

Those who reacted included the Chairman, PDP Elders Council, Ogun East Senatorial District, Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi; the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Mr. John Obafemi; the Chairman, Ifo Local Government, Mr. Sikirulai Ogundele and the Chairman, PDP, Ijebu-Ode Local Government chapter, Mr. Rasaq Arowolo.

Arowolo described the incident as a serious slap on the face of people of Ijebu-Ode, who Alausa represents in the Assembly.

“In fact, there is panic everywhere in Ijebu-Ode. Many people are shocked to discover that their representative in the House of Assembly could go to this devilish extent in fighting the governor,” he stated.

Arowolo disclosed that an extended executive meeting of the party had been called to give the lawmaker and his colleagues 24 hours ultimatum to resign.

The party boss said if Alausa failed to resign, the PDP in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area may be compelled to initiate his recall.

Ogunjobi described the action as shameful and barbaric.

“It’s worse than Okija shrine. It’s a show of shame, unbecoming of a state legislator. Barbaric, primitive, uncivilised, to say the least. That publication has served a very useful purpose, not only for the society within Ogun State, but to Nigeria as a whole. It will serve as a deterrent for those who engage in diabolical and nefarious activities and serve as a deterrent to retrogressive people,” he noted.

Ogunjobi asked the G15 legislators to bury their heads in shame.

“Otherwise, how can a supposedly educated group of people subject themselves to this unmitigated, everlasting disgrace and degradation for a pot of porridge?” he asked.

Ogunjobi advised the lawmaker’s father to resign from active politics and “disown” him “to serve as an atonement.”

“Nkan to n tiyan loju ju ole loo wa (There exists many things more disgraceful than stealing),” the PDP leader said in Yoruba, adding that Alausa had, as a result of the scandal, “brought odium to his entire family.”

Ogunjobi also advised the G15 lawmakers to apologise to Daniel and “show remorse and penitence” for their actions against the state government.

He, however, enjoined the people of the state to expect more stunning revelations concerning the embattled lawmakers and their sponsors, saying “this is just a tip of the iceberg. I’m sure more revelations are going to be made.”

Obafemi described the revelation as a big shame for the lawmaker and his family.

Obafemi, who doubles as the Chairman, Remo North Local Government, wondered why people elected to make laws for the state engaged in fetish and diabolical activities to disturb the progress of the entire state.

“It is very dangerous and bad for legislators that are supposed to be making laws for the state to engage in fetish, backward and crude things. I don’t know why some people don’t have a sense of shame,” he stated.

The chairman lambasted the lawmakers for constituting themselves into a clog in the wheel of progress of the state.

He, however, praised members of the G11 in the House for being steadfast on the side of truth, saying so far, they had conducted themselves “in a decent and progressive manner.”

Obafemi urged the Nigerian Compass not to relent in exposing people with devilish and selfish agenda against the state, saying such was imperative “so that we can sieve the wheat from the chaff.”

Ogundele, a two-term lawmaker, said he was not disappointed by the scandal.

The Ifo council chairman, who was embroiled in series of altercations with Alausa, among other members of G15 last Thursday at the meeting of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said he only went to buttress his belief that the crisis in the House of Assembly and by extension, Ogun State, had diabolical undertone.

“I am not disappointed. That was why I said they needed to be taken to Aro (Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Abeokuta) for medical check-up. From their attitude towards their responsibilities, we must have known that there is something spiritual and diabolical attached to their opposition to the governor. What we have in Ogun State is not an ordinary crisis. This has shown the height of spiritual involvement. But one wouldn’t have expected them to go to this extreme,” he stated.

The council boss further explained that the lawmaker’s father, Alhaji Alausa, had severally appealed to his son not to join those opposed to the governor among the lawmakers, adding that it was obvious that the blood oath was what actually prevented the lawmaker from listening to the warning.

“Chief Agboola Alausa prostrated for his son not to engage in this kind of fight against the governor. Traditional rulers have appealed to them, prominent people have also appealed to them. But it is now clear to everybody why they have stuck to their guns,” Ogundele said.

A member of G15, Leye Odunjo, refused to comment when asked for his reaction yesterday.

He said: “I don’t want to talk to anybody from Nigerian Compass. If you like, you can write anything you want, it can’t do us anything.”

When pressed to give the group’s side to clear the air, Odunjo said: “Femi (our correspondent), you are my friend, but now, I won’t talk.”

In a reply to a text message sent to him by our correspondent yesterday, Egbetokun said: “Sorry, I don’t know you.”

The Nigerian Compass story has pooh-poohed yesterday’s submission of former Chief Press Secretary to Daniel, Mr. Wale Adedayo’s verdict on Naija politics, an online newswire.

Adedayo had said: “There are two photographs, placed side by side (left & right) with one being a shade darker than the other. A manipulation and swapping of bodies happened in both photos. The implication is that Hon. Wale Alausa’s head may have been carefully super-imposed on another body/bodies.”

The former Ogun State PDP Director of Organisation added: “Oath-taking, from the experience I have, is usually done in just ONE place. The two photos revealed a room and a separate open expanse of land. The one in Sagamu is done in the midst of decomposing dead bodies and dry human skeletons. There is simply no room for photographs. Secondly, oath-taking is like Awo (cult) in the traditional Yoruba sense of the word. You do not pose for photographs while doing it or after. It is just not allowed.”

culled from The Nigerian Compass Newspaper.

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

ABOUT US

WELCOME TO NAIJAKHMER!
The Blog of the Nigerian community in Cambodia


This blog is the official blog of the Nigerian community in Cambodia and it aims at creating a virtual space for Nigerians, Africans and African Americans at large who are living and working in Cambodia, while providing an opportunity for cultural exchange with Cambodian people and people from other parts of the world.

Several updates will continually be made on the site, including the "Naijakhmer Country Guide" (that you can access by clicking Directories in the menu bar), with basic info about Nigeria, all African countries, embassy information in Cambodia etc. Cambodian embassies in those countries will be available soon. If you are from Nigeria and other African countries and there is any discrepancy with the information we have provided, please let us know by sending an email to Nigeriancommunity_cambodia@yahoo.com.This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Other hot sections of the website includes "Afromusic", where direct links to leading African music and talk radios are provided, "Hot Links" where we have listed websites for expatriates in Cambodia, African websites in Asia and around the World etc.

A new African Hair and Beauty store has just been opened on street 488 and Naijakhmer souvenirs (T-shirts, caps etc.) and other African gifts are offered for sale to visitors. You can drop by to make your hair look great.

DO IT ALL BAR is the all African bar where the africans, westerners and other go to have a feel of Africa in Cambodia. The bar has just relocated to a new place off Walkabout bar. It serves exclusive drinks and African food. Try it and you will have a taste of Africa.

WONDER HARVEST CHURCH INTERNATIONAL is an African church in Cambodia. . located on No: 455 E, St 271, Sangkat Phsa Deum Tkov, Khan Chamkarmorn, Phnom Penh Cambodia.

EVANGELIST PRINCE OSANG JOSHUA and other men of God brings the gospel closer to you the African way. Church Activities includes Thursdays, Prayer meeting, from 7pm to 830pm and Sunday Service: 9:30am to 1pm.



You can also attend daily church programs and every first Friday of the month is the all night prayer....... be there and you will be blessed.

Similarly CHRIST EMBASSY a renowned Christian church worldwide has also been opened with a PASTOR PRINCE LEWEE LAHBEN, PASTOR DANIEL and other men of God feeding both Cambodians and African worshipers with the word of God. The church is located on Street 338 Number 44eo, Sangkat Tousvay Prey !, Khan Chamkarmorn Phnom Penh.

We are still working on bringing new features to the website and we welcome your comments and suggestions in order to make it better. Send us an email if you want to be part of the project and join our team.

The most active part of the website though is the forum, there are currently almost two hundreds registered members and many other unregistered visitors.
To visit other popular sites for news please click on the recommended sites

Thank you for your continuous support and we believe that together we will make Naijakhmer.org the reference for the Nigerian and entire African community in Cambodia. You can also visit our official website www.naijakhmer.org for more informations.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

New E-Passport Available

NEW BIOMETRIC PASSPORT

Essential Information

The New Nigerian E-passport is now available in Malaysia consulate. For Nigerians living in Cambodia, we are expected to process our application through our embassy in Manila Phillipines.


For all those who require the new passport, please read the following and then contact the Nigerian community Association Executives for Assistance.


Call 011391863, 099544690, 011793482


Your Biometric Passport

A new biometric passport also known as the e-passport has been introduced.

We are introducing this new style of passport to help fight fraud and forgery. Your personal details and photo are printed on the front cover. The back of that page also holds an electronic chip and an antenna.

Please make sure your personal details are correct. It is your responsibility to make sure they are right. if there is a mistake, please call any Passport Office immediately and tell them what is wrong.

HOW TO OBTAIN THE E-PASSPORT

Applicant visits the NIS Website www.immigration.gov.ng completes passport application form, make payment online and get an appointment online.

Applicant reports to the Passport Office of his choice on the appointed date with receipt of payment and complete application form.

In addition to completing the guarantor’s form which must be sworn to before a Commissioner of Oath, the guarantor must submit the following:

§ Two passport size photographs duly endorsed at the back

§ Any two of the under mentioned documents:

§ Copy of data-page of guarantor’s Passport

§ Copy of National Identity Card of the Guarantor

§ Copy of the driver’s license of the Guarantor

§ Applicant’s document is the presented at the Passport Office for processing

§ Collection of passport is strictly by applicant.

Your passport is a valuable document. Keep it safe at all times and make sure it does not get lost, stolen or damaged.

PASSPORT FORMAT

Your passport meets standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The personal details on front cover page have two parts. The upper part is for visual inspection. The lower par has a machine-readable zone two lines of print, including chevrons (‘<’s) that can be read by automated passport readers. All the information in this machine-readable zone can also be read by you. The back cover contains an electronic chip and its antenna. The chip stores a copy of your photo, fingerprint and the personal details printed on the front cover page.

OTHER FEATURES

The pages of the e-passport showcase landmarks of our nation, our symbol of democracy and our rich cultural heritage.

The chip and antenna are sensitive electronic devices. Please protect your passport and the chip from damage. Your biometric passport must not be bent, torn or damaged in any way, or exposed to very high or very low temperatures, excess moisture, magnetic fields or microwaves.

DO NOT STAPLE ANY DOCUMENT OR YOUR OLD PASSPORT ON EITHER THE FRONT OR THE BACK COVER PAGE AS THIS MAY DAMAGE THE COMPONENTS OF THE E-PASSPORT.

FIGHTING FRAUD AND FORGERY

The new passport will help fight fraud and forgery in several ways. Inside the passport, there are many new security features, including intricate designs, complex watermarks, specialized fibers (which sometimes appear over the photo) and an electronic chip secured by advanced digital encryption techniques. Your passport photo meets strict standard to facilitate the use of facial biometric at international borders.

IF YOUR PASSPORT IS DAMAGED

This passport is designed to cope with normal wear and tear. It is delivered to you in good working order. You must protect it from damage.

If your passport or the chip in it gets damaged, it may prevent you from traveling and you may need to get a replacement passport. Please contact any of our Passport Offices if you need help. Passport fees will apply.

IF YOUR PASSPORT IS LOST OR STOLEN

Report loss or theft immediately to any of our Passport Offices nationwide or if you are abroad, the nearest Nigerian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. All cases of theft must additionally be reported to the local Police and the crime reference details must be attached to your report.

Reporting lost/stolen passport is necessary to help prevent fraudulent use. The passport information may be shared with appropriate authorities who can assist in locating and recovering the missing passport. Once your passport is recovered, it must not be used again, if found or returned to you, it must be returned to the NIS. For further information on reporting, visit our website www.immigration.gov.ng

RETURNING A LOST PASSPORT

Any found/recovered passport or a passport of a deceased person should be submitted for cancellation to the NIS, the Nigerian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. For further information on reporting, visit our website www.immigration.gov.ng

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE YOUR PERSONAL DETAILS

Your passport belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria and you cannot use it as security for a debt.

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid and check the entry rules and visa requirements of the country you are going to visit. You can find out about a country’s entry requirement by contacting its embassy or your travel agent. Make sure the name on your passport is the same as that shown on your travel documents.

In some countries, you need to keep your passport with you at all times as evidence of your identity and nationality. Occasionally, a foreign authority or organization may need to keep hold of your passport for a short time to comply with local laws. If you have any difficulty getting your passport back, report this immediately to the nearest Nigerian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.

CONSULAR HELP ABROAD

If you get into difficulties abroad, you may need to contact the nearest Nigerian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission. However, in some circumstances, tour operators, travel agents, tourist offices, insurance companies, banks, or the local police may be better able to help.

RENEWING YOUR PASSPORT

If you live in Nigeria, apply to us. It is best to apply early and allow 48 hrs for your new passport to come through.

If you live abroad, you should make your application to your nearest Nigerian Embassy, Consulate or High Commission.

CHILDREN/MARRIED PERSON

Children can no longer be endorsed on a parent’s passport. Children must hold a passport of their own. Before you travel check the entry rules and visa requirements of the country you are going to visit.

A change of married status will require acquiring a new passport as new information cannot be added to the chip once produced.

PASSPORT FEES

THE COST OF THE NIGERIAN PASSPORT IS AS FOLLOWS:

§ Standard Passport N8750

§ Official Passport N4500

§ Diplomatic Passport Free

For advice on the current passport fees, you can visit www.immigration.gov.ng

REMEMBER

§ Check that your personal details on front cover of the Passport are correct.

§ Read the notes page (page 2 and 3) in your passport.

§ Do not staple anything on your passport.

§ Keep a separate note of your passport number and issue date

§ You must protect and look after your passport.

§ Always apply early for your passport

§ Report it if your passport is lost or stolen.

Official Passport Standard Passport Diplomatic Passport