ONDO, APC AND THE REST OF US

By :::  Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

In Ondo we must close ranks to achieve victory. The future of the state and of the party in the state should never be held ransom to insignificant personal animosities and perceived slights. We all must focus on what is more precious than our personal ambitions and more durable than our individual wishes.

After years of misgovernance and suppression of their state’s immense potentials, the people of Ondo have a chance to break these shackles and to move themselves toward the progress, justice and prosperity, which is their due.

May Ondo not miss this opportunity to place itself on the correct path. For this to happen, governance of the state must must move from the mean and awful hand that now holds it and come into the hands of those who want to govern the state in a good way and who want to serve the people, not those who would rather have the people serve them. For this great change to take place, governance must move from where it now is held captive and into the hands of the APC.

However, we cannot accomplish this great deed through petty bickering or by allowing our opponents to sow discord among us. Our mission is too important and too humane to allow ourselves to be divided or sidetracked. We must remember what is truly at stake. Ondo will either renew the way of progress or it will continue to be oppressed. The APC is the way of progress. Thus, let us make this progress hand in hand, united in our belief that we can make Ondo better.

The APC must win the coming election and restore democracy and the virtues of public service to the seat of governance in the state. This is what the people desire and deserve. They have waited patiently. Now is the time to answer their call. This is our duty as a party and as people who care about our fellow men.

The APC must go into the governorship as united in focus and purpose. All else is secondary to this objective. The journey to reestablishing governance for the people and for posterity begins with the primaries this Saturday.

Party members have the right to speak their mind. They can levy criticism where they believe it is warranted, yet also give commendation where it is due. They can comment on the quality of the process, as well as endorse or oppose any candidate as they see fit.

The process leading up to the primaries has been robust and energetic. We have the good fortune of having numerous renown and able party members seeking the nomination. This has lead to keen competition. During such tight competition, tensions always mount and often-harsh things are said to each other. But this back and forth, this committed dialogue, is an integral part of the democratic process. And it is this process that we have enshrined and shall cherish in this party.

Party members have the right to speak their mind. They can levy criticism where they believe it is warranted, yet also give commendation where it is due. They can comment on the quality of the process, as well as endorse or oppose any candidate as they see fit. This process may not be neat and tidy because it was not choreographed or scripted in advance. What is important is that it is fair to all who come into it. All those who have entered the contested primaries have a chance to win.

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In the end, as with any political contest, only one person will be chosen. Yet, that process would have been fair and open, all party members would have won. Democracy would have won, and most importantly the people of Ondo will stand to win in the general election.

These primaries will be enriched by the participation of all. At the end of a fair and transparent process, our champion in the state will be selected from among this excellent field. I take great solace in the fact that no matter which of the contestants win the primary I know that any one of them is a better and more qualified candidate than any put forward by the party that would soon to be ousted because of its poor stewardship of Ondo.

No matter who that person shall be, it will be incumbent on us as a party and as individuals who want better for the people of Ondo to put aside our minor differences in order to rally around the candidate. Brothers and friends squabble and argue. That is human nature, but in the face of opposition that is determined to do injustice, brothers and friends reunite for a common cause. This, the APC in Ondo must do.

Your walk toward destiny takes a momentous step with a successful primary. After that, all of the party, including its leaders will join the campaign trail in full support and commitment to the candidate you select that we may achieve victory over a spent and undesirable PDP.

You all know what is at stake. You all know what your conscience is telling you. There can be no excuses or failure this time.

In Ondo we must close ranks to achieve victory. The future of the state and of the party in the state should never be held ransom to insignificant personal animosities and perceived slights. We all must focus on what is more precious than our personal ambitions and more durable than our individual wishes. We must dedicate ourselves to uplifting this state and the lives of the people of this state and nation. All is minor and a distraction in comparison to this sound goal.

Victory is within your grasp. Don’t let it fall away because you were deceived into reaching for something less valuable and more base.

The key to the victory resides in how well you conduct yourselves after the primary. Joined in unified and fraternal purpose, there is no gathering or alignment of forces in the state that can best you. You must choose the history you seek. This cannot and will not be done in Abuja or anywhere else for that matter.

Your walk toward destiny takes a momentous step with a successful primary. After that, all of the party, including its leaders will join the campaign trail in full support and commitment to the candidate you select that we may achieve victory over a spent and undesirable PDP.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu is National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

WhatsApp Wants To Share Your Data With Facebook For Ad Targeting. Here’s What To Do About It

We all knew this day was coming. When WhatsApp (positioned itself as a threat to, and as a result) got itself acquired by Facebook for $19 billion in 2014, many people wondered about privacy (ESPECIALLY since this particular deep-pocketed buyer makes its bread and butter by data mining and delivering targeted adverts to its users).

WhatsApp founder/CEO, Jan Koum tried to calm the storm by responding to everyone in a blogpost titled “Setting the record straight”, saying things like “our future partnership with Facebook will not compromise the vision that brought us to this point”, and “Respect for your privacy is coded into our DNAAAHHVWE FKHVKD FADF GHUSHFDS…

*sprays copious amounts of WhatsApp deodorant*

*fast forwards tape*

Now, they’ve announced a change in their privacy policy that allows them to start sharing their users’ data with Big Brother over there. It doesn’t help that they are being a little vague about what exactly they will be sharing, throwing around phrases like…”analytics data”, which could mean anything they need it to mean per time.

But there’s hope (you can stop imagining a dystopia where Facebook is the all seeing eye or whatever else you read on Vigilant Citizen). If you haven’t already agreed to the updated terms and conditions (because Android apps, unlike their OS, like to update themselves every 5 seconds), you can uncheck the box that says *Share my WhatsApp information with Facebook to improve…* when your app gets updated.

If you already did the deed, you can go to settings over the next 30 (actually, 29) days, do a Settings > Account > Share my account info and uncheck the pertinent boxes. After those 30 days, you are OYO.

One more thing. Please copy and paste this blurb and send it as a WhatsApp broadcast to all your contacts and STOP sending me messages about APC = All Promises Cancelled, and Nigerians taking part in Eba eating Olympics, and Northern Muslims being terrorists. JUST STOP, OKAY ?

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg Is In Nigeria Right Now

We’ve just confirmed that Mark Zuckerberg is at the CoCreation Hub, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria at this very moment. Apparently, he arrived this afternoon and is meeting witha few key players in the Nigerian tech ecosystem.

Mark was in Rome with his wife, Priscilla, until a few hours ago (according to his Facebook page). He held a Q&A session, visited the Pope and did a few “touristy” things. This visit to Nigeria wasn’t announced so you’ll permit if I go off into speculation.

There’s been a lot of Facebook-related development in Nigeria so there’s a ton of reasons why Mark may be visiting. First, Free Basics launched in Nigeria and Markshowed his support for the Jobberman team. Then the Chan-Zuckerberg Initiativeinvested $24 million in Andela. Facebook’s developer workshop is happening tomorrow, and yesterday, we reported that Facebook is partnering with Cool Link to launch Express Wifi in Lagos some time this week.

I reckon Mark is in Nigeria to kill all these birds – visit Jobberman, the Andela team he’s invested in, attend the developer workshop, launch Express Wifi AND have policy-centred conversations with the Nigerian government to further Facebook’s cause.

You’ll know more when we know more.

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BREAKING: Samson Siasia Resigns As Coach Of Nigeria Football Team Despite Olympic Medal

Samson Siasia, who coached Nigeria’s men’s football team to a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics, is quitting the game in Nigeria because of what he describes as “a disrespectful system”.

Siasia, the most decorated African football coach at the Olympics having also won a silver medal in Beijing in 2008, claims to have gone unpaid for five months by his employers – the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

He says he has quit football in Nigeria after “a turbulent and incredible campaign in Brazil.”

“I have reached that point where I have to say I have had enough,” Siasia, whose contract expires at the end of the Olympics, told BBC Sport.

“I’ve gone several months without getting paid, years of being derided and disrespected by the sports authorities in Nigeria but I am done already.

“It’s sad that after all we went through to get to Brazil and end up winning a bronze medal, the players, coaching and backroom staff never received a ‘thank you’ in appreciation despite a turbulent time at the Olympics” Sisasia added.

FG Approves Lagos’ Ownership Of 4 Oil Wells, Disproves 1 Other

The Federal Government on Wednesday says four of the five oil wells discovered in Lagos truly belongs to the state but disproves the state’s ownership of one other oil well.

The FG said the disproved oil well fell beyond 200 metres isobaths and did not legitimately belong to Lagos State.

A delegation of the Indices and Disbursement Committee, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed visited Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday at the State House, Ikeja, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria for the purpose of verifying crude oil and gas production from Aje Oil wells for the purpose of disbursement of 13%
derivation fund to the state in line with the constitution of Nigeria.
According to Mohammed, as part of procedure and in pursuant to its constitutional mandate, the commission set up an Inter-Agency Technical Committee which comprised the commission, the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation and the National Boundary Commission to determine the location of the Aje oil wells.

“The technical committee recommended that for the purpose of derivation as spelt out under Section 162 (2) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) as well as the provision of the Allocation of Revenue Act 2004, Aje oil wells 1, 2, 4 and 5 fall within the 200m isobaths and therefore should be attributed to Lagos State.
“As a result, the commission and members of the Inter-Agency Committee had to embark on this working visit to conclude the process. Please, note that Aje 3 oil well falls beyond the 200m isobaths and therefore cannot be legitimately attributed to Lagos State,” he stated.

He added that the commencement of oil production from Aje oil field by Yinka Folawiyo Petroleum Company Limited was the first time oil was being produced outside the Niger Delta basin and therefore of a major significance in diversifying the source of crude oil and gas production in the country.

Speaking, Ambode described the visit as historic and one that would go down in the annals of the history of Lagos State, as the visit was the official step that would take Lagos to that final destination as an oil-producing state.

“We are very glad to receive this delegation. We also want to thank the Federal Government, most especially President Muhammadu Buhari for making this to happen very promptly. I want to say that this has been the promptest action that has been taken by RMAFC since I have known the Commission. I used to be a former Account General so I had a lot of transactions and relationship with the institution called RMAFC. Within a span of about 60 days of when we wrote our letter, and even before we wrote the letter, this technical committee was actually set up. It gladdens me to say that the institution works and is working for the good of Nigeria,” he said.

Also thanking the DPR and the boundary commission, Ambode said it was significant that the discovery of oil wells in Lagos was going to be the first time oil would be produced outside the Niger Delta.

“It’s significant for Nigeria, its significant for Lagos, it means that the whole path to diversification is what we are now witnessing. We would also encourage other states in terms of other mineral resources, not necessarily depend on crude oil; whatever it is that can actually allow states to start activating their mineral deposits, it would allow us expand the Internally Generated Revenue

.“It would also give us revenue dependence in a manner that there would be equal growth from all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. One is happy that RMAFC has taken this step and also to say that they should also encourage other states to engage in such activities that would allow them to be able to activate whatever mineral deposit that we have in the various states in conjunction with the Federal Government, so that we can start to diversify revenue and growth and then create a balanced growth and development for the whole country,” he added.

ALI - MODU SHERIFF BOMBED NYESON WIKE

"When I was Governor of Borno state, Mr Wike was busy carrying papers for Amaechi. He is an amateur when it comes to national politics. Money will get you judgement but truth will abort two conventions . That is how powerful I can be........"  Ali-Modu Sheriff on AIT

HOT & FRESH ::: Justice Abang asks PDP to suspend National Convention

Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja has asked the Peoples Democratic Party to suspend its National Convention fixed for Wednesday.
The National Convention is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Abang gave the ruling for the suspension of the convention in the suit filed to determine who is the authentic National Chairman of the party between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The lawyers of the two parties to the suit had earlier in the day engaged in a fierce face-off on the issue.
Abang had in an earlier judgement sacked Makarfi as the National Chairman of the party.
But Makarfi swiftly filed an appeal to quash the ruling.
The Makarfi faction is organising the convention in Port Harcourt, which Sheriff, who has been told by the highest organs of the party that they do not recognize his leadership.
This was after series of meetings to pacify him failed.
More details on this news Blog soon.

We were forced To Create The HIV Virus As a Secret Weapon To Wipe Out The African Race. Dr. Robert Gallo finally speaks

A site run by a friendly and reasonably honest woman I know recently reposted a text titled “The Man Who Created AIDS: Robert Gallo.” The text went super-viral, over 80,000 shares on Facebook alone. Once I read it, I was aghast at how much misinformation and how many scientifically illiterate statements were in the text and attached video. I wrote her explaining my reasoning, and she immediately agreed to take down the text. It still exists on other, less responsible, sites.

Unfortunately, a large part of the damage has already been done, and that among other articles has helped foster the continued existence of a completely unfounded theory based primarily on not understanding what a patent is in molecular biology.

A patent on Ebola or HIV is not the same as a patent on an engine. Whereas the 

patent is reserving the production of that type of engine to the patent holder, a patent on HIV or Ebola is a patent meant to specify how the virus was isolated, how the genotype was determined, and what this consensus genotype is. In biology, you can patent things you found to concretely identify that component, potentially for use in a more complex system later. Keep in mind that you can even patent seeds obtained from cross-pollination: the patent does not mean the species was genetically modified in a laboratory.

The same way a patent on cross-bred species does not mean it was created in a lab, a patent on a virus genome does NOT mean it was created in a lab. Robert Gallo first published his isolation and identification of HIV in 1984, and patented this in 1985. After older blood samples were then analysed in a search for this virus, it was then found in the past: it didn’t suddenly occur in the 1970s or 1980s.

Despite the claims of the article whose damage I am working to undo, the earliest samples of HIV positive blood did not originate from New York homosexuals from the 1970s, but instead date back to 1920s Congo. The virus most certainly did not originate from biological weapons programs, which are only today becoming advanced enough that creating such a virus is even theoretically possible. They were most certainly not advanced enough in 1920, or even 1960, to create a synthetic retrovirus, which I might add, has still never actually been accomplished.

One of the articles I saw blaming Gallo comically claims that chimps were supposedly deliberately infected and released in 1979, which somehow led to the virus occurring in New York in 1971. The viral “Gallo did it” article that I convinced my friend to take down had an embedded video, where a man “explains” over dramatic music that HIV was created through “combining lymphoma, leukemia, and carcinoma viruses.” I literally burst out laughing, because none of what he listed was a retrovirus or even a virus, and cancer has literally nothing to do with HIV. You could spend your entire life combining lymphomas, carcinomas, and leukemia, and you would still never end up with a retrovirus at the end.

All of these theories make very specific claims, without any evidence. They encourage me to believe that a man (who thinks cancers are viruses) has special knowledge and access to untold classified documents. To prove his point, the video displays extremely blurry documents that are barely legible beyond seeing Gallo’s name. For all we know, these documents are completely fake, or actually completely harmless. We don’t know, because as is the norm in such articles or videos: no sources are supplied.

Yes, the United States did and maybe still does have biological weapons programs. The Soviets did, and Russia still runs its “Vector” high-security lab, as well. This is absolutely no indication that HIV is a bio weapon, especially considering the actual time-line of infections. There are even more reasons why Ebola is certainly not a bioweapon, but that is beyond the scope of this text. Gallo was a scientist, and a researcher, and his position in the public eye is yet another reason to doubt him being an evil mastermind.

There is no historical evidence actually implicating Gallo, or any others, in creating a HIV virus.

All of the historical and scientific evidence, as well as a general understanding of patents in science, point to a legitimate researcher, along with his peers, simply trying to identify understand a human illness. There may very well be one or more synthetic doomsday viruses sitting snugly or being worked on in undisclosed locations (or in BSL-4 labs), but HIVand Ebola are not examples of this.