Mr. Rights Blog

It has become imperative for Nigerian media to improve its understanding of conflict reporting, in order to improve its impact in helping the nation minimize loses, while improving gains in conflict situations. It is true that nobody will argue that the function of media is to report events as they happen. But in addition to reporting, media have a primary purpose of public enlightenment and sensitization. Almost everyone in the society gets their information from the media. This strategic position makes journalism very important and gives it practitioners the power to influence public opinion, provide link between government and the people and affect socialization. The matter of peace and conflict comes in under socialization and if media will effectively inform, educate and sensitize public on peace and conflict matters to promote decent socialization among members of the society, it must, as a matter of necessity, improve its understanding and reporting pattern of conflict.

A staff of Universal basic education (UBE) in Kwara state has reportedly committed suicide over unpaid salaries. The news was broken by a group, Kwara Must Change which said it regretted to bring to public attention, the death of Mr Biodun Bashir, a staff of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in Kwara State at Oyun Local Government, who recently hung himself to death over failure of Kwara State Government to pay workers salaries and their continues denial of owing workers. ''The staff, Mr Biodun Bashir a.k.a. 'Legal', who is a driver working under UBE committed suicide by hanging on Saturday, 28th October 2017''. Kwara Must Change reports that, ''according to those familiar with the incident, Mr. Biodun, like other workers have been living under severe hardship for many years without any hope of improvement''. ''While the state government owes workers several months’ salaries, they continue to claim they do not owe on media, a false pro

Young people in Nigeria are clamoring for space in the political system, but some critics have argued that the youths are not different from the older generations. Mr Rights is proud to bring to your attention, 21 reasons why Nigeria needs a young president in 2019. Enjoy. 1. How do you unite a divided nation? Simple, you put young people in charge. A Young president will have the moderation to unite the nation irrespective of old grudges, myths and misconception. 2. A young president will not be too rigid in taking decisions; he or she will be more open to reason and more flexible to learn new things to simplify processes. 3. A young president will have less personal political scores to settle with opponents that will consume his or her time and energy, unlike the old people who must have had several unresolved issues with different people at various times. 4. People who provide resources for a presidential campaign can significantly dictate the direction of government and its p

In response to a court order, asking former president Goodluck Jonathan to appear in court on Tuesday in the trial of former National Publicity secretary of People Democratic Party (PDP)Olisa Metuh. Mr Jonathan had asked for N1billion from Metuh for security logistics to enable him come to court to testify after being subpoenaed by court. However, information has emerged that, as strange as Mr Jonathan's demand seems, this is not the first time it is happening. In a post made by a legal practitioner on facebook, Richard Akinnola, history is repeating itself. According to Mr Richard, In 1994, 10 Supreme court justices sued a newspaper, Weekend Concord for defamation following its publication that former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida gave each of the Supreme court justices Mercedes Benz parting gifts. The justices denied this, claiming they were official cars. ''Gani Fawehinmi was the counsel to Concord and he caused IBB to be subpoenaed to appear in court as a wi

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has today asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to set aside the order asking him to appear in court as a witness to testify in a case involving the former National Publicity Secretary of his party,Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh. Jonathan also told the court that, the court should issue an order, directing Olisa Metuh to deposit the sum of N1bn to cover travelling expenses for himself and his security personnel from his hometown, Otuoke in Bayelsa State, to Abuja. Recall that, Justice Okon Abang had issued two separate subpoenas ordering Jonathan and his former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, to appear in court on Tuesday.

Words kill spirit, Bombs kill body Words injure, shame and kill people psychologically Bombs tear flesh and blood, it kills physically -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Without spirit, body is empty Without body, spirit is useless Many are living ghost killed by words Bombs are deadly, but not worse than words -------------------------------------------------------------------------- We feed children with words They grow up with hate We hurt friends with words They turn bitter enemies -------------------------------------------------------------------------- How can we launch missiles of words Through unfair judgments And expect our victims to show some love? We are all sinners, we are all killers -------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many lives have your words destroyed? How many dreams have you shattered? Who have you killed? And how many seeds of discord have you sowed? ------------------------------

Citizens Action To Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) has published documents that showed how embattled chairman of National Hajj Commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muhammad swindle pilgrims of over N1.8 billion under the guise of providing e-wristband. The controversial e-wristband was introduced by HAJJ COMMISSION in 2016 and every pilgrim was charged N25,000 for the wristband. A total number of 74,992 pilgrims went for hajj in 2016 and the sum realized from the transaction amounted to N1,874,800,000 (one billion, eight hundred and seventy four million, eight hundred million Naira). This huge amount of money collected without providing the services is now brewing fresh crisis between the NAHCON Chairman and States Pilgrims Board. In a statement released by Ibrahim Garba Wala, National Convener of the organization, CATBAN is said to gathered that prior to the introduction of the wristband, expert warned NAHCON Chairman not to embark on the implementation of the wristband project without gett

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr, Boss Gida Mustapha as the new Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The announcement was made today by Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity following sack of the suspended SGF, Mr. David Babachir Lawal. While the profile of the new SGF has been widely circulated across media and social media, here are 10 strange facts about Mr Boss that you may not find in his profile. 1. Mr Boss Mustafa is a well known friend of Mr Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of Federation. Both of them came from the same state, Adamawa and reliable information has it that, Mr Lawal actually recommended Mr Boss for the position. 2. Mr. Boss is Tinubu’s ally. Yes, he was the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) between 2010 to 2013. Recall that the former SGF had also praised Bola Tinubu for making his ascension to the SGF position possible. The former SGF stated that

In 1965, Nigeria was operating regionalism, in which every region was controlling its own resources when the first set of violent agitators picked up arms to express their grievances and confront the state violently. This was before the first military coup that eventually pushed the country into civil war. While the military boys were scheming to topple the democratically elected government, it turned out that they were not alone. Some young people in Niger Delta were already warming up to confront the state due to what they perceived as marginalization within their own region. The lost of hope, in the prospect of a better living, especially in the Niger Delta region ravaged by extreme poverty in midst of wealth propelled a young Ijaw activist named Isaac Boro into forming the first militant group to confront what he described as ‘’poor governance and economic deprivation of his people’’. Niger Delta region at the time agitated for their own separate state without success, yet cont

The United Nations Security Council meeting, an annual event, started its 72nd session few days ago at the UN Headquarters in United States of America. More than 100 world leaders, thousands of diplomats and advocates are presently in New York City, in an event scheduled to hold from 19-25 September 2017 to fashion out a way forward in pursuit of global peace and security. This year’s theme is Focusing on people — striving for peace and a decent life for all on a sustainable planet. On the first day of the event, precisely on 19th September 2017, world leaders took turn to address their counterparts and other participants, either in advancement of their national agenda’s, pursuit of global ideas, defense of policies or solidarity with other nations. Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari was at the event and he spoke on variety of issues, among which include Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and the country’s role in advancing democracy in Gambia. President Buhari also spoke about t

Countries are struggling to acquire nuclear capabilities to guarantee their independence and security, but no one has been able to show clear evidence of how nuclear weapon protects, whereas, we have evidences of how the weapon against humanity destroys. While such destruction took place more than 70 years ago, precisely in August 1945, Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which suffers from the cruelty of human indiscretion are yet to recover from the impact of the grave tragedy. Without evidence of any goodness nuclear weapon has done the world, how do one makes meaning from the escalating tension between U.S and North Korea, over the latter’s nuclear program? Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un are made up of the same specie. Hot headed, aggressive, and violent. Meanwhile, one represents USA and the other North Korea, but in character, it appeared they are born by the same womb of bombardment. From the look of things from these two men now described as'' Rocket Man and the

Another weekend has come, when people from across the country, particularly youths in their large numbers, from street to street troop to the various football viewing centers in their neighborhood to feed their eyes with spectacular games of football. Football is sweet. The skillful dribbles, superlative goals, amazing saves and precise kicks all make football irresistible. I used to be an ardent fan of European football, I can even miss a class not to miss a match. But I stopped a few years ago, when I realized how much my passion for foreign football was destroying our country’s economy. However, I must confess that I missed watching Jose Morinho do his thing every weekend back then. The special one was the manager of my darling Chelsea. Lovers of English Premier League will always remind you of how Chelsea often beat Arsenal every season. Jose Morinho had one time described Arsenal’s manager, Arsen Wenger of being a specialist in failure. Morinho had the bragging right; the Arse

At the genesis of the hijab discussion, the Quran commands men to not stare at women and to not be promiscuous. The Quran 24:31 obliges men to observe modesty: “Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, Allah is well aware of what they do.” This verse rebukes forced laws on women that claim “women must cover otherwise men are distracted”. It demolishes complaints that what a woman is wearing is “too provocative”, whatever that means, because it flat out forbids men from gawking at women. When addressing hijab, the Quran does not address women first. It addresses men first. That’s not a typo. Islam places the primary responsibility of observing hijab not on women – but on men. It’s critical to understand this point. One day, Prophet Muhammed rode with his companion Al Fadl bin Abbas. A woman described as strikingly beautiful approached the Prophet to seek his guidance on some religious matters. Al Fadl bega

Citizens Action To Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) has demanded that the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari suspend the Minister of Health Prof Isaac Adewole over his role in bribery and conspiracy in the ongoing crisis at the National Health Insurance Scheme(NHIS). In a petition dated 10th October 2017 and copied to the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President,Bukola Saraki, Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and several others, CATBAN said the role of the minister in bribing the ministerial investigative committee with over N19million as reported by several newspapers is unacceptable. Read the full petition below: CATBAN/PFRN-RIS-01 10th October, 2017 His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Presidential Villa, FCT, Abuja. Dear Sir, REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION AND SUSPENSION OF HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH OVER N19MILLION BRIBERY OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND ABUSE OF AUTHORITY IN THE MINISTERIAL INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE SC

Last week, I posted about the political meta lokan (3 in 1) or multilateral wedding ceremony being hosted for the Baba Adini of Ansarul Islam, Dr. Bukola Saraki’s daughter, Tosin Saraki. The Islamic wedding, popularly known as Nikkah took place in Ilorin this weekend. The remaining 2 ceremonies, Traditional and Church wedding will take place in Lagos and Abuja respectively as planned on 28 October and 8th December. But we all know this is no longer news. So, what is the news I am bringing to town? Well, it’s not really news because everyone that attended the Nikkah ceremony in ilorin saw clearly that the wedding was dry. The wedding was not a Saraki family affair like it used to be during the life time of Dr. Olusola Saraki, it was strictly the Bukola Saraki family affairs. The remaining members of the Saraki family, namely Gbemi, Tope and Loulu Saraki didn’t show up at the wedding. Those that were present at the ceremony observed this unusual occurrence, but couldn’t make any meani

The most corrupt Chairman of National Hajj Commission, Alh. Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad who is alleged to be responsible for grand theft and massive extortion of Hajj Pilgrims, running into billions of naira is now helping Nigerian Civil Society concentrate on his illicit activities by suing IG Wala for defamation. CATBAN has been investigating massive fraud, committed under the guise of religion at the National Hajj Commission between 2016- 2017 under the Chairmanship of Abdullahi Mukhtar. Just last week thursday,Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on National Hajj Commission and the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC) had threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Abdullahi Muktar. According to the committee, the NAHCON boss has refused to honour three different invitations sent to him to appear before it for explanations on alleged extortions of pilgrims and exorbitant hajj fees. However, unlike the Senate Committee that is waiting for the man t

Ilorin is known as a religious city. This is a heritage nobody can take away and Ilorin take pride in the rare heritage. People outside the ancient town sees it as a Mecca of sort and even those of us from the city enjoy the attention. Go to Lagos and say you are from Ilorin, you automatically become an alfa. If your mouth is sweet like my own (enu dun juyo), you can consult me to tell you what happens next. Ilorin maybe accused of any other thing, but you can’t in all conscience, accuse it of lacking religious scholars of international repute. This is the city of Sheikhs of Sheikhs and Scholars of Scholars, spanning generations upon generations. If you go to Saudi Arabia, Egypt or even Iran, they can tell you the respectability of Ilorin in global religious circle. This is a fact that can be checked. However, a debate about promiscuity, as it relates to Ilorin prang up on social media few days ago. I didn’t take interest in it due to my busy schedule during the week. But upon co

The Ag. Executive Secretary of NHIS, Mr Attahiru Ibrahim in the month of August 2017 approved the sum of N30, 661,400 to himself and 5 others to attend a training they didn't register to attend, an anti corruption movement, Citizens Action To Take Back Nigeria (CATBAN) has reported. The Global Flagship Course on Health Systems Strengthening and Sustainable Financing: The Challenge of Universal Coverage was to take place in Washington DC, the United States between October 21 - 31, 2017. Mr Attahiru Ibrahim paid himself and 5 other people N30, 661, 400 for the above training which they didn't register for. CATBAN is authoritatively reporting that the program in Washington DC was rounded up yesterday 27th October, 2017 and none of this people who received money were their. CATBAN's national Convener, Ibrahim Garba Wala declared that details of the amount given to each of the alleged persons shall be published on its platforms within the week.

If you ran into this man on the road, you may be too sympathetic to feel like throwing some stipends to him. Don't make that mistake please. This is Attahiru Ibrahim, the Ag. Executive Secretary of NHIS who the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole has boxed into a corner and compelled to release the sum of N11.9 billion from civil servant enrollees money in their custody. NHIS money is not money coming from the Government to the agency. It is citizens contribution for Health service delivery by mostly civil servants. This is the money that is being mismanaged by this man and the minister. By IG Wala, CATBAN