US law hinders anti-Boko Haram fight – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday said the application of the Leahy law amendment by the United States government has aided and abetted the violent activities of the Boko Haram sect in the country.

He said while he believed that this was not the spirit of the law, its blanket application by the US on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against Nigerian forces has denied the country access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents.

Buhari spoke at the United States Institute for Peace shortly before leaving US at the end of his four-day official visit to the country.

According to Wikipedia, the Leahy Law, or Leahy amendment, is a US human rights law that prohibits the US Department of State and Department of Defence from providing military assistance to foreign military units that violate human rights with impunity.

To implement the law which is named after its principal sponsor, Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, US embassies and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour and the appropriate regional bureau of the US Department of State vet potential recipients of security assistance.

If a unit is found to have been credibly implicated in a serious abuse of human rights, assistance is denied until the host nation government takes effective steps to bring the responsible persons within the unit to justice.

While the US Government does not publicly report on foreign armed force units it has cut off from receiving assistance, press reports have indicated that security force units in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico,  Nigeria, Turkey, Indonesia and Pakistan have been denied assistance due to the Leahy Law.

Buhari said Nigerian forces have remained largely impotent in the face of the onslaught being launched by terrorists because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, because of the application of the US law.

He regretted that the allegations of human rights violations levelled against Nigerian forces upon which the law is being applied had remained unproven.

The President said, “In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours but other international friends and partners.

“Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations levelled against our forces has denied us access to appropriate strategic weapons to prosecute the war against the insurgents.

“In the face of abduction of innocent school girls from their hostels, indiscriminate bombings of civilians in markets and places of worship, our forces have remained largely impotent because they do not possess the appropriate weapons and technology which they could have had, had the so called human rights violations not been an obstacle.

“Unwittingly, and I dare say, unintentionally, the application of the Leahy law amendment by the US Government has aided and abetted the Boko Haram terrorist group in the prosecution of its extremist ideology and hate, the indiscriminate killings and maiming of civilians, in raping of women and girls, and in their other heinous crimes.

“I believe this is not the spirit of the Leahy Laws. I know the American people cannot support any group engaged in these crimes.”

Buhari therefore appealed to both the Executive Arm and the US Congress to examine how the US Government can provide Nigeria with more substantial counter-terrorism assistance with minimal strings.

He said the longer the delay, the deadlier the Boko Haram sect gets.

At all events, the President said his administration had re-written the rules of engagement protecting the rights of combatants and in particular safeguarding civilians in theatres of conflict.

He said as the administration ramps up efforts to defeat Boko Haram, he knows that winning the battle

President Muhammadu Buhari’s speech at the US Institute for Peace

I am delighted to be here this morning, and I wish to thank the United States Institute for Peace (USIP), the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Atlantic Council, the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the International Republican Institute (IRI), and the International Foundation of Electoral Systems (IFES) for providing me with this platform to share with this distinguished audience of eminent personalities, my hopes and thoughts about my country, Nigeria.

2.​The think tanks that came together to organize today’s event are by no means new to Nigeria. Several of them and a good number of individuals have, over the years, organized meetings and symposia to shed light on diverse issues pertaining to Nigeria. Others, like the NDI, IRI, and IFES have for a long period been partners in Nigeria’s electoral processes.

3.​The contributions of the IRI, NDI and IFES to the success of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria are well documented. I would like to use this opportunity to thank them for their partnership and support to the democratization process in Nigeria. Your doggedness, in calling a spade a spade in 2003, 2007 and 2011 have been greatly appreciated by us Nigerians who are dedicated to ensuring free and fair elections in our country. My appreciation also goes to the CSIS, USIP, and the Atlantic Council for their continued engagement and interest in Nigeria. The unique perspectives and clarity you bring to bear on your analyses of contemporary issues in Nigeria are of profound importance to my country.  Thank you for the interest you have consistently shown on elections in our country.

4.​Naturally, being far removed from the arena of action, and not being participants in the events you analyze on a regular basis, has its own pitfalls, the most common being arm-chair analysts.  Let me illustrate with just one example.  In the months leading up to the recent general elections in Nigeria, very few in the mass media and the policy community here in Washington gave Nigeria as little as half a chance to pull through.  All over this city, the common view held and frequently expressed was of Nigeria on the brink.

5.​As far as the critics and doomsday merchants were concerned, Nigeria’s end was the 2015 general elections.  Nigeria was not expected to make it. The general perception was that Nigeria would be undone by violent and disputed elections riven with deep ethnic and religious divisions.

6.​You all know what happened. Nigeria confounded the pessimists and its critics. All those who predicted the worst possible post-election scenarios for Nigeria missed the mark by very wide margins, because the premises upon which their narratives were based were simply wrong.

7.​The peaceful conduct and outcome of the 2015 general elections attest to the fact that elections in Africa can be conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, just like in any other part of the world. Those elections were different from previous ones, not only because citizens were allowed to vote, but more importantly, because their votes counted. I must therefore, salute the patriotism and commitment of the Nigerian people who conducted themselves peacefully and responsibly during and after the elections. Similarly, I must also commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the civil society organizations, and other non-state actors for their various efforts at improving the electoral process and entrenching the democratic culture.

8.​I would like to seize this opportunity also, to once again, pay tribute to my predecessor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his uncommon display of statesmanship in setting the pace for Africa. His conduct and outlook in the aftermath of the elections have further proven that the African electoral system is gaining strength and maturity.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
9.​Important lessons are being learned from the successful conduct of those elections. Our electoral processes are evolving. Nigerians of all political leanings recognize that there is much work to be done to improve electoral transparency and the integrity of elections.  I feel confident that, going forward, our electoral body will apply lessons learned to improve its processes, including the use of appropriate technologies in the conduct of elections, and innovative approaches to voter education. To this end, I intend to raise the cost of impunity by working with the National Assembly to strengthen our electoral laws in ways that would provide stiffer penalties against all forms of electoral malpractices. The enforcement of the laws would equally be given greater impetus. 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

10.​On the issue of terrorism, Nigerians have lived with fear and insecurity for far too long.  The human and material costs of the insurgency in my country and to my people are staggering and unacceptable.

11.​Defeating Boko Haram and finding a durable solution to the underlying causes of the insecurity in Nigeria are therefore a major priority of the new administration. Nigerians understand that terrorism stifles development and undermines the stability of society. The Government that I lead is committed, and will do whatever it takes, to free Nigeria from the menace of terrorism. No matter how long it takes, we will reclaim every inch of Nigerian territory that is under the control of Boko Haram. We shall continue to do these within the framework of the rule of law and in compliance with our international and domestic human rights obligations.

12.​Let me emphasize that, as a Government, we have no illusions whatsoever about the enormity of the challenges ahead of us.  We know that it will be a long and bruising struggle, but this is a fight we are in to win. Failure is not an option for us. We do not contemplate it.

13.​In the first week of my presidency, I visited Chad and Niger to strengthen cooperation within the Lake Chad Basin Commission Members, the primary region of the Boko Haram insurgency. Upon my return to Nigeria from the US, I shall visit Cameroon on the 29th of July to further strengthen our sub-regional efforts at countering terrorism. Already, I have released twenty-one million US Dollars ($21 million) for the rapid take-off of the Multi-National Joint Task Force. This is the force set up by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin Commission, comprising Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria plus Benin to jointly combat the insurgency.

14.​We are confident that we will defeat terrorism in our country and region, because we have the will to win this fight. We will win because we have the support of the Nigerian people who voted us into office to do things differently in order to secure them from harm and provide for their prosperity and well being. We will win because the United States and indeed, the International Community have pledged to stand with us in solidarity.

15.​But winning the battle against terrorism means we have to do things differently; after all, the race for the future will never be won by going backward or standing still. Winning means we must change our strategy in a manner that will prioritize the mobilization of maximum capacity to fight terrorism, while ensuring the safety and protection of local communities in the frontline of the fight against terrorism. We are also improving cooperation and coordination with our neighbours and other international partners to add depth and muscle to our overall strategy.

16.​In our efforts at combating the activities of Boko Haram, the new Government has sought and obtained the support of not only our neighbours other international friends and partners. Regrettably, the blanket application of the Leahy Law by the United States on the grounds of unproven allegations of human rights violations level

Saleh, an exemplary public officer – Saraki

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday described the late former Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Alhaji Aminu Saleh, as an exemplary public officer, who contributed immensely to the growth and development of the country.

Saraki, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, expressed sadness over Saleh’s demise.

He said, “Late Saleh  was one public officer who was very diligent and patriotic in the discharge of his duties to his fatherland.”

He commiserated with the government, immediate family and people of Bauchi State, and prayed the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest.

Implement National Conference report, cleric urges Buhari

THE Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu, has called on President Mohammadu Buhari to implement the recommendations of the National Conference held in Abuja under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Rev. Ordu explained that the implementation of the recommendations of the National Conference was imperative irrespective of the difference in government and political party.
The cleric spoke on Wednesday during a news conference ahead of the diocese third session of the second Synod to begin from July 29 to August 2, 2015 at the Chapel of Grace and Knowledge in Elelenwo, Port Harcourt.
He said, “I strongly want to urge this government, its biases notwithstanding, to please, implement the provisions or the recommendations of the National Conference that held in Abuja just before the elections.
“The conference was more like the gathering of wise men and women in this country and at the end of the day, all of them were in agreement about what they recommended.
“So, this government holds it as a duty to the rest of Nigerians to implement what has been recommended, not minding the fact that the conference took place under a different government, a different political party. We are talking about Nigeria here; we are not talking about PDP or APC.
We are not talking about the Labour Party.”
Rev. Ordu observed that government, from the military to the former President Olusegun Obasanjo second era, had always had cause to convene National Conference or dialogue, adding that such action was the leadership’s way of calming frayed nerves.
He pointed out that successive leadership in the country had been taking Nigerians for a ride and maintained that there appeared to be something about most persons in government that make them to believe that the rest of Nigerians were fools.
“Leadership in Nigeria is taking the people for a ride. They are taking us for a ride. There is something about most persons in government that make them believe that the rest of Nigerians are fools.
“If we push them this way and dangle a carrot before them, we will calm them down so that we will continue with our mischief. That appears to be the picture we are seeing around the corridors of power and it is a very sad development for us,” the cleric said.
Describing the approval of gay marriage as evil, the Anglican Bishop explained that the scripture and even the African culture condemned homosexuality and gay marriage.
“A few years ago, we discovered that some sections of the Church, particularly, in the Western world began to toy with some sensitive aspects as regard the spirituality and doctrine of the Church; and the Church of Nigeria, you know, took their position on those issues, particularly the issue of human sexuality.
“The position of the Anglican Church, for instance, on this matter of homosexuality, lesbianism and the rest of them is that it is against scripture. Any arm or part of the Church worldwide that advocates it is breaching the provisions and tenets of the scripture.
“We cannot be in any form of relationship with such an arm of the body of Christ until proper positions are taken or reversed by those who advocate such,” he added.

Truck crushes butcher in Ekiti

A commercial truck on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State capital, crushed a butcher to death in an early morning accident.

The accident, which happened at Mojere Market area of Adebayo, caused a gridlock as passers-by rushed to the scene.

Many of them wept uncontrollably as the remains of the victim was being taken to the morgue.

Eyewitness said the driver of the commercial motorcycle, otherwise known as Okada, conveying the butcher lost control while trying to overtake the truck.

The skull of the victim was completely shattered by the impact of the accident.

The Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Alberto Adeyemi, while confirming the accident, said the truck had been towed to the nearest police station.

He added that the driver of the truck had been arrested by the Police and was undergoing interrogation.

He also confirmed that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the

Photos: SA rapper Cassper Nyovest publicly asks TV presenter Boity Thulo to be his girlfriend

Popular SA rapper Cassper Nyovest took a camera crew and flowers to the set of where his stunning 25 year old South African television presenter/model and recording artist girlfriend Boity Boitumelo Thulo was yesterday and asked her to be his girlfriend
"You know, we've been like seeing each other and you always say 'I'm not really your girlfriend', so I wanted to ask you out!" Boity said yes, that she'd be his girlfriend.
Quite different from what we see. Usually when a man does this, he proposes marriage.

The couple later trended on SA twitter after Drum Magazine released a magazine cover featuring the couple. The totally besotted star posted the magazine cover and wrote "I just want the world to know how much I'm madly in love with you!!! You're perfection!!! #AnDeyLove'es"

2face, Banky, Darey, DJ Jimmy Jatt, others, fly together to Durban

2face Idibia, Banky W, Darey Art Alade, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Tunde Demuren, Sean Tizzle, Kcee and others all pictured aboard a flight from J'bourg to Durban yesterday for the MAMAs happening this Saturday in South Africa. Another photo after the cut..

Senior civil servants demand a minimum wage of N46, 000

The Association of Senior Civil Servants demanded a minimum wage of N46,000 for workers.
The union's Secretary-General, Mr. Bashir Lawal, in Lagos State, on Wednesday, said that the existing N18,000 minimum wage was too little to meet the socio-economic demands of workers.

According to him, they arrived at a minimum wage of N46,000 per month after the union met with the National Public Service Joint Negotiating Council.
He said,
"In the past one year, we presented a proposal for salary review to the Federal Government but the government said that the price of crude had fallen. "We argued that if the price of crude is 30 dollars per barrel and the resources of the country are well managed, money will be enough to pay workers decent salaries.
"From the memo we submitted to the NPSJNC, we computed what it will take for an average worker to survive and we arrive at N66,000. "So, we took 75 per cent of that and we arrived at N46,000 minimum wage.
Lawal said that the new minimum wage demand will not cause crisis in the economic sector, he said:
"If the government believes that the amount will create crisis, we will tell them what to do to ensure that everybody will be carried along."

Real Madrid must defend better - Benitez

The new coach believes he can make the side better defensively than they have been in recent years, but insists he wants them to be dominant in games

Rafael Benitez says he wants Real Madrid to be better defensively than they have been in recent years.

The Spanish coach is looking to bring silverware back to the Santiago Bernabeu this term after they missed out on La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey to Barcelona in 2014-15.

And while Benitez is happy with how proficient Madrid have been over the past few seasons, he feels they need to be stronger defensively.

"I want us to be a team that go out to win every game," he told the club's official website.

"A team that take the initiative, are assertive, that attack as well as in recent years and that defend a little bit better, to achieve that balance that will enable us to win more games and have a greater chance of winning trophies."

Madrid are currently in Australia to continue their pre-season preparations and the former Liverpool boss is looking forward to improving his relationship with his players during their time there.

"We want to get to know the players and for the players to get to know us, and to try to bring Real Madrid an idea of play that's in line with who Real Madrid are.

"This time together really helps in that regard."

Schweinsteiger: I joined Man United to win titles

The 30-year-old insists he has not lost the hunger for silverware despite claiming eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB Pokals and a Champions League at Bayern Munich

Bastian Schweinsteiger insists he joined Manchester United to win silverware rather than simply reunite with former boss Louis van Gaal.

The Germany international ended his 17-year association with Bayern Munich to move to Old Trafford in a £12 million deal on Monday, arriving at the same time as Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin.

And having claimed eight Bundesliga titles, seven DFB Pokals and a Champions League crown in Bavaria as well as the 2014 World Cup with Germany, Schweinsteiger insists he has not lost his hunger for trophies.

"I am very happy to be here and to play for Man United," the 30-year-old said at his unveiling during United's pre-season tour of the United States.

"It is a big honour. It's a new step in my life. I want to win titles, it's easy. Manchester United is used to that and I am too, so that's my goal."

Schweinsteiger fielded questions alongside fellow summer signings Schneiderlin and Matteo Darmian, and Van Gaal admits he is very pleased by United's transfer dealings so far.

"I am very happy because they are in my opinion very good players," the Dutchman added. "That is why Manchester United has bought them.

"I am very happy that they are already here before the tour. We can prepare in the tour all the team elements that I have to implement with the new players. Memphis Depay is also here and now we have three new signings so it's much better than last year."