National cake for sale, Nnamdi Kanu’s spirit man and 4 other highlights of last week

Hardly a week goes by without being blessed with inane, incredulous and unexpected series of events.

From the intense debate on the potential sale of certain national assets to the cleric who sees Nnamdi Kanu in the spirit and the prevalent insomnia in the president’s kitchen cabinet, some things really do stick out like a sore thumb.

Last week, six issues did.

The man who sees Nnamdi Kanu in the spirit

To Anthony Nwoko, a prophet and spiritual leader of Nnamdi Kanu, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader is the annointed one who’ll build for his people, a land full of milk and honey.

And despite Kanu’s incarceration, Nwoko says he sees the Radio Biafra director “many times in the spirit”.

He said: “Spiritually, I want to declare to the world that I have seen Nnamdi Kanu in the spirit many times”

“He, Kanu is spiritually hale and hearty and nothing will happen to him. He has come to join hands and build the land, Biafra full of milk and honey,” Nwoko added.

Don’t be a demon, SARS

Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, last week had an epiphany and reeled out the core sins of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

They are six;

“You should respect the constitutional right of every Nigerian.

You don’t have authority to take lives

You don’t have authority to change a civil case to a criminal case

You don’t have the right to torture suspects.

Don’t portray yourself as a demon. SARS is not devilish; you have to change the face of SARS by handling cases justly.

Don’t turn the complainant into a criminal. You have to be sincere in dealing with the public.”

Although prompted by Amnesty International’s report on the activities of officers under his stewardship, Idris’ chaste of his men, rather than jump to their defense, impressed Nigerians and many others.

Militants enjoying hotel perks in Edo?

If militants can demand non-prosecution of corrupt elements as a condition for peace, just maybe, there’s little element of surprise in Godwin Obaseki’s allegation that some of the machine gun-toting men are lodged in hotels around Edo.

The Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the imminent Edo governorship election says many arrests have been made.

“Well, we were worried but we are no longer worried because if you were in Benin yesterday, you should have seen the demonstration of force by the combined team of military and police, essentially trying to reassure the people that the security situation in the state is intact.

“We also are very encouraged by the arrests that are being made across the state. You will recall that two nights ago, some militants who were being lodged in some hotels were arrested and I hope the investigations will lead to more arrests.”

Sale of assets… the ‘Fors’ having it?

Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, effectively started the debate by calling on the federal government to sell its stake in the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to shore up foreign reserves.

Support promptly came from many national figures while several others are vehemently kicking against it.

Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), technically endorsed the sale of some national assets by saying, “In the short run, we can sell assets” just as he reiterated the fact that there was a need for “government to scale down or sell off some of its investments in oil and gas, particularly in the NNPC and NLNG as at that time when the price of oil was around $50-$55 per barrel”.

At present, prominent individuals harping on the matter, have leaned in the following manner;

Muhammadu Sanusi, emir of Kano – For

Godwin Emefiele – For

Bukola Saraki, senate president – For

Aliko Dangote – For

State governors – For

NLC – Against

Femi Falana, senior advocate of Nigeria – Against

Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president – Against

Shehu Sani, APC senator – Against

Jibrin, the accuser, under investigaion

Abdulmumin Jibrin, former chairman house of reps committee on appropriations, has vowed to “end corruption” in the federal house of representatives even if he has to stand alone.

Jibrin’s comment stemmed from his invitation by the committee on ethics, which is investigating him for alleged breach of lawmakers privileges.

Jibrin had accused Yakubu Dogara, the speaker, and four other principal officers, of corruption – but at the moment, he’s the one being investigated.

Insomnia in Lai’s world

Fellow Nigerians, your ministers and federal government are so shattered by the pains in your lives, such that they hardly get to sleep.

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the present administration is working round the clock – no sleep.

“We are very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and we are not sleeping; we are working day and night to ensure that the country retraces its step.

“Many of our critics have been unfair to us because many of them know that we did not invent the problems we are facing today.”