Saudi Blogger faces another round of lashes after years in prison.

Recall the Imprisoned Saudi Blogger, Raif Badawi, whose public flogging in 2015 generated global outcry. His supporters claim he now risk a new round of lashes.

According to Evelyne Abitbol, founder of Raif Badawi Foundation with Badawi’s wife, she said a “reliable source” in Saudi Arabia claims he faces a new flogging soon.

Abitbol declined to name the source but said it was the same person who had alerted Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, in 2015 before he received his first 50 lashes, the only part of the flogging that was reportedly administered.

The foundation director further stated that the source did not indicate when the flogging would take place, “Unfortunately, it could happen at any time, if it happens,” Abitbol said by phone in Montreal.

She wants Saudi Arabia to withdraw the flogging punishment, strip Badawi of his Saudi citizenship and let him leave the country for Canada.

She added that Haidar has asked countries with ties to Saudi Arabia, including the Canadian government, to intervene on the blogger’s behalf.

However, Haidar, who is in Germany to present a journalism award on Wednesday in her husband’s name, could not be immediately reached for comment. She was granted asylum in Canada, where she lives with the couple’s three children in the province of Quebec.

In addition, Saudi embassy officials in Ottawa and Saudi government officials in Riyadh were not immediately available for comment as at the time this report came out, and Reuters was unable to independently confirm the source’s claims.

The Imprisoned Blogger was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment and 1,000 lashes in 2014 for breaking the kingdom’s technology laws and also for insulting Islam and in December 2015, he was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Parliament.

KOREDE BELLO REVEALSMARRIAGE PLANS

Mavin’s record youngest talent, Korede Bello has revealed his disposition towards marriage after the controversy that trailed his wink.

The young artiste explained that the famous wink has indeed fetched him unexpected yet welcomed compliments from fans, but he’s not thinking of tying marital knots soon.

“If Don Jazzy is not married, I cannot think about it. If my boss has not got married, why should I be thinking about it?” Bello asked rhetorically.

Read more here

BOKO HARAM, CONSEQUENCE OF RELIGIOUS PLAGIARISM

n a world where terrorism has become the order of the day with attribution to the religion Islaam, despite several disclaimers from different islamic leaders, the perpetrators of these evil acts still portray themselves as Muslims. Hence it becomes difficult to know who the real terrorists are. 

The consequence of religious plagiarism has been said to be the major cause of religious extremism.

This was said by a lecturer in the department of foreign studies in the Lagos state University, Dr Mustapha Adebayo, at the Annual symposium of the Muslim Students Society in the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba Lagos.

The lecturer said that misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the islamic religion gave rise to the ideology held by different islamic sects terrorizing countries in some parts of the world today.

"Religious sects terrorising countries all over the world like the boko haram in Nigeria, Al shabab in the middle east and several others are all results of religious plagiarism" he said.

He further explained the causes and reasons for the birth of boko haram sect in Nigeria in this video clip https://www.dropbox.com/s/wyhd7yq6nz1y9aw/20150603_081609.mp4?dl=0

AGGRIEVED NIGERIAN WRITES OPEN LETTER TO G.E.J.

I published a post earlier about Nigerian youths on social media and the coming election. Well, I came across this open letter to GEJ on social media and as a journalist, I couldn't help but post something this 'Newsy'. Although it is a quite lengthy post, but believe me, you will enjoy it after taking your time to read it through.

Dear President Jonathan,
As I started reading the transcript of your speech in your flag off campaign for 2nd term in office, my heart was gladdened to know that the speech was directed to Nigerian youths of which I am one. I must say that up to this time I decided to read your manuscript I have heard a lot of bad things that seemed true about your government and hence had a poor view of your time in office. It was only after working hard to put my sentiments away and after listening to Oguntola Adelowo, a colleague of mine who has been preaching about you did I read online the transcript of your speech. When you said 'my speech is directed to the youths, those who will be voting for the first time', I began to doubt my earlier beliefs of you being incompetent and lacking a plan, I was eager to hear from you what and how you have worked tirelessly for my generation in the past 6 years in office and also what you intend to do in the next 4 years to consolidate your efforts. Therefore sir, it came as a shock to me that you spoke of everything but your plans, you addressed every issue but the germane ones that has so far affected my generation and is already shaping out our future. Sir, I did what you requested, I asked my father, a middle-class citizen, who is 66 years old now about Buhari's tenure and here was his reply 'I remember those days, we had very stable electricity, youths didn't fancy travelling abroad because they felt they could get even better here, I bought a carton of tin peak milk for #1.20k, I could iron press my clothes minutes to going out, fuel was sold for 50k per litre, corrupt people like umaru dikko were jailed and killed, no minister or government official could be accused of corruption and resign only to run for an higher office, and no public official was alleged with fraud only to be seen on National T.V laughing in court' and he ended by saying that during those times, everyone knew the rules and tried as much not to break the law but that now the same laws made to protect the average Nigerian like him is what his used to oppress them and he concluded by saying that there is no perfect government and that though it was military they enjoyed many good things that our own generation may never enjoy due to the high level of corruption in our government, except of course things change. Sir, in your speech you spoke of building 12 federal universities, yet the one I school in which is 30 years old can not still provide enough sitting stools for students. You speak of producing more megawatts, yet I rarely have power supply to view many of the interesting programs and football matches shown on DSTV. You speak of needing time to tackle insecurity, yet you have had 6 years already, you fail to forget that Obama took down the world's greatest terrorist in just 3 years. You speak of fertilizer distribution, yet we buy beans for #200 per derica from #140 in 2010 when fertilizers where stolen (I think I would prefer to have the fertilizer stolen and buy food cheaper than now. You speak of improved economy yet we buy fuel for #97 from #65 (49.32% increase), beans for #200 from #140 (42.86% increase), housing #200,000 from #120,000 (66.67% increase), transportation #50 from #30 (increase of 66.67%), Salary #18,000 from #15,000 (increase of 20%). Where then is the improvement in Nigeria's economy not to forget their over 100% increase in fees paid by tertiary institutions nationwide. Thank you for admitting that your generation has failed us, but my generations have decided to do things differently, to succeed where our fathers have failed; to vote for a change in government. Thank you sir for serving us to the best of your abilities sir, your lack of confidence to focus on your plans for us within the next for years during your speech has betrayed my generations trust in you. Please ensure our votes count as we intend to have a landslide victory on February 14th.
I am a Nigerian youth.

SOCIAL MEDIA DETERMINES WHO NIGERIAN YOUTHS VOTE FOR IN FEBRUARY ELECTION

 

 Social media has been discovered to have tremendous effect on the political consciousness of Nigerian youths towards their participation in the forth-coming election.
  Their participation and level of political awareness could be measured by their posts and comments on social media sites like facebook, twitter, whatsapp, instagram among others.
 According to some of these Nigerian youths, the social media has really been an eye-opener especially concerning this coming election.
 "social media has helped me in deciding who to vote for due to the way it elaborates the wrongs and rights of these political candidates and their parties" a student of tertiary institution, Badejo Folarin, said.
  Another higher institution student, Omale Grace said "I really think social media has helped in the awareness of we youths, not just politically but also in other areas."
  Judging by some of their posts on these media with tags from "concerned Nigerians" otherwise Known as Anonymous, some of such posts include: 

"35 days to presidential elections. If you're voting remember this factors;1. The chibok Girls 2. NNPC Scam 3. Police pension fund 4. Missing 20Billion 5. $9million Arms deal 6. Bomb Blasts 7. Immigration job scam 8. Petroleum pump price 9. Devaluation of Naira 10. Oil theft 11. Power outage 12. Selling of Nepa 13. Selling of Refineries 14. Skyrocketed Nepa Bills 15. Asuu & poly Strike 16. Doctors Strike 17. National Assembly tragedy 19. Stella Odua's Aviation Scam 20. Kerosene subsidy" (facebook/whatsapp)

"We're not saying that Buhari is the awaited Messiah who will take all our pains and sorrows away and establish all living and unborn citizens on 'Easy Street' of Nigeria forever. 

Rather, our point is that the ruling party (PDP) has stayed in power for one and a half decade without any commensurate achievement.

Similarly, GEJ has been in power for six out of those 15 years of PDP administration or maladministration as the case maybe. Now he wants another four years to get 10 years of GEJ administration or maladministration as the case maybe.

Yet, insecurity, corruption, and poverty remain the lot of the masses.

Therefore, all we're essentially canvassing is a democratic change of the party at the centre to any other available option so that perchance, Nigeria will gradually become a better place for us all. 

our political-philosophy is "government by the most competent irrespective of demographic peculiarity. The next president may be a Buddhist or Hindus for all we care as long as he or she can deliver enduring welfare for all law-abiding citizens." (facebook/whatsapp)

 The above quoted texts are some of the posts from these social media, however, much is yet to be said about whether these youths would be able to realize their political hopes concerning the coming election, as most of them are yet to get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).

LECTURERS DECRY STATE OF DECADENCE IN TERTIARY INSTITUTES.

 The level of decadence among the youths of today has risen to a state which every parent and straight-thinking youth must take seriously. 

  Lecturers now decry the display of wantonness among students, their attitudes towards their academics, their colleagues and even the lecturers.

  Speaking with a civic education lecturer in the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr. Tene John, he said, the problem lies with the family which is a basic institution, they’re lacking behind in giving their wards proper home training.

  “Parents hardly have time for their wards and where they should have run to for proper admonition, that is the religious institutions, are not helping issues, clerics no longer pay attention to the less privileged but to those who offer fat tithes” John said.

  He added that “some of these students even use phones and tablets that lecturers cannot afford, and when you look at their phones, what will be found there is alarming, they visit pornographic sites and get distracted by meaningless relationships.”

  Another lecturer of mass media and society in the Lagos state polytechnic, Mr. Ifedayo Akinwalere also concurred by saying decadence can be traced to individual homes and the schools.

  “The parents and the schools have a lot of work to do concerning these youths, there is the need to intensify the degree of discipline among the students, its one thing to have the certificate and its another to have the moral standard to back it up, it might be easy to get a job but it is only your attitude that will retain you there.” He further said.

   The lecturer however advised the youths to be conscious of their morality because the best certificate they can have is the degree of their moral.

MAR’YAM THAWBAAN.

STATE POLICING, A LIKELY SOLUTION TO INSECURITIES IN NIGERIA.

An interview with a lecturer at the Nigerian institute of journalism, ogba Lagos, on the security issues in the country. In this interview, the problem of insecurity in Nigeria, and the suggested solutions were discussed.

Interviewer: can you please tell us about yourself, qualifications, profession etc.?

Interviewee: I am Tene John, a B.Sc. M.Sc. holder in political science and international relations respectively. I’m a lecturer by profession, in the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and I am a Nigerian.

Interviewer: what can you say about the current state of security in Nigeria?

Interviewee: what we have in Nigeria is insecurity, the opposite of security, where there is inadequate security, properties are being destroyed and even the government is scared. 

Interviewer:  what will you say the federal government is doing right or wrong about the issue of boko haram in the country?

Interviewee:  the federal government have not folded their arms on the issue of boko haram but I would say their major failure is negotiating with the terrorists, the amnesty those insurgents were granted made them feel that the government is scared of them and they continued asking for more, there’s no place in the world where terrorists should be negotiated with. The government shouldn’t have allowed the boko haram issue get to this point where they have kidnapped over 200 girls, to do what?! Whenever I think about those girls and all they would be going through, my heart cries out.

 Interviewer: what steps do you think the federal government should take in ensuring adequate security in the country?

Interviewee: Like I tell people, state policing is important, with state police around, there will be less evil in the country, the presence of policemen would curb violence and crime in the society, so FG should consider putting them on concurrent list, whereby it is done by both the government at the central and the state, they should allow the state to control their own police. Also, vigilante groups can also offer a lot of help; they should be permitted in the country.

Interviewer: Do you think that the involvement of other countries on the abducted girls’ issue and boko haram issue generally would yield a positive result?

Interviewee:  well em, by and large, to my little knowledge, in international system,  whatever happens to Nigeria happens to Cameroon and would also happen to the neighbouring countries and that is why the world itself is a global village, we will look at it when the issue of terror first started that no, no, no, the issue of terrorism is not a Nigerian thing, it is common with Syria, Pakistan, Iraq, no, no, no, it has not come here to stay. But you’ll discover that the world has become a global village, the issue of technology has gone to the extent that you’ll see what takes place almost in every part of the world, and that alone has exposed people to a lot of violence, a lot of crime and a lot of evil and you see people trying  to express or exhibit their own kind of opinion in fighting the government of the day. But the truth of the matter is that we need a follow up from these countries, they have the Intel and technology and we have the foot soldiers, in fact, Nigerian soldiers are highly respected when it comes to combat and in the United Nation’s peace keeping mission. But the government of U.S., China, U.K. will help in the aspect of technology, not that they’re coming to fight, they’re coming to help us out like what happened in Malaysia also, about the missing Jet, it concerns everybody it has become a global fight and that is why their involvement is normal it is a welcome development an attack on one is an attack on all. They never can tell the effect to their own country and that is why you can see the wife of the American president Michelle Obama supporting the protest then and even carried placards saying “bring back our girls”. I believe with their involvement, they would make it easier to discover the hide out of the boko harams and where the girls are. To be sincere there’s a limit to what the Nigerian soldiers can do because it is not that they can no attack but I believe that government is playing politics with the issue of this attacks because you cannot tell me that the soldiers cannot attack the terrorists, they can, but we can say because of the ethnic differences, that by the time he gives the order the people in the north can say oh, no wonder, when his people started, they did negotiation, they gave them amnesty, no wonder he wants to kill us. So there’s a little bit of politicking with the issue of boko haram.

Interviewer: So can you categorically say that you believe politicking is involved in the boko haram issue in Nigeria?

Interviewee: yes, yes! I can say that, categorically because with what they exhibit, looking at it, if you look at the primary function of government, constitutionally, it  is the duty of the government to save lives and properties, but where lives are being taken, look at Nyanya attack for example; repeating itself twice and the government is sitting, folding his hands and doing nothing, lives and properties are being wasted everyday, on a daily bases, so I can say categorically that politicking is involved.

Interviewee: what advice can you give Nigerians in order to secure their lives and properties in view of the current state of insecurity in the country?

Interviewee:  well, gone are the days we sleep with our two eyes closed, I want to advice Nigerians that this time around when you sleep, close one eye and open the other eye to watch, (chuckles) even the bible says “watch and pray” you cannot pray without watching and you cannot watch without praying, what I’m trying to say is that let us be vigilant, let us be conscious of our environment, if you see a strange fellow in your environment or in your neighborhood, ask questions. I once saw a strange lady in my environment at the night and she was by a corner making phone calls, I asked her what she was doing there and ended up sending her away, people like that kidnap babies. When you see them patrolling your area, challenge them with questions so that they’ll now you’re vigilant. Because if they’re allowed, you won’t know when they will plant a bomb and before you know it there’ll be explosion. Also, the issue of security is not for government alone, in our community we need to take challenges, we can get the vigilante groups, employ them and pay them so that they watch over, at times you’ll see some people saying that they cannot pay while others are paying and before you know it, thieves would come to that area and they would point at that house that is not paying, so  let there be community development you don’t wait for government to do everything for you. E.g. if your roof is leaking, you don’t wait for the landlord to come and do it for you, you should save your properties first.

Interviewer: thank you very much sir.

Interviewee: (smiles) you’re welcome.

MAR’YAM THAWBAAN