Photo: Davido, his dad and siblings storm Dubai to welcome the new year

Great stuff!

Check Out Area Fada Charley Boy and His Séxy Virgin Girls

Charley boy has revealed that he is a Buddhist and that these babes with him are "tear-robber". More pix...

These hot chicks were with the Area Fada all through his father's burial. #GoFigure

Bank Manager Commits Suicide In Controversial Circumstances

So sad! Policemen attached to the Ibafo Police DivisionOgun State, on Saturday, recovered the decomposed body of the manager of a commercial bank, Mr. Habeeb Olatunde, at an uncompleted building at Arepo.

The state’s Police Public Relations officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, explained that the decomposed body was found hanged in the building when the police detectives arrived at the scene. 

Adejobi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, added that preliminary investigation revealed that Olatunde committed suicide by hanging himself. 

He said, “Since Olatunde was declared missing on June 19, 2014, the police have intensified efforts to find him. However, his remains were discovered after a thorough search with the help of members of the community.” 

Adejobi said the police were investigating the circumstances leading to the incident. He added that initial findings showed that the deceased Bank manager complained of stress in the office and was permitted to have a rest...

“He committed suicide while he was on casual leave,” he told Punch that Olatunde, who had been declared missing since June 18, is believed to have killed himself.

The policemen, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Salawu Jimoh, a Chief Superintendent of Police, were said to have concluded that the matter was suicide based on what they found on ground.

He said his corpse had been released to his family for burial according to Islamic rites as no mark of violence was seen on the body and no foul play was suspected.

I'm Not Beating My Wife ––

It seems some persons are out to tarnish Hon Dino Melaye's image. Stories have been flying in the media in the last few days, that his new wife has packed out of his house over alleged beatings. But Dino has set the record straight, saying such never happened. See one of the pix his ex-wife used to blackmail him below...

Boko Haram Sleép with Me & Free Those Girls; I'm Still Waiting ––Singer Adokiye

Female singer Adokiye has dared the dreaded Boko Haram leader, Shekau, again to take her virg-inity and let the school girls return to their parents. She is very serious and here's what she told Bella Naija about it:

Let’s set the records straight, Is this a publicity stunt to promote your music and image?

I made an open offer to some group of people. The question is why they haven’t accepted my request? They should gather up the girls, prepare them for release and then I am sure they will find out if I’m still a virgin.

Publicity card to promote my music and image? Let me even ask! Promote what music? I have not released any music or plan to even release any music anytime soon. So what music am I promoting?  

As for my image, if crying for freedom for the release of innocent children, a reminder to the nation that kids are still missing is promoting my image, then I say to you, let my image soar!

Why are you so open about your virg-inity?

Virg-inity has its own spiritual benefit. A lot of girls that are virgins think virginity is not worth keeping probably because they are being mocked and called names, a lot of people say virginity is lack of opportunity. So I am using this great opportunity to let the world know that if you are a girl and a virg-in, oh you have a precious gift.

Do you feel in any way that your statement degrades women and trivializes the plight of the girls?
It can only degrade a woman who does not appreciate womanhood/motherhood. If you are a true woman, you would understand my fight. 

 
Do not miss the point, focus on my fight. Don’t get me wrong, I am not promoting rape or pleading to be raped as what some people are making the situation seem like a joke but whatever those kids are going through, because we cannot see them, I would say should be thrown to me instead and allow them be freed.
I want to use this opportunity to apologise to all the women around the world who have gotten my fight twisted for some reasons or the other to see this as not only a selfless service to humanity but to fall back to the biblical times where Jesus urged us to be our brothers keeper and love others as we love ourselves.

How do you feel about how viral your statements have gone?
“I thank God. As noisy as I may sound, I thank God there are still intelligent people who understand my fight and where I am coming from. It’s also a reminder to me again that indeed I have a mission here on earth. My point is very simple. I want the world to be restless until the kids are returned.

How does your partner feel about the statement?
I don’t have a boyfriend and I am not planning to have one anytime soon. I would say it is a distraction to me for now.

Why the need to publicly state that the sect should come and take you?
Forgive me to say that I am an Intelligential and I understand that the media has got a way of making people get things twisted, I get it and I don’t feel bad at all. I thought by now, His Excellency, our Number one man, the President would have assigned reputable youths, intellects who share the same dreams with him, youths of our nation who can help to reduce this trauma we are going through. The world has gone digital and youths are digital. Our nation’s youths are intelligent to fight this fight with our government. 

I stand by my words to say I DON’T MIND BEING AN EXCHANGE FOR THE RELEASE OF THOSE KIDS SO THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES. Whatever it is they are going through, for them to be released should be thrown to me. And If they have turned the young girls to their séx slaves, they should consider releasing them and turn me to one.

Update on snakes tangled in electric lines in Benin

Told y'all yesterday about some snakes that were found tangled in electric wires on a street in Benin city (read here). Well, here's what the people of Ekosodin did to the snakes. They are still trying to figure out how the snakes got on the wires. #flyingthinz! :-). See more pics after the cut...

Nollywood Director Mac Collins Chidebe Blasts Genevieve Nnaji

Popular movie director Mac Collins Chidebe has blasted actress Genevieve Nnaji for insulting Nollywood, the industry that gave her the fame and the food she is eating today. Read what the man has to say: 

"Genevieve has just insulted the industry that made her who she is today and what effort has she made to help improve Nollywood? Those days in Enugu when Genevieve was growing in Nollywood, our movies were not rubbish; she has grown now, made money, fame, popularity e.t.c, how much has she invested in this Industry that made her? 

"All the while she was busy waiting for Titanic scripts, Nollywood was trying their best to keep the flag flying waiting for her to come back and take the industry to the next level. Artistes should stop biting the fingers that fed them. We are watching and waiting for them to bring down heaven. We made them stars; we are waiting for them to come back and take the industry to the next level. Instead of blasting Nollywood, come and improve Nollywood."

Genevieve had accused Nollywood of producing mediocre movies after the same movies made her popular in many ways and even richer than she had imagined. Below is what Genevieve said about Nollywood...

“I guess I haven’t found the right script yet. Creativity and depth are the qualities that I look out for in a script. In the beginning, the movie industry emphasised quantity but things are changing and there is an improvement in trend. I am among the people who advocate for the improvement of the industry. So said, I am constantly watching out for the kind of stories I take part in. I am in support of movies that show a great deal of professionalism and creativity.  

"Having practiced my art in international & professionally produced stories like ‘Ije’; ‘Mirror boy;’ and ‘Tango with me’, I don’t think I can return to the blandness and mediocrity that characterized Nollywood in the past.”

Update On Boko Haram Businessman Who Kidnapped The Girls

There are strong indications that the fake businessman who was arrested recently as a kingpin in the network of Boko Haram agents that kidnap the over 200 Chibok girls in Borno State has a lot of security information.

Consequently, the security agencies have moved the Boko Haram kingpin, Babuji Ya’ari, to a secure location in Abuja. He was moved to Abuja early this week from his Maiduguri base, where he was arrested.

A security source said, “I can tell you that the suspect has been moved to Abuja. He was brought to Abuja early this week. He is being interrogated in connection with the abduction of the girls. 

“What is important to the Federal Government now is how to secure the release of the girls. He has made useful information that will assist security agencies.”

The source, who disclosed this to Punch, said Ya’ari was being interrogated in connection with the abduction of the Chibok girls. He said that security agencies were trying to get from him, information that could assist in the release of the girls, who had been in Boko Haram custody for more than 70 days.

According to the source, the General Officer Commanding 7th Division, Nigerian Army, Brig Gen MY Ibrahim, was also at the Defence Headquarters for a strategic security meeting, which might not be unconnected with the arrest of Ya’ari and the ongoing investigation into the abduction of the Chibok girls.

The suspect, said to be a business man, was reported to be under intense interrogation, and he is expected to provide vital information on how the abduction was carried out, and give a clue on the location of the girls in the deadly Sambisa Forest and other hideouts where the girls were being kept.

Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, had in a statement on Monday identified Ya’ari as a leader of a youth vigilance group, popularly known as the Civilian JTF. He had said that Ya’ari used his membership of the Civilian JTF to gather information to aid the activities of the insurgents.

Olukolade said Ya’ari also spearheaded the murder of the Emir of Gwoza, Idrissa Timta, who was killed by the insurgents at Tesan Alade, along the Biu-Garkida Road on May 30, 2014.

Pastor Arrested For Allegedly Killing His Friend For Rituals

If not that the man's wife called him earlier and he told her he was in Pastor's house, no one would know:
Nigerian Police operatives attached to Ogun State Police Command have arrested a popular pastor in the state identified as Pastor Abimbola Alonge, for allegedly killing his friend, Yusuf Kamilu, for rituals.

Mr Kamilu’s wife, Adijat, said after her husband was found at a junction lying half-dead the following morning, the pastor lied to them on phone that he travelled. Read what she said below:

“At about 10am when he left the house on Tuesday, Pastor Alonge called him on phone, and my husband replied that he was already about leaving. He promised to come back at about 6pm because I was not feeling alright too, and I was even using drugs.

“By 3pm that same day, I called him on phone again asking whether my ATM card was with him because I needed to withdraw some money. He still answered me cracking a joke, and I heard the voices of about four persons laughing in the background. He said it was my ATM card that he was eating now in pastor’s house. That was the joke, but it made me to know that he was still at that place [Pastor's house]."

MTN to launch Music + App

Africa's most valuable brand and leading ICT Company, MTN Nigeria is set to redefine and revolutionize the entertainment industry in Nigeria with the launch of its Music+ App.

The company has perfected plans for the launch expected to hold in July and they intend to pull out all the stops on this one.

The exclusive event promises to be full of fun and excitement. There would be dropping of new hits and singles from some of the company’s Music Ambassadors. Also, one of the MTN music ambassadors would do a collabo with renowned international star, Diana King of the Shy Guy fame.

A-list artists, top DJ’s in the industry and top media entertainment independent programmes producers like Sound City, Hip TV and MTV Base as well as Beat FM will all be in attendance. The event is strictly by invitation!

Music superstars dazzle Lagos fans at MTN Project Fame concert

Brilliant! Exceptional! Incredible! Those were the words fun seekers used to describe the Project Fame All Star Concert that took place at the LTV Blue Roof Arena, in Lagos, over the weekend. In what will go down as one of the most exhilarating and exciting concert witnessed in recent times, fans came out en masse to party with their favourite superstars and MTN ambassadors. Continue..

Timaya posted one of his best performances so far; Chidinma Ekile dazzled the audience, Banky. W rocked, Oritse Femi tickled, Praiz elated; The Mavins made their presence felt, Kcee mesmerised and Olawale Ojo, winner of Project Fame 6, thrilled his fans. The crowd stood up for great showmanship and applauded the extraordinary giftedness of the artistes that graced the All-Stars stage.

Every moment was electrifying. All the artistes were exceptional. Choruses like ‘Surelere’, ‘Ukwu’, ‘When I Become Rich and Famous’, ‘Is Nothing’, ‘Kedike’ and a lot more reverberated down the winding Agidingbi lane and echoed across the serene centre of excellence.

There was a moment of ingenuity when Larry Annetts, the out-going Chief Marketing Officer of MTN, enlivened the audience by his perfect rendition of Kcee’s ‘Limpopo’. The marketing chief soon became the focal point as the spot-light picked him up and showed he was actually singing not miming the song. Many said if the marketing guru could learn and understand not just the tune of the song but its lyrics, then he must represent a brand that is passionate about its customers.

There was sheer brilliance in other performances. For instance Seriki’s lyrics were alluring. He held the audience spell- bound with his tight rhymes and street vibes. He generated instant love, especially among the teeming young people who reechoed every line of his Yoruba rap.

The climax of all the performances was the moment Timaya rendered his ‘Ukwu’ song and invited a lady who many felt the title perfectly addressed.

Speaking to some of the participants, they unanimously expressed their satisfaction with every performance at the show.

One Salami Odumosu said ‘it was one of my best nights’. Another participant called Ken, a student, quipped, ‘because this is the first time I’m seeing Timaya perform, it is actually fun’.

There were lots of positive comments, commendations and testimonies from participants. This is a good omen for the season 7 of the MTN Project Fame musical reality show, which starts on July 19, 2014.

See photos below...

Photo: Davido pictured wearing 24-carat gold-plated headphones

The current rave of African music Davido pictured above rocking a 24-carat gold-plated headphones. That's the life!

SEE President Jonathan Eating With His Muslim Brothers

The Ramadan fasting fever is in the air and President Goodluck Jonathan has caught the bug. He may not be part of the fast but joined top Muslims in his government to break the fast inside the Aso Rock. More pix...

With the president are Vice President Namadi Sambo, Peoples’ Democratic Party chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar and other top government functionaries.

Keshi never resigned

Keshi © Action Images

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Stephen Keshi has astonishingly declared that he has not resigned as Nigeria coach.
Reports in the past two days quoted the former Nigeria captain saying he was no longer coach of the Super Eagles, but Keshi says that is not the case.
The “Big Boss” claims he was misquoted.
““What I said to my players was that this may be my last match at the helm of affairs in the national team, because my contract terminates with the World Cup and I have not been offered a new one.
“I was a bit shocked that the global media went to town to say I have called it quits with the national team. Resignations are not done on the pages of newspapers but formally,” he said.
Keshi, who took over the reins of the Nigeria national team in 2011, led the side to glory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
He then resigned barely 24 hours after his finest hour as a coach before rescinding that decision shortly afterwards.
The Nigeria Football Federation has yet to officially react to the latest situation.

I Don't Miss My Mainland Agberos & Alomo

 I am an Ajebutter. Not by birth, or by formings, or by swag – I am simply an unapologetic Ajebutter by default. I didn’t choose to be born one. God, without seeking my opinion (because He’s God, I guess), gave me the genes of an Ajebutter and a funny Bri-Merican accent . By luck or some twisted work of fate, fortune, Karma (I might have killed ten defenseless puppies in my past life) or destiny, I have found myself in Lagos, crazy Lasgidi, and this is my story…
 

Yes O! I don port o...
Finally I decided to move from the Lagos mainland to the Island, and Jesus, I'm loving it. Having spent over a year in Surulere, and dealing with a number of interesting occurrences and lifestyles, I wish never to return....ever!
To be honest, (before you all begin to think of all the fancy residential spots in your head,), I didn't move to Victoria Island, Lekki Phase 1, or where the old money resides, Ikoyi. Nah, they're way too expensive for me...for now. I moved to a less fancy spot with plenty of water, and a high number of Niger Republicans.
I moved to Ajah! The glorious suburb of Lagos.
I have spent 2 weeks here, battling with my new environs, dealing with the tush neighbours, and getting used to the idea that I never will have to leave home without dipping my fine shoes in some little puddle, or try to dribble my way out of a number of small ponds.
And in 2 weeks, I have discovered the true meaning of life. You see, this life ain't all about the grind, and daily hustle that characterize living on the mainland. It's a bit more than that. A little chill, a little more relaxation, and boom! Life becomes clearer.
For example, I now know how much a bag of cement is worth. On the mainland, I was too busy fighting off Agberos to even remotely consider building my house. But now the world appears free from trouble and pidgin english, so now I must build that house. Gbam!
And also, one other really interesting feature I love about living in Ajah, are the ladies. Of course! The women here are mostly tush. They have a sense of esteem and belonging, and always swing their hips slowly to seducing effect. Yes, I have been looking, and that's only because they wear very strong colognes to always make me notice them. Other than that, I'm a good Christian brother, born, baptized, and bred in the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria. Amen.
But before I go, let me at least spare some kind words to the Lagos mainland. My sweet Lagos Mainland.
'Dear Land Of Agberos,
How are you? I hope you haven't exploded from all that population, hustle, and Agberos?
Well, after one year of scary but interesting romance, I have decided to break up with you. Not because you are bad, or haven't been nice to me, but because all the Agberos in the world originate from you, and I can't speak my English with a confused accent without being threatened by some envious illiterate. Also, Alomo and Agbo aren't my favorite drinks, neither do I love to smoke weed and SK.
But you do love those things, and no matter how much I try to live with it, I have discovered that I can't. It make s life hell for me. Even all your Danfo conductors aren't helping. The other day, one ran away with my N900 balance, the other one stole N40,000 from a passenger, and jumped into the sea. Although he was later caught sha.
Not to say you were really that bad. All the late night roadside noodles and eggs couldn't have been possible without you. Also, I can speak some Yoruba now, and also know the taste of Amala and Ewedu. Thanks. I will look back with fondness on all the good times we shared.
Your Runaway Boyfriend,
Jonathan Joey Akan

Police Nabs Kidnapper And Ritual Killer Pastor

The Lagos Police Command should be commended for the prompt arrest of the kidnapper and ritualist pastor, Ernest Nwankwo who has been on the run since his nefarious activities were discovered.
 
The long arm of the law has finally caught up with the kidnapper cum ritual killer pastor and General Overseer of Holy Family Ministry, a.k.a House of Mercy, located in Ogolonto area of Ikorodu, Lagos, Pastor Ernest Nwankwo.
The 50 years old Anambra State born Nwankwo who was fingered in the kidnap of a boy by one Mrs. Rosemary Chukwu, as the brain behind the crime, has been on the run but was nabbed in the Ebute-Metta area of Lagos, after a tip-off to the police.
The people of the area was in shock with the discovery that the so called pastor who had lived and operated in their environment for a long time was actually involved in illegal activities.
When his den was busted, some people who have been kidnapped as far back as 2012, were discovered and rescued.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide confirmed the arrest:

Yes, the Pastor has been arrested today around Ebutte Meta.

He calls himself the next big thing in Nigeria and seeing him in this suit, yes he is!

 

Nigeria's fastest rising star, Patoranking is truly on fire and he is taking that swag to a higher level - on his outfit!

The "Girlie O" crooner was spotted in a well-tailored grey suit, immaculate white shirt, a white and black bow tie, black shoes and a likely expensive golden coloured wrist watch en route to this year's City People Entertainment Awards in Lagos last weekend.

The fresh and clean singer later posted the his self confident picture on Istagram with the caption, "Give thanks for the gift of life... God over Everything #whayasay!!!

What do you guys think of Patoranking's brushed up look - keep or bin?

Nigeria's fastest rising star, Patoranking is truly on fire and he is taking that swag to a higher level - on his outfit!

Nicki Minaj Almost Died of Weed Overdose & She was Ashamed to Even Call for Help

Busty singer Nicki Minaj was inside a room where they were taking Indian Hemp in excess and at a stage she got chocked and almost died. But guess what? She could not call for help because of shame. Hear her:

"The other day, literally I didn't tell anybody this, I really thought I was about to die. Like, I was saying my prayers to die. And I didn't even want to call the ambulance because I thought, 'Well if I call the ambulance, it's going to be on TMZ'. 

"I would rather sit there and die. And it made me realize I don't care what anybody got to say. I'm going to do me."

Nicki made the shocking revelation during her acceptance speech for Best Female Rapper at BET Awards on Sunday to the surprise of many, as she stated that she was ashamed to call an ambulance because she didn't want people to read about her on TMZ, a popular US gossip website. What a lame excuse!

Funny enough, the same TMZ already got the info and they say she almost died due to 'weed overdose'. lol!

Wizkid Expresses Delight In Being Called ‘Amazing’ By Rihanna

Sensational music artiste, Wizkid is no doubt a good singer and also a successful entertainer. He has been busy in the US and also having the opportunity to hang out with American stars like Chris Brown and Akon, who he was recently spotted with.

In Nigeria, many have longed to have Wizkid say sweet words to them, but such window has not opened, but for the singer, he got the rare privilege to be described as ‘amazing’ by Rihanna, a top music artiste in the US.

The music artiste took to twitter to gush about this and also expressed his love for Rihanna on the same platform.

A king at home is just an ordinary person abroad you want to say? You might not be wrong.

Click the link below to go to...

Nollywood Actress, Biola Ige: Sweeping Nollywood With Sexiness, Beauty?

I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL BODY,WHY WON'T I FLAUNT IT--ACTRESS UCHE OGBODO

FORMER SUPER EAGLES CAPTAIN,AUSTIN JAYJAY OKOCHA OPENS UP ON MARRIAGE BREAK-UP TALE

EXCLUSIVE: Crack Between Ini Edo, Emem Isong Over Movie Credit

WHY MANY CELEBRITY WOMEN MARRIAGES CRASH

For the record: Poverty and terrorism threaten the foundations of our democracy – Bola Tinubu

by Bola Tinubu

Since the 1999 transition from military to civilian rule, we have effectively limited our definition of democracy to the holding of elections with little regard to the quality thereof. There are two jarring problems with this self-imposed constraint.

PROTOCOL
I thank all of you for participating in this maiden Freedom House lecture on democracy. I want to express special appreciation to Professor Larry Diamond for honoring us by accepting to deliver this inaugural address. It is my fervent hope that what we embark on today shall become a perennial institution, a permanent feature of our democratic landscape.
Such lectures are needed because our nation needs a broader, deeper appreciation of democracy in all of its complexities and ramifications. To state it bluntly because I know of no other way to state it, we do not understand enough about democratic governance and practice.
What we practice is often not democracy. How this nation is governed is a hybrid process where democracy is often the junior partner and minority attribute.
As such, the system of governance we practice has not yielded the desired results – the dividends of democracy have been painfully elusive. How could it be otherwise? It would be wrong to anticipate a pear to grow from apple tree or a dog to give birth to a goat. Thus, it is wrong to expect this current form of governance to produce the fruits of democracy when it is the wrong type of tree.
To think otherwise is not to be optimistic. It is to engage in unproductive wishful thinking that precludes us from doing the heavy and hard work needed to transform “what is” into “what ought to be.” This lecture series is a modest contribution toward this benign change.
Since the 1999 transition from military to civilian rule, we have effectively limited our definition of democracy to the holding of elections with little regard to the quality thereof. There are two jarring problems with this self-imposed constraint.
First, most members of the Nigerian political class was weaned on the rancid milk of dictatorship and the imperial mindset upon which it is based. Fairness and openness of process and outcome of discourse and debate, and compromise and conciliation have no place in this realm. In this authoritarian world, the ends justify the means and the only ends pursued are those that increase the power and wealth of the people wielding them. It is a top- down world where the top dictates the tune and everyone dances to it or gets kicked into the shadows.
Most adult Nigerians have spent the majority of their lives under military, or its antecedent, colonial rule. Neither one is a good primer for democracy. Nigerians are smart people and learn fast. Too bad, our history has presented bad governance role models to us. We have learned much. Sadly, most of it has been the wrong lessons from the wrong textbook.
Thus, the conduct of elections during the past fifteen years has been basically an unbroken trail of malpractice and connivance to steer Nigeria to a contrived result with scant connection to the popular will.
Instead of being the periodic celebration of democracy, elections in Nigeria have generally mocked the very notion of democracy they are supposed to uphold.
Worst has been what comes after elections. Since the winner often is not chosen by the people but by some subterranean process, he continues to dishonor the people while resorting to that subterranean process in how he rules. Generally, these office holders believe they have the inborn right to rule instead of have been given a duty to govern.
For the most part, elections have become a perverse form of modern coronation. Instead of choosing public servants, elections in Nigeria have been basically to select a new aristocracy, an elected royalty.
Government is run like a medieval court, full of intrigue and an excessive number of jesters and unproductive courtiers whose only reason for being is to use their proximity to power to extract rents from the improper operation of government.
One can only find rhyme and reason in governance to the extent one can decipher or anticipate the whim and caprice of the man in power.
Thus, we call ourselves a new, growing democracy yet we retreat further into the old ways. We slip into authoritarian darkness.
Faced with a growing number of state governors in the opposition party, the federal government arbitrarily has reduced the revenues flowing to the states in order to punish the political opposition. In effect, the federal government has imposed economic sanctions simply because some political leaders have the temerity to belong to another party. That the people are made to suffer means little. For the people are not why they entered into governance. Power and privilege are.
This is why they shut down newspapers recently and restricted freedom of movement by prohibiting key APC members from travelling into Ekiti state prior to elections. This is why they deployed more security people to hover over the elections in Ekiti than they do to protect the people and tackle the security challenges in Borno state. The Minister of State for Defence has spent more time in Ekiti than he has in Chibok. This is not responsible democratic governance. It is a hoax.
This brings me to the point where I would like to say a few words about the topic of today’s lecture: Poverty, Terrorism and Democracy. In my view, the first two concepts have intertwined to form a terrible union against the third, against democracy.
Some claim the rise of Boko Haram has nothing to do with poverty. They blame it all on ideology. Some go as far as implying that Islam is at fault. Those who say this can be excused to some extent for they are as ignorant about Islam as Boko Haram is. However, Boko Haram cannot be excused. They are violent murders of both Muslim and Christians. There is not one word in Islam that supports the evil they do.
It is obvious that Boko Haram terrorists have lashed themselves to a dangerous and desperate ideology. But we must ask who does such a thing and why do they seem to have so many adherents and supporters?
Poverty is a big part of the answer. Poverty often distorts a person’s humanity. The destitute and the ignorant, casting about on their last strand of hope, are susceptible to a mean and wicked interpretation of the world that labels everyone not in that group as expendable sacrifices and objects of terror.
Again to put it bluntly because I know of no other way, Boko Haram is an extreme manifestation of the chronic and acute misgovernance that has spread gross injustice and mass poverty across the face of our beloved nation.
All nations have their wayward souls. However, in better governed, more prosperous societies, the number of anti-social actors is much less and even their extremism is somewhat muted. Because of their low numbers, they are confined to being a law enforcement problem.
But here, abject poverty swells their ranks. Here, they have become a small army. With that, they are a national security threat and a political challenge to a free and open society.
We must deal with them decisively yet wisely. Also, government must also be cautious in not using the fight against terrorism to truncate otherwise legitimate political activity by a legitimate and peaceful political opposition. Also, government must restrain itself from striking indiscriminately against people in the affected areas, in the process committing human rights abuses that undermine democracy and that become a recruiting tool for the terrorists.
As such, poverty and terrorism are truly a compound threat to democracy. Not only do those who manufacture terror undermine democracy through their direct actions. We also must take care that government’s response is not such a heavy-handed and indiscriminate one that it undermines civil liberties and chases people into the camp of the terrorists.
I shall end here that we may soon come to the meat of this gathering; Professor Diamond’s address.
Again, I thank you all for coming today that we may use this lecture to take a step toward the democracy we truly seek.

OPENING REMARKS BY ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU AT THE INAUGURAL LECTURE OF THE FREEDOM HOUSE DEMOCRACY LECTURE SERIES HELD AT MUSON CENTER, AGIP HALL, LAGOS, NIGERIA. JUNE 3OTH 2O14