Chimamanda Adichie disagrees with Buhari on Nigeria Governance

“He had an opportunity to make real reforms early on, to boldly reshape Nigeria’s path. He wasted it,”

The largest cities in Nigeria: ranked 1 to 10.

List of largest cities in Nigeria is different from the list of most loved cities in Nigeria

Ankara Dresses, Prints, Latest Fashion Trends

It started as a movement in Africa, Ankara, the African prints has become the latest fashion trends in the globe. Ankara Inspired by the locals and designers in Africa has become the next big thing. Osas eye brings you a collection of the best Ankara dresses

Who will bring back Nigeria’s lost girls?

If Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan can free the missing girls, he would have done it before now. He can't. He failed

African Clothing, Traditional Men's Fashion Styles

African wear continues to rock the fashion trend. From Nigeria to South Africa, Osas eye gives you look at some of the jaw dropping traditional wear by African designers for men

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Osas eye Review of the Year

The great Napoleon Hill wrote that "whatever a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.'' 2013 marked the first year anniversary of osaseye blog. The reviews are quite unimaginable and Google analytic's report beyond outstanding for a one year old blog. I could not have done this without you, my dearest and committed audience; so I say thank you.
Osaseye blog review
Osas eye blog has received multiple awards for: the fastest growing blog in Nigeria, Best New Blog in Nigeria, Best Fashion and Style blog in Nigeria, Creativity and Inspirational blog awards for other bloggers a midst other nominations. The secret is shared in Hill's quote:  I conceived and believed. For the last six months, Osas eye blog averages more than 30,000 page views per month. It attracted over 7,000 pageviews on an ASUU article that captured one of the most talked about issues in Nigeria in 2013. The blog has received numerous sponsored posts and ads placement requests. I have attached titles and pictures of some of the most talked and liked articles in 2013.
osas eye post of the year
A big thanks to the template designer whose credits is listed at the footnote of Osa's eye template; Google, Bloggers who have both copied and linked back to Osaseye, my dedicated audience with exciting comments and opinions, and to God Almighty.

 In my heart, I planned my course but the Incomparable God leads my Path.

 Lastly Osas eye first book is available on Amazon and Kindle titled Singing Shadows: Selected Poems that includes the controversial poems ''The Nairalanders, African Polletiques, Death of an African Pope and Others.''

As we all leave the ashes of 2013 into an exciting new year. Osas eye would like to wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays With Love!


President Goodluck's New Year's message to Nigeria

President Goodluck's New Year's message to Nigeria
A New Year's message from President Goodluck Jonathan is posted  here on Osas eye blog .

Dear Compatriots,

I greet and felicitate with you all as we enter the year 2014 which promises to be a momentous one for our country for several reasons, including the fact that it is also the year of our great nation’s centenary celebrations. I join you all in giving thanks to God Almighty for guiding us and our beloved nation safely through all the challenges of the outgoing year to the beginning of 2014.

Exactly 100 years ago today, on January 1, 1914, the British Colonial authorities amalgamated what was then the separate Protectorates of Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria, giving birth to the single geopolitical entity known as Nigeria. For us therefore, today is not just the beginning of a new year, but the end of a century of national existence and the beginning of another. It is a moment for sober reflection and for pride in all that is great about Nigeria.

Whatever challenges we may have faced, whatever storms we may have confronted and survived, Nigeria remains a truly blessed country, a country of gifted men and women who continue to distinguish themselves in all spheres of life, a country whose diversity remains a source of strength. We pay tribute today, as always to our founding fathers and mothers, and all the heroes and heroines whose toil and sweat over the century made this country what it is today.

As I noted, a few days ago, the amalgamation of 1914 was certainly not a mistake but a blessing. As we celebrate 100 years of nationhood, we must resolve to continue to work together as one, united people, to make our country even greater.

I assure you that our administration remains fully committed to the progressive development of our country and the consolidation of peace, unity and democratic governance in our fatherland. Despite several continuing domestic and global challenges, for us in Nigeria, the year 2013 witnessed many positive developments which we will strive to build upon in 2014.

Happy New Year Mr President.

The world's largest TV Screen is Samsung's 110inches

 world's largest TV Screen is Samsung's 110inches
Samsung's HDTV Ultra 110 inches is the Largest/Biggest TV in history. Samsung has taken a huge step forward, not only to launch a TV of this size on Monday, but also by the incorporation of Ultra High Definition ( Ultra HD ) which will be replacing HD slowly. The largest previous TV was 85 inches wide.The TV Ultra HD 110 inch Samsung was unveiled at CES 2013 in South Korea. However, it still is not available in all countries
 Samsung launched world's largest TV 110inches


The price of the monitor is also unknown. Its price in South Korea was set at $ 150,000.
The dimensions of the Ultra HD 110 inches is 2.6 meters long and 1.8 meters high. It is also a monitor in flat format , so if the user waits for the arrival of the curved monitors will require a little patience and wait. At CES in Las Vegas next week will see the novelties introduced Samsung monitors of this type.

New Years Eve 2013 in Nigeria

New Years Eve 2013 in Nigeria

How to spend New Year's Eve in Nigeria? A long night of music, drinking and wild dancing to greet the arrival of the new year.

The fireworks will light up after the new year's eve service and like a cage, the birds will slowly be released to a nightclub or party to guide in the new year 2014.

"Twelve o'clock start the fireworks." Many concerts will held all over Nigeria. For some it is the night of nights.
Each message will contain a candle that will illuminate the streets. In the wonderful setting of excitements, the top hit songs will warm up the audience.

The music will continue with a DJ set of Sound, known entertainers of all nights in Nigeria, which turns at the console hip hop, reggae, 80s, afrojuju, local, 90s, hits, new wave, Fela trendy in an explosive mix.

The highly anticipated gig of the year will see more than 60 top and upcoming Nigerian artistes getting ready to thrill Lagosians tonight, 31 December at an exclusive star concert taggged Lagos Countdown 2013.

The event end in the earlier hours of tomorrow, 1 January, 2014.

Leading the legion of top stars at tonight’s event holding at the Bar Beach stretch of the Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island, Lagos are Tuface Idibia, Tiwa Savage, Iyanya, KCee, Banky W, Wizkid, Sound Sultan, Davido, Olamide, 9ice, MI, Wande Coal, Omawumi, Terry G, Waje, Flavour and Sean Tizzle.

Apart from Tuface Idibia, super producer Don Jazzy and star actress Funke Akindele, who are the other two ambassadors of Lagos Countdown 2013 will also be part of the Crossover gig.

Monday, December 30, 2013

Mandela Tops Google's most searched of 2013

Google has published the list of most searched terms this year ends. Osas eye bring you the so-called 'Zeitgeist 2013' List. Google analyzed visitors from over 181 countries and 146 languages to find the most searched terms of the year with the rankings of people, events, 'trending topics', hashtags and other varieties of terms of new social networks and online platforms.

Google released top 10  most searched terms of 2013


List of characters in Google searches:
  1. Nelson Mandela
  2. Paul Walker
  3. Malala Yousaf
  4. James Gandol
  5. Miley Cyrus
  6. Oscar Pistorius
If we leave the terms strictly related to personalities , we find:

  1. Nelson Mandela
  2. Paul Walker
  3. iPhone 5S
  4. Cory Monteith
  5. Harlem Shake
  6. Boston Marathon
  7. Real Baby
  8. Samsung Galaxy S4
  9. PlayStation 4
  10. North Korea

Wole Soyinka's daughter, Iyetade Passes Away

Wole Soyinka's daughter, Iyetade Passes Away
Iyetade Soyinka, daughter of Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka, has passed on at the age of 48. She was born June 6, 1965 and died at the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital where she was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.

Iyetade Soyinka was a student at the Staff School and Queens School, Ibadan before she studied Medicine at the University of Ibadan.

A statement signed on behalf of the family by a former Editor of the Guardian on Sunday, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo and a close aide to Soyinka, stated that Iyetade, a mother of two, died while receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

“In spite of this, she greeted every day with a smile and doted on her two children. She took ill quite suddenly and passed away while being treated at UCH, Ibadan. Iyetade leaves behind two children, both parents, numerous siblings, nieces and nephews,” the statement added.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

The 15 Best Nigerian Songs of 2013

One of these songs will be on your list of top Nigerian jams of 2013 if you are Nigerian. Earlier I compiled a list about the best Nigerian movies of 2013 and would like these Nigerian songs of the past twelve months to form another list of top best songs of 2013.
Top Best Nigerian Songs of 2013

However, there’s no shortage of candidates for the open position. As we speak, more Nigerian songs are gaining momentum, starting to cross over, or even just premiering for the first time, all of which may one day soon lay claim to Nigeria's music billboard iron throne. Here’s osaseye take on the jams most likely to end up on the conquering list of best Nigerian songs of 2013.


15. Jaiye Jaiye- Wizkid ft Femi kuti

14. Gobe- Davido

13. Rotate-Wande Coal

12. Natural Something-Sound Sultan

11. Sho lee - Sean Tizzle

10. Koma Roll - Tillaman ft Burnaboy, Iyanya, Ice Prince, Phyno

9. Pull Over-Kcee

8. Sexy Mama- Iyanya ft. Wizkid

7. Durosoke - Olamide

6. Eminado - Tiwa Savage ft Don Jazzy

5. Limpopo - Kcee

4. Personally - P Square

3. Caro - Starboy ft Wizkid & LAX

2.Skelewu - Davido

1. Ada Ada-Flavour

Cossy goes to Church in Traditional Attire

Controversial Cossy goes to Church in her first Nigerian attire. Sorry for those perverts who would have loved to see one of Nigeria's biggest breast actress on show. She's all covered in that area. Cossy Holy Pass!
Cossy goes to Church in Traditional Attire
Some Nigerians are surprised as per Cossy going to church and others believed she looks really good in the traditional outfit. What do you think?

Beyonce and Jay-Z throws $100,000 during night out

Beyonce and her husband Jay Z treated the entire VIP section of Club Reign in Atlanta on expensive champagne and cognac. 
Beyonce and Jay-Z throws $100,000 during night out

The celebrity couple threw more than $ 100,000 (almost 73,000 euros) on the beam into the party crowd. Celebrities like Jermaine Dupri, Bow Wow, The Dream and Trey Songz partied cozy along with the couple. Both Beyonce and Jay-Z have something to celebrate. The latest album by Beyonce is a smash hit and is already two weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 and Jay-Z was told that his last album Magna Carta Holy Grail for a whopping nine Grammy nominated this month.

Friday, December 27, 2013

Best & Worst Dressed at the 2013 Headies Awards

Best & Worst Dressed at the 2013 Headies Awards
Waje

Nigeria's biggest stars kicked off the country's most prestigious award in dresses and high heels to attend last night's 2013 Headies Awards at the Oriental Hotels, Lagos.

And as expected, it was those gals who embraced best fashioned glamour to impressed us the most with their red dresses and style.

Take Toke Makinwa, who had a winning look—on top of her stunning pink and red dresses.

But singers like Waje wowed in a another red single strapless dress to show off her curvy figure.
131107094817-1024.Best-Dressed-headies 2013

Best & Worst Dressed at Headies Awards Toke Makinwa

Best Dressed at the 2013 Headies Awards Toke, Waje and More

photos of Best & Worst Dressed at the 2013 Headies Awards
This last two pictures at the Headies last night in my opinion are quite embarrassing, disappointing and as such holds the tag for the worst dressed.
Worst Dressed at the 2013 Headies Awards:

Best & Worst Dressed at the 2013 Headies photos

Headies Awards 2013: Complete List of Winners!

Olamide won big at the 2013 headies awards on Dec 26. Check out the complete list! The Headies – “Nigeria’s most prestigious awards” was held on Boxing Day at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos and hosted by Mavin Records artiste Tiwa Savage and Dr Sid.
Headies Awards 2013: Complete List of Winners!

Here is the full winner list below:
Best Recording of the Year
I Wish – Waje
Good Morning – Brymo
Natural Something – Sound Sultan
This Year – Jaywon – WINNER!
Producer of the YearPheelz – Durosoke
DTunes – Sho Lee - WINNER!
Del B – Limpopo
Leriq – Like to Party
Legendury Beatz – Emi Ni Baller
Best Music Video
Alingo – Jude Okoye/Clarence Peters - WINNER!
Oliver Twist – Sesan
Gaga Crazy – Aje Filmworks
Azonto – Moe Musa
Yes/No – Clarence Peters
Best R&B/Pop Album
Iyanya Vs. Desire – Iyanya (available on Spinlet)
O.B.O. – Davido - WINNER!
R&BW – Banky W (available on Spinlet)
Blessed– Flavour
Away & Beyond – 2Face Idibia (available on Spinlet)
Best R&B Single
Don’t Let Go – Capital Femi
Good Good Loving – Banky W - WINNER!
Like to Party – Burna Boy
Rich & Famous – Praiz
Omote – Ese Peters
Best Pop Single
Ihe Ne Me – 2Face Idibia - WINNER!
The Kick – Wande Coal Feat. Don Jazzy
Gobe – Davido
Catching Cold – Tunde Ednut
Ur Waist – Iyanya
Goody Bag – D’Prince
Best Reggae/Dancehall Single
I Wish – Waje - WINNER!
Rihanna – Orezi
Give it To Me – General Pype
Go Down – Baba Dee
Best Rap Album
Oga Boss – Ill Bliss (available on Spinlet)
The Second Coming – Vector (available on Spinlet)
YBNL – Olamide - WINNER!
Book of Rap Stories – Reminisce (available on Spinlet)
Best Collabo
Ghost Mode – Phyno Feat. Olamide - WINNER!
Tony Montana (Remix) – Naeto C Feat. D’banj
Baddest Boy – EME Feat, Wizkid, Skales & Banky W
Ezioku – Lynxxx Feat. Ikechukwu, Ill Bliss & Phyno
Emi Ni Baller – Chidinma Feat. Suspect & Ill Bliss
Baby Mi Da (Remix) – DR. Victor Olaiya Feat. 2Face Idibia (available on Spinlet)
Best Rap Single
Man of the Year – Phyno - WINNER!
Anam Achi Kwanu – Ill Bliss Feat. Phyno
Durosoke – Olamide
2 Musshh – Reminisce
Ghost Mode – Phyno Feat. Olamide
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
Rich & Famous – Praiz - WINNER!
Omote – Ese Peters
Don’t Let Go – Capital Femi
Yes/No – Banky W
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
I Wish – Waje
Toh Bad – Niyola
Irawo – Seyi Shay
Totally Yours – Zaina
Only You – Nikki Laoye - WINNER!
Next Rated
Sean Tizzle - WINNER!
Dammy Krane
Burna Boy
Seyi Shay
Phyno
Hip Hop World Revelation
W.A.J.E – Waje (available on Spinlet)
Omo Baba Olowo – Davido - WINNER!
Frenzy – D’Prince (available on Spinlet)
The Year of R&B – Capital Femi
Lyricist on the Roll
Olamide – Voice of the Streets
Boogey – Sanctum
Mode 9 – Let It Go - WINNER!
Phyno – Man of the Year
Best Street-Hop Artiste
Terry G – Run Mad
Durosoke – Olamide - WINNER!
My Dear – Dammy Krane
Skibo – Solid Star
Alaye – LKT
Best Alternative Song
Repete – Black Magic - WINNER!
Omo Pastor – Ajebutter 22 Feat. BOJ
Feel Alright – Show Dem Camp Feat. BOJ & POE
This Year – Jaywon
Album of the Year
Iyanya Vs. Desire – Iyanya
O.B.O. – Davido
R&BW – Banky W
Blessed – Flavour
YBNL – Olamide - WINNER!
Artiste of the Year
Iyanya - WINNER!
Davido
Wizkid
Flavour
Olamide
Ice Prince
Song of the Year
Durosoke – Olamide
Ur Waist – Iyanya
Alingo – P-Square
Sho Lee – Sean Tizzle
Limpopo – Kcee - WINNER!
Most Downloaded Callertune
Harrysong – Mandela
Hall of Fame
Wasiu Ayinde

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Rihanna v Mariah Carey sexy lingerie greetings for Christmas

Rihanna v Mariah Carey sexy lingerie greetings for Christmas
Rihanna and Mariah Carey posted red sexy  lingerie photos to wish their fans a Merry Christmas. The photos of both pop stars in sexy outfits strictly red are making rapid talks around the world. Who's sexier?

Sexy Christmas by Mariah Carey and Rihanna, challenge shots of lingerie

Sexy Christmas by Mariah Carey and Rihanna. The challenge shots of red lingerie: who won? Mariah Carey started it when she was presented in a beautiful and sensual Christmas card for her fans, but Rihanna has  to exaggerated it by Instagram photos.


RIHANNA IN UNDERWEAR CHALLENGE MARIAH CAREY ON INSTAGRAM

Trendy Talk on Baddest Naija Girl

 Baddest Naija Girl
Nigeria's nudity industry got wider in 2013. More household names have entered the list including the likes of Afrocandy, Maheeda, Tonto Dikeh and Cossy Orjiakor. These girls have been named the baddest Naija girls in 2013. The talk is currently trendy! Crazy stuff not doing Naija any good.
 
                                      Naija nude girls

Afrocandy, Cossy , Tonto and Maheeda should shoot for a porn movie says a pervert. Nigeria’s foursome nude terrors, Maheeda, (Caroline Sam), Tonto Dikeh , Cossy Orjiakor and AfroCandy(Judith Mazagwu), have the backing of each other, and it seems like they have their own industry of sex tapes or scandal.

This trendy news is the talk of Nigeria on Christmas day. Join the discussion.

Justin Bieber Announces Retirement Officially

Justin Bieber Announces Retirement in a Tweet
The Christmas message Canadian singer Justin Bieber on Twitter is that he is officially retiring. It was a strange Christmas message from the singer, but not entirely unexpected. Last week he had already talked about retirement. The 19-year-old singer said last week in a radio interview that he would retire on Christmas Eve and he has action to the word. On Twitter, he says goodbye to his Beliebers.


"My beloved Beliebers, today I'm officially retired," said Bieber. After his verdict on Power 106 Justin nuanced his farewell initially still, by saying that he took a temporary break 'for his music to be mature later. Now it looks like he really stops!Justin Bieber Announces Retirement on twitter


Bieber added in a later tweet the reason behind his career ending statement.

Pope Francis prays for Nigeria on Christmas message

Pope Francis prays for Nigeria on Christmas message

Pope Francis in his first Christmas message pronounced in St. Peter's Square in Rome for tens of thousands of attendees giving the traditional blessing "Urbi et Orbi". He called for peace around the world, "for the children and the elderly, the youth and families, the poor and people on the edge of society. "


The prelate called in his Christmas message on dialogue and solidarity worldwide, and called for an end to the violence in Syria, the Central African Republic and South Sudan."Lately there have been too many lives destroyed by the conflict in Syria, where hatred and revenge are stirred." The parties to the conflict should cease all violence and allow full access aid agencies.

He also denounced the violence against civilians in Nigeria, those displaced in Congo, and the Horn of Africa. Francis furthermore strongly condemned the use of child soldiers "who are deprived of their childhood," and pointed to the many children who die in conflict.


This year's turnout has been the largest in years in Bethlehem and the celebrations have been marked by careful optimism amid ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

AFRICA NEXT TOP MODEL Finalist Revealed

AFRICA NEXT TOP MODEL Finalist Revealed

Osaseye ve narrowed it down to the finalist since Sunday's episode revealed the final five in Africa's next top model.
Nigeria's Opeyemi, UGANDAN model Stacie ‘Queen’ Aamito, South Africa’s Cheandre, Angola’s Michaela and Ghana’s Roselyn.reached the Top 5 in the first Africa’s Next Top Model in Episode 7 shown on TV last Sunday.

Aamito thus becomes the first Ugandan girl to reach the top 5 of a continental-wide model search. In all the years of the face of Africa model search (1998-2007) no Ugandan girl reached the Top 5.

Hosted by international model Oluchi Orlandi, the show shot on location in Cape Town, South Africa features 12 aspiring models from different parts of Africa competing to be Africa’s Next Top Model.

3 more episodes remain and the winner will get a modeling contract with New York-based DNA Model Management, and a cash prize of US$50,000.

Nigerians reacts to "Pon Di Ting" video by Sarkodie ft Banky

Sarkodie ft Banky W Pon Di Ting is the brand new tune in Nigeria and Ghana this Christmas. The video published on YouTube has attracted more Banky's comments than the Ghanaian Sarkodie.  The collaboration is the first between the duo but it was the Nigerian who is heating the waves in the video. Call it sick, crazy, awesome or great video, it is not different from girls twerking on Banky. The music video mabe more raunchier than Miley Cyrus wrecking ball. And just like Miley Cyrus twerking, butt slapping video, Pon Di Ting has been billed as one of the best African video of the year by adorable fans from both West African countries.
Nigerians reacts to "Pon Di Ting" video by Sarkodie ft Banky

Watch the video

"Ladies, I am curious to know if there’s an amount of satisfaction you babes derive from posing in a sexual dog style or trying to un-cloth the guys you are asked to act with. I am well aware that some do it for money while some, it is fame. But the question is: how much money could a lady be paid to redefine womanhood in such a negative light; most especially in the time when some gender activists are craving for equality, so they call it."says Ajayi Oluwapelumi Tobi

Nigeria: ACID ATTACK COUPLE SPEAKS OUT

Nigerian police are investigating an attack on a couple in Osun State who had acid thrown on them by an unidentified persons as they walk home from work

Nigerian police are investigating an attack on a couple in Osun State who had acid thrown on them by an unidentified persons as they walk home from work Monday December 16..

Doctors are battling to save the eyes of the banker from Ile Ife, Mr. Tope Akinlabi, and his wife, Mulikat, who were bathed with acid.

The husband’s face was badly affected, the burns on the wife’s face was less severe due to the Hijab she had on.

Tope said he was still scared because he did not know the people behind the attack and the reason they targeted his family.

He said, “After the close of work last Monday, I went to my wife’s shop and waited for her to close after which we went to an eatery and bought some snacks for our kids.

“My wife and I were walking on the road around a hotel at Eleyele Street when I saw a motorcyclist carrying a passenger coming towards us. I told my wife that this bike would hit us, but before I finished saying that, the person at the back of the bike poured acid on us.

“I started screaming and calling for help. Those around came to our rescue, while others pursued the two men who attacked us. Eventually, they were caught. Sympathisers started beating them, but one of the two bike men started pleading that they should not be killed because they were sent.”

“We don’t have any enemy,” he added.

He urged the police to find those after his life, saying he was still living in fear because he didn’t know if those who attacked him were satisfied with his present state or had wanted to kill him.

The wife, Mulikat, said she didn’t know why the hoodlums attacked the two of them, adding that those arrested had been taken by the police to the State Criminal Investigation Department at the Osun State Police Command headquarters.

The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba said "I can assure you that we will surely investigate and make sure that justice is done in the case. Husband and wife attacked with acid? That is terrible.”

Monday, December 23, 2013

13 Google Adsense Alternatives

Google AdSense is competitively the best advertising network to monetize your blog and it follows a pay-per-click advertising model. When AdSense first launched, they accepted nearly all websites and blogs that comply with Google Adsense Program Policies. But today, your website/blog must not only comply with Google AdSense policies but must also comply with Google Webmaster Guidelines. Even then, Google is rejecting and disabling most of the applicants.
13 Google Adsense Alternatives

What are the alternatives to Google AdSense? Osas eye have reviewed few pay-per-click ad networks, in-text ad networks and some CPM ad networks.

1. BuySellAds

BuySellAds is an online advertising network where publishers can list their ad inventory. You get access to thousands of advertisers through their market place. The BuySellAds network supports web, mobile web, RSS, Tweets, apps (desktop, iOS, Android) and e-mail. BuySellAds is a good alternative to AdSense and is used by most professional bloggers.

Minimum Payment Amount: $20 (PayPal); $50 (Check); $500 (Wire Transfer)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer

Programs Offered: Cost Per Impression, Fixed Rate Banner Ads, Sponsored Tweets


2. Text Link Ads


Text Link Ads are unique because they are static html links that can drive targeted traffic and help your link popularity which is a top factor in organic search engine rankings. You can use Text Link Ads along with Google AdSense or any other ad networks.

Minimum Payment Amount: No Minimum (PayPal, Payoneer); $25 (Check)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Payoneer, Check

Programs Offered: Fixed Rate Text Link Ads


3. LinkWorth


LinkWorth is an alternative to Text Link Ads. Their products consist of text link ads, paid blog reviews, in-text ads, in-content pay per click ads, rotating text ads, hosted content pages and many more.

Minimum Payment Amount: $25 (PayPal); $100 (Check, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer, Direct Deposit (US Only)

Programs Offered: Fixed Rate Text Link Ads

4. SponsoredReviews

SponsoredReviews is a blog advertising network that allows you to build backlinks, increase traffic and improve search engine rankings of your website. If you’re a blogger then you can make money by reviewing advertiser’s websites.

Minimum Payment Amount: No Minimum

Payment Method(s): PayPal

Programs Offered: Fixed Rate Sponsored Reviews

5. ReviewMe

ReviewMe allows you to make money by reviewing products you find interesting. Price is determined by the reach of your blog. Reviews can range from $40 to $500 per review and it will be a one time fee.

Minimum Payment Amount: No Minimum (PayPal); $25 (Check, Prepaid MasterCard)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Check, ReviewMe Prepaid MasterCard

Programs Offered: Fixed Rate Sponsored Reviews

6. InfinityAds

InfinityAds (or Paypopup) is popular among Pop Under and Pop Up ads and they pay you for every thousand impressions shown on your website. The average payment rate according to their website is $1.80 per 1,000 impressions. All the websites gets auto approval and the minimum payout is just $5.

Minimum Payment Amount: $5

Payment Method(s): Check, PayPal, Wire Transfer

Programs Offered: Cost Per View


7. Clicksor


Clicksor is one of the best Google AdSense alternative which allows publishers to display advertisements related to their website content by using their contextual technology. You can place Clicksor ads along with Google AdSense ads and can even set minimum prices for CPV, CPC, CPM and CPI ads. The ad formats include Inline Text Links, Text banners, Graphical banners, Pop-unders and Interstitial ads. You receive up to 85% of the ad income and can earn extra income by referring other publishers. Clicksor pays 10% additional income every time you refer a publisher or advertiser to Clicksor network.


Minimum Payment Amount: $50 (PayPal, Check); $1,000 (Wire Transfer)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Check, Wire Transfer

Programs Offered: Cost Per Click, Cost Per Impression

8. BidVertiser

BidVertiser is another top alternative to Google AdSense which pays you for valid clicks on ads placed on your website as well as for conversions generated from those clicks. You display ads on your website or blog and advertisers bid against each other so that you earn the maximum cost per click.

Alexa Rank: #1,512

Minimum Payment Amount: $10 (PayPal); $100 (Check)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Check

Programs Offered: Cost Per Click


9. adBrite

adBrite is another Google AdSense alternative that shares 75% of the ad revenue with you and is open to small as well as large publishers. They have text ads, banner ads and full page ads. Text ads are paid out on a Cost Per Click (CPC) basis, banner ads are paid out on a Cost Per Mille (CPM) or CPC basis and full page ads are paid out on a Cost Per View (CPV) basis. All campaign ads (CPM, CPV and CPC ads) are auctioned based so the highest paying ad available is always displayed.


Minimum Payment Amount: $100

Payment Method(s): Check

Programs Offered: Cost Per Click, Cost Per Impression, Cost Per View

10. Chitika



Chitika is an online advertising network that allows publishers to display ads on their website, blog, app or mobile site. They offers publishers and advertisers user targeted, search targeted, mobile and local ads for websites, blogs, apps and mobile sites. Most publishers consider Chitika and adBrite as a perfect alternative to Google AdSense.
Minimum Payment Amount: $10 (PayPal); $50 (Check)

Payment Method(s): PayPal, Check

Programs Offered: Cost Per Click

Chitika: Sign Up | FAQ
In-Text Advertising Networks

In-Text advertising can’t be considered as an alternative to Google AdSense but you can use it along with AdSense or any other contextual ad networks like BidVertiser or Clicksor.

11. Infolinks



Infolinks is the leader in in-text advertising which offers 70% revenue share even if you’re a newbie blogger. Infolinks follows a pay-per-click advertising model. Whenever a visitor hovers over one of these double-underlined words, an ad related to what they’re reading appears and you get paid every time a reader clicks on one of those ads.

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Wole Soyinka "Troubled Nigeria to wreck"

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka on Sunday warned that the already troubled Nigeria was heading for a ‘shipwreck.’
Wole Soyinka: Troubled Nigeria going for a ship wreck

Soyinka in the brief statement said, “an APC-led group, we understand, has been paying courtesy visits to former Heads of States. Would it be correct to state that their purpose is captured in the following Mission Statement? ‘Tinubu said that the APC had resolved to rescue Nigeria, appealing to Obasanjo to lead the mission. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria. We want you as navigator,’ he said.”

Soyinka, added, “If this attribution is correct, may I urge you, as an urgent public service, to advise families to begin the stockpiling of life-belts for the guaranteed crash. Don’t forget to alert the coastguards—ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), AU (African Union), UNO (United Nations Organization) etc, to be on the alert for possible salvage operations.

“If General Sani Abacha were alive today, would he also have been on the ship’s complement? As Captain perhaps?”, Soyinka queried.

Is there any truth in Soyinka's statement? Has he taken Tinubu's quote out of context? 

Pastor Kumuyi stirs Christmas Celebration controversy in Nigeria

The General Overseer of  Deeper Life Ministry, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, has warned members of the church and public against celebrating Christmas, saying the celebration of Christmas is 'idolatrous and unscriptural'
Christmas Celebration controversy in Nigeria

Kumuyi warned that  "We don’t celebrate Christmas. It actually came from idolatrous background. That is why you don’t hear us sing what they call Christmas carol, Never! We always say it is the December retreat. We are only gathering together because it is the holiday period and love the lord more, and rededicate ourselves more."

He added, “When you find anybody coming in, or any leader, trying to introduce the idolatry of mystery Babylon, that they call Christmas and you want to bring all the Christmas carol saying that is the day that Jesus was born, and you don’t find that in the Acts of the Apostles or in the early church, then you don’t find that in the church either. If you don’t know that before, now you know.”

“We are not trying to make the church turn like the world. We want it to be like Jesus Christ, and more like the Apostles. If you don’t have that mind with us, then you have permission to go to other places.” 

The Director of Social Communications, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Monsignor Gabriel Osu, while reacting to Pastor Kumuyi’s proclamation about the celebration of Christmas, said:
“I don’t know what he means by saying the practice of celebrating Christmas is wrong. “Is he saying that Christ wasn’t born? That he didn’t come to die for us? Does he not celebrate his own birthday?
"Do Kumuyi’s pastors not celebrate him? It is not everything I react to; some people just seek attention. If Kumuyi is a Christian, then he must believe in Christ.

“The celebration of Christmas didn’t just start today; it is too public an event for anyone to say that they don’t know what it is about. If Kumuyi is condemning the commercialisation of Christmas, I can understand that. Christ came to redeem us from our lost state; this was actualised through his coming, his birth; that is why we celebrate Christmas. It is the fulfilment of God’s promise.

“I saw him on the television a few days ago. He was in Akwa Ibom State and was the chief preacher during their Christmas celebration event. Kumuyi is just saying what he feels; he is not making any doctrinal statement.”

He argued that“The origin of Christmas, as we know it, could be traced to Roman Emperor, Constantine. Christmas was a day for celebrating the Sun God. However, because Constantine was a Christian, the day was changed to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

“The tradition has continued to date and since the aim of Christmas is to celebrate Jesus since there is nothing bad in honouring Jesus. Also, the worship of the Sun God was done in Rome and not everywhere in the world, so it is not part of our history.”

Justine Sacco fired and apologizes for offensive, racist AIDS tweet

Justine Sacco fired and apologizes for offensive, racist AIDS tweet

Justine Sacco, the PR woman at IAC, the company behind include Vimeo and Tinder who posted a stupid bad joke on Twitter about Africa has led to her dismissal.

For Sacco last weekend on the plane to Cape town, South Africa from London, tweeted that: "I'm going to Africa. Hopefully I do not get AIDS. Just kidding, I'm white! "

The tweet went viral in no time: he was more than 3,500 and retweeted more than 1,700 times referred to as a favorite. It just goes to show you how racist people are. Africans don't enjoy such belittling joke.

The "twitter joke 'was not well received by her parent company IAC who released a statement saying:" This is rude and offensive, and it reflects the values ​​of IAC not. We will respond appropriately. "They followed that statement a day latter by showing Justine Sacco out the door. She's been fired.

The irony of this story is that Sacco's father, a South African and was born in Africa. "I have my daughter brought up in the U.S. because South Africa was racist," replied her father.

The tweet was deliberate, as the account @ Justin Sacco removed. Sacco has now also apologized: "Words can not express how sorry I am for the pain I've caused. I want to apologize to the South African people that I have offended a useless tweet. "

Sunday, December 22, 2013

The Letter: President Goodluck Jonathan Replies Olusegun Obasanjo

December 20th 2013

His Excellency,

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR

Agbe L’Oba House, Quarry Road,

Ibara, Abeokuta.

RE: BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE

I wish to formally acknowledge your letter dated December 2, 2013 and other previous correspondence similar to it.

You will recall that all the letters were brought to me by hand. Although both of us discussed some of the issues in those letters, I had not, before now, seen the need for any formal reply since, to me, they contained advice from a former President to a serving President. Obviously, you felt differently because in your last letter, you complained about my not acknowledging or replying your previous letters.

It is with the greatest possible reluctance that I now write this reply. I am most uneasy about embarking on this unprecedented and unconventional form of open communication between me and a former leader of our country because I know that there are more acceptable and dignified means of doing so.

But I feel obliged to reply your letter for a number of reasons: one, you formally requested for a reply and not sending you one will be interpreted as ignoring a former President.

Secondly, Nigerians know the role you have played in my political life and given the unfortunate tone of your letter, clearly, the grapes have gone sour. Therefore, my side of the story also needs to be told.

The third reason why I must reply you in writing is that your letter is clearly a threat to national security as it may deliberately or inadvertently set the stage for subversion.

The fourth reason for this reply is that you raised very weighty issues, and since the letter has been made public, Nigerians are expressing legitimate concerns. A response from me therefore, becomes very necessary.

The fifth reason is that this letter may appear in biographies and other books which political commentators on Nigeria’s contemporary politics may write. It is only proper for such publications to include my comments on the issues raised in your letter.

Sixthly, you are very unique in terms of the governance of this country. You were a military Head of State for three years and eight months, and an elected President for eight years. That means you have been the Head of Government of Nigeria for about twelve years. This must have, presumably, exposed you to a lot of information. Thus when you make a statement, there is the tendency for people to take it seriously.

The seventh reason is that the timing of your letter coincided with other vicious releases. The Speaker of the House of Representatives spoke of my “body language” encouraging corruption. A letter written to me by the CBN Governor alleging that NNPC, within a period of 19 months did not remit the sum of USD49.8 billion to the federation account, was also deliberately leaked to the public.

The eighth reason is that it appears that your letter was designed to incite Nigerians from other geopolitical zones against me and also calculated to promote ethnic disharmony. Worse still, your letter was designed to instigate members of our Party, the PDP, against me.

The ninth reason is that your letter conveys to me the feeling that landmines have been laid for me. Therefore, Nigerians need to have my response to the issues raised before the mines explode.

The tenth and final reason why my reply is inevitable is that you have written similar letters and made public comments in reference to all former Presidents and Heads of Government starting from Alhaji Shehu Shagari and these have instigated different actions and reactions. The purpose and direction of your letter is distinctly ominous, and before it is too late, my clarifications on the issues need to be placed on record.

Let me now comment on the issues you raised. In commenting I wish to crave your indulgence to compare what is happening now to what took place before. This, I believe, will enable Nigerians see things in better perspective because we must know where we are coming from so as to appreciate where we now are, and to allow us clearly map out where we are going.

You raised concerns about the security situation in the country. I assure you that I am fully aware of the responsibility of government for ensuring the security of the lives and property of citizens. My Administration is working assiduously to overcome current national security challenges, the seeds of which were sown under previous administrations. There have been some setbacks; but certainly there have also been great successes in our efforts to overcome terrorism and insurgency.

Those who continue to down-play our successes in this regard, amongst whom you must now be numbered, appear to have conveniently forgotten the depths to which security in our country had plunged before now.

At a stage, almost the entire North-East of Nigeria was under siege by insurgents. Bombings of churches and public buildings in the North and the federal capital became an almost weekly occurrence. Our entire national security apparatus seemed nonplussed and unable to come to grips with the new threat posed by the berthing of terrorism on our shores.

But my administration has since brought that very unacceptable situation under significant control. We have overhauled our entire national security architecture, improved intelligence gathering, training, funding, logistical support to our armed forces and security agencies, and security collaboration with friendly countries with very visible and positive results.

The scope and impact of terrorist operations have been significantly reduced and efforts are underway to restore full normalcy to the most affected North Eastern region and initiate a post-crisis development agenda, including a special intervention programme to boost the region’s socio-economic progress.

In doing all this, we have kept our doors open for dialogue with the insurgents and their supporters through efforts such as the work of the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and the Peaceful Resolution of the Security Challenges in the North-East. You also know that the Governor of Borno State provided the items you mentioned to me as carrots. Having done all this and more, it is interesting that you still accuse me of not acting on your hardly original recommendation that the carrot and stick option be deployed to solve the Boko Haram problem.

Your suggestion that we are pursuing a “war against violence without understanding the root causes of the violence and applying solutions to deal with all the underlying factors” is definitely misplaced because from the onset of this administration, we have been implementing a multifaceted strategy against militancy, insurgency and terrorism that includes poverty alleviation, economic development, education and social reforms.

Even though basic education is the constitutional responsibility of States, my administration has, as part of its efforts to address ignorance and poor education which have been identified as two of the factors responsible for making some of our youth easily available for use as cannon fodder by insurgents and terrorists, committed huge funds to the provision of modern basic education schools for the Almajiri in several Northern States. The Federal Government under my leadership has also set up nine additional universities in the Northern States and three in the Southern States in keeping with my belief that proper education is the surest way of emancipating and empowering our people.

More uncharitable persons may even see a touch of sanctimoniousness in your new belief in the carrot and stick approach to overcoming militancy and insurgency. You have always referred to how you hit Odi in Bayelsa State to curb militancy in the Niger Delta. If the invasion of Odi by the Army was the stick, I did not see the corresponding carrot. I was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then, and as I have always told you, the invasion of Odi did not solve any militancy problem but, to some extent, escalated it. If it had solved it, late President Yar’Adua would not have had to come up with the amnesty program. And while some elements of the problem may still be there, in general, the situation is reasonably better.

In terms of general insecurity in the country and particularly the crisis in the Niger Delta, 2007 was one of the worst periods in our history. You will recall three incidents that happened in 2007 which seemed to have been orchestrated to achieve sinister objectives. Here in Abuja, a petrol tanker loaded with explosives was to be rammed into the INEC building. But luckily for the country, an electric pole stopped the tanker from hitting the INEC building. It is clear that this incident was meant to exploit the general sense of insecurity in the nation at the time to achieve the aim of stopping the 2007 elections. It is instructive that you, on a number of occasions, alluded to this fact.

When that incident failed, an armed group invaded Yenagoa one evening with the intent to assassinate me. Luckily for me, they could not. They again attacked and bombed my country home on a night when I was expected in the village. Fortunately, as God would have it, I did not make the trip.

I recall that immediately after both incidents, I got calls expressing the concern of Abuja. But Baba, you know that despite the apparent concern of Abuja, no single arrest was ever made. I was then the Governor of Bayelsa State and the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate. The security people ordinarily should have unraveled the assassination attempt on me.

You also raised the issues of kidnapping, piracy and armed robbery. These are issues all Nigerians, including me are very concerned about. While we will continue to do our utmost best to reduce all forms of criminality to the barest minimum in our country, it is just as well to remind you that the first major case of kidnapping for ransom took place around 2006. And the Boko Haram crisis dates back to 2002. Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of the country then. Also, armed robbery started in this country immediately after the civil war and since then, it has been a problem to all succeeding governments. For a former Head of Government, who should know better, to present these problems as if they were creations of the Jonathan Administration is most uncharitable.

Having said that, let me remind you of some of the things we have done to curb violent crime in the country. We have reorganized the Nigerian Police Force and appointed a more dynamic leadership to oversee its affairs. We have also improved its manpower levels as well as funding, training and logistical support.

We have also increased the surveillance capabilities of the Police and provided its air-wing with thrice the number of helicopters it had before the inception of the present administration. The National Civil Defence and Security Corps has been armed to make it a much more effective ally of the police and other security agencies in the war against violent crime. At both domestic and international levels, we are doing everything possible to curb the proliferation of the small arms and light weapons with which armed robberies, kidnappings and piracy are perpetrated. We have also enhanced security at our borders to curb cross-border crimes.

We are aggressively addressing the challenge of crude oil theft in collaboration with the state Governors. In addition, the Federal Government has engaged the British and US governments for their support in the tracking of the proceeds from the purchase of stolen crude. Similarly, a regional Gulf of Guinea security strategy has been initiated to curb crude oil theft and piracy.

Perhaps the most invidious accusation in your letter is the allegation that I have placed over one thousand Nigerians on a political watch list, and that I am training snipers and other militia to assassinate people. Baba, I don’t know where you got that from but you do me grave injustice in not only lending credence to such baseless rumours, but also publicizing it. You mentioned God seventeen times in your letter. Can you as a Christian hold the Bible and say that you truly believe this allegation?

The allegation of training snipers to assassinate political opponents is particularly incomprehensible to me. Since I started my political career as a Deputy Governor, I have never been associated with any form of political violence. I have been a President for over three years now, with a lot of challenges and opposition mainly from the high and mighty. There have certainly been cases of political assassination since the advent of our Fourth Republic, but as you well know, none of them occurred under my leadership.

Regarding the over one thousand people you say are on a political watch list, I urge you to kindly tell Nigerians who they are and what agencies of government are “watching” them. Your allegation that I am using security operatives to harass people is also baseless. Nigerians are waiting for your evidence of proof. That was an accusation made against previous administrations, including yours, but it is certainly not my style and will never be. Again, if you insist on the spurious claim that some of your relatives and friends are being harassed, I urge you to name them and tell Nigerians what agencies of my administration are harassing them.

I also find it difficult to believe that you will accuse me of assisting murderers, or assigning a presidential delegation to welcome a murderer. This is a most unconscionable and untrue allegation. It is incumbent on me to remind you that I am fully conscious of the dictates of my responsibilities to God and our dear nation. It is my hope that devious elements will not take advantage of your baseless allegation to engage in brazen and wanton assassination of high profile politicians as before, hiding under the alibi your “open letter” has provided for them.

Nevertheless, I have directed the security agencies and requested the National Human Rights Commission to carry out a thorough investigation of these criminal allegations and make their findings public.

That corruption is an issue in Nigeria is indisputable. It has been with us for many years. You will recall that your kinsman, the renowned afro-beat maestro, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti famously sang about it during your first stint as Head of State. Sonny Okosun also sang about corruption. And as you may recall, a number of Army Generals were to be retired because of corruption before the Dimka coup. Also, the late General Murtala Mohammed himself wanted to retire some top people in his cabinet on corruption-related issues before he was assassinated. Even in this Fourth Republic, the Siemens and Halliburton scandals are well known.

The seed of corruption in this country was planted a long time ago, but we are doing all that we can to drastically reduce its debilitating effects on national development and progress. I have been strengthening the institutions established to fight corruption. I will not shield any government official or private individual involved in corruption, but I must follow due process in all that I do. And whenever clear cases of corruption or fraud have been established, my administration has always taken prompt action in keeping with the dictates of extant laws and procedures. You cannot claim to be unaware of the fact that several highly placed persons in our country, including sons of some of our party leaders are currently facing trial for their involvement in the celebrated subsidy scam affair. I can hardly be blamed if the wheels of justice still grind very slowly in our country, but we are doing our best to support and encourage the judiciary to quicken the pace of adjudication in cases of corruption.

Baba, I am amazed that with all the knowledge garnered from your many years at the highest level of governance in our country, you could still believe the spurious allegation contained in a letter written to me by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and surreptitiously obtained by you, alleging that USD49.8 billion, a sum equal to our entire national budget for two years, is “unaccounted for” by the NNPC. Since, as President, you also served for many years as Minister of Petroleum Resources, you very well know the workings of the corporation. It is therefore intriguing that you have made such an assertion. You made a lot of insinuations about oil theft, shady dealings at the NNPC and the NNPC not remitting the full proceeds of oil sales to the of CBN. Now that the main source of the allegations which you rehashed has publicly stated that he was “misconstrued”, perhaps you will find it in your heart to apologize for misleading unwary Nigerians and impugning the integrity of my administration on that score.

Your claim of “Atlantic Oil loading about 130, 000 barrels sold by Shell and managed on behalf of NPDC with no sale proceeds paid into the NPDC account” is also disjointed and baseless because no such arrangement as you described exists between Atlantic Oil and the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company. NPDC currently produces about 138, 000 barrels of oil per day from over 7 producing assets. The Crude Oil Marketing Division (COMD) of the NNPC markets all of this production on behalf of NPDC with proceeds paid into NPDC account.

I am really shocked that with all avenues open to you as a former Head of State for the verification of any information you have received about state affairs, you chose to go public with allegations of “high corruption” without offering a shred of supporting evidence. One of your political “sons” similarly alleged recently that he told me of a minister who received a bribe of $250 Million from an oil company and I did nothing about it. He may have been playing from a shared script, but we have not heard from him again since he was challenged to name the minister involved and provide the evidence to back his claim. I urge you, in the same vein, to furnish me with the names, facts and figures of a single verifiable case of the “high corruption” which you say stinks all around my administration and see whether the corrective action you advocate does not follow promptly. And while you are at it, you may also wish to tell Nigerians the true story of questionable waivers of signature bonuses between 2000 and 2007.

While, by the Grace of God Almighty, I am the first President from a minority group, I am never unmindful of the fact that I was elected leader of the whole of Nigeria and I have always acted in the best interest of all Nigerians. You referred to the divisive actions and inflammatory utterances of some individuals from the South-South and asserted that I have done nothing to call them to order or distance myself from their ethnic chauvinism. Again that is very untrue. I am as committed to the unity of this country as any patriot can be and I have publicly declared on many occasions that no person who threatens other Nigerians or parts of the country is acting on my behalf.

It is very regrettable that in your letter, you seem to place sole responsibility for the ongoing intrigues and tensions in the PDP at my doorstep, and going on from that position, you direct all your appeals for a resolution at me. Baba, let us all be truthful to ourselves, God and posterity. At the heart of all the current troubles in our party and the larger polity is the unbridled jostling and positioning for personal or group advantage ahead of the 2015 general elections. The “bitterness, anger, mistrust, fear and deep suspicion” you wrote about all flow from this singular factor.

It is indeed very unfortunate that the seeming crisis in the party was instigated by a few senior members of the party, including you. But, as leader of the party, I will continue to do my best to unite it so that we can move forward with strength and unity of purpose. The PDP has always recovered from previous crises with renewed vigour and vitality. I am very optimistic that that will be the case again this time. The PDP will overcome any temporary setback, remain a strong party and even grow stronger.

Instigating people to cause problems and disaffection within the party is something that you are certainly familiar with. You will recall that founding fathers of the Party were frustrated out of the Party at a time. Late Chief Sunday Awoniyi was pushed out, Late Chief Solomon Lar left and later came back, Chief Audu Ogbeh and Chief Tom Ikimi also left. Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo left and later came back. In 2005/2006, link-men were sent to take over party structures from PDP Governors in an unveiled attempt to undermine the state governors. In spite of that, the Governors did not leave the Party because nobody instigated and encouraged them to do so.

The charge that I was involved in anti-party activities in governorship elections in Edo, Ondo, Lagos, and Anambra States is also very unfortunate. I relate with all Governors irrespective of political party affiliation but I have not worked against the interest of the PDP. What I have not done is to influence the electoral process to favour our Party. You were definitely never so inclined, since you openly boasted in your letter of how you supported Alhaji Shehu Shagari against Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe and others in the 1979 presidential elections while serving as a military Head of State. You and I clearly differ in this regard, because as the President of Nigeria, I believe it is my duty and responsibility to create a level playing field for all parties and all candidates.

Recalling how the PDP lost in states where we were very strong in 2003 and 2007 such as Edo, Ondo, Imo, Bauchi, Anambra, and Borno, longstanding members of our great party with good memory will also consider the charge of anti-party activities you made against me as misdirected and hugely hypocritical. It certainly was not Goodluck Jonathan’s “personal ambition or selfish interest” that caused the PDP to lose the governorship of Ogun State and all its senatorial seats in the last general elections.

You quoted me as saying that I have not told anybody that I will seek another term in office in 2015. You and your ambitious acolytes within the party have clearly decided to act on your conclusion that “only a fool will believe that statement” and embark on a virulent campaign to harass me out of an undeclared candidature for the 2015 presidential elections so as to pave the way for a successor anointed by you.

You will recall that you serially advised me that we should refrain from discussing the 2015 general elections for now so as not to distract elected public officials from urgent task of governance. While you have apparently moved away from that position, I am still of the considered opinion that it would have been best for us to do all that is necessary to refrain from heating up the polity at this time. Accordingly, I have already informed Nigerians that I will only speak on whether or not I will seek a second term when it is time for such declarations. Your claims about discussions I had with you, Governor Gabriel Suswam and others are wrong, but in keeping with my declared stance, I will reserve further comments until the appropriate time.

Your allegation that I asked half a dozen African Presidents to speak to you about my alleged ambition for 2015, is also untrue. I have never requested any African President to discuss with you on my behalf. In our discussion, I mentioned to you that four Presidents told me that they were concerned about the political situation in Nigeria and intended to talk to you about it. So far, only three of them have confirmed to me that they have had any discussion with you. If I made such a request, why would I deny it?

The issue of Buruji Kashamu is one of those lies that should not be associated with a former President. The allegation that I am imposing Kashamu on the South-West is most unfortunate and regrettable. I do not even impose Party officials in my home state of Bayelsa and there is no zone in this country where I have imposed officials. So why would I do so in the South West? Baba, in the light of Buruji’s detailed public response to your “open letter”, it will be charitable for you to render an apology to Nigerians and I.

On the issue of investors being scared to come to Nigeria, economic dormancy, and stagnation, I will just refer you to FDI statistics from 2000 to 2013. Within the last three years, Nigeria has emerged as the preferred destination for investments in Africa, driven by successful government policies to attract foreign investors. For the second year running, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Investments (UNCTAD) has ranked Nigeria as the number one destination for investments in Africa, and as having the fourth highest returns in the world.

Today, Nigeria is holding 18 percent of all foreign investments in Africa and 60 percent of all foreign investments in the ECOWAS Sub-Region. Kindly note also that in the seven years between 2000 and 2007 when you were President, Nigeria attracted a total of $24.9 Billion in FDI. As a result of our efforts which you disparage, the country has seen an FDI inflow of $25.7 Billion in just three years which is more than double the FDI that has gone to the second highest African destination. We have also maintained an annual national economic growth rate of close to seven per cent since the inception of this administration. What then, is the justification for your allegation of scared investors and economic dormancy?

Although it was not emphasized in your letter of December 2, 2013, you also conveyed, in previous correspondence, the impression that you were ignorant of the very notable achievements of my administration in the area of foreign relations. It is on record that under my leadership, Nigeria has played a key role in resolving the conflicts in Niger, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali, Guinea Bissau and others.

The unproductive rivalry that existed between Nigeria and some ECOWAS countries has also been ended under my watch and Nigeria now has better relations with all the ECOWAS countries. At the African Union, we now have a Commissioner at the AU Commission after being without one for so long. We were in the United Nations Security Council for the 2010/2011 Session and we have been voted in again for the 2014/2015 Session. From independence to 2010, we were in the U.N. Security Council only three times but from 2010 to 2015, we will be there two times.

This did not happen by chance. My Administration worked hard for it and we continue to maintain the best possible relations with all centres of global political and economic power. I find it hard therefore, to believe your assertions of untoward concern in the international community over the state of governance in Nigeria

With respect to the Brass and Olokola LNG projects, you may have forgotten that though you started these projects, Final Investment Decisions were never reached. For your information, NNPC has not withdrawn from either the Olokola or the Brass LNG projects.

On the Rivers State Water Project, you were misled by your informant. The Federal Government under my watch has never directed or instructed the Africa Development Bank to put on hold any project to be executed in Rivers state or any other State within the Federation. The Rivers Water Project was not originally in the borrowing plan but it was included in April 2013 and appraised in May. Negotiations are ongoing with the AfDB. I have no doubt that you are familiar with the entire process that prefaces the signing of a Subsidiary Loan Agreement as in this instance.

Let me assure you and all Nigerians that I do not engage in negative political actions and will never, as President, oppress the people of a State or deprive them of much needed public services as a result of political disagreement

I have noted your comments on the proposed National Conference. Contrary to the insinuation in your letter, the proposed conference is aimed at bringing Nigerians together to resolve contentious national issues in a formal setting. This is a sure way of promoting greater national consensus and unity, and not a recipe for “disunity, confusion and chaos” as you alleged in your letter.

Having twice held the high office of President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I trust that you will understand that I cannot possibly find the time to offer a line-by-line response to all the accusations and allegations made in your letter while dealing with other pressing demands of office and more urgent affairs of state.

I have tried, however, to respond to only the most serious of the charges which question my sincerity, personal honour, and commitment to the oath which I have sworn, to always uphold and protect the interests of all Nigerians, and promote their well-being.

In closing, let me state that you have done me grave injustice with your public letter in which you wrongfully accused me of deceit, deception, dishonesty, incompetence, clannishness, divisiveness and insincerity, amongst other ills.

I have not, myself, ever claimed to be all-knowing or infallible, but I have never taken Nigeria or Nigerians for granted as you implied, and I will continue to do my utmost to steer our ship of state towards the brighter future to which we all aspire.

Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration and warm regards.

GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/12/jonathans-letter-obasanjo/#sthash.RVfBxZg8.dpuf