Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
As we change, we are going to strive for inclusion, openness and development no matter what.
Instead of thinking how the whole world or the whole of Nigeria may live the right manner, we should think more about how we ourselves may do so. If we live in the right manner, we shall all discover a way of persuading others to do so by setting example.
This CHANGE that we seek MUST begin with looking inside. It will require us to engage in moral reasoning on almost all the issues that we are confronted with. Once we alter our own behavior to fit the values we seek in others and ultimately the vision for Common Good, those around us will be attracted to change as well.
Folks, please make no mistake about it, the kind of CHANGE we seek is revolutionary because it is principle driven. Historically such principle driven behavior challenges the status quo [Man know Man; Chop-I-Chop System] and forces people to choose between what is easy and that which is the moral thing to do.
This behavior of CHANGE is capable of dividing a Family or a Church as the issues will be narrowed down to one of self interest or general good of all. Those who represent the status quo and are small minded may initially see the new VISION as a threat to their selfish interest but once the CHANGE agents show commitment and consistency these agents of the status quo will eventually change and see we face a common future which can presently be described as bleak.
In other words, if we don’t CHANGE first, they won’t CHANGE.
An emergent Anioma Community that is capable of honest dialog, one that enacts new forms of behavior and is often at odds with corruption and hereditary hierarchy.
Our new emergent Community will be built on intense commitment that is voluntary. It is our hope that members are willing to join in this noble effort that requires them to make significant personal sacrifice that will ultimately result in their own transformation.
To that end, I am going to propose that we create an Organization that will be named the Anioma Leadership Foundation. The initial members of this Anioma Leadership Council will consist of all those Anioma Indigenes who feel the desire for CHANGE. The modalities of the structure etc. will be discussed by a Committee that will be constituted. This Anioma Leadership Foundation will have amongst its responsibility the day to day running of Umu Anioma Group.
In order for the Anioma Leadership Foundation to accomplish its goals, it would be absolutely important that it has no hierarchy in its Organizational Structure. All members of the Anioma Leadership Foundation will be of equal footing. This will ensure that the Foundation is not pressured by external forces, and the individual member of the Anioma Leadership Foundation is more likely to see new possibilities. It is my hope that with such an emergent Community in place our Mission of CHANGE for the COMMON GOOD can emerge.
In concluding, I recognize that asking ordinary people to CHANGE carries a lot of risk. The dilemmas we face is that of making a change for the collective good or allow ourselves and the futures of Anioma children to die a slow death through our self-centeredness.
Folks, it is time to CHANGE. I further recognize that CHANGE is not easy. Asking ordinary people to change is not easy but I ask you all to keep an open mind. There will be sacrifices but an easier way to look at the CHANGE that we seek is to see ourselves as being ANIOMA-CENTRIC. Anioma-Centricity means as Change Agents we will be Champions of the paradigm CHANGE that empowers us to be aligned with a Vision for the general good. That is ANIOMA-CENTRICITY!
As the convener of the Umu Anioma Group, my commitment to CHANGE [or Anioma-Centricity] is resolute. I believe this CHANGE has to be from ground up. Our Umu Anioma Youth will be the catalyst because they shoulder the burden of leadership tomorrow. I am ending this message with a quote by President John Fitzgerald Kennedy [JFK] of the United States that goes thus: Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.
Umu Anioma, if we rephrase that quote to say (and be challenged by it):
Ask not what Anioma can do for you – ask what you can do for Anioma…
I am confident that we will in the very near future be able to impact the lives of all our people positively as it is my very strong belief that our best days as ANIOMA people are still ahead of us.
God bless you all abundantly and please join us tomorrow for the Umu Anioma Inaugural Telephone Conference/Meeting.
Ofu Obi Bu Ike Anyi
Viva Anioma!
Viva Delta State!!
Viva Nigeria!!!
Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
Convener, Umu Anioma Group.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The time for CHANGE is NOW [Part 2]
Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
Their Greed and pursuit of Selfish Interest ONLY has prevented them to see the inevitable catastrophe. If anyone thought things are bad now, please wait another 5 years or so when some of these new advances are rolled out. I know that there are agents of the status quo who would rather we don’t do anything and wait till the hour but inspired leadership calls us all to act now to avoid what in my humble opinion will be disastrous considering that our educational system in Nigeria is in crisis state.
We need to take our message to the grassroots. The grassroots need to know the truth and they also need to know that all hope is not lost. Since the CHANGE we seek is from the bottom up, we will be asking for their help as we brainstorm on the way forward.
If we are committed to this Vision enough, I am confident that we be able to use Umu Anioma Group as the vehicle to unite us under a common purpose.; a purpose that puts the general good of all, over any self-centered interest. Furthermore, I am hopeful that we can brainstorm and come up with
an action plan that would save Umu Aniomas from the emerging reality of a “Knowledge based World Economy. As for Education for instance, I know Isaac Eke, Joy Ogbechie, Henry Ijeh, and Tonia Ideh four great Umu Aniomas have written and bared their minds about the rot in our educational system and the work they would like do to bring about the desired CHANGE in our Educational System. I believe we can do more and finding ways to improve Curriculum, Instruction and Infrastructure in our Educational Institutions in Anioma will be of utmost importance. These and other areas of our polity will be addressed in the same fashion by standing Committees to be formed as we progress.
Folks, please make no mistake about it, in other for any CHANGE that we desire to be attained and sustained, we have to have the ears and eyes of the grassroots. The vision is a deliberate vision that will not be hypocritical or pretentious. If we don’t CHANGE the mindset of our Anioma people first it doesn’t matter how much money is poured into any particular sector of our economy in Anioma good results will elude us. For example, the reason why there is a rot right now is not because the Govt. is not pumping money into the economy. In Nigeria for instance, approx. 99.9% of the Revenue is from Oil sales. Out of this amount, available statistics show that approx. 80% of Revenue from oil is spent to run the Govt. e.g. Run the National Assembly, State Assemblies, Federal Government Ministries and Parastatals, State Govt. Ministries and Parastatals, pay Salaries of all the Special Advisers and workers
Etc. Only approximately 20% of the Revenue from Oil is spent on building and maintaining the infrastructure. The processes for awarding the contract for building these infrastructures as you can imagine is flawed and slanted towards the few and connected who return a 50% cut to the Govt. official responsible for awarding the contract. I am sure you get my drift. The current system is corrupt and not working for about 99% of Nigerians.
In the past week, in our Umu Anioma Yahoo Group Forum, we have heard from at least 1 person in the 1% bracket. This individual was prompted to admit being pro status quo. The individual offered an opinion which I thought was interesting and should not be ruled out completely. The opinion was to the effect that we face reality and not be caught up too much in idealism. His suggestion was that we work [without recognizing the work that we already are committed to] within the existing ruling party political framework which frankly imposes the status quo on all Umu Anioma. From my vantage standpoint, I think more than anything an issue raised by such un-popular suggestion is one of whether we in the Umu Anioma Group have a “Two-Prong” approach just in case…..
Based on the preceding paragraph, my proposal is start we continue to choose our leaders, continue with the membership drive and bring awareness of the vision to ALL Umu Aniomas worldwide.
An Anioma Leadership Foundation, in my humble opinion, will be in a better position to address such issues raised.
Umu Anioma, please make no mistake about it, the road we are about to travel is going to take many turns and twist but with God on our side I am confident that we will reach the Promised Land. The Promised Land being an Anioma where the children and adults alike rise above whatever adverse conditions to live gratifying lives.
Even though the message, I bring today is a message of Unity, Hope and Change. The major goal of the Umu Anioma Group is to build an emergent Community out of the Anioma Community that can learn, adapt and grow. We will develop a new social reality that will require ALL of us to make painful adjustment away from self-interested behavior. I must not fail to recognize that in spite of all the vision and brilliant ideas that each one of us may have, there is also a political reality and expediency that tells us that we can only succeed if we submit to the forces of the evil cabal. Our approach is to tolerate those Umu Anioma who feel they MUST work within the existing structure as long as they don’t constitute themselves as hindrance to our own Umu Anioma Mission.
Basically, it is possible for us to exist side by side with the eventual aim of harmonizing for the general good of all. Anioma Youth are the most brilliant and un-assuming people that I know. We certainly will be willing to entertain all ideas. As the leadership of Umu Anioma takes shape, I am confident that issues that relate to the preceding will be one of the initial issues that they will tackle. In my mind I feel that there is room for a two prong approach. This feeling is borne more so out of my new behavioral change for the good of all. I hope those who see a possibility in towing the status quo are prepared to make and win their arguments when the time comes.
TO BE CONTINUED
Their Greed and pursuit of Selfish Interest ONLY has prevented them to see the inevitable catastrophe. If anyone thought things are bad now, please wait another 5 years or so when some of these new advances are rolled out. I know that there are agents of the status quo who would rather we don’t do anything and wait till the hour but inspired leadership calls us all to act now to avoid what in my humble opinion will be disastrous considering that our educational system in Nigeria is in crisis state.
We need to take our message to the grassroots. The grassroots need to know the truth and they also need to know that all hope is not lost. Since the CHANGE we seek is from the bottom up, we will be asking for their help as we brainstorm on the way forward.
If we are committed to this Vision enough, I am confident that we be able to use Umu Anioma Group as the vehicle to unite us under a common purpose.; a purpose that puts the general good of all, over any self-centered interest. Furthermore, I am hopeful that we can brainstorm and come up with
an action plan that would save Umu Aniomas from the emerging reality of a “Knowledge based World Economy. As for Education for instance, I know Isaac Eke, Joy Ogbechie, Henry Ijeh, and Tonia Ideh four great Umu Aniomas have written and bared their minds about the rot in our educational system and the work they would like do to bring about the desired CHANGE in our Educational System. I believe we can do more and finding ways to improve Curriculum, Instruction and Infrastructure in our Educational Institutions in Anioma will be of utmost importance. These and other areas of our polity will be addressed in the same fashion by standing Committees to be formed as we progress.
Folks, please make no mistake about it, in other for any CHANGE that we desire to be attained and sustained, we have to have the ears and eyes of the grassroots. The vision is a deliberate vision that will not be hypocritical or pretentious. If we don’t CHANGE the mindset of our Anioma people first it doesn’t matter how much money is poured into any particular sector of our economy in Anioma good results will elude us. For example, the reason why there is a rot right now is not because the Govt. is not pumping money into the economy. In Nigeria for instance, approx. 99.9% of the Revenue is from Oil sales. Out of this amount, available statistics show that approx. 80% of Revenue from oil is spent to run the Govt. e.g. Run the National Assembly, State Assemblies, Federal Government Ministries and Parastatals, State Govt. Ministries and Parastatals, pay Salaries of all the Special Advisers and workers
Etc. Only approximately 20% of the Revenue from Oil is spent on building and maintaining the infrastructure. The processes for awarding the contract for building these infrastructures as you can imagine is flawed and slanted towards the few and connected who return a 50% cut to the Govt. official responsible for awarding the contract. I am sure you get my drift. The current system is corrupt and not working for about 99% of Nigerians.
In the past week, in our Umu Anioma Yahoo Group Forum, we have heard from at least 1 person in the 1% bracket. This individual was prompted to admit being pro status quo. The individual offered an opinion which I thought was interesting and should not be ruled out completely. The opinion was to the effect that we face reality and not be caught up too much in idealism. His suggestion was that we work [without recognizing the work that we already are committed to] within the existing ruling party political framework which frankly imposes the status quo on all Umu Anioma. From my vantage standpoint, I think more than anything an issue raised by such un-popular suggestion is one of whether we in the Umu Anioma Group have a “Two-Prong” approach just in case…..
Based on the preceding paragraph, my proposal is start we continue to choose our leaders, continue with the membership drive and bring awareness of the vision to ALL Umu Aniomas worldwide.
An Anioma Leadership Foundation, in my humble opinion, will be in a better position to address such issues raised.
Umu Anioma, please make no mistake about it, the road we are about to travel is going to take many turns and twist but with God on our side I am confident that we will reach the Promised Land. The Promised Land being an Anioma where the children and adults alike rise above whatever adverse conditions to live gratifying lives.
Even though the message, I bring today is a message of Unity, Hope and Change. The major goal of the Umu Anioma Group is to build an emergent Community out of the Anioma Community that can learn, adapt and grow. We will develop a new social reality that will require ALL of us to make painful adjustment away from self-interested behavior. I must not fail to recognize that in spite of all the vision and brilliant ideas that each one of us may have, there is also a political reality and expediency that tells us that we can only succeed if we submit to the forces of the evil cabal. Our approach is to tolerate those Umu Anioma who feel they MUST work within the existing structure as long as they don’t constitute themselves as hindrance to our own Umu Anioma Mission.
Basically, it is possible for us to exist side by side with the eventual aim of harmonizing for the general good of all. Anioma Youth are the most brilliant and un-assuming people that I know. We certainly will be willing to entertain all ideas. As the leadership of Umu Anioma takes shape, I am confident that issues that relate to the preceding will be one of the initial issues that they will tackle. In my mind I feel that there is room for a two prong approach. This feeling is borne more so out of my new behavioral change for the good of all. I hope those who see a possibility in towing the status quo are prepared to make and win their arguments when the time comes.
TO BE CONTINUED
The time for CHANGE is NOW! [Part 1]
Prince Emmanuel O. Ohai
To: All Umu Anioma.
Subject: My Vision.
Saturday April 10, 2010
Dear Umu Anioma:
Umu Anioma, ekenem unu
I thank you all who will be joining our historic Telephone Conference in advance. I also wish to thank those who were unable to join. My reason for writing is to share my Vision with you all. First, let me crave your indulgence in advance, as I am likely to digress from time to time. I know a lot of you will be calling in from Nigeria as well as from all the four corners of the world. For me it is an exciting time in the history of our Community. Already this Morning, I have spoken to two members of Umu Anioma Group in Asaba and they are as pumped as I am. In this momentous occasion in the history of our beloved Anioma Community we are called as leaders to take the bull by the horn and change the trajectory of our people. We all know that the task before us is an onerous task. As daunting as the task may be, anyone who under-estimates the power of ordinary people by throwing darts at us will be on the wrong side of history. Anioma people as can be seen from our history and the acts of our fore-bearers are brave people. It is with that courage and braveness in mind that my vision that I am about to share with you was formed.
My vision in one sentence is: We have to change in other for them to CHANGE because the future of our people depend on us changing our mindset from that of Self-centeredness to a more robust one of general good of all.
As you continue to read from me you will know and understand who I mean by “Them”
Folks, you do not need a College Degree to know that the Federal and Delta State Govt. do not have the interest of the Anioma people at heart let alone the interest of other Nigerians or Deltans at heart. I know there are people reading this message who work for the Delta State Govt. To those people, I say keep doing what you are doing and we will do what we feel is necessary to emancipate our people.
Folks, we live in very interesting times in the global village as you may already be aware. Anioma families are finding it hard to make ends meet or send their ward to school. Our Youth are pressured to sometimes do the un-thinkable just to be able to survive. Anyone who is as attentive as required will agree with me that our Youth are now threading a path that their parents never tread. In the news we hear of Kidnapping, Prostitution, Armed Robberies, Cultism, Militancy etc. In spite of the God given oil wealth, there is penury and hunger in the land as never seen before. The frustration has resulted in inter-ethnic and religion inspired killings and vices as enumerated above. The recently released results of WAEC and NECO showed a colossal failure as only 2% of the candidates passed the required credit in 5 subjects including Math and English. Please note that in yester years the Minimum requirement was 6 credits and in spite of lowered expectations the results were abysmal. Needless to say, our educational system is in crisis.
The world economy too is troubled, as there are at least 3 wars going on in the world right now. Nigeria’s ONLY source of revenue is presently threatened by Militancy in the Niger Delta and in the immediate future by the emerging new world that the Western Countries are diligently working towards. That new world order will be one in which the Western World seek to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. President Obama likened his commitment to that Mission to that which President John F. Kennedy showed when he made his famous speech in which he promised that America will be the first country to send man to moon. Needless to say we all know that it came to pass within the stipulated time. From all the information that I have gathered thus far, America and other Western Countries are well on their way to changing the world economy which is presently Commodity [Oil & Gas, Diamond, Gold, Uranium, Cooper etc.] to one that is “Knowledge Based”
Research and Development investment is critical as innovations in Medicine, Space Exploration, Information Technology and the Sciences will become the indices for determining which countries are rich or poor. Basically, Nigeria’s crude oil will be worthless if not from internally generated strife from the Militancy in the Niger Delta, perhaps from the very likely accomplishment of independence from foreign oil by the Western world.
Now this emerging reality challenges us to prepare from what appears to be inevitable. As we speak right now, Toyota and Honda have developed Electric Cars which they hope to start producing commercially in July of this year. Also the United States Postal Service have developed Electric Mail delivery trucks and the other major mail and package carriers such as UPA and FedEx also may have commenced their own push for independence from foreign oil.
To make matters worse. All the revenue from the oil windfall has been squandered by a reckless, corrupt and mediocre leadership. To the extent that all sectors of our national economy are in shambles. Absolutely nothing to show for all the oil revenues except for a few billionaires who don’t know what to do with Money. Yes, folks what we have is pockets of individuals in ALL ethnic groups who have been hand-picked by a corrupt and criminal cabal to share in the loot.
The truth of the matter is that with all the proceeds from oil sales and with the abundant human capital there is no single city in Nigeria or Delta State that has the basic public utilities such as pipe borne water, 24 hour un-interrupted power supply, mass transit systems such as electric trains or rail cars, or good and motor-able road networks that create the enabling environment for investment and development.
All the preceding is the reason why the Vision for Umu Anioma Group came to be. There is no question in my mind, that the current crop of leaders in ANIOMA and, indeed across Nigeria are a colossal failure.
TO BE CONTINUED
To: All Umu Anioma.
Subject: My Vision.
Saturday April 10, 2010
Dear Umu Anioma:
Umu Anioma, ekenem unu
I thank you all who will be joining our historic Telephone Conference in advance. I also wish to thank those who were unable to join. My reason for writing is to share my Vision with you all. First, let me crave your indulgence in advance, as I am likely to digress from time to time. I know a lot of you will be calling in from Nigeria as well as from all the four corners of the world. For me it is an exciting time in the history of our Community. Already this Morning, I have spoken to two members of Umu Anioma Group in Asaba and they are as pumped as I am. In this momentous occasion in the history of our beloved Anioma Community we are called as leaders to take the bull by the horn and change the trajectory of our people. We all know that the task before us is an onerous task. As daunting as the task may be, anyone who under-estimates the power of ordinary people by throwing darts at us will be on the wrong side of history. Anioma people as can be seen from our history and the acts of our fore-bearers are brave people. It is with that courage and braveness in mind that my vision that I am about to share with you was formed.
My vision in one sentence is: We have to change in other for them to CHANGE because the future of our people depend on us changing our mindset from that of Self-centeredness to a more robust one of general good of all.
As you continue to read from me you will know and understand who I mean by “Them”
Folks, you do not need a College Degree to know that the Federal and Delta State Govt. do not have the interest of the Anioma people at heart let alone the interest of other Nigerians or Deltans at heart. I know there are people reading this message who work for the Delta State Govt. To those people, I say keep doing what you are doing and we will do what we feel is necessary to emancipate our people.
Folks, we live in very interesting times in the global village as you may already be aware. Anioma families are finding it hard to make ends meet or send their ward to school. Our Youth are pressured to sometimes do the un-thinkable just to be able to survive. Anyone who is as attentive as required will agree with me that our Youth are now threading a path that their parents never tread. In the news we hear of Kidnapping, Prostitution, Armed Robberies, Cultism, Militancy etc. In spite of the God given oil wealth, there is penury and hunger in the land as never seen before. The frustration has resulted in inter-ethnic and religion inspired killings and vices as enumerated above. The recently released results of WAEC and NECO showed a colossal failure as only 2% of the candidates passed the required credit in 5 subjects including Math and English. Please note that in yester years the Minimum requirement was 6 credits and in spite of lowered expectations the results were abysmal. Needless to say, our educational system is in crisis.
The world economy too is troubled, as there are at least 3 wars going on in the world right now. Nigeria’s ONLY source of revenue is presently threatened by Militancy in the Niger Delta and in the immediate future by the emerging new world that the Western Countries are diligently working towards. That new world order will be one in which the Western World seek to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. President Obama likened his commitment to that Mission to that which President John F. Kennedy showed when he made his famous speech in which he promised that America will be the first country to send man to moon. Needless to say we all know that it came to pass within the stipulated time. From all the information that I have gathered thus far, America and other Western Countries are well on their way to changing the world economy which is presently Commodity [Oil & Gas, Diamond, Gold, Uranium, Cooper etc.] to one that is “Knowledge Based”
Research and Development investment is critical as innovations in Medicine, Space Exploration, Information Technology and the Sciences will become the indices for determining which countries are rich or poor. Basically, Nigeria’s crude oil will be worthless if not from internally generated strife from the Militancy in the Niger Delta, perhaps from the very likely accomplishment of independence from foreign oil by the Western world.
Now this emerging reality challenges us to prepare from what appears to be inevitable. As we speak right now, Toyota and Honda have developed Electric Cars which they hope to start producing commercially in July of this year. Also the United States Postal Service have developed Electric Mail delivery trucks and the other major mail and package carriers such as UPA and FedEx also may have commenced their own push for independence from foreign oil.
To make matters worse. All the revenue from the oil windfall has been squandered by a reckless, corrupt and mediocre leadership. To the extent that all sectors of our national economy are in shambles. Absolutely nothing to show for all the oil revenues except for a few billionaires who don’t know what to do with Money. Yes, folks what we have is pockets of individuals in ALL ethnic groups who have been hand-picked by a corrupt and criminal cabal to share in the loot.
The truth of the matter is that with all the proceeds from oil sales and with the abundant human capital there is no single city in Nigeria or Delta State that has the basic public utilities such as pipe borne water, 24 hour un-interrupted power supply, mass transit systems such as electric trains or rail cars, or good and motor-able road networks that create the enabling environment for investment and development.
All the preceding is the reason why the Vision for Umu Anioma Group came to be. There is no question in my mind, that the current crop of leaders in ANIOMA and, indeed across Nigeria are a colossal failure.
TO BE CONTINUED
Who Takes Charge When Jonathan Leaves For DC?
Nigerian Acting President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan will leave Abuja for Washington DC on Saturday at the invitation of United States President, Barack Obama to attend the Nuclear Summit alongside other world leaders as exclusively reported by THEWILL earlier.
While the Acting President is away on official duties, who will take charge of the affairs of state?
With the illness of Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua, Jonathan was elevated to the head of the Presidency in an acting capacity and thus has no deputy.
Going by the constitution in terms of successional hierarchy, the President comes first, then the Vice President, Senate President and then the Speaker of the House of Representatives etc.
The circumstances are however different in this case as Jonathan is simply away on official assignment abroad. It is likely that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, may be directed to take charge of government business while Jonathan is away.
Yayale was in the United States a few days ago to sign the Bi-National cooperation agreement between the United States and the Nigeria.
Attempts to reach Presidential spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro or Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to speak on the issue were unsuccessful as at press time.
Jonathan is expected to return to Abuja on Thursday according to a source at the Presidency.
While the Acting President is away on official duties, who will take charge of the affairs of state?
With the illness of Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua, Jonathan was elevated to the head of the Presidency in an acting capacity and thus has no deputy.
Going by the constitution in terms of successional hierarchy, the President comes first, then the Vice President, Senate President and then the Speaker of the House of Representatives etc.
The circumstances are however different in this case as Jonathan is simply away on official assignment abroad. It is likely that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, may be directed to take charge of government business while Jonathan is away.
Yayale was in the United States a few days ago to sign the Bi-National cooperation agreement between the United States and the Nigeria.
Attempts to reach Presidential spokesman, Mr. Ima Niboro or Alhaji Yayale Ahmed to speak on the issue were unsuccessful as at press time.
Jonathan is expected to return to Abuja on Thursday according to a source at the Presidency.
'Education Is The Base And Foundation Of Any Development You Can Think Of' – Shekarau
Austyn Ogannah
The Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau has warned that if nothing is done to rescue Nigeria’s primary and secondary education system, the country may end up paying dearly for it.
Shekarau made the call on Tuesday at an event tagged: 'Discussion of a Vision for a Modern Day Nigeria' hosted by the California Nigeria Forum (CNF) at the JW Marriot Hotel in Downtown San Francisco.
Speaking on the decay in the sector, the Governor said he was saddened that about 90 percent of students who enrolled and sat for the last West African Examinations Council test and NECO failed the examination warning that it was just the beginning of a failing society because those that failed will only pull the rest of the country down.
"This last team of failures are bound to pull the few that passed the examination down. They will never let them go. We need to pause and ask ourselves what has been the problem because education is the base and foundation of any development you can think of no matter your field of specialization, no matter your career, no matter your profession. The foundation must be a sound solid primary and secondary education, if you don’t get it right you will never get it right again in life."
Continuing, he said, "Unless these levels are sound, it is going to be a vicious cycle, the tertiary will have to admit this same half baked, it is this same half baked that would be recycled and thrown back into the system and you will find that the collapse would affect every profession and every cadre of the system, the governor warned."
Explaining further, Shekarau said, "For you to have this kind of failure in the exams, it must have happened because of a long period of neglect of the sector and it will take you a long period of time to fix."
He blamed all levels of government for abandoning education for this long adding that government has been so carried away with construction of schools without paying attention to the quality of teachers and remuneration for them to enable them render quality education to students.
The governor called for reforms in the sector and charged the Peoples Democratic Party led central government to increase funding for the sector in order to begin a make over.
The governor also spoke about Kano State government’s efforts in providing quality education for its citizens adding that the Kano ICT Park, Kano’s premier information and communication technologies initiative would provide unlimited access to information to the citizens of the state.
During his visit to California, Shekarau visited internet search engine giant, Google and computer maker HP in the Silicon Valley.
The Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau has warned that if nothing is done to rescue Nigeria’s primary and secondary education system, the country may end up paying dearly for it.
Shekarau made the call on Tuesday at an event tagged: 'Discussion of a Vision for a Modern Day Nigeria' hosted by the California Nigeria Forum (CNF) at the JW Marriot Hotel in Downtown San Francisco.
Speaking on the decay in the sector, the Governor said he was saddened that about 90 percent of students who enrolled and sat for the last West African Examinations Council test and NECO failed the examination warning that it was just the beginning of a failing society because those that failed will only pull the rest of the country down.
"This last team of failures are bound to pull the few that passed the examination down. They will never let them go. We need to pause and ask ourselves what has been the problem because education is the base and foundation of any development you can think of no matter your field of specialization, no matter your career, no matter your profession. The foundation must be a sound solid primary and secondary education, if you don’t get it right you will never get it right again in life."
Continuing, he said, "Unless these levels are sound, it is going to be a vicious cycle, the tertiary will have to admit this same half baked, it is this same half baked that would be recycled and thrown back into the system and you will find that the collapse would affect every profession and every cadre of the system, the governor warned."
Explaining further, Shekarau said, "For you to have this kind of failure in the exams, it must have happened because of a long period of neglect of the sector and it will take you a long period of time to fix."
He blamed all levels of government for abandoning education for this long adding that government has been so carried away with construction of schools without paying attention to the quality of teachers and remuneration for them to enable them render quality education to students.
The governor called for reforms in the sector and charged the Peoples Democratic Party led central government to increase funding for the sector in order to begin a make over.
The governor also spoke about Kano State government’s efforts in providing quality education for its citizens adding that the Kano ICT Park, Kano’s premier information and communication technologies initiative would provide unlimited access to information to the citizens of the state.
During his visit to California, Shekarau visited internet search engine giant, Google and computer maker HP in the Silicon Valley.
Police Arrest 15 over Rimi’s Death
Police in Kano State have arrested 15 persons in connection with the death of Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, a former civilian Governor of Kano State.
The Inspector General of Police Ogbonnaya Onovo on Thursday said that those arrested have been identified as members of a local bandit terrorizing innocent Nigerians in the northern part of the country.
The Police boss said the suspects were apprehended through the combined efforts of the Kano Police command, vigilante groups and district heads in the area.
The suspects are now being held at the Kano Police headquarters and would be charged to court soon.
Onovo who commended the effort of the people in tracking down the hoodlums stressed that security is the responsibility of every Nigerian as it is obvious that the police alone cannot guarantee total security in the country.
Rimi died last Sunday after an armed robbery attack on his way from Bauchi along Takai and Wudi road.
He was confirmed to have died from the shock from the attack, as he was reportedly not hurt during the incident.
Ironically, the robbers were said to have recognized him and just disposed him of his personal effects including his cell phone before letting him go.
The politician was travelling in his Toyota Landcruiser SUV in the company of three others when the incident occurred. They were returning to Kano after attending a function.
Doctors at the Classic Clinic and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) where the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was taken before he was confirmed dead last Sunday night said that he died before reaching the hospital.
Rimi's family doctor, Dr. Abdulgafar Shittu, who owns Classic clinic said when the late Rimi was brought to the clinic, his system had already stopped functioning and could have only be saved if he had been brought into the hospital at least 20 minutes earlier.
The Inspector General of Police Ogbonnaya Onovo on Thursday said that those arrested have been identified as members of a local bandit terrorizing innocent Nigerians in the northern part of the country.
The Police boss said the suspects were apprehended through the combined efforts of the Kano Police command, vigilante groups and district heads in the area.
The suspects are now being held at the Kano Police headquarters and would be charged to court soon.
Onovo who commended the effort of the people in tracking down the hoodlums stressed that security is the responsibility of every Nigerian as it is obvious that the police alone cannot guarantee total security in the country.
Rimi died last Sunday after an armed robbery attack on his way from Bauchi along Takai and Wudi road.
He was confirmed to have died from the shock from the attack, as he was reportedly not hurt during the incident.
Ironically, the robbers were said to have recognized him and just disposed him of his personal effects including his cell phone before letting him go.
The politician was travelling in his Toyota Landcruiser SUV in the company of three others when the incident occurred. They were returning to Kano after attending a function.
Doctors at the Classic Clinic and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) where the late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi was taken before he was confirmed dead last Sunday night said that he died before reaching the hospital.
Rimi's family doctor, Dr. Abdulgafar Shittu, who owns Classic clinic said when the late Rimi was brought to the clinic, his system had already stopped functioning and could have only be saved if he had been brought into the hospital at least 20 minutes earlier.
Clark, Okocha, Omo-Agege, Others Vow To Check Rigging In 2011 Elections
As part of efforts to check election rigging in Delta State come 2011, Elder statesman and foremost Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark is leading other elders in the region who have vowed to check election malpractices in next year's general elections.
The other leaders include, second republic senator, Francis Spanner Okpozo, former Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri, and former AC governorship candidate in the 2007 election, Mr. Peter Okocha.
Chief Clark who spoke at an enlarged stakeholders meeting Monday at his country home, Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, said Nigerians would resist the reoccurrence of electoral fraud which marred the 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections.
"I am aware that the federal government is trying to reposition the Electoral Commission for better elections come 2011, but those who think they have the structure to manipulate elections should have a rethink," Clark warned.
According him, "The politics of adoption would not work in Delta State" adding that all those seeking second term particularly his Ijaw kinsmen should ‘go and sleep’ and leave the stage for others to come in.
He specifically accused the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori for pursuing his personnel agenda in the presidency where he allegedly joined forces with a ‘cabal’ to stop Acting President Jonathan’s emergence after 'carting billions of Delta State money into his private account.'
He said some party members including Ibori and his collaborators would be chased away ahead of the 2011 for their alleged cases of corruption adding that "those who joined the cabal to betray Nigeria and the party would soon run away."
He called for the reorganization of structures and mend fencing within the party in order to make appreciable impact by 2011, stressing that those who were before now shortchanged should be brought back to build a united Peoples Democratic party that would be a pride to the state.
Also speaking at the occasion Senator Francis Okpozo insisted that "It must be one-man-one vote, come 2011 otherwise we will resist and reject election results next year."
Among aspiring governorship candidates who attended the elders forum were Chief Kenneth Gbagi, former Secretary to Delta State government, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, one time PDP chairman, Chief Eniforo Mallam-Obi, Chief Ogbe Onokpite, former Commissioner, and Dr. Braduce Amakazi Angozi.
Also in attendance were Engr. Goodness Agbi, senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Adeagor Eferakaye, Chief Johnson Ukuaku, and Chief Ogbetuo.
The other leaders include, second republic senator, Francis Spanner Okpozo, former Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral John Kpokpogri, and former AC governorship candidate in the 2007 election, Mr. Peter Okocha.
Chief Clark who spoke at an enlarged stakeholders meeting Monday at his country home, Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, said Nigerians would resist the reoccurrence of electoral fraud which marred the 1999, 2003 and 2007 general elections.
"I am aware that the federal government is trying to reposition the Electoral Commission for better elections come 2011, but those who think they have the structure to manipulate elections should have a rethink," Clark warned.
According him, "The politics of adoption would not work in Delta State" adding that all those seeking second term particularly his Ijaw kinsmen should ‘go and sleep’ and leave the stage for others to come in.
He specifically accused the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori for pursuing his personnel agenda in the presidency where he allegedly joined forces with a ‘cabal’ to stop Acting President Jonathan’s emergence after 'carting billions of Delta State money into his private account.'
He said some party members including Ibori and his collaborators would be chased away ahead of the 2011 for their alleged cases of corruption adding that "those who joined the cabal to betray Nigeria and the party would soon run away."
He called for the reorganization of structures and mend fencing within the party in order to make appreciable impact by 2011, stressing that those who were before now shortchanged should be brought back to build a united Peoples Democratic party that would be a pride to the state.
Also speaking at the occasion Senator Francis Okpozo insisted that "It must be one-man-one vote, come 2011 otherwise we will resist and reject election results next year."
Among aspiring governorship candidates who attended the elders forum were Chief Kenneth Gbagi, former Secretary to Delta State government, Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, one time PDP chairman, Chief Eniforo Mallam-Obi, Chief Ogbe Onokpite, former Commissioner, and Dr. Braduce Amakazi Angozi.
Also in attendance were Engr. Goodness Agbi, senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Adeagor Eferakaye, Chief Johnson Ukuaku, and Chief Ogbetuo.
TOWARDS AMERICAN POLICY ON NIGERIA
NWOKEDI NWOSISARA
A flurry of activities went ahead last week in the international arena as the future of Nigeria came into global focus much more forcefully than before. It climaxed with an invitation by President Barack Obama to the Nigeria’s Acting President Good luck Jonathan to visit the White House. As if beginning revised African Agenda, President Obama also removed Nigeria from the list of State sponsors of terrorism or rather decided that individuals rather than Nations be targeted. It is customary that the President of the United States will have a first hand feel of the man behind the Nigerian wheel. The fine-tuned African Agenda has been awaited for long to replace the persistent Bush Policy as well as earlier approaches leading to His Ghana visit. The American visit of Acting President Jonathan will serve the purpose of final information gathering and bilateral agreement about how to help Nigeria resume her leadership role in Africa.
The challenge faced by the international community about Nigeria is how to make certain that they would not act wrongly in helping a closed system There is still an information gap wide enough to delay an across the board international policy on Nigeria. As usual everyone looks up to America to take the lead and piece together a consistent agenda. The American Policy drawn and deployed by President Bush for 8 years prior to the advent of President Obama has taken root and in the absence of any researched change holds sway. Somehow various attempts by the new President to introduce changes seem to fly in the face of uncertainty even though Africa has a good portion of President Obama’s heart. First was the Africa visit to Ghana, the most open democracy in Africa, which did not quite serve the purpose of mobilizing Africa.
Instead of promoting Democracy, something often viewed as alien by a portion of African leaders themselves, the visit actually helped to elevate the Bush Policy which did not seem to bother about how democratic but how resource effective to America’s interest. So something had to be done if President Obama would touch the heart of Africa profoundly. So how would it be? The most populous country Nigeria had become a dark veil; nothing could be predicted of the leadership and even the people. The existing international attitude has been that of evasion. Business has all but avoided any intercourse.
Yet to touch Africa is to touch Nigeria not just Ghana. So a strategy has to be devised. The President sent His Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton to come and dialogue with President Yar’Adua but that visit appeared to have created more misunderstanding because her frank tongue lash of the Leadership in “tough love” calling for urgent reforms created wider gulf. Soon it became clear that the Nigeria of the old extraction was appreciative of such help and despite America’s promise of partnership for electoral reforms the administration carried on with business as usual.
What broke this lull was not the skeptism of people like us to the effect that partnering with this junta would not be possible and that Nigeria needed more than electoral reforms at this stage. It was because of the failed Christmas bombing by a young Nigerian within the United States Airspace. This event led to Nigeria being classified as a country of interest amongst state sponsors of terrorism. The searchlight also helped to fast track a nascent movement for change in Nigeria known as the “Nigerian revolution”.
What the admixture of global attention did to Nigeria was to strengthen advocacy and even street protests thereby exposing the cabal leadership class in their true nature for all to see. The world learnt how the leadership could tell barefaced lies about the health status of the Nigerian President. The world saw into the so-called Nigerian democracy especially how responsive to National emergency was National Assembly and finally how the supportive the 1999 constitution is to nation building efforts. The most important lesson learnt was the existence of two Nigeria s side by side.
At the stage of decision, the process of change brought more answers. Initially, the belief was that Nigeria could not realistically be one country without an arrangement for leadership rotation. Libya’s President Gaddafi called for a peaceful division of Nigeria into two States, while the United States through a junior secretary of African Affairs came out to test the waters in support of the rotation agreement within PDP ruling Party. Although progress has been made it remained clear that the information gap would not allow final seal to policy so soon. The obvious unpopularity of the 2-state solution as well as the rotation policy coupled with the difficulty of documentation to make it accountable extended the policy maturity process. It was important that a cabinet was in place for the Jonathan -Obama dialogue to take off. So much depends on the outcome of this dialogue.
Whatever bilateral agreement that emerges will also determine how other countries engage Nigeria. It is important that the Nigerian think tank go to work immediately to articulate and anticipate American demands and Nigerian responses to them since this time around there will be no ‘Maradona’ dribbling of anybody after agreement has been reached on the agenda. It is important also to correctly articulate the Nigerian position because anything outside the popular agenda of change in Nigeria will extend the life span of the Nigerian Revolution. Only concrete assurances of change in the Present moribund system of government, of concrete constitutional review, of electoral reform and institutional rejuvenation that results from it will assuage the appetite for dissent. Nigerian youths have made it explicit they are willing to support the outcome of this bilateral dialogue so long as it guarantees a merit driven open democratic society for Nigeria.
Recent events in Nigeria though far from the change sought has ingredient of optimism about the capability of the Jonathan administration to weather the storm of difficult reform against the background of a skewed system of governance and constitution. Within months of assumption of power in acting capacity, He has quietly implemented critical aspects of the Nigerian revolution. The progress of this government is not only to be gauged by the fact that he dialogued recently with the leader of the revolution, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka but also because he has made the passage of the Uwais electoral reform a priority. Deciding to pay university lectures long sought after emoluments and increments has given his leadership a human face with the Academia while the recent decision to allow independent candidacy for President is already a revolutionary step to ensure the continuation of the Nigerian nation with or without constitutional reform.
To further relegate the constitution and prepare grounds for genuine future reforms erstwhile-indicted persons have been given permission to contest future elections and the international community of Nigerians can now have more direct impact by voting in elections. To raise the literacy level of leadership, future candidates will have to have minimum qualification of the Nigerian school certificate. Although away of these leaps Nigerian youths wanted guarantees before giving their support and it is most likely these assurances will come from the dialogue in the White House.
There is no doubt that already the stakes have been raised higher for incoming ministers, even though they were selected along the cumbersome state representation system (whatever that means) the job they must do will make the weak to withdraw voluntarily to avoid public disgrace. Gone are the days when you work to accumulate contract awards for your state so that you would have capacity to ‘deliver’ [read rig] your state for the ruling party in elections. This time you would be accountable to the international community, The Nigerian community abroad, Save Nigeria Group and the Nigerian people at large.
As the Nigerian revolution nears its climax, it is important that President Obama understands how grateful Nigerians are for his intervention. It is also important that he completes the process, which will impact, on his overall image in Africa. This is the time to appropriate concrete accountable assurances of processes to be put up by the Nigeria government to ensure that reforms already adopted as well as the new ones to be discussed are implementable and sustainable.
A flurry of activities went ahead last week in the international arena as the future of Nigeria came into global focus much more forcefully than before. It climaxed with an invitation by President Barack Obama to the Nigeria’s Acting President Good luck Jonathan to visit the White House. As if beginning revised African Agenda, President Obama also removed Nigeria from the list of State sponsors of terrorism or rather decided that individuals rather than Nations be targeted. It is customary that the President of the United States will have a first hand feel of the man behind the Nigerian wheel. The fine-tuned African Agenda has been awaited for long to replace the persistent Bush Policy as well as earlier approaches leading to His Ghana visit. The American visit of Acting President Jonathan will serve the purpose of final information gathering and bilateral agreement about how to help Nigeria resume her leadership role in Africa.
The challenge faced by the international community about Nigeria is how to make certain that they would not act wrongly in helping a closed system There is still an information gap wide enough to delay an across the board international policy on Nigeria. As usual everyone looks up to America to take the lead and piece together a consistent agenda. The American Policy drawn and deployed by President Bush for 8 years prior to the advent of President Obama has taken root and in the absence of any researched change holds sway. Somehow various attempts by the new President to introduce changes seem to fly in the face of uncertainty even though Africa has a good portion of President Obama’s heart. First was the Africa visit to Ghana, the most open democracy in Africa, which did not quite serve the purpose of mobilizing Africa.
Instead of promoting Democracy, something often viewed as alien by a portion of African leaders themselves, the visit actually helped to elevate the Bush Policy which did not seem to bother about how democratic but how resource effective to America’s interest. So something had to be done if President Obama would touch the heart of Africa profoundly. So how would it be? The most populous country Nigeria had become a dark veil; nothing could be predicted of the leadership and even the people. The existing international attitude has been that of evasion. Business has all but avoided any intercourse.
Yet to touch Africa is to touch Nigeria not just Ghana. So a strategy has to be devised. The President sent His Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton to come and dialogue with President Yar’Adua but that visit appeared to have created more misunderstanding because her frank tongue lash of the Leadership in “tough love” calling for urgent reforms created wider gulf. Soon it became clear that the Nigeria of the old extraction was appreciative of such help and despite America’s promise of partnership for electoral reforms the administration carried on with business as usual.
What broke this lull was not the skeptism of people like us to the effect that partnering with this junta would not be possible and that Nigeria needed more than electoral reforms at this stage. It was because of the failed Christmas bombing by a young Nigerian within the United States Airspace. This event led to Nigeria being classified as a country of interest amongst state sponsors of terrorism. The searchlight also helped to fast track a nascent movement for change in Nigeria known as the “Nigerian revolution”.
What the admixture of global attention did to Nigeria was to strengthen advocacy and even street protests thereby exposing the cabal leadership class in their true nature for all to see. The world learnt how the leadership could tell barefaced lies about the health status of the Nigerian President. The world saw into the so-called Nigerian democracy especially how responsive to National emergency was National Assembly and finally how the supportive the 1999 constitution is to nation building efforts. The most important lesson learnt was the existence of two Nigeria s side by side.
At the stage of decision, the process of change brought more answers. Initially, the belief was that Nigeria could not realistically be one country without an arrangement for leadership rotation. Libya’s President Gaddafi called for a peaceful division of Nigeria into two States, while the United States through a junior secretary of African Affairs came out to test the waters in support of the rotation agreement within PDP ruling Party. Although progress has been made it remained clear that the information gap would not allow final seal to policy so soon. The obvious unpopularity of the 2-state solution as well as the rotation policy coupled with the difficulty of documentation to make it accountable extended the policy maturity process. It was important that a cabinet was in place for the Jonathan -Obama dialogue to take off. So much depends on the outcome of this dialogue.
Whatever bilateral agreement that emerges will also determine how other countries engage Nigeria. It is important that the Nigerian think tank go to work immediately to articulate and anticipate American demands and Nigerian responses to them since this time around there will be no ‘Maradona’ dribbling of anybody after agreement has been reached on the agenda. It is important also to correctly articulate the Nigerian position because anything outside the popular agenda of change in Nigeria will extend the life span of the Nigerian Revolution. Only concrete assurances of change in the Present moribund system of government, of concrete constitutional review, of electoral reform and institutional rejuvenation that results from it will assuage the appetite for dissent. Nigerian youths have made it explicit they are willing to support the outcome of this bilateral dialogue so long as it guarantees a merit driven open democratic society for Nigeria.
Recent events in Nigeria though far from the change sought has ingredient of optimism about the capability of the Jonathan administration to weather the storm of difficult reform against the background of a skewed system of governance and constitution. Within months of assumption of power in acting capacity, He has quietly implemented critical aspects of the Nigerian revolution. The progress of this government is not only to be gauged by the fact that he dialogued recently with the leader of the revolution, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka but also because he has made the passage of the Uwais electoral reform a priority. Deciding to pay university lectures long sought after emoluments and increments has given his leadership a human face with the Academia while the recent decision to allow independent candidacy for President is already a revolutionary step to ensure the continuation of the Nigerian nation with or without constitutional reform.
To further relegate the constitution and prepare grounds for genuine future reforms erstwhile-indicted persons have been given permission to contest future elections and the international community of Nigerians can now have more direct impact by voting in elections. To raise the literacy level of leadership, future candidates will have to have minimum qualification of the Nigerian school certificate. Although away of these leaps Nigerian youths wanted guarantees before giving their support and it is most likely these assurances will come from the dialogue in the White House.
There is no doubt that already the stakes have been raised higher for incoming ministers, even though they were selected along the cumbersome state representation system (whatever that means) the job they must do will make the weak to withdraw voluntarily to avoid public disgrace. Gone are the days when you work to accumulate contract awards for your state so that you would have capacity to ‘deliver’ [read rig] your state for the ruling party in elections. This time you would be accountable to the international community, The Nigerian community abroad, Save Nigeria Group and the Nigerian people at large.
As the Nigerian revolution nears its climax, it is important that President Obama understands how grateful Nigerians are for his intervention. It is also important that he completes the process, which will impact, on his overall image in Africa. This is the time to appropriate concrete accountable assurances of processes to be put up by the Nigeria government to ensure that reforms already adopted as well as the new ones to be discussed are implementable and sustainable.
THE MESSY STATE OF THE NIGERIAN JUDICIARY
SABELLA OGBOBODE ABIDDE
As flawed as successive Nigerian Constitutions have been, it has always, in theory at least, provided for an independent judiciary. In practice, however, this has not always been the case -- especially in the last two decades. In the 1950s, through the early part of the 1980s, the Nigerian judiciary was, for the most part, a world class institution. Lawyers were well trained, well-behaved and well versed in the art and science of the law. When you saw a lawyer, especially on the streets of Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, you knew you were before a man or woman of high standing.
And when you heard a lawyer speak, you would think he or she invented both the English and the legal languages. And so it was that in the Nigeria of my youth, many area friends wanted to be lawyers, and ultimately judges -- especially of the Supreme Court. And why not? Consider this list: Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola (1958-1972); Taslim Olawale Elias (1972-1975); Darnley Arthur Alexander (1975-1979); Atanda Fatai Williams (1979-1983); and George Sodeinde Sowemimo (1983-1985). Chief Justice Ayo Irikefe (1985-1987) and Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore (1995-2006) are later additions.
Some Nigerian lawyers and judges went on to serve with distinction across sub-Saharan Africa. And more than a few went on to serve at various United Nations posts. Justice Taslim Elias, for instance, went on to become the President of the International Court of Justice (commonly referred to as the World Court). A few years later, he also became a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Whether as lawyers, judges, educators or as administrators, Nigerians went on to become some of the greatest legal minds at home and abroad. In addition, legal communities in and outside of the African continent, came to study the Nigerian legal system.
In the last two-and-a-half decades, however, the Nigerian Judiciary has been plagued by problems and intractable challenges: troubles and challenges brought on by post-1975 military regimes and by the legislative and executive branches of government. Other contributive insidious factors include (a) the declining standard of legal education; (b) the entrenched social ills that continues to eat away at the nation’s moral fibers; (c) the changing nature of the Nigerian society which, in some cases, no longer value the rule of law, ethics and morality; (d) the belief that anyone and anything can be bought, sold or compromised including the law and those who interpret the law; and (e) the single-minded pursuit of money and material gain to the exclusion of noble ideas and ideals.
In any modern society, the judiciary and the fourth estate are the last bastion of what is good and decent and godly about humanity. One may argue that the executive branch matters, but not as much as the judiciary; and that the legislature matters, but not as much as the fourth estate. This is so because both branches of government may be occupied by half-baked men and women; but if the judiciary and the fourth estate are rotten, then, the society has no hope for accountability and probity. The Nigerian fourth estate has been moribund for about two decades; and the judiciary is now comfortably rested alongside. What hope is there for Nigeria?
What this means is that one can hardly tell the judiciary apart from the other two braches of government or from the fourth estate. Today, as most can attest to, the Nigerian Judiciary has become a chamber of corruption, inefficiency, and depravities. The entire court system -- from the customary and Shari’ah courts through the state and federal court system and up to the apex court -- the system has become, for the most part, buyable and sellable. It is a mess. The Nigerian judiciary is in a messy state!
Some have argued that the level of injustice within the Nigerian judiciary, in some cases, is way more than the level of injustice on the Nigerian streets. Case files are often stolen or lost or sold. Cases get postponed again and again and again and again. Investigating officers, court clerks, and even Judges may tamper with glaring evidence or the deserved-justice. And indeed, the accused may get locked up for years that far exceed the number of years they would have spent if convicted.
One could spend hours cataloguing what is wrong with the Nigerian Judiciary. Even so, it needs pointing out that most of what is wrong with the Nigerian justice system, in addition of earlier indictments, came about mostly because of the deficiencies within the Nigerian legal system, low pay for lawyers and judges, poor infrastructures, and the residual effects of several decades of pounding and unholy inducement from the executive and the political class. In all of these, one cannot separate the judiciary from other sections of the Nigerian state and society – a state and society plagued by all manners of excesses, inefficiencies and deficiencies.
It is estimated that Nigeria has 227 prisons with a projected 60,000 registered inmates. The fact is that there are also illegal prisons in Nigeria: dungeons and gallows where political prisoners and “enemies of government” are routinely held without the knowledge of family members. Frankly, no one really knows the number of people who are locked up in Nigeria. In February 2008, Amnesty International asserted that prisons in Nigeria are a “national scandal,” holding thousands of inmates who have not been legally convicted or inmates who have spent years, and even decades, awaiting trials -- trials that may never come.
Government, at both the state and national level, along with the Judiciary, are to be blamed for this messy state. How do you hold suspects for decades and decades without trial? Why postpone cases again and again and again to the point where there is no justice for the accused, or a sense of closure for the aggrieved? In addition, there are the issues of unsanitary condition and the inhumane treatments around and within the Nigerian prison system. Convicts deserved to be locked up if and when the courts say so; but whatever constitutional rights they are entitled to, must still be respected.
The 2008 Amnesty International report went on to say that "The judiciary fails to ensure that all inmates are tried within reasonable time; indeed, most inmates wait years for a trial. When inmates are convicted, most courts do not inform them of their right to appeal. Nor does the judiciary guarantee that all suspects are offered legal representation. Few of the courts take the necessary steps to end the use of evidence elicited as a result of torture. In breach of national and international law, the judiciary does not guarantee fair trial standards even in the case of minors." What system of justice is this if there is an iota of justice at all?
Something else: For the most part, the Nigerian judiciary has not been very helpful in resolving most of the electoral disputes in Nigeria. It is common knowledge that some disputed take 2-3 years to resolve. For instance, "it took 3 years to decide the Ngige/Obi gubernatorial tussle and Emordi senatorial tussle. Yet both governorship and senatorial tenures are 4 years!" In the same vein, it took more than 2 years to resolve the Buhari-Obasanjo electoral disputes. Considering this and many other vexing issues, one can only conclude that the Nigerian Judiciary has lost its way.
As flawed as successive Nigerian Constitutions have been, it has always, in theory at least, provided for an independent judiciary. In practice, however, this has not always been the case -- especially in the last two decades. In the 1950s, through the early part of the 1980s, the Nigerian judiciary was, for the most part, a world class institution. Lawyers were well trained, well-behaved and well versed in the art and science of the law. When you saw a lawyer, especially on the streets of Lagos, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, you knew you were before a man or woman of high standing.
And when you heard a lawyer speak, you would think he or she invented both the English and the legal languages. And so it was that in the Nigeria of my youth, many area friends wanted to be lawyers, and ultimately judges -- especially of the Supreme Court. And why not? Consider this list: Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola (1958-1972); Taslim Olawale Elias (1972-1975); Darnley Arthur Alexander (1975-1979); Atanda Fatai Williams (1979-1983); and George Sodeinde Sowemimo (1983-1985). Chief Justice Ayo Irikefe (1985-1987) and Salihu Moddibo Alfa Belgore (1995-2006) are later additions.
Some Nigerian lawyers and judges went on to serve with distinction across sub-Saharan Africa. And more than a few went on to serve at various United Nations posts. Justice Taslim Elias, for instance, went on to become the President of the International Court of Justice (commonly referred to as the World Court). A few years later, he also became a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague. Whether as lawyers, judges, educators or as administrators, Nigerians went on to become some of the greatest legal minds at home and abroad. In addition, legal communities in and outside of the African continent, came to study the Nigerian legal system.
In the last two-and-a-half decades, however, the Nigerian Judiciary has been plagued by problems and intractable challenges: troubles and challenges brought on by post-1975 military regimes and by the legislative and executive branches of government. Other contributive insidious factors include (a) the declining standard of legal education; (b) the entrenched social ills that continues to eat away at the nation’s moral fibers; (c) the changing nature of the Nigerian society which, in some cases, no longer value the rule of law, ethics and morality; (d) the belief that anyone and anything can be bought, sold or compromised including the law and those who interpret the law; and (e) the single-minded pursuit of money and material gain to the exclusion of noble ideas and ideals.
In any modern society, the judiciary and the fourth estate are the last bastion of what is good and decent and godly about humanity. One may argue that the executive branch matters, but not as much as the judiciary; and that the legislature matters, but not as much as the fourth estate. This is so because both branches of government may be occupied by half-baked men and women; but if the judiciary and the fourth estate are rotten, then, the society has no hope for accountability and probity. The Nigerian fourth estate has been moribund for about two decades; and the judiciary is now comfortably rested alongside. What hope is there for Nigeria?
What this means is that one can hardly tell the judiciary apart from the other two braches of government or from the fourth estate. Today, as most can attest to, the Nigerian Judiciary has become a chamber of corruption, inefficiency, and depravities. The entire court system -- from the customary and Shari’ah courts through the state and federal court system and up to the apex court -- the system has become, for the most part, buyable and sellable. It is a mess. The Nigerian judiciary is in a messy state!
Some have argued that the level of injustice within the Nigerian judiciary, in some cases, is way more than the level of injustice on the Nigerian streets. Case files are often stolen or lost or sold. Cases get postponed again and again and again and again. Investigating officers, court clerks, and even Judges may tamper with glaring evidence or the deserved-justice. And indeed, the accused may get locked up for years that far exceed the number of years they would have spent if convicted.
One could spend hours cataloguing what is wrong with the Nigerian Judiciary. Even so, it needs pointing out that most of what is wrong with the Nigerian justice system, in addition of earlier indictments, came about mostly because of the deficiencies within the Nigerian legal system, low pay for lawyers and judges, poor infrastructures, and the residual effects of several decades of pounding and unholy inducement from the executive and the political class. In all of these, one cannot separate the judiciary from other sections of the Nigerian state and society – a state and society plagued by all manners of excesses, inefficiencies and deficiencies.
It is estimated that Nigeria has 227 prisons with a projected 60,000 registered inmates. The fact is that there are also illegal prisons in Nigeria: dungeons and gallows where political prisoners and “enemies of government” are routinely held without the knowledge of family members. Frankly, no one really knows the number of people who are locked up in Nigeria. In February 2008, Amnesty International asserted that prisons in Nigeria are a “national scandal,” holding thousands of inmates who have not been legally convicted or inmates who have spent years, and even decades, awaiting trials -- trials that may never come.
Government, at both the state and national level, along with the Judiciary, are to be blamed for this messy state. How do you hold suspects for decades and decades without trial? Why postpone cases again and again and again to the point where there is no justice for the accused, or a sense of closure for the aggrieved? In addition, there are the issues of unsanitary condition and the inhumane treatments around and within the Nigerian prison system. Convicts deserved to be locked up if and when the courts say so; but whatever constitutional rights they are entitled to, must still be respected.
The 2008 Amnesty International report went on to say that "The judiciary fails to ensure that all inmates are tried within reasonable time; indeed, most inmates wait years for a trial. When inmates are convicted, most courts do not inform them of their right to appeal. Nor does the judiciary guarantee that all suspects are offered legal representation. Few of the courts take the necessary steps to end the use of evidence elicited as a result of torture. In breach of national and international law, the judiciary does not guarantee fair trial standards even in the case of minors." What system of justice is this if there is an iota of justice at all?
Something else: For the most part, the Nigerian judiciary has not been very helpful in resolving most of the electoral disputes in Nigeria. It is common knowledge that some disputed take 2-3 years to resolve. For instance, "it took 3 years to decide the Ngige/Obi gubernatorial tussle and Emordi senatorial tussle. Yet both governorship and senatorial tenures are 4 years!" In the same vein, it took more than 2 years to resolve the Buhari-Obasanjo electoral disputes. Considering this and many other vexing issues, one can only conclude that the Nigerian Judiciary has lost its way.
INEC Denies Spending N5 billion on Voters' Registration
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Maurice Iwu has dismissed as false, reports that the commission has used the sum of N50 billion to conduct voter’s registration exercise.
Iwu who stated this at a workshop organized by the commission and some stakeholders in Abuja Wednesday, to address the issue of voters’ apathy also cautioned Nigerians not to be ‘deceived’ by calls by some groups campaigning against the commission.
The INEC chairman who has been under fire with calls by Labour and Civil Rights groups for his removal debunked the N50 billion allegation saying there was no way the commission could have spent such an amount when the 2010 budget from which it can access funds has not been signed into law.
He described the allegation as laughable and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
Calling on the electorate not to be deceived by the antics of the agitating groups, Iwu said they are using the call for electoral reforms as a smoke screen to cover their undemocratic intentions against the country.
He said the same group had opposed the reforms when it was first introduced by the commission prior to the 2007 elections.
Iwu said the same set of persons had plotted to derail the 2007 elections.
The INEC boss said the commission is ready to conduct a credible election in 2011 and urged all Nigerians to get involved in the process in the interest of the nation.
He said that the commission has taken critical steps to reduce incidences of rigging and other electoral malpractices.
He explained that ballot boxes for the elections are to be customized for each polling units, which according to him, will make it "useless for any body to snatch the boxes for the purpose of rigging election any other areas."
On the issue of voters’ apathy Iwu noted that the phenomenon has become a major problem to the electoral process, noting that the problem is largely created by falsehood orchestrated by some people who would want to divert the attention of the electorate.
The workshop, with the theme "Addressing Voter Apathy in The 2010 FCT Council Elections" was designed to sensitize the electorates on the need insist that their votes counts at the forthcoming polls on the area.
Iwu who stated this at a workshop organized by the commission and some stakeholders in Abuja Wednesday, to address the issue of voters’ apathy also cautioned Nigerians not to be ‘deceived’ by calls by some groups campaigning against the commission.
The INEC chairman who has been under fire with calls by Labour and Civil Rights groups for his removal debunked the N50 billion allegation saying there was no way the commission could have spent such an amount when the 2010 budget from which it can access funds has not been signed into law.
He described the allegation as laughable and urged Nigerians to disregard it.
Calling on the electorate not to be deceived by the antics of the agitating groups, Iwu said they are using the call for electoral reforms as a smoke screen to cover their undemocratic intentions against the country.
He said the same group had opposed the reforms when it was first introduced by the commission prior to the 2007 elections.
Iwu said the same set of persons had plotted to derail the 2007 elections.
The INEC boss said the commission is ready to conduct a credible election in 2011 and urged all Nigerians to get involved in the process in the interest of the nation.
He said that the commission has taken critical steps to reduce incidences of rigging and other electoral malpractices.
He explained that ballot boxes for the elections are to be customized for each polling units, which according to him, will make it "useless for any body to snatch the boxes for the purpose of rigging election any other areas."
On the issue of voters’ apathy Iwu noted that the phenomenon has become a major problem to the electoral process, noting that the problem is largely created by falsehood orchestrated by some people who would want to divert the attention of the electorate.
The workshop, with the theme "Addressing Voter Apathy in The 2010 FCT Council Elections" was designed to sensitize the electorates on the need insist that their votes counts at the forthcoming polls on the area.
Hold Your Leader Accountable – Farida Waziri
Nigerians have been urged to hold their leaders at all levels of government accountable if the nation has to make meaningful development in every facet of our national life.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri gave the charge on today (Wednesday) while receiving a delegation of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, led by its President, Comrade Imagwe Jude Gabriel who was on a courtesy visit to the Commission.
The EFCC boss who said it is the responsibility of those being governed to ask relevant questions and hold accountable those that rule over them, attributed many of the problems the country is facing to corruption, which she said must be shunned by the youth.
While acknowledging the role of youths in the anti- corruption war, Waziri regretted that even at 50, the country has to still grapple with some intractable problems like power outage and fuel shortage.
"Let me remind you that as youths and future leaders, Nigeria ’s hope of a better tomorrow lies in you because quite a large number of our present leaders have failed the nation."
She also called on the student leaders to mobilize their peers to join the Anti-Corruption Revolution Campaign, ANCOR, saying this would lend support to the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the fight against graft.
Waziri berated those she called ‘arm-chair critics’, who rather than contribute their quota to nation building, always find succour in condemning those who do so.
She however vowed to continue doing her job despite the recent spate of attack on operatives of the Commission, which she said was meant to discourage the war against corruption.
"Even if they kill all of us, the war shall continue. We shall continue to investigate and prosecute corrupt elements in our midst; we shall continue to ask for special court, asset forfeiture bill, anti- terrorism bill," Waziri vowed.
Speaking at the event, the President of NANS, Gabriel Jude Imagwe, who described Waziri as a national icon, said they were at the Commission to honour an achiever who has distinguished herself where it mattered most.
"There are few women who have distinguished themselves in such endeavour as you have found yourself. It is unfortunate that here in Nigeria, we have failed to identify with persons who have excelled and that is why we are here to honour you," Imagwe said.
He further stated that before her assumption of office, EFCC was built around individuals, but that Waziri brought about a leadership style that has institutionalized the Commission, which in effect, has brought about the successes recorded within a short time.
The NANS President who called for a closer relationship with EFCC especially on the area of mobilizing and building capacity for students in the anti-corruption war, demanded the Commission’s intervention in the educational sector, which he said has deteriorated badly.
He assured the EFCC boss of support from over forty four million Nigerian students both at home and in the diaspora, saying that gone were the days when students were used for negative purposes especially by politicians.
Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mrs. Farida Waziri gave the charge on today (Wednesday) while receiving a delegation of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, led by its President, Comrade Imagwe Jude Gabriel who was on a courtesy visit to the Commission.
The EFCC boss who said it is the responsibility of those being governed to ask relevant questions and hold accountable those that rule over them, attributed many of the problems the country is facing to corruption, which she said must be shunned by the youth.
While acknowledging the role of youths in the anti- corruption war, Waziri regretted that even at 50, the country has to still grapple with some intractable problems like power outage and fuel shortage.
"Let me remind you that as youths and future leaders, Nigeria ’s hope of a better tomorrow lies in you because quite a large number of our present leaders have failed the nation."
She also called on the student leaders to mobilize their peers to join the Anti-Corruption Revolution Campaign, ANCOR, saying this would lend support to the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan’s commitment to the fight against graft.
Waziri berated those she called ‘arm-chair critics’, who rather than contribute their quota to nation building, always find succour in condemning those who do so.
She however vowed to continue doing her job despite the recent spate of attack on operatives of the Commission, which she said was meant to discourage the war against corruption.
"Even if they kill all of us, the war shall continue. We shall continue to investigate and prosecute corrupt elements in our midst; we shall continue to ask for special court, asset forfeiture bill, anti- terrorism bill," Waziri vowed.
Speaking at the event, the President of NANS, Gabriel Jude Imagwe, who described Waziri as a national icon, said they were at the Commission to honour an achiever who has distinguished herself where it mattered most.
"There are few women who have distinguished themselves in such endeavour as you have found yourself. It is unfortunate that here in Nigeria, we have failed to identify with persons who have excelled and that is why we are here to honour you," Imagwe said.
He further stated that before her assumption of office, EFCC was built around individuals, but that Waziri brought about a leadership style that has institutionalized the Commission, which in effect, has brought about the successes recorded within a short time.
The NANS President who called for a closer relationship with EFCC especially on the area of mobilizing and building capacity for students in the anti-corruption war, demanded the Commission’s intervention in the educational sector, which he said has deteriorated badly.
He assured the EFCC boss of support from over forty four million Nigerian students both at home and in the diaspora, saying that gone were the days when students were used for negative purposes especially by politicians.
Maurice Iwu’s Associates Plan Protests Against Jonathan and Obama
Denzel F.madu
we just learned that Maurice Iwu, the embattled chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has authorized a plan by his family and other US-based hirelings to organize a protest against Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s acting president who arrives the US tomorrow, and President Barack Obama. Our sources disclosed that Iwu, who has a long history of fraud, has been infuriated since learning that Jonathan is dead set against renewing him as INEC chair.
“He’s not taking his impending sack lightly, and he has decided to take the fight to the US,” said one of our sources who is in Iwu’s circles.
Our sources revealed that the protests are being organized by Iwu’s children in the Maryland area as well as some associates who have benefited from Iwu’s corrupt largesse since he assumed office five years ago as INEC chairman.
“Some of the protesters will carry placards condemning Jonathan’s decision to remove Iwu while others will criticize the Obama administration for openly demanding Iwu’s ouster,” said one source. He added that Iwu instructed that the demonstrators try to speak to the US media and to emphasize that “Obama should not interfere in the internal affairs of Nigeria.”
Over the last five weeks, Iwu has launched an extensive campaign in a bid to retain his seat as head of the electoral commission. A senior INEC source told Saharareporters that Iwu “is disdainful of the idea that a majority of Nigerians as well as the US, the UK and the EU would want to see him step aside.” The source added that Iwu’s campaign to retain his post is being financed by some politicians propelled into office by Iwu’s fraudulent electoral methods. “Professor Iwu enjoys the support of the powerful but amorphous organization of Nigerian state governors known as ‘Governors Forum’ as well as many members of the National Assembly that he helped rigged into office in 2007. Most of Iwu’s campaign budget has come from Governor Ohakim [of Imo] who fears that his reelection will become impossible if Iwu leaves INEC,” added the source.
Two weeks ago, former Biafran leader Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu drew sharp criticism when he canvassed support for Iwu’s re-appointment as INEC chair. Ojukwu, who is leader of APGA, based his support on the conduct of the February 6 2010 governorship election in Anambra which he described as exemplary. Incumbent Governor Peter Obi of APGA was declared winner of the election.
Iwu’s war chest and ferocious campaign have been countered by widespread demonstrations against him. “Mr. Iwu’s departure would be one signal from the Jonathan administration of a commitment to credible polls in 2011,” a State Department official told Saharareporters today.
Investigation by Saharareporters revealed that Iwu’s reputation for fraud long predated his appointment into INEC. He used a fake bachelor’s degree to gain admission into Bradford University in London where he studied pharmacology. In 1993, Iwu stole $45,000 that was mistakenly credited to his account with CITIBANK. When the bank discovered the mistake, Iwu claimed he withdrew and spent the money because he thought it came from some research grants he had applied for. Iwu did not fully repay CITIBANK until his appointment as INEC chair. Iwu’s most startling fraud was when he claimed he had invented a cure for the dreaded Ebola virus. Based on the false claim, the US government gave him a huge research grant that ran into more than $4 million. “The sad part of the scam is that Iwu’s lab never produced even a soup,” said a US scientist knowledgeable about the issue.
Earlier today, aides to Jonathan told Saharareporters that the acting president “has no plans to renew Iwu’s tenure when it expires in June. A US source also corroborated the assertion, telling our reporter that Washington was confident that “Mr. Iwu will definitely be let go.”
A source in Abuja told Saharareporters that Jonathan decided not to fire Iwu arbitrarily “so that Professor Iwu’s friends in the [Nigerian] Senate would not have cause to give a hard time to Iwu’s replacement.” Our sources said Jonathan has vetted several candidates and already settled on Iwu’s replacement.
Jonathan is scheduled to arrive the US tomorrow on a four-day working visit that would include a meeting on Sunday with President Obama as well as a series of other meetings, speeches and engagements.
The US trip is the first since his appointment as Acting President.
we just learned that Maurice Iwu, the embattled chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has authorized a plan by his family and other US-based hirelings to organize a protest against Goodluck Jonathan, Nigeria’s acting president who arrives the US tomorrow, and President Barack Obama. Our sources disclosed that Iwu, who has a long history of fraud, has been infuriated since learning that Jonathan is dead set against renewing him as INEC chair.
“He’s not taking his impending sack lightly, and he has decided to take the fight to the US,” said one of our sources who is in Iwu’s circles.
Our sources revealed that the protests are being organized by Iwu’s children in the Maryland area as well as some associates who have benefited from Iwu’s corrupt largesse since he assumed office five years ago as INEC chairman.
“Some of the protesters will carry placards condemning Jonathan’s decision to remove Iwu while others will criticize the Obama administration for openly demanding Iwu’s ouster,” said one source. He added that Iwu instructed that the demonstrators try to speak to the US media and to emphasize that “Obama should not interfere in the internal affairs of Nigeria.”
Over the last five weeks, Iwu has launched an extensive campaign in a bid to retain his seat as head of the electoral commission. A senior INEC source told Saharareporters that Iwu “is disdainful of the idea that a majority of Nigerians as well as the US, the UK and the EU would want to see him step aside.” The source added that Iwu’s campaign to retain his post is being financed by some politicians propelled into office by Iwu’s fraudulent electoral methods. “Professor Iwu enjoys the support of the powerful but amorphous organization of Nigerian state governors known as ‘Governors Forum’ as well as many members of the National Assembly that he helped rigged into office in 2007. Most of Iwu’s campaign budget has come from Governor Ohakim [of Imo] who fears that his reelection will become impossible if Iwu leaves INEC,” added the source.
Two weeks ago, former Biafran leader Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu drew sharp criticism when he canvassed support for Iwu’s re-appointment as INEC chair. Ojukwu, who is leader of APGA, based his support on the conduct of the February 6 2010 governorship election in Anambra which he described as exemplary. Incumbent Governor Peter Obi of APGA was declared winner of the election.
Iwu’s war chest and ferocious campaign have been countered by widespread demonstrations against him. “Mr. Iwu’s departure would be one signal from the Jonathan administration of a commitment to credible polls in 2011,” a State Department official told Saharareporters today.
Investigation by Saharareporters revealed that Iwu’s reputation for fraud long predated his appointment into INEC. He used a fake bachelor’s degree to gain admission into Bradford University in London where he studied pharmacology. In 1993, Iwu stole $45,000 that was mistakenly credited to his account with CITIBANK. When the bank discovered the mistake, Iwu claimed he withdrew and spent the money because he thought it came from some research grants he had applied for. Iwu did not fully repay CITIBANK until his appointment as INEC chair. Iwu’s most startling fraud was when he claimed he had invented a cure for the dreaded Ebola virus. Based on the false claim, the US government gave him a huge research grant that ran into more than $4 million. “The sad part of the scam is that Iwu’s lab never produced even a soup,” said a US scientist knowledgeable about the issue.
Earlier today, aides to Jonathan told Saharareporters that the acting president “has no plans to renew Iwu’s tenure when it expires in June. A US source also corroborated the assertion, telling our reporter that Washington was confident that “Mr. Iwu will definitely be let go.”
A source in Abuja told Saharareporters that Jonathan decided not to fire Iwu arbitrarily “so that Professor Iwu’s friends in the [Nigerian] Senate would not have cause to give a hard time to Iwu’s replacement.” Our sources said Jonathan has vetted several candidates and already settled on Iwu’s replacement.
Jonathan is scheduled to arrive the US tomorrow on a four-day working visit that would include a meeting on Sunday with President Obama as well as a series of other meetings, speeches and engagements.
The US trip is the first since his appointment as Acting President.
Visit to Mr. President
Dotun Olusi
Unimpeachable facts have emerged for the first time on the true state of President Umar Yar'Adua's health. A close friend of one of the aides to the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith World Outreach Ministries, Dr. David Oyedepo has revealed that contrary to the recent bashing of Bishop David Oyedepo by Nigerians over his non-disclosure of the outcome of his visit to Umar Yar'Adua, the Bishop and other Christian leaders who visited and prayed for the sick president should actually be commended. The aide was alleged to have revealed that reporting what was seen and experienced in Aso rock during the visit of the men of God to Yar'Adua could ignite an unprecedented civil unrest in Nigeria and further consolidate public hatred for the First Lady Mrs. Turai Yar'Adua.
The source swore that his friend, the aide to the Bishop heard Dr. Oyedepo praying afterward because he was deeply disturbed over the level of deteriorating in the physical condition of Umar Yar'Adua and that ordinary Nigerians had been right all along when they suggested that Yar'Adua was in a vegetative state.
According to the aide, Yar'Adua was said to have been so emaciated and sunken. He was met positioned in near upright state specifically for the visit of the Christian leaders and that it was obvious that he was in serious pain throughout the brief visit. Yar'Adua was described as "positively oblivious of his surrounding and seemed lost most of the time". Before the end of the short prayer, "he had fallen flat on the chair which embarrassed the First Lady. He remained motionless afterward, just lying on the chair without talking or shaking anyone although his eyes remained wide open, but he just stared blank into space".
It was also revealed that contrary to the insinuation that the team spent close to 10 minutes with Yar'Adua, they actually spent less than 5 minutes and were told that he had to rest immediately after the second prayer was said by Bishop David Oyedepo. Contrary to the 'grunt' widely credited to Pastor Kure which he allegedly translated to imply an 'amen', the source said that what was uttered was a 'groan' signifying critical level of pain.
Our source confirmed that Yar'Adua is indeed alive but in a vegetative state and that the person the Christian leaders saw would definitely not be able to eat or drink as widely reported nor walk or talk. He added that Turai Yar’Adua was the de facto person in charge as she allegedly took control and choreographed the entire visit including 'revealing' to the Christian leaders that the state they saw Yar'Adua was actually an improvement over what he was before then and that she appeared very desperate in wanting them to believe her statement. After leaving Yar'Adua, the men of God were still held up for upward of one hour by Mrs. Turai Yar'Adua in another large visitors' room inside Aso Rock. She was reported to have used the opportunity to tell them the tribulations she has passed through since president Yar'Adua took ill.
The source added that it was a very difficult choice for Dr. Oyedepo and the other Christian leaders who unlike their Islamic counterparts were afraid of the wrath of God if they should face Nigerians and lie to them. "Hence, instead of lying to Nigerians, the Christian elders decided to be guided by the word of God in Proverbs 16:21 'The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips' hence their prudent silence".
Unimpeachable facts have emerged for the first time on the true state of President Umar Yar'Adua's health. A close friend of one of the aides to the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith World Outreach Ministries, Dr. David Oyedepo has revealed that contrary to the recent bashing of Bishop David Oyedepo by Nigerians over his non-disclosure of the outcome of his visit to Umar Yar'Adua, the Bishop and other Christian leaders who visited and prayed for the sick president should actually be commended. The aide was alleged to have revealed that reporting what was seen and experienced in Aso rock during the visit of the men of God to Yar'Adua could ignite an unprecedented civil unrest in Nigeria and further consolidate public hatred for the First Lady Mrs. Turai Yar'Adua.
The source swore that his friend, the aide to the Bishop heard Dr. Oyedepo praying afterward because he was deeply disturbed over the level of deteriorating in the physical condition of Umar Yar'Adua and that ordinary Nigerians had been right all along when they suggested that Yar'Adua was in a vegetative state.
According to the aide, Yar'Adua was said to have been so emaciated and sunken. He was met positioned in near upright state specifically for the visit of the Christian leaders and that it was obvious that he was in serious pain throughout the brief visit. Yar'Adua was described as "positively oblivious of his surrounding and seemed lost most of the time". Before the end of the short prayer, "he had fallen flat on the chair which embarrassed the First Lady. He remained motionless afterward, just lying on the chair without talking or shaking anyone although his eyes remained wide open, but he just stared blank into space".
It was also revealed that contrary to the insinuation that the team spent close to 10 minutes with Yar'Adua, they actually spent less than 5 minutes and were told that he had to rest immediately after the second prayer was said by Bishop David Oyedepo. Contrary to the 'grunt' widely credited to Pastor Kure which he allegedly translated to imply an 'amen', the source said that what was uttered was a 'groan' signifying critical level of pain.
Our source confirmed that Yar'Adua is indeed alive but in a vegetative state and that the person the Christian leaders saw would definitely not be able to eat or drink as widely reported nor walk or talk. He added that Turai Yar’Adua was the de facto person in charge as she allegedly took control and choreographed the entire visit including 'revealing' to the Christian leaders that the state they saw Yar'Adua was actually an improvement over what he was before then and that she appeared very desperate in wanting them to believe her statement. After leaving Yar'Adua, the men of God were still held up for upward of one hour by Mrs. Turai Yar'Adua in another large visitors' room inside Aso Rock. She was reported to have used the opportunity to tell them the tribulations she has passed through since president Yar'Adua took ill.
The source added that it was a very difficult choice for Dr. Oyedepo and the other Christian leaders who unlike their Islamic counterparts were afraid of the wrath of God if they should face Nigerians and lie to them. "Hence, instead of lying to Nigerians, the Christian elders decided to be guided by the word of God in Proverbs 16:21 'The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips' hence their prudent silence".
Yar'Adua in near vegetative state - Oyedepo Aide reveals- Liberty News, Abuja
Dotun Olusi
Unimpeachable facts have emerged for the first time on the true state of President Umar Yar'Adua's health. A close friend of one of the aides to the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith World Outreach Ministries, Dr. David Oyedepo has revealed that contrary to the recent bashing of Bishop David Oyedepo by Nigerians over his non-disclosure of the outcome of his visit to Umar Yar'Adua, the Bishop and other Christian leaders who visited and prayed for the sick president should actually be commended.
Unimpeachable facts have emerged for the first time on the true state of President Umar Yar'Adua's health. A close friend of one of the aides to the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith World Outreach Ministries, Dr. David Oyedepo has revealed that contrary to the recent bashing of Bishop David Oyedepo by Nigerians over his non-disclosure of the outcome of his visit to Umar Yar'Adua, the Bishop and other Christian leaders who visited and prayed for the sick president should actually be commended.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Delta State Government Okays Creation Of Four Polytechnics
The Delta State Government has approved the establishment of four new Polytechnics in the state in line with its Human Capital Development programme.
The Polytechnics, which are expected to serve as centres of excellence, are to be sited at Aboh in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area, Bomadi in Bomadi Local Government Area, Sapele in Sapele Local Government Area, and Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djebah announced this on thursday as part of the decisions taken at the meeting of the State Executive Council, which took place at Government House, Asaba.
He explained that apart from the desire to enhance the Human Capital Development programme of the state by equipping young Deltans with the requisite technical expertise for the development of the state, the institutions will also assist in absorbing the growing population of qualified young Deltans unable to secure admissions to enhance their education in other tertiary institutions in the country.
The establishment of the four new Polytechnics brings to seven the number of Polytechnics owned by the Delta State Government. The previously established ones are Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, Ozoro Polytechnic and Otefe-Oghara Polytechnic. In addition, the state runs a College of Physical and Science Education at Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area.
Mr. Djebah said the state government aims to reposition the state as the leading state in nurturing its human capital development to fit into the growing global economy.
The Polytechnics, which are expected to serve as centres of excellence, are to be sited at Aboh in Ndokwa-East Local Government Area, Bomadi in Bomadi Local Government Area, Sapele in Sapele Local Government Area, and Abigborodo in Warri North Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Oma Djebah announced this on thursday as part of the decisions taken at the meeting of the State Executive Council, which took place at Government House, Asaba.
He explained that apart from the desire to enhance the Human Capital Development programme of the state by equipping young Deltans with the requisite technical expertise for the development of the state, the institutions will also assist in absorbing the growing population of qualified young Deltans unable to secure admissions to enhance their education in other tertiary institutions in the country.
The establishment of the four new Polytechnics brings to seven the number of Polytechnics owned by the Delta State Government. The previously established ones are Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, Ozoro Polytechnic and Otefe-Oghara Polytechnic. In addition, the state runs a College of Physical and Science Education at Mosogar in Ethiope West Local Government Area.
Mr. Djebah said the state government aims to reposition the state as the leading state in nurturing its human capital development to fit into the growing global economy.
Ethnic Crisis Looms In Delta Over Land Ownership
The peace agenda of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan may suffer a setback as Urhobo indigenes of Okpe in Sapele local government area are warming up to stage a war with the Itsekiris for allegedly claiming ownership of Sapele.
The Urhobo leaders had in recent times described the Itsekiris as trouble makers, and were warned to beware of Okpe lands, insisting that the Okpe people were ready to shed the last drop of their blood to fight the Itsekiris for encroaching on their lands.
It would be recalled that the Itsekiris residing in Sapele had sometime ago publicly claimed ownership of parts of lands in Sapele and Okpe community, which almost led to a serious ethnic crisis and break down of law and order, but for the intervention of the Delta State government that averted the situation.
Investigation further revealed that some Itsekiris have formed communities in the Urhobo area of Warri metropolis, an issue that is also currently threatening the prevailing peace in the area.
An Urhobo community leader in Sapele, Chief Dickson Omamomo Obirenfoju, while reacting to the development told THE WILL that the Itsekiris were using the advantage of their brother Governor Uduaghan to cause confusion but will be vehemently resisted.
The Urhobo communities therefore called on Governor Uduaghan to prevail on his Itsekiri people to desist from claiming ownership of lands that do not belong to them to forestall imminent crisis.
THEWILL can report that the ownership tussle of Sapele between Itsekiris and Okpe had long been settled in favour of Okpe by the colonial masters at the West African Court of Appeal.
The Urhobo leaders had in recent times described the Itsekiris as trouble makers, and were warned to beware of Okpe lands, insisting that the Okpe people were ready to shed the last drop of their blood to fight the Itsekiris for encroaching on their lands.
It would be recalled that the Itsekiris residing in Sapele had sometime ago publicly claimed ownership of parts of lands in Sapele and Okpe community, which almost led to a serious ethnic crisis and break down of law and order, but for the intervention of the Delta State government that averted the situation.
Investigation further revealed that some Itsekiris have formed communities in the Urhobo area of Warri metropolis, an issue that is also currently threatening the prevailing peace in the area.
An Urhobo community leader in Sapele, Chief Dickson Omamomo Obirenfoju, while reacting to the development told THE WILL that the Itsekiris were using the advantage of their brother Governor Uduaghan to cause confusion but will be vehemently resisted.
The Urhobo communities therefore called on Governor Uduaghan to prevail on his Itsekiri people to desist from claiming ownership of lands that do not belong to them to forestall imminent crisis.
THEWILL can report that the ownership tussle of Sapele between Itsekiris and Okpe had long been settled in favour of Okpe by the colonial masters at the West African Court of Appeal.
Jonathan Insists On Good Governance, Ministers Must Sign Performance Agreement
Nigeria’s new 38 cabinet ministers were inaugurated on Monday by Acting President Goodluck Jonathan with a charge to deliver on good governance.
While delivering his address to the ministers at the swearing-in ceremony at the Council Chambers of the Villa, Jonathan urged the new appointees to prove their competence, honesty and patriotism in their service to the nation.
"No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions. You must hit the ground running! Time is of fundamental essence and no distraction in our mission will be tolerated. This is a patriotic call to service… This rare privilege must not be abused! While we continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the President, permit me to emphasize the policy continuum of governance and to insist on the imperative of this team to roll up its sleeve, and to redouble effort so as to meet the expectation of our people who are yearning for good governance," the Acting President said.
On what is expected of the new ministers, Jonathan said, “In the next two weeks my office will work with you to determine and agree on ministerial goals and targets including milestones. This will form the basis for performance agreements that each of you will sign. Once the ministerial objectives are agreed it will be your responsibility to inform the public and you will also publicly report progress.”
Continuing, he said, "In the comforts of our offices let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line and that many of the things we take for granted are in fact the long unfulfilled dreams of many of our country men, women and children. There is therefore an urgency here that must not escape our attention."
While thanking Nigerians for their patience and understanding, Jonathan said, “It takes only a great people to have demonstrated so much patience and tolerance with government in the light of the recent experiences in our country. For this, with all humility, I salute the Nigerian people and its indomitable spirit of never-give-up. It is that spirit, well identified as the nucleus of our unity and our citizenship, which our founding fathers laboured to uphold that we must now defend with every strength in our breadth.
"Moments like this offer us an opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation so that the labours of our heroes past shall never truly be in vain. For me, this brief ceremony, as we enter the last lap of our four years mandate is also a time for the revalidation of the original dream of our founding fathers as rooted in our nation’s aspiration for justice, liberty and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms."
To those he considered as distraction to government, Jonathan said, "No longer must we tolerate the triumph of centrifugal forces whose main agenda is to distract and defeat the march of our people to the summit of economic self-sufficiency and political maturity. Our people demand the best because mediocre performance will not be enough to meet the high expectations of the moment."
The Acting President thanked Former heads of state, the National Assembly, Security agencies, the Armed Forces and the civil society for their support and defence of the constitution and democracy.
While delivering his address to the ministers at the swearing-in ceremony at the Council Chambers of the Villa, Jonathan urged the new appointees to prove their competence, honesty and patriotism in their service to the nation.
"No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions. You must hit the ground running! Time is of fundamental essence and no distraction in our mission will be tolerated. This is a patriotic call to service… This rare privilege must not be abused! While we continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the President, permit me to emphasize the policy continuum of governance and to insist on the imperative of this team to roll up its sleeve, and to redouble effort so as to meet the expectation of our people who are yearning for good governance," the Acting President said.
On what is expected of the new ministers, Jonathan said, “In the next two weeks my office will work with you to determine and agree on ministerial goals and targets including milestones. This will form the basis for performance agreements that each of you will sign. Once the ministerial objectives are agreed it will be your responsibility to inform the public and you will also publicly report progress.”
Continuing, he said, "In the comforts of our offices let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line and that many of the things we take for granted are in fact the long unfulfilled dreams of many of our country men, women and children. There is therefore an urgency here that must not escape our attention."
While thanking Nigerians for their patience and understanding, Jonathan said, “It takes only a great people to have demonstrated so much patience and tolerance with government in the light of the recent experiences in our country. For this, with all humility, I salute the Nigerian people and its indomitable spirit of never-give-up. It is that spirit, well identified as the nucleus of our unity and our citizenship, which our founding fathers laboured to uphold that we must now defend with every strength in our breadth.
"Moments like this offer us an opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation so that the labours of our heroes past shall never truly be in vain. For me, this brief ceremony, as we enter the last lap of our four years mandate is also a time for the revalidation of the original dream of our founding fathers as rooted in our nation’s aspiration for justice, liberty and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms."
To those he considered as distraction to government, Jonathan said, "No longer must we tolerate the triumph of centrifugal forces whose main agenda is to distract and defeat the march of our people to the summit of economic self-sufficiency and political maturity. Our people demand the best because mediocre performance will not be enough to meet the high expectations of the moment."
The Acting President thanked Former heads of state, the National Assembly, Security agencies, the Armed Forces and the civil society for their support and defence of the constitution and democracy.
Address by Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, at the inauguration of FEC in Abuja,6th April 2010
Good afternoon, very distinguished Ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to have you all here for the inauguration of the reconstituted Federal Executive Council. It takes only a great people to have demonstrated so much patience and tolerance with government in the light of the recent experiences in our country. For this, with all humility, I salute the Nigerian people and its indomitable spirit of never-give-up. It is that spirit, well identified as the nucleus of our unity and our citizenship, which our founding fathers labored to uphold that we must now defend with every strength in our breadth.
Moments like this offer us an opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation so that the labours of our heroes past shall never truly be in vain. For me, this brief ceremony, as we enter the last lap of our four years mandate is also a time for the revalidation of the original dream of our founding fathers as rooted in our nation’s aspiration for justice, liberty and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms.
No longer must we tolerate the triumph of centrifugal forces whose main agenda is to distract and defeat the march of our people to the summit of economic self-sufficiency and political maturity. In this regard, let me use this occasion to once again salute all stakeholders especially the National Assembly, Elder Statesmen, Former Heads of State, Civil Society, the Armed Forces, Religious and Opinion Leaders, and the various security agencies for their loyalty to the constitution and the defence of the Nigerian people and our young democracy.
The oath of office and oath of allegiance which you have just taken, together constitute a sacred commitment to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria without fear or favor, with transparency and accountability, and at all times with good faith and maximum effort.
At the outset let me say clearly that I have confidence in this team, which I believe reflects the ambition of the Federal Government to take bold steps in all sectors. Our people demand the best because mediocre performance will not be enough to meet the high expectations of the moment. I will, therefore, continually monitor and evaluate your performance. Each of you has a portfolio but our responsibility will also be collective. This means that we must support one another, because together each achieves more.
Therefore, the mission of this executive council is to deliver on the promise of good governance by showing competence, honesty of purpose, patriotism and selflessness in the privileged business of governance.
The executive council we are inaugurating today will continue to work for a rigorous implementation of the policy framework of this administration, which came into office on the 29th of May 2007. While we continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the President, permit me to emphasize the policy continuum of governance and to insist on the imperative of this team to roll up its sleeve, and to redouble effort so as to meet the expectation of our people who are yearning for good governance.
Our efforts in governance must be manifested in the revamp of decaying infrastructure including steady power supply and good roads; provision of sound and quality education; the good health of our people; provision of jobs for our unemployed youths, security of life and property, commitment to free and fair elections and the very strict adherence to the rule of law.
To me, the best instrument for the measurement of development is the yardstick of a steady improvement in the quality of life of our people in all areas. In the next two weeks my office will work with you to determine and agree on ministerial goals and targets including milestones. This will form the basis for performance agreements that each of you will sign. Once the ministerial objectives are agreed it will be your responsibility to inform the public and you will also publicly report progress.
I will hate to disappoint you but I will hate even more to disappoint the nation. So let it be clear that the collective interest of the nation will always override any narrow interests.
Patriotism, accountability and transparency must underpin all our work. We should remember that the public has a keen interest in what we do as public officials. I take public perception seriously because I believe that citizens always matter. We must therefore strive to maintain public confidence at all times.
We owe this much to our people.
The policy of this administration remains a zero tolerance of corruption. Therefore, demonstrable accountability must not only be done but be seen to have been done. In this regard, we will not hesitate to take whatever action necessary to protect the bond of trust, which must always exist between the government and the governed.
Let me put you on notice: The assignment of offices is not an allocation of privileges. You are here on national assignment and you can be reassigned with little or no notice in the national interest, for you are political administrators not operators!
As we advance towards the strengthening of our democracy and the institutions and systems of our federalism, let me urge you to be partners in progress with other tiers of government. We will frown at undue politicking and the promotion of needless friction in the polity.
You are here to serve Nigeria and Nigerians.
In the comforts of our offices let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line and that many of the things we take for granted are in fact the long unfulfilled dreams of many of our country men, women and children. There is therefore an urgency here that must not escape our attention.
Thus, I will be requesting a fortnightly briefing on the state of our economy from the economic team, which shall be constituted very shortly. This team, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance must help to fast-track the process of our development as this is the most important task in the life of our nation. Our present and our future depend on it.
Honorable Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the blue print for the actualization of government objectives are there in the budget and in the various policy frameworks now gathering dust in our archives. No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions. You must hit the ground running! Time is of fundamental essence and no distraction in our mission will be tolerated. This is a patriotic call to service and the self must therefore take a back seat. This rare privilege must not be abused!
I look forward to working with you to accomplish important tasks that will result in economic transformation that promotes social mobility and equity, governance initiatives that subordinate government to the people and relationships that promote national unity, peaceful co-existence and security.
I thank you for honoring our call to service, may God Almighty guide and guard you in the discharge of your assigned duties.
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. GCFR
Ag. President and Commander in Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Moments like this offer us an opportunity for reflection and rejuvenation so that the labours of our heroes past shall never truly be in vain. For me, this brief ceremony, as we enter the last lap of our four years mandate is also a time for the revalidation of the original dream of our founding fathers as rooted in our nation’s aspiration for justice, liberty and the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms.
No longer must we tolerate the triumph of centrifugal forces whose main agenda is to distract and defeat the march of our people to the summit of economic self-sufficiency and political maturity. In this regard, let me use this occasion to once again salute all stakeholders especially the National Assembly, Elder Statesmen, Former Heads of State, Civil Society, the Armed Forces, Religious and Opinion Leaders, and the various security agencies for their loyalty to the constitution and the defence of the Nigerian people and our young democracy.
The oath of office and oath of allegiance which you have just taken, together constitute a sacred commitment to serve the Federal Republic of Nigeria without fear or favor, with transparency and accountability, and at all times with good faith and maximum effort.
At the outset let me say clearly that I have confidence in this team, which I believe reflects the ambition of the Federal Government to take bold steps in all sectors. Our people demand the best because mediocre performance will not be enough to meet the high expectations of the moment. I will, therefore, continually monitor and evaluate your performance. Each of you has a portfolio but our responsibility will also be collective. This means that we must support one another, because together each achieves more.
Therefore, the mission of this executive council is to deliver on the promise of good governance by showing competence, honesty of purpose, patriotism and selflessness in the privileged business of governance.
The executive council we are inaugurating today will continue to work for a rigorous implementation of the policy framework of this administration, which came into office on the 29th of May 2007. While we continue to pray for the speedy recovery of the President, permit me to emphasize the policy continuum of governance and to insist on the imperative of this team to roll up its sleeve, and to redouble effort so as to meet the expectation of our people who are yearning for good governance.
Our efforts in governance must be manifested in the revamp of decaying infrastructure including steady power supply and good roads; provision of sound and quality education; the good health of our people; provision of jobs for our unemployed youths, security of life and property, commitment to free and fair elections and the very strict adherence to the rule of law.
To me, the best instrument for the measurement of development is the yardstick of a steady improvement in the quality of life of our people in all areas. In the next two weeks my office will work with you to determine and agree on ministerial goals and targets including milestones. This will form the basis for performance agreements that each of you will sign. Once the ministerial objectives are agreed it will be your responsibility to inform the public and you will also publicly report progress.
I will hate to disappoint you but I will hate even more to disappoint the nation. So let it be clear that the collective interest of the nation will always override any narrow interests.
Patriotism, accountability and transparency must underpin all our work. We should remember that the public has a keen interest in what we do as public officials. I take public perception seriously because I believe that citizens always matter. We must therefore strive to maintain public confidence at all times.
We owe this much to our people.
The policy of this administration remains a zero tolerance of corruption. Therefore, demonstrable accountability must not only be done but be seen to have been done. In this regard, we will not hesitate to take whatever action necessary to protect the bond of trust, which must always exist between the government and the governed.
Let me put you on notice: The assignment of offices is not an allocation of privileges. You are here on national assignment and you can be reassigned with little or no notice in the national interest, for you are political administrators not operators!
As we advance towards the strengthening of our democracy and the institutions and systems of our federalism, let me urge you to be partners in progress with other tiers of government. We will frown at undue politicking and the promotion of needless friction in the polity.
You are here to serve Nigeria and Nigerians.
In the comforts of our offices let us not forget that majority of our people live below the poverty line and that many of the things we take for granted are in fact the long unfulfilled dreams of many of our country men, women and children. There is therefore an urgency here that must not escape our attention.
Thus, I will be requesting a fortnightly briefing on the state of our economy from the economic team, which shall be constituted very shortly. This team, under the chairmanship of the Minister of Finance must help to fast-track the process of our development as this is the most important task in the life of our nation. Our present and our future depend on it.
Honorable Ministers, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the blue print for the actualization of government objectives are there in the budget and in the various policy frameworks now gathering dust in our archives. No minister will be allowed to go on a mission of endless search for solutions. You must hit the ground running! Time is of fundamental essence and no distraction in our mission will be tolerated. This is a patriotic call to service and the self must therefore take a back seat. This rare privilege must not be abused!
I look forward to working with you to accomplish important tasks that will result in economic transformation that promotes social mobility and equity, governance initiatives that subordinate government to the people and relationships that promote national unity, peaceful co-existence and security.
I thank you for honoring our call to service, may God Almighty guide and guard you in the discharge of your assigned duties.
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. GCFR
Ag. President and Commander in Chief
Federal Republic of Nigeria
GOODLUCK JONATHAN CALLS ON BARACK OBAMA
OKEY NDIBE
Goodluck Jonathan gets his first strutting experience as "president" next week as he visits the U.S. at the invitation of President Barack Obama. How Jonathan handles himself, and the image he projects, will determine how seriously his American host takes him and the country he runs.
Umaru Yar’Adua set a poor tone when, during a visit at the White House in 2007, he acted like a child let loose in a candy shop. Eyes glimmering, he gushed to President George W. Bush that coming to America was the best day of his life.
It would serve Jonathan to avoid such callow exuberance. He better come properly briefed, and fully prepared, to articulate Nigeria’s take on the topics of discussion.
The two men, and their respective countries, have a large menu of bilateral issues to bite into. There are such issues as oil, terrorism, democracy, trade relations, anti-corruption measures, and Nigeria’s tense – and, it appears, worsening – sectarian divide.
It's easy, in talking with Obama, to misread his ties to Africa – as the son of a Kenyan father – as an indication of deep sympathy for African causes. Half of Obama’s heart may be Kenyan, but he is, when all is said and done, a quintessential American original. Given his cosmopolitan outlook, Obama is unquestionably more informed than his recent predecessors, about the poor places of the world, and more sympathetic to the plight of the world’s poor.
Even so, his deepest loyalties lie – as they should – with America, and especially with America's corporate giants, many of them with tentacles in Nigeria. It’s Jonathan’s place to recognize this fact, and to do his best to champion Nigeria’s economic interests as strongly as Obama pushes America’s interests.
Oil is at the center of America’s interest in Nigeria's vicissitudes. With the rise of anti-American sentiments in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, U.S. authorities have made no secret of wishing to buy more of their crude oil from Nigeria.
That prospect means that the U.S. is attentive to Nigeria’s domestic stresses. There’s little doubt that Washington closely monitors both the deepening militarization of the oil-rich Niger Delta and the incessant outbreaks of religious violence in such places as Jos, Maiduguri, and Bauchi.
America is, in short, invested in easing the pressures that have caused sharp declines in Nigeria’s daily oil output. But Jonathan, who happens to hail from the Niger Delta, ought to convey to Obama that economic justice is key to reducing militancy. The Nigerian state and the oil companies have exploited the resources of the oil-producing delta.
It would be a mistake to imagine that Obama is less than enthusiastic about George Bush’s plan to establish an African Command. Should Obama try to sell the idea, Jonathan ought to unambiguously register Nigeria’s continuing opposition. At the very least, such a command would further undermine the sovereign will of African nations. At worst, it is likely to subordinate African nations, willy-nilly, to American control. Put bluntly, it is a recipe for re-colonization.
America now perceives Nigeria as an incubating site for terrorists. That dishonor came by dint of a young Nigerian’s attempt to blow up a plane over Detroit last Christmas. If the plan had succeeded, some three hundred passengers on the flight would have perished – to say nothing of the number of casualties if a burning plane had crashed in a city.
In scale, it would have been the most serious terrorist assault on American soil since the September 11, 2001 bombing of the Twin Towers in New York City. The would-be bomber, Umaru Abdul Mutallab, has Nigerian parents and carried a Nigerian passport. But he was recruited into al Qaeda in England, not Nigeria; his training and equipment took place in Yemen, far from Nigeria.
Last week, a motorist in Calabar came close to causing another terrorist calamity. In a shocking breach of airport security, this man was able to ram his car onto an Arik Air flight. Little information has been released about the incident, but the attack – one must admit – is likely to strengthen Obama’s resolve to keep Nigeria on the roster of 'terrorist nations.'
That shouldn't stop Jonathan from pleading Nigeria’s case, namely, that the isolated actions of two men hardly add up to the portrait of a nation that spawns international terrorists.
Jonathan is, like Obama, a figure thrown up by history – and capable of acting as an agent of profound historical change. Obama’s election more than a year ago signaled America’s willingness to lift, however temporarily, the veil created by its long history of racial discrimination. On his part, Jonathan ascended to power through the quirks of fate.
Unlike Obama, Jonathan is handicapped by a deficiency of legitimacy. In 2007, he and Umaru Yar’Adua became prime beneficiaries of one of the most fraudulent elections in history. Now, with Yar’Adua consigned to the shadows through physical devastation, Jonathan has been thrust into power. And he’s been assigned a rare opportunity to rise beyond his circumstances and imprint his name in history.
Many doubt that he’s capable of rising to the challenge. He has been criticized, justifiably in my view, for coming up with a mostly uninspiring list of ministers. And even though he’s spoken of his commitment to electoral reforms, many doubt that he’s willing to go through with measures that are likely to upstage his political party.
Yet, Jonathan must know that Nigeria has changed since the 2007 impunity that foisted the Yar'Adua-Jonathan duo in power. The country may not be able to survive a repeat of the electoral heist of 2007.
Obama should encourage Jonathan to stand behind electoral reform, to fire Maurice Iwu from the chairmanship of Nigeria’s electoral commission, and to ensure that the police, armed forces, and security agencies are not invited to help PDP candidates in thwarting the wishes of the electorate in 2011.
Jonathan is reportedly making overtures to Nuhu Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to serve as an advisor on anti-corruption issues. This promises to rank as one of Jonathan’s most warmly received appointments. In his second coming, Ribadu has a rare opportunity to address legitimate questions about the selectivity of some of the EFCC’s prosecutions, and then proceed to reinvigorate the fight against all corrupt elements.
Ribadu will face a quandary. It was reported that, in September 2006, Ribadu's EFCC officials seized $13.5 million from Patience Jonathan, then Governor Jonathan’s wife. Somehow, that case – which drew international attention – fizzled out. Neither Jonathan nor Ribadu can afford silence on the case. Both men must make it a priority to divulge the facts about Patience’s alleged millions. Is it true that the EFCC confiscated that stash of cash? If true, where’s that money? Was it handed back to Mrs. Jonathan? In that event, how and where did she make it? If it was confiscated, then Jonathan would do well to apologize on his wife’s behalf. Then, and then, should Ribadu get cracking on other abusers of public trust.
Goodluck Jonathan gets his first strutting experience as "president" next week as he visits the U.S. at the invitation of President Barack Obama. How Jonathan handles himself, and the image he projects, will determine how seriously his American host takes him and the country he runs.
Umaru Yar’Adua set a poor tone when, during a visit at the White House in 2007, he acted like a child let loose in a candy shop. Eyes glimmering, he gushed to President George W. Bush that coming to America was the best day of his life.
It would serve Jonathan to avoid such callow exuberance. He better come properly briefed, and fully prepared, to articulate Nigeria’s take on the topics of discussion.
The two men, and their respective countries, have a large menu of bilateral issues to bite into. There are such issues as oil, terrorism, democracy, trade relations, anti-corruption measures, and Nigeria’s tense – and, it appears, worsening – sectarian divide.
It's easy, in talking with Obama, to misread his ties to Africa – as the son of a Kenyan father – as an indication of deep sympathy for African causes. Half of Obama’s heart may be Kenyan, but he is, when all is said and done, a quintessential American original. Given his cosmopolitan outlook, Obama is unquestionably more informed than his recent predecessors, about the poor places of the world, and more sympathetic to the plight of the world’s poor.
Even so, his deepest loyalties lie – as they should – with America, and especially with America's corporate giants, many of them with tentacles in Nigeria. It’s Jonathan’s place to recognize this fact, and to do his best to champion Nigeria’s economic interests as strongly as Obama pushes America’s interests.
Oil is at the center of America’s interest in Nigeria's vicissitudes. With the rise of anti-American sentiments in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, U.S. authorities have made no secret of wishing to buy more of their crude oil from Nigeria.
That prospect means that the U.S. is attentive to Nigeria’s domestic stresses. There’s little doubt that Washington closely monitors both the deepening militarization of the oil-rich Niger Delta and the incessant outbreaks of religious violence in such places as Jos, Maiduguri, and Bauchi.
America is, in short, invested in easing the pressures that have caused sharp declines in Nigeria’s daily oil output. But Jonathan, who happens to hail from the Niger Delta, ought to convey to Obama that economic justice is key to reducing militancy. The Nigerian state and the oil companies have exploited the resources of the oil-producing delta.
It would be a mistake to imagine that Obama is less than enthusiastic about George Bush’s plan to establish an African Command. Should Obama try to sell the idea, Jonathan ought to unambiguously register Nigeria’s continuing opposition. At the very least, such a command would further undermine the sovereign will of African nations. At worst, it is likely to subordinate African nations, willy-nilly, to American control. Put bluntly, it is a recipe for re-colonization.
America now perceives Nigeria as an incubating site for terrorists. That dishonor came by dint of a young Nigerian’s attempt to blow up a plane over Detroit last Christmas. If the plan had succeeded, some three hundred passengers on the flight would have perished – to say nothing of the number of casualties if a burning plane had crashed in a city.
In scale, it would have been the most serious terrorist assault on American soil since the September 11, 2001 bombing of the Twin Towers in New York City. The would-be bomber, Umaru Abdul Mutallab, has Nigerian parents and carried a Nigerian passport. But he was recruited into al Qaeda in England, not Nigeria; his training and equipment took place in Yemen, far from Nigeria.
Last week, a motorist in Calabar came close to causing another terrorist calamity. In a shocking breach of airport security, this man was able to ram his car onto an Arik Air flight. Little information has been released about the incident, but the attack – one must admit – is likely to strengthen Obama’s resolve to keep Nigeria on the roster of 'terrorist nations.'
That shouldn't stop Jonathan from pleading Nigeria’s case, namely, that the isolated actions of two men hardly add up to the portrait of a nation that spawns international terrorists.
Jonathan is, like Obama, a figure thrown up by history – and capable of acting as an agent of profound historical change. Obama’s election more than a year ago signaled America’s willingness to lift, however temporarily, the veil created by its long history of racial discrimination. On his part, Jonathan ascended to power through the quirks of fate.
Unlike Obama, Jonathan is handicapped by a deficiency of legitimacy. In 2007, he and Umaru Yar’Adua became prime beneficiaries of one of the most fraudulent elections in history. Now, with Yar’Adua consigned to the shadows through physical devastation, Jonathan has been thrust into power. And he’s been assigned a rare opportunity to rise beyond his circumstances and imprint his name in history.
Many doubt that he’s capable of rising to the challenge. He has been criticized, justifiably in my view, for coming up with a mostly uninspiring list of ministers. And even though he’s spoken of his commitment to electoral reforms, many doubt that he’s willing to go through with measures that are likely to upstage his political party.
Yet, Jonathan must know that Nigeria has changed since the 2007 impunity that foisted the Yar'Adua-Jonathan duo in power. The country may not be able to survive a repeat of the electoral heist of 2007.
Obama should encourage Jonathan to stand behind electoral reform, to fire Maurice Iwu from the chairmanship of Nigeria’s electoral commission, and to ensure that the police, armed forces, and security agencies are not invited to help PDP candidates in thwarting the wishes of the electorate in 2011.
Jonathan is reportedly making overtures to Nuhu Ribadu, a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, to serve as an advisor on anti-corruption issues. This promises to rank as one of Jonathan’s most warmly received appointments. In his second coming, Ribadu has a rare opportunity to address legitimate questions about the selectivity of some of the EFCC’s prosecutions, and then proceed to reinvigorate the fight against all corrupt elements.
Ribadu will face a quandary. It was reported that, in September 2006, Ribadu's EFCC officials seized $13.5 million from Patience Jonathan, then Governor Jonathan’s wife. Somehow, that case – which drew international attention – fizzled out. Neither Jonathan nor Ribadu can afford silence on the case. Both men must make it a priority to divulge the facts about Patience’s alleged millions. Is it true that the EFCC confiscated that stash of cash? If true, where’s that money? Was it handed back to Mrs. Jonathan? In that event, how and where did she make it? If it was confiscated, then Jonathan would do well to apologize on his wife’s behalf. Then, and then, should Ribadu get cracking on other abusers of public trust.
Remove Maurice Iwu – US Government
ANDREW QUINN
The United States believes Nigeria's elections chief should be replaced if the country, a major U.S. oil supplier, is to hold credible national polls next year, a senior U.S. official said on Monday.
Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, the Obama administration's top official for Africa, said Independent National Election Commission (INEC) chairman Maurice Iwu had proven himself inadequate in overseeing Nigeria's "deeply flawed" polls in 2007.
"If Nigeria is to move forward improving its election process it probably needs to consider improving the level of management at the top," Carson told a news briefing.
"Nigeria is a democracy that is moving forward. It deserves leadership appropriate to the task in the election commission."
Hundreds of Nigerians protested last week outside INEC headquarters in the capital Abuja demanding the removal of Iwu, whom they deemed responsible for the 2007 polls that brought President Umaru Yar'Adua to power.
Those polls were so marred by ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation that local and international observers said they were not credible, and legal challenges to Yar'Adua's victory lasted for months after he took office.
With new elections due by April 2011, acting President Goodluck Jonathan, who assumed executive powers almost two months ago with Yar'Adua too sick to govern, has made overhauling the electoral system a top priority.
PAST RECORD
Carson, announcing the formal launch on Tuesday of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, signaled that Washington hoped to see change at INEC at least by the time Iwu's current term ends in mid-2011.
"We hope that when it comes time to look at reappointment or the decision to appoint someone else, that his past record be taken into account," Carson said.
The new commission, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will formally launch with the Nigeria's government secretary Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, aims to bolster U.S. ties to the country in areas including energy, governance and food security.
Carson said Nigeria -- now the third largest oil supplier to the U.S. market ahead of Saudi Arabia and Venezuela -- was of huge strategic importance and thus merited the first of three planned joint commissions between the United States and key African countries.
The other two due to be signed this year are with South Africa, the continent's industrial giant, and Angola, which increasingly rivals Nigeria in oil production.
The United States believes Nigeria's elections chief should be replaced if the country, a major U.S. oil supplier, is to hold credible national polls next year, a senior U.S. official said on Monday.
Assistant Secretary of State Johnnie Carson, the Obama administration's top official for Africa, said Independent National Election Commission (INEC) chairman Maurice Iwu had proven himself inadequate in overseeing Nigeria's "deeply flawed" polls in 2007.
"If Nigeria is to move forward improving its election process it probably needs to consider improving the level of management at the top," Carson told a news briefing.
"Nigeria is a democracy that is moving forward. It deserves leadership appropriate to the task in the election commission."
Hundreds of Nigerians protested last week outside INEC headquarters in the capital Abuja demanding the removal of Iwu, whom they deemed responsible for the 2007 polls that brought President Umaru Yar'Adua to power.
Those polls were so marred by ballot-stuffing and voter intimidation that local and international observers said they were not credible, and legal challenges to Yar'Adua's victory lasted for months after he took office.
With new elections due by April 2011, acting President Goodluck Jonathan, who assumed executive powers almost two months ago with Yar'Adua too sick to govern, has made overhauling the electoral system a top priority.
PAST RECORD
Carson, announcing the formal launch on Tuesday of the U.S.-Nigeria Binational Commission, signaled that Washington hoped to see change at INEC at least by the time Iwu's current term ends in mid-2011.
"We hope that when it comes time to look at reappointment or the decision to appoint someone else, that his past record be taken into account," Carson said.
The new commission, which Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will formally launch with the Nigeria's government secretary Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, aims to bolster U.S. ties to the country in areas including energy, governance and food security.
Carson said Nigeria -- now the third largest oil supplier to the U.S. market ahead of Saudi Arabia and Venezuela -- was of huge strategic importance and thus merited the first of three planned joint commissions between the United States and key African countries.
The other two due to be signed this year are with South Africa, the continent's industrial giant, and Angola, which increasingly rivals Nigeria in oil production.
YAR’ADUA: WHEN ALLAH’S MEN LIE!
AUSTYN OGANNAH
Until lately, I had deliberately chosen to refrain from making comments or writing openly about the state of health of President Umaru Yar’Adua and his rumoured recovery because I felt I owed it to the sick leader, to rest and recover in God’s appointed time, after all no one is above falling sick.
However, very recent developments including reports being strategically planted in the media by some Islamic clerics, anti-constitution elements and their collaborating media owners, claiming that they presumably met and prayed for Yar’Adua at the Presidential Villa has drawn me back into this conversation.
Particularly, the statement below, credited to Dr. Datti Ahmad, President of the Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria, in an interview with The Nation, a local newspaper, is the basis for this opinion.
Dr. Ahmad said: "We met the President around 5.00 pm late in the afternoon. Contrary to what some people have been saying, the President is not in a situation where he is almost dead; he is only sick.
"He was sitting down on a dinning chair when we came in and met him. He was not being supported by anybody but himself, he was sitting down calmly. He did not look like someone who is almost dead.
"When we entered, we were not sure of what we were going to meet. So we entered and stood at a respectable distance and greeted him. He extended his hand to us and we shook it one by one. This is contrary to the view of those who keep saying he doesn’t know where he is.
"After that, we prayed for his health. He joined us in the prayers, raising his hands the way we raised our own; his lips were moving. When we finished, we told him we only came to greet him. He shook hands with us.
"We did not wait as such after that. However, we told him that we just wanted to see him to know the truth from the lies that they have been telling us that he is dead, no longer able to recognize anyone and all the lies that you and I have heard before.
"Obviously, he has lost some weight and he is a bit weak but he was sitting down calmly. He shook our hands on arrival and when we prayed with him for his quick recovery, he again shook hand with us.
"I wish to warn that there is need for people to be careful in the utterances being made about incapacitation, taking the presidential authority and giving such to other persons.
"Some people had to reflect before they stage a civilian coup against him. President Yar’Adua has his deputy who could act for him while he is not there. He knows that he is alive and is only unwell at this point in time.
"However, nobody should take over his position because he is not available. The president still has a good chance of recovery. Nobody should take over his post and create problems for the country. Those who are thinking of doing that are playing with fire.
"I will suggest that Dr. Jonathan continues to act as president till Yar’Adua is fit enough to resume. If he does not get well by 2011, election will take place and another person will emerge through a democratic process.
"But if any person attempts to seize that presidential authority now, the consequences will remain with the country for a long time.
"It will not be a wise decision and not in the interest of even younger generations of Nigerians."
Undoubtedly, there is a political motive behind Datti Ahmad’s comments, considering the fact that it is just a few hours to the inauguration of new federal cabinet ministers by the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Dr. Ahmad, sorry I do not believe that you saw Yar’Adua, and if you must know, I did my checks as a reporter who knows the inside very well, and if not for the respect I have for your religious office, I would have categorically said you lied in the account you gave of your ‘encounter with Yar’Adua.’ You insult my intelligence and reasoning and am sure I speak the minds of many Nigerians as well. I can authoritatively tell you that you are collaborating with some anti-constitution interests both in government and the media to continue to use Yar’Adua’s illness to play dirty politics and this is quite disturbing.
It was alleged that you were accompanied by the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed; Yakubu Musa, a Muslim Sect leader in Katsina; and Isa Pantami.
There have been inconsistencies in the various accounts rendered by you and the other clerics on this supposed encounter. One account said the meeting lasted for 10 minutes and another in the Daily Trust newspaper said it was for about two hours. Pantami has refused to be quoted that you saw Yar’Adua. Another account said Yar’Adua spoke while you claimed he didn’t say anything.
One distinct characteristic of Truth is that it is constant it doesn’t change no matter the number of times it is told. You claimed you were on a fact finding mission on your visit, wouldn’t it have been logical to take a photo camera or video recorder with you so that we too can see and judge for ourselves?
The facts are very clear, since President Yar’Adua presumably returned to Nigeria more than a month ago, he has not been seen in public. While he was in Saudi Arabia, his wife, Turai worked tirelessly with a few elements to ensure that Nigerians did not get to know the facts about the President’s ailment but for the determined efforts of online media, she would have had her way.
Curiously, why is it that it is only when Jonathan is about to make a landmark move that reports about 'Yar’Adua is getting better'; 'Yar’Adua is climbing 25 steps'; 'Yar’Adua is eating and jogging'; 'Yar’Adua is playing in the garden'; etc, begin to surface in the media?
The President’s handlers say he is in Abuja, he has been there for more than a month and we have not seen a video clip, even if its for one minute showing him walking, sitting, or even sleeping on a sofa in the villa. Do they think we are as ignorant as we were in the era of military dictatorships? Even Fidel Castro’s handlers showed the world video clips and photographs of Castro when he was very sick. Lately President Mubarak’s people did the same.
There is nothing strange about Yar’Adua falling sick after all he is human and the constitution is clear about how to handle situations like this especially when it involves the President. Only a medical panel can tell us the true state of the President’s health and if they determine the President is not permanently incapacitated, we will await his full recovery and return to power, but if they determine otherwise, the constitution is clear on the process of removal.
I have said it before and I will say it again. In my opinion, Yar’Adua is incapacitated, that is the intelligence available to me and I will stand by it until I am proved wrong. My logic is very simple, if Yar’Adu is not incapacitated, he would have made an appearance when Jonathan removed his NSA, sacked his cabinet, nominated new Ministers who would be sworn in on Tuesday, and of note is Jonathan’s offer to Nuhu Ribadu to return and serve as an Adviser on Corruption, which Nuhu has gladly accepted. What other proof do we need that Yar’Adua is incapacitated? Sadly, I hate to compare my President to the proverbial dead horse that no matter how hard you flog it, it cannot get up.
My credible sources tell me that once the cabinet is inaugurated it will move to invoke section 144 of the constitution, which will finally expose the deceits of the Turai led gang. This is why the gang is desperately using all means necessary including sectional religious leaders to propagate falsehood.
Section 144 states:
"(a) By a resolution passes by two-thirds majority of all the members of the executive council of the federation it is declared that the President or Vice-President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office; and
"(b) The declaration is verified, after such medical examination as may be necessary, by a medical panel established under subsection (4) of this section in its report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives."
Recall Turai also frustrated all attempts by Nigerian officials to see Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia. Twice Jonathan tried to see him in Abuja and Turai politely turned him down.
Believe me, Turai will do everything possible to ensure that the panel does not get access to Yar’Adua even it means playing the religious and ethnic card as Dr. Ahmad did in the last paragraphs of his statement.
We all know how politics work in Nigeria. If Turai and her gang could work so hard to hold on to power for as long as they did, leaving the Office of the President of Nigeria vacant for more than three months, if Yar’Adua could do half of what they have said he did lately, he would have taken back power from Jonathan a long time ago. And if he refuses to do so, trust me Turai will beat the hell out of him.
My submission is that the provision of the constitution should be fully implemented to the last so that we can leave this distraction from more serious national issues behind us once and for all.
We will not allow selfish interests continue to use Yar’Adua as a tool to stir unnecessary anxiety in the polity.
There will be no consequences for Nigeria if the truth is told about the present state of health of our President. He belongs to us, he is our servant, we will do what is right as a country with a big heart when we learn facts. We are tired of the tales.
Until lately, I had deliberately chosen to refrain from making comments or writing openly about the state of health of President Umaru Yar’Adua and his rumoured recovery because I felt I owed it to the sick leader, to rest and recover in God’s appointed time, after all no one is above falling sick.
However, very recent developments including reports being strategically planted in the media by some Islamic clerics, anti-constitution elements and their collaborating media owners, claiming that they presumably met and prayed for Yar’Adua at the Presidential Villa has drawn me back into this conversation.
Particularly, the statement below, credited to Dr. Datti Ahmad, President of the Supreme Council of Sharia in Nigeria, in an interview with The Nation, a local newspaper, is the basis for this opinion.
Dr. Ahmad said: "We met the President around 5.00 pm late in the afternoon. Contrary to what some people have been saying, the President is not in a situation where he is almost dead; he is only sick.
"He was sitting down on a dinning chair when we came in and met him. He was not being supported by anybody but himself, he was sitting down calmly. He did not look like someone who is almost dead.
"When we entered, we were not sure of what we were going to meet. So we entered and stood at a respectable distance and greeted him. He extended his hand to us and we shook it one by one. This is contrary to the view of those who keep saying he doesn’t know where he is.
"After that, we prayed for his health. He joined us in the prayers, raising his hands the way we raised our own; his lips were moving. When we finished, we told him we only came to greet him. He shook hands with us.
"We did not wait as such after that. However, we told him that we just wanted to see him to know the truth from the lies that they have been telling us that he is dead, no longer able to recognize anyone and all the lies that you and I have heard before.
"Obviously, he has lost some weight and he is a bit weak but he was sitting down calmly. He shook our hands on arrival and when we prayed with him for his quick recovery, he again shook hand with us.
"I wish to warn that there is need for people to be careful in the utterances being made about incapacitation, taking the presidential authority and giving such to other persons.
"Some people had to reflect before they stage a civilian coup against him. President Yar’Adua has his deputy who could act for him while he is not there. He knows that he is alive and is only unwell at this point in time.
"However, nobody should take over his position because he is not available. The president still has a good chance of recovery. Nobody should take over his post and create problems for the country. Those who are thinking of doing that are playing with fire.
"I will suggest that Dr. Jonathan continues to act as president till Yar’Adua is fit enough to resume. If he does not get well by 2011, election will take place and another person will emerge through a democratic process.
"But if any person attempts to seize that presidential authority now, the consequences will remain with the country for a long time.
"It will not be a wise decision and not in the interest of even younger generations of Nigerians."
Undoubtedly, there is a political motive behind Datti Ahmad’s comments, considering the fact that it is just a few hours to the inauguration of new federal cabinet ministers by the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Dr. Ahmad, sorry I do not believe that you saw Yar’Adua, and if you must know, I did my checks as a reporter who knows the inside very well, and if not for the respect I have for your religious office, I would have categorically said you lied in the account you gave of your ‘encounter with Yar’Adua.’ You insult my intelligence and reasoning and am sure I speak the minds of many Nigerians as well. I can authoritatively tell you that you are collaborating with some anti-constitution interests both in government and the media to continue to use Yar’Adua’s illness to play dirty politics and this is quite disturbing.
It was alleged that you were accompanied by the Chief Imam of the Abuja National Mosque, Ustaz Musa Mohammed; Yakubu Musa, a Muslim Sect leader in Katsina; and Isa Pantami.
There have been inconsistencies in the various accounts rendered by you and the other clerics on this supposed encounter. One account said the meeting lasted for 10 minutes and another in the Daily Trust newspaper said it was for about two hours. Pantami has refused to be quoted that you saw Yar’Adua. Another account said Yar’Adua spoke while you claimed he didn’t say anything.
One distinct characteristic of Truth is that it is constant it doesn’t change no matter the number of times it is told. You claimed you were on a fact finding mission on your visit, wouldn’t it have been logical to take a photo camera or video recorder with you so that we too can see and judge for ourselves?
The facts are very clear, since President Yar’Adua presumably returned to Nigeria more than a month ago, he has not been seen in public. While he was in Saudi Arabia, his wife, Turai worked tirelessly with a few elements to ensure that Nigerians did not get to know the facts about the President’s ailment but for the determined efforts of online media, she would have had her way.
Curiously, why is it that it is only when Jonathan is about to make a landmark move that reports about 'Yar’Adua is getting better'; 'Yar’Adua is climbing 25 steps'; 'Yar’Adua is eating and jogging'; 'Yar’Adua is playing in the garden'; etc, begin to surface in the media?
The President’s handlers say he is in Abuja, he has been there for more than a month and we have not seen a video clip, even if its for one minute showing him walking, sitting, or even sleeping on a sofa in the villa. Do they think we are as ignorant as we were in the era of military dictatorships? Even Fidel Castro’s handlers showed the world video clips and photographs of Castro when he was very sick. Lately President Mubarak’s people did the same.
There is nothing strange about Yar’Adua falling sick after all he is human and the constitution is clear about how to handle situations like this especially when it involves the President. Only a medical panel can tell us the true state of the President’s health and if they determine the President is not permanently incapacitated, we will await his full recovery and return to power, but if they determine otherwise, the constitution is clear on the process of removal.
I have said it before and I will say it again. In my opinion, Yar’Adua is incapacitated, that is the intelligence available to me and I will stand by it until I am proved wrong. My logic is very simple, if Yar’Adu is not incapacitated, he would have made an appearance when Jonathan removed his NSA, sacked his cabinet, nominated new Ministers who would be sworn in on Tuesday, and of note is Jonathan’s offer to Nuhu Ribadu to return and serve as an Adviser on Corruption, which Nuhu has gladly accepted. What other proof do we need that Yar’Adua is incapacitated? Sadly, I hate to compare my President to the proverbial dead horse that no matter how hard you flog it, it cannot get up.
My credible sources tell me that once the cabinet is inaugurated it will move to invoke section 144 of the constitution, which will finally expose the deceits of the Turai led gang. This is why the gang is desperately using all means necessary including sectional religious leaders to propagate falsehood.
Section 144 states:
"(a) By a resolution passes by two-thirds majority of all the members of the executive council of the federation it is declared that the President or Vice-President is incapable of discharging the functions of his office; and
"(b) The declaration is verified, after such medical examination as may be necessary, by a medical panel established under subsection (4) of this section in its report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives."
Recall Turai also frustrated all attempts by Nigerian officials to see Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia. Twice Jonathan tried to see him in Abuja and Turai politely turned him down.
Believe me, Turai will do everything possible to ensure that the panel does not get access to Yar’Adua even it means playing the religious and ethnic card as Dr. Ahmad did in the last paragraphs of his statement.
We all know how politics work in Nigeria. If Turai and her gang could work so hard to hold on to power for as long as they did, leaving the Office of the President of Nigeria vacant for more than three months, if Yar’Adua could do half of what they have said he did lately, he would have taken back power from Jonathan a long time ago. And if he refuses to do so, trust me Turai will beat the hell out of him.
My submission is that the provision of the constitution should be fully implemented to the last so that we can leave this distraction from more serious national issues behind us once and for all.
We will not allow selfish interests continue to use Yar’Adua as a tool to stir unnecessary anxiety in the polity.
There will be no consequences for Nigeria if the truth is told about the present state of health of our President. He belongs to us, he is our servant, we will do what is right as a country with a big heart when we learn facts. We are tired of the tales.
Yar"Adua's corpse smuggled and buried secretly
Ogbuefi Dr Chike Nwosu, Ochiagha na Nnokwa
News slowly gaining grounds in the grapevine is that Yar ADua's body was secretly brought in and has since been buried.Turai, Yar Adua's wife is hanging on to power to retain her 'immunity' and prevent those she has wronged in government from arresting her.She is said to be counting on the next regime in 2011 which she believes will be sympathetic to her.Only a few within government know this secret but Jonathan has been informed but is still in denial for fear of upsetting the nothern top military brass.
However, one of the hot heads amongst the new ministers has threatened to take the law into his hands by storming the aso rock villa with troops to expose to the world that Yar Adua is not in the Villa as suggested by Turai.Turai is beleived to be real scared of the possiblity of facing treason charges and is ready to wait it out a reliable and anonymous source stated.
comments to this peice runs thus:
Thank you for this information
But the information is one what authority?
Regards
Ikem Victor.
How can you control the stories that would come up in regards to Turai Yar adua and the handling of the president's illness? Is it that we Nigerians are so docile and do not care about our country that you expect us to just fold our hands and eat up what ever Turai Yar Adua or Jonathan Goodluck dishes out to us? Yaradua belongs to you and I more than he belongs to Turai. These idiots owe the Nigerian public an explanation into what is going on with our president or full access to the president. Why are you surprised that there are all sorts of stories going around concerning the president? The Nigerian people are being disenfranchised as we speak and you tell us to just sit tight and leave them alone?
I personally do not want to talk only about little things. I want to talk about all issues both big and small. You are beggining to sound like someone on the politician's payroll. That is not what this forum is about and Jude you are cheering him on. I am really surprised because I know you personally. Granted that the story might not be true. It however does not give anyone any reason to condone what Turai and her cohorts have done with the impasse that has gripped the nation for the past couple of months.
Nigeria is the only country on earth that can function the way it has without a leader for close to six months because the people are too busy squabling over the next allocation or "small stuff" that my friend Henry will like us to talk about. No one cares about what is going on. No one wants to fight for our children and generations onborn. We only concern ourselves with what we are going to eat today and have no plans to fortify ourselves as a country. We are not involved and we don't want to be because it is not our business. Let the usual people take responsibility for what ever is going on. How can you ever suggest leaving Turai or Goodluck alone. They must be held accountable and be watched by those of us who can afford to agitate for the generality of Nigerians. That is what we are doing on this forum. No story is too small, too insignificant or too untrue to be treated on this forum. We can debate the validity of the story but please do not cut these thieves in office any slack for any reason. That is a fight that must go on and if Umu Anioma is the vehicle through which the so badly needed change comes, so be it. We are the ones that will make it happen. No one is going to do it for us.
Tony Ndikanwu.
You are my brother and most of the time we are on the same page. In this case Henry asked a question first "But the information is one what authority?" You and I don't like rumors. We like facts. In Nigeria unfortunately we are used to (dey say, dey say)and we never find who said.All Kate had to do was say I saw it online on this or that newspaper and then we might go to that site and read more about it.She has still not revealed the source of the story.CNN or Aljazera will not report a story that has no source.
While we are not any of those news media outlet, it is imperative that we don't become part of the problem by helping in the advancement of rumors.
Our forum is called (UmuAnioma). If we want to talk more about Turai and the Federal government of Nigeria, we need a new forum called (UmuNigeria).
Brothers and Sisters, let consolidate our focus on Anioma and Anioma alone. Our people need us and we need to bring our heads together and discuss how we can help.
Umu Anioma Oga di li uno ma!!!
Chief J. Okolo
The Ozowele nof Ogwashi-Uku
News slowly gaining grounds in the grapevine is that Yar ADua's body was secretly brought in and has since been buried.Turai, Yar Adua's wife is hanging on to power to retain her 'immunity' and prevent those she has wronged in government from arresting her.She is said to be counting on the next regime in 2011 which she believes will be sympathetic to her.Only a few within government know this secret but Jonathan has been informed but is still in denial for fear of upsetting the nothern top military brass.
However, one of the hot heads amongst the new ministers has threatened to take the law into his hands by storming the aso rock villa with troops to expose to the world that Yar Adua is not in the Villa as suggested by Turai.Turai is beleived to be real scared of the possiblity of facing treason charges and is ready to wait it out a reliable and anonymous source stated.
comments to this peice runs thus:
Thank you for this information
But the information is one what authority?
Regards
Ikem Victor.
How can you control the stories that would come up in regards to Turai Yar adua and the handling of the president's illness? Is it that we Nigerians are so docile and do not care about our country that you expect us to just fold our hands and eat up what ever Turai Yar Adua or Jonathan Goodluck dishes out to us? Yaradua belongs to you and I more than he belongs to Turai. These idiots owe the Nigerian public an explanation into what is going on with our president or full access to the president. Why are you surprised that there are all sorts of stories going around concerning the president? The Nigerian people are being disenfranchised as we speak and you tell us to just sit tight and leave them alone?
I personally do not want to talk only about little things. I want to talk about all issues both big and small. You are beggining to sound like someone on the politician's payroll. That is not what this forum is about and Jude you are cheering him on. I am really surprised because I know you personally. Granted that the story might not be true. It however does not give anyone any reason to condone what Turai and her cohorts have done with the impasse that has gripped the nation for the past couple of months.
Nigeria is the only country on earth that can function the way it has without a leader for close to six months because the people are too busy squabling over the next allocation or "small stuff" that my friend Henry will like us to talk about. No one cares about what is going on. No one wants to fight for our children and generations onborn. We only concern ourselves with what we are going to eat today and have no plans to fortify ourselves as a country. We are not involved and we don't want to be because it is not our business. Let the usual people take responsibility for what ever is going on. How can you ever suggest leaving Turai or Goodluck alone. They must be held accountable and be watched by those of us who can afford to agitate for the generality of Nigerians. That is what we are doing on this forum. No story is too small, too insignificant or too untrue to be treated on this forum. We can debate the validity of the story but please do not cut these thieves in office any slack for any reason. That is a fight that must go on and if Umu Anioma is the vehicle through which the so badly needed change comes, so be it. We are the ones that will make it happen. No one is going to do it for us.
Tony Ndikanwu.
You are my brother and most of the time we are on the same page. In this case Henry asked a question first "But the information is one what authority?" You and I don't like rumors. We like facts. In Nigeria unfortunately we are used to (dey say, dey say)and we never find who said.All Kate had to do was say I saw it online on this or that newspaper and then we might go to that site and read more about it.She has still not revealed the source of the story.CNN or Aljazera will not report a story that has no source.
While we are not any of those news media outlet, it is imperative that we don't become part of the problem by helping in the advancement of rumors.
Our forum is called (UmuAnioma). If we want to talk more about Turai and the Federal government of Nigeria, we need a new forum called (UmuNigeria).
Brothers and Sisters, let consolidate our focus on Anioma and Anioma alone. Our people need us and we need to bring our heads together and discuss how we can help.
Umu Anioma Oga di li uno ma!!!
Chief J. Okolo
The Ozowele nof Ogwashi-Uku
Jonathan fires Barkindo, NNPC GMD
By Daniel Idonor
BARELY few hours after he swore-in his new cabinet, the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Tuesday fired the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, the Acting President has approved the appointment of a former Group Executive Director of the NNPC, Alhaji Shehu Ladan as the new (GMD)
“The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has appointed Alhaji Shehu Ladan as the new Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC”.
“He replaces Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo”.
According to the statement, “Ladan retired from NNPC April 6th, 2009, as Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment. He was also former Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, Executive Director of NETCo as well as NPDC, both subsidiaries of NNPC”.
It said further that “Ladan is expected to execute the administration’s vision of transforming the NNPC into a global brand and player”.
Dr. Jonathan thanked Barkindo for his stewardship and wished him well in his future endeavours.
BARELY few hours after he swore-in his new cabinet, the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Tuesday fired the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr Ima Niboro, the Acting President has approved the appointment of a former Group Executive Director of the NNPC, Alhaji Shehu Ladan as the new (GMD)
“The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has appointed Alhaji Shehu Ladan as the new Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC”.
“He replaces Alhaji Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo”.
According to the statement, “Ladan retired from NNPC April 6th, 2009, as Group Executive Director, Commercial and Investment. He was also former Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, Executive Director of NETCo as well as NPDC, both subsidiaries of NNPC”.
It said further that “Ladan is expected to execute the administration’s vision of transforming the NNPC into a global brand and player”.
Dr. Jonathan thanked Barkindo for his stewardship and wished him well in his future endeavours.
EDO: GOVERNANCE BY PROPAGANDA AND DECEPTION?
ISA ABDULMALIKI
If there is anything that has given the Edo government, under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, away as amateurish in the deployment of propaganda and deception in governance, it was the recent press statement issued by its Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Anselm Ojezua, which was reported in many national newspapers.
In the five-page statement entitled: “Emerging Dangerous Trends in Edo State-A Call for Police Action,” which entire text was published in two series in Compass newspaper of Thursday, March 18, 2010 and Friday, March 19, 2010, Ojezua claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was behind the planting of the bombs purportedly discovered on the premises of the State House of Assembly and the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS). In a bid to ensure that the mischievous claims stuck, Ojezua concocted fairy tales to misinform the Nigerian public. But unfortunately for him, his tales told in convoluted writing style, could not invalidate the facts. I wondered why the state government was dissipating energy on a futile venture; but, on a second thought, I realized that a Goebbels-desperate to justify the increasing perfidy, foibles, and failings of his master, is at work in my state.
It is a fact that there has been a gritty battle between the PDP and the AC for the soul of Edo State. It is also a fact that since stepping in the saddle as governor in 2008 on the wings of a Tribunal and Court of Appeal judgments, Oshiomhole has been trying to consolidate his hold on statecraft. But because the power structure he met on ground was largely in favour of the PDP, he had to make his move, first to appease the majority PDP by carrying it along in governance.
Oshiomhole, in fact, conceded two commissionership slots and a special adviser position to Anenih’s PDP. A spat between him and Anenih had since resulted in their resignation. Now get this right: it was not because Oshiomhole was a Father Christmas that he made the concession. The concession of the slots was to pacify the PDP, which then had a majority in the State Legislature, in order to stave off offensives by the House; and in order to get a whole lot of things, which needed the support of the Legislature, done.
But as soon as he settled in and perfected his strategy to decimate the PDP majority in the House, he brazenly deployed government machine against the PDP and ensured that the AC won the rerun-elections for Akoko-Edo and Etsako Central seats in the State Legislature. After the courts nullified the election of some PDP members and declared AC candidates winners of elections into the State Legislature, in addition to the outcomes of the Akoko-Edo and Etsako Central rerun polls, both parties ended up with twelve members apiece in the State Legislature.
Oshiomhole left nobody in doubt of his plot to remove the Speaker, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, so as to enable him install a surrogate Speaker. He had since achieved this agenda by procuring Hon. Bright Omokhodion to defect to the AC, with the Speakership of a faction of the House as his reward. In order to divert public attention from the culture of illegalities that it has perpetuated with the unconstitutional suspension of Chairmen of Oredo, Akoko-Edo and Orhiomwon Local Government Areas and the sardonic disruption of legislative order in the State Assembly, Oshiomhole’s Government is inundating Nigerians with stories of discovered bombs that refused to explode. Is it not curious that the AC elements are the only ones shouting about these bombs discovered where they are planted, supposedly, by the PDP?
Is it not curious that these bombs never got to explode? I have a feeling that many more bombs would be discovered by the AC before they explode in the weeks ahead. Is it not understandable why Ojezua would claim to amplify the position of the Commissioner of Police that the bomb discovered within the vicinity of the State House of Assembly had the capacity to destroy anything within 500 metres perimeter of its location?
He was simply working on the psyche of the people to make them jump to the conclusion that the elements in the PDP are merchants of death who would want to kill their kith and kin. This is not only laughable but also patently wicked. And to further suggest as Ojezua did that the various acts of vandalism that have manifested in the State were at the instance of Anenih is to say the least uncharitable.
Read Ojezua’s libelous lines: “As a matter of fact, the tone was set for these demonic atrocities by no less a figure than their godfather, Chief Tony Anenih in Port Harcourt when he installed Dab Orbih as the factional chairman of the PDP in Edo State. On that occasion he was quoted as saying that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole must not be allowed to continue in office….”
Indeed, if there is any group in Edo that has resolved to render the State ungovernable as claimed by Ojezua, it certainly cannot be the PDP under the leadership of Anenih. Ojezua’s call on the Police to be proactive should be heeded by (the Police) actually turning the searchlight on the ambiance of the AC and its government. Was it not the same Police that the AC used a curious court order to dislodge from the State Assembly to enable it (AC) achieve the illegal takeover of the House leadership?
Oshiomhole and his AC government in Edo cannot thrive for too long on propaganda and deception. It is true that some people can be fooled some of the time, but all the people cannot be fooled all of the time. Time will expose the chicanery that has been elevated into an art in the governance of my kith and kin in Edo.
If there is anything that has given the Edo government, under Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, away as amateurish in the deployment of propaganda and deception in governance, it was the recent press statement issued by its Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Anselm Ojezua, which was reported in many national newspapers.
In the five-page statement entitled: “Emerging Dangerous Trends in Edo State-A Call for Police Action,” which entire text was published in two series in Compass newspaper of Thursday, March 18, 2010 and Friday, March 19, 2010, Ojezua claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was behind the planting of the bombs purportedly discovered on the premises of the State House of Assembly and the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS). In a bid to ensure that the mischievous claims stuck, Ojezua concocted fairy tales to misinform the Nigerian public. But unfortunately for him, his tales told in convoluted writing style, could not invalidate the facts. I wondered why the state government was dissipating energy on a futile venture; but, on a second thought, I realized that a Goebbels-desperate to justify the increasing perfidy, foibles, and failings of his master, is at work in my state.
It is a fact that there has been a gritty battle between the PDP and the AC for the soul of Edo State. It is also a fact that since stepping in the saddle as governor in 2008 on the wings of a Tribunal and Court of Appeal judgments, Oshiomhole has been trying to consolidate his hold on statecraft. But because the power structure he met on ground was largely in favour of the PDP, he had to make his move, first to appease the majority PDP by carrying it along in governance.
Oshiomhole, in fact, conceded two commissionership slots and a special adviser position to Anenih’s PDP. A spat between him and Anenih had since resulted in their resignation. Now get this right: it was not because Oshiomhole was a Father Christmas that he made the concession. The concession of the slots was to pacify the PDP, which then had a majority in the State Legislature, in order to stave off offensives by the House; and in order to get a whole lot of things, which needed the support of the Legislature, done.
But as soon as he settled in and perfected his strategy to decimate the PDP majority in the House, he brazenly deployed government machine against the PDP and ensured that the AC won the rerun-elections for Akoko-Edo and Etsako Central seats in the State Legislature. After the courts nullified the election of some PDP members and declared AC candidates winners of elections into the State Legislature, in addition to the outcomes of the Akoko-Edo and Etsako Central rerun polls, both parties ended up with twelve members apiece in the State Legislature.
Oshiomhole left nobody in doubt of his plot to remove the Speaker, Hon. Zakawanu Garuba, so as to enable him install a surrogate Speaker. He had since achieved this agenda by procuring Hon. Bright Omokhodion to defect to the AC, with the Speakership of a faction of the House as his reward. In order to divert public attention from the culture of illegalities that it has perpetuated with the unconstitutional suspension of Chairmen of Oredo, Akoko-Edo and Orhiomwon Local Government Areas and the sardonic disruption of legislative order in the State Assembly, Oshiomhole’s Government is inundating Nigerians with stories of discovered bombs that refused to explode. Is it not curious that the AC elements are the only ones shouting about these bombs discovered where they are planted, supposedly, by the PDP?
Is it not curious that these bombs never got to explode? I have a feeling that many more bombs would be discovered by the AC before they explode in the weeks ahead. Is it not understandable why Ojezua would claim to amplify the position of the Commissioner of Police that the bomb discovered within the vicinity of the State House of Assembly had the capacity to destroy anything within 500 metres perimeter of its location?
He was simply working on the psyche of the people to make them jump to the conclusion that the elements in the PDP are merchants of death who would want to kill their kith and kin. This is not only laughable but also patently wicked. And to further suggest as Ojezua did that the various acts of vandalism that have manifested in the State were at the instance of Anenih is to say the least uncharitable.
Read Ojezua’s libelous lines: “As a matter of fact, the tone was set for these demonic atrocities by no less a figure than their godfather, Chief Tony Anenih in Port Harcourt when he installed Dab Orbih as the factional chairman of the PDP in Edo State. On that occasion he was quoted as saying that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole must not be allowed to continue in office….”
Indeed, if there is any group in Edo that has resolved to render the State ungovernable as claimed by Ojezua, it certainly cannot be the PDP under the leadership of Anenih. Ojezua’s call on the Police to be proactive should be heeded by (the Police) actually turning the searchlight on the ambiance of the AC and its government. Was it not the same Police that the AC used a curious court order to dislodge from the State Assembly to enable it (AC) achieve the illegal takeover of the House leadership?
Oshiomhole and his AC government in Edo cannot thrive for too long on propaganda and deception. It is true that some people can be fooled some of the time, but all the people cannot be fooled all of the time. Time will expose the chicanery that has been elevated into an art in the governance of my kith and kin in Edo.
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