The Nation Newspaper

Category: Opinion

  • An erudite judge takes a bow

    My Lord, Hon. Justice Okanola Akintunde Boade is a worthy ambassador of the Ministry of Justice of Oyo State on the bench. My first contact with Hon. Justice Boade was in 1990 and it was by accident. I was then a first year student of Law at the University of Ibadan. I came to the High Court here to depose to an affidavit. That morning, I saw the legendary Chief Fredrick Rotimi AladeWilliams, SAN of blessed memory alighting from his car and already dressed for court appearance. I followed him quietly to a courtroom to observe the matter he had on that day. The case, I later learnt, was a suit to challenge the removal of Hon. Justice T. A. Ayorinde as the Chief Judge of Oyo State. Chief Williams led others to appear for Justice Ayorinde, while My Lord, Boade, appeared for the Oyo State Government. He was then of the Ministry of Justice.

    That day, I was wondering whether My Lord was not attempting the impossible by daring to oppose Timi the Law in court. I marvelled when, at the end of that day’s proceeding, he was commended by Chief Williams for his spectacular performance.

    My Lord was a very versatile and very resourceful Counsel in the Ministry of Justice. One can safely argue that he was the most hardworking and most resourceful of his contemporaries at the Ministry of Justice. And if perhaps that assertion is debatable, it is unarguable that he is the most humble of his contemporaries. The perception that was established in the minds of all and sundry about Boade is undoubtedly that of a sincere, thorough, knowledgeable, incorruptible and a workaholic judge.

    My Lord does not belong to the category of Judges who attempt, at every opportunity, to mouth their incorruptibility which they themselves know is acutely suspect, rather My Lord Boade epitomizes it by his unblemished conduct, exemplary character and dignified carriage on the bench. My Lord did not only profess and preach strict adherence to the dispensation of justice to all manners of men without fear or favour, he actually practiced it without slightest deviation.

    Although my Lord Boade is retiring from the bench on the attainment of the statutory age of 65, it is evident that he is exiting when the ovation is loudest.

    The life of Eso, J.SC. has put it beyond doubt that a judicial officer can be more engaged actively after retirement and thereby put to shame those class of judicial officials who had falsified their age records in order to gain, deceitfully, extra years of service of the bench when it is even obvious to all that they have advanced well beyond the age prescribed by the law for them to give way. My Lord, I thank God for your life because it is not being said in hushed tone that you are over 65 years. And nobody can say that any of your colleagues younger than you in age had retired ahead of you from the bench.

    With the exit today of My Lord, Boade from the bench of Oyo State judiciary today, the state is left with 16 judges. This will further increase and compound the workload of our serving judges by almost 100% because our judiciary, by the provision of our High Court Rules, should have a full component of 30 Judges. We plead for understanding of our judges for this undeserved stress and burden which is not deliberate.

    The government of Oyo State under the leadership of Senator Abiola Ajimobi has, since assumption of office on May 29, 2011, not neglected any Ministry, Department , Agency and /any arm of the government in releasing to them the funds they require for capacity and infrastructure developments. I make bold to say that our judiciary is no exception. Allegations of stunted growth and decaying infrastructures at Oyo State judiciary should therefore be directed at the appropriate quarters. If the Oyo State Judiciary had been following and executing her budget strictly and transparently, the story of development here would have been otherwise.

    I am in full support of full financial autonomy for the judiciary as being canvassed by the Nigerian Bar Association because it will help to promote the independence of the judiciary. However, it needs to be clearly stated that agitation for that autonomy is not to place the resources of the judiciary in the pockets of Chief Judges.

    The current situation whereby some Chief Judges have turned themselves to Purchasing Officers and Contract Awarding organs is not only an aberration but totally against financial regulations and is criminal in nature. Similarly, it is a breach of financial regulations for any Chief Judge to expend, commit, pledge or donate any part of the fund of the Judiciary without the authorization of the Judicial Service Commission.

    By law, Chief Registrars are the Accounting Officers of the Judiciary and any practice that is contrary to that is illegal. Even, save for the day to day running cost, the Chief Registrar too are not empowered by law to expend the funds of the judiciary to execute capital projects without the approval of the Judicial Service Commission first sought and obtained.

    Those who framed the law as such are fully aware that judges which include Chief Judges are adjudicating officers before whom crimes of financial infraction and malpractices may be brought if it occurs within the judiciary they are serving and thus devised means of insulating our judicial officers so that the hunter too is not hunted.

    The present government is truly committed to embarking on infrastructural and capacity developments in the state judiciary to complement those embarked by the judiciary itself. We will surely enhance the conditions of service of our judicial officers including the magistrates and the supporting staff of the judiciary. Our target is to make our judiciary a model and indeed return her to her rightful position of the Pace Setter in the country

    Our retired jurists shall also be fully taken care of as well , as we shall put in place a system that will not deny them the fruits of their years of labour after retirement. Oyo State Government shall implement, upon the passage and assent of the 2013 budget, the provisions of the Judicial Officers Pension Commission Law, 2012.

    I congratulate Honourable Justice Boade on his retirement from the Bench. My Lord, you have played your part very glowingly and with distinction and particularly with strict observance of your oath of office. I know that posterity will judge you as having performed excellently. But before the posterity takes account of your good records, we are all gathered here to attest to the incontrovertible fact that you are an erudite and upright judge.

    The bench of Oyo State will surely miss you as your exit has created a big vacuum. The Bar will miss you more, but the greatest loser of your dignified bowing out today is the people and the government of Oyo State who did not have the privilege of having you as her Chief Judge to have enabled the state benefit from your wealth of experience and leadership qualities.

    I wish My Lord , Hon. Justice Boade a blissful life in retirement and a continuous service to our dear State, Oyo State in particular and Nigeria in general after retirement.

    • Being a speech delivered by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice of Oyo State, at the valedictory service for Honourable Justice Okanola Akintunde Boade in Ibadan recently.

  • Revenue allocation, federalism and state of the nation

    The issue of revenue allocation has remained a contentious and very volatile subject in Nigeria generating very strong reactions from each side of the divide anytime it is up for debate. Central to the issue is the whole question of over concentration of enormous financial resources at the federal government at the expense of other federating units.

    The current revenue formula in use is tilted in favour of the federal government, which takes a whopping 52.68 per cent of allocation from the Federation Account. The 36 states have a combined share of 26.72 per cent, while the 774 local government areas in the country take 20.6 per cent. Oil-producing states share 13 per cent in accordance with the principle of derivation.

    However, of late, there have been clamours for a review of the status quo by cutting the federal government’s lion share to make more funds available to states and local governments. State governors, through the Governors’ Forum, have led the clamour, claiming that development in their domain was being stifled due to inadequate funds. The financial realities in the states and local governments at present had made the need to review the formula very urgent. Without mincing word, the present revenue formula is not realistic.

    In fairness to all the states in the country, with, perhaps, few exceptions, most of them are making efforts, despite their limited resources to deliver the dividends of democracy to their respective states. In Lagos, for instance, the state government has continued its relentless pursuit of ambitious projects such as the redevelopment of the Lagos-Badagry expressway into a 10- lane road incorporating light -rail and BRT lanes, the expansion of the Ketu-Ikorodu road, the construction of more inner roads across the state, the Eko Atlantic City project, Independent Power Projects, construction of 16 Mother and Child Centres for easy medical access, environmental regeneration in addition to 1,960 other massive infrastructural renewal projects scattered across the state. This is, indeed, why allusion is currently being made to the evolvement of a new Lagos in many circles. But, in view of the reality of limited capacity to fund capital projects, most of the states in the federation have had to opt for the option of either borrowing from banks or raising bond from the capital market to finance capital projects. This is because the money they receive monthly from Abuja is barely enough to settle the salaries of workers as well as other overhead costs.

    Sadly, however, while most of the states are doing all they could to improve the standard of living of their people, same cannot really be said of the federal government which ironically corners the bulk of the country’s resources. This, of course, is not peculiar to the present administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. Succeeding federal administrations in the country have always left the country worse than they met it. From the ill- fated Shehu Shagari administration till date, the country has been wobbling and fumbling with no clear -cut sense of direction. Most federal roads are still bad, as they have always been; power remains evasive; major industries are folding up at an alarming rate; federal universities have become sorry sights while federal hospitals are not even good enough for senior government officials who would rather embark on medical tourism abroad at a great cost to the country. The rate at which federal infrastructure across the country rot away leaves much to be desired.

    The question then is: what does the federal government do with the huge state resources at its disposal via the favourable revenue allocation it gets from the system? If the federal government gets so much and yet is doing so little, where then is the justification for the current lopsidedness in the revenue allocation system ?After all, to whom much is given, it is said that much is expected but in the case of the federal government, the reverse is the case.

    Isn’t it time then for an urgent need to review the current revenue sharing formula in consonance with the needs of the other federating units? It is quite clear that of all the three federating structures making up the federation, it is the states and local governments that are really touching the lives of the people as they are the closest to them. The National Assembly needs to really emphasise fiscal federalism when it comes to the issue of constitutional amendment. The federal government should devolve more powers to the states or regions that make up the federation. Equally, some of the items on the exclusive legislative list of the current constitution such as customs, ports, police etc should go to the residual legislative list. For instance, the current trend of insecurity in the country requires state police that would normally be in a better position to curb crime using the community policing model. How can the governor of a state be held liable for the insecurity being experienced in his domain when the commissioner of police only reports to the Inspector General of Police and not the state governor?

    The federal government makes enormous financial gains from the Tin Can Island and Apapa Ports in Lagos and Calabar respectively from import and export duties but this is not supposed to be the case since these revenues should normally accrue to the Lagos and Cross River states’ governments who should in turn pay taxes of 20% of the revenues to the federal government. The collection of revenue by the Nigerian customs at these ports negates the principles of true federalism because these coastal states own these port resources and thus should not be deprived of the benefits accruing from its exploitation.

    True federalism implies a compromise between the extreme concentration of power (the current case in Nigeria) and a loose confederation of independent states, for governing people usually in a large expanse of territory. For instance, if we get rail into the Concurrent List and ensure the amendment of the Railway Act, it will not only be for the benefit of all the states and regions, but the country as a whole. In the same spirit of true federalism, it is also important to decentralize the control of power. Undoubtedly, without energy, every effort at development, including the drive will be hampered.

    In the spirit of justice and fairness, we need to reverse the status quo where the federal government holds as much power and influence as it currently does over the revenue sharing formula as well as other critical sectors in the country because it has little to show for it. We need to revert to the practice of true federalism in its true sense as it is being done in other advanced democracies of the world. Indeed, for us to reduce the pressure and tension associated with governance at the centre, this is the time to tilt towards the evolvement of a weak centre with stronger federating units. This is a main feature of a true federation.

    The solution to the myriad of problems currently confronting the country is to address the distorted federalism that the country currently runs. For us to move forward as a nation, grow economically, experience peace and attract the necessary foreign and local investments that would ensure real development, the restructuring of the polity to reflect true federalism is non-negotiable. The earlier we put an end to the current brand of federalism which the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, recently termed ‘feeding bottle federalism, the better for the whole country. The arrangement is grossly un-progressive and misleading. It should be discontinued.

    • Ibirogba is Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State

  • Misuse of pronoun

    PREFACE: Some readers are still confused about the correctional methodology employed in this column. The bracketed words/phrases are the correct entries and come immediately after the wrong ones. Corrections not parenthesized are self-explanatory. Occasionally, too, unambiguous attributions—which are informational additions—are contained in brackets. An explication with the first slip-up below: ‘testimony’ in the context here takes ‘to’ and not ‘of’ which precedes it. In another lexical environment: the testimony/testament (synonym of testimony) of—not ‘to’ this time round—the scholar.

    The March 2013 edition of Nigeria Political Economist, published by a friend of mine, Kenneth Ugbechie, formally welcomes us this week with three slips: “It is a thrilling testimony of (to) the triumph of the spirit….”

    “Zinox Computers, his trademark, have been deployed at (in) African Union conferences in Nigeria and the (The) Gambia.” For a knowledge society: government can also deploy soldiers along the border.

    “…we consume between 150,000 to 30,000 barrels of crude oil daily.” Since they will not read: between 150,000 and 30,000 or from 150,000 to 30,000.

    “Here is (are) the excerpts….”

    “Rights groups condemn Uganda election violence” Democracy: Ugandan election violence.

    “Alumni condemns crisis at UNILORIN” Alumni condemn, but alumni association condemns.

    “Attempts by the Federal Government to secure a loan from the IMF to fund the nation’s education system appears (appear) to have run into rough weather.”

    “Bureau de Changes, banks disagree on forex documentation” Get it right: bureaus/bureaux de change.

    “We have come a long way as we have withstood various crisis including….” Centenary celebration: various crises.

    “Lack of water, power mar Eagles’ victory party in….” Why the illiteracy? Lack of water, power mars….

    “These gang of thieves must have robbed unsuspected Nigerians blind.” Either: this gang or these gangs of thieves, depending on the number of gangs.

    “…its first assignments as a pointer to what lies in stock (store) for corrupt public officers….”

    “Abdusalami Abubakar is still congratulating himself for (on/upon) relinquishing something that should never have been in his possession to begin with.”

    “These are the type of people who have (had) at one time or other (another) brazenly attempted to run this country.” Thoughts on the Oputa panel: these types of people.

    “They also set the pace and their trendsters (followers) set about falling over themselves (one another) to prove their usefulness.” This is misuse of pronoun.

    “He opened up on his unceremonious exit from the esteem (esteemed) office amongst other explosive issues in this revealing interview.” Current trend: among other….

    “Former Super Eagles’ Captain (a comma, please) now national team head coach, Stephen Keshi, will add one more (a) feather to (in) his cap when.…”

    “And down through the centuries, there have been prophets and dreamers who treaded (trod) the path of these pioneers.” This is no sermon: tread–trod–trodden.

    “Africans must pull themselves up and put their acts (act) together for posterity to be assured.” Fixed expression: get your/their act (not acts) together.

    “The enforcement of that sentence against a teenage mother who had just delivered is certainly regretable.” On the move: regrettable.

    “…the average journalist usually burns his professional flag, forgets his own humble past once he or she (feminism in the media?) crosses over to the corridor of power.” Saturday people: corridors of power.

    “These terminations were made after NEXIM had undertaken screening exercise (must you add exercise?) both at home and abroad, conducted series (a series) of travels and trainings.” ‘Training’ is uncountable.

    “Commissioner wants more vigilante groups” Hello Rutam: vigilance groups.

    “In this regard, we applaud the inclusion of at least a month’s residency at (on) the main campus of the parent institution.”

    “…the possible platforms under (on) which President Jonathan may seek re-election.”

    “Ministerial nominees screening put on hold” This way: nominees’ (apostrophe vital) screening.

    “…he attempted to exonerate himself of (from) the presidential, open indictment for non-performance.”

    “…any government without a media (medium) will be empty.”

    “Previous (Prior) to this, women had been deemed not sensible enough to vote….”

    “The disgraceful end of Nigeria President Sani Abacha….” Get it right: Nigerian President.

    “Rather, the mobilisation of sophisticated naval vessels and armed-to-the-teeth military men to the Niger Delta are (is) being worked out in the name of protecting oil installations and oil workers.”

    “Now, as human beings, we live in either of two tents: content or discontent.” Simply either of tents (never ‘either of two’ which is indicative of illiteracy).

    “They have predictably denied this, pointing accusing fingers, in turn, at officials of the NNPC who allegedly collect bribes before loading marketers’ tankers.” Ending fuel scarcity: pointing the finger.

    “This will assist in ensuing that only candidates with the zeal for grassroot (grassroots) development eventually make it.”

    “Indeed, this formed one of the major plank (planks) of achievements rolled out during the first year anniversary.”

    “Our managers quarrel about the quality of their offices, furniture, air-condition, cars….” Get it right: air-conditioner.

    “The saying that many cooks spoil the soup is very apt here.” Basic knowledge: too many cooks spoil the broth, not soup

    “Though no incidence of violence or hooliganism was reported at the Kano launch….” Correct report: no incident of violence.

    “Indigenous contractors face the problem of acquiring sophisticated construction machineries which usually had to be imported.” ‘Machinery’ is uncountable in this context.

     

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    YOUR column a fortnight ago refers. Please, I am not the chairman of Academy Press, but Academy Limited. (Charles Iyoha/07033775454)

  • Uduaghan: Rewarding teachers on earth

    In the words of Dan Rather, a famous American author, ‘every dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs, pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called truth’. The emphasis here is on teachers. Teachers are dream moulders. They have the power to make or mar an individual’s dream.

    Greek Legend, Alexander the Great understood the power of a teacher when he quipped: ‘I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well’. Indeed, parents can give a child life, but it is the teacher who makes the child’s life meaningful through quality education. All over the world today, it is almost impossible to find successful people who will not make reference to certain teacher(s) who impacted their lives.

    Like the father of the Great Alexander, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State, certainly understands the powers of a teacher. He knows that the power to build the kind of future we desire rests with teachers in whose care we entrust our children. Hence, he invests massively in teacher’s welfare with a mindset that a well motivated teacher will ultimately lead to a great future.

    Although Dr. Uduaghan keeps getting accolades from home and abroad for his achievements in health, economy, transportation and other sectors, what he has done for teachers in Delta State in rarely mentioned.

    It was therefore a delight to see him honoured last week in the ancient city of Abeokuta when the 18th Annual Thisday Awards held under the auspices of a former President of the United States, Mr. Bill Clinton. The governor was duly rewarded for his investments in teachers, especially those in the nursery, primary and secondary sectors.

    Beyond the glitz and excitements of the award, what Uduaghan has done for teachers in Delta State deserves commendations not just from the organisers of the Thisday Awards but from everyone who knows and appreciates the work of a teacher.

    As Thisday publisher, Nduka Obaigbena noted during the presentation, ‘teachers in Delta State are handsomely paid’ that is why they are committed to creating a good future for the pupils in their care. They are inspired to give their best because the government led by Uduaghan, leaves no stone unturned in giving them the best financially and morally.

    Those who know what used to be before Uduaghan came on board will readily attest that he deserves all the commendations has gets when he comes to teacher’s welfare. Unlike those who say a teacher’s reward is in heaven, Uduaghan ensures that teachers enjoy the fruit of their toil here on earth. He doesn’t just pay them promptly and handsomely, he creates a standard environment for work and productivity.

    Delta State is one of the few states in Nigeria where infrastructures in public schools can compete favourably with those in privately owned schools. It is also one of the few states where teachers rarely drop tools over unpaid wages and allowances thereby depriving innocent pupils of the education they deserve. It is only in Delta State that pupils from government owned primary schools blaze the trail in National Common Entrance and other external examination.

    Right from his first tenure in office, Uduaghan has shown an unwavering commitment towards improving education and human capital development. Under his watch, derelict schools have been revamped, laboratories have been built, teachers have been sponsored to trainings and scholarships worth millions of Naira have been doled out to deserving students at all levels.

    Aside from these, the Governor is also spearheading partnership initiatives with private organisations aimed at improving teachers and students in the state. Earlier this year, he signed an agreement with DAAR Communication to promote academic excellence in the state through direct broadcast of educational programmes on radio and television stations across the state.

    Uduaghan also began an initiative to decongest classrooms to a minimum of 40 students in a class. This initiative gave birth to an avalanche of infrastructural projects in all the primary and secondary schools across the state. In every school in Delta State, new class rooms have either been built or presently under construction.

    Judging by these worthy investments in human and material resources, it was not a surprise that Chief Dibie Ossai, a teacher from Delta State was one of the 15 teachers honoured with the prestigious Thisday award from a pool of teachers nationwide. Like other teachers in the State, Chief Dibie epitomises the success that can be achieved when government creates an enabling environment that inspires teachers to work.

    The most impressive thing about Governor Uduaghan love for teachers is that it does not end with those in primary and secondary schools alone, lecturers in tertiary institutions also benefit. Delta is one of the few states in Nigeria where state university lecturers earn as much as their counterparts in federal schools.

    With all that Uduaghan has done for teacher in Delta State and the result it is yielding, one cannot but agree that a teacher’s reward is here on earth.

  • PDP choristers and the nation

    I read a couple of newspaper reports including a piece in The Nation early in the week that left me wondering about the future and the quality of our politics. The more I have tried to shrug it off, the more my mind has continued to insist it is one occasion that silence can’t be seen to be golden.

    Sadly, it is the president saddled with responsibility of governing Nigeria and taking her to the land of promise who is at the centre of it all. Of course his war, if it is real, is allegedly against those that the loquacious governor of Akwa Ibom State refers to as Judases within the governors’ forum. I will come back to this later.

    The press has even quoted the President as saying he does not want to work with Amaechi. This is in addition to other emotional remarks that I have no intention to reproduce.

    As Nigerians follow unfolding developments – the move to remove Amaechi as the head of the Governors Forum, the invitation of PDP governors to the Presidency and the emergence of what is today seen as the PDP Governors Forum – one is at a loss to understand why there is a deliberate attempt to personify what in real terms is obviously the existence of differences between the Federal Government and the States.

    Why is Amaechi the target? What has he done? Why is there a desperate effort to pull him down, using all kinds of strategies as well as the famed EFCC?

    Amaechi for those who know him is blunt. He is a man who says it as he sees and that is why what he utters resonates. He is not one to treat any one with disrespect.

    Jonathan may be at the helm of affairs, but this doesn’t in the main suggest he is the government of the Federal Republic or that any attempt to restructure the administrative, political or social structures of state amounts to an affront too.

    Amaechi as chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum may have spoken severally on a number of national issues. I think there is need to differentiate between what he says as chairman of forum and what he says as governor of Rivers State.

    Most of the comments for which he has apparently been placed on the slaughter slab are decisions reached by the governors forum and no governor has said to the knowledge of Nigerians that those views are Amaechi’s.

    The Presidency however, has a grouse against Amaechi for privately addressing his own people over the row between Bayelsa and Rivers States in the wake of the sudden take over of oil wells belonging to the Rivers people.

    What would he have done? Keep quiet and be loyal whilst that which belongs to Rivers people is taken away with impunity and given to their neighbor under the watch of this president? Given the history of past attempts to snatch those oil wells, can the president ever imagine his name would not be linked to it?

    Is it possible to imagine that the Vice President who presides over boundary adjustment matters could have acted without briefing the president? When did the bugging of our public functionaries become the norm?

    George Owen warned of the intrusion into man’s life of Uncle Sam. It does appear for Nigeria those days are here.

    For me, the points at issue are very clear. They are issues of state that require reason to deal with. They are not issues for the sledge hammer and certainly not issues that should be left to sugar-tongued sycophants.

    Let us take the issues one by one. Every one agrees there are serious defects in what we have come to inherit as our brand of a federalist state. Many equally agree that there is a need to redefine the relationship between the federal government and the states as well as the relationship between the ethnic nations whose consent the nation needs to thrive.

    These internal contradictions, including how revenue accruing to the nation should be shared, who should control what and how power should be shared has led to years of agitation for a sovereign national conference.

    Some of these issues explain why on the floor of the National Assembly, moderates who believe such a conference is not necessary at this time are calling for constitutional amendments.

    Viewed from this perspective, it is clear to a great number of Nigerians that what the governors seek as much as possible is to mobilize public opinion in favour of changes that might cure the ailments introduced by the imbalances that threaten our federation.

    There may exist differences on the political level over who should lead when 2015 comes, especially given the power rotation clause that is embedded in our constitution. This shouldn’t generate the kind of furor and bad blood that we are witnessing.

    I have always wondered why those who seek to lead us at the highest level fall prey to primitive instincts, why more often than not they demonstrate how very little they have learned to exhibit maturity.

    Nobody packs the kind of punch that the US president carries about and around him. He is the world’s strongest man and the controller of an arsenal that should naturally ward off opponents at home, not to talk of abroad.

    We all watched the US elections and the extent the opposition went to deride President Barak Obama. Obama took all kinds of knocks, including personal insults from Republicans and their allies. But he kept his cool and remained presidential until the very end. That’s what leadership is all about – the ability to control self, the ability to lead by example and demonstrate that the frontiers of free speech and indeed democratic ideals can be extended for the benefit of society.

    It is saddening that in our setting, the issue of political succession has become the source of growing tension within the polity, to the extent that a serving governor can afford to describe his colleagues as Judases.

    His comments remind of the Crucible and the excesses of the puritan fathers whose holier than thou attitude shook the very foundation of American society years ago.

    I refuse to believe that President Jonathan could have said publicly that he has no desire to work with Amaechi. That would be rather unprecedented and unpresidential, if you ask me.

    For the avoidance of doubt and without joining the ranks of those regarded as being insolent, especially to the President, Amaechi was elected to work for Rivers people and their interests and not the president’s.

    What Rivers people look forward to is performance or what as a nation we have come to see as the dividend of democracy. And the records show Amaechi has done that to the glory of God.

    • Hon Nwuke is member, House of Representatives

  • From the cell phone

    For Olatunji Dare

     

    “2015: So you want to be President?” I may not like the Talban Minna but I appreciate people who are bold and can stand to call spade a spade especially at a moment of political uncertainty, manoeuvres, insincerity, etc. Anonymous

    I am not surprised at Governor Aliyu Babangida’s audacity. He has always shown his disdain for the South-South. Anonymous

    Governor Aliyu can be President as long as he has the endorsment of his party. We should not shy away from the truth to tell the President to honour the gentle men agreement he entered into with the governors. He is going to use EFCC to silence those who he perceives are agaist his ambition but Nigerians are not ready to elect a leader who is not consistent. He signed zoning agreement and later said no zoning, he signed one term of four years with the PDP governors and now his body language is telling us that he will not stick to it. Let the President honour the pact he had with the governors and respect himself. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Dockyard Apapa Lagos.

    Olatunji Dare. I hail you for this master piece. I have never seen so cowardly a group of confused leaders we have like those in the leadership position of our country. EFCC, ICPC and the police are the same as the leaders. All of them are corrupt in one way or the other. They all chicken out into irrelevant issues when real issues emerge so you can see how naive those who do not want a change remain obliviously in delusion. From Ikemegbunam J. Nwafor

    We have other parties to vote for, why worrying over who PDP is fielding? In Edo State we drove the demon and it fled, why not do the same in Nigeria? Anonymous

    Sir, The ability to keep cards to the chest and hurl surprises at opponents can be a virtue in any human endeavour. In the game, victory is the ultimate goal and it can be attained quite often, through means not always governed by moral principles. It will be in order for Dr. Jonathan to use his idiosyncratic uniqueness by caging all known and unknown presidential contestants in his party. If distracted, how will PDP implode to the advantage of opposition parties? From Adegoke O.O., Ikhin, Edo State

    Oga Dare, thanks for your column tittled: So you want to be president? The Niger State Governor is not a material for the office of the president. He can talk, but certainly will not deliver. His state capital is nothing, but a glorified Local Government Area, and Talban has blatantly refused to add value to it for the years he has been piloting the affairs of the state. Well, nothing is impossible with God, but…. Anonymous

    The constitution is very clear on who can be President. Yes Talban is more than qualified to contest and be President. But why wait until now before informing us about a dubious agreement of 2011? Also the Northern Governors Forum chaired by the Talban and similar governors fora did not split the NGF but the PDP Governors Forum would do just that. Haba Talban, let us be Presidential in our talk. In the past you were a defender of Arewa and suddenly turned an emergency nationalist because of 2015. Nigerians should watch out as the journey to 2015 starts. Anonymous

    ‘So you want to be president?’, just say ‘yes, I want to be president’, get your invitation from EFCC and ICPC. When you are in doubt, ask Governor Sule Lamido. From Alhaji ADEYCorsim, Osodi, Lagos

    Why is it now that Babangida Aliyu is coming up to say there is gentleman agreement with President Jonathan over one term pact? I believe the game of politics is too early to discuss now. Why did the Governors not tell Nigerians in 2011 that there was arrangement they had with the President over one term pact? If the servant of Niger State wants to contest, the door is open for him and others who are interested in the presidential race. The electorate would decide President Jonathan’s second term in office. From Gordon Chika Nnorom. Umukabia, Abia State

    Dear Sir, Sule Lamido’s son was caught red-handed trafficking money. Should he not be prosecuted because Lamido wants to run for President? From Onyi Ukaegbu.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

     

    I am sure President GEJ might have been satisfied with a term ab initio but since one or two geo-political regions, more especially the north’s ACF began to heat the polity, the caucus within the Niger Delta might have compelled GEJ to damn the consequence and head for a second term. My appeal to all is to see caution and stop beating the drum of break-up. That, to me, is the conclusion in which the president is – He did not sign a one-term agreement. The same thing happened to dissuade OBJ by the same clique. We need unity and peace. From Lanre Oseni.

    Tunji, are you able to convince me that we are not a one-party state now? A country that says it is practising democracy? Are all our institutions compromised? Are Nigerians a captured people? Are we not able to articulate the advantages deriving from our very incisive debates and reviews? This must not be so in the 21st century. Tukur and Anenih are spent forces that should be ignored. If elections can be free and fair, and voters serious enough to defend their votes, the PDP will fail, even in Bayelsa State. Nigeria is in labour pains to be delivered soon. From CJ.

    The piece is interesting. It is true that this country has been in the grips of the Judases since independence; meaning that the present ruling class has no new ideas or honesty. But who will blame the rulers if the oppressed are not organised enough to take power from them? From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna.

    Tunji, God will increase your wisdom. We need people like you. Do you know most Nigerians have forgotten that the idea of seven-year single term was proposed by the president? Kudos to you. Anonymous.

    Hello Tunji, after reading your comment, I will advise you to mobilise Nigerians to vote President Jonathan out of office than to believe Aliyu and Amaechi. From Mr Natto.

    Hi Tunji, the Nigerian constitution is clear on who can contest presidential election. And this is the way to go instead of an unconstitutional one-term agreement that is not binding on Nigerians. Can’t Governor Babangida Aliyu be tried for felony through this one-term plot? From Tony.

    When was one-term agreement signed between President Jonathan and the governors? How can 36 governors say they had a pact of one term tenure , which anyway is unacceptable to Nigerians? Why are Nigerians not aware of the gentleman’s agreement? The presidency door is open to anybody who has the zeal to deliver good governance; after all, the constitution permits people to contest for two terms. It is only God and the electorate that can decide the fate of the candidate for president. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

  • As Pope Benedict XVI retires

    As Pope Benedict XVI retires

    The news of the decision by Joseph Ratzinger, the cerebral but conservative German Catholic priest to resign as the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church and Bishop of Rome came as a big surprise to both the adherents of Roman Catholicism and the other faiths the world over. Given the place and the role of the papacy in the affairs of the world, most people could not fathom the idea of a Pope resigning from his enviable ecclesiastical duties with all the attention and positioning that surround the office.

    Apparently, the explanation by Pope Benedict XVI, in his notice of resignation to the effect that he is physically incapacitated to continue with his headship of the church is not convincing enough to sceptics. One of these bashers and pugilists of the Church and Pope Benedict XVI is A.H. Wilson who in his recent essay published in Newsweek tries to make disparaging comments bordering on the age and origin of popes. As Wilson in the said article attests to, the Pope is both ‘God’s Rottweiller’ and the people’s shepherd. This means that age and place of origin of the pope are extremely irrelevant in matters that concern religion and the fate of man/woman in his/her continual quest for the meaning of existence and salvation. The world is terribly in turmoil and most of the gains and values heralded by modernity are vanishing with such rapidity that is sweeping humanity and its essence away. In such a world, a Pope immersed in conservative values opposed to rampaging liberalist values and conjectures is a necessary welcome development to nudge humanity along the path charted by the almighty.

    There is no doubting the fact that secular idiocies and wanton inanities have crowded Christendom even to the point of dictating and directing its trajectory, blurring the boundary between the sacred and the profane. Many Christian faiths especially the Pentecostal wing engage in all kinds of jockeying gambits aimed at being relevant in a world that has lost its meaning and edifying ramparts. Prosperity proselytizing is the order of the day as those who are in dire need of eking out bare existence in a world that is dominated by exploiters of the highest order riven with class contradictions and rifts are deceived more and abandoned. Both the poor and those seeking for more in their quest for attention and position are in most cases conned by these new church owners and preachers who employ all kinds of tools to deceive the people. Indeed, the state of hopelessness and the accompanying angst and ennui present humanity with many challenges and options. These options must be guided and directed by reason and forthrightness.

    It is instructive to note that the western church is thoroughly embroiled in crises of immense proportions. In the name of liberalism and human rights, those who are entrusted with the responsibility of attending to the spiritual needs of the people have taken it upon themselves to ravish the people and their souls with reckless abandon. The Church of England in-cahoots with some of its American counterparts have in the name of liberalism condoned same-sex marriages even amongst the priestly caste. For years, the former Prelate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Akinola with other African Anglican Bishops fought a bitter war with the leadership of the Church of England and its willing counterparts in America and elsewhere over their acceptance of degrading and dehumanizing lifestyles that question the core of ethical values. Many priests in the West are alleged to harbour and engage in sexual activities even with children under their care. The strong allegation of a gay network inside the Vatican is making its rounds alongside wild allegations of financial impropriety.

    What crystallizes from the above is that the universal church is divided along two lines-those who in the name of liberalism indulge in all sorts of activities that are not in tandem with God’s wish and will for mankind, and another group seen as conservative because of the latter’s insistence that the mission of Christ on earth as dictated by God should not be allowed to be trifled with in the name of excessive human right promotion. The resolution of the disagreement between these two forces has serious ramifications for Christendom, and necessary implication to the entire world at large. It will amount to a naïve thinking to assume that the conservatives will have their way without a serious fight.

    It is in recognition of the above, that whoever takes over from Pope Benedict XVI, should be one who must at all times not give in to the liberals who are bent on enshrining a free-for all etiquette that only satisfies human beings and their longings and desires, at the expense of the well-cherished injunction of God. Christians are saved by faith in Christ and as Rev. Martin Luther King Jnr, the renowned American Civil Rights activist posited, Salvation is by faith in God, and that penance cannot be bought by money, but the just shall live by faith. The ways of God are not determined by the mundane and capricious fancies of men, but by righteousness and holiness.

    The universal church of today, operating in a world characterized by all sorts of shenanigans, driven by an unfeeling capitalism with its damning consequences for the poor and the meek, must be protective of the human soul with the assurance that there is life after our earthly sojourn. In the realisation of the stated will of God for humanity, apostles of Christ cannot but lead with sincerity, selflessness, conviction, authority, wisdom and unflinching commitment to the ‘truth’. It is by so doing that those ‘brood of vipers’ with their hypocritical stunts can be defeated as their activities are not sustainable.

    As Pope Benedict XVI retires, it is incumbent on the Conclave of Cardinals to elect a man as pious and conservative as the retiring Pope. Age and the hemisphere that one comes from should not be among the criteria for choosing the Pope. After all, the Cardinals are led by the Holy Spirit and their choice is a product of divine directive and support. Many commentators in their analyses of the goings on in the Vatican have made many suggestions including the type of Pope they want. The head of the church is a divine leader with God’s mandate to prosecute. It is not like other secular authorities in which geo-political and other frivolous considerations are given free reign. The secular has no business in the church of God. What remains paramount to the church of God is the capacity to nourish the body and the spirit of the faithful with a view to ensuring that the salvational creed is preached anywhere in the world irrespective of hostilities from satanic forces. The new Pope does not need to be an African, Asian, American, European, etc. God’s ministry is opposed to classifications along racial and class lines.

    Most of the former Popes in spite of their ages and places of origin were very charming and gentle and as the moral consciences of a debased world spoke for the poor, the elderly, the exploited, and even the underdeveloped. Pope Benedict XVI continued with this tradition. Perhaps, the new Pope should be made to accelerate these reforms started by the retiring Pope especially in the area of Catholic theology whose purport will emphasise the cardinal goals of the Church and de-emphasise the creeping destructive values that may rubbish the church if not checked.

    It is meet to state that the Pope is well until he dies. This is wishing Joseph Ratzinger happy life in his retirement as a Pope for he remains an apostle of the Christian Church. The Christian Church needs more God’s Rottweillers like him.

    • Uwasomba is of the Department of English, OAU, Ile-Ife

  • The synthetic of Aso Rock

    Let’s take a close look at the seat of government in France, Great Britain and United States of America, in comparison to our own- the Presidential Villa which we refer to often, as Aso Rock in Abuja.

    Downing Street is the seat of the British government. It was named after Sir George Downing (1623-1684). It is a street in the West End of London- Westminster, in central London.

    Along the street, the British Foreign Ministry is located, the official residence and office of the British Prime Minister is also located there. It has been so since the time of Sir Robert Walpole (1721-1742).

    Tourists go there often. It belongs to the British people. Prime ministers often test their popularity or the acceptability of their policies, through the mood of those who gather often along that street.

    The Elysee Palace in Paris has been the official residence of the President of France, since 1873. The palace is on the Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. It was built in 1718 and was once property of Mme de Pampadour. The landlord of the palace is France and the first tenant was Louis XVIII brother of King Louis XVI.

    General Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970) once said that Elysee Palace is the only barometer through which he feels the heat of France.

    Elysee Palace is a pride to every Frenchman. Pictures of the palace form part of the architecture of France. If you get to Paris and you want to get to the palace, just to view the place or photograph it, you will be welcome.

    When the United States government moved to the largely unfinished new capital at Washington, DC, in 1800, President John Adams and his wife Abigail entered with some trepidation into the executive mansion.

    After the design competition had been won by Hoban, construction began in1792 and the original structure was built by 1800 at an estimated cost of $400,000.

    When President Thomas Jefferson (who had submitted a lasting design) moved into the White House in 1801, he began energetically planning additions, but these were not finished until after the mansion was partly burnt by the British during the War of 1812. It was painted white for the first time under James Madison, filled with elegant French furniture by James Monroe and graced with indoor plumbing by Andrew Jackson and given the official designation ‘White House’ by Theodore Roosevelt.

    The White House contains 54 major rooms and including porticos, measures 168 feet in length by 152 feet in width. It is surrounded by more than 18acres of landscaped lawns and gardens.

    The White House is normally open from 10 a.m. to 12.00 noon Tuesday to Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in summer. Only the public rooms on the ground floor and state floor may be visited. As everyone knows, it is the residence of the President of the United States.

    On August 27, 1985, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (72) toppled General Muhammadu Buhari (71) and was proclaimed President of Nigeria by the then General Officer Commanding Second Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army based in Ibadan, Major General Sanni Abacha.

    On December 20, 1986, the then Minster of Defence Major General Domkat Bali (73) announced that the government had uncovered a plot to overthrow the government of General Babangida.

    Major General Ajiya Mamman Vatsa (1940-1986) and others were implicated in the coup attempt and those found guilty including Major General Vatsa were executed on March 5,1986 following a trial headed by the Delta State born Major General Charles Ndiomu.

    Other members of the tribunal were Major Akin Kejawa, Brigadier Yohanna Kure, Commodore Murtala Nyako, Colonel Rufus Kupolati, Group Captain Tony Ikazohbo, Lt. Col. Dansogo Muhammed and Police Commissioner Mamman Nassarawa.

    On April 20, 1990, another coup attempt was made on General Babangida’s government in Lagos by Major Gideon Gwaza Orkar and others.

    After a military trial headed by the then General Officer Commanding the First Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu (72), 42 of the coup plotters including Major Orkar, Captains Nimibowei, Harley Empere and Perebo Aboela Dakolo, Lts. Awokoya, Akogun, Cyril Okusor Ozoalor and Nicholas Odey and second Lieutenants Arthur Badenyinte Nmukoro, E.J. Esuku and Emmanuel Alade were executed on July 27, 1990 in Lagos.

    But nine others were declared wanted including: Lt-Col. G.A.A. Nyiam; Majors Saliba D. Mukoro, C.O. Obahor, C.O. Edoga; Captains V.S. Tolofari and B.I. Ozeigbe; and Lts S.O.S. Echendu, A.H. Ogboru, P.C. Obasi and also Chief Great Ogboru.

    In a recent television interview, General Babangida disclosed that but for Captain Bade Omowa from Oka, Akoko area of Ondo State who smuggled him out of Dodan Barracks in an Old Volkswagen car, anything could have happened to him. His then A.D.C., Lt. Col. Usman K. Bello was not that providential, for he died in the failed coup.

    So as to prevent another coup in Lagos and obsessed with insecurity in Lagos, General Babangida on December 12, 1991 moved the presidency from Dodan Barracks to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, ignoring the gradual movement as was done in Brazil and as recommended by Dr. Akinola Aguda’s committee which was inaugurated on August 5, 1975 by the former Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed.

    By the time General Babangida landed in the Presidential Villa in Abuja on that sunny day, there was no accommodation for his top aides including his then deputy, Admiral Augustus Akhabue Aikhomu (Oct. 20, 1939 to August 17, 2011) except for them to sleep in hotels.

    Between 1991 till he handed over power to his appointed successor, Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan (77) on August 26, 1993, Babangida was literally guiding his personal safety. In short he went to hide in the Presidential Villa in Abuja and not to govern, hence the terrible mistakes he made in the last months of his regime including the annulment of the Presidential election, which is still his affecting his destiny.

    He moved to Abuja to cache.

    He glued himself to the villa, constructing structures in the villa and other parts of Abuja while the rest of the country was getting poorer.

    General Babangida and his other successors made Abuja an El Dorado while the rest of the country is still wallowing in poverty and neglect.

    You need to see the villa; it was designed purely to cut off the people. It is anti-people. It occupies one-tenth of the whole Central district of Abuja and it is one of the biggest Presidential Villas in the world with a large undeveloped space. If you enter the villa is as if you are in a golden palace.

    The tragedy in our Presidential system of Government is that the people really have no role. Once they vote, until the next four years, they are completely ignored.

    It is only the executives and legislators that profit from this our democracy.

    We have a system of government that slights the people and a Presidential Villa that has completely fenced them.

    Double punishment.

    Worse still, they are now constructing an express lane from the villa to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport in Abuja, which will make our leaders to be completely invincible to the people.

    Pity.

     

     

  • Repositioning the National Institute for development

    Precisely because yours comradely is involved as a member of the National Institute, (National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS), I bear witness that the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) assumes a special importance. The AGM which holds this Saturday March 2, at the Institute in Kuru, Jos inaugurates new participants of Course 35. It will conduct election for a new 10-mnis-National Executive Committee which according to the association’s constitution consists of the President, the Vice-President, Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary General, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity Secretary, Welfare/Social Secretary, Internal Auditor and the legal Adviser. Immediate Past President, a Past President and all chapter chairpersons also serve on the executive. The General Assembly of the Annual General Meeting is the supreme highest decision making organ that importantly sets the agenda for the association.

    Understandably, the alumni association is as old as the National Institute. National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS was established as part of the national institutions for capacity building to drive the development agenda of Nigeria. Three post-colonial decades of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s can very well be said to be development decades in Nigeria. Long before, President Barack Obama admonished Africa to build strong institutions, not strong men, Nigeria had seen the need to build institutions such as NIPSS to produce strong men and women that can drive development. It is neither one nor the other but both; Africa needs both strong institutions and persons to promote growth and development.

    As part of the vision to drive national development, the Federal Government, in 1979, established NIPSS “ to serve as a high level centre of reflection, research, and dialogue where academics of intellectual excellence, policy initiators and executors and other citizens of practical experience and wisdom drawn from different sectors of national life in Nigeria would meet to reflect and exchange ideas on the great issues of society, particularly as they relate to Nigeria and Africa in the context of the dynamics of a constantly changing world.”.

    Thirty-five years after, as many as 1,523 members of Senior Executive courses have been turned out from the prestigious Institute in Kuru, Jos Plateau State. Of course, the number of graduands could be higher without the natural wastages engendered by deaths of some members that included notables like the late Admiral A. A. Aikhomu, former military Vice President and member of AANI’s Board of Patrons.

    The Institute has “Towards a Better Society” as its motto. The objectives and aims of AANI were formulated with the main goal of realising the noble vision of the institute; “Towards a Better Society” , promote understanding, unity, brotherhood and cooperation among the members; strengthen the relationship between the association and the National Institute with a view to maintaining synergy; interact with the federal and states governments of Nigeria, other organisations or associations, with similar objectives; establish the means of contributing objectively to national discourse on any issues affecting the positive development of Nigeria and proffer appropriate recommendation and implementation strategies to the government; serve as think-tank to the federal and states governments of Nigeria; maintain the highest standards of conduct, etiquette and discipline among its members; establish schemes for the promotion of the welfare, security and economic advancement of members; and create and maintain an endowment fund for the proper observance and discharge of any of the objectives of the association”.

    We can debate the extent to which AANI members drawn from federal establishments such as civil service, army, police, customs, state civil services, para-military institutions as well as non-state institutions like Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), TUC and Bar Association have added value to Nigeria. But what cannot be doubted is that in close to four decades, NIPSS has produced quality research papers on policy issues, which with political commitment of the successive governments could have accelerated the country’s development process. A quick visit to the active web site of AANI will show that Nigeria does not need policy advice from abroad as it is the case today, if various governments can draw on the original studies carried out by the graduands of the institute over the years after a year long academic engagement, local and global tours and inclusive critical group and integrated work. The remarkable successes of most successful emerging economies such as India, China, Pakistan and Brazil are attributable to the original policy ideas from their national think tanks like the National Institute.

    The outgoing national executive members led by tireless President, Engineer Janni Ibrahim OON and selfless Secretary General, Rear Admiral OU Emele, have undoubtedly set a standard in corporate governance for AANI. The out-going executive, notwithstanding the limited resources and time, have truly repositioned AANI in the last four years. The incoming executive therefore has the great responsibility to consolidate and improve on the remarkable achievements of the outgoing executive. Most recent achievements include engagements with government on issues of development and security of the nation, building of Abuja centre and strengthening the network among members as well as annual presidential dinners that have featured thoughts-for-food lectures on topical issues of national development. Will AANI add its voice to the national discourse on power sector reform and constitutional reforms among others? AANI must first re-invent NIPSS in line with its original vision, deepen relationship with the National Institute with regular interactions of members at all levels. With functional committees such as the Heritage Council that parade eminent personalities like His Eminence Sultan of Sokoto and the Obi of Onitsha, there are enough structures to drive AANI to the next level in the coming two years. Here is wishing my fellow mnis another rewarding AGM and further repositioning of AANI towards a Better Nigeria. With AANI, there has been and definitely there is still a country which must certainly get better.

    • Aremu, mni, writes from Kaduna

  • Re: NTA – Star Times agreement

    The launch of the NTA-STAR TV Network on July 29, 2010 was widely received by Nigerians. At the time of its launch by Vice President Namadi Sambo on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians had never seen such technology which allows one to view digital terrestrial TV channels without installing any dish. This revolutionary technology was brought into Nigeria through a joint venture partnership between the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Star Times of the Republic of China. This signaled the beginning of terrestrial digital broadcasting in the country.

    Over the years, viewers have become more sophisticated and the only way to keep up with this is the concept of multi channels which entails the transmission of many channels, instead of one. Thus, when NTA decided to have multi-channels, it therefore needed a platform. Setting up such a digital terrestrial television platform is a very capital intensive project which also requires advanced technology. To this end, NTA decided to look for a partner for the project, hence the partnership between it and Star Communications of China – the NTA Star TV Network Ltd.

    The core objective of the partnership is to provide excellent and technology-driven digital pay TV services in the Nigerian territory as well as provide excellent and socially responsible television broadcast services in Nigeria. The project in the long run will expand to include the provision of advertisement and signal transfer services, mobile phone television as well as wireless internet services. Star Times relationship with NTA is a strategic partnership that will help Nigeria in actualizing its 2015 digital transition deadline. Star Times will leverage on the existing platform of NTA to provide quality digital service to every home in Nigeria and in doing that, the whole country won’t find it difficult to get digitalized even before the 2015 transition.

    NTA-Star Times bouquet include local programmes and other well known international satellite channels, which provide news, music, sports, cartoon, finance, religion, movies, reality, etc. The programming platform also captures all age and interest groups. More importantly, the costs, both in terms of decoders and subscription, are affordable and easy to use with an advanced technology that guarantees clean and stable signals.

    Laudable as the NTA-Star Times partnership has been, it has come under severe and misguided criticism by one Sunday Adigun writing under the caption, “Issues in the NTA-Star Times agreement” published in The Nation of February 4. One of his grudges is the impending transition and upgrade from the DVB-T technology platform to the DVB-T2. According to Adigun, it is unnecessary exploitation to make people buy the DVB-T decoder when at the launch of the DVB-T2 decoder they will be made to repurchase the new decoder to enable them continue to view the Star Times bouquet. There is need to put all the issues in the right perspective.

    The truth about the introduction of new DVB -T2 decoders by Star Times is that it will enable subscribers to have access to over 70 channels as against the 53 Channels with DVB-T decoder. However, there is no iota of truth that subscribers with the old DVB-T decoders will have to buy the new DVB-T2 decoders. All subscribers with the DVB-T decoders will have them swapped with the new DVB–T2 at absolutely no cost to the subscriber. The swapping of decoders will be done at the point of subscription renewal. Thus, there will be no payment for new decoder. This does not in any way render the DVB-T decoder unusable as claimed by the writer.

    DVB-T2 is only an upgrade of DVB-T. The writer conveniently forgot to mention that even the DVB-S being used by other satellite pay TV providers is a variant of DVB format and even that too has an upgrade (DVB-S2). It is doubtful if any of the Satellite pay TV in Nigeria have upgraded to the DVB-S2. NTA – Star TV is not unmindful of the dynamism of technology, and would always strive to give its subscribers the best.

    The issue of NTA’s 30% shareholding in the venture also came under criticism with a counter proposition for a 50-50 shareholding structure. It is important to point out here that the NTA-Star Times partnership is no different from other partnerships in any part of the world and there is no requirement that equity must be 50-50 in any partnership. Two parties in every Joint Venture come to the negotiation table with their comparative advantages, and that is what determines the equality ratio. However, this is subject to review from time to time. The analogue switch off is expected to free up frequency spectrum. Already the recently inaugurated DigiTeam saddled with the responsibility of implementing the digital transition, is in the process of splitting NTA in two viz; NTA Broadcast signal distributor and NTA Broadcast content provider. A signal distributor would provide signal to broadcasters on an equitable, reasonable, non preferential and non-discriminatory basis. Needless to say that there would be additional private signal distributors to be licensed. So the assumption that NTA would have unlimited control over broadcasters will not arise.

    It is not also true that at the expiration of subscription, viewers are completely disconnected. There are two free to air channels: NTA News 24 and NTA Sports. At the expiration of subscription, the subscriber can continue to watch both channels free of charge.

    There is no gainsaying that NTA-Star Times is living up to expectation with its revolutionary technology which allows the subscriber to view digital Terrestrial TV channels without installing any dish. The future even hold more promises.

    • Loko, Deputy Director Star Times writes from Abuja