The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Akpabio as Chime’s incongruous herald

    Akpabio as Chime’s incongruous herald

    Some 11 days after Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Gabriel Suswan of Benue and Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers visited ailing Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State in London and swore he was in fine fettle, even pressing to return home, Akpabio has reportedly told the media on his arrival from London on Friday that this time the Enugu State governor would return in two weeks. The first time the three governors spoke to the press on the controversial subject, they only indicated that the governor was on his feet and had made a sensational recovery. Now, according to Akpabio, a timetable for Chime’s return has been set. Two weeks is a short time; it will soon pass. And in any case what is two weeks compared with the more than four months Chime has spent in hospital, away from the splendour of State House?

    When the Enugu State governor’s long absence first assumed controversial dimension, with some political interests in the state asking for the application of either the Doctrine of Necessity or some other constitutional imperatives to declare Chime incapacitated as a prelude to his replacement, his troubled aides swung into action to denounce what they described as uncharitable and amoral moves to unhorse the governor. The governor’s poor health was being malevolently politicised, they wailed. And just as the aides of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua employed subterfuge to throw curious citizens off the scent, Chime’s loyalists have also seized upon all the subterranean tactics they can find to both distract the governor’s opponents and denounce them for being so unfeeling. It was clear that to the aides, their principal’s health condition had become an emotional, not constitutional, thing.

    After observing the reactions of the three governors who purportedly visited Chime in London – whether in hospital or out of hospital, we do not know – and their curt replies to media inquiries, Hardball had on January 24 observed as follows: “It is clear that neither Chime nor any of his three august visitors understood the issues involved, and indeed it is no surprise that most Nigerian governors are simply incapable of adapting to the governmental needs of the modern era. If Chime and his fanatical supporters had come clean on his health, regularly updated the public with news of the governor’s health condition, and not take the same electorate for granted, would there be speculations, let alone a wish for some hypothetical evil to befall him? The problem with Chime’s long absence is not whether the constitution had been breached or not; the problem is lack of good faith, disrespect for Enugu people, childish contrivances, and now additional verbal indiscretions from the visiting governors.”

    Now, quite unfortunately, Akpabio has seemed to magnify the lack of wisdom displayed by Enugu State officials in the management of their governor’s health crisis. It must be reiterated that Enugu officials and Chime’s aides ought to have opened up on the governor’s health trips, give periodic updates, and if possible a timeline. A governor from another state is least qualified to fill that information gap. Indeed, it is incongruous and even insulting. Above all, it must scandalise us how governors, presidents and high state officials here treat their health crises with demeaning furtiveness. They all give the impression health problems are a metaphysical thing that must be hidden from prying eyes. Is this how barbarously low the country has sunk, or how backward it has become? After many months of lying unconscionably to the public, could Enugu officials finally and kindly issue an official press release on the governor’s health trip and date of return? And let us hope this time that the ‘fit as a fiddle’ governor will honour the timeline.

  • Osun: Building an enduring legacy

    If you want to be rich, you must first build roads.” This is a time-honoured and well-known Chinese proverb which truism has been tested by nations that desire progress and development. China not only knows the truth of this aphorism but she believes and practices it conscientiously. Today, like most developed European countries and America, China’s emergence on the world stage as a giant economic nation is indubitable – very visible to deaf and audible to the blind.

    And what did Asian Leviathan do to climb the ladder like other great nations? What has been an essential element in this communist nation’s success story is nothing other than a colossal investment in road construction. That is the magic wand that opened the way to riches as the Chinese proverbs recommends.

    Interestingly, China did not put a stop to its riches within the four corners of its ancient Great Wall. It carried it beyond the shores of China, seeking much more riches this time on the African continent. With the benefit of its own fruitful and prosperous experiences, China has made heavy investments in Africa’s infrastructure.

    This is against the backdrop of the realization that infrastructure is the foundation for economic development and a sign to judge the level and potential of a country’s economic development. Conversely, deficient infrastructure poses an enormous obstacle on the path of a nation’s development, growth and progress. This exactly is what inhibits frustrates Africa’s economic development. The unfledged transportation system and bungling traffic conditions not only hamper quick and easy movement man and materials but also raise the cost of trade and domestic trade and hinder foreign investments to Africa.

    Since its foray into the continent, China has assisted Africa in building more than 2,000 kilometres of railways, 3,000 kilometres of road, more than 100 schools and 60 hospitals. China has also relieved them of more than 20 billion Yuan of debt.

    In a World Bank survey entitled: “Building Bridges: China’s Growing Role as Infrastructure Financier for Sub-Saharan Africa,” published in July 2008, it was reported that China had invested a lot of money and built a lot of bridges, railways and highways in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the natural conditions are extremely harsh, with a total investment jumping from less than $1 billion per year before 2004 to more than $7 billion U.S. dollar in 2006.

    It is instructive to know – albeit sadly too – these African leaders know and are well aware that these colossal Chinese investments will lay a solid foundation for the continent’s economic development in the future. What they did not want to say is: At what cost? After all, it is the English man that says ‘waste not want not.’ The Chinese may speak Mandarin as his official language: he is well acquainted with this English idiom.

    Has Nigeria any lesson to learn from this? The answer is resoundingly in the affirmative. As to the question whether she has learnt or is learning, the answer is, pitiably, negative.

    In November 2012, an assessment by Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) revealed that over 80% of Nigerian roads are in deplorable conditions, leading to rising wave of motor accident across the country.

    The survey also showed that another major reason for the terrible shapes of Nigerian roads is because the roads have outlived their usefulness, many of them constructed more than four decades ago.

    The report said inter alia: “Some roads were constructed many years ago and they have outlived their life span. Most roads are designed for 25 years but many roads are far older than that. Bad roads do cause accidents, so drivers must apply caution when driving on bad roads. However, you maintain what is good, not bad, and the deplorable condition of our roads is now beyond the scope of FERMA.”

    Yes, as the name suggests, the agency is not established to repair roads but to maintain them. Back to square one!

    The twin tragedy of bad road network and acute if not near total absence of power supply have remained intractable for the federal government. The nation’s economy is largely generator-driven and n nothing could be more nightmarish than travelling on Nigerian roads. Yet the nation is blessed with human and material resources. What a country (apology to the late human rights crusader, Beko Ransome-Kuti)!

    Despite this national despondency, a state chose to have a break with this traditional miscarriage of vision that has for long characterised the centre. The government in the State of Osun not only shares the Chinese vision and notion of the nexus between ‘road and riches,’ it is also walking the Chinese footpaths in building roads so as to pave way for riches and abundance of life for the people.

    What is this State of the Virtuous doing differently? And how? For a leader to be outstanding among his peers, he must have vision; he must be foresighted, practically peering into the womb of future and bringing it to bear on the immediate. This is what sets the State of Osun apart and makes its government an unusual one.

    For the past two years, the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola saw road construction as a condition precedent for growth, development and investment, both domestic and foreign.

    Those who were familiar with the terrain of the state then will today appreciate the colossal transformation of its social infrastructure, particularly road construction, rehabilitation and networking of both rural and urban areas.

    Before 2010 when he assumed office, the story about the state’s infrastructure was nothing to write home about. To put it mildly is to say that roads across the state had become death-traps.

    There were numerous abandoned road projects than completed ones. Some major gateway roads to the state signposted a state of affair where neither government nor governance was in existence. The atmosphere at that period was better exemplified by the Hobbesian state of nature, where, habitually, life is nasty, brutish and short.

    Today – two years on – the situation of the roads; intra and inter-state, have changed considerably. Few can only be mentioned here. From Osogbo, the state capital to Ikirun, from Iree to Ila-Orangun, Ilesa to Ile-Ife, Iwo to Ikire, Esa-Oke to Ijebu-jesha and Orile-Owu to Gbongan, road construction and rehabilitation are going on with specific deadline for the contractors handling the various projects. Osogbo alone has over 20 intra-city roads at various stages of construction and completions. And this is what goes on across the 31 local government areas.

    Few months ago, government signed a N17.8 billion contract for the dualisation of the 45 kilometres Osogbo-Ikirun- Kwara State Boundary Road. Though a federal road, which was constructed in the 70s, the expressway had become a minefield to road users.

    The dualisation was segmented into three phases of Osogbo-Dagbolu (International Market) to Alamisi Market in Ikirun (9.52 kilometers); Osogbo (Old-garage) to Ikirun junction road (20.5 kilometers) and Ikirun-Ila-Odo- Kwara State Boundary road (16.5 kilometers).

    Besides, government awarded N3.3 billion contract for the construction and rehabilitation of selected roads in four communities, which included the Iwo-Ejigbo Road (35.20kilometres), Ede-Ara Ejigbo Road (30.7 kilometres), and Ejigbo-Aye-Oguro Road (Alaase village), which shares boundary with Oyo State.

    Also under construction or nearing completion include eight roads inherited from past administration totalling 144.29 kilometres, dualisation of Osogbo-Kwara boundary road totalling 43.37 kilometres and dualisation of Gbongan-Orile-Owu-Ijebu Igbo Road.

    Others under rehabilitation are 15 Ilesa township roads, 14 Ede township roads, 20 intercity roads totalling 319 kilometres, 13 intra-city roads totalling 79.46 kilometres and rehabilitation of select roads in six zones totalling 74.1 kilometres.

    The state introduced another innovation only peculiar to Osun. The governor flagged off a 218 km with minimum of 10-kilometre road per local government project on December 31, 2012 with a whopping sum of N16 billion.

    And by January 8, he paid N5.5 billion to major contractors handling the 218 kilometres in all the local government. Similar amount would be released to the contractors when the projects, which has maximum of nine-month completion period, are 40 percent completed. This kind of project is first of its kind in Nigeria no doubt!

    The state government had since 2010 been saving the Excess Crude funds of all the local governments in the state towards this 10-kilometre road per local government project to the tune of N10 billion, out of which N6 billion was drawn for the project. To be certain, the 281km roads are local government projects which is being supervised by the state government.

    • Owolabi is of the Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the governor of the State of Osun.

  • Witch-killing and Africans

    There is a growing incident of lynching and murder of suspected witches in different parts of Africa. This wave of witch hunting targets elderly people particularly women. In Nigeria, a court has rejected the bail application of three persons accused of killing a 70-year old woman, Mrs Rebecca Adewumi, for witchcraft. Mrs Adewumi was accused of being responsible for the sickness of a local evangelist. She was dragged to the palace of the monarch, where she was forced to drink local concoctions. The concoctions were given to her to make her confess or die within seven days. But after seven days she did not confess or die. Subsequently local thugs stormed her house. They dragged her under the rain and flogged her. According to a family member, her attackers scrapped her hair with broken bottles and used a big scissors to cut her fingers, then placed her on a tyre and set her ablaze.

    And in Benue state in Central Nigeria, a middle aged man, Vincent Igwe of Enyikpe Ulayi community in Ado local government area was mudered by his siblings for witchcraft. He was reportedly hacked to death by his brothers who accused him of being responsible for ‘unusual happenings and strange deaths in the family and community’.

    In Kenya, a 79 -year old man was killed for practicing witchcraft. Thomas Barawa was hacked to death by his attackers who stormed his house around midnight. Last summer, more than seven people including Barawa’s wife were murdered in Kilifi district for practicig witchcraft.

    In November, a 70-year old woman alleged to be a witch was battered to death by two men in Lesotho in Southern Africa. The woman was said to be mentally ill. She lost her mind and was roaming the streets when he encountered these two men who were returning from a bar. The two men pounced on her, after she allegedly waved a stick at them, and beat her to death. The waving of a stick was reportedly taken by her attackers to be a kind of muti- a practice which many people in Southern Africa associate with magic and witchcraft.

    And in Malawi, a 29 year old man, Wadson Zalimba is in police custody for killing the grandmother, Estere Minduwe for practicing witchcraft. According to the report, Minduwe often quarrelled with the grandchildren and they accused her of being a witch and of being responsible for the misery in their lives. On this fateful day, some quarrel ensued while Zalimba and his siblings were making mockery of their grandmother. Zalimba threw a big stone on the grandmother which landed on her head and caused a deep cut. She was later pronounced dead in a local hospital.

    Tracking cases of attack, torture, killing, lynching of people suspected to be witches across the region has become a daunting task. Most of the killings take place in rural poor communities and the victims are often vulnerable members of the population. So just a few of the cases are reported to the police or by the media. The cases that are reported are actually a tip of the iceberg of the savage treatment being meted out against suspected witches and wizard in the region.

    Poverty, misery, frustration, desperation and hopelessness have driven many Africans to look for scape goats or somebody to hold responsible or blame for the ills of the society. Many Africans consult and rely on spiritual healers and diviners, prophets, imams and pastors who often attribute social problems to malevolent magic and witchcraft. Witches are generally percieved to be enemies of the society. So suspicion of witchcraft evokes feelings of hatred, anger and vengance. People react violently towards anyone identified as a witch in a family or community. People believe a witch deserves no mercy or compassion. They believe a witch should be tortured and suffered to die as written in the christian scripture.

    Efforts by state authorities to combat this cultural scourge has so far proved ineffective. The reason is that sometimes authorities do not want to take action that would go against local tradition or offend the cultural sensibilities of the people. And in some countries like Cameroun, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe the law recognizes witchcraft as an offence.

    There is no evidence that witches exist outside human imagination or that witches cause death misery and accidents as most Africans believe. Unfortunately, people are traditionally brought up to associate evil acts and misfortune with the occult. This mentality is reinforced by the dogmas and doctrines of the dominant religions of Christianity and Islam. In many parts of Africa, diviners, magicians and soothsayers, pastors, imams and prophets exist, operate and market their paranormal wares. Churches, shrines and faith clinics proliferate. Their growing business of divination and exorcism has made it difficult to combat this mistaken belief and the suffering and death it is causing in the region. African governments and peoples must rise to the occasion and help define a new era in the history of the continent. Africans -in Africa and in Diaspora- must join hands and bring an end to the wave of witch hunting ravaging the region. Witch killing must stop. Witch killers must be stopped.

     

    Igwe writes from University of Bayreuth, Germany

  • Governors’ hypocrisy on LG autonomy

    Sir: Let me start by referring to a newspaper report captioned, Reps, Govs’ rift deepens over Constitution review where the House Spokesman, Hon. Zakari Mohammed was quoted as saying that “This issue of Local Government autonomy as far as Nigeria is concerned is long over due, arising from our public sessions as true representatives of the people; our constituents do not agree with the current status where local government funds are being pilfered by governors at the expense of the people and chairmen who are seen as mere boys for the job. We would certainly not accept a situation where governors turned themselves into demi-gods in the name of Joint Account”.

    A cursory look at the House of Representative initiative to sound the opinion of the 360 federal constituencies on the amendment of the constitution indicate that Nigerians have come out in favour of political and fiscal autonomy to local government councils. There was also a general consensus that the so-called State/LG Joint account should be abolished while elected council officials will enjoy a minimum of 3-4 years tenure, that INEC take over the conduct of LG poll from state electoral commission, e.t.c.

    However, we were taken aback to learn that our governors have chosen to swim against the tide of public opinion, vowing to frustrate the aspirations of the people by intimidating their state of assembly members against the wishes of Nigerians.

    The question is, why is it that our governors are becoming autocratic, dictatorial, greedy and hypocritical? Hypocritical in the sense that what they don’t want the federal government to do to them as a second tier government is what they want done to the third tier. It was Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi who highlighted the hypocritical posturing of the governors when he stated that “ when all the governors spoke with one voice for a change, I got worried. But it sounds schizophrenic that governors are consistent in loudly advocating that the powers and financial allocation to the centre should be reduced, that the Federal Government should get off their backs, and yet, at the same time, they are not prepared to sanction and recognize the autonomous status for the third tier of government”.

    Senator Ike Ekweremadu in a recent paper on “Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through constitution Review” wrote: “In 2002, the state governments brought a suit against the Federal Government for deducing first line charges for Joint Venture investments in the oil sector, Nigerian and National Petroleum Corporation priority projects, National priority projects and external department services. While the Supreme Court judgement favoured the state governments, it appears that most states are guilty of the same act as the local government in many instance, have continued to suffer Fiscal emasculation in the hand of the state government”.

    We are therefore calling on the members of federal and state assemblies to guide against any unwholesome influence to undermine the wishes of Nigerians. Anything short of granting autonomy to local government councils will amount to betraying the popular expectations of the People.

    • Jeff Nkwocha

    Warri, Delta State

  • The bizarre face of justice

    SIR: When honour and the law no longer stand on the same side of the line, how do we choose? Nigeria is like a Titanic heading towards an iceberg. The N750,000 fine against Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf who, in concert with other rogues orchestrated the looting of pensioners fund, is just one out of several bizarre sentences from our judges.

    How 176 criminal charges against an ex-governor were dismissed in less than two hours is still fresh in our memory. Today, the same convict while serving jail time in foreign land is still earning pension as ex-governor, an office he criminally captured, desecrated and looted. Good conscience and equity demand that a felon should not derive any benefit from his illegal activities and anything contrary is an anathema to the concept of an ideal society.

    Those forecasting a brighter future for Nigeria are either hallucinating or not paying serious attention to the cancer that is spreading like wildfire. There is no country that can survive judicial recklessness and corruption and Nigeria will never be an exception. We have seen in other climes how the judiciary saves many states from collapsing by upholding the sacred principle of checks and balances as last bastion of hope for the masses. But, here in Nigeria, our judiciary is gradually converting the temple of justice to an institution of horror and oppression where only the devilish interests of felons are nurtured.

    When erstwhile U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that the level of official corruption Nigeria is unbelievable, she was stating the obvious as someone who is privy to classified information or is there anywhere in this world apart from Nigeria where someone could plead guilty for stealing N23biIlion and only gets option of fine of 750,000 naira?

    Where a governor looted a state for eight years, pleaded guilty and paid three million naira fine? Where some few citizens congregate like pride of lions feasting and racketing state resources with impunity? Where someone set-up fraudulent Ponzi schemes not unlike Bernard Madoff of America and only gets six months sentence in hospital?

    Where strange “Plea Bargaining” is wholly adopted as an instrument of law for felons to escape justice? Where is it done in this modern world? Where?

    John Yakubu Yusuf did not only loot Police pension funds in league with others rogues, they orchestrated and embezzled social security funds meant to secure the future of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, aunts. In some climes, Yusuf action can trigger nationwide social unrest because a man with licensed weapons will not watch his family starved to death or face uncertain future. He will surely resort to self help and in the end the society pays dearly for sabotaging the future of a man.

    Yes, no country is corruption free. But the level of audacity and tolerance for criminal activities in Nigeria is very alarming and incredible. With a judiciary that is ever ready to romance felons, it is only a matter time before this country implode.

    • Akinola M.A.

    Verona-Italy.

  • Ikogosi should host next Gulder Ultimate Search

    SIR: Since inception, the Gulder Ultimate Search has been shot on nine different locations: Snake Island in Lagos played host to the first season while the second was shot on Obudu Hills, Cross River. Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) in Benin hosted the third season while Shere Hills, Jos –played host to the fourth. Awgu Hills, Enugu – followed; then Omodo Forest, Osun State; next was Omo Forest, Ogun State, Ososo Mountains, Edo State and Usaka Valley, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State for the fifth, sixth, seventh, eight and ninth seasons respectively.

    No doubt, the nine locations which have hosted the show so far are exquisite and parade a touch of Nigerianness. None of them, however, parade the uniqueness of Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs in Ekiti. It is a fact that there are several hot and warm springs all over the world; not one of these springs features a marriage of a warm and a cold spring.

    At Ikogosi, there is a fusion of a warm and a cold spring, meeting, but not blighted by each other’s features. Despite fusing at some point, the cold spring retains its coldness whilst the warm spring retains its feature also. This is one feature or attribute no spring in the world possesses.

    With this uniqueness, it is only perfect and fair that the Gulder Ultimate Search 10 be shot in Ikogosi Ekiti. Two or three years ago, the Nigerian Breweries Plc and the Seyi Siwoku-led Jungle Film Works would have found enough reasons not to consider the spring owing to years of neglect that it suffered in the hands of successive administrations in the old Ondo and Ekiti states. The good news, however, is that there is now a newly improved Warm and Cold Springs Resort in Ikogosi Ekiti courtesy of the Kayode Fayemi administration.

    The Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs Resort is the new tourists’ destination in Africa and the world over. It boasts of newly built chalets, VIP villas, multi-purpose hall, amphitheatre, conference hall, executive suites, a 60-seater and a 30-seater room for functions and meetings.

    Besides these, there is beautiful scenery made up of hills and valleys around the resort where the contestants could slug it out. Installed all over the resort are also closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, plus a perimeter fence, to ensure security. The resort is managed by a South African firm with expertise on local content, an ingredient that has made the show the toast of viewers in Africa and beyond.

    The newly improved Ikogosi Warm and Cold Springs Resort is a blend of architectural wizardry and nature’s benevolence. Nigerian Breweries Plc and Jungle Film Works will be doing Nigeria and Nigerians and the show a great disservice if they ignore the resort, the only one of its kind in the world that nature has deemed fit to bestow on Ekiti and Nigeria.

    • ‘Dimeji Daniels

    Ado-Ekiti

  • Issues in NTA-StarTimes agreement

    I was elated and surprised recently when I read in the newspapers that StarTimes, the Chinese-owned and operated pay television company was launching DVB-T 2 decoders in the Nigerian market. Elated because I am aware that T2 decoder is the latest technology has to offer in that area; and surprised that the Chinese company had been selling something less to Nigerians before now.

    The decoders StarTimes’ was selling before now use the first generation Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial technology, which has been phased out in a number of African countries like Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. These countries, in readiness for the digital migration deadline, have adopted Digital Video Broadcast Terrestrial (DVB-T2), the second generation decoders, as the standard for digital broadcasting. The sale of first generation decoders by StarTimes implies that subscribers may be faced with unpleasant consequences at the expiration of the digital migration deadline. Though an upgrade from DVB-T to DVB-T2 technology is a possibility, attempting to upgrade after the digital switchover may cost subscribers more. DVB-T is not compliant with DVB-T2. This may necessitate a recall of the first generation decoders and a need by subscribers to buy new decoders not long after buying the ones they currently use.

    The authorities in Kenya and Uganda have banned the importation of DVB-T, the first generation decoders.

    In Uganda, the deadline for a halt to the use of DVB-T expired on 21 December 2012. Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s ICT minister, was quoted as warning Ugandans against further purchase of DVB-T (T1) decoders. “Before, you purchase any decoder, inquire which technology it is. If it is DVB-T1, don’t buy or else you stand to lose as the decoder will expire at the end of the year. The adoption of DVB-T2 technology means that we must ban the importation and sale of the old technology (DVB-T1). It will affect many people but it is the right thing to do,” Rugunda told Uganda’s Daily Monitor last year. Last July, Kenya, also announced a ban on the importation of the analogue broadcast technology.

    As far back as 2008, Nigeria, according to Engr. Yomi Bolarinwa, NBC Director-General, had committed to the DVB-T2 technology. Yet, when StarTimes kicked off in the country in 2010, it treated the commitment with indifference by selling T-1 decoders.

    But why, despite the country’s commitment to T-2 since 2008, did the regulator allow StarTimes to sell first generation decoders to Nigerians? For some obscure reasons, the Joint Venture, JV, agreement between the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, and Star TV Network Limited has escaped the headlights of public scrutiny. This, inevitably, has granted a free rein to StarTV Network Limited, promoters of StarTimes, to provide Digital Terrestrial Television, DTT, in Nigeria. The JV agreement produced NTA/StarTV Network, in which the NTA has 30 per cent shareholding. This cost the Federal Government N750million, paid on behalf of the NTA to the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, in form of operating licence fee.

    The agreement started running on March 1, 2010, initially as a trial, before being fully launched on July 29, 2010, four months after. But there are issues which are festering because of public disinterest in scrutiny. Closely examined, the NTA is involved in something akin to a master-serf relationship. For one, the purpose of the agreement, according to the website of NTAStarTV Network Limited, is “to provide digital pay television services to Nigerians”. But this is contrary to what the Federal Government prescribed as mandate of the agreement.

    Specifically, the Federal Government mandated NTAStarTV Network Limited to assist the country in its bid to realise the aims of digital migration, the deadline of which is January 1, 2015.

    Though the agreement allows the parties involved to provide part pay-TV and part free-to-air services on their DTT platform, NTAStarTV Network only provides pay TV service. A clasping evidence of this is provided by the expiry of subscription. When subscription expires, viewers are immediately disconnected from the pay-TV platform as well as the free-to-air channels. This way, subscribers’ freedom to information is effectively abridged.

    Another issue is the promotion of unfair competition. The absence of a local legislation on competition has engendered an anti-competitive spirit. According to the terms of the JV agreement, the NTA is forbidden from entering into any relationship with another broadcaster, satellite or terrestrial, and was compelled to annul those entered into prior to the agreement. The NTA was thus a victim of its own agreement!

    On account of its relationship with such broadcasters, it had a steady income stream from monies paid for the shared sites. The annulment of the relationship, naturally, turned off the income tap.

    The potential for further erosion of Nigeria’s interest is also contained in the Digital Migration Whitepaper, which many knowledgeable people in the industry say recommends that the government will licence a minimum of two or a maximum of three signal distributors when the transition analogue to digital terrestrial technology begins.

    The government has constituted a Digital Implementation Team, which is made up of industry experts and stakeholders in both the private and public sectors. On account of its 157 transmission sites across the country, the NTA has been recommended as the public broadcasting signal distributor. One of the team’s first steps may be the ratification of the NTA as the signal distributor. This will make NTA the custodian of all distribution frequencies in the country and operators will have no other option other than to go to the NBC for licensing and the NTA for their respective lashings of frequencies.

    Ordinarily, this does not appear inimical. But with the NTA/StarTimes combo in place, the implication may be that the responsibility for a matter as sensitive as broadcasting is effectively in the hands of a Chinese firm. NTA, for instance, is performing no technological role in relation to the Direct Terrestrial Television roll-out, having conceded this to StarTimes.

    Also, the NTA, as the public signal distributor, will have almost unlimited control over broadcasters, who will be dependent on it for frequencies. Any operator that shows signs of irritation with the arrangement may have to face grotesque consequences. The dice, as it is, is heavily loaded against other players in the industry.

    • Adigun, journalist and public affairs analyst, wrote from Abuja

  • One year of Wada in Kogi

    One year of Wada in Kogi

    When former Kogi State Governor, Ibrahim Idris, was at the helm of affairs, he promised to leave a worthy legacy, hence his foresight in providing the people of Lokoja one of the basic amenities of life, which is water.

    The town that has the unique opportunity of having two of the biggest rivers in Nigeria, has now gone back to history of water shortage that has been giving the people of the town great concern.

    The greater water work project which gulped billions of naira when it was constructed has started witnessing lack of water supply to Lokoja town and its environs.

    The appointment of the water resources commissioner, whom everybody hope should live up to expectation of her office, has not been seen directing affairs of the ministry for some time now.This calls for her redeployment if she is found wanting in her sole responsibilities of giving water to the teeming populace.

    In another clime, provision of this basic amenity to the people should not be of priority to the government of the day for now, because other important things should be at front burner and not this that should have been provided.

    We call on the Kogi State government to make haste in ensuring the restoration of water to Lokoja town and its environs for the people to enjoy the basic amenities.

    The current heat been experienced generally in the country needs to be complimented with provision of water to help in reducing dehydration amongst the people of the town.

    The water board authority should as matter of urgency ensure that all the pipes are properly maintained to make it convenient for water to flow without any hindrance. also, protection should be given to all its facilities to stem the activities of vandals in our societies.

     

    Bala Nayashi, Lokoja

  • Delta kidnappings: A way out

    Delta kidnappings: A way out

    Despite the frantic effort of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to set up a combined military task force in Warri to combat incessant kidnappings in the state, kidnapping is growing at geometrical progression while victims bear the brunt. Kidnapping in the state is fast becoming a worthwhile business for some of the youths who feel it is the only way to make ends meet. Even Governor Uduaghan went as far as to set up another Delta Police Anti- kidnapping Squad (PAS) and purchased heavily armoured vehicles for security agencies in the state to combat the menace but to no avail.

    It is sad that an oil rich state is being put under the siege of ferocious kidnappers. this is preventing foreign investors from investing. Kidnapping is fast becoming a scientific crime that has spread into every nook and cranny of the state. The continuation of high profile kidnappings of prominent sons and daughters could be traced to political instability that has crept into the state with no definite solution. The incessant arrests of abductors are yet to bring a stop to kidnapping.

    Since 2010 when the menace spread to Delta State over 200 kidnappers have been apprehended while the head of the Delta Police Anti- kidnapping Squad, Dickson Adeyemi was accused and arrested alongside with his boys over aiding and abetting of kidnappers in the state.

    Some say kidnappings could be traced to unemployment among youths, greed, insider involvement, politics and ex-militants. But the fact is that kidnapping is a high form of criminality which is similar to armed robbery, raping, ritual killings and stealing. Statistics show that over 20 people have been kidnapped. Some of the recent victims are Professor Hope Eghagha, Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Chief Gregory Oke Akpojene, Markson Macaulay, the son of the present SSG, and Prof Kanene Okonjo, the mother of the Minister of Finance, among others.

    Last year, Dr Mrs. Ugboma, the mother of the popular comedian, Bovi Ugboma, was almost kidnapped but for the quick intervention of the police who were on patrol duty.

    Overtly, kidnapping could also be traced to the failure to tackle the emergence of insurgent Islamic extremist group, Boko Haram, which has killed thousands of people with property worth millions of naira destroyed.

    Terrorism is gradually spreading to other parts of the country. In the South West, pipeline vandalism is becoming more pronounced while in the South East, kidnapping is a major profession of youths now. Yet security is being treated with levity despite the huge budgetary vote.

    Again, the unjust ban of motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, is also causing incessant kidnappings without providing alternative means to Okada riders. rather the government is providing tricycles that are beyond the reach of ordinary okada rider on the street in the state. Some traditional leaders and politicians are behind the kidnapping spree. Most of the youths that resort to kidnapping as the only way to survive are the ones neglected by politicians.

    In a nutshell, Governor Uduaghan needs to hold comprehensive town hall meetings on monthly basis where all traditional rulers, elders, community leaders, security agencies, the 25 local government chairmen, stakeholders, industrialists, church leaders, NGOs, NBA, students, medical practitioners, traders associations, artisans and others should find a lasting solution to kidnappings in the state. Jailing kidnappers for 44 years would rather increase kidnappings.

    It is time for the state government to involve private- public partnership in curbing crime among unemployable youths in the state. The three-point agenda of the governor of which security and peace topped the list must be achieved to make the state centre of excellence

     

    By Godday Odidi

    Ajegunle Apapa. Lagos.

  • AFCON: Writing Super Eagles off

    AFCON: Writing Super Eagles off

    In their effort to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) competition taking place in South Africa, the Super Eagles of Nigeria kept Nigerians so much on edge that when they finally booked a place, everyone shrugged, including their compatriots. It was therefore no surprise that in their not-so-comprehensive defeat of the Ethiopian team, Nigerians gave their lacklustre team grudging plaudits, uneasy about what embarrassment the more technically solid Cote d’Ivoire team could cause us in a few days to come. If this unease is whispered in Nigerians’ living rooms, football commentators from elsewhere are less bashful. One of them, FIFA man and former publisher of African Football magazine, Emmanuel Maradas, spoke so candidly about the Eagles’ shortcomings that it left many proud Nigerians shamefaced and desperate. According to the Vanguard newspaper, Maradas believed the Eagles stood no chance of going anywhere in the on-going soccer fiesta. In the next round, he was quoted to have said specifically, “Cote d’Ivoire will beat Nigeria because you have no chance. You’ll struggle.”

    Hear his unsparing analysis: “Your team is not solid, and it has no star player. It is just an ordinary team. I feel sad to see Nigeria which used to be a powerhouse present a mediocre squad. They have played poorly and only managed to escape the disgrace of being beaten in the first round. I feel sad because this is the same country that had star players like Kanu, Babayaro, Oliseh, Okocha, and the list is endless.” Maradas was so stunned by the decline in Nigerian football that he asked rhetorically what had become of the great footballing country. And that precisely is the most important question of the last few decades.

    Maradas might have been prompted by football to wonder what came over us. But considering the way he asked the weighty question, he seemed to also imply that the problem with Nigeria transcended football or sports generally. Again, hear his distressed complaint: “What is the problem with Nigeria? Are you saying that out of the millions of people in Nigeria, you cannot get up to seven star players? What is the problem with Nigeria? This is a country that I love so much, a country of the greats in African football. Nigeria should not struggle in any group in African football…Eagles have fallen. A country with so much and millions of people cannot raise a dreaded squad; no, it is a shame.”

    It is clear Maradas’ reflections on Nigerian football go beyond football. The way he mourned our decline, and, according to the newspaper, the way he gestured, he seemed to indicate the world expected so much more from Nigeria in all fields. By limiting his comments to football, Maradas was apparently simply being diplomatic. He wanted Nigeria to provide leadership, especially with its endowment and population, but he is deeply mortified it is unable to rise to any level of acclaim. But if it is any comfort to Maradas, he must be told that most Nigerians, minus those in government, also ask the same question: What has become of us? And so far, there has been no consensus on what went wrong. However, there is consensus on the physical manifestations of those things that are wrong with us – the incompetence, the waste, the mediocrity, the nepotism, the lack of passion for the country etc.

    In any case, whatever the outcome of the match between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday, Mr Maradas’ question will still be valid. For the problems we confront as a nation are so weighty and pernicious that except we confront them boldly and intelligently, the morass will persist, and both the country and its leaders will continue to make an ass of themselves internationally.