The Nation Newspaper

Category: Abuja Review

  • Keeping Nigeria airspace safe

    Nigeria has had its fair share of fatal plane crashes in the country. Many Nigerians have met their untimely deaths through the fatal crashes.

    The country has witnessed fatal plane crashes right from the 1960s after it gained independence.

    The first fatal crash in Nigeria involved the Nigeria Airways BAC VC10, which crashed on landing in Lagos on the 20th of November 1969. 87 persons died on board as it caught fire.

    Another plane crash in Kano on the 22nd of January, 1973, which killed everyone on board is the Royal Jordanian Airlines flight 707 carrying 171 Nigerian Muslims returning from Mecca and 5 crewmen.

    On the 1st of March, 1978, a Nigeria Airways F28-1000 crashed in Kano, killing 16 persons.

    While a Nigeria Airways F28-1000 plane crashed near Enugu on November 28, 1983 killing 53 people on board, Skypower Brandeironte aircraft overshot Ilorin Airport’s runway in December 1988 killing all passengers on board.

    On February 24, 1991, a British Helicopter crashed in Eket, Akwa Ibom State  killing all 9 persons on board.

    A Cessna Citation 550 of Ashaka Cement, Hombe crashed on May 21, 1991, killing all on board, while an Okada Air BAC-11 crashed in Sokoto on June 26, 1991, killing 3 persons.

    On the 26th September, 1992, a Nigeria Airforce AC-130 plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Lagos and killed 200 persons on board.

    Harka Air Services Tupolev 34 crashed on landing in Lagos on June 24, 1995, killing 16 persons, while Nigeria Airways Boeing 737-2F9 crashed on landing in Kaduna on November 13, 1995, killing 9 persons.

    A Nigerian Aviation Development Corporation (ADC) Airline Boeing 727-231 enroute Port Harcourt – Lagos with 142 passengers and 9 crews plunged into the lagoon on November 7, 1996, killing all the passengers on board.

    On the 31st January, 1997, Skypower Express Airways Bandeironte 110PIA crashed on landing in Yola, killing 5 persons.

    A Skypower Express Airways Bandeironte 110PIA crashed on landing at Abuja on January 5, 2000, killing 17 persons, while EAS Airlines BAC 1-11-500 crashed and burst into flames in a densely populated suburb of Kano on May 4, 2002, killing 76 persons on board and 72 persons on the ground, totalling 148 persons.

    An aerial spray aircraft belonging to Berfieex Nigeria crashed in Bauchi on March 6, 2004, killing everyone on board.

    While Pan African Airlines’ helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean in Escravos, Delta State on July 26, 2004, killing 4 persons on board, a NAF jet crashed into a farmland in Yar kanya, Kano on January 28, 2005, killing all the people on board.

    A Russian aircraft belonging to Harka Air crashed landed at the Murtala Muhammed Airport on June 24, 2005, killing all the people on board.

    While a Bellview Airlines Boeing 737 crashed shortly after takeoff from Lagos on October 22, 2005, killing the 117 persons on board, a Sosoliso Airlines DC-9 crashed in Port Harcourt on December 10, 2005, killing all the108 persons on board.

    On 17th September, 2006, 18-seater Dornier 228 Air Force Transport plane, carrying 15 senior army officers and 3 crews crashed in Benue State killing 15 persons, leaving 3 survivors.

    Aviation Development Corporation (ADC) Airline Boeing 737 with 105 people on board crashed soon after takeoff from Abuja Airport on October 29, 2006, killing everyone on board except 6.

    While OAS Service Helicopter crashed in Warri, Delta State on November 10, 2006, killing 4 persons on board, Beechcraft 1900D plane marked 5N-JAH, belonging to Wing Aviation crashed in Cross River State on March 15, 2008, and killed all the 4 crews on board.

    An OAS helicopter crashed in Ife Odan in Osun State on July 29, 2011, killing all 3 persons on board, while Helicopter belonging to the Special task Force crashed on March 14, 2012 in Jos, Plateau State Capital killing 4 persons on board.

    On 3rd of June, 2012, a Dana Airlines plane crashed into a residential area in the suburb of Lagos, killing 176 persons on board, while a Nigerian Navy helicopter marked Helo 07 crashed in Okoroba community in Nembe, Bayelsa State on December 15, 2012, killing former governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, former NSA, General Andrew Azazi and 4 others on board.

    Associated Airlines Plane, Brazilian made Embraer 120, conveying the body of the former Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu crashed in Lagos, on Thursday October 3, 2013, killing 17 persons.

    The good news now is that none of the past fatal air crashes have been witnessed under the current administration.

    But it almost recorded such experience in the past few weeks.

    One of Dana Air plane over shot the runway in Port Harcourt as it landed at the airport. No life was lost.

    Another Dana Air plane also had its door failing off while taxiing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja.

    Even though no life was also lost in the Abuja mishap, many Nigerians have wondered what would have befallen the passengers if the door had fallen off while the plane was in the air.

    Another good news was the step taken by the Federal Government last Wednesday to check plane crashes in the country.

    It ordered complete audit of Dana Air, which was involved in the recent mishaps in the country.

    The Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said “A lot of quality time was spent discussing air safety. The government of Nigeria is very much concerned about safety and the life of Nigerians, this is following the recent air incidents.

    “Minor as they were because there were no fatalitie, the government did feel concern and the Minister did the report to the Council on steps that were taken following the last incident in Port Harcourt, Dana aircraft overshooting the runaway. As soon as that happened, a few seconds, a rescue team was there on the ground and few moments thereafter every passenger on board was evacuated. There was no harm to persons and this is something that should be celebrated.

    “Within 24 hours an official investigation had commenced because investigators arrived in Port Harcourt and began work.One week after that a preliminary report was prepared and it was about this that the Council was briefed.

    “Consequently as announced by the aviation authorities, the engineer and pilot of that particular aircraft got their licences suspended and beyond that the government has ordered a complete audit of Dana airlines in terms of personnel, operations, and technical capacity.” he said

    It is also noteworthy that Dana Air has welcomed the audit exercise.

    It is hoped that the measure taken by the government will really help to stop Dana Air plane crashes in the country.

    Also it is expected that the measure will help to make other airlines in the country be on their guide while maintaining the best flight practices and reaching at least the minimum international operational standard in aviation.

     

  • FCTA, UNESCO graduate 400 ICT trainees

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Bello has urged graduated trainees of the recently concluded United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)/FCTA YouthMobile Information and Communication Technology (ICT) project in the FCT to use the skills they have acquired for nation building.

    The FCT Minister gave this charge in Abuja during the graduation ceremony for 400 participants of the UNESCO/FCTA YouthMobile project in the FCT drawn mainly from Abuja Municipal and Bwari Area Councils.

    Bello who was represented at the occasion by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr. Christian Ohaa, said the next phase has been scheduled for Gwagwalada town and will involve 600 participants covering the southern axis of the FCT, namely; Kuje, Kwali, Abaji, and Gwagwalada Area Councils.

    He said the FCT Administration has committed over N96.7 Million by way of counterpart funding to match UNESCO’s support of N42Million.    ,

    The Minister while congratulating the participants urged them to justify the investment of both the global community and the home government towards the realisation of their full potentials by starting their own businesses where necessary.

    Bello said beneficiaries have been given skills required to excel, adding that government and the larger society expect them to translate these skills to increased productivity and employment.

    According to the Minister, “The importance of knowledge, they say, is not in having it, but in using it. Similarly, “to whom much is given, much is expected.” I therefore urge you all to leverage the skills you have acquired for self-actualization and for nation-building.   Let this serve as a clarion call for you all to live up to this dream and to brace up to the challenges of starting off your own businesses where necessary as well as being the torch-bearers of change.”

    Bello expressed appreciation to the UNESCO for the successful conclusion of the first segment of the YouthMobile Project. He said the knowledge gained would enable participants to contribute towards the building of inclusive knowledge-based society, by leveraging Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) skills.

    “I am glad to note the engagement of 15 beneficiaries from the first batch by SAP (a global leading software company) who served as facilitators at the 2017 Africa Code Week. Without doubt, the beneficiaries have been given skills required to excel and we expect it to translate to increased youth productivity and employment. Similarly, we hope it will also help in the promotion of peaceful co-existence amongst themselves and in our various communities,” the Minister stated.

    In his own remarks, the Director and Representative of UNESCO Regional Office in Abuja, Yao Ydo said the spirit of the education and cultural arm of the world body is to engage and partner with young women and men, in promoting peace, preventing violent extremism and engaging them meaningfully.

  • Houses for women, artisans

    A Federal Government housing plan for women and artisans is also providing jobs, reports Olugbenga Adanikin

    Dorothy Yinusa is a 20-year-old indigene of Nasarawa State. Like many unemployed youths, survival has been a daily challenge but relief came when she got the news of a housing project by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Without delay, she moved as fast as she could from her base to the project site of the Federal Government National Housing Project located along Shendam Road, Keffi.

    The motive was simple: she saw a need and provided a solution. It was to sell food to skilled and unskilled workers at the project site.

    “It is this project by Buhari that made me relocate to this town and open my shop. Before now, I don’t have a shop but this project has helped me own a shop where I sell food to the workers. It has really helped me because each day I make about N15,000.”

    Luckily, Miss Yinusa is making good money from the NHP. Beyond that, she found her true love, Andy Shuaib, to whom she got married. She is now expecting their child.

    “Before now, my mother was the one taking care of us. I don’t have children yet but working in this site helped me get married, now I have my husband and pregnant as well.”

    The story of Mrs. Salome Ahonye, a food vendor at NHP, Utuu community, Benue State was not different. Unlike before, she was jobless but currently makes daily sales of N12, 000 from the fast business.

    She said, ”I sell food to the workers on daily basis, and I make between 10,000 and N12,000 daily. If sales are poor, I could make N7,000.”

    The condition of 43-year-old Mr. Sunday Tchoji was not too pleasant, having two wives and seven children with no resources to take care of their welfare. But respite came when he got the offer to work at the Laminga, Jos project site as labourer.

    “This work has helped me to feed my family and enroll them at school based on my financial strength. That is the way I have benefitted from this work.”

    Yet, it is the women and artisans in the northern states that are the primary beneficiaries of the project. It will provide a roof over the heads of so many people who would not otherwise have affforded such shelter.

    In Nasarawa, the state governor, AlhajiTanko Al-Makura earmarked 100 hectares of land for construction of the National Housing Programme (NHP). This is in addition to the already donated 10 hectares used for phase one of the home projects.

    The governor said at a media inspection of the home projects in Lafia that the state currently has no policy on mass housing, thus the intervention by the federal government is expected to close the gap. Al-Makura, who was represented by Director of Public Building, State Ministry of Works, Mr. Aliyu  Kuyanbana, said the allocation was part of existing 10 hectares already offered for the national housing project.

    “10 times of what we are witnessing here is being earmarked for the federal government project. So we are ready at any time,” Al-Makura said.

    The NHP in Nasarawa has about 78 units of flats consisting two and three bedrooms and it is about 90 per cent completed. The Benue project overall has 72 units of flats,40 per cent completed while Plateau project located in Lamingahas 80 units of flats, proximity to the road and 80 per cent completed.

    Statistics have shown that about 17 million people are homeless nationwide. This is different from stunning statistics of those who live in slums across the country.Though, reliability of the data remained a thing of concern. The Minister of Power Works and Housing, BabatundeFasholaat his maiden media parley shared his plan to partner state governments in order to nip the situation.

    “For your information, we are piloting a housing programme and currently constructing in 33 states of Nigeria. We do this to validate and test what type of housing design responds to Nigeria’s diverse cultural, climatic and religious needs, so as to ascertain what is acceptable and affordable.

    “We are at different stages of construction in different states, and we have commended these designs to FHA, without imposing them. Our decision is informed by the evidence of previous housing initiatives that people did not take up and empty houses that still abound in almost every state of Nigeria.

    “These untaken houses, and the deficit of Housing, suggests to us that the untaken houses are either unacceptable or unaffordable or both. We see housing as a product, and we take the view that before they can be delivered to market, we must know what the people want and what they can afford.” Fasola said recently at the inauguration of new FHA and FMBN board in Abuja.

    Beyond, affordability, the cost of raw materials, land title, mortgage financing have been other huge factors threatening the mass housing drive. However, to address the problem, the federal government came up with a special mode, though the pilot project built to reflect socio-cultural differences of the people.

    “When our pilot is fully completed, these answers will become self-evident and this is when we can mass produce. There is certainly nothing that stops FHA from undertaking other designs of housing if she can find a market for it, and she can deploy the income to cross-subsidize and make mass housing more affordable.

    “As for the financing side, this is critical to affordability and it is as much the function of FHA in cost management and delivery as it is that of FMBN in delivering mortgages of affordable tenures and costs. Since May 2015 to date FMBN has issued 2,724 mortgages worth N20.237BN to assist Nigerians buy their own homes; under the National Housing Fund.” The Minister added.

    Host communities in some of the states are gradually taking ownership of the project, except for those insisting on compensations. Al-makura acknowledged that prior to the project, there were no housing programme in the state except for the recent partnership with the federal government and need to work on next phase of the programme.

    About 78 units of 3 bedroom and 2 bedroom flats along Shendam Road, Lafia was part of the affordable housing projects piloted by the ministry in 2016which has gotten to 90 per cent completion.Nearby block industry owned by Mr. Adamu supplied 90 per cent of the bricks used for the construction project.

  • ‘There’s more to crime-fighting than jail’

    At an event where the Federal Government gave various jobs tools to ex-inmates, the Controller General (CG), Nigeria Prisons Service (NPS) Ja’afaru Ahmed has said that the idea of jail term alone for every convict has become outdated.

    Ahmed said this in Abuja at the distribution of aftercare materials to 45 ex-offenders and the official takeover of the renovated Henry Akingba Medical centre at the NPS headquarters.

    He said the presentation of aftercare materials is part of NPS core mandate which is the reformation, rehabilitation and subsequent reintegration of prisoners back to the society.

    He said, “The world over, the idea of imprisonment for punishment alone has become primitive and outdated. It is our sincere conviction that incarceration is not the end of life for anybody, as every jail term if desired, can be used to transform the life of an individual and return him/her back to the society as a better productive and responsible citizen.

    “The effect of a successful reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration regime for Prisoners can certainly not be over emphasized. As you all know, this is one of the most potent means of crime prevention and control and also a means of breaking the vicious cycle of recidivism and prison congestion.

    “Trade tools distributed today cover barbing, carpentry, welding, hair dressing, tailoring and masonry among the so many other vocations Prisoners are exposed to, in our various Prisons. I believe the skills acquired by these ex-prisoners and the tools will offer them a more quantitative life through gainful employment and give them an opportunity to be employers of labour as we witness with some of their predecessors.    “As for the renovated medical center, I wish at this point to express my sincere appreciate to AIICO Multishield HMO for partnering with us in our resolve to give officers and men in the NPS quality, accessible and affordable health care.”

    The upgrade of the medical facilities, the NPS boss said could not have come at no better time than now: “that the government has improved our budgetary provision to enable us purchase a cache of drugs for both inmates and members of staff like never before, in the history of the service.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Bello Dambazau (rtd) for their commitment and generous support in providing the service with the necessary platform for better and efficient service delivery.

    He urged all the beneficiaries of the Aftercare programme to justify government’s heavy investment in providing these tools by working hard and being worthy ambassadors of the Nigerian Prisons Service.

     

  • FCTA, Aviation ministry partner on airport, railway passenger convenience

    The FCT administration has concluded arrangements to ensure that air and railway passengers enjoy facilities at the terminals.

    The FCT Minister Malam Muhammad Bello and his counterpart, the Minister of State, Aviation, Engr. Hadi Sirika made this disclosure while addressing the media after a joint inspection of the facilities today, Thursday, 08 March 2018. The FCT Minister used the occasion to conduct his aviation counterpart round the facilities.

    On his part, the Minister of State Aviation said, his Minister will work to ensure a temporary access for passengers arriving the airport or departing to the city upon arrival. This he said has become necessary in view of the need to meet up with the target required for the commencement of rail operation in a few weeks times. This, according to him, will resolve likely human and vehicular traffics in the airport.

    According to him, the temporary access will give time for officials of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and the FCT Administration to work together to harmonise issues affecting the formal concourse that is designed to link up the airport and railway terminals.

    Engr. Hadi Sirika commended the FCT Administration for its dedication to completion of the facility saying the railway would greatly enhance the outlook of the city and give a modern transport facility to its residents. He underscored the immense benefits that the light rails will provide to both the airport passengers and residents.

    Also speaking at the occasion, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello expressed delight with the seriousness with which the Aviation Ministry is taking up the aspect of providing a concourse between the railway and the airport.  He added that the entire project has been in fulfillment of the commitment of the FCT Administration to completing critical ongoing infrastructure projects.

  • A DG’s parting shot

    The handover was brief but meaningful. After eight years as Director-General of Centre for Management Development (CMD), the only one of the eight DGs to complete his eight years tenure, Dr Kabir Kabo Usman handed over to his successor Mr Bitrus Danharbi Chonoko. The event was profound chiefly because of what the departing chief told his successor and the workforce he was leaving behind.

    The CMD, established by the Federal Government in 1973, is a parastatal of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and is charged with the responsibility of driving the vision, plans and programmes of the Federal Government. Its core mandate includes Policy Making, Promotion and Coordination of Managerial Manpower Development, Accreditation and Registration of Management Trainers and Training Institutions, Management Advisory and Consultancy Services Reference Library for Management Development, Sponsoring, Promoting and Conducting Research into various facets of Management Development, Publishing Journals, Research Papers and Books on Modern Management.

    Dr. Usman who had spent 22 years working in the United Kingdom before being appointed by the Obasanjo administration, and Mr Bitrus Danharbi Chonoko, the erstwhile Director of Administration and Human Resources of the CMD, exchanged batons following a letter from the Presidency dated January 22 signed by Mr Emmanuel Akissa, a legal adviser to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, which acknowledged the notice of Dr Usman’s disengagement and directed him to hand over to the most senior officer in the centre in compliance with circular Ref. No. SGF.50/S.II/C.2/268 dated 4th December, 2017, issued and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,  Mr Boss Mustapha.

    Bitrus Chinoko who was born in 1964 at Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, had his primary school education in Ibadan, Enugu and Zaria from 1970 to 1976, studied at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he graduated in 1986 with B.Sc in International Studies and Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto from 1995 to 1997 and passed out with an M.Sc Political Science.

    During the brief handover ceremony, Usman’s motivational speech included counsel to CMD staff and other civil servants on the need to stay away from tribalism and religious sentiments, stressing that such attitude will only mars development efforts of the country and reduce productivity in the system.

    “I tried my best on all the issues of conversion, staff welfare; you must be united and disciplined, work as a team and please take off religious sentiments and tribalism,” Kabo said, while appealing to CMD’s union leaders to embrace dialogue instead of industrial action.

    Reeling out his achievements, he said it took him only eight months to secure a permanent headquarters for the agency at the sum of N250 million but the property is currently valued at N1.3 billion.

    In his remarks, the new Acting DG, Bitrus Chinoko pledged to sustain an atmosphere whereby every employee can feel a sense of belonging in order contribute meaningfully to goals and objectives of the centre .

    “We have travelled to some of these countries and we have seen the way they run their management institutions. So we want to run an institution that will attract world attention; we can do that through collaborations, revenue generated internally and budget funding,” he added.

    Earlier, while speaking with reporters, Dr. Usman expressed appreciation to government, CMD staff and other government agencies for facilitating his successes.

    “We looked at accreditation so that all management consultants operating in the country must be accredited and if you are not accredited by CMD, then you are operating illegally, so we trained and certified about one thousand from 2010 to date and of the Management Development Institutions and consultants that are operating across the country, we trained and certified over two hundred of them so that they can be  doing the correct things and there are certain benchmark that is comparable to international standard.

    “We work together with the International Standard of Americas and the ones in Europe to make sure that we are delivering training in that level.”

  • Abuja’s first mental rehab centre opens

    Abuja’s first mental rehab centre opens

    The first rehabilitation centre for mental health patients has been inaugurated in Abuja.

    The rehab centre, Olive Prime, is a well-equipped, tastefully-furnished first mental health and drug rehabilitation 24-hour out-patient facility in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The design of the Centre was done by patients and clinicians.

    Wife of former Vice President, Hajiya Amina Namadi Sambo, and a former Senator Grace Bent were among the early dignitaries who inspected the facility.

    They both said the Centre which is the first of its kind in area of mental health and drug rehabilitation centre in the country would help in restoring the wellbeing of drug addicts and persons suffering from mental disorders.

    Mrs Sambo said drug abuse and mental ailments had been rampant in the country, especially in North. She added that her home state, Kano, is most notorious for drug and substance abuse in the region, and that many females are involved in the act.

    “As we are all aware, drug abuse or substance abuse is an issue now that is disturbing not only part of the North but the whole country, but it is saddening to say that the cases are more rampant in northern part of Nigeria, especially in Kano state; the state where I come from. We feel, as concerned citizens, we should all come together and see how we can arrest the situation. The most saddening part about it is the way the women are taking the drug, especially our young ones. I hope with such facility, they could come here and get desired attention they need,” she said.

    She said more of such facility should be built across the nation to assist persons with addiction to drugs and those who suffer from other mental health conditions. Mrs Sambo also called on the public and government to join hands together and stop the menace of drug and substance abuse in the country.

    A former Senator from Adamawa State, Grace Bent said public health facilities have failed Nigerians.

    “I don’t want to say that I’ve lost hope in the government health care system because this is very instructive for us today that the private sector is taking the bull by the horn because the government health care system has failed this country,” the former lawmaker said. She added: “Whether anybody likes it or not, when it comes to mental health care, it is appalling when you go to the (public) institutions. The private sector has taken it over. Nigerians must understand that it is not when you see people going naked that you say they have mental cases.  It will surprise you to know that 70 percent of Nigerians have mental cases, stress related problem, anxiety disorder, and depression. It is overwhelming. “Everybody is so afraid when you say ‘I am going to see a psychiatrist doctor.’ So many people are kitted, are well dressed. You will be shocked at their state of health. Their mental state of health is a disaster. So, Nigerians must wake up. You see a lot of people slump and die of stress-related diseases. You take them for all sort of tests, you cannot find anything… “I don’t have hope in Nigeria mental health care system. It is a disaster. It is only the private sector that is helping us. You have the consultants there. You have doctors that are sound…Our health care system is a disaster. Maternal health care system, mental health care system, everything is comatose. Nigerian government must wake up.” She expressed delight with the facility and said people in the country read meanings to visiting psychiatrists. Speaking on the centre, the former lawmaker said: “It is mind-boggling. It is out-of-the-box innovation on mental health care in Nigeria. It is a total departure from the usual one-angle perception on how you treat patients that have issue with addiction, mental health problem and so on. This is what you will liken to, in the world of beauty therapy, maybe like a spar, because it is going beyond what you call medical treatment for mental health cases. After the medical, what comes next? How does the patient continue to live a normal life? This is where you come to. And, it gives you a sense of wholesomeness. You are not seen as addicted to what you call medication. “In mental health care, you talk about, for example, depression. Depressed patients use anti-depressant. Here, you don’t have to. This place gives you a more natural way of coming through, pulling the addiction, pulling through anxiety disorder, pulling through depression. “It is not every patient that wants medication. With the machine I have seen here, it is a world-class setting, state-of-the-art equipment. Patient can come from all over the country, seek refuge, come here, get a whole feeling of wellness. Believe you me, this is the first of its kind in Nigeria.”

    Adedoyin Badejo, a Clinical Psychologist with the Centre stressed that the Centre is set to improve the physical, spiritual and emotional health of individuals and families affected by addiction and mental illness and to provide a bespoke service tailored to specific needs of every client utilising a unique evidence based, patient-centred approach, through outpatient care, education and counseling.

    ”We intend to provide support for our service ushers where we engage them in various psychological therapies and other complimentary activities which in the long term equips them with a more realistic and flexible form of recovery,” she said.

  • Hurdles before anti-graft battle 

    One of the topmost goals the President Muhamm-adu Buhari’s administration has set for itself since May 2015 is to kill corruption in the country before it brings the country to its knees.

    Corruption has been defined in many ways to include giving bribe to an official in order to prevent a disclosure of truth, and embezzlement of public fund for personal use.

    It involves fraudulent conduct by those in power, including illegitimate use of power for selfish or personal interest.

    Corruption is also seen as any act which is considered to be criminal in line with the laws of a particular society.

    There is no doubt that corruption is one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges, which has been found in very high level at the various sectors of the society over the years.

    Many international organis-ations including the Transparency International have sever-ally ranked Nigeria high in corruption.

    In 1999, after the military era, Nigeria was ranked the second-most corrupt nation in the world as it came 98th out of a total of 99 countries covered by Transpa-rency International report.

    For the year 2000, Nigeria was declared the most corrupt nation after Transparency International carried out a survey on the corruption levels of 90 countries. In the survey Nigeria occupied the 90th position in terms of transparency.

    The following year, Nigeria was ranked the second-most corrupt nation in the world as it came 90th out of 91 countries. That year, Bangladesh was the most corrupt country.

    In the year 2002, Nigeria was again ranked the second-most corrupt country in the world, after a survey  carried out among102 countries. Nigeria ended up occupying the 101st position in terms of Confidence Interval (CI).

    Nigeria, in the year 2003 retained the same ranking as the second-most corrupt country in the world.

    In a survey of 146 countries in the year 2004, Nigeria was ranked better than the previous four years as it became the third most corrupt country in the world better than Bangladesh and Haiti.

    Out of 158 countries surveyed by Transparency International in the year 2005, Nigeria was ranked as the eighth most corrupt nation.

    Out of 163 countries surveyed in the year 2006, Nigeria was ranked as the 21st most corrupt country in the world.

    In 2007, Nigeria was ranked 33rd most corrupt country in the world as it came 147th out of the 180 countries surveyed.

    While it was on the 121st position out of 180 countries in the year 2008, Nigeria dropped to 130th position out of 180 countries studied in the year 2009.

    In the year 2012, Nigeria became the 37th most corrupt nation in the world as it was 143rd position out of 183 countries.

    In 2012, Nigeria was 35th most corrupt nation in the world as it was 139th out of the 176 countries surveyed.

    In 2013, Nigeria was ranked 33rd most corrupt country as it was 144th out of 177 surveyed countries in terms of transparency.

    For the year 2014, Nigeria was ranked 38th most corrupt country in the world coming 136th out 174 surveyed countries.

    In the year 2015, Nigeria was ranked 32nd most corrupt country in the world, retaining the 136th position out of 170 countries surveyed.

    It became 40th most corrupt nation in 2016 as it again retained the136th position out of the 176 countries surveyed.

    The latest Corruption Perception Index released by Transparency International for the year 2017 showed that Nigeria got backward by 12 steps in the fight against graft as it moved from 136th position the previous year to 148th  out of 175 countries surveyed.

    While the Presidency had earlier described the latest report as “fiction”, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo last Tuesday at the Dialogue of Organs of Government on Reform of Justice Sector and Campaign Against corruption, jointly organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and Federal Ministry of Justice at the State House  Abuja,. had said that the report should not be seen as setback for Nigeria.

    At the same venue, the need to fight corruption to a standstill without lip service was again brought to the front burner last week.

    The opinion there was that only those who are not corrupt can truly fight corruption in the country.

    It also demands fighting corruption without any emotion or human face or partiality or selectivity.

    To really do better than other past administrations’ fight against corruption, the fight has been advised to be fought beyond mere lip service.

    The Chairman of PACAC, Prof. Itse Sagay, last Tuesday said “Fighting corruption cannot be lip service. You cannot be corrupt and be talking against corruption, it ridicules the whole exercise and the spirit of that struggle.

    “And so we should purge ourselves of corruption so that we can stand on firm ground to speak. Some might have been corrupt in the past but if you purge yourselves then you are welcome.

    “It ridicules the whole process when we see people waxing lyrical on anti-corruption whereas behind them, they have huge load of assets and other things which they corruptly acquired.

    “So, collaboration and cooperation is essential because we need each other in order to succeed. But I think I will rather work alone than work with a corrupt person who is not sincere and is just making a fool of the whole country whilst preaching like a pastor about corruption,” he stated

    There is no doubt that when corruption is squarely tacked in Nigeria, more resources will be freed for infrastructural development and to meet other common needs of the people

    It is also hoped that Nigeria’s backward trend in the Transparency International reports will be reversed at the end of 2018.

  • UK varsities offer scholarships to Nigerian students

    UK varsities offer scholarships to Nigerian students

    Sixteen universities in the United Kingdom under the umbrella of the Northern Consortium of United Kingdom Universities (NCUK) have visited Abuja, expressing their willingness to continue facilitating Nigerian students’ quest for qualitative education in the UK and beyond.

    They offered various types of scholarships and cut their fees by half in a bid to fulfill the continuation of their over five-year partnership with Brookstone Schools which had culminated in the Brookstone International Foundation Centres in both Port Harcourt and Abuja.

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Education, Hon. Zakari Mohammed attended the event where the UK visitors met their hosts. Also present were students from various schools including Olamawu Schools and officials of the Quality Assurance Department in the Ministry of Education.

    Representatives of the NCUK member Institutions which included Universities of Aston, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Huddersfield, Kent, Kingston, Leeds and Manchester, Salford and Sheffield were equally present.

    Mohammed while speaking noted that the collaboration by the NCUK and Brookstone has given unprecedented opportunities to Nigerian students to study in various schools in the United Kingdom and beyond.

    According to him, the information that NCUK collaborates with some universities in Ireland, Australia and North America and give exclusive scholarships for Abuja students is good news for parents wanting qualitative education for their children.

    He however said the fact that Brookstone has won the global awards as the best International Foundation Year Centre twice in a row shows that contrary to the belief that the quality of education is on the decline in Nigeria, educational pacesetters abound in the country if given the right incentives and facilities.

    Mohammed described the awards by Brookstone as a pride to Nigeria, adding that it has put the country on the world educational spotlight.

    Speaking on the advantage of studying in the NCUK Brookstone Centre, the Market Development Manager, Mr. Andrew Straughan said the International Foundation Year will offer students easy access and admission to any of the NCUK universities in the UK and other countries.

    He said NCUK is a unique consortium of universities “In Nigeria we have helped over 30,000 international students gain access to university education in Uk. Of those over 9,000 are from Nigeria. The unique opportunity with Brookstone is that you can stay in Nigeria for one year before going to the UK to complete your university studies.

    Ninety-nine percent of NCUK Students get their visas, he said, adding that over 4,000 degrees are available in the NCUK

    “Brookestone will provide students with the highest quality of teaching and experience which will help ensure that students feel prepared to succeed once they start on their degree programme.

    The Chairman of the Board of Governors, Brookstone School , Mr. Kalada Apiafi noted that  at the 2017 annual partners awards ceremony ( which was Also the 30th anniversary celebration of NCUK on the 22nd of November, 2017 in Manchester, United Kingdom, “Brookstone School won the Best Academic Global Award for the second consecutive year.

    “Brookstone also won the ‘NCUK University Admissions Award’ and was runner up ‘ Excellence in Student Counselling’

    “Brookstone won all these awards out of 56 NCUK Centres spread across the world. In 2016 NCUK had 35 Centres and by 2017 the Centres increased to 56 with more Centres being opened around the world.

    In 2016, Brookstone International Foundation School had won “Best Academic Global Award” out of 35 NCUK Centres across the world beating countries like China, Malaysia, Canada, Thailand, Japan, United Kingdom and Ireland.

    “The NCUK prize award is an attestation to the high academic standard at Brookstone International Foundation School,” Apiafi said.

  • Buhari, NHIS and anti-graft battle

    Happenings at the seat of power in the last few weeks, to many Nigerians, are fast pointing to the beginning of cracks in the Presidency.

    Many Nigerians have continued to wonder if the ‘father’ – ‘son’ relationship between President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is still intact.

    Severally in the past, the two leaders have maintained that the relationship between them is more than just ‘cordial’ but ‘father – son’ relationship.

    The good relationship was clearly exhibited when the President was on medical vacation for over 100 days in the United Kingdom last year.

    During the period, Osinbajo’s loyalty was total, which had never been seen between the past number one and number two citizens of the country.

    But one of the recent issues that is giving the impression that a division is fast taking place in the Villa, is last Tuesday’s reinstatement of the suspended Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Prof. Usman Yusuf.

    Osinbajo, who was the Acting President when the President was in London last year, had approved through the Minister of Heath, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the suspension of Yusuf on 6th of July, 2017 over allegations of fraud.

    Yusuf, whose suspension was based on allegations of abuse of office, nepotism and insubordination, was accused of buying a brand new Toyota Sports Utility Vehicle with number plate, NHIS 12Y-01 FG, for N58m.

    The amount for the vehicle was said to be above his spending limit of N2.5m and without the express permission of the Health Minister.

    In total, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was alleged to be investigating Yusuf for over N900 million fraud.

    Apart from being accused of awarding contracts to his cronies without following due process, Yusuf was also said to have favoured northern Muslims while many Christian southerners were often treated denied.

    In order to get to the bottom of the matter in line with the administration’s anti-graft battle, the EFCC and ICPC stepped in and began investigation on the matter.

    But before they could finish their investigations and make their findings public, a letter from the office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, reinstated Yusuf last Tuesday.

    Many Nigerians, who noted that the government, as at last weekend, was yet to disown the Kyari’s letter or disown the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malami Abubakar, over recall to service of former Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms, Abdulraheed Maina, have continued to criticised the latest action by Kyari.

    Apart from claiming that the government is paying lip service to the fight against corruption, they believe that some northerners in the good books of the President are becoming untouchable irrespective of fraudulent allegations leveled against them.

    In a statement last Wednesday, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) signed by its Secretary-General, Alade Lawal, said “This is one intervention too many and as such Mr. President should allow Yusuf to retire from service to have time to run his personal business. How can a government official being investigated for a whopping sum of N919m fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission be reinstated by the government that came to power promising to sanitise the system?

    “This is very unfortunate. We, therefore, urge President Buhari to rescind his action and allow Prof. Yusuf to leave the system in peace.

    “Thus, if Prof. Yusuf resumes as the Executive Secretary of NHIS, it will amount to passing a vote of no confidence on the Minister.

    “What type of a government are we claiming to be running that anyone who is close to the President will become lawless, will not obey public service rules, nor report to the supervisory Minister and running a government agency as his personal estate because he is close to the powers-that-be?

    “This is the type of action that continues to give the likes of the United States President, Donald Trump, the effrontery to be deriding Africa and its leaders.

    ”The Investigative Panel set up by the Minister of Health to look into the alleged atrocities of Prof. Yusuf, including engagement of a consultancy firm in which he had vested interest to be ripping off the NHIS is a serious public demeanour that should not be condoned.

    ”It is also on record that Prof. Yusuf had recruited persons from his primordial constituency who are on Grade Level 10 in the State Public Service and imposed them on the staff of the NHIS by placing them on Grade Level 15 and above.

    ”As of the time of going to the press, the workers in the NHIS have become restive thereby setting the tone for a series of trade union actions that will be deployed if Yusuf is eventually reinstated.” he added

    Based on the reinstatement, Constitutional and Human Rights lawyer Mike Ozekhome (SAN) said “This is one more exemplication of the truism that this government fights corruption within the government with sweet – smelling Sasarobia perfume while it fights corruption against opponents and critics of government with a powerful insecticide.

    “That is why the government will order the arrest of Kassim Afegbua for merely advising the President not to seek re-election.

    “That is why a whole Minister will remove a person after a panel of enquiry has found the person culpable and the President will reinstate that person.

    “It shows again and again the issue of corruption being fought is a ruse to hoodwink the unwary and ignorant members of the society. No corruption is being fought at all.” he stated

    The seemingly tribalistic trend, according these Nigerians, is fast encouraging impunity and in-subordinations in the system.

    Workers union at the NHIS has also protested last week against the reinstatement of Yusuf.

    Also some Nigerians have started to warn the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, (a Southerner), whose Ministry has supervisory role over the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) headed by Hameed Ali (a Northerner), not to expect different treatment from what Adewole experienced in his ministry and NHIS.

    It is really hoped that all Nigerians will be able to see clearly the current fight against corruption to be non-selective, non-bias, and without any ethnic or religious consideration.

    Nobody, irrespective of his or her position or state of origin, or closeness to the power-that-be should be above the law.

    The same set of law in the same circumstances or situations should be applied to all Nigerian, irrespective of ethnic or religious factors.

    Also upturning the decision of the Acting President, when he was in the saddle, without conclusion of investigations to give Yusuf a clean bill, is definitely sending a wrong signal to Nigerians, if the Presidency is still one united family.

    Only a united Presidency can stand together and withstand the storm coming in 2019.