The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Report

  • Where are the bats and monkeys?

    Bats and monkeys used to be seen at the Presidential Villa in large numbers. But it appears these common animals at the seat of power seem to have relocated from the Presidential Villa.

    The two species of animals were listed among those that could carry and spread the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Before the disease was brought into Nigeria by the late Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer in July, many monkeys freely move around the Presidential Villa from the thick forest around the seat of power.

    It was a common sight during the day and night to see some of the monkeys in groups sitting on or playing around staff vehicles parked in the State House.

    Many bats, before the outbreak of the disease in Nigeria, could also be seen hanging on almost every tree in the Villa.

    This is no longer the case. It has become almost impossible to sight a monkey in the Villa in the past few days. The number of bats on trees in the Villa has also reduced drastically.

    Before the Ebola outbreak, it would be a miracle for any car parked under a tree in the Villa to go unstained as such cars are always stained with bat or monkey faeces within 30 minutes after parking.

    But now, very little faeces can be found on few cars parked under the trees.

    Some cars parked for over eight hours under such trees don’t even have any bat or monkey faeces on them as stains in the last few days.

    In the wake of the disease in Nigeria, members of staff of State House were warned on how to avoid contracting the disease through the animals.

    Apart from the campaigns against the disease at different forums in the society, the Chief Physician to the President, Dr. Fortune Fiberesima issued internal circular outlining simple procedures on how to keep away the disease from the Villa.

    The circular reads: “In view of the recent outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease and certain animals (bats and monkeys) have been linked with the virus, the following precautionary measures are deemed necessary: “Avoid physical contact with bats and monkeys, whether dead or alive.

    “Do not pick dead bats and monkeys. Please, immediately notify the Public Health Unit of the State House Medical Centre (SHMC) for proper disposal.

    “Avoid using hands to clear animal droppings (animal faeces) on parked cars. “Hand gloves are available at the SHMC on request. Water-hose vehicles

    parked under trees (with or without animal droppings on them) properly

    before washing.

    “Sanitise hands or wash your hands with soap and water as often as possible.

    “The aforementioned measures are purely precautionary, in view of the large number of bats and monkeys in the Villa.”

    What is now not really clear is why have the two species of animals suddenly

    disappeared from the Villa?

    Are they just being sensitive to the Ebola alert raised in the Villa and now know that they have become endangered animals?

    Or are members of staff of the State House becoming so unfriendly to make them leave the environment they have lived in over the years? Or still, have they just migrated to return at a later date? Only time will tell.

  • ‘I’ll serve the country the best way possible’

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed at President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that he has not resigned or considered resigning, contrary to speculations.

    Senator Mohammed spoke during a meeting with some community leaders from the FCT.

    He said: “If President Goodluck Jonathan says I should continue and stay here, of course, I will do so. Any assignment the President gives me, I will carry out according to the will of Almighty Allah.”

    The meeting, Mohammed said, was convened to sensitise the people on the deepening the democratic process in the FCT.

    Speakers at the meeting commended the minister on his good administrative style, describing him as a true democrat.

    Hon. Zephaniah Jisalo representing Abuja North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives said they were grateful for the assistance being extended to the party and the area councils by the minister.

    He advised chairmen of the area council to complement the efforts of the minister in mobilising and sensitising the people.

    Contributing, the member representing Abuja South Federal Constituency, Hon. Isah Ega Dobi, also spoke.

    He said residents of the FCT appreciated Senator Mohammed’s efforts.

    According to him, since the minister’s assumption of office, things have been functioning in the FCT.

    He said: “We want you to continue here with us so that you will continue the laudable service you have been rendering to us all in the FCT.”

    Dobi vowed to continue to explain the various programmes and policies of the Mohammed administration to the people at the grassroots.

    “We will do so because all he has been doing is for the development and well-being of the people,” he said.

    The Commissioner representing the FCT at the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, Danjuma Busa, said the minister had brought new impetus to development in Abuja.

    He described the minister as a leader who cares for the welfare and future well-being of the people indigenous to the FCT, stressing that he has done more than any other minister of the FCT.

    He said the people would wish he continues to actualise his initiatives, such as the land swap programme.

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the FCT, Senator Yunusa Suleiman, also commended the minister for his contributions in advancing the fortunes of the party at all levels.

    He recalled that under the minister, the party has gained control of five out of six area councils in the FCT contrary to the situation in the past when PDP was in control of between three and four area councils in the territory.

    Others present at the meeting included the Minister of State for the FCT, Oloye Olajumoke-Akinjide, members of National Assembly representing the FCT, chairmen of area councils, Ward chairmen, women leaders and other stakeholders of the party from the six area councils that make up the territory.

     

  • Council sets up committee on Ebola 

    The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), has inaugurated a technical committee to tackle the ebola virus disease.

    The Chairman of the council, Hon. Micah Jiba, told reporters that the council had mapped out strategies to curb any possible outbreak, noting that the council had to be proactive considering the central location of the council.

    Jiba, who praised the media for the level of awareness, created about the disease, also enjoined them to sustain the tempo until cure of the Ebola virus is found by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    The council chief also praised both the Federal Government and FCT Administration for what he described as “proactive steps” to address the scourge, even as he called on religious and traditional leaders to assist government in spreading the awareness campaigns which aim at curbing the spread of the virus.

    “I praise the media for the awareness created about the Ebola virus. I have a publication of one of the national dailies on Ebola virus. Through the media, we have known that routine cleaning and disinfection of animal houses with sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or other detergents are effective in inhibiting the virus.

    “Restricting or banning movement of animals from infected farms to other areas can reduce the spread of the disease and segregation of infected animals from others. This type of awareness can go a long way in checking the spread,” Jiba said.

    Jiba revealed that the Supervising Councillor, health and other senior primary health workers are members of the committee, adding that the committee will collaborate with other relevant bodies for positive result.

  • Ajaokuta chairman supports TCN

    The Chairman, Ajaokuta Local Government Area and Kogi State chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Aloysius Okino, has said his administration will support the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to improve electricity supply to the area.

    The chairman spoke at the weekend during the inauguration of the 30MWA,132/33KV “MOBITRA” transformer and the commissioning of the newly constructed 3x33KV feeder-bays built in-house at the Ajaokuta-2, 132/33KV substation.

    According to Okino, his  involvement and financial contribution were borne out of the belief that Ajaokuta was the power base of the nation.

    He noted that the presence of two of the newly constructed Independent power plants (Geregu 1&2) should guarantee efficient electricity to the local government and its environ.

    He praised the management of the TCN for their hard work, commitment to duty and prudent management of resources which he said was responsible for the timely completion of the projects.

    He promised that his council and the people of the area would continue to protect PHCN installations in the area, assuring that adequate security arrangement has been put in place to secure their equipment.

    The Director in-charge of the Abuja TCN, who was represented by Isaac Okpe, praised the chairman for his assistance towards the completion of the project.

    While maintaining that the TCN will ensure uninterrupted power supply to  Nigerians, the director noted that work has reached advanced stage to hook Adogo, headquarters of Ajaokuta LGA to the Ajaokuta substation.

    Balogun A. O, an engineer,  noted that the newly commissioned 3x33KV feeder-bays was designed to feed the Adogo/Eganyi community, the West African Ceramics Company and Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

  • ‘Fed Govt committed to ending Boko Haram insurgency’

    Senate President David Mark has re-assured Nigerians that the Federal Government is committed to fighting Boko Haram and other criminals. He urged Nigerians to co-operate with security agencies in order to overcome security challenges in the country is experiencing.

    Senator Mark spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees (BOT) and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Licenced Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) which is regulated by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    Mark advised security operatives to shun rivalry and tackle in security.

    Represented by Dr. Peter Keshi, Senator Mark said: “It is time for action. This is the appropriate time to fight together insurgence to a standstill. We should not let anything hinder us. Nigeria must remain one united entity and we must remain one indivisible nation.

    “It is important that we act immediately. We must ensure that the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) is constitutionally recognised.

    “Push it at the National Assembly and I will give it an accelerated hearing when the time comes. We must get a law establishing it to avoid crisis in the future.

    “The Federal Government is very committed to keeping Nigeria one; government is committed to fighting insurgence (Boko Haram) and all other forms of crimes. This is the time for inter-agency collaboration and not competition within security agencies”.

    Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, urged the private security operatives to work with other security operatives to end insurgency.

    He said they should be provided with more sophisticated equipment to further assist the government.

    Moro, who was represented by the Director of Paramilitary, assured the association of government’s support.

    Commandant-General of NSCDC, Dr. Ade Abolurin, pointed out that ignorance makes security agencies fight with one another over superiority.

    He further said the private security outfit is expected to be involved in intelligence gathering and keeping government aware of happenings across the country.

    He condemned the incident that occurred in Lagos where some policemen threatened to kill him on duty.

    His words: “Men of this private security outfit are not gatemen neither are they just ordinary security men. Boko Haram is the current security challenge we as a country experience now and Nigeria and Nigerians need you now more than any other time to respond and fight.  You should encourage synergy.

  • Jigawa, 23 years after

    Jigawa, 23 years after

    On August 27, this year, Governor Sule Lamido and the people of Jigawa State rolled out the drums to celebrate its creation 23 years ago by the administration of former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida in 1991. This has been the tradition of the Lamido administration since he assumed office over seven years ago.

    The anniversary began on Friday, August 22 and end on August 27; the date the state was created. Several activities were lined up which culminated in a grand rally at the Aminu Kano Triangle where five people were honoured with awards to recognise their outstanding contributions towards the development of the state.

    But before the grand finale, other activities took place beginning from the first day of the celebration.

    For instance, the anniversary began with special prayers in all the Mosques across the state. The Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was the Guest of Honour.

    On the fourth day, a lecture was organised where lectures on topics, such as the economy, infrastructure, politics and leadership were given by professors from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Bayero University Kano (BUK), Federal University Dutse (FUD) and University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID).

    As part of the anniversary, an over 300-page book written by a principal of one of the private secondary schools in Dutse about the state and Governor Lamido’s leadership style was launched. Former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, was chairman of the launch during ehere over N25 million was realised.

    The last day witnessed special awards to some citizens of the state for their honesty. They found and returned to their respective owners large sums of money ranging from N300, 000 to N7 million.

    A junior staff member at a three star hotel, Yusif Umar who found 100,000 US dollars (N17 million) outside the hotel premises retuned the money lost by one of the guests at the hotel.

    Speakers praised Governor Lamido’s efforts towards transforming Jigawa into a modern state, efforts, they said did not begin when he assumed duty as governor; as he has been in the vanguard of developing the area even before the state was created and has remained firm in the quest for the transformation of the state.

    With an uncommon steadfastness, courage and wisdom, Lamido turned around the fortunes of Jigawa State, together with those of the people. Developmental projects are evenly distributed across the 27 local government areas. Even his critics salute him for the equitable distribution of projects for the development of all the nook and cranny of the state.

    Those who observe the politics of the state are of the view that since his assumption of office, Governor Lamido has been committed to the development of the state.

    From what one may consider a pariah state, Lamido has cautiously brought Jigawa and its rural people to limelight. Lamido believes that physical infrastructure help in enhancing the well-being of the people.

    This explains his administration’s concentration on road construction and rehabilitation across the state, provision of adequate education and health infrastructure, encouraging the rural farmers with incentives and award of scholarships to students.

    As if those are not enough, workers are also highly motivated. Sources say that Lamido wants to justify the consensus of opinion that his long years of experience in politics and personal qualities are helping him significantly to rebuild the state

    In his compassionate spirit and enthusiasm to bring new leas of life to all sort of people in the state, shortly after mounting the saddle of leadership, Governor Lamido introduced social security programme. Under the programme, the state government pays a monthly stipend of N7, 000 to no fewer than 4, 200 physically-challenged persons in the state.

    As at the end of last year, the state government had spent at least N4 billion in taking care of the less-privileged; a gesture that has enhanced their status. Again, economic empowerment has been consciously incorporated into the rehabilitation of beggars.

    Lamido’s administration also declared free education from primary to university levels for any child with disability, established board for the welfare of physically-challenged, appointed one physically-challenged person as Supervisory Councilor in all the 27 local government areas.

    Considering education as bedrock for any social and economic development, Jigawa State government has consistently allocated more than 25 per cent of its annual budget to the education sector in the past seven years. It has enabled the state to offer free girl-child education from primary to university levels, renovating over 1, 040 primary and junior secondary schools comprising 4, 128 classrooms that were in serious stages of dilapidation. Also, additional 7,546 classrooms were constructed.

    Lamido’s administration had renovated all senior secondary schools and constructed additional 180 hostels for student. More classrooms, libraries and laboratories were equipped with modern facilities.

    The government also established the Jigawa State University, College of Nursing and Midwifery, School for the Gifted in Bamaina, renovated and constructed structures at all the state’s tertiary institutions, including Gumel College of Education which was upgraded to a degree-awarding institution.

    More than 1,487 teachers were also employed, while the existing ones were encouraged to further their studies in line with the new education policy of the state.

    In mass literacy, over 180,000 adults were trained in basic education. This intervention engendered rapid increase in school enrolment and the establishment of a federal university.

    Lamido’s administration has constructed over 1,636 kilometres of roads and built an international airport in Dutse with a view to making the state investors’ haven and facilitating the transportation of goods and services from the rural to the urban areas for rapid socio-economic development.

    In agriculture, which is main source of livelihood for over 90 per cent of the state’s population, the government has spent over N2.6 billion in subsidising some farm implements to farmers in the past seven years.

    This includes N400 million loan facilities to farmers under a revolving fund system.

    More than 3,800 farmers benefited from the scheme, 175 tractors were distributed to farmers and agricultural associations as loan.

    Over N3 billion was also spent to procure fertiliser for farmers at subsidised rate. N200million was expended to subsidise tractors to peasant farmers, construction of thousands boreholes for irrigation. Distribution and supply of improved seeds, insecticide, herbicide and other farm imputes at highly subsidised price was also part of government’s efforts improve agriculture.

    The state also embarked on free artificial insemination of high breed cattle to improve meat and milk production, even as it constructed 200 wind mills, planted 200 hectares of high quality pasture grass at 50 grazing reserves. These aim at curbing the migration of herdsmen from the state and to proffer lasting solution to the perennial herdsmen/ farmers conflicts.

    The health sector also benefited from Lamido’s administration as the state established Gunduma primary healthcare system under which over 135 hospitals were built. The number of professional health worker increased from 2,000 in 2007 to 7,000 last year, Rashid Shakoni Hospital Dutse was also establishment as all state general hospitals and clinics were renovated and equipped where free maternal and child treatment were rendered to the people. Accident victims, pregnant women and children below the age of five also enjoy free medical treatment.

    A lot was also achieved in youth and women empowerment where over 10,000 people were trained on various trades to make them self-reliant.

    To curb the menace of environmental degradation, especially desert encroachment, over 15 million different varieties of plant seedlings were planted.

    Lamido’s administration has also sunk hand pumps and motorised boreholes to provide potable water for the people, even as the proposed Dutse Water Scheme is being pursued. As a result, 75 per cent of the population has access to clean drinking water.

    Through the Ministry of Rural Infrastructure and Community Development, the state government has mobilised the people to participate in various selfless community services, while hundred of villages have been connected to National Grid. Feeder roads are also being provided.

    In housing,  Lamido’s administration has constructed over 1,000 housing units in the state capital, the Malam Aminu Kano Triangle Square, State High Court Complex, Second Phase Of State Secretariat Complex, Chief Judge, Grand Khadi, Deputy Governor, Speaker and Deputy Speaker’s residents, Dutse modern market, the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp and many projects that have enhanced Dutse’s status from that of a glorified village to a befitting capital city.

    To facilitate free flow of information, the state installed modern transmitters in the state radio station, even as it sent members of staff for training within and outside the country.

    In his speech at the ceremony, Governor Lamido blamed lack of unity and development in the state on the people. He said: “It is not justifiable to blame one or few individuals for the blunders committed during Ibrahim Saminu Turaki’s administration.

    “Saminu Turaki, as a young man, assumed office as governor with exuberance and zeal to work, but you the people lured him with all sorts of blackmail when nepotism was the order of governance and he served you in accordance with your expectations from him.”

    Governor Lamido further stated that “the journey of building the state was fraught with difficulties but with our collective resolve and perseverance, we were able to overcome most of the difficulties”.

  • Bacita: Kwara’s forgotten industrial town

    Bacita: Kwara’s forgotten industrial town

    The mention of Bacita immediately evokes memories of the now comatose Nigeria Sugar Company. The image of the defunct firm still lies in the town which used to be a commercial hub in Kwara State.

    But today, the town is a shadow of itself, with the once-known industrial town lacking in development.

    The absence of good roads may have contributed to the deplorable nature of the town. The collapse of the sugar company and Nigeria Yeast and Alcohol Manufacturing Company has made life in the town unattractive.

    Located in Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, Bacita used to be the envy of Nigeria because of the presence of the Nigerian Sugar Company and others.

    But the situation has changed drastically as the town can no longer boast of any development. For example, because of the status of the Nigeria Sugar Company, the staff school, which residents said, used to be the joy of students and parents has become an eyesore.

    The buildings and classrooms are in a deplorable condition. As evidence of the decay of the school, the signpost no longer bears the name of the school as years of neglect seem to have taken toll on it. The name has been erased and replaced with an inscription which reads: “No King as God”, written in a handwriting that depicts that of an idle child trying to master the craft of handwriting.

    A few meters from the gate stood a huge book-like sculpture with the inscription, “Education is the bedrock of any development, allow your children to be educated”, an indication of why the school was set up.

    Our correspondent gathered that apart from the overgrown grasses, there was nothing to suggest that this was a place that was once a centre of academic excellence. The classrooms had been converted to some kind of store by farmers and other people who see some industrious use of the classrooms.

    They dry their shear butter seeds, cassava and other farm produce. Result sheets, text books and receipt booklets were seen scattered in what used to be the headmaster’s office and other offices.

    Ironically, the condition of the school can be likened to the state of the community whose growth has stunted over the years. Many people have, however, relocated from the community and many more are said to be on their way out due to lack of development.

    They have, however, cried out; alleging that the government, both at the federal and state levels, has abandoned them. Some of the residents of the community expressed sadness that government has decided not to remember them.

    Our correspondent also discovered that out of the two roads leading to the community, visitors prefer to use the Old Jebba Road known to many as the Tsaragi/Share Road because of the deplorable condition of the major road, the Mokwa/Jebba Road.

    It was further gathered that visitors to Bacita have abandoned the 18-kilometre road because, instead of spending about 20 minutes to get to the community, travellers spend almost one hour because of its bad nature. The alternative route which is the Share/Tsaragi Road, which most people prefer is peculiar with the plain landscape.

    The road is tarred, which explains the preference. Some of the villages on the road are Patidzuru, Kpankorogi, Manfu, Emigbadzi, Mamu and Emiworogi. Heaps of firewood, which might never be sold are displayed in most of the villages. With about one kilometre separating the villages, our correspondent observed that villages, which appear to be smaller than Bacita enjoy good road network and constant power supply, even though they lack schools, markets, banks and hospitals. In view of that, they have to travel always to Bacita to access these facilities.

    Ironically, the good road enjoyed by smaller villages on the way to Bacita are not present in Bacita as the roads in Bacita still maintain that natural state, with erosion eating into parts of them.

    Motorcycles appear to be the major means of transport in the community where roadblocks and bumps are made with firewood. Unfortunately, the usual bustling that characterised the once-popular industrial town in the Old Kwara State is gone. Walking round the town, it was discovered that most people just move around with little activities going on. Tattered attires of farmers returning from farm also speak about life in the community, with only a few of them with the opportunity to own old bicycles and motorcycles that are better placed off the road. Residents are not happy about the seeming pathetic situation in Bacita. Even with the state of lack of development, worship places adorn the town with only one functioning hospital, few private schools and thick green grasses.

    A view from afar gives you hope because of the company structure which stands out, but on approaching, the hope is dashed as the structure stands among bushes. The community has one government secondary school and one mini-fuel station called Green Space Nigeria Limited.

    Investigation revealed that the major source of water in the community is well water while their major occupations remain farming and petty trades because of the collapse of the companies.

    Dominated by the Nupe, the women have mastered the art of using the abundant groundnuts in the community for commercial purpose. With the groundnut, they make and sell ‘kuli-kuli,’ a local snack and also extract oil which they sell to those who like organic food.

    Residents told our correspondent that “Bacita used to be tourism and excursion centre for students and visitors who came to the state. It really assisted the economy of the country then because of the Sugar firm and NIYAMCO  that were functioning. But now, the moribund nature of the companies has led to the collapse of most activities in the community.”

    Some of them regretted that the “government has forgotten us completely but we will not be surprised if we start hearing that they will come to pay us a visit soon just the way they usually do when general elections approach.

    As election period draws near, they will find their way into the town with blaring siren and party flags for campaign. They act very honest and promise heaven on earth but after the election, they completely turn their backs on us. That is why the community remains the same or worse than what it used to be.”

    A resident, who lives in an estate popularly called Housing Estate,  said: “If the politicians don’t remember us by putting something significant such as good road, potable water and probably help restore what is dying in this village, I doubt if this town will exist for long.’.

     

  • NEMA seeks support in disaster management

    To prevent a recurrence of the flood disaster that ravaged several states in the country in 2012 and other disasters, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged state governments to have functional emergency management agencies.

    Specifically, NEMA appealed to state government to establish a formidable state emergency management agency (KWASEMA) and local government emergency committee (LEMC) in all local government areas.

    The Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Mohammed S. Sidi, spoke in Ilorin, the state capital at the workshop on “Emergency evacuation and mass sheltering for communities prone to flood disasters,” organised by the agency.

    Sidi solicited adequate support and equipment for the agency to enhance disaster management in collaboration with stakeholders.

    He said: “This will further showcase the laudable efforts so far put in place by the federal and Kwara State governments in disaster management activities.”

    The director-general, who was represented by Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Minna Operation Office, Mr. Slaku Bijimi, emphasised community participation, saying disaster prevention and management is everyone’s business.

    Noting that the 1,000 staff strength of the agency is grossly inadequate, he stressed the need for people to help the government and its agencies to help them.

    The NEMA boss, who said enforcement, had always been a major challenge in cases of erection of illegal structures at river banks and dumping of refuse on water ways, called for attitudinal change, adding that people should be mindful of the health hazards their unwholesome behaviours may cause.

    He said early warning system would help to reduce casualties, help victims to be evacuated to safer places and move their movable items.

    He said: “Action taken before flood arrives reduces loss of life and amount of damage suffered. Pre-warning and evacuation planning should, therefore, be part of overall emergency plans.”

    Also, the Special Adviser to Kwara State Governor on Emergency and Relief Services, Alhaji Ayodeji Abdulazeez, regretted that about 90 per cent of structures erected on water ways in parts of the state had no approval of the town planning authority, saying the owners did the construction at weekends when town planning officers won’t be on duty.

    He, however, said action would be carried out on unapproved structures built on water ways and those erected on river banks that had already been marked for demolition or removal, adding that government would compensate owners with approved plans.

    Abdulazeez said the state government had also embarked on pro-active me0asures in form of dissemination of information on both print and electronic media on early warning and disaster management against flood.

    He further said the agency had also met with stakeholders in flood-prone areas in Patigi and Edu Local Government Areas, even as he said it had provided relief materials for victims of flood disasters.

     

  • Journalists undergo training on election coverage

    Journalists undergo training on election coverage

    The Nigeria Press Council (NPC), in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and international donor partners, has organised training for journalists in the Northeastern  on the coverage of the 2015 general elections.

    The journalists and others from the academia and government agencies from the six states in the geo-political zone converged on Bauchi to share ideas about electoral reporting. The theme of the seminar was “Ethical conduct and effective coverage of the 2015 general elections by the Media”.

    The training, which was put together by the Nigeria Press Council (NPC), was supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), UKaid, Korea International Co-operation Agency (KOICA).

    In attendance were 66 participants drawn from  Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe as well as federal and state government officials and the academia.

    Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, urged the media to ensure adequate coverage of election activities beginning with the politicians to the commission.

    He regretted that INEC is one organisation, that has been misunderstood by Nigerians, adding that the commission deserves more commendation than the accusations it receives from Nigerians.

    He said: “If there is any industry today in Nigeria that is highly misunderstood, it is INEC and we need to go beyond misunderstanding to the level of appreciation. People talk about Ekiti and Osun elections as if we had never conducted elections as good as those ones.” Represented by the Director of Voter Education, Alhaji Mohammed Garba, the INEC chairman said the commission did not do anything new in Ekiti or Osun states, stressing that the presence of security operatives only made the people to obey the law and respect the system.

    Jega confirmed: “These two elections are being discussed as the best elections because of the security presence and the fact that the people respected the system. We didn’t do anything different than what we have been doing. But this time around, the security presence made the people to respect the system.

    “Nigerians takes pleasure in breaking the laws. People have to understand that election is water, hospital, road and agriculture. People have to assist INEC to work fine and not to stand by the side and condemn. Everybody should be involved.

    “Election is everybody’s business and if we don’t see it that way, you will come to see it through water, roads and any other means of livelihood. The elite must come to the aid of INEC by partnering with the commission, believing that is your own project and without, it cannot succeed.”

    He challenged Nigerians to be part of election processes at all levels, even if they are active or non-active politicians so as to effect the desired change.

    He said:  “INEC’s business is everybody’s business and the elite must bridge the gap between the non-elite.

    “It took Americans 200 years to get to where they are today. Nigerians have the best brains in the world but Nigerians would have to help INEC in order not to take us 200 years to put the country’s democracy in shape even though, ‘our democracy is just 16 years.’”

    The Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Press Council, Nnamdi Njemanze, urged the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), government, security operatives and the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) to do everything possible to protect journalists during elections, especially in the troubled northeast geo-political zone.

    He urged journalists to familiarise themselves with the provisions of the Electoral Act as well as the ethics of journalism profession if they must effectively educate the electorate on things that are expected of them during campaigns, elections and holding government officials accountable.

    Chairman of the Bauchi State Council of NUJ, Comrade Garba Mohammed Dahiru advised journalists to work hard to ensure the sustainability of the country’s democracy which they fought for, adding that the constitution has empowered the media to monitor government’s policies and programmes and report to the masses to make their decisions on the government.

    Dahiru solicited support for INEC and other donor agencies and non-governmental organisation in the training of journalists, especially those in the Northeast region on special tips for reporting election in view of the security challenges in the region.

    In a communiqué at the end of the training, participants agreed that the media have so far not been sufficiently critical in analysing the various campaign promises of parties and their candidates. They also agreed that some media professionals project subjective political biases as objective critical analyses.

    They lamented that certain mindsets about power and politics; the role of the state on society, ethnicity, religion and political succession oftentimes cloud journalists’ judgments in their reportage; while most media organisations jettison the provision of the Broadcasting Code as well as those of the professional Code of Ethic for journalists.

    They also agreed that the media has been found wanting in the screening of the electoral process, while the rural areas have been largely marginalised and have not had adequate media coverage. They also agreed that the mass media can meet its expected role of sustaining the electoral process with the provision of substantial resources and with changes in key areas.

    However, the situation is that media platforms, such as the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) need to be strengthened to be more vibrant.

    They recommended the repositioning of the Nigeria Press Council to enable it to execute its crucial role of providing information that would enhance public knowledge about the electoral process so that voters can make informed decisions; journalists should adopt the proactive measures of self-censorship and utilise the best defence of reporting accurately, impartially and responsibly.

    They also recommended that the mass media confers on voters their status as partakers in decision-making structures by participating in elections. Journalists should therefore, establish cohesive partnership with INEC to ensure appropriate election coverage and mutual dissemination of information that would aid the process rather than denigrate it.

  • A committee’s fight against flood, insurgency

    A committee’s fight against flood, insurgency

    In 2012, the country witnessed an unprecedented flood that destroyed homes in many states. A Presidential Committee was set up to raise funds to ease the suffering of the victims. In this report, BUKOLA AMUSAN examines the committee’s handling of the assignment.

    The response to the flood disaster that ravaged many states  in 2012, President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation last year.

    The committee was saddled with examining the effects of the disaster on victims, causes of the flood and prevention.

    Though the committee had done some tangible work in raising funds to assist victims, it may have less work to carry out this year compared to the amount of work it carried out in 2012 when many communities witnessed great devastating effects of the flood. The scale of damage prompted the inauguration of the committee, which is co-chaired by business mogul, Aliko Dangote and human rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba.

    Fortunately, the committee has, so far, had less work to do during this rainy season as there is no major flood disaster.

    To avoid the funds raised to fight flooding being redundant and useless, it had to be channelled to tackling insurgency in the Northeast.

    A member of the committee, who is also the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri, told reporters that part of the N17 billion raised to support victims of flooding has been deployed in support the fight against insurgency.

    Dangote had announced that a sub-committee, headed by Ambassador Godknows Igali, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, was working on plans to intervene in a various disasters and would submit its report in the first week of April for immediate consideration and implementation.

    “We didn’t have much flooding in 2013 and the rain is not heavy this year. We believe that millions of Nigerians are in need, and that calls for the need to provide between N750 million and N800 million to assist them,” Dangote said.

    Many communities are affected by communal conflicts in recent time. This, according to the committee, propelled it to move beyond its terms of reference and wade into the problems of the people.

    The committee, considering the effects of conflicts in some parts of Nigeria, perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents and feuding communities, decided to extend its interventions to non-flood-related emergencies.

    This intervention, according to Alhaji Dangote, was also informed by the fact that anticipated high level floods in the country, did not occur last year.

    Omeri, said the agency was working with others to create disaster mitigation awareness at the grassroots.

    He assured Nigerians of fair, balanced and equitable distribution of disaster relief projects, which he said would be sited devoid of political and other sentiments.

    Calling for support from Nigerians and international donor agencies, Omeri said there was no limit to contributions towards saving human lives, urging Nigerians, including those who had made pledges towards assisting victims of disaster with relief and rehabilitation to come forward and fulfill such promises.

    The relief committee also established an 11-man committee headed by former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Tunde Lemo, in April to implement the relief efforts.

    Although the mandate of the committee was well spelt out when President Jonathan announced its establishment during a nation-wide broadcast on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, among which was to organise a fund raisers for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims in the aftermath of the ravaging floods that affected many states that year, the committee was also expected to advise the government on the judicious utilisation of funds raised and had the president’s authority to co-opt any other persons or organisations that it may deem useful in carrying out its assignment.

    The committee had 12 months to complete its assignment and report to the President.

    The 34-man Presidential Committee set out to raise about N100 billion through a fund-raising dinner, though donations and pledges made by prominent Nigerians during the dinner only amounted to N11.35 billion. This was despite tax incentives announced by President Jonathan for all corporate organisations that would donate to the flood relief fund.

    Dangote and the Federal Government topped the donors’ list with donation of N2.5 billion, while business giants, Chairman of Visafone Jim Ovia, and Tony Elumelu came second with N1billion each.

    By June 13, last year, the committee had invited technical and financial bids from reputable companies for building of houses as well as provision of essential amenities in the 22 states affected by the 2012 flood disaster.

    The states were Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Bauchi, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Rivers and Taraba.

    The projects to be sited in the states include two-bedroom and three-bedroom flats as well as construction of community centres. They also include procurement and installation of mobile solar-powered packaged water treatment plants and generator-powered water treatment plants, procurement and installation of solar-powered hand pumps and rehabilitation of boreholes. The committee had announced that it would give preference to contractors from the affected states to ensure timely completion of the projects.

    More cheering news came from the Presidential Committee after a meeting on March 28, this year that all was set for the commencement of the award of contracts for the provision of disaster relief infrastructure, this time in more than 24 states of the federation, from the second week of April.