The Nation Newspaper

Category: Special Report

  • Igbeneghu… Forsaken by UNILAG, Foursquare

    A lecturer’s unethical behaviour has led to his suspension from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) after an undercover report indicted him, report KOFOROWOLA BELO-OSAGIE and DAMOLA KOLA-DARE

     

    WHEN a lecturer in the Department of European Languages and Integrated Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr Boniface Igbeneghu, met a ’17-year-old’ and made amorous advances at her, it never occurred to him that she was trouble. He woke up trouble. Now, he will find sleeping a Herculean task.

    A secret video recording gave the lecturer away as one of those fond of inappropriately taking advantage of female students.

    The BBC Africa Eye video titled “Sex for Grades” has led to Igheneghu’s suspension from the university and restriction from the UNILAG academic area until a probe into his activities has been concluded. A female undercover reporter posed as a 17-year-old admission seeker to spill Igbeneghu’s secret.

    The university, in a statement signed by the Principal Assistant Registrar (Communication Unit), Mrs Taiwo Oloyede, also announced the closure of the UNILAG Staff Club ‘cold room’, where lecturers allegedly sexually harassed students.

    Igheneghu, who was also head pastor of a branch of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, has been asked by the church to step down from ministerial duties as a result of his “unscriptural behaviour” in the video.

    The video was part of BBC Africa Eye documentary which exposed the unethical sexual harassment practices of randy lecturers in two popular West African universities (UNILAG and the University of Ghana).

    The video

    In the video, Igheneghu promised to help the ‘17-year-old’, who approached him for help, with admission if she was obedient.

    But from their first meeting for ‘tutorials’, Igheneghu began to reveal sinister intentions.

    He said: “How old are you? 17, and you look very big like this? Don’t you know you are a beautiful girl? Do you know that? You are not beautiful; you are a very beautiful girl. Do you know I am a pastor? And I am in my 50s. What will shock you is that even at my age, if I want a girl of 17, all I need is to sweet-tongue her; give small money and I will get her.”

    During a second meeting, Igheneghu prayed with the girl “to lead her to Christ”.

    He directed her to repeat after him: “Lord Jesus Christ; confess the Lord Jesus Christ; I accept that you are my Lord and saviour. Guide me and direct me. Thank you, Jesus. Don’t worry about your admission. I will work on it.”

    He soon moved to ask about her sex life and told her to keep their escapades secret from everyone.

    “Have you started knowing men?” Igheneghu asked.

    When the girl asked what he meant by knowing men, he said: “Have you started having sex? Look anything that we discuss, you are sure that your mother will not hear?”

    During another meeting, Igheneghu told the reporter about a place lecturers take their prey for sexual escapades at the UNILAG Staff Club.

    He said: “There is an upper part of the staff club where lecturers carry out their deeds…they call it ‘cold room’.”

    He also said such students are favoured with good grades – the benefit of being with the lecturer.

    “She pays with her body,” he said, urging her to be obedient. “You have to be obedient to have your admission.”

    During that meeting, Igheneghu told the reporter to kiss him after locking the door and switching off the light in his office.

    “Do you want me to kiss you? Lock the door; I will kiss you for a minute.”

    The girl asked: “Did you lock the door?”

    “Yes,” Igheneghu whispered.

    He asked her to come closer.

    Girl: “I am close to you already, sir.”

    Igheneghu added: “Sit down….Come close”

    Girl: “OK.”

    Igheneghu: “Look…(wrapping his arms around her)…“You are so stiff.”

    He concluded: “I can call you to come any day; if you don’t come, then you know you are gone. I will tell your Mom you are disobedient.”

    The girl responded: “Ok Sir”.

    In the video, two alumnae of UNILAG said they were abused by Igheneghu.

    The first victim said: “He will tell you to come to his office. He will lock the door. Sometimes, he will want to grope you; sometimes, he will dry hump you. He likes to pick on struggling students because he knows that they are very vulnerable and there is nothing they can do.”

    The second victim said: “I never ever gave my consent once. There was a time he was preparing for Bible study, and he was groping me and he was writing down scriptures.”

    The video also noted that one of the victims said she attempted suicide four times after graduating following repeated abuse by Igheneghu.

    UNILAG and the church’s response

    In the university’s statement, its management noted that Igheneghu would be probed by an investigation panel.

    It reads: “The University of Lagos Management today suspended Dr Boniface Igbeneghu of the Department of European Languages and Integrated Studies, Faculty of Arts who was caught in a sting operation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) titled “Sex for Grades”. The trending video chronicled cases of sexual harassment of female students by some lecturers in some West African Universities including the University of Lagos.

    “Management at its emergency meeting of October 7, 2019, suspended Dr Igbeneghu from work immediately and barred him from the University academic areas while the suspension subsists unless invited by a Panel constituted by the University to investigate the matter.

    “In addition to this, the University Management has ordered the shutdown of the Staff Club “Cold Room” mentioned in the documentary for further investigation. The so-called “Cold Room” is a Functions Room that may have been abused because this is a deviation from the purpose for which it was created (meetings, seminars, events, etc.).”

    The statement further added that any other lecturer indicted once the full BBC Africa Eye video is released would be suspended and probed, describing the scandal as embarrassing.

    “The University assures members of the public that any other lecturer mentioned in the full version of the operation which is to be aired later today will also be suspended to ensure a proper investigation is carried out.

    “The University is embarrassed and dissociates itself totally from this act(s) and any inappropriate behaviour of staff with female students and vice versa. The University has a well-articulated ‘Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual and Romantic Relationships’. A copy of the University Sexual Harassment Policy was distributed to all members of staff and can also be obtained on the University website.”

    The institution further urged students to come forward if harassed.

    The Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, where Igbeneghu was a head pastor, has also asked the lecturer to “step down from all ministerial assignments.”

    In a statement by its National Secretary, Reverend Ikechukwu Ugbaja, the church noted that it does not tolerate sexual harassment, which it described as “heinous and unscriptural”.

    The statement reads: “The General public is hereby informed that as a holiness and bible believing church, we do not condone such heinous and unscriptural act among our ministers. We totally dissociate ourselves from the purported conduct of Dr Igbeneghu and promise to take appropriate measure as soon as the ongoing investigation is concluded.

    “Meanwhile, the pastor in question has been asked to step down from all ministerial assignments.”

    Pro-Chancellor: Council would investigate thoroughly

    The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Dr Wale Babalakin, said the Council would investigate allegations of sexual harassment against a lecturer exposed by a documentary, “Sex for Grades”.

    “I have not seen the BBC report but I got wind of it early this morning. I can say on behalf of our Council that there is zero-tolerance for sexual harassment. We will investigate the matter thoroughly and anyone found wanting will face the consequences according to the laws of the University. Students must not be made to suffer for anything and your marks must be directly commensurate to your performance. Any other thing is not scholarly and would not be tolerated,” he said.

    ASUU, students condemn scandal

    Lecturers and students of UNILAG condemned the sex-for-grade scandal, noting that the culprit should be punished according to the laws of the university and the country.

    Speaking to The Nation, Chairman ASUU, UNILAG Chapter, Dr Dele Ashiru described it as “indecent, unethical and unacceptable”.

    He added one major challenge facing efforts at stamping out such a scandal was the reluctance of victims to speak up when sexually harassed.

    Ashiru said: “The bane lies in the reluctance of victims to come forward and speak up. It is sad, unfortunate and indecent. We condemn in strongest terms this type of unethical practices by any of our members. There are many of such unethical practices in the society and we can’t insulate the university from such.”

    Continuing further, he said: “The matter must be investigated and culprit dealt with in accordance with the laws of the university and the land.”

    Proffering solutions to avoid recurrence, he said errant members should be sanctioned, while effective mechanisms should be put in place for victims to speak up without fear of attack.

    Students, who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, also condemned the act, which they said should be stamped out in the country’s tertiary institutions.

    An alumna of the University (names withheld) said Igheneghu had been harassing students for up to 10 years.

    “The guy was notorious even when I was in school 10 years ago. So he hasn’t stopped! Imagine!” the law graduate told The Nation.

    All eyes will be on the university’s probe panel. The end certainly has not been heard of the matter.

  • How to build, sustain strong economic future

    Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc founder Atedo Peterside, in this paper delivered last night at the dinner to celebrate the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja, speaks about how through shared responsibility a strong economy can be built and sustained.

     

    I CONSIDER it a great honour and privilege to have been invited as the Keynote Speaker on the occasion of the Dinner to celebrate the 25th Nigerian Economic Summit here in Abuja. The organisers told me they wanted a speaker who was an active participant at the first Summit held a little over 25 years ago and who is still active today.

    When I went back to read the Report of the 1st Nigerian Economic Summit which kicked off on 18 February, 1993, my first reaction was one of humility and thanksgiving to God that I am still here 25 years later; I never realised that so many out of that very first batch of Summiteers had since passed on. May their gentle souls rest in perfect peace.

    My second reaction however was one of disappointment that some of the exact same economic issues and problems that plagued Nigeria then are still being debated here 25 years later. I am not claiming that we have not achieved phenomenal progress in certain areas such as telecommunications, commercial and investment banking, Pension reform and other service sector pursuits such as Information Technology, Music, Film, Art and Fashion.

    The harsh reality is that whatever gains Nigeria achieved in income per capita over the course of the last two decades are slowly being wiped out, as falling annual per capita incomes have become the norm in every single year since 2015. Macroeconomists measure broad aggregates and the numbers do not lie. The investment and GDP statistics used here were obtained with the assistance of Dr Yemi Kale, who heads the National Bureau of Statistics.

    In a nutshell, falling living standards appear to have come to stay in Nigeria and so hoardes of Nigerians continue to join the ranks of the extremely poor year after year, at a time when several African countries are successfully lifting more and more of their own people out of poverty. World Bank data confirms that the African countries who have been most successful (Top ten) at reducing extreme poverty over the course of a 15-year period spanning Year 2000 to 2015 are Tanzania, Chad, Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, Congo DRC, Ethiopia, Namibia, Mozambique, Rwanda & Uganda.

    When the earlier Summits were being held in the 1990s, some of the most popular comparisons by presenters were those between Nigeria and Malaysia, Indonesia and various other Asian tigers. Today, we can clearly benefit from case studies on poverty reduction emanating from Africa’s top ten. The same can be said for education, healthcare and infrastructure where Nigeria does not feature in Africa’s top ten in terms of rapid positive change.

    Indeed, Nigeria now leads the world in two appalling statistics: 1) the largest number of school age children out of primary school (10.5m); and 2) total number of persons living in extreme poverty (90m approx.). It was not so in 1993.

    There is a frightening and ominous link between these two sets of statistics because children who are ill-equipped in terms of basic primary education are likely to be the most difficult to integrate into a 21st Century economy. Many of them were born into poverty and will remain in poverty unless we do something urgently to rescue them. Even more worrying are the regional disparities that show up when socioeconomic data is disaggregated. For instance, the WAEC May/June 2019 WASSCE results show that 9 out of the top 10 States with the best results are from the South East and South-South zones – Lagos State is the only top 10 entrant from outside these two zones. Conversely, of the bottom 8 States on this same Exam results chart, 5 are from the North West, whilst 3 are from the North East zone.

    In the 1990s, rapid economic growth eluded many Sub-Saharan African economies. In 2018, the average GDP growth rate for Sub-Saharan African economies was 2.4%, but if you exclude the two largest economies (Nigeria and South Africa), who are both laggards, then the GDP growth rate for the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa immediately leaps up to 5%. We therefore no longer need to go to Asia to learn lessons about rapid growth. We only need to look to Ivory Coast and Senegal in West Africa which grew at 7.40% and 7.0% respectively or to Ethiopia and Rwanda in East Africa, which grew by 8.50% and 7.20% respectively in 2018.

    The fore-runner of GDP growth is the Investment/GDP ratio. If there are little or no investments today, then there will be little or no growth in a couple of year’s time. The double-digit growth of 2002 came on the back of the very high Investment/GDP ratio of 35% recorded in year 2000, which was the first full year following the restoration of democracy. Thereafter, the long term trend for Nigeria’s Investment/GDP ratio has been a near-continuous downward slide. By 2012, the Investment to GDP ratio had slid all the way to below 15% and so GDP growth rates were bound to fall sharply after 2013.

    As GDP growth rates fizzled out in 2015 and 2016, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) compounded the situation by embarking on forex policies which caused investors to both take fright and take flight at the same time. The inevitable outcome was an economic recession. It was only after CBN succumbed to pressure in early 2017 to allow a Nafex exchange rate, where all business units and individuals could buy and sell forex freely at a market determined exchange rate of N360/$1 approx., that supply bottlenecks slowly disappeared and the economy limped out of a recession. The Nigerian economy is however still largely stagnant and so anaemic GDP growth rates which fall below the approximate 3% population growth rate are not cause for celebration. With high inflation rates in the 11% range, which CBN appears to have accepted as being the norm, investors now fear stagflation. Compare and contrast this with Ivory Coast and Senegal which held inflation below 2% and grew GDP in excess of 7% in 2018.

    Before going into prescriptions it is important to update this audience about the current structure of the Nigerian economy, which is significantly different from what prevailed in 1993 in 5 important areas:

    1)            Over 50% of our GDP now comes from the Service Sector. CBN appeared to have forgotten this in 2016 when directing banks to allocate 60% of forex to the manufacturing sector that accounted for less than 10% of GDP.  CBN also held out the false hope that denial of forex to specific sectors of the economy would somehow incentivise investors in other sectors. The reality is that draconian actions directed at one group of investors simply make other investors think “so who is next and/or what is next”? A corollary of this proposition is to point out that actions and pronouncements that increase overall Uncertainty and Risk are likely to be counter-productive, if the goal is to boost investment activity generally;

    2)            Inward diaspora remittances now eclipse the oil and gas sector as the number one source of forex for Nigeria. Again, CBN overlooked this while trying to force these inflows to come in at a stipulated official rate of N200/$1 at a time when the parallel market had galloped beyond N400/$1 in 2016;

    3)            Our ICT sector’s GDP contribution has since outgrown the oil and gas sector share of GDP and so it should be heralded and nurtured instead of being attacked by rogue regulators as has become fashionable;

    4)            The split of aggregate demand between the Private Sector and the Government Sector (all 3 tiers) is now 91.5%/8.5%. Some Nigerians still dream about FG stimulating national aggregate demand through its own expenditure activity alone. Meanwhile, FG’s total 2020 budget expenditures will translate into a paltry sum of $130 or less per Nigerian. How can that possibly transform Nigeria’s economy in a meaningful way?

    One of the first areas of consensus in that first economic summit in 1993 was that FG expenditures alone could never transform the Nigerian economy and so by far the most impactful activity that FG could engage in was to create an enabling environment and a level playing field that would stimulate phenomenal private sector investment activity. 25 years later some of our policy makers still sound as if they missed this most basic lesson.

    5)            In 2018, Nigeria’ Foreign Direct Investment inflows slipped behind Ghana’s for the first time. In terms of FDI flows into Africa, Nigeria slipped into the second tier in 2018. The first tier is now comprised of Egypt, South Africa, Congo, Morocco, Ethiopia, Ghana and Mozambique. Indeed, Mozambique may head this chart in a few years time. They have provided the type of clarity which Nigeria has refused to provide to the Oil and Gas sector from the moment the Oil Minister in the previous administration produced a first draft of a myopic Petroleum Industry Bill.

    The Way Forward

    It is not too late for President Buhari’s Government and our national assembly to borrow a cue from Mozambique and learn how to enact laws that provide clarity and reduce uncertainty for investors in the oil and gas sector and other sectors too.

    So, why is Nigeria unable to achieve GDP growth rates of 6% and above which are currently the norm in several Sub-Saharan Africa economies? The obvious answer is that we appear to have frightened most investors away (local and foreign) and they will not be coming back any time soon until we correct the structural dysfunction that frightened them away in the first place.

    Investors appear to have concluded that the Nigerian economy is rigged against all except the very well-connected and they are right. By definition, the well-connected investors are few and so our Investment/GDP ratio is likely to remain low until we make it possible for all other investors (Nigerian and foreign) to come back and partake in the task of baking a bigger cake on the basis of a level playing field.

    In Nigeria of 2019, only the well-connected can expect the following:

    1)            Security of life and property;

    2)            Prompt dispensation of Justice;

    3)            Sanctity of contracts;

    4)            No harassment from multiple rogue regulators;

    5)            Access to land via the Land Use Act;

    6)            Freedom from multiple illegal State and Local Government levies;

    7)            Provision of good roads and pipe-borne water to their door-step;

    8)            Access to subsidised financing; and

    9)            Public sector employment opportunities.

    For the youths, the less privileged and others who are not well connected, they dare not expect these nine things. Instead, they should concentrate on avoiding being the victims of extra-judicial killings and other forms of Police (notably SARS) or Army brutality and if they go into a legitimate business activity, they should get ready to grapple with endless threats and harassment by FIRS, Customs, State Government Tax authorities, SARS, NAFDAC etc. The bulk of this harassment typically comes from corrupt government officials seeking to line their own pockets through extortion.

    Sadly, there appears to be no oversight function and so the excesses of these rogue regulators is largely unchecked, thereby leaving no respite nor protection for their poor victims. There is no justice for the underprivileged in Nigeria and so this exacerbates Income inequality which is already very high, as demonstrated by our Gini Coefficient of 0.4 approx.

    A new generation of Nigerians (largely youths) have been dealt a terrible hand. A Nigerian Passport gives them few options for taking flight. It is not so with investors. Many can take flight and have done so. Sadly, most utterances by important public figures give the remaining investors even more cause to worry. We need a paradigm shift away from harassing investors to one of welcoming them sincerely as well as taking actions that boost business confidence, as Morocco and Rwanda do all the time. A global race is on to win the hearts and minds of investors. Nigeria is currently losing that race badly even within Africa.

    Reversing this terrible trend is a shared responsibility. A society gets the leaders that it deserves and so I do not blame this Government or past Governments. I blame the elite in general because we shy away from backing truly competent political leaders, as if we fear that we will not succeed in manipulating them or getting them to rig economic outcomes in our favour.

    In the meantime, FG has lost fiscal viability because it lacks the courage to trim personnel overheads on account of a bloated headcount in the public sector. Will 98% of the population continue to suffer so that less than 2% who make up the bloated public sector can maintain their lifestyles? The same FG endorsed a largely unaffordable minimum wage and presses on with “populist” subsidies which are largely cornered by the rich. Government revenues as a percentage of GDP are exceedingly low at 6% approx and yet all that the private sector does is resist any attempts to increase indirect taxes or price products such as petrol and electricity on the basis of full cost recovery. Even the recent inevitable decision to introduce toll gates on our roads has been met by private sector resistance.

    Following the launch of a new payments-enabled National ID Card it is certainly possible to quantify the annual petrol subsidy, apportion it and pay each Nigerian adult that falls below a minimum income threshold his or her share. This can be executed transparently by the same office for National Social Investment Programmes that currently pays monthly handouts to a lucky few out of the 90 million extremely poor Nigerians. If FG is in the habit of being seen to grant subsidies then we should focus less on getting stubborn people to shed a bad habit. It is far better to get them to replace a bad habit of wasted subsidies with a much better habit of direct payments to the poor via an instrument that the rich cannot corner or access.

    There will be no strong economic future for Nigeria that can be built and sustained if the deal is to starve the Government of revenues, whilst blaming the 3 tiers of Government for failing to deliver on their respective mandates. The responsibility that we must share is to encourage FG to get its finances in order and attain both fiscal viability and macroeconomic stability. We must also encourage FG to level the playing field for investors and quit dangling rent-seeking and/or arbitrage opportunities such as multiple exchange rates, which remain open to abuse.

    In 1993, Summiteers and CBN agreed that CBN should pursue a 5% inflation target. At that time US inflation was 3% and so the gap was only 2% p.a. Today, US inflation is 2% and yet CBN appears to be content with keeping inflation high at 10 or 11% p.a., the 9% per annum differential is much too high and is inconsistent with the declared goal of maintaining exchange rate stability. Nobody should get carried away by our short term reliance on “hot” money inflows to bolster forex reserves on the basis of distorted “carry trades”. CBN should quit expanding its mandate into other questionable areas, if it cannot meet its most basic mandate of containing inflation.

    We cannot afford to approach the next 25 years by repeating the errors of the last 25 years. The shared responsibility includes getting the elite to become less insular or less sycophantic and to learn to speak truth to power. The recently appointed Economic Policy Advisory team is a step in the right direction by FG. Their job will be made a lot easier if this Summit can help establish an elite consensus on the unfinished business that is still holding us back from building and sustaining a strong economic future for Nigeria.

  • Sanwo-Olu honours DPO who saved robbery victim

    The Divisional Police Office (DPO) of the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos, Mrs. Celestina Kalu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), was honoured yesterday by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for raising fund to save the life of an accident victim, writes OZIEGBE OKOEKI

    Is there prize for compassion? An act of kindness rendered to a robbery victim by the Divisional Police Office (DPO) of the Ogudu Police Station in Lagos was yesterday rewarded by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who personally invited the kindhearted cop to the State House for an honour.

    Sanwo-Olu described Mrs. Celestina Kalu, a Superintendent of Police (SP), as “a humane police officer”, saying her decision to save the life of an orphan, Friday Ajabor, shot by a two-man robbery gang at MKO Abiola Park in Ojota, was a “matchless trait of compassion”.

    Ajabor, a 25-year-old orphan from Edo State, was at the park with his friend at about 8pm on September 19 when the two robbers waylaid them, attempting to dispossess them of their valuables. They struggled with the robbers, until the assailants overpowered them.

    Ajabor’s friend managed to escape from the scene with their personal effects, leaving him at the mercy of the robbers armed with a local pistol. For struggling with them, the robbers shot Ajabor in the bowel at a close range and disappeared from the scene.

    A team of policemen from Ogudu Police Station led by Mrs. Kalu arrived at the scene about 30 minutes later, meeting the hapless victim in a pool of blood. The policemen, it was learnt, rushed the victim to two hospitals where he was rejected for lack of bed space.

    About 90 minutes after, the victim was admitted in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, where he underwent a series of surgery, the cost of which was personally defrayed by Mrs. Kalu.

    This extra effort by the Mrs. Kalu saved the life of the orphan whose relatives could not be reached at the time he admitted into the ICU.

    The DPO’s act of kindness caught Sanwo-Olu’s attention after it went viral in the social media, prompting the Governor to reach out to the policewoman and the victim.

    While honoring the DPO, Sanwo-Olu said Mrs. Kalu went beyond the limit of her official duty to save the life of the robbery victim, stressing that the policewoman’s effort was “the essence of public service” and “a true spirit of Lagos”.

    The governor said the policewoman demonstrated a rare example that should be emulated by every Lagosian, urging security operatives not to fall short of such act of kindness in the discharge their duties to the citizens.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “I am personally amazed by this rare act of kindness displayed by Mrs. Celestina Kalu, who went beyond the official call of duty to save the life of a citizen using her personal resources. This is one of the essences of governance and public service when you have public officers going beyond the call of duty to render a helping hand to a fellow citizen.

    “This is a rare trait of compassion by the DPO. We usually don’t get to witness such act of kindness, because everyone of us is too overwhelmed by myriad of personal challenges. When we see law enforcement officers giving us reasons to be kind, we need to appreciate and recognise such action. This is why we are honouring Mrs. Kalu this morning as our role model. This will encourage others to emulate this act of kindness.

    “Not only that she stopped to help the victim at the point of death, she also went ahead to make financial commitment that ensure immediate treatment of the victim at the hospital. We are happy that this effort paid off, because the victim is alive and he is recuperating well.”

    Sanwo-Olu presented a special plaque bearing the official seal of the Lagos State Government to honour the DPO, while also taking over the cost of Ajabor’s surgery.

    The governor urged security agencies to scale up their surveillance across the State, urging inter-agency collaboration to rid Lagos of robbers and criminals.

    Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso said the honour done to the DPO was the prize of her compassion, pointing out that such act of kindness was in tune with spirit agenda of ‘Greater Lagos’ campaign of the present administration.

    Omotoso urged Lagos residents to emulate the act, saying the State would improve in its social index when people show their fellow citizens unsolicited kindness.

  • Wike’s perspective on flow station shutdown

     Simeon Nwakaudu   

     

    WHEN on June 22, 2019 Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike took the courageous step to re-open the Oil Mining Licence (OML) 25, an interested party engaged  commercial mischief makers to heap insults on the Rivers State governor.

    On September 17, 2019, I watched on AIT News Hour the culmination of the entire episode.  It boiled down to the resolution of the meeting that Governor Wike held with all the stakeholders of OML 25 at the Government House Port Harcourt on June 22, 2019. Apart from the fact that Timipre Silva superintended over this particular meeting, every other detail remains as Governor Wike resolved.

    But quite importantly, the Abuja meeting aimed at placating the interested party excluded the Stakeholder Communities.  They were visibly absent. It was strictly a business discussion between Shell and Belema Oil.  A discussion of who gets what.

    On June 22, 2019, Governor Wike involved all the stakeholder communities, sampled  their opinion  and drew out the working document that has succeeded.  This was a selfless service to Rivers people and the state.  It was also a defining economic decision that has benefited everyone: Shell, Belema Oil, the host communities, Rivers State and Nigeria. Otherwise, that facility would have remained shut with the interested party lying every minute about the planned revocation of Shell operational licence of OML 25.

    Read Also: Wike urged to be humble in governance

    Governor Wike created a negotiating table.  He would have shied away, but he stood his ground to defend the rights of all concerned within the law. That is a mark of true leadership.  He took the bullets and ensured a solution was reached.

    Following the resolution of the matter, Shell is still the owner of the operating licence as the meeting convened by Governor Wike brought to the fore on June 22, 2019. The Abuja meeting did not change this fact. It only provided a soft landing and exit for those holding the nation’s economy hostage.

    The process initiated by the Governor Wike was managed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo.

    The truth always wins. It may suffer knocks, but it surely wins. The victory of truth is always to the benefit of the vast majority.  In Governor Wike, Rivers people have a courageous leader who stakes everything to empower his people.

     

    • Nwakaudu is Governor Nyesom Wike’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media

     

  • Teachers’ reward…Still in heaven?

    Nigerian teachers will, tomorrow join the rest of the world to celebrate the 2019 World Teachers’ Day. The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, to take stock of achievements, and to address some of the issues central for attracting and keeping the brightest minds and young talents in the profession, writes FRANK IKPEFAN

    THIS year’s celebration of World Teachers’ Dayhas “Young Teachers: The future of the Profession” as its theme, held annually on 5 October since 1994, World Teachers’ Day commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 International Labour Organisation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ILO/UNESCO) recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.

    This recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions. The Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel was adopted in 1997 to complement the 1966 Recommendation by covering teaching and research personnel in higher education.

    With the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goal 4 on education, and the dedicated target (SDG 4.c) recognising teachers as key to the achievement of the Education 2030 agenda, WTD has become the occasion to mark progress and reflect on ways to counter the remaining challenges for the promotion of the teaching profession.

    Despite the significant roles they play in the society, the teaching profession remains the least ranked and appreciated profession in the country. This is partly due to poor attention that governments at all levels pay to the profession. Teachers in the country are poorly paid, lacked the requisite training to measure up with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

    The challenges confronting the profession continue to mount. These include the best brains not willing to embrace teaching and poor welfare and reward for teachers. Teachers too have been accused of not demonstrating the required professionalism and passion.

    Others include low wages, poor motivation, absence of a professional education academy, lack of professional and in-service trainings, high teacher-pupil ratio and lack of autonomy by Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT).

    It is ironical to assume that teachers who are saddled with the responsibility of moulding the character of future generations, equipping them with tools for greatness would live and die in abject poverty.

    As at May this year, some states are either owing teachers salaries, or not implementing the N18,000 minimum wage for teachers. According to data obtained from the Nigeria Union of Teachers, the umbrella body of teachers in the country, Abia is owing teachers in secondary school in the state eight months salary. Benue is owing teachers in primary schools 10 months salaries.

    Kogi State owes teachers between 10-25 months. Although the government is offsetting this by paying the teachers in percentage. Ekiti state on the other hand, is owing teachers six months salary which covers April – September, 2018. The arrears were left behind by former governor, Ayodele Fayose. Ondo on the other hand is owing teachers two months’ salaries.

    In Nasarawa State, teachers were on half salary between November 2015 and November 2018. According to the NUT, there was shortfall on salaries coming from Local Government.

    According to the NUT, Borno has not fully implemented the N18, 000 minimum wage to primary school teachers in the state. Zamfara State has refused to implement the N18, 000 minimum wage for teachers in the state.

    “Kogi State is paying half salary. Teachers who were affected by the last verification and screening are yet to be included on payroll,” the NUT data said.

    Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, had announced in 2017 that the Federal Government was working on a plan to ensure that teachers are paid salaries higher than other workers in the country.

    Adamu had said that increase in the salaries of teachers would help to attract the best to the teaching profession.

    But two years after, nothing seems to have changed according to the National President of the NUT, Muhammed Idris.

    The NUT President lamented the poor conditions of teachers in some states. According to him, this poor condition would impart the quality of education in the country.

    He said: “There is no fulfillment of that promise. The other time we visited him he told us that they have plans for the Nigerians teachers.

    “We as teachers have so many problems. We always tell government to address these problems so that Nigerian teachers will be happy. But honestly, our teachers are not happy. That is why we insist on the extension of years of service for Nigerian teachers.

    “In most states, our classrooms are almost empty. About 22 states have not recruited teachers for the past four to five years and teachers are retiring by the day. That is our main concern.

    “You will go to classrooms, you will see a classroom with almost 70 pupils inside with no teacher. Most of the states are running away from the cost of employing teachers.

    “The remaining teachers on ground are manning the schools. One teacher will attend three  classes in a day.

    “There is also the challenge of infrastructural decay in most of our schools. Our teachers tech in the shades. There are no classrooms even in places where there are classrooms there are no sitting tables and chairs. How do you expect them to improve their productivity?

    “Our teachers are ready to teach but the government is demoralising us. Majority of state governments are demoralising us as far as this profession is concerned. That is why we said let them address these issues no also recruit more teachers to manage these schools.”

    Idris appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to sign into law the bill seeking to increase the retirement age of teachers/education officers from 60 to 65.

    In a briefing ahead of the WTD in Abuja, the NUT national president said that the union would not rest on its demand to see that the bill is assented to by the president.

    He said: “I wish to also acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other stakeholders to see that our age-long demand for review of the retirement age of teachers/education officers from 60 to 65 is addressed.

    “We urge all of us not to rest on our oars until the bill is signed into law.

    “As we look forward to a peaceful and successful celebration of the World Teachers’ Day, we enjoin the federal and state ministries of education and all relevant authorities to develop policy reforms that would address challenges surrounding the teacher and his vocation with a view to making the teaching profession more rewarding and attractive.

    “It is by this way the nation’s teachers can be truly celebrated.”

    He commended Buhari for sustaining the sponsorship of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award to honour and reward outstanding teachers in the country.

    Adamu assured the teachers that the Federal Ministry of Education has put in place mechanisms to strengthen the implementation of teacher education in the country.

    The minister listed the mechanisms to include reviewing the quality assurance/monitoring instruments in line with global best practice, engagement of independent quality assurance teams and stakeholders in monitoring of all academic activities.

    Others are conducting nationwide capacity building workshops for 100, 000 teachers at basic and post-basic levels through the support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Adamu, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, added that teacher development and motivation were central to efforts the ministry is making to reposition the education sector to meet national aspirations.

    “As the saying goes no nation can rise above the level of her teachers. We are, therefore, conscious of the fact that the quality of our teachers is directly proportional to the quality of the learners themselves.

    “It is clear that a lot still needs to be done to enhance the quality of teachers and ensure quality learning outcomes. The challenges and impediments to quality education  in the country must be quickly addressed and promptly overcome.

    “This calls for urgent national response.

    “The ministry is systematically and fully committed to constant upgrading of the teaching standards and contents to boost teacher quality in Nigeria in the following critical aspects: professional knowledge, professional skills, professional values, attitude and conduct and professional membership obligations and leadership.

    “We are leaving no stone unturned in our quest to ensure that teachers are professionally qualified, empowered and adequately remunerated, motivated and supported for efficiency and effectiveness,” the minister said.

    The minister said the National Teachers’ Institute, Kaduna has been engaged in the upgrading of under-qualified and unqualified teachers by providing courses of instructions and continuous professional development for teachers.

    He said government must build and explore avenues to reposition teachers and the teaching profession to an enviable height and to ensure that minimum standards are maintained.

  • Dangerous crave for ‘unviable’ airports

    The desire for airports is becoming attractive for states in Nigeria. Despite criticisms, more states are building or plan to build theirs. Are the airports viable? Are they of any benefit to citizens? Could the funds have been better used? KELVIN OSA-OKUNBOR sought answers.

    The crave by state governments to build airports, especially the cargo variants, has come under intense scrutiny.

    Besides the huge cost of such critical air transport infrastructure, the viability of such projects has also become a subject of intense debate.

    Experts say one kilometer of airport runway could open a state to the world than one hundred kilometers of road.

    But, the existing airports built and managed by some state governments are not viable.

    Observers say there is need for cost-benefit analysis by states planning to build airports.

    Of the over 30 airports in Nigeria, 24 out them built by the Federal Government are managed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The other airports were built and managed by states.

    States that have embarked on airports, whether for passenger or cargo operations, include Akwa Ibom, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Gombe, Imo, Taraba, Katsina, Bayelsa, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Niger, Ebonyi, Nassarawa and  Yobe.

    The latest entrant in the state cargo airport initiative is Anambra, which intends to invest over N6 billion in the project.

    The Anambra State Cargo Airport, located at Umueri, near Awka, the state capital, according to Governor Willie Obiano, is expected to bring economic development to the state.

    Obiano, who launched the Umueri Cargo Airport Project in 2017, said it will be developed on a 1500-acre site with two runways, an aviation fuel facility, airport hotel, business park and international conference centre.

    The project, the governor said, is expected to generate 1200 direct and 3600 indirect jobs.

    The project, estimated to cost more than $2 billion, will be developed through a partnership between Anambra State Government, Orient Petroleum Resources and Elite International Investments.

    Elite International Investments is expected to provide all funds under a build, operate, manage and transfer agreement.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Anambra Airport City Infrastructure Limited has allocated 75 per cent stake to Elite International Investments , Orient Petroleum Resources Limited will hold a 20 equity stake while the Anambra State Government will hold five per cent equity.

    Necessary projects?

    But, the deal has thrown up many questions as some who are indigenous to the state see it as another white elephant project.

    They have faulted the viability of the project considering the closeness of Asaba Airport, Owerri Airport and Akanu Ibiam Airport in Enugu.

    Aviation experts including Managing Director of Centurion Securities Limited, Group Captain John Ojikuti (rtd); former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways Limited, Captain Mohammed Joji; Managing Director of Finum Aviation Services Limited, Engineer Sheri Kyari; Managing Director, IRS Airlines, Mr Yemi Dada and former Nigeria Air Force Flight Surgeon and Chief AeroSpace Medical Consultant, Dr Makanjuola Owolabi have cautioned state governments to weigh the options before they embark on construction of cargo or passenger airports.

    They noted that some airports built by some state governments, namely Jigawa, Kebbi, Taraba, Delta, Gombe, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Nassarawa are case studies of unviable ventures.

    According to them, other  states  should not commit billions of naira supposedly meant for infrastructure and other developmental needs into construction of cargo airports.

    While many of the airports were envisaged as status symbols, propelled by political motivations and self-aggrandisement, others came up merely to facilitate the airlift of pilgrims.

    Joji said governors need to think deeply before embarking on construction of state cargo or passenger airports.

    Investigstions reveal that Birnin Kebbi Airport, built by the Kebbi State Government, is subsidised to the tune of N5 million monthly for maintenance.

    An official of the state, who pleaded not to be named, said: “The airport has a total workforce of 210 from the state and 22 from the Federal Government. For this reason, the state government had to approve N4.5 million monthly for salaries.”

    Joji said building airports should not be the priority of states in the face of dwindling revenues.

    He said: “The various states must first stimulate their economic environment, develop skills and develop agric/mineral resources on a mechanised/large scale.

    “They should set up industries before embarking on building airports, which to us all, are to serve the opulent lifestyles of few elite.

    “State governors must first address the poor state of the roads, dilapidated hospitals, schools, lack of water, sanitation, unpaid salaries still bedeviling these states.

    “Regional approach to infrastructural deficits should be initiated. States should  not go to capital market or issue bonds to build airports.”

    In spite of the unviable nature of these airports, other states such as Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Delta, Anambra, Nasarawa, Zamfara and Abia embarked on the project.

    Experts say Ekiti, with meagre Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), had no pressing need for an airport given its closeness to Akure, where there is an under-utilised airport.

    Investigations reveal that the Dutse Airport, built by Jigawa State government at a whooping N15.5 billion from the state’s loan purse, though inaugurated a few years ago, is yet to attract scheduleddomestic flights, except for charter operations and airlifting of pilgrims for Hajj.

    States should collaborate on airports

    Aviation and Security Consultant, John Ojikutu, said what is needed now is the establishment of specialised airports, adding that states could collaborate to establish airports based on their comparative advantages.

    He said: “You need money for landing and parking. You need money to pay for services and salaries. So, why building airports that will not be viable?”

    According to the retired Group Captain, to build an airport in a particular location, the promoters will have to take into consideration the availability of passengers and cargoes.

    ‘‘The state governments should look for technical partners, who are willing to invest in aviation.

    “They have to do a lot of business plan to know if their airport project will be viable.

    “The states that are neighbours too should come together to have a joint project.

    “Osun and Oyo can partner to buy Ibadan Airport and turn it into agricultural cargo airport.

    “Ondo and Ekiti can do the same and buy Akure Airport and turn it into international agricultural airport. Lagos and Ogun can develop another agric airport,” he said.

    Managing Director of IRS Airlines Mr Yemi  Dada said airports are built to bring air transport service to a particular locality.

    But he was quick to ask: “Is that airport needed in that area?”

    He added: “If the strategy of a state is to encourage tourism, fine. A larger demand for air services is a natural requirement for an airport.

    “You can create the demand for this service by making it a specialised airport. It can be for agricultural purpose.

    “One of the big challenges we have now is to set our priorities right. Looking at states as they are today, it is a misplaced priority to want to build an airport. Maybe they want to have it as a long-term project.”

    Recently, the Federal Government granted approval to Ebonyi State to construct its international airport. Governor David Umahi said the airport would boost economic growth.

    But, the move by Ebonyi State Government has drawn flak from industry experts who pointed out that the closeness of Enugu Airport was enough reason for a neighbouring state not to consider building an airport.

    But, a former Nigerian Air Force Officer, Chief Flight Surgeon and Chief Aerospace Medical Consultant, Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi, has a different view. To the renowned aviator, some of these states really need airports in their different states.

    Citing Ekiti State, for instance, Dr  Owolabi said the proposed establishment of cargo airport in Ado Ekiti, the state capital was desirable.

    Owolabi said farmers in the state would only earn justifiable income from their produce if they are evacuated.

    Speaking on the N15.5 billion Dutse International Airport built by his predecessor Sule Lamido, Governor Mohammed Abubakar hinted at plan to partner with investors to establish a flying training school in Dutse to make the airport viable.

    According to him, the idea is part of several measures being worked out to enhance the economic viability of Dutse International Airport.

    This, he said, was part of measures initiated by his administration to ensure effective utilisation of the airport for the benefit of the people.

    His words: “We have been discussing how best to utilise the airport. The state government is approaching investors who plan to have a flying school in Nigeria with a view to using our airport for training and build the school around the airport.”

    The Bauchi Airport, which was built at over N7.9 billion by the administration of former Governor Isa Yuguda, has been unviable and inactive.

    The airport stirred was in the news last year when passengers aboard an Aero aircraft disembarked using a wooden ladder.

    Taraba is another state in the Northeast that has built a N10 billion airport. The viability of the facility has been a big issue as only Overland Airways operates scheduled flights to the airport.

    In the same region, Gombe Airport was built a few years ago with over N7 billion.  It attracts limited flight operations.

    In faraway Kebbi State, an airport was inaugurated in Birnin Kebbi, its capital. It was built for N17 billion in 2015.

    The airport in Katsina State, built a few years ago for a whopping N11 billion, has remained under-utilised as no airline operate flights to it.

    States not relenting

    Despite the under-utilisation of existing airports and widespread criticisms, state governments are unrelenting in their quest to have airports of their own.

    In the Northcentral region, Nassarawa State is proposing a N20 billion airport in Lafia, the state capital.

    Writing off the multi-billion project, Captain John Okakpu believes the airport cannot stimulate the growth of air cargo.

    According to him, Nasarawa Governor Umaru Al-Makura may not have been properly guided before deciding to build such an ambitious infrastructure.

    Statistics, he said, shows that the airport will attract low patronage.

    Relying on International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics and market analysis for last year, Okakpu insisted that the airport would not be sustainable.

    His words: “To me, the government of Nasarawa ought to have devoted its strength to empowering farmers for agro-allied produce rather than building an airport.”

    In Lagos State, work has advanced on the proposed cargo airport at the Epe / Lekki axis. The project, which is expected to gulp over N102 billion, is being developed to service the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ).

    Of all the airport projects being planned, only that of Lagos State has not attracted much criticisms. Many argue that a mega city state such as Lagos deserves an alternate airport to relieve the congested Muritala Mohammed InternationalAirport, Ikeja.

    In Osun State, construction worked which commenced a few years ago on the N11 billion Moshood Abiola International Airport billed for Ido Osun, has been enmeshed in controversy.

    Sheri Kyari, the Managing Director of Finum Air Services, welcomes the idea of building airports for as long as the facilities can be positioned in such a way that it would  be commercially viable.

    He said: “I think it is alright. But, looking at the economic challenges confronting the country currently, embarking on such projects at this point in time is a mere wastage.”

  • ‘Rebuilding the country needs collective effort’

    Governors across the country yesterday spoke in one voice: Nigeria’s challenges are surmountable, if the people shun sentiments and work together in peace with a sense of purpose. Though they celebrated the nationhood in their respective states, their messages on the 59th Independence celebrations resonated with a high sense of hope and the need for all to rebuild the country, instead of pointing fingers and giving excuses. Our Correspondents  capture the mood of the governors and their expectations from leaders at all levels and the led, in the years ahead.

     

    We shall achieve our collective aspiration, says Sanwo-Olu

    Amid intermittent downpour at the Police Parade Ground, Ikeja venue of the 59th independence celebration anniversary yesterday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured Lagosians of commitment to achieving collective aspiration of the state and nation.

    In his independence anniversary speech, the governor said: “As leaders in the position of authority, we are committed to achieving the greatest good for the greatest number.

    “We will ensure that we do all that we can to improve and impact the lives of our people through our developmental programmes.”

    He added that it was reassuring that the state was on the right track to attaining greatness and achieving a goal to build the foundation for a sustainable growth and development.

    Sanwo-Olu said Lagosians take pride in the role the state has played and will continue to play in the development trajectory of the nation, “particularly in fulfilling the vision of our founding fathers.

    “Today, we draw our strength from our cosmopolitan nature, which has made our state a melting pot for ethnic groups. This is one of the visions of our founding fathers, which we will continue to cherish, sustain and protect for generations.”

    He appealed for continuous cooperation and support from all citizens of the state, saying: “Governance is not about the people in government alone, it is everybody’s business.”

    Sanwo-Olu, therefore, appealed for compliance to rules and regulations as well as voluntary discharge of civic obligation from citizens.

    “This is what it takes to build a greater Lagos, it is a duty and it shall be accomplished by the special grace of God,” he said.

    I believe in indivisible, stronger nation, says Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has reiterated his belief in an indivisible and stronger Nigeria built on godliness, equity, justice and peace.

    The governor hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for his administration’s work on the Second Niger Bridge, which he said holds a lot of economic promise for the people of the region.

    He also lauded the Federal Government’s agricultural programmes, saying they have been beneficial to the predominantly farming population of Ebonyi State, especially in rice production.

    The governor promised to travel today to South Africa with the President to look into the challenges Nigerians are facing in that country.

    He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to uphold the cultural values for which the country is known for, saying this would change the negative perception associated with Nigeria abroad.

    “We must, as Nigerians, do everything to uphold our cultural value and better ourselves outside the country. The way we are treated outside the shores of this land is not encouraging. We have to do empirical evaluation of ourselves. We get devalued a lot in other nations.

    “I get a lot of calls from people in Ghana, saying a lot of them are about to be sentenced. Some people have been imprisoned for 1,000 years and some for 500 years in prison.

    “And so, it is important that as Nigerians we re-evaluate our statues and our values because the way we are treated – even as a governor – you don’t wear a governor’s badge at the airport. When I was in America, they singled some of us out and conducted a thorough search. It is an intimidation. We will not continue to live in such manner that humiliates our nation. It is very important,” Umahi said.

    The governor noted that the closure of the Enugu International Airport was for the safety of the people of Southeast and other Nigerians using the airport.

    The governor was alluding to the action of the Federal Government, which shut the airport for maintenance work on its runway.

    Umahi spoke yesterday at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium in Abakaliki, the state capital, during the nation’s 59th Independence anniversary celebration.

    “Let me assure Ebonyi people and the entire Southeast that the closure of the Akanipu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu was for the safety of our people.

    “As the Chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum, I had a meeting with Mr President and we agreed on modalities for quick execution and, of course, a comprehensive overhaul of that airport.

    “We are seeking a special funding with Mr President. As I travel with him, I will also reveal to him how much we have gone in the release of the funds for the quick completion of that project.

    “We have provided two coaster buses, 10 pick-up vans and a brand new liaison zone office in Owerri. These will assist our people who go to the airport there,” he said.

    Umahi said his administration would conduct a test for teachers in the state to ascertain the level of their competence.

    The governor promised that no one would be sacked because of the test, while those who fail would be sent to the vocational schools set up by the state government to learn about modern agriculture and other vocations.

    He reiterated his administration’s resolve to fight cultism to a standstill.

    “It appears we are winning the war on cultism, but I assure you we have just started. We shall introduce a whistle blowers programme whereby you give us accurate information on persons involved in cultism and you get rewarded for such information,” Umahi said.

    AbdulRazaq pledges legacy of equal opportunities

    Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said his administration plans to leave a legacy of equal opportunity, gender parity, youth inclusiveness and fiscal discipline.

    He urged the people to support his drive for growth and development.

    AbdulRazaq, in a statement by his media aide, Rafiu Ajakaye, to commemorate the 59th Independence Day anniversary, called for consensus among Nigerians, especially the political elite, to build a country where no one is left to suffer or is treated unfairly on account of whatever differences.

    The governor said the independence anniversary offers another window to celebrate Nigeria’s unity in diversity, noting that the country’s togetherness after 59 years is an achievement.

    “I join Mr. President and all patriots across the country to call on all Nigerians to embrace one another and build a country where we identify and treat ourselves only as citizens and fellow human beings, and not as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Ijaw, Fulani, Christians, or Muslims. We should work harder to build a nation-state with zero emphasis on these cleavages,” the statement quoted him as saying.

    “Fellow citizens, 59 years down the road, we should build a country that works for all and not just for the privileged few. This requires that we look at the bigger picture each time we take decisions in our areas of influence. That bigger picture is national unity, national development and collective prosperity where no one is left behind.”

    AbdulRazaq advocated a consensus among critical stakeholders to free up funds to develop Nigeria.

    “On this note, I call on the political class to begin to see things in terms of what benefits the whole community and not what is politically expedient. Election is long over. Whether we belong to the ruling party or to the opposition, we are all confronted with the question of extreme poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, the danger of climate change, crime and other challenges,” the statement said.

    Akeredolu: there should be no more excuses

    Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said yesterday that the leadership of the country had exhausted all excuses for its underdevelopment 59 years after independence.

    The governor, in his speech at the independence anniversary, said the country had not got to where it should be since it got flag independence from Britain 59 years ago.

    He was represented by his deputy, Agboola Ajayi.

    Akeredolu said the task before the leadership of the country was to build a strong and viable economy that would generate a prosperous, progressive and dignified life for the good of the country and the state.

    He said the country could achieve her desired destination with more hard work, enterprise, creativity and fight against corruption.

    The governor said: “The nation is going through some challenges ranging from insecurity of lives and property to poor welfare and other problems which are making lives difficult for our people.”

    He said the state government was collaborating with the Federal Government and Southwest states to map out strategies to stamp out banditry.

    Akeredolu said his administration has procured 120 motorcycles and 20 Hilux buses to assist in tackling insecurity.

    He added that a security outfit, ‘Amotekun’, would soon be inaugurated in the Southwest to tackle insecurity.

    The governor said that the government was doing everything possible to improve the state’s economy and ensure that the citizens enjoy new lease of life.

    Fayemi solicits citizens’ greater commitment

    Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has congratulated Nigerians on the country’s 59th independence anniversary.

    He called for the citizens’ greater commitment to ensure the nation’s greatness.

    Fayemi, in a goodwill message in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, also congratulated Ekiti State people on the 23rd anniversary of the creation of the state.

    He urged the Ekiti at home and abroad to support his administration in repositioning the state as a destination of choice for living and for investments.

    The governor said the present administration “is laying a strong foundation for an all-round development of the state, focusing on its five pillars of development and through huge investments in knowledge, economy, urban, agricultural, industrial and human capital development”.

    Noting that the policies of the administrations have started yielding positive results with attendant boost in the quality of life of the average citizen, Governor Fayemi said he was confident that the state and its people would return to the frontline.

    He said: “I congratulate Nigerians on the country’s 59th independence anniversary, and I urge all to remain steadfast in our collective efforts to make the country a better place for us all.

    “Similarly, I rejoice with the Ekitikete on the 23rd anniversary of the creation of our dear state. Although we may not have attained all that we would have loved to attain, we can look back and give thanks to God for how much he has helped us.

    “Mention must also be made of the efforts made by successive administrations to develop the state as well as the leadership that have been provided by the former chief executives of the state.

    “The task of rebuilding and repositioning the state is a collective effort and through your cooperation, we shall build a truly prosperous state and put our state firmly on the path of honour and irreversible development.”

    Makinde calls for orientation change

    Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for a change of orientation on the part of Nigerians by ensuring that they put national interests first and above what he described as “egocentric concepts” that negate the country’s progress.

    Noting that the Independence Day celebration used to be marked with fanfare, the governor stressed that this year’s edition calls for sober reflection in the state and the nation at large.

    He spoke yesterday at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, after a commemorative march past led by officers of the Oyo State Police Command.

    Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan, assured the people that notwithstanding the plethora of challenges facing the country, his administration would chart the course that would launch Oyo State into a land of great investments with economic opportunities and agricultural development.

    He said: “There is need to change our orientation to put national interest first above all egocentric concepts that negate the progress of the nation.

    “The present administration will continue to chart a course that will launch the state into a land of great investments with economic opportunities and agricultural development, so that the state in the not too distant future will be a state of pride to us as before.

    “Welfare programmes will be our focus in order to create a good life for all the citizens of Oyo State as we pursue our four policy thrust of agricultural development and its value chain, health, education and security.

    “We have a genuine desire to embark on aggressive strategy on mechanised agriculture and agricultural value chain that will not only provide employment for our people, but one that will make Oyo State the food basket of the nation.

    “In order to achieve a greater level of educational development, we must invest in all-round development of our opportunity for self-development, self-reliance and self-actualisation by exposing our people to training that will assist them to become patriotic and responsible citizens in the society.

    “Hence the intervention programme launched with the distribution of textbooks and exercise books to all the schools in Oyo State.

    “I use the occasion of this year’s celebration to seek the cooperation of all progressive minded people, civil servants, artisans, stakeholders, political leaders and followers. We shall accommodate all interests to ensure that every part of the state has a sense of belonging.

    “As Nigeria celebrates her 59th independence anniversary today, I congratulate us and pray that at our time, the dream of Eldorado is achieved. I wish you all a happy low key independence celebration.”

    Let’s rebuild our country, Okowa tells Nigerians

    For Nigerians to enjoy life more abundant, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday advised them to eschew divisive attitudes that have worsened the state of the nation.

    He said unity, peaceful coexistence and brotherliness would make it easy for all to rebuild a nation that the current and future generations would be proud of.

    A statement yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, quoted the governor as saying there was need for all Nigerians to shun ethnic, religious and sectional sentiments and collaborate to rebuild a nation where peace, justice and economic growth would reign.

    He said: “On behalf of government and the people of Delta, I congratulate Nigerians on the occasion of the 2019 Independence celebration.

    “As a people, we have enjoyed democratic governance in the last 20 years, but we have not fully harnessed the gains of democracy.

    “It is appalling that after 20 years of democracy in Nigeria, we are still faced with same challenges of corruption, insecurity, infrastructure deficits, as a nation.

    “I urge all Nigerians to use the occasion of the 59th Independence anniversary to redefine what should constitutes national interest, and unite and rally to achieve that dream.

    “Let us only support and elect leaders with competence and capacity to realise the dream of rebuilding and uniting the nation.

    “As a people, we must take interest in politics and ensure that our choice of leaders is devoid of religious, ethnic and geo-political considerations, and it should permeate all levels.

    “I urge leaders at all levels to re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of politics and good governance to ensure that they deliver a better nation to our people,” he said.

    Oyetola preaches unity

    Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola yesterday urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to remain firmly committed to the unity of the country.

    In his goodwill message, the governor assured Nigerians of better days ahead, saying no achievement could surpass the country’s togetherness as a nation.

    This, he stressed, had remained intact, despite all the challenges that had threatened it in the last 59 years.

    Oyetola said the people owed the country a responsibility to join the government in examining issues that threaten the country’s collective survival with a view to marshalling out plans for socio-political and economic growth and sustainable development.

    He said: “I congratulate and felicitate with every citizen of The State of Osun and, by extension, all Nigerians, on this joyous event and on the journey so far.

    “On all accounts, it is appropriate to roll out the drums to celebrate the accomplishment of the vision of our founding fathers to birth a strong, indivisible, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

    “Although the journey has been adorned by dark days of colonialism, a shattering civil war and occasional crises, we have proved to the world that our ethnic, linguistic and religious diversities are sources of strength, not division.

    “Fifty-nine years down the road, we have had our accomplishments and failings, but Project Nigeria is on course.

    “Consequently, we owe it to ourselves and posterity to continue to interrogate issues that threaten our collective survival as a nation. In our introspection, we must review not just the last 59 years but also attempt to project further afield into the years ahead and marshal our plans for socio-political and economic growth and sustainable development.”

    Tambuwal advises youths on self-reliance, peace

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday advised Nigerian youths to work for the country’s greatness.

    The governor noted that their engagement in legitimate ventures and promotion of peaceful co-existence would make the nation’s future more secured.

    He said these are the basic ingredients to launch the youths on the path self-reliance and patriotism to justify felicitating Nigeria’s mark of prosperity after 59 years of independence.

    The governor also said Nigerians should not allow the current challenges to dampen the joy of celebrating the nationhood.

    Tambuwal spoke at the International Conference Centre, Sokoto, the state capital, at a special interactive session with youths’ groups and students in commemoration of the Independence anniversary.

    The governor noted that despite the various hitches, the anniversary was worth celebrating by patriotic Nigerians.

    According to him, the legacies and struggles by the country’s past heroes should not be in vain, hence “Nigerians have cause to celebrate in recognition of their contributions as our founding brothers”.

    Tambuwal said Nigerians across the world should thank God and extend their hands of gratitude “to President Muhammadu Buhari and all Nigerians for the historic celebration”.

    The governor noted that most Nigerians were not happy with the challenges facing the country, adding: “But we shall continue to celebrate our country’s independence.”

    He advised the youths to give priority to education in order to remain productive and self-reliant.

    “Youths would always remain leaders of today and tomorrow, by God’s grace. The state government will ensure the building and reshaping of their capacities as generational future leaders,” he said.

    Kano moves to promote peaceful coexistence

    Kano State Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje said yesterday in Kano that his administration would adopt measures aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic nationalities in the state.

    The governor, who spoke during the independence anniversary celebration held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano, said it was imperative and more constructive for Nigeria as a nation to remain together than to split.

    “Our diversity, which breeds abundance in our culture and heritage, should not be used as a tool to split us, but should rather bring us together for as long as there is understanding and respect,” he said.

    Ganduje, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, described the theme of this year’s celebration: ‘Peaceful Coexistence For National Unity and Development’, as appropriate, considering the challenges facing the nation, which include security, religious related tension, ethnical disintegration and indigene-settler disputes, among others.

    He said: “Our youths are our most valuable human assets and we believe that their destiny should not be defined by their circumstances or situation in life. We cannot, therefore, as parents, government or as a society continue to make excuses for the difficulties restricting their hopes for a better life.

    “This administration will maintain its friendly posture towards our youths that saw the empowerment of more than 200,000 youths in the last four years. Priority will continue to be given to youth development by tackling the challenges that keep them behind.”

    Ganduje said in the last four years, his administration had delivered significant milestones and advanced the progress of the state, especially in the area of education, health, agriculture, infrastructure and job creation, adding: “This second tenure will be another chance to take tough decisions on the tasks ahead with courage, commitment and compassion.”

    Wike decries faulty electoral system

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried the faulty electoral system in the last 20 years of the nation’s democracy.

    He said it is responsible for the poor leadership selection process.

    Addressing the people yesterday at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, Wike said: “We pride ourselves as a democratic nation, yet for 20 years, our electoral process has remained fraudulent and incapable of delivering free and fair elections.

    “Yet, we are shamefully carrying on as if all is well, resisting every attempt at providing a credible electoral system and not minding the monumental damage this has caused and continues to cause to the character and quality of our politics, leadership recruitment and nation building.”

    The governor said this year’s anniversary had mixed results as there were areas where the country had made progress, while in others it failed woefully.

    “By all accounts, it has been 59 years of mixed results; making significant strides in some respect and failing woefully in others. Nevertheless, we have reason to celebrate this day because we have been free and will remain a free and sovereign nation forever,” he said.

    Imo to roll out five-year development plan

    Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha has said his administration is developing a five-year economic blueprint to restore the state to its former glory.

    Speaking yesterday in Owerri during the independence anniversary celebration, he said:

    “Reforms are ongoing to improve service delivery across board, motivate the workforce and right the wrongs inflicted on the psyche of the personnel by eight years of misgovernment.”

    The governor added: “We have embarked on a comprehensive plan of overhauling our infrastructure, which was ruined by shoddy contract awards, quackery and entrenched policy of graft. Work is commencing shortly for the reconstruction of 14 critical roads, both within the Owerri township and across the state.

    “It is important to state that we are reviewing our security architecture with a view to ensuring security of lives and property and restoration of confidence in the government.”

    ‘Nigeria will overcome challenges’

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has expressed optimism that Nigeria will soon overcome its socio-economic challenges and launch into a new era of prosperity.

    Speaking yesterday in Uyo during the Independence Day anniversary, the governor urged Nigerians to be steadfast, as the country struggles to tackle underdevelopment that has been plaguing the nation for many years.

    He said: “The country is blessed with abundant natural resources as well as experienced human capital,” adding that if such natural wealth was painstakingly harnessed, the nation should become the envy of the world.

    “I have never seen a country that is so as blessed as Nigeria in terms of human resources. We have a whole lot of Nigerians that have the capacity. So, we need to harness and see what we can make out of the resources,” Emmanuel said.

  • Non-violence Day: Eliminating country-wide conflicts

    As Nigeria joins the rest of the world today to observe this year’s International Non-violence Day, CHINAKA OKORO writes that the government should step up its efforts to ensure that Nigerians are saved from the convoluting violence that have continued to give them psychological, social, economic and political trauma.

    When the United Nations General Assembly voted to establish October 2 to be observed as the International Day of Non-Violence on June 15, 2007, one would think it had Nigeria in mind.   The resolution by the General Assembly urged all member states to commemorate the day in “an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.”

    Attaining political independence from Britain in 1960, Nigeria cut the picture of a country ready to lead the African continent in terms of political, social and economic fortune. Peace, unity equity and security are also not unimpeded in Nigeria’s prospect of greatness.

    But few years into nationhood, the country began a dangerous slip to infamy.

    Serious violence erupted in most parts of the country which nearly swept it under, as it resulted in a civil war.

    With the war over in 1970 after 36-month hostilities, Nigerians were hopeful that absolute peace and unity that will lead to equity and justice have come to reign. But that was not to be.

    Unbridled violence and vices became the order of the day. Robbery seemingly became an alternative source of livelihood. Kingpins such as the famous Anini and Oyenusi were terrors to behold. As if that was not enough, other kinds of depravities manifested.

    Any commentary on violence in Nigeria that doesn’t take into cognisance political aspect of the issue is surely ineffective.

    The pages of Nigeria’s political history are fraught with crises. From the First Republic, the issue of violence is overwrought. For instance, the 1983 general elections in Nigeria was one of the worst in terms of wide spread violence. Lives and properties were lost.

    Till date, violence has been a major characteristic of our elections. Again, there are some offshoots of political violence which have kept the entire country down.

    Currently, the country is overwhelmed by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents, which security expert say could run the nation under if urgent measures are not taken. The insurgents have been a great source of violence against Nigerians. The group has in its custody many Nigerians who they abducted from their (Nigerians) homes, even as they set their ancestral home environments ablaze.

    Another form of violence that Nigerians are experiencing is that of kidnapping. Many Nigerians- wealthy or related to a wealthy people- have been kidnapped and their families or relations have parted with large sums of money before the kidnapped regained their freedoms.

    This has inflicted dangerous violence on Nigerians.

    Robbery is another form of violence which Nigerians have to contend with. People are in perpetual fear of losing their lives and belongings to men of the underworld.

    As if those forms of violence are not enough, Nigerians are now witnessing banditry in almost every state so much so that governments have begun to play the role of the defeated by negotiating for the release of those indigenous to the states in question.

    What of the herders’/farmers’ clashes in almost all the states? This recent form of violence has affected not only the well-being of the communities affected, but has also affected food production as farmers could no longer go to their farms for fear of being killed by the herders.

    Experts maintain that limiting violence to those experienced physically would lead to the appreciation of the danger associated with violence.

    They are of the view that there other forms of violence that what we experienced physically. Others may include psychological, social, economic, cultural and work place violence. The effects of these forms of violence, it is said, are more dangerous than the physical forms.

    A leading scholar on non-violent resistance Professor Gene Sharp uses the following definition in his publication The Politics of Nonviolent Action:

    “Nonviolent action is a technique by which people who reject passivity and submission, and who see struggle as essential, can wage their conflict without violence. Nonviolent action is not an attempt to avoid or ignore conflict. It is one response to the problem of how to act effectively in politics, especially how to wield powers effectively.”

    There are three main categories of non-violence action, namely protest and persuasion, including marches and vigils; non-co-operation; and non-violent intervention, such as blockades and occupations.

    A survey carried out concerning Nigeria situation as it concerned violence and its aftermath by the United Nations Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard painted a very gloomy situation.

    She said after presenting a preliminary statement at the end of her 12-day mission:

    “The overall situation that I encountered in Nigeria gives rise to extreme concern, with issues such as poverty and climate change adding to the crisis.  She pointed out that if ignored, the ripple effects of unaccountability on such a large scale had the potential to destabilise the sub-region if not the whole continent.

    “Nigeria is confronting nation-wide, regional and global pressures, such as population explosion, an increased number of people living in absolute poverty, climate change and desertification, and increasing proliferation of weapons”, she elaborated. “These are re-enforcing localised systems and country-wide patterns of violence, many of which are seemingly spinning out of control”.

    Ms. Callamard highlighted many areas of concern, including armed conflict against the Boko Haram terrorist group in the Northeast; insecurity and violence in the Northwest; the conflict in the central area known as the Middle Belt and parts of the Northwest and South, between nomadic herdsmen and indigenous farming communities.

    In the circumstances, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, in his message on this year’s International Day of Non-Violence, Mr. Guterres called on the world to follow the “enduring vision and wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi whose birthday the day is commemorating.

    “As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I can only hope that all those that have political responsibility in the world are able to be worthy of Mahatma Gandhi and to understand that they should reach their objectives through dialogue, through non-violence, through a strong commitment to truth and too the well-being of their peoples.”

    Continuing, he said: “At a time of protracted conflicts and complex challenges, Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence remains an inspiration. At the United Nations, a world free of violence – and the resolution of differences through non-violent means – is at the core of our work.

    “At a time of protracted conflicts and complex challenges, Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence remains an inspiration. At the United Nations, a world free of violence — and the resolution of differences through non-violent means — is at the core of our work.

    At a time when inequality is on the rise and a fair globalisation is an imperative, we also recall Gandhi’s commitment to social justice.

    And in a period when the world is striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, ensure gender equality and leave no one behind, Gandhi’s commitment to human dignity can light our path.

    Gandhi once said: “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.” The Charter of the United Nations echoes that spirit, with its call in Chapter VI for the use, “first of all”, of negotiation, mediation, arbitration, judicial settlement and other peaceful ways to address threats to peace.

    The principle of non-violence—also known as non-violent resistance—rejects the use of physical violence in order to achieve social or political change. Often described as “the politics of ordinary people”, this form of social struggle has been adopted by mass populations all over the world in campaigns for social justice.

    As Nigeria joins the world today to observe this all-important day, it is hoped that the government should step up its efforts to ensure that Nigerians are saved from the unbridled levels and forms of violence that have continued to give them psychological, social, economic and political trauma and cultural dislocation.

  • Calls for peace, unity dominate discourse

    Leaders spoke with one voice: all hope is not lost despite the country’s challenges at 59. Calls for peace and unity dominated their Independence Day messages, with United States President Donald reiterating his country’s partnership and support. VINCENT IKUOMOLA, ALAO ABIODUN, BOLAJI OGUNDELE, TONY AKOWE, ONIMISI ALAO, KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, AUGUSTINE OKEZIE, SANNI ONOGU, DAMISI OJO, KOLADE ADEYEMI, VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and FANEN IHYONGO report.

    Nigeria can overcome challenges and take its rightful place on the world stage. To do so, there must be peace and unity. There were messages of hope and rallying calls for optimism as the country marks 59 years of independence. But, to some, there is not much to celebrate. Others believe Nigeria will get there.

    United States President Donald Trump sees a better future for Nigeria. He vowed to strengthen the two countries’ economic relationship.

    In his congratulatory message to President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary, he said the US recognised Nigeria’s efforts to diversify the economy.

    Trump said in the message he personally signed: “Dear Mr President, on behalf of the American people, I extend our warmest greetings and congratulate you on the 59th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.

    “Nigeria is among our strongest partners in Africa. We share common goals of expanding trade and growing our economic relationship.

    “We are allies in the global battle against terrorism, and we want to see Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa driven out of the region and other insurgencies like them dismantled.

    “The United States welcomes efforts by your administration to diversify opportunities for your talented, creative, and hardworking people to the benefit of our countries, Africa, and the world.

    “I am pleased that following our meeting last year, our Vice Presidents are also building on our longstanding history of cooperation.

    “I wish the people of Nigeria continued success as you mark another year of independence.”

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the last general elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said Nigeria should be the beacon of hope, democracy and freedom, not only to the African continent, but to the black race.

    He said citizens have a role to play in making the country great.

    Atiku said in a statement: “When we put Nigeria first, we not only revive the Nigerian Dream, we also revive unity and faith, peace and progress, which were the ideals our founding fathers had in mind when they came together to put forward this new and independent nation 59 years ago on October 1, 1960.”

    Atiku, however, said “all is not well” with Nigeria. He decried the attack on the judiciary, extreme poverty, and clampdown on press freedom, among others.

    He said: “We all have a duty to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And this we must do, so help us, God.”

    APC, PDP: better together

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) felicitated with Nigerians on the anniversary.

    National Publicity Secretary Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu said in a statement that in spite of “inherited and current challenges”, the Buhari administration has made commendable strides on so many fronts.

    The statement added: “We admonish well-meaning Nigerians to engage only in acts that would heal our fault lines by promoting ethnic and religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, which would engender Nigeria’s growth and development.

    “As Africa’s most populous nation, we can do much better, given our natural resources and potential. The Buhari administration is committed to building on and affirming our giant of Africa status.”

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) called for patriotism.

    In a statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan, the party praised Nigerians for their resilience despite challenges.

    It urged them to keep hope alive and not surrender to ‘despondency in the face of the excesses, impunity and recklessness of retrogressive forces in high places’.

    According to PDP, the October 1 date remains an undying signpost of freedom and unity as a nation.

    It said: “The last four years have experienced a complete retrogression to primordial division, impunity, constitutional and human rights violations, assault on institutions of democracy, disobedience to court orders, electoral malpractices and governance by a cabal.”

    The party expressed optimism that the nation would come out of the woods.

    Lawan: challenges surmountable

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan urged Nigerians to see the present challenges as surmountable.

    He said in a statement: “The current challenges that Nigeria is going through are definitely not insurmountable and should be seen as a necessary process towards the attainment of greatness…

    “God has endowed us with all it takes to be great. It is imperative on all of us, therefore, to play our parts individually and collectively to build the nation we envision and achieve our destiny of prominence and influence on the global stage.

    “With our creativity, resilience, hard work and the eagle spirit, we shall surely ride the storms of these challenges to reach the heights that we desire.”

    Deputy Senate President Senator Ovie Omo-Agege called on Nigerians to keep praying for peace and unity.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) Yomi Odunuga, he urged Nigerians to join hands with President Buhari to take the country to greater heights.

    Also on Monday, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Francis Alimikhena, tasked Nigerians to rise above divisive forces.

    Gbajabiamila seeks unity

    House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila urged Nigerians to remain united, adding that citizens should pray for the entrenchment of good governance.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker tasked Nigerians to continue working hard to realise the mission and vision of the country’s founding fathers.

    He said: “As we mark our country’s 59th Independence Anniversary, we must remain steadfast, united and prayerful for our country to remain one and overcome her challenges.

    “It is also incumbent on us all as citizens to pray for our leaders so that God Almighty will continue to guide them aright. Let’s all work together as one people.”

    Governors sue for peace

    Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the State of Osun asked citizens, at home and in the diaspora, to remain firmly committed to unity.

    In his goodwill message, he said no achievement could surpass the country’s togetherness, which has remained intact in spite of challenges that had threatened it in the last 59 years.

    He added that the people owed the country a responsibility to join the government in the task of interrogating issues that threaten the country’s collective survival as a nation, with a view to marshalling out plans for socio-political and economic growth and sustainable development.

    “I congratulate and felicitate with every citizen of The State of Osun, and by extension, all Nigerians, on this joyous event and on the journey so far.

    “On all accounts, it is appropriate to roll out the drums to celebrate the accomplishment of the vision of our founding fathers to birth a strong, indivisible, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

    “Although the journey has been adorned by dark days of colonialism, a shattering civil war and occasional crises, we have proved to the world that our ethnic, linguistic and religious diversities are sources of strength, not division.

    “Fifty-nine years down the road, we have had our accomplishments and failings, but Project Nigeria is on course.”

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi urged Nigerians to remain steadfast in the pursuit of peace, unity and brotherhood.

    He reiterated his commitment to the fulfilment of his promises to ensure the security of lives and property, enhancement of good governance and sustenance of economic growth in Enugu State.

    He commended the fighting spirit of the founding fathers, the fallen heroes and heroines, the Armed Forces and other security and paramilitary agencies for their efforts and sacrifices to preserve the country’s unity and integrity.

    Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello said the APC-led administration is capable of surmounting the security challenges.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Mrs Mary Noel Berje, the governor commiserated with the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the renewed attacks by suspected bandits in Kusherki and its adjoining communities in Rafi Local Government Area.

    He urged the people to be security conscious, report any suspicious character or movement and resist any attempt by individuals or groups to cause disharmony in the state.

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in the resolve to build a more progressive and united nation.

    In a statement by his spokesman Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, he said: “For Nigeria to develop into the country of our dream, we should make no room for tendencies that will exploit our fault lines and pitch one section against another in a needless confrontation’.

    “As the nation ages, our attitude should reflect the journey which has brought us this far together and the reason behind the journey.”

    Masari is concerned about the tendency of some Nigerians not to be bothered about other regions’ travails.

    He said: “In the race towards building a better, stronger and more united nation, we should not allow divisive sentiments to pull the baton out of our hands.

    “We would do well to realise that whatever affects one part of Nigeria affects all of Nigeria, and it is in the interest of us all to collectively face any challenge affecting a section of the country, as doing otherwise will only give room for the challenge to envelope the whole country.

    “The issues of banditry and other security challenges have nothing to do with politics, religion or ethnicity, because criminality neither knows nor respects boundaries.”

    Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku, said Nigeria is old in years but is a child in status. “We are 59 years old, but I don’t think we are 59 years matured,” he stated.

    Speaking with reporters in Jalingo, the governor described the country’s journey as “sweet, sour and ugly.”

    “It is a shame that we Nigerians, in Africa, are still lagging behind. I was in Rwanda; I was amazed at their development in healthcare delivery and other areas,” he said.

    He said: “A lot needs to be done in all facets: educationally, economically, including the transformation of our thinking and reorientation of the whole system, so that the people can believe in it.

    “Nigerians are people that have a lot of drives and enthusiasm; they are always willing to contribute. They just need to be shown the right direction.

    “And if you ask me 10 times over, I will tell you: let us take power. If we can correct electricity in this country, I am sure two-thirds of our problems would be solved. This is because power drives modernity, it drives the economy and other things.”

    In the spirit of the celebrations, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri pardoned 18 prisoners serving various jail terms in five correctional facilities across the state.

    A statement by his Director-General, Media and Communications, Solomon Kumangar, said the pardon was in commemoration of the independence anniversary.

    Kalu, others: unity non-negotiable

    Former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Kalu urged leaders to make the welfare of Nigerians a priority.

    Acknowledging the contributions of heroes and heroines past, he charged Nigerians to support government at all levels.

    Kalu stressed that Nigeria’s cultural, religious and ethnic diversity should be an asset for nation-building.

    In a statement by his media office, the Senator said the Buhari administration was desirous of lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

    Kalu: “Nigeria is blessed with abundant human and natural resources and as such, Nigerians deserve a good standard of living. The government and the governed must support each other in building a Nigeria of our dream.”

    A member of the House of Representatives representing Sumaila/Takai Federal Constituency of Kano State, Mohammed Shamsuddeen Dambazau, said that Nigerians should take advantage on what unites the country and work together to build a united and strong country.

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Adamu assured Nigerians of hitch-free celebrations.

    He directed all Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the States and Zonal Commands across the country to emplace necessary security measures towards a peaceful and incident-free celebration

    CAN: Nigerians wants see democracy dividends

    Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President Samson Ayokunle said the Federal Government needs to put in more effort to deliver more dividends of democracy.

    He said: “Our leaders need to work harder and allow governance to have a positive impact on the citizens.

    “The people must be provided uninterrupted power supply, good roads, the security of their lives and properties.

    “Jobs and social welfare amenities must be made available to stop criminality and the brain drain we are experiencing in our nation.

    “Leadership should not be about what we can grab but what we can sacrifice. These are the pathways to greatness.”

    CAN chairman in Kano State, Rev Adeolu Adeyemo, urged citizens to seek divine intervention.

    At a one-day prayer to mark the anniversary, he said God can turn the country round for better.

    Ekweremadu seeks decentralised policing

    Former Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu reiterated the need for decentralised policing if the country is to overcome security challenges.

    In a statement by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, he urged “leaders at all levels of governance to rededicate themselves to an egalitarian society marked by justice for all, including an equitable distribution of opportunities and amenities as a sure way of securing peace and unity among our citizens across the nation”.

    On tackling insecurity, he said: “While the plans by the Federal Government to introduce community policing give an impression of shifting of ground, I doubt that such effort without first decentralising policing to allow states, which can afford it, to set up their own police services, can take us anywhere.

    “On the contrary, it is like putting the cart before the horse and the result is very predictable”.

    Glo greets Nigerians

    Telecommunications company, Globacom, sent a message of encouragement to Nigerians on the occasion.

    It said in a statement: “We felicitate with the government and people of Nigeria on the nation’s Independence celebration.

    “We believe that a major reason for joy is the resilience of Nigerians to weather the storm and remain one united country notwithstanding continual threats to its cohesion.”

    The company acknowledged challenges facing the country, but noted that they were not enough to discourage the spirit of loyalty, patriotism and nationalism of Nigerians, adding that other prosperous countries have come out of similar issues to rise to greatness.

  • Hope for Tiv, Jukun enduring peace

    New move by some stakeholders to broker peace between the warring Tiv community of Taraba State and Jukun community of Benue State yielded some level of success as the communities signed a peace deal that will lead to cessation of hostilities. FANEN IHYONGO reports that the 30-man committee insisted on a ceasefire between the communities to allow peace to reign.

     

    THE Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups of Southern Taraba have been at daggers drawn for some time now. Several efforts made in the past to bring about lasting peace between these two neighbours have been futile. For about six months, the two ethnic groups have been at war.

    However, fresh moves to resolve the crisis by stakeholders from Tiv and Junkun seem to bear fruits. The stakeholders succeeded in making the warring communities sign a new peace deal, even as they called for suspension of hostilities.

    The stakeholders have directed that all road-blocks in the affected communities should be dismantled and all local markets in the areas reopened.

    They also called for the release of all victims who were kidnapped during the hostilities. They also urged government to provide relief materials and ensure the return of all displaced people to their ancestral homes.

    At the two-day peace talks which held at the weekend, the 30-man committee insisted that there should be a ceasefire to allow peace to reign.

    The committee, set up by Governor Darius Ishaku, has 15 representatives from the Tiv and 15 from Jukun communities. The representatives were drawn from the affected areas which include Wukari, Donga and Takum.

    This is the second committee to be set by the governor since the crisis erupted on April 1.

    The first committee, which had five representatives from Jukun of Taraba and five representatives from Tiv of Benue State, was rejected by a Taraba Tiv youth group for the non-inclusion of Tivs from the affected areas.

    It was gathered that the committee, which was mobilised with N30 million to stop the violence, sat for most or all of the time outside Taraba and could not achieve success, as the killings continued.

    Hundreds of Jukun and Tiv have lost their lives to the crisis while properties, including homes and food stuffs estimated at billions of naira have been destroyed.

    The Federal University in Wukari was shut down as violence spilled to the campus.

    The crisis is an offshoot of a lingering feud based on a claim by the Jukun that the Tiv are “settlers,” in Taraba State, and therefore, have no ownership rights to the land they occupy.

    The conflict first erupted in 1959. It reoccurred in 1980, 1990, 2001 and this year.

    The latest crisis reached a crescendo when a 42-year-old cleric, Rev. Fr. David Tanko, a peace broker, was killed and set ablaze. The priest’s murder prompted President Muhammadu Buhari to call for a peace dialogue between Tiv and Jukun from Taraba and Benue states respectively.

    During the meeting, which was held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom proposed that the Federal Government should set up a commission of enquiry into the crisis.

    But Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku strongly objected to the idea of bringing a “stranger” into the matter. He suggested that “the problem is ours; it’s an internal problem; we shall look into it and resolve it.”

    Upon his return to the state, Ishaku set up the new committee and gave the warring groups a seven-day ultimatum to sheathe their swords for the committee to work effectively.

    The new committee, which has been hailed by all as likely to succeed, is to examine and bring to an end all issues underlying persistent violent clashes between Jukun and Tiv ethnic groups.

    The committee held a peace dialogue in the Executive Chamber of Government House, Jalingo the Taraba State capital. In their midst were the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Anthony Jellason, representatives of the police, army, Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services (DSS).

    Others in attendance included representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other religious bodies as well as representatives of the Jukun, Tiv and Etulo communities from the affected local government areas. All the attending groups made their presentations.

    The meeting was chaired by the Taraba State Deputy Governor, Haruna Manu, who, together with the SSG on behalf of the state government, signed the communique that was issued at the end of the meeting.

    Danjuma Adamu, Markus Ikitsombika and John Mamman signed the communique for the Jukun community while Jime Yongo, Kurason Kura and Isaac Waakaa signed for the Tiv community.

    The communique reads: “Speakers at the meeting condemned the crisis and stressed the need for cessation of all forms of hostilities between the two communities to pave way for the peace building effort being spearheaded by the state government.

    “The crisis had been hijacked by criminals from both the Jukun and Tiv communities and therefore, the two communities should expose the criminals among them.

    “We also resolved to, henceforth, stop reprisal attacks or revenge from both parties, but report all forms of security breaches to security agencies for appropriate action.

    “There is need for the government to take deliberate steps to encourage the Internally Displaced People (IDPs) to return to their homes, since adequate security operatives have been deployed in the affected communities to protect lives and property.”

    The committee advised the Jukun and Tiv communities to be wary of rumours that are capable of inciting them and destabilising the peace process.

    One of the signatories of the communique, Danjuma Adamu, revealed that during the peace meeting, the committee split into Team Tiv and Team Jukun to sketch their submissions.

    “We in the Team Jukun were just clapping as the Tiv made their presentation. The issues they raised were exactly the same with ours, as if they spied or copied from us.

    “So, it was not difficult marrying or harmonising the two submissions. We just adopted them.

    “That was victory number one. It means the problem is an internal one, and we know it. It means we can solve the problem by ourselves.

    “In doing this, we must be sincere to ourselves. Any criminal element among us must be fished out, punished and treated as a criminal. With this, the committee shall succeed,” he told The Nation.

    Also in a chat with The Nation on the telephone, Isaac Waakaa, a Tiv member of the committee, said the committee will achieve the needed result.

    Waakaa said: “The committee will succeed because it captured the actual environment of the crisis and the people that are directly affected.

    “If there is crisis in Taraba because someone is killed in Taraba, and you bring somebody from outside to resolve the matter, it will be an exercise in futility, because the outsider is not familiar with the terrain, the people and their cultures.

    “In this committee, we know all the people representing the Jukun community and they know us all.

    “Secondly, all the issues the committee has raised are genuinely correct. The next step is to look into the issues, which is what we have started.”

    Waakaa, however, noted that the Jukun/Tiv crisis is a “recurring feud” as such; the committee would need time in tackling the issues involved.

    “Our work is a peace-building process that is not achievable in a hurry,” he said.

    He observed that there are other personalities who were not invited to be part of the committee.

    “In trying to solve a problem, you involve everybody concerned. In this case, you involve them to aid the peace-building process, not to truncate it. That is why we are going to consult those out there who are not members of this committee whom we are convinced know better than we do.

    “So, everyone affected is involved. We are only representing them in tackling the issues. So far, I don’t think there is any shortcoming with the committee, and I am sure it will succeed,” he said.